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It absolutely “can” work. For me, it worked beautifully. I am 6’ tall and went from 282lbs down to as low as 170lbs. I am back up to 185-190, but that has been a welcome weight gain as I have been working out and gaining lean muscle mass. My BMI went from over 38 to under 25, more importantly my Body Fat percentage is hovering between 13-15% (which is considered excellent). Was it easy? No, nothing that works is. You have to learn how to work the tool, you have to set goals, and you have to do some work. Before this, I wasn’t always to most dedicated dieter or workout person. With the band though, I saw that my work was paying off (while losing weight I was dropping 2-4 lbs per week). Now I am careful about what I eat (but not super anal about it) and am very motivated to maintain and improve my physical fitness. I do some sort of workout 5 days a week (usually a couple of days in the gym, and a few days on the bike).

I would recommend using a calorie tracking program such as Myfitnesspal, or whatever you find easiest to use. It will give you a better picture of your calorie consumption. Using McDonald's medium carmel frappe as an example: 550 cal, 9g Protein, 23g fat, 79g carb (71g is sugar, and you can divide that by 12 to get the equivalent tablespoons), and no Fiber. So, I'm guessing getting diarrhea was more likely due to the 23g of fat and roughly 6 tablespoons of sugar you consumed than drinking through the straw. My guidance is to aim for 25-30g protein in each meal, and 9g just isn't enough. I would highly recommend you find a healthier alternative for these drinks if you are going to have something like this with any regularity. I'm not one to recommend cutting fat and sugar too far, but you are really not doing yourself any favors here. WIth your described weight gain and diet, I would think that your sodium consumption would be an unlikely culprit, you are probably not exceeding the sodium recommendations. Best of luck and congratulations on your weight loss so far!

Venting is good, and we're good at it here. Maybe I can help make sense of some of the things you're experiencing. Doesn't it seem like we lose weight at a snails pace compared to everyone else? By we do you mean people with the band, or just people who are significantly overweight? Even worse, it seems like we GAIN weight faster than everyone else. This I have noticed. Gain on the tail end of loss is predictable. I think rate of gain also has to do with the extent to which we overeat. E.g. take a "normal" person who has lost 10 lbs, and may gain back 2. And a "fat" person who has lost 50 lbs, and may gain 15. Two things working against the fat ones - the amount they lost (which usually has a strong correlation to the amount that is gained), and the way in which the weight is gained. The "normal" person doesn't have an eating problem, the "fat" person does. Chances are the fat person is consuming a helluva lot more calories, hence the quicker weight gain. Have you ever been on a diet, stuck to every single little rule and didn't cheat even just a little bit - then, one day you have a morsel of something "bad" and gain 2 pounds?? This experience is exactly what kills so many diets before they even have a chance to kick in. People defeat themselves way too quickly. If you've been around a while you've seen me say it more than once - weight does not equal fat. Weight is your skin, everything on it, and everything in it. Fat is fat. During the first 7 - 10 days of a diet, especially a full omission diet (where some thing or things are excluded, e.g. low fat, low carb -- as opposed to a redcuded calorie diet where the overall calories are viewed rather than individual types of foods), your body is fighting like mad to keep the fat on. I won't go into the sordid details, but one byproduct of that battle is to retain things like Water and glycogen. What happens most of the time is that -- maybe some fat is lost, meube it's not, but it certainly isn't gained. However, the body is being greedy with all the things it's trying to hold on to, and not releasing the way it does when you're in a dietary equilibrium. This means you weigh more than you did a week ago, even if you have less fat on your body. People see that jump in the scale and say, "F it, I'm 2# heavier, this diet isn't working" when - if they could have just given it a little while longer - their body would have adjusted and they would have started to see the difference. And then there's the specific restriction leaps and bounds. Take low carb diets for example. While in a state of ketosis, the body uses a lot of water. Most people don't adequately increase their intake, so their body is continuously in a state of mild dehydration (that's on TOP of the dehydration most people are always in). When you break ketosis, you will gain water weight. It's pretty much a guaranteed thing. It can be as little as a pound, or as much as 18+ pounds. People on low carb diets in ketosis will "cheat", break their ketosis, see they've gained 10 lbs overnight, NOT make the distinction between "gain" and "fat gain" and give up because all of their sacrifice has been for nothing. This is why scale's aren't the way to go. I'm so frustrated I could scream! I'm on my pre-op liquid diet, been good as gold for 8 days and I've lost 5 measly pounds! GRRRRRR! I remember when I could lose 5 pounds in 2 days, now it takes me 8 whole days of nothing but liquid??!! Liquid diets usually aren't for weightloss, they're usually for a specific outcome, e.g. shrinking the liver, giving intestinal issues time to "take it easy," flushing some part of the body, etc. Try not to let yourself be frustrated by this. Part of it could be your age (you mention remembering the day -- also remember that your body has changed since then), part of it could be the liquids... there are SO many variables here. So frustrating. I really think that years of yo-yo dieting has messed with my metabolism. No worries here, it can't happen. Your body - if subjected to extreme dieting - becomes more efficient at storing fat. This "unexplained" weight gain, coupled with the additional challenges in weightloss that can come with age, hormonal changes, etc., and the body's natural tendency to change its own composition (which yoyo dieting can add to - remember, the body always tries to hold on to the fat it has... yo-yo dieting can make your body, well, to make a long story short, your body can become less sure of where its next meal is coming from, and want to hold on to even more fat, just in case... hence your equilibrium state is now fatter than it used to be). I know I didn't gain this weight over night, and I know it'll take a long-long-LONG time to lose it... but 5 pounds?? Come on! And I would say to you, 5 pounds in 8 days?? Come on, what more do you want!?!? :cool: Of course now I'm concerned with what will happen when I'm banded (this Friday). I know I'll go crazy when I see the scale creeping along, or even stopping after surgery. It's just so frustrating. The ideal thing would be to hide the scale - been there, done that. I always talk myself into stepping on it. I try not to be obsessive with the numbers, but, how can you not be? It's not that hard to get away from. It really does work to get rid of the scale. Just throw it away. It doesn't tell you what you need to know. If you want to do something compulsively, invest in a body fat meter, or hell - a $4 tape measure. Those will give you a much better idea of the changes in your body than a scale will. I'm really discouraged and really just plain bummed out. I know it'll take a while, but, I'm literally starving on this #$#%$ pre-op diet and so disappointed. I know we've all felt like this - I just needed to vent. And vent away. It's good for you. And understanding why some of these things may help.

I have been creeping around LBT since November of 2011 and have never posted because I didn't think I had anything to add. A little back story on me... I never struggled with my weight until my mid 20's. Even when I gained 50 pounds in college I was able to lose it with no problem. After having 3 kids in 3 years in my late 20's I gained 150 pounds and had tried everything to lose the weight with no success. After several years of trying to lose the weight I gave up and told myself that my weight gain was genetic and there was nothing I could do about it. Then in November of last year I lost a very close uncle at the age of 53 due to complications related to Type II diabetes. I made up my mind then that I would not leave my husband and kids at such an early age because of weight related issues. In November I weighed 325 lbs and I am 5'7". I rejoined Weight Watchers and was able to loose only 8 pounds before I finally considered WLS. I went to a surgery seminar with a friend of mine in December and saw the surgeon for my consultation in January. I was banded on March 16th and have not looked back. Today I weigh 273 lbs. I have lost 52lbs since November and I feel great. I am able to eat healthy and I can honestly say that I don't miss the high fat, high-sugar food that I used to eat. I also used to be a caffeine junkie drinking a pot of coffee and 3-20oz Diet Cokes a day. Now I drink 8-10 glasses of Water a day and I may have 1 tea. For those of you considering surgery or those that are worried about how you will do I am here to say that if you believe in your heart that this is the only way you can lose the weight and you are ready to give up your old habits, then you can do it. It will save your life. I know it has mine.

Thanks Kim. I'm definitely going to stay between 950-1200 calories because that's what my doctor wants. I honestly wasn't beat up about the weight gain I just thought it was weird. Because I feel healed, ya know? But I realize my body is just adjusting. Plus, i got on the scale this morning and had lost the 6-7 lbs I had gained in the past week. So back to 269 I am and hopefully it's the last time I see that number :-) You guys are great! It's nice to know I'm not alone in this journey :-)

Hey everyone! I'm 9 months post op VSG and have lost about 105 pounds so far (including pre-op liquid diet). Everything in general has been good so far, except for the past two weeks I've been experiencing a lot of abdominal and side pain after eating, and also some really terrible bloating, gas, nausea, and constipation. Did an ultrasound a few days ago and it turns out I have a contracted gallbladder full of stones. I know that the only way to get rid of gallbladder problems is to do gallbladder removal surgery, but I've been doing a lot of research and I've been finding that A LOT of people have been complaining that they experience uncontrolled weight gain after gallbladder removal. Despite eating healthy, exercising, and limiting the consumption of fats, people seem to rapidly gain huge amounts of weight, especially in the abdomen, and find it impossible to lose it. As a bariatric patient this of course scares the heck out of me! I don't want to do this surgery and ruin what I've worked so hard to achieve with my weight loss, and I still have so much more weight I want to lose until I hit my goal. What should I do? Has anyone else had gallbladder removal after wls? Did it impact your weight loss or give you any unwanted side affects after surgery? I'm so scared of having to do this surgery. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi! I haven't been banded. I am just doing research regarding LapBand. I weigh over 100 lbs. beyond my goal weight, but the gastric bypass is too invasive! I am 59, and not sure whether this is for me. Secondly, my husband has Medicare with Tricare for Life, and I am covered as his dependent (spouse) with Tricare Prime; I do not qualify for Medicare. I found Tricare Prime accepts referrals from Primary Care Physicians for GBS. However, I checked about 4 months ago about whether they approve for LapBand surgery, and was told "No, not at this time." Has anyone heard different as to whether they have reconsidered? I am curious. Does anyone know why Tricare Prime would pay for GBS and not LBS? Maybe because the procedure is still too new? I would also like to know why it is easier to exercise and eat right when one has the LBS, than before the surgery? Doesn't the motivation have to continue? Perhaps the LBS does motivate, when youhave gone that far? I know one thing... I have been too heavy, too long (about 8 years) and realize that soon I am prone to diabetes, sleep apnea, etc. as it runs in my family, both sides. My motivation to lose lasts about 1 week, then it fades. Could be because my husband can and does eat Desserts, or anything he desires, with no weight gain. Guess you might call that co-dependent, but I can't help it. When sweets are around, I weaken. I have not been a happy person for a long time now. This weight is depressing. I would hate to think that I would have to carry my two dogs around all day long, but my excess weight outweighs them! ...and they are BIG dogs!:help: Any information about insurance, or advice about LBS will be appreciated! Thank you! Pam :clap2: pamblundell@aol.com

Beckiet - I get clothes on a regular basis. I didn't include it in my incentives because I have to have them. That's why I don't have more "mini" goals on there. I'm going to raid mom's closet today - she has clothes from 8 - 18; I'm down to 14 and they are already getting baggy (woohoo!! what a problem to have!) Menopause has really caused her a lot of weight gain. I had to promise not to get rid of them when they don't fit me anymore Anyone else need to resize their jewelry yet?

Well, I can understand a lot of what you're talking about. Most assuredly you're in a better place for pregnancy (at least as a doc would view things) being more than half a year from surgery. And some doctors will let their patients try to conceive even sooner post op. My twins were nearing the same age when we decided to get pregnant, too. I didn't want too much of an age difference, so I really do understand that part of things. If there isn't a fertility concern I would wait one year post op but that's me. I had issues eating for more than a year post op. It wasn't until the six months prior to my two year anniversary that I could eat more normally, skip shakes if I didn't want them and had my Vitamin deficiencies under control. Would a healthy and happy pregnancy prior to that time been possible? Absolutely. Other people have done it and had no real problems or complications. A lot depends on where you are in your diet and overall health. As far as baby weight, unfortunately, very few folks have come back to update post op. It could be that they're too busy or that they're ashamed because they haven't been able to lose it. I do know that of the handful of regain posts I've seen, some of them were ladies that had babies post sleeve. But I think that the same principles that apply to maintenance/loss prior to a baby apply afterward and that a lot of this can be avoided if you're healthy, don't develop bad habits or go completely off track because you're pregnant and if you've got the emotional food issues under control. I've had a perfectly normal weight gain with my pregnancy and anticipate no real issues shedding the weight afterward, though I do expect it to go slowly much the way losing my last twenty pounds to goal went before I got pregnant. This is really something you should weigh and consider after seeing both your OB/GYN and your surgeon, to see what they have to say. Good luck, ~Cheri

Thanks for your thoughtful replies. I am trying to figure out how to tackle the weight gain...I only lost 30 lbs after the sleeve (a huge disappointment for me), have gained almost all of it back. My Breakfast almost never varies, 1/2 cup greek yogurt with 1/4 cup granola and 1/2 cup of fruit; then a low fat cheese stick or 1/4 cup of nuts two hours later, then 1/2 of a sandwich or a salad, then veggies or a piece of fruit for a snack, then dinner is at 5:30 - which I'm still happy to say is very much limited in portion compared to pre-surgery. I am horrible at night though, from 7 on I'm snacking on something...1 cup of tortilla chips and salsa w/protein or pretzels w/peanut butter, or Protein drinks. I'm going to at least try and stop the night Snacks...they seem superfluous and a hold over from when I wasn't eating much and needed extra protein. It is never hard for me to get Water in now that I'm two years out. I've always loved the taste of cold water and plan to try and add that for the night snacking I've gotten used to. I appreciate all the reminders of how hard it really is to do this every moment of every day. I was so hoping the struggle would diminish...but it is just as fierce as it always has been and will likely be until I leave the earth. Let me don my armor and sword!!!!

I had a reduction done several years ago. Pre surgery and pre weight gain. Mine were naturally huge. Having that surgery helped every aspect. It was easier to exercise, my back improved. It was a major operation for me but never got me as small as I wanted. Recovery was simple. Fast forward to now. When I get to goal I'll investigate having another one. I would say go for it if it's covered. Just find a great surgeon.

I have my first post-op appointment today. I was banded June 22. I'm down a total 8lbs which is disappointing but i was warned not to expect weight loss after surgery and possibly even a weight gain until I start getting fills. I'm excited for my fill today. i'm ready to get this show on the road!!

There is a study on the recidivism-weight gain of participants on the show. I read it while I was doing research. One of the points made was that the contestants do 90 minutes of cardio a day with "suggested" times of up to 3 hours more. They are not fed a certain diet, and can choose what they eat. Before weigh-ins, many are dehydrated, etc. (like my WW weigh ins for sure;-( ) once off the ranch, they try to keep to these same measures to win. I don't know anyone who has an outside life of family, kids, dogs, jobs etc, who has time to work out 4 1/2 HOURS a day. Not to mention, it is near impossible to keep up. I used to watch the show and loved it, until I realized that like many of us, they lost all that weight to regain much of it. I do have my guilty pleasure of my 600 pound life...

@the realmeishere I was having extreme weight gain in a short period, 20lbs in 6 weeks... As well as thinning hair and acne which I never had a pimple as a teenager... None of it life threatening but to me if things are happening that never have before you need to pay attention...no doctor before the endocrinologist ever mentioned it... It's just another test the perform on the blood they draw, don't see why you can't request to have one. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Since having my surgery on October 20, 2011, I have set a "main" goal every year. Year one was obvious, get to the weight that my body wanted to be at. Approximately fourteen months post-op I hit 155 lbs, my weight loss leveled out, I felt great about my weight, about myself, and about what I had accomplished. Year two. I had read so many times about "bounce back weight gain". Usually ten or fifteen pounds but sometimes much more. I researched everything I could find and there appeared to be no physical or metabolic justification for the weight gain. It was/is quite common, but I could find no science to explain it. So my year two goal became to avoid the bounce back. I established a window of 151 to 156 lbs that I was determined to maintain. I changed my weigh-ins schedule from my year one weekly weight checks to year two daily checks. My weight in year two was seldom below 151 (maybe two or three times) and never above 156. Year three. As you get further out veterans who have "been there done that" often drop off of the forums. It became more difficult to identify potential "bumps in the road" that were common in the third year post-op period. Then over a period of time I read a number of posts by a five year veteran who repeatedly stressed that maintaining your weight becomes more difficult, m u c h more difficult, after the two year mark. And responses to this member's posts seemed to confirm that many had experienced the same difficulties. Once again I looked to science for an explanation and possible suggestions for avoiding or at least minimizing the challenges. And once again I was unable to identify any credible science to explain the problem. So my year three goal became more of a mental challenge than a physical one. I had lost 130 lbs. And I had maintained it for a year. The goal for year three became to maintain my commitment, and my focus, on following my plan that had resulted in the success I had achieved. Stay positive. Stay patient. Monitor my weight daily and respond very quickly to weight changes. Making slight increases or decreases in my calorie goal depending on whether I needed to gain or lose two or three pounds. Exercise to my ability. Continue to maintain a food log. The result? I frankly never experienced any identifiable change in my diet, in the effort required to maintain my weight, or in my confidence that I was in complete and absolute control of my weight. No changes. None. Zip. And my weight this morning? 154.2 I only have one problem - I'm at a total loss for a year four goal! Everyone's thoughts, suggestions, ideas or experiences are most welcome!! You guys have a terrific day and regardless of where you're at in your journey always remember - follow your plan and you're gonna love the new you!

Recycled, I am not an obsessive person, I do not weigh myself several times a day. I do not know why you would say that?! I weigh once a week because I was told too by my bariatric team, I was originally only going to measure myself. So I was only asking because I am gaining weight and as I said I was not worried about losing massive weight I was only concerned about the weight gain part of it.

I'm about 8 wks post op and have been doing really good... I think? I'm down 42lbs since day 1 preop, but have stalled and gained a few pounds back... I feel like I'm able to eat way more/bigger portions already... not intentionally, but lunch today I had a (what I think was a BIG) salad, and yesterday I ate two large lettuce wraps stuffed with chicken, etc.... I'm worried if I'm eating too much and that's what's leading to my weight gain....?? Should I still be trying to stick to 600-800 cals a day? I am desperate to reach my goal... Please help!!

Having been diagnosed with MS on 9th November, I have had many ups and downs for the last 2 months. Anyway to give you an outline/timeline May time, had back pain/arm pain, trips to physio and accupuncture and 4 weekls later gone.... August, symptoms return and get worse and worse, niggly back pain in shoulderblade region to the left and raditing down arm which is very very painful, having to hand my arm to my side to try to relieve the pain and no matter where I put it it still hurt. Saw physio once a week and accu once aweek. Went to hydrotherapy, hot room, sauna, spa in an attemp to relieve the pain. late Oct, finally had enough and went to see doc(friday), he referred me for bone scan and CT scan, had CT scan monday and bone scan Friday, both test picked up results next day and both normal, bugger bugger bugger. Funny how you wish for something to be wrong just so you can have an answer to your problem. Back to doc on Monday who at least did not stand on his laurels and brush me off (even though he is at lest 70), said next step is MRI but needs a neuro to refer. OK I rang the specilist and no appts for at least 6 weeks. Well it just so happens that I work at the hospital in the cardiology dept alongside neuro dept and had a quiet word with receptionist who had a quiet word with neuro (tues) and he agreed to refer me without consult. Wasnt in till Thurs so in I went and thanked him big time for doing this and how frustrated I was and mentioned that my left side of my face was numbish. Oh he said that isnt right and off he popped to the MRI dept and organised a MRI for Tues for me and free too..... chuffed to pieces off home I went and shock of shock overnight my feet went numb and going to work the next day I fell up the steps. Panicking I was whisked to A&E under same neuro and one brain scan/upper spine scan it was diagnosed. 5 days in hospital on IV steriods and 6 weeks of oral steriods later (and no weight gain) the pain in my arm and back is back, it took 4 painkillers to even stop the pain this morning and they are the ones with codine, 2 neuro plus and 2 paracetamol codenine. I cant fault my treatment, from doc to diagnosis 10 days including all tests and results. Had a full spine MRI 2 weeks later which showed 5 leisions on the spine from top to bottom. I am so over the pain. I popped into see neuro (perk of working next door) and he said that my upper leison was extremly large and could take a few months to get over. If you hear a rattling noise its just me popping more pills. Jo

I too suffer from asthma(since 9wks old) and pcos (diagnosed in 2010) I have been on steroids since a infant and i too gained weight as a result. I didn't feel that i ate a lot, as everyone would say that i ate like a bird when i would eat around them. Fact of the matter was that i was a boredom eater, did these underlying conditions contribute to my weight gain, yes...but it was also me who was snacking at night, eating the sweets over food, laying down and not doing any healthy alternatives to assist myself along the way. I had to deal with some serious realities and get honest with myself in order to have a success surgery with long term results. I WAS AN OVER EATER, i was in denial about that for years. I am not judging or saying that you are being dishonest, but the two go hand in hand...the steroids cause you to eat, the weight is VERY hard to get off after long term use. the PCOS does cause abdominal weight gain... the antecedent that still caused the obesity is food. (you can eat only 1 or 2x's per day, but what are you eating and what is the caloric intake at meal time) It would be sad to see you go through the surgery in hopes that it will assist you in an area that you allege not to have an issue in. You are still asthmatic, so how will the surgery be beneficial if you will still need to take steroids even afterwards? With your RA, how will you exercise now after the surgery? I pray that everything works out well for you on this journey...this forum has awesome support, advise and insight. BEST WISHES

:help:I have been on here as a guest for about a year now and finally got banded on the 24th of Nov. here in Kuwait..it was much cheaper and I was fortunate that the doctor from Sweden who taught my doctor was here and did it! I got a new band, I even got to keep the box, lol! It was less healing time, I was on liquids a week and lost about 10lbs. Then went to mushies and I have been on solids a couple weeks..my first fill is this saturday. I have maintained at 10-12lbs loss, but get depressed when I see all of y'all at 26-30lbs loss..what are you doing different? I do notice some of you are working out with a trainer and at gyms..don't have that here since they are soo expensive here and I work and have a 3 yr old so not alot of time. I did start walking again. My back story is I gained 60lbs with my pregnancy, he is 3 1/2 and I have been losing/gaining the same 20lbs ever since never more than that! I did nutrisystem and would lose a lil then it stopped coming off..I am sooo scared that I will not lose with the band, I have been depressed and negative since the weight gain and feel like "it will never happen to me". The before and after thread has been very inspiring for sure! Just wondering if y'all can give me any tips/advice/encouragement that this WILL work for me! I was always a "thick" 12-14 girl skinny but big butted kinda gal, lol but never "fat" til after the pregnancy and I want to be healthy! I am excited about this and I know once I get the fills and finally hit my "sweet" spot it will start flowing..but is that true does it really "fall" off? What has been your experience as far as weight loss and I am not sure how to word this I have been reading countless threads and I know but when it is you personally it is soo different, make sense? I just really want to be successful at this and I am the type that needs step by steps. I am eating healthier and smaller portions. Hubby has even commented on the smaller portions..thanks everyone and congrats on making the change in your lives! I wish you all the best and success in the world! God bless catie

Your welcome. I know I had a lot of questions at the get-go too. I went to two seminars with different surgeons, and there was a clear choice in my mind, and I went with that doctor. My seminar was in June, and my consultation was scheduled for a few weeks later..so late June early July. I could have surgery in late August, but I had a scheduling conflict, so I moved it to the first week of Sep. I am absolutely thrilled with my results. I'm on a plateau now, but I *never* thought I'd be this close to goal weight after struggling with weight gain and then obesity for the last 15+ years. I've gone the Weight Watchers route more than once, I've gone to a weight loss doctor for phentermine twice, and, of course, I've tried to lose weight on my own several times. All these attempts were met with failure. With the band, I eat normal foods; just much smaller portions, and I don't drink with my meals. I go to the gym for rigorous workouts 3 - 4 times/week. I went into this, not merely to lose weight, but to improve my health. That's one of the reasons exercise is such an important component to me. I didn't add it just to help with weight/inches loss. I want a healthy heart and increase in stamina. I'm planning to hit 50 yrs old with a body that matches my mind and attitude, and I'm getting there.

Obviously I have no experience in this area but I'm responding to this to remove it from the no reply section so that it's exposed to people using apps and maybe responded to? But I've seen dozens of women respond to weight gain and how it correlates to TOM.

Quick question: Have you noticed any type of weight gain since you take the pill? Is your pill pretty much band friendly. Only ask this because I need some type of b/c.

I'm just going to do two more months so that it shows 0 weight gain the entire 6 months. I don't want them to have any reason to deny me again. At this point I've been jumping through hoops for 7-8 months there is no way I'm stopping now. Over 2000$ in and down 22 lbs as of this morning. Not happening. I'm determined to get this approval!!!!