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Hi all, I'm Audie. I was banded May 2, 2007. I have the 10 cc band. My starting weight was 326 lbs ... my highest weight EVER. I had a series of traumatic experiences that led to emotional eating and subsequent weight gain! I am now down in the 240s and still losing. I just got my third fill ... and let me tell ya, this site kept me from panicking about it! :clap2: At the doctor's office, the Water went down without any restriction so I really thought I had dropped a lot of money on a fill just to be able to eat whatever I wanted again. WRONG! The next morning I woke up and I could feel the restriction. I have been pretty miserable. I can only get two bites and truly only sip water or else I end up throwing up. I am a very sensitive person, so I'm pretty sure my tummy is very irritated. He also withdrew all the liquid to see where I'm at. I'm over 4cc's full in my band. So after reading the forums, I decided to give it another week or so. As if I sip, I can get a glass of water and Protein shakes down. Takes a long time, but hey, that's ok! I've lost quite a few pounds, though, in the past couple days. However, there are a few issues going on that I haven't yet experienced. My acid reflux became non-existent after I was banded. Now all of the sudden, I had a case last night! Isn't that the weirdest? And I have trouble sleeping, so some nights I take a tylenol PM. It went down friday night, but not saturday night ... so it's weird my tummy fluctuates that much. I've been losing weight all along, so that isn't an issue for me, but this is the first time I've felt this much restriction. I don't want to go for an unfill because if I keep dropping weight, the restriction will lessen. How long can a person's stomach stay irritated from this activity? I went from like 3.25cc's to over 4cc's. I know everyone's bodies are different. :woot: Thanks! And this seems like a great forum. I was excited to find it last night! Audie

Did they try you out with different masks so you could decide which was more comfortable? I couldn't tolerate a full mouth and nose mask, so I've been using a petite (ha! the only petite thing I've ever owned) nasal mask for years. I don't even feel the air going in ... Sometimes I pull the mask away to make sure it is actually working. Do you need a mouth mask because you didn't close your mouth with a nasal mask or nasal pillows? If they didn't try different masks with you give your Dr or respiratory rep a call and tell them you aren't tolerating this one. One other thought, your machine should have a "ramp up" or "warm up" setting that you can select that starts the machine off at a lower pressure and gradually builds, allowing you to fall asleep before the maximum pressure setting is reached. Yep, they usually want your usage data for awhile to make sure you are compliant with the therapy. They look at hours used and they can look at a bunch of other data, if needed, to make sure you are getting the full benefit. Additionally, the machines aren't cheap, so your insurance company wants to make sure you're using something they are providing (or paying a part of for you) you. An added benefit from CPAP use is that it may help you with some weight loss. Research has shown that sleep apnea may be linked with weight gain, high blood pressure, and a laundry list of other health issues. I know it's a hard adjustment, but think of it as another positive step in your new healthy life. Best wishes!

Nope no soda for me. It was a bummer and I still on occasion really want one but I don't partake. I too have read the information that diet soda does cause weight gain. More than anything I gave it up and don't want to start it back up. I have taken to drinking tea and half decaf coffee (1 in the morning) and obviously Water.

Truth, that's why I said if she truly gained 20 pounds on the intake she says she has she should see a doctor because that might be an underlying issue or a medication issue if she is taking any medications (some cause weight gain). But having to low an intake can stall you per my NUT and personal experience. Not make you gain for sure, but stall nontheless, so eating to little is not going to help the situation either. If she really is eating what she says she is.

Holding on.. fine. But I have never heard of eating to little causing WEIGHT GAIN( Unless a medical issue obviously) She remembered her crackers later on. I'm sure we have all digested something and forgot about it.. I'm not saying op is not telling the truth but if she goes to her doctors and finds nothing medically wrong. Just how she forgot to mention her bag of crackers. Is just how she could be forgetting something else. If that makes sense ? Sent from my Vivo 5R using BariatricPal mobile app

This is why I love this website. I hadn't even thought of this. Of course, I've only lost a few pounds so far - getting banded on Wednesday. Actually, I never thought "fat girl" pubic areas were any different until my dear, considerate husband informed me of such. THEN, I didn't even think about loosing weight there. If I do need a tummy tuck, then yes, I think I'd probably get that area done as well. Being able to easily get to my clit is VERY important to me. I hadn't really thought of the weight gain as getting in the way of pleasurable sex, but looking back I think it has. Looking forward to "getting at it" with no trouble. BTW - My husband and I are in our 30's and we both trim/shave. It just makes oral sex so much easier. But I agreee with other posts that bald is itchy and uncomfortable - and requires a lot of maintenance, at least for me.

Whew - you're going to have a tough time but try not to stress too much. It's hard enough to eat in the beginning months post op, and to add in a pregnancy (and the worries about eating for the baby) I'm sure can't help. Every single person and every single pregnancy is different. This time around the morning sickness was awful for me. It lasted until about four months, went away for just over a month and is back now that I'm in the third trimester. That's just me pregnant with this baby. I actually had an easier twin pregnancy than this single baby! You probably cannot eat much at a time. If you aren't already, you really, really need to find a Protein shake that you like that doesn't cause you problems. Dairy can be an issue, so if you don't like your shakes try mixing them with something else. Because you're expecting, I wouldn't go for the lowest carb and calorie shake you can find. Something I'd normally consider a splurge, like the BSN Syntha-6 brand, would be IDEAL for you right now. The higher calories are something you need because you're growing a baby and you're not going to be eating many of your calories. I'd pair a scoop of the Syntha-6 with a scoop or two of the Syntrax unflavored for a protein heavy shake that will help boost your caloric intake. I'd drink at least one a day, but I might try for two if you're really having trouble eating. You need to eat slowly, chew thoroughly and try a variety of different foods. Certain things do tend to feel like they get stuck in the beginning when your new sleeve is still swollen. I'm not saying you should live on mushies but you need to pace yourself and take it easy. eggs are a huge issue for a lot of people around this time, so if you find they aren't going down well, back off of them and try them again each week until you can tolerate them. It's the opposite of typical sleeve eating, but I found that the only thing I could really keep down with morning sickness were carbs. Small, thin slices of toast, crackers, grits, oatmeal, etc. You may find the same. The reality is that your priority just shifted - now your goal isn't to lose weight. Your priority now should be to heal and eat enough to have a healthy baby. You WILL lose this weight afterward. There isn't a magic window with the sleeve, and you'll find that your restriction is very much still there once baby arrives. I've gone back and forth during this pregnancy with restriction. At times I'm amazed because I can eat an entire sandwich and other times I can only manage a few bites before I'm stuffed. Oh, and watch that acid. I was off my PPI for years and now I'm back on it again. I could have sworn I was starving to death around the clock...and you'd think as a sleeve vet I'd know better ('specially since I'm always reminding people that are newly sleeved to take their PPI) but as soon as I hopped back on my omeprazole I felt so much relief. So make sure your OB knows you need a PPI and make sure you're taking one. As soon as I got on mine again the daily heartburn and around the clock stomach rumbling went away. Good luck to you, and to all the ladies here expecting! Oh, and since this is a thread about weight gain, I'm currently 27 weeks and I'm up 20 pounds. I'm not thrilled but I'm not worried, either. Compared to my past pregnancy gains (97 pounds for one girl, nearly 80 pounds with twins) I'm kicking butt this time around. ~Cheri

I have to agree with Dolly. I'm approaching my 4 year anniversary in the bandster club and what a journey it has been! We all have our ups and downs while trying to find our way. At first, my family felt so guilty for eating certain things in front of me because I couldn't eat them. Now, they know that I always come prepared with my own food. I never put myself in the position to be without appropriate foods/portions. You have to work at this as it definitely is not a solution to the behavior that put us in the position of needing gastric surgery. This is a tool to help us. I've struggled with the mindset required to lose weight. I think we all do. Surround yourself with supportive people, stop hibernating and get out and exercise and I guarantee you'll feel better! I've had multiple spinal surgeries, which has resulted in weight gain from time to time. I'm still working on my last 30 lbs and it's tough, but I know if I eat right and exercise I'll get there. I'm an Army brat, so this has been drilled into my brain for years - Adapt and Overcome!

I know we love to talk about man food, bar food, drinks and all the fun that comes with making food highly social. I am looking for ways that you have successfully reduced/removed soda and fried food intake. Or how you work to reduce your manly size meals to bandster size. My soda and fried food intake is increasing and so are portion sizes. I am back to about 1/2 of what I just to throw down and I am three months away from an adjustment. Still not weight gain or loss in the last month.

Hi: Stuff the addiction nonsense. There is an article out today that British Gene hunters have found two very strong DNA genes that are markers for fat. Quote: The researchers first identified the gene FTO in the DNA of people with diabeties type 2 etc. They were surprised to find the marker was associated with increased body fat as measured by the BMI rather than insulin production so they scoured other DNA databases to see if the gene predisposed a person to obesity.In reviewing the genetics of some 39,000 people they found that individuals with one variant of the gene had a 30 percent higher risk of being obese than people without it........................on and on. At last we are getting scientific information out that takes us out of the freak show, addiction blame, etc and puts us squarely in the normal range depending on our genes. With the constant abuse from the media, school chumps, family enter pyschological damage and you have dynomite combination to weight gain. Plus the excellent documentary called "FAT" on PBS E we may actually start getting some support. In the meantime, I "weight" for noone as I struggle on my journey. Doddie

I am so sad I feel like going somewhere and hiding. I hopefully will get my surgery in march due to my insurance. I have a 6 months process I need to complete before surgery. I am approaching the third month..... In which I am very excited About, however it is extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing for me to even attend family gatherings and events due to my noticeable weight gain. I never would have seen myself here in a million years Nd I get so upset with myself a lot. I traveled to Virginia today for my nephews 1st birthday although I feel so out of place even though I am around family I feel like crying. I notice people looking at me strange like close family friends that I haven't seen in years. I almost did not come to the party because of my weight. Just tonight As I help clean and set up for the party my mother pulled me to the side and gave me that look that I am so familiar with. She asked "did u stop going to the gym?" I became so defensive and went upstairs to the guest room to cry. I seriously don't want to be here I hate to seem so selfish but I have been emotional ever since. I not only need march to come a lot faster but I am so anxious to start this new life.

Yep still get periods - it's pretty unhealthy in my books not to get them!! Might be a reason for weight gain ... I have always had no problem periods and they (for me) are lighter with the IUD in place. This isn't the case for everyone though.

I thought this ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) info was interesting--- it adds information about how prevalent obesity is becoming and the progressiveness of the disease. http://asmbs.org/obesity-and-surgery-learning-center/obesity-the-disease/ Obesity Prevalence and Rate of Occurrence According to the W.H.O., 65 percent of the world’s population lives in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight. Approximately 500 million adults in the world are affected by obesity and one billion are affected by overweight, along with 48 million children. In the United States, epidemiological data from an ongoing study that measures the actual body size of thousands of Americans, show that 34 percent of adults more than 20 years old are affected by obesity and 68 percent are overweight (2007-2008 data). Obesity affects 10 percent of children between two and five years of age, 2 percent of those between 6 to 11 years old, and 18 percent of adolescents. Throughout the last 20 to 25 years, the prevalence of obesity has been increasing at an alarming rate. Since 1985, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has supported an ongoing study, conducted on a yearly basis by state health departments, to examine changes in obesity prevalence state-to-state, and has found the following: In 1990, the obesity prevalence for most of the states was 10 percent or less. By 1995, more than half the states had a prevalence of 15 percent. By 2000, nearly half the states had a prevalence of 20 percent or higher. Five years later (2005), all but three states had a prevalence greater than 20 percent and nearly a third had a prevalence of 25 percent or more. By 2010, the data show that most of U.S. states had a prevalence of 25 percent and many had a prevalence of 30 percent or higher. For view of yearly changes in prevalence, view the CDC’s online data. Not only has the obesity epidemic increased in number throughout the past two decades, but also in severity. Data obtained from the yearly ongoing CDC-supported U.S. study found that between the years 1987 to 2005 the prevalence of severe obesity increased by 500 percent and super severe obesity (BMI greater than 50) increased by nearly 1,000 percent. According to the 2007-2008 NHANES findings, 5.7 percent of American adults, or nearly 14 million people, are affected by severe obesity. Progressive Nature of the Disease of Obesity Obesity is considered a multifactorial disease with a strong genetic component. Acting upon a genetic background are a number of hormonal, metabolic, psychological, cultural and behavioral factors that promote fat accumulation and weight gain. Positive Energy Balance A positive energy balance causes weight gain and occurs when the amount of calories consumed (energy intake) exceeds the amount of calories the body uses (energy expenditure) in the performance of basic biological functions, daily activities, and exercise. A positive energy balance may be caused by overeating or by not getting enough physical activity. However, there are other conditions that affect energy balance and fat accumulation that do not involve excessive eating or sedentary behavior. These include: Chronic sleep loss Consumption of foods that, independent of caloric content, cause metabolic/hormonal changes that may increase body fat. These include foods high in sugar or high fructose corn syrup, processed grains, fat, and processed meats Low intake of fat-fighting foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, quality Protein Stress and psychological distress) Many types of medications Various pollutants Weight Gain Weight gain is yet another contributor to weight gain or, in other words, obesity ‘begets’ obesity, which is one of the reasons the disease is considered ‘progressive’. Weight gain causes a number of hormonal, metabolic and molecular changes in the body that increase the risk for even greater fat accumulation. Such obesity-associated biological changes reduce the body’s ability to oxidize (burn) fat for energy, increase the conversion of glucose (carbohydrate) to fat, and increase the body’s capacity to store fat in fat storage depots (adipose tissue). This means that more of the calories consumed will be stored as fat. To make matters worse, obesity affects certain regulators of appetite and hunger in a manner that can lead to an increase in meal size and the frequency of eating. Weight gain, therefore, changes the biology of the body in a manner that favors further weight gain and obesity. Obesity-related Conditions A number of other conditions associated with obesity contribute to the progression of the disease. Obesity reduces mobility and the number of calories that would be burned in the performance of activity. Weight gain may also cause psychological or emotional distress which, in turn, produces hormonal changes that may cause further weight gain by stimulating appetite and by increasing fat uptake into fat storage depots. Sleep duration is reduced by weight gain due to a number of conditions that impair sleep quality such as pain, sleep apnea and other breathing problems, a need to urinate more frequently, use of certain medications, and altered regulation of body temperature. Shortened sleep duration, in turn, produces certain hormones that both stimulate appetite and increase the uptake of fat into fat storage depots. Weight gain also contributes to the development of other diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis and depression, and these conditions are often treated with medications that contribute to even further weight gain. In all of these ways and more, obesity ’begets’ obesity, trapping the individual in a vicious weight gain cycle. Diets A low calorie diet is the primary treatment for overweight and obesity, but, dieting is also a contributor to obesity progression. Dietary weight-loss causes biological responses that persist long-term and contribute to weight regain. One of these responses affects energy balance. When a person loses weight, the body ‘thinks’ it is starving and energy expenditure is reduced in order to conserve calories. The reduction in energy expenditure with dietary weight-loss requires that, in order to maintain weight-loss, the dieter eat even fewer calories than someone of equal body size who has never been on a diet. However, eating less is difficult following a diet because there are long-term changes in regulators of appetite that increase the desire to eat and the amount of food that can be consumed. Such diet-induced changes favor a positive energy balance and weight regain and, because the conditions responsible for the reduction in energy expenditure and increased drive to eat persist long-term, an individual will often not only regain all of their lost weight, but even more. Another biological response that occurs with dieting involves changes in fat metabolism that reduce the body’s ability to burn fat and increase the capacity for fat to be stored in adipose depots (fat storage depots). With dietary weight-loss, the amount of dietary fat the body burns is reduced by approximately 50 percent. In addition, dieting reduces the amount of fat the body burns for fuel during low-grade activity such as walking, cleaning the house, fixing dinner, or working on a computer. The reduction in the amount of fat that is burned for fuel following a dietary weight-loss makes more fat available to be taken up by fat storage depots, and dieting increases the capacity for fat depots to store even more fat than before a diet. Altogether dietary weight-loss reduces the use of fat for fuel and increases the capacity for the fat that is not utilized to be stored. These changes lead to a progressive increase in fat accumulation even if the individual is not overeating. Summary Multiple factors acting upon a genetic background cause weight gain and obesity. Conditions associated with weight gain and biological changes in the body that occur as a result of weight gain contribute to progression of the disease, often trapping the individual in a vicious weight gain cycle. If you are concerned with your weight, please speak to your primary care physician to learn more about how to improve your weight and health.

Some are worse then others. My psych changed mine to find the best non weight gaining meds.

I do not know what meds you are on. I know for me, they had to take out the extended release ones. The Welbutrin XR 450. I had been on 4 years. It was wonderful. They had to take it away and give me regular Welbutrin. Not as effective and am up to 400 mg. I also take seroquel. This drug they say makes you gain weight. I have not had that issue. But maybe because mine is used for sleep? So when I am well rested and have energy, I am being active. Talk to your doctor. I know i do not do well on SSRIs, and they are known for weight gain. If you would like to pm me what you take I would be willing to do some research for you. Good Luck! SW 350 (11/15) BSW 260 (10/17/17) CW 228 (12/29/17) RGW 199 GW 175

13 months post op here and down 118 lbs since day of surgery. My psychiatrist did not change any of my meds, have been on the same ones for the last 8 years for bipolar. I gained a ton of weight the first few years after I started meds for bipolar, one of those was Seroquel. Wouldn't be surprised if some of the meds I'm currently on are known to cause weight gain. Anyway, the meds I'm currently taking: Risperidone, Celexa, Epitol and Klonopin.

The first couple of weeks after surgery, I was obsessive about getting on the scale. Why not, it was GREAT to see the numbers go down EVERY DAY! Then around my 16th day, the scale went UP! I got so obsessive about the weighing - I did it about 4 times a day. My Dad told me that he was going to take the scale away - because I was making myself crazy. I was concentrating on weight loss and not on the healing process. Then the hunger came, and I started to eat - sensibly, and of course my restriction is not what it was the first 15 days either. So now, I have not weighed myself in nearly two weeks. I'm afraid to - b/c I don't want to see any weight gain. Is this a smart thing to do at this point? I don't feel like I've lost, though the clothes are fitting much better. Should I get the scale back and weigh in once a week, or wait until after my first fill - Around March 15? Because it's not until after I start getting fills that I can have restriction, eat less - and of course expect some weight loss. Opinions??

I had my surgery 3 years ago and it took a good year to lose 100 lbs. Recently seeing weight gain and am getting depressed and scared. Need to excercise and watch my fat, calorie intake. Have trouble swallowing now and do not want to get filled so much that I am constantly vomiting. Any low fat foods that you are having luck with? Am not a big fan of yogurt. Am basically asking for ideas on what to eat that is low in fat, has vitamins, minerals, fiber and will stay down. Any input appreciated. Thanks.

The pancake parlour is pure evil!! (but i love it!) They have things on that menu so band friendly you will feel like you haven't even got a band as you clean the plate I usually get the strawberries & cream pancakes (make it the 1 pancake not 2 and get the cream & ice cream instead of just one or the other - that way if you are tight there is plenty of lube for you & if you leave half your meal it looks liek you've eaten more since you only have one pancake not 2 ~ all meals have 2 pancakes by default but there is a menu option to change to just 1). The chocolate pancake is like mudcake so if you can do mudcake you can eat it, otherwise just stay away from it - the cherries are canned and the skin & pips can be a bit painful if your tight. "IT" the banana walnut one goes down soooo easy, again get the one pancake instead of 2 and add the extra ice cream. For savoury the potato pancake goes down easy but is very very greasy, it comes with a nice side salad that always goes down well i usually eat all the salad and only 1/4 of the pancake - what they call 'fries' DO NOT ORDER - their fries are disgusting dried diced up bits of old potato that wil lhave you begging the porcalin to free you from your agony! Banded friends don't always beleiv e me and they have all lived to regret it pb'ing in the car the whole way home. Steer clear of the breakfast menu because the portions are rediclous huge, my 6'4" athletic boyfriend can't eat an entire portion there off that breaky menu so that's really saying something! He usually eats 2 items off the regular menu... savoury crepes (they are yum and all that I have tried have been band friendly especially the bolognase ones) and then a desert pancake. Just drink Water is my tip - all their drinks are loaded with cream and you'll feel crappy all day afterwards and so not worth the weight gain. I eat pancake parlour in melbourne about once a month (they are all good, eastland doncaster jam factory swarnston st etc.); everybody I know in melbourne loves it. The pancake parlour in surfers paradise is a lot different and i found it disgusting.... i dont know how the same company can own both yet have such different menus and food. The menu doesn't have pictures in the resteraunt but the website does so to get an idea of how much a serving there is (so you know wha tnot to order) have a look here: http://www.pancakeparlour.com/Menu/menu.html Have fun!!

side effects and how it may impact my results @@optimumhealthgurl i'm a 15 yr survivor breast cancer survivor i never took tamoxifen, but i hear its great didn't know it "helped" in "possible" weight gain sorry to give you the old standard comment, butttttt... talk to your oncologist - he's the one that would know then again maybe bariatric surgeon would know, since if it "might" effect the sleeve i don't "think" theres a prob since all your docs are "on board" always always listen to people listen to "great replies/answer from the board but listen to the great/effective comments from the surgeon first and last!!! good luck speedy recovery kathy

I've been stalking this forum for over a year now, and appreciate all the advice and support you've provided on here. I've recently made the decision to go forward with the Lap Band and could not be more pleased and confident in my decision. The only thing holding me back at this point is support (financial and emotional) from my family. I will be a self-pay, and I'm 95% certain I want to go with Dr. John Weaver in CO. Unfortunately, I was not able to qualify for enough CareCredit on my own, and asked my father to jointly apply with me, and we qualified for enough to cover the costs (WOOHOO!!). The caveat is, he will only allow me to use the CareCredit if my mother supports the decision. About a year ago, I brought up the idea of a Lap Band with my parents, and they were extremely against the idea. My mom was angry and said I just needed to do things that I'm sure we're all sick of hearing- join WW, talk to a dietitian, exercise more.... the whole gamut of things that obviously never worked. I know a lot of it is probably fear of going into surgery. After a year of research and more weight gain, I am sure this is what I need. However, I am afraid to bring it up to my mother as the whole procedure depends on her support, and I really need and want that support. I'm a single, 26 year old female. I know this probably sounds silly, considering my age, but without them I have no way of affording the procedure. Plus, I really don't want to go through this alone, and would love so much for them to be on board and cheerlead me on! Has anyone been in a similar situation with parents, spouses, or loved ones? How did you tell/convince them this was the right thing and that it just wasn't going to happen through normal diet and exercise?

Okay, I thought I was doing great! I was due for my 2nd fill at the end of December but because of the holidays all the appts. at my doctors were filled up. So, I go in next Monday, Feb. 2nd. I went on the scale this morning and thinking I might've lost an additional 6-10 pounds I gained 5. OMG! is this normal? My first fill was 2cc and obviously I might be on track if it wasn't for the holidays. Should I worry? go on a liquid diet for myself before the 2nd fill? or just make sure I do not wait too long for a fill. Please advise.

The first time I met George Peters, I knew he would be a record holder, I just didn't realize to what extent! He had been sufficiently frightened by several chronic health issues he was living with as a result of his weight. And I knew he was ready to defeat the fear and fight back. While George didn't look like it outwardly, he weighed more than 400 pounds. With the full support of his family, his took his obesity challenge by the horns (and then some). George recently shared his personal weight loss journey on Facebook as a way to show where he had been--and where he is today. He kindly permitted us to share his remarkable story below: Why Weight Loss Surgery By George Peters (shared with permission) It's one month until my first Ironman in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec and I'm sharing my story of ‪#‎whyweightlosssurgery: In 2010, I weighed 425 pounds. I was visiting my primary care physician, and he stated that I would need surgery to have an insulin pump inserted into me to control my diabetes. My realization was that I would probably be dead by age 50, if I didn’t get my diabetes under control. Weight-related Health Issues My diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory problems and circulatory problems were out of control. I had tried numerous diets to control my weight and health problems, and they always started off with success only to surrender any weight loss, to an eventual failure, and an additional weight gain. I decided that I would have bariatric surgery for weight loss in January 2011. I had gastric sleeve surgery performed by Dr. Ayotunde Adeyeri at Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel. Sleeve Gastrectomy Success I lost 125 pounds and started to control my health problems. My weight loss stalled in 2013 and my fear of my health problems returning scared me. I hadn’t reached my goal weight of 240 pounds. I started running in the fall of 2013 when my daughters convinced my wife and me to have our family run in a turkey trot (5K). A New Passion for Fitness, Strength and Endurance I started running and found the workouts to be rewarding. I started cycling again soon after. I hadn’t ridden a bicycle since I was a teenager because I was too big to ride a bike. Soon after my first 10 mile bike ride, I decided to sign up for my first sprint triathlon, in the spring 2014. During the 2014 year, my performance in three of my four triathlons was affected due to gall bladder problems that eventually led to my gall bladder being removed 5 days after the New Jersey State Triathlon. Losing Nearly 200 Pounds Sends George to His First Ironman Competition 2015 has been a year of setting goals and working to achieve them: My goal for this year is to finish an Ironman. I scheduled multiple smaller events to help me prepare for the Ironman. I finished the NYC half marathon in March. My training continued, and I finished the Raleigh Ironman 70.3 in 9 hours 3 minutes. In August, I will complete my first full Ironman triathlon in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada. Ironman and Triathlon have given me a bright outlook for the future. I now have a goal of being in Kona by the age of fifty.

So I know It’s only been 3 weeks after surgery had post op a week ago from surgery to post op I lost 17 lbs and in last week I lost another 5 then I weighed myself this morning and went up 2 lbs has anyone else gone through this I’ve been having a protein shake in the morning then hit the gym just treadmill no weights for an hour and then I’ll have a piece of chicken for lunch and another for dinner no veggies cause they said I had to weight till after the 4th week well if someone can help or let me know if it’s normal thank u.

I currently have the Implanon, had it now for almost the 3 years. I can say that I thought it was perfect for a long time untill I started noticing that the little bit of stray facial hair that I did have started getting to be more and more. The next year when I went to my OB/GYN, I asked her about it because I thought it was suspicious that it happened after I got the implanon. She told me that it has nothing to do with that and I took her work for it because I thought that she wouldnt lie. Recently, I started researching it because I was having really irregular periods (none for 6 months- a year, then having one for over a month) and I saw alot about the irregular periods (of course) but I also saw that alot of people had difficulty losing weight or weight gain, FACIAL HAIR GROWTH, and also a sensitivity to viruses. I can tell you after reading that, I could really see that stuff being true after reviewing my life for the past 3 years. You don't really put two and two together because it seems like such an insignificant thing but I kind believe it has been a source of problems for me. Back when I had it put in I did read on the pamplet that it had not been tested on people over a certain weight so I don't know how much that had to do with my problems. I would definately do as much research as you can online and talk to your doctor before deciding. Hope this helps! Best wishes! Monica