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roro You sound like so many of us...SO stay here with us, laugh with us, learn with us and have fun with us BUT most of all LOSE WEIGHT with us. Membership to this family is only respect...for yourself and others here. Want to join????.. Oh yes thats a daily fee too.

RoRo: What to expect? You can expect to hate yourself if you don't do something. You shouldn't hate yourself for losing weight and gaining it back. That's what happens. Very few people have a problem losing the weight. The problem is losing the behaviours, and emotions connected to the fat. Morbidly obese (doesn't the word "fat" sound better?) people have such a small chance of keeping weight off that it is statistically impossible. Has it been done? Of course. Every rule has it's exception. You can expect to lose and gain a few more times in your life, if you keep trying this way. Don't be so hard on yourself. Do you expect to be perfect all the time? Sorry, none of us are. Everyone here has lost and gained, and then looked in the mirror and saw a face they hated. Everyone. It's a tough decision. Discussing it with family and friends will be educational, but not helpful. Especially if they're thin. You will encounter all sorts of reactions. Few will be helpful. Some might even be harmful. Listen to yourself, and your troubled heart first. Look at your feelings and you will know what you need to do. Then, come here. Because whatever you decide, the people here will understand. We've been there. If you do decide on surgery you can expect more to happen. The unsolicited comments of family and friends will be your gift. They won't hesitate to tell you horror stories (mostly urban legend), or to seem to criticize. You'll talk to your family doctor. Get him/her to write a note asking a WLS surgeon to see you. You'll see that surgeon. You'll be sent for a battery of tests. If you are trying to bill insurance they will be contacted. You may have to fight for your rights with the insurance company, or you may have to pay your own way in this journey. If you are a good candidate, and if you are determined, you will move on. If you've decided that you are worth the effort, that you truly are a person who deserves a better life, the surgery will be scheduled. You will be mildly sedated then anesthetized. You'll wake up a very short time later and you'll have a new friend. You won't have as much pain as you think. Some in the shoulder, neck or back from gas. You'll be encouraged to get up and walk, use the bathroom, sip ice chips. You'll recover. You'll have to watch what you eat for a few days or weeks, gradually working back to regular food. When you're healed enough you'll be given a fill, a painless procedure that causes "restriction" thereby reducing the amount of food you can consume. That fill may have to be adjusted over the next few weeks. Don't be in a hurry now, this is a life commitment to health and happiness you've made, not a moment's whim. Your loss will mirror your gain. The pounds will drop as gradually as the sun rises. You'll find the beautiful core of you, hiding deep within your protective layer of tissue. There will come a time when you weep still, but you'll weep for joy, and for the lightness of being that comes when this burden is lifted from your spirit. You'll slip up from time to time. Backslide. But thanks to your band you'll not slide as far down that slippery slope as before. Minimal damage. No strain. You'll come here often, and read, and laugh, and maybe even cry a bit. You'll read someone's story and recognize their pain as your own. You will be in awe at how many beautiful spirits can gather together here. Then, one day, you'll answer a question from someone new, someone full of fear and hope. Someone who's afraid to hope for a better way, a better life, a better shot at all that life offers the thin. And you'll realize it is you who is gaining from this, from telling others what to expect. So you will have come full circle, and paid it forward. Good luck. There is a lot of info in this place, and you'll be able to research to your heart's content.

The good news is that you have lost a good bit of weight up til now. I can relate to your frustration, though. I am 4 weeks out today and although I lost 7 lbs the first week after surgery (on top of what I gained during the surgery) I have yet to lose a single ounce more. That is 3 weeks - no weight loss. I am getting in both my liquids and my Protein. I am exercising every day. I was actually losing better before the surgery! Nevertheless, I have faith that all things will work out eventually. I cannot go on forever eating only 600 calories and working off over 500 every day without eventually losing. It will be a topic of conversation with my nutritionist at my appointment tomorrow though! I think you are probably just in a stall. I have read about them a lot on this forum. As long as you are doing what you are supposed to be doing things should work out. I think sometimes the body just needs to catch up with what has been happening. If the stall goes on for more than a week or so, it probably wouldn't hurt for you to call your nutritionist. As for me, I am hoping that my body is still in shock from the surgery and one of these days will recover. Try to relax and follow your routine - perhaps stay off the scale for a bit. Good luck

I can run a mile nonstop. I am really starting to like skinny jeans. I love lifting weights.

I feel the same way. Had my surgery on the 9th and i feel like if I start adding more liquid etc to my diet I'm gonna gain and it freaks me out. I am losing though so it's all good

By the way, I forgot to say that my Aria says my body weight went up this week (!) by 2.2%. What gives?! Have been eating healthy!

Hi Rose, I'm really sorry to hear what you are going through with your DH. It is hard to make our husbands understand what we have been through and are going through now. I can understand that they may think "here we go again" with another diet. But I also think part of it is they are used to us being a certain way and it is threatening to them for us to change. No doubt, other men will take notice of us as the weight drops off and I think if we use that as a weapon and throw it in their face it makes the situation worse, not better. As I told you before, I have been down this road before (having lost a ton of weight) and have lived through being the invisible fat woman and then the very visible and attractive slim woman. It is hard for our significant other to deal with and I divorced about a year after I had lost all the weight. Now, in saying that, there were a lot of problems before I lost the weight but I can certainly say that I gained much more self confidence when I became slimmer. So here I am again, back up in weight and going for the surgery to get a permanent solution to my problem. :clap2: Just be prepared that things will change and it may take a bit of "babysitting" of your DH in order to help him through this change. Lianna

You are suffering right now with an influx of hormones into your system as you begin losing weight/fat quickly. Some people get super grouchy--others sad. It is kind of like a long lasting PMS---very moody. Eventually your body regulates, and your dosage should be ok. Stay on top of it, especially if you do increase your meds. Fat cells store estrogen, so as you lose the fat cells the hormone is dumped into your body, and every other hormone your body produces has to go in to overdrive to figure out how to react, trying to be balanced. Since you already have issues that way, it may seem even worse. Hang in there, it does level out, and you feel better. I turned into a bawl baby for awhile, look at me wrong, and I'd cry! Just about 3 weeks after my banding, my DH was diagnosed with heart trouble, and it was very difficult to take it all in, and try to remain strong. But I did it and so can you!!! Kat

I've been banded 4 months. Lost 30 pounds in 3 weeks and then no loss for 2months. My body is adjusting to the weight loss and I've dropped 8 inches from my waist. Lost another ten pounds over last 2 months but some weeks actully gained a bit. Probably muscle weight from the gym. I don't weigh myself much anymore. I go by how my clothes fit. I eat every 2-3 hours even if it's a protein bar. It helps

HI; Some husbands feel threatened when their loved one starts to loose weight. They feel very secure with the "plump" us, then when we start to loose and develope a figure, they feel er may have other attention. This they can't handle. Also, it is a form of emotional abuse to not compliment or pay attention to a weight loss. Sort of like a power trip. Whatever, try not to let is matter. Give yourself a hug, use us as your source of encouragement and leave DH hangups to him. Doddie

Is the pain actually up in the shoulder (which could be gas) or is it in your left upper *arm*. Since my day of surgery I have had pain in my left upper arm (just past the shoulder) and, after much reading, discovered that is normal to the band. It is because the band is rubbing on the diaphragm and, while it affects one of the T vertebrae, it's actually referring the pain to the arm. As you lose weight, the band will drop and loosen and the pain will go away. Mine didn't go away until about 7-8 months after my surgery because I was losing so slowly. I think at the point where I'd lost 40 pounds, it stopped. .

I have had severe siatica in my left leg and have been taking Gabapentin (Neurotin) for 2 years. It controls the pain and tingling in my leg but I’m left with significant loss of strength in my leg. The neurosurgeon won’t do surgery until I’m down to 250. I just had a sleeve 10 days ago. He thinks that significant weight loss may resolve the whole situation and thus need for surgery. Anyone else had their similar situation be fixed by their weight loss?

I'm new here. You all are great sources of information. Thank you already for all the tips and information I have read. Best wishes to all of you in your journey. My question is, "What can I expect from the pulmonologist's appointment?" This is my next step and am curious and a little nervous. With the extra weight, I'm already having some problems. I guess that's normal, right?

Thank goodness. I'm trying to keep my band as long as possible... I'm a bit over 10 years... good days and weeks. And some rejection times.. The weight has stayed off though. Thankfully Please update. And did the er know what to do??

Hi Everyone! I'm back and ready to rock and roll after a few crazy months. It started with a bad tummy virus which made it impossible to keep down any food or even Water. I guess the stomach gets inflamed and what was a nice amt of restriction turned into way tooo much. So they had to remove all the Fluid from the band. I was freefalling baby! Once my tummy was better I went a cruise and really from there the summer was not a great time for me. I ended up gaining about 8lbs back from my loss (boo hiss) but since getting refilled two times I have lost all of that and am now on my way to losing more. I'm a good restriction level which will prevent me from overeating. I'm also making great choices again. I had some gyn surgery 1.5 wks ago so I haven't been able to exercise yet but I plan on starting up just as soon as possible...maybe tomorrow since I'm feeling half way decent. I was doing so well before the summer...on the treadmill for one hour per day RELIGIOUSLY, doing crunches and I even started some universal arm work. But typical of me, once I fell off the wagon....I FELL OFF! lol So, how is everyone else doing? I miss hearing about everyone. I promise not to vanish again. I know we can all have a GREAT 1 yr BANDIVERSARY if we stick together. Hugz to everyone! JPT

I went to the doctor 2 years ago after finding a lump in my arm and underarm, I was scared to death but was told they are only lipomas and they aren't life threatening. Only the one under my arm hurts but nothing major so I'm not having them removed. My question is.. Do any of you have them and if so when you started losing weight were they easily visible? You can't see mine but I'm assuming it's because I'm overweight but I have seen them on thinner people. It's not a huge concern of mine because I just want to lose weight and get healthy but it got me thinking because I was told I probably have more than those two.

I am so disappointed with my Band ..its been 2yrs for me 2nd attempt GLBI cannot excercise due to a spinal condition which affects my feet.. I haVe stayed the same weight for most of this time.. I am abt 100kg 5"4 The weight is just not budging.. the only way I have ever lost it is on LL meal packs..I paid nearly £6000 for this band which went wrong on the first go.. This Journey has been a total disaster.. I am 5.5mls filled in a 10 ml sl band. Any advise would be help I first started in 2009 May..with the Balloon that did not work either THIS WAS FAULTY.. IN BELGIUM i WAS RIPPED OF. SO PLEASE hELP......

You guys want to stay picky about the muscle weight thing than get it right a lbf = a lbf a lb is mass not weight.

After months of googling information, I finally decided to join this forum [emoji4] I am soooooooooo excited but very nervous bout getting the gastric bypass. I have Anthem BSBC and it requires 6 months of consecutive weigh-in attempts with my PCP. I am nervous because last month I actually gained 5lbs. Although they said I did not have to lose any weight throughout those visits, I'm afraid that will give them a reason to deny me. Can someone with Anthem insurance let me know how long it took to receive an approval? Was the process smooth for you? My patient advocate said she would send the paper work in as soon as I get the last weight attempt sheet faxed over. I really want to get approved so I can go ahead and have the surgery in January.

Okay, this may be a really stupid question,:grouphug: but does anyone know of any problems with sex in the missionary position??? I'm afraid my husband's weight (albeit 160 lbs.) might jar the band loose or the port. I meant to ask the doctor last time I was in but totally forgot. Just wondering if anyone has discussed this with their doctor....

Nah, I wouldnt think so. Although if my husband rested his full weight on top of me in that postiion for any lenght of time I'd probably suffocate.

I had my duodenal switch 5 years ago and skin removal 3 years ago. Now weight has gone back up and I'm struggling HARD! I'm looking for friends and motivation to get me back on the right track again. I'm finding myself slipping back into the depression stage of oh well and eating feelings. I hate that my energy has gone down and my motivation is drowning. I know what to do but its hard to get going. I couldn't eat and then one I could eat things again well it was like I had to try everything to see if I would get sick. Now I work in an office and they are always talking about food. what they ate, or are going to eat all day. I find my self snacking instead of eating regular meals. And taking the time to eat healthy is the worst. I'm constantly in a rush and eating the easy foods, then I hate myself for it. I could go on and on... but I won't. Anyone else here or been here?

hello, Can some tell me how I can put my weight ticker on my post?

Tomorrow is my 4-month surgeversary, and since I usually don't do technology on Saturdays, I thought I'd write my update today. Here's what I can now do that I couldn't right after surgery: -Go out to eat and have grilled salmon -Stop the post-surgery Prilosec -Actually feel hunger -Wean myself off of sugar substitutes -Eat cooked fruit & veggies -Cook more complex dishes for myself -Eat some salad. Here's what's different from before my surgery: -All of my old clothes are way too big, so I have some new ones -I was able to buy dress boots in a regular shoe store, not in a plus-size or wide-calf specialty place -I can try on clothes in a store that are too big and have to go down a size -I can see a tattoo on my hip that I hadn't been able to see easily for awhile -I had to readjust the seat in my car because now I can get closer to the steering wheel if I want to -I can sit more comfortably in the armchairs in my PTs office Here's what I'm currently struggling with: -I am incredibly happy to be losing weight fairly rapidly at this point, but I'm a little freaked out as I approach the 100lb loss mark. Why? Because I still have a lot more to go. And because it's weird to think about losing so much weight in less than a year. -I find myself worrying about calories even though I almost never top 900, and get in all my protein. I can too easily slip into the mindset of trying to eat fewer and fewer calories, which in the past has led to a deprivation/binging cycle. I don't want to do that anymore.

I see that you mentioned in an edit that you did have a fill under fluoro and the band looked fine. I have read other threads where people say their band worked differently post pregnancy (there is a pregnancy forum on this site). For some reason, it just doesn't work the same in that it is tighter or looser than normal . . . or is just more fickle in that finding the sweet spot is really hard. My band was perfect before pregnancy . . . I got to my sweet spot quickly and maintained that fill level for many, many months steadily losing until all of a sudden, my band became horribly tight. Later I discovered it was pregnancy related. Since I have been pregnant, I can no longer tolerate anywhere near my previous fill level or I can't eat. I don't really have morning sickness or vomiting problems and never did during pregnancy, but it feels as though normal fill levels cause my band to almost close completely. I am hoping, praying, dreaming that post pregnancy my band will work normally again . . . but alas the future is not known to me as of yet. I am not sure why your band is behaving this way and you are uncomfortable eating dressed. I have read many, many pregnancy threads and this is the first I have heard of it. Perhaps a slight unfil may help the sensation (but then it also allows the food to flow more easily which may inhibit weight loss attempts). Perhaps you can get a slightly larger band size on your bra or pants if they fit snug. I would ask your doctor at the least and keep posting threads regarding how clothing affects the band.