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I'm a firm believer in journaling, here is an interesting article on that very subject. I hope this helps you with your struggles, it sure does help me. Write Your Way to Weight Loss Find out how keeping a journal can keep off those pounds. By Madeline Vann, MPH Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH Writing down what you eat can double your weight-loss success and help you keep those pounds off permanently. After all, maintaining your weight can be harder than losing it, so you need all the helpful tools you can get. Keep Your New Weight: Why Journaling Works A study of 1,700 overweight men and women showed that those who kept a regular food and exercise journal, along with eating a low-fat diet and exercising 30 minutes per day, lost 18 pounds in 20 weeks, compared to a nine-pound loss among those who did no journaling. Researchers believe food journals work because: They make you accountable. They help you identify where extra calories are sneaking back into your diet. They can act as a deterrent — if you know you have to write down that you ate a second generous wedge of double fudge chocolate chip brownie pie, you might not eat it! They provide a concrete record of your success. One of the lessons many people take from their experience of food journaling is the difference between a serving size as printed on a nutrition label and the amount of a food that they consider to be a helping. For example, a serving of Pasta is about a half a cup, so you may be surprised when you start keeping your food journal that your usual helping of spaghetti could be as many as four servings. Keep Your New Weight: Find Your Best Journal Format Be creative with your weight journal format if that also helps keep you on track. The word journal may conjure up the image of a leather-bound diary tucked under your pillow, but 21st century dieters can get the same benefit with a high-tech twist — texting. An eight-week study of 31 families showed that tech-savvy teens were nearly twice as likely to stick to a diet plan if they could text-message about their diet and exercise choices. The study's authors concluded that an immediate response from a nutritionist helped keep them motivated. You could achieve the same results by texting a diet buddy. Another option is keeping a log of your dietary choices online, which may also give you access to interactive tools such as calorie counters and weight trackers as well as personalized meal and exercise plans. Keep Your New Weight: What to Journal Whether you're a next-generation smart phone texter or a spiral notebook traditionalist, you need to keep track of specific details for the best results. Here is a general guide for what information to track in your log: Your weight at the start of maintenance and at your regular weigh-ins. Your goals and any specific guidelines for your meal plan. Specific measurements you are tracking, such as your waistline. Portion sizes of foods — remember to make it servings, not helpings — and food groups. Nutritional information associated with the servings you are eating, such as calories, salt content, fat content, Fiber, and carbohydrates. Minutes of exercise expended, plus any other exercise data you record, such as heart rate. Any other habits that you believe are relevant to your weight, such as the time you spend watching TV or playing video games. Any other details about your eating experience, such as where you ate, who you were with, and how you were feeling emotionally at that time. Write down everything that you eat or drink, including Snacks and Water. And another success tip: For greater accuracy jot down what you ate right after you eat it. By keeping a food diary, you'll be able to see if you're about to go over your allotted calories for your current weight on any given day, as well as if you're eating too many or too few calories over the course of a week. Since it's important to shake up your exercise routine periodically to keep your body challenged, your journal will also allow you to review past workouts and alert you when you’re due for a change. Journaling is a great motivator, keeping you on the straight and narrow and preventing you from slipping back into old patterns that caused your weight gain.

Ok so I am tyring with one hand pls forgive mistakes I had hand surgery two days ago. I was banded Aug 10 2010. Between that day and today I have had mutliple fills and unfills. Mostly steming from a tight/finicky band. I dont think I have ever vomitted so much in my entire life as I have in the past two years. Painful hiccups, unable to eat with a bra on sometimes. Varring band tightness throughout the day. I current have 4 cc in my band but I have been as high as 6 cc. Originally lost 50lbs but in the last few months have gained half back. My surgeon is pretty much degrading when I go in and have a weight gain. Very non-supportive. During my last visit I broke down and was horrified that I cant work with this stupid band. He suggested we give it a few more weeks... no more then 3 meals a day (DUH) low calorie liquids ( DUH).. tell this to someone who vomits most of the day. Bythe time I get home I feel so weak and horrible I eat bad foods. Anywhoo he said we may need to look at either taking the band out or do a bypass or sleeve. He states he has MANY patientas who just can not work with the band or it doesnt work with them. I need to do something becaue this vomiting and weight fluckuating is very depressing. I am very scared about the bypass although I know many ppl including my mother who has had it done with sucess. Barium swallows show good placement but bad acid reflux despite being on nexium forever. I have not had a upper GI for a year now. I see my GI doc today. Also the thing that scares me when I go to eat a solid food say meat or even a veggie. I can feel it hit my band and my heart starts to beat so hard and fast. I have acutally almost passed out a few times. I get this 75% of the time I eat. Now this can't be good on my heart... Ive told my surgery on more then one occasions but he has brushed it off failing to note in in my medical records. I need some opinions... support.... guidence...someone who understands....

I am on Nuva ring. I was on it a while prior to my sleeve. It wasn't the cause of weight gain. It is "knock on wood" not causing weight gain post sleeve.

Most sites and the medical PDR will say it causes weight gain. I don’t know when they changed it to weight loss. I worked in the medical field over 20 years too and never seen anyone lose weight on it. I know I sure didn’t either when I took it.

Hgor, I haven't hit a stall, but I bounce like Tigger. Every time I lose, I bounce up a pound, stay there for a day or three, then drop. Then bounce. Then fall. It's been like that for the last 2 months. Zeus and Cathy are right. In the past, weight gain was usually our fault. With the sleeve, the body is trying to "balance" itself. Just keep doing what your doc tells you, and all will be well. Sounds to me like you are doing great. (I don't ever get enough water )

I just had my 100 day session with NUT and she said 18 months. That surprised me. I thought we would be done after 12 months. Now, I am also wondering if the power of the sleeve as a weight loss tool is with us forever. If we wanted to do the sleeve experience in, say, 10 years from now after a hypothetical weight gain, would it be possible? By this, I am asking if the sleeve will restrict and drop the lbs like it is doing now. Or is it a 1 shot deal?

I see someone every two weeks and it's been the best decision I ever made. My insurance only required a psych evaluation but I knew if I'm to be successful that I need to deal with what is going on in my head because it's not my stomach that caused the weight gain. I've been seeing the most awesome therapist for the last 6 months. Through therapy I have learned that I to establish boundaries with toxic family relationships; I've learned how to communicate my needs better with my family; I've learned how to deal with my emotions instead of eating over everything that happens; I've learned how to be proud of myself and my accomplishments instead of treating them like they don't matter and I don't matter; and, I'm learning how to let go of a lot of the negative behaviors around food. I will continue with this therapist after surgery as she has helped me so much in our time together.

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen! My name is Brenda and on September 2nd I had the gastric bypass surgery. It took me a few years to get myself to admit I needed this, and I am happy I made this decision.My surgery took longer than the surgeon anticipated due to scar tissue from a previous surgery. The surgeon was still able to do the surgery laparoscopic after cleaning up the scar tissue. After one setback due to diarrhea and dehydration I pray I am on the right path now. Discouraged at first because of an 8 lb weight gain(which the surgeon said was due to all the intravenous fluids I was given) I am happy to say in a week I've lost 10 lbs! Prayers for great success for all of you on this weight loss journey. Here's to a happier and healthier lifestyle ????????

There is some fear mongering to an extent, and it's justified. It's easy to get a lot of empty calories from liquids. Slider foods (things like mashed potatoes or ice cream) you'll find you could still eat quite a decent amount of only a few months after surgery. The risk/concern is that because it's easy to have more of those foods people will transfer a food addiction to those. For instance my NUT told stories of somebody that nibbled on pizza all day long. They couldn't eat more than a piece in a single sitting, but the constant grazing led to weight gain. Same with somebody snaking on the mini Snickers all day long. Yogurts are a staple in my diet. No, they don't fill you up but it's a healthy snack and easy way to get protein in. I don't like offices that make this giant banned list of foods. You can eat nearly anything a few months after surgery. It's just a dangerous path to go down for a lot of folks. Some things are gone and have stayed gone (foods that I struggled with). Other things I allow myself to have maybe once a month and I'm fine with that. Pasta used to be dinner at least 2 nights a week. Now I have a little bit maybe once a month and that's all I care about having. I don't have cravings for it like I used to. If I never had it again I really don't care, and I was a massive pasta lover prior to surgery. I get why they do it but I think there are better approaches to take. The straw thing is mainly in the beginning to avoid the risk of drinking too much too quickly. I use straws now but have to remember that I can't pound a drink down like before.

The truth be told, he was probably cheating for a long time. This is his loss and your gain. Now it's time to focus on your recovery both physically from the surgery and emotionally from the cheating. You are going to be one hot chick and he is going to regret everything he's done. However, it sounds like your marriage was in trouble before you had this surgery so everything is on track. This is the universe speaking to you. Take care of you and do what you need to do. Stressors will cause weight gain but it's most likely fluid retention. Get back to eating your proteins and focus on you. You can only control you and what you do or don't put in your mouth. So don't let him stop you from getting the nourishment that you so need right now.

Hi all, Only a few things taste different for me. Only artificial sweetener I can tolerate is Splenda. Whatever is in sugar free pudding didn't used to bother me but now I can taste it big time. Someone recommended using sugar free pudding mix with the greek yogurt. Yuck! And I'm losing my taste for Spaghetti Sauce because it gives me heartburn. Also less prone to go nuts on sweets or fats for more than one day running because I feel crappy the next day (not to mention the weight gain!). Lynda

It is really important to move to mushies then solids. Its not a good idea to eat all liquids. Maybe one protein shake a day but not all day long. It deafeats the purpose of the band to consume too many liquids. You may see a slight weight gain when you move your diet to mushies then solids. That will come off when you start getting fills. Good luck.

I was very thin as a kid. I can remember saying I weighed more than I did on my 1st drivers license so I wasn't smaller than my friends. my second year in college, i gained a bit, but was easily able to take it off by watching what i ate. I stayed stayed thin(under 125) with minimal effort until I divorced my first husband and began taking paxil - I was 30. I didn't gain much weight, but found it was suddenly much easier to gain. I remarried in my mid 30s and probably weighed 135, but didnt mind because i gained most of it in my boobs. After having two kids I never lost the weight and I kept getting heavier and heavier. I'm now sitting about 230. I believe paxil and having kids contributed to my weight gain, but know that my real problem is poor eating habits.

I don't know anything about the plication, but I had the sleeve done on Tuesday, 26 Mar and went back to work half days 2 days later. No complications, no issues, no leaks. I had to ask myself what I was willing to sacrifice to finally get off the roller coaster of weight loss, weight gain, weight loss over my life. I am 46 and would do it again in a heartbeat! Just starting my weight loss journey and so excited for the outcome!!! Good luck.

Aw Lynda, I'm sorry to hear about your poor hands. RA is a $#@*#. It's ironic that it took weight loss to get a diagnosis. I often wonder how many of my Lupus symptoms might actually just be a result of obesity. But then, how much of my weight gain is due to Lupus...I guess it's a chicken and egg question. Have you ever found certain diets helped with your pain, Lynda? There are lots of people saying that low carb helps, or gluten-free helps, or vegan helps... I once had a remission coincide with a low carb diet, but I don't know if the two were related. And I can't seem to stick to any diet anymore so I have quit trying.

I'm considerig LAP-BAND® (I researched about 4 years ago also) but I have some concerns I want to ask about before I approach my dr's so I know what to ask them about when I make appts. Last year I had to have a pacemaker/icd implanted due to malignant heart arrythmia's (NSVT, Vtach & Vfib episodes), NCS & OI. I have neurocardiogenic syncope problems and my blood pressure & HR drops due to autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. Through testing, it showed I didn't have anything wrong with my arteries - no kinks, blocks or clots. I developed obstructive sleep apnea last year also. I don't think its attributed to weight gain, because I've gone up and down the weight rollercoaster for many years and didn't have OSA until recently. I've read others have pm's and have the procedure done, so I assume it's ok? What about ANS or syncope problems, arrythmia's and OSA problems, anyone have these and have the procedure done? Any effect beta blockers or vasodepressors have on the band itself since I have to take those 2 meds for life? (ProAmitine & Zebata) Do I need a certain dr since I have these problems and would need my PM turned off? I know I would need a different type of knock out drug because I can only take certain meds as is. Any recommended dr in FL, also how do I find out the cost? thanks in advance and any suggestion is appreciated

It makes some sense, as there has been a genetic test available for a while to check is one is predisposed to diabetes, insulin resistance and a genuine carb sensitivity (many who claim a carb sensitivity are just noting the normal effect of carbohydrates causing some water weight gain when one is on a low carb diet.) My wife is a bit of a bread-o-holic but it doesn't bother me - I can take it or leave it, and used it for specific added nutrition part way through my loss phase. My loss trend actually improved with it added.

Well done so far. The big weight losses will slow down and there will be stalls along the way. Weight gain after surgery is usually due to iv fluids and inflammation and then the fluid retention usually goes within a few days, hence the big losses. Just checking you are getting plenty of fluids and the required amount of protein??? What food stage are you at?

@@Momma_D Don't panic. TOTALLY normal. Your body is adjusting, that's all. I gain weight all the time, but then I'll have a 4 pound weight loss. You are doing nothing wrong, (especially if you've switched over to good Protein instead of mashed potatoes and crackers)...follow plan, get some exercise, and it will come off. Stalls and weight gain are all part of the process, so you may as well get used to it now This journey is not a straight line, but more like steps of stairs. You'll have your ups and downs.

I gainied weight to get the approval. However, I also could show a history of weight gain and loss through many programs such as LA Weight Loss, Nutri-System, Weight Watchers, ect ect. Thank God I had kept records, because the insurance asked for them. My doctor wrote an awesome letter. We started working the insurance company first of February and I got approval the first week in May.

I had a conversation yesterday with my OB about this same thing. I expressed to her that I had difficulty losing weight. She told me that 60-70% of her Mirena patients reported the same thing. Not so much of a problem with weight gain, but problems losing with a Mirena. I then told her that I was having WLS, without hesitation she said I should have my Mirena taken out and possibly consider tubal ligation or esure. She also suggested ablation to resolve my issue of heavy cycles. My nutritionist said the same thing - that my Mirena could possibly slow down my loss. I am having it removed. She also indicated that the Mirena was maybe only one factor of many (middle age, insulin resistance, etc.) that was causing me difficulty with losing weight. I'm sure this form of b/c effects everyone differently. I am pre-op, planning a December surgery.

Ok thanks for your responses I googled the Mirena and only then discovered that many other women report that is caused weight gain, libido problems and acne.

I just read this great article written by Bruce Underwood(WLS brother) in his website. I will post the link below the article so you can explore. Obesity and its Affects on Relationships and Acceptance Obese individuals have multiple and varying insecurities related to their obesity. These may differ depending on the when obesity became an issue, affected their life most, and length of time. Age, rewarding experiences, negative experiences, and humiliations also play major roles on how each person sees themselves and their self confidence. Parental, sibling, friendship, spousal relationships, and other relationships affect an individual prior to and following weight loss surgery. I have not always been obese and have had lived periods of my life with several different areas of acceptance with varying degrees of confidence. These areas include intellectual acceptance, physical acceptance, sexual acceptance, peer acceptance, acceptance of friends, spousal or mate acceptance, and audience acceptance. Each of these areas is affected by an individual’s self confidence and ability to present himself in a positive way. However, acceptance and experience also affect an individual’s confidence level in each of these areas. The more success and acceptance in a particular area, the more confidence an individual has. However, more rejection reduces self confidence, which further reduces acceptance. This circular syndrome becomes exponential in its effect on an individual. Obesity plays a major role in producing this syndrome as prejudice and stereotyping are projected on obese individuals. Individuals that have been obese all of their lives may have few or no successes in a number of areas of acceptance and may tend to naturally gravitate to other areas where they achieve success and acceptance. The fewer the areas of acceptance the lower the self esteem that a person may have. However, the person who has been obese all of their life, probably does not suffer grief from the loss of acceptance areas as some areas have never been explored. For individuals that become obese later in life, grief from the loss in specific area of acceptance is normal. Having experienced varying levels of success in an area of acceptance, the obese individual may long for those areas and may actually suffer greater depression because of the rejection that they now face in those areas. An example of this may be that of a person who once experienced acceptance in physical beauty and was rewarded highly for their beauty. Now obese, she finds herself longing for the physical and emotional acceptance, but receives rejection. This rejection leads to anger, depression and in cases self loathing. Initially there is denial and then anger. Often diet and exercise only exacerbates the problem as dieting attempts fail. Moments of success followed by diet failures drive down the self esteem and cause greater depression. Friends, peers, relatives, and those who once were flirtatious now look around, through or away and she feels much less the person than she once was. The people around her now become part of the problem as they now become the reminder of what she once was. Additionally, family, friends, and others may add to the problem by acting as the food or diet police with the individual. Often judgmental remarks and comments thought to be helpful actually make the person feel less acceptance and further rejected as an equal or peer. The family member, friend or person making the comment is perceived as being on a different level physically and perhaps intellectually. This perception may be with both parties involved or just by one of the parties; obese or other. The person may react over time in several ways: Things related to beauty may not even be attempted as they are reminders of the pain. Photographs and pictures are avoided as it is easier to live with self image from the past. New photographs are only reminders of the failure and are foreign missals that destroy the image within the mind. In addition, the more positive self image from the past actually helps to promote self confidence in other areas of acceptance such as audience and individual acceptance. The person tends to gravitate to areas that make people like them. These may take the form of humor, knowledge, and expertise. Physical activity becomes more difficult as obesity becomes more profound. Areas that require physical activity and physical fit begin to be avoided. Games, amusement parks, dance, taking car or airplane trips, hiking, theaters, etc. are avoided. The individual may begin to live vicariously through their children, family, friends, and peers. This too may become difficult as these people may resent the now “hanger on”. Surgery and Diet makes a difference – WLS and Diet - Stages of Difference, Awareness and Acceptance: 1) Self Notice – You notice a difference in yourself. As you begin to lose weight, you begin to notice the change. You feel physically different and you notice changes in your face and shoulders. You wonder if and when other people are going to say something. 2) Something’s Different – Others begin to notice a difference, but they are not sure what it is. I like your new hair style. Did you color your hair?. Did you use to have a beard? I thought you wore glasses? A few truly observant folks may say... You’ve lost weight... haven’t you? Usually still as a question. 3) Physical Change - Your clothes are baggy and you need a wardrobe change. You feel better and look better. A lot of people realize you are losing weight and say you look great. You and your friends are proud of the results. 4) Significant Difference - There is a significant difference in you appearance and everybody can see it even if it is not spoken. You know it and they know it. You feel better about yourself and have much greater energy and anticipation. You may or may not notice that people are beginning to treat you differently. You like the compliments and the positive feedback. You look great! Wow! What a difference! You are going to just blow away! You begin to think, wow I am looking better. You may find yourself getting out more and taking more chances. Spreading your wings and taking little flights of freedom to see how things work now. Self Confidence increases and you begin looking at the world a little differently. Excitement seems to be ever present. You may find that fear of failure is also increased at this point as you may not fully trust the results of success. Plateaus and periods of static weight loss may cause greater concern. Moods may seem to swing. 5) Identity Crisis – At this point you are very different physically. Your friends, family, and folks you don’t know react differently to you. You may find that the opposite sex respond flirtatiously and jokingly to you. Family, friends, peers, and co-worker relationships seem to change. Some relationships are better, but some are strained. You want more and expect more from others and yourself. You are excited about your new body and look, but may be angered and frustrated by differences in existing relationships. Leveling occurs as people feel threatened by your new look. People may put you down in areas and /or build themselves up as they want to “level” the playing field with you. You probably don’t know exactly where you fit in physically in the world anymore. You may have an exaggerated opinion or an under-exaggerated opinion of where people see your physical attractiveness. “I must look fantastic, because I am getting all this attention and everybody is telling me how good I look”. Or, “I am still fat and people are just saying that I look good to be nice” “He can’t be attracted to me”. This is also a time that poses serious threats to marital relationships. The spouse may feel threatened by the vast changes in your appearance and attractiveness. In addition, the self confidence, energy level, and desire to explore may also pose threats to status quo that once existed in your relationship. Often an obese person has not been happy in a relationship, but has lacked the self confidence and desire to make a change. New energy, attractiveness, self confidence, a desire for improvement, and the inability to discern at what level one fits in socially, may promote a relationship change or a desire to “Upgrade”. This is a time for introspection. Explore your feelings and desires. If you feel angry and frustrated, where are those feeling coming from? Who are those feelings directed towards and why? Seek out people who are honest with you and ask their opinion, but be prepared for their honest criticisms. Validate their criticisms with others that you trust. Be careful to not make rash judgments and changes, but proceed cautiously. It is a time of change, exploration, and hope as you desire to get your life back. There are those people that want to keep you confined. There are those who want to help. There are those who just want to use your energy. There are those that love you regardless of the changes. 6) Self Acknowledgement - This is a time where you begin to see where you fit in to the world as friends, family, peers, and co-workers begin to accept your appearance and changes. You may feel hurt and disappointed at times as the complements and ego boosting flattery begin to dissipate. You may once again feel threatened by the lack of weight loss and the fear of failure as some weight gain may occur. The highs and are not so high, but the lows may tend to make you depressed at times. You still feel good, but may feel less attractive as you receive fewer compliments. Some people that fed off your energy, desire, and newness no longer are as flirtatious and even strangers appear not to pay you as much attention. Life begins to level out and you begin appear “Normal”. 7) Self Acceptance and Self Awareness – At this stage, obesity is of little or no concern to you. You are aware of your size and acceptance of others. You know where you fit in. Some of your insecurities are still there, some have fallen by the wayside, but may have changed. Life has settled down and the normal problems and happiness of life make you aware of your existence. Hopefully, you have grown more beautiful, more emotionally sound, more mentally aware, more spiritually connected, and more wise. Hopefully, the journey has made you more of a person and less of a ghost. The pains that obesity brought you have made you a more empathetic and sympathetic and less judgmental. Understanding and the weathering of your own insecurities have made you strong and compassionate and you now see with clarity the reasons behind your lack of self confidence and you strive to help others to see the beauty that is within each of us. Misconceptions and Naiveté of Sexual Attractiveness - Sex Exploration Obese people often have issues with being accepted by other people, especially physical acceptance. They have often been or become the ugly duckling of society and have gotten use to rejection in the area of physical attractiveness. Often, feeling the rejection of physical attractiveness causes deep seated dependencies and feelings of need. Bottom line, they want to be loved, we want to be pretty and we want to be accepted by other people. Being fat has been a road block that prevented the acceptance from occurring. Physical rejection and lack acceptance is often displayed in parents and siblings. Often, parents and siblings tell a fat child, youth, or adult what they think of their obesity. This can be done out of cruelty, but usually it is done out of concern for the person. However, regardless of the intent, the result is profound in the life of the obese person and can be damaging for a life. In other words, a parent may tell an obese person, “You have gained so much weight... I am so worried about you”. Or they may say, “You have gotten so fat, nobody is going to want to ever be with you”. These types of comments, though they may temporarily encourage a person to lose weight, they also label the over weight person as undesirable and let them know that they are a physical reject to them and to society. Sexual rejection often goes hand in hand with physical rejections and acceptance. Being accepted sexually is often associated with physical acceptance. If a person is accepted sexually, they may feel more pretty, desired, wanted, and loved. Significant weight loss through diet or surgery has a profound affect on a person’s identity. Note that two crucial stages in Weight Loss Differences are the Significant Difference Stage, and the Identity Crisis Stage. In these two critical stages, WLS and Weight Loss people lose their sense of identity. They no longer know how people perceive their physical beauty. This is where Weight Loss people are naive about their sexual attractiveness and may develop Misconceptions of their Sexual Attractiveness. They may have a strong desire to find who is accepting of them now. It is like the person has been a true sexual prisoner of their obesity and has now been released to explore a world full of sexual partners that are accepting of them. As a result, naiveté of sexual attractiveness and their misconceptions of their sexual attractiveness may make Weight Loss Patients vulnerable to marital infidelities, which could endanger monogamous relationships. New energy levels, confidence, self esteem, and the new avenues of accepting sexual partners may create a strong desire for sexual exploration. The Weight Loss person’s sexual prowess is increased and they may find it nearly impossible turn down opportunities of sexual exploration as other people provide the attention that they desire, but lacked for so long. This may come in the form of opposite sex exploration and same sex exploration. The attention that they now receive is addictive. For a loving spouse or significant other, this can be a very frustrating and dangerous time in a relationship. The significant other, out of frustration, may try to control or constrain the Weight Loss patient. However, the attempt to control may actually work to push the Weight Loss person further away. It is a time when great support and communication is needed in the relationship. The significant other may need to provide new opportunities for exploration and provide greater amounts of attention to the weight loss patient. Communication is crucial concerning what is acceptable and what is not acceptable sexual behavior. The weight loss person needs to know they are loved, desired, and wanted. Marital or relationship counseling is strongly suggested during this time. Deeper problems within a relationship may surface as existing problems are magnified with much greater intensity during this time. Weight loss patients during these critical stages are less like accommodating poor or offensive behavior towards them, “I don’t have to put up with this crap and I am not”. Issues that have existed in relationships for long periods of time may come to the forefront. These issues must be addressed. Unfortunately, the spouse or significant other may not understand that the behavior exists or why it has become an issue now. Obesity may have caused the person to “Settle” for acceptance from person that they may think is actually less than desirable or beneath them. The person or people they accepted may have not been the best looking, most kind, most intelligent, most understanding, or may even be abusive. Because of the weight, confidence level, self esteem, and lack of acceptance from more desirable people, They accept the “love” and “settle” for who is available. At the time that they accept this person into our lives, they think they are on the same level or feel that they can’t really do any better because of the “fault” of obesity. Having said all this, I do not mean to imply that everyone goes through these issues or at the intensity mentioned above. However, the weight loss patient and people within the life of the patient need to realize that there are strong emotional and mental issues that a person may go through. Support is crucial and counseling may need to be seriously considered. With such intensely physical changes that take place in the WLS life, mental and emotional issues can be expected as the new person emerges. Try not to make rash judgments and be patient. Areas of Concern: These are areas for which I have thoughts and concerns. I hope to address these soon. If you have other topics in the area of psychology that you would like to see addressed, please let me know. If you want me to place one of the topics listed below at the top of my list, let me know. Thanks You. Energy and Willingness to be in Front of Others Leveling Change in friends Loss of Self Image and Social Position Increase Desire to explore removed barriers Expectations and Unrealistic expectations Self image – I don’t know how to smile for a camera Weight loss and Disappointment Spousal Attractiveness Link to Bruce's website and source of this article: http://www.thinnerse...ationships.html Explore his site I found lots of "goodies" to bookmark.

All I know is, thanks to the band, I eat a heck of a lot less than what I used to....and that is what it took....eating less, (lot less), exercise daily = good steady weight loss until there is no more to loose...equilibrium achieved. Only once in my journey did I not loose weight, gained actually, and that was during my 2nd month...and there was no doubt I knew I was eating too much, not having any restriction....and my Dr. reassured me, not to get very upset, and we will take care of that, and that being his / our goal.... (I have not lost any weight in well over 1-1/2 years, but that's another story)

I didn't experience the post-op weight gain julesings, but I've read about it here on LBT lots of times. Liquids and bloat. Drink lots of water and hopefully it will come back off in no time. Welcome to LapBandTalk! Good luck with your weight loss journey.