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Hey girlies, so glad you remembered me lol xxx. I wouldnt mind Scooby if i had been eating loads, I could deal with the weight gain, but it seems I have to eat hardly anything and not drink much either to lose. I will go for a little fill in August to take me back to near starvation, but I didnty reaLLY FEEL HUNGRY, IT WAS JUsT THE ACID REFLUX THAT CRIPPLED ME. oops sorry about the caps. Then in December I am going to have some taken out again like last year, family says I was starting to look drawn and ill, so maybe I'll be better next time around, I think maybe if I just lose about 21 pounds that will do me. Anyway enough about me, well done hunny on your 4stone loss, its really hard I know when you've got restriction, you have to re-think every mouthful, but hey it works!!!. Sarah well done you on going back to have the repair, I hope you werent charged? I only go to Freddyboy or Chris for my fills, they are both so good, and I trust them both completely. You'll soon be falling down grids lol. Take care of you. xxx Laila, its awful that damn nighttime reflux, but Freddy told me after a small de-fill, that if I left it for a month and then went back and had the bit put back in it would give my oesophagus chance to mend the inflamation, and it was quite correct, so dont despair, or m,aybe just about the money lol. Ask for a reduction, cos its not reqlly fair is it. Chris gave me a reduction to 60 euros when I had the last de-fill. And Freddyboy has even taken some out for free!!. Well girlies, nobody mentioned Jo Jo so I guess I have to wait till she replies. speak soon xxx

I was banded on 6/17 and lost a total of 21 lbs from pre op diet to 1 week after surgery. I am 4 weeks post op and have noticed a 2 lb weight gain in the past 2 weeks. Why is this? I gained weight moving from liquid phase to mushie phase. It's Frustrating! When do I really start losing?

I think salads just slip right past the band. Try eating a hamburger or a sandwich from Subway or something that has a bit more substance. Chew slowly and thoroughly of course That should fill you up. If it doesn't, or if it makes you sick, you need to talk to your doctor. You may want to talk to the doc anyway because sudden weight gain may be a sign of problems with the band. Remember that 50 pounds is a real accomplishment! Keep working at it and you will lose more.

Ok, so I have been wanting to go on the pill for like forever now, lol, but have just kept putting it off. Hubby and I are using another form of birth control but I want to go back on the pill to regulate my period again. My period has been irregular for 20 years. I was on the pill before two different time, but never really stayed on it long enough to finally get regular. This time I would really like to, but I know it can cause weight gain. Is that something I need to be worried about? I wanted to go on the pill a few months ago, but figured with upcoming surgery and the risk of blod clots after surgery and the fact that the pill makes you more suseptable, I figured I would hold off. I know it probably seems silly, but if I am getting a surgery to help me loose weight, the last thing I want to do is to slow it down! Anyone have any insight or ideas? Should I wait till I loose my weight? Will it even matter? Thanks everyone!

1. I want my energy back. I am so sick of being exhausted after cleaning ONE room in my house! 2: I want to feel and be healthier, withour the threat of weight related conditions hanging precariously above my head. 3. I want to be able to play with my kids while they are still young enough to WANT to play with mom n dad 4. I want to live and long happy life and see my grandkids and play with them too! 5: I want to be able to get out in the world and do all the things I used to love to do but can't anymore because of weight getting in the way (like hiking!) 6. I want to get rid of my pesky PCOS problem which both contributed to my weight gain and is worsened by it, the worse it gets the more I gain.Its a vicious cycle I want to END! 7. I want to eat to live! 8. I want to be able to look in the mirror and LIKE what I see! 9. I want to go to the store and have more options on clothing, and NOT have to buy things that look like they were made for a 96 year old woman who doesn't like things that don't have a stretchy waist. 10. I want to regain the confidence I had when I was younger and thinner. I started getting self- conscious around the 200 mark.. my personal goal is 180 my docs goal is 150, I am okay with being slightly chubby, as long as I am healthy and happy 11. I want my weight to stop running my life, *I* want to run my life and LIVE it to the fullest 12. This is silly, I know, but I want to be able to sit on hubby's lap and not worry I will break his legs or something. Its so simple and yet so depressing to fear that your weight will hurt your loved ones I could come up with more but you said 12 so I will stop there. Thanks for posting! I have been considering WLS but now that I made a list of all the things that I want that WLS can give me, I am more sure now than ever that I am on the right path. There is just something about saying/writing it all out that really puts it in perspective, you know?

It's been a while, I hadn't blogged because there hasn't been much to report. I did receive my second fill today and I have lost an additional seven pounds since my last fill less than four weeks ago. My realistic loss was a little more because I had some additional retention from that "TOM". I guess my self-expectations are higher than what's realistic, I know we all think that what we've lost isn't good enough, and I have to continually check myself on not negating my progress. It's hard work! The portion controls, stopping yourself from completely indulging in a meal that you're enjoying, sacrificing your time by going to the gym and keeping in mind that you've invested some major buckaroos in attaining these goals. I'm grateful that I haven't experienced the stuck feeling, the slimming, or the episodes of pain from eating too fast or eating the wrong things altogether. I've pretty much been able to eat what I want without deprivation or restriction, but I have learned the art of grazing on those things that are the most appetizing to me. One or two bites and it's enough to satisfy that craving or curiosity. I am a workout fanatic, I love participating in spin class, lifting weights, riding my mountain bike and doing some type of High Intensity Circuit Training, because of that I have seen a difference in inches loss and total fat percentage decrease. This week has been a bit of a struggle because of my "not-so-friendly" monthly visitor, so I hope I can bounce back next week and reach my goal of working out twice daily (wish me luck). Another thing, I spoke to my PA today and I asked her about combining the lap band with the HCG injections and diet. I had actually invested 600 bucks on the program before I decided to get the Lapband. I have a vial left and she said that the diet acceptable for the protocol, but to not be discouraged if I experience a sudden loss and then later an uptick in weight gain. So I'm still trying to decide whether or not I want to do the protocol for about 20 days to jumpstart my loss (we're talking 20lbs in 20 days). I'll keep you guys posted on my progress. I did get a B12 injection today (included with the HCG program that I had paid for in the Spring) and it's supposed to increase my energy and help to efficiently metabolize fat. I did take them once a week last year, and I could tell a significant difference in my overall energy level and weight loss. I know I'm kinda long winded tonight, I'm completely relaxed as I sit here sipping on my Apple Martini! Good Night All Happy Travels, Kymberly

Hi everyone! It's been a while since I posted on here. But I noticed that since I have been prego (13 weeks 5 days now) that ALL of my bad old habits have creeped back in and I have gained so far a fluctuating 8-10 lbs depending on the day. And I want to nip this in the bud before I get out of control. I have decent restriction (if you will), I can eat about a cup sometimes slightly more with less dense foods, but I want to eat all day! like more then 6-8 times a day, not enough water and more carbs too. I did get to goal 4 months before I was prego. I haven't been exercising either. There are a lot of "reasons" I can give as to why I am so far off the program (cravings, morning sickness, death in the family/depression, ragging hormones ect.), but the fact of the matter is I need to get a reality check on this before I get out of hand. I am excited to be prego, but also scared-of weight gain (at least excessive all be it this is my 3rd baby and the first two I gained 25-30lbs and I was already over weight with both of them) and scared of stretching out my sleeve...

Different med's have have different effects on weight loss or weight gain. And they also effect every one differently too. Just talk with your doctor about your concerns about gaining weight from the change in meds. be sure to weight yourself when you start taking the new drug so you will have a true idea if you have gained anything. Just don't worry if your weight gains by a pound or two.

I can identify to a degree, I recently finished a six month course of 5 FU for rectal cancer. I have begun refilling because six weeks out hunger has picked up enormously. My.fill doc was reluctant because I lost a fair bit of weight through surgery, radiation and chemo but I yelled and screamed a bit - I am aftetall in the normal weight range, it is my body and my business how much I wish to weigh and she herself said everyone gains when unfilled! Coming back to this now I'm on my computer and not my phone, I'll add this: I did find everything tasted disgusting, but for me, that led to me not wanting to eat rather than eating and eating trying to find something normal tasting. I was also so conscious of being unfilled that I was extremely careful and actually lost TOO much weight. I really became quite afraid of food for a while there. I was pretty nauseous too so that had an effect. I think you've done pretty well, weight gain on breast cancer chemo treatments is well documented and can be pretty significant and very hard to shift, so you've contained it pretty damn well. the bad taste went away for me immediately chemo finished, wish I could say the same for the aching sore knees, shoulders and hips - I feel like I'm about 80 these days. I've started refilling my band as I mentioned, but it doesnt feel anything like the same as it did the first time round, I've got way less restriction than I had. I'm not too concerned, since I did a pretty good job of keepign the weight off whilst being unfilled for 8 months and I have to leave it anyway because I'm having another surgery next week and I dont really want to be tight at that point, but its what I feared - once you start mucking round with your band filling and unfilling, it can be hard to get back to where you were. Cancer sucks, its not fair and you shouldnt have to face these problems but we do and have to just accept that and do the best that you can in the circumstances. And dont be hard on yourself over a small weight gain.

Im feeling for you! I have read that it is between years 3-6 where people have the most weight gain. Hang in there! Does Protein first help you? How many cups of food can you eat at one setting at this time? Still drinking all your Water? Good luck....I am only at 6 months, and can eat about twice as much as in the beginning...

Within the last couple of months, I was having a lot of problems with sliming/ everything getting stuck/ and feeling just down right awful! I tried to eat smaller bites and chew my foods very slowly and wait 30 seconds before my next bite of food. Well, nothing was working for me. I had some fluid taken out almost 4 months prior so I was so afraid of losing my restriction. Therefore, I continued to endure with the sliming and every single thing placed in my mouth getting stuck. I was getting so depressed because the band is a tool that befriends you in the weight lost process, but I was not getting that return from my band. Therefore, I knew I had to make some quick decisions because the constant throwing up was starting to effect my esophagus due the acid reflux I was experiencing. I went in last week and had some fluid removed from my band. I was brought down from 4.8cc to 4.2cc. I felt instant relief and yes- I am not as tight but that was my problem. I did some research and when the band is implanted- there is only an opening about the size of an ink pen opening for foods and drink to travel through. That's why we are told to eat small bites of food and to drink fluids slowly to prevent things from getting stuck and to endure long periods of pain and suffering. Therefore, when the band is too tight it makes things that much more difficult to allow foods/drinks to go down properly. I still have decent restriction without all the uncomfortable drama (sliming/ throwing up/ acid reflux and pain)! Therefore, I have learned it's not all about how much saline is in the band, but the ability to use the band as the tool it was designed to be. I am much happier with some fluid being removed than I was having the band tighter than it should have been. Also remember, when your band is too tight you will make poor food choices. That means eating slider foods that will cause weight gain and not weight lost. (just a little food for thougth)! I am almost at my one year mark as of July 21st with only 4.2 ccs in my 10cc band. but my band is working as a friend and not a foe! I have a tendency to want everything to happen quickly, but slow and easy works better for me. If anyone is experiencing a lot of sliming, throwing up, daily episodes of food and drinks getting stuck, you may consider having a little fluid removed and allowing your band a time period to heal from the entire trauma episode it's experienced. I am starting to love and befriend my band all over again! I am definitely a work in progress. Thanks for listening and supporting me through it all. My wonderful band family!

I've battled since I was a kid with my weight. It seems like my entire life has been a diet roller coaster and I just want to be healthy and live a long life for myself and my family. I have finally decided to move forward with having the gastric sleeve surgery-not a light decision to be made to say the least. I've thought about it for about a 1 and a half now and made myself wait and try to diet and exercise just ONE more time about 5 months ago before reaching the decision to have the surgery. There have been a few times in my life where I was driven or made to be physically fit and those times were successful for me. I look back on them and realize that I didn't let food rule me and I was quite active as well. I want that ME back so badly that I feel like I need to do something extreme and permanent to make it happen. What I didn't realize when I was a young kid, teenager and after having my first child is that I wasn't obese or even fat like I'd been led to believe, even though I saw myself as overweight. As a kid I was really just a normal kid with a mother who constantly badgered about weight which in turn gave me a huge complex that at 34 years of age I'm still experiencing. Only now, the overweightness is a fact. As a teenager I was active-never a skinny minny , but I enjoyed sports and was thrilled when I became a cheerleader for my junior year just by wanting to do it and trying hard. After highschool my diet wasn't the best, but I managed to join the military right before entering into a weight bracket that wouldn't be accepted. I did it to motivate and better myself. When I say a weight bracket that wouldn't be accepted for my height and build I mean I was literally one pound away from the "un-accepted" category, so still not extreme at this point in my life either....150 was my weight. But....mentally felt like I was 30 pounds overweight. Now that I look back on this moment in my life I realize I needed to pick back up on exercise and I'd have been just fine. Well, bootcamp did that for me without an issue:) I was lean, sexy and super fit for the first time in my life and I loved my body. I got married soon after bootcamp-and got pregnant during the honeymoon! Yay....on came the weight. I gained 91 pounds with my first son. Lost down to 185 after I had him and felt like the biggest cow ever-stretch marks included. Again, I look back and think-what the heck was your problem girlfriend? You looked great and just needed to exercise and eat right to be fit and lose about 30 pounds. At this point in my life my mother was back in the picture and had harped my entire pregnancy on my weight gain (several times a week during my pregnancy I hear her thoughts on my progress) and thereafter too. Not good for moral-and it didn't help that we lived with my parents for the last trimester and a few weeks after the birth of my son as I transitioned out of the military. I kept the weight (dieting a few times and losing about 15 or 20 pds) for about 3 1/2 years before deciding to have my second child. The first delivery was hard because of the weight gain and inactiviity and I knew that I wanted to do better for myself and my body and went on a very healthy weight watchers diet and exercise regime to lose the weight before getting pregant again. I was successful! Lost the weight, got pregnant, gained a decent 50 pounds and considering I exercised until the last month I was quite proud of my success. After having him it took me about a year to get "fine" again. And wouldn't you know it-I can't think of one single word of encouragement from my mom during my "fine" times....just sayin. It wasn't until he was 3 years old that I started gaining weight back again. I let a few pounds come on during the holidays around 8 or so and still thought I looked great.....then a few more....then a few more....before I knew it I was at 187 and looking in the mirror still thinking it's ok you can get it together....then a few more....a few more.... a few more....I just lost the will to keep on the diet lifestyle and 4 years later I'm at 242.2. I'm starting to feel it take a toll on my health too. T ype 2 diabetes, high cholesterol a double chin that I hate and just generally longing for so much more than this. Of course my mother's been at me strong for the last two years-she took a break when I got the nerve to tell her to be be quite about it already a few years ago. I've tried 3 or 4 times in the past year, (starting to lose count) to diet and exercise and will lose 15 or 20 pounds and then I quit the changes gradually and get back where I started. I want permanent changes and I can't think of what else to do other than the gastric sleeve. I'm at the end of my rope so to speak and have firmly decided to go through with this.

Hello there. My name is Amanda and I am new to the group. I am here trying to regain my balance. I got a band in late May and did really well at first, but I moved from Philadelphia to New York, started a new job and moved back into my home in June. I was fine when I was not working but work seems to have sent my diet into a tizzy. The good thing is that I love to exercise. But it's the food I find such a huge challenge. I had my first fill in June and it was minimal. Since then, I have been constantly hungry and can't seem to put down my fork. Anyone have good suggestions on how to get back on track? I see my doctor in Philly soon for a fill but I am dreading that visit. I feel so disappointed in myself. This was a big decision and recovery was no piece of cake. I feel like I am blowing the journey just as it as truly just begin.

I have just finished my last nutrition class and am now waiting to be scheduled with the surgeon before insurance approval. Last evening I read a disheartening story on Obesityhelphelp.com about a guy who had lost over 100 pounds after his sleeve and has gained it all back and can eat a full hamburger fries meal etc. I knew there was the possibility of some weight gain especially if you let things get out of hand, but all of it? My question is it because of the size of the bougie. This is not my first concern about this. My Dr uses a 39 which I think is a larger size by today's standards. Most people are getting a 32 or 34 these days. I would like to hear from folks who either have the larger bougie or the weight gainers and their ideas as to why? I'm afraid to go through the risk of this process, suffer with another slooooow weight loss(I'm the world's slowest loser) only to gain it all back. :-(

Hello new friends, I am probably on here super early. I don't have a doctor, surgery date, or any of that yet. I can only tell you that about 4 days ago, I got to a point where I was disgusted at the weight I've gotten to. I began crying to my mother (who by the way is 100 pounds and tried to tell me she understood) and I haven't been able to stop crying since. I hate that I can't bend over to tie my shoes, I hate that I can't keep a pair of jeans for longer than 4 months without getting holes in the crotch from the rubbing, I hate that I can't cross my legs, I hate having rashes and the way I smell, and most of all I hate that my poor kids are always bored because I never want to get up as I don't have the energy to do much more beyond getting myself to work every day. You would think that all of this would give me enough motivation to just take the weight off but it doesn't. Instead I get even more depressed, and I eat even more. I know it's wrong yet I keep eating and eating…3 helpings sometimes and then I proceed to eat what is leftover on the kids's plates because I can't bare to waste food. I'm sick. I don't know why I can't stop but it's really spiraling out of control and I need to do something. I got to talking to a couple of friends both of whom I've known for many years. One has had a lap band with much success and the other has had gastric bypass with much success. They both recommended the sleeve ironically. I'm trying to read up on all the surgeries and I guess I feel it may be the right one as well. I've been reading non stop for 3 days now and my next step is to see a doctor. What are the opinions of others on the differences between the three surgeries? My other dilemma, and I know I've read this already from others on here, is am I taking the easy way out or should I just do it with diet and exercise because I have done it before? I've struggled with weight since I was a child. I come from an Italian family where everything revolves around food. I remember my grandmother would make ravioli and at the young age of 6 years old, she would encourage me to eat 10 of them. Then when I ate 10, she would encourage me to eat another 2. Then there was dessert…and never just one choice. It went on like this for years until finally I moved away from my family and decided to try and see what I could do to lose the weight now that food wasn't around every corner. I did everything from good old diet and exercise to fasting. I could never keep it off longer than a month or so. Finally, around the age of 25, after my first son was born, I took most of it off and got down to 125 pounds, which is still heavy for a 5 foot tall woman. It took so much effort that my life had to revolve around diet and exercise. I took Xenadrine, which is now off the shelves (hmmm, I wonder why), I walked to and from work, was on my feet at work teaching all day, ran 4 miles or more each day on top of that, ate absolutely no dairy and very few carbs, ate 5-6 tiny meals each day, and never ever ate after 4pm. I followed every diet tip known to man and was still considered overweight for my height and build. All that work and all it took was me taking a desk job for it to all go to crap. I had lost my teaching job and began working in an office that I couldn't walk to, sat all day, and immediately the weight gain started and I was back to 180 in a matter of months, even though I kept doing most of the other things. Xenadrine was taken off the shelves and there went another 20 pound increase. My lifestyle now would not even allow for part of that. I have three children, barely have time for myself, and I work at a desk for at least 10 hours each day. I get home at 7:00pm starved and just start shoveling the food in. I am really just doing a lot of venting here and would love for someone to tell me I am looking in the right direction with the option of surgery. I plan to make an appointment here in the next few weeks with a doctor but it always helps to have the support of others who understand. If someone thinks I should just suck it up and get myself to diet the normal way again, please say so Thanks for hearing me out and I will be around reading more and more and educating myself as much as possible. I will keep everyone up to date on what the doctor says once I get the appointment.

i was banded on 10/31/06 Lost weight, gained it back, do to the fault of poor aftercare.... I found a new surgeon, they put me under Fluoroscopy, and we are now rolling. I also journal my diet, and exercise. I hope you gave yourself a calorie limit to follow, and stick with it, and if it's to high then yep you can cut back in different foods. Some stuff goes a long way. Also look for another surgeon, and get checked out. They will also give you new guidelines.

I have a question about loose skin. I have a bunch of it. A small pannus, arms that could fly, and more than enough belly skin to go around despite my still needing to lose another 50 after I have the bambino and only being down about 70 some pounds. Will I get more loose skin as the bump starts to grow? More stretch marks? Or will the loose skin I already have just sort of take up the slack? I'm only nine weeks and while I can't button most of my pants anymore (no weight gain yet) I am not showing at all, but I am wondering...

hi...thanksallof you for your guidance and support....I did write down my calsand Protein....I am having around 40gms protein and around 1000 calories.. so I need to increase on both fronts.I do exercise daily for 40 mins....but otherwise my life is very sedentary....my movements are slowdue to arthritis. I willincrease my calorieand protein content and yes willwrite it down daily.....I tried only 3 meals...but my body is used to 3meals and2 Snacks since years...so maybe that is causing weight gain... Thanks all of you!!

Hey Leslie!!! I posted on the other thread, but I thought I'd post it here too. Copied and pasted...Well hey there, Leslie! It's been a while. Sorry you are not doing so well with your band. When are you having your band removed? I have heard lots of good things about the sleeve. Might be worth checking into. I miss talking to you! I was thinking about the 5k we ran a while back and how you got lost on the course, lol. Good times I haven't been doing too hot either. I'm still 40 lbs lighter than I was when I had my surgery, but still...I have gained A LOT of weight back. My weight gain started when I noticed I was losing restriction really fast after my fills. They started measuring the fluid and I was losing fluid everytime I went in. I thought they were going to fix my band, but they kept putting it off saying I wasn't losing "enough" fluid to validate surgery. I was having to go in every 2 weeks to get a fill and I just got fed up with it and stopped going all together. I was also diagnosed with cluster headaches a while back and had to go on a high dose of steroids for 2 months. I gained 30 lbs in two months from the steroid and I couldn't seem to get back on track after that. I've been meaning to post too. I've been walking with a friend of mine for a couple of weeks and that's been helping. It's nice having a workout buddy....it makes all the difference! I really miss the support we all used to give each other. Anyway, it was good hearing from you! Please check back in and keep us updated! Are you on facebook? If you are, look me up and add me. I keep up with most of my lapband buddies on there now instead of LBT. georgia girl

Well hey there, Leslie! It's been a while. Sorry you are not doing so well with your band. When are you having your band removed? I have heard lots of good things about the sleeve. Might be worth checking into. I miss talking to you! I was thinking about the 5k we ran a while back and how you got lost on the course, lol. Good times I haven't been doing too hot either. I'm still 40 lbs lighter than I was when I had my surgery, but still...I have gained A LOT of weight back. My weight gain started when I noticed I was losing restriction really fast after my fills. They started measuring the fluid and I was losing fluid everytime I went in. I thought they were going to fix my band, but they kept putting it off saying I wasn't losing "enough" fluid to validate surgery. I was having to go in every 2 weeks to get a fill and I just got fed up with it and stopped going all together. I was also diagnosed with cluster headaches a while back and had to go on a high dose of steroids for 2 months. I gained 30 lbs in two months from the steroid and I couldn't seem to get back on track after that. I've been meaning to post too. I've been walking with a friend of mine for a couple of weeks and that's been helping. It's nice having a workout buddy....it makes all the difference! I really miss the support we all used to give each other. Anyway, it was good hearing from you! Please check back in and keep us updated! georgia girl

Steroids will cause weight gain. If you can only eat unhealthy foods are you too tight? Discuss it with your surgeon.

Thought I would update... Day 2 and I am retaining these dang fluids. I decided to hop on my scale for my weekly Friday weigh, and put on 4 pounds... 4!!! I'm not happy. I'm kind of hoping that this is a norm. Maybe the Fluid retention is because my body is confused as to why I'm not feeding it solid food! Either way, I am NOT happy at the moment and feel bloated and miserable, and HUNGRY! I talked to my BFF who is doing this with me tonight, and she told me she is feeling the same way, so at least I'm not the only one miserable, and you know what they say about misery loving company! I'm not trying to discourage anyone, just thought I would fill you in. I knew it wasn't going to be fun, but I did not expect the bloating, and weight gain the first couple of days in.

Thank you very much! Glad to be able to help. I'm a "pay it forward" kind of guy, and willing to offer any and all help possible to those walking this path with me. There is a lot of surgeon-speak buzzwords and rhetoric tossed around before folks get banded, but not a lot of experienced support after the fact. My surgeon and his team are great folks, but none of them are band patients, so they can only tell me what it's supposed to be like, not how it IS. LBT and forums like it are a wealth of information for those who can use it, but it seems a lot of posts are about problems. Being able to share what "normal" is like for me may help others a bit, who may not be having problems, but who want some ideas of how to make the most of their banding experience. Once the parts are figured out, your day to day routine can be very easy and predictable. One thing I don't talk about too much is the Bodymedia.com armband I wear. It's made by the same company that makes the BodyBugg worn by contestants on The Biggest Loser. This thing is amazing, and does all the hard work for me. Calories in and out, exercise, other activity levels, food eaten, steps taken, sleep quality, and weight gained or lost - it's keeping track so I don't have to. Highly recommend this gadget! Wishing everyone good luck! Dave

Hi! I am SO sick! Caught a miserable cold in eastern WA last weekend. Think either a waiter where we ate Sat. night or girl who made me coffee Sunday was sick. Jim said he saw one of the girls at Cider Works coughing and sneezing.... I got coffee there 2 days in a row and spent almost two hours up there one day using their WiFi. At any rate, coughing, head congested, sore throat, no energy! Cancelled two PT appts this week but went out to dinner last night because Chris & Kellie are in town for a few days. They made plans to go out for dinner with Jodie & Alan and that was the only opportunity to spend time with all of them because Jodie & Al & kids left for camping trip this morning. So, was feeling better yesterday afternoon, but, not a good idea because now I feel worse than before! Yes, 4 years this month. I'm still down over 100 lb, but struggling. Sky Valley friend asked me on FB today about weight gain because her doctor wants to do some epidural injections for her back and he told her weight gain is a side effect because of the drugs they inject..... steroid, anti-inflammatory. So I 'spose that could be contributing to my wanting to eat all the time... like when you're smoking pot... they tell me! I'm back on the band wagon AGAIN, though! Been eating a lot of salads. Green beans and our homemade spaghetti sauce for dinner, cut down snacks and wine. No exercise this week is not going to help. Haven't walked in a few days... feeling too miserable. Paid big bucks for American Idol tour tickets for tomorrow night, so hope I'm feeling well enough to enjoy. Youngest son's birthday tomorrow too... 39 yrs old!! And a grandpa now! Gonna watch "Coal Miner's Daughter". Nothing good on TV.

I'm sad you feel you're too fat forever. It's just not true. I was banded in Mexico in September 2009 and after a very slow start, I lost 90 pounds but gained 25 back this past year. Mexico bandsters sometimes have to travel long distances for fills/follow-ups and it's easy to backslide when support is 200 miles away. When my restriction became negligible, I slid back into fast food and weight gain. Once upon a time 25 lbs wouldn't have seemed so terrible, even acceptable. That was before 09/09. I could feel all eyes at the office noticing my slow gain. It was humiliating. I finally snapped out of it and made an appointment for a fill. Now I know what restriction is! I don't know how I ever lost 90 lbs - it wasn't because of the band. Now I KNOW tight. One bad move with a bite of food and I'm running for relief. I realize you're fully restricted but could you be favoring easy calories, the ones that don't take any effort? At one point, Wendy's Frosties became my favorite go-to food, breakfast, lunch and dinner! Then I graduated to Frosties with Oreos. It wasn't long before the .99 Spicy Nuggets were added to my order. A little unpleasantness afterward didn't deter me but eventually the weight gain did. I say if you haven't gained any weight, you're in great shape and have EVERY reason to be proud. Don't be so hard on yourself. We've beat ourselves up for our entire fat lives and it has to come to an end. Try those recommended changes. I bet they'll empower you to change things even more. Also, I'd change my online name to FatNeverMore. It will come true.