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I thought the Ladies would appreciate this information!!! Menstrual Cycle and Weight Article By: The Weight Watchers Research Department While there may be minor changes in metabolism, food intake and cravings throughout the menstrual cycle in addition to possible Water retention, these will not impact weight-loss success. Food cravings, overeating and weight gain are commonly reported during the one to two weeks before menstruation occurs. But what is the science to support these symptoms, and what is their impact on weight-loss success? Food Intake and Metabolism While overeating is the popular perception, research has shown that there are only minor changes in actual food intake throughout the menstrual cycle. Most studies suggest an increase in eating of around 100 to 200 calories in the days before bleeding occurs,1,2 but this appears to be offset by the small rise in metabolism (around 5 to 10 percent)3 that occurs during the same time period. In other words, the body tends to adjust the calories in/calories out on its own. Therefore, in a weight-stable state, no changes in weight will occur. However, if actively losing weight by following a restricted-calorie food plan, the likely result would be a slight (but hardly noticeable) increase in weight loss due to the increased metabolism without the usual increase in calories. Alternatively, the result instead could be a slightly greater difficulty in following the food plan because of increased hunger during that period. Food Cravings Although food cravings are commonly reported during certain times of the menstrual cycle, the scientific evidence on the subjects is limited. Some smaller studies suggest a link, particularly a craving for high carbohydrate sweets.4,5 These studies also show that cravings tend to occur more often in women with <A href="/health/sciencecenter/Glossary.aspx#premenstural">premenstural syndrome (PMS) and that the cravings increase as symptoms worsen.6 While more research is needed to understand food cravings, the good news is that they do not appear to translate into large increases in calorie intake and subsequent weight gain. Water Retention The most likely reason for a weight gain is water retention. While this is a common symptom that can be particularly discouraging when following a structured food plan,7 the weight gain is usually minor and temporary (that is, any weight that is gained is lost around the time of menstruation). Furthermore, water retention can be lessened during this time period by making small dietary changes, like reducing sodium and increasing fluids. Bottom Line: Major fluctuations in eating and weight during certain periods of the menstrual cycle are a common perception, but studies done in the area find that the changes are minor, temporary and will not impact weight-loss success. This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated September 24, 2009.

I just went to get started on birth control to control symptoms I get and I just told them I did not want any one that caused weight gain As for it affecting anything else, it will not affect anything. So you can go to any gyno

My mother had her first knee replacement in her late forties!! Then she had her hip replaced in her early 50's, a couple years later... her other knee. She's 57 and next month will have her other hip replaced. She's battled w/ being overweight after having my brother at 30. Her mom had major joint problems as well. I dont' want that life!!!! My dad resents her because he wanted to travel after retirement but she can't do the things he wants to do. I don't want THAT life either. :-( That's why I'm having this surgery. I was so active pre weight gain. I can still run/jog (2 miles in 28 minutes is what I'm up to and can walk an hour). I can no longer do incline training because the pain in my knee is awful. Even driving hurts. I'm glad to hear you're doing better since surgery. i can't wait until I can post that I did my 10 mile hike that I did when I first met my husband! :-)

I got send home on day of surgery because of a small weight gain and the doctor didn't think I took the preop diet seriously. It was a high protein no carb diet. I was heartbroken and went crazy on sticking to it and lost some weight and finally got the surgery done. But I was devastated when it happened. I don't even like thinking about it.

I'm almost 15 weeks right now, and my doctor told me it's ok to continue my workouts (45 minutes, 4 or 5 times per week), but told me to keep my heart rate around 140 or less. I agree that sometimes i used to work out harder, but I still feel good about exercising at this rate. I usually do the elliptical, or walk and jog a bit on the treadmill. I do some weights, but the doc told me to go easy a bit with any of those that may pull or stress my tummy area. I'll be 2 years banded next month. I'm worried about gaining too much, so I'm trying hard to keep up the exercise. With my son, I gained a lot of weight (several years pre-band of course!). So, i'm hoping that w/the band and exercise, I can keep my weight gain at a reasonable, managable amount. . .

I think it could help.. I'm just not sure. How are they going to mentally tell me to stop eating.. I mean for me, I just like food.. I don't think I'm hiding anything, and I didn't have a traumatic event in my life that caused my weight gain. I mean I think I can get through it myself. But if you feel you need it, go for it!

I too, feel I have a leak, though I feel I have had mine since day one. I have not lost more than 5 llbs, since my May 19, 2010 surgery. I kept going back to my dr and they never offered to do anything. They kept telling me that the band wasn't a cure and it is a tool only. I kept telling them that something was wrong and I am not loosing the weight. Finaly in November, I told them to take out all the Fluid. I was 2 cc short. They told me that they could have missed. GREAT! Now, I don't know what I have in. They gave me a total of 8 ccs and a week later I was back because it was too much. I have a VERY slow leak. After 8months of the medical people telling me that it was me and I am not eating right, I made appointment with another Dr., and before I even saw them, they asked for an upper GI. I have a nice band with NO restriction. Even I could see that the band is just sitting there doing nothing, did not slow the birium drink at all. Then dr doing the procedure, the tech and me all saw it do NOTHING!!! My symptoms consist of very, very little restriction and weight gain. I currently weight 5 lbs more then I did at surgery day. I work out and try to watch what I eat, but to be honest, I was loosing more on Atkins and no band. What happens now?? I don't know what I am going to do now. What about you?

Have you ever taken it? I was put on that in my teens, when I was barely 6kg overweight! It is awful stuff, I was climbing the walls, vacuuming my bedroom at 3 am, I was aggressive, had insomnia and yes, no interest in food whatsoever, lost weight easily and regained it in a matter of 2 or 3 weeks when I stopped. It is dangerous stuff that can cause heart problems. However, when you feel desperate enough, you do what you have to do, and if you're under medical supervision, its your choise. It will probably make it very easy for you to eat hardly anything, but even with a lapband, if yours isnt providing the restriction you need, then rebound weight gain is going to be a problem when you stop taking it - and you cant take it forever, its too dangerous. No doctor will let you do that. What sort of exercise are you doing - really an hour of cardio a day is going to be necessary when you've already lost a lot of weight - it gets harder and harder and harder to lose it. My weight now, my daily intake needs to be about 1800 calories (WITH an hour of exercise a day) to maintain it, so I wouldnt lose much on 1200 either - you cant eat nothing sot he answer is you've got to burn more. And the exercise may need to be really vigorous - running or interval training etc. Otherwise weight loss does just peter out and may stop at a point you're unhappy with. But duromine is not a long term answer for you, although it will most likely work short term. Good luck and I agree, if it gives you a renewed control and gets you motivated again, then short term it may be worthwhile.

I just got my 4th fill a dew days ago and I think I am a little to full.. I am PB'ing even after I eat yogurt.. I am taking small bites and eating very slow... Even after I drink a few sips of Water I am burping... No Pbing.. I can drink Protein shakes just fine.. Did I read this correctly that you drank beer?? how is that possible? I miss beer and can't drink it.. I have a date (first one with this guy) I think I have to cancel... I have no idea how I am going to eat. Is this okay to PB all weekend or should I stick to Protein Shakes?? Thanks to all of you. It is VERY nice to hear I am not such an exception! I read these boards often and no one seems to have the problems I am having. Even my doctor says my case is somewhat unique to her. I know a few people personally who have gone through being banded. A couple successful and a couple not so much but none of them had my kind of problems. 1 year and 3 months into this and I am FINALLY getting restriction!! The unfill did help A LOT!! I am still able to eat what I feel is just enough. The scale is starting to go down too!! Let this be a lesson to you. DO NOT LIVE WITH THE BAND IF IT IS TOO TIGHT BECAUSE YOU ARE AFRAID IT WILL RESULT IN WEIGHT GAIN!!!! It can mean the difference between misery and your green spot!! Bonnie, Cassie and Sara I hope it all works out for you in the end! (Knock on wood) I am doing REALLY WELL with this NOW!! LOL

I'm in the same boat as you. I've been on liquids/mushy since the beginning of March and now I am starting to slowly introduce solids into my diet. I know I don't even have a fill yet but I'm scared of the weight gain. I think we'll be fine as long as we watch what we eat and get our exercise in we'll still see the scale going down. Good luck!!!

Watch out guys. My surgeon said no surgery if I wasn't wihmthin five pounds of the weight I was at my initial consult. A weight gain before surgery is not a good indicator to a doctor that you are ready. That being said, I wouldnt go nuts with food but if you feel like you need to have a "last meal" kind of thing.... Do it once for pizza, once for whatever. Just don't continually say goodbye from now until your surgery! Best wishes!

Thanks to all of you. It is VERY nice to hear I am not such an exception! I read these boards often and no one seems to have the problems I am having. Even my doctor says my case is somewhat unique to her. I know a few people personally who have gone through being banded. A couple successful and a couple not so much but none of them had my kind of problems. 1 year and 3 months into this and I am FINALLY getting restriction!! The unfill did help A LOT!! I am still able to eat what I feel is just enough. The scale is starting to go down too!! Let this be a lesson to you. DO NOT LIVE WITH THE BAND IF IT IS TOO TIGHT BECAUSE YOU ARE AFRAID IT WILL RESULT IN WEIGHT GAIN!!!! It can mean the difference between misery and your green spot!! Bonnie, Cassie and Sara I hope it all works out for you in the end! (Knock on wood) I am doing REALLY WELL with this NOW!! LOL

I weighed in today with a 3 lb weight gain for the last month. Prior to this I lost 6 lbs over 2 weeks. I am naturally disappointed but I was not perfect. How do you regroup after a disappointing weigh in? Me? Imam having wine tonight and will regroup for the next 6week weigh in.

I weighed in today with a 3 lb weight gain for the last month. Prior to this I lost 6 lbs over 2 weeks. I am naturally disappointed but I was not perfect. How do you regroup after a disappointing weigh in? Me? Imam having wine tonight and will regroup for the next 6week weigh in.

Hey all. I had my VSG yesterday and I still can't believe I did it. I was supposed to have it done March 22 but Dr. cancelled due to a small weight gain. I was so paranoid about having that happen again that I was uber-rigid with my presurgery diet. I was supposed to stay overnight 2 nights until tomorrow, but I was doing well enough that he sent me home today. Glad for it since I could hardly sleep at the hospital. I have 5 abdominal stab wounds from the laparoscope and a JP drain. He didn't say anything about not returning to work (I'm a nurse in the same recovery room I was just in), he only said not to drive while taking the lortab elixir. I want to go back to work on monday. I'm feeling kinda sore, and I have been sipping my liquids. It still hasn't kicked in yet that I will be losing weight now. I feel like I will believe it when I see it. Anybody else felt like this before? I'm still kinda fuzzy headed.

Hi everyone! I am so thankful for this site and the many people on here who share their experiences. I was banded on 3/1/11 and am actually going in for my first fill this Friday (4/15/11). I lost approximately 15 pounds since the day I went in for surgery and I had a relatively easy post-op with no complications and now that I have healed, I am pretty much having no issues with eating ANYTHING or any stuck episodes (at least not yet). Due to this, I have been pretty much practicing the High Protein - NO Carb (as in no simple carbs, no Pasta, no rice, no potatoes, no bread) primarily because I am very much a carb addict (I looooove potatoes and bread and can eat them all day long). However, here is my problem, since I am completely new to this lifestyle and have been reading all of the posts on here and it seems as though everyone on here has incorporated SOME carbs into their diet without experiencing the weight gain that I am fearing will happen once I indulge even just a little bit. I am not a person who likes to cook and am slowly trying to overcome this obstacle. I think my main problem is I am quite confused on what to eat/make that would be satisfying but yet healthy and would still garner the intake i need to maintain weight loss with the band. I was hoping someone could possibly shed some light on the following for me: 1) what simple carbs can I incorporate into my diet and how much to still stay in ketosis (please keep in mind I cut all the "white" out of my diet previous to the LB surgery - white bread, rice pasta, etc.) 2) any good food ideas especially eating out that you can suggest? Any help would be greatly appreciated.. 3)

So this is first time band for you - congrats! Its been great for me even though we had this last year of stalling due to whatever happened (we aren't sure why). The plication the more i read about it seems quite brilliant! When I would get loosened I would gain 3 lbs a week back a crazy amount of weight. This allows you to rely less on the band and allows to keep the band looser. Pretty interesting. I had surgery on Sat I had to stay two nights they did a liver biopsy; fixed a hiatal hernia and small slip and replaced a new band and that is more of a surgery than putting a new one in as you form adhesions which need to be undone. Sounds like having to carefully peel off a bandaid. Do you remember if you gained weight just before and after the surgery? I put on 7 lbs! I think this happened last time too. BTW don't beat yourself up about weightloss post op - it is called bandster hell it may actually be better cuz u have the plication but it is a time to heal. Many experience weight gain and I bet due to the plication that problem will be less. i have a frame of reference as I had the band w/o plication and now w/ plication.

I posted on a similar question and hope I don't bore anyone. I am 4 months post op from what you are facing and it has been just like starting all over again, including the journey to restriction, which I am still trying to attain. It has been no more painful or difficult than the original surgery...the one good thing is I knew what was coming and that made things easier. I gained close to 30 pounds from my lowest and am still struggling to get off those pounds. I have no regrets for getting the band or the re-positioning....my weight gain proved it is working for me. Best wishes, Mimi

I came across this article a few months ago and it helps a lot to keep things in perspective for long term success. Top 10 Most Common Mistakes WLS Patients Make I will also post it here just to make it easier... ----------------------------------------------------------- While weight loss surgery (WLS) is considered the most successful treatment for morbid obesity, it is just the first step toward a fresh start. Weight regain is a common phenomenon, as is illness when weight loss surgery patients do not follow recommended guidelines. Breaking old patterns, establishing an effective post-WLS lifestyle, and addressing the emotional issues that often complicate obesity takes more than commitment; it takes support, information, and resources. The National Association for Weight Loss Surgery (NAWLS) helps WLS patients shape new lives. We teach people what they need to know and help them makes the changes they need to make to achieve long-term WLS success -- physically, mentally, and spiritually. In a November 2005 poll conducted by NAWLS, the following were identified as the top 10 mistakes WLS patients make: 1st Mistake: Not Taking Vitamins, supplements, or Minerals Every WLS patient has specific nutritional needs depending on the type of surgery you have had. Not only is it a good idea to ask your surgeon for guidelines, but also consult with an experienced WLS nutritionist. Understand there is not a standard practice that all surgeons and nutritionists follow in guiding WLS patients. So, it is important to do your own research, get your lab tests done regularly, and learn how to read the results. Some conditions and symptoms that can occur when you are deficient in vitamins, supplements, or minerals include: Osteoporosis; pernicious anemia; muscle spasms; high blood pressure; burning tongue; fatigue; loss of appetite; weakness; constipation and diarrhea; numbness and tingling in the hands and feet; being tired, lethargic, or dizzy; forgetfulness, and lowered immune functioning. Keep in mind, too, that some conditions caused by not taking your vitamins, supplements, or minerals are irreversible. For example, a Vitamin B-1 deficiency can result in permanent neurological deficits, including the loss of the ability to walk. 2nd Mistake: Assuming You Have Been Cured of Your Obesity A "pink cloud" or honeymoon experience is common following WLS. When you are feeling better than you have in years, and the weight is coming off easily, it's hard to imagine you will ever struggle again. But unfortunately, it is very common for WLS patients to not lose to their goal weight or to regain some of their weight back. A small weight regain may be normal, but huge gains usually can be avoided with support, education, effort, and careful attention to living a healthy WLS lifestyle. For most WLSers, if you don't change what you've always done, you're going to keep getting what you've always gotten -- even after weight loss surgery. 3rd Mistake: Drinking with Meals Yes, it's hard for some people to avoid drinking with meals, but the tool of not drinking with meals is a critical key to long-term success. If you drink while you eat, your food washes out of your stomach much more quickly, you can eat more, you get hungry sooner, and you are at more risk for snacking. Being too hungry is much more likely to lead to poor food choices and/or overeating. 4th Mistake: Not Eating Right Of course everyone should eat right, but in this society eating right is a challenge. You have to make it as easy on yourself as possible. Eat all your meals--don't skip. Don't keep unhealthy food in sight where it will call to you all the time. Try to feed yourself at regular intervals so that you aren't as tempted to make a poor choice. And consider having a couple of absolutes: for example, avoid fried foods completely, avoid sugary foods, always use low-fat options, or only eat in a restaurant once a week. Choose your "absolutes" based on your trigger foods and your self knowledge about what foods and/or situations are problematic for you. 5th Mistake: Not Drinking Enough Water Most WLS patients are at risk for dehydration. Drinking a minimum of 64 oz. of water per day will help you avoid this risk. Adequate water intake will also help you flush out your system as you lose weight and avoid kidney stones. Drinking enough water helps with your weight loss, too. 6th Mistake: Grazing Many people who have had WLS regret that they ever started grazing, which is nibbling small amounts here and there over the course of the day. It's one thing to eat the three to five small meals you and your doctor agree you need. It's something else altogether when you start to graze, eating any number of unplanned Snacks. Grazing can easily make your weight creep up. Eating enough at meal time, and eating planned snacks when necessary, will help you resist grazing. Make a plan for what you will do when you crave food, but are not truly hungry. For example, take up a hobby to keep your hands busy or call on someone in your support group for encouragement. 7th Mistake: Not Exercising Regularly Exercise is one of the best weapons a WLS patient has to fight weight regain. Not only does exercise boost your spirits, it is a great way to keep your metabolism running strong. When you exercise, you build muscle. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn, even at rest! 8th Mistake: Eating the Wrong Carbs (or Eating Too Much) Let's face it, refined carbohydrates are addictive. If you eat refined carbohydrates they will make you crave more refined carbohydrates. There are plenty of complex carbohydrates to choose from, which have beneficial vitamins. For example, if you can handle pastas, try whole grain Kamut pasta--in moderation, of course. (Kamut Pasta doesn't have the flavor some people find unpleasant in the whole wheat pastas.) Try using your complex carbohydrates as "condiments," rather than as the center point of your meal. Try sprinkling a tablespoon of brown rice on your stir-fried meat and veggies. 9th Mistake: Going Back to Drinking Soda Drinking soda is controversial in WLS circles. Some people claim soda stretches your stomach or pouch. What we know it does is keep you from getting the hydration your body requires after WLS--because when you're drinking soda, you're not drinking water! In addition, diet soda has been connected to weight gain in the general population. The best thing you can do is find other, healthier drinks to fall in love with. They are out there. 10th Mistake: Drinking Alcohol If you drank alcohol before surgery, you are likely to want to resume drinking alcohol following surgery. Most surgeons recommend waiting one year after surgery. And it is in your best interest to understand the consequences of drinking alcohol before you do it. Alcohol is connected with weight regain, because alcohol has 7 calories per gram, while Protein and vegetables have 4 calories per gram. Also, some people develop an addiction to alcohol after WLS, so be very cautious. Depending on your type of WLS, you may get drunker, quicker after surgery, which can cause health problems and put you in dangerous situations. If you think you have a drinking problem, get help right away. Putting off stopping drinking doesn't make it any easier, and could make you a lot sicker.

Ok....I've heard about the dreaded 3 week stall, but I'm 5 weeks out today and I GAINED 1.8lbs!! What in the world?? I'm sticking to a low-carb (30g or less), high protein (90g) diet; I started working out last week; I'm getting in all my water.......I have no idea what's going on. I'm just going to keep doing what I've been doing, because, up until now, it's been working! Any suggestions? Thanks, Bewildered and Confused in Texas

Just walked in from what I "think" is my last pre-surgical meeting....but with the way things have gone for me since Thanksgiving with Dr. R, I never know.....I'm scheduled for the anesthesiologist next week and surgery on the 27th. I'm hoping this time things go as I've planned. I noticed the posting about last night's meeting after it happened. I'll go when you guys go!! I miss seeing all of you and I want control over my eating and my life back. After living for 3 years with my band, the past 5 months have been absolute hell. I now understand why the people who need to be unbanded are bitter. I recognize that the underlying reasons for my obesity are still there, though latent for a few years. Hidden well by my working out incessantly and eating very little, but nonetheless, still all there! Jay, you'll appreciate that I've been on the pre-op diet for 4 weeks now. Dr. R kept sending me home to lose weight.....thought I was gonna die. Seriously, I wouldn't have this band if not for needing it. I assure you, if I could lose weight without it, I would. I didn't think surgery was just something fun to try! Even WITH my weight gain, I've still maintained 55% of my excess body weight lost.....so I wasn't very nice the last few times he gave me a hard time. This time I even accidently swore when defending myself. With as far as I've come in the past few years, I'll be damned if some man with a few degrees more than me is gonna make me think I'm a complete effing failure. So....I miss you guys. Need my old life back and need to drop a few so I can go wedding dress shopping. My life has been on hold for 5 months and I want it back.....

Mine is unfilled completely for another surgery I had a few months ago and my eating habits have not returned to preband days - but I had great restriction for over five years. At the moment, I plan on leaving it unfilled, but I wouldnt take it out - it pleased me to know that its there if I need it - and truthfully, I am not 100% confident about why I have been able to maintain a very low weight without restriction - I'm having chemo, have had major abdominal surgery, etc and although my appetite has remained healthy and I eat a good solid 3 meals a day, and have to use willpower to fight head hunger between meals, I'd want to be pretty sure that I could do it much longer term before I removed my band. Besides, its not doing any harm in there, so why would I have more surgery? It is generally designed to stay there long term and statistics show that if its removed, weight gain almost certainly follows.

I am 24 and had mine on 3/16. I'm worried about the excess skin. Once I start exercising again I don't expect it to be a huge problem. I anticipate muscle mass to develop, which will cause a HEALTHY form of weight gain. I hope exercising will mediate the excess skin problem.

Hello everyone. On Wednesday, April 13th, I will be four weeks or one month post-op. I am a little shocked that as of today I have only lost 20 lbs. I hear about people losing thirty or fourty the first month and I can't believe that I'm stuck at 20. This makes me very sad, depressed, and dissapointed. I have 110 to lose (now 90) and hope that this is not a very slow process. A few things may be hindering my weight loss: now that I'm on mushy Protein type foods, I am only just now getting protein into my diet. I drink a lot throughout the day but it probably is not 64oz. I also decided during these four weeks to take myself off of my antidepressant that I've been on for years. I know it caused a lot of weight gain and kept me from losing weight. I decided that since I went to the utmost extreme of having the majority of my stomach removed, there is no way I'm going to let a stupid little pill keep me from losing weight. I can manage depression other ways. My depression will be terrible until I figure out a way to cope with it, but the weight issue takes precedence right now. I'm thinking that the withdrawal from the medicine may also be messing with my weight. Until my body is used to functioning without the antidepressant, it may be messing up the weight loss. What does everyone think about only losing 20 lbs? Maybe I'll lose a few more by Wednesday.

Joan, this morning i was still steaming over the weight gain but because of you and your motivation i got out of bed and went to the gym !!! I felt sooo much better and my inches are down ( i take my inches every sunday morning) so thank you all for the support here !!!! Amy