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When I started this journey, my ultimate goal was to be in the best shape I could be by the time I turned 50. Today is that day. :wub: Tangibly, I hardly resemble the person who started this journey. People who have not seen me in awhile regularly walk right past, not recognising me. This has on occasions been very funny, and on others, not so nice as people have reacted in ways that are surprisingly negative. One thing that has come up more than once is the immediate assumption that I've been very ill, or worse, that I've got something terminal. I've chosen not to talk about having surgery for a variety of reasons, and my stock answer to "What have you done?!" has become, "I eat a lot less and exercise a lot more." Intangibly, I know myself to be in a very different space internally than I was a year ago. Having the surgery did not change some of the serious issues that come with having gained so much weight and those don't go away with the weight. I've had to work hard to reprogram the default software. Old habits die very hard, and when mindlessness returns as a result of stress, or life events, the response is destructive. I've been five weeks at the same weight, but a week of no exercise and mindless grazing caused a small weight gain... panic!! It was a short, sharp, and needful lesson on the need for me to continue to care for ME. No matter how stressful work gets, or what life events happen, if I don't choose to take care of myself no matter what, all this work will be for nothing. Not gonna let that happen. Did some serious self care, bought a treadmill so I could run again (it's too hot outside) and went through my journal of the past year, reminding myself of the affirmations I'd found helpful, of the progress I'd made, and of the reasons I have made this choice. So, today I celebrate 50 years... losing 86 pounds... ...regularly running 7K ...biking 20K with my husband 2 - 3 x week, and being pronounced "completely healthy" by my GP. Yay me. If you're still working at your goals, keep on. Gather up the support you need whenever you need it, and don't give up. Celebrate the little milestones (I found Bling is perfect for celebrating every 10 pounds lost ) and ruthlessly prune your closet as you shrink out of clothes. Think in possibilities and make plans for a future that is different than your present. I know I need goals, and I plan to run a 10K race with my daughter in August. But first, I'm going to go river rafting in Bosnia to mark the achievements of the past year. Hopefully, I won't drown.

Around 6 months ago I ran into a friend that had been sleeved and she looked amazing. This got me on a path that will end with my own surgery May 21. I have research the heck out of this procedure and feel fine with my decision. I will be paying out of pocket and will be going to Mexico for this..... Because I am self pay (and a single mom) I needed to find a place to save money so I could justify the expense of the Medicard payment. So my big decision was to quit smoking, I had my last cigarette Feb 14, obviously there were other reasons to quit but needless to say I am pretty proud of myself. Now here's my problem, when I decided to quit smoking I figured one issue many people had was weight gain and I thought "who cares about that right now, Im getting sleeved in a couple months, I will eat what I want when I want as long as I quit." Well 3 months later I went from being 293lbs to 312lbs. I am pretty disappointed in myself for letting my eating get out of control so badly. I know I will never smoke again, my daughter is too proud of me to even think about it. Is it bad that Ive gained this extra weight before surgery? I start my pre-op diet on Friday.

http://www.lapband.com/en/learn_about_lapband/safety_informa tion/ Patients can experience complications after surgery. Most complications are not serious but some may require hospitalization and/or re-operation. In the United States clinical study, with 3-year follow-up reported, 88% of the 299 patients had one or more adverse events, ranging from mild, moderate, to severe. Nausea and vomiting (51%), gastroesophageal reflux (regurgitation) (34%), band slippage/pouch dilatation (24%) and stoma obstruction (stomach-band outlet blockage) (14%) were the most common post-operative complications. In the study, 25% of the patients had their band systems removed, two-thirds of which were following adverse events. Esophageal dilatation or dysmotility (poor esophageal function) occurred in 11% of patients, the long-term effects of which are currently unknown. Constipation, diarrhea and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) occurred in 9% of the patients. In 9% of the patients, a second surgery was needed to fix a problem with the band or initial surgery. In 9% of the patients, there was an additional procedure to fix a leaking or twisted access port. The access port design has been improved. Four out of 299 patients (1.3%) had their bands erode into their stomachs. These bands needed to be removed in a second operation. Surgical techniques have evolved to reduce slippage. Surgeons with more laparoscopic experience and more experience with these procedures report fewer complications. Adverse events that were considered to be non-serious, and which occurred in less than 1% of the patients, included: esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), hiatal hernia (some stomach above the diaphragm), pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), abdominal pain, hernia, incisional hernia, infection, redundant skin, dehydration, diarrhea (frequent semi-solid bowel movements), abnormal stools, constipation, flatulence (gas), dyspepsia (upset stomach), eructation (belching), cardiospasm (an obstruction of passage of food through the bottom of the esophagus), hematemsis (vomiting of blood), asthenia (fatigue), fever, chest pain, incision pain, contact dermatitis (rash), abnormal healing, edema (swelling), paresthesia (abnormal sensation of burning, prickly, or tingling), dysmenorrhea (difficult periods), hypochromic anemia (low oxygen carrying part of blood), band system leak, cholecystitis (gall stones), esophageal ulcer (sore), port displacement, port site pain, spleen injury, and wound infection. Be sure to ask your surgeon about these possible complications and any of these medical terms that you dont understand. Back to Top What are the specific risks and possible complications? Talk to your doctor about all of the following risks and complications: Ulceration Gastritis (irritated stomach tissue) Gastroesophageal reflux (regurgitation) Heartburn Gas bloat Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) Dehydration Constipation Weight regain Death Laparoscopic surgery has its own set of possible problems. They include: Spleen or liver damage (sometimes requiring spleen removal) Damage to major blood vessels Lung problems Thrombosis (blood clots) Rupture of the wound Perforation of the stomach or esophagus during surgery Laparoscopic surgery is not always possible. The surgeon may need to switch to an "open" method due to some of the reasons mentioned here. This happened in about 5% of the cases in the U.S. Clinical Study. There are also problems that can occur that are directly related to the LAP-BAND� System: The band can spontaneously deflate because of leakage. That leakage can come from the band, the reservoir, or the tubing that connects them. The band can slip There can be stomach slippage The stomach pouch can enlarge The stoma (stomach outlet) can be blocked The band can erode into the stomach Obstruction of the stomach can be caused by: Food Swelling Improper placement of the band The band being over-inflated Band or stomach slippage Stomach pouch twisting Stomach pouch enlargement There have been some reports that the esophagus has stretched or dilated in some patients. This could be caused by: Improper placement of the band The band being tightened too much Stoma obstruction Binge eating Excessive vomiting Patients with a weaker esophagus may be more likely to have this problem. A weaker esophagus is one that is not good at pushing food through to your stomach. Tell your surgeon if you have difficulty swallowing. Then your surgeon can evaluate this. Weight loss with the LAP-BAND� System is typically slower and more gradual than with some other weight loss surgeries. Tightening the band too fast or too much to try to speed up weight loss should be avoided. The stomach pouch and/or esophagus can become enlarged as a result. You need to learn how to use your band as a tool that can help you reduce the amount you eat. Infection is possible. Also, the band can erode into the stomach. This can happen right after surgery or years later, although this rarely happens. Complications can cause reduced weight loss. They can also cause weight gain. Other complications can result that require more surgery to remove, reposition, or replace the band. Some patients have more nausea and vomiting than others. You should see your physician at once if vomiting persists. Rapid weight loss may lead to symptoms of: Malnutrition Anemia Related complications It is possible you may not lose much weight or any weight at all. You could also have complications related to obesity. If any complications occur, you may need to stay in the hospital longer. You may also need to return to the hospital later. A number of less serious complications can also occur. These may have little effect on how long it takes you to recover from surgery. If you have existing problems, such as diabetes, a large hiatal hernia (part of the stomach in the chest cavity), Barretts esophagus (severe, chronic inflammation of the lower esophagus), or emotional or psychological problems, you may have more complications. Your surgeon will consider how bad your symptoms are, and if you are a good candidate for the LAP-BAND� System surgery. You also have more risk of complications if you've had a surgery before in the same area. If the procedure is not done laparoscopically by an experienced surgeon, you may have more risk of complications. Anti-inflammatory drugs that may irritate the stomach, such as aspirin and NSAIDs, should be used with caution. Some people need folate and vitamin B12 supplements to maintain normal homocycteine levels. Elevated homocycteine levels can increase risks to your heart and the risk of spinal birth defects. You can develop gallstones after a rapid weight loss. This can make it necessary to remove your gallbladder. There have been no reports of autoimmune disease with the use of the LAP-BAND� System. Autoimmune diseases and connective tissue disorders, though, have been reported after long-term implantation of other silicone devices. These problems can include systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma. At this time, there is no conclusive clinical evidence that supports a relationship between connective-tissue disorders and silicone implants. Long-term studies to further evaluate this possibility are still being done. You should know, though, that if autoimmune symptoms develop after the band is in place, you may need treatment. The band may also need to be removed. Talk with your surgeon about this possibility. Also, if you have symptoms of autoimmune disease now, the LAP-BAND� System may not be right for you. Back to Top Removing the LAP-BAND� System If the LAP-BAND� System has been placed laparoscopically, it may be possible to remove it the same way. This is an advantage of the LAP-BAND� System. However, an "open" procedure may be necessary to remove a band. In the U.S. Clinical Study, 60% of the bands that were removed were done laparoscopically. Surgeons report that after the band is removed, the stomach returns to essentially a normal state. At this time, there are no known reasons to suggest that the band should be replaced or removed at some point unless a complication occurs or you do not lose weight. It is difficult, though, to say whether the band will stay in place for the rest of your life. It may need to be removed or replaced at some point. Removing the device requires a surgical procedure. That procedure will have all the related risks and possible complications that come with surgery. The risk of some complications, such as erosions and infection, increase with any added procedure. LapSf Study that I swiped from MacMadame's profile LapSF Educational presentation to FACS - includes some 2 year results LapSF Two Year Study LapSF Five Year Study - abstract only LapSF Five Year Study - presentation (requires Windows to play) Literature review on the sleeve - requires $ to get the full text unfortunately Sleeve best for over 50 crowd Video of a sleeve with lots of education discussion Video of a sleeve that is more about the operation Ghrelin levels after RnY and sleeve Ghrelin levels after band and sleeve Diabetes resolution in RnY vs. Sleeve Comparison of band to sleeve - literature review

My name is Kathy and I live in Louisiana . I am 61 years old I will be 62 in April. I have been battling eating problem since I got married at age 19. My main problem is that I over eat when I am sad or something bad happens that is difficult to handle and people call that emotional eating but I Call it bingeing. I have two sisters one has passed away but all of us were overweight in our adult years. my father was probably in the 300 lb range. I have chosen not to go to Mexico because I'm not comfortable with going there but that being said I know many people who have gone there have been successful with no problems or regrets. it is just my personal decision that I am making to stay here in Louisiana. I am 5'4" and I weigh over 200 pounds. I have tried and failed to lose weight more times than I can count. And each time I get bigger and bigger. This is not a decision that I came to overnight.I have researched it for the past 6 years. the past two years has been extremely difficult. I have tried walking 2 miles every day trying to diet and consistently failing. I am basically healthy at this point. I do have restless leg syndrome and I also have acid reflux which I believe is attributed to the weight gain. I also have depression which is associated with many things but certainly the weight problem contributes to my self-esteem. I also feel that as I age other things can happen such as high blood pressure and diabetes so I really don't want to go there. I have my lab work done and I have a consultation on January 20, 2014. I am in hopes that I will have my surgery on February 5th 2014. I am confident that this is the right thing for me and I'm looking forward to it as I see it as the end of a long time struggle. I have heard that people will lose their hair after the surgery and for this I have checked into supplements and other things that you can do to prevent or to make it so that you don't loose so much or any at all. Also getting the proper nutrition, protein and iron as well as other things is vital not Only because it would help to not lose your hair but it'll help you to be healthier and heal faster. I will update as I go forward.

I agree with the above advice. Also, consider that you might be grieving for the loss of food as a comfort mechanism. Can you make an appointment with the bariatric therapist who approved your surgery? They can help untangle this. And if you do decide to take an antidepressant (which is probably a good idea), make sure you talk to your doctor about taking one that's not likely to cause weight gain. There are a lot that can cause weight gain in some people, but there are many that do not. Keep us posted!

Hey guys! I'm new to this site and been having a hard time finding info on PCOS and the sleeve... I have severe PCOS and my symptoms are out of control... between the hot flashes/sweating, hair loss, no energy, of course the weight gain..all the fun stuff. Just wondering if any ladies who have had the sleeve w/ PCOS notice any changes since surgery!? I'm anxious and so excited about my upcoming sleeve!! thanks!!

@@fatgirlsvelte Best of luck to you! I completely understand where you are at. In fact, I was just talking to my wife the other day and telling her that the most common thing I hear on BP is "i just wish I had done it sooner", and I for one, do not. I am 42, and the timing was perfect for me. I've been obese my whole life, and I have absolutely no regrets about surgery, but it's hard, and it's forever. That would have been a really hard thing for me to get my head around in my 20s, or even early 30s. I think I would have constantly had doubts if I had REALLY tried hard enough to lose it on my own, if I had REALLY given it my best shot. At 42, I know I have. I have tried every kind of diet, every kind of lifestyle change, and probably mot importantly, I just don't have it in me to keep trying. And if I quit trying, there would be no end to my weight gain. This is most certainly not an indictment of people who have surgery in their 20s and 30s, or any other age. Nor is it a judgement of people who regret not doing it sooner, it's just my life and my experience. And I'm sharing it just to say "I get it". I understand where you're at. You are young, you have time, you can always reconsider, or maybe (hopefully!) you will never need to. Good luck to you!

Hello Brownbear....I am with your 100%! I am so scared but yet excited to start this new journey. I am an Affrican-American woman, age 32. I have married for 6 years. My marriage is on the rocks and I think some of it can be contrubuted to my weight gain. Granted thats should be no excuse but in todays society looks are "everything". Aside from looking unattractive to my husband, I feel unattractive as well. I have a pretty face but Im close to 200lbs and im only 5'1. So being pretty, short and fat is not a good combo! So to make a long story short, I think if we follow the rules we will be just fine! Just pray and ask God to watch over you! I will keep you in my prayers!

First, do NOT stress the Wright gain. Your body is recovering and you just spent days in the hospital being pumped with fluids. I came home from the hospital 6 lbs heavier too. I also had a low grade temp for a day a few days out of surgery. I just took it easy upped my Water a bit, and had the liquid codeine/Tylenol meds and I was good. I had my first post opp appointment today and told my dr I had a low grade fever. He said it's nothing to worry about. It's just your body healing itself. Take it easy and lay off the scale if it's going to discourage you! Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App Weight gain* Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

Ur weight gain at surgery is from the air pumped in ur stomach...it will go away over time--walking helps..I was like 10-15 lbs higher day I came home and it takes a week or two for the all the air to leave ur body..I still feel some air come up when I drink and I'm 6 wks post op tomorrow

I really just need to vent. I have all but talked myself out of this surgery and that in itself frustrates me beyond belief. First off I have no choice but to be approved through insurance because I cannot afford another self-pay surgery (I had the lap band in 2006). Even if I am approved I have a deductible of $6000. That is STEEP to say the least. In order to try and get approved I have to gain weight before I can be considered for insurance coverage because I don't have any "check list" health problems and my BMI is under 40. I was told I would have to gain 25lbs. Seriously!! That goes against everything I am trying to do! It goes against everything I have been trying to achieve for the last 34 years of my life. I also, have no support with this surgery. It feels like everyone closest to me just wants to talk me out of it. They keep saying "Oh I know you can do it with diet and exercise". OH REALLY? Well let's do the math. I am 34 years old and have been obese my entire young adult/adult life. I was also heavy when I was young. I literally spent 2 years of my adult life not being obese. It was between the ages of 19 and 21. I had no relationship, no husband, no job, no kids, no job, virtually NO STRESS AND I was exercising 4 HOURS A DAY !!! Of course I was able to do it. It took me a year to lose 80lbs which was all I needed to lose at the time and I kept it off a year. That in NO WAY is a success. I gained it back plus 30+lbs so OBVIOUSLY I need help. I know that the opinions o2 weight loss surgery are vastly different. Some people are for it and some people think it is the worst thing you can do. I have found there very rarely is any middle ground. I know it doesn't help that I already had the lap band and "failed at it" but the more I learn and the more the lap band is around I see that the band is just not going to work with everyone. I try not to be hard on myself but BELIEVE ME I am and I feel bad that I wasn't able to succeed with the band. It is a huge disappointment. Not to mention embarrassing. Everyone knows that you had it so it is obvious you aren't succeeding with it. I know that there are so many worse things in life that I could be dealing with but right now this is my hell. I have these waves of excitement thinking that I could possibly get a handle on this once and for all. Then it switches to nervousness thinking about having a part of my body removed. Then I just get waves of complete "I am just going to throw my hands up and quit and I will just have to deal with being fat until I die." It helps to have somewhere to vent especially since nobody gets it until they have been there.

You might want to go back to see your doc and your nutritionist. Don't let any negative feelings about the weight gain hold you back. It's their job to help you. They might decide to give you a fill or they can work with you on ways to help you start losing again. Good luck, let us know how you do!

Hello. I thought this was probably better placed here since what I this is closer to a Support type of posts. (My previous related thread was in the "General LapBand Discussion" forum under the heading "Oh, no, the dreaded end of the road speech...") but this one is really aimed at those interested in giving/receiving support during the bumpier parts of their band journeys. I'm going to share my story - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. It's long but if one is interested in what a long term Lap Bander has seen, then maybe there is something in here to contemplate about. To summarise: My long-time LapBand surgeon "fired" me last month. He told me he didn't think I should have any more fills (ever) and that the band had done all it could for me as that I'd lost as much weight as I'd ever lose with the Band. As shocked as I was, I was trying to stay positive but my sneaking suspicion was that he viewed me as a LapBand failure and was basically trying to cut his losses. Which would be one thing, but he made no further suggestions about what should be my next step or option for managing my weight for the rest of my life. I'm at about 2.8cc of fill in my 4cc Inamed band. I've only lost about 51# total (including some weight that bounced back after being ill), and my LapBand surgeon and I initally estimated I'd lose 70-80 lbs. Later I he revised that to an approximately 68 -75 lb loss of my excess weight which was still reasonable I thought. So my current BMI is now firmly stuck at 30 which still makes me technically obese by BMI standards. I stayed in compliance and concentrating on working to lose although I could clearly realize I was in need of a slight fill to continue to see progress. While I struggled to figure out why he was so adamant on me not being filled anymore and what I should do next, I was shocked speechless (literally) to receive a certified letter that clearly outlined that I was "fired" as a patient. The letter was harsh and I really took it hard. But, I guess I'm taking this so hard for several reasons. It's been a long road. Bottom line: I have now pulled myself off the floor and have taken a deep breath and started calling other surgeons in the area. Of course I felt my former surgeon was the best but I guess he thinks he's done all he can for me, and I've done all I can to make my band work. So this meant, either I accept his assessment of me as a LapBand failure and live at the same weight (or struggle to stay at that weight) or consider my other options, if I had any. No I haven't spoken with him, but I think his letter said it all. I asked for my medical records and I was justifiably miffed at how coldly I had been dismissed. As I was waiting to get my records released (I've now gotten part of them) I was concerned about revealing too much information as I feared some sort of backlash. I am no longer afraid, and having read those detailed records have emboldened me to come out of the LapBand Failure Closet and try to 'move on', as so coarsely advised by a surgeon who posts on this forum. I have always tried to stay positive and upbeat on this forum and to try not to beat people over the head with my own band journey. But hey, I feel like I have something to share with those who may also find themselves struggling to meet their own goals or to succeed with the band. Or those who may think they eventually have to face other options to succeed. Nearly every single experience on this board is similar to something I've been through - because I've been banded nearly 5 years. Here's the back story. Everyone has a different trigger that makes them consider drastic measures to finally lose weight. For me, it was a "self-imposed" set point of a BMI of 40. That was the dividing line I picked to be honest with myself that my years of dieting,weight loss programs and other attempts were failing. After years of yo-yo dieting, when my BMI crossed the line from 38 and approached 39 - I realized it was time to be honest with myself and get some help in fighting obesity. So utilizing my research, I got myself approved (yes, by myself, on the phone with the insurance company) for the gastric bypass. My talent is getting approved, and that's what I did. I made a clear case and received my approval letter. Although I was definitely obese, I knew that a 70-80 pound loss would get my BMI down to approximately an upper 20's BMI. And I knew that losing that much would get me down to a reasonable, normal weight range, plus I'd look much better. With the RnY bypass, it was estimated (by various surgeons) that I would probably lose another 90-105 lbs. which would put me at the skinnier end of normal. This kind of loss was a bit more than I needed, but it would be worth it to finally have a tool for my weight loss that would finally put me in a normal weight range after a life of obesity. After my RnY was scheduled, I went in for my PreOp appointment two days before surgery and found out that the surgeon's scheduling error had deleted me from the surgery scheduled and I could not be re-scheduled for 2 months. So I took a deep breath and considered this an omen that maybe I should consider my other options. I did a bit more research and found that a type of Weight Loss Surgery that was very popular in Europe that I knew about (I lived/studied in the U.K. for a bit) was being introduced in the States. It wasn't approved here yet. This was 2001. There was an FDA trial for this new method, the LapBand, and one of the surgeons who had performed it in abroad in Europe, was now here in my area and doing it as part of the trial. I asked to be considered. At my initial consult, I listened and learned about the LapBand versus the Gastric Bypass. I understood that the lack of malabsorption often meant much slower, and much less weight loss than bypass patients experience. My surgeon advised me that although there were no guarantees, that in his estimated with the LapBand, with compliance I'd lose approx. 70-80 lbs. in 12 to 18 months after surgery. As that was closer to the weight loss target I thought was best for me, this seemed like serendipity. My surgeon also advised me that he thought I was an excellent candidate for the band and the FDA trial so I said I'd consider it. After doing some additional research I thought this might be a good match for me, and I thought this surgeon was absolutely focused and laid out my options. I liked the fact that he had an impressive record, was well regarded in the bariatric field, and the fact that he performed both LapBand and Lap RnY bypass surgeries. I also read some then-unfinished research that said current American patients were only losing about 50% of their excess weight. This was a concern for me because with my lower weight/BMI (by weight loss surgery standards) then if I fell into that group I'd only lose approx. 40 lbs - which would be hardly worth it for such an expensive and life-changing surgery. I expressed my concerns to my doctor and he reiterated that while there were no guarantees that his own patients generally saw success closer to 75% or more of their excess weight. He agreed that a 40# loss would be disappointing and he sincerely felt I could more than that, and perhaps twice that amount. I was comfortable with his longer track record with the LapBand (he'd done more than many of the American surgeons who were learning the surgeries as they did the trial, and it was supposed that their inexperience also contributed to the slightly less successful results the study showed so far.) After some consideration, I decided the LapBand sounded like the right tool for me. I was accepted into the FDA trial in 2001. I was determined to make this work especially since some of the other surgeon's offices I had previously consulted with for RnY - all cautioned that the LapBand was newer, experimental and would probably not help me get the weight off. I appreciated their concern but decided I'd be happier going with LapBand and just doing my darndest to make it work. And so I did. Well I was banded and the surgery went fine. I had never had any type of surgery other than getting my tonsils out as a child so I had no idea what to expect. My recovery went well, and I resumed normal activity after a while. The FDA trial set very narrow perimeters for the surgeons working on it, but I kept as compliant as possible and was very focused. My band was completely empty (that was protocol then) and no matter how you did on the liquid/soft diet phase, you never got your first fill until you absolutely stopped losing weight. I didn't want to stop losing so I worked hard to lose weight with my limited restriction. I lost more than 40% of my excess weight and was very much on track to be a success. I watched what I ate, did not eat when I wasn't hungry, exercised and really worked hard to succeed. My post op tests showed that both the band and me were doing fine. Within 10 weeks of my intial surgery however things took an unfortunate turn and I began complaining of what I thought was flu and muscle ache. I went to my local doctors clinic but instead I ended up being transferred within hours at the hospital's ICU department and was extremely ill. To make an already long story short, all the available tests showed my band was in perfect position, no signs of any wear or damage but yet I was getting sicker with every passing hour. I was hospitalized for weeks while a huge team of doctors attempted to figure out what was wrong with me. I got sicker and sicker and was not able to keep down any food or even Water or juice - I could only tolerate Gatorade, and tonic waters of various sorts. I had upper GIs, esophograms, and every test you can think of to have. My LapBand surgeon was thoroughly distressed but extremely supportive and went above and beyond to help them find out what could have caused me to become so ill. He sought information from every possible source. Because of the trial, there was limited information on possible side effects of the band so eventually after much examination, a surgical reason was eliminated for the illness. (I was told I had been too sick to undergo emergency surgery to remove the band anyway, so it was left in.) I eventually got better and a very long hard recovery. As I had been hospitalized for so long, I was unable to work and lost my $84,000 a year I.T. job and lost my medical insurance. I realized I had no choice but to get better because I couldn't afford not to do so. It was very hard to keep my spirits up but I really tried. I was told that since I recovered with the band still in, then I should probably just keep it in and try to continue to work with it unless I saw any tiny signs of recurrence of illness. The months passed and I got back to full strength. My band was given further testing, but showed no signs of making me ill. I went for more than a year without ever having the band filled as we were all cautious about doing anything to upset my incredible recovery. As part of the life-saving treatment I was given prescription cortisteroids medication (known to cause weight gain) which later starting reversing my impressive weight loss. Despite my best efforts and even after working so hard, I saw slow weight gain. This really got me down. I tried to be very compliant yet I saw steroid weight gain and ended up heavier then when I was before I had surgery - this was really difficult to deal with. My surgeon (and other doctors) felt my distress, and suggested that I remove my scale and focus on getting well versus losing weight - which I did. After months turned into years of exhaustive testing, lab work, and follow ups I was given a full clean bill of health and was told I could restart my weight loss process. After so much time, I was finally allowed to have my first fill. I saw a bit of restriction but not much. I wasn't able to do very strenous exercise so I watched my calories closely. The doctors and my surgeons watched me closely but my symptoms never reappeared and I seemed to be in full recovery. My weight was a real concern for me, and the one small fill didn't seem to be doing much to help with restriction. The following year I went in for follow up and was fully discouraged. Not only was I back to square one with my weight loss but I had another 11# to lose from the steroid meds and treatment. I debated whether I'd ever see real weight loss with the Band and whether I should be revised to another form of Weight Loss Surgery. My doctor reminded me that I'd managed to navigate the difficult road I'd been on, and suggested that I not give up on the Band yet as I hadn't had a chance to give it a normal run. Since I found it nearly impossible to get medical insurance after my illness, I only saw my doctors on a cash basis. I received no more fills. The following year - I worked hard to lose the extra weight from the illness but still struggled. I felt virtually no restriction. I'd only had the one previous fill but the restriction I had seemed gone. I did follow ups with my WLS surgeon and he admitted he suspected there was a small defect with my band (since defects were now turning up at the 2 and 3-year point after having the LapBand surgery). It was like my weight had stabilized (with little overall loss) and this made my surgeon think that something else might be the cause of my lack of restriction. We discussed options of dealing with handling it, but I needed to get full medical coverage before we could proceed with any additional surgery. There were now newer techniques for band placement, and newer types of tubes & ports, the band was now seeing more overall success. After having been through all I'd been through, the worst part was having people look at me like "all that and she's still fat?" And I was. It was a crushing blow to not get to see even a bit of weight loss success. Finally it was discovered that my Band had a leak/break between the access point and tubing. Options for dealing with it were discussed and I wondered if I should just opt for a revision to an RnY bypass. No, I wasn't looking forward to getting a more severe surgery, but I was absolutely exhausted with trying to see weight loss with a nonfunctioning tool. I was still trying to lose weight, and was fighting with gaining/losing the same pounds again, just like before I ever had the LapBand. My surgeon maintained that if I'd get the repairs, he was sure I could still succeed with the Band and see the weight loss that had eluded me so far. My total net loss was almost negated - I even had to take off another 11 lbs I had gained from the steroids, so I was practically at my start point again. Early in 2005, my access port and tubing were surgically replaced (the band itself was still in 'perfect' condition) - and my surgeon suggested I should reconsider this as a "new banding" and not just reflect on my overall distressingly long band journey. His idea was that I treat this as if I was a new post op. And to be honest, it really felt that way. I decided to try to make a fresh start and with the new restriction I felt, and I fully rededicated myself to making the band work out for me. I finally saw slow but steady progress. My post op tests and labs looked good, too. I was healthy and immersed myself in making this newer tool really work. My surgeon reiterated that he thought that 66#-70# loss was possible if we were able to keep me healthy and I revised my weight loss goal. I thought it was more important that I keep my loss steady even if it was slow. After months I saw a 20# total weight loss - it was slowly working. What relief! The key word was slowly. The pounds peeled off at ridiculously slow speeds. At my surgeon's suggestion to better monitor my progress I stayed in constant touch with the office - and even did my bi-weekly/monthly weight ins at the surgeons office and kept them appraised (at his insistence) of any or every major change or any LapBand-related symptom or occurrence. Although my weight loss was not as fast as when I was originally banded, I decided that I would still continue to believe in the band. I was allowed to get regular fills for the first time ever and slowly my weight loss began to approach the 30# loss rate. So after years of Band living, I was filled around the 2.5 rate and enjoyed real restriction for the first time in years. I worked with it, and even saw my BMI further down. Over time my restriction seem to cease especially as I lost a bit more weight. I had my band filled a bit more to 2.8 which did well for months, but as happens, eventually seemed to lessen. It seemed the smaller I got, the more restriction I required (I've heard some other long term veteran Bandsters talk about this and it's not that uncommon on long term banded folks. So after struggling with the band for years I finally got some months of consecutive but very slow loss. I made incremental progress and was excited to finally see the success that others had enjoyed. I saw the loss stabilizing, my appetite and food intake capacity increasing, so I realized it was time for another fill. I contacted my doctor and scheduled an appointment as normal. He did this fill under flouro and absolutely shut me down totally. He told me that the 40# (plus the extra 11# I had to lose after my illness) that I've lost after getting the band is probably all that I'll ever lose. He insisted I looked fine the way I was (at 30 BMI? Come on...) that if I'd lost 1/2 of my excess weight then the band had done all it could do. He no longer believes in filling bands more than 2/3 full and that's where I am. (For a person banded 5 years, being at 2.8 is not considered that radical, but that's his current belief now and he's not yielding. Even though I'm only down 40# and although we'd both said that was hardly a satisfying result, then he's now willing to cut his losses and just leave me hanging. I was crushed (still am) but even more so when I received that certified letter. I felt like I hung in there facing things that NO ONE Banded or not, should ever have to face. When I was considering a revision, he told me I had a chance to succeed with the band. Now I'm a considered Band Failure - and it bugs the heck out of me. So although I'm not near goal, I'm basically told to "suck it up" and move on. So for all those well meaning but unintentionally smug Bandsters who think that eroded patients or those who have suffered other complications are whiners - Wake Up! No one thinks they will be one of the ones who suffer complications, but it happens. Maybe we shouldn't collectively be quick to judge. I've seen all kinds of comments here (and other forums) and my advice is "you never know where this band journey will take you." It sounds easy to say "oh I'd never consider an RnY or VGSleeve" or whatever the Surgery of the moment is... but you don't know until it happens. I don't want an RnY now any more than I did five years ago, but although I do not believe the band has "done all it can for me" if other qualified surgeons concur with that then I'll consider what my next step will be. I have done more to deal with, learn about and live with this band than anyone that I know. For that reason after everything I've experienced, having to both find a new surgeon and possibly embark upon a new procedure is overwhelming. It doesn't mean I'm not compliant, it doesn't mean I haven't given this tool my best shot. I deserve and hope to achieve a normal weight and normal BMI - but I do need a surgeon who believes this is a reasonable goal. Hopefully I'll get there on the next parts of my journey - with perhaps a new surgeon and a new approach - it might happen for me too. I hope so! But don't be so quick to judge those whose journeys are not smooth - it's not all calorie counting that makes the different in band success, as after five years I've seen and heard things that give me a different perspective. Wish me luck - and wish luck to others who have been dealt a difficult hand. With is why I always wish Happy Band Journeys to everyone. We all know these journeys are not guaranteed, but although happy ones don't always happen, there are enough of them to make the journey seem worthwhile. Happy Band Journeys to all.

Less invasive. No cutting of my organs. Short recovery. 20 years of poor success and continued weight gain on my part.

Thanks for starting this thread! I gained 65 pounds in three months due to a horrible psychiatric misdiagnosis and being a guinea pig for every medication under the sun. I have no psychiatric problems, just a 15 year undiagnosed case of RLS. And the meds that would have helped with that problem wouldn't have led to the weight gain. And yeah, I DID say 65 pounds in 3 months. I went from 135 to 200 in three months. Then, almost immediately, I went down to 185, where I've been for the last 4 years.

Stalls and some weight gain is normal...Switch your Gatorade to G2. It helps with hydration and is only 20 calories...I mix it 1/2 and 1/2 with Water and it tastes okay to me....Try it! Six months- 100 lbs. that's a lot of weight gone..How do you feel other then being discouraged....

Hi Denise, Im not banded yet but expecting to be here soon. I just wanted to jump in and comment on the hormone replacement - that is one of the side effects of HRT or BCP's (birth control pills), weight gain that is. That's one reason why I stopped them (among many others). You can look into natural methods for replacing hormones that dont have side effects just in case that's the issue. Dr John Lee has some great books on the subject. Hang in there

Published by Jampolis (2004). A 51 year old patient complained of a 15 lb weight gain over the last year despite beginning a strenuous triathlon and marathon training program (2 hours per day, 5-6 days per week). A 3 day diet analysis estimated a daily intake of only 1000-1200 Calories. An indirect calorimetry revealed a resting metabolic rate of 950 Calories (28% below predicted for age, height, weight, and gender). After medications and medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and diabetes where ruled out, the final diagnosis was over-training and undereating. The following treatment was recommended: Increase daily dietary intake by approximately 100 Calories per week to a goal of 1500 calories 32% protein; 35% carbohydrates; 33% fat Consume 5-6 small meals per day Small amounts of Protein with each meal or snack Choose high Fiber starches Select mono- and poly- unsaturated fats Restrict consumption of starch with evening meals unless focused around training Take daily multi-Vitamin and mineral supplement Perform whole body isometric resistance training 2 times per week After 6 weeks the patient's resting metabolism increased 35% to 1282 Calories per day (only 2% below predicted). The patient also decreases percent fat from 37% to 34%, a loss of 5 lbs of body fat. Jampolis MB (2004) Weight Gain - Marathon Runner / Triathlete. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 36(5) S148 the adrenal glands secrete the hormone cortisol as a reaction to stress, and excess cortisol leads to weight gain, especially in the abdomen area, along with sleep disturbances, mood swings, irritability, loss of memory and poor digestion. Elevated cortisol also aggravates sugar distribution, which contributes to development of high insulin levels and ultimately diabetes. When the adrenal glands pass the point of stress they go into exhaustion, which creates physically damaging conditions like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, arthritis, hormonal problems, inflammation and heart attack, just to mention a few. Estrogen dominance is another fairly common factor that contributes to inability to lose weight; we eat meats, eggs and dairy products that have been treated with synthetic hormones. Estrogens create Water retention and fat deposits; in time of pregnancy, estrogens are vital in protecting the fetus, but elevated estrogens otherwise create havoc for our endocrine and digestive systems. Weight Control Most athletes are concerned about their body weight. Many sports place heavy emphasis on maintaining specific body weights for competition. It is important to understand that weight control is influenced by more than just calories in verses calories out. When setting a healthy target weight, one needs to consider many factors, including; height, activity level, diet, sex, genetics, and daily energy needs. There is no specific “ideal weight” that can be assigned to one individual. The goal weight should be realistic and healthy for the athlete. Factors that influence calorie-burning rate Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): Level of energy needed to keep involuntary body processes: pumping heart, breathing, generating body heat, perspiring. The higher this rate, the more likely one is to lose or maintain a healthy body weight. Age: BMR declines with age. Changes in hormones and body composition slow down the BMR. In fact, the BMR declines 2% per decade after age 20. NOTE: physical activity can help keep BMR high. Genetics: Genetics also influence differences in BMR. Some individuals genetically inherit higher metabolisms then others. Body Composition: Muscular, lean bodies have higher BMR’s than soft, rounded bodies with fat tissue. Ounce for ounce, muscle burns more energy than body fat. Therefore, the greater proportion muscle to fat, the more calories needed to maintain weight. Height: A tall, thin body has more surface area than a short body. Therefore, the taller individual will have a higher BMR in order to maintain normal body temperatures. Gender: Males typically have less fat and 10-20% more muscle than women, and therefore typically have higher BMR’s than women. Temperature: Extreme hot or cold temperatures also raise the BMR. The body has increased energy needs for regulation of body temperature. Physical Activity: Depending on length and intensity of workout, physical activity can increase BMR for several hours afterward. Caloric Intake: Severe caloric restrictions can slow down the rate in which the body burns energy from food. The body’s metabolism slows down to accommodate for lower caloric intake. This is the reason why one can actually gain body fat on a diet of 1200 calories per day. NOTE: When cutting back calories, never go below 1200 calories for women or below 1600 calories for men. Digestion: Digestion and absorption of nutrients uses approximately 10% of daily energy expenditures. Figuring Your Energy Needs 1. Figure your basic energy needs (BMR). Multiply your healthy weight (in pounds) by 10 for women and by 11 for men. Weight x ___(either 10 or 11) = _______calories for basic needs. 2. Figure your energy needs for physical activity. Check the activity that matches your lifestyle for most days of the week: ____Sedentary: mainly sitting, driving a car, lying down, sleeping, standing, reading, typing, or other low-intensity activities ____Light Activity: (for no more than 2 hours daily): light exercise such as light housework, grocery shopping, walking leisurely ____Moderate Activity: moderate exercise such as brisk walking (and very little sitting), heavy housework, gardening, dancing ____Very Active: active physical sports, or in a labor intensive job such as construction work or ditch digging Multiply your basic needs by the percent that matches your activity level: sedentary: 20%, light activity: 30%, moderate activity: 40%, and very active: 50%. ______ calories for basic needs x _____% for activity level = _______ calories for physical activity 3. Figure energy for digestion and absorbing nutrients. Add your calories for basic needs and calories for physical activity, then multiply the total by 10%. (______calories for basic needs + ______calories for physical activity) x 10% = ________ calories for your total energy needs Example: A football player is figuring his energy needs. He currently weighs 350 lbs, however determined that 325 is his “healthy weight”. He calculates his estimated daily energy need to reach this weight: Basic energy needs: 325 lbs x 11 = 3575 calories Energy for physical activity: 3575 calories x .50 = 1788 calories Energy for digestion and absorption: (3575 + 1788) x .10 = 316 calories Total energy needs: 3575 + 1788 + 316 = 5679 calories 4. Figure appropriate carbohydrate, protein, and fat ratio. Remember for athletes; 60% of calories should come from carbohydrates, 20-25% from fat and 15-18% from protein. Example: Using the football player example from #3, we will breakdown the 5679 calories by: CARBOHYDRATES: 5679 calories x 60% = 3407 calories ¸4 calories per gm = 852 gm Carbohydrates per day PROTEIN: 5679 x 15-18% = 852-1022 calories ¸ 4 calories per gm = 213 – 256 gm Protein per day FAT: 5679 x 20-25% = 1136-1419 calories ¸ 9 calories per gm = 126 – 158 gm Fat per day SOURCE: Duyff, Roberta, MS, RD, FADA, CFCS. ADA Complete Food and Nutrition Guide 2<SUP>nd</SUP> Edition. Last August there was an article in the NY Times called Fat Factors that illuminated past and current research investigating the possible correlation between microorganisms and obesity. I was so thrilled, that I immediately e-mailed it to my doctor friends who love to reduce weight loss to simplistic math: calories in - calories out. Fat Factors tells the story of a research patient, Janet, who agreed to 3 months of hospitalization (in exchange for free gastric bypass surgery at the end) to allow her weight to be closely monitored and regulated. The researchers calculated the precise amount of calories Janet needed to maintain her weight, and prepared each of her meals. In two weeks, Janet gained 12 pounds. A next logical train of thought might be that Janet is genetically pre-disposed for obesity, that her fat is in her genes. The first obesity gene was discovered in 1994, and about 50 more, with regulatory effects ranging from fat metabolism to knowing how much to eat, have been identified since. And the genetics theory encounters practical challenges of its own, such as identical twins with similar eating habits and extremely dissimilar weights. Enter “infectobesity,” a term coined by a physician at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana who studies the relationship between excess weight and a common virus. Other microbiologists at Washington University in St. Louis are studying the trillions of gut microbes to see if any of them may play a role in making bodies fat, and more researchers at Virgina Commonwealth University, having “successfully” created obesity in chickens, rats and marmosets by infecting them with microbes. Now they are retrospectively surveying humans to evaluate correlation between body weight and antibodies that indicate past microbial infection. Our inner community of gut microflora plays a wide variety of metabolic roles in the human body. And to quote the article’s author, Robin Marantz Henig, about one in particular, “It helps extract calories from the food we eat and helps store those calories in fat cells for later use – which gives [it], in effect, a role in determining whether our diets will make us fat or thin.” Fat Factors is a long article with wonderful stories about researchers and research subjects alike. The short of it is that evidence is accumulating to support some sort of relationship between microbes and obesity, at least in some cases, and that, sadly, the clinical application of this knowledge is still many years away. Most of all, it’s a wonderful reflection on the traps of over-simplified thinking (such as our cultural view of fat = lazy or the standard math of calories in – calories out) and a reminder that we are never alone, that wellness is a team effort – you and your microbes, working symbiotically to create a body of health. Here are just a few research articles (not written by me) that show they are many factors involved the body is sooo complex and metabolism, cardometabolic sydrome, hormones, body flora etc all play a big roll in weight loss. If it was as simple as cal in vs cal out I would have been thin LONG ago!

I was banded in May, 2003. My loss has been slower than some, but really better than I felt I was doing. I have lost 63lbs to date and I can't tell you how my health has changed. When I began this journey, I had been recovering from a bout with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in 2001. Between the year 2001 and 2003, my body basically just turned on me. Feet and ankles swelling to almost bursting, my lung capacity went to nothing after the embolism, my cholesterol went up to 306. I was started and stopped on several different medications which started a weight gain mode. I wound up gaining an additional 40 lbs on what was already a 210lb 5ft tall body. I was dying a slow miserable death. I had heard just bits and pieces about the lapband possibilities, but when I heard that a co-worker had gotten one and our insurance company paid. I got busy on finding out what I would have to do. I saw a doctor in Houston, who refused to band me due to my diagnosis of Systemic Lupus in 1983 and my past blood clotting problems. I was so ready to begin losing, but I had promised myself I would never do the yoyo dieting thing again. But, I was at the point of asking to be put on some sort of medical weight loss plan or consider gastric bypass. I was so depressed and out of shape, I was ready to give in, but I am single and had no one to fall back on, so I knew I HAD to do something to regain my health and be able to continue to provide for myself, so I set out on my research to find someone who would do the surgery for me. Long story a little less long, I read the yahoo message boards faithfully and everything else I could find and finally heard of a woman in San Francisco who had been banded and also had Lupus and DVT problems. My ex-husband and my son live in Northern California, so my daughter had wanted to move out there and asked me if I wanted to go with her. My job was 100% travel, so I was able to do that. I contacted the Dr and the rest is history. I was the first to ever have the lapband and a vena cava filter (to help prevent blood clots from moving to the lung, brain or heart) placed at the same time. My surgery went perfectly and along with learning how to deal with my band, I also have been able to work my health back to some semblance of normalcy. Instead of barely being able to do 10 minutes on a treadmill, I now go to Curves 3-5 times a week. I can walk much farther and I'm trying to get the guts to see if I can jog. (I don't know about that yet.) I've bought myself a bicycle, which I haven't tried in years. I have gone from 250- 187 (size 24-16). My cholesterol is no 168. I am beginning to feel more like the feminine, sexual being that I once was as opposed to the sexless blob I felt I had become. My whole outlook is back to something much better. I have had some complications recently, which I had repaired. My band was apparently positioned too low or had 'slipped' and I had a hiatal hernia repaired just 2 weeks ago, but I'm definitely not finished. I love my band and I missed the restriction when I was un-filled. I do have respect for the band, because I know it's not foolproof, but, yes. I'd definitely do it again. So, where in Texas are you located? I wish you much luck in your journey to be banded!!

All of the above... I think mostly I gained steadily, but then there were the bursts, too... My first really big weight gain was when I was in highschool and started working at McDonalds. I went from a size 16 to a 20/22 in about 6 months... My first couple of years of college I hung around 185. Gained to 200 when I fell in love with my gay boyfriend. Lost 45-50 when I withdrew from college to deal with the fact that my gay boyfriend could never love me in "that" way... :doh: Steadily regained after returning to college. The summer of 1984 I think I put on 30-50 pounds. Left college in 1985 about 230. Got up to 300+ while living with the same gay boyfriend between 1990-1992. Got down to 220 or so and holding while in Europe, 1993-1994 Gained at least 50 pounds from 4/98-11/98. Got down to 200 in 2001. Between 6/2001 and 1/2003 regained to 303. Banded 1/03-7/04 - lost 103 pounds. And the 80 some pounds I've regained since unbanding has been over the last 15 months. Of course there were many more ups and downs over the course of those years, lowest being 185ish in 1986 or so, to highest of 3?? in 1992. The sad thing is, before banding, I habitually ate a large, deep-dish pizza Hut pizza every weekend, OR a bucket of KFC. That was the Friday night/Saturday am binge fest. I don't eat like that anymore, and yet the weight has come back just like I was eating out of control... OY VEY....

Actually she clearly said she introduced foods a week early. This is not a good choice for a healing stomach. My comments are hopefully intended to make her think about this poor choice so that she can continue to lose, and not have to deal with weight gain via TPN (the food of choice for leak victims). I broke my leg last week...I can't see the pins doc says are holding the bones together and I'm feeling nifty, so I'm going to enter the pole vaulting contest tomorrow....cuz I'm probably fine right?????? Same thing!

Just thought I would drop in and say Hello to everyone. My mother and myself are going for our initial visit tomorrow in Ocala, Florida with Dr. Jawad. Im excited, and nervous. I doubt insurance will pay for both of us, even though we both fit all the requirements. We have Cigna, and from what we have heard its a pain. I just have a couple questions or concerns which I am sure that I can ask tomorrow, BUT, I would rather hear it from people who have had this done. I ride horses, and with the exception of wanting to live a healthy life, my horse's are the biggist reason that I am considering this. In the past few month's it has gotten harder and harder to ride my horse and I feel like I cant to do anything. But prior to this last patch of weight gain I was around 220 and was able to compete and exercise my horses, I now weigh 265 and physically am becoming unable to ride my horses. My question is, can you still do all things that you could without the lap band? Is the pounding from the horse going to effect me once I get the band? I am just worried that I will get this done and then not be able to ride. Are there people on here that have been approved by Cigna?

Ok, at my highest I was 362. The day I left for TJ after all my preop diet I was 348. Now, 3-5 days post op I weight 356. Someone tell me it's swelling because I am not eating/drinking too much. 600 cals per day compared to 5000 before my preop diet.

I had my surgery on Tues. May 29, and was told that I would probably see a weight gain after the hospitalization due to the fluids and the gases. When does weight loss start?

Woah buddy!! I go from perfectly fine one minute to "duhhhh" the next, to "get the heck out of my 1 mile personal space bubble NOW!!" In no time flat. Took a shower to go to the family Easter get together and in the last hour have decided I'm just not going. I don't have energy to put forth toward being smiley with everyone and I don't have to!! What the heck!? I know the hormonal changes during weightloss make a person crazy. Add on top of that that I'm a female and dang!! I really wasn't expecting this. Are there tips to keep this under control? Might call about an anti depressant tomorrow. Maybe. Are there antidx that don't have weight gain as a common side effect?