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Here is a real interesting article about carbs: http://www.marksdail...rate-continuum/ I was looking for a threshold of what constitutes "low carb". I am usually teetering around 100g. I was never scared of carbs, but I guess since it seems to work for others, maybe I should try it. But then, I just hate the thought of trying to figure out good carbs, bad carbs in my log. I mean, an orange has 20g of carbs, and I don't want to fear those - how do I split that in MFP. Anyway, I found the below really interesting, here is part of the article that I'd like to share. From that, I will really try to stay between 50 and 100g: 300 or more grams/day - Danger Zone! Easy to reach with the “normal” American diet (cereals, Pasta, rice, bread, waffles, pancakes, muffins, soft drinks, packaged Snacks, sweets, desserts). High risk of excess fat storage, inflammation, increased disease markers including Metabolic Syndrome or diabetes. Sharp reduction of grains and other processed carbs is critical unless you are on the “chronic cardio” treadmill (which has its own major drawbacks). 150-300 grams/day – Steady, Insidious Weight Gain Continued higher insulin-stimulating effect prevents efficient fat burning and contributes to widespread chronic disease conditions. This range – irresponsibly recommended by the USDA and other diet authorities – can lead to the statistical US average gain of 1.5 pounds of fat per year for forty years. 100-150 grams/day – Primal Blueprint Maintenance Range This range based on body weight and activity level. When combined with Primal exercises, allows for genetically optimal fat burning and muscle development. Range derived from Grok’s (ancestors’) example of enjoying abundant vegetables and fruits and avoiding grains and sugars. 50-100 grams/day – Primal Sweet Spot for Effortless Weight Loss Minimizes insulin production and ramps up fat metabolism. By meeting average daily Protein requirements (.7 – 1 gram per pound of lean bodyweight formula), eating nutritious vegetables and fruits (easy to stay in 50-100 gram range, even with generous servings), and staying satisfied with delicious high fat foods (meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds), you can lose one to two pounds of body fat per week and then keep it off forever by eating in the maintenance range. 0-50 grams/day – Ketosis and Accelerated Fat Burning Acceptable for a day or two of Intermittent Fasting towards aggressive weight loss efforts, provided adequate protein, fat and supplements are consumed otherwise. May be ideal for many diabetics. Not necessarily recommended as a long-term practice for otherwise healthy people due to resultant deprivation of high nutrient value vegetables and fruits.

Hi girls. Well, looks like I'm probably gonna lose my band :hurt: . I'm still in a lot of pain, only now it is 2 very distinct types of pain. One is what I have had all along... the crushing, spreading pressure/gas-like pain, the other is what I call the "ball of pain" that is the feeling that someone punched me in the right boob and left their fist in there. This occurs when I eat or drink anything and lasts for hours. I ended up going to the ER 2 weeks ago for this new pain. They told me my stomach was still distended (like I didn't already know that). They also called Dr Metz about this. He called me back about 4 days later (nothing like customer service, huh?) And told me that he thinks the band is pressing on the vagus nerve and is probably is going to have to come out. This scares the HELL out of me!!! I still have at least 50 pounds (my goal) to 90 pounds to go (where the BMI charts say I should be). I am so afraid I will put all this weight back on. We just started with Kaiser, evidently so did Dr Metz, so he recommended I call the head of the bariatric program at KP and ask for a referral to see him. I did this and she told me she had no problem referring me, but she wanted to talk to him first to see what his plan of action was. I am still waiting to hear back from her, too. I finally got into a gastroenterologist, it took me 3 weeks to get an appointment, while I was steadily geting worse each day. I have gotten to the point that I am barely eating/drinking for the pain. Now I am so weak I can barely stand for more that a minute or two at a time. I figured they were going to jerk me around... "Here, try this med and come back in a month" type of thing. But she was like "I can get you in tomorrow for an endoscopy" This would have been at St Joe's but admitting was already closed for the day, so we made an appointment for tomorrow at 11 AM at the Kaiser office downtown. She will be looking for an ulcer or stricture, though she told me she doubts it is either of these things. I told her of my weight gain fears without a band and asked her if I truly have gastroparesis (basically your stomach muscles aren't working to push the food through... it just sits there and rots) if a bypass would fix it (that seems to be one of the few things that works for people). She told me that if she doesnt find anything tomorrow she is going to call Natalie (the head of bariatrics) and suggest she refers me to Dr Metz for exploratory surgery <Yikes> and a bypass. She said she feels that this is being caused by something structural, and I will definetely have to have exploratory surgery, so they "might as well do a bypass while they are in there". I am reallly freaked out about needing X surgery. And if I can't have a band I will take the bypass. Now I'm stressing thinking that Kaiser will not want to pay for the bypass, since they tend to have a lot of hoops to jump through before they will pay for bariatrics. I am hoping that they will not deny this since: 1). This would be done to alleviate a very real, dangerous stomach condition. And, 2). I have "proven" myself and my commitment already by losing 113 pounds with the band. Of course, now (for the first time in probably 20 years) I am under a 40 BMI. This may come into play also. I didn't elect for bypass in the first place because of the risks and more danger associated with it.... but I guess the risks of ballooning up to over 350 pounds are pretty high too. Figures..... I decided on who I was going to go to for my PS, and to have my boobs done too. Now this is most likely going to be put on the back burner for quite awhile. Best case scenario: She finds an ulcer, and I am all better after 6 weeks of meds. I can get my band refilled and have my lower body lift. Second best case scenario: Kaiser pays for a bypass, I quickly lose even more weight, and look even better after my LBL. The last scenario: Kaiser refuses to authorize the bypass. Dr Metz removes the band and I see how much it would cost for me to pay cash for a sleeve while he's in there. There goes my plastics money..... OR ..... I go to Mexico for a sleeve or the new sleeve plication. Again, bye bye plastic surgery. :broken_heart: Sorry for the long post, and I'll post back tomorrow after my test.

Hi guys Its my first time here so not to sure how this works but I have a question for all of you that have had Lap Band Surgery, well I have just been and had my first consult with the surgeon and I'm booked in for surgery in March 2011 so far the surgeon is the only one saying Go for it, its a life changing experience, all my family & friends are say DONT be so silly its not a good thing to be doing, I am in to mind sets here I want to go ahead with it coz im sooooo sick of being ova weight currently my BMI is 39 and I'm at a stage now I cant do regular excersie due to joint problems hence the weight gain... All I have read or seen online or in books is all the success stories. Everyone one thats against it has told me some bad stories but I need to read and see them for myself so I am wondering if there is anyone out there can tell their own experinces good or bad to help me make this discussion any easier I wuld be really greatful.... I need to hear it from someone that has personally experienced it to me thats the best way so there isnt any sweetness to the story like u see in books and online.... Feel free to email or leave message here. Looking forward to hearing the pro's and con's from someones first hand experience Thnx heaps geckogirl.. :0)

Sometimes I also get tired of working so hard at this. I'm learning that it usually works out better when I have what I want to have and dont beat myself up about it, and then just get right back to things the next day (or the second half of the day...whatever the case may be). Often, I would have that kind of attitude towards myself and food that Im just messing up and sabotaging all my hard work which would usually lead to more bingeing/comfort eating, long periods of not working at this, weight gain etc. So now, even when I eat compulsively, I try REALLY hard to cut myself some slack and think about it logically - i.e. if I have a day where I eat 2000 calories due to a "snack" or a compuslive eating episode, I STILL have burned more than I've consumed. Sometimes the scale says otherwise (the scale is such a poor indicator of day to day weight gain and loss...in a day, one's weight could fluctutate up and down 5 pounds), especially when I've snacked on carbs which tend to cause Fluid retention. But logically I know that I won't gain all my weight back, or even a pound of weight back, just by eating some ice cream. Its hard to get my emotions to catch up to my logical thinking, but the more I work on it, the easier it is. But don't beat yourself up about anything - it will just lead to more frustration and no progress (easier said than done, I know). Its not a race and there is no time limit to your weight loss. Its just an ongoing, lifestyle change.

I went for my 1st doctor visit today as I was sleeved on Jan 17th and had a few complications. I was on an IV for 4 days and I could not drink by mouth. So today when I went to have my 1st checkup I had gained 3lbs. I was in total shock. How could this be I have been on liquids for 4 weeks and gained 3lbs. The doctor explained to me it was just Water weight due to the IV. I am so frustrated and hope I made the right choice. I have not done anything that I shouldn't have and I want this to work. Need suggestions please.

So I've had some weight gain and struggles, so I've been playing around with a few sites like sparkpeople. I need to lose about 15 lbs by March 20th I"m in my bros wedding and my dress is too tight! For the amount im working out now, SP says I should be eating about 1300-1600cal a day. But my trainer says 1200-1300. I've had a complete unfill bc of constantly pbing. I plan to have some put back in soon. it's only been 2 weeks. I know it's all about calories in and calories out. I wasn't losing crap bc I couldn't get in solid Protein, and I WAS making poorer food choices bc of this problem. Everything I ate, my body hung on to. SO who's right SP, or my trainer? Since I REALLY gotta get some weight off quick bc of my bros wedding, I thought about doing the 17day diet? Any thoughts?

I was beginning to suspect these were just "best guesses" by certain doctors. I'm going to go with the positive results of one of the best surgeons who has been doing the sleeve for the longest. Per his claim, he is very pleased with his patients post op progress and ability to keep the weight off. I look around for things here too, and I've yet to see anyone post in the complications area mentioning significant weight gains. I think we all made the right choice.

Nothing I've tried (except time) has made my saggy skin shrink, though I didn't expect it to. Lots of moisturizers have improved the texture of my skin, which improves the overall look, but I had a lot of stretch marks from weight gain--I already knew my skin wasn't all that elastic!

When I read your post I got angry because your doctor appears to be one of those that I refer often to as being a skilled surgeon (maybe) but not knowledgeable about follow up care. These are doctors who were usually general surgeons who jumped on the WLS bandwagon to make money and while they can place the band they don't do good follow up which is the most important part. Red flag #1 was that you received a fill despite having trouble keeping liquids down. Should never have happened. You should not leave the doctors office after a fill until you are able to drink a cup of Water without problem. Red flag #2 was that you were continuing to get fills despite your problems and their ignoring of your problems. Not being able to drink normally can cause dehydration and major problems. You doctor should know this. Red flag #3 was their sole focus on your weight loss. I have said many times on these boards that inexperienced or poorly skilled doctors will see weight loss as their success and weight gain as your failure. Red flag #4Their answer to your problem sounds like something they just made up. You definitely should get an upper GI. Next, you should request copies of all your tests - both pre-and post-op, including your operative report. That will get their attention, at least. Finally, you should have a team of people involved in your band. The surgeon, a nutritionist and nurse. Call the hospital where you had this done and ask to speak to the nutritionist. Didn't you meet with one prior to surgery? Were you given a diet to follow either pre- or post- op? Please be proactive and don't allow them to treat you in this unacceptable way. If all else fails, find another doctor and take all your test results to him. Good luck.

This is quite a phenomenon that most girls can attribute alot of weight gain to over many years. I talked with my Psychiatrist about this and she told me that when your estrogen and testosterone levels change in your body, it signals a decrease in serotonin levels(this is a mood stablizing chemical) and causes you to crave foods to replenish serotonin. I don't know how to fix this, but just knowing it helps me. You can also take an antidepressant to help it, in fact prozac now makes a pill that you take only the week prior to your menstration.

Coops,, have you considered a medical issue or medications? Why Aren't You Losing weight? By Carol Sorgen WebMD Weight Loss Clinic - Feature Reviewed By Charlotte E. Grayson, MD You're following a weight-loss eating plan. You're exercising almost every day. You're proud of the new healthy habits you've learned. Yet week after week, the scale barely seems to budge. What gives? Chances are your food portion sizes have crept up (time to get out the scales and measuring cups again). Or your workouts may not be quite as intense as you think (start checking that heart rate). But if you know you've followed your reducing plan religiously, there's another possibility: A medical condition -- or medication -- may be to blame. "If you haven't been able to lose weight and you can't understand why, you need to determine whether there's a medical condition underlying your weight problem," says Peter LePort, MD, director of the Smart Dimensions Bariatric Program at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in California. "You need to cure that problem first before you can address the weight issue." Medical Reasons for Weight Gain Several conditions can cause weight gain or hinder weight loss, says Rebecca Kurth, MD, director of PrimeCare at Columbia-Presbyterian Eastside and associate professor of clinical medicine at Columbia University. Among them, Kurth says, are: Chronic stress. When you live with anxiety, stress, or grief, your body can produce chemical substances -- like the hormone cortisol -- that make your body more likely to store fat, especially around the waist. That's the type of weight gain that really increases your risk of serious health problems. (Extra weight around the hips and thighs poses fewer health risks.) Cushing's syndrome. This happens when the adrenal glands (located on top of each kidney) produce too much cortisol, which leads to a buildup of fat in the face, upper back, and abdomen. Hypothyroidism. If your thyroid is underactive, your body may not produce enough thyroid hormone to help burn stored fat. As a result, your metabolism is slower and you will store more fat than you burn -- especially if you're not physically active. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This disease, the result of a hormonal imbalance, afflicts more than 5 million women in the US. Common symptoms are irregular menstrual bleeding, acne, excessive facial hair, thinning hair, difficulty getting pregnant, and weight gain that is not caused by excessive eating. Syndrome X. Also called insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia (high insulin levels), syndrome X goes hand-in-hand with weight gain. Syndrome X is a cluster of health conditions thought to be rooted in insulin resistance. When your body is resistant to the hormone insulin, other hormones that help control your metabolism don't work as well. Depression. Many people who are depressed turn to eating to ease their emotional distress. Hormonal changes in women. Some women may gain weight at times in their lives when there is a shift in their hormones -- at puberty, during pregnancy, and at menopause. Two other considerations: people tend to gain weight with age for unknown reasons, and though it's not a medical condition, drinking alcohol in moderate to excessive amounts can sabotage your efforts to lose weight. Alcohol (including beer and wine) is a refined carbohydrate, similar to sugar, candy, and white flour. Besides adding calories, alcohol may raise blood sugar and insulin levels, which can contribute to weight gain. A Prescription for Weight Gain? It's not only medical conditions that can add pounds. Some medications can also cause you to gain weight, or keep you from losing it, says Ken Fujioka, MD, medical director of the Scripps Clinic Nutrition and Metabolism Research Center in San Diego. "It's not only medical conditions that can add pounds. Some medications can also cause you to gain weight." This was from a quick search.

Suzanne. Where you are right now is completely normal. The weight gain is temporary and over the next few days that gain will go away and then some. Take the pain mess you were given and don't let the pain catch up with you. I'm one month out and just had my first fill which was painless I have no pain or tenderness and don't have port pain. It was the right choice and it will get better. Be well

I have not reached restriction yet but I have read enough here to know that it is better to get a small unfill than to be too tight. Being too tight can actually lead to a stall or even a weight gain because you will start relying on slider foods which can actually be more calories than you should eat. Not to mention the health problems that can occur from being too tight. Maybe have them take out .25 or .50 cc and you could end up being at your "sweet spot". Good luck.

Hi, ManningFan.... First Question: Peyton or Eli....or Both? You bring up a very interesting series of issues, and I'd like to offer my point of view….which might be a little different than others here. First, congratulations on your achievement thus far. You've lost a very significant amount of weight, and you should be very proud of that. With or without the band, that is a wonderful accomplishment. However, there are a number of things that come into play here. First, you have lost a lot of weight in a relatively short period of time. Dieting in a conventional manner, it would/should take you about 2 or three months to lose that much….UNLESS you were crash-dieting. I hope that is not the case. When you are as heavy as you were, and you have a "young metabolism", it IS possible to lose that much in the amount of time you have suggested….but, I am thinking that you may have been a bit extreme in your dieting, perhaps? That is NEVER a good idea, and ALWAYS leads you back to weight gain. I do not know that this is the case in your situation, but from the time period you have indicated, it is a possibility. Another component of this is that you have your Surgery scheduled. That is almost ALWAYS a motivator that leads people to significant weight loss, because they know that the band is "waiting" for them a short distance down the road, and they won't have to diet quite like that forever. Thus the motivation is a bit artificial, and it is possible that you might not be able to maintain it without the surgery. Now, having said all that, I will tell you something that I believe very strongly: The BEST Weight Loss Surgery is NO Weight Loss Surgery. That means that if you can do it without surgery, you WILL be better off. No one should ever have surgery unless they really NEED it, for ANY reason. You are in a unique position in that you are a self-pay. You don't have to worry about insurance, and you are very fortunate for a number of reasons. You can choose your surgeon, the hospital, the aftercare, etc. You aren't tied to what your insurance will pay for. You can also choose when to have your surgery. You have the CONTROL. In my own process of rebuilding my body, I have been through a rather unique experience. I won't go into details about my "Banded life", but I will say that during a process that has lasted nearly a decade, I have learned an enormous amount, about my body, about my self, about the Medical industry, about Medical Science, and many other things. I have worked within the Medical Sciences field in that period, so I have the unique experience of having seen this process from virtually every angle, including that of a patient. And while this comment might raise a few eyebrows, I will tell you that if I knew prior to my surgery what I know NOW, I would never have had the surgery. Now, I say that as I sit here at a PERFECT weight for my body type, having had a Lap Band, in excellent health, and one might rightfully ask me why I would say that. It's complicated, and I am NOT here to tell people NOT to have surgery, but to assist them in making the best choices for their health….and if that includes surgery, then I will say that. But….I have learned so much about Physiology, Nutrition, Psychology, (I had a background in those PRIOR to surgery, but my experience taught me things that were NEVER taught in school…) and the components of good health and vitality. I have realized that our culture and society has SO corrupted our concept of what is good nutrition and what good health actually means. As a result, I began thinking and eating and moving far differently than I did prior to this process, and I am quite convinced that had I been aware of these things earlier in my life, surgery would NOT have been the path I would have taken. My suggestion to you would be this: You have TIME, and you have Money. You're only 25, and some Medical Professionals will tell you that the body really does not reach full physical maturation until 28 or even 30. I wouldn't say this to you if you were in your late 30's or 40's, or if you had only lost a few pounds, but you are YOUNG, and you have lost FIFTY POUNDS so far. I would call your Surgeon's office, and postpone your surgery for a few months, maybe 5 or 6 months. See how you do. If your weight loss continues, then postpone it again, until you reach a BMI where you HAVE to make a decision and then cancel, or have the surgery, depending on your experience. Take those 6 months, study nutrition (I will PM you some information on materials, if you like), develop an exercise program, and see if you can get control of this yourself. I think you can. You have demonstrated your ability to do so thus far. Quite frequently on this forum, someone will spout out one of the numerous "statistics" that have been floating around about weight loss and related matters. One of the "Statistics" is "of people who Lose weight on their own, only %5 are able to keep it off". Most Fitness professionals (and that includes quite a range of professions) would disagree with that quite strenuously. Those people who do it CORRECTLY can very often keep the weight off, and develop TRUE health and vitality. Those "statistics" (where do they get that crap?) more often refers to the class of people whose idea of real "dieting" means reducing their intake of Snickers from Four bars a day to Two. That ain't gonna work. And, unfortunately, THAT is also one of the reasons that SO MANY people fail with the Lap Band….they simply reduce the amount of garbage they consume. But so often the problem is WHAT they eat, as well as the amount. So, that is MY take on your situation. Because you are YOUNG enough, and you have lost so much of your excess weight on your own, I would give it a try. Some people might say that should not waste any more time and just get the Lap Band. I would strongly disagree with that, because you have NOT wasted ANY time. You have brought yourself several steps closer to Good Health, and if you continue along this path, you will complete the task. But, again, I would caution you: Do NOT do this by crash dieting or by eating unhealthily. I will be happy to assist you with finding materials that will help you with this. But Do it the RIGHT way. Or you might become another statistic. I heartily encourage surgery (including WLS) where it is NECESSARY. But, as I have said, you should never undergo surgery of any kind unless you really NEED it. And you might have a unique opportunity to avoid it. And 17 grand can buy a LOT of bikinis...... If I can help you in any way, please feel free to PM me. S.

I would really put down the crackers and the potatoes. That could be what is causing the problem. Also, I think you weight gain has more to do with that is going on with your period than what is going on with your food intake. You might have noticed that weighing around your time of the month sometimes makes your weight higher/stay the same. Always take that into consideration. If you are losing inches, but not pounds, it probably means you have quite a bit of Water weight going on. Also, please don't let anyone convince you that not eating enough calories puts you into starvation mode. It doesn't. Starvation mode is a myth! http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=35501 Good luck and definitely talk to your gyno. He may have some ideas of what might be able to help.

The reason I said it may be overkill on the stomach sizes is not because I cannot eat a balanced meal. Because a year out things are relaxing. Some days are better than others, and it depends honestly. I am much pickier about food and need to be very relaxed when I eat in order to fully enjoy a meal. It feels like it is because you are left with the hard part of the stomch so if it tightens bc I'm nervous or upset it is harder to get the food in it comfortably. It isn't a huge deal, just something I've noticed that I eat better at home now or sitting calmly at my desk than I do at a restaurant. Especially if arguments ensue at the dinner table, my lil tummy will tighten. But I don't feel I eat so little that it is embarrassing at a party anymore. I don't even think about that. But I might get overly full on hors d'oerves if I am hungry when I arrive, and that can make eating dinner qutie difficult. But just because the long term data is not in, that is why I'm not sure if the boughie size is good. I haven't had any trouble getting too thin with this boughie size, that is for sure. In fact, I'm having trouble getting to my goal so maybe I don't need a bigger tummy after all. I m just always aware that we don't really know for sure what the long term health implications might be for removing so much of our stomach. But I knew that when I got this surgery, that it is a risk. Being overweight was huge risk too for me. Already I know there could be Vitamin deficiencies with sleeve if I don't take my Vitamins, and that is something I was not aware of before surgery. I look forward to knowing more long term. You might also consider the sleeve plication. I would have considered that but it wasn't really being done yet, or at least I didn't hear of it. You don't lose the ghrelin as much, but if you eat less some people believe the produciton of it goes down naturally. I wouldn't let the ghrelin deter me from getting plication, because if it doesn't work out you could still get sleeve or something else later. The fact that it is reversible is a plus long-term. Honestly, I probably would have done that surgery if I knew about it in time. I love food as much as ever, although what I eat has changed and I'm pickier about my food. But I personally haven't felt a great different as far as hunger, just that I get full with less food than I used to. At least I can get full, I just kept eating before, so that is different. The control is what I gained from the surgery. Control b/c it reduces the volume I can eat. To me I don't see that I am not hungry. I still get hungry. I just feel like a person with a smaller stomach that still really likes food. But I'm not suffering, full is still full, thank goodness. The most calories I know of that I've eaten in a day is 1300, but usually around 1000. The truth is if I'm at home all day and feel like cooking I can graze basically on and off all day. So I have to be careful of that. My doctor knew my medical history and chose a 34 boughie for me. I'm 5'1". It has worked out fine for me. If I had a choice I would have chosen a 40 bc of concerns about reflux. But for me I've been able to control reflux by controlling what I eat and not eating right before I go to sleep. But some say a slightly larger boughie has less issues with reflux. My doctor said to trust him, so I did. Its done, but the longer you wait the more data will be available. But as far as thyroid, I think this has been great in helping me reduce the weight. I would NEVER have lost the weight without some type of surgery. Someone said that the low thyroid didn't make them regain weight, but I disagree with that. I think it lowers your metabolism in such a way that you tend to crave carbs and sugar for energy and that leads to weight gain. Then the extra weight makes you more sluggish so it is a domino effect b/c you don't feel like exercising. Also though I think Vitamin D is an issue with that too...I think the sluggishness I felt sometimes was also bc of Vitamin D deficiency. People with a normal thyroid that then go hypothyroid can tell you that it is a drastic difference in energy levels and vitality. I don't notice it bc I've been this way for so long. But eating less has made a positive difference in my overall health. But my thyroid still didn't kick in and work better.

Have you gone to medical professionals to check for medical issues that could cause weight gain? I really can't believe any decent and moral surgeon would perform surgery on you with only 17lbs to get into a healthy BMI, but then again, I guess you could find someone to do it. I wouldn't put my body through this type of surgery to lose 17-30lbs. No way in hell. My suggestions/advice since you asked, go to your doctor, have some lab work pulled, and then meet with a licensed dietician to get on a good solid eating plan. that will help you lose your weight.

well it is day # 21 post op. doing really well, still having to battle the food demons, but guess what I am in control this time around, so haha food. No weight lost no weight gained cant wait to go the my doctor in 2 weeks and fingers crossed i will get a fill.

In your position, I would want another band too - or another surgery. But on an ecouraging note, i was devastated to learn I'd have to unfill my band for a major surgery, and that it would need to remain unfilled for up to six months as I have to have a second follow up surgery. So far its been over 2 months, I've actually LOST weight and that's without hardship. All I've done is log my 2000 maintenance calories a day and exercise like I always did (which is why I can eat so many calories). I have enough for three good meals, the occasional treat, and a "bank" throughout the week as I hardly ever eat the entire 2000 so that I can go out and have a bigger meal without guilt or repercussion. Seriously, its been easy and sooooo enjoyable to have bread, salads and red meat again. I will not fill again unless weight gain occurs, but truly, I am now confident I can maintain my weight, as long as I keep up my running.

First of all..Having surery at 450lbs was a major risk in itself. It is indead sad and painfull that she passed away, but I am sure it was more that having the gastric bypass itself that caused her death. Having worked on a gastric bypass wing as a RN I can tell you. I have seen sadness and miracles with this surgery. The largest woman we ever operated on was 800lbs and I was truely terrified for her because I ddin't know if i was going to see her after surgery or not. Needless to say, she survived and to this day is doing well. The surgery saved her life, but it could have turned for the worse..A close firend of mine had gastric bypass, lost 200 lbs, and needless to say gained it back and has now also passed on from complications FROM WEIGHT GAIN.... so you,,,it can go either way.... I am glad you had your surgery. You are onestep closer to being healthier. As for telling your family, it is up to you to make the decision. I believe in the end, they will be happy for you because you have chosen to take control of your health... Peace and may you have a happy and healthy 2011... Onenuttynurse

Thank you everyone who gave your advise. I now have a better understanding of why this evaluation is so important. When I asked the scheduler at the surgeons office why she said it was just to make sure I wasn't crazy. But going to talk about the addiction to food and the fact that I will no longer be able to use it as my comfort, my friend, or my crutch is a very scary thought. I know that going in but it will be nice to talk with a professional to be able to help me through it. I do have an addiction to food and I have no idea why or when it really started. I have not always been the "fat" girl. It used to be just the opposite. I graduated high school 20 years ago weighing a mere 87 lbs. No I never had anorexia or any kind of eating disorder. I just couldn't gain weight. I never in a million years thought I would be at the weight I am today. My weight gain didn't start until after my 2nd child. My first pregnancy I only gained 25 lbs putting me at 125lbs at delivery. At my 2week check up post delivery I was down to 90lbs.I lost more than I had gained, and they made me stop breast feeding. My 2nd pregnancy I gained 20 and never lost any of it, it just went up. And since then 8 years now I am up to 209 and 5ft tall. I don't think I ever suffered from post pardum, but I do suffer from depression and always have even in high school. So who knows. I do know that I am ready to make this necessary change in my life. I am slowly killing myself with food and it needs to stop. I will read on this forum everyday to educate my self, get inspiration and anything else I can to help me along my way. Thank you for all the support A.

I hear where you're both coming from. Exercise is not a problem. I do quite a bit of that. I understand it is not a quick fix but was expecting more control. After reading a lot of discussions on "fills" I am pretty sure that I am not where I should be. I've only had 2 fills and they were small amounts. I have my appointment tomorrow and am going to keep it. I'm going to discuss all my problems and weight gain and hopefully the Dr. will agree that I need another fill. Thanks for your replies. I know I am still going to need a Mentor to keep me going on this. You would think after almost 3 years I would have this all figured out. Was doing quite well until personal life issues kicked me in the butt too. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

I agree with what Indigo girl said. the band is a tool it will not teach you to eat right but if you fill the band and you eat too quickly or the wrong foods it will make you uncomfortable. I only got my band the end of 2010 so it is new and like you I know I can get down the wrong foods. I am looking forward to going to the gym the beginning of February and having my fill. My doctors office gave guidelines that if certain food goes down or there is weight gain these are sure signs to go in and have a fill. The lapband wasn't made for you to have difficulty with the process. Keep trying and by the way just because you are gaining doesn't mean you need to take the band out.

I gained 6 pounds between Jan 3 and Jan 17 (surgery was Dec 23).... 4 things to consider for ME... I'm girl and it's "that time"...which brings weight gain due to Water retention I started working out hard-core last week, which can make muscles swell...swelling = water retention = weight gain With the total calories I'm eating, it's IMPOSSIBLE for the weight gain to be fat (you have to eat 3500 calories ABOVE what you are burning just by being alive and doing things in order to gain fat...I'm eating 900-1300 calories a day plus working out for the first time in years...it's not possible it's fat) Not enough calories consumed, possibly causing a kick into starvation mode. (I should be getting 1200 calories a day. Sometimes I get there, sometimes I don't) Sodium....if I eat higher sodium foods, there could be additional water retention (canned Soups can be really high in sodium, and my ankles are extra puffy lately, a sure sign of water retention for me). As of this morning...all 6 lbs are gone and I'm back to my scale low weight. Weight fluctuates...especially bad in women at different times during the month. Maybe your fiance will recognize some of the above things as possibilities for her weight gain. Good luck! Becki

Hi, I am so glad you asked that question. My husband and I went for surgery on 12/30/10 and we noticed a weight loss initially and then a weight gain. As of last night we are back to the weight we were post op in the doctors office. I guess this is the body adjusting to the eating and the trauma it went through for surgery. I would like to know what the nutritionist says because we have considered following weight watchers but if our stomach can't handle the amount of calories they are talking about eating I am not sure what plan to follow to allow for maximum nutrition health.