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I have had the mirena since 8/09 and haven't had any problems or weight gain issues... at least none that I can directly attribute to it!!!! I love it. I don't ever think about it. I don't feel the strings, and from what I know, my SO can't either. Definitely keeping it in til '14.

Hey guys! So I have yet to get lap band, but I am really interested in getting it. I have looked into a few times and each time I think to myself that I can just lose the weight myself by dieting and working out alone. I think I am finally ready to take the first step and talk to a doctor about getting this procedure done. I’m 20 years old 285 lbs. have awful asthma as well as lower back pains and knee pain. I know I need to do something about this issue while am young. I am hoping that I can get some real information from people who have had this done! I know the basic information that you read online, but what are some of the things that you experienced pre and post op? “(examples: hunger, food you can eat, can’t eat, exercises and when you can start exercising, pain, weight loss and then weight gain, rapid weight loss and extra skin..) I am hoping to gather as much information for myself so that I can better prepare myself…. Also…are any of picky eaters? If so did you find that to be an issue for you after the surgery? Really any information would be great! -Heather

Hey guys! So I have yet to get lap band, but I am really interested in getting it. I have looked into a few times and each time I think to myself that I can just lose the weight myself by dieting and working out alone. I think I am finally ready to take the first step and talk to a doctor about getting this procedure done. I’m 20 years old 285 lbs. have awful asthma as well as lower back pains and knee pain. I know I need to do something about this issue while am young. I am hoping that I can get some real information from people who have had this done! I know the basic information that you read online, but what are some of the things that you experienced pre and post op? “(examples: hunger, food you can eat, can’t eat, exercises and when you can start exercising, pain, weight loss and then weight gain, rapid weight loss and extra skin..) I am hoping to gather as much information for myself so that I can better prepare myself…. Also…are any of you picky eaters? If so did you find that to be an issue for you after the surgery? Really any information would be great! -Heather

For me, this is not a decision about staying obese v. not. It's a decision about the best way to deal with it. The fact is many people have many complications, from moderate to severe, short-term and long-term, with Lapband surgery. And many, many people who have bariatric surgery regain the weight because they did not deal with the underlying issues of why they gain weight. In all of my pre-op classes, the surgery team talked about "doing the work." Well, you have to "do the work" whether you you have surgery or not. Part of "doing the work" means understanding what your triggers are and what foods contribute to weight gain. Through my classes, I have finally figured this out, and I am confident that I can address weight loss without needing surgery. For me, the risk of experiencing the plethora of short and long-term complications of having the Lapband is simply not worth it. I'd rather lose my weight in a less invasive way.

I will just introduce myself. My name is Chandra and I am from Texas. I am 22 years old and I graduated LVN school in May of 2010. I have been working at my first nursing job since July 2010. I love my job. This is definitely what I was put on the earth to do. I am going back to school for my RN. I have 4 more pre-reqs to get. I am registered for Psych and Ethics which start on Jan 18th. I have been overweight my whole life. When I was 18 I was diagnosed with PCOS and told I would never have children. That led to a depression which led to even more weight gain ontop of what I had already gained. (which was the reason I went to the doc in the first place) I began thinking of the lap band in 2008 when I had my gallbladder removed and my surgeon said that I really really needed to lose weight if I was going to consider children. Well I have a very difficult time losing the weight due to the PCOS. I began the approval proccess once before in mid 2009. Then I lost my insurance and my job. So that put a halt to that. Well now I have a better job and good insurance. I started my proccess back in October 2010. I saw my surgeon and the nutritionist. Then I had my psych eval. Had a couple more appts with the nutritionist and a few days before Christmas I got a phone call saying that my insurance approved me. After the holidays on Tues the 4th I saw my surgeon again. I scheduled my EGD (required by my surgeon) and my surgery. I signed all my consents and then started my liquid diet the next day. So far I am on Day # 4 of the one week liquid diet. My EGD is scheduled for Mon the 10th and my surgery is on Wed the 12th. I am soooo nervous and excited at the same time. I am ready for my life to change. I have been married to my husband for almost 5 years. He is very supportive and excited for me as well. I will be staying at the hospital that I work at, lol. I just moved as well. So everything kinda happened all at once, lol. Moved on the 7th EGD on the 10th Surgery on the 12th School starts on the 18th *SIGH* So the liquid diet thing really isnt that bad. Im drinking my protein drinks and Im really not that hungry. I just like crunchy things and so just the crunch and chewing is what I miss, lol. The sugar detox was awful. I had a constant headache for the first 2 days. Now I am much better and I havent cheated at all! YAY! I even resisted pizza when my co-workers ordered it Fri night. Well I guess I will just update as the week goes on. I hope to hear some feedback from people. I am really anxious to hear other people's success stories. I know that I have a lot to look forward to and its awesome that such online support exists.

Hi Everyone! I am new to this online support stuff. I will just introduce myself. My name is Chandra and I am from Texas. I have been overweight my whole life. When I was 18 I was diagnosed with PCOS and told I would never have children. That led to a depression which led to even more weight gain ontop of what I had already gained. (which was the reason I went to the doc in the first place) I began thinking of the lap band in 2008 when I had my gallbladder removed and my surgeon said that I really really needed to lose weight if I was going to consider children. Well I have a very difficult time losing the weight due to the PCOS. I began the approval proccess once before in mid 2009. Then I lost my insurance and my job. So that put a halt to that. Well now I have a better job and good insurance. I started my proccess back in October 2010. I saw my surgeon and the nutritionist. Then I had my psych eval. Had a couple more appts with the nutritionist and a few days before Christmas I got a phone call saying that my insurance approved me. After the holidays on Tues the 4th I saw my surgeon again. I scheduled my EGD (required by my surgeon) and my surgery. I signed all my consents and then started my liquid diet the next day. So far I am on Day # 4 of the one week liquid diet. My EGD is scheduled for Mon the 10th and my surgery is on Wed the 12th. I am soooo nervous and excited at the same time. I am ready for my life to change. I have been married to my husband for almost 5 years. He is very supportive and excited for me as well. I am a nurse and I will be staying at the hospital that I work at, lol. So I guess thats all that I have to say right now. =)

I'm struggling with how much I should be eating at a normal meal. Sometimes I think that I have no idea of what I should be eathing. If I eat 1/2 cup to a cup of food, I feel like I'm not getting enough nutrients. I can eat much more than a cup of food (depending on the food, even if it's healthy food), and since the holidays, I have done just that. Getting back to small portions of dense foods has been a challenge, and the 10 pound weight gain since October is making me feel horrible. So, for a healthy meal, how much are you eating?

Sounds like excellent advice. I guess I just have to settle down and really understand my new body. When Monday comes, I'm sticking to the mushy stuff and the Doc says I can have real chewy type food after about a month. I get the slider aspect and I suspect that is what leads to weight gain, right? I mean milkshakes, pudding, etc...those calories can really add up fast. Thanks again for the calming words and the warning. S

I was banded 3 weeks ago, and I think I've hit a plateau already!! Is this possible?? I lost 20.7 pounds, but for the past few days I've been up a pound, down a pound, up a pound, down, and today UP again! The thing is I'm still on the soft food/puree phase and I'm probably only getting in less than 1000 calories/day. This is so frustrating! I knew that the weight loss would slow down, but I definitely didn't expect to see a weight GAIN after going through this surgery. I just don't understand the science behind a weight gain with such a low amount of calories plus 30-45 minutes of exercise. Definitely bummed today...

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. I was diagnosed with breast cancer Dec 2009. My cancer was Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 2, Grade 3, ER- PR- Her2- (triple negative). I had a double mastectomy Jan 2010 and then chemo. They gave me the choice of having a lumpectomy with chemo and radiation but I am too much of a worry wart. I would have driven myself crazy about it coming back so I chose the mastecomy. They build beautiful new ones now anyway! I finished chemo in May 2010, lost all my hair - head to toe (I didn't know everything goes!) and got the permanant implants in Aug 2010. My hair is now about 3 inches long. I see the oncologist every three months for bloodwork. People would say to me, you are so strong, keep your positive attitude, attitude is half the battle. Those are meant to be encouraging statements but to the person with cancer it can be hard to choke down. What if the cancer comes back? Was it because I didn't have right attitude? Am I weak? No, the only thing you can do is get through each day as they come. Cry and get mad if you want to but try to not let yourself get down for too long. Get some anit-depressants and don't feel weird or bad about it. Also, I do believe it is important to have something to look forward to. I planned a cruise for this April. I can't wait! And I will have hair! On a side note, if you do need to have chemo, they will most likely empty your band (they did mine). That way if you do experience any nausea it won't cause your band to slip. As a result, I gained 50 lbs back. Also, not all chemo causes weight loss, mine causes weight gain. Ugh! But its funny, I didn't get too caught up with that becuase the band is adjustable!! I sound like a commercial. I am just now getting my band adjusted so I can get back on track. I wish you all the best! Take care of your happiness. Let me know if you have any questions, I'll do my best to help. : )

i have no ideas on your matter at hand, but you and i are in about the same boat. ha ha, i just have gone to one seminar, i do not have to have the 6 months supervision, but the surgeon place that i went to the seminar handed out a sample letter that they want my dr to write to my insurance. this sample letter sounds very, very, very urgent to have the surgery as soon as possible in order to save life. i am going to take this letter to my dr tomorrow, i also have to have 5 years of past medical records to show my weight gain and medical problems i havel, so far that is all i have to do. if it is possible perhaps we can email back and forth, and maybe i can find a way to copy this sample letter to you and you can take it to your primary doctor. i know that this whole process is not going to happen with out your drs. help. so i would start with your primary, and perhaps they can fine some sort of supervised diet place that can help, like weigh watchers or something along those lines that would be ok to attend that is close to your house. I hate to say this, if we could all conntrol and loose weight in the 6 months, then we would not need the surgery..doesnt make sense to me with the insurance thought process....but you have to jump thru their hoops in order to get them to pay. i hope you well in your progress.. keep in touch i am a bit computer illertrate and how do to alot of things on the computer so email me and we can stay in touch

I just passed my 1-year bandiversary, and overall I'm very happy with how the year has gone. Though I didn't lose weight as fast as I thought I would, I did end up reversing 10 years of weight gain in one year. As of this morning, I was down 68 lbs. My goal for next year is to lose 38 lbs, which would take me to my college graduation weight. I am angry at myself that I didn't establish an exercise regimen until October, which forced me to depend upon the band adjustments to jump start my weight loss. I am now at 9cc's on a 10 cc band, so my options there are pretty limited. Once I started going to the gym, the weight loss did speed up a little. I am starting off this year by going on a liquid diet for a week, followed by puree for 2 weeks to mimic the post surgery period. Hopefully this will shock my system and I'll drop some quick weight. I think the thing that has really helped is having a wife that has supported me and whipped me into shape when I was down or discouraged. She also supported me by going on a diet of her own. She lost 50 lbs without surgery, and her body fat percentage dropped even more than mine. We are loving the effects that has had on various areas of our lives.

HI, One of the biggest surprises I have had since being banded June 2008, has been the ability to keep the weight off. Unfortunately I'm stuck at about #20 pounds from goal, but am down 70-75 pounds. I lost all my weight in @ 14 months. I have modest restriction, but enough to remind me of "stucks" and "sliming". Like you, I'll keep track of any weight gain, and then go back to "first principles" of the band. When I hit my plateau I got another 2 fills. It didn't do much. Sadly to say, I've not pursued the fills and have not kicked it up to the next level, but I'm working on it now. Treats around the house don't seem to matter. We live with 3 teen-age boys. It is best when I totally eliminate eating many of the treats,, (like the cheese cake in the fridge), and limit myself to small portions of my favorites, like maybe a cookie or a small brownie. I'm more of a volume eater. One thing I don't do anymore is make the rounds of the fast food places. That is certain death. I don't ever have "total pig outs"; it is like psychologically giving up. You may want to decide what 3 or 4 "first principles of banding", have helped you the most, and go back to them from time to time. It may be waiting 20 minutes to feel full, no drinking for 2 hours, no soda pop, record keeping, meal planning, lots of regular exercise, or trying to psych yourself out for "looking good' at the next family gathering. I do think you are on the right track with the regular weights and self-evaluations. My friend who gained back over 100 pounds, just stopped keeping track, and stopped thinking about what he was doing, and it was very easy gain weight. He also quit his daily walking, and his wife gained back her weight. Vigilence is the price of weight loss, and maintenance. Personally, the greatest tool for weight loss, has been a calorie diary, and planning. I've quit doing that, (until now), and things will change. There is a great satisfaction with total control. It is very empowering. For me, it lasted about 14 months, but the weight maintenance has been nearly as fulfilling. Good Luck, Brian

Totally normal and it's to be expected. Most people, myself included, didn't start noticing restriction until my 4th & 5th fills. Especially if your doctor is conservative with your fills like mine was/is. A weight gain is common too. Try not to get discouraged. Start making good habits and choices now. You're REALLY early in the game and I PROMISE the weight will start falling off before you know it!!! I was where you were back in August, September, October. I thought for sure the band wasn't going to work...but everyone told me to hang in there and be patient!! They were right!!!!!!!! Best of luck!!!!!!

I have a Mirena and have had it for a year. I really haven't noticed any weight gains with it. It was one of the best things I have done especially since I haven't had a cycle in a year now.

Good to hear some positive comments. I was still losing on 1200 calories a day, so I've upped it to 1400 this week to see how I do. I'm so afraid of getting on the scale and seeing a 10 pound weight gain. I know that's not scientifically possible, but part of me really believes it. Since this is also PMS week, I'm trying to stay off the scale for the week. Not sure if I'll make it, but I am going to try. Wish me luck!

Morning....fly by because I'm on my way to "the house". I finally got on the scale and don't like what I saw and knew it was happening. So that has ended and I'm back on the wagon. I have set a new goal for me, although it's baby steps, at least it's steps in the right direction. Although I've gained weight...10 lbs, this is a first for me. Usually my weight gains are all of what I've lost plus....you all know this cycle. This time it wasn't even 1/4 of what lost. This still isn't good, but I'm not going to beat myself up too bad, just get on Arlene's train and chug away at it. I haven't had to go up a size in my clothing yet. What I seem to be having trouble with is eating hot food. By the time I can get things chewed everything gets cold. In some ways that is good because then it's unappetizing, but I'm getting really tired of cold eggs. So the last couple of days (since I've been on the train) I've been adding Protein powder to my coffee and then about 10:30 or 11, I've poached an egg in V-8 (for some that may sound disgusting, but I love it). I've actually been able to eat the egg hot and then sip the V-8 warm. This seems to be helping me deal with the cold food issue. This could be because I've been so cold lately. I'm also doing more Soup, but that is also helping with the cold food issue. Last night I had shrimp with leeks and mushrooms. I made a one-pot dish and put the left over brown rice in it. It was very good, but because I really chew the shrimp slowly, I end up eating it cold. I threw out the rest of it. So this is my confession and it's probably the last you will hear about for a while. New year, new focus. Eva

I don't ever remember fitting into a size 8 or 10 so I would be so happy to get to either of those. I wore 18s in high school and 12/14/16 I think I missed size 8/10 completely (rapid weight gain after losing our house to a fire). I'm not too concerned with weight like you said as long as the scale number is going down

Research is always good. Have you considered the sleeve ! You loose weight a little faster, you can eventually eat what you like "BUT A LIMITED AMOUNT OF FOOD" , you are no longer hungry "That's my thing" I had my knees replaced do to weight gain, I lost 120lbs. by myself in order to get those knees replaced. Then Banded. Lost 28lbs., and the band blew on a fill. 4cc band blew on 2cc's "defective" I now have insurance again and will be going in this month to see what they want to do or change to. Just remember it is like a tire, it can go bad at any time. Then gl with getting it fixed especially if you have it done in Mexico. You have to go back to your original surgeon to fix there mistakes. "THAT'S THE WAY THE SURGEONS THREWOUT THIS STATE EXPLAINED IT TO ME ! So I'm letting you know that somewhere you will need follow up work. Check this with your surgeon.. Shirley.

I think it is knowing what I did that sabotaged me is the key. I got back on track yesterday. I told my lap-band buddy at church what I had done wrong. I told my support group what I had done wrong. Yesterday, I did every thing that I was supposed to do. I felt much better about myself yesterday than I did in all of the holidays. What is funny is that I felt smaller at the end of the day. I even stayed away from here because I was embarrassed. I will not let the weight gain defeat me. That was the old me, and I would have given up. This is the new me. I will WIN. I was up on base doing my grocery shopping yesterday, and the commissary has started selling Pure Protein Shakes in the can. These are actually good, but the only place I had seen them before was at the Vitamin Shoppe and HEB. They average any where between $1.50 - $2.00 per can. They had them for less than a $1 a can on base. I got me a couple of boxes of them at that price. Plus all of my new Leslie Sansone DVDs have shipped from Amazon. They should be here Thursday. I can't wait to get them.

I expected big things from 2011...just not me! I was banded on September 30th, 2010. It has been a long, but quick process, if that makes sense. I have gone from 325-327 (by my at home scale) to 293.6 , as of this morning. It seemed so daunting when I first started the insurance process, seminars, etc, in April of last year. But, it truly went by quickly. Before I knew it, I was banded. If anyone is reading this and is overwhelmed by insurance hoops, don't be discouraged. Just take it one step at a time because the payoff is HUGE! My last fill, # 3, they put in a little more in my band. That was 3 weeks ago and I've lost about 6 pounds since then. Slowly, but surely! Fill 1 was okay...no real restriction, though, fill 2 was an overfill---followed by some being taken out, then fill 3, I feel, is my sweet spot. I feel like I eat too much (i'm so paranoid about overeating), but my husband says I hardly eat anything. In comparing what I ate before, he's probably right. I still keep track of everything on sparkpeople and really am trying to watch everything. It certainly something that isn't easy and is something that we all have to continually work at. Each day, I still argue with my body about what to put in it. I think it will get easier and easier, but it has hard not to stop at McDonalds in the morning for a breakfast sandwich (not that I can really eat it without getting stuck anyway!), but my mouth would still try. I have just started really trying to get serious about working out. I don't really have time for an actual gym between my kids and my husband's crazy work hours. I have picked up Zumba and also love working out to my Wii! My doctor's office has a program they refer to as 'Bootcamp'. It is 3 nights a week for 6 weeks. Of all of the places in my city, it happens to be held just a few miles from my house, which is great. You work out with a personal trainer those 3 nights, meet with a counselor for a few minutes on 2 of those nights and meet with a nutritionist the other night after your workout. And, as long as you don't miss more than 3 sessions, it is all free. So, I will be beginning that on their next session start next month. I really can't wait! I am starting to have loose clothing, which is great, and my knees are already feeling better when I go upstairs. I love that. When I met my husband, I was hovering around 270. Still fat, but nothing as to what I turned into over 5 years! I guess my happiness was directly correlated with my weight gain, which, ironically, caused unhappiness. But, one the road to being a better me feels good! I recognize I will never, realistically, be 135 pounds ever, but I'm okay with that as long as I can get down to a healthy weight of maybe 170. I really can't wait to to do things with my kids this summer! I can already tell I'm getting more energy and can't wait to see how that goes up, too. Anyway, those are the thought that are in my head today. I hope everyone is doing well after the holidays!

Renee!! I'm so sorry you're having to go through all this right now!! This whole process of jumping through insurance hoops is so stressful!! Is there anyway you can get on a waiting list with your pulmonoligist office so if someone cancels an earlier appt you can get in before the 17th? I have a cpap that I never wear...I hope they don't say anything to me about it!!! This is such a hard time of year to have our final appts (mine's tomorrow too) with all the food from the holidays. My surgeons office though wasn't too concerned about any weight gain so hopefully yours wont be either! I know its hard but try to stay positive...it will all work out!! Let me know if you need to chat/vent!!

HAD LAP BAND SURGERY 5 YEARS AGO. EVERTHING WENT GREAT UNTILL ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. FOUND THAT I COULD EAT ALL I WANTED AND GAINED ALL MY WEIGHT BACK. THE DOCTOR FELT IT WAS MY PORT AND REPLACED IT IN JUNE OF 2010. STILL HAD WEIGHT GAIN. THE DOCTOR DID A DYE TEST AND FOUND IT WAS MY BAND LEAKING. I'M DUE FOR BAND REPLAACEMENT ON 1/11/2011. HAS ANYONE HAD THERE BAND REPLACED?

This morning I spent some time trying on clothes in my closet that until recently no longer fit. What a pleasant surprise. I have a bunch of things I can wear without having to go out and purchase "temporary" clothes. About 6 years ago, I lost just over 150 pounds, then 4 years ago I quit smoking and found the weight again. Because the weight gain is fairly recent, and over a relatively short period of time, I have clothes in various sizes. In fact, I have jeans in 7(!) different sizes. There's such a temptation to buy new clothes at every new size, but I am going to try and be patient, save the money, and do major shopping when I get to goal!