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I think it's just another word for 'being able to eat small meals and feeling satisfied'. There's people out there that are constantly trying to find that magical spot where they can eat whatever consistancy of food they want, and have their hunger supressed. - It doesn't work that way. and there's always going to be foods you can't have. When you find the right amount of fill that works for you, you'll be able to comfortably eat small portions of food and be satisfied. If you're too tight, it can lead to weight gain. In the end you just need to find what's right for you. Everyone's going to be different and some people's restrictions are going to be greater than others.

Hi Everyone, Today has been a banner day because this morning I saw my Primary care doctor for the final time required by my insurance . Let me step back in time 6 months . Like so many others on this board I have a lifetime of being plus sized. I have many reasons over the years not the least of the is that I have a congenital disorder that requires me to live on steroids. This has always made weight loss difficult but not impossible. So over the last 2 decades i would go up and down more up then down. Then this strange thing happened called menopause and the ups kept happening and the downs got harder and harder . Hours in the gym would result in weight gains. I felt like as long as I was healthy and active then I would be okay not everyone in this world was meant to be thin. I have a great life so i was content with the state of this for a really long time . Then I Quit Smoking and changed medicine and the menopause at the same time and I gained a lot of weight very quickly. This tipped my scale so to speak . I Started having serious medical problems . i kept saying to myself I am only 4_. This will get better but it did not . Then 6 months my insurance changed and I had to get a new Dr. She did a physical and a full on battery of test to "see where I was" . 2 weeks later She called to tell me i was diabetic and needed to be on medication asap. My Grandfather, My Father and My partner of 12 years all died of complication to diabetes , I know that road. i hung up the phone cried for 10 minutes . Picked up the phone and made an appointment for a consult with a surgeon. i was not letting that disease control my life. I was ready or at least I thought I was. My Insurance company had a few things to say about that. They have had me jumping thru quite a few hoops. I have never seen my primary care doctor so much in my entire life!!! I have had go and talk to her about diet and exercises once a month for the last 6 months. The Funny thing is as far as the insurance company is concerned I have to go and get on a scale talk about diet but if I do not loss a pound that confirms for them that I "NEED" the surgery. Whereas My surgeon will not do the surgery unless i loss between 10-20 pounds. In the middle of all of this my original doctor Dr Jossert left the practice and I had to switch to his partner.Dr Cirangle. What made today a banner day is that the day i called I had no Idea what i weighted because my scale only went up to 330 and I was over that. The day I arrived at LapSF I weighed 327 pounds . Today I weighted 314 pounds . I lost the last 3 pounds over the weekend and because i did i got a Surgery date of Nov. 29 today. As long as the insurance approves everything that is my date. So that is my story to date... more to come i am sure

1. Pouch - -the upper small part of the stomach created by the lap band. 2. The stoma – the outlet between the pouch and the rest of the stomach. 3. The band physically restricts the amount of food a person can eat at one time. 4. Digestion happens in the pouch, just like it does in the stomach. 5. Solid food should not immediately go through the stoma so the pouch fills up with food. 6. Liquids go through the stoma readily and also help solid food go through the lumen. If you drink before, during or after meals, more of the solid food will go through the stoma into the stomach. 7. Fills (inflating the band) help to keep food in the pouch longer. 8. Fills (inflating) with saline do not make the pouch smaller, only the stoma between the pouch and the stomach becomes smaller. 9. The band can be surgically repositioned to adjust the size of the pouch. 10. Leptin is present in our digestive system to regulate our appetite (and in turn, our weight). Leptin affects the hypothalamus and suppresses appetite. It also helps burn fat that is stored in adipose (fatty) tissue. 11. When the pouch is full of food, just like if the stomach is full, the hormone Leptin is released. This goes to the brain and sates the appetite. 12. If the band is too tight, meals are inadequate and so people eat more often and tend to eat easier to digest food such as carbohydrate. This can result in weight gain. 13. It is very unlikely that you will ever lose all of your excess weight with a lapband.

Ok... I need HELP!! In the three weeks that I haven't smoked I have gained 4lb... yes GAINED 4lb and that has really been in the last week!!! I have not 'binged' or replaced food for ciggies...and I couldn't over eat even if I wanted to! Granted I haven't done much exercise but the DR said I should wait for 4-6 weeks after pneumonia to exercise again... I have been walking... but nothing like I was doing! I am soooooo worried that this weight gain is connected to the no smoking... I am in a quandry!!! I really can't afford to put weight back on... especially as I am such a slow loser anyway!! Words of wisdom from my VSG friends is seriously needed here....please

Hi all. Had a pretty good week at work. New schedule is working well. However, 3 new students starting at our school Monday. One is just pre-school. However, 2 of them will need to be added to my schedule. One of them is coming to us from Wisconsin. Her mother "homeschooled" her and then died. A foster family put her in school where it was discovered that, though she was old enough for third grade, her academic scores were at kindergarten level. The school was providing massive help for her but grandmother, who lives in Chicago, sought custody and had to prove to the courts that she would provide good schooling where she would receive equivalent help. I couldn't promise equivalent help, but I wrote up what I could provide and talked to her sped teacher and compared methods. So grandma got custody and she's starting Monday. She is in second grade and currently tests at beginning of first grade. The other child has been out of our school since first grade and is returning as a 5th grader functioning at a mid-third grade level. Two weeks ago, I started two new kids I'd tested who also need help. One is testing at the 98th percentile in reading but below the 10th in math. Fortunately, he's only in third grade and I should be able to catch him up but I suspect a genuine learning disability in math. His half-sister is very high in computation but very low in math compreshension, so she is seeing me, too. This is the way it's like with every new kid we get. I think, when the parents find out about my program, it's one of the main reasons they send their kids to RCS. As long as RCS can keep its doors open, and some fool doesn't shut down No Child Left Behind or stop funding it, I have great job security. It means I work 10 hrs/day in order to accommodate these kids but that's my choice. I've reduced my group sizes by putting kids in before and after school and as long as my groups are small and I've neutralized behavior problems by making sure those kids are on the computers or are coming before school and not with their peers, I can just keep teaching. I do have at least one light period everyday where I just have 2 kids on the computer. I have an assistant two days a week, and another woman who comes in and tutors a couple of days a week. She is a theology student at McCormick Theological Seminary and is paid by them to tutor at our school. She got assigned to me to supervise so she comes in as her classes allow her. So, my food is OK, not terrific. The small weight gain has led to me being tight, which makes it hard for me to eat as much meat as I'd like. My high blood Calcium problems are also affecting my food choices. The Atkins products I like for treats all have high calcium in them. It's difficult to do 3 days of very low carbs when I can't use any of the products that worked for me while losing weight. Just the milk I put in my coffee contains almost all the calcium I need in one day. Add one Protein drink and I'm over the top. None of my parathyroid tests has come back abnormal. My blood calcium is only a small fraction above normal and they haven't found a cause, so I'm thinking it's just a physical anomaly of my body, and the amount of calcium I consume is probably not the cause. Nevertheless, I'm trying to at least not go over 200% of what I need. Woman my age are supposed to be taking 150% of the daily recommended dose to prevent bone loss, which I do have-though very mild-despite my high blood calcium. This is a very wierd thing. I've cut back my Vitamin D but I'm not eliminating it because its helped me so much with seasonal affective disorder. It's very hard for those of us of Northern European extraction who live in northern climates to get enough of it. My blood levels are high but not too high. However, combined with too much Calcium it could still be the cause of the high blood calcium levels. Especially since I use a laxative which can also lead to high blood calcium. So I'm trying to cut my laxative use as well, but I've been constipated since childhood. I eat a salad every night and take ground flax seed in the morning and at night and it makes no difference. So I'm frustrated. I have no time and no desire to cook. I don't enjoy eating out because I can eat so little and my husband can eat so much. Plus he eats extremely slowly because of his false teeth so I'm sitting there forever watching him eat. For an ADHD compulsive overeater, this is not a good thing. So I'm venting. If you didn't understand half of what I said, that's OK. The gist of it is that my calcium problems are causing me food choice problems since what works for me weight wise may not be good for my blood calcium levels. In addition, the slight weight gain has tightened my band enough that I'm having trouble eating enough meat and protein to satisfy me and keep my cravings at bay. This leads to eating sliders, which are always fat and carbs combined-a deadly combo. So I need to lose weight in order to loosen the band in order to eat right, but my tools for doing that have been compromised by my blood calcium. So I'm frustrated which is something I always used food to medicate. I'm not enjoying my meat because I start pbing so quickly on it, so eating is frustrating. I can't eat out because of pbing on meat and having to sit there and watch my husband eat for another half an hour while my food is cooling in front of me. Aargh. Cheri

Good Morning.... Linda...I ordered the fake boobs and butt for both myself and my friend. She's always been a skinny little thing (she's the one I was talking about yesterday that wants a boob job and is saving for it) and she talked me into it. It was fun. My son had ordered the theatrical beard and hair (he has shaved his head for years) and it looked so real. He is one to dress up in really elaborate outfits each year. It's killing him this year cuz he is at a wedding in Mpls and cannot attend the many costume competitions which he usually comes in first. Anyway, he came that night with the fake hair a beard and decked out in his trench coat and lace up boots. I could not post a photo of what he had under that coat. All I can say is that it was a very real looking prostetic. We started harvest again yesterday and am keeping my fingers crossed that DH is not too tired to go out. It's been so long since we have been out and I sooooooooo want to be his sleezy date. LOL. It's sad when you live farther out and don't get a lot of kids coming to the door for Halloween. I grew up in town and every kid came to the door. We only get a handful but I am going to dress up early and Tanker will be decked out in his headless horseman garb so we can meet them at the door. Gotta load up their bags with candy cuz DH and DS have packed on a few pounds...my fault buying it too early. They don't get the concept of having just one. Here is how it works at our house....yesterday I was Christmas shopping and not here at lunch time. I was unsure of how many would be at the table so left an apple crisp on the table with 1/2 dozen serving plates and roast in the crockpots to put on buns. Well, it turned out that DH was the only one to eat. Asked him where he put the rest of the apple crisp...in frig?...in freezer? He got this look and said "I thought I was supposed to eat it all". There were like six servings! But, DH has always been one to watch the scale. Up 5lbs and he has the determination to take it off in a week. I used to envy him for that. Arlene....I had responded to another thread yesterday to a girl that was struggling with extreme hunger between meals and was stating that I have somewhat defied my doc and had 5-6 small meals a day. My metabolism was so out of whack and I think that is what brought it back to where it was b/4 all my weight gain. I also am a believer (this is pushed by my LB doc) that carbs should be minimal. I know Cheri is a believer in the same tactic. If you can really make sure of the carbs you are getting and counting them, try to keep them between 20-40 carbs daily. Give it a good 2-3 week try and I bet you will see a difference. Those little things that we all think do not matter really do add up. I know you probably feel that we are closing in on your with all our advice and tips. Please don't. When one of us is struggling, we all feel your pain. Cheri wrapped it up in a neat little package with her post about some ppl being carb sensitive. I have a friend that if she introduces anything over 35 carbs into her diet, she will notice the difference. She is very vigilent in watching and it does it to her. I used to be during the weight loss stage. Somehow it did a turn around for me. Quite weekend on the thread. I am home most of the day (just have to run to town in a bit for parts) and will check in later. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

This is a great post for those of us who are just now reaching goal and have NOT had to deal with any weight gain. I was wondering how and if it would come back off easily. Thanks for the information and congrats on your success!!

Just wanted to throw out there that my starting BMI was over 49, and now look at it ! ! ! I wouldn't really be too concerned with a 10% of EWL after 5 years, think of what's going to happen in 5 years with bypass vs. VSG in ways of nutrient/vitamin deficiencies. Don't sell the sleeve or yourself short! ! ! I know that statistics are a great resource, but let's be honest, those stats are only as good as the people questioned. I would recommend checking out the revision and complication forum on obesityhelp.com so you can see for yourself the number of people that are looking at revising from RNY to either DS or ERNY because of weight gain or pouch issues. I won't try to convince you that the sleeve is your best option because you have to make the choice that is best for you, but I challenge you to really think about the fact that with RNY you get only 2 years of malabsorption of calories/fats then after that time period, the intestines adjust and start absorbing everything you eat calorie/fat/carb wise and you get a lifetime of vitamin/nutrient malabsorption. Plus a pouch can and does stretch, our stomach stretching is so minimal and we get to keep our pyloric valve which is a big plus. . . Also, no medication or food restriction for VSG. So, with VSG, you get a non-stretching stomach, no malabsorption, can take all meds, no food restrictions, and you get to keep your pyloric valve (I know I said that twice, but it's really important LOL). . . I had a pouch with my band, and it sucked. My body hated it, it wasn't natural, and nothing feels as good as being able to eat all foods without issue. I know I'm biased, but it's hard to argue that I might have made the wrong decision with VSG when I stare my size 0 Gap jeans ! ! !

Ok My pre surgery weight was 245.. Pre-Pre pregnancy weight 160lbs 10 weeks pregnant 148 down 12 lbs due to being way to tight and morning sickness 14 weeks pregnant 152 lbs up 4lbs 18 weeks pregnant 160lbs up 8 lbs (back to pre pregnancy weight) 22 weeks pregnant 170lbs up 10lbs:blink: (got an unfil at 19 weeks) Current weight at 25 weeks pregnant 178lbs :thumbup: im still watching what i eat but keep gaining i dont know what to do!??! please help me! what have you ladies gained?

The check list is the most important thing in starting on the journey with insurance.. With out it you may miss something, and not be approved. They usually want to make sure your not gaining weight while on the diet, and see that you are making the effort to loose or maintain whichever you are able to do. Through out my 6 months I was loosing weight till I hit the 5th month. I had a 3 pound weight gain even though I was on the same 12-1500 calorie diet with 30 minutes of exercise a day. I do hope it doesn't affect my approval, but it's like I've told every doctor that I have seen I loose and no matter what I do it starts coming back. I am just pushing myself extra extra hard over the next couple of weeks to insure I maintain atleast.. Best of Luck!!

I was taking Lyrica before I had the surgery. After a couple of weeks of having the surgery, I felt so much better so I stopped taking Lyrica. One of the side of affects of Lyrica is weight gain. I noticed that pre-surgery and complained to my dr. about it. We tried another medication but it did not work as well as Lyrica.

Hi everyone, My name is Deb, I'm 47 and I've been dieting on and off since I was 12yrs old. I'm 5'5", 212lbs and I will be banded on Nov 12, 2010. I've wrestled with getting the LAP-BAND® since I am barely at a weight where it can be done. I am a self pay and they have agreed to $12,600 for everything. Now I know why I've had those savings bonds sitting in the safe all these years. I've looked on the internet for folks around my size who have decided it was worth the risks and haven't found much. I have decided to take care of the problem and not spend the rest of my life fighting an endless battle. I have not always been fat but have fought my weight all my life. My weight has been a major issue for me for as long as I can remember. Now I've gotten to the point where I just don't have the stamina/heart/inspiration to stay on the diet and weight gain roller coaster. My goal weight is between 130lbs and 145lbs. Because of my age (and the fact that to much weight loss may result in wrinkles and sagging skin) I think around 140lbs will be good. Once I get there, I plan to get an inner thigh lift (I have bags), breast lift, chin lift, and eyelid surgery. I was pleased to find out I could get all of this for about $15k in Gainesville Florida (2 operations, can't do it all at once). I started the protein diet today. Dr. Brient's diet entails 4 protein shakes/bars and one high protein/low calorie meal daily for 14 days. I bought several brands with under 160 calories ea. to try. I plan to put the shake in a blender with ice and turn into a milk shake so it will take longer to drink. Very soon I will find out if it's all worth it. It may be the biggest mistake of my life.... we'll see. The closer it gets, the scarier it gets. :thumbup: I just know I've been dreaming of buying great clothes and looking fab for 47 instead of like a fat grandma.

My doctor switched me from dilantin to Lyrica for seizure control and the Lyrica had other benefits so that's been great. However, I went on it after having been at my goal weight for 4 months and then in January I had a sciatic injury that helped me gain 15 pounds back. I've lost 7 of that, but can't seem to lose the remaining 8-10 to get back to my original goal. I'm pretty much doing the same things that helped my success, but seem to be in a huge rut. Now, I shouldn't complain, I'm still at a weight that is pretty good, but just where I want to be. I'm wanting to blame the Lyrica as weight gain is one of the side effects.

I have neither seen nor needed a therapist. I had the required pre-op visit to see a psych, but that is all. She does not seem like a nut to you. Are you a therapist? Do you know anything about this person other than what she chooses to let you know about her through her posts? People can be anything they want to be online. For the record, my comment was not a slam on any one person. Listen, there are a lot of people who get this surgery that really should never have been considered for one reason or another (hiding an eating disorder or lying about being an alcoholic, for example). (I personally know of two people like this.) In fact, there are posts on this very board by people where it is screamingly obvious that they should not get this surgery - at least not till mental things are sorted out. My friend (who IS a licensed psychologist, BTW) has been lurking on this site to see what I have been reading because she is concerned about me getting this surgery. She flat-out told me that she worries that many people seem to be getting this surgery and that they really need psychiatric help instead. Thinking that a Lap-Band is a panacea will lead only to disappointment and - most likely - weight gain.

Good Morning.... I feel like a broken record...cold and dank and windy here again today. Low 20's during the evening and early morning. 29 right now and hoping to get up to 40. But, Janet, I bet your 50's for you is a lot colder than our low 20's. I have a wake and funeral (friend's father passed away) and got my black wool coat out and boots to wear to the funeral/burial. Have a safe trip and, again, so sorry about your sister. Hope you are able to have a good visit with her. Hugs. Not easy. Arlene...good going on getting to water exercise even though it is chilly. Hope that book you are reading helps you to get rid of the "Munchie Monster". You should say goodbye to him altogether. When I think back to my weight gain stage, that Munchie Monster was on my back full time. Thought he was my friend but he was the devil. I shut the door to him from the onstart of my weight loss stage. He had to go...I couldn't have him in my life. He was abusive and he could not longer be part of my life. It was not easy but what I did to fight him was have extremely healthy snacks at hand, in my purse, in my truck when I really had to have a snack. And, even though I am in maintence and have to keep my calories up, I still reach of healthy snacks...I just have more of them. Your 100 cal popcorn is good for you and something that takes a while to eat and you feel like you've had something. No dental this week. Not till next Wed, Nov 3. I am in the last stages and really looking forward to getting rid of this temp bottom front plate I have had since June 2. Thinking I will have it for another 4 weeks. Next week is placing caps on lower right and grinding 4 others in front sides down for caps. Been a long haul and I so appreciate the support I got (and needed) from all of you throughout this process. Whine, whine, whine. Thanks for all who listened. Julie...as Janet said...keep up with the treatments and hoping this all does the trick for you. Pain can alter everything we want to do and my wish is that you can be completely pain free. Have fun with Mimi. Great...dreamed about you last night. We were on a boardwalk somewhere by the ocean and you were carrying your grandbaby...it was a boy about nine months old. You wanted to run to Starbucks and you asked me to hold him. Your daughter appeared out of nowhere and was soooooooooooooooo upset that you had a "stranger" watching her baby. Then she looked at me and said "Oh, you're Apples2" and everything was fine. Funny dream. You must be home by now and hopefully catching up with your rest. Jodi...congrats on your doc's goal for you. I am sure you will decide if you feel you are done with your weightloss or want to be right where you are at. The TT phase is a big step and takes lots of planning with time off work, etc. Important step though if you want to have it done. I had a visit with the doc about mine on Tues and thinking that I will shoot for early spring....more extensive than I thought. Jessica...this Mother Hen is very proud of you for all you do and the grades you are getting. Take a look into joining the Honor Society. You don't want to miss out and be sorry later that you did not do it. Good going! TX...hope you are resting comfortably and keeping ahead of the pain. Sounds like you have a good nurse (good morning, Debbie....keep us informed...thanks). Cheri....sometimes when it comes to getting a point across and trying to be heard, we have to become Screaming Bantchies. Took care of the problem, didn't it? Hope you have smooth sailing with that little girl from here on out. Nice to hear the parents backed you up. If you would have been my DS's teacher, you would have had to use your "outside voice" with them. They were just the cutest little devils/angels. I have BBQ's simmering for lunch and a pot roast in roaster for dinner. House smells wonderful. Cleaning and laundry and online Christmas shopping today. Have quite a bit of it done and plan it to finish it up today or tomorrow. Having a tough couple of days with lots of tears. A year ago tomorrow that "mom" fell on the post office steps and passed away. Guess being weepy is just part of dealing with it. Just remembering her and the angel that she was/is. Better get after it. Later.

:sneaky: Oh wow... I don't even know what to say to that... I've been on diets since I was 7 years old...I've been a swimmer all my life and was the only overweight girl to make it to state championships...I ate the best food ever and I was still fat. - My large weight gain in my teens came after a period of when I'd lost a lot of weight from depression. When I couldn't lose all of the weight I put it all back on again and more. This women is so sad...I feel so sorry for her. Attacking a group of people with blanket criticism like that is an obvious prejudice that could've stemmed from years and years of self-brain washing. She's the one with the problem.

i AM NEW HERE AS OF TONIGHT.. MY band FAILED, AND i REGAINED ALL MY WEIGHT. the DOCTOR HAD HIS STUDENT ESCORT ME OUT OF THE OFFICE BECAUSE HE WAS DISSAPOINTED AT MY WEIGHT GAIN.. WHAT ABOUT ME? LIKE I WASN;T DISSAPOINTED! COME BACK WHEN YOU CAN LOOSE SOME WEIGHT, AND SHOW SOME CONTROLL. HE PUT 2 CC'S IN A 4 CC BAND AND IT BLEW. THIS WAS AT HENRY FORD'S IN DETROIT. SO NOW I AM UP NORTH, AND WANT TO FIND OUT IF ANY OF YOU KNOW OF A GOOD SURGEON IN THE GRAYLING AREA??? PLEASE GET BACK TO ME, I NEED TO HAVE THIS TAKEN OUT, AND GO WITH THE SLEEVE. I JUST FOUND OUT MEDICAIRE PAYS FOR IT... I HOPE THAT'S WRIGHT.. SOMEONE PLEASE GET BACK WITH NAMES, ADDRESS, NUMBERS. THANKS, SHIRLEY.

the reason why this article did not SHOCK me is because I know how many people out there in the world are UNEDUCATED about the complexity in regards to obesity. Yes I realized that I should probably do something to live a healthier life by choosing VSG but I also understand the biochemical reasons as to why it is so simple and so difficult to become obese and then try to lose the weight. There is a lesson to be learnt by all of this regardless if we want to recognize it or not. The general public (who has a "normal BMI) has no clue when it comes to the issues involving obesity because their body does not react the same as an obese person. For example we all know countless people in and around our lives who are a normal BMI and eat fast food, junk, and have not experienced weight gain where as the obese can eat whole foods, that is deemed healthful foods and still be obese. Yes life is not fair but writers who are going to post something so uneducated is just asking for a war. Needless to say.. just down right immature.

Yeah the clothes are feeling just a little tighter but it could be psychological. I`m just worried about how comfortable it is to be able to finish a meal and sometimes have to use willpower to stop myself from indulging. I can`t wait till Friday. 2lbs weight gain after being so tight for a while should not send you into panic, hun. You will balance things out eventually. As you wrote, it`s calories in vs. calories out, unless you gain muscles in the meantime through exercising. You will be alright, you have to be because you`re one of my inspirational ladies on this board and heroes don`t fail, right?:biggrin: Keep up the good work.

Fedz, We need to talk ASAP!! You and I almost have the same exact story!! Dr. Geiss banded me in July 2007 and I have lost 56 lbs. He implanted the 4cc band at that time. That 56 lb weight loss came with exercise, weight watchers, weight gain and loss, etc. I'm not going to give up so I decided to have a revision done in November because my band is maxxed out to 4cc. I got fill after the fill with some restriction but I never got that "sweet spot" feeling that many banders talk about. There's no room for anymore fills with my current band. We REALLY need to talk. I want to give you my phone number.

Speaking for my self only... These are the symptoms I had. 1.I was not able to eat any sort of solid food, no matter how small the bite was or how well I chewed it. I was only able to get a couple of bites down and then I would have the build up of saliva and have to go and visit the bathroom. 2. Once I vomitted I was not able to even drink water unless hours went by and if I drank to fast I had to visit the bathroom. 3. I was only able to get maybe 20 ounces of H2O a day and that is not good. 4. When I sent to see my doctor she said my band was so irritated that she took out a little more so the swelling and irritation could go down. 5. I was only able to eat ice cream and other slidder foods. 6. My doc said that in the red zone for the lap and realize band you have no weight loss because you turn to comfort foods and you don't have any weight loss and poss weight gain. 7. She has be taking a prilosec for 30days to help heal any irritation that was done. 8. I honestly was vomitting anytime I ate or drank something. 9. Often times when I went for a removal I was bummed that they had to take out fluid but, this time I did not care. I was just very missrable. I hope this does help you guys. And remember I am speaking for my self and not for others.

So far, so good. I woke up this morning and, as usual, weighed first thing. All but 2 tenths of the vacation weight gain had melted away...yay!! I was able to get up a little later than normal because I'm staying home this morning while I wait for my new chair. I attached a picture. It is a little wild, but the rest of my room is kind of plain so I'm hoping it looks good! Anyway, I went for my run. It took me 27 minutes to run 1.75 miles. Since I would like to run my 5K on Saturday in 45 minutes, I'm off the pace. This morning's pace is more like my Labor Day run pace. So, yay for doing it, but boo for not improving much. The whole first mile, I kept thinking that there would be no way I could do this tomorrow. I just hurt too much. But as soon as I was done, I was totally planning to do it again. Ha! No pain, no gain! :thumbup: I have just over 9 pounds to lose by Thanksgiving, so I have to keep at it. Yesterday, I did well with my calories and I was proud of my choices. I really wanted some ice cream last night, but I refrained! It's the little things that make me happy. So, my run is Saturday and it is Halloween weekend. I have a Halloween shirt and some devil horns, but I was hoping to find something more. I bought a pair of "one size fits most" halloween tights last weekend, but they were too small. I will keep them for next year! I would like to find something like that though. Have a great day everyone!!

Hi All, Nightline on ABC will be doing a story on sleeve surgeries tonight 10/25 here is a link about it: http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/fighting-weight-gain-radical-stomach-removal-surgery/story?id=11964731&page=1

OH, Tiny...my issue was that I gained that much in like 3 weeks!! I've been at 3.5 and 4 CC since my hospital visit in early Sept. I just started working out again about 3 weeks ago. Yep--totally coincided with my weight gain. I'm not a believer in that whole "muscle weighs more than fat" thing. I know I was hungrier when I started working out. I ate more. I ate healthy, but tended to eat more fibrous foods and not enough protein. Funny enough---I saw him today. I was in by 4:19 for my 4:30 appointment. I never even had a chance to fill out the paper that we do before each appointment. I was out before 4:30. He didn't even mention my weight gain! He simply told me it was "a good time for a fill". Oh, and to think I agonized about it!!! So he put me up to 5.0 cc's. Hoping the restriction will help with the hunger!!! Staying away from Halloween treats and candy hasn't been easy.....

Charlene .... WTG on your NSV !!!!! You have a band for a reason - go get a fill !!! Stay away from the starches and sugar period !!!! Muscle doesn't weigh more than fat - a pound is a pound - a pound of feathers is large in size than a pound of muscle - but its still a pound.. I takes a while to build muscles - so I am going to say that it's a weight gain and not that muscles weight more than fat - cuz again they don't.. If you are gaining you are eating more calories than you are burning.. Go get a fill - and be accountable with Sandy & Phyl and Great.. You can do this gf - just quit allowing yourself to make all the excuses you have been making about your eating... 3 days no sugar or starches - do a cleanse I hope to have my Peanut Butter when I get home - tonite Ya Great - feel so sorry for you with all your jet setting... Lucky Girl !!! .