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Ok everyone! so after 4 months of preparation and Dr. visits and the the untimely death of my brother in September and stressful 5lbs weight gain. I finally got my banding date, It's Nov 14. I am so happy and excited about it but at the same time I am wondering if I will be able to travel on the evening of the 15th? The man that murdered my brother will be going to court on the 16th and the entire family is expecting me to be there. My family members are unaware of my weight loss plan only my husband and long time friend knows. This will be the third court appearance (I missed the second one) as we find out what will happen to him at the same time we will be talking to the DA handling his case. Did I also say I am my families acting spokes person and all decisions are made as a whole with my mom, my 2 older sisters and myself plus my mom respects my decision making. What is this soon to be BANDSTER to do.

LOL Kick me while i'm down.......I guess that is why I only lurk on this website. Always afraid of posting something stupid and someone having something negative to say. For the record, I am sure that I showed how serious I was. I kicked a 22 year habit of drinking (6) 2 liters of Pepsi a day, I lost not only my required 10% but lost an additional 20 lbs, worked out 6 days a week for 6 months after not having exercised at all ever! It seems so silly to deny me for gaining 1/2 lb of my additional weight loss........and you want to assume I am not serious?????? Going through the Options program for another 12 weeks and waiting another 5 months to be called for surgery is not something I am interested in doing. If i have to pay out of pocket than jumping through more hoops I guess I will look into that. Did I mention that the 1/2 lb weight gain was just within a weeks time as I had seen him a week earlier. So we are all clear I gained a 1/2 lb of my ADDITIONAL weight loss and was denied. And I would hardly have a Surgery done and then say OH WELL I quit! that is just ridiculous and that is not what I said in my original post. Thanks to all of you who were supportive and offered suggestions I really appreciate it.

There is also the theory that as fat cells empty they fill with water causing short term weight gain or lack of loss. The fat cells then over time release the water and weight loss is the result.

I also have bipolar disorder and ADHD. I take seven different medications (lamictal, adderall,klonopin, navane, cymbalta and trazadone), and according to my shrink they don't really cause weight gain or increase in appetite. This is the cocktail that I have been on pretty much the past 2 1/2 years and it's working for me. The only new things are the trazadone, because I was having trouble sleeping, and we switched from ritalin to adderall. I know I can't stop taking my meds because my former psych wanted to detox me and kept me only on lamictal and valium, and I became so depressed it was horrible! Anyway, these meds have kept me out of the hospital the past 2 years and I thank god for that. I am now wondering if the lapband will affect my mood at all, since I will be taking in much fewer calories? has anyone felt a difference in their mood since getting their band? I keep having night mares lately that I'm in the hospital right after getting banded. Maybe I am just worrying too much!

Yes, you read correctly. It's a long and convoluted story...I thought my weight gain was due to something else and then I found out about the hypothyroidism and then the pregnancy so I ignored it and assumed I could just lose it after the baby was born. However, I didn't lose the weight and just continued to gain more. Now I need to do something to stop this vicious cycle.

They say stress causes hormone changes that cause weight gain. Maybe the stress of this upcoming huge event is to blame. I agree with perforce, how can they refuse the surgery due to weight gain when you have been approved. I am sure your team has seen this before. If you are really scared call the Drs office and talk to someone. Maybe the y woudl have you go on the liver shrink diet sooner. Good luck.

So I have been walking everyday and not changing my diet for the worse. I haven't been eating great but my surgery us Nov. 9 and my Pre-op first is set for Nov. 1. I have gained so much weight!! Is it stress? Water? What? It's making me so nervous for my physical. I have been approved and the date is set. There is no way I won't have it right? God I'm so scared!! And I have no clothes that fit me cause I'm gaining. I just bought some sweatpants and I look like..well I hate it! I wish my surgery was yesterday I'm so anxious!

I had a breast reduction in 1992 when I was 18...went from a DD to a C cup. The recovery was quite painful and I was in the hospital for six days and resting for about 3 weeks. It was extremely painful to have the drainage tubes removed. That was NOT a fun part. My breasts were rock hard for a year or two then they started to lower and soften up. I would frequently have stabbing pains in my breasts...from what i understand that's just the nerves regenerating. My nipples are still sensitive; however the sides and undersides of my breasts are completely numb. In 2002 I had my first daughter, and she was a preemie, in the NICU for 3 weeks. That made it extremely difficult to exclusively breastfeed her as I had to keep battling the nurses not to give her formula, I also didn't live in town and I pumped and pumped and pumped but I could barely get anything out. She was very sleepy and had a poor latch. So basically when I got her home I breastfed her but supplemented with formula. I nursed her for 3.5 years. My one breast did not work that well, so I didn't get much milk out of it, but the other worked great, so I had hugely insanely lopsided breasts while lactating. My second daughter was born in 2004, no complications, and I exclusively breastfed her for almost a year and a half - no formula! I was so proud of myself!! I even tandem breastfed both daughters. So now, 11 or so years after my reduction and a 100 lb weight gain, they are a bit saggy but still perky. My scars are pretty bad, you can see the scars in my cleavage, and i have keloid scars underneath them. It was one of the best decisions I made in my life to have the reduction. They used to hang straight down and my nipples pointed to the floor. Now they are perky and round and with the weight gain they are back at a DD but I'm OK with that. Hope this helps!!! Robby

OK what am I doing wrong? I was banded on 9-14-07. On the pre-op diet of shakes and salad I lost 23 lbs. Since the 14th. I have gained 5lbs. back. I figures that since I am on the liquid diet that I have probably had too much broth (sodium). I can't find the fat free and the low sodium broth so I chose the fat free. I was told that this is a time of healing and not to worry about the weight gain but I don't like it. Has anyone else gained weight after the surgery? :help:

Today is around 5 weeks since I hurt my knee and had to stop exercising. I must say it has been a very frustrating month. I have been doing therapy 3 times a week, now for 3 weeks and seriously there is little improvement. Not sure what I expected, "I think miracles". I guess my saving grace is that at least this did not happen at the beginning of my journey and I had already made progress. I have managed to maintain my weight loss and have even lost a few pounds. But I so much miss exercising, every time I see someone jogging or walking it makes me sad and makes me realize how much we all take for granted. Lap band surgery has given me back my life, I have so much more energy and has helped me re-build confidence in myself. I never realized how much being overweight had effected all aspects of my life. I wonder sometimes why I needed the lap band and why I could not have wrapped my brain around learning to control my portions myself. It took potential life altering health problems to shake me to reality and do something about my weight gain. The band truly is my friend and makes staying on track so much easier. I have thought many times over the past few months about getting a fill in my band so I would be able to lose weight faster. Patience has never been one of my attributes. I have always wanted instant gratification in what ever I did. I am glad I made the decision to work with the band instead of letting the band do all the work. I still have those days when I get stuck and PB, but they are usually because I fail to follow the rules and that is when I reflect back and realize if the band was not there to stop me I would easily revert back to bad behaviors. I honestly think I have found my "sweet spot" I can eat what I am suppose to eat, I rarely feel hunger, and food is not my main thoughts. I do occasionally splurge and allow myself a treat of a miniature chocolate or 100 calorie snack. The difference is I count these in my total daily calorie count. Yes guys I am one of those OCD people that has to count calories, I realize some think we should not have to do this but, I still do not trust myself, or maybe it is not trust but the fact I know myself and I know how easy it is to say: oh, that little bite won't matter, and a couple of desserts later your pants are too tight. I know a lot of you are still struggling to get to the place where I am. Don't give up on your self, each and everyone of us is work the trials and tribulations that we are going through. Believe in your self, because if you don't believe in yourself you can not expect others to. Don't let small roadblocks or set backs take away your focus. We all have common ground, this is a life journey and not a vacation from food. This is us building confidence in ourselves and learning to trust our selves alone in a room with the "evil" that lives inside. We all have our own demons to fight and all of our journeys are individual, we can't compare ourselves to one another and we all have to hold each other accountable. I am approaching my 1 year anniversary next month and I so wanted to be at goal but I know that I will not be there. But you know what? That's OK. Seriously, it is! I am pleased with my progress and realize that I will get there. So, I guess what I have learned most of late, is I have changed. I have moved from Diane the closet eater to Diane the obsessive calorie counter. I have always read that when you give up one addiction you usually develop a new one, well thank you God my obsession is managing my weight loss. So for all of you out there that are still struggling to reach that place where you are happiest, remember the happiness may not always be found in a number you reach on the scale but a happiness from within yourselves.

I have 20 tattoos. I was recently tattooed on the 20th of April and still going. The only one I am worried about is the 4 on my hips. Although I was 250lbs when I got them done and then lost weight and they looked fine when I was 120 lbs. THey still look fine at 188 lbs. What I am worried about is that I had a baby 2 years ago which caused my weight gain . So I have like a little preggo pouch/flap close to my pelvic area and if it doesnt spring back when I lose the weight then I will have to have them removed.. Which is not an option. But all of my other tattoos look great.:eek:

No I do not. I no longer weigh myself, count calories, or see a "nutritionist". I no longer equate my worth with my weight or consider weight gain a health risk. I decided life is too short to stay on a diet and they never worked well for me anyway. I've embraced mindful eating, food allowance, body positivity, and focus on spreading this message of body love out to others. I stay active and enjoy fitness but I do not care to eat by any other persons rules but my own. My weight is secondary to my overall happiness. Being fat isn't a crime and there was nothing wrong with me to begin with other than poor self care and a lack of self love. As for my weight, I'm not sure what it is but my size hasn't changed in over a year now.

man, thanks for the responses. Unfortunately Im back at 198 today! yuck! I hate that I'm gaining weight right now. I think i need to get on a more hard core diet. Previously i didnt really have to worry about going hungry because I was exercising sooo much. But now that alone isn't quite cutting it. I have started to do alot more lifting. Maybe that accounts for some of the weight gain, but it still doesnt feel good. I really hope it goes back down soon. I dont really look any different, but I feel different. Bloated. Maybe its Water weight?

@@chelly12A Oh I keep track of my sodium for sure..I posted a look at my daily stats from my "lose it " app up above in the thread, I keep an eye on my sodium, not because I have Bp or sodium problems but because I know it will make me retain water which = weight Gain. In order to keep my sodium levels down I almost always cook my own food from fresh at home that way I know exactly what's going in my food. I do use limited amounts of salt mixed with ms dash's sodium free seasonings. I also like to use fresh herbs, and I have a tendency to eat a lot of seafood which is generally low in sodium.

Sure, you can gain it back. As was stated above, it will depend upon your eating habits. If you do not work to overcome the causes of your weight gain to begin with, then you will gain weight. I have been sitting at the same weight for a few months now and I know it has more to do with my stress related eating habits than anything else. Pull myself out of it, get back to something healthy and exercise more, that's what will get me back on track. I met a woman a few months ago who told me she had had the bypass surgery 12 years ago. She seemed happy with where she was (good for her!) but my visual assessment of her classified her as obese, if not morbidly obese. With the sleeve, I doubt we will get back to our morbid obesity stages, but I can see it as being possible. If all you do to get your calories is drink them (mocha's, milkshakes, etc) then no weight loss regimen is going to work for you, whether it's diet or surgery.

My Birth control sends TOM packing, but I blame my weight gain on the birth control instead of TOM. (Depo Provera shot)

I havn't seen TOM in over 20 years, but blame some weight gain on lack of hormones.

Hmmm, I was waiting for a birth control forum. Your lucky you can use the patch because they tell me I am too FAT... boo hoo. I have been on the depo shot for the last 9 years or so and finally just got off of it last week. I somehow missed the point that it can cause hair loss and weight gain... New evidence shows that it definitely depletes the bone density too so we all decided it was time to try something new. For the moment I am using the pill (evidently one of the lower dose ones). I am trying to decide what long term device I want is s.a. an IUD or the Nuvaring. In the meantime I am hoping by getting off of depo maybe it will be easier to LOSE weight and GROW hair. I am taking really good chewable vitamins and calcium now sooooo.... Kristie, I'm sure you must feel like you took a big step backwards but it will settle out hopefully and come off. I would have been frustrated too. I get irritated when I stay at a plateu for more than a week or two. And God forbid I gain a pound or two back. I just ignore the bad scale reading and hope for a better one the following week. I ALWAYS think I am pigging out and NEVER think I have actually had a loss so it makes a nice surprise when the scale does show a loss. Anyway any insights would be great regarding anything about birth control. Teresa

Many smart women struggle with their weight and many busy, successful professional women resort to food to cope with the stress. Are you looking for solutions? Many smart women struggle with their weight and many busy, successful professional women resort to food to cope with the stress, uncertainty, and other emotions that occur in a full, high-pressure life. Unfortunately, for many, these battles with food become vicious cycles that look something like this: “Fresh starts” and plans that don’t work or don’t last, followed by feelings of defeat and inadequacy, followed by overeating and a period of trying to generate motivation (again), followed by another “fresh start.” This vicious cycle leaves women feeling bad about themselves and ineffective. It also often leads to weight gain instead of weight loss. If you are a high-achiever—a woman who is successful in many areas of her life who finds herself stuck in this cycle—there is a way out. Here are three tips to start breaking the yo-yo diet emotional eating cycle: Let go of the belief that you are alone and the only one struggling like this. If you are caught in this cycle with food and overeating, you’re in some great company. One of the most self-defeating actions you can take is to continue to struggle alone, heaping on self-blame and even shame. Find someone to talk to. Open your eyes to the possibility of support. Ask other women what they do when they struggle. Consider investing in yourself the same way you invest in your career and your family and your home and pursuing emotional eating solutions that can help you. Take control of perfectionism. You’re human and you’ll never be perfect. Perfectionism or all-or-nothing thinking is common among women who expect a lot of themselves. It can get you stuck in a pattern where making a poor choice is interpreted as “blowing it.” Women trying to lose weight fall for this all the time. Instead of continuing forward and allowing the next choice to be a better one, the tendency is to cash in all your chips and start down a road of overeating because you’re upset with yourself and you “failed.” Plan for imperfection. Train your mind to notice your progress and not just your missteps. Stop relying on willpower. This is a biggie. You are a high-achiever. You probably have a lot of willpower and stick-to-it-ness in other areas of your life. You may be lost in a mindset of beating yourself up over this cycle you are stuck in. If so, you probably tell yourself things like: “What’s wrong with me that I can’t get a grip on this?” “This should be easy.” “I’m just not trying hard enough.” “This is an embarrassment and I need to stop being lazy and just take a tough line with myself.” If you are still feeling stuck, read my first two tips again. The truth is that you’re stuck because your method isn’t effective. You’re missing something. Start with compassion for yourself for how big and deep and exhausting this struggle is. Try holding yourself in the same positive mental light that you’d hold a dear friend. Take a deep breath and allow yourself to treat this issue as a legitimate problem. Allow yourself to respect that you are in a tough spot. Instead of blaming yourself, give yourself permission to take the situation seriously. Now ask yourself what you need that you don’t have that could help. You may be tempted to choose some kind of judgment (“I’m lazy”), but instead, focus on identifying the outside resource or concept that could help (“I'm overloaded and I'm at a loss about how to feel better without overeating. I need some new tools.”). I find that high-achievers who are stuck in this overeating cycle hesitate (or don’t even think to) ask for: Help with finding motivation Help with creating time for themselves Help with accountability Help developing new skills and strategies Help with getting to the root of what’s triggering their overeating Help. Period. Approaching the problem with respect and allowing yourself the resources you need to be effective can make a world of difference. Are you stuck? Are you tired of spinning your wheels and feeling like you are wasting your energy? What small change could you start making today? Leave a comment and share your thoughts

Well my dietician emailed me back and it seems that I am on the right track and everything i'm experiencing(small weight gain, increased appetite) is perfectly normal. WHEW!!! I was about to lose it this weekend. so the dastardly scale now lives in the basement in a box is only allowed out on friday morning. I went to the gym for the first time today and i did one mile on the treadmill and one mile on the cross trainer. i'm tryn to work my way back up to a full hour of cardio. It actually felt good to be back in the gym. It seems that walking on the treadmill helps get rid of this gas i'm still struggling with as well. i know TMI! TMI! so i'm hoping it gets out of my shoulder for good! my incisions are healing very nicely, starting to itch a little, but i've started scar massage with mederma. well let me stop rambling. smooches!!!

Hello all, My name is Lisa and I live in Brooklyn, NY. I am considering lap band surgery and I wanted to hear about other's experiences on the process. I lost 100 pounds on my own 2002-2003 and have unfortunately gained ALL of it back in the past two years. :Banane37: This new weight gain is causing many health problems and my doctor has only one answer - lose weight. Which is annoying in itself (I'm sure you all can relate). One of my initial concerns is that I live alone and I am wondering about the recovery time and how others did it if they were alone. I also wanted to just commiserate and maybe get local referrals. I have been VERY hesitant to do this surgery - but I feel that I am too young to be feeling the way I do and feel that it would be a nearly impossible feat to lose the weight on my own. Look forward to hearing from you! Lisa

It's been a while, I hadn't blogged because there hasn't been much to report. I did receive my second fill today and I have lost an additional seven pounds since my last fill less than four weeks ago. My realistic loss was a little more because I had some additional retention from that "TOM". I guess my self-expectations are higher than what's realistic, I know we all think that what we've lost isn't good enough, and I have to continually check myself on not negating my progress. It's hard work! The portion controls, stopping yourself from completely indulging in a meal that you're enjoying, sacrificing your time by going to the gym and keeping in mind that you've invested some major buckaroos in attaining these goals. I'm grateful that I haven't experienced the stuck feeling, the slimming, or the episodes of pain from eating too fast or eating the wrong things altogether. I've pretty much been able to eat what I want without deprivation or restriction, but I have learned the art of grazing on those things that are the most appetizing to me. One or two bites and it's enough to satisfy that craving or curiosity. I am a workout fanatic, I love participating in spin class, lifting weights, riding my mountain bike and doing some type of High Intensity Circuit Training, because of that I have seen a difference in inches loss and total fat percentage decrease. This week has been a bit of a struggle because of my "not-so-friendly" monthly visitor, so I hope I can bounce back next week and reach my goal of working out twice daily (wish me luck). Another thing, I spoke to my PA today and I asked her about combining the lap band with the HCG injections and diet. I had actually invested 600 bucks on the program before I decided to get the Lapband. I have a vial left and she said that the diet acceptable for the protocol, but to not be discouraged if I experience a sudden loss and then later an uptick in weight gain. So I'm still trying to decide whether or not I want to do the protocol for about 20 days to jumpstart my loss (we're talking 20lbs in 20 days). I'll keep you guys posted on my progress. I did get a B12 injection today (included with the HCG program that I had paid for in the Spring) and it's supposed to increase my energy and help to efficiently metabolize fat. I did take them once a week last year, and I could tell a significant difference in my overall energy level and weight loss. I know I'm kinda long winded tonight, I'm completely relaxed as I sit here sipping on my Apple Martini! Good Night All Happy Travels, Kymberly

Styct, I don't eat strictly low carb. I don't know about you but I didn't have this surgery so I could continue stressing over calorie and carb counts. That being said I still do follow the rules to the best of my abilities. I try to eat all my protein first. I wait an hour after I eat to drink. It is a funny thing my body has done to me though. I don't really like a lot of the simple carbs anymore. My husband has made roasted chicken and potatoes and when I try to eat the potatoes they don't taste the same anymore or they don't taste as good as I remember. It is totally weird its like I put them in my mouth and chew and they just are not appealing anymore. I told someone that and they thought it was sad and I guess if I hadn't had the surgery it would be but its not like that its as if my brain has switched off my potato loving button. But my doctor actually wants us to have three servings of dairy a day, either yogurt or milk and both yogurt and milk have carbs. Plus, one serving of a complex carb a day. So I guess my doctor's diet isn't strictly low carb. I have lost 26 pounds in 5 weeks which for me is fast enough. I think if my weight loss started to slow down I might consider being more strict on myself. I think just follow the rules and don't stress over it. Plus if your stressed about the diet your own you might hold fat. Stress is known to cause weight gain.

Hi there Natty, I was just banded 2/8. I didnt have to go on a pre op diet. My Dr. said that we are on a liquid diet after surgery and does not like to do that before because he believes its too long and people may give in an sneak or fail. The morning for surgery I got up and headed to the hospital alone. I had to be there by 8:45. My boyfriend was going to get our little girl ready and meet me there before surg. When I got there I checked in. They took me to a waiting room with other people having surgery. After a short time they called me back and checked me in and asked me a bunch of questions about meds, when I ate/drank last ect. I went back to the waiting room and about 15 mins later they came and got me. I was takin to an area that is set up like ER but its you and other people waiting for surg. I then changed into my gown and stylish non skid socks they give you. They were running a little behind. Another gal came in and asked me the same questions about meds, food,water ect. My two loves had now shown up. They gave me a shot in the tummy to prevent clots and said it would sting but I didnt feel anything and also got my IV started. I felt very relaxed this whole time. This was something I had worked hard for. 13 months to be exact. My Dr. came in and said sorry that they were behind but I should be just a few more mins. The anesthesiologist came in next and explained that there was a student there with him that day and asked if he could put the breathing tube down my throat. He explained thats all the student would do if I said yes and he would not be in there for the procedure. After saying yes he told me he was going to give me something in my IV to relax me. He said since I take xanax that I might not feel much and he would give me more in a min. He asked how I was feeling when we got to the OP Room and I said I was ok. He intoduced me to the two ladies in there that would be assisting. After that he said I am going to give you some more now and thats all I remember. I woke up crying lol. I said I was sorry for crying to the nurse. I asked how everything went and she told me it went great. She asked if I was crying because of pain. I explained to her that I was crying because I was happy it was finally done and sad because I made it and my mom didnt. My mom was trying to have the band and before she ever got to being approved or getting close she passed shortly after her 46th bday in her sleep from heart failure. She was amazed that I came out of it and was talking like nothing had just happend. I was told I had to stay in recovery for 2 hrs but after about 30 mins I wanted to go pee so she brought the lovely bed side pot over and I laughed. She told me its this or a bed pan honey. I got up and went and then layed back down. She called up and told them I didnt need to be there for 2 hrs and was ready for my room. My Dr. wanted me to stay over night. Went to my room and got to see my two love. Couldnt have anything to drink. My mouth was so dry. I finally talked them into letting me swish water around in my mouth and spit it out. Was givin the go on clear liquids by my DR but no more after midnight because of the swallow test. I stayed awake all night watching TV and playing on my phone. Did the test at 8 am. everything looked good so I was allowed to go back on clears. (I didnt mention that I was up walking around all night as well.) After surg I was up and walking within 30 mins of being in my room after the recovery area. Not much pain at all. I am now a week out and feeling great. I have already been going to the gym. My only complaint is that gas/ pressure in ur chest below ur breast and the water weight gain. Both of those lest day 5 post op. Sorry I shared such a long story lol. If I had to do it again I would no questions asked. I wish you the best of luck and I hope everything goes smooth for you. Ps. if you search surgery stories in the forum a thread will come up titled surgery day stories. I read from there non stop lol for 2 days before my surg.

I talked with my dietician regarding my weight gain, she said as long as I follow the diet shes not worried. I lost in my 6 month doctor supervised diet. because of that they are only concerned with shrinking my liver. My Dr.'s office gives everone the same plan you just stay between 800-1200 calories. She has actually advised me to stay at the 1200 range. Adding an extra dairy or meat serving. since I've been in the 1000 range the last week. Especially since there's a chance I might have to stay on the diet until the 16th instead of the 2nd with my Insurance denial.