Search the Community

Don't worry about the weight gain. I had my sleeve on November 29th and initially gained probably 10 pounds from the surgery and fluids. I was a little stressed too when I got home and weighed more than when I left. However, the second week out I lost 17lbs!! It will come off, trust me!!

Well, my wife has been dieting and trying to eat about the same thing as me. Understand she is NOT banded. She has done terriffic, but the reason I got banded is because I believe everyone can lose weight until biologically we are driven to start eating too much again. I just believe, for most people it is inevitable to regain on a diet because we have in our basic genetic code too many things that work against us. I watch how hard she is working and I remember how difficult it used to be, and it really makes me feel bad. In fact it is down right upsetting. I wanted her to get either banded or get a gastric sleeve at the same time as me, but she just doesn't want to do it. She wants to lose it on her own. Well she is a strong women who has proven she can do it, but it is a terrible thing to watch how hard it is for her. I also feel that she has lost the weight in the past and can do it again, but has also always gained it back. Why can't she see how futile it is without some help? I'm just really frustated for her, and I feel guilty, about how well and how much easier this is with help. And then I dred what I think is inevitable, the biological need to eat will force her back into weight gain and make her feel like a failure.

When i first went to the surgeon I went for a consult on the band. She informed me that she was actually taking out more bands tthan she is putting in, but this is for her patients around the 5 year mark. They are experincing problems with continued weight loss, band issues and health complications believed to have been created from the band. She said that if the patient had increased weight gain after removal or at time of removal, was closer to an unhealthy BMI than a healthy one, most insurances were approving the sleeve. Hopefully yours will do the same and it will be smooth so that you can continue on your way.

Hi ladies! Has anyone had any experiences with getting the depo shot post-surgery? My surgery was Nov. 23rd, 2018. I'm terrified of the weight gain aspect and I was thinking of switching to the patch instead. Any advice would be much appreciated! Thank-you. [emoji3] Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I feel like such a failure. I'm at 6 cc's in a 10 cc band and have gained approx 10 lbs in the past 2-3 months. Was supposed to get a fill 2 weeks ago, but after learning of the weight gain my doctor has made me keep a food journal for the next month to track of exactly what I'm putting in my mouth. I'm supposed to be eating 1200 to 1250 calories per day. I'm eating healthy, but too much still. Has anyone else gone through this aggravation? I'm mad at myself more because I'm self-pay so it feels like money going down the drain - hard earned money! I just want to get back on track and lose this stupid weight.

Anyone else? I did the 3 months of monitored weight loss. I had to lose 6 lbs over the 3 months, I lost 9. Saw the Dr mid July. Took her 2 weeks to get my referral. I see the surgeon next week. I have gained 3 to 4 lbs. There are so many factors as to why but I don't like excuses so I won't even get into them. Has anyone else had this happen and how did the surgeon address it? I plan on busting my butt this week to get them off again, I just wanna be prepared in case 1 or 2 linger. I always thought 6 lbs wouldn't be a big deal, but it was...

I am 6.5 years post surgery RNY. I have in the past year gained 20lbs. Today starts my 5 day pouch reset. Anyone else done this? Any tips? Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Good Morning everyone! I needed some feedback and support regarding insurance not paying for bariatric surgery, I also have Aetna POS here in Louisiana and I too went through the 90 day program one of Aetna requirements, I fit all of the criteria and just last week received noticed I was denied because I gained 1 lb and did not schedule my procedure within 6 months of my initial start date. I was in shock, upset, and very disappointed. how can this be, initial program date 6/25/15 last weigh in date 9/16/15 and immediately was denied, I researched and hired obesity advocate /attorneys to fight this since Dec 2015 to start the first appeal process and last week the appeal was denied because I gained 1 lb. I do not understand that policy, I weighed in summer which means my clothes were lighter, then last weigh in was September which my clothes would have been a little heavier 1 lb is not a significant amount of weight to consider because 1 to 2 lbs can come from many factors such as clothes, time of the month, or if I had a snack or lunch prior to the appointment my clothes alone would weigh 1 to 2 lbs COME ON'. I can understand if I gained 5 lbs to 10 lbs of weight. OMG!! I want to scream...... Has anyone experienced AETNA denying surgery for weight gain and then was approved after it was appealed first or second time? Now we are going for round 2 and want to know if it is worth it bec I am so disappointed with Aetna. HELP!! please ADVISE!!

I am 2 yrs going on 3 in February post op. I lost a total of 60 lbs in the first year but re gained 45lbs that's a lot. In that time I went through a separation, relocated to a new state and fell back to my old eating habits this is hard to admit but I need help again. I'm working on eating better however I need help, tips how do I start my weight loss again. BTW does anyone else feel hungry all the time?

First off, I am considered a 'low BMI' patient and recall asking my doc over a decade ago about GB with insurance paying for it. She laughed and told me I'd qualify if I gained 40 pounds, kept it on for 2+ years while trying to lose weight, and developed co-morbidities. I was fairly trim until my 30s but have 2 problems contributing to consistent weight gain. First, I have really big boobs, and if that sounds silly try exercising with them. Second, I can eat the same amount as everyone around me but I gain weight while they lose or stay the same. I had anecdotally seen this for years when I discovered 'myfitnesspal' about 6 years ago and began tracking. I discovered I have to stay below 1000 calories per day not to gain weight, and drop to below 800 to lose. That is simply unsustainable. 5 years ago I went on phentermine and lost 35 pounds. While that was great, like most dieters I cannot sustain the weight loss. I stumble home exhausted, with no energy, and at night begin to crave food. That pretty much goes along with the research on those who have lost weight but not been able to keep it off; reduced metabolism by about 50% and the necessity to eat 500 fewer calories than a 'normal' weight person in order to sustain the weight loss. My weight has been climbing steadily for the past 3 years, and as I've gotten close to my highest weight my energy has returned and my weight leveled off. Still, though, I am frustrated at not being able to keep it off. After reading the latest articles on the inability of 99% of weight losers to successfully keep weight off, I began to think about bariatric surgery. I was considering India for its low cost, but English friends told me a lot of Brits have serious problems with their surgeries there. I have a cousin in Belgium, though, an American who married a Belgian man, and she has glowing things to say about medicine in Belgium. In looking around I discovered Dr. Bruno Dillemans and the International Surgery Group ('ISG' based in Ireland) and contacted them. Dr. Dillemans reviewed my information online and suggested a standard Rouen Y gastric bypass. He told me that in his experience this is the gold standard and patients who demand other surgeries such as the sleeve, which many of his international patients request, end up coming back for the full bypass. He asked several questions via email and the ISG. For reasons of cost and convenience I elected to have my pre-op tests and consult done the morning of my surgery. I know some people have an aversion to this, but I did my research, knew my general health was quite good, and didn't see much reason to have a consult one day and operation the next, as my mind was made up. My surgery was 3 days ago, June 21st - hard to believe it's been just about 70 hours! I checked in at 7:30 AM with clear and good instructions from ISG. First up was a series of 3 tests; bloodwork, lung xray, and EKG. As has been my experience in another European hospital the results were processed right away and the doctor had them by the time I met with him at noon. In my room as I waited for them to take me to surgery I thought to myself, "Why am I doing this to a perfectly healthy body?!" But I am a professor and researcher and have read all the literature and the reality is our chance of losing weight on our own is almost non-existent. Once one has gained weight the body will fight forever to return to that weight. We should tell every young person this basic fact and try to prevent them from gaining weight in the first place. When they came to roll me from my room to the surgical suite I said to the orderly, "oh now I am really nervous," and she smiled kindly and said, "Everyone is at this point, everyone, and some are quite terrified." That, plus the surgeon's record, were quite reassuring. The process itself was smooth and I remember little. I was interested in the side by side metallic operating room doors which opened as people went in and out - I could see another laparoscopic operation going on in mine. I was in a little bay outside the operating room and the anesthesiologist and a tech went over everything thoroughly. Interestingly, on the ceiling was a security camera dome - apparently they film everything that's going on so can review the tapes if there is a future problem. The very kind tech held a mask near my face and asked me to breathe deeply. I recall going under and saying, "Here I go, I'll see you on the other side..." I recall only a bit of the recovery room and asking several times if I could turn on my side as it hurt to breathe, but they would not let me. Finally I was taken back to my room and the Dr. and his resident came to check on me. My drain was bleeding a lot and they examined it. Dr. Dillemans explained that he had stretched the incision with the equipment and the edge was bleeding so they would need to put 2 more stitches in, which they did. The Resident commented that I was the "Stoic American" and, thank heavens, told me that I could (finally) roll onto my right side, I slept most of the rest of that day. I recall asking if I could get up and walk to the bathroom but the nurses wouldn't let me, saying it was too soon after surgery (I think in the US they try to get you up asap, so this was different). I finally called for a bedpan and that nurse was a bit short with me - I asked her to close the window blinds and she said "we will do it when we come in to check you," and I realized they were in the middle of rounds so simply told her, "Thank you, but I have no way of knowing that" and she seemed a bit chagrined. I only called for a nurse one other time and both times the response was within 2 minutes. Overall I am thus far happy that I went ahead with this. At least now I have 'a chance' where before I feeling pretty hopeless about sustaining weight loss. The Belgian hospital and procedures were stellar, super clean (they tested me for MERSA as well as 2 other common bacterial infections), cleaned my room 2x per day, were state of the art and efficient. I don't like nurses hovering around me and they didn't, but checked up on me every hour or so and came immediately when I called. Total cost of the medical portion was $9,981. Since I was already coming to Europe anyway there was no added expense other than the hotel, which I split with my cousin since she wanted to visit friends in Brugge. I weighed today, expecting my weight would be the same since I don't feel any smaller and they stuffed me full of IV drugs, but I've already lost nearly 10 pounds. I recommend this to anyone going through the same struggles and frustration with weight. I'm happy to share info or insights with anyone thinking of this route.

Yes, there is approval to go through. Your first stop is to a wl surgeon and tell them if U have any acid reflex, weight gain, throwing up, etc. it was nice at my surgeons office they have the machine that you can watch swallow test. I went back cause I started gaining weight and discovered my esophagus was dilated and would require the band be removed. The scope was next to see what the band and everything looks like. After that it was submitted to insurance. I hope this helps.

Darcy, It's not unusual for me to see the scale go up instead of down. I cannot weigh myself every day or it will drive me insane. I can easily become obsessed with the scale. I attribute a lot of my 1-3 pound weight gain episodes on excess Water retention. I bet the same has happened to you. Hang in there, I know how frustrating it is to see the scale go up instead of down. But you'll go back down again soon. I must have missed reading why you had your fill removed?

I too suffer from clinical depression and anxiety. I do take medication for it and my psychiatrist has to watch me closely because it can increase appetite thus leading to me eating too much and as a result weight gain. Then as a result I become more depressed. My advice is for anyone who might even THINK they may be suffering from this deadly disease is to seek medical professional help immediately.

Hi Jen, I have PCOS and I was put on Metformin as well as BC pills to help regulate my cycle and reduce the symptoms of PCOS (acne, weight gain, etc.). I've been on this combination 1 full year and it has helped to regulate my cycle better and reduce the acne. It has done absolutely nothing to reduce my weight gain, but I do know of others it has helped in that regard.

Not being able to exercise does make it harder. I didn't exercise at all from my surgey in November until May, but once I started walking ( I was walking some before surgery and then stopped after surgery) it made a difference. Spring was when I stopped losing, not having restriction, but the walking stopped any weight gain and actually I have lost a few more pounds. Water aerobics would be great, especially during these hot summer months! You're an experienced and successful bandster, you know what to do to get to where you want to be.

One Day in April (2006) I decided that this weight gain has gone too far. I hated feeling "sick" all the time. I def do not feel my age, and didn't want to look older than my age. My sister had gastric bypass surgery done 4 years ago. I was a huge supporter of this as I do not want to see her die young (she is younger than me).:faint: At the time I was no where near the weight you have to be to have WLS. Last year I went to Europe with my oldest daughter for two weeks...we literally "walked" europe. I came home 17 lbs lighter:D , I vowed the weight would not come back. I lied. :phanvan It not only came back, it brought 30 of it's friends with it......ugh:cry . Oh I didn't mention that I am not a big snack-attacker....I am a full-time student whose husband cooks like a gourmet and I am at his mercy at dinnertime:hungry: . I also have three kids, three dogs, two cats....busy house.

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

Ugh-good to hear as well (well not for those individuals). The only thing I'm nervous about is the constant weight gain. But then I think "r u serious? If I cold lose it I would". Don't want to wait anymore :( Having a bad day/night with this. Thank you as well for your support

I am on depo shot every 3 months and have been way before surgery and its been my savior. One of the side effect is weight gain but for some reason, I have not gained a pound since I have been on it but I know someone that has gained weight while on it. I had my baby 7/10/12 and was given the shot before I was discharged 3days later.

Well, the guidelines for bariatric surgery are continuously evolving. There is evidence of the benefit of bariatric surgery for Class 1 Obesity (30+BMI) as well as the benefit for overweight patients with significant comorbidities, of which I have about 10. That, coupled with a rapid weight gain over the past year does actually qualify me for surgery. My original sleeve was made larger than most because of my severe GERD. Unfortunately the sleeve has made it worse. My surgeon recommended a bypass prior to my sleeve surgery, but I was too scared to do it. Remember that there is a broad range of what is considered safe medical practice, and there are indeed reputable surgeons who will do bariatric surgery for patients like me. I support everyone in doing whatever is best for them, including choosing their surgeon and procedure. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am the opposite. It has not made me stronger. I was thin until my 20's, hitting 140 at 23 and gaining steadly upward every year since. In comparison to how I felt about myself/life thinner, I am not quite as confident. My self-esteem is not as high. I dont feel as attractive. I dont feel as energetic as I could and should. That all hurts something inside of me. Dont get me wrong, I am a happy, confident, and still attractive person....I just dont feel it 100% and havent for some time. I still had all those qualities in droves at 150, 160 and even 170lbs. I always felt like "I am still ME, just a little bigger"........... Then somewhere in this weight gain I started feeling like I wasn't ME anymore. Pictures downright freak me out, I think "how did I let this happen to myself". It is a little scary how much our outer appearance affects not only how others see us, but how we see ourselves.

Donna - I think you should definitely take a look. 90 pounds ago, I met an athletic man that we jokingly call a health-freak. We are still together, he never once said a word about my weight gain other than when I brought it up. At those times he says if you want to lose weight then do it. He just wants me to be happy. He has been supportive through all my false starts at this and in between. I am fortunate to have him and if I had been afraid, I would have missed him.

I'm a bariatric baby, but I love this comment. No one becomes morbidly obese and qualifies for weight loss surgery unless they have a problem with food except for the rare person with a medical issue that can only be solved with severe calorie restriction (I have PCOS and depression but I know that is responsible for only part of my weight gain, not all or even most of it). It bugs me to see how quickly people forget their pre-surgery life and become judgemental. There are people on this thread questioning this man's mental health because he ate a small amount of protein. He didn't eat an entire cake or a gallon of ice cream.

The stats he is quoting is from the early days of the Band when it was just approved. I totally remember the study and the discussions it caused on the Bandster boards. This was probably 2002 or so. I think you need to go with the operation you are comfortable with. Ask yourself, if I was to lose 50-60% of my Excess Weight, would that make a big difference in my quality of life?? The good and bad thing about the Band is its adjustability. You need to get regular fills... and may always need a bit of tweaking (due to permeability of the Band... they now recommend having your Fluid checked every 6 months during maintenance.) So, if this doc is not going to be pro-Band, and help you with your fills and such, you need to find another doc. Not one who is going to say... "Are you sure you don't want me to convert you to an RNY?" I really think that each operation is great for different people. I think you'll get the best advice from surgeons who perform all of the operations--RNY, Lap-Band, DS, and VSG. Who don't have a stake one way or the other. My Lap-Band doc was Dr. Rumbaut. At the time, pre-FDA approval, he'd done thousands of Bands. He has a Band himself. But he also does the RNY and says that it is a better choice for some people. I would try consulting with a pro-Band doctor as well... and see what the experience is like. And then, make your decision. I need to disagree with this... being a long-term Bandster. I know quite a few people who had to have their Bands unfilled due to reflux issues. If they refill, they will have those problems again. BUT, for whatever reason, they're not willing to have their Bands removed. So... in theory that's correct, but in practice, not always. Let's see what I can find for you that's more recent: Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2007 Jan-Feb;3(1):42-50; discussion 50-1. Links Comparative study between laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and laparoscopic gastric bypass: single-institution, 5-year experience in bariatric surgery. * Jan JC, * Hong D, * Bardaro SJ, * July LV, * Patterson EJ. Oregon Weight Loss Surgery, LLC, Legacy Health System, Portland, Oregon 97210, USA. BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) are common surgical procedures for morbid obesity. Few single-institution studies have compared LRYGB and LAGB. METHODS: All patients underwent LRYGB or LAGB at Legacy Health System. The data for the study were obtained from a prospectively maintained database. Preoperatively, most patients were allowed to choose between LRYGB and LAGB. Age, gender, body mass index, complications, mortality, and weight loss were examined. RESULTS: From October 2000 to October 2005, 492 patients underwent LRYGB and 406 patients underwent LAGB. The mean age was 44 +/- 10 and 47 +/- 11 years, respectively (P <.001). The mean preoperative body mass index was 49 +/- 8 and 51 +/- 9 kg/m(2) (P <.05). Patients undergoing LRYGB had longer operative times (134 +/- 41 min versus 68 +/- 26 min, P <.001) and longer hospital stays (2.5 +/- 3.5 d versus 1.1 +/- 1.1 d, P <.001). Blood loss was minimal in both groups. The percentage of excess weight loss was significantly better for patients who underwent LRYGB at all points of follow-up, except at 5 years. Total complications occurred in 32% of patients who underwent LRYGB and 24% of patients who underwent LAGB (P = .002). The 90-day mortality rate was .2% in both groups. The reoperation rate was the same (17%) in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing LAGB had shorter operative times and shorter hospital stays compared with patients undergoing LRYGB. LAGB was associated with a lower complication rate. Early weight loss was significantly greater after LRYGB, but the data comparing long-term weight loss after LRYGB and LAGB have been inconclusive. PMID: 17241936 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2007 Mar-Apr;3(2):127-32. Epub 2007 Feb 27. Links Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: 5-year results of a prospective randomized trial. * Angrisani L, * Lorenzo M, * Borrelli V. S. Giovanni Bosco Hospital, Naples, Italy. BACKGROUND: To perform a prospective, randomized comparison of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). METHODS: LAGB, using the pars flaccida technique, and standard LRYGB were performed. From January 2000 to November 2000, 51 patients (mean age 34.0 +/- 8.9 years, range 20-49) were randomly allocated to undergo either LAGB (n = 27, 5 men and 22 women, mean age 33.3 years, mean weight 120 kg, mean body mass index [bMI] 43.4 kg/m(2); percentage of excess weight loss 83.8%) or LRYGB (n = 24, 4 men and 20 women, mean age 34.7, mean weight 120 kg, mean BMI 43.8 kg/m(2), percentage of excess weight loss 83.3). Data on the operative time, complications, reoperations with hospital stay, weight, BMI, percentage of excess weight loss, and co-morbidities were collected yearly. Failure was considered a BMI of >35 at 5 years postoperatively. The data were analyzed using Student's t test and Fisher's exact test, with P <.05 considered significant. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 60 +/- 20 minutes for the LAGB group and 220 +/- 100 minutes for the LRYGB group (P <.001). One patient in the LAGB group was lost to follow-up. No patient died. Conversion to laparotomy was performed in 1 (4.2%) of 24 LRYGB patients because of a posterior leak of the gastrojejunal anastomosis. Reoperations were required in 4 (15.2%) of 26 LAGB patients, 2 because of gastric pouch dilation and 2 because of unsatisfactory weight loss. One of these patients required conversion to biliopancreatic diversion; the remaining 3 patients were on the waiting list for LRYGB. Reoperations were required in 3 (12.5%) of the 24 LRYGB patients, and each was because of a potentially lethal complication. No LAGB patient required reoperation because of an early complication. Of the 27 LAGB patients, 3 had hypertension and 1 had sleep apnea. Of the 24 LRYGB patients, 2 had hyperlipemia, 1 had hypertension, and 1 had type 2 diabetes. Five years after surgery, the diabetes, sleep apnea, and hyperlipemia had resolved. At the 5-year (range 60-66 months) follow-up visit, the LRYGB patients had significantly lower weight and BMI and a greater percentage of excess weight loss than did the LAGB patients. Weight loss failure (BMI >35 kg/m(2) at 5 yr) was observed in 9 (34.6%) of 26 LAGB patients and in 1 (4.2%) of 24 LRYGB patients (P <.001). Of the 26 patients in the LAGB group and 24 in the LRYGB group, 3 (11.5%) and 15 (62.5%) had a BMI of <30 kg/m(2), respectively (P <.001). CONCLUSION: The results of our study have shown that LRYGB results in better weight loss and a reduced number of failures compared with LAGB, despite the significantly longer operative time and life-threatening complications. PMID: 17331805 [PubMed - in process] Obes Surg. 2003 Jun;13(3):427-34. Links Comment in: Obes Surg. 2003 Dec;13(6):965. Outcome after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding - 8 years experience. * Weiner R, * Blanco-Engert R, * Weiner S, * Matkowitz R, * Schaefer L, * Pomhoff I. Krankhenhaus Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Section of Bariatric Surgery, Germany. rweiner@khs-ffm.de BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) has been our choice operation for morbid obesity since 1994. Despite a long list of publications about the LAGB during recent years, the evidence with regard to long-term weight loss after LAGB has been rather sparse. The outcome of the first 100 patients and the total number of 984 LAGB procedures were evaluated. METHODS: 984 consecutive patients (82.5% female) underwent LAGB. Initial body weight was 132.2 +/- 23.9 SD kg and body mass index (BMI) was 46.8 +/- 7.2 kg/m(2). Mean age was 37.9 (18-65). Retrogastric placement was performed in 577 patients up to June 1998. Thereafter, the pars flaccida to perigastric (two-step technique) was used in the following 407 patients. RESULTS: Mortality and conversion rates were 0. Follow-up of the first 100 patients has been 97% and ranges in the following years between 95% and 100% (mean 97.2%). Median follow-up of the first 100 patients who were available for follow-up was 98.9 months (8.24 years). Median follow-up of all patients was 55.5 months (range 99-1). Early complications were 1 gastric perforation after previous hiatal surgery and 1 gastric slippage (band was removed). All complications were seen during the first 100 procedures. Late complications of the first 100 cases included 17 slippages requiring reinterventions during the following years; total rate of slippage decreased later to 3.7%. Mean excess weight loss was 59.3% after 8 years, if patients with band loss are excluded. BMI dropped from 46.8 to 32.3 kg/m(2). 5 patients of the first 100 LAGB had the band removed, followed by weight gain; 3 of the 5 patients underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) with successful weight loss after the redo-surgery. 14 patients were switched to a "banded" LRYGBP and 2 patients to a LRYGBP during 2001-2002. The quality of life indices were still improved in 82% of the first 100 patients. The percentages of good and excellent results were at the highest level at 2 years after LAGB (92%). CONCLUSIONS: LAGB is safe, with a lower complication rate than other bariatric operations. Reoperations can be performed laparoscopically with low morbidity and short hospitalizations. The LAGB seems to be the basic bariatric procedure, which can be switched laparoscopically to combined bariatric procedures if treatment fails. After the learning curve of the surgeon, results are markedly improved. On the basis of 8 years long-term follow-up, it is an effective procedure. PMID: 12841906 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Hi everybody. This is my first entry on this site. You all seem like such a close nit supportive group. I'm having my surgery in Monterrey, Mexico on May 18th. I'm pretty nervous but I just keep reading and educating myself. I'm going to get my fills in Fill Center USA in Mount Laurel, NJ. It's about 30 miles north of me so pretty convenient. One thing that I have to say is that I have very little support in this. I have chosen not to tell people. My kids are too young and it would scare them. I'm so afraid of negative feedback because my mind is made up and I'm afraid it will get me down if people are negative. Does that make sense? Somehow I have to find somebody to tell so that if god forbid anything happened I could be reached. Hmmm. Anyway, I have a few weeks to work on this and maybe I'll come up with someone I can trust with my heart. My story is that I'm a New York State transplant and have lived here in Jersey for 10 years. I'm divorced but happily so. I always battled the pounds but stayed in pretty good shape until my 40's. I actually had my kids late my normal standards. I was 37 and 40 when I had them, I'm 50 now and have managed to get myself way heavier than I should be. So here I am. I'm an RN and live in south Jersey. I'm very contented with my life other than the fact that my weight is becoming an all consuming problem for me. Although I don't have medical complications I will if I keep this weight gain up like I have been. I feel like I'm being proactive. With young kids I need to stay healthy for a long time. Thanks for listening Laurie