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I am going on the 29th July with my husband and having the band on the 30th July. I asked the bank to transfer the whole amount and they charged me £24.00 for the service. Looking forward to hearing from Frederik with regards to the confirmation details (have emailled but nothing so far) he does answer but sometimes you have to chase him. Looking forward to this as I have drawn the line and just want to get on. A client asked me today if I was really excited and then went quiet and said or are you scared and I was honest and said not scared at all just excited that I have made this decision and therefore feel very much in control of it and know that if it fails it's because I didn't follow the rules. My fingers are crossed all will be well as I just want to be healthy and enjoy life. I'm not governed by food but I am an addict when it comes to exercise and have really missed it because of the weight gain after the acl reconstruction (knee) so I am looking forward to playing competitively again. I started back at tennis a few weeks ago and loving it. Hope all who are going over in the next few weeks have a very positive experience and we are all here to support each other and to listen. Happy for anyone to pm me or call. Take care and remember that we have one life, we have to live it and enjoy it and do everything we can to get the most from it. Claire x

The link that I posted says something about the old school BC's and weight gain. I wish I could go on Mirena (it's an implant that goes up in your biz, Katy) but I haven't had any babies. My OB won't put it in, something about the cervix not being dilated before. So, I'm on the Nuva ring which is low dose too.

Here's an interesting read on birth control and weight gain. I'm on the nuva-ring personally, I think my weight gain has been because of my eating habits and I too have PCOS. Anyway, it's worth a read: Birth Control Pills: Weight Gain and Fluid Retention

You have done a great thing for yourself. If your mom is like mine, maybe she did something like tell everyone to not mention it. People just do the weirdest things sometimes. But you have done a great thing for yourself, and I guess people don't know how to react. It is like they are waiting for the regain....I get a lot of those lap band stories b/c people do not know the difference between surgeries. At least we grow up and get to have husbands that appreciate it, heh? I had a funeral to go to yesterday and it was awkward b/c there were a lot of people that haven't seen me in years and they didn't know what to say. They knew I had surgery I'd imagine. But I just said that I'd been fat for 20 years and figured it was time for a change. Or I said I decided to lose my pregnancy weight gain after 12 years - kind of made a joke. The worst part was b/c my clothes are all falling off I had nothing cute in black so had to wear a bright pink suit so I really stuck out at the funeral. Simply b/c I had nothing to wear like a skirt or dress. It was sorta funny b/c I hadn't thought no one else would wear a summer color, and they didn't. I was like a light bulb. I laughed it off. They probably thought I planned that, but I just didn't have any dressy clothes in my size. haha

I think you are right. I take FM medication and bp medication. The dr told me the bp med I am on causes weight gain. I have been counting my calories and protein, but I haven't been monitoring my carbs. I need to go back and stay under 50 carbs a day like my shake diet. I forgot that you eat a lot of calories to maintain. We all have different metabolisms. I will probably buy the Optifast products today to supplement my new food diet. I don't think I am ready for a totally food diet. Great, thanks for the carb reminder! Janet, thanks for the pep talk! Apples, you and the gang keep me in check . Thanks for letting me vent. Okay, I walked.......gotta go shower.....go to nutrition class.....weigh.....babysit. Will check in later! HUGS!

Awww...Thanks Leigha...and an FYI...from Dictionary.com Bulimia: An eating disorder, common especially among young women of normal or nearly normal weight, that is characterized by episodic binge eating and followed by feelings of guilt, depression, and self-condemnation. It is often associated with measures taken to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives, dieting, or fasting. Also called bulimarexia , bulimia nervosa . I don't think that applies to trying to get unstuck. Never felt guilty, nor have I condemned myself!

Hello! Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm KatjaE and I just got my surgery date of August 27 -- about six weeks away. I'm a complete beginner here, but I think I'm ready. I'm more excited than nervous. I've already made a LOT of behavioral changes over the last year: -- In March 2009, I started exercising 6 days a week (33 minutes on a recumbent stationary bike). This did not lead to weight loss, but it made me feel stronger and healthier. -- In the summer of 2009, I stopped eating ice cream and started eating big salads almost every day. (This was a MAJOR change for me and my family.) This did not lead to weight loss either. -- In January and February of 2010, I had some brief but severe health issues caused by a drug interaction. This led me to change my diet in a couple of ways: ------ I started eating lots of plain yogurt and other dairy products with good bacteria (probiotics) to control some serious digestive issues caused by massive quantities of antibiotics during the hospitalizations. ------ I also cut way back on carbs because I learned (while in the hospital) that my blood sugar was a bit high -- not at the level of diabetes, but not good, either. I have lost about 20 pounds since February. I attribute the weight loss partly to the low-carb diet but also partly to the fact that I've stopped taking the medications that made me so sick in January and February. I believe that they might have caused part of my weight gain over the last few years. I am pursuing the lap band surgery because I want to control several lingering health issues: elevated blood sugar, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea (I use a CPAP machine). These issues do not affect my quality of life a great deal right now (at age 43), but I think they will cause problems as I get older. So I want to fix them now. I'm curious to hear from folks about how they decided whom to tell about their surgery. My own preference would be to tell my husband and children, and no one else. I'm not sure why I feel this way. I don't feel ashamed of needing the surgery, but for some reason -- I just don't want to tell anyone, not even my parents, who I'm sure would be supportive. Maybe I just don't want people to be asking me afterwards "so how much weight have you lost?" I'm not really interested in discussing my weight with anyone other than my doctor. Well, I'm looking forward to hearing from some of you and to reading all of the threads on this board! Thanks for listening! KatjaE :grouphug:

I have sat here for the longest time, staring at this screen, not knowing what to even say anymore....staring out the window, tears streaming down my face, all the while knowing exactly what is wrong and HOW to fix it but feeling so tired to fix it again. Money is an issue. it will take a couple of months to recoup from the move. The real issue is.... I never in a million years thought I would look at myself in the mirror in a mens 3X shirt and realize it looks tight on me. Never did I think I would be ashamed to go somewhere again....grocery shopping, outside, anywhere in public. Even before when I weighed this much I did not feel THIS bad because I did not really know any different but now....since I know what I accomplished and to have ruined myself again, i seems like such a failure...twice the failure I have ever been. But I know I need to pick myself and dust myself off and just get over it and try try try. I hear the little cheerleader in my head saying 'you can do it' she just sounds so muffled and distant. I did not want to be the poster child of Lap-Band® as being a lesson on what NOT to do. I am so glad I am typing this because I really know I have been needing to cry like this and get it all out. There IS an upside...there is no junk food in the house today. In order to blow it today I would have to get up and go in public to buy the junk and I am not going to. I am just going to take this day hour by hour and do my best. I want to get a job but I have too bad of a complex to go somewhere and apply. SO, until I get a little self respect back I will just stay in this apartment and do what I know to do. I will drink plenty of water, I will work out with my exercise ball, I will swim and play with Macy. Its funny how I will sacrifice what the public thinks to go swimming with my daughter. AND i know it is good exercise...and I will strive to not eat junk. I will start listening to my band again. It has been talking to me, I just have not been listening. I wish Bob or Jillian would bust down my door and kick my ass. I have been hurting in my back hips and knee so bad and I know it is because of the weight gain and the sugar intake. Thanks for listening to me. Thanks for being here for me. Without you all, I would not have anyone to talk to that understands. :grouphug: OH...and the other question I ask myself is...do my new antidepressants have anything to do with the hopeless feeling? I never know what feeling are real anymore. That sucks big time. I wish I was just me again.

Hi everyone. Just about 2 weeks out from my surgery date of 30 July (just made it under the gun for the July Group!). Excited and nervous at the same time. Luckily work is keeping my mind off the surgery somewhat and for the next 9 days I'll be in Hawaii (working!) so it's not all bad. Getting my sleeve done at Madigan Army Hosp. in Washington state. Really have been impressed with the staff and the process that you go through there. While some may complain that it is overly long, I think it is good to take a decsion like this slow and to see all that is involved. Really enjoyed going to a support group meeting to be able to talk to those who have had gastric surgery and the good/bad of it all. The nutrition part was very informative as well. Looking forward to having energy again and to be able to play sports again. I have blown out my knee twice and that is what led to the weight gain to begin with. I come from a family who is large to begin with and without exercise (a lot) I have never been able to keep the weight off. So it will be good to have a tool to help get the weight down and then be able to actually workout again without so much knee and back pain! Thank you all for sharing your stories, I really find them helpful to me. Well almost time to catch the plane so for those of you getting sleeved in the next week or so I wish you the best and I will see you all when I get back (unless I can get on the hotel computer before!).

Let your doctor advise you on what's best in YOUR case. Sometimes (in my case) that isn't determined until he can actually see what's in there (xray is helpful but not a substitute). Scar tissue won't go away because you have two separate surgeries. I would guess there could be more at the time of the second surgery because the band removal surgury is going to have it's own set of scars. I'm glad mine could be done in one surgery because: 1, I was under anesthetic once instead of twice 2, only one recovery period (less work days missed) 3, once going through the pre and post op regimes 4, not having to deal with excess weight gain (therefore risk) between the two surgeries. That being said, if the only SAFE way would have been with two surgeries, I would have done that. Actually I wouldn't have a choice, my doc will only do what is best for his patients' health. I suppose if it didn't matter I had a choice, I would prefer all in one. Hope this helps.

I'm really glad you posted this. It's certainly an idea to keep in mind if I can't struggle through my own food issues with a filled band. I didn't realize that the band could cause many problems with eating the way you're supposed to. Trust me, after a half hour stuggling to get meat down, then coughing it back up, just to relieve the pain.. I have hit the ice cream in the freezer just because it goes down, doesn't hurt, and tastes good. I've lost about 70lbs thus far with the band, and I KNOW I could not have gotten this far without it. I just... need to figure out how to get the rest of the way...without a ton of pain. I don't regret my band, but there are times, when I'm in a restaurant with friends or family, and I have to shift around, or I'm visibly uncomfortable (despite me trying to hide it) or that I have to excuse myself and run to the bathroom, where I think "I miss eating like a normal person." I actually have avoided a fill the past few months because of a small weight gain, and also, I'm still having problems getting meat down from time to time. I'm actually in North Carolina now, visiting my boyfriend for a month. I figured I always behave on my diet here, so I'll go back once I get home... Hopefully I can lose what was gained and the doctor won't have to scold me too harshly. :thumbup:

Aww thank you! I wanted to lose 50lbs more as well but my age would not allow me as I was running out of time :thumbup: So I said after this baby I will just start over and get there I know I can do it as right now I feel I can't the weight gain is tormenting me to pieces..it's like I had not been through all the weight loss at all at this rate..but I know it will come off I just have to be patient have this baby and get back to the band rules and regulations..being able to eat what I want right now is liek WOW, loking forwared to the restriction again can't believe I am saying this!

Me well I am a bad bad bad bandster! I have gained like 32lbs and I am only 6 months pregnant. I don't blame the pregnancy at all but I do know it plays a part but I blame the NO SELF CONTROL the whole reason I had to get hte band inthe first place. I was ordered a complete unfill by my OB when finding out I was having twins. At 7 weeks I lost baby B but was told not to get a fill as he wants no complications, the band, my age, and obesity. The weight gain days is hard on me mentally! But I will jsut start over and know what to expect and get on with my weight loss journey AGAIN but happier as I will have my bundle of joy!!!!

I'm 13 days out too, and I hear ya on the scale moving up even after a tiny bit of 'real' food. I've been eating for about 5 days now, and the scale has gone up like 3lbs (although I refuse to change my ticker! hahaha). Don't worry, it will go down eventually. It's like we've been in starvation mode and when we get some food, our bodies do not want to let it go!! Also, I think Water weight gain happens to us more often than skinny people since we have more fat to hold the water. Who knows, I could be talking out of my butt...but that's my story and I'm sticking to it! :thumbup: As for being anorexic, highly unlikely. Mal-nourished, maybe...but not anorexic. Best of luck to you!!

http://www.lapband.com/en/learn_about_lapband/safety_informa tion/ Patients can experience complications after surgery. Most complications are not serious but some may require hospitalization and/or re-operation. In the United States clinical study, with 3-year follow-up reported, 88% of the 299 patients had one or more adverse events, ranging from mild, moderate, to severe. Nausea and vomiting (51%), gastroesophageal reflux (regurgitation) (34%), band slippage/pouch dilatation (24%) and stoma obstruction (stomach-band outlet blockage) (14%) were the most common post-operative complications. In the study, 25% of the patients had their band systems removed, two-thirds of which were following adverse events. Esophageal dilatation or dysmotility (poor esophageal function) occurred in 11% of patients, the long-term effects of which are currently unknown. Constipation, diarrhea and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) occurred in 9% of the patients. In 9% of the patients, a second surgery was needed to fix a problem with the band or initial surgery. In 9% of the patients, there was an additional procedure to fix a leaking or twisted access port. The access port design has been improved. Four out of 299 patients (1.3%) had their bands erode into their stomachs. These bands needed to be removed in a second operation. Surgical techniques have evolved to reduce slippage. Surgeons with more laparoscopic experience and more experience with these procedures report fewer complications. Adverse events that were considered to be non-serious, and which occurred in less than 1% of the patients, included: esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), hiatal hernia (some stomach above the diaphragm), pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), abdominal pain, hernia, incisional hernia, infection, redundant skin, dehydration, diarrhea (frequent semi-solid bowel movements), abnormal stools, constipation, flatulence (gas), dyspepsia (upset stomach), eructation (belching), cardiospasm (an obstruction of passage of food through the bottom of the esophagus), hematemsis (vomiting of blood), asthenia (fatigue), fever, chest pain, incision pain, contact dermatitis (rash), abnormal healing, edema (swelling), paresthesia (abnormal sensation of burning, prickly, or tingling), dysmenorrhea (difficult periods), hypochromic anemia (low oxygen carrying part of blood), band system leak, cholecystitis (gall stones), esophageal ulcer (sore), port displacement, port site pain, spleen injury, and wound infection. Be sure to ask your surgeon about these possible complications and any of these medical terms that you dont understand. Back to Top What are the specific risks and possible complications? Talk to your doctor about all of the following risks and complications: Ulceration Gastritis (irritated stomach tissue) Gastroesophageal reflux (regurgitation) Heartburn Gas bloat Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) Dehydration Constipation Weight regain Death Laparoscopic surgery has its own set of possible problems. They include: Spleen or liver damage (sometimes requiring spleen removal) Damage to major blood vessels Lung problems Thrombosis (blood clots) Rupture of the wound Perforation of the stomach or esophagus during surgery Laparoscopic surgery is not always possible. The surgeon may need to switch to an "open" method due to some of the reasons mentioned here. This happened in about 5% of the cases in the U.S. Clinical Study. There are also problems that can occur that are directly related to the LAP-BAND� System: The band can spontaneously deflate because of leakage. That leakage can come from the band, the reservoir, or the tubing that connects them. The band can slip There can be stomach slippage The stomach pouch can enlarge The stoma (stomach outlet) can be blocked The band can erode into the stomach Obstruction of the stomach can be caused by: Food Swelling Improper placement of the band The band being over-inflated Band or stomach slippage Stomach pouch twisting Stomach pouch enlargement There have been some reports that the esophagus has stretched or dilated in some patients. This could be caused by: Improper placement of the band The band being tightened too much Stoma obstruction Binge eating Excessive vomiting Patients with a weaker esophagus may be more likely to have this problem. A weaker esophagus is one that is not good at pushing food through to your stomach. Tell your surgeon if you have difficulty swallowing. Then your surgeon can evaluate this. Weight loss with the LAP-BAND� System is typically slower and more gradual than with some other weight loss surgeries. Tightening the band too fast or too much to try to speed up weight loss should be avoided. The stomach pouch and/or esophagus can become enlarged as a result. You need to learn how to use your band as a tool that can help you reduce the amount you eat. Infection is possible. Also, the band can erode into the stomach. This can happen right after surgery or years later, although this rarely happens. Complications can cause reduced weight loss. They can also cause weight gain. Other complications can result that require more surgery to remove, reposition, or replace the band. Some patients have more nausea and vomiting than others. You should see your physician at once if vomiting persists. Rapid weight loss may lead to symptoms of: Malnutrition Anemia Related complications It is possible you may not lose much weight or any weight at all. You could also have complications related to obesity. If any complications occur, you may need to stay in the hospital longer. You may also need to return to the hospital later. A number of less serious complications can also occur. These may have little effect on how long it takes you to recover from surgery. If you have existing problems, such as diabetes, a large hiatal hernia (part of the stomach in the chest cavity), Barretts esophagus (severe, chronic inflammation of the lower esophagus), or emotional or psychological problems, you may have more complications. Your surgeon will consider how bad your symptoms are, and if you are a good candidate for the LAP-BAND� System surgery. You also have more risk of complications if you've had a surgery before in the same area. If the procedure is not done laparoscopically by an experienced surgeon, you may have more risk of complications. Anti-inflammatory drugs that may irritate the stomach, such as aspirin and NSAIDs, should be used with caution. Some people need folate and vitamin B12 supplements to maintain normal homocycteine levels. Elevated homocycteine levels can increase risks to your heart and the risk of spinal birth defects. You can develop gallstones after a rapid weight loss. This can make it necessary to remove your gallbladder. There have been no reports of autoimmune disease with the use of the LAP-BAND� System. Autoimmune diseases and connective tissue disorders, though, have been reported after long-term implantation of other silicone devices. These problems can include systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma. At this time, there is no conclusive clinical evidence that supports a relationship between connective-tissue disorders and silicone implants. Long-term studies to further evaluate this possibility are still being done. You should know, though, that if autoimmune symptoms develop after the band is in place, you may need treatment. The band may also need to be removed. Talk with your surgeon about this possibility. Also, if you have symptoms of autoimmune disease now, the LAP-BAND� System may not be right for you. Back to Top Removing the LAP-BAND� System If the LAP-BAND� System has been placed laparoscopically, it may be possible to remove it the same way. This is an advantage of the LAP-BAND� System. However, an "open" procedure may be necessary to remove a band. In the U.S. Clinical Study, 60% of the bands that were removed were done laparoscopically. Surgeons report that after the band is removed, the stomach returns to essentially a normal state. At this time, there are no known reasons to suggest that the band should be replaced or removed at some point unless a complication occurs or you do not lose weight. It is difficult, though, to say whether the band will stay in place for the rest of your life. It may need to be removed or replaced at some point. Removing the device requires a surgical procedure. That procedure will have all the related risks and possible complications that come with surgery. The risk of some complications, such as erosions and infection, increase with any added procedure. LapSf Study that I swiped from MacMadame's profile LapSF Educational presentation to FACS - includes some 2 year results LapSF Two Year Study LapSF Five Year Study - abstract only LapSF Five Year Study - presentation (requires Windows to play) Literature review on the sleeve - requires $ to get the full text unfortunately Sleeve best for over 50 crowd Video of a sleeve with lots of education discussion Video of a sleeve that is more about the operation Ghrelin levels after RnY and sleeve Ghrelin levels after band and sleeve Diabetes resolution in RnY vs. Sleeve Comparison of band to sleeve - literature review

I have just had this done. I too gained a bit of my weight back and I had not lost all that I wanted after bypass, so after talking with my doctor he agreed to do the band over bypass. There are more risks involved but the weight gain out weighed my worry for the risk. I had a lot of scar tissue and the surgery went a bit longer but I did very well. I hope this helps.

MissK! Don't beat yourself up. While you shouldn't be consuming empty calories and junk food, I personally believe that if your band is tight enough you will not gain weight... you might not lose it, but I think weight gain is a sign of a band that is too loose. If it had been 4 months since your last appointment, I would bet money that you were in need of another fill... you lose restriction as you lose weight! I hope things are better now and that you're back on track. I finally started losing weight and I am steadily, but also very slowly losing weight at about a pound a week.

Are your feet swollen tonight after driving/riding 8 hours and this was the first time out of the whole trip? It could have nothing to do with how well you ate but alot more to do with fluids in your feet. I have this...I can in lots more detail. See if the swelling goes down over night as well as the "weight gain".

seems upper GI was "normal" -- with minor dilation that is expected given I am 3 yrs with band -- told doc I don't like the pain when I eat (and not the get stuck pain) but this other weird pain for the last 6 months. So I am going to push for the revison and have them submit to insurance and we'll see. He is also going to do an endoscopy (which means an empty band and more freaking weight gain)

I'm only 25 years old and preparing to have surgery (self-paid... have been saving up for YEARS as my insurance does not cover it) in September. I WISH with all of my heart that I could have had it done when I was around 19. That would have prevented so much weight gain for me and kept me so much healthier. However, at 15 and 17 there is NO WAY I was ready. I was still living at home with mom and dad and not responsible for my own actions in the capacity that I am today.

Charlene, when you eat real food don't just limit the quantity. Check the salt content. Your apparant weight gain could be from water retention. Also, if you're combining carbs with meat protein, you'll store the fat. If you don't have the carbs, the fat gets metabolized and used up. That's why its protein first then veggies and maybe a little fruit when you're in the weight loss phase. You even have to limit your whole grains because they still do break down into sugar, often have salt in them, and they're often combined with things that have fat, which you then store as well as the water. Thanks Cheri! I do think some of it is water retention due to carbs. I have always had a problem with water weight. Usually my weight goes down about 3lbs when the fall comes. Meanwhile, I will watch the carbs. Linda, yeah, I haven't made the chicken salad yet. It has grapes in it so I might just cut the light mayo amount in half. Grapes make it so moist.

So, Wednesday night the promotions committee was supposed to have a conference call at 7:30 p.m. I told them I was likely to forget and I did. I was home, but I was totally engrossed in a book. Who does conference calls at 7:30 at night? I'm lucky to remember to attend meetings at night. If something's part of my weekly schedule I'll remember it but stuff that happens once a month? At night? After work? Aargh! Fortunately, this is a volunteer committee and they're quite capable of making decisions without me. This was after my hard first morning doing Interactive Metronome. It went a little better today. Back at it on Monday. Got a call from someone else who wants tutoring for their son. Not quite sure where to fit him in since he lives near me and doesn't go to Roseland Christian. I go in to Roseland to tutor my students but he'd come to my house and my husband sleeps most days. Today, after 3 Interactive Metronome sessions (my grandson being the last one), I took both my grandson's so my daughter could get some work done. That's our arrangement. She comes out to Lansing IL. to drop David off, gets some nearby shopping done, then drops Josh off, too, and I keep both boys with me and take them home with me. The lawyer she works for is fairly close and the police officers and witnesses she needs to interview are also in nearby Hammond and sometimes Calumet City as many crimes are committed on State Line and can go back and forth. Her lawyer defends Hammond police officers from nuisance suits from those they've arrested. As a former Hammond police officer and with a husband still on the force, my daughter serves as an investigator for him with these suits. At first my daughter didn't want to come out here (she lives 45 minutes south of Thornton, Lansing, Hammond, Calumet City, but I made it a win/win for David who needs the therapy by offering to take her boys while she gets some work done when I'm done training David. I had fun with them today. McDonald's play place, then the park by my house, then water balloons and squirt guns, then the DQ. Now I'm off to pick up a granddaughter and take her to my other granddaughter's house to babysit this evening. They are so cute together. They're about a year apart. Skylar will be 4 in August and Leah will be 3 in September. I am reading all your posts. Great you are a great shopper for sure. Glad about the grass. Joyce, can't wait to meet you, also. Julie, can't wait for you to get to Mayo. Charlene, when you eat real food don't just limit the quantity. Check the salt content. Your apparant weight gain could be from water retention. Also, if you're combining carbs with meat protein, you'll store the fat. If you don't have the carbs, the fat gets metabolized and used up. That's why its protein first then veggies and maybe a little fruit when you're in the weight loss phase. You even have to limit your whole grains because they still do break down into sugar, often have salt in them, and they're often combined with things that have fat, which you then store as well as the water. Cheri

Do NOT let a little weight gain frustrate you. Your weight will fluctuate both ways when you change up your routine. How much water are you consuming? If you are not getting enough, your body will start retaining fluid. How much protein are you getting? You should be eating at least 50 grams of protein a day. That is the fuel that keeps you metabolism burning. WW points make sure you keep calories, carbs and fat low but they don't help on protein.

Does anyone know if you can actually gain weight when you start increasing your cardio activity. Last week I really amped up my exercise, went from basically nothing one week to 2 times at the gym the following week, then the week after went to the gym 4 times, walked the dogs a bit and started back on Wii fit. My weight is up a couple pounds and I am getting really upset by it and I do WW and I have been staying within my points, so I know I am not overeating. I also thought maybe water retention, from working out and it being so hot out recently so I upped my water intake, but nothing. The only otpions I see is wait it out and see what happens or actually eat some more, I have heard that you may need to eat more points when you work out. What do you guys think? I need advice and opinions on this. TIA

I am currently in the same situation and I feel like my ship is sinking fast... I was banded December 7th 2009, and I have lost about 8 pounds since then! I am up to 9cc's in an 11'cc band and I can still eat bread, have never had anything get "stuck", never slimed or PB'd or anything that lets me know I am in band land. I can not eat quite as much as I used to pre-band, but I can eat ALL the same foods. I had taken up walking 3 miles a day 3-4 times a week and I did this for a month thining that would give me a "boost" and when I went to the doctor last month - again - NOTHING. I don't have any motivation and I am starting to regret putting my body through this for it not to work. I have ugly scars in my stomach from this operation and only 8 pounds to show for it. I didn't tell many of my friends or family about having surgery, but those that I told didn't think I "needed" it and now that I'm six months out and still look the same, all I am getting is "I told you so's"... I did my research and I thought I was making the best choice for me to FINALLY get a hold of my weight gain and after being initally denied by my insurance, when my appeal got approved I was rejoicing!! I thought this was it and all the years of battling my bulge would soon be behind me as me and my band tackled the never ending world of food... NOT so much. I am torn between going for my appointment next week and just saying "to hell with it" and not going back at all anymore. The doctor has already told me that I am the only patient he has ever had that has had this much fluid in their band and still not be fully restricted. ~sighs~ :thumbup: