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Hi everyone, I'm new here and feeling so discouraged . I need help and if anyone has ever been through this before,I would appreciate ANY feedback. After my surgery,I had terrific success. Once I started the program,I was almost 300 pounds,291 to be exact. The day of my surgery ,I was 261. I'm not 249. I feel so disgusted with myself and so discouraged that I can hardly see straight. Actually ,for the first few months,things were great but right around September of 2009,I went in for my 3rd fill,at that time,I was probably around 215. I was feeling great,I had motivation unlike I've ever had before. Well not too long after that fill,I started to throw up all the time,I thought it was might fault,like maybe I ate too fast or too much but I wasn't doing anything different. Then I started to notice I wasn't losing any weight. So I went for months like this ,thinking it was my fault but what started to happen is that I was hungry all the time. I guess because I was throwing up all the time. I thought it was some sort of art form that I had yet to perfect with the new fill lol. Well it wasn't until December that I saw my surgeon and had a "unfill",so I thought it was ok but then I start gaining weight back so time goes by,they make me wait to give me another fill to give my band a break so to speak,so I have another fill and this sounds strange but for a while it was ok but I still wasn't losing weight hardly at all anymore and I started to get hungry all the time and then what I started doing was eating "around" the band just to fill feel. For example like ice cream because it tasted good,it was filling and it didn't make me vomit. I was seen a couple of weeks ago to have an "unfill". I think right now I'm only at a 3 ?? I am feeling really awful about my weight gain and I feel like I can't get that motivation I once had,back. What is wrong with me ? The Surgeon and his nurses said their not worried,that I will get back on track and that it's their fault for giving me too many fills(I don't feel it's their fault though) and that it's really a trial and error type thing but I feel like a failure and I also feel like other people see me as that. I really hate to admit this but there are a couple of people that I know that probably want to see me fail. I so badly want to prove them wrong. Has anyone else been through this and did it finally change for you ,for the better ? I need all the advice I can get . Thank you!!

Even when I was small I had DD boobs and not small DD's Large DD's almost popping out of my bra. My breasts are probably the only thing I like about my body now. Ive gone through the weight gain and loss all my life and it never really affected my chest area at all. I didnt breast feed my son because I was iron deficent anemic and I was on pain medication because he ripped in 3 spots. So the dr recommended that I didnt breast feed. Plus I also heard that it is terrible for your chest it actually causes them to sag and I love mine. What I am concerned about is my lower abdomen and my tattoos when I need a tummy tuck.:thumbup:

I'm already researching plastic surgeons for all the work I am likely to need when I hit goal. Boobs top the list---they needed to be put back where they belong even before I started losing--big breasts + pregnancies + nursing + weight gain & loss = dire need of attention!

Hi everyone I'm 21 and am getting banded August 13 Today I was prescribed Yasmin pills to regulate my heavy and painful periods. The doc assured me that this brand would not cause weight gain So my only concern is whether i will be able to continue taking them once i get the band I am taking them purely because my periods are horrible and has caused my Iron to be really really low Has anyone else taken them for this reason?

Did you ever hear anything about your approval? I'm just wondering because I had United Healthcare try to pull the "one surgery per lifetime" card with me for my revision. It turns out that was not in my husband's company's policy at all and they were trying to deny saying it was something like - obesity surgery standards--blah blah blah. They said they would remove or replace my band only. They denied my case, I immediately appealed and just heard back last week that they are overturning the denial and will be paying for the revision. My advice is if it's truly what you want then don't give up! I'm not going to say it's an easy thing. It's extremely stressful both physically (putting up with the band and weight gain for longer) and especially mentally! You just have to decide if it is something you want to fight for.

MRS. HUSKER CONGRAtS ON BEING NED!!!! This is wonderful news, and im so happy for you. Im glad that you are not letting the weight gain get to. You had to deal with kicking cancers butt!!! :eek: So i have been struggling majorly with my weight!!! :wink: I dont know what happened, i was doing so wonderfully and then i got lazy and things spun out of control... I havent been on here so long because i was embarrassed with myself... Also ive been kind of in denial with it as well... I realized part of the reason i was doing well was when i was weighing in every morning and coming on here and posting every day.. the support helps so much.... I have to create a schedule where i can fit in time to go to the gym and stick to it... its so hard working full time an going to school full time finding time to do homework and go to the gym plus sleep... So rather than miss out on too much sleep ive been skipping the gym, leading to poor food choices. Also ive been missing out on sleep and leading to more poor food choices.. So its a vicious cycle that must be broken!!!! so my goal for this week is to lose 1-2lbs this week. and to check in here at least every 3rd day... Anyone else with me?? -Jeni M.

Awesome info! If you didn't post the website, I was gonna ask you! I had my first breast lift in 1999. It was about $8k. I was very happy with the results. Unfortunately, I hit a huge depression streak and gained and lost weight like crazy for a few years. In 2007, I had another breast lift with a tummy tuck and a little lipo, mainly in the flank area. I did follow the surgeon's suggestion to add small implants to make the shape better and to encourage the lift to hold longer. I believe the implants were 220's and I did do silicone. It seems the earlier complications with them have been resolved and the chance of slippage is much less. My second surgery was close to $15k. My cup size has always remained the same. The inches around has fluctuated with weight loss and gain, primarily in the back area. The recovery from the lift was very easy. The first two days were lousy, seeing my new girls during the first shower was horrible. I was afraid that they would never heal. It was a ghastly sight with so many fresh wounds. They also were very swollen and I felt as tho I were nursing again! lol Within a week, all was good and I was back to work. There was little post op pain after the first few days, however you will sleep on your back for some time! :biggrin0: I have been to Costa Rica on vacation and love it! I would never have thought about surgery there, but am glad to hear your positive experience and recommendation. That is one of the few places I have traveled in the world that I would consider moving to, if I ever left the Pacific Northwest. I have also been to Columbia, which was mentioned earlier, and that scares the hell out of me! LOL However, I was only in Cartegena; it was very touristy and the locals were very aggressive. Maybe it would be better where the hospital or clinic is located :tongue_smilie: My stomach has remained flat since my tummy tuck, even with the weight gain. I have just gotten thicker. I am hoping I won't have to get that redone. However, if needed, I would have the skin tightened but I would not have the muscles cut again. I don't think that would be necessary and the recovery sucks! LOL So far the breasts are not shrinking in cup size at all. Darn it! The back is getting less fatty tho. If I truly get down to the 130's or 120's, I may need a breast reduction. I really don't want to look like I have a fake rack. lol I would love to have a butt lift. Had no idea they even existed until several months ago. I just can not imagine what the recovery would be like tho. Do you lay on your stomach for weeks?? My greatest desire at this point is to fix the turkey neck. My maternal grandmother had it and so does my mom and sister. The part directly under the jaw is shrinking tho; so will see what happens down the road. I really don't have many wrinkles - for which I am very grateful. My eyes are a little droopy tho so would add that on to any surgery I had. I also saw the results of one of Dr. Lara's cosmetic surgeries. A lady had a mini face lift with her sleeve surgery when I was having mine. She looked absolutely amazing and had very little bruising, even three days later. I thought Dr. A had done it but found out this past week that Dr. Lara will come it while you are sedated and do it. If you can come up with the money, I would suggest making any improvements that you can. It may not make you happier in the big scheme of things, but it will give you more confidence. I think anyone who has struggled with weight and had WLS, deserves to enjoy the full enchilada. LOL Besides, you can't take the money with you and your children can work hard to earn their own. I will not inherit a single penny from either of my parents and will still have a decent life doing most of the items on my bucket list :wink0:

Hello fellow Band Geeks! I was banded a little over a month ago and am finally on solid foods... I had my hernia repaired when he installed my band so my recovery time was a little longer but I feel great. I have lost 35 pounds so far and will find out my next weight on my first fill visit... May 6th. I am glad that I found you all on here for support. My whole family struggles with weight and food issues but most of them continue the same losing battles... I wanted to win the war so my battles needed to change. I gave up most carbs... and have so much more energy and hardly any carvings. My husband is very supportive but since he can eat anything he wants without weight gain... I love having you for support. I know this is a lifestyle change and I'm very excited to be on this journey with you. :eek:

Hello extended family, I want to know is it okay to feel the way I'm feeling? Lately, I've been stressed out with school because I'm in finals week. I'm also extremely stress out at work because I'm expecting state audit soon at my facility. ( I'm a nurse manager working at a nursing home) To top it off, I'm moving at the end of this month, which is conflicting with my study time. What I'm trying to get at is that I'm under a lot of stress and I'm a big emotional eater. The other problem is that I have no restriction in my band (2.5cc). I could eat anything and large portions of it. Before finals week I felt no restriction but I was really trying not to gain any weight. I was fluctuating between at 2 to 3 lbs. I stop weighing myself because it was driving me nuts. So now that I'm not weighing myself, I have no restriction, and I'm under a lot of stress. I feel like maybe I'm giving off a "I DON'T CARE" attitude. I'm really afaid of gaining the weight I loss already. Call me crazy, but I think I could even notice some weight gain in my face. I'm feeling really depressed about it. I paid a lot of money out of my own pocket with no one's help to have this surgery. I want to prove to myself that I could do this. Anyway, I just wanted to vent my issue. Thanks Family. :eek:

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:

I tend to agree with Anna about the diet soda contributing to dehydration. I've noticed that since I switched from regular to diet soda to transition to my pre-op low carb diet, I've been going to the bathroom constantly. It's like all the fluid runs straight through me. Luckily, my body has responded by craving more water, so I've noticed that I'm drinking more of that along with the soda without having to force myself. But, I'm also a little headachey, so I'm going to try to add even more water and phase out the diet sodas. I've never been a diet soda drinker so the artificial sweetner is probably messing with me. But, hopefully I'll lose a few pounds and won't have to worry about my surgery being cancelled due to my eating fest and weight gain a few weeks ago.

I was banded on Thursday, April 22 and have followed the post-op diet very strictly, but I have gained about 2 1/2 lbs. :biggrin: I know that this is a time for "healing" not weight loss, but I'm just surprised that I went up a little, rather than down a little. Anyone else experience this? Thanks!

I am three weeks post-op. I have been doing fine with the exception of terrible gas pain in the afternoon. Every afternoon, I feel extremely terrible and all I do is take Gas X and pass gas all evening. I am not sure what is going on but it is not fun. I had lost a total of 25lbs since the pre-op diet. However, the past 2 weeks, the scale has stopped moving in the right direction. I have gained 3lbs since surgery. I am not sure why, because I eat small portions and my calorie intake per day is between 800 and 1000 a day. I have eliminated all simple carbs and very little complex carbs. I am not discouraged just a tad bit disappointed that my scale is not going down. I still belive that I made the right choice and when I see my doctor next Friday, I will express my concern.

A question for any of you who have done the 5 day pouch test. My husband has been out of town and I have had a nasty cold and not really hungry nor can I taste much...so I figured what a perfect time to do the pouch test! I had been stuck/plateaued for a while. During liquids I lost weight FAST! Like 6lbs fast...now that I am finally incorporating some food back in (and good food too) I have noticed that I gained almost 4 of it back :smile:. Have any of you experiened this??

Wonderful news on the lack-of-cancer news! Congrats. That must be such a HUGE relief. I'm so happy for you. It sounds like you have really evaluated what is important in life. Glad you aren't beating yourself up over weight gain. I'm sure you'll get back to where you want to be--all things in due time. Stay positive--your attitude as served you well throughout your cancer and lapband journey. You are an inspiration. Thanks so much for the compliment. Unfortunately, my computer crashed last year and I lost all of my before pictures. I'm sure I can find some around and get them scanned or something but I really don't have any right now that I can use for comparison purposes. I'm surprised you remember how I looked (I hardly do!). You made my day. Take care and keep us posted--it's so good to hear from you and so good to hear such great news. Karen

I'll try to make this brief.... I had Lap band surgery 2.2008...lost about 70 pounds very easily. Had a slip 11.2009....removal 3.2010. My insurance at the time would not pay for a replacement of the band because I was no longer "morbidly obese"....even though I didn't get to goal. My surgeon talked to me about the sleeve and I have been seriously considering it since November. Also, I have gained back nearly 30 pounds since November. I am getting new insurance due to a job change May 1st. I am praying that they will cover WLS for me and specifically the sleeve. My problem is that my surgeon does not operate at a "participating facility", so my options are to pay a 40% copay and the non participating facility or find a new surgeon. Is the 40% figured on the allowable charges or on the billed charges? We all know that insurance doesn't pay the entire billed charges, but usually cash pay patients do unless there is a prompt pay discount or something similar. Has anyone had any of these similar issues? I wish I could find some more concrete literature on the long term success with the sleeve. Specifically, are there any issues with ulcers, strictures etc. Guess that wasn't real brief, but I'm really feeling desperate due to my weight gain. It is so discouraging and I physically feel lousy!!!! Thanks....shell

I was banded 10/08. I have NO SIGNIFICANT weight loss, in fact, I had weight gain. I'm ticked off as I was 20 pounds lighter before I went into surgery. I am in and out of the surgeons office and it's just frustrating. Totally in the same boat. Bleh. Half tempted to tell him to take it out or lock me down so I can do nothing but drink.

Hi July, have you been given a date yet for your operation. Good luck and much success with it! Geri, hope you haven't been caught up with the flights situation. What date are you due to have the op? Keep telling yourself that you are about to do something really worthwhile and life changing! Brenners, thats great news that VHI should pay for the gastric bypass! It must be a huge relief for you. Good to know that you are healing well from the band removal. Don't be hard on yourself over weight gain. You've been through such a difficult time. When you have the bypass the extra weight will fall off! Its probably frustrating you now but keep telling yourself its only a temporary gain. Just a quick update on my progress! Really pleased with how things are going. I have lost inches right below my bust, lots gone from my thighs and bum. Friday is my last day for soft/mushy food. I've had more fish in the last 10 days than what I had in the previous 3 months. At times I'm forgetting to eat, me, who was a compulsive emotional eater. Ina way its hard to believe that its only 3 and a half weeks since the op as I've been so active that Im hardly at home now. Hence the reason why I haven't been posting here much recently. Maree

I am having surgry The 29th of april. I had decided a long time ago not to tell anyone except husband and kids. However that changed sun. Had a family/friend reunion. I told everyone. Part because I am excited, but mostly because I was embarresed of my weight gain so I just wanted them to know I knew what they were thinking and I was doing something about it. Now I regret it.

I had my surgery on December 17th with no complications and have thus far had three fills and two fluoros. Both fluoros showed that everything was fine. I saw the surgeon and nurse two weeks ago and was informed that I was right on track for weight loss. My only problem was that I was regurgitating far too frequently. I was commanded to cease and desist and I have moved heaven and earth to avoid getting stuck as much as I possibly can. I still get "mini" stuck frequently, daily even, but can almost always "wiggle" it through by walking around with my arms on my head or just simply waiting. I have only thrown up twice in the past two weeks. But my problem is this: I was at one point feeling pretty much in the green zone and was losing at a slow but fair pace. I am now hungry every two hours (too frequent). I have also gained two pounds in two weeks. I have not had weight gain at any other time in this process. I suppose I am confused about this topic. Can I be getting stuck and "feeling tight" and not be tight enough? If I'm voraciously hungry and can eat too large of portions too frequently, but am still feeling pretty tight, then what do you think is going on? I definitely always eat more than one half of a cup of anything and I definitely feel that the food is quickly moving from the pouch to the bottom. The fluoros did not indicate any pouch-stretching or anything of that nature. I have been told that my band "lies flat" and that they usually do not look like that, but the surgeon says it's perfectly fine. Any ideas? I have an appointment for Thursday but I always feel like a deer in headlights when I get in there. I either can't get helpful answers or I can't think straight enough to ask them or they look at me like I'm a rare species. It is my greatest fear that I am some kind of LAP-BAND® knucklehead and have blown an enormous amount of money.

Hi Jackie, I really don't know how it eroded and never even heard of a lap band erosion. I lived in California and moved to Knoxville, Tn. I didn't realize that if a doctor did not do your procedure, he will not give you any fills. So no doctor in this area would even consider me. After a couple of years and 25lbs weight gain later I found a doctor in New Orleans which is actually from TJ that flies in every three months to give fills to their patients. I drove all the way to New Orleans all excited to get a fill and on my way of losing some weight! I have the 10cc Inamed band. He said okay you are going to feel some pressure as he is filling my band to the full 10cc and got no restriction and that is when I found out it was eroded. Went locally and had an Endoscopy to confirm it. I would use my credit card if it was not maxed out! I had a great job. It was only a 2 year temporarily project and after the 2 years was up it was the worst time to get a job during recession. Which forced me to start my own business that is doing great but I have everything invested into it. I will be able to have the band removed in a year but I was hoping sooner than later! I do have some good days when I say I can live with this a bit longer but on my bad days when I have a lot of pain I want it removed yesterday! I guess i gave tmi but that is my story and it feels good to let it all out! I'm glad to see you are doing good with your lap band and I wish you lots of luck and will power to make it to your goal weight!

Hmmmm....ouroborous--let me know how that goes. I might need a LOT of tattoos! I have giant nasty stretch marks on my upper arms from my latest weight gain, UGH! I realize for a guy this probably doesn't scan but I am stuck in sleeves to the elbow for life! AND I live in Southern Arizona! Did I mention UGH!!!!

Well I came to this blog and start this journey speaking honestly. I have used Alli for the past 3 years. I spoke to my nutritionist and she said I could still use it with the band. I don't see a problem with it unless it is used as an excuse to overeat. It deters overeating of fat. It only handles about 50% of 12 grams eaten at a meal. If you overeat fat you will suffer. One reason I like using it is that I am regular and never constipated. Obviously it hasn't helped to loose weight or I wouldn't be getting banded but I have maintained my weight for about 1 year without weight gain. Most of my weight re-gain had been right after breast cancer when I felt so out of control of my life..............Well there it is the truth.:thumbup:

Even if you physically had to drink shakes, you could up your calories with healthy shakes too. I have just ordered a product called suplimed The Weight Gain Supplement That's Your Sensible Weight Gain Solution to help me up my calories on my off days (lots of calories packed in to small doses 4 oz or 1/2 serving can get 254 calories) this is just the one I liked, but GNC and other stores have other product options too. I am about to use my 3 days on 1 day off practice with my vsg to maybe try and prevent a stall. I will keep everyone posted on how that works. My plan is 3 days at 600-800 calories, 1 day 1500-1800 calories. repeat. There is no way early in my sleeve I can get 1500-1800 healthy calories without using a liquid suppliment, so I am planning ahead. My number is higher with 1500-1800 based on my studies of Base metabloic rate for my desired goal weight and body fat percentage. A female will typically be a lower number than that--web search for Base metabilic rate (BMR) on how to figure out your own. Also once I can eat regular food easily I will adjust the suppliment amounts to match the calorie levels and try to use shakes more as suppliments then and not a mainstay.