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How does the doctor feel about you taking steroids/cortisol with the band? My relative has that same disease. I've wondered if she could have the surgery because the weight gain has just been debilitating for her! I'm SO sorry you have to deal with it!! Good luck with the band, you deserve it!

I literally almost DIED 5 years ago because I couldn't afford going to a university and having health insurance. I was afraid of the bills so I waited until it was life or death. A friend had to drag me to the ER. It would have cost nothing to give me antibiotics but instead I was hospitalized for 2 weeks with a bladder, kidney, and blood infection. I had to drop out of school because of this and I STILL have debt I can't pay off. :tt1: this incident ruined my life and could have cost everyone a lot less stress and money. I still haven't completed school because i failed out of all my classes from missing too many from being sick for weeks. It is just my story. I hope that no one ever has to go through that or struggle even in their mid twenties just to get a Bachelor's Degree. (depression from this most definitely contributed to at least a hundred pound weight gain.)

This gives me hope. I also have Aetna and gained 7lbs. My paperwork was submitted to Aetna today but I was told I have a 90% chance of denial due to weight gain. What exactly is a peer to peer? I may need my doctor to do this.

Wasa- Gotta agree with you there. I have lost about 90lbs. since 11/07 and it has been primarily from eating about 600-1000 calories per day with at least 65-80gms of protein. I always eat my protein first, then fruits and veggies and carbs only if I need it. Typical day includes: Breakfast: Egg, cheese and veggie omelet, or Quaker Weight Control oatmeal and 1/2 an orange or banana. Snack: Don't need one because I am satisfied. Lunch: 1/2 turkey or ham sandwich with cheese and mayo, the other 1/2 of my fruit and 14 almonds/nuts. Snack: only if hungry, air popped popcorn or nuts or cheese or lean deli meat. Dinner: meat and veggies and sweet potato. Snack: only if needed; SF/FF chocolate pudding or nuts or cheese. Not often because I am usually satisfied. I drink K20 about 40 oz. and usually 40 oz. of Water. I do have I cup of coffee a day. I have not exercised up until this past week. I felt that I needed to kick my weight loss into high gear. So I joined the "Y" and am working on the treadmill for about 35 min. and lifting weights. I would like to do water aerobics but need to buy a new bathing suit because mine is way to big. I have gone from a size 34 to size 24 and feel fantastic. I am not always good about food choices and I am still dealing with head hunger/ real hunger but am getting better everyday. I do not deny myself anything, if I want it I eat it just smaller amounts and I try to keep within my calorie range. Oh Yeah, I track everything on sparkpeople.com and I weigh myself everyday to keep ahead of any weight gain (which has happened very rarely and usually gone within a few days). I have a 4cc band and am at 1.5cc's and definatly know that I need another fill because I am more hungry in between meals. My rule of thumb is if my weight is stalled and I get hungry within 4 hours of eating; it is time. I make sure that I see my doctor every 4-6 weeks regardless of whether I need a fill or not. It helps me to stay accountable. I didn't do this to not lose weight. I love how losing weight makes me feel and I am not going to sugar coat it because it isn't always easy but I love how thin feels. I hope that if anyone has read this far; it will help you if you are struggling. You can do it because trust me if I can you can. Cindy

My VSG doctor required a therapist appointment prior to surgery. The main thing I remember her saying was the hard part starts at 18 months to 2 years post op. I remember thinking that after that amount of time, it should be routine and a habit, but she was right. My weight gain started about 2 1/2 years post op and got worse in 2020. Now I am also working on losing what I've gained using the 10-day pouch reset diet. I had been of BP for a couple of years, but got back on for the tips and support of the forum.

I'm not banded yet but I just finished my 6 month diet supervision. Last month my husband became an over the road truck driver and I gained back 12 pounds of the 48 pounds I lost within 6 months and I was sooo mad but it WAS my fault because I was more worried about if he had everything he needed and taking care of our daughter PLUS still maintaining my grades in nursing school. Well within 2 weeks after realizing what I did to myself I re-lost those 12 pounds plus 5 more pounds on top of it. I just went back to my old habits. My doctor always told me that whether I'm banded or not that any weight gain is my fault. No one forced food into my mouth or forced me to eat something bad. Just restart everything and work with ur doctor to lose the weight again u can do it especially if you've already done it once good luck

I have had a similar experience after seven years - after I had to totally unfill for another surgery. My belief is that small changes, slacking off every so slightly that its not even noticeable, add up to weight gain over time. I've not "gained" per se - in that I ended up at about 150lb until I got sick - and I'm still 145. But I dropped to 130 - really really thin for me at 5ft 10 and havent been able to hold that weight (why i wanted to is a whole nother story, it looked awful). Its been due to a reliance on slider foods, eating more overall, less restriction from my band. I had a tummy tuck 12 weeks ago - which I didnt unfill for - and the necessary reduction in exercise afer that was the final straw - I bounced up 8lb to 145. I have this lovely flat stomach but my love handles are hanging over the BACK of my jeans now, grrrrrr. The only answer is NOT to slack off. Get off those slider foods, get back in the gym, it takes work your whole life to maintain this new weight. We were discussing this in another thread but what seems to happen is that veteran bandsters get to the point where they cant "feel" tightness or restriction, think they need nore fill and end up with reflux and heartburn. It has certainly happened to me. I know I cant have more fill than I have - so I have to work with it. I was astounded yesterday - barely eat sandwiches coz I dont like bread much and particularly dont like sandwiches - but that was what was on offer yesterday for lunch, so I had a tuna sandwich. Down the hatch in minutes, easy as. I was full yes, I only wanted one, i didnt eat again all afternoon but I could never have done that 2 years ago! My doc said to me that I may have to accept being slightly heavier (My BMI is 20) - dont want to but that may be the way it is.

Suzi, You have found support from friends here! There are some great people on this site to help encourage us all in our low times. What you are going through right now, we have all felt. I don't know about doctors everywhere, but right after my band was placed I had a weight gain of 3 pounds. I broke down in the doctor's office. My doctor explained that I had nothing really there to restrict me from eating. I didn't know this. It would be about 8 weeks before my first fill. Then it would be a gradual filling of the ring. I had my last fill in May and that was 1-1/2 years after my surgery. You will be successful. You may need to be especially careful with what you eat right now and try to really get the exercise in. In time, the pounds will begin to melt away. It still won't be easy. I worry about nutrition, personally. I can't eat anything except soft foods and it stay down. I take vitamins, but am not sure that is the best way to get my nutrients. Keep in touch here. We will be your support. Leah

I was soooo addicted to carbs, too! Pasta, potatoes, pasta&potatoes! Everything. I never ate red meat or pasta until 2012, but when I was pregnant, I was always overeating on it all. My weight gain was from pregnancy & post-pregnancy cravings

Hi Beauty. Don't sweat the slight weight gain on the supervised diet. If you lost great on that you wouldn't need the band. I wouldn't worry too much about the coordinator, either. I'm sure the staff is too busy to call all the patients and let everybody know......would have been nice, though. Anyway, good luck.

I have some tips for you. Hope it will help you Planning Your Weight Gain Program Consuming a Solid Weight Gain Diet Using ONLY Proven Bodybuilding Supplements Implementing a Mass Gain Weight Training Program Tracking Your Bodybuilding Program -Mandy Russell

I had a 20 year reunion I didn't attend because of my weight gain. (I was a state champion gymnast weighing 110lbs, and homecoming queen and now I'm more than twice that.) My 30th year reunion is in October and I'd like to go but don't think I'll get surgery till August and I don't think I'll lose enough by then to feel good enough about myself to go :frown:. So, my list of things in a perfect world would be to: 1. run into some of those people and look really good in the near future, 2. to dance without being self conscious, 3. snow ski again, 4. Water ski again, 5. ride horses without hurting them!! 6. wear regular clothes with a single digit size, 7. buy my bras at Victoria's Secret just because I CAN! 8. take new family portraits (none since 13 yrs ago) 9. do my own pedicures 10. get rid of back, shoulder, knee and foot pain 11. See my mother just once without her asking me if I'm doing anything about my weight ( I've BEEN doing something, that's what got me where I am!) 12. My husband is wonderful, the very best but I don't feel even one bit sexy or like doing anything in that department looking like I do, so I'd like to have desire again, 13. I'd like to be able to clean my house and car without feeling run over by a truck. 14. Not feel hot ALL THE TIME (BUT IT IS A THOUSAND DEGREES OUTSIDE SO...) 15. Run on a treadmill at the gym on the second floor without feeling like I'll end up on the first floor 16. Run without feeling like I'm doing more damage than good to myself 17. to have energy!!!!! this should actually be #1 18. to swim without feeling like a whale 19. to not be embarrassed anymore 20. To sleep in skimpy little sexy nighties without "all that" hanging out Ok, I could go on and on.......... But the best part is looking forward to maybe a year or two from now, I'll actually get there instead of taking off some and putting on more!!

I have to say bandsters that I personally don't agree with the "it's all your fault" statement that doctors often say. I've heard it too many times from those trying to lose weight. No one has this weight loss thing down to an exact science and therefore since all of our bodies are unique in there own ways, the response to food is different. There are those whose bodies do not quickly lose, but easily gain. We should all learn our bodies and do our very best to give it what it needs to be healthier. If stress makes you gain weight easily, then research how to eliminate that in your life so that you can continue the losing. Of course your doctor deals with this daily, but individually we are all a separate case and it is very easy to tell someone it is all their fault. It is a lot more difficult to investigate where the problem lies. The important thing is not to give up even when there is weight gain. I happen to be a former athlete and I run/walk 7 miles daily, do strength training, eat small meals, eat less than 1,000 cals a day, take my Vitamins, and try to get adequate sleep. Still I have loss only a few pounds. I wish a doctor would tell me it's all my fault if I gain, which bytheway I did gain right after my surgery when only on liquids. So once again BEWARE of non encouraging comments such as the one your doctor made and one other bandster to your post. Kudos to you for getting back on track!!!!!

Awe hunny I'm so sorry for your endometriosis struggles!! Be glad you have time on your side though and please heed my advice, when you can... start your fertility journey!!! Do not wait!!!!! It can take some intending parents 6 months to get pregnant and it can take 5 years or even more!! If you try and try and decide on adoption that can take another 1-3 years to get a baby. I sort of always assumed "they have a pill for that" type thing and here we are encroaching on the dangerous stage of 35 plus and still struggling to have a child. Not to mention the Financials. Just for perspective IVF starts at 15K in Michigan here and only goes up. It's also not a guarantee you will invest and end up with a baby! Not trying to discourage you I just wish hubby and I would have started our journey a few years prior. I wish someone would have warned me. I thought I could lose weight on my own and save money for IVF but life got in the way and we achieved neither. It will be at least another year before we can even safely do an egg retrieval due to the sleeve so I'll be 35 at the youngest having a baby which starts becoming high risk and high chance of mental defects for the baby. So please stay strong, be positive but start talking! It never hurts to get a game plan with a fertility specialist even if it's for the future! There are great options too like gestational surrogates!! It's pricey but sometimes best for women who have serious conditions such as yours! We can chat here or you can PM me if you would like to speak more fertility related. We had been trying for an altruistic gestational surrogate but due to finances and other complications we still can't swing it so all things baby are on hold while I do the sleeve and we save $$. I also need the mental break. We may decide to adopt but I was adopted so it was not what I was hoping for... Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App Thank you! I'm 7 weeks post op so we will see what the next year brings - hopefully good things for both of us! I have put off treatment like lupron because of the devastating effects on fertility. It's me constantly wondering what the right thing to do is. Fortunately, I am young but know I have to make a serious decision by 30. I wish you all the best with your WLS and fertility - adoption may not be your first choice but you'd still be a great Mom. Congrats on being 7 weeks!!! How did everything go for you?? Also what is Lepran? I've not heard of that. It sounds like you at least know your time frame. My husband is so sweet and supportive. Says he would love to have a child or adopt or would be perfectly happy with us and our pets!! Me? Not so much... I want my baby girl!! Thank you so much for your sweetness!! I lean more towards adoption every day but I just worry so bad of them emotional turmoil for our child but at least I could empathize having been through it too. We shall see!! What state do you live in? Michigan here. Just curious Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App Everything went the sleeve went well. 45 pounds down in 7 weeks the downside for me was the d&c surgery I had to have once my hormones went psycho. Being put under twice in one month is a huge strain on your body. I live in Lake Norman, NC and the center for endometriosis care is in Atlanta so not too far from me. Lupron is the devil - horrible side effects including infertility (1/5 becomes infertile permanently) along with weight gain and worsening depression. It's a nasty drug. If they offer it, of course do your resesrch but I recommend running the other way!

Well, don't laugh... Pre-weight gain, I was a 32A, I am now a 36 D to DD. I am also very cheap since I have gained all of this weight (it's going on 14 years). I have tried them all, I love enell, but I found that wearing 2 hanes walmart sports bras works great for me when I need a little extra support. Gotta keep the girls close!

Think of it this way. After surgery, for some people, there is no difference and they can eat pretty much what they want...until they get enough fill(s) to feel restriction. Then they start living as bandsters. For a very few, there is some weight gain during that time, known as "bandster hell". Then with restriction later, the fun begins..... Remember too that people who talk on this site are often looking for support for difficult times, so it appears that there are more problems with the lap band than therereally are. People who aren't haveing prolbems are less likely to post...they're just out living life. Believe me....I had cravings, binge eating, and grazing problems...and all the usual failed diets. For the first time in my life, with the band, I am losing and comfortable. When I screw up, I just stop losing..until I get back on the program. The band waits for me to get it together. I can live with that....

Lap band was removed a couple of months ago, because of slippage after 10 years. Lost 180 lbs, and I must say I looked great, so proud of myself. First they loosened the band until the surgery for removal could take place. I started gaining weight right away. I have gained 40 lbs in 4 short months, and I am starting to panic. I joined a weight loss center, and nothing seems to be working for me. Low carb, counting calories, but the weight just seems to coming back on so quickly. Is it true that since I was so obese before the surgery that now I have all those fat cells that seem to soak up the fat so easily now. It doesn't make any sense, I have been really trying, don't want to go back to my old self, I was so depressed and had no stamina, now I am active and feel good about the way I look, but its quickly going away, and i'm scared. Any tips would really be helpful. thanks

Help! I need some input ?? I have been having major, disgusting heartburn, and throwin up for the last year, its been really gross. I havent lost any weight for the good year, my mom passed away and have been in another "world". I just figured it was stress. So feeling a bit better, I went in for a very small fill after this time. But the nurse suggested I have a fluro too. I went and thank god I did ! Dr. Yau was awesome ! He said I was way too tight. He said I have been pouch packing and that is why the heartburn and throwing up. He ALSO said that my esophagus was almost three times what it should be !!!! NOrmally, it should only be a finger wide, but mine was almost three fingers wide !@!@! :redface: I couldnt believe it !! He let me see it and I actually took a pic of the screen with my phone !! Becuase I was too tight, the food wasnt going down and hence the heart burn and throwin up. He told me he had to defill me 3 cc's :wink2: which now puts me down to 5cc's. I told him I was very sad :cursing: with that because I was afraid I would gain some weight. But he said he prefers I graze all day and eat often but very little. I have to do this for a month and go for another fluro and then very slowly start up the fills. My question is: Have other people gone thru this and regained alot of weight? Will I be able to lose faster now? Slower? OPinions? experiences? I would really appreciate your input on kinda what to expect. I know everyone is different. I have another 42 pounds to lose. Help? :thumbup:

Kimberly, Congratulations on losing half of your weight---that's fantastic! The thought of never gaining any back is completely foreign to me but exciting. I, too, have a low-functioning thyroid and have taken medication since I was very young. When I am on the proper dosage, I don't notice any problems, but when the dosage becomes too low, the first thing I notice is either weight gain or lack of weight loss when I am trying hard. And unfortunately, when my medicine is increased, the pounds don't just drop off. However, they do eventually come off, which is the most important part. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Good luck with losing the remainder of your excess weight!

Thanks Rootman, I'm also doing self-pay and there is no aspect of this decision that was easy. Easy was gaining the weight and easy would be letting the repercussions of the weight gain continue to deprive me of living. I've tried so many ways to lose weight, different diets, different exercises, and it just didn't work for me. And it isn't working for Americans in general. I refuse to listen to another person who hasn't battled what I'm battling.

I have type II diabetes and was banded on Oct. 7th. I was able to go off of all of my diabetes medicines about 1/2 week into the pre-op liquid diet and am now a little over two weeks post-op and my blood sugars are rising. 145 this morning and 215 about 2 hours after breakfast. I think I am going to have to go back on some medicines, but hate to do it cause they promote weight gain. I was hoping that I could stay off of the meds altogether, I see my physician next Tuesday 10/28 and am afraid she will put me back on all of them again! Anyone else have the same problem?

New Study of Splenda Reveals Shocking Information About Potential Harmful Effects Posted By Dr. Mercola | February 10 2009 | 296,373 views [/url]James Turner, the chairman of the national consumer education group Citizens for Health, has expressed shock and outrage after reading a new report from scientists outlining the dangers of the artificial sweetener Splenda (sucralose).In animals examined for the study, Splenda reduced the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by 50 percent, increased the pH level in the intestines, contributed to increases in body weight and affected P-glycoprotein (P-gp) levels in such a way that crucial health-related drugs could be rejected. The P-gp effect could result in medications used in chemotherapy, AIDS treatment and treatments for heart conditions being shunted back into the intestines, rather than being absorbed by the body. According to Turner, "The report makes it clear that the artificial sweetener Splenda and its key component sucralose pose a threat to the people who consume the product. Hundreds of consumers have complained to us about side effects from using Splenda and this study ... confirms that the chemicals in the little yellow package should carry a big red warning label." Sources: Globe Newswire September 28, 2008 Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A 2008;71(21):1415-29 Dr. Mercola's Comments: It’s very important to realize that Splenda (sucralose) is actually NOT sugar, despite its marketing slogan “Made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar”. Rather it’s a chlorinated artificial sweetener in line with aspartame and saccharin, and with detrimental health effects to match. Splenda was approved by the FDA in 1998 as a tabletop sweetener and for use in products such as baked goods, nonalcoholic beverages, chewing gum, frozen dairy Desserts, fruit juices, and gelatins. Sucralose is also permitted as a general-purpose sweetener for all processed foods. The approval was given after the FDA supposedly reviewed more than 110 animal and human safety studies, but as you’ll soon find out, out of these 110 studies, only two were human studies, and the longest one was conducted for four days! There’s overwhelming evidence that consuming artificial sweeteners will likely wreak havoc on your body. Previous news has centered mainly around artificial sweeteners’ ability to impair your appetite regulation and leading to weight gain. For example, it’s been discovered that diet soda increases your risk of metabolic syndrome and, ultimately, heart disease. However, the study mentioned above, published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, found even further disturbing news besides weight gain. Splenda: reduces the amount of good bacteria in your intestines by 50 percent increases the pH level in your intestines, and affects a glycoprotein in your body that can have crucial health effects, particularly if you’re on certain medications They also found unmistakable evidence that Splenda is absorbed by fat, contrary to previous claims. It’s truly disturbing that Splenda can destroy up to 50 percent of your healthy intestinal bacteria, as these bacteria help maintain your body's overall balance of friendly versus unfriendly micro-organisms, and support your general health. Many people are already deficient in healthy bacteria due to choosing highly processed foods. This is why a high quality probiotic is one of the very few supplements I highly recommend for nearly everyone. The Diet Fallacy The belief that consuming artificially sweetened foods and drinks will help you to lose or maintain weight is a carefully orchestrated deception. So if you are still opting for diet choices for this reason, please understand that you have been sorely misled. In reality, these diet foods and drinks can cause serious distortions in your biochemistry and ruin your body's ability to control calories. As a matter of fact, it’s been shown that diet soft drinks can double your risk of obesity! Nearly a decade ago, studies were already revealing that artificial sweeteners can: Stimulate your appetite Increase carbohydrate cravings Stimulate fat storage and weight gain Unfortunately, most public health agencies and nutritionists in the United States still recommend these toxic artificial sweeteners as an acceptable alternative to sugar. Now, I am definitely not a fan of sugar, but if I had to choose between sugar and any artificial sweetener, I would choose sugar, hands down, without question. I strongly believe artificial sweeteners are even more dangerous to your health than an excess of sugar. The Health Dangers of Splenda According to James Turner, the chairman of the national consumer education group Citizens for Health: "This report followed accepted policies and procedures and the results make clear the potential for disturbing side effects from the ingestion of Splenda. It is like putting a pesticide in your body. And this is at levels of intake erroneously approved by the food and Drug Administration. A person eating two slices of cake and drinking two cups of coffee containing Splenda would ingest enough sucralose to affect the P-glycoprotein, while consuming just seven little Splenda packages reduces good bacteria." The web site www.truthaboutsplenda.com lists a variety of consumer complaints from Splenda consumption, such as: Gastrointestinal problems Migraines Seizures Dizziness Blurred vision Allergic reactions Blood sugar increases Weight gain My site also contains a long list of personal testimonials from readers who have suffered side effects from Splenda. In fact, we have more people on our site that have reported adverse reactions to Splenda than were formally studied in the research submitted for FDA approval! The symptoms are so numerous I can’t include them all here, but the following are common symptoms, usually noticed within a 24-hour period following consumption of Splenda products: Skin -- Redness, itching, swelling, blistering, weeping, crusting, rash, eruptions, or hives (itchy bumps or welts). These are the most common allergic symptoms that people have. Lungs -- Wheezing, tightness, cough, or shortness of breath. Head -- Swelling of the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, or throat; headaches and migraines (severe headaches). Nose -- Stuffy nose, runny nose (clear, thin discharge), sneezing. Eyes -- Red (bloodshot), itchy, swollen, or watery. Stomach -- Bloating, gas, pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or bloody diarrhea. Heart -- Palpitations or fluttering. Joints -- Joint pains or aches. Neurological -- Anxiety, dizziness, spaced-out sensation, depression. Beware – You Could be Consuming Splenda Without Your Knowledge You also need to be aware of the fact that although the bulk of Splenda is sold to processed food manufacturers and soft drink bottlers, it could turn up in your medicine as well, as nearly 10 percent of all sucralose is sold to drug companies. Many times sucralose (Splenda) will not be listed in the drug information, so there simply is no way you would know you are consuming a potentially dangerous artificial sweetener. However, if you experience any of the symptoms above even though you’re avoiding Splenda and other artificial sweeteners, then it may be worth investigating the ingredients of any medications you’re taking as well. Splenda Has NEVER Been Proven Safe for Human Consumption As of 2006, only six human trials have been published on Splenda. Of these six trials, only two of the trials were completed and published before the FDA approved sucralose for human consumption, and the two published trials had a grand total of 36 total human subjects. 36 people sure doesn't sound like many, but wait, it gets worse: only 23 total were actually given sucralose for testing, and here is the real kicker -- The longest trial at this time had lasted only four days, and looked at sucralose in relation to tooth decay, not human tolerance. Even more shocking, the absorption of Splenda into the human body was studied on a grand total of six men! Based on that one human study, the FDA allowed the findings to be generalized as being representative of the entire human population. Including women, children, the elderly, and those with any chronic illness -- none of whom were ever examined. The FDA claims they reviewed over 100 studies conducted on Splenda. What they don't tell you is that most of the studies were on animals. And, those animal studies reveal plenty of problems, such as: Decreased red blood cells -- sign of anemia -- at levels above 1,500 mg/kg/day Increased male infertility by interfering with sperm production and vitality, as well as brain lesions at higher doses Enlarged and calcified kidneys (McNeil stated this is often seen with poorly absorbed substances and was of no toxicological significance. The FDA Final Rule agreed that these are findings that are common in aged female rats and are not significant.) Spontaneous abortions in nearly half the rabbit population given sucralose, compared to zero aborted pregnancies in the control group A 23 percent death rate in rabbits, compared to a 6 percent death rate in the control group Chemically, Splenda is More Similar to DDT Than Sugar Yes. Splenda bears more chemical similarity to DDT than it does to sugar. Sucralose is in fact a synthetic chemical that was originally cooked up in a laboratory. It does start off as a sugar molecule. Then, in a five-step patented process of making sucralose, three chlorine molecules are added to a sucrose (sugar) molecule. The chemical process to make sucralose alters the chemical composition of the sugar so much that it is somehow converted to a fructo-galactose molecule. This type of sugar molecule does not occur in nature, and therefore your body does not possess the ability to properly metabolize it. As a result of this "unique" biochemical make-up, McNeil Nutritionals makes its claim that Splenda is not digested or metabolized by the body, hence it has zero calories. But, if you look at the research (which is primarily extrapolated form animal studies) you will see that in fact an average of 15 percent of sucralose IS absorbed into your digestive system, and according to this latest study, it is also absorbed into your fat cells. Unfortunately, if you are healthy and your digestive system works well, you may be at HIGHER risk for breaking down this product in your stomach and intestines! Your Healthiest Alternatives If you have a craving for sweets, rather than trying to find "healthier" ways to continue indulging in them, it is in your best interest to learn ways to relieve your cravings. The obvious one would be to stop eating any of the products to begin with. But sweets are powerfully addictive – sugar has even been shown to be more addictive than cocaine. Stevia is a preferable natural substitute, which can be used in making most dishes and drinks. However, complete avoidance of sweets is often necessary to break your addictive cycle, as your hormones insulin and leptin likely play an important role in your cravings. If you are unable to achieve abstinence from sweets, your emotional connection to cravings might be an important factor for you. One of the most profound methods I know of for diminishing the effects of food cravings is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). EFT is the psychological acupressure technique routinely used in my practice to help people reduce their cravings. There is enough evidence showing the dangers of consuming artificial sweeteners to fill an entire book -- which is exactly why I wrote Sweet Deception. If you or your loved ones drink diet beverages or eat diet foods, this book will explain how you've been deceived about the truth behind artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose -- for greed, for profits ... and at the expense of your own health.

Bull.. Plenty have been doing so successfully. It's just "difficult" because *everybody else* keeps pushing them, thanks to lobbyists. The same "common sense" that said the world is flat and the only thing you need to lose weight is obey Oprah and go to Weight Watchers -- enough of this surgery crap! -- has continuously worked to slander low-carb research to the point of engendering an environment hostile to getting folks clean of the junk. Use your brain: If you take someone addicted to drugs, get them clean, and then toss them into drug heaven, of course they'll have a hard time reverting. The same goes for food, the same goes for starch and sugar -- the very set of carbohydrates that the low-carb regimens are trying to avoid. I have canines. The fact is our species developed without agriculture -- agriculture is a recent phenomenon. We developed eating meat, with a few wild plants (not grown on -- or even adapted to! -- farms) thrown in. That is what our bodies expect of us, just as vegan kibble is not expected by the bodies of cats and dogs. I do quite well on about 45g carb/day. I'm nearly done for this day's eating and I'm actually around 28g so far; on a binge day where I have some mashed potatoes, I might get in about 60g. This is much lower the several-hundred recommended for my so-called "health". I certainly don't appear to need carbohydrates to live. My brain is certainly functioning *quite* well getting its energy from elsewhere. This claim that I need carbohydrates to live is pure and total, unmitigated lie, promulgated by an industry which stands to lose if people get off them, and perpetuated by an unwitting society of addicts. I know exactly where their recommendations got me when I was 220# (answer, a 130# weight gain), and I know exactly why my doc's pleased with my better-than-target weight loss. I also know why it is I don't seem to have problems with cravings for pizza or sub sandwiches or rice or Pasta -- it's an addiction, just as you would call food an addiction. Some of us have simply gotten clean of it. Just as I'm sure others wouldn't appreciate me pushing a buffet table full of their favorite foods from the past into their face, I know *I* would appreciate it if folks didn't try pushing them back on me, and I'm sure others would appreciate the same.

8 lbs! Wow. 3 previous cruises I didn't gain a lb. This is the first one with no fill in my band (slipped last month, waiting till late June for a sleeve revision). I ate with no abandon. eggs Benedict and corn beef hash for Breakfast, the buffet for lunch, a lavish dinner - and has anyone had Carnival Cruise Lines warm chocolate melting cake? It's to die for. I ate it EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. Then at about 11 pm, I'd order another dessert from room service- just because I could. Didn't go to the gym even once. Walked alot in ports, but obviously not enough. So it's official. I've now gained 30 lbs since getting married Dec 2011. It just crept up on me. About 1/2 of my closet doesn't fit anymore. I was down to an 8 and now I'm wearing about an 11/12. Hubby keeps telling me I should cut my carbs (he's a carb-a-phobe), but I feel like "hey, I'm having the sleeve done next month. Why not eat whatever I want?" I'm going to the dr on Monday to get my surgery date. I'm so embarrassed at my weight gain. And to top it off, we lost our camera on the last day of our cruise. All 500 pics of our week is gone. All those memories. No one turned it to lost and found. At least we have the memories to keep in our heads. What would you do if you were having the sleeve done next month? Try to lose weight or say to heack with it? I know what I'm going to hear "If you're not ready to change your diet then you're not ready for the sleeve". I AM ready. My band failed after 3 1/2 yrs (totally my fault, frequent vomiting) and I NEED something to help me take off the rest and maintain forever. It's why I got the band in the first place. I hate dieting. Marci

Sorry I'm going to warn you ahead of time, this will probably be a long post. So I was denied for surgery 2 years ago. I wasn't quite heavy enough to qualify. Fast forward 2 years and now I'm about 20-30 lbs heavier and I meet the weight requirement. BUT now insurance requires a 6 month physician supervised weight loss. I go next week and that will be my 5th visit. So far I've lost 8 lbs BUT due to hurricane Matthew we lost power so, not being able to cook, I fell off the wagon and gained back like 5-6 lbs. I have another weight recheck on the 21st and I'm paranoid! The dr doesn't have any record of me gaining the weight per say because I am in between appointments but what if I can't lose the excess weight that I gained back before my next appointment?! What's everyone's experience with this pre op weight loss stuff? I just have such anxiety about it because I was denied last time. Help :/ Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App