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i have been struggling with my weight since puberty - it came on swiftly and somewhat without reason, based on my eating and activity level at that time. my ("normal" weight) mother was concerned, of course, but hoped i would "grow into it". i never did. as i grew up, i grew out. my thyroid was tested so many times, with nothing being wrong. when i got older, i resigned myself to being fat and then just let myself make poor choices. i'm fat already, why not? i put more weight on (naturally). a few years ago, i found out i have PCOS and that could explain my early weight gain. i've steadily put on over the years and it's really affected my life. i'm not married, i don't have kids (not sure if i am able, either, because of the PCOS) and i live in an area where being active and fit is really important (phoenix metro area in arizona). i've had some relationships but they were short-lasting and well, i'm lonely. not lonely enough to be with the jerk that's okay with me being fat so he can treat me like crap or the guy whose self esteem is so bad that he wants me to be fat so i don't leave him. and i'm okay with being alone if those are my alternatives. but i'm not okay with living the rest of my life alone. and at least here - girls that look like me have a very hard time meeting (let alone dating/having a relationship with) decent guys. and i'm SO TIRED of being told "you have a pretty face"! anyway, a few things motivated me to finally do it. i've been suffering from heal spurs and they limit my ability to just walk around with friends shopping, it's very hard to walk for exercise. my knees have also started hurting and i know it's weight related. the pain in my feet & knees has made me not want to go to concerts - something i've loved to do since i was a young teenager. and then there's just...i'm watching myself age. quickly. i tell my friends that i think i'm "hitting my wall." it's one thing to be very obese but still kind of cute and looking much younger, it's another to be very obese, physically limited and older, less attractive with thinning hair. a couple things happened that have allowed me to have the surgery - i have a job with insurance that covers a majority of the procedure. also, my parents received some extra money from a settlement and they offered to cover the costs that my insurance does not (to which i am so grateful). the very real possibility that i could lose my job (business is slow, economy related), motivated me to push to do this NOW. i had lap-band surgery because i'm ashamed i wasted my 20s being so damn fat and i do not want to be fat while i grow old. i want to have kids, and grandkids. i also did this hoping that if i lose enough weight, i will also lose most, if not all, of the symptoms of PCOS which have been messing with me for a couple decades now. i've felt i'm racing a clock that's all of a sudden sped up and i need to slow it down! i'm less than a week into this. i don't know what i've lost post-op, if anything, but the 20ish lbs i lost pre-op didn't even make a dent in how i look. so now is the time. i now have a wonderful tool to help me gain a body in which i can more easily move through this world in and hopefully be able to step out of the shadows to really enjoy life while i still can.

Kat, kat, Kat! Relax. You are still HEALING, actually. The Band is not a "Switch" that turns weight loss on. Or weight gain off. It's a whole different thing, and you are still right at the Beginning. The whole Lap band Experience is SO different for everybody. It might be a few more weeks before you see any changes. Or it could start tomorrow. But, as everyone here has already said, you are at the BEGINNING of this process, really. You need to give it some time. Life with the band is all about "tuning". Adjusting what you eat, when you eat, how much you eat, how much Fluid you have in the band, etc. There are people here who went for a LONG time before they began to lose. But, then it just began to ROLL off, and they were on their way. If you have concerns, talk to your Surgeon. But I'm pretty certain that he/she will tell you the same thing everyone here is telling you: Relax, and be patient. It will happen. Just give it some time. :crying: HH

Poor u Bigisis, it's horrid when you put on especially when it takes you into another stone mark. I'm still weighing in kg until I'm somewhere half decent! I just hope I can limit the damage to weight gain this pregnancy! I'm sure Aunty Wendy will help me on my way!! I'm sure I'll be referred to the consultants at the hospital anyway as my BMI is still over 35.

Ok I know I didn't blog last week. First off I gained 2 pounds last week but then I lost 2 pounds this week so it is a wash for the last two weeks. Let's talk about week 33 really quick. On Sunday the family and I were coming back from a reunion at my in-laws and I blew a tired on the freeway on the way back. Scary I know. Well in changing the tire I injured my back and hamstrings. As a precaution to keep from hurting myself any further I did not walk for the week. Thus the two pound weight gain. My injuries did heal thank the lord. Now for this week I walked on Monday. It felt great. Then Monday afternoon we had a meeting at work which was to inform us that we as employees needed to make a choice. We could either be laid off and go on unemployment or we could take an hours cut and only work 16 hours a week. Well for me that meant dire financial consequences as it would anyone and so my wife and I had to discuss what to do. As a result my stress level has been on high all week. I have hardly slept through the week. Today will be my last day at work but yesterday we learned at my work place that a client may be needing major work done which would bring everyone back to full time and keep us there for several months. So there is a glimmer of hope that the layoff will be short lived. My diet and exercise has not been the for thought in my life this week. So I can only attribute the weight loss this week to stress. However I am getting back on track and will continue to work on it. It feels so much better to to have lost what I have but I still have plenty more to go. I also will be back on track with blogging weekly and hope you all continue to check in on my blog each week! Weight loss totals for the last two weeks... Week 33 This week 2 pounds gained Current Weight - 357 lbs Loss Since Surgery - 85 lbs (33 weeks) Total Weight Loss - 128 lbs Week 34 This week 2 pounds lost Current Weight - 355 lbs Loss Since Surgery - 87 lbs (34 weeks) Total Weight Loss - 130 lbs

Ok I know I didn't blog last week. First off I gained 2 pounds last week but then I lost 2 pounds this week so it is a wash for the last two weeks. Let's talk about week 33 really quick. On Sunday the family and I were coming back from a reunion at my in-laws and I blew a tired on the freeway on the way back. Scary I know. Well in changing the tire I injured my back and hamstrings. As a precaution to keep from hurting myself any further I did not walk for the week. Thus the two pound weight gain. My injuries did heal thank the lord. Now for this week I walked on Monday. It felt great. Then Monday afternoon we had a meeting at work which was to inform us that we as employees needed to make a choice. We could either be laid off and go on unemployment or we could take an hours cut and only work 16 hours a week. Well for me that meant dire financial consequences as it would anyone and so my wife and I had to discuss what to do. As a result my stress level has been on high all week. I have hardly slept through the week. Today will be my last day at work but yesterday we learned at my work place that a client may be needing major work done which would bring everyone back to full time and keep us there for several months. So there is a glimmer of hope that the layoff will be short lived. My diet and exercise has not been the for thought in my life this week. So I can only attribute the weight loss this week to stress. However I am getting back on track and will continue to work on it. It feels so much better to to have lost what I have but I still have plenty more to go. I also will be back on track with blogging weekly and hope you all continue to check in on my blog each week! Weight loss totals for the last two weeks... Week 33 This week 2 pounds gained Current Weight - 357 lbs Loss Since Surgery - 85 lbs (33 weeks) Total Weight Loss - 128 lbs Week 34 This week 2 pounds lost Current Weight - 355 lbs Loss Since Surgery - 87 lbs (34 weeks) Total Weight Loss - 130 lbs

i am very excited about this path i am on to better myself by improving my health. even the preparation phase has been a great experience. the psychological evaluation probably was the most enlightening. it revealed that i am 'above average in intelligence' but quite dysfunctional in my relationships with men. this coupled with disappointments, loss, unplanned changes, and a desire to shut off myself from the world lead to ballooning of 100 pound weight gain over a period of six years!! :smilielol5: The trip part about all of this is that i didn't see it piling on. talking about denial. i finally saw it staring in my face when i was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea. i realized that i could die in my sleep from the underlying factor of being too fat... for the first time in my life i was scared. this was my turning point. i knew i needed to do something but whatever i needed to do i knew i could not l do it on my own. i did what i always do when i am afraid, or uncertain...i prayed. believe it or not, my two-fold miracle began when i found this page and then found a group of people at a center called true results who lead me each step of the way. so now i am almost at the finish mark for completing all my required testing. tomorrow i will have my nutritional consult which is the final visit. then i'll wait to hear from the insurance company. it's been a long four months... so tell me what was your turning point and where are you in the phase one process:rolleyes2:?

i am very excited about this path i am on to better myself by improving my health. even the preparation phase has been a great experience. the psychological evaluation probably was the most enlightening. it revealed that i am 'above average in intelligence' but quite dysfunctional in my relationships with men.:sneaky: this coupled with disappointments, loss, unplanned changes, and a desire to shut off myself from the world lead to ballooning of 100 pound weight gain over a period of six years!! :thumbup: The trip part about all of this is that i didn't see it piling on. talking about denial. i finally saw it staring in my face when i was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea. i realized that i could die in my sleep from the underlying factor of being too fat... for the first time in my life i was scared. this was my turning point. i knew i needed to do something but whatever i needed to do i knew i could not l do it on my own. i did what i always do when i am afraid, or uncertain...i prayed. believe it or not, my two-fold miracle began when i found this page and then found a group of people at a center called true results who lead me each step of the way. so now i am almost at the finish mark for completing all my required testing. tomorrow i will have my nutritional consult which is the final visit. then i'll wait to hear from the insurance company. it's been a long four months... so tell me what was your turning point and where are you in the phase one process:rolleyes2:?

Yay Laura, Exciting to buy those smaller clothes. I started at a tight 20w and now a 12. Would love to be a 10 or 8. I was wondering how long you took off from work. I plan to only take two weeks off but my third week will be during thanksgiving so will only work 2 1/2 days. I hope I'm up for it though. I am having a TT and BA. I had a breast reduction 11 years ago before I gained a bunch of weight. Now that I lost boobs are flat and skin stretched from weight gain. Need a bit more on top Did you take Vitamins before the procedure (bromelean, Biotin, arnica (whatever that is)?

I have taken them before and swore I never would again. Jacked my head up BIG time! Now pills like Xanax for Librium or Tranxene, yes, because they are for temporary nerve problems...recreational, if you will, :laugh: Bad thing about any of those is they make me gain weight too! They sure help wth sleep though! In general I am not a depressed person. I am down on myself about my weight gain and about certain situations that are FIXABLE in my life. There are things that need to be done and things that need to be addressed/fixed in order for me to fix ME...I know what needs to be done. I am just working on a plan of action in my head and am taking steps in the right direction. Bear with me... :tt2:

Hi gals Well, there was so much real cheese in that pie, but everyone loved it... of course I knew i was not going to be able to eat it so it has real cheese in there, and way too much due to the little accident....lol We had a nice day, my sister is really starting to become the person she use to be. I went to PA today and we had a long talk, I told her about the big weight gain with the lexapro and then loosing it except the last 5lbs, because of course i'm super pms this morning ... she gave me a fill, my biggest one, i'm up to 1.5cc, she was going to put me to 1.75 but i told her i wanted to do baby steps, I then asked her for the post surgery pages of the diet so i could get back on track of what i should be eating. That was a bonus. So I am on Clear liquids for 2-5 days, the min is 2 days but left it up to me... but no more than 5, then mushie food for the same amount of time. I also have an appointment with the nutritionist on mondy, so I hope to get a swift kick in the butt to get this going again. I'm sipping chicken broth right now. Pamela, I think you still have my aol email address, I'm going to look there, but glad you are doing well already! Judy, you getting some nice weather to send my way? I'm tired of all the cool temps and rain. Well, today was a hit, so i'm happy. never walked this morning so going out in a bit.

Went back to the doc today. He was disappointed in the only one pound loss in three weeks. Needless to say, so am I. I am still keeping caloried in check and exercising. For the most part I eat healthy. He did another fill under fluoro. I am up to 11cc now. I have been sick since drinking all of the contrast and upchucked it. I waited a couple of hours and tried some cream of chidken soup, unfortunately that came back up. I only hope it is just the fill today. We will see tomorrow. I sure hope it is not an obstrction. Been there done that. To top it all off, my treadmill died. Ain't that a killer!!!! Aggravated and disappointed but I guess that too will pass.

How often do you do cardio? Have you ever experienced a weight gain after doing a week of cardio? I have noticed when I bumped up my cardio I have gained 3 pounds..I dont get it.. I know muscle weighs more than fat..but I could not of gained 3 lbs o muscle in one week. Does anyone have any suggestions?/ and what do you eat for breakfast....do you eat oly three meals ...any snacks?

Hello Ladies! Well, I'm getting excited for my garage sale. We have things ready (mostly, lol) and planning on selling cinnamon rolls and lemonade (like Melissa suggested, I think it's a cute idea). I hope to sell the rolls, because I don't want them in the house, lol! My sweet tooth demon will surely attack them. If there's any left, I'll just have hubby take them to work. And Tap, I made my signs HUGE, lol . . . I agree with you, some people make such small signs, they are impossible to read. Anyway, hoping to make some money this weekend - the weather is supposed to be really nice, so that will help. I hope it all goes well. :tt2: Thanks all for the kind words about my kitty. I still have two cats around the house, so it helps. I think they may be sensing a difference too. Just gonna keep the positive thoughts flowing, and remember the good times we shared. Well I saw my surgeon yesterday, and he is just the nicest guy. He didn't give me any lecture regarding my weight gain at all, he was just concerned that he couldn't give my lap-band even a small fill without giving me heart burn or reflux. So I have to go and get an Upper GI and then he can evaluate the band further. I hope it's not slipped or something. Ezma, if you conquer that cookie demon, will you let me know how please? The seems to be my big problem, I'm just craving sweets lately. I went to the whole foods store after my doctor visit, and stocked up on some fresh fruits in season - plums, nectarines, and some great looking kiwi fruits. I also bought a bought some new things to spruce up salads - sprouts, sun-dried tomatoes (not sure the calorie count on those) and some butter lettuce. Butter lettuce makes good sandwich wraps too! So I'm still trying . . . I gotta beat that sweet tooth demon in the butt. :thumbup: Melissa, I hope you have a great time with your family in Utah! You'll have to share it all with us when you get back. Isn't it great not to have to worry about fitting into seats and other things! :wub: Struggling with you on the exercise Tap - with all the work we've been doing on the sale (plus other family gatherings that have been going on), I just haven't had the energy to do as much as I should. I've been out on my bike, and still working around the yard, but it's not enough to keep up with what I've been eating! I did drop two pounds rather quickly. Maybe it was Water weight? I can hope, lol! Thanks so much for this post Irene - it really gave me lots of inspiration! You are right, we do need to keep doing 90% on our own (although right now I wish my band was giving me a LITTLE help) . . . I loved where you said "there is no limit on how many times we can try again." AMEN to that! :thumbup: Just keep swimming all, and have a great weekend! I'll probably be back on Monday :tt1: ((((Warm Hugs))))

Yikes! I have not had surgery yet but I am very worried about you. I am worried you are going to cause a leak in your staple line. I am also worried about such a rapid weight gain. Could it be retained fluids you are gaining? That worries me even more! No one should gain that much weight in a week. Something is wrong. Honestly......you need to see a Dr. like right now. Did you have your surgery in Mexico or in the U.S.? Get in to see a bariactric specialist if seeing your doctor in person is not an option. Please keep us updated.

Rude awakening this morning to the realization that at some point the power must have flickered in the night, and my battery back up on the alarm is shot as well! Rick and I were snoozing so good, the storm last night brought in some cooler weather, when all of a sudden he bolts upright and says a bad word. Brought me out of my warm and snuggly place quite quickly! He raced around and was out the door. It would have been normal time for me to get up pretty much, and we usually are chatting before the alarm goes off, but it was kinda darker than normal, and cool and just perfect sleeping in weather....just the wrong day unfortuately! Pamela, hope today is less painful than it is going to look. Just keep in mind how it is going to look soon! My Mom is having her arms done in a couple of weeks. It is a genetic thing, and we have HUGE arms, that the fat pad eventually drops over the elbow. She would never spend the $$$ on it, then when she got this unexpected inheritance, we convinced her to do something she wanted that she refused to use retirement $$$ on! The PS told her with the type of weight gain in her arms, she could get down to 89 pounds and not have body fat ANYWHERE else, and there would be a pad of fat there--he said there is no effective way to help a muscle in that area to make it "defined" fat, it is just there, and if you are genetically disposed to the type of thing WE have then it is the only way to get rid of it. So as soon as the rest of my debt is paid, I am starting to save for it. I have several errands to run before work, and all involve money flowing like water....sucks in a major way! I gotta go get my allergy drops in my eyes, I am miserable, wish the corn would finish tasselling everywhere and my eyes would be almost normal again.....grrrrrrr Sorry about your pie Jenn, I dumped a fresh baked one perfectly upside down in the floor one time. I so wanted to jump up and down in the middle of it, had to settle for saying bad words....

Hi,Clempier Hang in there, as women we get one huge roller coaster ride every month. I won't even weigh myself one week before or one week after my period becuase I know with water weight I'll be up,but then a week after my weight is back down. The weight gain even though its temporary "freaks" me out so for my sanity and my husabands i don't weigh.You are trying to juggle a lot of balls at once sister don't forget to pick your battles. God bless you, Book

IF....just some lunch and snack ideas for you. I am a "pre-packager". I buy products and then break them down into the 100 cal. snack bags. I have a couple of bins in my pantry full of meals and snack for on the go or just for at home. *Beef jerky (I order Worlds Kitchen from Amazon.com) *Kashi Go-Lean Crunch and Fiber One cereals *Soynuts *Pure Protein bars (WalMart) *Myoplex Lite protein bars (Right now eatins the full strength since I am in weight gaining stage) *Cheese sticks rolled with deli meat Just some ideas for you!

Oh my dear VV's!! My are we struggling??? It's such a great heartache for all of us. Lori, never feel like you are being silly because you lost your cat. I've been through that before - and I see it again on my horizon. My little buddy is getting up there, and is definitely slowing down lately. I try to ignore it, but in my heart I know it's looming. Probably not in the too near future I hope, but it's coming. Ugh, I even feel tears just thinking about it. We have for the many of us been dealing with weight gain. I know for a fact now its much more common than many might think. So many have this false hope that once they have the band that they will lose weight "forever". Well I really try to stress that, that is a false hope. Not in a bad way, but to make sure they understand that no matter what you do - YOU HAVE TO DO THIS ON YOUR OWN. The band is not some magical wizard that is going to do this for you. It helps, sure - but its more like - 10% Band - 90% Willpower. It still beats the 100% willpower though, no? My vacation was super! I just re-charged and I feel great. Now I have to get back to getting up early again. I feel sleepy! Only got about 5 hours sleep!! Anyway, back to what I was mentioning... I am seriously going to get back my weight loss mojo. I am going to be super strick for the month of August. I'm only going to have my 3 square meals - and my lunch and dinner will be strictly portion controlled. My only Snacks allowed are fruit or beef jerkey. No sliders, ie yogurt or whatever. I need to eat things that I know wont leave me hungry again too soon. Good luck and as always - KEEP SWIMMING!! This truly is a life long battle. The good thing is there is no limit on how many times we can try again. :biggrin:

The Lap Band Zone II: "Dealing with civilian response" By Aaron Grossman, Babyboomers.tv staff writer, "More Salt than Pepper" I had Lap-Band surgery six weeks ago. Since then, I’ve lost 45 pounds and my doctor has eliminated the massive dosage of blood pressure medication I was taking. For more information on what Lap-Band Surgery entails and my reasons for opting into it, click here . I’ve encountered mostly positive reactions to my decision of taking the somewhat drastic step of bariatric surgery in order to arrest my compulsive overeating. Actually, I’ve encountered only overwhelmingly positive feedback to my significant weight loss. That’s natural: I look better; I’m starting to resemble the person I used to be before I blew up into a medically obese creature; and, my sunny demeanor is returning in place of the cynical, clearly frustrated persona I had adopted during my long descent into “fattitude.” However, there are other reactions with which I find myself contending. Most commonly, there are many folks who just don’t know what Lap-Band surgery is. Or, others who mistake it for full-scale bariatric bypass surgery. My surgery was laparoscopic -- 5 small incisions used to insert the Lap-Band itself along with a “port.” Once explained, they silently nod their heads and I can hear them thinking … “Why would he choose this invasive technique just to lose weight?” Or, “What’s the matter, he can’t stick to a diet?” These observations belie the more extreme reaction which I have actually had said to me personally … “Surgery? That’s the easy way out of dieting.” In fact, there are just such reactions to news from Australia that the government is considering paying for Lap-Band surgery for morbidly obese patients who can’t afford the procedure. This, in an effort to forestall the exorbitant medical insurance costs of the consequences of obesity: high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiac conditions, strokes, etc. Click here for more details. But, when you dig a little further or just Twitter reactions to the news from Australia, there is a range of vitriolic (anonymous) email responses: • “Why can’t these fatties just stop their whining and shut their mouths?” • “This is such a f_ _ _ ing easy way out and a waste of taxpayer money for those of who really should lose weight by shutting their traps.” • “Why are governments looking at lap band surgery for obese people? Why not start by censoring what they put in their mouth first???” The diet / fitness / healthful eating discourse has never been serene. Witness Oprah Winfrey berating herself for her recent weight gain in the January, 2009 issue of O: “I'm mad at myself. I'm embarrassed. I can't believe that after all these years, all the things I know how to do, I'm still talking about my weight. I look at my thinner self and think, "How did I let this happen again?" There are many of us who were born into the “lucky gene club” --- they eat as much as, if not more than, the rest of us but their metabolism burns white hot and they go through life without fat (or guilt.) There are others who successfully work hard at achieving the balance of sensible eating, a fitness plan and a moderate lifestyle. However, Reuters reported in January, 2009 that “the number of obese American adults outweighs the number of those who are merely overweight, according to the latest statistics from the federal government.” • Numbers posted by the National Center for Health Statistics show that more than 34 percent of Americans are obese, compared to 32.7 percent who are overweight. Speaking for myself, I had reached my personal point of ‘no return.’ I had been on too many diets only to gain the weight back. While I knew I was capable of great discipline and had spent thousands of hours in the gym, the lure of food as an anesthetic to life’s woes had proven too great for me. After much research, attending numerous support groups and speaking with many post-operative Lap-Band patients, I concluded that the surgery would be right for me. The notion of inserting a tool which could physically signal that I was too full to eat more food resonated with me. So, off I went. To those who say it’s the ‘easy way out,’ here’s my reply: I went through both abdominal surgery and the attendant recovery from its unpleasant discomfort; I no longer drink coffee, carbonated beverages or distilled spirits; I will probably never again eat hard, crusty bread, well-done meat or anything else that can’t pass through an opening the size of a toothpaste cap in my ‘new’ stomach; if I do overeat, I’ll get sick, nauseous or vomit; in the worst scenario, I’ll be hospitalized from eating the wrong food or the wrong amounts. This is the ‘easy way out?’ On the other hand, in 6 short weeks, I’ve lost 45 pounds and have eliminated virtually all of my blood pressure medication; I can walk 6 ½ miles without getting winded or having to stop from joint pain; and, I am happy to do chores around the house again. I achieved this, in no small fashion, with the love and support of my family and, yes, relying on good old fashioned discipline to consume the right foods in the correct proportions. At the end of the day, Lap-Band surgery has empowered me to take control of my food intake and regain my sense of self. It has not always been easy and it is definitely not for everyone. But it’s working for me right now. The very best part … and it didn’t happen as a result of the ‘easy way out’ … is hearing friends and loved ones tell me “Welcome, you’re back again.” F. Scott Fitzgerald famously said “There are no second acts in American lives.” He was wrong – I’m living it right now.

The Lap Band Zone II: "Dealing with civilian response" By Aaron Grossman, Babyboomers.tv staff writer, "More Salt than Pepper" I had Lap-Band surgery six weeks ago. Since then, I’ve lost 45 pounds and my doctor has eliminated the massive dosage of blood pressure medication I was taking. For more information on what Lap-Band Surgery entails and my reasons for opting into it, click here . I’ve encountered mostly positive reactions to my decision of taking the somewhat drastic step of bariatric surgery in order to arrest my compulsive overeating. Actually, I’ve encountered only overwhelmingly positive feedback to my significant weight loss. That’s natural: I look better; I’m starting to resemble the person I used to be before I blew up into a medically obese creature; and, my sunny demeanor is returning in place of the cynical, clearly frustrated persona I had adopted during my long descent into “fattitude.” However, there are other reactions with which I find myself contending. Most commonly, there are many folks who just don’t know what Lap-Band surgery is. Or, others who mistake it for full-scale bariatric bypass surgery. My surgery was laparoscopic -- 5 small incisions used to insert the Lap-Band itself along with a “port.” Once explained, they silently nod their heads and I can hear them thinking … “Why would he choose this invasive technique just to lose weight?” Or, “What’s the matter, he can’t stick to a diet?” These observations belie the more extreme reaction which I have actually had said to me personally … “Surgery? That’s the easy way out of dieting.” In fact, there are just such reactions to news from Australia that the government is considering paying for Lap-Band surgery for morbidly obese patients who can’t afford the procedure. This, in an effort to forestall the exorbitant medical insurance costs of the consequences of obesity: high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiac conditions, strokes, etc. Click here for more details. But, when you dig a little further or just Twitter reactions to the news from Australia, there is a range of vitriolic (anonymous) email responses: • “Why can’t these fatties just stop their whining and shut their mouths?” • “This is such a f_ _ _ ing easy way out and a waste of taxpayer money for those of who really should lose weight by shutting their traps.” • “Why are governments looking at lap band surgery for obese people? Why not start by censoring what they put in their mouth first???” The diet / fitness / healthful eating discourse has never been serene. Witness Oprah Winfrey berating herself for her recent weight gain in the January, 2009 issue of O: “I'm mad at myself. I'm embarrassed. I can't believe that after all these years, all the things I know how to do, I'm still talking about my weight. I look at my thinner self and think, "How did I let this happen again?" There are many of us who were born into the “lucky gene club” --- they eat as much as, if not more than, the rest of us but their metabolism burns white hot and they go through life without fat (or guilt.) There are others who successfully work hard at achieving the balance of sensible eating, a fitness plan and a moderate lifestyle. However, Reuters reported in January, 2009 that “the number of obese American adults outweighs the number of those who are merely overweight, according to the latest statistics from the federal government.” • Numbers posted by the National Center for Health Statistics show that more than 34 percent of Americans are obese, compared to 32.7 percent who are overweight. Speaking for myself, I had reached my personal point of ‘no return.’ I had been on too many diets only to gain the weight back. While I knew I was capable of great discipline and had spent thousands of hours in the gym, the lure of food as an anesthetic to life’s woes had proven too great for me. After much research, attending numerous support groups and speaking with many post-operative Lap-Band patients, I concluded that the surgery would be right for me. The notion of inserting a tool which could physically signal that I was too full to eat more food resonated with me. So, off I went. To those who say it’s the ‘easy way out,’ here’s my reply: I went through both abdominal surgery and the attendant recovery from its unpleasant discomfort; I no longer drink coffee, carbonated beverages or distilled spirits; I will probably never again eat hard, crusty bread, well-done meat or anything else that can’t pass through an opening the size of a toothpaste cap in my ‘new’ stomach; if I do overeat, I’ll get sick, nauseous or vomit; in the worst scenario, I’ll be hospitalized from eating the wrong food or the wrong amounts. This is the ‘easy way out?’ On the other hand, in 6 short weeks, I’ve lost 45 pounds and have eliminated virtually all of my blood pressure medication; I can walk 6 ½ miles without getting winded or having to stop from joint pain; and, I am happy to do chores around the house again. I achieved this, in no small fashion, with the love and support of my family and, yes, relying on good old fashioned discipline to consume the right foods in the correct proportions. At the end of the day, Lap-Band surgery has empowered me to take control of my food intake and regain my sense of self. It has not always been easy and it is definitely not for everyone. But it’s working for me right now. The very best part … and it didn’t happen as a result of the ‘easy way out’ … is hearing friends and loved ones tell me “Welcome, you’re back again.” F. Scott Fitzgerald famously said “There are no second acts in American lives.” He was wrong – I’m living it right now.

Ok well, I had some real inner fighting going on with myself before I got the band. I was so nervous and concerned about whether or not I was doing the right thing for myself and my family. I knew without a doubt I needed to do something that I thought was drastic but I wasn't sure I wanted WLS. I was so paranoid about the surgery and the care required afterward. I took about a year to attend seminars and finally pick a surgeon (gaining weight the entire time I might add). I would be for it then against it and so on. That is, until my older brother's wedding. I have posted it on a thread before but I wanted to tell you also. His wedding was May 23rd. I flew to Atlanta and I had done a lot of preparation buying new clothes, shoes, everything, spending big bucks on my hair and nails, etc. You get the idea. Thinking I looked pretty good but still knowing I was overweight just not registering it. So I go, and man were there a ton of the "beautiful people" there from LA, New York, everywhere. I was deflated in a real big hurry. All the prep I had done meant nothing in about 2 minutes flat. So, after an entire weekend of crying my eyes out, I made up my mind right then and there to do it and never looked back. I was banded less than a month later. That is how determined I became. I even had pre-testing and insurance to go through and did it in record time. Now, a little more than a month later and awaiting my first fill on 08-04-09 and already 25 lbs. lighter, I am more thrilled than I can explain. I never thought I would see the day that I could lose weight instead of gain. I had a host of medical problems not just caused by weight gain and I had just come off of 2 years of oral steriods for a skin condition. But the weight is coming off with some work and determination. Hope you find that determination and decide what to do. Good Luck!

That's a great idea SHM, I appreciate all your help and suggestions. I spent most of the day today making signs, plus we have an ad in the paper (starting on Thursday), so I hope we did enough advertising. I'm looking forward to it! I think having a bake sale as part of it would be fun, as long as I don't eat any of it - which I probably would, lol. I'm not feeling great lately. Tap, you're not alone, I've gained weight too. But I've gained a lot more. I don't know why I get so close to my goal, then blow it and gain back. This up and down is getting to me. I have to see my surgeon tomorrow, and this is the first time I've gained this much weight. The band isn't working for me right now. If my surgeon puts any fluid into it, I get heartburn and reflux. I'm starting to feel like this has all been another big diet, and everything I've lost is gonna come back. I am scared I'm gonna fail once again. It's why I went and had this stupid band, I need it. I just hope my doctor will have some words of wisdom tomorrow, instead of giving me a lecture. Plus I know I've been emotional eating. My cat "Aesop" had to be put to sleep on Monday. My hubby and I have had him 18 years, the same number of years we've been married. I've never known a moment in this home without my kitty. It was his time, and I know it was the right thing to do - he was nothing but skin and bones, and suffering. I know it's silly, and some say it's "just a cat", but I've been so upset for the past few days, crying off and on. Then overeating - why do we turn to food for comfort? Would my doctor understand this was part of my weight gain? Somehow I doubt it. :w00t: Or am I just making excuses? :thumbup: Ok, I'm rambling and venting here. Sorry girlfriends. I'm still gonna keep swimming, things are just moving very slowly right now. I hope I can get back into my grove of weight loss. I'm actually looking forward to the garage sale, maybe it will perk me up a bit. I'm putting my ticker back to where my weight is truly at, I can't keep lying to myself. I hope I can get back where I was. Talk to all again soon, hopfully I'll have more positive things to share. ((((warm hugs )))) to all

That is okay. You can get back to eating right starting right now. No reason to wait until tomorrow. This isn't how every diet goes because after the waiting time is up you get to have a fill and work to find the sweet spot. The nurse was completely out of line. No doubt about that. Weight gain like that can be fluid. It takes 3500 calories to pack on a pound. I doubt that it true weight gain. Hang in there. Keep your chin up. Keep making smart choices and eating bandster portions. When you reach the sweet spot you'll wonder how you ever lived without it!

Val, I am glad u have some relief, I know when I was too tight it wasn't worth the weight I lost. I was miserable. Heal first, then worry about your diet. Linda, it is so nice to see you back. if your weight gain is from slider foods, I don't think a fill will help. I am speaking from experience. Eat protien and see if u feel full and then you'll know.........It is hard, because I also let myself slide and now the thought of meat and cheese and eggs make me sick sometimes...keep us posted and just know you are not alone we are all struggling. the band is not the easy way out, it is just a tool, we still have to work hard to get to our goal.......vicki