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So why do patients face longer wait times to receive bariatric surgery compared with surgeries to treat other life-threatening conditions such as cancer and heart disease? . One big reason: Many insurance companies (including Medicaid) require those seeking bariatric surgery to lose weight before their surgery, even though there's no data or evidence to prove preoperative weight loss affects long-term success. Patients with complex medical histories enrolled in Medicaid experienced the longest delays. Nonwhite patients also waited longer... Smokers and patients with high cholesterol or psychological disorders also had longer wait times for bariatric surgery. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180730090141.htm How long did it take before you had your surgery? How long did you wait calculated from your first visit to your date of surgery? What requirements or obstacles did your insurance carrier impose? Supervised weight loss attempts? Were you told that you had to lose weight during those attempts… and that any weight gain would impede your path to surgery? Did you have to meet with a psychologist, nutritionist, and attend required bariatric surgery classes before your surgery was submitted to your insurance for surgery approval? For those who were self-pay… did you circumvent your insurance carrier because of the obstacles/delays imposed by your carrier, because your BMI or other insurance mandated requirements did not make you “eligible” or because you had no bariatric benefits?

Hey Globetrotter... why don't you try 1000 cals a day? What harm can it do? As you move about a lot, your body might be holding on to every pound? If I go below 1000, which is rare, I feel like crap! Headache, grumpy and mega tired... Since the New Year, so over a mth now, I have gone back to my pre op routine... 3 meals a day, sometimes a good snack if I am low on cals, plenty of water and movement as much as I can. Ok, so I am not rocking the world but I am back to my 2lb bounce of 166lb... I did go to 170lb, my lowest 164lb so at least I am going in the right direction - I even put the weight gain on my ticker cos it wasn't shifting! I find the food and exercise thing pretty easy to be honest... the water is tougher but I am aware and trying my best. The hardest is staying positive and motivated. I've started tracking too, and finding that it helps keep an eye on things, then when I feel I need a rest from it, I take the weekend off tracking but still keep in mind what I am doing... Rest assured, I and others on this thread, know exactly how you feel... how can we not shed weight when eating like we do and exercise like we do? Some might think we are kidding ourselves and 'cheating' but I can promise you that I am honest here and honest with myself. If I make a cock up , I will fess up! Oh, and for the record, you ain't fat!!! Like I said before, 18mths later you are 130lbs smaller, lighter, fitter... that is a ****ing MASSIVE achievement. In saying that I also appreciate how fat 'feels' as I have fat days and not so fat days. Use this thread to spur you on, vent, celebrate... whatever, knowing that you aren't alone... hugs from across the pond and remember, we are in this together... x

Things have been a little overwhelming for me too lately... but not really SO bad. I do feel like running away sometimes, but don't have the money or guts to do so. There are so many rotten things going on in the world right now, but we both have jobs, and jobs that really mean something too... and we just lost a TON of weight, and have lots to be thankful for. Chin up, one minute at a time if need be. I figure I will get out of this crappy eating pattern soon, I bet as soon as my mom in law and sis in law are back home. I love them and they are really nice and easy going, but my obsessive calorie and protein counting is out the window, and my exercise habits are off kilter too. Not their fault, but I just need a fine balance to get the job done right. Don't even mention the wine and nibbles every evening! I am enjoying it, but the little weight gain and tiny voice telling me " keep this up and gain it all back baby" is not adding to my feelings of well being. I look forward to exercising a little more control soon....sooner than later! I had a great vacation by the way... lots of walking, and lots of good food. The sleeve helped me so much to stay at least in the ballpark...gaining only a few pounds is really a miracle.

Sunshine2: Here is the website http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/syn/nectar.html I did buy myself some QuickSlim30 just in case from my chinese herbalist. The ingredients are so natural. I see it as just taking a weight loss supplement since the ingredients are beneficial to general health. Here is some info on it: <TABLE height=166 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=409 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=header_title style="WIDTH: 363px; HEIGHT: 47px" vAlign=bottom>Introducing QuickSlim-30, the healthiest diet pill on the planet. </TD><TD style="WIDTH: 23px; HEIGHT: 166px" rowSpan=2></TD></TR><TR><TD class=header_text style="WIDTH: 363px; HEIGHT: 28px" vAlign=center align=left> What's so special about QuickSlim-30? Its combination of twelve herbs together achieves weight loss by balancing and nourishing your body. Is your weight gain due to stress? Poor elimination? Low energy? Poor digestion? A build-up of toxins? Slow metabolism? Let QuickSlim-30's twelve herbs work together to address any or all of these issues. The result is whole-body balance so you reach your desired weight --- quickly. There's no other formula like QuickSlim-30. As the most nutritious diet pill on the planet, QuickSlim-30 contains 12 healthful herbs that together balance your body, provide you energy, and help you reach your desired weight quickly. QuickSlim-30 contains these nutritious herbs for weight loss: Alisma - diuretic Aloe Vera - relieves constipation, cleanses internal systems, aids in fat and sugar metabolism Fo-Ti - promotes internal cleansing, detoxifies and strengthens the blood, invigorates kidneys and liver, increases vitality Fructus Mori - improves digestion, increases energy Goji Berries - increases energy by improving blood circulation, provides nutrition to kidneys Grape Seed Extract - strengthens blood vessels, reduces inflammation Green Tea - aids digestion, detoxifies, reduces cholesterol and triglycerides, enhances immune function Hawthorn Berries - strengthens the heart by enhancing enzyme metabolism and oxygen utilization in the heart muscle Lotus Leaf - improves urination Reishi Mushroom - improves energy levels, reduces cholesterol and blood lipid levels Spirulina (Blue-Green Algae) - increases energy and mood, provides carotenoids and other nutrients beneficial to those who don't consume several servings of vegetables each day, is a complete source of protein, especially helpful in obesity Sweet Tea Vine - improves protein metabolism, detoxifies, improves immune-system functioning <TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=10 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD>Directions for Use: Before breakfast, simply take one tablet in the morning with an eight-ounce glass of water. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications or under 18 years old, do not use this product. Discontinue use and consult a physician if any adverse reaction occurs. Most customers report low appetite while taking QuickSlim-30.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> I took them before and I felt really good on them. It does a lot more than just suppress the appetite. I am just going to have my bottle on hand if I feel I need it. I may just take them to detox and do all the other stuff it says. It also gave me energy to work out. Audree </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hi Seimmaj. Just as there are bad doctors there are bad nutritionists. I have spent months reviewing bariatric eating plans from hundreds of hospitals and the most important factor is cutting out ALL refined sugars from our diets. It’s really alarming that a nutritionist would tell you it’s okay to drink regular Gatorade or anything containing sugar. Even adding a cup of regular Gatorade to 32 oz water is sabotage. Powerade zero is delicious and has less sodium and zero sugar and I add water to it because after four weeks of absolutely no sugar I can’t stand the taste of anything sweet. Maybe your nutritionist is under the false assumption that all artificial sweeteners are bad, but stevia isn’t artificial and doesn’t effect glucose levels. It is simply a fact, attested to by the thousands of people on this site, millions of doctors, and years of research that any refined sugar, especially after bariatric surgery, will prevent weightloss and even cause weight gain. Think of your new stomach as a newborn stomach and ask yourself if you would give Gatorade to a new born baby. If you don’t believe us, maybe attend a group session for bariatric patients or maybe ask your surgeon their opinion. Wishing you a successful journey.

I’m guessing most of us understand that the disease of obesity is a complicated one. There are a number of factors that contribute to obesity. Some of these factors you may be very aware of; others you may be surprised about. Some of the causes of obesity are things you cannot do anything about; other causes of obesity are things you can influence. BARIATRIC REALITIES: Causes of Obesity – What Factors can YOU Influence? (Part One of Three) I’m guessing most of us understand that the disease of obesity is a complicated one. There are a number of factors that contribute to obesity. Some of these factors you may be very aware of; others you may be surprised about. Some of the causes of obesity are things you cannot do anything about; other causes of obesity are things you can influence. It’s important to recognize the difference. Why? For starters, you can stop beating yourself up over the things you can’t do anything about. It’s also important that you focus on putting forth effort where it will get you the best results! It’s essential for both doctors and those suffering from obesity to have a mutual understanding of these causes of obesity and which people can influence, so that: 1) Doctors can develop or increase empathy for the struggles of those suffering with obesity. When doctors better understand that many people with obesity have struggles that go beyond fighting their biology which negatively impact their weight, the doctors can more compassionately and appropriately address these issues and refer patients to see other professionals, if need be. 2) People struggling with their weight can evaluate the numerous factors impacting obesity and work toward accepting those things they cannot influence. In addition, they can take responsibility for putting forth effort into those aspects of their struggles with weight that they can positively impact. All righty, then! Let’s look at three of the main contributing factors of obesity and then talk about each one, emphasizing what, if anything, each person can do to have a positive impact on their weight. Genetics Culture and Environment Metabolism Genetics Obesity definitely has some genetic determinants, as researchers have clearly discovered. If there are a lot of obese people in your extended family, you have a better chance of being obese than someone from a family without a history of weight problems. Although there are many more obese people in the current population than in previous generations, this cannot all be linked to genetics. The genetic composition of the population does not change rapidly. Therefore, the large increase in obesity reflects major changes in non-genetic factors. Listen to this… According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2002): “Since 1960, adult Americans have increased in height an average of 1 inch but have increased in weight by 25 pounds.” So in 50 years, the human species has grown taller by only an inch but heavier by 25 pounds. That tells us there is more than genetics influencing weight gain in this country. PATIENTS: Even if you have a genetic predisposition for obesity, there are other factors involved, including the food choices you make and whether or not you exercise on a regular basis. Some of these behavioral factors are habits learned in your family, so what appears to be a genetic predisposition may be a familial pattern of unhealthy habits that can be broken. DOCTORS: Remind yourself that patients cannot “eat less/move more” and have any effect on their current genetic makeup. Acknowledge to patients their genetic predisposition for obesity in a compassionate manner. Help to gently educate them about the factors affecting their weight that they can influence. Do so in a “firm and fair” way, providing encouragement rather than admonishment. Culture And Environment In addition to one’s genes, a person’s culture and environment play a large role in causing people to be overweight and obese. The environment and culture in which you were raised impacts how and what you eat. Some people were taught to eat everything on their plate and couldn’t get up from the table until they did so. Others never sat at a table for a meal but watched television while they ate. Some kids are fed well-balanced meals while others exist on fast food or microwaved mac and cheese with hot dogs. In some cultures, simple carbs make up a substantial part of every meal. In other cultures, fruits and vegetables are consumed regularly. When you are a child, you’re not in charge of buying the groceries or providing the meals. You did learn, however, about what and how to eat from those with whom you lived. And guess what that means? How you feed your children is what they will think of as “normal” and will most likely be how they eat as adults. (I’m always concerned when weight loss surgery patients tell me their kids are “just fine” even though they eat the same unhealthy foods as the obese parent. It’s only a matter of time before the kids start to gain weight and have health problems as a result of their unhealthy diet and learned eating behaviors.) PATIENTS: Although your genetic composition cannot be changed, the eating behaviors you learned in your family, from your culture, or developed on your own can be changed. You alone now determine what kind, and how much exercise you do and what and when you eat. Your behavior is completely within your control. Work toward accepting the fact that you are in charge of, and responsible for, your behavior and every food choice you make. For every choice, there is a consequence, positive or negative. And NO EXCUSES! It doesn’t matter how busy you are, whether you get a lunch break at the office or whether you have to cook for a family. Even if you have five kids in different activities and spend your life taxi-ing them from one place to another, you are the adult and you are responsible for how you eat and how you feed your children. It takes a very responsible person to acknowledge, “Although I have a genetic predisposition for obesity, I am responsible for making healthy choices about my eating and exercise. For me and for my children.” Focusing on what you do have control over rather than that over which you are powerless, leads to believing in your capabilities. So take charge and make positive changes happen! DOCTORS: Engage your patient in a discussion about the cultural and environmental factors that helped shape their current food choices and exercise behaviors. Empathize with them, noting they are going to have to put forth consistent effort to change years of bad habit formation. Encourage them to get support, whether it is from friends with a healthy lifestyle, a health coach, a personal trainer, or the use of free online exercise videos. Help them set a short-term, reasonable goal and set an appointment with you to follow up. Remember, docs: That which is reinforced is repeated. Reinforce even small steps forward you see in your patients. This can go a long way in encouraging them to continue making healthier choices. A step forward is a step forward. Notice and praise every single step forward your patient makes! Resting Metabolic Rate Resting Metabolic Rate (or RMR) is simply the energy needed to keep the body functioning when it’s at rest. In other words, RMR describes how many calories it takes to live if you’re just relaxing. Resting Metabolic Rate can vary quite a bit from one person to another, which may help explain why some people gain weight more quickly than others. And why some people seem to find it more difficult to lose weight than others. There are some factors related to metabolism that you can’t change, but there are actually some that you can influence and change. Things you cannot change about metabolic rate: Metabolic rate decreases with each passing decade, which means the older you are, the slower your metabolism gets, making weight loss more difficult. Sorry ladies - Men generally have a higher metabolism, meaning they burn calories more quickly than women. You can inherit your metabolic rate from previous generations - which can be a benefit… or not. An underactive or overactive thyroid gland can slow down or speed up metabolism. Some things you can do to influence your metabolism and burn more calories include: Eat small, frequent meals. Drink ice water. You can boost metabolism temporarily with aerobic exercise. You can boost metabolism in the long run with weight training. PATIENTS: I’ll bet you didn’t there was much of anything you could do that would increase your metabolism. I’m hoping you choose to implement the ways you can help your body burn more calories. And what do you know? They are completely consistent with healthy post-op behaviors that you’re supposed to do anyway: 1) Eat small, frequent meals. CHECK. 2) Drink water (so add ice and boost that RMR). CHECK. 3) Engage in exercise, both aerobic and weight bearing. CHECK. There’s no reason NOT to anymore! (That’s a slogan from a really old commercial…) The point is, your specific RMR is both something that is unique to you, and that will slow down with age, is gender-influenced, and can be affected by thyroid issues. Accept the things you cannot change and DO the things you can to get the most out of your own, unique RMR. You DO have choices! Opt not to make excuses and JUST DO THE THINGS YOU CAN! DOCTORS: I’m pretty sure that educating patients is in your job description. Even though you have an allotted set of minutes during which to accomplish all your goals with a patient, point out the ways they can boost their metabolism while you’re looking into their ears, or hitting them on the knee with that little hammer. Present it as a, “Hey! Guess what I was reminded of today?” sort of thing. It’ll probably be absorbed better than a mini-lecture. Leave yourself a sticky note in the patient’s folder to bring it up in your next session… and then a new educational point for the next meeting, along with the small goal you set with them so you can be sure to praise them for their efforts! Patients and Doctors and all Allied Health Professionals: We need to work together to do the following: 1) End Fat Shaming 2) End Blaming 3) End Lecturing 4) Encourage reciprocal AWARENESS and ACCOUNTABILTIY 5) Encourage reciprocal EDUCATION and DISCUSSION 6) Encourage reciprocal GOAL-SETTING and FOLLOW-UP Stay tuned for Part Two of BARIATRIC REALITIES: Causes of Obesity – What Factors can YOU Influence?

It's getting lonely in here. Where are all the January bandsters? :biggrin: I hope everyone is doing good, and just out exercising - thats why your not online. :smile2: I called my doc yesterday and told her my frustration with the weight gain, she said - DRINK MORE WATER. So I did, and I had a 5 lb loss just last night. I've been running to the bathroom every 2 minutes, but hey, its working. I am still up quite a bit of weight, and I need to update my signature, just haven't felt like it. My exercise has not been good, its been so so, but not consistant, and I know that is a big problem for me. I'm focussing on trying to be consistant. Well, I've gotta run some errands, so will check in later.

Cindi -I am not too upset that I haven't lost weight in such a long time, mainly because I don't blame the band, I blame myself. I have made poor food choices. First, I went on vacation, ate whatever I wanted, while on vacation, I fell - came back home, my house had flooded, completely flooded and ruined almost every room in the house. I also had to have surgery on my knee. So, with all this going on, exercise stopped, eating began. Everyone from my church was bringing food to my family, we moved in with my mother in law, and ofcourse she cooked for me too. I was having a pitty me party! Well, my house is back order - (looks better than it did), my knee is finally healing, but I still want to eat all the junk. I'm battling the head hunger, but I'm about to win the battle I think. I'm getting better and better at saying "No thank you!". I'm also avoiding bringing in the junk into my house. So, even though I haven't lost weight in 6 months, I feel like I learned a valuable lesson. I know that I must take control and not resort back to my old habits. The other thing I have learned is I don't think I will ever weigh over 200 lbs again! Even though I haven't lost weight, I haven't gained either. I might have gained 5 lbs or so, but nothing like I had done "pre band". Normally a 6 month eating binge would bring on 50 to 75 pounds, no problem. I can live with a 5 or 7 lbs weight gain. So, I love my band. It's a wonderful tool, the problem is I haven't been using it as a tool. Now, I've got my head screwed back on like it should be, I am making better choices, I am actually planning my meals out. If it is not written down on my plan, I am avoiding it. Even when we went out for Mexican Sunday, I chose grilled chicken, and I counted out 5 chips and put them on my plate. I ate them very slowly so I wasn't eating a bunch of chips & salsa like normally. No one noticed I wasn't eating. Anyhow, its all about choices and attitude with the band. We have to utilize it as a tool and not let it do all the work, we have to do work, but the band will help us if we follow the rules. This is the lesson I have learned and it was a valuable lesson for me!

Well, went to the doc yesterday and I get to FINALLY come off my steroids, so I'm hoping the weight will start falling off. It's horrible the weight gain i've had. And not eating right is not helping either. Shawn - yes, I think we are all struggling and need to hang close to the thread so we can get and give support. I know I'm having a hard time but trying to overcome it. Damn that chocolate!

Hi everyone, I am scheduled with Dr. Ortiz in Mexico on October 8. I am having revision surgery and am one week into my pre op diet. I am a guy, 45, currently weighing in at 220. I lost almost 80lbs with my lap band and then when I was only 10 lbs from my goal it started acting up. My weight has been on the rise since. I am looking forward to reversing the weight gain and finally reaching my goal.

My surgery date is 12/9. I have been using Jenny Craig for my diet until surgery and probably afterwards also. We just took the 1200 calorie food sheets for different weeks and took out the Snacks between meals and it went to 1000 calories a day. It seemed to work for me. If you cannot afford Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers is a good one to use also. I am also excited and nervous about the diet. I have been so good on my Jenny diet and I get weighed on Monday morning. I think I am going to have a meal of something I want to before surgery. It will probably mean a weight gain at Jenny's but maybe not. We will see. I have lost around 40 pounds now. Thanks for listening, sometimes I wonder if anyone is really out there. I don't think I have had a reply from anyone. :wink2: Well good luck and God bless ya!!!! Pam92

Some random thoughts... I desperately want to go to the gym. I was always athletic until injury and weight gain sidelined me. I'm soooo ready! I have several brands/flavors of Protein powder and ready made shakes I no longer like. They are downright disgusting now even though I loved them before. Going to try layering them for new flavors. I was a little down today over liquid Protein only though it was better in the afternoon. Working out would help that but that's still a no no. It snowed here today on the first full day of spring. Couldn't even go for a walk. This hellish winter needs to end NOW! I'm more than bored with the shakes although they are filling. The satiety just isn't there and I miss texture and chewing. My husband has been great but he keeps saying he doesn't understand why people feel I'm fat. He never thought I needed the sleeve but supports me. I love this and hate it at the same time. Why do both the pre-op and post-op diets for docs differ so much? I'm all about letting my sleeve heal and will follow the post-op diet to a t but some are allowed a lot of diversity after one week. I haven't had a full nights sleep since two nights before surgery. Going to try lukewarm chamomile tea tonight. Ok that's it. Just needed to get these thoughts down somewhere. Hope you all have had good days. Tomorrow is the start of a new week and I plan to make the most of it!

Tons and tons of Water will wash the sodium which is what causes that weight gain during your period. And then try to reduce your sodium intake if you can that should help. Try not to worry so much about it, we all have that fear........and for you, no food funerals! LOL. That could make it worse!

I had my VGS on May 8th. I am almost 1 month post-op and am feeling much better. The decision for surgery took over a year of research, seminars, classes, tests...and a long discussion with my husband. Together we decided this life change would be best for me and my health. Let's go back to the beginning.... At age 6 I was diagnosed with Legg-Calve-Perthe's Disease in my left hip. As described below: Legg-Calve-Perthes disease occurs when blood supply is temporarily interrupted to the ball part (femoral head) of the hip joint. Without sufficient blood flow, the bone begins to die — so it breaks more easily and heals poorly. My form of the disease never healed. the femoral head died and fused with the rest of my hip. There are many who go through puberty and the hip heals itself. My childhood was spent in braces keeping my hips aligned to help with the healing process. I was never allowed to play like the other kids, participate in sports or pretty much anything else. It was a long childhood...that turned into long teenage years. From that and poor food choices by my parents and myself I became the fat kid. I was the one everyone made fun of. I had to ride the handicapped bus for 2 years and that's what started it all. The constant bullying made for a very angry girl/teenager. Fast forward to age 20, we went to the orthopedist's office to try and have my hip replaced but he refused stating there could still be some growth in the hip. Most of my 20's were spent on pain meds and weight gain and depression. In 1994 I decided to go on a diet. I went from 288 to 222 pounds in 6 months. I managed to keep it off for a year. It slowly crept back on...again, poor food choices and no exercise. When I was 28 I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis & Fibromyalgia. Medication was added as well as gaining weight. I was in such extreme pain and found comfort in food. In 2001 I found a surgeon in Seattle to discuss the possibility of hip replacement. At my appointment he was shocked it hadn't been replaced years ago and was disgusted at my previous provider's decision to not help me. During the surgery it took 5 people to dislocate my fused hip so they could replace it. Recovery was a long process and a lot of bad food choices since I couldn't cook. Even after having my hip replaced I struggled with my weight. When I married my 2nd husband in 2005 I weighed 304 pounds. Later that year I was diagnosed with Diabetes, peripheral neuropathy and a slew of other conditions. I was put on Metformin and over 2 years lost 40 pounds. I decided again to lose weight before I turned 40. I managed to get down to 221 pounds for about 6 months. My father passed away in December of 2012. I lost it...didn't care about anything. I was so depressed and had so much anxiety that I turned to binge eating for about a year. The physical pain was way better than the mental pain. I finally admitted to my provider at an appointment what I had been doing and we started working towards being healthy. Yet I still had a hard time controlling my diabetes, my RA was bad, the neuropathy was horrible and I felt so defeated. Like so many others I just gave up at that point. I ate what I wanted. My husband works nights so getting takeout was the easiest choice. I rarely cooked but when I did it certainly wasn't healthy food. In January of 2017 after many years of only having one insurance, I was able to be double covered!! I work for a Hospital and the insurance covered the bariatric surgery. I checked the benefits on my husbands insurance and sure enough...COVERED!!! I went to the seminar and from that point I decided this is what I needed to have done to save my life. (I've struggled with anxiety of thinking I am going to die at 60 like my dad did). Had my nutritionist visit, nutrition class, labs, EGD, EKG, Pre-op and surgery was May 8th. I like many others questioned my sanity after waking up from the surgery. I was so uncomfortable and in pain and depressed. That first day anyways...when I got home I felt much better. I am fully committed to this lifestyle change. I've struggled the past month with spasms, feeling too full, trying to get in my water requirement and the protein but this is what I signed up for. I want to live past 60. I want to be healthy. I want to get off my medications. I want to be happy with myself. Today my weight is 215. On admit I was 246 and on 5/10/17 I was 256. I am not in a hurry to lose the weight. I feel blessed where I am right now. I am still learning to listen to my stomach and not my head. I am focusing on the future and trying to live a healthy life. It's interesting to see what your stomach can and can't handle. Sometimes it's painful but heck at least I know for right now what I can eat. If you are reading this, thank you for taking the time. I know it's really long, I just wanted to share parts of my life and struggles with you. This surgery is a blessing. I am taking that blessing and holding it tight and am going to do what I need to in order to live a long life. Angie

I love this article. Very effectively separates fact from myth. I have no idea however, why it is accompanied by a shot of cleavage. Whatever. Enjoy! 10 Unbelievable Diet Rules Backed by Science By SHAPE magazine | Healthy Living – Tue, Sep 3, 2013 2:48 PM EDT by Adam Bornstein for SHAPE.com Ready for this? Everything you thought you knew about nutrition is wrong!When describing how you really feel about the latest miracle fix in the diet and fitness world, you'd probably like to drop an F-bomb-as in, what the fad? After all, how many times have you trusted logical sounding ideas or put all your faith in a diet strategy, only to find out that the time you invested was a waste--and you still haven't dropped the weight? Consider this your F-bomb-free zone. No fads, no faking, and no frustration. You see, when you really dig into the research, most of what you assume is correct about dieting is actually wrong. Discover the truth here and the only f-words coming out of your mouth will be "Finally. Fat loss!" 1. Skip Breakfast if you want. The one diet rule we've heard more than any other: A healthy diet begins with a great breakfast. There's just one problem: A good breakfast doesn't guarantee an overall healthy diet. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the NPD group, nearly 90 percent of Americans now eat breakfast, and yet nearly 50 percent of Americans are either overweight or obese. There are two things you should know about breakfast: 1. Timing isn't as important as you think. You don't need to eat immediately (or even within one hour) after you wake up. Your metabolism won't be harmed. 2. Eating an early breakfast means you're creating a bigger eating window (you eat for more total hours during the day), which might lead to more fat storage and more health problems, according to scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. If you eat your first meal at 7 a.m. and eat a late-night snack at 10 p.m., that's 15 hours of eating-which might be more than your body wants. The fad-free truth: No one meal is more important than any other. What matters most is total calorie intake, food selection (think salad versus Big Mac), and then how much time you spend eating each day. So if you don't love breakfast, skip it. If you do, enjoy your morning meal but keep an eye on your feeding window to make sure you're not eating more calories than you need. 2. It's OK to eat a big dinner. We all know that dinner is the most popular meal to eat with friends and family, but most people think eating after dark is the cardinal sin of weight loss. Nothing could be more incorrect. Italian researchers compared eating earlier in the day (10 a.m.) to eating later in the day (6 p.m.) In that study, there was no difference in weight (pounds) lost, but the late eaters lost more fat. Several follow-up studies concluded the same thing-timing doesn't matter. This statement from University of Oregon researchers sums it up well: "Eating too many calories causes weight gain regardless of when you eat them." The fad-free truth: Living in a world where you can't eat at night and can't enjoy food with your friends and family is restrictive and doesn't adhere to any science-backed rules of weight loss. You won't become fat by eating at night-that will only happen if you overeat at night. If you're aware of how much you should be eating within any given day, you can place those calories in whatever meal works best for your body. 3. Snacking does not affect metabolism. We know that when you eat, you burn calories. So about 30 years ago, it was determined that if you eat more frequently, you must burn more calories overall, and thus the "grazing" method was formed and a nation of people began consuming four to six small meals per day. One small problem: French researchers found that there is "no evidence of improved weight loss" by eating more frequently. They even went one step further to show that when it comes to the number of calories you burn per day (i.e. your metabolism), it does not matter if you graze or gorge, assuming that you're eating the total number of calories you need to lose weight. The fad-free truth: If you're told to eat 2,000 calories per day, it doesn't matter if it's separated into five 400-calorie meals or two 1000-calorie feasts. (However the composition of those meals does matter.) What works best for your schedule should determine the number of meals you eat. When Canadian researchers compared eating three meals per day to six meals per day, breaking the six into three main meals and three Snacks, there was no significant difference in weight loss, but those who ate three meals were more satisfied and felt less hunger. 4. Eat carbs to get lean. From Atkins to the Paleo movement, carbohydrates have been criticized more than all of the ladies on the Real Housewives shows-combined. Here's the real reason why carbs get such a bad reputation: Up to 50 percent of the carbohydrate intake in the typical American diet is in the form of highly processed carbs and sugar. So when people say carbs are bad, they're usually just talking about eating lots of sugar. But that's not really fair to every other food that also is labeled a carbohydrate. When compared to a typical American diet, a low-carb diet looks like the undisputed champ. However when compared to a good carb-based diet that is low in sugar, refined foods, and gluten (like the "Japanese Diet"), the results are very different. Before 1991, when Japan was considered a carb-dominate society, diabetes and obesity rates were never greater than three percent of the population. If carbs in general were the enemy, with their high starch intake via rice and sweet potatoes, the Japanese would be the fattest, most diabetic, and unhealthy population on the planet. However this was not the case, and their levels of obesity are a "problem" people in the United States wish they had. The fad-free truth: Your body needs carbohydrates. If you completely remove this essential nutrient from your diet, you could experience a down-regulation of the hormones that control fat loss, making it harder to have the lean, sexy body you want. A good general rule: Eat more carbs on the days you're active and fewer carbs on the days you're sedentary. And make sure most of your carbs come from whole foods such as fruits and vegetables. 5. There is a weight-loss pill worth buying. Most miracle "fat-burning supplements" are about as effective as an hour of Prancercizing. But if you want to take a pill to help promote fat loss, your best bet is a Vitamin that you associate with the sun. Researchers from Canada found that people with higher levels of Vitamin D also have lower levels of body fat. The connection isn't a coincidence. Vitamin D helps you feel fuller because, according to Australian researchers, it releases more leptin, a hormone essential to weight loss. It also helps you store less fat by decreasing parathyroid hormone, which makes you hold on to your love handles. Best of all, vitamin D literally burns more fat by reducing production of the stress hormone cortisol. The fad-free truth: Buying supplements to help you lose weight is not the best use of your hard-earned money. Your foundation is a healthy diet and exercise. But some supplements can help fill nutritional gaps that will help your body function more efficiently. Supplementing with 2,000 to 3,000 IU of Vitamin D3 is a smart investment for your overall health and fat-loss goals. 6. Exercise on an empty stomach. If you exercise with a high intensity, there's nothing worse than feeling sick to your stomach because you felt forced to eat before you hit the gym or pavement. There's a lot of science that shows eating before a workout is important, but "before a workout" is a much wider time range than you might think. In the simplest sense, your digestive process is very complicated. When you eat, the food does not go directly to your muscles or your gut. It takes time-a lot of time, in fact. So if you eat many hours before you train, there's still plenty of fuel to help you perform and feel great. The fad-free truth: Research published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism found that the Protein you eat digests anywhere between one gram per hour and 10 grams per hour. So if you have a meal consisting of 25 grams of protein, that meal could last in your system for up to 25 hours. Hydration level and sleep patterns also play a significant role in performance, so make sure you're well rested and have plenty to drink, and then eat when it feels best for your body, even if it means a small meal or no meal at all. 7. Eat saturated fat. books like The China Study and movies like Forks Over Knives have pointed the finger at saturated fats-and all animal fats-as the reason for countless health problems. Yet all the research used to support this hypothesis took a very slanted bias and completely ignored populations that were incredibly healthy despite diets based on saturated fats. For example, people who live in Tokelau (a territory off of New Zealand) eat a diet that is 50 percent saturated fats, and they have cardiovascular health that is superior to any other group of people. Even Walter Willett, chairman of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard, has publicly stated (after a 20-year review of research) that fats-and more specifically saturated fats-are not the cause of the obesity crisis and are not the cause of heart disease. The fad-free truth: Cholesterol actually acts as an antioxidant against dangerous free radicals within the blood. When there are high levels of undesirable substances in the blood (caused by inflammation in your arteries from eating highly processed foods and large quantities of sugars), cholesterol levels rise in order to combat these substances. Cholesterol is also necessary for the production of a number of hormones, some of which help fight against heart disease. Plus, research shows diets higher in saturated fats are often lower in total calories consumed. 8. Consider fasting for better health. Any diet that has you not eat at all is not a diet-it's starvation. But there's a difference between withholding what your body needs and reprogramming your body so that you can control your hunger and let your body recharge. The idea of fasting is nothing crazy. You do it every night when you sleep, which is a time that that is essential for optimal health. Yet the idea of going several hours without eating during daytime is frowned upon. When done correctly, fasting can actually help your body burn fat, recharge, and stay healthy. You've probably heard of cleanse diets that supposedly rid your body of toxins, improve the functioning of your internal organs, and help you age better. Most of these don't work as advertised. The only real cleanse occurs at the cellular level. It's called autophagy, and it's your body's ability to regenerate and become better. Autophagy makes your brain function a little better, helps with fat loss, and even assists in your ability to walk and breathe. But the more time you spend eating-as in actual hours during the day eating-the less time you spend in the autophagic process, which is why fasting isn't a bad thing. The fad-free truth: Researchers at the University of Utah found that people who fasted just one day per month were 40 percent less likely to suffer from clogged arteries. While there are many ways to fast, the important point is that you shouldn't feel forced to eat if you're not hungry. Short daily fasts (for 12 to 16 hours) or a once-per-week daily fast can have health benefits, and it will teach you to separate boredom or thirst from genuine hunger. 9. Going organic won't help with weight loss. I love my local farmer's market, and I always do my best to purchase products from the best sources. That said, slapping "organic" on a label does not mean it will help you lose weight, and in some instances it won't even guarantee that a food is healthy. Research published in the Annal of Internal Medicine reviewed 200 studies that compared the health benefits of organic foods to conventional foods and the results were surprising: There were no clearly distinguishable benefits of eating organic foods, whether measured by preventing disease or an assessment of overall health. Specific to weight loss, a random comparison of organic to non-organic foods found no significant difference in nutritional information, including calories. The fad-free truth: More research on organic foods needs to be conducted. There's no doubt organic foods have fewer pesticides and toxins, the real question is if the sometimes-small difference in toxins makes any scientifically significant difference on your health. More importantly, labeling a food as organic does not mean its weight-loss friendly. Organic sources of sugar are still sugar. And organic products loaded with 1,000 calories are still 1,000 calories. If you want to reduce the potential of anything bad entering your body, feel free to purchase organic products but still keep an eye on the label. 10. There's no such thing as too much protein. You may have heard that eating lots of protein can cause all sorts of health problems, including kidney stones and gallstones, but this is a moot point for most people. Why? Because there's no research showing any relationship between eating a lot of protein and developing kidney problems. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research tested eating up to 400 grams of protein per day without any negative consequences. If you have a preexisting kidney problem, it's possible that a higher protein diet could be hard on your body. But if you have a kidney problem, you should be talking to your doctor about your diet anyway. The fad-free truth: If you're healthy, you are clear to eat protein and not worry about any health problems-because there are none. What's more, protein is one of the most metabolic macronutrients, meaning that the more protein you eat, the more calories you burn. Just remember that calories are still calories so the rules of total intake still apply.

Had the surgery on 7/29/14. First 2 weeks were ok, had very low blood sugar so had to eat some carbs. By the 3rd week, I could drink more fluids, so I upped my Water to reach the minimum. I was severely dehydrated the first 2 weeks due to adjusting to the sleeve and can only down at most 17 fl oz of water in a day. So I lost 21 pounds first 2 weeks, then my weight bumped up 5 pounds on the 3rd week when I am able to finish 40-50 fl oz of water in a day... Parents are freaking out complaining about me eating scambled egg and fish and want me to go back to full liquid diet. I'm just wondering if anyone else had this problem of weight gain at the 3 week mark? http://www.urinecolors.com/dehydration-chart.pdf I know I got dehydration because for the first 2 weeks the urine color was the bottom color of this chart. Right now, it's the 2nd to 3rd from the bottom.

I, too am wondering: hw 302 sw 269 cw 274 Sleeved 7/16 How have I gained 5lbs since surgery??? I'm 3 days post-op. I don't want to go to my support group next week with a weight GAIN!

I chose 150 since that was the weight I was able to maintain in my 40s with no real concerns. Pretty much ate what and how much I wanted. Weight gain really started for me when I was about 47. I was 125-130 in my 20s but I can not picture myself at that weight now. All of my comorbidities have completely resolved now and I am in disbelief. I still need to lose at least 60 pounds which will happen when it happens.

Morning all............ MO: Be care and watch it. As long as your getting Water down and not PB'ing to much you should be ok. If you do PB know your stomach swells and you end up tighter than before. Vicious cycle. I usually go on liquids the rest of the day if I PB. For me the first day after a fill is fine but I get tighter each day after until about the third day when I start to stablize. YOU DON'T WANT TO BE TO TIGHT!! That is why I went back and got some out last time. I was to close to being to tight and I don't do to tight at all now!! Forget losing fast and loosening it up......doesn't happen that fast. Last time I PB'd like 4 times in one day and I went back and got some out..........My body is weird I have sorta accepted that I am gonna stay at 5cc's. LOL. If I eat protien I have awesome restriction right now. But sliders you wouldn't know I had a band!! LOL. So it is in my hands!! I am back to drinking 120 ounces of liquids but it takes me all day. Just remember that if you do feel to tight they take out way less if you back right away than if you wait and swell your stomach. Dr. Baggs only took out .25 or so last time. Just enough to give me some breathing room! Please be careful!! TAMRA: Yea I hear ya on the weight gain. I did that too but the thing is with me I rarely go up more than a couple pounds and than I stabilize. So your probably good. IF you stay on liquids to long you start to get dizzy anyway at least I do. I would love to see your new picture post as your avatar!! Next time you see Baggs you should give him a pack of gum and tell him your giving it up!! LOL. That time Liz got upset with that patient she made them clean out their purse and give her all their gum!! I was floored it was so uncomfortable to watch Dr. Baggs has a different approach he uses humor to make his point which works better for me!! I am stuck at 212!! I so want to be 199.........working really hard on that. My goal is August 31, 2010. I am doing the protiens and staying stable which is better than gaining. I am going between 212 and 214 something has to give soon. I usually lose 5 at a time quickly than stuck for awhile than another five. So I know my 5 has to be coming soon. PAM: I agree on stuff coming out with weight loss. I am working big time on anxiety now. I didn't realize I had it so bad until I ended up in ER and they said it was a panic attack(or possibly undiagnosed asthma made worse by panic).......now that I am really thinking about it I know I have to go back to counseling and I think the anxiety is keeping me from losing as fast as I want to.............I am so there with you on working on my head hunger and whats behind it. I NEVER want to go to ER again.............had enough of it the last year!!

Nicole, I hope you had a wonderful time. Jes, Candra, Donna and myself were glad to pull this together. It was great to have Heather over and meet new people. We had a lot of fun I a still trying to recuperate. I had to make another cake for a huge party on Saturday. All is well here. Jes the shrimp was off the chain! I can eat that all day and so can Teiko! Thanks for all the help you guys! So I got a fill after all the weight that I gained after Dr.Park read me the riot act as I danced around the reason for the weight gain. I have tried to be good. I have still maintained the 9lbs loss since my fill. Candra, I think I will name my band Rocky because it is kicking my a..... When I eat the stuff that I a not supposed to it gets stuck, so yes it is working and I am going to make it work hard. I want to be at at least 245 by May my bandiversary. I wish i would be at goal but it is not mathematically feasible. Hope everyone is doing well! Good night

I took a month off and I needed every day of it............I also have a very, very stressful job with lots of running around and driving. It would have been way to much for me to handle. Went back to work on Monday and actually it is the sitting all day that is making my port achy and hurt. Go figure. I guess I do better moving around or laying flat. My port was hurting so band by the time I got home tonight. Elastic pants tomorrow no matter how nerdy I may l look!!! LOL. Everyone is different. Gotta tell you my blood pressure and health was not great before surgery. I had migraines and GERD and (gross) I know but everything I ate made me sick at one end or another................I also had pnemonia really bad last spring and have some scarring on my lungs, I got chest congestion and a yucky cough after surgery. Hurt to much to cough it up(don't tell Liz) so I didn't which didn't help.............add the stess of my job and all the negetive media coverage lately and I was almost ready to go on stress leave forget surgery!!! I needed all that time to heal and get my head back in the right place........... to be honest I am out interviewing for jobs on Friday. Not sure my current job is a good fit for a "healthy" lifestyle. My PCP and Dr. Baggs have talked to me about work stress and how bad it has been affecting me the last year............Dr. Baggs said stress and weight gain go hand in hand...............so honestly I am trying to get into a less stressful/stable position as a long term goal to help with my weight and my mind!!! LOL. That is just my take on things........

Hello my beautiful ladies! Today is my 9/80 day off, and so far I have spent it walking, cleaning, running my boys all over town, and EATING . . I mean bad! Good food and all - except for the 2 tbs. of commercial blue cheese dressing I had at Round Table - I am just eating SO MUCH!! 990 calories already today, and it's not even dinnertime yet! Yikes! I do have some restriction, but in the mornings only . . . I can eat like 1/4 cup of lentils and start in on 1/2 cup eggbeaters, but can't finish it cause I'm full. That lasts about 3 hours - then I am starving by 11, and no restriction at all by then. None for the rest of the day, unless I happen to take a nap then I am tight when I wake up again. AND I gained another lb. back! I was down 8 lbs. since the fill, now I am down only 4 and gaining! I think I need another .5 so I will email Dr. Baggs this week unless I can make this 4 lbs. go away again. Tina after I posted that about the 3 lb. liver, I did some research online and found out that for every oz. of glycogen (emergency sugar stored in the liver) in the liver, the body has to store 2 to 3 oz. of water! So a 3 lb. liver could mean a 6 to 9 lb. water-weight gain. Apparently, that is the weight that you will lose on the first week of atkins or south beach low-carb diets. Maybe I should go on south beach again for a week . . but that would be falling back on the "old" diet behaviors, so I am more inclined to just stop competing with all of my RNY friends, and say "well my body is taking a break right now, it lost weight too fast and now it is going to rest before I start again." I don't know . . head hunger is bad right now . . if I was irritable I would assume it was time for Aunt Flo to visit, but I don't feel moody, just hungry and all the other parts of hormonal

Ah nicole you watched the show too!! I thought it was interesting. .......I think they will play it again. I saw the last half of it last night and was happy they were playing it again so I could see the first half. Crazy how they did the fill........sorta scared me I would rather lay down for it!! LOL. Constant changes..........oh that is a problem with me too. I get so bored so quick. Than I create a situation that forces changes..........I think some people call that being a drama queen or a flighty...........for me I get bored and want constant change all the time. Again boredom does me in I do crazy things when I am bored. I know that. I don't think it is an addiction as much as a pattern of behavior. For me when things get to calm or to quiet I have to really think and examine my life.........good and bad..........sometimes if there is alot of changes and drama and takes away from me having to focus on myself and my own feelings............so for me I use constant changes as a way to distract from feelings..........usually painful or yucky feelings I don't want to deal with........but remember I eat alot when I am bored to........it all goes together for me!! I also have ADD and am suppose to be on medication. The meds made me gain 40 pounds and made me sleep all the time!! So I won't take them again but I do have to do some behavior mod type stuff instead..............the psych eval at Kaiser asked me about this too...........I guess ADD people can't follow a diet well but I have done fine. I just don't want meds and weight gain anymore. Kaiser's regular counseling is through psychaitry. The name is deceptive but it all the same thing. YOu don't see a psychatrist unless the therapist or social worker sends you see one. I did counseling through kaiser and you go to the psychaitry department but only see a therapist. It is totally worth the time and money. I like it. Nicole they should have explained it better to you. I am gonna try to get signed back up for counseling again. My other plan is to make the montly meetings at kaiser a priority and than meeting and keeping in contact with all you ladies. That has truly helped me alot the last few months............... I really, really want this to work and I want to set up a safety net all around me so I CAN'T get tired and fail!! Like Pam was saying after the newness wears off reality hits and I want to be ready for it!! Nicole you might want to try the psychaitry thing but tell them you want a therapist not the doctor. I loved the therapist I had with kaiser.........rancho cordova area!! I am gonna try to find her again!!

Riley I am really close to stess leave. I am on a waiting list to see a psychiatrist though!! 2 months so it won't happened real soon. Seriously I might not have insurance by than.......but I could easily get stress leave at this point. We have two people in our office out..........seriously someone died this week in our office.....she got laid off Friday and dead monday morning..........she was stressing big time.........they don't know what caused it but stress didn't help......another lady out with a stroke. She ended up in the hospital two hours after her pink slip..........of course all overweight and health issues before........I am glad I at least have some weight off me and I am feeling better physically..........I don't want to end up on stress leave if I can help it!! Maybe whe the dust settles if I am still so stressed out........... I made sure I got the Celexa today. Asked Dr. Baggs he said he couldn't do it. But I chased my PCP down and diagnosed myself!! LOL. I know what I needed to say to get it done today. I wanted Paxil but ok I am gonna try this other one cause it is suppose to NOT cause weight gain which is always my concern. Effexor did nothing but bloat me up so I stopped................50 is six months ah no thank you!! I know the kids are not my responsiblity. But if one dies I get fired immediately. And I can be sued. We were told to get liability insurance this week cause things are gonna get crazy and the county can't defend/protect us against personal lawsuits......everyone is gearing up for the worst. I started the Celexa tonight. Still on the BP meds too. I have been having heart pain all week and still the light headedness. I was home from work yesterday. I think the fainting has alot to do with all the ups and downs at work and the frantic pace we are trying to keep.............not getting enough sleep and my house is a daiaster right now!! Letting that go...... Found out today the job I applied for is in my mom's unit so I can't get hired. I have to wait until another position comes up. My mom and I can't work for the same supervisor.............but hopefully something opens up in November in a different unit.......... I have a three day weekend and I need it!!! Than training next week Mon-Wed and than Thrusday a group fill. So tomorrow and next Friday are my last days at my current office. Suppose to get my reassignement letter on Friday than my forlough letter on the 25th. We are going to forloughs two days a week starting November 8.............. Going to bed. I am not on as much cause I am to tired but once I get my second wind or the Celexa kicks in.........:-) I will be back online more!!

Hola everyone! just getting back from vacation. I had a great time hanging out at the beach, eating and yes drinking. Best part was that we exercised everyday, swimming, bike rides, lots of walking, even went to the hotel gym. So all in all no weight gain. REady to buckle down now though....I'm a ways away from my next fill goal still. I was thinking maybe I should call and get on the calendar. Maybe that will kick me into gear. I still need to go back a read the last few pages but congrats Ash! Annalyn yes your getting close. Miss you guys....