Search the Community

Same.. BCBS has a Baby Yourself program, so some nurse calls and checks up on me and talks to me every month. The first time she called, she asked if I used artificial sweeteners.. I told her I use Sweet-n-Low (Only one I like, and I like it a LOT!) and of course, she says that's the ONLY ONE that hasn't been tested (why??) and cleared, so told me to swap to Splenda, Equal, or Sugar. I tried Splenda & Equal and do not like either.. so I went to sugar for a little bit, but with the weight gain, I decided I didn't need more sugar than normal.. so I'm back to Sweet-n-Low. I don't have it every day, I have it when I get tea at restaurants, probably 4x a week. Oh well..

HAPPY NEW YEARS!~ I am back! So sorry, I haven't been on in nearly a month. Please forgive me! I lost the journal my password was in, it was MIA. I found it yesturday. i had gotten a email saying "we miss you Raynie, please log back in" he ha so I clicked on getting a new password sent to me and yada yada it was a lengthy process, so I went digging for my book. So here I am! First of all I missed everyone! Bex, how are you doing? Are you getting nervous? I see your due in a few weeks! Gosh the time has flown by! And Candice, you are due like anyday now right? Wow! I am so excited for the both of you!!!! *hugs* I feel like both of you- I want to start my weightloss now! I cant stand it anymore! I am actually waddling, lol. I have gained 22 pounds and feel like a blimp. I just want this over with. I am dreading the next 3 months- Iknow I will be over 50 pound weight gain. I finally got the dreaded lecture from the doc. She said to watch my juices and high cal drinks. She was actually nice about it though. I havent told anyone- but I have been drinking soda like a mad person. Atleast 2 a day. It had been a year and once I had to drink that orange soda from the docs office for that glucose test- I figured out fast that the carboniation didnt affect me. So bad girl for me! I cant stop its like an addiction. I want a fill soooo bad! My hair has been bothering me- I dont know what to do.... i had dyed it black right before I found out I was pregnant, now my roots look disgusting. I feel like crap everytime I look at myslef. My self esteem is like down the drain now. I also developed a baby rash- or red rash- its all over my face neck and chest. Its gross. My concealor helps alot, but still, when I go without the makeup and add the hair with the ugly roots, I feel nasty and depressed. Also, my skin feels prickly and hivey, although I really dont see anything- no actuall hives or bug bites- and this is really wierd to me. oh well, 3 more months I tell myself! I am so glad the holidays are done with! It was truely exhausting. The inlaws was supposed to have surprised me with a baby shopping spree- It didnt happen. Instead they bought us a Chevy Suburban! Which we needed cause I already have 4 kids, and the Honda Odyssey we have only sat 6. So that was a huge relief and a total shock! This burban is absolutely gorgeous! I love it! Its a dark blue, too match our Batman theme! Oh by the way- we finally found out the sex! Its a BOY! whoot for the DH. Of course I still wanted a girl, but oh well. We had went to DH's dad house over the holidays- the brought out old photos of DH when he was a kid. My DH was very ugly as a child. heha. I know thats mean but it was true. I couldnt believe my eyez. I thought they were joking around at first- but they werent. So I had to pretend he was cute. But actually I am worried. I wonder if my kid will be ugly now. My Dh's grandma and mom had the baby pictures- when I saw them, i almost cried- again, he was ugly. I couldnt believe this is happening. If the kid comes out ugly looking- I just hope he turns into the handsome prince like his dad did. But damnit those were ugly pictures! The only thing that I can think of too describe what he looked like was a mixture of Ernest- that funny guy from the dorky movies- Ernest goes to camp_ I think its what it was called- It was so long ago.... and the show the Wonder Years- Paul..... the dorky kid with the glasses. /sigh. Oh well. I suppose I should have checked this pic out before I got married! Just kidding. I still love my dh, I just hope he comes out looking like me. Minus the fat gene. I know that I am rambling on- but its been so long since I posted. So Candice, you have no idea what the sex is yet? Thats cool! I really tried to wait and be surprised too- but I couldnt do it. Duh. Do you have names picked out? and what is your exact due date? Same with you Bex.... what are you naming your little girl? What color did you paint the nursery? When is your exact due date? I am so excited for you guys! And for the rest of the preggo momies- congratz on all the newbies! Please keep posting all your info and chat- I want to read about it all! And thanks for joining our thread. I feel like I am forgetting something- I am finally getting sleepy, so I am going back to bed. Does anyone else have insomnia? I feel like it hits me from 6pm til 6 am. I just cant sleep. I still have not gone to water arobics, the class starts at 9 am, but that seems to be the only time of day I can sleep soundly. Which is frustrating. I need to change this routine. All I can think of is that its the baby saying get some practice staying up cause I am not going to sleep at all at night! heha. Funny baby. Also, I know this is strange- dont think I am nuts- but is it possiable- that I am having a dairy allergy? Thats why I feel all hivey and itchy and prickly? Like its the baby giving me clues as to which baby formula I should use? All my other 4 kids were lacto intolerent. So I am thinking this one will be too. But maybe he will be more serious intolerent. I am thinking I should start him off on Enfamil Nutragima from the beg. I know it sounds so nuts. I just seem to worry about everything! I also worry that I wont have everything I want for the baby. I added it all up- and with the cost of the delivery, baby stuff, and plane tickets for my mom, and everything else- the total is a whopping $7000! Yikes! My delivery- co pay is $500 a day- I want to stay for 4 days- which comes out to $2000. I need to stay for four days- again, a mental choice- but I feel its best for the babys health. Since once I get back he will be around the daycare- since we are not closing down. I am also getting induced, so that I wont go into labor during daycare hours. The Kaiser hospital I am delivering at is an hour away. I would never make it if I went into labor and had to wait for parents to get off work. hehehe.... I need to stop stressing, i am sure it will all work out, and to just have faith in God. Is anybody else going thru this? *hugs* ~Raynie!

Thanks to everyone who responded on my weight gain question. It sounds like it varies so much from person to person and that 5 lbs. isn't something to be concerned with. I go tomorrow and I am interested to see what his scale and he has to say. I should have known that picking a doctor who is rail thin wasn't a good idea. I needed a jolly, old, fat guy! :heh:

One fill is usually not enough for most people. There is a lot of info on the forum about how fills work, it might help to read a lot of them to understand the process. Until and unless you have good restriction it will be possible for you to eat more than you should and during that time old fashioned willpower and dieting is needed to avoid weight gain. Counting calories, tracking protein intake and reducing carbs is the key. Exercise and water will boost the above effort.

Maybe you're eating it too fast? I know that no matter what I eat, if I eat it too fast and don't chew well it will be painful. I am a slow loser but I tend to gain back easily and once I gain that pound I go into that vicious cycle of drowning my sorrows with bad food which leads to more weight gain. I talked to my Doc about this and he said to weigh myself every morning and if I gain ONE pound then to put myself on "Time Out" A protein shake for Breakfast, a SIMPLE salad for lunch and a protein shake for dinner. And nothing else! It definately works! The next morning not only have I lost the pound I gained but I lost ANOTHER! Woohoo. I'm glad to have found something that can nip the emotional eating in the bud. It stops it before it ever gets a chance to start. I feel like I'm actually starting to "heal" that connection between emotions and food.

Hey, NJ Gal, You did it? You got married? Congrats! Where are the pics? Please don't get down on yourself too much about not weighing what you want. you're a newlywed, please enjoy this time with your new husband and then set a date to get back on track with eating. I have a complication with my band. Dr. says it's unlocked. I am having a second surgery on Aug 5th to lock it. I have not lost more than a couple pounds since the end of April, but I have been able to maintain my previous weight loss, by walking. I never believed how much difference the walking can make, but it does. Maybe that can be part of your "get back on track date" to start tracking what you eat AND walk at least a mile. Everybody can find 20 mins to walk a mile. Before you know it you'll be walking 2 miles. There were days earlier this summer, before it got too hot, that I was walking 5 miles. I can't even believe that myself, but my feet are living proof as I have the blisters to prove it! But I've endulged in ice cream and other summer treats, like a cocktail or wine and still managed to hold off the weight gain. Take your son with you to a walking path near you, maybe he can bring a bike or skates, while you walk. I see families on the path near me do this all the time. Anyway, Congratulations again and lock up that snack food! hope you post a link to the wedding photos!

I had 6 cc and had to have all removed except for 2 cc because I was 4 months with no weight gain. However I am 21 weeks and have gained 5 pounds now. So I think everyone is different depends on you.

1000 calories is good. I try to get between 1000 and 1200. If you haven't tracked in a few months, could be a few extra Snacks are sneaking in and writing it all down and adding it up will help you to see where it's sneaking in. Try varying the calories from day to day, like one day 1000 and another day 1200. I find it can help to confuse our body on what to expect. Yes, on shorties the weight lost shows quickly and so does the weight gained. Yikes!

I think it is hard to compare or even go crazy trying to obtain some number. Botttom line if I stay on track I will lose. I was surprised when I got home and found I had not gained or still retained weight gain fron surgery. I only lost 13 net pre surgery.

I was a slow loser too. I am soon to be 64 and have orthopedic issues that limit my activity, so I am not going to lose as quickly as someone who is able to take up an aggressive exercise program. One of my blood pressure meds causes weight gain. All of our bodies and abilities are so very different, so just relax and stick with your program. Also when I was stuck on a stall that lasted for several month I gave up dairy and the scale started moving again. Hang in there and be patient.

I think I have hit the 3 week plateau/1 pound weight gain, but I wanted to double check I have my numbers on things all right. I tried to post this as it's own thread but did not like the responses I got. Hopefully, July sleeveers can be more helpful. Is it 60-80 grams of Protein a day? 64oz of Water but do protein shakes count towards that number ? 1000-1200 calories a day? (I am only 4' 10") Is there a fat, carbs, to protein ratio or anything? Using my fitness pal to track my calories, carbs, protein, fat . . . Is their a maximum amount of carbs/sugar per protein shake? I had to stop Bariatric fusion because I could not take it post surgery. 30 minutes no liquids before eating and 45 minutes post eating? No more than 4oz of protein shake or protein soup at a time to avoid stretching stomach? At least 30 minutes of cardio a day? Any certain amount of fruits or vegetables? Anyone have any tips? Just discouraged! I am just about to get below 200 and have lost about 30 pounds since surgery so being stuck is playing a mental game.

I'm totally there with you, I'm 7 weeks post op (a June sleever) and the 3 week plateau did come with a pound or two weight gain and nooooo weight loss for a week. Here is week 7 and I've gained 2 pounds! Here we go again. Booooo! I'm right with you in calories too, I hear about ppl who can BARELY stomach 600 calories, I'm between 800 - 1100. I'm 5'8". While your caloric intake is higher than others at your stage, you aren't eating enough to GAIN weight. Your Protein looks good, Water is good (I'm not doing well in the water intake department), exercise looks good. Remember, you will hear this throughout this site and the SAME thing happened to me with my first stall, getting into 'onederland' sometimes takes a while. My first stall at 3 weeks I was at 201 and stuck like Chuck. One week later I lost 4 pounds! We have different set points, maybe this is yours. I am now stuck again at 7 weeks, same issues as first stall and even though I know it will pass I am discouraged. But stalls come and go from what I hear, so we better get used to it. Just keep truckin' along and stay positive.

@@Candygyrl & @@The New Kel I so.... understand and know that feeling of .... Wow, he's with her? A lot of mine also came from the fact that i was not always fat.... When he and i met i was a size 0... 100lbs 35-22-36.... We both worked in the public... he a bartender and me a waitress. So when we got together... everyone in this small town know us... and he was a bodybuilder at the time so .... 6'4" Blonde, blue eyed muscular man.... He gained weight but never like i did....I was ashamed to go in public... imagined in my mind that all our old friends were thinking.... Wow, she really let her self go. Why is he still with her? I got depressed and gained even more weight.... i didn't know how to control it... i never had to diet before and didn't really know how. I learned fast... hehe. Any way, i got fed up with the up and down crap and chose the LB. Thinking i would get healthy and sexy for my husband. and he will have no reason to be ashamed of me...Even though he never said a word about my weight, the mind games i played with myself were terrible. I really thought the weight gain was the reason we never had sex (are hardly ever)... and at first as the weight started coming off... We did have more sex... but then it went in the craPPer again. Like i said before there are a lot of contributing factors.... but the WLS pushed it over the edge. In fact he said.... Your losing weight was the worse thing that ever happened to our marriage. @@Candygyrl and you are beautiful

I'd also be very hesitant to get a hysterectomy. I was lucky enough to see an endocrinologist from the Mayo Clinic who was fabulous. Here's what he told me: metformin generally helps people lose about 10% of their weight before you hit a plateau. However, it does help stop weight gain. And, with the band, you've got another weapon in your arsenol. PCOS is a condition thata should be treated by an endocrinologist, not a general paractitioner. I've had my share of experiences with bad doctors (hey, there are good and bad people in all professions.) The only doctors I've experienced who really understand PCOS are endocrinologists. Find one and get an appointment. I had to go out of network and pay a lot of money, but it was worth it to experience a doctor who is both intelligent and understands your condition. At 25, you have a long life of fertility ahead of you, if you choose to have more children. The metformin might help you conceive, if that's what you want to do right now---it worked for 3 of my friends with PCOS within a few months of using it. Also, the more you can lose, the better it will get. I've been banded one week only, but already, I've lost a few pounds 14 since the pre-op diet (1 month total), and I'm not even on metformin right now. Stay away from juices, sugary drinks, too many carbs at once, and it will start to work for you, too. And please please please don't let one rather uninformed doctor sway you. (Sorry if I sound like I'm preaching....) :biggrin:

Wow, what was it about yesterday? :thumbup: I had two cookies, no reason for it, didn't even need them I just wanted to be a little rebellious. :biggrin: I also went out to eat last night with some friends and ate much more fried food than I should have. Today I'm up about 2 pounds. But I also realize that I had a bunch more sodium yesterday so part of me is wondering if that didn't contribute to the weight gain as well. But you are all right, today is a new day and I'm ready to make good choices. Thanks guys :tongue2: Christy

Hi good friends, You are all SO right about the weight gain. One of my biggest goals in life is to enjoy the truly memorable, rare moments. Being pregnant and getting to eat lotsa yummy food or justifying a bowl of Cereal every night before bed is one of those fun parts and I will not give that up. So I'm resigned to the fact that I may hit about 30 lbs before this over...that allows me to gain slightly more than a pound a week, very fair. Besides, there are weeks where I don't each much and don't gain at all, so hopefully it'll even out. I was like Heather and gained very little the first 4 months, so I figured it would continue that way. I wanted to say thanks for your remarks about my surgical scars. They bother me, but I'm more confident every day that it shouldn't be a big issue to keep them under wraps. I just have loved ones that won't understand, won't respect my decision, etc. As far as updates go, it's been kinda a crazy week. I had my work baby shower last Friday, it was a blast and we got tons of cute stuff! I will have one with friends and family next month. Also Friday, I had to rush to the OBGYN's office because I had gone 2 days without feeling the baby move and a blood test showed elevated levels of B12, which can put the baby in duress. Everything was fine, but it was a scary ride to the doctor's office! I've felt him daily since then, but the doc was great and basically said I could drive to the clinic every day if I wanted to hear the heartbeat and they wouldn't mind. Weekend was nice and pleasant, got a maternity swimsuit for those weekends at the pool that me and my girlfriends love so much, went out to lunch and shopping with a girlfriend. Late Sunday afternoon my hubby got in a bad car accident. He is completely fine, but he totaled his car. This actually works in our favor. We had 4 or 5 yrs left of payments on it, it was starting to have expensive repairs issues (it's an Audi), and he missed his Jeep days, so now that the insurance co has declared it a total loss and paid off his car loan, we get to find him a better car, more baby-friendly and less expensive to maintain. So it looks like we're both getting new cars soon, because my trusty old Ford Focus, while an amazing and perfect car for the past 10 yrs isn't the most baby-friendly either. I'm actually a bit sentimental and sad to see it go! Cherry, I am so excited to start post-baby weight loss support! I know we will do great. Fairy, how is life as a mom? I'm a first-timer like you.

I still have 22 lbs to lose before I'm at pre-pregnancy weight. Sigh...i have been bad all week too, so who knows if I've gained? Probably. Just dealing with hunger sucks. I know I need a fill, but I am not wanting to be tighter than I am right now! Lately I don't eat large meals, but I notice I get growly tummy after breastfeeding. It's food choices, pure and simple. Cravings for the naughty foods are worse at night, so I will try to work harder at that. The main reason they measure your tummy is simple, for easy, quick checks of growth. Your tummy measurement should match your week, so 37 cm should mean you're 37 wks along. However, the measurements are not as accurate if you weren't slender to start with, so don't worry too much about it. One of my pregnant friends has measured very large since about 24 wks, always measuring about 5 wks ahead. This has prompted several sonograms. Her last tummy measurement was done when she was 36 wks, however it showed her at 41 wks...she has not had a healthy pregnancy. WAY too much weight gain, fatty, salty foods, etc has resulted in gallstones and gestational diabetes. Her docs aren't too happy with her, as she was obese to start with. So basically, the tummy measurement is a good diagnostic tool to determine if other tests should be done. They estimate her baby girl at over 9 lbs right now, and she isn't due until Halloween...so it's looking like a C section might be the only option. I love her to death, just hope she's getting nutritional food for the baby. Even if the veggies are drenched in ranch, I wish she was eating more of them. Abe is 10 weeks old and doing great, smiling and laughing constantly! He is in the 75th percentile for height, so he will hopefully be tall, and 50th percentile for weight, so he's gaining perfectly. How are all of you out there? Excited for the new babies to arrive soon!

Post-op "starvation" is very common. Know that you all are not alone!! Liquids pretty much just run right through the band. Think of it like a funnel. They just drain right down through. It would be hard to do any damage to your stomach. Once you are back on solids you will feel so much better. I was ready to eat the kitchen sink, my dog, the couch, anything I could get my hands on that wasn't moving faster than I was during that time--the dog got lucky! Also, note that a bit of weight gain prior to the first fill is not uncommon, as there is little to no restriction. It is like having a beautiful new car with an empty gas tank. You have to fill the tank to get performance out of it. Borrowing the metaphor from a poster back when I was first banded. Heal and feel better. Over time as you get fills and find the sweet spot you will find the appetite control and the weight will come off. Denise

Hey Susan. I feel much better today. Thanks for askin. I don't know what was wrong yesterday. Just an off day, I guess. Glad you have learned how to eat. Now, we will see that Valentine's goal. (aw-right!!) I haven't lost anymore, I don't think. Haven't been on the scales. wait.......nope. nuthin. But, you know what time it is? Bout a 3 pound water weight gain. I just hate that!!!! wish i had a water pill. lol Have a good day. Talk to you later. lisa

This is to Renewedhope about Metformin. Before my surgery I was on and off of it for one year because my body could not handle it. I noticed since my surgery my Avandamet did not effect my body like it did prior to surgery (making me very ill). So I pulled the good ole Metformin out of the cabinet this week to see if maybe it has the same effect and I have not been sick once. The reason I tell you this is because Metformin stopped my weight gain before being banded unlike anything else I just could not deal with the side effects. I cannot explain it, but I have had 0 side effects now. This whole banding thing is amamzing.

Hi everyone! I was banded on May 13, 2008. I had my first fill on June 23 and after the first week with the fill the scale stopped moving. I am due for my second one on Monday July 21. I also suffer from PCOS, I was diagnosed 17 years ago when I was 15, so I have all of the classic attributes from it! Diabetes, high blood pressure, irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, and weight gain. I have never tried a high protein, low carb diet aka Atkins plan, so I may need some advise from some experienced people! I plan on starting next week after I get my fill. My doctor has me do 2 days of clear liquids and then 2 days of full liquids/soft foods before advancing back to regular diet. After my last fill I attempted scrambled eggs and that did not set well with me at all, I took 2 bites and I was running to the bathroom, I have been scared to try them since. Can someone please explain how to calculate a net carb? Thanks in advance for all of your help!!!!!

Hi brittani, I know its frustrating gaining weight the whole point of the op is to lose.. However weight gain once you start eating again could be due to your glycogen stores replenishing. The pre op diet gets rid of them but they do return. Secondly I'd like to introduce myself Frances 37 Ireland Op. 3rd july 2013 Start weight. 350llb Current weight 276llbs Goal for september lose 14 llbs Goal weight. 170 llbs Reason for banding. To love myself again see my daughter grow up and become a woman and live her life. So hi everyone..... Sent from my GT-S5830 using LapBandTalk

OK . . . I have a question. I am on the pill and so my periods have always been like clockwork, very light, minimal cramping and finish in 2 days with a 2-3 pound weight gain and mild crabbiness due to pms. Now several months post surgery, I am still on the pill, I have spotting occasionally at weird times, they now can be very heavy at times, moderate cramping up to a deep ache and finish in 4-5 days with a similar weight gain . . . not to mention that my husband and son stay far, far away from me now a couple of days before because of pms. I eat a healthy diet, meet my nutritional goals, and work out like crazy. Does anyone else have this problem or any explanations as to why they have gotten so unpleasant?

OK Dec. BAndsters, I have just had the worst weekend since the band. Had college friends over for the weekend, and need I say that the party was on, but now I cant seem to break the swing of it. Havent excercised all week, lost gym ID, and I've eaten this weekend like I do not have a band around my tummy. Got up this morning with a good outlook, but I can not get out of the funk. Sacle not loking good today either, hoping its just water weight that made the numbers creep up, and not tru weight gain. Could really use some support, because I'm feeling like I've undone the 20 lbs. I have convinced myself that I will not be hungry as lond I put something in my stomach, and this is basically tru, but I cant get past the feeling of constantly wanting to eat. I go to the fridge a thousand times, but there is nothing in there that would do it for me if ya know what I mean. Nothing to actually satisfy me, because its not hunder I am trying to fill. Oh Boy. I need to make myself busy. Got to get out of the funk.

Oh, wow! Y'all are doing AMAZING! Everyone! I'm so proud of my fellow Exercise Challenge buddies! :smile2: I'm doing okay with being unfilled so far. Not that I'm not eating like a horse...because I am! But all my exercise is keeping the weight gain at bay for now. My big ride is this weekend, so I'm adding carbs in this week and getting more Water and sleep. After the ride is behind me, I plan on going back on www.My-Calorie-Counter.com and logging my food every day again. I need to get my cals back under control...just plain get under control, PERIOD. I'm REALLY enjoying being able to eat! LOL I am just plain BUSY lately! Hubby came home unexpectedly, which is AWESOME! He surprised me so he could be here for my ride this weekend...what a doll. So we've been shopping and playing and working around the house...just enjoying our time together until he goes back offshore. He starts a new contract in two weeks and will be working in Hong Kong for the next five years, so it will be six week rotations from now on. So we are Spring cleaning, shampooing carpets, painting the master suite, relandscaping the backyard...and cleaning the garage is next! I'm TIRED! LOL Oh, and all of this is around dealing with refinancing our house...I despise doing all that paperwork junk! I'm not missing any of my workouts, though. That is always a priority! I'm getting really curious again to know what my body fat percentage is! I think I will make an appointment at Cooper Institute again to get hydrostatically weighed. I don't care what my bathroom scale says NEAR as much as what that will tell me. Even though I'm getting a little aprehensive about my ride this weekend, I'm really looking forward to it and can't wait to post pics for y'all!