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I'm down to the wire--and the days are taking LONGER and LONGER to go by. I am at strict liquids for these last two days. I've lost almost seven pounds on this preop diet in the past five days doing strict Adkins. My goal is to be at 205 the day of surgery. I have 1.4 pounds to go--but think that should be attainable doing all liquids. My clothes don't feel so "poured into" feeling--and so I'm glad I didn't splurge and buy some last week when they were all straining to keep up with my last supper weight gains! I'm regretting not exercising as I had vowed to do--haven't so much as walked..but am planning on doing that the day of surgery! Wednesday, June 17th, 2009.... is the first day of the rest of my life. With the force of all my past failures, the suction of the hopes of a new unburdened life, and the grace of God...I will make it thru this transition and finally, for the first time in what seems like a lifetime away, will look in the mirror and see someone "in control" of my self---confident, vibrant, alive. I go to visit my family and friends over Christmas vacation and I am SOO excited about that! I will look at pictures taken of myself from this time and not die an inward death--or try to hide behind someone. I've learned alot this past week of pre-op dieting...I have really felt a slipping of the grip that food has had on me. I really WILL do this this time!

I'm down to the wire--and the days are taking LONGER and LONGER to go by. I am at strict liquids for these last two days. I've lost almost seven pounds on this preop diet in the past five days doing strict Adkins. My goal is to be at 205 the day of surgery. I have 1.4 pounds to go--but think that should be attainable doing all liquids. My clothes don't feel so "poured into" feeling--and so I'm glad I didn't splurge and buy some last week when they were all straining to keep up with my last supper weight gains! I'm regretting not exercising as I had vowed to do--haven't so much as walked..but am planning on doing that the day of surgery! Wednesday, June 17th, 2009.... is the first day of the rest of my life. With the force of all my past failures, the suction of the hopes of a new unburdened life, and the grace of God...I will make it thru this transition and finally, for the first time in what seems like a lifetime away, will look in the mirror and see someone "in control" of my self---confident, vibrant, alive. I go to visit my family and friends over Christmas vacation and I am SOO excited about that! I will look at pictures taken of myself from this time and not die an inward death--or try to hide behind someone. I've learned alot this past week of pre-op dieting...I have really felt a slipping of the grip that food has had on me. I really WILL do this this time!

No regrets. I was a yo-yo dieter for years. Each time it came back with more weight than I started with. The last time the cholesterol shot through the roof and BP was barely controlled with meds and then the sleep apnea had gotten so bad I was only sleeping about 3 hours a night. My daughter was banded last year and lost 95 lbs and just seeing her journey made me convinced that this is what I needed to do. Now I was only banded June 1 and had one fleeting moment after surgery of "what have I done, surely I could have just kept my fat mouth shut and lost weight." But it was a fleeting moment. Almost two weeks out and still no appetite or hunger. I eat because I know I need to eat. I have no doubt this may change, but again, like the other poster said, I don't have a problem dieting. This is just giving me a tool to help it all come together. I've lost 15 lbs since weigh-in two days before surgery but the big plus is no pain in my knee that's been bothering me ever since this most recent weight gain. The band is not the end-all be-all. You still have to live with your band and still have to do portion control and watch the foods you eat but when you get full fast or you're forced to eat slow it helps tremendously. Good luck on your decision. I have absolutely no regrets at all so far. I didn't have to do so much research because my daughter had done it all. The big difference between us is we have two different types of band, so we'll be able to compare if there are any differences. Trisha

I didn't have any weight gain but I know I've stayed away from the broths/canned soup as much as possible. Calorie wise you think you're doing good and then, bam, you've taken in a million grams of sodium. If you're close to any soup restraurants, that would be great...a hale n hearty is wonderful...still have sodium but not as much as canned, just what they put in to cook with, not the preservative. I don't have one where I live, but next time in NYC, I will buy a bunch up and freeze. good luck!! Trisha

There's no telling how many computer games I have been addicted to over the years. Bookworm was definitely one of them! I'm not the greatest at it b/c I freeze up! I'm better at puzzle-type games. Do we need to watch for your to vaseline up or take off your jewelry? :thumbup: OK what does pwnd mean? Busted out laughing at this one!!! First, I completely admit that I have no memory!! Tell me again how you know you have a thyroid condition; has the doctor done the TSH blood test? If you you have hypothyroidism and are not on meds yet, then the weight gain can also be caused by the thyroid condition b/c that's where your metabolism comes from! So if you aren't on meds, your metabolism could be in the crapper! I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 17 years ago and am 5th generation - partay! Gloucester - you hussy!!! Danggggg! Tell them that they aren't promoting you nearly quickly enough! That's awesome!!!

Hi everyone! I'm popping back in with an update. Still no job for DH. He was supposed to hear from someone "by the end of the week," and ... nothing. That is just plain rude, if you ask me. So we have gone from four job possibilities on Monday to one long shot today. On a brighter note, Dr. Tran gave me a full 1 cc. last Thursday after seeing my weight gain. I'm at 8 cc. in a 10 cc. band, and finally have decent restriction. Finally!!! I'm definitely having to be a lot more careful, and eat a lot less, but I'm having no problems that would indicate an overfill. I'm still stress grazing, and I am trying to get that under better control, but at least I am nibbling on things like jerky, sugar snap peas, cherries, and the like. And the scale is gradually coming down. That helps me keep a better mindset. So, as I was saying to a friend in an even more stressful situation, we just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and take one day at a time and hope that things straighten out soon.

Hi everyone! I'm popping back in with an update. Still no job for DH. He was supposed to hear from someone "by the end of the week," and ... nothing. That is just plain rude, if you ask me. So we have gone from four job possibilities on Monday to one long shot today. On a brighter note, Dr. Tran gave me a full 1 cc. last Thursday after seeing my weight gain. I'm at 8 cc. in a 10 cc. band, and finally have decent restriction. Finally!!! I'm definitely having to be a lot more careful, and eat a lot less, but I'm having no problems that would indicate an overfill. I'm still stress grazing, and I am trying to get that under better control, but at least I am nibbling on things like Jerky, sugar snap peas, cherries, and the like. And the scale is gradually coming down. That helps me keep a better mindset. So, as I was saying to a friend in an even more stressful situation, we just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and take one day at a time and hope that things straighten out soon.

I'm also a new poster here, but have been following this site for a few weeks because I knew band removal was inevitable. I'm two days post op from having mine removed (after 7 1/2 years with it, so believe me we were attached to each other). I've lost 110 lbs and am terrified of weight gain BUT... in the end, I didn't just lose weight because of the band. That was just the starting point. I've also learned to eat better and exercise regularly. And those things aren't gone just because the band is. I've got to trust that I'm a different person than I was when I had it put in, and not just physically. And hold onto the thought that I refuse to be THAT person again. : )

i knew in my head that the weight wouldn't fall off immediately, but i did kinda expect that when you go from eating 2500 or how ever many calories you eat when you're not dieting... to less than 600 a day, i did expect to lose more weight in the pre-op/post-op stage before i started adding solid food to my diet. Some people do, i didn't. i'm still struggling... i was banded march 30, 2009 and only lost 7lbs pre-op and have only lost another 10 or so since then... it's very frustrating for me. I got on the scale last night at support group -- that I was a speaker at, and had actually gained 2lbs... this journey is very hard for me right now. it's hard for me to stay motivated when i'm not seeing any weight loss or in the case of last night, a weight gain. i knew it was going to take a long time to lose the weight, i just wasn't prepared for the reality of the slowness. i hope that soon, i will start losing consistently and i hope that when you have the surgery, you lose in a constant manner.

Hello - I have had my band for over 5 1/2 years. After about 18 mths my band slipped. I think it was from Throwing up. (not confirmed by My Dr) but I know my body and I was getting sick alot when I ate. But I was willing to go thru this to loose the weight. Bad idea. My Dr took some of the fluid out to see if the pouch would reduce/ the swelling to go down on its own. ( it didnt) One thing that can happen when the band slips is your pouch becomes enlarged, and in my case even part of the old stomach made its way up thru the band, thererfore creating a new pouch from my old stomach. So now I had 2 smal pouches, not a good thing, I was able to hold more food, explaining the reason I was not loosing any weight. So I had surgery to replace the band. Well, just a month ago same thing, but this time I have not been throwing up. However I noticed I was and could eat more then I normmaly use to which also explained some weight gain, I thought maybe I need a fill, I went to the Dr and Bam enlarged pouch, then 2 weeks later band slippage. My band now has to be removed for a 2nd time. Things to learn from my post: You must always remember your band is a "TOOL" never take it for granted. If something doesnt feel right it probably isnt. Check it out...Use common sense, most of the time your Dr. does want what is best for you, seek their advice or call the nurse, they are very knowledgable and have probably heard your worry from many others. Do not over-eat and you should not be throwing-up more then the occasional burp-up. Stay in a support group. Band slippage most of the time can be prevented, sometimes not. For me personally I think the first time might have been preventable, I use to beat myself up over it but now that I have had a 2nd slip, I am not so sure, I didnt throw up. Sometimes it just happens....I will be having a revision surgery this July..not another band, not becuase I do not have faith in the band - I do - it took me down 85 lbs, but My Dr says its time for something else. I will either have the Sleeve or the RYN...5 years ago the RYN was a dirty word to me, now I am prepared, it too is still a tool and I am sure it will get me to goal. Would I do it all over again, YOU BETCHA. Love your band!!

You need to go back to the Doctor, insist they do something a 50 lb weight gain is not good. that fluid building up in your body very unsafe. Please go asap.

BMI Doesn't Tell The Whole Story, Health Risks Begin In Overweight Range 6/9/09 Being overweight is a health concern, and using only body mass index (BMI) to determine weight classification may not give an accurate picture of a person's health, according to an advisory published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. About one-third of the U.S. population is overweight - the middle range between normal weight and obesity. Overweight in adults is a BMI of 25.0 to 29.9. BMI is a numerical value of weight in relation to height. Studies that examined the relationship between overweight (as measured by BMI) and risk of death from all causes (often referred to as total mortality) have had contradictory results. However, considering death from all causes overlooks the role that overweight may play in the development of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Even among the young, overweight is related to the development of serious risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, obesity, elevated levels of cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. Part of the problem with quantifying the true impact of overweight lies in the way it's commonly measured, say the experts. The widely-used body mass index doesn't distinguish between fat mass which is related to important health concerns - such as type 2 diabetes - and lean mass, including muscle, which reduces health risks. Also, BMI does not directly measure the distribution of fat, such as whether there is greater fat at the waist than at the hips, which may be more detrimental to health. Focusing on the relationship between total mortality and BMI misses the "larger picture," the statement said. "This larger picture includes important relationships between BMI and other health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease and its risk factors," said Cora E. Lewis, M.D., M.S.P.H., lead author of the advisory and professor of medicine and public health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. "Arguably, the most important relationship among the cardiovascular disease risk factors is diabetes, which is significantly more common in overweight than in normal-weight people." The advisory recommends doing research on overweight and health, beyond studies that focus solely on the relationship between total body mass index and risk of death. "Meanwhile, we cannot afford to wait for this research to begin addressing the problem of overweight in our patients and in our society," write the advisory authors. An increasing number of children are overweight, which puts them at risk for developing higher than normal blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar. "Weight gain is progressive and weight loss difficult. Although a young child is unlikely to have a heart attack, overweight children are likely to become overweight or obese adults, which puts them at risk for cardiovascular events as they mature. Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight is of high importance for all Americans," said Lewis. Physical inactivity and excess weight increase risk of death and other adverse health outcomes; so overweight and obese persons in particular would benefit from adopting a physically active lifestyle and healthy eating habits. Advisory co-authors include Kathleen M. McTigue, M.D., M.P.H.; Lora E. Burke, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Paul Poirier, M.D., Ph.D.; Robert H. Eckel, M.D.; Barbara V. Howard, Ph.D.; David B. Allison, Ph.D.; Shiriki Kumanyika, Ph.D., M.P.H.; and F. Xavier Pi-Sunyer, M.D. Author disclosures are available on the manuscript. Source: Maggie Francis American Heart Association

!!! 5 2.5 (they left my shoes on :thumbup:) 215.5 BMI just under 40 with the .5 on my height. should have flattened my hair Went to nurtition vist. After tracking 6 mths of food intake - it was determined I DO NOT eat enough. They recommended I stop gluten foods to calm the gut down. Great more food to cut out. Then exercise for 1 hour a day to burn 500 cal. I can barely walk up stairs let alone work out that much. My knees will fall apart! So - I can do the diet (again). Try to get more activity in (again) Then they added - so what do you hope to accomplish with this surgery - you don't eat much now and afterwards you will be eating less. WOW! That caught my ear. What do I hope to accomplish....I said to not fall into my genetic pattern of obesity and not not wait until I am 50 more pounds overweight to be pro-activly seeking help to stop this weight gain. Does this scream 'You are not big enough to have this surgery' or worse - you could be thinner if you only.......ate more........worked out more..........tried more....... I have gained 50 pounds in 10 years. The more I carry the less I CAN do. I used to work out 4-5 x a week. I am really concerned this is going to backfire on me. See Dr. 6/15

Why did your doctor do a complete unfill? Were you having problems? If not, it doesn't make sense. Much of your weight gain might be fluid retention which might explain the swelling in your lower body. This is serious and something that shouldn't be explained as normal and to be tolerated. What exactly is your body supposed to be adjusting to? Swelling and/or flluid retention and a weight gain of 50 pounds in 4 weeks puts a tremendous strain on the heart. Insist that they address this problem or go to another doctor (maybe your family doctor?).

A little over a year ago I took my hubby to his GP for a check up. While I waited.... in the waiting area (of all places, funny enough) I was looking over a board of pamplets... pamflets.... nope thats not it either.... info board:thumbup1: and saw some....info on banding. I had them in the top draw of my desk and would always look at them thinking 'there is no way I'm going to be able to afford this treatment' I would sigh and put them back. It wasn't till I was going through the info and found the part about being over 40 BMI (my BMI was up to 60 with only a 3 kg weight gain in late pregnancy, and is now at 50 7 and and a half mts later....swallows hard) that I booked an appt. with my GP to see if there was any way around it. I built a case of *yo yo proof* with photos at all stages of my life, none of which were "skinny", but you could see that this battle was going on for manyyyyy years (50kg here 30kg there) and never even come close to winning. My lovely GP looked at me and said that I was a perfect candidate and don't worry about the money as you should be able to access your superanuation to pay for it. I felt the biggest wash of releif/anxiety/fear/excitement/jelly legs/upside down belly like a child on xmas eve. ohhh did I mention anxiety??? I was then put on a public waiting list at catagory 2 waiting list which translates to, ohhhh about 3 to 6 months waiting list... adn thats only for an interview to be re catagorised again!!! (another 1 year waiting list so I'm told) *slumps in chair* Scratching around in all the sites I find a seminar for banding. gung ho on getting a band I went along and was amazed to learn of this sleeve. Instantly i was.....:thumbup1:. thank god I found this out before signing up for a band where I was prepared to take all the jackpots that come with it. Soooo back to the drawing board, and another mountain of hours looking into sleeve pros and cons. I haven't been able to find many long term sleevers but also haven't heard of many complaints for those who have had it. I am totally happy with my decision to have a sleeve. I was prepared to do a band with all the associated posibilities/disruptions, BUT now am all warm and fuzzy thinking that I beleive I saved myself a bucket load of heartache by choosing a little sleeve. I can't wait to see my doc next week and see what he has to say and what my next move is. Until then I will keep trying to loose weight on my own, wishing the days away.:001_rolleyes: roll on 19th!!! ****off with the fairies for the minute****

I am at goal after just over two years with my band. I lost 87 pounds & weigh 131 now, you can do the math. I don't want to have my band removed, but I had to have it unfilled. I really pushed it to keep it filled long enough to loss the last 10 pounds. I knew it had slipped. It took work for me to even get enough liquid down. It was one small swallow at a time. I couldn't eat much of anything. I had bouts of nighttime acid reflux, & by the time I reached goal & went to TJ for, at least a partial refill, I had a pretty severe case of gastritis. When the fill doctor looked at the floroscope he said I had to totally unfill the band. Of course I dreaded this, fearing immediate weight gain, but he left me no choice and I wasn't surprised. He also said about 80% of the people whose band looked like this had to have them out, but then also noted a couple of things in favor of me beating those odds. It's been more than a month & the gastritis has almost resolved & after 3 weeks on liquids & mushies, I can eat most anything. I still have restriction on certain things; chicken, salad, sticky rice,etc., but mainly I can eat most anything. The really great thing is that after almost 5 weeks, I haven't gained weight. I have been on Weight Watchers all along. It's just before it was easy, now I have to work at it, but so far so good. I made it to goal & am a Lifetime member. I want to keep my band so I can get it refilled if I need to. I am cautiously optimistic. By the way - I look great, at least to me, and I'm enjoying the heck out of buying size 8 clothes.

That doesn't sound right. There is no way you should gain 50lbs in 4 weeks and have someone tell you, you just need to adjust. Please call and let them know about the weight gain and swelling and ask to see the doctor.

Just wanted to know if any other sucess stories have experienced what I am now experiencing. I lost over 170lbs with the lap band but got down way below my goal weight. I went back to the doctor for an adjustment & they emptied the band completely. Since then I have had a tremendous amount of swelling in my lower body & a significant weight gain (50lbs in 4 weeks). The nurse told me it was just something I would have to put up with for several months as my body readjusted. Has anybody else had these complications?

Thanks everyone for replying! I actually dread going to the doctors now because of the weight gain. I also cannot exercise, I keep hurting myself. My knee feels like it is full of rice krispies and actually went out on me twice yesterday. I guess I am really going to have to have a talk with him. Maybe I can get him to refer me to physical therapy in a pool. That would be easier on my body. I feel so discouraged. I thank you all for making me feel like I am not alone. If anyone wants to talk regularly let me know, It would help me alot. Thanks Kim

I have a question. I had surgery on Jan 21, 2008 in August I found out that I was pregnant and May 9, 2009 I delivered my beautiful baby girl. When I found out I was pregnant I got an unfill. My doctor wanted it all out. I did great the first couple of months with weight gain but I ended up gaining around 50lbs. I am going in for my first fill on June 24th and I am nervous about it. I am not sure what to expect. I haven't had any restriction in so long. How do I begin again? What should I eat? Any other advice? Thanks, Carrie

I saw my surgeon last week and he said all is well and to begin eating normally over the weekend. I thought that was sounding good until I began eating again. I had lost weight pretty consistently in the beginning then gained and lost the same pound or two for a week. Today I weighed in and gained 3 pounds! I haven't had a fill and feel little to no restriction and understand that when you go from liquids only to mushies, to real food the odds are that your body will try to hang on to it and weight gain is likely. Maybe I was in denial about it all, but gosh, those 3 pounds are gnawing at me like crazy! I am not eating a lot and exercising, so I hoped I wouldn't gain but I did. I am looking forward to my first fill (which will be later than usual since doc will be on vacation. :thumbup:) Oh well, I just had to vent. It's just a frustrating day.

Just an update - in november i posted that my band got looser around the start of my pregnancy. Well not long after that - a few weeks - it got so tight i had to go for a partial unfill - i had a hard time getting small amounts of fluid down. I was more worried about staying hydrated than anything else. Anyway, it is now almost 7 months later, i havent been back for another unfill or fill, but I still have restriction, Just enough I think. However, some days are definately tighter than others, and mornings have always been tighter for me. One day I can manage to eat alot more than on other days. Very strange but it's been all good. My weight gain has been good, just enough, and baby is measuring normal and I feel good - havent had problems with blood pressure or gestational diabetes and I think chances are i would have if I had no restriction.

:sad: congratulations on all that have wonderful and successful lap band experiences! I have an alarming problem :crying:. I gained lots of weight from 2007 to 2008. I normally ranged from 115lbs to 145lbs for the last 20 years. I now weigh 208lbs. Because of large removal of part of right lung in 1990, and trouble with ankle pain when walking the pulmonary dr said get the weight off. I ran to get lap band in Oct 2008. I quit gaining weight, but no weight loss. Was grateful of weight gain seizing. Dec 2008 unspecified fever started, and now it is at a serious stage. Monday I had to go in for IV of antibodies for 5 hours, my blood pressure went from 200/105 to 95/50, fever 103 to normal, and pulse 120 to 60 after fever broke. Friday the hospital called for blood test to be done stat! I ran to hospital, and was taken before all patients in waiting area. They say hazardous fluids are showing in blood, and urine which could cause liver and kidney damage. My friend said she heard that a lap band caused a serious infection which killed someone at work location. I have one kidney because of kidney cancer in other in Oct 2007. I am so scared. Has anyone heard of infection throughout body because of lap band? I have every type of doctor trying to isolate problem. Found new lesions in liver. Looks like deteriation in upper arm bone showing up. They believe because of infection. Help! Need information! Debbie

I am aiming for 185 by July 4th. We shall see. I had a Water weight gain this week (traveling for work and eating out) and I am fighting to get off. I have started running/walking and I love it. Good Luck staying on track fellow bandsters!

The last time my body lean body mass was measured, about 2 years ago, it was 215#. I'm 5'10: you do the math and discover what BMI I would have with zero fat on my body. BMI is a useless measurement for me. Weight, also, is questionable since lean body mass can vary with or without weight gain or loss. I certainly can lose weight by consuming muscle mass instead of fat mass (and if I do, someone stop me). I'm hoping, once I get around 240-250, to have my lean body mass updated, and use that to decide when I should be working on the transition to maintainance.