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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

hello all! before the holidays i was a little worried as to what the holidays would be like banded. but, i am happy to say, it was great. we went to my best friend's house. but, before we went, i did my 45 minute work out. i ate on a small plate just like usual. i went in knowing that i couldn't get everything first time around. so, i fixed a small plate, chewed and savored the tastes. then, 45 minutes later, everyone got up and we went for a 45 minute walk. it was great. later that evening i ate another small plate. and was just fine. no pbs or anything. i was thankful for that! then friday my husband and i had a dessert party. that was great too. so, no weight gain. actually lost a little. i am one pound from my november goal! i hope to be there by november 29th--40 pounds lost! we will see.

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>

Charlene, when you eat real food don't just limit the quantity. Check the salt content. Your apparant weight gain could be from water retention. Also, if you're combining carbs with meat protein, you'll store the fat. If you don't have the carbs, the fat gets metabolized and used up. That's why its protein first then veggies and maybe a little fruit when you're in the weight loss phase. You even have to limit your whole grains because they still do break down into sugar, often have salt in them, and they're often combined with things that have fat, which you then store as well as the water. Thanks Cheri! I do think some of it is water retention due to carbs. I have always had a problem with water weight. Usually my weight goes down about 3lbs when the fall comes. Meanwhile, I will watch the carbs. Linda, yeah, I haven't made the chicken salad yet. It has grapes in it so I might just cut the light mayo amount in half. Grapes make it so moist.

Arlene, glad you are feeling better..... You have too many down days, too.... Life should be easier at this age.... Julie, I am feeling so much better. Everyone in this part of Texas has the "crud". Our weather goes from 40 to 80 in a day. One thing that has helped my FM pain is the steroid shot I got in my "trigger thumb". My thumb is fine now and when the weather changes I haven't had pain. Of course, the down side is weight gain. I think I gain when I take Tylenol. UGH! Janet, I am taking my friend to get fillers in her face. I am going to get an estimate on my mug while I am there. Does it hurt? Do you bruise? My mother said she would give me the fillers for my 60th birthday. Of course, my jealous sister (16 months older) said she wants them for my birthday too. Whatever! As long as mama is paying. lol Eva, good going on the Protein shakes. I know about the stomach rumbles. Gas-x helps. Take it before you drink the shake. Cheri.....HUGS for you DD! Oh, Janet, I have been walking everyday. I will go back to the gym when my coughing stops.....almost there. Joyce, how are you feeling? Okay gang, I checked in today......let us know how you are doing.

My Doctor is very compassionate. I have been really struggling the past few months and had tummy problems to boot (with the iron) and she told me this was a long process and everyone goes through it. I had a real long talk with her last time because I was so frustrated and she is leaving! She told me that I would probably be losing for the next two years because I have so much to lose. You are not alone Susie!! It is a hard hard fight. I love my band also, just didn't know that at times it would be such a struggle. But, I hope all Dr.s are caring and compassionate with weight gain or plateaus. Jane

me too exactly .. as far as back pain , try a heating pad .. does wonders with some tylenol , for me it was lower back .. i am wondering if it may be monthly weight gain ? im thinkin its about that time 4 me

I want to ask my doctor this. I made the surgery happen and it was a mistake. Im 7/8 months postop and Im gaining weight. I was down to 267 at my lowest and I was 273 at my checkin in December, and 281 now, end of March. Is there an easy way to see this? COULD my stomach stretch back to its full size? I don't need a peptalk or anything. I KIND of want to go to a nutritionist and see if they can help me. I dont want to go to my followup appointment in a couple weeks because I swear to god all the doctor will say is "youre gaining weight, this is bad. you shouldnt be gaining weight. gaining weight is bad. your surgery is not a success." - please, I don't need to drive there for you to tell me that.

yes, this is normal. your body is probably in shock. give it a week and i'm sure you'll start seeing loss again. also adjust your diet a little bit. when we become predictable in our diet and exercise the body gets "bored" and sometimes needs to be caught off guard. also muscle weighs more than fat so...that could also be the cause of the weight gain. but to be honest, your weight can fluctuate 2-3 lbs daily depending on certain factors. i wouldn't be too concerned. good luck and keep up the good work! your efforts will certainly pay off in a big way!

Hi ladies! I quit smoking 3 weeks ago today (Woohoo!) However I've had a 6.2lb weight gain since then. It's not just water because this is the part of the month where i usually lose and next week starts that 4lb gain I am eating more but I think it's mostly my metabolism slowing down. It's really freaking me out. Anyone else quit smoking and how much bounce back did you see?

I know I may be accused of being in denial but I'm not addicted to food. I have always joked that I wish someone would invent people kibbles so I could just munch on a handful of something crunchy and move on. Moreover, anyone who has lived with me will confirm that I rarely overeat. So how the H...LL did I put on so much weight and have so much trouble losing and keeping it off? Unrelenting hunger. I don't eat much at one time but I am famished in an hour or 90 minutes. Headache, nausea inducing hunger. And if I do not have healthy food when that hits, I will eat anything to make it quit. And in this obesegenic world that is a very risky place to be. I did not have this problem until about 15 years ago after my daughter was born and I went into gestational diabetes for the second time. I have been told I have "borderline" hypoglycemia but I never bothered with testing as it is time-consuming, expensive, not covered by insurance, and inconclusive. One way I kept weight gain under control was lots of physical activity. But bad feet run in my family and my activities gradually became more and more limited until I needed foot surgery and the forced inactivity really blew my weight up. As my BMI approached 40, I decided screw it, I don't want to fight this battle anymore and with the blessing of my PCP, podiatrist, and Gyn, started looking at surgical solutions. So you could say that for me, the surgery was truly a metabolic surgical fix. And I am already amazed at the difference. I feel so great it's almost unreal for me. So that's how it feels from the standpoint of someone who is not a food addict. It does happen.

I think it always valid to visit our eating/exercise profiles to make sure we are not "going down that road" At 7 months(where you are) and at 2 1/2 years I have followed my Docs and Nuts eating plan. I still am, with a drop in calories two days a week(Protein, Water, exerciser)... I ate 500 cals a day every day under my Doc and Nuts supervision 7 days a week for part of this journey already. When weight gain has become so easy, and weight loss has stopped completely before reaching goal while following plan, I think modest cuts and expanded exercise (especially weight lifting and weight bearing) exercise is a valid option. I have asked myself a few times if my behavior has become obsessive.... why yes, it looks like it... weighing every day, logging my food and wearing a fitbit could be signs of this. HOWEVER... Not doing these things lead to weight gain and unconsciousness about the factors that contribute to it. I simply can not eat by impulse and maintain. I have worked hard on dumping the attachment of self worth to the numbers on the scale, have relegated it to a tool status. I say my current and past weight in public... this I used to have so much shame about... now its just a marker of body weight to be taken in the context of health statistics. I am 60 years old(in a few days) I am 188.5 pounds (not underweight by any means)I am after 2 1/2 years 19 pounds from the top of the 'normal' weight range for my hight. I think it is important for YOU to keep track of where you are in your own life and if you would like to, support others in their journeys to better health, mental and physical, but I think your fears are unfounded here. These women have been on this road quite a long time, and what you are seeing is them not giving up on the Quest to better health all round. That is my opinion. Also, FYI to my "Wanna join me" friends, my scale went from 190.9 yesterday to 188.5 today. My scale most often shows the same number for weeks on end...to the 10th of a pound. So this drop, even water, is out of the ordinary. and this is a number I have not seen since last year. We will see how it goes....

Hi Everyone, I'm back from my cruise to Mexico. It was nice, but unfortunately DH caught a stomach bug midway through the cruise and was really not feeling well for the last several days. I usually catch whatever he catches, but somehow escaped the stomach bug. In the days before he got sick we had a lot of fun. food was everywhere, and I certainly enjoyed it, but I know I was eating much less than pretty much everyone on the ship (based on what I observed was on peoples' plates in the Lido restaurant) and for the most part I ate a pretty healthy diet (I got in plenty of fruit and veggies along with Protein, but also indulged in dessert after lunch and dinner, and mid-afternoon snacks). When DH and I would share dinner each night, the steward always had this weird look on his face like he couldn't believe we would do that! I didn't see anyone else around us doing that so I guess it was a bit odd. I was also lightly active -- I exercised pretty much every day (but fun kinds of exercise -- walk/jog around the promenade deck, snorkeling in chilly Water, dancing, tai chi,etc. -- not as intense as the workouts I do at home) and I took the stairs a lot rather than wait for elevators, etc. When I got home the scale said I was within my normal 2 lb. "bounce" range and so I'm calling it even -- no weight gained or lost. The cruise director mentioned that on average people on a cruise gain 1 lb. for every day they are on the ship, so I feel very good about not having gained weight. It does make me go hmm, how did I not gain weight while having lots of indulgences and slacking off a bit on the regular vigorous exercising? Maybe if I stayed on ship a couple more days I would have gained weight ... who knows ... it does make me seriously wonder though if I've hit my new "set point" for my weight. The worst part of going on vacation is getting back into the swing of normal life! Whaddaya mean, I can't sleep until 7:30 every day, and have to do harder exercise, and people aren't cleaning my house and serving me fab meals I didn't have to cook??? LOL. Back to the regular grind ...

Thought I would post a quick update... Prior warning - not in a happy place; lots of moaning... I'm still not feeling great, my back has got to the stage where I needed to take time of work and I haven't trained for 3 weeks now...grrrr Also went to my docs for a range of bloods to be tested as I've been feeling exhausted for several weeks; they've come back normal. I haven't seen the doc, the lovely lady on the phone told me - I hate it when that happens! I have mixed feelings on the results, not that I want to bring an illness on myself, but I sorta hoped they would flag something up that could easily sorted eg low Iron, thyroid etc. So I am still none the wiser as to why I feel soooo bloody sh*tty! Also been to see the meno doc, she said that the HRT is why I am retaining Water but didn't offer me any solution. She also suggested for me to take the tablet form of HRT, Kliofem, as the Patches are making me 'show' pretty much daily since I started them. I have to pick the new tabs up later; I will try them and see what happens. She did recommend the IUS - coil? - but I said no... can't remember where or when but I am sure a lot of ladies have had trouble with this and it caused weight gain! Anyone had any experience of this... Talking of which, the nurse weighed me and I have gained on their scales... I told her that I have gained at home and she said 'oh my dear, you must stop eating so many calories... aren't I a cow?' and chuckled... how I didn't smack her smug fecking face in I don't know. I replied 'oh I do watch my calories and believe me when I tell you I don't over eat'. She said; 'the weight you've gained is due to too many calories, weight is as simple as calories in and calories out'... I told her that my caloires are between 1000-1200 daily and that I can't function on less and she looked at me as if I was lieing...'Then my dear, you just have to exercise more won't you' ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! At this point I just smiled and walked out cos I could feel my blood boiling and I didn't want to cry! I just hate the fact that this woman who doesn't know me feels that it is ok to judge me... she did it before so I should of been prepared... but alas I wasn't! I am sooooo angry at her... and to be honest, I am starting to feel a little helpless! Nothing I do is working for me right now and am at the top of my bounce range and have been for over a week... this is seriously doing my head in and then to hear that from some stupid old cow didn't really help matters! I am hoping that this is a blip in the matrix and things will get better as I am starting to feel low and I don't want to crumble now when I have done sooooo well! Sorry for the rant ! xx

I really think, no, I believe you will get better, Belle. Once I started on soft foods I experienced pain too and some people are still throwing it up. I'm also anxious and moody, and we've read that is to be expected. I think it's also due to so many changes that "sounded" simplistic on paper but are overwhelming now in reality. I have had to humble myself more than I thought. Weight gain is just you trying so hard to figure things out. And you will. It's not fair that we're in the "figure it out" stage just as the time we need to heal the most, right? I too had a pretty good first 2 weeks post op. The pain under my right breast was a muscle strain since I had started to go back to doing things around the house. The left pain was also some fluke. Then one time I actually had about an hour of intense pain in and only in ... my nipples, of all places. But I'm learning, you're learning. Go to each one of these forum topics and type in something you want to search and read on. Also, don't stay married to just this board, do a vast google search and a lot of other issues that people experience will intrigue you. I guess your pain went up after your round of meds ended? That would make sense. Some people are way more sensitive to nerve pain, I am, I have Fibro and I feel things I just shouldn't! They never quiet down. We're not going to be able to give up shakes anytime soon. No way we can get in 60-100mg protein just yet. Write down all these concerns and get to your next appointment and ask. If I don't ask, I forget. And don't let the Dr gloss over your questions because we are not Dr.s. Sorry that they have to spend extra time on some of us. Even though we went through 6 months - one year pre-op, this is a new reality. Huge difference between reading about something, and doing something. =) But I just know you will improve.

hiya girls jumped on scales this morning and weight i gained now lost again ...where is this baby ?can you believe im complaining about weight loss...lol..think some weight gain due to constipation which has now passed...eww...tmi think it also might be stress weight loss i gave up childminding job and girl who is minding baby now stressed out as baby bumped her head yesterday and she called me to go see her and check her over she was fine but i was dreading her parents reaction later when she saw her poor big purple bruise on forehead..shes crawling and headbutting anything in her way !! then i went to collect my boys from school and saw man accidently run over his own sons foot with his car and he was caught under the tyre screaming and i ran over to help and dozey buggar was about to reverse back arggggggggh i managed to free him but i reckon it was broken ...i spent rest of day feeling so dizzy and sick . thanks for kind comments on pics ...must put up some clothed ones though im a trollop..i do feel really well "glowing"but i get tired so easily and want to lay down and sleep alot unfortunately i dont get opportunity,well im off to do mount everest sized ironing pile....see i got tired just thinking about it !!

I could have written this myself. And I was in serious denial about my weight. I convinced myself that I didn't really look that fat, or at least that the poeple that saw me on a regular basis weren't noticing the slow-but-steady weight gain. In my personal life, I have had a hard day and I want to binge eat so badly. Since I have little restriction, I am having to resist the urge myself. I think I may need outside help- like over-eaters anoymous or something. Has anyone ever gotten a type of counseling for out-of-control eating???

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

glad you got things sorted out sher your back on track now,as for the weight gain i must think i will never eat food again and im eating all my favourite stuff,i think ive gone up another 21 pound lol.As for the vivid dreams,i have panick attacks if i worry too much before i sleep,as i normally think about getting banded in the evening,so i listen to paul mckenna I CAN MAKE YOU THIN lol the weight is still comming on but his voice is soo relaxing it helps me fall asleep,good luck hun im just getting my bag ready,and the stuff i will need,i like to pack early chat soon:thumbup:

Thanks for your understanding reply, Monk--I wasn't sure how I would be perceived on this thread. I admire you greatly, by the way. 2-3 times a week???? That would have been manageable. We are talking 2-3 times a day when we were first married. I always felt like a failure for not having the desire as often as he did. Last summer I did a survey for the US Dept and Health and Human Services that asked a lot of questions about intimacy and sexual matters and for the first time in my adult life, I felt NORMAL. I would say that the average times most of the people I interviewed (who were in a sexual relationship) was 1-2 times a week. I could live with that I think. As far as the boys--yes, the statistic does seem high but it only applies to boys who FINISH the program and the program takes 2-3 years. Of course, it is much lower for boys who aren't in the program or who leave or are forced out before they complete. it's a court-mandated program--these are multiple offense offenders. As you alluded to, the recidivism for adult offenders is just the opposite--over 98%. Sad. I've often wondered if a big part of my weight gain was "protection" or maybe a hope for decreased attractiveness in some sick way to solve my problem of guilt over sexual intimacy. I don't know. I was hit upon so often as a young married and I never trusted myself to be able to resist every time. Although I always resisted, there was something in me that wondered if I would slip up and ruin my marriage and family, given the "right" (or should I say "wrong") circumstances. I like hugs--most of my kids are very huggy and touchy, though not all. I'm comfortable hugging "my boys" (the offenders)--of course, only side hugs allowed, no frontal hugs. Like you, I know that some of these boys have never had appropriate touching in their lives. Breaks my heart. They have a long way to go but we have seen some great successes and know they can make it if they are willing to do the immense amount of work that changing thoughts and behavior takes. Hmmm, changing thoughts and behaviors--that sounds vaguely familiar.

Wow, six months!! I've lost 40 pounds and am officially in ONEderland!! I've still been wearing my big clothes because I haven't wanted to buy any clothes yet and too scared to try on any of my old clothes that I could no longer wear because of my weight gain. Well I tried on some size 16 pants and they were too BIG!!! So I ventured to try on a pair of 14 pants that I had buried in the back of my closet...I could get into them but they were a little snug. But SOON!! I think the working out will take me to the next level and push me into losing more weight. I've been working out but no consistently. So I need to plan on working out at 3 to 4 days a week minimum...but finding the time is so hard. With 4 kids, working, husband out of town 90% of the time...but I have to find a way!!

Red Robin List (copy and past) Going to be there: Dynamo (Michelle) Tied2BFit (Dee) Mal Marilyn (I HOPE) Well I can't seem to beat this bug. between the chest cold and tummy upset, I am worn out and cranky. I have been staying home from work I feel so weak. I know it will get better, but I am ready. Water and food still taste funny. everything beside liquids pb's. So since I am such a mess and did I mention CRANKY, I haven't posted. However, Dee, You can do IT!!!!!!! I thought the waiting would never end and now you have had to do it several times. I am really impressed with you girl. Hope I can come to RR and give you encouragement. You are so sweet, awesome, pretty and such a great all around person. So kick that depression right back where it belongs. "This too will pass" You go girl!!! Dyna - where did you put those good things to eat, I want them and you only live a couple of miles, i will eat them for you and save you from temptation. that is what good band buddies do for each other, RIGHT!!!! So bring it on, nothing much stays down so I should be able to eat and return with no weight gain. I think I am loopy, maybe aother protein shake, then bed.

So glad to have helped. You made the right choice; the doctor is always ready to answer any questions, no rush. Don't pass by Natalee's office without picking up a card for your pocketbook. It's about how you should feel and when to gage if you need a fill or not. ( I got to know her my last visit out there and found her to be an exceptional resource for diet, and kind of a "go to" person). She gave me this article: Think You Need a Fill? THINK AGAIN By Nikki Johnson Do you remember that feeling you had when you first had your band placed? For a while, everything was great. You didn't experience hunger, you felt satisfied with a small portion of good food, you had more energy, and you were thrilled with your initial weight loss progress. If you are like most people, your experience changed over time, Some of those feelings of hunger returned, and you stopped losing weight. You knew you needed something, so you went to your surgeon's office and asked for a "fill" right? If so, you might be surprised to learn that it is your thinking about your band, and not the band itself, that needs adjusting. The LAP-BAND Bad Word Paul O'Brien, MD, FRACS, is a skillful, compassionate surgeon and a foremost expert on the LAP-BAND System. he was involved in its design in the early 1990's and placed the first band in Australia in 1994. Since then, he has treated thousands of patients and is recognized worldwide for his expertise. When his patients utter that worst of four-letter words, "fill," in his office, they are asked to throw a dollar in the Red Cross donation bucket--a reminder that, according to Dr. O'Brien, thinking about a "fill" is just wrong thinking. How can a concept that we hear about so constantly be so very wrong? Dr. O'Brien's answer is simple: "Any adjustment to the band is something that only takes place in the context of clinical consultation--part of a relationship of trust, honesty and communication between patient and surgeon--that is much more key to the success of the patient than the precise number of milliliters of fluid in the band. This concept of partnership is the central theme of Dr. O'Brien's new book, The Lap-Band Solution--A Partnership of Weight Loss. Patty's Note: Available on Amazon.com ISBN#9780522854121 Like many people, you might assume that weight gain or a sustained plateau means an incorrectly adjusted band; in fact, you may be right. But you may be surprised to learn that weight gain sometimes results from a band that is too tight. This is part of the reason why the "fill" concept is so misleading. If your surgeon determines that you are not losing weight as you should, then discovering why that is happening is crucial. Sometimes adding fluid to the band will only make matters worse. Life in the "GREEN ZONE" Most people who have the LAP-BAND operation will have an amazing feeling of disinterest in food for the first week after surgery, before any adjustments are even made to the fluid in the band. According to Dr. O'Brien, that lack of interest in food is referred to as satiety. A related but different feeling is satiation, or the feeling you get as you are eating, precisely at the point that you don't need any more food to eat but you do not have an uncomfortable feeling of fullness. These two feelings--satiety and satiation--are what the properly adjusted band helps you achieve, allowing you to maintain your new healthier eating habits. Your careful observation and truthful sharing of your feelings and eating behaviors, combined with the expert care and training of your surgeon and his or her staff, can make the very individual determination of whether your band is properly adjusted much more accurate. In order to help create the most effective partnership between themselves and their patients, Dr. O'Brien and his colleagues at the Australian Centre for Obesity Research and Education have developed a concept they refer to as the "Green Zone". When patients are in the green zone, they experience satiety, satiation after properly-sized small meals, and satisfactory weight loss or maintenance. However, there are also yellow and red zones, both of which indicate that the band is not optimally adjusted. If your band is too loose, you will not have the benefits the band's hunger-controlling mechanism. If your band is too tight, you will have trouble eating properly and may actually gain weight because the foods you can eat more comfortable, that tend to be liquid and calorie-rich, like ice cream and chocolate, do not provide the proper nutrition. Learning to recognize when you have the feelings and eating behaviors that signal a problem can help you give your surgeon the information he or she needs to help you keep the band optimally adjusted. Thinking Adjustment Once you have eliminated the concpet of "fills" from you Lap-Band vocabulary, you will be able to let go of much of the conventional thinking connected to it. Perhaps you have heard talk about the "ideal" amount of fluid in the Lap-Band. While it may be helpful to have some idea of how much fluid is in your band, Dr. O'Brien says there is no magic number. No perfect amount of fluid will provide the best results for everyone. He says, rather, that "whatever volume of fluid is needed to achieve the [feeling of non-hunger] is the correct volume." When you notice that you are feeling hungry or are not losing weight, your body is telling you it is time to revisit your partner in weight loss -- your surgeon. your success absolutely depends on this relationship. So rather than thinking "adjustments," adjust your thinking, and, in partnership with your surgeon, find a lifetime of health! For more information about all of the themes discussed in this article, please see Dr. O'Brien's book, The Lap-Band Solution--A Partnership for Weight Loss, which is available fro Amazon.com. We also invite you to visit LAP-BAND® System Forum - Home for more information and supportive resources. You should ADD FLUID Hungry Early Big Meals Looking for food You are OPTIMAL prolonged satiety Small meals satisfy satiety Satisfactory weight loss or maintenance You should REDUCE FLUID Difficulty swallowing Reflux - hearburn Night Cough Poor eating behavior Regurgitation

Morning....fly by because I'm on my way to "the house". I finally got on the scale and don't like what I saw and knew it was happening. So that has ended and I'm back on the wagon. I have set a new goal for me, although it's baby steps, at least it's steps in the right direction. Although I've gained weight...10 lbs, this is a first for me. Usually my weight gains are all of what I've lost plus....you all know this cycle. This time it wasn't even 1/4 of what lost. This still isn't good, but I'm not going to beat myself up too bad, just get on Arlene's train and chug away at it. I haven't had to go up a size in my clothing yet. What I seem to be having trouble with is eating hot food. By the time I can get things chewed everything gets cold. In some ways that is good because then it's unappetizing, but I'm getting really tired of cold eggs. So the last couple of days (since I've been on the train) I've been adding Protein powder to my coffee and then about 10:30 or 11, I've poached an egg in V-8 (for some that may sound disgusting, but I love it). I've actually been able to eat the egg hot and then sip the V-8 warm. This seems to be helping me deal with the cold food issue. This could be because I've been so cold lately. I'm also doing more Soup, but that is also helping with the cold food issue. Last night I had shrimp with leeks and mushrooms. I made a one-pot dish and put the left over brown rice in it. It was very good, but because I really chew the shrimp slowly, I end up eating it cold. I threw out the rest of it. So this is my confession and it's probably the last you will hear about for a while. New year, new focus. Eva

@@Bronxmerci Oh sweetheart I am so sorry. I have fear too, I know I just have to make good decisions and eat things that nourish me and not harm me. Some days the decisions are easy and others they are much harder. I know I have already discussed my fear of weight gain when I am ready to start having babies with my friend and boyfriend. I know I am not ready to face that yet. Please continue to reach out to us. You can do this, you can be healthy and gain weight. food does not equal weight gain and weight gain does not equal fat. Pregnancy needs food for nutrients and needs weight gain for health. There is healthy weight gain :-) I know it scares me and I can't imagine how you feel but one day at a time girl.