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I think carbonation is only one part of the equation... The fake sugars in diet soda are a whole other animal that contribute to weight gain and slow weight loss... Those fake chemicals are just bad news... and I am not sold on that 'Truvia' crap either...

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

What kind of fish do you eat? I really do like fish, and I like it baked rather than fried. But, I have to have tartar sauce! The rest of the stuff you mentioned, is exactly how I eat too. I have always been done a big freak out if there is any fat on my meat. I eat a lot of chicken breast and veggies with no butter, just a tiny bit of salt. I just realized I have been taking a medication that may cause weight gain. I looked on the info that came with the prescription last time I picked it up. It says it causes an appetite increase. I don't notice that, but I know some medications make it hard to lose weight. I am going to look into that.

Hello Everyone! I just wanted to share this information with anyone else that may be suffernig from PCOS. I saw Pulmonary the other day and they suggested I try metformin for PCOS. He said he was afraid that seeing PCOS causes weight gain, that I may have trouble keeping the weight that I loose from the surgery off, he said Metformin would help me do that. So I brough the name of the medicine to my Primary and she liked the idea and prescribed me 500mg once daily. In addition to letting you all know about it, can anyone else who may be on it tell me how it is working for them? THANK YOU! :biggrin:

Hey guys.. for those of you who pray.. I really need some prayer.. I have been having this mild pain in my ovary area as I shared earlier.. well today it was getting a little more constant.. and have heard that sometimes people get this kind of pain when they are pregnant.. plus I had that wonkie 6lb weight gain in one week with no explaination.. well its like 5-6 days before I would start my cycle.. and I thought what the heck i will take a PG test.. well... it was positive!! the 2nd line was really faint.. but the test said it doesnt matter and because its like 6 days early that could be why it was faint. (baby number 2 possibly!! whoo hoo) well the reason I want prayer is.. because I am having this pain.. it could also be a sign of a tubial/ectopic pregnancy.. or something else being wrong.. it might not be.. but it could be.. so I am going to the doctor today at 415p to see what they can find out.. so if you think of it please pray for me. ( I am only telling you guys and my hubby at this point :bananalama:) thanks and I will let you know as soon as I find out anything.

Hi Flirtlass, I'm due to get my op on the 17 march. I just read that you have lost 4 and 1/2 stone since September, that just seems like a dream! I weigh 16 stone 12 at the moment and I'd be happy to get down to 11 stone 8lbs which will give me a BMI of 27 and then I can get a tummy tuck!!!!! I hate my tummy, after 6 kids, the last 2 were twins and weighted 7lb5 and 6lb13, my belly was enormous and has never been the same since! I put my weight gain done to being depressed about my belly, so to make me feel better.....of course I COMFORT EAT all the bad things of course! Do you mind telling me what you weighed when you started and how often you had fills. If you don't want to write it for all to see I can give you my email address. Reading all these chats from everyone is very inspirational and I am beginning to get excited! :bananalama: Although sice I booked my surgery my husband has started looking at expensive bikes, which is pretty worrying as this op is taking all our savings and the rest, I hope he doesn't think he can buy toys to the equivalent value on our credit cards!!!!!!!!:cheers2::present: Fatpants

Perfectionism is a very tempting trap to fall into. For those who are prone to it, the idea that it is possible to get everything “just right” is a very seductive standard to shoot for. The truth is, trying to get it (whatever IT is) “perfect” can make emotional eating, or whatever you are trying to take control of, much worse. Perfectionism leads to all-or-nothing thinking. To our inner perfectionist, it’s either perfect or not good enough. If we didn’t get all the checks in the box, our inner perfectionist tends to believe we “blew it” and anything we’ve accomplished is instantly erased with one mistake. An all-or-nothing approach to weight loss will sink weight loss efforts fast. It’s simply not possible to be “perfect.” Is perfectionism getting in your way? Here are five ways perfectionism shows up with eating and weight loss: 1. Do you wake up in the morning thinking “today is a fresh start?” Lots of us love a new beginning, but that feeling of starting over often includes the idea of “getting it right this time.” When we think this way, we run the risk of not taking credit for all we have accomplished and learned so far. 2. Does your newest approach to eating fall apart because you did something “wrong” and feel your efforts were ruined? That’s your inner perfectionist. Perfectionism doesn’t include the message that there will be rough patches and missteps, and doesn’t offer a plan for dealing with them. 3. If you deviate from your plan for your eating, do you react by overeating even more? That’s not logical, it’s perfectionism and it is incredibly common. It’s usually not the first step off your food plan that leads to weight gain or plan failure, it’s the eating you do once your inner perfectionist tells you that it’s “hopeless” because you’ve “failed.” Actually, you ate something you hadn’t planned to and you go back to your plan, you WILL make progress. 4. Do you have expectations for “ideal eating” that are so unrealistic or rigid that you could never imagine sticking with them for a lifetime? Or—do you begin to feel deprived just thinking about how you “should” eat? Your perfectionist is setting you up. 5. Are you plagued by perfectionism in other areas of your life? This is another way our sneaky perfectionist can sabotage weight loss and trigger emotional eating. If we get wise and learn to let go of our perfectionism with food, our perfectionist may still maintain a rigid hold in other areas. When our perfectionist is doing the judging we are NEVER good enough. No job is EVER absolutely complete, and we are NEVER allowed the satisfaction of feeling great about what we accomplish. Coping with an inner perfectionist—whether it’s negatively judging our work, our parenting, our housecleaning OR our health is enough to bring out the emotional eater in most of us. Feel free to reprint on your own website, newsletter, blog or message board as long as you include the following: Melissa McCreery, PhD is the founder of Enduring Change Coaching and creator of the Emotional Eating Toolbox ™ 28 Day Program and the Weight Loss Winner's Circle. Get free information, tips, and strategies for taking control of emotional eating at http://www.emotionaleatingsolutions.com.

I was not able to exercise until the 6th week, and then, only lightly. It was truly 3 months before I was 100% back to full gym training. Once I was lifting again, it only took a couple of weeks to get my full strength back. I recovered from my TT well, but when I had my thigh lift, I pushed it too hard post-op -- started walking about 5 days out (I felt fine, after all) and I developed complications (seromas that resolved but that were a pain in the tush for about 6 weeks). It's not worth it. Sit tight until your doctor tells you otherwise, even if you feel you could exercise. Your body burns so many calories post-op that, for me at least, I found weight gain wasn't a concern. And, like I said above, even with 3 months off weight training, I got it all back within a couple of weeks. Good luck! TT is wonderful. To this day I say losing 200 lbs over 18 months didn't make me a thin person -- having a 5 hour TT did.

As was already said the carbonation expands the pouch and it is believed that that expansion could cause stretching. The gas can be painful for some as well. Another point, I was a 6+ 16oz. bottle a day Diet Pepsi drinker and when I quit I noticed that I didn't crave food as much. There are currently studies that show that diet drinks may actually cause weight gain and cravings. Apparently the artificial sweetner and additives used in these drinks change your metabolic structure and your brain chemistry...makes me glad I kicked my Pepsi habit.

You have not really started using the Lap Band for weight loss yet. The first few weeks have not been for weight loss but for healing...weight loss has just been a fortunate side effect of liquid/mushy diet. The meaning of Bandster Hell is the period between when you go on solids to when you start getting fills and really using your band. Weight loss often stalls and weight gain is even common but that is alright and perfectly normal, we've all been through it. You have done some drastic switches to your metabolism in the past 4-6 weeks and now it is a little out of whack but it will normalize. Just be patient and try to stay calm. This was a stressful time for me too, there is a lot of worry and concern over whether we are doing things right and whether this will work for us. But if you just do what your doctor says everything will be just fine.

Your Dr is crazy. You are doing great and you are supposed to be healing now, not losing weight. Most Dr's tell their patients to expect a small weight gain between their post op check up and their first fill. Just concentrate on healing and follow the post op eating instructions making sure you get plenty of good Protein.

I agree with Jachut in that I do see obesity as a sickness. I don't agree that eating too much and not exercising is the only things that will make you obese. I think the desire to eat too much is a symptom of the disease. I exercised moderately when I was bigger (not like I do now, but I was no couch potato either) and it did not stop me from gaining weight, like my sister who is considered underweight, but who doesn't gain despite not exercising a day in her life. Even at my biggest, I could walk farther than her, lift heavier loads than her, and was all around fitter than her. I also now watch her eat almost as much as I used to eat, and easily 4 times what I eat now, and realise I need FAR less food than she does to remain slim. I can't imagine most slim people could live their lives eating the equivelant of a 3yo just to maintain a healthy weight, yet that's exactly what I have to do. Yet another symptom of obesity as a disease. Genetics, pregnancy, hormone imbalance, age etc all play a part in weight gain as well, so not exercising and eating too much isn't the only reason people are obese, IMO.

Hi everyone! I am to be banded this coming friday on Feb 6 and am a little nervous! I think I am reading tooooo much! lol...Anyhow, the dietician told me that I was to do a liquid diet for 2 weeks but when i saw my surgeon on Thursday he said that I just needed to do high protein and low carb, low fat to shrink my liver. He said that the dietician uses the two weeks as a standard but everyone is different. I am 5'7 and 250 but I wasn't told I had to do a liquid diet. I did start yesterday on just liquids and am doing protein shakes and broth. I noticed a lot of people didn't like the shakes and is wondering if anyone ha stried Lean Body by Labrada. The ready to drink shakes are 260 calories, 40 grams of protein, 9 grams of Carbs, and no sugar. To keep my intake small, I drink half a shake at a time. It is a pretty large shake (about 17 oz). I know the Optifast is only 160 calories and about 20 grams of proteins and 20 carbs. But my shakes have less carbs and more protein. I know if I do half and half...that is still 130 calories, 20 protein, 4.5 carbs...and they taste really good!!! I am still pretty nervous about Friday though. I guess I wouldn't be normal if I wasn't even just a tad! I'm 37 and have been a size 8-10 my whole life and an athlete. About 7 years ago, I was diagnosed with LUPUS and have been up and down with my weight being on steroids. Each time I have gained and lost, gained and lost etc...but last couple of times have not lost and have been tired from the weight gain and not working out. My twenty year reunion is in July and I am stoked about getting back down and fit once again! Not too mention I am doing the Susan Komen 3 day 60 mile walk in November for Breast Cancer!! :cheated: Hopefully I haven't bored any of you by my long disertation, but I have been on the website a couple of months and only posted a couple of things and really just reading eveyrones posts. I must say I am touched and in awe of the amount of support I see for each other on here! So good luck to all you Feb bandsters! I'll be keeping you in my prayers! :tongue2:

I feel you, I hear every day from co-workers and family how fat I am getting. I am so tired of hearing it. People act as though you can drop the weight just by thinking it. They tell me these things as if I do not know it. Some are as big as I am but think they aren't. I was so tired of hearing it along with me hating the weight gain myself. That's what brought me to the band on 22 Jan 09. I have only told two people. the rest just know I had herina repair. I get no support at home with this. I want to do as well as you have, but with out support I am not sure it if well do well. Keep up the great work. you inspire me.

Thanks. I go to my doc this Wed and have made an apt with the dietician for the same day. Don't think I'm doing anything wrong, but if so, she should be able to help me out. Several people have mentioned that perhaps the stress of having surgery was affecting my diabetes. Since the surgery was in November, I don't know. Just very disappointed. Really expected to be going down in meds... not getting on insulin and now 2 types of insulin. Don't know how you can lose when on insulin. Always thought it caused weight gain. Oh well, it is what it is and I guess I'll find out more on Wed.

Looks like noone hasnt posted to this thread for a long time, but I have noticed that Al has gained his weight back as well, I dont watch TV very often so I am a little slow lol... anywho, I am almost 4 years post op gastric bypass and lost all of my weight in the first year, from 260 to 155, I now fluctuate in between 140 1nd 150. I have not had any weight gain issues, however, my surgery has not been without its major health issues, the first year I almost died due to a strangulated intestinal hernia, in which the FDA finally approved 4 months later that surgeons were able to correct this problem during surgery for this to no longer happen, after several people dieing from it in a 5 year period, thank god I wasnt one of them and its a shame so many had to die from it till they fixed it!!!.. then 6 months later another surgery from the inside incision not closing up all the way... an incisional hernia repair... since then nothing until this year when i got extremely fatigued and could barely even get out of bed due to severe anemia and B12 deficiency... so it is not without its faults, not I have to get B12 injections 1 time a month for the rest of my life and, and have had to go in for 8 iron infusions. I have been to every kind of Dr you can think of Hematologists, rheumatologists, neurologists, because I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and have severe back issues that I thought would clear up after my weight loss but not.. oh well... would I do it again, I believe so... would I recommend to others, probably but not without letting them know that it is not a cakewalk... So I think it just depends on the person as far as whether or not they gain the weight back, I eat whatever I want, I actually dont eat that healthy at all... i still cant eat large amounts of food, if i do i throw up... still cannot consume more than 10 grams of sugar at once or I will get very very ill... anyways I could go on and on but just wanted to post this for others to read... Good luck to you all and if you have any other questions I can answer for you please feel free to email me at kaligirlcb@yahoo.com... Have a wonderful day!! And Happy new year!! Good luck on you weight loss and health!!

This is my take on the issue: IMO... I repeat... IMO... The formula to avoid is: Low Calorie Diet + Low Exercise/No Exercise/Low Heart Rate Exercise = No Long Term Success! / Flabby Skin Results / Excessive Loss of Lean Muscle Tissue... I recommend: REASONABLE Band Restriction + Moderate Calorie Deficit created by a combination of exercise and diet (rich in lean Proteins, moderate in complex carbs, light on simple carbs), low to moderate in fats (especially saturated/trans ) + Copious amounts of 60%-85% cardio workouts + light to moderate strength training = Gradual Persistant Progress with Long Term Success! If you're already dealing with a depressed metabolism due in part from eating so few calories - then increase your calorie intake slowly. A rapid swing in calories going up will almost certainly result in a weight gain. Add maybe 100 - 200 every third day. Protein shakes??? IMO these are for supplemental purposes long term. Once you're able to eat solid foods - you should be getting most of your protein from lean solid sources. Solid foods and liquid foods will have different impacts on your metabolism as well. When you can't get a meal in or you aren't getting enough protein, supplement with a shake. Your body can store fats, your body can store carbs, but it cannot store proteins. A highly excessive protein intake can be coverted to stored fat - but it is a costly conversion compared to the other macronutrients. I have found it's best for me to eat small amounts very frequently. I'm not even certain I'd call them all meals - but every few hours I'm eating a food source that is a reasonable mix of carbs/fats/protein. It helps keep blood sugars stable, energy stable, and metabolism cranking. Good Luck! Brad

I posted the question for just this reason...I wasn't sure what I was noticing was real, and I guess there are so many different ways to look at it. At first it perplexed me because I have always been a very confident person. I couldn't really put my finger on it, but it seemed like over time I met with much more resistance than in the past. Then it just started becoming more clear that this all has happened gradually over time and there seems to be a correlation between the weight gain and the poor attitudes I am noticing.:thumbup:

Have you been testing for metabolic disorders like thyroid, etc? I've heard that stress can cause you to have cortisol build up and that causes weight gain. There is also some disorder caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland. What theories does your doctor have???

Balylee, hang in there--I'm sure the weight gain is temporary. I am eating normal foods in tiny amounts. I think I get in around 800 calories a day, and I am doing the stationary bike for 30 minutes/4-6 times per week. After having the scale pretty much stand still for a week, I finally saw a 2 pound loss today. It's frustrating because I am eating less than my 8 year old and only losing 2 pounds in a week. But I am happy for the loss. I think our bodies have been through a lot of upheaval, what with surgery and the drastic change to our diet. We're probably just adjusting to the new lifestyle. Hang in there!

Hey everyone! I'll be banded in April and have just loved reading the posts; Great information and motivation to start off my new life right. I've read a lot of success stories, but I read a handful of bandsters that have NOT lost any weight, gained, or lost about 18 lbs with a years time. That was very frustrating to read and I can imagine how it feels to them. My questions is: Is it often that people NOT lose weight or lose a small amount when banded? Thanks, Shelly

I too had the tummy tuck first, 2005, and now the lap-band. They removed 16lbs of extra skin and fat in the area. I was wondering too about the flat tummy?? I had a beautiful baby girl in 2007, so some weight gain, but not much. I carry most on the sweet bottom of mine.....LOL:biggrin:. I am so looking forward to seeing what I look like after 30-40 lbs lost!!

I've been lurking here for over a month, this site has been really helpful to me in terms of what to expect and all the little details that aren't mentioned on webMD and the like. So my first order of business is to thank everyone! Second order of business: I got a PCP referral and was called later the same day to set up my first two appointments, I couldn't believe how fast it was and how nice the gentleman on the phone was. Well today I went to my nutritionist appt and it was jarring to say the least. The first thing I was told is that I'm not eligible for the surgery because my BMI hasn't been consistently high enough, and that I need to change what I eat. This is before I even had a chance to even tell her what I eat. I had written up an outline of my past weight loss efforts and she didn't even want to see it. She was very dismissive and offered to give me a diet plan, which I accepted. I was there, and need to lose weight, so why not. What she gave me was practically the exact same thing that I was given about 2 years ago by my old ob-gyn (the one who diagnosed me with PCOS and switched me to a different pill and I will <3 him forever for improving my life) and that wasn't too successful. She didn't even acknowledge me when I told her this, just handed me some paperwork. I have only been with kaiser about 3 years and my BMIs from previous physicals were under 40, which is why I do not qualify. According to her (and she's on the approval board) kaiser of VA requires you to be over 40 for a 3 solid 3 years OR you need 3 co-morbidities that cannot be controlled with medication. My most recent weight-gain has led to high blood pressure but they haven't started medication yet, I have to get it monitored for a bit first. She pointed out my lower BMIs, I explained that I have struggled with my weight since I was 15 (developed PCOS and blew up) and while I can lose some of it I've never been able to lose it all or maintain. I have only been successful in losing weight eating 1000 calories or less (and being hungry all the time), and hitting the gym at least 10 hours a week for running, elliptical, and bodypump classes. I have it all written up, the different caloric restrictions, weight watchers, atkins, etc etc. I was told to do it again. I am just blown away by the fact that I exercise being used against me, when in the next breath I'm told that the surgery won't do the work for me. So, I'm not qualified because I've worked really, really hard in the past, but they don't want to operate because you have to work really hard to make the surgery a success. WTF??! I cannot believe that if I had sat on my butt for the past few years instead of trying to improve my health it would have allowed me to have this procedure and thus improved my health in the long-term. I'm beyond frustrated. I was told that my name would be brought to the next approval team and would be denied for sure. Then I can appeal. Those of you who have been successful getting kaiser VA to approve, how did you do it? I really believe that the difficulty shedding weight is related to PCOS, should I emphasize that, or my past efforts, is there something else I should do? Help!

Yes, I'm told that insulin causes weight gain. that's why I'm so upset. I was not on insulin and my sugars were in control... now everything is out of wack and I'm on 2 types of insulin. How are you taking the metformin? My dosage was 1000 2 times a day... Can you cut them in half or quarters?

Skin texture changes and irregularity are the most common cosmetic complication of lipo, and weight loss patients will be at higher risk as their skin has been stretched and damaged by the obesity and weight gain-loss cycles. Plusa there is just a whole lot more of the skin ! Not to sound crass or disrespectful but just doesn't sound right. But if you have seen before and after photos of other patients who look like you do, and you like the results then go for it. My recommendation has always been to seek out a board-certified PS for a PS procedure as that is the only way you can be sure your doc has had formal training on the technique.