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Please join me in listing your wow moments here. It does not matter how minuscule you think your achievements are, I feel that they could still be inspirational for others. I read a lot of challenge / re-commitment threads and I feel that we need one full of successful / inspirational stories. I will kick start the thread with my most recent wow moments. Shopping on New Year`s Eve with the hubby, met a friend we have not seen for over a year now. She said hello and Happy New Year to DH and proceeded to ask whether I was his sister. She then said, tell the Mrs I say Hi and will see her shortly. I responded by saying the Mrs. says Hi back and we should really get our diaries to schedule that meet. Imagine her face? Shopping is fun now because everything / anything looks good on the frame. WOW I must also state that this is the 1st X`mas period during my adult life that I had enjoyed as much as I could without weight-gain at the end or feeling the need to go on a diet soon afterwards. Feeling well and not lethargic as usual.

RNYTalk Newsletter By Hey, RNYTalk members!Thanksgiving is behind us and the holiday season is officially underway! Filled with holiday shopping, festivities at work and spending time with friends and family, this time of year is can be the most rewarding. It can be hectic, too, so paying extra attention to your diet and health is even more important than usual. Use this newsletter as a reminder and some motivation to be extra cautious with your choices so that you can keep seeing the results you want from your weight loss journey. Here’s what’s coming up in this newsletter. Member Spotlight: Meet kristy3k! Tips for the Season: Thriving at Holiday Parties! Member Challenge: Activate Your Party Action Plan! A Big Thank-You to Our Members as 2012 Ends We know the hustle and bustle of this season make your life busy, but we hope you spend part of your holiday season with us at Alex Brecher Founder RNYTalk.com Member Spotlight: Meet kristy3k! Our Member Spotlight this month is on kristy3k from Oklahoma. Kristy3k has a family that many people only dream of: she has been married for 21 years and she has a 19-year-old daughter, a 15-year-old son and a 12-year-old son. She works as a USPS worker. As she says, she played the “constant blame game” for years as she blamed her weight gain first on her pregnancies and then on her night-shift job. Her wake-up call came when her father passed away last July. Finally, kristy3k realized that she needed to take control of what she could – her weight. Her high weight was 340 pounds. After a lot of research – including many hours lurking on RNYTalk.com! - kristy3k got the gastric bypass done in February of this year. Since then, she’s lost 149 pounds and is well on her way to her goal weight of 165 pounds. She tells us that she’s had so many highlights in her life since the surgery! Just a few include not having to use the handicapped stall in public restrooms because she couldn’t fit in regular stalls; not being out of breath all the time; and not being the “fat mom.” She gets a kick out of her kids telling her she’s skinny, and one of her greatest moments was when her husband was able to wrap his arms around her again. Throughout the process, kristy3k has gained a lot of self-esteem and general happiness. She still wonders how she let herself get so big in the first place, but she’s determined to continue her weight loss journey. She loves RNYTalk.com because she can get information and inspiration from it anytime. Everyone on the boards is “so upbeat.” Kristy3k is modest enough to say that she is hesitant to offer weight loss tips, but she suggests eating your Protein, drinking your Water, exercising and above all, being patient! We know you’re doing all of those things, kristy3k, and thanks for sharing them and your story with us! Please post in the food choices. Holiday parties can interfere with your best intentions to stay on track. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, parties can be regular events at work and the homes of family and friends. Frequently overeating can not only derail your weight loss, but also lead to bypass-related complications, such as dumping syndrome. Whether you’re a weight loss surgery veteran or this is your first holiday after getting the surgery, these tips can help you enjoy the holiday parties without doing damage to your diet. Eat before you go. You don’t want to go into the party on an empty stomach. If you’re starving when you get to the party, you might be tempted to grab whatever’s available – which probably won’t be that healthy. Enjoy the party. The holidays should be about appreciating people. Use parties as opportunities to spend time with coworkers and other people who mean a lot to you. Focus on enjoying the party, not on hiding yourself in the food. Take care of yourself. Make sure there’s something at the party that you can eat. One option is to pack a high-protein snack or two for yourself and eat it when it’s time for your regular meal or snack. You can also take a healthy dish for the host to serve at the party. Sip water. Carrying a glass of water around gives you something to do without adding any calories to your day. Another benefit of drinking water is that you know you shouldn’t eat solid foods when you’re drinking fluids. Avoid alcohol. Alcohol is a source of calories that you just don’t need. Worse yet is that it lowers your inhibition. That means that you’re less likely to resist unhealthy holiday foods. Member Challenge: Activate Your Holiday Action Plan! This newsletter’s challenge is related to our advice on holiday parties. The challenge is to choose a specific strategy designed to get you through the holidays without interfering with your weight loss goals. You can take one of the suggestions listed above, or choose your own. Some other ideas are to keep healthy Snacks at work so you’re not tempted by unhealthy snacks and to record each treat that you eat in your food record instead of pretending that it doesn’t count. Tell us in the Member Challenge Forum how you complete the challenge! Was it easy or difficult? What tips do you have for other RNYTalk.com members? We also want to know anytime you go back and complete an old Newsletter Challenge, which you can find in the archived Newsletter Forum. It’s never too late to try a Newsletter Challenge! A Big Thank-You to Our Members as 2012 Ends As we close out 2012, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank each member. We truly appreciate your support. We value each member, whether you post many times a day and use all of RNYTalk.com’s many features, or whether you log in infrequently to read just a few posts. You, the members, are essential to RNYTalk.com’s success, so a heartfelt thank-you to each of you! 2012 has seen rapid increases in the number of members, the beginning of regular newsletters and the launch of mobile apps to access all of the forum’s features. Big plans are in the works for the coming year, and it promises to be an exciting ride. We’re glad to have you on board! Of course, we’re always open to member suggestions, so please feel free to contact any board administrator. That’s it for this month’s newsletter. We hope it was inspirational and helpful. Have a safe and peaceful holiday season, and take care of yourself and each other, Alex ==============================================================If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: {unsubscribe}

I was taking monthly steroid shots in both knees, which can make weight gain & fluid retention. I stopped the treatment after I got the Lap band.

Just curious -- I gained almost 20 lbs from surgery. It sucks. When do you finally lose the Water weight from all the IV fluids? I guess that's what this weight is. Tomorrow is day 5. I can now relate to people who are scared this won't work for them. i am seeing AGAIN the same pre-op weight I've looked at for 8 months. Sigh. It's haunting me.

Studies have shown that nutrition plays a bigger part (like 85%) in actual weight loss than exercise...so, yes, you absolutely can lose weight without exercising. But in my own experience, I've discovered that my exercise habits have a direct impact on my nutrition habits!!! There is also a mental aspect for those of us who have struggles with weight loss/weight gain. Exercise is as good for your mental health as it is for you physically!!! I take one day off each week for rest and on those days, I don't have as much energy and I just feel kinda "blah" mentally.

I agree with the above poster. You feel so much better with exercise everyday. One of the biggest lessons learned in my weight loss was how much I needed the exercise. Once I got out and started walking I noticed all these older people out walking and realized that in order to lead a long healthy life you need to be active. My weight gain had more to do with being less active than it did with what I put in my mouth. Yes, you can lose weight without exercise but the key will be can you keep it off without exercise. I personally don't think it's possible unless you eat next to nothing.

Ok ladies and gemtlmen. I have a serious question. I am concerned because on 12-4 i weighed in at 288 this was my one month. That was 25lbs in 30 days. I am so excited. I am following the rules and having issues with nausea yet I'm still working through and staying positive. I checked my weight yesterday and it shows an 8lb gain? Could this be accurate? I'm puzzled. I'm interested to know if anyone else experienced such torture lol. In remaining positive and keep telling myself it's water.

I am on the way to the pot of gold. I am so excited that I could sing, wait a minute I am singing. :redface: I am scheduled for my surgery on 12/8/09 at 5:00 am. I am told I should be on my way home by 2:00. I start my liquid diet on the 24th. I am working on getting us to that diet. I am finding it hard to eat only a dime size bite as well as chewing that piece 30 times. I have always drank something with every meal and now that too has been hard. I know I shouldn't complain after reading pages and pages of stuff on this site. I have nothing but to forge on. I will do that. I am not sure where to get protein drinks from. My son said that you can get it just about anywhere but that a lot of them are nasty tasting. If there is anyone out there that can fill me in on the do's and dont's of protein shakes. That would be wonderful. I am 48 years old and am about 180 lbs over weight. That is a terrifying weight gain when you think about how toxic fat cells can be to your body. I am so ashamed of myself for getting this size.:confused: I truly didn't think about the weight until I became diabetic then took a long look at myself (I think that was the scaryest of all so far) and here I am. After the blood pressure was going up and up. I began this process. I would be lying if I said that it is all overwhelming right now. I have information swimming around my head like a over crowded fish bowl. This to shall pass I have to doubt. :confused: So as the journey is underway. Lay back and enjoy the ride. TaTa For Now:smile2: . How can you beat that

i read that thread as well - but this one is more relatable, as i'm living the changes - not wishing for them.....both are great inspirations! * i like feeling the air between my legs when i walk. no more rubbing together * i love that my activity level is off the hook. i work out often, run & it does not feel like a chore... * love the fact i'll look better in my 40's than i did in my 30's * in changing my diet; i pay attention a whole lot more as to what i put in my mouth. i read labels, shop for fresh food, & all around make healthier choices regarding food. that too is not a chore. * clothes just look a lot better when you purchase them to "fit" - not hide. * getting my social groove back. sorta went into seclusion after the weight gain & now i can't wait to get out & about these days. * hubby is a FT gropper. everday he tells me how "great i look" - the smile is back & i am more confident and it shows.... could keep going...the band has just been a positive thing for me!!

I have type 2 diabetes as well. I actually got the band as part of a diabetic study that McMaster University is doing. They're trying to associate some hormone that is eliminated with weight loss surgery (there were 3 random groups, RNY Bypass, Lap Band and Medical Management, that participants were slotted into after heaps of pre-screening tests. Guess what i got :cursing: ). I was taking 2000mg of metformin, 6g of gluconorm and 40 units of Lantus insulin daily. When I started my pre-op diet I cut out the insulin right away and then the gluconorm and finally was weaned off of the metformin. I am 2 weeks post op and was told by my specialist not to take anything until I see him at the end of Feb. He thinks that I might be back on metformin (although a smaller dose) for a bit until I get my weight down, but that it will actually assist with weight loss. I was told that insulin makes you gain weight (the fact that I gained 16lbs in 2 weeks when I started it leads me to believe that this is correct in my case) and that the gluconorm can also cause weight gain. I'm ok going back on my metformin for a while. Since I am part of this study that is specifically for diabetics, they have done a whole bunch of tests that I'm sure the average patient doesn't go through. That being said, my bariatric specialist has told me that my pancreas secretes enough natural insulin to support a person with a normal BMI, and the entire team of doctors is convinced that once I get down to that level that I will be off of all diabetes medication for good. Hopefully, the same is true with the rest of you. It's a stupid disease and it's nice to know that it can be "reversed", if you know what I mean.

my surgery date is january 5th....one month!!!! i am having surgery with dr aceves. i'm really worried about losing weight before the procedure. it seems like all of you lost weight before your procedure....but my weight has been fluctuating a lot lately...mostly on the up swing :mad0: i asked monica and she said if i gained a little weight it shouldn't be a problem....but it still concerns me. i just started a new BC, and hormone fluctuations cause weight gain with me....and the holidays!!! did any of you gain a little weight before your surgery? complications? help? ps: I am 5'3 and 250lbs

What you have written about is normal...you are going through many physical adjustments, and hormone levels are gyrating as well. Mood swings are normal during this time of initial healing...and I do remember me asking myself "what the h#%* did you do to yourself?? The required diets for the pre op and post op times were the worst time for me...and it does get better as the days go by. The new awareness of your eating patterns that you also wrote about will serve you well as you continue on your weight loss journey. Remember that your relationship with food does need to change; and awareness of the problematic eating behaviors which contributed to your weight gain is the first step to that process of change. This journey is a process and not an event...there will be some days that are better than others. Keep yourself focused on your goals, and take a day at a time. Best wishes...

If you want to do the sleeve, don't wait until you are experiencing symptoms of stomach inflammation. I had a pretty severe erosion and they would not convert me to a VSG at the time I had my band removed because my stomach and esophagus were severely inflamed. Now, my health is greatly improved, enough that I can do the sleeve but I was hoping I could keep my weight stable without a 2nd surgery. Unfortunately I'm having trouble with weight gain since being disbanded, despite my best efforts. I know how you feel with the frustration of really trying hard and not getting the results you deserve. Sounds to me like getting a revision to a VSG would be a good way for you to go, just don't wait to decide and find out they can't do it until you heal from the band removal. I definitely stuck my head in the sand and didn't face up to the fact that my band was gradually going bad until things got really, really bad.

I am here at the dr office. And I have seen a weight gain of two pounds. This month I have really been a slacker. One day of exercise if that and not watching my food as well as I should and it shows...... I need to meet my goals or I may fail. So sad....

I agree with you. Even though I am ashamed to return to the doctor with weight gain but I really need a fill so that is the route I plan to take in order to get back on the right track. The tighter the better. Thanks.

An endoscopy several months ago revealed inflammation from my esphagus all the way to my duodenum and noted a potential band slip. There was no mention of a haitel hernia. An endoscopy is often used to diagnose or confirm a haitel hernia. Even with no fluid in my 11cc band I was unable to get anything down that wasn't the texture of yogurt or cottage cheese. In the planning for my surgery, my surgeon was of the opinion that the band itself was the problem and had likely created irritation and scar tissue and thus would have to go. He also felt that he'd likely need to repair the herniated area he repaired during my original surgery plus remove scar tissue. I was cleared for an overnight stay in prep for a series of post-surgical tests. I was the one who pushed to save my band for fear of weight gain and it was my WLS who advised me that there was a less than 1% chance that that would happen and that given my reaction to the band, replacing it was not an option. Thus, I was really surprised to be going home that same day with a haitel hernia repair. Nothing was done to the band or the port. There was no post-op testing. WebMD is saying full liquids for two weeks post haitel hernia repair; my discharge papers say nothing beyond, "progress to regular diet". My husband swears the WLS told him I could eat a regular diet two days after surgery! Meanwhile, even coffee is doing the "stop & drop" on the way down. I've got reflux. Attempts to swallow a protein shake give me pain across my shoulder blades. I don't want to believe that this is a money making effort, but let's just say that this practice is known for knowing which insurance carriers are likely to pay without question and tailor the treatment accordingly. I would not be at all surprised to be back in the OR several months down the road having it removed. Meanwhile, my follow up appointment is next week and I've already been told that it's time for me to get a fill(!?!) plus they've started laying the ground work for potential revision to gastric sleeve. Covering all the bases except the one that really matters - my health and well-being.

Finally I figured out how to post my own messages. They say I am computer handicapped lol. Having my surgery 8/3. Had my pre-op cass and met with surgeon this past Wednesday. It still does not seem real. Something I thought I would never do. I can lose the weight, but after 4-5 official diets, gained it back plus 10lbs usually this last time 20 for a total of 50 lb weight gain. Finally said that's it. Need 2 knee replacements too. Just wondering if anyone was told they have to get heparin injections while in hospital following gastric sleeve. I really enjoy reading everyone's posts, it has helped so much, pre and post op sleevers. Any other August sleevers lets keep in touch.

Cal Pozo is a fitness instructor, choreographer, director and producer of best selling exercise videos. He was born in 1946 in Cuba and moved to the US in 1960. Though he has been dancing since his early teens Cal made sure education was a priority, attending both Bowling Green University in Ohio and New York University in New York City. After college, while living in New York City, Cal became a dancer in Broadway musicals, including a revival of the original musical West Side Story, which also starred Patrick Swayze. It was during this show, in the late 1970s, when Cal suffered a serious hip injury. This ironic twist of fate was to be Cal’s springboard for launching into the fitness and exercise video industry. Before suffering his debilitating hip injury, Pozo had been a serious dancer with no interest in the exercise and fitness instructional video industry. After suffering through the injury and subsequent rehabilitation, his doctors advised his dancing career was very likely finished. Refusing to accept such a diagnosis, Cal decided to take over on his own rehabilitation program and mixed various dancing and exercise disciplines into a system all his own. Successful completion of his own style of rehabilitation program, which included an approximately forty pound weight gain and loss, started Cal on his path to fitness stardom. Visit : http://www.vitadigest.com for more details. :confused:

You are doing fine. If you are following the Post-op diet as your doctor subscribed, I wouldn't worry about it. Ignore the scales for right now. Your body is going through some shock and may be holding on to your fat. When we do not get enough calories, our metabolism slows down and we don't burn as much fat. For this reason, many surgeons will tell us to expect a small weight gain during these weeks. Personally, my goal at this stage was to heal, not to lose weight. I just followed the doctors advice regarding the types of foods I could eat, not the quantity. Once your body heals, you'll have plenty of time to lose the weight. Just be patient. God Bless!

Yesterday and this morning lots of pain in abdomin and around port site. Today, less pain, but still pretty sore both topically and in the gut. Unable to urinate well due (I think) to anesthesia. Lots of diarrhea and a weight gain of 6 pounds, despite liquids only diet for 3 days. Could it get any worse?

I am now a month out and can finally eat scrambled eggs. When I take just one too many bites of something, I really pay for it and remind myself not to do that again! It's a trade-off. You decided to do something to end your cycle of weight loss/weight gain. For me, the sleeve will prevent me from falling off the wagon like I have done my whole life. Falling off the wagon wasn't just a meal, a day or a pound...it was weeks and 20 pounds! I don't miss what a can no longer have and am happy that the sleeve makes the choices so I don't have to. It gets rid of the temptation because I know if I tried to eat that cookie or cake or bread I would pay for it miserably! Good luck.

I was really struggling with the dissapointment yet again, i just sat and poured my heart out to the lord, and said i give up, i cant do this anymore, you take it lord, and then just got on with living. 2 days ago i got a phone call to say that they knew how upset i was and they have juggled everything around and i have a new earlier date, sun19th may, first thing, i also found out that my old scales were saying i was a stone lighter that what i thought, normally they would cancell due to this, but they are overlooking the weight gain,God knew that and has worked this for my good, totally in awe of God and so gratefull, now i start my liver shrinking diet again on sat and cant wait to start, knowing that its going to happen this time, xx

I had my surgery In august 2009, I started at 304 and by August 2011, I met my goal weight of 140. I usually fluctuate from 138-143. My last adjustment was in October 2010. I started getting these severe back pains in my mid to lower back when I would try to eat something at the beginning of this month. This lasted for about 2 weeks, until I decided to go back to my Dr and he recommended that I remove the Fluid from my band to see if that helped and also sent me to get an upper GI to see if it had slipped. As soon as he removed the fluid, I was able to eat- YAY! I did not go crazy as I still watched my caloric intake and excerisize daily (teach 5 Zumba classes per week); however, I seem to have gained 15 lbs in 7 days!!! I went to my primary Dr as I thought it was probably Water weight as I was so bloated and you could see it in my hands & feet. He sent me to the ER for an EKG, echo, blood tests, etc and everything came back normal.... He released me the next day, gave me a prescription for lasiks and told me to go about my normal routine. The scrip was for 10 days and I am contiuing my workouts however nothing has happened and my body feels very sluggish and I have no energy! My question- has anyone had this issue after a band adjustment?

I am not a nutritionist nor have I had the surgery yet... But my advice would be to really try to get in your water.. If you don't drink enough water, your body will start to retain what little water you DO take in.. So drink lotsa water so you won't have any water weight gain

Hi. I am 7 almost 8 mos post surgery. My weight loss has been great. Each visit I've lost weight and completely excited about it. Today I was going through some clothing that I thought were too big based off of size. Putting each item on i became more and more frustrated. Then I went and tried in things that I've been wearing all of the time now and are a little bit snug. I am now terrified that I have gained weight. Everyone around me is saying I am overreacting. But it all feels very real to me. So much so that I am just drinking Protein shakes and shrimp and vegetables. I plan on spending extra time in the gym. Anyone else going these "struggles"? What did yours end up being? What can I do? Sent from my SM-G935P using the BariatricPal App