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I guess weight loss is a very sensitive issue -- I obviously knew weight GAIN was but who would think the opposite would be true? I was just questioning this myself as very few people comment on my weight loss and I had myself convinced you couldn't even tell. I think actually it is just that people don't know what to say or how to say it! My parents are very happy for my weight loss, but my Dad doesn't ask me about it any more, and I am convinced it is b/c he is heavy himself and like your hair dresser, has issues with my success losing wieght.......................

I'm so glad we're having this conversation. Count me in the category of people who would prefer not to be commented on at all, even if it is a compliment. When I was 22, I starved myself down to 135lbs. I am 5'7" so that was pretty small for me. When I was 28, I did it again, going from 220 to 140. I found being a healthy weight terrifying and uncomfortable. While I was proud of myself for losing the weight, I wasn't prepared for the reaction. When I was 13, I was closet bingeing while all the other girls were learning how to flirt and talk to boys. I never learned how to do those things, so I felt inadequate and foolish. I was bewildered when total strangers who had never seen me before, never known that I was fat, complimented me. I felt afraid because deep in my heart, I <b>knew</b> that I had lost weight by starving myself and that it wouldn't last. If people noticed me losing weight, they'd certainly notice me gaining it back and I <i>cringed</i> at the thought. All of that adds up to a lot of inner turmoil. Confused, exposed, angry, scared, etc. all added up to weight gain. I see it so clearly now, but I didn't see it then. I see that some people were genuinely glad for me and complimented me because well...that's how they would want to be treated if the situation were reversed. I see that some people complimented me because I carried myself with a little more pride and confidence. And I see that some people were negative because of their own issues, and it had nothing to do with me. I hadn't thought about all of this in a while, but it all came back when I had my eval with the social worker. I realized that though I have a lot more clarity now, this is still going to be scary. The only way to deal with the fear and insecurity is to push right through it. It's going to be difficult, so I followed the social worker's advice and found a therapist to help me with this particular issue. She's going to help me fight through all of that and come out of it stronger this time, not fatter.

There is a product called suplimed that is a high calorie shake with good balanced nutrition used to help support or gain weight for those with illness. Ask him if he would consider operating on you if you upped yourself to a maintenance calorie level before, during and just after the proceedure... It may not work, but I thought I would throw the idea out there. The Weight Gain Supplement That's Your Sensible Weight Gain Solution p.s. I use this product for my normal calorie days as I am experimenting with 3 day low cal,1 day normal calories to see if it will prevent stalls. It does taste good.

Great question. I haven't been banded yet, but will be struggling with the same issues. The only difference is I work 12 hour night shifts (7p-7a). Hopefully, I will be working day shift by the end of the summer. I know working nights has contributed to my weight gain, as all I have the energy to do is sleep. I eat on the run and or at bad times. I can't wait to read the replies you get, as I am also facing this challenge. Stephanie---Waco, Tx

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!!

Carol Brower, I totally get what you're saying, your opinions and feeling are very valid. Im not a therapist, and we can't "fix" you either, but may we can help you a bit. Yes, im older, happily married, together many years, but it's totally normal to want to be desired by men, to have them want to talk, flirt, engage, converse, whatever. I like it ! No lie ! And yes, before my weight gain I was slim and attractive too. After marriage and a child, the weight came on, and the men stopped engaging etc. Now im slim again, and think I look better now than before, and yes, the men want to talk, flirt, engage, converse, whatever. Human nature . It's cute, but even if I was single, I would be selective. Why? Because I'm worth it !! So are you !! And a key to a stable relationship is to have a stable relationship with yourself first . The men will follow, because that's human nature. But it's up to you how you want/allow those men to treat you. Totally. Up. To. You. I wish you well.

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

This post is half sharing of my experience with the band, an half question (see down below!). I'm still new to LapBand, and working to get into the green zone. I had surgery in November and after about 3 weeks of healing I could eat the same foods and portions as I could pre-surgery (this is normal). After my first fill I didn't feel any restriction yet (also a normal occurrence). After my second fill I finally started to get restriction. I found that I could still eat all of the same foods as before as long as I was slow and mindful. If I took a bite of something while distracted (this happened often at work -reading emails while eating- or sometimes at home -watching TV-) I would get stuck. That food would have to come up before I could continue my meal. After surgery, and after my first fill I was gaining weight (up to a pound a week). After my second fill my weight gain final stalled and I was stable. Now I've gotten my third fill and the restriction is upped again. I'm hoping to start tipping the scales in the right direction! I feel like I finally have the band I did all of the research on, and mentally prepared myself for, before surgery. The one that changed your eating habits, made you eat slowly and carefully, and might give you some food restrictions (like doughy bread or dry, tough meat). I'm wondering, for all of you out there with properly adjusted bands, what are your favorite go-to foods? My food habits pre-band included bread at Breakfast, fruit for Snacks, and usually veggies with Pasta for dinner. I think I now might have trouble with bread, fibrous fruits (like citrus, which breaks my heart since it's one of the only in-season fruits during winter) or veg (like cooked cabbage, less heart breaking but slightly annoying since I had just cooked up a large head of it for use in some freezer meals). I'm looking for help to reshape my food habits and find healthy, delicious foods that are band friendly so I'm not relying on processed or soft foods. Thanks for any tips!

Oh, MrsMikey! I am so sorry about you having to take the predisone. Many members of my family have had to take it. I know what a horrid medication it is. But at the same time, it is a wonderful medication in that it has kept them alive and in my life. All of them gained weight while taking this medication. I understand what you are going through. It must have been terrible to be told you need to take again it to help your condition. I admit that I don't know much about your condition. But all I can do is encourage you to hang in there. The medicine is important for you to take. Most times it is the only option for the condtitions for which it is prescribed. I know it takes a toll physically and emotionally. But know that you have the band in place for when you can step down the dose and to help you lose the weight when you are feeling better. I don't believe that there is anything you can do to battle the predisone caused weight gain while on it. Other than focusing on the fact that it is helping you feel better and the hope that you can one day come off it. It sounds like you have maybe 6 months left on this round. You have made it a year and a half, you are nearly there! Do what you can to minimize the gain (I know, not much!). Welcome to lapbandtalk, we are here for support! Denise

Hi. My partner is having the gastric sleeve op in 5 weeks time because he is type 2 diabetic and needs to get off the medication. He is only slightly over weight. He used to be into his sport in a big way but has lost a lot of fitness due to the effects of the weight gain and medication side effects. So, my question is, what support did you feel you needed from your partner or family/friends after the op? Was it more about having someone to talk to openly about how you were feeling? Did you have mood swings? How did you feel in the first few days after the op with limited eating ability? How did you keep occupied in those first 2 weeks after the operation? Any tips and ideas greatly appreciated.

It's official. I gained 6 lbs since my "unfill" on March 10. It's probably not a full 6 lbs because I'm very bloated in a womanly way - I'm guessing it's about 3 lbs once I unload all this fluid. The thing is, I really don't feel badly about the weight gain. I've been able to wrap my head around the idea that this is a process and with any long term endeavor, there are ups and downs. In this case, it's still mostly downs (as in weight going down) and I'm way ahead of where I was mentally and physically, even a month ago. Sure, a month ago the weight was falling off but it was at the price of vomiting, feeling unwell and feeling mentally punished for being fat all the time. With the unfill, I was able to replenish both my body and my mind. I like to think of this period as a mini vacation from the band that allowed me to refresh and start anew...just like coming back from vacation and going back to school or work. Yesterday, I got a fill. Only 1cc which brought me back to 6cc, exactly what I had after my first fill. I couldn't feel any restriction when I had my soup for lunch and fluids go down fine but I decided on some soft cheese, salad and hummus for dinner and I could feel it. Yay! Restriction is back and not too much. I may still need another adjustment but I'm really ready to get back on the wagon and correct these bad patterns I fell right back into over the last month: 1) Drinking while eating 2) Bread, bread, bread 3) Eating too fast and not chewing well enough - even with very little restriction I had a bad PB incident with a bagel 4) Slider foods and candy 5) Diet soda 6) Booze 7) Snacking It was a great vacation - eating, drinking, my birthday, having too much fun with food - but I'm back now and tightening the reins. Happy Easter, Passover, Spring to all!

Thanks everyone. I did the liquid diet pre-op diet yesterday, walked 4 miles, and as of this morning I have lost a half a pound (could be legit, could be water weight). I think this is just going to be harder and slower for me than others and than I was hoping it would be. I’ll talk to my Dr. at my next check up and will do whatever she says. I’m hopeful the nutritionist will give me a menu to follow because I seem to do better when I follow a rigid restricted menu, clearly. Mostly, I needed to vent my frustration to people who would understand and sympathize. Thank you for all for reading, lending some thoughtful advice, and having my back. I was really hoping for a bigger loss by now and just haven’t had the same experience as other testimonials I read. I’m losing, even if not quick. The disappointment overcomes me sometimes... *I am weighing at home. It is linked to my Dr’s record via an app. Batteries are good. **I eat 1 or 2 dried prunes occasionally to keep regular because my bowel movements are few and far in between. ***I have a mobility-limiting degenerative spinal birth defect so many physical exercises are off limits. It is a contributing factor to my weight gain over the years and limits my exercise options. I do as much as I can within my limits. In addition to walking, I have a Wii and do the bike ride, marches, yoga, and balance related games. My job involves walking all day, across a large campus, and going up and down flights of stairs all day. I only wear my Apple watch when i walk at the park. The miles I list here are above and beyond the usual 1-2 miles I do in the course of a day at work. I’m not sedintary but I don’t do Zumba, ya know? ****I don’t measure inches, but clothes all fit exactly the same and nothing is looser.

Loestrin has been my saving grace! It is the only BC I have ever been on though, I have been on it since I was seventeen (im 21 now). I too suffered from AWFUL cramps,and unfortunately for me I always threw up. But if I make sure to take my pill every day around the same time I almost NEVER have cramps and when I do they are very mild. I have not seen any weight gain other than my own doing that the pill has caused. My dosctor told me that BC in the form of a shot will make you gain weight,and also the ones that are placed in your Va jay jay, Maybe try the IUD?

I have made a huge discovery today and I mean huge. I am now currently 50 pounds heavier then I was in 2004. 50 freaking pounds - that is more then my 3 year old daughter that I had in 2004. I have gained more weight then she has in these past 3 years. A lot has happened. I have been diagnosed with Bi-Polar and depression and I am insomniac. I am also an emotional eater. Not a good combination.:svengo: I saw my psychiatrist on April 18th. The medications I am on cause weight gain and he and I both knew that. I didn’t figure in the 50 pound part. He actually suggested the lap band. And so I begin the new journey and working on the new me. :crying: I called my insurance company BCBS Blue Care of NC. They did cover the surgery. I just need to meet some requirements, which I believed I did. I contacted Dr. Enochs office (that is who my psychiatrist) recommended. I went to a seminar Thursday, April 24 and learned about the Lap band. I was told that I need a 5 year weight history and they need to verify my insurance. That is where I am today. I will keep posted.:thumbup:

I have made a huge discovery today and I mean huge. I am now currently 50 pounds heavier then I was in 2004. 50 freaking pounds - that is more then my 3 year old daughter that I had in 2004. I have gained more weight then she has in these past 3 years. A lot has happened. I have been diagnosed with Bi-Polar and depression and I am insomniac. I am also an emotional eater. Not a good combination.:biggrin: I saw my psychiatrist on April 18th. The medications I am on cause weight gain and he and I both knew that. I didn’t figure in the 50 pound part. He actually suggested the lap band. And so I begin the new journey and working on the new me. :rolleyes2: I called my insurance company BCBS Blue Care of NC. They did cover the surgery. I just need to meet some requirements, which I believed I did. I contacted Dr. Enochs office (that is who my psychiatrist) recommended. I went to a seminar Thursday, April 24 and learned about the Lap band. I was told that I need a 5 year weight history and they need to verify my insurance. That is where I am today. I will keep posted.:blushing:

I gained a couple pounds when I started on puree/mushee too. Then I stalled. I was like GREAT! A stall AND a weight gain?! It came off plus 2 pounds after the stall broke. No worries. I have the same feelings.. "I'm going to be fat forever! I did this surgery in vain!" Don't fret, It WILL come off.

I think the older lap bands had that gap in it that allowed for more of a weight gain if soda was drank and the stomach could stretch more as it would slip through the part of the band that didn't hold the silicone in the older bands... the new ones go all the way around so no slippage and no stretching as easy.. that is what our RN told us in class.. more are losing better with the new improved lap band

I showed a weight gain of 2 lbs with my nutritionist today at 8am and at 1:00pm a 3 lb loss at my primary doc. Obviously someone's scale isn't right!

I have this saved on my computer to share with people from time to time. It's a long read but it's really intresting. :confused: THE WATER CURE CAN MAKE YOU THIN! We can’t rave enough about the latest weight-loss breakthrough. It’s simple, safe and effective. This M.D.- devised technique has already worked wonders--three times faster than average--and without dieting. Before you read another word, go pour yourself a glass of water. WHY? Because what we’re about to tell you is going to make you very thirsty. At least that’s the reaction Chicago mom Amy Biank had when she first heard about a groundbreaking treatment for weight gain, fatigue and a host of other stubborn ailments ..... “At the time, I was getting out of bed in the morning and feeling old and heavy,” recalls the 54-year-old, who’d been steadily gaining weight since her early 40’s. “My joints ached. I would get overwhelmingly tired. I had hot flashes, mood swings, sinus headaches. I didn’t have the stamina to work out, and I had such strong cravings for foods like chocolate and bacon .... I just surrendered and said, ‘This is the way I’m going to be’”. But, in fact, it wasn’t the way she was going to be... Fast forward six weeks: Amy was shopping in the “fat ladies’ section at her favorite store and tried on a size 20 skirt. “It literally fell off,” she beams. The outfit she took home? A size 16. Now she’s in the 14s working toward a 12. Maybe “working” isn’t the right word because Amy has lost the weight, quadrupled her enerby, eliminated achy joints, beaten her allergies--simply by drinking water -- more specifically, by drinking a doctor-prescribed amount of water. That’s exactly what Fereydoon Batmanghelidj, M.D., affectionately known as “Dr Batman” around his practice in Falls Church, Virginia, tell his patients--who have lost up to 40+ pounds just by increasing their water intake. A recent survey found that while two out of three of us know doctors recommend drinking at least eight cups daily, only one in five actually drink that much. How much, do we drink? On average, a mere 4.6 cups a day. “This chronic shortage is the reason so many of us are sick, tired and overweight,” claims the expert, author of YOUR BODY’S MANY CRIES FOR WATER. “Humans are 75% water. More importantly, our brains--our control centers--are 85% water. Without adequate hydration, our metabolisms slow, energy levels drop, toxic waste becomes trapped, cells are deprived of vital oxygen and nutrients and so much more.” So why don’t we feel thirstier? “Studies show that as we get older, we experience a gradual loss of sensitivity to feelings of thirst,” says Dr. Batman. And for reasons not entirely understood, humans accept a dry mouth as the primary indicator of thirst. “Yet it is the last signal your body sends that it’s thirsty”, Here's one more installment on this subject:he adds, noting that earlier signs include sleepiness, achiness and hunger. Since so many of the systems that keep us slim are dependent on water, it only makes sense that when these systems falter, we get fat. That’s the bad news. The good news is that simply by following one simple water-drinking guideline, we can restore our body to peak health and leanness ...... HOW MUCH WATER DO YOU NEED TO DRINK TO LOSE WEIGHT? Dr. Batmanghelidj and the world-famous Mayo Clinic both offer the same easy formula for figuring out your body’s daily water requirements: take your weight and divide it in half. If, for example, you weigh 150 lbs., you need 75 oz. (nine to 10 glasses) daily. If you weigh 250 pounds, 125 oz. (15 to 16 glasses). Any time you perspire heavily for 30 minutes, add an extra 15 to 30 oz. Any time you drink a caffeinated beverage, add an extra 8 to 10 oz.! Is pure H2O the only liquid that counts? No, say experts. Any beverage without calories, caffeine, carbonation, artificial sweeteners, or sodium, such as herbal teas, bottled waters with fruit essence--also counts toward your daily quota. Meet your daily quota and your rewards will be many ............ EASY WAYS TO GET MORE WATER The idea of drinking 75 oz. of water each day may seem overwhelming at first, but these tricks make it easy ----- *Reaching for water first. Start taking water breaks instead of coffee breaks, sipping water instead of soda, and you automatically drink more. “In the past, I tried to drink more water in addition to all the Diet Coke, and it just didn’t work”, says Chicago mom Amy Blank. “But once I started making water my beverage of choice, my cravings for Diet Coke disappeared!” *Keeping lots of H2O where you can see it. That way you won’t forget.“The first two weeks, I put eight bottles out on a shelf, and I knew I had to finish them by the end of the day,” says Amy. *Adding a twist. Water doesn’t have to be boring “Try bottled waters flavored with fruit essence. Or squeeze lemon or lime into chilled tap water. “Sometimes I add a tablespoon of peach nectar,” says Amy. “Or I’ll take an herbal tea bag and pour the water on top of it,” *Keeping it cool. Each night, put some water bottles in the freezer. Take one or two with you to work and enjoy an icy treat in the midafternoon. Also a great idea if you’re going to the beach. SURPRISING REASONS DRINKING H20 MELTS FAT Water makes your metabolism burn calories 3% faster. During a study at the University of Utah, test subjects who were just slightly dehydrated saw a 3% drop in their resting metabolism. And since the calories we burn when we’re sitting still account for the majority of calories burned each day, a 3% drop is enough to cause a pound of weight gain every six months. ........................ Water fights fatigue-induced hunger. Studies have shown that the more tired we feel, the more we eat. That’s why folks who work the night shift tend to pack on extra pounds. But by drinking water, you can prevent the weariness that leads to overeating. “There is amazing new evidence that when water passes through our cell membranes, it creates energy independent of food--a sort of hydroelectric power,” says the expert. ......................... Water helps the digestive system operate more efficiently, so you have fewer cravings. The more water we have in our systems, the more efficiently our enzymes can break down and extract nutrients from food, explains Dr. Batman. The more nutrients you extract from the food you eat, the fewer cravings you’ll have. ........................ Water replaces beverages proven to cause weight gain. It probably comes as no surprise that substituting water for sugary drinks saves you lots of calories. But what you might not know is that calories we drink are much more likely to end up as fat: one study found volunteers who ate an extra 450 calories unconsciously compensated at later meals and didn’t gain weight: those who drank an extra 450 calories (the amount in one large cola) didn’t compensate and gained weight. “The great thing about water is that if you drink too much, the excess is simply excreted--it is never stored as fat,” notes Dr. Batman. What about no-cal beverages like diet sodas, coffee and tea? “They aren’t stored as fat per se, but they trigger fat storage,” he says. “Caffeine is a diuretic, so you drink it, thinking you’re satisfying your thirst, when actually you are further dehydrating your body. In my opinion, rising obesity rates--especially among children--are directly linked to our increased consumption of caffeinated beverages.” Artificial sweeteners make the problem worse: “When digested, aspartame is broken down into chemicals that reduce blood sugar available to our brains,” explains the pro. “When this happens, we become hungry.” Sweetness alone can cause the body to anticipate a new supply of sugar--so when sweetness hits your tongue, it begins to store circulating blood sugar in fat cells. “I never realized how much more I ate when I was drinking coffee and diet sodas until I stopped,” says Amy. “I still have them occasionally, but when I do, I make sure to have extra water.” Bonnie Siegler BONUS: 5 WAYS WATER ACTS LIKE MEDICINE When it comes to water’s benefits, losing weight and gaining energy are just the tip of the iceberg. Researchers now believe that ordinary tap water helps reduce the risk of kidney stones, urinary tract and bladder cancer and possibly even colon cancer. There is also evidence, says Fereydoon Batmanghelidj, M.D., Author of YOUR BODY’ MANY CRIES FOR WATER, that .... 1. It prevents the common cold. Moisture in your throat holds the antibodies that fight off viruses. If you’re even slightly dehydrated, this natural protection disappears. 2. It controls migraines. Without plenty of water, you’re more likely to have an attack. 3. It helps lower “bad” cholesterol. When you’re dehydrated, your blood becomes thick and acidic and can cause damage to arterial walls. Levels of LDL cholesterol rise in response to coat the arterial walls. 4. It may cure asthma. When you’re not getting enough water, your body produces more histamine, which regulates how often your bronchial muscles contract. Drinking water decreases production of histamine, keeping breathing steady. 5. It soothes arthritis pain. Water in the cartilage of your joints acts as a lubricant. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's one more installment on this subject: quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why Drinking Water Really is the Key to Weight Loss by Maia Appleby Don’t roll your eyes! The potion for losing that excess body fat is all around you. It covers two thirds of the planet. If you eat right and exercise at the intensity, frequency and duration proper for you, but still can’t get rid of a little paunch here and there, you’re probably just not drinking enough water. No need to get defensive. You’re actually quite normal. Most people don’t drink enough water. Most people are also carrying around a few more pounds than they would be if they did drink enough water. If you can’t seem to get that weight off, try drowning your sorrows in nature’s magical weight-loss mineral. It works, and here’s why: “What on Earth is 'metabolism', anyway?” People use the term all the time, but ask them what it means and you’ll get all kinds of answers. Merriam Webster defines it as, “The process by which a substance is handled in the body.” A little vague, but that’s really all it means. There are many forms of metabolism going on in your body right now, but the one everyone is talking about it the metabolism of fat. This is actually something that the liver does when it converts stored fat to energy. The liver has other functions, but this is one of its main jobs. Unfortunately, another of the liver’s duties is to pick up the slack for the kidneys, which need plenty of water to work properly. If the kidneys are water-deprived, the liver has to do their work along with its own, lowering its total productivity. It then can’t metabolize fat as quickly or efficiently as it could when the kidneys were pulling their own weight. If you allow this to happen, not only are you being unfair to your liver, but you’re also setting yourself up to store fat. “I’ve tried it and I couldn’t stand it!” The problem is that, though many decide to increase their water intake, very few stick with it. It’s understandable. During the first few days of drinking more water than your body is accustomed to, you’re running to the bathroom constantly. This can be very discouraging, and it can certainly interfere with an otherwise normal day at work. It seems that the water is coming out just as fast as it’s going in, and many people decide that their new hydration habit is fruitless. Do take heed, though. What is really happening is that your body is flushing itself of the water it has been storing throughout all those years of “survival mode”. It takes a while, but this is a beautiful thing happening to you. As you continue to give your body all the water it could ask for, it gets rid of what it doesn’t need. It gets rid of the water it was holding onto in your ankles and your hips and thighs, maybe even around your belly. You are excreting much more than you realize. Your body figures it doesn’t need to save these stores anymore; it’s trusting that the water will keep coming, and if it does, eventually, the flushing (of both the body and the potty) will cease, allowing the human to return to a normal life. It’s true. This is called the “breakthrough point.” One recent finding, as irresponsible as it may be, that caffeine increases the body’s fat-burning potential has many people loading up on coffee before going to the gym. This finding may hold some degree of truth in it, but caffeine is, in essence, a diuretic, and diuretics dehydrate. Caffeine may increase the heart rate, causing a few more calories to be burned, but this is at the expense of the muscles, which need water to function properly. This isn’t doing your heart any favors, either. It’s already working hard enough during your workout. Never mix caffeine and exercise. In fact, your best bet is to stay away from caffeine all together. It’s a big bully that pushes your friend water out of your system. Water is the best beauty treatment. You’ve heard this since high school, and it’s true. Water will do wonders for your looks! It flushes out impurities in your skin, leaving you with a clear, glowing complexion. It also makes your skin look younger. Skin that is becoming saggy, either due to aging or weight loss, plumps up very nicely when the skin cells are hydrated. In addition, it improves muscle tone. You can lift weights until you’re blue in the face, but if your muscles are suffering from a drought, you won’t notice a pleasant difference in your appearance. Muscles that have all the water they need contract more easily, making your workout more effective, and you’ll look much nicer than if you had flabby muscles under sagging skin. “Eight glasses a day? Are you kidding?!” It’s really not that much. Eight 8-ounce glasses amount to about two quarts of water. This is okay for the average person, but if you’re overweight, you should drink another eight ounces for every 25 pounds of excess weight you carry. You should also up this if you live in a hot climate or exercise very intensely. This water consumption should be spread out throughout the day. It’s not healthy at all to drink too much water at one time. Try to pick three or four times a day when you can have a big glass of water, and then sip in between. Don’t let yourself get thirsty. If you feel thirsty, you’re already becoming dehydrated. Drink when you’re not thirsty yet. Do you think water is yucky? Drinking other fluids will certainly help hydrate your body, but the extra calories, sugar, additives and whatever else aren’t what you need. Try a slice of lemon or lime in the glass, or if you really think you hate water, try a flavored water. Just make sure you read the labels. Remember that you’re going to be consuming a lot of this fluid. It’s probably a good idea to stop drinking water a good three hours before you go to bed. You know why. “How cold should it be?” This is debatable. Most experts lean toward cold water, because the stomach absorbs it more quickly. There is also some evidence that cold water might enhance fat burning. On the other hand, warmer water is easier to drink in large quantities, and you might drink more of it without even realizing it. Do whatever suits you, here. Just drink it! When you drink all the water you need, you will very quickly notice a decrease in your appetite, possibly even on the first day! If you're serious about becoming leaner and healthier, drinking water is an absolute must. If you're doing everything else right and still not seeing results, this might just be the missing link.

i had some complications with my first band and lost 150 lbs with it. I eventually had to have a second band and gained about 35 lbs back due to good health and being completely open for a while. It really hard to stay positive when you see the weight gain. everyone says hey you still lost 115 lbs you should be thrilled and all i see is the roll in my middrift. I keep telling myself that thank god i will have this band for life if possible and i dont have to lose it all right this minute. for most of my life its been either lose or gain for me and i guess im afraid if im not losing then ive lost another battle. i think all of us overeaters fear a sense of failure if we are not presently losing. Lets make a pact together to love ourselves even if we are not losing right now cause WE HAVE THE BANDDDDDD. WOO HOOOO. we dont have to do it alone anymore.

tabbymonroe, when i first had my surgery 3 years ago, I hit a stall that drove me crazy! I had been losing so great, then boom at exactly one year i stalled for 7 MONTHS. . . it was crazy! no weight loss, no weight gain. . .I had really thought this was it! then one day it just moved, I lost another 10 - 15 lbs and that was it, BUT i did reach my goal the doctor had put out for me plus 12 lbs more, so that is what I call success. . . now at 3+ years out I'm still the same weight and am maintaining beautifully. . .I don't worry about anything anymore. . .I finally love myself and accept myself for who I am. . . good luck, it'll happen for you too. .

I agree with quick weight gain if non compliant. And I fills seem to go with just a bit more food than usual.But I'm in the camp that doesn't weigh themselves too much. Much of my adult life the scale has not been my friend. It truly affects my mood for the day. I can tell by clothing and other ways if I'm on track and fine. I do weigh in at my Drs. appt and sometimes at friends houses but do not keep a scale in the house.

My wife had the RNY 4 years ago. She was extremely successful with it. My weight was manageable and I was in decent shape. My wife progressed through her post op diet and her solids was always to much for her to eat. Well she would instinctively put her remaining food on my plate to eat. I would eat it. So I was eating nearly two meals at a time. I was raised not to waste food and a happy plate is a clean plate. So I was eating 1 1/2 steaks and 1 1/2 potatoes at dinner, or an extra 4 - 7 wings, sandwiches, chicken, the list goes on. Well needless to say, 4 years later I need WLS. I was sleeved on 12/27/11. Now of course I do not blame my entire weight gain on my wife. I could have simply said no, or stopped being lazy and been more active. However, this story has made me change the way that I approach food with my son. He is no longer made to eat all of his food. He just has to eat what we thing is enough for him. This is only needed when it is not his favorite (the healthier foods) foods. Pizza, and such is never a problem. Seconds was taken away if it is a high starchy meal, or unhealthy meal. NO ONE puts their remainders on the others plate. It goes in the leftover dish or trash. That was a huge lifestyle change for me but I am glad that I did it. I just want all the new sleevers out there to watch that with your spouses, not only do you lifestyle have to change but theirs have to also.

I am 6 years post op and throughout the past couple of years I have gained a substantial amount of weight back after I had lost it. I lost 100lbs and have gained 45lbs. I am so upset with myself and I don’t know what to do. I don’t feel like I overeat but there has to be something I am doing wrong. I don’t even remember the basics anymore. Please help!!

5'6" dr's goal is 150, but I know I look best 135-140. My goal is 128 because I want to have an allowance to gain a few pounds during maintenance, as a little weight gain sounds inevitable from what everyone says. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App