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I’m doing everything right. I’ve not changed the way I️ve eaten (surgery 9/14) I️ mean the last month I’ve eaten and drank the same. Worked out 5x a week. I’ve been SLOWLY losing but this week I’ve gained 2.5 pounds?! I️ thought I️ was just stalked but no! It’s going backwards!!!! I️ want to cry. If I️ knew what to do different I️ would but I’m not messing up anywhere...[emoji17]

I am currently 8 months preggo, due in about 5 weeks and I did not unfill. I have roughly 6.5cc in a 10 cc band and I'm up 30 lbs so far...sad but true. I didn't gain an ounce for the first 3 months or so, but appetite is a tricky thing and I have been eating nutritiously, just lots of food. All the veggies, fruits, whole grains, and Proteins, but plenty of sweets cravings have meant ice cream, Starbucks, etc in there too. While I'm not thrilled at my gain, I have one goal, and that is to enjoy pregnancy like any other woman, midnight donut cravings and all...our baby was measuring on the small side for several months and has only recently caught up. I think the weight gain was a number of reasons, mainly I ate alot more, but there are other factors. When pregnant, you should limit your artificial sweeteners and such, so I'm back to eating real yogurt, real sugar, etc. "Lite" variations of tons of foods like salad dressing, mayo, ketchup, etc all contain artificial sweeteners, so I switched to the real ones for the time being. As well, I craved beef alot, not chicken, which is healthier and leaner. (Turns out I'm Iron deficient, thus the red meat cravings) There are tons of bandsters who have initial tightness in early pregnancy due to hormonal changes, bloat, gas, etc. If you can "power" past these, alot of us who keep our fill or only get a little bit taken out find that we tend to do fine the rest of pregnancy. Mine has had days where it's tight, but not so tight I'm on liquids or anything, just so tight that I have to take a test bite, wait, eat slowly, smaller portions, etc. Good luck!

I was at a BMI of 25, so I was at a goal weight and there was mostly skin and very little fat to remove. I had inverted T abdominoplasty and 2 kg of tissue was removed. However, the muscle repair and tightening has resulted in further restriction than just that offered by my band and I have lost further weight due to that restriction. My BMI is now 24.1 and I am delighted. I was banded on 17th December 2007 and I had the abdominoplasty on 12th February 2010. For those considering abdominoplasty - you can't take vigorous exercise for 4-6 weeks post op and that, in addition to the pain relief drugs, can REALLY result in problems with elimination, if you know what I mean. Constipation resulted in an apparent significant weight gain :ohmy::thumbup:(and then loss - AAAAAAAAAAAAahhhhhhhhhhhhh - thank goodness).:ohmy:

So I went to my Dr today to start my 6 month diet plan and i have to go to a new doctor since i'm in college and can't make it back to my hometown doctor. and talking to her she wants me to start all over with the diet and exercise and diet medications! I tryed to explain to her that i've already been there done that didn't work! She just kept on how i should changed the current medications i'm on like the depo (because i get really bad migraines and cramps that put me out for days) to something else and my migraine medicine and my depression medicine because the side effects are weight gain....hello i wouldn't be on most of them if my obesity wasn't causeing me to feel depressed and down and then she tells me that she doesn't want to fill out the papers for my diet plan because she doesn't feel qualified....all it is gonna be is her signing the papers saying i'm trying to go to the gym and eat right yadda yadda.... She flat out said to me she doesn't support weight loss surgery! what should i do i feel like if i switch docters again it'll look strange and i don't wanna push back getting my surgery since i'm in my senior year and will only have insurance till december! I'm so upset I've been eating good for more than 2 months and no change in fact i gained 5 pounds and exercising i just don't understand i feel like i'm lost and the doctor just doesn't get it! any advice or words of wisdom i could really use some :tongue:

Just wanted to let all you pre-op peeps know how my experience was so hopefully it may quell some anxieties. After all knowledge is power. My surgery was scheduled for 1 pm on 12/5/2012.The day before I had my preop appt with surgeon and also was on a full liquid diet. My surgeon did not require a 2 week liquid diet prior to surgery but did say no weight gain. I had first seen him in Sept so had packed on 10 lbs since then, i think not so much as a farewell to food but frankly I have dieted for 51 years after I decided to have the sleeve I gave myself a break. So when my date was set for 12/5 that meant I needed to get 10 lbs off fast. I started two weeks before really cutting back and the last 5 days was mostly liquids and arrived at pre op only 1 lb over. The doc didn't comment and I am sure it’s because only one pound could be due to a drink of water in the hallway. I also went to the hospital to preregister as arranged by my doctor’s office. That evening at 5 pm I had to drink a 10 ounce bottle of Mag citrate; if this is your demon, pour it over ice and get it down as quickly as possible. Although they say it works in 5-6 hours it can take 11 hours. If you have been on a liquid diet the results should be rather gentle. I also had to shower the night before and that am and clean myself with hibiclens (help reduce infection) I could shampoo but no conditioner, no hair products, deodorant, powders etc…(flammable in OR)The night before I also had a farewell to coffee party, I could drink liquids until midnight so I had 4 cups of coffee drinking the last one at 11:45 pm:P I arrived on 12/5 at 11:00 as instructed, they had called while I was en route to explain the doctor was ahead of schedule so hurry and get there so I could get under the knife;) again I took a babywipe bathe with antiseptics before getting in my gown, they started an IV and I was wheeled to surgery, after speaking to the anesthesiologist and my surgeon. I made them both very aware that fear of pain was not an issue for me but nausea was so they could have round the clock meds ordered to alleviate that. Thankfully, in my hospital they wait till you are under before inserting catheter. I recall laying on the table saying oh this pretty comfy and that is the last thing I recall till waking up in the recovery room. My surgery took an hour and I was in the recovery room for an hour and half still enjoying my sleepy time when my impatient daughter (who had been told recovery was only an hour and a half then she could see me) demanded to be let in. I heard her say, "How do we wake her up?" and opened my eyes. I was moved to my own room shortly there after and attached to a million pounds of things. Oxygen, I had to use it as every time I fell asleep (which was all the time those first hours) my O2 level dropped. This being the beginning of sleep apnea. Thankfully surgery should correct that. I had a pain pump, heart monitor, I had the intermittent pneumatic compression devices on my legs and IV. This meant an extreme effort was involved anytime I wanted or was forced to get out of bed. I used my pain pump every hour when I awoke that first evening (Wed, 12/5) My surgeon does not let gastric sleeve patients have anything, not even ice chips the first day/eve/night. As I had told them I was terrified of being nauseated I was given meds for that (zofran and reglan and prilosec) around the clock. My room was freezing, it said 68 degrees, which is how I usually like a room, but I must admit since surgery, i don't know if its blood loss or what I have been stoking my furnace and keeping it at 72 or 73. My pain was not bad, but I know you need to stay on top of pain and not let it get out of control, besides I had been heros during all my childbirths and c-sections and had already warned everyone at this stage in life I was gladly taking whatever drugs were available to me. Thus concludes the day of surgery.

Ditto (you are beautiful before and after)!!! Its normal to be nervous...this is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make and it is indeed permanent. It was the tool I needed because I had my thyroid removed 7 years ago and nothing else was working to stop my weight gain, Its a life change and more than a notion to stay focused in doing everything your surgeon and NUT tell you to do.... but I can tell that you will look even more stunning (and much happier) after the surgery! I get "approving" looks and comments every day (friends and family esp.), cat calls (which I can do without) from men young and old, and my husband is once again chasing me around the house (wink-wink). God will bring you thru this with no complications, just name it and claim it!!! Keep me posted on your progress cuz I'm here for you girlfriend! #VSGworks

I'm 16 months post op and haven't lost a thing in 6 months! I've been having a terrible time with low blood sugar (they think I might have reactive hypoglycemia). Whenever I get these lows I feel ravenous and eat more than I normally would! I feel like an epic failure. I want to get back on track and I've tried, but every time I try to eat like I did before having these low blood sugar episodes I get the episodes again. It's a vicious cycle! I'm discouraged and ready to give up on ever being a normal weight again.

When I went into this I made up my mind to become a life long athlete. That was in January of 2012 . I have kept that commitment. Exercise was just a means, not an end. I visualized the finished product... In the best health and shape possible...and structured my life to make it happen. When I first started I could barely climb stairs. I used a steep hill by my house as my gym. I walked up and down the hill, going longer each time. Then I added weights, more time. Then I started running, then more weights. At the end of a year I was running full speed up and down the hill 12 times with ankle weights and 20 pound dumbells. This on top of push ups, knee bends, and kettle bell routines. I follow simple protein first guide lines. Now I don't work out at all. Why? I work at a job where I shovel dirt and run a wheelbarrow, carry heavy boards, and lift heavy poles all day in the Florida heat. I work with men nearly one third my age, (I am 65), who can barely keep up with me. Other than fighting cramps and joint pain my health is good. Oh, yes, forgot to mention, I had prostate cancer treatment in 2009 which caused my cascading weight gain. I was supposed to be dead in 2012. I am not dead. Make your mind up, invest your heart, your body will follow.

Hi there everyone. I was just wondering if anyone has ever experienced a 5 lb. weight gain suddenly?? I have lost steadily since I had my surgery (almost 2 yrs. ago), but I have never gained weight. I'm was actually down 134 lbs. before this sudden gain. I did goto a holiday party this past Saturday and I did eat a few bites of a number of different foods, but nothing that made me PB or anything. I do follow a low carb diet and don't drink any carbonated beverages so I'm stumped. I can't imagine that one night would cause me to gain 5 lbs. in 2 days. I also ate 2 chocolate chip Cookies on Sunday, but I've always allowed myself to have a cookie or two every so often. Does it sound like this could be Water weight??? I'm thinking that maybe I should do all Protein and veggies for the next couple of days. I just can't imagine that I would gain 5 lbs. in 2 days from 2 cookies and tasting a few different foods over a period of 4 or 5 hrs!!! Any suggestions or ideas are welcome. Thanks, Liz

I cant seem to lose alot of weight. i have notice that i have gained 5 pounds this month and i need help i have only lost 40 pounds in nine months

I don't judge nor fault you for not wanting to wait. I started the process in December of 2015, I met the BMI requirement, but I didn't have any co-morbidities aside from possible undiagnosed sleep apnea (my bf would tell me about certain things that led me and my PCP to believe this). So they referred me to a sleep center to do the test. It took two months for the referral and appointment to get situated. It was scheduled for February. Then something came up that caused them to have to re-schedule, and it was another month out. Right before a trip I had had planned for months prior. I got fed up with it and just cancelled and started looking into Mexico. I went with Dr. Illan, and I have absolutely no regrets about doing so. His team is fantastic, he's so nice and caring. I also just loved that he was partnered with BP themselves, and Alex being a long standing person in the Bariatric community backing him as well just spoke volumes in my eyes. So I said to hell with proving the sleep apnea. Because even after that, then I had to do the 6 month weigh ins, psych eval, etc. etc. My weight gain was a culmination of my PCOS, bad eating habits, and severe depression from the PCOS. I could lose 30-40lbs, but I couldn't keep it off or get under that. I got fed up and booked with Dr. Illan the moment I got back from my trip. Now I'm 9 months post-op, 48lbs away from goal, and life is fantastic. Some don't have the means to take the self-pay option, and technically I didn't either (I took out money against my car, and my bf of 9 years took money from stocks he had and paid a portion of it too). But I'll say, it was the best $4400 I ever spent, and I wish I had done it sooner. To think that if I hadn't I would just NOW be getting my surgery? The thought makes me cringe and so happy that my impatience did me a favor for once. I did get lucky, my PCP had 2 other patients who'd gone to Mexico to get the VSG and had done great, and so that even eased my mind. She wasn't a stranger to it, and that was even better. She's been very supportive. If yours won't get on board, I'd definitely think about changing to a new one.

I tried it in my early 20’s but maybe I should give it another whirl. And yes! Stress is a big factor here. It seems like as of late if I’m not worried about school I’m worried about being approved for surgery. I keep telling myself what’s meant to be will be, but for me that’s easier said than done. Luckily I got a call from the bariatric center letting me know that they’ve made a note of the med change & all aware that mirtazapine causes weight gain. I’m determined to plow through this because I really want this!

Thanks Christina.Rose I am so pleased for you that its started to work again....that's fantastic news!!!! For me I have had no end of frustrations and complications and I am now getting severe reflux when my band is filled to a semi restrictive level. I have had "3" port revisions and I still have trouble eating with my bra on as the port is now under my bra line (4th spot they had put the port and only successful spot too) I had lost a lot of weight but then I think I have had a slip as I started to get really hungry all of a sudden and started gaining weight slowly but surely. Not long after that my reflux got to a point where it was so bad prescription meds couldnt help me so I had to have it let out and am almost back to square 1. My specialist wants me to have it out to prevent any or any further damage. I just dont think that the band likes me haha In all seriousness I think that my body is not agreeing with the foreign bodies (band and port) and is rejecting them. I have given it 4 years but now there seems to be a better option for me I think. SleeveConvert.......I know that the band and sleeve are only a tool and are not an easy answer. Anyone who has gone through what I have gone through to try to lose weight can not say I am taking the easy road. There is no magic thing that will make it work I know, and there are a lot easier ways to lose weight than what I personally have been through with 5 surgeries (and counting) so far for weight loss. but......I need this or it will never stay off This is because I am committed and by having to have my band unfilled for 6 months due to complications and gaining 30 kilos in that short time confirms to me that I can't do this forever without my tool for weight loss that is the band/sleeve. I am taking the hardest road possible and trying my best with every effort and I do get upset when all that I have been through people comment that I am taking the 'easy way out' I wish some could see/feel what I have been through to know its been a nightmare and something that I have to do in order to live life normally. I am morbidly obese and need help and this is my last resort. Something that made me feel a little better and understand obesity a lot better and may help some of you: I went to visit my surgeon after gaining back my 30 kilo's in 6 months. I said to him "I am so dissapointed with myself and embarressed that I have allowed myself to gain so much weight so quickly......I don't know how I let myself get to this" He quickly said "Do not ever say that about yourself, I do not ever want to hear you speak like that again. Obesity is a DISEASE! Just like diabeties etc........its most often genetic and such a terrible disease. There is no magic pill only help to control it. One day there might be but now and in the near future there is not so the best way we can help people with this disease it to give them as much control as possible. Do not feel guilty or embarressed about it EVER.....this 'is a disease' and we will help you with that the best way we can." Right then and there something clicked and I cried and understood my life long battle then and there. I am trying not to beat myself up about my weight gain and rather focus on the success to come with lots of hard work and determination I know I will get there and they will help me through every step of the way. Just to let you know he is not getting any money from me for this at all. When I got the lapband, they guaranteed in writing that they would help me lose weight and that any other surgery, if ever needed, even years down the track is free. What I paid for the fist surgery is all I will ever have to pay with them and they will work with me and do whatever it takes to help me get to a healthy weight. They are committed to helping people with this Disease that is Obesity. Gamblers can never gamble again, Alcoholics can never drink again but Obese people have to eat to survive...... and then we have some of the hardest obstacles to overcome

Most of the time slowly is best. I guess because it was medication that brought on my weight gain and once I had this surgery, it came off to fast. I've gone from a 22-6 in less than a year and I'm even trying to find ways to stop this loss. I'm never hungry, and when I do eat, I'm still under 1oz of food without pain. The drs are looking into what could be causing the pain, but the weight loss is rapid and I'm losing to much muscle. So slow gets it done. And you'll be more healthier for it. Good luck

Oh, the comment came for a man, so that must be bad or the "source" as you call it. I wasn't trying to be a jerk with my comment, however you are going to have to train yourself to eat better within this first 6-12 months, because it's extremely difficult to lose more weight after this period. My wife had surgery in 2001 and went from 308 to 155, but now sit at 220. She eats like a bird and still can't lose the weight, despite exercise. Here is the basis for my point: I met this lady in Mexico that had her lap band removed, after 5 years, due to erosion. She had lost over 100 lbs to something like 115 now, but had put 30lbs back on. She went to Mexico to have her band adjusted she thought, but due to erosion, it was just removed and she was sent home to let her stomach heal. She told us that night she went to KFC to have chicken and who knows what else. She also said that for 5 years she has figured that since she could not eat more than a few bites at a time that she was eating whatever food she wanted, mostly bad foods. So my point here is that she never learned to eat healthy. She basically got a band so she could eat less of whatever she wanted. That is a terrible mindset to be in and now that her band is gone, her weight gain is inevitable. It is not going to kill you to have some soft foods early, potatoes, grits, etc... It's the continuation of these bad foods that is going to defeat you years from now.

My doctor switched me from dilantin to Lyrica for seizure control and the Lyrica had other benefits so that's been great. However, I went on it after having been at my goal weight for 4 months and then in January I had a sciatic injury that helped me gain 15 pounds back. I've lost 7 of that, but can't seem to lose the remaining 8-10 to get back to my original goal. I'm pretty much doing the same things that helped my success, but seem to be in a huge rut. Now, I shouldn't complain, I'm still at a weight that is pretty good, but just where I want to be. I'm wanting to blame the Lyrica as weight gain is one of the side effects.

I was taking Lyrica before I had the surgery. After a couple of weeks of having the surgery, I felt so much better so I stopped taking Lyrica. One of the side of affects of Lyrica is weight gain. I noticed that pre-surgery and complained to my dr. about it. We tried another medication but it did not work as well as Lyrica.

Having chronic insomnia forever, and tried prescription and gone through major withdrawals from the prescription sleep med in the past I take otc diphenhydramine or doxylamine succinate at varying doses. Though I’ve got a weird routine personality. Maybe it’s because I also have adhd, am on the Autism spectrum, something with my chronic illness, who knows, I need caffeine at night to help me sleep a little better. But one key thing I’ve learned is the simpler the better when it comes to what you take for sleep. I was stressed worrying about if my surgery was going to be covered because the first doctor I went to gave me such a horrible attitude, meanwhile other people loved him. I fought until I was exhausted. Until finally an endocrinologist referred me to Cleveland Clinic. And I gave it my all. And had to just let it go and hope it was happen. It was either surgery or totally give up. My endocrinologist knew my metabolic disorders were sending me into a tailspin or weight gain and nothing i was doing could stop it. thankfully it did happen and it will happen for you.

Our normal monthly lap band support group meeting in New Haven was a good one this month...two new people who were looking for information, one lady who was newly post-op (about 2 weeks out from her surgery), one lady who is scheduled for surgery within the next 2 weeks, plus our session leader and myself. We stayed past the regular 8 pm stop time, we were having so much fun talking. :cool2: It's really cool to meet new people who haven't yet been banded and help them through their journey. The band is so individual and everyone's experience is a bit different, but having that support is so valuable. I really like sharing the ups and downs (mostly ups) with others...I learn something every time I go to the support group. I've told everyone who I meet there about LBT - hoping that they too will find their way here and get additional information that will help them on their banded journey. Some wonderful NSV's have been happening for me lately...I'm a fan of Lane Bryant's clothing, and my sizes keep dropping. I'm sitting here right now wearing a pair of Right Fit Jeans (taking advantage of Casual Friday) in a size Red 2. When I started my weight loss journey, I was wearing size Yellow 5's. That means not only am I down three clothing sizes, my body is reshaping and my waistline is gaining definition. Beyond the obvious aesthetic benefit, it also means that one of the determining factors in heart disease - carrying excess weight in the midsection - is going away for me. I've read articles that say the "apple" shaped body is one that has a higher potential for heart disease because the excess fat surrounds your vital organs and can affect your heart and lungs more than when you carry your weight in your hips and thighs. It is mostly men who carry their weight in the "apple" shape - more women are shaped like "pears" - at least that's the theory. I have noticed over the years that I am seeing more and more women with apple-shaped bodies rather than pear-shaped bodies and it scares me. I did not want to become a statistic, hence my becoming banded. Losing weight in my waist also means that I can experiment with belts more...I just bought a dress at Lane Bryant (on sale - I try never to pay retail!) that has an elastic belt that goes along with it. In the past (my pre-banded life) I would have just snipped off the belt loops and worn the dress without a belt - they never looked good on me.:crying: Now that I've lost 37 pounds, however, and because I am active and working out, I can wear that dress with the belt and it looks good -at least that's what my hubby has said! I'm thrilled that I think I look good in the dress as well - we are always harder on ourselves than anyone else in our lives. I'm just finishing up my lunch - one half of a turkey sandwich on wheat, with lettuce, tomatoes and provolone cheese. In my pre-banded life, I would have scarfed down that sandwich and been looking for seconds. It was an exercise in patience to finish half of the sandwich. I'm so happy I could just scream! :w00t: I am looking forward to summer for the first time in a LOT of years - because I know I'll be in better physical shape and be able to enjoy it more. I'm looking forward to traveling and having fun this summer without food being the major emphasis. It's funny in a way - I referred to my relationship with food in the past as an obsessive (and abusive) love affair. No matter how badly the food I ate treated me, I kept going back for more - I couldn't stand for someone else to get more of it than I did. I equated food with love - that started in my early teens, and funnily enough, so did my weight gain. Now that I must truly make choices with food that allow me to "eat to live, not live to eat", I am making better choices. I do sometimes mourn the comfort I used to be able to find in food - now I have to find it within myself. I am looking forward to finding out more about ME - all the things I wouldn't allow myself to experience because I was afraid I might stand out too much because of my weight and size...how much life have I missed? I can't get that lost time back, but I can commit to never hiding from life again! For those of you on this banded journey, take time to reflect on who you are becoming...your interactions with others, the "inner voice" you use to talk to yourself, and what you truly see when you look in the mirror. If you're not yet banded, I encourage you to keep up your search for information, but realize there will never be a perfect time to be banded - LIFE will always get in the way. Don't wait so long that your options are limited - do something for YOU, for your health NOW. As always, email me if you have questions, or just want to talk...I'm here for ya! :biggrin:

Hello everyone, Currently I have Optimum Choice, Inc. and unfortunately the company I work for has a total exclusion for weight loss surgery of any kind, even if it's medically necessary. I am almost 39, 5'4", 250 lbs and have been on every diet possible with success for short periods of time and then total weight gain plus. I have several co-morbidities: high blood pressure, asthma, severe heartburn, depression, anxiety, major back problems, and possible sleep apnea. I am able to change health insurance companies in November to take effect in January. Has anyone had success getting all the prelimary work done with one insurance company (sleep study, nutritionist monitored diet, psych workup, etc) and have them transfer to a new insurance company? I'm thinking about getting all of this started now so that when my insurance changes, it won't have to take as much time to be approved. Thanks in advance!

I am 2 year post sleeve surgery. Had lost 125 with about 50 more to go. I have an autoimmune disorder so for last 3 months I have been on prednisone and have been eating everything. I have gained 18 pds. I am so upset. Why can't I stop eating... Ugh Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You are fortunate you were diagnosed very early - at least you know why you are the way you are....I was diagnosed with PCOS at the ripe old age of 42. I have lived with excess hair (feeling like a freak), irregular and very heavy periods (even though I told every doctor I came across), problems getting pregnant, unexplained weight gain, etc. It wasn't suggested by my PCP, but once I told her what I was doing she was so happy. She said, "You have worked so hard to lose weight and I believe you will not be successful on your own. You need this and I think it's the best thing you can do." (My only wish was that we would have talked about this years ago - I've wasted a lot of time!) I'm 10 weeks post op now - I'm off Metformin now (I stopped taking it the week before surgery - doc approved). I feel so much better - I have more energy. I said before surgery that I hope that my only regret is that I didn't do this sooner - it is. Best of luck to you - you will know if and when this is the right decision for you. You will feel it.

Don't weigh every day! It'll drive you nuts. The body drops fat on its own schedule and the way it does it sometimes causes weight GAIN, because part of the process of the fat cells shrinking is that they take on Water, first. So you end up retaining water in your fat cells before they release it with the waste. If you're going to use the scale, use it every couple of weeks. Two days is not a stall. However, one thing you definitely need to do is get your minimum amount of Protein, no matter what. If that means you need to switch to a different drink (there are a ton of them) do it. Or even get some of the flavorless powder and mix it in with your crystal light or something. Just get that protein...it's crucial to the healing process and more importantly, you MUST maintain as much of your muscle mass as you possibly can. That muscle mass is what burns calories for you all day long. If you don't have that, your calorie-burning machine is compromised...and then no, you won't lose weight very fast, because you won't be burning many calories. Trust me, when you run the caloric deficit that we are in the weeks following surgery, your body is going to find that energy somewhere...and while being in ketosis will cause your body to seek energy from fat, it takes a lot longer to convert...muscle is a lot faster. So you WILL lose muscle mass if you don't protect it. Actually, you'll lose muscle mass even if you DO protect it, but you're going to lose a lot more if you aren't providing protein sufficiently. Nutrition is no joke, and post-surgery we have to take it even MORE seriously.

I don't have a bucket list per se because there isn't really anything my weight kept me from doing that I enjoyed, like going to football games (Go Eagles!) and amusement parks and things of that nature. I think I'm just looking forward to being a healthier person, more confident, breaking and getting rid of bad habits that led to the weight gain and incorporating all of the things I've learned along the way into my new lifestyle. I'm just fortunate that I was able to have the surgery to begin with and have had a lot of support throughout my journey.

The purpose of the flour in these types of recipes is to thicken the sauce. Using powdered tapioca works just as well and doesn't have gluten. The amount of piccatta you are going to be able to eat isn't going to cost you that much carb-wise by elimanating the flour or using powdered tapioca. This will not be the cause of any stall or weight gain ...