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Faith, thanks for responding, and when I think of it that way you are right. Technology at this rate is probably going to peak in 10 years and I'm sure the problem of obesity will be cured with something even better. Thanks for helping me look to the future. If I can get 10 years I'd be tickled also, but I don't want to have problems in 5 years as I am reading on these posts. But then again at my age the monopausal years are the big weight gain years and after 60 weight tends to decline. My goal is to live at least to 85 so I can see my 10 year old daughter fully an adult. I was doubting that would happen if I entered my 60 obese...even entering 50s obese is asking for a road of possible weight related complications, ie. adult onset diabetes, hypertension, etc. I know you know Faith...sometimes I'm writing to solidify things in my own mind.

I experience a four or five pound variation day-to-day, and that is taking my weight first thing in the morning and just before bed. Just watch the new "lows." They are a better indicator of where you are heading. So long as you see a new low weight over a period of time, you can be pretty confident that you are losing. Temporary water weight gain is common. Just taking a shower will leave me with extra weight until the skin dries out.

No, for me it was as easy as giving my husband the look, and even happened unexpectedly too. I'm sorry for your difficulties with it. I had no problem even the third time at 34 and a BMI of at least 35, I didnt even mean to get pregnant that time. But where there's a will there's a way. I do know somebody who fell pregnant twice, whilst on the pill and with only one functioning ovary. If it were me, I wouldnt wait. YOu dont say how old you are but you know that it may take you a while. 70lb overweight is better than 140lb overweight by a long shot, it will make your entire pregnancy much easier. The third time I fell I was 104kg, and I was really worried about my weight, particularly since I'd had pre-eclampsia (mild) twice at more normal weights. My doc said a gestating baby needs nutrients, not calories, and that as long as I ate well there was no need to eat more than 1500 calories a day at any stage of the pregnancy. So that's what I did and I did not gain appreciable weight in that pregnancy, my scales never wavered by more than a kilo or two, when I came home from the hospital holding my new daughter, I was 12kg lighter than when I'd conceived her. I had the healthiest of my 3 pregnancies due to avoiding the weight gain, although I never gained more than 12kg (a normal amount) during pregnancy. Unfortunately, when I gained MOST of my weight was after my second baby, that's an abrupt change of lifestyle, no more socialising, no more being out and about all day, no more going to the gym etc, too hard with a bub and a toddler. And breastfeeding seems to make me gain alarmingly fast and I did a lot of that - almost 7 years in total. Good luck with it all.

I had the same thing happen to me yesterday. He moved the furniture and so, the scale also got moved. I weighed myself and it said I gained 14 pounds! Today, at the dr's office, I was the same weight as I was before the scale was moved. No 14 pound weight gain.

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

I have read that one of the signs of band eroision is weight gain. Stupid question but I'm going to ask it anyways. Is the weight gain caused because you lose restriction and you can eat whatever you want or...............is there something else that makes us gain the weight? I might have band erosion, having an endoscopy tomorrow, and I cannot stop gaining weight. Yes I am probably eating more now because I have no restrictionn, but there are days when I don't eat that much and I have gained about 8 pounds in 2 weeks. I am freaking out. Thanks for your input.

Hey folks, I have decided to reach out for some help and give this one last shot. In a nutshell, I was banded In Nov. 2008 and was Rockin all they way thru 2011. In 2012 I started to notice weight gain. I thought it was just me b/c I had not been going to the gym, since my shoulder injury. Finally decided last year, 2014,, I decided to go for a fill at the suggestion of my manager who had been banded as well. He actually had me to go to his Dr. Well long of the short, my first time going for a fill and they could not complete it. While under X-ray, it just wasnt working. Doc said I needed to have Laparoscopic surgery to see exactly what was wrong, he was leaning towards a broken band or corrupt port. Anyway, Since I could not afford the Laparoscopic surgery ($1,800 OOP) - insurance deductible is $6K so I would have to pay. I have been so dis-heartened and depressed since the weight gain and even more so b/c I feel I have wasted 7 years and almost back at square 1....almost -. I have not been able to wrap my mind around starting over and doing it all on my own which is why I needed the band(help) in the first place. I would appreciate anyone with advice and encouragement b/c I have just given up hope. Thanks for listening and everyone please enjoy the remainder of your day.

Only 7 days post op and was dropping the pounds nicely. About 15lbs at day 6. So it surprised me a lot that today GAINED .80 LBS ! How can that happen on liquid diet? I figured about 540 calories daily from protein shakes and broth comes in very cheap @ no more than 10 calories per serving in using bouillon!

First off, a short back story as I havent visited this forum in years. I was banded in 2005 and had fantastic success, losing over 100% of my excess weight. I've had some regain since then due to a number of factors but not terrible. In 2010 I was diagnosed with rectal cancer - some of that fabulous weight loss, I believe the last 10kg, was due to having active cancer. I was treated, and am fine, albeit with a colostomy and I had my band totally unfilled (it was NEVER the same again) upon reflilling) I went through a sudden menopause, a brutal one, went back to full time work, stopped being able to focus entirely on myself etc and am now *just* within my healthy weight range. Still, all in all, a great success, although having a BMI of 19-20 was very very nice while it lasted. Anyway, since the early years, really, I had some very infrequent attacks of chest pain. It would start as a warning ache deep in my chest, and would radiate - the roof of my mouth, my jaw, the backs of my arms, through to my back, even my ears - it is excruciating - deep and vice like. It literally happened 3 or 4 times over 5 years though. I did mention it to a GP who really had not much to offer (when do they ever?). Last year I started to get a little night time reflux - I was too tight. In an effort to offset the weight gain, I'd overtightened rather than admit I needed to recommit to exercise and eat better around my crazy schedule. I had some fluid out and BAM the pain was frequent and the attacks unpredictable. When it starts, I know I cant stop it. It just aches, so deeply and radiates and its agony. Sometimes a hot drink can relieve it, and I always take a Nexium. I had a gastroscopy with my surgeon and I had esophagitis and was put onto Somac which I have stayed on. Havent had a problem in a year now but now I have a cough and its back, probably cuased by the coughing. Its honestly really frightening to think it may happen in public, last year I had to go off in an ambulance from work and had a full cardiac workup which was all normal. I guess my question is - if anyone can relate to this, could it be apband related? I assume it is, since unfilling tends to trigger it and I know i have a slight pouch and my band is ever so slightly out of position. I think I would find it comforting to hear that others have the same issue - I will be looking at my options as this cant go on. I fear revision surgery is on the cards. I am still so happy I made this decision, its been 12 good years and I always knew the band would need attention at some point in time, particularly since I have the old old 4ml version. I will also go to my GP this afternoon, I think more cardiac investigation is warranted, as well as looking at my lungs - this is some serious pain!

Has anyone had their surgery pushed back because of weight gain?

Yes, but it is not neccesarily a physical weight gain, I know some Dr's will cancel if the liver is to big because it obstructs their view and cause complications. I know alot of people prior to surgery take like a Meal Replacement to help with liver shrinkage. Have you seen the Bariatric Advantage Meal Replacements they are actually scientificaly proven to shrink liver. Here is the link, Bariatric Advantage - High-Protein Meal Replacement

I found this interesting and thought I would share... Artificial Sweeteners Tied to Weight Gain AOL Posted: 2008-02-11 11:07:34 (Feb. 11) - If you're watching your weight, those no-calorie sweeteners could be doing more harm than good. A Purdue University study found that artificial sweeteners might actually foster weight gain by confusing the body in a way that makes it harder to burn calories. <!-- MOD: info_genericpromo - 312043 --> In the study, one group of rats were fed yogurt sweetened with glucose, a simple sugar with the same calories as table sugar. Another group received yogurt with saccharin. The saccharin group went on to consume more calories, gain more weight and put on more body fat. Other artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose and acesulfame K could have similar effects, the study said. The findings come on the heels of a separate study that linked diet soda consumption to an increased likelihood of metabolic syndrome -- a combination of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes that include abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and blood glucose levels, and high blood pressure. When humans prepare to eat, their metabolism revs up and body temperature rises. The Purdue study found that the rats used to the saccharin had a smaller rise in body temperature after eating a sweet, high-calorie meal because their bodies were expecting fewer calories. Study authors Susan Swithers and Terry Davidson said they think this response both led to overeating and made it harder to burn off sweet-tasting calories. The research might explain why other studies about the effects of artificial sweeteners on weight have largely been inconclusive, Swithers said. It might also explain in part why obesity has risen in parallel with use of such sweeteners. People can still count calories to regulate intake and body weight, Swithers said, although she acknowledged that it requires more conscious effort than consuming inherently low-calorie foods. The findings were published the February issue of Behavioral Neuroscience, which is published by the American Psychological Association.

You are not a failure! You just need to find alternate ways to deal with your emotional ups and downs by trying to soothe them with stuff like soda. I was a big soda drinker too (coke zero) but I had to give it up. It's like alcohol to an alcoholic. It's all or nothing. If I go back to it I know it's a just a slippery slope to weight gain. Good luck!

I would say that for nearly 20 years the numbers on the scale had the power to affect how i felt about myself each day. Now though, I think i'm so much more than the number on the scale--or the number on anything else for that matter (i'm so much more than my age, my height, my income, my shoe size, or my dress size!) For me personally, I find that obsessing about anything does not feel good to me--especially obsessing about the numbers on the scale. I try not to weigh more than once a week and I remind myself that it takes 3500 calories to gain one true pound of fat. If the scale shows a two pound weight gain from one day to the next, does that mean I ate an extra 7000 calories?! No. Water weighs a lot...those two pounds are more than likely water retention. I think bodies are tricky things to try to control...they sometimes have their own agenda/wisdom. If you're exercising and eating right, then eventually the mathematics of what you're doing right will show up on the scale or on the tape measure. Best of luck.

Mary (anyone actually - this is a general question), IF you had WLS by having your stomach stapled so many years ago, why cant you go back in for a revision and have it restapled? *My MIL had this sugery 20 years ago - lost a ton of weight. Gained some of it back, then became bulemic to 'keep it off'. Ive always wondered why she didnt just go back and have her tummy restapled.*

I was told the stomach will stretch the smallest bit just life but never as big as pre surgery and weight gain is not due to anatomy but due to reverting back to bad habits

Jenn, I feel your pain, but what Miss Mary said is 100%. Since you're obsessed with the scale (like I am :-) you should get a tanita scale that measures your fat, water, and bone density; this way you can see where the weight gain is (and weight loss for that matter). It will give you a peace of mind, because our bodies will hold on to water, especially when there is a drastic change. Even exercise can make you retain sometimes. Drink plenty of water to flush out the water and you'll be fine (physically and mentally But I do feel ya on the appetite, I have been sooooooo hungry and NOT for a damn protein drink either, I want to CHEW!

I have had my band since 2008. Had to have many unfills due to acid reflux, I now have 5.5 in my band, I started out with 7.0 in my band. Well to make a long story short, I have gained 22 pounds back, I have restriction which is good I think, after not eating much and some exercise the weight has not come off... About a month ago I realized I'm in menopause with the sweats, depression and everything that goes along with menopause... The weight gain is from this nasty menopause... What do I do???? I have good restriction and still gaining weight! My doctor seems to think I'm crazy? Anyone with this problem?

Wow, been a long time since being banded in April '07. Done really well, stopped smoking, gained some back and am losing it again. Fellow long time bandsters can probably agree with this from experience....it is a life long battle with the band as well as without. It is just easier to win a battle when you have a weapon. And the band is our weapon. BUT, do not break the rules and lay the weapon down cause then you are in trouble. You have to be vigilant, day in and day out unless you want to get beaten. For example, if you would have told me this time a year ago that I would gain back 40 pounds I would have called you a liar. Sure, I quit smoking and that was the main reason for the weight gain but I mean really...the band did not keep me from gaining weight....the band HELPS to LOSE weight. So, I learned the hard way. I learned a lesson that you would think is common sense? Yep, but it happens. I forgave myself. Now I know...I have to WORK it. I have to work it today AND I have to work it tomorrow. And tomorrow I will tell myself to work it the next day...and so on and so on. I have 2 rewards in this...#1 I still do not smoke anymore and #2 I am smarter about my weapon. OH and #3 I did not have to gain ALL the weight back to realize my mistakes. I stopped the bleeding in time. The first few months with 'the weapon' was tough...losing it twice and keeping it off is tougher. BUT, it is going to happen.:eek: Once I learned that this is my life with the band and I learned to accept it, life has gotten better. I went through the 'oh, screw this' phase. You know, the inner fat girl saying "eat it, its OK". I wish I would have woke up before I gained 40 pounds but it is what it is and I am changing it. Like my violet friend Judy says "its not how you run the race, its how you finish". True, and I am running right now:tongue2:

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

What I mean by sleep eating is waking up in the middle of the night and digging in the fridge for whatever and eating, not realizing you did it till you wake up and see a spoon with Peanut Butter residue or bread crumbs, etc. I did this alot before I was banded. I know for a fact that eating at night or while I practically slept (cuz I really had no idea I did it till the morning) contributed alot to my weight gain past few years. I almost started to slip once since I was banded but I figured out a way that will make sure this won't happen to me till I can retrain my brain and it out of my system. Sounds crazy but I have gotten a bike chain with a combination and have my husband and son lock the fridge at night. I refuse to know the combination. :huytsao I put Cereal and peanut butter, (my biggest night food) in the fridge so that it won't jump in my sleepy mouth. Funny thing is, I don't eat these items or ate them during the daytime, only at night when I wasn't aware. It's working. No weight re-gain yet and no night sleep walk eating. Anyone experiencing this weird late night occurance, sleep disturbance?

Has anyone had a weight gain after starting Fish Oil? I started it back in October after my bad cholesterol started going up a bit, even though it was way below being an issue. Figured it might help. Stopped losing and even gained 4 lbs. I stopped taking it last weekend. Haven't changed anything else. I have lost 3 lbs since Sunday! This is the only time in 2 years that I have gained weight. I usually just "pause" for a few weeks but this went on for almost 4 months! I am glad I am losing again but wondering if it's just a fluke or if it's a known issue.

I've only had three weeks out and I don't want to get discouraged. Is there anyone that can tell me that this is normal. The day of my surgery I weighed in at 226, this morning, I am at 230. My weight has been slowly inching up after my initial lost. I am confused because I exercise almost everyday. I have run up to two miles and walked up to three miles. I have done some resistant training with the bands and with my own body. I have joined my fitness pal to keep track of my caloric intake and I never go over 1000 calories, to be frank, I usually don't come close to that. I have to admit, I don't drink enough water and I am working on that, but I don't know what else to do. Should I just wait? I am reading everyday how others are losing this or that and many of you have said just be patient. My first fill will be April 2, I am trying to see if anything changes by then. My family and friends keep asking have I lost anything yet and I get frustrated. I expected at least six lbs by now. I know everyone's journey is different. Can anyone relate?

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.