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I am with Marimu. I weight every day. (Don't have the self-control to stop! LOL) My weight fluctuates up to 5 pounds at different times of the day. I have also decided that it only counts toward my ticker if it is down on Sunday. Somehow, that helps. Oh yes, and I have noticed a pattern where I lose a bunch of weight, gain 2 back and then lose it again quickly.

Weight loss? Weight gain? Pain better? Exercising?

Yay, you are back and don't worry about that three pounds. I gained three on our cruise and it came off that week and then some. It was like some temporary vacation weight gain. lol. And you do not have a fat ass at all.. don't even girlie!! And, the bad stuff definitely goes down a lot easier than the good stuff sometimes, like chips and icecream, but I'm glad I cancelled my fill for this friday because I don't need it. I really don't want to be tighter than this at all because I want to get the good stuff down easily. My doctor said something wise to me once.. he said "don't let yourself get too tight because you will be miserable, I promise" and he is so right. I lose more when I'm not so tight and I'm just happier overall.

I had surgery in 8/09, lost 50#, had my port flip and have gained back 45#. I didn't like how I got stuck on healthy foods. I got in the habit of adding sauces, gravy, etc.. to be able to eat healthy food. Then I started eating more junk food like ice cream, yogurt, cookies, even an donuts sometimes. Junk food doesn't get stuck. I have been debating for over a year whether to have my port reattached or just have the lapband removed. Also if I did have it fixed, where to have it fixed. I had my surgery in Mexico, my fill doctor is 100 miles away. I am thinking that I want to get it fixed here in my hometown by a doctor that will do my fills and also have a regular councilor/ psychologist on staff that could help me work thru my issues. Do any of your doctors have a councilor on staff for regular sessions to help work thru issues? Thank you for any advice MaggieGT

Hi Sandee! If you have the financial resources and having the surgery won't burden your family financially, then DO it!!! I knew that I would have to battle weight gain, weight loss for the rest of my life and THAT depressed me. My weight is coming off slowly (normal for us low BMI folks) but at least I know now that once off, always off. As far as your friends and family thinking your crazy, that's because there are so many misconceptions about surgery in Mexico (or anywhere outside the US for that matter). I didn't tell anyone, including my children, for at least two weeks afterward. Only my husband knew and he supported me completely. A lapband is simply a tool---not a simple tool though. It's taken some getting used to for instance, when I talk and eat, I don't chew well enough and it gets lodged in my smaller stomach (stoma). It's pretty uncomfortable when that happens. Also a little scary----don't want to hurt my band, stoma, or waste money. Also, I can't eat breads anymore for the same reason---pain. But hey! Go figure that I can still eat chips and salsa! I am so glad because before the surgery, I wasn't sure if life was worth living if I couldn't eat chips and salsa. I'm grateful for that. Everyone is different with what they can and cannot eat after surgery. I can eat soft cuts of meat just fine with no problem if I remember the rules of the band----eat slowly and chew, chew, chew-----take small bites----don't drink fluids with the meal (this is not only because you will somewhat negate the reason for the band in the first-place but also because the fluid will make the lump of food get stuck in the stoma opening--ouch!!!). Lettuce sometimes gives me a problem but popcorn does not---nor do nuts (chew well). I also keep jerky in my car for moments of perceived starvation! Did you know one whole package of jerky only has about 550 calories!? Lots of sodium but who cares. It's a good way to get your protein and requires you to chew it completely before swallowing. I know a lot of people have problems with eggs but I don't. The band takes a lot of getting used to and I am still learning. I'm glad I did it though. Remember, if your friends and family are giving you slack now----just don't tell them. Don't lie, just keep the secret to yourself until you start seeing results. The lapband way of life is not the easy way out that some people think it is. It's actually a lot harder than a normal diet ------but it's permanent and that's why I did it. I don't know if this ranting has answered any of your concerns but I'm open to keeping the dialog open so you can feel free to ask away! There are many really smart, and funny, people on this board with many varying experiences in lap-band world. It's a good idea to keep checking in to learn from them all. Stay plugged in after surgery as well. We are all here to support each other in this journey. My opinion----GO FOR IT! You won't regret it!

I concur with everything already said. I have always found that every time I lost a lot of weight and was more "normal" that nearly everyone treated me better. At work, I would hate walking into a room full of people because I always felt the first thing they noticed was how fat I was. After a certain point of weight gain, I would stop trying that hard to dress nice because it just felt like a lost cause. I got tired of trying to find nice dress clothes as my sizes kept creeping. Nothing ever really fit right, either too big in the legs or pouchy in the front, you name it. It's a self-esteem issue totally, but knowing that even if I did dress to the 9's I would still have to contend with people who would still treat me like I was less than capable. I also find that when I'm heavier, I tend to come across more abrasive to people which I know is just a defense mechanism. Like Diva, it was something I learned as a coping mechanism growing up always having weight issues. As my weight has dropped, I know my self- esteem has improved, my self-confidence, etc. I now feel like a more "normal" person.... not thin (yet), but average. The discrimination against fat people is very real. It's a vicious cycle though because most who are overweight don't typically present themselves with the same level of confidence and so that just feeds into the stereotyping. I must say one thing though that really annoys me. No disrespect to any men on this board- or men at all really- but I think most women will agree with me whether in professional or personal life that it seems more acceptable for men to be heavy than woman. A guy with the potbelly is just viewed as cuddly with a few extra pounds. I have never understood why its more acceptable for men to be heavy and women not.... but that's been my experience.

I totally agree that WLS is an incredible tool to reset the metabolism and reverse co-morbidities. I do not regret having surgery for even a second. My life is so much better now. Now to throw a spanner (monkey wrench) into the works. It may be well worth your time to research Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) eating. This is an incredibly powerful way of healthy eating that can quickly reverse co-morbidities. Like WLS, it requires a dietary overhaul, and the same degree of planning and lifestyle modification. But there is abundant research and evidence to show that it is very effective and healthy for life. It would certainly work best if the spouse could also be on board. Anyway, there are a lot of resources out there about what it is, and how to do it. I think for someone with a lower BMI who would not qualify for surgery under their insurance plan, WFPB would be a very viable option. (You also have to realize that having surgery with a lower BMI means you will not lose as fast.) WFPB is very filling and satisfying. You can eat a LOT of food and feel full all the time. (That is not to say you should not also be working on "head hunger" issues, and overeating issues as well. There is a reason you are overweight, right? And you have to work on that forever.) Combined with some exercise, it is a very good alternative to consider, if done well. PS: Read "The Obesity Code" by Dr. Jason Fung. A great book that explains how weight gain/loss actually works. Its a lot more complex that simply "Eat less, move more" mantra that makes intuitive sense, but is wrong.

I used to work midnights as well (part of my huge weight gain was from it). Is 1am a time that works slows down and you have more free time? I figured out that I was snacking out of sheer boredom. Between 1am and 2am the night started really dragging on. Can you try taking a quick walk around the boat, the bldg, something? Maybe just to clear your head? Or can you take a 10 minute break and read a chapter in a book? Working mids is really rough on the body. You've been doing really well though, keep up the good work!

haha...that is so funny. there are some days where I have no desire to eat at all, and my kids are like.....mom whats for dinner? the good part for me is that my kids are old enough to cook some things on their own. most of the times I manage to feed them just fine. the thing that is really hard for them to deal with is that I am not buying junk anymore. they are going through withdrawls. haha I used to spend about 600-800 a month on food for a family of 5....now I spend about 300! my grocery bill is definatly better now, but they are like.....we dont have anything good to eat. I say....um yeah there is tons of good stuff to eat, just none of the junk anymore. my husband has involuntarily lost 20 pounds since my surgery. lol he was not overweight at all btw, but now he is at the low end of healthy weight for his height. my kids are not losing any weight though...as a matter of fact my son has put on 30 pounds this year! he isnt fat, but i am always on him about how much he eats, and exercising because i dont want him to have the same problems with weight that I did. he is 13 now and going through puberty, and that is the only reason im not totally freaking out about his weight gain. good luck in making sure your kid doesnt starve lol

Thank you so much for the responses. I was a vsg expert in July before my surgery was to take place. I think I've forgotten a lot of what I read back then and that is probably where my doubts are coming in. I hands down decided against bypass for many reasons. The malabsorption and weight gain down the road were my main concerns. The sleeve seemed like the answer then and now with the responses I have received just tonight on this board it's clear again that sleeve is the right choice. Thank you so much for the guidance.

I have a 10cc standard band as well, and I have been banded almost 2yrs and I have less than 5ccs in my band. I have learned from experiences it's never good to be too tight. When someone becomes too tight it encourage poor food choices and you run the risk of developing reflux issues (not fun at all). I have found for (me) that my success came from learning when enough was enough and not to take that next bit of food. A band is a tool and it 's not going to do the work for you. Yes, some people do gain for several different reasons. It could be water weight/ slider foods that may be higher in calories. You just need to look at all the different thigns that is going on with you to determine what's causes your weight gain. Also, do you work at ? Good luck. Always remember that more in your band don't mean more weight lost! Everyone's tolerance is totally different.

I've been stalled for 6 months but a lot of it is my own fault. I "took the summer off" as I was traveling a LOT (gone 5 of 11 weeks, and then 5 consecutive weekends after Labor Day), so it was hard to keep up with my exercise routine (an hour of stationary biking a day). I was also grossly tempted by food and drink- a week in New Orleans? HAHAHA, but it was OK. I learned what I can and cannot tolerate. All in all it was a wonderful summer and I didn't gain any weight, but I also didn't lose weight. I know why- not measuring portions, not exercising regularly, having an adult beverage several times a week. I think if you examine your eating habits and lifestyle activities, you'll be able to find some places where you need to "realign" yourself; I sure know I can! Don't worry about a goal weight. Instead, focus on healthy and strong. My surgeon never set a goal, although they gave me a weight range within which I could reasonably expect to be a year post-surgery. I AM THERE... now I want to lose another 15-20 pounds and keep it off. I am 61 and I know that age brings on the creeping weight gain- a pound here, a pound there... and I never want to have my eating and body out of control again! Know that I am with you on this journey, and I'm starting off anew with measuring portions, cutting carbs (although I don't eat many, I have let the occasional french fry or chocolate chip cookie back into my life), making healthy choices, and working my muscles and body. I know we can both get there!!

To me, it's been a miracle! I thought I was being left to die a slow, diabetic death because of a metabolism that had abandoned me. Today, I'm almost a year out. I've lost 48 pounds in 10 months. Not spectacular, you say? WELL, sweetie! That's better than I was able to lose and KEEP OFF for years before now. NEVER have I lost for a 10 month period with NO weight gain. It's a constant down and this weekend, I had to buy new clothes. Still, it's an 18-20 (XL or 1X), but you know what? It's been 15 years since I've been able to squeeze my big toe into that size. Judge it if you want, but I'll take my band over your next two or three attempts to lose on your own (AND keep it off). Me? I've fought that battle too many times and I'm finished.

I am not at my personal goal yet, but am with my Surgeon's goal. I do admire how you have reached your goal and also am worried about myself being at goal and letting my guard down, and then the weight gain begins. So for me, I suspect I will always have to watch what I'm eating. I'm also going to weight myself 2 times a week at least. I am curious to know how others are with maintenance. Sleeve of Steel,you have done a great job and CONGRATS! You are very successful and will continue to be successful with maintenance.

Hi friends. I had a hysterectomy yesterday and was weighed before surgery---187. Today, 199. What the heck???? I am so upset.

Surg wt 300...wt last week 277. Then no loss. Today, i am up to 281!!!! Help!! I'm on purees but only eating 1/4c or less, and it's very basic stuff. My plan doesn't allow tomatoes, cheese or "anything" you can puree. I dont eat canned soups. Normally i take a fluid pill for BP but have not since sleeved. Surgeon says not to. I wonder if this is just water wt?? Can't see how it could be real weight gain!! What should i do? Thank you.

I started walking in the hospital the night of the surgery--2 slow laps. Once I got home, I started walking through the house (house is kind of long--I did figure 8's!) for 15 minutes & after 2 days, I'd walk 15 minutes twice a day. I was so afraid of the idea of a blood clot, so I was pumping my feet a lot & walking around. Now trying to walk 30 min a day outside or at the mall lol! I'm keeping track of food & weight on my fitness pal--it's so easy once you put the nutritional info in b/c we tend to eat or drink a lot of the same things & you just have to enter the info once. My stats: Pre-surgery 268 (2 wks Protein shakes) Day of surgery 253 A little weight gain w/ swelling & IV fluids 2 weeks 245 3 weeks 237 (stall) 4 weeks 235 (stall) 5 weeks 234 (stall) 6 weeks 228

You said you had no co-morbidities and that your bloodwork came back fine. Did you have a sleep study? Did they rule out sleep apnea? What about a pulmonary breathing test? I presume you had all the heart stress tests, etc... If all of this too is negative, then go for the weight gain - it will be the only time in your life that you intentionally wanted to gain weight. Have fun, eat your favortie foods and wear your heaviest clothes. Good luck.

I am fairly new into the process. I have completed my psych eval and will be doing my EGD on Wednesday. Ever since my first appointment, I have eaten well and exercised due to my doctor telling me that he wants me to stay the same weight or lose weight. Well I weighed myself this morning and I have GAINED 7 pounds since seeing my doctor last and i do not know why! I am freaking out that when I see him on Wednesday, he will tell me I cannot have the surgery. Anyone deal with something like this and what was the outcome?? Thank you all in advance!!!

I had surgery on Monday 9/10. When I weighed myself yesterday I had gained 5 lbs according to my scale. I've hardly consumed anything just some broth and protein shakes. I weighed this morning I was down a lb from the day before but still up 4 from surgery. Could it be my excessive bloating from surgery causing the weight gain?

Hello, I am 2.5 weeks post op and currently getting in anywhere from 45-65 grams of Protein...depending on the day I noticed on the days that I am in the 60-65 protein range I tend to get constipated. I also noticed that the days when I only get about 45 grams of protein, I don't have this problem and after a couple of days of "low protein" I will lose about 2 to 4 lbs. When I am able to get in the 60-65 grams there is no weight loss. Any ideas on whats going on?

This is lateral femoral cutaneous nerve syndrome - it's a sensory nerve that gets affected by either rapid weight gain or loses. It's common, and harmless (but annoying)

Hi Magilla, I have to say that I have my ups and downs. I went to see my doctor in June. My total loss so far, which was a supprise to me was 33 pounds. I actually felt I had not lost and even thought I gained but to my surprise I had lost eight pounds. It was time for a fill but I told my doctor I was about to go to Italy and I wanted to be able to EAT! He started laughing and said he would actually want to do the same thing. So he didn't fill me and I promised to come back in for a fill as soon as I got back. Well, the trip was great but the food wasn't. I was soooo dissapointed. HAHA The food wasn't that great, in fact, I think the Italian food we have right here in the USA is much better. Go figure. I also had a Tour Nazi. I thought I was going to die. We got up early everyday and were off and walking the whole day. We never stopped and OMG all those friggin stairs! I really thought I was going to die! My legs and feet were swollen the whole time I was there and when I got back home It took two days to recover. I stayed in bed with my legs up in the air until my swelling went dowm. Four days after I got home it was time to see the Doctor. I was excited, thinking I had lost lots of weight with all the walking I did. Right? Wrong. The nurse weighed me and the scale said I had gained Nine pounds! UGHHHH! NO WAY! I got so depressed. I then went in to see the doctor and told him how I was sooo surprised and upset about the weight gain. He didn't say much except it was time to get my 2nd fill. Well, here I am on my second week after my second fill and well, some days are good and some are bad. I have been getting stuck much more often which isn't fun but it definitely reminds me to pay attention to what I'm doing when I eat. I have a tendancy to eat fast. Well, now I have slowed down alot. I still have trouble not drinking with my food, though. I know this is whats keeping me from losing the way I should and could. I haven't been going to the nutritionist which is another thing I should be doing. I need to give myself a nice long talking too. I need to remember everything I've been through to this point. Everything from my long, losing fight against obesity to the pain I went through to get this surgery. I am trying to eat how I did when I first got the band. Drinking those shakes really does help me. Hey, we're only human and are trying to change life long bad habits. We can't put ourselves down for slipping here and there. It will just make it harder for us. We just need to start over when we slip up and use this as a lesson. I know I can do this. I know I can. I won't give up. Maybe I'll need another fill but for right now I need to be more careful with what I put in my mouth. Your not alone in your journey! You can do this! WE CAN DO THIS! Elee

Hi all, Recently had a slew is off issues happen in the span of a couple of months. This past year has been an emotionally difficult one when a loved one was diagnosed with an illness and it spiraled into resolve when they passed just recently. The stress of this came a week before my wedding and bam, my depression hit. I started to notice I was starving myself for hours and then munching on chocolate and popcorn. We had to entertain guests and mourn privately in the middle of this chaos, lo and behold I weighed myself last night (first time in a month) and cried to see I was 8 lbs heavier. I am so discouraged and so disappointed in myself. I find the motivation to continue being healthy is harder than ever and I still feel sadness from all the recent stresses and how it's weighed me down. I am mourning quite hard and feel almost self-destructive because of the loss. My husband (as we're a recently married couple) expressed his sadness to my weight gain and though he has been supportive of my stress and understands the reasoning, couldn't help but say he was disappointed in me too. I want to feel confident but I am notorious for being a depression eater (I starve and graze on crap typically) and I am terrified my stress will cause my hormones and body to just keep responding by gaining weight. I need some support feeling ever so discouraged that I won't finish my journey and lose the last 30 lbs I need to get to my end goal.

If you do happen to be pregnant though it is possible to have a healthy pregnancy and a nice big bouncing baby with no weight gain. My obstetrician didnt want me to gain any weight at all - his reasoning was that I needed nutrients, not calories, so that if I ate carefully it was entirely possible to lose plenty of body fat without starving my baby or myself of nourishment. So I pretty much followed Weight Watchers the entire pregnancy, gained a small 4.5kg (and Eliza was 3.7kg of that) in total and came home from hospital about 12kg lighter than when I'd conceived. I find it much much easier to avoid gaining weight rather than actually losing it. Without the pressure of expecting to see the scales move it takes a lot of the head games out of it.