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I am scheduled for surgery on Friday. I have wanted this so badly for over a year - never questioned the logic for doing so and couldn't wait to get banded. Then - I spend HOURS on this forum and all I see is the bad stuff. PBing, sliming, vomiting, slippage, weight gain, slow process, have to be committed, severe incision pain, gas killing me, starving, hungry, port problems, taking forever to hit the sweet spont, nauseous, etc. It is making me think - THIS IS CRAZY! I feel like I should cancel the whole thing and try one more time on my own, even though I know it won't work. I am scared to death now and I have had all kinds of surgeries and a child and blah, blah, blah and YES - I WANT TO LIVE - but comfortably - not in constant pain and puking day in and day out....am I missing the picture here??? Are we all brainwashed into thinking we have to do something this drastic?
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For me, I don't think my antidepressant (was Luvox, now Lexapro) contributed to weight gain. If anything, it helped, since I was/am an emotional eater. Back when we were trying to find a med that worked well for me, I loved Wellbutrin for the energy boost I got (works on your dopamine levels, which regular SSRIs do not). Unfortunately it did nothing for my depression, so I just cried more energetically. Weight loss has done nothing for my depression, which really does seem chemical rather than situational or related to some past trauma. I had kind of hoped that I'd be able to get off meds once I reached goal; that maybe in some miraculous way, losing weight would adjust whatever chemical imbalance is occuring, in a similar way to how my hormones are starting to balance out with the weight loss. Granted, I'm still quite a ways off from goal, but just the fact that I will probably need to up my dosage at my next re-prescription time rather than decrease it tells me this is pretty much permanent for me. In the early days, I tried several times to wean off them, but always ended up deeply mired in depression again and had to go back on. My doc pretty much told me to forget ever going off of them, that I'd likely be on them for life. It's been 12 years now. And yes, I've tried therapy. :redface: Therapy was helpful for dealing with some of my issues, but not for the depression. :grouphug: BTW, I had a friend who went on Paxil and she did have issues with weight gain. She ended up bulimic as well as obsessive about exercise. :biggrin: I think some meds do cause weight gain, or interfere with losing. Or maybe it's a combination of the med and how certain people respond to it?
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I know this was addressed under the "Lapband Strugglers" thread, but I wanted to start a discussion about anyone's experience wih their past/present psych meds. How do you feel your experience with weight loss (before or after the lapband) has tied in? How to you deal with the side effects (if you have them)? I've taken a few different medications with different results. Paxil and Trazadone worked for a time but I gained about a pound a month while I was on that combo. The doctors warned me about that. That was especially frustrating because I purposefully increased my activity level to compensate, and the emotional blunting with Paxil was dramatic. Prozac didn't have the gaining side effect, but not the mood elevating side effect either! Finally, Wellbutrin, which I took for 3 years, was my most successful med. I was in an emotional place where I was motivated to be more active and, at the same time, it allowed me to at least maintain my weight. How's everyone else doing with theirs? Finding the right med can be such a harrowing journey, I wanted to put forth a place in this forum to reach out for help and validation. Also, please note that I am not purporting that psych meds that cause weight gain are some kind of blanket excuse for struggling with weight loss. I regret I have to make that explicit. Psych meds are one factor that can make it tougher for some than others, and this is a place to discuss those experiences.
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Hi Karri! Saw your post and I am looking for a mentor. I also work with crazy high schoolers (guidance counselor), live in South Florida, and am 34 years old and married, no kids. I was banded 3/25/08 and have been doing decently with the weight loss. These past two weeks have been difficult - I'm up in NY for summer vacation (my hometown) and needed an unfill right before I left due to issues. You guessed it - no restriction, weight gain, and I had to see a doctor up here in NY. I am just feeling at a loss right now and need to get back on track. I feel like this is so hard to "get right" and would love to feel like I'm not doing it on my own. If you're interested, I would love to buddy up with you!:ohmy: ETA - My birthday is July 3, so I will send birthday wishes for a successful surgery!!!
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I'm here to have a support system and to try to see if any of you are having similar problems that I'm experiencing. I'm 1 year post-op and have lost 80 pounds. It's wonderful. My suregeon was Dr. Felix Spiegel in Houston, TX. I did the surgery without anyone knowing... including my own husband! I know that sounds unreal, but I guess I was somewhat ashamed to have needed to go to such extremes to curb my eating and weight gain. But, I'm thrilled that I did it! I'm back to "normal" size again and can purchase Size 12 clothes for the first time in years. I feel tons better, too. I look forward to exploring the forums and overcoming this battle with my weight once and for all! :ohmy:
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Finding the culprit (aka it's not always the muscles' fault): Track your food every day. While gaining muscle will cause some weight gain, it's not the only reason. Track your food, down to the bite. Then go back and look at it. See if you can find a spike in calories (without realizing it), or fat or carbs or whatever affects you most. Sometimes it's hard to be honest, especially to yourself. I am not saying that the gym is bad or that gaining muscle is bad - it's fabulous! But try the diet watch; be militant for a few days and track it, compare it, pay attention to it. The band is a tool, and it only works when you wield that tool properly. Keep up the good work in the exercise department! Do that and the diet record. You'll figure it out and then you can adjust it as appropriate. Good luck.
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i am a compulsive over eater do you think a band will help me?
flowers replied to juliatabor's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Im a snacker and a grazer, I eat constantly. Is that compulsive or boredom?? Hard to draw a line. I love to taste food that I like candy, chips, popcorn. I do know when I was on Nutrisystem and lost 80 lbs I got mostly off sugar. The more sugar in your system, the more you will crave more. It takes several weeks to get past the sugar craving, but then you will be ok. Im just as worried as you are that I wouldnt lose with the band, nothing else lately has slowed down my weight gain. I know HOW to eat right after Nutrisystem and reading some low GI books (very good by the way explaining how to eat), but doing it is something else. I know I need more Protein, but Im not a meat lover, I love carbs. I know this is going to be a big struggle even with the band helping. -
NSV - Must we be honest with strangers :0)
Amisha replied to HeatherO's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Heather, the last time I got mine renewed I had been on a downward trend and lost a bunch. The lady at the DMV noticed the number went down from the previous weight significantly and commented on it. She was very encouraging. Unfortunately, the weight didn't stay off and I lost my license so I had to go back to get a new one. Even though she deals with a gazillion people a day, I was CONVINCED she would remember me and chastise me for not keeping the weight off. Of course she didn't remember me from Eve, and she also didn't comment this time. I guess weight gain isn't something you get an 'atta girl' for...go figure. I was honest about the new number though and having to stick that damn license in my purse made me even more determined to do something positive for myself. Funny, the little things that motivate us, or make us ashamed. -
While I just had my lap band surgery I do have a few questions for down the road when I cross that 'lose skin path' I know I will cross. 1) I had a breast reduction back in 94, I went from a 32 III to a 32 C/D (I am now a 36 D/DD (kids and weight gain). Would I be able to get a lift after the initial reduction 14 years ago? (will be 15 by the time I get to that point) 2) I carry 90% of my weight on my bottom half, I know my insurance (at this time) will cover a full/partial body lift if I need it but my concern is how successful are thigh (inner/outer) lifts. I have been researching things and have read more then once that thigh lifts are harder then upper body lifts at being successful. Why is this? It has me concerned that I would be making a mistake.
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When I first started hanging around this site back in Oct. 07, I remember seeing people talking about onederland and not knowing what it was. Then I figured it out, but remember thinking "Wow, I wonder if I can ever get to "Onederland." First I had to get insurance approval, which I did and had the surgery on March 14, 2008. Well, today I reached Onederland!!! Yeah!!!! I am so thrilled and very retrospective at the same time. I have spent alot of time trying to work on the "why" of the weight gain over the years, so today I really feel like a different person. I am so happy to be at this point, feeling so good physically and mentally. So to all of you just beginning your journey, good luck and best wishes, you will be amazed at the wonderful life you are embarking upon.
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Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot
thin2bme replied to IndioGirl55's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hi Everyone, it's been awhile since I posted so thought I better get on and let you know that I'm still doing fine with my weight loss. I see a lot of newcomers since I posted last, welcome to all you newbies, funny I still feel like a newbie since I've only had my band since March (hehehe). This is a great place to come for support and even though I don't post everyday, I do get out here just about daily to read up on everyone's journey's. I had my 3rd fill last Monday and seem to have pretty good restriction right now, I hope it lasts, if not, I go back in 4 weeks and I'll have another fill then. I made it through my Nashville trip with only putting on 3 lbs which quickly came back off, Water weight I think and I've lost 7 lbs since then. The doctor was impressed with my 7 lb weight loss this month. This puts me at a total loss of 51 lbs, 20 of which was lost before the band, but that's ok, it's a total of 51 lbs and I know it's gone forever because of my band (SMILE). I'm going on vacation again in another week and I'll be gone for 2 weeks and hope to keep my weightloss stable again while I'm gone but I'm working very hard this week and next with both my eating plan and exercise so that I can show another weight loss when I go back to the doctor's again the day after we come back from vacation (ugh!!). I know I'll do fine since I made it thru Nashville with just water weight gain and I know what I have to do. -
Did your Doc require a pre-op diet?
clayverde replied to whosthatgirl's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Hi - my doctor requires a 10 day pre-op liquid diet. So I can have clear liquids, protein shakes, etc. Then the day before the surgery it is clear liquids only and nothing after midnight. I'm really surprised about the variation of diets for before the surgery. It never occurred to me that everyone wouldn't be on the same type of diet! Anyway, after the surgery is 1 week of clear liquids again, 3 days of full liquids (like yogurt, cream soups, etc.), 3 days of pureed foods, 1 week of mashed, 1 week of soft foods (like eggs, cottage cheese, etc) and then a normal band diet. But I am really lucky that there are no requirements as to weight gain or anything. So even if I happen to gain weight before the surgery, they aren't going to cancel it. YEAH!! :smile: -
Weight gaining....what gives...generally speaking?
midwestchickie posted a topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Okay..so here is my latest strange question...in my search for answers! In addition to seeing so many wonderful stories here, I've read about people gaining weight, wanting to take diet pills, doing 2 hours of exercise each day.... I understand that the band will just be a tool and you still have lots of hard work to do, but given what the band is suppose to provide for you, like getting fuller faster, digesting slower...it seems like you wouldn't have to kill yourself at the gym or that you could eat enough to gain weight??? Does that make sense? I'm trying not to be offensive, just trying to understand. Do the people who struggle eat more often? Do they eat liquid calories? Are they not following the *rules* of the band? I just want to have a clear understanding of what I'm potentially getting into!! I want to understand what has happened that the band is helping you achieve the weight loss. :confused2: -
If you've ever seen any of my posts, you'd know that you and I have a lot in common. I, too, have hypothyroidism. I haven't lost weight fast. I've worked at every pound. I had surgery in December and have lost only about 50 pounds now. It hasn't been easy. I'm only down to a loose 18/tight 16 now. I don't aspire to be a 6. I won't be. I was a powerlifter and athlete in college. I wasn't small then, and I don't expect to be in a year. I walk and run over 3.5 to 4 miles a day in addition to working out in a gym 5-6 days a week. That wasn't my point in my response. My concern is that your "failure" headline and posting are very telling. Many of US will never lose weight until we accept responsibility for the foods we eat and the lifestyles we lead. I was more concerned that "failure" describes not the band, but your experience with the band. The band didn't fail, it malfunctioned. You failed at losing weight. People use this website for support. I recognize that people should have a full picture of the possible issues with the band, but I also think it's time we all start accepting responsibility in our part in being fat, plain and simple. Until we accept what WE control in this fight, we'll never win. Your weight gain--according to you--wasn't your fault. I disagree. Many people with your health issues lose weight and live healthy lives, even without the Lap-Band. You need to find a way that enables you to lose weight, through diet and exercise. Clearly the banding wasn't your way....:biggrin:
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Oh yea, of course we all have to change our eating habbits. I am not trying not take responsiblity. Let's face it, 90% of people here who had the lapband done was because of bad eating habbits, that was the purpose behind it. Right? I have Hypothyriodism, so losing weight is hard, and I do work out and eat healthy, and when I had my lapband done, I had only lost 45 pounds, because of it. I know it's hard, so it wasn't because I was eating burgers, tacos and pizza. I eat healthy. I went from a size 24 to an 18, and my goal was to be a 14. I like being fit, and I know what looks good on me. Not everyone wants to be a size 6. I just want to be comfortable. So my eating habbits did change, but not to the extreme. So please note that my weight gain wasn't because of poor eating habbits, it just what happens when your metabolism is out of whack and trying to get it back into track. If it was just for my poor eating habbits, then I think I would have lost more than just 45 pounds in 1 year, don't you think?
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College bandsters- how long until back in class?
woo pig sooie replied to janesays's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
i would def. not have the surgery during the semester. i was miserable (and so out of it thanks to the liquid pain meds) for the first week after that i could have never imagined trying to walk the hills on my campus. some people say "it's not that bad," but i will be the first to admit that i am a major whimp. still, at the age of 21, if i am sick i curl up in my mom's lap and make her scratch my back, rub my ears, and do all those things moms do when we are younger (or now, since we live in different towns, i just call her and cry). if you insist on having it before christmas, i would say thanksgiving would be best. but you also must think that as soon as you get back from thanksgiving break you will have finals to worry about. a new band packed on top of all the stress of studying (and you won't have tons of energy, for awhile atleast, to study b/c of the liquid diet) might cause problems for you grades and health. i had my surgery the day after christmas. it sucked having to watch everyone eat christmas dinner while i retreated to my room with my slim fast, but after it was over, i was so happy i waited. since i had my surgery in my hometown (which is 200 miles away from where i go to school), and the fact that i had so many dr. appts leading up to the surgery, my boss just gave me the whole month off. by time i got back to school i had lost a bit of weight, gained tons of energy (thanks to the lost weight & massive amounts of sleep), and was ready to face a new semester. -
Well today two things hit me and it hit me hard. :huh2: 1. I realized my hair is a bit thin in places, well that is from the first few weeks post op. I know I wasn't getting my Vitamins and Proteins the way I should have. Harder then you think on a total liquid diet. But now, I am back on track so it should start coming back (HOPEFULLY before the hubby comes home I will have some growth back). Not gonna stress it cause it happens, not much you can do but make sure you get all your vitamins and proteins. Which I am. 2. (and this one is the worst) I got on my scale today and 3 lbs are back from the abyss. I know its because I am back on a full foods diet (well mostly, but I still have partial liquid and/or mushies at times) and my body is trying to hold on to it. Guess its time to up my 30 minute elliptical trip to 45. I mean I was expecting some weight gain back, before my fill but it still hurts. Ok, that is my bitch for the day, I will get over it *counts* Ok, not full over it but getting there. Like I said I was expecting both but hoping neither happened. Who knows maybe the 3lbs is a delayed ToM bloat ( wishful thinking I know) cause I didn't really gain on that first day of my ToM and I am on my last days now. *deep breath* Ok, I am done, not fully over it but hey what are ya gonna do ya? :rolleyes2::cursing::thumbup::cursing::smile2::cursing:
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I was Banded this past Monday June 16th :)
babbs3772 posted a topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Good morning :rolleyes2: I was officially banded this past Monday and I am doing pretty good so far. Have followed my Clear liquids religiously and I am looking forward to full liquids this Saturday. I do have a silly question but I can't help but ask - did you experience a slight weight gain after the sugery? I went in as 204, was 206.5 yesterday and today now 204.5- Oh and I am not being anal retentive about weighing myself I was just curious to see what happens after and how quickly. I know that your body fluids fluctuate greatly and I want anyone who reads this to know I do not weigh myself normally more than once a week :thumbup: My urine is clearish and I am pleased with that is as I am drinking as much Fluid as possible to stay hydrated. I find that I am very tired easily but I have been getting up and walking around - which has helped with the gas greatly. Any ways, back to my original silly worry - did you gain weight directly after surgery and how long was it before you actually started to lose weight? -
The fact is you can be lucky in pregnancy too. What is your basic body shape?. I'm tall, and with care during my pregnancies, I did not gain lots of weight, um, I think 20lb for my first, about 25lb for my second and 10lb for my third. Being tall and having nicely sizede 7 to 8lb babies, I didnt get big during pregnancy. I got no stretch marks from pregnancy. I have stomach muscles that are rock hard now, I never got any muscle separation and although I have a little bit of looshish skin courtesy of the weight loss, my stomach is flat as a board. I know someone who had a full tummy tuck prior to pregnancy and it still looks fine afterwards - like most women, she doesnt quite have the stomach she did before pregnancy, it stretched out a little, got a few stretchmarks etc but in no way was the work "undone". There is no reason to totally let yourself go in pregnancy, if you're little and you have a big baby, you cant do a lot about that, and you cant help the way you carry. But without the massive weight gain that really isnt necessary for you OR the baby, you dont have to do too much damage. If I were you and unsure whether it would happen, or when, then I would go for the stomach I want NOW. With your band and your new habits, you wont pile it on in pregnancy if you're careful.
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Poll: How many have acid reflux problems?
LadyLee replied to NJChick's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Yesterday I went back after being unfilled for almost 6 week with weight gain of 4 pounds. Not good, could of been worst. Doctor put back in 1.5 and now I fill full again. If it happens again then I need to have the band redone. When I was this level before I had bad heart burn bad. Good luck.........:smile2: -
The past 6 to 8 months I've not like posting my weight on my anniversary, as you can see, it has stayed in the same range. Today makes 17 months since my banding. I am still struggling to get my fill just right. I thought my 10th fill would be the perfect amount, but I still believe I need a tad more. I still can eat anything, bread, steak etc. some days are tighter than others, but I find that it is only about 1 week out of the month that I have perfect restriction - and that is during my monthly. sometimes when I ovulate I am tighter, but again, that is just a few days out of the month. I will be going for fill #11 next week, right before my cruise. I know some might think I'm crazy, but I'm sick of not losing so I don't care if I am tight on the cruise. I don't want to gain on the cruise, I actually would like to lose a few pounds while on the cruise - this will be a first if that happens. The average weight gain for a cruise is 10 pounds and I've always gained weight while on a cruise. Always, at least 5 lbs, last year, I think I only gained around 3 or 4, I can't remember. Well, it hurts, but I have to be honest with myself - so here is my weight history since banding......month by month. I am still determined to finish this race by my 2 year anniversary! I want to lose and hit my goal, I will lose and hit my goal! I will not give up and I will not quit until I reach my goal! Highest weight - 248 1 mo post op - 206.8 2 mo post op - 198 3 mo post op - 193 4 mo post op - 184.2 5 mo post op - 178 6 mo post op – 174 7 mo post op - 178 - went on vacation and ate big (7 day cruise) 8 mo post op - 174 9 mo post op - 170 10 mo post op- 167 11 mo post op - 170 - haven’t even been trying 12 mo post op - 174 - again, not trying. But finally refocused - exactly where I was at 6 mos post op – so basically no weight loss in the past 6 mos 13 mo post op - 183 - Ouch! started taking steroids and made my weight go up, along with not eating right and no exercise! 14 mo post op - 185 - grrrrr 15 mo post op - 180 - weight is finally going down, but inches are actually coming off faster since I've been exercising a lot. 16 mo post op - 178 17 mo post op - 175
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The past 6 to 8 months I've not like posting my weight on my anniversary, as you can see, it has stayed in the same range. Today makes 17 months since my banding. I am still struggling to get my fill just right. I thought my 10th fill would be the perfect amount, but I still believe I need a tad more. I still can eat anything, bread, steak etc. some days are tighter than others, but I find that it is only about 1 week out of the month that I have perfect restriction - and that is during my monthly. sometimes when I ovulate I am tighter, but again, that is just a few days out of the month. I will be going for fill #11 next week, right before my cruise. I know some might think I'm crazy, but I'm sick of not losing so I don't care if I am tight on the cruise. I don't want to gain on the cruise, I actually would like to lose a few pounds while on the cruise - this will be a first if that happens. The average weight gain for a cruise is 10 pounds and I've always gained weight while on a cruise. Always, at least 5 lbs, last year, I think I only gained around 3 or 4, I can't remember. Well, it hurts, but I have to be honest with myself - so here is my weight history since banding......month by month. I am still determined to finish this race by my 2 year anniversary! I want to lose and hit my goal, I will lose and hit my goal! I will not give up and I will not quit until I reach my goal! Highest weight - 248 1 mo post op - 206.8 2 mo post op - 198 3 mo post op - 193 4 mo post op - 184.2 5 mo post op - 178 6 mo post op – 174 7 mo post op - 178 - went on vacation and ate big (7 day cruise) 8 mo post op - 174 9 mo post op - 170 10 mo post op- 167 11 mo post op - 170 - haven’t even been trying 12 mo post op - 174 - again, not trying. But finally refocused - exactly where I was at 6 mos post op – so basically no weight loss in the past 6 mos 13 mo post op - 183 - Ouch! started taking steroids and made my weight go up, along with not eating right and no exercise! 14 mo post op - 185 - grrrrr 15 mo post op - 180 - weight is finally going down, but inches are actually coming off faster since I've been exercising a lot. 16 mo post op - 178 17 mo post op - 175
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BIG BIG PRAYERS FOR DIMITRI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Laura: I think you are right about the deflating... (which is gonna have to be the case anyway since I have no money and I'll have to save up 2 weeks of time off) Pamela: you explained it perfectly............. this is because they take the fat cells out, so you don't plump up where they take them but when and if you DO gain you will plump up the other fat cells.... which is why people like BabyGotBack has a flat tummy but a big booty (her words) and is also why I would get a mons lift in addition with the tt.. mons lift is getting rid of the pubis fat........... and GOOD luck with getting insurance to PAY FOR THAT!!!!!!!!!!!! :drool: which is why.. I might be visiting Haydee's doc in mexico :confused_smile: Like Laura, I stuff my belly in pants.... and the fact that I've been doing this my whole life is most likely why I can wear some size 10's... (I'm used to being tight around the gut) where as my sis can NOT stand tightness and is why she "can't wear her size 10's............... she was pretty depressed yesterday about her weight gain....... so I sent her the belly pic and told her... "NO MATTER WHAT YOU DON't have THIS hiding in your UNDERWEAR!!" She laughed her butt off.. (which is what I was going for) I posted these on the pic thread but I will post them special for you.... April 2007 @ 272 and June 08 @ 182 (wearing spanx)
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Aspartame has been know to produces headaches, body aches, bloating, and gas. CNN had a report about how artificial sweeteners may actually cause the body to not metabolize foods correctly. Crystal Light is synthetic - made in a chemistry lab. They are artificial. The body is not designed to process or digest synthetics. Its like eating plastic. Can we digest plastic? These ingredients are known to cause addictions, allergies, and some researchers have even claimed ... weight gain. Just because something is low in calories doesn't mean its necessarily good for you. If you don't know what an ingredient is, research it first before taking it in. ------- For the record, here are the ingredients in the ready-to-drink raspberry ice flavor of Crystal Light: Ingredients: Water, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, MALIC ACID, SUCRALOSE AND ACESULFAME POTASSIUM (SWEETENERS), RED 40, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, AND Calcium DISODIUM EDTA (PRESERVATIVES). Now, here's that same flavor in the powder mix version: Ingredients: MALTODEXTRIN (FROM CORN), CITRIC AND MALIC ACIDS (PROVIDES TARTNESS), RASPBERRY juice SOLIDS, ASPARTAME (SWEETENER), RED 40, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE (PREVENTS CAKING), ACESULFAME POTASSIUM (SWEETENER), BLUE 1. Drink safe!!
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I've had insanely slow weight loss as well but there are so many behavioral, physiological, and environmental contributing factors that I can't just come out and say "the surgery wasn't worth it" without tweaking/ruling out all of those influences. Despite a low 20lb weight loss over 6 months, I can say that I am still 100% better off than I would be without the surgery. At the very least, my band has put the brakes on my consistent weight gain. Without it, I would invariably weigh much more than I do now. In the future, it's possible that I'll see that the band may not have been the best option for my optimal weight loss, but I maintain that I made the best, most logical decision I could at the time. Compared to others, some may consider me a current failure--but I'm not ready to give up on myself or the band just yet. My weight loss journey may be different than others, but perhaps no less successful years from now.
