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I got the band 3 years ago. It was great the first year. I lost 60lbs, had great restriction, and felt like myself for the first time in a long time! I started getting reflux at night, waking me up w/ bile or acid in my mouth, as well as asperating into my lungs. This caused a persistent cough. I saw the P.A. at my dr's office. An esophagram showed nothing unusual. They advised me to stop eating 3 hours before bed and take reflux meds. I got pg w/ 2nd baby, got a slight unfill, reflux systems subsided and pg was great (w/o the excessive weight gain from 1st pg w/o band). As soon as baby was born, my reflux symptoms intensified so that I could not sleep at all. Anyone w/ a newborn knows this is torture! Dr. Ren unfilled me and had me get an endoscopy. Turns out I have a hiatal hernia (stomach tissue coming up through the band). I wanted to avoid another surgery, as My Dr. was not sure the hernia was causing the reflux and surgery would not necessarily improve the reflux. I waited and now she says that the placement of my band is probably causing the reflux. She said people who have the band placed higher up on their stomachs tend not to have this symptom. So I am scheduled to have the hernia repaired and the band repositioned later this month. I am awaiting insurance approval. I have been struggling w/ eating all year and even went back on weight watchers for a couple of months. I am hopeful everything will work out after the surgery (and that the approval will go through!). Has anyone had experience w/ re-positioning of the band? Thank you!

I have BC/BS Illinois and I live in Alabama (my work's group policy) and I got denied--and denied on appeal. My BMI was high enough, I was over 100lbs...and I have no co-morbidities. I was told by the phone rep that if only I were a bit sicker--or heavier. (Yes, I'm serious.) They said I needed more of a 6 month diet and exercise history however, I've been seing doctors about weight loss and been on every diet known to man (all documented) since 2002. As if my weight gain popped up in the recent 6 months and somehow the next 6 months of doing the exact same thing I've done for 6 years prior--would be the magic weight loss bullet! So, I got a Capital One loan and wrote it off my taxes. I had my surgery in July of 2007--and after losing 30lbs....my surgeon's office accidentally billed my insurance for a "fill"--and guess what? They paid for the office portion--but not the fill. Go figure.

My wt loss has been going SO GREAT lately. And now: a herniated disc in my back. The inflammation and pain was / is terrible and they now have me on oral steroids (prednisone) to bring down the swelling. I get to lie on my back in bed for 3-5 days until the swelling has gone down enough for me to be up walking around. I just finished my first day on steroids and I can already tell that the side effect of "increased appetite" is hitting me with a vengeance. I'm determined to stick to my 1200 cals a day despite that. I can't exercise for the next few days either. Just wondering if anyone has managed to at least maintain their weight while on steroids, or if weight gain is inevitable? :wink2: I'm hoping they do their thing and I can get off them in 2 weeks. Tomorrow's MRI should help clarify how bad things are...

Hello Terry, Why do you need to forgive? Through my own life experiences I had to forgive people because unforgiveness has caused headaches, migrines, weight gain, or loss of appetite, sleepless nights, loss of attention to detail (almost loss my job over it), constainly thinking about them and how I can get them back and they don't even care what they say or did to me. I made a decision to forgive them for what they have done and all the after affects it caused me whether I was right or wrong. Whether they said sorry or not - it is a choice and my made the right one. I prayed for me first then the person, and a few years later the person came back to me and asked for forgiveness. You can't change people, but you can truly change yourself. If it comes up in your mind just don't think about it it's in the pass and over. It took a total of seven years for me. I hope you get over it faster than me, but all things are possible. I wish you the best!

Thanks Patch.. I have a simon too,, he needs to get some exercise with me!! I'm hoping to get in better shape this summer, swim, walk etc. and get more strenghth back in my leg and ankle so when and if I do go through with the surgery I will be well on my way to better health. Its very frustrating because I had such high hopes for the same outcome after my hyst! I don't regret it at all because I was very ill at the time, but the weight gain has been horrid. I think I would lose my mind if I didn't lose anything even after this!

I had a hysteretomy in my 30's. I was in a car accident in 1998, broken leg. My weight gain was gradual since the hysterctomy. I love to eat, and I work for cardiologists, so I am aware of good food choices, and made them some of the time. I had periods of regular exercise, and was going to Curves fairly regularly. My PCP had been after me to lose weight, and in my head I understood it. But put a pizza or sub or chips and dip in front of me and I was a goner. I have high blood pressure,high cholesterol, GERD, knee arthritis, sleep apnea (or as my surgeon put it, metabolic syndrome all but the diabetes). When my liver enzymes were elevated on my cholesterol test, my PCP started again about weight loss. My sister had gastric bypass about 2 years ago, but I wasn't sure I wanted to go that route. I checked my insurance (they cover bypass and lapband) and went to a seminar about weight loss surgery. Then I started going to the support group to learn more. I found this site and obesityhelp.com and did a lot of reading, ultimately deciding the band was what I wanted. I had to do a 6 month documented diet for insurance(lost 10 lbs), consult with surgeon, psych eval, and was finally approved in February of this year. Prior to surgery I had to do a pre-op liquid diet for 2 weeks (ended up 3 weeks because I caught a cold and surgery was postponed for a week). I lost 25 lbs on the pre-op diet, so by 3/25/08 I had lost 35 pounds. 2 weeks post op liquids, 2 weeks mushies, then regular food, just a lot less than before. Some foods have a tendency to get stuck, like bread/rice/pasta, so you will be altering your eating habits. I read labels like a maniac, looking for the lowest fat/carb/sugar content. My eyes are still bigger than my pouch, and if I eat too much I feel uncomfortable, but that is getting better. I am also learning to chew more. I used to inhale my food. Sorry to be lengthy, but I think you can benefit from the band. It doesn't affect what you put in your mouth, just how much. And when you start losing, you will tend to make better choices in what you eat. I also bumped up my exercise with walking. I found a lovely park with a 2 mile path. I started walking weekends in January and when daylight savings arrived, I now go almost every day and do 2-4miles. When I lose daylight in the fall, there is a county rec center gym with treadmills near my home, and I still belong to Curves. There is also an aquatic center 5 minutes away with Water aerobics. So it is a package deal. The band is a tool to help with portion control. Since surgery I lost another 35 pounds, so I would say go for it!

Hi, I understand how you feel about the weight gain after your HYST. I had a total one done when I was 35 and then I quit smoking.....oh boy what a combo. I am now 51. I had the Lap Band done Feb of 07. I have lost 76 lbs as of today. The weight came off nice and slow but now I am just sitting here not doing much. Partly my fault, just not as active as I should be. But I still lost 15 pounds over the winter so I am still very happy that I had it done or I would still be gaining instead of losing. I can tell you I feel a thousands times better than I did before. I have much more get up and go then I have in years. Go for it and have it done. Its not an easy fix, because you still have to work at it but it is one helpful tool. Good luck, Debbie

I have been overweight for most of my adult life. Big boned was the explanation and quite true in my teens as I was very muscular, broad shouldered and round in the butt.... After miscarriages in my early twenties, two successful pregnancies for beautiful children, and two more miscarriages in between them my weight went crazy. Also I started to get Gerd, arthritis, IBS, diverticulosis, kidney stones and gallbladder issues. After my son was born in 2000 my female issues increased rapidly and I was in pain so much that exercising was intolerable. In 2006 after a year of non stop ER visits and doctor appointments I was diagnosed with Adenomyosis of the uterus. I had a total hysterectomy due to that and pre cancer cells on my cervix, cysts on my ovaries... I was told I absolutely had to take HRT even though I didn't want to. Six months into them I had gained 47 lbs. Believe it or not, I was eating 1500 to 1800 calories a day, swimming or walking 4 miles 4 times a week. I was devestated by what was happening to me and stopped the HRT on my own.. No more hot flashes, anxiety or weight gain.. phewww.. The only problem was I couldn't lose the weight. I went to a nutritionist and kept food journals on sparkpeople.com,, kept exercising and started to become seriously depressed. The only thing that made it worth it was that I didn't have anymore PMS or other female problems or moodswings. My doc said I was BS'ing her and needed to get it together.. Last aug 07 I fell of a landing on the river and shattered my leg.. 2 months in a wheelchair, 6 months physical therapy,, jan to april in a gym.. full exercise 3 days a week for 60 minutes, stationary bike at home 5 days a week and still no weight loss.. We were so broke from me being out of work I couldn't aford to overeat.. total frustration... My lipid specialist wants to refer me for lap band surgery.. I'm terrified of being layed up again, but fear onset of diabetes, heart attack and stroke.. I have 2 brothers who had attacks at age 50, one wasn't even overweight. I also fear that after I go through with the surgery that it won't help because of my hormone issues.. Has anyone had lap band after hysterectomy and been helped???:confused2:

Update from a previous post: I got really swollen, they actually brought me in for a problem OB expecting pre-eclampsia because of how swollen I was, and that I was going up about a pound a day. But my BP and everything else was fine so I was sent home with advice to wear support hose from the moment I get out of the shower until I go to bed (no thanks). I've now lost the fluid (and the weight, I'm back to being about 15 pounds below my conception weight, so no weight gain yet - I'm just bouncing back and forth between the same 4 pounds), and have found that I only swell when I'm sitting. I haven't done that since I lost the weight to begin with. Bad flashback. If I can remember to get up and walk every hour or so, I do fine. I've also cut way back on my sodium, just to be careful.

Yes, indeed, There For Her, my partner is motivated. Thank you so much for the information. She's been experimenting with various types of Protein drinks for almost three weeks to find out which kinds she likes (she can't do the regular animal protein ones because they make her sick for some reason, but she likes the Spirutein drinks which are soy-based), and has been practicing the chew, chew, chew bit. Her veggies got cold the other night before she got to them - she says she figures she's going to have to get used to that. I guess that's what microwaves were made for. And her surgery isn't scheduled until June 23rd, so she's gearing up for it. She's not always much of a reader, so we are both doing research, but she's dong the bulk of it. We had looked at RNY, bypass, and the Optifast diets at various points over the years, and the medical risks or chances of long-term success (with Optifast) just didn't seem worth it, but this time we talked about it, and we both came to the conclusion that it's either the band, which is so much safter, or more weight gain, and she didn't want the second option. She calls the band "Weight Watchers with a washer." She also has three people at her work who have been banded, so she has an instant support group, which is great. So, I have three questions: How can we request to make this an official forum so we don't have to go digging in the Introductions posts to find each other and other people can find us? Since I'm a total newbie, I have no idea how to do this. Has anybody tried using the sugar-free Torani syrups that are used to flavor coffee and Italian sodas as a way to add flavor to their Protein shakes? I was going to pick up some for her if they sounded good. Here's the hard one: We live in a state where being seriously overweight is the norm, not the exception (Wisconsin - it's the cheese), and most of our friends are either obese or morbidly obese. I have already seen two of them offer only lukewarm support to her when she told them she was having the surgery, and then I heard one of them subtly try to sabotage her right away ("You will get treats, won't you? Don't let them tell you that you can't have treats."). I was so upset, I almost cried then and there. :cursing: I've heard that this can happen - the person who is losing weight gets subtly pressured to "get back in line" with their "friends" who are still overweight - and I've watched it happen to her when she's lost weight before. The minute it became obvious that she was losing weight, people suddenly started shoving sweets at her like she had to be starving without them. My partner has decided not to tell anybody else about the band right now, but it's going to become obvious at some point. Does anyone have any other ideas on how to deal with this, especially as her partner?

Today is day 10 of my liquid diet. It has been rough, and I hate it. I have started these gas pains and tremendous bouts of gas inside my tummy. Today, I woke, no weight gained nor lost, but, Im bloated, and my jeans are tight. Three days ago, these very jeans, fit. And fit good. Now, they feel as if I was poured into them. I feel bloated, and full of gas, that I cant release. I dont know what to do about it. I just cant wait until this is over. Maybe just maybe I need to lay off soup for a while. I have noticed when I do eat the soup I get more gassy. So, back to the basics, just plain ole liquid thats sure to make me sick. And to top it all off, Im depressed cause I cant eat good food. And a certain someone in my life finds it ok to eat in front of me, tons of good food without remorse. Anyway, I had to rant. Any solutions for the gas? :cursing:

Hi All, glad to see we're seeing the light of way. Recognizing where we slacked off, need to retrain and correct our way of eating and jump starting our exercising. Although we may not be losing at a rate we would like, our weight gain or plateau is not permanant. Some times we just need to step back and regroup. Like we're doing now. I too am getting back into exercising. I lost 1" off my hips since I started step aerobics two weeks ago. So, that's incentative enough for me. Now that I've stopped eating spicy and hot foods, I'm able to eat regular meals again. Before, while waiting to get back to normal eating, I was just barely getting in two meals a day. Breakfast not really being one of them. And lunch taking almost 3 hours to get down and dinner just enough to say I'm having something to eat. Rosi, this is a good time to test out your restraurant savvy. 1. Following Carol's advice, and try not to go to long between eating your meals. 2. Maybe eating appetizers, opposed to a full meal maybe, wrong word, WILL get you by. 3. Eating Soup before your meal. And walk as much as possible, also if you're staying in a hotel access their gym or just do exercise in your room before you leave for the day. See if you can access a fitness channel on tv and do them. You can do them while you hubby is taking his shower. You'll think of something. Make us Proud. Let's hear how everyone intends to Jump Start their June overhaul. Let's work on being vain and hear those "OH!, you look so good, you really look great". I know I am. I want my props for my hard work. Don't you? Let's Go Gurls....

OK . . . I have a question. I am on the pill and so my periods have always been like clockwork, very light, minimal cramping and finish in 2 days with a 2-3 pound weight gain and mild crabbiness due to pms. Now several months post surgery, I am still on the pill, I have spotting occasionally at weird times, they now can be very heavy at times, moderate cramping up to a deep ache and finish in 4-5 days with a similar weight gain . . . not to mention that my husband and son stay far, far away from me now a couple of days before because of pms. I eat a healthy diet, meet my nutritional goals, and work out like crazy. Does anyone else have this problem or any explanations as to why they have gotten so unpleasant?

I think you are doing really well... you have lost over 10 pounds a month... and lets even it out to 4 months.. for pre-op diet and few days into June... that's 9.25 pounds a month! umm.. that is REALLY good. I know there are some folks that have lost in the 50's and 60's, but we can't compare ourselves to them.. it's very hard.. trust me.. I did it.. but we all have different metabolisms and are on different journeys. It sounds like you are just on a plateau right now which is a good thing because it means your body has accepted the new weight and is happy with it! I wouldn't call .5 pounds weight gain.. lol. that could be some bloating.. to a pair of pants.. And I totally know how you are feeling!! From my last fill two weeks ago I lost nothing..... didn't lose or gain...

Hello Kristi, My name is Carrie - and I am excited about having a buddy also. I know how important it is to have a support person with you as you go on this journey. I have seen the weight gain program myself, but overweight my entire life from 8th grade 220 pounds, 12th grade 300 pounds then lose 75 pounds before meeting my husband, the maintained for five years then each year it increased by 20 for the next five years. 2 1/2 months ago I reached my breaking point of 300 pounds and said this is enough for 1 1/2 year I could not fit my clothes in the closet so I didn't buy new ones because I didn't want to face that I could not fit my clothes (size 22) I went up to size 26/28 and said what am I doing with myself this is crazy. But kept on eating and eating! Just depressed at what I have become and look like its really said, but today is another day now. I am excited about me! Please don't forget to email me at c_monestime@yahoo.com

Good morning.... So happy I found this site and have the opportunity to share my weight loss journey. I had surgury last August and have lost close to 70 pounds. My story is not typical although I have struggled with weight all my life. At 20 I lost over 100 pounds and kept it off for 10 years. At 30 illness entered my life and I gained it all back plus. I am so very grateful to have the opportunity to lose weight once again. But I have a fear of the success.... since I know nothing in life is guarenteed. I suffered for 8 years with my weight and my illness and now have the freedom to make the best of my health and I'm scared. For many reasons... but most of all, deep inside, I am indignant. Meaning that I know that the outside is only a shell for what's inside. I was forced to recognize this and accept that no matter how thin one is... it does not solve everything. So this morning I faced this fear that I face everyday.... but today I am chosing to throw caution to the wind and begin to maximize my weight loss potential... taking on an exercise ROUTINE and hoping for the best. My motivations for weight loss are difficult to manage. I am not a vain person but appreciate physical beauty. Somewhere along the line in my struggles I gave up on my own.... as if I was not worthy to enjoy that. I have an emotional and psychological illness that forced me to focus on my mental, emotional and spiritual health. I had to let the physical go... the medications played a huge role in the weight gain and my depression and anxiety kept me from trying to exercise to conteract what was happening to my body. I had to find self worth inside and let go of the rest. As I am losing weight, these issues are surfacing and my fear of success and having it taken away again is huge. Also, having experienced this medical/spirtual transformation... I know in my heart that people will be drawn to me for vain reasons and that upsets me. The advice I try to give myself is to stay in the moment and just do my best which is great... because I am maximum capacity person. I was wondering if anyone out there has a similar challenge/fear going on. I would love to here from you. I don't want to waste anymore time on waiting for the right motivation to come along.... This fire needs to be walked through and I welcome your support. Peace, love and understanding, Robin Marie Coley

Good morning.... So happy I found this site and have the opportunity to share my weight loss journey. I had surgury last August and have lost close to 70 pounds. My story is not typical although I have struggled with weight all my life. At 20 I lost over 100 pounds and kept it off for 10 years. At 30 illness entered my life and I gained it all back plus. I am so very grateful to have the opportunity to lose weight once again. But I have a fear of the success.... since I know nothing in life is guarenteed. I suffered for 8 years with my weight and my illness and now have the freedom to make the best of my health and I'm scared. For many reasons... but most of all, deep inside, I am indignant. Meaning that I know that the outside is only a shell for what's inside. I was forced to recognize this and accept that no matter how thin one is... it does not solve everything. So this morning I faced this fear that I face everyday.... but today I am chosing to throw caution to the wind and begin to maximize my weight loss potential... taking on an exercise ROUTINE and hoping for the best. My motivations for weight loss are difficult to manage. I am not a vain person but appreciate physical beauty. Somewhere along the line in my struggles I gave up on my own.... as if I was not worthy to enjoy that. I have an emotional and psychological illness that forced me to focus on my mental, emotional and spiritual health. I had to let the physical go... the medications played a huge role in the weight gain and my depression and anxiety kept me from trying to exercise to conteract what was happening to my body. I had to find self worth inside and let go of the rest. As I am losing weight, these issues are surfacing and my fear of success and having it taken away again is huge. Also, having experienced this medical/spirtual transformation... I know in my heart that people will be drawn to me for vain reasons and that upsets me. The advice I try to give myself is to stay in the moment and just do my best which is great... because I am maximum capacity person. I was wondering if anyone out there has a similar challenge/fear going on. I would love to here from you. I don't want to waste anymore time on waiting for the right motivation to come along.... This fire needs to be walked through and I welcome your support. Peace, love and understanding, Robin Marie Coley

I've been flamed many times in chat or with a post....some just feel that me saying I don't use Protein powders....or diet foods....or go to a gym....or count calories....or go on a diet....is so wrong. Look, it's simple. Get the band. Get the adjustments. Get restriction. Get a reality check. Get smaller clothes. Get real. Get the band. Won't work if you don't have it. Plus, the band makes the most common sense. Cut off the pipes and you'll lose the weight...not a maybe...but will. Get the adjustments. Won't work if you don't get adjustments. Decide on a fill doc before surgery. Make sure you see 'em at 6 weeks and every 4 weeks after. Don't need a followup...cancel. But always make sure you have the appointment every 4 weeks til YOU decide you've got restriction. Get restriction. Don't be a baby! You are going to have to cut down on the quantity of food - that's the point of the lapband system. Don't want to cut down on the amount of food - don't get the lapband. So what if you slime from time to time....it's all a learning process and you need to allow yourself time to re-learn how to eat. But this isn't saying that if you vomit that you shouldn't see your doc, quite the contrary. Vomiting isn't good. But sliming, as long as you are in the process of re-learning how to eat...it's a tool. Get a reality check. This time to relearn how to eat is crucial. Eat a few bites and walk away from your food - it will always be there...you don't need it all now. Want something sweet- have it. But only a bite or two. If you can say..."nah, I'll skip that"...you are already on the right track. This is about choices. It's not easy during this time. I remember thinking I was going to DIE because I was so weak from not eating (massive amounts of food). Your body will go through withdrawal symptoms....you can bet on that. But you prevail! And remember, it's not forever. If you are hungry...eat! Get smaller clothes when you reach goal....it's a motivator as well when you walk around in potatoe sacks...makes you want to go faster. Get real. You know how you got fat, you now KNOW it doesn't take much food to fuel the human body. You now are amazed at the difference in the amount of foods you eat. You go to a buffet with your family, you get a teaspoon of everything...a sampling if you will. And you are so satisfied to finally 'taste' something...instead of inhailing. Keep your scales, pay attention to your new clothing. Weigh weekly, then every two weeks. But step on those scales at least 2x a month. And if you see weight gain, or your clothing getting tighter.... modify your diet. Maybe that soda pop put you over the edge...or you found you ate 2 pieces of your mom's sweetpotatoe pie. No worries, just modify things. Your new life is about nutrition, not dieting. Ensure you get the fuel to run your body like a well oiled machine.

Hi all!!! I started out at my highest in November 2006 - 416 lbs. Then by the time of surgery I was down to 383 lbs. Since the surgery I have gone down to 339 lbs. Now even though I knew I choose this surgery option over the Gastric Bypass (the my surgeon kinda preferred me to have), that I would be loosing slower. But it has been 6 months and as of my 5 month weigh in I had only lost 44 lbs since surgery (5 months ago) Then I had some issues last month and had a complete unfill and have just completely messed up my eating even though I had 5 cc's put back in 2 weeks ago. I feel like I am having a hard time getting control again, and my next fill appointment isn't for 10 more days! My sweet tooth is OUT OF CONTROL and I never weigh myself between my monthly checkups but I broke down and looked last week and it looks like I might have gained 2 lbs. that freaks me out! I hope the change on the scale had to do with my monthly cycle and not actual weight gain?

Hi, 5 years ago I was interested in the gastric bypass and even went to the doctor to set it allup and they lost my weight charts for the last 5 years so I couldn't do the surgery. THANK GOD!! Now that the lapband is so popular and more safe I am so glad I waited to get it done. I had one doctor tell me that after age 50 most don't benefit from the surgery and I told him where he could stick it!! Just because we are over 50 doesn't mean we stop living and want to start feeling and looking good again. I have type 11 Diabetes along with many other problems associated with weight gain. It's been now 9 days after surgery and I have lost 15 lbs. I think this is the best thing since slice bread and am so glad I had it done. I know weight loss is going to be slow but I don't care as long as it's coming off andnot going on I am happy. I was borderline helpless and almost to the verge of not being able to take care of myself. I am 5'1" and my starting weight was 227 and now I am at 212. For all of you that have diabetes believe me this is the way to go. I am now down to one actos a day and my BS is doing great. I feel so much more energetic and am looking forward to doing things I haven't done in years. One question for all of you, when can we swim again? :smile:

Hi All, I am a science teacher in Michigan and I have been to one appointment and one session of the seminar series. I have diabetes and a BMI of 38 and I am hoping to really reduce the diabetes and gain some of my energy back. I am tired by the end of the day and I can see that my lessons, while good, are not like the ones when I was younger and thinner. I want to get back to that. I am very well thought of in my community but I can tell a difference and I know that things could be better. In the title for this post, I state that I am nervous and depressed. Am I doing the right thing? Having the kind of change that I read in many of your posts is certainly supportive and I would like to have those changes as well. This is a drastic step to take but I am in need of something drastic since nothing else has helped. I am very apprehensive about never again having foods that I currently enjoy, like a bagel. I keep finding myself thinking "Is this my last ....?" I have heard of others going out for their "last real meal" and having their "last ice cream" and so on. I guess that it is natural to think of things in those terms since eating will never be the same again. But it also brings to mind the condemned man and his last meal. His life is about to change and so is mine. Being able to eat such a small amount makes me wonder if a certain amount of depression creeps in as you realize that doing something like sharing a pizza with a friend now means having only part of one slice, assuming that your digestion can handle even that. Eating is so social and such a part of our culture. Making this step kind of feels like it did when I moved away from all of my family after college. I got used to it and ultimately liked it but I certainly had lots of strong feelings about it before and during that process. I am not worried at all about the procedure, just the changes that will take place in my life. Will the good things be as good as I hope they will be and how do I minimize the negative parts? I know that I am going into this with the understanding that it is for life. But, am I choosing the Lap Band option over the bypass because of my perception of the finality of the bypass? The Lap Band can be removed even though that is not a common procedure, but it is some kind of back door that could be used if ultimately needed. I am choosing this surgery so that I can live longer and have better health during whatever time I have left. I do not see another option since I have tried other diets and so on and like most of us those things did not work or they did not last. While I know that dieting like that has a very low success rate, I guess that I do feel the guilt of being overweight and that I am taking the route that is perceived by many as being the easy way out, even though that is not the case. It is a hard way to go, but it seems to be made possible because of our sense of responsibility after the surgery and the immediate reminders that we get because of the Lap Band. If you do not follow the rules, bad things could happen (not just weight gain). As I reread this post, it seems to come off as pretty gloomy. However, it did do me some good to write this down knowing that someone else could possibly read it. I have not talked so candidly with my wife but the relative anonymity of a post helps with the inhibitions. Thanks for reading, SciTeach

Fifty pounds lost is still fifty pounds lost! I know you're probably scared to have any fill taken out at this point but if you're having trouble swallowing and hoping that starving yourself is the answer I don't think it's the healthiest way to do it. I would really discuss this with your doctor and tell them about your frustration and ask them what they think should be your next step. Being over filled can cause weight gain. I'm not an expert on the actual losing part and I'm sure there are more people out there that can help you with that aspect but I do know that the softer foods "sliders" will not help you lose weight and that the Protein and healthy foods (low carb, high Fiber non-processed foods) are what your body needs and if you're too tight to eat them it's not doing you any good. I think it takes longer for some of us to know where the right spot is and I'm still working on it myself, brandyII.

Thanks everyone for your support and suggestions. Mom's condition remains a mystery. We hoped that tests of the fluid around the lung and lung tissue samples would provide some clues. The good news is no cancer or other problems they could find. The bad news is we still don't know what is causing these problems with her heart rhythm (racing) and fluid building up on heart, lungs. She got a procedure which will keep the fluid from building up in lungs but where will it go now? The abdomen. I've warned Mom to watch for fast weight gain - if more than 2 lbs. a day, she should call her doctor. I will contact Dr C (whoever that is) and pose my questions to him. I posted this message in the Post Op Problems section of the Forum with the same message. MORAL OF MY STORY: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY AND CALL THE DOCTOR IF YOU START FEELING HEAVINESS IN YOUR CHEST OR YOUR HEART STARTS RACING. If Mom "toughed it out", she would be dead by now. (I apologize for being so morbid.)

I gained 40 pounds before being diagnosed with hypothyroidism. That was on top of my already overweight body. What a drag. Having hypothyroidism really does screw with your body. The pounds were just flying on and I was eating very well and excercising. It was so depressing. Now that I'm on my medication the weight gain stopped and I had to bust butt to get those 40 pounds off. Hang in there.

I don't consider the fills/adjustments a drawback; I consider them one of the positives of lapband. If I start to eat too much, there is a quick and easy fix. Two and a half hours?? That's nothing. DH and I drive 5 hours for our fills. It isn't that often, and we make a day of it. I've had two fills and I will not need another to reach goal. As others have said, I have friends who had gb, lost over 100 lb, then gained it all back. Plus, one friend who did that STILL throws up every time she eats a meal. The fact that the band can be adjusted when weight gain slows down or stops is one of the things that sold me on it. Your doctor may have reasons for recommending GB over lapband for reasons that have nothing to do with your health or chances of success.