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My post op instruction was to weigh myself daily and notify my surgeon of any weight gain. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This is quite a phenomenon that most girls can attribute alot of weight gain to over many years. I talked with my Psychiatrist about this and she told me that when your estrogen and testosterone levels change in your body, it signals a decrease in serotonin levels(this is a mood stablizing chemical) and causes you to crave foods to replenish serotonin. I don't know how to fix this, but just knowing it helps me. You can also take an antidepressant to help it, in fact prozac now makes a pill that you take only the week prior to your menstration.

I swell when I get a fill. I have been fine the day of the fill and then swollen shut the next day. Not even Water could go down. The swelling was so bad they had to take out more fill than was put in. Then it took about 2 weeks for the swelling to go down and for me to start to get hungry again. Then it took two fills and some weight gain to get restriction again. The only time it hurt was that next day because I was BPing all day long. Then I was sore for a while. I will tell you one thing, it should not hurt. How many ounces of liquid can you get in? I have been told that it can keep swelling. My doc said that you do not want to be too tight because it can irritate and swell over time. Are you going to Tijuana for your fills?

Hi! Wow, I can understand how frustrated you must feel!! It is really hard not to focus on the weight gain. Just remember that during the time that you were gaining, the band was not doing its job when the doc took out the fill, so the tool that was supposed to help you lose weight was unavailable. Kinda like trying to take notes without a pen..Pretty hard to do Just focus on the fact that you did lose 35 pounds!!! So you know you can do it. When you go back in for your fill, hopefully things will be back on track and you will be good to go!! Don't look back on time lost, just continue from where you left off!! I am also going to see a counselor and it is really helpful. I have one that specializes in bariatric issues, so they have a really good understanding about this stuff. We are all rooting for you, and for each other!! Good luck :tongue2:

When we are in the hospital for surgery, generally we can be administered antibiotics to prevent wound infection. This is not a bad thing. There are a lot of bad bacterial germs floating around in a hospital setting. Most surgical procedures do not require prophylactic or postoperative antibiotics. However, certain patient-related and procedure-related factors alter the risk/benefit ratio in favor of prophylactic use. Patient-related risk factors suggesting need for antibiotics include Certain valvular heart disorders Immunosuppression Procedures with higher risk involve areas where bacterial seeding is likely: Mouth GI tract Respiratory tract GU tract In so-called clean (likely to be sterile) procedures, prophylaxis generally is beneficial only when prosthetic material or devices are being inserted or when the consequence of infection is known to be serious (eg, mediastinitis after coronary artery bypass grafting). Choice of antibiotics is based on the Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) guidelines (see Perioperative Management). There is strong evidence that standardizing antibiotic choices and adhering to SCIP protocols or another standardized and validated protocol reduce the risk of surgical infection. Some regions of the US that followed SCIP guidelines were able to decrease surgical site infections by 25% from 2006 to 2010. Drug choice is based on the drug's activity against the bacteria most likely to contaminate the wound during the specific procedure (see Table: Antibiotic Regimens for Certain Surgical Procedures). The antibiotic is given within 1 h before the surgical incision (2 h for vancomycin and fluoroquinolones). Antibiotics may be given orally or IV, depending on the procedure. For most cephalosporins, another dose is given if the procedure lasts > 4 h. For clean procedures, no additional doses are needed, but, for other cases, it is unclear whether additional doses are beneficial. Antibiotics are continued > 24 h postoperatively only when an active infection is detected during surgery; antibiotics are then considered treatment, not prophylaxis. The Center for Disease Control has published guidelines for prevention of surgical site infections that address topical and nondrug antiseptic measures (eg, bathing, sealants, irrigation, prophylaxis for prosthetic devices). Source: Prevention of Surgical Infections The antibiotics destroy not only the bad bacteria in the gut but also the good bacteria. Therefore I feel it is important to reestablish the good gut bacteria after surgery by using probiotics. I ran across an article this morning that discusses the relationship of gut bacteria and weight gain. While it has long been known that low dose antibiotics cause weight gain in animals, the mechanism by which they do this has been a mystery. Researchers are now beginning to zero in on the effect and their work may even shed light on the human obesity epidemic. Animals, like humans, have numerous bacterial species living in their gut. Believe it or not, there are more bacterial cells in our body than human cells. Of course, bacterial cells are much smaller than human cells. But their effect on our health may not be small. Some varieties of bacteria are more likely to cause the body’s immune system to swing into action, but usually different bacteria keep each other’s multiplication rate in check by competing for the same food supply. But if the bacterial balance is upset because an antibiotic reduces the numbers of one species more than others, an inflammatory response can occur. Such a response is linked with making our cells less sensitive to insulin. “Insulin resistance” means that glucose is less likely to be taken up by cells, and since it is the cell’s main source of energy, they crave an increased intake. This translates to a boost in appetite as the body strives to meet cellular needs. What all of this suggests is that some species of bugs in our intestine may contribute to weight gain more than others, and that these may become more prevalent when competitors are reduced by antibiotics. Of course, other factors may also play a role in altering the bacterial flora. The chlorination of drinking water as well as improved sanitation may influence both the type and the number of microbes that reside in our gut. Who knows, perhaps all that emphasis on getting rid of germs may be affecting our waistline. Is there any actual evidence for this postulated link between changes in gut bacteria and obesity? In one word, yes. When Martin Blaser, a microbiologist at New York university, fed infant mice doses of penicillin comparable to those given farm animals, he found that after 30 weeks these mice had put on 10-15% more weight than those not treated with the antibiotic. Furthermore, the mice that had been treated had a different microbial flora in their gut, with Lactobacillus, one of the “good” bacteria, having significantly decreased. When gut bacteria from these mice were introduced into mice had been bred in a totally sterile environment, and were therefore germ-free, they put on more weight than mice with the regular complement of microbes in their gut. While overconsumption of food is the crux of the obesity problem, one of the reasons why we eat too much, as we have now seen, may be due to the changes that have occurred in the microbial population of our gut. A study of ancient feces from caves, as well as from the intestinal tract of mummies, has revealed a microbial makeup that is quite different from that found in our guts today. Those ancient microbial populations are more similar to the ones found in chimps, gorillas and children in rural Africa than in the intestines of North Americans who are more likely to have been exposed to chlorinated water, antimicrobial cleaning agents and antibiotics. Maybe a partial answer to obesity is to repopulate our intestines with the bacteria found in ancient poop. Source: Bugs In Our Guts

Seems to me that getting the required protein without pushing the calorie count too high means I will always obsess over food to an extent. I don't see this negatively. I think inattention to what I eat was a big part of my weight gain, and I don't want to go back.

Thank you Tomo for your response. I also had lap band in 2008 and had it removed in August 2022 following horrible reflux and weight gain. I understand your experience about the lap band restriction, it was quite unbearable at times and maybe I have to go back and think how I managed to overcome that! I think I need to stop overanalysing this and stop reading the horror stories and what can go wrong. thank you

Be careful with the weight gains my dr advised me the insurance can postpone surgery for weight gain. Idk how much or little so be careful.

Haha, your post made me laugh. I worked out hard for the first 80 pounds and then I had plastic surgery and the most I could do was walk daily, which in the beginning I was positive was going to result in weight gain. Amusingly enough, over the course of almost 8 months I had three plastic surgeries and a week after the last one I hit my goal weight, which was 37 pounds lost from not exercising much. I think I lost a lot of muscle, but I am always amused when my body throws me a curve ball I never expected. Maybe try walking as your exercise? I find it boring as can be but while I'm in recovery it has helped me maintain at goal and at the very least relaxes me a little.

Hey Jay9mal, this is such a truth! I think that the goal focus thing only puts a massive amount of pressure and stress on us. Believe me a year ago, I was admant that I would be a goal by now and one groovy hot chick... the reality is that, my body just ain't ready to be that groovy hot chick yet... ok, perhaps just a groovy chick!!! When my year marker came and I still hadn't reached my surgeons's goal, I was disappointed but happy with the progress... yet another conflicting mental state. Grrrrr! I really have come to appreciate that I will get there in my own time. I have been struggling with weight gain and being morbidly obese for so many years, it is hard not to feel a little scared that my goal weight is ever going to happen. I know I am doing all I can, I think there are many of us here that are doing the same thing. As long as we are true to ourselves, we will do this. There are days - not many - when I let go ... I eat as I please only much less, obviously. 6mths ago I would have been racked with guilt but now I feel that it is ok.... I am human and like I said, it is only now and again; perhaps once every 4-6 weeks. Remember, slow but sure wins the race... =]

I got lucky (maybe). I had a fill on the 22nd so I had to be on a liquid diet for 3 days post fill. I was able to enjoy Christmas dinner, but could only have a little. But it did help with the holiday weight gain.

I didn't feel so hot after either. And the weight gain is because of the IV. It took about a week and the scale really started to move down. If you are worried check with you doc. It might help you rest easier.

I was told to write it all down and it would make me feel better...Well here it goes! All my life I was up and down in my weight but never considered myself to be obest..weighting in at about 150lbs my highschool year. Right out of highschool I was pregnant with my daughter and weighed near close to 225lbs. After delivery 199 seemed to be where I was at. I should have been more concerned as my weight started to go from 199 to 215 to 225 while trying every weightloss gimic out there.... 7 years into my weight gain..I had the biggest weightloss imaginable..lol I lost a 250lb husband (divorce) and about 30 lbs of my own. Funny cuz even at 199..or even 189 (Smallest Ive been since giving birth) I always had a gut I could just hide it better then, than I can now ..lol however I was in a size 8 (I'm 5'9 BTW) some may have even said I was too thin..of course I didn't think so..How did I loose that much weight and keep it off you ask? Strees Stress and more stress...Getting back into the relationship scene, I slowly started to get alittle too comfortable with myself and the weight (after 2 years of keeping it off) started to find itself back to me whether I wanted it too or not! age 36, 242 LBS..it could be worse right? I mean at least I wasn't 250 LBS..well just give me another 1/2 year Id get there... I decided to look into the lap band when I stepped in the scale and weighed in at 253 LBS..High closterol, High Blood Pressure, bad knees, bad back...I was convinced this was the only way to go. Found a clinic in my home town and Feb 1 2010, I went for a consultation. Did my psych test and nutrictional evals over the phone and March 26, 2010 went in for Surgery..**** I didn't even meet the Dr untill the day of... It's been 2 years this month..I feel like it was just yesterday and I'm still learning and struggling..Lol I can't speak for others but in my opionion "this was a get thin quick"..or so I thought..I rememeber I use to tell my adjustment guy that I refuse to beleive that all those people on the commercials did EXACTLY what they were supose to do when they were supose to do it! How do you automaticlly just get UNLAZY? They say the band is a tool, to help you with the eating..you eat you full faster..you stop eating...well mines broke!..lol I know I need to do the things I am supose to I just think that my Dr forgot to fill my band with Motivation!...I am hopeing to find some sort of inspiration joining this group. My day starts off with a cup ( or I should say Coffee Mug of coffee) breakfast? How am I supose to eat breakfast and drink coffee at the same time..I need my coffee so breakfast doen't exsist ( I know I know mistake). Computer, housecleaning, laundry, occasion trip to the store..continues my day By about 1 am decided that I should prolly eat something althougth I am not hungry..Really? I'm not hungry? tell that to my mouth! I eat so fast that I'm throwing up what looks to me like a ball of slim! Research... your body produces saliva to help break down your food the more you eat the more salvia builds up and has no where to go cuz your stomach is smaller so out it goes... Slow down? How do I do that? I have always eating this way... By dinner and soon there after I am looking for anything and everything that I am able to eat..to eat..and I say able to eat cuz we all know there are things that just don't mesh well with us anymore..some pasta, bread, bananas, grapes, But low and behold! I have NO PROBLEMS keeping cookies and Ice cream..anything sweet ( my weekness).. My adjustment guy explains to me that most things sweet disolve in you mouth there for there are no restrictions!.. Great who knew? besides my Dr!. My current weight post surgery is 205...2 years and only 52 lbs lost...(Yes I know thats off alittle, cuz i gained a few) I just resently went to see my Dr for the 2nd UNadjustment in the past 8 months...For a few months now Ive been having alot of heartburn..after the first scare (I got sick with fever, dehydration ) I was better for a few months and all the symptoms started up again only this time I was spitting up what looked to me to be coffee grounds, Dr says it's blood! Great! Now what? the blood could be 1 of a few things, bleeding ulcer..or stomach erosion.. After having me drink water and feeling pressure build up he rules out Erosion...Good for me no Surgery!!! But now what. Back on the bland diet and food diary (ugh) no NSAI's (bad back, knees mentioned before) and come back in a month! I ask again "What did I get myself into!...needless to say I'm not gonna give up...I'm gonna figure out a way to get thru this all without the strees and headach of when and what did I eat and how long did it take me to eat and how much protein have I had today!!! And hopefully reading other peoples experainces with help me make sence of this all! I beat myself up because I know I need to take control!! It just hard..I have no paying job (I am a stay at home Mom) which means no insurance so I can't afford for these issues to get any bigger... Any suggestions? Diet wise, excersises for the Lazy...Good and inexpensive protein powders...horror stories so I don't feel alone!..lol

I am on the six month supervised diet also and tomorrow have my fourth appointment with my NUT also see the PA and have my psych eval. I am nervous because I am sure I gained weight this month. I had some family issues, work issues and money issues and lost focus long enough to put back on some of my weight, hopefully not all of it. They have never told be I had to lose a certain amount but still I am so upset that I have to go in there and be a failure at losing weight again. But besides the weight gain issue I have so any questions, I first need to find out if they will do the sleeve surgery instead of the traditional bypass. Well it gave me some comfort that not everyone excels at losing on this supervised diet and still is able to have the surgery. Good Luck and I hope everything goes smoothly for you and we both are able to hae the surgery soon.

Reality has hit, hard. I decided to weigh myself this morning as I was getting ready for work. Even before I stepped on the scale that I haven't used now for months, I gave myself a pep talk. I tried to convince myself that the weight I knew I've gained was okay because after all I am pregnant. I convinced myself even before lifting one toe toward the horrible weighing machine that whatever the display read I would not let it ruin my day. Finally, I gained the courage to make the step onto the scale and it read 119.5. I was confused. Oops! Someone set the scale to Kg (probably my foreign-born spouse who can make total sense out of the meteric system). Okay trying again, now with the scale settings properly adjusted, it read "264.5". Holy crap! That's 30lbs since November!!! Yes, I know that I'm pregnant, but the recommended weight gain for overweight women is like 15lbs or something. I am not disappointed that I've gained weight with my pregnancy, it's the amount of weight that I'm disappointed in. So, analyzing the situation, I know what has happened. 1) I haven't exercised all winter. 2) I eat ice cream or chips or popcorn or candy or chocolate on a daily basis. (an 8 count box of ice cream drumsticks in 2 days) 3) Having my band unfilled in December was not a good idea-I have no restriction nor do I have self control. I am just out of control. Really. I've known this for a while now, but I have finally decided to face the reality of the situation. I've been warned by my OB/GYN that the hospital I plan on having my baby at will not deliver a woman with a BMI over 40 (I think)-maybe it's that they won't take a pregnant woman with a BMI over 40 because of the weight they'll gain, then they'll be well over a 40 BMI when they deliver. Whatever. I need to start eating healthier and exercising. BTW-the scale at her office read 258 2 weeks ago. Either I've gained 6lbs in 2 weeks or our scales are not calibrated the same. I'm praying for the latter. I need to make some changes, now! It sounds so easy. 1) Eat healthy, nutritious food. 2) Move your body. I definately am not looking to lose weight, again I am pregnant and I'm well read on the topic of weightloss during pregnancy. Still, my focus should be to get back to the basics of being banded (I've nearly forgot that I have a band except for the occasional morning PB on a bagel or some other type of bread). Here is the agreement that I've made with myself. 1) Completely cut out candy,ice cream and junk food 2) Limit liquids to water, crystal light, lowfat milk (no soda!!!) 3) Eat fish 3 times/week (not fried)-omega3's are so good for ya! 4) Exercise daily even if the weather is crappy, I will find a place and time everyday to at least take a 20-30 minute walk. I know that I need to get back on track not only for me and my health, but for the little girl living in my womb. I know that I'm way less moody and more energetic when I eat well and get my exercise. Oh yeah, and my skin looks great, I guess it's the protein. There's my plan all layed out.

I'd I spell that right? I'm curious. Have any of you used these during the early stage when the surgery weight was bloating you? It's not on my " never use" list and I was thinking it might help eliminate the bulk and pain in my midsection (from below the breast to the top of my legs) . I feel and look like a starving baby from those commercials that I always turn off cuz they break my heart. I know it's swelling and Water weight gain from 22 days on ivs in hospital, but it's fairly not comfy..I feel 15 months pregnant!

Weight loss? Weight gain? Pain better? Exercising?

Check with your Dr. to see if you need a "stretched sleeve" revision surgery. Its rare. 19 pounds in a week is a medical concern. Normal for the sleeve to expand with thime. It's not "stretched" this is the progression out from surgery. The restriction is still there. After surgery your restriction is tight. The restriction will change. How much you can hold years out will be different for each of us. Surgery few oz Might get 600+ calories first few months 4 oz five months to a year 6 oz to 8 oz 1200+ calories One year out half a plate. five to ten years a full plate "Grazing" is usually the cause of weight gain. You have a new point of volume and sensation of full. If you eat high calories throughout each day . (calories can be combination of good and bad food choices) It's the same effect as if you didn't have surgery. An excess of 500 calories will cause you to gain weight. Medical professional explanation on misuse of the term "stretched sleeve" to back this up below: Dr. Matthew Weiner Published on Mar 16, 2015 "Stomach Stretching" is the term used by many weight loss (Bariatric) surgery patients to explain the changes in their appetite and food consumption after surgery. Dr. Weiner explains what's really happening and how to prevent it.

I really like the injectable birth control sticks (implanon, nexplanon). They inject it right under the skin in your arm and it is good for 3 years. My gyno says that weight gain is minimal as well. Everybody is different, but last time I was on implanon (I'm on nexplanon right now which is the same thing, basically) I never had a period, which was great! It is progestin based so you don't have to worry about estrogen. Here is a link to the nexplanon website: http://www.nexplanon-usa.com/en/consumer/index.asp?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=CODENX00Q&MTD=2&CPN=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=nexplanon&utm_campaign=Nexplanon+Branded+2012&MTD=2&ENG=1&CPN=2&ADG=3 I hope that this helps and that you are able to find a good solution!

Please join me in listing your wow moments here. It does not matter how minuscule you think your achievements are, I feel that they could still be inspirational for others. I read a lot of challenge / re-commitment threads and I feel that we need one full of successful / inspirational stories. I will kick start the thread with my most recent wow moments. Shopping on New Year`s Eve with the hubby, met a friend we have not seen for over a year now. She said hello and Happy New Year to DH and proceeded to ask whether I was his sister. She then said, tell the Mrs I say Hi and will see her shortly. I responded by saying the Mrs. says Hi back and we should really get our diaries to schedule that meet. Imagine her face? Shopping is fun now because everything / anything looks good on the frame. WOW I must also state that this is the 1st X`mas period during my adult life that I had enjoyed as much as I could without weight-gain at the end or feeling the need to go on a diet soon afterwards. Feeling well and not lethargic as usual.

:welcomeB: It sounds like you've come to the right place!! Pull up a chair and get comfy -- there is all the support you need right here. Some even say it's better than their local (face time) support groups! Don't feel so bad about your weight gain. Just dust yourself off and start again. Going to the gym is a huge step in the right direction!!! Good for you!!:clap2:

I posted this on another thread so I'll share: Think You Need a Fill? THINK AGAIN By Nikki Johnson Do you remember that feeling you had when you first had your band placed? For a while, everything was great. You didn't experience hunger, you felt satisfied with a small portion of good food, you had more energy, and you were thrilled with your initial weight loss progress. If you are like most people, your experience changed over time, Some of those feelings of hunger returned, and you stopped losing weight. You knew you needed something, so you went to your surgeon's office and asked for a "fill" right? If so, you might be surprised to learn that it is your thinking about your band, and not the band itself, that needs adjusting. The LAP-BAND Bad Word Paul O'Brien, MD, FRACS, is a skillful, compassionate surgeon and a foremost expert on the LAP-BAND System. he was involved in its design in the early 1990's and placed the first band in Australia in 1994. Since then, he has treated thousands of patients and is recognized worldwide for his expertise. When his patients utter that worst of four-letter words, "fill," in his office, they are asked to throw a dollar in the Red Cross donation bucket--a reminder that, according to Dr. O'Brien, thinking about a "fill" is just wrong thinking. How can a concept that we hear about so constantly be so very wrong? Dr. O'Brien's answer is simple: "Any adjustment to the band is something that only takes place in the context of clinical consultation--part of a relationship of trust, honesty and communication between patient and surgeon--that is much more key to the success of the patient than the precise number of milliliters of Fluid in the band. This concept of partnership is the central theme of Dr. O'Brien's new book, The Lap-Band Solution--A Partnership of Weight Loss. Patty's Note: Available on Amazon.com ISBN#9780522854121 Like many people, you might assume that weight gain or a sustained plateau means an incorrectly adjusted band; in fact, you may be right. But you may be surprised to learn that weight gain sometimes results from a band that is too tight. This is part of the reason why the "fill" concept is so misleading. If your surgeon determines that you are not losing weight as you should, then discovering why that is happening is crucial. Sometimes adding fluid to the band will only make matters worse. Life in the "GREEN ZONE" Most people who have the LAP-BAND operation will have an amazing feeling of disinterest in food for the first week after surgery, before any adjustments are even made to the fluid in the band. According to Dr. O'Brien, that lack of interest in food is referred to as satiety. A related but different feeling is satiation, or the feeling you get as you are eating, precisely at the point that you don't need any more food to eat but you do not have an uncomfortable feeling of fullness. These two feelings--satiety and satiation--are what the properly adjusted band helps you achieve, allowing you to maintain your new healthier eating habits. Your careful observation and truthful sharing of your feelings and eating behaviors, combined with the expert care and training of your surgeon and his or her staff, can make the very individual determination of whether your band is properly adjusted much more accurate. In order to help create the most effective partnership between themselves and their patients, Dr. O'Brien and his colleagues at the Australian Centre for Obesity Research and Education have developed a concept they refer to as the "Green Zone". When patients are in the green zone, they experience satiety, satiation after properly-sized small meals, and satisfactory weight loss or maintenance. However, there are also yellow and red zones, both of which indicate that the band is not optimally adjusted. If your band is too loose, you will not have the benefits the band's hunger-controlling mechanism. If your band is too tight, you will have trouble eating properly and may actually gain weight because the foods you can eat more comfortable, that tend to be liquid and calorie-rich, like ice cream and chocolate, do not provide the proper nutrition. Learning to recognize when you have the feelings and eating behaviors that signal a problem can help you give your surgeon the information he or she needs to help you keep the band optimally adjusted. Thinking Adjustment Once you have eliminated the concpet of "fills" from you Lap-Band vocabulary, you will be able to let go of much of the conventional thinking connected to it. Perhaps you have heard talk about the "ideal" amount of fluid in the Lap-Band. While it may be helpful to have some idea of how much fluid is in your band, Dr. O'Brien says there is no magic number. No perfect amount of fluid will provide the best results for everyone. He says, rather, that "whatever volume of fluid is needed to achieve the [feeling of non-hunger] is the correct volume." When you notice that you are feeling hungry or are not losing weight, your body is telling you it is time to revisit your partner in weight loss -- your surgeon. your success absolutely depends on this relationship. So rather than thinking "adjustments," adjust your thinking, and, in partnership with your surgeon, find a lifetime of health! For more information about all of the themes discussed in this article, please see Dr. O'Brien's book, The Lap-Band Solution--A Partnership for Weight Loss, which is available fro Amazon.com. We also invite you to visit LAP-BAND® System Forum - Home for more information and supportive resources. You should You are You should ADD FLUID OPTIMAL REDUCE FLUID Hungry Early prolonged satiety Difficulty swallowing Big Meals satiety Reflux - hearburn Looking for food Small meals satisfy Night Cough Satisfactory weight loss Regurgitation or maintenance Poor eating behavior

I had to pay out of pocket for fills too. I was frustrated too. I would be really hungry, get a fill and then get sick even on protein shakes. That required another hour drive to the doc. and another payment to have some of the fluid removed. I did have months here and there where I had "restriction", but it overall wasn't the tool I hoped it would be. I did manage to loose all my excess weight by sticking to a lowcarb/lowfat diet and working out almost every day. Unfortunately I have gained quite a bit back. Struggling to get back on track. My band is not filled much, had a bunch taken out after I lost the weight. I wanted to be able to eat a real breakfast, not just a shake et.. I know I should go in for a fill, but my experience with them is not great as I've said. I also have to admit to being embarrassed about the weight gain. My plan now is lowfat, good carbs and lots of protein and work out regularly. I think I was too strict with myself and lost the weight too fast (107 pounds in 10 months). I never really made a "lifestyle" change. So far it's been a really good week. I am sorry the band isn't working as well for you as you would like. My doctor was really good about listening to me and giving fills when I felt I needed one. We talked together about it. You may want to have a talk with your dr. about more aggressive fills. .3 really isn't all that much. Go in with a record of what your eating when and how satisfied you are for how long. As mentioned, it may be that the previous issue you had is making him conservative with the fills. It's worth a heart to heart I think. Explain that also you have lost weight (which is awsome) but that you are dealing with a lot of hunger. Best of luck! Veronica

My new ticker puts me back in the 200s!!! I am now so far from goal and it sucks. Imagine my surprise when I saw my overnight 55 pound weight gain on my ticker.