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Pre-surgery I usually had a couple glasses of wine after work. I've had a few post-op, but my main reason I don't is because of the weight gain or no loss it gets me into. When I get to my goal I'm going to (try to) continue focusing on my weight and go light on alcohol. Maybe if you focus on your goal it will help. I love my wine and miss it a lot. My friends and I belong to the "wine of the month" club.. Ugh!

Well, remember 1st and foremost that you will go through phases and hormonal changes monthly can cause weight gain. I tried to keep this in mind when I saw the scale go up a pound or two....just wait it out. Having a fill doesn't mean you are adjusted to the correct amount. You may have to go back for another fill. We all hope we can be lucky enough to not have even 1 fill! Or hoping the first fill does the trick...but often times it does not. Just enjoy yourself these next four weeks before you see your doc again for another adjustment. Meantime, try to re-learn how to eat. Get a jump on a new way of eating for nutrition and wellness. pizza is a tough one...was my toughest. I would eat a bite...and then rationalize I could eat more/alot more and just slime it up. Yep, my children hated it when I ate pizza!

Honestly, I wish people had offered me legit help back in the day. It's a bit different because my weight gain started when I was a little kid (though my parents did nothing out of the belief that I didn't need my diet policed and that I'd find my own way to healthy eating), and obviously your husband is an adult, but I don't think offering help and support and policing his diet are the same thing. Maybe just say to him, "I've observed these behaviors, and I don't know what they're about for you, but I know for a lot of people they may mean x,y, or z. If you're happy, I'm happy, but if you're not happy, there are thing we can try (therapy and nutritionist for starters), and I'll support you and help you all the way. I won't bring it up again, but if you decide you want to bring it up or try something new tomorrow, next month, next year, or in ten years, let me know." I really wish someone had said something like this to me, not just when I was a kid, but also as an adult.

Anyone Have the sleeve due to weight gain from ssri or ssri drug? I weigh 275 pound I'm on Prozac and been on all the other in the different classes but have gained 75 pounds in the first year and that was 12 years ago.. as long as I'm on the meds the weight won't budge... If i go off the meds I don't cope with life. anyone here do the sleeve for weight gain due to run induced weight and the drug is one that you need to stay on? and what been you experience?

Hi everyone, I'm a 21 year old considering the sleeve. I've struggled with weight loss since I got my period. I went from being quite slim to gaining weight rapidly in a year, and haven't been able to lose any since, gradually gaining. I am currently at 76kg (168 lb), 159cm tall. I did find out I had PCOS when I was around 17, which explained my sudden weight gain after getting my period. I have had high cholesterol since I was 19, and have been on simvastatin 20mg since. Recently I started noticing my fasting glucose was getting a bit higher each time, up to 6.8 (122) fasting one morning, although mostly around 5-6 (90-110). I am also on metformin for my PCOS. Diabetes runs in my family, my mum, dad, uncle, grandma etc. all have it, with my mum recently becoming completely insulin dependent (previously T2). Although my BMI is low, around 30-31, as I am of asian descent, the BMI cut-off is lower too. I'm really considering doing this early, so I can prevent all these co-morbidities occurring later in my life. It's frustrating, I am technically "not heavy enough" but those who are are probably healthier than me. Has anyone my age/bmi had this surgery?

You sound exactly like me! In 3 yrs, I've never counted anything nor measured anything. I go by what my body tells me. Measuring and counting remind me of dieting - something I swore I'd never, ever do again after getting the band. I also don't write down everything I've eaten. Had to do it for a week for my previous trainer and it was a pain in the butt. Don't know how people do that all day. To me, I'm trying to get my focus OFF of eating, not to make it more of a focus. I'm trying to be like a normal, thin person. And normal, thin people don't write down everything they eat. I also eat carbs. My PA lectures me about my carb intake everytime I see him. Never wanted to diet again, and again, watching my carb intake is just like dieting. But I'm stuck at a certain number and the only way down from there is to start counting, I guess. I still remember how many calories are in EVERYTHING cuz I was such a proficient dieter in the past! I don't think I have a problem with how big my bites are - it's how fast I shove them in my mouth. Elcee, I think we have so much in common. Like the recent weight gains we've both had after almost reaching goal. Too bad you're on the other side of the world! Marci

Hello Peeps...I need some assistance please. Pardon the scene setting here, but i want to make sure that i project my situation correctly. I am married to a wonderful man, kind, romantic, loving and honest. We are very fortunate to have established a level of trust and communication that neither of us have experienced in prior relationships. We are blessed with each other, a beautiful child and relatively good health. We've been together for a long time and look forward to an active and fun filled retirement together. So, all sounds good, right? It is, except for the fact that over the past four years, I have been on a steady path of weight gain. I was banded in 2006, lost 60 lbs and then, over the ensuing years, vacillated between gaining/losing the same 20. In 2009, my band did the big slip and I had surgery for it to be replaced, both surgeries were good, free of complications. So, long story short (too late, right?) I continued down the path with my 2nd band and kept trying to find my sweet spot/holy grail that would allow me to eat w/out barfing, sticking, choking or gagging. This banding stage has been less than enjoyable. Fast forward to now..... I have been completely unfilled for approximately 3 years and as a consequence, weigh almost as much as I did when i was banded the first time. also, I still have issues with stuck food, port pains and general eating/digestive problems. So here's my deal....I must get this band out...MUST...MUST..MUST..before I do myself any more damage. Clearly, it is not helping me to lose weight, and it is definitely contributing to poor eating habits. However, prior to removal and revision, I have two obstacles. 1) my BMI is a sliver below 35 and my co-morbidities are depression, cholesterol, and general joint aches/pains...nothing that insurance considers that detrimental, and 2) my husband is 110% against the thought of me undergoing additional surgery (beyond band removal). He is worried about the risk, the mortality rate, complications from the surgery and the lifestyle changes that are required after someone is sleeved. I see all of these things as valid concerns, but concerns that each of us have to weigh prior to making any decision about wls. So, here is what I need help with. Has anyone had a really great spouse, someone who gets that this is an individual choice and is not their body, but is still very apprehensive about their partner getting sleeved? Surgery that is "irreversible" is scary, true, I get that, but life down a path of increasing pains and medical complications (not to mention the pure social inhibitions that go along with being overweight) is not a life I want, but is the path that I seem to be on. Any advice? Any similar situations? Anyone.....????

my husband and i were banded the same day. same as you; got fluffy after the I do's were said and our extremely active sex life dropped off significantly - and it was more on his part. he was extremely self conscious & unhappy with his weight gain. fast forward 8 months and it's back to our courting days, he's a teenager with the constant grabbing/touching/kissing - very affectionate. he made goal in 6months (hate men loose faster:tongue:), and i'm getting close - the weightloss has made a HUGE difference in our relationship - not just with sex.

Erosion is serious business. Your stomach can be extremely damaged... it's not the same as a slip at all. Depending on the degree of an erosion, it can not only prevent a surgeon from placing a new Band, it can keep him or her from doing any revision surgery. It really depends a lot on how badly the stomach was damaged. Personally, it would seem too risky to me. I'd look at other options. But here are some studies anyway... Obes Surg. 2005 Jun-Jul;15(6):849-52.Links Treatment of intra-gastric band migration following laparoscopic banding: safety and feasibility of simultaneous laparoscopic band removal and replacement. Abu-Abeid S, Bar Zohar D, Sagie B, Klausner J. Department of Surgery B and the Advanced Endoscopic Surgery Service, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. dr_subhi@tasmc.health.gov.il BACKGROUND: Intra-gastric band migration (band erosion) following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a known complication requiring revisional surgery. Management has most often involved band removal and suturing of the stomach wall, followed by delayed replacement at a third operation. We report our experience with simultaneous band removal and replacement. METHODS: Between May 2001 and December 2003, we performed 754 laparoscopic operations using the Lap-Band ®. Patients developing band erosion were treated by laparoscopic band removal and immediate replacement of a new band following gastric wall repair. RESULTS: 16 patients (2.1%) developed band erosion after a mean of 23 months following surgery (range 11-40 months). Patients presented with epigastric pain (6), port-site bulge (3) or were asymptomatic (7), band erosion being suspected during fluoroscopy for band adjustment and confirmed by gastroscopy. Postoperatively, 11 patients developed fever that responded to antibiotics. No patient suffered from intra-abdominal infection, wound infection, pneumonia or pulmonary embolism. Mean hospital stay was 4 days (range 1-8 days). CONCLUSION: Band erosion following LAGB can be treated safely with simultaneous laparoscopic band removal, gastric wall suturing and immediate replacement of the band, thereby preventing weight gain, the appearance of co-morbidities and the need for additional surgery. PMID: 15978157 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Obes Surg. 2003 Jun;13(3):435-8.Links 11-cm Lap-Band System placement after history of intragastric migration. Vertruyen M, Paul G. Department of Laparoscopic GI Tract Surgery, Europe St-Michel Clinic, Brussels, Belgium. marcvertruyen@belgacom.net BACKGROUND: Intragastric migration (erosion) of the band after laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LAGB) is a serious late complication. It requires removal of the entire system. Subsequent recurrence of obesity can be treated by laparoscopic placement of a larger band: the 11-cm Lap-Band System. METHODS: In 727 laparoscopic gastric bandings using the 9.75 Lap-Band, 10 cases presented with intragastric migration of the band. The same complication was encountered in an additional 4 patients who had previously been implanted with an Obtech band in another hospital. Laparoscopic removal of the band was performed in all cases. In 9 cases, after a delay of 6 months, a new gastric band was placed using the 11-cm Lap-Band, because of uncontrollable recurrence of obesity. RESULTS: No complication was observed during the laparoscopic removal of the system. The placement of a new band required conversion to laparotomy in 1 patient who had previously received an Obtech band which had been placed using the pars flaccida technique. After a mean follow-up of 21 months, no intragastric migration of the new bands was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic placement of an 11-cm Lap-Band in patients with a history of intragastric migration is a safe procedure. It allows effective control of recurrent obesity. The laparoscopic procedure was easier in patients initially operated using the perigastric technique. PMID: 12841907 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Obes Surg. 2001 Dec;11(6):744-7.Links Lap-Band erosion: incidence and treatment. Niville E, Dams A, Vlasselaers J. Department of Abdominal Surgery, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk, Belgium. erik.niville@ping.be BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is an effective and safe surgical treatment for morbid obesity. Migration of the band through the stomach wall is a well-known late complication that may jeopardize the aim of the treatment--permanent weight reduction. METHODS: 301 patients were followed for > or = 2 years (mean 39 months) after a Lap-Band procedure. Cases of erosion were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: 5 patients (1.66%) developed erosions. Laparoscopic band removal was carried out in these 5 cases without complication. The first 4 have received a new Lap-Band, and all are doing well. CONCLUSION: Band erosion is a bothersome late complication after LAGB and requires band removal. Rebanding is a feasible option. Further study and longer follow-up are necessary to determine whether these patients will develop erosion again. PMID: 11775574 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

You might have noticed how these overly sensitive perfect people on here tried to rip me a new one becuz I said I had my 1st drink @ 3 weeks..and I will say again I had my cocktails already..worked out next day..no weight gain..5 weeks out and still have my cocktails and lost 13 lbs from week 3 to week 5..I say do you! Sip slow and I'll suggest u have something on the rocks!! These people on here can be so judgmental I'm not peeping thru your window when u take a bite of a ham sandwich b4 u reach 6 weeks so don't a girl and her cocktails....POW! And in that order...drops the mic!!

i decided to go get an unfil. And then go back and get a fill. And just kinda start the whole process over again. As I have been stuck for a few years now, in this rut, where I cant lose any weight, yet my band is really tight, I eat Cookies and drink chocolate milk so the calories and fat get thru.... and I choke on real food every day... and I have been afraid to get an unfil because I have lost 100 pounds and I dont want to gain any back. So I decided to just TRY this, at least its SOMETHING... I figured if It doesnt work, i can always go back to being overfilled (in order to not gain weight) So how long do I stay unfilled.. What if for just that ONE or TWO days, I realise how normal It is, how free it is and how I been living in misery all these years.. What it I come to my senses and I dont allow my self to be overfilled any more.. and what if that leads to weight gain, BUT I choose the weight gain over ever going back to living this way... I kinda tell my brain right now, that Im just sick and there is no way out of it. Ya know, like an unfil is not possible and I just have a sickness I will have to live with... and well, thats what I do, I just live with it... I HATE EATING FOOD. I LOVE NOT being able to eat food. I LOVE how I always turn down going out to eat, and I always so NO to all food that is offered me and i never eat in front of anyone. I LOVE how I am not a slave to fast food, and how I just dont care about pizza and Chinese food any more. YEA I still feel like a slave to fruit juices, flavored milks and cookies and chips.. (BUT NOT CANDY!! I gave up ALL candy 10 months ago! I made it a rule one day and I never touched candy since, I used to eat it all day long, cuz even if the band is tight, it can usually go down) I wish I could make a rule about cookies now, and milk.. but I feel like I would starve, im already hungry constantly as it is. So. I think I am gonna do it. I SURE HOPE the fear doesnt get the best of me. I wish I could say the right thing right here.... BUT being honest, my goal is to get another nice tight restriction. I DO NOT WANT TO BE ABLE TO EAT.

My NUT said 50% veggies, 25% protein, 25% starch, and to aim for .6g of protein for every lb of body weight (for me at my current weight that is ~65g). With that said, I'm doing my own thing: Aim for 60g of protein (which I reach maybe 80% of the time) and total calories around 1800-2000 calories during "normal" times*. I no longer concern myself with carb nor fat amounts. Though truth be told, I don't think I was ever really concerned about fat amounts, so long as I was under whatever calorie level I was aiming for at any given time. *Am currently attempting to find am acceptable calorie level as I have been out of commission on the exercise front for about a month due to injury. Am going on about a month of ZERO exercise and in an attempt to avoid any weight gain, reduced calories to about 1200-1400...but this is too low as I lost 6lbs in the last 4 weeks. Still trying to figure it out. P.S. I'm a sleeve, 2.5 years out from surgery, and almost 2 years into maintenance. I've maintained my weight +/- 5 lbs this entire time.

I think EVERY society has ALWAYS been obsessed with food. There are numerous evolutionary reasons behind this, and I don't see any society changing it anytime soon. That's just a hard fact. However, it does annoy me that there aren't a lot of alternative things to do when it comes to socializing these days. American society in particular has become very sedentary. We like our video games, tablets, smartphones, streaming channels, and Internet. Rare is it anymore that people ask each other to hangout in the park to go walking, or after a date, to go dancing to burn off your dinner. People don't even go bowling that much anymore. Personally, I think it's sad and the more I think about it, it's pretty clear this societal change played a major role in my weight gain (I wasn't always heavy). I remember back in my middle/high school-college days, friends and I loved being active. We hiked, camped, putt-putted, and swam in public pools in the summer then ice skated and bowled in the winter. We even glow in the dark putt-putted! Places like the library or art museum would offer free or nominal fee day camps/ classes to everyone from kids to adults. We learned how to paint, sew, make pottery, and do other brain-stimulating things that didn't require staring at a screen. Yes, there's no question about it. There was always some non-food related activity we could partake in if we wanted to socialize. But things changed. A lot. Most of those places, sadly, closed or became associated with criminal activity and were no longer deemed safe. The libraries and museum stopped offering classes and day camps. A personal tragedy scared my friends and I from camping and hiking. What was funny was that some of the places that closed were actually bought out by fast food or local restaurant chains (such as our glow in the dark putt putting place and bowling alley), subconsciously implanting in our minds that guzzling down 700-calorie blended coffee drinks was the new way people socialized. I'm not trying to blame all my problems on societal changes, but it does frustrate the hell out of me. People wonder why obesity has risen to astronomical rates and I can't help but think about stuff like this.

That is a difficult question to respond to. I mean, I didn't start putting on a lot of weight until after I finished college. I seriously considered WLS in 2007, when I weighed about 260-270lbs. I made it through three months of the 6 month liquid diet program, and I was ready to kill someone. I was advised by my therapist to stop, because the 600 cal/day program affected my job and relationships. Since then, I put on another 100 lbs before I decided to move forward with WLS. Nothing I tried helped me to lose weight. However, if I would've been introduced to someone like the trainer I started working with before I actually had surgery back in 2007, I'm convinced I would not have needed the surgery to begin with. Working out with my trainer, I lost about 40 lbs in less than 2 months before I even went in for surgery. However, there were still things I needed to go through emotionally before I was ready to fix myself. I spent about 5 years in therapy before I was in the right mind-set. So, I guess to answer this question: on the one level, if I had proper trainer work in my early 20s, I could've avoided the massive weight gain all together. However, I still had things to work on to stop the patterns that caused me to gain the weight I gained. ... Also, if I would not have gone on birth control in college, I probably would have avoided quite a bit of the weight gain.

I was told it's not good for you as it can cause acid to build up. There's also certain schools of thought that believe the fake sugars in gum may actually cause greater weight gain than sugar by stimulating your appetite. Either way I don't chew gum.

Hey all! I need some help or advice! I lost 53 pounds last year with my band. I hurt my back and was very limited on my exercise and ended up gaining back 15 pound the past 4 months! I have had one fill in the last 4 months and somedays I feel constricted and other days I feel nothing! Has anybody else gone through a weight gain and what did u do to get back on track??? #frusterated!

​I won't be generic comments....so I will say this.....Your body can be referred to as a city. If one thing breaks down or changes it causes the whole city to turn into ciaos. So if he thinks that it is possible for you to lose 11 lbs. every week, something in your city is going to shut down to protect itself from keeping things running smoothly. It is impossible to lose that much weight every week. It is recommended that to keep weight off we should lose between 1.5 to 2.5 lbs a week. To keep things balanced. Our bodies go into a kind of shock when we dramatically change it and weight gain or loss can bring that on. This is due to the surgery and the honeymoon period. But it won't last forever. Depending on how much we have to lose each one of us lose at a rate our own bodies see fit. If you stay on course you will lose the weight.... Call it a stall, plateaue or body at rest. But we need that to keep healthy. Going into starvation mode which will eventually give you the chance for your body to eat its self is a prelude to much worse things or conditions such as Anorexia..... Is it his thing to have all the star losers on his watch or is he just being a dick head....It does not even make sense that he should say that.......what a dipwad thing to say!

I had severe acid reflux (GERD) prior to surgery. That is why I went with RNY. I am 28 months post-op and acid reflux is a distant memory now. Good luck on your surgery. PCOS can cause weight gain and make it difficult to lose weight. Maybe someone on this site can tell you their personal experience with PCOS pre surgery and how surgery affected them.

Well I haven't been on her for so long and it is good to read all of your posts! My surgery date was actually June 7, 2013 I have been out of town but for some reason I really wanted to share a little of my journey. I started this journey actually 2 years before I had the surgery. It took me that long to make the decision that once I had my surgery I would never turn back to my old eating patterns. Making such a change to your body was something I took very seriously and played the head games for 2 years. You know..........You can do this just eat right, exercise stay with the program! I was at the gym 3 times a week and trying so hard. I managed to lose about 25 pounds then my mother passed away. I kept up the same routine same eating patterns and despite all I gained 10 pounds back and finally said "That's it!" I knew I needed the help and made the decision to have the surgery. When I started the 2 weeks of liquid diet before surgery I had my answer to my biggest problem. I was a carbaholic that was the biggest insight into who I was and what was controlling me. I knew then and there I could no longer eat useless carbs. They were and are still a drug for me. Have you ever noticed when you eat a good piece of bread, cake, chip etc. it makes you want it more? It calls you from the cabinets and the frig......."I'm in here so close just come and have a few more!" Damn carbs!! I still fight this but know myself so well now I know what trigger foods to avoid and what I can treat myself with on an occasion. I am not anti carbs just the bad ones that pull you in. Avoid them! I haven't been the best at exercising but I do go twice a week during the school year (I work at a high school) and swim and bike ride during the summer. My goal weight was 160 pounds and I had a secret goal of 150 pounds. I knew I was going to make the 160 because I wasn't changing my body without a good outcome if I could help it. The day of surgery I weighed 293 pounds and today I weigh 149 pounds. I have been able to maintain this weight pretty easily (no boasting) and am amazed and give all the glory to God and my sleeve! When I returned home from my 3 week trip I had only gained 7 pounds and knew it was mostly bloat. By the end of the first week home it was gone and I marveled at how helpful this surgery actually is! To this day I still do not have hunger pains.........Thank the Lord!!! I know when my body is in need of food because I get an empty feeling or show signs of low blood sugar but that doesn't happen to often. Only if I am really really busy and honestly forget to eat. No eating disorder here.......no worries I still love my food! My body definitely has wrinkles all over the place and one day when I win the lottery I will have some surgery to fix myself up. The funny thing is when I was on vacation and was carrying some Water weight the wrinkles in some areas were not as bad. This is how I knew it was water weight. I missed my wrinkles and was happy to get them back because I felt back on track. Proof of being where I was supposed to be. Weird!! I still get a runny nose when I get full and can eat about 8 ounces on a really good day. I eat a high Protein diet with a lot of veggies and fruit. I have become a gluten free organic eater it made the difference for the last 5 pounds. I do love a Crown and diet organic coke or glass of wine. I didn't have a drink for about a year or more after surgery. This is one thing I caution everyone with. I quickly caught myself enjoying a drink in place of carb foods and put a stop to that. I thought well there is little calories and carbs in a Crown and diet coke so I will be okay and I didn't gain weight but drinking should just be kept at a minimum. You could easily fall into a really bad habit. For some reason eggs are still hard for me to eat I can't eat more than 2 on a really good day. What is up with that? Scrambled eggs........Really!! I take my Vitamins religiously and my blood work has come back great.......very grateful! One of my favorite treats is a cup of coffee with my half of a Premiere Protein Drink and some hazelnut creamer. It's a great middle of the day treat. I am still the person I was before surgery but with more confidence, self awareness and energy. I will protect this new person and body with all vigilance. The true answer to this surgery is getting to know the authentic self, recognizing your triggers and fixing them. Be it personal issues or food issues such as mine. Easier said then done I realize this full on. When I was on the liquid diet I put a whole new spin on being a bitch............My family was ready to run away! Every once in awhile I will go to a restaurant that overwhelms me and I tear up and get mad but I do not stray from my eating patterns. I know myself......... I would rather be mad for a few minutes than go down that slippery slope of gradual weight gain from getting addicted to carbs again. This was pretty long so if you hung in there and read the whole thing........Thank you!! I'm not perfect by a long shot and I'm sure there are some that would criticize. Please don't this is my life and I am feeling pretty darn good about it. I wish each and every one of you the best and brightest of outcomes!!!!

My band eroded. put in feb 2003, emergency removal and fixed hole in stomach 4/07. I had NO symptoms at all except weight gain due to no restriction! They couldnt even see the erosion thru the fluoro. THey only saw it in an endoscopy and took me right into surgery to get it out. Pretty bad...ICU, etc. I think that people with slips have more "symptoms" and can try to unfill and play around with it to fix it first before having it removed. Doc said no more bands for me, trying for DS surgery now. Gained all weight back. good luck, make sure you get a fluoro, and perhaps take out some fluid!

Small but significant thing to ponder: stress and anxiety is linked to weight gain/retention. Stress >> increased cortisol >> body’s resistance to insulin >> weight gain and/or weight loss resistance.

Boy Tammy... that really is a golden question that I think the whole world would love to have the answer to. Wouldn't it be awesome if just saying no was the answer? It's a struggle but for me... I notice that the more carbs I eat... the hungrier I am and the more carbs I want. Now... to just figure out how to stop the carb eating cycle? The only thing that I have found to be somewhat helpful for me is to keep ZERO snack type sweets in my house. If I have a craving... I wait... and if the craving doesn't go away or gets worse... I go and get a single serving of whatever I'm wanting. Someday a brilliant scientist is going to come up with a magical pill that allows us to eat all of the carbs that we want without weight-gain... until then... I guess we'll all fight the good fight.

I am 6 days out from surgery, and have been loosing about a pound a day. Until this morning, I weighed myself this morning and was +1.3 pounds. Is this normal? I know your body can fluctuate weight daily, but still a pound and a half gained??

I didn't tell anyone I got the band. I didn't need any "expert" advice. Yesterday on the Today show they had a segment on a fellow named David Smith. He was on a program a few years ago. It was titled the "650 lb. Virgin." He lost all of his weight, had plastic surgery, and looked teriffic. Now he has gained 250 lbs. back. It was heartbreaking to watch him crying about his weight gain. All I could think of was, it was too bad he didn't have weight loss surgery to maintain his loss. Research has shown that the brain of an alcoholic, drug user and obese person are the same. They have fewer dopamine receptors(Nature Neuroscience 2005). The failure rate is 95%. Do the math and come to your own conclusion.

I don't judge nor fault you for not wanting to wait. I started the process in December of 2015, I met the BMI requirement, but I didn't have any co-morbidities aside from possible undiagnosed sleep apnea (my bf would tell me about certain things that led me and my PCP to believe this). So they referred me to a sleep center to do the test. It took two months for the referral and appointment to get situated. It was scheduled for February. Then something came up that caused them to have to re-schedule, and it was another month out. Right before a trip I had had planned for months prior. I got fed up with it and just cancelled and started looking into Mexico. I went with Dr. Illan, and I have absolutely no regrets about doing so. His team is fantastic, he's so nice and caring. I also just loved that he was partnered with BP themselves, and Alex being a long standing person in the Bariatric community backing him as well just spoke volumes in my eyes. So I said to hell with proving the sleep apnea. Because even after that, then I had to do the 6 month weigh ins, psych eval, etc. etc. My weight gain was a culmination of my PCOS, bad eating habits, and severe depression from the PCOS. I could lose 30-40lbs, but I couldn't keep it off or get under that. I got fed up and booked with Dr. Illan the moment I got back from my trip. Now I'm 9 months post-op, 48lbs away from goal, and life is fantastic. Some don't have the means to take the self-pay option, and technically I didn't either (I took out money against my car, and my bf of 9 years took money from stocks he had and paid a portion of it too). But I'll say, it was the best $4400 I ever spent, and I wish I had done it sooner. To think that if I hadn't I would just NOW be getting my surgery? The thought makes me cringe and so happy that my impatience did me a favor for once. I did get lucky, my PCP had 2 other patients who'd gone to Mexico to get the VSG and had done great, and so that even eased my mind. She wasn't a stranger to it, and that was even better. She's been very supportive. If yours won't get on board, I'd definitely think about changing to a new one.