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I know I'm still fairly new here but I've spent hours upon hours searching the forums for other women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrom) who have been banded. Since this condition has been known to cause severe weight gain as well make it very difficult to lose the weight, it would be beneficial to those of us who have it to be able to support one another. There seems to be a few threads that are pretty lengthy and I think this special interest group would be quite active. Here are a few threads that I've found : http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/those-who-have-pcos-44999/ http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/lapband-pcos-48834/ http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/question-those-pcos-11810/ http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/anyone-ir-pcos-10726/ http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/pcos-who-s-got-18345/ I hope that made sense! Thanks for reading!

the best advice I can give is follow weight watchers type diet while you have no restriction. Of course, we've all had a hard time staying on diets and that's why we got banded, but most of us can diet for four to six weeks. At least you'll hold off the weight gain until you get good restriction. Track your Protein and be sure you get at least 60 gms. a day. Give up white carbs, like white bread and potatoes. If you must eat bread, change to low carb, whole wheat or whole wheat pitas. Substitute the bagel and cream cheese for a cup of Kashi go lean Cereal with 1/2 cup of skim milk. or try the Special K low carb cereal or how about the low sugar instant oatmeal. Milk should only be skim, yogurt non fat and if you're looking for easy to cook/microwave meals...lean cuisine and weight watchers are good choices. Look for the lowest calorie, highest fiber choice of any food that you are eating. A couple hundred calories a day really adds up. Restriction could take several fills, so you want to do the best you can during this time, so you don't get frustrated. And making the above changes will help you later down the road when you do get restricted and even later when you're in maintenance, as you'll have replaced a lot of the old bad habits.

Cindi -I am not too upset that I haven't lost weight in such a long time, mainly because I don't blame the band, I blame myself. I have made poor food choices. First, I went on vacation, ate whatever I wanted, while on vacation, I fell - came back home, my house had flooded, completely flooded and ruined almost every room in the house. I also had to have surgery on my knee. So, with all this going on, exercise stopped, eating began. Everyone from my church was bringing food to my family, we moved in with my mother in law, and ofcourse she cooked for me too. I was having a pitty me party! Well, my house is back order - (looks better than it did), my knee is finally healing, but I still want to eat all the junk. I'm battling the head hunger, but I'm about to win the battle I think. I'm getting better and better at saying "No thank you!". I'm also avoiding bringing in the junk into my house. So, even though I haven't lost weight in 6 months, I feel like I learned a valuable lesson. I know that I must take control and not resort back to my old habits. The other thing I have learned is I don't think I will ever weigh over 200 lbs again! Even though I haven't lost weight, I haven't gained either. I might have gained 5 lbs or so, but nothing like I had done "pre band". Normally a 6 month eating binge would bring on 50 to 75 pounds, no problem. I can live with a 5 or 7 lbs weight gain. So, I love my band. It's a wonderful tool, the problem is I haven't been using it as a tool. Now, I've got my head screwed back on like it should be, I am making better choices, I am actually planning my meals out. If it is not written down on my plan, I am avoiding it. Even when we went out for Mexican Sunday, I chose grilled chicken, and I counted out 5 chips and put them on my plate. I ate them very slowly so I wasn't eating a bunch of chips & salsa like normally. No one noticed I wasn't eating. Anyhow, its all about choices and attitude with the band. We have to utilize it as a tool and not let it do all the work, we have to do work, but the band will help us if we follow the rules. This is the lesson I have learned and it was a valuable lesson for me!

Pam, I too am 5 days out. I have thankfully had a relatively easy time of it, but just the usual soreness on the belly and gas/shoulder pain. I have found that a microwavable heating pad works wonders for the soreness on the belly and in the shoulder!!! I got mine at WalMart for about 12 bucks--thermabeads is the brand I think, and it's got a handy velcro strap so you can secure it around yourself like a belt. Also, I use the Gas-X strips that melt on the tongue. Be sure you read the dosage cuz I didn't at first and you're supposed to take 2 at a time! As far as weight gain goes, I wouldn't stress about it at this point. We still have to process the IV fluids out and everything...so that may make your weight look different than it should. Also, we are swollen / healing in the stomach and that puts different demands on our body that may cause it to retain water. Best of Luck to you!!!

One fill is usually not enough for most people. There is a lot of info on the forum about how fills work, it might help to read a lot of them to understand the process. Until and unless you have good restriction it will be possible for you to eat more than you should and during that time old fashioned willpower and dieting is needed to avoid weight gain. Counting calories, tracking protein intake and reducing carbs is the key. Exercise and water will boost the above effort.

Hi My surgeon does the gastric sleeve and was a big fan of it until he went to a conference in Brazil last year. He said the longer term research (5 years) which is just starting to emerge shows that the sleeve can stretch and often does, leading to some weight gain. His recommendation was the band, although he said until he saw this research he was a huge fan of the sleeve. I guess your pouch can stretch just like the sleeve, so i really just went with his opinion as he is highly respected in the area. Hope this helps.

I love all the information I have found on this site and all the help I have received and I can't wait till I'm banded to be able to help others but until then I can help others hopefully in this area....... May 2006 when I lost a lot of weight from Phentermine I had a hanging tummy . If I was naked it would be down to my pubic area. I had Tricare at the time and they denied twice to pay for it so I went ahead and self-pay. I think it was 5k, maybe not that much even. Anyways..... I got down to 180 and felt that I can resume that weight after the Tummy Tuck...WRONG!:tt1: For about 2 months I maintained that weight but I had to switch medications and my eating habits were worse then before so the weight just came back full force! Now I am about 65 pounds heavier and decided to get my life back on track. I hope to be getting the lap band end of Feb or early March. I refuse to go through my whole Tummy Tuck process to just get it back! I refuse to do that! Here's pictures of me. PictureTrail If I could be any help please let me know. Oh and I love my new Tummy even with this new weight gain. Best 5k I ever spent!!!!!!!

Jersey, Just hold firm with your surgeon that you want to go through with the expected date. Acknowledge your responsibility for the weight gain and assure him/her that you fully plan on giving this 100% effort going forward. I did lose weight required by my surgeon pre-op...But before I made up my mind to have the surgery I said to myself, "I'm going to try my very hardest for 3 months to lose weight and if I can't do it, I'm getting the surgery" Needless to say, I gained 12 pounds in those 3 months. I think I almost did it on purpose??? Anyway, don't beat yourself up over it. Think positive and move forward with your very best effort. Don't cheat yourself this time. Treat yourself as you deserve to be treated.

I am scheduled to have my band on 1/30 (two more days!). I got my insurance approval last week and was completely psyched! I was nervous about getting approved these past few months because since I started the whole process I gained 18 POUNDS (in 3 mo). I know it's alot of weight! I got approved anyway and kind of pushed that guilt of gaining the weight aside and decided to focus on how much my life is going to change once I get the surgery. Now I just received a call from the Dr.'s office and she expressed their concern about the weight gain. I had a pro-op appointment with them last week and they didn't mention anything. Now two days before my surgery they call me with their hesitations about the surgery, suggesting I wait a a few months longer and get that weight off. I was so excited for this surgery. I know it's not a garentee, but I felt like it was a tool that would help me with my greatest obstacle, portion control. I was going to work at it so hard and let this be the time in my life where I really focused on myself and making myself healthier and happier. I told her I wanted to go through with the surgery on Wed anyway. But now I feel all of this guilt about the weight I had gained. And now I'm scared if I don't loose the weight I should, they may give me the "I told you so" treatment post-op. Did any of you feel this way before surgery? Did any of you feel guilt that diets didn't work in the past as well as they should have, so why would the band be any different?

Thanks for the info about Wellbutrin. I guess I am afraid to take anti-depressants because so many of them have weight-gain as a side effect, except Wellbutrin, which is why I initially thought it would be a good one to try. I probably should see what the dr. says.

Welcome back QT! I am so sorry to hear about everything going on in your life the last month or so! I understand your pain...Last Dec 14th (06) My MIL had a massive stroke, too. We also spent the holidays at Grant...Long story short...she beat the odds and woke up on Christmas day! She has came a long way, but has lost speech, and the use of her legs and right arm...I tried to take care of her here at my house, but after about 6 weeks we had to put her in a nursing home. It is a nice place, as nursing homes go, but I sure do wish I could have kept her home with my FIL. The are only in their 50's so it makes for a long road a head for them... anyway...I am sooo proud of you for keeping the scales moving in the right direction. I know all of the stress along with the holidays could have been a major weight gain for anyone! Thanks everyone for the support. I am so excited for the next few weeks...between the vacation and surgery, Time is going to fly!!!!

I read the article below from ABC a few weeks ago about how they had found that sitting for prolonged periods effectively shut down your lipase enzyme, which is reported to be a key enzyme in breaking down fat cells. It seemed to show that even if you exercized for an hour a day and had an otherwise healthy/active life, if you sat for hours at a time the effect on the lipase enzyme could still result in weight gain. It was this article that made me wonder if maybe using an exercise ball at work might keep those core muscles active enough to stop the enzyme from shutting down. I went so far as to track down the head researcher at the university that did the tests to ask him his thoughts on this. He thought it sounded feasable but wouldn't commit one way or the other. I'd like to try it but as I said before I'm the only gal in an office of guys that already like to poke fun at me I'm afraid the ball might be just too easy a target for them. Still I might give it a try. If I do I'll let you guys know if it seems to help. ABC News: Overweight? Standing May Be Solution

Well I guess it could be a lot worse. I haven't been on the scale since the end of Sept and tomorrow I'm going in for a fill, I've gained 10 pounds. Are you ready for my excuses! I had vein surgery end of November so I couldn't exercise. Christmas was here and so were the sweets. Life has been really stressful! I know...I know..I know... So tomorrow is my fill. Do you know what I love the most about the band? I know that even though I gained this weight, I would have been a lot more without the band, and the bast part is that I can get my little tweek tomorrow and be back on track in no time. So I am not going to beat myself up (to much) for the weight gain, and I'm going to get back on track cause unlike before I know I can!!!

God Morning Everyone, I just want to say thanks for being here. I have learned alot from you regarding fills and experiences from having too much of a fill, not enough of a fill and how you combat the inbetweens. With this last fill, I am more restriced. I seem to eat the same amount as before, but I'm staying full longer. And drinking of the water/liquids is really working this time. So well, that I don't get in all my water for the day. And the sweet cravings are not much. I'm still having trouble eating carbs. I don't think any amount of restricion will help that. I'm just carb sensitive. Weight lose is constant when I don't include them in my meals. Yet, when I do, I can tell. But the body needs the carbs. I just have to understand and accept the weight gain and adjust my thinking and meals according. That's the new weight lose issue I now have to deal with. Exercising is constant. Getting in 2x a week still trying for 3x. That'll come with time. I'm not worried about that part. My other issue also is loose skin. It's beginning to show and it's not so pretty. Although I've seen how it looks from photos and tv programs of others, when it's your skin your looking at it's different. And not so pretty. Exercising can only do so much for weight lose of a lot of weight. With about 60+ lbs more to lose, it's going to look horrible. And the thought of another surgery, I don't know. Then again I can avoid all mirrors and don't look down. I LOVE MY BAND. I'm glad I opt for this and not the others. Controlling my destiny for my weight is just another lesson I'm learning. This is trully a tool to use and master. When I master this, the next time to deal with will be retirement. :eek: I want this behind me when that time comes. That will be within the next two years. Maybe. Well, thanks for reading all this. Looking to read great success from everyone.

have you ever gained inches? I did and can't understand how. Then when I was measured this month I lost alot of inches, but still having a hard time tring to figure out why i gained inches that one month. I like your rule for weight gain.

Hi, Jane. I wish you luck on your decision as it is a very personal decision you have to make. I don't know if this will help at all with your decision, but if you'll bear with me, I like to share my story thus far and pre-band. Since I was about 15, I've progessed from chubby, to overweight to heavy, to morbidly obese. Like all of us here on this forum, I've lost weight, gained more weight, cried over my weight and most recently I just simply gave up. I'm 46 years old and at my highest weight 330 lbs! I have hypertension, pre-diabetic, my back hurts after standing or walking for more than 5 minutes, and I'm pulling away from all of my friends and family. I wasn't even trying any more, I lost hope and I've always been an optimist... I've been researching lapband for almost 5 years. It sounded to good to be true, so I never fully beleived it. I considered bypass surgery for a very little while and even went to a seminar that discussed both bypass and lapband. At this particular seminar, they were pushing the bypass as the surgeon has been performing bypass surgery for over 20 years. He felt that lapband was too new and the weight loss was slow. So, he essentially poo poo'd the entire idea. I left the seminar very discouraged and I knew that I would never be able to choose the bypass, it scared me more than being fat. Still I kept researching the lapband, it seemed to make sense to me, but I was still feeling a little lost and hopeless. Recently I had a realization that I want to live and I want to live healthy (physically and mentally). However, I still know that no matter how determined I might feel, I know that am human and the amount of weight I need to loose is just too overwhelming. I can't do this alone or without an aide. I went to another seminar that focused on the lapband procedure. While this surgeon was pro lapband he also discussed the other weight los procedures and noted that, in his opinion, any weight loss surgery, even bypass and it's associated complications and risks, was still a better risk than being obese and suffering from comorbidities. For me the answer was clear. I have no doubt that I need to change my life, but I also need the tool to help me loose the weight and more importanly, keep the weight off. The bypass was still too radical for me and too scary, so I am choosing the lapband. I've begun the process and just awaiting some final medical test results and hope to be banded in the next month or so. I know this won't be an easy journey. I will have to make huge adjustments in my life and I will still have to deal with my emotional eating. The weight may not come off as fast, but slow and steady wins the race. Mostly, I know that I will have to work "with" the lapband and not "against" it. It's a wonderful option and if you are honest with yourself and do what your physician tells you, it works and with less risks than the bypass. I'm full of hope and optimism yet again. :wink2: Again, I wish you luck. And as others have said here, read and research both procedures and maybe even make a list of pros and cons for both procedures...

January 25, 2008 :biggrin: Went to Baptist today for pre-op workup for banding surgery scheduled for February 5, 2008 by Dr. Fernandez. Going through the motions and admitedly a little scared, a little nervous, and some apprehensions attached. Not really sure why. Speaking for myself, I can not begin to know others true thoughts or feelings about why they ahave opted for surgery, I only know this roller coaster, the perpetual cycle of weight loss, weight gain needs to end. I am looking forward to having a tool that will show no sympathy for the pychological need to eat. As I begin my journey of weight loss I look forward to the journey of self discovery.

January 25, 2008 Went to Baptist today for pre-op workup for banding surgery scheduled for February 5, 2008 by Dr. Fernandez. Going through the motions and admitedly a little scared, a little nervous, and some apprehensions attached. Not really sure why. Speaking for myself, I can not begin to know others true thoughts or feelings about why they ahave opted for surgery, I only know this roller coaster, the perpetual cycle of weight loss, weight gain needs to end. I am looking forward to having a tool that will show no sympathy for the pychological need to eat. As I begin my journey of weight loss I look forward to the journey of self discovery.

:cursing: Talks with hands? hee hee...I'm an interpreter (sign language) by profession. :mad: Today is so much better than yesterday. Did some Gas-X and chilled the whole day. Stomach went doooooooown. :thumbup: I posted this article I found...for you all to enjoy (hopefully) as much as I did. I found it beneficial. How to eat healthier if… You’re a serious snacker The fallout: You may end up overeating. A healthy snack or two between meals is fine. They can keep blood sugar steady as well as allow you to rack up more servings of fruits and vegetables. “It’s when you snack in place of eating meals that you’re more likely to lose track of how much you’re eating.” Says Tara Gidus, R.D., an Orlando, Florida – based spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Of course, what you eat matters, too. Typical snack foods (chips, cookies, pretzels) aren’t that nutritious or satisfying, so it’s easy to overdo them. The Fix: To keep your energy up and hunger at bay, allow yourself two snacks a day of 100 to 300 calories each. “Rather than a cookie or a candy bar, opt for something that feels like real food—half of a small sandwich, whole-grain crackers with cheese, a handful of nuts, baby carrots with hummus, or yogurt sprinkled with cereal,” says Gidus. You’re a speed-eater The Fallout: Gulping fod may set you up for stomach troubles (PR: or a spasm of PBing) “you take in excess air, which can lead to bloating.” Says Leslie Bonci, R.D., director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh medical Center. You also might not be chewing well. Saliva begins to break food down, and too little time in the mouth leaves more work for the rest of the digestive track. This may contribute to indigestion, says Ellie Krieger, R.D. host of the Food Network’s healthy Appetite. Finally, speed eating doesn’t give the brain time to catch up to the stomach; it needs atleast 20 minutes to get the message that your stomach is full. A recent study found that women who ate a meal in 30 minutes ate 10% fewer calories compared with those who wolfed one down in barely 10. The Fix: Try to slow down. Avoid finger foods, and instead choose items you have to put on a plate and eat with utensils, such as stir fries and salads. Pause often, and drink water throughout meals.( PR: in the case of our fellow bandsters do not drink 30 minutes before or after your meal) You eat your way out of a bad mood The Fallout: It may be soothing in the moment, but feeding your fears and frustrations, instead of confronting them, can lead to a cycle of more bad moods as well as steady weight gain. Many people turn to carbohydrates, in particular, which produce tryptophan, a type of amino acid that is used by the brain to manufacture serotonin. When the brain makes more serotonin, your mood improves, but only temporarily, says Judith Wurtman, Ph.D., a coauthor of The Serotonin Power Diet (Rodale Books). The Fix: Stop to think about what’s bothering you before reflectively opening the cupboard. Then try a nonfood mood booster, such as taking a walk, seeing a movie, or calling a friend. If nothing but carbs will do, get the serotonin boost without triggering a binge, says Gidus. Opt for a whole-grain treat so atleast you get more fiber and less sugar. Healthy rehabilitation ideas: “We started stocking some of the jars in our office with organic fruit instead of candy. So now I grab a plum, an orange…” “Every Sunday night I boil eggs. I eat one every day for breakfast during the week. I can eat it on the go, and it’s a good way to get some protein…” “Whenever I have party leftovers, I send them home with the guests so I can’t binge..”

By Sally Wadyka You walk by your colleague's desk and there's that candy bowl, singing its siren song, You know better, but you just can't resist. Little detours like these can derail the best eating intentions, and the disparity between what Americans want to do and what we actually do is enormous: While 85% percent say that diet and nutrition are important to them, a 2002 report reveals that only 11 percent get the recommended daily allowance of fruits and vegetables (sorry gummy bears don't count.) So whether you're an all-day nibbler or a Breakfast skipper, try these expert strategies to transform the way you eat. "My greatest delight is to take a good bite" - Dylan Thomas, "the Song of the Mischievous Dog" How to eat healthier if… You’re a serious snacker The fallout: You may end up overeating. A healthy snack or two between meals is fine. They can keep blood sugar steady as well as allow you to rack up more servings of fruits and vegetables. “It’s when you snack in place of eating meals that you’re more likely to lose track of how much you’re eating.” Says Tara Gidus, R.D., an Orlando, Florida – based spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Of course, what you eat matters, too. Typical snack foods (chips, Cookies, pretzels) aren’t that nutritious or satisfying, so it’s easy to overdo them. The Fix: To keep your energy up and hunger at bay, allow yourself two Snacks a day of 100 to 300 calories each. “Rather than a cookie or a candy bar, opt for something that feels like real food—half of a small sandwich, whole-grain crackers with cheese, a handful of nuts, baby carrots with hummus, or yogurt sprinkled with Cereal,” says Gidus. You’re a speed-eater The Fallout: Gulping fod may set you up for stomach troubles (PR: or a spasm of PBing) “you take in excess air, which can lead to bloating.” Says Leslie Bonci, R.D., director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh medical Center. You also might not be chewing well. Saliva begins to break food down, and too little time in the mouth leaves more work for the rest of the digestive track. This may contribute to indigestion, says Ellie Krieger, R.D. host of the Food Network’s healthy Appetite. Finally, speed eating doesn’t give the brain time to catch up to the stomach; it needs atleast 20 minutes to get the message that your stomach is full. A recent study found that women who ate a meal in 30 minutes ate 10% fewer calories compared with those who wolfed one down in barely 10. The Fix: Try to slow down. Avoid finger foods, and instead choose items you have to put on a plate and eat with utensils, such as stir fries and salads. Pause often, and drink Water throughout meals.( PR: in the case of our fellow bandsters do not drink 30 minutes before or after your meal) You eat your way out of a bad mood The Fallout: It may be soothing in the moment, but feeding your fears and frustrations, instead of confronting them, can lead to a cycle of more bad moods as well as steady weight gain. Many people turn to carbohydrates, in particular, which produce tryptophan, a type of amino acid that is used by the brain to manufacture serotonin. When the brain makes more serotonin, your mood improves, but only temporarily, says Judith Wurtman, Ph.D., a coauthor of The Serotonin Power Diet (Rodale Books). The Fix: Stop to think about what’s bothering you before reflectively opening the cupboard. Then try a nonfood mood booster, such as taking a walk, seeing a movie, or calling a friend. If nothing but carbs will do, get the serotonin boost without triggering a binge, says Gidus. Opt for a whole-grain treat so atleast you get more Fiber and less sugar. Healthy rehabilitation ideas: “We started stocking some of the jars in our office with organic fruit instead of candy. So now I grab a plum, an orange…” “Every Sunday night I boil eggs. I eat one every day for breakfast during the week. I can eat it on the go, and it’s a good way to get some protein…” “Whenever I have party leftovers, I send them home with the guests so I can’t binge..”

Forgot to ask this question of my doctor so thought I would throw it out here. Does anyone know when the new AP band expires? Has anyone had one long enough to know when it should be removed? Is the price less if you need to replace it due to just everyday wear? I am guessing weight gain would be a symptom of it starting to errode or just not work any longer? I know nothing lasts forever just wondering if I will be up for it to be removed when I'm 75?

I am not banded yet however I just got off of Depo and was on it for 6 years. And a lot of people complain of weight gain when you first start it but it is supposed to pretty much stabilize after the second shot. I know I gained like 15 lbs between the first and second shot and lost all of it between the second and third. And at the time I wasn't really doing anything to try to loose weight. Lots of my friends who are on it had similar weight changes when they first started.

I watched a good M. Knight Sham. movie so I'm handling the weight gain much better now that I'm chilled. L.A. how are you feeling? My girls... I miss you. Thinking of that FIRST Red Robin gathering and how great it was. I hold you all dear to my heart and that moment in time. .......................... Mona you are funny and I love that you write with emoticons like I do. The drool one is my fav.

Janet, I can feel for you on that liquid thing. I too get fills every 2 months or so and this last time when he filled me, I had been complaining about being able to eat anything, including the kitchen sink, so he put .6cc in my band this time (was averaging .2cc at a time) and OMG was I tight. I bet I did not eat more than 300 calories a day and nearly nothing to drink from that Monday till that Friday. I was kinda getting worried but suddenly on Friday it eased up a bit. I am still tight but no where near as tight as I was. I like where I am right now so this may be my sweet spot (if Doc agrees that is...I lost 6 lbs that week alone and cont. to loose a bit faster than I was). The protein power I was talking about is Smoothie King's signature protein powder. Do they have Smoothie Kings where you live? They are like a "coffee shop" for nutrition shakes. It is actually officially a juice bar. So kinda like going to GNC where you can find all kinds of nutrition powders, going to Smoothie King you actually buy the shakes themselves. They have a huge assortment of different types of nutrition shakes from shakes specifically for weight gain, muscle bulking, protien specific shakes and of course their wonderful low carb, high protein shakes which are awsome meal replacements. They can put all kinds of different flavoring and fruits in them. I crave those things sometimes. If you are currious, you can look them up online at Smoothie King Look specifically for the Gladiator Low Carb Meal Replacement under supplements. It is so YUMMY! My doctor is kinda picky about protein shakes and suppliments but he absolutely LOVES Smoothie King. I am sooo weighing every day now. I have got to be present the second I drop below 200. As much as I have lost the last 2 weeks, I have suddenly come to a screeching halt just before hitting "onderland" and am pouting greatly. I will be yelling from these mountaintops the second it happens :hurray: Ok, bedtime for me...you all have a great weekend...

At 16 months out i consider myself to have been quite successful and have been a consistant loser. For me thus far moderation has always been the key as far as food is concerned. I still eat what i want (with the exception of bread and beef) only FAR FAR FAR FAR less. I find that if i keep in tune to my sense of restriction and try and head in for fills when that feeling is lost that my pattern of losing remains consistant. Ive had minor set backs along the way (10 lb vacation gain in ONE WEEK!), holliday weight gains and so forth but i always GET RIGHT BACK ON TRACK. I weigh my self every day at the same time each day and very rarely does a day go by when i dont drink a minimum of 50oz of water. I would probably be further along then i am if i was more of an avid exerciser, but i try an do what i can when i can. Ive never had one problem with my band thus far and IM LOVING IT! I still have a ways to go but im in it for the long haul. Good luck to you.