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Sounds like we are all in the same boat, somewhat. I don't have grandkids but I do have an eight year old and a twelve year old who are very active. I hated that I could not be as active with them. I feel like I have not been living my life the past ten years due to the weight gain. I am definitely looking forward to being able to enjoy myself again!

NON SCALE VICTORY....lol It is a good feeling when you are in the middle of a simple conversation with your husband and he stops you to say....."wow, babe...you are really beautiful". and of course I ask him where that came from and he say to me. "You know I think you are beautiful. But you can already see a difference in your self confidence and I really like it". <INSERT HAPPY DANCE> I am CRAZY IN LOVE with my husband. It's weird...5 years together and he still gives me butterflies. I didn't realize how my weight gain had effected my relationship...because of how I felt about myself.....but it did. Everytime I turn around today I have Corey coming up behind me to steal kissed or hugs and to tell me how sexy or beautiful I am. The way he acts you would have thought I had already lost 100lbs instead of 25 to 30lbs. It is wonderful.... It truly reaffirms the fact that I made the right decision to get the surgery. He tells me everyday that he is so proud of me. I know I am a very lucky woman and I cannot thank God enough for such a special man in my life. He's not perfect (Lord knows he can make me mad at times) but he is perfect for me. He likes to read my blogs and is always impressed with the support I receive from all of you ...... but I hope he knows that his support is amazing in itself. THAT IS MY NON SCALE VICTORY SO FAR.....and I would say it's a pretty darn good one!

Hello everyone. My name is Eric, and I'm a 29 year old Wildland Firefighter from San Bernardino. I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. Despite my physical job, I just haven’t been able to lose weight. I'm 5' 10" 280 Lbs. BMI of 40 with the following lovely conditions: Hypertension, Sleep Apnea, T2 DM, Enlarged Fatty Liver, and kidneys that like to pee protein. I mentioned the Lap Band to my Dr. about 2 months ago. I got a letter saying that my referral to the Center for Health Promotion was approved for pre-bariatric counseling. I met with the dietician yesterday, and asked if I had already been approved for this surgery. She said she believed so. I am on the 3 month diet program and meet with the dietician and Dr. 2 times each before surgery. As far as the diet goes, what are they looking for? Will extreme weight gain or loss change the approval status of a surgery? Also, what can I look forward to when meeting the doctor during the 3 month supervised diet program? Just looking for some insight into the pre-surgery 3 month program. Thanks everyone! PS…does everyone receive an approval letter from their insurance? I have Pacificare HMO, and they do cover bariatric surgery…

My heart breaks for you. I gained weight because of a medication I started taking (7 lbs in 3 weeks) but I was able to just quit taking it and the weight gain stopped. It is not as easy for you and it very much sounds like your body's hormones are out of whack. Can you have it removed or do they have to be in place for so long?? After I quit taking B/C to get pregnant with my first son, I never took it again because it had messed up my body so badly. But I know that is not an option for a lot of women. Oh, I had also sent you a PM about getting your thyroid checked...not sure if you got it or not, but it might also be something to think about if you haven't already. Just a thought. Keep us posted, I am thinking of you!

I had the opposite happen after my rapid weight gain. I would pass my reflection and not recognize myself as the heavy, bloated-faced person staring back. I cried. A lot. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Welcome! I haven't been banded yet so can't speak for that. But as far as the Depo shot... I hated it! I took it a few years back. It was one of the major reasons I began to gain weight! I sincerely hope it hasn't had the same affect on you. But if you've noticed more weight gain while on it, I would consider changing my birth control. Good luck! =)

Julie: I've had the same fill level for quite a while and sometimes it feels too tight and sometimes not tight enough. I think that you just have to watch what you eat and hope that the band cooperates. It's a great tool sometimes and sometimes we have to be our own tool. I have found that exercise is my most constant weight loss ally. Mimin: Your weight gain does not sound healthy. Is that common with lipo? I thought most of my swelling was from the tt, but maybe the lipo was more of it than I thought. But girl, that is a lot of water weight! I think that Ghost had a similar problem. Why can't you use a diuretic? How about just drinking a lot of water with lemon in it or some naturally dieretic tea? When you get that water weight off you're going to show an awesome weight loss! Anyway, I think I would park myself at my doctors till he did something! The HCG diet is expensive (of course). The 40 day supply of the hormone was $210. The doctor's office over seeing the process for 45 days is about $525. It's kind of a rip off, but I'm willing. Let me be the guinea pig, while you recover, and let you now if it's worth it or not!

Hang in there, Shellyh You will be banded before you know it. A few months is a bummer, but a necessary wait. You want to be very healthy for the surgery! Don't put too much pressure on yourself about the weight gain, either...that's why we are all here :scared2:. If we could lose it (and keep it off!) on our own, we would not need the band. I have been bouncing around with a minimal loss before I start my pre-op next diet next week. I think mentally I know I'm going to be entering a new phase of life and I will enter it with a lot of help from the band, so I'm not beating myself up over not achieving a huge pre-surgery weightloss (like I imagined back in March). It's not a race, it's a journey. Best of luck to you!

Its four years for me tomorrow. over time, the bands effect on your appetite and cravings does, I have found, diminish. I dont eat as faultlessly as I did and some habits have returned. I also find lately I can eat more again - I have found the need for teeny top up fills once a year or so - like 0.1 cc (have a 4cc band). However, my perspective has changed too so whem I think I eat "a lot" its nothign compared to normal people. this is good, my view on serving sizes etc is much much healthier than it was. However, I have not regained so much as a single gram. I continue to work hard at making good decisions and if I have a few bad days, I make up for it. I do not allow my weight to fluctuate by more than a pound - even whem I know its hormonal weight gain I get super strict for a few days. I also continue to challenge myself with my fitness, I continue to run, do boot camp and circuit training, keeping up a pretty gruelling fitness schedule, but I love it. I am under NO illusions that I can give this up, even where I to fall back to simply walking every day, I would gain weight. I exercise on holidays, I dont have a day off just coz its Christmas etc. Probably sounds depressing to some, but I love it and I crave it. It makes me feel good and you learn to enjoy the sensations of pushing your body. could I keep the weight off without the band? Not sure. Probably not all of it. But I do not believe I'd become obese again either, I think I'd probably return to the BMI of 27, 28 which used to frustrate me so much all through my teens and 20's, because my habits are so diffent now, particularly exercise wise.

Aww thank you! I wanted to lose 50lbs more as well but my age would not allow me as I was running out of time :thumbup: So I said after this baby I will just start over and get there I know I can do it as right now I feel I can't the weight gain is tormenting me to pieces..it's like I had not been through all the weight loss at all at this rate..but I know it will come off I just have to be patient have this baby and get back to the band rules and regulations..being able to eat what I want right now is liek WOW, loking forwared to the restriction again can't believe I am saying this!

Ahhh yes the good old climbing up the scale thing. . .me too, I was doing really well and guess what? the heat in Texas started and I started to swell and retain tons of fluids even on my diaretics (lasix and amiloride) I thought at first it was because I've been grazing here and there, but nope it was the heat. . . so if you are susceptible to gaining Water weight during the hot seasons, this could possibly be the answer. . .don't worry, just cause we're gaining some weight isn't the end of it, just look how far we have come! Wow, I'm ok with some weight gain. . .at least I'm not 350 anymore! Good luck!

Myths and Facts of Gastric Bypass Myth 1 Gastric Bypass patients end up streching their stomachs back to the size they started with. Fact 1 Unfortunately it is true that some weight loss surgery (WLS) patients do regain their weight after losing it. What isn’t true is that they stretch their stomachs back to pre-surgical size. At best, a post gastric bypass stomach will expand from a capacity of 2 tablespoons to one-cup capacity. This is expected and part of the reason gastric bypass is successful. In the phase of rapid weight loss the patient cannot eat more than once ounce of food at a time. As the stomach heals and the weight loss stabilizes the stomach can eventually hold up to a cup of food at a time. Myth 2 Gastric Bypass Patients regain all their weight and then some! Fact 2 The reason that some patients regain their weight after surgery is they return to snacking which is contradictory to the directions given by their bariatric center. Snacking is forbidden by most centers. Eating little quantities of the wrong foods throughout the day causes WLS patients to stop losing weight, or worse, this behavior results in weight gain. Snacking is one of the behaviors that caused morbid obesity in the first place Myth 3 Gastric Bypass surgery makes people sick all the time. Fact 3 Weight loss surgery patients who have gastric bypass can suffer from what is called dumping syndrome. Dumping syndrome is described as a shock-like state when small, easily absorbed food particles rapidly dump into the digestive system. This results in a very unpleasant feeling with symptoms such as a cold clammy sweat, pallor, butterflies in the stomach and a pounding pulse. These symptoms may be followed by cramps and diarrhea. This state can last for 30-60 minutes and is quite uncomfortable. Foods that typically cause dumping are sweets, fats and processed carbohydrates. If a person is dehydrated the symptoms of dumping will be exaggerated. The most efficient way to avoid dumping is to maintain the strict regimen practiced during bariatric infancy: follow the four rules. Eat Protein first making sure it comprises one-half of every meal. Avoid snacking. Avoid all sources of simple sugar; and yes, this includes Cookies, cakes, candy, sodas, ice cream and sorbet. Sip Water throughout the day. When you practice this eating behavior your blood sugar will not fluctuate and you will not dump. Most patients, who crave a taste of something sweet, have learned they can tolerate a bite of fruit at the end of the meal. Each person must proceed with caution and discover what works for their body. I personally have never had any compications and I have never experienced dumping syndrome. But I do not use that as an excuse to eat thing that I know made me overweight in the first place. I have been given a tool to help me lose weight, not a magic cure to my poor eating habits. It is up to each individual to take this tool and use it to it's fullest. It is also up to each individual to decide how successful they will be by making the right choices now or 2 years from now. If you do that, you will not gain the weight back. I think people have come to use these "myths" as excuses. There is no excuse. So if you know someone that has regained all their weight after surgery, it is their choice. My advice is before making the final decision on what type of surgery to have, do your homework on all options. Their are pros and cons to both Banding and Gastric Bypass. We are very lucky to have options, we're Americans! lol I think what is truely the important is no matter what procedure we have done, we are all in the same battle. We have all been the fat one that people point and stare at. So reguardless of our individual decisions, we need to stick together and support each other no matter what. Good luck to all of you in your journey down the road to weight lose! :banana Megan 332/242/150 GBS 04/27/05 90 pounds gone forever! You're not responsible for being knocked down. However, you are responsible for picking yourself back up!

You must stay strictly on your liquid diet so you shrink your liver. My dr had an allowance of 5lbs weight gain during the 6 months pre-op phase but again every dr is different. If you are disciplined on the liquid diet and only have what is allowed you should be fine. I dropped weight quickly on it.

Depends on the doc. My surgery was just cancelled due to weight gain of 15 lbs over the last 5 months. They didn't tell me about these rules beforehand so I am very upset. Four pounds doesn't seem like much but it really just depends on how strict your doc is. Mine is very strict clearly. They want me to lose the weight before they will schedule me again. While I will be losing the weight (I've already lost 2 lbs since Wednesday), I will be consulting with other surgeons because I have a strict timing window due to work. I already have prior auth from the insurance company.

I completely understand what your going through. Two months before lap band I gained 62 pounds. I ate so much junk food, fast food preparing for this new life style. My family kept telling me I was sabatogizing myself and they were completely right. My advice is: each pound you gain before lap band surgery is only making you further from your ultimate goal. I am so incredibly mad at myself for gaining so much weight right before surgery. Start now!! They say with lap band we can expect one-two pounds per week of Weightloss. Each pound you gain preparing for surgery is adding a week to loose...I know my body can gain one pound per day and it did. If I only didn't do what I did I'd be almost 200 pounds today but instead I'm 275. Also, my surgeon explained to me that the weight we gain before surgery is belly fat that can cause complications during surgery. He said the fat all stays in belly first and makes the surgery harder to perform. That scared me, and I wish I knew this before gaining 62 pounds right before surgery. Also, be careful about weight gain because you can get denied if they weigh you, and a month later you've gained more. It shows insurance and surgeon unreadiness for life style change. Also, try going on a shake morning and lunch..and eat sensible dinner..I lost twelve pounds week before surgery drinking the two shakes and having dinner. Three weeks of liquids is a lot....and mentally if you know you don't have too, it makes it very difficult. Try one day of replacing breakfast and lunch with shake and see if you can manage that before going straight to all liquids.....

Please don't think that you're alone. I was thin (5'7"- 110-125 lbs in high school) and although I gained weight in college, I lost it and stayed at around 150 most of my adult life. My mother has had weight problems all of her adult life, and when I was younger, I would get so frustrated when she would constantly say, "Am I as big as she" when we were out in public. I now find myself constantly comparing my size to that of other women. My sister and I would get upset with Mama because when it was time for her class reunions, she worried for months before the event, scared about the fact that she gained weight. Now, I can relate to with what she's had to go through. I have moved away from my home town and if my high school reunion was this year (it's next year), I wouldn't go. I've had people that I was close to in high school not recognize me. I'm a Social Worker and was working at a dialysis center when I began to put on weight (I've put on probably 50 pounds since I quit in 2008). The patients and staff would say the rudest things to me about my weight gain. I started trying to get pregnant in 2004, but have never been able to. I remember once, I saw a dialysis staff member that I had not seen in several months. Her comment to me was, "Meg- are you pregnant or are you just fat?" At that time I probably weighed 180 pounds, which was big, but not morbidly obese. I cried for an hour afterwards. I remember we had a Priest who would provide various services to our patients. He came into my office after I had been crying and asked me if I was ok. I told him that somebody had hurt my feelings and went to pieces again. He asked if he could pray for me. He stood behind me (I was sitting down) with his hands on my shoulders and as he prayed, I completely lost it. I couldn't understand what possessed someone to say something so hurtful. Since that time, others have made similar comments. My mother says things because she knows what I'm going through. But what she doesn't understand is that sometimes her comments are hurtful. I know how big I've gotten. I see myself naked everyday. I don't need anybody to tell me how much weight I've gained. In addition, my health has gotten completely out of hand. I had my mind set on gastric bypass, having read a little about the sleeve and deciding that it was not for me. When I attended the Seminar, the surgeon went into detail about it and I knew then and there that this was the option for me. Since I haven't been "morbidly obese" for 3+ years, insurance won't pay. Bypass is more expensive ($12,000.00 more if I had gotten it from this surgeon) and my insurance won't pay for Sleeve since it is considered a new procedure. I'm glad that I have to pay out-of-pocket because I don't have to jump through insurance hoops, but mainly because I am able to choose an option that is right for me instead of settling on something just because insurance pays. I've really been considering weightloss surgery for several months, but when I found out just how bad my health is, I kicked it in gear. I am the type that when I decide on something, whether it's to get my hair cut or to have weight loss surgery, I want it done immediately. My initial consult is on Tuesday, 6-7-11. I honestly feel that this is a great decision for me. The money isn't a problem since I will be able to get a personal loan. I figured that would be the biggest obstacle for me and since I was able to get past that, I'm hoping and praying that everything runs smoothly. Please don't hesitate to send me a message if you need support or just vent. I can relate to how you feel and know just how important support is from those who understand. You're in my prayers.

I wish I knew . . . . . . some Protein shakes can taste horrible. I should have gotten a sample before I bought a very expensive barrel sized canister of Protein shake that has been gathering dust in my kitchen closet for six months now. . . . ready to drink Isopure clear shakes were tolerable to drink and helpful for protein intake directly after surgery since they fit in as a clear protein. . . . I did not realize logging all calories and protein on fitday.com would be so helpful during the early days. . . . I thought the journey really started when I was banded, but the help did not really come until after my second fill. I did not have realistic expectations of the unfilled portion in the early days where you are soooo hungry but can not eat anything much. I also did not realize that so many people had weightloss stalls (or some even gain)at this point. . . . I did not realize that weight loss comes in fits and starts. It was only easy and steady directly after surgery during the liquid phases. In general for me it looked more like this 202, 202, 201, 198, 202, 199, 202, 200, 199, 199, 198, 200, 198. I now have a rule that I don't change a ticker value unless I maintain a maximum weight for at least three days. . . . I didn't realize that plateaus can be easily broken if you know what to do, so I suffered a little more in the beginning than necessary. . . . I didn't realize that my TOM means an automatic weight gain(3-5 pounds in the beginning and 1-3 pounds now) that comes and goes in about a week. . . . I did not know that losing weight rapidly floods your body with hormones so that your TOM can be drastically worse than normal (not to mention that you can be verrrryyyy moody as well). However, six months out and I think I have stabilized somewhat. Perhaps the general tone sounds like complaints, but it is not. All of the good far, far, far outweighs the bad. If I listed all the good, I could go on for pages and pages. I love my band and I can not tell you how much better I look and feel at this stage of the game. Congratulations on selecting a most interesting journey and change in lifestyle.

Hi dreamers! First of all, take a deep breath. I had a lot of worries going into this too, knowing I wanted to make the change but not believing that I could after so many years of unhealthy habits. Congratulations for quitting smoking -- you have just added YEARS to your life! Many of us went into panic mode that week before starting the pre op diet. I hit all of my favorite restaurants and drive thru's. You know that you are only sabotaging yourself, so it is essential to reach out for help. What does your doctor say about the 30lb weight gain? Are you required to see a nutritionist or therapist? Please set up an appointment ASAP so they can help you get to the root of this. As far as practical suggestions -- how is your exercise? You have not been banded yet but the earlier you start, the better. Even just 15 minutes. Have you considered a personal trainer for motivation and accountability? If hubby is willing to work out with you, even better. Figure out your trigger foods because frankly those will have to go for the next few months. DO NOT have any unhealthy foods in your house, period. Pack your lunches for work. It is not worth damaging your chances of having the surgery, and later damaging your band. How would you feel knowing you threw away this life changing opportunity just for the temporary satisfaction of junk food? You deserve better.

October 6, 2009 165 lbs. Last Wednesday, I had .25 removed from my band. Since then, I have been able to eat more than I ever. Consequently, I have gained over 5 lbs. I am somewhat confused and I don't know what to do. I don't want to be miserable as I was, but I think I need a little more restriction. I am torn. I also realize that I have a sick addiction to overeating.

Welcome to LapBandTalk! Did you know that if you don't get enough sleep, your ghrelin levels rise? This could explain how the sleep apnea caused weight gain -- since it cuts into your sleep time and you aren't as rested.

Nope I don't mind at all! I have lost a good bit of weight (gained about half back now) and I think lap band would be best for me. I know how to eat right I just need a little push. My husband is rather young and close minded and also needs to loose about 300 pounds. he knows folks who have had exceptional results with GB and that's really what he's interested in. there is a guy in our neighborhood who is banded who is HUGE not because LB does not work but because he does not follow the rules.... that's what my DH sees... the failure of it. besides we've had THREE doctors suggest GB for him. (his internist, the doc that took out his Gall bladder (and had a heck of a time) and his orthopedist. since we are different people with different opinions

lucyavery, I think I get hung up on gaining the weight back because of the effect it has on everyone around me...When you are losing and feeling good, people are encouraging you and praising your hard work. Then, when I have gained the weight back, I feel like I let them down as well as myself. It's almost like if I was an alcoholic who keeps falling off the wagon. My friends are supportive but I begin to feel like they just stop saying anything because they figure I'll just gain the weight back. Pretty much, I'm a mental case with this weight loss. I mean having to go back to the gym after I let myself go and look at the people that were encouraging me and have them see me fail....it just sucks! The banding is a pretty big step, I just want to know that I'm doing the right thing if I go through with it. Obviously, I have seen people having some real success on the forum here. I'm so sick of food and being hungry...I'm going to the gym tomorrow, need to work out, holidays are over! Thanks for telling me like it is...and now I have dwelled on the weight gain even more, but maybe now you can see why I worry about it so much. I had a friend in the Navy, a lady, who said if she gained too much weight she just wouldn't eat until she was back where she wanted to be...I just thought, if it was only that simple. She couldn't understand why I didn't just do what she does.....................................

Thank you for the support. I'd like to say I was only a size 2 for a few years, from childhood to age 25 I was always a big girl 180 lbs often called pork chop legs etc. It's devastating for me as I got a taste of what small feels like and losing it is crushing. I've done terrible things to my body such as the eca stack, topamax etc. I was on topamax for stress and I lost 60 lbs( I also ate low fat and exercised) but the medication I became stupid, i couldn't remember anything on topamax and couldn't function at work. I then had a ton of stress at work and of course food became I comfort. The hardest thing for me is knowing what it feels like to be small but being unable to get back there. I avoid seeing people I haven't seen since I was small as I feel so ashamed of my weight gain. Ive joined this board to learn a new way of life as my surgery is august 17th and regain my confidence. Lisa

Why is there weight gained ? I'm not understanding? I barely eat! Example today protein shake breakfast salmon for lunch 3 bites nibbled on salmon for dinner theme 2 bites of spam & 62 oz of water what's wrong with that

After waiting for what seemed like forever, more weight gain, and health scared due to my weight, I finally officially have my initial consults with my Bariatric surgeon team on Monday!!!!