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Have a question for all of you, How do you approach someone, nicely, they need to loose weight? Or even better, How could someone approach you that you have gained weight? This could possibly be related or even unrelated to WLS surgery. I am asking this because, apparently, most if us are upset that someone mentions to us that we or a person have gained weight. Could it possibly be that we might care about this person, and do not want them to have the health issues which go along with weight gain. So we try to say something, yet when we say something they are hurt and eat to sooth themselves? I've noticed that many of us do not like to hear that we have gained weight. So how does one approach us, without us being offended?

Thank you for the detailed reply! You are such a success story and it’s so helpful for people to be able to read different experiences. I’m really curious about your fall. My surgeon told me today that “the bigger the hernia, the less weight loss success”, which made me wonder if hernia and weight gain go hand in hand. Did you have weight issues before your accident?

Just because its called weight gain dosn`t mean you will. I would definitely be trying to match my calories out with liquid replacement.

Hey! *waves* Just found this and was compelled to post! Just want to say, thank you to each and every one of you who posted kind words about me! Heart warming indeed! The reason i don't post that often nowadays is because I feel that many newbies and not so newbies don't think my journey is successful cos I ain't at goal. Often I will post and my comments are over looked... I guess I can't be bothered to be ignored! However, I do pop on here most days and stay in touch with my sleeve friends! I am sure my story is not uncommon, the fact that I am still around here is more to do with me being proud of my achievements, regardless of that stupid scale, whereas others might see not reaching goal as a failure. I have to be honest, I was in that failure place... and believe me it was dark, damp and ugly. I really had to kick my own ar*e - with the lil help of my cyber friends (you know who you are) - and get on with it!! I've said it elsewhere, so forgive me if you've read this before... Over the last 2 - 2 1/2 years there has been many 'issues' in my personal life that has really knocked me for six, and only now on reflection can I see that I have come through them as a better, stronger person - with no weight gain - NSV right there. I was told that I was peri menopausal 2 years ago, but I have had the 'symptoms' a long time before that - I just blamed my weight! I am now menopausal at 41 yrs of age, and although it is not an excuse, I do feel that is part explains why my body has stopped losing and would seem rather comfortable at this weight! Stupid body.Since being sleeved I have also had other health complaints... are they other reasons for my lack of weight loss? Who knows! The upshot is that I've been in a stall for nearly 18 mths. I've exercised, dieted, done the refeed, taken time out and so on with no results on the scale. Do I stop trying... hell no! My sleeve is precious to me, it has given me a life back that I never thought I would ever get! There is no expiry date on this bad boy! Will I make goal? Dunno! Do I care... yes!!! For those of you who know me, you will know that I will keep on keeping on... I've got my eye on the prize! Oh and to Celebrate my 'failure' *coughs*, I mean success I am getting a TT with uplift this week. And that will only mean one thing... yep! Me rocking a new pair of skinny jeans...lol! Seriously though, if you consider yourself a slow loser, cut yourself some slack. Take a deep breath and remember the bigger picture. I used to say that my journey to goal was the scenic route because it is much prettier!!

Yes a weekly accountable weigh in would be great... I must admit I suffer from Scale Addiction... just stepped off mine less than 20 minutes ago and got a frown on my face from a weight gain of 2 ounces.........AWEEEEEEEEE I am addicted.

I've just had the get go to start mushies as of yesterday, no real restriction here. I can eat a cup of food without a problem so I have to consciously measure out my food and limit it to that. But I'm not finding that a problem since I have nowhere near my ordinary hunger levels still. During the liquid phase I first tried the Protein Shake thing as the basis of my intake, it didnt work for me. Never liked those things, never will. I just blended real food very smooth - I made good hearty soups with lots of veges and lentils, I even blended up lasagna with extra tinned tomatoes, I put a little cheese in and blended that too - 3 squares a day of real food just in liquid form. That way I felt great and had no hunger issues. I've been very satisfied with my weight loss and I also believe I havent set myself up for rebound weight gain when I start solids since I've been having the same food, just blended, all along. I also have stayed regular, no constipation, as I've been getting fibre etc too.

I agree with AvaFern! After this time you know what you need to do. Yes, it is hard. I have a 10 pound regain too. I'm trying 5:2 to drop it and I'm limiting drinks and treats to 2 days per week. So, I'll have two days of semi fasting with very low calorie lunch and dinner, three days of three meals and two healthy Snacks, and two days where I can splurge with cocktails, desert, etc. I'm hoping that will do the trick. If not, I'll have to cut back more. One final thought: You can't hate yourself thin. So next time you start beating yourself up over the weight gain, ask yourself what you would tell your best friend and then say that to yourself instead. Lynda

I think an important thing to be said is how life changing a VSG can be. I read on here and on OH about people wanting to eat more than their stomachs will allow and how long it takes to get to eat alittle more. The surgery I have chosen is meant to reduce the amount I am able to eat. I have to be accepting and even grateful for that. I have come to accept that I will never ever be able to eat 3 to 4 cups of anything at one time ever again. Should I want to? Yes its a grieving thing, a missing of that almighty drug of choice in the amounts that we have grown acustome to. You know the amount that made us huge and made everyone else comment behind our backs. But I dont think the food addicted mind will let some of us grasp what that change is really going to be like. It is permanent, that means forever! Sure we can eat around our sleeve like we could around the band. Grazing all day on high calorie mushies is wonderful weight gaining sabotager. Still there are those of us who cant fathom not being able to eat a plate full of a large meal like other non sleeve freinds and family can. We are limited to our 3 to 4 oz, sometimes a bit more if you have a bigger pouch and that is only after several long months out. If this is something that is difficult for a person's mind to grasp, they perhaps should rethink the sleeve surgery. I dont mean to be preachy but it isnt something that was talked about much before I had my sleeve and when it was, I wasnt able to make the connection at that time anymore than some pre surgery patients can now, so I feel it is worth mentioning again. I have an addiction to foods. One taste of some foods is too many and a thousand is never enough. I still grieve the loss of the ability to have all that my brain wants to eat but grieving will pass. I feel better about it every day. I would just like to reinforce the concept and purpose of the sleeve. It is to greatly control our intake. Forever. Ok, that is off my chest and alot of fat is off my ass as a result of this life change. There are soooo many positive life changing gifts we can accept from this surgery. I want to dwell on those for now.

This really gripes my band lol. You did not gain weight over night and you will not lose it overnight with the band. If you wanted fast weight loss then you should have chosen the by pass. The band was not intended for people to drop 50lbs in a month. 1 to 2 pounds a week is normal if you lose more then that is great. You can not expect to get the results that others get. Everyone is different, we all have different metabolisms. However now comes the be mean mommy part..... If you are only giving part of your self to the band you can not expect 100% results. If you are not following the diet plan your doctor has given to you, you can not expect results. If you eat more then you should you will not lose weight. If you are starving call your doctor and ask for suggestions. No one ever said this was gonna be easy except for the people who know nothing about the band and say we are taking the easy way out. If you are eating cookies 2 weeks post op or pizza or fried chicken you might as well forget about doing anything. You have to want this and not following your doctors instructions is like going to court and being accused of murder and telling the judge well yeah I did stab him 30 times but can you just give me probation because I knew it was wrong but I did it anyway. The decisions you make in eating will tell on you. What ever you do in the dark always comes out to the light. Its like getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar while having your mouth full and as you spit out the cookies while you are saying I didnt do it, then you have made yoursel a total liar. Stop cheating yourself if you are newly banded. Our eating habits is what got us to weight loss surgery and weightloss surgery is only as successful as the person makes it. The only guarantee you have is that you will lose the weight if you follow directions. Weight loss does stop at times. Those are the times you have to be strong. If you have only lost 10 pounds in 8 months then its not the bands fault. At some point you did not follow instructions. I went on an ice cream spree which lead to weight gain. I knew it and I accepted it but soon realized I was not helping myself. You have to be willing to give 100% if you want 100% results.

I am not a religious man; I have not been to church in over 20-years, and I enjoy my freedom shopping at wally-world, or going to the early movies while everyone else is at church... But I do pray. Most recently I prayed for intervention. I prayed that a power higher than myself give me strength, because in the past I have had little when I needed it most. And "boy-howdy" do I ever need some help now! In my prayer I made sure to ask for exactly what I needed and nothing more; and right now I needed Him to ease my burden, so that I might get healthy... The power in prayer; My office mate gave me a book, titled Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeust. This is a weight loss journey the author tells of from a religious point of view. Now, it is geared more towards women, but I have found I can relate to most everything she writes about, albeit from a religious stand point... and I am not a religious man. But the book is about her carvings, and how she had to deal with those demons, it is a very good read, I am half way through the book [reading it at work] Other than this forum, I am also an avid member on a hobby forum called The Rocketry Forum (I am an avid model rocket flier). On this forum I started a thread on weight loss, and the trouble I had in the past. From this discussion noise, a member came through and contacted me privately. He asked me to read a book, a book that helped him a lot. He said that if I promised to read it, he would send it to me free of charge. I did promise, and a few days later Amazon delivered me a copy of The Obesity Code written by Dr Jason Fung. Once I realized that not only did a complete stranger offer up his help, he actually "gifted" me a copy straight from Amazon. No doubt I felt obligated to read the book. The book basically debuncts decades of research that has told us that "less calories in and more calories out (exercising)" means weight loss. Dr Fung basically says that obesity is directly related to our bodies insulin, or insulin resistance. Insulin has been know to cause weight gain for years, anyone having to give themselves insulin can attest to that. I am half way through this book as well, but I have one major take away so far... Now I have known for some time, that artificial sweeteners are bad. They are a bad replacement for sugar, that in my opinion, is pure evil dressed in white. Artificial sweeteners have been one of my many hold outs, the last enjoyable sweetness that I can run across my pallet. I have been averaging 6 to 10 packets of sweetener (2 per cup) in my coffee daily. In the Obesity Code, Dr Fung stated that these "fake" sweeteners, while providing no calories, still cause the body to produce extra insulin... interestingly enough, I have been recently diagnosed with elevated insulin levels, and I am now taking Metformin to help lower them (insulin). This past Saturday my weight crept back up from 293.8 to 297.4, about the time that I read the revelation about the affects of artificial sweeteners. Then and there, I stopped cold turkey, no more of the little pink packets for me... It seems that the immediate effect was weight started to shed off of me; I went from 297.4, and this morning I am 291.2 I have been so moved by the generosity of a total stranger; my office mate, my wife, everyone reading and commenting on my posts, and my family, that I have been humbled. Just when you thought you were alone you come to realize just how blessed we all are... I did another kitchen clearing; all cans that contained any kind of sweetener, fake or other wise, went into a bag, and I brought them to work. One of my final holdouts, fake sweets, has given up "the ghost" so to speak. I am not a religious man, yet prayer works in mysterious ways... You never know where He is going to send you help, and "That's all I got say about that"

Here's some info I found online about Protein powders: Protein powder: What Ingredients to Look For and associated Risks Some products use additive to enhance the flavor, mix-ability, texture, longevity, convenience to transport, or just to bulk the product up and make it cheaper to produce – think popular lines like Muscle Milk, Apex, and Vi. When reading labels, it’s valuable to know that ingredients are typically listed in the order of the highest amount used in the product to the least amount. Aspartame and Sucralose – Sucralose is sometimes sold as “Splenda”, both are sweeteners containing no calories and are sweeter than sugar. There may be a link between sucralose and leukemia in mice, so its safety rating has changed from “Safe” to “Avoid.” Regarding Aspartame in 2007 it was found that long-term exposure to low doses of aspartame increased cancer in rats. Maltodextrin – Maltodextrin is an artificial sugar that has a mild, sweet taste. It’s also known as a polysaccharide, or chain of sugars, and is created by applying acids or other enzymes to cornstarch. Maltodextrin is actually a term that applies to any starch hydrolysis product containing fewer than 20 glucose units. Therefore, maltodextrin refers to a family of products rather than one specific product. It has side effects and health risks similar to most food additives. These include allergic reactions, unexplained weight gain, bloating, and flatulence. Specific allergic reactions include rash, asthma, itching, and difficulty breathing. Wheat-derived maltodextrin may pose health concerns for individuals with celiac disease because it contains gluten. However, in most cases the maltodextrin production process completely removes the protein from the wheat resulting in a gluten-free wheat-derived maltodextrin. Soy Lecithin – This additive is extracted from soybeans, either mechanically or chemically, using hexane. It’s actually a byproduct of soybean oil production. It can cause side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, or fullness. Soy lecithin has been linked to negative effects on fertility and reproductionand there are links to a promotion in the risk of cancer. Xanthan Gum – Xanthan Gum is made by fermenting corn sugar with a bacteria. Xanthan Gum can be derived from a variety of sources such as corn, wheat, and soy. Individuals with an allergy to such sources should avoid foods containing Xanthan Gum. As a carbohydrate with 7 grams of Fiber per tablespoon, it may cause bloating in some people.

You're still doing good :smile: My doc expects some sort of weight gain in he first month or so while you heal. What motivates you? I made (and add to) a motivation board. I paste outfits I love with my head pasted on top lol. I have knee high boots I've always wanted but could never fit into. Pictures of snowboarding and horseback riding and bellydancing. All things I can't wait to start doing again. It might help you to work on something like that and keep it somewhere you can look at it and smile.

I really like what you've said and agree that I would rather feel like I can have an ocassional treat here and there, even if that means losing the weight slower. Although I am very frustrated with my recent almost complete shut down on losing weight, I did just get back from a 2 week road trip where I was out of control in what I was eating pretty much the whole time. I was prepared for a 5-10 lb weight gain when I returned, but surprisingly I only gained ONE pound!! If I had actually eaten more healthily during this trip I might have LOST weight! As it is, though, I am very pleased that the restriction I still have has kept me from binging and eating too much in one sitting, which makes a big difference for me.

You are an inspriation to me. I want to run again...it is one of my goals/my dream! I ran thrughout my 20's to my mid-30's and then something happened that I just gave up on myself after a few physical, emotional, and spiritual set-backs resulting in a nearly 90 lb weight gain. I am in the pro-app phase at the Ohio State Unversity program. Once I begin to lose weight after getting banded I look forward to running again again

Make sure and talk to your doc about which antidepressant he/she puts you on... I have been taking amiltriptyline for years and it seems to work the best on me (over the many many others I've tried over the years) but one of the side effects is weight gain and craving for sweets! That was one of the reasons my insurance approved my surgeory. Try not to be a discouraged, you can overcome anything!

have a 72% decrease in the risk of dying over people who don't. Pretty dramatic, huh? http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,228703.shtml First off, no one should have surgery that isn't comfortable with it. It's not likely to go well if you're having serious misgivings. But there are a few relevant facts that you need to add to your decision making process. First of all, losing weight is something most obese people can do. What most people can't do is keep the weight off and over 95% who lose weight gain it back and then gain more after two years. The reasons for that are pretty simple and have nothing to do with eating well, exercise or employing self-discipline. Once you lose a certain amount of weight - somewhere around 10% of excess weight - your body begins cranking down your metabolism so that it becomes harder for you to lose weight. At the same time, it begins flooding you with chemicals that make you hungrier than you would normally be. If you can eat a big Mac with medium fries and be happy before you diet, you're gonna super size it to feel full after a dieting. And your metabolism will stay cranked down until you put the weight back on. Taht's what the yoyo syndrome is all about and the danger with the yoyo syndrome is that your body begins packing weight on at a lower and lower calorie level. http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2008/03/11/more-on-genetics-and-obesity/ The beauty of weight loss surgery is that it's the first thing we've discovered that allows the human body to reset it's set point - meaning that, once you start losing weight, your body doesn't crank down your metabolism and flood you with hunger signals. Your body continues to function normally. When you lose weight through diet and exercise, your body, counter-intuitively, ceases to function normally. http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2008/02/08/set-points-and-weight-loss-surgery/ That's the big picture. Good luck with your decision.

No weight gain...no weight loss. I wish this wasn't my story. Posted by AngieB, Jun 11 2009, 02:34 PM Admin/Owner Options Make This Entry A Draft

Good morning, I wanted to take time to update everyone on my progress thus far and to share a bit of my experience following my surgery. I attempted to post this a few days after my surgery and forgot to save as I went along and lost everything. This time, I've learned. I'll start with the day before surgery. My boyfriend had been off work for the past three weeks and had to return to work on the 3rd, so I knew in advance that he would not be able to take me to the hospital that morning. I thought I had secured a ride to the hospital with one of the members of the support group I'm in but after not hearing from him I had to be pissed and mess up my chi (smile) or make other arrangements. I secured a car service to drive me to the hospital. I woke up on the 3rd in a good place, mentally and spiritually. I was overly concerned with what I was about to do, because for almost a year I had been preparing and prayparing for this time. Upon arrival at the hospital, I went through the admittance procedures. I was informed that they needed a urine sample (code for pregnancy test) and to draw blood (I hate needles). Once I completed those procedures I went to the waiting room. Within 20 minutes I was called to the back. I have to tell you I had the nicest surgical prep nurse ever. Her name is Bella and she took time to explain things to me as she went along which helped calm my nerves. Bella even mentioned the fact that I was a "pleasant patient to work with". At weigh-in I was 232lbs. This showed a 5 pound weight gain since my last pre-op visit with my doctor. I asked Bella if I could remove my shoes and the other extra clothes I had on. She re-weighed me and just by removing those items I weighed 229 1/2. I know weight can fluctuate a few pounds given the time of day etc, so I didn't worry so much about the extra two pounds. Once I got changed into my hospital gown, the doctors and technicians entering my room seemed unending. When Dr. Forrester arrived he asked me, "What are we here for today"? to which I replied, "to change my life". IV intact, I was ready to be wheeled into the operating room. I remember praying for myself and for my surgical team. Once I was inside the operating room, all I remember hearing was "sweetie, take two deep breaths" and that's all she wrote. When I woke up I was in recovery and my boyfriend was standing beside my bed talking with the doctor. I had no concept of time. Later I learned I had been in recovery since approximately 12:15 P.M. because my fluid levels were low and they were trying to get them stabilized. Once this happened I was ready to go to my room, but then I had to wait until they got it together as other bariatric patients were discharged and they had to wait for a room to be cleaned. I finally made it to my room about 9:30 P.M. and I was exhausted. I went to sleep and around 12:30, the nurse came in and told me I needed to walk a bit. I didn't complain and although I would have much rather slept, I got up and walked with her as instructed. At this point, I still have in the catheter and loved it. Not having to get up to go the bathroom was wonderful. I cannot say this is the case the next day when they removed my portable potty. I could not stop going to the bathroom. I knew it was because of the amount of fluids I got in recovery. A few times I almost had an accident, but was able to make it. Just had to time it right. Day one following surgery is when they bought me chicken broth, an 8 oz bottle of water, jello, and crystal light. I managed to take a few sips of the chicken broth, a few bites of jello and maybe one sip of water. I did keep the water on my tray and promised myself I 'd get to it later in the day. Lunch came with the same foods with the exception of beef broth instead of chicken. Didn't even attempt to sip any of that (not a big eater of beef or pork anymore). My visit by the doctor went well. He looked at my incisions ad said things looked good and that I would be discharged on Wednesday. The next day I was excited to get up and go home. When the covering doctor came in to remove my port, he asked why I had so many bottles of water (3 1/2) on my stand. I told him the water hurts to drink. He said if I did not drink the water I might not be able to go home, so start to sip I did. I managed to drink 16 1/2 oz of the 24 I needed to drink. I put the last bottle in my bag and took it home promising myself I would drink it later. That was January 5, 2011. I can say that while setting here typing I just downed my first 16 oz of water this morning and I feel great. In a few days I will graduate to soft foods and will see how that goes. I am so happy with the way things have progressed. For anyone that has not had the surgery, I know you may be second guessing yourself about the decision to take such drastic measures to make a change, but for me, it's worth it. Since my surgery, I have not had any pain medication (thank you) and I learned the more I chew and sip the easier it is to get foods down. If you have not already done so buy some sugar free popsicles. They helped me greatly. As you embark up on this journey know that you are not alone. In loss and love Theresa

Let me get this straight, you have all the pre-op stuff on April 5, so what is your surgery date when you have surgery at 12:30? Or was that in another post and I missed it? And, this Friday is the 25th, so you have a week and a half after your provera to get over your "monthly monster" this go-round...is that enough time? I'm thinking no diuretics, not a good idea before surgery, not unless you Dr says it's okay. Nope, don't do the Water pills. That could mess you up better than weight gain will. And as far as not going home the first night, well, the insurance may not go for that. What's the possibility of a sister, mom, or good friend whisking you away to an inexpensive hotel for a night of recovery? No dogs, no distracted and overly concerned, unnecessarily worried DH, warm heating pads, lots of pillows (create a recliner of sorts on the bed) and long halls to walk every few hours. Is that a possibility? Forget the scale, what's five or so pounds when you are over 300? I don't mean that ugly, but I'm 220 and I can fluctuate 5 pounds in a day, it would seem your Dr. would be much more concerned about your overall weight than a few pounds gained which could easily be water retention. Ya know? Plus, you will have just had this PCOS treatment (which I am not at all familiar with but have seen others posts about it) so that would have to be taken into consideration with your band Dr. Does he/she know about this treatment you are having? Plus you say your clothes are no looser or tighter, that's probably a good indicator you are fine. And you start a new job in May. You and Crystal/Vinesqueen need to hole up together and sing the stressed out blues! Aww Katie, I hope this all works out okay for you. It really sounds like it will, you just need to see it from the other side, and the other side is comin like a freight train...wooohooo!!! You are gonna do great, and feel tons better when you get some weight off, even just getting below 300 will make a huge difference in how you feel about everything!! Looking for updates...take care, I'll be thinking of you!

Found an encouraging article online: https://www.sages.org/meetings/annual-meeting/abstracts-archive/band-over-sleeve-a-safe-alternative-to-achieve-further-weight-loss-and-reduction-of-co-morbidities/ BAND OVER SLEEVE: A Safe Alternative to Achieve Further Weight Loss and Reduction of Co-Morbidities Amy Banks, MD, R Harrell, MD, J Foote, MD. Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners, Michigan State University and Grand Health Partners. Introduction: The vertical sleeve gastrectomy was traditionally performed as part one of a staged bypass procedure in the super obese patient population. The weight loss achieved from this surgery alone is often substantial and frequently patients do not require or desire the second stage malabsorbtive procedure. The vertical sleeve gastrectomy is one of the most common weight loss surgeries performed today. Over time, however, weight gain often occurs and we present a new technique of using a laparoscopic placed adjustable gastric band (LAGB) over a vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) to aid in further weight loss and reduction of co-morbidities. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of five patients who underwent LAGB placement following a VSG. BMI, weight loss from VSG alone and weight loss from LAGB plus VSG were reviewed. Percent excess body weight loss (%EWL) for LAGB alone and for LAGB plus VSG was calculated. Co-morbidities and their resolution as well as any postoperative complications were evaluated. Results: All five patients achieved further weight loss after placement of the adjustable gastric band over the vertical sleeve gastrectomy with an average of 40.4 lb (range 31-64 lb) and an added %EWL of 32.2% (range 12.7% – 44.1%). Total %EWL following VSG plus LAGB placement was 57% (range 43% – 67.5%). The average BMI decreased from 56.6 pre-operatively to 43.9 post VSG and down to 37.6 after VSG plus LAGB. No major complications occurred during the 31-month average follow up (range 15-46 mo). An average of 3.6 adjustments to the gastric band were needed post operatively. Several co-morbidities resolved after VSG, and there was even further resolution of co-morbidities after LAGB plus VSG. One patient was intolerant of the band and required eventual removal. Conclusion: This case series introduces a novel approach to add to the repertoire of bariatric procedures following a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. There are advantages to placing an adjustable gastric band over a sleeve gastrectomy in lieu of converting patients to a malabsorptive procedure such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or a biliopancreatric diversion with duodenal switch. We demonstrate that certain patients can achieve further weight loss from laparoscopic placement of a gastric band over a vertical sleeve gastrectomy without complications. Further studies still need be done to determine the efficacy of this procedure to provide long-term weight loss in this patient population.

Since all weight loss comes from calorie deficit (burning more than eating), the key to all successful weight loss is to create a calorie deficit. There are many great tools to help track this and most of them are free. My favorites are the iPhone app, "LoseIt"; www.FitDay.com and www.Livestrong.com go to Calorie Tracker and myPlate and create an account. These programs track your deficit and help point out areas of improvement. In general, you should get about a third of your calories from each of the main food groups: proteins, fats, carbs. If you see higher percentages of fats or carbs, replace those calories with protein calories and it will really help you eat smarter instead of just less. Over the past 20 years we are eating many more calories and burning far fewer calories. The secret to weight loss is to work toward a calorie deficit whatever it takes. Most people losing weight successfully are eating about 1200 calories per day (women) and 1400 calories per day for men. Below this, your body tends to start freaking out and hanging on to everything you eat. It is also important to drink at least 64 ounces of water per day. Our bodies store environmental toxins in the fat and when you lose weight, all this stuff is coming out and your kidneys will really appreciate it if you drink plenty of water. This helps battle constipation as well. Also, take a multi-vitamin every day. The calcium and B-vitamins really help with weight loss not to mention the other minerals. Nutritional psychology is a hot new topic. Bad nutrition causes depression and low energy which makes us want to eat more to feel better and we snowball into bad weight gain. Better nutrition is required for successful weight loss and we feel better. Also, we eat way too much sugar and this raises our insulin levels which takes all that blood sugar and turns it into fat which drops the blood sugar which makes us hungry and we eat more sugar and this snowballs into weight gain. We eat way too much processed food and we have to get back to healthy foods. Brilliant food chemistry has not helped us. Cheap food sweetener (HFCS - high fructose corn syrup) is in everything now (sugary drinks, pasta sauce, ketchup) and our bodies don't know what to do with this stuff so we store it as fat. We consume massive quantities of this stuff and it doesn't help us lose weight. High tech fats such as trans fats and hydrogenated oils allow foods to have a much longer shelf-life because bacteria can't break it down but the problem is that we can't break it down either and we just store it as fat. A great rule of thumb is that if it doesn't spoil we shouldn't eat it. The classic example is an oatmeal pie that our kids drop in the mini-van and we find it a year later and it still looks good. We shouldn't be eating brilliant food chemistry. The more we preare our own meals and take our lunch instead of getting most of our meals at restaurants, the easier it is to lose weight successfully. Proteins - we should get about 45gms of protein a day (women) and about 60 grams per day for men. A 20gm protein portion (meat, chicken, fish, etc) is about the size of the palm of your hand or a deck of cards. Protein keeps us full longer because it doesn't mess with insulin and we need protein while we're losing weight so that we lose fat and not muscle. Fats - are the highest caloric density food. Each gram of fat has twice the number of calories as proteins and carbs. Believe it or not there are actually "good" fats (unsaturated). You want to avoid saturated (bad) fats. Saturated fats raise our cholesterol and clog our arteries. Unsaturated fats actually lower our cholesterol. To lose weight, you should limit fat grams to 20 gms per day and keep saturated fats below 10gms per day. Trans fats and hydrogenated oils should be zero. All this is easier these days with nutrition labels. Examples of good (unsaturated) fats include avocados, peanuts, soybeans, olives and oils such as olive, canola, peanut, corn, safflower, sunflower. French fries from peanut or safflower oil are actually healthier than those fried in saturated oils - ask your restaurant which they use. Fats actually release a gut hormone called CCK (cholecystokinin) which causes the gallbladder to contract and it is a powerful natural appetite suppressant. If you give CCK to rat they won't eat. Therefore, if you snack on a handful of almonds or dip vegetable sticks in olive oil, you manage your hunger and it is healthier. Bison (buffalo) has a great beef flavor and it has much less saturated fat than cow beef. Bison burgers and steaks are a much healthier way to enjoy beef than the cows that predominate our diet. Carbs - when eaten shoot up the insulin levels which turn blood sugar into fat and this drops our blood sugar level which makes us hungry. If you want to lose weight you have to manage carbs (sugar, bread, potato, rice - "white foods"). I see a lot of patients who go all day without eating and then eat a huge pasta dinner before going to bed. This is a perfect way not to lose weight. Carbs are best eaten earlier in the day when you have a chance to burn off all that energy. Eating three meals per day will keep us out of intense hunger and we eat fewer calories overall. I don't like Atkins type diets simply because they are hard to sustain. Better to manage carbs - keep them below 33% of total calories and eat them earlier in the day. Ice cream is enemy number one for weight loss. A great substitute is to make your own fruit smoothies at home. It is a sweet dessert but it is fruit instead of sugar and fat. Many stores have smoothie blends so you just toss it in the blender with diet apple juice or plain yogurt and it's easy. Be careful and avoid sugar added smoothie blends. Just get plain frozen fruit or make your own from fresh fruit. Great way to spoil yourself and eat healthier. I will post topics on Fitness and Brain Stuff (I don't like terms like behavior modification) which are the other two main disciplines of successful weight loss. I put this info and much more on YouTube if you search Watkins Weight Loss Class. Weight loss surgery simply makes all this stuff much easier but knowledge plus change is where you will find success. I hope this helps. Brad Watkins MD Source: Maximizing weight loss - Nutrition

I have had 22 surgeries to date, thus LOTS of incisions. And lots and lots (thousands) of stitches.... One thing I have noticed is that not all wounds heal the same. I have had 3 surgeries through my belly button, and NOT the sleeve (too much scar tissue). I have had holes develop, and I think the reason is the scarring pushing up from underneath makes it look like the "hole" is getting larger, when in fact it is actually healing from underneath. Scar tissue is thicker, denser material than the tissue that was originally there, so misshapen formation is not uncommon, and eventually the scar will smooth out with a little ridging over the area where the scalpel was used. The skin on the body is not necessarily the same in one area that is is in another area. Skin that has been stretched from weight gain will not be of the same thickness necessarily as skin in an area the hasn't been stretched so much. So it seems reasonable that scarring will heal differently and may even look different on different parts of body. One thing to look for as a danger sign would be draining. Redness is common, to a degree, because the skin is angry it has been disrupted and it is in pain. Now it has to heal, and it wasn't planning on that! Just keep an eye on it, it will be painful for awhile, it is a deep scar. Always contact your Dr.s, even if they say the same thing over and over again, if you have concerns - it's what you've paid them for! Good luck to you, And keep us informed!

Hey fellow Wisconsinite! I just had to say I can relate to many things you are saying. I had my band removed 3 years ago after 10 years. I was amazing to to eat a cheeseburger with a bun! I couldn’t have a revision at the time because my BMI was too low, but after too many cheeseburgers I am scheduled for RNY in October. I also had/have issues with acid reflux. If I could have done it 3 years ago I would have and not had to go through all of the weight gain.

I wasn't told about the weight gain from the IV, my NUT didn't tell me about the three week stall, but I'm pretty sure I remember being told that stalls were normal.

Actually that is the one thing about which they never specifically stated a time frame... for myself, though, I'm going to hang easy and wait as long as I can... it's tough because I enjoy a drink in the summer months especially. Mrsinto, your old routine for Fridays sounds a lot like ours... we would pick some very rich gourmet recipe and cook it while drinking lots of wine. Same results as you, too... weight gain and fatigue the next day!! I love my red AND white wines but I will be cautious as I don't want to sabotage my efforts... at the same time, I will probably plan some special events like you have.