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I apologize in advance for my long leadup to my question. I had an appointment with my PCP today concerning switching meds for my RLS and told him of my plans to pursue WLS with the LAP-BAND - he was very supportive. I am attending a seminar tomorrow evening. My BMI has been over 35 for most of the past 20 years and I have tried repeatedly to lose weight only to gain it back plus more. My BMI is currently over 40, I have been on medication for HBP for at least 13 years, I have obstructive sleep apnea and have used a CPAP since January of 2006 and am having a test done to see whether the air pressure needs to be increased due to my weight gain and daytime sleepiness. In 2007-2008 I trained hard for and completed 2 sprint triathlons and 2 mini-sprint triathlons but only lost 15 lbs in over a year. I had gallbladder surgery in 2009. I had foot surgery earlier this year because of the repetitive stress of the weight during that triathlon training. I have gained 25 pounds back. I have had expensive (unsuccessful) procedures trying to manage my lower back pain and physical therapy for knee tendonitis and a torn meniscus ligament (which does not need surgery at this time). So my question is: I have Aetna NAP Choice POS II insurance which covers the procedure and am expecting to get the requirements in the email any day. Needless to say, it has been an expensive year, medically speaking. I am less than $300 away from my annual out-pocket-maximum and I really need to have this surgery before December 31st. Is this doable, even with a 3 month supervision requirement? I am 50 years old can't wait to be able to be more active again. I am not afraid of exercise but diet is my weakness and need this help to get to a healthy weight and stay there for the rest of my life!!!!!

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 saw this post and I just had to reply because I hit my goal and I am living my bucket list! 1. Fly in an airplane in comfort...done! 2. Fly in a small plane where they need to know your weight before take off (and I told the truth!)...done! 3. Walk through town eating a ice cream cone (a small one) and not feel like people are staring at the fat lady...done! 4. Buy a single digit item of clothing...done!!!!!!!! 5. Buy boots in a department store...done!!! I started at 244 and I am now fluctuating between 129 and 131...I had a life long problem with obesity, and this is my first time living as a thinner person...I am on a drug known for weight gain, so I am watching daily...I am determined to never weigh over 135 again!!!

Hello, I have been lurking for a week or so and wanted to check in. I am female, 53, with a BMI of 46.5, need I say more - but I must. I have been doing some research and really, really want to make this lifelong, lifestyle, life saving change. So I contacted not my PCP but my Gastroenterologist, see there is one hitch to a lap band for me, 15 years ago I had a liver transplant. I have done amazingly well no issues around the transplant, except weight gain which is common, although I have been on the heavy side since my teens, heavier in my 20ies - 30ies and out of control since then. About 10 years ago I did manage to loose about 70 lbs on WW but like so many I just can't keep it off. I thought perhaps the doctor would simply shut me down but she did not. Bypass was simply not an option for me because I take anti-rejection meds that must have a chance to absorb in the lower tract. The banding is different and it seems that there have been some documented success with people like me. Well I got my referral to bariatric surgery and it has been a week and have not heard from them, to me that's good news, perhaps I wont get the boot right at the gate. IS THERE ANYBODY HERE THAT HAS HAS A TRANSPLANT, Liver, Kidney or Heart and then been banded? The GI doc mentioned something about possible adhesions, IS THERE ANYONE WHO HAD PREVIOUS ABDOMINAL SURGERY, that encountered problems, or not, when they got their band that can tell me stories? I am ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT TAKING pills once banded, none of them are as large as say a big Vitamin, all about the size of a regular small pill, the anti-rejection med is a small capsule. I take pills twice a day about every 12 hours. They used to make a liquid form of the anti-rejection med but, I am not too clear, I do remember it was notoriously bad tasting though. SO ANY ONE WHO TAKES ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY MEDICATION REGULARLY TELL ME WHAT YOU DO? I don't even know that they are going to accept me as a candidate so I have not even consulted a bariatric surgeon, you all are my very first reach out and touch someone. I have enjoyed reading your posts, I can relate to each of you. I especially like reading the "things I won't miss about being overweight" Ditto to it all. Best - newfilter (as in new liver - I have used this as my on-line nick name since I got my x-plant 15 years ago, maybe I will be able to change it to newbod in a couple of years :laugh:)

Hi! Paxil is a NOTORIOUS weight gainer! You're lucky you've been able to keep the 12 lbs. off that you lost. I've seen many people gain 5-10 lbs. A MONTH on Paxil. Of course, this doesn't happen to everyone, but Paxil has gained the reputation as one of the antidepressants that can cause the most weight gain. While everyone is different, have you tried Lexapro? In MOST patients it is weight neutral and in some can help w/weight loss at the beginning of use. Good Luck! Give yourself a pat on the back that you have been able to keep that intial weight loss and not gain more. One thing I will say, though, never stop taking your meds without talking to your doctor and you will probably have to be weaned off the Paxil slowly, in increments, if that's what you and your doctor decide.

Has ANYONE else found that medications they were on was partly to blame for their slow weight loss? I am 18 mos out from banding and have only lost 12-15 pounds - and that was during the pre-op diet - haven't gained or lost since surgery. This is VERY frustrating to me. No, I am not a perfect eater, and no, I don't exercise religiously. I'm also not blaming my slow weight loss entirely on medications. However, I do take Paxil and birth control daily. Are these making it more difficult to lose the weight, than if I weren't on them? I know there is documented proof that weight gain is a side effect of birth control; however, that is not a side effect listed on my information from the pharmacy for the Paxil. Although, I have heard many, many times that anti-depressants can cause weight gain. So, if they cause weight gain, is there a chance that they are hindering my weight loss? I have given up so many things (ice cream, pop, etc.)that I feel I should have lost SOME weight by now. What do you think?? Please let me know - I'd like someone to either validate my concern or tell me I'm crazy. Thanks

I had an interesting conversation with the fitness director at the gym I work at today. I work out quite a bit, more than the average joe for sure. I'm at the gym 5 days a week at least, sometimes more. Last week I did 7.5 hours of t-shirt soaking cardio, and 3 hours of weight training. I think my average calorie intake a day last week was around 1300 calories. I gained 2lbs....actually I gained 6lbs, but 4lbs came off over the weekend so I'm guessing it was Water weight. Anyway I was talking to the fitness director and telling her this. She said, well maybe you aren't eating enough. Okay, maybe. I really want to get my metabolic rate checked soon. Get this...she eats around 1800-2000 calories a day, and runs 30 minutes 3-4 times a week. She didn't mention if she did any weight training. So lets review, she eats 500-700 calories MORE a day than me, and did 2 hours of cardio versis my 7.5. She weighs maybe 110 soaking wet? The lapband is not the easy way out, because as you can see above I am working it hard. I try to stick mainly to protiens, I don't drink any calories except the occasional protien shake. Overall I'm eating healthier than I have ever eaten in my entire life. I'm a bit on the frustrated side right now because of the weight gain. I had someone say something today that implied that this was the easy way and it kinda of bugged me...mainly because I don't think this is the EASY way.

rorysmom, Then obviously you do NOT think obesity is a disease, do you? Have you ever been obese? I certainly understand what you are saying about the other problems I mentioned--that they are things you can't help--like losing your eyesight, etc. I'm really passionate about this, so forgive me if I get slightly angry in tone... I have been overweight all my life. My mother tells me that she put sugar in my baby food (because my ped. doc. told her to). Along with this, she gave me honey Water as an infant. From studies I've read, all the fat cells that one will have in life is determined as a child. You cannot get rid of fat cells (unless you go the liposuction route); you can only shrink them. I believe that I obtained many fat cells as an infant. I exercise daily. In fact, in college, I jogged five miles/day and could never get below 175lbs. (I'm 5'5). Now, I jog 1-2 miles per day and take a powerlifting class 2-3 times per week. Along with this, I have an autoimmune disease, called hypothyroidism which makes it really difficult to keep weight off, much less lose it. I am not making excuses for all my weight gain--I have eaten too much in the past--and too many wrong things. BUT THERE ARE OTHER CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO WHY I AM OBESE--MEDICAL FACTORS--THINGS I DID NOT ASK FOR IN LIFE--AS A PERSON WOULD NOT ASK FOR CANCER. Please understand that if you have never been obese (which most doctors say is a DISEASE) then you really can't give any valid comments. Have an eye-opening day!

Okay, so the results are Benign. Whew! I have to admit, it's just as I thought. But it's SOOOO nice to have a name. Fibroadenoma. What they said before. So I follow up in 6 months with another mammogram. As long as they don't grow, or get so big they are in the way, painful, or make my breasts distended (as if they aren't already from weight gain and nursing 2 children!) then they stay. It doesn't freak me out to have them there. If they leave me alone, I'll leave them alone. Plus the Doc said that fibroadenomas are not something that turn malignant. Is she right? So glad it's over! I hope you all don't mind me saying this but it's been a HELL OF A WEEK!!! I am leaving shortly to meet my MIL at her new nursing home. SIGH. She's going in for rehab, and she doesn't yet realize it, but she's more than likely staying. I hate it. She simply cannot care for herself. We have showering and bathroom and walking without falling and breaking a hip issues, plus the short term memory loss and she needs pain medication for her little legs...MS AND Arthritis...what a mess. But we'll get her settled. I gotta put my smile on with my optimistic happy upbeat attitude and get her settled in. My brother-in-law and his wife (who she lives with...or, more properly written, with whom she lives! ha!) will be there too so it isn't just me. Anyhow, I'm just ready to crash. I could use an entire weekend away with hubby! OH! Wouldn't that be heaven?! Thanks for listening, those of you who have been able to tirelessly read this long post. For those of you with short attention spans, the bold type, quick info, good news is for you!!

Did anyone gain on there last month of the pre-op diet? I have 5lbs to lose by my scale before Wednesday! I hate my scales I never know what I really weigh. Anyway if you gained did you not get approved at 1st or what happened? Just trying to prepare myself for the worst case scenario. Thank you ☆Jeni☆

hi everyone. i am almost 12 weeks post op and i have lost almost 60lbs. last week Tuesday id lost 4lbs then weighed again on Wednesday and i had gained 1lb literally overnight i was like HOWW?? Then i jst weighed now and iv gained an extra 2lbs like what is going on? i am eating clean i barely touch carbs iv been eating chicken and fish with veg no carbs. i eat about 800-900 cals per day do regular excercise iv treated myself to some chocolate once a week which i have done since the start of my solid food journey and never gained so it definitely cannot be that. im pulling my hair out and feel like a failure Whats happening to my body??? Sent from my SM-G935F using the BariatricPal App

Yesterday and this morning lots of pain in abdomin and around port site. Today, less pain, but still pretty sore both topically and in the gut. Unable to urinate well due (I think) to anesthesia. Lots of diarrhea and a weight gain of 6 pounds, despite liquids only diet for 3 days. Could it get any worse?

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

Thought I would update... Day 2 and I am retaining these dang fluids. I decided to hop on my scale for my weekly Friday weigh, and put on 4 pounds... 4!!! I'm not happy. I'm kind of hoping that this is a norm. Maybe the Fluid retention is because my body is confused as to why I'm not feeding it solid food! Either way, I am NOT happy at the moment and feel bloated and miserable, and HUNGRY! I talked to my BFF who is doing this with me tonight, and she told me she is feeling the same way, so at least I'm not the only one miserable, and you know what they say about misery loving company! I'm not trying to discourage anyone, just thought I would fill you in. I knew it wasn't going to be fun, but I did not expect the bloating, and weight gain the first couple of days in.

The purpose of the flour in these types of recipes is to thicken the sauce. Using powdered tapioca works just as well and doesn't have gluten. The amount of piccatta you are going to be able to eat isn't going to cost you that much carb-wise by elimanating the flour or using powdered tapioca. This will not be the cause of any stall or weight gain ...

I haven't gone back yet. Too many things going on and i have put it on the "middle" burner so to speak. I really hope it was just the dr. and not something wrong with my band. My insurance that i have now doesn't cover LB or anything associated with it. Question: If my PS moved my port and was the cause of the problem.... should he be responsible for the repair? On another note: i have been able to keep the weight gain at bay and even lost one .... this makes me happy.

I never really had a moment just a lot of things that collided and me randomly thinking "bariatric surgery"! I don't know why it crossed my mind, but it did so I looked up if it was covered and it was so I started the process. I have been thin most of my life, but when I got pregnant with my son I gained 70lbs. With my first i had a military doctor and they did not listen to me at all. I knew something was wrong I was gaining like crazy, but not over eating I couldn't eat I was throwing up all the time. I had preeclampsia too and they made me go a week overdue because they wouldn't listen. Delivered a 10 1/2lb baby! With my second child 5yrs later my new doc said she thinks I'm borderline with gestational diabetes thats why my son was so big and I was gaining. They monitor me with my daughter and I gained 35lbs and lost it. But my PCOS kicked in inbetween having my children and it caused me to have a metabolic disorder and through the years I have just been gaining. With PCOS comes a ton of symptoms which is the weight gain, acne, abnormal hair growth on the neck and chin. That is what I hate the most. I knew losing the weight would help with the symptoms, but PCOS weight is different and extremely hard to lose because of the metabolic disorder. So that's what made me think of bariatric surgery. I'm a size 18 and weight 255.... I don't take pictures with my kids and I feel so bad. I'm ashamed of my weight even though technically its not fault but my condition that I happen to be born with ughhh lucky me! I was starting to back out of not wanting the surgery. Then some kid called me fat from the school bus passing our house. That hurt my feelings and pushed me more into pursuing the surgery. I don't want to embarrass my kids eventually when they get older and notice. My son is 10 and he tells me nothing it wrong with me and that I'm pretty lol bless his heart! I got a candid picture of me the other day and omg I am the same as you that I questioned is that me?!? I swear when I look in the mirror i dont see it... I see a thin person, but honey my eyes are deceiving me! Ill attach the pic... ugh so embarrassing! Anyways my surgery is July 23rd and after seeing this picture I cant waittttttt for my surgery to come. 2 more wks! Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

I did not experience the weight gain but Ihave heard a lot of people do! I am so happy you are doing good!!

Hi, I just went to the doctor today and he said we could try to get insurance approval but he didn't seem optimistic. I'm 5'3" and 210 lbs and my BMI was 37. I have United Health Care for insurance and the coordinator said they're a tough company. She told me go to my doctor/s and get a 5 year documentation or the weight gain. From what I read on many websites the comorbidities that I had were depression and high cholesterol but I guess they're not that serious because the doctor told me if I had high blood pressure or diabetes I'd get approved with that BMI. This is very frustrating.

Hi Simba, you sound just like I was. My Dr. told me to drink as much as I needed to. Not to worry about weight gain during this time. I did'nt gain any, I lost. One thing that helped me was I would take regular soups blend them with extra broth. It was really thin, but it filled me up longer. You want it as thin as you can get it. Also gatorade helps. Good luck. Hope this helps you.

To me, it's been a miracle! I thought I was being left to die a slow, diabetic death because of a metabolism that had abandoned me. Today, I'm almost a year out. I've lost 48 pounds in 10 months. Not spectacular, you say? WELL, sweetie! That's better than I was able to lose and KEEP OFF for years before now. NEVER have I lost for a 10 month period with NO weight gain. It's a constant down and this weekend, I had to buy new clothes. Still, it's an 18-20 (XL or 1X), but you know what? It's been 15 years since I've been able to squeeze my big toe into that size. Judge it if you want, but I'll take my band over your next two or three attempts to lose on your own (AND keep it off). Me? I've fought that battle too many times and I'm finished.

Hi again... I see Amlodipine, Seroquel and Lyrica all have weight gain as a side effect. I would definitely meet with Dr. to see if there are other weight friendly substitutions. I recall my surgeon warning against this for the rest of life—-to be sure to ask prescriber for something that won’t make the journey more difficult. Hugs and prayer that answers are right around the corner for you!

@@Cervidae I think @@Inner Surfer Girl was right. The article talked about total weight (e.g,. I began at 265) not excess weight (which for me is 100 pounds or so). 25-30% of 265 is a far higher number than 25% of 100! As I said, I don't math well, but pretty sure that would put the amount on the low to middle end of the projected excess weight loss. At 6 mos. out, there is no way you could have stopped losing! I have not yet had my surgery, but I (and probably you) have lost a lot of weight before and once experienced a 6 week stall. Sometimes it takes awhile for our bodies to catch up. Please, please don't fret. Keep following your guidelines and your body will catch up eventually. @@heather5565, I directly quoted the article. It sounded odd to me because I had been told the 50-70% (and even more!) numbers. I'm also aware that people on average will gain some weight back after two to three years. The trick is to not allow that weight gain to be the excuse to return to bad habits. In fact that was in a series of articles suggesting reasons why some do gain weight back. I don't think the doctor was doing anyone a service by expressing weight loss in terms of total weight instead of excess weight. @Inner Surfer Gal - So right! None of us would be here if previous diets had long-term success rates. @@Babbs, I have turned to the surgery for just that reason--a tool to help me maintain my weight loss.

During the weight loss phase most programs recommend staying completely away from bread, Pasta, potato, cake, crackers, and most carbs. I get "good carbs" from some veggies but avoid the rest as much as humanly possible. Some people can incorporate carbs back in during the maintenance phase, but for some people they are a slippery slope and can lead to weight gain through "grazing". It's common to have a stall. Don't be discouraged.

I’m loosing it, and not in the good way. I have a little less than a month before my surgery and exactly two weeks before my liquid diet and right now I just want to eat everything in sight. I feel hungrier than ever and I keep thinking if I don’t enjoy it now I won’t be able to for a very long time. I’m worried I’m going to gain even more weight and weight gained is weight that needs to be lost. I want to get down to 130 and as most patients loose about 70% of their excess weight I won’t end up anywhere near my goal weight if I keep this up. How can I get out of this mentality? How do I keep it together. I have two more weeks before liquid diet and I cannot keep eating like this.