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Thanks Kirajh. Stinks to being hungry doesn't it! Hope the 21st comes fast. I'm now waiting until the 26th. Hoping it happens then. I guess we should just remember that we didn't put it on overnight and it will take time for it to come off. I hope for both of us that the delay doesn't mean some weight gain. I'm going to keep on walking my butt off (3 - 4 miles per day) and I'm going to bed early so that I don't go to the fridge too many times. Good night and good luck. H-324/S-287/C-267/G-160 Anxiously waiting for fill and full feeling tummy. Sue Magoo

Hello everyone, Currently I have Optimum Choice, Inc. and unfortunately the company I work for has a total exclusion for weight loss surgery of any kind, even if it's medically necessary. I am almost 39, 5'4", 250 lbs and have been on every diet possible with success for short periods of time and then total weight gain plus. I have several co-morbidities: high blood pressure, asthma, severe heartburn, depression, anxiety, major back problems, and possible sleep apnea. I am able to change health insurance companies in November to take effect in January. Has anyone had success getting all the prelimary work done with one insurance company (sleep study, nutritionist monitored diet, psych workup, etc) and have them transfer to a new insurance company? I'm thinking about getting all of this started now so that when my insurance changes, it won't have to take as much time to be approved. Thanks in advance!

Beka, As someone else said, healthy and standard weight loss with the band is 1-2 lbs per week. It seems slow, but it adds up. The worst part of banding is that first few weeks when your post op, trying to understand what you've done and what you're supposed to be doing. It's this learning period when you have to pay attention to your body and learn to read it's signals. When are you really hungry versus when do you think you're hungry, etc, etc. You want the weight to fall off, it doesn't always. This is commonly referred to as "Bandster Hell." Remember that once you begin solid foods, your body will often stop losing weight and in fact, gain a few pounds because it literally holds onto the bulk of the solids in your intestines. It's not a true weight gain, it's the way our digestive system works. When you're on liquids or even very soft foods, there's not enough bulk in that food and it literally goes right through you. Be patient with yourself and your body and don't miss your appointments. Follow your doctor's orders, he understands this process better than you do at this point and is there to help guide your journey. If you REALLY feel like you're not on track, log your intake and make a note of your output. Make sure you're getting enough Protein and calories. Inadequate caloric intake will actually sabotage your weight loss by slowing your metabolism even more. Good Luck,

I have a family member who is morbidly obese. She recently went to the doctor who confirmed this. She is 5” 4’ and she admits to weighing 340lbs, although we know that it is a lot higher than that. She keeps saying that she can do it herself but she is going to turn 53 soon and has been battling with obesity for the past 30 years. Her diets usually lead to more weight gain. We think that she is in denial about what a health risk it will be to do nothing. While she has discussed this surgery briefly, she is way too scarred to seriously consider it. She can’t even bring herself to do research on the topic. So, I’m trying to do research and reach out to real people who have experience with this surgery and can give me hope. I feel that this surgery could save her life. She is such vital part of our family and we are afraid that we’ll loose her if she doesn’t do something soon.

Oooh! That's an evil, evil comment but it is kinda witty. Nevertheless, I sure do hope that he blows up into a state of chubby. :heh: Bodies sure are interesting. Until I was banded I was a fatty grrl and many of my middle-aged pals are suffering from the same severe and tragic post-menopausal weight gain. I was never a curvy grrl when I was thin and I sure was not a curvy fattie. One of my friends was ultra curvy and although she was undeniably fat she could wear clothes which looked lousy on me. This was because she had big tits, a smallish waist and big hips and belly. She looked like a fertility figure and I looked like a Hummer with spider legs and arms. The best clothes for me were those which constructed like boxes. She looked fab in clothes which showed off her shape. Now that I have lost a bunch of weight I still wear cloth boxes, smaller ones is all. hah hah :faint:

I take generic Prozac and get it at WalMart for $4 a month. I love it. I could not make it without it. It's worth looking into. Some other anti-depressants that are available on their $4 plan are Paxil, Celexa and some other older ones (tricyclics but I think they are more likely to cause weight gain). I can't take Celexa because it makes my cravings for carbs and sugars totally uncontrollable. Nobody believes me when I tell them this but I swear its true. It's not that way for everyone though so you have to find whats right for you. I believe that if you need an anti-depressant, you should take one. Life is too short to be miserable and sad all the time. Good luck.

my post op instructions said to wait for 2 weeks, Buuuuuut, I was never one to follow most instructions, thus the weight gain. But anyway, I was banded 8/29/07 and my DH and I took it REAAAAAL slow and managed 5 days later. But everyone is different. Good Luck on your journey.

Wow, thanks so much. That's very flattering. I wish I was a nurse but the reality is I work in my hubs law firm by day and psychic by night. lol As per having another surgery. The good thing about my TT is that even when I piled weight back on I never really gained anything in that area. There I was at 284 with no tummy, weird huh. I think I may get away with not having another one because I even had a baby with the TT and it didnt affect it at all. I will need some work done on my bum, and thighs and my boobs need doing again. I had them lifted and enlarged at the same time as my TT but a boob job doesnt fare well after several years and tons of weight gains and losses.

Hi all, this is my first post. I am also new here. I got my band in 2002. I am probably the smallest person ever banded, and my insurance covered every penny of it! I am 5' tall, and weighed 180 pounds at start. When first banded, I got down to a wonderful 138!! But.....all the sudden my band was TOO TIGHT! My doc says he wanted me to take a break, and took all the fill out. Since then, I have had nothing but a horrible roller coaster ride.Fill-unfill, weight loss, weight gain, fill-unfill, weight loss, weight gain. I have lost and gained the same 40 pounds over the last 5 years, and I am sooooo very sick of this!!! I currently have all my fill out due to horrible reflux, and even with all the fill out, I have the reflux. I currently feel like I have nasty week old food lodged in my throat. My doc says when I was banded back in 2002, they gave me a size 9 band, and he wants to put a bigger one in. He thinks this will solve my problems. Let me add, I had a scope ran 2 times, the first time I tested positive for H-Pylori, and now this 2nd time, he wants to run a test on me by having me swallow some radioactive eggs!!! He says the food isnt leaving my stomach properly!! I NEVER had problems with my stomach till the band. I read with one of the other posts stated that they couldnt eat anything unless it was smothered in grease or some kind of sauce to get it down. I sooooo can relate to that!! My theory is, "A FILL IS A FILL" what difference is the "SIZE" of a band going to make? I mean tightness is tightness, I have no fill at all, and feel like I need to burp constantly. I dont know what to do. I dont want to gain all my wight back either. But I sware, i feel like if I can ear normal again, I will do a better job in choosing my foods!! What do you guys think I should do?? Thanks, Tina

Good Morning! I slept in, now we are deciding what to do with our day. Not sure if it will involve wood cutting afterall, Rick's neck is hurting. He has degenerative bone disease, in his neck, from an old whiplash injury. Not sure the chainsaw would be the ideal for him! Terry---we will be here to hear you vent your fears, angers and concerns, and to help you be strong against the cigarettes! Heck if nothing else, it will be good---you can tell the judge, you even quit smoking in the possibility the children would be living full time with you again!!! My friend Becky who we ride with and go out with all the time, she quit a month ago, and for some reason this weekend was hard on her. Maybe because so many at rallies smoke? She was a bit on the grumpy side (which is a joke, she is never a bit of anything---it is balls to the wall!!!), and really wanted to smoke, but made it through without! You will too!!! You made it through the worst of it---and the lack of weight gain is TOTALLY impressive!!!! I could not say that!!! Laura, good luck on your trip. Does your DH agree to the fact that his drinking too much is an issue? I suggest a well placed video camera should he ever do it again, and counceling to follow. It isn't a good sign, of the anger inside his head in my thinking---maybe the video games allow him to be the bad guy???? Just grasping at ideas here!!!! TracyK---think there is a baby boy in your future? One without the tears? Dreams ironically really wake us up sometimes! Pamela, I responded to another thread, that some of our Violets also responded on, in which I went into detail of my disasterous 2nd marriage. Usually I avoid the subject of him, and the horrors he brought into my life. I will say he has made me aappreciate the lull in real life. I can look around on a lazy stay at home day, and appreciate the calm...even all these years later. I can honestly say my biggest fear in life is his release from prison, but I try not to dwell on that thought often. So far my understanding is that he is far from a perfect prisoner, and has cost himself more time, and a loss of parole option at least once in the past, and I have never been notified since. He has outstanding warrants in my town. So local law enforcement will again be notified of his possible release date so he can clear them up, and serve any local time. Our former police chief assured me he would never bring him back here, he would drop the charges first, as opposed to bringing him right into my backyard, which he had "decorated" leading to some of the local warrants, others though include battery on a Police officer, and our new COP, is not willing to discuss it with me. So.....life goes on with me a a little in the dark. Parole board has to notify me....they say.....we hope! Well, I am going to get my house picked up a bit while we decide what we are doing. Will check in later girlies----and Pamela, you and Susanne can come to my house any old time!!! Cannot guarantee dream quality service....but will do my BEST!!! And Terry---want to live in CO huh? Any where particular? I am only 11 miles from the Durango area border----feel free to use my place to check out your dream locale!!! TTYL! Kat

Hi Pam Your story is very much like mine, except I'm still waiting to have my surgery done.:clap2: As a child and a teenager I was thin and athletic. Upon getting my driver's license I started to gain weight. I continued eating whatever I wanted although I wasn't getting the exercise like I used to. (on the basketball team and just bike riding everywhere)I remember my senior prom, I weighed 157 and was soo mad that I couldn't get down to 150. :mad:If I only knew than what I know now....I'm weighing in at 260 now and would kill to be 200. I think I can blame some of my weight gain on my marriage right out of high school. Or at least my low self esteem. :rain:Why do you never realize who some people are until after you've married them. Let's just say he was a controlling, emotionally, and verbally abusive jerk. I spent alot of time at home eating while he was out having fun, because it was clear that he needed "guy" time and I wasn't invitied. Finally, 6 years later I got a clue and told him I didn't think he should come home. ANYWAY>>>gotten off the subject.....I had a blood work up about 2 months ago-first ever that I can recall- and I'm very healthy! No high blood sugar, cholesterol. Even my good cholesterol is high. I'm a healthy person with the exception that i'm just about 100+ pounds overweight. Plus I was adopted so me or my parents have no idea what my medical history entales. Three years ago this coming March, my fiance left me after being together for the last 10 years. I think alot of it was my weight. I couldn't or didn't want to participate in alot of acitivities that we particiapted in regulary. I've been doing the diet thing for the last 20 years. I've been thinking about Lap band for the last year when finally I decided to pursue it. Now I'm 1&1/2 months from having my paperwork ready to be sent off to my insurance company. I can't wait!!!My lifestyle and the person that I feel that I am, needs to be healthy and look good. I hope that I don't need to have any type of skin removal, which is why I'm going to give working out my best, although I hate it like you do. But I am looking forward to a boob job. Never had much there to begin with and everything always drooped alittle anyway. Already see a psych. for the obvious reasons, and am really going to get into the finding out why I eat when I'm not hungry. I know that the Band isn't a miracle, you have to work the program. The band is just a tool to help you achieve your goals. Sorry to ramble on and on, but your blog inspired me to tell mine as I'm sure mine will inspire others to tell theirs. :bounce: Susan

Hi all---we are back safe & sound!!! What a great weekend! Yesterday we rode up to the Rally in the Rockies---spent an enjoyable day. Took a few little excursion rides, bought some shirts, and junk, saw old friends, some we meet up with at several rallies, others just this rally. Every year at this rally I see my old boyfriend....he was so doggone cute in 2nd grade!!! Now we compare pics of our grandbabies, and we always had a beer together. He was is shock at me this year, and I had no beer!!! Today we rode up to the innaugural year of the Sugar Pine Ranch Rally. It was in the mountains, on an actual working ranch, lakes, and mountains, and horses, and cows, and acres and acres of fields, filled with vendors, and beer tents, and live bands---it had a defintive feel of Woodstock. Not that I was there....but the open fields, and music stages....not the drugs around that I hear were there. But it was lots of fun!! Ran into some friends from Flagstaff AZ. Rick and I went to run to a small nearby town to grab something for my eyes---allergies were killer! It was threatening rain, so I grabbed my leather jacket. When we come back he went to help me off with my jacket, and told me we needed to shop, my jacket looked like hell! Such a romantic he is!!! So we shopped the leather vendors, and I got a new leather jacket!!! My old one, is a mans classic leather bike jacket. The new one is made for a woman!! Before I could never get one to fit! This one is cut in a girl shape, hourglass kind of. It is short, with the leather braid to match my chaps. And it is an XL. Which still sounds big, but one of the friends we went up with is a little bitty thing, she wears a size 7 pants, but has some boobs---she had to buy a Large vest, so with her buying that, I felt much, much better about requiring a XL!!! Rick told me repeatedly how good it looked, I felt like it was too snug, and my belly too big to wear the shorter style---but hey he likes it, and it is him I want to look my best for---so I wore it Was a great weekend, and I did really well with my eating until tonight....we were getting ready to leave, and I could not leave without my fix!!! But one single slice of chocolate covered cheesecake was it! Usually several are required to satisfy me!!!! Along with numerous other things bad for me---this time I did really well, til the last minute!!! Gina---I'd love the recipe! All you guys with your stories---mine is pretty lame! I was a thin child, married the first time at 17, I am 5'9" and struggled to get up to 116 pounds to fill out my dress!!! That husband cheated, repeatedly. Had one child with him, lost another...gained about 20 pounds over the time. Married again---#2 was EXTREMELY abusive. He made a comment one time about a fat woman---warning me if I ever looked like that he would leave my ass. I went straight to GNC, and bought a canister of weight gain, used by wrestlers! Seriously---I worked hard to gain weight, and was good at it. I found myself pregnant, and seriously unhappy about it. Strongly considered abortion, but was told I was further along than they thought---I was uninsured, and ultrasound was not cheap. A month later, when I still measured large, they were concerned enough to pay a little more attention, and found I was carrying twins. I was severely depressed...I did not want any children with the man I was married to, he was incredibly mean. He threatened to hurt my family if I did not stay in line, and he proved it a time or 2 with friends, hospitalizing one---horrid man. He hospitalized me twice here as well. Eventually he wanted to move from the area, go where his family was, so mine would not see the babies. I saw it as my only chance to escape harm for my family. At an appointment it was discovered I was carrying in a placenta previa position, which was going to require C-section. He was furious. Financially it was devastating. He left with his step Dad, come home drunk, and proceeded to try to kill me. Perhaps if he hadn't been so drunk he would have succeeded. I lived, my babies did not. I suffered massive guilt, I had never wanted those innocent boys---I grew to love them, but I knew they were headed to a hard life hiding from an abusive father---I would never have let him in their lives. I was working on getting out alive, it may sound trite, but it is 100% seriously said. The mental state I was in, was beyond description. Guilt, anger, despair, more guilt....and the weight come on...with a vengeance! I ate to cover up all the feelings I had no idea how to control, and it had an added benefit, no men looked at me. They were dangerous. I raised my daughter, and ate. Then an old friend and I went out, and we run into Rick and another friend from High School. Which I knew them, they were safe. Unless you count the fact that he stole my heart! And he has yet to return it! He never EVER mentioned to me that the skinny girl from HS got fat. He loved me the way I was. But he sure seems to like me getting thinner, he says that yeah it is sexier, but he loves knowing I am healthier. With the year he has had health wise, it is something he worries about. Next year is my 30th class reunion, and I fully intend on going, and not being fat anymore. OK, I am off to bed, it was a long, fun weekend, and I am tired!!!! Hope Tracy had as much fun as I did!!!! Kat

CC, I'm just wondering if you're getting close to "Aunt Flo" visiting too, because that could be part of your weight gain. I put on 8 pounds last month, and really freaked out about it, but the nurse said we need to allow ourselves at least 10 pounds each month that we could potentially put on. Another thing to remember (and this is from my Doc) is that even though we got that band, the pouch hasn't really been created yet and the initial restriction we all felt was from the swelling in our stomach's. My dr's don't even count the weight loss from the time of my pre-op until the first fill. They look at the pre-op weight, then the first fill weight. They even say that the liquid and post-op diets are ways to diet that anyone would lose weight on. I hope that helps, but don't feel down on yourself. Things will get better, it just takes a lot of patience to get to that first fill. I just had mine on Friday and am loving it. ~Nichole

I know the feelings darr... it's more about the loss of control over eating than the weight gain. Though the weight gain COUNTS!:speechles I had 10 months of delays leading up to my surgery and my "goodbye to food tour" [TY doxie hahahaha] and gained 40 pounds!:faint:My doc made me lose that 40# BEFORE the surgery on the liquid diet... I dropped 54# pretty easily as it turned out once I had a DATE! So... don't worry about it, but worry a little hehehehe.:heh: You'll get there once you realize that they won't do the surgery unless you lose the weight. Good Luck!:whoo:

Morning Violets~ This is an interesting line of thinking. Self-esteem. I've been chubby since I was about 6. It began w/ the divorce when I was 5, through "time on the couch", I've learned that my weight gain is a result of my "abandonment issues"...stemming from the divorce and a young mom who was somewhat emotionally unavailable. Anywho...I started "chubbing up". My mom always told me I was beautiful, smart, and that I could be the president if I wanted. I mean it. If I ever got in trouble, it was not my fault, but "your g-damn friends...". My weight was never an issue...I was beautiful. I had what I coined "reverse anorexia". I looked in the mirror and saw a beautiful woman. I never felt fat. Now, I knew that I was "bigger" than most, but it never hindered me. I got every job I ever wanted...every man I ever wanted (yes, I used to date men)...and everything I ever wanted. My weight was a non issue. I was just fabulous as I was. I actually wrote to Oprah and said she should do a show about "reverse anorexia"...that when I look in the mirror, I saw a sexy woman, not the weight. At 240 pounds, I still felt fearless. I was sexy...and loving life. But it was the last 30 pounds that I started feeling fat. My body changed, and I wasn't proportionate anymore. You all know the rest. I got the band. But it is interesting to note how self-esteem governs our lives, and thoughts. Ta Ta For Now (TTFN)

For me, I experience fat discrimination in the work place mostely. I have been in management for several years now, and usually manage anywhere between 80 and 200 employees at one time, with the help of 1-3 other managers and 1-2 other supervisors. It is a HARD job, managing people. A lot of the employees are young, in the their 20's. I started managing in my 20's, and now I'm in my 30's. Over the years, I have gained weight. With age comes more respect, but with weight gain comes more disrespect. Being the only fat manager is hard. I have to work 4 times harder to earn people's respect. I have to PROVE to the staff that I have the ability to do my job. Where the other managers can walk into a room and gain instant respect because of how they look. My old co-worker is a perfect example. Him and I worked so well together, both had lots of experience and great ideas to increase sales, etc. BUT, we looked opposite. He was 36 years old, great shape, HOT AT HELL... and here I was: 236 pounds, hair not bleached blond, didn't wear the nice girly-suits that hugged my body, etc. The staff treated us totally different. Let's also not forget the fact that I am a woman and he's a man and well right there is a challenge in itself. I'm not complaining about our staff, but more about society and how we look at people. It's just a true fact that people are thought of differently when they are overweight: dumb, lazy, incomp, etc. During my stay at this one location, I did join a weight loss group and took off 30 pounds. As the weight came off, I did notice a difference in how the staff treated me. They would approach me with a smile instead of a look of demand. They would wait till I was off the phone to ask me a question instead of inturrupting me. They would show more respect for me in front of other co-workers instead of disrespect. I could go on and on and on about this subject. In fact, I am. So, I'll stop now. By losing weight you change your entire life. It's such a positive thing. I can't wait 'till I'm at goal and then I will have nobody and no 'thing' to blame anything on again. If somebody treats me like crap, it's because I deserve it. Period. Thanks for listening!

Well, I was banded on Monday, August 27th, 2007. My surgeon said it was a "textbook" surgery and I spent one night in the hospital. It is Day 6 now and everything is going fairly well except I can't believe how bloated I get after I eat something. Is anyone else having this problem? I just finished my breakfast protein shake which I sipped over a period of 45 minutes and my stomach is starting to bloat up and I feel uncomfortable. I got weighed this morning and have finally lost all my post surgery weight gain from the IV fluids. My doctor said to only weigh once per week but I felt thinner this morning and wanted to see how I was doing. I am on Phase 1 of the post op diet and am sticking to the 500 calories per day. I have two protein shakes per day, 1 cup of strained soup, and usually 1 cup of 100% juice, SF popsicles, and SF jello. I really don't think I could eat anymore of that right now. I have started walking outside but couldn't believe how weak my legs are so have to build up slowly. Everyone have a good day and stay well. Write when you can. shelli:ranger:

I was on Depo for three years and gained 80 pounds. Nothing I did was able to stop it. And I didn't attribute the weight gain to it at the time otherwise I would have stopped sooner. Had I known then what I do now I never would have gotten that shot, I am not completely blaming it for my 318lb self but it certainly did not help. My nurse ended up telling me that people who have a tendency to gain weight, will gain weight with Depo. It just seems so counter productive if you are having this procedure.

Hi Sue, I love your thoughts on drinking the water and fluids. I am not too worried about the weight gain except for the bloat. My stomach is so bloated. Here I go to drink some water with lemon. Thanks for writing. shelli:ranger:

Here are somethings that no one knows about me: 1) I was sexually abused by my father until I was ten years old and he was put in jail. He also abused three other girls (one being special needs) 2) I have never been into drinking or drugs. 3) My idea of a good Friday night has always been putting on comfy PJs and cuddling up with a great book (what a dork). 4) I dropped out of college in my Junior year and went back to get m Associate's Degree after the birth of my son. 5) I only went out with my DH on our first date because I had nothing better to do!!!!:nervous 6) I am the only one that colors in my son's Coloring Books! 7) In my mind, I'm an average sized person. 8) I'm a obsessive coupon clipper. I hang my receipts on my fridge to show everyone how much money I've saved! 9) I struggled for many years with depression but have gotten it under wraps with meds (which adds to my weight gain)! This thread was a great idea!

I didn't ever have the depo shot but, before being banded I was on Seasonale Birth Control Pill (they have a generic for this now) for my Endometriosis. It's the one where you only have your period 4 times a year. I've been on it at least 3+ years and have never had a weight gain from it, only from eating too much. It really helps with my Endometriosis and cramps. My surgeon had me go off it in July temporarily because any birth conrol pill can cause blood clots and they wanted to lessen my risks during both my gallbladder and lap-band surgeries. I'll be starting back up on it in September. That might be a better option for those of you having trouble with the depo shot. Of course, that's just my opinion but, I just wanted to tell you all my experience. Hope this helps.

Megestrol acetate has another independent use in cancer treatment. In high doses, it is used to counteract weight loss that does not occur for any other treatable reason. Megestrol acetate appears to bring about weight gain through increased fat storage. ---Found this while figuring out what this stuff is suppose to be for. That doesn't sound promising either!!

I haven't done band & depo at the same time, but I tried depo a couple of years ago.. ONE TIME.. and gained 30lb in the time I was on it (I think it lasts 3 months?). I never did it again, but I am always weary of the depo, and advise anyone I know with weight issues not to try depo. I'm not sure if any of ther other b/c options work on Endometriosis, but I would definitely ask your doctor giving the depo if they can suggest something with less weight-gain side effects.

I was banded in 2005. I was very successfull in my weightloss. I went from 220 to 135. I counted calories and went running twice a week. I suffered a knee injury from running about a year ago and have been going downhill ever since. I am now up to 156lbs. I know to most it still seems like a good weight. But I find myself so depressed about my recent weight gain. I thought I had it all under control. I have been eating nothing but crap recently, which is why I am where I am. It's like a switch in my head went off and I can't switch it back on again. I had a recent fill, which resulted in a small unfill because it hurt just to get Water down, and I am back to where I started. I can still eat anything. I can't rely on the full feeling because I feel like it is unobtainable. I have to rely on counting calories. I find myself so envious of people who can only eat 800 calories per day and people who were able to get RNY. Mentally, I feel like I am at square one. I have realized that this will always be a huge battle for me. For the first year, I was on cloud nine. But now, I realize that there will never be a cure for the eating issues that I have. It makes me realize that maybe we are treating our eating issues the wrong way. Maybe we should be getting therapy instead of weight loss surgery. Anyone ever feel like this? Disclaimer: No I am not knocking lap band surgery. I am just trying to work through the mental issues most of us are suffering from...how about a section for doing the head work?

JC sounds like your small weight gain is actually muscle... it must be with all the exercise you are doing... Yvonne