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Thanks, Kat! I'm still down. Have to go to work, but then crash at home. Maybe this week I can start moving again!!! I MISS IT!! Betty, it is warm here in So. Cal. Tomorrow we will be feeling 90 degree weather! I'm in L.A., so wave when you fly over! Thanksgiving morning is usually spent biking at the beach with friends or hiking the hills with my family. Roberta, that is fantastic! It is SHOCKING when men look twice at me. (Reminds me what life was like before the weight gain). Just not used to it. And dear Julie, we will miss you! You assembled us all here and are my inspiration. I studied French for five years, but have never been. Have a wonderful time and PLEASE stretch, walk when you can, and do ankle circles. Hopefully, you are first-class and can really stretch out. Drink lots of water!!! Why is it that flying east (long distance) is harder than flying west??

Before being banded I had huge weight gaain on Paxil. I did every thing right. One thing my doctortold me is the anti depressants even though you are doing everything right, theses drugs slow down your metabolic rate to almost zero hence why the weight gain and no weight loss

I have been married for over 6 years now. When I married my husband He was 6'2 and 195 lbs. I was shocked the other day when my mom asked me, "What if your husband feels bad that you are getting surgery but he isnt?" I said, "Why would he want surgery? He's not overweight." My mom looked at me like I was joking. Later I was looking at my husband and realized he was getting a little chunky. I asked if he knew how much he weighed and he said "ABout 275 I think, why?" I couldn't believe I hadn't noticed an 80 lb weight gain!!! mb I just love him or just am not focused on his weight, or just TOO focused on my own weight problems. Anyway, once I realized he was overweight I now worry that he'll start getting some of the same health issues I'm dealing with. However, I think after surgery he will lose weight just because I'm eating/cooking better and I want to be much more physically active as a whole family. But yeah, mb love is blind. BTW- weird coincidence. We've both struggled with weight our entire lives. when we met, we had BOTH just lost about 50 lbs and BOTH were at a normal weight. I just gained it all back before we got married and he hadn't. BUT that was one of the things that attracted me to him was that I knew he would understand my weight struggles and wouldn't judge me if I regained (which he NEVER has judged me for)

Pinky, Have you been tested for sleep apnea, I was shocked when I found out I had it, because I am overweight but not huge. I had symtoms of fatigue tiredness, body aches, my bloodwork checked out ok so dr. sent me to rheumetoidologist (sp.) and sure enough I have it, my Dad had it and I have a brother and sister with it. The weight gain comes along with it because you do not feel like doing anything and when you do it makes you tired. I have a CPAP machine but I pull the mask off every night cause I hate it. I am going to look into surgery that is supposed to correct it. Anniemay

I smoke a pack a day. I don't want to. I experience the same self-loathing over smoking, that I do over being fat. I hate myself for making such an unhealthy choice. I tell myself that it's "okay" because I don't smoke in the house or around other people, and certainly never inside a restaurant or any public place. In fact, if I find I HAVE to have a cigarette while I'm out shopping, I walk far, far away from the entrance to the building so that other patrons don't have to breathe in my vile cigarette smoke. Some may perceive me a hypocrit. I don't care. I want to quit and I did quit for over three years many years ago, and the last attempt at quitting last year had me smoke-free for four weeks. I gained thirty pounds in that month, so I rationalized starting smoking again because of the weight gain. Funny thing is, I haven't lost those thirty added pounds. My surgeon told me that I have to be smoke-free for two weeks prior to surgery. I already decided to have my last cigarette 11-22-06. I hope I can quit for good this time. I don't judge others for what they do -- or don't do -- with their lives. Sometimes I see the "debunkify the myth" commercials where they talk about "not everyone smokes", and the recent local elections here have banned smoking in ALL public places -- and while I think that's a very good thing, sometimes I think that this country is in a "Smoker's Bashing" frenzy. If you smoke, you're looked upon as a lower-class individual. Much the same way I'm treated as being an obese person. Because I'm fat, I'm regarded as "not as good" by the thin, "normal" population. I think both are wrong to do. Any kind of (fill in the blank) bashing is wrong. As long as my bad habits aren't affecting other people, I don't think anyone has a say in what I choose to do to my body. When and if I decide to quit should be MY decision, and I shouldn't be bullied into that decision. Same thing for weight-loss. It's MY decision. That's just my two cents....

I went today for my pre admission testing at the hospital... I have never been happy about a surgury before. I just can't wait to get on with things. My dr never even asked me to do a pre surgical weight loss, I have been doing a pre surgical weight gain. I called today to see if I missed him saying that, and they said no.. see you on Wednesday! I am glad everyone is going well. Keep it up! Misty

yes, too bad they couldn't get their facts right about the procedures. But as to whether someone has WLS as a preventative measure opens a whole other line of thinking. I am not sure if it is much different from a "starlet" having WLS so she doesn't have to face any weight gain, than one of our low BMI folks having the band because the need to stop before they do get as big as I am, or bigger. I think that says something about our socity when someone who is tiny under goes something as drastic as WLS so they don't become a fat cow at size 6.

Been awhile... I weighed myself a few weeks ago and I had gained 3.5lbs. I was so upset. The realization that I needed a fill took about a week to get thru my thick head since I was so set on not getting one until the new year. So I went in for a fill and really started watching what I ate alot closer than I had been. Yet even with this first fill I was able to eat anything and not feel the band at all. But I did end up losing another 3.8lbs which brought my weight loss down to -.3lbs from where it was before the weight gain. This past Tuesday (11/14) I had another fill and I can definitely feel this one so I think I am back on track. Trying to eat some meat at lunch today and I could feel the band working. The support group I attend every Thursday has been very helpful as well. It seems like everybody is going thru the same issues at the same time and we are all getting fills. I don't know if I would have been so aggressively approaching all these problems without the group. Looks like I'll weigh again this Saturday (11/18) and update my numbers for TickerFActory.com. LATER!!!

Been awhile... I weighed myself a few weeks ago and I had gained 3.5lbs. I was so upset. The realization that I needed a fill took about a week to get thru my thick head since I was so set on not getting one until the new year. So I went in for a fill and really started watching what I ate alot closer than I had been. Yet even with this first fill I was able to eat anything and not feel the band at all. But I did end up losing another 3.8lbs which brought my weight loss down to -.3lbs from where it was before the weight gain. This past Tuesday (11/14) I had another fill and I can definitely feel this one so I think I am back on track. Trying to eat some meat at lunch today and I could feel the band working. The support group I attend every Thursday has been very helpful as well. It seems like everybody is going thru the same issues at the same time and we are all getting fills. I don't know if I would have been so aggressively approaching all these problems without the group. Looks like I'll weigh again this Saturday (11/18) and update my numbers for TickerFActory.com. LATER!!!

Hey Babe, your labs all look very low to me. (I never thought I'd be able read lab results, I'm a computer geek, not a medical geek! sheesh! So, Addison's (adreanal insufficiency) is the opposite of Cushing. But those of us who are Cyclical Cushing's can and sometimes do have both because we either have too much cortisol, Cushing's, or not enough, Addison's. It just depends on how far your disease has progressed, if you have this. If you post your results on the Cushing's help site, the link is in my signature, and ask for help reading. There are folks there who really understand lab results. Addison patients typically are very skinny, Cushies are typically fat. Buffalo hump, central obesisty (all our weight tends to be "trunk centered" as opposed to equally spread about) and bright purple stretch marks and the inability to lose weight, or worse yet, rapid weight gain, and a red moon face. Not everyone has all the symptoms of course, but those are all the hall-marks of Cushing's. I strongly hope you spend some time on the Cushing's board, since that is one of the best places to get information on Cushing's. PM me if you need me. You have my phone number still, right? Just remember I'm on the West Coast! (((((hugs)))))

So far I am the first person on this thread to say this but until I was 32 I couldn't keep weight on. I grew up in a house with what I thought of as normal sized people. My family was all healthy weight. I was called names because I was so thin and I promise it hurts just as bad. Now as a obese person I have had a hard time feeling bad about the weight gain. I don't make fun of obese people in fact I tend to be attracted to heavy men. I guess everything is in how you percieve it. I am having lapband because I want to stop taking all this medicine that I am on. I am 5'7" and I would be happy at 160lbs all day long. Personally I am a happy fat girl but it is making me sick so the time has come to do something and I don't seem to be able to diet and excerise to lose it. I joined Curves today and have surgery Dec. 4 so wish me luck!

I want to join. I knew going in that I would not loose as fast as most people because I was not a big eater on a regular basis, I just would splurge on the weekends, thus causing weight gain. I am happy, I just need to make myself exercise and eat healthy (most) ALL the time!!

Gayle--That is exactly what I am trying to avoid, so thanks! And to answer youur funny (but true) "question", no, not many people miraculously get thinner AND healthier as they age! I went to the doctor today. They tested my blood pressure and determined that it is in fact pretty high. The doctor even said that if I was due for a surgical procedure, they would have had to reschedule for the procedure. Yeah, that high. He went on to say that I am too young to have that high blood pressure. They took some of my precious blood (again) to see if they can find anything medically causing not only the weight gain but the hbp also. I NEVER thought I would be in this boat. Major wakeup call. I still have my seminar on Thursday and I already have 2 people going with me. And I need all of the support I can get. I am soooo tired of people telling me, "You have such a lovely face..." and you all probably know the rest of that dreaded statement! Thanks to everyone for your encouragement and help!!! I love the way you guys are so open, honest, and helpful!!! And congrats to everyone who has lost any weight and good luck to everyone else out there who are ready to take the neccessary steps to gain control! I cant wait to update you! Stephanee

Hi folks, Emotional eating is sabotaging my efforts to work with my band. It's got so bad that I made an urgent call to my Dr to get an unfil because I've inflamed the restricted part of my stomach. And in the two weeks of unfil I've put on 14lbs!! Whilst the weight gain is getting me down, I'm more worried about the emotional eating. If I can't get a grip, the operation will have been for nothing - and I could do some serious damage to my body. I've been keeping a journal and I'd say that 95% of my eating is driven by non-hunger. Seriously, it's that bad. books on the subject suggest developing self-nuturing strategies to fill the void instead of using food. Thing is, I can't think of any that are appropriate or offer immediate relief. It's a little difficult to take a relaxing bath when you are at work, or mediate when family are demanding things. Any ideas or strategies I could use to control or lessen my emotional eating drives?

Your feedback last Wed. and Don Mills of Inamed have already made a great deal of difference cause the information was so timly. I can deal with most things if I have the facts to make informed decisions. I just need to be the one to make the call about my body and quality of life. I was not given that at my clinic on that day. I am sure I will try to have a 2nd band and I pray that it will workout for the long term.. But I have started getting control of my weight gain by getting serveral new tools (Diet Assistant 6.0 PDA& desktop SW and OTC appetite control pills) to hopfully help me stay focused. My goal is to go into January as healthy as I possible can by not gaining any more weight. This leak could not have happen at a better time of the year :faint: cause I truly believe the Lord is telling me to trust in Him and not my prosthetic. He is using this season to drive it home. I just wanted to close and again thank those who replied to this post.

Thanks Jenny! Through all three pregnancies and even this weight gain, I always maintained great blood pressure...not once was it ever high. However, when I went to the gym to speak to a personal trainer, they did an assessment. She informed me that my blood pressure was considered high. I have recently (within the past 4 months) started getting migraines and panic attacks...something I have NEVER had before (and you are talking to someone who took care of 3 children all by herself AND worked fulltime!). But other than that, no other health problems. Both of my parents were diabetic (only my mother was obese) and both had one form of cancer or another. I dont want to ever be in that boat, you know? I am calling my doctor tomorrow to schedule a checkup with him. I have always found him to be supportive but I wonder why he has never approached the subject about my weight. Living in denial is NOT fun especially when the reality sets in.:faint:

:help: Hi! My name is Stephanee and I am a 27 year old mother of 5 kiddos...3 birth children and 2 foster children, ranging from the ages of 3 all the way up to 16. My co-worker told me about the Lap Band about 2 months ago but I was still in denial then. On Friday, I went to see a plastic surgeon about recieving a much needed tummy tuck due to 3 c-sections and major weight gain. I informed him that we go to the gym 3 times a week and we eat healthy. I explained that I didnt want to have the procedure done until I lose some weight. Without him weighing me, he assummed I was accurate on my weight and proceeded to tell me he "didnt know why I thought I was healthy because 240 pounds and 5'5" is NOT healthy". And he went on to repeat the same sentence 2 more times within a 3 minute time frame. I was devasted. I knew I was overweight, but he was being really harsh. I looked at him and told him, "With you being a Doctor, is that all you can contribute to this conversation?" His reply was, "Yes, I guess so." I then told him that I didnt think this was going to work. He agreed with me and got up and left the room...leaving me there in tears and in an XL robe that fit me perfectly. I didnt take an opportunity to tell him that I had recently been tested for diabetes, thyroid issues and even had a CAT scan to make sure I didnt have any tumors. And those tests came back normal. I didnt take an opportunity to tell him that my mother died from complications from obesity. And I didnt take the opportunity to tell him that I was currently wearing a size 16, so I couldnt be as hopeless as he made me feel. As soon as I made my way out to my Jeep, I told my waiting boyfriend that it was over...no more feeling horrible about myself. We went to our gym to speak to a personal trainer. We decided I was going to hire a personal trainer to help lose the weight. But I still felt like I needed something more. I have tried many different diets and have been obese for the past 5 years. I work out reguarly, I am a volunteer baseball coach and the PTA President, so I am always on the go. But no matter how hard or long I try, I get no where. And then, last night, I remembered about the Lap Band. I stayed up until 12:30 in the AM doing research. Before, I was terrified at the prospect of surgery, as my mother passed away when I was only 6. But the more I read, the more comfortable I felt about such a major change. What I need to know is, are there anyone else in my shoes who was able to be approved for the Lap Band? I am 5'5", 230 pounds, with a BMI of 38.3 and I have UHC as my insurance company. Any help you can offer, I would really appreciate it. I am soooo tired of giving 100% to other people and 0% for myself. Thanks!!!

Carol I think when we are really tight it is sometimes indication of swelling, thus your weight gain. Barbara12 said it best "the weight has to go. I'm simply not eating enough not to lose". Claim the lowest number on the scale. Tell yourself that the bigger numbers that come back are temporary water weight because they are. Your nsv's may need to come from having a healthy day or a looser waistband.

I also agree with the letter, but try to keep the lines of communication open to her, and let her know that your concern for her weight is not about looks. I have fought with my weight since having children and it depressed me to no end, and remarks like "you shouldn't be eating that" did nothing but make me eat more. Then with the weight gain came the diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, depression, etc. I had to start taking meds for everything, and Celexa for depression (Celexa RULES, by the way) and I started worrying about my health but kept it to myself and just got more depressed. Finally one day my husband told me that we needed to talk, he said "I'm afraid" and I asked him what he was afraid about. He told me "I'm afraid for your health, I'm afraid you are going to die and leave me alone, and I just don't know if I could go on without you". He then went on to say he loved me, no matter what I weighed, and would always love me, but that he wanted me be around to see our children get married, and to enjoy and share in having grandchildren together. He said he wanted me to outlive him and he was afraid that wasn't going to happen if my health go any worse. Well, that was a real eye opener for me. Not only was he telling me that he loved me unconditionally, but for the first time I realized how much of an effect my weight had on him and how it was affecting the both of us. I started researching options and found the band. I'm a newbie, have only been banded for three weeks, and I realize I'm having to make changes in my life, but seeing how he is supporting me has made all the difference in the world. Yes, I am doing this for me, but my other motivation is to grow old with the most important person in my life, the one who cared enough about me to be honest and understanding. I wish you and your wife the best on your journey. If there is any way to get across to her that there are so many people going through what she is going through, she may find that talking to some of us can give her hope.

No, for me it was as easy as giving my husband the look, and even happened unexpectedly too. I'm sorry for your difficulties with it. I had no problem even the third time at 34 and a BMI of at least 35, I didnt even mean to get pregnant that time. But where there's a will there's a way. I do know somebody who fell pregnant twice, whilst on the pill and with only one functioning ovary. If it were me, I wouldnt wait. YOu dont say how old you are but you know that it may take you a while. 70lb overweight is better than 140lb overweight by a long shot, it will make your entire pregnancy much easier. The third time I fell I was 104kg, and I was really worried about my weight, particularly since I'd had pre-eclampsia (mild) twice at more normal weights. My doc said a gestating baby needs nutrients, not calories, and that as long as I ate well there was no need to eat more than 1500 calories a day at any stage of the pregnancy. So that's what I did and I did not gain appreciable weight in that pregnancy, my scales never wavered by more than a kilo or two, when I came home from the hospital holding my new daughter, I was 12kg lighter than when I'd conceived her. I had the healthiest of my 3 pregnancies due to avoiding the weight gain, although I never gained more than 12kg (a normal amount) during pregnancy. Unfortunately, when I gained MOST of my weight was after my second baby, that's an abrupt change of lifestyle, no more socialising, no more being out and about all day, no more going to the gym etc, too hard with a bub and a toddler. And breastfeeding seems to make me gain alarmingly fast and I did a lot of that - almost 7 years in total. Good luck with it all.

My mother always blamed herself for my weight gain, even though I was out of the house & married off before it became an issue. She wasn't thrilled with the idea of my surgery because she was sad that it had "come down to that". She wished I could have found another way. She & dad drove down to the hospital to be with DH and I when I had my surgery. I didn't know this at the time, but she cried for hours the night before my surgery. Mostly tears of misplaced guilt, I believe. A few of fear. We both know sisters who were banded several years ago, and one has had some sognificant issues with her band that have lead to other problems including extreme (from size 36 to a loose 0) weightloss. And a few tears because she was afraid that it was a pure desperation move on my behalf. She never vocalized it, but she wished I wouldn't do it. Now that she sees I'm getting myself back, sees the changes in my personality, and my body... sees that I can get down & up again from the floor without any effort, and that I can rup up and down the stairs & still breathe... and most importantly that I'm still healthy, able to eat wholesome foods, and not having (yet) complications, she's thinking about the band herself. At the same time she has a lot of the issues you share about your mom. She is overweight, though I was by far the largest. She told me once, "If you do this and lose weight I'm going to be jealous." It always gave her a measure of comfort to not be the fattest one in the room, I'm sure, even if it caused her horrible guilt at the same time. We visited my parents last weekend and mom brought out all the food she had bought for me - Cookies, ice cream, chips. She meant well, but I told her I don't eat that stuff any more, and even when I do it's 1 cookie, not a box. She keeps insisting that, "With no more than what you eat, a few cookies isn't going to hurt you" or "You can use real butter, you need some more fat in your diet." She means well, but she too struggles with her proverbial demons. As does your mother. Have you tried a real heart-to-heart with her?

Hi All, I have been very ill with congestive heart failure, sleep apnea and the complications of severe pheumonia and weight gain. I hope that someone out there might be able to help. Due to my circumstances, my doctor has given me a referral and actually recommended the Lap Band Procedure. My problem, I have not been able to find a Doctor who accepts medi-cal as payment. Please, if any one has any suggestions or help in finding a physician I would be most appreciative. I dont know what else to do.

Sweet, my weight goals are the same as yours. Do you know when you are being banded? I think I AM ready. I just get really freaked out when hearing words like "slippage", "PBs", "vomitting", "growling", "erosion" and most importantly "weight gain" if the band is removed. My intention is to rejoin weight watchers with my mom (who is on maintenance) to correct my lapsed eating judgment. I was very disciplined while on WW, but lost the initiative when the weight stopped dropping. I think with the tool (the band) and the support of WW I will be okay. I am concerned though about how I will be viewed (in WW) and/or treated if it becomes known that I have been banded. WW is all about natural weight loss, but I think some of us really do need a little help. It has been emphasized that the band is not supposed to be looked at as something that will be put in just long enough to reach a weight goal and then removed, but I have to admit that if how I am currently looking at it. I am uneasy with having a foreign body inside of me, which is why I am trying to become involved in other intervention methods and behavioral management programs. I have so many thoughts flying through my mind...I just want to get it over with and it has barely even started lol

My firend took Zyban and did wonderful.She was able to quit. Her only problem was the routine she had. Aftet every meal she smoked, breaks at work, before bed. Her solution, red hot tamalies from the states. ( A red hot chewie candy ) She would eat five of these vile candy every time she wanted a smoke. (That is about 20 of those awful candy a day ! yuck )After about a month she no longer needed the candy to distract her. And no weight gain, she is one of those who can eat whatever and still wears a 7 pants! Y

I am sure all of you already know this, however I'll reiterate. This is how my weight came off...coupled with exercise. I don't eat greasy foods, no pastas or rice (small potato only), I do not eat sweets. I do not believe in deprivation however I believe in eating to live. Eat foods that are light and non-greasy. Eat organic. Eat fruits. Dairy is important as well. Complex carbs are better to consume. Lean meats only! 1 can of Albacore tuna is 6oz of Protein and it has approx 1.5 grams fat per serving, 2 in a can. salad dressing has soooooo much fat and carbs in it. Take a look before you pour it all over your healthy salad greens. Too much dressing may become a double cheeseburger. B- 8AM - Isopure shake S-10AM - Yogurt (light dannon yogurt drinks) L-12PM - 1/4 - 1/2 can of Albacore Tuna, 1 cup of Salad Greens, lime juice or light dressing (very light). S- 2PM - 1/2 of Grapefruit (any kind of fruit) D-4PM - 1oz of grilled chicken breast/tuna, 1/2 cup of broccoli, 1/4 cup of baked potato S-6PM-1/2 of Protein Shake or Protein Bar 64 - 128 fl oz of Water throughout the entire day Low fat, low carb foods in moderation, every few hours. 3 bites preferrably. 3bites with good restriction. If you are exercising and the weight isnt coming off (Tann in your case 5lbs is quite alot so please don't fret).....then you need to keep a food journal. With constant snacking, one could forget exactly how many ounces of "snack" foods they actually ate, wondering why they aren't losing. I know people think it's ridiculous to count calories but it has worked for quite a few of us banded folk here on lbt. If you exert 500-700 calories in the gym per day plus extra calories your body is already burning without doing anything special, say an additional 1000 calories...and you eat 1000 calories...guess what? You will lose weight. You lose because you burn more calories than you consume. Say you eat 1,500 calories and you have only burned 1,500 calories (basal) then you maintain. Say you eat 1,500 calories but you burn 1,000 calories....then you will gain. Very simple guide. If you look at body builders, they eat like horses. They eat good foods high in protein all day long. They eat but they burn it off right away. Keeps their metabolism in full force. Working out not only strengthens your metabolism but it helps promote all over physical fitness. Exercising Benefits: Burn calories, increase circulation, improve heart health and increase endurance. The same goes for any other cardiovascular activity such as running, walking, stair climbing, dancing and so on. Cardiovascular exercise is one of the best health insurance policies you will ever find. But despite its calorie-burning and heart-protecting benefits, its effect on weight loss is limited for many people, especially if it's not coupled with dietary change. Cardiovascular activity is great for preventing weight gain and great for weight management, but when used alone, it's not the perfect method for weight loss.