Search the Community

Don't you feel the world is attacking obese people this week? It seems each day a new article comes out with another poke at obesity. Now, they are saying that being obese is linked to mental illness and that the fat aren't jolly? True, I am an emotional eater, who added two hundred pounds following the deaths of my mother and my boyfriend --- BUT I have always been FAT AND JOLLY!! I never denied myself anything that gave pleasure, and food gave pleasure. Also, I am a people person, so sharing good company and good food -- with a lot of laughter -- was common in my life. Though I am learning smarter ways to manage my weight, I certainly don't want to lose the laughter and friends. Joyce Here's the AP article... Study says obesity, depression linked By LINDSEY TANNER The Associated Press CHICAGO — Obesity is strongly linked with depression and other mood disorders, according to a new study by Group Health Cooperative. Whether obesity might cause these problems or is the result of them is not certain, but there are theories to support both arguments. Depression often causes people to abandon activities, and some medications used to treat mental illness can cause weight gain. On the other hand, obesity is often seen as a stigma, and overweight people often are subject to teasing and other hurtful behavior. The study of more than 9,000 adults found that mood and anxiety disorders, including depression, were about 25 percent more common in the obese people studied than in the nonobese. Substance abuse was an exception; obese people were about 25 percent less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol than slimmer participants. The results appear in the July issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, released Monday. The lead author was Dr. Gregory Simon, a researcher with Group Health in Seattle. The results "suggest that the cultural stereotype of the jolly fat person is more a figment of our imagination than a reality," said Dr. Wayne Fenton of the National Institute of Mental Health, which funded the study. "The take-home message for doctors is to be on the lookout for depression among their patients who are overweight," Fenton said. Both conditions are quite common. About one-third of U.S. adults are obese, and depression affects about 10 percent of the population, or nearly 21 million U.S. adults in a given year. Previous studies produced conflicting results on whether obesity is linked with mental illness, although a growing body of research suggests there is an association. The latest study helps resolve the question, said Dr. Susan McElroy, editor of a textbook on obesity and mental disorders. "This is a state-of-the-art psychiatric epidemiology study that really confirms that there is, in fact, a relationship," she said. The study was based on an analysis of a national survey of 9,125 adults who were interviewed to assess mental state. Obesity status was determined using participants' self-reported weight and height. About one-fourth of all participants were obese. Twenty-two percent of obese participants had experienced a mood disorder, compared with 18 percent of the nonobese.

Dolphin Dreams, did you even have to prove weight loss attempts, medically supervised? I am on plan 3, the supposedly best one, or at least most expensive. Here is what they asked for from me: 1)History and physical info incl. height, weight, and co-morbidities 2)Initial Evaluation 3)Documented history of morbid obesity (5 years) 4)evidence of at least 12 consecutive months of medically supervised, non-surgical methods of weight reduction with documentation that such efforts failed. the supervion must be provided by an MD, DO, or Nurse Practitioner. The weight reduction methods must include nutrition therapy, behavior modifying exercise or increase in activity, medication therapy and maintenance therapy. 5)psych evaluation 6) Documentation of willingness to comply with pre-op and post-op treatment plans 7)Documentation of procedures to be performed, with pertinent CPT codes. #4 is the tough one. the doctor in the network, Dr. Davis does provide a medically supervised weight program that costs for 6 months....$3800. I called and asked BCBS if they would pay for this (spoke to Meriah on 6/27/06) and she said "NO". hooboy:faint: Then I spoke to Janis, supervisor who Meriah transferred me to. I told her I had been to one doctor or another almost every month for the past year. I asked her did it have to be every month. Janis said no. Janis can look at their records of pay outs and see when I went to the doctors. Did they ask you for all this too? It is true I have been to doctors alot b/c I'm sick and worried about this metabolic problem and continual weight gain...:sick I'm sick and tired of being fat, sick and tired. OK this tirade is over:clap2: If you are still with me thank you for reading all this mess.

Thanks for the words of encouragement all.. No kidding about the what seems to be an automatic weight gain. It seems I've put on about 5 pounds too. I was really, really dehyrdrated too. It's funny (not really) how fast that sneaks up on you. Good luck with the fills & I hope all stays well!

Habla Espanol un poco! Estare en Barcelona por una semana. I'll be back in the USA before you leave though. I have flown the French & British Concorde ( last time was July 2002) and those seats were on the smaller side pre banding. My husband thought that it would be a problem for me but it wasn't at all. Now though I have to tighten the seat belt big time I know that Paella will not work and will probably just stick to Tapas and Basque style fresh fish and always a un cristol de vino and no pan y mantequilla unless crusty but helado always works. I will hopefully not get "muy gordo". I have been listening to some tapes but really need a course at Berlitz in French and Spanish. I have a large vocabulary in Spanish but can't put together sentences in the right tense etc. However, the Spaniards that I encounter are delighted with my trying and are pretty patient. My DH is fluent in French which doesn't help in Spain. I can do a mean lisp too. :bananajump: I wouldn't count of losing as much weight as you want to prior to your trip to Cuba. You want to be able to eat and not have a problem with PB's and being to tight out of the country. Realistically, I wouldn't be in such a hurry cuz it just causes loose skin which I don't have since my journey has been soooooo slow. I am still on a few medications that have weight gain as side effects and increased appetite which sucks because of my age. The weight loss has decreased the dosage but not eliminated them from my life. Hang in there. My team ( NYU) expects to see newly banded patients every month for the first year for weighing and fills. They feel that it is like a marriage in order to be successful. Check out the newletters on the site too because there are lots of tips for eating out etc. I won't be posting for a few weeks. Good luck.

Well, I am starting liquids tomorrow - for three days. I know that is not so much compared to some of you...but I am not looking forward to it since I am not a fan of the Protein drink! ICK. So, tonight I am having a slice of pizza. Not so much of a finale, but I have been doing South Beach/Atkins (sort of my own hybrid) for 2.5 weeks and I would really like a little bread. It was kind of my fiance's idea. He started the diet with me and wanted to lose 25 pounds (we are bad influences on each other. He gain about 30 pounds since we met four years ago, I gained about 70:cry )and said when he got half way he was going to have a treat...so here he is. It is a little annoying actually. Guys just lose so much easier. I mean he does do a lot of sports and exercises more than me, but still. He actually weighs 10 pounds less than me! I have never mentioned that to him. And I sort of underreport my weight gain (not that he can't tell, but...) Its embarassing especially since he is almost a foot taller than me. But I really should be thankful he is dieting with me. It has been a lot easier since we are both on the diet. His idea of a diet was portion control of regular meals (HAHA). That is virtually impossible for me. I need to do cold turkey. So, this time we actually cleaned out the pantry. In the past, things like chocolate chips would be left for him to have as a snack...of course I would help myself to those even if I had eaten a lot already): He also likes to take walks at night ( I of course don't) so he motivates (guilts?) me to take walks with him. Anyway sorry for the rant. I am starting to get a little more nervous. Olive

I started gaining weight in my late teens early twenties, just a little bit at a time. As an early mid teen I did some modelling, and wanted to become a model. At 5'9" I was just 135lbs. The modelling agency I wanted to sign with wanted me to drop 10lbs and 3 inches off my 37" hips. I decided I didn't want to model, since I felt Ideally I actually needed to gain 5-10 pounds at that time, and definitely didn't think I could lose and still be healthy. I was a loner, I was shy, I was unpopular. Kids, particularly other girls used to tease me a lot, they used to call me a lot of names, stuck up, slut, whore, - I didn't know what I had done 'wrong' - my family constantly reassured me saying they were just jealous, they told me I was beautiful and smart. I got good grades, and modelling offers didn't I? and a lot of attention from boys and men, which when I ignored the cat calls and 'attention' - I got those remarks again - stuck up, bitch... the reaction from guys who don't have their attentions returned. Hell, I was a kid, I was shy. I wanted to be liked. I was smart... I decided to try being less smart, less pretty. I started gaining weight, the less smart I seemed, and the more weight I gained, the more I seemed to be accepted. In college the girls were less catty, I didn't seem to stand out so much, I started to feel a little more normal somehow. I still wasn't obese, I was plump, I still felt pretty. I don't think any of it was a super conscious decision, at least with the weight gain, I did 'dumb myself down' intentionally on occasion. I was torn in two directions all the time, I wanted to be smart and pretty, and I didn't. I was torn between wanting to please people, and wanting to strive for perfection, I was pretty mucked up. I got into a relationship with a not so nice guy, he didn't treat me very well, my self esteem took a turn for the worse, and I gained a little more weight, I had crept up to about 175, It's funny, because I felt fat then, now I would be unbelievably thrilled to be 175!. I broke up with him, plateaued for a while, got together with an unbelievably wonderful man, who I've been together with now for 13 years. After a couple of years in that relationship my first episode of depression hit me, I gained during that, and found myself around 200 or so pounds. My weight stabilized when I came out of that depression, and then fluctuated up and down around 30-40 pounds at a time. I got involved in martial arts, kickboxing, worked my way up to a high blue belt, just two belts away from a black belt, I was teaching lower belt levels and working at that dojo, and training with my hubby all the time, I was down to a lean muscular 190lbs for a lot of that time. I had a number of crises happen in my life then, some deaths of very close loved ones, a lot of loss. I spiraled into depression again, this one extrememly severe. I was suicidal, made several attempts over the course of a year and a half, and spend weeks, sometimes months at a time hospitalized. I went on disability from work, and we entered into bankruptcy because of it, it kept the cycle of depression kicking for a while, it took a long time for them to find a chemical cocktail of anti-depressants that worked for me. Having spend months at a time doing nothing but laying in a hospital bed curled up in a little ball, basically bedrest, no activity, completely unable to do anything at my worst times, my metabolic rate and my cardio and my physical health deteriorated rapidly along with my mental/emotional health. All the medications I take are ones linked to weight gain, they lower your metabolism, they cause you to feel hungry all the time, crave carbs, overheat easily making excersize difficult, they make you tired and lethargic, still 100 times better than me without medication though. I've tried many many meds and med combinations, the one I'm on now is the best. I'm still unable to work, I still am depressed, but I feel functional, I get some enjoyment out of life, I'm able to do somethings, it seems it's about as good as it gets for now. Most people on the type of meds I take, according to my psychiatrist, gain 50-150lbs... I topped out at 295. I went from teaching kickboxing, to not being able to walk a block without struggling. My blood pressure skyrocketed, I'm on meds for that, and my cholesterol creeping higher all the time. I felt so physically ill from carrying this weight, pains in my joints, my knees and back, tired all the time, and feeling like I'm dying bit by bit. I consulted with my family doctor, my psychiatrist, and the lap-band surgeon, and got the opinion of a second psychiatrist as well, the consensus, the lap band is a good choice for me. It may take me a little more work to contend with given my medications and things, but it has given me something that is the most valuable gift to any depressive person... hope. I'm just two weeks past surgery now, and I feel healthier and more energized than I have in years. Thank you everyone for sharing such personal stories about yourselves, it's helpful to read. XO Leila

I love a good reason to sleep more, but as a south Georgia resident, I'm not turning off the air conditioning. NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - "Super-sized" fast food meals and TV time shouldn't take all the blame for the U.S. obesity problem, according to a research review published Tuesday. <SCRIPT type=text/javascript>if (window.yzq_a == null) document.write("<scr" + "ipt type=text/javascript src=""http://us.js2.yimg.com/us.js.yimg.com/lib/bc/bc_1.7.3.js></scr" + "ipt>");</SCRIPT><SCRIPT type=text/javascript>if (window.yzq_a){yzq_a('p', 'P=uwQlus6.I3oMK09aRKFaWRAYRNwytkSjvdYAB5Ny&T=17b35a3bh%2fX%3d1151581654%2fE%3d7666449%2fR%3dnews%2fK%3d5%2fV%3d1.1%2fW%3d8%2fY%3dYAHOO%2fF%3d4293078391%2fH%3dY2FjaGVoaW50PSJuZXdzIiBjb250ZW50PSJkaWV0O0hlYWx0aDtJdDtjaGlsZHJlbjt3ZWF0aGVyO2l0OyIgcmVmdXJsPSIiIHRvcGljcz0iIg--%2fS%3d1%2fJ%3d4723BECE');yzq_a('a', '&U=139fb8112%2fN%3dMt0BB86.Isc-%2fC%3d378029.7424007.9670348.1442997%2fD%3dLREC%2fB%3d3800058');}</SCRIPT><NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT> In fact, a group of researchers contend, a number of aspects of modern living -- from lack of sleep to exposure to environmental chemicals to living with air conditioning -- may be feeding Americans' weight woes. Writing in the International Journal of Obesity, they argue that obesity research and prevention efforts need to look beyond the "Big Two" -- food industry practices, like beefed-up portion sizes and added sugar; and reduced physical activity from factors such as cuts in school gym classes. That's not to say that diet and exercise aren't important, said report co-author Dr. David B. Allison of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. However, he told Reuters Health, the evidence linking obesity to food industry marketing and lack of gym class is circumstantial. It's equally plausible that a range of other factors are also involved, Allison and his colleagues point out. Lack of sleep is one, they say. Research in animals and humans suggests that chronic sleep deprivation boosts appetite and eating, and studies also show that U.S. adults and children are sleeping less than they used to. In recent decades, adults have gone from sleeping for an average of 9 hours to about 7 hours, the researchers point out. There is also evidence that industrial chemicals that act as endocrine disruptors may increase body fat. These chemicals, which are used in products such as pesticides and plastics, alter hormonal activity when they get into the body. Studies suggest that people have been increasingly exposed to these chemicals through the food chain in recent decades. Another factor potentially weighing Americans down is air conditioning. The body burns calories when forced to regulate its own temperature and, Allison noted, people tend to eat less in hot, humid weather. He and his colleagues cite 10 potential obesity risk factors in all, including: increased rates of older mothers, whose children may be more prone to excess weight gain; a range of medications, such as antidepressants, which can promote weight gain; and a decrease in smoking rates, because people often gain weight when they quit and the absence of nicotine, an appetite suppressant. No one is suggesting that people should stop taking their prescriptions, keep smoking or swelter in the July sun, according to Allison. When it comes to any one person's weight, he said, "what ultimately matters is calorie intake and calorie expenditure." That means diet and exercise is still key. But, Allison argued, researchers and policymakers should be "open-minded" about the potential contributors to the obesity problem and not assume that the answer lies in simple fixes like ridding schools of vending machines or installing sidewalks in the suburbs to encourage walking. SOURCE: International Journal of Obesity, June 27, 2006 online.

AIleen, Dr. Miranda told me Mirida (sp?) was the anti depresesant that they started using as a weight loss drug. She also said to use Wellbutrin if I needed it. No weight gain.

I have very severe depression with some anxiety, severe enough that before they got me on the cocktail I'm taking now of medications that work for me, I was actively trying to suicide for over a year, and spent weeks, sometimes months at a time hospitalized. It took time before they found medication that was effective for me, I take high doses of Effexor, remeron and seroquel. I can never safely go off of them. My depression is very biological, I don't have normal brain chemistry on my own, and if I don't take medication, I go downhill, and fast. I was on the heavier side pre-depression and medication, but not obese. Most people on the medications I'm on, gain anywhere from 60-150lbs, it's standard, according to my psychiatrist. They are all 3 of them medications associated with weight gain, they slow my metabolism, they make me feel hungry all the time, and make me crave carbohydrates. They also cause me to overheat, and make me tired, making excerising anywhere than a swimming pool pretty much impossible. I gained 100lbs from the time I started taking them 4 years ago. Lap-band was a tricky decision for me, how would it work when so much of my weight gain was tied into my medications?, and the fact that I currently still have active depression, I don't get full relief with my meds, I'm unable to work, and I often find myself house bound and unable to get out, or exercise? Would/could lap band make a difference. Talking with my psychiatrist, my family Dr. and the surgeon, the answer seemed to be yes, it could make all the difference. If I don't take my medication my depression will kill me. If I don't lose weight, my body will. There was no other tool that may work for me. I'm two weeks post op. I have very rarely felt hunger, my caloric intake and my Protein, carb and fat intake I chart every day on fitday.com, I've averaged 1200 calories a day, and 75 grams of protein, low fat. I started my journey post-op 295, pre-op diet got me down to 280 day of surgery, and now I'm 274.5 (though my period started today, the day I normally weigh myself, and I -always- retain 3-7lbs. So I know it's even less than that). I believe it will work for me. I believe I can stay on my medications and can lose the weight. I don't believe the lap-band does it all, but it's a tool. I believe your mental and emotional health is -very- important. I also know from experience that anxiety left untreated can and often will deplete your brain chemsitry and can cause depression, and depression left untreated can worsen and worsen, and that the longer it goes untreated the more it takes to 'fix', if you have mild anxiety and or depression you need lower doses of medication typically to fix it, it will then often stabilize, your brain chemsitry will normalize, and you may be able to go off medication and maintain your own normal balance. The more severe your anxiety/depression is, and/or the longer it goes untreated, the more medication it takes to balance out to normal again, and the longer typically you need to use it, and sometimes, like with me, it becomes unlikely you can ever live without medication. My personal belief, is letting a mood disorder be untreated is like being a diabetic and not taking insulin when you need it, you are possibly causing yourself more damage, and you are diminishing your health and your quality of life. I know not everyone agrees, but that is how I see it, these are biochemical illnesses, and medicine helps restore normalicy. Yes there are side effects, but they are not insurmountable, maybe we will have to work a little harder than some other lap banders, life doesn't dole out fair portions on our plates. I would give your medications a try, I would at least see what happens, see if you can treat yourself with them and restore your mental/emotional health while still working on your healthy weight loss. Maybe it will slow it down, or even plateau for you, but maybe it won't, and maybe it will just be a temporary fix. Don't risk things getting worse with your mood, it's just not worth it. We're all different, we all have different health needs, consult with doctors you trust and decide what is safest and best for you, and the best of luck with it. XO Leila

When I was on Zoloft I gained about 45 pounds in four months without changing my eating habits. The weight gain was so fast and so profound that it was frightening. I literally would step on the scale and put on three pounds overnight. It spiraled out of control so fast and furious that I was forced to go off of Zoloft. I have never experienced anything like that. If it had not been for Zoloft, I would not have qualified for the band! I'm not saying it's the same for everyone, but that's how it was for me and it was dramatic. I would never touch another SSRI again with a ten-foot pole.

I have Panic Disorder and had much the same experience as DeLarla, though not quite as severe. I tried everything -- therapy, self-hypnosis, every anxiety drug available and then, about 10 years ago, my PCP had me try Paxil. It literally changed my life. I went from having multiple daily panic attacks to having none. I have changed dosages over the years a bit and I do also take Xanax, but frankly, I don't plan to stop when I get banded. I know the Paxil has contributed to my weight gain -- along with having 4 kids, not enough time to exercise, and a love for food. But, I am not willing to get off it when I get banded. I know I can lose weight -- I've done it over the years, but not been able to get it all off and/or maintain it. So, I hope that I can lose weight with the band and still take the meds. The Water treatment is extremely interesting, but I can't take the chance right now to change what I'm doing. So, anyone with experience on SSRI's and being banded, I'd love to hear how you are doing. Thanks!

<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="CONTENT-TYPE"><title></title><meta content="OpenOffice.org 1.1.0 (Linux)" name="GENERATOR"><meta content="20060627;9191600" name="CREATED"><meta content="16010101;0" name="CHANGED"> <style> <!-- @page { size: 8.27in 11.69in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> It is difficult to make "honest" posts. I do not want to look like an attack dog, but it is too easy to agree with the person who is complaining, rather than to try to help them. Maybe insurance companies are cheap and want to save money, but sometimes (maybe) they realize that when people go into these things (bariatric surgeries) without proving that they can put in the effort, that they are more likely to be failures. According to the surgeon who put in my Lap-Band, "(as of 2002), the average Lap-Band patient lost 25% of the access weight between their starting weight and the weight that they should be for their height. It was close to 85% for gastric bypass patients ("roux-en-y" and "the Switch")." I have lost 58% of my access weight. My doctor considers me a success. I still weigh 232 at 5'9". According to the charts, I should be about 165#. I would be happy at 180#. I have lost 65% of the weight to get to my goal. BUT: My family looks at me wearing size 44 pants and X-large or 2XL shirts and sees a failure. Strangers who see me on the street snicker and call me fatso (behind my back). People who I do not know, make comments like "How can a big guy like you share a meal with your wife?" Weight loss is not easy. TV shows highlight the success of big stars. The doctors tell you the statistics, but then paint a picture (with your help) of the wonders of weight loss surgery. They mention the possibilities of complications, but then move right on to the benefits that you are going to have. But they never forget to get you to sign the forms about the dangers. Insurance companies are full of business people who know the stats. They know how much it is going to cost them paying for the treatment of the medical complications of obesity. They compare that cost with the cost of bariatric surgery and its complications. They are cold-hearted businessmen. But the stats that they use also protect you. More money out of the insurance company's pocket also means more heartache for you, the patient. My BMI was about 48. I had tried many techniques to lose weight and always did, but then gained more weight back. I was 57 years old when I got my Lap-Band. We had the pre-surgery candidates come into our post surgery emotional counselling sessions quite often. Once we had a 17 year old girl who was close to 300 pounds at about 5'6" come in. She was going to have either the "roux-en-y" or "the Switch". I suggested to her that she have a Lap-Band because neither the "roux-en-y" nor "the Switch" are reversible and at her young age, there may be better alternatives around the corner (with the research into ghrelin and other enzymes). No. She had to have the "roux-en-y" or "the Switch". It was her decision, but isn't 17 year old a little young to give up? I wish everyone who has these invasive techniques, "the best". I wish we could get to the root cause of the problem for all this weight gain in the USA. But, until then, we need to try everything short of surgery first. Not half-hearted, to get it out of the way, in order to speed up the insurance company's approval, but to try to get it to work. As I said in another post, I know of people who purposely gained weight in order to meet their insurance company's criteria for bariatric surgery. I think that is sick. But I am no psychologist, so I guess I have no right to talk.

I can't help much, the accident I was in was when I was 9. The guy hit us after running a stop sign. I had multiple MRI's, had to go to physical therapy for a couple of years, and think the pain and injury had a lot to do with my rapid weight gain during those years. My lower back and neck still hurt on occasion, but have really gotten better with my weight loss. I know we had to go through a lawyer and it took a couple years at least to get the settlement. My mom received $20,000 for her, she had severe shoulder problems that has needed multiple surgeries and I received $18,000 that was put into a CD until I turned 18. I do not know any other specifics or what the lawyer made on the whole deal.

I am 1 year and almost 2 months out, I've lost 86 pound and through all the ups and downs, PBing and slimes, couldn't eat and could eat anything. Would I do this again? YES, YES & YES AGAIN!!! Not once have I ever considered any of the other surgeries and I must say, it's been a hard year. I have worked with and against my band and it has let me know through weight lost and weight gain but I do LOVE my BAND and wouldn't trade it for anyother WLS other than doing it myself, which I couldn't do.

Wow!!! You are all talking about the "LAST SUPPER" and making me very jealous. My Dr. is very strict. I can not gain any weight up to my surgery date or it is a deal breaker. I'd call his bluff, but 2 people in my support group got the axe on the day of surgery because of weight gain. Someone please, eat a BIG MAC for me... LOL KIMBER I'll be praying for good news to come your way, from the insurance comp. :confused:

Howdy Judy! I'm from West Texas and was just banded on the 20th. Wish I had the answer for you on the hormone thing and weight gain. MY PCP tried me on some hormone stuff a few years back and I put on about 10 lbs in one week! I said FORGET IT! Maybe someone else is in the know on this. Sure is frustrating. Terry :confused:

Thanks everyone. I look forward to reading and posting more often to this site. If I ever find the magic cure of estrogen and weight gain I will be a happy camper :clap2: How does one add the weight goal ruler? Thanks, Judy 7/22/05 Dr. Hamn 250/192/140

I would like to join the club, but I will wait for next month's challenge. my highest weight I think was 206 weight on date of surgery was 205 my current wt and wt on day that I joined is 189 and my goal weight is 120 I am 5"2' , 30 yrs old and all my weight is from my stomach to my knees, lol. I am pear shapped and have HUGE hips that I can't wait to be gone for good! It puts me so out of proportion that if you ask me what size I am, I couldn't tell you. I am a wife of 14 yrs and a mom of 3. 2 boys 14 and 11 and a daughter almost 8. I weighed 98 lbs when I got pg for son #1 and gained 65 lbs as the stupid nurses and MD just shook their heads instead of giving me suggestions on how to avoid excessive wt gain. I lost some of the weight then gained a ton of it back. I did good with weight gain during my last 2 pregnancies but in between is where I gained all the weight. I love food and I have poor control. I have lost 17 lbs and I have 69 more to go. I can't wait to join the next challenge. Thanks for all of the support that I have already gotten!

I too have mental ilness, which runs in my family. I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, clinical depression, and I suffer from pannic attacks and fear. I have been thin for most of my life, due to severe depression and fear. I couldn't eat for days. Nothing, not even a bite. I would sometimes force myself to swallow a couple of bites every few days. Then, came the symptoms of schizophrenia a few years ago, and i had to be placed on an anti-psycotic, which made me gain alot of weight real fast. They had to switch my meds and now I'm on one that doesn't cause weight gain, butI can't shed the pounds. But, I must admit that now that I feel good, I do eat quite a bit. I enjoy going out to dinner at buffets and such. I also eat late when the kids are in bed because its more peaceful and I can enjoy it.

I'm delighted you are having success. Having gained back 13 pounds since band removal, I often wonder if I should have considered converting. But, I was just too damn scared after two slips. The "reversible" factor was very important to me. Plus, I had such terrible reflux as a result of my slippage, I would be too nervous (and my surgeon probably would be too) of future problems. Just to end on a positive note, I am exercising more and starting to eat better, so I've stopped the weight gain in its tracks and actually taken off a few pounds. I hope your journey continues to be successful, Anthony. God bless. Elizabeth

Haven't binged, not a binger - but a single binge is not going to do much to you . Any weight gain is likely from the break in ketosis, and should come off as soon as your ketosis is - reinstated. Tomorrow is always another opportunity. So is right now. (Meaning - the "tomorrow" syndrome kills plans, the "right now" doesn't).

DeAnn, Hang in there! I am so proud of you! I still do not have the courage to go into a gym. My husband and I are supposed to start in a couple of weeks after he begins treatment for his sleep apnea (he sleeps avg of 14 hrs a day right now). I had several reasons why I got banded, but I will never forget two nights before I first talked to the doctor about it, I went bowling with my family. I used to be a really good bowler before my weight gain so my 250 lb body within my 120 lb mind was doing real well when all of a sudden, I began to lose my footing on the my right foot and, in slow motion, I felt myself fall straight on my right hip! I was mortified listening to the laughter around me. I'm sure it wasn't as bad as I imagined it, but it was the last straw! I can't wait to be able to have the self-confindence to go to the gym. You are my hero!

Carne did gain 50 pounds with her pregnancy! I think this would be a normal weight gain for a lot of pregnancies, and we all know how hard it is to lose weight after having a baby. I think she is wonderful and a great role model. She is REAL! I hope she does lose the excess 40 pounds to prove to the world she can do it! I think my Doctor at my seminar said that Dr. Spiegel in Houston will lapband a gastric bypasser that has gained weight.

I received my first fill yesterday and I don't feel any difference what so ever. I am still very hungry, and I put back on 5lbs because of my lack of feeling full. I was at a 43lb weight loss after being banded April 27th, I don't want to continue to put on weight. I'm calling my doctor back today and let them know that I have no restriction what so ever. If your doing OK without the fill, then don't get... My weightloss has turned into weight gain and frustration has set in... Can you tell LOL!!!

This came up last night with a girlfriend of mine and in high school I always thought I was fat compared to the other girls. I weighed in my senior year at 130lbs (OMG! to be that now!) and to me that was fat because all the other girls weighed 110lbs!!! Silly right? At the time though high school was big deal and image was everything. But I still got the guys...no doubt in that! But as I got older and got married in 1993 and then pregnant...I gained a bunch of weight, 220ish, with my son and then I got divorced in 1995 and lost that weight and went down to about 145-150 and then I was doing really good until I married again and got pregnant AGAIN! And I gained a bunch with her and then I started going to the gym and dropped down to about 215 and then that stopped and I got aggrevated and went to Jenny Craig and got down to 200 (never broke the 100's) and then that came to a halt...I gained more and then finally had this done. I don't relate eating and food to anything bad in my childhood. I think with me it has to do with getting moving and motivated and putting down the food!!! Bad choices and loving the flavor too much and the enjoyment of a good pastry!!! Or too many fruit smoothies and cokes. So to narrow it down...my weight gain is fueled by being lazy and addicted to sweets!