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Pretty much the same here in the U.S. at my house on Christmas..LOL Luckily for me I had not weight gain because of it..however I only ate 1/4 of my weight in chocolate

I had one session of laser hair removal, it was $112.50. I did feel the heat of it when it got near boney areas of my chin but overall, no afterburn and no serious pain during. I didn't use any pain gels or ice. I have no noticeable change yet in hairgrowth. They tell me it could take a few visits for a noticeable difference, and 8 to 12 before the hair loss is permanent. They also told me no sun, & use a strong sunblock. Now that the holidays are over I plan to go again and see if there's any difference after 2 or more visits. GentleSpirit, What I've read is once it starts growing in an area, it stays. I haven't had any lessening of hair growth and I've lost 92 lbs. As far as I know I don't have PCOS, and my hair growth started with my progressive weight gain. I'd love to see it slow or stop, if I don't shave it daily, you can see it clearly. UGH!

It always happens doesnt it, you get into something you love and something happens to stop you going. I was swimming during my second pregnancy, getting really fit, keeping the pregnancy weight gain at bay and then I broke my hand at 27 weeks and put on about 15kg before my baby was born at 37 weeks. I love the deep Water running class at my local pool, its such a shame they only have one a week. Water exercise is fantastic when you're overweight, no pressure on your joints, not so strenuous that you cant keep going a couple of times a week, its really worth a try if you struggle with anything else.

You have water weight gains and losses every day as well. You dont gain a couple of pounds of fat overnight, its water. Weighing daily, although I do it obsessively myself, tells you very little and usually only causes worry.

According to all your NSV's it seems that you are converting fat into muscle which weighs more, and then the good part is that once you have all your muscle building or rebuilding done, these are the very same critters that are going to take all that preparation and new thyroid support and burn the rest of the fat off probably faster that you could imagine (remain hopeful). And by the way, are you sleeping well? I found out that lack of the right kind of sleep can actually stress your body and not let it loose also. It amazes me to learn of all the factors that contribute to weight gain. Do you get aerobic? or does running to classes do that for you? I think you are in for a good surprise.

First is to remember that the scale measures your entire body mass, not just your body fat. A main culprit of unexpected weight gain is Water retention. This can happen for no apprent reason, or one of several that are more apparent: PMS/menstruation, eating salty foods, hot weather, etc. You don't mention an exercise routine. If you eat 1000 calories, and your daily routine burns 1000 calories, you won't lose weight.

Any of you out there who have gone through a pregnancy while banded, I'm curious as to how much weight you gained during the pregnancy and if you were able to take it off post partum. I am only 13 weeks along, and haven't gained anything. It is very difficult on my psychologically not losing weight at this point, even though this is definately not the time for weightloss! I continue to monitor the scale, in a slightly less obsessive manner than pre-pregnancy. I understand that I'm going to gain weight, or at least just stop losing, either of which my OB/GYN is fine with, but I had no idea it would mess with me mentally. I find myself physically hungry pretty much all the time, thanks in part to the pregnancy and to the slight unfill (food doesn't stay in the band as long) I had as a precautionary measure related to the pregnancy. It's very bizzare after 9 months of being satisfied by Protein shakes for Breakfast and only a few small meals a day to now having my stomach growling the minute I wake up, and even sometimes waking me up! Obviously I am eating more now-hence the stop in weight loss (which is pregnancy appropriate), however I worry that I am eating too much, and struggling with the thoughts of seeing 240 or 250 or more on the scale again.

I am definately in! I have been eating (all the wrong food) uncontollably lately and blaming it on the pregnancy. I also haven't been exercising. I want to keep my pregnancy weight gain to a minimum and be physically healthy for the pregnancy and beyond. 2006 here I come!!!

Insulin Resistance is on my list. I am not sure about the PCOS, although I have cysts on my ovaries (and fibriods, yea) I have never actually been diagnosed. I suspect I have it, I have other symptoms. I have never been clear on whether the fat you gain causes IR or does developing IR make it easier to make fat? My doctor has me on Actos since it is beneficial in helping high cholestorel, which I also have. Sadly, Actos usually causes weight gain.... although I have halfed my dose since banding and my BS numbers have looked good. I can lose weight when I try but it sure seems to be at a slower rate and I really have to work at it.

Here is an excerpt from the Inamed handbook that is valuable to your situation With the Lap Band system in place, you should be able to eat only small ammount so the food you eat should be as healthy as possible. Do not fill your stomach pouch with :junk: food that lacks Vitamins and other important nutrients. Your meals should be high in Protein and vitamins and low in carbs. solid food is more important then liquid food or soft food. The lap Band system will have little or no effect if you only eat liquid or soft food. It passes through the stomach outlet very quickly and does not make you feel full. Here is another excerpt form the book If the adjustment (fill) results in too tight of a stomach opening you could have a hard time eating most foods, sometimes this causes people to avoid solid foods. They may drink liquid meals or soft food meals and this may result in weight gain. A band that is too tight may cause reflux symptoms and can also cause frequent vomiting and possible slippage I hope this helps

Hello everyone, I have not got banded yet. I am just now trying to make a consultation appointment. I wanted to find a good support group and learn as much as i could. I weight 285. 5 ft 9 in. BMI 54%. I have not always been large. My weight when i finished high school was 155. I have been as low as 135 and 285 is my highest. My weight gain began when i started dating my husband. I weighed 165 when we met, 9 months later on our wedding day i weighed 185. Soon after our wedding, i was diagnosed with PMDD. (post menstrual dysfunction disorder) caused by taking Depoprovera shots which sent me into early menopause. I gained 50lbs. in 1 month:cry . i have continued to gain since with heart problems, depression and life in general (nursing school). My weight has stabalized at 285 for the last 6 months. However my bust size continues to grow. I was a DD two years ago....i am a JJ now. I am in the process of having a reduction......My next step is to have the banding. I wanted to do my bust first ........because as you can imagine exercising is impossible when they are that large. Hoping the exercise will come easier after the reduction. I have a few questions. (imagine that!) 1. Any one know a doctor in the Dallas area that uses Presbyterian hosp, that doesn't require psych eval? 2. Is there any little tips to make it easier? 3. What is LBT? 4. What is NCV's? thanks everyone

Penni: Actually it's generally the other way around... band erosion leads to infection at the port site. The bacteria migrate from the stomach along the catheter out to the port. I've never heard of port infection causing a band erosion. Band erosions present themselves in 2 ways: 1. no symptoms at all except for loss of restriction, and weight gain. 2. Port site infection Mark Pleatman MD www.laparoscopy.com/pleatman 248-334-5444

wow. It took me almost two hours to read this thread. No, I am not a slow reader but, I did want to take everything in. I can relate to so many of you. There are a lot of things you all said that have stuck with me. I would like to share a few with you. "I pretty much dislike myself and don't think I am worth the time and energy it takes to eat right and exercise." "I feel like everyone is looking at me and judging me by my weight." "I hate my body with a frightening intensity and food is the method of destruction that I chose. I don't smoke or do drugs or drink to dull the pain so food is the weapon of choice." "I don't love myself as I am. I could blame my weight on instances of sexual abuse." "Being fat helps me to be invisible." "My weight is linked to my happiness/quality of life." "Over eating is the socially accepted vice." "I am fat because I can't fill up something inside." "I posess a desire to use food as something other than what it was meant for." "...parents/ grandparents feeling embarassment and disappointment in me and my lack of control over food." "They eat and eat and don't taste anything." "I was raised in a home with an abusive, alcoholic (step , in my case) father who made life resemble walking on egg shells." "...became extremely passive/aggresive due to daily spankings, incest..." "I have come to realize that because of the abuse in my childhood, I have been looking for love in all the wrong places, because my daddy didn't want me." "I want to understand what self-esteem truely means." "...realizing the difference from feeling hungry and realizing that i am just thirsty." (paraphrased) Do I eat to try to create a warm loving feeling that I felt I never had? "I will be healthy and strong and safe in my real body that has been hiding for years because of fear and not having enough faith in myself or in God to walk through the hard times." I am not quoting all these things to make it easier to explain away my being overweight; I chose them because I can so closely relate to them all. They all struck a chord in my heart and my mind when I read them. For me, my weight gain is attributed to a combination of all the following: a crummy childhood, an abusive relationship with my step father, lack of self confidence due to others in my family constantly nagging me to lose weight(my grand parents tried to bribe me to loose weight. They offered to pay me for each pound I lost. I was motivated until the check never came to reward me). My weight allowed me that safe zone so that men would find me unattractive and leave me alone. My family is for the most part small framed, despite the fact that I have German/ Dutch/Klammoth Indian in me( all known for thier HUSKY statures). My father is 6'4" and wieghs about 150 soaking wet. My mother is 4'11" and sometimes yo yoed with her weight. The clothes in her closet range frm size 4 to size 16. (What i wouldn't give to wear a 16 right now). My extened family are all small. I ,too was diagnosed with PCOS after gaining 80 pounds in a year. What it all comes down to is I made bad choices and now I have to do whatever it takes to correct them as best I can. I appreciate all the support I receive here. I look forward to the new year with much anticipation and enthusiam. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY BANDSTER FRIENDS and to those awaiting their BANDS.

Great job! If you can make it through December with no weight gain, you can maintain anytime!

Today has been 1 motnh since I had my band removed and Iam happy to report I have NOT gained any weight back. I made it through Christmas and all the goodies, booze, & food with no gain. I'm using my head and still working it like a true bandster would. Just thought I'd share this good news with all of you

Just a quick warning about the board. There are MANY very sincere people here with great insight and experience. However, there are a few who seems to have a chicken little view of things. You really have to view things over time to be able to discern the difference, so be patient and try to get a good feel for those that really want to help and those that are looking for playmates to their pity party. Here is my opinion: The band works for some and not others. If your expectation is that the band is a tool as part of a larger solution, then you have a GREAT chance of success. However, if you are looking for a fix that will allow long term weight loss with no change of the emotional and psychological reasons for your weight gain, than your chance of success is MUCH lower. Also, be very sure that you have a decent basic health and fitness education. If you are not aware that eating a large Big Mac value meal (with an extra Big Mac just to be sure) is a bad thing, then you are not ready for the band. Keep in mind, even the band doesn't prohibit me from grazing all day on really bad things. For me, the band is the best tool for me to control my portion size and assist me in making better choices for the limited space I have.

Oh Frank, I'm sorry for the weight gain. Its so hard to get back on track from the holidays isn't it. I'm having the same problem. This is what I'm going to do: First get rid of all the junk in my house. Second make a plan. Plan what your going to eat for the week on Sundays. Planning does help you stay on track and not wonder what your going to have for the next meal. Third, Water, track your water and make sure you get enuf. Forth and final.... Exercise (this is hard for me b/c I hate it) Even though I don't like to admit it, exercise is the key. Weather it be a walk or a run, what ever floats your boat.... just do it. Ask your wife to really get involved. It helps when an extra set of eyes are watching and can help us see things we don't. Good luck Frank, you've done amazing work so far and your wife gets a big BRAVO from me as well. HUGS !!!

If you wern't trying but 'doing it alot' you'll have a girl, I'm guessing you want a boy cause you already have 2 beautiful girls! Shirina your husband is a doll (I've met him) he has such a low back, kind, caring personality, enjoy being with child. Last we talked, you have a snug fill, don't worry about weight gain at this point as long as you don't eat for 5 like I did. All I ever wanted to do while being preggy was eat and sleep, and that's hard with 2 kids under 5. Congratulations and Merry Christmas! Corinne congrats too My guess is July 11 (my birthday)!

I am on Effexor from depression which started from having a stillborn son. I have tried several times at getting off but I literally think it is goin got be impossible. It has worked wonders for me though, even though I have had weight gain from it and troubles getting off I would do it again for how much it improved me.

I di great on Prozac but after a couple of years they had to increase my dosage and then it made me twitch, so now I'm on Lexapro and Wellbutrin. My son is Type I diabetic and had severe clinical depression several years ago, but they wouldn't try Zoloft because they said one of the side effects is weight gain. Everyone is so different and the way the different meds work is so different depending on our body chemistry, etc. Hope the Zoloft works well for you! Emily

Hi, I was on Zoloft for situational depression resulting from a medical issue that the doctors couldn't figure out which was causing a tremendous amount of physical pain. While I was on it, I felt absolutely mentally wonderful. The sky was more blue, the birds sang more clearly, any and all obsessive worry or anxiety was totally gone. Even my physical pain was better. The big drawback? I gained 45 pounds in three months! I have to be honest, it's one of the reasons I am now considering getting the band, because I never could get the weight off again once I quit Zoloft. It doesn't make everyone gain weight though; it just depends on individual body chemistry. I am currently on Wellbutrin, which does not cause weight gain and which works on your brain chemistry differently than an SSRI. I like it alot, but then again, I can't tell if I feel happy because of the Wellbutrin or because I finally found a doctor who correctly diagnosed and treated my medical issue LOL. Both SSRI's and Wellbutrin have value in my opinion. The only one I would warn against is Effexor, which causes horrible, horrible withdrawl symptoms according to research I did online and anecdotal evidence from a few friends. Best of luck to you!

OK Delarla you went out drinking last night and having fun and so did I. I had to get away from the weight gain demon. However this is the holiday season, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! I am facing those hunger pains every day when I wake up till I go to sleep at night. IT really sucks. Vera thanks for the sweet phone call yesterday. It is calls like that which will keep me on track. Lisa we both will be able to do this. I am gonna fight this tooth and nail all the way. You can do this. We can do this together. Have you filled out your Biggest Loser application yet? LOL!! I say we start a talk circuit of Eroded Bandsters and encourage all 1 year or more bandsters to get Endo's. We can get local docs to give discounts on the Endo costs and give them away as door prizes. :Bunny Anyway, try to enjoy the holiday and I will see you when I get home. Offer still open and on the table to come stay at the house. HUGS Give Chris a hug for me.

I have never had it before i have been tested many times and always normal untill now. So that still isn't the reason for the weight gain.

Hi Connie I am sorry to hear about the emotional rollercoaster. It is good that they found out you have it becuase that can account for some weight gain. I'm sure they will give you meds to balanace out the hormone levels for the thyroid and then band you to help you loose even more weight. This is a good thing. I wish I did have a reason that I have gotten so big, other then me not closing my mouth. Has big sis gotten her thyroid checked, is it a hereditary thing? I did see the Vinesqueen has thyroid issues. Maybe she help with some of your questions.

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