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I am so happy with my band. I have just come back from the dentist and while I was there I received big compliments for my smaller body. I do think that banding can be a wise move for us older women. I know that I started to gain weight after I hit menopause. This happened to me when I was 41! The weight gain happened slowly and at first I was kinda relaxed about it. A year or so ago I woke up and realised that I had become quite large and that this was a one-way street going in the wrong direction. Indeed it was! The following year I continued to gain weight. I was giving away pants that I had recently bought and I was truly in despair over my body. Joining a gym did not help me lose weight and I had heard that diets could have long term negative effects. (Believe it or not, I have only once in my life been on a diet and that was in my early 20s. I put myself on this egg and grapefruit diet and lost weight off my boobs. lol) I had been fantasizing about massive liposuction when a friend of mine heard about the lap band on a local television morning show. She told me about this procedure and told me how to access a local website. My concern was that I wasn't heavy enough even though in Canada we usually are required to self-pay. I met with the surgical team and was approved pending the results of my physical tests. I cleared those and the rest is history. There were a number of things that I found reassuring about this approach to weight loss. I liked the fact that the surgery is minimally invasive compared to many of the options out there. It is day surgery and the recovery time is quick. I also liked the fact that it is reversible. I am one of those people who tend to see the glass as half empty. I know that if I should have a serious illness and need my appetite back, I can get it. Weight gain is a side effect of ageing. The lap band is a tool which can help us fight this.

If you can't keep healthy foods down, and are resorting to slider foods, then you are likely too tight. You need to get back into your surgeon and talk to him. Contrary to popular belief, too tight isn't good. As you're finding out, it leads to weight gain because most slider foods are very high calorie. People are shocked when they have a little Fluid removed, they can eat healthy again, and start losing weight. Go see your surgeon, his job is to help you through times like this, but he can't do that if you don't let him. Best wishes.

Last year when I started to see my weight plumage! My body for years was getting too comfortable with being in the 280's for decades! But when I hit 304, then 310 and jumped right into 367 I knew something was wrong. I wasn't feeling right. sleeping a lot, the weight gain, swelling. My thyroid was a little off and I am being treated for that. Not to mention, I have degenerative hips (one replaced several years ago), I couldn't walk. Today, I can walk so much better, move around faster, more agility. Best decision I ever made for myself. Yes, I wish I took control a very long time ago before it got out of hand with my health. Better late than never.....

Well Miss Becky... that sure doesn't sound very good at all! I am so sorry you are having to wait on a return call form your Doc... I sure know how that feels! I'd stick with full liquids or very soft foods until you find out what is going on... if you can. If it gets worse... promise you'll go to the E.R....okay?????? ((((hugs)))) Leatha... get your butt in here and join the crowd! Lisa... I have never PB'd... but have had intense pain mid chest when I eat too much or don't chew well. Once I have an episode of pain from overeating... everthing is hyper-sensative no matter what type of food I eat. I have been on an ice-cream kick too... why does the darn stuff slide down so easily!?!? Marie... It's good to see you are alive... maybe not well... but if you are getting better... that is a good thing! I hope your Ex-Tom doesn't spend too much time searching for his McNuggets. Well... had too big bowls of ice-cream today... how's that for looking for a big weight-gain???? It was "light" ice-cream...lolol. Oh well... this week is looking like a bust for me... Hopefully I'll gain some control over myself soon! Darcy AKA "Double Scoop"

Hi all! I am so relieved to read all the posts today. I was banded on the 19th of March, and lost 20lbs very quickly. But, I haven't lost and ounce (and actually have put on 2 lbs) since. I figured that the weight gain was because I am finally on solid foods, and my weight is evening out from so much water weight loss. I also seem to have some swelling over my port sight. I hope I don't have a build up of fluid there, too. That area is a little tender too. Everything else has healed perfectly!

Carlene, I'm glad you mentioned that you have to work to maintain your weight loss. I read so many posts where people say they got the lapband because once they lose the weight it won't come back, but that's not necessarily the case. If you're not careful about what you eat, you'll gain it back. I worked with a woman who got the lapband, lost over a 100 pounds and gained back 50 because she kept eating candy. I think we will always have to fight our weight, but it sounds to me like the band helps us if we make good food choices. Do you think you have the ability to gain back the weight as easily as you did before the band? Do you feel the band keeps you somewhat in check? I was surprise at my former co-worker weight gain, but she's a candy nut. Her name is still engraved on our vending machine.

Thanks Misty - you and everyone else is well on their way too - can't wait until you guys join me on the maintenance bench - it is quite an adjustment after focusing on losing for so long. I still focus on protein but I am not eating enough green veges and tend to gravitate back to carbs. I have not had a weight gain at all from this but I am not sure how that will go long term. I am still eating very regularly and find if I do go without food for too long I can get quite hungry now. This is when I am most likely to morn not being able to eat a lot of food, because of course now, being hungry doesn't mean you can fit anymore in - so you never get that old full feeling just the new full feeling which is more of a physical feeling. Hard to describe but some of you might understand what I mean. Any feeling of missing the old full passes really quickly. I now clearly recognise it as truly emotional hunger because there is a certain amount of comfort attached to it - but like I said, it passes quickly once you have eaten.

Kelli - sounds like good advise from your dietician - I have been pretty much focused on Protein most of the time other than my healthy obsesssion with sweet things! I thought I was seeing mine today but it turned out it was only an appointment with my surgeon. He was pretty happy with me reaching goal but says I must get into the exercise as my metabolism will be so low now with the low calories I have been consuming that any increase in calories will cause a weight gain. Exercise will increase my metabolism so as I can eat more as time goes on, I will be able to maintain. Hey - I am great with the theory but not so good at actually putting the exercise part into practice! Lissa - glad to hear your energy levels are a bit better. I know what you mean about the carbs - they do give you more energy but then do slow down the weight loss - it is all a balancing act. Just make sure that you don't get Iron deficient like I have - I did have the symptoms which was fatigue and dizziness but didn't realise that was what it was. Back on track with that now. Nessa - don't worry too much about a gain - I know it is discouraging but I am the same as Aussiegirl and can swing up and down a kilo or so. It depends on what kind of week I have and what kind of Fluid I am carrying etc. The important thing is to keep putting one foot in front of the other and talk yourself out of feeling bad about it - just lie back and think of Hawaii!. I think we are all way too hard on our selves because of years of carry the guilt of being over weight - time to let that go with the weight is what I say! Aussiegirl - you are such an inspiration to me. Once I get my head around this exercise thing I hope I can get comments like that. You must feel amazing! How are your energy levels - my muscles are going to get such a shock when I actually do start exercising!

I did shift work for years. I can't say whether it impacted my weight gain, but I know I managed nights better than a lot of my colleagues. I think the main thing was being really diligent about my sleep, be it a nap before a night shift or sleeping as soon as I got home and staying in bed (even if I wasn't asleep) until at a least 2pm (I worked 7-7). And after my last night, I would only sleep until 11, then haul my tired arse out of bed, so that I would sleep well that night and flip easily back to a normal schedule. As for food, I would always have a bite to eat at about 5am, that way I wasn't eating right before "bed" but didn't wake up early because I was hungry. Regardless of the crazy hours aim for meals over Snacks... Even if it's "breakfast" at 3pm, "lunch" at 6pm, and "dinner" at midnight. Shift work is tricky! I'm a nurse too and love my new Mon-Fri job!

Pinenut - Thanks band buddy! I got on the scale this morning and there was no weight gain from last nights splurge . . . . no loss but . . . I am back on the plan and running the race to win! my plan is to reach my goal in a year. Keeping my eye on the prize and with Gods help it will happen!!

Judy-have fun this weekend :tt2: Kat-beautiful baby boy :laugh: Love his name too. Jenn-I am so proud of how well you are doing...I really am so happy for you. It gives me renewed hope in myself, thank you! Jane-sorry i missed your call. Call me again when you have time. Terry-I hear you on the falling off the wagon. Sorry for what you are going through. Suzie-an electric blanket? I can not even wrap my head around the idea of one of those right now! lol Guess what everyone...for about 6 hours today I am going to be without any kids!!! How cool is that? The only thing on the agenda is to go buy toilet paper :thumbup: Monday I go to the ob/gyn for my yearly visit and I love my dr so much and the thought of his disappointment of my weight gain has me kind of down. But, he will be proud that I am still a non-smoker. I will just have to suck it up and tell him i will re-lose it. Have a great day everyone.

morning gals sorry was distracted and my computer was freaking out from all my facebook stuff. Haydee, i got kicked off facebook from everything i got trying to load all at one time. i'm drinking coffee and getting ready for my dr appt, primary, who i hope will give me something to mellow me out without the weight gain, and adjust my water pill, which does not seem to be working anymore then home to tile the bathroom seat, so tomorrow i can tile the wall around it. I have a week to get it all done

Tracy -good luck - I was at 1 and in the same place, head not in the game and ate tons of fried food because it was the only thing that would work. my fill to 1.5 was perfect, I'm still on semi mushie's a month later and very soft solids. I'm back on track with 700-cals a day and 70g protein and I feel like this is working. i saw something on the news this morning about how the RNY is being recommended more than lapband because people don't lose as much weight as they thought or they lose it and gain a bunch back. They do suggest everyone who has weight loss surgery go to therapy to figure out the underlying reason for weight gain and to resolve the issues for either to work. MY thougt is, my dr told me that typical weight loss with the band is 40-50% of your excess weight, and he told me I would be about 205, so I've been there for 8 months or so (i usually work really hard the 2 weeks before an appt to get back to that point - I was 215 last time, but he was still happy,I've pretty much got there and for the most part maintained. Well when I got back in November I hope they are super impressed, not just for him but for me. I'm now 191 and holding and want to be in the 80's by November. Anyway, I guess I know because my dr was very upfront with me about the band and how it works and that he doesn't recommend it for everyone but knew I could do it, but I've talked to a lot of people who thought they could lose so much more - So maybe more dr's need to do it for the right reason other than to just make money and perform the surgery... ya know. Remember my cousin who got MRSA from dirty port...

Have you had any weight gain after 2.5 years?

@@VSGAnn2014 Great article. @@Tssiemer1 You said you're not sure she's anorexic, then went on to ask her about obsession and losing as an outlet for something missing in her life. That IS anorexia. Anorexia isn't about vanity. It's about control. The person feels their life is out of control, and this is the ONE thing they have control over, and it makes the feel safe. At the very least Bellabloom, you have a pattern of posting about fears of weight gain and remaining very slender to a point where it seems to consume you. And anytime someone is consumed by negative thoughts, no matter what they are about, it's time for some intensive therapy to help you overcome them. The fear you're going through seems normal to a certain extent, because I see it all the time on these forums. But like I said, it seems to be all consuming to you. And that's never healthy.

I cheated but then my surgery was cancelled anyway as there were cancer patients that required surgery - I was a backup and if they didnt have beds I would have got surgery and when they took me in to get changed and stuff I almost crapped myself because I had cheated - Thankfully they didn't do the surgery but it was then rescheduled for another 2 weeks after which meant I had to stay on the preop - which I didn't I ate as soon as I left the hospital and then the next day but went straight back on the shakes. Didn't cheat at all and then I rang the hospital to see what time I needed to be there the next time and I wasn't even on the list - So I ate dinner that night which I think I had every right to lol. Now my surgery is scheduled for the 12th (next tuesday) and they rang me on the 1st so I didn't start the diet until the 3rd, I've definitely cheated, I had a piece of bread with ham and cheese and then a cracker with vegemite and cheese and also an egg, I don't feel guilty at all because doctors are to blame for the cancellations and my weight gain and they've even admitted that. My surgeon's nurse also rang and basically I'll be having surgery on the 12th no matter what (thank god.) I know it's hard for people to keep on track but I don't see how doctors can expect you to be perfect when the shakes/preop diet they assign you is dishgusting, I've heard of a woman whose preop she could have fish and salad with dressing - I'm not allowed that but if I was it would have been way easier to stay on track

Hi Everyone, I haven't been here for a while. I was banded in January by Dr Kuri and have only lost 14 lbs. I am 55 years old and will be going for my third fill next week. The doctor I found in Sioux Falls to do my aftercare and fills believes in only very small fills once per month until the sweet spot is found. I was very discouraged for a while, but now I am happy that I have stopped the upward spiral of weight gain and even if it takes several years at least the scale is going in the right direction. I was banded at 216 lbs and am now at 202. I want to get into the 100's so badly!!!

I lost 18lbs pre-op and 20lbs since surgery on 8/11/09. My wedding set has gotten very loose on me. I've already had mine sized twice; once when it was purchased and then again due to weight gain. I just picked up a ring guard from the jeweler for now as I want to wait until I have lost all the weight I want to before getting it sized again.

I'm in.. I've lost my motivation lately and have been eating a lot of snacks and slider foods... resulting in a 10 pound weight gain :smile2::thumbdown: I need to be accountable!!!

Hi CherylCovey - Welcome, Welcome Welcome!!! We are so glad you have joined us!!!!! With the exception of a couple of people, all of us on this thread were banded, lost weight, then lost committment resulting in either stalled weight loss or weight gain. So we can definitely empathize with your situation. I think it is important to feel a sense of sadness and disappointment in oneself. I have been there. However, what you do with that emotion, that feeling is what will make ALL the difference. I am not talking as an expert as I too have struggled, gained,and now relosing, but just from the perspective of a fellow struggler. I'm going to assume that your band is working properly and there are NO band issues, medically par se. if that is the situation, they you may want to try a recommittment to the band. Here are some ideas: a) Step 1 - the 5 day pouch test. Following this religiously could help you seriously get back on track. evaluating why the band is not being successful for you. Being truly honest in this process and acknowledging the role you have played in it. c) setting specific goals to help you get back on track. If you decide to join us long term, we wont judge you. This is a judgement free zone. But you will get tough love and celebration along the way. I know that this has helped me reignite my weight loss after 1.5years of no loss/gain. With that said, what are your goals for the month of January???

It's a bang on article for me, my depression and weight gain came hand in hand.

I know I haven't posted in a while, everything is going great here. I thought I would post my 2 cents on Dr. H. I gained 12 lbs after an unfill this summer and was absolutely humilated to go in and "face the music." My bp was up and I got upset on the PA when she mentioned my weight gain. I asked to ask Dr. H to give me a couple of minutes because I was so embarassed. When he came in and we talked, I thought he was OVERLY almost hateful when lecturing me on my failuer...especially since I was noticably upset. I just sobbed until he was finished talking and got up and left. I have not seen him since. I really hope it was just a bad day on his part because I don't easily cry unless I'm ashamed of myself. I hope that if I see him again I can voice my disappointment in being scolded like a child by someone I paid $15000 to help me. I think he could have encouraged me and tell me tomorrows a new day. The last 2 times I've been my bp has been high because I worry I will have to see him again, and this time I KNOW I won't cry...I might just do some scolding myself!

I’m 2 1/2 years out from Bypass. Highest 227, lowest 138 and I settled at 142-144. I just had a recent weight gain for the first time and saw 153. Went back to surgeon, scheduled a nutrition appointment and trying phentremine for the first time. Back at 151 and this is part of expected maintenance. I can eat/drink just about everything except for bread, only in small amounts. Working on bringing some numbers back down and I know I have all the tools to do it.

Melody - Yes! Oh my Gosh - I forgot to add that part - during my Fluro ( GAG!! ) with the 1.5 gone, i had NO restriction what so ever, so hence , the weight gain. They put 1 back in, an i was totally blocked! lol so she put in .5, and all is well now - Very well SOOOO glad to be back!!

There are a few things that really made me decide to have WLS. I am getting married in August 2016, and my fiance is British. We've been together for over seven years (I am 30) and lived together in the US for three. I was around 150lbs when we met and started dating. I was diagnosed with bipolar about a year into our relationship and my doctor perscribed a medication called Zyprexa, which is great for someone having a severe bipolar episode...but it is notorious for weight gain. I think I gained 5 pounds by simply filling the perscription! In my year taking it, I gained 100lbs with no change to my diet or exercise. I was very active...I played rugby and soccer, and I ate a low-carb and low-sugar diet. No matter what I did, the weight kept piling on until I visited my psychiatrist and told her I wanted to try something else because I was so incredibly depressed due to my weight gain. She swapped me to a new medication, but a lot of damage had already been done. The Zyprexa combined with some of the other medications I was taking essentially destroyed my metabolism, making it pretty impossible for me to lose weight no matter what diet and exercise plan I went on. Fortunately, I am now on medication that is weight-neutral, so I have not really gained anything more. I could not play rugby or soccer any longer because all my excess weight made running EXTREMELY hard on my joints, and giving that up was incredibly painful for me. I still tried to lose weight on my own over the course of several years, but nothing helped, including physician-supervised metabolic weight loss. I visited my fiance last May-June, and I could barely walk into town. Getting around London was an absolute nightmare. I started looking at WLS options on my own, but was far too afraid to actually go to a seminar or talk to my family about it. This August, I went to the bridal shop to buy my wedding dress. They did carry larger sizes (I am an 18-20 at the moment) so I was able to try on quite a few. I found the PERFECT dress, and while my parents and the bridal consultant said I looked beautiful...all I could see was how overweight I was. I *did* look pretty in the dress, but when I stared at myself in the mirror, I kept thinking how much better I would look and feel if I was able to lose some of the weight. A few days later, I mentioned the idea of WLS to my parents, who were very supportive of my decision. I was still very afraid because it is a pretty major surgery in my book, but a close friend of mine had the VSG a few weeks earlier and told me that it didn't hurt quite as badly as she thought it would, and she was recovering quickly. Not only that, but she was losing weight and feeling much, much better. I decided to look into it more seriously and attended a seminar...and I decided that it was the solution for me. I went into my surgeon's office for a height and weight check, and I qualified for WLS. After speaking to the program coordinator, I decided to go through with the surgery and made my first appointment. I will be seeing Dr. Sebastien this Tuesday, and I am incredibly excited and nervous at the same time. I feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I will finally be able to lose the weight so that I can get back to doing the things I enjoy as well as look great in my wedding pictures! Sorry for this long winded diatribe...I haven't really shared whis with many people, and once I started writing, it just kind of flowed out. xx, Polara