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bandit, Some people can be overly sensitive. And, I am sure that some are just jealous and wish they could have a BMI where you are, it is hard for them to relate. I know when I started gaining weight and I was where you are now, I felt similar to how you feel. I wished I would have had a way to stop the weight gain then, instead of waiting until I needed to lose 120. I am proud that you are being proactive in trying to find a solution that will help you. As you will read in many posts.....many wished they had had the surgery years ago. Just realize the Lapband is not an easy life. Is it what you really want to do at this point? With best regards, Denise

I recently attended a seminar where the Doctor does both. His patiant ratio is about equal. Band to RNY. But what was interesting was that several(6 that I heard of) had gone from the band to the RNY within a year or more period due to the slow & sometimes minimal results. I struggled with my decision when viewing the b/a photos because the RNY people looked amazing. I personally feel that the larger complications w/Rny are from the many cuts made BUT also due to the fact that heavier people tend to go for this surgery & usually have MORE health risks to begin with. I don't know why certain Doctors choose one over another but I can guarentee that it has to do with the amount of study, office set up & over all compensation. Not necessarily which one they think truely is best over all. What I did see is that in both surgeries people can GAIN weight back if they are not careful. Rules must be followed in both cases. I personally think the band is a safer & as we all know, a reversable procedure that can be a great tool. I like the fact that with the band you are constantly cheking in with a Doctor & therefore over the first 1-2 years aware of any weight gain ahead of time. Most of all its more of a customized procedure. We all have such different levels that work for one another. With RNY is just chop, stitch & go. I will admit though that I like the built in behavioral mech.-dumping;0) I guess I will have to be strong & teach myself that one. The way I look at it is I truely wish I could have done this by myself. But with the band I still think I will get that same feeling (like I am doing it by myself) because I know it will be alot of hard work. Not that RNY isn't just that I think the band is more work, I really do. I know with the band alot of lessons will be learned about smart food choices & do's & don'ts. I want these lessons & I think they lead to a healthier life stlye over all. Either or I am so happy we live in an age that these scientific break-throughs are available. With that said, I only wish we could get spell check on this site:0) LOL LOL LOL

I saw the surgeon today and starting the process. My insurance covers this however, they require certain criteria. I was told I need a diet history for the last 6 months. I am not sure what all is needed. Can someone help me write this...what details do they want etc. For example..all I can say is tried Xenical for 3 months..didn't work...didn't loose any weight...gained weight later.. But I think they want more than that. Does anyone know how this should be written. Thanks

Alexandra is absolutely right in that "success" is in the eyes of the person banded, and your ideas about what "success" is may have to be modified. I still have problems accepting that even if I got to "goal" weight, at 44 I am NEVER going to look like a swimsuit model - never! I probably will never look good in sleeveless outfits, shorts, or - naked, period. In my mind, however, I still cling to the fantasy of looking "someday" like some of the young beautiful people I see... lol As far as long term success - the truth is there are a lot of factors that determine this, and not all of them may be in your control. Some people return to their old habits, or inexplicably start to consume more calories via liquids/soft foods. That's something you can feel you have control over. But a reoccurring theme on the boards reserved for "experienced" bandsters is the fact that some are no longer able to tolerate the same level of restriction that got them to goal weight. So if you start having reflux problems 5 years out that are only resolved by getting an unfill - either paritially or completely - you are going to have more of a challenge on your hands, because your capacity for a higher quantity will go up, and that may allow you to exceed your caloric needs resulting in weight gain. The aging/lower metabolism beast will factor in, as well, as does certain types of medications. There is, however, NO WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY with the band - IF you are able to maintain the same level of restriction AND you continue to eat the same things in the same quantity as you did to lose your weight (or a little bit more to stop losing and maintain), then you will NOT gain your weight back due to a failure on the band's part. It cannot compensate for certain medications or the effects of aging. The best strategy in being successful is to remember that the changes you make to lose your weight are a LIFETIME COMMITMENT. This is not a diet that you "stop" when you reach goal. IF you change your eating habits and your physical activity levels to reach your goal weight, you HAVE to maintain that same lifestyle to keep it there. A reminder that muscle requires more energy to maintain than fat, so it is in everyone's interest to build and maintain muscle if at all possible - that will help combat the age/metabolism thing, but more importantly will increase your health, which really needs to be the focus in all of this. If you do not focus on HEALTH as the reason to make these changes, then once your reach "goal" you will no longer have "losing weight" as a source of motivation to continue with the changes you're making now. Good luck in your process!

Hi BRight, Hyperinsulinemia is a pre-diabetic disorder where your body becomes insulin resistant. Causes lots of problems, especially for women because it can also be confused with PCOS, which is polycystic ovarian syndrome. Similar symptoms for both. (Hormone imbalance, less menstrual or inconsistent menstrual cycles, hirutism, fertility issues and weight gain) THe only way to put diabetes or insulin resistance in remission is to lose weight, take meds and/or eat less carbs or all of the above.. If you dont have lots of sugar highs and lows, your body does not have to work so hard to process insulin, thus elimating carbs or limiting carbs in tandem with exercise, weight loss. will keep you from developing full blown diabetes. I still think you need a good fill though...... Babs in TX

I wrote this as a pre-op back in Feb 2004. It goes out to all of you with love!! Sung to "American Pie" by Don Mclean New version by Dori Mc-LEAN A long long time ago We can still remember How a twinkie used to make us smile And we knew if we had our chance That we'd soon outgrow our pants And maybe we'd be happy for a while But the weight gain made us shiver with every step our chins would quiver Good news found on a website We weren't alone in the fight We all shared how we'd cried Over failed diets that we'd tried Then we were banded deep inside And one day, the hunger died So.. Bye, bye to the fat on our thighs We were heavy, like a Chevy, so the band we did try Us good ole banders stick together, no lie Singing, tomorrow smaller pants I will buy Tomorrow smaller pants I will buy Did you write the post above? About your clothes fittin' like a glove? Does your mirror tell you so? Now do you believe fat takes it's toll? And bandin' might save your mortal soul? And can you teach yourself how to eat real slow? Well, I know that you'll be getting' thin Insurance approval will come in You'll kick off your blues Once you start to lose I was a lonely overweight eatin fool Any kinda food would make me drool But I knew I'd found some luck The day the hunger died. I started singing Bye, bye to the fat on my thighs I was heavy, like a Chevy, so the band we did try Us good ole banders stick together, no lie Singing, tomorrow smaller pants I will buy Tomorrow smaller pants I will buy Now, for ten years I was on my own And fat grew thick upon my bones But that's not how has to be With banding you can be so lean Wear smaller clothes than you've ever seen As the pounds fall off of you and me And as our weight is going down We might PB all over town Our food it will return Til proper chewing we have learned Some think this option is a lark But we'll do laps around the park And chat online until it's dark On how one day our hunger died We'll be singing Bye, bye to the fat on our thighs We were heavy, like a Chevy, so the band we did try Us good ole banders stick together, no lie Singing, tomorrow smaller pants I will buy Tomorrow smaller pants I will buy Helter skelter in the summer swelter pounds fly off with our fat melter Eight pounds down and falling fast I think came off of my ass A handsome man made a pass Perhaps celibacy will be in my past? Now half way to goal we'll start to bloom And turn heads when we enter a room We'll all get up to dance Not afraid to take the chance As the fat began to yield Our hipbones were revealed Do you recall with glee we squealed? The day our hunger died We started singing Bye, bye to the fat on our thighs We were heavy, like a Chevy, so the band we did try Us good ole banders stick together, no lie Singing, tomorrow smaller pants I will buy Tomorrow smaller pants I will buy Oh, and now we eat at a slower pace We no longer stuff our face With no room left to binge again So now we're nimble and we're quick And our waists are not so thick Cause the band is our true friend And as we lost our flabby cage Life's journey turned another page No pound cake made in hell Could break our losing spell And as the pounds went out of sight We knew our decision was right You'll see our post of sheer delight T he day our hunger died We were singing Bye, bye to the fat on our thighs We were heavy, like a Chevy, so the band we did try Us good ole banders stick together, no lie Singing, tomorrow smaller pants I will buy Tomorrow smaller pants I will buy I met a girl who sang the blues Because she had some pounds to lose But she got banded yesterday!!! Now she knows just what's in store As she starts losing pounds galore I n the future, it surely seems She'll achieve her weight loss dreams On food no longer choken Her plateaus all were broken And the fellow banders I admire most I can't wait to read their posts Of all of us, they've lost the most One day their hunger died And they were singing Bye, bye to the fat on our thighs We were heavy, like a Chevy, so the band we did try Us good ole banders stick together, no lie Singing, tomorrow smaller pants I will buy Tomorrow smaller pants I will buy

Hi Bright- It makes sence that when we eat ALOT of food that we haven't been eating regularly it stays in our intestins longer to break down & process. It may take several days for this "food" to be expelled & therefore you weight gain will be high until its all gone. That added with too much Salt- is the culprit. But once you get back on track you will see progress. I think alot of newbies & Those yet to be banded(myself) choose the band kinda for that reason. You know that we CAN eat the SAME stuff as before- we truely are not willing to give it up for a LIFETIME> At least I think its one of the componets for the band choice. With RNY- most wouldn't be able to do sweets & other things(dumping syndrome). But even they gain weight back. I saw my GYN 2 days ago & she had had the RNY-lost 90 pd in 1 yr & gained 40 pds back. How sad? She thinks her tummy stretched. I may switch Docs & tonight go to a new seminar w/this new Doc who does both types of surgery. I hope to be even more convinced of the band but RNY does have pluses as well. But as to gaining & plateus they are with BOTH surgeries & Both have pitfalls & most importantly BOTH will not work unless we follow them to a tee!!! Which means when we have fun- we will need a little mending period. I guess I wrote this for you as much for myself-because I am very scared of failure. You think I would be so used to it by now-lol Keep your chin up Bright- & yes maybe go get a "tiny" bit more of a fill. Than do your thing- I know we will be hearing weight loss stories from you in no time!

Let me get this straight, you have all the pre-op stuff on April 5, so what is your surgery date when you have surgery at 12:30? Or was that in another post and I missed it? And, this Friday is the 25th, so you have a week and a half after your provera to get over your "monthly monster" this go-round...is that enough time? I'm thinking no diuretics, not a good idea before surgery, not unless you Dr says it's okay. Nope, don't do the Water pills. That could mess you up better than weight gain will. And as far as not going home the first night, well, the insurance may not go for that. What's the possibility of a sister, mom, or good friend whisking you away to an inexpensive hotel for a night of recovery? No dogs, no distracted and overly concerned, unnecessarily worried DH, warm heating pads, lots of pillows (create a recliner of sorts on the bed) and long halls to walk every few hours. Is that a possibility? Forget the scale, what's five or so pounds when you are over 300? I don't mean that ugly, but I'm 220 and I can fluctuate 5 pounds in a day, it would seem your Dr. would be much more concerned about your overall weight than a few pounds gained which could easily be water retention. Ya know? Plus, you will have just had this PCOS treatment (which I am not at all familiar with but have seen others posts about it) so that would have to be taken into consideration with your band Dr. Does he/she know about this treatment you are having? Plus you say your clothes are no looser or tighter, that's probably a good indicator you are fine. And you start a new job in May. You and Crystal/Vinesqueen need to hole up together and sing the stressed out blues! Aww Katie, I hope this all works out okay for you. It really sounds like it will, you just need to see it from the other side, and the other side is comin like a freight train...wooohooo!!! You are gonna do great, and feel tons better when you get some weight off, even just getting below 300 will make a huge difference in how you feel about everything!! Looking for updates...take care, I'll be thinking of you!

Hi all, My name is Nicole and i posted a few times last year (in fact i had talked with Alexandria a few times and recently i talked with De Larla, about paralegal stuff) I have been to see my Dr. recently and I have complained about weight gain (i am taking Effexor for depression, and i have these 3 torn disks in my neck which i can never have surgery for, so instead of working out at the gym 5 days a week as i used to, due to pain i can barely go to Water aerobics 3 times a week) Oh and i am on the work comp nightmare for my injury. Okay so my doc sugessted Gastric Bypass, i DO NOT want this surgery i am more intersested in the Lap Band, so my ? to you is how did you get your Dr to get the insurance to approve LB and NOT GB??? I have Health Net HMO. At this time the dietican wants me to write a list of all the diets i have tried and failed. I am 4ft 9in and now weigh 205lbs (according to the dreaded Dr. scale. Thanks all, i always read this site and i will be around alot more. Nicole

Jenna: The smoking issue is coming along nicely. You are cutting down which in my mind is easier on the system than cold turkey. I did it cold turkey and it was such a shock to my system. IT still hates me hence the weight gain. LOL! Doggie stuffs: My heart absolutely bleeds for you and what Jeter is going through. Keeping you and the family in my prayers.

Oh, so that's where the big ass photo came from! Cool. But, DeLarla, I don't see that weight gain you talked about. You look way skinny.

Zoe, I'm sorry to hear about your back trouble. I really hope that the steroids help you asap so that you can feel better and not have to worry about those things causing any weight gain. I'm struggling a little also with weight gain, but mine seems to be attributed to lack of finding the oh so ever sweet fill spot A little background... I have the Swedish band that holds 10-11cc's, so it's the larger band... I flew back to Monterrey for my first fill. I was filled to 5.0cc's (no significant restriction felt) A month after that, I had my second fill with Dr. Houston. He filled me to 6.4cc's. (perfect restriction, a little too tight at first, but I hung in there and it loosened up) On February 19, I was in Monterrey with a couple of ladies who were getting lapband surgery, and Dr. Rodriguez said that he would give me a fill if I wanted/needed one. Since I was already planning on getting another fill soon, I took him up on his offer. (No restriction at all after this fill, as a matter of fact, I felt wide open again) A week ago Friday I went back to Dr. Houston for another fill. (Still no restriction) He said that I only had 4.5cc's in my band. I knew that my restriction had disappeared, not sure what happened in Mexico. Dr. Houston filled me to 6.2cc's using flouro. He said that he didn't want to go any tighter than that based on what he saw on the screen. Last Friday I went in to Dr. Houston for yet another fill, this time he filled me to 7.8cc's! I thought for sure this would do the trick, but to no avail, I still have very little restriction. I'm kind of giving up (for now) on fills....I'm going to see how I do over the next 4 weeks. I keep gaining a couple pounds, then putting myself on a stricter diet and it taking a couple weeks for me to lose those two pounds. Hopefully I will reach that "sweet spot" again with my fill level and start the losing ways again. For now, I'm just kind of frustrated, but have worked too hard to start gaining weight again so I'm going to be extra careful about what I eat and start moving (ugh) a little more. At least the weather is starting to get nicer, maybe I'll be more enthusiastic about riding my bike again. Hang in there! Hopefully you can discontinue the steroids soon~

Hey, if the steroids work, at least I can start walking again. The orthopedic guy has me on a five-day steroid burst; with luck, I can stop ASAP. Anyone else have weight-gain issues this week?

I would appreciate if we could keep this thread from being hijacked to a "weight gain challenge". This thread is for weight loss and those who are serious about the challenge. I'm sure all of those in this challenge will agree. -- La Madam on Weight Loss Challenge thread. I replied, "the mini-hijack was just for a few cheap laughs for those of us anticipating a rough week. To avoid offending the serious, we will move these comments to a new thread." So here it is. This is intended to be a thread where anyone can freely vent (I hope) about the challenges to weight loss. Disclaimer: If you do not want to read about people who are gaining weight, people who are worried about gaining weight, or people who may make jokes about gaining weight, do not read further. My vent: I've been losing weight steadily since my last fill, but after three weeks of immobility I'm starting a course of steroids for disc trouble. The steroids make me feel better, but I gain weight.

I would appreciate if we could keep this thread from being hijacked to a "weight gain challenge". This thread is for weight loss and those who are serious about the challenge I'm sure all of those in this challenge will agree. Thanks!

Thank you, Zoe, but do I accept your weight gain challenge even though you have the steroid advantage? Sometimes ya just gotta laugh!

Love the new avatar, DeLarla! I am on a chocolate tear today, and I'm starting a week of steroids, so I might take you up on the weight-gain challenge this coming week. My ass is bigger than yours, nyah-nyah!

I don't suppose anyone would think a weight gain challenge would be very funny? Cause that's one I know I could win.

Hey Sharon, I'm sorry, but this doesn't sound right to me either. My DH doesn't think this sounds right either. Here is my DH's advice: The surgeon should be available at the time of the seminar. If he isn't available now, will he be available when you need him? Run, don't walk. You will have much better results from a good experienced laproscopic sergeon than one who is primarily a bariatric surgeon. (DH has lost about 185 pounds with his band so far.) Oh, and one more thing. About the whole "being commited" thing. I have gained weight since my original weigh in. I'd been on steroids for my asthma for most of January, and now I'm on them again. When I went for my final round of tests two weeks ago, they noted my weight gain. But they weren't judemental about it. No "Bad Crystal, no surgery!" They were more concerned that I was able to breathe than gaining weight. They also know I'm on steroids again for my asthma, and know I will likely gain more weight between now and Monday. Again, there is no thought of "Bad Crystal, no surgery!" just, let's get you lthis surgey so you can loose weight so you can breathe better.

I know that was funny about what LaMadam said & its true I have lost my humor over this quandry.(sorry LaMadam) I wish I could do both. But I am just really searching for answers & am scared of making the wrong choice. I do need you to know that I am not that excited at about the show- I am more concerned that God is trying to tell me something. Why the call now? Right after I spoke w/the doc's office saying they'd tell me next week. I am set for surgery in 3 weeks, if the insurance says yes.. I just thought I was all set in my mind-you know?? Prepared & ready..I am sorry I'm not explaining myself well. I am going to take a sleeping pill & hopefully be more coherant tomorrow. Thank you all- forevery thing [/quote-Kathy]The Bad Side: get famous, meet mean, competitive, back-stabbing people, don't win a dime, put your life on hold for months just to be embarrassed to see yourself on TV grunting and groaning, and knowing your Ex and former co-workers will see every bit of it, be at the mercy of the producers editing the show to make you look like a B**ch from hell if that's what they want to do...lose weight, gain it back months after you get home and are released from the program, be back at square one and you could have gotten the Band two years ago and kept the weight off and kept your private life to yourself.This is what I am most afraid of.

Don't do the show for the weight loss, do it for the money and the exposure and the potential money from that! Then you won't have to wait for insurance to pay, you can afford to pay cash! And you could be on Oprah or something! You have the guts for something like that...I think you would be great on the show...I really enjoyed it last go-round. The Good Side: get famous for a few months, win money, have a chef and a trainer, meet lots of nice people, see your beautiful face on TV, take a "vacation" from "real" life and live in TVLand for a few months, and lose weight!!! The Bad Side: get famous, meet mean, competitive, back-stabbing people, don't win a dime, put your life on hold for months just to be embarrassed to see yourself on TV grunting and groaning, and knowing your Ex and former co-workers will see every bit of it, be at the mercy of the producers editing the show to make you look like a B**ch from hell if that's what they want to do...lose weight, gain it back months after you get home and are released from the program, be back at square one and you could have gotten the Band two years ago and kept the weight off and kept your private life to yourself. Wow, no matter how you look at it, there is a good side and a bad side!!! And after all that...I just don't know what you should do. But you would do great on the TV show, I know it!

Gcravener, I have to say that if you're having reflux and PBing all the time you probably are too tight. It's accepted wisdom that being too tight can lead to weight gain just as easily as weight loss, because the patient stays away from the healthier (harder to eat) foods and gravitates toward softer foods. Finding the right spot with the band is not necessarily an easy thing. You've only been banded for three months and many, many people don't get to the "sweet spot" right off the bat. I'd suggest an unfill immediately and that you then take a careful look at what you are eating. Fitday.com is a great tool to help you track your actual calories in and out, which might be enlightening all by itself. Being too tight is NOT the way to banding success. Please consider having an unfill and getting a fresh start. Banding can't possibly work if you're fighting with it all the time, and you may even do yourself some damage along the way. You may want to start a new thread with your experience and see what other bandsters have to offer. I'm sure there are other people in your shoes who can benefit from a discussion about it. Welcome to LBT!!

Congratulations to all you losers -- especially Ladiebird, that seven lb. loss is amazing! Penni, you probably put on lots of muscle at the marathon & training for it; your scale is not showing your hard work yet. Kim, maybe you're on a cyclical weight gain. Me, I'm at 208 this morning. That's down four from last week. But I can't take credit for a four-pound loss, because my body inflated my weight last Monday with monthly bloat. Add in my stats from two weeks ago, before the challenge, and you get a more realistic picture: 2/21: 211 lbs. 2/28: 212 3/7: 208 So really I've lost three pounds in two weeks! Still, I'll take it.

Denise, something you should also be aware is that there is currently research on stress and weight gain. Some of the stress hormones that we generate actually cause us to gain weight. Not a fun thing. Something about "flight or fight." One of the companies I worked for went out of business and I wasn't able to find a job that paid even close to what I was making. I finally took at job at about 2/3 of what I had been making. After talking things over with my son and DH, I went back to school to get my university degree. It will take me to the next level. Good luck on your decision.

Hi Caroline - I was pretty darn successful while I was banded, but since my unbanding... not so much... :cry But heck, I'll give you advice anyhow!! lol Okay, the trick when you're not as tight as you'd like to be, for whatever reason, is to maximize what your pouch CAN do for you. So you have to think, "How can I get my pouch to get full and stay full for the maximum amount of time?" Common knowledge: 1. Cold drinks generally tighten restriction 2. Hot Drinks generally loosen restriction 3. Water-loading gives an early pouch stretch, the sensation of which can last for some time, even after the pouch empties 4. Foods that do not "dissolve" with chewing tend to pass more slowly through the pouch - i.e. meats, raw veggies, fibrous things 5. Drinking sooner than 1 hour after eating washes food through the pouch faster, minimizing the amount of time to feel full, leading to return of hunger sooner 6. Exercise is a natural appetite suppressant 7. Thirst is often mistaken for hunger - most people are slightly dehydrated 8. sleep deprivation increases stress, which can result in weight gain Based on the above knowledge, this would be my suggestion to you to try: 1. Make sure you're drinking all of your Water every day - .5 oz per pound of body weight. Water and Fat Loss The levels of oxygen in the bloodstream are greater when the body is well hydrated. The more oxygen the body has readily available the more fat it will burn for energy. Without the presence of oxygen the body cannot utilize stored fat for energy efficiently. Not only will the body burn more fat when well hydrated but because of the increased oxygen levels you will also have more energy. http://www.tbfinc.com/water.htm 2. Get a good night's sleep - go to bed earlier than you're used to. 3. Do a brisk, 30 minute walk each day. 4. Water load before meals. Try to drink a quart of water in the hour before you eat, and then drink as much icy-cold water as you can, as quickly as you can, 15 minutes before your meal. 5. Eat solid Proteins and lots of raw/cooked veggies. 6. NO liquids for an hour after meals! 7. Plan, plan, plan. Plan your meals beforehand, so you know already what you're going to eat. Make your lunch and take it with you to work. PLAN on having Snacks, and plan what you're going to use as a snack, and make sure you have it with you so you have a better chance of sticking to your plan. Good luck, and I hope some of this helps!! I need to do this myself... lol