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Judy big hugs for what you are going through!! Purple power and hugs to you, Ethan, and the Bobster!!! I too am way up in weight, but slowly but surely will take it off. Reading the books, thinking about weight loss and weight gain. It is more of a head game than the actual weight loss. Jenn who knows about the army guy? He sounds like a nice guy to keep after you with niceties! BB just came on and want to watch, had a sliver to preview this morning thanks to Tracy and Pam!!

I take opioids too. I have 5 bulging discs and have had back pain my whole adult life. I literally can not bend even a little without holding on to something. It's very debilitating. I thought it would get better with weightloss and I could get off the pain meds but no such luck. In my experience I think they contributed to my weight gain. Right now I'm dealing with struggling to stay on track. I've dabbled a little in forbidden foods, but not excessively. Last night for the first time I ate 4 cookies and it had 280 calories. I don't know what I was thinking. I have 85 pounds to lose and it is such a struggle now that I can eat more. Wishing you the best!

ok guys, I need help! I am holding steady at the same weight. I was banded 7 weeks ago. I am mostly eating the right things and now walking 2 miles a day 4-5 days a week and going hiking on saturdays for at least 2 miles, sometimes more. I write down everything I eat and I'm going back over the last couple weeks. It seems I get on average of about 1000-1200 cal a day give or take (if I stay away from peanut m&ms!). I eat about 200 cal every couple of hours for about 5 mini-to-avg meals a day. My main focus is to get enough Protein because my biggest fear is my hair falling out. I do take a couple of meds that are on my doctor's list to cause weight gain so wondering if this is an issue also... Yesterday - this is mostly an average day (except when i cave on the chocolate) Breakfast: 4oz light cottage cheese, special k Protein Bar (260 cal) snack: apple (72 cal) lunch: progresso light soup, sugar free pudding (180 cal) snack: greek yogurt, banana (265 cal) dinner: jack in the box grilled chicken strips (4 strips) (250 cal) TOTAL: 1112 calories for the day (also walked for 35 minutes - almost 2 miles) I've had 1 fill but now have little restriction and just keep my meals small. Am I eating too much? What is the average calories per day you guys are eating? give me some ideas of meals you eat? PLEASE HELP! I still think about eating too much. I am scheduled for a 2nd fill next week.

OK friends, I decided a long time ago to be honest and forthcoming on this site to help myself and others partaking in the experience of WLS. You all know just about everything...from my bathroom habits to the fact that I see a therapist to help me with body image issues and all that go with it. So..the last big hurdle had to do with the opposite sex. I've been alone for a long time for many reasons...not just the weight gain. With help from my therapist, I decided to go on some of those dating websites even though I am still very uncomfortable with my body. I am still working out my issues and whether or not I'll get any plastic surgery. If I do it, it has to be for the right reasons and not to try to achieve some unrealistic idea of perfection. Part of this process is to admit I would like to have a man in my life. I don't need to have a man, but I would like to try dating again. Well...I've been chatting with a few different men and I am meeting one of them tomorrow night. It's not the first date I've been on actually...I went out with a lawyer I met online a few weeks ago. He never shut up so I figured I'd just eat and enjoy an evening out knowing there wouldn't be a second date. But this one I like. I've talked to him on the phone for a few weeks and we seem to be hitting it off. I'll let you all know how it goes. I have to keep telling myself that he would be a lucky guy to go out with me. Not an easy thing to do when one battles self esteem issues all the time, but you have to start somewhere right? I've adopted a little saying in my head that comes from an old proverb: 'A virtuous woman is worth a price above rubies'. I have to remind myself that I am worthy of a good man's intentions. Wish me luck ya'll and I'll keep you posted.

Hi everyone, One last update before Christmas. I am down 13.6kg (30lbs) since my procedure about 14 weeks ago. I was nearly 17 kg heavier this time last year and will be nice seeing in a new year lighter than the previous one. I think I am finding my esg groove. My portion sizes were getting relaxed as was some grazing so I have gone back to tracking what I eat and weighing some foods again. I have been at the gym most days since I joined even when I had good excuses not to go. I am enjoying the feeling of sore muscles and breaking a sweat. I really don't typically love exercise but I am realising that it's essential for building muscle and keeping my metabolism up. I did pay dearly this week after drinking a large volume of water very quickly. I felt awful and it didn't go away for a day. My dr said I wouldn't be restricted with fluids which is normally true, unless your an idiot like me and skull a giant glass of fluids. Oh man, it hurt. Definately won't be doing that again. Part of me wishes I had achieved a bigger weight loss at this stage but I have to be happy with slow but consistent losses. I guess we all want to wake up skinny but I do see my behaviour changing a lot during this journey. I really want to achieve a 20kg loss by the time I see my dr for my 6month review. I am still seeing more progress in my clothing sizes than on the scales. Just bought a size 12 dress for Christmas Day which feels great. Merry Christmas to the wonderful esg community. Here's to a healthy and happy holiday and keeping the weight gain contained!! Mel x

ok mine is going to make everyone laugh if you can see the humour in it and I cannot believe I am being this honest.... I was a former abused wife and one of the things used was force feeding....literally...I always laugh now when someone says well it isn't like someone shoved the food down your throat....I am in a better place so now I just answer umm yep they did...lol...for sure not the reason for all the weight gain but still...so for me I am looking so forward to a time when my kids are involved and I have to run into my ex.....hahahahahahahahahahahahaha see the thought makes me giddy.....I have reached the physical success that far supersedes his. Now the weight...I know what an awful goal....but whatever works....*grin*

I was sleeved on 6/5/2015. 7 days Clear liquids so far... Not hungry, but missing food and snacking, and the taste of food. I cant chew gum. Really seeing how dependent I was on food, when bored or upset.. This is surgery will really expose ALL of my inter weakness, which resulted to my weight gain.... buckle up it's going to be a very interesting lesson, Stay strong fellow sleevers!!!

Funny I am still never hungry I went out one day all day and forgot to eat because I don't get hungry I eat every four hours only because I know Im supposed to I mean its crazy I hope I never get that hungry feeling back! I love that i Don't have to always satisfy a hunger feeling like I use to. That's the one thing I am honestly grateful for along with the limited space to abuse my body! Even when i am in bad mode i know no matter what I could only do so much damage I have fell off a few times but the next day would pick myself back up and act like it never happen. and funny I have never had weight gain from a bad day (cheat day)

1) Protein. I get 90% of my calories from pure protein. I completely avoid carbs like the black plague. I snack on chicken, and whatever I can get my hands on. Yesterday for lunch I had pulled pork bbq, 3 oz and I was done, saved the rest and ate it again for dinner. No sides, no bread, nadda. The bbq was more than enough. 2) Routine is my bff. I know what I'm going to eat every single day before I leave the house, I leave nothing for imagination and I workout with other people so even if I'm not feeling motivated to do it, I know they are waiting on me to show up- there for I actually do my workouts religously. 3) Here's the tough love. I commit to at least 1 FULL HOUR EVERY SINGLE DAY to working out. Math says it takes 3500 calories to burn 1 lbs of fat, even on a low calorie diet and your BMR helping to burn some calories that still a LOT Of calories that you need to burn. 4) READ the guru's. I've read Jillian Michaels and Bob Harpers books, I've read Oprah's trainers, I've read all the top hollywood trainers books. I've educated myself thoroughly and there are several key things THEY ALL AGREE ON: A) To lose weight you must work out a MINIMUM of 1 hour 6 days a week and it must be intense, not lolly gagging- doesn't matter if it's running, walking, elliptical or what you got to make it intense and get your heart rate to 120. B.) Weight lifting is NECESSARY. At least 3 times a week for 30 minutes at max weight. All the trainers said it, if you want to change your metabolism it starts with weights. Muscle burns more fat. There for increase your muscle. If you rotate a day of weight lifting for cardio, or add them both in for a 2 hour workout 6 days a week, magical things might happen. C) Carbs are the enemy. They all agree. We are a carb heavy society. And because of our sleeves now is the time to back away slowly and reconsider them later. Eat a very heavy protein diet. D) Sugars are the enemy. And you know what I'm talking about. Even the Protein shakes are full of crap. Time to step back drink h20 (and none of the other crap) and focus on Proteins again. I will miss my smoothies and my fudigcles and my occassional sweet tooth cravings, but do want to lose weight or not? E) DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT eat after 7pm. Water ONLY. sleeping on a full stomach, partially full, or any thing at all in your stomach will screw with your metabolism in your sleep. Just don't do it. Maybe masters swimming and water polo are my saving grace, but I know several people who've had success with trainers, workout buddies, etc. It's HARD. Period. No matter who we are to get this done. It takes time and commitment. I have PCOS (PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome which has been a huge factor in why I needed the VSG- my body cannot regulate my hormones or my insulin), and I have always gained between 7 and 10 lbs on my period (sorry guys for the TMI but weight gain is true for the vast majority of women). If I only fluctuate by a pound or so I will be delighted. So this week I'm easing up on myself and just training and ignoring my numbers as they will most likely go up. BE AWARE of your cycles and get a calendar. Start tracking on your calendar, calories consumed, when your period is, when your PMS'ing (which is when your hormones start to surge and the first onset of weight gain pre-period happens) and watch what happens. You might be bloating because you're so close to your cycle. I also get horrific acne- which right now is pretty bad :/ so that's my indicator mother nature is about to come kick my a$$. I work out a LOT. A minimum of 2 to 5 hours a day and that's why I've been dropping numbers. I know a lot of people cannot commit to that, but I'm doing with with a packed schedule and a kid because my health is #1. It's time for me. THIS IS MY TIME. And I don't have anymore time in my life to waste. I'm being as completely proactive as possible. Hope this helps!

I'm heading down to Miami for 7 weeks with the kids. They go to nature/archeology camp on Biscayne Bay and since the camp won't let me in (something about age limit Pffft) I have created my own Mommy Camp. I bike, collect mangos, can mango chutney no one will eat, kayak, explore, take yoga classes and tennis lessons. This is our 4th year going and the last few have been kind of rough because of major surgeries and subsequent weight gain. I'm so excited to head down his year lighter, fitter and happier than I have been in years. My husband and kids are loving the mom who is always on the go and I'm loving life. Bring on the South Florida heat and humidity! I'm ready for you this year! At the end of the summer we are going on an 8 day Alaska cruise with my husbands family. My goal is lose enough weight to feel comfortable in the wet suit I'm going to wear when we go snorkeling in Ketchikan. I have had a life long fear of wet suits (I'm convinced I will look like a seal in one) so I specifically booked this trip to motivate me to move this summer. Just the thought of me trying to shimmy into a wet suit on the shore of a freezing cold body of Water makes me laugh so hard I'm already burning calories... I love hearing everyone's plans. Be safe and wear sunscreen and post pictures! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Taken together, these findings indicate that in obese persons who have lost weight, multiple compensatory mechanisms encouraging weight gain, which persist for at least 1 year, must be overcome in order to maintain weight loss. These mechanisms would be advantageous for a lean person in an environment where food was scarce, but in an environment in which energy-dense food is abundant and physical activity is largely unnecessary, the high rate of relapse after weight loss is not surprising. Furthermore, the activation of this coordinated response in people who remain obese after weight loss supports the view that there is an elevated body-weight set point in obese persons and that efforts to reduce weight below this point are vigorously resisted. In keeping with this theory, studies have shown that after adjustment for body composition, people whose weight is normal and those who are obese have similar energy requirements for weight maintenance11 and equivalent reductions in energy expenditure30 after weight loss. If this is the case, successful management of obesity will require the development of safe, effective, long-term treatments to counteract these compensatory mechanisms and reduce appetite. Given the number of alterations in appetite-regulating mechanisms that have been described so far, a combination of medications will probably be required. Several such combinations are undergoing evaluation,34,35 but none have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Bariatric surgery has well-documented favorable effects on appetite-mediating hormones, hunger, body weight, hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and mortality.36-38 However, because of the attendant costs and long waiting periods, bariatric surgery is not readily accessible to most people. So, looking at the last section in particular, it would appear that although it may be difficult to lose and maintain weight loss, and that we,after losing a significant amount, may have hormonal challenges and have to eat a low calorie diet, we as WLS patients might be ahead of the game?! And, I'm also wondering that after a year or more of being at the same weight, the body might readjust its needs....did I read that right? Does that mean that once the body has adjusted to the new and lower weight it might shed more fat? I'm also interested in the leptin discussion... On marksdailyapple.com, I'm sure I've seen a thread about leptin reset? Gonna have to look it up and see what this leptin hormone is all about! Anyway, I suppose this information at least helps us understand why our bodies are hanging on to that last 10-30 extra pounds.

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.

I have Aetna, amd they require three months supervised diet, with no weight gain. I use this stuff called Teami tea, a colon cleanse that helps with a pound or two. I went through Irma this past month and had gained weight. So four days prior to weight in I went on a full liquid diet and drank the Teami tea (double dose) and lost 1.2 lbs from my previous months weigh in. I suggest you do this and get weighed again. Now I'm one month away and trying so hard not to binge this last weigh in is so important. Good luck to you. Keep us abreast of what's happening! Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

I've been doing my own research for BCBS and have saved my finds in a thread I started. (it's just so much information) Here is criteria I found: DESCRIPTION: Clinically severe obesity is a result of persistent and uncontrollable weight gain that constitutes a present or potential threat to life. For purposes of this medical coverage guideline, clinically severe obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m2 or greater. See the height and weight tables for Men and Woman, BMI tables (100-195, 200-295, 300-400, and formula for calculating a BMI. Several surgical (bariatric) procedures are used for the treatment of clinically severe obesity. These procedures can be categorized as follows: <LI class=bulletedList-1>Malabsorptive procedures - alteration of the intestinal absorption limiting nutrients available to the body OR Gastric restrictive procedures - reduction in the capacity of the stomach thereby limiting the amount of food ingested. Gastric surgical procedures for the treatment of clinically severe obesity include: <LI class=bulletedList-1>gastric bypass where approximately 90% of the stomach is bypassed and reattached to the proximal jejunum OR gastric stapling, vertically banded gastric partition, or vertically banded gastroplasty where a proximal pouch of 30-60 ml and a one centimeter outlet are created by a row of vertical staples and a horizontally placed reinforcing band Certain surgical procedures performed for the treatment of clinically severe obesity may be considered medically necessary when ALL of the following conditions are met: The member: meets the above definition of clinically severe obesity,has been severely obese for at least five (5) years, has attempted a physician supervised (by the primary care physician) non-surgical management weight loss program (e.g., diet, exercise, drugs) for six (6) consecutive months ,has received psychological or psychiatric evaluation with counseling as needed, prior to surgical intervention; does not have a medically treatable cause for the obesity, (e.g., thyroid or other endocrine disorder). The following procedures may be considered medically necessary when the above criteria has been met: http://mcgs.bcbsfl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.main&doc=Surgery%20for%20Clinically%20Severe%20Obesity

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!

O.K. Someone please explain what this sweet spot is? I don't have a clue.All I no is that with the other knee now replaced, they were monitering all of my foods to about 3000 cal. a day. whew!! I feel guiltey, and terrible... Even my surgeon from Henry Fords called me to see how the surgery went. I said not as good as the other knee, and I got myself a fiil date with him and said please don't hollar to bad about the water weight, or weight gain!! He said it's expected, so no don't worry about it. Since they have me eating so muchI feel like I am starving to death... I only have 1cc in a 4cc band, so he better put something in it. Please get back on the sweet spot matter. shirley.

Sandi, I've been experiencing the same thing this week. No loss, and actually a bit of regain. I am certain though that I'm eating more than you... I'm just trying to strike a balance between need for food (belly hurts if I don't eat every so often), energy (need to play T ball 3 times a week with the kids), and boredom (I'm tired of most of the foods I've been eating). Breakfast 1 premier protein Lunch 3oz of soft meat (cold cuts, rotisserie chicken, tuna, egg salad) + something to add interest like a cracker or two 1 oz of cheese Snack 1 Fage or Light n Fit yogurt Dinner Usually a small portion of what I made for my family (minus the carbs, breads, or starchy veggies) Evening Snack I stay up really, really late, so I typically have some yogurt or something in the evening. Not sure this is helpful, but there is it. My worst issue is with constipation. I'm pretty convinced that the weight gain has to do with food in/nothing out. Gross, but there it is. I'm taking steps to solve the issue. Sigh.

Peaches I am glad that I got you moving... For me it's all about the exercise... I did have a few cookies & tamales during the holidays - I contribute the no weight gain to the exercise. I could eat more food right now but I am really trying not to - I have been losing .5 lbs each week for the last 2 weeks and I would love to see 1 or 2 pounds gone by next Thursday... I am 1/2 lb from 60 total and I would love to lose 5 lbs by my Bday at the end of the month - it would be great to be 185 on my 53rd bday.... I don't know about the cold - since I live in the Desert - but I guess if you have enought stuff to keep you warm I would do it - last night i was watching my tivo of the clash of choirs and when they were singing Celebrate i was up dancing - and I got some weights to work my arms while i warch t.v. You go tomorrow to see if you have a leak or is it next week? I don't find that my band takes away my hunger - cuz i always have head hunger but it does help with the portion control to a degree - i don't know - i really think i could eat more food if i really wanted to - especially bad unhealthy foods. I am just totally in the zone (well 98% of the time) so i don't... I think before I put stuff in my mouth... And if you are able to exercise you should - there are so many our age and older who can't - due to all the problems from being overweight and it will help you live longer and be more youthful... (i know that word got to you :bounce:- that's the real motivator :bounce:

Hi ladies. Just a quick check in. Everyone yell!!!! STEPH GOTTA FILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bad news was the weight gain since November but PA wasn't too harsh since I've been unfilled since beginning of November. This winter has been super harsh. I'm going to get it off though. Not too stressed. It is going to happen. Liquids for 2 days. today and tomorrow I'm traveling cross state so it will be fine to be on liquids. Okay...very tired and back is very sore. Yes, Janet, I know you need to lecture me about the snowmobile incident...but I did ask doc if it was okay and he said it was alright. Okay...gotta get to bed. I will try to answer the other things tomorrow. Pills are getting me dopey! Hugs to everyone.

Ruby - LOVE IT !!!! :thumbup: ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT !!! HAND ON HIPS :Dancing_sorry: OK I WILL drink all my water today - I promise :biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2: Cuz I have to have my snacks - last night strawberries - and I am going to jinks this cuz I am talking about it - but my little angel has not woken me at all during the middle of the night to go potty for the last 2 nights that means I have slept 2 nights straight thru - you gotta know even without the dogs I rarely sleep all night - usually up once or twice during the night.. Not always to eat but just wake up. Karri - Yep Ruby put me in my place - but even us Food Cops need some policing too :Dancing_angry: Congrats on the Exercise - You are doing so good. I am proud of you... Your bday is the same day as my Mom's :thumbup: I am not worried about you being unfilled at all - I have read the PS thread too and heck those women are as dedicated as you and some of that weight gain is from the surgery - water retention swelling - so you can not get on the scale after the TT for 2 weeks .. I gotta say I might splurge before surgery - not so much junk - cuz that goes down OK now - but I would love to eat a big juice bloody steak (I am a cannibal ladies ) I can eat steak but not a lot... So something like that - not the sweets. well maybe a little:redface: the sweets..:thumbup: -------------------------------------------------------------- Steph That's FANTASTIC !!! That 12 lbs a month - GOOD JOB!!! ------------------------------------------------------------- Peaches You might not really feel the restriction until you get to real food. Hold on - I know it's hard - but we are cheering you on... ----------------------------------------------------------- Jackie - GF what's up ??? ----------------------------------------------------------- I made this great dinner last night - a new one pot wonder ground white turkey meat (about 8 oz) onion - bell pepper- 1/2 c corn - 1/4 c rice - 1 can of tomato bisque soup. it makes enough for 3 or 4 nights - I had one full cup - guesstimate the calories to be about 210 - 250 max - It was really good. -------------------------------------------------------------- Well, I am drinking my water - and will report in when I have this 16.9 ozs done - I have to drink 4 of them for 67.60 oz of water - I think I need it cuz I have been having tmi stopped up issues :thumbup: Ok off to work (well I am at work) but you know what I mean TTYL

CC, I'm just wondering if you're getting close to "Aunt Flo" visiting too, because that could be part of your weight gain. I put on 8 pounds last month, and really freaked out about it, but the nurse said we need to allow ourselves at least 10 pounds each month that we could potentially put on. Another thing to remember (and this is from my Doc) is that even though we got that band, the pouch hasn't really been created yet and the initial restriction we all felt was from the swelling in our stomach's. My dr's don't even count the weight loss from the time of my pre-op until the first fill. They look at the pre-op weight, then the first fill weight. They even say that the liquid and post-op diets are ways to diet that anyone would lose weight on. I hope that helps, but don't feel down on yourself. Things will get better, it just takes a lot of patience to get to that first fill. I just had mine on Friday and am loving it. ~Nichole

I hate when my e-mail notify goes screwy and I don't know there are new posts here. :eek: Please bear with me while I make some lengthy posts to catch up on what's been said. Indio - on the will power rant; I know I have plenty of will power. It's usually kicked up a notch if someone makes a comment like "Oh you can't do that..." I've been quite successful with weight loss in my 40+ years. However, I've been even more successful with weight gain. I don't know what it is about this food addiction as opposed to other addictions. I gave up smoking cold turkey and it was (relatively) easy. But food...? Just can't keep at it for any length of time. I have a long list of reasons why I'm overweight, but no real excuses at all. Even when my health started to become an issue I just couldn't shake the extra weight. But I don't believe it is just a lack of will power at certain times. There have been times when I've become addicted to eating right and exercising like mad and nothing changed. Then I discovered I had insulin resistance and PCOS and those issues were working against me in the battle against the bulge. It just made things so much harder. EVERYTHING had sugar in it. It wasn't just the added sugars that were bad for me, it was the natural sugars in fruits also that my body couldn't deal with. Things like soy milk, fruit juice, cereals, yoghurt.... all "healthy" choices I thought I was making were working against me. So any will power I had just wasn't enough. I needed something to seriously restrict any and all intake of food. And that's where my band comes in. Then add into the equation the change in metabolism as we get older....... No, I don't see any of these as excuses. They're reasons. But at times I know I will use them as an excuse to be lazy or to allow myself to eat things I know I shouldn't. I've said it before, I'm a big fat liar. And if I can find a way to lie about eating something I shouldn't, you better believe that I will. :cry I need my band and I need this thread to keep me in check.

I was always bigger than the girls my age. As a kid growing up I was taller than all the other girls. I was also a tomboy growing up and was always aware that I was bigger than girls my age. Growing up I was a little chubby as a kid, but lost the chubbyness as I continued to grow, but I can remember eating a lot as a kid, 2-3 bowls of Cereal, getting large portions at meal time but athletics helped me keep the weight off in high school. Yet as a child growing up, I can still remember my Aunt Irene telling my mom that I was fat. Also in High school I remember my doctor always telling me I was fat, but looking back I can honestly say I wasn't. I was 5'7 in middle school and high school and because of basketball, softball and bike riding I had a lot of muscle. I was in great shape in high school, playing ball and running track, yet I always felt bigger. I remember the girls on the track team getting "small" shorts and I'd get the large or xlarge shorts, and that made me feel big and fat when I compared myself to them. Yet I know looking at the pictures I wasn't. I started to gain weight in college and I was aware of it. Walking to classes, I'd see my shadow on the sidewalk and it was bigger than my friends and I was always embarrassed yet all through college I still wasn't "fat" I got chubby. I stopped playing sports due to a knee injury and the doctor told me if I continued to play, then my knee would be ruined and I'd seriously in jury it. After I quite playing sports I really gained weight. I didn't realize it then but that is the time my PCOS kicked in and the weight gain began to rapidly increase. In 1997 I weight 275 and I took a job on the road as a stage tech for a company. It was physical work and I lost a lot of weight. I got down to 220 and I remember going into a bar, being carded and the guy at the door taking a double take at my drivers license. I told him "I've lost a lot of weight" and he said "Yeah, you have." and he smiled. It made me feel so good. After the job and the physical labor, I gained the weight back. I took an office job at a company who had a cafe in the building and I was sitting at my desk all day, not eating healthy and not exercising. It wasn't until a year ago that I went over the 300# mark. It was after I stopped taking topomax and i got depressed over the weight gain. I've been hovering around 335 for a while now. I've wanted the lap band for about 4 years. I tried through insurance at that time but they said no. I switched jobs 2 years ago but didn't think my new insurance covered the surgery. I discovered a lump on my thyroid last year and went to a doctor at Centennial. While looking at the website for Centennial I noticed a link to their womans hospital and the the lap band program they have. I read the insurance page and saw that others who had my insurance had the operation and it was covered. I kept thinking about it but never looked into it. It wasn't until March of this year when a co-worker had a heart attack that I took a good look at my life. It scared me. I'm 35 and I want to live a healthy life not just for me but for my husband. I'm lucky because he loves me for me and the weight doesn't bother him. I went to the seminar in April and filled out the paperwork and sent it in, but they called me the day after they received the paperwork and said my insurance didn't cover it. I started to get depressed and I could tell my husband was disapointed for me. I remember calling my mom crying because I couldn't afford to do a self pay. The next day my mom called me and said my dad and her talked and they were going to give me the money. It would come out of the money I'd receive when they pass away. I said I'd only agree to accept the money if my brother was OK with the idea. They talked to him and he agreed. He said a lady he worked with had the surgery and he saw the difference it made. Plus he has always been worried about my weight and knew this was something I needed to do. So, the next day I contacted the office and set up an appointment to see the doctor. The rest is history. My surgery is scheduled for July 18. Am I scared, yes but I'm more scared of not having the surgery. This is something I need to help me live a healthy life. Oh, I almost forgot, I know being overweight affects me and how I'm viewed. 5 years ago I was passed over for a promotion because of my weight. I almost sued for discrimination and became depressed and gained more weight because of it. My husband loves amusement parks and I'm looking forward to going to a park and being able to ride the rides with him. I know my weight affects him too in the things we can't do together but he's so understanding and has never said a bad word about my weight. I know he supports me no matter what and I love him so much. I want to do this not just for me but for him as well. Plus as an added bonus, he's agreed to stop smoking once I have the surgery. I told him if I'm doing this to become healthy so we can live a long life together he needs to do something too and he agreed. We will both be working toward living healthy for each other and support each other through both our changes.

Hello ladies!!! I hope you all had a wonderful day. Mine was fabulous. I just have to share. Before I do let me warn that this may be very LONG and RAMBLING and at times seem odd, but like any good story, I have to explain the whole thing.... My dad passed away almost 3 years ago. This threw me into a horrible depression. 1 week after he passed, I found out I was pregnant with Jai. I didn't want a baby that wouldn't know her grandfather, I didn't want to bring a baby into the world period, in 4 months I gained almost 40 pounds and just didn't give a rats patoot about anything. My world was falling apart. Jeff, bless his heart, tried to help and told me about this book "The Secret" and I was ready to try anything so I bought it. It was supposed to have THE answer. THE secret to life summed up in 200 pages. Well I got through the first 10 and said, "Like hell!!! How dare this woman say...." I was ANGRY. Well, I never picked the book back up and pushed it all out of my mind. Now while I was packing for this trip I came across my books on cd and was looking through to find something to listen to and here was "The Secret" that I must have bought at some time but never opened. Well, I'm in a much better frame of mind (not great but much better) and thought that I'd give it a go. If i hated it I could always turn it off. I have to say I've never had such an amazing journey as this trip across the state. It was below zero but my car ran wonderfully, the roads were perfect, someone pumped my gas when I went to fill up, the kids got along and were happy. (okay...aside....the kids can't have their happy meal toys until they eat their main "dish" and they know that. Well Nick ate his and was playing and Jai refused. I gave them to here a few times and she kept tossing them aside. Well nick says "Mom, I ate Jai's nuggets. Can she have her toy now?" That's how well they were getting along) It was epiphany after epiphany in the car today. I took a long hard look at my life as a whole and saw this "secret" played out over and over and over. I could see this "secret" in my spiritual faith. It wasn't contrary to it, it added to it. It was beautiful. Now the "secret" isn't this simple panacia to placate. It isn't wishful thinking. It's a way of living and I can see the work that it is going to take to bring about change in my life. But I'm worth it and I'm willing to work at it. So....what does this mean to you? I don't know. That depends on where you are in your world. I would recommend the book. I would urge you to give it a shot, but it's about ME, not you. EXCEPT....there was this part about how diets don't work....because we are focussing on the WEIGHT we want to lose, not on the outcome that we expect. We don't have our eye on the prize on a diet. We focus on the weight and that is what goes...but also what comes back...because it's our focus. If we change our focus to the healthy life we desire, and HEALTH is what we are striving for, the weight loss will follow naturally without the weight gain that accompanies a diet. It may seem like a very minute difference, but it makes so much sense...and I believe it. Okay...enough rambling. If you made it through that, bless your soul. If you want to know more about "The Secret" I highly recommend it. I've not felt this at peace with the world since I let go of my father over 15 months after he passed. Hugs ladies. I love you all. You are beautiful women and make such positive impacts on my life. Bless you.

Karla - yep have them design one small though - and I have to figure a place to put it.. I have one on my ankle already - I just don't know where I would put it - Yes darlling you have to add a #7 to your turtle !!!!! Connie - it will be here before you know it.... Karla - that's the problem you didn't weigh in when you got back so you don't know how much you actually gained while away - so you don't know if you had a loss this week - since the scales are the same... So hiding your head in the sand didn't help - it just made things worse.. You have to deal with a gain - not getting on the scales after a bad weekend - is denial... Denial is what got us fat in the 1st place. So after a bad weekend of food you have to learn to deal with what the scales says - most of it's usually just water weight but depending on what you ate it can be real pounds - remember it take 3500 extra food to gain a pound.. And it could be when you got on the scales today - you are retaining water - scales are fickled things and our weight can vary from hour to hour by as much as a pound.. So after I scolded you for not weighing in after your weekend - you can't take that weight as an absoult but you do have to deal with what it said.. You need to start counting calories - you give us what you eat but not the calories - how is your restriction are you still to tight?? As for the July Challenge - I think that 1 lbs a week is a good starting point - as most of us #7 are 2 yrs out and we aren't going to lose quickly - and pple like Phyl will lose 3 -4 lbs in a week and not lose for the rest of the month - That's really up to you guys - Karri & I would be strickly maintance... Candice is gone for 15 days and I assume that she will have a bit of a weight gain as she is on vacation and food choice along with adult beverages And then at the end of the month we 5 of us are going to Canada - so again our mini vacations we won't the perfert banders - but again since we are all together it will be an all or none kind of thing - we will all choose to eat good - or bad which ever the case may be.. So I don't know how good a challenge would be - those of you who want to participate can - challenge each other - Maybe you and Steph can have a challenge - See me and my DD had challenges without even posting that we were - I wanted to keep up with her and she didn't want me to get a head of her - we talked about that when she was here - it was never a public challenge and never really spoken between us - it's just the way we were - one time I got a couple of lbs to her and that made her focuse to get the 10 lbs that she usually was infront of me :0) Cuz Gf we are food addicts - cuz everything we do with others centers around food - we don't want to feel deprived - it's a b to find the happy medium... You are even - so that's better than being up !!! I know you are not an exercise girl - but if you would I bet you would see a difference - just a suggestion - try it you may like it :0) and gf it's ok to be selfish !!!! I think it's a good thing... I do it all the time !!! Steph Happy that you are .7 lighter have a safe trip.. Well gang - napped yesterday afternoon - went to bed at 9 and up at six - have been on the computer ever since and it's almost 9.... It takes along time to reply to post..... My mentor thread which I didn't post to yesterday - had a poster on my Dr Bobby thread - the 50's thread - and here and then emails .. I still haven't gotten to my paper yet !!! Well today is nails and food shopping for the week - I need to get my butt in gear.... Weather report - next week we are suppose to hit 110 !!! For me anything below 105 is fine - but 110 is hot.... ok going to go get paper another cup of coffee CBL:wub: