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I had an early menopause brought on by cancer treatment - OMG it was HORRIBLE. The hot flashes, I would get major panic attacks with them, and want to rip my clothes off. At home, I did rip my clothes off! It upset my sleep markedly too I was absolutely bug eyed, totally depressed, having major sugar cravings, etc. I went onto HRT. I know the risks, but I'm only 44, have early osteoporosis, was miserable and not coping with the menopause symptoms. HRT has been an absolutely life saver for me, I will be on it for a long time yet. I also had to start testosterone treatment and THAT was incredible. That's the fountain of youth. It took away all the aches and pains, the belly weight gain, the declining libido, the mood issues. The little break you had might just be a coincidence, I think a more natural menopause can sort of come and go, cant it?

So, I had surgery March 16 and lost 25 lbs the first week! Then didn't lose anymore and started gaining weight! I have reduced my calories by 1/4 of what I used to eat and I'm following the diet! (No carbs, very limited fats). My family is losing weight like crazy from our lifestyle changes! Anyways, I went and had my thyroid panel done and I have hypothyroid. Could this explain my weight gain???? I feel so depressed, I've done what's asked and even started excercising....

I'm doing better today! I burned 200 calories on the treadmill and stocked up yesterday on low calorie foods! Today I had 4oz of steak and baked zuchini for supper. I was so excited to eat steak!!! (Granted the steak is not very diet friendly, but it's lots of Protein and I haven't eaten red meat in MONTHS!) TOmorrow grilled chicken with bell peppers and a slice of cheese is on the menu for supper. I think I just needed to get over not being able to eat for so long. JLDCHESTER, PLEASE go get a little unfill. I was EXACTLY like you! I would have a good day and then two weeks of bad days. I was absolutely miserable and didn't realize how bad it was until I got the unfill. My fiance was also too tight and went for a slight unfill on Monday and he is much happier as well. He has actually lost 7lbs since Monday WITH EATING because his metabolism isn't shut down! It's not worth living with a too tight band. I think some of my weight gain is due to drinking tons of Water and its water weight. It feels so good to drink lots of water and eat solid foods without PB'ing or vomiting. A week ago I would not have been so in favor of the unfill, but after going thru it, i honestly believe it is NOT worth living with a too tight band! Sue Magoo, I can't wait to try those green beans! Thanks for the suggestions! Manda, i realize i control what i stick in my mouth but if i had that much control, i wouldn't have gotten the band in the first place. It's very hard to go from being very tight and barely eating to being unfilled a great deal and being able to eat ANYTHING.

Let me give you an example of what happened to me - I went from this (June of 2006 to January 2007) to that. See the difference? I was at my weight that I am now in June, and by November, I went from 195 to 248! Man, talk about a lot of weight gain in a short period. And notice the difference in hair and makeup.

@@Hey Man Losing weight is such a SMALL part of WLS. It's actually the EASY part. We get very short sighted as newly sleeved or bypassed patients. It's all about the scale, how fast we are losing, stressing about stalls or small fluctuations in out weight. But the main thing we should be focusing on is how we can change our eating habits enough to keep the weight we lost off and live a healthy, happy life. At almost 2 years out, I can eat SO MUCH MORE than I could even a year out. I find myself over eating frequently, and have to actually force myself to weigh and measure most of the time to prevent it. I feel almost like I didn't have surgery at times. ESPECIALLY when it comes to snacking. I have to be very mindful. This is the reason I am choosing to eat edamame instead of chips for a snack, or eat a chocolate Greek yogurt as opposed to a cookie or two or three (because that's what it will end up being) I couldn't utilize moderation before surgery, so what makes me think it will work for me now that I feel like I can eat almost normal amounts of food? It won't. If I did a cookie here and a few chips there, I guarantee it won't stop there because I don't have my precious restriction and lack of hunger to count on anymore. That leads to weight gain. Ask anyone who has gained weight back, they will be the first ones to admit it. Like I said, it's not the amount of food that makes us successful, it's ultimately what we choose to eat that does when the honeymoon is over.

Wowgurl! So far so good, almost 30 weeks pregnant and no weight gained, but the baby is growing,which is all I want! Congratulations on your pregnancy! Wishing you a happy and healthy 6 months!!!

I spoke at a lapband info night last week just to give my experience as someone who's been successful with it. Before i got up, my surgeon spoke for about 40 minutes and he made a big deal about how the lapband provides satiety and lack of hunger and that is how it is supposed to work primarily - more so than restricting what you eat. I thought "wow, that hasnt been my experience". Early on, I had that. For about six months. I lost interest in food, I mean, I enjoyed what I ate, but I wasnt hungry, didnt have head hunger, never felt physical hunger. That didbnt last for me. I have a normal appetite, normal hunger levels and a fair degree of head hunger these days, I've just learned to deal with them. So yes, i do get hungry and i very often just want to eat for no particular reason. Perhaps more fill would solve it, but I'm at a healthy weight and dont need to lose, so I havent sought that out. I'm about to get unfilled in about an hour becuase I'm having another surgery next week. Part of me so doesnt want to do that, I'm terrified of rebound hunger and weight gain but a part of me is also VERY interested as to how much hunger/restriction/control this band is providing me. I'll report back!

I went back on Nuva ring 2 weeks post op with no issues with weight gain. I am still loosing. Pregnancy soon after is not recommend and Nuva ring has one of the lower hormone levels compared to the pill.

For my journal readers here is a bit more about me: I am 31 and the mother of two children - my daughter is 14 years old and my son is 10. I'm newly married *3rd and last time!* to a man who is 18 years my senior. I was first married at 16 - to my DD father - divorced by 19 and remarried at 22. That one didn't work after 7 years of marriage. I'm married again - more secure now, more mature, more sure of myself. The kids have had a hard time adjusting to the change... I have a day job and also own my own online company. (www.providerwatch.com and www.findadaycare.com) I enjoy living in Western Washington for the weather, the green, and the fact I can get in the car and drive somewhere. NOT like when I lived in Anchorage, Alaska! I write - poetry mostly. I love music - listening to it cause I don't have a musical bone in my body. I love to read - anything from fiction to interesting non fiction. I think I'm more serious than I should be.... From the thread "Why are you Fat?" My weight gain began about 9 years ago - it was a slow process that began with excessive drinking - high calorie drinks -depression...I gained about 30 pounds those first few years, lost some and have steadily increased reaching my all time high - currently 255. I quit drinking a year ago - eat more to replace it - and have worked at a desk job for 3 years. That combined with no physical activity. I ENJOY food, its emotional for me. When I cook and enjoy a good meal, it feels good deep down. But this good feeling is followed by guilt and remorse. When I feel full - I feel guilty. I think about being fat from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed at night and sometimes in my sleep. The bottom line is I overeat, food is emotional satisfaction, and I sit on my a$$ at work all day.

I think you had a unique situation because you needed to get off a drug because of bad side effects and having withdrawal symptoms that were not helped with the paxil. I've been on both drugs and have had good results with both. Of course one size does not fit all. I've totally gone off my meds before to go on Meridia and I remember how uncomforable the withdrawal phase was and then the un-med phase was just as bad or worse. Dizzy is one way to describe it although it's a different kind of dizzy. I also got what I call "brain sparks" which happened over a course of a couple of weeks and that is really awful. Even today if I miss a dose by 12 hours I'll get them, it's a little reminder of sorts I suppose. Recently I was researching on line because I was having those "brain sparks" and found all sorts of blogs from people describing issues they had going off effexor, so that must be one of those drugs that a lot of people have had probs with during withdrawal. Now a days if I'm going off an antidepressant I'm usually switching so depending on which drugs they are it can be done at the same time, lower dose of the first drug and adding the new one. My doctor usually informs me of the proper way to do it and I usually have no probs. I'm kind of surprised that a doctor wouldn't know about side effects on withdrawals from these types of meds. I have been on those "zombie" type drugs but mainly they were anti-anxiety types. Forgive me if I ask or re-ask if you're seeing a psych doctor or a regular doctor. Have you been diagnosed with something in particular? I think sometimes a lot of people don't like taking these types of drugs because they don't like the feeling like they're losing control of themselves. When I was first seeing my psych I believe I was crying at almost every visit in the beginning, my emotions were running rampant and I also had a very agitated side that was not good. Once she put me on my first antidepressant, sorry don't remember the name as it was a long time ago, those tears dried up and the lashing outs, diarrhea (yes that too) and the vulnerable feelings I was having disappeared. It's not to say that I don't ever cry but I cry when I'm supposed to, not all day long! I admit the loss of sex drive, plus I'm perimenopausal so could also contribute and weight gain are things that do bother me but I could not live without my meds anymore. Your doctor has to find the right diagnosis for you and the right combo of therapy and meds and of course the right combo of meds. Some people being misdiagnosed can be a problem, for example people who are bipolar and put on antidepressants. Not all bipolar people are alike. You typically think of manic highs and lows but some never have the highs only the lows so it can be tricky and if they're put on antidepressants it's not going to help and could do harm. Plus it takes awhile for you to get the full effects of the drug once you start. I went from Cymbalta to Pristiq but they are very similar in drug class and I've had the Cymbalta in my system for years but when you start it's a different situation. For some people they may have a bad reaction and need to stop like you did on effexor but there's no reason not to try another one. Some people do feel good right away and some it may take awhile. Anyway my big mouth has rambled on enough, lol. But I do hope you can find the right help for yourself and the right med that will help you feel better soon, nanook:smile:

I can SO relate. I have had many ups and downs in my lapband journey....between chronic abdominal pain....that still is left undiagnosed because GI said it's not GI related, band doctor said it's not band related and GYN says its not GYN related....real nice...I have had colonoscopy, EGD, flouroscopy, gallbladder removed w/exploratory while they were in there...and nothing. Then, I broke my ankle which required two surgeries. That REALLY set me back. So, now, being about 30lbs away from my goal I was left in a plateua w/some occasional weight gain. I just started the Ketogenic diet.... high Protein, high fat (like 65% of your caloric intake) and VERY low carb. It's similar to Adkins, but I am doing the carb cycling where you eat little to no carbs for 6 days and you have one carb up day where you can eat literally anything you want and all the carbs you want, then the next day you go back to the strict no carbs. It's a little confusing, but a lot of body builders and people who want to drop weight fast and still keep their muscle mass do this diet. A close friend of mine swears by it along with a lot of his friends, so I figured I'd try it. I'm only 4 days in, but I've already hit ketosis (which means my body is burning fat). Doing a 2-3 week trial to see where I'm at. My suggestion to you is to shock your body! When I am in a rut, I do a crazy "fad" diet to shock my body into losing weight and then gradually go back into the normal healthy lifestyle. Best of luck!

i got the lapband because i was fat/lazy and overate huge amounts of fast foods, chips etc...i feel once a person accepts what the problem is, they can fix it. i do not have any fills *just a starting primer at surgery and i have no idea how much* but i do watch my caloric intake and try to eat better foods...and i feel is someone gains (65 pounds after a fill), they overate/drank more calories than their bodies burned off and hence the weight gain...i can say this and its true because i did not get over 300+ by dieting.....that being said, you stated you were a success, excuse me, you still are.... so to lose weight, do what you and everyone who has the band is suppose to do...eat better foods in the allotted amounts (stopping at 20 min mark) and let the band control the quantity..i understand fills help with the controlling the quantity......and because you can eat more then the 1 cup (or whatever your dr recommends) doesnt mean you should...that goes for whether someone has the sleeve or band or ds or bypass..you drink/eat more calories than you burn off and you WILL gain weight. again, BEST of luck to you. hope it truly works out.

I wish you and your dear daughter well and pray that the decision that you make is the best all around....I fully understand how you feel since one of my kid's sufffered all of the same issues....he was born large and due to many factors(medical as well as emotional) the weight krept up through the years....I found the best teaching hospital with a pediatric program( they have them) and worked with a comprehensive team approach to deal with the underlying issues(medical and emotional)...there were medical tests that yeilded problems in the pituatary and adrenal glands that helped create the weight gain........ had to change the kitchen(as a family) and eating habits....had the kid in a program that taught self worth and good eating habits....and an exercise program geared to young kids....and regular meetings with a good therapist......it was a long road .....and hard work.... going to Mexico is a gamble.....on many levels...iif you could try and find a good program that is part of a teaching hospital.....you might be able to receive funding for the help......wishing you good health and every success in your journey........i

There were many reasons for me choosing WLS in the first place, and the biggest drive force was for me to be able to conceive, have a healthy pregnancy, and deliver a healthy baby without the complications of obesity during pregnancy. I've been waiting 3 long weeks to share this news with all of you, and am happy to report I AM PREGNANT ! ! ! After 14 long, exhausting, and emotionally draining months, I'm finally pregnant. I am considered high risk for several reasons, and VSG does throw me into that category along with other medical issues I have which are NOT related to VSG at all. I have an idiopathic clotting disorder and the cause, reason is still unknown. We do know that I am missing certain Protein factors in my platelets, but other than that, they can not pinpoint the cause or even give it a name hence the "idiopathic". We know the treatment is similar to that of Von Willebrand's disease, but all of my work ups have been negative for VW factor. It's kind of crazy, and I have a feeling I will be having more lab work due to the disorder and pregnancy. I have that "mother's intuition" that we are pulling for Team Blue, and if all goes well, I will have a repeat c-section and tubal ligation since I will be 35 yrs old a month after the baby is delivered. My husband is elated, overjoyed, and of course stressed. He's become the food police all over again, and worries that I am not eating enough. BUT, per the recommendations, I am getting enough calories/protein/carbs currently. They expect me to gain 25-30lbs during the pregnancy, and I kind of snickered at that thought process, but I am not saying it won't happen. I've never read any WLS patient gaining that much post-WLS except band patients. So, we'll see how the weight gain goes. Thus far, I am experiencing sore boobs, crazy food cravings for anything spicy, and fatigue. I have experienced zero morning sickness and for that I am very grateful. I've been cleared to continue my Celebrate multi, b12, and Calcium. The formulation of these Vitamins actually exceed the values of any prenatal on the market, and my labs looked stellar except for my platelets were low normal (which is normal for me). Today was my first ultrasound appointment. I knew the day we conceived "Little Sprout", and had the due date spot on. Everything was perfect, strong, steady heartbeat at 150bpm, everything looked good internally. I'm being referred to a civilian high-risk ob/gyn team and my pregnancy will be co-managed between them and the base provider. All this means is that I'll have double appointments that most pregnant women have to go through. Sorry for the quality. The base equipment is a bit dated, but we were able to hear the heartbeat, and of course I cried. My husband was able to attend, and he just stood there staring at the screen kind of in awe. It was truly the most joyous event I've experienced. Thank you for all of your continued support and encouragement. I would ask that you keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. This is going to be a long process, and Sprout is due November 5th. This place is kind of like my 2nd home so I'm sure I'll be posting more updates as the months progress. . Oh and I don't have much of a belly bump at all yet. I'm bloating, but my clothes are fitting the same, and I have not gained any weight to date. I'm not any hungrier than I was before pregnancy, just insane cravings for random foods I would not have eaten. It'll be interesting to see how I look this pregnancy. I was around 200lbs when I was pregnant with my son 13 yrs ago, and gained 37lbs so I was just huge and round. This time I'm interested to see how my body changes, and hopefully I'll get the cute baby bump that I see on everyone else.

During my initial consultation, I wanted a sleeve. My family was very anti-sleeve because it is permanent. My doctor actually agreed, saying my health was fine and that I didn't need to lose so much weight that I would need a permanent surgery like the sleeve. When I saw my doctor last, I asked about revising to the sleeve as I have concerns about the band longterm. She said again that if I was having no problems, I did not need to revise. Maybe the weight gain since then would change her mind? In the band's defense, despite not being great for actual weight loss, I did not experience many of the horrible complications I have read about online. My gallbladder actually had nothing to do with the band, but with years of extreme high protein/low carb dieting and quick weight loss. Still, I want to lose weight! Maybe I will see what she says. I don't really have time right now for a revision, but I want to be healthy and if that is what it takes... It is hard because she is so glamorous and I can really tell when she is disappointed. Well, I worked up the courage to reschedule the appointment I cancelled this week. I have one in a few weeks. Maybe by then I will have lost a couple pounds from restricting calories? Yeah, that feels right to me! I am shooting for that as I find it difficult to meet Protein requirements (and be a pleasant, functioning human person) at 600-800. If I find that I'm not losing weight, I can restrict down.

I agree. I feel the same. I felt sad for him. I probably should have mentioned that he is 17. He was "prepped" for this surgery for one year. I had a talk with him and he said he's still losing. But I told him that from what I hear, it's not gonna stay that way if he continues like that. Anyway, I can only hope that as he grows, he realizes that he needs to change behaviors... Oh, he has his whole life in front of him, I hope for his sake that he can turn it around. It is not until 2 plus years out I would say that bad habits really start to rear their ugly head in weight gain. I didn't even realize they would do the surgery so young.

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

Thank you for the link to the website. I'm starting day one of the 5 day pouch test today, as I really fell off the band-wagon over Christmas and haven't been able to get back on. I was up until 4am last night - eating! I am so ashamed of what I have done and feel so hopeless. It was doing so well for the first three months, then came final exams, Christmas stress, and weight gain. These things combined made me start eating refined carbs (which I hadn't been eating for the first three months) and I can actually feel an addiction to them this time around. So, I know I need to quit eating those and get back on track (and hopefully the feeling of success will help as well). I really hope this is what I need!!! ~

I know that's a question that only I can really answer, but it's one that keeps spinning through my head. I came to this site today to do a bit more research and realized I had joined back in 2018! So yeah, this is something I've thought about off and on for the last four years. What's stopping me? First, I have had SO many surgeries in the last decade. Fourteen to be exact. I really don't want another one. Second, the thought of having part of my body removed (especially my stomach) is triggering and scary. Been there, done that. A bit of history: Up until about 8-9 years ago, I was a fairly thin and fit person. In Jan 2012, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through five months of really rough chemo, a mastectomy (a body part removal), anti-estrogen meds for seven years, surgeries galore (including an oophorectomy - another body part removal), depression, anxiety, depression and anxiety meds (even ones that say they don't cause weight gain - HA!)... just a lot. Through all that, the scale just went up and up. I'm now 80 lbs overweight, pre-diabetic, have sleep apnea, and my cholesterol is high for the first time in my life, and just mostly feel like hell. In the last four years, I have tried several (doctor prescribed) "weight loss" meds, injections, a liquid diet, an elimination diet, calorie counting, points counting, exercise, nutritional counseling, intermitant fasting, acupuncture... the list goes on and on. Nothing has worked or has been sustainable. So I came here to just get more info and couldn't resist clicking on topics that speak to regret (I know I shouldn't do that, but I couldn't help it). I mean, this is a no-going-back situation. Most of the stomach is being removed! I know there are no guarantees that I won't have regrets, or that the procedure will work or that I won't have complications, but I WANT those guarantees. So much in the last ten years has been up in the air and I hate that feeling. But I also hate feeling miserable in my own body, so... How did you make that final decision to go forward? I want to lose this weight more than anything. but this is a really huge decision I wish I didn't have to make. Sorry for the long post. And thank you in advance for any insight you can offer!

HealthWise is an excellent brand for microwaveable meals. The only downside is they're not sold in stores and have to be ordered online. I find I can eat their pasta-based dishes without worrying about weight gain or dumping. Their lasagna is especially delicious. As a side note if you ever do have a hankering for pasta though, I highly recommend you try out the Great Low Carb Bread Co. I mastered bariatric-friendly macaroni and cheese thanks to their macaroni and am more than pleased! Unfortunately, a lot of what we can eat as far as "quick fixes" just aren't sold in stores and/or are hard to find. It sucks. 😕

Hey Gals... Patty... I have been beggin for news on you... so glad to see your post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sorry you are having a rough time of it... hope the eviction notice situation has been taken care of as well as the job problems. Praying for your surgery date and knowing that it will happen! (((hugs))) So glad to see you back. :welldoneclap: Kat... Yikers! How frightening! I am such a chicken (no pun intended) that I would be a Soup and soft food eater forever and ever amen if there was the slightest chance that I would choke like your hubby. Glad he is okay! Sherry... Love ya girl... thanks so much for sharing your positive ways... it's so easy to get caught up in the stressful parts of life and forget to Celebrate and share the happy moments and I really appreciate how you remind me of this by example... you rock! Irene... Hmmmm... Kind of freaky with your fella. It really can be dangerous for adults to run temps that high... keep your eye on that fella and sure hope you are not coming down with it! Mary... So good to see you too... have missed you! Dianne... Hope the pain meds are good and the girls are heling up quickly! Betty... Glad you didn't get blown away in the storms! It was a beautiful weekend for us and we spent the day maple syruping up at the Sis's cabin. I love standing in the maple scented steam that comes off the boiling sap! Deb... It really sounds like you need an unfill. Take it from me... being over-filled does not always lead to weight-loss. It lead to weight gain for me as I finally started replacing real food with high calorie liquids because I was HUNGRY!!!!! Take care and consider a weensie unfill. (((hugs))) CIndy...(((hugs))) My sister is starting a business and this might perhaps solve my job search issues. I still will be submitting apps for nursing positions but would prefer something that will allow me to be active with my daughter's activities. FIL is feeling better but will be starting radiation and chemo next week. He is in for quite a rough road and is turning away help now so we are backing off. We will continue to offer... the rest is up to him. Haven't been on my treadmill very much... time to get myself moving again! I did get on yesterday. Went and chopped my hair off too... AHHHHHHHHHHHH... why did I wait so long???? :Banane20:

Hello all! Hard to believe it's been one year this week! Crazy! Wanted to see how everyone is doing. I bottomed out at 209 in August while working on my 5K training (the race was in October). After November, I stopped running, and did elliptical inside more. November and December were my first two months post-op when I GAINED on average! Yikes! I had been averaging 215 in August, September, October...a little up some weeks, a little lower on others. In November, I averaged 216 and then averaged 219 in December!!!!!!! I started off 2014 at 220. It's a little disconcerting to see how it can come back, but not surprising. Work, life, holday stress, etc. Food's been our "friend" for so long. I joined a '365 miles in 365 days' group to recommit to activity (which, truthfully, I never gave up on, which makes the weight gain even scarier!). Now, I just need to focus on the head battle. I'm still far below my own goal, far below my nut's goal, still wearing clothes in the size range from high school, but this monkey never will leave our backs...the modest weight gain has been a mixed blessing in some ways to recommit to this path we've chosen. Rock on January sleevers!!!!

well wasabubble butt this is truly my last response to your attacks. since you enjoy website hunting on the sleeve so much why dont you find one that says there is no potential risk of weight gain or stomach restretching? cuz i sure as hell cant find one. and many of them say that you may eventually need further surgey( doudenal switch) depending on how obese you are. i never once said any of the surgeries were wrong i simply stated that i personally knew of people that have had all 3 surgeries and regained signifigant amounts of weight back. these are real life people that i've spoken with. and i never once said the sleeve and bypass were the same. only that i knew people that had signifigant regain after them. those are the facts im sticking to. again everyones choice is there own to make i chose the band and im happy with mine. lots of people are happy with their bypasses and sleeves and im truly happy for them as well. now you have a blessed day

My offer is sincere. It is open to everyone. Knowing you are doing all you can and it still may not change an outcome is a difficult place to be. Are you local to a support group that meets in person? I am sorry about your therapist. I did not see a therapist until a few years ago. I may be a little different from some in that my weight was also driven my metabolic issues. The same thing that helped me stay large (I had an appetite too!) was a metabolic disorder. My sister had the same thing but instead of a damper on her furnace it burned white-hot to the point of doing damage sometimes. I would be at the gym and taking my martial arts classes and maintaining massive amounts of muscle to just be a size whatever (it varied so much) and my little sister would be on 4800 calories a day to maintain a size 0. It followed on like that till I was about 19, when I had about 6-7 years that I maintained a size 14. I got back up to a 16 when I was about 27, which I would miscarraige that year and then my weight skyrocketed and I began to suffer real health problems for the first time ever - sports injuries aside. By the time I was 30 I was as heavy as I have ever been, and diagnosed with diabetes in 2007. Since I have been on a very slow downward pattern again. I was at 272 when I finally decided one last "go" and shortly thereafter decided I needed to admit I needed help. I was attending therapy at this point but amped it up and changed from a "food" therapist to a therapist that focuses on cognative therapy - helping me think for myself. It has done so much good. There were walls in my journey. I crossed a big personal hurdle when I admitted to myself that no matter how fit I had been when I was younger despite my size, that it had left its mark. The miscairrage and weight gain and diabetes and being so large I could not fit in an airline seat without an extender, that between my Husband and I we couldn't share a hammock with a 550 weight limit - it left issues. Doing what I can to fight the good fight - and again only 2+ weeks post op. I have no guarantee I will succeed, either. Strong energy to all who needs it.

Been back on nuvaring for a years and no weight gain