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.

What what?? Did I miss something while I was out walking?

Aww Zoe, I hate seeing you go on steroids but if the back issue will be helped by them then I guess you gotta.

Steroids bad

food bad

the Two together EVIL!!!!

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'm gain. I mean I'm gain. I mean I'm GAME.

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~

Zoe, what kind of course? Are you taking them long-term? Or is it just one of those Medrol Dosepaks?

Tricia-

Don't give up on the fills! My doctor is very stingy with fills so I'm down 60 pounds in a year and four months with the swedish band. Keep getting fills- the band only works if it's filled properly! I'm glad you've been so tenacious!!!

I get my fifth fill tomorrow. If it's like the others, I'll loose ten pounds in a month and then plateau for three. Then I'll get another fill and the same thing will happen.

Don't let it get ya down...you're doing fantastic.

Megan

Megan,

Thanks! It's great to hear that from someone that also has the Swedish band and has gone through some of the same things. I was thinking that my band has just taken on a personality of it's own and doesn't want to be at the right fill level anymore

I'll give it a little time, then I'll call for another fill.

BTW: You look fantastic!