Hi All, After being MIA for a few weeks (or maybe longer?), I have decided to post. I am having trouble getting my weight down, I'm having a big problem with some edema that was there way before I had surgery. All of a sudden, the diuretics I have been on for close to four years are not working as good as they used to. She (nephrologist) increased one of my diuretics (the one that retains the potassium) but now it's making my blood pressure bottom out. I am really trying to watch my sodium intake (didn't realize I was eating that much salt!) and trying to stick to a diabetic diet. But the carbs are outrageous!! According to a 1200 calorie diet, I can have 150 g of carbs!! Way too much!! So I think I am going to try one of the low carb diets. I see that some of the girls here are on it. Does it help? Is it very restrictive? My eating is way out of control and I need to get a handle on it. I feel bloated most of the time, and I can't go more than an hour or two at a time without something in my mouth!!! Red flag!! Is anyone else having these problems? I was reading Wanda's post and I, too, feel like maybe my pouch has been stretched. I don't want that to happen!! Can someone recommend a good low carb diet to follow? I'm leaving for Disney World tomorrow so I will start it after I come back on the 9th. How is everyone else doing? Hugs, Deidrah

Thanks for starting the thread. I was at 141 this morning. I have a renewed desire to do this the right way. I started tracking my food again and really watching the carbs. I am scared to death that all of my overeating the last few weeks has stretched my pouch and stoma. I saw a TV show how the pouch can enlarge to half the size the stomach used to be. That did it for me! Scared me straight! Here's to a better week Wanda

I'm afraid the Wellbutrin is messing with my brain checmicals. I've always been blessed with a nice sense of well-being. I would hate to lose that. I think it's possible that the Wellbutrin is helping me control my eating better. I just don't know what to do with that. I've been having weird anxiety-filled dreams too. Geesh. I'm not sure that it's worth it. My protein is from a combination of supplements and food. I make a double Whey Gourmet to drink on my way to work each morning. Thats 46 grams of protein. I eat tuna, chicken, fish, etc. I'm finally tracking my food again (as of yesterday) and watching carbs. I only had 19 carbs yesterday! Now that may change if I start working out again this week. I tend to need my carbs then. Why do I still make this so hard? I drive myself crazy with trying to find the perfect plan.

Hi All! I'm not sure if someone likes to take lead on this post but since it's not up yet this morning I thought I would...mostly because my scale FINALLY moved!!! I've been hanging around at 155-160 for the last three months and my scale finally says 152.8. Yippee!!! So my plan for the week is to stick with the low carb (under 30 grams) eating. I had said to myself that if it didn't do anything after two weeks of sticking with it very strictly that I was going to give it up. I really miss fruit!!! But I think it probably is doing the trick so I'll see if it can help me drop these pesky last 10 pounds. Of course I'll also stick with my workout routine. I'm in Vancouver BC right now and usually can use any excuse for why I'm not working out but I got myself to the hotel gym this morning for my cardio workout so yay me Good planning to all this week. Let's make it another great one! Corinna Q

I think most of us on this board had gastic bypass so I'm not sure how helpful we can be. The only thing I can tell you is I have a close friend who had the band and she definitely feels restriction. In fact usually for several days after a fill she can only eat a few bites at a time. It does relax a little but there is definite restriction. She had surgery quite about six months after I did and has lost 80 to 90 pounds. It sounds to me like something isn't right. Either the band they put on was too big (do bands have bigger and smaller sizes?) or there is a leak that they just can't detect. I agree with the other post, you might want to check out the lap band forum, they probably have a lot more insight for you. Best of luck!! Corinna Q