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I confess that it is still hard giving away my clothes that are too big. I confess I am worried about weight gain during my hospitalization after undergoing neurosurgery again for the second time in one year. I confess that I was very annoyed that my surgeon restricted my workouts pre-op, which added to me not reaching and being stuck at 99lbs. I confess that I've had a few glasses of wine to prepare myself for going into the hospital in the morning. I confess I've been so stressed about surgery again that I haven't gotten in my usual protein and water intake over the last week.

That's interesting that you both brought up Thyroid issues. I actually have a condition called Hoshimotos Thyroiditis which is basically a disease where my thyroid gets attacked by antibodies until the thyroid doesn't function at anymore. And they won't treat me for it unless they catch it when it's low. It's described as a lightbulb going out sometime it flickers on and off but eventually it goes off. Anyway all of the doctor's I've talked to seem to think that an underactive thyroid maybe causes 15 pounds weight gain at the most. I'm not sure I believe it but at the same time it never had any bearing as to whether I'd get the surgery or not. Regardless of my thyroid, I know that 4 pregnancies and eating too much are the culprits for my weight gain.The problem is is that I NEVER feel full and when I have tried to restrict portion sizes I feel like I'm starving, then I'm just cranky and mean, so I'm excited to finally have it done and feel full for once. My husband and my step mom have both had it done. My husband lost about 100 pounds in the first year. He hasn't lost much since but he's not good about getting his fiils, doesn't exercize and drinks soda and water with his meals. I know he would have lost more if he'd continued doing it. Anyway, Dr. Alldredge said that on average patients that he's seen lose about 50% percent of their extra weight. I decided that even if that was the case with me I'd be happy with that. Also, I think that if someone has an underactive thyroid and they think that it is the only reason they are overweight then I can see why they wouldn't get the surgery. But if someone also has clear food issues and it's possible thats the main reason that they are overweight then I don't see how having a low thyroid would make a difference. Anyway, thanks for your responses. It's great to see the progress you are all making!

Take each day at a time. Once you start seeing results and feel better you’re not going to want to go back. I have been watching some videos regarding weight gain afterwards and it really has a lot to do with our mindsets. You’re going to be fine.

Betty, you're funny because I'm trying to downplay the whole Harley Girl thing. I laugh at our friend, Chuck, all the time. He's 60 years old. One day out of the blue he rode up on a brand new Harley - huge. One of those touring bikes. A month later he showed up on the bike wearing leather pants, leather vest with tons of patches, Harley hat, huge Harley belt buckle, Harley boots. I call him Harley Barbie. I think he looks like an idiot but I love him anyway! Sorry, but this one got me cracking up. The bike is fun, and we did get a few patches for a purse and a welding cap, but I don't want to be a biker mamma! Chris even tried doing weird things to the beard he's trying to grow. I told him that if I wanted to marry a biker, I would have married a bad ass dude with tons of money! I don't like driving the bike because my fingers go numb (carpal tunnel) but I'm doing it to stand up for all women across the country - gotta teach men a lesson for all womenkind! He thought he bought himself a $30,000 toy. B.S. I gotta fight fire with fire, and it gives him grey hair every time I get on that bike. As soon as I'm licensed, I'll disappear for hours at a time. I'll probably just go to a friend's house and park it in the garage, but I'll tell him I took it to the mountains or something. He will NOT win this game! I can't do the weekly weigh-in challenge. Too frustrating. I gained all my weight back that I lot in August, which means if I gain even one pound tonight, I'll have gained weight in August. I got up, walked my dogs, made my shake, had some extra water and measured out a tiny little tuna lunch. My portion control has gotten way out of hand along with my drinking. I obsess over everything, so I've even exercised more than normal. Now I don't want anyone blaming my weight gain on muscle, cuz I haven't beefed up too much. Problem is I'm a compulsive overeater. The band alone isn't doing the trick for me, so I have lots of extra brain-struggling to deal with. It's all in my head. My big, fat, stubborn head!

:happybday2: :happybday2: :happybday2: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHERRY!!!!!!!! :happybday2: :happybday2: :happybday2: Hope your special day is happy, and full of great surprises! A wonderful person like you just deserves a wonderful day the way I see it!!! In fact I think all of you deserve to have a great day. It is supposed to be windy here again. I am so sick of wind! It messes with me wanting to get outside and exercise. I am renewing my efforts. I figure with Spring, and Easter, it is time for new beginings---so it is back to basics for me. Like Cindy the scale is playing games with me, I see the infamous 199 and by the next day it is 201 again---and I have had enough!!! Going to try to work it off, watch what I eat a bit (not gonna go totally nutso here!!!), and see if I can do it with this fill. I don't feel hungry, I am begining to eat just because I CAN! I hate to chance another fill, and get too tight, and start all the trouble that can lead to. I think in all honesty, my fill will be ok, if I respect the foods I put into it!!! I like being able to eat anything---I do not want restriction that causes me to eliminate foods---so it seems heaven forbid, I may have to pick up my pace here!!! I began Monday, and am now back to seeing 201 on the scale again---it had went up to 203 again. I think one thing I really need to pay attention to is my sodium intake, because I retain water like crazy!!! For the last several years pre banding I took a diuretic as part of my high blood pressure meds, and now, if I eat chinese for instance, it is an instant 4 pound weight gain---which has to be fluid---it goes away quickly---but it sucks seeing the weight go UP! So watching my salt....that's hard! I actually got into a bit of a "discussion" regarding my band, and my SIL with my MIL on the phone last night, and neither of us hung up very happy! She tells me she has a message for me, and the message is (done in a Kindergarten sing song) "Ha ha ha I have lost 80 pounds!" It just struck me in the wrong way!!! So I told her I was glad my SIL had lost weight, I wasn't sure who decided I was against her doing so, but they were wrong, that I would no longer discuss my band, nor my weight loss with either of them, I was sick of her acting like a 5 year old. Of course.....I had to add that no this was not jealousy, I had lost more than 80 pounds, and I would never again tell any of them how much! This is an 80 year old woman telling me what a 58 year old woman said. It has been building, all along for the last year! She had tried making it a competition at first, then she had complications from being too tight, so I had to hear how bad the band was---and amazingly now that she found the right place of restriction, they love the band again---and I am the enemy! The two of them are very close-as I am with my own Mom, but I don't appreciate being made the common denominator for them to pick at---and it has been non stop....little jabs. I know I have to have a TT---I have had a muscle tore loose on the left side of my stomach for many years---courtesy of my ex husband and a well placed boot. And they make non stop comments about how my stomach really needs work, and how atleast the way SHE is losing, is feminine and attractive, as men like broader hips. I would love not to have the issue I do with my stomach---I cannot help how I am built otherwise, I have now and even at my heaviest had slim hips and legs--it is the way my Dads family is built. My DH tells me to make gray hair comments, because she went gray in her late 20's. But I can't do that! Ok I'll quit----thank you for listening, I have been stressing over this! Whew----thanks so much for always being there!!! My Mom went and did her sleep test last night following her problem waking up after her knee surgery. The technician told her she fought sleep all night long, that she would hear back today, that her condition is quite serious! I hate that she had the problem, but I believe it was a blessing in disguise, we had tried to get her to ask about her sleep before, and her worthless PCP blew her off! I am so glad she is going to get help! I am off to lunch with my friend Marie, here soon. She wants a burger at Fudruckers (oh do NOT try to get my 2 yr old granddaughter to say Fudruckers---it ends up a 2 syllable fu'uckers----sounds SOOOO bad!!). I think I can get a salad, or some chicken---and if not, I'll do better tomorrow!!! Everyone take care, will get to personals next time, I used up all my time and space venting---thank you AGAIN!!! Kat

That's Awesome Teresa! WTG girl!!!!! Next weigh-in you're going to get safely below that number... I just know it! You should be pretty darn proud of yourself for accomplishing weight-loss while under so much stress! I hope the Wellbutrin does the trick for you... it turned me into a space cadet... so it was Zoloft for me! The nice thing about Wellbutrin is that taking it is not associated with weight-gain and it tends to curb any type of addictive behaviors. There is usually 0 sexual side effects which is also a bonus. Lisa... I'm going to work on my whining skills... My hubby will be thanking you. Can't wait to see picks of your digs when you're finished! Marie... where are ya sweetie pie??? Betty... Your appointment is just around the corner... YAY! Rebecca... How goes it for you? Michelle... WHere the heck is menopause when we need it eh? I know that's why I am craving naughty things... pretty soon my face will be erupting as well... ahhhhh... the joys of being a woman... do they never end??? Penni... Hope you made it home safe and sound and hopes and prayers being send for your friends on the island. I'm still a big butthead today... but... planning on hitting the road to run errands and then attack the yard with the lawnmower... maybe that'll cheer me up....LOLOL.

Hi, Jane. I wish you luck on your decision as it is a very personal decision you have to make. I don't know if this will help at all with your decision, but if you'll bear with me, I like to share my story thus far and pre-band. Since I was about 15, I've progessed from chubby, to overweight to heavy, to morbidly obese. Like all of us here on this forum, I've lost weight, gained more weight, cried over my weight and most recently I just simply gave up. I'm 46 years old and at my highest weight 330 lbs! I have hypertension, pre-diabetic, my back hurts after standing or walking for more than 5 minutes, and I'm pulling away from all of my friends and family. I wasn't even trying any more, I lost hope and I've always been an optimist... I've been researching lapband for almost 5 years. It sounded to good to be true, so I never fully beleived it. I considered bypass surgery for a very little while and even went to a seminar that discussed both bypass and lapband. At this particular seminar, they were pushing the bypass as the surgeon has been performing bypass surgery for over 20 years. He felt that lapband was too new and the weight loss was slow. So, he essentially poo poo'd the entire idea. I left the seminar very discouraged and I knew that I would never be able to choose the bypass, it scared me more than being fat. Still I kept researching the lapband, it seemed to make sense to me, but I was still feeling a little lost and hopeless. Recently I had a realization that I want to live and I want to live healthy (physically and mentally). However, I still know that no matter how determined I might feel, I know that am human and the amount of weight I need to loose is just too overwhelming. I can't do this alone or without an aide. I went to another seminar that focused on the lapband procedure. While this surgeon was pro lapband he also discussed the other weight los procedures and noted that, in his opinion, any weight loss surgery, even bypass and it's associated complications and risks, was still a better risk than being obese and suffering from comorbidities. For me the answer was clear. I have no doubt that I need to change my life, but I also need the tool to help me loose the weight and more importanly, keep the weight off. The bypass was still too radical for me and too scary, so I am choosing the lapband. I've begun the process and just awaiting some final medical test results and hope to be banded in the next month or so. I know this won't be an easy journey. I will have to make huge adjustments in my life and I will still have to deal with my emotional eating. The weight may not come off as fast, but slow and steady wins the race. Mostly, I know that I will have to work "with" the lapband and not "against" it. It's a wonderful option and if you are honest with yourself and do what your physician tells you, it works and with less risks than the bypass. I'm full of hope and optimism yet again. :wink2: Again, I wish you luck. And as others have said here, read and research both procedures and maybe even make a list of pros and cons for both procedures...

Its really not bad at all. The lady I met with sooooo nice. They have even called to check on me to see that I was approved. I will certainly do my post-op follow up with them. Mine lasted a couple hours (mostly just BS'ing and talking about family history and my weight gain historty) They basically want to see that you are mentally compotent enough to undergo the surgery and comply with the post-op regimen and make the lifetime commitment this requires. I took the MMPI (Minnesota Multi-Phasic Personality Inventory) which she had me do about 376 true/false questions out of 500 something. Let me tell you these questions, alot of them were sooooo silly like, " I would enjoy the work of a carpenter". or "I hear voices telling me to do bad things". etc. I had a good laugh, you will too. I had fun doing mine. If I could afford to see her regularly, I would, just to chat with her. LOL Good luck and don't worry a bit! They want to help you get approved!

I think it might have something to do with whether or not you do the emotional work.If you don't work on the things that gave you issues with food you can fall back into the same problems. Slider foods are easy to eat and they taste good. I think weighing regularly and taking action if you gain a couple of pounds will keep that from being a problem for you. It is slipping into denial and the old ways of eating and eating around the sleeve that causes weight gain. The sleeve is a tool m that is all. It would be nice if it guaranteed weight loss and maintenance but that just is not true. We are the captains of our sleeve ships and I for one am committed to not joining that weight gain statistic. I think if you set a firm policy to weigh, and to take action if the scale creeps up then you will be fine. It will take you a while to determine what your maintaining intake looks like but trust yourself!

Thank you both. I spoke to a relative regarding the bruising - he's a retired oncologist and hematologist. He thinks it's likely a vitamin K deficiency, but also suggested bloodwork, which I fully intend to request during my physical. He also asked if I take Ibuprofen on a regular basis (which I do due to the aches & pains) and he said that could cause it as well. Hoping that's all it is. As for the brain fog, memory loss, and mood swings, I totally agree that it could be hormones. My biggest concern though is the weight gain. I've worked so hard to get where I am...I got on the scale this morning and I'm up another .5#. I just want to cry.

Most Drs call the honeymoon period the first 4 - 6 months. That's when the weight just melts away almost effortlessly. You absolutely will keep losing if you're doing the right things and from what I've read it sounds like you have been, it just slows down. Did you read the bottom of Dr. Aceves' page where it says approx. 96% of excess weight will be lost during the first 12 months? Don't worry, you'll do it. About it being harder to lose weight after a weight gain, I was just talking about this with Gabby this morning and she said it's mostly because people are the most diligent right after the surgery and then as time goes on, they slip up. They always will have the tool though, but they have to make the decision to get back to the basics and kick start it in again and thats hard for some people to to, get back in that mindset. Renee`

LMD that makes sense. I don't have access to long term data but it's what I would have expected logically. Usually with major weightloss there's a "bounce up" of some percentage, sort of no matter what you do. Rebound weight gain usually has something to do with people riding the bounce way too far for way too long. But with the sleeve you just really can't get those whole pepperoni pizza binges and triple sundaes packed in fast enough-- or that's what I kind of figured. Otherwise...if there was a danger of a huge regain, why do it?

My doc waits 8 weeks post op to do the first fill. I was like you, very hungry and kind of worried about weight gain. Hang in there. You really do need the healing time before your first fill. It will come soon enough!! I had my first fill last Thursday and WOW! I already have restriction. So, hang in there. Nuali

Let's get to know each other before our surgery...I'll go first. My name is Amy (37 years old). I live in central FL with my husband and two kids, 3 yo DS and 4.5 yo DD. I work in IT doing technical writing and operational readiness. I love photography and have a small side business, and when I'm thinner, I really enjoy running and spinning. I was banded in Nov 2009 at 374 lbs. From my banding until Dec 2011 (2 years), I lost 198 lbs. I was thrilled! Despite the occasional vomit and inability to eat certain foods, I was still 99.9% happy with my band. Right after Christmas this year, however, I got a terrible upper respiratory infection. I coughed and coughed and coughed. I coughed until I puked, which caused a slip. I got a complete unfill in early January. Once the slip was fixed, I started getting fills. But then my band developed a leak and slipped once again. Since the surgeon I was seeing was less than helpful, I found a new surgeon, Dr. Domkowski, who finally treated me without acting like I was crazy, as my last surgeon did. Based on his recommendations and test results, we decided to do the removal and sleeve in two separate surgeries. Dr. D removed my band on August 3, 2012. Because of the extent of damage done by the band, including scarring and pulling the fundus through the diaphragm, I am waiting around four months to be sleeved. I'd love to be banded on November 25, which would have been the three year anniversary of my band. I've gained about 70 lbs since December. Sigh. The good news is my surgeon is not at all concerned about my weight gain. He is 100% convinced that I'll lose it all once I'm sleeved, since I was so successful with the band. I'm a bit of a goody two-shoes, and I followed the rules to a "T", and I intend to do the same with the sleeve. I hope the next four months fly by!

This is what my plan is ...I am 5'2 and my personal goal is 130 but I will really just go until I feel comfortable. I am def going to need some plastics for stomach and breasts after all the trauma I have put them through(3 csections weight gains and losses along with breast feeding) I am 150 today I do want to stay curvy and have thus far so we shall see:)

Well, as the title says I'm about 21 months out and now starting to gain. I got down to 143 (my goal was 130, but I was comfortable in the 140s). I'm now back up to 155. Over the past year, I've also developed a bruising issue and have multiple bruises on my arms and legs, mostly on the left side; random but moderate/severe aches & pains; brain fog; severe fatigue, and other idiopathic symptoms. I have a physical scheduled for mid-June, but I'm wondering if any of these things are common after surgery. As for my weight gain, nothing has really changed. I still eat very clean, limit myself to two low-sugar/low-calorie alcoholic beverages a week, and really try to take care of myself. With the aches, pains & fatigue, I'm finding it difficult to keep up with working out, but to be honest, I probably wasn't working out as much as I should be anyway. Mostly walking & biking. I'm also at the age where hormones are likely changing (I'll be 50 in two months). Any idea what might be going on or how to restart the weight loss? Thanks.

Sleeved on 5/22 and went in at 299.5, highest weight of my life. This morning I was 275. Thankfully I didn't have the water weight gain but we all have our problems. Maybe it was a trade out for the vomiting blood, and severe spasms due to hernia repair (I didn't know I had). Ill admit day 1-3 I was hating life and was definitely one of the 'OMG what have I done!' people. Today tho is day 12, and each day has gotten a little better. I track EVERYTHING on my fitness pal app and I'm getting at least 60oz of liquid and 60 protein....finally. Still having spasms occasionally and the tightness/bloating nearly every time I eat. I'm guessing from hernia repair. My diet phases seem to be different then most i've seen on here. I went home on full liquids and moved to soft foods after one week. Everything seems to be looking up. I'm starting to get excited about losing weight

The real issue with carbonated beverages is how toxic soda and diet sodas are. Some people are bothered by the bubbles, but there is research to support the fact that ingredients in diet soda actually cause weight gain. So the real question is, if you know that that particular had that works against your primary goal of getting leaner and healthier, do you really want to re-introduce it into your life at this time? For the record, I drink carbonated beverages whenever I want but I don't drink them very often. I'm more of a coffee drinker anyway. And the bubbles and carbonated beverages don't bother me at all. I am over a year out of surgery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm on the first day of my liquid diet.. i started a day early bc my surgeon said no more weight gain, whatsoever.. so im hoping that the diet & walking will get me down enough for her to cont with surgery on the day of. im sooo terrified that she'll cancel the morning of and ill get extra disappointed/depressed & won't wanna do the program anymore.. if anyone has any liquid diet tips, pls let me know!!!

I had my surgery 6/8 as well and everything went well I spent two days in the hospital because I wasn’t taking in enough liquid. The first week out the weight was falling off I was down 17.5lbs fast forward to last week and I gain two pounds. What is going on? I feel like did my surgery not work? Why am I gaining weight? On top of that here’s a list of things I’ve experienced after surgery. Burning in my lower abdomen from the blood thinner shot, gas and burping, weird stomach noises, itchy incisions😩, a yeast infection from the meds they gave me in the hospital😫oh and did I mention WEIGHT GAIN. The struggles are real. Can someone shed some light on the weight gain?

Ms lady, so glad it went well. If you get back on your program it will all even out. Sometimes we just have Water weight gain so maybe it's that. Bobrocky, hope you next fill will do the trick. T'giving is going to be a challenge for all of us so stay on course. Chich, congratulatuons! 30 lbs is amazing. Let us all know how the fill works out. You're doing an awesome job. Genesishanna, steady loss is good. I've heard a lot about Zumba. Sounds like fun. Keep it up I bet it is amazing exercise. I've had lots of company since last Wed. I've fixed dinner for 20 three times and I am exhausted. Our youngest son Daniel flew in from NY Wed with fiancee and my hubby's niece and her whole family came up from GA. We had an engagement party Friday nite for our closest friends to meet Rebecca and I cooked an Italian dinner with lasagna, chicken parm, and Pasta with cream sauce,salad and dessert for 20 that night. We had enough leftovers for Sat nite.for everybody so I didn't have to cook again. Then Sun we had T'giving dinner for 20 also. Everybody goes home today and tomorrow we are taking the kids and grandkids to see the Rockettes Christmas Show. Thursday my hubby's sister and hew new husband are coming until Sun. It's been a lot of cooking and lots of fun. I have not overdone yet but have eaten a few things I probably should not have eaten. So far I have not gained any. I am back on my program and will start exercising again tomorrow or Wed. Still sitting on 20lbs loss and hopefully can start loosing again soon. I am not in a race with anyone and will take i slowly and steady until I am at goal. Everyone have a great Thanksgiving and stay on your programs the best way you can. If you falter don't bet yourself up, jump back on the program and don't look back. We can do this! Blessings, GG

I have no eating disorders and real hunger...It ALL varies by personNo i agree, you can't always rely on people but the least they can do is not get in your way. Also not everyone will lose the hunger sensation and even more interesting I just found out today by another poster, sometimes vitamins can increase it. https://www.livestrong.com/article/488651-vitamin-b-complex-and-weight-gain/">https://www.livestrong.com/art...min-b-complex-and-weight-gain/ VSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 167

Hiya! I have UHC as well. My plan required I be employed with my company at least 2yrs the other requirements were pretty much the same. However, I only had 1 comorbidity-mild obstructive sleep apnea. I didn't have the 5year history-only the last 2 years. I had to write a letter (made it personal not technical) and got approved within a couple of weeks. From what I understand the insurance company wants to make sure that this isn't a sudden weight gain over the last few months and you are doing this to lose it quickly. I believe they just want to make sure it is necessary. I had my surgery NYEve and it was inpatient. I didn't have a problem getting that authorized either as they submitted everything at once. Good Luck on your journey..keep us posted! Cheryl :scared2:

Hi to ALL! My name is Marisa I'm 48 years old, I'm having lap band surgery on SEPT 10th At Unity hospital in Fridley MN. My Doc is Jeff Baker. My weight gain started 17 years ago when I had 4 children close together. I had gained over 50 lbs with the first pregnancy and never returned to baseline again. My weight in 2006-2007 was 250lbs @ 5'3".My health was declining rapidly. I couldn't walk up a flight stairs without being short of breath and strength. I attended an informational meeting and felt moved to tears-- that this procedure was a definite God-Sed. I started the long application process in January, I visited a dietitian for 3 months. My weight began dropping just by beginning to eat small pieces and increasing my activity a bit. Gradually I've lost 24 lbs. I was shocked to find how satisfied small portions can be. I've been weaning myself off breads so that It won't be a total shock ... I've decided I can live without the soft breads and possibly rice and pasta cause there's alot of other choices out there. I'm excited to be joining up with the September group of Lap Banders I'll be praying all our surgeries go well!

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!