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I love my mirena... I am still pre-op but haven't had any weight gain since I got it...

I have the para guard, no hormones or added weight gain. I love it. I was on the depo before, I will never make that mistake again!

Lynda, I never did do the math, and it makes sense now that you posted it up. Fiddleman, I was doing yoga and pilates classes 4 days a week! You've hit the nail on the head about why I was so surprised... the exercise routine was new for me, not something my body should have been used to. You're also right in your concern about never being able to eat foods like bread, nuts, and avocados without the worry of weight gain. You look great, by the way! Jensjoy, you make a good point! NtvTxn, you don't eat cheese or nuts?? Oh man, that would be misery for me! I rely so much on dairy Proteins, and absolutely love cheeses. It takes amazing strength to avoid those foods. Thank you for your input.

Lynda- interesting comment on the enhanced efficiency of the small intestine over long term post op timeline. I do suppose that would lead to more weight gain because the small intestine is the primary point of nutrient absorption in the GI tract. Never heard of this before, but it makes sense.

My surgeon shares the following poem with all of his WLS patients. I was shocked so much of this was true for me and I think this helped me come to terms with some of my issues. There were also a lot of tears shed as I tried to read it to my husband. LISTEN TO THE LIFE OF THE MORBIDLY OBESE Author Unknown LISTEN to the embarrassment we encounter in our everyday life. The name-calling, stares, rude comments and looks of disgust we endure battling the last acceptable form of discrimination. People we meet that give us a far wider berth than we need when passing us on the street, in the hall ... in life. Afraid that somehow our disease of obesity might be contagious. LISTEN to our apprehension as we expertly eye the chair. Will we break it, or will we fit. Will we ever fit into life, as "normal" people know it? LISTEN to our agony as we just walk and perform the simple activities of daily living on joints screaming in pain from an incredible burden they were never meant to carry. LISTEN to the pain of our humiliation when ridiculed by a doctor for "allowing" ourselves to get so fat. Realizing even the doctor's office is not a "safe" place, we tend to neglect our health even more. Hey doctor, didn't you take an oath to help? LISTEN to our hopelessness after being turned down over and over for a job or promotion because we don't "match the corporate image" of the person they envision for this position. LISTEN to our guilt. Because of our size, we feel we've cheated those we love out of the parent, spouse, child or friend we feel we should've been. Our embarrassment has now become theirs as well. LISTEN to our anticipation as we eagerly embark on yet another diet. THIS will be the one. This time I WILL SUCEED! LISTEN to our frustration as once again we fail at another attempt to lose weight, reinforcing once again our feelings of worthlessness, failure and defeat. LISTEN to our fear for what life holds if we don't have surgery. We try to ignore it, to stuff it down, but when we are brutally honest with ourselves, we realize an early death is an almost certainty. LISTEN to our indecision as we do extensive research, trying to outweigh the risk of complications (up to and including death) versus the chance of a new life. A chance to improve our health, move without pain, play with our children, the opportunity to just "fit in" to society. LISTEN to our indecision as we second-guess our decision to have surgery. As we ask ourselves, "Should I try just one more diet?" ... And tell ourselves, "If I only had more willpower." Knowing that willpower isn't the whole answer. LISTEN to us as we eagerly meet with the surgeon, with our five-page, single-spaced, list of questions in hand. Let down by the medical profession in the past, can I really trust this person who looks at me with compassion, as he assures me I'm a "good candidate" and he can help? Please God, I want to believe him, tell me I'm not setting myself up for failure once again. LISTEN to our feelings of helplessness as we place our future in the hands of an insurance company. Fully aware that with a simple denial letter, all the work we have done to this point, may be pointless. This surgery is not without cost, physical, emotional and monetary. LISTEN to our joy as we open the long awaited "approval letter" or obtain financing to make this dream a reality. LISTEN to us as we grasp for a chance at improved health, of moving with ease and just living life as a "normal" person. LISTEN to our renewed hope of living long enough to see our children grow up, get married, play with grandchildren and grow old alongside our mate. LISTEN to our fear as we roll into the surgical suite. The sights, the smells, the needles, the faceless people behind the masks. Do you care? Do you understand, or will you too make cracks about my weight once I'm asleep? My life is now in your hands, please take care of me. I have a brand new life ahead of me, and so much to live for. LISTEN to the Sigh of relief as we wake up in pain ... but alive! Stand up, walk a few steps, cough and deep breathe. Sure nurse, whatever you say, I can handle it ... because I'm alive! LISTEN to our delight as the weight starts to drop off, realizing this is for real. We are actually on the losing side. LISTEN to our misery as the body we once knew so well, now betrays us with nausea and vomiting when we attempt to eat. LISTEN to our frustration as we attempt to do something as simple as drinking a glass of Water. LISTEN to our panic at the first plateau or weight gain. As that little voice inside tells us, "Once again I'm a failure." LISTEN to us relax and let out our breath as we watch the numbers on the scale edge down once again. Plateau over. Renewed hope. Maybe I will make it after all. LISTEN to our efforts to move as we slowly and painfully attempt to exercise in a body that is still morbidly obese. LISTEN to our confusion as our emotions wreck havoc with us. Why am I crying? Why do I feel depressed? Why am I mean and snapping at the ones I love? I don't like this person that has taken over my emotions. LISTEN to our sense of accomplishment the first time we walk a mile. It rivals the high of any runner completing their first marathon. LISTEN to our depression when we realize we can no longer soothe our emotions with food. We now have to learn to feel and deal with these emotions. LISTEN to our tears as we mourn the loss of that brief but satisfying sensation of gratification we once obtained from the "comfort foods" we can no longer have. LISTEN to our obsession surrounding the scale, Vitamins, Protein drinks and carb counts, determined not to fail "this time". LISTEN to our sense of accomplishment as we pass up that calorie laden, high carbohydrate treat, telling ourselves, "My new life is sweeter than any dessert." LISTEN to our elation as we reach that "century mark" that once seemed so distant, but now is a reality. LISTEN to our resolve to reach our goals. Moving the weight on the scale down another notch, reaching a new "century" of numbers, wearing the dream outfit and attaining our "goal" weight. LISTEN to the gratefulness in our hearts as we thank our surgeon for not only their technical skills, but equally important, their understanding and compassion for the morbidly obese. Thank you doctor for the opportunity to rejoin society and live a fulfilling life. LISTEN to our amazement as we come to the realization that "reaching goal" wasn't the most important thing in life. It was the lessons we learned, the friends we made and the sense of accomplishment we gained along the way. LISTEN, don't talk, don't give advice, don't judge, just listen. And then, maybe then, you will start to understand the life of a morbidly obese person.

I want to wish the best of everything to each and every one of you! I won't say luck because there is no luck involved. It is hard work and you are each wonderful. I had gastric bypass surgery on July 31, 2007 and weighed 270 pounds. I was 57 years old, had chronic anemia (so the surgeon almost didn't do the surgery) and a 95% calcified gall bladder. So, it had to go at the same time. In 10 months, I lost 130 pounds, I never had the first complication and have had great labs ever since. I have however gained some weight since quitting smoking in December of 2012 (35 pounds). That is why I am here, to lose that weight gain and get back to goal. I have no doubt that I can do that with the support of the good folks here. Happy New Year everyone!

Re: the ones who gain the weight back I found this article online about one of the contestants, Kai from season three. It's a really interesting read and sad in many ways. She talks about some of the product placement Biggest Loser pushes. Less attention was paid to diet, though there were plenty of product placements. Like the day they did a segment on drinking milk as part of a weight-loss plan. "That was sponsored by the dairy board," she said. "The minute the cameras shut off, my trainer was like, 'Spit it out.'" Here's the link if anyone wants to read it. Alaska 'Loser' contestant still fighting weight gain - Juneau Empire

Anybody having issues with weight gain that has the Implanon?

Kindle you are spot on! Thank you for the candor that we all need! I am 2 years post op starting out at 240 and was losing successfully until the following year where I hit a wall at 180. All my fault. As I was able to eat more, I began to make unhealthy choices and now for the first time , I am seeing weight gain creep up which is my call to action and need to get back to the behaviors my sleeve had started to give. I took it for granted and my success will expire if I don't act soon. As you pointed, I am responsible and accountable for my behavior so we need to control ourselves and stop looking for something else to drive us-or worse something else to blame.

Had my surgery on Sept 11, 2012 so about a year and 1/2 ago. Made my goal at about 10 months and then adjusted it down. Starting weight was 239 and I have fluctuated between 123 - 127 for the past 6 months. I am super happy about that. I have always weighed myself every day, it worked for me and didn't make me crazy because I was pretty prepared for the stalls etc, so when I notice a little changed, I either eat a little more or a little less, it has been working real well for me. Escaped Christmas with no weight gain although I never felt like I was cheated from not having what I wanted to eat. Merry Christmas and Happy new me!

I tried to post yesterday but don't see my comments. Oh well. My story is that I'm now 6 years out as of Jan 9. I don't struggle with weight at all. I started at around 240 and am now 136/137 at 5'7. I wear a size 4 with no changes. I have even been through menopause during this last few years with no weight gain. I don't kill myself with exercise but I do lift weights and have for 20 years and do light cardio. It's just not necessary to do more to maintain. Also, I eat a plant based diet so the majority of my intake is carbs. I've also had 2 rounds of plastics. The first one was 4 1/2 years ago and the second a year later. I just think this is where my body wants to be. I do suffer from autoimmune arthritis and osteoarthritis and need knee replacements but I'm not ready for that yet. I'm actually afraid I'll lose more weight with a big surgery. Laura

Hi, looking for a place to discuss weight gain after five years. First I had the Lap Band and when that had to be taken out, a few months later I got the Gastric Sleeve. I notice a big difference between the two, I was never hungry with the band and I am not sure if I am hungry with the sleeve or just back to wanting to munch all the time. It has been two years with the sleeve and I know I can eat more. I never reached my goal and had 40 still to go after both surgeries, but I know I have gained just from my clothes and the way they fit if not so much the scale. I am so disgusted with myself after going through all of this that I cannot finish. I was looking for a local support group in the NJ area, still looking. Or a group on line with long term surgery people. Anyway that for listening, write me back if you are having the same issues. Or know a place to go or a on line group.

You don't sound like a d**k, and I get where you are coming from. Yes, I haven't been out of surgery long, and yes, I am aware of the "honeymoon period." My surgeon and support staff went over all that with me time and again before I made the decision to have the surgery. Nothing is a magical "fix-all" to obesity or weight issues, and yes, it will be constant work. A large part of my weight issue stemmed from a psychiatric medication that I was given, as I mentioned earlier. It is called Zyprexa, and this is a very well-known side effect. It made my appetite go through the roof, and though my psychiatrist stopped it after a meeting with my GP and my appetite went back to "normal," the weight wouldn't come off. I followed a medically supervised diet to the T and went through the whole "yo-yo" effect because yes, the body does get used to having a new "normal" weight when you are obese and as far as I have been told, surgery is the only thing that can actually have a true long-term effect. It has now been written in every medical folder I have, psych and physical, that I cannot be put onto weight positive medication again, so if this fails, it is all on me. I have a will of Iron...always have. It is one of the reasons I was so frustrated on my medically supervised diet where I was focusing on following it to the letter, doing what I was told, and having no success. I'm not saying I am better or worse off at anything than anyone else, but we are all different people with different backstories who have gone through different struggles. Most of the staff at my surgeon's office are bariatric patients themselves, many who have been post-op for a long time, and they have had success by following the plan given to them by their surgeon and using the tool they were given. I think that though it will be a struggle in the long term, and there is always the possibility of regain, it comes down to the individual and how closely they follow the lifestyle change they originally set upon and use the "tool" that is surgery. I'm not trying to start some sort of forum flame war and I appreciate your thoughts and advice. I'm in this for the long haul. I wanted to get back to the healthy and active lifestyle I had before my weight gain, and that is what I have set my mind to ensuring happens. If I regain 5-10-15 pounds in a year or two or three, I will work double time like hell to get back to where I am now. There is absolutely nothing worth eating good enough to give up my health for...NOTHING. I see people on my table every day who die from issues related to obesity, and I've made up my mind that will not be me.

Yes, right here! While I lost 85 lbs initially, the complications I had with the band (inability to eat due to getting stuck on freaking Water, constant vomiting, hernia, constant pain, etc) caused me to have to get the band completely unfilled. This lead to a 50 lb weight gain. While my band was unfilled, I did three rounds of Insanity, Weight Watchers, South Beach Diet, T25, did 5Ks twice a month, and STILL gained all that weight back. Now that I've had the sleeve about two months, I've lost 57 lbs with very minor issues (reflux, but it's treatable with an acid blocker). I wish I'd done the sleeve the first time, but I always have to do things the hard way. Do what is right for you, but go in with your eyes open. I wish you the very best of luck! Heather

My husband was on vacation last week (I'm retired.) We had a friend here visiting from Indiana. We ate out every night, breakfast out at least 3 times too. We went to a Red sox game, partook of all of the July 4th celebrations in town. Weather was in the 90's the whole time. My NSV's - no weight gain at all! I know that I did not exercise as much as I have been. - being able to comfortably walk around town for all the festivities - being comfortable in the seats at Fenway - room to spare actually!! - having so much energy that folks were trying to keep up with me this year!! I made sure I got in all of my water - averaged about 90+oz a day. Continued to track on MFP, only 2 days I went over my 1200-by less than 60 calories. I feel like this was a good test for me - I know I can do this for life. I must say these last 11 pounds are stubborn, losing just oz at a time. But it will happen, for all of us December Sleevers!!

Girl do not beat yourself up over this! If it feels like a trigger for you then stay away from those items however two french fries and an onion ring are not going to kill you. The grease from them may make you feel yucky but eating just those two things every once in a while isn't going to cause weight gain. Keep with your program and follow your head, not those sneaky stomachs!

How Do You Know When You Hit a Plateau? Simply enough, a plateau is when you stop losing weight even though you want to. It’s not just a day or two without weight loss. It’s a period of a few weeks or more when you keep trying to lose weight, but the scale does not budge. You think you are doing everything you can and should be doing to lose weight, but still you do not see results. That is a plateau. It can be frustrating and discouraging and seem to be unfair. Stay Positive Plateaus can be maddening, but the absolute worst thing you can do during a plateau is to give up. If you decide that your diet is not worth the effort, you are almost certainly going to gain weight. Going back to your old, pre-surgery diet habits, taking oversized portions, and eating high-fat, high-sugary foods will not just make you gain weight. These bad habits can erase your health gains. Worse, they could cause some of the weight loss surgery complications that you already know about, such as the following: Stretching of the sleeve in vertical sleeve gastrectomy Dumping syndrome in gastric bypass Esophagitis with the adjustable gastric band (lap-band) Feeling nauseous or having diarrhea Another reason to stay positive is to keep up your motivation to continue all of the other healthy behaviors in your lifestyle. Don’t fall into the trap of “all-or-nothing,” in which you decide to give up all of your healthy efforts just because your weight loss isn’t quite what you want it to be. These include: Taking your daily vitamin and mineral supplements Getting enough protein and fluids each day Following your regularly exercise routine It Could Be Worse And it will be worse if you give up. It may sound strange, but you can stay positive by thinking about how much better your weight is now than where it could be if you gave up trying. If your careful diet is not leading to the weight loss you had hoped for, it is still preventing weight gain. If you give up, you will gain weight, and probably be pretty disappointed in yourself. Measure Success in Other Ways Another way to stay positive is to stop focusing on the scale. Find other ways to measure your progress. Tracking your body measurements, for example, can let you know that you are shrinking and building muscle even if your total weight is not decreasing right now. Tracking behaviors instead of measurements is another strategy. For example, you assess your success according to whether you eat well, such as hitting your protein goals or sticking to your planned menu. Other successful behaviors to be proud of yourself for are planning and preparing meals ahead of time and making sure you drink enough fluids at times other than meal times. Be Honest and Go Back to the Basics “Why me?” That’s a natural question when you hit a plateau, but most people don’t ask it seriously. However, if you think seriously about what is causing the plateau and how you can fix it, this question can actually help you break through the barrier and get back to losing weight. In many cases, you can figure out “why me” by asking yourself these questions. “Am I logging every single bite that goes into my mouth?” “Am I following the meal plan my nutritionist or surgeon gave me?” “Am I measuring – not eyeballing – all of the foods I eat?” “Am I exercising as much as I am supposed to be?” “Am I getting in my protein each day?” “Have I been too busy or preoccupied to plan my meals and snacks in advance?” If you answer these questions honestly, you might discover that you have slipped up and are not keeping up your good habits quite as well as you thought you had. Go back to the basics of meal planning and nutritious eating, and you are almost sure to see the scale move again within weeks. You’re in Charge! Plateaus are frustrating and nobody wants to experience them at some point, but almost everyone does. These steps can help you when you notice that you are in a plateau. Stay positive and keep up your healthy behaviors. Focus on other measures of success besides the scale. Assess your diet honestly. Make any necessary changes. You can get over your plateau, and you will be stronger for it! Just be patient and do what you know is right for your health.

OK so I haven't used the scale since I posted this thread. Thank you all for your encouragement. I am thankful that I have lost some weight. I realize I have to give my body time to adjust. I guess it doesn't really know what's going on right now. I would rather slowly lose 2lbs a month consistently than continue to gain 2lbs a year. I am gaining my confidence back. I feel it. My ex used to call me fat ass and would tell me no one was going to date me when I gained weight. 3 years ago I was 130lbs and (not to toot my own horn) very attractive. Then the weight gain and along with the weight gain, depression, hormone imbalance, severe acne and no energy. I started to hate shopping for clothes and became irritable with friends who invited me to the mall. I stopped dating and going out with friends. It's really sad how gaining weight can affect your self esteem, health and relationships. My kids were very happy for me when I decided to get sleeved. I couldn't tell anyone else because of fear of criticism. My ex told me the other day that my face is getting skinny and asked if I am working out. I told him yes. I think he felt threatened that I am on my way to getting back to the old me because apparently he went and got himself a membership to the gym. Again thank you all for your words of encouragement. Only people who have been where I am at understand what I am talking about.

It’s tough being around loud, pushy people who voice every emotion they feel when they feel it. On the opposite end of the spectrum and easier to be around are quiet people who don’t complain and keep their feelings to themselves. As it turns out, your body begins suffering physical symptoms when you hold unresolved emotional feelings inside. Research supports that the more the emotional baggage is felt internally, the worse it is for the body. Nowhere is this demonstrated as clearly as heart disease or with emotional issues such as depression and anxiety. Women’s bodies are another area that suffers from emotions held in is. According to experts in mind/body medicine, our emotions affect our bodies because they are linked to our bodies via our immune, endocrine and central nervous systems. Just as a broken heart affects our heart and can lead to death, what we feel affects our body and how effective it works. For women, emotions such as unresolved grief or anger at a partner can cause intestinal problems and headaches as easily as it can cause chronic pelvic pain, and many other bodily issues. Holding in emotions weakens your body’s immune system which make it tougher to ward off colds, infections, and when you do get sick you have a more difficult time getting well. Observing a list of body functions affected when women (or men) hold in their emotional baggage is staggering. This is why when you become ill it is so important to evaluate what you are feeling, and what you have been feeling for the past six months because some illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may take months to become symptomatic. Constipation or diarrhea, as well as stomach pain/ulcers Back/Neck pain Depression Insomnia High blood pressure Anxiety/Depression Weight gain or loss (eating disorders always have an emotional aspect) Sexual problems Rheumatoid arthritis Fibromyalgia Asthma Cancers (for example, pancreatic cancer may present with depression before the patient is symptomatic with cancer) Emotional healing is very different from physical healing. When I worked with cancer patients I was reminded of this fact many times. The tumor went away, and the body healed, but the mind lingered sometimes for years over the experience of losing hair, a body part and/or trust in your body. Counseling becomes a wonderful way to release pent up feelings so you can heal emotionally. There are many ways you can help your loved one or yourself unpack your emotional baggage. Try these suggestions and practice them frequently. Laugh as much as you can. Watch funny videos and allow yourself to laugh out loud. Cry when you need to, don’t hold it in, and just let it flow. Practice voicing, “I’m angry.” You don’t have to do an action with it, just say it out loud and say why. Mindful actions. Before you take any medication for a headache, tummy ache, backache, to stay awake, or to fall asleep, ask yourself what am I holding on to. Begin jotting things down. This small action offers huge rewards. Massages are a common treatment for people who have gone through horrendous crisis, and they’re also a wonderful treatment for fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. Breathe and let go of held in emotional pain as the therapist works on the body part that holds the physical pain. Medical care has come a long way with advancements in treating so many illnesses. Your body is more than physical though; there is an emotional and soulful part, which is more complicated to treat. Knowing yourself and being able to express uncomfortable feelings is healthy, not only for your mind, but for your body and soul as well. –Mary Jo Rapini

AT 5+ years, I am still a work in progress. I still maintain at 55% EWL. I gained over 35 pounds in the last year+. Easy as pie. Literally. I can eat anything, and in large amounts if spread over time. I still do not drink with meals unless I have Breakfast out which is not often. I reach for food when emotional or stressful situations come up. I know it... I watch it, I work on it. I mostly write down what I eat, and watch Protein, but those weeks that I don't, I gain. It is not easy to get off. Yes the sleeve still works. I eat less at any sitting... protein first really makes me feel full faster. I continue exercise, and recommitted again.... just finished the 5 day "pouch" test with a 5 pound loss and a lowering of the Carb addiction. One step at a time. The head has to be in the game, just like before weight loss surgery. The sleeve helps... it is a tool, just like they say, and has helped me to maintain at least 50 pound loss for 5 years. I had a weight gain at 2+ years and worked to get to goal after that... so I know I can do it. I think for me, this is something I need to watch and plan every day.... when I don't I gain. I am very happy I got the sleeve though.... VERY HAPPY. Kindle, so true! I didn't see that.

I was told that you should never drink soda or anything carbonated nor chew gum because it puts gas in your belly and causes it to expand therefore you can eat more food then weight gain continues… I’ve had sips here and there and can certainly feel the difference within myself…I was sleeved 5 yrs ago and gained a little but am back on track and back down the 15lbs I put back on…

Update: Third trimester!!! So far so good!!! Baby is healthy! Mom is healthy!!! Due to my being a Bariatric patient the glucose testing has been altered. Testing glucose levels 4 times a day, first fasting and 2 hours after every meal for 7 Days. So far so good. Ready to ride this last stretch out with minimal weight gain and a happy and healthy mom and new baby girl💜💕💞🙏🏽 Total wt gain thus far=10-14lbs. 😔

It doesn't irritate me, I just feel bad for them. I think the maintenance stage will be difficult when the restriction is less and you haven't changed your eating habits. I wish everyone success but there's a reason statistics show a lot of people experience weight gain after maintenance.

I had visit 3/6 yesterday with Ivan. My weight is back down. Initially I was 225.8 and yesterday I was 226.2 so not a big deal. Ivan said I was doing great and he was proud of me....ummm not really sure what he means, but apparently I just need to maintain my weight and he's not expecting a loss prior to surgery. My last appointment is February 17 and I asked about scheduling appointments for pre/post-op diet information with the nutritionist and a meeting required with Ivan/surgeon prior to surgery and was told that once Diana submits for precert and approval received they will schedule the apointments. I told Ivan I didn't want this to stretch into late March/April because there wouldn't be any appoinments available and he assured me that things move quickly once insurance approval had been received. He halso said there isn't a wait to get into any of the classes and that they are group classes. So now to make it through the holidays with no weight gain. Perk & chicken how are you feeling? I did ask Ivan about the size of the pouch they do and he said a 30, do you guys know what size your pouch is? Tssiemer, how'd you do overnight? Molly do you have heart issues? Did they send you to a cardiologist? I didn't have any pulmonary or heart appointments and just curious why you had to do them? It seems like the request for each of us is so different even though we are going to the same doctor.

Oh sweetie, that post surgery iv and inflammation weight gain is a heartbreaker!!! I think it took me a week or more just to get back to my SW. ((hugs)) I did it too. I weighed maybe 3-4 times a day to see...is the fluid coming off yet? Is it coming off yet? LOL. Not quite 4lbs/week, but entirely, wholly average. I'm average. I'm just average. I'm an average girl. Gah!!!! I'd like to put the FU in average!