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So at what point did you start to lose the water weight gained from the IV fluids? When they weighed me in the hospital it showed I gained about 7-8 pounds. I'm just curious when that went away for you

Today I am back on the blog after four years! I lost a total of 87 pounds and about 2/3 of that weight came off after the gastric sleeve in 2012. i wanted to give an update, a cautionary tale and maybe a not-so-depressing perspective of one who has not been a weight loss success. Busyness and stress has always been my enemy when it comes to weight loss. It often takes me by surprise and whisks away any structure and success I have built into my life. One day I am doing well and eating and exercising and then BAM! It all goes out the window. Even my house gets messy and cluttered during those times of extreme stress and time pressure. I work a job that is not just 9-5 so I take much of my work home, I work from home often and get extreme deadlines like grant applications etc. Before I initially lost weight before surgery, was a very busy time, but I put the accountability of a structured weight loss program into my schedule. This is the only way I initially lost 30 pounds at the beginning. I also started working out with a trainer. Although it is the cost of a vacation every year, I need it to be successful. When I had the weight loss surgery, I had quit my stressful administrative job and was in a window of time less busy (even though I was working). All went well with my weight loss after surgery (even though slow as was my history of weight loss) until I started a new job. Once the stress of the job was getting to me, I stopped the morning walks and began to eat more frequently and less clean. A bad case of pneumonia and 40 days of steriods, further put me back and I gained weight. Now, I am facing some serious foot pain from plantar fascitis, nothelped by weight gain. All this downhill trend happened as my career has blossomed. However, if truth be told, I prefer a healthy body to work success. Looking back, I am humbled by the setback and have felt moments of panic. However, something in me has shifted as I ponder my failure. All in all, I am still down over 50 pounds from my initial weight (228 from 282). Although the failure of weight gain from 194 hits me in the face, I have come to a gentler self-assessment and I like myself better than ever. I can now look in the mirror and feel okay about my curves. I lost a bit from my highest weight regain (240) although it has taken a year to take off. So, all this to say, count your blessing and jump back in. Love yourself in the process and never give up. If I had given up, I would easily be 300 pounds. I am now concentrating on getting back to the losing mode and it is workomg...slowly. Limiting to 3 small meals and 2 small snacks if needed, drinking a lot but separating from food, doing some exercise every day and finding joy in the process. For me, finding joy includes time with my loved ones and having quiet time as I pursue God in my life...I am even going back to some ballroom dance classes. Dance on everyone! I wish the best for all of you! Tell me your story...I love to read them.

Hi I've been banded since 8-23-13. I haven't done real well about 24 lbs. But I take 29 pills a day some are weight gaining and I've not had a fill yet. Do you know when lapbandtalk.com switched to bariatricpal.com? I havent6 found it in over 3 weeks. Just dense I guess. Anyhow the way I fiund my dr ( Grossbard) by googling. I'm sure you know how to do that but also call other drs to ask for recommendatons. Good luck on your journey.

My husband is getting chaptered ("medically 'unfit' for duty") for PTSD and not his weight, even though he's been flagged for 3 years for it - weight gain happened when he got on his PTSD meds 3 years ago. *lol* But we did hear that when we get chaptered we get to keep Tricare for a short amount of time and ifyou get a PCM to work fast enough and get the referrals in to the proper doctors, he could possibly get the lapband done before they cut the insurance off. So that's what we're aiming to do when we finally know when we're getting out.

Hi all! Well My MIL is still in alot pain but no major organs damaged as I mentioned yesterday. I had alot of fun yesterday picking out new linoleum for my apartment- it looks like wood so it gives the look of wooden floors. It should be installed sometime this week ! What a difference a weekend makes, here in New York this weekend its low 70's and beautiful, compared to the Nor-eater that destroyed my basement apartment carpets and some furniture last week. On the negative side my psychiatrist has changed my Bipolar medication once again ! The Depakote was not working that well so now he has me on Tegretol and I have to go back to him in two weeks to see if he wants to keep me on this new medication. I hate when my medication gets changed since these medications have side effects and weight gain is one of them. Its been so hard to say on track lately I go up and down. I have gone as far up as 240 and back down to 225 in one month. Righ now Iam at 235 but Iam not changing the ticker until I go see the Nurse NP. My cravings when on these medications have been Sweets! Iam trying not go over board, but its so dam hard:think ! I have to for my next appointment on April 25th but, Iam not looking foward to it since I have been really terrible with my eating over the past month! It been because of the continued medication changes and my depression. I was a Complusive Overeater before I had the surgery and Emotional eater. I turn to food for comfort, being in a depressed state from my Bipolar this month with the medication, I have been turning to my old food choices.:think Its so hard for me having Bipolar1 and having my band, but Iam trying the best I can to work through it all. Thanks to this board and my friends here, I know I can post my feelings and know Iam not alone ! Lisa

Genn So sorry to hear of your injury. Take care. Barbara4 Time of day, amount of clothing, etc. have a lot to do with how much is on the scale. Surgi-Center scale is also digital and they do sometimes go off. My only logged number is what I weigh in the morning sans clothing on my own scale. I hope for a low number at doc's but don't get too jazzed if it's off from mine. You're buying smaller clothing, getting compliments and feeling good--that doesn't sound like a true weight gain. Even the digital scale at my former Weight Watcher's meeting was off. Talk about some unhappy weigh-ins until they announced the malfunction. My advice to anyone who will listen--claim the lowest number you've seen on your scale. Don't get discouraged when larger numbers come back. New numbers are shy, but they always come back with another smaller friend. If I post a gain, it will be because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I messed up (more than just one meal). So far the band doesn't let me stray too far. Socalgal3--Congrats on being anonymous. Would love a comment on your experience being anonymous. Chuckle--A darling cousin of mine had WLS several years back. Her Mother and Dad announced the news prior to a family reunion. Saw her at a wedding and asked her about WLS. She said "don't know how that rumor got started--it was lo carb diet". I can't go back in the closet, but I do intend to keep any more info to myself.

I think I would go in with the idea of only get .1. If you gurgle with .2 then that is too much. You are probably real close to your spot so go real conservative. I've decided it's worth the extra money to me to go real slow. You also may want to rethink getting a fill this soon. I don't think the weight gain is really from you overeating and not after 2 week and not after being real tight. Now the real cause of the weight gain. Yes it could very well be the antismoking medicine. It also could be the gratification you are seeking with food instead of cigs. Why don't you log what you are eating to be sure? I also think it's hard to do both - weight loss and give up smoking. I commend you for trying, but I know it must be frustrating. Two big oral gratifications taken away at the same time. You might have to substitute with another oral fix. OK you guys minds out of the gutter - I was thinking singing or humming or whistling or public speaking or .... Also might want to think of some of that hard candy that has few calories. It could be something to suck on instead of thinking of cigs. Also, I saw a suggestion to pop one of those Listerine mouth referesher sheets that disolve in your mouth. They are supposed to take away the urge to eat. I haven't tried that.

Tomorrow is my one year anniversay and I told my husband this morning that I want to do something special for myself to celebrate. He told me celebrate what-- Did you lose 100 pounds in one year? You cheated on cake and icecream and ate shit sometimes: I told him this was when I was depressed -MOST OF IT WAS BROUGHT ON BY YOU ! ALSO I HAD MY MEDICATION CHANGED 5 TIMES IN 5 MONTHS - MOST CAUSED WEIGHT GAIN THE DOCTOR SAID! He said your going to celebrate a 50 pound weight loss, you act like your lost 100 pounds! I wanted to buy myself an I-pod to encourage me to get back into my exercise routine and to get to the gym. I saw some great sales and he said no,your going to put us back into debut with your spending! So what did I end up getting $40 dollar gold earrings from a gift card that my husband got for Nurse's day ( He is a transporter at a Hospital and they gave the Nurses and Transporters gift cards a while back) so he gave it to me . Iam so mad right now! What made it worse was he came on this site and looked at the post and saw all of your before and after pictures and said - see these woman lost almost 100 pounds WHY COULDN'T YOU ! I HAVE NEVER FELT SO HURT AND LIKE A FALIURE ! My surgery was done on a Tuesday so it was technically a yeas ago today on June 13th. I look at my day of surgery picture and Iam no longer that person , I will never be her :cry. This dam insensitive bastard! Thanks for letting me vent! Lisa

Hello everyone! It's been quite some time. This thread is pretty much dead. But if any of you are still around, I thought I'd share... My second LapBand placed in Feb 2009 became disconnected!! I mean really?? How many LapBands should one girl have to mess with? LOL....so, I started gaining weight pretty fast and had to bicker quite a bit with the insurance company. But ultimately I was approved to have the Band removed and get the Vertical Sleeve. I had surgery almost 2 weeks ago and so glad it's over. I am so frustrated with the weight gain, but so glad that there won't be any more fills/unfills or getting stuck!! I'm on the mend and tired of mushies....for the third time! hahaha I hope all is going well for the rest of you!!! Best to all, Carol

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.

I had my surgery in 2010 (235 lbs 4'11") Today I weigh in at 134. I was at 120 for years but over the last 18 months I work out with weights, do bootcamp classes & try to get running in also. I exercise at least 3-5 days a week. My muscle has definitely increased. All weight gain isn't a failure or negative. I feel my overall body looks & is much better than that super skinny one it once was. Best of luck to everyone, it is a constant battle and fight. Don't give up.

OK so you would fall under the 1-5 lbs. I understand you normally lose it, but I'm really just interested in the MOST weight gain sleevers have had. Thanks sweets!

And weight gain from exercise is muscle being built. You can weigh more but be smaller in inches!

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.

What a great day Bonnie. What a great accomplishment. So much of this is about our thinking, not our eating. "As a man thinketh, so he is." I think my theory on my weight gain is right. I got up and peed a lot last night, and this morning I am down 3 pounds!!! That still puts me 2 pounds above my ticker weight, but man am I happy to see those scales going back down. I was beginning to freak out a little. When I gained a few pounds those fears of being obese forever crept back in. Suddenly I could see myself at 255 again, with little power to make good choices (the old me). Man the psychological realities of adjusting to not being obese.... I hope some day I don't fear "gaining it all back". Anyway, still working toward ketosis by morning!! Make it a great one everybody!!

Weight gain isn't always about overeating. Your weight depends on a lot of factors like what you eat, when, how much, your activity level, your metabolism and even genetics. I don't eat a lot, in fact I sometimes forget to eat if I don't feel hungry! LOL I didn't eat during the day, I was too busy, but then I'd have a good size dinner and dessert. My activity level has also been pretty low. I work on the computer for a huge part of the day, and do laundry, dishes and such. Regular housewife stuff. It took me a year of soul searching to make the decision. I am also 5'4" and weigh 255. I want to lose the weight for a variety of reasons, not JUST to look better, but because I don't want to end up with diabetes and a bunch of other bad stuff. I want to be able to go to the mall and walk from one end to the other without having to sit down half way thru and catch my breath! I want my hip and knee joints to stop aching. I want to stop having to take meds for high blood pressure. I want to be happier and healthier. I want to live to see my 6 grandchildren grow up! The doctor I'm going to recommended RNY gastric bypass because of my age and activity level. After a lot of discussion and research we decided the band would be better for me. I would suggest you have a long talk with your doctor and see what he says. Do it to gain health not just to lose weight!

A few more studies... knowledge is power! http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20622654 http://www.thinnertimes.com/weight-loss-surgery/vertical-sleeve-gastrectomy/vertical-sleeve-gastrectomy-candidates/print.html As with any bariatric procedure, long-term weight regain can occur and, in the case of SG, this could be managed effectively with re-intervention. Informed consent for SG used as a primary procedure should be consistent with consent provided for other bariatric procedures and should include the risk of long-term weight gain. http://asmbs.org/2012/06/sleeve-gastrectomy-as-a-bariatric-procedure-update/

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.

Christa- I am more than happy to also post daily. I need that accountability too! Just think of your weight gain as muscle! Muscle weighs more than fat remember? Just keep doing the right thing and the scale will follow! Are you measuring inches too? Try various indicators of success besides just that pesky scale!

Me too! Oct 15th. Very nervous. Hoping I made the right decision for getting the sleeve over the bypass. I've been reading about people who are struggling with weight gain after a few years with the sleeve and that makes me nervous. Maybe everything makes me nervous at this point. LOL. Excited though. I'd just like it to be done already so maybe I can quit stressing. Can't wait to hear how our Oct group progresses. This is an exciting journey we are undertaking. I admire you all for your courage.

I know you can and will take PPIs, in the long run the are gastroprotective Most surgeons surgeons discourage carbonated beverages. A they encourage weight,gain, many of us got fat from overindulgence in Coke, Pepsi and their evil soda cousins. B. Do you enjoy pain? That stuff will bloat up your sore little stomach. If it doesn't cause you to vomit you'll have to belch or blow it out the other end. Alcohol doubtful you'll be allowed to indulge very soon. I've heard 6 months, a year down the road. You have been a workaholic , you do not want to exchange one addiction for another. You'll become drunk on less. And a final note, although I am pre surgery I have gastritis, booze hurts and burns the lining in your stomach and it hurts like the walls of Hades. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

While my weight gain has affected my health some, and my family life more (mostly through extreme laziness), I definitely agree that my weight is negatively impacting my work as well. As far as time off, I have the kind of job that it's almost not even worth taking a few days off because you walk back in to all sorts of issues and problems... So taking time off to heal 3/4 weeks is scary in my case, but I don't want to rush back either after the surgery and risk a problem from, for example, lifting something heavy because I forgot I couldn't yet - for that split second... Ahhhhhhh!

I am 2 yrs going on 3 in February post op. I lost a total of 60 lbs in the first year but re gained 45lbs that's a lot. In that time I went through a separation, relocated to a new state and fell back to my old eating habits  this is hard to admit but I need help again. I'm working on eating better however I need help, tips how do I start my weight loss again. BTW does anyone else feel hungry all the time?

I’m so angry just recd a call saying my surgery was denied doe Feb 4th because I had a 2lb weight gain at my December visit I’m sobbing right now office says we can try to start all over again for a may date but I’m done I give up and can go through all this planning again

Hi sarahjp, My surgeon is Stephen Blamey. He took my band out (it was put in by Tny Kiereth in Perth though). I'll be at Cabrini Malvern. Which Cabrini were you at? Lila certainly has come a long way, from a very touch n go long hospital stint to now being one of the most inspirational posters on here. Of course, everyone is inspirational, as everyone is on tier own journey. I too value each piece of info shared. swift Kate, I did beat myself up for a bit....but it didn't last that long. I actually got a bit pissed off at Dr Blamey over it because I begged for the band to be taken out and me get sleeved at the same time (had no issues with the band ther than I just couldn't work it to my benefit) but nothing doing; I just HAD to wait many many weeks in between. And of course after the band was out, I had no complications from that, I had no restriction, and my stomach was no longer folded over and secure to the band so it was bigger. After the initial 10 day period where I wanted nothing to do with food (as is usually the case when someone has had surgery on their guts) my hunger came back with a vengeance and I was hungry ALL THE TIME, and I had this craving, this desperate craving for things I hadn't been able to ingest for over 4 years: chicken breast....steak....pork.....salad with chunky cut veggies instead of everything slivered.........milk.......cheese...... Am I the only one who notices a theme here (that most of these are dense proteins)? While I have had some sweet treats since being dis-banded (LOL) I have to say they are not my weakness. My weakness is all the things I was deprived of for a substantial amount of time. That craving? I think was my bodies way of saying, hey we haven't had this good stuff for a long time - better stock up! But I can't blame Dr Blamey (eh, irony much? Hahaha) for the frequency or quantity I partook of these things. I am mostly sure that his making me wait between surgeries was out of medical concern......but a part of me wonders if he didn't look at the situation as a cash cow - I mean after all he told me point blank that the combination band removal/VSG was never done and that EVERYone had to wait. Which I know from here, blogs, ObesityHelp, YouTube and other sources is not exactly the truth. Perhaps he didn't mean to blanket the VSG world wide with an everyone does this comment, maybe he only meant HIS patients. Regardless my fears of weight gain, that I expressed plainly and without pause fell on deaf ears, and while I hold myself fully accountable for my 10kg gain, having a gigantic stretched out stomach and an appetite that just would not be appeased for very long certainly didn't help. End rant, moving on and moving forward. I hope the scale reflects my efforts this past 2 weeks. I still haven't shifted the Water retention from my feet and ankles, but I notice that I don't seem to have that ungodly soreness in the heels, and I'm not as stiff upon waking or after sitting for so long. Also I don't feel QUITE as bloated in the face. I am taking this a sign that something's are changing in the positive. Sorry for my long winded posts everyone. I don't post often but when I do I go for gold! Sorry x 2! - does anyone on here do vlogs on YouTube? I love watching them,8 find them so inspiring and motivational, not to mention educational. And it's good to see and hear someone talk about their experiences. Feels more connected. I am going to look into doing them as well. I need the "face to face" accountability! Hahaha Ok everyone have a great week. Go out and make it happen!