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I am allowed Babyel and laughing cow in the puréed stage. My Nutritionist also said that Pasta will slow loss or lead to weight gain. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Products that are sugar free using many forms of artificial sweeteners and also products using natural no calorie sweeteners such as stevia should be fine and should not cause dumping syndrome. I am 3 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery. I strictly avoid processed sugars. I have a sweet tooth and that is one of the major causes that contributed to my weight gain over my lifetime. I limit myself to artificial sweeteners (such as Splenda and sugar alcohols), to natural low calorie sweeteners (such as Stevia) and to the natural sugars found in fruits and milk. I had diabetes. That went into remission when I left the hospital two days after surgery and I have not taken any diabetic medicine ever since and my blood sugar levels are good. I test my blood sugar levels periodically. I read the labels of all food that I consume. I look at the grams of sugar per serving. If it is above 5 grams, I look at the ingredients. The ingredients are listed in order by highest percentage, and if the first 5 ingredients contain processed sugar (in any of its many forms), then I avoid this food, like a plague. The sugars I avoid are sucrose (table sugar), fructose (honey), dextrose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), cane juice, evaporated cane juice, agave, molasses, corn sweeteners, brown sugar, barley malt, beet sugar, and pure maple sugar.

I'm sorry you've gone through so much grief and distress. Several antidepressants have been linked to weight gain, so it's possible that could be contributing to yours. I gained 30 pounds quite rapidly from taking Zoloft for grief. I've had more success with a low dose of Wellbutrin (a higher dose caused insomnia and hair loss), though some people haven't been benefitted from it. I've started to read reviews of every medicine I take to better understand the experiences people have on it, so I can be aware of possible side effects. There's a bariatric surgeon named Dr. Matthew Weiner who has several videos on YouTube. In one of them he discusses common reasons for why people gain weight post WLS, and lists medication as a leading cause. Edit: This is the video: About 5-6 minutes in he lists reasons for weight regain, and talks about medication.

Sorry I didn't put much information about myself to the above question.Hello, I'm 37 years young, mother of 3 beautiful children. My Bmi is 43 right now, it often fluctuates between 40-43 depending on my weight gain or loss. I'm an active mother, wife, worker, and very healthy young woman to say the least. However, I'm sick and tired of the yo-yo dieting. I've taken diet supplements along with injection (and I'm scared to death of needles- but did them anyway) for years I know since 2013, I've been on a strick diet plan for over a year and lost only 7lbs from 250lbs of weight I already had on my 5'4" body frame. At weigh in just the other day and was back up 243lbs. So all that being said....... I'm more then ready, to use this WLS as an added tool to stay healthy and fit. But I just can't get the one person I felt that would understand, to understand!!!!! I love my life but I know that I have to do this for ME and I don't want it to seem as if I'm being selfish and not considering his concern for me..... I've had 3 c-section do to my children and those are the only surgeries I've every had & all went extremely well by the time we had our 3rd child I was up walking around on my own the very next day, the nursing staff didn't like that but I told them "I can't take you guys home with me, so I have to do this on my own, you all just supervise me cause I don't want anyone getting fired because I wouldn't let you hold my hand!" They understand and just simply walked behind me as I walked the halls of the hospital... so when, I'm determined I'm determined!!!!! Mind over matter!!!! Sent from my SM-T817V using the BariatricPal App Our stats are right on and I was about the same age as you when I had my surgery. Here is my story: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/308645-i-was-a-super-healthy-fat-person-until-surgery-changed-my-life-was-it-worth-it/page-15?hl=%2Bwas+%2Bsuper+%2Bhealthy#entry4274115 And if my husband was against it? Not my problem. He'd have to figure that out on his own. I'd listen to his concerns, I'd direct him to appropriate research and I'd let him take it from there. I love him but I don't LIVE for him. He is a huge and important part of my world but he is not my world in it's entirety. Big diff.

Oh I had gained a few from the surgery as well and as luck would have it, 2 days after surgery, my period started, do that added to the bloating and weight gain. Week later and I am heading down. manitobamama

Sorry I didn't put much information about myself to the above question. Hello, I'm 37 years young, mother of 3 beautiful children. My Bmi is 43 right now, it often fluctuates between 40-43 depending on my weight gain or loss. I'm an active mother, wife, worker, and very healthy young woman to say the least. However, I'm sick and tired of the yo-yo dieting. I've taken diet supplements along with injection (and I'm scared to death of needles- but did them anyway) for years I know since 2013, I've been on a strick diet plan for over a year and lost only 7lbs from 250lbs of weight I already had on my 5'4" body frame. At weigh in just the other day and was back up 243lbs. So all that being said....... I'm more then ready, to use this WLS as an added tool to stay healthy and fit. But I just can't get the one person I felt that would understand, to understand!!!!! I love my life but I know that I have to do this for ME and I don't want it to seem as if I'm being selfish and not considering his concern for me..... I've had 3 c-section do to my children and those are the only surgeries I've every had & all went extremely well by the time we had our 3rd child I was up walking around on my own the very next day, the nursing staff didn't like that but I told them "I can't take you guys home with me, so I have to do this on my own, you all just supervise me cause I don't want anyone getting fired because I wouldn't let you hold my hand!" They understand and just simply walked behind me as I walked the halls of the hospital... so when, I'm determined I'm determined!!!!! Mind over matter!!!! Sent from my SM-T817V using the BariatricPal App

I am 25 years old, a registered nurse working on med/surg bariatric unit, and have been overweight since adolescence. For four years I have wanted to get the sleeve done, but my parents insurance was a no go. This year I started working in a hospital with great insurance and just had my first appointment with the surgeon today! My surgery will be in Febuary as long as everything goes as planned. I have Aetna and have to make it 90days, no weight gain, psych eval, an upper GI study(just Xrays with contrast), and three nutritionist visits. I'm at my highest weight of 375 right now and my BP is periodically high. In January, I'm going on a cruise so that's why we're pushing it to February. I am beyond excited and ready to push through all of this! [emoji4]

I did a 6 month "diet plan" which really wasn't a plan at all. Me and my dr just talked about my weight gain/loss once every month. I ended up gaining the last month and was told that I wouldn't get approved through tricare if I didn't weigh less at the end. So I did another month and sent all my paperwork in. Got denied due to not sending all necessary documents (6 months, psych eval, ect.) which they were sent just lost in the process and had to file an appeal which took about a month to get reversed. I was sooooo anxious about not getting approved I almost stopped the whole process so just be patient. Most people get approved if you follow all the requirements. I just found out about the reversal today and it took a total of about 2 months after all my requirements were done to get approved so just stay patient:) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank and please keep us posted on your recovery. ..I'm just barely getting started...and I'm excited for you....did you ever sought about getting the surgery Sent from my SM-G386T1 using the BariatricPal App I actually had second thought many times throughout my 2 wk preop liquid phase. I wondered if I could really do it or not. I pushed through and jumped in with both feet and did it. I can't honestly say that I made the right decision yet as it is too early to tell. Last night I ran a 102.4 temp and have gained 5 lbs in 24 hours. I believe the fever was a result of a virus lurking around instead of it connecting to my surgery. As far as the weight gain, I have no idea....I look 8 months pregnant....and feel it too. I'll post more updates on my experience. We will get through this together! Sent from my SM-N900V using the BariatricPal App

My favorite protein bar is no protein bar . . . they are Satan's work IMO. Turkey jerky or some chopped up chicken breast in a little tupperware container is lower calorie, lower carb, higher protein, more filling, and often cheaper too. Nutritionally not much different from candy bars with protein added. I've noticed that people tend to get obsessive about their protein bars the way they used to with candy bars or brownies or whatever. True story -- my mom has a weight problem. She tends to be underweight! She has to work hard to keep her weight up to a normal range (yes I resent this bigtime). Her doctor ordered her to eat a protein bar every day in order to stop weight loss. If she finds she is losing weight, she has to eat two protein bars a day. It works for her! Protein bar = no more weight loss. Two protein bars = weight gain.

It may be because my weight gain was mostly medication- induced and then due to lack of movement from the pain I was in?? There wasn't a weight issue prior to my getting sick. Who knows? I know most plastics guys want you stable for at least 6 months. Another surgeon I wanted to consult with won't even SEE me until I hit my target weight. Not even to consult for costs. Either way, I would not consider doing anything yet. First- the cost-need to save for it; Second- I DO want to be at goal. Fortunately, the weight continues to come off without stalls, albeit a little slower now. 2lbs drop since day before yesterday! Lol. LOVE this tool!! More? Love having gotten my life back and all of the opportunities and changes it has effected for me! Did you end up having the plastics yet? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am 23. And I have had everything tested. Everything is normal. I think more than being a binge-eater, I am a volume eater. I just eat so much because I always loved to eat since I was little. I just tend to eat large amounts of anything. But I dont eat any of the foods most have mentioned. I don't binge on sweets or ice cream, or chips or crackers. Its more like if I'm out eating sushi, other people will just eat like 12 pieces, but i'll need to eat 24. or like when my friends are eating a 3 egg omelet i'll eat like a 6egg omelet LOL And then I start feeling extremely guilty and stressed that I ate so much that I'll try to relieve the stress by eating more (a vicious cycle!!!) which causes more weight gain and more stress. My life has been controlled by dieting ever since sophomore year in high school. I know that you all might think that i'm sounding a little anorexic here for wanting to stay thin, but really, 110-115 is considered a normal weight for height. Even my doctor (who is not my surgeon) approves. ahh if i could explain everything so that you guys can get a clearer picture of my situation I want to. but a post will lack the space to do so. Anyways. My surgeon has had a lot of success with low BMI patients like me (i'm not the only low bmi patient getting a vsg!!). Even patients with binge-eating and bulimia etc have had success with great reviews! I'm not going into this on a whim. Even lower bmi patients who were thinner than me have done well and were able to maintain a healthy weight. The reason im asking on this forum is because I understand that no matter if i feel 100% confident about my decision, its always smart to listen to other people's thoughts too. Again, thank you all for your guy's input. Its good to see what other people think about my choice

@@iloveorganicmilk What sort of foods do you binge on? You mentioned watermelon (a whole one), yes it is fruit and healthy, but is full of sugar, so I can understand the cravings to have more. You also mentioned you can eat 2 large steaks. If you have a large steak, do you then have a diabolical craving for another, straight away? What other foods create cravings for you, like once you start, you have to have more and can't stop? For me, ice-cream is like that, even 7 months post sleeve. I really have to watch it, and over-indulge 1-2 per month, then I am good and just have fruit for dessert. Have you had your hormones tested, and your thyroid, as abnormalities there can create cravings and weight-gain. I don't know how old you are, but my guess is 20s to 30s. If after 40+, then hormones definitely should be tested, although thyroid disease can occur at any age. So, please let us know what type of foods create cravings for you. Thank you.

I don't quite understand though... if the sleeve does not stretch much (or so i have heard) how will I be able to binge? it just doesn't seem physically possible Slider foods can be eaten in large quantities, such as ice-cream, chocolate, cakes, biscuits, chips etc. Also,even though the sleeve does not stretch, after it is completely healed (6 months) the hunger and capacity to eat more returns. If this is not controlled through strict portion sizes, like 1/2 to 1 cup max at a meal, the weight will come back on. Put "Weight gain" or "Regain" in the Search button, and you will read stories of people who gained or even regained weight. Another slider food/drink is Alcohol, full of sugar and calories. I can't give you scientific explanation why people can eat more after the sleeve, but it does happen if they stray from the diet guidelines. As someone mentioned earlier, yes you can eat around the sleeve. I can have a big bowl of ice-cream now, being 7 months post op. I can certainly eat more now. Some foods I had issues with early post op, I am fine now. I choose to eat healthy, because I want to reach my goal, and maintain it. Show me a person who binges on Protein ..... As far as I know, the binge foods are sugary, fatty, sweet and salty carb processed foods. Easy to binge on after sleeve as well.

I am 9 wks pregnant and 41. I was sleeved 9/10/15. My tubes have been tied 12 years now I got pregnant 7 years ago and carried her to 29 wks and delivered her( stillborn) they tested my tubes said there wasn't a pin hole leak. I have lost 112 pounds and freaking out about weight gain and something happening with the baby Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I started my 1-week pre-op diet at 237 and I went into surgery at 228 on Sep 9, 2013. By Christmas of that year I was 195- 200 pounds...so I lost 28-33ish pounds between surgery and Christmas (4 months). I then dropped again from January to May, at which point I was stuck at 177 for WEEKS. I added more exercise, improved my diet, and by September 2014, I was at 158 pounds. I averaged about 6.5 pounds a month for the first year, of which some of that time I barely lost anything. I then had my first plastics procedure, after which I couldn't workout, so I lost some muscle and I went into my second plastics procedure in November at 143ish. By the second Christmas post-sleeve I was 134, where I then stayed until April of the next year, which means it took me exactly 18 months to get to goal of 129, which was 108 pounds and works out to 6 pounds a month. It was NOT a speedy process. I am now at 37 months post-op and I have been at goal (I fluctuate up and down about 3 pounds, so I hit 132.8 and I drop to 126 throughout the month) this entire time. Last Halloween I ate to much crap and I woke up November first at 137. It took almost 6 weeks to get back into my goal range again, so had I not been very cognizant of even a little weight gain, it would have taken forever to lose more than that. Since that time, November 2015, I have stayed within my 126-133 range, and I'm usually between 129-132. Once I get even a little over 132, that day I start making changes. I've been drinking a lot of coffee the last few weeks which involved milk and caramel and I noticed that my weight was getting very close to that 132.8. I cut out the coffee (and sugar and milk) and this morning I'm back at 130. Although this is a long post, from the perspective of being over 3 months out, losing weight was not easy and it was not fast. It required waking up every single day and focusing on an end goal that didn't seem like it would happen. That doesn't change when you hit goal. I still weigh myself every morning and when my weight starts to creep up a pound or three, I login to MyFitnessPal and I am very careful for a few days until I get back into my goal range. If you want to be thin the rest of your life will be about being aware of what you eat and what you weigh, because if it's hard to lose now, it is an absolute B to lose weight a year or two out from surgery. Once you lose it, keep it off! Slow and steady may not legitimately win the race, but it has worked well for me. Good luck!

I was hopeful that losing weight would help to reduce the amount of facial hair I have, but I'm down to a size two and still dealing with it. I had been taking 200mg of spironolactone ever since being diagnosed with PCOS at age 19, but over time it had become much less effective and caused numerous undesirable side effects like depression, fatigue, and weight gain due to the increased appetite it gave me. I slowly tapered off of it, and finally stopped taking it all together. This has meant that I've seen more facial hair growth, but am not contemplating going back on it because I'd rather deal with one problem than multiple ones caused by this medicine. I just started taking birth control again on Sunday to help with facial hair, but am going to discontinue it because it's causing severe insomnia, nausea, and hot flashes (I'm 20 years too young for menopause). I was also given a prescription for Vaniqa at my recent doctor's appointment, which is a cream that helps to retard hair growth. It takes about 8 weeks to see any results, and the 1 ounce tube was $169. o.O I bought it anyway because desperate measures and all...... In reviews of it I read some women called it a holy grail product that had changed their life for the better, and others said it was not only ineffective but caused breakouts. I am hopeful that a method I've just started trying will be effective, and the medicine and cream won't be necessary. I recently started having it removed with sugaring and have been fortunate to not have any breakouts as a result. It's painful, but not excruciatingly so. I live in Los Angeles, and the woman who did it for me came highly recommended on Yelp and only charged $6 for the chin (I was trying one area at a time). I don't know how much it cost elsewhere, but it's definitely less than electrolysis and laser (which I was told wouldn't work for me because my hair is blonde). Ladies on another forum, Soul Cysters, had recommended a product from Amazon that you apply immediately after removing facial hair (whether by waxing, shaving, threading, etc) to prevent ingrown hairs and acne, and it's been really helpful. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C4YJL96/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I'd felt trapped in a cycle where removing hair caused breakouts, which made me want to hermit as much as possible (which is dismaying because I want to show off the weight loss and go out there and have fun), but the facial hair made me want to hermit as well. I've only been using this product for a few weeks, but thus far it's been a huge relief. You can have higher androgen levels without having PCOS, and that will cause excessive facial hair growth too. PCOS can also be tricky to diagnose because the name is a bit of a misnomer. My endocrinologist said that many women with it do not actually have cysts, so they look at other criteria like your hormone levels and symptoms. Women who are not obese can also have PCOS and facial hair. I'm a young professor, and because of that my students tend to confide in me more than they would older professors. One of my 19-year-old students was telling me how depressed she was due to facial hair and acne caused by PCOS, and she's very slim. If she lost any weight she'd be medically underweight.

Kudos to you for being concerned. Obviously you care for your friend therefore you care for her daughter just the same!!! Don't let a few people's insensitivities deter you or infuriate you either. Just actively ignore them-- don't even respond... Anyways your friend may need either a 2nd opinion by a alternative pediatrician, or request a referral to a Pediatric Endocrinologist to be further evaluated. As a health care professional I cannot urge the importance of advocating in you and your loved ones health care. Dr.s are so overwhelmed they hardly have time to truly evaluate you especially if you're not half dead. I have had patients who have had Cancer diagnosis overlooked because their Dr just kept prescribing antibiotics and diagnosing with pneumonia when they in fact had LUNG cancer. Trust your gut. Other areas will have to be looked at such as her diet. Meeting with a dietician to come up with a healthy meal plan for her may be just the start she needs. However endocrine disorders also need to be ruled out. Just because she's vegan does not mean she's not carb overloading. Many vegans have this issue and can easily become overweight. Good Luck to you and your friend and her daughter. I have PCOS, developed at age 28. They say it can be hereditary but my mom does not have it nor does her sisters. I think either my weight gain during nursing school triggered it or years of yo yo dieting to keep my weight in check. My grandmother could have had it-- she wasn't real big but always looked pregnant to me. She is deceased now. Anyways My daughter was picking up weight and like 25 lbs a year sooooo I was concerned for PCOS. Before taking her to the Dr. I looked closely at her diet and made some changes she has since lost 15 lbs and still going.

It's tough, I know lots of people that struggled with their relationships or marriages after weight loss or gain. My SO and I were on a plan from day one to be 'healthy' together. He was severely underweight and I was overweight, he supported the surgery and has worked with me to adjust our diet (since we live together) to make it easier for me to continue my journey. He has gained 50 lbs and I have lost 90 and we've happy; but we planned to love each other and support the change. My ex though was an enabler that helped my weight gain before, he was skinny and loved to eat, lots of junk food, fast food, etc. Of course you imitate and crave by association and bam, 60 lbs I gained in the course of 4 years. Sometimes misery loves company and when we're overweight or unattractive feeling, we settle for whomever we think will take us at our worst. Truth is, we should strive to find someone that makes us better and we give back and allow them to be the best version of themselves. Grow together in a relationship and support the change; if he wants you unhealthy and unhappy (because YOUR happiness should come first) then you should consider discussing with him how that is most definitely not okay and part ways. You don't need toxic in your life and having that negativity in your life will lead to depression and back to the poor food and lifestyle changes you made to get here.

Wow, this is a tough one for me to respond to, but, I am going to be honest. It can be a very slippery slope. As many have already said, I too became a total lightweight after surgery. But, my real problem came in that I began substituting alcohol, White Russians, to be exact, as my choice of "comfort" instead of food. Unfortunately, that led to some major weight gain for me, nearly 40 pounds,which I am now working very hard to take back off. At six years out, it doesn't come off as easily as it did in the beginning. I am lucky now to lose a pound a week, which is quite frustrating. Now, I am drinking mostly Water 24/7. I will have an occasional drink, but for me, I have learned it is just not worth it.

Deffanatly get your band checked there have been many bad side affects from it and many revisions to the sleeve or rny due to weight gain and your body not tolerating it. The only able to take 2 bites at a time sounds like that. I am currently going for a revision to rny cause I have gained back all my weight and now have GERD from the band. I have an intolerance to the band as well regular PBing no fun. Good luck and msg me if you have any questions. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Enjoy your holidays and just make your first appt Jan 2nd....And enjoy the BMI 40! Just kidding... Sort of?? Well I remember getting so frustrated with what seemed to be an unstoppable gain about 2 1/2 years ago. PCOS and hypothyroidism were taking a toll. Tried a dr supervised plan, WW several times and medifast. Each time I lost and re-gained. I Remember wishing I was heavy enough for lapband (remember the hungry lion Commercials). I wasn't. Fast forward prob another year the local bariatric office had a new dr/nut supervised plan. No surgery and no Phentermine (another failed attempt I didn't want to repeat) and I was pretty sure my insurance would pay. So I go for the introduction and get weighed and the coordinator asked, "so are you interested in surgical or non surgical?" I said non surgical I am not heavy enough for WLS. Oh your a BMI 42 and with bcbs it would be covered. Whoa I did a double take. I was totally disgusted with getting that big and shocked I was even considering it. But I had really tried HARD since I had my son 5 years ago and was just getting bigger. Fast forward I had the sleeve 9 Months ago and I am at my personal goal and a Normal BMI. My point is you are so close... Just normal progression of weight gain you eventually qualify without doing anything to qualify on purpose. That is just how obesity goes.

Hi! I am going to celebrate my 2 yr post op anniversary. I am about 15-20 lbs from Goal. I am very disappointed in myself. I gave up, And gave in to my old ways. For months now, it's been that way. However, my body is getting pudgy and soft. Same weight up and down a few lbs but, soft. I need to get back to the gym and eating right. I get my protein but am clueless in how to eat again. Sounds silly, but it's the truth. Any help or criticism appreciated Tracy Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I don't know why it works for some and not for others. All I know is that so far, it works great for me...no band complications and as long as I do my part, no serious weight gain since hitting goal. I'm hoping to one day get to the same marks as our founder Alex, who has his band for around ten years now. I'm not far from my four year anniversary so I've a ways to go yet.

I'm in Portland, surgery tomorrow! Revision from sleeve to bypass due to acid reflux and weight gain. Dr Patterson is the surgeon, what about you guys?