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@Frustr8 I understand, I really honestly do. I’ve spent most of my life with chronic pain, always fatigued and sick, always some new diagnosis or symptom. My main diagnosis has Bayan considered worse than HIV worse than cancer and causes something called post exertional malaise. It impacts every part of my body. It doesn’t matter my actual age my body feels old, there are people twice my age that feel younger than me. Not asking for pity for myself but that I understand you wanted the surgery and losing weight to make you feel good and not like a gastrointestinal cripple. Its hard. The smaller body is good but people look and think well then everything else must be good too. People didn’t think I needed to lose weight before surgery and now I’m sure they think I lost enough when I didn’t. They assume that you will also feel physically well. And you should expect to. But when you ask for help they look the other way. My head doesn’t work very well anymore, All I can say is can you see the bariatric surgeon and talk about the never ending nausea? That you still can’t enjoy food. I understand that feeling. On one hand I already had aversion to foods because of loss of ability to properly taste food and smell and always being nauseous but I could find things I liked sometimes and I could drink lots of water. I only really liked water. Now I can’t drink sips without feeling supremely sick. I try to drink ice tea and thinner shakes it’s the same. I was told thicken the water, yuck thicken water with some nice chemicals? Though the water thing probably isn’t because of the surgery. but not moving past the softest of “foods” can be truly frustrating. So I try to tell myself I don’t care and my nutritionist says I have to try as if it’s just a mental block and not a physical one. Im not trusting the whole balloon dilation now and expecting it to go back how it was (stricture) i knew going into this I would probably make my overall medical conditions worse but it was either fight for bariatric surgery to fight the rapid weight gain that even eating 800 calories of healthy food I couldn’t stop, or give up altogether. And even now I walk that thin line. And moments when my body feels literally like death and that would be easier. Yet I keep going and trying to take each step forward and trying to focus on the tiny goals of losing weight. Even though I will always feel like the bullied fat kid. You answered my message on my post but I needed to respond here first before I got too tired to say what I wanted to say. Please give things time, I know it’s hard. Get an appointment to speak to your surgeon and nutritionist and try to get that message across to them. You have a goal to reach and you just want to get there and also feel better too. I truly hope you do.

Hi TMF, I travelled to the South of France to have my band 10 years ago, the surgery was performed by a highly regarded, well know surgeon, at that time he used a Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band which was placed via the pars flaccida technique. Which I believe may have been fairly advanced or new at the time. I'm not to sure about this peri-gastric method to which you refer. Anyhow to respond to your comments further, there were no issues regarding the safety of my procedure and my band was not sold to me as a panacea it was clearly sold as a weight loss tool only. However, I was told that the band was totally reversible and would not cause the stomach any damage (not true) and that it will stay in for life (not true). I'm not knocking the band, it got me down to my goal weight, but I probably had 100 doctors room visits over the 10 years it was in and then started having severe reflux and needed less Fluid which for me equalled weight gain. It was a relief to have it taken out, the sleeve for me, although it's only early days (5 weeks) so far has given me a much more 'natural' feeling of fullness. Which is great. Thanks for your good luck wishes. Regards John

😭😭😭 Thank you soooo much. I think it’s all just so new and the fear of weight gain was seriously bugging me out.

Talk to a doc as well. Zyban/Wellbutrin can help a lot and typically does not cause weight gain.

As long as you are eating healthy food, getting in some exercise, feeling good and the baby is growing well...try not to think so much about weight gain. I know it is hard, but that's how we have to think. Yes, some people do lose weight in the first trimester if they have a lot of nausea and/or morning sickness. But others gain weight. It's different for everybody. You are growing a new life right now. After you have the baby (or after you finish breastfeeding depending on what you choose to do and what your doctors say), you can get a fill & lose whatever weight you gain. You will still have that tool. So hang in there!

I have OCD took paxil for it which was my demise with my weight gain I can relate to you very well, their is no drawer or closet left uncleanedin my home. I have 3 boys and peoplecan not believe how clean my house is.. Like you Iam always on the go Plus the fact we can no longer eat out of boredom like we did pre band makes boredom even more difficult

I can certainly relate as I've discovered I'm an emotional eater. In the past 9 years that I've been divorced I've managed to rack up a good 50-60lbs. I know for a fact that my weight gain was due to being under a lot of stress. Even now, I'm going through a break up....he should be moved out in about 6 wks. Needless to say it's been a difficult past 8 months or so. And I truly believe I haven't been as successful with my LB because of it. HOWEVER, I choose to not let those things affect me any more. I really am ready to do this for me regardless of what's going on with my love life. As I've stated in my profile message...I may not be able to control that but I can control what I put into my mouth! Anyhoos, please people don't give up on the LB. It's always important to remember that it's a "tool" and not the cure. We could easily choose to eat around the band but why?! This is your time to shine now!! SO GO FOR IT!!

It spread to my neck. They started me on a steroid pack today - I don't feel like I am banded at all - I am starving - and eating like crazy. I feel very little restriction. I am super swollen - I hope that is what the weight gain is. I had gained 7 lbs when I went to the dr. today. I am trying to eat healthy. Okay - so the brownies weren't healthy - but they were low fat The steroids make me feel like I am running out of my skin. I feel like a humming bird. A huge freaking spotted humming bird. :-) The steroids are helping. I take 6 doses today. Everytime I take a dose - the bumps go away for a couple of hours. Hopefully it will get rid of them totally soon. Funny - at the Dr.s office - little kids were pointing and talking about me - and I knew it wasn't because I was fat! I guess you had to be there - in the elevator - I got in and everyone moved to the other side :-) too funny. I almost wish I was contagious!

I'm on the 10 day liquid diet I will have my surgery on Feb 2 I weighed myself today and I've gained 6 pounds I'm diabetic and on my last 3 days of the 3 shakes and lean cuisine for dinner I'm worried and confused about the weight gain any feedback would be so helpful

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a few weeks prior to surgery and I am freaking out that the sleeve won't work. I'm almost 4 weeks post-op and down about 30 pounds. I've never had any symptoms from the hypothyroidism expect the weight gain. I'm on a medication but IDK just hope this works.

I am 8 mos out of surgery and concerned about weight gain in years to come . I think about it often. I'm just 10- 15 lbs shy of my personal goal weight. Even now being so early out of surgery I'm finding that I have to excersise 3-4 times a week to keep it off as I have plateaued. I've recently just realized the easy part was losing it. The hard part will be keeping it off. Any suggestions that u may have I will graciously take. I'm very interested in hearing from the oldies like yourself. I want to know what to expect so I can be prepared as I can be in keeping this weight off.

I have had problems with my band tightening on its own. Last year I had some fluid taken out and then promptly gained 10 pounds. Eventually, I had just a little less than my max amount added back in and I was just fine for months. Now, I never know if I am going to have a good day or bad day but I have been toughing it out because I am afraid of another weight gain if I get any saline taken out. I have never even concidered that it could be hormone related! I asked my doctor who said he has had some experience with the band tightening on its own but he said they cannot explain exactly why. He is very knowledgable in this field. What makes yall think it is hormone related? I am very curious!

I am going on a year post-op and STILL drink 3 or 4 a week. I see no harm and I'm still losing weight, ~170 pounds down now. I see no harm. I've read that some consider it a factor in weight gain but I've never seen any real explanation as to why exactly it does. I've heard of it sparking desire for sweets but it hasn't in me. I will continue to enjoy an occasional can a few days a week till I see something definitive saying it's doing me harm.

Hello, I has surgery January 2013 and I lost 50lbs before I got pregnant this summer. I am only 11 weeks and I have gained 4 lbs and with the bloating sometimes 7. I'm not handling the weight gain well. I'm getting very nervous What are some things you guys did to not gain much? I have 5cc in a 10cc band and no unfill yet Help

I know most of you are not doctors, but perhaps you can speculate about something that just happened to me. For the past year, I have maintained within a 3-4 lb range, never deviating. About six weeks ago, within three days I had gained seven pounds to my highest weight in about two years. I dismissed it as water retention because I hadn't changed my diet or any medications, but for the next six weeks I stayed five to seven pounds above my baseline, so I began dieting and drinking more water but to no avail. I couldn't figure out how it could be from food because I log calories every day and there were no changes in calories or types of foods that I ate. Then a few days ago, I had a horrible mood swing -- so bad a depression that my family and friends were really worried about me -- and they said they had never seen me act like that before. I recovered from it but the following day, I began vomiting out of nowhere, tons of water, something that has never happened before since WLS and was something I can't ever recall happening even before WLS. And then for these past few recent days, I'm exactly back to where I was for the entire year -- within that 3-4 lb range again. The five to seven pound gain is gone. I'm post-menopausal so it's not hormonal I think. No dietary changes. No new medications or getting off old ones. No changes in activities and exercise. The massive weight gain seems to have just "happened," remained in my body for weeks, then dispersed. And possibly could have caused a serious mood swing. Oh, and for an annual checkup I had an EKG which was normal so it has nothing to do with my heart. And I had a recent brain scan six months ago that showed no abnormalities. My blood work also is normal.

I gained 7 lbs before my first fill. My doctor told me not to worry about it, that it happens to some people. I also gain weight (or definitely don't lose) about a week or a week and half before my period. I'm trying hard not to pay too much attention to the numbers. I'm eating better and way less than I ever have, and I am definitely getting healthier! Try not to worry about the weight gain. It happens. Once you start getting fills and have more restriction, it won't be as difficult as it is now. Sheri

I guys I'm getting a sleeve but have been thrown back by my friends comments, have you gotten pregnant after the sleeve I know I gotta wait and I will but things like food intake for the baby and weight gain after pregnancy worries me, what about infections?

Agreed!!! Since you are only 14 days post op, I am asuming you have not had your first fill, so the band will be more "forgiving" in these situations. As guy touched on, the bigger concern is your mental approach to life and food after the band, I will share with you what others (including my doctor) have shared with me. As always, I include the disclaimer that these are things that have worked for me, they may or may not be helful to you... 1. You are not going to follow your lap band "diet" perfectly every day. NO ONE DOES! But, as my doctor often repeats - If you eat right MOST of the time, you will lose weight. 2. This is not a RACE...it is a journey, not just to lose weight, but to live a healthier, happier, longer life. 3. DON'T Beat yourself up, when you mess up!! Most of us, have spent a lifetime of dieting, then when we mess up, we just say "what's the use" which just leads to more eating and more weight gain, which leads to another diet, and the cycle repeats on and on and on....Just because you mess up, doesn't mean you have to give up! 4. The band helps with the physical issues of our eating, but we still have the mental side to deal with...the head hunger...what are your eating triggers? Stay connected with a support group, such as this forum, or better still, if there is a live support group in your area, check it out. Finally, take an HONEST look at how you think about food and your decision to have the band...are you thinking, I have made a smart investment in my future health, or do you think of all the things you can "NEVER" eat again....By the way, my doctor does not give a list of foods you can "NEVER" have, but lists foods which commonly give band patients problems - otherwise everything in moderation. Best of Luck!

i am going for a revision after gaining back one hundred pounds after gastric bypass.i will be having a lapband. one more appt with doctor and then waiting for approval frooom medicare/medicaid. am very nervous about losing weight presurgery diet. will i be able to do it? must get off 3meds that cuse weight gain before surgery will start weanig off in two days. am concerned about hypogycemia and hair loss and costs of diet. i hope my shopping costs go down as i will be eating less. i have leiminated sugaar adn white foods. must get off caffeine too. are htere any revisionists in here? thanku abbagirl

May I ask how your surgery has helped your Type 2 diabetes? I am going to have bypass soon and am also Type 2 with great difficulty controlling because of severe insulin resistance. Do you still take meds and how is your blood sugar both pre and post op? Thank you. Ms. renkoss before surgery (vertical sleeve) my A1C was 12. At my last doctor's visit in December 2015, it was 6.5. I too have struggled with uncontrolled diabetes. I was even on the insulin pump before surgery. It helped control the diabetes, but I gained over 100 lbs. I am no longer on the pump and my sugar levels have leveled out. I still take 500 mgs of Metformin twice a day. Although I've been having a lot of lows, which makes me think maybe I don't even need The Metformin. My overall health has improved so much. I am so happy I had this surgery! Thank you so much for your response. This gives me so much hope that I will also be able to come off the insulin pump and only need the Metformin. I've been on so many different combinations in the past, and I've never lost weight while being on insulin. I too gained a great amount of weight since going back to insulin, and the funny thing is as I get older, the insulin resistance gets so much worse and that starts the vicious cycle of greater insulin resistance, more insulin needed, more weight gained in the stomach. It just has to end somewhere. Either the diabetes is going to get me, or gaining all this weight will.

I have an IUD and simply love it! No periods, no cramping, no weight gain, no side effects!!! And, I'm safe for 5 years! I would highly recommend you talking to your doctor about one! It's awesome!!!!!

Snacking on processed foods and eating fast food is one of the worst things that you can do while you are actively losing at the beginning. I know it is hard, but that handful of Cheetos is going to turn into several handfuls in the future if you don't try to put an end to it now. It takes just 14 Doritos to equal 140 calories. That is nothing. Saltine crackers are also very bad for you. Try to go without for the time being. When you are a little further along, do searches for protein pancakes. I will use those for sandwiches. I also use Flatout wraps on occasion. Anyway, the other posters advice about logging your food is sound. I use MyFitnessPal. It is tedious as first, but gets super easy in the long run as you already have your foods added. Try to purchase healthy snacks for the kids as well so that you will be less inclined to snack on bad things. Success or failure begins in your head. This surgery is going to help with the overeating, but that is it. It isn't going to stop you from eating junk food or other calorie dense foods. I once took a nutrition course that stated that if you list your main munches (snacking on salty and/or sweet treats, eating fast food, drinking soda etc.), each one of these can contribute between 20-30 pounds to your weight. I agree with that, and think that the weight gain due to the first two items can be lots more than the 30 pound limit. It is not too late to turn things around. You've got this, and you know what you must do to be successful. We are here for you. Just know that you deserve better than being overweight or obese. Society at large wants you to fail. Don't let it win! Good luck to you!

Continue what you're doing and try not to let what the scale is reporting discourage you. Lesson learned here from someone almost 13 months out at goal weight BUT if I was to do it all over again, I would have changed my strategy. I noticed early on post WLS that my weight loss would slow down every time I exercised, so I didn't exercise the majority of the time post surgery. I reached my goal in no time but I was left with a skinny fat body. I am now working out harder than ever and building muscle. This process is actually making me GAIN some weight which is kinda freaking me out, but my muscles are becoming lean ad strong. I'm losing inches despite the slight weight gain as I build muscle. In the long run having that muscle will help us both look better and let's face it, exercise will be vital in maintenance. Keep it up. You are on your way to an awesome, toned, healthy body!

Well today two things hit me and it hit me hard. :huh2: 1. I realized my hair is a bit thin in places, well that is from the first few weeks post op. I know I wasn't getting my Vitamins and Proteins the way I should have. Harder then you think on a total liquid diet. But now, I am back on track so it should start coming back (HOPEFULLY before the hubby comes home I will have some growth back). Not gonna stress it cause it happens, not much you can do but make sure you get all your vitamins and proteins. Which I am. 2. (and this one is the worst) I got on my scale today and 3 lbs are back from the abyss. I know its because I am back on a full foods diet (well mostly, but I still have partial liquid and/or mushies at times) and my body is trying to hold on to it. Guess its time to up my 30 minute elliptical trip to 45. I mean I was expecting some weight gain back, before my fill but it still hurts. Ok, that is my bitch for the day, I will get over it *counts* Ok, not full over it but getting there. Like I said I was expecting both but hoping neither happened. Who knows maybe the 3lbs is a delayed ToM bloat ( wishful thinking I know) cause I didn't really gain on that first day of my ToM and I am on my last days now. *deep breath* Ok, I am done, not fully over it but hey what are ya gonna do ya? :rolleyes2::cursing::thumbup::cursing::smile2::cursing:

I didn't lose weight my first three weeks, in fact I maintained the hospital five pound weight gain. Now its six weeks and about forty pounds down. Be patient with your body and kind to yourself. Good luck, it will come.