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@@VSGAnn2014 @@LipstickLady many people (out of shame) don't reconnect with support after weight gain. They feel they failed. Mistakes are made. My hope is they get back on the horse. I don't want them feel that they will be beat down for mistakes on this site. @@LipstickLady I would miss your slaps to the side of my head. I got my big girl panties on. No need to block you.

@@VSGAnn2014 @ I'm ok with making mistakes. I agree we should strive to do our best to get results. If people recognize their mistake or reach out for support after weight gain. They have to do the work. If they choose to get back on the horse, I will cheer them on. People that don't want to move forward...I don't invest my time.

I think we have all been there-those feelings! Unless I am reading your profile wrong - haven't you lost 19 pounds since surgery? If so...that is awesome - you may just be in a bit of a stall as your system tries to straighten out - that happened to almost everyone - I went back and checked and I was down 20 lbs 6 weeks out from surgery - where i had a week stall at the same weight (and a weight gain) even when following the program to a t - Now I know there is no way I could gain weight based on what I ate so It had to be Water weight etc - my recommendation (which you will see in many many posts) put the scale away or use it sparingly the first few months. I am 4 months out so still very new and weigh twice a week - fridays and mondays as i am able to eat more foods and I am exercising more - I want to see what the impact is on my weight in general. I want to make sure now that i am increasing my exercise and increasing my calories because the exercise is making me hhhuuunnngggrrryyyy that it is all still in line. so far so good. And I am sure it will all come in line for you as well - Countless posts are found here where the poster (me included) was second guessing or worried "if it is working" and by month 3 it is starting to make sense. Good luck to you!

I am 55 and I had the surgery about 6 weeks ago. My motivation wasn't to be thin and sexy but to hopefully live a longer and healthier life. I made the decision I didn't want to die of an obesity related condition. I didn't have any of them pre-surgery (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) but the writing was on the wall. I was gaining weight little by little every year and I knew as I got older it was just a matter of time before I would start having health issues from my weight. Plus, it is already harder to exercise as we get older but with each weight gain I was getting more sedentary. I decided to have the surgery while I was healthy to give myself the best chance of success. Good luck to you in your decision making. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey @@alishams86, I too have the nexplanon implant (this year in November will be my 3 year mark), but I was wondering if you have been noticing significant weight loss with it? I'm losing weight but not as fast as I thought being a bypass patient (and compared to others). I also felt like the implant had alot to do with my weight gain prior to surgery and after having my first child, but I have kept it because I like it's convenience and I just said I would work at trying to eat better and being more active. With that being said, have you noticed any weight changes or are you losing weight at a slower pace, or is it just me? Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

@OKCPirate- thanks for the insight and the website! I def think being back on my meds is the way to go, but I can definitely see that based on my "new" stomach, some doses may end up being too much as I continue to lose. But, at least I'm on the way (in both senses). And I trust my surgeon, so I think it'll be OK- I have tried a lot of meds over the years and Seroquel (even with the side effect of weight gain) worked best, and my surgeon thinks this combo is a good one for the VSG and my mental health in general. All of my doctor's can see the other's notes, so it's being monitored. Like you said, there's no one right answer, we all react differently! Thanks again for the advice!!

Hi! I was sleeved on 5/4/16 and am slightly over 2 months post-op. I've been losing steadily- down 20 lbs since surgery. I am also bipolar, but had not been on any psychiatric meds (other than Xanax for anxiety) for many years. I managed OK, but with this new, life-changing surgery and the mood swings I deal with, I decided it was best to go back on meds. I have a hard time finding a Psychiatrist with my insurance (though they approved the VSG surgery...?!). My family doctor prescribed me 10 mg of Prozac and 300 mg of Seroquel. I was on Seroquel years ago and I believe it contributed to my increasing weight gain back then. Not that it was the only cause, but I'm leery. I spoke with my surgeon who seems to think the Seroquel and Prozac is a good combo and I shouldn't worry about putting back on weight with the Seroquel. I am just curious if anyone else that had the VSG takes/has taken Seroquel post-op, and if you gained any weight back, or felt hungrier/ate more. Thanks in advance, Erin

@TheRealMeIsHere! It was hard to switch over from bariatric weight loss mode at first. I had to get my mind to accept that weight gain with muscle mass is ok. My goal is healthy. I'm in a female weight lifting class and loving it. You many be over training working out at 7 days a week. You don't want to burn muscle. To build muscle strength, days of rest between is needed. The muscle actually builds on your days of rest...See link http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/dimaggio12.htm

After RNY gastric bypass surgery, the three most important requirements are meeting your Protein, Fluid and Vitamin daily requirements. food is secondary because your body is converting your stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Weight loss is achieved by meal volume control. During the first 8 weeks following surgery, I was limited to 2 ounces of food per meal, 3 meals per day. That is a minuscule amount of food, only 1/4 cup per meal. This volume was slowly increased over the next 1 1/2 years to 1 cup per meal. My program limited me to Full liquid stage for the first 4 weeks and the pureed stage for the next four. Then I transitioned to solids. So there is nothing in my opinion that would prevent you from slowing down your transition to pureed foods. The main reason for liquid and pureed food stage is to allow your staple lines time to heal in your stomach. So if you transition to solids too soon, that would be my concern (not weight gain because your meal volume is incredible small.) The following article describes my experience with RNY gastric bypass. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf

that is not true all the time about the weight gain, I had surgery on june 6th and at my one week appointment I had lost 15 lbs I am just barley moving the scale down now though

I'm in phase 2 soft foods and I'm gaining weight I have gained about 5lbs in the first 5 days. Am I doing something wrong I'm eating 4 ounces every 4 hours like prescribed Sent from my SM-G935T using the BariatricPal App

I can't offer you a solution for the short term, but mine were always awfully painful. After surgery and 4 months of being in the fetal position with a heating pad on my back and my abdomen, I got an IUD, which I did not at all need for birth control (my husband had s vasectomy) and it has been miraculous! You may want to consider it. I did try the Depoprovera shot but was terrified of the weight gain side effect.

A few months ago, I changed up my workout routine. I now do 10 mins each recumbant bike and treadmill then various strength training exercises, working most every muscle group. I do this 7 days a week with very few exceptions. Recently I've noticed a 1-2 lb fluctuating weight gain and my pants seem really tight on my thighs. How do I know if I'm gaining lean muscle or fat?

Hi all, I'm doing fantastic!!! I know I shouldn't be saying this but I think I built it up to be such a scary thing that now that I am not feeling so bad I am so relieved. Here is my story for anyone that wants to know what I did for Orbera: 6;30am - Admitted into Hospital 8:00am - Met doctor and anaesthetist 8:30am - They administered the sedation 9:30am - I woke up with a big smile on my face, didn't feel a thing. My throat was a bit sore and my lips were dry but other than that I felt amazing and had a good chat with the nurse. I even had to ask if they had done the procedure as I felt no different. Even sat on my phone messaging family to say everything went ok. 9:30am - 10:30am - I sat up as I was getting bored and they administered two lots of IV fluids 10:30am - They offered me some liquid food, I opted for some milky tea (I drank it with a spoon as not to have too much), I had half a cup and then a few licks of an icelolly. I felt only marginally queazy after this but I held it down and the nurses were very happy for me to go home. All my vitals were fine. 11:00am - I was discharged!! So very very pleasant! 11:30am - Walking to the car I got a slight wave of nausea and felt a lot of spit in my mouth. I used the barf bag they gave me but really it felt like some excess saliva in the mouth and not vomit at all. There was no wretching whatsoever. I then came home and lay in bed and had three sips of chicken broth and a few sips of a protein shake. I'm a bit uncomfortable and every now and then I burp, but genuinely all very manageable. I have only had one painful cramp but other than that all good. Before I had the protein shake I had this empty feeling in my stomach like I was extremely hungry but then a queazy feeling of fullness - it was weird, but a few sips of protein shake sorted that out. I wanted to add a few sidenotes: I have a very high threshold for pain and managed all my labours painfree (even the one that lasted 36 hours!). On my scale the pain so far with the Orbera is honestly no more than a 1-2 but I am sure some people handle pain differently. Also I had awful morning sickness during all my pregnancies and miscarriages (9 in total), it was terrible, I was unable to get out of bed most mornings and I was miserable, I had to be hospitalised several times for IV drips. So I expected this to be worse than the morning sickness and in all honestly so far it is a walk in the park in comparison to pregnancy. I know it is early days so it might not stay this way. But I thought I would post my positive experience so far. I'm holding fluids down very well but not hungry at all. I'm sipping water every now and then and then some broth. My tips would be to take lip balm with you as your lips get very dry and don't eat anything remotely solid at the hospital. The nurse wanted me to try something a bit thicker after the tea and icelolly and I flat out refused. I think that is why I have not puked yet. I'm also completely pathetic and got on the scales when I went to the bathroom and I am up 2kgs! I know its all the IV fluids and I believe the Orbera itself should have a fair bit of liquid in it which adds to the weight gain. So I guess that will be very normal. Just preparing you all! Onwards and Upwards! Hope this helps whoever wants to know...

Thank you so much for sharing your strategies. I've employed much of the same strategies, unfortunately with a lot more medication. I just hope that when I'm post instead of peri, I can sleep better! I didn't manage the insomnia very well. I honestly think the insomnia contributed to my continuing weight gain through my 50s and 60s. There's all kinds of research that links insomnia and weight gain. Here's what I'm doing these days that's helping a lot: * Post-WLS I'm drinking less coffee than I did before -- no more than a cup a day. That is helping. * I'm exercising a lot more than I did 100 pounds ago -- and that physically "wears me out" and lets me rest better at night. * About 50% of the nights I take either a Melatonin or half an Ambien. It helps. Sometimes. * Since WLS I go to bed when my husband goes to bed, in other words -- at the same time every night. Following that sleep schedule rule really does help. * I manage my reflux a lot better since WLS -- meaning that I actually take my H2 blocker antacid (Ranitadine) every day and on time. * Since losing 100 pounds, I don't have stress incontinence and don't have to get up during the night to pee anymore. Not a single time. * Finally, I'm just a lot less stressed at 100 pounds less than I used to weigh than I used to be. I fall asleep easier and generally sleep better throughout the night. However, one thing I have NOT conquered that still messes with my sleep is to deal with the damned cat who always wants out when I'm sleeping soundly; I then have trouble getting back to sleep. I think the cat and I are going to have a serious discussion. I think he's going to have to spend the whole night outside from now on. Thanks for making me focus on this a little better. The cat won't appreciate it, but I do.

I'm three years post op. I think the biggest mistake I have made was to believe that I was "normal" . I felt good about my weight for the first time in my adult life. People were nicer to me. I was nicer to me. It felt really good. But something clicked in my brain. I was angry for losing all those years that I didn't & couldn't live a normal life. I was angry for losing my Father to Alzheimer's. I was angry that I had to move in with my Mother (my choice but not easy) to help her after my Father died. So what do I do when I am angry? Yep, you guessed it, I eat. All of a sudden I felt as if I had starved myself for three years so I ate whatever I wanted. I didn't plan any meals and I grazed all day. That's what normal people do, right? Anyway I was maintaining for a year ,even though I didn't reach my goal. Then maintenance turned into fighting 3 -5 pounds, up and down, up and down. Then it turned into weight gain that refuses to budge. I'm up 18 pounds and I know what I'm supposed to do but I don't know why I don't do it.

Thanks for that information. I'm hoping I miss the insomnia because one thing I couldn't live without is constant coffee throughout the day and night. Menopause is something I Guess I will bring up at my 3 year appointment with my surgeon. What I can expect and what I can do to minimise any weight gain. Better to be prepared I think. That's one think I can add to my list of things I am great full to the sleeve for I am now so Organised and always planning ahead. So different from my previous lifestyle. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I didn't manage the insomnia very well. I honestly think the insomnia contributed to my continuing weight gain through my 50s and 60s. There's all kinds of research that links insomnia and weight gain. Here's what I'm doing these days that's helping a lot: * Post-WLS I'm drinking less coffee than I did before -- no more than a cup a day. That is helping. * I'm exercising a lot more than I did 100 pounds ago -- and that physically "wears me out" and lets me rest better at night. * About 50% of the nights I take either a Melatonin or half an Ambien. It helps. Sometimes. * Since WLS I go to bed when my husband goes to bed, in other words -- at the same time every night. Following that sleep schedule rule really does help. * I manage my reflux a lot better since WLS -- meaning that I actually take my H2 blocker antacid (Ranitadine) every day and on time. * Since losing 100 pounds, I don't have stress incontinence and don't have to get up during the night to pee anymore. Not a single time. * Finally, I'm just a lot less stressed at 100 pounds less than I used to weigh than I used to be. I fall asleep easier and generally sleep better throughout the night. However, one thing I have NOT conquered that still messes with my sleep is to deal with the damned cat who always wants out when I'm sleeping soundly; I then have trouble getting back to sleep. I think the cat and I are going to have a serious discussion. I think he's going to have to spend the whole night outside from now on. Thanks for making me focus on this a little better. The cat won't appreciate it, but I do.

I had sad news this morning my SIL passed away (lung cancer) only 58. She was diagnosed about 8 months ago and was told at the time she only had a 1% chance of survival. She had op and a few rounds of chemo. She kept it from friends and only the immediate family knew, she was still going in to work a couple of days a week. She founded and ran a charity for disabled youngsters to enable them to meet up and have a social life. Her youngest is 22 and he has cerebral palsy and this was her motivation. Even though it was expected it was so sudden, last week she was at the Glastonbury Festival with her family. Weight gain seems very insignificant today.

sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that can cause weight gain beside high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke & diabetes. It doesn't go away with ear plugs. I would be learning everything possible.

Sleeve surgery, like the band, isn't magic. There are people who do well initially, but, regain because they go back to weight-gaining foods. You might work with a therapist knowledgeable about food issues. You can also register at shrinkyourself.com (either the free version or the pay, it's up to you). A well-regarded book is "The Beck Diet Solution,"* Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., cognitive behaviorist and heir to the Beck Institute. The latter two will be most useful if you do the exercises. Beck is meant to be read/worked from page one, not at random. * Not her later book with a similar title and a food plan which isn't suited to WLS and contains less learning & support material.

I'm scheduled for surgery on the 12th of July and i want to know everyone's experience after surgery years down the line have y'all kept the weight of and does ur hunger come back is the surgery worth the money Sent from my SM-N900T using the BariatricPal App

Well I guarantee your weight gain is from Coke and wine and whatever other empty calories you are consuming, not from the steroids. Once I was maintaining below goal I have stopped any regains immediately if I pop even 1 pound above my bounce range. 2 things have worked for me.... 1) full on preop liquid protein "preop" diet. Three protein shakes/day and unlimited leafy green veggies. At least 80g protein and 100oz water. Usually only takes a few days of this to drop several pounds and to curb any carb cravings that have taken hold. Or 2) go back to just protein and veggies. Still the same protein/water goals but my overall calories are higher and it may take a couple weeks to drop a few pounds. If you cut out all refined carbs (including Coke, alcohol, pasta, bread, rice, etc) and just go back to the same basics that helped you lose during those first 6-12 months you WILL lose those 40 pounds. It may take several months, but isnt that why we had surgery? To lose weight and keep it off? And remember You've got your sleeve forever. Let your sleeve do what it does (portion control) and you do what you need to do (make smart choices) and it will work.

So what and how much are you eating compared to when you were losing weight? That's what you really need to look at. steroids don't magically make you gain weight on their own. I've been on both prednisone and methylprednisolone for cervical stenosis and pinched nerves since my VSG 2 1/2 years ago and did not gain any weight because I still made myself eat on plan. Basically steroids cause weight gain because of 1) Fluid retention, which can partially be controlled with a low sodium/high potassium diet; 2) increased appetite, which you need to still keep in check with mindful eating. Track and measure every bite if you have to. and 3) decreased activity due to pain or doctor ordered restrictions. But in the end, weight loss and gain has to do what you put in your mouth, not necessarily how much you excercise. Go back to basics. Lots of Water and Protein. Watch your carb and sodium intake very carefully. Try resetting yourself with a week or two of Protein shakes only or try the 5 day pouch test.

What colour are you now and what colour do you intend to become? Wine is my downfall because when we have the wine we also have crisps and chocolate. So lots of calories but no nutrition. See I know what the problem is I'm just not tackling it. At least Sheryl you have upped your exercise to compensate for things. I'm not doing any at the moment. I don't like exercise and I did have to force myself to do it but I must admit I do feel better afterwards. I need to get my head in the right place again. How come weight gained is twice as hard to lose?