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Hormones. You can gain Water weight easily during your cycle times, and especially in the first couple of months the hormone dump is going to be crazy insane. Fat stores hormones and as you drop fat, it all gets flushed back into your system and will cause all sorts of fun side effects like random weight gain, mood swings and such. You'll see weight fluctuate often during this whole journey. Just keep doing what you're supposed to be doing and it will work out.

So prior to my surgery on 4/20 my boyfriend and I didn't use birth control. Because of my weight, it would have been difficult for us to get pregnant. We don't really want to, but we were of the mindset that if it happens it happens. Post surgery, if it happens its a big deal and a bad thing for the first year. My gyno suggested iud, but I've heard too many horror stories from close friends and everyone seems to know someone who's had issues with it. I know there are plenty that don't, however the risk doesn't seem to outweigh the reward for me. I'm also not really into the idea of having to go in and have a procedure should we change our minds and want kids. So my gyno wasn't into giving me a pill because she did a little research and found it could be less effective if you have gastric sleeve surgery. My surgeon said no, it's fine and my gyno agreed to prescribe it for me. After picking up my pills I started to be concerned with weight gain which I know is a very common side effect of the pill. I read up on the pill I was prescribed and found all kinds of women posting that it made them gain weight and now I'm terrified. We really don't want to go back to condoms, but we really also don't want to yet pregnant! It's become a real problem and a huge stressor for me! Help friends! What's your advice other than just get the iud. I'm not willing to do it even if you dont have issues with it. Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

That's simply not true. My weight gain was a DIRECT result of high doses of oral prednisone as well as IV decadron combined with lack of movement due to rheumatoid arthritis for 9 long years. It completely destroyed my adrenal function. I ate very healthfully with an occasional snack. But nothing in crazy excess. I simply lacked metabolism, my RMR was zilch and physically I couldn't move. The only way I could lose weight after many consultations, crying at different docs offices, was WLS. Coupled with some of the studies showing that some people with autoimmune disorders were showing signs of remission, my decision was made. And it was the best one ever! I was in some form of extreme pain almost daily for 9 years. Since surgery- one flare that lasted 2 days and was very manageable.

Agree with @@Inner Surfer Girl -- women earn less than men, but are more likely to be single head of household with children depending on them, thus depleting their financial resources even more. They also, even when partnered with a man, spend more time on childcare and house care than men do. So, they have less money to buy healthy food, and less time to exercise or to devote to education. Also, being poor and being primary caregiver for a child are both significant causes of stress. Being stressed and living in poor neighborhoods can cause a lack of sleep. If you are working two or three jobs, probably some of them are at night, also messing up your sleep. Stress levels and poor sleep are also known to contribute to weight gain.

At first glance, it scares me, too! I would worry that consciously or subconsciously, the user would feel freer to use the device as an excuse to eat more or make poorer choices. Most (probably all) of us who got to be overweight haven’t been eating completely mindlessly. We know already that some of our choices are bad, and we try to make better ones like cutting back on serving size and choosing healthier foods. We may not do it well enough – that’s why the weight came on – but there generally is some sort of self-restriction going on. I would worry that the Aspire Assist would lead users to be less cautious about eating habits, leading to no weight loss (or even weight gain) and the development of eating habits that are even harder to kick. Another concern for me would be the removal of the device. Some of us depend on our weight loss surgery restrictive tools (pouch, stoma, or sleeve) for life, but Aspire Assist patients wouldn’t have the option of the constant companion. I guess they could go back to it if needed, but that’s not the goal (I don’t think). @@Guineakitty, Thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds like you are using the tool exactly as it was meant to be used, and it is working exactly as it was meant to work. Congratulations on getting to goal weight, and good luck maintaining in the years to come!

If you bypass the usage with Aspire, you gain weight. With weight gaining, the tube will become too short, and you have 2 choices. Either you jump on to the train again, using the Aspire as it should be used. Or, you will be told by ur nurse it doctor that the tube have to come out. An extra control that the patient uses the device in the right way.

Well I'm blessed not to have any pain, I can cross my legs, so forth and so on. I was denied however 2 rides at cedar point due to the lap belt not fitting. Quite embarrassing especially in front of my kids. I dress well but... I'm looking forward to not having to shop in the plus size section. Wearing the size 8 shoe that I was accustomed to before the weight gain put me into a 10. The 20 year class reunion cruise I'm booked for in May 2017. I'm 36. Most people who don't know me think I'm late 20's early 30s. NOT GOOD ENOUGH! I'm hoping to de-AGE by at least 10 years. Not feeling so insecure in pictures. I will do a photo shoot once I reach goal weight. I could go on and on but those are a few on the top of my list.

Happy Father's Day from BariatricPal!#subject#> body,div,dl,dt,dd,ul,ol,li,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6,pre,form,fieldset,input,textarea,p,blockquote,th,td { margin:0; padding:0; } table { border-collapse:collapse; border-spacing:0; } fieldset,img { border:0; } address,caption,cite,code,dfn,th,var { font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; } caption,th { text-align:left; } h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { font-size:100%; font-weight:normal; } q:before,q:after { content:''; } abbr,acronym { border:0; } address{ display: inline; } html, body { background-color: #d8dde8; color: #5a5a5a; } body { font: normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif; position: relative; } h3, strong { font-weight: bold; } em { font-style: italic; } img, .input_check, .input_radio { vertical-align: middle; } legend { display: none; } table { width: 100%; } td { padding: 3px; } a { color: #225985; text-decoration: none; } a:hover { color: #328586; } div.outer { margin: 0 auto; padding: 14px; } table.wrap { max-width: 800px; margin: 0 auto; } td.logo { background-color: #0f3854; padding: 8px; } td.content { background-color: #fff; font-size: 14px !important; color: black !important; line-height: 150% !important; padding: 8px; } ul { margin-left: 25px; } Hey BariatricPal Members! Happy Father’s Day from BariatricPal! Today is the day when we take some time to appreciate our fathers or any father figures in our lives even more than usual. We at BariatricPal hope you have some special time scheduled with your family to appreciate each other. We also hope you’re using this as another chance to re-energize your WLS success efforts, since there’s a good chance that part of the reason why you’re in this journey is because of your family. If you are indeed looking for a little inspiration, we hope to give it to you! Here’s what you’ll find in this newsletter. Showing Gratitude with Health dinner Dad’s Way: Easy Peasy and Healthy Starting a Healthy Father’s Day Tradition If that’s not enough to keep you motivated, there’s plenty more help over on the BariatricPal Forums. Don’t forget to logon and join the fun – after you’ve said “Thanks” and “I love you” to Dad, of course! Here’s to weight loss surgery and what it can do to strengthen your family! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Showing Gratitude with Health A Healthy You Is A Better You Holidays like Father’s Day may make you think a little more about others. You might think about what you can do to be a better parent, or how you can show your parents how much you appreciate them. In all that generosity, you might forget about your own health, or feel guilty about focusing on yourself once in a while. After all, the pre-op prep and post-op recovery from weight loss surgery already demands a lot of time and energy that you aren’t spending on your family. But, the weeks, months, and years following weight loss surgery are just as important. To succeed long term, you need to take care of yourself. And that’s not selfish. All of your loved ones benefit when you are energetic, happy, and healthy. You can be more involved in family activities, and save money on healthcare costs. The effort you put into your own health is not just for you. It’s for your family, too. Share the Health Your healthy behaviors don’t happen in a vacuum. They happen in the middle of real life, and that’s great. You can be an excellent role model for your children and spouse just by sticking to your commitments and intentions. You can also actively involve them in a healthy lifestyle. You don’t need to be overbearing about. It can be as simple as inviting them to walk with you to the post office, letting them choose between carrot sticks and bell pepper strips when you pack lunches, and taking fun outings like hiking as a family. As health becomes the norm, your whole family can win. Dinner Dad’s Way: Easy Peasy and Healthy It may be a stereotype, but we’ll play along: not all dads are the best cooks. You may remember the occasional day in your childhood when Dad was responsible for looking after you and your siblings for the evening. What did you have for dinner? eggs? Cereal? Chinese takeout? Maybe you’re a father who’s guilty of this same behavior! Hey, whatever works to keep the kids happy and fed, right? Well, we have a better option. Keep the kids happy while getting a weight loss meal for yourself with no extra effort. Sound good? Here’s the scoop. Cereal for Dinner – a Classic “Dad” Dinner If cereal is your go-to, take a look at The BariatricPal Store’s cereal choices with about 15 grams of Protein and only about 120 calories per serving. We’re not talking about tasteless “health” cereals here. We’re talking about old favorites like cocoa flavored pops and honey nut circles. Yum! Add cow or soy milk for extra protein, or serve it with almond milk for a low-cal cereal “dinner.” If you want to be a super-dad, offer your kids fresh fruit or treats like raisins, coconut, nuts, or even chocolate chips so they feel special on their evening home with Dad. Cooking 101: Eggs If there’s one thing a guy knows how to cook, it’s probably eggs. But if you don’t know how to cook eggs, or you didn’t stock up on fresh eggs, or you just don’t want to try to get your college cooking skills back by experimenting on your children, you have another choice: BariatricPal instant Protein Omelets. You can grab them from your pantry and get them ready in minutes. Each bacon and cheese or vegetable omelet packet has 15 grams of protein and 100 calories. You can eat yours straight, but your children may want a little more oomph from Dad. Get your creative juices flowing and give them an omelet to remember! If your children like vegetables, make them a colorful, crunchy omelet with diced bell peppers, tomatoes, broccoli florets, or any other veggie they love. You can eat the veggie omelet on its own, and serve it on toast for your kids. Top it with cheese, avocado slices, or salsa to make it a dinner to remember. Chinese Takeout Minus the Weight Gain Weigh the options. With Chinese takeout, you need to go get your food or wait up to an hour to be delivered. Then, you have way too many calories and carbs from fried rice, egg rolls, chow mein, and breaded sweet and sour chicken. The alternative? Grab a box of Spicy Chicken Oriental from your pantry and serve the family in minutes. The meal has 240 calories and 14 grams of protein – that’s quite a bargain for delicious chicken and rice! If you’re feeling super ambitious, start with Protein Fettuccine and Asian Inspired Pasta Sauce, and let your imagine take over. Toss in diced chicken or shrimp and bok choy and other vegetables, and serve up some healthy chow mein to make your children proud. Starting a Healthy Father’s Day Tradition If there’s one thing that makes a healthy lifestyle easier, it’s habit. You’re way more likely to get to the gym if you don’t stop to think about it. You’re way more likely to keep the junk food out of your grocery cart if you automatically steer past the aisles with packaged snack foods and frozen desserts. And packing a healthy lunch is way easier if you just know what’s going to go into it each day. So why not add another healthy behavior to your arsenal on this Father’s Day? You can kill two birds with one stone by spending some quality Dad time while you work on a new healthy tradition. It can be something for you and Dad, for you and your kids, or maybe for all three generations to look forward to every year. Here are a few ideas: - Healthy barbecue with chicken breast, veggie or turkey burgers, - An early morning fishing trip followed by feasting on your protein catch and a summer fruit salad to die for. - A trip to the beach or a local park for some volleyball, swimming, soccer, or a treasure hunt (if you have young ones around!). - A healthy gift exchange, with great gifts like a gift card to The BariatricPal Store, a set of partner training sessions for you and Dad with a personal trainer, or a sampler of grab and go protein Snacks like protein bars, salmon jerky, and peanuts. Whatever healthy tradition you start, you can rest easy knowing that’s one more day out of the year that you’ll be solidifying your healthy lifestyle while building those family ties. And when all is said and done, that’s what weight loss surgery is all about, right? Thanks for reading the newsletter and supporting BariatricPal. Have a wonderful, safe, and healthy Father’s Day, and keep letting us know how your weight loss surgery journey is going. Let this be a summer to be proud of! · Unsubscribe from all BariatricPal E-Mail.

The weight gain from IV and swelling, Water retention are pretty obvious things with any procedure. The 3 week stall, while unexplained I think it's the bodies why of responding like WTF just happened?

Ok, question for all you preops and maybe newly sleeved folks....Have ANY of your surgeons or nuts explained to you that you will gain a bunch of weight while you are in the hospital for your surgery? In general, this is from the IV fluids they give you and from all the inflammation and swelling caused by the surgery itself. And have any of you been told that you will likely have a stall at about 3 weeks postop? Did they explain stalls to you at all? The reason I ask is because over half the posts from newbies are about these two subjects. (Those and the ones asking if it's OK that they just ate a cookie or a slice of pizza 2 weeks postop cause their mean family doesn't support them by keeping these things out of the house) Everyone that spends more than an hour on any WLS forum knows about these things. I just don't understand why surgeons aren't preparing their patients for the normal post surgical things that tend to send so many into such a panic. Just curious if anyone is actually being given any helpful instructions prior to WLS, or are you just left to fend for yourself on the Internet?

I can tell you they do not like to do the band removal and the sleeve at the same time. I was fortunate because I know my surgeon personally and he knows I will run to him or call him if there are any issues. He told me before my surgery that he would do it only if it was safe to do it once he got in there. He explained that about 5% of the cases they can't do it at the same time. My advice is to possibly see if there is another surgeon that will try to do them at the same time. The other thing is that you all are not wanting to do the EGD - well, that's what provided me with the ammunition I needed for my insurance to cover the revision surgery. As long as you have something to support the need to have it done, in addition to your weight gain then you'll probably be able to get it approved. The doctors know what they need to do to get the procedure approved. The one thing I will tell you is the sleeve is very different. Be prepared to be super tired and weak for a week or more.. it may not be the same with you. I'm used to being able to bounce back fast. I haven't had real pain, the drain was a pain and it was in for 12 days.. and that made it a little difficult to do much. But.. it's not bad.

As others have discussed, some of the supplements commonly taken by bariatric patients such as Biotin and B12 can cause acne breakouts or exacerbate existing skin problems. I have stayed far away from biotin since it caused a horrific breakout two years ago when I took it to try to speed up hair growth after a hair cut. My dermatologist told me that biotin and excessive B Vitamins can cause acne breakouts in many people. Hormonal fluctuations can also cause breakouts, and losing weight can cause your hormones to fluctuate. For the most part, my acne has gotten better since having surgery, though. I have PCOS and have struggled with acne because of that for a while. I was taking medicine that cleared up my skin, but caused weight gain. I gradually went off that medicine post-surgery, and had some breakouts along the way. Some things that have helped me - - Simplifying my skincare routine. In the past I was using so many different products in a desperate hope for it clearing up my skin that they caused more problems than they resolved. Now I use rose Water on a cotton pad to clean my face in the morning, and only La Roche Posay products. I use their Effaclar face wash at night, and the toner a few times a week. I put a very thin layer of the spot treatment on as needed. Overdoing it with these products can lead to peeling, so I've learned to be careful. I also use a serum and moisturizer by this line. - Being very careful with all vitamins and supplements. I read through the labels and make sure they don't overdo it with B vitamins. The ones I've responded to the best are Garden of Life's Vitamin Code Multivitamin and Flintstones Complete with Iron (one or the other, not both). I take a multivitamin, and Vitamin D, and peppermint oil supplement (for acne and other PCOS issues; you can find it on Amazon inexpensively). About 4 months post op I took a B-12 supplement for a week when I was trying to bounce back from being sick, and it caused a month's worth of acne. I've had very little hair loss. - Not using heavy makeup, creams, or anti-aging products. I'd been using some Lancome anti-aging products that came in a gift with purchase bag, and my dermatologist said it was far too heavy for my skin. He said to use lighter weight products and avoid ones designed to be anti-aging. - Using fragrances sparingly. At the advice of my dermatologist I use fragrance-free laundry detergent and fabric softener because he said they can cause breakouts. I avoid putting things with fragrances on my face. - Changing my pillowcases three times a week. I bought extra sets so I can change them out quickly. - Using SLS free products. SLS in toothpaste and hair products can cause breakouts in some people with more sensitive skin. Loreal has an inexpensive, readily available line, and you can find many other options as well. - Having a facial once a month by a reputable esthetician.

I feel like I'm much more open and free than I was this time last year. I'd dread running into people I hadn't seen in a while because I knew my weight gain would be noticeable, and would only attend social functions out of fairness to my husband. I was much more self-absorbed because I constantly was self-conscious about myself instead of focusing outwards. I was hibernating in a way, still alive but not engaged in life. I'm living again now.

I too have had the gurling i had the sleve on june 6 th and so much want to eat food lol i have been on this pr op and post op diet since may 29th im wondering how soon did you get to start eating food again i go for my post op on june 21 st all seems to be going well i was able to return back to work on june 13th and just have been a little more tired then usuall but am able to walk the 2 blocks to and from the office i work in i too also had some weight gain in hosp i started my weight at 352 on day of surgery i was 320 and am now at about the 320 mark still coming home from hosp at 327 which i found to be very depressing wondering what the normal weight loss for all of you were from week to week

Hello everyone! It's been more than a year since I've checked in with the group and a lot has changed in my life. I've lost the job I had for more than 10 years, started at a company I've wanted to work for for a very long time but feared layoff would rear it's ugly head again and started working for another company that I've respected, admired and wanted to be a part of for even longer than the other one. In that time, I've ignored my band, didn't get fills and gained a lot of weight back. My weight gain was my fault, not the band. But I am here to get refocused, rededicated and get back on the right track again. Will you help hold me accountable?

Hi, Last week one of the pre-op doctors and I almost came to blows. First off I have an IUD and am 49 do not have a partner. But I had not taken a pregnancy test. We went back and forth and he said "do you want your date canceled"? So I went ahead and took the test. The next day I was sleeved, 6/8. They will find any little things including weight gain to make sure you are ready. So just hang in there and brace yourself for these things. And do not be like me and wait to kick caffeine. Going through recovery and having the headache from hell was not fun. So you will be able to breath and sleep better going forward after the having the study. Just do what they say and keep on track. I am so hungry right now it is crazy. Go ahead and eat something you really, really like not overboard and not same week of surgeryand follow it up with walking to burn the calories. If you gain even an ounce though they will stop you. Just be smart about it. Funny my daughter is 15 her name is also Mia, that was my screen name for along time MamaMia. Wishing you all the best, be strong! Walk, walk, walk! My start weight was 280.1 currently at 235 post-op. Still getting rid of the surgical gas that stays in your body. It is no joke it hurt my shoulders and neck but went away in a couple days. If you have any questions feel free to reach out. Good luck! Michele

I had to take a standard personality test before the psch eval. The Pschologist then went over the test which didn't reveal anything I didn't already know. He then asked me what I thought led to my weight gain and what kind of support system I had for after the surgery and if I had a current therapist. That was about it. Took all of maybe 30 minutes. Just answer the quetions honestly and you will do great.

I am 2 year post sleeve surgery. Had lost 125 with about 50 more to go. I have an autoimmune disorder so for last 3 months I have been on prednisone and have been eating everything. I have gained 18 pds. I am so upset. Why can't I stop eating... Ugh Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Ashleyconder Obesity and depression are diseases - just like diabetes, asthma, etc. You can't just decide "I'm not going to be depressed today". It could very well be hormonal - similar to post partum depression. Depression symptoms need to be treated just like diabetes symptoms. With PCOS, you have hormonal issues going on, increased testosterone, weight gain, slow metabolism, etc.- which can all contribute to your mental health - and it's all a vicious cycle. It's unfortunate that your high school got involved in anyone's weight "issues" (if they are even issues - especially if they're going by the unrealistic BMI chart). I was considered obese in High School - I weighed 140 lbs (5'2"). I'd be dancing in the streets if I weight ONLY 140 lbs right now. This is your journey - don't let anyone interfere! I'm also the fat sister of a beautiful, normal-sized, smart and successful woman but I'm never jealous of her - she has her own battles to fight and no one is perfect! One thing I strongly encourage is for you to go to therapy with someone with bariatric WLS experience. I've been since April - and it really has helped me - in more than just food related issues. Good luck - I look forward to watching you journey!!! Kristen

Jan 31st: Info session Feb 11th: Meeting with surgeons staff, got my requirements binder starting making appointments March/April/May: 3 month weigh ins and nutritional meetings, tons of appointments (psych, sleep study, cardio, etc etc) May 11th : Minor set back due to weight gain June 1st: last weigh in made June 2nd: Submitted to Insurance June 14th: Approved June 30th: Surgery Date Scheduled Excited, Scared, Shocked, Nauseous, Ready, Not Ready and everything in between!!! Sent from my SM-G920T using the BariatricPal App

Definitely no need to worry. Your body is healing and recovering from a lot of trauma. There could be any number of causes of temporary weight gain, the most likely of which is water retention due to internal swelling. I can guarantee you that you aren't gaining pounds of actual fat right now!

Hi. I was sleeved June 8. I was down (pre-and post-op) from 310 to 282. Then the last 3 days I've gained weight. Now I'm 286. I have my one week follow up appointment today, but should I be concerned about weight gain? I'm following their instructions and diet... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You sound pretty determined. Your determination will be your strongest asset in regaining your health and staying healthy. I will double down on what others have already said -- that WLS long-term success requires significant lifestyle and behavioral changes -- re what you eat, how much you exercise / move, your eating habits (eating slower, not drinking with meals, etc.), and for many people changing the ground rules for many of their relationships, both personal and professional. Some resources that have been hugely helpful to me in addressing these changes in my own life include: * I've been in therapy for two years (started just before WLS -- I'm sleeved). It's been so helpful in helping me learn how to care for my own needs before caring for others' needs. My greatly improved self-care has been critical to my losing 100 pounds and maintaining that weight loss for a year. * I'm a pretty regular measurer of my foods and liquids. Without that consistency I'd definitely be experiencing "portion creep." Two of the foods I consistently underestimate are cheese and nuts. My eye thinks that 1.5 - 2.0 ounces of cheese is 1 ounce. And my guesstimates about nuts are just, well, nuts! As high-calorie as both these foods are, they can present problems over time. And they're not the only ones. * I have planned and tracked all my meals / Snacks / everything on the online food tracker at www.myfitnesspal.com. * I weigh every morning. Not everyone can or even should do this. But everyone should weigh at the same interval -- whether it's once a day, every week, every month, etc. It's easy when you don't weigh regularly to ignore the impact of developing eating problems and the resulting weight gain. That's how some people wake up one morning and realize they've "suddenly" regained 20 pounds. Re measuring and tracking, I do not know how anyone knows for sure how much they're eating without measuring and tracking or how their intake might be slowly changing over time. I challenge everyone pre-op to measure and then track their food intake for at least one week to learn and/or confirm just how much they're actually eating in terms of macronutrients (calories / Protein / carbs / fat). Finally, the folks who seem (to me) to have the most problems along the way are those who have WLS so they'll "never have to diet again." Usually what they mean is that they don't want to ever have to make any future tough choices about what to eat or how much to eat -- because they expect their new gastrointestinal system will make those choices for them or somehow negate the impact of the bad choices they do make. Please believe me when I say that even after WLS you will still have to make plenty of tough choices about what to eat and drink. You're about to put your foot on the road to health. That road and your journey will never end. Good luck to you.

I plan fully on committing to this. I never said I wasn't going to. I was asking if this can help when weight gain before was from eating crap vs eating large portions of everything.

yes! I think the smaller sizes are often not worn because people buy them hoping they will fit, trying to loose weight. when they don't loose weight they donate. or if they are lightly worn it's due to weight gain. Glad you found some lovely things!