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I've heard/read a lot of people say that "you have to get your head right" if you want to succeed in WLS. I'm not really into counseling; I guess I just don't believe in trying to change my thoughts and I find the idea of therapy kind of... contrived? (I really don't mean to offend people who do find counseling helpful; if it helps you, awesome! I'm just skeptical that it would do me any good.) I also had a bad experience in the past with being forced into counseling with an unethical therapist, which soured my view of counseling. I really want to succeed at WLS, though, so I'm willing to give counseling a shot if there's a chance it could help. I never thought I'd willingly eat mashed cauliflower, either, but I've opened my mind to things I wouldn't have tried before surgery. Plus, I've reached my out-of-pocket maximum on my health insurance, so any counseling I get before the end of the year would be fully paid by my insurance. So, does anyone who has gotten counseling specifically related to WLS have any advice, or can you share how it has helped you? What should I look for in a therapist? I've done a cursory search of nearby therapists in my insurance network, and I haven't seen any of them specifically mention things like WLS, food issues, or eating disorders. I don't think I have an eating disorder (like binge eating disorder) and I don't think I am really an "emotional eater," but I do think I have some food issues and some baggage relating to eating and weight that have contributed to my weight gain. Would someone who deals with "mood disorders" cover that, or should I look for someone with specific expertise in eating disorders or WLS patients?

I don't know, but a lot of people say they affect them that way. My daughter was on Paxil and didn't tolerate it very well. I think at one time I myself was on it. There's been a lot of tries and mistries over the past 17+ years. I think there's something about some of these drugs that can make certain things addictive or compulsive. Like I've heard people on certain drugs could spend money out of control so it wouldn't surprise me if the drug had that same effect with food etc... I know a lot of them tend to slow down your metabolism and that in itself makes it difficult. But it's much better to be on than off even if it does slow down your wt loss in some way. Plus they put out statements saying that this drug doesn't seem to affect your weight gain or may make you lose and my docs always would put me on those types and it never made a difference in me. I don't know who those people are that lose weight on anti-depressants but it's definitely not moi!:confused2:

I was on antidepresants for over 20 years. They took mine off the market because it causes liver failure. I tried just about every other one and just couldn't handle the side effects. About the same time, I decided to try to lose weight and started exercising like crazy. I didn't lose any weight but I noticed pretty quickly how much better I felt when I exercised daily. I haven't had to take anitdepressants for about 3 years now. I never lost any weight with all this exercise, but getting off those meds was worth it. That's why I ended up getting banded. I realize now that I started gaining weight all those years ago, when I started on anti depressants. Two of my best friends are shrinks and they tell me all the time that weight gain is a side effect of almost any antidepressants. The anti anxiety med you are taking is a central nervous system depressant and a side effect can be depression. So yes, all of your medication can be related to weight gain. One of the many antidepressants I took caused huge sugar cravings. They tried to give it to me again for insomnia, in smaller doses and I notice immediately when I take the tiniest dose that the next day I crave sugar like crazy. Have you googled your meds and read all about the possible side effects? I always have every single one possible for every med I have tried. My daughter always tells me that I get the side effects after reading they are possible. It's the other way around. I get the side effect so I go online and try to find out what could be causing it. Anyway, I am really happy to be off all meds since I exercise every day. I wish you the best. This is not an easy problem to deal with, I know very well.

Nothing I've tried (except time) has made my saggy skin shrink, though I didn't expect it to. Lots of moisturizers have improved the texture of my skin, which improves the overall look, but I had a lot of stretch marks from weight gain--I already knew my skin wasn't all that elastic!

Allright I know my Doc told me that it might happen but why I havent changed anything as far eating goes and I have been loosing really well. I droped 40lbs since june 3rd only to wake up today and notice 2 pounds back??? I havent eatin any thing more than before? So why, I know its not alot and Ill loose it again but why? hmmmm :thumbup:

I need help. I'm 5 months out and have been doing ok. I have lost 62 lbs. I started going to the gym about three weeks ago and have been burning about 400 - 600 calories per day. I use the treadclimber and do the circuit and abs. I have GAINED 3 lbs. this is so dishearting. I know it is not suppose to be about the scales, but when you have been overweight all your life and feel you are finally doing everything right ......

Your story is so similar to mine, banded over five years, had done wonderfully and then out of the blue, diagnosed with rectal cancer. I had chemo, radiation and a huge surgery in which my rectum and a fair bit of colon was removed, i was given a temporary ileostomy and sent home with a bag on my lovely flat stomach. I got through to the actual surgery without unfilling my band and I looked at it like this - cancer is a nasty shock and its life threatening, but that's not the worse. I hate how it took over my life, I couldnt work, I wasnt free to do any of the stuff I normally did, I was tied to the hospital routine of daily radiation, I was limited by my need for treatment. I'd just gone back to university at 36, gotten a teaching degree and was in my first job, i was so devastated. But I was DETERMINED that it was not going to undo my triumph over my weight - I ran and did bootcamp right through the initial six week chemo and radiation, right up until my surgery and I went for a run ten days after my bowel resection. I went back to bootcamp. I had another 20 weeks of chemo which was MUCH tougher than the initial lot, and my band was now totally unfilled, but I kept to my normal excercise routine. I lost a fair bit of weight through the surgery and I've managed to hold it off. I. just. will. not. let. the. cancer. win. I wont. I have hung on with grim determination to my diet and exercise routines and its paid off. I dont know how to say that without it coming across as I'm stronger, smarter, better, whatever. I'm not. Its just I looked at it and I thought I can beat anything, but if I get fat again, its won. And I wont let that happen. i was greatly helped by the fact that my treatment has had effects on my digestive system, even the chemo regime is not the same as for breast cancer, with breast cancer, weight gain during chemo is very common. I didnt tolerate my second chemo that well and had to be hospitalised three times for bowel obstructions, so every time I gained a little weight, I found I was nil by mouth for four or five days and it would come off again. I've gradually started filling my band again now. I'm about to have my ileostomy reversed and will now have the challenge of regaining bowel control, which might mean that I have to moderate my exercise - I might be running on my treadmill near my toilet for a while to come, but truly, where there is a will there is a way. I have to have genetic testing too, I'm the fifth person in both the current and previous generation to have had bowel cancer in my immediate family under the age of 45 and the only one not to have died from it. Sometimes I felt so damn sick but I went out running anyway - it never failed to make me feel better and just the emotional benefit of it was enormous. I dont have a secret or anything to tell you, I can only encourage you that maintaining your routines, keeping on top of your weight, not allowing the cancer to take away what you have achieved - it makes you stronger, and more emotionally stable and that has positive benefits on your health. It is SO worth getting yourself back on track, and I will definitely pray for you.

Just the place I was looking for! I just quit smoking after being a pack a day smoker for 6 years. It isn't and wasn't easy but in order to better my life with WLS I had too show myself i could Do it and I'm surprised I actually did it, I never would have imagined me to stop. My problem now is the 5 lb weight gain! I really didn't think I was eating to substitute the smoking

Ladonna, Are you still taking your pain meds? They might be the source of your hives. Or, if you are using milk to mix your Protein shakes, it might be giving you a bad reaction. I used milk in one of mine early post-op and spent the next couple of hours in the bathroom regretting my milk. I am definitely lactose intolerant, but that is usually temporary. Also, chicken broth has some protein, so you are getting a little tiny bit. Don't worry about the protein this early, just concentrate on sipping your Water. If you are hurting when you drink, you may be drinking too quickly or too large of a sip. Lots of people here report that it's easier to pour the liquid into a small medicine cup (like a nyquil cap) and then sip the liquid from that cup. It definitely makes you drink more slowly. You might also try "drinking" from a teaspoon and waiting a few minutes between each teaspoon full. Let the liquid trickle down your throat. I had lots of pain from drinking too quickly myself. I was over-filling my tummy and that hurts especially bad when you are newly post-op. Lastly, the weight gain you have experienced is probably from all the fluids that were pumped into you during and just after surgery. That will resolve itself in a few days. Good luck on your journey!!! And, welcome to the loser's bench!

I was banded Thursday, and had a 1 week pre-op liquid diet prior. I did not do a " last meal" and stuck to the diet . My question is, if I literally not had a solid thing to eat in a week, protein shakes, soups and water. Is it normal to have gained weight ? I weighed in Thursday at 191, and 2 days later I am at 192. Could this just be bloat weight? I'm confused?

So...my last pre-op appointment is on 9/12 with my surgery scheduled for 9/28. At my last appointment the doctor that works with surgeon ordered me to lose between 5-10 lbs. before my last pre-op appointment on 9/12. She also said that if I did not lose the ordered amount it was fine, but that if I gained any weight, even an ounce that the surgery would be cancelled. Wow! That's a lot of pressure. So far I have lost about 4 lbs, giving me 6 days to lose between 1-6 more lbs. So scary! The surgeon didn't even make me go on a pre-op liquid diet. So, I have been going the low carb route and trying to walk and ride my bike more. Anybody else been given this kind of ultimatum? Ducker

The amount of sugar will probably vary by patient. 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.

I just attended a support group and a someone asked how to prevent and reverse regain and here were some things mentioned: Start planning and timing your meals again Dont eat and drink within 30 mins of each other Hydrate for the majority of your day (calorie and sugar free) you cant over eat if youre drinking No random snacking, this is grazing and leads to weight gain Weight yourself weekly, youll always know whats really going on Attend support groups Mental health is as important as physical, dont neglect it Any major changes call your Doctor immediately

If your out of control you have to regain that control. 1. track everything you eat 2. prioritize water 3. stop eating sugar - includes all the foods loaded with sugar 4. get out all those papers from your surgery and read the avoid these list again. 5. highly refined foods loaded with simple carbs are your path back to weight gain. how much of your grocery basket came from the 3 walls ? 1. produce 2. meats 3. dairy how much is from the center of the store ?

I have been doing so well for the past 6 months by exercising and eating right up until I got my surgery date two weeks ago. Now I have NO Will Power, I am hungry all the time and I suddenly don't have the motivation to exercise. I feel horrible and I fear that my surgery date will be cancelled due to weight gain. Maybe I want to eat everything in sight due to my fear of NEVER HAVING IT AGAIN! Has anyone else experienced self sabotage before the surgery?

For me, I don't think my antidepressant (was Luvox, now Lexapro) contributed to weight gain. If anything, it helped, since I was/am an emotional eater. Back when we were trying to find a med that worked well for me, I loved Wellbutrin for the energy boost I got (works on your dopamine levels, which regular SSRIs do not). Unfortunately it did nothing for my depression, so I just cried more energetically. Weight loss has done nothing for my depression, which really does seem chemical rather than situational or related to some past trauma. I had kind of hoped that I'd be able to get off meds once I reached goal; that maybe in some miraculous way, losing weight would adjust whatever chemical imbalance is occuring, in a similar way to how my hormones are starting to balance out with the weight loss. Granted, I'm still quite a ways off from goal, but just the fact that I will probably need to up my dosage at my next re-prescription time rather than decrease it tells me this is pretty much permanent for me. In the early days, I tried several times to wean off them, but always ended up deeply mired in depression again and had to go back on. My doc pretty much told me to forget ever going off of them, that I'd likely be on them for life. It's been 12 years now. And yes, I've tried therapy. :redface: Therapy was helpful for dealing with some of my issues, but not for the depression. :grouphug: BTW, I had a friend who went on Paxil and she did have issues with weight gain. She ended up bulimic as well as obsessive about exercise. :biggrin: I think some meds do cause weight gain, or interfere with losing. Or maybe it's a combination of the med and how certain people respond to it?

I'm 3weeks post RNY and gained 2 lbs in the past two days. How is this possible?!

“Melissa, Why do you work with bariatric surgery patients?” I’m often asked this. Clients and readers are often curious because I’m not a weight loss surgery patient myself and because I don’t have a “weight loss story.” Except that I do. My story has emerged from the stories of others. The truth is, I founded Enduring Change Coaching after years of practicing as a Clinical Psychologist. As a Clinical Psychologist, one area of expertise has been helping people with food and weight issues. Since 1995, I have worked with just about every kind of eating disorder, weight issue, and food issue an adult can have. I’ve witnessed peoples’ pain, struggles and desperation, and I’ve had the honor of sharing in their experiences of transformation (and I’m not just talking about weight)—as they found their own paths to making peace with food, resolving weight issues, putting eating and food in a much smaller place in their lives, and moving on to focusing on more enjoyable and empowering things. I developed the Emotional Eating Toolbox™ Program and run the bariatric surgery coaching programs at Enduring Change because I saw people struggling with their weight and feeling hopeless and I knew the tools and strategies that I have developed with my clients can make a profound difference. I’ve met too many people who believe that taking control of their weight and their relationship with food isn’t possible and who believe that they must resign themselves to fighting—and losing—battles with weight forever. I’ve known and worked with too many bariatric surgery patients who are stuck in a mode of self-blame. They believe they should be able to succeed with weight loss and with weight loss surgery without help or support and they blame themselves when they struggle. I’ve known other weight loss surgery patients who were never told that there are other essential tools they need to acquire and use with weight loss surgery. (Thankfully, I’m seeing less of this.) They too feel like failures when they find themselves struggling with emotional eating, overeating and weight gain after surgery. And I’ve worked with plenty of people who have had weight loss surgery, who know darned well that the procedure they had is only one tool. They know that they have other challenging work ahead of them, and other tools they will need to acquire to get where they want to go. The problem is, they aren’t sure where to get those tools. There are (in many areas) too few support groups (especially for individuals who are 12 months or more post-surgery) and not enough information about good resources. There is not enough information about overeating and emotional eating. People are quick to tell you not to overeat, not to use food to fill an “emotional hole,” and not to eat to cope with stress or boredom or loneliness. But there is not enough quality information and help out there about what to do instead. That’s been my experience. And that’s why I coach individuals and hold special coaching programs and conferences for people who have had bariatric surgery—by telephone—so anyone can attend. It’s why I periodically offer free teleclasses. Most importantly, it was one of my motivations for creating the Emotional Eating Toolbox™ Self-guided Program. Because there is too much shame and self-blame out there. And because we all are a lot more likely to succeed when we have the right tools. Melissa McCreery, Ph.D. is a Psychologist and the founder of Enduring Change Coaching. She helps her clients create and live the life they crave. She is also the creator of the Emotional Eating Toolbox 28-day Program for Taking Control and Moving Beyond Dieting. Sign up for a free 5 part Self-care Package Audio Course, learn about upcoming WLS seminars and other programs or contact her www.enduringchange.com.

If Aenta is administrator of med in your state they might have a say, but its doubtful. There just an intermediate paperwork pusher. I'd do your best to not be over the start value. Don't over worry about it or the stress will cause weight gain. Eddy Blaine Brown II

Hi everyone, I am here to find a community of people who have had weight loss surgery (VSG for me but any time is fine) and have regained their weight. I can take accountability to my choices and mistakes, this is more a thread where we can encourage and support each other through the experience of once again having to lose weight. Hoping to connect with a few people and get a good exchange going. Yayawhat 😊

Hi Trish, I've heard nothing but good things about Dr. Kuri, so I think you've made a good choice. Let us know how you are and ask anything you'd like to know here, everyone is so supportive, and caring. No subject is taboo here... (see previous thread titles) NOTHING band related is too sensitive, nor too gross, nothing weight gain or loss related is attacked. Nothing presurgery is considered a dumb question, hell nothing post-banding is considered a dumb question. We're all here for each other, welcome aboard, and good luck on your upcoming banding!

Hi everyone, I'm new here! I'm also newly sleeved (8/10/2017) and reading a lot about everyone's experiences and questions/answers has helped me so much already! My story is a long one but I'll make it short and sweet! As a child, I had a lot of trouble losing weight. Eventually my mother took me to see a pediatric endocrinologist who diagnosed me with PCOS which has been the bane of my existence. This contributed to weight gain for the next several years. I wanted to try all other alternatives before this and found a great endocrinologist to work with a few years later. I was very successful using non-insulin Victoza (liraglutide). It's a once daily injection in your belly. I lost about 50 pounds and was so happy, until the insurance companies came in and essentially ruined my life. 🤷🏼‍♀️ So naturally over the next few years I gained it all back - and then some. Fast forward to September 2016, my wonderful boyfriend gets sleeved. I commit myself to taking care of him and supporting him in his journey. May 2017 I start to get my ducks in a row for surgery. I held off for so long fighting with my insurance to pay for it, but it never happens (that's a whole different ordeal). I proceeded as a hybrid/self pay. Which is basically getting the insurance company to pay for them to go in and do a liver biopsy (I had a slightly enlarged liver) and I picked up the tab for the cost of the procedure. I am now 1 week post op and even though I have mixed emotions right now, I don't have any regrets. Thanks for taking the time to read my little story and I'd be glad to answer any questions! HW - 315 SW - 293 CW - 276 GW - 180

Banded May 10th and I'm still kicking. Down 38 lbs. I had the plication with my banding and so far my hunger is controlled. I had two major problems that caused my weight gain over the years.....portion size and munching/grazing. Soft drinks didnt help either. I've given up soft drinks totally and portion size is being mostly controlled by band, so all I really have to focus on is not munching and grazing. I dont think its going to be a short journey, but I do feel it will be effective and I'll get there. Did I mention......no fills as of yet? But I do see my surgeon Monday.

About the cancer fear, with the sleeve your dr can scope you... not so easy with the RNY. With RNY, a big piece of the stomach is left in the abdomen with no way in to take a look with a scope. There is an increased chance of GERD with the sleeve. Taking antacids all the time make it more difficult for the body to use calcium as well. This being said, what you eat has something to do with it, and the return of GERD to sleeve patients is correlated with weight gain... (perhaps food choices are at least part of the fault in this as well?) I did not have constant acid before surgery, but sometimes did.... used antacids for 6months after surgery, went off of them with no problem. If I eat junk, I may get a little acid... with chocolate mostly! I LOVE the sleeve.