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You have made a great decision! Good luck! All of us pretty much have the similar weight gain stories and emotions attached to it. You are not alone! You have come to the right place for support. Things will get better. You will run with your son's bike when you teach him to ride one!

It is common to have some limited weight gain after weight loss surgery. They call it a 20 pound bounce. The important thing is not let go beyond this 20 pounds. Most times this weight gain is due to a poor choice of snacks. Snacks should be limited to primarily to whole food options: nuts, natural nut butters, fruits, veggies, boiled eggs, string cheese, yogurt with berries and almonds, tuna pouches. Avoid processed packaged foods as much as possible. Also do not expect to lose weight at a rate similar to right after surgery. Generally if you gained the additional weight over a couple years, then it may take a couple years of watching what you eat to get back down.

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!

Hey Tiffkins and thank you... That is probably a good idea. My major weight gain started when I quit smoking, so I can't go back to that. Might try a quick home improvement project.

No it will not make you gain weight. Weight gain or loss also depends on the other micro-nutrients. How many carbs are you eating. Are they simple or complex carbs? How much sodium are you getting a day? How much sugar? Other factors: Are you drinking 64 ounces of fluids, mostly Water? Are you exercising?

Checking labels for sodium content may be a good idea. Some broths are loaded with salt. You may also want to make sure your scale is accurate. If none of those, I would recommend calling the doctor's office. It sounds like you may be retaining Fluid as a large weight gain in a very short period of time is indicative of that. Also, may want to clarify if you are actually to have Clear liquids for 10 days; most pre-op diets are full liquids. Clear liquids are common the day or 2 before surgery.

I've had my lap band for about 5 years now. At first I was loosing weight slowly (due to other separate health problems) then last summer, i lost a huge amount of weight very quickly due to extreme stress, and where my port is I was having discomfort, so i went to my new doctor who told me I had to gained weight and that would help with the discomfort, but did not want me to gain too much. I am 5'9 and I was 135lbs and he told me i needed to be at 160lbs. He is not my original doctor that did my surgery and fills. We moved to a different state. Over the last 5 months I (reluctantly) have gained the weight the doc told me to, and even though some of the port discomfort is gone, I now have constant heart burn and acid reflex and pain under my ribs after i eat (I had my gallbladder removed last year) or drink too much I do not drink any alcohol, soda or things like that mainly water tea sometimes and coffee and food has been getting stuck more than it use to. It is extremely hard for me to get back into the doctor, but do see my family primary monthly. I am wondering what type of tests should i ask my primary to order to make sure everything with the band is ok. And if anyone else has had similar problems and what helped. I'm thinking of trying the apple cider vinegar to help with heart burn acid reflex but am open to trying something

I suppose it's a matter of motivation. No, when it came to my pre and postop diet instructions, I did not mess up. (And this involved over a month of full liquids and 2 months before eating something like chicken) My health and proper healing were too important to me. Once you get farther out, bad choices simply result in no weight loss or weight gain, but this early on bad choices can result in very serious consequences. You can do a search for "cheat" to find many others that chose not to follow instructions. But then check out the complications subforum to help motivate yourself not to do it again.

The surgery went well with no complications. The first two weeks I lost one pound a day. Week three I lost nothing. And now in week four I am gaining weight!!! I am so sad and disappointed and scared I altered my whole life for nothing. Im still earing mostly soft food and liquids and walking at least 30 min a day. What am I doing wrong? Has anyone else experienced weight gain after surgery??? I'm dying to know of I'm the only one and what can be done or do I need to contact my doctor? Omg so disappointed!!!

Oh I bet it has been a "battle " and omg I totally gave in to cravings lol and then some... I'm trying to make mostly healthier choices but not always successful.. How about you? I used to be a thin person 10yrs ago, I wish I could claim pregnancy but being a guy that's not possible lol... My weight gain stems from stress and depression ???? I'm on the mend now so willing to change ????

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!

So day 6 I was rather happy with the results on the scales down 5kg or 10.5lbs, and by day 8 down 7 kg (15lbs). However since day 8 I have been constantly hungry, and the more I drink the hungrier i get. As I am only on fluids it does not help. Day 10 and weight gain about 1kg (0.5lbs). How can this be with my intake being less than 800 cal a day. How can i get rid of this hunger while only on fluids. Its really discouraging as cals down but weight not doing anything I did not think I would plateu this soon into the journey. Does anyone have any ideas how to overcome this hunery and help with the weight loss. Up for any ideas at this stage.

I should know this, but can't remember. I had an open hernia repair last Wednesday. The day before surgery I weighed 201. Today I weighed 210. There is NO WAY I could have gained. I'm eating a lot less post surgery. Grant it, I'm not moving much, but this is depressing. This was my second open surgery since February 5 of this year. This is beginning to take a mental and physical toll on this old gal.

I also was pretty irresponsible NYE and had some (ok alot) of doritos and half a shot glass of coffee patron to say goodbye to 2015. I'm still paying for it!!! Not only did I have a weight gain of 6lbs. YES!!!! 6lbs, but I haven't come out the bathroom since then! I've been back on the magic carpet ride (my term for this journey) since but my body is still not very happy

Obesity is the symptom of underling issues. I am very thankful that I was able to have VSG almost a month ago. However, the surgery is just a medical intervention to a problem that is not solely medical. This post will discuss the emotional/psychological aspects of weight gain. If obesity was simply a medical issue then all WLS would work of 100% of the time. However, we know this is true. Yes the success rate of having surgery is greater than that of people who lost weight by diet and exercise alone. This post is not about the success rate or failure of VSG or any other procedure. If we look at obesity as merely the outcome of inactivity and too high calorie consumption we are not looking at the root cause. How many of us would say this is true of us: *I grow up in a food insecure household and as a result I would either hoard food overeat at meals? *My was physically/sexually/or severely neglected as a child? *I was never thought how to deal with my emotions as a child, so as an adult I dealt with them through what I ate? *I eat when I am hungry *There are indicators in my life that I binge eat I could go on, but I think you are starting to get my point. If we have been misusing food then we must learn what compels us to do so. It is my strongest belief that until we deal with the underlining issues of our emotional eating long term success will be more of struggle and for some it will be impossible. Please know that I am by no means mastered this area of me life, but I am aware it needs to mastered. However, I have read books, I journal, and next month I want to start counseling. I will confess I emotionally eat. I eat to reward myself. I overeat in social settings. I was sexually abused as a child. I started become heavy shortly there after. I view my extra weight as a mark in my physical being of that abuse. I have carried around this mark for close to 30 years. It is my belief that surgery will allow me to remove this mark from my person. Regardless of where you are in the journey if you have not taken the time to exam the emotion/psychological aspects of your obesity I would suggest you do. Exercising-- good. Changing eating habits-- good. Taking the time to heal old wounds-- the best. There is a song with the line, "Lord make me over." I want to be "made over" in my own being not just physically. May the Lord make you over in your entirety.

I've been reading a lot of the posts and absorbing as much information as I can. From what I can see (and please let me know if I'm wrong) weight lost pre op and after surgery is staying off. 1-2 pounds per weeks sounds like so little but the fact it isn't coming back is a big one. Weight does flucuate(sp) during teh course of a day or week. My weight history is (and from what I can see this is normal for everyone who has chosen LB) Loosing 10-20 even 30 lbs happens but then it comes back with it friends and relatives. Has there been anyone who has experienced weight gain (what is lost coming back with a vengence) since they have been banded? (of course I don't mean anyone who has gotten preganant since banding - new baby growing weight doesn't count) I'm hoping to be banded in January. I've already gotten my insurance approval and see the surgeon on the 11/24.

Hi, I had my sleeve surgery almost 2 years ago, and lost (exactly! wierd eh?) 90 lbs! It was the easiest thing I ever did, honestly! The weight just slid off without almost no effort. I used to be my weight now, but I have been through some personal trauma in the past 1-1/2 months, and have noticed weight gain of 5-6 lbs, much to my horror. Actually I know how it happened... chocolate at night when my mind is racing and I can't sleep... Now I'm terrified. I need to get back to 6 lbs less!!!! sleeping pills would solve it, but I know that's not a good solution. The days go OK - it's just at night... Where do you get "My FitnessPal" and how to download it? I do want to congratulate you though on having the surgery. I know my problem has a solution, but your solution is just starting - you'll see. And you will LOVE yourself! I have become a clothes horse - my favourite thing- trying on size 10 tight dresses, and I'm 5'9". Depression is my worst enemy. I can still only eat so much, but I eat comfort foods, but only lately and instead of... I think I may go to see my Dr. about antidepressants or whatever I need to stop this crazy eating. ...And I love healthy foods! I'm so scared. Even Weight Watchers can't help me with my feelings... (I thought of that). As far as tracking your food - I have let my stomach tell me when I'm full and I stop. Then I get busy with other things. It's really not hard to loose weight at all with the bariatric sleeve surgery. But I sure would like to know - if you can help me- where I can get this FitnessPal download! Take care - and start LOVING YOURSELF!!!! Eva

I'm with Aetna as well. From my understanding you have to provide a 2 year weight history as well as follow a doctor's supervised diet program for 3 months. I'm unsure if you're able to follow a program that's not your surgeon. During the 3 months, there can be no weight gain or you'll be denied. Not sure if this info is helpful.

I've gained about 5 pounds since my 1st Nut visit. I had my 2nd visit yesterday and I was so afraid they would be talking about how I gained, and If I really want this I need to stick to the plan etc...But it was totally different actually. They didn't even mention the weight gain and concentrated more on new behaviors I should start. I have my 3rd visit in 3 weeks and I plan to lose those 7 pounds not for them but because I really need to stick to the plan. However until I get my approval Im making sure I stay at a BMI of at least 40. I don't want to take any chances with the insurance.

Muscle doesn't burn fat... That's a bunch of hoooey... Fat is nothing more than a calorie bank - it's stored calories. To burn that, you have to create a calorie deficit - so that your making a withdrawal from the bank. Lean muscle tissue is highly metabolically active - fat is not. So it takes a lot more calories a day to sustain that muscle tissue than it does fat. (Say for the sake of example... 50 cals a day for a pound of muscle and 4 cals a day for a pound of fat) So the more lean muscle tissue your body carries, the higher your daily basal metabolic rate. And the more active you are, the more calories that lean muscle tissue will burn throughout the day. Where I think a lot of bandsters go astray is they cinch their bands down to the point that they can barely eat. And many make this even worse by only eating a few meals a day. By doing this they create TOO LARGE of a calorie deficit, which triggers the starvation response. The human body has evolved over thousands of years and still remembers the days of famine. So it has adapted to learning how to survive these periods. By invoking the starvation response, your body begins to slow your metabolism. And since your creating such a large calorie deficit, it has to get it's energy to survive from somewhere. Is it going to burn just fat which only costs 4 calories a day per pound? Or muscle which is costing it 50 calories a day per pound? No doubt is going to burn some of both, but it's going to burn a higher ratio of lean muscle tissue because it's too costly to keep. So bandsters see a huge weight loss initially (remember, muscle weighs more than fat), but once the body catches on, it slows your metabolism and continues to do so until it's adjusted to what your intaking. The result? A much lower basal metabolic rate and no calorie deficit - which equals no weight loss. Things won't get moving again until you eat more to get the metabolism burning hotter. That's why there are so many people who can't figure out why they're only eating 700 or 800 calories but aren't losing any weight. And what about the weight they did lose. How much of it was lean muscle tissue (which we all know weighs more than fat) and how much was actual fat? No way to know for sure, but the ratio definitely swings toward lean muscle tissue during a starvation response. Why on earth would we want to lose muscle tissue? It's totally counterproductive. Who wants to lose most of their fat to see bones and flabby skin? Hell, I want to see muscle! And women worried about being too muscular - DON'T... Except for a few genetic anomolies, you couldn't get huge disproportionate muscles even if you wanted to because you don't have the chemical makeup - especially hormones - to produce them. My approach? I use the band to keep me from bingeing and overeating, but I keep a constant flow of nutritious food throughout the day. (A secretary at work just can't figure it out... she keeps saying, "how on earth do you lose weight? All you do is EAT!" She probably thinks I'm on drugs...lol) I do intense cardio sessions, 45-60 minutes each, 5-7 days a week. I also aim for 2-3 weight training sessions a week, although cardio is my main focus. And I mix it up week to week so my body doesn't permanantly adjust. I'm burning 4000-6000 calories in the gym a week (as tracked on a heart rate monitor). Remember, it takes a calorie deficit to lose fat... IMO, it's better to create a calorie deficit by intense exercise/eating more than starving/slouching. Same thing for calories. I zig zag my calorie intake. I may have a 1500 -2000 calorie deficit on a day of hard training, but a 500 calorie surplus on another day. By doing this I'm creating the needed deficit to lose weight, but my body doesn't think I trying to starve it, and my metabolism isn't just hot - it's on fire. How on fire? I have some 3000+ calorie intake days - and I continue to lose weight. And since I have the band I physically can't binge or insanely overeat and sabotage my progress. Balanced nutrition and copious amounts of Water are important parts of the equation too. Now I would NEVER suggest that this is what everyone should be doing. We're all different and have to find success by trial and error. This is just another option. If someone were to try this with a skewed component (especially the exercise component) the result could be a disastrous weight gain. Bandsters shouldn't be afraid to try different approaches though. If you've had low calorie diets in the past that failed, what makes you think eating low calorie with a band is going to get a different result? Isn't that the definition of insane? You know, doing the same thing but expecting a different result? Food for thought... Brad

I am 52 days post op and generally have not been weighing myself daily, but started weighing myself every couple of days. I am up two pounds. I have been exercising in the pool daily for up to an hour, have been meeting my Protein requirements and fluids. This is so frustrating!

So I am about 5 weeks pre-op. How many of you gained weight before going on the liquid diet? I don't feel that I am going nuts but it is SOOOO easy for me to gain that just by relaxing and eating the things I normally wouldn't, I have started gaining :-( I am perpetually on a limited eating plan / diet to try and lose weight (which obviously doesn't work) and now am eating things I typically wouldn't like bread, milk, Cereal etc. Anyway, I don't want to jeopardize the surgery but I will do the two week liquid diet, just wondering how many of you gained once you had made the decision to do the surgery?

@@VSGAnn2014 Awesome points and YES, drinking your calories is one of the biggest indicators of weight gain. That's how my husband gained 30 after quitting smoking. Too many Starbucks coffee drinks, beer and soda. (He subsequently lost the 30 he'd put on) This was one of the first things his surgeon told him about WLS patients who gain their weight. DON'T DRINK YOUR CALORIES. He explained it as the one of the mortal sins for WLS patients.

I think all of us can understand your fear but consider the fact that at three weeks post-op, you really don't have any basis for assuming anything. A minor weight gain following the surgery is quite common and doesn't mean a thing. So - perhaps the best thing you can do is take a deep breath and really focus on trying to relax and setting your fears aside. Trust the process. Allow your body to find its own way in its own time. Consider focusing all of that energy on continuing to follow the protocol as closely to the letter as you can possibly can. Stay active - even if it's only walking short distances. Drink as much Water as you can. Get as much of your doctor's recommended Protein as you can - protein is crucial for healing and you're doing a lot of healing right now. And I know you don't want to hear it but ... stay away from the scales for at least a week and two would be even better! Instead of being a slave to the scales - consider becoming a slave to a food log. Now is the perfect time to start (if you haven't already). I've been logging for almost two years and the single biggest benefit from a long list of benefits is - peace of mind. Regardless of what the scales tell me, if I KNOW (not think, know) that I'm meeting my calorie goals and eating healthy, the rest will take care of itself. You're gonna love the new you!!

Since its only a half a pound, I wouldn't worry. That could just be a little water retention, and if it is "weight" gain its more than likely not "fat" gain, but muscle. If you're building muscle thats good, it means you'll start burning more fat. I'm sure you've heard before that saying that muscle weighs more than fat. Don't freak out too much!!