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I am 4 years post op. I started at 227 and my lowest weight has been 103. I've done amazing. These last three months I have gained 14 lbs. I known shouldn't worry but I am. I would like to lose at least 7 of those. We all know the struggle and I fight it everyday still. Any advice on how to drop those few lbs? Can't seem to do it. Thanks so much and many blessings!!

My surgery was March 7th, and I've lost 33 pounds so far (starting weight 193). Lately my weight has been doing a weird thing where I will gain and lose the same half a pound or so for a few days in a row. (I typically weigh the same time every morning) I don't understand how I could gain ANY weight when I'm barely eating anything. Has anyone else experienced this?

I know that's a question that only I can really answer, but it's one that keeps spinning through my head. I came to this site today to do a bit more research and realized I had joined back in 2018! So yeah, this is something I've thought about off and on for the last four years. What's stopping me? First, I have had SO many surgeries in the last decade. Fourteen to be exact. I really don't want another one. Second, the thought of having part of my body removed (especially my stomach) is triggering and scary. Been there, done that. A bit of history: Up until about 8-9 years ago, I was a fairly thin and fit person. In Jan 2012, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through five months of really rough chemo, a mastectomy (a body part removal), anti-estrogen meds for seven years, surgeries galore (including an oophorectomy - another body part removal), depression, anxiety, depression and anxiety meds (even ones that say they don't cause weight gain - HA!)... just a lot. Through all that, the scale just went up and up. I'm now 80 lbs overweight, pre-diabetic, have sleep apnea, and my cholesterol is high for the first time in my life, and just mostly feel like hell. In the last four years, I have tried several (doctor prescribed) "weight loss" meds, injections, a liquid diet, an elimination diet, calorie counting, points counting, exercise, nutritional counseling, intermitant fasting, acupuncture... the list goes on and on. Nothing has worked or has been sustainable. So I came here to just get more info and couldn't resist clicking on topics that speak to regret (I know I shouldn't do that, but I couldn't help it). I mean, this is a no-going-back situation. Most of the stomach is being removed! I know there are no guarantees that I won't have regrets, or that the procedure will work or that I won't have complications, but I WANT those guarantees. So much in the last ten years has been up in the air and I hate that feeling. But I also hate feeling miserable in my own body, so... How did you make that final decision to go forward? I want to lose this weight more than anything. but this is a really huge decision I wish I didn't have to make. Sorry for the long post. And thank you in advance for any insight you can offer!

As most of you know i am having the gastric sleeve in about 4 months and i am really looking forward to this as i can finally move on with my life as this tool for a better life can show me that i can for the first time in my life see food for what it is and that is energy and not for comfort like i always went to it and of course i always failed at however i am now up against another battle MY CLOTHES they are all so tight and uncomfortable it really makes no sense to go out and buy a wardrobe of new clothes when i will be losing weight either right after the surgery or soon thereafter. So here comes the "dumb question" did any of you run into this problem with your clothes i would assume you did and if so what did you do to deal with it i need some help because its really affecting me emotionally that i dont even want to leave the house until i get my date for surgery, my weight gain is really showing now , even back in March my PCP said Mr Cooper i can see you have put on some weight since our last appt i agreed with her as its not like i can hide it , its rather obvious actually' Has gaining weight on your part affected you like its affecting me what did you do, what did you do to handle the emotions that came up for you, my wife says i am getting up in the middle of the night , in her words, "eating everything in sight" i would deny this when she would bring it to my attn the next morning until one morning she left the mess i made the night before she showed me there was cookie crumbs, peanut butter , loaves of bread left open , cereal bowl(s) left on the kitchen counter, etc etc i cant keep living like this its almost like i am going to food(by the way , one of my meds the side effect is i sleep walk/eat and i remember nothing )for comfort in my sleep and not remembering this at all i am really struggling and i don't know what to do anymore i am truly hoping someone, anyone has /had this issue that can relate to my issue(s) please don't think any less of me i am simply trying to straighten out my life and coming here to this wonderful site and feeling safe so i can share my pain. 😐 Coop She's the best that's ever happened to me

Brief background, got lapband about 11 years ago (starting BMI was 43). I did well and kept off 55 pounds (BMI 33)... until I started aspirating at night. I had a barium swallow which showed a distended esophagus and a endoscopy which showed reflux. Doc said band needs to come out. I had band unfilled, and as I expected, I've gained weight. I've gained about 30 lbs in the last 5 months (current BMI 38). I want to revise to a gastric bypass. I am well aware that I need surgical help to keep at a healthy weight. Prior to banding, and since being unfilled, I'm constantly hungry and never feel full. I finally felt "normal" with the lapband. When I'm not constantly hungry, I can maintain a healthy weight. But, even with the extra 30 lbs, my BMI is still not over 40, which as I understand it, would make insurance coverage easy. (I have Maryland CareFirst BCBS) My doctor has me doing all the things needed for insurance approval for the revision, including being on a supervised diet. But I'm gaining weight. This does not surprise me -- there was a reason I needed surgical weight loss in the first place -- but I'm getting mixed messages from my doctor and from my diet supervisor (who works for his office). Diet supervisor tells me that I'm less likely to get insurance approval due to my weight gain since being unfilled and being on the supervised diet. Doctor has made vague statements saying that the reflux found on the endoscopy may be enough to make it go through insurance successfully. Diet supervisor wants me to lose a significant amount of weight in the coming month, to try to offset my gains, by going on the pre-surgical diet early. Very honestly, I'm hesitant. If I do end up having to get up to a 40 BMI to have the surgery (12 more pounds...), I don't want to yoyo any more than I have to. And if the reflux finding will get me approved, I don't want to starve myself without the benefit of surgical help. Anybody been in any kind of similar situation? I can use any advice or commiseration available.

I have regained a ton of weight back after Covid. I would like to find a great doctor, Nutrionist to help me evaluate my diet and get back on track. It would be nice if they did hormone evaluation too, but not required. Any referrals in Dallas, Richardaon, Plano, Frisco, Allen, or DFW metroplex is appreciated!!!! I want an accountability physician or Nutrionist or dietician. I want to hear your stories. Thanks everyone! Melanie Kirk

You have already proved to yourself that you can do this. You have lost 80lbs. I heard that this can happen. Please try to keep things in check. Better to get on top of this now while the weight gain is minimal. Do you want to go back to where you were? Give yourself the gift of life. You got this. 💗

The amount of requirements and perquisite's for insurance to cover can be C R A Z Y no matter what state or insurance company you have. I live and work in IL and I have Healthlink PPO. My insurance had no real perquisites per se other than I had to go to 2 seminars for the program. Now I cannot speak for everyone's journey but my own and this is what I came across. Although my insurance had no real requirements to be met, the Dr I chose sure did!! I started my first workshop on Oct 28, 21. Since I already knew my health insurance had little to know requirements I had it set in my head that the week after Christmas Id be scheduled for surgery WRONG lol. I met a nurse practitioner at my Drs office that was like hitting a brick wall LOL. She is awesome dont get me wrong but she set me straight real quick. Depending on the Dr there are loads of tests and other Drs you have to be cleared by first. I mistakenly thought it was my insurance that required alot of this and I couldnt understand why by Feb I still had not been cleared for surgery. This nurse politely informed me that my insurance is not the one that determines the surgery clearance but the DR, they are however the source of payment so a major point to but in my program I had to show I had no weight gain in 6 months/ April was my 6th month since the start. Once I weighed in and still had no weight gain they then sent for insurance approval and like Future Sleeve Diva above, I had approval very quickly and surgery was scheduled within days of that. It can be a long process for some but it will happen in due time. It can be frustrating to have to wait but it will come and when it does then you may start asking yourself if your ready for it lol. PS....I have not had any out of pocket yet except the initial consultation with the Dr ($35) I believe I had 1 other office visit charge of $35 but so far thats all

Hi V! Glad you were seen by your GI doc. Perhaps some coconut water or milk for a gentle replenish of electrolytes. Some Pro biotic, Yakult or a supplement. There really is more to gain from compliance than there is that we lose in the temporary limitations. Yes I re gained 100% of my wt loss from a RNY 23 yr ago.. I followed everything the first year or two, then over time started snacking, having one more bite, a cpl cocktails, sparkling water and so on. I normalized the incremental weight gain and then it just all got to overwhelming to get off. I was eating everything just like everyone around me was eating. I went through several hoops over the last few years to get my revision. I wanted a surgeon with experience because my first RNY was open so I have a ton of scar tissue. I put aside cocktails years ago. Just a bad habit and empty calories. But changing my comfort foods, grazing, and sugar has been a struggle. The last 6mo have been a Re commitment to myself. The last 3 I have been completely off the grazing behavior, no more carbonated water, sugar very limited. Now I just need to push through to Tue to my Post Op where my diet will be advanced. Be Well! Tina

Hi, thats really interesting, as far as the doctors are saying, is the hiatus hernia is caused by weight gain and when its repaired you need to lose the weight as well or it just comes back! As I've been struggling with a hiatal hernia for years and finally they're going to repair it, now I'm baffled😳😕 Well all the best to you hope your surgery fixes that problem🙏

Weight gain is normal from all the IV fluids. Drink as much water/liquids (as your program advises) and walk walk walk. This will help with any pain and get your body back in whack.

I think I developed it with my first daughter as I have a lot of fluid retention throughout my body and just the sudden weight gain in the pregnancy yes I've been told that having the hernia repaired is going to change my life around I can't wait😁😁😁

Nope. I had the band, revised to RNY, and had this and every other problem with it. Never lost a single pound with it either. Can't help with the weight gain unfortunately.

Have you thought of revision to VSG or another surgery? Unfortunately without restriction, it'll be very difficult for you.I know because I was one of the unlucky ones that if there is an extreme side effect with a WLS, I would fall in that category... Lapband (erosion) and VSG (severe gerd, esophagitis). Surgeons have stressed that it was no fault of my own. It just happens. I finally had a revision to RNY and feel so much better. Tracking food helped me before my revisions. While I had some weight gain, it wasn't too much. Looking at the list of food in my food diary always helps me realize it is head hunger vs real hunger. Sent from my SM-S908U using BariatricPal mobile app

So I had the sleeve done 3/14 and so far I have no issues. My stomach tolerates everything I introduce. I can intake liquids with ease and i have restriction with food. The day I arrived my weight was 311. Day of surgery I asked to weigh again I was 306. After surgery I weighed myself (I know I wasn’t supposed to I was 295). Today I’m 299.8 and I’m scared to be back over 300 lbs but why am I gaining weight? I’m not even eating enough food to be gaining anything. Is this normal? I’m so afraid of messing this up or failing but seeing the scale go up is sending my anxiety through the roof.

I received gastric sleeve surgery back in 2014. After finding out that I have another hernia and bad acid reflux and some weight gain I was informed to look into the bypass. I just received my approval for a June surgery date and I’m terrified. Has anyone else gone through something similar if so do you have any advice?

Hi All! Its been a while since I posted anything or been active. I found out in November that I was pregnant. I was 8 months out of surgery when I got pregnant. My fiance and I had just gotten engaged a few months before and were planning our wedding. So it was definitely a surprise! I was really nervous about proceeding with the pregnancy. I just knew I would be ready in just one more year (I've been saying that for the last 5 years!) BUT I was pregnant now, 33, in a great relationship, with a stable income, healthier then Ive been in a while and all out of excuses not to start my family. So my journey began... I am currently 23 weeks pregnant! This is my first pregnancy so I have nothing to compare it with but this has been my experience in case any of you find yourself in my situation. Its hard to find doctors who understand how VSG affects my pregnancy. They understand that I need to be monitored more but don't really get the nuances. One example; I was given this HUGE jug to collect my urine over 24 hours. When I returned it, I was told that they need AT LEAST 4X more urine than I had collected. They were convinced I didn't collect all my urine. I told them that was everything I had to give! They told me to drink more water. Now this community knows how hard that task is. I still can not eat and drink at the same time. I also cant just drink a gallon of water in one go. It feels like a herculean task. I have tried 3 times and have still not filled this jug! I've learned that drinking tea increases my urine output so I have hope for my next attempt. I was really sick throughout my first and second trimester. I already had bad acid reflux before and after surgery and was taking omeprazole to relieve it. Turns out you can't take anything stronger than Tums while pregnant. So on top of the normal nausea, I felt the need to throw up to relieve my indigestion and heartburn. I started really hating food when everyone else kept trying to feed me more! I've been feeling better now though. I was allowed to take pepcid and it actually helps. Now, I have the desire to eat more but still cant eat more than a few bites of anything in one sitting. My food also takes forever to digest so I have to be really picky about what I eat. Fruits are my best friend! I kept my surgery a secret. My fiance and sister are the only ones I told about my VSG. So no one really gets why Im having a hard time eating more. They also keep wanting to see my belly but Im not sure how to explain my incisions. It feels too late to say anything now... so its awkward and more isolating than it could have been. But my family can be SUPER judgy so I think they would just find a way to make me feel bad about it and I don't need the added stress. I get to do more sonograms than your average mom to be. Because of my VSG and previous hypertension, I'm monitored more and have more doctor visits. I really don't mind! I love getting to see whats going on in there! So far so good... mostly. I keep expecting the docs to say my baby isn't growing or Im malnourished but that doesn't seem to be the case. Everything is progressing normally and baby looks good. They did mention that one of babys kidneys is not eliminating waste as it should. The other kidney is fine but they want to keep an eye on it. Of course we are worried but its actually pretty common and generally resolves itself. If it doesn't, there is a small procedure to fix it after birth (if necessary) so we are trying not to sweat it. I got Covid. I'm a teacher and as soon as the mask mandate was removed, I got COVID. Never mind that Ive been vaccinated, boosted and was still wearing my mask! Im actually recovering now. (SIDE NOTE: We seem to be having a second surge at my school. I wonder if any other teachers (or parents) have noticed that?) I was EXTREMELY sick the first week. I was lightheaded, coughing, full of mucus, achy and just couldn't get out of bed. I also couldn't take any medicines because of the pregnancy. My mom kept sending me home remedies but when I looked them up, there was always a warning for pregnant people. I just had to ride it out. Baby seems ok but I'll know more at my appointment next week. As far as my VSG goals... I was 195-200 lbs when I found out I was pregnant (SW:267) and had been stalled there for almost 2 months. I was getting a bit discouraged because my whole weight loss process had been so slow and felt harder for me than it seemed like it was for some people here. I also had a friend who had her VSG after me and had lost almost twice as much weight as I had so I knew it wasn't in my head. I started drinking again and sneaking in more cheat snacks. When I found out I was pregnant, I cut out all alcohol and was really strict about making sure the little food I ate was good for baby. I dropped 20-25 more pounds. Im currently 175 lbs. I havent really gained any weight. Part of me is happy about that and still trying to get to my goal of 155 while pregnant. But I know I have to put on weight for baby. It's really a mind f**k. Doctors say the baby is growing normally so there isn't much to worry about... yet. Technically I'm still overweight and they don't recommend as much weight gain for overweight moms. Im entering my third trimester now and am supposed to put on 1-2 lbs a week. We'll see how that goes. Im still trending downwards... If you made it to the end, thanks for reading through this entire post. I hope it helps. I hope to update you with only good news in the weeks to come! Last note, I'm having a girl! So exciting!!! My VSG has definitely complicated things but I think we made the right decision and I am really excited about entering this next chapter of my life healthier than I have been in years!

Thank you for sharing. Sadly I am in the same position and today is my 3rd day without alcohol and the withdrawals have been so bad that I needed medication from the doctor to get through it. My blood pressure raised at such high levels it was dangerous. All this is such a shock to me and before my bypass back in December 2017 I was never really interested in alcohol but over the last few years my drinking has increased so much so it had taken over my life…I seemed to look forward to the joy it gave me and the quick fix that food no longer could give me. I am hoping I can keep going and start to feel better soon. I hope to learn to live my life without alcohol and the extra weight gain from the late night snacks and start to enjoy eating healthy and to feel alive again! 🙏🏽

My mother and aunts and older female cousins (and my PCP) are/were the only ones that talked to me about my weight gain…at least to my face. They never actually called me fat, but did say things like “maybe you should lose some weight”, “oh you’ve gained weight”, “you are bigger than the last time i saw you”, “you are eating too much”, etc etc. In the case of my PCP, he said stuff like “losing weight may help alleviate x” It was annoying, but i chalked it up to busy-bodiness on my family’s part at least. But i will say i got like 50x more comments than i ever got to my face about needing to gain weight, looking sick, not eating enough, being too skinny in the one year after WLS than i did about being fat in the 10-ish years i was overweight. And from a wider range of people, including stangers. Which was equally annoying. Mind you these same family members say other stuff too like: “oh i think its time to dye your hair, i see greys”, “you look tired, do u have any makeup on?”, “your forehead wrinkles are showing”, “your legs aren’t the best for miniskirts”. 🙄 I just nod/change subject. People suck. Let it roll of u, if u can. P.S. My legs are awesome for miniskirts, thankyouverymuch.

I've been taking Zoloft for over a year and didn't notice any weight gain. I took Prozac before Zoloft and it caused hair loss. I love my Zoloft and how much better I feel mentally. I believe everyone's body reacts differently to anti-depressants. You'll have to figure out what works for you. They have been a life saver for me. 🙂

Hello fellow DSers I have recently gained a few lbs and I’m freaking out. About 10 since fall with about 5-6 in the past 2 weeks (due to a bed rest situation/no exercise situation from a non related medical procedure I think). I am normally very active. I also do intermittent fasting. I work out about 2 hours a day 7 days a week with few exceptions. But to be honest I’m a terrible eater. I’m a sugar and carb addict and live my life a slave to my upset stomach (ds related) Again to be honest that has worked for me 2 years out I’ve lost 100% of my excess weight but it’s not working anymore. I went from 283 to 138 and am now about 148. How have you all handled these weight gains if you have had them? I’m afraid of the slippery slope. Should I go back to basics? Proteins and veggies? This is such a weird statement but I feel like the sugar is what has helped me get here bc I don’t keep the calories in (ya know) and I’m afraid to give it up. Any advise appreciated. TIA

Don't over think it, This fear (GERD) drove me to have a melt down right before surgery and to be highly anxious for weeks after surgery. I had reflux before surgery for many years and had been on 20-40 mg of Nexium daily for about 15 years and as my weight got higher so did the occurrence of my reflux to the point of along with the Nexium I was going through a bottle of Gaviscon a week. fast forward 8 months post op I still take 20 mg Nexium daily but only because I am to scared to tapper off as I remember the rebound reflux from prior to surgery when I would try to come off them and I have to be honest I suck a Gaviscon dual tablet if I get the slightest inkling of reflux which I think half the time is in my head lol. So prior to surgery I told my surgeon reflux was my biggest fear as I didn't want a bypass either and I certainly didn't want to have to have a second surgery, He said the weight loss would reduce the reflux and I think he is right. its just my own fears and thinking about it and sometimes eating the wrong things or too much that causes me get reflux now and its pretty mild. Now I am going to say this and I don't mean any offence to anyone as it is just what I have observed, a lot people who have had revision surgery due to GERD/reflux also seem to have had a substantial weight gain too, now if anyone out there has experienced different I stand corrected but that's what I have noticed. So that is a pretty good incentive for me not to regain. Talk to your surgeon though as he/she is the best to advise you we can only share our experiences

some SSRI's cause weight gain, others don't. Paxil (paroxetine) is notorious for weight gain. I think Wellbutrin is one of the better ones in that dept - it doesn't cause many people to gain weight. Not sure about Zoloft - but ask your doctor or pharmacist. If it's one that causes a lot of people to gain weight, maybe your doctor can prescribe a different one. if you need the med, you need the med - but again, there are some that aren't as bad - or bad at all - when it comes to weight gain.

I was started on zoloft prior to surgery, I didn't notice any weight gain then. I've continued on it since surgery and to my knowledge it has not had any effect on that aspect of things.

18 years ago, I had a RNY. I lost 124 lbs. I kept most of it off until the last 3 years when I gained about 45 pounds. I have been successful in losing weight that additional weight and am back with 5 pounds of my lowest weight! I did not have plastic surgery 18 years ago and it's my biggest regret. Now that I am stable in weight, I'm looking at plastic surgery. I've talked to 2 Docs. And I'm confused and torn. Doc#1 says Fleur. He says that I don't have much back skin/fat. He can pull the skin forward and tighten it. I have a pronounced belly that hangs quite low and I get heat rashes/yeast infections frequently. Doc#1 says that Fleur should be a great solution. He said it will also take care of my sagging mons. (Which I really want gone!) He will also tighten my abs after nearly 50 years of weight gain and loss. Doc#2 says to do a panniculectomy and lipo around the sides. She feels this is the best option as my frame is not necessarily curvy and she could not be sure of getting a flatter tummy. Let's assume, this is all out of pocket cost. I like both Docs. Which would you choose and why? I could use some insight and advice! Thanks