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After waiting for what seemed like forever, more weight gain, and health scared due to my weight, I finally officially have my initial consults with my Bariatric surgeon team on Monday!!!!

The problem with traditional dieting is that after you've lost weight, your body literally fights you to the death to put it back on. This has been scientifically proven. I'm sure this has something to do with the fact that humans have evolved to survive in a feast and famine environment throughout 99% of our history. Nowadays, the feast never ends. This is a relatively new phenomenon, and our bodies haven't had time to catch up yet from an evolutionary perspective. It's the reason why the lasting success rates of programs like Weight Watchers, etc are incredibly low. I believe the weight gain relapse odds plummet after two years of keeping the weight off. Most people don't have that much willpower. The only program besides surgery that I've seen truly work is Overeaters Anonymous, and that's for the people who truly work it. This generally means meetings multiple times a week, step work with a sponsor, service work, etc. It's a complete psychological and lifestyle change. Give it another shot if you want, but one thing I'd say is to trust your track record rather than your emotions. It sounds like you've been dieting on and off forever. What'll make this time any different? If nothing changes, nothing changes. I don't think anyone here wanted to have surgery. We did it because we were at our wits end. As for the people in your life who're telling you not to do it, ask yourself how much they really know about it. Like I used to, they probably think it's only for people big enough to be on TLC, super drastic, etc. It's really not, and frankly, I don't think anyone really needs a football sized stomach that produces tons of ghrelin in this day in age. It sounds like you've done a lot of research on the matter. You have a well-informed opinion, which means that you can disregard ones that aren't well-informed. A calculus student probably wouldn't take an algebra student seriously if the algebra student looked over his work and told him that it was all wrong. Btw, staying obese is generally far riskier than bariatric surgery. Diabetes, clogged arteries, high blood pressure, etc versus some very minor surgery risks. I don't know what your personal health situation is, so take what I just said with a grain of salt, but if a decent surgeon looks you over and says you're good to go, you're probably good to go.

Welcome. i’m very glad I had the surgery. I generally eat what I want & it doesn’t restrict me dining out or socialising with friends. There are foods I choose not to eat (sweet things, highly processed foods, etc.) because I want to maintain my weight loss. I know I will always monitor & watch what I eat & how much. Bad eating habits, poor food choices, cravings, etc. will always be there. The surgery doesn’t remove or stop them. It just gives you time to recognise what they are & why you’re experiencing them & find ways to manage them. There are some foods that sit heavily in my tummy & make me feel full sooner like bread, pasta, rice & potato though some eat them without issue. It’s just who we are as individuals. There can be other odd things you may not tolerate temporarily after surgery or less common long term but there are plenty of alternatives for food allergies & intolerances about these days. Personally, I’ve not vomited as such but have regurgitated a couple of times when I ate something too dry or coarse. It passes quickly & I don’t feel sick or have discomfort like after vomiting. I did have nausea from my vitamins & on odd days for no obvious reason except having a sensitive & fussy tummy after surgery & when losing. Don’t have it all now now. The reality is you will be eating a much more nutritious & balanced diet so your health will improve greatly. A gastric sleeve will (Mayo Clinic) reduce your risk of potentially life-threatening weight-related health problems, including: Heart disease High blood pressure High cholesterol Obstructive sleep apnea Type 2 diabetes Stroke Cancer Infertility Sure I have reflux, but I had it before surgery (managed it well with dietary choices). It’s not worse just different now. Had no comorbidities before surgery but they likely were just waiting to start. A lot of my big weight gain in the last few years was tied to being peri menopausal & then menopausal. I’d struggle lose 2 pounds & gain it straight back hard to fight your hormones & your body. You’ll probably find a lot of negative stories here but that’s because they’re likely looking for advice, support, etc. If things are going well, you tend not to post just reply. Having a support system is important whether family &/or friends. As is having a supportive surgeon, GP, dietician & therapist, if you have one. My surgeon, his associates & my GP are great. Still see my surgeon’s associate every three months for follow ups & blood tests. And my GP reviews everything with me whenever I see her. If anything looks unusual, they monitor & investigate further. That would be my only point to consider with seeking out of state or country surgery - the follow ups.

I am actually feeling great. I am actually going to start riding my bicycle hopefully in the next couple weeks. Just gotta get it tuned up. I stopped riding over a year ago due to the weight gain and i was beyond the capacity of the bicycle lol. Sucked too because that bicycle was expensive lol.

Hi everyone. I found this forum while trying to research the gastric surgery options. Both my GP and my GYN have suggested a sleeve because of my weight gain and the depression it causes. I will be 50 years old in August and every time I think about how I have struggled with my weight all my life, I start ugly crying. I am 5'2" and 212lbs which is the heaviest I have ever been. I feel old and tired and cant reach my feet. I am terrified of getting this surgery. I have been able to get to a healthy weight only once after having my kids and it was a very strict low carb diet and working out 5 days a week but I was not able to sustain it and it only lasted about a year before I crashed and then Covid happened and I gained more, then my mom died and I gained more. I am reading how stressful the pre-op liquid diet is, and how much pain is suffering from post-op gas and its just worrying me more. My first appt with a gastroenterologist is in 3 weeks.

Hi all. I'm so glad I found this thread! I have PCOS and hypothyroidism and my biggest fear is that I'll have this surgery and still be unable to lose weight. You all have given me some hope and a lot to think about. I wish there was more research into PCOS and I wish doctors would take it more seriously. Doctors always say my PCOS will get better if I lose weight, but I can't lose weight because of the PCOS. And the assumption is that being overweight causes PCOS. But I started getting all the symptoms of PCOS when I was super skinny. Then I started to gain weight. So I firmly believe that PCOS comes first and it causes the weight gain.

I was told that you should never drink soda or anything carbonated nor chew gum because it puts gas in your belly and causes it to expand therefore you can eat more food then weight gain continues… I’ve had sips here and there and can certainly feel the difference within myself…I was sleeved 5 yrs ago and gained a little but am back on track and back down the 15lbs I put back on…

I decided to talk with my husband and children about it, my mother and my brother. Some online friends I have met through my business . I lost 30 in the first 2 months of my 6 month program. My mom, brother and husband are on board, but all asked me to reconsider and loose it naturally. I was a skinny person with crazy high metabolism until 30, received medical attention for anxiety and severe depression and poof, weight gain constantly since. I am 41 now. Always was active and was labeled medically induced morbidly obese. I have been to ‘diet doctors’ nutritionists, doctors, tried getting off the medication and gain plus all the time. I was literally doing one meal at dinner and ‘testing’ shakes and purée phase foods for the other meals. Because honestly I am terribly anxious for the liquid diet. Which I happened to start yesterday. I in total lost 50, but gained back 5-10 in a nervous dip and adding back to 3 meals. Trying the yogurt recipes (I gain with yogurt 😢) My doctors still want me to stick with the yogurt. I do know that carbs are my gains. I have my RNY scheduled May 10 and can’t wait. It’s not a secret, but I am not trying to tell anyone because it’s my body and my decision. Judgements are always made and sometimes (always) my family (aunts uncles cousins) can be completely rude. All in all, I am doing this for myself and my children, I want to live and annoy them for a long time and love the families they ave. So don’t worry about anyone else. Immediate support group small~ All I need 🥰

I read an article that, simply put, explained weight gain from consuming artificial sweeteners occurred because the body tastes sweet & so expects there to be sweet it can use for energy. (Our body does need some glucose to function.) But because there isn’t any glucose, your body thinks something is wrong & will store calories you consume as future energy i.e. as fat. Does make sense as your body will go into starvation mode & store as many calories as it can in times when food intake is low. It’s why many find their weight loss eventually stops on ultra low calorie diets. And of course artificial sweeteners do absolutely nothing to modify/eradicate your cravings for sweet things. Plus there’s a lot of the studies about the negative impact of them on gut health & your immune system. It’s hard to get sweeteners completely out of your diet as they’re in so many things but at least reducing the amount you’re consuming can only be a good thing.

My team said medically I can but they strongly advise against it. This is because there is a correlation between soda and weight gain (even diet soda). It hasn’t been explained yet but the correlation still exists and shows up study after study.

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.