Search the Community

Thats good news! Did the weight gain,occur because of an unfill for surgery? I want the same surgery just curious thaanks!

I am exactly 4 weeks post op i lost 20 lbs and in one week gained 6 lbs. I am trying to stick to the diet but having a hard time. During the day I am not hungry at all but as soon as I set foot in the house I'm starving. Weekends are the worst since I don't have an active social life Im in the the house thinking of food constantly. has anyone else experience this. My first fill is not until the end of July I am truly disappointed in myself and embarrassed that I have fallen off already. I am willing to listen to all suggestions. Please give me some guidance.

I've gained about 15 lbs since this whole process began and I'm worried Tricare won't approve my surgery. Life has been crazy stressful and eating healthy has been a huge challenge. Anyone have experience with this? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

For me the weight gain was a mix of medical and emotional. The medical prompted the emotional which prompted bad eating habits and it was a downhill effect from there. I just recently put all the peices of the puzzle together. I think KNOWING what caused my weight gain helps alot tho.

Hi there I have tried many, many, many weight loss methods since I was 19 years old (the first time I joined Weight Watchers, but not the first time I was 'fat'). That's 30 years of the weight loss insanity And while I had success on many of them (temporary success, obviously), the one thing that was never addressed was "Why am I overweight in the first place?" Weight loss programs focus on losing weight. Some of them have a 'keeping it off' element, but not many do. So, the focus is on reacting to the symptoms rather than causes (starting where it started with the weight gain). Why did the weight gain start? Is it ALL because of lack of willpower or self-control? Is it because of genetics? Is it emotions? Hormones? Why are some people predisposed to putting weight on when others face similar situations and are not so predisposed? Why is weight loss so hard to maintain? I doubt very much that I'm overweight because I'm lazy, don't try hard enough, can't control myself, etc. Which are easy judgements from people who have never had a weight issue. I look forward to your posts.

Hi Cindy, I am sorry you are having a difficult time with the band. I too love sweet sugary things. Honestly you are far more experienced about the band than I am but I have learned a LOT over the past 8.5 weeks since being banded. I never could do the atkins way either. I tried before being banded and HATED it. This is what I do: 1) FITDAY- I can't emphasize this enough. I never have been good about counting calories but for some reason I just love using this program and have become very good about it. I average 1200-1500 calories a day. 2) Allow yourself treats- I LOVE chocolate. I allow myself about 200-250 calories a day on 1 candy bar. I am probably not the smartest about it because I save it FOR bedtime but I depend on that one chocolate treat. Also find low calorie Snacks. I found Lite cheese puffs (organic even) at a local store and they only have 130 calories for 2 cups. I typically only eat about a 1/2 serving when I have them. I also found Turkey hot dogs with only 70 calories apiece. When I know I am going to be having a higher calorie dinner, I try to find a lower calorie item for Breakfast or lunch. 2 of these hotdogs dipped in a little catchup and mustard only have 150 calories. Healthy Choice ice cream products are DELICIOUS and very low in calories and fat. 3) Throw out your scale! I have never owned my own scale because I refuse to be dependant on it. I drive to my doctors office once a week, ask the receptionist very politely if I can use their scale and they are always more than happy to oblige. Their scales are far more accurate than a chinsy bathroom scale is anyday. You do NOT gain 4 lbs in one day no matter what the crappy scale says. Yesterday I was curious and happened to be at costco. I decided to check out their scales and check my weight. Know what I discovered? The first time I tried it actually said I had GAINED weight, I thought huh? so I stepped back on it a second time. It read 1 lb less but still more than my recorded weight last week. I went for my official weigh in today and guess what? I nearly lost 4 lbs!!! The scale at costco was one of those fancy digital ones but completely WRONG!!! 4) Excercise: Like you and everybody else, I absolutely detest most excercise but found I LOVE Water aerobics. Its fun, easy on your joints and it is truly a workout. It is especially nice this summer. 5) Get on this website EVERY single day!!!! You will make good friends here and we are all in the same boat. You have the band and now live with it. I am not sooo different from you really. I have not had a fill yet ever so my hunger levels shouldn't be too different from yours. Eat right throughout the day and then allow yourself a treat. I think by going back and forth between sugar overload and then no sugar you are definitely confusing your system and causing your own withdrawl symptoms. Try to level everything out. As well, weight loss will cause mood swings. I remember a couple of weeks ago I had just found I had lost 4 lbs and was joyous, and not five minutes later I was thinking about something and wanted to bawl. I did find a list of anti depressants on another band link that supposedly didn't cause weight gain but actually weight loss. If you really think you need those I can try to find that link again. Please do not give up!!! Teresa

One of the scariest or infuriating things I encounter is when I've made a new low on the scale and then gain back 3 or 5 pounds in the next few days. And then it takes a week to get back where I was. I know it's just my body getting adjusted to my new lifestyle, but it is infuriating to see it happen. After reading so many success stories about losing 20 plus pounds per month in the 1st 6 months, I WANT IT TOO! Not 10, not 15, I want my 20+ pound loss, just like clockwork - gimme, gimme, gimme! But that isn't the way my body wants to do it. So I'll just have to get used to the way it works. In fact, the gains are my fault. I allow myself a "cheat" meal on Saturday nights and one more on Sundays when I visit my parents (twice a month). It's not that I eat more food, it's just less healthy. For example: Friday morning weight in: 296.8 Saturday night was Golden Corral buffet night. Over the hour I was there, I had about 4oz of meatloaf, 1 fried chicken strip, 1 big cauliflower floret w/cheese, about 2 tablespoons of Shepard's pie and about 1/2 of some kind of pecan gooey thing. I didn't stuff myself, just ate until I was full, waited while my friend hit the buffet again, and I ate a little here and there as my stomach emptied. The following Sunday happened to be one of the 2 days a month I visit my parents. At lunch we had Churches fried chicken. I had 1 fried breast, 1 single serving of mashed potatoes, and 1 biscuit. This is not the normal fare, usually mom cooks meat and vegetables. I wasn't able to eat the whole thing in one sitting. I broke it into 2 meals, one at 11am, the 2nd at 2pm. The rest of my meals for the weekend were my normal fare: turkey hamburger w/cheese and spaghetti sauce or turkey hamburger w/gravy and chopped cauliflower. In a 4oz bowl. Monday morning weigh in: 302.4 - almost a 6 pound gain! I can only assume that all the salt and sodium caused quite a bit of water retention. I don't believe I really over did it too much on the calories. Now it's Thursday - 4 days later - and I'm back down to 298.4 - 4 pounds. Not surprising really, it's happened more than once. That doesn't mean I have to like it! I think it might be a good thing to switch up foods this way, my body won't get accustomed to a certain calorie count/protein/carb/fat intake. I just won't go overboard on the bad stuff and eat it more than 6 meals a month. Now if only I can get over my fear of seeing the scale move up instead of down! And I'll watch and see how my body reacts long term. If turns out that it's causing stalls or long term weight gain, I'll have to go back to the basic diet and cut out the bad stuff. NSV! Now, where's my light saber? I have to punch a new hole in my belt.

I agree, we are all different, and we all gain or lose weight different. I don't have the chatter in my head, I don't wake up in the middle of the night to get something to eat. And I don't agree that I am sick because of my weight. When I was five years old, we were on our way to a Sunday outing, my Dad, Mom, and my three brothers. A car crossed the line and came over and hit us head on. My father broke one leg into 50 pieces. He was in a cast from his chest to his toes for over a year. My mother broke her kneecap and hit her mouth and lost all her teeth. One of my brothers hit his mouth, knocked out his teeth, and two of his teeth went down in his lungs. He also hurt his knee and broke his jaw, and had pins in it. One of the other brothers lost his front teeth, and my other brother and I was just bruised up. We had no money coming in our house at all for a very long time. My Mother was a great cook, but everything she cooks was southern and very fattening. We lived on pots of Beans, stews, and every Sunday we had fried chicken. Most of all, almost every meal we had was based around what kind of potatoes we were having. Potatoes was the base of all our meals, and most were fried or mashed with gravy. food was hard to come by since money was so scarce, so we had to finish our plates of food, and couldn't waste any. I learned to cook exactly like my Mother, and once I got married and had children, I started gaining weight. I didn't lose the weight between my children, which started me off on a huge weight gain. I didn't exercise like I should have, or eat the right foods. The only way I knew to cook was how my Mother taught me. Just like the old saying "You can't teach old dogs new tricks" I just didn't realize the way I was cooking was causing me to gain so much weight. Losing weight has been extremely hard for me because of the way I cook, and because of lack of exercise. I am learning I can fix meals without the potatoes or the other starches. I am learning just because I fix my DH those things, that I don't have to eat them. I am learning I can fix some veggies and fill up just as good on them as the starches. I am learning I have to exercise to get this weight off. I am learning that no one except me can do this, and I am also learning that I have to want it bad enough to do all of that. Do I think I am sick because I have gained this weight and have problems getting it off? NO! I just think I have to learn the right foods to eat and the right way to cook without all the grease/oils. My dear Mother, bless her heart, didn't even realize that cooking with lard was bad for her. She cooked with it right up until a couple of years before she died at the age of 83, and she was in such bad health I finally told her it would be best if she didn't use it anymore. She grew up eating lard sandwiches because of the depression, so using lard to cook with was a natural thing for her. I followed her footsteps using lard and cooking just like she had, so now I have habits to break too. I think almost everyone on these boards has a reason why they gained weight if they go back and really think about it. And yes, I do believe it can be a sickness for some people, but not everyone. It took me a long time to realize it's my problem, and I am the one that has to work at getting the weight off. If I sit on my lazy butt and don't do anything about it, then it's my fault. I have chosen to get this band to use as a tool, to move my butt and to eat the right foods, and guess what? It's working, and I feel great! I am lovin life again for the first time in a long time.

i have been placed on Lyica for fibromyalgia pain and it helps tremendously. However, I have gained a significant amount of weight on the medication as weight gain is a side effect.I have tried to go off the medication and it didn't even last one day. I asked my surgeon about this and he said it is definitely a problem me having to be on the medication after surgery but didn't offer any alternative (gabapentin doesn't work). He told me he gained weight on the medication as well. I have researched it and any medication that causes weight gain is a concern after surgery. Am I going to have to go through all of this for nothing???????? I have diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea.

I would be careful with the weight gain. It may come back to haunt you. Most insurance companies want a two year previous weight history and for you to at least show you can lose weight. I wouldnt advise you not to do something but just consider all angles. Good Luck

taken from: http://www.teeccino.com/weightloss.aspx The following characteristics of coffee have an adverse effect on weight loss: Coffee Elevates Stress HormonesCaffeine in coffee elevates the stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) and norepinephrine.^{8, 9, 10, 11} These hormones are responsible for increased heart rate and blood pressure, and a sense of "emergency alert". Circulation of oxygen to the brain and extremities is decreased and the immune system is suppressed. The purpose of this "fight or flight" response is to provide the body with a temporary energy boost for intense physical activity. With today’s sedentary lifestyle, the continual state of increased stress resulting from caffeine consumption can negatively affect weight control through disruptions in normal metabolism. [*]Increased Cortisol Levels Lead to Abdominal Obesity Chronically elevated blood cortisol levels that are caused by frequent stress or regular caffeine or coffee intake lead to an increased buildup of fat in the abdominal area; this type of weight gain further stimulates the release of additional stress hormones.¹² [*]Increased Stress Leads to Overeating This chronic state of increased stress caused by caffeine is associated with a markedly increased tendency to overeat. CNS stimulants stimulate anxiety and caffeine consumption increases the tendency of people to overeat or binge-eat and abuse laxatives and diet pills.^{13, 14} Coffee drinking increases physiological measurements of stress, and although this effect is greater with increased caffeine levels, decaffeinated coffee may also influence stress as factors other than caffeine in coffee are associated with stress.¹⁵ Elevation of stress hormones leads to fat cravings.¹⁶ Elevated levels of cortisol increase appetite.¹⁷ [*]Caffeine Exacerbates Insulin Resistance Syndrome Caffine ingestion contributes to insulin resistance and impairs glucose and insulin homeostasis as part of the stress response.^{18, 19} Even moderate amounts of coffee can have this effect.²⁰ Obesity, high blood pressure, impaired glucose metabolism and elevated LDL and lowered HDL blood lipids cluster to generate insulin resistance syndrome. Stress and the release of corticosteroids contribute to the pathogenesis of this syndrome. When people with this syndrome drink coffee as a weight-loss aid, it negatively affects all the conditions associated with this syndrome. ^{21, 22} Drinking coffee can cause insomnia and sleep deprivation, both of which have been found to increase insulin resistance.²³ People who are deprived of adequate deep sleep, and are in situations of sleep debt have lower levels of glucose tolerance, greater insulin resistance, increased concentrations of blood cortisol and stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.^{24, 25} [*]Caffeine Stimulates Appetite Although caffeine is included as an ingredient in many weight-loss aids, it actually stimulates appetite, and organizations including the Mayo Clinic²⁶ discourage the use of caffeine as a weight-loss aid. Initially, caffeine may decrease appetite through its central nervous system response. However, subsequently caffeine increases cortisol levels, and higher levels of cortisol stimulate appetite.^{27, 28} Caffeine triggers hypoglycemia through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal glands, causing an immediate and sustained constriction of blood vessels, decreased circulation to the brain and a heightened feeling of low blood sugar.²⁹ The body’s reaction to hypoglycemia results in food cravings and increased appetite. People often crave higher fat foods resulting in increased caloric intake, further interfering with the body’s ability to maintain a healthy weight.^{30, 31} [*]Coffee Increases Serum Cholesterol Levels Lipid metabolism is an important factor in weight loss, and drinking cofee is linked to higher levels of serum cholesterol, with particularly high levels noted in people who drink boiled coffee or coffee processed at high temperatures (which includes espress and espresso drinks).^{32, 33} Other forms of coffee including decaffeinated coffee have also been shown to increase serum cholesterol levels.^{34, 35} Coffee drinking also demonstrably raises blood levels of low density lipoproteins in one lipid research study³⁶, although results in other studies are inconclusive. [*]Caffeine Interferes with GABA Metabolism GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a neurotransmitter naturally produced in the brain and nervous system as well as the heart. It plays an important role in mood and stress management and influences a persons sense of well-being. Caffeine has been found to interfere with binding of GABA to GABA receptors, preventing it from performing its calming function.³⁷ GABA’s role in stress management is compromised in the presence of caffeine, and increased physiological and psychological stress lead to overeating as well as difficulties losing weight.

I felt the same way...I started my journey back in Dec, 2019 (right b4 Covid). So I stayed over again in Sept, 2021. My surgery is now scheduled for June 6. I have been told that if you have the sleeve done initially, that if there is a weight gain later in life, that they MAY be able to perform a full gastric bypass at that time. Sent from my SM-G981V using BariatricPal mobile app

I agree with carol....I have been fat and thin and let me tell you EVERYONE is your friend when you are thin. Not only is everyone your friend but you are NOT invisible... when you are thin people make eye contact, smile at you and generally engage with you. I have noticed since gaining weight 7-8 years ago that I slowly became "The Invisible Woman"....ignored by most people from shop assistants to parents at my children's school. I have even "lost" friends over the last few years due to my weight gain. I know I have to take some responsibility for these failed friendships (due to declining invitations to go out, becomming a bit of a recluse at times because I was embarrassed or felt uncomfortable with my size) but let's face it.... it's difficult to completely participate in life when you are morbidly obese. veggestyle.....I believe that as we shed our pounds we will also shed our insecurities....and that is what will draw people to us.

Maur, Don't worry about the weight gain right now as it is fluid from surgery. You are in the healing stage right now not the losing stage so just get rest and the losing will start soon. Welcome to LBT.

My Dr gave me a RX for omeprazole right after surgery and told me to take it for 6 months. My surgery was on Sept 4th. so three weeks ago. I have to be honest i am nervous since Zantac was recalled and also i have read that the side effects of Omeprazole is weight gain. In the three weeks since my surgery I have only lost 13lbs. I have between 65-100 Protein, around 600 calories or less and drink between 80 oz to a gallon of water a day so i cant for the life of me figure out why i am not losing more weight. I wasn't given a pre op diet. I just have to do liquids the day prior to surgery. I am desperate for advice or insight because I am sort of freaking out. Could the medication be preventing my weightless?

I have never heard of weight gain being a side effect of omeprazole, but I expect that if one looks into all of the fine print that accompanies the Rx instructions that there is some fraction of a percent of people in some study that did, and that has to be included in the data sheet. People have been taking it post op for years and losing weight as expected for their surgery, so don't worry about that. Zantac is a completely different class of drug from omeprazole, so whatever problem it is having at the moment doesn't apply to omeprazole, which along with all PPIs have their own potential issues (as indeed, do all drugs...) and they apply to long term (years) use rather than short or intermediate term. As for not losing weight at the moment, do a search here for three (or third) week stall - it is entirely normal to have a weight stall around this time.

I have been on Omeperozole for years to to GERD. I don't think it contributed to my weight gain...my poor habits did. You should be fine. It does a great job keep acid down when taken regularly.

weight gain in 3 days

This sounds like a decision you should talk through with your Dr, going over your neurological auto-immune illness and whether Bariatric Surgery is a good fit to combat the weight gain that's associated with it. I would be cautious of accepting the advice of those outside your care team (friends, family, coworkers, etc...) since ultimately it's your body and your decision and the people in our lives have all kinds of preconceived opinions and motivations for swaying you one way or another, even if well-meaning. To your daughter's point, technically, a majority of people can lose weight by watching their intake and exercise, but some people need the bariatric surgery as a tool to help move them along and that's just as valid of an accomplishment as doing it through sheer willpower.

I had poor weight loss with the band as well as many side effects so on 11/21/11 I had a revision done by one of the top surgeons in Mexico. I weighed in at 298 before the preop diet. At surgery I was 293. After the 3 week liquid diet post op I got to 282 and was overjoyed. I started darting food again and went to 285. I emailed the nutritionist who gave me a diet to follow. I was unable to eat all that she expected me to eat and got to 290!!!!! She emailed me back and said it must be metabolic as there was no logical reason based upon my weight. Surgery and diet this should happen. I made an appt with my family doc to get a referral to an endo. I had already explained that my thyroid tests were normal. Part of me thinks I should see the endo, but I must admit that I don't know what else can be done if my thyroid is normal. I know I am fine on the diet . One other thing is that I have bipolar disorder and take several meds that have weight gain as side effects. I can't cut back on them because I will end up living on the street without them. Anyone else having a similar problem?

Hi Bright- It makes sence that when we eat ALOT of food that we haven't been eating regularly it stays in our intestins longer to break down & process. It may take several days for this "food" to be expelled & therefore you weight gain will be high until its all gone. That added with too much Salt- is the culprit. But once you get back on track you will see progress. I think alot of newbies & Those yet to be banded(myself) choose the band kinda for that reason. You know that we CAN eat the SAME stuff as before- we truely are not willing to give it up for a LIFETIME> At least I think its one of the componets for the band choice. With RNY- most wouldn't be able to do sweets & other things(dumping syndrome). But even they gain weight back. I saw my GYN 2 days ago & she had had the RNY-lost 90 pd in 1 yr & gained 40 pds back. How sad? She thinks her tummy stretched. I may switch Docs & tonight go to a new seminar w/this new Doc who does both types of surgery. I hope to be even more convinced of the band but RNY does have pluses as well. But as to gaining & plateus they are with BOTH surgeries & Both have pitfalls & most importantly BOTH will not work unless we follow them to a tee!!! Which means when we have fun- we will need a little mending period. I guess I wrote this for you as much for myself-because I am very scared of failure. You think I would be so used to it by now-lol Keep your chin up Bright- & yes maybe go get a "tiny" bit more of a fill. Than do your thing- I know we will be hearing weight loss stories from you in no time!

It's funny that you say that. I didn't have my P since February 15 and then suddenly on Saturday I started spotting. Since then I have continued to spot. I've only lost 17 lbs so far. I'm 50 so I thought maybe it was menopause, could still be. Weight gain/loss does affect hormones.

Awesome advice! I am a firm believer that staying busy with good stuff, helps. I knit, walk, play a game with my kids and keep a book and puzzle going at all times. It helped a lot. I also journal, plan meals, and watch every bite that goes in. But remember that Water, etc., fluctuates a lot, so don't get down by day to day weight gains.

I was lucky that I'd just been banded the previous holiday season. This season, however, ooh boy. I'm really rather disappointed with how easily I excused my poor choices with "it's the holidaaaays~!" The weight gain on the scale still makes me cringe, though thankfully I'm losing again. I'm certainly glad to be back on track though.

I was 264 and now am 146. I had the sleeve 4/14/14. I have had zero weight gain, however, I am the type to make a decision and stick with it. I made permanent changes and never backslide. I will eat something naughty at times but always stick to the overall plan. I don't drink alcohol and do not focus on food. I did the psychological work to permanently change my emotions. I have done serious work as health us a serious business. I no longer have any medical issues. Diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney and liver problems are gone. I only take an allergy pill, rather than 12 pills and 4 shots. The surgery is not a miracle, it is a tool. Your mind is the key. If you are the type that gives yourself permission to self destruct, you must take care of that. That was my approach. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App