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Hah, loved Insanity workout and actually taught it at a gym for a bit before my injury which led to depression and weight gain. I haven't been cleared for workout yet (10 days post op) but I can't wait. When I get cleared I'll let ya know Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm a 34yr male. 6'1 and currently weighing 225 pounds. I had succesful lap band surgery in march 2007 and lost 80 pounds. From 265 went down to 185. I had maintained overall weight loss success until sometime last year in january 2014 when i started to notice the GERD getting worse and also some weight gain. For the first time in 5 years when i hit the scale i saw numbers over the 200 range. I started to worry because i knew something was not right. Got an upper GI series done and all it showed was mild pouch dilation. Doctor left band as is and never suggested any course of treatment for the dilation and for the GERD. Fast forward now to 2015 and I seeked a second opinion from another surgeon. Surgeon performed an EGD and it shows that there is band slippage, gastritis and presence of GERD. Surgeon suggested a revision for the lap band and to convert it to either a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass. Insurance has approved the revision but need guidance or help in deciding which one is better for me. I see soo many mix responses from people suggesting or prefering one over the other. I will say that yes the band did work for me and do its job. It improved my health alot but now is the GERD that is just kicking me in the rear end very bad. Like stated before I weight 225 now and for the long term success and achivement I'm undecided as to what procedure is more suited for me at this point of my life. I do need the surgery to aliviate the discomfort plus without any bariatric procedure on me I would go back to how i was prior to the lapband. I tried it all before deciding doing bariatric surgery in 2007. Thank you.

Good evening all. I'm scheduled for rny on 9/12. I have my final weigh-in on 9/6 and watch the drop video. I'm in Michigan and wonder if anyone knows someone who surgery date was cancelled due to them gaining a few pounds. Right now with changing my eating and exercise seems like I'm up in a few lbs and scared they are going to cancel my rny. Does anyone know if someone surgery was canceled. Thank you everyone

I am only 18 years old and was just banded on Thursday. The reason I got the band is a little different than most but i am still grateful for the opportunity. When I was 14 I was diagnosed with a some medical problems that no normal 14 year old should have to worry about. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, Hypothyroidism, and very high cholesterol. I grew up in a very active family; my mom is a personal trainer and dietitian so I was definitely a healthy active kid. However, for some weird reason, I was very over weight despite being on my school's swim team, soccer team, and having a personal trainer. I got on medications for the problems in hopes that it would take care of my weight issues. They helped a little but I continued to struggle all through high school with my health despite my activity level and healthy eating. It was so frustrating! Then I went off to college and it got even more difficult in the fact that I was being a dumb college kid and not eating like I should since mommy wasn't there to tell me what to eat (you would think I would have learned after 18 years of it, but alas I did not). I got to a really low place with my self esteem and my health and was very discouraged and very down. I thought that I would have to struggle and be over weight for the rest of my life and that got me really down. Then I heard about the lap-band. I did my research and found that the lap band has helped a lot of people with their PCOS (which is my biggest issue in terms of weight gain)!! I was thrilled! I knew this procedure would be life changing for me and I am so grateful for all the support I have received throughout my journey. This procedure is a blessing for me. I know it will be hard but I know I can do it and am looking forward of a healthier future! I'm only 6 days post op and it has been a hard 6 days but I am getting better everyday. The pain is not pleasant but it is getting better. I do have quite a bit or soreness at the port site but that was expected. I can't wait to see what the band does for me.

Muscle does weigh more than fat. Of course, a pound of muscle and a pound of fat weight the same (ha!), but a CUP of muscle would weigh more than a cup of fat, or any such measurement you choose. And I agree on the "gained three pounds" of muscle thing overnight doesn't make sense. However, hard workouts that tax muscles do result in weight gain for some people because they retain Water while the muscle is healing, and then the water is released, usually within 24 hours.

I have been a bad bandster I am two yrs post op and havent lost weight since last january. Lately I have been eating unhealthy and not very motivated to better myself. I think alot of it is being complacent in life...new boyfriend..bought a house...and just happy in general. Now my problem is keeping food down. If I dont eat throughout the day then I cant eat without vomiting. I need to start with lots of liquids and almost stretch out my stomach. Once I do that I have a good chance of eating more than just soup. I havent had a fill in a year and a half and dont know if its too tight or just my fault for not following the rules. I dont have pain unless I need to throw up...no heartburn or nausea. But I am hungry....alot. I only eat one good meal every three or four days. Other than that its just snacks or ice cream to get me through. I feel like I am failing myself and the band...please help!

hi folks I wondered if anyone has any advice about explaining the lap band procedure to their children? I have two boys, the eldest is almost fourteen and is quite close to me. I have been pretty involved in researching and learning about the surgery and discussing it with my husband (in private, away from the kids). This morning my son came to me and wanted to know what's going on? He said "I know you and dad are discussing something and i heard one of you mention hospital". I didn't know what to say - I haven't a surgery date yet, I'm not even 100% sure (i am 99%!) sure i am going to go ahead with it so don't want to worry my son yet. We have had quite a bit of trauma in our family in the last 18 months and he is quite sensitive to me being preoccupied and/or stressed. So what I'm asking is when and if the time comes to have the surgery, do any of you have any ideas how to explain this to my sons, without worrying them or giving them incorrect ideas about weight gain/loss etc? I'd be grateful to hear of any of your experiences

I am 18 months post-op from RNY surgery. I lost my weight in the first 7 months and then entered the maintenance phase. I was diabetic prior to surgery and it has gone into remission right after surgery. Because of the diabetes, I exclude sugar from my diet. I get my sweet tooth satisfied with natural sugars found in fruits and milk, and with Splenda and Stevia. Generally weight gain in the maintenance stage is associated with grazing which causes the pouch to get bigger. Weight gain follows. Grazing on carbohydrates does not satisfy hunger. It is good to graze on Protein. In my case, I have included fats back into my diet because they satisfy hunger. If you must graze on sweets, I would recommend using Adkin's treats. They contain some fats that will satisfy and should not elevate your blood sugar levels.

I was 213 when I had my surgery. I am now 183 and I am struggling to get out the 180's. My goal weight is 125. Others who have had the surgery have lost their weight fast and I am struggling. I don't know if its because the meds I take cause weight gain, if I am not working out enough, or I stressing. I would love to meet others who have been through the same thing I am going through and know what they did to fix the problem. I will say I struggle to get enough Water in. I also don't go to the gym consistently but that will change because my son is going to start going with me to his 24 hour gym. I am on myfitness pal under mirandaperry2005. I am also on twitter under the name miranda perry. I am praying I can start to get this last 50 pounds off.

Venting is good, and we're good at it here. Maybe I can help make sense of some of the things you're experiencing. Doesn't it seem like we lose weight at a snails pace compared to everyone else? By we do you mean people with the band, or just people who are significantly overweight? Even worse, it seems like we GAIN weight faster than everyone else. This I have noticed. Gain on the tail end of loss is predictable. I think rate of gain also has to do with the extent to which we overeat. E.g. take a "normal" person who has lost 10 lbs, and may gain back 2. And a "fat" person who has lost 50 lbs, and may gain 15. Two things working against the fat ones - the amount they lost (which usually has a strong correlation to the amount that is gained), and the way in which the weight is gained. The "normal" person doesn't have an eating problem, the "fat" person does. Chances are the fat person is consuming a helluva lot more calories, hence the quicker weight gain. Have you ever been on a diet, stuck to every single little rule and didn't cheat even just a little bit - then, one day you have a morsel of something "bad" and gain 2 pounds?? This experience is exactly what kills so many diets before they even have a chance to kick in. People defeat themselves way too quickly. If you've been around a while you've seen me say it more than once - weight does not equal fat. Weight is your skin, everything on it, and everything in it. Fat is fat. During the first 7 - 10 days of a diet, especially a full omission diet (where some thing or things are excluded, e.g. low fat, low carb -- as opposed to a redcuded calorie diet where the overall calories are viewed rather than individual types of foods), your body is fighting like mad to keep the fat on. I won't go into the sordid details, but one byproduct of that battle is to retain things like Water and glycogen. What happens most of the time is that -- maybe some fat is lost, meube it's not, but it certainly isn't gained. However, the body is being greedy with all the things it's trying to hold on to, and not releasing the way it does when you're in a dietary equilibrium. This means you weigh more than you did a week ago, even if you have less fat on your body. People see that jump in the scale and say, "F it, I'm 2# heavier, this diet isn't working" when - if they could have just given it a little while longer - their body would have adjusted and they would have started to see the difference. And then there's the specific restriction leaps and bounds. Take low carb diets for example. While in a state of ketosis, the body uses a lot of water. Most people don't adequately increase their intake, so their body is continuously in a state of mild dehydration (that's on TOP of the dehydration most people are always in). When you break ketosis, you will gain water weight. It's pretty much a guaranteed thing. It can be as little as a pound, or as much as 18+ pounds. People on low carb diets in ketosis will "cheat", break their ketosis, see they've gained 10 lbs overnight, NOT make the distinction between "gain" and "fat gain" and give up because all of their sacrifice has been for nothing. This is why scale's aren't the way to go. I'm so frustrated I could scream! I'm on my pre-op liquid diet, been good as gold for 8 days and I've lost 5 measly pounds! GRRRRRR! I remember when I could lose 5 pounds in 2 days, now it takes me 8 whole days of nothing but liquid??!! Liquid diets usually aren't for weightloss, they're usually for a specific outcome, e.g. shrinking the liver, giving intestinal issues time to "take it easy," flushing some part of the body, etc. Try not to let yourself be frustrated by this. Part of it could be your age (you mention remembering the day -- also remember that your body has changed since then), part of it could be the liquids... there are SO many variables here. So frustrating. I really think that years of yo-yo dieting has messed with my metabolism. No worries here, it can't happen. Your body - if subjected to extreme dieting - becomes more efficient at storing fat. This "unexplained" weight gain, coupled with the additional challenges in weightloss that can come with age, hormonal changes, etc., and the body's natural tendency to change its own composition (which yoyo dieting can add to - remember, the body always tries to hold on to the fat it has... yo-yo dieting can make your body, well, to make a long story short, your body can become less sure of where its next meal is coming from, and want to hold on to even more fat, just in case... hence your equilibrium state is now fatter than it used to be). I know I didn't gain this weight over night, and I know it'll take a long-long-LONG time to lose it... but 5 pounds?? Come on! And I would say to you, 5 pounds in 8 days?? Come on, what more do you want!?!? :cool: Of course now I'm concerned with what will happen when I'm banded (this Friday). I know I'll go crazy when I see the scale creeping along, or even stopping after surgery. It's just so frustrating. The ideal thing would be to hide the scale - been there, done that. I always talk myself into stepping on it. I try not to be obsessive with the numbers, but, how can you not be? It's not that hard to get away from. It really does work to get rid of the scale. Just throw it away. It doesn't tell you what you need to know. If you want to do something compulsively, invest in a body fat meter, or hell - a $4 tape measure. Those will give you a much better idea of the changes in your body than a scale will. I'm really discouraged and really just plain bummed out. I know it'll take a while, but, I'm literally starving on this #$#%$ pre-op diet and so disappointed. I know we've all felt like this - I just needed to vent. And vent away. It's good for you. And understanding why some of these things may help.

Thanks Kim. I'm definitely going to stay between 950-1200 calories because that's what my doctor wants. I honestly wasn't beat up about the weight gain I just thought it was weird. Because I feel healed, ya know? But I realize my body is just adjusting. Plus, i got on the scale this morning and had lost the 6-7 lbs I had gained in the past week. So back to 269 I am and hopefully it's the last time I see that number :-) You guys are great! It's nice to know I'm not alone in this journey :-)

Hi! I haven't been banded. I am just doing research regarding LapBand. I weigh over 100 lbs. beyond my goal weight, but the gastric bypass is too invasive! I am 59, and not sure whether this is for me. Secondly, my husband has Medicare with Tricare for Life, and I am covered as his dependent (spouse) with Tricare Prime; I do not qualify for Medicare. I found Tricare Prime accepts referrals from Primary Care Physicians for GBS. However, I checked about 4 months ago about whether they approve for LapBand surgery, and was told "No, not at this time." Has anyone heard different as to whether they have reconsidered? I am curious. Does anyone know why Tricare Prime would pay for GBS and not LBS? Maybe because the procedure is still too new? I would also like to know why it is easier to exercise and eat right when one has the LBS, than before the surgery? Doesn't the motivation have to continue? Perhaps the LBS does motivate, when youhave gone that far? I know one thing... I have been too heavy, too long (about 8 years) and realize that soon I am prone to diabetes, sleep apnea, etc. as it runs in my family, both sides. My motivation to lose lasts about 1 week, then it fades. Could be because my husband can and does eat Desserts, or anything he desires, with no weight gain. Guess you might call that co-dependent, but I can't help it. When sweets are around, I weaken. I have not been a happy person for a long time now. This weight is depressing. I would hate to think that I would have to carry my two dogs around all day long, but my excess weight outweighs them! ...and they are BIG dogs!:help: Any information about insurance, or advice about LBS will be appreciated! Thank you! Pam :clap2: pamblundell@aol.com

Well, I can understand a lot of what you're talking about. Most assuredly you're in a better place for pregnancy (at least as a doc would view things) being more than half a year from surgery. And some doctors will let their patients try to conceive even sooner post op. My twins were nearing the same age when we decided to get pregnant, too. I didn't want too much of an age difference, so I really do understand that part of things. If there isn't a fertility concern I would wait one year post op but that's me. I had issues eating for more than a year post op. It wasn't until the six months prior to my two year anniversary that I could eat more normally, skip shakes if I didn't want them and had my Vitamin deficiencies under control. Would a healthy and happy pregnancy prior to that time been possible? Absolutely. Other people have done it and had no real problems or complications. A lot depends on where you are in your diet and overall health. As far as baby weight, unfortunately, very few folks have come back to update post op. It could be that they're too busy or that they're ashamed because they haven't been able to lose it. I do know that of the handful of regain posts I've seen, some of them were ladies that had babies post sleeve. But I think that the same principles that apply to maintenance/loss prior to a baby apply afterward and that a lot of this can be avoided if you're healthy, don't develop bad habits or go completely off track because you're pregnant and if you've got the emotional food issues under control. I've had a perfectly normal weight gain with my pregnancy and anticipate no real issues shedding the weight afterward, though I do expect it to go slowly much the way losing my last twenty pounds to goal went before I got pregnant. This is really something you should weigh and consider after seeing both your OB/GYN and your surgeon, to see what they have to say. Good luck, ~Cheri

Thanks for your thoughtful replies. I am trying to figure out how to tackle the weight gain...I only lost 30 lbs after the sleeve (a huge disappointment for me), have gained almost all of it back. My Breakfast almost never varies, 1/2 cup greek yogurt with 1/4 cup granola and 1/2 cup of fruit; then a low fat cheese stick or 1/4 cup of nuts two hours later, then 1/2 of a sandwich or a salad, then veggies or a piece of fruit for a snack, then dinner is at 5:30 - which I'm still happy to say is very much limited in portion compared to pre-surgery. I am horrible at night though, from 7 on I'm snacking on something...1 cup of tortilla chips and salsa w/protein or pretzels w/peanut butter, or Protein drinks. I'm going to at least try and stop the night Snacks...they seem superfluous and a hold over from when I wasn't eating much and needed extra protein. It is never hard for me to get Water in now that I'm two years out. I've always loved the taste of cold water and plan to try and add that for the night snacking I've gotten used to. I appreciate all the reminders of how hard it really is to do this every moment of every day. I was so hoping the struggle would diminish...but it is just as fierce as it always has been and will likely be until I leave the earth. Let me don my armor and sword!!!!

I had a reduction done several years ago. Pre surgery and pre weight gain. Mine were naturally huge. Having that surgery helped every aspect. It was easier to exercise, my back improved. It was a major operation for me but never got me as small as I wanted. Recovery was simple. Fast forward to now. When I get to goal I'll investigate having another one. I would say go for it if it's covered. Just find a great surgeon.

I have my first post-op appointment today. I was banded June 22. I'm down a total 8lbs which is disappointing but i was warned not to expect weight loss after surgery and possibly even a weight gain until I start getting fills. I'm excited for my fill today. i'm ready to get this show on the road!!

There is a study on the recidivism-weight gain of participants on the show. I read it while I was doing research. One of the points made was that the contestants do 90 minutes of cardio a day with "suggested" times of up to 3 hours more. They are not fed a certain diet, and can choose what they eat. Before weigh-ins, many are dehydrated, etc. (like my WW weigh ins for sure;-( ) once off the ranch, they try to keep to these same measures to win. I don't know anyone who has an outside life of family, kids, dogs, jobs etc, who has time to work out 4 1/2 HOURS a day. Not to mention, it is near impossible to keep up. I used to watch the show and loved it, until I realized that like many of us, they lost all that weight to regain much of it. I do have my guilty pleasure of my 600 pound life...

Recycled, I am not an obsessive person, I do not weigh myself several times a day. I do not know why you would say that?! I weigh once a week because I was told too by my bariatric team, I was originally only going to measure myself. So I was only asking because I am gaining weight and as I said I was not worried about losing massive weight I was only concerned about the weight gain part of it.

I'm about 8 wks post op and have been doing really good... I think? I'm down 42lbs since day 1 preop, but have stalled and gained a few pounds back... I feel like I'm able to eat way more/bigger portions already... not intentionally, but lunch today I had a (what I think was a BIG) salad, and yesterday I ate two large lettuce wraps stuffed with chicken, etc.... I'm worried if I'm eating too much and that's what's leading to my weight gain....?? Should I still be trying to stick to 600-800 cals a day? I am desperate to reach my goal... Please help!!

Having been diagnosed with MS on 9th November, I have had many ups and downs for the last 2 months. Anyway to give you an outline/timeline May time, had back pain/arm pain, trips to physio and accupuncture and 4 weekls later gone.... August, symptoms return and get worse and worse, niggly back pain in shoulderblade region to the left and raditing down arm which is very very painful, having to hand my arm to my side to try to relieve the pain and no matter where I put it it still hurt. Saw physio once a week and accu once aweek. Went to hydrotherapy, hot room, sauna, spa in an attemp to relieve the pain. late Oct, finally had enough and went to see doc(friday), he referred me for bone scan and CT scan, had CT scan monday and bone scan Friday, both test picked up results next day and both normal, bugger bugger bugger. Funny how you wish for something to be wrong just so you can have an answer to your problem. Back to doc on Monday who at least did not stand on his laurels and brush me off (even though he is at lest 70), said next step is MRI but needs a neuro to refer. OK I rang the specilist and no appts for at least 6 weeks. Well it just so happens that I work at the hospital in the cardiology dept alongside neuro dept and had a quiet word with receptionist who had a quiet word with neuro (tues) and he agreed to refer me without consult. Wasnt in till Thurs so in I went and thanked him big time for doing this and how frustrated I was and mentioned that my left side of my face was numbish. Oh he said that isnt right and off he popped to the MRI dept and organised a MRI for Tues for me and free too..... chuffed to pieces off home I went and shock of shock overnight my feet went numb and going to work the next day I fell up the steps. Panicking I was whisked to A&E under same neuro and one brain scan/upper spine scan it was diagnosed. 5 days in hospital on IV steriods and 6 weeks of oral steriods later (and no weight gain) the pain in my arm and back is back, it took 4 painkillers to even stop the pain this morning and they are the ones with codine, 2 neuro plus and 2 paracetamol codenine. I cant fault my treatment, from doc to diagnosis 10 days including all tests and results. Had a full spine MRI 2 weeks later which showed 5 leisions on the spine from top to bottom. I am so over the pain. I popped into see neuro (perk of working next door) and he said that my upper leison was extremly large and could take a few months to get over. If you hear a rattling noise its just me popping more pills. Jo

Your welcome. I know I had a lot of questions at the get-go too. I went to two seminars with different surgeons, and there was a clear choice in my mind, and I went with that doctor. My seminar was in June, and my consultation was scheduled for a few weeks later..so late June early July. I could have surgery in late August, but I had a scheduling conflict, so I moved it to the first week of Sep. I am absolutely thrilled with my results. I'm on a plateau now, but I *never* thought I'd be this close to goal weight after struggling with weight gain and then obesity for the last 15+ years. I've gone the Weight Watchers route more than once, I've gone to a weight loss doctor for phentermine twice, and, of course, I've tried to lose weight on my own several times. All these attempts were met with failure. With the band, I eat normal foods; just much smaller portions, and I don't drink with my meals. I go to the gym for rigorous workouts 3 - 4 times/week. I went into this, not merely to lose weight, but to improve my health. That's one of the reasons exercise is such an important component to me. I didn't add it just to help with weight/inches loss. I want a healthy heart and increase in stamina. I'm planning to hit 50 yrs old with a body that matches my mind and attitude, and I'm getting there.

Obviously I have no experience in this area but I'm responding to this to remove it from the no reply section so that it's exposed to people using apps and maybe responded to? But I've seen dozens of women respond to weight gain and how it correlates to TOM.

I was banded on Monday too! The gas pain is just awful, more than I expected. I'm taking pain pills just for that pain - the incisions don't hurt a bit. Walking helps but not as much as I had hoped. I generally have a heating pad on my left shoulder, and it helps some. With that being said, I would do this again in a heartbeat. As for the hernia, I did as much reading on that as I could before surgery because I knew I had a big one. My doctor said that most people have small hernias, but mine was the biggest he'd seen in 30 years of medical practice. Anyway, with all the reading I did, no one seemed to have a reason for hiatal hernias, just that they happen quite commonly. And I am so happy that this is now fixed - none of the weird symptoms I had before are there. That part of the experience is just wonderful. I'm also not very hungry and find it a bit difficult to get in all the Protein shakes. Takes me a while to drink a whole shake, and if I add anything to it for flavor or texture (like frozen strawberries), I can't finish it. I did that in the diet before surgery, but can't manage it now. That's a good thing, I've started losing weight again after a couple of days of slight weight gain. Anyway, happy to join you and the other folks in Bandland!

I don't understand how I could possibly be gaining weight since I have been extremly strict with my diet progression through the appropriate stages and my amounts are staggeringly small.....3 or 4 tbls of food at each meal. How is that happening? Doesn't that mean that when I'm able to eat real food that I'll continue gaining? This is so depressing and I was so close to canceling my suregery anyway cuz I thought I was doing so good on the preop diet (20 lbs lost). I've read that post surgery is about healing more so than weight loss, but how terrible I feel to be gaining on such small amounts of food. Anyone know why this happens or has happened to anyone else or is it just me failing once again at weight loss?

Thank goodness my doctor and nurse warned me about the hospital weight gain. I came home 17 pounds more than the day I left for surgery. I have lost all of that and 17 more. My surgery was 11/8. Tomorrow I can begin on pureed foods, going very slow with that. My issue is I don't like sweet stuff, so the protein drinks are challenging at best. Good luck - it will get better!