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I was told it is wise to reprogram your eating habits during the honeymoon stage the first year of surgery, so that by the time you are healed totally you will not eat all these foods that got you to the sleeve in the first place. Weight gain is unavoidable if you keep your old habits and old favorite foods.

I had that same concern worry - as a revision from band patient I really thought about this! What I have to honestly say is that even in 2001 there were "early warning signs" that all was not well with the band. I lived in Europe where the band was already being done alot and while I didn't have any local support, I did belong to a yahoo group. My first clue was that there was a general list and then there was a "secret" list where the veterans posted. Once i hit the one year mark, with very limited success and was permitted in the veterans area I came to realize how many people where having complications and very commonly not losing as much weight as they wanted. As most people do pretty well at first with the band - the complications tend to increase over time, the general forum gave a very narrow view of the band experience. There was also a great deal of shaming on that particular website. I had alot of trouble with vomiting more than I should have but there was a culture of blaming/shaming the patient so I never really got the counseling/advice/help I needed to manage the band better. At that time the stock answer "can't help you if you aren't compliant". I would be thinking "compliant with what? what can I eat that won't get stuck and make me vomit and embarrased?" but instead would keep my mouth shut and try to do better - without really knowing "how to do better" At that time, there was less understanding about managing the right level of fill and lots of people had to travel for fills/unfills at great cost, including me, and so often lived with too tight of bands which led to oh so many problems. Well, in truth, my first first first clue should have been pre-op was when my surgeon had me sign a document acknowledging that the band should be considered temporary and would most likely require removal with risk of significant weight gain. I had put on such rose colored glasses I didn't even remember signing that until I went through my paperwork in preparing for my revision to sleeve. With the sleeve, I was looking for all the bad things - and surely found them (risk of leaks, etc etc) - but so far (will be 4 years in Dec) things have worked out as expected, or really better than expected and I feel like more was understood/ widely known about the sleeve in 2011 than was generally acknowledged about the band in 2001.

I think I felt it shrink, two times already. ..!!!lol !... I felt pain like when your uterus is shrinking after child birth!! Lol.. I just excersided with y son's, and am really watching my food intake..but the weight gain is fast....and Totally scary..(and uncomfortable)

I am just starting on my way to WLS. I submitted my insurance info and I am waiting for a response. I had several things that jumped on the last straw to break it. I have been gaining and gaining over the years but really got bad after my hysterectomy 7 years ago. No matter what I do I gain. I saw a picture of myself a few months back and felt horrible. I hated what I saw and why did I let this happen? I have tried many things over the years to lose weight. Most recently I bought a Fitbit and started tracking my food and my steps. I decided to do a 5k that was hosted by my work. I was second to last and finished at 59 minutes 15 seconds. I walked it. There was a point walking it that I had to stop for a second cause I hurt so bad. The next few days I was in pain. Each time I get my 10,000 steps my feet and knees hurt so bad.I bought an elliptical machine and can't last more than five minutes and still be able to breathe. I hate how I can't be as active as I want to be. The last thing that added to my weight gain was my husband cheating on me after 30 years. I was devastated and food was my comfort. I have gone from 280 last year to 315 currently. I am done with feeling like this! So I hope I can get this done!

1-3 pounds. And honestly depends on when I weigh myself. If I weigh in the morning, I have no weight gain. If I weigh at night, I fluctuate. I'm 2 1/2 years out.

I've enjoyed the crust my daughter doesn't eat. Trying to stay away the best I can. Pizza and soda is what cause my weight gain in the beginning.

@@SWEETTEA I don't want to derail the thread, but yes, I had a doctor explain it to me that way. We have the disease obesity. And like any disease, there are treatments and there are cures. WLS is a treatment for the disease, not the cure. Eating right, exercising, tracking calories etc is the treatment, not the cure. That's why if you stop the treatment, the symptoms of the disease return (weight gain). Made total sense to me.

Don't worry about weight gain just post surgery. It's quite normal. Congratulations on the surgery and speedy recovery

I recently got to see my past and current medical records because I am trying to overturn my insurance company's decision to cut me off since I will soon be going over their income limit with my salary raise. Before I tell you what I found in my records, let me take a moment to highlight the real truth: I am moderately healthy. The only physical/mental issues I am still plagued with are hypothyroidism, mild to moderate anxiety/depression, and a mild skin condition. However, my records indicate that I suffer from a long list of diseases and inflictions. Many of these were problems I had over 15 years ago and that I consider conditions that I have RECOVERED from. I totally understand your repulsion with being labeled OBESE. My gosh, you have gone through sweat and tears just to get that ugly label off your plate. But the truth is that you will probably carry that label the rest of your life even if you became anorexic. I compare this to my "drug addict" label that I have to carry around even though I've been clean for 15 years. About 17 years ago, I had terrible inflammation in my joints because of rheumatic fever. The Vicodin that was prescribed not only alleviated this pain, but also instantly relieved me from anxiety and depression. It was like letting go of the100 pounds of bricks that had weighed me down for over 10 years. I felt optimistic, awake, energetic, and hope for my future. It took over a year to finally get help because I did not want to be forever labeled as a drug addict. I wasn't in a back alley shooting up heroin with dirty needles after not sleeping for days or taking a bath for a month. However, that is the image many people get when you have a drug addict label. Even at NA meetings, you have to present yourself as a drug addict. You can present yourself as a recovering drug addict, but the truth is that you will be recovering the rest of your life even if you never touch substances again. As a teacher that works with children with special needs, I could debate endlessly the pros and cons of labeling. Like lipstick lady mentioned, a label does tell a doctor what you have been through and an awareness that certain symptoms have a chance of returning again. A doctor shouldn't prescribe codeine syrup for my bronchitis due to my past substance abuse tendencies. Likewise, a doctor probably shouldn't prescribe Zyprexa (for depression) either, since a side effect is about a 20 pound weight gain. One could say that having this kind of opinion helps me to feel better about turning in my appeal with all my past health conditions and diseases. If they took the time to really read through my past medical file, they should be able to gather that I'm not afflicted with most of these problems anymore or not to the same extent. My doctor has filled out the insurance paperwork already and has informed me that she has put all my past health conditions onto the current health problem report. I would like to believe that she did this because she believes that past medical problems will always stay with a patient or because related symptoms could someday return. However, I think she may have done it so that she can continue getting paid.

Hi everyone, this is my first post so please be kind! ???? On March 5th, 2012 I had lap band surgery. My HW then was 371lbs., SW was 350 lbs. And within a year I lost about another 72lbs. After that, I seemed to hit a brick wall, and had issues with keeping things down. Long story short, I went to see my surgeon after another vomiting episode and had emergency gallbladder removal the next day. Ever since then, I had more and more issues with my band to the point where I had to go to the ER and have all my fluid removed due to constant slipping. Since that point my weight gain has sky rocketed from 384, to 391, and now 398! My heaviest weight ever! I have taken full responsibility for going off the handles since my band was deflated, but I am excited for this revision and to get my life back on track. Has anyone else had similar issues? Any and all stories are appreciated, its nice to feel like you're not alone. Best of luck to everyone on their WLJ!!! ????

I kept mine secret until one hour before my surgery. I was worried about all the judgment of people thinking this was and easy out. But it was going to come out eventually and I didn't want to lie about my weight loss when people start noticing the quick drop. I didn't want people to talk behind my back trying to figure it out so I decided to be upfront and made it facebook official. I got way more support than I was expecting. And you know what so what if they talk. If they really care about you they will be supportive. Find out who your true friends are. Everyone has seen me struggle all my life and if it wasn't for all the health issues maybe I wouldn't have done it. Its desperation to be healthy. This was my post to everyone VEVY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT about My Life. For my Family, Friends and inquiring minds who want to know. Soooo, I have made a huge decision that is going to change my life forever. Hopefully for the better. If all goes well.... Some of you may or may not know that I had a lap band procedure done in 2010 to help with weight loss. It did help for a little while. Eventually the band stopped helping me completely and I fell back into old eating habits. Started the whole yo-yo dieting again. I gained it all back then I lost it all again. Then I gained it all back plus some more. The band has been busted for about 3 years but it's still hanging out in my belly. I have been fighting battle of the bulge since I was 8 yrs old. The older you get the harder it is. The bulge always seems to win. The thing that really makes it hard are the underlying health issues. Like PCOS, thyroid, diabetes, depression and anxiety. Then there is the high cholesterol and blood pressure. With all these health problems comes medication for all. Some of the medication causes weight gain but you need them. So conclusion to this battle. I am having the Lapband removed from my stomach and I will be converting to the gastric sleeve. I am so grateful that I have a wonderful husband who has been with me through all of my struggles. He has seen my ups, downs and all arounds. He sees how hard I do work. How hard I try. How much I beat myself up when I don't lose weight even when I have done all of the right things. He has seen me give up hopes and give in to the unhealthy from my disappointment of not winning the battle. He has stood by me through thick and uh, not so thin. I want to thank him very much for helping me with my journey of becoming a healthier me. Because of my fear of judgement I have kept this to myself. But most people would say not to worry about what others think. A lot of people will say well if you just exercise and eat right you will lose weight. Well I do and it does help but it just isn't enough for me. Exercise has become really hard due to arthritis in my right knee and hip but I will continue to fight through the pain. This is not going to be easy!!!!! I love food!!!!!!!!!!! Sugar is the devil!!!!!!!!!! I am giving up all the tasty favorites for a new me. I am going into surgery at 9:30. Wish me luck. See you when I wake I love you all!!!!❤✌ — feeling optimistic.

Depo was fine except I don't want the risk of weight gain!

My surgery is on Monday! Here are tips I have learned from the pre-op experience. - if you smoke, quit now! Most surgeons won't even admit you into the program unless you quit, and will test your blood to make sure you haven't smoked for at least 6 weeks prior to surgery. After surgery, smoking can be very dangerous for a whole list of reasons. - if you drink soda, quit now! I would also recommend trying to cut back on your caffeine levels in general, because caffeine withdrawal after surgery is going to be just one more thing that makes you feel terrible. - if you eat white bread, Pasta, rice, etc, I would highly recommend reducing the amount you eat as much as you can and switching to a whole grain version. It's a bit more expensive but the doctor or nutritionist you're going to be seeing before surgery is going to tell you to do that anyway. Plus, it helps to cut back on grains in general, as your post-op diet is going to be Protein, protein, and more protein for a long time. - try to be patient. I know what it's like to be super excited and hopeful about this great change in your life, but taking things slow and doing them the right way, and making your body as ready and healthy as possible before surgery greatly increase your chances of long-term success in terms of keeping the weight off and your general health. - my last tip is to spend some time thinking about why you are overweight in the first place. The surgery is amazing, and extremely helpful, and an overall incredible experience, but in the end, it's just a tool that you have to help you lose weight and keep it off. The problems that you have before going into surgery are still going to be there when you come out of surgery, and even though you will lose a lot of weight in the beginning, long-term success is absolutely dependent on your good habits and healthy coping skills. Personally, I had to address a problem I didn't really think I had (emotionally speaking) as a lot of my weight gain came from pre-existing medical issues and just down-spiraled from there. The fact is, we all got heavy for a lot of reasons, and addressing the psychological issues, like emotional overeating, is essential to this entire process and your happiness and health for the rest of your life. Good luck! It's an incredible journey. Utilizing ALL the tools you have, including forums like this, food journaling, therapy, the support of your loved ones, etc, will go a long way towards making this time and the rest of your life amazing! Feel free to message me anytime if you want to talk, rant, ask questions, anything.

I am mostly a lurker and will add my opinion when it might differ from someone else's. That said, I love forum and all of the information that I've absorbed. I'm 15-days post op. I had a conversion from a stomach staple to a RNY. Before my surgery, I read everything I could and totally expected to have post op pain, issues with eating, and emotional days. This seems to the be the norm? Well, the day after surgery, the doctor came to see me and I asked him if they actually did something other than poke seven holes in me. He proved it later by having me take the standard "leak" x-ray. I saw the surgery and the pouch. I felt great - a little tired, but overall pretty good. I had surgery on a Wed and went home Fri morning. The doctors and nurses were amazed at how I bounced back from the surgery. The next Monday, I started working every day from home. The following Monday, I'm back at work (I have a desk job). Yesterday, I walked two miles and this morning, I already have one mile under my belt. I started my pureed diet yesterday and had a half cup of chili. I have had no issues with food tolerations whatsoever. I've also started enjoying yogurt - before my surgery, I hated yogurt. Now, I look forward to my yogurt and plan to have yogurt become a regular part of my diet. Has anyone else had a great recovery? Oh...I just thought - I'm probably jinxing myself by writing this. So now the stupid part. I would say that sweets, pastries, ice cream pretty much contributed to most of my weight gain. I'm an addict. Because I'm a diabetic (surprise!), my surgeon recommended the RNY surgery instead of the sleeve. This was good news to me because I knew that sugary foods caused dumping. From prior experience, I know that if a food makes me sick, I won't eat it - no matter how good it is. A week before surgery, I read that only 80% of people will dump. OH NO! My luck, I would be in the 20%. So, I had to test it out. I had to know! There was no getting around it. Did my research. I know that every meal should less than 10 grams of sugar. I found a candy with 14 grams of sugar. I didn't want to make myself too sick. I ate it. Good News! I'm a member of the 80%! I felt sick to my stomach, there was some stomach discomfort, dizzy, light headed, and then I started sweating. I felt terrible! I still have the headache. I felt like - wow, if this little candy does this to me.....never again do I want to feel this way. And I know I got a small dose of what could happen. So I'm good. I know. Will I tell the nut or RN at my next check up, probably not. Ok, am I the only one who had to test it out?

Sorry, the above response was to joasaint, obviously I need to pay attention to detail more ! And he wasn't the one looking for an answer ! (Geesh ! I need to go find my meds ! ) To enjoythetime, and I say this with all due respect, you've lost159 (!) pounds , and you're asking about a tiny weight gain of 3-5 lbs ? Wow is all I can say! Congratulations on your weight loss ! Id consider a temporary 3-5 lb Weight gain as nothing to worry about, but thats just me. Congratulations again !

I have been on the depo for about 3 years. My surgeon never said anything about discontinuing it so I have continued to take it. I haven't had any side effects or weight gain and I don't get a period, so I would try the depo.

Hi all! I recently was put on nexplanon at 4 months post-op, lost 62 lbs total (yay) and been using the implant since June, so it's been roughly 2 months almost now. Of course I'm having the traditional side effects, insane mood swings, weird migraines, irregular bleeding, etc. My concern is weight gain. My doctor said of course with hormonal birth control there is always a risk of weight gain, though she said the average for the arm implant was 5 lbs. I noticed a month into me getting it, my weight loss started to slow down, to the point where I was staying the same weight for a week, no movement. I assumed maybe it was a stall, since I have been getting them every 12 lbs or so. Today I weighed myself and saw a 2lb increase. Now technically I'm supposed to be having a normal period this week, but that's all out of wack due to the hormones (and no I'm not pregnant.) Now is that normal? Should I be freaking out? I have noticed little appetite changes however I am feeling hunger much more strongly than before and my craving for sugar is insanely high. Of course I am staying strong and trying to avoid anything and everything that is a threat at this point. Anyone experiencing these worries with birth control after the sleeve? I was very sensitive to hormones years ago, I stopped taking hormonal birth control for years as a result. Of course after the surgery, it was recommended I take extra caution besides condoms (yes sadly,) so I did. Besides the insane mood swings, it's been terribly nice not dealing with any pills or inserts. I'm curious on options and experiences. I just don't want to gain all I worked hard to lose. Thanks!

I really tried not to take getting on the scale too serisously. Weight loss is not a continuous steady downward path. There will be stalls, slowdowns, and even gains along the way - for reasons that are completely unrelated to your diet and exercise. I could be doing everything right - the right amount of calories, the right amount of protein/carb ratio, the right amount of Water.... and my weight loss would plateau for weeks. My 1st week after WLS, I made a deal with myself. Only the 1st weigh in for the day - in the morning - counted. All the other times I weighed myself were just for fun. :-P I was weighing myself - when I got up, before I drank, after I drank, before I peed, after I peed, before a BM, after a BM, and once in the evening. It was a game as far as I was concerned. Nothing counted except the 1st weigh in, there's just too many variables that can change during the rest of the day. After 31 months, I still weigh myself daily. I'm too paranoid about weight gain to only weigh once a week or God Forbid! Once a month....eeek! Daily weigh in's keep me aware of how much I'm eating and provide the feedback I want. Hope this helps. Down Scale Down! The Fear of Seeing the Scale Move UP! http://www.bariatricpal.com/blog/9018/entry-31534-down-scale-down-or-the-fear-of-seeing-the-scale-move-up-instead-of-down/

No one tells us that weight loss after surgery is not always fast. It may be slower than the average person on a diet. You may have intermittent weight gain despite sticking with your program. That's how it was for me. It took 17 months to loose 97lbs. I did everything "right". I exercised to my level of tolerance daily as I've done since my teens. The surgeon called me metabolism challenged while the nutty nutritionist assumed I was a liar. Fortunately my surgeon had been where we are. Over six years post op I'm maintaining in size 0-4 at shops like GAP & Old Navy. I still struggle with sudden weight gain & metabolic issues but I work my program for life anyway. You will lose the weight over time. We've been deprived of what some call that honeymoon period when the fat easily melts away. Don't sweat it. Persistence pays off. At under a pound a week on average I still lost it. You can and you will as well.

I think you might have a little more luck getting this answered if you start a new thread about it. I don't think you can exercise "too much", so long as you aren't risking injury and you are eating enough to sustain your exercise. It is possible that you are gaining muscle and that some of your weight gain is due to that. If you are eating on plan and exercising regularly, you should be seeing some results. Even if the scale isn't moving, your clothes should fit better, you should feel better, and you would probably look better.

I'm having my pre op assessment today at 1:30pm. I have read so many posts some for this op and some against. I also read some lap band posts too. I have a lap band since 2007 and it never worked. Now after so many years of waiting I'm going to have the sleeve op on the 24th August.. I was so excited until I read the posts about weight gain.. Although I know this op is not a miracle cure I'm going to give it my best. I really believe it's down to you as a person to be strong and stay on plan and make te right choices. I wish everyone who is about to take on this journey the best of luck..

@@Puppypaws57 good luck to you and please accept my apology. As I read my reply above to you, I come across to myself as preachy. I do not judge you, I want to be clear about that. I should not have made statements like "It seems to me..." I am passing along some advice that someone gave to me. He was very instrumental in my emotional healing. I think ! will always have a challenge with weight gain. I have a book on my shelf that says weight gain is caused by suppressed emotions. I gained some weight this year after my mom passed and I am finally at a place where I can take it off. I pray you find inner peace.

I had my band 4 years and my journey ended having it removed and revised to sleeve 4 months ago. My issue was also a stretched esophagus. With my esophagus working as a 2nd stomach, I could eat more and I gradually started gaining weight was my first symptom. When my esophagus issue was discovered my band was emptied and I put on even more weight very quickly. With the weight gain I qualified on the BMI requirement for revision. In addition, I was still on medications for high blood pressure, which also helped me qualify. Getting the band removed was a very tough and sad decision for me and revision was even tougher. Four months out and my feelings have completely changed about my revision. 30 pounds down, no more stuck episodes, no more slime, no more puking, night coughs etc. and the very best is that "feeling full" is really "feeling full"! No more measuring meals, I can now do my own push aways very easily. I understand how you are feeling and the unknowns. Hang in there. If band removal is in your future, don’t let revision surgery scare you. Of course, I’m going to say that sleeve is the way to go, but, then I would be saying different had I had the by-pass done. One thing I do know is that I still need my weight loss tool! Having my band emptied a few months, I started gaining weight and started to fall back into my old habits of overeating. Much luck to you and please do keep me informed of what happens. jake

Hi Rochester, greece area post ops of GWLS! Iam looking for a walking/work out buddy. Weight- 229lbs now would like a goal back to 187lbs. Gastric Bypass surgery in 2006. Weight gain of 40+lbs. Need to get back to where I was feeling great at 187lbs. Thanks in advance! Lets work on incentives! xxoo