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I have not been on here in years but don’t know where to go for help. I had the sleeve on 6-10-13 I lost 135 pounds and was extremely happy with the results over the years I was able to maintain and would go up and down a little but stayed within 10 pounds of my lowest weight of 140. Then COVID hit and now I am working from home and don’t get out much and I am weighing in at 180. I am terrified to gain my weight back and can already feel it in my joints and such just the weight I put on. I can’t seem to get back on track. I need any ideas/tips that anyone can offer. Someone that has gone though a weight gain of 40 lbs and got it back off. thanks

Hi Sarah:) All is well with the mushies! I am so glad to be able to eat again:) I have gained 1lb, which I expected, getting off the clear liquid phase. I am not back to work until next Thursday, Dr.Trieu has patients take 2 weeks:( I definitely feel good enough to go back though! I have my post op appointment next Tuesday. I am excited to get the okay for work and more activities! Hopefully I can keep my weight down until my first fill. I am expecting some weight gain with the introduction of normal foods, but I would be devastated to gain it all back! When is your last nutritional appointment? It must be coming right up! You will be a bandster before you know it!! Hope everything is going well for you:) ~Kerri

i am scheduled for my second fill on may 10. i have lost 10, and the last couple of days i have gained back a couple. i dont think it is true weight gain, rather i think it is Water retention and lack of regularity. regardless, i hate not seeing the scales move. i MUST break the weighing everyday habit... Maybe my next fill will give me some restriction and i can get this party started!

I shouldn't just say today-in general I dislike this train of thought: I'd be lying if I said that years and years, the better part of a lifetime, of social constructs has affected both how I feel about myself and the way people have treated me. I sometimes have the train of thought, that I shouldn't lose weight because I'd just be giving in to "societal pressures". That if I lose the weight, I'm not going to be able to tell who my real friends are, what someone's inner soul is like, or if men are really interested in me, or would have been if I was heavier. The last time I was involved with someone, I weighed 150 lbs. (I got REALLY sick for about 6 months, this is not a normal weight for me). I looked darn good, despite being horribly unhappy in all ever venues, which would eventually lead to a 100lb weight gain. I wore a size 8 and wasn't skinny by any means, but fairly normal, not "fat" and nice curves. The guy I was involved with seemed to be really into super skinny women. and would add all these anime convention "models" or super tiny skinny chicks dressed up for comicon conventions. He also showed me his "favorite p**n star"-an incredibly skinny, rib showing bleach blonde woman. (The mere fact that he had this weird idealizations about fantasies and stereotypes should have been a red flag but I was dealing with other issues.) I finally asked him if he would find someone else more attractive simply because they were thinner. His response: "Not necessarily. I mean, maybe if you could lose 10lbs." For frame of reference, here's a photo from me from that time period (in fact, was about 160 in this photo). I think I look fine (well, despite the goofy face), and I guess I just don't get why that's not enough? Or not considered thin enough or even fat. Thank god-he's gone. But words like that haunt me because it reaffirms the concept that men will only want anorexic, fake looking women...and I will never be that. I don't want to. And I also don't want to lose weight because of comments like that. I want to be sure I'm doing this for myself, and I want to know I'll be able to cherry pick the true people from the bad when/if I start getting more attention. *Sigh*

I'm so glad I found this post this is exactly what is happening to me (no weight gain though thank goodness) it is good to hear that its normal not to feel the restriction at first.

@Serengirl I checked my stats. I lost 34.8 pounds at my 3 month mark. Are you on any medications? I talked to my Dr after I read about a medication I was on (beta blocker) caused weight gain, I switched meds and it helped speed up my metabolism a bit. It wasn’t dramatic but it did help. I also switched up my diet and ate pretty clean for 3 months and avoided processed food. Keep moving, journal everything you eat and research any medications you are taking.

I'm not shouting it from the rooftops, nor am I keeping it a secret from everyone. I told my bosses as one I needed the approval for the time off, but also we are a close knit bunch and I know they would be nothing but supportive. I have told my family, although I was hesitant in telling my mother considering some of my weight issues and self esteem issues that led to my weight gain over the years was because of her. I was fully expecting her to be against it, but she was ok with it in her own snarky way. I believe she phrased it as "well, if you are desperate enough and insurance covers it, it's your choice". This coming from the woman who spent $15,000 on a face lift and neck lipo. I have been very selective in my friends that I am telling. And I sure as heck am keeping it out of my Facebook updates!!

I agree with the warm fluids. I've never heard of Protein drinks causing weight gain and even by adding stuff like fruit may increase carbs, but seriously I've never heard of anyone gaining weight on straight Protein shakes. It is true your body is shock, but on a mere 300 calories a day, any humans body would be in shock and hang onto every little pound, nutrient, calorie that you're taking in. Eating with pain is not supposed to happen unless we overeat. I measured my portions and stopped before I ever had any pain. 300 calories is ridiculous, sorry I'm not trying to insult your medical team, but that's absurd. Oatmeal does swell up at least that is my experience, but it isn't like you can stretch out your stomach by having 1/4 cup of runny oatmeal or cream of wheat. I've never heard that our bodies will get energy from fat stores. We burn fat by building muscle, and calorie deficiency, but I know when I was on full liquids only (300-500 calories a day), I was beyond weak and needed to nap often. I wasn't walking much at all because I was restricted on activity, and if I walked more, I would have needed more calories. Your body needs fuel, good fats, calories, fluids and nutrients. I think guidelines are just that guidelines, and nothing should be set in stone once a patient is out of the danger zone of leaks and complications immediately post-op. Every person is different, every body works differently, and what works for 100 of their other patients might not work for 10 others.

Don't let any weight gain you see discourage you. It's the IV fluids and you will drop it when you are off those. Focus on doing what the doctors say... you will get through this! You are a WLS vet after all and we're made of tough stuff ???? I'm sending you (((( BIG HUGS )))) and healing thoughts ☺️

It will help me lose the weight that I cannot lose. I cannot exercise. My RA and asthma prevent it. My doctors already agreed to do the surgery. When you have asthma and have been on and off steroids for 26 years you gain weight. It's not easy to lose the weight from that. Plus I have Polycystic ovarian syndrome which causes weight gain as well. I eat anywhere from 1-2 times a day. Is much harder to lose the weight because of medical problems than over eating. Especially when you have problems that prevent you from exercising

Studies have found that artificial sweeteners create a false dependency. They stimulate your appetite, Increase carbohydrate cravings and stimulate fat storage and weight gain. In short artificial sugars prepare your body for food that often is not coming and thus confuses your system while also making your body crave more and more sweeter things.

Today I got bold and curious about a drawer of "skinny " pants I haven't been able to wear for over two years from my days of obsessively working out and taking Phentermine ..would you believe they all fit? Some with room to spare?..for a day that started out with a crummy 5lb water weight gain I sure feel Greeaaat now! Thank God for my sleeve!

I had my VSG done on 12/21/15. I spent one night in the hospital. At the time I thought that was great but now I wish I had stayed another night. For the most part I feel fine. I tired very easily the first few days but that is getting better every day. I have one incision that is still very painful. It is the main site where my excess stomach was removed so I expected it to be sore longer; but not this long. I was so glad when I hit week two and could start drinking protein shakes and could have thicker soups! I'm still dealing with cravings and what I'm told is head hunger. I'm hoping that will begin to fade soon. I've read it takes about 30 for your gherlin levels to drop and you will have to remind yourself to eat. I hope that is the case because at this point I feel the only thing that is keeping me from eating bad stuff or over eating are the surgical restrictions. I am so looking forward to eating something I can actually chew. . I have averaged 2lbs of weight loss the last few days. I'm down 10 pounds in 8 days....that's after a 9lb weight gain in the hospital from all the fluids....so I'm excited about that.

Wow, why are you only eating 500 calories? That is not enough so I agree that you should up your calories a little more. At least to 1000. Or, instead of listening to us...could you ask your nutritionist? But, like others have mentioned...this temporary plateau or weight gain during the first few weeks after surgery is normal! Dont stress. It happened to most of us:)

My go to stress reliever for the past MANY years has been alcohol. Did the gym thing when I was younger but it was always kicking back with my boys throwing some back that always took the edge off. Well look at me now. More than 200 pounds over weight and a full fledged alcoholic. The past 3+ years have been the worse as I started having back issues which led me to not be able to work anymore and not provide an income for my family. More weight gain more pain and more drinking. This is the 1st year since I can remember that i'm not getting wasted every night. Not sure what finally flipped the switch but I don't want to die anymore. I still drink but I've come along way from what I was doing. Will completely stop soon, who knows maybe last week was my last. But know for sure if I do get approved for this surgery It is over. Hope to bring the gym back into my life and other activities that can be the new stress reliever.

I am sorry for your experience and how you feel this affected your family. That said... weight loss surgery did NOT cause any of this. Mental health problems and addiction were not because he had surgery. They would have reared their ugly head even if he didn't have surgery. He didn't do the work to get through the mental health issues that probably lead to the obesity and additions in the first place. He would have to WANT the health to deal with those mental health issues. He would have had to have a good team of docs to address his issues as a whole. To blame the surgery is just wrong. And why come on our site now... 13 years later... to tell people you hate the surgery? It is not helping those who are looking to make their decision. It would be much more effective to warm them to deal with their mental health issues that MAY have caused their weight problems in the first place. And BTW, I do NOT have an unhealthy relationship with food... other (medical) issues triggered my weight gain and other issues prevented me from losing the weight. and as a whole, the process of approving individuals for surgery and taking care of their physical and mental health needs have improved drastically over the last 13 years. For example... most of us have to have a complete psych eval to be even considered for surgery. Most of us have to see nutritionists regularly. And many of us are referred for mental health treatment. I hope he gets the help he needs, but again... it isn't the surgery that is to blame, and he has to WANT to get better before he will get better. That is how addition recovery works... with a lot of help from the mental health professionals.

I posted a small introduction but in case you missed it, I am a 40 y.o. wife, mother and nana to a beautiful family. My family is my life and I have spent more than half of mine taking care of all of them. My weight gain started after my 4th child, after starting work in an office and after quitting smoking. But, I guess that doesn't matter now. What DOES matter is that I took a step to change my lifestyle and was banded on June 24. I've had some minor and major set-backs but after 2 fills I have more restriction now, so I am on my way. food has always been the focus of our family gatherings. I would cook these huge meals, have family over and we would eat, talk, play games, etc. The hardest part for me was that I felt that I had to give that up, in order to stick with the lab band diet. If I cooked a huge meal, I felt too tempted to over-eat. If I didn't cook the way I used to, I felt guilty for depriving my family. If I take a walk around the block, I sometimes feel like the house will burn down. The other day I went to an essential oil conference at a beautiful resort. I wasn't there 10 minutes until I was getting calls from home and I had to run to save the day. It just seems that my family has always known that I would be there for them and the minute they think I can't be, they freak out. Don't get me wrong, they would do anything for me but they are so darned dependent upon me!! I am physically and mentally exhausted. I work full-time then come home and take care of my husband, my 14 y.o. daughter and my husband's 23 y.o. son who is living with us and not working! My married daughter is in school in the evenings so I take care of the grandbaby for her. I know I am rambling but my point is...why do I feel so bad if I do anything for myself? What is with this stupid guilt complex and grieving for the old me? Ugh! Am I being selfish? I fully intend to join the support group in September, but am a little worried about it due to all the posts I've seen about it on here. Thanks for listening, I am sorry to be so negative!

For the past 6 weeks I have been very ill with the flu, sinus infection, Upper RI, etc My doctor put me on Penisone and I have gained 7 lbs in 10 days. My 5th of 6 NUT visit is tomorrow. What happens if I gain weight?

I was sleeved on 3/2/11 and I am currently down 68 lbs, but for the last two weeks I have been at the same weight. I have tried a couple of different things to 'jolt' my system to push past this stall (more exercise, more Water, no water, more Protein, less protein, etc), but nothing is shaking it loose. No weight gain, just no weight loss. I am excited with my weight loss so far, but I have had three stalls. This one is by far the longest and most frustrating because I have been 'going by the book' since my VSG. I know this gets asked a lot, but hoping for some words of wisdom (I'm still less than 90 days post surgery, so I'm still learning). Thanks! Texas Red

Hey guys just wanted to check in. I know I have not been on very much. I've been dealing with weight gain and loss it's been up and down a lot, I know the holidays don't help but any thoughts would be helpful I've been up to 230 then down to 221 . I believe it was now back up to 226 as of today that's been up and down and I'm just not sure what's going on. I did have gallbladder surgery recently, learning that red meats not my friend. Any thoughts would be really really helpful thank you Sent from my SM-J737A using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello Monique and welcome. You've come to the right place for support, great advice and answers. I've only been here since Oct. 5 even though I'm having surgery Oct. 17. I'm not your typical red tape sleever. I have had some pretty traumatic experiences this past year that encouraged me to speed up the process. Honestly I'm not sure how long it would've taken if ever my insurance would've paid. I'm 5 ft 7 in and some old injuries and weight gain has made it impossible for me to be physically active due to chronic pain. I decided to forgo all the time it would take for my insurance to approve this procedure. I'm afraid if it took a yr. to jump through all of the hoops I might be completely immobile. I was 220 at my heaviest and I'm down to 207-208 lbs at present. If I could get down to 140 lbs and be active again I would be pleased with my results. I'm really not into runway model skinny. The folks here are at all stages of the game and everyone seems to be willing to offer as much help as they can. Again Welcome and best wishes on this amazing journey you are beginning!!

Are you measuring yourself? The scale is not the whole story. I went from a size 14 to a size 10 with only losing 5 lbs. I'm working out like crazy, my hips are narrowing, my waist is shrinking, my thighs, are getting more firm, as are my arms. I keep dropping the width on my bras! But in that time I've fluctuated between 172 and 168. Sometimes up, sometimes down. I'm about to start trying on size 8's and haven't lost a single lbs in 3 weeks. Also make sure your sodium intake isn't too high causing retention, check to see when you will be getting your period as that can cause water weight gain as well. DON'T PANIC!!!!!!!!!!! You are committed to this, working hard. It will happen for you, don't give up and don't be discouraged!!!!! CHeck your measurments, enjoy the success you've had so far. You are doing AMAZING! You have recommitted and are on fire, this is exciting.

If you are having trouble eating more than one bite of food, you might want to call your surgery center. It's possible you have a stricture, which can be fixed. You might also be eating too big of a bite, not chewing enough, or eating too fast. I have heard of people having issues from their bras, but I think it was right after surgery (can't remember for sure). I am able to eat more food at 5 months out than I could at 6 weeks out. That's a good thing, but I have to be careful that I don't eat multiple times a day because that could cause weight gain. Hope you feel better soon!

Awesome info! If you didn't post the website, I was gonna ask you! I had my first breast lift in 1999. It was about $8k. I was very happy with the results. Unfortunately, I hit a huge depression streak and gained and lost weight like crazy for a few years. In 2007, I had another breast lift with a tummy tuck and a little lipo, mainly in the flank area. I did follow the surgeon's suggestion to add small implants to make the shape better and to encourage the lift to hold longer. I believe the implants were 220's and I did do silicone. It seems the earlier complications with them have been resolved and the chance of slippage is much less. My second surgery was close to $15k. My cup size has always remained the same. The inches around has fluctuated with weight loss and gain, primarily in the back area. The recovery from the lift was very easy. The first two days were lousy, seeing my new girls during the first shower was horrible. I was afraid that they would never heal. It was a ghastly sight with so many fresh wounds. They also were very swollen and I felt as tho I were nursing again! lol Within a week, all was good and I was back to work. There was little post op pain after the first few days, however you will sleep on your back for some time! :biggrin0: I have been to Costa Rica on vacation and love it! I would never have thought about surgery there, but am glad to hear your positive experience and recommendation. That is one of the few places I have traveled in the world that I would consider moving to, if I ever left the Pacific Northwest. I have also been to Columbia, which was mentioned earlier, and that scares the hell out of me! LOL However, I was only in Cartegena; it was very touristy and the locals were very aggressive. Maybe it would be better where the hospital or clinic is located :tongue_smilie: My stomach has remained flat since my tummy tuck, even with the weight gain. I have just gotten thicker. I am hoping I won't have to get that redone. However, if needed, I would have the skin tightened but I would not have the muscles cut again. I don't think that would be necessary and the recovery sucks! LOL So far the breasts are not shrinking in cup size at all. Darn it! The back is getting less fatty tho. If I truly get down to the 130's or 120's, I may need a breast reduction. I really don't want to look like I have a fake rack. lol I would love to have a butt lift. Had no idea they even existed until several months ago. I just can not imagine what the recovery would be like tho. Do you lay on your stomach for weeks?? My greatest desire at this point is to fix the turkey neck. My maternal grandmother had it and so does my mom and sister. The part directly under the jaw is shrinking tho; so will see what happens down the road. I really don't have many wrinkles - for which I am very grateful. My eyes are a little droopy tho so would add that on to any surgery I had. I also saw the results of one of Dr. Lara's cosmetic surgeries. A lady had a mini face lift with her sleeve surgery when I was having mine. She looked absolutely amazing and had very little bruising, even three days later. I thought Dr. A had done it but found out this past week that Dr. Lara will come it while you are sedated and do it. If you can come up with the money, I would suggest making any improvements that you can. It may not make you happier in the big scheme of things, but it will give you more confidence. I think anyone who has struggled with weight and had WLS, deserves to enjoy the full enchilada. LOL Besides, you can't take the money with you and your children can work hard to earn their own. I will not inherit a single penny from either of my parents and will still have a decent life doing most of the items on my bucket list :wink0:

If you will start exercising, take your body measurements for a comparison. I build muscle very easily so my weight started to go up initially with exercising, drove me nuts till I started comparing my measurements and realised I was losing inches so the weight gain was pure muscle ????. Also, if I don't eat enough Protein, I do not lose weight. It's very confusing mentally since we've all been programmed to "just eat less to lose weight" even though that never worked for me, I still had a mental block against eating MORE ???? hardest part is rewiring the brain. Sent from my SM-G900FD using the BariatricPal App