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I did a little research. This can be caused by pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, and can result from tight clothing, weight gain or injury. I wonder if it might have something to do with having your abdomen filled up with CO2 during surgery. This could create pressure on the nerve that causes the condition. It could also be the swollen/distended sleeve that is pushing on the nerve. I'm going to ask my surgeon during my follow up next week to get his opinion as well.

Hi, I've wandered around the forum quite a bit a put up a couple of posts but never really introduced myself... I'm currently at about a 35 BMI...and gaining. I have been almost this heavy three years ago, then dropped about thirty five pounds, then gained it all back plus some...but prior to that I had always been overweight, not obese as I am now. Am I going to run into a "you lost it before, you can do it again" sort of attitude before I can be approved for surgery? I feel so certain that this is the right path for me BUT I'm having massive mood swings over the whole thing. Panic, then elation, over the PERMANENCE of it all....thinking this is the best idea I've ever had, then that I'm completely out of my mind.....did anybody else go through this? A lot of my weight gain is due to medications for fibromyalgia and depression.....some of them make me eat, others just seem to magically attract fat--what if I go through the surgery and it doesn't solve the problem? Then....I'm doomed. Scary thought. Somebody, please tell me this is normal! (By the way, I love you guys already. You're fabulous.)

oh also, you're supposed to take the shots for a couple months and then go off of them for a couple months so your body doesn't get immune to then. I didn't do this and that was probably another reason for the weight gain.

So since I'm not eating as much... I've figured I better put my mouth to use in other ways. I've started singing again... (Uh huh what were you thinking?!???! lol) Something I've ALWAYS loved to do and have done forever.. I stopped singing right around 21 and now 12 yrs later, a lot of weight gain and more importantly loss later here I am. There's truth to the saying "If you don't use it, you lose it" though.. but here I am just singing away trying to get some of it back. It's been interesting.. I joined an online karaoke site and it's the most hysterical thing, you can be TERRIBLE and people will give you 5 stars, right now I have a couple of songs in the site's "Top recordings" trust me when I tell you they're not good but hey I'll take the ego boost. Anyways just one of my new hobbies I've picked up now that I'm feeling great about myself.. what interesting thing have you done or gotten back into since surgery?

HI...I have never heard the statement that it can take up to 10 days for a weight loss or gain to show up on the scales. That is very scary to me. The weight loss part would be fine but the weight gain part OUCH...All of our nurses out there is this really true?...Janie

While I do worry about weight gain years later, possible leaks right after surgery, the pain you experience right after surgery and the struggles post op. My biggest concern actually has to do with the staple line. What happens 25-30 years from now? Is there is a leak risk many many years later? I know that the sleeve hasn't been around that long and so there isn't any way to know for sure, but that is my biggest fear, that something many years later could go wrong. With that said though, I don't think that fear will keep me from going forward and getting the gastric sleeve. I'm pretty sure I could lose the weight without the sleeve but my biggest problem that I've always had has been keeping the weight off and actually I've always gained more weight than I have started with each time I do lose weight. I want/need to stop that cycle.

The trouble with extreme dieting on less than 1200 or so a day is that your body WILL start to burn its own muscle as well, regardless of what you are putting in your mouth. As you're muscle disappears, so does your metabolism. Your body will deplete its glycogen stores very quickly and at 800 cal a day you're not replacing them. The whole point of dieting of course is to burn the fat from your body for energy and you're body does do this, but it also inevitably burns muscle. The more extreme your diet the more Protein you'll lose from your body. Atkins' claims (and other similar high protein low carb diets) have never been proven and have very little scientific basis to them. Slow and steady has always been the way to go with dieting precisely because you preserve your muscle tissue to a greater degree and are therefore less likely to have that huge rebound weight gain which happens because all of a sudden you start putting calories into a body that may be lighter but is less optimally proportioned than it was before. Fatter bodies burn fewer calories than leaner more muscular ones. Now this may not be a problem if you have a band in place for life since hopefully you will keep the new eating habits - apart from the fact that its possible to be very light but incredibly flabby at the same time due to little muscle. But if you ever took the band off you'd be almost sure to have an enormous weight gain. You're body would not be able to handle the level of calories a normal person would eat in a day.

I had a band and lost 40lbs but was always slimming and was disappointed with my weight loss. So, I had a revision to the sleeve. At first I lost 12 lbs, and then stopped dead. I followed the diet, exercised intermittanly but still didnt lose. The nutritionist where I had surgery had me take Metformin as I take anti-psychotic meds and they are known to cause weight gain. It didnt work. I have been in touch with the doctor that did my revision and he feels the problem was due to too much scare tissue from the band.He has only had this happen one other time. I am going back on Dec 6 for a "Re" revision. I am not going to name the doctor as everyone I know, or have seen on the boards have had excellent results. I am fearful that the same thing will happen again. I know I will have to lose weight if my stomach is smaller,but I am not sold just yet. Oh, the doctor is doing the new surgery for free. I cant get much better than that. Has anyone else had this problem?

I am three weeks away from my banding surgery. It's funny how right now, although my diet is not restricted yet, I have no desire to eat things I shouldn't. My mind and body are SO ready for the surgery. I've even spent months learning to chew correctly...realizing that I've spent my life INHALING my food. My weight gain started after I had two babies within 17 months, and shortly after that broke my back. I found out I had Disc Degenerative Disease and that my back issues would continue to worsen. Since breaking my back in 2004, I've been sedate and have literally given up on my body, as I felt betrayed by this disease. At the age of 34 I had the back of an 85 year old. But now I'm 40, and I want to reclaim my health. I am TIRED of carrying around 180 extra pounds. It's making my back problems much worse, let alone killing my self-esteem. One thing I worry about...is sex. How long after surgery did you wait before you "split the sheets"? My husband is awesome. He loved me when we got married and I was 118 pounds, and loves me now that I'm a marble with a head. One thing that is important is being intimate. I know not being intimate makes my husband perceive that I'm upset with him. (Stop laughing.) I know that penetration does not equal intimacy, but it's clear that my husband finds it the best source of intimacy. (Sorry if this is TMI.) Any advice on what to expect? (Provided there aren't surgical complications.) I appreciate sharing of experiences...because it gives me hope and strength. Angela

Hi, was the weight gain an issue? At my last appt with surgeon, I was up 5# from holidays (ugh), but I've almost lost it now. Still I worry that I havent actually lost weight. Still another 3+ weeks until I start the pre-op diet, where I actually get to eat food -- 1200 kcal, 60g carb, 120 g protein, 4 meals a day. For that I am thankful. OTOH, post surgery is 1 week clear liquids, then 2 weeks full liquids. So surgeon is easier on the upside and harder on the downside. Want to add, I personally am on the fence about Premier Protein -- its too thick for me.

I started a non estrogen bcp on January 28th and had a polyp removed this morning due to nonstop bleeding for months. I got on the scale and only lost 1 pound since Jan 12th. I was shocked! Granted I did a reset mid to late January and lost 5 pounds in about 6 days (a lot of water I'm sure) but, I've been faithfully tracking and exercising since (had a 4 day trip to Florida but didn't eat much and walked a lot) and was sure I had lost another 7 or 9 pounds. Nope! Now I'm really questioning if it had anything to do with the bcp. I'm only 7 months post surgery and starting to worry about reaching goal at this weight. I figure I'll call surgeon's office in a week if the scale doesn't budge. One thing I know from my past experience with bcp is every body and type of pill is so unique in how it effects a woman. I too fear the IUD weight gain because I'm so prone to weight gain as it is. Not sure if that helps at all. I feel it was part my venting, as well.

Hi everyone! I had my surgery on November 19 and have been doing well with following the food stages and losing weight. Between my pre-opt diet and the surgery I was down 29 lbs. I’m on stage 3 soft foods and within the last 2 days I have gone up a pound and half. Of course it’s upsetting but is this normal to fluctuate a little or am I doing something wrong?

Have you had any bloodwork done recently? Has anyone checked out your thyroid? While it wont cause a TON of weight gain, it will cause some, and I can see how that could easily translate into difficult weight loss, you know? Anyway, just something to consider.

Oh gosh, dont remind me. Fat has crept up on me mostly at major life events (births of babies specifically) not as a constant thing. At 40, my next major life event is probably menopause, lol (though hopefully a way away yet!). I have given lots of time to hoping I can maintain this loss past menopause. Because when I look at women who I think look fabulous in their 50's and 60's that I would like to emulate as I get older the one thing they have in common is a youthful figure. Its not about keeping flowing blond locks that you can flick around or having 20 facelifts to look like some macarbe impersonation of a 30 year old, its that around the middle weight gain that to me identifies women as old or middle aged. Those that stay slim always look more youthful to me, even if they've aged completely normally skin wise. I fear looking "old" more than anything I think, I dont need to be stunning or beautiful, I just want to maintain that fit, healthy and vital look becuase that's what I think is really attractive, not beauty itself which fades for everyone. And that is entirely within MY control. I will be that 70 year old woman still running. That makes me feel good about myself regardless of what I actually look like.

I had lap band in February 2011. My work insurance didn't cover it. But I wasn25 and learned my moms covered it. So she added me thankfully. Then during surgery my surgeon aimed a little high and hit my lung cavity. So I had a collapsed lung and had to stay over night. Then because the port was hitting my rib that had to be moved. Thankfully that was under insurance as I lost my parents insurance when I turned 26 in sept. In December things started going down hill with an emergency unfill. I was ver fortunate because my doctors wife was available. Then again in the spring it happened. My dr and his wife were out of town on a weekend but they were coming home that night and I met them at the hospital for an unfil. Fast forward. After a July vacation I came back in for a fill. He couldn't get the port to accept a fill. Kept hearing a metallic sound and bent the needle. He fiddled around and poked me (I gave him permission to keep trying) for at least an hour. Next week I had a swallow test and reg X-rays and the band had slipped and the port flipped. I was the first port flip he had ever had. I had to pay over 7k out of pocket to have it removed. I could have kept it but didn't want to pay to fix then pay to remove if something else happened. I had lost 100lbs since I signed up for the first seminar. So I think that was 70 lbs with band counting the week after surgery. I was miserable and didn't realize how bad it was. Contortion tricks were used to try to get unstuck or throw up. Hanging over the end of the sofa to remove whatever plugged the whole to my stomach. It was horrible and I didn't see how bad till I had relief. I also gained back all but 30-40 lbs. I had pneumonia that required daily outpatient treatment. All my doctors said that all the antibiotics caused such a weight gain. Been to thyroid specialist as I have all the symptoms only to be compared to a cow receiving antibiotics to gain weight. Needless To say 2012 sucked. I just noticed in January that my insurance no longer had the big red exclusion for bariatric surgery and emailed. My company is literally 500 feet from my old hospital but since they aren't blue certified I will be going two hours away. I wish you luck in getting your surgery. Thankfully the sleeve seems to not have the long term complications that the band has. I have submitted my paperwork to the hospital to get the first appointment. My email from bcbsil didn't list the 6 month diet so crossing my fingers.

It took awhile for that worry to go away. I needed proof that I don't need to adhere to e. g. tracking and daily/weekly weighing to prevent weight gain but once I had proof... well, life feels more relaxed in the food/weight/exercise section. It's actually quite nice not to worry about how many calories you might burn when doing yoga or going out for a bike ride. Not having a bad conscience when eating certain foods because they're "bad" or skipping an exercise session because you feel like collapsing at your door after a hard work day and not calculating how much you're "allowed" to eat for dinner now because you didn't work out - this is priceless and liberating. But it is and it was to be expected.

Goals for 2007 I've been a very slow loser since banding and it is due in part, I think, to my anti-depressant cocktail, lack of exercise and not enough Water. The good news about increasing exercise is that it guarantees increased water consumption. The bad news about exercise is that you have to do it. :faint: You see, I deeply believe that if you have enough time to be exercising you have enough time to sit down and read and/or go on-line! It would be wonderful to have someone to buddy up with at the gym... So, here are the goals.... Have a strong "heart to heart" with my doctor and tell the truth about the effects of my medical cocktail on weight gain and difficulty in getting the weight off. Have her get in synch with me to make choices that support my WL goals. That appointment is tomorrow. Get back into the gym and make appointments with my trainer so I will have to go there. In addition, take advantage of classes that are favorable to my knees and back; water aerobics and stretching. Increase cardio drastically. I re-signed with my trainer yesterday and we get started tomorrow! With Nos. 1 and 2 accomplished I feel it might be achievable to have a projected weight loss of 5-8 lbs per month. The last is a goal that I share with DH-- supporting our highly dependent teens (17 and 14 ) to become more self sufficient and personally responsible. Part time jobs and driving lessons for the older one. Whew! I'm exhausted. This is the first time I have shared my goals with anyone outside of of DH. But not to worry, I only told "a couple" of my best friends, right?? Jo Ann

LOL! Once I do, I will let you know! I have been on solids for 2 days and the only "solid" I have eaten is a salad! I am too afraid of weight gain and I really really want this to work!

So sorry to hear that. Also, don't worry about the weight gain. That is normal from all the fluids they pumped in you and trauma from surgery.

sounds like you all have PCOS - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - look it up! Darkening skin on neck, etc. Skin Tags, weight gain/hard to lose, pre-diabetes or diabetes. etc. It's hormonal and gets worse with weight gain. Weight loss is one great way to diminish symptoms.

My surgeon warned me about the 3 week stall and said he found that many times it was due to you having too few calories. Being newly sleeved we tend to not get enough nutrition the first month due to several factors such as pain, nausea, fear of weight gain, etc and we tend to only get about 500-600 calories in our daily intake. He says that the bare minimum the human body needs for survival is 600+ calories, and when you stay below that mark, your body will go into starvation mode and will reduce its ability to lose weight as a protection measure. His advice to all his patients is to up your caloric intake to the 800 range if you can handle it.

Hello (: Yes, PCOS is incredibly tough! I'm sure your daughter has told you how hard it is, cause it's not easy. I am thinking of my future and its just getting tougher and tougher as I get older so I'm seeking all the options I can. Yes, I live in California and still am under my parents insurance we have Kaiser. I know from looking online, kaiser seems really strict. What I read was in order to be covered for weight loss surgery you need to have a BMI of 35-40 but if you're in the 30's you just need to have a weight threatening problem like sleep apnea or diabetes. I'm hoping because they know about my history and weight gain with PCOS they will cover me even though my BMI is only in the early 30's not to mention diabetes run HEAVY in my family. My mother, a few cousins and aunts have it and my grandmother actually died from diabetic shock. So I'm trying to do what I can. I will definitely keep you guys updated and will watch some of those videos you told me about! thanks for being so supportive. I appreciate your kindness -Taylor

First of all I want to say thank you for writing this post. I feel like you have almost described my situation. I was banded 1/2/09 and had at one point lost a total of 60 pounds. I'm back up 30 pounds now. I was doing some serious considering of getting the sleeve as well. Until about a month ago, i blamed my band for not losing weight. What the heck was wrong with this thing? I have never had any problems, other than the occasional "stuck" epidsode of sliming, etc. Then one night I was watching this tv show called My 600 pound life and it finally hit me that my lapband will not MAKE me lose weight, it will only HELP me lose weight. If i wanted to lose weight for sure, i should have gotten the gastric bypass at the time. But i didn't want to go that extreme. I also just realized how sedentary my life style is. I work at a desk for 6-8 hours a day, go home, work from home from a desk for a few more hours, sit and watch tv, etc. So, why have I gained weight and not lost? Because of choices that I make everyday. I don't eat nearly as much as I used to, the band doesn't allow it. If i'm not hungry, sometimes i can say no you dont need cookies, you aren't hungry, your head is, but other times i can't. I do get full with the band. But the most successful stories I have seen/heard with the band are people that exercise and change their eating habits. The band will give us that extra control that we wouldn't have if we didn't have it. It's science: if you expend more calories than you take in, you will lose weight. So for me, I'm not sure about the sleeve because i feel that i have not given my band the fighting chance it deserves. I truly hope that I don't ever have complications from my band. I need to be good to it, eat small bites, no caffeine, no soda, no smoking,etc. I have learned through the years that i can't drink coffee or my band swells from the acidity of it. I quit smoking because that caused it to swell. So i'm afraid if i get the sleeve that i'll just gain it all back after that wonderful first year of losing all that weight. And then what? I'm stuck with weight gain and no way to control it because there's nothing else to do. We need to fix ourselves first...give your band the chance it deserves. It does work, as long as you don't have severe complications from it, it works. We just have to fix ourselves first....I need to start moving...just walking...thats how i'm gonna start. I hope everything works out for you. You control your life...you can decide to do this just as i can. If you have a bad day, its ok, there's always tomorrow. good luck and Hugs.

I had surgery in June 2010 and reached goal in Dec of that same year. I didn't do any "formal" exercise at the gym, but I have a weighted ball at home, go up and down stairs and park as far as I can when I go shopping. I walk the mall.....as one doctor said, JUST MOVE, and I do. That said, my calories were LOW during that six month losing period, starting out with less than 300 there for a couple of weeks, but from about week 3 on, I got a little more in. I slowly started getting more calories as time went on, between 350 and 800, NEVER more than 800 when I was losing and only that many off and on that last month. I have been maintaining for a little over 2.5 year and only get 1300 per day. You'll have people tell you to UP your calories, bologna. Upping calories = weight gain, it isn't rocket science. I was at a WLS support group two nights ago and the PhD doctor said the same thing, but was a little more elegant about it. He said the 'starvation mode' and our bodies 'holding onto calories' is a myth. No proven statistics, ever. He said unless we are in a prisoner of war camp, low calories are not going to disrupt our metabolism. Now THAT makes sense.

Post menopausal before my RNY. You have good questions! I used to tolerate Trilevelin, but with RNY pills are not advisable due to malabsorption. I have a co-worker friend (with PCOS) that takes the pill so she has no period ever. A different co-worker acquaintance had a complete hysterectomy. Logically, loosing fat will help the symptoms because fat stores hormones. I don’t really know how the implants would work for you, I avoided them because of the weight gain. I use(d) barrier methods, add spermicide/lube as needed.