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hey dody thanks.. okay so its a diurectic,,,but how does this contribute to weight gain>> I find I am waking up now at night three times peeing...last two nights.. I didnt start drinking diet pepsi ( just one) til tonight. So not sure why. thanks

Normally following a tight regime of a controlled diet and regular exercises are the measures prescribed for weight loss. Most of the people find it difficult to follow these measures over an extended period. It is claimed that with Alli you can escape these grating restrictions and can follow near-normal routines; slowly but steadily you can manage to lose weight and lead a healthier life. Alli is a FDA approved OTC weight loss product. Alli is not a dietary supplement; it is claimed to help you lose weight gradually; by working as a fat binder or fat blocker. Excessive intake of calories causes increase of weight; and fats contribute far more calories in food-intake as compared to Proteins and carbohydrates. Fat in our diet is the main culprit in weight gain. When taken in the prescribed manner, the active ingredient of Alli attach themselves to some of the natural enzymes in the digestive system; this prevents these enzymes from breaking down over 25% of the fat you eat. This undigested fat cannot be absorbed by the body and it passes through the body in the natural way. This excess fat is prevented from contributing to weight gain. Alli only works on enzymes that would normally help in digestion of fat. So carbohydrates and proteins are not affected and these nutrients are absorbed by the body in the normal manner. Alli works only in your digestive system; it does not act on your heart or brain. You would not feel unsettling effects such as sleeplessness, racing heart or jitters which are commonly experienced with other weight loss drugs or supplements. When you use Alli to lose weight, you may have to observe certain drastic dietary restrictions, depending on your existing diet. Manufacturers of Alli advise you to consume reduced-calorie meals of 15gms or less of fats on an average. For some this may be a rather severe restriction, but that is the price to pay for being able to have the option of slow but steady weight loss leading to a better life. You may suffer certain side effects such as loose motion, frequent bowel movements, gas, etc. if you do not observe the restriction of 15 gms of fat. Obviously if you are able to adjust to the dietary limitations and put up with the side effects – “treatment effects” as the makers of Alli call them – Alli should be able to work for you.

Hi everyone! So this is my second real attempt into the beginning of getting Bariatric Surgery. I have visited this option for many years now, but it has never been something that myself or my family ever considered to be a smart or reasonable option: not until this past winter did I ever bring it up to my family and tell them that I really wished to do this. I am 21 years old, a senior in college, and weigh 300 lbs. This is the highest weight That I have ever been at and I have decided that this will always be the highest weight I will be at. I think starting from the beginning will probably be easiest for me (maybe not for you, lol) but I hope I get some people to read, give me some feed back (good and bad). I don't remember a time not being overweight, I see pictures of myself when I was heading off on the first day of school and that was probably the last time I saw a skinny version of myself. In every school picture I have I see myself getting bigger and bigger as I get older and older. It wasn't til 4th grade did I finally realize something wasn't right. I was the only child in my class who wasn't wearing the cute outfits and didn't have lots of friends; In fact I was the only kid to get made fun because I couldn't run as fast as the others and I was purposely picked last in games because I was fatter and slower. 4th grade was the first time I started to diet to try and lose the weight. Obviously It didn't last very long and my life growing up was a vicious circle or 1 step forward 3 steps back. I have tried about every diet out there; medifast, atkins, weight watchers, nutrisystem, the new weight watchers points plus, weird diets i found online, liquid diets.....so on and so forth. I've also wasted hundreds of dollars on gym memberships in which i attended for about a month and then gradually went less and less till I was just paying to have a tag on my key chain. Once I hit high school I just began to ignore the problem, I was a size 20 and could care less about it. I had the mentality that I was invincible, I was fine just the way I was and if someone said something about it they could (in my teenage angst voice) "suck it". 3 years out of high school and I have gained 80lbs....I have gained over 100lbs in just 8 years....wowwwww. ha, Yea this is not okay. After my last and final "diet" program is when I confronted my parents and told them that this is something that needs to be done. Though they were very displeased with this because of the risks they knew things were going to get worse if i didn't make this change. I am already at a weight where I have restless sleep, terrible knee pains, I have a hard time bending over to pick things up, not to mention my asthma is getting worse...I now have to do this awkward side back bend to pick something up because my knees and back just arn't doing what they should be at age 21. I also visited my OBGYN about my period being so off schedule; she told me it was because of my weight and that my body is confused and thinks my rapid weight gain is because I'm pregnant. The thing that made me most upset to hear from my OBGYN was that I am at such a high weight and am considered morbidly obese that If i even tried to have kids there was GOING to be complications.....Now I am NOT trying to have kids in the first place, but If I have gained over 100 lbs in 8 years what is my weight going to be in another 8 years when I am ready to have kids? I visited a seminar on WLS about 3 months ago, and I began the process about 2 months ago....I got as far as deciding I wanted lap band, and going to see the nutritionist the first time to meet her and get paper work started for blood work and my psychological evaluation. I think I get nervous and gave weight watchers point's plus a try, I lost 10 lbs but then had a hard time with tracking and gained it all back. I am now getting ready to go back to the nutritionist and talk more with them about what to do. I am pretty sure That I have to start over from square one, but that's okay because It gave me more time to realize that I no longer want lap band, but feel that the VSG is a much better fit for me. I want a permanent life style change, so I want something that Is going to permanent. There is no easy way around this, I am ready for something to finally kick me in the ass and force me to make the decisions I need to make. Now I know this surgery will not make my brain want carrots and peas but If I can slowly retrain myself to eat as well as to like new foods then that's how It needs to be. I am already trying new foods and cutting back drastically on fast foods, eating out, and have practically quit smoking. I have been on and off smoking for about 4 years. I haven't bought a pack in 4 months, and have only had about 6 cigarettes in those 4 months. I honestly don't feel the urge to smoke anymore! .....now to quite drinking diet pepsi.....I hate coffee and tea so idk how i'm going to get my caffeine fix!! so to conclude this entry, I believe I am ready to try again and actually go through with this. My question for all of you who actually sat here and read all of that.....what were some of the worst things you didn't expect after surgery? how many of you had 2nd thoughts and/or even backed out like I did? why? did you go through with it? Also did anyone have issues with cigna insurance covering this procedure? Thanks for readying everyone, sorry if it got kinda lengthy. (I will also apologize now for this blog's and any other blog's gramatical errors...writing is not my strong point! lol) -Heather

Bandsters: Many thanks for chiming in. I know my question is strange because most people (who get the lapband) you wouldn't consider them an excertise guru. But I love working out...alot actually! If I had my way....I would be there 3 hours a day. Used to lift alot of weights...but I mostly concentrate on cardio for the last 4 years. Maybe...that has contributed to my weight gain from 2005 - 2012 (212lbs to 290lbs currently)...outside of moving from a warm weather climate to cold and alot more stressed out (eating more comfort foods, and noticed I have drank in moderation more than before)".. Regardless, I"m curious as how my body will respond with the band....while I maintain my regular work out schedule. I absolutely love working out, so I'm trying to anticipate how my body will respond with little food and lots of excercise. Anybody else fit this category as maybe the could shed some light on this? P.S. I know its a tough question (as every person's body is different) but I'm sure other bandsters fit this category and wanted to pick their brain as to how their body responded. Or...maybe you know someone who fits this category....and you observed how they responded. Any "general trends/observations" that you noticed would be greatly appreciated! Thanks Bandsters...YOU ROCK ! Thoughts/Opinions?

Congratulations on both your new baby girl, (beautiful and I like her name!), and you small amount of weight gain. Best wishes! Karen

My first few weeks were inaccurate as well. I experienced the week 3 stall with a couple pounds of weight gain right in the middle of it, yet my clothes continued to get baggier and my sizes went down. Now, though, a couple months out, I'm running at about a 2k caloric deficit per day and my weight loss is generally steady at an expected 4-5 pounds a week.

People in our society notice weight gain and weight loss. While some of us may find it offensive that we personally get noticed for either gaining or losing, social interaction is likely to be the result of weight loss even if we resent people who never sought us out before the lap band or other assistance in weight loss. The process is going to be slow but people will first notice your face getting thinner because you are consuming(hopefully) less sugar--no soda, juices, etc.--more water and sugar free Crystal Light lemonade. You will be having broth which is high in sodium and Boost which is just high in calories to get you your protein intake--I guarantee you that you will be wondering in six weeks if the band is working because you are able to eat so much--this means it is time to ask the doctor for a fill(2cc) each month for the next five or six and then, the weight will start to drop along with exercise. Since we are nearly in spring, this is a great time to get out and walk and keep walking all spring and summer. After six months of good behaviour , I would be shocked to hear you are not a happier person with more attention than you have dreamed about since you were a kid. Good luck

My thoughts from being a speed eater. Thinking back I was disconnected to the feeling of full. When I ate fast, I didn't have the sensation of full until it was too late. Once the sensation came I was overly stuffed. I think I justified the behavior. I told myself life was too busy and didn't pay attention or care about nutrition. I would eat on the run to get back to business. It contributed to my weight gain. After reading this definition in the article: Metabolic syndrome occurs when someone has any of three risk factors that include abdominal obesity, high fasting blood sugar, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and/or low HDL cholesterol, said Japanese researchers. How could I not have metabolic syndrome from my weight. My health was the worst it had ever been, After surgery. I'm thankful feel the sensation of full. I appreciated mindful eating classes. But it's still a work in progress to slow down.

Hello everyone - I was just sleeved on 12/27 so I'm only two days out, but I'm still up 6 lbs from my surgery date weight. I know it's from all the fluids and gas they pump you with in the hospital but I thought I would have dropped those excess pounds by now? How long does it normally take? Thanks

I heard on Oprah not long ago that for every 30 pounds a man loses, he gains an inch of penis. So, this could probably help some men who have lost a lot of penis from weight gain. LOL.

LindaS being on vacation, eating & drinking right, physical activity - sounds great - hard to do when you are away from home. you are scratching your head trying to figure out what happened not loosing any weight must be/hopefully is due to Water retention. 6 lbs sounds like a lot, maybe tomorrow the weight gain will be gone as quickly as it came

During my initial consult, I was given a questionaire about weight gain, eating habits and goals. I set my goal at 200lbs and the PA said my goal was very conservative. Their goal weight for me is 177lbs...so, I decrease my goal to 190lbs...still conservative, I guess but, I'd be darn happy with it. They do use a formula to come up with your goal weight.

Yes he has most of his experience in the xyz surgery, but the sleeve is a close second. His concern has to do with regaining weight and resolving other health issues like type 2, high lipids ect. As he tells it weight gain is about 8-10% with the xyz surgery as opposed to 15% with the sleeve. Truly I just want to be done with this and get on to living instead of existing!!!!!

I was sleeved on Monday 12-19-11. I just got home today 12-21-11. I have gained 10 lbs. The doc said it might just be water weight gain because of surgery. Anyone else have this happen?

what a marvellous job he has done.. was it hard for him?/ like you, im sick of the see sawing involved with weight loss and weight gain. its really demoralising

Hi all! I'm 3 1/2 months sleeved, I've went from 305lbs down to 225lbs (which is my pre-weight gain weight) .. I'm still losing, but my major problem areas are the love handles mostly, and the stomach fat below my belly button. I know the normal exercises to get rid of those areas, however I have a hernia from a previous surgery above and to the left of my belly button... a little bigger in circumference than a quarter, right along my zipper scar from my previous surgery... My surgeon didn't want to repair it at time of surgery, and now with my relocating, I don't have insurance yet to get it repaired... what could I do exercise wise to help me get rid of those stubborn areas? Any ideas? It's really all I have left to do as far as my journey goes, and it's probably going to be the hardest! Thanks!

I would also be cautious of the brand of protein. Some are meant to used as a weight gain add. Make sure you stick to whey isolate and as said above use it as a meal replacement. As long as you are doing that I don't understand why your doctor would have a problem with it. You're doing great! 16lbs is awesome!

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/23110-weight-gained-since-having-gastric-sleeve-surgery/page__pid__375054__st__240#entry375054 Here is another thread besides the one you are on...

Sorry it took me a while to answer you Kim. I'm still trying to figure out the bells and whistles of answering threads. Dr. George Field is originally from Australia. He is not only my surgeon but he is also a lapband patient himself. He was the eldest of seven siblings from a well-to-do family in Australia. Every one of his siblings, including his parents were slim and all ate the same food and had the same family activities except that Dr. Fielding took after a relative several generations back who was always heavy. Dr. Fielding believes in the "fat gene". So ten years ago, when the lap band procedure was new, he had his procedure, lost the weight and got off the nine medications he was on and decided to specialize in lap banding. To make a long story short, he came to NYC and met with Dr. Christine Ren, director of the NYU Program for Surgical Weight (she is world reknown in her own right) and he is now also an Associate Professor, Surgery at New York University School of Medicine in Manhattan, NY. My orthopedic surgeon, also at NYU, recommended Dr. Ren and Dr. Fielding to me last April and said they are the best. I went to Dr. Fielding's seminar in June and was blown away. He is on a campaign to alleviate the morbid obesity in the United States. Now what's more, Kim, is if you go to their website: thinforlife.med.nyu.edu you will learn everthing about Drs. Ren and Fielding and their program. In addition, go to the menu for Payment Options. Dr. Fielding raises funds so that people who desperately need the lap banding but have trouble because of insurance, etc. can qualify to get funding for their operations. I highly recommend their program. Their staff are tremendous. In fact, four of the people on his staff have had the lap band procedure. They are healthy, happy and can share in what we are going through. Their surgical staff are top notch. I must tell you that I feel great and am finally on the way to the light of my deep dark abyss of just waiting to die because of the weight gain, high blood pressure, heavy doses of the "witch's brew" of medications and side effects and inactivity.

Hi - I take Lamictal, and when I found out that my nurse wouldn't give it to me the night I was in the hospital I freaked out. My mom and husband tried to talk to her - it wasn't her, but my surgeon. I take Xanax as well as 2 antidepressants and 1 sleep med. Nurse asked for Ativan since it can be given IV. He came back and offered benadryl...... it was a bad situation - I don't say this to scare you, but to share so you can cross that bridge up front. The preoperative nurse said they'd have all my meds for me, so I thought I was fine. Please ask your team - it was a rough night, as I'm sure you can imagine. The good news!!!! I'm 4 days post op, can swallow meds (some have to be cut, and very very spaced out) and I think they fill my little stomach up as I'm struggling with protein/calories. But my mental health is fine, just the same as it was before surgery so don't worry. I also worked hard to be mentally stable, the meds are part of my weight gain, but I am good post op so wanted to share and reassure you. Please just ask about your overnight hospital stay ❤???? Sent from my SM-T550 using the BariatricPal App

I got pregnant 3 weeks after surgery, I was devastated, I was 41 married and had 2 kids, I never planned anymore, I just wanted to diet not have kids kinda thing, I considered all options. 7 weeks later I miscarried and it actually upset me a lot but I got on with the diet and put it behind me. I had gone 8 years using the withdrawal method and never got pregnant. Two months after that, low and behold I was pregnant again, unplanned. This time it was a shock, but after losing the last one, it put babies v diet in perspective. I continued dieting, lost 75lbs (45lbs whilst pregnant) and had my band de-filled by 2.0ml at 20 weeks. My pregnancy was great, loved it! I lost 28lbs within 2 weeks of giving birth .. I guess that was baby weight gained and with bump and baby weight gone I was a new person - so much smaller than I thought I would be. My son Nixon is now 8 months, he is a joy and the best thing that has ever happened to us. I have maintained my weight whilst breastfeeding but had my band filled last week so I can continue my lapband journey. Lots of people get pregnant whilst banded ... the weightloss changes your fertility for one thing. Dont think its the end of your diet, just keep eating healthily, put your baby first, be sensible, listen to your Doctor. I was a plus sized Mum to all 3 of my kids, dont be embarrassed, we have the right to have kids like everyone else and we dont all have complications, there will always be bigger moms than you, the nurses have seen it all. I started the journey at 325lbs, now about 260, long journey still ahead ... and a cute baby boy to accompany me with it. Be prepared for when life throws you a curve ball! Good luck x

I am in no way complaining here nor do I worry about something being wrong. I'd been warned about this happening. I just find the phenomenon to be interesting. I weighed this morning, my 3rd day after surgery. The scales read 6 pounds higher than on the morning of my surgery. I've been getting 2-3 Protein shakes plus 60-120 ounces of Water down each day. I'm trying to get my water intake elevated today (40 ounces already at 7:00am) as well have more mobility than yesterday. I'm sure once my body adjusts and the abdominal swelling goes down so will my weight. Do you remember how much, if any, that you picked up from the surgery? How long before you body flushed the fluids out ? I'm guessing that at some point during his coming weekend I'll have that breakthrough and see a big drop on the scale.

Right now...I'm not even nervous about my SLEEVE! I start my two week liquid diet tomorrow and as of right now...I"M READY!!! I've eaten SO much food over Christmas that I'm READY to just drink my Protein shake three times a day! I'm SO MISERABLE from FOOD...I'm ASHAMED to say I've gained 16 pounds in three wks!! Dr said it looks like a LOT of Water weight gain from looking at my legs. FRITOS and cheese DIP are OFF MY MENU FOREVER!!!! Now in a few more days I maybe crying I WANT FOOD but I don't think so. I'm telling myself two weeks will go by SO FAST and then my NEW LIFE BEGINS! Since I went to the Dr today and found out I have a UTI...I'm a little excited about going back next week to weigh in again after a week of Protein shakes and NO SALTY FOODS!!! Am I CRAZY or WHAT??? PLEASE keep me in your thoughts and prayers!!! I SO WANT TO BE SLEEVED but I HAVE to get rid of this infection first!!!

I'm in luck my surgeon (lapband)has a twin bro who is ob gyn so the twin will delivery my baby.. I'm happy about that... I got unfil when I found out I was prego only because I was in green zone and was rarely eating... I wanted to make sure my baby gets enough food... I feel better about it as well... I was fainting fatigue and morning sickness so I def had to get unfil.. Of corse I didn't know I was prego I though I was just hot because its summer... I'm happy about it sorry if rambling baby about to knock me out lol... No comp as of now.. No weight gain either with unfil yet

Wellbutrin is generally not linked to weight gain. I've been on it for several years and it has been a life-saver!