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Just shy of 5 months post-op... Down 40lbs, when I was down almost 80... my doctor says "Don't worry Yvette, this is normal. Especially in people with your body type, your weight gain is muscle not fat, don't be upset." Ok so I'm not gonna lie, I'm a lil' upset. I KNOW I build muscle really fast, and I KNOW muscle weighs more than fat.. I get all that.. I KNOW my weight is down and so are my clothing sizes and inches. I'm just I dunno.. a lil' skewed on all of this. I finally got to a fill point where I was almost "too tight" but it was working.. I missed my follow up fill because I was traveling.. and so I went to my month appointment yesterday and although I was down 8.8 pounds which I know I should be happy about and I am.. I'm just like shouldn't it be MORE... I don't even know why I'm complaining.. I shouldn't be. I guess I'm just feeling the pressure of my 6 months and then my year coming up and my own personal goals in there.. relax Yvette...slow and steady wins the race...

Before certain people jump on here and start with the "you have to change the way you look at food" speeches, I should make it clear that my post about the Pasta was my experience with pasta and that it should in no way be taken as an endorsement, recommendation, advocacy, affirmation, approval, or countersignature of similar behavior. My relationship with food was apparently a lot different than some others on here. I was a "volume eater" becuase of other medical problems I had been having that were making me extraordinarily hungry all the time. But I know now, through counseling, that I really wasn't trying to fill a void in my life with food. I thought that might be the case, but it's not. I've only been obese for the last couple years when my other medical problems started. They were eventually corrected, but the weight stayed on. No, I wasn't always "thin" before my weight gain, but I had never put on that much weight. So the "void" wasn't my problem after all. However, if you think the "void" problem might be part of why you are overweight, then I'd rethink why you might be craving pasta.

Welcome! I'm not judging you for the weight gain. I also gained weight preoperatively due to food funerals (compulsively eating favorite foods 'one last time' before saying "goodbye"). Luckily, the operation preceded as planned and I've been able to maintain my 100+ pound weight loss. The honeymoon period of 6 to 18 months will be a time of almost effortless weight loss because neurohormonal changes have altered your setpoint. However, after the honeymoon period ends, the likelihood of weight regain is staggeringly high if you don't get your head fully into the game. Bariatric surgeons operate on our stomachs, not our brains. People have regained 100+ pounds with their bands, sleeves and bypass pouches in place. I'd say 90 percent of this game is psychological. Pre-existing issues with compulsive eating, binge-eating, food addiction or emotional eating will never be corrected by weight loss surgery. The majority of people with these issues need some professional help to avoid repeating same pre-surgery eating patterns. Good luck to you. You've got this.

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.

I have a friend who is getting VSG (she doesn't have an acct here) and she wanted me to ask you guys a question. If you gain roughly 5-6lbs BEFORE your surgery will it be cancelled? I personally have no idea because my surgery is scheduled for next month but hers is NEXT week!

I think some people are unfortunately prone to developing them. My best friend gained 60 lbs with her son and within 4 months had a flat stomach and not ONE single stretch mark. Lucky her. I have no children so I dont know what my body would have done, I fear I would have them all over also. I have some older ones due to teenage growth spurt and some from my 20s around my lower stomach, but they are barely visible now. Mine faded so much that I dont think others would really notice them, but I know they are there. I think the only reason I didnt develop them horribly with the weight gain is because it has been slow and steady and my skin gradually adjusted. Too bad there is no way to get rid of the things.

I was "sleeved" on this past Friday - feeling better just low low energy. I've been on a all clear liquids diet since then - just jello and broth til tomorrow and then I can add protein shakes back (yay - substance!) I was in the hospital for 24 hours and came home weighing 7 pounds more than I went in with! And it's not like I binged on anything other than iv fluid. Slowwwwly that weight has come off and I'm finally at where I started - 6 days later. I was expecting to have dropped some weight this week - it's very discouraging. Has anyone else experienced a weight gain right off the bat?

I had to laugh because I have not gotten that 'holy crap' moment I've been waiting for from anyone either. The other day someone at work took a good look at me and said your ponytail looks nice lol. I'm like really that's the best I can get out of people! I keep thinking 5 more pounds, 10 more pounds and then it will come. I think maybe people don't want to acknowledge my weight loss because they politely ignored my weight gain. Loose skin, wrinkles and hair loss but I just keep truckin along. Maybe a summer tan will do the trick lol .....signed, Hopeful

My BMI was 36.6 barely over the threshold and, I did add about four pounds in the early months to make sure I was close. Each test I had, I prayed for a comorbidity. (Sounds so crazy). Each test came back darn good. A brother though, had survived a heart attack, and parents had some diabetic type issues. I had sore joints and a long history of slow and steady weight gain. My insurance approved with 48 hours. I felt like I won the lottery. So, muster up all the familial medical issues to document on your medical history and don't give up!! Good luck!

@@feedyoureye Surgery date: 1-18-2011 High weight- 259 two days before surgery- 247 one year after surgery- 174 two years after surgery (3-12-2013)- 196.3- back on the wagon, trying TDEE then Southbeach phase1. start the 5:2 plan (6-11-2013)- 190.9 almost 3 years after surgery Goal!, (11-7-13) 168.7 Three Years- maintaining...still on the 5:2! luv your pic and stats!!!! thanx, i'm back to being perfect as i realized i was falling i said/screamed the same old phrase i've said before "NOT again!!! " anyways - over and done with!!! i have a bad/sad expression i have said "I never realized how bad i felt - until i realize that i feel so great now" i actually wake up looking/excited about the day in front of me in my case my life with hubby has improved unfortunately tom needs to lose about 75 lbs - not gonna happen but thats another day and story we are better together in many/most ways you might find this hard to believe, but i didn't really laugh that much before quite a different story now losing weight, gaining alittle, getting back on the wagon now maintaining GOAL how great are you??? 91 lbs gone keep up the good work (i know you will)_ kathy

Okay, here's the deal. When you're stressed (such as the worrying you're doing now), your cortisol levels increase. High levels of cortisol cause weight retention and weight gain, particularly around the abdomen. You're self-sabotaging with stress. Put away the scale. Cortisol is a steroid. Steroids cause weight gain.

Thank you!!!! The way my doctor has me set up is, one week clear liquids, second and third week full liquids, meaning all kinds of broths, protein shakes and drinkable yogurts. Then from there I go straight to solids.. So was not sure about the weight gain, and how it will affect my tummy...I guess time will tell!!!

It would not be normal if you weren't scared! It's a drastic measure, but I think we have all done the same thing, lose the weight, gain it back, gain back more, and the circle goes on. I have 1 more apt with my family doc and the administrator can apply to my insurance. I am excited and scared shitless, but know this time next year I will be a different person!

Excellent post! I appreciate your perspective a year out and hope I have the same as I reach that point. I'm only a couple months out but already am starting to experience some of the things you mentioned. Your comment about the sleeve always being available as a tool is spot on. I had to travel for a 10 day business trip over the last two weeks and in the past that would have resulted in a 4 or 5 pound weight gain. Even though I wasn't able to totally follow my nutrition plan, because of the limitations of the sleeve I was still able to lose two pounds during that trip. I also agree with your thoughts about setting short term, achieveable goals. I've decided that instead of setting scale goals I use clothing sizes. Setting a target of reducing to the next lower size seems like a reasonable target. I've already been able to hit two of these and am just a week or two away from another. Keep up the good work!

Hi everyone! First, I want to thank you all for your input and posts, it really means a lot to hear thoughts from friends that have been down this road:) I did have my appointment yesterday and all my questions were answered. Fortunately, the hospital system where I had my surgery has an online portal where you can look up any report, blood work, etc. I had a cop of my OR report with me. Ok, first, the round pouch was due to the lab band that was removed in September. The shape is different and I'm glad there are others out there like me!! Eating pizza was stupid and the look on my surgeons face was not a good one! He told me that since I only had a small amount of weight to loose, it would go slower but do not loose focus. He said he knows how easy it is to get discouraged, but do not loose focus, told me to ever push the envelope or sleeve again and DO NOT LOOSE FOCUS!!! I was also told that wording was a factor due to insurance...I was denied the revision because I was not heavy enough. It is not a plication and my stomach is at 15%....however the OR report does not indicate any percentage of stomach...should it?? I had my lab band removed in September. I went in for a simple replacement of my port and woke up to hear they had to take it out due to infection underneath the tubing. I was shocked and upset however I look at is as a blessing. I was very thin, sallow, tired and malnourished. I gained 50 lbs in 4 months and was miserable but everyone told me my eyes looked brighter and I looked healthier. I was so focused on the weight gain I did not notice it at the time but I look at pictures and realize it was true. Even today, 20 lbs thinner, I feel so incredibly healthier. It has been a long haul and the last thing I want to do is to have issues with my sleeve...etc leak!! Pizza was not good and will never again for a looooong time...lol. It is completely different from the band and I lived with that for 7 years so I got real used to being able to cheat it if I wanted. It's a totally different feeling and one that I'm trying to get used to and I will. With all the wonderful insight you all have to offer its amazing and I thank you all again for your posts. I hope what my dr told me makes sense, if not please let me know your thoughts and anything else I may need to look into????

I would really put down the crackers and the potatoes. That could be what is causing the problem. Also, I think you weight gain has more to do with that is going on with your period than what is going on with your food intake. You might have noticed that weighing around your time of the month sometimes makes your weight higher/stay the same. Always take that into consideration. If you are losing inches, but not pounds, it probably means you have quite a bit of Water weight going on. Also, please don't let anyone convince you that not eating enough calories puts you into starvation mode. It doesn't. Starvation mode is a myth! http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=35501 Good luck and definitely talk to your gyno. He may have some ideas of what might be able to help.

Its a worry most people have, but unfortunately, once you've gotten fat, the loose skin has already happened. If you've got stretch marks and such, your skin is already damaged and it wont snap back perfectly, no matter what you do. Its the weight GAIN that causes the loose skin, not the weight loss, which is the reason why you cant do a darn thing about it. Just take one step at a time. Lose the weight then assess the damage. It is possible for skin to snap back if its not that damaged in the first place, mine is pretty OK after 3 pregnancies and a large weight loss, which is miraculous to me. Its not perfect, but it will do.

Study Shows Why It’s Hard to Keep Weight Off By GINA KOLATA Published: October 26, 2011 RECOMMEND TWITTER LINKEDIN SIGN IN TO E-MAIL PRINT REPRINTS SHARE For years, studies of obesity have found that soon after fat people lost weight, their metabolism slowed and they experienced hormonal changes that increased their appetites. Scientists hypothesized that these biological changes could explain why most obese dieters quickly gained back much of what they had so painfully lost. GETTY IMAGES But now a group of Australian researchers have taken those investigations a step further to see if the changes persist over a longer time frame. They recruited healthy people who were either overweight or obese and put them on a highly restricted diet that led them to lose at least 10 percent of their body weight. They then kept them on a diet to maintain that weight loss. A year later, the researchers found that the participants’ metabolism and hormone levels had not returned to the levels before the study started. The study, being published Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine, is small and far from perfect, but confirms their convictions about why it is so hard to lose weight and keep it off, say obesity researchers who were not involved the study. They cautioned that the study had only 50 subjects, and 16 of them quit or did not lose the required 10 percent of body weight. And while the hormones studied have a logical connection with weight gain, the researchers did not show that the hormones were causing the subjects to gain back their weight. Nonetheless, said Dr. Rudolph Leibel, an obesity researcher at Columbia, while it is no surprise that hormone levels changed shortly after the participants lost weight, “what is impressive is that these changes don’t go away.” Dr. Stephen Bloom, an obesity researcher at Hammersmith Hospital in London, said the study needed to be repeated under more rigorous conditions, but added, “It is showing something I believe in deeply — it is very hard to lose weight.” And the reason, he said, is that “your hormones work against you.” In the study, Joseph Proietto and his colleagues at the University of Melbourne recruited people who weighed an average of 209 pounds. At the start of the study, his team measured the participants’ hormone levels and assessed their hunger and appetites after they ate a boiled egg, toast, margarine, orange juice and crackers for breakfast. The dieters then spent 10 weeks on a very low calorie regimen of 500 to 550 calories a day intended to makes them lose 10 percent of their body weight. In fact, their weight loss averaged 14 percent, or 29 pounds. As expected, their hormone levels changed in a way that increased their appetites, and indeed they were hungrier than when they started the study. They were then given diets intended to maintain their weight loss. A year after the subjects had lost the weight, the researchers repeated their measurements. The subjects were gaining the weight back despite the maintenance diet — on average, gaining back half of what they had lost — and the hormone levels offered a possible explanation. One hormone, leptin, which tells the brain how much body fat is present, fell by two-thirds immediately after the subjects lost weight. When leptin falls, appetite increases and metabolism slows. A year after the weight loss diet, leptin levels were still one-third lower than they were at the start of the study, and leptin levels increased as subjects regained their weight. Other hormones that stimulate hunger, in particular ghrelin, whose levels increased, and peptide YY, whose levels decreased, were also changed a year later in a way that made the subjects’ appetites stronger than at the start of the study. The results show, once again, Dr. Leibel said, that losing weight “is not a neutral event,” and that it is no accident that more than 90 percent of people who lose a lot of weight gain it back. “You are putting your body into a circumstance it will resist,” he said. “You are, in a sense, more metabolically normal when you are at a higher body weight.” A solution might be to restore hormones to normal levels by giving drugs after dieters lose weight. But it is also possible, said Dr. Jules Hirsch of Rockefeller University, that researchers just do not know enough about obesity to prescribe solutions. One thing is clear, he said: “A vast effort to persuade the public to change its habits just hasn’t prevented or cured obesity.” “We need more knowledge,” Dr. Hirsch said. “Condemning the public for their uncontrollable hedonism and the food industry for its inequities just doesn’t seem to be turning the tide.”

I really don't, and that's because it's a very slippery slope for me. I have found so many alternative foods that taste good and don't leave me feeling deprived that it's not worth the inevitable guilt, the possible weight gain, and extra work it'll take to get me back to where I am now. I'm 2 years out from my original surgery and a year out (at the end of this month) from my revision surgery. I'm so use to how I eat that I can't imagine trying to eat any of the stuff I use to eat. There's keto bread, keto bagels, keto English muffins, keto brownies, keto blueberry muffins, Legendary pop tarts and cinnamon buns, mashed cauliflower (works beautifully in place of mashed potatoes), crustless pizza, pizza with cauliflower crust, riced cauliflower instead of regular rice, monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar, sugar free tropical popsicles, Real Good Foods keto protein chicken nuggets, Atkins 1 person meals, Real Good Foods 1 person meals, the list goes on and on. We get creative with what we cook (still have steak and chicken and stir-fry), chocolate milk has now become almond milk, 1 tbsp cacao powder, and 2-3 packets of monk fruit sweetener. Use a frother and it's AMAZING. There's chips you can get at Whole Foods that are made with soy flower or almond flower and tastes EXACTLY like regular chips (I love the BBQ and the sour cream cheddar ones). For ice cream, I get Rebel ice-cream. Low to no carbs, nearly no sugar at all, low calorie, lactose free. Tastes AMAZING. I just have no need for any cheat meals.

Donna, I know you don't know me but I just want to tell you how proud I am of you! Your honesty is inspirational. My weight gain in the past was ALWAYS tied to emotional pain, family problems, and a lack of self esteem. I am slowly beginning to heal, and I know that you will too.

Hi. I am getting ready for replacement or revision due to being left overfilled for several years. At this point I am completely unfilled in order to settle things down but the daily throwing up (not full vomiting but more than just PB) really took a toll on my stomach, esophogous, and nutrient levels. I'm just chiming in to wish you luck in getting this resolved and urge you not to wait too long like I did because other problems will result. Be persistent about someone figuring out what the cause is and listening to you. I have been unfilled now for a month and have maintained with just a three pound weight gain. It is worth it to feel like a normal person again and I am looking forward to moving forward this Thursday with a replacement band or revsion.

I am a low bmi bandster and had to self pay. My BMI was only 35 at the time of surgery and I did not have any co-morbidities either so I didn't even try to get my insurance to pay. But I KNEW I had to get this done because I was a mere 30lbs away from a BMI of 40 and everything that goes with it. I called the doc's office first and tt them about it--they still had me go to the seminar and then I went thru all the rest. Bottomline-- it will be your surgeon's decision if he thinks you're a good candidate. It's not just about BMI. Also-- my doc made it clear that I would not lose as fast as someone with a higher BMI and more to lose and I would have to really learn to eat right and exercise. He also said that there is a lot of research out there that the band is a great tool for low BMI patients as to prevent further weight gain and problems while losing weight too..... Good luck!

Wondering if anyone has any experience of having the lap band while being on tamoxifen. I am on tamoxifen, and am wondering if it will effect my Weight loss with the Lap band. A lot of woman complain of weight gain on tamoxifen, and while I dont know if I really gained any more weight while on it, I do know that it has made it VERY difficult to loose weight. I am currently on day 3 of my 2 week liquid diet. Surgery is August 16. I guess I am just worried that I will go through this surgery and still will have a difficult time loosing the weight. I know that's a common fear with newbies. Just wondering if anyone has any input. Thank you !

Back in 2008 I was diagnosed with Graves Disease. I had to have my thyroid ablated (RAI) radiation and had it killed off. So now I have a dead gland in my neck. I was 245 pounds then. After the radiation, I gained another 50 pounds which put me at my higest weight of 295 -299. I started on meds and my weight gain leveled off but I couldn't lose. So that is when I decided to have surgery. Anyway, my meds have been adjusted down 3 times since being sleeved and as I've lost weight. Just got my labs back and I'm hypothyroid again so I need to go back up on my meds a bit. I haven't lost any weight in 6 months really.Nothing has worked. My hair is still falling out and I've been an emotional wreck! I sure hope this helps me. I'm praying this adjustment on my medication will get my weight loss started again! Very hopeful! I want to be at 150! I decided to take some pics yesterday just to remind myself of where I've come from. At least, I haven't been gaining to much. Well, I did gain 7 pounds and lose two. I really think this is the reason. I pray that it is! Starting on new meds tomorrow.

Watch out guys. My surgeon said no surgery if I wasn't wihmthin five pounds of the weight I was at my initial consult. A weight gain before surgery is not a good indicator to a doctor that you are ready. That being said, I wouldnt go nuts with food but if you feel like you need to have a "last meal" kind of thing.... Do it once for pizza, once for whatever. Just don't continually say goodbye from now until your surgery! Best wishes!