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Well after many months and many ups and downs I finally have a date to have my eroded lap band removed. March 29th is the big day!!!!!!!!!!! I will have my surgery VERY early in the morning and will stay overnight to make sure there is no leaking from the repaired area of my stomach. Hopefully, if all goes well, in two months I will revise to either the sleeve or banded plication. There is much to consider with both of these procedures and the positives and negatives are pretty well balanced. I have read good and bad things about both procedures. Right now though, I'm just going to focus on getting the band removed and see what kind of damage it's done. So far I have felt no effects other than an occasional pull or tug or momentary pain in the area just below my sternum. I still have some minimal restriction due to there being a plastic ring in the middle of my stomach but I can pretty much eat anything I want and have been. I figure that eventually I will have the tool necessary for me to succeed so I might as well enjoy myself while I can even though the weight gain is making me feel miserable physically. I can't wait to be thin again. Weird how the mind justifies things. If I couldn't eat another cheeseburger tomorrow it wouldn't bother me, but since I can I do! Ugh. I'm definitely ready to get back on track. Let's get this party started!

Shortgal - I agree 80 pounds is great and the size 10's I'm in now are already smaller than the size 14's I originally hoped for. My biggest problem lies in the fact I'm still sitting at a 10 pound weight gain nearly 6 months after plastic surgery. There is just NO WAY that is all from swelling this far out and even though I shouldnt be focusing on a number on a scale I just can't seem to see my way to being happy with myself unless I can take off those 10 pounds plus at least another 5 pounds to account for some of the 10+ pounds of skin they removed. It also doesn't help much that one day my DH will see me trying to watch my food and comment that he really doesn't want me losing any more then the next day he will see something I'm eating and ask when my next fill is as if he thinks I'm pigging out. I don't really feel there is anything wrong with my current weight being my goal. And I've met plenty of women even heavier that I consider at goal. The problem lies in my recent weight gain and whether or not it is a sign of my falling down an all to familiar slippery slope. I'm just afraid if I allow myself to be too comfortable with this weight it will only lead to my continuing to rationalize even more and more weight gain until I'm back to square one.

Incredibly helpful VSGAnn. Thank you so much. I'm trying to be extremely honest with myself while I move toward this surgery. I'm facing facts - I ignored my own warnings about eating poorly for years, resulting in the need for surgery to remove the offending body part that really didn't do anything wrong at all - it was all my actions that got me here. I can blame myself and self-hate til the cows come home but I still turn my mind to neutral when it comes to driving through McDonald's every morning for my sausage mcmuffin and tea before work! I don't even TRY anymore. It's gotten to that point now. I gave up.... The surgery seems radical, that's being honest. I worry more about afterward than the surgery itself - honesty again. And that's because there is NO turning back. Permanent decision - elective surgery to remove most of my stomach because I have NO control when it comes to the basics of life - eating. But I also have a long history of weight gain - right back to when I was 9 years old and knowing I was putting on weight - and how?? We didn't have fast food places anywhere around then - in fact, when a KFC came to town I distinctly remember holding the bucket on my lap for the drive home and breathing in the delicious smell - but I can't remember a time after that we had it. A&W - my big brother would drive to it and bring home a root beer for us little kids. But really, other than homemade Cookies we didn't get a lot junk in our house. And my parents and 3 siblings are slender and fit, just I had the weight issue. So I'm pretty sure there's a genetic thing going on too. Although I eat bad things at times, I very, very rarely overeat. It's hard not to beat yourself up for doing this to yourself, but I'm sympathetic to myself and all who struggle with their weight. It's not ONLY a self-control issue. I'm trying very hard to focus on what I will feel like 6 months or 1 year after the surgery, once I'm over the worst of the healing process. It's the spectre of regret that is killing me. And now - the spectre of the hormone dump! LOL If you can, speak about regrets - how did it affect you, or were you able to just get through the day unscathed as you moved toward being 'normal' again?

After my battle with my insurance company, I was approved. Initially I was told that because I had given birth to twins in the last year, that more than likely that was where my weight gain came from. After they recieved my medical records they saw that I was infact pounds smaller after the birth of my daughters. I had this surgery to improve my health, I have horrible cycles, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and I'm just out of shape. I need to be in good health to take care of my daughters. It has been a struggle for me. The pre-op two weeks diet, i did in moderation, i kicked candy and sodas but i backslide on small portions of food. After surgery on the 28th, i'm scared but a burger sure sounds good. I can not wait to lose this hunger feeling. the only thing keeping me going is the fact that i went through so many doctor visits to get here to screw it all up and I dont want to make myself sick. I'm struggling! I hate the protein drinks! can't drink no more than two, bare drank one today and that was because i put it in coffee. I'm dying for some grits or potatoes. My head hurts alot. taking multi-vit. drinking some water, not really thirsty. I have gas moments and it feels so good to burp. No bowel movement yet. I have consumed a few oz. of chicken broth over the last few days. Any advice?:smile:

I have to agree with the rest of you, also caloric intake is also important, it may be a small amount of something but if it is loaded with calories like chips could be another reason for the weight gain.

So sorry you’ve been experiencing this. It makes me so angry for you that much of what you have experienced could have been prevented right from when you had your bypass surgery. Your surgeon should have gone through your medications, explained about absorption issues with a bypass so you could discuss alternative medications with your prescribing doctor. I’m also cranky it took so long for doctors to identify that malabsorption was causing your meds not to work. And I’m cranky that you’ve been unable to find support & answers from medical professionals. I wonder if you are are now in a viscous cycle of anxiety & anxiety causing experiences. Anxiety meds are known to cause an increase in appetite & weight gain & your anxiety increases when yiu do gain weight. The anxiety causes stress responses in your body like IBS & hair loss causing more anxiety. You’re not being supported by your medical community increasing your anxiety so you need their help more but aren’t getting it making you more anxious, stressed & frustrated. Etc.,, etc. Like @catwoman7, I too think your heart issues were more likely caused by your pre surgery status & lifestyle not the bypass. I hope you soon find some doctors who will actually work together to support you & find solutions or ways to better manage your mental & physical health issues. All the best.

There are some antidepressants that can cause weight gain (for example, tricyclic antidepressants are notorious for it). Surely your doctor didn't prescribe an antidepressant that can cause weight gain since they know that you are trying to lose weight. IMO, the best antidepressant for overweight patients is Wellbutrin (burpopion) because it can actually promote weight loss. Sorry, I am a pharmacist so I can't stop myself from making drug recommendations. I know everyone pushes the "reset diet" but I have to say that what made it easy for me to get rid of my regain and not feel hungry doing it was my doctor prescribing me Ozempic. I am a type 2 diabetic and I had been taking Bydureon in the past without weight loss effect then my insurance removed Bydureon from their formulary and I was switched to Ozempic. Weight started coming off within a month of starting the Ozempic and just kept coming off. I have currently lost around 30lbs. If you are not a diabetic, Wegovy has the same drug in it as Ozempic (semaglutide) just at a different dosage for weight loss. I have been taking Ozempic for almost a year now and I no longer have cravings and rarely ever even feel hungry. It is funny how Ozempic, Bydureon, and Saxenda are all in the same drug class but I only experienced weight loss with Ozempic. I just flat out couldn't tolerate Saxenda. Slowed my gastric emptying to an unbearable level. Bydureon worked for my diabetes but didn't have any effect on my weight. Of course, these are all injectable drugs (Ozempic/Wegovy/Bydureon are only once a week though vs daily for Saxenda). Contrave is an oral weight loss drug that contains wellbutrin (bupropion) as one of the ingredients. It seems like it would be a good option for those who can't stand the thought of using an injectable medication but honestly, I. Rybelsus is the oral equivalent of Ozempic. Phentermine is probably the most popular weight loss drug but I have known of people with poorly controlled hypertension to have strokes while on phentermine so I don't recommend it unless I know that the person either does not have hypertension or they take their BP meds and check their blood pressure frequently. Best of Luck

Hi Sue, I love your thoughts on drinking the water and fluids. I am not too worried about the weight gain except for the bloat. My stomach is so bloated. Here I go to drink some water with lemon. Thanks for writing. shelli:ranger:

I've got to disagree. And I can only speak for myself. It's all about accountability, it's all about ownership, it's all about acknowledging that I am creating my own destiny, whether it be to lose weight, gain or maintain. I have no doubt it's semantics for some, but for me, it's empowerment.

@@LipstickLady Are we held more accountable if we call it "cheating" vs. held more accountable if it's called a "choice"? I would argue that both descriptions equal "eating off plan". The stagnate scale, resulting weight gain, or if I'm lucky...no weight change, doesn't change the fact that I've detoured, however temporarily, off plan. For me, simply eating off plan results in my being held accountable...sooner or later the scale, my emotions, and my health will hold me accountable regardless of what term we use to describe it.

Congratulations on your success, Sheanie. I love that you don't own a scale. Do you ever have difficulty with weight gain?

2+ yrs post op, in maintenance. BMI 21.5 this morning. Currently trying (albeit, not very hard) to lose the remaining 2.5 lbs from my pandemic weight gain. Here are the deets from yesterday; 1788 calories (I did go swimming for over an hour yesterday so this was likely reduced) 56g protein 120g NET carbs (currently addicted to these mushroom "chips" that are padding this number. Sigh) 67g fat edited to add: 50g sugars

Jorge, I have a very similar story at this point. I have had two fills and have absolutely no restriction. I think that my mind is panicking a little bit about getting to restriction and not being able to eat much so I'm binging in anticipation. I had lost weight when I went in for my first fill because I was still sore and swollen from surgery. When I went in for my second fill I had gained a half pound. I wasn't really worried about it because I knew I had probably gained a little and I knew I didn't have restriction. What I wasn't prepared for was my doctor was pretty cranky with me about it. I think he was surprised because up to that point I had pretty much been the model patient. I had lost my presurgery weight in record time and had been losing very rapidly. He started to lecture me about my half pound weight gain and I just sort of politely stopped him and said, "You know, this is a lifetime of habits I'm dealing with here. It was one bad week, that's all." He backed off a little after that but clearly was disappointed in me. When I left his office I was pretty discouraged and started thinking that I'd better get myself in gear and be sure I lose a ton of weight before my next appointment. That of course triggered a diet mentality and another binge. I then had to back up mentally and just realize that this journey is about me and not about my doctor or anybody else. I need to work on my food issues and my history with food and I need to take responsibility for my choices and the rest will take care of itself. I have stopped binging (which usually happens when I start to talk nicely to myself and quit pressuring myself to lose weight immediately) and I have started exercising again. My initial reaction was to be mad at the doctor and not want to go back. But that's not going to help me and it certainly isn't going to hurt him. It only hurts me. And he wasn't trying to be hurtful. He was trying to very firmly talk to me and motivate me to get back on track quickly before I spin completely out of control. My head just turned it into an attack and I responded with a binge. I think I heard my mother's voice in my head instead of my doctor's! When I could get some distance I was able to see that he was trying to talk to me about the importance of following the band rules, continuing to exercise and working on head hunger. I have committed to myself that I will exercise and I will try to eat only when physically hungry and only until satisfied. I have also committed to myself that if the binging and head hunger issues continue that I will go back into counseling. I will also always go to the doctor when I need to and try to listen to his advice without feeling attacked. I also remind myself that I will undoubtedly slip up from time to time. It's a process and an entirely new way of living. It's really hard because even though we all knew it was just a tool, most of us probably hoped for a magic bullet. I now know I did. Now I have to learn to work with the tool and not wait for the magic. Please go back to your doctor. Regardless of what he or she says, it's the only way to get to restriction and work the tool properly.

Donali, we're here for you, just as you have been here numerous times for us. Let us carry the load for a while and give your shoulders some rest. We know a band erosion is not a good thing. We know that it has to be removed. Your body will heal and then you can be rebanded. You don't want to leave that band in where it can get entangled and cause even more complications. Even temporarily without your band, you have such a wonderful set routine in your eating habits. You are so conscientous of your meals, vitamins, portion control. You will gain little, if no weight gain, during this down time. You've worked to hard to get where you are today. I look to see you continuing losing weight, maybe just on a little different plain. We're here for you! Take care and try to "destress".

Hi it's really hard I know the cravings may always be there unfortunately we have to resist the urge to eat them fill up with protein first and Vegs have healthy things on hand to snack on the less u eat bad things the less u will want them find things to do to keep yourself occupied boredom invites temptation if u have a hobby do that take a walk work out walk the dog clean closets whatever the more u lose the less u will want to eat weight gaining foods that aren't good for you don't keep stuff in the house that tempts you that helps me a lot if it's not here I can't eat it only wish I'd done that years ago lol

I do have asthma and I am on a brown inhaler but I haven’t been on steroids as such for about 6 months I only go on steroid tablets if I get a chest infection. I will have a look into my other meds and see if they cause weight gain.

I took the Effexor immediate release without any problems after my RNY. My only problem was that it made me gain weight like mad! I ended up changing to a different med. it wasn't worth the trade off for the weight gain.

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

@@alanabee Many surgeons offices require a mental health screening. They are looking to see if you are in the right mind set to be successful with weight loss surgery. Others have suggested seeking counseling before surgery. Its a good idea. I'm two and a half years out. I still maintain my weight in the 130's. Changing your behaviors and your relationship with food is work. Just know it can be done. Your dietician will give you a maintenance meal plan. Each of our plans look differently. What maintenance looks like for me: (1)I make my food choices. (by the time you hit maintenance you will know what your healthy choices are. (I may indulge once in a while) I don't binge. (2) I weigh myself each morning (3) If I see a weight gain, I adjust my eating and increase my exercise to move the scale down to my maintenance weight. I gave myself a weight bounce range. 130 to 142 to maintain

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I was able to post so thought I'd say hello and share my good news. I had to go back into chemo for a few months but everythiing is ok now. I have hair again so my hats don't slip around !! I gained a lot of weight during chemo but have now started to lose again and feel so much better. I have lost 35 lbs and have 37 to go to reach my goal. Was almost at my goal when I went back into chemo, darn it. But it's looking good now. This weekend I am going to go "shopping" in my closet for the clothes I bought before my weight gain so I'm looking forward to that! I'm glad to see so many people are on track and doing well with their weight loss and I hope you keep it up. Good luck everyone! :)Laura

Yes I still have my lap band. I think the major reason for the weight gain back is in part to the fact I have had 2 pregnancy and after my last child I had a IUD put in and the hormonal issues were supper bad for me once i got it in. I went from having energy to all ways wanting to sleep it made my body hurt I had major cravings even looking at food I would put on weight. Since I have had the IUD removed I dropped 30 pounds in 5 weeks. I never had a fill either because I was dropping so fast that first year could play a part but I think a lot of it is the issues I had with the IUD since i noticed this past week I am gaining more energy and starting to feel less sore all over but the Dr said it could take some time for my body to fully fix it self from the issues my IUD caused for 2 I had it.

When I started my journey earlier this year, I wanted to know as much as about the procedure even before I had my first consultation. At first I focused on the more positive youtube videos, posts here, and other information sources. How much weight people lost, how much better they felt, the positive impact on their lives. However, with the complete inundation of U.S. advertising these days with pharmaceuticals, I really didn't want to have the "pop-a-pill" mentality that the pharmaceutical industry throws at us now: If you have any problem, just pop-a-pill...it will be all better. No. I didn't want to look at the surgery as a quick-fix like getting a haircut. This is major surgery. So I made a point to learn about the negative experiences: complications, weight gain, recovery pain, regrets, etc. I also wanted to know where the surgery failed to help people and why. I felt that if I went into the surgery with rose-tinted glasses, I may have been blindsided if I experienced any of the negatives. I also felt that if I wasn't understanding the surgery as a tool, I would've been relying on the surgery to do the work. Once I became well-versed in the surgery, I knew as much as I could going in. Aside from actually performing the surgery, of course. Though I did watch the youtube vids of the actual procedure. I was just too into it I guess.

Did they stop coming here because of the weight gain or was it completely unrelated?

You may want to put the work into changing this now... You are still early out, but when you get further along flushing out your food will become an issue (as in weight gain when you are able to eat more and hunger returns) what starts out as a little will become more after awhile in my experience. the "rule" is there for a really good reason and although I don't follow every rule (I drink coffee in the mornings) I find following most of them sets you up for success long term.

This is very interesting to me! Even though you were eating no more than 500 calories per day, you were putting ON weight. Then your endocrinologist sent you for WLS after getting your thyroid condition under control? My question is, do you think your weight gain was JUST thyroid related? If so, why WLS considering you were managing calories to less than 500 per day? If not, do you think the WLS has helped despite the thyroid issue? Thanks! And continued success I have been to see her twice since the surgery we havnt adjusted my armour thyroid at all still on low dose, I am on target for weight loss from the surgery, my bw on my thyroid panel is at optimal levels not just within range, I deal with hashis, lupus,fibro, I live a clean diet have for 3 yrs no junk is bought the only difference or change iv done is we are eating full fat diet..and no fat free. The first month of surgery yrs I was on ff...after that I included fat in diet ..the surgery was and is a tremendous tool for me and I am very limited on activity..I don't do what you would consider the gym life..I'm alot more active but I manage ..so far so good. Also the role insulin resistance plays, I could not reverse this on the clean diet alone bw showed this along with scale not going down..as soon as I did this sleeve it reversed. Combination for me...I still watch what I eat..????