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@@Inner Surfer Girl I agree with what you're saying in part. Insurance in relation to weight loss surgery definitely needs a total rehaul. In my "track" composed of the people I was grouped with also seeking surgery, for six months of classes, I personally know of two who ran into insurance firewalls even "after" having jumped through all of their mandated hoops. One was laid off a week after graduating and lost her coverage. The other was told in JULY just before she was to get her date, that her husband hadn't worked enough hours in May & June to cover the premiums, so her insurance was deemed inactive. During class one gentlemen had to drop out because his company was changing insurance. And another had to postpone hers because she couldn't arrange time off for the endless pre op appts and surgery recovery time. In a very real sense they're hoping to wait us out. Make us give up before we ever even make it to the OR. We, the obese, aren't treated as second class citizens. We're treated as disgusting blights on society. That premise is what has to change first. When I was growing up, smoking was still in fashion. They unabashedly showed cigarette commercials on TV, and they were even sold openly in vending machines. It took decades before worldwide change came about, when lung cancer was undeniably linked with tobacco use. Initially there was a lot of push back though. Change never happens without a fight, without sacrifice, especially when bottom line profit and big money is involved. It took a very long time before big corporate tobacco was made to bear the brunt of blame and reform. Only then did things start to noticeably change. Well the same thing is happening now, with the so called "obesity epidemic." And in the exact fashion that tobacco head honchos tried to shift the blame to the smoker, saying their product wasn't addictive, today, fast food, sugar additives, and the like, along with the diet industry would rather zero in entirely on the fat person for being fat, as opposed to accepting any part of the blame themselves. They produce addictive products that are scientifically proven to cause weight gain. Then they price it low enough to keep you coming back for more. And after you're completely hooked, then they try and sell you a cure all in the form of Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers. It's the very definition of an endless cycle. I'm not saying that everyone's obesity is solely caused by junk food, as we know better. Genetics is a major factor as well, among others. But it being our fault entirely is the prevalent outside notion, isn't it? If we'd all just eat less and exercise more we'd all be thin right? Well, that's the misconception that has to be changed first, before we'll ever have widespread reform on more easily obtaining WLS. If WE, the obese are entirely at fault, than why should other people, thin people, have to put their insurance or tax dollars towards our fat? Personally, I think we need more and more obese people to come out of the shadows and demand WLS, not less. We need more medical studies done showing the medicinal cost savings between patient care pre and post op surgery too. In the same way that all those who began the process before us, by first seeking out a surgical option, who underwent the experimental procedures in the past with less than desirable results - we have to keep it alive too. In this forum and in other places. Only then will the proof that the demand far exceeds the supply of knowledgable surgeons and center of excellence facilities. Only then will real changes begin to be made. Our surgical wait time today can be measured in long arduous months, sometimes years, before we ever even get a bypass, sleeve, band, or whichever procedure chosen. But the fact that the numbers, the obese people, who are seeking it out are growing exponentially gives me infinite hope that those who will come after us will benefit from what we've done today to further promote the monumental need.

I'm with Aetna as well. From my understanding you have to provide a 2 year weight history as well as follow a doctor's supervised diet program for 3 months. I'm unsure if you're able to follow a program that's not your surgeon. During the 3 months, there can be no weight gain or you'll be denied. Not sure if this info is helpful.

I think you answered your own question. Perhaps some Miralax is in order. Your weight will vary a bit from day to day but you aren't going to have a sustained weight gain at that calorie intake level.

Help! I had my gastric sleeve surgery September 24. I started at 264 pounds. I was down to 200 pounds at the beginning of February then found out I had a cavernous malformation on my brain stem and had to have surgery to remove it. During that time I managed to gain back 20 pounds. Some of that was due to prednisone but some was due to not being in control of my own cooking. Now I cant seem to start losing again. Im definitely eating larger portions than right after my surgery. Any suggestions?

Here is one very popular post that was started by sleve4me.... perhaps you will remember her from this: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/194493-weight-gained-since-having-gastric-sleeve-surgery/ This little group really helps me to just be honest... touch base, feel safe and not alone in this thing. I love you guys and really wish the best for you all. It helps me whether I'm gaining, losing or staying the same....

Banded in 2009. Slippage in 2013. Unfilled and weight gain. Revision surgery scheduled for August 31. Thank goodness for insurance. I so loved the band and lost a 100 pounds. Gained about half that back. Surgeon is doing by-pass instead of the sleeve because of what he figures is erosion to the esophagus. I am ready for this.

Hubby likes to eat out a lot and over a 20plus year marriage it has added to the weight gaining for me. Not now. He orders ala carte grilled shrimp at longhorn (I get the veggie he doesn't want or we share), or I order soup or we share his meal. I have been blessed with NOT having a waiter/waitress make a big deal about me not ordering. Last night I decided to quit getting water for my drink, I got a look. I explained when she made sure I didn't want anything to drink that I am not suppose to drink because I had WLS. If I have a drink I tend to sip - when my mouth gets dry from chewing some foods. To stop over drinking before and after I will just NOT get a drink. I will steal a sip (if desperate) from hubbys drink ;D

This is such a timely post for me. I am, I think, 20-30 from goal (still not sure what goal is but somewhere in there seems reasonable for a 5'7" frame). The truth is I have no idea where I'll feel comfortable and finished with losing. Meanwhile, I am so happy with what I have lost that I also stopped losing and even gained several back. But it's not complacency; it's much deeper than that. There is a "don't look at me, don't look at me" voice inside, leftover, obviously from all those years of feeling embarrassed about my weight. Since dropping weight I have received uncomfortable attention and have been trying to sort through that (my boss, so some one with financial power over me), but it's not just that. I am enjoying how much more "normal" I feel and how my introversion over the years is now shifting and I am so much more at ease out in the world. I like to dress up and have fun, talk to strangers and laugh loudly (actually despite being one of those very soft spoken people I have always had a really big laugh, which should be a clue that I was just hiding before and the real me, the laughing one, doesn't mind being out there, quirky, funny and enjoying herself). On biology, I'm adopted and when I met my birth family I immediately understood that not only was my weight gain due to personal issues in my life but clearly genetics played a big role, eeek. Lately I have thought that I may have put myself on pause because I wanted to let not only myself but the people around me and new people in my life catch up with where I am, who I am, how I look at this point in my life. Not 70 pound heavier me, and not 100 pound lighter me, the "me" now. But I am not yet where I want to be and I know that. I am enjoying being able to buy a size 12 suit off the rack and just go to Maine and out it in and look/feel fine. What? But I still have a paunch -- not the Mrs. Winnie-the-Pooh of yore but a belly. I want that gone. And I want to wear the size 10 linen pants I greedily scooped up at a sale and out in my closet as motivation (one pair in purple, one in red -- nice and long so no high waters but they are way too tight), I want to be able to stretch and bend with less stuff in the way. I have arthritis and still hold out hope that less weight on my frame will mean less pain. I wrote myself a letter to be opened at goal and I want to see what I wrote then. It was a thank-you letter. Maybe I will go back to my posts here and see what I wrote two years ago at this time while I was waiting to go to the mandatory information session and start my process. I will be two years out in November and would like to start next winter at goal. I'd like to be someone who can monitor a small gain and catch it. Right now being some one with 20-30 to lose feels like such a luxury, especially in our society where people are heavier and heavier, but I want to take it to the next stage. By now I know how to do it. My dimmed appetite allows me to have a regime which before I coukd do but it was so hard I woukd bounce right back afterward. This my third day of a fast. I'm doing it to try to clear out congestion in my joints and see if I can identify any triggers for the increased inflammation of late (probably more related to the barometer; will it ever stop raining?). But I'm also doing it to get on course. I tend to gravitate toward grazing. An ongoing wine and cheese party is not doing my waistline any favors. So a fast nips that in the bud. I like the idea of intermittent fasting -- a couple of days a week. It simplifies things for me and I think I have he right body type for it. So here I am at day three about to do the Epsom routine with olive oil and grapefruit tonight. It's hard core but I gravitate in that direction and realize I need to do that for my health. A liver cleanse, like the French (back to wine and cheese party issues). I don't know how long I will go. I have done three weeks in the past and it wasn't that long ago I was in pre-op liver shrinking mode for the surgery. I've recently increased my exercise, although mine is walking outdoors so the rain harshes that groove. Still, when I work out I am working so much harder now. My body likes/needs that. So now the brain needs to be on board. No secret folds of self-sabotage -- everything out in the open. If being thinner makes me anxious, what is that about? No longer being able to tamp down anxiety with food means that any anxiety (and there is plenty) is coming to the surface. Well that's good,I'm guess, though it can be messy. We had to pull over the car on the way home from the coast as I was so anxious. Fortunately my new remedy for that is walking it off, not eating it down. So, a therapist? Probably a good idea! I saw one to prep for the WLS surgery and for a little while after while I found my way. Maybe time for another round. But meanwhile very thankful for this place where I can tap out my thoughts freely, knowing that there are people who so get it. Thank you!

Like coops I read every single day, many threads, but I don't always post. The weight gain has zapped my confidence a d I feel like I'm back on the gain, lose, gain lose roller coaster but the gains are exceeding the losses so it is going up. I wish re were a bit closer to each other coops then we could meet up and we accountable to each other with direct eye contact. You off work coops? I pulled my back a bit when my trainer was here last week so I stopped the exercise for a few days, back is fine now but I'm finding it hard to get back into it. I know I'm making excuses to myself and I too need a kick up the bum. Lipstick lady writes as she sees it and it doesn't go down well with some people. I don't recall the other person. It's true we are not a 5:2 follower group anymore, some try others have stopped but I do think we are a support group. People have shared a lot and I do think we have to be careful who we allow in. If it became confrontational some of those who do post (even now and then) might stop. I do wish we could get hold of some of the people who stopped, Brown etc.. It's going to be the hottest July day for 9 years so I had best go and slap on some sun cream before work.

Good Morning Fellow Canadians !! I am so very glad this thread was started. I am from Edmonton. My surgery is booked for September 10th. Flying into San Diego on the 9th and back home on the 14th. I am then taking the rest of the month off for a full recovery. I have applied for short term disability through my insurance company so I can at least get paid while I am off for 3 weeks. I look forward to chatting with everyone soon ! Robin. My BMI is 34.1 on a bad day. I know its not SUPER SUPER high, but its way too high for me. I suffer from bulemia nervousa and I feel that this is going to be the remedy to kick it. My doctor is super supportive of my decision as he knows how hard I have tried to change my lifestyle and battle with weight gain and loss. I see my dietitian (NOT a nutritionist) next month. I am very excited to get some extra information and a pre-op diet ready for August. As well as a diet plan for post op. I have been doing alot of research on post bariatric Vitamins and not sure with brands, online vs. a health food store. So much information out there.

Please forgive my comparisons to war or combat. I mean in no way, shape, or form to dishonor the real warfare that our brave military members combat for real. Their real world actions provide the freedoms that I have enjoyed my whole life. It is the overanjoyment of these freedoms where I have failed. I live in a military town and am surrounded by returning vets. I see them in my PT sessions....and I see them in public and I work with them in the civilian world. I respect and honor them deeply. I have learned much from them. Please know this. My use of the terms war and fighting on simply how I feel on a personal level. At war and fighting with my internal, self generated enemies that I've let me not exert the control of the calorie war throughout my life. Most of us have had a few runs at losing on our own and had some serious success. I've done so....huge amount off.....then let it creep back on. ARGHHHGHHGHH !!!! The battles and skirmishes I've been through with my weight have not been tossed aside as failures, though. When I've gone back recently and relived those times....really thought about them......I've gained some insight into where things went well.....and why the weight loss stalled and returned. This new weapon, the bypass, though.....will help sustain the loss.....stay on the horse...and keep riding hard towards whatever BMI my body seems to level out at. I don't know of point, since birth, where I've been in line with my exact numbers on the "standard height & weight chart". Not one day. Big baby at birth, big kid.....hyooooge adult. :fofl: The really cool thing is that with this surgery and sticking with the new way of living.........I can see a point where I may be much closer to the "old standard chert numbers". Here's what I really take comfort from. This is knowledge and insight I gained from once losing over 100lbs on my own just a few years back. Even though it was short lived in terms of staying at that low weight...here it it is: My ability to loose the weight at my current state is limited due to physical limitations that limit exercise....thus I'm only able to exert control over one side of the "calorie equation" = on the calories consumed side. I struggle when this is the only side of the equation I can work on. It's almost like being in the boxing ring with one hand tied behind my back. As I loose weight, I am confident that my physical limitations will improve. Currently it's a back injury that has required 6 cycles of steriods, muscle relaxers and pain meds.....for the last 3 months. On the last day of the current steroid prescription today. Scared, too, as the next day or two are when the symptoms have often returned. The Fluid gain and weight gain from the use of these steroids has been unwanted.....but the relief necessary to be able to attend my job duties. I know that significant weight loss will ease the strains on my back and lead to healing. I know that the knees that are in need of knee replacements will be eased up, too. As I loose weight, I will become more and more mobile. Increased mobility will allow steady use of treadmill....controlled safe soft walking surface. I'll be able to walk so much further on my job every day, too. This activity will give me both hands to fight with while in the proverbial boxing ring. I'll be better able to work both sides of the calorie equation.....consumption AND burning them. This, my friends, will lead to much faster weight loss that will FEEL great. This is the state I want to be in over the time remaining before my surgery. This time is unclear as my first NUT appointment is over a week away. This is the what starts my 6 month timeline to surgery as I understand it. I've got a lot of headroom in my BMI to burn off on my own prior to 6 months. i am really looking forward to the first NUT appointment and getting a better gameplan from them. I'm hoping for a more specific gameplan to follow. Less freelance work on my own...but a factual & actual battle plan to follow. Good news is that I'm taking tomorrow and Thursday as vacation days. Tomorrow is my first appointment with my bypass / umbilical hernia surgeon. Thursday is the next appointment with my spine surgeon. There are a number of things I'll be hoping to gain from them but of primary concern is finding a way to get leverage over my mobility and off the meds that I'm needing for the back. *Is there an epidural injection process that I can get for my back to ease things off so I can get off the meds and mobile as I burn off weight during the next 6 months leading up to surgery? *Is there some type of hernia girdle or wrap that I can wear on workdays to keep this hernia from protruding from my umbilical area? This will help keep my core supported which will have to benefit my back, too. Ideas, insight and questions you think I should be asking my doctors: * * Gotta run and get ready for a 14 hr shift.......but will be checking back in later tonight. Poking around this forum and seeing the progress of the members here is something that I take great comfort and confidence from. I can't wait to get the very best results I can over the next 6 months......get this hernia repaired in the same procedure as the bypass.......and then recover.......but while recovering from the hernia (been through this twice before).....I'll be losing weight bigtime.....not simply laid up for a few weeks trying to just heal a hernia repair. As I recover from the hernia.....and the weight loss continues.......return to the job.......gain more and more mobility.......I'll be walking so much more than I can even conceive of. The future calories that I'll burn over a daily basis will be unreal. The bypass will be a huge tool on the consumption side of the equation. I can look at the old height & weight chart and now say....,"Hmmmmmnnnn"......who knows. At 46, I can easily see weighing what I did when I was 21. I've seen my beautiful younger sister go through all this 15 years ago with her bypass. She's been at her "standard chart numbers" for the past 12-13 years and is fit and trim as anyone I've ever known. She's amazing and has and will be a tremendous source of encouragement. Have a great day, folks. Let's do this thing !!!!!!!!

I had "stomach stapling" in the early '80's and after getting to my goal of losing 100 lbs. I gained all of it back over the past 15 years. I'm thinking of a bypass but wonder if anyone has the same story as I and what the result was. Thanks

Keep your head up. Never know it could be water weight gain. Also maybe their scales are different that your wls office too. All 3 of my Drs say I weigh a different amount

As we all know, how dedicated we are to CHOOSING to change our old, familiar eating and lifestyle habits and adopt new HEALTHY habits FOR LIFE during our first year after surgery dictates how much (or how little) freedom from struggles with food (and weight gain) we will have. Total freedom tastes REALLY good...

@Stevehud This is true! I still love mine, and don't want to lose them LOL! I have had them since I was in grade school, they are part of me... I agree with whoever said that if they have always been pretty big that you will lose less of them. Mine were large at a normal weight from normal breast tissue/fat, but kept getting bigger in proportion to my weight gain. When I lost to goal with the band they went back to my pre-gain size, but not as perky.

@@Donna Syvrud Not trying to minimize your feelings at all. Every one of us has been in your shoes. The emotions and regret you are feeling are very common and are so important to the overall outcome of your surgery. The emotional issues are just as important as the weight loss in the big scheme of things. Just as you need to win the battle with food, you need to win the battle inside your own mind. There are certainly some of us that have medical reasons for weight gain and the inability to lose it. But mostly we use food as a comfort, an escape, and a way to soothe our bad feelings - no matter what the cause of those feelings are. You may not have even known that you had emotional issues that needed resolving. Personally, I was quite surprised at the sheer volume of personal issues I needed to work through. In fact, I am still working through them now. But guess what?? I made a start and have found a way to accomplish this. Who knew that I was so capable and strong on the inside? Well not me for sure! But come to find out - I am. And so are you. Take one day at a time and let yourself feel all those emotions. It's the only way you can come to terms with yourself and the journey you have undertaken. You'll win in the end.

Surgery scheduled 12/2014. My plan was a great steak dinner out. That dinner turned into several one being Chinese. I never was a food junkie but since I would never eat just anything again I bought chips, ice cream and mini chocolate bars. Gained 15lbs. Surgery was canceled 36 hours prior due to the hospital & insurance parting ways and no follow up set up. So, I was hooked on ice cream. I've gained another 8lbs and I'm sure more in between. I say don't over do it cause you never know if something will cause surgery to be put off. My new Dr is awesome. Hoped for June, then July and now I know it will be September. He's going on vacation and never does surgeries 2 weeks prior in case patients have any issues. Very commendable. I was 148 now 164. I'm 5'4 and all stomach. I'm sick over what I did w/food. I'll now be a few months from being 57 when it's finally done. I became severely ill in 2000 & no dr of any kind knew what was wrong. They put me on everything. They never told me all those drugs caused weight gain. I would have refused. And I didn't expect a pre surgery diet others talked about. I've talked to patients in the waiting room who are twice my size, one had surgery a year ago. I called later & the nurse just poured out info. She said everyone's insides are different. The machine they use doesn't turn corners. They need as much room around the liver as possible. Said larger people can have less liver fat. Go figure? like working in a shoebox. At least it's not 2 weeks of liquids, I'd be flat on my back. 2 Protein shakes & one meal per day. Already super weak but? I'll do whatever I have to. I want to cross my legs again, get out the car not roll out. I had to buy a hand held shower head which I'd keep anyway it's awesome. My knee's have been so bad I couldn't walk at times. My fault, always sat Indian style at work. Dr's secretary had surgery and said her knee's were the worst but after she lost the weight no more pain at all. I'm banking on that. And now low back pain gets really bad due to bone loss. Have to use the scooter at Walmart & it's demeaning. I'm broken down and shouldn't be at my age. I have no help, so if I'm going to be able to do for myself I must have this surgery. I don't really cook, could care less about food unless I eat out and still don't stuff myself. Got the book, for dummies. I've glanced at it and it used some great, simple recipes. Hoping eating like we have to will make food go way further.

I guess I should share my story of why I've chosen to have the gastric sleeve surgery. Well, after being told that I developed high blood pressure, severe sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis (all a result of my weight gain) I thought it was time to deal with this weight problem. To be honest, if I had not acquired these conditions I would have never given bariatric surgery a thought. I felt I looked good and healthy, so end of story. Oh, but I was deceiving myself. Apparently my body is screaming for help and help is exactly what I need. I know that bariatric surgery isn't the cure all. Exercise and a healthy diet are just as important. I've embraced this wholeheartedly. I just need that jump start to get me going on this journey to weight loss. I'm an elementary teacher and need as much energy as I can get to keep up with my little darlings. So the weight must come off as soon as possible. I want to take a Christian cruise and be healthy enough to move about when we arrive at the ports of the beautiful cities. That's my brief story for now. ????

I just want to step in and say to Frumpy, regardless of the weight gain, please take the GERD seriously. I am just a month out from revision to bypass that was necessary because of multiple ulcers and inflammation that occurred despite me taking nexium since my surgery in 2013 and never actually feeling heartburn. We don't have much stomach left after sleeve and we can't afford for GERD to damage it. Gastric bypass makes GERD practically impossible because the bile duct is in a different part of the system from the esophagus and stomach after the bypass. I'm not saying you need bypass but you need to be monitoring the situation with your doctor.

Just before my 10th birthday my stepfather began coming into my room at night while my mother was at work. This continued until I was 12 years old. I tried several times to tell my mother over those years what was happening to me but she didn't want to hear it and I didn't know what words to use. My grandmother stayed with me once and figured it out and also tried to stop it but again, her words fell on deaf ears. Her attempts caused a huge rift between her and my mother that was never repaired. I finally stopped it myself. Many ramifications. The most lasting one besides my view of the world was my view of myself. Somehow, I blamed the way I looked. If I didn't look like that he wouldn't want me. While my conscious mind knew that it had nothing to do with me, the result was a slow, steady weight gain that continued until June 11th 2015. After struggling with diets and exercise, back pain, knee pain and hip pain, I decided that something had to change. A friend had the surgery and loved the results. It took a year for me to decide and then I did. Once the decision was made, I was excited. I started making a list of all the things I looked forward to -- not being in pain anymore, my blood pressure going down, my blood sugar leveling out, shopping at any store, shopping in my closet, being able to wear normal shoes, my feet not swelling anymore...so many things. I add to list everyday. I can see my cheekbones again, my face is thinner, so are my fingers, my thighs don't rub together when I walk, I can walk up 4 flights of stairs, I can walk again. Don't get me wrong, I have achieved much success in my life both personally and in my career. I just couldn't do this without help. The feeling is amazing to step on the scale and see it change each week. It's great to not be hungry anymore. I feel braver, stronger, more in charge of my body. Life is very good and I am grateful for the gift of this surgery. I love this new life.

I bought a Fitbit and I really like it. It estimates how many calories I'm burning each day, so I have a good idea of how many I should be eating. It has already helped. I'm back up to 109. That's only a pound, but it may mean I'm finding my healthy calorie allowance. Edited: that weight gain was just a digestive fluctuation, I guess. I'm down even lower than before. Now at 107.

@@VSGAnn2014 I am sorry you have to be "experienced" in the world of cancer, BUT I am THRILLED that your husband is in remission!!!!! That is our goal, as well. Obviously! The days can be challenging, and the nighttimes sometime even more so. For both he and I. Once he has the PET scan, that should help, for it is the unknowing of the extent of his cancer that is so worrisome. He should have the test next week, I hope. I will fight for it, one way or another. They haven't seen me mad, yet, and I don't envy those who will see it. I don't do "mad" well! Yesterday's "play-day" was much-needed, and has given me some energy for awhile. I tried melatonin for sleep, and it didn't seem to phase me. I'll try it again another time. I don't like to take stuff for sleep, as I need to hear what is going on, especially Dave. But I get bits of sleep here and there, quickie-naps during the day when he is at work and the dogs outside. I am maintaining! I just bought a slushy maker that also makes shakes, and that is what he is craving...chocolate milkshakes. It makes a single serving for him, and he just stirs it until it is the consistency he likes. I hope he can get more calories in that way. I'm going to see if he can add Protein powder to it without it getting gross. He needs all he can get. He fights me sometimes on getting him to eat all he should (and drink, too). We have to get his body ready for the surgery and radiation that is to come. The healthier, the better! Was there any tricks you used to get more into your husband, and to help with weight gain? I think I'm going to gain weight just looking at all the fattening stuff he is supposed to eat!!! Quite a challenge keeping us both where we're supposed to be! Any tips or tricks you guys used would be much appreciated, in getting Dave through this challenge, the more the better! And again, thanks everyone for your continued prayers and support. With it we have EVERYTHING! Hugs to all!!!!

This is a link to an article that was shared by another BP friend earlier this week. Good information to keep in mind. http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/ways-avoid-weight-gain-after-bariatric-surgery/

Sleeved April 12, I never reached my goal (set by me) and I have been struggling with weight gain. I know though how it is happening and I feel for those who follow a strict diet and exercise regime. I need to get back to basics.

Anyone gain weight? Surgery Date 5/6/15 SW 275, height 5"11; LowestW 249; CW 251. I do some form of working out 6 days a week. Increased my ability to jog (and have gotten 8-10k steps many times). No fried foods, no soda, no juice, no pork, very low carbs. One cheat day I ate banana pudding while still remaining under 1000kcal that day. Typically eat 500kcal a day. WTH did I gain weight? I'd expect at the least 35lbs down thus far. Feeling like I did all of this for nothing.