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I have lifelong major depressive disorder and have been on all kinds of meds. I've been taking Wellbutrin since 1995 and have added and subtracted other meds along the way. My long-term psychiatrist always said that it was very important that I sleep, which was a big problem. Benzos don't work for me (Valium, etc). The best thing that worked was a combination of Ambien and Thorazine. But who wants to take Thorazine?! So after a while he suggested Seroquel (just for the insomnia, I'm not bipolar or schizophrenic). Started at 100 mg maybe 8 years ago. Gradually worked my way down to 25 mg. Then my doctor died. In the midst of this, I had a VSG in Jan 2010. Beginning weight was 385, day of surgery 361, lowest 285, today 335. I've learned to eat around the restriction, obviously, but could the Seroquel be part of the problem? Meanwhile, I'm not sure the Seroquel is working as well for sleep. My new doctor isn't too happy to prescribe it. She would like to see me off of it because it's not supposed to be a sleep medicine, although she's always saying what a low dose it is. (200mg is a low dose; 800mg is a high dose.) So I don't think she'll increase it. Seroquel is known to increase weight, but she says the effect lasts about 12 hours, so since I take it at night, it shouldn't be a problem. But since it's not working well anyway, and since it might be causing weight gain, I decided to go off of it on a trial basis. Today is day 4. The first two nights were hell. The second two nights were better, but still not good enough to function. But I do feel less driven to eat. Do you think that Seroquel could be a factor in my less than stellar weight loss results? How long should I suffer through sleepless nights before going back on it? Should I try something else to sleep?

Hi there, I've been looking for April sleevers too...my surgery is scheduled for 4/18. My surgeon doesn't require a specific pre-op diet and says that they just don't want weight gain prior to surgery, but thinking about it anyway since so many others do. I've been trying out various Proteins to try to find something I can stomach. So far I like Syntrax nectar, and they have a naturals line with Stevia rather than artificial sweeteners. The countdown has begun! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have mirena. Im on my second one as i have used it for 7 years. I havent had a period in years. No side effects that i know of... possibly weight gain.... or that might have been the cheessburgers. Lol HW 385 SW 359 Sleeved 10/5/16

Hi there! I' new but noticed your post yesterday before I joined. I am also taking classes but I'm doing mine on-line to finish up my bachelor's degree. It has been a long 2 1/2 years but I'm almost done. I have 2 more weeks left of this class and then 2 more (5-week) classes remaining. My completion or grad date is July 11, 2011. I'm planning on becoming a teacher; therefore I have to enroll in a certification program. Here in the Louisiana there are special guidelines to get certified and it cannot be done at any institution, therefore I will be enrolling in grad school for the fall semester. Its only one more semester between getting certified and getting certified with a master's degree so I'm going for it!!! Most of my weight gain has occurred in the past 2 1/2 years. Dealing with school while working full-time and raising a family has been hard, but also I lost my mother 2 months after I began school. That was the hardest and most difficult time of my life. She died of lung cancer and I took a hiatus from life and 18 months. I just didn't care which put me up 75 lbs and I was already very heavy. Now I'm severly morbidly obese and not just obese. I feel guilty now for letting myself go and not caring, but that is life right? So I'm a cash patient because insurance doesn't cover weight loss surgery right now. I don't have the time to wait. If I wait any longer my 6 year old and almost 20 year old daughter may be motherless and I cannot let that happen to her. She is too precious to me! My paternal grandmother died at the age of 48 from having 2 major strokes within days of each other. She was not overweight like I am nor did she live the lifestyle that I have. So, I'm a ticking time bomb waiting to go off! I'm not scared to die, but I'm worried what will happen to my 2 daughters. They don't deserve this and they are my reasons for doing this! They are the reason I wake up in the morning and go to a job that I don't like. My surgery is a working progress but should be around mid-May. I have a blood work tomorrow morning and then its seeing the doctor and scheduling surgery. I also have to take some classes on-line. That's about it in a nutshell...

Studies have found that artificial sweeteners create a false dependency. They stimulate your appetite, Increase carbohydrate cravings and stimulate fat storage and weight gain. In short artificial sugars prepare your body for food that often is not coming and thus confuses your system while also making your body crave more and more sweeter things.

Okay. I just finished reading her next post where it clarified that she had not told him she had weight loss surgery before he bought the Valentine chocolates. Sorry for jumping to conclusions before having all the facts! My surgery was just 9 days ago (gastric sleeve) and I'm feeling irritable (not hungry but mourning the taste of foods that caused my weight gain in the first place). Just started eating pureed foods and can't eat more than 2 ounces without my stomach hurting. I have a "First Bite" class to go to at my surgeon's office tomorrow. I'm assuming it's with their nutritionist. Hopefully I'll get some help with what and how much to eat so my stomach won't hurt. Please keep me in your prayers.

I think you are experienceing a very common feeling Just remember that statistics show 98% of obese people who loose weight, gain it it back. Only you can decide if this is what you truely want, but I can tell you, I have never made a better decision in my life.

To preface, many moons ago I played soccer in college and despite my weight gain, I still identify as an athlete. Exercise is not punishment for me, it’s something I’m excited to do again and to have more successful with. That being said, I recently hit 4 wks and doc cleared me for cardio. I downloaded a couch to 5k app and for the last 5 days have been going on hour long run/walks for about 3-4 miles. Combined with daily activity I’m getting in 5-6 miles/day. Problem is that I get really tired in the afternoon and am constantly hungry. I’m eating about 800-900 cal/day but wondering if I need to up that? Also following a keto diet. I’ve been doing soft foods for a couple weeks and am capable of eating more but have been trying to stay less than 900...for no other reason than most people on here are eating so damn little after 4 weeks and I’m trying to follow suit. A typical day may be: 8am - Decaf coffee w/ half premier protein 9am - 2 scrambled eggs 11am - Half serving ground beef noodle-less lasagna 2pm - other half lasagna 5pm - Greek yogurt 7pm - 2 oz Smoked Salmon, one soft cheese wedge 9pm - 1/4 cup cottage cheese 11pm - Decaf coffee w/ half premier protein I’ve been keeping track in MyFitnessPal and you can see the breakdown. Questions - for those that exercise, how many calories are you consuming? Any suggestions on why I’m hitting a wall in the afternoon and need a nap? If I don’t eat every 2 hours my stomach starts grumbling and I get light headed. Should I be eating more at meals? I’ve been hesitant to because I’m nervous that I’ll still need the snack and will go too high on calories for the day. I’ve also been in a pretty major stall over the last 3 weeks. 10 days with nothing, then 5lbs in 2 days, now another 6 days with no loss. Thanks for any help! Sleeved 3/12/18, HW 270, SW 253, CW 238, GW 160, 5’9”

I am still within 10lbs of my goal, but I've gained 25 lbs during this COVID fiasco. I'm convinced it's all wine calories from the lock downs! I maintained under my goal weight for 3 years and now here I am... creeping. So - getting back at it. I'm paranoid, no correction... terrified of regain. You can see the first pic shows where I am today and the second shows where I was two years ago. People around me are "fish toshing" me, but this is where it starts. This is where you have to get a grip and get on track. It only gets worse from here if you don't. So - I'm gonna get back to it... NOW. Any suggestions for "getting back to basics?" I do well with plans.

I was banded in February 2008. I blew that. I lost like 24 pounds. Then in June 2011, I was having problems. I had upper GI test and hiatal hernia. When I had surgery for that, he did a band revision. I said this is it.... Time to shine! NOT! I have two of my grand kids and it is hard when they want something for me not to dig in. I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and plantar facciitis. It is hard for me to move with pain and exhaustion. The meds I take cause weight gain!! I actually gave up. I stopped going for fills. I was due last month and said what's the point. I need help!!

Since being sleeved on the 21st of October, I've been weighing myself daily. In the last 3 days I haven't lost and in fact I think I went up a pound or two. Is this normal? I'm feeling a little discouraged. I can now have mushy foods and creamy soups and I have been. Did I move too fast to the next stage of food?

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!

I look to forward to being a healthy mommy and not being afraid of that I won't be able to keep up or be active with my son. I look forward to having another baby but this time at a healthy weight. I was so uncomfortable the first time due to my weight/weight gain. On a less serious note, my husband looks forward to more room in our closet- I've kept all of clothes, a range of about 4 sizes, because of my weight fluctuations. Goodbye fat clothes! For good! I wish all of us the best of luck!

This won't be extremely long update since it's been just a few days since my last one, but a few had ask me to update after this appointment since this is the 12 week update with the "special" ultrasound to look for any "markers" for defects, or abnormalities. 1) Labs were pulled (results will take 7-14 days) 2) Sprout is measuring on target, and the placenta, heart, all "genetic markers" were NORMAL which is a huge relief. Doc is extremly pleased with my progress, and my little 4lb weight gain. I have definitely "popped" in the bump department even since Sunday. 3) The ugly night time reflux is creeping in. I think it's because I have have allowed an old"fat habit" to creep in. A huge contributor to my former 270lb self was night time eating. I loved having that "full belly" before bedtime, eat something/anything/lots of anything, and go to sleep. Well, I've had 3 nights of waking up spewing acid. It's beyond unpleasant, and I didn't even realize I was doing it. I wasn't eating "horrible stuff" or necessarily junk food, a handful of nuts, a granola bar, 1/2 cup of oatmeal, a few crackers with cheese, well I wasn't even feeling "full" but apparently, my sleeve is full, or partially, and with the "bump" swollen uterus, increased blood volume, bloating, my stomach's reaction is straight up ACID from hell. So, I'm back to not eating 1-2 hours before I lay down for the night. It's been miserable, and it's only been after eating and then laying down and dozing off. So, I'm being more aware of my eating at night. 4) They would not confirm gender. Apparently at 12 weeks, they all look like BOYS. Next follow up with my regular OB is Monday, and next high risk appt is at 18 weeks unless something with my labs comes back questionable/suspicious. Sprout 12 weeks Waving at Us ! ! ! Getting pictues was purely crazy, he was jumping all over my uterus, went head down, butt out, and was pretty much doing cartwheels in my uterus after the first 5-7 minutes of the tech squishing on my belly. Apparently, Sprout is not a fan of his space being invaded. And the Bump: No, I'm not holding it "up", I'm just making the dress cling to the belly LOL

Hey there, I have been away for a very long time too. I have also gained weight by drinking Frappacino's and sugary things. It is like, I just got tired and gave up. I had a vision that my body was way to skinny at 146lbs. This was really irrational thinking on my part. After reading all my old friends story, it does seem a bit normal to put on some weight, but just how much weight is normal? I am realizing now that I still need to get back on the wagon, do a cleanse (no sugar), and promote good health in my house. I find myself really really sad. My son is 34 years old and the past year or two, he has become enormously obese. It breaks my heart. So I am looking into the Paleo way of eating. I still drink a lot of Protein shakes daily. But I have let bread back into my diet. I guess what I am saying is that I am really sad over my weight gain. I hate that I am up a size. Dieting just isn't as easy as it was in the beginning. I'm also tired. Everything everyone has spoke about here, rings true for me too. I need to get back into checking in with others to keep on track. I spoke with a case manager at my bariatric center and she told me that in order to loose weight, I need to eat less than 1000 calories. I am so happy I ran into all my old friends on this post. It brings me back to reality. It is still work.......

Cheri, Thanks for this insight. I understand the control element; in so much as when I eat when I shouldn't/not hungry/'naughty' food, I feel that I have no control. Stupid as in reality, if someone was watching, they would not look at me as an out of control eater! However, I feel that I don't have control over my body - early menopause started that train of thought... and now weight gain and not being able to lose it. I've lost my mojo and am hating this head space I am in... one of constant exhaustion and disappointment (not just with weight but many areas of my life). But, life goes on and the world keeps turning... we keep on fighting the good fight! Stay safe and well my friend x

Today my mom said that me needing surgery for my weight is all in my head. I share a house with mom and dad and my brother and whenever they can they take jabs at my weight gain. I've told them that it upsets me but they kinda do it anyway. I'm trying my best to watch what I'm eating and when I say I don't want to eat something they're cooking they talk about me like I'm not even there, saying sarcastically, oh she's not eating this she's on her diet, it really makes me think badly of myself for letting myself get this way with the weight gain and all. I've never had a real problem with my weight until I went to rehab for drug addiction. I really think I just substituted drugs for food. I'm fine with it because if I can overcome my drug addiction, I have 7 years sober, I have faith I can overcome food addiction. I just don't know how to handle all their snide comments about my weight. It's very hurtful especially coming from my own family. Anyone have any ideas on how to handle this. I am 4'11" and my starting weight was 238, I am now about 208-210, I am fluctuating all the time but they are really depressing me, at least I'm trying to better myself, when I came back home after my divorce at 238 lbs I also had to have a breast reduction surgery that helped me be able to exercise, I was a 42J now I'm a 42D, a huge improvement that enabled me to at least get up and go to the gym. I've been extremely active since last winter after my breast surgery, working outside on the yard, garden, mowing the lawn, now I can do all these things but no significant weight loss. Main problem though I am wondering how to handle the sarcastic remarks and not feel so alone and just want to cry. Any ideas??

Because of my horrible band experience, I was pretty scared that I'd never be able to enjoy a good steak again. Funny thing is that steak (any cut) all work fabulous, and I eat some form of steak about 2-3 days a week. The band made it impossible for me to eat most meats, and salads were a big no go as well. So, I was not optimistic about ever being able to eat normal foods again. I honestly eat everything under the sun. Today, I had chicken fajitas with jalapenos, sour cream and guacamole. Grant it, it was only 1 fajita with a smear of refried Beans, about a tablespoon of rice, smears of the sour cream and guacamole, lots of salsa, 3 little strips of fajita chicken breast, and hoards of sauteed onions and green peppers. I tear off the entire top part of the folded tortilla so there is not really a lot of bready tortilla to take up room. We went out to my favorite Mexican place for lunch, I had 6 tortilla chips with salsa, then ate 1 fajita, came home took a nap for about 1.5 hours, woke up did some laundry, ate another one just like I did for lunch(about 3 hours later), and then ate another one for dinner made the exact same way the previous two were made about 3 hours later again. I didn't eat Breakfast today, and needed to make sure to eat something decent today. I'll probably eat some turkey pepperonis with cheese chunks before bed to get in some more Protein for the day. I am 22 weeks pregnant, that 3d sono is just a random picture attached to the little pregnancy ticker. I won't get my 3d sono until August 8th, but me and Miss Tatum are doing fabulous. I've gained more weight than what I wanted to gain by this point with a 12-13 pound weight gain in 22 weeks. My doctors want me to gain 30-35, and at this point, I don't see that being a problem. I'm tweaking my intake this week to see if I can stay the same weight. I'm having to eat 300 more calories a day than what I was eating in maintenance, I'm not allowed to work out, or exercise, and I have to eat 100-200gr of carbs, with a 100gr of protein per day with 1700-1800 calories. It's frustrating, but Tatum is growing and thriving, is 100% healthy, and actually weighs about 1/2 pound heavier than other babies her age. So, I'm definitely able to support myself and a baby. It's just a weird place to be to be gaining weight, and all the physical changes that come with pregnancy. My labs have remained stellar as well through the pregnancy so VSG has not negatively effected my pregnancy, or the baby in any way. Once you get to maintenance, and a good grasp on food after your losing stage, you can literally eat anything you want that your body will tolerate. I do still avoid a lot of junk food. Sometimes I cave and have chips and dip, or a small slice of cake or cheesecake, but I also know that overdoing those foods will get me fat again.

I think an "implant to help control hunger" is a pretty accurate description. I think that people need to remember that Lapbanders are learning to control their lives they are learning how to finally take control of themselves. To me, the only lap band failures are those who just continue to eat out of control. AND, they are only failures if they do not seek additional help and support to continue the process. There are lapband misfortunes such as erosion, accidental slips, body rejection, etc. Bypass and rerouting surgeries are usually successful, yes, but when you factor in the weight gain that they usually have at the end, to me, that is failure. There was no self control and no change in lifestyle and thinking about eating. I went to eat with two ladies one night, one with the band and one with the bypass. Both ate regular fat-laden food to the point of having to stop on the way home and BOTH women were out of the car throwing up. They eat what they want and then when they are too full, they throw up. To me that is failure. They did not learn to change their lives and how they eat to be healthy.

Yeah, I thought about that too but I went ahead and had the revision done. I was very attached to my band. I thought exactly what you posted when I thought of a revision surgery. I know someone who had the bypass around the same time as my band, and now they are twice as heavy. I initially went in for a fill since I've been traveling, working and moving, I hadn't seen a fill doctor for a couple of years since I was still doing well and losing with the level of Fluid I had. So when I finally made an appointment with my current bariatric center, just to check my fluid level, and maybe get more added, they suggested the revision, and an unfill right then due to an enlarged esophagus (Too tight again, 2nd time for me). Gasp! I wasn't a happy camper because I knew I was going to gain some weight back once they unfill me. No way, I just want a fill please. Um, no can do... Either rest my band for months again and get refilled & struggle to find that sweet spot again or rest my band and get a revision. That's why I opted for the revision so I wouldn't go through the weight gain-weight loss cycle again since I had a habit of being too tight. I was still working to get to goal again after my first enlarged esophagus episode. I almost didn't go through with it. I'm happy with the results, the physical sensation that I get from the sleeve vs the band when I eat, as well as the weight loss results so far. I'm 24 days post-op and I'm down 22 lbs, and it's been relatively easy staying on program. Haven't thrown up or slimed yet. I guess from the band all these years, I know when to stop. That familiar pressure in the back of our throat... Stop or else. ^^ But, having said that, It is all very new to me though so check back in a few months lol. Since you're at goal, does your doctor still want you to have a revision, do you have issues with your band? Either way, hope it works out for you.

Actually, a band too tight often leads weight gain. When your band is too tight, people often resort to slider foods or develop "soft calorie syndrome" leading to weight gain from not eating the right foods. Have a look at this article: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/page/index.html/_/support/post-op-support/tighter-isnt-always-better-r118 Plus, reflux is a major red flag sign of a band too tight. You don't need a fill, in fact you still may need some Fluid removed. I would recommend seeing your nutritionist to get back on track by eating the right foods in the right quantities. Best wishes.

Right now is what people like to call "bandster hell" which is when you have healed from surgery, swelling has gone down and you have little to no restriction from your band. I had the same thing and right now is all based on your own will power.....you have to stop thinking I can eat like I did and keep the pre op/post op diet fresh in your mind....I can only eat this much and stop yourself. Don't let the "I can eat again food monster invade your thoughts" bc he will and I think that monster is the cause of a lot of post op weight gain. My loss since surgery has been SLOOOOOOWWW and I just had my first fill Friday. Are you scheduled for your first fill?

My surgeon relocated from my area but I am working closely with my primary care doctor. She seems to believe the thyroid medicine caused the weight gain my stopping my metabolism. However I stopped the medicine two months ago and still have been gaining.

Hey Girlie- We're surgery sisters having been sleeved on the same day. So, I am literally right where you are. And, I can say that I honestly go through the same thing as you. I can blame mine on a mulitude of issues. Here's a quick run-down: 1. I killed my best friend when I was sleeved. Sounds nuts I know, but I turned to food for all of my emotional comfort. Sometimes, I feel sad that it had to come to this to get healthy. And, it's taking my awhile to make new "friends". 2. I'm surrounded my social eaters. Everywhere I turn my friends, family and co-workers mark life by what we're serving and who's bringing what dish. When you can't eat a lot and focus on Protein and no carbs this can get depressing. 3. I'm realizing that I blamed a lot of issues in my life on my weight and that simple isn't true. I can't blame my weight for things like my marriage hitting the skids anymore so I have to figure out how to fix it now. It's depressing to realize that I was lazy and blamed my weight and it's depressing sometimes to wade through the crap necessary to fix it all. 4. My mind is ahead of my body. I'm ready for the journey to be over and to begin living life in a normal BMI body. Even though I'm losing weight at warp speed it still doesn't seem fast enough some days. On those less rational days when I see that I haven't come as far as I want, it bums me out. I think the best thing we can do is take a deep breath and face our personal challenges head on so we can begin to sort them out and ensure a future without food and weight gain as a crutch. For me, that means journaling, talking with the BFF, an occasional therapist visit and venting on here. It's nice to know this group is here help. Best of luck to you! Amanda

I went to they gym and exercised my brains out for 3 years and never lost an ounce. I thought I was dieting, but my portions must have been too big. I was never successful without the band. If that were true, all the people on LBT would not have gotten the band. Those that could lose the weight, gained it back plus more. I don't get why Policeman does not go out of town. My dr. is charging 10,000 for the band now. Even with plane fare, it would be way less. His complication rate is the lowest in the entire Pacific Northwest. He is a center of excellence, which is almost unheard of for a town this small. They went over his records and stats with a fine tooth comb. There are probably a lot of great surgeons closer, who are doing this for a much better price that what you have been quoted. You can find someone cheaper. The recovery rate is going to be the same no matter where you go. It just depends on your body. It's getting fills that you need to figure out if you go out of town. Why finance a huge amount if you can get the surgery for a good price by another excellent surgeon?