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Mine was fairly routine.. but some of the same things you are going thru.. I sure didnt want to eat or drink.. and yes I was tired all the time.. slept off and on all day long.. I was extremely emotional.. but at that point I was told my son had been killed.. so I dont know if a lot of that was because of that..and some of it omg what have I done sort of response is all but gone now. .. but now Im 8 weeks out and all the worries and troubles I was experiencing have gotten lots better... and even a couple of weeks ago.. still not wanting to eat much cuz I was scared of weight gain.. but figured out thanks to my hubby that if I was eating the protein.. the weight would for sure come off..and he was right.. has it been easy.. no not by any means.. but I think the new journey that we are all on is a great one..timely yes.. but in the end.. omg the results are going to be fabulous.. a new you.. healthy and beautiful.. right now we are all like in our cocoons..and soon.. we will break out and be beautiful butterflies. this is a great site to come to for support.. there are a lot of us out there..and sometimes we need each other to lean on and help us thru rough spots.. and thats we are here for.. I have a great support system in my hubby he was sleeved 1 week after I was. He has been wonderful and so have my co-workers at both my jobs.. I still get emotional but for I think more for my son.. but Im better today than I have been.. I was never on meds or anything.. just being over weight was my issue . cant wait to get a new wardrobe LOL.. and not need a belt extension when I fly.. but by all means vent.. it helps.. and best of luck on your new journey.. join Us.. )

Has anyone else experienced weight gain once they started the soft foods/mushies phase? I'm still exercising regularly and eating according to the plan, but I've gain 2-3 pounds over the last few days, basically each day since I started the soft foods. Any suggestions?

It sounds like abuse to me. I'm currently doing therapy. Once I had the surgery my tolerance for unacceptable behavior became less than zero. I hadn't been bothered by it before. And now I don't have over eating to cover up with. Now I look and say watch your mouth or watch me pack. I'm not a guaranteed thing in not a possession. This is after less than a month. I even am making a single life fund. My ex loved me when my body was beautiful every time he would see me during my weight gain he would bring up how he should of married me. And how beautiful our kids would of been. Now he's married and I picked poorly.

I was in the same situation as you. I was banded on Sept 19th. I lost 10 pounds in the the first 2 weeks, but in the last 2 weeks, I have managed to gain 3 pounds. I have followed the diet, and I am eating very healthy. I go for my first fill tomorrow. I was freaking out about the 3 pound weight gain that I actually called the nurse. She did tell me that it was normal at this time frame. In the frist 2 weeks your not hungry due to the trauma to your stomach, but then your hunger starts to kick in. I don't snack between meals, and my calorie intake is low. She reassured me that once I started getting fills, the weight will come off. As for working out, my doctor said I was free to work out. I was told 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of strength training. I could not lift anything more than 20 pounds, and no abdominal excersizes for the first 4 weeks. The elliptical would have been fine for me to do. Every doctor is different. I'm sure you are doing everything right. The weight will start to come off. Do you use myfitnesspal? Would love to be friends if you do.

The shoulder pain is really a phantom pain. You have heard of people having shoulder and left arm pain when they are having a heart attack. This is due to the fact that the nerves in our core interior run to the brain thru the same path as the nerves in our shoulder. What is happening is that your band is rubbing on your diaphram or some other organ inside of you. It is creating a pain response in the nerve at the location that your brain is interpreting as shoulder pain. The pain is not really in your shoulder and doing thing to your shoulder will not really relieve the pain. Most of us find that the pain goes away after the first week to week and a half. The calf pain and cramping is probably a potassium or dehydration issue. You are probably getting less Fluid and electrolytes then you think during the liquid phase. All food has fluids. Before you went on the liquid diet, you drank and ate. Now, you only drink so your intake of essential minerals and fluids are probably low. Try Powerade Zero, no calories, potassium and sodium. Beware, sodium will cause you to retain Water and you might mistake that for weight gain. As new bandsters, you will probably be on the scale a lot. (I was). You will learn that your weight flucuates due to water retention. I forgot to take my BP meds Fri and Sat, ate salty foods, and drank a lot of fluids. I gained 8 pounds in 24 hours. (all water weight). I am flushing it out today by drinking lots of water, avoiding sodium, and exercising. Bet it will all be gone tomorrow. Good luck to you all in your journey, learn from this site as there are a lot of great, knowledgable posters to learn from that will keep you from freaking out about your bodies adjustments. TJ

Bert99, based on your own unfortunate experience I can see where you might take a jaundiced view of the whole Lapband thing, but jumping on poor Hummingbird who offered understanding, concern, and a logical suggestion was a bit harsh. And as for lap band surgery being the easy way out- well, I reckon you've discovered it isn't easy at all. We still have to take responsibility for what we eat and how we eat it. On the chance my own experience will help, I'll share it. If it doesn't help, ignore it. I am not paid by a surgeon to write nice things about the band and I am not in the "wonderful" phase of the band. It has taken me two years and three months to lose 84 pounds. I've had ups and downs and looong plateaus. It has not been easy. I don't expect it to be much easier in the future, but I have learned some things that help me through the rough Patches. My band invariably feels tight during the early part of the day. I struggle with this, some times more than others. This week has been a particular challenge because I long for the emotional comfort of freely eating whatever I want. Of course, eating for emotional comfort eventually packed a hundred extra pounds on me. If I insist on eating early in the day when my band is tight, the food will come right back up. If I eat too much, up comes the food. If I don't chew well enough, same thing. If I wait until I am relaxed, actually hungry (and not just wanting to eat), and then eat a controlled portion of easily chewable food- well, life is golden. Most of all I have to guard against overeating, which means something quite different back in the days before the band. Overeating now can mean two bites. I know that feeling of too much food in the pouch- it is miserable until it is gone, one way or the other. It is a pain to have to pass up invitations to lunch because I know I am not going to be able to eat, but I've discovered my friends and family are quite understanding about my dietary limitations. We go for walks instead or get together to sew or garden or ride the horses. It is a continuing pain in the neck to not chew well enough, overeat, eat when I'm not hungry and end up having to walk around to let the food settle or actually go get rid of it in worst case scenarios. Sometimes I am better off just going back on liquids for a day or two and letting my stomach relax. Easy way out? Not on your life. But I can live with it because it is working for me. If the band is too much of a problem for you, by all means have it removed. But the weight gain you report is not a side effect of the band; it is the result of too many calories. That's not going to change once the band is gone. Overeating is an eating disorder, just like bulemia and anorexia. Hummingbird's suggestion to find a counselor to help you deal with that particular eating disorder is a good one. Please don't discount it. Good luck to you.

Whether you’re young in age or young-at-heart, there are a few key steps you can take to keep your metabolism motor humming so you are blasting away calories at the highest rate possible. As you age, your metabolism slows down. Older people also tend to have less muscle mass than younger people, which also reduces metabolic rate. This is why we encourage older patients to add light weight-bearing exercise to their fitness routines. So how do you keep that furnace burning in order to burn calories, even if you’re already achieved your goal weight? There are many simple tools to accomplish this task. I’ve outlined my favorites below: Exercise This weapon is key to maintaining and increasing metabolism. Seniors, take note−The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people 65 and older get 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week and perform weight-bearing exercises on all the body’s major muscle groups at least twice a week. At any age, indoctrinate a 30-minute daily work-out, just like brushing your teeth and eating lunch, into your daily routine. Sleep To increase the chances of boosting metabolism, adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Getting too little shut-eye can significantly alter your body’s processes enough to predispose you to gain weight. (Do you ever feel hungry for no reason when you’re exhausted and then reach for the wrong foods to boot?) De-Stress When you’re tense, your body releases cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal system that is linked to weight gain. It can also significantly weaken your immune system and open the door to acute and chronic illnesses. Turn to regular physical activity, deep breathing, a quiet evening stroll, or professional help from a psychologist or counselor if you are experiencing chronic stress. Eat and Drink (First and foremost, follow your bariatric practice's instructions on post-op nutrition.) Eating the right foods−clean proteins, fruits and vegetables−fuels your metabolism firing on all cylinders. As soon as you awaken, charge-up those calorie burners by feeding them a protein and a fruit (think omelette with feta cheese, spinach and veggies and a cup of berries). Eat small meals throughout the day but stop by around 7 p.m. Staying hydrated is key to maintaining good health. Keep a glass or refillable water bottle with you throughout the day. You are properly hydrated if your urine is nearly clear. Other than choosing the right foods to eat and finding spiritual solace in your life, these tools serve as a roadmap to good health, including maintaining a healthy weight. Best of all, once you’ve adopted these tips, you will look and feel better--sooner than you think.

My surgery was March 7th, and I've lost 33 pounds so far (starting weight 193). Lately my weight has been doing a weird thing where I will gain and lose the same half a pound or so for a few days in a row. (I typically weigh the same time every morning) I don't understand how I could gain ANY weight when I'm barely eating anything. Has anyone else experienced this?

Hi Everyone!!! I had my Lap-Band surgery in 2009 and at first I did great. I was loosing weight at a study rate, not too fast or too slow. I was able to do things I hadn't done in some time. I got to shop in regular sizes, I didn't feel wore out when I participated in different activities. My grandmother was diagnosed with cancer at the same time I had my surgery, as her cancer became progressively worse, I began to loose weight rapidly. My Grandma died in January 2010, and I had reached my lowest weight at 193 pounds. I was weak, looked guant and to find out I was dehydrated. The doctor began to slowly take Fluid out of my band, and I began to gain weight back. While this was going on I began to have adaptive eating habits, and I gained back over 75 pounds. Because of the weight gain I have become very depressed and anger with myself. I've lost focus of why I did the band in the first place. I met with my doctor yesterday and I'm going to start focusing on changing my eating habits and do the right thing. The weight gain has hurt the person I was. Instead I'm loosing me and hurting the ones I love.

By Sally Wadyka You walk by your colleague's desk and there's that candy bowl, singing its siren song, You know better, but you just can't resist. Little detours like these can derail the best eating intentions, and the disparity between what Americans want to do and what we actually do is enormous: While 85% percent say that diet and nutrition are important to them, a 2002 report reveals that only 11 percent get the recommended daily allowance of fruits and vegetables (sorry gummy bears don't count.) So whether you're an all-day nibbler or a Breakfast skipper, try these expert strategies to transform the way you eat. "My greatest delight is to take a good bite" - Dylan Thomas, "the Song of the Mischievous Dog" How to eat healthier if… You’re a serious snacker The fallout: You may end up overeating. A healthy snack or two between meals is fine. They can keep blood sugar steady as well as allow you to rack up more servings of fruits and vegetables. “It’s when you snack in place of eating meals that you’re more likely to lose track of how much you’re eating.” Says Tara Gidus, R.D., an Orlando, Florida – based spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Of course, what you eat matters, too. Typical snack foods (chips, Cookies, pretzels) aren’t that nutritious or satisfying, so it’s easy to overdo them. The Fix: To keep your energy up and hunger at bay, allow yourself two Snacks a day of 100 to 300 calories each. “Rather than a cookie or a candy bar, opt for something that feels like real food—half of a small sandwich, whole-grain crackers with cheese, a handful of nuts, baby carrots with hummus, or yogurt sprinkled with Cereal,” says Gidus. You’re a speed-eater The Fallout: Gulping fod may set you up for stomach troubles (PR: or a spasm of PBing) “you take in excess air, which can lead to bloating.” Says Leslie Bonci, R.D., director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh medical Center. You also might not be chewing well. Saliva begins to break food down, and too little time in the mouth leaves more work for the rest of the digestive track. This may contribute to indigestion, says Ellie Krieger, R.D. host of the Food Network’s healthy Appetite. Finally, speed eating doesn’t give the brain time to catch up to the stomach; it needs atleast 20 minutes to get the message that your stomach is full. A recent study found that women who ate a meal in 30 minutes ate 10% fewer calories compared with those who wolfed one down in barely 10. The Fix: Try to slow down. Avoid finger foods, and instead choose items you have to put on a plate and eat with utensils, such as stir fries and salads. Pause often, and drink Water throughout meals.( PR: in the case of our fellow bandsters do not drink 30 minutes before or after your meal) You eat your way out of a bad mood The Fallout: It may be soothing in the moment, but feeding your fears and frustrations, instead of confronting them, can lead to a cycle of more bad moods as well as steady weight gain. Many people turn to carbohydrates, in particular, which produce tryptophan, a type of amino acid that is used by the brain to manufacture serotonin. When the brain makes more serotonin, your mood improves, but only temporarily, says Judith Wurtman, Ph.D., a coauthor of The Serotonin Power Diet (Rodale Books). The Fix: Stop to think about what’s bothering you before reflectively opening the cupboard. Then try a nonfood mood booster, such as taking a walk, seeing a movie, or calling a friend. If nothing but carbs will do, get the serotonin boost without triggering a binge, says Gidus. Opt for a whole-grain treat so atleast you get more Fiber and less sugar. Healthy rehabilitation ideas: “We started stocking some of the jars in our office with organic fruit instead of candy. So now I grab a plum, an orange…” “Every Sunday night I boil eggs. I eat one every day for breakfast during the week. I can eat it on the go, and it’s a good way to get some protein…” “Whenever I have party leftovers, I send them home with the guests so I can’t binge..”

@nssmia A thought, bmi 30 and over is obesity range, WIll lyposuction get you healthy long term or will you regain with that proceedure? I'm also concerned about all the posts recently about weight gain and revisions. Know there are many of us that bounce back from surgery with no complications and have kept the weight off. I had the sleeve in 2014. I reached goal in six months. I maintain in the 130's. Many people at goal or maintaining no longer need the support on this site.. the positive is not getting enough recognition. You will see mostly. People researching, new to wls complications, weight gain and a handful of vets that stick around I have a link of positive experiences to help balence out the other posts. It may help calm someone's anxiety. Sent from my SM-G930T using BariatricPal mobile app

@@sallo Hi Sallo, wonderful to meet you! It is a great site for info and support. I don't dare having any sweets anymore, as they set up a craving for me for more and more ... I have been having melons and berries for Desserts. Tonight I had honey dew with blueberries and bit of Chobani yoghurt. It tasted delicious. I have ran out of blackberries, so I will get more tomorrow. Yes, lately I have been losing weight quicker myself. From 101kg down to 75kg today. At 74kg I was told I'd be classified as success. I want to get back to 65kg, or stretch goal of 60kg. Basically I want to fit back into my clothes again. I was only obese for 2 years, had a massive, rapid weight gain. Some of it due to my auto-immune thyroid disease. Ironically, this disease kept me slim all my life, and turned 180 degrees 2 years ago. So, I am just very grateful that I had WLS, and can get my health and my life back. Nice to hear from you, and best wishes with your weight loss

I have only one friend who seems to be very against the idea of surgery. She's lost a lot of weight, gained a little back, and is paying for Weight Watchers again to try and lose more. Every time I mention the surgery, she goes off against it, saying that she's seen it fail so many times and blah blah blah... completely ignoring the fact that a) I am not doing RNY, and b ) I am ME, not any of those people she knows who regained all of their weight. It's insulting, and I'm not sure our relationship will survive my having the surgery. My procedure is on Monday, the 23rd.... so time will tell very soon.

I went through 12 weeks of classes and was expected to lose 10% of my weight. Gained three or four pounds! But...when I started my two week liquid diet I lost a lot more than 10%. You will feel so good about yourself when you get past this point. You sound stronger than the average person and are probably a lot harder on yourself than most. Give yourself a break and just make up your mind to forgive yourself and move on. Hopefully you will be encouraging others in just a little while.

I think your doctor was too hard on you at your last weigh in. I wonder how many patients don't have emotional issues tied into their weight gain. I know I do. I also know that I can gain 5 lbs in Water weight in a single day. Please don't beat yourself up -- you obviously are making some great decisions to move in the right direction to lose your excess weight as most of us here on these boards are doing. I'm sure a lot of people have slipped on their diets along the way. I have too. Starvation is a quick way to lose headway on your diet though, because after the starvation you'll be eating like crazy after your weigh in. Be honest, even if it means a temporary postponement of your surgery. And be sure to tell them their criticisms of you at your last weigh in hurt your feelings and led to the gain. Bariatric surgery is not the easy way out as some people may think---and those of us who have elected this surgery know we have a lifetime of changes we have to make to reach our goals and stay healthy. We are all at different points (pre and post-operatively). Good luck, and hope all goes well with your appointments. I'm praying for you that your insurance approves you and you have a successful surgery.

I have insulin resistance and take 30mg of Actos. They are really small, so no problem there....possible side effect is weight gain however. I asked my doctor for Metformin, but he wants me on the Actos because it helps chlosterol. I agree on just crushing them, it is only bad tasting for a minute!

Hi All!! My name is Lisa Marie, but you can call me Lisa... I am 27 years old and currently live in Las Vegas , NV. I like most of on here have struggled with my weight. I have tried every diet, diet pill and starvation to lose weight. I did at one time lose over 100 pounds while I was on the Aktins diet. However, I learned that once I put a peice of bread in my mouth it would be hello weight gain. LOL I am tired of hearing people tell me, "OMG if you lost weight, you will be gorgous, etc. " I am tired of my weight being the topic of discussion with my "skinny" friends. I just want to be healthy and happy and maybe find love, is that too much to ask for? I want to shop at "regular" stores and not have to spend double the amount of money on a pair of jeans.. LOL anyways.. I am scheduled for surgery August 8th, 2008. So 8-8-08 is my day where my second chance begins. I had my seminar July 9th, went for blood work and EKG on July 23rd, was approved July 30th and hello August 8th. :Banane34: :party: I am soooo excited but yet soooo scared, I come on the site and site for hours reading the forum.. and I think I am scaring myself no reason. Anyways, I am to a huge GIANTS fan and can not wait for the season to begin.. We are taking it all the way again this year!!!!! Well I am excited to get to know everyone during this life long changing journey! Hope everyone has a great weekend. :huh2:

Hey Amanda. I guess overall Im cool with the idea of the surgery, my hesitation is just more abt the after effects, and making sure Im doing everything right so that nothing goes wrong. With in the last few years I have had issues with HBP, diabetes, acid reflux, hiatal hernia and sleep apnea. I am 32 and want to live a long life and be healthy. I just want the chance to feel good again and not worry with all the ailments this drastic weight gain has caused me.

I'm in month 2 of a 3 month medically supervised diet as required by my insurance. My first month I lost 17 lbs. This last month I had a harder time staying on track and also weighed in when I was seriously bloated from menstruation. As a result, I gained 8 lbs. I'm terrified that insurance won't approve me. I'm confident that I can lose this month and that I will have lost weight overall during the 3 month period, but I can't erase that +8 for this months weigh-in. Please, if anyone has gone through this, can you tell me how insurance handled it? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Monymo...I was banded in aug. I've lost about 25 lbs. I'm on weight gaining psychiatric drugs...diabetic...low thyroid..and having alot pbing...don't eat enough right things...not enough Protein...don't know what to fix...I'm a mess. I have short term memory problems. I've had problems from day 1 but also have had some success...I don't overeat...I don't snack alot once in awhile. I can go several days eating the same thing then the next time food won't stay down then it goes another couple days and does the same thing. I'm not having 2nd thoughts about the band I'm having 2nd and 3rd thoughts about what I am doing wrong. Can you help or do I sound like too much of a buden?

Hi, ManningFan.... First Question: Peyton or Eli....or Both? You bring up a very interesting series of issues, and I'd like to offer my point of view….which might be a little different than others here. First, congratulations on your achievement thus far. You've lost a very significant amount of weight, and you should be very proud of that. With or without the band, that is a wonderful accomplishment. However, there are a number of things that come into play here. First, you have lost a lot of weight in a relatively short period of time. Dieting in a conventional manner, it would/should take you about 2 or three months to lose that much….UNLESS you were crash-dieting. I hope that is not the case. When you are as heavy as you were, and you have a "young metabolism", it IS possible to lose that much in the amount of time you have suggested….but, I am thinking that you may have been a bit extreme in your dieting, perhaps? That is NEVER a good idea, and ALWAYS leads you back to weight gain. I do not know that this is the case in your situation, but from the time period you have indicated, it is a possibility. Another component of this is that you have your Surgery scheduled. That is almost ALWAYS a motivator that leads people to significant weight loss, because they know that the band is "waiting" for them a short distance down the road, and they won't have to diet quite like that forever. Thus the motivation is a bit artificial, and it is possible that you might not be able to maintain it without the surgery. Now, having said all that, I will tell you something that I believe very strongly: The BEST Weight Loss Surgery is NO Weight Loss Surgery. That means that if you can do it without surgery, you WILL be better off. No one should ever have surgery unless they really NEED it, for ANY reason. You are in a unique position in that you are a self-pay. You don't have to worry about insurance, and you are very fortunate for a number of reasons. You can choose your surgeon, the hospital, the aftercare, etc. You aren't tied to what your insurance will pay for. You can also choose when to have your surgery. You have the CONTROL. In my own process of rebuilding my body, I have been through a rather unique experience. I won't go into details about my "Banded life", but I will say that during a process that has lasted nearly a decade, I have learned an enormous amount, about my body, about my self, about the Medical industry, about Medical Science, and many other things. I have worked within the Medical Sciences field in that period, so I have the unique experience of having seen this process from virtually every angle, including that of a patient. And while this comment might raise a few eyebrows, I will tell you that if I knew prior to my surgery what I know NOW, I would never have had the surgery. Now, I say that as I sit here at a PERFECT weight for my body type, having had a Lap Band, in excellent health, and one might rightfully ask me why I would say that. It's complicated, and I am NOT here to tell people NOT to have surgery, but to assist them in making the best choices for their health….and if that includes surgery, then I will say that. But….I have learned so much about Physiology, Nutrition, Psychology, (I had a background in those PRIOR to surgery, but my experience taught me things that were NEVER taught in school…) and the components of good health and vitality. I have realized that our culture and society has SO corrupted our concept of what is good nutrition and what good health actually means. As a result, I began thinking and eating and moving far differently than I did prior to this process, and I am quite convinced that had I been aware of these things earlier in my life, surgery would NOT have been the path I would have taken. My suggestion to you would be this: You have TIME, and you have Money. You're only 25, and some Medical Professionals will tell you that the body really does not reach full physical maturation until 28 or even 30. I wouldn't say this to you if you were in your late 30's or 40's, or if you had only lost a few pounds, but you are YOUNG, and you have lost FIFTY POUNDS so far. I would call your Surgeon's office, and postpone your surgery for a few months, maybe 5 or 6 months. See how you do. If your weight loss continues, then postpone it again, until you reach a BMI where you HAVE to make a decision and then cancel, or have the surgery, depending on your experience. Take those 6 months, study nutrition (I will PM you some information on materials, if you like), develop an exercise program, and see if you can get control of this yourself. I think you can. You have demonstrated your ability to do so thus far. Quite frequently on this forum, someone will spout out one of the numerous "statistics" that have been floating around about weight loss and related matters. One of the "Statistics" is "of people who Lose weight on their own, only %5 are able to keep it off". Most Fitness professionals (and that includes quite a range of professions) would disagree with that quite strenuously. Those people who do it CORRECTLY can very often keep the weight off, and develop TRUE health and vitality. Those "statistics" (where do they get that crap?) more often refers to the class of people whose idea of real "dieting" means reducing their intake of Snickers from Four bars a day to Two. That ain't gonna work. And, unfortunately, THAT is also one of the reasons that SO MANY people fail with the Lap Band….they simply reduce the amount of garbage they consume. But so often the problem is WHAT they eat, as well as the amount. So, that is MY take on your situation. Because you are YOUNG enough, and you have lost so much of your excess weight on your own, I would give it a try. Some people might say that should not waste any more time and just get the Lap Band. I would strongly disagree with that, because you have NOT wasted ANY time. You have brought yourself several steps closer to Good Health, and if you continue along this path, you will complete the task. But, again, I would caution you: Do NOT do this by crash dieting or by eating unhealthily. I will be happy to assist you with finding materials that will help you with this. But Do it the RIGHT way. Or you might become another statistic. I heartily encourage surgery (including WLS) where it is NECESSARY. But, as I have said, you should never undergo surgery of any kind unless you really NEED it. And you might have a unique opportunity to avoid it. And 17 grand can buy a LOT of bikinis...... If I can help you in any way, please feel free to PM me. S.

Hey There, Yes, I have suggestions and my best one is to follow Dr's orders. With my health condition I ended up having to stay 3 days. Tghe 24th of Dec. is when I got released, our family Xmas meal was at Rube's steakhouse. It was a blizzardy night, my first night out of the hospital (I was in great pain and anxiety) but survived. Use a blender of some sort to puree or eat baby food everything you choose to put in that stomache that has just gone under major surgery, without causing yourself pain or your stomach to have major issues that could include more major surgeries. Then ween into soft types of food. One thing mainly to avoid to continue to lose weight is carb's. Keep them out of your diet completely! They will cont. to bring on more weight gain than any other food! Eat all the meat (Protein), Veg. and Fruits, plus drink some type of Protein drink which containds 60-80mg. a drink up to twice dailey. This will help your body and emotional level to becomew more stable, keep you from losing your hair, give you energy if taken in accordance w/your Dr.'s other recommendations. Always take Folic Acid, Elctra Vit. C, D, E and several of the B Vitamins., now I also add Bee Pollen, Calcium D, and Norwehian Cod Oil. You can follow this and see how it leads you, or let me kow what you are doing for yourself and how this is working. Deb

I was about where you are 4 days ago, but today is my 15th day post-op and I turned a corner (thankfully)! I feel amazing today, minimal pain and it's the last day I have be on clear liquids. It was also my first day back to work! I'm not sure if you are on clear or full liquids? Clear liquids-drink broth, protein shakes made with water, Isopure, SF/no carb Jello, SF/no-carb popsicles. Full liquids-Drink protein with almond or skim milk (Syntrax nectar is my favorite protein-no carbs, mixes well with water or milks), low-fat creamy soups (such as low fat/low carb butternut squash soup or tomato soup or cream of broccoli soup with the chunks strained out). I use Ideal Protein or Barwise products, but you can also make your own from scratch if you have time. Soft foods phase-eat scrambled eggs or tofu, low-fat cottage cheese, low-fat SF yogurt (use Fage Greek fat free for optimal protein with low carbs). Eat only 2 oz at a time. Do not drink 30 minutes before or after you eat to train yourself to eat slowly and fill on 2 oz. If you drink while you eat, you will eat more than you should and can stretch your stomach which will ultimately lead to slowed or stopped weight loss. Eventually this will become weight gain. Phase 4-lifelong phase is food you can tolerate, only 2 oz at a time, chew/chew/chew! No beverage 30 minutes before and after eating. Set a timer on your phone to help you. Journal everything you eat to hold yourself accountable. Please let me know if you want me to email you my post-op eating plan. All the best to you! It will get better and suddenly you will feel amazing! Excellent advice - all so true!!! My Protein shake is Premier Protein chocolate and I love them. That's how I kept my protein up. At first when they were to heavy, I cut them with milk. I just got told today to only have 1 shake a day. I love them, but it will be cheaper

It's not real weight gain. It reflects swelling, IV fluids they gave you in the hospital and water retention. The number on the scale doesn't mean much this early. You're good, this is normal healing!

I personally would, because I never over-did alcohol in the first place, but I think people don't understand a few things: - Contributory factors of addiction in many of us who had eating problems shows this isn't a good thing to have post-op -- those who had food addictions are way too susceptible to substituting food addiction with alcohol addiction. This is something my hepatologist mentioned before surgery and I notice this is backed up by numerous scientific journals. - Nextly, many of us know that the surgery puts our body into panic but don't fully understand the extent. The liver, for example, goes into overdrive, producing massive ketones to burn glucose and fat throughout the body as a natural response to lack of carbohydrates to utilize as energy. It likewise has to work extremely hard to produce enough glucose to move through the bloodstream to make up for the lack of glucose due to the extreme carb and caloric deficit, so the body needs to have enough energy to function. This happens all the way until we've healed enough to go to a normal diet. So add alcohol to the stress the liver is going through and it's very easy to cause damage to it without even thinking. This isn't a huge deal for people with normal livers, but for the 20%+ of population who do have liver issues (diagnosed with 1st stage fatty liver or worse), it's not smart. I believe in a recent journal I read that over 90% of people entirely who go through VSG wind up having inflamed livers (showing in their enzyme levels) for a period of time. It needs to heal almost as much as the stomach does. So throwing alcohol into it one or two months into surgery I just don't find to be a good idea. Besides all the carbs in alcohol it's likely to cause stalls and weight gain, never mind the prior paragraph about liver damage. If you want attention find a guy. You've already made enough drama out of nothing. Go away.