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Congrats! 15 pounds is a good weight gain for seven months. Talk to your obesity. That dr. Is who matters most right now. Sent from my KFTBWI using the BariatricPal App

Goals for 2007 I've been a very slow loser since banding and it is due in part, I think, to my anti-depressant cocktail, lack of exercise and not enough Water. The good news about increasing exercise is that it guarantees increased water consumption. The bad news about exercise is that you have to do it. :faint: You see, I deeply believe that if you have enough time to be exercising you have enough time to sit down and read and/or go on-line! It would be wonderful to have someone to buddy up with at the gym... So, here are the goals.... Have a strong "heart to heart" with my doctor and tell the truth about the effects of my medical cocktail on weight gain and difficulty in getting the weight off. Have her get in synch with me to make choices that support my WL goals. That appointment is tomorrow. Get back into the gym and make appointments with my trainer so I will have to go there. In addition, take advantage of classes that are favorable to my knees and back; water aerobics and stretching. Increase cardio drastically. I re-signed with my trainer yesterday and we get started tomorrow! With Nos. 1 and 2 accomplished I feel it might be achievable to have a projected weight loss of 5-8 lbs per month. The last is a goal that I share with DH-- supporting our highly dependent teens (17 and 14 ) to become more self sufficient and personally responsible. Part time jobs and driving lessons for the older one. Whew! I'm exhausted. This is the first time I have shared my goals with anyone outside of of DH. But not to worry, I only told "a couple" of my best friends, right?? Jo Ann

I have the MIrena IUD and have had it during my lapband surgeries and my sleeve. Had no issues with weight gain. Dr told me since the hormones are released in the reproductive tract, it works differently. A previous post explained it well. I have 3 different doctors put the lapband in/take it out and do the sleeve. None of the 3 even mentioned removing the Mirena. That's over the top (in my opinion). I barely get my period and have zero cramps. I highly recommend it!

i get the shot, i have PCOS which is tiny cysts all over my ovaries that caused super heavy periods and the shot makes you stop aving your period all together. I know that's not what all women are looking for but for me it's great. I have had so side effects, no weight gain, no headaches or cramps. i love it!

If your out of control you have to regain that control. 1. track everything you eat 2. prioritize water 3. stop eating sugar - includes all the foods loaded with sugar 4. get out all those papers from your surgery and read the avoid these list again. 5. highly refined foods loaded with simple carbs are your path back to weight gain. how much of your grocery basket came from the 3 walls ? 1. produce 2. meats 3. dairy how much is from the center of the store ?

Jess, you have already accomplished what some people never do: you are aware of your triggers, and understand how your faulty beliefs have created an emotional dependence on eating. Build on that awareness, because in addition to having an emotional dependence on eating as a coping mechanism to manage stress in your life, now you are engaging in self blame, anger, and shame. All of these are incredibly negative thoughts, which set you up for a cycle of unending self criticisms and anger at yourself. You need to break the cycle... To break this cycle, it is essential that you do a reality check; if you could have lost all of the weight you needed to without the band, why did you not accomplish that? It is necessary to change your perspective, and re-frame your thinking so that you are not engaging in allowing your flawed thinking to generate negative thoughts of anger towards yourself and the world in general. There are numerous coping techniques you can use to distract your thoughts, and it does, to some degree involve "mind games". Only you control your thoughts, and we all, to varying degrees, have some automatic thinking, which is subconscious. Looking at ways to change the messages on those tapes of automatic thoughts will be a core issue for you and your therapist to address. The mind, like the band, is a powerful tool; learn how to use it to your advantage. Give yourself permission to be patient with yourself. Your thoughts did not get to their current perspective overnight, so understand that it is unrealistic to expect immediate results with anything which involves a process of change. Change, whether it involves mindful thinking or behavior modification is a process, and not an event. I do recommend that you seek treatment with a licensed therapist; though understand ahead of time that psychotherapy only works if the client is receptive to the therapy and the insights to be gained from that different perspective. You should approach working with a counselor with an open mind. Too often, if the client is not ready to engage in an honest self inventory to assess what the core issues really are, the therapy is destined to fail. I did read some of the other posts, and most contained valid insights. I encourage you to be your own person, and think for yourself. You know yourself best. It is unfortunate that some of the participants on this forum engage in writing in terms of gross generalizations; that is their perspective of a "one size fits all" solution. We may share some basic commonalities, but for the most part our path to here was as unique are we are. There are many reasons why a person may become obese, and certainly genetics can play a major role, along with the family relationship dynamics and home environment. I vehemently disagree with the belief that "we all have an eating disorder", as another individual has written in response to your original post. Emotional dependence on eating as a coping mechanism does not qualify as a diagnosis for an eating disorder. There are so many factors which contribute to one's weight issues. In my own case, it was medications which caused the weight gain, coupled with a metabolism which due to age sort of went into hibernation. Being angry at the doctor who prescribed the medication does nothing constructive to alleviate the problem; taking positive action to loose weight under medical supervision provides a solution path to improved health. Self inventories, which you are already in the process of doing, as evidenced by your writing about your new awareness of how your flawed thinking is a major contributor to your eating, can be difficult. Many people choose to live in denial rather than accept that their thoughts need to be modified. Give yourself the credit you deserve to have gotten to a place of awareness. I sincerely hope that you will continue on your journeys...both with the weight loss and with your awareness that you hold the keys and the power for your success. Only you will hold yourself back! Good luck!

Hello. May I ask who your insurance was with and also did you have to pay out of pocket expenses. My BMI is 37 but I have really bad swelling in my joints and pain due to my weight gain. Please help!

I really don't buy this whole "the body knows what it wants to weigh" meme. I'm a scientist and have an affection for the concept of cause / effect. As in ... you do X, Y is more likely to happen; you don't do X, Y is less likely to happen. That doesn't mean I presume that I know all the factors involved in weight loss and their relative strengths. In the last 20 months, I've learned much about nutrition, behavior change, emotional factors that influence eating behaviors, etc. So I expect there's a lot more for me to learn. Nor do I assume that everyone's metabolism or set points are exactly the same or governed by exactly the same calories / macronutrients / Water / exercise / etc. So I certainly think there are many individual differences in terms of how our bodies perform. But I don't think there's some magical point your body reaches where it simply won't lose any more weight, no matter what you do. Losing weight, gaining muscle mass, building endurance and other ways we're trying to change our bodies takes time. Losing one pound a month may seem like the end of the weight loss journey to some. But that's about the rate at which I lost the last 15 pounds of my fat ass. And now I'm looking at the possibility of gaining at least 5 pounds of muscle this summer. Doing that will be a real challenge for me, but I think it'll make me significantly healthier. Boy, this journey just goes on and on and on and ....

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'm the oddball. Mine have managed to get a little perkier- they are still huge (36G). I still need a lift, but I will have implants done at that same time. I really think this is one of those genetics things- it depends on how your family is and if the girls are a side effect of weight gain or just a matter of genes. Every single woman on both sides of my family (my mom excluded because she had a double mastectomy)- is at least a DDD. It doesn't matter if you're a size 0 or 26 in my family.

Thank you! I've actually since lost a couple pounds since gaining the initial 10! I have been walking the stairs at work every hour to combat leg/ankle swelling! Hopefully it will combat weight gain too (and make my ass look amazing)!

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

Hey, i just had a baby 5 weeks ago today. i was banded in july 2006 lost 20pds and had a new baby surprise! when i found out i was pregnant, my dr. said it would be best to get an unfil. four weeks after i gave birth i was very ready to be filled again and really BEGIN my weight loss. so i have lost 6 pds this week and am still nursing and my baby is getting plenty of milk. my baby was 3 weeks early and weighed 8pds 10ozs he is now over 12pds. so i'd say he's doing pretty well. if your worried about the weight gain~ get a fill. good luck!

Hi everyone, I thought I would just give those of you who might be interested a not so quick update!!! Be warned that I have written a bit of a novel. I had my mega surgery on September 9 and the 2 surgeons were able to do everything (yeah!!!!!). I have been told by about a dozen nurses and doctors that having everything done like that was probably as big of a surgery that could ever be done. Both of my surgeons have been positively giddy since the surgery, and I think they are very impressed with themselves :cursing:. I had: Anterior bowel resection (took out about 1 foot of my diseased colon and reconnected the remaining pieces) Reversal of my ileostomy – which means reconnecting my small intestine with my large intestine (for the last 2 and ½ years I had not been connected and was managing my bowels through my small intestine which had been poked through my abdomen and I “pooped” into a pouch that was attached to my abdomen – I had no bowel control). Repair of two huge hernias (one in my belly button and the other a peristomal hernia which was as a result of my ileostomy) Panniculectomy – the plastic surgeon removed about 5 pounds of excess fat and skin in my abdomen. I was in hospital for 10 days and had a wound vac for that time – special dressings attached to a type of vacuum that sucks out Fluid and guck (frangi has one) to help with wound healing. I had 3 drains across my abdomen and 46 staples. The wound line is about 28 inches from one back side of my hip to the other (the line is straight across the hips but then goes up and around my genitals – the doc said he had to take the cut a bit higher than they usually do). I believe he went higher to assist with the bowel surgery and to be able to remove the bad skin where my ileostomy site had been – I had a whole there plus some wounds that had not healed for a couple of years). When I left hospital they removed about half of the staples and two of the drains. The other drain I was supposed to keep – it ended up coming out (with some assistance from me) about 4 days later. I was noticing a bulge on my other side (which I was worried was a recurrence of the hernia), but when I went in to see the plastic surgeon to get the rest of the staples out it was a build up of fluid. He ended up draining 360 cc’s fluid that day, the next day 190 cc’s of fluid. I then went and saw him last Tuesday (four days later) and had 2 separate pockets of fluid (800 cc’s of fluid between them), so the decision was made to “reinsert” 2 drains again. To drain the fluid, they stick a really big needle into the wound line and start pulling out fluid – not a really pleasant experience. I was told it is not really unusual to have fluid build up, but the amount of fluid I have is unusual. Radiologists reinserted the drains this by ultrasound. They froze the areas separately by needle, cut two new wholes and inserted the new drains, which they stitch to the skin to hold it in. This time they used industrial size tubing and drain bags (the bags can hold up to 600 cc’s which is more than 2 cups), which I strap to my leg. What can I tell you – I am a fashion statement!!!!! I will likely have these drains for a couple of weeks. Worst thing – I can’t shower now until they are out). I have lived with an ileostomy for 2 ½ years, so taking care of the drains is really simple. My other main complication has been fluid retention in my legs. I went into surgery weighing 164 pounds and left hospital at 194 pounds :cursing:– all fluid being held in my legs (NOTE - I am NOT changing my ticker ). It is incredibly painful and uncomfortable to carry that kind o fluid. The docs finally put me on a mega dose of Water pills (80 mg per day). I have lost 17 pounds in the last 3 days – which really drains you (literally and figuratively), but at least the legs are starting to look and feel a little better. I am trying to sleep with my legs above my head - interesting position let me tell you). I have an appetite, but can’t eat much (which is pretty ironic considering the weight gain – I mean REALLY - gain that much weight but not with anything good to eat sucks horribly :smile:). I had very little restriction before the surgery, and I didn’t get any solids (clear fluid only) for the first 8 days after surgery. My band is being pretty picky right now – for the first time since being banded I am struggling with bread and some meats- although some days I can eat quite a bit and others almost nothing. Ironically, Pasta seems to slide right on down. I have been told to load up on Protein, so I am back on Protein shakes. My port feels like it didn’t move at all as a result of the surgery (I was not unfilled for surgery). It is hard to really say what my body looks like now, with the drains, fluid retention, etc., but the first time I put pants on I was incredibly excited because I had no extra stuff hanging in my abdomen to stuff into my pants. I could feel it was flat before, but wow it felt different and great when I put on pants :cursing:!!!! Because I didn’t have any lipo, my mid section is pretty square and boxy (I have never really had a waist though). I will never be able to wear a bikini (oh yeah – I also don’t have a belly button any more), but I am excited about what I can see (or not see). Sorry for the length, but I wanted to get it off my chest (or thighs or ankles :cursing:) and I have always felt very supported here. The first week or so after surgery was very rough - but I would gladly do it again. I hope to get my arms done in the next year (no hurry though). Thanks for listening!! Jacquie

I asked myself that same question. So last year, I decided to give it my all, I was strick low carb, didn't cheat for 200 days, lost about 40 lbs. I was down to 190 lbs. Not at goal, but at least feeling better and thinking - I will do better without the lap-band. I can do this! Then July came and we went on our family vacation. I have a motto, vacation is meant to enjoy, so I enjoy everything. If I want dessert, I get it. I don't diet on vacation - ever. Well, vacation ended and back home we came, gaining 8 lbs in a week from the vacation, I said "tomorrow, I'll get back on my diet". Guess what, tomorrow never came, By November I was up to 248 lbs. I realized, I can diet, I am successful at losing weight, however, I'M A FAILURE at keeping it off. I was depressed, sad, and embarrassed at my massive weight gain from July to November - I had packed on 58 lbs in 4 months! I know my co-workers were talking behind my back, I know my family was concerned for me. My DH expressed his concern as well. Thats when I realized I needed help, serious help. I once again looked at the lap band. I started the process 11/22 and had my surgery on 1/18/07. I know I"m only a month out, but I tell you, I believe it is the best decision I have ever made. I no longer fear going on vacation. I know that I can enjoy what I want to, however, my tool (the band) will keep me from gorging uncontrollable. I feel safe now with my tool. I know that I wil NEVER be 248 lbs again. I am not trying to talk you into getting the band, I'm just sharring my thoughts. Only you know yourself, only you know if you can lose the weight on your on and keep it off. Whatever you decide, it sounds like your co-workers are a great support for you and care about you very much. I wish you the best!

The trouble with extreme dieting on less than 1200 or so a day is that your body WILL start to burn its own muscle as well, regardless of what you are putting in your mouth. As you're muscle disappears, so does your metabolism. Your body will deplete its glycogen stores very quickly and at 800 cal a day you're not replacing them. The whole point of dieting of course is to burn the fat from your body for energy and you're body does do this, but it also inevitably burns muscle. The more extreme your diet the more Protein you'll lose from your body. Atkins' claims (and other similar high protein low carb diets) have never been proven and have very little scientific basis to them. Slow and steady has always been the way to go with dieting precisely because you preserve your muscle tissue to a greater degree and are therefore less likely to have that huge rebound weight gain which happens because all of a sudden you start putting calories into a body that may be lighter but is less optimally proportioned than it was before. Fatter bodies burn fewer calories than leaner more muscular ones. Now this may not be a problem if you have a band in place for life since hopefully you will keep the new eating habits - apart from the fact that its possible to be very light but incredibly flabby at the same time due to little muscle. But if you ever took the band off you'd be almost sure to have an enormous weight gain. You're body would not be able to handle the level of calories a normal person would eat in a day.

I am sure you will do well...walk a lot,even in the house.have your Proteins,and plenty of Water...dont take stress.It cause weight gain. the first month is a bit difficult....but then one feels wonderful.lot of positive changes. as for me,my knees are better,scitica pain gone,BP normal,lost some weight so looking better, i am getting back my confidence. I can be successful and I will be successful. best of luck.

Does anyone have trouble with weight gain after going back on solids? I had a fill on 1/30 and after a week of fluids/soft foods I lost 2 pounds, only to gain them back after going back to solids this past weekend!! Help! I know I'm not eating ANYWHERE near what I did pre-band. My body must just be fighting this whole weight thing. I know my metabolism is so slow . . . I'm frustrated. It feels like I have to be on "nothing foods" to loose.

Hi this is Julie, Julie; i go to see Dr. Jay today at 1:30, I am two weeks out of surgery;i too am on mushy foods and i hd lost 14 lbs but i see a couple pounds creep'n up; i have been told that the main thing is healthy and yes there could be some weight gain until the fills start; i have even been walking a mile + to keep it even but you have to admit going from broth to eggs, beans etc is going to put some on; the sugar fre pudding chocolate is to die for.

I had posted this on the WLS Veterans forum, but thought it would be a good idea to post this on this forum as well. I had gastric bypass surgery 5 years ago. I was incredibly determined and managed to lose 180 lbs. in a year's time. I'm 5' 9.5" and I went from a size 28 to a size 10. Now, I've regained a lot of weight and I'm starting over. I thought it might be helpful to list the steps that caused my weight gain. My goal is to tackle these 6 and starting moving in the right direction. Does anyone else have additional things that contributed to regaining weight? Stop weighing yourself Stop tracking your food intake Stop exercising Drink liquids with meals and ignore the 15 minutes before/30 minutes after rule Start eating your old favorite foods Stop visiting Bariatric Pal forums

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

I admire you for being able to post here about what you did, that takes courage. You have it in you to do this. Here is what I do as I struggle with foods I should not be eating. Every time I see something that is not healthy for me, or not on my pre-surgical diet and I am tempted, I visualize the skull and cross bones symbol for POISON right on top of it. After all, some of these foods are poison to those of us who struggle with obesity. Even thin people should not be eating that stuff, but some can eat away without it causing them to gain weight. That is not my luck to be able to. But then again, when I think about it, maybe WE are the lucky ones. We are learning to eat the right foods in the right portions. The people who live on fast food still pay a price, it may not be in weight gain but they will surely end up with unhealthy fat in their arteries. As the others have said, you have time to stick to the program now. And be prepared to say good-bye (at least for awhile) to those foods that are poisonous for you. Good luck. Nancy PS, I am pretty sure the day will come when I will be the one posting here about needing to stick to the liquid diet, LOL. We all have to do it after all.

I think the patient can overeat excess calories and begin to regain weight and I also think the WLS can have issues and I also think the combination of patient and WLS surgery can also cause weight gain back. To gain weight, we must eat more calories than we can burn off. This is how I got super morbid obese. I wish the newer patients would not put so much (the WLS MUST work) while I dont change a thing attitude. Some are finding that WLS is not easy and its not a miracle. It will help the person but the person must also make changes. I know that as I am talking about myself.

I meet my husband while I was still thin in high school. We just celebrated our 5 year anniversary last week. He has been very supportive of my weight gain and my decisions to have surgery. It sucks because he is 6' 175lbs and can easy anything! I feel that people have to have an initial physical attraction in order to be interested in getting to know you in a romantic way. I do feel my husband may not have hit on me if I had started at this weight before he knew me.

I was sleeved on Monday 12-19-11. I just got home today 12-21-11. I have gained 10 lbs. The doc said it might just be water weight gain because of surgery. Anyone else have this happen?