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I was sleeved (after having my lap band removed) in march 2013. It's been a while. I've had to reconnect bc of weight gain, oh yeah it's real. I'm 5' 9" HW: 259...left: 170 cw:201....when I saw that number over 200 I almost passed out. Yesterday I saw my nutritionist and that was hard bc I've had to relive my worst fear. I will not go back. I've signed up for several 5ks, 10k's and half marathon over the next year. I'm currently walking on an incline on the treadmill bc that burns the calories the fastest. I've paid for weight training and hot yoga, which I will implement over the next few weeks. I will not go back. I've come way too far. But I need support. So if anyone has advice, pls share. My motivation is here bc of fear but I'd like it to stay bc I'm comfortable with how I'm challenging myself. Please join me MyFitnessPal: treciagesq99 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Don't put butter and sour cream on your mashed spuds. Don't pour sugar all over your oatmeal. My nutritionist recommended I eat soft deli meats like turkey and i did which helped fill me. Tomato Soup just pours right through the band so I needed something semi solid. I make some mean refried Beans so that sticks around for a while, just don't be adding a bunch of lard to it. Lots of mushies also have a high sodium content which can make you hold back Water which appears as weight gain. Try to keep that sodium content low. Good luck. tmf

@FluffyChix Is it accepting your best shot? Is it accepting if you don't make goal? The goal is healthy. That will look different for each of us. I don't want to overlook people that may have more things to battle and overcome. I am sympathetic to anyone that doesn't make goal or gain weight. (medical issues, mobility, eating disorder, medications etc.) It can take a toll on you mentally. I'm like you, I didn't have surgery to settle. I fought to get the most out of it. My personal choice was not to be a bariatric statistic. Made goal in six months. Side note - I love all the research, chart's formulas etc. There is a fine line between useful charting and obsessive compulsive lol I have to be careful, I have an addictive personality and fear of weight gain.

About the only way you can get revision is serious GERD. But weight gain that soon after sleeve may indicate to some surgeons you aren't ready to undergo another procedure. Check with your bariatric center and see if what you are eating is contributing to weight gain. (are you back to old habits like soda, fast food, junk food, snacking, grazing, etc,). Also be aware that some medications can cause weight gain. Check any meds you take for weight gain as side effect. You need to figure out what is really going on before considering surgery again. With the restriction gone from sleeve, your weight now depends on you and see what you can do to fix problem. Getting regular exercise? Sent from my SM-T580 using BariatricPal mobile app

I understand before I even went to my pcp I had to make up my mind if I was gonna quit for life for this! It is a hard decision I understand, smoking to me was almost a best friend...lol...but one I know I have to let go! We have decided for me that chantix with Wellbutrin would be right for me! With the sleeve right after I quit the weight gain associated with quitting would be gone! You can do this! And for life! To have a life free from nicotine and obesity is priceless;)

Finally. Surgery day is here! God, I can't do this without You. I completed my 14-day clear liquid sugar-free and caffeine-free diet along with some protein drinks. I didn't cheat once. That in itself is a miracle! I've lost 10 lbs. during this time, and 25 lbs. overall (since January 1st). I was placed on prednisone (steroid) twice this past Spring, which set me back. It causes. much weight gain whenever I'm on it and it takes many weeks to get the weight off. So as I was losing, I'd gain weight while on that medication. So frustrating, but it's behind me, hopefully forever. These two weeks really prepared my mind for this journey moving forward. I will work to continue strengthening this new mindset. Not easy, right? I appreciate the input this forum - you beautiful people - has provided. I hope optimal health and strong minds for you all. Onward! 💟

I have had my surgery end of June 2010 starting at 210 pounds and by June 2011 I was down to 114 pounds. From June 2011 until end of July 2012 I managed to keep my weight to 114-115 pounds. Well, starting August 2012 i started to put on weight and by September I gained 9-10 pounds( in ONE month), it is now end of January 2013 and I haven't managed to lose any weight and I have been careful about what I am eating, except the Christmas period where I had a lot of chocolates. So nothing in 4 months From surgery till August( 2 years 2 months) I could eat anything I wanted, anytime I wanted and I never been exercising except the day to day chores around the house and a bit of walking now and again. To explain better...I could have up to 3- THREE!!! ice creams in a day and I would eat crisps everyday and sometimes I could have extras plus my food. I never been too keen on butter, cheese or fast foods- actually after my surgery I found it really difficult to eat cheese bcos would make me sick some horrible green bitter stuff. Also when i would eat something too caloric( like 3 ice creams in one go- lol) my body will start shacking and I would be sweating alooooot, and I mean I could see the sweat running on my body in big lumps. Also would sometimes sweat just by doing nothing, I could watch TV and the sweat pours out. Oh since November I have been on Alli diet pills which didn't work at all, then I have tried Raspberry Ketones, again without luck, my body won't get rid of anything. Since my weight gain, I stopped sweating and I do not get shacky after I eat and what changed the most--- I'm craving foods I could not eat before, like butter, cheese, curry, lasagna, jam etc I am trying to cut down on sugar( my biggest enemy) and sticking to fruit but even so I sometimes go over my daily limit ( a small apple has 11 g of sugar in it, 10 medium strawberries has 6 g of sugar, there is sugar in milk, yoghurt, even vegetables). I did all the research I could find on the web, at my weight/ height/ age my body needs around 1300 calories just to keep me alive, If I was to exercise 1-3 times a week that will increase to over 1600 cal per day. if I want to lose weight they say to eat 1200 calories, which i did for 3 weeks( I've been mostly on 1000 cal per day) and again no weight loss, there actually been an increase for about 4-5 days but I got down to 123-124, this is where my body seems to be comfortable at. But I am not I have also took my measurements and from Dec 14 2012 to January 15 2013, I gained about 5 inches around my belly!!! But my weight its pretty much the same +/- a pound. I know this is crazy to read but its even more crazy when I see it happen, sooo frustrating. I still eat small portions of food and I weigh pretty much everything and I even started to exercise( long walks and sometimes I run also- which I never ever ever did before. HEEEEEELLLLP!!!

what a marvellous job he has done.. was it hard for him?/ like you, im sick of the see sawing involved with weight loss and weight gain. its really demoralising

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.

The hunger feeling that you are having could be from too much acid.. ask your doctor for a PPI. As for the weight gain, if your band is too tight as your barrium swallow shows, it might be a good idea to get a large unfill, let it rest for 2 weeks then go back for a refill... I found that when my band was playing up an unfill would do the trick... But if you were in the red zone you wouldn't be able to eat much food.. unless you are eating soft slider foods. Because you were banded and lost a significant amount of weight be aware that weight loss is much slower when you get revised for a 2nd surgery... for 14kg i would suggest the unfill and refill technique and try going back to basics. What are you currently eating? How many calories do you consume? Are you exercising? Are you tracking your food?

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?

So, least to say, this week has been eventful, and I want to thank you all for the messages, good thoughts, prayers, and support sent our way this week. I apologize I haven't replied, it's just been hectic. Sunday, I woke up feeling very exhausted, and feeling lots of pressure in my pelvis and back. I just kept on getting things ready for the week, checking things off the list, and hanging out at the house. I laid down for a nap around 1pm, and woke up at 4pm to lots of pressure, and general cramping, just thinking it was normal Braxton Hicks pains, I didn't reallze I was in full active LABOR. Around, 5pm, we headed to Labor and Delivery just because I started feeling pretty weak. We get there, get hooked up, I'm having major contractions, and they checked me, dilated to 3cm, 50% efaced and already at -1 station. WHEW, I do admit I have a huge pain tolerance, and I never labored with my son so I was pretty oblivious to what all labor entailed. The doctors were amazed that I was tolerating everything so well. But, they knew I couldn't deliver vaginally so the pressure was on to get me prepped. Now, the time crunch begins to get me to the OR. Prepped and ready to go, Csection went off without any issue, my labs looked stellar, and at 9:33pm, Tatum entered this world screaming, kicking, flailing and ready to bring joy into our little world. We just arrived home today, both of us are doing great. I've already lost about 12-13lbs of the weight gained, but I'm retaining fluids, weaning off the prednisone. Breastfeeding has been a great success except my supply is way down, and we're supplementing due to her weight dropping pretty quickly. We're doing 70/30 breast/bottle. It's what is best for both of us. I'm trying ot eat more food since they would like me to hit about 2500-3000 calories a day to support both of us, but as we all know that's pretty touch without eating pure slider foods, and junk. However, I'm doing what is working for both of us, and confident with our choices thus far. She came out rooting around, latched immediately and has made it very easy on me and her. Our nights and days are mixed up, but I've gotten good at napping with her. 30 October 2011, 9:33pm, Weight 7lb 4.9oz 19inch long Perfect in every way. So far, blonde haired, blue -eyed ! ! ! "I'M HERE"

Reality: I've had hypothyroidism for the past eight years and have been on psych meds. I never mentioned steroids, which I know contributes to weight gain. My last blood panel still showed my thyroid was still low and it does make weight loss a struggle, but not impossible. I had surgery almost 11 months ago and I remember how frustrating it was the first few months post op. Like you, I had to reduce my calories to around 600 for the first 6 months. I never mentioned that hypothyroidism and meds mean nothing. In fact, I mentioned that they do contribute to weight gain. If the two are combined with crappy eating (overeating, junk food), then it is quite easy to get 100 pounds overweight. The point I was trying to make was that there are SOME people that are somewhat reluctant to recognize faults or problems in themselves. In other words, denial. You have to be honest about the kinds and amount of food you ate before surgery. You have to come to terms with your denial. If you stay in denial, it may keep you from having the responsibility for yourself. If you fool yourself into believing that you don't eat much everyday, then it is easy to deny responsibility for your obesity. This will keep you from changing behaviors that are necessary in order to successful after weight loss surgery. Then there are those that rationalize their obesity (excuses, excuses, excuses) or create defense mechanisms. Unpleasant emotions are created when we realize what we have done to get morbidly obese and many create excuses (blaming morbid obesity solely so on genetics, society, a medication) to keep these emotions at bay. We all know that it is hard to lose weight and keep it off. Learning all those new behaviors and giving up your favorite food is difficult. A healthier body will result from your having a healthier mindset.

It took awhile for that worry to go away. I needed proof that I don't need to adhere to e. g. tracking and daily/weekly weighing to prevent weight gain but once I had proof... well, life feels more relaxed in the food/weight/exercise section. It's actually quite nice not to worry about how many calories you might burn when doing yoga or going out for a bike ride. Not having a bad conscience when eating certain foods because they're "bad" or skipping an exercise session because you feel like collapsing at your door after a hard work day and not calculating how much you're "allowed" to eat for dinner now because you didn't work out - this is priceless and liberating. But it is and it was to be expected.

Well, I was just diagnosed with this yesterday.....I've been having some serious aches and pains in my hips, knees and shoulders that I thought was just weight related..... Turns out I have an autoimmune disease called Polymyalgia Rheumatica. It's a form of arthritis. Treatment is prednisone. I had an intermuscular injection yesterday to start working on the inflammation. Not a fan at all of prednisone. It can and does increase hunger and can cause swelling and weight gain. Yay! I sort of had a feeling that something wasn't right but I didn't think is was something like this. My Rheumatologist (yes, I have one of those now) says I need to postpone my surgery until we can get this in remission. I cried all night. I have come so far, listened to people say I was taking the easy way out, have had very little support from my family but I continued on the journey to get healthy. Now my own body is fighting against me and telling me I can't have the surgery........

I keep meeting people that are morbidly obese, yet say that they hardly eat anything everyday. What? It really comes down to an overabundance of daily calories and lack of exercise when you are more than 100 pounds overweight. It just seems that some have the hardest time admitting that they are an overeater. Even on this forum, I have read posts from others saying they never over ate and got very obese from psych meds and hypothyroidism alone. Sorry, no. Meds and thyroid problems will not cause more than a 10-25 pound weight gain. Such denial will really get in the way of weight loss success after surgery.

BE ENCOURAGED! I agree, your stress does not help your weight-loss. You are losing weight!!! This is not the biggest loser...we are not always gonna pull double digit losses every week. If you do great and if you don't don't let that determine the success for this journey. You have made a decision to take back your life! That is great! My dad who always had a snide remark about my weight told me after returning home from surgery that he was proud of me. I could not believe it. I believe your mom will be too. Don't stress yourself unnecessarily. Just because mom paid does not mean it is her journey. It is yours. You did it for you and no one else. Remember that this is a tool to weight-loss. It is not the magic pill. While the surgery deals with the amount of food that affects our weight we must begin to deal with the emotional and other causes that effect our weight gain. In the meanwhile BE ENCOURAGED by the new choices, achievements and all the possibilities! Remember how you felt while preparing for the surgery? Remember that excitement??! Go back to those moments and enjoy the possibilities! Dream of them! Get rid of the scale!!!!!! Get rid of the scale!!!! You are doing a great job!!!

Hey there Bermy: I am no longer banded since Dec 2005. I lost my band to erosion. So the weight gain is from no band and eating like a pig. I am struggling every day with the head demons but eventually I WILL WIN!!! Now back to the regularly scheduled program,... I made a comment that the title was harsh. I didn't mean the content was harsh. I tthink the content is "spot on" as Gordon Ramsey would say. He was the chef from "Hell's Kitchen". Anyway, the only thing I am ever so gradually getting around to saying is that in the rush to post sometimes we all need to think about how things are worded. I think we should all do our research. As Photonut commented about the thread I started "Be your OWN patient advocate" it gives the researcher some tools and questions to ask. But then again even doing the research you can NEVER answer all the questions or you might not be ready to hear the answers at that time. Life is a learning process and sometimes you just gotta roll with it. Tricia isn't asking us to conform to her way of thinking. I believe that she is just frustrated with the repeat questions at times. But let me clarify that she is NOT frustrated at the person but at the situation. Then again I don't wanna put words in her mouth either. That is my perception of the situation.

I feel your pain. I was banded in March of '06 and have recently put on 10lbs and am exercising like CRAZY!!! My band was deflated entirely for three months and I recently got 2ccs added back into it but am still gaining weight. I work out 6 X a week and don't feel like I look any heavier but am going nuts mentally from the weight gain. I am completely and utterly lost on why I am gaining weight because I am not eating very much and exercise constantly. Any advice on how to get back on track? ~Liz~ 03/10/06 241/165/160 :help: 5'8''

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!

Yes, I am scared of regain...I am scared of"disability" as I love my body, my freedom to do things, my pleasures of daily living. However, I have decided to shift gears from anxiety ridden helplessness (my history of regain) to pragmatic tactics. I don't need to be anxious or fear ridden as long as I use my accountability strategies. When I do go off course, I still love myself...and I correct my course. So far, this is a much happier way to live than fretting or obsessing over it. It's weird, we screw up lots of times in life...but weight gain seems to be the unforgivable sin to many. I choose to think differently. It is hard, partly because my friends are all skinny people and I am STILL bigger than them. I can't let my self worth be guided by that comparison.

I'm 3 months post up. Started working out a week ago and I have gain some weight during the week. Same diet. No junk food. Is it normal? Is about 1 kilo. I'm doing weight at the gym though Sent from my SM-G920F using the BariatricPal App

I agree everything don't work the same for others. However I feel that there is way too many women that actually suffer from the side effects from Depo. My eating habits didn't change. I didn't even have cravings. Plus I got started right after my daughter was born so I was actually trying to lose my pregnancy weight by dieting and working out! But I kept gaining...then that's when my OB told me I should consider different methods. (He was actually against the shot in the first place) after I came off it I still couldn't lose all the weight and it took 5 years to become pregnant again after my last shot. Too many people have had the same side effects to blame it on the individual eating. There has been many women that has never had weight issues till getting the shot. Just do a quick google search and look how many women experienced awful side effects besides just weight gain. With all options out now compared to when Depo first came out I'd urge anybody to pass on Depo. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I decided against the depo shot due to the potential for weight gain and possible issues with getting pregnant after stopping. I'm getting the Mirena IUD very soon, my gyno estimated the cost to be $800-900, but it's good for 5 years. Hoping it's a good choice, looking to avoid for another 2ish years.