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After weight loss phase I worked myself up to about 1800-2000 cals a day, BUT I was also exercising moderately to high every day. However, I gained about 6lbs during pandemic due to decrease in regular exercise (and increase in desserts and alcohol, lol). So I cut my cals to about 1200-1500 (and exercised a little bit more regularly, but not to pre-weight-gain levels cuz I'm lazy) around mid-summer and am basically back to 115lbs today (weighed in at 115.6 this morning). Soooo....based on this, if I exercise every day then I can maintain at 1800-2000 cals a day. If I stick to the amount of exercise that I am currently doing, I am guessing I can maintain at around 1700-1800 cals a day. If I don't exercise at all, it would probably be around 1500. Keep in mind though that other factors need to be considered to determine each persons' calorie maintenance level (age, metabolic rate, medication, malabsorbative functions of different surgeries, thyroid function, etc. etc....)

What should you eat to lose weight? How much energy have you devoted to this question? Low carb? Raw food? Jenny Craig? Have you ever considered that it might not be "the diet" that is the solution? Read more to find out! What should you eat to lose weight? How much energy have you devoted to this question? Low carb? Raw food? Jenny Craig? Women spend billions of dollars on weight loss, and create a lot of stress making decisions about which diet or weight loss plan to try this time. It’s ironic, because deep down, we know that diets don’t work. And in fact, many of us have lived out the lesson that diets can lead to binge eating and weight gain and bigger problems with food than we started with. It’s not hopeless. Healthy weight loss and what I call peace with food are possible, but they don’t begin with a diet. Here’s the important truth: The battle with overeating isn’t going to be solved by a diet because the root battle with most overeating isn’t about the food. If you want to break free from overeating cycles and weight loss battles, the critical question you need to be asking is this: What are you using the food for? What’s triggering you to overeat? What propels you towards the vending machine or sends you straight for the comfort food? What role does food play in your life? How does your current way of eating serve you? THESE are the million dollar questions. The truth is, you are smart and resourceful and you better believe that you are turning to food for a reason. The way you are currently eating does something important for you. Maybe your eating distracts you or comforts you. Food might momentarily boost your mood or your energy. Maybe you use it to procrastinate or hide out or reward yourself. Are you eating to cope with stress or frustration or exhaustion? Be curious about your hunger and the reasons that you eat. Understanding the meaning of your overeating changes everything. Understanding the purpose of your overeating helps you move beyond unhelpful self-blame and shame and guilt and into a place of compassionate understanding. From this place it’s possible to start addressing the real root causes. Because it’s probably not about the food. If you are a stress eater, you’ll want some more effective tools for addressing the stress in your life. Comfort eater? With the right tools, you can definitely find a better way. Exhausted? Overwhelmed? Nervous? Upset? There are better tools and strategies to address these feelings. And the truth is, once you have the tools and strategies to feel effective, food just doesn’t have the same appeal. Really. Effective weight loss doesn’t start with the food—and—when you address the root cause of your overeating, you don’t just change your weight. You change your life.

Hello ladies, So, I had my blood results back and they indicated that I am early stages of meopause or perimenopause cos my monthlies ain't quite stopped, although they are all over the place. I went to see a specialist and she has given me HRT, mainly due to my age - going through this a lil early at nearly 40! She recommended this as low levels of estrogen can have long term problems for young 'uns?!! To be honest, this is not what I wanted to hear... I ain't sure why, as the friends I have spoken to about it don't really see it as a huge issue... perhaps I am being too sensitive. Anyway, I have started the evorel conti Patches... put my first one on today! Just wanted to put it out there to see if anyone else had used them and what it was like? I suppose I am really worried about weight gain, as I have read that it can be a side effect... I don't want to sound superficial but I can't help it. I am almost positive that the hormone thing is the reason that I still haven't lost any weight since the end of Jan and the thought of gaining really freaks me out. I asked her about this issue and she said she is a firm believer in 'you are what you eat' and that as long as I eat Protein and veggies I shouldn't gain and should continue to lose... hmmmm... thoughts or comments would be warmly rec'd ( and I'll try not to cry...lol)

Whether you are pre-op, a recent post-op or already well on your way to weight loss, exercise plays a starring role in the speed and longevity of your overall weight management after bariatric surgery. Even if you are preparing for bariatric surgery, you can start exercising (so long as you are cleared by your doctor) and lose a surprising number of pounds even before your gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy or revision bariatric surgery. In addition, the better cardiovascular condition you are in before surgery, the fewer complications you’ll face during and after surgery. Not sure where to start? Here are instructions I offer to my own weight loss surgery patients here in Freehold, NJ: Bariatric Preoperative Stage Patients who start an exercise strategy before surgery have an easier time adjusting to exercising after surgery, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). But, admittedly, exercise is challenging for people who carry a lot of extra weight. For this reason, starting slow is imperative. If you are morbidly obese, talk with your bariatric surgeon about fitness guidelines for your current health situation. Generally speaking, these are reasonable goals to target: · Focus on cardiovascular exercise, even if it’s just a walk around the neighborhood for 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your health and doctor’s recommendation. · Start walking for 10 minutes, twice a day and add 5 minutes each day, up to 30 minutes per day. · Realize that empowerment that fitness gives you over your body and your overall health. · Appreciate how good you feel after exercising—even for 10 minutes! Weight Loss Surgery Postoperative Stage For the first two weeks after surgery, focus on flexibility exercises, deep breathing and getting back into performing normal daily activities. · At your first post-op visit with your surgeon, he or she will carefully go over your customized exercise plan based upon your health, age and the procedure you had. · With your doctor’s approval, three weeks after your operation, begin to gradually incorporate low-intensity aerobic exercise (walking or swimming are my preferred choices at this stage). · If you feel prolonged pain or discomfort, you are doing too much too soon. · During the first six weeks after surgery, do not lift more than 15 pounds. One Month and Beyond Now your goal is to increase range of motion so you can easily take off your shoes and pick things up off the ground and move around more. · Strength-training (light weights) exercises are rebuilding muscle. · Work toward 30 minutes of continuous exercise five days per week. · Avoid abdominal exercises for the first eight to 12 weeks (allow the incision to heal). This also helps to alleviate abdominal hernias near or around the incision. · Change-up your workouts so your body is constantly challenged (walk around the park today, lift weights at the gym tomorrow and use the elliptical machine) · Introduce a wider variety of bariatric fitness options: biking, yoga, dancing, aerobics, Pilates, kickboxing. A year after weight loss surgery, you should be able to perform 45 minutes to an hour of exercise five times a week. Exercise is Insurance Against Future Weight Gain A lifelong exercise program is critical to a weight loss surgery patient’s long-term success. If a physically active lifestyle has not been adopted, weight gain will likely result. (Sadly, I have seen this firsthand on more than one occasion). Exercise is insurance for long-term weight-loss. If you have a slip, an extra 5 to 10 minutes spent working out will ensure that your metabolism stays elevated and this extra effort will burn more calories. Working out will not, however, save you if you overeat regularly—bariatric surgery or not. By sticking close to your daily calorie requirements most days, drinking plenty of water and focusing on fitness, you’ll look great, feel even better and be the healthiest person you can be. And that’s worth just 30 minutes out of your day, isn’t it? Photo Credit: Woman Exercising by Witthaya Phonsawat -FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I can't wait to fight fire again! I used to be a fire fighter, but because of the weight gain I moved to the administrative side of the department. I can't wait to be back in the heat of it all!

Hello everyone - I was just sleeved on 12/27 so I'm only two days out, but I'm still up 6 lbs from my surgery date weight. I know it's from all the fluids and gas they pump you with in the hospital but I thought I would have dropped those excess pounds by now? How long does it normally take? Thanks

So I had my gastric sleeve on October 18th and since been losing weight evenly. I was down to 209 and then my period started on the 5th and I jumped up about 5lbs. I wasn't really worried as I normally gain 5lbs around my period but yesterday was the last day of my period and I'm still up about 5/6 pounds. Any of you have similar stories? Should I be worried or should it go down in a bit? Any advice is appreciated! Also having my 2nd follow-up with my surgeon next Monday.

What should you eat to lose weight? How much energy have you devoted to this question? Low carb? Raw food? Jenny Craig? Women spend billions of dollars on weight loss, and create a lot of stress making decisions about which diet or weight loss plan to try this time. It’s ironic, because deep down, we know that diets don’t work. And in fact, many of us have lived out the lesson that diets can lead to binge eating and weight gain and bigger problems with food than we started with. It’s not hopeless. Healthy weight loss and what I call peace with food are possible, but they don’t begin with a diet. Here’s the important truth: The battle with overeating isn’t going to be solved by a diet because the root battle with most overeating isn’t about the food. If you want to break free from overeating cycles and weight loss battles, the critical question you need to be asking is this: What are you using the food for? What’s triggering you to overeat? What propels you towards the vending machine or sends you straight for the comfort food? What role does food play in your life? How does your current way of eating serve you? THESE are the million dollar questions. The truth is, you are smart and resourceful and you better believe that you are turning to food for a reason. The way you are currently eating does something important for you. Maybe your eating distracts you or comforts you. Food might momentarily boost your mood or your energy. Maybe you use it to procrastinate or hide out or reward yourself. Are you eating to cope with stress or frustration or exhaustion? Be curious about your hunger and the reasons that you eat. Understanding the meaning of your overeating changes everything. Understanding the purpose of your overeating helps you move beyond unhelpful self-blame and shame and guilt and into a place of compassionate understanding. From this place it’s possible to start addressing the real root causes. Because it’s probably not about the food. If you are a stress eater, you’ll want some more effective tools for addressing the stress in your life. Comfort eater? With the right tools, you can definitely find a better way. Exhausted? Overwhelmed? Nervous? Upset? There are better tools and strategies to address these feelings. And the truth is, once you have the tools and strategies to feel effective, food just doesn’t have the same appeal. Really. Effective weight loss doesn’t start with the food—and—when you address the root cause of your overeating, you don’t just change your weight. You change your life.

It's interesting, because my current "whatever-he-is" was a football player, but since coming home from college, while he still EATS like a football player, he doesn't work out like one. Even before the sleeve, I had healthy eating habits, and exercised regularly. He sleeps through his gym alarm every morning, and I hear him order his food after work at Jack in the Box: "Two extreme sausage sandwiches, 4 tacos, jalapeno poppers, and fries." Really, AND FRIES??? He has gained a lot of weight, which really doesn't bother me. I just get so frustrated, because he is so concerned with it, but he doesn't ACT like he cares. He is the only person I have EVER met who orders carne asada nachos with EXTRA meat, and EXTRA cheese. I can't even get him to touch veggies, and when he does, he makes a big production of it, like I'm forcing him. Do I feel disgusted? Maybe. But moreso, it's hard for me with this new lifestyle to imagine us going much further. Being supportive because he is excited I'll be thinner is one thing...but what about being supportive because he sees the difference good choices can make, surgery or not? It's not that I'm not attracted to him, so much as I just am frustrated with his lack of motivation, although he harps about how much the weight gain bothers him. Now I've babbled. But I feel better!

This is such a fabulous topic. When we got married I was overweight and he vowed to love me through thick and thin....or so I thought. 18 months ago I lost a substantial amount of weight, my husband became OBSESSED with my progress. It is all we talked about. Then as per my usual behaviour pattern the weight slowly but surely crept back on and all of a sudden the person who he pledged undying love to changed. He was disappointed and really questioned my committment to my health. I need to add that during the months of weight gain I had opened a new bridal shop and was continuing my current job as a flight attnedant....there was noooooo freakin time for exercise. I felt like a failure and I spiralled into a bit of a funk....well quite a deep funk. The I found out about the Sleeve. Yes, I am doing this for myself first and foremost. Will my marriage survive...I hope so but I have learned that I am a wonderful person whether I am 210 pounds or 150 pounds. I need to do this for my health....moreso my mental health and I will go from there. Thank you for starting this topic. I can really relate to it.!!!

Weight gain on reduced calorie intake (defecit) is almost always fluids. If you went from being sick, to now being well-hydrated, any weight gain will be a reflection of rehydration.

I never lose weight on the weekend and most weekends I gain, despite following my normal eating regiment. Overall, I am extremely happy with my loss, but would like some guidance in dealing with weekend weight gain. Thanks!

absolutely agree that stress (and also sleep) have a huge impact on the metabolism and therefore can cause weight gain.

Ok people here is my story, I was banded on 10-16-08 since then I have lost 50lbs, but.........after my first fill( 3cc) I noticed a actual reduction in my restriction after a few days, and even though I have tried to start walking on my treadmill 15-20min / 4x week I have managed to gain 8lbs back :cursing:, I talked to my surgeon and he said he wasn't worried about it because I haven't gotten to my "sweet spot" and I had lost the weight too fast to begin with and he could get it back off but he was happy I gained some weight becasue he was thinking there might be a problem with my digestive tract becasue of loosing so much so fast. My Question is this, has anyone ever lost restriction with a fill? It doesn't make sence to me? I have been sneezing and coughing a tremendous amount with the weather here lately, one day 70 degrees next day 12 degrees, I have thought maybe I had a slip or erosoin?but wouldnt that cause other problems? (besides weight gain) but I am probably just being over thoughtfull on the whole matter and should wait until my next fill to see if the restriction comes back.........RIGHT? I still have lost 42lbs in less than three months. :bigear:Thanks for listening:bigear:

Here is a recently article on the Gov. & His weight gain after Gastric Bypass. Karen Tumulty, who interviewed Huckabee in February for the Washingotn Post observed this scene: Huckabee was tucking into a Breakfast of eggs and butter-slathered pancakes at a trendy New York hotel overlooking Times Square. His much-discussed diet – he famously lost more than 100 pounds after a diabetes diagnosis in 2003 and wrote a book about eating right – is apparently on hiatus. This can happen to you or I or anyone who Desires to change our health and to live longer. Personally I am tired of all the meds I take daily and the fact I can hardly walk as pain in my knees and hips are so bad. Being in ministry it makes others question my faith by saying where is my faith believing GOD for a miracle. GOD isn't going to give me or you a miracle, if we don't do as we should; eat right and change our LIFE! I was banded in June 4th, so s little over two months ago after much sickness since 2008. Previously I walked daily 5-10 a day and ate right too. U had heart & kidney failure in Nov 22, 2008 And feel and broke both knees in Jan 2009. The weight piled on after this point from 230-240 to 318 at my surgery date. Last year working with my dr and her staff I was eating right and reduced down to 275 only to gain it back so my BMI would be correct to be approved by insurance. I regret regaining the weight, when with my health issues the insurance would have not turned me down. I should have never listened to the Lap band departments insurance staff. That being behind me after these few weeks I am down to 287 and hope to be down to 210-220 by the holidays. I will be praying for Gov Huckabee.

*insert newbie pre-surg boilerplate disclaimer* My take away from Dr. Vs video is a bit different. I feel like he was saying that exercise is not a magic bullet to achieve long term weight loss success. He pointed out that many people use it as an unproductive punishment, rather than a natural evolution of fitness. He said that weight loss after surgery is controlled by diet rather than exercise. And that before we go to the gym, we need to be sure to confirm we have 1) A great post WLS diet in place and 2) We have our head/psychology/stress management in good shape. Then and only then will exercise benefit our long term goal of staying healthy and at a normal weight. I think he makes sense here to some degree. And completely agree that what works for my fluffy ass, isn't going to necessarily be true for anyone else. (Example: So for instance, I'm fluffy and might think, "Dayum, I'm fluffy cuz I like Dr. Phil too much and I'm not disciplined enough to get to the gym each day." So I try harder to go to the gym, I'm just 2 months post surgery, and eating too few calories to support an intense, extended ass whoopin' at the gymn--barely meeting my protein requirement. I do my circuit, come home, am exhausted and hungrier after the activity...and I flop down in my easy chair, turn on Dr. Phil, am starving and yet, beat and end up eating more volume/calories or eating off plan with easy slider food (like a whole can of Pringles or falling into a bag of Lay's, cuz my body is demanding more calories, those types of calories don't stretch my pounch and go down SO DAYUM GOOD. I end up undoing all the good of the activity and worse, to the point that I would have been much better off, just staying on my post surg diet, doing something to address my stress levels and processing the headwork that contributed to my fluffy state and not exercising in the first place. Or--I only go the gym 1 time a week cuz it makes me feel like a crap sandwich and so I beat myself up for it for being such a loser which makes me depressed and I end up turning on Dr. Phil, grabbing the can of Pringles, etc--and then find it nearly impossible to force myself back to eating as I KNOW I should. Weight gain/guilt ensue...) There was a fairly recent study that shows some argument that exercise alone will not help weight loss. But, I do know that doing exercise like slow burn and resistance training absolutely helps improve insulin resistance, which directly affects weight loss and how calories are processed by the liver post workout...so, yeah. Interesting question and love the discussion!!

Hi Karen! I am a grandma (of 4 - oldest is 23, youngest grandson just turned 1 year old yesterday) and a great-grandma of a 15 month old girl. We all have the same incentive - being active and able to enjoy these wonderful children! I also love to quilt and enjoy cooking. I think so many of us on the 60+ forum have a lot in common, and good shared experiences. I, too, began the serious weight gain because of severe arthritis and knee surgeries which restricted my ability to exercise. I'm back in that situation with the other knee now. Doc recommended injections in that knee to help stave off replacement. The injections seem to be working and I have begun to exercise. The lapband and subsequent weight loss will make all the difference. I am determined to make this work. I am still in the researching stage, just trying to find the right facility that accepts medicare assignment for hospital charges AND the doctor's charges - AND does not have a 2 year waiting list for medicare patients (as one of the nearby facilities has). I am attending a seminar on April 12th that I believe will open that door for me. I am READY! I love your parents already! What a wonderful gift for you - please accept their gift with love and appreciation, and begin to plan how you can pass their love on through you to your children and grandchildren. I believe that's what we are all here for... Good luck to you Joann

I just got my authorization for an appointment with the biatric team. Now its up to the case manager. I am crossing my fingers and hope she approves my revision !!! i really hope my Gerd and weight gain qualifies me to get REVISION !

Just had my lapband removed 12/15...was hoping to convert to RNY at the same time, but my stomach was too beat up getting it out to continue (band in 7 years and had erosion). So looking forward to the second surgery in Feb or March now. I feel so much better already! It is almost hard to explain. I am a little sad that I have to do everything over again like the preop tests, insurance, incisions, and preop diet... but I am so happy to have it out and looking forward to the revision. I originally needed/wanted the RNY but insurance would not cover any WLS at the time...so the Band was it for cost and less downtime. I had hoped it would be my forever tool, but it was causing pain and damage, with a not so pretty helping of weight gain. I wish I had not been so stubborn, tired, and honestly scared to start the revision process sooner! The process has taken over 8 months but definitely worth it. I wish you the best of luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That doesn't sound right. There is no way you should gain 50lbs in 4 weeks and have someone tell you, you just need to adjust. Please call and let them know about the weight gain and swelling and ask to see the doctor.

Congrats on your surgery success! Weight gain during pregnancy is largely under your own control. If you don't eat too much, you won't gain much weight. You'll want to work closely with an OB/GYN and/or nutritionist to come up with your dietary plan. Since you aren't underweight, you don't need many extra calories. An average of 200/day over the course of the pregnancy (100 extra the first trimester, 200 the second trimester, and 300 the last trimester) should give you the right amount to grow your baby... you mostly just need plenty of vitamins, protein.. general nutrition stuff. This minimal caloric increase should result in only a 15lb gain, which will come right back off almost instantly. 15lbs isn't much, I know.. and your doctor may want you to gain more than that (always listen to your doctor!).. but at least this gives you one way to look at things, and something to compare the doctor's recommendation to. If the doc wants you to gain 30lbs, then you'll eat 400 extra calories a day (again, fewer at first, more later). (If you said you were a size 4, and struggling to maintain your weight, I'd be giving very different caloric advice..) Talk to a doctor before getting pregnant, so you'll know the plan and can start supplementing early if necessary. Good luck!

:drool:Has anybody on this site had a thyroid issue hypothyroid/thyroid cancer/ and had a thyroidectomy? The reason I ask is I wonder if it effects how a lap band will help you lose weight? I have had a thyroid removal due to cancer and I weighed 148 before its removal. I now weigh in at 226 and I can't seem to stop my weight gain. I am so scared that the lap band won't help me cause of the thyroid thing. Is anyone out there going through this or blazed the trail. I really need to know if this is worth going through if it will help me.

Hi there, I'm Andrea and I had my lapband removed in September after complications with reflux and inability to keep anything down. I had it for just over 2 years and lost a total of 70 pounds. I'm extremely depressed. I have been gaining weight like crazy. I've gained 20 pounds. For the last 6 weeks Ive been doing weight watchers and still gaining weight. I'm eating healthier than ever. Did anyone else have such a huge weight gain? Any suggestions?

Hi, I have also had three years plus with my Lap Band. Love it and I would do it all again. I have had a slight weight gain after a surgery and I will need to get off those crazy carbs too. I think the trainer is smart. I think I need to switch my foods around and make some exercise changes if I am going to shake these last few extra unwanted pounds off. I know how much better I feel without this extra weight. I want that feeling again. Thanks for sharing and lets keep intouch. I have no one I can talk to about this. I'm off to work then the YMCA. going to jump start my LB program again. No more lazy me. Best wishes and thanks. imaluckydog

@@Cowgirl Jane (who posts here) and a friend of mine in real life who's also struggling with passing kidney stones now said they both gained weight and that it's temporary. My girlfriend said her urologist said that when a kidney stone is stopping up the works the kidneys struggle to release much urine from the body. The weight gain is from liquids your body is having a hard time getting out. When the stone(s) are all gone and all the channels are cleared, you'll lose the temporary Water weight. Makes perfect sense, eh?