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Damn that Ninja Turtle theme song........I'm terrible about if someone mentions a song or sings one around me it gets all in my head for the rest of the day.........thanks alot kimaliciosu!!!!! Now here's one for you....PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON.....LIVED BY THE SEA......... I honestly can't say if my slow losing is because of adequate restriction - maybe I don't know what adequate restriction is??? I eat waaaaaaaaayyyyyyy less than pre-banding - which has me confused why I haven't lost more weight. I now eat 1/3 of what I did pre-band yet still only small weight loss. I think I've come to the conclusion that it isn't what I eat, but how I don't move much anymore. I need to get me a pedometer to motivate me just to move more. I look back and notice when I had a significant amount of weight gain was shortly after high school - that's because I was constantly on the move in high school and once I graduated I got a desk job - hellllloooooooooo fat assssss!!!!!! I'm only 6 years out of high school and weighed 230 and muscular/athletic in high school - before surgery I weighed 293 - so I gained 63lbs in six years........wow just had an epiphany here with you all.......damn I've gained 63lbs since high school only 6 short years ago and was gaining steadily and have no doubt I'd be in the 300lb club if it weren't for Bambi (my band). Somebody buy me a pedometer for Christmas!!!!!!! I can't find any around this area in stores. Waaaahhhh - actually I think I'm going to go ebay it.........do they make a pedometer in a wrist thing? I don't like wearing things on my waist. Mainly because when I sit my fat roll folds over my waist......gross....I'm so grossss..........LOL - BUT NOT FOREVER!!!!!

I have stayed the same weight, within 1-2 pounds for about 2 years now without counting calories or really even watching what I eat much. I think the key for me has been getting a tiny fill about once a year. I can feel when it's time and don't wait for a big weight gain before I go get that tiny "maintenance fill." Of course it may not be that easy for everyone......I don't have hormone issues (hysterectomy at young age). As far as things being back to normal...... it's is a new normal. Life in general is back to normal, but my eating will never be the way it was before the band. I have not eaten a full plate of food since July of 2009. This is my normal now.

Hi there, so sorry that you are having this issue with weight gain at 6 months, I really do think that everyone means well with the advice given and I to think that you are consuming way too many carbs, so instead of the big bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, have some protein, a boiled egg and maybe a turkey sausage patty, if still hungry after that have a 1/4 cup of berries (me personally can only eat 1 patty or 1 boiled egg at 7.5 months PO) I avoid carbs because that is what got me to the weight that I was and they really do make you more hungry...Just really start logging your food, I mean every morsel that you put in your mouth because you will be surprised at how many calories you are consuming if you are not tracking. My daily intake at this stage is about 560-800 calories, I lose slow but steady and I'm okay with that because I am following my plan. Also the surgery is just a tool for all of us so we have to work hard at losing the weight, so get in to see your nutrionist ASAP so that you can get back on track...don't beat yourself up, you are reaching out for help and we are here for you even if it's tough love, be open to constructive criticism. You got this ((Hugs)) I wish you all the best

One of the scariest or infuriating things I encounter is when I've made a new low on the scale and then gain back 3 or 5 pounds in the next few days. And then it takes a week to get back where I was. I know it's just my body getting adjusted to my new lifestyle, but it is infuriating to see it happen. After reading so many success stories about losing 20 plus pounds per month in the 1st 6 months, I WANT IT TOO! Not 10, not 15, I want my 20+ pound loss, just like clockwork - gimme, gimme, gimme! But that isn't the way my body wants to do it. So I'll just have to get used to the way it works. In fact, the gains are my fault. I allow myself a "cheat" meal on Saturday nights and one more on Sundays when I visit my parents (twice a month). It's not that I eat more food, it's just less healthy. For example: Friday morning weight in: 296.8 Saturday night was Golden Corral buffet night. Over the hour I was there, I had about 4oz of meatloaf, 1 fried chicken strip, 1 big cauliflower floret w/cheese, about 2 tablespoons of Shepard's pie and about 1/2 of some kind of pecan gooey thing. I didn't stuff myself, just ate until I was full, waited while my friend hit the buffet again, and I ate a little here and there as my stomach emptied. The following Sunday happened to be one of the 2 days a month I visit my parents. At lunch we had Churches fried chicken. I had 1 fried breast, 1 single serving of mashed potatoes, and 1 biscuit. This is not the normal fare, usually mom cooks meat and vegetables. I wasn't able to eat the whole thing in one sitting. I broke it into 2 meals, one at 11am, the 2nd at 2pm. The rest of my meals for the weekend were my normal fare: turkey hamburger w/cheese and spaghetti sauce or turkey hamburger w/gravy and chopped cauliflower. In a 4oz bowl. Monday morning weigh in: 302.4 - almost a 6 pound gain! I can only assume that all the salt and sodium caused quite a bit of water retention. I don't believe I really over did it too much on the calories. Now it's Thursday - 4 days later - and I'm back down to 298.4 - 4 pounds. Not surprising really, it's happened more than once. That doesn't mean I have to like it! I think it might be a good thing to switch up foods this way, my body won't get accustomed to a certain calorie count/protein/carb/fat intake. I just won't go overboard on the bad stuff and eat it more than 6 meals a month. Now if only I can get over my fear of seeing the scale move up instead of down! And I'll watch and see how my body reacts long term. If turns out that it's causing stalls or long term weight gain, I'll have to go back to the basic diet and cut out the bad stuff. NSV! Now, where's my light saber? I have to punch a new hole in my belt.

Awesome info! If you didn't post the website, I was gonna ask you! I had my first breast lift in 1999. It was about $8k. I was very happy with the results. Unfortunately, I hit a huge depression streak and gained and lost weight like crazy for a few years. In 2007, I had another breast lift with a tummy tuck and a little lipo, mainly in the flank area. I did follow the surgeon's suggestion to add small implants to make the shape better and to encourage the lift to hold longer. I believe the implants were 220's and I did do silicone. It seems the earlier complications with them have been resolved and the chance of slippage is much less. My second surgery was close to $15k. My cup size has always remained the same. The inches around has fluctuated with weight loss and gain, primarily in the back area. The recovery from the lift was very easy. The first two days were lousy, seeing my new girls during the first shower was horrible. I was afraid that they would never heal. It was a ghastly sight with so many fresh wounds. They also were very swollen and I felt as tho I were nursing again! lol Within a week, all was good and I was back to work. There was little post op pain after the first few days, however you will sleep on your back for some time! :biggrin0: I have been to Costa Rica on vacation and love it! I would never have thought about surgery there, but am glad to hear your positive experience and recommendation. That is one of the few places I have traveled in the world that I would consider moving to, if I ever left the Pacific Northwest. I have also been to Columbia, which was mentioned earlier, and that scares the hell out of me! LOL However, I was only in Cartegena; it was very touristy and the locals were very aggressive. Maybe it would be better where the hospital or clinic is located :tongue_smilie: My stomach has remained flat since my tummy tuck, even with the weight gain. I have just gotten thicker. I am hoping I won't have to get that redone. However, if needed, I would have the skin tightened but I would not have the muscles cut again. I don't think that would be necessary and the recovery sucks! LOL So far the breasts are not shrinking in cup size at all. Darn it! The back is getting less fatty tho. If I truly get down to the 130's or 120's, I may need a breast reduction. I really don't want to look like I have a fake rack. lol I would love to have a butt lift. Had no idea they even existed until several months ago. I just can not imagine what the recovery would be like tho. Do you lay on your stomach for weeks?? My greatest desire at this point is to fix the turkey neck. My maternal grandmother had it and so does my mom and sister. The part directly under the jaw is shrinking tho; so will see what happens down the road. I really don't have many wrinkles - for which I am very grateful. My eyes are a little droopy tho so would add that on to any surgery I had. I also saw the results of one of Dr. Lara's cosmetic surgeries. A lady had a mini face lift with her sleeve surgery when I was having mine. She looked absolutely amazing and had very little bruising, even three days later. I thought Dr. A had done it but found out this past week that Dr. Lara will come it while you are sedated and do it. If you can come up with the money, I would suggest making any improvements that you can. It may not make you happier in the big scheme of things, but it will give you more confidence. I think anyone who has struggled with weight and had WLS, deserves to enjoy the full enchilada. LOL Besides, you can't take the money with you and your children can work hard to earn their own. I will not inherit a single penny from either of my parents and will still have a decent life doing most of the items on my bucket list :wink0:

So I got surgery in December of 2011. My heaviest was 290-ish and my lowest post-op was 220. I admit that I didn't follow the rules and I drink pop now and looking back I would have lost so much more had I done everything right. It was just so nice to not worry about food for once in my life and eat what I wanted and not gain weight. I was only 17 so I was so young and stupid! Anyway I just had a baby, obviously gained weight from that. I was up to 270 when I finally gave birth and with some effort and help with medicine, I am now 244. I want to get down to my goal weight so I can finally get rid of the sagging skin and just feel more confident but I notice that I am eating more than I could. Obviously a little stretch is normal post op but I feel like depending on the food, I can eat so much more. I want to just lose the rest of the weight and ideally get down to 150-170. I have heard of the "re-sleeve diet" and was curious if anyone had success with that. I don't think I would qualify for a re-sleeve surgery. But if there anything I could do to utilize my sleeve again being 5+ years post op.

I experienced the same thing. Was eating less than 900 calories when I reached my goal & struggled for a while to physically eat more at any one time too. I had to snack & increased them until I was snacking 5 times a day. And yes I felt like I was eating all day long. My weight loss continued albeit very slowly & finally about 11 months after goal. I was still seeing my dietician through the first 6 months of this 11 months (Covid hit). For my snacks I added a second sometimes third serve of carbs (multigrain crackers), hummus, nuts, 1or 2 serves of fruit, protein bar, cheese, liverwurst, peanut paste, chia pudding, & used salad dressings. My dietician also suggested adding milk powder to my milk but I found it too sweet except in chia pudding. I eventually reached about 1300 calories. It can take a little time to sort this out in a way the best suits you. While you may lose more initially, you may also have a bounce back in your 2nd/3rd year as @catwoman7 said as you settle into a way of eating that complements how you want to live & enjoy your life. I eventually was able to eat about a recommended portion size of most foods (& I do eat slowly) & reduced my snacks to three a day. I am careful about what I eat 90% of the time. At my lowest I was 48.2kg but settled at 49kg for a good year. I put on 2 kgs a few months ago after I went on a higher dose HRT med & I had to add more protein to my diet due to an absorption issue (from my gall removal last year not my sleeve). I made some small changes to my diet but I still eat more calories as a result of the extra protein so the weight gain is understandable. All the best.

I'm back from my appointment and things are still a go. They actually didn't even say anything about my weight gain. Maybe I didn't really gain anything? I didn't dare ask what my last weight was because I didn't want to put a spotlight on it. LOL The hospital was too busy to have me stop by for my pre-op so I don't do that part until 1 Dec. Anyone else on here have a surgery date of Dec or Jan?

Peace with food and weight loss that lasts are possible. Here are some common traps that even the smartest women fall for and the success strategies you can use to avoid them: Peace with food and weight loss that lasts are possible, and yet, these aren’t the places where most women who struggle with overeating end up. Emotional eating and overeating can feel like a never-ending battle and a roller coaster ride of diets, gimmicks, and “new” approaches that don’t take you where you want to go. It doesn’t have to be this way. Here are some common traps that even the smartest women fall for and the success strategies you can use to avoid them: 1. Getting too focused on what to eat. Cycles of overeating and weight gain are rarely fixed by focusing only on the food. A focus on what to eat doesn’t address or fix the situations, feelings, or relationships that may be triggering overeating. Yes, portion size matters and sometimes food intolerances or metabolic difficulties cause weight gain. However, even these situations become clearer and easier to sort out when you start listening to yourself and paying attention to how you feel, instead of focusing your attention on every bite, calorie, or fat gram that you put into your mouth. 2. Disregarding what you really need. You know yourself better than anyone. Instead of focusing on what “should” work and what you “should” do, take this bold step that many high-achieving women skip: Ask yourself what you really need to be successful—and then give it to yourself. You’re likely to spend less time, energy, heartache and even money in the long run when you trust your inner wisdom. Do you need the help of an expert? Be honest about that. Better tools to deal with stress or difficult emotions? Do you need some one-on-one mentoring or support? Don’t cheat yourself. Investing in what you know to be true and getting the targeted help you need will likely make more of a difference than all the self-help books you can’t figure out how to make work for you. Too many women spend too much money on solutions that aren’t comprehensive or individualized enough and don’t really meet their needs. Not only does this lead to failure, it burns up your hope and your sense of effectiveness. Do you feel like you know what you need but it isn’t possible? Don’t let that stop you. Ask yourself what it would take to make it happen and ask what is do-able that would start allowing you to have more of what you need. Start believing that you deserve to get what you need and start asking for it. You might be surprised what shows up. 3. Refusing to ask for help. High-achievers can fall into the trap of believing that lifestyle change has to happen solo. Many women who are successful in other areas of their lives feel embarrassed and even ashamed of their struggles with overeating. They feel like they are alone in their struggles. Unfortunately, not reaching out for help increases the sense of isolation and decreases your potential effectiveness. Asking for help might be the scariest step you take in order to make peace with food, but stepping outside of your own head, your own mindset, beliefs, and traps, can start change happening—and quickly. 4. Not addressing time issues. My heart almost broke when I heard an outwardly successful professional woman tell me that given the hectic state of her life, she believed that she wouldn’t be able to focus on her own goals for the next ten years. Really? What kind of life is that and what kind of example are you living? Change requires a commitment to making it happen. Whether it’s taking the time to attend a class, listen to audios, create a plan for healthy meals, or meet with a coach, if you don’t create the time, it isn’t really a priority. Honest truth. If you need help learning how to make or find the time, or how to put yourself first, make this your first action step. Coaching Challenge: What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to making peace with food? Where do you get stuck or thrown off course? Please join the conversation by sharing a comment. I’d love to hear from you. Then, be bold and share one step you will take to start doing it differently. Peace with food is possible. I challenge you to go for it.

I found myself sabotaging myself also. But then, I was having trouble seeing a thinner me. The weight gain in part, was to be invisible , and I just was not ready for all the attention that loosing weight was creating. Crazy huh? I'm a bit of an introvert, it's sort of like learning to swim, take a big gasping breath of air, then plunge head first back in the water!

No Matter what!! Dont beat yourself up for the mistakes made yesterday and the weight gain and the disappointments. Time Takes Care of Itself!!

I'm very sorry he is so cruel to you with his words. As for the weight gain, you got this! You know what needs to be done and don't let his lack of support effect you.

I too have had some weight gain- 40 of 107 lost. I don't know how it frieken happend. Anyway, I am told I got to thin so of the 40 I want to loose 15-20. Not feeling real motivated- have a couple vacations coming up. Overall I am struggling. I will be happy if I don't gain any weight over the next month or so. After my vacations I will hopefully get back on the wagon and start loosing. I had a tummy tuck and am very worried I ruined the results of that with the weight gain. I guess only time will tell on that. Get a fill and get back to basics. You can do it!

Don't let any weight gain you see discourage you. It's the IV fluids and you will drop it when you are off those. Focus on doing what the doctors say... you will get through this! You are a WLS vet after all and we're made of tough stuff ???? I'm sending you (((( BIG HUGS )))) and healing thoughts ☺️

Mine returned between year one and two after surgery. Was great while it lasted. It's tougher now fighting cravings and hunger urges to keep the weight off, then during the whole initial losing period. I'm sure like everything relating to the body, each person's experience will be different. My advice is to really concentrate on solidifying your new healthly eating habits while you're losing. For me venturing off the path even a little resulted in weight gain. Gotta stick to the plan forever.

Hi Tamra - Not many people get to this site. Good luck with your pre-op appt. A little weight gain should be ok if you've hit the target they asked for. I see you post on the pats_laps site too. I hope we can get a support group going.

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 don't know, but a lot of people say they affect them that way. My daughter was on Paxil and didn't tolerate it very well. I think at one time I myself was on it. There's been a lot of tries and mistries over the past 17+ years. I think there's something about some of these drugs that can make certain things addictive or compulsive. Like I've heard people on certain drugs could spend money out of control so it wouldn't surprise me if the drug had that same effect with food etc... I know a lot of them tend to slow down your metabolism and that in itself makes it difficult. But it's much better to be on than off even if it does slow down your wt loss in some way. Plus they put out statements saying that this drug doesn't seem to affect your weight gain or may make you lose and my docs always would put me on those types and it never made a difference in me. I don't know who those people are that lose weight on anti-depressants but it's definitely not moi!:confused2:

I was on antidepresants for over 20 years. They took mine off the market because it causes liver failure. I tried just about every other one and just couldn't handle the side effects. About the same time, I decided to try to lose weight and started exercising like crazy. I didn't lose any weight but I noticed pretty quickly how much better I felt when I exercised daily. I haven't had to take anitdepressants for about 3 years now. I never lost any weight with all this exercise, but getting off those meds was worth it. That's why I ended up getting banded. I realize now that I started gaining weight all those years ago, when I started on anti depressants. Two of my best friends are shrinks and they tell me all the time that weight gain is a side effect of almost any antidepressants. The anti anxiety med you are taking is a central nervous system depressant and a side effect can be depression. So yes, all of your medication can be related to weight gain. One of the many antidepressants I took caused huge sugar cravings. They tried to give it to me again for insomnia, in smaller doses and I notice immediately when I take the tiniest dose that the next day I crave sugar like crazy. Have you googled your meds and read all about the possible side effects? I always have every single one possible for every med I have tried. My daughter always tells me that I get the side effects after reading they are possible. It's the other way around. I get the side effect so I go online and try to find out what could be causing it. Anyway, I am really happy to be off all meds since I exercise every day. I wish you the best. This is not an easy problem to deal with, I know very well.

I do remember my daughter being on ambilfy and have a bad reaction. I may say something to my nurse practitioner about xanax because I think the clonapin maybe slowing my metab down a bit and I've reduced to once a day prior to bed. I posted about a depression program I watched and a drug to counteract the weight gain on "struggling lap bandsters" under "lap band complications" and am curious to see if anything comes up there about a drug I read about called zonegran or zonisamide. thanks brandyII

I posted this on my blog, but I thought it might be important to share here because I am sure I am not the only one who is experiencing this: I know I've been raking on DH a bit here, and usually he's a decent guy, but I don't know exactly what's happening here lately. It's either time for a sit-down or to really get this before a counselor to make it a bit more neutral because, frankly, I don't believe he'll see what he's doing. Since the "coming to Jesus" talk we had (okay, I had with him) a couple weeks ago, on more than one occasion he has made some bizarre comment when I've complimented him after making dinner. I'll say, "Oh, the chicken was good," and he'll reply, "Nah, it's okay. It's just food." The first time I asked what he was talking about and he said he needed to look at food as just sustenance and nothing else. Um, that's NOT what I said. What I said was that he lives to eat and makes everything about the food. So that's been going on a few times since that day. Tonight I said that he needs to stop it, to which he replied that he was only being supportive. I said no, what I feel like he's being is mocking, like he really doesn't get this whole thing I'm going through. I said that it's not bad to enjoy what we eat, it's just that he was so consumed with the act of eating that it was wharped. I said that I wished he was as into me as he is into food, and he thought I was being silly. Uh-huh... *eye roll* Another thing that just started on Friday is that I'm getting a blow-by-blow synopsis of the weight HE has lost by virtually doing nothing. I'm exercising four days a week and eating good meals, every meal, and he's lost over 20 freakin pounds by just not eating all the junk after dinner -- in front of me. And again, he attributes it to "supporting me" -- almost like, "Look how I'm suffering for you because I'm losing weight too." Okay, he's lost almost as much as I have, and now I feel like he's crowing about it (his weight has NEVER been discussed before). The problem with DH is, even if I try to discuss it with him, he is totally lacking in personality or person skills (read: he's very immature). He is not always good with other people, and he seems to lack the ability to understand anything or anyone beyond the end of his nose. Compassion is virtually nil. As Jennifer Aniston would say, there's a sensitivity chip missing sometimes. So when you explain something to him that he's doing, he only knows how to deny. Comprehension doesn't seem to be his strong suit -- especially when it comes from me, unfortunately. I always knew he was going to be the hardest part of this journey, but I guess I never realized just how hard. In the past when I was just dieting, he eventually got his way and we'd start back to eating out again, leading to my weight gain. I'm not blaming him, per se, but still -- if I was doing this only own, I'd have done lost it by now, I feel. But now it's as if he's pulling out all the stops. I dunno, maybe I'm just being sensitive or reading more into it than I should, but I'm not even three months into my journey and we've already had waaaay too many conversations over this. I think that's why I spend so much time on LBT and here -- because these are the places I get support, these are the people that understand what I'm going through. I find it sad that I can get that from people I've never met, yet a man I've known 17 years is either so self-absorbed or so clueless that he doesn't get it.

So I recently (mid sept) had an total unfill because I was having surgery and then I had surgical complications and wound up losing 13 lbs. I was enjoying being 170 lbs...the thinnest I've been since I was a kid. But I was also enjoying eating and my weight went up to 179. I know, I know, its just 9 lbs and many of us would be very excited to be at 179... But this AM, after the person Im dating told me, as nicely as a person can say such a thing (I love you and want you to be the healthy vibrant person you should be) that they are no longer attracted to me sexually because of the weight gain. Of course they offered to diet with me and they are not breaking up...but the email I got made it clear that the weight gain is really not ok. My first impulse is to not that 1) I weighed 185 when we met and you were into me then.... 2) I hate to point out that you have gained quite a bit of weight since I met you also....but the truth is none of this is relevant. It really hurts to hear someone you are so in love with and attracted to isn't attracted to you. This was my first relationship post surgery and presurgery I hadnt been with anyone sexually for a long time. The chemistry that we had was so good for my self esteem, it was just so amazing to be that way again. But now I'm just feeling so mortified to read an email that says, "Ive been noticing how you fill your plate and then eat everything" "I see you lumbering out of bed and I know the weight isnt helping". We are supposed to go on a vacation next week and I dont know how to face eating meals together, sleeping in the same bed together etc. My impulse is to end the relationship and see if I can lose the weight. I just want to crawl under a rock. Then I keep telling myself that setbacks happen, and you start over. I shouldnt make such a big deal of it. But I need advice. Im at work and cant stop crying. Im glad all of this happened via email. I could not have handled this face to face. But what now? I need support people...

I have Anthem BCBS in Connecticut and have the same requirements. I'm not positive, but think they use your starting weight, and it is ok if you go below a BMI of 40 during your 6 months. Can you ask your surgeon's office? They deal with this all the time. I have the opposite problem. I gained 9 pounds in month 4!! Ive lost it again in month 5, but not sure if I'll get denied for the weight gain!! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I weighed myself and the scale showed I gained 6 lbs. I don't eat much, barely 4 ounces. I eat healthy, when I can eat. I can't figure out what I am doing wrong. I can see I lost weight, I wear a size 18 - 20. I was wearing 24. I don't want to gain back the weight.

For me- my immediate family and a friend who had GB as a support system. My weight gain (mostly) was due to having rheumatoid arthritis. The high doses of daily prednisone along with IV decadron monthly as well as many other meds, the lack of mobility due to the pain caused me to 1) blow up and 2) created iatrogenic adrenal insufficiency ( no adrenal function- no metabolism). Friends and neighbors watched me grow over the course of 5 years. Then it was simply status quo- I was fat. But trying to explain that I was having GB to lose the weight and take the pressure off of my joints just sounds like an excuse. ( even to me) Therefore when asked about why I was having surgery, my response is simply- my stomach suffered horrid side effects from all my RA meds so they had to operate. Kind of the truth!!