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Watch out guys. My surgeon said no surgery if I wasn't wihmthin five pounds of the weight I was at my initial consult. A weight gain before surgery is not a good indicator to a doctor that you are ready. That being said, I wouldnt go nuts with food but if you feel like you need to have a "last meal" kind of thing.... Do it once for pizza, once for whatever. Just don't continually say goodbye from now until your surgery! Best wishes!

I remember being thin... 10 years ago after we got married before I got pregnant. I have a whole photo album of us in our first apartment we got right after high school. Me and my hubby in the hot tub with friends happy and smiling, me not being afraid to take pictures in a bathing suit...yes, good times! And as a result of the weight gain from both pregnancies, the effects of the pituitary tumor I had and then the weight gain from the meds to shrink the tumor, I have barely been in any pictures with my husband, kids and family since. I'm so ready to get my self confidence and self esteem back! Like shackwacky said, my tummy is already saggy from 2 pregnancies with each daughter being 9 pounds, one a vag. delivery the second being a c section because baby #1 got stuck on the way out, but hey, thats what the control body briefs are for! Hubby does love me though and is behind me if i want a tummy tuck 100 percent.

I know that for me life's serious stresses and justifiable angst don't inspire me to overeat. But celebration, partying and being overserved certainly do. And then there's the simple power of a new *habit* -- eating and drinking in a new way over a month's time -- that can be either positive or dangerous for my weight maintenance. Consistency in one's behavior can be leveraged for good or evil. Examples: The holiday 8, the freshman 15, the newlywed 20, the quitting smoking 30, etc. Check out this interesting article about life events that contribute to weight gain: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/11/09/will-i-get-fat-15-signs-you-ll-gain-weight.html

Hello Sarah, Weight gain after surgery is normal, you should not be weighing in at this time can be discouraging. My first weigh in was at my post-op appt. I am 3 weeks out and still have a lot of gas, its easy to pass so I am no longer using the gas-x unless its really necessary. Itchy scar means healing, good sign. Stomach protectiveness I feel the same way, I guard mine daily and let no one touch it lol. Try focusing on healing and not weight during this phase. Welcome to the other side, good luck on your journey into becoming a healthier you.

Congratulations, you look wonderful, thank you for your picture and motivation. Can you imagine how great it will be on the next months for you... How are you feeling? Everything going down okay? How was.the pain? I'm soon to get my surgery and truth be told, feel like hell with a thyroid condition that caused more weight gain, now insulin which made it worse and can't breath too well. Going to my cardiologist appointment soon. Hoping this surgery can make it all better. Good luck and keep us updated.

Your story is so similar to mine, banded over five years, had done wonderfully and then out of the blue, diagnosed with rectal cancer. I had chemo, radiation and a huge surgery in which my rectum and a fair bit of colon was removed, i was given a temporary ileostomy and sent home with a bag on my lovely flat stomach. I got through to the actual surgery without unfilling my band and I looked at it like this - cancer is a nasty shock and its life threatening, but that's not the worse. I hate how it took over my life, I couldnt work, I wasnt free to do any of the stuff I normally did, I was tied to the hospital routine of daily radiation, I was limited by my need for treatment. I'd just gone back to university at 36, gotten a teaching degree and was in my first job, i was so devastated. But I was DETERMINED that it was not going to undo my triumph over my weight - I ran and did bootcamp right through the initial six week chemo and radiation, right up until my surgery and I went for a run ten days after my bowel resection. I went back to bootcamp. I had another 20 weeks of chemo which was MUCH tougher than the initial lot, and my band was now totally unfilled, but I kept to my normal excercise routine. I lost a fair bit of weight through the surgery and I've managed to hold it off. I. just. will. not. let. the. cancer. win. I wont. I have hung on with grim determination to my diet and exercise routines and its paid off. I dont know how to say that without it coming across as I'm stronger, smarter, better, whatever. I'm not. Its just I looked at it and I thought I can beat anything, but if I get fat again, its won. And I wont let that happen. i was greatly helped by the fact that my treatment has had effects on my digestive system, even the chemo regime is not the same as for breast cancer, with breast cancer, weight gain during chemo is very common. I didnt tolerate my second chemo that well and had to be hospitalised three times for bowel obstructions, so every time I gained a little weight, I found I was nil by mouth for four or five days and it would come off again. I've gradually started filling my band again now. I'm about to have my ileostomy reversed and will now have the challenge of regaining bowel control, which might mean that I have to moderate my exercise - I might be running on my treadmill near my toilet for a while to come, but truly, where there is a will there is a way. I have to have genetic testing too, I'm the fifth person in both the current and previous generation to have had bowel cancer in my immediate family under the age of 45 and the only one not to have died from it. Sometimes I felt so damn sick but I went out running anyway - it never failed to make me feel better and just the emotional benefit of it was enormous. I dont have a secret or anything to tell you, I can only encourage you that maintaining your routines, keeping on top of your weight, not allowing the cancer to take away what you have achieved - it makes you stronger, and more emotionally stable and that has positive benefits on your health. It is SO worth getting yourself back on track, and I will definitely pray for you.

First off, WOW!!! 30 pounds is so awesome!!! As far as your weight gain... Your body is in starvation mode. Your switch in higher calorie foods has caused your body to hold on to every calorie BECAUSE it's in starvation mode. Your body is adjusting. If you're following your doctors orders, your are doing nothing wrong. It is normal to see fluctuations from time to time, including stalls. You're fine. Keep doing what you're doing. dde09

innotu, I'd like to throw out my opinion, and perhaps it'll make sense. I hope this help. Please, anyone that disagrees with me, please, please, please, post your concerns. I too would love to hear them.... ....anyways, here goes..... I've always had a dislike for complete Meal Replacements, instant breakfasts, soya powder, weight gaining powder,slim fast, etc. Why? Because they are awefully expensive and I feel that I'm getting ripped off when I'm paying top dollar for 'calories added'. lets face it, it is extremely easy to find clean and healthy calories to add to you drinks. Additionaly, in some cases, like slim fast and instant breakfasts, you don't even get enough protien. the average soy powder is only 60% protien. So here's my suggestion: make your own meal replacements( at least make as many as you can, and save the canned meal replacements for convenience only) 1- start with a protien powder that is 90% pure or better( dont waste your money on the more expesive 'whey isolate'. the main advantage to a whey isolate is that it's supposed to be easily absorbed because it is missing an ensign that is in milk.....I plan on using milk, so I'll be adding that ensign back into the drink. Hence, whey isolate is a waste of money) 2 - add your choice of milk ( mine is skim milk) 3 - add an apropriate quantity of healthy oil ( Omega 3 oils like olive oil or flax oil) 4 - add a health source of carbs like fruit ( I have type 2 diabetes, so I find that strawberries or apples work well for me)

@@shrinkingkimber I had to hold my Cimzia injections 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after. My surgeon wasn't happy either because of the higher risk involved. But everything turned out fine. Btw, I'm going to Remicade next if I fail Cimzia. I've already failed Humira. A lot of my weight gain also came from steroids. Good luck on your surgery! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have such a love/hate (mostly hate) relationship with prednisone. At times, taking it was the only way I could function during a flare. But the weight gain was horrible. I hope I can encourage you. I'm down 40 lbs at 6 weeks post op. My mobility has greatly improved. I'm walking an hour four times a week. I've yet to determine if the flares will be fewer, but I didn't have a working treatment plan for my Ankylosing Spondylitis prior to surgery. First I tried Humira. Now Cimzia. My rheumy is talking Remicade. I'm currently on sick leave. When I'm not, I have to go into the office 10 hrs/wk. I mostly work from home because of my immune system and chronic fatigue. Best of luck to you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My daughter has alopecia totalis, started when she was about 12. We tried the topical creams and treatments, but I drew the line at systemic steroids and we focused on getting her the best scalp prosthesis we could. She did incredibly well once she moved to a vacuum wig and a couple of years ago her hair started growing back. She ditched the wig about a month ago (she's 19 now) and is growing in a full head of hair with only one thin spot. Now she's been diagnosed with an auto-immune arthritis, so we're heading down the rabbit hole on that one now. Hugs for going through it, it's terribly traumatic. I hope her arthritis isn't too bad. So happy her hair grew back. Mine has been gone for 24 years. I tried an experimental drug last year. I did get some regrowth but also gained the weight. I stopped taking it because of the weight gain. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

@@littlered12973 I've been on sick leave since January--also to focus on aggressive treatments, some of which caused a considerable amount of my weight gain. I'm so glad your blood pressure and sleep apnea have normalized! That's quick if your surgery was only on Mar 29. My BP has normalized, too, and my surgery was on Feb 25. I can tell you, being 6 weeks out, that the weight loss has had a significant impact on my chronic pain. WLS has been the best AS "treatment" I've had thus far. I hope the same is true for you and your condition. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

No, you absolutely do NOT. Only about 1/3 have significant "dumping" in the first place, and most of those lose that so-called benefit after a year or two. And the body adapts so that there is less malsorption over time. It is these things, plus the distended, non-adjustable pouch, that causes rebound weight gain in the majority of bypass patients.

I just did mine yesterday and mostly they want to know that you have researched the procedure that you are aware of the risks and complications. Unless you are very unstable you are going to do fine. I have anxiety and depression and she just said that i need to change my med to one without weight gaining possibility and that most people that have had the worst life changes (deaths, child abuse etc) tend to do the best with this surgery. Basically we survived worst things..

I need help. I'm 5 months out and have been doing ok. I have lost 62 lbs. I started going to the gym about three weeks ago and have been burning about 400 - 600 calories per day. I use the treadclimber and do the circuit and abs. I have GAINED 3 lbs. this is so dishearting. I know it is not suppose to be about the scales, but when you have been overweight all your life and feel you are finally doing everything right ......

My first few weeks were inaccurate as well. I experienced the week 3 stall with a couple pounds of weight gain right in the middle of it, yet my clothes continued to get baggier and my sizes went down. Now, though, a couple months out, I'm running at about a 2k caloric deficit per day and my weight loss is generally steady at an expected 4-5 pounds a week.

great amazing wonderful post I wonder if a difference between those that lose 60 lbs and those that continue on to lose the extra 40 lbs is just getting back up after a slip and carrying on? Maybe that's determination, I don't know. It's hard after a slip or a weight gain to get back on the horse. Maybe too, others are okay with that 60% of weight loss. Thanks for your insights

It was due to reflux and weight gain. I only lost about 30 lbs with the sleeve and I need to lose 100+ lbs. i wish I had done the bypass originally.

Wow, a broken back! Ouch!! I imagine the weight loss has greatly improved your situation, but I can totally understand your caution. I have back problems as well, which also contributed to a lot of my weight gain. I hope wls will greatly improve my mobility. I've lost 30 lbs pre-op and it's already helped me so much! I can't wait to see the difference 100 lbs will make.

Hi Jackie! It sounds like we have a lot in common I'm 28, BMI in the upper 50s, and doing the bypass on 8/8. I didn't even think about the gas and swelling causing weight gain I bet that was a nasty surprise. It sounds like you did really well losing weight before the operation though. I'm struggling with that, myself. I think I'm going to try to weigh myself less, actually, and just try to trust that it will come off in its own time, as I make good choices. Otherwise, I think it's too easy for me to get obsessive about the numbers. How are you tolerating the post-op diet so far? Are you doing the Protein drinks? I'm pretty nervous about what it will feel like to try to drink after surgery. Anyway, I hope you keep healing well. Stay strong! Amy

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.

Hi I was banded in Sep 2004 and lost 135 pounds to get to a normal BMI (just). I had a slip diagnosed in September this year and had my band repositioned. Both times i have had a fill since then I have had to go back to get some Fluid out because I was too tight. So I am feeling a little scared of going back for more fill. Plus I don't want to see my fill Dr because I have now gained over 50 pounds and I feel embarassed. I just can't stop eating - I know it's emotions. But I thought the band would help with the regain like everyone says. Josy

Hi, I had my sleeve surgery almost 2 years ago, and lost (exactly! wierd eh?) 90 lbs! It was the easiest thing I ever did, honestly! The weight just slid off without almost no effort. I used to be my weight now, but I have been through some personal trauma in the past 1-1/2 months, and have noticed weight gain of 5-6 lbs, much to my horror. Actually I know how it happened... chocolate at night when my mind is racing and I can't sleep... Now I'm terrified. I need to get back to 6 lbs less!!!! sleeping pills would solve it, but I know that's not a good solution. The days go OK - it's just at night... Where do you get "My FitnessPal" and how to download it? I do want to congratulate you though on having the surgery. I know my problem has a solution, but your solution is just starting - you'll see. And you will LOVE yourself! I have become a clothes horse - my favourite thing- trying on size 10 tight dresses, and I'm 5'9". Depression is my worst enemy. I can still only eat so much, but I eat comfort foods, but only lately and instead of... I think I may go to see my Dr. about antidepressants or whatever I need to stop this crazy eating. ...And I love healthy foods! I'm so scared. Even Weight Watchers can't help me with my feelings... (I thought of that). As far as tracking your food - I have let my stomach tell me when I'm full and I stop. Then I get busy with other things. It's really not hard to loose weight at all with the bariatric sleeve surgery. But I sure would like to know - if you can help me- where I can get this FitnessPal download! Take care - and start LOVING YOURSELF!!!! Eva

Sounds like you have soft calorie syndrome from being too tight (or having a lot of inflammation in there from so much vomiting). As you've discovered, that can cause weight gain instead of weight loss, and you're probably hungry because soft and slider foods provide virtually no satiety. So going back to your surgeon, 'fessing up about what's been going on, and getting a small unfill is probably the best course of action. Under no circumstances should you let anyone not experienced with band fills, least of all your own child, attempt to add or remove saline from your band. Someone without experience in that is too likely to fail to access your port and can puncture your tubing. Also, band fills are done with a special needle, and I'm not telling you what it's called because that's not something your daughter needs to know unless she plans a career in bariatric care. If your surgeon yells at you, it'll probably be out of sheer frustration that you didn't come back for help earlier. The surgeons I've talked to all hate it when patients are lost to aftercare, because it's impossible for them to help a patient who never comes back for follow-up.

So I went in to a stall just after my 3 week post-op. It's been hanging around for a week and a half now, no big deal. What is a big deal is that even though I'm religiously following orders, I'm noticing weight creep. It's not much, but it's about a pound and a half since last week. I'm doing everything I was told to do - I'm exercising (walking) 20-30 minutes a day, I'm getting in at least 70 grams of Protein, under 100g of carbs (way under!), very little fat, and taking all meds and Vitamins. On average, I'm eating about 500-700 calories a day, which leaves me at least 2k caloric defecit on a daily basis. Now I'm getting frustrated. I know I'm supposed to wait this out with the patience of a saint or something, but I am neither patient or a saint so it's going really poorly. I've tried various tips and tricks to jump my metabolic rate and I'm just... ugh >.< Nothing's working.