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I was athletic and strong as a teen/young adult and never had issues with weight gain until my 30’s, so I have been struggling with seeing a fat person in the mirror and feeling cheated when I can’t climb stairs or tie my shoes. (I’m still pre-op). I can’t wait til my outside matches my inside!

I read this and kinda laughed at myself. I haven’t had the WLS yet, but I’m already noticing a boost of confidence and seeing myself thinner. Not crazy, I think I’m skinny, but I’m already identifying with a healthier body. Maybe because I’ve always fluctuated weight, I know what I look like under this weight gain. I feel very relaxed and ready to be the me I see in my head :)

I have PCOS I found out after I had the mirena taken out and I just wasnt getting my period, the weight gain was crazy, a beard on my chin and acne like I was a teen uggh I hope the sleeve helps with some of these symptoms... Sent from my SM-G900P using BariatricPal mobile app

I agree. Please resist the urge to restrict your food (especially your protein) when you are on a stall. It is counterintuitive, but restricting is the worst thing you can do. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall Thank you so much for that link. I have read it a few times and it really helps. I believe that we are very (too?) focused on our progress and any stall or tiny weight gain can end up in a moral drama . Good news is that I am on a stall but o can fit in trousers I could not close last week. Something is still happening!

@@Christinamo7 - Well I have often heard many doctors (plastics and bariatrics) said you had to be at a stable weight for at least 1 year before they would do plastics. My NUT says you will typically be your smallest at 18 to 24 months post-op and then will experience (most likely) a weight gain (albeit hopefully very little). Even the plastic surgeon said I would need to make sure to be stable after surgery because a significant gain or significant lose after plastics could affect the results. I think my NUT is concerned about potential gain. I'm kind of thinking my therapist really knows me best since I have seen her the most so I will definitely spend a lot of time talking to her about it before I make an decisions.

Do the pre op diet. It should work for you because you have a month. I drank 2-3 Protein shakes, an apple 2x a day, one meal of 6 oz of lean meat and green veggies. I lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks. Some people lose faster. I have aetna and I was told no weight gain. They told me only aetna patients have to worry about that. My first visit I weighed in at 253 and then my next one I was 256. I panicked and cut down tremendously. I was at 249 when they submitted for insurance approval. I did not lost a lot of weight, but it was not a gain.

Here are many of the most common symptoms of PCOS. Remember, though, you can still have PCOS without having ALL the symptoms. Ovarian cysts Cramps Weight gain (primarily around the abdomen) Extreme difficulty losing weight Male-pattern hair-growth (on chest, abdomen, face, etc.) hair loss Acne Abnormal hormone levels Insulin resistance Fertility problems

I remeber seeing a bumper sticker that said "I may be fat but your Ugly and I can Diet", think I was around 16 at the time. I always broached the subject of my weight gain before someone else had the chance too - always in a humorous way, I was the thin one until I got married. So, in becoming the "Fat" one - I could not let someone else feel uncomfortable with having to mention what I already knew since I do own mirrors, so I would quash the topic fast, have a laugh and move on. I gladly take any and all compliments that come my way, I try not to be sensitive with the imperfections that accompanied the weight gain...rather work to be a healthy person - Who, can get PS and fix the "fat" issue rather than the "ugly".

I have been diagnosed with pcos also but the doc waited from July last year to march this year to tell me. after the ultrasound last year he was like 'you have a cyst on the ovary and a fibroid in the uterus' nothing else was mentioned until i mentioned that hubby and I wanted to have another baby and he says 'oh, then we had better get the pcos under control that is what is messing up your cycles' that and the pre diabetes and said the weight gain was causing both problems. so I went on metiformin. went from 292 in march to 278 in July for pre op and am now down to 228. my question is, does one cysts mean pcos? from what I have read it does not. but maybe I am wrong.

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

I have struggled with weight gain since about 1998. I was small during my high school years but after marriage I gained up to 180. After getting pregnant the 1st time I gained up to 214. Got down to 193 when I found out at 5 months after my first child I was pregnant with baby number 2. I have been struggling with dieting and been up and down with my weight. I decided after my body feels like a broken record that it was time to get my life back. So I started my journey in Oct of 2011 and did not make a consultation until march. Now I have started my pre op diet and I must admit its hard. My surgery is scheduled for the 28 of June. I am excited for the chance to have this opportunity but it is hard right now. I am needing all the support I can get.

Lynda, you are TINY! And you don't look 5'6" either! Your goal weight is really low and by the chart I looked at 1 lb below ideal! You go, girl! Makes me wonder if I had "stuck" to losing instead of going to "maintenance" (and I say that tongue in cheeck!) at 150 what I could have gotten down to. ha! Quote: Typically, adults tend to gain weight in their mid-twenties, and this trend further continues with increase in age, due to reduction in the metabolic rate and physical activity. In contrast, the height remains constant during this period. In fact, according to the Gerontology Research Center (National Institutes of Health), some weight gain after 35 years of age is essential for good bone health. Well, I accomplished that! ha!

Hello friend! I'm sorry you are struggling! I found the months of pre-OP preparation extremely uncomfortable emotionally, which I'm guessing must be the same for you? My partner at work, who is a health care provider like me, actually gained 10 pounds the 2 months prior to her surgery. She's been wildly successful since her sleeve, tho. You may be in for a question or two about the weight gain, but you can just be honest and tell them what has been stressing you out. Once you get that surgery date, the stress of waiting for approval will be behind you and you can focus on the future with great encouragement! And truly, once you have the sleeve on your side, you can spend more time focusing on healthy, non-food ways to soothe yourself when times get tough. You'll even have the energy to work out, which is awesome for mind as well as body strength! Blessings to you!

I got pregnant 3 weeks after surgery, I was devastated, I was 41 married and had 2 kids, I never planned anymore, I just wanted to diet not have kids kinda thing, I considered all options. 7 weeks later I miscarried and it actually upset me a lot but I got on with the diet and put it behind me. I had gone 8 years using the withdrawal method and never got pregnant. Two months after that, low and behold I was pregnant again, unplanned. This time it was a shock, but after losing the last one, it put babies v diet in perspective. I continued dieting, lost 75lbs (45lbs whilst pregnant) and had my band de-filled by 2.0ml at 20 weeks. My pregnancy was great, loved it! I lost 28lbs within 2 weeks of giving birth .. I guess that was baby weight gained and with bump and baby weight gone I was a new person - so much smaller than I thought I would be. My son Nixon is now 8 months, he is a joy and the best thing that has ever happened to us. I have maintained my weight whilst breastfeeding but had my band filled last week so I can continue my lapband journey. Lots of people get pregnant whilst banded ... the weightloss changes your fertility for one thing. Dont think its the end of your diet, just keep eating healthily, put your baby first, be sensible, listen to your Doctor. I was a plus sized Mum to all 3 of my kids, dont be embarrassed, we have the right to have kids like everyone else and we dont all have complications, there will always be bigger moms than you, the nurses have seen it all. I started the journey at 325lbs, now about 260, long journey still ahead ... and a cute baby boy to accompany me with it. Be prepared for when life throws you a curve ball! Good luck x

Hi Cheri - first of all, congrats on the new addition to your family. Second, congratulations on the weight loss. I reached goal quickly, five months to reach my doctor's goal and a month later to reach MY personal goal, five pounds less. 145 give me that 5 pound pad! I THINK more like Lynda though. MY goal is 145, but I don't wait until I hit 150 to cut back a little, if I weigh 147 in the morning, I know I need to 'adjust' my calories, just for a day or two. I've been maintaining for 2.5 years now and although like you, it's been easy for me......I'm like Lynda, I am vigilant. The fear of regaining keeps me a "little" obsessive. I weigh every morning, and I know that I should weigh between 144 and 146. I also weigh again at night, it's kind of a game I play, then I guess what I will weigh in the morning! I do not let the scale dictate my mood though, it's more like a "dashboard" for me, it lets me know if things are 'running' right, kind of like the dashboard in my truck!! lol At night, I will weigh between 146.5 and 148. I am not a exercise guru, but I have made 'life style' changes that are second nature to me now. Like I said, I weigh every morning. I weigh or measure my food when I'm home. I log it all on line. (MFP) This is not what I just do, it isn't a chore, it isn't a choice. It just is.....it's how I stay in check. I am accountable to ME and after 30 years of dieting, I know how quickly eight or ten pounds can sneak up on us. Losing weight has never been a problem for me, keeping it off has been. Not this time and now I'm equipped with the knowledge of what works for me, I really can't imagine this 'routine' wouldn't work for everyone. I am missing 85% of my tummy, self control is much easier now, at least it is in my case. I don't feel like I have sacrificed anything. I make choices. I do not skip extra cups of coffee, there are line to draw Cheri!!! About two months ago, since fear of weight gain seems to never leave us, and I personally think that is a good thing.....I just wanted to 'test' and see if I could still lose weight if need be. I need 1300 to maintain, give or take 50 calories. I cut that back by 100 calories and in 2.5 weeks, with just one hundred less calories, I lost 2 pounds. I was happy, I know I can do it. I don't get hungry, so cutting back and/or resisting when I should or when I want to....is not difficult. You and I are lucky. I don't do what Lynda does, but I am soooooo glad to see how SHE is. I thought I might be the only one who is a bit on the obsessive side, I love it!!!! I do not have everything planned down to how much protein, veggies etc per meal. I track and plan ahead, but not quite like that. I get in between 65 and 100 grams of protein a day. During the losing phase, I had NO bread, but now, if I want my tuna fish on a piece of bread, nothing but cokes are off limits, although there are thngs I choose to avoid most times. When I did my "test" a while back, I did make sure I was getting at least 85 grams of protein a day, I know that helped. You will do fine, don't stress out, just be diligent with tracking your food, that is something I personally believe we have to do forever, track and weigh/measure. The things I do, are MY keys to success. I don't ever want to forget what it was like to shop for size 20's in the ladies dept. Been there, done that and I don't want an encore!!! It keeps me humble, and keeps me motivated. Good luck, I predict you are going to do just fine!!

Hi there, I have been reading all the stories on this site for some time now & after getting some great advice on here, I feel it's time to tell my story. We were do I start! I am 35 years, weigh about 93kg & live in Australia. Up to around 8 or 9 years of age I lived a very healthy lifestyle of Water skiing on weekends with my family. I don't remember having any over eating problem however I do remember being told I didn't eat enough. At around 9 my parents separated & that's where the over eating began. I have suffered with weight problem ever since. Although I know how my problem started & accept that, how does one break life long habits when they can never avoid the drug (food). I have been anorexic, bulimic, binger & now just over eating sloth. I smoked when i was younger & had no problem cold turkey to give up. I don't have any other strong holds in my life so "why can't I beat this". Well I have tried every diet (as most of us on this site have) and I have had success loosing up to 25kg only to regain the weight again & again. I think I'm a strong person & I put everything in to what every project I'm doing but I just feel like such a failure when it comes to weight loss. Why is it so hard to stay slim! Last time I lost weight I said that's it never again!! I threw out all my fat clothes ( really regretting that now I have nothing to wear lol) I even went as far as to enroll myself in a fitness course. I spent 1 year full time studying fitness & nutrition once again I lost weight about 10kg & got a job as a fitness instructor (to my amazement) I was teaching les mills classes at around 85kg the weight was too much on my back & I was still eating more & more the stress became to much & I stopped. Since then I have gone back into a downwards spiral I'm still working in a gym but as a receptionist and i know everyone is noticing the weight gain. The more I'm there the worse I feel with the continued feelings of failure. Well that's where I am now. I feel I can't be on this merry-go-round any longer. Ive stopped solialising, caring for myself & I'm just a shell. I remember one small time in my life where I loved myself I was slim wore pretty clothes & loved the way it felt "I was slim"! My super has been released & I now have to take the big leap to book the surgery. I hope this tool will help me towards releasing my from my life long battle. Thanks for reading & would love to hear back from you. Your friend and colleague in the battle of the bulge

I'm sorry Ashlee you are going through so much, For 2.5 seconds I almost regretted mine to but then quickly found the bright side of things. No more weight gain for a while & I started looking at the long term, I pray you feel better quick & the negative aspect of your surgery ends quick & like Katie said ignore those comments. Sometimes grandparents can take things to far & you find yourself wanting to choke them. I have a grandma & I just smh @ her lol. I think we are very brave for taking a stand. It will get better. I'm 5 wks out now & I was having issues too. neek41

Hi to all February banders! My surgery was February 24. Down 82 pounds so far! 25 to go. Weight loss lately is only a pound a week at this stage of my journey. Even had a few weeks where no weight loss but no weight gain either. Challenge will be the winter months. Do a lot more sitting around in the evenings. A big incentive is my daughter is getting married in August so want to be looking good for that. My Dr. Says I am doing great, hope it continues

I feel the same way Auntbrat, I was banded on Monday and I am nervous about going back to work...it's hard to concentrate. All the soreness is gone and I am all healed and physically I feel wonderful. However, mentally I feel miserable b/c I can't eat anything... and I am tired..weak and frustrated with myself. I m worried that I wont lose any weight...and that I'll be failure at this... or it'll be just like every other diet I've ever been on..lose some weight...gain it back... or just not lose any at all. I am scared this is all going to be a waste. I hate myself right now... so many questions that only time can answer and it sucks. I wanna eat things other than broth, shakes, Water, pudding, and Soup... I am starting to regret this whole procedure. I def. need a boost and help... I need to know that this will work... I've lost like 13lbs since the liquid diet before surgery... but I don't know how I can keep this up...I m starting to doubt myself and everything I've done... sad, confused... this is horrible

My total cholesterol isn't too bad at 181. I was very happy to see my HDL at 53 when it was once 17. Dexter, your post gave me visions of The Hurt Locker! I am sure this is all related to my massive weight gain. I was the picture of good health just a couple of years ago when I lost a bunch of weight (weight that I put back on).

For three years now I've had a lot of trouble with both my knees. I'd been told numerous times that because of my weight my knees were both, bone on bone and I had osteoarthritis. Long story short, double knee replacement surgery was in my future. Since my surgery in January I've done very little exercise, due to the lack of flexibility and intense pain. I finally got into a pain management center and was ready to get my first Synvisc injection when the dr looked at my ex rays and told me I had the knees of a 20 year old. I don't have osteoarthritis at all, I have water on the knee and a lot of it. A knee in good condition should only hold 5 cc's of fluid. The dr removed 15 cc's of fluid and then injected the Synvisc. I felt instant relief, the pressure was almost non existent without all the fluid and the pain is minimal now. I can't believe it took this long to find this out. All those years of massive amounts of steroids for my asthma caused my major weight gain and this accumulation of fluid on my knees. At least now I can start exercising without fear of damaging my knees further.

I'll be 7 years post gastric sleeve in December. I never reached goal, but lost 80 lbs. I managed to keep most of it off for about 4 years and slowly the carbs crept back into my life and the weight gain began. I gained 35 lbs back and I'm so disgusted with myself. It took me so long to get the courage to finally have WLS. I was so nervous and afraid that I swore if I put myself through surgery I would never gain all my weight back. I've tried Keto, and did really well for about a year and a half until I was no longer losing and just couldn't commit to the lifestyle. It seems I've lost any will power I may once had and I really don't want to get a revision if I can help it. How do I restart my weight loss? I know I've probably stretched my pouch. Do I go back to drinking shakes? Has anyone had any success in losing their significant weight gain without having to have a revision, or is a revision in my future?

Hello everyone, Currently I have Optimum Choice, Inc. and unfortunately the company I work for has a total exclusion for weight loss surgery of any kind, even if it's medically necessary. I am almost 39, 5'4", 250 lbs and have been on every diet possible with success for short periods of time and then total weight gain plus. I have several co-morbidities: high blood pressure, asthma, severe heartburn, depression, anxiety, major back problems, and possible sleep apnea. I am able to change health insurance companies in November to take effect in January. Has anyone had success getting all the prelimary work done with one insurance company (sleep study, nutritionist monitored diet, psych workup, etc) and have them transfer to a new insurance company? I'm thinking about getting all of this started now so that when my insurance changes, it won't have to take as much time to be approved. Thanks in advance!

Also in The Woodlands. I was banded 4/1/2010 by Dr. Wilkenfeld through True Results. About 20 pounds so far, but now am fighting with a new prescription of Lyrica which causes weight gain. haven't gained but am in a snit because I haven't lost yet this week. I'd love to join a local support group outside a Dr's practice...I think peer-driven groups are best.

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