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I've experienced the blackout thing post-surgery, too, after 3 glasses of wine, so be careful. I think its because the alcohol enters you colon more quickly that before? Drinking contributed to my original weight gain, and I suspect it is slowing my weight loss, but I find complete abstinence difficult. That night where I had 3 glasses of wine was 3x6x20=360 calories!!!!!!

I am 46 years old - 260 lbs - I agree that even though our friends and family offer their support - they dont understand REALLY. I dont think anyone who is not going through this themselves. It has been such a roller coaster and I have not even had the surgery yet. I find myself trying not to talk too much about it to those around me because I think they are tired of hearing about it! I am scared, excited, worried and a lot of other feelings I cant explain. I am in info overload - yet feel I dont know enough. Have heard all the horror stories from friends who knew friends who didnt do well - you know there are people out there that want to scare you into not doing this. What I find though is those people generally weigh 120 lbs and have never fought weight in their whole life! They dont know how it feels to be someone else under all this fat! They also assume that if I would "watch what I eat" I could do this on my own. Well I have always tried to watch what I eat. I havent had a fried food in probably 15 years. I am not a binge eater nor an emotional eater. Though I do tend to graze when bored and I do have a sweet tooth from hell! I dont eat 3 hamburgers and a large fry with a diet coke in a single sitting! I do know I am fat because of the things I have put in my body and because I dont exercise. I also have thyroid issues and other health issues over the years that have added the weight as well.When I was 32 I had cancer - the treatments caused a 50lb weight gain in just a very short time. I have never been able to get rid of all of that even after all these years. They dont know crap! No I never was the type to just eat a small salad - but I also wasnt the type to over do it either! Anyway - none of us need to hear those types of comments. If we had not tried diets - starving ourselves only to gain more back once we figured out that being hungry all the time wasnt working. Do they really think this whole process is just a simple walk in the park? Do they not realize that we are cutting our insides in a last ditch effort to create a healthier happier person? Well that is the end of my rant..lol. I am here for you and anyone else who needs me. We can do this - we will do this - and we will be success stories!! You and me both. My date is also august 5th and scared to death.

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!

@@Inner Surfer Girl I agree with what you're saying in part. Insurance in relation to weight loss surgery definitely needs a total rehaul. In my "track" composed of the people I was grouped with also seeking surgery, for six months of classes, I personally know of two who ran into insurance firewalls even "after" having jumped through all of their mandated hoops. One was laid off a week after graduating and lost her coverage. The other was told in JULY just before she was to get her date, that her husband hadn't worked enough hours in May & June to cover the premiums, so her insurance was deemed inactive. During class one gentlemen had to drop out because his company was changing insurance. And another had to postpone hers because she couldn't arrange time off for the endless pre op appts and surgery recovery time. In a very real sense they're hoping to wait us out. Make us give up before we ever even make it to the OR. We, the obese, aren't treated as second class citizens. We're treated as disgusting blights on society. That premise is what has to change first. When I was growing up, smoking was still in fashion. They unabashedly showed cigarette commercials on TV, and they were even sold openly in vending machines. It took decades before worldwide change came about, when lung cancer was undeniably linked with tobacco use. Initially there was a lot of push back though. Change never happens without a fight, without sacrifice, especially when bottom line profit and big money is involved. It took a very long time before big corporate tobacco was made to bear the brunt of blame and reform. Only then did things start to noticeably change. Well the same thing is happening now, with the so called "obesity epidemic." And in the exact fashion that tobacco head honchos tried to shift the blame to the smoker, saying their product wasn't addictive, today, fast food, sugar additives, and the like, along with the diet industry would rather zero in entirely on the fat person for being fat, as opposed to accepting any part of the blame themselves. They produce addictive products that are scientifically proven to cause weight gain. Then they price it low enough to keep you coming back for more. And after you're completely hooked, then they try and sell you a cure all in the form of Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers. It's the very definition of an endless cycle. I'm not saying that everyone's obesity is solely caused by junk food, as we know better. Genetics is a major factor as well, among others. But it being our fault entirely is the prevalent outside notion, isn't it? If we'd all just eat less and exercise more we'd all be thin right? Well, that's the misconception that has to be changed first, before we'll ever have widespread reform on more easily obtaining WLS. If WE, the obese are entirely at fault, than why should other people, thin people, have to put their insurance or tax dollars towards our fat? Personally, I think we need more and more obese people to come out of the shadows and demand WLS, not less. We need more medical studies done showing the medicinal cost savings between patient care pre and post op surgery too. In the same way that all those who began the process before us, by first seeking out a surgical option, who underwent the experimental procedures in the past with less than desirable results - we have to keep it alive too. In this forum and in other places. Only then will the proof that the demand far exceeds the supply of knowledgable surgeons and center of excellence facilities. Only then will real changes begin to be made. Our surgical wait time today can be measured in long arduous months, sometimes years, before we ever even get a bypass, sleeve, band, or whichever procedure chosen. But the fact that the numbers, the obese people, who are seeking it out are growing exponentially gives me infinite hope that those who will come after us will benefit from what we've done today to further promote the monumental need.

Hey Tiffkins and thank you... That is probably a good idea. My major weight gain started when I quit smoking, so I can't go back to that. Might try a quick home improvement project.

Ive always worked very hard.. I work 2 full time jobs and have for ever it seems.. I work in a hospital and in a nursing home doing restorative therapy.. go on vacations.. work is my life.. so I eat on the go and fast food much of the time.. yes ive been heavy for a long time.. after my children of course..and battling cancer as a child didnt help matters.. my parents were always happy when I ate.. I was an active child.. did sports and in highschool too.. was always slightly over wt because of the chemo and sterioids.. but I thinned out some after highschool.. so all was well til I started having kids.. then hello weight gain.. been that way ever since.. then a rude awakening happen.. my mom begin to have health issues.. she was over weight too.. heart trouble.. fluid over load.. stuff like that.. I could see what the weight was doing to her.. heck I work on a cardiac/cancer floor.. I knew what she was doing and tried to educate her.. but alas too late.. she kept in and out of the hospital.. fluids.. blood clots in the lung.. diabetes.. high blood pressure. then the worst possible thing.. she got a fungus in her lung.. operable... yes.. for her no because of her respitory issues...I lost my mom July 28th of last year.. yes sent me into a depression..and on more wt came... but then My hubby is like.. surgery.. im like what? he said.. we could get the lap band.. and im like huh? so we went to a seminar..and did research..and came here to this site.. found out the band was too easy to cheat on.. so hello sleeve.. I did not want to die like my mom did.. I didnt have high blood pressure or diabetes.. but hey it was gonna hit at one point im sure.. my hubby already had both of those cuz of his weight.. so we both had surgery.. mine dec 20th and his dec 27th.. then God decided to load my plate even more so to speak.. my son was murdered on dec 20th the day of my surgery.. I was devestated beyond words.. how could this happen? to me? it was unbearable.. but I had to keep on.. I had to be strong.. for me and my hubby and my other kids... hasnt been a hard journey.. other than emotionally for me.. but I had my hubby and my jobs have been the best supporters in all that has happened.. I cant believe im down 80lbs... and feeling great.. still missing my son.. and upset over that.. but health wise im great.. my hubby and I go to the gym at least 3x a week.. a trainer made a program for us and we follow it.. my hubby is down 80lbs also and I call him a stick now.. he looks so fabulous.. but he did before too in my eyes.. I cant wait to be a stick too lol.. that will come soon its only been a few months and im very proud of myself for sticking with the program and following all my docs and nurses advice.. and so now God again thinks I have nothing to do other than my 2 full time jobs.. since Ive lost the weight.. they found a mass in my leg.. they arent sure what it is..worst case situation.. cancer.. so a biopsy next tuesday..then wait for results.. he must think I have a huge platter.. but I will get thru this too.. I know I can.. been thru the worst already... but going on a vacation in may on a cruise to Alaska.. cant wait to spend that time with my hubby.. he works 2 jobs too.. runs our construction business and manages a set of condos.. so we are busy people.. .. thats my story so far.. food no longer rules me.. I rule me now. ))

Hi, I had a VSG on October 27th and have just been moved to soft food. I am following the nutritionist recommendations for food and portions. Over the last week I have not lost any weight and this morning am up 2lbs. Is this normal? Sent from my SM-G981U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

You can't "spot lose" weight because you gain and lose weight all over your body; it would make sense that even one's private parts will change with a large weight loss--they changed with a large weight gain, but we were so busy watching our buns or boobs get bigger that we didn't pay much attention to the less obvious parts. I have noticed that there's a little "pillow" on top of my pelvic bone--it wasn't there when I first met my husband. The mechanics of female pleasure don't seem to be working quite so well for me at this heavier weight. Since reading this thread, I'm actually looking forward to possibly losing that little pillow--I'm not sure I need so much "cushion for the push'n"!:thumbup:

I was too busy doing the pre-op liquid diet to do any last meal stuff. Glad I didn't cause it's really silly. There is nothing "off limits" to me and my band. But it's usually a huge waste of money because I don't eat much of it anyways. Just everyone please relax and not go into a panic that you are not going to eat your favorite food ever again. I just don't think that's true. It's really not worth the extra weight gain that your going to have to do either. Take care..happy losing. Di

I shouldn't just say today-in general I dislike this train of thought: I'd be lying if I said that years and years, the better part of a lifetime, of social constructs has affected both how I feel about myself and the way people have treated me. I sometimes have the train of thought, that I shouldn't lose weight because I'd just be giving in to "societal pressures". That if I lose the weight, I'm not going to be able to tell who my real friends are, what someone's inner soul is like, or if men are really interested in me, or would have been if I was heavier. The last time I was involved with someone, I weighed 150 lbs. (I got REALLY sick for about 6 months, this is not a normal weight for me). I looked darn good, despite being horribly unhappy in all ever venues, which would eventually lead to a 100lb weight gain. I wore a size 8 and wasn't skinny by any means, but fairly normal, not "fat" and nice curves. The guy I was involved with seemed to be really into super skinny women. and would add all these anime convention "models" or super tiny skinny chicks dressed up for comicon conventions. He also showed me his "favorite p**n star"-an incredibly skinny, rib showing bleach blonde woman. (The mere fact that he had this weird idealizations about fantasies and stereotypes should have been a red flag but I was dealing with other issues.) I finally asked him if he would find someone else more attractive simply because they were thinner. His response: "Not necessarily. I mean, maybe if you could lose 10lbs." For frame of reference, here's a photo from me from that time period (in fact, was about 160 in this photo). I think I look fine (well, despite the goofy face), and I guess I just don't get why that's not enough? Or not considered thin enough or even fat. Thank god-he's gone. But words like that haunt me because it reaffirms the concept that men will only want anorexic, fake looking women...and I will never be that. I don't want to. And I also don't want to lose weight because of comments like that. I want to be sure I'm doing this for myself, and I want to know I'll be able to cherry pick the true people from the bad when/if I start getting more attention. *Sigh*

I got sleeved 4/10. I'm not able to answer your question precisely but I'm kind of in the same boat. Currently I don't eat with my family, but I do eat with my friends. I simply check if the menu offers soup or ask if they can accommodate me. If all else fails, I order herbal tea with artificial sweetener. I've only went out with my best friend, who knows I had the surgery. It's definitely not recommended to do so now but I just had my graduation ceremony. My aunt did the gastric sleeve years before I did. I don't think she began to eat "normally" until after a year. She never fully finishes a meal but will want a small snack afterwards (yogurt). She can't handle spicy food for anything, even now. She doesn't follow the rule of 30 anymore. Almost every time she eats out, she gets heartburn, indigestion, etc. When she finishes eating, it's not because she's happily satisfied but because she's uncomfortable. That's not to say that she doesn't enjoy her food. Obviously, this is when we would go out for rich, once-in-a-while type food. She doesn't really experience this with home cooked foods. Bear in mind, she also fell into some of her old habits. Thankfully, she didn't have too much weight gain. I've also noticed she's a lot pickier now, taste wise. Downright acts like a food critic. Overall, she definitely eats enough that it isn't obvious she had WLS. She just appears to be finnicky with a sensitive stomach. Her initial recovery was a month long so that spared her from dealing with people who didn't know she did the procedure. When she went back to work, her coworkers were all up in her business demanding to know why she was eating so little (and not out of concern). They would bring her sweets even though they were fully aware she was dropping weight. It was clear they were trying to sabotage her. Outside of work, the only people she's had to deal with were family and her husband's friends. So, she only had serious social gatherings around the holidays, and she was sleeved in the Spring. WLS is obviously not ideal if you have a robust social life. For me, even when I get to my soft food stage, I'll still order soup at restaurants because I'm not going to ask them to make my food nursing-home soft in front of who I'm having dinner with. If anybody has an issue, I'll say I ate earlier. Can't drink after WLS. I'll say I've gone sober. Drinking ages you, anyway.

Okay, so don't learn to use the VSG just band it and control it that way? If that doesn't work I guess wire the jaw shut shold pretty much nip in the bud and no weight gain a all. This is getting out of hand.

Good luck to everyone. I had my band placed in 2008. Two yrs ago I started having problems with my band being too tight (last fill 10/09), reflux, food getting stuck, weight gain, and the worst for me, the health problems I was trying to prevent by having surgery in the first place. I am hoping to get approval for revision soon. I was self pay with band surgery, but I currently have Humana. I am scheduled for an EGD and esophageal manometry on Aug 1st. If my surgeon can find a medical reason why I need the revision my insurance will cover it.

Weight gain can cause testosterone levels in men to drop significantly. Pair that with the fact that many blood pressure/cholesterol and depression meds can jack with both sexual interest and equipment functioning and it's a recipe for disaster. I am like you and went through a similar issue with hubs. I finally convinced him to have his testosterone checked and his was ridiculously low. He found that embarassing for some reason but he also felt better knowing there was a reason for the lack of interest. The gel actually didn't work for him and he has to take injections once a week right now. The good news is that testosterone therapy has greatly improved his mood, his energy level and he dropped 50lbs. in three months on it. Oh yeah, that not interested issue cleared up pretty darn quick. FTW!

I had the last supper going on also. My surgery is 9-9. I had gained 7 lbs. since May when I went to see my surgeon 2 weeks ago. My liquid diet starts tomorrow officially(8-26) but because of my weight gain, they put me on it two weeks ago. Just told me to up my portions some, which I did. So...I've been doing liquid during the day, but eating supper (just moderately) until tomorrow. It has worked though, because I haven't felt completely deprived. And.. I have lost some of the pounds I put on. The bariatric nurse told me as far as liquids, to go by the "stage 2" diet but that I could also have eggs with cheese and oatmeal.

I am working out at least five times a week. I go to the gym at my job after work and I have been dedicated to my workout. I feel great after a good workout, but I have gained almost two pounds since I started. What's up with that? I have not had a fill yet and I am eating mushies which I guess is causing the weight gain. I am patient though and I know after I get my fill on June 26th the weight should start coming off again. Good luck everyone on your exercising.

thb, Hello. I didn't know if you were experiencing this personally or if it was just a research q. But yes, you can technically gain weight post fill. Examples: 1) First few fills may not get you to green. Some people may not feel any restriction at all depending on how aggressive/conservative the doc fills them. As a result, they may struggle with hunger, portions and food choices. Resulting in weight gain 2) Too tight? Than there's the bandster who gets too tight of a fill and either they don't recognize the symptoms or are so #'s focused they deal with it. As a result, this bandster does not eat proper foods to avoid getting stuck. Rather, they eat sliders and justify higher cal foods like milkshakes. And, you can stall or gain weight as a consequence. Hope this helps

I'm so sorry that you have to go thru this with your mom. It' is so hard to have your life changed and all out of whack too. I think you are very courageous> I also took care of my Mom and my Mother in Law in their last days. It was very hard to leave to go even to the store. You worry the whole time you are gone. Maybe you can go back to your basic program. I know it will be hard but you don't want your weight gains to continue. I would go back to measuring everything. Write everything you eat and drink down in a journal. It helps when you can actually, see where you are at. I don't know if this will help but good luck. BTW be sure you are getting your water and protein in.

I pulled that article for you Gummiebear. It's a good read. Think You Need a Fill? THINK AGAIN By Nikki Johnson Do you remember that feeling you had when you first had your band placed? For a while, everything was great. You didn't experience hunger, you felt satisfied with a small portion of good food, you had more energy, and you were thrilled with your initial weight loss progress. If you are like most people, your experience changed over time, Some of those feelings of hunger returned, and you stopped losing weight. You knew you needed something, so you went to your surgeon's office and asked for a "fill" right? If so, you might be surprised to learn that it is your thinking about your band, and not the band itself, that needs adjusting. The LAP-BAND Bad Word Paul O'Brien, MD, FRACS, is a skillful, compassionate surgeon and a foremost expert on the LAP-BAND System. he was involved in its design in the early 1990's and placed the first band in Australia in 1994. Since then, he has treated thousands of patients and is recognized worldwide for his expertise. When his patients utter that worst of four-letter words, "fill," in his office, they are asked to throw a dollar in the Red Cross donation bucket--a reminder that, according to Dr. O'Brien, thinking about a "fill" is just wrong thinking. How can a concept that we hear about so constantly be so very wrong? Dr. O'Brien's answer is simple: "Any adjustment to the band is something that only takes place in the context of clinical consultation--part of a relationship of trust, honesty and communication between patient and surgeon--that is much more key to the success of the patient than the precise number of milliliters of Fluid in the band. This concept of partnership is the central theme of Dr. O'Brien's new book, The Lap-Band Solution--A Partnership of Weight Loss. Patty's Note: Available on Amazon.com ISBN#9780522854121 Like many people, you might assume that weight gain or a sustained plateau means an incorrectly adjusted band; in fact, you may be right. But you may be surprised to learn that weight gain sometimes results from a band that is too tight. This is part of the reason why the "fill" concept is so misleading. If your surgeon determines that you are not losing weight as you should, then discovering why that is happening is crucial. Sometimes adding fluid to the band will only make matters worse. Life in the "GREEN ZONE" Most people who have the LAP-BAND operation will have an amazing feeling of disinterest in food for the first week after surgery, before any adjustments are even made to the fluid in the band. According to Dr. O'Brien, that lack of interest in food is referred to as satiety. A related but different feeling is satiation, or the feeling you get as you are eating, precisely at the point that you don't need any more food to eat but you do not have an uncomfortable feeling of fullness. These two feelings--satiety and satiation--are what the properly adjusted band helps you achieve, allowing you to maintain your new healthier eating habits. Your careful observation and truthful sharing of your feelings and eating behaviors, combined with the expert care and training of your surgeon and his or her staff, can make the very individual determination of whether your band is properly adjusted much more accurate. In order to help create the most effective partnership between themselves and their patients, Dr. O'Brien and his colleagues at the Australian Centre for Obesity Research and Education have developed a concept they refer to as the "Green Zone". When patients are in the green zone, they experience satiety, satiation after properly-sized small meals, and satisfactory weight loss or maintenance. However, there are also yellow and red zones, both of which indicate that the band is not optimally adjusted. If your band is too loose, you will not have the benefits the band's hunger-controlling mechanism. If your band is too tight, you will have trouble eating properly and may actually gain weight because the foods you can eat more comfortable, that tend to be liquid and calorie-rich, like ice cream and chocolate, do not provide the proper nutrition. Learning to recognize when you have the feelings and eating behaviors that signal a problem can help you give your surgeon the information he or she needs to help you keep the band optimally adjusted. Thinking Adjustment Once you have eliminated the concpet of "fills" from you Lap-Band vocabulary, you will be able to let go of much of the conventional thinking connected to it. Perhaps you have heard talk about the "ideal" amount of fluid in the Lap-Band. While it may be helpful to have some idea of how much fluid is in your band, Dr. O'Brien says there is no magic number. No perfect amount of fluid will provide the best results for everyone. He says, rather, that "whatever volume of fluid is needed to achieve the [feeling of non-hunger] is the correct volume." When you notice that you are feeling hungry or are not losing weight, your body is telling you it is time to revisit your partner in weight loss -- your surgeon. your success absolutely depends on this relationship. So rather than thinking "adjustments," adjust your thinking, and, in partnership with your surgeon, find a lifetime of health! For more information about all of the themes discussed in this article, please see Dr. O'Brien's book, The Lap-Band Solution--A Partnership for Weight Loss, which is available fro Amazon.com. We also invite you to visit LAP-BAND® System Forum - Home for more information and supportive resources.

Hi, all! Just talked to a good friend who is a pharmacist. She said that she has seen people on Prozac, Zoloft,---some of the older anti-depressants, as she puts it--gain a lot of weight. Gaining weight would definitely make me more depressed... She recommended Welbutrin XL (300mgs?) or Lexapro (?SP) because she has seen nothing but weight loss on these anti-depressants. I certainly don't want to get on anti-depressants that contribute to weight gain. Being obese is part of my misery. So--there are meds out there that help calm nerves vs. anti-depressants? I thought Valium would only be prescribed for severe, severe anxiety due to life altering events. Am I wrong? I don't know if I'm depressed or just severly irritable (nerves)...I don't feel hopeless and sad, but I do have insomnia at times and could sleep all day at times, too. The VERY WORST TIMES FOR ME ARE ABOUT 7-10 DAYS BEFORE MY PERIOD. Ahh--just want to feel calm. I've never had a panic attack--don't feel that anxious. I'm just on the edge all the time. Make sense? Any thoughts?

Jeff, I think you'll find that most bandsters have a lot of things in common. We've struggled with weight gain (physical and emotional). For a lot of us, serious health concerns are present. We're tired of sitting on the sidelines. We want to enjoy our lives and not be controlled by the flavor of the week. We've found a tool to help us in that journey. A lot of what I'm doing now is sensible, common sense things that I should have been doing all along. This forum is a great source of information and encouragement. Best of luck on your neurologist visit. I hope you can get back to your garden, walking, and biking soon!

If I was honest , then I would admit that it is the weight gain fear that is making me keep a soft diet. I started eating more normal food yesterday and today. Have not stepped on a scale but I am worried. Can you share what a normal day food intake is for you?

@@GranadoM74 OMG you're almost at the finish line. Please share once you get your date! Everyone's stories and result keep me so motivated. I know the 6 months will fly by! The weight gain or loss is a good question that I will ask my dr, thank you for brining that up. Do you know if you'll have to pay any money for the surgery? I'm not sure if I should my plan to low deductible VS the high ded that I'm on now w UHC. I may need to look into that more or search the threads. Seems like the evaluations are easy peasy I feel much better now after everyone's encouragement. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. Wishing you the best and looking forward to seeing your progress! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

did you check your hormone levels. you may have estogen dominance. too much estrogen makes you store fat. even if you eat tiny amounts. check your thyroid and glucose. work up your cholesterol. if you have metabolic syndrome you may have insuline resistance. all these factors contribute to weight gain and difficulty losing weight. i reccommend also keeping a food diary. i hate that . but it does keep you on track. i lost 85 lbs in a 14months. i work out and eat well. but i had to get some help when i wasnt losing anymore,. so now i take progesterone and metaformin. i think it is working so far. also i work out even more. i hate that too. sorry to hear you are having so much trouble. that totally sucks. maybe your port leaks and your not staying filled. i dont understand why you are not shrinking. i hope you get the right help and let us know what happens. keep strong.

I went to they gym and exercised my brains out for 3 years and never lost an ounce. I thought I was dieting, but my portions must have been too big. I was never successful without the band. If that were true, all the people on LBT would not have gotten the band. Those that could lose the weight, gained it back plus more. I don't get why Policeman does not go out of town. My dr. is charging 10,000 for the band now. Even with plane fare, it would be way less. His complication rate is the lowest in the entire Pacific Northwest. He is a center of excellence, which is almost unheard of for a town this small. They went over his records and stats with a fine tooth comb. There are probably a lot of great surgeons closer, who are doing this for a much better price that what you have been quoted. You can find someone cheaper. The recovery rate is going to be the same no matter where you go. It just depends on your body. It's getting fills that you need to figure out if you go out of town. Why finance a huge amount if you can get the surgery for a good price by another excellent surgeon?