Search the Community

Ok. I didn't ask about me because if I have lost 55 pounds and therefore they are not worried about me. If I came in with a 5 pound gain they would be workable. I also have had a hystorectomy and gone through menopause (all of this is in my chart) and don't have that problem anymore. I asked that way because I have a daughter and friends who are going through this program and I would never want to throw any red flags for them. I did re-read my post and I didn't tell him that it was not the truth. I meant that comment in the post to be a note to you guys that I was not using the real reason. I never told him that women were saying that and it was not the truth. I merely asked him if someone had a weight gain because of their time of month would they be delayed in getting their surgery. That was not the real reason for why I was asked to ask the question. That's what "which was not the truth" meant. I understand you are VERY upset about being told you would be delayed in getting your surgery. HELLO...WE ALL ARE. We were all told that it would be before the end of the year when we started this in spring or early summer. We all have had the disappointment that we will now have more than a four month wait until surgery AFTER the surgeon clears us. We are ALL frustrated with this system. The alternative is to self-pay or not get the surgery. I too have been delayed and delayed due to psychs cancelling their appointments due to jury duty. My surgeon's appointment was scheduled 6 weeks out because of that something that was not my fault. I too have followed the program to a T. BUT - you are delayed NOT denied! I also understand your frustration about having to go to SSF. I traveled from 25 miles east of Sacramento yesterday through all of that traffic. I also lost a full day's work/sick leave for a half hour appointment. I feel like you're looking for someone to take your frustrations out on and I landed in front of you. I was merely trying to pass on information to other people that are going through the program. Trust me I understand your pain. Been there done that. BUT I went to the people who caused it and didn't look for someone on a message board to kick. I didn't create your problem. It's funny that I cut/copied the post I put on this board to the person who asked me to ask and she said thank you.

I don't think that was very nice what you did to the women that asked you to ask the doctor about their periods & weight gain. You went and told the doctor the real reason was because they were having trouble with weight loss. That SUCKS what you did... those woman trusted you and you also ruined it for others. You know what THANKS ALOT.... I just came home from S.F to Sacramento very upset because Dr. Le whom I had an appt with just denied my surgery. I lost 21 lb but at my appt today I was up about 6lb and I told him it was from my period (WHICH WAS THE TRUTH) and he went and told me that he hears that all day long.... like I was some kind of LIAR... well now I know why, when people like you go in and make it harder for the rest of us by telling him that some woman were not losing weight and blaming their periods.... I have taken all the required classes, I never missed or rescheduled. I reached the goal weight set by Dr. Stiles.... only to have that Jerk(DR. Le)... treat me like I was a liar. Some of us have bent over backwards to make all the scheduled appt's, driving back and forth from Sac to S.F and doing everything to a T... only to get denied. I am so upset.... especially since the last time I saw Dr. Stiles... she said I would probably have my surgery before the New Year.... I am also SICK of having to drive to S.F. it is quite ridiculous that they have hundreds and hundreds of Sac, Yuba, Folsom, and surrounding area patients that are having to drive hundreds of miles to do this.... how wonderful it is for the enviroment as well as being horrrrrible for the patients driving all that way.... only for KAISER to save a buck!!! When this is all over I am going to write a NASTY letter to Kaiser and demand gas money, bridge money and other expenses for having to drive to S.F. Maybe then will they get a surgery team here in Sac or Roseville!!!! Sorry RANT over.... it has been a CRAPPY night!

Wow...Ann looks beautiful despite the weight gain! Thanks for the pic! And how ironic....I'm sitting here listening to XM radio and "Even It Up" just came on! Happy 4th of July! Toni

Hi All, I understand. I've got an extra 15 I'd like to be rid of. But please... BIG picture!! I've got 15, not 115!! Do NOT beat yourselves up!! I think that only leads to depression and more weight gain. Take some small steps. And, maybe recognize that if it doesn't change, you are STILL so much better off!! :D

Not going to look into attempting to get preg until I'm banded and have lost a considerable about of weight (currently doing 90 pre-approval diet for insurance). My symptoms included, adult acne, facial hair, horrid weight gain, HEAVY periods, depression and lack of energy. I guess I'll tell my PCP im interested in looking into being tested for it. Just wasn't sure if it was done with a PAP or a blood test or ultrasound.. Thanks for the reply :biggrin:

There is not a specific test. It is diagnosed according to symptoms. Here is some info that I pulled from this website. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) I hope it helps to answer some of your questions. PCOS effects so many areas in your life. It is about so much more than fertility. As I am learning to manage my symptoms, I am only now realizing the effect this has had on many aspects of my life. Best wishes to you. I hope this helps. What tests are used to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? There is no single test to diagnose PCOS. Your doctor will take a medical history, perform a physical exam, and possibly take some tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms. During the physical exam the doctor will want to measure your blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and waist size. He or she also will check out the areas of increased hair growth, so try to allow the natural hair growth for a few days before the visit. Your doctor might want to do a pelvic exam to see if your ovaries are enlarged or swollen by the increased number of small cysts. A vaginal ultrasound also might be used to examine the ovaries for cysts and check out the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. The uterine lining may become thicker if your periods are not regular. You also might have blood taken to check your hormone levels and to measure glucose (sugar) levels What are the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? Not all women with PCOS share the same symptoms. These are some of the symptoms of PCOS: infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding infertility (not able to get pregnant) because of not ovulating increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes—a condition called hirsutism (HER-suh-tiz-um) ovarian cysts acne, oily skin, or dandruff weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes high cholesterol high blood pressure male-pattern baldness or thinning hair Patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area pelvic pain anxiety or depression due to appearance and/or infertility sleep apnea—excessive snoring and times when breathing stops while asleep

Do you have kids? They said it is easier if you do so was curious... I was suppose to get the skyla this past Tuesday but as I stated before I couldn't don't know if it was because my period was here or of the medicine they gave me to soften my cervix but I couldn't do it. Yes! I was beyond scared but days passing I have been thinking about weight gain on pills and other complications that may occur. And I'm hitting the gym tonight [emoji1491](period slowing down)

diet update- was going very well until I had to take a strong anti-inflammatory because of my jaw operation - water retention, rapid weight gain and constipation - up about 6 pounds! prescription ends in 3 and 1/2 days and will see if weight goes back down.

I'am currently in my 6 months of monitored diet. My first appointment was in February and I was 253 lbs (I'm 5'3), I went to my first consultation two weeks later and gained 2 lbs. At my second doctors appointment I weighed in at the same 255 lbs. My insurance doesn't say that if I gain weight, that I will be denied, but I've read things online that says people have heard if you gain weight you can get denied. The reason for the weight gain is stress. I recently got moved to the third shift, and I'm struggling getting my eating times switched around, sleep schedule adjusted, and had to file a sexual harassment claim against a co-worker. So, the stress is there and I go to food for "relief". I did tell my doctor this information, and she wrote it on the sheet that I recently moved to third shift, but idk. Now, I'm just so scared that I'll get denied because of a measly 2 lbs weight gain.... Please help! TIA!

It's a shame how people treat obesity yet there are 'rehab centers' etc. for under-eating, bulimia! I truly believe obese people also suffer from body dysmorphic disease yet no one addresses this psych. factor of weight gain! They think and say, "move more, eat less!" (duh!) But do they say to anorexics "move less, eat more and you'll be fine!" of course not. Our society and culture's obsession with physical beauty is to blame! Anorexics can hide their skeletal frames under clothing, hair and makeup! Obese people can't hide-they do so by avoiding social interactions where they feel judged and less than everyone else. Don't get me started on drug addicts-in snd out of rehab -mostly on taxpayers dime, they can't work (or won't!), free housing, etc. our culture is warped! In the 60's women burned their bras as a symbol of freedom from male oppression and to be proud of our "natural" bodies! -FF to the 2000's and women must have huge breasts to feel beautiful, so they have augmentation! Why hasnt Gloria Stineham addressed this flip-flop of women's lib! Sorry for the rant! I feel better now! Peace!

Anyone had the sleeve and getting a revision due to having no restriction and weight gain? I was Sleeved April 2015 and only lost 60lbs. I’m scheduled for revision on Sept. 4th. I lost my restriction with my sleeve 6 months out and could eat regularly. I don’t have GERD issues. I’m nervous for my bypass because I keep seeing soooo many stories of people not losing enough weight or really slow. My highest weight with the sleeve was 330 in 2015. I’m currently 320. Anyone loss 100+ lbs after revision?

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.

I am new to the forum. I recently moved from Wisconsin to Texas and I gained 20 pounds with that transition. I have it down to 15, but I am very upset with myself. I want to be back at my original weight loss weight. Does anyone have a similar story or how to triumph?? Thank you so much.

Well, I was just diagnosed with this yesterday.....I've been having some serious aches and pains in my hips, knees and shoulders that I thought was just weight related..... Turns out I have an autoimmune disease called Polymyalgia Rheumatica. It's a form of arthritis. Treatment is prednisone. I had an intermuscular injection yesterday to start working on the inflammation. Not a fan at all of prednisone. It can and does increase hunger and can cause swelling and weight gain. Yay! I sort of had a feeling that something wasn't right but I didn't think is was something like this. My Rheumatologist (yes, I have one of those now) says I need to postpone my surgery until we can get this in remission. I cried all night. I have come so far, listened to people say I was taking the easy way out, have had very little support from my family but I continued on the journey to get healthy. Now my own body is fighting against me and telling me I can't have the surgery........

Hi Lucky, I don't think that the surgeon in question had any confidence problems or felt he couldn't take on a slip. He made it clear that he thought I would be a problem patient just because I actually had an opinion based on fact and discussion with other competent medical professionals.He expected me to just take the abuse he doled out at me about the "firing" without any confrontation. There was never a conversation here. That requires two people to listen and he wasn't listening. He took advantage of my moment of weakness. I was scared, feeling really low about the weight gain and band problems and then he dumped me based on the fact that I had an opinion that contradicted his. I am not that strong. I cannot live on liquids for several months without some kind of appetitie suppresant. I have an empty band and the hunger is raging. If he did not want me to take a suppressant, he should have done something about it when I called a month ago and asked him about it. I was not offered the possibility of compromise. Its possible he had a bad experience with someone else that he felt compelled to dump in my lap. Anyway, time to move on. Why can't a reasonably intelligent business woman find a doc who will actually listen??? I have had problems with my band that are documented as early as December 2004. Babs in TX

I'm afraid of depo bc of weight gain and the pill makes me sick. I've done nuva ring with success in the past. It's easier than it seems!

I am sure all of you already know this, however I'll reiterate. This is how my weight came off...coupled with exercise. I don't eat greasy foods, no pastas or rice (small potato only), I do not eat sweets. I do not believe in deprivation however I believe in eating to live. Eat foods that are light and non-greasy. Eat organic. Eat fruits. Dairy is important as well. Complex carbs are better to consume. Lean meats only! 1 can of Albacore tuna is 6oz of Protein and it has approx 1.5 grams fat per serving, 2 in a can. salad dressing has soooooo much fat and carbs in it. Take a look before you pour it all over your healthy salad greens. Too much dressing may become a double cheeseburger. B- 8AM - Isopure shake S-10AM - Yogurt (light dannon yogurt drinks) L-12PM - 1/4 - 1/2 can of Albacore Tuna, 1 cup of Salad Greens, lime juice or light dressing (very light). S- 2PM - 1/2 of Grapefruit (any kind of fruit) D-4PM - 1oz of grilled chicken breast/tuna, 1/2 cup of broccoli, 1/4 cup of baked potato S-6PM-1/2 of Protein Shake or Protein Bar 64 - 128 fl oz of Water throughout the entire day Low fat, low carb foods in moderation, every few hours. 3 bites preferrably. 3bites with good restriction. If you are exercising and the weight isnt coming off (Tann in your case 5lbs is quite alot so please don't fret).....then you need to keep a food journal. With constant snacking, one could forget exactly how many ounces of "snack" foods they actually ate, wondering why they aren't losing. I know people think it's ridiculous to count calories but it has worked for quite a few of us banded folk here on lbt. If you exert 500-700 calories in the gym per day plus extra calories your body is already burning without doing anything special, say an additional 1000 calories...and you eat 1000 calories...guess what? You will lose weight. You lose because you burn more calories than you consume. Say you eat 1,500 calories and you have only burned 1,500 calories (basal) then you maintain. Say you eat 1,500 calories but you burn 1,000 calories....then you will gain. Very simple guide. If you look at body builders, they eat like horses. They eat good foods high in protein all day long. They eat but they burn it off right away. Keeps their metabolism in full force. Working out not only strengthens your metabolism but it helps promote all over physical fitness. Exercising Benefits: Burn calories, increase circulation, improve heart health and increase endurance. The same goes for any other cardiovascular activity such as running, walking, stair climbing, dancing and so on. Cardiovascular exercise is one of the best health insurance policies you will ever find. But despite its calorie-burning and heart-protecting benefits, its effect on weight loss is limited for many people, especially if it's not coupled with dietary change. Cardiovascular activity is great for preventing weight gain and great for weight management, but when used alone, it's not the perfect method for weight loss.

Hello everyone! I started my journey in March with initial consultation. I was right on the border of 39 BMI weighing 240 and 5'6". No health risks. I was facing my 60th birthday May 2nd and did not want to take a chance of poor health after 60. I am a social worker who serves drug exposed infants. The stress and overwhelming workload has contributed to my weight gain. I jumped in with support group, record transfers, nutritionist, psych eval all within the first two weeks. My doctor requires a endoscopy prior to the sleeve which I had this morning. Thank gooddness everything was normal! I have been approved and my surgery is June 11th! I am so excited but a little concerned with loose skin and aging. I keep trying to convince myself longevity is first and foremost! I enjoy reading your personal experiences!

They suspected Lupus and thyroid problems with me for years, but all the tests always came out fine. I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia and CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) in 2006. Stress brings it on full blown. My mom died toward the end of 2005 and it was so stressful for me. It caused the fibro to be full blown and I went to a new PCP. It didn't take him long to diagnose and I believe he has the correct diagnosis finally. It sure does explain all the symptoms I had for so many years. I think I've had fibro most of my life including childhood. He put me on cymbalta, Ultram, and a fab med for the fatigue ....... I'll have to think of the name of it and get back with you ........ It worked GREAT!!!! but then my husband's job changed and we no longer had insurance, so I had to stop the meds. Since then I have been able to control the fibro with stress reduction. I do still have to use some NSAIDS. I know they are contraindicated with the band, but I just take a double does of Jr. Strength liquid ibuprophen. I don't have to take it often because the stress reduction really works like a charm. I think that Rx for CFS is called Provagil. At the time it was new and very expensive. They may have a generic out now. The problem now is that with the band taking pills whole is bad and these can not be crushed. I don't take and Rx meds right now and only take vits. and things in liquid, sublingual, or chewable forms. I don't exercise. I'm not sure if the fibro & CFS can be part of the reason or not. I do find it much easier to be more active in general with all the excess weight gone. I know the FMS & CFS can be blamed for some of my excess weight gain over the years.

I too got completely unfilled when I found out I was pregnant. I ended up gaining really fast - it was crazy! I think it played with my hormones and I ended up miscarrying. Next time, I'm leaving my fill in or just slightly unfilling. I don't think rapid weight gain can hurt the baby, but if you're someone who had heavy periods with lots of clotting, then I would be very cautious about gaining weight to quickly. I think it's all ties into the hormones.

Oh well, I guess that is good to hear, at least there is a reason why it seems like it has been much harder for me...I never been to a pain management class and this was the first time I have heard of this. I think I need to go see my doctor to see if there is something I can do or possibly another medicine I can take that would not cause weight gain, especially since it seems to make it quite a bit harder for me to lose, I feel like I have to work extra hard at it. I hope you have a nice weekend as well and I hope you are not in too much pain, take care of yourself. I can feel the cold weather all in my lower back and I'm not even outside today!

Judy, I had never heard of the Percocet causing weight gain before....hmmm....I wonder if that has anything to do with my extremely slow weight loss lately. I take 6 or so a day depending on the day as well as 60mg of Morphine 2 times a day, not to mention the Relafen (muscle relaxer; kind of like Motrin) But to be honest I take the smallest amount necessary just to get through the day right now. If I took anything less I wouldn't even be getting out of bed in the mornings. What now? I guess I have to work EXTRA hard! Sorry to hear you have similar problems, I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy it has been a crazy time in my life since these back problems started. I hope you are doing well, keep on top of what you need to do with Richmond Kaiser and Take Care!

Hi BBJ- I'm came into this post late so I'll be brief. Marriage is too hard to go into it without the promise of great sex to smooth out the rough edges. You're worth toe curling big Os AND a best friend that treats you right (that means not holding your former size over you). But you're smart and have already figured this out. I wish you peace and strength as you work through this break up. They're never easy; even when you do it for all of the right reasons. He hurting and likely to lash out right now. Continue to follow your instincts. It sounds like they're dead on. Hugs- Amanda PS Hubs (even with a 50 lb weight gain) still makes my toes curl after 11 years. That's what you deserve. Hold out for it.

Ok so really this is the first in a series of blogs on my journey though this addiction called food. I have been banded since june of 008 and have lost 80 pounds to date. That is untill recently...three weeks ago I went to get a fill and had exray done and my band had slipped. So he took all the fluid out and said if it does not go back to normal then I will have to have surgury again to fix....Well to me I heard that the surgury was a for gone conclusion and screw it go on and eat anything you want because ur going to have surgury anyway...felt no hope so I ate and ate and ate and ate.....17 pounds worth of eating....Felling depressed that It has not worked....but really I was not working....I know it is only a tool but I was not ready to give it up....I came into it thinking that ok really it will be forced behavior modification and i just have to choose wisely...well really I have not been...fell of the wagon....I want the freedom and not the prison of food...the goal is not to throw up....to finally listen to my body....please forgive me body for ignore you and for beating you up....I think this blogging will help.....I do not know the plan to be on I think really the only plan is to listen to my body and not throw up....I am not ready to give up the band...I am almost done paying off the band. I am a cash patient and have 2000 left to pay on the bill...care credit is such a loan shark but am thankful to have them out of my hair...so really I think it will be ok....I have PCOS and think that all the yeast and sugar has sent my pancreas into overdrive....that would explain the rapid weight gain....feeding the sickness....so im going to start metphormin again and see if that helps....will keep you posted.....

Hi Photo, I am one of those bandsters that made reference to the honeymoon stage. None of my remarks were meant to be discouraging to new bandsters. The point was some of the things Paul said are true, but they are not the Ten Commandments. All fast food is not bad for you. But if HIS addiction focused on eating too much fast food, then HE needs to stay away from it and not prostelytize about the merits of staying away from fast food joints and suggest all of it is crap because it is not. My problem is NOT fast food but the fact that I have a satiety disorder so I guess that would mean I should never go grocery shopping again. Not all bandsters exercise daily. Some have knee problems or need hip replacements or edema or other physical ailments that prevent them from moving around. Great advice to new bandsters would be to exercise, but what about the ones who cant? One of the most successful bandsters I know who is a nurse has not exercised at all through her whole journey and has been at goal almost one year and weighs 150 down from 290. She now has the gift of mobility and has the choice of whether she wants to exercise, but telling her that she needs to exercise to be successful longterm is a moot point. She has been maintaining her present weight for more than a year now and who am I to lecture her about what works or doesnt work? And what works for one, does not necessarily work for others. When the honeymoon is over (which is true for all WLS procedures) things do change and when you lose your restriction, dont have any restriction or lose your band all the demons come knocking at the door and even the folks who have been totally compliant, followed good bandster protocol and exercise daily find that they need far less calories to move around a person half the size. Weight gain for WLS patients whether it be band, RNY or any other procedure happens. If you find it demotivating for me to point out that perception changes, then that is your perrogative. I am thrilled that Paul has been so successful with his regimen. I too lost 120 lbs my first year of banding and busted my ass to achieve this success. In my second year, I lost an additional 34 pounds and then plateaued for 6 months. I quit smoking, gained about 12 pounds, had plastic surgery and all my fill removed and many of the food demons come back with the missing saline. My whole point is for those who have not reached a sweet spot or have never had one, the tool is a lot less effective and it could be very discouraging for those newbies who are not losing for those reasons to think that they are not trying hard enough. And just think how hard it would be for someone who really tries and is not seeing the results that Paul is seeing? Also for you to say that you can only think of one reason why someone would point out that there is a honeymoon period this instead of offering words of encouragement and WOOHOO!!! s and GREAT JOB! and its not a pleasant conclusion (paraphrased) is really off the mark. I do find it a little confusing that someone would think that I am trying to be hurtful by pointing out that things really change radically through this journey. Somebody once told me that there is a big difference between truth and perception. I have more or less maintained my weight give or take 5-8 lbs. Now that the honeymoon is over, it is a huge struggle to maintain this weight. 3-4 hours of exercise and a 1300 calorie a day eating plan of mostly meat and veggies and some limited carbs just aint cutting it to keep the weight off. Theres only so far you can go with restriction ( I dont barf very often 2 or 3 times a year) and the tool does become less effective several years out for lots of reasons like dwindling satiety, the fact you get used to restriction and find ways to eat around the band even though I said I would NEVER do this. I dont drink when I eat, but a pre meal cup of warm tea helps to get that little bit of extra meat down. A little more Sauce for my meat acts as extra lube and before you know it, I ate an extra two ounces of steak. OOPS! Sometimes your portions get bigger just a 1/4 oz more of this and a little of that and you dont notice until you are now eating a cup of food once again. And its easy to get complacent once the weight is off. So although many of the things Paul are saying are true, they are more easily said when you are losing 20 lbs a month. I recall when I was first doing research on the band that I went to obesityhelp lapband forum and posted and got one reply 3 days later to my posting. I remember "SouthernBandgal" Michelle was the only person to reply to my questions. THere was very little information available about the lapband three years ago, so all the protocol Paul so kindly outlined in his posting wasnt available at all and most of us back then stuck with our docs protocol and winged the rest. As said here by an earlier poster, obesity is a managed addiction. I love my band but there are limitations regarding this tool and there really is a HONEYMOON period where one should maximize losses and try their best to be as compliant as possible. I understand what Paul was doing and he has a big heart, but his guidelines work for him, not for all of us. I went to a nutritionist, a psychologist (pre and post banding), hired a personal trainer, worked out daily and posted religiously my first two years of banding. Things do change at year 3, 4, 5, so if this bothers you that I point this out, then so be it. THeres nothing I can do to make you feel differently. Babs in TX 334/180 ish Size 14 -16 Dont weigh myself anymore but my clothes still fit!!