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Hi oolismom, you are doing great!. Just a little heads up here... you guys, THINNER for life and more control over food... looks like the truth when you begin this journey, but veteran after veteran say this is work forever. After some or much of your hunger comes back, and you can eat more, and the routine may get boring... weight gain is a very real possibility. It is important to learn new routines, and remain vigilant every day. Maintinaning is the hardest part for many. I did not even get to maintenance until almost 3 years out, and at this point am considered one of the centers most successful patients. You do not get to goal and then cruse. Do follow your docs advice, and keep aware of changes back to old behavior, and you will do fine! I love my sleeve and it makes it possible to live at goal, with all the work I did during the losing phase still in place.

My only concern is that my records have me being 5'3 and my BMI increased to 39 and has recently become 40.3. My comorbidities include hypertension, fatigue, and constant weight gain. My menstrual cycle has been irregular for the last three years, which I think is because of the weight gain. Is that enough to get me approved? I've been really stressing about it since my appointment with the money hungry surgeon from hell. My husband thinks it was gods way if preventing me from going to a surgeon who didn't have my best interest in mind. I'm hoping this new surgeon helps get me approved. Hopefully he'll include pictures as well. I'm stressed but excited to be going to a new surgeon.

Yes, the pre op diet is terrible and it was the worst part of the process for me . Due to weight gains when close to surgery my Dr made me do a 3-week pre op diet, which was horrific. Just follow their instructions and it will be worth it in the end. The doctors know what they're doing and this is great way to begin the process of losing lots of weight.

I was 160 at time that approval was gained. my doc was a true advocate, highlighting my comorbitities, family history, and chance of weight gain. Because I was lower weight my doc did not make my stomach super small, but I do understand that it is just a tool...to date loving it more than my band!!!

I wanted to cry when I read your post because I know how other people's comments about your weight can send you spiraling into depression. I have severe thyroid issues. Had it all my life. In 5th grade I suddenly went from skinny to fat. Got put on medication and went from fat to skinny again.......but not before I took horrible verbal abuse from classmates and close family members. With each pregnancy I ballooned and each time got harshly reprimanded by my doctor even though I was eating extremely healthy and much less than non pregnant. Not once did they check my thyroid level or increase my dosage. It has since been studied and found that pregnancy causes lower thyroid functioning and needs to be monitored each trimester and medication increased. One doctor halfway ridiculed me. Looked me straight in the eye and I was 7 months pregnant and repeated twice with emphasis....that's a LOT of weight! I gained 8-10 pds. a month for a 50 pd. total weight gain each time and was made to feel so bad during my appointments that I would cry all the way home....and I wasn't even that big at the time. Lol. 183 pds. was my final weigh in before giving birth. I know how hurtful those appointments can be. I went to diet doctors who made me come in weekly and weigh in. This is after I passed the 200 pd. mark. in recent years...I'm 48 now. But I was so worried about what the stupid doctor might say to me if I failed to lose so I started taking laxatives....like 4 or 5 of them the day before weigh in. I always lost 5 or 6 pounds overnight that way but it was strictly Water weight. I dehydrated myself and got dizzy and all because I was afraid of what some doctor might say. Crazy I know! Please hang in there! This surgery works in more ways than restrictions calories. Google the studies done recently. Also, my brother had the sleeve done 2 years ago and he is 5'10" and went from 300 pds to 185. I've also known several others who had it and were successful so relax..don't stress! Try your best and they will approve you. Don't let it make you crazy...

Hi, thanks for the replies, and your honesty. In the last few days he has also slipped into a deep depression, brought on by the prospect of the surgery, his increased weight gain and also the fact he decided to give up smoking. We are just working through it, and I am really trying to not be critical or 'nag' about the food stuff. I know he will come through it, but is hard to see him so down. At least last night he acknowledged that he has put on more weight recently, but he is still not motivated to try and lose any at the moment. I know he needs to come to that decision on his own. Thanks ready2B for your reply - we have had heart to hearts and he always acknowledges that he knows he is at a huge health risk. It is such a vicious circle with depression and food addiction. He is also the 'cook', as I work full time, so it makes it hard when he prepares nice food and I don't want to upset or offend him by not eating it. gosh.......... an emotional roller coaster..... Anywho..... thanks for reading.

Had the surgery on 7/29/14. First 2 weeks were ok, had very low blood sugar so had to eat some carbs. By the 3rd week, I could drink more fluids, so I upped my Water to reach the minimum. I was severely dehydrated the first 2 weeks due to adjusting to the sleeve and can only down at most 17 fl oz of water in a day. So I lost 21 pounds first 2 weeks, then my weight bumped up 5 pounds on the 3rd week when I am able to finish 40-50 fl oz of water in a day... Parents are freaking out complaining about me eating scambled egg and fish and want me to go back to full liquid diet. I'm just wondering if anyone else had this problem of weight gain at the 3 week mark? http://www.urinecolors.com/dehydration-chart.pdf I know I got dehydration because for the first 2 weeks the urine color was the bottom color of this chart. Right now, it's the 2nd to 3rd from the bottom.

I started going to the gym on Monday after several years of sitting and I've done nothing but gain both days! Almost 3 lbs now! Am I missing something? Is this normal?

I eat carbs but I am careful with the type. I had this surgery in order to live a life that is enjoyable and satisfying. I love fruits and vegetables and not having them is neither enjoyable or satisfying. My focus is Protein, and I always try and eat that first, however, this is a life-long journey and the minute I tell myself something is off-limits, the cravings begin. My carb intake slowly increased the longer I have had my sleeve but I try and make sure they are ones that are healthy for me. Old fashioned, but I believe the real truth is about the calories. All macronutrients have calories and it is the measurement of energy used for cell metabolism. Anecdotal evidence points to the increased number of calories verses the actual type of macronutrent being the real culprit of weight gain, and more and more scientific research is finding this anecdotal evidence to be true. Do not misunderstand me, certain foods can trigger dopamine receptors in the brain and various other pathways of central nervous system chemistries increasing cravings and decreasing chemical signals to the brain that help register satiety, but by and large, if calories in is less than calories out, weight will be lost. There are those who will argue that stalls are a result of "eating too many carbs" or "not eating enough calories" etc, but I don't buy it. We underestimate the number of calories by as much as 50% in the US population-can't speak for my mates across the pond, but this underestimation is pretty considerable. If "starvation mode" existed, why did concentration camp victims continue to lose weight when their captors/tormentors stopped supplying food? <jumps off soapbox> In short, I got this sleeve to use as a tool to help me control portion size and help me make healthier choices without restricting what those choices may be I weigh my food and measure everything, including carbs, and thus far, 6 months out, I have NEVER stalled. Live the life you choose and understand everyone has a different biochemistry and metabolism, some do well to limit carbs, some do ok with carbs, but it is all based on individual needs.

thanks all for the input, I have tried to limit my carb intake and up my water- im currently at 285. my first weigh in was 276 and my second at 281, I have to weigh in next week for sure im hoping to get back down to 281 so I don't show a gain. I did start birth control so im hoping a note from the doctor may explain some of the weight gain. when is everyone else due to submit to insurance for approval? I would love to be able to talk to others with emblem health!

@ Teshadb .... Yes eating small portions and feeling satisfied or not feeling always hungry like it was with the band I am looking forward to that And it really seems with that big portion of the stomach gone the gremlin production reduced makes the world of a difference in comparison to the feeling during the band. @ Cowgirljane .... WOW #160 that is amazing. That is a huge achievement !!! I would be happy to lose 60 or maybe 70 pounds. How much had you lost at your best during the lapband. I am really seeing the light at the end of the tunnel when I read your comments and see your amazing success. You girls look so vibrant and beautiful .... like it never was any different. I really hope I will go back to my normal self again , like before my illness and the weight gain started. For the last 5 years I though that was it for me, I never would be able to go back to having a normal life where eating is just normal and not a permanent issue to think about 24/7. Well I started the pre-surgery Optifast diet yesterday. 3 more weeks to go. It seems most people have only 2 weeks of optifast, we have 3 weeks to do. How long did you both do the optifast diet? And how did you do on it?

You sound just like me. This foot pain is such a hinderance in my life. I know it has exacerbated my already out of control weight gain. I want my life back. I have tried to continue walking and just put the pain behind me, but it is sooooo painful. So far my new dr appears to have hit the sweet spot with his cortisone shot. It has actually dulled the pain. That with my orthaheel tennys seem to be doing the trick. Keeping my fingers crossed. :-)

I know. I hate it. my choices are so limited compared to others. I can't have anything that Heather listed. I'm really curious how each diet's statistics are as far as weight gain back or not goes...

To add on to this, as a collective nation, we have been "Low Fat-ed" death. Over two decades of people pushing low fat diets. Low fat foods which were stuffed with sugar and carbs to compensate for the loss of flavor. I also do not bother counting fat content at all. I eat a high Protein diet, and try to keep the carbs down. Fat falls somewhere in the middle and you'll find will moderate itself if you are keeping high protein/low carb. I'm not saying it's cool to eat a bucket of lard, but the way our brains have been conditioned to see fat in foods as bad is mind boggling to me. Fat in food does not equate to weight gain.

Twitter Are your friends and family helping you lose weight or standing in your way? Don’t let your social network hold you back! Facebook Your friends and family can affect whether you lose weight as quickly as you’d like. You are more likely to become obese if your sibling, spouse, or friend is obese, and more likely to want to lose weight if your friends want to. Ask your friends to join you in eating well and exercising so that you can all get healthy and enjoy life more together! If You Want to Lose Weight, Keep an Eye on Your Social Network One of the first things you learn about weight loss surgery is that you need a support system. The more friends and family you have around, the more likely you are to lose weight. At least, that’s what you’re told. It’s mostly true but it’s not completely right. The truth is that your friends and family don’t always help you lose weight. If you have anyone sabotaging your efforts, you already know that. But your friends and family may be dragging you down without trying to. You may not even realize it’s happening. Once you do, though, you can resist the bad influence. Effect of Friends and Family on Weight Take a look at your friends and family. Are they overweight? If they are, they may be getting in the way of your own weight loss. Part of it may be genetic. If one sibling gains weight, the other is 40 percent more likely to also gain weight, according to research described in the December 2011 edition of the Harvard Men’s Health Watch. You might point to genes to explain why you can predict people’s weight gain based on their siblings’ weight gain. That may be partly true, but consider this. Spouses are 37 percent more likely to become obese if their spouse does. Okay, live together, eat together, gain or lose weight together. That makes sense, right? But do you know whose weight is most closely related to yours? It’s not the weight of your siblings or spouse. It’s your friends’ weights! If you have a close friend who becomes obese, your risk of becoming obese increases by a scary 57 percent! And, if your friends want to lose weight, you’re more likely to want to lose weight. How Your Friends Affect Your Weight You don’t live with your friends, and you don’t share their genes. So why should their weight affect yours? Part of it is just from trying to be a good friend. Your friend’s job is to cheer you up and accept you for who you are. That’s great in most cases because we all need someone on our side. Unfortunately, it works against you when you tell your friend that you just ate a half a pizza because you had a bad day at work, your friend may just tell you that you deserved that pizza. Worse, she might invite you out so that the two of you can split another pizza. Also, your perception of what is normal and acceptable might shift towards what your friends do and think. If they are overweight or obese, you may not see yourself as unhealthily overweight even if you are. If they share a few boxes of doughnuts every Sunday, you might not see any problem with those extra hundreds of calories. But continuing to do what they do can get in the way of hitting your weight loss goals. Make New Friends… When you’re getting started on your weight loss journey, think about making a few new friends who are going to support your new commitment to health. Other weight loss surgery patients: they’re going through exactly the same things that you are. Exercise buddies: find them at the gym, in the park, or through craiglist.com or meetup.com. Don’t be shy about asking if you can join them for a workout or two. If they say no, ask someone else. You might end up making a few new friends that you can hang out at other times during the day. …And Keep the Old You don’t have to ditch your old friends and stay away from your siblings and parents if they’re overweight. Ideally, you can be open with them. Explain how hard you are working to get healthy, and let them know how they can help. If you’re lucky, they’ll be willing to change some of their behaviors to support your goals and get healthier themselves. Meet to go shopping or take a walk in the park instead of to eat at a restaurant. Order an egg white omelet instead of pancakes with butter, syrup, and sausage when you go out for breakfast. Meet your friends to do crafts or pack lunches for a homeless shelter instead of baking and eating cookies. If your old friends and your family are unwilling to change, you don’t need to avoid them. Even being aware of how friends and family can affect you can protect you from following their leadwhile you’re hanging out with them. Be on the lookout for unhealthy behaviors, and make your own healthy decisions. Skip the table’s appetizers and enjoy your glass of ice water. Order what you know is right, like chicken breast or fish and vegetables, while everyone else is ordering pasta or steak, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Savor coffee while everyone else is digging into dessert. Lean on them for sympathy when you’re struggling, but don’t use them as eating buddies anymore. Eventually, they may see how happy and successful you are, and they may be ready to ask you for help losing weight. Your friends and family are there to support you, but sometimes their love for you isn’t good for your weight loss journey. Ask them to help you out by setting a good example, and keep yourself from following their lead if you know they’re eating badly.

If You Want to Lose Weight, Keep an Eye on Your Social Network One of the first things you learn about weight loss surgery is that you need a support system. The more friends and family you have around, the more likely you are to lose weight. At least, that’s what you’re told. It’s mostly true but it’s not completely right. The truth is that your friends and family don’t always help you lose weight. If you have anyone sabotaging your efforts, you already know that. But your friends and family may be dragging you down without trying to. You may not even realize it’s happening. Once you do, though, you can resist the bad influence. Effect of Friends and Family on Weight Take a look at your friends and family. Are they overweight? If they are, they may be getting in the way of your own weight loss. Part of it may be genetic. If one sibling gains weight, the other is 40 percent more likely to also gain weight, according to research described in the December 2011 edition of the Harvard Men’s Health Watch. You might point to genes to explain why you can predict people’s weight gain based on their siblings’ weight gain. That may be partly true, but consider this. Spouses are 37 percent more likely to become obese if their spouse does. Okay, live together, eat together, gain or lose weight together. That makes sense, right? But do you know whose weight is most closely related to yours? It’s not the weight of your siblings or spouse. It’s your friends’ weights! If you have a close friend who becomes obese, your risk of becoming obese increases by a scary 57 percent! And, if your friends want to lose weight, you’re more likely to want to lose weight. How Your Friends Affect Your Weight You don’t live with your friends, and you don’t share their genes. So why should their weight affect yours? Part of it is just from trying to be a good friend. Your friend’s job is to cheer you up and accept you for who you are. That’s great in most cases because we all need someone on our side. Unfortunately, it works against you when you tell your friend that you just ate a half a pizza because you had a bad day at work, your friend may just tell you that you deserved that pizza. Worse, she might invite you out so that the two of you can split another pizza. Also, your perception of what is normal and acceptable might shift towards what your friends do and think. If they are overweight or obese, you may not see yourself as unhealthily overweight even if you are. If they share a few boxes of doughnuts every Sunday, you might not see any problem with those extra hundreds of calories. But continuing to do what they do can get in the way of hitting your weight loss goals. Make New Friends… When you’re getting started on your weight loss journey, think about making a few new friends who are going to support your new commitment to health. Other weight loss surgery patients: they’re going through exactly the same things that you are. Exercise buddies: find them at the gym, in the park, or through craiglist.com or meetup.com. Don’t be shy about asking if you can join them for a workout or two. If they say no, ask someone else. You might end up making a few new friends that you can hang out at other times during the day. …And Keep the Old You don’t have to ditch your old friends and stay away from your siblings and parents if they’re overweight. Ideally, you can be open with them. Explain how hard you are working to get healthy, and let them know how they can help. If you’re lucky, they’ll be willing to change some of their behaviors to support your goals and get healthier themselves. Meet to go shopping or take a walk in the park instead of to eat at a restaurant. Order an egg white omelet instead of pancakes with butter, syrup, and sausage when you go out for breakfast. Meet your friends to do crafts or pack lunches for a homeless shelter instead of baking and eating cookies. If your old friends and your family are unwilling to change, you don’t need to avoid them. Even being aware of how friends and family can affect you can protect you from following their leadwhile you’re hanging out with them. Be on the lookout for unhealthy behaviors, and make your own healthy decisions. Skip the table’s appetizers and enjoy your glass of ice water. Order what you know is right, like chicken breast or fish and vegetables, while everyone else is ordering pasta or steak, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Savor coffee while everyone else is digging into dessert. Lean on them for sympathy when you’re struggling, but don’t use them as eating buddies anymore. Eventually, they may see how happy and successful you are, and they may be ready to ask you for help losing weight. Your friends and family are there to support you, but sometimes their love for you isn’t good for your weight loss journey. Ask them to help you out by setting a good example, and keep yourself from following their lead if you know they’re eating badly.

Ughh. I've gained three pounds from the Prednisone I'm on right now. And I've got about 6-7 days left on this medicine. Please let this just be because of the medicine and not let me gain that much more. Hopefully will lose it once the medicine is done, but I'd been doing so good, so it's disappointing for the time being.

My GP informed me my metabolism level dropped significantly after I went thru menopause which was causing the weight gain at such a fast rate. Don't get me wrong, I also wasn't moving like I had been (workouts went from 3-4/week to just walks around my neighborhood). This was due to the unexpected fatigue that hit me hard at that time. So I started Weight Watchers, followed everything by the book for seven weeks. Not only did I not lose anything (weight or inches), I actually gained a little. My GP said it was because I was post-menopausal. This is why she recommended me for this surgery. I recognize my fears are creating these negative thoughts, therefore, I think I'm going to create a scrapbook of this amazing journey. I'm hoping it will keep me busy and motivated while I conquer this thing called obesity.

The pill doesn't necessarily make you gain weight but the hormones that are released definitely play a part in weight gain. I have Mirena IUD and the hormones stay located to that specific area. It usually does not encourage weight gain

I've stalled for months... but usually that is due to becoming careless about exercise or food choices. The last instance was an indicator that I needed another fill. Before WLS what are now "stalls" would have been periods major weight gain! I can go on autopilot for several months without gaining a pound, and that is a good feeling! I've actually been able to diet to a slightly lower weight that were I am now at almost 2 years out of surgery, but I was not able to maintain the weight over the winter months and eventually gained and lost on a yo-yo course. The band at worst provides stability and the weight stays off. At best, I see a few pounds being shed every few weeks.

Hi all. I'm currently on month 3 of my pre-op process. I have to be weight monthly to show the insurance company 6 months of weights (I have emblem HIP prime) my first weigh in I was 276, 2nd weigh in I was 281 and not somehow I've sky rocketed to 289. The surgeons office initially told me not to gain or lose more than about 7 pounds. I have basically almost doubled that. Has anyone been denied for weight gain during the 6 month process? I don't want to weigh in at 289 for august so I'm going to try and drop some weight but I don't think I'll be able to drop 8 pounds with only one week left in august. I started birth control again after 8 months of not being on it and I feel like that has something to do with the weight gain. Help!!!! I do not want to be denied I'm so stressed out about this.

Hello. I have mercy care too and 35 bmi. I dont have comorbids, then I see they have depression. I probably have sleep apnea. What is the no weight rule? They have me on meds that cause weight gain (abilify then seroquel now geodon) If you gain weight, you get rejected?

It is a myth that medication causes weight gain and I know I will get flack from this but I do know what I am talking about. pills have no calories. Your eating habits make you gain weight not birth control. You have to stay in check. It's always easier to blame it on medication. But that one pill can not make you gain weight.

This has been the hardest week so far. I was sleeved 6-26-14 am down 32 lbs and at a stall. I know stalls are to be expected. I am more afraid that now I am eating solid foods that I am causing the stall & possible weight gain in the future. I eat the right foods but the last 2 days I ate a bigger portion at dinner time. I a one who used to eat the majority of food/calories at right. I am terrified I will get back into that habit. I was so hopeful until ow that I could control my new way of eating but not so confident now. Help!

I have some regrets. I was not always overweight, my weight gain happened within the past 8-10 years. I went to an information seminar, really just wanting to find out more about my options. At the end, they asked for our insurance cards. Next thing I knew, the clinic called and said I had been approved by my insurance, was scheduled for tests, and had a surgery date. 3 weeks later, I was in surgery. Besides my weight, I didn't have any health problems, no comorbidities, etc. I wish I had taken more time to make the decision, and spend time on a doctor supervised diet, like so many others on here have done. Of course, without the surgery I might never have put the time and energy in to diet and exercise that I do now. I'll just never know. I think this is a decision that should not be entered into lightly, everyone should do plenty of research and spend a lot of time on these boards before taking this step. I didn't do that and have too many "what ifs" and "maybe I should haves" to put behind me. I bowed to the pressure to move quickly when I should have put the brakes on and given it more consideration.