Search the Community

If you are having trouble eating more than one bite of food, you might want to call your surgery center. It's possible you have a stricture, which can be fixed. You might also be eating too big of a bite, not chewing enough, or eating too fast. I have heard of people having issues from their bras, but I think it was right after surgery (can't remember for sure). I am able to eat more food at 5 months out than I could at 6 weeks out. That's a good thing, but I have to be careful that I don't eat multiple times a day because that could cause weight gain. Hope you feel better soon!

Thanks Skinnie. I am at the opint in this whole journey where my focus is brginning to shift from "how am I going to lose all this weight" to "how am I going to eat and what am I going to feed my family from now on?" There is a different mindset, and both are necessary at different times. I have about 25 pounds to lose before PS and then only 15 to goal, so I am trying to switch to a lifestyle of eating healthy. I will still make Protein my priority and I will eat healthy veggies and fruits. Only whole grains and very little bread. If it doesn't work I can always go back to strict low carb. I am really nervous about this decision. I fear cravings and weight gain, but I think, like you said minnie, that if I stick with healthy choices then I will be ok. I am not going anywhere!! You guys rock!!

And that is perfectly fine. And completely your right. Perez Hilton is just blowing this whole thing out of proportion. everything is all fine and dandy with him as long as it aligns with his opinion of life. But when someone goes against how he feels, watch out. Then there is a personal vendetta. He is the worlds biggest hypocrite, as evidenced on how he makes fun of Jessica Simpson for her weight gain, yet praises Beth Ditto (or whatever her name is) from The Gossip on being so hot.

I think it does cause weight gain

Par1959 you are so right, logging is a key factor in weight loss success for most people. I know that When I am brutally honest with myself not logging my food intake is first on the list of things I haven't been doing also not chewing enough, not waiting between bites and eating to many carbs. This certainly explains my weight gain. I will be having my revision surgery in two weeks to fix the incredible heartburn that I'm having. I'm not looking forward to starting over but I do feel like I have a second chance to relearn everything to keep my weight loss successful.

Hi all! I just had my 12 year anniversary with the Inamed 4cc lapband. I was banded in Mexico with Dr Kuri. I was getting fills with him the first 3-4 years but after that found a local surgeon willing to fill Mexico patients. I last went for a fill in 2007 or 08..don't even remember. I had pretty good restriction..better than I ever had from my fills in TJ. I think Dr Kuri's office was being conservative with patients who didn't live close enough for an emergency unfill..I live in Nor Cal but still a good 9 hour drive back. So since my last fill I have been pretty much at my "goal" weight..staying within a 5lb + or - range. SInce I started riding motorcycles and doing track days, my motivation has been able to fit into my one piece leather track suit that is unforgiving even with a few lbs up. Today...sigh...when I hit my anniversary in August I thought I really should get this device checked out and luckily Kaiser covers getting a flouroscopy. Had that early September and it showed that the barium would barely get past my band and drain. My esophagus is twice the size it should be. I had to be unfilled the next week. I was unfilled 14 days ago and have managed to put on 16lbs since! I was already up 5lbs so now I am up over 21lbs! I KNOW this is totally my fault. I have been living with it being tighter than it should be for quite awhile. Thinking it was normal that I would have to "relieve" food from myself when I overate. I was overeating the band. It had been so long, I forgot all the rules and just dealt with it. I really had no pain..only would have acid reflux if I ate or drank too late so I learned to stop way before I went to bed. It is not easy to limit yourself to tiny portions when food just taste so darn good and we are conditioned to clean our plate. I followed the rules initially..but just ate more and more..now with consequences. Luckily and thankfully the band is in place. I think Dr Kuri's surturing of the stomach around the band helps prevent slips..Mine would have slipped long ago given how much abuse it has gone through. I had alot of pain the day of the unfill and a few days later...lots of gas pain..not sure if the unfill caused some wierd release of pressure or something but it was not comfy. I tell people I not only got the band to lose my excess weight (130lbs off total) but more importantly to KEEP IT OFF. This I have done for past 5-6 years that I have lost all my excess weight. I was a slow loser and combined with not so helpful fills initial. I think I had only 2.5cc total in my 4cc band. Dr pulled out 2cc but pretty sure I was filled to 2.5cc..who knows. Today I am seriously depressed because I am just about out of all my clothes. I don't have multiple sizes of clothes..with staying the same size or two for many years..my wardrobe is limited. I am wanting to cry thinking I need to go buy bigger sizes so I can breathe at work! Sigghh.. I have been soooo careful with what I have been eating..back to bandster portions..counting calories..the dramatic weight gain stopped for a few days..I stayed stable..but this morning it was up again by 1/2lb. Perhaps my few days back at the gym caused it...yeah right!! I have my follow up appt with the bariatric nurse dietician on Oct 30th.not sure what the plan is from here. Doctor wants my esophagus to heal if possible. I am hoping it does and that I can get SOME fill back..even 1/2. What I miss the most is not having the hunger pains. I hate feeling like a mere mortal with hunger pains and counting calories and being obsssessed with my weight after years of being stable! Sucks! I really had gone away from forums years ago. Probably typical of most band "veterans" ..life goes on. I really had no clue that so many people have been having problems. Never even knew about the gastric sleeve popping into the market. Now I am scared about all this stuff happening to me! The band looked well in place..no slips or erosion. The pouch looked ok below my stretched out esophagus..so that is the main concern right now. I am just praying I can stave off this crazy gain..I was shocked to see the scale jump 5lbs overnight..I swear I am not eating or drinking anything to cause that dramatic of a quick gain..seems technically impossible. I am sitting at work on the verge of tears thinking I am going to have to give in and head to the store and get bigger pants for work because now nothing is fitting without feeling like I cannot breathe or move! I can't wear sweats to work or stretchy pants...sigh... I always say the band was the best decision I ever made. I have had 12 years(well really half that at full goal) of doing stuff I couldn't have done obese..riding sport bikes is one..I put up with the quirks because I like the way I am..but now..I am scared to go back to where I was. Praying for the best outcome and I can keep my band, get fill back and get this excess weight off again and go back to my size 8s and 10s!! Mwhhhaaa!!

Proudgrammy, your thoughts about your daughter really touched my heart. It is such a tightrope that I feel I have to walk when discussing weight issues with my own children. My oldest daughter is 18 and just had a baby. She has the baby fat around her belly because of the pregnancy, but she is still very small. Her weight is probably the highest it has ever been, and it is close to my current weight. I am very conscious of not talking to her about being fat or "losing the baby fat." Instead, I have tried to let her guide the conversations. She asked if she could go to my Zumba class with me, and I was happy to invite her. I've shared exercise tips that I am doing and tried to always frame it in terms of being healthy not lose weight. I think that is one of the things that worries me the most about having this surgery -- I don't want my kids to see it as "mom lost weight." I want my kids to see that "mom got healthier." I try to emphasize this whenever possible including when we are doing really active things. One of the things that worries me the most is that my oldest is a busy mom who works at a fast food place and going to college -- these are all the things that led me to weight gains. I want to help her learn how to avoid my mistakes. I am also concerned about my sister and niece. Both are very obese, but they aren't ready to do anything. My sister is at the point where her health is impacted -- cpap machine, knee surgeries, swelling in ankles and feet, short of breath, unable to walk.... Yet, she has never dieted, and she isn't ready to diet. She doesn't want to change her diet or give up food. I frequently hear from them comments about how small I am getting, and I shouldn't lose more. The other day, my niece mentioned that her son saw that picture of me (my profile pic) and said I needed to eat a sandwich. It is very hard to share what I am learning about being more healthy without turning them off. And I so do not want to cause my daughter to every feel bad about her body because she is amazing and healthy, and I want her to stay that way. It's a struggle.

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)

I did my annual “go into the front closet and try on all of the winter coats” sort just now. Usually it’s a depressing exercise that means trying on 10 coats, none of them buttoning or hanging exactly right, pulling out the two that are somewhat manageable, and then vowing to buy something better-fitting at a sale. I then have to keep all of them on hand, to account for weight gain or the day I wear a bulky sweater. This year every single one of them fit. Four immediately went into the donate pile for being too big, three others went into the resale pile for just not being as flattering as I’d like, and three look FANTASTIC. Better yet I’ll likely be able to wear them all season, since as I lose weight I’ll wear more sweaters/layers, so if they fit over a tank now we’re good. I am astounded by how straightforward and affirming that was. Again: this is how average weight people go through life? They just do things like sort through winter clothes without feeling depressed for days after?

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!

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!

I just read on a pregnancy weight gain thread in the pregnancy forum that someone there had a failure of the iud and ended up preggers. I wouldn't think that being banded would have anything to do with the failure but I am curious. My TOM is a lot worse since being banded, even with control measures that usually made my period almost non-existant. It used to be a minuscule nuisance to being a huugggee problem now.

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.

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, was the weight gain an issue? At my last appt with surgeon, I was up 5# from holidays (ugh), but I've almost lost it now. Still I worry that I havent actually lost weight. Still another 3+ weeks until I start the pre-op diet, where I actually get to eat food -- 1200 kcal, 60g carb, 120 g protein, 4 meals a day. For that I am thankful. OTOH, post surgery is 1 week clear liquids, then 2 weeks full liquids. So surgeon is easier on the upside and harder on the downside. Want to add, I personally am on the fence about Premier Protein -- its too thick for me.

Bandsters: Many thanks for chiming in. I know my question is strange because most people (who get the lapband) you wouldn't consider them an excertise guru. But I love working out...alot actually! If I had my way....I would be there 3 hours a day. Used to lift alot of weights...but I mostly concentrate on cardio for the last 4 years. Maybe...that has contributed to my weight gain from 2005 - 2012 (212lbs to 290lbs currently)...outside of moving from a warm weather climate to cold and alot more stressed out (eating more comfort foods, and noticed I have drank in moderation more than before)".. Regardless, I"m curious as how my body will respond with the band....while I maintain my regular work out schedule. I absolutely love working out, so I'm trying to anticipate how my body will respond with little food and lots of excercise. Anybody else fit this category as maybe the could shed some light on this? P.S. I know its a tough question (as every person's body is different) but I'm sure other bandsters fit this category and wanted to pick their brain as to how their body responded. Or...maybe you know someone who fits this category....and you observed how they responded. Any "general trends/observations" that you noticed would be greatly appreciated! Thanks Bandsters...YOU ROCK ! Thoughts/Opinions?

I’m thinking the GERD is from my regain, is there a bunch of hoops to jump through? My sleeve was done at north memorial hospital and when I went there about revision, the doctor stated that revision wasn’t an option and I needed to see dietitian and exercise more, I explained I was doing all that but I had some med changes and it caused a little weight gain. They said it would be at least a year of supervised diet and excersize then we could talk about a revision, uggg. what clinic did you go to and what hospital is surgery going to be done? mom sure it would be better than traveling to Rochester for all appointments. thank you

Maybe you should think before you make a smart ass remark like that. These types of surgeries aren't for vanity reasons. They are medically necessary. I was in an accident on ice and subsequently acquired severe spinal stenosis when my hip was injured. Couldn't walk for over a year unassisted. At that time I wasn't overweight and was very physically active. Having to be sedentary caused me to gain over 140 pounds. In 2 years. Then I developed HBP and severe sleep apnea Bc of that weight gain. This surgery could actually help me to lose enough weight that it may take the pressure off my spine and allow me the opportunity to get off disability. You can kiss my fat ass

A couple of things. My surgeon isn't worried about stretching. Also, as I said, I'm talking about one can of soda over a few hours. Finally, I did look for medically accredited reports on stretching the sleeve by drinking soda and I couldn't find any. This link goes to a website, not a hospital or a doctor. The story was written by the anonymous "OC Staff". Are they licensed surgeons - I doubt it. Also, the "article" the OC Staff link to as a reference was also written by them and is says nothing about soda (see below). My point is that a sleeve is less stretchable than our original stomach. As I said, constant over consumption of anything will cause weight gain and stomach trauma... HOW TO PREVENT THE STRETCH AFTER GASTRIC SLEEVE SURGERY Eating one or two large meals will not lead to a permanently stretched stomach or issues with your hunger and fullness triggers. However, doing this multiple times can lead to issues. The list below hi-lights key points to reduce the risk of stretching your stomach after gastric sleeve surgery. Limit volume not sweets. Instead of totally limiting every aspect of your diet, give yourself a reward once a week with a special treat limited in size. But do not go out and eat a large meal – regardless of the type of food. Do not drink when you eat. It’s better to drink your fluids an hour or two before eating and/or an hour or two after. This lets the fluids digest and they won’t increase the amount of gas that can build or limit the amount of space for nutrient dense foods. If you do have a bigger than normal meal, make your next meal small and make sure you don’t make larger meals a habit. If you are always feeling hungry, then eat small amounts of healthy snacks in between meals. Almonds are a delicious and healthy way to feel satisfied in between meals. Get a good book with healthy recipes that are geared for people who have gone through gastric sleeve surgery. We’ve got a list of our favorite books here. DO NOT get discouraged. If you fell off the wagon and binged one or two meals or even the entire previous week. The stomach and the mind is an amazingly resilient thing. Start over and start eating normal meals again. Call your surgeon and ask for help before it gets too far out of hand. Get on the online forums and ask others for help. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help. Here is a list of our favorite forums. So stretching your stomach after gastric sleeve surgery is not a myth. It can happen and it does happen. Be aware of it and prevent it. Remember how hard the surgery and recovery was? Remember what a big decision you made? Its never too late to change your habits and get back on the right track.

Well here it goes. I had vertical banding years ago and my Dr. never indicated if soda was good or bad. In the beginning I could not because of the small pouch, but as I stretched it out soda was fine. BUT I do think soda did contribute to the stretching and expansion of the pouch, and in turn helped cause the weight gain and other issues I now have. I am having revision to Bypass and already steer clear of soda all together. I learned from B4. FYI: My son recently had the sleeve MLS and even though his Dr did not specifically say no to soda, he cannot handle the gas pain it causes.

Here's the problem with that study and many others. It just proves correlation. Nowhere does it mention what these people's diets were outside of diet pop. Most people who drink diet pop were already overweight and had these diseases. We have no idea what else those people in that study were eating or drinking outside of diet pop so how can we say diet pop is the cause? The very few studies that exist that dry to show causation by controlling the diet of the participants have not found a link to weight gain by drinking diet pop. I ate fruit when I was gaining weight. It would be like saying fruit causes weight gain but let's forget the chips, pizza, and Taco Bell was eating as well As to the Water thing, the main ingredient in diet pop is water so it hydrates you as well. What is baffling to me is people will mix aspartame and chemicals in their water and thing it's better than diet pop.

I've ordered his book. I'm stopping the weight gain now and will reverse it by right eating. Its too easy to fall back into the bad eating habits and thinking. I guess for us it will be a never ending battle to eat right. I wonder how many other VSG's out there have had problems with gaining weight and how they reversed it or if they did. Good luck on your continued weight loss.

For the past 6 weeks I have been very ill with the flu, sinus infection, Upper RI, etc My doctor put me on Penisone and I have gained 7 lbs in 10 days. My 5th of 6 NUT visit is tomorrow. What happens if I gain weight?

Haha! I guess you should not worry so much about the scale weight duing TOM. And just realize it is TOm causing weight gain. Good luck.Karen

Hey Guys! My date is December 13th with Dr. Pompa in TJ. Can't wait to be on the other side! I start my liquid pre-op one week before, but I'm thinking of doing low carb for a few weeks before that so I can stop this barreling train of weight gain I'm on.