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So now I am aggravated. After being told by the nutritionist that me gaining weight wouldn't matter with Aetna apparently it matters. My file was submitted to insurance today and the lady who submitted it called to tell me there was a 90% chance that I would be denied because Aetna has been very anal weight gain. I wish they would have told me this 4 months ago when I started this all. January 19th I will no longer be covered by my parents insurance so it's kind of a countdown to try and get this done. I guess all I can do is pray for the best but I really wish I would have known about this months ago. What was excitement that my papers had been submitted is not dread and anxiousness.

Hey there Kaz, I was actually thinking bout you today and wondering how you were doing. Ahhh mazing by the way!- .5 is still .5 take that and add it to the rest it will all add up in due course. I've learnt early on to remember not every time i overate or ate wrong foods did I see immediate weight gain but sometimes I did and sometimes it came on slowly but eventually it did of course - therefore on the flip side, I expect I should see some immediate losses, some slow ones and some stalls.... Just coming out of a stall and slow loss these last three weeks. Keep going strong - and remember all the good advice and support you give to everyone else :-) Thanks, I needed that. Yes, slipped off the bandwagon into a chocolate lake again. Not the answer! Have to keep reminding myself of the money and pain I've put myself through for this; I'm determined again! X Hi Kazyy! I think we are both walking the same path but we will not be defeated! I know stalls are frustrating but we have to push forward. One of my tools is to only weigh myself once a month or I just wait until I go to the doctor. I took someone else's strategy about getting more Protein in. I also let my clothes tell me if I am losing. I bought a dress on 4/25 that was too small for me (it was bulging on all sides, lol). Yesterday was my second time wearing it and it is now too big. I didn't realize how big it was until I saw myself in a photo my friend took. So although the numbers on the scale aren't necessarily going down, my body is obviously getting smaller. So.....take it slow, keep eating healthy, exercising and getting in your Water and protein and you will do just fine.</blockquote>Thanks Miss B! I put a dress on today and was tripping over it with less boobs and bum to keep it up lol. You're right, I'm clearing out clothes already. Lost a couple of pounds, probably just the stress of doing school reports haha. Thanks for the encouragement! We will succeed! Hi Kazzy, I just wanted to check on you to see how things are going. I'm down to 165lbs. Working hard to get to 130. I hope your weight loss is going well. Take care.Nia

Shelly513 I'm about 15months and struggling with a weight gain also. I was wondering what you were doing to drop your gained pounds and get back on track? I need help!

My weigh in is this Friday. If you are worried about the weight gain, just look in the packet they gave you and call the nutritionist and ask about it.

Hey all! I need some help or advice! I lost 53 pounds last year with my band. I hurt my back and was very limited on my exercise and ended up gaining back 15 pound the past 4 months! I have had one fill in the last 4 months and somedays I feel constricted and other days I feel nothing! Has anybody else gone through a weight gain and what did u do to get back on track??? #frusterated!

</blockquote><br> I've lost 25 pounds. Sleeved on 6/18. I have been stalled for 2 weeks now. I am disappointed because I thought I would have lost more by now. Any suggestions on how to break a stall? I've lost 57 lbs. sleeved on June 11. Weight loss has been slowing down but that is likely to the fact that I have not exercised. Started at 435 lbs and still not light enough for working out "back issues", Getting between 700-900 calories and 60 - 70 grams of protein daily. Still struggling with fluid intake, but fighting the good fight. I weigh myself once per week ever since I had several days of weight gain and felt depressed. Overall I have had great success with weekly weigh ins. Good Luck All!

whole goods are the way to go, fake foods are not only full of crap your body cant digest, but the research suggests that fooling your body with sugar free and fat free foods actually lead to weight gain.

Well I picked "healthy substitute" because that is my most frequent choice, but like many other long term sleevers at goal, I use most of the options occasionally: Wait until it passes, even if it’s a few days. I most often choose this option when I'm not at goal. Wait a day, and then give in if the craving is still there. I don't really use this option. Make a healthy substitute. Tips below! Have a bit or two of the real thing. If I can't resist, I use this option when not at goal. Give in. Enjoy your treat. Ah, life at goal! But if I've been craving a lot of crap, I might still choose Make a healthy substitute to head off weight gain. Healthy Substitutes: Sweet: Greek yogurt with a tablespoon of whipped cream cheese, sweetened with splenda, topped with splenda sweetened blueberries and a crushed graham cracker Winter time: Hot Sleepytime tea or Christmas Tea with Splenda Summer time: Lipton Diet Green Tea with Citrus Sweetened Cereal, such as chocolate Krave (measured portion using food scale) Fruit, such as Watermelon in summer, orange slices in winter (measured by container size) Crunchy: Pretzels or cheezit crackers instead of chips or cheetos (measured portion using food scale) Raw veggies with dip made from greek yogurt and ranch dressing mix or greek yogurt and little blue cheese. High Calorie coffee Drinks: Soy Latte with splash of sugar free caramel syrup. In the summer, I blend with ice for a homemade frappo. When ordering at Starbucks, I always get the tall instead of larger size. hot drink I get the soy latte and for frapp, I get the tall carramel frapp light, no whip. Just hungry: Sometimes I'm just hungry between meals. I eat a low calorie Protein, such as: light cheese stick rolled in a slice of low fat lunch meat tuna, blended with greek yogurt and mayonnaise to make a pate texture, then spread on whole wheat toast cut into quarters Deli Sandwich: I use lowfat lunchmeats. Gallo makes a great low fat salami. I like a bland cheese, and surprisingly, Velveta cheese has less calories than most. I make a full sandwich with whole wheat bread, 4 oz. of meat and 2 oz. of cheese, then I cut in half and eat half now and half for a different meal. Right before eating, I add tomatoes and lettuce. Fatty Italian: I love italian grilled veggies. I use a mandolin slicer to shave ribbons of zuchhini, yellow squash, and eggplant. Then I cut yellow and red peppers and toss in some halved cherry tomatoes. I spray all olive oil and roast. Right before it's done, I toss in a few fresh basil leaves. Top with 1/4 oz. shaved Parmesan. If you don't want to oven roast, you can pan roast the veggies too.

As most of you know, the love of my life passed away at the age of 48 on June 8. He was really my world but I know I have to move on. I'm up 23 pounds since his diagnosis and death in the past 6 months. The last 10 pounds came on quick. I've actually put off my blood work for 6 months and am having this done on Wed. I do not have a thyroid so if my levels are off it could cause some of the gain. I honestly do not eat. I know that is part of the problem. I don't eat food much and when I do I get nauseous. I drink lattes and frappes and eat fudge sickles and just sugar liquid that just goes right on down and gives me the a good feeling of comfort for awhile. Caffeine and sugar. Sugar the devil! I'm so disappointed in myself. I know that my husband wouldn't want me to do this. I try every day to do better but to no avail. I've tried sugar free crap. I hate it. Unfortunately, the sugar is my comfort and my demise. I am 2 years and 2 months out and I kept off my weight until his diagnosis in January. I know that people say that a 20 lb weight gain is pretty normal this far out but I never made it to goal. I feel so fat and terrible. I can't wear my size 10 or 12's and now its back to a 14/16. I just hate it. Lord, I need help. I'm attaching a poem I wrote called "Heaven On A Sunday". This is exactly how the last day of my husbands life really was. I know I'm traumatized because taking care of him for the last 6 months and losing him is just so much to handle. Seeing cancer eat up the person you love so very much. Seeing him go from 48 to looking 90 is beyond what I can comprehend. I miss him very much. Thanks for reading and I appreciate all of you. Heaven On A Sunday You left me on a Sunday. My life will never be the same. Such a day of suffering for you and me; But yours was so much more to be. You tried to talk but could not. Still things you and I needed to say. You tried to grab my hand to say good bye, But you had no strength left inside. You turned to look at me with those once beautiful eyes. Now showing stress of your long journey of this terrible thing inside. You seem to say to me everything would be okay. You were on your way to Heaven on this Sunday. As I watched your breath so labored and hard, Your chest rises and falls. My heart breaks into pieces to never be whole again. I see the pain you have endured and the scars on your body of a battle you fought so very hard. Tears rolled down my cheeks for the last time your name I call. I kiss your lips and tell you to go with our Savior. I watch you with my heart overflowing with love, As life leaves your face and you look at me for the very last time. I know you have gone above. Your body relaxes and my heart is crushed. I know my life will never be the same. God took you home at seven on a Sunday. I can’t seem to get away from the pain. I live with the pain of losing you everyday. I relive each and every heartbreaking moment of that Sunday. I pray for strength, Grace, and Mercy. God please take my pain away. I pray the pain will lessen and my heart won’t break as much next Sunday as today. God took you home on a Sunday. I miss you more than I can say. If I had a choice of what day our Lord would come for me, I have to say, I would choose to go to Heaven on a Sunday. Just like the Lord took you that day. Written by Lisa Beckermann for her Love Barry Bear.

I was 59 I turned 60 in June, I never gave it a thought but I had to have the surgery because I was developing type 2 diabetes and my thyroid was causing the weight gain and even though it was controlled with meds I have gained 80lbs in 2 years but last December I was gaining 5lb a month. My weight lost has been slow I have only loss 28lbs. but I feel a lot better and my blood sugar is normal. I am not noticing and wrinkles or sagging skin. I think the slow weight loss also aids with stopping sagging and wrinkling

I'm only 9 wks out but ill try to help. Yes, I think these dietary restrictions 'would' help anyone lose weight. The difference is how long can you follow these restrictions with a whole stomach and plenty of gherlin to boot? Me personally, I've done it ALL. Any diet u can name, I've done it. Low fat, low carb, pills, shakes, supplements, the list goes on. And yes, I lost. But never maintained, because eventually I got HUNGRY, and there was nothing stopping me from eating whatever I wanted to fill up. It was a viscous cycle of diets, hunger, guilt, weight gain, diet again. I'm 52 pounds down now in 9 wks. Not hungry. For once in my life im Eating to live and no longer living to eat.

I Weigh myself every morning and have noticed a pattern of a 2 lb gain the day after I've had a big workout. Yesterday I rode my bike 14 miles and supposedly burned 1200 calories but rather than drop a lb I'm up two this morning. WTF! The same thing happened earlier in the week after a very intense 75 min Yoga class and last week after a long bike ride. My weight will drop down again after a day or two but it is very frustrating. Has anyone else experienced this? Could it be some sort of inflammation? I'm not feeling unusually sore, just the usual creaky antique-y issues.

If you just had surgery last month, then you need to fully understand what this lap band surgery is all about....just because you had this thing installed, it does not always mean it is going to do anything just yet....does for some, but that is a minority...the low end of the bell curve.... Now comes the series of band adjustments to find what is the best setting for you.... When I was where you're at...(I'm assuming you're recently banded) I actually started to gain weight as though nothing changed....then only after my second adjustment my weight gain/loss leveled off...then later after another fill, started to loose consistently ... It took me months for this to actually start doing what it was supposed to do......not overnight....or weeks even But hang in there...it DOES WORK!

I think I wouldn't worry about it so much. I know we watch the scale like a hawk, or I know I do, but just after the surgery you need to focus more on being healthy. My plan for the mushy food still has me drinking Protein Drinks a couple times a day and the food you can eat is plenty, but really doesn't seem like weight gaining foods to me.

So I got my surgery a year and a few days ago, and my weight dropped from 315ish to 268 at the lowest, and was hovering around 270 for awhile..... Now, I went to a doctors appointment when I was at 278...now I weighed in at around 295 at home....... I dont want to go to my doctors and tell them this. They saw my weight gain and told me to go on a 600 calorie a day liquid diet and I was like "LOL NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" because it just sounded ridiculous and impossible. Sleeve or not, thats borderline starving yourself. Thats a BIG problem as to why I gained weight. A part of me was like "I'll show them!!!".............. and now my clothes arent fitting, so I sure showed them...

I lost about 40 pounds during my 3-month with Aetna. I was already losing when I started the process for the sleeve. The insurance coordinator at my surgeon's office said Aetna only uses the starting weight to determine BMI eligibility (mine was 42 when I started the 3-month and 39 at the end), so how much you lose during that three months...all the better. But she did emphasize that any weight gain from my initial weigh-in could get me denied by Aetna.

Here's the thing, studies show drinking carbonation post of is correlates with weight gain and/or failure to lose. That is, they have shown people who drink soda aren't as successful statistically. Is it because it stretches the sleeve? Is it because people who will break that "rule" break others as well? Who knows. Do you want to risk it? Also many many people have a lot of pain with the gas it introduces. Again, do you want to risk it? My doctor allows for flat soda. I haven't had any or any carbonation since about a month before my sleeve in December. I used to do 5 or so diet coke or Pepsi a day. Now I can take or leave it and with the risks I chose to leave it. Will I ever try it again? Maybe, I don't know. But for now I stay away. With so so many chemicals in it it's better I never go back to my five a day so I don't open the door. Bright spot is I got my kids to give it up too!

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.

I am sort of in the same boat with my hip. I had surgery two years ago and reinjured it about 3 months ago..my guess is due to weight gain. I was hoping to put off even seeing the orthro until after RNY but the pain and mobility issues are dramatically escalating. However I really hope ican have WLS first and will wait if able. For each pound lost there is signicant diminished stress on our joints. Don't put off wls too long. GOod luck.

That is a very true statement about losing the focus during the third year. It has been happening to me a bit lately. While I try and eat as I have during year 2 (very clean), a lot of carb snacks are sneaking in. And I am not talking about uber bad carbs, but like some extra fiber one here, some bare naked granola there and a ritz cracker over there. Pita chips are getting to me also. I really like those Stacy pita chips and can munch them on and off during the day if not careful. No dessert type stuff though or candy. No weight gain because I exercise every day, but don't like at how I am gravitating towards snacking without a second thought. It is almost impulse and automatic and seems to pick up when I am under a lot of work stress (which has been more often than I like recently). I need to double down on my commitment towards a healthy diet to support optimal exercise before this snacking gets the best of me. I just do not say no to temptation as well as I used to before year 3. Maybe I am getting tired of it...

Went in and saw my nut and doc Tuesday. I'm thinking I need a fill. Still eating more than I think I should. The nut took pictures because I'e lost 110lbs since I started this journey in May of 13. 71 since surgery in November. We discussed my dietary needs and off to the doc I went. He comes in with my 100lb pin and tells me he doesn't give those out too often. We discussed my weight loss since my last visit 6 weeks ago. I was down 12lbs. So I broach the subject of getting a small fill. He shuts me down and says I don't need one. He puls out my chart and said look at this column. I looked. It was the weight gain column. He tells me you haven't gain an once since starting this program. You're doing great and that I have ecceeded his expectations. We discussed my weight loss goals and where I am now and where I want to be. I'm at 180, my personal goal is 150. He said lets get you to the the 160s and go from there. That I don't want to look gaunt and I don't. I told him my main goal is to get into a size 12. He asked me what size I was wearing and I told him a 16. I'm almost there he says. Ok I can go with that. Next comes check out time. I'm not going back for 2 months!!! Scares me spitless. Im used to the support of the doc and his staff. Luckily there is a support group in 2 weeks and I have this forum plus a Briatric Friendly FB page. I know all these things are good and positive in my head, but heart isn't rational right now. I know what to do to keep on track. I've done everything that I am supposed to and I am a success story. Why am I so scared?

Hi smithpy--so sorry you are struggling. Those major life stressors can (and do) derail us big time. BUT, you are NOT IN DENIAL of the reasons for your weight gain, and that is something to pat yourself on the back for!!! You are taking ACTION!!!You have gotten great words of wisdom here so far from the above posters (as we all always do!). Please remember too, though, that you first have to get your responses to all the STRESS in your life under control before you can recommit to your WLS healthy eating habits and lifestyle. (You know-- Are you paying attention to how important it is to be GOOD TO YOURSELF EVERY DAY? Moms tend to put ourselves last, and that usually means zero time for US. Do you meditate? Do you do deep breathing? Do you take a fun short-term class/workshop? Do you meet a friend? Do find a self-help book of interest? Do you enjoy nature? Do you sing a motivational song, even if you can't sing? Do you journal? Do you buy some dumb little special thing for yourself once a week? Can you have just 4 hours a week that can be JUST YOU time that someone cares for the kids? etc etc? ). Only you know the answer to this, and of course it is not expected that you respond in any way to this here. Please do not take offense--you mentioned alcohol, and I'm sure you are aware of the potential of transfer addictions with WLS patients. Just wanted to offer a caution. You don't say how old your kid(s) are, but get them on the bandwagon with you, and create some FUN stuff to do together--both in healthy meal prep AND with fun exercise activity. Don't go this alone. This is a TEMPORARY setback, and you will clean up your habits and move on to your healthy lifestyle again! You go girl. . .

My insurance (AHCCCS - Mercy Care) requires BMI of 35+ with 1 comorbidity. My BMI is over 36, but I am unsure if I have any comorbidities. My PCP just had me do a ton of blood work yesterday (liver, kidneys, diabeties checks, WBC check, etc etc etc). This surgeons office has a list of comorbidities.. Which, according to that particular list I have about 3 or 4 of them (anxiety, depression, back pain, migranes, headaches etc). Has anyone been approved with issues other than the typical sleep apnea, diabeties, high blood pressure, etc??? (regardless of ins co) I have read a lot about the NO weight gain thing. I have been seeing a nutritionist, eating right, exercising regularly, etc.. but my GYNO put me on the Depo shot for my endometriosis pain. The Depo has made me gain 10lbs (prior to my first weigh in).. If the weight gain continues can I tell the ins co the depo caused weight gain, not my poor eating habits? I am confident I can manage my weight (and lose some here and there even) but with the depo theres no telling how much I will gain anyway. Anyone had this issue? What to do?

Thank you. I do realize that some weight gain is normal but my eating habits prove that I'm not where I need to be. Thanks for the encouragement. I do need to get back the basics again. At the gym now!!!

After being denied cause of a weight gain over 6 months, Aetna does have the 3 month program. It's all I got left so I have been doing it. Not too hard in my first month I have lost 10 pounds. U won't be done till October. Sigh!!! But better late than never!! I can't imagine they would deny me for losing weight!!! Lol