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I had the mirena IUD and HATED it - basically every sideaffect listed, I got. I had headaches, weight retention, and a weird out-of-body feeling like my body was not actually my body. Also, it can contribute to ovarian cysts so isn't a good option for those with PCOS. I only know one person who used the nuvaring and she got pregnant the second month she was on it, and the nuvaring made it an ectopic pregnancy. I take the pill now, I'm on one of the ones that helps with PCOS symptoms (acne and facial hair). It's taking a looooong time to see those benefits though! I've been on it for 3 months. I haven't had any weight gain from it though.

Good stuff! Thanks for sharing! I do question #3. I've seen several veterans say that gaining weight a few years out is much easier and losing the weight gained is much harder. I don't believe all of these people are engaging in bad habits. How is that explained then? PS: I'm printing your post and sticking it on my fridge for when I hit maintenence!

I also had my band put in in 2010. After a year (exactly a year a week) and abysmal weight loss (@25lbs) my doctor discovered my tubing had kinked. He said he needed to go back in to fix it but it happened right after the bliss insurance expired (it is only for 12 months) and I was a cash purchase becuase my insurance doesn’t cover it. He could some how massage my abdominal wall and manipulate tube and get it to fill, but it was always a chance it wouldn’t work. And he wouldn’t fill too much because he was worried he wouldn’t be able to go in and let some out if the kink got worse. Then one day I noticed I would choke/vomit up everything solid, mushy and liquid. I even tried just sucking on ice cubes to stay hydrated. Nothing worked. Ended up at emergency room, doctor was called and greatly reduced band fill. Told me to get upper gi to check for damage and see him in three weeks. He forgot to leave script, came in mail about week later. When I called to schedule my appointment for upper gi a few days later (I was in no hurry since he wouldn’t refill for at least 6 weeks) I was told there was a problem with the script and to call doctor back for correction. When I called back I found out my surgeon had left for a tour with doctors w/o borders to Sudan. WTH. Went to a new recommended doc for a fill in a couple months after and she couldn’t fill it because of the kink. so here I am 8 years later and ready to start again with fills not even knowing if it will work. I called a new surgeon to make an appointment yesterday. I of course haven’t told them about the kinks or my upper gi appointment. That never came to pass. I would prefer a revision, but Medicare will not pay for revision unless there is a problem. Best case scenario is the kink worked it’s self out, it with additional weight gain I doubt it. Or next best for me is there is a band problem and Medicare will pay for revision. It’s kind of sad that my second best option is hoping for problems. Sorry for the length. I just know this is one group of people who understand the frustration. Sorry this was so long.

I was a 48K at my highest weight of 393. I am currently a 36k. I had a breast reduction in 2003, and wore a 42dd after that, but after pregnancy, breastfeeding and weight gain, I grew back to a K. I have been up and down in weight my whole life, but my boobs never lost or gained cup sizes, just the band. I am THRILLED to wear a 36 band now though!!! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

Not at all. It definitely can contribute to weight gain, but that has not been my experience. I had been on it about 4 years when I had surgery, and I lost at a perfectly acceptable rate, hit goal, etc. I don't think its impacted my loss at all - although I do wonder if it contributed to me being unable to lose PRIOR to surgery. But that's really irrelevant at this point, I guess.

This is a valid concern of mine. My weight has fluctuated my entire life. I once lost over 90lbs and I got a breast lift, no implants. I LOVED my breasts, even with weight gain. I loved them. Now... they are already changing. I will probably get another lift, no implants...... 😕

Hi July, have you been given a date yet for your operation. Good luck and much success with it! Geri, hope you haven't been caught up with the flights situation. What date are you due to have the op? Keep telling yourself that you are about to do something really worthwhile and life changing! Brenners, thats great news that VHI should pay for the gastric bypass! It must be a huge relief for you. Good to know that you are healing well from the band removal. Don't be hard on yourself over weight gain. You've been through such a difficult time. When you have the bypass the extra weight will fall off! Its probably frustrating you now but keep telling yourself its only a temporary gain. Just a quick update on my progress! Really pleased with how things are going. I have lost inches right below my bust, lots gone from my thighs and bum. Friday is my last day for soft/mushy food. I've had more fish in the last 10 days than what I had in the previous 3 months. At times I'm forgetting to eat, me, who was a compulsive emotional eater. Ina way its hard to believe that its only 3 and a half weeks since the op as I've been so active that Im hardly at home now. Hence the reason why I haven't been posting here much recently. Maree

Ultimately the choice is yours! I was not candidate for RNY- My dh had RNY has had NO complications, NO dumping, Can eat anything he wants, could get by on sub lingual b12 he prefers the shot. In the event of starvation or huge complications his could be reversed since his stomach is still there just not his main route. YES it is a bigger surgery and Yes the recovery is longer but MOST people do fine. The surgeons prefer the bypass since lots of patients are non-compliant as is true in most of life. The bypass does not require the amount of dedication that the band does, it is more forgiving to weight gain for bad food choices because of the malabsorption. This is a lapband support board and most here will be in favor of lapband, if you go to obesityhelp.com most will be in support of bypass. WLS is a VERY PERSONAL decision not to be entered into lightly by anyone for any of the procedures! ALL have successors and people who do not succeed!! GOOD LUCK in what ever YOU decide and remember the decision is YOURS!!

Here is a thread I copied from this forum regarding weight gain/fluctuations. I'm 2 months post op and my weight goes down then up a lb or two, then drops 2 or 3, but the overall trend is down. I'm not sure how to post a "link" from another thread, so I just copied it here. Hope this helps! (the highlighted yellow words are from my search in this forum...sorry about that). Here's the explanation for the dreaded stall (you can read the full details here, including what to do about it): The Inevitable Stall By Diana C. A "stall" a few weeks out is inevitable, and here's why. Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs of Water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when you are not getting in enough food, your body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. And when you use up 2 lbs of glycogen, you also lose 8 lbs of water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs that most people lose in the first week of a diet. As you stay in caloric deficit, however, your body starts to realize that this is not a short term problem. You start mobilizing fat from your adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But your body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy -- like, to outrun a saber tooth tiger. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. And as it puts back the 2 lbs of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though you might still be LOSING energy content to your body, yourweight will not go down or you might even GAIN for a while as you retain water to dissolve the glycogen that is being reformed and stored.

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?

We all lose at our own rate & unfortunately our rate of loss slows as we get closer to goal. I wouldn’t worry about the 3lb weight gain. Yes, it could be a fluctuation & it could be as you said, you’re not monitoring your food intake as often & have gone off plan. Getting back on your plan is your best way forward. I wouldn’t worry too much about your level of activity. I really didn’t & still don’t exercise. I lost all my weight & more. The truth is exercise accounts only for a 10-20% loss of the weight you have to lose. Got 50lbs to lose, exercising will account for only 5-10lbs. Of course there are physical, emotional & psychological benefits to exercise which will influence your decision but how much & how often you exercise is ultimately yours.

I agree, do not skip meals. You increase your metabolism every time you eat. I eat 4 or 5 times a day- 3 meals and 1 or 2 snacks. I also agree your weight gain is not actual fat, but water. Personally, I only weigh myself once a week. The flucuations drive me crazy! I wonder is going on a liquid diet for 2 or 3 days would help get you on the right track. I like Myoplex Lite. You can get it at Walmart. 170 cals. and 20 grams protien. As far as excersise that is wonderful you joined a gym. Now the next step is to go regularly. If you could only do 10 min. for now that's fine. Do that 4-5 times a week and then slowly increase your time. Lastly, please don't beat yourself up. It is not productive. Each day is a chance for you to change your habits. Keep us posted! Best wishes!

My wife and I binge watched the first 3 seasons and have been waiting for each new episode. I agree the shower scenes can be excessive. Although it is a major part of their daily life as it takes a lot of time, effort, and at times a few people to help, but it doesn't need to be a lengthy part of the show. I loved Nikki as well. Her spirit and talent was subdued as she gained but it was nice to see that with every pound and effort she was getting back to being the fun, funky girl she was before the weight gain. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for sharing your story, congratulations on your success. I know many of us have lost only to regain prior to getting surgery. I think you offer some good advice, to get to the underlying issues and the "why" of weight gain. I'm sorry you are struggling, but happy that you are seeking help and thankful that you are reaching out to help all of us.

What a fantastic idea! I'm going to have to get myself a tape measure ASAP. My weight gain was kinda funny in that almost all of it is on my torso. My arms and legs are relatively skinny but my trunk has gotten bigger all over and I have the gut of a 8-months pregnant woman - with twins! My weight gain, like my mother's, was primarily post-menopausal (I went through menopause when I was 41) and over the last two years it has really been accelerated by one of the drugs that they have me on for depression. A friend of mine who used to be one of those little skinny flat-chested women gained over 60 lbs on a similar drug. I would quit the drug and in fact did try but it seems that I need it. I do like the idea of keeping track of my measurements and I should get into the habit of weighing myself, I guess. The truth is that I really want this band to work. I should use any and all tools that might help.

Hi Lovies, Great to see so many posting again... oldies and newbies :smile2: I'm sorry no personals today, there's just so much info here my head's gonna pop (((well you know it doesn't take much for me lol))). To bad we can't do one big meet up, that would be awesome!!!! You know. ... like at Pat's house Still struggling with wl ... actually weight gain uggggh. So in a nutshell nothing is new, sosdd. Still fighting the thought of another fill. Got a busy day, karate (dd), a visit to FIL...haven't seen him since his stroke 2 weeks ago...poor old thing. Then we are going to the honda dealer that I said we were going to last week LOL...gonna check out the pilot. Then if the night time storm doesn't hit us to early, we'll take a swim. How are all you chickies doing? I so wish I had more time to be here :thumbup:

Good morning all, and Happy Friday!!! SLG - Your trip sounded marvelous; hope you took some great pics! And as for your weight gain - you should be so proud of yourself! SHM - Congrats on the house! Now, I can focus all my good wishes on the promotion.... So, where is everyone else? How are you doing? If you are 'lurking', could I entice you to post even just once a month - I miss my VVs. And now for todays news bulletin - it snowed last night!!! ARGHH I don't have the garden winterized yet.....:scared2:

Hey LilMiss, The issues you are having - are you sure that cancelling the unfill was best? I REALLY hate to think that you might be doing some damage to your system through your nightly coughing. The appointment with the nutritionist can't do any harm, and may be beneficial, but I worry about your coughing. The sweet demon isn't my enemy - but those high fat Proteins are doing me in! Nuts, nuts and more nuts! I know that some of my weight gain can be attributed to the empty calories of alcohol (I went from one glass of wine a week, to having multiple glasses almost every day while on holiday). BAH!!! That is easily controlled. But the need for proteins, and my loves of all things nutty and cheesy are going to be a bigger struggle. How is everyone else doing? Roll call: Shiny, Ezma; Marathinner; Angie; Lori; Jul; RSG; St Louis; CKK;TSK; Mom; and others.

How can erosion and slippage NOT have to do w/ fills??? So what exactly happens when you overfill?? I mean, besides the obvious discomfort, if your band is too tight it is the main reason for erosion, and the gag factor that would be increased with an overfill, causes the stomach to contract, and absolutely can cause slippage.... I understand the need to vent, and no one should be judged...not judging the person, just the rather irresponsible actions.....the reason something does need to be said, is because there are newbies out here, who may be newly banded, or looking to be banded, or just struggling, and perhaps having issues of feelings of failure and having difficulty facing their surgeons (perhaps due to weight gain) who may read this (and not be a medical professional) and say, "hmmm....I could do that..." and so it goes, and it probably isnt going to be good..... there are a *LOT* of us who have had our bands for some time, and are having great, safe, success with it, and at least for me, that is because of follow up, and a great practice. We need to let folks know, that this *is* possible....but so much more possible if you make sure to get a great, accessible team.... so this whole thread is a great argument for well, not getting this done abroad....sometimes, apparently, you do get what you pay for,...

Rachel, Wow so close to your goal, but all that matters is how you feel now, if you are happy at this weight than this might be your new goal for now! As for me I am doing well, finally back on track. I have started losing slowly again after a 6 pound weight gain over a 2 month time period. I had the unfil in May and then almost a whole refill in June, now I am where I was when I was too tight and I still don't have the best of restriction. I did for the first week or so after my last fill on the 1st of July, but now I am getting more hungry more often. I am thinking I am going to need another small fill in August when I go for my follow up with my surgeon but we will see, he is really good aat listening to how I have been and comparing that with my weight loss to see if I need another fill. And he really does take into consideration what I say I think I need, so that helps too.

Oh my dear VV's!! My are we struggling??? It's such a great heartache for all of us. Lori, never feel like you are being silly because you lost your cat. I've been through that before - and I see it again on my horizon. My little buddy is getting up there, and is definitely slowing down lately. I try to ignore it, but in my heart I know it's looming. Probably not in the too near future I hope, but it's coming. Ugh, I even feel tears just thinking about it. We have for the many of us been dealing with weight gain. I know for a fact now its much more common than many might think. So many have this false hope that once they have the band that they will lose weight "forever". Well I really try to stress that, that is a false hope. Not in a bad way, but to make sure they understand that no matter what you do - YOU HAVE TO DO THIS ON YOUR OWN. The band is not some magical wizard that is going to do this for you. It helps, sure - but its more like - 10% Band - 90% Willpower. It still beats the 100% willpower though, no? My vacation was super! I just re-charged and I feel great. Now I have to get back to getting up early again. I feel sleepy! Only got about 5 hours sleep!! Anyway, back to what I was mentioning... I am seriously going to get back my weight loss mojo. I am going to be super strick for the month of August. I'm only going to have my 3 square meals - and my lunch and dinner will be strictly portion controlled. My only Snacks allowed are fruit or beef jerkey. No sliders, ie yogurt or whatever. I need to eat things that I know wont leave me hungry again too soon. Good luck and as always - KEEP SWIMMING!! This truly is a life long battle. The good thing is there is no limit on how many times we can try again. :biggrin:

I feel like I know all of the information, I started the process 10 months ago but due to my insurance being so strict I had to attend many classes, seminars, appointments, clearances, over the phone courses, etc. So I feel like the knowledge is there, however from joining this site I am learning new things every day, especially when looking at the post op forums. I know unexpected things will pop up and am prepared for the stalls including the famous 3 week stall and some initial weight gain from water immediately after surgery. Vitamins are something I definitely need to work on. My vitamin D was previously low but I am working on that. Iron is also another issue that I need to be prepared for as I am borderline anemic. I've heard of many post ops being hospitalized and having health issues from not keeping up with their Iron. Working in healthcare I have access to the providers and their knowledge on the subject. One thing with multivitamins is if you overdose on Iron that can be an issue too that can cause issues with your can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and in extreme cases liver failure. Therefore, I am going to be in constant contact with my provider and request routine blood work on all of my levels. Since we have surgery in April, most of us will be meeting our deductibles and out of pocket max so aside from any copay's we can get as much work done that our insurance deems as medically necessary. This includes blood work and labs on nutrition and vitamin levels. For instance, my deductible is $750 and out of pocket max is $3000. Since my surgery is around $30,000 I met my out of pocket max of $3000 and can get as much work done as I need to for the remainder of the year. Again, copay's still need to be paid for each visit. If I get blood work done by my primary care provider my copay is only $10 compared to the $50 to go to a specialist who will do the same thing. So in general I feel like I am pretty prepared when it comes to the aftercare and communication with my provider's and insurance policies to make sure I can keep in touch with my body to know where I am deficient and what vitamins I will need to increase during the weight loss. I still have a lot to learn about the vitamins. I just cannot get past the taste of chewable vitamins. I tried the Flinstone Chewables my surgeon's office recommended and they are absolutely disgusting with an aftertaste that returns all day. Therefore, I think crushing my pills and putting them in yogurt might be my best option. One tablespoon I do not think will be too hard to get down. I have to take anxiety medication anyways so this won't be too hard I think. In regards to protein, I am currently doing Premier Protein and I am in LOVE!! They recently came out with new flavors such as Oreo & Cream, Peaches & Cream, Caramel, Banana & Cream, along with their traditional of Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberries & Cream. The reason I chose this was it has 30 grams of protein in 11oz so even if I cannot consume much in a day, 2 shakes meets my minimum protein for the day and can also double as liquids so will at least give me 22 oz of that. It has 1 gram of sugar per shake, 160 calories, 24 vitamins and nutrients, 5 grams of carbs, and 3 grams of fat, so it works perfect for the traditional Keto Diet. Along with this I will buy myself a rotisserie chicken and slowly pick through that throughout the week. Seems like a pretty cheap diet and I can treat myself to steak every once in a while. My nutritionist wants me to get my protein intake for the day before I move to vegetables, and then carbs which I will rarely be able to ever meet during the weight loss period. After surgery I am prepared for the possibility of not being able to consume Premier Protein anymore. A lot of people say dairy becomes hard to consume after surgery, in which case I think the clear, non dairy Isopure would be a great substitute. Popsicles made from protein drinks also sounds like a fabulous idea. I'd love any other suggestions anyone else may have, and am SUPER excited to get to meet some fellow April Sleever's. I'd love to keep in touch so we can all help each other on our journey!!

Hi, I have bipolar and severe anxiety. Like you, I have worked really hard on my mental health over the last couple of years to get into a good head space. My mental health is now pretty stable and I'm working and have good relationships with my family and generally happy and stable for the most part. A lot of the psych med's I've been on for the last 20 odd years cause weight gain, which is part of the reason that I was over weight. Four months ago I had the VSG, I maintained a close relationship with my psychiatrist up to the surgery and post op. The sleeve has had zero impact on my mental health, my medication hasn't changed at all, although in saying that it is pretty standard if you have bipolar that you will be on medication for life. I'm sorry I can't tell you that it has improved, but I'm glad that it has had zero impact, I did have some concerns my mental health could get worse due to the stress of surgery. Good luck with your surgery and mental health.

I gained all of the weight back that I lost during the months before. One can also have a situation that is called last supper syndrome. You eat all of those foods you feel you won't be able to eat afterwards. The initial weight gain before the surgery has not stopped my weight loss afterwards. I am down 74lbs in 5 months. Everything will work out in the end. Good luck and keep us updated! Sent from my SM-G935P using the BariatricPal App

Hey! I've put on 2lbs this week, but I'm putting it down to the stress of moving house (I'm currently in the packing/clearing out stages) and not making room for exercise. I'm also officially back onto solid, normal foods so I'm assuming there will probably be some weight gain there too.