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Dearest Mikee,plz pray: my APRN wh oprescibes my psych meds promised to take me of 3 meds that cause weight gain adn then didnt follow thru---is waiting for a call from my attorney...plz pray she does it and gets me off before mys urgery adn doesnt mess me up for it THANKU...thinking of u today

HI! I had my band removed in September of this year after 3 years, but not for erosion. I'm sorry yours has eroded. It's good they found it early (or at least before you started having ugly symptoms). I chose to not have any more weight loss surgery. My insurance covered the removal as it was medically necessary. It also paid to have it implanted. Your idea of continuing to eat as though banded is good, in my opinion. It is what has helped me. I continue to lose weight or hold. At first I lost 8 pounds pretty quickly. Now it is slow and I sometimes stall for a while before it drops again. I want to lose at least 40 more pounds. Having your band removed is not an automatic sentence of weight gain! Not at all!!! Keep your goal as your top priority, no matter what. I feel so much better without the band because my body was rejecting it; so it helps me to feel how wonderful I feel being at a lighter weight and continuing on from here. I eat mostly protein and vegetables. I'm finding recipes from www.health-bent.com are helpful. My surgeon suggests a modified Mediterranean diet and also promotes the cook book found on health-bent called, Primal Cravings. I also take a high quality probiotic from Metagenics called, Acute Care. Banded or not, keep heading in the direction of your goal! I feel very fortunate to have found a surgeon who realized my band needed to come out. Your surgeon may have saved you a lot of pain and grief by getting to the problem before things got bad (as other people have described on this site). I had 3 years of discomfort, the last 2 quite miserable, before finding someone who could see clearly what needed to happen. I am so grateful. I'm glad you're being proactive about diet and thinking about how to proceed! ~hiddn~ There is another great site on Mediterranean food that I know about. Follow the link to check it up, and there are a number of great food recipes of all Mediterranean Cuisines.

I would say a myriad of things contributed to my weight gain. I had a volatile childhood of uncertainty because my parents were making up and breaking up for my young years with a lot of verbal and some physical abuse. I suffered terrible emotional abuse and guilt to choose a side. As a teen I had a drug problem and was very thin. Once I stopped using drugs I substituted with food. I also gained weight as a form of protection against men so that they would leave me alone and not require anything from me. I also have hypothyroidism and gained 70 pounds with my first pregnancy. The rest I chalk up to pure laziness. I know I feel much better when I weigh less and exercise but don't always feel like. I am so grateful to my band because now it truly limits my food intake and I have to assess what makes me want to overeat.

I hate to hi-jack this thread but it caught my eye because my 15 (just turned 15) year old daughter was just diagnosed with this. Do you think this condition led to your initial weight gains? Any words of wisdom for a mom of a teen with this....for now and/or in the future. Thanks for any information you might share. Her doctor really kind of scared me with all the "high risk" problems associated with this!

Here is my list: 1. I'm a stress eater with a child with special medical needs (rare bleeding disorder) 2. I had thyroid issues in my teens and that started my weight gain, this resolved with pregnancy, but the weight remained. 3. I did too many yoyo diets, and wanted to be Barbie when I was in high school, with thyroid issues that never works. 4. I have an autoimmune disease that causes soft tissue damage, I have had 2 knee replacements, 3 (getting ready for #4) rotator cuff repairs. And can't workout without doing major damage to my joints. 5. I spent 17 years living in Chicago, and the cold weather caused me so much pain I was a hermit for 7 months a year, just packing on the pounds. 6. I was raped when I was 16 by my former step father, and didn't tell anyone until I was in my 20's. I think I ate to silence the scared hurt little girl that was inside my head. food didn't keep me safe, but my mom always equaled food to love, that's why under my user name it says "Food in NOT love". I learned with counseling that feeding people, and overeating myself didn't fill the void in my life, or make me feel any more loved. That was a HUGE step for me. 7. Genetics just about everyone in my family is obese. My grandfather was over 400 pounds, my mom is the oldest of 10 kids, all but 3 are morbidly obese, and those 3 are still overweight, one has a lap band and is getting healthy, the rest seem happy just the way they are. *I was just diagnosed with the auto immune disorder, in the past my pain, joint damage and soft tissue injuries were ALWAYS blamed on my weight. When I lost the weight and still had issues my new doctor started looking for answers. She said weight doesn't cause rotator cuff tears, and that I shouldn't have been dismissed because of my weight. I started seeing a new doctor when my previous md was not on board with my being revised from band to sleeve. She said just remove the band and do it the old fashioned way.

I am on Nuva ring. I was on it a while prior to my sleeve. It wasn't the cause of weight gain. It is "knock on wood" not causing weight gain post sleeve.

I had the lab band removed after 9 years in 2012 little success I was 220 and got down to 170, then the reflux started and the weight gain. Had it removed and then had my stomach plicated with no success and still reflux and pain. I weight 199 now and 5'6, currently I am back on two meds for my diabetes, and I have high bp. Doctor said the only way to relieve my symptoms is to have a gastic by pass. Any one else been through this.

Hiya delove--- I have no problem swallowing the Camila pill (also known as the mini pill-- I'm assuming because of its small size and lack of estrogen). You take it every day at the exact same time and there is no week of sugar pills like with the other pills. It is very small and goes down easy. I don't necessarily need to wash it down with water either...it's that small. I've been taking it for almost 2 years now with no other problems, ie: weight gain, hair loss, etc. To get a good sense of what's best for you, check with your doc, but in the meantime, check out www.bedsider.org. There is tons of information on all the different kinds of birth control available on the market today. It also compares different types and can give you a better idea of which one may work best for you. They even have appointment reminders, refill of your medicine reminder, and daily reminders to take your medicine. You can use all of those things are only one of those things, whatever works best for you. I use their daily text reminders to make sure I take my pill at the same time every day. The reminders are usually facts about sex/birth control statistics and other random things, so just be mindful if you offend easy. But I like that they are using facts so I'm okay with that. (Even my co-worker uses the text birth control reminder the help him remember to take his heart meds daily, lol!!!) Message me if you have more questions!

Has anyone used Syntec birth control pill? I am trying to decide which method will be best cause I do not want to gain weight. My doctor's opinion is just whatever I what to use she is ok with it. Any suggestions on pills or other devices that have worked without weight gain would be appreciated.

I'm on Camila daily and have had no problems with weight gain or loss. (Although I was just banded last week on 4/18.) I did have a concern about antibiotics weakening the strength of the pill. I'll be checking with my doc this week.

I am a wife and mother of two boys. I am a leukemia patient in remission since 2004 but still underwent two years of chemotherapy with no relapse occurrence. I love camping, cooking, reading and racing. My husband and I spend most of our time with our children. We rarely eat out as we live in rural area outside of our local towns. I do most of the cooking in our home. I have been heavy all my life. After my 2nd son, my weight gain has been significant and have worked with doctors/diet programs to try to control it without success. Since then my health has been declining and in the last year, more rapidly. I have severe asthma despite treatment with severe attacks and the coughing never ends. After my 2nd year of these issues and being on the multiple medications and asthma medications. My pulmonary doctor referred me to ENT/vocal specialist and surgeons as my voice has now deteriorated and getting harder to speak. This is causing huge issues for me at work and now been placed on disability. After multiple tests and vocal therapy, tests show that I have severe GERD, severe esophageal reflux with a hiatal hernia, morbid obesity, obstructive sleep apnea and severe asthma/attacks. Upper respiratory infections set up easy and have been admitted to hospitals multiple times. Everything now has spread up to my vocal cords causing muscle tension dysphonia and inflammation. I vomit almost daily and unable to do any activity without issues with breathing, severe coughing thus induces more vomiting causing the muscles around my vocal cords to tighten even more to the point of choking. I am now getting to the point that food and liquid is making me nauseous if I intake too much or the wrong things. My medications are no longer working, and my asthma medications is weakening the sphincter valve that meets my stomach and esophagus. I have been referred for Gastric Bypass surgery to start correcting my issues. My primary specialists are in Madison, WI. For insurance reasons, I am seeing surgeons in Chicago, IL. I was apprehensive about moving to another medical center but so far have been treated very well. The hospital intake coordinator and case manager were successful in submitting for insurance approval of my surgery for medical necessity. I can only pray now for a successful surgery and trust my doctors and God to keep me safe through my journey. My support system is my family. My husband has also been through Gastric Bypass but when the surgery was newer. He has gained back some of his weight since then. We both believe that as he is my support person, we will both be on track to a healthier lifestyle again. My surgery is scheduled on May 22, 2014. I will not have to do the 3 month diet prior although I will have to do the modified protein/calorie diet 10 days before my surgery. I have also begin dabbling in the Protein shakes. I have purchased Designer Protein whey mixes in chocolate, strawberry and vanilla Almond mixed with Almond Milk. So far not too bad. Most of the Vitamins that I have purchased are in liquid form as I am told this will be easier for me to take although the dry Vitamin A and D I will have to crush. Biggest struggles will be with my not drinking my Diet Mt. Dew. I can't tell you how much I will miss it. I rarely drink and have given up smoking a long time ago. My soda was really my only vice and now have to give that up too. Since I do most of the cooking and have a family. Learning to make meals that my children will eat will be a struggle. I have two kids that are polar opposites and complain about everything. Even if it a meal I consider comfort food, they still complain. I guess for me growing up, this little chubby girl loved her Momma's southern roots! LOL I would love to keep this site/forum as a way to help me through this journey. It will allow me to give feedback/get advice and support. I pray you all have a safe and healthy journey as well.

That's is so inspiring, and I am so happy for you:) do you mind sharing how you went in the earlier weeks? I'm really struggling with this purée diet thin and have started seriously sneaking in normal food... Granted I only have 1 week of purée left to go, I'm just surprised that I can mane it with no issues plus I now feel like I am hungry all the time?? Like iv stretched my pouch whereas before I could survive hours in between the liquid shakes and stuff??? Is this normal or have I messed something up already.....Hi yummy mummy, thankyou so much :)The first few weeks were hard, I remember the first night in hospital after I had it done I would of killed for a ham sandwich with bowl of pumpkin Soup haha..I honestly believe there is no way you have ruined it so dont stress about that when you say normal food what do you mean? How many weeks out are you? I don't really remember what I ate but I know there was some trying times where I did sneak a bite of my children's food and would chew it until my jaw hurt! If you body is asking for more and sleeve excepting it you should be fine just make sure you don't touch the naughty foods just yet or pushing the limit if foods you def shouldn't be touching(steak, bread ect) longer you stay away from sweets the better your tolerance will be! I still to this day feel sick if I have more then I should I junk like chocolate chips ect, my sleeve hates maccas thankgod it feels like I'm swallowing a sponge lolMy biggest motivation was the fear of doing damage to my stomach, I was petrified of leak!!Please don't let me scare you that's what's going to happen cause you ate something a bit soon but that's what helped me stay in track..now it's still my fear that helps me to stay eating well but it's a fear of weight gain. It will be hard for awhile but eventually you will see food as fuel and when you can eat more you will realise why we are so over weight the portion sizes that out society has made us think is normal is crazy! I survive on eating as much or less then my 4yo would at a meal, always serve my food up on a bread and butter plate eating my meat and veg first then carb if still hungry. i will still have a little bit if dessert alot of the time but i have an even smaller serve then my kids or just a bite so I can still have treats and enjoy food but it doesn't rule my life anymore.Your still very early out so Water is very important, right now it's a mental challenge and you have the fear of doing wrong which is good as your conscious of your old habits meaning you wont slip back into them. Keep doing what your doing and if the hunger hits have a nibble of something healthy there's nothing wrong with that, itl keep your metabolism moving.Sorry for the novel lol but ask away I'm happy to answer any questions

So I am three days post op.. came home from the hospital and I am up 7 pounds from when I left.. Is that normal??? Thanks!

In the past two weeks I have put on 10 pounds. I panicked when the first 4 came on and decided it was time for a fill appointment the doctor was unable to locate the port. He rescheduled for next friday but in the mean time I feel like all my weight is coming back with vengeance. I eat under 1500 calories and most of it actually gets stuck what's going on?

Not at first. Right after surgery, I had to force myself to eat. I can still remember my Dr G telling me over and over again "you must eat!" (Smile) Later on, yes, I made sure to only feed my body with healthy foods to avoid weight gain. Also, with my tiny tummy and the compression garment on, it was hard to hold much food anyway. I knew it was more important for me to heal first before exercising. 9 months after my plastic surgery, on March 1, 2014, I ran my first 15K marathon. You see, exercise will always be available, but after plastic surgery, give your body time to heal. Trust me, time will pass, and you will be back to exercising in no time. Sweet Pee

Pink, I'm sorry to inform you that you have contracted the dreaded disease known as "Bandster Hell". This disease afflicts about 90% of all bandster's and can go on for several months. It's imperative that you follow your doctors orders and continue receiving adjustments until the symptoms disappear. Many bandster's avoid excessive weight gains by eating healthy foods and obey "mindfull eating" habits. This is a disease few doctors or nutritionists inform their patients of. Sucks don't it? Welcome to Bandster World.

I went to town today to buy a plastic floor mat for my computer chair and then I began to think of all the little things, outcomes from Bariatric Surgery that make a big difference in my life. I underwent surgery 11 months ago. I lost 20 pounds pre-op and 80 pounds post-op for a total weight loss of 100 pounds. I thought I would start this thread off and others who are far enough along might add to this list. 1. Replacing plastic floor mats. The floor mat is only 2 years old but it is all cracked and now chunks have broken off in the middle. This is due to my former weight. So now that I am down to 160 pounds, I may never have to replace one of these again. 2. One thing I really hated before I had the surgery was poking a hole in my finger each morning and squeezing out a drop of blood for my blood sugar meter. I was diabetic. It is now in remission from the day I left the hospital. 3. When I retired I bought a small little sports car. The kids are grown so a 2 seater is fine. I bought a Mazda Miata, a blue hardtop convertible. Its a great car to drive. It handles curves like a go-cart and we have a lot of curves where I live. The only problem is that I could barely squeeze into it. I wish I had a video of me getting into the car, it must have been hilarious. Now that I have lost the weight, I can get into the car without even thinking about it. 4. I can go shopping for clothes in a department store again. Prior to surgery, I was a size 3X in shirts and 46 in pants. I was outside the range of clothes offered by most department stores. It meant that I had to go to specialty stores to buy clothes such as Big and Tall. But now I am a size S in shirts and 33 in pants. I can go shopping again. 5. Over my lifetime I have probably traveled the equivalent of a dozen times around the world on airplanes. But lately the seats are getting smaller. (I know that some of this is due to my weight gain.) It is terrible sitting in the middle seat and extending to the seats on either side of me. Just praying that the other passengers on either side will be skinny. Well flying is no longer an issue. 6. The high cost of dining out. I went to Olive Garden today and ordered Tortellini al Forno. It was on their small plate menu so my tab was only $4. It was the right amount of food for my size stomach and the food was great tasting. Can you add anything else?

I agree. I think it is when we start beating ourselves up over obsessive weighing is where we do damage to ourselves. I went to once a month after reading a post from someone posting ... in all caps ... about how they had gained 0.3 pounds in the afternoon from their morning weigh in. They lamented they knew they would be a failure at the sleeve. I also knew I was capable of that obsessive behavior and beat myself up like the poster did, so I changed my weigh ins. Currently we have thread from someone panicking about a 3 pound weight gain from the night before. Do they really believe they gained 3 pounds of fat overnight? Daily weighing, I believe, is fine if it is in the context as described by Irene. But we have to also monitor our brains and ensure we are not moving into unhealthy reactions to truly know what readings the scale give us means.

I think stress makes you gain weight. My job is very stressful and I gained a lot of weight over a very short period of time. My eating habits did not change so I can only think it was the stress. I was converted from band to bypass 4/3. My surgeon was able to do it in one surgery which was the only thing I was stressing about prior to surgery. She warned me ahead do time that often there is so much scar tissue that she cannot safely do the bypass. You have to heal and they do it at a later time. My insurance has a dollar cap on bariatric procedures so if I did not get it converted in one surgery I was not going to be able to have a second due to costs. After all the worry she was able to do it but the surgery was very long. It took better than 4 hours. Do not worry about the weight gain and try to desires as you are able. I go for a walk or listen to music or read to help with the stress. Good luck to you!! Jennie

I drank Cokes for 40 years. When weight became too much of an issue I switched over to Diet Cokes; which I drank for another 10 more years. Usually around 6 Cokes a day. I still gained weight. As I entered my 6 month supervised exercise weight loss program which was a prerequisite for the operation, I went cold turkey and gave up all carbonated beverages and caffeine. On that change alone, I lost 20 pounds. It is now 6 months (pre-op) + 11 months (post-op) and I have not had any carbonated beverages since then, and I don't even miss them. I went through a rough week or two after I went cold turkey. I experienced severe joint pain. But that went away. I suspect why this produced weight loss is due to the carbonation. As the small carbon bubbles explode in your stomach they microscopically increase the size of the stomach which in turn allows you to eat more food which in turn is responsible for weight gain.

Easy folks..lets not beat up the OP. We are not in her shoes and not dealing with the frustration first hand. It is quite clear she is very down on herself at the moment and she is here for our support not to be belittled further. Embarrassment in talking with a Doctor about weight gain is quite common. I've seen loads of posts on this board about it over the years. I myself was a bit embarrassed at one point in my journey because I had not lost any weight in 3 month window. I still went and saw my Doctor and he set my mind at ease and said let us tackle the issue and not focus on the numbers right now. I am happy to see the OP made the appointment. Remember the Doctors and Nutritionists are there for you and they cannot help without clear and concise, honest facts. Best wishes!

I got my band Oct of 2012 and have only lost 40 pounds at first. Now since my one year bandaversary I have gained weight. I am having such a hard time losing. I have a 10 cc band (I guess) and have 7cc fill. I have not seen my Dr in months for another fill because I was ashamed of my weight gain. I fell like a failure and thinking about having the band removed. I am at the point that I just have to accept that I will always be a fat girl/mom/wife. My body is never going to change to matter how much I want it to. I feel like I wasted everyone's time and money getting this wonderful band in. I feel ashamed I have not lost any weight. I can eat full meals and not feel full. Now and then my food will get stuck and I get rid of it, but then I will take another bite to replace what I just lost. This just is not working out for me. I guess I am just that one person who will not succeed at losing weight.