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So sorry you are freaking out. I have had the exact same experience. I started at 320. Came down to 240. And stopped. And stayed stop. And gained. And freaked. You probably will stay around a weight point. I have. Then I reviewed my program. Congratulations for weighing food and sticking to 3 meals plus one. When I reviewed I had stopped weighing and was snacking often, . I also never got 'into' exercising. I've started that now and the weight gain has stopped and the scale is moving down. Reevaluate. Try not to freak too much. Take a deep breath. Acknowledge you have a unique body. Enjoy the trip! Good luck.

Howdy folks, I am 1 year 3 months out, I was 10 lbs from goal weight...had some devastating life changes, lost my bro, whom was my bff...I lost weight then gained 11 lbs back. I am struggling......just had a double mastectomy with the start of reconstruction, thank the good lord I did this prophyalactly, I don't have cancer, I have the cancer gene.....so needless to say I have been thru a lot of crap..this is not a pity party I am actually very strong emotionally and physically, I just fell off the wagon, while I am recovering I am extremely cautious of my calorie count since I cant run or use the elliptical for a while. Just had my surgery Jan 17th. I need to reconnect with fellow sleevers to help stay on track. I guess I am looking for some encouragement... Kimster

Hello, I too am bipolar. I have been on many different medications over the years. Some that I have been on have contributed to my weight weight gain which doesn't help my mental health situation. It took a long time to find a medication that didn't make me feel like the walking dead or make me have anxiety. I finally learned that I needed to communicate what was going on with me with my psychiatrist or even my counselor to get the ball rolling in the right direction. I feel for you because having that much anxiety is miserable. You might want to reach out to your psychiatrist and explain what is going on with you and maybe they can alter your dose or try something new. I think it would be overwhelming to be feeling what you are and going into such a life changing event. Please take care.

Can someone please share what is meant by 5:2 eating plan...? I see some use it for stalls or if there is weight gain. Thanks. I

Do you take any medicines that cause weight gain. I was taking a couple that made me bloated, etc. If you do take meds check them, some may cause you to gain weight, and then take to your Dr.

Congratulations on your terrific weight loss! Sounds like HE is the one who is insecure, and he's lashing out, big time! He told you for years that he was embarrassed to be seen with you?? That is NOT how a loving spouse acts! And now he's telling you what to wear and what not to wear? That is very controlling - not a good sign. And he's blaming YOU for HIS weight gain?? Tell him he can cook for himself from now on, or at the very least he can serve his own plate. Do NOT take his sh*&!! Please start going to counseling imMEdiately. My guess is he will refuse to go, but please don't let that stop you.

Grazing will cause weight gain. My Dr. Says 3-4 meals a day and you only eat for 30 min. It's the in between snacking that will get you.

Thanks for the support. I lost 6 lbs after discharge (I waited a few days to weight myself because I am a nurse and know the weight gain from the Iv fluids was going to happen) but after waiting 5 days I had gained 3 lbs. Right now I am drinking about 32 oz of protein shake mixed with light and fit Greek non-fat yogurt to make 64 grams of protein a day and about another 40 oz of water or low cal/no cal fluids. My diet advanced to puréed soft foods such as tuna or chicken moistened and mashed potatoes as well as cottage cheese and soft foods. No real problems with digestion this far, broths and soups are good as well. I am definitely trying to watch the sodium intake. I guess I'm just nervous I'm eating the wrong things but I'm following my physicians plan. Thanks

"My 600 Pound Life" on TLC is my current guilty pleasure. I think I have watched parts of the show before in the past but now that I am getting ready for my sleeve surgery the show makes much more sense now. I am nowhere near 600 pounds, halfway there so I'm proactively stopping the weight gain madness. I've tried to watch as many episodes as I could find on Netflix and the Internet, I still have not seen any with guys at this point. I did find on Netflix, "The World's Fattest Man" which was a little disappointing because they dragged out the pre-surgery process to the very end and basically with only a few minutes left he has the surgery. I was thinking were they actually going to show this guy die. Fortunately he survived and he is doing well according to the Internet. Another show I have found recently was on HBO called "The Weight of the Nation". That show is more geared towards the entire weight loss industry and obesity crisis in America. It's a little long-winded but informative. I find watching these shows are therapeutic and help make this process a little more real as I complete my required steps to surgery.

While the nuts and a few other things have carbs I have to agree with misty-if I wanted to gain 5# I would start with Pasta,potatoes,bread and fruit. Those are all relatively healthy foods that pack weight on me. Add Peanut Butter, trail mix and a little ice cream for dessert(not healthy but even small quantities does wonders in terms of weight gain) and I would be gaining. Prior to my plastics I often did 4-8hour activities like hiking or riding my horse through the mountains etc. and my"survived the Irish famines genes" kick in and make me hungry and metabolicly efficient. As in,did not make me lose too much weight. I would love to have the bmr testing done but assume it is too costly given I don't really need to know. Good luck at finding a good balance. I commend you for focusing on ideal health and living an active life -this is why we did the surgery!

I am not near as sporty as you, and don't have the same problem as you... but was told by my Dr that depression comes with the WLS often. So I keep an eye out for it, and do feel that way sometimes too... with anxiety. Hopefully with the resolution of that, your routine will get back to normal. It would be very hard for me to eat 3000 a day, of good quality food, thats for sure! I eat up to 1600 on days that I exercise, and it feels like a feast! Perhaps weight gain shakes? Spacing out your meals to fit more in? Good luck with that, it sounds like a challange. Perhaps Butterthebean can chime in here, he runs a lot and seems to keep things in check...

A powerful story and one that perhaps has an equally powerful lesson. This journey is about control, not denial. So what would be the first sign that a bypass patient is losing control? Weight gain. More specifically, MINOR weight gain. That's the time to seek help. You won't be the first and you certainly won't be the last. For Pete's sake, seek help from your team - that's what they are there for. Losing ten pounds is nothing. Losing 100+ pounds, again, that's a very different story. The surgery can be defeated. In the words of Winston Churchill - "It is of no use saying 'We are doing the best we can'. Success means doing what is necessary."

I am struggling to find anyone else for support who is in a similar situation - whether it is because I am a rarity or that those of us with this issue don't frequent the support forum... I am not sure. I am getting frustrated over time and tired of working hard not to lose weight. I would never have expected this to be a problem! I had my surgery in May 2012 at 255 lbs and have been at goal for a bit over a year. I am currently struggling with a recurrence of depression, so the energy that I have typically been putting into getting all of my calories and exercise is flagging - I am getting treatment for the depression but it takes some time. I have worked very hard not to lose weight during this time and to keep my calories up. Typically I am very, very active. I expect that within a few weeks I will be feeling enough better to be back to exercising more. I usually exercise about 15 hours per week, taking one or two days off. Usually at least one day per week I get four to six hours of exercise, even as much as eight hours. I am an avid cyclist, hiker, skier, etc. My problem seems to be that I have a very high BMR of 2,000. So, I need at least that many calories on days with no exercise. Then, add exercise and I have days where I need 5,000 and even up to 7,000 calories in order to maintain my weight. Obviously those super high calorie days are rare, but I regularly have 3,000+ calorie days. Typically I am using lots of whole milk (at least 750 calories of whole milk per day) and on days when my weight has dropped below my comfort zone I start adding heavy cream or half and half. I also eat avocados, nuts, olive oil, butter, premier Protein shakes, etc. I also make green shakes - blended Protein powder, Greek yogurt, fruits, veggies. I use chocolate on days when I am desperate for more calories but don't have more room for real food - it's a total slider. I probably get minimum 1,000-1,300 calories from liquids and the rest from solid food. I have to choose the highest calorie foods out there - looking at a menu I will intentionally choose whatever has the most possible calories. My goal is to maintain at 130 when not working out and up to 135 if I am working out a lot. I was at lower weights initially (down to 123 at 5'6") and looked way too thin. At the lower weight I had too little muscle, was a size 0, and was told that I looked like a victim of weight loss. It wasn't a kind thing for someone to say but was accurate - at just a slightly higher weight I look far healthier and more proportionate. I am on the mobile app and have not updated my ticker from my lowest weight probably - but that is where I am at today and what I have decided is healthiest for me. It took a lot of effort to add muscle weight. When I was obese I didn't exercise and I am sure my metabolism wasn't this high. But now that I have lost the weight I worry that I will be thinner, fit, and set myself up for the same health problems by eating unhealthy foods in order to maintain my weight. I hear that weight gain is common at the 3 year mark. I also worry that the way I have to eat now in order to maintain my weight could set me up for problems later on. I currently weight myself regularly to make sure I am not losing weight rather than to make sure not to gain, though. I think if the depression would improve I would have more energy to pursue healthier high calorie food options. Looking for suggestions and other people in the same boat...

Had my surgery on Sept 11, 2012 so about a year and 1/2 ago. Made my goal at about 10 months and then adjusted it down. Starting weight was 239 and I have fluctuated between 123 - 127 for the past 6 months. I am super happy about that. I have always weighed myself every day, it worked for me and didn't make me crazy because I was pretty prepared for the stalls etc, so when I notice a little changed, I either eat a little more or a little less, it has been working real well for me. Escaped Christmas with no weight gain although I never felt like I was cheated from not having what I wanted to eat. Merry Christmas and Happy new me!

I was the complete same way. I was denied by my insurance(Aetna). I had my pcp to write a letter saying that I couldn't exercise or anything because of my back and she asked them to reconsider my case. I have arthritis, degenerative disc disorder, and bulging disc as well all in my lower back. I got all my medical records from her as well and sent it in. I also wrote a letter. With all that my denial was reversed to approved! My biggest worry is that I don't have any diagnosed conditions that keep me from exercise. The weight makes my knees and back hurt, so it's more difficult, but no ruptures or disc issues. Bout the only thing I have that would affect my weight is hypothyroidism. I take medication for it, but losing weight is a lot more difficult even with that. Funny thing is, I wasn't gaining weight like this before I started the diet, but I also began taking amitriptyline (a low dosage for pain) the same month I started this. I began researching the medications I was taking after I kept gaining and saw that one of the side effects of that medication is weight gain - a lot of people said they gained 20lbs or more no matter what they ate. I talked with my PCP about it, but he doesn't think my dosage is high enough for it. However, he's very supportive of my decision for surgery, so I know he'd be willing to do whatever he could if I get denied. I just hope it doesn't come to that!

Thanks for the info everyone. I have had no problem so far with weight gain I've actually lost 11 pounds since I had the shot 2 months ago.

Welcome jen!!!!! In my opinion, (I am 2.5 years out) and was heavy my whole life...... the sleeve is the best thing that ever happened to me. Could I have lost more weight? yes. The sleeve seems to work varrying degrees for people. Some people lose all their excess weight, some 30lbs. It depends on what you put in, and what you want. Post-op life is so much better (weight gain is not like before when dieting) but there is a risk of going back. I see the scale go up a few pounds then I blow an imaginary horn in my head. I can eat entire small box of cheezits in a few hours. I also can only eat 3 oz of steak and a few bites of veggies. It all depends of choices. What I am getting at is the sleeve is amazing but it is not guarantee to be thin for the rest of your life... (although I wish it was)

....rarely mentioned in such circumstances, is the results of 'mostly empty colon' due to longish liquid intake, then the addition of several days or a week of even mushies. Our colon contents, depending on lots of variables, can easily account for several pounds seeming weight gain. Measure inches and changing body conformation. NSV will help focus on your real results. Congratulations and cheers on your journey.

I am not sure what I lost per week but I started at 103kg, my surgeon set a goal of 65kg (which seemed impossible at the time) and I think I was at around 60 kg at about 10 months. I found it quite easy to lose and didn't have any stalls but I know I am the exception. Everyone is different. I have been maintaining around 60 but have noticed that my fluctuations between 58-60 have turned into fluctuations of 59-61 - so I have had a slight weight gain. Just over the last few weeks I can eat significantly more in a sitting so have had to reign in my eating between meals. I am 18 months out now so am hoping there won't be too much increase in eating and hunger which I do feel now - nothing like hunger pre sleeve I might add, but it was so nice to not have hunger at all for a long time.

2+ years (26 months) post op here. Got to my lowest weight this past summer, but now starting to put some back on. I know some is muscle since I've been working out a lot, but I'm thinking not all of the weight gain is lean mass....which worries me a little. So I'm going to have to pay a little more attention to my cal intake and be careful. I'm up to around 235 now and I need to get back to mid-upper 220's and learn to maintain there. #1 is before....around 320 #2 is after majority of weight loss (220's) #3 is current (235)

As with many, many people, my struggle with weight started long before I new anything about counting calories and carbs. I was overweight by 3rd grade and "fat" (according to the kids in school) by 5th grade. I was heavy all through school. Sure, I have lost weight here and there, but have always been far from the elusive "ideal" weight. My sister had a Gastric Bypass many years ago (maybe 15) and she was very sick and is now just as big (if not bigger) then prior to surgery. I always told myself and others "I would NEVER have surgery." Well, as they say, never say never! Now here I am 8 days from going under the knife. What changed? Several things. There have been new developments - new surgeries and techniques - that were not in practice 15 years ago. I have or am dealing with many issues medically. I have support in my life that is greater then any I have ever known. I could probably go on, but the best answer is that time changed my mind for me. For the last several years I have struggled medically. I am lucky that I do not have many of the typical problems associated with obesity - high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes. I was, however, diagnosed 3 or 4 years ago with Lupus and Fibromyalgia. The pain can be debilitating on some days. I am on many medications for all of this and all of them have the side effect of weight gain. I have talked with my PCP as well as my Rheumatologist on several occasions about loosing weight; by loosing weight I will take pressure off of my joints and muscles possibly buying me some much needed relief. This has been an uphill (or stagnant) battle. No matter what I tried there was little to no weight loss. My final attempt was suggested over a year ago and I did not want to do it due to the financial aspect of it. I began taking a prescription drug, Qsymia, that cost me (WITH INSURANCE COVERAGE) $200+ a month! I was on the drug for 6 months, costing me over $1200 dollars, and lost 17 lbs! I worked so hard; I exercised through the pain, I ate 1500 to 1200 (more often less) everyday and I lost a pathetic 17 lbs. ! What the hell?!?! During this time my PCP told me at several visits that he thought Lap Band was the way to go for me. I am still admit that surgery was not an accepible option. At the end of the six months on Qsymia, I was heartbroken, defeated, and beaten. I called my PCP with tears in my eyes and asked for a referral for Lap Band and wanted to meet with him to talk it over some more with me and my husband. I went to the visit and I had been off the Qsymia for a couple weeks and had gained about half of the 17 lbs. back. He told me that he did not think that UVA would let me do that Lap Band because I am too obese. I burst into tears because I was still not sure about Lap Band, much less getting anything where they cut your organs and stitch you back up (for some reason a foreign object in my body seemed safer). My PCP gave me the referral for Lap Band anyway (probably because he was tired of my crying in his office). On November 7, 2013, my husband and I went to UVA for the class/consultation and the first words our of the nurse's mouth were "I am going to convince you NOT to get a Lap Band." My husband and I just looked at each other with surprise and confusion all over our faces. I whispered to him "No. I am not going to have any other type of surgery!" Well, as you already know, I did not hold to true to that statement. She described in detail all three surgeries that they can do; band, sleeve, and bypass, and the post-op instructions for each. Then the nutritionist came in and discussed diet for the surgeries. After this, we had a break before we saw the surgeon. Immediately we sat down and looked at each other and started asking what the other thought in the hopes that we each felt the same way; the sleeve was the right way to go, but we have more questions for the surgical team. We went into the room to meet one on one with the surgical team members and told my story, expressed our concerns, and asked questions. Everyone on the team agreed that the sleeve was a much better choice in my situation then the band. I was fighting against too much and that I need to be able to change my body's chemical makeup (this will happen naturally when part of my stomach is removed) in order for there to be significant change. Final decision made: Gastric Sleeve. Within the next two weeks, I had my psychiatric evaluation and had hospital records from an Endoscopy sent to UVA. The insurance authorization processes for Bariatric Surgery had begun before I even met the surgeon. Now all I could do was wait. It took every bit of three weeks to get the psych eval results and four page document stating at the end that "...bariatric surgery is recommended..." was sent to the insurance company and UVA. Two weeks after that I was called with insurance approval and set a date to meet with the surgeon one more time and to have an gallbladder ultrasound. The appointment went very well and all of my presurgery labs and x-rays were done, we met with the anesthiaology nurse, and a date was set. On January 20, 2014, I will have the Gastric Sleeve, a Hiatal Hernia Repair, and my Gallbladder removed! Every day it gets closer and every day I get a little bit more nervous. I am not scared. I am just anxious. There is so much to do; train someone to do my job at work (I'm a total control freak over this and it is not easy to let go); get my house and finances in order; get my important paper work in order (you never know what could happen); buy all the necessary post-op stuff; etc. It will all get done (I hope!), and if not, it will just have to wait till I recover enough to do it (again, hard to let go)! Friday they will call me with the time to report to UVA and time of surgery. As anxious as I am, I could not be more excited!

I was. Sleeved in June 2013 and now I only weigh about once a month. I cannot deal with stalls or weight gain and this way it have not had any!

I'm on it also for nerve pain in my leg and foot. I take it 3 times a day and even then I still have issues with nerve pain in my foot only. I had no idea that it could cause weight gain. I'm 6 months out and have lost 71lbs.

I will tell you this....for MOST of us that have had weight loss surgery, our FAT mindset is STILL THERE... MOST of US STILL WANT... loaded lasagna, pizza, greasy cheese burger and fries....we did not get FAT eating broccoli and baked chicken...we got obese by eating the wrong foods and not moving our bodies enough... I have been UNFILLED with my lap band and the hunger return with a vengeance (along with 50 pounds of weight gain quickly) and I will tell you when I am hungry I don't gravitate towards cottage cheese, and celery and carrot sticks..LOL... This is why I warn newbies to TAKE CARE OF YOUR BAND...and cherish it because WE THINK we have obesity beat and under control...but...when saline is removed and you are back to pre op hunger...it's a different playing field and scary!!!

My name is Kathy and I live in Louisiana . I am 61 years old I will be 62 in April. I have been battling eating problem since I got married at age 19. My main problem is that I over eat when I am sad or something bad happens that is difficult to handle and people call that emotional eating but I Call it bingeing. I have two sisters one has passed away but all of us were overweight in our adult years. my father was probably in the 300 lb range. I have chosen not to go to Mexico because I'm not comfortable with going there but that being said I know many people who have gone there have been successful with no problems or regrets. it is just my personal decision that I am making to stay here in Louisiana. I am 5'4" and I weigh over 200 pounds. I have tried and failed to lose weight more times than I can count. And each time I get bigger and bigger. This is not a decision that I came to overnight.I have researched it for the past 6 years. the past two years has been extremely difficult. I have tried walking 2 miles every day trying to diet and consistently failing. I am basically healthy at this point. I do have restless leg syndrome and I also have acid reflux which I believe is attributed to the weight gain. I also have depression which is associated with many things but certainly the weight problem contributes to my self-esteem. I also feel that as I age other things can happen such as high blood pressure and diabetes so I really don't want to go there. I have my lab work done and I have a consultation on January 20, 2014. I am in hopes that I will have my surgery on February 5th 2014. I am confident that this is the right thing for me and I'm looking forward to it as I see it as the end of a long time struggle. I have heard that people will lose their hair after the surgery and for this I have checked into supplements and other things that you can do to prevent or to make it so that you don't loose so much or any at all. Also getting the proper nutrition, protein and iron as well as other things is vital not Only because it would help to not lose your hair but it'll help you to be healthier and heal faster. I will update as I go forward.