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Hi my name is Shaquana. I am 24 years old and I've been struggling with my weight for as long as I could remember. It wasn't until about 2 years ago until I decided that I didn't want to be in this body anymore. I was OK with being a big girl until my knees started aching always being out of breath with just walking up a couple of steps and shopping became harder. Today I am at my heaviest weighing in at about 318 lbs. That's not OK because looking at my family medical background history it's very unhealthy to be this weight and I decided enough is enough I'm gonna put a stop to my weight gain and try something new. So I decided to try to work out and eat better. But that would only work out for a little while and then I would go back to my old habits. So I decided to look into weight loss surgery. I haven't told anyone because I knew my family would be totally against it and think that I'm just trying to take the easy way out. The two people I did tell was my grandmother and my dad. My grandmother was totally for it because she knows my family medical history and she didn't want me to go down that same route as others in my family did. But I didn't get the same response from my dad. He was totally against it and told me not to do it so that kinda made me think twice about doing it. But then I thought to myself that I am an adult and it's my decision on weather if I want to do it or it if he can't except it than so be it. So I started the process which is very long and getting the OK from my insurance to pay for it. I know that it's not gonna be an easy road but I'm willing to take a risk . Thank you

So after I had Fluid taken OUT of my band in October 2011, and after gaining 20 lbs, I finally got the courage to go back to my Dr. and get a fill... 18lbs I gained I had my fill today, and just ate some broth for dinner (Drs.' orders) i am SO HUNGRY and craving sweets... Im full, but I still want something. Water is helping a little - hopefully I get back on track and get motovated to work out and get my a$$ in gear!!!!!!!!!! How do I combat these cravings/urges... i feel lost again

I am 25 years old, a registered nurse working on med/surg bariatric unit, and have been overweight since adolescence. For four years I have wanted to get the sleeve done, but my parents insurance was a no go. This year I started working in a hospital with great insurance and just had my first appointment with the surgeon today! My surgery will be in Febuary as long as everything goes as planned. I have Aetna and have to make it 90days, no weight gain, psych eval, an upper GI study(just Xrays with contrast), and three nutritionist visits. I'm at my highest weight of 375 right now and my BP is periodically high. In January, I'm going on a cruise so that's why we're pushing it to February. I am beyond excited and ready to push through all of this! [emoji4]

Cipro can cause weight gain. I wouldn't worry.

Hi all, I have been in maintaince mode since Sept., having reached my goal. I had a couple bad days and gained like 2 pounds. Over the last three days I have been very much back on track, eating like I did when I was loosing. However, each day I have gained 1/2 pound. 1/2 pound wouldn't worry me, but it happened 3 days in a row- 1.5 pounds seems signicant to me. Anyway, I went on an antiobiotic (cypro) for a UTI the other day and wonder if that could be it. Anyone know if antiobiotics can cause weight gain?

I just wanted to post a follow up on this thread. I had a support group meeting at my bariatric center and asked one of the nuritionists specifically about the no weight gain aspect during the medically supervised period., She said it does vary from insurance policy to policy but most of them would make you start the medically supervised period over again from the beginning if you had a weight gain at one appointment compared to your weight at the previous appointment. So as an example if you have a 6 month supervised period required, and at appointment 4 you had gained weight compared to appointment 3, you would would have to start all over with a new a new appointment 1.

I can attest to the pms weight gain. Every month it just soooo hsppened i was scheduled the week of my cycle, pure coincidence, to have my monthly meetings w/ the surgeon..!!!!! For this 3 month period ot actually looks like i gained weight from my initial appt. I just took some diurex or ramped up my Water intake from 64 to 80oz a day.. it helps!!!!! Best of luck and you should be fine Sent from my SAMSUNG GALAXY SII Skyrocket using LapBandTalk

I've been "fat in the head" my entire life. I have not, however, always been fat; that came in adulthood. While I accept responsibility for my weight as an adult, I do believe that irresponsible adults in my childhood set the stage for this. Being fat was such a part of my self-image that the weight gain I experienced with children (and after) was very difficult for me to actually see. When I did see it clearly, I was able to lose. Maintenance was a real issue, though. So now I'm working not only on my weight, but also my head.

Hi, we had our surgery on the same day do not worry about the stalls, they're totally normal. Weight gain sometimes as well, during menstrual cycle is normal too. Even if you are eating, you are only getting 1/2 of that in because the rest is being bypassed (where they got the name from). So it's double penetration toward weight loss since not only are we eating small amounts, our bodies aren't even absorbing all of what we put in...which is why it's so important too to take our Vitamins everyday. Let's keep in touch! You are doing great.

Whew - you're going to have a tough time but try not to stress too much. It's hard enough to eat in the beginning months post op, and to add in a pregnancy (and the worries about eating for the baby) I'm sure can't help. Every single person and every single pregnancy is different. This time around the morning sickness was awful for me. It lasted until about four months, went away for just over a month and is back now that I'm in the third trimester. That's just me pregnant with this baby. I actually had an easier twin pregnancy than this single baby! You probably cannot eat much at a time. If you aren't already, you really, really need to find a Protein shake that you like that doesn't cause you problems. Dairy can be an issue, so if you don't like your shakes try mixing them with something else. Because you're expecting, I wouldn't go for the lowest carb and calorie shake you can find. Something I'd normally consider a splurge, like the BSN Syntha-6 brand, would be IDEAL for you right now. The higher calories are something you need because you're growing a baby and you're not going to be eating many of your calories. I'd pair a scoop of the Syntha-6 with a scoop or two of the Syntrax unflavored for a protein heavy shake that will help boost your caloric intake. I'd drink at least one a day, but I might try for two if you're really having trouble eating. You need to eat slowly, chew thoroughly and try a variety of different foods. Certain things do tend to feel like they get stuck in the beginning when your new sleeve is still swollen. I'm not saying you should live on mushies but you need to pace yourself and take it easy. eggs are a huge issue for a lot of people around this time, so if you find they aren't going down well, back off of them and try them again each week until you can tolerate them. It's the opposite of typical sleeve eating, but I found that the only thing I could really keep down with morning sickness were carbs. Small, thin slices of toast, crackers, grits, oatmeal, etc. You may find the same. The reality is that your priority just shifted - now your goal isn't to lose weight. Your priority now should be to heal and eat enough to have a healthy baby. You WILL lose this weight afterward. There isn't a magic window with the sleeve, and you'll find that your restriction is very much still there once baby arrives. I've gone back and forth during this pregnancy with restriction. At times I'm amazed because I can eat an entire sandwich and other times I can only manage a few bites before I'm stuffed. Oh, and watch that acid. I was off my PPI for years and now I'm back on it again. I could have sworn I was starving to death around the clock...and you'd think as a sleeve vet I'd know better ('specially since I'm always reminding people that are newly sleeved to take their PPI) but as soon as I hopped back on my omeprazole I felt so much relief. So make sure your OB knows you need a PPI and make sure you're taking one. As soon as I got on mine again the daily heartburn and around the clock stomach rumbling went away. Good luck to you, and to all the ladies here expecting! Oh, and since this is a thread about weight gain, I'm currently 27 weeks and I'm up 20 pounds. I'm not thrilled but I'm not worried, either. Compared to my past pregnancy gains (97 pounds for one girl, nearly 80 pounds with twins) I'm kicking butt this time around. ~Cheri

Well I completed another task on my TO-DO LIST today.. I had a root canal done in a tooth that has had problems for a very long time. I haven't been chewing properly and now I will be able to again. I was very fortunate to have a good doctor and have not had any pain issues as of yet.. The weather here has been crazy and I have been struggling to get in enough walking. My son and I went yesterday and had to cut it short because it started to rain and thunder. We haven't been able to go swimming everyday either which was my goal.. I just reread my surgery and clinic information again and I am going to be required to lose 15 lbs even though my insurance doesn't think it is necessary.. I am really struggling with that, gained a pound according to the nutritionists scale. I believe I was retaining fluids that day because my hands were swollen,, and think is was the pizza sauce we ate the night before. I will try harder for the next two weeks and hope there is some change. It would be devestating to have my surgery cancelled because of weight gain. I wish the doctors had a better idea of what is going on with me, I don't want to fail.:frown:

I was in the same boat as you when I first started, I thought I wanted the sleeve but after a little more digging and reading people's (long term) journey with the sleeve, I knew bypass would be best. I am now almost 2 weeks post op with bypass and so glad I made my choice. I've had zero complications no nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea nothing! I have NO issues with any foods I've tried so far which hasn't been much but I can tell I'll be one who can tolerate pretty much anything. I know if I had the sleeve I'd be like so many (not all) on here that have issues with weight gain, because I can see how the head hunger will get you even after surgery and if my pouch was the size of a sleever I could definitely see how most either stop losing after 5-6 months or slowly gain weight back. I would continue doing your research and ask your doctor, ALL of mine encouraged bypass. Just do what you think is best for you. You know your eating habits and patterns better than anyone. Oh and I'm a Teacher so I'm off for the summer but if I wasn't I'd need at least 2-3 weeks unless it was a desk job.

The most common issues I've seen in report tracking people 5 years and beyond is weight gain and acid reflux. Some have an issue with a neofundus (part of the stomach regrows or stretches, allowing weight gain, acid reflux and other issues), but there is some debate about that being caused by poor technique when doing the sleeve. If you don't eat right or take your Vitamins, also problems with Protein, Vitamin or Calcium deficiency. Lynda

At my recent pre-op nutrition seminar I got to hear a fellow pre-op discuss her awesome smoothie regimen. When questioned about her weight gain it turned out her smoothies were cherry slurpees and mcdonalds mango. But they were on sale! She exclaimed. Sigh.

Almost 50. Heavy since 2003. Obese since 2003. Mixed with periods of overweight, weight loss with Atkins diet, weight gain to morbidly obese, weight loss again to overweight with b-12 shots and appetite suppressants to once again, obese. Obesity is in my family as well as diabetes & heart disease. I have high blood pressure & i am borderline diabetic, now i have new severe back pain and ailments coming out of seemingly nowhere. But, the "where" is bad health and it finally got my attention. Researched options including lap-bands in 2012 Sleeved 2/25/2013 The rest of the story...great success through the support of my family, and consideration of my clients I LOVE what I do. I am ready to give more to my community and really live life to the fullest. I am very grateful for this opportunity and do not intend to squander it My life goals To Breathe life where ever I go. To Give the gift of encouragement. To live with incredible passion so that "Life itself" continues to be THE most amazing lover I've ever had ! (Copyright)

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea almost two years ago and for those of you unfamiliar with what apnea does, I will give just a brief bit of information. When a person is not sleeping as they should, your body goes into survival mode. It thinks it's being compromised therefore it starts to hoard it's reserves. There are two main hormones that control metaoblism and those two go into virtual hibernation to slow the metabolism to nothing. Unexplained weight gain is one of the reasons my doctor suspected apnea since she knows I eat a low-fat diet. I was attending a seminar and one of the speakers was a surgeon discussing bypass options. One of the things he mentioned was that every patient on whom he has performed bypass surgery no longer has apnea due to the weight loss. Well my ears perked right up! I thought "I'll do just about anything to get rid of sleep apnea". So I made an appointment to meet with him, went through the six months of counseling with the dietician, followed all the guidelines their clinic required in order to qualify for surgery. My insurance initially turned it down due to a low BMI, even with the co-morbidities of hypertension, GERD and apnea. However they approved it after an appeal was filed. So, now to my issue. I was banded on January 27 and have done fairly well with all the issues that come with surgery. But for the past five nights, I have woken from a deep sleep due to horrible, intense, gnawing hunger pangs. I mean I feel like I haven't eaten in three weeks! And I have eaten!! Now I feel like I am in a vicious circle. If I don't sleep, I won't lose any weight. That's a proven fact for me. What is causing this? The past two nights I have broken the rule of not eating before bed. I thought that if my stomach had something to digest and process, it would just go about it's business and let me sleep. However, it has not worked. It does not seem to matter if I eat before bed or not. I see my surgeon again on the 26th of the month and I will discuss this with him but I am wondering if others have had this problem. Am I just in an adjustment phase? Will getting a fill make a difference? Any advice, insights or comments are welcome as I am so darn frustrated. It feels like the cure was as bad as the initial problem!

It is unfortunate that weight gain is a side effect with so many medications but you need the meds. Your choice on getting banded is not based on 1 year of weight gain, it is over time of playing with your weigh that has brought you to this choice. Keep moving forward in what is best for you and your health.

Hi, this is my first post on this forum. I had a tummy tuck a little over a year ago. Since then, I have regained thirty pounds. I plan to loose at least 15 of that (several people have told me I got too thin). I'm not sure it will be enough, I guess I'll just have to wait and see. My question is, did I effect the results of the TT. Will my skin bounce back? Has anyone experienced weight gain and loss after a tt?

I'm on the southern Oregon coast. I'm not a success, though still working on it. I've gained weight back. I need to update my profile, but that's admitting that I've made a mistake, and didn't catch it, and deal with the weight gain. I have never had restriction with my band. I have never noticed that I have one. If I eat ground meat, I will fill up rapidly, and may slime. Mostly, I don't eat meat. I went to a TOPS meeting a week ago. I feel that going to the meetings will help. I am back on a mostly liquid protein diet to get the weight off. High protein has me going to the bathroom way too frequently! It looks like you just had surgery. How far away is your Doctor and support group? How have you been feeling since the surgery? Anita

Doesn't matter to me that we're in the midst of the holiday season. I know I won't overeat at functions because I hardly ever did even when I was obese. I'm a 'secret' eater. I don't/didn't eat to excess while out in the public. I certainly didn't want to bring even more negative attention to myself by having people see me eat everything in sight. No....I hid that. I couldn't hide the weight gain obviously, but I hid the consumption. I'd go out to dinner, eat 'normally' and then finish my leftovers as soon as I got home....oh and keep eating while I was at it. I've already been to several holiday functions since Thanksgiving and haven't gained an ounce. Why not? Not because I'm limiting my food intake at said functions but because I'm watching what I'm eating at home. I eat my usual portions and partake of my usual healthy choices. I haven't changed any of that during this period and it's why I'm finding success. Not everyone suffers from the same triggers so we need to identify what they are and have plans to eliminate or minimize the danger. For me, it's not eating out at an Italian restaurant with friends/family. It's making a pot of spaghetti in my house where no one can see me scarf it all down. So I use a small pot...cook up a small amount, and portion it right away into 1/4 cup amounts. Then I freeze the containers and pull out one when I have a meatball dinner or something else where I want Pasta on the side. By controlling the amount, I control the overeating. Even with the surgery, this is still so much of a mind game and for me, I have to prepare at all times so I don't 'go rogue'. Hope this give folks some insight into ways to try to be successful.

Hey everyone! I have not posted in a long time...I read but don't post. I was dismayed to see how many prominent bandsters had lost their bands like DeLArla, La Madam, and Penni. They truly helped me early on and I wish them the very best here today. I have managed to stay within 147-152 pounds for most of the time except when I needed an unfill due to illness. I have learned when I get sick with a mucus related thing I don't tolerate it well with the band. Both times I was unfilled and gained.. I just wanted to say hello and say yes I am so much happier and would do it again today. If i ever have any problems I will get a new one and this latest weight gain has brought me to my knees emotionally making me realize again I have no control. I never have never will. I just was filled today and am getting mentally ready to stay focused and start losing again. I never thought I would go up two sizes again... I was in Florida over spring break and covering up my stomach in my bathing suit. It hurt to come this far and start to go backwards... I must pull myself up out of being down and keep using this tool. I should never have put off my refill for 8weeks!!!!! I won't let that happen again!!! Cheers to you all out there !

An interesting study was published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) this week, that looked at three different diets after weight loss and their effect on weight gain. It's a little complicated to read, but basically the high Protein, low carb diet that we are supposed to follow with our band should contribute to keeping the weight off, not just losing it. Here's the link: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1199154

I am six lbs heavier this morning than I was Tuesday morning! Please tell me it's just all the fluids going in you through the IV?

your reintroducing carbs into your day, going from liquid to that sometimes causes weight gain. They call this period of time between surgery day to first fill, bandster hell, so relax and focus on the beginning of your journey. The doc told me not to focus so much on the scale but to focus on making healthy choices and exercising. So good luck and try not to weigh yourself so much, I still have a problem with that. I weigh myself like 10 times a day but remember they say a person's weight can fluctuate 8 lbs a day, thats a lot, so don't worry.

I have been banded 16mo and had my fill removed because I am flying back to Mx for a tt on Monday. I was told that due to swelling it could cause too much restriction in the band. Well, I spent two days thinking of all the things I could eat again. LOL I thought I would eat pizza because I have not been able to eat pizza for so long. Instead, I find myself eatting foods that are high in Fiber, such as apples, kashi Cereal and raison bran. I love fiber and have missed being able to eat fiber. I must confess, I drank two corona light beers last night, ice cold..... ahhhhhhh. I have missed them. I am worried of course about weight gain, but I am going to stick with my high fiber foods and hope I don't gain any weight. I will be unfilled for about a month. Anyone else have fills removed for surgery?