Search the Community

Been there, done that, and didn't even get a tee-shirt. Like you, I found that my experience of restriction was different after a complete unfill, and a lot of people find the last 20 or so pounds hard to lose. IMO, the most important thing to address is not your weight gain but the reflux. I recently learned how severely reflux can damage the esophagus and wouldn't want you to lose your band because of tolerating reflux for an extended period of time. Have you tried taking omeprazole for it? Do you avoid eating a few hours before bedtime? As for the weight loss puzzle - I just wrote an article about breaking a weight loss plateau. Check it out here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/page/index.html/_/plateaus-and-regain/breaking-a-weight-loss-plateau-r67

Whatever you do PROTECT YOUR SLEEVE!!!!! I use to think it couldn't be stretched, but now I am convinced. I use to be able to eat 1/2 egg and part if a sausage for Breakfast now I can eat two of each. The more get in the hungrier you can get the more you can gain due to I creased amounts if calories. BE CAREFUL - I LEARNED THE HARD WAY. I wish I could go back and change some if the decisions I made early on. Change your eating habits while you are still not that interested in eating. Protect the pouch to ensure limited stretching. Develop a process that will work for you longterm. DON'T TAKE THE SLEEVES CAPABILITIES FIR GRANTED!!!! I did and now I can't stop the weight gain. Be proud of how far you have come and know where you want to go and what you need to sacrifice to stay there when you arrive..........BECAUSE YOU WILL ARRIVE!! Bbn

definitely you are too tight...go in and have them take a little out and see if that helps. I am on my 2nd round of being too tight and had the same feelings. (I let mine go too long and had swelled so bad from it had to have a complete unfill for a month again...aarrgghh...so am trying to maintain the weight gain as much as possible but it is hard being back to square 1 again) If you feel that lump in your throat etc...it is because you are too tight and the food is sitting on the top of your band not going thru. A slight unfill should help as you dont want food sitting there. Eventually it will lead to "acid" type issues which can be dangerous too.

I don't really know what to tell you about getting the fat person out of your head, but I do know what you mean. In the past three weeks I've put five pounds back on and I feel HORRIBLE. It's literally the first time in the two years since I've been banded that I've gained weight. I need a fill, for sure. I can eat bread (which I've never been able to do before no matter where my restriction level has been), which is not good. Anyway. Once you get used to your body being a certain place, it feels bad when it goes back (especially when you know how that weight gain felt before). I get that on a 225 pound girl like myself, 5 pounds isn't a ton. But it sure feels like it. I hate getting dressed for work because everything feels tight again. Dig in and get yourself back where you want to be. The whole weight loss thing takes longer as you get smaller. So that 15 pounds is just about the same as dropping 90 when you were bigger. Good luck and don't lose hope!

Huh? I'm not sure if this is tongue in cheek or what ... Uh ... you're pregnant. Did you really want to NOT gain weight? Did you really expect to not gain when you are pregnant? IMO, people leave the site because they get tired of the high school, petty misunderstandings. I used to be the target of many attacks, if you may remember. There is so much drama on here. I know I have to take breaks from time to time. I have learned how to navigate the land-mines here. But I am a member of a 12 step program that teaches me to carry my experience, strength and hope to others struggling. In the process, it causes me to struggle at times, for sure. Congrats on your pregnancy AND congrats on your weight gain. Seriously ... you're pregnant ...

OH you wanted to lose weight and have this surgery???? Silly.... (I can be sarcastic...I've been down your road my dear). Let me just say first, I'm sorry you are suffering! I was down for just under two months, 22 days of that in the hospital having my lungs drained and a second surgery five weeks after the first. My first surgery was aug 23 and the second sept 28. I GAINED 40lbs going through much of what you did. TPN feedings, tube feedings etc. Weight gain and retention after such a major struggle is normal because your body is holding onto all of those extra fluids just in case it needs to protect itself again. I saw that gain slowly drop a few weeks after I got out of the hospital (Oct 6th) and then after that I took some dramatic losses as it finally decided I was going to be ok and the retention gave up it's battle. I'm down half of my goal weight (over 40lbs) loss now, just over six weeks after I returned home, but I was told it could take up to four months for my body to normalize again, so I was actually lucky. Unfortunately due to the trauma you have the same issue. But I assure you, it will go away. You're still too weak to get much movement I'm sure and likely you are in early stages of food I'd guess? Just like the healing, you have to give it a bit more time than anyone who went a more "normal" recovery route. My battle was hell and frankly I was just happy to come out alive. Weight loss is a bonus Right now I'd just focus on getting in all of your Protein so you heal properly this time, and your fluids, and rest as much as you need. You'll find you will see those pounds go away as your energy increases, but don't push it. You have been through the wringer, let your body rest! Take care!!!

Congrats, HagerTeresa: I know you are so relieved. Good for you! :clap2: Model Bandster, there is such a thing? QUICK! Get this strange and rare animal right in this chat room immediately. It's like a unicorn - if they exist, where are they? :eek: I've been banded for what seems like forever, have met a zillion other Bandsters and have never seen a model Bandster, in captivity or in the wild. Believe me, there might not be such a thing - so no beating yourself up. If occasional chocolate and the odd latte meant Band failure then no one would be posting the incredible success stories that we do see daily, with the band. And luckily, smoking is one vice I don't have (I'm more of a wine and cheese girl :nervous ), but when I go out to nightclubs with my Banded pals I'm continually amazed and how many of them light up regularly. (Three of my most successful banded patients - who have lost 380# between the three of them - now work for Band surgeons and they smoke. They are in brochures, at seminars, and in all the ads. And then they sheepishly light in up public and are embarrassed when people remember them from the seminars or the newspaper ads.Oy, vey! ) So if you quit for your own health, hooray, but so far it hasn't stopped my friends from losing 100# or more pounds with their band. In fact, I have two other banded pals who quit without any significant weight gain - and the band probably stopped them from the weight gain that a lot of patients fear when they are contemplating giving up smoking. So that's just something for you to think about. One thing at a time, eh? Absolutely, I agree 100%. I've honestly seen most band issues rear their heads around the 2-to-3 year mark, and nothing beats a good offense like a good defense. So a peremptory check to make sure everything is where is should be, is a great idea coming close to the 2-year Band anniversary. I highly recommend it to all Bandsters. Happy Band Journeys To All...

The stall is normal. We all have them. The weight gain could be a simple as water. So hang in there and press forward. Keep up the good work. You will break through it!

Hi, I was banded in October 2008 in Indianapolis and moved to Connecticut literally one month later. I found a bariatric surgeon and he handles my fills. I think he hates me. I have PCOS and have struggled with my weight since I was 12. I got the band when it was all the rage - there were constant commercials, etc. I felt it would be a good tool. What I didn't factor in was my emotional eating - I managed to get by the psychological testing but looking back, I absolutely was not ready because I did not have my eating under control. The band is a tool but I really thought if my appetite was supressed I would lose weight. The lowest I reached was 237 lbs. I did that by attending weight watcher meetings. Then my weight loss just stopped. I absolutely cannot get it below 237. I then avoided my band doctor for two years and recently went back. He was obviously not very happy with me but I can't blame him, I didn't follow up. Anyway, I have joined weight watchers and am doing the barium swallow test on February 27th. My band doesn't seem to have ever worked very well - I never got to that happy medium. Right now I want to restart and I am giving myself one year to try to get the weight off, work with an endocronologist to get the PCOS in control (As that impedes weight loss - I also take anti-depressants and that causes weight gain, sigh), but if I am super disciplined and still don't lose, I am going to ask for a revision to gastric bypass. I am that desperate at this point. When I was in college I was 165lbs but I had to workout 3 hours a day to maintain that weight. I don't really have a point to my post, just wanted to introduce myself and see who else has fallen of the bandwagon and successfully gotten back on. My doctor is not the same doctor who performed the surgery and I think in some ways that is putting my at a disadvantage. I am just frustrated. Is there a way to jump start the band? Right now I am starving. I feel like a total failure. I am hoping this board will provide the support I really need.

Ok guys so as of yesterday my dr put me on purees. I started to finally eat very little bit. Today I see the scale has gone up two pounds!!! What the heck???? Is this normal???? I thought I'm supposed to be losing A pound a day????

Hi all, I am dng well, 7 weeks post op and down 60 lbs!!!!!! 28 more until im under 300!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo. Anyhow, it is common to have depression following rapid weight loss as well as acne, well I have both!!!! I am seeing my PCP in the morning to be put on some anti depressants and regulate these mood swings. Any suggestions on do and donts of meds for this. I know some increase weight gain ect.. So I thought I would ask the you all Thanks in advance

1. Increased mobility (I have osteoarthritis) 2. Less self conscious in social settings 3. More stamina in everyday activities 4. Buy pretty clothes from regular stores and catalogs. (I received in today's mail a catalog from one of my favorite stores. Their largest size is 18-20.) 5. End the cycle of dieting and weight gain that has plagued my entire life, since childhood. Probably should be #1 on my list. I'm pre-band and on the 6-month diet trying to lose 10% of my current weight. All of the above are motivations for me to meet the pre-surgery requirements and get on with my life. Dee

Currently I'm waiting on insurance approval for the lap band with Dr. Felix. I'm nervous and excited. Unfortunately, my normal method of dealing with emotion is to overeat...so I've gained about 10 pounds since my first appointment which was in late November. 10 POUNDS!!! AHHHHH!!! Did anyone else have this problem during pre-op? I'm not on any sort of diet yet. I feel like I'm in lap band no man's land. I'm pre-pre-op. How weird. I'm angry at myself which then leads to...guess what... more eating! :faint: I'm really doubting my ability to be able to do this. I know that this is just pre-surgery jitters and I know that this is just a tool. I really do believe that I can be sucessful... but I am really nervous about this most recent weight gain. :cry The only reason I haven't gained more is that I've had the flu twice and keep landing myself in the ER with dehydration from being so sick. Please HELP. Thanks for reading. You guys are all such an inspiration to me and I feel so grateful to have LBT in my life. Sheila 300 / 270- Went to a weight loss program over the summer and slowly gaining it all back =( P.S. While I was writing this post, my insurance company called me and I was denied. Sometimes, life stinks.

I take Effexor and I haven't noticed any weight gain from it. Prozac made me a space cadet...I went one whole day wearing my wedding ring on the wrong hand and didn't realize it until night time.

I had the weight gain problem with Prozac as well and really ballooned on abilify. Three different docs told me that the only antidepressant that doesn't cause weight gain (and in some people is known to cause weight loss) is Wellbutrin. It is not an SSRI. I am now taking Wellbutrin and actually lost weight on it until one brilliant doc added abilify. Then I ballooned again. I am now on Wellbutrin and a small dose of lexapro. I have not seen any additional weight gain.

I'm sorry you're dealing with a weight gain, but try not let it get you down. Your priority now needs to be to figure out how to save the $150 for a fill, even if it means nickle and diming it for a while-- you have a band for a reason and if it's not working for you because it's empty, of course you're likely to regain! I think if you put a plan in place for the "in the meantime", you will have a greater sense of control and accomplishment and something to work toward. If my band was empty, I'd be gaining too-- not because I'm a bad person or a failure, but because without the band I'm incredibly hungry and I eat larger portions. That's why I had to have the dang thing in the first place, and it didn't magically change me (or you!). You can do this!

Two year blues... and possible problem here. I was banded in Nov 2007, and lost 82 lbs by July 2008. With only 30 lbs left to lose, I decided to move to California (from Texas). My LB doctor decided to remove my restriction during my relocation (I had issues with stress causing me to tighten too much)... and he was concerned that I might not be able to find a doctor in my new town if I had a complication. Good thing he chose to do this because I have still not been able to find a Dr in my vicinity that will treat "other" Drs patients (stupid, huh?). So, basically, I have had "no fill" for over a year now because I no longer have insurance, and cannot afford to fly back to Texas just for a fill. Up until a few months ago, I had managed to maintain the weight loss I had already achieved, but was not able to lose that last 30lbs :confused: Then, a few weeks ago... I noticed that I was feeling tight every time I eat anything. That got me to thinking about how my old bad habits have resurfaced (eating WAY past full... eating too fast... not chewing enough... making bad food choices... drinking too much liquid while eating... etc). This past week, I have been VERY conscience of my eating habits, and I am still getting "stuck" and sliming after only a few bites. I have gained back about 7lbs, and am wondering if that weight gain has made me feel tight? Or if I have a slipped band, or if I have stretched my pouch and it is now prolapsed. I know I need to get back on track, and get serious about losing these last "now" 37 lbs. I have not been on this site in a long time, I only decided to log on to see if anyone else has experienced what I have been feeling. Several people have suggested going on liquids for a few days (so I am starting that tomorrow). Any other ideas?

POOP QUESTION ALERT So I've been clogged up. Had to go the fleet route to get things flowing but it was still bad. So I started taking colace 1x day and that did nothing. So now I'm tAking 2x day. I've noticed that I've GAINED 2 pounds since doing this. Is it making me retain Water? Why the weight gain?

I was stuck for 2 straight weeks at the same weight about a month ago. I felt like a complete and total failure and loser. I got so depressed and annoyed that I didn't really know what to do. On the 12th day, I said "screw it... this isn't working, i'm going to binge". I told my wife to get some wings from wing zone with a bunch of sides. I was ready to tear into them and completely give up. I was able to eat one and a half wing pieces and half of a potato wedge. It was the funniest thing ever and completely lifted my spirits. That's when it became clear to me that the sleeve was not the answer to all my weight problems, but was an extremely useful tool to help me lose weight. My binge consisted of about 250 calories...total. lol 3 days later was weigh in day and I was down 3 lbs. I've lost another 15 lbs since. All you can do is make sure you are getting all your Protein, Water, exercise and Vitamins. If you are stuck in a workout routine, change it up. Do squats. Squats are super easy to do and they workout the largest muscle group in your body and you can get away with doing them daily. The more muscle you have, the more calories(fat) can be burned while resting. In any case, don't agonize. Be patient and understand that this is part of the process. Plateaus happen with weight loss, weight gain, muscle gain, etc.

Yes, it would be interesting to compare body fat/lean mass ratios, blood chemistry etc. And I think the biggest telling factor is whether they keep the weight off. People who dont exercise are way more likely to regain. Exercise is a huge preventative factor in preventing weight gain and regain.

I'm having a really hard time getting approved for my revision - I've had the lap band since 2008 and I've lost at most 60 lbs, I would get sick often, and haven't been able to afford a fill adjustment in awhile because I did not have insurance. Now that I have it - I find out about the sleeve and I really want to switch to it as I've weighed the pros and cons - but my insurance won't approve the revision unless I can prove medically necessary. I have some port pain, but I have a very high tolerance for pain, so I can ignore it most times... When I finally went for my band adjustment last July - they showed that the band had slipped a bit and that my pouch was enlarged. They unfilled it a bit and that is when I started doing research and found out about the sleeve. So many people were talking about all the issues they had with the band and not being able to be comfortable about going out to eat because you have to case the place basically to make sure you know where the restroom is and how quickly you can get to it, how some days I could eat a lil bit but then the next day its Soups or nothing kinda day... I thought - hey I could do the sleeve and I wouldn't have to worry about stuck food anymore and I would still have a restriction that would keep me from overdoing it - I was very careful about not overdoing it. I've done all the requirements for it and have met them all - I keep reading about all of you that have had the revision done and I'm starting to get really fustrated and upset because it seems like I'm trying to do this before I get really sick with any of the overweight caused diseases - I am right now at around 270 - because I gained back 20lbs ( i admit - I regained because I was suddenly able to eat all the things I hadn't been able to eat in the past 8 years, like bread, brocoli(sp), vegetables, steak, actual pizza, pasta - I do not eat junk like candy or processed bakery stuff and am a rather 'healthy' eater - I just over do it because I never feel full) after I got my band unfilled in preparation for surgery, atm I still do not have real health issues other then my joints are getting older and having a harder time at the gym because of the weight gain - I still go to the gym at least 1 - 2 times a week and work on the treadmill. Last week I went back to my surgeon and his assistant has put me on a liquid diet to help me lose some of the weight I gained back, and because my EDG and swallow study came back normal - they weren't able to prove that its medically necessary to remove the band - so we're trying for intolerance since I was getting sick before when it was filled. So, we agreed to get my band filled again with 2 ccs - I went for the appointment that was set up with the hospial and when I got there the lady that was supposed to do my fill was almost like she didn't want to do it because she was confused as to why I was there - she said I was telling her the wrong things - that because I told her I don't want to gain anymore weight and that I want to prove to the insurance that the band wasn't working for me, so I have to get it refilled and go back through everything I was going through before. She almost didn't fill it and as it is - I don't believe she put the whole 2ccs in either. I'm waiting until this week is done on the liquid diet, I still have port pain and it hurts sometimes like a bad stitch and sharp pain - but apparently that's not enough I'm not giving up - but I can't afford this as a self pay, my credit is really horrible, so I am unable to get approved for a loan to pay for the removal of the band. Please excuse any incorrect grammer and the fact that I skip from topic to topic - I'm not sure what its called but I type and talk in random sometimes jumping from topic to topic as my mind grabs a thought. I try to go back and edit, but if I missed something... I've done 7 nutrition visits now, provided my gym check ins, did all the requirements for a normal just getting the sleeve done as well as doing the requirements for getting a revision done - I just want to get this done, so I can get started... I don't understand how some people are getting approved for revisions or getting the sleeve done when they have so much less to lose then I do, and I'm having such difficulty - what am I doing wrong?! even my surgeon's assistant is at a loss, but she is trying to help me and hopefully we can prove intolerance... I feel almost as if I'm being pushed into self paying for it - which I can't afford to do...

From what I've read, a co-morbidity is a co-morbidities no matter how you put it. I'd look up insurance requirements and whatnot before gaining/faking 20 pounds. Some Won't allow any weight gain. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Good afternoon All! I finally made it - I am down to 196 pounds - officially in ONEDERLAND!!!! I got a fill recently (that's what helped me make it) because my weight had been stuck for 6 weeks at 205. The hunger was back, I was starting to be able to eat more (and badly) and I was not ready to quit losing yet. Some friends and even a couple of family members said I was small enough - since I was now wearing size 16's and even a few 14W's, and they didn't want me to get "too thin". I really don't know what "too thin" would be for me, since I've been fighting my weight since I was 9 years old. Yep, you read that right... When I was 9, my mother took me to the doctor for a normal school physical and because she was concerned about my weight. My father and mother (God rest their souls) were both heavy. What I did not know at the time was that heart disease ran in my family and my mother was worried about the path I was on. The doctor told her (and me) that I needed to be careful about my weight gain or I would be at 200 pounds when I turned 18. Overachiever that I am, I made it at age 16...some of you will understand this - it was very HARD going through high school being overweight. My height saved me a little, but not enough. I could never wear the same clothes that my friends wore, could never seem to get the attention from the same guys that my friends talked to, etc, etc, etc. Now I'm at my lightest weight since I was 16 years old, and I'm ecstatic! :tt1: I went shopping for new pants last night, since the smallest size I had in my closet was an 18. Thank goodness for belts - I could make sure they didn't fall down, but they were really baggy! I went to Lane Bryant, because I knew they carried tall sizes pretty regularly, and since I'm 5' 11" tall, I definately NEED tall pants! I fit into their new Right Fit sizes at a Yellow 2. That means approximately a size 16, made for a body that is straighter from waist to hip. That was a revelation - I'd been buying the Red pants - sized for a body with more of a waist-to-hip difference. Getting the right size was amazing! Most pants had been baggy in the seat for me, totally not flattering, but these fit beautifully! No bagging, no sagging, and I could BREATHE in them! I'm in such a giddy state at the store, I bought two pairs of dress pants and a pair of jeans! The wonderful thing about the band is that I know I'm not done yet - I want to get down to around 165 (100 lbs lost) before I say I'm done...that, or to get off all my diabetes meds, which ever comes first. I was so happy about the new pants - I ran right home and showed my husband. His enthusiastic reaction let me know I had found the right size! I also got measured for new bras while I was there, since the store wasn't very busy. When I started this journey, I was wearing a 40K (yes, that's a K) and had to buy my bras overseas because very few places in the U.S. carried them. I left the store with a brand new size - 38DDD / 38F size prescription! I'm not going to go hog-wild crazy buying clothes just yet...I'll get enough to carry me through, because there is definately plastic surgery in my future...I believe my true size right now (sans extra skin) would be around a 14, maybe even a 12, but I believe I need to hold my weight loss for a while before investigating plastic surgery. I'll definately post again when that process begins! If you are reading this and you're not yet banded, please do your research and make a quality decision on what's right for you. The band was definately the right choice for me! If you are reading this and you are struggling with your band, don't give up! Talk to your doctor, the nutritionist, whoever you need to in order to get the help and support you need to make the band work for you - and you have to work WITH the band. If you are making good progress and loving your banded life as I am, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! I was banded in November 08 and it's now September 09 and I've lost 69 pounds. Allowing for recovery time from surgery, my weight loss really started in January 09 - that's when I got serious. I'm planning to be at my goal weight before the end of 2009, and with the help of my doctor, my family and my friends online and offline, I know I'll make it!

It would be nice if you would have posted more than just "Weight Gain in 3 Days". That doesn't mean much to anyone. Are you pre-op or Post-op? what was your weight when you started, what is it now. What diet are you on?

Hi there! I wish I could say that I am newly banded but that is not the case, I was banded in Aug 2008 and started out great. I lost 50 pounds in 4 months and was the lowest weight I can remember in a very long time. Then I got pregnant and gainned most of it back. But thankfully not all of it. Anyhow, not going to give a sob story, i blame myself for the weight gain. So this Wednesday I will be getting my first fill in over a year and would like some support and advice how to get back on the band wagon. i am really excited to get started again but I kind of feel like I have forgotten EVERYTHING. I would love someone to kind of hold me accountable, let me know what worked best for you, what does your week look like in terms of meals? And also I have a family of 3 little boys and a husband and would like some tips aswell how to make food we both can eat. I should also say I do have some very picky eaters. One thing I know about myself is that if I have guidance like a meal plan even for a couple of weeks it will really help me out. i am pretty good at following those types of things. Also if you are near Colorado SPrings that would be awesome but not necessary. Thank you!