Search the Community

I am on Wellbutrin, Sertraline, Clonazepam, and Rexulti. I have always dealt with depression and anxiety. I have be prescribed so many meds, and most of them caused a lot of weight gain. These seem to be doing OK now, but is I begin gaining weight after losing it, my first call will be to my psychiatrist.

Man, I'm just so discouraged. I am up to 145. I have gained 10 pounds. I feel like such a slug. All of my jeans are fitting extra tight. I went and had a fill about 12 days ago, got down to 141, but now am back up again to square one. I can eat more now too. I was so motivated after my fill, but now I am just stuck. I feel like I'm never gonna get back down to 135. I know, to most 145 is a wonderful weight to be at. But in my head, it's terrible. I know I should be greatful, but I feel like this is just the beginning and I'm gonna end up back up to 219. What's worse is that right now, I have no game plan. No way to combat the weight gain. Mentally, I am just exausted and stuck. I have lost faith in my ability to keep going. Every single day, every single hour of following the bandster rules is a complete struggle to me. I don't know why. I feel like a food addict. I think about food every hour of every day. I know something is not right in my head. The only stress I am feeling right now is the stress of building a new house. That's it. Nothing major. So what is wrong with me? I am tired of the mental roller coster ride...

I haven't necessarily had weight gain, but I fear it is going to happen for me. I feel like I eat too much, I'm not really losing anymore. My cravings are horrible, and I have no will power. I feel so helpless...

I am 3 1/2 years post op, and did not really follow strict diet regulations, just ate smaller amounts of just about anything. In total, I had lost 106 lbs, but recently I have gained 35 lbs back. I am getting into bad habits of eating after suppertime again - always wanting to eat at night. Is it possible my pouch has stretched back out? Can I do something to make it smaller again?

Hello! This will be my first post. My name is Jenniffer, I'm 26 years of age, suffering from PCOS (no periods, hirsutism, weight gain, infertility, except for the hair loss) and Hypertension. I'm 5'4 and 266 lbs. I've been overweight my entire life. I developed hypertension when I was 14 years old (inherited) due to my obesity. When I turned 15, I decided to do something for my health and got a gym membership, That's when I reached my lightest weight 180 lbs. Years later, by 2008/09 I was 289/290 lbs. I made it to 207 and then again I'm back to 266/7 in a three year period. I have tried as many diets as you can imagine. I have become a diet connoisseour and a fitness lover. I have become very deppressed and getting sleeved has become my last resource. I found out about going to Mexico and getting sleeved through A Lighter Me , but I also learned about Dr. Ramos Kelly. I have some questions for those that can relate to my experience. Here are my questions: -A Lighter Me (cheaper still good) vs Dr. Kelly (more expensive) -Which loan company lent you the money and how was the process. -Were you able to lose weight with PCOS, just like regular women do? Tell me about your experience please, because I'm completely lost. P.s. I heard bypass surgery works better for women with PCOS but I prefer the sleeve. Please help!

Greetings everyone! I had my surger in 2009 and I dropped down to 176, size 12/14. I kept the weight off for a while, but this past year I've gained 20 pounds. In my mind I know what to do, how to eat, what exercise to do, but I just feel like the biggest failure. Believe me, I'm not one to have a pitty party for 1, but lately I've just been feeling so down. I know the VSG is a tool and I know, clearly, you can gain weight back, but I wanted to know if there was anyone else out there like that has been successful, but then gained weight. I haven't gained all of my weight back, THANK YOU JESUS and my size 14 clothes still fit (barely). Size 16 fits better and I DO NOT want to go back in the 200s. Anyone out there like me? I know its all a mental thing, but sometimes having someone to talk to helps. Thanks for reading. -Cyncha21-

I was banded in 2012, had lost almost 75 lbs. at one point. I'm now at a total weight loss of 57 pounds. Ever since my surgery, I have never really done well with solids. I didn't wrooy about it at first cause I was losing but then, my weight plateaued and I gained a bit then plateaued again that I began to get concerned that about 90% of my diet is liquid. I got sick of Protein shakes so occasional ice cream shakes and sodas came into play (thus the weight gain). But, the main problem is...when I try to eat solids, even healthy solids, I am in the bathroom getting rid of it. Finally heard from the dr. that my body produces too much digestive mucous/juices too fast and attacks the food before it can get down to my stomach and be digested so the only option...my body tries to get rid of it. I miss healthy foods and am tired of not eating and having to leave the second half of meals in the bathroom. The second half of the issue is I eat/drink so very little...I cannot lose weight anymore. So I am stuck. My band has been filled and unfilled, filled and unfilled. So medically, I have a reason for insurance to pay for the band to come put but not necessarily to be converted to sleeve. My dr. is well known and he's affiliated with a center of excellence. They said that they have not had one insurance company pay for direct conversion. My dr's office says that in order to pay, all insurance require you to meet original parameters (bmi of 35 or more with problems or bmi of 40). Therefore, I will actually have to gain some weight (go backwards) in order to reach a bmi of 35 in order to have a sleeve. Plus then, I will need hope that they will think that my sleep apnea is bad enough that I can qualify. I have Blue Shield of California Ultimate PPO that we pay for ourselves(not through an employer). I haven't actually been turned down yet cause I have to submit for approval but before I can do that, I have to pay for and re-do my psych profile AGAIN. It is SOOO frustrating to think that the insurance company would make me meet ORIGINAL guidelines...including attending possible nutrition classes (I know what is involved and how to eat by now). I refuse to gain ALL my weight back to get back up to a BMI of 40. Ugh! Has anyone, who has this insurance, gone from lap band to sleeve as a direct conversion?? Has anyone had to meet the original guidelines. Any insight you have, I'd appreciate it. Thanks- Jen

So im post op sleeve gastrectomy 1yr and want another baby but am terifed of gaining any weight apart from the 10kgs baby how much should I gain if any ?And will it just fall off post birth as the same before pre pregnancy?

Rapid "weight" gain like that is just Water weight most of the time. If you are eating a lot of canned Soups and the like they have a LOT of sodium (salt) in them, which will make you retain water. You are probably struggling to get your water in as well, trying not to drink 30 mins before, or 30 mins after eating and eating every 3-4 hours is a real challenge (but you'll get the hang of it). This also contributes to the water retention because just as your body stores fat when you don't give it enough food, it stores water when you are not getting enough fluids in. Now you're saying, "How can I not be getting enough fluids if I am on a liquid diet?" Right? Well the liquids in your diet, the soups etc., are going to fill your nutritional needs and while they are technically liquid, there is not enough liquid in them to properly hydrate and nourish your body. Lastly, the surgery and pain medication coupled with the lack of solid foods and reduced amounts of liquids can constipate you in a big hurry. You don't really want to use a laxative but a stool softener is an excellent idea and maybe a little Fiber supplement to clean house and lighten the load a little. So, what to do: 1) Try low sodium soups, etc. 2) Drink as much water as you can during your windows of opportunity 3) Keep things moving in the lower GI (the softener) 4) Most importantly, and most difficult, put away the scale! You should not be worried about any significant weight loss/gain/daily fluctuations right now (or ever for that matter). I used to weigh myself everyday and I was driving myself nuts and often times not doing the things I needed to because I was either mad at the scale if it went up, or scared of it going back up when it did go down. I even convinced myself that I shouldn't workout as much (or at all) because my weight went up every time I went to the gym. Not significantly of course, but it went up because muscle weights more than fat and I didn't like it. Try to focus on what we call NSVs, or non-scale victories. Tying your shoes on the top of your foot, getting a towel to completely cover your body (even if it is a beach towel at first), having your pants fall down when you put your cell phone in your pocket, being able to breathe when you reach the top of the stairs....Priceless! All the wonderful little things that will happen to your body as you lose weight and get healthier. Things that you won't see on the digital scale readout. Things you might not see at all if you are only looking at the arbitrary number on the scale. Be a loser, not a number. I am 15 months post-op and down 108lbs! I started in a size 24 and I just bought a size 10 jeans for the first time since I was 12 years old! The band is your tool belt, but you still have to build the house, patiently. Good luck and feel free to e-mail me anytime.

I wish i had your ability to not stress...i hate Fluid weight gains...so not fair. but - you have your good days and your bad ones. hopefully the good will outweigh the bad! what have you been eating in the mushie stage?

I have bcbs of al. I had to do a required 6 month supervised diet with my pcp. I had documentation from my ob/gyn dr saying that I had been overweight for a number of years prior to this. I was on the lower side with my bmi so I had to have a comorbidity and I didn't really have anything major I had elev cholesterol once and I had an instance of high blood pressure. Over all I was fairly healthy. I do have some mild back pain caused by weight gain. I just followed a reg diet and that was monitored by my pcp. I was approved with bcbs within 3 days! I will get my surgery June 12!!!!

For the first time since I've been banded I feel bad about myself because I've gained weight. I'm an avid cyclist (bicycle) and had Fluid taken out of my band so I could train. During that time I was hungry all the time and ate pretty much whatever I wanted. Over a six month period I've gained 23 lbs (current weight 160 lbs.) and I'm at a loss... this is the heaviest I've been in years. I had my band tightened but its a fine line for me between just right and too tight. Has anyone else experienced weight gain? If so, how did you handle it emotionally and what did you do to help get it off? As a side note, I do work out and ride about 80-100 miles a week. Any insight would be appreciated!

Has anyone gained weight from depo while on supervised diet?? I follow a strict nutrition plan, ecercise etc but keep gaining a lb or two a month. The nutritionist and dr both agree its from the depo. Im no longer going to get the depo shot. Im just scared ive gone through everything to get denied because of this.

the gain is probably from the surgery and fluid build up in your abdomen from the trauma. It will disapate as time goes on. I had my GB out years ago and had the same weight gain issue but it was very temporary. Feel better soon, Diane

I drank at 3 weeks post op. It was a week long work event that had nightly cocktails hours. And was otherwise very alcohol focused. I was really drinking just to fit in and to not draw attention to my WLS. i did not enjoy drinking. Which was very different from pre op! I felt no difference in the effect of the alcohol though. I never even got the slightest bit buzzed. After that week I have mostly swore off drinking because it caused a weight gain. That week I averaged 700 cals per day, including alcohol, and returned home to a 2 LB gain. That pissed me off, and made not drinking an easy decision. Since then I have had a couple of glasses of wine. One was forced upon me by my boss when we were out to dinner on my birthday. The other is when I was having a nice tapas style dinner w a friend that had an amazing wine by the glass menu. That was the first time I really wanted a drink. I had one, it tasted good, but not as good as before. These glasses of wine did not hit me harder than usual, in fact I didn’t feel any effect from them at all.

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I lost 20 pounds during the 6-month weight loss program, which was at a different hospital--it was not connected with my surgeon's office. I first met with my surgeon about three months later, and during that time I had gained back those 20 pounds. However, I did not gain weight between the time I first saw the surgeon and my surgery date. Nonetheless, I don't think your weight gain would be enough to delay your surgery. However, you should discuss it with your surgeon. Just tell the truth and don't try to "cheat" by starving yourself before your next appointment.

Thanks for sharing your story, Nikki. I too am bipolar and on 4 different meds for that. Before I started my bipolar meds back in '06, I weighed around 160 pounds. After that, I steadily gained weight until earlier this year when I was at a high weight of 334 pounds. I know that my medication played a big part in my weight gain, but like you, I had to have it and couldn't stop taking it. Congratulations on your surgery, and you are on your way to a healthier and happier you! Keep your head up and be strong and resist temptation. You will do great!

I am feeling really good. I had a lot of second thoughts at first. I canceled my first appt. and everything. I am just so sick of being fat and tired. I have a gorgeous husband and two handsome sons and I just feel out of place. My husband is supportive but, says he loves me no matter what. I know that is sweet but, I need to do this for me. I have a really bad back and I take some serious pain meds which probably helped with the weight gain. I work full time and honestly I don't know how I do it sometimes. I am 207.5lbs but, on a 5'0 frame. I feel so terrible. I fell like a 4x4 (hahahaha). I want me back and I am willing to do this to get me back. I know it is scary and I am not telling many about this. If they notice I am losing weight, I am going to say thanks and go about my merry way. My work people do not need to know, I don't need any judgements. Most we tell are like you are not big enough or you will just gain it all back, or my favorite, I heard someone died of complications of that surgery.....I will just keep it to myself for now. Did I hear you say you were going to Mexico? Tell me about that and I would also like to hear more about you......nice to have a pal on here. Thanks for posting.......Heather

Hi There! I'm back after at least a year away from Lap Band Talk. I had surgery on 10/28/08 and am back at working on getting to my goal weight by 10/28/11. I've spent the better part of the past year dealing with a foot injury that caused my exercise to go from 5 days a week to nada. Of course that lead to poor food choices and I'm now looking at a 10lb weight gain. I'm still down 74 lbs from surgery and 93 from my heaviest, but really want to get back on track. Looking forward to reading this forum for support and finding others who are restarting with the band!

Wow! My composition professor would be appalled at my beginning anything with that but January was so insane for me that I can only begin with a Wow! I prayed, I researched, I posted here, I poured over everything I could find on obesity and gastric surgeries. I watched an all day long marathon on the morbidly obese on Discovery Channel. As always, I overdid, I over-thought, I drove myself crazy. I was in church on a Wednesday evening and could not set still. I finally went out into the lobby and called the insurance company. I was so hoping I was denied and then the searching for a decision was over. The man's voice on the phone told me differently. I was approved. By Friday I had my date. Jan. 31, 2007, with my liquid diet beginning on Jan. 17, 2007. In a week and a half my whole life was changing. The only thing I could compare this to was my pregnancies but this time it was all about me. Was I selfish or rather self-caring enough to go through with this? The idea of waiting on approval had actually caused me to go for the cokes and the caffeined sugary drinks even more and my sedentary job was just helping with the weight gain. I knew I had to quit the sugar now or forget the surgery. Guess what the Wednesday evening services were on all the month of January? A personal trainer/ pastor gave health lectures and focused on fasting! When I decided to fast God had the whole church fast! I actually began liquids and protien shakes every day until the 17th followed by a healthy evening meal. I am truly blessed I did because I would not have made it through the two weeks of liquids 24/7 before surgery if I had not began to prepare weeks ahead of time. My next entry I want to share what those two weeks of such a limited diet did for and to me mentally and physically. I learned about me and what I am vulnerable to. I also learned how strong I can be.

Why would you be ashamed? Did you have a setback? Yes, are you human? Hopefully! If you were able to do this completely on your own, you would not have had the surgery in the first place. That is true for most of us! Think of yourself before it gets out of hand. Do what is right for you to get the weight back off. Admit that you had a weakness and the weight gain was preventable, or not. Get back on track and quit beating yourself up! A little secret....I bet you are not the first to have a gain....a bigger secret...you are probably one of the few that admits it! I admire you for that. Now, do what's right for you!

I've put on 10 lbs in 7 mos. and too ashamed to go back to the Dr.

I knew that my forthcoming period might make me gain a pound or so, so I didn't get on the scale for two days. Stuck to plan, however, and kept walking. I'm still pre menstrual but got on this morning: up SIX pounds! This is so discouraging, and it makes me want to stay home in bed. This can't be normal!!!

I'd agree with a couple posts above...it sounds like you might be a tad too tight as it is right now. I'm 36w5d pregnant and haven't had to have an adjustment...I do have to eat a smaller amount for Breakfast, but a normal (for me) size lunch and dinner, plus a couple Snacks in there too. I've been craving milk, so I'm getting more Protein from milk throughout the day as well. I had decided early on to not worry about weight gain and if I needed an unfill, I'd cross that bridge when I came to it. It's about getting enough nutrients to your baby, BUT as far as "eat an extra 300 calories a day" philosophy...yeah, I haven't done that so much. Still eating what I was eating before, plus some extra milk...and OJ (another craving!) My baby is right on track for how far along I am...not too big or too small. And I've only gained about 15 pounds or so with about 3 weeks to go! I've also been waking up lately at like 3am, hungry! So that's new. Ha! I'll have some milk and a piece of toast and normally that is plenty to make it to breakfast. Good luck, mama!!

Ok, having talked to my insurance (NEIB-managed by bcbs and medical cost management) I have found out that though BCBS IL is a pain in the butt to deal with, our union has the final say about the go ahead... so far I have leared that my requirements are as follows: 1. height, weight, bmi (easy enough) (done) 2. TSH levels (again easy) (done) 3. physical and history 4. cardio and pulmonary clearance 5. 5 years of diet information 6. pyscologist 7. comorbidity My concerns are what comorbiities are considered... I have GERD, planters fascia, fatigue, menorrhagia, and had my gallbladder removed. I am going for a sleep study to rule in/out sleep apena. my BMI is 39.66 (5'5" 238lbs) My tsh levels were normal I also have a family history of diabetes. My family doctor is doing my physical and history on 4/8 and he needs to include my weight gain for the past 5 years, medications, and other health factors... Is there anything else you guys know of that will help the approval along?? Thanks!!