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Did you speak to the dr that put you in the medication? Is a common side effect of that medication weight gain? that really sucks and it’s very disheartening. I would definitely appeal that decision

Going through Dr. Kia in Flint, Michigan. Did my 6 weigh ins and consistently lost 1-2 lbs every month. In December was put on Depakote and began to gain weight. Was just denied due to the gain and even worse was told none of my weigh ins count and I’m starting over. I’m devastated. Going to appeal. Anyone have advice? Mclaren Health Plan.

My NUT said 50% veggies, 25% protein, 25% starch, and to aim for .6g of protein for every lb of body weight (for me at my current weight that is ~65g). With that said, I'm doing my own thing: Aim for 60g of protein (which I reach maybe 80% of the time) and total calories around 1800-2000 calories during "normal" times*. I no longer concern myself with carb nor fat amounts. Though truth be told, I don't think I was ever really concerned about fat amounts, so long as I was under whatever calorie level I was aiming for at any given time. *Am currently attempting to find am acceptable calorie level as I have been out of commission on the exercise front for about a month due to injury. Am going on about a month of ZERO exercise and in an attempt to avoid any weight gain, reduced calories to about 1200-1400...but this is too low as I lost 6lbs in the last 4 weeks. Still trying to figure it out. P.S. I'm a sleeve, 2.5 years out from surgery, and almost 2 years into maintenance. I've maintained my weight +/- 5 lbs this entire time.

Hi!, yes I can share. Thank god, even with the weight gain I was approved. What insurance do you have? I have blue cross blue shield ppo. I wouldn’t be too worried, if you get all the other clearances. Good luck on your journey! Wish you all the best :)

I think the easiest way to lose weight after child birth is too make sure that you don't gain too much weight during your pregnancy. Do you have a nutritionist at your surgeon's office? If so, I would take advantage of their recommendations, and keep weight gain to 25-35 lbs. Also, if you are planning on breastfeeding, that will help the weight come off too! If I remember correctly, you burn an extra 500 calories per day when breastfeeding. Best of luck to you!!

I'm throwing this here cause it's more of a rant than a question. Just wanna complain to some people who may get it. To get it out of the way, I am not mad at the psychologist, or the clinic or anything like that. I understand why I need more therapy prior to getting surgery and I fully agree that addressing problematic behaviors is important for long term success. The support of bariatric psychologists and support groups is why I decided to go with a hospital close to me that offers that stuff as part of the program instead of going to Mexico where it'd be much much cheaper as a self pay patient. All that being said, I can't help but feel a bit down trodden and frustrated. I go to therapy frequently, and have for years. The past few years I've felt like I was doing really well. I hadn't had any major bouts of depression or anxiety that lasted for notable periods of time. There had been a few hiccups but they were promptly addressed and such. I thought I was gonna pass this thing with flying colors. Alas, nope. My psychologist that was evaluating me asked if any of the doctors or surgeons I had visited over the years had asked about my relationship with food cause she was seeing some concerning things, and honestly they haven't. That isn't to say I haven't talked with my therapist about my weight, it's just that eating patterns and behaviors themselves weren't ever really discussed. It was more just acknowledgement that depression and anxiety had contributed to weight gain. The bariatric psychologist also stated she doesn't think my current medications are working as well as I think, and that based on what I described as "normal" eating for myself, I am self-medicating with food in addition to the medications, and she'd like to make sure that I won't spiral once that food aspect is no longer a possibility. So I am now scheduled to see a therapist who specializes in bariatric surgery and disordered eating (she doesn't think I have Binge Eating Disorder, but she does think that my eating is disordered), and we'll check in 90 days later. The psychologist did repeatedly thank me for being honest though, so there's that 😕 I had a bit of a cry session yesterday when I found out. I am continuing to remind myself that the behavior and mental support part is why I chose to go with the hospital I did over other places. This is essentially what I wanted. I don't want to fail at this. I know it'll pass and a few months (hell even a year or two) is a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of my life. It just doesn't seem that way in the moment and I'm just super bummed out.

So, I had my surgery October 15, 2020 and weighed 249 on surgery day. May of 2020 the doctor said I was 259. Anyway, Today I weighed at 201. I am happy about this but I feel like it’s not enough. In January I had my 3 month appointment and weighed 208. My doctor said that was too much weight loss....I was working out 45 minutes a day to make sure I maintained a calorie deficit. They told me the surgery is the tool and to let it work. Well, to prove them I was doing what I know would work for me I haven’t done any workouts except walking. No weights, no spin classes etc... and since that January appt I have only lost 7 pounds. I am super frustrated!! I’m aware that the surgery is a tool but I wasn’t always fat. An injury and two surgeries in 3 years for it plus ending up with secondary adrenal insufficiency in 2016 and on prednisone for over a year cause my weight gain and nothing I could do would help. Prior to my foot injury I worked out two hours a day 3 days a week and and hour a day on all the other days and off on Sunday. I feel like I should have had the gastric bypass. I was told by my mother in law I would want the bypass but I felt like that was so invasive and the very last step. But now, with all the stalls and especially this last stall and the doctors office telling me the opposite of everything I’ve ever known I feel defeated. I was never what you would call a skinny girl. I have a lot of muscle and a ghetto booty and I’m ok with that but I feel like I will never see 150 or less. And some days I’m so hungry and seems like I never get full even though I clearly am full. Did they cut enough of my stomach out? The doctors office can’t even tell me that. I don’t even want to go back for my 6 month appointment in April.

Has anyone gained weight post op duodenal switch? I hear it's near impossible and you have to try very hard to gain weight after surgery.

What has helped me the most with my menstrual pain is going on norethindrone. It's a progestin only birth control pill. It tends to have less negative side effects like weight gain but isn't as effective at preventing pregnancy than the regular pill. If you can tolerate them there are also hormonal IUDs that use progestin only.

Hello, My name is Shannon but everyone calls me Shani. I am 34 years old and my start weight was 335 as of January 09, 2020. I didn't get to have my surgery until January 11, 2021 due to Covid and other medical issues... I'm sure a lot of people have had frustrations over that... I could've had it in July, but sadly, that didn't happen. Instead, I had my surgery January 11th, 2021 at which time I weighed in at 309. - I'm a 5'8 female, so I'm kinda tall... built more like my father than my mother... I don't have another appointment with my doctor until mid-April, but my family keeps freaking me out saying I'm losing weight too fast. I'm down to 265.4 as of today's date. - I've been watching the scale every day (not as a bad thing, just to check every day... if I lost, I lost, if I didn't, oh well) and I've noticed my weight can range anywhere from .80 of a pound to 2.0 pounds in a day.... so, like I said, I've lost about 44 lbs as of this conversation... Obviously, I'm only 2 months (and a couple days) out from sleeve surgery so I'm still in soft food diet area... and I know my ideal weight is gonna be somewhere around 160-170 most likely... At the rate I'm going, if I didn't plateau somewhere, in six months, I'd be at my goal weight. I am the pickiest eater to begin with, so when the doctor told me I'd have to go on a strict diet, I had no issue with this... I told him, just give me one to three things I'm allowed to eat, and I'll be fine... he said, eggs, canned chicken, soft veggies... so, that's exactly what I do. My meal every day consists of 2 handfuls of frozen peppers/onion mix, 1 egg, and a third to a quarter can of chunk chicken, mixed together like an omelette, with a few dollops of salsa on top for the spicyness of it and two tablespoons of spicy sauce (only 25 calories per 2 tablespoons). I eat that in a bowl twice a day RELIGIOUSLY - nothing else. If I eat a third bowl (like for dinner) I start gaining weight. ( tried eating 3x a day for 4 days, I gained 5 lbs). I can only get down 2 bottles of water (16.9 oz) every day, else wise I get nauseous from the water intake. I gym 2 times a week, basically because I don't have a car, and my mother or sister have to take me but I do simple things at home to try to exercise as well... Gym days I plateau. I don't lose weight. Like at all... and yes, I know muscle weighs more... so it's a non-issue for me... But my family makes me wonder if I'm losing too fast, too soon... My sister had the bypass, ( she only had to lose 70lbs though, where as I have to lose 170 to get to my ideal weight.) When I first spoke to the doctor back in February, he saw no issue with my weight loss amount... Said he sees it more in men than in females but it's not uncommon (ergo why I said I'm built more like my father than mother) and that each person is different... Should I be worried that I'm not eating that third meal? I'm not hungry for it, so I don't feel like I need it... not to mention the weight gain it gives me that I don't like... I've even tried just doing some hummus and carrots as a third meal, and still gained weight... so I dropped it back down to 2 meals, and boom, I'm back to dropping 2 lbs a day for 3 days straight... today I lost .8 lbs... which brings me to 265... Any thoughts?

I joined this forum in 2012, but wasn't really active. One friend who I connected with on here and she vanished, so I just never really came back. I just had a revision from sleeve that was done Nov. 2012, to bypass on Tuesday. I had some GERD, but not severe, but full weight gain. I also was 30 pounds from goal weight at my lowest. I knew the sleeve wouldn't work for me, because it's not about how much I eat, but what I eat when I feel like eating. You guys, this is HARD. Before sleeve, I didn't eat much, even less after. Now, I'm freaking dying to eat. Really, I just want coffee with my creamer and I'll be good. I've always said, I could drink coffee all day and be fine. I can't get comfortable. I handle surgery really well, like shopping the day after hysterectomy, appendectomy, etc, but this?! I'm still on pain meds & anti nausea. I could really use some encouragement, cuz I'm miserable. I need to know there's light even in a week. I'm really struggling. For those who have done this, any words of encouragement?

Our stats are very similar. I'm 4'11 and I'm at my highest weight of 218. 70 extra pounds is a lot to carry around on our small frames. Thinking back to when I was a healthy weight: I had the energy to be involved socially and participate in activities I was more present in my relationships and that made me a better wife, mother, and friend Since the weight gain, I've experienced back and joint pain, and now mobility is starting to be affected. Like you, I also have a few comorbidities. The progression has been predictable. First no symptoms, next from mild to moderate, and lastly severe. These are a few critical questions I asked myself when deciding to pursue surgery and the answers are what keep me moving forward: How satisfied are you with your physical health? How will that satisfaction be affected if other comorbidities develop? Is there a chance I will lose the ability to remain independent or care for myself if I continue on this path? As others have said, it's important to ask if the risks of obesity such as high cholesterol, cancers, heart disease, stroke, gallbladder/gallstones outweigh the benefits like freedom from or reduced impact from diseases, a longer life span, improved personal relationships, and better mental health. Self-reflection is important. Maybe along the way you've forgotten what your motivation is or it's changed. Why did you start this process in the first place? Is what motivated you then still relevant now? Whatever you decide, please don't punish yourself, it will erode your confidence.

I'm 17 years out...About 6 months after my surgery in 2004, I developed consistent, debilitating migraines. I also started developing attitude issues, and was diagnosed bipolar. The theory was that my body chemistry changed after the surgery, causing these issues. I've had weight gain due to bad nutritional info, and have also developed Asthma. I'm not sure what exactly you're looking for... There were other medical issues, I had cancer, but I don't think that was related...

Like I said, I don’t think I cope using food on a regular basis. I’ve tracked food for years now and there aren’t any patterns that suggest emotional eating outside of that one period of heavy trauma. I guess that’s why it never occurred to me that the trauma caused my weight gain because I haven’t been an emotional eater before or since. Maybe it happened because my other methods of coping were cut during the abuse (he wouldn’t let me see friends and I was too depressed to do my usual hobbies)? Idk. But thanks for the advice, that is a good way to ensure that I don’t fall into that again post-surgery without realizing it if something else happens. I’ve been trying to find a therapist to talk about these things with but they’re so expensive!

One thing that will help is that most doctors recommend that you track what you eat. Assuming you weigh yourself regularly, you'll be able to spot weight gain early and then you can look back at what you were eating to determine why. Emotional eating can still happen post-surgery, but part of the work we have to do as WLS patients is finding different ways to cope rather than food.

I’m scheduled for a gastric sleeve in a few weeks because I’ve been heavy all my life and can’t lose weight any other way. I found some of my old doctors notes last night and noticed that I started the year 2016 at 190lbs and ended at 250lbs... that was also the year I was in an abusive relationship. The only weight I’ve gained since then is 20lbs of “and then some” weight from failed diets. I had never noticed before that most of my weight gain occurred during that period of my life. During that year I knew I was gaining a little weight but didn’t think it was that much and never thought I used food to cope or anything but I obviously did. I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand it may be easier for me to keep the weight off as long as I don’t fall into any more toxic relationships. On the other hand the fact that I didn’t notice that those were related before now may be problematic when other stressful things happen in my life. Anyone else have a similar situation where your weight gain happened in a short period of time because of a stressful life circumstance? Did surgery help you if so?

I haven't been here in five years, but I thought I should share what I've learned on this journey... 1. My sleeve was a very minor surgery. Less than 30 minutes passed between being knocked out and the recovery room. Quite frankly, I think this option should be more widely available for marginally obese people. Unlike the other bariatric surgeries - which change your plumbing, this is simply the removal of the stretchy part of the stomach. 2. Think long and hard about who you tell. I told a handful of family members and I think that was a mistake. I suggest you either tell everyone, or just the absolute minimum (spouse or care giver). Within the first year I was sure everyone knew and I felt I was being dishonest. 3. The honeymoon is real. For 18 months it's virtually impossible to gain weight, but after that, you most certainly can. My smaller stomach can hold 8-10 ounces of food and get refilled after about an hour. If you fill it with sugar or fat and keep refilling it, you can certainly get back all your weight. I initially lost about 90 pounds and that was too much. People kept asking me if I had cancer. I've since put 25 pounds back on and while I wish it was 15, it's fine. My weight is what it was when I was an athlete in college. I have used my reduced weight and energy to excercise and I think that has helped. I generally do 100,000 steps a week. Again, eating/drinking the wrong stuff and not exercising would surely lead to more weight gain. 4. I no longer count calories, but I do have a few tricks to keep things in check. I have designed a menu with a lot of 200-500 calorie meals and I have 3-4 of these every day. I burn enough EXTRA calories a day exercising to offset the calories I drink (I only drink 100 calorie cocktails - nothing sugary). 5. There's a lot of good and bad information on alcohol on this site. I waited 6 weeks (the European guideline) and the eased in with weak cocktails and wine. I don't think it hits me harder, but since I'm likely to have less food in my stomach, the effect is to be hit harder. I can see no reason to wait 6 months or a year other than minimizing caloric intake. The Sleeve is a timeout from your bad lifestyle, but it's not a permanent timeout. At some point you'll create a new lifestyle that will include birthday cakes, pizza, French fries and booze. You need to manage around all of these risky consumables. You should think about it ll as you enter your journey, never stop reevaluating, and constantly adjust. I hope this helps someone...

Thanks all! I’m 39 but look way older now. I was sleeved in 2012 and had acid reflux and weight gain w it. So they did bypass to fix the acid which I love but I dropped so fast in 2 months. Had my bypass 11/2 and I’m 5’3 176. Goal is 150 and then I get my PS. I went yesterday to the cosmetic n laser np. She said not a big deal but to me man it’s really really saggy and bad. I’ve never had it before and it bothers me more than anything. I guess too, I’ll take being healthier over tight skin nice neck lol it’s just hard seeing it

Hi, I am a 15yr RNY veteran and wondering if there is anyone else here like me. I haven't been so good for years and just started vitamins again and all the cells in my body woke up. I have Covid weight gain can't wait to get my shot and just go say hi to folks!

I haven't had weight gain issues but I have been very afraid of that...especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. I think my fear of turning back into "my old obese self" motivated me to keep exercising and watching what I eat (somewhat) throughout this whole thing. I wish you luck in taking that weight back off. You did it once and you can do it again!

Had gastric sleeve surgery 11-29-2016. Went from 398 lb, down to 210. I'm currently 250 and it was what I called "covid" pounds because of staying home and eating small meals but too frequently during the day. Has anyone else had these weight gain issues and how did you address it?

My name is Steph and I’m a 32yo junior doctor working in Australia. 5 years ago I was a highly successful intern at a major public hospital. I loved my job despite the insane hours, and I had just won the “Intern of the Year” prize as voted by my peers. I had just married my amazing partner of 10 years and we were saving to buy a house. The future looked bright- I was about to start my specialty training in General Practice (family medicine) which was the career I had always been so passionate about. Two years more training and a few scary exams to sit and then I would finally be fully qualified! But slowly, insidiously, I began to disintegrate. Bit by bit I slid into a deep and terrible depression. I tried everything- yoga, meditation, psychology, exercise, and many many medications. But in the end I became too unwell and was hospitalised, almost catatonic. Over the next two years I spent a total of 10 months in a psychiatric hospital across three admissions. Nearly 100 rounds of ECT caused me to lose huge chunks of my memory (most of which hasn’t returned unfortunately), and we tried just about every medication under the sun. We eventually found one particular medication that, when combined with an antidepressant and lithium, would keep me stable. It seemed like a miracle at first. But then I noticed the weight gain. At first I just said to myself that I’d rather be fat than dead. But 35kg extra weight later I knew I had a serious problem. We managed to re-jig my meds and I slowly weaned off that medication but the weight remains and because my other meds also promote weight gain on a lesser scale I’m now seriously struggling to lose anything. After countless diets and weight loss medications, dietitian appointments and weight loss programs I have decided it is time for something more drastic. So I am booked for a VSG on the 22nd of March and I can’t wait to have my body look more like my normal self! These days I am doing very well mentally, I’m back at work and studying for those crazy exams, and in my downtime I’m trying to make new memories with my awesome hubby who has stayed by my side through the absolute wreckage of our lives and is still my number one supporter. So stay tuned for updates as I start my pre-op diet on Monday and get started on this next phase of my journey

How long before you were able to kick BP Meds to the curb? I have been on them about 10 years and have had some really low readings at times since surgery. I also suspect they create a little weight gain. Looking forward to being off these in the near future!

Still in the process myself but I think it's safe to say that both my husband and I were scared and skeptical for years when it came to talking about me possibly having it. And we both only really thought about it because my family doc kept suggesting it after years of seeing me trying everything under the sun and nothing working. When we first got together in our teens (he was 19 I was 16 and now......I'm 48 now and he's 53) he was under weight and I was at a nice normal weight but I always thought I was heavy. Despite being able to wear sexy clothes and fitting in a size 4, I still thought I was heavy. I guess mostly because I WAS heavy growing up but sorta slimmed down between the ages of 12 and 16. How and why, I have no clue. It just happened. But come age 19, that's when the weight gain started for me along with the other health and hormonal problems (i.e., PCOS, Endometriosis, Insulin Resistance). Anyway, over the years the weight just kept creeping up on me despite trying many diets, exercise programs, etc. He gained too but did not become overweight. His weight gain actually resulted in him finally being at a normal weight. LOL But either way, he NEVER EVER said a harsh word to me about my weight and as for sex, even despite having gained all this weight over the years, you wouldn't know it. The dang man STILL wants it ALL THE TIME. At least like once a day!!! LOL Me on the other hand my drive is non existent. And I blame the weight on that. Despite him telling me every day that I'm beautiful, he loves me, and that I "turn him on", I just don't feel that way about myself. I am so damn self conscious that I NEVER let him see me totally naked. Well, at least not standing up and walking around. LOL I don't want to say those words he says mean nothing, cause they do, they actually mean the world to me, it's just that they still don't change my own mind about myself no matter how reassuring they are. Ya know? I still feel like I look a mess regardless of what he says. Not in the face but in the body. IMO Anyway, he is totally up for me doing whatever it is I need or want to do to make myself feel better about myself and more importantly, to keep me healthy and around for a long, long time for him. So, that's pretty much where we are. As for the sex part, I surely do hope this sex drive of mine comes back once the surgery is done. I think and feel the world of him too, and find him highly attractive as well and I hate that I keep turning down his advances a lot of the time when this sh*t sex drive of mine has NOTHING to do with him. It gets tiring constantly trying to convince him it's truly NOT HIM and that it's totally all me/my body/hormones (and sadly my last blood work showed that I'm not near menopause yet so can't blame that either....lol). I seriously feel bad that he feels at times that I don't find him attractive cause that's really not the case. I LOVE that man!!

It has been quiet and I guess I've not posted much either. I was fortunate to have someone that was about my age and size that had the surgery and walked this journey 2 years in front of me. I've also been texting a with a guy from our group that again, about my size and had the December surgery. The process is so unique to each of us as individuals that sharing experiences is great, but the drive and passion absolutely come from within. I feel like i know when I am doing well way before my scale says so. I am losing the weight as planned, walking/ jogging on treadmill 5-6 times per week and eating fairly well. When I deviate from the food plan, I know it comes with risks of my stomach disliking it (milk/ red meat) and even having a 1-2 day weight gain because of those choices. I've dabbled with alcohol, albeit, maybe 1-2 glasses of red wine from time to time and have had no bad side affects. Yesterday when I stepped on the scale in the morning and saw 244.7 lbs. I was very happy and declared yesterday a cheat day. I didn't go wild, but I made a small dish of my favorite nachos and ate about 1/3 of a box of whoppers. Didn't feel guilty in the least, but I made sure to get up this morning and put my 20 minutes of walking/ jogging in with 10 minutes of resistance bands. I'm not perfect by any means, but I am dedicated to the process and make sure that with each speed bump (planned or unplanned) that I follow it up with some good decisions to even things out. Fearing that I turn one cheat day/ bad day into 2 or 3 is my drive to stay focused. That's my 60 days post surgery story, what's yours?