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That is funny... That would be nice if it was a permanent feature. Maybe your esophagus where they put the band is permanently warped. Maybe when they had to repair it they had to stitch that area nice and tight. Who knows. I am glad to hear your still hanging in there. No weight gain so far? Good deal... Oh, I watched a news story the other day. Recall my telling you about that research group that found obese people dont have a particular nerve functioning properly? It was a while ago, well now another group has been doing trials for some time using a stomach pace maker. Huge SUCCESS! It zaps your stomach with tiny electric currents triggering the non-working nerve and stimulating the part of your stomach that says your full. The trial people were saying they feel "Thanksgiving full" all the time and have lost tons of weight. The surgery is even less invasive than the band surgery. You should try to look it up sometime. They didn't think it would be FDA approved for 2 more years but I found it fascinating all the same. If I have future band problems I would be happy to know there is something out there too help me if I NEED the help. Who knows what will be out there for weight in the next few years. Funny thing, if that little pacemaker is correcting an obvious malfunction problem wouldn't the medical/insurance world have to concede and take some of the blame off of our heads. A normal pace maker helps heart misfunctions: a stomach pace maker helps stomach misfunctions. Sounds reasonable. Sorry this goes on and on, I just got excited and have been wanting to tell you about it. Glad to see you and I wish you all the best, Teresa

OMG!!! This website and thread have been like a Godsend to me. About 12-13 years ago when the term PCOS first came into play, I went to my OB/GYN (1996) for my annual and asked her about it. She told me that the hair on my upper lip could easily be bleached or removed w/ NAIR and that I just need to go on a diet. I was too embarrassed to tell her about the hair on my chin, neck, cheeks, breasts, arms, and belly. Five years later (2001) and a different OB/GYN, I got the same lecture about my weight and she prescribed Vaniqua for me. Again, too embarrassed to mention all the places of have coarse, black hair. In 2006, I went to a seminar for the lap band. After finding out the procedure wasn't covered by my insurance, I thought my options were exhausted. Well, in Feb. '09, I decided to go to a new PCP. My appt. is on April 14. I have been doing quite a bit of research in the internet about PCOS for the past few months and gee... I have 6 of the main symptoms (weight gain, hirsutism, dark skin patches, skin tags, IR, and irregular periods). I am now going to my dr appt. loaded w/ information about PCOS, which blood tests in need, and the names of meds being currently prescribed for PCOS. I am also going to another lap band seminar on Apr. 8. I am going to pay for the surgery out of my own pocket. I am no longer going to just accept what ever a medical professional has to say just because s/he has a degree. I know my body! And thanks to this thread, I don't feel like such a fat, hairy freak any more! :confused:

I was banded in December and have done really well with following the rules and doing everything the "right" way. I've also been really good about making good food choices, avoiding junk, exercising, and just following a healthy lifestyle. Until now. I've been on vacation for the last week and I've eaten like a pig. I've eaten tons of junk, even candy and cake . I weighed in this morning and I'm up 2 lbs. I know some of it is probably Water retention but I'm sure some of it is true weight gain and I am kicking myself for allowing that to happen . So last night I decided that, starting today, I'm going to do liquids only for a few days to help get me back on track and then it's back to following the rules and making healthy choices again. I've come too far to mess this up now!

Has anyone gained weight after a fill?

I had gastric sleeve in December 2018. I started out at 258 pounds and I'm 5'3''. I was down to 222 the day of surgery. One month out I was down to 201. My doctor commented it may be too much too fast. I haven't really changed anything and now 2 months out I'm up to 205. Not sure why, still exercising, no sweets, eating 2 oz of food every meal. Any ideas? Hard not to be discouraged. Maybe I am looking at the scale too often. Maybe I need to take it in months and not weeks. But if I am doing something wrong or could do something better, I would like to know....

Hi all, I am new to this group but looking forward to participating. Here's my story in a nutshell: I had a Realize band placed in February of 2009. My starting weight was 268. The band was fantastic and I lost weight steadily, with the exception of a few months when I realized how easy cookies were to eat. In December of 2010, I hit the 100 pounds lost mark, I also found out I was pregnant that same week. At about 4 weeks pregnant I had a really nasty 3 day stomach flu. A few days after recovering from that, I started throwing up again. I could keep food down for a few hours, but it was all coming back up. I lost another 15 pounds in 2 weeks. I thought it was just severe morning sickness, even though in 5 previous pregnancies I'd never had morning sickness. I saw my Ob who told me to immediately get my band unfilled and if I was still throwing up the next day he'd have to admit me into the hospital. I got a complete unfill and immediately felt better, but with no restriction and absolutely no mental/physical/spiritual preparedness for no restriction, my love affair with all things bread and pastry renewed like we were never apart. I gained 40 pounds in the first 4 months of my pregnancy. I managed to gain back a little control, but ended up gaining about 60 pounds before I had my daughter in August of 2011. The weight gain took a great emotional toll on me, but I just knew that 6 weeks postpartum I'd get a fill and be right back on track... You know where this is going, right? In October of 2011 I got my band refilled. Pre-pregnancy, my fill level was at 7.2cc in an 11 cc band. We filled it to 3.5 cc and 3 weeks later filled it to 5 cc. I had very little restriction and it just didn't seem right. I'd also started getting heartburn. I went back a few weeks later and we filled it to 5.5. That lasted 24 hours, I had to go back in for an unfill and we went down to 5.2 so I could get water down. I still didn't have much restriction, but I did have terrible heartburn and vomiting in the middle of the night. I lived with this for a few months until I couldn't stand it and went back in and had .5 cc removed. This made the heartburn manageable with daily meds and tums always at hand, but there was no restriction. I could eat all the bread, pasta, rice that I wanted. I knew I had a slip, but didn't have insurance to cover bariatrics, so I lived with it. I tried eating less, exercise, weight watchers, even a juice fast but I've gained 20 more pounds on top of the baby weight. Fast forward to now and I finally have insurance to cover bariatrics. I went in a few weeks ago and had my upper GI. It showed a slip above the band, virtually my entire stomach is above the band, which is why there is no restriction felt, but the band was so tight that flow into the rest of my digestive tract was severely restricted. Food just sat there for a really long time, and the results of that we're just kind of gross. We unfilled the band completely to see if the slip would fix itself, although, we all knew what that result would be. The pregnancy hadn't caused the slip, the stomach flu had and 9 months of an empty band hadn't helped it unslip. I got that confirmation this week. My band is still slipped and the restriction is still severe even empty. I'm frustrated, but quite relieved that there has been a real issue this whole time and it wasn't just me. We're now going through the process of getting insurance approval to revise to a sleeve and I couldn't be happier.

I LOVE my Mirena. I got it for birth control, not bleeding problems, about two years ago, but I stopped having periods after about nine months and haven't had one since. It's fantastic. I know four other women with them and they all love them. It wasn't even painful to have it placed - more like, hmm, I don't think I'd much want to do that for fun, but it was OK. I would definitely give that a try before a hysterectomy! Much less invasive and can be done in ten minutes in your doc's office - not weeks and weeks of recovery from abdominal surgery. When this one "times out" in three years I will be getting another, and probably another until I don't need them anymore. Edit: Oops, I forgot to mention weight gain - I had none; in fact I was losing like crazy but I also had just given birth when I got mine. Mirena's hormonal activity is very localized; it releases progesterone only in the area of your uterus, not throughout your whole body like when you take the pill. Also, the pill contains estrogen - Mirena does not. I'm not aware of weight gain being a side effect but I bet their website would tell you more.

I have had mirena 2 different times, once after my first son and then wanted to have a second child so had it removed after year & a half. then again after the 2nd child. It's been about 1 1/2 years now and i don't have periods. I don't even know it is there. I didn't have a weight gain (other than not eating right) from it. Mine is good for five years and then you go in and get it replaced with another. It is great birth control, my doctor only recommends it to married people usually, because of the threat of disease and such from people not being safe. But if I were you, I would definately opt for Mirena over the latter of your choices. It is at least worth a try. You will spot for almost 3 weeks or so at first but then your periods will get lighter and lighter untill they disappear. Good luck to you. Only you can make the right choice for you and your body but hope the above info helps.

It's like you were yelling out loud enough for me to get on line, and read your post. Today marks my 9th week of being banded. I see all the threads with so many people losing so much weight, and it makes me jealous... and oh so weary. I feel like I'm failing with this too. It's been a long crawl to today. My loss is about the same as it was after the first 10 days. I've gone thru 2 major infections, weight gain, and feelings of total frustration. I don't miss eating. I don't miss food. I don't miss hot meals. I don't miss bread, or cheesecake, or pasta. I miss feeling hopeful. I know this will take a year, and that at my age it's more difficult. I just wish I felt like it's really going to happen. To all of you with great loss, it's always good to let us know how you're doing it. If not for the forum, I wouldn't know much. When I spoke to my Dr this past week, about some of the things we all go thru - he acted like it was a news alert. Congrats to those of you doing well*

Holy Cow, I am just now realizing that for once in my life, I am close to actually acheiving a goal I have set for myself. I sat down and thought about all the unkept promises I made to myself, lose 10lbs by Disney, lose 20lbs before dating again, lose 30lbs for family cruise...all never to be realized until now. I am starting to let myself believe that I WILL get to goal this time, that this is the miracle I hoped for all those years. This is not a magic bullet, but a vehicle to get you to your dream. I have worked very hard for my band (not the other way around) I have not taken my commitment to this surgery lightly. I have worked out a minimum of 1 hr, 6 days a week and have behaved myself at functions that in the past would have put me on the road to weight gain yet again. I am so thankful I was able to do this. I am looking forward to losing the next 58 pounds to my ultimate goal of 116lbs weight loss and have not one doubt in my mind that I will get there! Realize Band 7cc's in a 13cc band.. Loving my DOC right now!!:thumbup:

Keep up the good work! My doc lets us start mushies at a week, and I was like you--dropped 15 pounds in the first ten days. For me, the weight loss did crash to a halt when I started mushies, and I even went up a couple pounds. It doesn't make sense from a calorie standpoint, but remember that your intestines are probably all cleaned out after a couple weeks of liquids. :thumbup: For me, I know I've been exercising and my muscles are sore, which always means a little Water weight gain for me. Just keep going and believe that the weight loss will come!

I also weigh every day, mostly so I can track my water weight gain. I only take the weight I am on Saturdays as the "this is what I weigh" number. The other 6 days, I'm keeping an eye on the effects of salt on my water retention...that way, I can adjust my salt intake.

Gosh, I can't believe all the well wishes! Thanks everyone of you. Megan, the coughing did not effect the band at all except that Soup and soft foods went down much easier (thus the weight gain). I didn't feel it was tighter at all, just wasn't hungry for real heavy food. To the rest of you, I will try to write down the recipes tonite and get them out to all of you tomorrow. Made it through Thanksgiving easily (thank you Dr. McKeen for the fill last week). It made my portion sizes and desires for sweets much less, also who wants appetizers when you have all your favorites to look forward too. The only appetizer I ate was crab dip (that I made). Thanks again for all the positive thoughts and hopefully I will make it through my first full week of full time this week. Michelle -- my positive thoughts are with you at the doctors this morning. Hopefully your band is OK?

Hello Kristi, My name is Carrie - and I am excited about having a buddy also. I know how important it is to have a support person with you as you go on this journey. I have seen the weight gain program myself, but overweight my entire life from 8th grade 220 pounds, 12th grade 300 pounds then lose 75 pounds before meeting my husband, the maintained for five years then each year it increased by 20 for the next five years. 2 1/2 months ago I reached my breaking point of 300 pounds and said this is enough for 1 1/2 year I could not fit my clothes in the closet so I didn't buy new ones because I didn't want to face that I could not fit my clothes (size 22) I went up to size 26/28 and said what am I doing with myself this is crazy. But kept on eating and eating! Just depressed at what I have become and look like its really said, but today is another day now. I am excited about me! Please don't forget to email me at c_monestime@yahoo.com

I went out with the girls friday after work and had one cranberry juice and parot bay rum. I enjoyed it and stopped at one. Drinking poses no problem for me other than the calories in the mixers. At home or at friends houses I do vodka with lemonade crystal light and have had no weight gain from it - but always in moderation. Good luck,

Hi, I just found this site because I am considering lap band surgery and have been diagnosed as PCOS. I hear your story and sounds too much like mine. I battled weight problems as a child and around age 18 I became very athletic and muscular- weight was 140 for a little while. After college the ability to exercise 2 hours a day slowly diminished and the weight crept back up. After a rough time with work and a feeling of depression I settled on taking an antidepressant. Within 4 months I gained 40 lbs and the weight has slowly crept higher and higher to my current 235 lbs. It took only about 2 years or less to make it to 220 and then the 235 in the last couple years. I have been off the medication a few years now- fearing it caused the weight gains. But haven't lost any weight since being off it. I was diagnosed last year with PCOS only after bringing it to my OBGYN's attention because I could not understand why- no matter what I tried- I could not lose weight. I knew there was a problem when I trained for (5 months) and completed a century ride in 2000 - among several bike rides that were 50+ miles. Then in 2007 I trained (5 months) for and completed a 1/2 marathon (walking). My clothes actually felt tighter! I was going out of my mind!!! Why didn't I lose ANY weight?? I think we have all felt the devastation of saying "this is the last time I am trying another new thing to try to lose the weight." And if you're like me you keep doing more and different things just to see if it will change life because you really can't give up. I still haven't given up exercising because that is the one thing that keeps me from laying in my bed and feeling sad. Not that I don't feel it some days. It's also hard because alot of friends and family really just want to believe "if only you ate this way" or "you just have to keep up with the exercise." They don't understand and I've worked harder than they have- only to feel like I achieved nothing in batttling the weight problem. Alot of people see it as willpower- I only can smile at them and say "thanks for your advice." I still have a hard time believing that all my efforts resulted in almost zero weight loss. Today is a good day for me and I feel okay about my weight- tomorrow might not be so happy- but I at least hope you see that you are not alone. There are a generous number of women out there battling the same problem- It sounds like you will find a good handful of them- with support- if you need it on this site. I'm hoping I can get alot of support as well because I have tons of questions!!! I do hope you feel better- sorry for the long post, I just didn't want you to feel alone in this battle- I'm right next to ya! :ohmy:

We were about a year out -- might've been sooner, but it took me almost 9 months to get pregnant. My surgeon never mentioned a specific wait-time for pregnancy. In fact, I was told I could have the band even if I was planning on getting pregnant right away because it would help with weight gain during the pregnancy.

Hi, Isn't is frustrating sometimes how fills vary? I personally think, both before and after my banding, that those dreaded female hormones play a significant role in appetite and in all kinds of swelling and water retention. Does your recent weight gain coincide with a hormonal fluctuation perhaps? I have heard from others here that sometimes fills do take a while to kick in, and that the restriction does tend to fluctuate (for hormonal or WHATEVER reasons). I think it is positively SEXIST that the two gentlemen who I have seen post here (Leo and ??) have lost tons of weight with no fills!!! Guys, really, I am happy for you!! Please keep how ever many chins you may have UP Alexandra, and thanks for sharing. Frustation needs empathy!

Well of course she did... After all... I am the good twin!!!! Kewl on the eDiets charts... I used mine from the last number of years there as well!!!! Hey... are you still a member there??? There is a support group under the WLS heading there that a gal named Sanda started and it was ALL about GBP/RNY. I barged my way in there and said that I thought it would be important for people to know that there is a safer option for those that can't "stomach" the idea of GBS. I whined when she went to other posts and did a promo for the support group without mentioning the Lap Band and she nicely added to the info. (o: I would love to have another pre-bander there... the dynamic pre-band duo!!!!!! Lets let all of those folks know that they have a safer option! I promise to be the evil twin if ya come and join me! Good luck with re-submitting the "proof" ... I didn't have all of my booklets from WW but I was able to get my old info from Jenny Craig and of course the LOOOOOOOG print out from eDiets showing my huge weight loss and then my HUGE weight gain. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and hope we can still manage a bandarama with dates that are close! Okay... can only hold out another hour before I call... pretty soon I'll just be able to tell them my name and they'll be like... OHHHHH you again. (o: Darcy

For myself and maybe for others, I seem to retain Water during my cycle. After its over I go back to my original weight. I know there are meds to relieve the bloating, but its only a temporary thing, so try not to panic when you see a lil weight gain at that time. Ann

Yes! You can blend almost anything down, whether or not it will be edible is anyone's guess, lol. Just adjust the texture as you progress, it can become thicker. Some ideas - because I ate sort of like what you've just listed for a few days becuase taht's what the lists said and I was passing out by day 4 and feeling simply awful. So I started eating what the family was eating, where suitable, just by mixing and blending. We had spaghetti bolognaise one night, well I took some of the bolognaise sauce and blended it with a can of crushed tomatoes to a soupy consistency. Surprisingly good. Another night we had lentil dahl, I blended that with greek yogurt. Roast dinner - lamb, roast pumpkin, peas and carrots - surprisingly good with gravy and liquid chicken stock blended to soup. I made a huge pot of vegie and lentil soup and blended it with extra chicken stock also, and by the end just blended it as it was to a thick smooth soup. It didnt affect my weight loss, I lost heaps, but I felt I remained well nourished and had begun a good schedule of breakfast, lunch and dinner with 2 smaller Snacks (maybe a yogurt or glass of V8) rather than just sipping odd liquids all over the place. No constipation, and no rebound weight gain when I started mushies. I was on mushies on Christmas day and had my christmas dinner mushed up in the blender with gravy, lol.

The lap band is only going to help you if you've gained weight because of eating too much and not being able to stop. All the lap band does is force you to eat less. So if you think there is some other reason for your weight gain then it probably won't work. On the other hand you could be in denial. I was never overweight and then I had babies. I exercized a lot but could never lose the weight, I honestly thought it was because of my thyroid disease. I was 210 when I got the surgery and I am 5'7. In 7 months I lost about 40 pounds. It wasn't until after the surgery that I realized I had been sabotaging my weight loss by the amount of food I ate. I had no idea. Having the surgery was the best thing that ever happened to me.

I sent an email to the woman who wrote the article. She responded to me within twenty four hours and admitted that maybe he was not the best subject. She asked me if I would like to participate in a followup story about someone who is success ful with the lapband. I gave her referrals to Century members and three different lapband support groups. I told her to get back to me in a few months, so I really have something to tell since I am a newbie with slightly less than 30 pounds in the last 6 weeks. Here is my letter I sent to her: Dear Ms. Martin, I was thoroughly disappointed with your article on the Lapband procedure. Most of the information about the Lapband in your article is inaccurate and has no real substance.You also make a mockery of all morbidly obese people by choosing a photo of a candidate with 10,000 calories of food at his table ordering the waiter to bring more. Most Lapband patients achieve longterm weight loss percentages similar to bypass patients without dumping syndrome, malabsorption and without permanent damage to their stomachs and intestines. The process is slower at a rate of 6-8 pounds a month, which is a much healthier approach to weight loss and requires less plastic surgery (or none)for the person who is morbidly obese. We are a society of quick fixes to long term problems. Obesity is a serious problem in the US and many will choose numerous other tortuous procedures that will permanently damage their bodies over one that is slower, but more healthy. I should know because I was banded and I am successfully losing the weight I want to lose slowly and in a healthy way. I have learned that it is true that the band is just a tool and the patient must eat healthy low carbohydrate, low caloric food and exercise as well to achieve the desired result. However, it is not true that negative reinforcement in the form of food getting stuck in the band is what is keeping me away from the fast food. I eat without much restriction and definitely without pain, which could be said about most Lapband patients. I now take the time to chew my food and taste what I am eating instead of inhaling it. Most of the banded people I know have lost 50 to 100% of the weight they want to lose within 2 years. Many bypass patients will lose 60-80% of their desired weight and many will gain back 20% or more of their losses. Banded people who learn to eat properly and healthy and get regular exercise have just as much of a chance to lose the same amount of weight and keep it off as bypass patients. It is my opinion that bypass patients never really get the chance to eat normal portions, since the amount is not adjustable. I eat about 6-7 ounces of food, Protein and vegetables and then leave the table. People in other countries have been banded for the last 10 years and these statistics are more accurate than the most recent US ones. In a European study, it showed most banded patients lost between 47%-75% of their desired weight loss. What I want to know is why you would choose to write about a man who obviously has a compulsive eating disorder? Anyone who eats three Breakfast meals and is still is thinking about lunch (despite his profession) has a bigger issue at hand. I am sure if a licensed psychologist did a self inventory eating disorder panel on such a candidate, they would not recommend any surgery.One should try to tackle the eating disorder first before considering any bariatric procedure. There is a difference between eating too much and being a compulsive eater. There are also other factors such as genetics, metabolism, lack of exercise, hormonal and glandular disorders and many other factors which contribute to weight gain. These are people who might make better candidates because they are willing to make changes to improve their health. If you would really like to learn about the Lapband, I would be happy to put you in touch with at least three different support groups that are national and regional who would give you more accurate information for a future article.

I just recently told my mom, who thought it was a fantastic thing, and wants me to talk to my older brother about the Lapband for himself. I've not shared w/friends - only hubby (also banded w/me) and my younger brother know, and for as slow as the weight loss has been (which is fine w/me) I'm glad I've not shared just yet -... so not to get the "what did you loose so far" comments. I'm sure I'll evolve & let others know my process, but right now I'm kinda private (except here..LOL) about my WLS - as I was with my weight gain....Best to you~

Gaynor, give yourself credit. I am sure you lost alot of weight with the band. You have managed to keep most of that off and know your limitations. Just knowing that any cheating has a price is something most of us forgot before. I just lost my band 11 weeks ago and I loved my band. I am struggling to like life without it. Stopping the weight gain, trying to figure out what I can eat, and exercising are consuming my life. I hope to get where you are soon - knowing your stabized weight and how to maintain it. Hang in there and recognize the good you have done.