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Hi, my name is Tonya. I'm a 44 years old mother of five ages 16, 2, 3, 4 and 4. Number 2 and one of the 4's I have permanent custody of and I'm trying to adopt :-) I am going to try and not ramble but I do sometimes. I was never an overweight child, never gained more than maybe 20 pounds extra in high school. In college I was able to maintain 135 pounds with no weight gain. I'm 5'5. When I was 25 I got married. At 27 I got pregnant with my first child and gained 100 pounds. He weighed 11 pounds at birth. 10lb15oz exactly. From the year of his birth, 1998, until the present, I have not been under 200 pounds. My last weight was 300 at pre-op testing. Years of being abused emotionally and mentally by his father made me turn to food for comfort. I don't drink or smoke or do drugs but I had my food. He fussed about my weight so I defiantly ate more and more. He said he was ashamed of me, told me I was worthless for 9 of the 12 years we were together. So, I left him in 2006 and in 2009 reconnected with my best friend from high school. We married that year and now have 2 kids together :-) he never made an issue of my weight and loved me the way that I am. So I thought, he deserves a healthier wife than this because he's so good to me. I really thought I could diet and lose the weight because I was finally happy. Nope. I had learned what a powerful drug food was and I couldn't let go. Almost 5 years after I married this perfect man, I got my sleeve. I now 5 days post op and am feeling great. Feel free to ask me any questions if you have any. I'm an open book :-)

When I was young around 40 years ago, I began to walk for the exercise and also in order to loose a little weight. Every day I added a little more distance. Finally I worked myself up to 10 miles per day. It would take me a couple hours to do it. But instead of losing weight I began to gain weight. So I stopped. (Actually my weight gain was a healthy weight gain, I was converting fat into muscle. But I didn't know that at the time.) It might be that you have set an unrealistic goal. I never set a goal for WLS (Weight Loss Surgery) and I was pleasantly surprised by the results. The problem may also lie in the composition of what you are eating. I took the approach of integrating Protein in my meals so that I could reduce the amount of protein I obtained in my supplements. I opted for homemade high protein Soups and chili. I have included some recipes in the following: http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf For me WLS was not so much about losing weight, it was more about stopping many of my medical conditions. When these conditions went into remission, I was happy. I had a discussion with my nutritionist a few months ago. We discussed "Why people who have lost weight due to WLS would sometimes gain it back?" She said the answer lies in the Snacks. Individuals who snack in-between meals can gain the weight back. So maintenance needs to bring that problem under control.

I will be getting on some kind of birth control this week. But not sure what. Is there something out there that doesn't cause weight gain?? Thank you!

I don't say anything to others about their weight loss for all of the reasons Emlefe states. Also, for the same reason it is not acceptable to comment on weight gain, I don't comment on weight loss. Let's face it, people who lose weight are very likely to gain it again. Of course, we are in a different situation, but others don't know that.

I can eat a lot! And can eat around the sleeve too. I do eat around 2 cups of food at dinner... can eat lots of salad...and junk and at other times get the breaks put on by the sleeve at very little food (may not even be protein) I have to write it all down and plan for healthy choices to keep on track. Restriction is a great tool, but will not keep me from gaining all by itself. I can def eat more now than I could at one year out. If you don't have the healthy eating plan in place, you may be caught in a weight gain cycle at some time. It has happened to the best of us at some point. The more tools in the tool chest, the better life you can build!

The sleeve fails too.. So if that fails your screwed anyway.. But just a little info.. If your band slips, leaks, or erodes.. A majority of insurance companies consider that a medical emergency not an additional surgery. Andddd As u can read on this board, people that were banded years ago, lose the weight, gain it back, then 4-5 years later.. Are starting their journeys over (with the same exact band) just by adjusting their fills and eating a proper band diet. You can seek a second a opinion sounds like your surgeon prefers sleeve for his own reasons.

Ok so I know this is not a Lap Band topic, but I'm looking for some help. I have RLS (aching, itching legs, muscle cramps, can't sleep, etc). I have been taking Mirapex for some time now. It seems to really help. But one of the side affects is weight gain. Since I started taking it, my appetite increased and I definitely did gain weight. Now since I"ve been banded, I'm afraid of taking it, but without it I can't sleep. I was wondering if anyone else suffered from RLS and could give me some advice on other medications or options. Thank you so much!!!

Hey all! I had surgery on 3-14-11 and gained weight its only 4 lbs but i have maybe had 1,500 cal. all week because im on the clear liquid diet...also i have had horribal gas... just wanting to know if this is normal, and once the swelling and what not goes down will i wake up one morning and be like 5 lbs down or something? help please?

Was on it after my 2nd child. Thought it was great not having a period , Even though in the back of my head I always thought that wasn't "right" , but It was great. Then started having serious eye problems after about 2 years. Eye doc couldn't figure out why my pressures were so high and said I was going to have to be on drops for the rest of my life. After moving to another state and trying to find a new gyno. I missed my shot. Took over a year to get my period again and more importantly I went into a withdrawl causing me to miss nearly 2 months of work. I was a mess!!!! Emotionally thought I was going to wind up in an institution. Finally saw a new gyno she explained the pros and cons and the office of 5 doctors DO NOT recommend the Depo shot. They've seen way too many side effects. Inknow everyone reacts different and this was just my story. Good luck with whatever u choose:) ...oh ANd when I went off the shot I lost 35lbs!!! Weight gain was horrible. OH and the pressure in my eyes went back to normal as well.

Ok- So My life is always a little weird, but here goes... BANDED 5 years ago- lost 120lbs.. great.. 2 years ago started haveing complications,... let out fluid and then progessivly kepts getting more fluid let out... and gaining... and heartburn... lost heath insurance so did not have upper gi etc... I had major body and mind trauma 1 year ago in a accident where i was rescued out of the ocean after 3 hours in alaska... i was very thankful for the extra warmth layer of fat!!! anyhow- my physical system for the last year was up and down with adreiline, sugars, shock, -i gained 70 llbs,... had band completely deflated and still had major acid flux... lost health insurance. i suspected something was not right... was told i neede to do something... i was dying with moe weight gain, etc. soooo with little $ for usa.. i schedualled a fix it op. in mexico... went well. but due to extensive scar issue etc surgery itself too awhile. i had been living with a band to tight and slipped and scr tissue grown over etc.. so i was used to the pain and not really being aware anymore.. NOW I am 7 days post op... DR wants me on clear liqu 15 days THEN 15 days of shakes, milk thick, THEN 15 days of the puree.... Im not EVEN looking at cottage cheese for another 4 weeks!!! WHAAA im not sure im gonna make it.. I have an incredible pain tolerance and think im super human.... soo liquids are no problem... i drink them till the cows come home... i am DYING for SOMETHING... not sure what to do cause i dont trust myself to KNOW if it hurts enough to not do it... i really can not screw this up.. but at same time my body is crying out for some milk or something... im scared...worried that im gona die os some weird complication cause my body does not heal well, and i was in mexico, and on and on... IT is nice to have No more heartburn... i am geting in liqu and protien... CANT I MOVE ON??? 7 more days of this i dont know.. im gona start self medication with smoking and sucking on candy soon.. and that is not the route I want .. i want this oppurtunity to really change the way i handle life and food... Im scared... my back hurts much.. are my kidneys ok.. (Urine DARK) ... I can not afford to keep running to DR. at least not for a few more weeks.... i need to get back to work to earn...because life is life i have been up much and carrying a little. i hope i am not ripping things out in there... I cant sleep well- I think im just anxious.

Best of luck!!!! And you WILL be gaining - the GOOD kind of gaining - not gaining weight - gaining a new life!!!!

If you are undecided, and feeling like you need to overcome being scared about the surgery, it tells me that you are not 100% committed to making the life style changes required to be successful with using the band as a weight loss tool. For a bandster to be successful with weight loss, it requires daily compliance with your diet, a commitment for regular exercise, and letting go of the maladaptive eating patterns which contributed to your weight gain. If you don't have that level of commitment for change, then I believe you will likely set yourself up for negative feelings about you, your band, and may even label yourself as a failure. It's a better choice to wait until emotionally you are ready for these required changes. Best wishes...

Well strange as it may seem , we are more alike than you think, I have heard so many times the comments you speak of , even my Doctor said a few years ago , some people are just big Nick why dont we call your limit 17 stone ( 240lbs ) , like you Im very big around the shoulders ( was very active in my late teens early 20's ) and had a reasonable good physique then , even then I was 220lbs of which they consider obese , my wife refers to those as my skinny years LOL ... strangely enough she says still to this day Nick I still see you thro my eyes as that person and at that size , I dont see you as overweight .. but the fact does remain the weight I am at is affecting my health .. so it must be addressed for sure. These people also dont consider your own personal feelings about your body or the mental aspect of it all , I think at 25 years of age , your picking the right time in life to address your issues. Your young , at what I would say at a peak time of your life and you should be enjoying life to the full , and if weight is preventing you from doing so , then of course you should attempt to correct it ... Anyway I thought I would post a pic for you , Im 5ft 10.5" , 10 years ago I was 6 foot , Im actually shrinking in height would you believe due to fact of my back problems .. who would have thought 1.5" in 10 years .. anyway heres the pic ... its recent only a year old , I was 280lbs when this was taken ... and for comparison my wife is only 132lbs , and its a side on picture , you will see not a huge stomach , Im kind well just everywhere , when weight gains , it hits my face arms , legs everywhere , kinda in proportion ... anyway I hope the pic helps and shows well at least your not mad in your line of thought , or comments being said , and the further additon to the post you find helpful ... So look at the pic , would you consider it a frame of a man that has so many health issues going on , mostlky in relation to weight ?. I also believe , as I am quite a black or white , yes or no type of person , and they are a lot of nice people out there of course , but their comments sometimes just dont help the situation , they dont help because they are not in your shoes. You do what is right for you , makes you happy and helps you achieve your goals with you in mind ... of course in a healthy and positive way. Where are you in the world out of curiousity ? ps , the pic is as attached file click and should open

Hi everyone, I had my initial surgery 10 years ago. I lost 98 lbs and it brought my 5'6" frame to a svelte 156.00 lbs. I was looking and feeling great. Then I started to get sick and was passing out about 2 years post-op. I found out my lapband had slipped and I went in for a revision. Again 3 years later I had to have another revision. After that time I gained weight and leveled at 180 lbs. I didn't like the number but with exercise I looked okay and felt good, so I was okay with it. Push forward 4 years and I have gained another 25 lbs and now weight 205 lbs. I have tracked my food intake for one-full year and I average 1100 calories per day. So how in the heck can I now weigh 205 lbs? I went to the surgeon and was sent for a swallow test and was told my lapband had been tilted and was extremely tight and there was no reason to gain weight. I was documenting food right down to one tic tac. Last month I had a double hernia surgery and it was performed by a surgeon who also handles gastric weight loss surgeries (not my original surgeon). He stated that my port was located in a weird area, and not the norm, the port was disconnected from the band and therefore, was not working! Not what I was told by my original surgeon. This surgeon re-connected the band and stated, the band is not tilted, nor is it too tight since it was empty, and he can fill it in February. My question is this: I keep feeling bloated and I continue to gain weight, I am currently 209 lbs. I cannot locate anything online that states how many calories is normal for labband patients. I find diets up to 4 weeks post op but nothing for long term. Would I be okay with 1100 calories and making that up with 75-80 grams of Protein per day? Should I be doing less calories? Has anyone been successful with 21 day fix or some other program in addition to the lapband? I really need help I do not want to continue to climb the ladder of weight until I am adjusted. Thank you!

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

My original posting was on the LB talk site but have never liked it because so many people talk to you like you're a freak of nature when you say the band hasn't worked for you or you've had complications, you get the whole "you're doing it wrong" "what do you eat" responses. I guys, any thoughts on Lapband removal and going to sleeve? I was banded April 2008 and have many complications over the last few years from GI issues to slippage causing weight gain. Spoke to my doctor today originally thinking of going to gastric bypass, but after much discussion of how I am dedicated to working out, counting calories and portion control, that he feels the sleeve would be a better option for me to lose the weight Ive gained and help me obtain my goal weight with out dealing with the complications of re routing intestines and malobsobtion. Here's the break down: I had never really considered the sleeve only because I had read that those who failed with the band would fail with the sleeve. And with my track record lol... Let see banded April 2008, lost about 30lbs in 10months Bad break up on Feb 2009 prompted the run/drink water/smoke diet and lost 40lbs or so in 2months. April 2009 got life back on track and was less depressed so was able to eat and hold down food and gained 60lbs in 6months Aug 2010 went back to nutritionist and was put on phentramine (yet have lb but still needed diet pills) and lost 30lbs in 6months. July 2011 delt with slight weight gain and possible ulcer Nov/Dec 2011 nearly hospitalized from GI issues and had ever test they could think of to figure out what was wrong with me and scoped from WMD to end. Off phentramine March 2012 learned my band had slipped which wa cause of a lot of the issues my GI doctor was trying to figure out. And band unfilled and began discussions on revision to gastric bypass May 2012 band looked better had partial fill and more talks about revision, up 7lbs, back to other doctor an put back on phentramine weightloss program July 2012 gained another 13lbs and another fill, stated to start researching revison options. Got personal trainer at gym for 2xs a month work out for extra support. Still on phentramine Aug 2012 down 3lbs, still having issues with band, can't lay on stomach because port site hurts, can't do certain work outs because it hurts to twist. Still not much restriction but fear tha because my band is tighter when I stress that any fill can cause issues. Discussed my fears of gastric and my doctors/my fears that of band is completely removed I will gain even more back and then some. Doctor recommended sleeve over bypass. So yes I've been looking into it for awhile, I'm doing everything that has been asked of me and then some to lose the weight and keep gaining the min I'm off diet pills and sometimes even when on them. Doctor expressed that believes its my intolerance to certain healthy foods (the good Fiber ones) is a big problem, cant have a salad or fresh veggies with out getting stuck, sliming or PBing. So that's why I'm torn, hadn't given much thought to the sleeve before it scared me more than bypass until I read all the horror stories of it and heard stories from friends who knew people who died from gastric complications months after surgery. I've spent 4hours yesterday just reading and researching and so far the sleeve really does seem like the best option. The idea to continue to have a tool to help me control my weight gain and the ability to eat a salad at the same time with out being in pain or throwing up sounds heavenly lol So that's where I am at lol

Lol o crap really hope my feet don't lose to much weight. I was a 6.5 then with the weight gain a 7 and that has to be 7 wide with. I got at least 6 new pair of shoes at size 7. Just figured before the weight gain I was 6.5 so a 7 even if I lose should still..I'm praying fit. Got these killer Coach wedge sneakers Omg lol

I agree with both comments...romance her, take it back to how you got her in the first place but most importantly, talk to her as pdx stated. Weight gain for us women is a major buzz KILL when sex is involved and her being tired doesn't help matters either. But make time for a date night and let her know up front that ud like to talk to her about you guys relationship and how you both can pitch in to make it stronger. Although I'm sure she's proud of your weight changes, I'm also sure that it may be a little upsetting to her since u stated that she's gained weight. Even though WE are excited about our journeys, it may take our loved ones longer to understand what our bodies are going threw, heck, we r still learning, so be considerate and patient concerning that. But like I said, make time to talk to her and with her and don't make it about you feeling like a teenage boy again bc no woman wants a boy for a husband. God bless u both. Dee Dee

When I asked my nutritionist, why some people who undergo surgery, lose a lot of weight then regain some or all the weight back. Her response was grazing. Grazing means to eat small portions of food, as appetizers or the like, in place of a full-sized meal or to snack during the course of the day in place of regular meals. A regain of 70 pounds is a lot. It will be hard to lose that much weight again. Some causes of weight gain are associated with medication. Some of the prescription medicine that can cause uncontrollable weight gain are: Anti-Depressants Birth control pills Hormones for hormone therapy Steroids Beta-blockers Anti-seizure medication Tamoxifen Some treatments for rheumatoid arthritis Treatments for migraines Heartburn medications Some medical conditions that can also cause weight gain are: Hypothyroidism Cushing's Syndrome Not enough sleep Seasonal Affective Disorder Preganancy

Ouch, I hear you, I'm not bipolar, I have major depression, but Effexor alone doesn't work for me, I have to take a cocktail of meds, and a few of the ones I take cause weight gain. You know counsellors and drug treatment programs are confidential. NA is confidential. The only people that will need to know are you, and which ever professionals or support groups you choose to involve. These are people who are either very experienced in working with addiction and are not judgemental, but understanding health workers, or people who share the same struggles you do. If you feel the need to hide it from people in your life and your family you can still do that and get help, you can tell them you are getting help around your depression or whatever, but don't let it hold you back. You might want to look into taking a mood stabilizer in a lower dose rather than cutting it out completely. Have you tried Tegretol? It's an anticonvulsant med like Depakote, some people find they have less side effects on some meds than on others, you may have less weight issues on one than you do on another. What I've chosen to do with my weight gaining side effect meds are to take as low a dose as I can with still getting a positive effect. A lot of the weight gain from these meds comes from them causing you to crave carbs and to cause you to feel hungry all the time, with the band, a lot of those side effects are minimized or gone totally. I'm still on my meds that cause weight gain, but since being banded I -am- losing weight. I talked about it a lot with my family Dr, with my psychiatrist, and with my surgeon, and they all felt you can still lose the weight with the band, while taking meds that cause weight gain. So don't give up on them. Get help, and get yourself back on track, you deserve it. big hugs Leila

I have a weight gain every month a couple of days before my period starts. I also stall or gain when I take some medications for my sinuses. It is frustrating to say the least, but after 4 months, I am no longer terrified by it and know it will be gone in a week and I will be back on the losing track.

I am 8 weeks post op and have lost 35 lbs so far. I started exercising last Monday. I have gained 3 lbs since then. What the hell?! It was literally overnight. Anyone have this happen? I had the lapband with plication and no fills yet.

To the weight loss surgery patient slider foods are the bane of good intentions and ignorance often causing dumping syndrome, weight loss plateaus, and eventually weight gain. Slider foods, to weight loss surgery patients, are soft simple processed carbohydrates of little or no nutritional value that slide right through the surgical stomach pouch without providing nutrition or satiation. The most innocent of slider foods are saltine crackers, often eaten with warm tea or other beverages, to soothe the stomach in illness or while recovering from surgery. Understanding Slider Foods The most commonly consumed slider foods include pretzels, crackers (saltines, graham, Ritz, etc.) filled cracker snacks such as Ritz Bits, popcorn, cheese snacks (Cheetos) or cheese crackers, tortilla chips with salsa, potato chips, sugar-free cookies, cakes, and candy. You will notice these slider foods are often salty and cause a dry mouth so they must be ingested with liquid to be palatable. This is how they become slider foods. They are also, most often, void of nutritional value. For weight loss surgery patients the process of digestion is different than those who have not undergone gastric surgery. When slider foods are consumed they go into the stomach pouch and exit directly into the jejunum where the simple carbohydrate slurry is quickly absorbed and stored by the body. There is little thermic effect in the digestion of simple carbohydrates like there is in the digestion of protein so little metabolic energy is expended. In most cases patients in the phase of weight loss who eat slider foods will experience a weight loss plateau and possibly the setback of weight gain. And sadly, they will begin to believe their surgical stomach pouch is not functioning properly because they never feel fullness or restriction like they experience when eating protein. The very nature of the surgical gastric pouch is to cause feelings of tightness or restriction when one has eaten enough food. However, when soft simple carbohydrates are eaten this tightness or restriction does not result and one can continue to eat, unmeasured, copious amounts of non-nutritional food without ever feeling uncomfortable. Many patients turn to slider foods for this very reason. They do not like the discomfort that results when the pouch is full from eating a measured portion of lean animal or dairy protein without liquids. Yet it is this very restriction that is the desired result of the surgery. The discomfort is intended to signal the cessation of eating. Remembering the “Protein First” rule is crucial to weight management with bariatric surgery. Gastric bypass, gastric banding (lap-band) and gastric sleeve patients are instructed to follow a high protein diet to facilitate healing and promote weight loss. Bariatric centers advise what is commonly known among weight loss surgery patients as the “Four Rules” the most important of which is “Protein First.” That means of all nutrients (protein, veggies, complex carbohydrates, then fat and alcohol) the patient is required to eat protein first. Protein is not always the most comfortable food choice for weight loss surgery patients who feel restriction after eating a very small amount of food. However, for the surgical tool to work correctly a diet rich in protein and low in simple carbohydrate slider foods must be observed. The high protein diet must be followed even after healthy body weight has been achieved in order to maintain a healthy weight and avoid weight regain.

Is it time for your lap band to be adjusting? Source: http://hubpages.com/...-to-be-adjusted Video included Getting a lap-band and undergoing lap-band surgery isn't your typical weight loss surgery. You must follow very strict measures set forth by your doctor in order to continuously lose weight and recover properly. Non compliance with these orders may result in unfortunate results or further complications. One very important aspect is knowing when it is time to adjust your lap-band and communicating this to your doctor. Some factors that will aide in lap-band adjustment are the following; how long ago you had the surgery, your gastric band size relative to your situation and your diet to name a few. After you get a lap-band, your band will need to be adjusted periodically to bring about weight loss. This will depend on your newly acquired eating habits. You will be given specific foods to eat, foods not to eat, amounts of food/water and signs to look out for. Once you begin your new diet suited for your band you must monitor your body closely. This is the only way you can determine if it's time to adjust your gastric band. Primarily it will take some time before your first adjustment takes place under most circumstances. The early stages normally deal with healing and getting used to your band. Overtime your eating habits should begin to change and a loss of weight will follow. If you are following your new diet plan and exercising and still gain weight, you may need an adjustment. Speak with your doctor first about your liquid intake along with the amount of proteins you are ingesting. If you drink more liquid, you will feel fuller sooner and in turn, eat less. This may be a solution to weight loss instead of an adjustment. You could eat four pounds of unhealthy foods and four pound of healthy foods and gain the same amount of weight. It isn't the amount you eat but what types of food it is. Eating four pounds of certain foods may bring about weight loss which is the desired result. You have to watch and see how your body reacts to certain food and drinks. If you don't feel hungry after you eat a plate of salad but still fill hungry after you eat a plate of the same amount of another kind of food, salad would be good to eat regularly. If you are experiencing side effects after your lap-band surgery you should contact your doctor immediately. This may be caused by diet but it very well may be a sign that it's time for an adjustment. Other things to watch out for are acid reflux, stomach cramps, vomiting and weight gain. They are possible signs of needing a band adjustment. Spend some time doing further research and don't hesitate to seek medical attention when needed. Everyone's situation is different and these tips should be viewed as a general guide to lap-band adjustment.

I had to take the 2 antibiotics and a PPI's for this. Make sure you take all three because it can come back. I didn't gain weight. It can cause weight gain if you get an overgrowth from yeast because of the antibiotics . Also after you are done with the meds start taking a very good probiotic. There are good ones like Dr. Oheria I think is the best. There are others like Renew Life. Best of luck to you