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A lot of insurance carriers have paid for the revision with out a hitch and others drag their feet. I'm thinking it depends on yours. I was self paid because my insurance doesn't cover wls at all. As for weight gain between band and sleeve.. UGH... I gained 75 lbs, but because of severe complications and damage from lapband I had to wait 18 months to be cleared for sleeve. Good luck!

All I can say is I'm sorry for your experience. My father in law had an infectious colitis and it took him wasting away and getting very ill to get the correct diagnosis. It's been some time, but I believe a few rounds of antibiotics and he recovered fully. I can't recall exactly how long it went on but his biggest issue was actually diagnosing the problem. It's been a long time but he's absolutely fine now and has no problems. How far are you out from surgery? The only real issue with medication comes if you need it to spend a long time in the stomach or if it's something (like B12) that needs to be absorbed there. I've taken several rounds of antibiotics and many people take anti-inflammatory meds (we have a few folks here with lupus and other autoimmune disorders) without any problems. Wishing you the very best with your treatment and a speedy recovery. I know that your fear right now is gaining weight on meds, but if your case is infectious colitis it will clear up and go away, and you will only need the meds until it's gone. Colitis can be serious if left untreated, so I'd simply do what the doctor suggests (once your colonoscopy confirms what you've got going on) and worry about losing any possible weight gain once it's over and done with. Your quality of life with colitis will be crap. With a sleeve, there's no time limit on weight loss and you can easily take off any pounds gained on a treatment cycle afterward. Put your overall health first. ~Cheri

I don't know how to fix the header but I obviously meant weight gain!!

Yep! The weight gain progression there is so familiar it's a stereotype. And boy howdy is it familiar!

Never really seen this side of it, but friends of mine that want to put on weight will use those weight gain type of shakes/powders you see at GNC and other health stores. Maybe those could help with maintenance calories that are easy to take in without having to eat junk. Edit: check this example I found out--Patients trying to regain wieght from illness, cancer treatments, etc use this. http://www.suplimednutrients.com/ Seems like you could modify the quantities or amount for maintenance vs. gain as well.

I gained a lot of weight after the band was removed. I still continued with the nutritionist at the surgeons office. I did the diet pill route for a while, lost a few lbs but was never able to lose like with the band. Finally after my last weight gain when my BMI got up to 30, my surgeon resubmitted, and with a peer review was able to get approval. I had over 40 visits to the nutritionist with records of weight gain and loss etc.

Hello everyone, here's where my story begins.... 1994 is when my weight started becoming a problem for me. I already had both of my children, one in 1990 and the other in 1991. I was about 189lbs after I had my second son and things were pretty much stable at that weight for me. I wanted to lose weight but it didn't become a serious problem until about three years later. I put on about 30lbs from 1991-1994, and it just continued to increase from there. Of course I decided to begin taking weight lost pills (phentramine/and the other phen). I both pills for about two months and quickly lost 50lbs. I thought the battle was over at that point until I gained the weight back about 6 months later (as I stopped taking the pills). I tried some of my own remedies like exercise and all types of diets. I walked and did lots of activities with my children but the weight just wouldn't go anywhere. Looking back at my weight lost journey there were a total of 11 years that I have been trying to lose weight with all types of attempts. I've taken so many diet pills and shakes that I can't even count. My husband and I attended a seminar for day one surgery in Chicago Illinois in March of 2008. In April of 2008 @ 232lbs, I decided to start working on a supervised diet plan with my doctor, I told her that I wanted to attempt a lap band procedure and she let me know that most insurance companies require that you have at least a 6 month history of a medically supervised diet. In addition to that my doctor had just started seeing a patient of hers that had the procedure done, she called her and let me speak to her to see how she felt about the surgery. I decided to go with the same doctor (Dr. Klem out of Central Dupage Hospital, in Winfield IL.) that she has since here experience was so positive. So the 6 month program began. That included Phentramine, water pill and a 1200 calorie diet plan. I lost about 10-15lbs over the 6 month time frame, which wasn't very sugnificant to me. Once I stopped taking the pills I was right back at square one.... back to 230. In September of 08' I began seeing Dr. Klem, he has been performing this type of surgery for the last 17 years, he gave me all of the pro's and con's of the procedure and told me I was a candidate for either surgery, the bypass or the lap band. My husband and I decided that the lapband was the best choice for me since I didn't have any pre-morbid conditions. The process began the next week after being catagorized as morbidly obese. By the way when I started seeing Dr. Klem I was up to 242lbs, this was barely enough to be considered for insurance (why I'm not sure...). By the time my scheduled appointment for nutritionist came I was a all time high of 247.6lbs. That was a depressing time for me, I cried when I left the office and spoke with my husband about the weight gain that I was experiencing. We decided the I should try Weight Watchers to try and work on the problem immididately, as I had developed high blood pressure by this time and my doctor decided to put me on blood preasure medicine. I began Weight Watchers which I started doing very well with and dropped about 15lbs. Unfortunately I put the procedure off because I thought maybe this would be the fix that I was truly looking for. That did not last for more than a couple of months because of the high amount of sodium that was in so many of the meals. By now it's December and I'm right back in the same visocus circle that I've been in and now my weight has really gotten out of hand. by January I was a whopping 252lbs and had a very low self esteme. I didn't want to go to any social settings and couldn't fit any of my clothes. I was up to a size 18/20...I'd never wore this size clothes even when I was 9mo pregnant with either of my children. Life seemed very glomy for me. In January I decided to get back to business with Dr. Klems office and get the show on the road. As most of you know this can be a very long process because of all of the steps you have to take to be qualified for surgery. By March of this year I was finally finished with all of the steps that I needed (so I thought). My Information was submitted to my insurance company and I thought it was complete but of course my insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois denied my case. They claimed that I didn't have enough previous documented diet attempts for at least 5 years. When I submitted 7 years straight of failed diet attempts with one diet (Dr. Greenspon) doctor. My case was taken on by the Attorney that handles lap band denied cases, which took almost two months to get resolved. Finally got approved (this was a very stressful time needless to say).:tongue_smilie:As I was waiting for the approval I decided to try another dietary option, Weight Watchers (This was so costly, but my husband wanted to make sure I tried absolutly everything.....) by June of 09, I was finally approved... Now to set the date...July was full for my doctor so I opted to take August 12th. I'm now scheduled....:thumbup:... Kept doing Weight Watchers for a minute until I ran out of thier food and I'm now at 239.5. My liquid diet starts July 29th, which does consist of some food. I am to have a protein shake for breakfast, a morning snack (which will be a fat free yogart without fruit), Protein shake for lunch, mid lunch snack (which will be sugar free jello), and then a dinner (I've opted to use a Smart One's meal which is approved by my nutrutionist as long as it has meat in it.) and I can have up to two sugar free popcicles or fudgecicles. This doesn't seem like a liquid diet but the doctor knows best and it's ment to be 1000 calories. My nutritionist said it was good that I've been on the Weight Watchers diet because it's comparable to what I will be doing except it's 200 calories less. I will continue to post after my procedure but I can say that I'm happy that it's all most time for me to get this part over with....It's been a long time coming.:confused: Start Weight: 252lbs Pre Op Weight: 239lbs Pre Surgery Weight: ??? Goal Weight: 145

it wont fail! As long as you consume the propoer nutrition and exercise if possible. The stalls are expected.. I suggest you weigh no more than once a week.. Our bodies fluctuate with water weight too often and will drive you insane. I have weighed once a week on the same day since surgery and have always experienced a loss even if it is 1 lb.. The ont time i weighed in the middle of week it showed a 1.5 weight gain. I jumped off the scale so quick it was like I was standing on fire LOL.. but when I weighed again on my normal day, it was 1 lb loss.. whew..

Surely though with the small amount of pizza and Chinese you say you have had would not result in weight gain ? Just my view .

Well, I had a fill today post op after my port had flipped and I had corrective surgery on May 10th. I went for a follow up today. I gained two pounds! The doctor took one look at me and he said I had a fluid build up. He drained almost 16 oz of fluid out of me! Anyway, he said he gave me a fill during my surgery and I said I felt nothing, he decided to give me another fill today. Anyway, I was only able to hold down 1 Cup of food before I felt like I would start regurgitating. It was a good feel, not a restrictive feel but enough to let me know I'd had enough. My doctor is very conservative on fills and this time I think he hit the green zone because I'm comfortable and feel good that I can stop eating when I feel full. Before the band I would have eaten everything on my plate. Hopefully, a loss will show up on the scale. The doctor said that the fluid build up post op was a contributing factor in my weight gain of two pounds. A gain is a gain so I have to log that down and remind. Myself not to get discouraged.

Lots of good advice given by the previous poster! Given the mental health issues and how they tie into weight gain/loss I second the suggestion to find a counsellor to help you walk through issues as they crop up and creating a support network to give you encouragement and motivation when things get tough. I'm sorry about your brother and hope you are confident in the care he receives in the group home, so that you can focus on taking care of yourself now

I believe I'm getting enough Water, but today I'm tracking that as well. Just because I *think* I'm getting enough of something (or not too much of something else) doesn't mean reality matches up. Thanks for asking Paula, and yes, uhm, every thing is coming out all right, as it were. I have not checked recently to see if my meds cause weight gain. I am not currently on prednisone, but I was prior to being banded. I can't think that previous use of steroids would impact my current weight loss. But one of the very first things they want ot do to you here in SE ID is put you on a course of prednisone if you come into the ER with an asthma attack. If my oxygen is below 90%, they put me on steroids.

What!!!! Now I have heard of water weight gain but not because you've lost to much. Hummmn

Laceemouse, I was 324 when I had the surgery, and 372 when I started the process. I'm wicked happy about the progress trust me! I am just a little concerned because of the weight gain. Wasn't sure if it was something to be calling the Dr about. I know I can't keep up the extreme weight loss, but wouldn't that be nice still have about 100lbs to go! Thanks for the input guys. I called my NUT earlier and she did recommend increasing my calories a bit and not working out as vigorously as I have been, so I'm going to try that. I'll let you know how I do

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.

Melody-- Thank you for being so positive--I've had people post me that pretty much made me feel guilty for getting pregnant so close after surgery, but I know this baby is God's will for my life, so I rejoice in that. I also believe that God lead me to get the lap band, so I'm confident that all will be well after the baby's born, and I'll resume my weight loss then. Sparkling, I know what you mean about the fatigue and lack of exercise. Before I was pregnant, I was jogging up to 2 miles/day and walking 2. At about 6 weeks pregnant, I was so tired, I couldn't do it anymore (and I have three children under the age of 5, so that makes me tired in itself ). Don't worry about your weight gain--just eat healthy foods and do the best you can... I think there are some signs to look for when dealing with a slipped band--more or less restriction (which I don't have much of at all because I have no fill), heartburn--I think that's the most obvious ones. I don't know. I just hope my band stays in place and works. I hope that I'm not stretching the top part of my stomach out too much...we'll see. Did you get a fill before you found out you were pregnant. I never made it that far...

So my insurance wants 6 months of medically managed weight loss. Keyword there is "loss". Thursday I go in for my 4-month check-in, and the papers that get filled out each visit will continue to show a weight gain. It was only about 2 or 3 weeks ago that I was put on a dosage of Metformin that doesn't make me sick, and I've lost about 3 pounds since then. Yet my forms will still show a 17 pound gain from when I first started my journey (Started at 360, ballooned up to 380, then got on Metformin and now at 377). I know I still have 2 months still to lose weight, but I'm afraid insurance is going to deny me and all my work will have gone to waste again, all because I wasn't back on Metformin until now.

Hello all! I am a 22 year old female and i have been overweight for all of my life. My issues are not working out and eating the right portions. I do not eat junk or drink soda.I now have knee and ankle pains from the weight gain over the last year that has brought me to 299 pounds. I never wanted to consider the lapband before because i thought it was cheating. I am now left no choice. I am too young to be at this weight. I am aware that i have to improve my eating habits and exercise habits as well. I think my breaking point was going to the doctor and seeing 299 as my weight on the scale. I made an appointment to see the surgeon and it was a waste, my doctor referred me to a surgeon and not a bariatric surgeon, he was nice enough to refer me to a bariatric surgeon. However, i found out that the surgeon does not take my health insurance. i was pretty bummed. The receptionist told me that there was a surgeon on the team that did take me insurance. She scheduled me for a seminar on the 21st of December and i am really nervous. I am also joining the gym near my house next week. why not now? the membership fee is waved. if i don't do it at this gym (which is 2 blocks from my house) i will not make it to any other gym... EVER. The only thing i can change for now is my eating. It's just so hard, i've been this way my whole life, i have 22 years of bad eating habits to break. i know it wont come easy, but i need help. My boyfriend is the only person i have told that i am considering the surgery. majority of my family members are plain old fat.. when my skinny aunt when for a tummy tuck the family wouldnt shut up about it, i dont need that negativity around me. I just refuse to be bothered by it. I know i need the support, but i dont want to worry about who is saying what or who is looking at me and judging my choice. I DONT WANT TO BE FAT ANYMORE! I am young and have my whole life ahead of me, i'd like to be able to live it... not watch it go by.

This is pretty normal. Weight gain, weight loss and surgery are the ideal recipe for messing up our schedules. Throw in the onset of menopause and I never know when I am getting a period! pre-surgery I had nothing for 9 months, post-surgery it was every two weeks but now I haven't had a period for two months.

I haven't been to the doctor for about a 2 months i haven't lost any weight. I was on all kinds of depression medication and stopped taking everything. I know that weight gain is a side effect of stopping medication like that, however I'm scared my doctor is going to get mad that I haven't lost any weight. I have an appointment today to get a fill, I just don't want the doctor to get at me or deny me a full... Has anyone else went through this?

Hello everyone! Hopefully some of ya'll remember me. I've been MIA for a while now and I decided it's time to come clean. I was banded 9-20-07. Lost 100 lbs exactly on my 1-year bandiversary. I have flip flopped with the same 20 lbs since then. I have been pretty active on LBT until the past few months. I was recently diagnosed with cluster headaches. It's a very rare headache disorder- known as the worst kind of headache there is. Here is a link that better explains if anyone is interested in it --> Cluster Headaches I have been dealing with these headaches for a little over a month now, with anywhere between 1-6 headaches a day. My doctor put me on a steroid, a very high dose and then I'll be tapered off it. I think I will be on it a total of 6 weeks. The side effects are taking a toll on me....even less sleep, mood swings, fatigue, and HUNGRY ALL THE TIME! I think I've gained 8 lbs since starting the steroid 10 days ago. The steroid blocked the headaches for about 4 days, and now they have returned again. I have tried exercising since the attacks started and exercise ALWAYS brings an attack on...even light swimming. It's very discouraging. I am lucky that my doctor knew about cluster headaches, because many people go misdiagnosed for years...it's heartbreaking. Now, I am not blaming cluster headaches for all my weight gain, because I have not been following the rules much lately. food has become my comfort. I never thought that would happen to me after all I have accomplished. I guess I'm just looking for some support. I still have a long way to go and I'm wondering if I will ever get there. I am going to start tracking my food tomorrow and try to make better choices with my food. Thanks for listening. I've missed my band buddies!!

This is a link to an article that was shared by another BP friend earlier this week. Good information to keep in mind. http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/ways-avoid-weight-gain-after-bariatric-surgery/

That's interesting. Sometimes I feel sorry for my body and all that I have put it through with the weight gain and surgery. We put ourselves through so much with our weight gain, and then even our tool to fix it makes us feel strange.

Hey Esin, you are right, there is A LOT of support on this forum and it is really nice knowing when you need that boost or support you got it..right here. :-). I'm sure everything will turn out great for you and in my opinion i am finding out that there really IS no easy way out. I've noticed something in these last few days..since i have been working out everyday.. i definitely have A LOT more motivation, energy, and it's easier to stick to a healthy diet. I know that once i get down to my optimum weight, the band will help keep off the weight gain... i think thats what they mean by it being a "tool" someone posted on here a very useful website.. BariatricEating.com - BE, Inc. The number one bariatric website for Protein, Vitamins, and success. i am grateful for finding it, there are soooooo many yummy recipes.. I wish you well and let us know how it all turns out!! P.S. weather was rainy the last few days here in NY ..but today the sun is shining and it's going to be 81 degrees... too bad i am stuck in a box (my office) at work

I had Sutton 2006 I have gained about 50 back from the 130lbs that I lost. Any suggestions on losing weight at this point.