Search the Community

Hello everyone .. It's been awhile , however I have a little bit of bad news ... Over the last 5 months I've been gaining weight ... Just found out that my port may have a leak ... Has anyone had this problem ... What do they do for it ?? Will I lose my weight again ... Will my insurance cover it ??? So many questions ... Anything will help ...

Chittick24 thanks for the information, it's really helpful to read about your experience. I am very concerned about weight gain, so I'm glad to hear you didn't have any issues. Did you experience the nausea prior to your pregnancy?

What changed? Did you stop eating healthy, not working out, or??? I'm asking because I'm newly banded and want to understand what contributed to the weight gain. Thanks and best wishes!

I am more hungry and want to eat everything in sight. In addition I can eat more food but can only barely tolerate water. It is so strange but thankfully like others, the weight gain is quickly lost afterwards.

So this is where Im at. I am 18 days post op. I habe a picc line for nutrition-I wasnt getting enought through liquids and dr. Didnt want to advance me to next stage due to stomache inflammation. No leaks ct was good.So since Ive been on nutrition (4days) Ive gained 6lbs. Does anyone know if this is normal??

I hope that in a year I look at this post and laugh at nervousness and say to myself, "that was the smartest thing I have ever done." I am a few days out. Have not lost weight on the pre-op diet, though there is the issue of scale discrepancy and possible monthly water weight gain. Reading the messages from everyone else that far out, I have started to tell myself I don't want the words "I need to work on my protein" or "I should be exercising more" happen. I'm 35, work full time. Just had a big breakup (he didn't want kids -- thanks for telling me now!), financially trying to get it together for the last 15 years, and I am ready for a change. Yikes!

I had to reply because I was due for my first AF since my surgery on the 6th August and it is 5 days late. I've not had the usual spotting, weight gain or bloating before hand, so I'm thinking that because of the weight loss and surgery our hormones go all out of whack. I'm sure as time goes on it should even it self out.

I have pcos and before surgery, for the past 10 years or so, ive rarely gotten my period. Since surgery 4 months ago, im getting my period like clockwork every month. But, this is the first month that ive actually gained weight during it! Im really upset about the gain, 5 lbs in the last few days. I started taking birth control last week but was told it wouldnt make me gain, but im not sure if that has anything to do with it or not. I guess i just need reassurance that this is normal. I know women can be heavier during their period, but i didnt expect this after being sleeved.

I truly understand I was trying to do a surgery before and was not able to do so my weight gain is not up significant amounts but it is not going down.. My PCP is working with me ???????? I saw him today as well as my dietitian I have to do the 3 month prep.. I have always thought that we r supposed to be practicing preventive medicine so I feel that the surgery is just that PREVENTIVE Medicine.. GOOD LUCK

The biggest benefit for me has been the relief I have felt knowing that this was for me. I was overweight since I was a small child. My parents sent me to fat camp when I was in 4th grade. I lost weight, gained weight, lost weight, and gained weight so many times. No more yo-yoing for me.

Protein cookie habit is way better than the apple fritter habit, right? I need to break my energy square habit of 2 every morning. However, it gives me energy and does not cause weight gain, so all is good...

things probably changed in four years. i had my band for over 10 yrs now and got down to 110 but it just doesn't work for me with constant port irritation and band slipped, causing weight gain. not sure why you keep having to leave a msg at their office. i never have issue getting through. keep trying and good luck with whoever you may use. i just always put my trust in Dr. Cribbins bc I have seen him over 10 years and i always feel he is doing what is in MY best interest. i am a nurse and super critical of doctors! also Cribbins is doing one step revision for me in two weeks!! good luck!

I'm the oddball. Mine have managed to get a little perkier- they are still huge (36G). I still need a lift, but I will have implants done at that same time. I really think this is one of those genetics things- it depends on how your family is and if the girls are a side effect of weight gain or just a matter of genes. Every single woman on both sides of my family (my mom excluded because she had a double mastectomy)- is at least a DDD. It doesn't matter if you're a size 0 or 26 in my family.

I just have to "weigh" in. This is based on no real knowledge, training or education. (That's my legal disclaimer:)). What I have a problem with is people complaining about "only" losing X amount of weight. We had WLS, not quadruple limb amputations, or a magical procedure. While 100 pounds in 4 months would be awesome, and I have read of a few who have done it, I just don't think it's realistic for most people. If we could just pour off the weight at lightning speed, none of us would be here. Our species would be extinct. A few bad winters in the past and our ancestors would have all promptly starved to death. Our bodies are amazingly and awesomely designed to keep us alive, through feast and famine. For most of us, this is the first famine we are experiencing and our bodies are responding beautifully, and as designed. Some people lose weight at a steady rate. Some drop a good amount rapidly, then "plateau", like stairs. Neither is better or worse. I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and GIVE YOUR SELF A BREAK! Our poor bodies have been through a major trauma, but they are still showing up for us, doing their job, day in and day out. Not to mention, we have abused them and treated them like crap for years to get here. They aren't complaining about any of it, or the fact that we cut out a perfectly healthy and non offending organ, while leaving the guilty party intact (nobody wants a lobotomy, I guess). If you lose "only" 15 pounds a month on average, that will still be 180 in a year. We are all successes. Use reason when the scale shows a weight gain. Even if all 7 or 8 hundred calories came from pop rocks and cotton candy, you could not possibly gain 5 pounds of fat. Its not possible. That gain is simply water retention or your crazy ass digital scale. We get this hyper focus on the scale. Don't do it. It diminishes what you have accomplished. We have all suffered so much being overweight and being judged. Don't do this to yourself when you are finally, finally doing awesome. Use your head and self talk to build yourself up, not to introduce fear of failure and recrimination. Even the "slow losers" seem to be about 30 pounds down by now. We've got this! We didn't gain 100 pounds in 4 months (I don't think), and we aren't going to lose it that quick either (I'm more certain). But, If we keep focused, keep making mostly good choices, and keep moving, we ALL, have to lose weight and have success. Figure out your average weight loss, think about the last time you lost that much in that amount of time, pat yourself on the back and repeat, "I am strong, tough and have taken back control of my life. I will do this, I AM doing this, I will succeed and I will not berate myself or waste precious time with negative self talk!" And all God's people said, "Amen!" Sorry so long. This is a Rah! Rah! Post. It's not intended to rant:) Elaine

keea LOL you are definitely NOT the only one that does daily weigh ins if i had a donut - ahhhhh i mean a Protein shake for everyone that weighs every day - i could open my own store!!!! "i get upset if i dont loss weight... crazy" mannnnny people tell you/me to hide the scale, it will drive you crazy - get rid of it et al if you are watching the scale too much - being upset if it doesn't move correctly - then i would "make" myself/force myself to get on the scale only once a week that being said.......... i have always weighed daily, and will probably continue to do so I need to make sure that i'm staying at the right weight it fluctuates sometimes - 2-3 lbs at the most won't let the weight gain get any higher people have been shot for less as far as the mood thing - i don't know, i never had that problem - (cuz i'm so wonderful, sweet and perfect!! ) but i hear stuff about hormones maybe affecting different things good luck kathy

I was very lucky and had a good experience. Our local hospital has the sleep study rooms set up to resemble a hotel, so maybe I just went into hotel mode. There was a TV, etc. My spouse dropped me off and then came back for me the next morning. The nurse was very nice -- he stuck on the sensors and put them into a kind of pony tail at the side so I was able to fall asleep. I was worried about having to get up and go to the bathroom but when I did it was very easy as everything unhooked from one place. They checked on me from time-to-time and I had what for me was a "regular" night's sleep, i.e. waking up constantly, otherwise known as apnea. No wonder I was exhausted all the time -- and endangering my health. The next thing was getting the machine. A respiratory therapist set it up and I was fortunate to be able to have the kind that has nose pillows rather than a thing that goes over mouth and nose. It's a bit like how oxygen is done but the nose is sealed. Straps over the head to keep the thing on but they are pretty well-designed for minimal intrusion. I travel with the machine and last year even shared a hotel room with a friend for the first time. She did not laugh at me! Prior to that only my husband had seen the thing, and he is not horrified. It's just a little weird but really it's so amazing to be able to go to that place of deep sleep. I didn't realize how long it had been since I was there. Really hoping that a big weight loss will enable me to sleep without the machine, but I suspect I have had apnea and sleep issues my whole life, even prior to the weight gain. We'll see, though -- it's definitely a goal for me. Good luck -- I think you'll do fine on the sleep study. A sense of humor is always a good idea because the whole thing is kind of bizarre. Let us know how you do!

I'm sorry if this offends anyone but this makes me want to cry!! I do not cheat, I am not eating over 800 calories a day, I get in all my protein, I stay as far away from carbs as I can and fat is the devil!! But yet I'm only down now 31 lbs!!! I was down 38 lbs but it went up and now I've stopped loosing completely! I was 333 lbs day of surgery and was told people over 300 lbs loose really fast the first 3-6 months, evidently not me! I have no clue what to do, I can't even eat 3 oz at any meal time! I I have to repeat I never cheat and this is just horrible! My surgery date was July 13, 2013 As of September 13th it will be two months!!! I should be down 60 lbs by then but it sure doesn't look good! What's my point of all this your probably asking?? Well it really upsets me severely when I read about people eating slider foods, and high carb foods and complaining about their NUT going crazy! See there's a reason, you must learn to eat differently in order for this to work!! You MUST change your lifestyle and eating habits FOREVER!! If not you will end up like the lady that goes to church with my aunt... All weight gained back plus some!! Yep it can happen, she started gaining it back within a year of her surgery!! PLEASE THINK BEFORE YOU EAT!! I mean some people may not care but if not why have the surgery to begin with?? I paid for my surgery completely 100% out of my pocket and I'm certainly not rich, really I couldn't afford it but I needed this for myself and my kids!!! Anyway now that I've probably made everyone mad on here I guess I will apologize, I rally am only trying to help but yes I had to rant too! I guess what bothers me most is the fact that I was told I'd loose fast bc I needed to loose more and I took it literally! I was hoping to be down 100+ lbs before Christmas this year maybe something will turn around for me and I'll suddenly see the major loss I'm waiting for!

I gained 12. A week after surgery it was gone and I was back to what I weighed day of surgery. :-) I'd read about weight gain from IV fluids here so I wasn't surprised. Disappointed, but not surprised. Lol It goes away quickly and then the REAL weight loss starts! :-)

Nana Initially Wrote: "OK, you many not like what I have to say, It's called hard love, but here goes. I've seen this happen over and over and over again, from many lap banders, it's called "lap band abuse" and I've seen many on OH do this to their bands and bodies over the 8 years I've had a band, and have horrible complications and then come band and "innocently" bash the band and say their bands liked to "killed them" and had to have their bands removed in an "urgent situation", and then say how dangerous the lap band is and tell EVERYONE especially newbies that they too will suffer the same fate of a "horrible complication". But one thing I really appreciate in your post is that you are owning your problems, and reaching out for help. But sadly, your situation does not look good for a long healthy band life, here is your problem, you went passed the green zone, and staying in the red zone (too tight) for too long and I am sure you did not care because you were happy with your great weight loss. You lost your weight the wrong way, and when you lose the wrong way with the band you will pay for it. The lap band has a VERY HIGH complication rate for this very reason, (lap band abuse) this is why many surgeons are moving away from the lap band because so many people abuse, get too tight and never follow up until their bands has slipped so bad it must be removed. And of course many patients are not going to be honest with the surgeon about being too tight and using the band as a bulimic tool, many surgeons are just seeing all these horrible long term complications of problems with the esophagus and other issues and are moving away from the band to the Sleeve for this VERY REASON. This is one reason the manufacturer wants to sell it, people in the US abuse it too much, they can't be trusted with being HONEST of how tight their bands are, surgeons have NO CLUE of how tight your band is, they rely on the patient to be honest of how tight their bands are, you are suppose to let the surgeon know anytime you have frequent vomiting and can't keep solids down. Has your band slipped? We don't know, we are not qualified to answer this question, but based on living with the band 8 years and seen others go through the same thing, it SOUNDS like your band has slipped, either pouch dilation. You can actually live with an untreated band slip for a few years, but eventually the band will slip so band and cause horrible reflux and vomiting daily so bad and it cause maladaptive eating problems meaning you will eventually not be able to keep any food or keep liquids down. The reason you are a bit concerned now that you still have "some restriction" even though you've had a few unfills, reason is your band has probably started to slip from being too tight and vomiting daily and when the band starts to slip it gets tighter and tighter, and you have to constantly get unfills until you get all the saline removed. As you can see you can't depend on the band to do all the work, and keep it too tight to stop you from eating, you lost your weight wrong and sadly it will not stay off unless you conjure up some willpower and start using your band as a tool instead of a crutch and eat healthy and exercise. It may be too late to save your band, only your surgeon can tell you what your future with your band will be, but you really need to get in and see your surgeon ASAP where they can check the position of the band and pouch size, and sometimes Upper Gi's don't tell the whole story, sometimes you need a EGD (endoscopy) to access the damage to your esophagus or pouch. If you are not having many problems now since you've gotten some saline removed, does not mean your band is Ok, Also, If you don't have money or insurance now, the best thing you can do is stop the vomiting, watch your portions before you end up having to have emergency band removal, yes it can eventually get that bad. The only concern now is having tight restriction even though you've removed saline, some people have to continue removing saline until the band is totally empty and still have issues and when there is no where to go the band must be removed if you have horrible reflux and un-wanted vomiting on an empty band, and then you can aspirate food into your lungs, I hate to scare you but want to prepare you for what I've seen so many go through with their bands. Also while you are not having many problems for NOW, it would be a good to start looking for a new job that will offer you some insurance because sooner or later you will probably develop reflux to the point you will not be able to sleep and band damage causes regurgitation of vomiting in your sleep, it can get ugly. I am sending you a cyber hug and giving you tough love and sending you warm vibes, and I really hope your band will be ok, and you learn from this, sometimes you need outside help like counseling and seek a therapist to help cope with your eating and why you eat, you can't use the band as a coping mechanism, that's not its job, although the band is the SAFEST of all the weight loss surgeries, it can get very dangerous and do harm if we don't use it wisely and responsibility. Good luck" ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hi Nana, Thank you for your thoughts and advice. While I feel that much of what you wrote made excellent points, there were a few things however that I felt were a bit presumptuous. I definitely can take constructive criticism (even though sometimes we don't want to hear it), but I do feel there were some things that were a bit off. I included what you originally wrote in blue because that is what I am responding to, not the edited version that is posted now. You basically start off by saying...I've seen this happen over and over and over again, from many lap banders, it's called "lap band abuse" and I've seen many on OH do this to their bands and bodies over the 8 years I've had a band, and have horrible complications and then come band and "innocently" bash the band and say their bands liked to "killed them" and had to have their bands removed in an "urgent situation", and then say how dangerous the lap band is and tell EVERYONE especially newbies that they too will suffer the same fate of a "horrible complication." Just for the record...not once in my post did I bash the lap band. As a matter of fact, I don't regret having the lap band and I definitely take ownership for the issues I am having with the band. Yes, there have been points where it can be considered that I have abused my band. Not because I wanted to or even felt that this would help with weight loss. To be clear, I feel that during the times I was regurgitating food was also the time when I gained weight. This was counterproductive for my weight loss goals. The reason I did not get unfills/fills and tweak more often was because I could not afford to do so. My goal has always been to find a healthy productive way the band will work for me without throwing up. You stated...You lost your weight the wrong way, and when you lose the wrong way with the band you will pay for it. I can't help but feel slightly offended by this statement. The first few sentences of my post stated that I did very well initially, lost 75 pounds in the first 8 months and maintained that weight loss for well over a year. Then my post goes on to state that eventually I began having problems. I worked extremely hard to lose that weight and for you to discredit me of that achievement is completely unfair. I have had the band for 30 months and began having problems in the last ten months or so. You also stated...But sadly, your situation does not look good for a long healthy band life, here is your problem, you went passed the green zone, and staying in the red zone (too tight) for too long and I am sure you did not care because you were happy with your great weight loss. - and - And of course many patients are not going to be honest with the surgeon about being too tight and using the band as a bulimic tool - and - As you can see you can't depend on the band to do all the work, and keep it too tight to stop you from eating, you lost your weight wrong and sadly it will not stay off unless you conjure up some willpower and start using your band as a tool instead of a crutch and eat healthy and exercise. Again, I can't help but feel that you are making assessments of me that are simply untrue. I absolutely do care and that is why I have been back for an unfill and have been trying over the past ten months to find a middle ground. I would have loved to been able to tweak my fills more often, but because I cannot afford the charges, I was left in an undesirable predicament. If I took out too much, I was able to eat pretty much anything...too little and I couldn't eat at all. Yes, willpower plays a big part in this...I agree. And, I probably used my statement referring to having no willpower loosely. To clarify, when I first had my lapband, I had very good willpower. I measured all of my food and made the right choices. After I began having issues and could not readily afford to keep meeting with my doctor, I did go for "junkier" types of food because these were the things I was able to hold down and quite frankly, I was hungry. Of course, this type of eating puts you back into bad habits. I attribute this to my weight gain of 18 pounds. I was not using the lap band as a bulimic tool or crutch. I was trying to find a happy medium and unfortunately without insurance, this was a difficult task. In my opinion, the lapband should provide a healthy level of restriction so that it can be used as a tool and that was merely what I am searching for. I never said I had tight restriction now. I am at a point where I am able to eat a modest, healthy meal and feel satisfied. Now that I have had some Fluid taken back out and am able to eat healthier foods, those are the things that I have been going for. But, let's get real honest....if we all had amazing willpower to begin with, we probably would have never needed a lap band. You go on to say...Also while you are not having many problems for NOW, it would be a good to start looking for a new job that will offer you some insurance because sooner or later you will probably develop reflux to the point you will not be able to sleep and band damage causes regurgitation of vomiting in your sleep, it can get ugly. I am sending you a cyber hug and giving you tough love and sending you warm vibes, and I really hope your band will be ok, and you learn from this, sometimes you need outside help like counseling and seek a therapist to help cope with your eating and why you eat, you can't use the band as a coping mechanism, that's not its job, although the band is the SAFEST of all the weight loss surgeries, it can get very dangerous and do harm if we don't use it wisely and responsibility. Considering you do not know anything about my home situation, to suggest I look for a new job comes across a bit condescending. I currently have to stay home to take care of a disabled husband and small child. If I worked a full time job and had to hire someone to do this, it would cost me more than I would make. So I work part time when family is able to help me with my husband and child --- being i need such a flexible schedule - the part time jobs I am able to work do not offer benefits. I would love to get counseling to work through these lifelong eating issues, but therapy costs money. I do thank you for being informative and I really do appreciate a lot of the points you made. And although I feel your response to my post came from a good place and was well intentioned, I do feel you were a bit quick to make some harsh accusations about me personally without enough background. I just wish you would have asked me for a little more information before you rushed to judgment. I know that you have edited your initial post and your second one may not seem as harsh, but it is hard for me to "unsee" what I already have read. Jay

To all who have commented.... i thank you for your input... but, i'm finding that many of those who have had the surgery seem to be a bit harsh and may have lost their understanding - or are just too different from me to relate to. TwinsMama - I have researched this EXTENSIVELY for three entire years. I would be a moron not to have done that. In fact, my knowledge base on both the physical and mental aspects of the procedure and lifestyle required are so extensive that two doctors I've spoke to thought I had a medical background. i've been on chat boards, blogs, seen nutritionists, doctors, and know I'm not "alone" - i was just hoping to find people who felt the same way i do, and have/had the same concerns. It is the "process" i find to be bu*****. it is the moneymaking i find to be bul****. THAT is what i have a problem with - along with the new statistics that show over 50% of people gain the weight back throughout a period of 5 years - and that those numbers are likely much higher considering the people that don't report back to their doctors and aren't included in the statistics. My own doctor's staff member has had staggering weight gain - along with multiple other people I know. Nobody is immune to the possibility that this weight will come back. Yes, I considered making changes prior to this. I tried making changes - and my inability to do so is what makes me a true candidate for the surgery. i have an eating disorder. i need help. it takes a desperate person to go get more than half of their stomach cut out and give up so much for the remainder of their lives. The fact that i'm fully aware nothing can prepare me is what makes me exceptionally nervous - exceptionally cautious - and exceptionally uncertain. If I could have gone through the prep easily I wouldn't be having this surgery at all. I'd be continuing the prep as a way to lose weight rather than having someone make me physically unable to overeat. No one can be 100% certain as to what their actions will be until they are in a situation. Accepting that as a human being leaves me room to be comfortable with my uncertainty. I'd be an a** to go into this saying "Oh Boy - this is going to be great! I'm going to be skinny and life will be grand." In short, everyone is entitled to their thoughts. I woke up this morning feeling very positive about the situation and after reading a few comments on this site i'm a little floored. Now I understand why a few people pm'ed me instead of posting publicly. There are a handful out there with the same concerns I have - they just didn't make them public. Good luck to all of you. May your journey be smooth and your goal come to you.

Had my surgery on Aug 21 and am feeling great! Haven't had any pain meds since leaving the hospital on the 23rd. Even my allergies have gotten better so I don't have to take meds for them. A little low energy, but geez, I just had major surgery 7 days ago! Feeling better every day. I can now drink plain water again without it hurting or tasting yucky. My stomach is starting to settle down. Not gurgling or making as much noise as those first couple of days at home. Have finally lost my water weight gained in the hospital and a couple of more lbs.

I want to be within my target weight maintenance range at the two year mark - Oct 20th. Range is 153-156. Weight this morning - 151.6. I always read that most folks have a "bounce back" weight gain at the 12 to 18 month mark. My weight stabilized at 155 at about 13 months out. I was determined that there would be no bounce back. So far, so good! I'm absolutely convinced that the key is my food log. Which I've maintained since a few weeks after my surgery. And the next milestone will be being in the same range at the three year mark! Lovin the new me!!

I was taking monthly steroid shots in both knees, which can make weight gain & fluid retention. I stopped the treatment after I got the Lap band.

I need an unfill due to dilation and I'm worried about weight gain. It took me 6 months to get to the green zone at first. I know I could gain a lot of weight in another 6 months. I'm thinking a prescription appetite suppressant like Adipex or some the new ones (Qsymia and Belviq) may help me as I get back to the green zone. The problem is I'm at my goal weight and they aren't supposed to be used in people with a normal BMI. Has anyone had any experience with this? Thoughts?

I keep telling myself if I hadn't gained that 25 extra pounds when I had to have my thyroid ablated because hyperthyroidism a year before I decided I had to have surgery intervention to lose this weight, I would be at my goal right now. After my thyroid was ablated, I gained 25-30 pounds in 3 months. Not my fault, mind you. I had no metabolism. I had to start on synthroid and get regulated and the weight gain stopped but not before I hit almost 300 pounds! It has been so difficult to get the scale to move. I'm so close!! Just can't get there. I've tried everything. The pouch test, going back to basics, the 5.2 diet. Ugh... I'm just tired. I realize I've done great but I want that 24 BMI and that 150 on the scale. I'm 5'6" and I want to get there. I'm 169 right now. I keep gaining and losing two pounds. Since my one year surgeversary, I've not really lost anything. I'm 15 months out andI have to do something. No, I don't exercise everyday but I do walk 3 to 4 times a week. I have a bad back with bulging disc and stenosis so I have to be careful as to what kind of exercise I do. Ok.. just ranting and praying that one day I will get to goal.