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I live in sports bras but unfortunately as the sisters have gotten bigger (from weight gain) a lot of sports bras don't provide enough support. I guess the manufacturers don't expect "big girls" to be playing sports. Anyways, the one good thing is that any one sports bra usually functions through a range of sizes so as my boobs shrink after surgery (hopefully) I won't have to buy new bras for each size. Once I'm stabilized I'm really hoping to fit into something pretty instead of functional!

not chewing for a long time is hard. That was the one thing I did miss. Losing a lot of weight with the pre op diet is great. You may have a weight gain after the surgery because of the gasses etc. Don't let this bother you. We have all been there. Congrats! on quitting smoking. They say quitting and dieting together is very hard. I never smoked so I don't know. Good luck with your surgery. We are all here if you need help, questions answered or just vent. Arlene

Yesterday was suppose to be fast day for me and I crashed and burned. I was doing good until I went to meet with my daughter's new daycare to drop off my schedule. She asked me if I wanted anything to drink, and I said no, but they ended up bringing me a glass of orange Tang, I think anyways. I didn't want to be rude, so I drank it, and it all went down hill. I have been feeling very overwhelmed lately. My husband has be gone for 2 weeks out of the last 3 (which I am not used to at all, watching my children by myself) and I am going back to work in just over a week after being at home for almost 7 years with my kiddos. I just feel very down and feel like crying. I have struggled with depression in the past (this weight gain that I am dealing with was from switching medications). I have been doing well not being on anything, its just been as of late. I started taking St. John's Wort, but only recently. And my eating habits are still very tied to my emotions. So as of late, I have not been doing well. I have been sticking to the fasting twice a week, but on days when I don't, I feel out of control. I know I have to get my head back in the game, but I am really struggling. I was happy where I was maintaining and I am frustrated that I feel like I have to diet to get these pounds back off. Ugh Sorry for my rambling. I am just feeling lonely and frustrated and, and, and. I am going to try and fast today to make up for the day yesterday. But right now it is only 8:20am, so I have a long day ahead of me!

I was 216 on surgery date,my weight has always been up and down thing. I'm 5'5" I got down to 150 a few years ago on my own then menopause set in, weight gain yet again. My insurance covered everything so I went for it. I am 16 months post op and weight 163, a 53 lb loss is not my idea of bypass surgery but my dr. said stop focusing on the # but how you feel. I thought I would get down to at least 150 without any issues but this is what it is. I run 5 miles a day, eat what I am suppose to eat, it just won't come off. I also have thyroid issues as well.

My doctor's office always asks me if I plan to be away in the couple of weeks after a fill before they administer it. I would let them know you are going to be away and then go and enjoy your vacation. Don't stress about weight gain etc. Try your best to make good choices and just enjoy! That's what vacations are for. You can always get a fill when you come back. Have a great time and a safe trip!

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.

I am 4 weeks out, the first 2 weeks I lost 27 lbs, on my 4 week checkup I gained a 1.5 lbs. How did this happen I can't even get hardly any food or drink in. Anyone else have this happen or any suggestions?

Morning everyone! I'm scheduled to get my gallbladder and lapband. Removed n Monday and I'm pretty scared. Not only of tge surgery.but recovery and weight gain. I feel this is the best decision. My catheter that connects toy port is disconnected so I have this tube in my body floating and causing pain. If anyone has had the band removal can you share tge experience and did your insurance pay for it?

Anyone out there that's had weight gain struggles post gastric bypass? I had my surgery back in 2009, did excellent with weight loss but over the past year I have put weight back on. I'm currently getting back on track and losing the weight but I'd like the support of a buddy who's gone down the same road.

I can eat about 6 to 8 oz. of protein in a sitting and don't feel satisfied sometimes. I have also been snacking in between meals which might be the reason for the weight gain. Sometimes at lunch I have a protein drink which is 11 oz and I can drink it all.

I cant believe it... I did a quick weigh in while I was at the nutrition center today for something else and Ive gained back 5 of the pre-op weight I have lost... so upset and I dont know what to do now... my next appt is the 3rd and I cannot go in there with a weight gain... any suggestions???

Hey girl you and I were sleeved on the same day. I'm 12 weeks pregnant. Congrats! I'm in a 3lb bounce no real significant weight gain. Had really bad morning sickness that lasted all day. But getting better everyday! How many weeks are you? Sent from my EVO using VST

Marfar, I have often thought the same thing.....was wondering if I was the only one thinking it LOL And for those of us with a round face, it just keeps getting rounder with weight gain LOL

There is a point where many may: have more capacity to eat more food/stomach relaxes get their hunger back weight loss slows or stops start gaining weight reach goal and navigate maintenance are past the "honeymoon" usually past a year or more may be earlier find themselves in a new "stage" different from the beginning stages after WLS finding the old methods used to take off weight may or may not work are finding a way to stay the same weight after gaining or losing too much the issues are no usually longer about what Protein drink to buy, the three week stall, the funny taste of food, gas pain, eating in public, hair loss, insurance approval..... come to the conclusion that the process NEVER ends, it is a lifetime of learning and doing and sharing and counting and moving... and that is the new normal. Realizing what is meant by "the sleeve is a tool" and it is only part of the process, you can gain all your weight back if you don't start forming a new life and just resting from the work and eating "normally" after getting to goal will result in weight gain for many. These are some of the issues I see arising for "vets" and distinguishes them from "newbies"... which we all were once... You can't know how the sleeve and the rest of the body and mind will be until you experience it for yourself over time. 1-2-3-5 years later, things change. We don't know about 10 years because there just aren't many out there with current style sleeves to talk to. But some at 6 months are getting some of this experience, I think after a year or two you really see the Vet issues even clearer. Some don't come back here, so hopefully they are doing great, are living life and not gaining or losing too much.... the ones of us that are still here are experiencing the stuff listed above... some are having NO problems at all. I love my sleeve and my life, and at this time (2 1/2 years out) I am still not at goal, but very close and believe I will make it to goal pretty soon, and have some plans on how to maintain I think I can follow. Taking the long view has been very helpful for me....If I took the view that if I didn't lose all my weight by 6 months without pulling all my hair out or I was a failure if I didn't lose 30 pounds in the first month, then this experience would have been hell. I have some good support friends here that have been here for years... we chug along together, and check in often, share research, worries and challenges, and we will share the pleasure of accomplishment as well. I plan on staying in contact during maintenance when I get there. Maintenance may well be the most difficult part of this journey. Keeping the weight off is the trick. Someone here said it best... reaching goal at 3 years feels just as good at reaching goal at 6 months. Who cares as long as you get there!

marfar 7, I have noticed the same thing! I have been thinking that they have to be new pictures after wt loss or pictures before the weight gain. That's so funny, I have been wondering how so many "thin" people are having this surgery........... vertical sleeve talk has really opened my eyes to how many people are having this surgery done EVERY DAY! This is more profitable for the surgeons than even plastic surgery! Hugh industry!

Well, to butt in (pun intended) where I do not belong. Here is a man's perspective. First off, know that I was thin for years and then blew up like a blimp. My wife married and lived for 15 years with a thin and fit Guy. Then I got big with a weight gain of well over 100 pounds. When I had my surgery and lost the weight (I am down to 205, with 10 -15 to go). I bought new underwear. Not tightie whities either. Colors - I call them my new look. Here is the deal. I am a weight loss Guy. I know how awesome it was to buy medium and not XL2. But with men it is just hardware. Trust me on this. If you have lost that weight and look good -- that sexy new underwear will be an awesome inticement. It's the girl we love, looking better than ever and in a sexy package. And trust me girls the package is important. Which brings me to my point (sorry a bit long winded). I don't care about your size. The joy of buying sexy when you hit goal is great. But for all the rest: thinking about surgery, just had it and a long way from goal, maybe just now looking into it --- regardless you are still beautiful. Please take the extra time to dress up for us. We love you. We want to feel good about our spouse or girlfriend. You may feel terrible about your appearance and not want to make the effort. But trust me it is appreciated. No matter how you look, no matter Where you are on your journey, no matter how you feel about your appearance : remember this - you are still beautiful and if you have some one in your life, they want to feel good about you. They want to be attracted to you. That is part of why they love you. So as I shut up and head back to the boring men's room, let me close with this. Get rid of the "holey" panties. Be beautiful. Look beautiful. All the time. Don't wait to hit goal. Do it now. And hey, is that lace ..... sorry, gotta run.

I was on it many years ago but had problems with reoccuring precancerous cells on my cervix. I went off the Depo and never had a problem since. When I went to my OB last year about birth control, she specifically said she wouldn't put me on Depo because of the massive weight gain it can cause. Just my experience.

So last week I turned thirty and celebrated by drinking and eating all week. For the most part I was eating a little more than normal. However the alcohol seems to have speed up my weight gain to six lbs. I pretty much only worked out twice last week. Point I'm trying to make is I thought since I hadnt gained weight I was good. Served as a wake up call that this is a lifestyle change I must make and adhere to otherwise it'd be easy to gain it back. Oh we'll back to the gym and healthy eating =-)

I had my surgery 8/14 and I am up a few pounds. Anyone else experience this?

First off, I think you have accomplished a great feat with that awesome weight loss since May, Secondly, you seem to be doing everything right. You seem to be at the green zone but it doesn't last forever. You'll sort of know when you're out of the green zone. I've been banded since Dec and still have not gotten to green. You will still have to go for fills but less frequently than you did in the beginning and that will be an ongoing thing. Your surgeon may require quarterly visits instead of monthly visits. Whatever you do, don't stop going to your surgeon all together that's when failure is bound to happen. Too many people get to the green zone and stop seeing their surgeon all together. Then they have a weight gain and say they're going back to the doctor because they are gaining weight. So keep in touch with your doctor and you are sure to keep losing weight and keeping it off.

Oh My yes, I lost most of my weight in 2007 - 2009 and then regain weight back to 250 by January 1, 2013. Came back to the Lap Band Board and had a fill and have lost about 35 pounds since January. I have no regrets at all, Any weight gained has been totally on me cannot not blame the band. Welcome Back.

I went to my surgeon in Feb 2013 and now I'm going back next week (post 6 month program) I don't remember how much I weighed but I think since Feb I've gained some weight. I've been battling 5-7lbs (which is actually an amazing improvement for me since I could easily gain 50lbs in a year if I'm not careful...) anyway... At this appointment I was told they will either clear me for surgery and call insurance for approval or they will require I do a few months of supervised diet. Do you think if I show a weight gain at all that I'm going to have to do more diet classes, or do you think I'll be ok? I'm so nervous.. This whole process has felt like its taken years and I'm just ready to be banded and start my new life!!! I know that it's a tool and I know how I should eat but without the tool it's so hard to feel satisfied so I eat too much. Hence the weight battle.. Nervous!!! Anxious!!

Okay I am not going completly crazy. I have been5' 7" for all of my adult life(even prior to my weight gain). I went to an appointment the other day and my height read as 5' 6". I wanted to mention that they made an error, but just left it alone. Oh my goodness.... I am shrinking.... ! WEIRD. But as they say, you have to give to get! If I have to give up a few inches in height to loose this weight, then I am okay with that. Thanks for this post.

Hit there! Congrats on your surgery!! Two things I can tell you: follow your doctor's directions the BEST you can. They will most likely put you on a pre-surgery diet. DO IT. I've lost 13 lbs. in a month following a very restrictive carb/high protein diet. Hard at first, but you become used to it. The 2nd advice is: you have to REALLY want this and keep telling yourself that. Be at a place where you are ready for change. Most of what people go through during weight gain is a mental game - losing it is just the same. Best of luck to you - you can DO THIS!!

Hi Tamie, congrats on maintaining! I, also, had port revision and have had a harder time catching up with my weight gain. I am about 30 lbs away from recapturing my goal weight, would be happy with just 20. I can no longer eat dairy, allergy I chose to ignore for years. So, my treat is so coconut ice cream. Best wishes, by the way, my lapband anniversary is Oct 30, 2009. And I had my revision surgery in November 2011, too.Karen