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I was sleeved May 25, 2014. In a year’s time, I lost 100 lbs. I was so proud and I was feeling better than I remember feeling in a very long time. Fast forward to February, 2016 and my husband and I took a trip to New Mexico, and I don’t know why it is, but any time we are on vacation or on a road trip, we feel like we have to eat every meal....all of us. That trip was the start of gaining weight. Early two year later, I’ve gained 30 lbs of the 100 I had lost. I’m terribly depressed about it, but I can’t seem to get myself under control. Eating is definitely a very emotional thing for me....meaning I stress eat, and this last year has been very stressful. I’m scared, beyond everything, that I’m going to gain all my weight back. HELP! Has anyone else experienced significant weight gain? I’ve started time and time again, from the very beginning, but it’s not the same. After surgery, we have no choice but to drink our meals or eat soft foods for several weeks post op, because we just cannot get it in us and swallow, but now that I have a choice, it makes it harder to stay on track. I still get full pretty quick, but I put in a little more than I should, and I had developed the bad habit of allowing myself to have a REAL Dr Pepper once a day, instead my usual Coke Zero and water. I was also eating more sweets. I’ve halted drinking the REAL Dr Peppers and stopped eating the sweets. I’ve been drinking my protein and eating meat/chicken....Eating as few carbs and sugar as possible and nothing! Has anyone been here? What have you done to get back on track? Please help!!! I’m so scared I’m going to gain the rest of my weight back....did I mention I was scared I was going to gain all my weight back? I’m even considering sleeve revision!

Had a wound infection which has slowed me down. Coming up 6 weeks post op. No weight gain so happy with that. The surgeon warned me I would need ' Nana' sleeps for a time and he is right. I'm not superwoman. Have been doing a bit of soul searching with the down time. It's all good !

Hello. i'm new on here. just want to share my story to seek advice. when i was 15 back in 2008, i got the lap band. it was the worst experience ever. i was only loosing weight because i threw up EVERY SINGLE bit of food i ate. i lost 80lb very very quickly and i was extremely sick. my doctor said it shouldn't be happening, so instead of trying to fix it he drained my band. After a year i started to gain weight. In 2012 i was revised to the gastric sleeve. at this time, this procedure was brand new to my doctor, he hadn't done it before. I got it done quickly after the appointments with him, maybe 3 months. i was a slow loser for a whole year. it took me a year to lose 70 pounds, even eating what i thought was healthy (Protein first and some vegetables and brown rice, wha i was taught). i wasn't never really taught about carbs at all, always just eat "whole grain everything but eat your protein first and you should be fine" none of the information that i learned now from the fb group. i got into my first relationship, went to the DR and was diagnosed with PCOS, like lots of girls are. I was put on birth control and as soon as i did my weight shit up. as it shot up and me not knowing why i threw myself into a mind change that i couldn't shake out. while working 2 jobs (13 hour days) i began to lose care about myself, and regained most my weight, shooting back up to 230. i hadn't noticed the weight gain for a while, either because i'd stopped weighing myself. last year i started to exercise and count my calories and lost 20 lbs. even continuing it again, i have not budged. does anyone have any advice? yes, i know that you need to diet with the sleeve. it wasn't till recently by following where i learned about macros and counting calories and Protein shakes. my mother recently got the sleeve procedure, and i was thinking of going to her doctor to discuss my options, because mine no longer takes my new insurance and he is a pediatric doctor. do you think he would help me, or just toss me to a nutritionist? thanks. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Something you need to remember. At some point, the "honeymoon" period where hunger is less and restriction is great ends eventually. Yes, your hunger will return and restriction wanes over time. No, your stomach will never be the size it was pre surgery, but at some point you will be able to eat a normal, albeit smaller, portion. That is why it is so important to cement healthy eating habits during the honeymoon period for when that time comes. Because believe me, the "little bit of this and little bit of that" eventually turns into weight gain. The purpose of this surgery isn't to just lose weight. The purpose is to change your lifestyle enough to keep the weight off. Otherwise, what's the point?

My scale(s) at home always displayed a lower weight than the ones at my various doctors' offices. At the doctors office, I usually weighed in at 3 to 4 pounds more than my home weight that same morning. Anyhow, insurance companies differ on how they proceed with an insured person's weight gain prior to surgery. My insurer apparently did not care because they still paid for my procedure although I had gained 25 pounds in four months while waiting to be sleeved (combination of food funerals and lack of self-control).

Hello, I will be banded on April 16th. I'm doing it for the same reasons you mentioned. Lose weight, gain it back plus some. I'll bet that next to the secondary medical and health issues associated with obesity, most people have been banded because they too have struggled with the yo-yo diets and frustration of losing weight and then regaining with added pounds. Check with your insurance to see if the surgery is covered and what the criteria is. Straight up; what it all boils down to is Banding is forced portion control for those of us who are unable to reach and maintain a healthy weight on our own. I confess, I fit into that category and I know the consequences of my current weight, so I'm happy to have this surgical option. Best wishes!

I had to do the 2 week liver shrink preop so the little bit of weight gain went away real fast.

I’ll try and keep this as brief as possible. Sorry if I rant on and on. As I went from 240 lbs to 390 lbs between 2009-2019 I slowly hid myself away from friends and family. The truth is I was in denial about how bad things were getting and I was embarrassed. I was ashamed of how I couldn’t keep up with my friends just walking around the city or fitting into booths at restaurants for family milestones. I was out of breath walking into work from the parking lot. I felt like if I could avoid these things in front of other people, if other people couldn’t confirm how limited I had become, it somehow made it less true. I have missed SO many adventures and huge important events in my loved ones lives simply because I was physically unable. This hurts my heart. In 2018 I ditched a good friend’s bachelorette weekend out of town because I was so anxious about how I wouldn’t be able to keep up with everyone. Like literally I could not walk around and I felt ridiculous going to clubs with girls wearing their best outfits and me in an oversized T-shirt. By that point I couldn’t stand for 5 mins without my lower back screaming. Our friendship has not been the same since. I have always thought that was the turning point in our friendship. Now fast forward to late 2019. I happened to be invited to another good friend’s bachelorette weekend. This is a friend I met in college and we were so close we lived together for a couple of years. This is also when my depression/weight gain really got bad. I did my best to hide it, but I’m sure it was obvious. Over the last 7 years I have make excuses to avoid meeting up with her because she is so active. I even prayed she wouldn’t ask me to be a bridesmaid. How sad is that? I really didn’t think I could make it through the dress shopping bit. Pre-surgery I was 390 lbs and a size 26. This friend has run the NYC marathon and I was at least 220 lbs heavier than any other girl in her friend circle. When I was invited on the bachelorette weekend I immediately thought of ways to get out of it. I told one of the maids of honor that I didn’t think it would be a good idea since it was still early after surgery and I wasn’t sure how I’d feel. Well it’s been almost 5 months and I’ve been so lucky to have zero complications. My mobility is much better too. I am also sober by choice. I was never a big drinker anyways. I partied pretty hard as a teen so by the time I got to college I was somewhat past that phase. It doesn’t make me feel good and now with a sleeve I feel like alcohol serves me no purpose. Anyways what I am looking for is real honest advice. I feel immense guilt over declining this invite. I have thought about how I would feel if I was my friend. I could see how she would be upset or disappointed. Am I wrong to not go? I don’t drink and I’m trying so hard to stick to my diet. I know if I really wanted to I could make it work. I don’t want people to tell me what I want to hear. I guess I just want someone to say they understand what I’m saying and feeling. I don’t have anyone in my family or friends that are even overweight. I feel like no one can relate. Has anyone else been through this? Did things get better as you lost weight?

I love love love my trainer. She is motivating and fun. However it is an expense, I pay 25 dollars per 1/2 hour session. It's gone up, but I am locked in to that price with a contract. Your motivation is to eliminate excess skin from what you said. Well... if that's your reason I would save your money for sure. In my opinion, exercise does not reduce excesss skin. Once the skin has lost it's elasticity, it's gone. Your skin may bounce back. It depends on genetics, pregnancy, weight gain and loss et... Plastic surgery once you've kept the weight off a while is obviously a solution, but expensive. My plastic surgeon got a machine called the venus freeze- but it's actually a warm treatment. It tightens loose skin. Not as dramatic as surgery, but his before and after pics look pretty good. You may want to google venus freeze and see if there is one in your area. All that being said, weight training has tons of benefits. If you can't afford a trainer for the long term, maybe save up to have one for some limited number of sessions. Tell them your goal is to learn moves and a routine that you can continue on your own. Good luck!

I see as many saying 'I've gained' as those saying 'I've lost'. AND MANY have what you describe a few weeks out. From the posts, it ain't "real" weight gain, it's just your body dealing with recovery from major surgery. Just stay with your program and you WILL do fine!!!

Kma87 thank so much for being brave enough to share your story. I am at 34 bmi and it's the heaviest i have been in my life since I was put on Cymbalta for my fibromyalgia. The weight came on so fast...spiraling out of control and negatively impacting my mental and emotional as well as physical well-being. My doctor agrees that based on my history and the rapid weight gain that lap band is the healthy next step for me. I am scheduled for July. Thank you again for your post. The weight from these medications is not controlled by regular means and I am happy to have this bariatric option to regain a healthy weight.

Hello Everyone, For the past week I've kept losing and gaining the same 3lbs. So, far I've lost about 40lbs in 6 weeks. I had surgery on 1/29/13. I haven't had my first fill yet. My start weight was 340lbs, and last week I weighed 298lbs. I was super happy. But now it's the same stupid 3lbs up and down each day. It's hard to explain, but I can lose the 3lbs in one day, but it's back the next morning. My doctor prescribed Water retention pills because I gained 10lbs in a week...all water. I lost that 10lbs in a couple of days. I have to drink orange juice and water all day, so my kidneys don't start hurting. The pain is almost unbearable when I don't drink enough fluids. I exercise an hour a day, but I might boost it up to an hour and a half. I know I'm over doing it. I just really want to get as far away from 300lbs as possible. I'm not sure if this is still water weight or, I'm doing something wrong. I'm trying not to get discouraged, but I'm getting depressed because I can't lose these 3lbs and move on. Any advice from my fellow banders would help tremendously!

You've reached you goal weight, which is fabulous. It's understandable that you think the three pounds are a huge change, but they really aren't. When there is apparent weight gain, there's a reason. There are also two possibilities that you haven't gained anything: - You were on a different scale. Not all scales are the same. - Your menstrual cycle might account for the gain. It doesn't necessarily happen each month. If the regain is real, your own words suggest that you may no longer be as diligent with food-tracking as you think. - Weighing "just about everything" is not the same as weighing everything. Have you not been measuring more often than you realize? - Depending on what the food is, "only a couple of bites" can be a whole lot. It matters how you define "couple". It matters whether you're biting broiled chicken or fettuccine Alfredo. The frequency matters, too. - There's a definite difference between "haven't had fast food" and "maybe a few french fries..." Those few fries can amount to a mountain over a short time. - To "try very hard" to stick to sugar-free candy is more of the same vagueness. Those extra bites here and there add up. They sneak up. While you're wanting to maintain your weight, it's just as important to keep exact records as it was to lose the weight from the beginning. It's fine to have some candy or fast food if you like, but whatever the amount, they should be included in your tracker. You know all of this because you learned how to lose weight. Keeping it off is an ongoing project.

You've reached you goal weight, which is fabulous. It's understandable that you think the three pounds are a huge change, but they really aren't. When there is apparent weight gain, there's a reason. There are also two possibilities that you haven't gained anything: - You were on a different scale. Not all scales are the same. - Your menstrual cycle might account for the gain. It doesn't necessarily happen each month. If the regain is real, your own words suggest that you may no longer be as diligent with food-tracking as you think. - Weighing "just about everything" is not the same as weighing everything. Have you not been measuring more often than you realize? - Depending on what the food is, "only a couple of bites" can be a whole lot. It matters how you define "couple". It matters whether you're biting broiled chicken or fettuccine Alfredo. The frequency matters, too. - There's a definite difference between "haven't had fast food" and "maybe a few french fries..." Those few fries can amount to a mountain over a short time. - To "try very hard" to stick to sugar-free candy is more of the same vagueness. Those extra bites here and there add up. They sneak up. While you're wanting to maintain your weight, it's just as important to keep exact records as it was to lose the weight from the beginning. It's fine to have some candy or fast food if you like, but whatever the amount, they should be included in your tracker. You know all of this because you learned how to lose weight. Keeping it off is an ongoing project. When it comes to my food, the only things I do not weigh are the items that I didn't forsee I was going to eat away from home. Everything I eat at home or pack for my lunches are weighed and tracked. Those items that I eat just a bite or two of are tracked as well. I've had a couple of fries twice in over a year. Sent from my SM-G935P using the BariatricPal App

I think you answered your own question. Perhaps some Miralax is in order. Your weight will vary a bit from day to day but you aren't going to have a sustained weight gain at that calorie intake level.

It is so refreshing to hear all of your stories about mates supporting you, etc. I'm afraid that my story is not so fairy tale like. I was in a very difficult marriage and my husband was diagnosed with a personality disorder 6 years into our marriage., There were so many ups and downs that the stress caused me to eat and that is the way I dealt with my emotions. Over the last 5 years my weight went from 144 to 212. Along with the weight gain came sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a hiatal hernia and GERD. WTH? Who new being fat would lead to all this. I'm only 5'1 feet tall so it has caused a strain on me and I just feel horrible most days and fake my way through it. Well after being told that all I do is sit around and eat cupcakes all day and told that I was not sexy anymore, I left my husband and decided to take control of my life. I am turning 40 tomorrow and wanted to find myself again and get back to the person I recognize and not this stranger I stare at in the mirror everyday. Surgery is scheduled for 5/12 and I AM SO EXCITED! I wish everyone here luck!

Check to make sure you're not letting those pesky simple carbs sneak back into your diet (the crackers, chips, breads, etc, etc, etc). Seems a lot of us at one time or another along the way encounter this and it is often a reason for weight gain. Good luck in getting a grip on what's going on. You are being proactive and that's the important thing.

Do you take your measurements? I try to do that the first Sunday of every month. Remember that mussel weighs more then fat. If you are exercising with weights, this could be the issue. Have you been getting all of your fluids? Have you has a BM recently? I don’t mean to be personal; just spiting out ideas. Any one of these could be a reason for weight gain. Don’t stress too much and let it derail you.

What great pics. And what a special journey to take together. I have a thin hubby who has never said a negative thing about my weight gain during 46 years together. Having surgery in July. He is so supportive. Has attended all appointments and support group meetings with me. He's the best!

Topamax is an anti-seizure drug that is also used for migraines and drug-induced weight gain. One of the major side effects is the complete inability to taste carbonation. You can't even feel the bubbles in your mouth. The soda tastes very acidic and outright disgusting.

I was banded on January 17, 2008 and did exceptionaly well for about 1.5 years. Then I had a major mental breakdown (bipolar disorder) which required higher doses of some medication that has the awful side effect of weight gain and insatiable cravings. I tried to control it, but the weight began piling back on. After I became stable, my RX doctor tried to cut down the dosage to help with these side-effects...I went manic AGAIN. It looks like I will be on this medication for the rest of my life. Here we are another year or so later and I have gained ALL of my weight back, plus some. A few months ago I decided to get a complete un-fil because the medicine was causing INTENSE cravings that caused me to get stuck all of the time. Needless to say, as soon as I got an unfil the weight came on even faster. I have never weighed this much in my life! Actually before I was diagnosed as bipolar, I had a normal body weight. After starting medications I gained over 100lbs in a year (This was when I was about 16 years old, I'm 27 now.) I really need someone to help motivate me to get filled again, and to try and fight these horrible cravings! I was only 20 pounds away from my goal weight and I feel that with more motivation I can get back there. If anybody out there is listening, I would really appreciate some help working through this. Thank you all for listening

As most of you know, the love of my life passed away at the age of 48 on June 8. He was really my world but I know I have to move on. I'm up 23 pounds since his diagnosis and death in the past 6 months. The last 10 pounds came on quick. I've actually put off my blood work for 6 months and am having this done on Wed. I do not have a thyroid so if my levels are off it could cause some of the gain. I honestly do not eat. I know that is part of the problem. I don't eat food much and when I do I get nauseous. I drink lattes and frappes and eat fudge sickles and just sugar liquid that just goes right on down and gives me the a good feeling of comfort for awhile. Caffeine and sugar. Sugar the devil! I'm so disappointed in myself. I know that my husband wouldn't want me to do this. I try every day to do better but to no avail. I've tried sugar free crap. I hate it. Unfortunately, the sugar is my comfort and my demise. I am 2 years and 2 months out and I kept off my weight until his diagnosis in January. I know that people say that a 20 lb weight gain is pretty normal this far out but I never made it to goal. I feel so fat and terrible. I can't wear my size 10 or 12's and now its back to a 14/16. I just hate it. Lord, I need help. I'm attaching a poem I wrote called "Heaven On A Sunday". This is exactly how the last day of my husbands life really was. I know I'm traumatized because taking care of him for the last 6 months and losing him is just so much to handle. Seeing cancer eat up the person you love so very much. Seeing him go from 48 to looking 90 is beyond what I can comprehend. I miss him very much. Thanks for reading and I appreciate all of you. Heaven On A Sunday You left me on a Sunday. My life will never be the same. Such a day of suffering for you and me; But yours was so much more to be. You tried to talk but could not. Still things you and I needed to say. You tried to grab my hand to say good bye, But you had no strength left inside. You turned to look at me with those once beautiful eyes. Now showing stress of your long journey of this terrible thing inside. You seem to say to me everything would be okay. You were on your way to Heaven on this Sunday. As I watched your breath so labored and hard, Your chest rises and falls. My heart breaks into pieces to never be whole again. I see the pain you have endured and the scars on your body of a battle you fought so very hard. Tears rolled down my cheeks for the last time your name I call. I kiss your lips and tell you to go with our Savior. I watch you with my heart overflowing with love, As life leaves your face and you look at me for the very last time. I know you have gone above. Your body relaxes and my heart is crushed. I know my life will never be the same. God took you home at seven on a Sunday. I can’t seem to get away from the pain. I live with the pain of losing you everyday. I relive each and every heartbreaking moment of that Sunday. I pray for strength, Grace, and Mercy. God please take my pain away. I pray the pain will lessen and my heart won’t break as much next Sunday as today. God took you home on a Sunday. I miss you more than I can say. If I had a choice of what day our Lord would come for me, I have to say, I would choose to go to Heaven on a Sunday. Just like the Lord took you that day. Written by Lisa Beckermann for her Love Barry Bear.

Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve dysfunction - very common following rapid weight loss (or weight gain). Harmless but annoying. Don't cross your legs, that can make it worse.

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!!

Thanks for your response everyone, I think i'll enjoy being pregnant and try and maintain a normal weight gain and I'll see how early I can get it after having my baby. Thanks again :thumbup: