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For those of you who want to review what issues/problems may occur with a bariatric surgeon, I've been updating my blog. The latest has to do with the FOIA'ed police reports I got. Basically the cops never found me in violation of any laws and that I ever did anything "concerning" to the bariatric surgeon, the staff, or the patients. While there were claims of trespassing, it couldn't be justified in any way. I've got more questions on the way. Be careful all, unfortunately there are some programs that you need to really ask deep probing questions about. Whatever you do, ask about complications and their experiences 2 years or more out. Ask how many people come back after 2 or 3 years and how old are their figures and when they gather them. If they deal with nothing but "everything ok", what medical reason do they have to get you back in? Outside of their database for ASMBS? Ask to talk to people who have had complications over 1 year out that were NOT weight gain related. You'll find out some good info very quickly.

shake the other partner psychologically when one loses weight, gains confidence and starts getting more attention. But the experience taught me that someone who is jealous of something that makes me better, healthier and stronger never had my best interests at heart. Dating after that was a struggle, until I met my current boyfriend six months ago. Most guys got scared because they were afraid to take me to dinner, afraid they would break my new diet resolve, and when they saw a picture of what I used to look like, they started to wonder what would happen if I gained a few pounds again. What else has surprised me about losing weight? No one ever told me that it would upset me when severely obese people get special attention because they choose to be heavy -- like when TV shows feature people who are happy to weigh 600 pounds, or people who post YouTube videos professing love of their excess weight. Don't get me wrong, I think it is great that people are comfortable in their own skin, because many times I'm not always comfortable in my own skin. But for me, being heavy wasn't a choice. So I guess I have a hard time identifying with them. Obesity is debilitating to your health. I used gastric bypass surgery as a tool to save my life so that I wouldn't develop diabetes, have a heart attack at age 35, have a stroke, and to hopefully lower my risk of cancer. Now I have no tolerance for excuses about not being able to eat healthy and exercise. See, here's the bottom line: The biggest thing that no one ever tells you about losing weight is that eventually, the number on the scale no longer matters. What matters is how you feel, how you look and how happy you are. I know at my current weight I am still medically obese, but I have a clean bill of health. Through my bad days and my good days, I am happier now than I have ever been. When I struggle or feel myself about to slip into old habits, I pull out a picture of what I used to look like. And I remind myself that nothing tastes as good as being healthy feels.

Welcome! On this site you'll find many differing opinions. As you can guess, most of us are pro-sleeve and couldn't be happier with our decision. In fact, there are many here who started with the band and then were revised to a sleeve. I am a low bmi sleever who was fortunate that I never battled weight until the past two years. I do have a very long family history of morbid obesity and comorbidities though so I knew that if I didn't eat right and hit the gym everyday they would come for me too. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 18 or so months ago and as my pain worsened my will power lessened and my drive to stay ahead on my workouts and nutrition took a nose dive. I slowly gained weight the first year. The next 6 months the pain became almost unbearable and I was put on a mix of meds that all had weight gain as side effects. Combined with my lack of mobility and my lack of heartfelt focus on anything but getting through the pain (I used food as a coping mechanism) I gained about 50 pounds in 6 months. My doctor took a radical approach and suggested WLS as a tool to keep me healthy. If I could get the weight off my fibro pain would likely subside a great deal now that we have found a med mix that works for me. Even though I had a relatively low BMI I was still obese and headed for danger (high BP, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, etc). Together we decided wls was the right move for me. After discussing the options we also decided that RNY was too extreme for my situation. The band also presented its own issues in that a foreign object may cause me to flare repeatedly. I also didn't like the idea of chasing the sweet spot and potentially having a visible port bump. That left the sleeve, which all around sounded like the best option anyway. One incision, no malabsorption, no adjustments, etc. Once we decided on the sleeve I was on the hunt for a surgeon and feel that I selected the best in TX. I know everyone says that and I'm glad they do. It's of the utmost importance that you have a GREAT relationship with your surgeon. I am a month post-op, have lost about 20 pounds, and more importantly am feeling about 70% less pain. I still have bad days here and there, but I think I might be able to go back to work full time pretty soon! You have no idea what a blessing that is. Prior to WLS my Dr was encouraging me to look into disability because even my part time contract position was often too much to bear.

Had surgery yesterday (10-4-17) and I gained 8 lbs from the time I was admitted and discharged. Is that normal? Also have waves pains in my abdomen that is relieved by standing up. Is it gas?

When I began my journey I knew that I wasn't dealing with my stomach issues, I was dealing with my head issues. That was going to make or break my success with this program. Immediately after my first meeting with the Bariatric program I contacted a therapist and began bi-weekly appointments to deal with my head around food so that I will be successful after surgery. It's not the food that caused this problem, it's the reason behind why I overate that caused the excessive weight gain. Understanding and dealing with that will help me the most on this journey.

Dont be freaked out quite yet.... Our cycles are very picky... The body like everything to be steady so a sudden weight-loss could freak it out!!! Basically, our body make sure it is a good time to get pregnant before it give us a chance to... So keep track, and if it happens again, give your dr. a call just to be on the safe side!!! I finally freaked out when i went 8mth w/o a period but then again i learned i had P.C.O.S. But like i said Our menstrual Cycle likes calm and routine ... No suprises or changes.. Because if we pull a suprise on our body with weight loss then our periods we get revenge!!!:thumbup: And as far as bc, i am currently on it and i found that Yasmin works pretty well and doesnt have bad side effects (at least for me) and any minor side effects it does have can be completely alleviated by taking it before bedtime!! And no weight gain either!!! And Yasmin also has a low-dose form called Yaz if you are really worried about side effects!!

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!!

I weigh myself every day as well! I don't want to be fanatic about it, but honestly weighing every day keeps me vigilant to weight gain before it becomes seriously out of control. I fluctuate by 3 lbs. any more then that and I get back on the wagon. My problem is that I just can't seem to lose any more weight and I am not yet at goal. It's like now that I have gotten to a weight that I am comfortable with I have lost my willpower to continue with my weight loss plan. Grrrrrr. This is typical for me, no matter what diet plan I have tried. I self sabotage myself!!! I will be at my 1 year surgiversary June 17th. I still have 15 lbs to go to meet my 1 year goal.????

I'm only 5 months out, but I just can't see gaining back any significant weight. Granted, I still have 27 pounds to go to reach goal and the get to live the life of maintenance. I just can't eat that much and just one bite to many makes me feel awful. We made homemade individual pizzas last night (during the Cowboys game) and I made one about the size of a small bread plate for myself. Loaded it with Protein and veggies. There was NO way I could eat it all. In fact, I only at 1/4 of it and a couple bites of salad and I was DONE. Nothing else for the evening except a cup of hot tea and bottle of Water hours later. I know that there are always slider foods (milkshakes, high calorie smoothies) that can contribute to weight gain, but that's just not me. I like to eat real food that requires chewing. With my sleeve, I tend to gravitate naturally now to the protein and just can't eat much of it.

I am curious if anyone out there have Health Net Insurance and have ran into difficulty with qualifying for the Lap Band Surgery. Whether you've had a good experience or not so good, please let me know. I'm deciding whether to stick with them or try another approach. I'm dealing with increased health problems due to recent weight gain while waiting through the long qualification process. -Prebander:help:

I choose the Lapband it was safe and losing the weight Would be a slow for me. I witness several of my friends who did the evasive gastric bypass and it has been couple of years now. Three out of seven are happy with their Decision. The rest are having a hard time with their gastric bypass medically. As for me I am at 11 cc from 300 lbs down to 272 lbs currently. I have to remember losing the weight takes time. It's a new way of life for me. I know My reasons for the weight gain a mixture of medical and personal but I know where I at each day. At times I forget during myself a sense so to speak I get frustrated with myself and I go into my self pity mode. I guess I need this now and then for a reality check. Lol I have lost my clothes size which tells me I am ln the right track lol Excess skin gets in the way lol oh well. It's been two years of having the Lapband and I am so very grateful. I look forward when I reach my goal. I would appreciate people to give their input where I am at its hard to get to any support group meetings. The nearest place would be by plane!

Thank you very much jachut. I mean really I am a little ahead of myself here I mean I haven't even gotten my surgery yet, but I am hopeful and with hopefulness comes a million differant idea's in my head. I truly do want to wear a two piece not a tankini a two peice again in my life, and since i have know what my stomach looks like when I'm a size 5 after all the damage my weight gain and loss has done to me I know for me to feel truly comfortable in one or even to be truly comfortable naked a tummy tuck is my only option I just don't want to spend all that money just to ruin it once I do decide to have children. But then again I am going through all this now for health but also because I want to be and feel sexy and attractive. So I may as well do it all.

I haven't necessarily had weight gain, but I fear it is going to happen for me. I feel like I eat too much, I'm not really losing anymore. My cravings are horrible, and I have no will power. I feel so helpless...

I've been reading again for the same reason. I joined when I was banded back in 2007 long story short I lost some weight down to 224 band was too tight for a long time I gained to 246 and then had an unfill due to dilation so I gained up to 276 and now from there I'm sitting at 320. I had Fluid added back in last year, but all it has done is stop the weight gain. I visited another surgeon hoping to have a revision to sleeve. My insurance right now is UnitedHealthcare Plus Choice (something like that) my RN told me that if it was approached as a revision surgery I would have to show some kind of complication with the band which my doctor said would be slippage, erosion, or the band somehow failing mechanically, otherwise it would be treated as a new surgery and I would have to go through the 6 month supervised diet, psych evaluation, and would have to show a 5 year history of heights and weights from a doctor to prove a history of being morbidly obese. Because I haven't had complications my surgeon believes that it is likely my insurance will deny the request for revision and possible deny it as a new surgery because I don't have the 5 year weight history I need so right now I'm looking into self pay options. I hope your insurance will approve you and you can get the sleeve. I've also struggled with feeling like I failed so I understand that. If I had just found the money to go back and get the band unfilled instead of living with it being too tight I might've kept losing weight. I just try to learn from it.

I agree this is not the place to debate the band. There are other forums for this, however, in respect to smkeller's input, I think doctors need to be up front with complications and their own success rates on lapband surgeries. I did much internet research before proceeding with the surgery and everything scared the heck out of me prompting me to cancel my surgery once. Something that you have not mentioned though is that there have been great improvements to the band and the surgical technique. Not to say that this eliminates complications and there is not enough long term data yet, but, many of us have made the decision to go lapband because it is removable and there is no re-routing of the inside plumbing. In addition, I personally know a few people that took other WLS routes and a couple are miserable and two of them have stretched their stomachs and have gained most if not all of their weigh back and now have no other choices. I do understand that weight gain can also happen to banded people, but, there are options and the band is adjustable. Here's my story. I started my WLS journey research with the gastric by-pass procedure and was to go that route, however, along the way I met 2 of the people mentioned above at which point I started looking at the lapband and found it was the best fit for me and only because I did not want permanent routing of my intestines. That's just me though and I respect any of the WL surgeries. The final goal regardless of which route we take is "getting healthier" to live a longer and fuller life. Words of encouragement to mstrustar2730. Yes, death is a possibility as in with every surgery, however, lapband is less invasive and usually done as a day surgery. Death from a lapband surgery is minimal and is usually not from the procedure itself, but from surgery complications. After I did all my research on the lapband I discovered that a co-worker died from the surgery and I cancelled my surgery a 2nd time. Well, after asking more questions it turns out that he had heart complications and the surgery was never performed. I, as you thought it was a sign and should not proceed. My support system was awesome and with prayer and encouragement I went forth. Best darn thing I have ever done for myself and as I always say live for today and if complications come later on, I'll cross that bridge when I get there. I am convinced that lapband has saved my life. I was in trouble medically taking 8 prescribed medications and am down to 3 for blood pressure. Would i do this again? ABSOLUTELY!!!!! Jake

Regarding weight gain... I understand your concern. Most of us have failed at keeping weight off in the past and have regained more than we lost most times. I want you to know that the band requireds hard work on your part. The difference with the band is that the hard work pays off...A first for me! Even when I've royally screwed up a day of eating, I either plateau, or lose anyway. Quite a change...... I've sometimes wondered if I would have enjoyed gastric bypass more----that sudden big drop inw eight that happens almost in spite of yourself. But I know that there's something about working and succeeding at wieght loss that is so good for my soul. I've needed that experience all of my life.

I'm trying to decide between lapband and gastric. My concern is erosion and slipage. I'd like to know how many people suffer from either of these. I have to pay cash for my surgery so I want to make the most educated decision I possibly can. Also, does anyone who had the lapband regret it and wish they would have had the gastric instead? Another concern I have is that I live 150 miles from the doctor so I'd like to know about how many times I will need to make the trip for a fill. Finally, is their less chance of weight gain with lapband then gastric in the long run? Thanks for the advice and info in advance.

This Says it ALL! This is from AOL Medical News Drink More Diet Soda, Gain More Weight By Daniel DeNoon WebMD Medical News June 13, 2005 -- People who drink diet soft drinks don't lose weight. In fact, they gain weight, a new study shows. The findings come from eight years of data collected by Sharon P. Fowler, MPH, and colleagues at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. Fowler reported the data at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association in San Diego. "What didn't surprise us was that total soft drink use was linked to overweight and obesity," Fowler tells WebMD. "What was surprising was when we looked at people only drinking diet soft drinks, their risk of obesity was even higher." In fact, when the researchers took a closer look at their data, they found that nearly all the obesity risk from soft drinks came from diet sodas. "There was a 41% increase in risk of being overweight for every can or bottle of diet soft drink a person consumes each day," Fowler says. More Diet Drinks, More Weight Gain Fowler's team looked at seven to eight years of data on 1,550 Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white Americans aged 25 to 64. Of the 622 study participants who were of normal weight at the beginning of the study, about a third became overweight or obese. For regular soft-drink drinkers, the risk of becoming overweight or obese was: 26% for up to 1/2 can each day 30.4% for 1/2 to one can each day 32.8% for 1 to 2 cans each day 47.2% for more than 2 cans each day. For diet soft-drink drinkers, the risk of becoming overweight or obese was: 36.5% for up to 1/2 can each day 37.5% for 1/2 to one can each day 54.5% for 1 to 2 cans each day 57.1% for more than 2 cans each day. For each can of diet soft drink consumed each day, a person's risk of obesity went up 41%. Take some more tea," the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly. "I've had nothing yet," Alice replied in an offended tone, "so I can't take more." "You mean you can't take less," said the Hatter: "It's very easy to take more than nothing." Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland There is actually a way that diet drinks could contribute to weight gain, Fowler suggests. She remembers being struck by the scene in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in which Alice is offended because she is offered tea but is given none -- even though she hadn't asked for tea in the first place. So she helps herself to tea and bread and butter. That may be just what happens when we offer our bodies the sweet taste of diet drinks, but give them no calories. Fowler points to a recent study in which feeding artificial sweeteners to rat pups made them crave more calories than animals fed real sugar. "If you offer your body something that tastes like a lot of calories, but it isn't there, your body is alerted to the possibility that there is something there and it will search for the calories promised but not delivered," Fowler says. Perhaps, Bonci says, our bodies are smarter than we think. "People think they can just fool the body. But maybe the body isn't fooled," she says. "If you are not giving your body those calories you promised it, maybe your body will retaliate by wanting more calories. Some soft drink studies do suggest that diet drinks stimulate appetite."

My doctor recommend not drinking Becuse the alcohol is now digested in the small intestines which will absorb the alcohol much faster thus giving you a buzz faster then normal. That and the fact that alcohol is a bad habit that will lead to other bad habits that will lead to weight gain and then frailer at WLS. For me that scares the hell out of me I don't want to be FAT ever again. So if it means giving up beer,soda,candy,fatting foods I'm ok with that. I love the way I'm looking and haven't been this light in 40 years. Surgery Anniversary 7/30/12

Actually there is something called starvation mode. I actually had my two week post op today and met with my surgeon and nutritionist and they brought up starvation mode when I complained about my stop in weight loss. When you workout you gain muscle so that causes the stall and possible weight gain of a couple pounds before you actually start losing weight. Don't add to or take away from your diet with consulting your team first. Trust me that's what I did and I am medical for over 15yrs. Just keep following your diet and you will get past this no problem. By the way 15lbs is awesome congrats. Remember the small victories and don't be discouraged

((I was just wondering where youve been lately - good to see you!)) You are so right TommyO! The realism that I do not have BIG weight gains, (generally keep the same weight) is a positive result from the band. Very good post! And its good to hear some great feedback from the opposite sex.

Would love some BTDT success stories. I had a successful VSG 2.5 years ago and initially lost 70lbs. Sadly with the pandemic I have regained 25-30 lbs. I am crushed. I think my pouch is still small as I cannot eat large amounts of food but I’m afraid I’m addicted to sugar. Anyone able to get back on track after weight gain. ☹️

I had my lap band surgery on 8/18/2011 and was d/c'd home on 8/19/2011. When I got home I weighed myself and noticed I gained 8 lbs overnight. Has anyone else had this experience and does anyone know why this may have happened?

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I lost 20 pounds during the 6-month weight loss program, which was at a different hospital--it was not connected with my surgeon's office. I first met with my surgeon about three months later, and during that time I had gained back those 20 pounds. However, I did not gain weight between the time I first saw the surgeon and my surgery date. Nonetheless, I don't think your weight gain would be enough to delay your surgery. However, you should discuss it with your surgeon. Just tell the truth and don't try to "cheat" by starving yourself before your next appointment.

Sounds like your doctor has faith in you since you originally went from 400 to 170 lbs. That is a huge accomplishment. Despite the weight gain, you are still way ahead in the weightloss game being 135 lbs down. Maybe he suggested the 10 day liquid diet to try to get you back on track. Similar to the post-op diets, kind of like a reset. I know resets can't shrink your stomach but it does reset some people mentally and they can go back to the dedication they had early post-op and continue doing whatever they did to be so successful before. Also, since you have vitamin deficiencies, maybe he feels you having a revision would not be a safe thing right now. I think you seeing your pcp is a good thing to address or exclude any other health problem that may be causing you to gain weight. If you really want a revision and he is unwilling, perhaps get a second opinion.