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Its not so much that its the easy way out as its the SUCCESSFULL way out. at 4+ years out, I have to work as hard as ever to get it off, keep it off as any diet in the past, however, the amount of work actually WORKS now. Before, I could work this hard and get very little and temporary success. Now I have a chance of keeping a big chunk of weight off. Will I be at goal forever? .... well not so far, but I am pretty close and that is awesome! Statistics say it is uncommon for someone with this surgery to get to or stay at 100% EWL, and weight gain is most common after 3 years out.... but I really count myself as a success.

I am 7 weeks an I was sleveed 17 months ago so my weight had pretty much stabalized. I was 180 when I found out I was carrying 3 weeks ago last week I was up 5 pounds to 185 an as of today Im down three pounds 182. I have no morning sickness so not sure of the reason for the loss. I was told 15 to 20 pounds so well see. I snack all day because Im always hungry but I am mindful of what I eat an I still cant eat alot so I also continue to work out when I can keep my eyes open lol just to stay on top of the weight gain. Congrats all its nice to know im not alone.

I have extra guilt about my weight gain because my mother paid for my surgery.

Sorry, to the success stories in this forum, In my defense I did search for the topic post sleeve “weight gain” & I was hoping for possible stories I could relate to, y’all all sound so successful so I’ll bounce out of this forum. but Much continued success to you all!

I can't decide if I'm embarrassed to write this post or not...So, I'm just going to go for it. I hit my 2-year mark without fanfare a few weeks back. I reminded no one, and didn't bother taking a picture. I'm completely bummed out and am grasping for...food (was going to say straws, but I might as well be honest). I've struggled - starting with a pretty darn high weight in the first place, having a stupid short honeymoon period, and ending up in November 2015 with so much extra stress in my life that I sometimes wonder how this all happened (this is the "woe is me" part, sorry)...so here I am today, weighing about 15 pounds more than my lowest weight at left (that I hit in May 2015) that I don't seem to be able to shake back off of me, and looking for support. I'm writing this post because first, I would like to hear from anyone who has actually been re-sleeved. FYI that I am not interested in converting to the bypass, because for probably the rest of my life, I must be able to take NSAIDs for arthritis (and after a bypass, medicating for that becomes tricky and appears to only involve cortisone shots. Yuck, ouch, and no). Second, I'm writing this as a reality check to myself -- I've written/deleted/rewritten/re-deleted this post a couple of times this morning because as I've typed, I've realized a few very important things I've changed in the past 5-7 months that I need to grab back onto - things that are now contributing to my weight gain and pushing my thoughts toward that 2nd surgery. With as much weight as I still have to lose (50 to 90 lbs), I had already been considering a 2nd surgery, because I felt like I would need one more big push toward goal (at more than 50 pounds away after 2 years). I checked into getting a bypass as a method towards that final push, but that's when I learned about the arthritis meds problem. My recent struggles are just causing the underlying reason for that surgery to change a bit-from a "push" to a "need" (at least in my head ). Hopefully that sentence makes sense. I'm looking for someone who can maybe shed light on what it's like to be re-sleeved (as a "re-do" rather than for actual medical complications, since I have read about those issues on this site), if there's anyone out there who has experienced it. I will be seeking a different surgeon to perform it, and if I end up going this route, I am hoping to do it in May or June 2016. I have faith that some will remind me of the 5-day pouch test, getting in my daily Protein and Water, and other great advice toward getting back on track (that's my plan for the coming week - doing menu planning after posting this). I appreciate this community for its experience and advice! Thanks! ETA 1: Thanks for the comments! But somehow I've possibly given the impression that I have just 15 pounds to lose. Ah, if only that were true!!! Clarification, my "first" goal weight is 199, and I'm currently 50+ away from that. My true goal is 180, and my reach goal is 160-165. The 15 lb reference is that I'm up 15 from my lowest "current weight" (listed at left in my profile info). In other words, I have more weight still left to lose than some people have when they walk in the door for their first WLS consultation. I've had a number of weight fluctuations in the past 6 or so months, but this is the first time I can't seem to adjust my diet and have that weight go away. ETA 2: I've had a Fit Bit almost 2 years, and have worked out for the past 15 or so months (per my doc's plan, which is very conservative and geared around losing fat not muscle) until recently 5 to 7 days per week. Where I'm off is on my food intake and choices, which is good to be aware of because I can effect change. The heart of my post is that yes, I can make better food choices and update my workouts (they are boring to me now so I'm less motivated) and could probably get back on track for another bit of weight loss. What I'm considering is whether to do a "drastic" step to get re-sleeved to assist with the large portion of weight still left to lose. And no, this is not a stall - I've stalled any number of times in the past year and a half - this is different. This is more of a meta moment of realization...and I appreciate everyone who is taking the time to read and respond!

I was a grazer before surgery and could still eat constantly if I let myself. There isn't anything wrong with snacking per se, but for those of us who eat w/o being hungry, it can be a problem. If I can fit in 500 calories into my pouch and eat 3X a day, then I'm at 1500 calories and pretty much OK. If I eat 6X times a day and still go for 500 calories per meal, then I have a problem. Some people modulate how much they eat when they eat more frequently. Sadly, this was never the case for me. You are almost 10 lbs below goal now, so the snacking doesn't seem to be hurting you. A word of caution, though. I can eat a lot more now than I could at 1 year or even two years out. If the same ends up being true for you, the snacking will lead to weight gain.

I had the sleeve done Jan 9, 2016. In July I found out I was pregnant... unplanned. I was a low BMI patient to start, about 31 BMI. I am 35 weeks pregnant. Up until about 28 weeks I was doing fine and baby's ultrasounds were perfect. Then at 28 weeks I did the glucose test and apparently my results were high enough I didn't even need to bother doing the longer test, I was immediately diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. I've been able to manage my blood sugar levels almost perfectly since, and I think it was probably a blessing in disguise since I've been eating much healthier since I was diagnosed. No insulin needed. I should mention, all along I was gaining weight on pace. Nothing the first trimester and then about a pound a week from 12-30 weeks. Since 30 weeks I've actually lost a pound or two, so I'm up around 16 lbs now. I'm short, only 5'1 though, so my doctor is fine with my weight gains. I do think I would have probably gained less had I eaten healthier right from the get-go, but the first trimester I was nauseous so relied on carbs. Then in the second trimester and with the holiday season I definitely treated myself more than I normally would have. Anyways, that's sort of the background so far. Last week I had my 34 week check up and my OB had my results for my 33 week ultrasound. Baby's femur is measuring in the 5th percentile. Rest of him is measuring fine. My fundal height is only one week behind. My Iron stores are low and I have to get an IV to make sure I'm absorbing enough. All I can think of is - is this because I had the sleeve and now my poor baby is suffering because my body isn't able to absorb the proper nutrients?! After the sleeve my blood tests always came back fine and I had no poor reaction to the sleeve, but I can't help but blame myself for this now!

K33, it has been my experience that antidepressants do cause some weight gain but not all of them. Depression can also be a chemical imbalance such as bipolar. Antidepressants help the chemical imbalance in the brain. I can tell you from experience that depression can be present when you are skinny or fat. I suffered for year with untreated depression when I was skinny and finally was diagnosed and put on medication that really helped me. Not sure of any research but I plan on staying on meds with probably the same dose after my VSG. To me it is much better than being depressed. I know this probably didn't answer your question but I feel for you.

I have NEVER heard of an insurance company denying someone because they lost weight/gained weight. Insurance companies aren't worried about the little things (like dr offices are) they want the big picture. Have you met all of their requirements? They go through a checklist. It's not about gaining 5 pounds here or losing 10 pounds there. When I was waiting for my surgery to be approved, I was fine the first day and then a wreck for the next week!! I really truly think your surgery will be approved - especially if you have finished all of the requirements! From May to October (my 6 month diet) I lost 8 pounds and I swear 5 of those pounds were just from stopping soda/carbonated beverages. I really do believe you will have a surgery date soon!!

I've seen all the benefits of this lifestyle change just in pre-op so I'm not sad whatsoever nor am I missing the garbage foods like soda (what I was seemingly addicted to). My commitment to having a better life far supersedes the desire at this point to submerge myself back into the habits that result in misery. Part of it is I just had far too much disgust in seeing what this weight gain had done to me (180 pounds in 5 years), a lot of contempt for what I had done to myself when I looked in the mirror, and the desire to life a normal life after being lucky and catching this food-caused liver disease before it was irreversible. Never again.

I had complications with my band and required two extra surgeries. Right after that I had to take a drug that caused weight gain for a good stretch. I got discouraged because nothing was working and just had it completely unfilled. I tried losing weight in all sorts of ways over the years, nothing worked, and I finally came around to the band again. It's working this time!

I think that compliments are all about perspective. People's perceptions are their realities; and ​their realities and perceptions can be greatly influenced by ones confidence, lack of confidence or feelings. If someone is extremely self conscience, embarrassed or ashamed of their starting or highest weight, then yes, they will be offended by someone asking, "How much did you lose?" That is already a very sore topic that they perhaps have not come to terms or forgiven themselves about, so they are offended by it or they just don't feel comfortable sharing. And, personally, I think that is okay; there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I also believe that people's insecurities lead them to believe that they are being judged, because they negatively judge themselves and assume others are doing the same. What I think is not okay, is when you take those inner feelings of turmoil and self consciousness out on the "asker" or "complimenter," especially if they meant well. You can respond in various ways: I've lost enough to feel great. I am not comfortable sharing, but I appreciate that you noticed my weight loss. A good amount. Thank you. And then you can redirect the conversation. My BMI was at the lower end of the qualifying spectrum--39. At my lowest weight post surgery, I weighed 140; which totaled to 110 pounds lost. Currently, I weigh anywhere between 150-155. However, the weight gain has been muscle mass and I have remained the same size. People have and continue to ask me all sorts of questions. I have been--and always will be--honest about my surgery and my numbers. I think my honesty and lack of feeling offended by questions comes from the fact that I am EXTREMELY proud of my journey--and that is not saying that people whom are conscientious are not extremely proud. People's opinions or judgments--if they have any--don't matter to me anymore because I do not need their validation. I feel very validated on my own because I know how hard I have worked. One thing I always tell people, and have shared on here countless times, is that the sleeve gave me QUANTITY control, but I taught myself about QUALITY control. They sleeve DOES NOT choose the food I put in it and it does not control my activity level. I do all of that. And at the end of the day, the numbers are arbitrary. The way I FEEL is what is important. Also, I hope that my story might inspire someone else's life. Even if they hear it 2nd or 3rd hand, because it was someone's story that inspired me and motivated me to take this path.

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

Oh boy I could write a book on this!!! They need to know if you stop breathing when you sleep, if you do going under is dangerous. So if you have sleep apnea (which I do) and you stop breathing, they put you on the machine and pump the air in for you. My number is 7...omg blows my bangs back. Sleep apnea can cause weight gain, swollen ankles (got that) and you really don't get the sleep you need! I love my mask, I have been on it for a month now...I can run up two flights of stairs now without getting out of breath..couldn't do that before!! Oh yeah and my doc wouldn't do the surgery if I refused the testing, and I have to be on the cpap mask for 2 weeks..so I am good on that. I read of a woman who had the surgery (check the memorials on ObesityHelp.com) she had her bariatric surgery --they didn't know she had sleep apnea, she stopped breathing and they didn't know---she passed away. What a shocker! Under anesthesia, you are totally relaxed -that is how they put you to sleep--so your unable to breath again as easy as non-sleep-apnea people. On the flip side, Sleep Apnea is a co-morbidity...so you should be approved for sure!! My kids call me Scuba Steve when they see me in the mask..its not a whole mask..just a little thing that goes into my nostrils...no biggie really! Take care, and best wishes to you!!

that isn't real weight gain, likely water retention. anyone who starts exercising should expect water weight gain out of the gate. never met anyone who didn't have it.

hi so its been awhile since ive posted,im 13weeks prego,ive lost 6lbs due to morning sickness... other mommys have put on 3,6 or even 8lbs but i keep in mind tht im sleeved nd dont eat as much as they do... my question is how much weight did you sleeved mommys gain during pregnancy?.. i snack often nd keep hydrated...i wrk a 12hr shift but sleep most of the day on my days off... im not on a diet but do make healthy choice at time... also nxt week would be a year post op frm surgery..so i got prego around 9mnths out..

Hello all! I was referred to this forum by a friend who went through the surgery last year. I went under the knife on April 25th this year, and am so far very happy with the results. My doctor was Frank Veninga in North Dallas Texas. I think they did a great job despite me being a very difficult case. I am not small by any means (385 and 5'10" prior to surgery) so I had a ton of muscle and fat in the abdominal area. So far the only issues I have had are with the incision sites. It seems that one got slightly infected, and then the largest one where they placed my port has been weeping a bit. All seems to have cleared up though:thumbup: but now I have a peice of stitch coming out of the scar - keeps on hanging on stuff:rolleyes2:. My only regret was not getting this done sooner. I have pretty much settled back into a regular diet (not necessarily a good thing) and am afraid I am eating way too much. But then again, he had to remove all the Fluid in mine (even the 1cc that is in there to begin with) just so I could swallow after surgery. My first fill date is June 2nd - and I am anticipating great results. I have been active all my life, and played soccer, baseball, basketball and football in High School. When I lived in South Texas I would go hiking almost every weekend. But despite being active, I have also always been overweight. My weight gain reached a crest when I needed back surgery and injured my knee. Prior to surgery I was a hefty 385. I have lost about 20-25 lbs to date (mostly from the pre-surgery diet:unsure:). I am limited in my choices as far as career go right now - but my plans are to loose the excess weight, get back into shape and go into law enforcement. That's been a dream of mine ever since I can remember. Glad to be here! And sorry for the novel:lol:

I had my tubes tied but because of heavy periods the doctor put me on Yaz. That caused blood clots from my legs to travel into both lungs and almost killed me. So now the doctor put me on the Mirena and I haven't had a period since July of last year. No addl weight gain or any problems with it. I love it.

I started in 6th grade, so was probably around 12. I attribute my weight gain to having to be put on birth control pills less than a year later due to a hormone imbalance. Once I started, I would have extended and very heavy bleeding for an average of 4 weeks every 3 months. I battled that until I finally had a hysterectomy in the summer of 2006. Wish they had a magic pill the worked as effectively at getting that weight back off!

I am sorry for your loss. I lost my dad when I was only 6. Acceptance is the key regarding your weight gain. Don't be so hard on yourself. The same has happened to me and I have been soda free for about a month now. I found a wonderful Protein drink...syntrax nectar..that I love! I had been off of peotein drinks for a long time...sleeved in 2012...because they all tasted like crap to me. I eat good carbs and nothing white...no sugar. I am taking one minute at a time. I do not log my food...for me if I did that food would be all I thought about. I make sure I get my daily protein requirements in and good carbs too. I don't worry so much about the fat and I do not count calories. I also set a timer as to not drink anything 30 minutes after I eat. I am disabled, to look at me you would not know, so I get very little exercise. I love to walk but can't for very long. I have never liked exercising anyway. I am about 25 lbs from where I want to be. Lost 125 lbs and gained 20+ back due to some meds that I no longer take and doing things I was not supposed to do. Hope this helps. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I think it would help you to remind yourself that "weight" and "fat" aren't the same thing. Your weight is your hair, skin, and everything wrapped up inside of it. This includes fat, but is not an accurate representation of the amount of fat on your body. No joke - I can vary as much as 15 lbs in the same day. If you have sudden weight gain, large or small, 99.99999% of the time the answer is Water. People just don't gain fat pounds overnight, especially not banded people. But they freak out when they see the difference in the scale numbers, and assume they're now 4 pounds FATTER instead of jsut being 4 pounds HEAVIER. Big difference. So to answer your question about your weight gain - it's probably water. It's probably not fat. And your body can't sustain constant weightloss. It needs to readjust to what's going on (insert long explanation about glycogen stores and metabolism here). If you're setting yourself up to see or epxpecting a scale change every day, you're going to have lots of disappointment. You've alreaydy talked about the scale addiction. scales really are the WORST way of tracking fat loss. BTW, this is exactly what kills so many diets. People deprive themselves, and feel deprived, and then see no or negative changes on the scale and say, "Well F it, if I'm giving all this up and gaining weight anyway, then I'm just going to eat what I want!" -- and do just that, when a little more patience and persistence would have shown that the body was just adjusting and the loss was queued.

I am miserable! My band slipped about 7 or 8 months ago and Dr Billy took all the fill out. I have MINOR restriction and the weight is returning with record speed!!!! I am so depressed about the weight gain. I had gotten to the point where I felt so good about my body. I wore a bikini and looked good. Dr Lopez did my original surgery (I know this comes as no surprise to anyone) and when I tried to contact him.....guess what???? He won't return my calls. I finally got an email from his assistant saying that they could revise my surgery for an additional $4,000.00. So here I am.... 1. No insurance. 2. NO MONEY! 3. Dr Lopez won't fix his mistake (although I realized this going into it) 4. A non working band 5. A fat body that depresses me. If it weren't for the amazing Dr. billy....I would have jumped off the Ventura Pier long ago. Dr Billy wants to help me but without insurance, what's a girl to do? P.S I was an excellent bandster and I followed all the rules. I would take it extremely personally if someone tried to blame my silp on me. Christine

I have stayed at the same weight for over 4 weeks. The scale varies very little. I joined a Zumba class and add modest treadmill but have yet to see their impact. I will have my 3 month check up a bit late, maybe at 3.5 months out, so my concerns might be answered then, but is there a chance that this is the best it gets? Could I have already passed the honeymoon stage in first 8 weeks? I would have laughed at a post such as this if I had not written it myself.... While not stellar with diet, calories are under 1000, good protein and water intake. No weight gain and no weight loss... I began with a starting weight of 182 and have been at 152. I am short. Is this a stall, or plateau, or the best I can be? Lots of hair loss in the last month and fingernails are thin. Thanks for your input!

I'm fine. I have plenty of protein in my diet as I always start the day with a protein shake. 1 cup is too much food for me. Been there, done that ie. weight gain.

If you can't est 3 oz solid Protein you are too tight. Being to tight is 1. Bad for the band may slip and 2. Leads to eating sliders which can lead to weight gain.