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Rapid "weight" gain like that is just Water weight most of the time. If you are eating a lot of canned Soups and the like they have a LOT of sodium (salt) in them, which will make you retain water. You are probably struggling to get your water in as well, trying not to drink 30 mins before, or 30 mins after eating and eating every 3-4 hours is a real challenge (but you'll get the hang of it). This also contributes to the water retention because just as your body stores fat when you don't give it enough food, it stores water when you are not getting enough fluids in. Now you're saying, "How can I not be getting enough fluids if I am on a liquid diet?" Right? Well the liquids in your diet, the soups etc., are going to fill your nutritional needs and while they are technically liquid, there is not enough liquid in them to properly hydrate and nourish your body. Lastly, the surgery and pain medication coupled with the lack of solid foods and reduced amounts of liquids can constipate you in a big hurry. You don't really want to use a laxative but a stool softener is an excellent idea and maybe a little Fiber supplement to clean house and lighten the load a little. So, what to do: 1) Try low sodium soups, etc. 2) Drink as much water as you can during your windows of opportunity 3) Keep things moving in the lower GI (the softener) 4) Most importantly, and most difficult, put away the scale! You should not be worried about any significant weight loss/gain/daily fluctuations right now (or ever for that matter). I used to weigh myself everyday and I was driving myself nuts and often times not doing the things I needed to because I was either mad at the scale if it went up, or scared of it going back up when it did go down. I even convinced myself that I shouldn't workout as much (or at all) because my weight went up every time I went to the gym. Not significantly of course, but it went up because muscle weights more than fat and I didn't like it. Try to focus on what we call NSVs, or non-scale victories. Tying your shoes on the top of your foot, getting a towel to completely cover your body (even if it is a beach towel at first), having your pants fall down when you put your cell phone in your pocket, being able to breathe when you reach the top of the stairs....Priceless! All the wonderful little things that will happen to your body as you lose weight and get healthier. Things that you won't see on the digital scale readout. Things you might not see at all if you are only looking at the arbitrary number on the scale. Be a loser, not a number. I am 15 months post-op and down 108lbs! I started in a size 24 and I just bought a size 10 jeans for the first time since I was 12 years old! The band is your tool belt, but you still have to build the house, patiently. Good luck and feel free to e-mail me anytime.

I wish i had your ability to not stress...i hate Fluid weight gains...so not fair. but - you have your good days and your bad ones. hopefully the good will outweigh the bad! what have you been eating in the mushie stage?

I'm sorry for your friend's misfortune. Many patients fail to report PB'ing and vomiting to their MDs for fear of receiving an unfill. A PA at my surgeon's office told me that several patients ASK to be overfilled so that they can lose weight quicker and "toss" the extra food if they overeat. An overfill not only leads to inflammation of the esophagus, but also can result in weight gain as people go back to mushy foods which are often higher in calories than solid proteins.

I decided I didn't want to keep my surgery a secret from my closest family but I also didn't want to have to keep explaining it over and over and I certainly didn't want to argue or debate with anyone (something my family is known for, including me! ) So I sent out an email in advance and the results have been great. No one argued or disagreed, at least, not to me. I received some well wishes before and after surgery. And while there may be questions when I see them over the holidays, my hope is that I've cleared up a few things in advance. Here's my email: Subject: Do you know what Lap Band Surgery is? (Warning: this is long!) It's a procedure in which an inflatable band is placed around the upper portion of your stomach. There is a tube attached that runs to a port that is placed just below the skin. Saline is injected into the port to inflate the band. The idea is to create a pouch of the stomach through which food initially passes. When this pouch is full, you feel full and so eat less. I am having this procedure on Thursday. I have researched it extensively and have visited the surgeon, a nutritionist, a psychologist, and my own family doctor. All have been supportive but I was especially pleased with my own doctor's opinion, since he has no affiliation with the others, though, coincidentally, he knows the psychologist. (She has a regular family counseling practice and does not work for the surgeon.) My doctor said that he has about half a dozen patients who have had the procedure and all of them are doing great. He was very positive about me doing this. Also, he performed all of my pre-op tests and I am in excellent health. I have about 70 pounds to lose. The Lap-Band will not cause me to lose it especially quickly. However, it should help me keep it off. You may recall that I lost 70 pounds four years ago, too. I fought to keep that weight off with continual dieting and exercise. Unfortunately, diets don't work, and 95 percent of people who lose weight will gain it back. People tend to be blamed (or blame themselves!) for this regain but there is more and more evidence that our bodies are programmed to regain this weight. I read a recent study with rats: two groups of rats were given the same amount of food. The rats who had previously lost weight GAINED while those that hadn't stayed their normal weight. Of course, those of us who have struggled with our weight for many years don't need these studies to convince us this is true! Here's what's going to happen to me: I go in for surgery at 7 a.m. at Austin Surgical Hospital. It's a laparoscopic procedure that should take no more than an hour. After I've recovered, I'll go home the same day and I'll go back to work Tuesday. For the first week or two, I will be on a diet of Clear liquids. Then I'll be on full liquids (anything that can go through a straw) for another couple of weeks. Then I'll be on soft foods (foods that can pretty much be swallowed without chewing) for a few weeks. Finally, I'll be able to start adding normal food. I will need to chew thoroughly and slow down the eating process. I will also not be drinking with my meals because liquid just pushes the food on through. Eventually, I'll be able to eat most foods but more slowly and in smaller quantities. The process is slow in order to allow my stomach to get used the band while I get used to learning to eat differently. After six weeks, I'll go in for my first adjustment, called a "fill." My surgeon is conservative about filling the band, one of the reasons I chose him. I want to take my time and adjust to each change. I am not in a hurry about losing the weight, especially knowing that this will be the last time! The perfect amount of restriction is being able to eat almost anything I want in small quantities without being hungry but still losing weight. While some people get exactly the right amount of restriction with no fill at all, it is more typical to get three or four fills, or more, several months apart. Also, as one loses weight, there is less pressure from fat on the outside of the band, so the band can loosen up, requiring a fill. The band can be unfilled a little or completely if I ever get too much restriction or have a medical reason for needing more food. Also, the band can be removed completely in a similar surgery and my stomach would return to normal. However, this is only done if there is a medical reason for it. It's considered permanent like a knee replacement or defibrillator. This is a big difference from gastric bypass surgery, which is a permanent reconstruction of the stomach and cannot be reversed. One of the best articles I read that summed up the procedure is an ABC news article about Khaliah Ali's book, "Fighting Weight." She is Mohammed Ali's daughter and she had the Lap-Band surgery. An excerpt from her book is in the article and she does a good job of summarizing: ABC News: Excerpt: Khaliah Ali's 'Fighting Weight' I have other links if you would like to learn more about it. Mr. Longhorn and the girls will be taking care of me after the surgery, though I shouldn't need much. The surgery is considered comparable to gall bladder surgery. I'll be up and walking a lot that weekend to get rid of the CO2 gas that the surgeon will pump into my body during surgery to create room to work. Many people have very little pain afterwards. I'm getting the latest version of the band, made by Allergan/Inamed. While complications have been rare, this band has improvements designed to address those complications. I'm sorry this is so long but that's why I decided to let y'all know in an email. I didn't want you to confuse what I'm doing with gastric bypass surgery. I also wanted you to know what to expect when we're together for meals in the future. And I didn't want to have to repeat this "lecture" over and over! :eek: Love, Longhorn Feel free to use any part of my email if you find it helpful.

Normal. Don't worry about your weight at this point, it isn't a true weight gain. Put the scale away until you start eating normally again. Try using a heating pad/taking your pain meds for the discomfort, though that's all part of the post-op recovery fun. Walk as much as you can as well.

I am liking it so far. I am still using up some animal based protein powders, and a few items in the freezer (like frozen salmon), but i am liking it so far. The only problem is that it really increases the VOLUME of food eaten, which is a bit hard for me at this point. I don't want to "stretch" my pouch, so I just eat real slowly, chew very well, and take my time. I use soups and sauteed veggies with tofu at work, because I can eat them within the 20-30 minute lunch break, and I eat my big raw salad at home, because it takes more than an hour to eat. I spread out the grains and legumes so they aren't all packed into huge meals that I can't finish. I have had NO problem with weight gain by eating the extra carbs. I feel good, and have lots of energy. My goal is to go 80-90% plant based, and I am pretty much there now. Next week (1 week before my bike race) I will go 100% plant based, as there is pretty impressive evidence that athletic performance improves, even in a short time, with WFPB. Inflammation in the blood vessels and muscles is reduced, allowing for increased blood flow. Guys, even bedroom performance is enhanced with increased blood flow by eliminating all animal based foods for even just 24 hours before an "event." Food for thought.......

Unless you continue to graze or eat things like pizza, chips, foods with high sugar and fat content, ie. ice-cream, cookies, cakes, chips etc...I don't think you will have a problem and you will continue to lose. Just follow the fundamental concept of protein first then vegetables, then fruits and other stuff and you really won't have trouble with the foods that can cause weight gain...there just won't be enough room for it! You don't have to deprive yourself either. A treat now and again will not sabotage your food plan as your need to maintain health will be a priority so things should balance out. Hope that helps.

You can't change the past, but you can affect the future. Consider it a lesson learned, and get on with your life. If we were all perfect we wouldn't need the band in the first place. If it's a small slippage you may be fine after an unfill. Increase your exercise a bit and you may not have any weight gain at all. I know I'm not answering your specific questions, but just wanted to say stop beating yourself up over what is in the past.

I ,too, am having fill issues. I had my 6th fill last Wed, thought it was going to be good because when I ate soup it made all of the grumblings that I hadn't heard in months! However, two days later on solids.....NO restriction! I am a self pay and each fill is $200.......YOUCH! That can eat a paycheck quickly! So, I dunno....calling fill doc on Friday to make a fill. However, I think I will set it up after vacation! :cool2: Right now, I have been drinking Slim Fast twice a day to try and ward off any weight gain. Any helpful hints/comments would be greatly appreciated! Oh, I haven't had any good restriction in about 2-2.5 months...

I think we all have days when we want to shove the food in with both hands. For me, that impulse is SO strong, that I have to give in so I can move on from it. It's mostly about "hand to mouth" time, so I make a bowl of popcorn, sit down & have at it. If that didn't do it, I'll have one of my favorite Protein bars. Usually, though, after a bowl of popcorn, halfway through the Protein Bar I'm already feeling maxed out. So, I give into the intense need to eat, but I choose differently. Prior to surgery it would have been a trip to the market, and back home with a package of Cookies, or ½ gallon of ice cream. I don't believe any of us are ever really cured from this affliction. To have long term success, I believe we need to stop thinking of our new way of eating as some sort of diet; one day we're on, and the next we're off. Every day isn't a popcorn/protein bar day, but when I'm jumping out of my skin with the intense need to eat, I simply....do. I just stay away from things that will cause weight gain, or send me down a road I really don't want to go.

I read a book (or finished reading it) on Nov 1st. It's 'How to stop eating bad sugar' by Allen Carr. Since I stopped I've kicked my sugar habit which was wreaking havoc in my life. Not huge weight gain, but there was a slide upwards. It was just the mental nastiness - the feeling of constantly losing a battle and it made me sick and I'd started getting really bad reactive hypoglycaemia. So since then: no sugar, potatoes, sweeteners, honey, syrups and no processed food made with sugar. I still eat a lot of fruit but mainly apples (loads of fibre) and tangerines. Bananas are a slight problem - I note they increase sweet cravings and give me muscle cramps, but I'm recently bereaved and so allowing myself to skate that one for now. Dried fruit is also a big no. I eat meat, fish, veggies (often oven roasted), small amounts of organic proper wholewheat bread - have only found one brand - Cranks- which doesn't have a load of other nonsense in. I snack on nuts and fruit as above. I've lost 6lbs of my slide up from my lowest, but I think I might be at what is a healthy weight for me. (Need to get back to the gym really). I don't log or do macros but I aim to eat whole food, lots of veg and fibrous fruit. It's working in that I've only had the reactive hypoglycaemia a couple of times since Nov 1st (I think it was banana that did it!) and the cravings are generally gone. The evening hunger is fixed by eating a big apple very slowly and I sometimes have a bed time snack of a little fruit and cheese, or nuts, but the urge to do that is passing slowly. I do occasionally use Stevia in my posh hot milk and pure cacao/ashwaganda type drinks, but I try also to not make it a regular thing. I suppose my point will be, that having taken these steps, the obsession, and the compulsion have faded and now I'm free to deal with all my other problems!!! Good luck to you - your exercise regime is awesome. I so want exercise to be my next addiction!!

Like I said, for now. Everyone will eventually find a method that works best for them, scales or tape measure. I know that as long as I am following my plan, I will get to goal. There will be stalls, I have the patience to wait them out. There will be weight gain, I know how to get ME back on track. You asked for help, I answered what works for me. I hope you can find what works for you!

Did everything go smoothly? I am in the same situation. I have been approved but the surgeon's office cancelled my surgery due to 15 lb weight gain since August. They are requiring me to lose the weight before they will put me back on the schedule. This would be fine if I wasn't starting a new job in a couple of months and NEEDING to have surgery done before I start. It's either now or wait another 6 months and that is out of the question. It took me 6 months of a preop diet, another month before I got insurance approval, scheduled a month out only to be taken off the schedule a week before my surgery date. Taking 3-4 weeks to lose the 15 lbs and waiting a month before surgery will kill my timeline. I feel like I need to get the ball rolling with another surgeon ASAP. I really don't have time to wait. I have BC/BS of Michigan. Please help!

If the fear helps you to stay on track, then it’s useful. I smile when our bariatric minds can get so crazy. I get it. *laughing* I admit I have had to deal with my fear of weight gain. I always blew it when I’ve attempted to maintain my weight in the past. I would gain plus more just like you. Funny and not funny where the mental battles take you. I also obsessed my way through weight loss phase. I can’t say it was a bad thing, it got me to a healthy weight. I had to really think about if my fear was healthy. At times, it has not been. Third year I had a gain (I worked it back off) I freaked out. It really messed with my head. It took me on the crazy train trying every diet, logging and obsessing. Ugh not a healthy head space. It’s taken some work to relax and to trust myself.

I hit my 60kg goal weigh about 6 months after surgery. Since then I have continued to lose even though I’ve increased my caloric intake. I eat larger portion sizes (though still small) & have added snacks. I still avoid breads, pasta, rice & potato. No cakes biscuits, desserts, jams, etc. I just don’t have these foods in my house. I try to eat very much to routine because I still have days I don’t feel hungry and my diet is pretty routine too. I’m 19 months out and am sitting at about 48.5kg this week (about 107lbs) & 48.3 last week. My weight fluctuations are small less than 1kg but the general trend is still down. My surgeon’s team & GP want me to put in weight but I honestly can’t eat more than I do - it’s physically impossible & there’s no more hours in a day. I don’t want to add starchy carbs, sweets, etc. to my diet because I believe they contributed to my weight gain in the past. Mind you I tried some vegan soy pasta last week & it sat like a lump in my tummy which is what mashed potato did when I tried a spoon of that a couple of months ago as a test. So that helps me not to eat it. I believe my continued weight loss is because I’m still in the honeymoon period & my metabolism is going 100 miles an hour. I don’t know what the future will bring & how I will manage my metabolism slowing & appetite returning full time. I’m just going to take it day by day & try to continue to make healthy food choices. I tell myself I’m the one in control of my diet. No one is making me over eat or making me make unhealthy food choices. I do have the odd treat. Last night I had friends over for Christmas drinks. I had 2 half glasses of champagne & about 4 crackers with blue cheese & 2 slices of bresola over about 5 hours. (I also had 1/2 slice of the roast shawarma lamb I made.) The last time I did anything like this was about a month ago & 2 months before that. And I will have a sliver of Christmas cake on Xmas day. You may be able to get down to a lower weight but can you maintain it? You still have to be able to live & enjoy your life while maintaining a weight you are happy with. Finding that balance I think is the key. Good luck.

spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend/family heavy? My spouses’ weight is fine. He can eat whatever he wants and maintains. It makes me crazy I have two female family members that struggle with their weight. The relationships are strained and uncomfortable. My girlfriend and her husband had surgery a year ago. They initially lost and gained it back. She told me that being around me just reminds her of the weight gain. They stopped hanging out with all our friends. I’m sad because no one cares about their weight.

Yes the XR will be an issue, easily rectified. Please bear in mind that Effexor is widely known for its weight gaining side effects! Good luck

Not just fluid although your weight gain will certainly be fluid - did you have keyhole surgery? If so, they actually carefully pump a whole load of air inside you! They use the jet of air to separate your organisation inside to move them aside and make the keyhole surgery easier. They suck some out as they close up but surgeons all leave more or less of it. It slowly dissolves over the next few days, but this is ‘gas pain’ and it is probably the worst bit of the recovery - mine hurt like hell up in my left shoulder, front and rear. Just get up as soon as you can, and walk. You have to walk it out. As you move about, your bodily organs absorb the gas and you go back to normal!

I can only share with you my experience. My husband hates me tiny. He hates it with everything in his being. Literally, he loves that I am gaining weight in the pregnancy. He jumped up and down when the scale showed a 15lb weight gain. He has always preferred "thick" girls, all of his exes were bigger girls, I was just the biggest he'd ever dated. He admits that my personality/character traits/behaviors have not changed with my weight, but he doesn't like me below 150lbs. Well, he just learned to deal with it because I got down to 125lbs and a size 2. He likes me best around a size 7/9. He has a preference, and I no longer fit into that preference. However, I told him that I had a preference of taller, dark-haired, hairy chested, older men, and then I met, fell in love and married his scrawny 6ft tall, 6 years my junior, 165lbs framed, blonde-haired, blue-eyed, bare chested offerings, and he needed to realize that he fell in love with me, not my size just as I had fallen in love with him, not his physical attributes. It's been a tough 2 years with me dropping weight, and sizes changing. The big, round, soft women he "knew" doesn't exist anymore, but he still loves me, still thinks I'm beautiful, and loves everything about me. Lots of communication has been the key to use navigating through the changes.

Hi jubie. I gained weight while in the hospital too. I went into surgery dehydrated from the preop diet and of course I had an IV running, so the extra fluids are what caused the weight gain. It will come back off in the next few days. No worries. Im 5 days post op now. Good luck to you!

Metformin not only helps stimulate the pancreas to do its job which will stop the weight gain. It is also used to stimulate ovulation for those trying to get pregnant. I had to stop taking it pre op because my sugars were going too low. It is originally intended for.diabetes, the perk of helping infertility was a bonus that blessed my life. I have noticed that I am losing slower than non pcos wls patients, I don't think it has anything to do with the metformin, I think it is the pcos. I'm just hoping with pcos that the more I lose the better things will get. This surgery was supposed to cure it (according to my surgeon). I can remember when I was 16 I.was skinny as a stick and I still had issues. My ovaries hurt so bad and my period was so erratic. I couldn't do bc cuz pill makes me psycho. New Life Started 07/24/12

I am most proud of being an athlete again after 35 years of steady weight gains. I peaked at 324 pounds and am now 176 pounds. I'm running, lifting weights, playing tennis and golf and running up stairs effortlessly. 8 months ago I was huffing and puffing after a short walk.

Your story sounds familiar. Day two and I feel fantastic !! I have gone back to drinking my water and I eat every two hours, but very small. I am also watching what I eat. I know this is a very dangerous stage and want to avoid weight gain, so I know I will have to be careful. I have been able to sleep, and really enjoy eating and keeping it down and no heartburn. Thank you for your reply, I appreciate hearing others stories and feel this as encouragement for me. Thanks again...

I was totally addicted to carbs. It was so bad that I could eat a pound of jelly Beans in an hour or tackle half a dozen donuts without a problem, except for the weight of course. My carb cravings caused many problems from back pain to acne, from weight gain to shortness of breath, not to leave out embarrassment when I realized that I had just emptied my host's candy dish or cookie tray all by myself. I got lucky and found a solution by changing my lifestyle. I'd like to hear from others about what they have done not to just conquer carb cravings, but to break the addiction. What did you do and how did it work? Hugh

Thanks it seems so hard not to think about weight loss regardless how we feel, I am still in here and gained weight, but I got sleeved a month ago may 15th and even with the weight gain I've still lost 9kg.