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I glad you decided to choose a healthy path for yourself. The weight gaining thing is a slippery slope that we all seem to get on and it only gets worse as we age. This was the right decision for me. I am almost 7 months post opp and down 95#. I still have a ways to go but loving the trip! Don't be intimadated about posting it will make things easyer when you get closer to surgery to talk things through.

My "railing" is against Almanza. He is a narcissistic A**hole who cares only about money. He is a terrible surgeon as well as a horrible person. I have been accused of all sorts of crap on this message board.. working for another doctor, not following my original lifestyle changes. I dont even care anymore, I certainly do not have to explain myself. I was simply wanting to WARN people about Almanza. I dont have to do that anymore, His name is all over the news, the interned for putting people in comas, dropping off a near dead man at the border. My slow weight gain came 7 years after my wt loss from Mexicali Bariatric Hospital ((((WONDERFUL))) .. oh and NO i dont work for them, LOL. I am self employed living now in NorCal Tending to my ageing mother. My lifestyle really changed when I moved here, not much to do, no bike trails, I didnt know anyone and I became very depressed. It took about a year but I climbed about 40 pounds up the scale. Desperation and insufficient research led me to almanza. I knew there was something very wrong about him within 10 minutes of meeting him. red flags were popping like fireworks. I should have trusted my feeling and FLED. MY BAD. I own that. He cut me and created the worst adhesions, and he ran out of time before doing any resleeve. (all of this is documented at his strip mall "clinic", in spanish of course but I got one of the staff to run a copy of my 'eyes only' notes and its wasnt difficult to have it translated.) So he sloppily sewed me back up NEVER having so much as touched my stomach. I ended up going BACK to Mexicali Bariatric and they had much work to do to cut down and cut out some of large adhesions, one of which had attached to my bowel. They performed a duodinal switch (did i spell that right) and chose not to re-cut my stomach. I wish they would have but I trust their decision making. I am 15 - 20 pounds from my goal, getting a handle on the depression, making friends, finding bike trails and parks, waking in the mornings and all in all things are looking up. So go ahead and speculate, blame, accuse ... there are certainly a few of you on here. For the most part those who i have corresponded with personally from here have been absolutely delightful. And the fact that THIS website will do anything to avoid association with almanza should speak volumes. Best of luck to everyone, even my detractors. I'm pretty much done here, but I wish you all the best. OH i actually WISH i worked from one of the DOCS, haha, I would have some extra skin removed!!!!! baahaaahaa

you are just precious but the vicious cycle of depression/ weight gain/ fractured hip... loss of income.... im just too weak. I need surgical help

Hi all! I’m 18 months post op from my VSG and I’m still 24 pounds out from my goal weight. My highest weight was 313 and surgery day I was 289. I’m currently 204. I was able to get down to 197 a few months ago but I have gained some back. I’m battling constant hunger. I have been strength training a lot the past 6 months, which at first I attributed to my increase in hunger, but the past 2 months it’s gotten out of control. I eat anywhere between 100-130 grams of protein a day. Drink 120 ounces of water a day. Take my vitamins. I just can’t shake this hunger, which in turn makes me have bad food choices, usually later at night. Has anyone else struggled with this at this point in their journey? And what advice do you have? I’m terrified of weight gain and desperately want to reach my goal!

I was sleeved on April 23. I have been doing well, losing steadily and not panicking at the stalls. However, today I got on the scale and am UP 8 pounds from a week ago! Yesterday, I noticed I was hungrier than usual, but still only chose foods allowed on my plan (lean Protein and veg). I'm going to start workouts today, but this can't be normal! I am not premenstrual, so it can't be that. Eight pounds!!! How can this be?

New to this forum and I just wanted to pop in and say this particular thread was very encouraging to me. I had my lap band surgery Dec. 16, 2010, so 5 mos. ago and I've only lost a net of about 18# so far, which I lost by Feb., so nothing really since Feb. despite two fills, the second being just last month. I'm still eating more than a cup of food but if I don't, I get hungry quickly between meals. Also, I have Hashimoto's hypothyroid with a gluten intolerance so there are some things I don't eat anymore at all and with my autoimmune condition, it's advised that I don't "graze," but instead simply eat three meals a day and one snack. I've been doing really good with that so I think it's just my particular condition that's going to make it slower for me. But I'm only 5'1" and I'd LOVE to be in a 14/16 right now and out of my snug 18s. I was in 20s that were getting tight pre-surgery! But I'm remaining hopeful that this will finally work. If anything else, it's forced me to really be careful about what I eat and that I have to take an extra Aleve or two to get through my workouts because of my really, really bad knees. Oh, and just a few days after I started exercising again I was diagnosed with asthma so now that I'm on two inhalers, my workouts are going more smoothly because I can breathe. But anyway, don't lose faith! You're doing great!! And remember, stress can cause weight gain so if you stress over it, you may impede your progress. I know that from experience. That's what I told my husband too, so I haven't measured myself and I've stopped literally counting calories. I'm eating healthier than I ever have and I'm not over-eating, and now I'm exercising regularly - 1 hr. a day so I think my body just needs to catch up to what I'm doing. Glad to have found you all here!

Hi, this is my first post on this forum. I had a tummy tuck a little over a year ago. Since then, I have regained thirty pounds. I plan to loose at least 15 of that (several people have told me I got too thin). I'm not sure it will be enough, I guess I'll just have to wait and see. My question is, did I effect the results of the TT. Will my skin bounce back? Has anyone experienced weight gain and loss after a tt?

Well, TOM just came for another visit today - a week later than I thought it would. I hope this is not the new norm - I was a clockwork 28 day cycle before which I liked because well - it was clockwork. This is a 35 day cycle this time. Just a note for those who are curious: July 12 - surgery (I was supposed to start period then, but did not - probably because of the surgery). July 18 - TOM came for his normal visit of 6 days. August 4 - a 4 pound weight gain that stays for 1 week. August 11 saw a 4 pound drop and then an additional 3 pounds in the next week came off. August 18 - a 1.5 pound weight gain and a migraine (normal timing before start of period). August 22 - TOM returned. I had cramps and migraines before the surgery that always came with TOM. Unfortunately, he has brought them back this month. That was something that I was hoping would change. Oh well...

Anxious to hear how Old Profile's surgery went. I am meeting with my surgeon next week to discuss bypass revision surgery for fixing GERD, hiatal hernia, and had weight gain after sleeve. Best of luck to you!!

ok.....Here we go. how should I address a large weight gain with my adult son? he is an RN and is over 250lbs. he seems to eat quite a bit of fast food. hubby says he is a nurse he knows how what to do...son says he is eating less carbs. he had a 12pack of diet 7up he brought to the house on the first night and take out from hardees and snacked on stuff like Graham crackers. we were surviving hurricane matthew and son stayed over since he had no power at his house. I see him about every 3-4 months. he asks me about my WLS and I have been tempted to mention his weight gain.

Really great points BTB! You always have such great insight! I especially agree with not all calories are equal and our bodies respond differently to different fuels. And I also want to add, and maybe not all will agree, but if you notice a lot of the people struggling with weight gain, or gain weight easily are women. It is true and it is just plain crappy. It is harder for us to lose weight and easier for us to gain weight. And our hormones have a role as well. Not only as we age, but from month to month. Hormonal cravings are very real and not just a "sweet tooth", and bloating and Water retention are common in almost all of us. I can gain weight very easily, within a week if I do not watch what I am eating. That being said, could I always gain so easily. Probably, but I just never paid as close attention and just quit weighing in the past if I started gaining (I actually did not even own a scale for a long time). And like Puja said, it is too easy to gain weight, and it is very scary. But it is reality. And Puja, you are beautiful, you really need an after gallery at least!! Congratulations!

Hey girl! I am so sorry I didn't see this earlier. First of all, congrats on your pregnancy! It sounds like being a mom is something you wanted for a very long time, but its still a shock the way that it happened when you least expected. I think once a few months go by and you see this living thing growing inside of you, you will just fall in love with your baby! It's a blessing! I can understand the fear and panic of gaining weight, especially when you worked so hard to get the band and lose so much! You really need to talk to your doctor and express those concerns. Your primary concern for the next year will be getting adequate nutrition that you AND the baby needs.. That may mean an unfill and weight gain. This will mean a short detour in your weight loss goals but it does NOT mean its gone totally off the rails! With less Fluid in your band you might need to eat more often but can still make healthy food choices through the pregnancy, and keep exercising (as long as Dr says its safe). Sorry I cannot give you better advice but I have seen a few here who've been pregnant with the band. Maybe you can send them a private message. Wish you all the best & please keep me posted.

Hello All, It has been a really long time since I have been on the message boards. The last time I posted I got some what negative or no feedback but I am desperate and going to try again. First of all I got banded in May of 2012 and since then I have lost about 50lbs. I was so excited when I hit the 299 mark! Well the holidays threw me off track and I did not get a fill since like October. When I finally went for my fill 2 weeks ago I had only gained 5lbs since my last visit so I was dissappointed about the gaining weight...but psyched that I didn't gain way more because I basically ate whatever I wanted over the holidays. So since getting the fill in January I feel so very uncomfortable. It feels like Water trickles...every meal hurts and I am resorting to soft foods just so I can get things down because it takes forever to eat anything. I really feel like I am in the red zone. I called the doctor about getting an unfill but was basically told "no chew slower". I know my body and my weightloss has been pretty good but this just doesn't feel right. Prior to my fill I actually lost 2lbs. But since then...only been gaining! I am back above 300....306 to be exact and not pleased!!! Now on to my second "problem". I have recently found out I am pregnant!!!!!!! Needless to say it was not planned. I am sad and happy at the same time. I was in a relationship for almost 10 years and could not get pregnant. After all that time he tells me he is now too old to have kids (43yrs). We broke up almost a year ago. I since then had found a "special friend" and low and behold...when I gave up on every being pregnant here I am 37, banded and 6 weeks pregnant! I can only assume the weightloss led to an increase in fertility...I knew that could happen but assumed after all that time I just couldn't get pregnant. So now I am freaking out because I don't want to tell my Band Dr that I'm pregnant because he might remove all the Fluid in my band. I want to go in and tell them to take some fluid out due to the "red zone" feelings....but definitely not all...and most important...I don't want to gain all of my weight back because I am now pregnant. At this point my mind is spinning and I'm scared to gain back weight when I was so close to being under 300lbs! I don't want to gain any weight during my pregnancy but I also want to do whats best for the baby. Not even sure if weight gain is baby related, band related or what....definitely think its too early to be baby related. So that is my novel!!! Help me with Red Zone thoughts, help with dieting while preggers, and help with worries about gaining...just help!

I'm on the southern Oregon coast. I'm not a success, though still working on it. I've gained weight back. I need to update my profile, but that's admitting that I've made a mistake, and didn't catch it, and deal with the weight gain. I have never had restriction with my band. I have never noticed that I have one. If I eat ground meat, I will fill up rapidly, and may slime. Mostly, I don't eat meat. I went to a TOPS meeting a week ago. I feel that going to the meetings will help. I am back on a mostly liquid protein diet to get the weight off. High protein has me going to the bathroom way too frequently! It looks like you just had surgery. How far away is your Doctor and support group? How have you been feeling since the surgery? Anita

It is not as simple as calories in vs calories expended. Our bodies react very differently to different calorie sources especially if you have a metabolic issue (PCOS, metabolic syndrome, syndrome X, insulin resistance, thyroid issues, Cushings Syndrome, etc.) There are plenty of documented cases of women with PCOS being vegetarian, on a diet, exercising and still gaining weight. I do believe most people who are obese have diagnosed or undiagnosed metabolic issues. I have PCOS and know for a fact that if I eat normal portions I gain weight no matter what. I have been eating on a salad plate for years and still was weighing 265 lbs when all of this started. In order to loose weight, I have to eat portions that fit on a dessert plate about what my 3 year old would eat. I cannot eat that portion without being ravenous. I got the lap-band to help curb hunger. I do get tired of doctors and others saying that there is no way a person cannot be loosing weight or even gaining on a limited diet. It happens all the time. If you are not loosing weight on a limited diet, perhaps you should see an endocrinologist and get a workup done to see if there are metabolic issues or other medical issues. Of course, see your PCP or pharmacist to find out if any medications you may be on is causing weight gain or slow metabolism.

I've been stalking this forum for over a year now, and appreciate all the advice and support you've provided on here. I've recently made the decision to go forward with the Lap Band and could not be more pleased and confident in my decision. The only thing holding me back at this point is support (financial and emotional) from my family. I will be a self-pay, and I'm 95% certain I want to go with Dr. John Weaver in CO. Unfortunately, I was not able to qualify for enough CareCredit on my own, and asked my father to jointly apply with me, and we qualified for enough to cover the costs (WOOHOO!!). The caveat is, he will only allow me to use the CareCredit if my mother supports the decision. About a year ago, I brought up the idea of a Lap Band with my parents, and they were extremely against the idea. My mom was angry and said I just needed to do things that I'm sure we're all sick of hearing- join WW, talk to a dietitian, exercise more.... the whole gamut of things that obviously never worked. I know a lot of it is probably fear of going into surgery. After a year of research and more weight gain, I am sure this is what I need. However, I am afraid to bring it up to my mother as the whole procedure depends on her support, and I really need and want that support. I'm a single, 26 year old female. I know this probably sounds silly, considering my age, but without them I have no way of affording the procedure. Plus, I really don't want to go through this alone, and would love so much for them to be on board and cheerlead me on! Has anyone been in a similar situation with parents, spouses, or loved ones? How did you tell/convince them this was the right thing and that it just wasn't going to happen through normal diet and exercise?

My Dr told me that at this point they are not concerned with weightloss. Your job is just to follow their dietary orders and heal. Most people will lose weight in the first couple of weeks because they are only on fluids and mushies. Not to mention you are still swollen from the surgery (which is causing some restriction). When you start reintroducing solid food to your body, there may be weight gain. Dr Marsden said that generally there may be about a 6lb loss (anything over that is great) I am 4wks post op & have my 1st fill next Tuesday. I have lost approx 20lbs and it's been a struggle ...bcz I looooove food!! LOL!! Good Luck, Cheryl

Doesn't matter to me that we're in the midst of the holiday season. I know I won't overeat at functions because I hardly ever did even when I was obese. I'm a 'secret' eater. I don't/didn't eat to excess while out in the public. I certainly didn't want to bring even more negative attention to myself by having people see me eat everything in sight. No....I hid that. I couldn't hide the weight gain obviously, but I hid the consumption. I'd go out to dinner, eat 'normally' and then finish my leftovers as soon as I got home....oh and keep eating while I was at it. I've already been to several holiday functions since Thanksgiving and haven't gained an ounce. Why not? Not because I'm limiting my food intake at said functions but because I'm watching what I'm eating at home. I eat my usual portions and partake of my usual healthy choices. I haven't changed any of that during this period and it's why I'm finding success. Not everyone suffers from the same triggers so we need to identify what they are and have plans to eliminate or minimize the danger. For me, it's not eating out at an Italian restaurant with friends/family. It's making a pot of spaghetti in my house where no one can see me scarf it all down. So I use a small pot...cook up a small amount, and portion it right away into 1/4 cup amounts. Then I freeze the containers and pull out one when I have a meatball dinner or something else where I want Pasta on the side. By controlling the amount, I control the overeating. Even with the surgery, this is still so much of a mind game and for me, I have to prepare at all times so I don't 'go rogue'. Hope this give folks some insight into ways to try to be successful.

Hey everyone! I have not posted in a long time...I read but don't post. I was dismayed to see how many prominent bandsters had lost their bands like DeLArla, La Madam, and Penni. They truly helped me early on and I wish them the very best here today. I have managed to stay within 147-152 pounds for most of the time except when I needed an unfill due to illness. I have learned when I get sick with a mucus related thing I don't tolerate it well with the band. Both times I was unfilled and gained.. I just wanted to say hello and say yes I am so much happier and would do it again today. If i ever have any problems I will get a new one and this latest weight gain has brought me to my knees emotionally making me realize again I have no control. I never have never will. I just was filled today and am getting mentally ready to stay focused and start losing again. I never thought I would go up two sizes again... I was in Florida over spring break and covering up my stomach in my bathing suit. It hurt to come this far and start to go backwards... I must pull myself up out of being down and keep using this tool. I should never have put off my refill for 8weeks!!!!! I won't let that happen again!!! Cheers to you all out there !

An interesting study was published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) this week, that looked at three different diets after weight loss and their effect on weight gain. It's a little complicated to read, but basically the high Protein, low carb diet that we are supposed to follow with our band should contribute to keeping the weight off, not just losing it. Here's the link: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1199154

I don't have much advice to offer, but I hope everything works out quickly for you. I know how frustrating it is to be denied and have to prove yourself. I mean really-who wants to have substantiate that they deserve a surgery they're suffering from x y z issues because they're overweight; don't we pay our insurance fees every month? I got all the way to pre-op the day before surgery and my dr.s office told me I was denied by insurance for too low of BMI and that I didn't have the "approved" co-morbs. Had I not asked, they probably would have allowed me to go to the hospital and I would have found out there! I know you can imagine all the preparation I'd put into it, including getting approved for time off from work, buying liquids, protien powders, etc. In my case a supposed "slam dunk" with BSNV was promised and the ball was dropped when they got my denial. That was in June, I've just been approved because my BMI is now 40 due to weight gain (co-morbs not required). It still seems like my dr.s office is not the most organized, but it's so late in the game, it would take way too much to change. If they don't get me scheduled by the end of Jan., I'll go to Mexico. Tired of jumping through everyones hoops-I want to get on with my life already. I don't recall if you mentioned who your insurance is through, but perhaps this might be helpful to you: Members in a Health Maintenance Organization (***) and Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) Plan The California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) regulates all HMOs in California. If you are an *** or EPO health plan enrollee, and you have fi led a grievance and are dissatisfi ed with your *** or EPO’s fi nal decision, you should contact the DMHC *** Consumer Help Center at (888) 466-2219 or TTY (877) 688-9891 to register your complaint. You also should request assistance through DMHC’s website at www.dmhc.ca.gov. You may contact DMHC if the matter is not resolved within 30 days from the time your grievance was received by your health plan. Contact them immediately if the matter is urgent. If you have fi led a grievance and are dissatisfi ed with your *** or EPO’s fi nal decision regarding your eligibility for health benefi ts or limits of coverage under the plan, you may contact CalPERS for assistance.

I am six lbs heavier this morning than I was Tuesday morning! Please tell me it's just all the fluids going in you through the IV?

Sleeve nov 2016 highest weight 277 lowest 150 in August 2018 gained 29 pounds since August. Was put on Zoloft for anxiety last spring. Had maintained weight for over a year. Didn’t change diet or exercise. Anyone else experience this?

There are lots of links in my signature, but I thought I would start a post here if anyone is interested in reading. One of the biggest side effects of chewing and spitting (outside of weight gain), are stomach ulcers. When you salivate (which starts breaking down food in your mouth), it triggers your stomach to begin producing digestive juices in anticipation of the food that you are about to swallow. When you spit that food out, your tummy doesn't know that. So you're left with an empty tummy pumping out digestive juices. This is how ulcers form. Why would you want to do that to your teeny tiny tummy? They don't have anything to cut out anymore if you develop ulcers, you've already lost 85% of your stomach! You're also doing damage to your teeth, because the saliva that starts breaking down the food is very acidic. And more people report weight gain than weight loss going this route. Plus, you're just trading one addiction for another and going down a very slippery slope. You can find healthy alternatives to whatever it is you're craving and feel you need to chew and spit for. If you want something crunchy, Protein for a vegetable) and you can bake it into kale chips which are fantastic. They crunch and melt in your mouth! Please post here and let members help you find something to eat that is safe for your tummy and whatever stage you're in, rather than endangering your health (both physical and mental) by starting the habit of chewing and spitting.

Hi I am very interested in more information on your experience. I was banded on Oct. 7th. With the 5 day preop diet until now I have lost 21 lbs. But the facts are not that simple. I lost most of it from the start of the preop until about 3 days post op. I feel no restriction whatsoever. I am still slightly sore at the port but otherwise the surgery was very easy. I did every thing I was told and now feel fine just slight soreness at the port site. But I am starving. I tried testing it last night to see and sure enough I can eat anything. No side affects at all. My first fill is Nov. 17th. What I do feel is thirsty all the time and I am drinking probably 100oz a day all non-caffeine teas or water. What drove me to try real food was horrible upset stomach from all the artificial sweeteners. I have 110 lbs more to lose. So your experience with the fills is very interesting to me. Right now I have serious buyers remorse and hunger. One problem that exasperates my situation and led to this massive weight gain over the past 8 years is a very serious foot condition that prohibits any distance walking. I have just bought a recumbent bike and this weekend I am going to see how I handle that with the little bit of residual surgical pain I have. Any additional information or advice would be greatly appreciated.