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I have back issue also. Had 1 major back surgery in 2000 and 3 smaller ones since (to clean up scar tissue in my spine). I also take meds for nerve damage. Maybe that's why I gained so much weight over the years? Had no clue they caused weight gain. I think it was because I ate too much, but the meds also could have an effect. I didn't have to wait for my surgery. I was approved in 2 weeks and my surgery was scheduled for 2 more weeks. No pre op diet required either. If I had that much time to think about it, I might have changed my mind. Thank God I didn't - the band literally saved my life. My biggest advice to newbies: Have patience. It's not gunna happen overnight. It took me 4 mths and 3 fills to get proper restriction. I lost maybe 2 lbs during that first 4 mths. After my 3rd fill, however, the magic started. So have patience. You didn't put the weight on overnight and you won't get it off that quickly either! Good luck! Marci

Very interesting article that I thought I'd share. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Some of the most firmly held beliefs about weight loss are unproven or downright untrue, according to an analysis comparing concepts promoted in the popular media with data from the scientific literature. The findings were published online January 31 in a special article in the New England Journal of Medicine. "False and scientifically unsupported beliefs about obesity are pervasive in both scientific literature and the popular press," write Krista Casazza, PhD, RD, from the Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and colleagues. The authors discuss a total of 7 myths, along with refuting evidence. Here are some examples: Small changes in food intake and/or exercise will produce large, long term weight changes — This idea was based on the old idea that 3500 kcal equals 1 pound of weight. But it does not take into account the fact that energy requirements change as body mass changes over time. So, as weight is lost, it takes increasingly more exercise and reduced intake to perpetuate the loss. Realistic weight-loss goals will keep people motivated — This idea seems reasonable, but it is not supported by evidence. In fact, several studies have shown that people with very ambitious goals lose more weight (eg, TV's The Biggest Loser). Slow, gradual weight loss is best for long-term success — Actually, a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled weight-loss trials found that rapid weight loss via very-low-calorie diets resulted in significantly more weight loss (16% vs 10% of body weight) at 6 months, and differences in weight loss persisted up to 18 months (Int J Behav Med. 2010;17:161-167). A bout of sexual activity burns 100 to 300 kcal per person — With intense sexual activity, a 154-pound man burns approximately 3.5 kcal per minute. However, given that the average amount of time spent during one stimulation and orgasm session is about 6 minutes, this man might expend about 21 kcal total. But, he would burn about 7 kcal just lying on the couch, so that amount has to be subtracted, which gives a grand total of 14 kcals of energy expended. The article also explores 6 "presumptions," or widely accepted beliefs that are neither proven nor disproven. Among them: Eating Breakfast prevents obesity — Actually, 2 studies showed no effect of eating vs skipping breakfast. Adding fruits and vegetables to the diet results in weight loss — Adding more calories of any type without making any other changes is likely to cause weight gain. Eating fruits and vegetables is healthful, however. Weight cycling, aka "yoyo dieting," increases mortality — The data are from observational studies and likely confounded by health status. Finally, the authors offer 9 facts about obesity and weight loss that are supported by data, among them: Moderate environmental changes can promote as much weight loss as even the best weight-loss drugs. Diets do produce weight loss, but attempting to diet and telling someone to diet are not necessarily the same thing. Physical activity does help in promoting weight loss and has health benefits even in the absence of weight loss. For overweight children, involving the family and home environment in weight-loss efforts is ideal. Providing actual meals or Meal Replacements works better for weight loss than does general advice about food choices. Both weight-loss drugs and bariatric surgery can help achieve long-term weight loss in some individuals. According to Dr. Casazza and colleagues, "The myths and presumptions about obesity that we have discussed are just a sampling of the numerous unsupported beliefs held by many people, including academics, regulators, and journalists, as well as the general public. Yet there are facts about obesity of which we may be reasonably certain — facts that are useful today." And they conclude, "While we work to generate additional useful knowledge, we may in some cases justifiably move forward with hypothesized, but not proven, strategies. However, as a scientific community, we must always be open and honest with the public about the state of our knowledge and should rigorously evaluate unproved strategies." Original article: http://www.medscape....warticle/778600

1st of all, I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband and dad. 5 yrs ago, I also lost my husband at age 46 (I was 40), so I know the depression and weight gain that it causes. Please try to find a support group for widows - it helped me tremendously. Ok, you want the top ten things? Here you go: 1. Don't drink while you're eating or for 30-45 minutes afterwards. They say it's because you wash down whats in your tummy before the fullness feeling. I can't drink while eating because it caused me to vomit. 2. Make sure you only eat the amount directed by your dr. Some say 1 cup, some 3/4 of a cup. Follow your drs advisments. Snack only if directed by your dr 3. AVOID VOMITING AT ALL COSTS! For 2 yrs, I ate way too fast and caused myself to vomit (not really pb'ing, as it's much more violent but only food comes up) about 4-6x a week. My band finally had it last year and slipped. I'm still paying for that decision. 4. Exercise. Looks like you're already doing that tho! 5. Don't drink your calories. Like grape juice has like 100 calories a cup, Water has 0. 6. Get your Protein in. If you have a choice between protein and carbs, choose the protein first 7. Make sure you get fills when necessary. The band doesn't work if you're not adjusted properly 8.Watch your calories. With only eating 1 cup per meal, the calories should be fine and you probably won't need to count them, but I do in my head anyway. 9. I don't do this but keep a journal of everything you eat. Studies say that people who write down everything they eat, lose more weight. 10. Don't drink soda! Whether it's diet or not. The carbonation wreaks havoc with your band. Hope that helps a little. I'm sure there's more "rules" but I'm not one for many rules and break them all the time! You shouldn't need to "diet" while the band is actually working, but until you get proper restriction, you may need to. Good luck to you! And you will be happy again someday. I promise. I thought I'd never be happy again after losing my husband. 5 yrs later, I'm remarried and loving my new life. I still thik about Kevin with fond memories, but I'm so happy now I could burst! Marci

If I'm reading your post right, no interest in drinking is not the same as unable to drink. Put yourself on a schedule to get your fluids in and keep drinking whether you eat or not. The 1.5 pound weight gain is probably because your body needed the IV fluids you were given. Don't let that stop you from drinking. Know that you must have water in your body in order to continue to lose weight and do so safely. One of the most important things I learned was that our body will eat muscle if we aren't providing it with the building blocks it needs (protein, water, vitamins) and it can cause major problems if the body decides that the heart muscle looks tasty. I've lost over 100 pounds and have some weakness in my heart despite being religious about the protein, water and vitamin routines. You must do what your body needs, even if you don't want to do it. Set yourself an alarm clock and drink an ounce of water every 15 minutes or so until you get to a point where you can do it without thinking about it. Do whatever it takes.

Good morning I had my surgery on Wednesday2/27/2013 with Dr Garcia He was gr8 and so was his time I am sill in Tijuana Mexico I will be leaving @12 on Monday , I am feeling great I will not get on I will not weigh in maybe for 2 weeks I know because I am a nurse that being in the hospital and getting IV that I may have Water weight gain. And I really don't need to see that. But over all coming to Mexico was gr8 I did not take photos but I dod enjoying shopping had some nausea for the first 2 days that was it .I did a lot of walking and sipping on h20

Curious, did it lead to any weight gain?

The weight gain is from all the iv fluids... Totally normal and drops off after a week

How many times have I heard this. Everyone with the band is not going to lose weight at a high rate of speed. To me a loss is a loss whether it be a pound or an ounce. Many factors play in to weight loss and they are consuming less calories then you burn, getting 8 or more hours of sleep, moving your bowels regularly, eating high protein meals with good carbs such as vegetables and fruit and moving. Actually wheat products such as wheat breads and pastas have been proven to be no better then white bread and pastas and may even cause more weight gain. Yes, gluten is a real problem. But the problem is not just gluten. In fact, there are three major hidden reasons that wheat products, not just gluten (along with sugar in all its forms) is a major contributor to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, dementia, depression and so many other modern ills. How Wheat -- and Gluten -- Trigger Weight Gain, Prediabetes, Diabetes and More This new modern wheat may look like wheat, but it is different in three important ways that all drive obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, dementia and more. It contains a Super Starch -- amylopectin A that is super fattening. It contains a form of Super Gluten that is super-inflammatory. It contains forms of a Super Drug that is super-addictive and makes you crave and eat more. So if you have changed over to wheat products and are not losing this may be why. It really isn't wheat anymore but a bunch of fillers so that may impeade your weight loss. There are many reasons why you may not be losing as much as others, but I say keep doing what you are doing and eventually you will get to goal. It can take two years to lose 100lbs that is not uncommon. Yes you want it off now because you had surgery but the slower the better and if you lose weight slowly you will be more apt to keep it off long term.

This is my first challenge, I am new to this board and I am trying to get back on track after a year of steady weight gain. Name, real or screen~ Maggie Goal weight for March 31st~ 175 Weight on March 1st~ 184 Age~ 38 Dietary goal for March~ NO DRINKING while I eat Exercise goal for March~ 60 min 3X a week Personal goal for March~ don't give up Date banded~ 3/12/10 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ Lost 80, then Gained 40 = Net loss about 40 What is your good luck charm? mys hubby

weight gain and loss is a mental issue and some of us needed to get some counsoling to go along with it...I couldn't just do do the weight loss I had to I was eating and what... I needed to do to be able to loss the weight medication and counsoling and now the LB and zi am losing and loving it.

oh, and get this - I've been on pureed foods (low fat) and only water/lemon or tea for at least a week now, and on clears only today, and I have gained a pound!! ugh. This is why I am doing this - the meds I have to take for other health issues unrelated to my weight cause weight gain. I will just keep getting bigger unless I take this action! Maybe I ate too MUCH soup? I don't know. Didn't add milk or cream to any of it. I know a pound isn't a big deal but I keep reading that people have lost 10-20lbs prior to surgery. I hope to at least be at good old 200 by Monday. Discouraged!

Congrats to your slight weight gain, and extra loss!

I'm Almost 50. I've been Heavy since 2003. Obese since 2003. The years between 2003 and 2013 were Mixed with periods of overweight, weight loss with Atkins diet, then weight gain to morbidly obese, at 253 pounds. Then, weight loss again to achieve overweight status with b-12 shots and appetite suppressants to now---once again--- obese. Battle-battle-battle Obesity is in my family as well as diabetes & heart disease. I lost my father this past April to heart disease. I have high blood pressure & I am borderline diabetic, now I have new severe back pain and ailments coming out of seemingly nowhere. But, the "nowhere" is bad health and it finally got my attention. Researched options including lap-bands in 2012 Sleeved 2/25/2013 The rest of the story...will be Great Success (and I will keep you posted) through the support of my family, consideration of my clients and support from forums like Vertical Sleeve Talk. We were born into a community because we all need each other. I LOVE what I do. I am a Licensed TX Broker & Realtor and I am the happiest girl in the world. I am ready to give more to my community and really live life to the fullest. I am very grateful for this opportunity and do not intend to squander it My life goals: To Breathe life where ever I go. To Give the gift of encouragement. To live with incredible passion so that "Life itself" continues to be THE most amazing lover I've ever had ! (Copyright)

Almost 50. Heavy since 2003. Obese since 2003. Mixed with periods of overweight, weight loss with Atkins diet, weight gain to morbidly obese, weight loss again to overweight with b-12 shots and appetite suppressants to once again, obese. Obesity is in my family as well as diabetes & heart disease. I have high blood pressure & i am borderline diabetic, now i have new severe back pain and ailments coming out of seemingly nowhere. But, the "where" is bad health and it finally got my attention. Researched options including lap-bands in 2012 Sleeved 2/25/2013 The rest of the story...great success through the support of my family, and consideration of my clients I LOVE what I do. I am ready to give more to my community and really live life to the fullest. I am very grateful for this opportunity and do not intend to squander it My life goals To Breathe life where ever I go. To Give the gift of encouragement. To live with incredible passion so that "Life itself" continues to be THE most amazing lover I've ever had ! (Copyright)

OK, another day of complete success for me. I am succeeding because I know all of you are doing it. I am surprised how much I am thinking about sweets, I AM SO THANKFUL I AM DIVORCING MYSELF AGAIN FROM SUGAR & CARBS. It is unsettling that I let this creep back into my life. Because I eat such small portions when I was eating sugar or carbs there was no weight gain and it became a secret that I was doing it. I guess this is a wake up call. I know my ability to eat more will increase so this was a dangerous experiment. I am wondering why people are eating beans during bootcamp since they are high in carbs, I know they are "good carbs" but r they really included in boot camp? Man this water thing, I am only up to 70 ounces....arrgh

"Have you ever thought about trying to lose weight with diet and exercise?" This is what one of my good friends asked me as I told him that my initial consultation is tomorrow. He then went on to tell me of the friend we have that has lost 60 pounds with exercise and diet. I actually laughed when he said it and mentioned to him how my weight constantly fluctuates b/c of trying to diet/exercise but it always ends up coming back ... Plus some... I know he didn't mean any harm, but if he truly took a minute to think he would realize I have tried MANY times... But he is the same height as me and couldn't hit 200 pounds if his life depended on it Lol. He is the only friend that I have told, and went on to tell me that he wants to help me in any way possible. But I think that people that have been skinny their entire lives don't appreciate the struggle or the ups and downs of weight loss/ weight gain. I sure wish I didn't!!

I really like the injectable birth control sticks (implanon, nexplanon). They inject it right under the skin in your arm and it is good for 3 years. My gyno says that weight gain is minimal as well. Everybody is different, but last time I was on implanon (I'm on nexplanon right now which is the same thing, basically) I never had a period, which was great! It is progestin based so you don't have to worry about estrogen. Here is a link to the nexplanon website: http://www.nexplanon-usa.com/en/consumer/index.asp?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=CODENX00Q&MTD=2&CPN=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=nexplanon&utm_campaign=Nexplanon+Branded+2012&MTD=2&ENG=1&CPN=2&ADG=3 I hope that this helps and that you are able to find a good solution!

Here is the medical reasoning for the weight gain. Once you stop exercising for a few weeks or even days you have to get the muscles going again. When you do this, Fluid gathers around the muscles you are working. This is a protective mechanism to keep the stretches muscled lubricated and to keep the joints lubricated. As for the muscle weight compared to the fat weight ... Yes, a pound is a pound is a pound. However, it takes a LOT more muscle to fill the spaces than it does fat. It is denser than fat and it is tighter "wound" if you will than fat. So, ideally, muscle does weigh more than fat since it takes a lot more muscle fibers to fill a glass for instance than it takes loose-fibered blubber. Hope this helps!

My name is Kristen...and I am totally a food addict. It took me forever to figure that out. I eat because I love, love, love food. I am not an emotional eater. I am not eating to hide myself. I just love food so much, and I experience "high's" from food consumption, just as a drug addict would. I also work in software development. I work from home for a company on the east coast as a SQA engineer...and I also have a photography business. I am 39 years old, and as long as I could remember I have struggled with my weight. For me there wasn't a moment where I became fat, like having a baby or something...no, I have just always struggled with my weight. I have yo-yo'd with diets and weight gain all of my adult life. So last May, my mom had a heart attack. She has always been successful managing her weight, and it happened to her. So I knew it was time to change. I started my VSG journey in October of 2012. I was sleeved on 1/28. For the most part, I have had very little complications. Immediately after surgery, my hearts started having a lot of PVC's (irregular heart beats), so I got the whole cardio package in the hospital. I have always had PVC's, but I guess they didn't occur in the surgery, and started pretty crazy in recovery. I am still working at getting released from the cardiologist, but I am thankful that they are taking it so seriously. I was sleeved in Topeka, KS! Recovery has been pretty good since then. I am down 42 lbs at 4 weeks out. However, that includes my pre-op diet. I am married with two children. My kids are 18 & 20. Daughter is 20 and getting married in the fall. She is a junior in college and studying to become a HS English teacher. Son is 18, and a freshman in college, not sure what he wants to do. My husband is the best person I have ever met in my life. We have been married over 21 years, so if you do the math - we got married at 18. Ran off and eloped 3 days before he left for basic in USAF! Pre-op, I truly had a lot of self confidence. At one of my dr's visits, my Dr. was talking about my daughter;s wedding and she said something like "You are going to look so much better then!". My reply was "I look pretty dang good now!" I am not really that conceited, but I do hate the idea that people think they were hideous when they were overweight. But then again, my husband tells m everyday how beautiful I am...so he would never allow me to feel ugly. He has been so supportive of me getting the sleeve, too...frequently telling me how proud of me he is. My husband and I coach a competitive fastpitch 18U team in NE KS. We love our players and their families. This is our 5th year. Both of us have a tremendous heart for children/teens. We have invested much of our life into the youth ministry. My personality, I am always upbeat and happy. It is a choice I make everyday. I used to be pretty negative. Then I realized I was the one with the problem, not the rest of the world. So now I choose happiness. I choose laughter and often times silliness. Life is way too short to be miserable. I have already offended a couple on here with my sense of humor, I suspect that I probably will offend someone else. So I apologize in advance and will try to be on my best behavior. I stress "try". The last few weeks of my life have been really hard, so my theories on happiness have been challenged hardcore. One of our softball players was in a car accident and broke her neck. Because of her circumstances, my husband and I think of this young lady as our own. She frequently stays with us, and we pick up a large portion of her softball expenses. When it was time for college recruiting, we took her on all of her college visits....so watching her go through what she did...I truly felt like it was my own kid. While she was in the hospital, my son received some devestating news. His football career is over. He was recruited by over 100 schools his junior and senior years in HS. Several D1's were in that mix. He took an illegal hit to his right knee in a game in his senior year...3 surgeries later it is somewhat fixed. Test results on his left knee shows a 4th surgery is in the future, so as a family we made the decision that football was finished. Knees are something you need a lot longer that a college football career. My daughter pitched in college and made the decision to retire after her sophmore season, because of health issues...that was hard...but she at least got to play in college and experience that. My son signed for a college, but never stepped on the field. Then after all of this...we are dealing with the impending/looming sequestration. If congress doesn't agree on something by Friday, my husband will soon lose his job. He has been an air traffic controller for 21 years, and he will lose his livlihood. There will not be any other ATC jobs if this happens. The tower he works at is scheduled to close as part of the Dept. of Transp. cuts. In all of this, we will make it. We are blessed...am hoping for things to chill out a bit, though. This is who I am...I look forward to getting to know some good support friends on here. God bless, Kristen

Yay I just got unhooked from most of the gadgets and the catheter! Didn't have a drain. And I now have water :-D Been walking really good. My nurse said the average weight gain from the gas & fluids is 10-20 pounds. I've only gained 3, so that's awesome! I may ask to stay a second night just so I don't have to be home alone all day tomorrow. Then ill also have help over the weekend and I should be fine to be alone on Monday. They gave me the option. We'll see later on today.

My name is Sharon and my surgery is in two weeks. I had a very easy insurance approval process and extensive pre-op testing. I was never over weight until the past five years and in that time I was diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, hypertension, liver disease, gout, etc. My weight increased over 100 pounds in five years. I am excited to continue this journey and get back to being able to recognize my self when I look in the mirror. I want to do the things I did before the illnesses and weight gain, like walking, playing basketball, playing with my little ones, walking my dogs.......I am going to need encouragement and support from people that understand what I am going thru, that is wy I sought out a forum to join. I hope to eventually be able to pay it forward and help someone else!

I blame my kids for my weight gain in the 90's and early 2K. They loved tater tots and of course I always heated up too many. I still love em but haven't had one since my surgery. On the other hand, I had pizza tonight, very very good pizza. My wife's Bday was today so we allowed ourselves this one treat. No regrets.

Its just a stall .... you are doing everything right. I think increasing your calories was a good move considering how active you are. At my 3 months I gained 4lbs overnight .... took a deep breath stayed off the scale for a week and dropped that gain a week later and got the momentum going to lose another 5lbs the week after! If you are really concerned get the tape measurer out - you will lose inches while the scale may not reflect this. Also round TOM you may see a water weight gain - goodluck and keep it up!

Too much caffeine triggers cortisol which causes weight gain. I drink decaf when i really want it.