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Just want to check in with Sleevers that are more than a year out. How is it going? have you gained weight back? How is your restriction? How is your skin? I am feeling like all the Sleevers that were active on this site have disappeared .. and I am hoping just because there is a lot of repeat info for the newbies... which is totally fine! Personally I am 19 months out, and within 6-7 pounds of my lowest weight.... gained the 6-7 back from Halloween until new years. I am taking care of those pounds now. I can still feel restriction, some days more than others but I definitely can eat a lot more than a year ago! I admit I have not been working out and I am finally back at the gym starting today. Really excited to lose the 6 pounds and 4 more if I am lucky! I love this site it keeps me accountable. How is everyone else?

My story is so similiar to others it is uncanny. I do judge myself by others success because I honestly have no idea what my body is going to do. i look at the you tubers that have lost 88 lbs in 5 months and I get frustrated that I cant do what they do. The mind hunger is my down fall but i know that since I am aware of it... it is just a matter of time before I am able to overcome it. I was 278 lbs in february 2009 this was three months before I had my surgery. On surgery day I was 264.5 and today I am 254 with clothes... But last friday with clothes off I was 249. I went out had and had several drinks... some taco cabana... and I believe a half a bag ( family sized )of hot cheetos puffs. On saturday morning I weighed 258. i had a 9 lbs weight gain overnight. I TOTALLY WANTED TO CRY. But I just picked myself back up and I have lost roughly 4 lbs in 3days. i go for a fill today and at my last fill 3 weeks ago I was 257 so ... THE BAND WORKS. I will never say it doesnt BUT it is just a tool. We still have to do the work. We still have to make the effort and until I do this my weight will NOT come off like those You tubers with 88 in 5 months. They were committed. They wanted it BAD. I mean I want it but I tend to reward myself when I loose a pound and in this case I gained 9 ouch .... So the question is how do we do it... there is no secret pill... no magic way... but there is an answer ... . Be committed, remember even when you f-up get back up, and remember you are not alone. We are banders and this is a journey that we decided we wanted to take. We are not a lone and we can help each other!

i've heard of some people not being able to eat dairy due to weight gain, as pretty much one of their only symptoms of an intolerance.

I somehow lost 12 pounds the first week. Then I never lost one more pound for at least two months. Like everyone says, you have to think about a year from surgery and figure you are going to have lost at least 52 pounds then and not worry about when the pounds are lost. I gain 4 pounds every month the week before my TOM - I don't think I really gain those 4 pounds but it still freaks me out to see the scale go up. Weight gained/lost right after surgery is not really gained or lost so try to keep looking at the overall picture. You aren't losing lap band weight until you get at least one fill.

I originally was hoping to have an RNY when I first started researching bariatric surgery 4 years ago, but my insurance didn't cover it and after spending months, daily, on an RNY board and seeing just how many people had major complications afterward, I couldn't justify taking the chance on going self-pay, and then not having insurance coverage for any complications afterward. The sleeve was new then, and I just didn't look much into it at the time. Fast forward to this past December, when I started looking into WLS again, hoping that our new insurance that kicked in January 1st might cover it. Well, of course it didn't, because the creature who owns our company continues to specifically exclude it from our policy to save a few dollars (he's a multi-millionaire and a horrible excuse for a human being, truly, and I don't say that lightly). But I digress.... so now, suddenly there's all this new info and data about the sleeve, and so many more people sharing their experiences and successes, and much more in the way of complication stats--well, compared to the RNY, they were practically zilch. BINGO! For those reasons, in addition to all the facts and comparisons made by the posters above me, I knew immediately that the sleeve was for me. I saw my family doctor for blood work, EKG, and clearance, saw the surgeon a week after that, and had my Sleeve 12 days later and it's been WONDERFUL!!! I don't remember if anyone noted this above, but so far studies show weight-loss stats from VSG as equal to the RNY, with less chance of rebound weight-gain since our sleeves really don't stretch, but the RNY pouch does. My surgeon expects the VSG to become the go-to, preferred WLS sometime soon, and I've seen other people say that their surgeons say the same thing. In the end it was really a no-brainer for me, and I couldn't be more thrilled with it.

There is a point where many may: have more capacity to eat more food/stomach relaxes get their hunger back weight loss slows or stops start gaining weight reach goal and navigate maintenance are past the "honeymoon" usually past a year or more may be earlier find themselves in a new "stage" different from the beginning stages after WLS finding the old methods used to take off weight may or may not work are finding a way to stay the same weight after gaining or losing too much the issues are no usually longer about what Protein drink to buy, the three week stall, the funny taste of food, gas pain, eating in public, hair loss, insurance approval..... come to the conclusion that the process NEVER ends, it is a lifetime of learning and doing and sharing and counting and moving... and that is the new normal. Realizing what is meant by "the sleeve is a tool" and it is only part of the process, you can gain all your weight back if you don't start forming a new life and just resting from the work and eating "normally" after getting to goal will result in weight gain for many. These are some of the issues I see arising for "vets" and distinguishes them from "newbies"... which we all were once... You can't know how the sleeve and the rest of the body and mind will be until you experience it for yourself over time. 1-2-3-5 years later, things change. We don't know about 10 years because there just aren't many out there with current style sleeves to talk to. But some at 6 months are getting some of this experience, I think after a year or two you really see the Vet issues even clearer. Some don't come back here, so hopefully they are doing great, are living life and not gaining or losing too much.... the ones of us that are still here are experiencing the stuff listed above... some are having NO problems at all. I love my sleeve and my life, and at this time (2 1/2 years out) I am still not at goal, but very close and believe I will make it to goal pretty soon, and have some plans on how to maintain I think I can follow. Taking the long view has been very helpful for me....If I took the view that if I didn't lose all my weight by 6 months without pulling all my hair out or I was a failure if I didn't lose 30 pounds in the first month, then this experience would have been hell. I have some good support friends here that have been here for years... we chug along together, and check in often, share research, worries and challenges, and we will share the pleasure of accomplishment as well. I plan on staying in contact during maintenance when I get there. Maintenance may well be the most difficult part of this journey. Keeping the weight off is the trick. Someone here said it best... reaching goal at 3 years feels just as good at reaching goal at 6 months. Who cares as long as you get there!

Coming from someone who was thin when i met my husband then gained 100 plus pds then lost 100 plus pounds the weight changes you . The weight changed my personality , before my weight gain i had a up beat, fun loving, out going personality , After wards i was nearly a shut in . Did not want to be around people, did not want to go anywhere, did not want to be seen . NOW If you ask my husband ( and people have ) how does it feel to have a thin wife or how do you feel that your wife have surgery . his answer is this " I got my wife BACK" And that is exactly how i feel . I am my old self and then some. So if your spouse asks you if your going to change its not fair to tell them no , becuase i can all but guarantee you you will. BUT You can tell them " I will be more fun, more active and more myself , i will be the real person i was meant to b e " If you feel like your an outgoing , fun loving talkactive person now , you will be that once you lose the weight and THEN Some. If your sort of a home body now , you probably will not want to sit at home anymore. If your spouse does , that is usually where the problem comes in . So counseling before hand is a good idea if you think you will become different ( and different is not bad ) than what you are now . Mindy

It was the opposite for me, I'm down 18 lbs since surgery, now 191. I did also change how I dress and not wearing anything that's loose on me. I kept all my smaller clothes since my weight gain has been mainly in the last 6 years. I got a new haircut as well to help my round face look slimmer. I've been slow to loose, and I guess these things help me stay motivated and I no longer cringe when I look in the mirror. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you for your responses! My doctors info says it is reserved for patients with BMI 50 or greater, I’m in the low 40s. I also have reflux so I guess that part would make me not so suited for the switch??? I am interested though because just like you all have said, it gives you better weight gain resistance for the long haul. It also, I’m sure, does come with more risk/complications maybe.

Refresher............ I was banded on the 22nd,..(not that long ago I realize) I dont weigh often at all...in fact 2 times total since surgery with today being my 2nd time..... but decided I was feeling good about myself and decided to weigh at home to see how it was going...I GAINED 3 lbs...yes gained. Now...I track my food on "lose it" am staying around 900-1000 calories a day and no cheating what so ever. HOW IN THE WORLD is it possible to gain weight on a restricted amt of food...I want to cry! I feel like a MORON....gaining weight after having weight loss surgery..... I mean what is the point. I can gain weight easily on my own with out having had surgery???!! I guess it is so frustrating as I am following exact what I am to do, eating the proper amts and nothing more. HOw is it possible to eat 1/4 of what I used to eat, cutting out all sweets and pop etc only to gain weight. BUMMED BIG TIME

I think the type of pill makes a big difference in weight gain. Pills that have several different levels of hormones throughout the month may be worse, and are also worse if you have migraines or PMDD. At least that was what I was told. I've been taking birth control pills continuous cycling (I don't take the sugar pills) for more than a decade so I never get my period at all because I would get terrible mood issues (I have bipolar disorder), migraines, nausea, cramps, etc when I got my period. I am so terrified of having to stop the pill for surgery. I am considering getting an IUD when I stop the pill. I'm not at risk of pregnancy because I don't have sex, but I hate having my period.

I had an always-been-skinny friend who gained about 80lbs on the depo shot, and I’ve known of other girls who have gained a lot from it too. I’m glad it’s worked well for you but unfortunately substantial weight gain is a very common side effect with that one

Regardless you must eat! He was a stupid f@#$, but don't allow him to make you sick. You will gain if not eating properly because your body is not going to know when it will get food regularly so it will store it leading weight gain. It was HIS decision to cheat, you getting skinny is not an excuse. Stay strong!

In 1 week I have not gained 1 oz nor lost 1 oz, seriously. Not 1. What can I do? I was banded on 12/23 and had 1 fill on 1/14 of 4 cc. I feel really no restirction but eat much smaller portions because I know it's healthier for me. I see the dr the 17th so I know that will be my next fill. I am wondering if I am not taking in enough calories or if it's because work has been beyond busy (we have been buying out smaller dealers) and I havent left my desk in days (sometimes I forget that I have to even use the bathroom until lunch time)! So I am not up and moving like I am used to. I am also am just too exhausted to even get up to get to to the gym and play around with my 3 year old like I have been 2 weeks ago. I feel awful for that. I am just so fried with work. Anyways, here's my run down of my meals. Here's a run down of a "typical" day. Breakfast: 7:30 am - 8 oz skim milk/1 scoop protein powder (18g) Snack: 11:00 am - small handful peanuts (snack) or banana (whatever I grab in the morning) Lunch: 1:15 pm - Weight Watcher Meal (usualy dont finish it becasue I have to get back to work and I am full) & 1/2 Cucumber or 2 oz cheese cube Dinner: 5:30 Cucumber or Salad with Cheese & Turkey w/Low Fat Dressing (I def make large salads, just like if I did not have the band but I love salad and cant stop from eating it and without the restriction it's hard, at least it's not McDonalds, LOL)! Or Can of Chicken mixed with 2 tablespoons of low fat Mircale Whip ("fake" Chicken Salad") and some low fat Wheat Thins or 2 oz cheese cubes......

Janine, I couldn't help but notice you haven't posted since this post. How are you doing now? I understand what you are saying about mourning the loss of the band. I have gone through that, too. I think it's normal, and I think it's OK..... as long as you give yourself a reasonable amount of time to mourn and then get back up and move on. You, and I-- and all of us-- have gone through too much to let this fail us. Look-- I don't think that there are many of us that go through this process thinking it's short term. We make a commitment to our band and we do our part. If it fails us, we feel cheated, and rightfully so. But in the end, we have to realize there are some things we have control over and some things we don't. The only thing we have control over at this point is how we handle the outcome of losing our bands. The 12 pound weight gain is not what you wanted, but is to be expected. Just don't let the 12 pounds continue to multiply. You are adjusting your eating patterns once again. You CAN do this and we will be right here with you!!! (((hugs)))

Hello everyone! Hopefully some of ya'll remember me. I've been MIA for a while now and I decided it's time to come clean. I was banded 9-20-07. Lost 100 lbs exactly on my 1-year bandiversary. I have flip flopped with the same 20 lbs since then. I have been pretty active on LBT until the past few months. I was recently diagnosed with cluster headaches. It's a very rare headache disorder- known as the worst kind of headache there is. Here is a link that better explains if anyone is interested in it --> Cluster Headaches I have been dealing with these headaches for a little over a month now, with anywhere between 1-6 headaches a day. My doctor put me on a steroid, a very high dose and then I'll be tapered off it. I think I will be on it a total of 6 weeks. The side effects are taking a toll on me....even less sleep, mood swings, fatigue, and HUNGRY ALL THE TIME! I think I've gained 8 lbs since starting the steroid 10 days ago. The steroid blocked the headaches for about 4 days, and now they have returned again. I have tried exercising since the attacks started and exercise ALWAYS brings an attack on...even light swimming. It's very discouraging. I am lucky that my doctor knew about cluster headaches, because many people go misdiagnosed for years...it's heartbreaking. Now, I am not blaming cluster headaches for all my weight gain, because I have not been following the rules much lately. food has become my comfort. I never thought that would happen to me after all I have accomplished. I guess I'm just looking for some support. I still have a long way to go and I'm wondering if I will ever get there. I am going to start tracking my food tomorrow and try to make better choices with my food. Thanks for listening. I've missed my band buddies!!

Ok, having talked to my insurance (NEIB-managed by bcbs and medical cost management) I have found out that though BCBS IL is a pain in the butt to deal with, our union has the final say about the go ahead... so far I have leared that my requirements are as follows: 1. height, weight, bmi (easy enough) (done) 2. TSH levels (again easy) (done) 3. physical and history 4. cardio and pulmonary clearance 5. 5 years of diet information 6. pyscologist 7. comorbidity My concerns are what comorbiities are considered... I have GERD, planters fascia, fatigue, menorrhagia, and had my gallbladder removed. I am going for a sleep study to rule in/out sleep apena. my BMI is 39.66 (5'5" 238lbs) My tsh levels were normal I also have a family history of diabetes. My family doctor is doing my physical and history on 4/8 and he needs to include my weight gain for the past 5 years, medications, and other health factors... Is there anything else you guys know of that will help the approval along?? Thanks!!

Fran: If you are eating right don't worry about the weight gain. You are probably retaining fluids from the major shock your body is going through. I haven't had plastic surgery yet, but after I was banded I gained 9 pounds in 3 days and I was only on liquids. It took about ten days before it started to come off. Chin up and drink alot. Weird how drinking makes our fluids flush, but that's what they tell me. Take care. Sue

you will be in my prayers, hopefully the surgery through the nose is going to be an option, that way you won't have to shave your head and recover from that type of surgery. it sounds like you are being very optimistic and actually handling it well (seeing as how you are actually able to worry about weight gain at this point ). most people would do good to have a pitty party for a month...you are a strong woman. keep looking at it in such a good light, and keep us updated.

No help for us. We are fat, we are gluttons, we are weak and undeserving of help, sympathy, or adequate medical care. Like Orson Wells said, “Gluttony is not a secret vice.” Do I believe that? Some days I do in fact believe it, when I’m down, and lately more because of how ill I have been. Mostly it is a load of hog wash. Fat does not equal ugly. There has long been a weird relationship with food, the body and the Christian church. And of course, we all know the impact that both Protestant and Catholic sects have had on Western Civilization… Some of the Christian based weight-loss schemes are screaming “fat people don’t go to heaven,” and “use our program based on Leviticus and you will loose weight and be closer to God!” Sorry, I’ve read Leviticus, and I am NOT eating bugs…. (I call them schemes because I think we all here have come to the understanding that “diets” are just schemes…) If you had better self-control, more self-esteem, more will-power, were a better person, loved God more…. You would lose weight and be a better person. There is no understanding for the overweight from most doctors. Before my husband had his band installed, the cardiologist said “Have you just tried cutting out sweets?” Now, on the face of it, this is good advice, advice we could all use. However, this showed a complete lack of understanding on the part of the doctor. You see, before my husband had his band installed, he weighted 596 pounds with a BMI in the high 80’s. Cutting out sweets would have certainly helped, it wouldn’t have stopped my husband from eating two or three fast-food meals at one sitting, or any of the other overeating behavior some of us know intimately, and other behaviors we are only starting to understand in ourselves and others. I am currently having difficulty with my asthma: hospitalizations, steroids, greatly reduced lung function, other things as well. What am I told? Well, just lose some weight, we aren’t going to help with this, we are just going to pass judgment on you. Sudden and unexplained weight gain? Well, just don’t eat as much… (never mind that I gained 10 pounds overnight with severe edema…). I have to suspect that part of Delarla’s current adventure with gauze might have been caught earlier if she was thin. I was told by my doctor that I just need to take up running. Yes that’s right, take up running. Can you imagine a woman with a BMI in the high 40’s running? (Please see the thread about giving one’s self black eyes…) Being fat or overweight or big boned, or under tall, or metabolically efficient or famine resistant doesn’t make us failures, bad people or jerks. We might be over sexed (skin is the largest sex organ…), but we are not failures, or bad people or jerks. If we are failures or bad people or jerks, it is independent of our weight or size.

Kickboxing is one of the best things you can do for weight loss, muscle building and strength. I've done it for a long time (before weight gain) and I loved it. I can't wait to get back to it! Sent from my SM-G920T using the BariatricPal App

I use Mirena, I have had used it for the last 4 years. No weight gain, no bloating, no mood swings, and the best---no period.

I'm on para guard which is an IUD and I love it, no added weight gain or hormones, couldn't stand the depo with all the weight gain and raging hormones, just MHO

Wow, we all have a lot to say about this topic. I really try not to graze. I eat 4X a day and supplement with Protein shakes. I will let a meal go on past 20 minutes though. I was a grazer before surgery. Grazing, not bingeing got me to over 200lbs. There is research out there suggesting that grazing is a common cause of WLS failure. I don't want that to happen to me. Check out this link http://ezinearticles.com/?Avoid-Weight-Gain-After-WLS:-Learn-the-Difference-Between-Snacking-and-Grazing&id=61380 I think we all need to find our own way after surgery. I'm glad there is no international rulebook out there; I'm sure I'd disagree with some part of it. For me grazing is out but maybe it's ok for you.

I have been banded almost 5 weeks and have been on solids for a week with no weight gain. My weight loss is getting a little slower but have kept losing up until the last few days. I need to get back into regular exercise which I'm sure will help.