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So today I had an appointment with the nutritionist. I am currently 308 lbs @5'5 . Most of my weight gain is from having kids. I have three. So of course I'm too busy to exercise and focus in me. But I'm excited to finally do something by having bypass . I have to lose weight and keep track of the foods I eat. This is going to be the hardest challenge ever! If I could lose weight by dieting I wouldn't be getting wls.

thanks all for the input, I have tried to limit my carb intake and up my water- im currently at 285. my first weigh in was 276 and my second at 281, I have to weigh in next week for sure im hoping to get back down to 281 so I don't show a gain. I did start birth control so im hoping a note from the doctor may explain some of the weight gain. when is everyone else due to submit to insurance for approval? I would love to be able to talk to others with emblem health!

Hello lds! Welcome to LBT! I will try to answer your questions to best of my ability. So do I have to do three months of supervised diet/exercise? Six months? None? - That will depend on your insurance or your Surgeon’s program. My insurance, Blue Shield required I complete 6 one-month dietician appointments. Then, my Surgeon also wanted me to have 1 appointment with his RD. So do I worry about my BMI falling? - This also will depend on what your insurance will require of you. I was too high of a BMI at the time so I was in no danger of going under 40. Also, I did have a co-morbidity so that is also different than yourself. You’ll want to contact your insurance advisor or surgeon to find out if this might be a problem for you. I want to do something that will curb this! I want to feel better. I want to not be in pain just for trying to do what I love to do. I want to think that I can chase my future children around the house and ENJOY it! I want to think that I can make my husband think - ooh, she's all mine. I want to FEEL BETTER! - Well I can tell you from personal experience that all of this happened to and for me post banding. I’ve lost around 100 Lbs and even though I’m only half there I can already tell you I have so much more energy. My husband DOES tell me, oh yeah you’re all mine! How awesome is that? I feel so much better about myself, and best of all my high blood pressure is all but cured!! But will this surgery "fix" me? I'll eat less. But can I not do that on my own? I served in the military for a decade. I understand discipline. I am a motivated person, always have been. I am competitive - makes me a fast swimmer. - Well, yes and no. The surgery will do two things for you and those two things only. It will prevent you from over eating, and it will help to keep you satisfied with what you’ve eaten for a longer period of time pre-band. Here’s what it won’t do for you, it won’t stop you from eating the bad stuff. I won’t make you get up and workout. It won’t magically slough off the pounds for you. Nope, won’t do that. Also, don’t put so much merit into it preventing weight gain. I can tell you from personal experience that you CAN and you WILL gain weight with the band, IF you do wrong things. I’m not just talking a few pounds. I mean, you really can gain all your weight back if you don’t catch it soon enough. That being said, it sounds like you are a very dedicated person to a healthy program so you will likely do an awesome job with the lap-band! I really hope this helps. If you need anymore support, this is a great place to get it!

@Jessica - the high risk is probably why. I don't have any children and have never been pregnant. PCOS is diagnosed through various test. From what I've read there is no one specific method used by all doctors. For me it was my history of missed periods, extra hair growth, and constant weight gain that caused my doctor to order a lot of blood work. Once that was complete he sent me to get sonograms based on the unbalance of my hormones. The sono nailed the diagnosis in because I have all of these tiny cysts all over my ovaries. So the cysts combined with the hormone levels is what finalized my diagnosis. Once diagnosed, I had more test, biopsies, and then was put on medications.

Congratulations on your recovery. I can't believe you are spinning already. I hope to be back to some kind of exercise routine in a few weeks also. All of this sitting around has me worried about weight gain. I bet you look fabulous in your new clothes!

Perhaps this post will help someone who is seeking to do VSG or some form of WLS because I will be honest with you about my journey. It has been 8 months since I had VSG surgery and I have lost only 44 lbs. Up to a month ago I had lost 55 lbs but I have since gained 10 lbs. There are a couple reasons for my weight loss failure and I am just putting them down in writing not so much so that folks can be critical, but more for the folks out there considering this surgery or might just have had it. I have not been committed to the process of changing bad habits or incorporating exercise into my lifestyle. I must have thought that having VSG was going to magically take away my appetite and food cravings for bad food. Guess what? I was starving the day after surgery! My appetite really never left. So if I did not CHOOSE what to eat and what not to eat, you could pack in tons of calories even in small portions. To cut to the chase, VSG does not work if you are not disciplined with your food choices. That shouldn't be a huge revelation but I actually had a mindset that my stomach would be gone and I would not even want to eat anymore so all the weight would just melt away. It does not happen that way! I did not follow the instructions and guidelines post surgery about not eating and drinking at the same time. I had been told not to do it, I read that it would stretch your stomach pouch, but I still went ahead and did it. Guess what? My stomach has stretched and I can basically eat a small 'normal' size meal at only 7 months out when it should not be like that this early. Again, not being committed to the process I am a type II diabetic. The catch 22 is that taking insulin makes you GAIN weight. That is just the nature of insulin and the more insulin you have to take, the more you gain weight. The first 4 months after surgery I was taking hardly any insulin at all but as my stomach expanded and I was able to eat more I had to increase insulin intake. So as a diabetic I'm really supposed to be exercising to compensate for that but cant seem to get this life style discipline into my life. I have a tread mill in the spare room - what is wrong with me!!!! I am hoping that I can gather the motivation, the inspiration that inner push that I need to develop discipline in my life. i'm almost 50 years old and its really hard changing the way you have lived for so long but there are no short cuts, not even VSG 'saved' me. Sometimes I think the biggest problem and hinderance is just me because discipline does not depend on emotions - discipline is 'just do it' no matter if you 'feel' it or not...………..I NEED this, I need to get this translated from my head knowledge into practical living...….I'm rambling now I'm hoping my update in the next 3 months will be a very different one in a more successful direction

I attended my one year post-op class yesterday for people who had weight loss surgery in April and May 2014. It was a big class of about 50 people. I was shocked when only two people (myself and one other person) raised their hand when asked who had reached their goal weight. Everyone else in the class fell into the statistical had lost "65% of their excess weight" category. Many had lost a smaller percentage than that. The biggest concern now one year out was experiencing plateaus and weight gain. Everyone in that class had experienced success and had lost weight. Everyone reported being off medications, C-PAP machines and living a healthier and fuller life. Still, you couldn't ignore the disappointment most shared that they may still be 50-150 plus pounds overweight post surgery. My take away and message I want to share with those newly sleeved - work your sleeve while you can! Those first few months of rapid weight loss are key! It will slow down every month until one day you won't lose anything at all. I think I was able to reach goal easy because I was a low BMi to begin with. Maintenance is going to take work though and there is no slacking off once you get to goal! It takes a lot more work to lose the weight after the first year. Work that sleeve while you can!!!

Hi Marisela, are you asking bc of reflux or worried about eating before bed in relation to weight gain? I can eat whenever, and lay down and it doesn't bother me. As for weight gain, it doesnt really matter when you eat in relation to when you sleep. (of course I only get my information from health magazines and other information)...

I have had a weight problem for over 10 years. It started out with just 20-30 pounds over weight but as I grew older and stressed I ate more and more. I would lose weight but I never maintained the loss. The biggest gain for me started about 3 years ago when I made the decision to move away from my family for my career. At first I was okay no weight gain but as I began missing my family the more I pulled away from the life I had created away from home and would dwell on how much I missed home. That's when I started eating more and more. Before I knew it I was 70 lbs heavier. I tried Zumba and walking to get the weight off but somehow I ended up with a cyst on my knee. Walking or even bending my knees have become painful. In Jan 2013 I made the decision to change careers and move back home. I started getting interviews quickly and was able to obtain a job doing exactly what I wanted for a great company. So that brings me to now. I'm happy again but now I have all this weight that is still here. My blood pressure is only maintained with medicine. I received a call from True Results to check to see if I qualified for insurance to cover it. (I had tried once before but didn't have a high enough BMI). On July 30th I went in to my appointment expecting to go home disappointed but I left with the goal of an early September surgery date. Insurance approved my surgery late August for September 19th. I am not sure my goal weight yet I would like to be down to 140 from 269 but I'm not sure if that's too much. I'm excited and nervous but ready. I still haven't told many people that I'm doing the surgery. I have some friends that I knew would support me that I told but I have others that are overweight and are content. They will not understand that for my health it's the right option. This is long winded. I started writing and I just couldn't stop.

If I may weigh in... The breakthrough bleeding will happen no matter what bc you're on, bc losing a ton of weight so quickly does crazy things to your body & hormone levels. It was the most frustrating part of this process for me. I tried to get my dr to put me on depo & she used the "weight gain" deterrent. Honestly, after this long, & all my stalls & losses...I just still cannot see how it could affect weight so much. I was on it after my 2nd son was born & gained a TON of weight (80# or so). BUT I certainly wasn't eating like a Sleever, nor was I exercising or even eating healthy foods. Honestly, when I go back for my annual physical in April, I'm going to have her put me back on it bc I keep forgetting pills! Oiy!

I agree that professional guidance can be really helpful---knowing that it can be quite difficult to locate a therapist you really "click" with. My story is a bit different---but in a way, not so very much. My mother was sexually abused, and insulated her daughters against similar attention with fat (while making the dangers of men and sex well known to us). At the same time, she was incredibly appearance-fixated (and thin and gorgeous herself)--so there were very confusing mixed messages sent to us. To my father, a woman's appearance (and bank account) was her only value. He is a sociopath, and the messages he sent were downright creepy. I was on diets from early elementary school---and did maintain normal weight until I had children of my own, when it became a battle again. However, the sex-is-dangerous message planted by my mother so early in life started playing in my mind again when my husband was unfaithful and, subsequent to that, developed a serious illness that wrought havoc with our sex life. THEN, I acutely felt that other men posed a danger to me. I saw myself as vulnerable to infidelity myself---and started hearing those Mom-messages in my mind. The result? A large weight gain that lingered for almost 15 years. It's only recently, after really pinpointing what was going on in my head, that I became ready to let go of the insulation. It sounds ridiculous, the idea of letting FAT go! It's FAT---of course I don't want to be enveloped in fat! But really, it served a purpose for my battered psyche. It protected me, admittedly in a maladaptive way. It made me invisible to the men who were a threat to me. It worked! Find a way to work through this---a good therapist, journaling, talking with those who understand...whatever. It can be done. Good luck to you---you will feel so, so good being yourself and saying goodbye to those who have injured you but are now lingering in your mind.

Hey Everyone, If you were unaware of the situation basically I was supposed to have lap band on August 26th but a week in to my strict liquid pre-op diet I found the strenght to control my eating on my own so I post poned the surgery indefinetely. Majority of the members of this forum told me I shouldn't have post poned my surgery because I'd just end up gaining the weight back and needing surgery regardless. The week of that pre-op diet I actually lost 22 pounds and was 351lbs (started at 373), after I made the decision I started watching my portions and my decisions but actually gained 5 pounds back (356)... Immediately I thought "what the hell did I do?" but I didn't let that lose my focus and I understood this was a marathon not a race. Glad to say a week later I was back down to 351 and I scratched that 5 pounds to my body just going from eating absolutely nothing to something(literally didn't eat anything for the preop diet) and Water weight gain. Now that I'm a month in from this journey (started the preop diet on August 12) I do not have any urgers to binge eat at meals like I used to. I'm not even thinking of ordering that big lunch I used to have I'm always thinking SMALL SMALL SMALL. I had a cheat day on Sunday (football day) but my cheat day was nothing compared to what I used to do on a regular sunday! I found this will power and I'm pretty happy with my decision right now. This morning was my weight in day and I came in at 349, my first time under 350 in over a year which makes me happy. Of course the weight loss isn't going to be as fast as it would be with the lap band, but the ability to know I'm really doing this on my own (i used to only do pills for weight loss) is really uplifting. Thanks to all those who were supportive, still have a long way to go.

I still look in the mirror and see a fat woman. This has been going on about a week now where I look in the mirror and quickly have to jump on the scale to make sure I have not gained weight. I go up and down about a kg or so....but other than that no weight gain (knock on wood). I'm down to a size 2 I feel good, I have lost a lot of hair but I cut it all off into a cute style and have had it dyed so on that front I'm ok....

I have to say- albeit unsolicited- that this is a prime example of why teenagers should not get lapbands. Brain research has shown that adolescents power to reason and determine action and reaction are not fully developed. You are told when you get the band that it is a life-long commitment that requires constant doctor visits and supervision. The consequence of not doing these things are weight gain. Also you are told how and what to eat. If you keep eating the wrong things the wrong way you could cause damage, not only to the band but to your stomach and esophogous. You or your parent needs to invest money into making sure you get proper follow up care or you will surely fail at losing weight and the surgery will be for nothing. I know it comes across as harsh but there is really no other way to say it.

I took my dog to the vet for her vaccinations last fall. As we were leaving, my vet (please picture a tall, proper, grey haired Russian woman with a thick accent) stated to me, "you must be vigilant about winter weight gain." And as I looked up to respond to her, she continued, "also, for the dog." Layla is my five year old mutt, four legged trash can. She's a German shepherd, lab and corgi mix and I adore her. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Losin it Thank you I am not going to derail all the work I have done. Going to continue to eat healthy and keep the pounds off I lost and somehow get these sugars down. More insulin, of course that will mean more inflamation and pain, and then weight gain. It is a vicious circle. But I truly respect my Doctor and Know that he is looking out for me.

Pictures are the best way I think. You see yourself everyday so the changes are not really noticed. At least in my experiences with weight gain/loss over the years. :biggrin1:

I was banded in 2011, I too had great success, started out at 321 and got down to 144 at my lowest and i am 6 feet tall. Over the past several months I started cheating my band (I have always been a stress eater) and the stress has been out of control. Now I add even more stress because I am so unhappy with my weight gain (41 pounds) that I eat even more due to stress. I now have out of control acid reflux (I feel like the girl from the excercist - it just pertrudes) on top of that I will eat too much and I will intentionally get rid of it and I just tell people that I was stuck. Even though I know I wasnt. I am having such a hard time getting back on track. How do you know if your band has slipped due to too much vomiting? I too can eat anything french fries, white bread, pasta etc. I am so embarresed to go back to the doctor and I have even refused to see my primary doctor because I dont want to get weighed by anyone else. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I had gastric sleeve oct 29 2014 and still have about 50 pds to loose. I have an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and weakness in muscles. Anyway had a bad flare up and have been on 40 mg of prednisone for past month. I haven't gained any weight according to scale but I can tell in my clothes I have gained ... Very discouraged. I am praying that when I get off prednisone it will help. Has anyone experienced this ? Thanks Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Good Morning-Question for you experienced banders--I had surgery on 12/16/09 and as of 12/23/09 lost 19lbs!. I was doing so well they only had me on full liquids for 2 days then to purees (which i am on now). Since then I have gained 2 lbs! :smile: I am not overly concerned about the 2 lbs, but is this normal??? Will the weight gain stop? I am following how much they tell me to eat (even though I know I could eat more I am not!). Like I said 2lbs I am not gonna lose alot of sleep over, but I want it to stop! I am doing what I am supposed to be!

I gained overnight after surgery too. I think it was just water weight gain??

Also keep in mind that clothing makers are all different too. Many of the plus size clothes are made so that weight gain/loss isn't so noticeable in sizes.... You may be in a 3x shirt or pants and lose 30 lbs or more before before you change sizes. Where as if your in a size 7/8 and gain or lose 30 lbs the size is much more noticeable. Make sense?

Hi Sheree, I live in Glandore, that is great, you are close to me! Yes, I have started walking, and went to the gym once. I normally am a good exerciser but have had knee problems (torn meniscus and kneecap popped in and out) this past year (part of the reason for weight gain--this time!) so I have to take it easy which is hard for me. We should get together and walk!! I will send you a private message with my phone number on it (if I can figure out how to do it:unsure:) Cheers, CallieOzgirl

I'm one of the original "failed bandsters" who thought the band would work for me and got it a couple years ago when there still wasn't enough information out on it. I actually "thought" it would restrict me from eating sweets and junk and that was the type of food that went right through. Being a type II diabetic, perimenopausal, hypothryroid etc...just added to the problem, also on antidepressants. Anyway my GERD pain was so bad it put me in the ER one night and after that with the weight "gain" instead of loss and the GERD hospital stay I was able to have my insurance cover it's removal and becuase I felt like such a failure I didnt' revise. I learned more information about lap bands on this site after I was banded but by then it was too late. Anywho long story short I gained a bunch of weight after my band was removed which made me feel even better:thumbdown: so I decided since my daughter had RNY and was successful that I'd give myself one more shot as long as my insurance would cover my revision which I'm lucky enough to say it did.. I'm not saying it was a breeze, longer recovery, more pain and you're restricted from the very beginning no guesswork there or "bandster hell" but it worked for me. I'm never going to be a "Tiger Woods' mistress" but I've lost a chunk so far and I'm off my diabetic meds and keep up with my vit/supplements and appear to be healthy and happy. Anyway the band is a great tool if it works for you and stays in good working order if not well there are always other options. Good luck and health to all of us! Nancy.

Banded on July 7, 2009. Lost 52 pounds but holidays hit and I've gained back 7 and am scared to death. I've had one tiny fill and I have to keep reminding myself that there is a reason I had the surgery. If I could have done it myself...am too embarrassed to call surgeon but I don't want to slip slide back into old habits either. Some uplifting words would totally rock right now!