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Hello all :willy_nilly: my name is Kayla, I'm 20 years old, a junior in college, and I'm from Minnesota! I just joined this website figuring it would be good for me to have others to talk to who are going through similar situations and so far I think it's really cool! I've always been a chubby kid growing up and just became used to it. I got made fun of a little bit but not as bad as some people, I figure it was just the 'average' amount if that makes sense. Growing up I never really let my weight bother me but the few times that I heard some of the mean things that people would say it really hurt my feelings and made me hate my body. After experiencing my bullying I became the 'funny girl'. I've always been very outgoing and very social but it's like I started performing for people so that even though I was overweight people would like me because I could make them laugh. For most of my life that worked alright. I always had tons of friends, never had a problem getting boyfriends, I did all the fun high school things, so I never felt that my weight held me back much since it was something that I had for as long as I could remember. About 3 weeks before my sweet sixteen I got the news that my aunt was murdered by her husband. My aunt was like a second mother to me so it was a very traumatic experience. I think that was a big trigger for more weight gain along with being sexually abused my sophomore year in high school and being diagnosed with depression in 9th grade. I was always over weight but I didn't look fat I just didn't fit into size 2 jeans. When all of those things happened I really started packing on the pounds. I saw a therapist for all my problems and I'm very proud to say that I'm doing so much better but food was my comfort and I was just never able to really let that go which is how I got to my highest at 281 pounds. In October of 2008 I went to my first doctor appointment to learn about the weight loss surgery option and began doing all my pre-surgery requirements. After I completed like 5/6 of the requirements I changed my mind on the surgery because I began to lose weight on my own and thought it was somewhat easy. I was able to drop 25 pounds in like a month and a half. Then the weight loss haulted and I gained about 7 of the pounds back. It is very hard being on a diet and making it to the gym 4 times a week while going to college and working as well. When I realized that our insurance would pay for all of my surgery I reconsidered the surgery and have a surgery planned for Monday, January 4th, 2010. I feel so blessed for all of my family and friends who are in my life and supporting me through this time. I also feel very blessed to be given the opprotunity to have surgery in the first place! I've never felt that my life was terrible or not fun or that I've missed out on anything but as I've gotten a little older I'm starting to figure out things that I want to try but could be difficult because of my weight. Last February I was diagnosed with PolyCystic Ovary Syndrom (PCOS) and was told that it will be very hard for me to get pregnant in the future unless I lose weight and I'll most likely still need fertility drugs even after some weight is lost. Even at 20 and not desiring children anytime soon, one of my dreams is to be a mother and I want to figure out things now to make that dream possible. I also think that this surgery will give me more self confidence and overall happiness in my life that I lost about 5 years ago. I hope you all enjoyed reading my 'story' as I have enjoyed reading yours! I also look forward to getting in touch with people since the people I have talked to so far have just been wonderful! Happy holidays everyone & God bless! missKAYLA

The steroids will have contributed to your weight gain, nasty things, I detest them. To drop some weight eat Vegetables and salads with low fat meats and fish. Try and contain any fats used in cooking and use fat free sauces/ mayonnaise etc. Try not to eat carbs other than the ones in fruit and veg. So no breads, pasta, rice, potatoes. Dont drink anything other than sugar free drinks, tea and coffee without sugar or use a saccharine. Low fat dairy is fine. No snacks other than sugar free popsicle's Its basically what you will eat after surgery. Good luck

I've never watched the show, but I'm not surprised contestants on it would have significant weight gains after it finished. They were losing weight in a hermetic environment detached from the reality of their daily lives, and knowing that an audience was watching them. I think for weight loss to be sustainable it needs to be realistic. You need to weave the habits that will lead to you losing weight and being healthy into your actual life. My weight loss post surgery has been relatively slow, but I'm not depriving myself on a radical diet or dropping everything else in my life to focus on it exclusively. In the past my weight really yo-yo'd, so I'm more determined to lose weight sensibly and keep it off instead of rapidly dropping just to have it pile back on. Prior to having the VSG I did watch several YouTube videos, and one was from a former contestant on the show who gave her perspective about her experience, and some good advice about WLS. She'd also gained all of the weight she lost plus quite a bit more in the years after being on the show, before deciding to have the VSG. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caB3iv_iSxo

I searched LBT for this left shoulder pain and thought I would put my "new info" in a post. I started with my left shoulder pain on my 3rd day after surgery. Everything I read said it was gas. It was not gas. This felt like a nerve kind of pain. It was down deep in the center of my left collar/shoulder area. After about the 2nd week of surgery it would come and go. I thought it was after I ate...but after reading the old posts on this subject I thought it was time for me to listen to my body. Well...this is what i found: If I have not eaten enough and I am still hungry the pain in my shoulder is so intense I can't even concentrate at work or to do anything else. If I haven't eaten in a while same thing. As soon as I eat it immediately goes away. How weird is this??? I happened to be talking to the Nutritionist yesterday on the subject of weight gain and caloric intake post surgery when i mentioned this shoulder pain....her response, "Oh yah, that is very normal. It will either kill you when you need to eat or when you have eaten to much! Just listen to your body" It would have been nice to know about this pre-surgery, just so those of us that like to be prepared can be. I have listened to my shoulder allday today and I have had little discomfort allday! Hope this helps those that have had the INFAMOUS shoulder pain!

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.

Ok so really this is the first in a series of blogs on my journey though this addiction called food. I have been banded since june of 008 and have lost 80 pounds to date. That is untill recently...three weeks ago I went to get a fill and had exray done and my band had slipped. So he took all the fluid out and said if it does not go back to normal then I will have to have surgury again to fix....Well to me I heard that the surgury was a for gone conclusion and screw it go on and eat anything you want because ur going to have surgury anyway...felt no hope so I ate and ate and ate and ate.....17 pounds worth of eating....Felling depressed that It has not worked....but really I was not working....I know it is only a tool but I was not ready to give it up....I came into it thinking that ok really it will be forced behavior modification and i just have to choose wisely...well really I have not been...fell of the wagon....I want the freedom and not the prison of food...the goal is not to throw up....to finally listen to my body....please forgive me body for ignore you and for beating you up....I think this blogging will help.....I do not know the plan to be on I think really the only plan is to listen to my body and not throw up....I am not ready to give up the band...I am almost done paying off the band. I am a cash patient and have 2000 left to pay on the bill...care credit is such a loan shark but am thankful to have them out of my hair...so really I think it will be ok....I have PCOS and think that all the yeast and sugar has sent my pancreas into overdrive....that would explain the rapid weight gain....feeding the sickness....so im going to start metphormin again and see if that helps....will keep you posted.....

Hi everyone well I had my surgery Nov 15 of last year and have lost about 35 pounds ..only problem is , is that my life has got really complicated and stressful (more so than before) and I started putting myself on the back burner again and hello weight gain! So my question is I need a diet plan or some sort of structure to follow..I ma to free for all now..I can eat most anything still.....Please I would love any ideas. The doc told me two shakes and one small meal ....I dont know if that would keep me full..what do you all do and think is a good food plan????? And for those of you who have been really successful what worked for you in the losing phase of this process???

I have had about a cup full. (also a slider for me. ) I was nearly 9 weeks out when I had it, and it felt fine. BUT the carbs are high, and the amount I want is HIGHER. And since it offers me no nutrition and possible weight gain, I will try to stay away.

Your question is very broad and it's almost impossible to offer any meaningful suggestions without more insight. Have you discussed your weight gain with your surgeon and if so what was the recommendation? What type of revision are you considering? Do you maintain a food log? Did you ever maintain a food log during your journey? Do you exercise regularly and if so, how much? How much weight did you lose following your surgery and did you reach your goal? What are your thoughts on what changed from the five year mark to the point that you started gaining? What steps did you take when you initially started to gain weight? What was the result? There are lots of knowledgeable folks here who are anxious to help in any way we can. Help us help you.

I know I'm super late with this (I just signed up to this forum) but have you thought about the Nuvaring? This was my birth control before my surgery and I loved it. Low dose of hormones and not any weight gain.

I think you answered your own question. Perhaps some Miralax is in order. Your weight will vary a bit from day to day but you aren't going to have a sustained weight gain at that calorie intake level.

How is your hunger? Is it maybe time for another fill? I agree you're weight gain is due to adding bulk/muscles. Check with your doctor to see what he has to say. Great job! You're an inspiration to all us newbies!

honey everyone has that feeling of "what did I do" after surgery. I spent about 2 weeks feeling like I had made a huge mistake. After that I realized it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. initially your eating while healing is definitely different from your normal. The new normal starts to give you more choices and you will start seeing the results of your better choices which will give you a good mental attitude and motivation. I was 66 years old when I made the leap to surgery, I was banded in January 2013. When I had my surgery I had diabetes, which was getting increasingly worse with my weight gain and lack of mobility, I was on the verge of starting insulin and my cholesterol and blood pressure were getting higher. Since surgery I am normal and do not take any medications . You will be able to eat normally, but it will be a new normal, you can eat real food and enjoy eating out but your outlook will change. Hang in there and remember to focus on why you had your surgery. We are all here and there are so many here who have had all of the same feelings as you just ask questions and make sure you listen to your body and ask your Dr. for anything medical.

Has anyone gained weight during nutrition visits? I think I effed up. I gained 10lbs between my consult with the surgeon and second nutrition visit. I explained to her the very devastating loss of a family member... and also how I wanted to kinda .. "eat my last junk foods". since then, I have lost 6lbs. I plan on being down even more when we meet again in 2 weeks. Basically I'm terrified the insurance will deny me because of the 10lb gain- even though I lost it back and more. Has anyone been through this or heard of this? What happened? thanks!

Sadly, it can take a while to get to an ideal place. It seems to me, however, that your experience is out of the ordinary. Bands neither lose nor gain weight. Your weight gain is most likely because of your own food choices and, if applicable, sedentary living. If you have been eating properly for weight-loss, it's probably time for a general physical exam. Also to consider is that some medications contribute to weight gain either by stimulating appetite or affecting metabolism. Assuming that you know understand what to expect from a band that's finely-tuned to you and your 'responsibility' as the band owner/user , I can only suggest that you make an appt to speak with the NP about your band's behavior. Yikes -- I'll leave all the above where it is, but it occurs to me that 3.5cc after 7 fills sounds especially odd. You may have a leak somewhere in the apparatus. Make an appt to discuss the possibility and what to expect when working with a band -- what's called the "green zone" where all is good.

I agree the cause of weight gain is not the size of your stomach, it is what you are eating and of course grazing could contribute to this.

I agree and most of all they don't want you to feel proud of your accomplishments because you had help. They don't think you deserve any "you look good" or "congrats". People in general want you to stuggle in life period. It's been like that forever. You get mad props when you struggle and succeed but you get looked down on if you have some type of assistance. What they don't understand that this is a struggle everyday for some people "hince my 8 pound weight gain over the past couple of weeks"

1. I don't think they are saying you failed to keep the appts. The wording they choose is off but I think what they are saying is you failed physician-supervised exercise and nutrition program that has regular visits every 2-4 weeks. The reason they put the 2-4 weeks bit in parenthesis is because they are explaining what type of doctor supervised program it is. 2. If you are unable to work because of you illness, have you applied for SSDI? If not, you should. 3. Since the requirement is that you must not gain weight and you did. Your PC should have documented why despite your best efforts you did gain weight. Namely that you tried but the meds caused you to gain. So it seems the key item missing is that there was no justification for your weights gains noted. 4. You can go forward with the appeal, but unless you think your PC will add those justifications in there and advocate for you, it might be worth your while find a new PC. Unfortunately you may need to start this process all over again under the new PC unless you can document how you are in constant pain awaiting this surgery. Even then they may want proof that the surgery will solve the problem.

I have had this problem, it can be from water weight gain, regular weight gain or irritation of the band area due to reflux - or at least this is what I was told by my physician.

you will do great! I didnt have to stop taking any meds so i don't know from personal experience about the weight gain. as for the new years challenge I'm offically down 20lbs so im going to set a smaller seccond goal of another 10lbs.

Oh there is some suggestion it can also make losing weight a little more difficult, but that is the same with any hormonal option- your body is tricked into thinking it is already pregnant (so you don't ovulate) and thus the body goes into pregnancy energy storage mode... It doesn't cause weight GAIN though!

As a 5-way-bypass survivor who has been through multiple cardiac caths and angioplasty I think I have to disagree. The mortality rate in gastric bypass patients of an older age far exceeds any heart surgeries. That I know to be fact. I'm honestly concerned now in what you say about lap banding being tougher on patients that are older, because I'm older than you. I'm 63. The seminar dr. told me there was not the risk with lap banding that is associated with gastric bypass in patients of this age. He told me lap banding is perfectly safe at any age. Can you give me some more info on where you got your data? I have received nothing but encouragement to have this done "for my heart", so perhaps I need to look more closely at it. It is minimally invasive as compared to gastric bypass which is truly invasive, so please fill me in on why banding is difficult for older patients. You are having a surgery that is more invasive then gastric lap banding? What is this DS surgery? I'll say a prayer for you. Why do you have to have the more extensive surgery? Can you describe just what it consists of and why lap banding would not be an alternative. Thanks and God Bless. I said a lot of prayers after going through multiple angios and stents and then having 5-way-bypasss at 59, but I came through it just fine. The doctors took away my cigarettes, which were really a crutch to prevent weight gain. I weighed 160 at the time of surgery and am 5'9". I was fine with myself. Now, I eat like a piglet and am always hungry without the cigarettes. I would never go back to them, but I've created one more hazardous condition because I gained so much weight when I quit. You are dammed if you do and dammed if you don't it seems. Does anyone have any encouragement for banding at an older age?

Hi all. I'm 2 and a half months out. I just started really working out. I started trying to do C25K. I'm still pretty big and also out of shape so it's taken me a while to working up to complete even day one. I've done it 3 times this week as well as a 'boot camp' style workout with my best friend one night. I've also been walking in between and doing some floor exercises at home every morning (crunches, jumping jacks etc) Anyway I noticed my weight hasn't moved this week since starting all this. Intact it's gone up. I was 305 last week and now I'm 307. Is this normal? I've been going pretty hard at this, I'm pretty sore and swollen so maybe it's Water weight? Any input much appreciated!

Hi Everyone! I'm Sarah and I'm being sleeved on the 22nd!!! And I'm like most other people been heavy my whole life but it really skyrocketed when I got pregnant with my first son who is now 10. I gained 100lbs with that pregnancy and I was sure I would be having a 70lbs baby lol. Needless to say he wasn't. So I lost like 30-40 of that and then got pregnant again and I was doing great at keeping the weight gain minimal until they found a tumor in my spinal cord. So I had to have major surgery at 5 months pregnant and then had to learn to walk again and so then the weight piled on again. I was around 275 when I gave birth the second time. Then for the next 7 years I lost and gain the same 50lbs over and over again. We then decided to have one more baby and I wanted to be done having babies at the age of 30. I was 20 with my first one. So at 29 I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on 11-11-11 at that so she has a unique birthrate. But I gained around 30lbs and was right around 315-320 when I had her. So now I'm done having kids and I'm doing something for myself. I am currently 31yrs old, 5'3", and 300lbs. I can't wait to start losing and getting the old me back!! I am setting 25lb goals. I think they might be easier to achieve but ultimately I would like to be around 150-145. Good luck to everyone!!!

I just ran across this article that references some recent studies. http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/study-diet-soda-increases-risk-diabetes-why-still-192600358.html Yet another study confirms what people have been saying for ages: Stop drinking diet soda. Like, right now. Drinking just one 12-ounce can of an artificially sweetened fizzy drink per week can increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes by 33 percent, French researchers found. And given that most people don't stop at a single weekly serving, your real risk for diabetes could actually be much higher. Diet Soda May Increase Risk of Depression The study, which was announced Thursday and will be published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, was conducted by France's National Institute of Health and Medical Research and covered 66,118 middle-aged women whose dietary habits and health were tracked from 1993 to 2007. Diet Soda May Be Making You Fat The results were unexpected. Though it's well-known that people who consume a lot of sugar are more likely to develop diabetes, the researchers found that participants who drank "light" or "diet" soft drinks had a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes than those who drank regular, sugar-filled sodas. Those who drank 100 percent natural squeezed fruit juices instead had no additional risk. Read more about the study.