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((((globetrotter))))) Sorry youre going thru this. I know you track your food intake, go back and look if there is something you may have added since your weight gain. I have read someone was tracking everything except coffee creamer and that was the culprit for her. She thought because it wasnt much-she didnt track it daily- but it was enough, when she stopped it, the wt loss started again. Another thought- could it be related to menstration? Just a thought...

Tracymom- I can't believe you only have 2 more days to go! I'm anxious to hear how your surgery goes. My ps called me at home today to see how I was doing. I didn't get a chance to talk to him after surgery because I was so out of it. He said he removed a total of about 12 pounds between the excess skin and lipo. I weighed myself this morning and I'm down exactly 12 pounds from the morning of surgery. I weighed myself one day after surgery and I was up 2 pounds. My ps says that in another week or two I'll be down even more once my body gets rid of all the excess Fluid. I figure I'll be able to exercise again around 4-5 weeks post op so I'm not too concerned about weight gain. I've been eating lots of Protein, fruits, and veggies and trying to stay away from the bad carbs. I have another 15 pounds until I reach my goal weight. Suemagoo- I think you are going to do great with your surgery. I'll be following your posts closely. Lellow- I hear ya on the extra hip padding. I've had that for so many years that it is like looking at a different person in the mirror when I see myself without that! How are you doing?

I just went to my obgyn on Monday and she put me back on NuvaRing. Didn't want to do an IUD because I haven't had children and didn't want to do Depo because of weight gain. I have taken NuvaRing before and she thought that was the best option for me post surgery. HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 279.8 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Yeah, it's a pretty small amount of hormones, plus it's also local hormones, not systemic (as with a pill), so it's not likely to cause a ton of weight gain. Paragard tends to cause very heavy periods, so I don't know if you'd be happy with it. I'm on the pill, anyway.

I saw myself as "not that fat" for many years. I'm thinking from puberty I had this mind set and then over the years my weight has gradually increased and I still thought the same way. It wasn't until my recently that I have accepted the fact that I am morbidly obese and need to do something and fast. I dread taking full body pics. When you see my avatar I don't look that bad there right? lol. I met my husband online and only had a head shot on my profile and when he met me he admitted that he thought I was much smaller.....well surprise surprise lol. He still loves me and has been with me and supported through the weight gain and even the small successes that I have had with diet and working out. But like I said I finally accepted the fact that I'm obese and I'm not ashamed to take pictures...mainly because I know that I'm not going to look this way for long and I want to invite people to view my journey to encourage those who may come after me.

Mine is a little different. I’ve actually put weight on in the last year, I think about 10 lbs? Not sure but I’ve gained weight because I’ve eaten more and the weight gain has really improved my appearance and health. I didn’t try to gain weight by stuffing myself or anything I just have allowed my body to weight whatever it wants to. I stoped trying to control it.

This last year has been horrendous health wise. I had some heart issues just over a year ago that put me in the hospital for 9 days, it's just been a mess of medications, side effects, pain and just plain bad health since then. I'm on 8 different medications, some of which cause weight gain. I've gained over 70 lbs in the last year. It's out of control. I live in pain from a combination of the arthritis in my foot and plantar fasciatis. I'm newly diagnosed with diabetes. Went for my diabetic eye check on tues and there's signs of early damage. The combination of Calcium channel blockers and diclofenac and I'm sure the weight have caused pitting edema in my calves. I come home at night and I can press my hand into my leg like a memory foam mattress. I've tried to diet all year. I lose 20, I gain 25, I loose 40, I gain 50. I'm DONE! I requested a consult here for bariatric surgery (and here's where Canadian health care sucks), my consult is booked for may of 2013, with surgery expected 2-4 yrs after that. So I've decided to take things in my own hands and pay for it myself. This isn't something I take lightly. I've researched it, and Drs. Decided on the type I want, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, and then wrestled with myself for months over the guilt of spending this kind of money on myself. But when I think about how much we waste every year on just plain crap, I'm thinking my health is worth it. I will be going to Mexico for the surgery. I'm comfortable with my choice, and I'm very excited to have it done. I want this life long struggle to be over. I've tried, and I've had some big successes (lost 108 lbs about 4 yrs ago) but in the end the weight always wins. This time I win, permanently and forever! So the date is booked, deposit paid, and flights booked and paid for. I'm bringing a friend with. Me for moral and physical support. My husband is trying to be supportive but I think he's pretty scared given my history with surgeries which hasn't been great. My own dr knows about this and while cautious with the Mexico part, understands why I'm doing it, and is helping me set up a nutritionist to make sure I'm getting the Protein and nutrients I need when I get back. So that's it. September 15, 80-90% of my stomach will be removed. And this time next year it's feasible that I could be off all these drugs and be back to enjoying life. Insert soon to be weightloss ticker here _________________ Shari

Greetings everyone! I had my surger in 2009 and I dropped down to 176, size 12/14. I kept the weight off for a while, but this past year I've gained 20 pounds. In my mind I know what to do, how to eat, what exercise to do, but I just feel like the biggest failure. Believe me, I'm not one to have a pitty party for 1, but lately I've just been feeling so down. I know the VSG is a tool and I know, clearly, you can gain weight back, but I wanted to know if there was anyone else out there like that has been successful, but then gained weight. I haven't gained all of my weight back, THANK YOU JESUS and my size 14 clothes still fit (barely). Size 16 fits better and I DO NOT want to go back in the 200s. Anyone out there like me? I know its all a mental thing, but sometimes having someone to talk to helps. Thanks for reading. -Cyncha21-

My kids are older. When I had my surgery, they were late teens/early 20s. My oldest is a slim, but not necessarily healthy habits person. My youngest is more prone to weight gain. I did enlist them in my transformation in the sense of i had a very hard time resisting certain foods so we came up with the "Carb drawer" which i simply don't open but has some foods they enjoy and want. They don't tend to shop with me or anything like that but they observe that I eat small portions and often on an appetizer sized plate. On the rare occasion that they prepare and serve up food, they always put mine on a small plate - I don't even ask. My youngest who is now 22 told me early on that he wanted to improve his eating habits and has lost weight too. (He was never obese, but is a big guy and has always been prone to some extra weight). I think my modeling of eating behavior has influenced him in a very positive way. My kids don't really like doing "active" stuff with me like they did when they were younger. However, last several years the mothers day tradition is going for a hike, not a big ole brunch. The oldest in particular hates hiking, but he does it in recognition of doing something that makes ME feel good. I don't think my exercise/activity habits have really reasonated with either of them - as they are young enough they only like to do fun stuff for exercise! I wouldn't do this with younger kids, but with them I do sometimes bring up my weight loss, how I am still working at maintaining it etc. I do it because they both live with me again and I find that touching on my struggles improves our relationship. Example, if i am going through a time of feeling a bit more emotional around food - I might mention it so they know I am going through something. IT makes them more aware of my possible behavior and consequences - not that they need to do anything. The thing that shocked them both was bringing out my before picture after I had been at goal for awhile. It was deeply upsetting to them because they didn't remember how I looked. It wasn't just the fat, it was that you could see my physical pain and misery in that picture and I think they felt terrible that they didn't even remember it. i told them it was okay to not remember it, but it was a reminder of how much I have changed. That led to the conversation about how much I have changed in terms of interactions with them and others - all very positive I might add!

Topamax is an anti-seizure drug that is also used for migraines and drug-induced weight gain. One of the major side effects is the complete inability to taste carbonation. You can't even feel the bubbles in your mouth. The soda tastes very acidic and outright disgusting.

How did you transition your pantry and fridge? What about those of you who have family members who need weight gain? Tomorrow I'm going to the grocery store for a few things to start out with but am not sure what to pick. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using BariatricPal

So I am currently down 73lbs...honestly can't believe it myself but it feels amazing! I went from a size 18, if I was lucky, to wearing anywhere between a 12-14....lord only knows how long it has been since I have seen that size! I have had an extremely positive experience with vsg and would do it all over again if necessary. I am loving my self again and starting to gain my confidence back to where it was before the massive weight gain! I was lucky that my recover was so quick and my three small incisions are basically gone....bikini body next year!! I a truly thankful every day for this surgery, it has changed my life! i am also very thankful for the continued support I get from my friends and family Prep op: 258, surgery day 5/7/12 weight: 249, current weight: 185

Thanks so much for sharing your stories. I was banded in March and am down 33lbs. My pcos symptoms are slowly fading. Good to know there are others out there as frustrated as I was with the catch 22 of having a diagnosis that causes weight gain while the only "cure" for it is weight loss. Best decision I ever made!

I was first diagnosed with PCOS when I was about 18 years old, this was around 1992. At that time, little was known about PCOS. I was basically prescribed birth control pills to regulate my periods. I think I was probably around 200 lbs then. I actually participated in a clinical trial at a research hospital where they were researching the use of metformin to treat PCOS (yes, it's been a while:/). Gradually, the weight gain, painful acne, facial hair, diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides snowballed. All that became complicated by clinical depression. By the time I was 30, I weighed more than 300 lbs. I could not understand why I continually failed at weight loss attempts. I had graduated colleges with honors, earned a Masters Degree, and excelled in my career....I knew I was not lazy nor ignorant, but I could not succeed with weight loss no matter how hard I tried. The depression spiraled out of control and I generally stopped caring about my health, defeated. At 32 years old, I topped the scales at 333lbs. Then I began having long, heavy periods which was my body screaming that something was wrong...endometrial cancer. In 2006 I had a complete hysterectomy at age 32. Single, no children, devastated. Then came medical menopause. I eventually began to feel better and was able to lose down to about 265 on my own with diet and exercise, but it was a hard, hard struggle. From 2008 until 2012 I bounced around on the scale from 265 to 280 or so. My diabetes was out of control, cholesterol very high. I had lap band surgery in March, 2013 weighing 258. Today I weigh 222. My recent lab work revealed excellent control of the diabetes, cholesterol that is only slightly elevated. My skin/complexion has never looked better. I sleep so good at night and wake up rested. I want to lose down to about 180. I don't have periods any more due to the surgery, but I do feel that the WLS has helped to alleviate the PCOS symptoms. PCOS is more than just a disease of infertility. It affects your whole body and your whole life. It is nothing to deny or to play around with. Oh how I wish I had the information years ago that I have now. I would have had lap band surgery years ago. The lifestyle for wls still requires work and conscious decisions to make your health a priority, but the difference for me is that the work I put in actually yields results! Yesterday I bought a size 18 pants when it wasn't too long ago I barely squeezed into a 28. The NSVs are great too! I know that was a long post, but I hope it helps someone.

Allow me to introduce myself. I am 38, happily married, a Christian, and I work in Accounting and Finance for a faith-based, non-profit organization that provides permanent homes and vocational rehabilitation for developmentally disabled adults. My work is extremely rewarding, but my job is sedentary. Sitting at a desk crunching numbers for over 10 years had definitely contributed to my weight gain. About 2 years ago, my health began to deteriorate (high blood pressure, sleep apnea, heart valve issue due to the sleep apnea, foot and joint pain), and I made a decision to LIVE! I knew that if I didn't make a life change, I would not live to be an old woman. After close to 2 years of careful prayer, consideration, and loads of research and seminars, I decided to have the sleeve (I would have done it sooner, but insurance was an issue until recently). Today is my 3 month anniversary since the sleeve, and I have lost 62 pounds! I have turned into a healthy eating, exercising machine. I look in the mirror at this work out gear wearing woman and think, "Ok, who are you, how did you get inside my mirror, and what have you done with Kristy's body"? I have had no post surgery issues----no nausea, no vomiting, no food intolerances. The only food issue I have had is a dislike for eggs, no matter how I prepare them, I just don't like them anymore. My experience has been great and I have done exceptionally well. I have been blessed, and I contribute all this to my faith, the support of my husband/my rock, and the wonderful care I have received from my doctor and his staff. Being totally prepared has been a tremendous help, as well. The weight loss has slowed down just a bit now, but I am feeling so great that if I don't lose another pound, it has all been worth it. ALL of my previous health issues are gone and I feel like a new woman. I have no regrets, and I am looking forward to a healthy, better, and well adjusted long life. Being thin has never been my goal----being healthy is the most important thing to me. Even when I reach my goal weight, I will still be a plus sized person, and I am totally ok with that. I will be a healthy, plus sized person. Thanks for listening, and I wish everyone much success and many blessings! Have a great day.

This is SO SO SO good to see, i had band surgery on April 9th and have lost 18 lbs and gained 4 back ... My nutritionist took me off carbs, and put me on a high Protein diet. I lost 2.5 lbs. in 3 days :smile: I am eating 5 small meals a day, which also helps me a lot. The weight gain IS a little discouraging, but its worth it. I go for my 1st fill on May 14th, so hopefully it will help w/ the fact that im hungry during the night time, im up late 1-130am, so thats when i used to snack, guess my brain hasnt caught up to the fact that i have the band lol:laugh:. Good luck to all.

In the beginning, it's important to eat according to the surgeon's plan to avoid issues healing. After that, it's smart to go on a slightly restricted diet until you learn to eat to your nutritional guidelines. Once your capacity increases, it's up to you on what you eat and how you do it. Keep in mind that just like prior to surgery, overindulging in any of those foods will cause a stall or an outright weight gain. I eat whatever I want, in moderation. I am not on a diet. I had the sleeve to control my portions and I refuse to live on Atkins forever. That said, eating a "normal" diet will cause you to shed the weight more slowly. So don't go in eating whatever you want once you heal and get angry that you're only losing a pound or two a week (if that). I started out immediately post op restricting my carbs very severely. After several months of slow loss, irritability, feeling denied and just plain old frustration, I opted to go a healthier route (for me) and to incorporate a more normal number of carbohydrates. My loss didn't slow noticeably, but then, I was a slower loser from day one and only averaged about six pounds off per month. So, do what you want. Again - if you sit down and consume all the ice cream you can eat (and boy, it will be a lot more than the amount of chicken breast you can eat) do not be surprised if you don't lose weight. Part of having the surgery is to learn how to eat properly and yes, sticking to a mostly healthy diet is important. I'd say I follow the "rules" (Protein first, veggies, then a tiny bit of carbs) about 90% of the time. But I eat cake or Cookies or bread if it's what I really want, in moderation. Good luck. ~Cheri

it wont fail! As long as you consume the propoer nutrition and exercise if possible. The stalls are expected.. I suggest you weigh no more than once a week.. Our bodies fluctuate with water weight too often and will drive you insane. I have weighed once a week on the same day since surgery and have always experienced a loss even if it is 1 lb.. The ont time i weighed in the middle of week it showed a 1.5 weight gain. I jumped off the scale so quick it was like I was standing on fire LOL.. but when I weighed again on my normal day, it was 1 lb loss.. whew..

My doctor told me I have to get an IUD. Weight gain worries me but my biggest concern is having it put in. I'm very big and had a c-section, I read it is harder to insert if a woman hasn't had a vaginal delivery. Anyone have difficulties? Sent from my iPhone using VST

I just recently had mine replaced and I had to wait a week prior to gettin the new one and I noticed during that week I lost the most weight in one week ever. Now that I have gotten it replaced I noticed that my weightloss has slowed Down. I kno the alternative is pregnancy and that wud cause way more weight gain but I have to say that this is so annoying

I was 5 months with no weight loss then 7lbs in three days. Sometimes if you eat too much protein it will cause no weight loss or weight gain. I think our bodies are just adjusting to all the things we never did so they want to be rebels at times and say no. However I think Im back on track with losing again. Hope I dont get stuck again for a long time.

VQ this is probably a silly question but have you had your cortisol level checked yet? I think until you get your Cushing's properly treated that you are kinda beating your head against the wall. I mean that WEIGHT GAIN is a PRIMARY symptom of Cushing's. So I think if you have been able to lose ANY weight without the Cushing's being under proper treatment is a testament to you and your model bandster behavior. M

I am in your shoes with the weight gain. I lost 80 put back 60 very ashamed. But I learned from new doctor who have me a fill and support group. Happy to say I am down 22 pounds in less then a month. I am proud to say it was knowledge of green zone feeling and support groups that does it . Good luck

I'm so glad you are in a good place now. I had my surgery April 2nd 2012. I was 182 pounds by surgery date. I was at 211. I have Cushings and this was the solution. I met my goal of 145 in 4 months because I couldn't stop vomiting. My goal is 115 and was 9 pounds from it and they don't know why I have abnormal weight gain. I'm back to 146. I have never stopped vomiting or gagging every day. My food still consist of the step above fluids. Sometimes I can eat something solid, but an upper GI showed the food or liquid hesitates before going down. Real food feels like glass ripping my insides all the way down. I had been off of here for a while because my Parkinsons symptoms got real bad but where my doctor left me the good Lord showed me a way. I had lost 75% speech and thought process. I did my own research and found something to try. It worked well as an off label test and now it is on record. I have no symptoms at all and hopefully we can try for a grant to study more patients. My brain is like a sponge, wanting to learn everything. I have full speech and thought process back, but I'm still vomiting or stay nauseous but promethazine helps. I got discouraged because I went from a 6 back to a 12. I didn't lose my waist length hair until I had to go on heavy rounds of steroids. I finally cut it myself last week. I did a reset and now if I eat the sweets the dumping happens and I don't care for that. No one told me about gallbladder problems or digestive problems that would occur. Keep up the great work and attitude! You are doing great!

I knew from the beginning that Lap band was the way for me, I have two co-workers who have the gastric done, and they tried to convince me that, that would be the way to go. When I see one of them in the bathroom all the time (getting sick) because she ate something that she wasn't supposed to, I know that I made the right choice. I love me band, because I still have control and it's up to me to make good food choices as opposed to my body rejecting something that I really want but don't want to get sick. This person actually had it done twice a (revision) because she gain all of her weight back. My director actually had it done several years ago, and she has doubled her weight gain. I know with the Lapband you can gain as well, but if you feel that your are eating too much with this you can at least have a fill. It's been 3 months since my surgery I've lost 40 pounds without having a fill. Just know whatever you decide you have to be dedicated to it. Good luck.