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Although I am newly out of surgery, and you are way further along than me, I would urge you to slow down. Maybe make sure you get the 25 chews each bite. I have always just almost swallowed my food whole my entire life. I was the youngest of 3 boys, and had to eat fast or not get seconds. I contribute that to the huge amounts of food that I was able to eat in one sitting, and ultimately my problem with weight gain. Not saying you have that issue, but eating slowly does give your body a chance to register the amount of food you've eaten. You tend to be satiated with less food overall. Good luck!

I've been through it, I know how you feel. I had to ahve all my Fluid removed for a big surgery to remove my rectum and part of my colon and to form an ileostomy. Part of this was several colonoscopies and bowel preps, a fair bit of fasting pre procedures and a whole lot of fear and stress, then it took about seven days to get back onto solid foods following the surgery, followed by a couple of weeks of very very high stoma output, diarrhoea. As you can guess, i dropped a fair bit of weight during this time, and had also done so during the pre op chemo and radiation so all in all, I finished up at a BMI of 19, from my previously healthy 21 or so. I've been in contact with my lapband clinic regularly. From telling me when they emptied my band that I could begin refilling 3 weeks after surgery (and then unfill again for the second surgery to close the ileostomy some months down the track), my doctor has steadfastly refused to give me ANY fill at all because of my low weight. I get this, I havent truly asked for it, but most people will need fill to maintain their loss and I'm no exception. Anyhow, today I finally got some, six months later. I've worked so so SO hard over the past six months to not gain weight and all I've regained is just enough to bring my BMI up over 20, but with chemo finished, full recovery complete, my appetite is returning to normal and its been getting easier and easier to gain and I've had several weeks of "dieting" after small gains to get them off before they stick around. Today I had to absolutely do my block in the surgery because my doctor didnt want to give me any because she said "you're a healthy weight". Well, duh, it was that same doc who told me to expect a weight gain with the unfill, that virtually nobody could keep the weight off long term without it. I wasnt looking for tight restriction to lose, just enough to maintain my weight. After I kind of yelled a bit and said that I had this damn band and I wanted to use it, she gave me a 1cc fill, with another 1cc sheduled for 3 weeks time. So...... it IS possible to keep the weight off for quite a long period of time. I simply "dieted" the whole time. I finished eating when I knew I should, i stayed away from bad foods, I filled up on fruit and salads, I exercised, and overall tried to eat not much more than I did with restriction. I found I moved from a pattern of little and often eating to 3 square meals, but overall calories remained about the same. You can do it, its simply a matter of how much you want it, harsh as that sounds. But six months was stretching the limit of my abilities, I'm finally starting to crack and am very very glad to have had some fill. Good luck to you!

To answer the questions: I'm as active as I can be. I have fibromyalgia, which is incredibly painful and makes it hard to exercise. If I do too much in one day, I run the risk of not being able to walk at all for the next two or three days. I do get a fair bit of exercise at work because I do as much field work as my body will allow, but of course I could get more. I would acutally love to get more and I remember the days when I could ride my bike, but now I'm pretty much restricted to yoga and what I do at work, which is walking and the occasional groundwater sampling. Even at work I can only do so much exercise and field work before I collapse from the pain and exhaustion. Some days I suck it up and push through the pain to get work done, but ultimately I pay the price. Yep, the drugs I'm on do cause significant weight gain. Not much I can do there becuase without the drugs I am unable to function on the most basic level. The PB-ing stopped once I got out that bit of fill. I haven't had an instance of it in about a month now. It was only that one particularly bad week. Part of the problem may have been that I ran out of my anti-inflammatory drug and everything in my body puffed up. Yeah, we won't be letting that happen again. I do keep track of my food as time allows. I work about 50-60hrs a week, and with the 9-10hrs a day of sleep I need to keep my fibro under some control, there isn't a lot of time left some days. I do the best I can on the food front and get as much Protein in as possible. I unfortunately cannot have the protein powders. I have tried a wide variety of them and all of them leave me writhing on the floor in agony within the first few sips. Only when I was a week into my 3 week pre-op diet did it come out of my mother's mouth that I am biologically unable to digest a large number of Proteins due to a birth defect. Thanks for holding that little gem back mother... it's not like that could be important or anything :thumbup:. So my protein has to come from actual food, and even then that doesn't always sit well. Beans, chicken and fish... the holy trinity of the band. It sounds like I'm making 1000 excuses as to why this isn't working, but I am trying. With all the medical problems I have, some days it just isn't fun being me. Believe me, it's in my best interests to make this work. If it doesn't, there is a fairly good chance that the pressure that is building up in my brain will pull the retinas off my eyeballs, causing permanent blindness. If that's not a carrot in front of a carriage, I don't know what is. As I said, it's not always fun being me. Most days it really rather sucks.

i AM NEW HERE AS OF TONIGHT.. MY band FAILED, AND i REGAINED ALL MY WEIGHT. the DOCTOR HAD HIS STUDENT ESCORT ME OUT OF THE OFFICE BECAUSE HE WAS DISSAPOINTED AT MY WEIGHT GAIN.. WHAT ABOUT ME? LIKE I WASN;T DISSAPOINTED! COME BACK WHEN YOU CAN LOOSE SOME WEIGHT, AND SHOW SOME CONTROLL. HE PUT 2 CC'S IN A 4 CC BAND AND IT BLEW. THIS WAS AT HENRY FORD'S IN DETROIT. SO NOW I AM UP NORTH, AND WANT TO FIND OUT IF ANY OF YOU KNOW OF A GOOD SURGEON IN THE GRAYLING AREA??? PLEASE GET BACK TO ME, I NEED TO HAVE THIS TAKEN OUT, AND GO WITH THE SLEEVE. I JUST FOUND OUT MEDICAIRE PAYS FOR IT... I HOPE THAT'S WRIGHT.. SOMEONE PLEASE GET BACK WITH NAMES, ADDRESS, NUMBERS. THANKS, SHIRLEY.

I am there with you too. I got my first fill yesterday and he said I would probably want another one in a month. It is a process. I was on clear liquids for 24 hours and then could finally have a meal at lunchtime. I had a small chili from Wendy's, and now, 2-1/2 hours later, I am still not hungry, so I guess it's doing what it is supposed to be doing, for now. =) I was really struggling week three and several people and my nutritionist told me to try drinking a cup of milk while preparing a meal, so that I wouldn't be starving when it was time to eat...it worked. I actually attribute that to stopping the weight gain I was starting. Try it! I love organic milk...it doesn't upset my tummy!:smile2:

I tend to agree with Anna about the diet soda contributing to dehydration. I've noticed that since I switched from regular to diet soda to transition to my pre-op low carb diet, I've been going to the bathroom constantly. It's like all the fluid runs straight through me. Luckily, my body has responded by craving more water, so I've noticed that I'm drinking more of that along with the soda without having to force myself. But, I'm also a little headachey, so I'm going to try to add even more water and phase out the diet sodas. I've never been a diet soda drinker so the artificial sweetner is probably messing with me. But, hopefully I'll lose a few pounds and won't have to worry about my surgery being cancelled due to my eating fest and weight gain a few weeks ago.

I was just banded on 12/13 and I saw my Dr. today for a follow up a week early due to the holiday and her taking time off. I will answer the ones that I can 1. How difficult did you find the pre-op diet? I did not have a week liquid diet, I had to loose 8% before surgery. I gained some back and my Dr. let me have surgery even though she usually does not allow that. She has cancled surgery before for weight gain. I had one day of clear liquid and that was a bit tough at times. I would suggest getting protien shakes or other foods that are filling and drink lots of water. Can they give you a diet pill for that week. I was prescribed something preop to loose the weight. I will get the name for you. 2. I have had 3 cesareans and my gallbladder laproscopically removed. Does anyone know how the pain and/or recovery is in comparison? I had my gallbladder removed and was prepaired for the same pain, but it was so much easier. I did sleep on the couch for a while but that was because I was afraid I would roll over on my stomach as that is how I usually sleep and did not want to due to my swelling and bruising. I had a bit more swelling and bruising my Dr. said than she normally see's because my body was being difficult and not letting the band and port in through the incision. Not normal. 3. Now this is one I really haven't seen at all and am a bit shy to ask, but it's better to ask now then end up in the ER. How soon can one umm hmmm be intimate and are you limited in well you know <WHISPERS>positions? My Dr gave me a binder at the hospital and this is one of the items addressed. She said as soon as a person feels up to it. I was taken off birth control and so I am going to be a bit careful. No ooppss for me : ) I can not answer the rest but having just done this a week ago, I would do it again in a heart beat. I lost 9 lbs my first week and I was drinking lots of empty calories (apple juice, orange juice) that I am now cutting down on so I can maximize my weight loss. I do not feel any restriction and my Dr. said to just keep with the post op diet and I will get filled in Jan. I drank a lot of soda and that is hard to give up. I drank it up to the day of surgery. If I could go back I would have stopped before that because that is hard now. I know I can not have soda, but I am only on liquids so it is a huge adjuestment.

I mean really...a little searching of the site and I am sure you will find your answer! So please bare with me, while I break my own rule. Hey..I looked but this is a HUGE site...lol1. How difficult did you find the pre-op diet? I keep thinking I can't possibly do a liquid diet for a week.2. I have had 3 cesareans and my gallbladder laproscopically removed. Does anyone know how the pain and/or recovery is in comparison?3. Now this is one I really haven't seen at all and am a bit shy to ask, but it's better to ask now then end up in the ER. How soon can one umm hmmm be intimate and are you limited in well you know <whispers> positions?4. After going on solids, is there a weight gain? I plan on eating only healthy (low carbs) on the liquid and solid stages and fear that once I go on solids I may actually gain weight. Should I jus eat whatever I can tolerate on liquids and solids and worry about losing the weight and low carbing after I go on solids?5. What is the longest a person went without any fills (after surgury) and STILL lost weight?6. For some reason it is very easy for me to lose 40lbs (after each of my 3 pregnancies I have lost all of my pregnacy weight which has been 40-45lbs within 2 weeks after delivery AND each time I have done Atkins I have lost 40lbs and then I stall). Do people stall on this and if they do and it has nothing to do with the restriction, how can you tweak your program to break the stall? Or is it a matter of just being patient and waiting it out? That has always been my downfall with Atkins, I would get discouarged and just start eating the foods I liked again because I figured I wasn't losing anyway.I'm sorry if you guys get tired of the same ole questions. At least I was specific and didn't just come on here and say can someone tell me about lapband...lolThanks in advance

I am 65, I had my surgery at 61. I was 245, I lost 100 lbs, but over the last 2 years gained about 30 lbs. I am currently following my alorie count and excerise on myfitnesspal app on my phone. It really seems to be helping me be aware of my calorie intake. I was not very careful of slider foods and that will cause weight gain although you are not aware of eating muuch. My daughter, son, and I are our support group. By the way, my surgery was Oct 30, 2009, and I joined here in Nov 2009. You can send to me directly, if you wish. Exercise is important, too, get your daughter to join you, start with walks. that is about all I do, now. Best wishes. Karen

I doubt you are adding a lot of muscle mass at this point. Running doesn't really bulk you up ... at all. What it does do, though, is help store glycogen more efficiently in your muscles. Glycogen is mainly stored in your liver, but when your body sees it needs more resources, due to additional exercise, it will begin to also store glycogen in muscles. One of the differences, though, is when it is stored in muscles, it must also bond with Water in a 4 to 1 ratio. So, if you are storing an additional pound of glycogen, you also have to store an additional 4 pounds of water. This equates to 5 additional pounds! So then you think, "Woa! I'm giving up all exercise, then!" Well, as you mention, your clothes are fitting better. I'm also guessing you have great energy and have a better overall feeling of wellness. Not even to mention the heightened metabolism. I know when I was running regularly, my body was a furnace and my weight loss was incredible. Don't worry about the scale or your doctors if you decide to stay committed to this. They will understand what exercise is doing for you. And ditch the scale. It measures weight, not fat. What are you looking to lose? Another great post by PdxMan! Thank you for explaining it so well! My typical response is that the body is holding onto water more (in a non-bloated way) with the exercise. This is so much better! Bottom line.....the weight gain is not fat and that's the main thing. Dr's who ONLY look at the number on the scale and judging their pateints by that are not really looking out for their patient's best interest. Again.....great post!

I recently started running again, I keep my calories at around 1200 and it seems like my scale is moving in the wrong direction! My clothes a fitting better though... But then there is that constant pressure to lose weight by my next Dr. Appt which has me stressed out! Have any of my fellow bandsters gone through this?

When I lost 100 lbs after my first pregnancy, I definitely noticed strangers being more willing to strike up conversation with me, hold doors, ask if I needed help, etc. At my lowest weight, in a 0 dress size, I also remember trying so hard to talk with other moms at dance class and being completely shunned. I've never had trouble making friends, so it was confusing to me...until one mom told me a couple years later that she had secretly hated me for always looking so cute LOL. Then, as I rapidly regained weight with my second pregnancy, I noticed my invisibility to strangers returning and other moms no longer hated me. Having been on both sides, I can understand how it must be hard to watch another woman accomplish what you want so desperately for yourself. When I had the band and my friend had the sleeve, it was pretty depressing to see her melt away, while I struggled with pain and further weight gain. I'm not sure how it will be this time. I've only told my 3 best friends what I am doing and don't plan on seeing anyone for over a month, when my kids start school again.

Similarly qualified Psychs here.... I have seen no one mention meds they may be taking for other conditions that can cause all kind of munchy & weight gaining effects to the brain. Is that a possibility?

Deb, Well that is one thing I have done. I've gone to the same Doc for the past 15 yrs for everything. He has lots of documentation of weight gain, weight loss, energy levels,joint pain, he knows my weight struggles, which is good he is also very easy to talk to. I don't feel I will have any trouble getting his support. Heidi

Hi everyone! It's been a while since I posted on here. But I noticed that since I have been prego (13 weeks 5 days now) that ALL of my bad old habits have creeped back in and I have gained so far a fluctuating 8-10 lbs depending on the day. And I want to nip this in the bud before I get out of control. I have decent restriction (if you will), I can eat about a cup sometimes slightly more with less dense foods, but I want to eat all day! like more then 6-8 times a day, not enough water and more carbs too. I did get to goal 4 months before I was prego. I haven't been exercising either. There are a lot of "reasons" I can give as to why I am so far off the program (cravings, morning sickness, death in the family/depression, ragging hormones ect.), but the fact of the matter is I need to get a reality check on this before I get out of hand. I am excited to be prego, but also scared-of weight gain (at least excessive all be it this is my 3rd baby and the first two I gained 25-30lbs and I was already over weight with both of them) and scared of stretching out my sleeve...

You're not going to stretch out your sleeve. My recommendation is to start snacking on more complex carbs, and Protein based foods. You can not cut carbs in pregnancy. It is not possible because being in ketosis will cause fetal brain damage and can lead to defects, and pre-term labor/stillbirths. So, DO not cut carbs, but get on a good eating plan. My instructions are to at 1700-1800 calories a day with 100gr of protein, a minimum of 100-200gr of carbs (can be any form of carbs, but preferably complex carbs), and 100oz of water/clear fluids per day. Depending on your early pregnancy weight (like around 6-8 weeks pregnancy weight), that will determine your caloric intake. For me at 131lbs, they put me on the above requirements. I am projected to gain 30-35 pounds in the pregnancy, and at 24.5 weeks pregnant, I've the 18-19lb gain already. My surgeon and ob's are both elated with my gain and due to my low body fat percentage, they are not concerned with my weight gain. Weight regain sucks. I hate it, but it's getting better for me mentally. As for getting things under control, you're just going to have to tweak your intake. Pack veggies and ranch dip for a snack, or cheese and whole wheat crackers. Start choosing healthier options. Don't forget just because we have lost weight doesn't make us any less of a risk for gestational diabetes and gaining too much weight too fast in the pregnancy can contribute to that issue. I'm going through testing at this point for gestational diabetes and it's not because I've gained too much, but it's because Tatum is weighing 8-10oz heavier than she should at this point. Good luck with the pregnancy, push fluids, take your Vitamins, and have your labs monitored carefully.

I was so happy they did it in one pass, I had gained another 30lbs in 4 months with the band opened while we were waiting for approval and going through all the red tape. I can only imagine having it removed, going through the pain or surgery, healing and doing it all over again with weight gain in the middle.

Search "Hospital Weight Gain" a few people have posted about it in the PCOS forum and seem to have gained 7-10 lbs of water from IV fluids etc in the hospital. I'm sure it will come off quick. Good luck!

It's been 3.5 weeks since I have had a diet coke, and I am frequently day dreaming about having an ice cold can of DC! I was drinking a super big gulp everyday before my VS. I plan to give them up for good, because it is so bad for your health and because research has shown it leads to weight gain. But truly, giving up diet coke is harder than all the other foods I am giving up. Yesterday I went into a 7-11 for my kids, and I felt like an alcoholic walking into a liquor store. And believe me, I am by no means making light of the struggle addicts go through on a daily basis. This is so hard for me!!

I am band to sleeve...banded 2005 revision 2014...been sleeved for 3 months 4/9 and have lost 40 pounds since surgery...lost 77 pounds with the band and gained 70 back, took me a yr to lose 77 and maintained for 4 years then the complications started fiils/unfiils vomitting, gerd, stuck food, chest pain and weight gain!! My dr said revision patients tend to lose slower and thats fine im very happy with my sleeve and no complications and my weight loss im happy abt!

Wowsers.. that's almost a pound a day! Were you not getting your vitamins/protein requirements with the band in? Start working toward nutrition goals, without eating extras. 60-80g protein 35+g fat 75g -100g carbs Aim for about 1200 calories, which will stop the weight gain, and probably get the scale moving back down. If you DON'T lose weight on 1200 calories, then you need to get your thyroid checked. Here is a sample menu: Breakfast: 1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese and 1 whole piece of fruit (apple, orange, banana, etc.) Lunch: 1 egg and 1 cup pinto beans and 2 T. salsa Dinner: 4 oz protein and 1 cup veggies (green beans, spinach, etc), and 1 cup white or sweet potatoes with a pat of butter. optional: 1-2 cups lowfat milk If you are still hungry, concentrate on non-starchy veggies.

It cost me $10,600 to pay for my surgery in Mexico. Plus airfare. If gaining 10 pounds - or even 20 pounds - would have made my insurance pay for the surgery, I would have done it. I expect my response will get a lot of negative feedback, but in reality, if you're willing to pay more than $10,000 to lose the weight, a relatively small weight gain to save that much seems like a no-brainer to me. Now, if you have to gain 30, 40, or 50 pounds to make the cut, that's a different story. At least it is in my Fairytale. Good luck with your decision - let us know what you decide.

Hi, my name is Tonya. I'm a 44 years old mother of five ages 16, 2, 3, 4 and 4. Number 2 and one of the 4's I have permanent custody of and I'm trying to adopt :-) I am going to try and not ramble but I do sometimes. I was never an overweight child, never gained more than maybe 20 pounds extra in high school. In college I was able to maintain 135 pounds with no weight gain. I'm 5'5. When I was 25 I got married. At 27 I got pregnant with my first child and gained 100 pounds. He weighed 11 pounds at birth. 10lb15oz exactly. From the year of his birth, 1998, until the present, I have not been under 200 pounds. My last weight was 300 at pre-op testing. Years of being abused emotionally and mentally by his father made me turn to food for comfort. I don't drink or smoke or do drugs but I had my food. He fussed about my weight so I defiantly ate more and more. He said he was ashamed of me, told me I was worthless for 9 of the 12 years we were together. So, I left him in 2006 and in 2009 reconnected with my best friend from high school. We married that year and now have 2 kids together :-) he never made an issue of my weight and loved me the way that I am. So I thought, he deserves a healthier wife than this because he's so good to me. I really thought I could diet and lose the weight because I was finally happy. Nope. I had learned what a powerful drug food was and I couldn't let go. Almost 5 years after I married this perfect man, I got my sleeve. I now 5 days post op and am feeling great. Feel free to ask me any questions if you have any. I'm an open book :-)

When I was young around 40 years ago, I began to walk for the exercise and also in order to loose a little weight. Every day I added a little more distance. Finally I worked myself up to 10 miles per day. It would take me a couple hours to do it. But instead of losing weight I began to gain weight. So I stopped. (Actually my weight gain was a healthy weight gain, I was converting fat into muscle. But I didn't know that at the time.) It might be that you have set an unrealistic goal. I never set a goal for WLS (Weight Loss Surgery) and I was pleasantly surprised by the results. The problem may also lie in the composition of what you are eating. I took the approach of integrating Protein in my meals so that I could reduce the amount of protein I obtained in my supplements. I opted for homemade high protein Soups and chili. I have included some recipes in the following: http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf For me WLS was not so much about losing weight, it was more about stopping many of my medical conditions. When these conditions went into remission, I was happy. I had a discussion with my nutritionist a few months ago. We discussed "Why people who have lost weight due to WLS would sometimes gain it back?" She said the answer lies in the Snacks. Individuals who snack in-between meals can gain the weight back. So maintenance needs to bring that problem under control.

So I know It’s only been 3 weeks after surgery had post op a week ago from surgery to post op I lost 17 lbs and in last week I lost another 5 then I weighed myself this morning and went up 2 lbs has anyone else gone through this I’ve been having a protein shake in the morning then hit the gym just treadmill no weights for an hour and then I’ll have a piece of chicken for lunch and another for dinner no veggies cause they said I had to weight till after the 4th week well if someone can help or let me know if it’s normal thank u.