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I just dont get it, ever since August 26, 2005 (my band date) I have been doing great, my knees havent hurt, and my wrists and shoulders and TMJ havent been bothering me as much. During Christmas I had gotten down to 209, my knees and wrists starting hurting again yesterday....now I have missed 2 days of school since last Tuesday! I just dont get it, AND!!! Ive gained like 4 or 5 lbs without any changes to my eating (Im not eating any more than I was, in fact Im eating less). Im soooooo discouraged right now, I thought I was fixed (well kinda) I knew that a fall or extreme activity could push me over the edge, but I havent done anything but start school after 2 weeks (and I worked the entire 2 weeks at Factory Connection!) When I started school I have to take this class called Foundations of Personal Fitness, it's upstairs and it requires hand-writing assignments....Ive only done a partial assignment and have been sitting out from the gym because of my knees and my surgery was less than 6 months ago.......I dont get it.......the class isnt even upstairs anymore..............Im confused.............I dunno, been crying all day from the pain, I cant take anything because its all in pill form..............SO CONFUSED...............I think the weight gain may be from the swelling in my joints.

Hi, Thanks to those who replied. I spoke to the nurse yesterday - it is her who takes care of the dietary side of things. She has ok-ed me to have soft foods with plenty of chewing, as the swelling around my stomach has obviously gone right down if I am hungry and able to tolerate soft solids. She has also said that she will do a fill on my next appointment (in 3 wks - 5 wks post op) so the future is looking brighter. RE: the weight gain. We have come to the conclusion that it may have been caused by the fact that the Optifast diet is designed to put your body into ketosis, and now that I am on mushies a lot of the easy mushies are quite high carbs. Hopefully my body should sort itself out soon and continue to lose. Thanks for your replies.

Hello August Sleevers! My name is Julie & I'll be sleeved on the 9th! Anyone care to join me?? ) Just started my 10-day liquid Protein pre-op diet yesterday, so the countdown has officially begun! I can't believe it's coming up so quickly! Yesterday was pretty easy, little hunger today. Will get through it, though! Thought I'd introduce myself! ...I'm a married mother of 2 awesome teenage boys (17 & 14) from Credit River, Minnesota. I'm an interior designer by trade, but have been a full-time glass bead artist & jewelry designer for the last 5 years. I love what I do! (who wouldn't? I get to play with fire!!) If you want to check out my work, feel free to visit my website by clicking the "glass artist" link below my name in my signature. I've always been creative & am so happy being able to do what I do. I'm also very blessed to have a husband who supports his family & gives me the freedom to do what I love! I've dealt w/ weight issues my entire adult life, actually since high school. Not one to jump on the fad diet bandwagon, I've mainly done programs like Weight Watchers, having small short lived successes, but have never been able to really maintain any kind of loss for long. A few years ago my doctor brought up WLS & I didn't even consider it.... one one hand it seemed too extreme & on the other, it seemed like the easy way out (yes, I know better!) Over time, however, w/ much research & even more weight gain, I realized that I was in a never ending cycle that I seriously needed to do something about. I stopped looking @ WLS as an easy fix.... realizing that I was still going to be required to do all of the work & instead, I started looking at WLS as an amazing tool that I've never had access to before. Yeah, I know how to lose weight & yeah, I should be able to do this on my own, but for some reason, I haven't been able to. WLS is a permanent fix. Yeah, I know weight can still be gained if you aren't doing what's necessary, but the fact is that a large part of my stomach is going to be removed & I'm going to have minimum capacity there. I'm taking a huge risk to do this & I'm not about to be stupid about it. I know how important getting the right nutrition is going to be & I also know I'll need to move my butt. This is the heavy hand that I obviously need to get this job done! I'm not taking this lightly. I'm thrilled to have a local friend going through the vertical sleeve procedure w/ me... her surgery date is set for early September, so it'll be great for us to be there to support eachother.... but I'm really happy to have found you guys & this awesome message board / support system. I've already been inspired by so many success stories & I'm really looking forward to becoming part of the community... really enjoy connecting w/ & motivating/inspiring others! I've decided to blog my experience... something to help me document this new journey of mine. Oh yeah... I started this journey w/ my first appointment in January this year @ 285lbs, my heaviest ever. I'm sitting @ 272lbs, pre-post-op diet. Will be interesting to see where I am this time next week before surgery & can't wait to see where things go from here!! xoxox....

Hi, I'm 26 years old and 23 weeks pregnant with my first child, a girl, Sofia :thumbup: 'm due March 9th 2011 I was banded in 2006 it slipped in late 2007. I started at 233 pounds and got down to 140 pounds. I had the band put back in 10 months later in 2008. and was weighing about 185lbs, and since got done to 135lbs. I admit the first time around i was throwing up excessively and not following eating rules. This time of around i have been really careful, in very slowly filled my band. I threw up rarely like maybe 1-2 times a month twice but it was never a violent vomitting episode. More like the food was stuck in my throat and i could make myslef productive burp enough to throw that last bite out. Early this year at my last fluoro doctors were concerned about the positioning of my band and told me to be careful and stick to the rules. They think since it slipped once i might just be more prone and with the weight loss my organs shifting around such has caused my band to move. In june at my regular docs recommendation i loosened my band and put on 10lbs i was having fainting issues and some nutritional defeciences. So i went up to 145lbs within a month and found out i was pregnant in July In September i began having horrible acid reflux at night which had experienced previously when my band was too tight so back i went to the doc and he removed everything but 1 cc, i have the largest band. I do have some relief and take nexium and pop antacids like crazy. the reflux is really horrible, when the acid rises to my my mouth it makes me gag and then i throw up.. BAD! i am so terrified my band is gonna slip again. I dont wanna put my baby at risk, if heaven forbid emergency surgery was required. I know what it feels like it when its slipped and so far its okay i can eat plenty which is great but i am terrifed. I vowed after 3 days of throwing up stomach acid, that i was going to on liquids for 2 or 3 days until the pain in my throat/stoma settles done...and really stick to a structured diet...BLAND food, no eating after 6pm just to play it safe. no spicy food, chocolate, carbonation, etc at this point i think i am going to remove the band some time next fall, i really dont think i can deal with another pregnancy with acid reflux and the anxiety that comes with thinking i might be harming the baby. So my two main concerns and questions for other banded pregnant mommies out there 1. how are you coping with the reflux? 2. How much weight had you gained at 23 weeks? I'm really afraid i am not eating enough for the baby, i am not showing yet, and at my last ultrasound the baby was measured to be at 20wks instead at 21weeks. Presently i'm 152lbs after 3 days of no food intake prior to that i was 156 lbs and really happy with the weight gain. starting weight at beg of pregnancy 145lbs now 152-156lbs thanks :wink5:

Good point Chickie! I'm only a newbie (banded 5/29) here but I've read every study I could get my hands on and discussed them with my doctor. While your point is certainly valid, I'm referring to study outcomes that I've seen comparing the two methods over multiyear spans. You can clearly see a rebound weight gain in the bypass line graph vs lap band pts. And, although no infinite adjustments, one advantage of the band is that it can be adjusted long term vs the bypass. Just pointing out another reason to look favorably on the band vs bypass.

Chickie -- I understand totally. Why then do you see the pronounced rebound weight gains in gastric bypass patients (group at large) but not in lap band patients over a 5 year span? My surgeon also explained to me (perhaps I misunderstood) that one option in some cases of pouch dilation for gastric bypass patients is to THEN apply a band. I'm not discounting your points at all and I don't want to appear to be a newcomer with all the answers. I've enjoyed reading your views on life with the band and think we are of similar mind. Particularly with regard to slow weight loss. My point to the original poster is that the studies clearly show a rebound weight gain long-term (3-5 years) that band patients don't show -- another plus in the band catagory. According to my surgeon one distinct reason for this is the adjustability of the band. Not that it will cure a dilated pouch from "abuse". With regard to slippage and erosion, I wonder how many folks out there have their band embricated to hold it in place and further reduce the chance for slippage and erosion? I'll post that as a seperate question.

Be honest. How can they help you if you’re not. The change to your meds & the strange way in which we’re living could have contributed to your weight gain. Your dietician is there to support & guide you so take advantage of their services. I’m sure you want to get back on track. Good luck.

Getting old sucks! I have had a radiotherapy induced menopause at age 43 2 years ago and started HRT a bit over 12 months ago due to horrible symptoms of hot flashes, insomnia and anxiety and depression. In the last year, whilst I've recovered well from rectal cancer I feel my health has steadily declined in a non specific way. The worst thing I've noticed though is my rear end and thighs have balooned and I'm certain its the HRT. A recent CT scan also picked up that a fibroid (we think) in my uterus has grown very quickly over the past 12 months. I've also had horrible heartburn and stomach pain and have been depressed to be on regular Nexium. As well, I dont think the HRT has done all that much for my mood (or libido). I had a tummy tuck back in march and it seems like this normal menopausal weight gain now cant go on the tummy and I'm really really unhappy with my shape now, I'm very very pearshaped, even though I'm still slim. All I can say is thank god I was virtually skeletal after cancer treatment since the 20lb that has come out of nowhere has just brought me back to a BMI of 22 or so but its ALL in my rear end! I really need to shift 5kgs, I'm a fine boned build and 154lb is just too heavy for my 5ft 10. I've also noticed my athletic ability decline sharply. I cant run as far as I want to or could and dont recover. I've taken up strength training due to bone density issues and it wipes me out completely. I'm not used to being this weak! It really sucks. I've not taken my HRT for the past few days and wonder of wonders, I've not needed Nexium either. I wonder if I stop will the fibroid shrink (thus avoiding a hysterectomy) and will my ass do likewise? Or will I just become an axe weilding homicidal maniac again?

So I am almost 3 weeks post op now. My incisions are healing great, and I don't think the scars will be too bad. My visit with my surgeon was pretty quick, and unfortunately I did not get a fill, that will be at my next appointment. Basically went over how I was doing, what kind of foods I can start introducing, and answering all my questions. I really like my surgeon he's an easy going guy, who is very patient. He was pretty impressed with the weight I had lost, but informed me that the weight loss is going to slow, and I may even gain weight as I introduce food into my diet. I was kind of bummed out by that, but so far no weight gain. On the down side no loss either. I have gone down a size though. Now I need to learn how to sew. I would hate to buy more clothes until I go down at least a few sizes, and I have some clothes I just hate to give up. Last couple of days there has been stuff posted on the forum that really kind of has me worried about my decision. I am reading so much about how that years after people get the band they start having problems. I knew going into this that there were possible complications, but the numbers seemed so low, but on here is seems the numbers are very high. The other surgery I was considering was the sleeve. And on here it seems that a number of people have converted to the sleeve, and have had much better results with no complications. Its a bit depressing reading these things, and it has me kind of freaked that 3-4 years from now I am going to end up with some major problems. I wanted a life change, but a good one. Now everytime something feels a little funny or when some pain kicks in I am wondering if its the beginning of something major. I have to keep reminding myself that I am only 3 weeks pre-op and I feel pretty damn good considering. I also have to keep reminding myself why I chose Lapband over the sleeve. There is no getting back that part of your stomach they take away. If I do have problems with the band I can have it removed. But all the talk about has gotten me pretty discouraged about the whole thing. I already am dealing with some serious emotions of loosing food as a comfort, and quitting smoking. So I guess I need to stay away from the threads that shed a pretty negative light on banding, and has posters bashing eachother left and right.:crying: I started comming here for support, because there is no support group where I am at, and the nearest one is 2 hours away. So I will just stick to the threads that are more supportive, even though the ones that become a day time soap opera can get interesting its hard not to want to see what is next. But those threads just aren't productive. I like this site a lot though, and it has been very helpful so far.

Generally people gain back some of the weight after they bottom out. If you are at 14 months, I suspect that you have worked through the loss stage and have entered the maintenance stage. Individuals tend to gain weight back because they graze. This allows their pouch to grow and thus there is weight gain. Focusing on carbohydrates does not tend to fill one up and promotes grazing. So I suspect grazing on popcorn could be a problem. Consuming sugar can also be a problem but in your case, you have limited that from your diet. Grazing on Protein is good. In my case, I have included fats back in my diet. I am 18 months post-op from RNY. Fats take away hunger and I use fats to control my urge to graze. For example I drink one cup of coffee each day and I top it with home made whip cream. I also use real milk, butter, meat that is not lean. I also use Adkin's treats. I was diabetic prior to surgery and pay a lot of attention to reducing my sugar (processed sugar) to next to nothing. But generally I can satisfy my sweet tooth with Splenda and Stevia. Exercise is important. If you are not up and about doing normal daily activities, it is important to try and get back on some sort of exercise regime. Walking is good.

Sure you could do it on your own but have you ever heard the statistic that 90% of people that loose that weight gain it back over 5 years, alot of people will disagree with me but in fact it's actually the truth, I even saw a guy on oprah one time who came back 5 years later and had gained it back plus more, just think to your self, do you want to loose that 110lbs and be happy with yourself? Or loose it and gain it back plus an extra 50lbs or so? If not then just think of it that way, the band is obviously no easy way out especially when alot of people have to deal with the side affects of eating too quickly, not chewing enough and vomitting, so really it's not the easy way out at all.

I think there is a misconception with wls. I had a friend go from 285 to 130. I think I was told I'd lose like 60 lbs? My goal for myself was 150. I said I'd be excited to hit 140. Which is where I am now. I didn't really put any expectations on this, other then I just wanted to be healthy. I have a chronic lung condition, I was mid diagnosed as a teen with a condition and was put on steroids for 3 months on a very high dose- I gained 80 lbs in 2 months. And could never get it off. A few years ago I had a lung mass found and because of the location and size no surgeon will remove it since it's considered "stable" so they choose to treat it with steroids, 5 months of that cause weight gained again I couldn't get off. I was diagnosed with svt in 2015 and had an ablation at 33.So for me it was important to try to do everything I could to get the weight off, just to be able to give my lungs a fighting chance, and to avoid a pacemaker. I'm 36. I have a 15 year old that I want to see graduate high school, so I knew I needed to consider what my pcp was suggesting. It took me a full year to consider gastric surgery. At 230, I wasn't sure I was "fat enough" to qualify, but I had enough co-morbidities that got me approved. You may be in a stall right now, but keep going. Trust me I've delt with fair share of complications from it too. You're going to get there. Some journeys are tougher then others. But I bet in a few months you'll be one to tell someone who is doubting " you got this! I've been in that same spot!"

I haven't had weight gain issues but I have been very afraid of that...especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. I think my fear of turning back into "my old obese self" motivated me to keep exercising and watching what I eat (somewhat) throughout this whole thing. I wish you luck in taking that weight back off. You did it once and you can do it again!

Yea, unfortunately, women can be mean and jealous! I don't like this aspect of our kind!! I have too have experienced this first hand ... I've told the story before, but I will tell again (now I find it amusing). Just after my sleeve - nearly 2 yrs ago - a friend of mine saw how I was losing weight. She had just had a baby and was caring extra weight. OUt of the blue, like so many other stories, she became a diet and exerise 'expert'. She worked out 7 days a week and hardly ate a thing - her mother had her two kids for her to do this btw. She kept telling me how many inches she was losing, howmany pounds she had lost and what size she was. This would be followed by a half hearted question about my own weight loss. She knew about my sleeve. She used me as competition. She couldn't stand the thoought of me being smaller than her... I have ALWAYS been the biggest in our friendship group. She even gave me her clothes that were 'too big' for her, these included several maternity trousers. She explained this by stating that: 'I know your problem area is your tummy, so these are perfect!' Implying that I looked pregnant! Anyway, fast forward two years... here I am currently maintaining at my 72lb weight loss and I fit nicely into a UK14. My friend however, has put a lot of weight back on and is now a good 14lbs if not more heavier than me and at least one clothing size bigger. I have not said ANYTHING about her weight gain. I have been tempted to pay back her back handed compliments, but I am being the bigger -metaphorically of course - person! Try to ignore comments with negative undertones and outright negative elements... this is your experience. This is your time to get healthy, fit and happy.... bugger everyone else!! Good luck to you ... =]

HI Your intentions are wonderful, but weight, weight loss, and weight gain are very personal and intimate subjects. You can never know how someone else will interpret what you say, good intentions or not. Telling someone how they can lose weight is also telling them they are not "ok" as is, unless they have asked for your advice. You have a good heart; just pay attention to being sensitive from the other side ~hiddn

I'm so sorry about your family's challenges and about this frustration. Your body sounds very metabolically efficient like mine is. So many people say that increasing calories works for them, and I have tried it, but my body rebels with immediate and sustained weight gain if I go over 800 calories or so. I am hypothyroid, but I think it's also bc of years of very low calorie diets and also just how my body is made (my mom says if there were a famine, we would be stepping over the dead bodies). Your weight loss does give me hope. It sounds like you have done very well, though I know it must be incredibly frustrating to be in the home stretch and to be having so many issues with slow loss and easy regain. I am 12 weeks out and have lost about 50 pounds--30 lbs since surgery and about 20 lbs during a 6-month pre-op diet. Have a long way to go so it's helpful to see what others who are farther out are doing. I'm sorry that there don't seem to be any easy answers. Wishing you the best.

I guess I didn't know what else to call this and I'm sure I might have posted a related post quite awhile ago. However, here I am again and I'd like some thoughts from people who understand where I'm coming from. I'm 21 years old. I had surgery almost 3 years ago. I went from 270 lbs to 125 lbs. I feel healthier than I have ever felt, but I'm miserable. I'm getting asked out all the time by guys and it would be great if I could get excited about it. But with each one I just get more depressed. Thing is I look normal...maybe even good...with my clothes on, but when they are off it's a whole different story. I can't afford surgery and have been trying to get my insurance to cover a tummy tuck but I feel that'll take a lot of appeals and maybe a doctor that doesn't have their head up their ass. It's especially depressing because most of my problems stemmed from extreme rapid weight gain that caused deep purple stretch marks all over my body. Thank you thyroid and PCOS. Now I just have to find a doctor who will stand by me when I say it was the thyroid. Anyway. So basically, I know that these guys would not be interested if they knew what I really looked like. It's really depressing me. To the point that I have been thinking about suicide. I would never, but I'm depressed by the fact that I will constantly have intimacy problems, and that physically I will never be good enough. And all that getting to goal has shown me is that I guess it's the physical side of me that matters, not at all my mind or personality. I'm just looking for others out there that feel that same as me or that can give me some advice or something.

Hi! I'm new here but I can attest for the weight gain. I had RNY in Feb 2004 starting weight was 320 and lost down to 190. Well, slowly but surely, I gained weight and began taking up bad habits and not exercising and ended up back to 274. I went to my surgeon and was able to have a revision on 6/28/12..... So I am starting this journey again and for the last time. It isn't easy and I am scared sometimes afraid it won't work or I won't lose anything. I'm trying very hard. I'm glad I found this group because I will need lots of support.

Are you near to starting your period? Because that typically causes hormone fluctuations and cravings along with bloat and weight gain. You'll see this happen lots and sometimes it won't be because of your cycle - just random gains of 1-3 pounds due to hormone craziness (fat stores hormones, so as you lose fat, all those hormones get flooded back into your system and can cause weight gain and super fun crazy mood swings too!), Water retention due to eating certain foods or too much salt, the weather, what color your best friend's hairdresser's cousin wore on Monday... In other words, it happens and sometimes there is no real reason or explanation. You just roll with it. But the good news is small weight fluctuations are usually resolved within a few days and you'll see a drop in weight again soon. Just stick to your Protein and water goals, log all of your food so you know you're on track as far as calories go, and keep the carbs from creeping up too high, and you'll be fine.

I had gastric sleeve 3 and a half years ago. I lost 4 and a half stone but have put 4 back on. Has anyone got any advise what to do? I am going through the menopause and finding it impossible to lose weight 😔 I paid for my surgery £8.800 and regret it now it was a waste if money.

Would love some BTDT success stories. I had a successful VSG 2.5 years ago and initially lost 70lbs. Sadly with the pandemic I have regained 25-30 lbs. I am crushed. I think my pouch is still small as I cannot eat large amounts of food but I’m afraid I’m addicted to sugar. Anyone able to get back on track after weight gain. ☹️

screwed up menstrual cycles seem to be very common in the first few weeks or months after surgery. It's supposedly due to the fact that estrogen is stored in fat cells, and it starts flooding your body during rapid weight loss. It'll stabilize once your weight loss slows way down. a couple of people mentioned Depo-Provera. I don't know about the side effects after WLS as I didn't have WLS until I was post-menopausal, but I was on Depo when I was in my 30s. I gained about 45 lbs on it, and I switched to another birth control method after my ob/gyn couldn't guarantee that the weight gain would eventually stop. It has to do with its effect on hormones.

See, those are the friends I do have and want. "Yes, those pants make you look fat". "No, that's not a good look for you" "don't cut your hair that short, it looks better long", "that hair color makes you look old". "That was a pretty stupid move", "Why do you keep going out with losers?" "Why do you let her push you around?" "Are you ever going to wash your truck?", "You need to brush your teeth...your breath stinks". "You're being a b***h"..... For me, honesty defines a relationship and I don't want to have to be PC with my friends, and vice versa. We aren't being mean or judgmental towards one another. My feelings aren't hurt when they say theses things. I consider it constructive criticism and fully expect it of my friends. I would be more hurt if they tried to be "nice" by not telling it like it is. And we continue to support and love each other despite our differences in opinion, bad decisions, hairdos, guys we date and weight gains and losses.

If you haven't had therapy for the sexual assault issues, give that a go. I benefited enormously from EMDR therapy after a sexual assault; I tell people that the event basically rewired my brain during a moment of extreme trauma and EMDR was required to un-weld all of those connections. PTSD is no joke and it sounds like you've had a fair number of traumas recently. Shame is only going to reinforce all of that, so it's time to bring in the professionals. The weight gain is a symptom of other stuff, so deal with the mental stuff first.

I know exactly how you feel. I am 55lbs away from my goal when I found out I was pregnant. I have not been on the scale in over a week and I am afraid to do so. I find I don't know what even to eat anymore. My weight is already beginning to shift to my front. My tummy is already getting bigger. And I am terrified and mortified all at the same time. It is a head game. It is hard to switch your mind it to the "its ok if I gain weight" mode. I gained 18lbs with my last pregnancy. That would be all well in good if I hadn't started out at 214lbs. Not sure if I have any advice just to say that I understand and you are extremely lucky to be only 6lbs away from your goal weight. the truth is, you won't gain 67lbs this time, and what you do gain will hopefully be gone shortly after your blessed event. And then, if you breast feed you will lose those 6lbs in no time. I have decided to not weigh myself except for once a week. Maybe. Hang in there, and I can tell you that if the morning (noon and night) si!ckness hits you, you won't care about the weight gain. You will eat whatever makes you feel better!! LOL Good luck and congrats on the baby