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NOw I was told to go on the liquid diet and lose weight for my next appt or AETNA won't approve. Talk about motivation!!

Uh oh.....I just had paperwork submitted to aetna and gained 4lbs during the 6 month trial. Do they automatically deny for weight gain? I thought I saw other posts indicating people were still approved with Aetna even with gain but now I can't find them.... If denied, what options are there?

I have not gotten surgery yet, but I will be in the next few months. I have told only a few people and every single one of them gave me backlash. "It's the easy way out, but you're so young, just exercise and eat right... it's not that hard... you just have to want it." I did not think I would receive this much opposition from people who have seen me struggle my entire life, who have witnessed me go through depressions, weight loss, and huge weight gains. It wasn't until a year ago I realized this was a food addiction that I started understanding myself. Not everyone has caught up yet. If a smoker uses a nicotine patch, or rehab no one calls them a cheater or a little bitch. They applaud their efforts for trying to save their life! This surgery should be no different. I have an addiction. I am seeking help. I want to save my life. And in my opinion taking the easy way out, or the wrong way, is to sit at home and pretend that nothing is wrong.

I will be out 7 years in April. I am still thrilled with it. I have gained a little bit of weight back because I can't seem to keep sweets out of my mouth. I lost it before and gained it back because I had 3 back surgeries last year. It's easier to diet when I gain weight back because I'm never really hungry. I just like to eat junk when everyone else is, and of course, that causes weight gain.

Ok I've had 2 cookies, in a moment of weakness. But could that make me gain 1.3lbs??? I'm hoping my period is coming and that's why I've gained. ( Can't remember exactly when my period fell on last month because somehow it was deleted on my calendar in my phone...) But even if its not my period coming, how do I gain that much in such a short time?? I've increased my activity / walking. And my water intake too. I've been eating 4-5 oz per meal as my surgeon said I should be at rt now. Anyone else go thru sudden weight gain???

I had a Roux en Y procedure done in 2010 and lost about 85 lbs total. Over the years I've maintained my weight pretty well but during this past 6 months I've gone off the rails. I'm not sure if Covid stress finally caught up to me or my new meds are the culprit, but if anyone has any advice, good words, etc... I could use them. Thanks

Hi, I think having the sleeve was the very best thing I have ever done for myself. Food seems to be what I went to when things were good or bad. Like you I gained weight with y first child and I was 27 when I had mine. Now I now longer make food my main thought. I no longer let the food control me. I am in control of the food. I no long live to eat. I now eat to live and be healthy. You have to know that this is NO miracle cure. It does requires work and effort on your part and some exercise too. We have all been on the roller coaster of lose the weight gain the weight back. I must have joined Weight Watcher 20 times and got frustrated just like you. I believe that it works for some, but I have watched so many of them regain it too. You have to be willing to make a lifestyle change. It isn't about being on a diet, but changing forever how you are going to eat. This is the first time in my life that I have maintained my 105 pound weight loss for 4 years now. And it is something that I know I can do for the rest of my life too. I am 67 now and did this when I was 63. I did not have insurance that paid for mine. I am so very happy that the insurance is really coming around and paying for these for people. I feel so very lucky to have gone to Dr. Aceves, because I believe he is one of the very best Weight Loss Suregons out there. There are a lot of good ones, out there I am sure. I can only speak about my experience, and going to Mexicali, Mexico. I know for a fact that I received so much better care than anything I have ever received in any US hospital. I wish you nothing but success, and I am always out here if you have any questions at all about this. Hugs, Suzanne

I am currently trying to change my body composition a bit by lowering my bodyfat percentage, so while this may result in some weightloss, I'm not necessarily aiming to drop poundage. So I guess I'm somewhere between maintaining and slowly losing, as I'm basically trying to eat more rather than less but really bust my ass at the gym to maintain or gain muscle mass. I don't let myself drop below 1500 calories right now, and on days when I work out, it's usually closer to 1900-2000 (aiming for at least 100 g Protein on these days and 80 on others). I've definitely gone up as high as 2300 every once in a while, and while my weight has fluctuated the same 1 lb up and down in the last few weeks, my favorite pants are now so loose that even with a belt, they don't look presentable anymore, so obviously I've cut some fat. For a mostly sedentary woman my size, the approximate amount of calories to maintain weight is about 2000, so given that I exercise, I think I'm pretty close to that estimate as far as my metabolism goes. So yes, you CAN maintain and even lose fat on a "normal" amount of calories. However, this might involve regular exercise. I don't know if I would avoid weight gain if I suddenly stopped all my exercise and didn't lower my food intake. Also, I'm young and I have a pretty good muscle base from years of weightlifting. If I were 50+ and in poor shape, I would probably have to eat less than I do now. Everybody's different! You may be able to eat like a "normal" person, but be prepared to eat less if you are not as lucky with your metabolism.

He did go to the first consultation and has a clear understanding of the surgery, etc., from me explaining it and bringing brochures and sending him info from online, he just doesn't understand the problems I have with emotional eating, appetite control, weight gain from my meds..and everything else that causes my failing on every diet. And whether he is fine with how I am or not ..this is for me and will make me happy & complete. I am sure he won't mind though when I am thinner and looking hot lol

Hi. I have United Healthcare. My BMI is 37, a bit over the 35. I had to do a 6 month program prior to surgery. And today I finished the program but I gained 3 lbs from my starting weight. I was told to keep it steady and I really did. Will insurance deny me for 3lbs? :(

I am so sad I feel like going somewhere and hiding. I hopefully will get my surgery in march due to my insurance. I have a 6 months process I need to complete before surgery. I am approaching the third month..... In which I am very excited About, however it is extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing for me to even attend family gatherings and events due to my noticeable weight gain. I never would have seen myself here in a million years Nd I get so upset with myself a lot. I traveled to Virginia today for my nephews 1st birthday although I feel so out of place even though I am around family I feel like crying. I notice people looking at me strange like close family friends that I haven't seen in years. I almost did not come to the party because of my weight. Just tonight As I help clean and set up for the party my mother pulled me to the side and gave me that look that I am so familiar with. She asked "did u stop going to the gym?" I became so defensive and went upstairs to the guest room to cry. I seriously don't want to be here I hate to seem so selfish but I have been emotional ever since. I not only need march to come a lot faster but I am so anxious to start this new life.

Thank-you everyone for your words of encouragement. Yes, I did sign on to change my eating habits for life. "Gowalking" was right on. I need to stop weighing myself and have more realistic goals. I kind of relapsed and took on the habits I had while dieting "before" surgery. A way of life that created the weight gain in the first place. I will now focus on eating healthy and not the number on the scale. Believe me, I have learned my lesson and will never do it again. I do not want to end up in the hospital or cause a harm to my body!

I have the Paraguard IUD and have had it for over 6 years. I love it. Set it and forget it. I don't have strings (they think they went up past my cervix right after I had it inserted) so I have no clue if anything has changed. You're supposed to check once a month to make sure all is well. Yes, it is possible for the IUD to shift with BOTH weight gain and loss. I get ultrasounds every once in a while to make sure mine is still in the correct position. So I would say, if you want another one, make sure to be responsible and check! I can't take bc cuz they make me extremely nauseous and I can never remember to take them so I always worried.

Hi, If you're reading this, you're probably considering sleeve surgery. I will share a shorten version of "my long story." I am 51 yrs old. and have not been obese all my life. Three years ago i quit smoking (30 yr bad habit) and my small 5'2" frame went from 120 lbs. to 195 lbs. I know, it was bad. But that's not the worse part - apparently the rapid weight gain had decided to reek havoc on my liver. Having some routine blood work done was showing my liver enzymes beginning to sky rocket. I was trying weight watchers, Atkins, starving myself, etc. and like everyone else, I would gain everything back again. I used to be semi-active but with the added pounds on my small frame, my knees, back and joints were killing me. There was no way I could exercise - Not to mention, I was out of breath soo quickly. I was so depressed. My extremely high liver enzymes forced me to see a specialist. I went to Temple University in Philadelphia, PA and he told me that if I did not lose this excess weight rapidly, I would be needed a liver transplant in the future. Please note my liver enzymes were over 10X the normal high. On the way home from Philadelphia that day, I called a friend who went to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, PA for lapband surgery. She told me that she had Dr. Harrison and for me.... this was the beginning of changing my life. My insurance company required me to go thru a 3 month program which included weight loss meetings, meeting a psychiatrist for an evaluation, dietitian counseling, nutrition counseling, group meetings, etc. I was traveilng down to Allentown almost once a week for 3 months. After I completed the entire program, I had a problem with my insurance company. They initially denied my claim and my original January 2012 surgery date had to be cancelled. I was "crushed" but my surgeon appealed their denial and I was back on the schedule for April 24th. : ) I did not have a pre-surgical diet to follow, except to do High Protein or Atkins Diet to help to "firm up" and shrink the size of the liver for surgery. The surgeon must actually lift up the liver to move it out of the way for the surgery. I did Atkins for 2 weeks prior to surgery and then 3 days before surgery, I did a Atkins shake Fast - no food and lost 8 lbs in 3 days. Current weight was 188 lbs. on day of surgery. As far as the sleeve surgery is concerned, well... it was bad for me. They also removed my gall bladder. I never imagined to be in such pain since I am usually a quick healer. One of the hardest parts for me was getting out of bed after surgery. I was not able to use my stomach muscles without a lot of pain. Probably the fact that my stomach was sooo out of shape at that point, there was no muscles. I was lucky enough to borrow a reclining lift chair from a friend and I actually slept in this chair for probably 2-3 weeks. Eating the first 6 weeks was just to survive - I did not enjoy eating at all and I never got physically hungry but there is a mental hunger. I accidently ate a little too much and TRUST ME - you won't let that happen very often. You feel like you must throw up to get this excess out of your stomach. It's not a fun feeling and it lasts about 2 hrs for me. I am now 2 1/2 months post op and I feel great. I am down to 150 lbs. which is a loss of 38 lbs. since surgery. I was wearing a sz. 18 pants and am wearing between 12 and 14 now. I feel like my self confidence is finally coming back and I look forward to a future. And by the way... I went to get my bloodwork done a few days ago and my liver enzymes have almost gotten back to a normal range. This was the whole purpose of my surgery - to SAVE MY LIVER - the other benefits are an extra perk. : ) If you have any questions, Or I can help you with anything, please let me know. And lastly, GOOD LUCK to you. PJones

I have had Mirena for about 3 yrs I've lost about 50 lbs the only change i noticed. Was I started getting periods again with the weight loss, I've discussed it with my OB and she thinks its the weight loss over-riding the IUD in a little over a year and I have not had a problem.Once i het to a stopping point things should stop again. I have not had any weight gain from it either. I am not allowed high dose hormones due to my stroke history and at the time of placement the paragard was not an option. Don't worry because of someone else's complications. Discuss the concerns with ur doctor and let them help you make a decision you'll be happy with. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Looking for support from long time banded. I was banded in 2007. As with everyone I have had ups and downs. Overall happy since I was able to stop my weight gain but haven't had the large weigh loss. I am 230 , was 260, want to be 180. I eat lots of small meals can't eat any more than about a cup of anything but like I said, lots of small meals. Had slippage a few months ago so was unfilled and let the band settle. Band ended up ok so was refilled. I guess I'm looking for words of encouragement and support. I find once I get pounds off they stay off, am considering opti fast to get weight down. Any advice out there?

39 lbs. may not seem like a lot to you right now, but it's more than 10% of your body weight lost. That is significant. I have read lots of posts here where menstrual cycles started again (if they had stopped due to weight gain) or became more regular. My cycle was not the most reliable pre-op. After about 2 months, it is like clockwork. As with anything that dramatically changes, check with your doctor and let them know what is going on just to be on the safe side.

Hello all, so today is day # 4 since I got banded. I'm not sure if what I am feeling is normal or not. I haven't really been getting all the water that I should be getting in. I'm feeling like it hurts a little to drink. Like when I do drink, it feels like it just sits in my chest. IS that normal? So far today I have only gotten in maybe 18 oz of water in me. I have eaten some soup broth and some jello. But, still I feel like I am pushing myself to eat that. It almost feels like something is sitting on my chest. Also, when I get up I still feel a little dizzy. I cant take what they gave me for it because I get sick on it. My stomach still feels really bad. I know that it has only been 4 days, but, I am wondering how long It will be until I stop feeling this pressure and is it normal? Does anyone else know what I am talking about? One more question, I have to be on clear liquids for 4 days, does that count my surgery day? PLEASE HELP! Ok, so maybe more then 1 more question. I have a few more...I got on the scale and it said that I gained 2 pds! Im guessing this is from all the liquid they gave me during surgery and after? How long does it take to get rid of this weight gain?

I had to get more taken out of my band than was put in on my last fill because it was too tight. For the last two weeks I have been able to eat like I did before my second fill. I could have sworn I was going to gain, but instead I actually lost 6lbs. I did start the month off with a lot of exercise daily, but as the tempature got into the triple digits I didn't even bother. I just wanted to post this too let some of your who has had a month were fluid was removed not to freak out, instead exercise and try not to get obsessed about lossing. The more we stress the less we loss. Stress can also cause weight gain.

What does it mean to have a fill? What causes the weight gain initially? Cherylseekinghope

There are plenty of Protein drinks without carbs or with very few- look around for them! In fact, a Protein Drink with 30 grams of carbs should NEVER be on our plans- that is a lot of sugar. I've never seen one with that many unless it is for weight gain, like Ensure. Ditto vitamins- tha bariatric vitamins generally do not have a lot of carbs- mine have <1. My Calcium chews do have 4 each but I know you can find calcium without carbs too. It is REALLY helpful to log your food every day- I use fatsecret.com and there are lots of other good ones. I have mine set to show fat, carbs, net carbs, protein, and calories. I log every single thing including vitamins, etc. It helps you feel like you are in control and accountable. Also remember that post-op your capacity will be sooooo little- that lowers your ability to get carbs in.

I really appreciate all of you responding to me so quickly. How long have you all been banded? Have any of you had any weight gain? And by the way, I am post menopausal! Tell me about some of your experiences. Gratefully, Cindy

Had a wound infection which has slowed me down. Coming up 6 weeks post op. No weight gain so happy with that. The surgeon warned me I would need ' Nana' sleeps for a time and he is right. I'm not superwoman. Have been doing a bit of soul searching with the down time. It's all good !

I've enjoyed the crust my daughter doesn't eat. Trying to stay away the best I can. Pizza and soda is what cause my weight gain in the beginning.

I am having the surgery on Wednesday. I am really hoping it will help with my pain being fibro or back/hip issues. I have been off all the fibro meds for about a year now & only take pain pills. I tried everything & did not see any relief only side effects & weight gain. I am hoping my stomach heals quickly so I can get back on my supplements.