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I'm a newbie, and my surgeon also recommends obstaining from alcohol for a year, mostly due to carb. intake=cravings and slows weight loss. (Same for complex carbs. like pasta, crackers Nut. said from MY HISTORY with weight gain and loss-carbs create overwhelming cravings for more. Although a lot of the stomach that produces the harmone is removed, the rest of the stomach could still, for SOME PEOPLE, create carb. cravings!) once I'm down in the 100's again, I may revisit this recommendation. (I could do a few sips if a good, ice cold vodka, if I HAD to-lol!)

I am psyched for this and can't wait for surgery so I can put the last 15 years of see-sawing weight gain behind me. Now just turned 41, I know I won't ever get back to that 25 year old fit footy player but I am very excited about making permanent changes that WILL have results. My dream is to be able to buy clothes from a 'regular' menswear store instead of having to find "high and mighty" (big men) stores. Currently 130kgs (286 pounds) I am hoping to lose 35kgs (77 pounds) but most of all being able to run around the park with my daughter climb rocks with her and race her in the pool etc. I can't wait for the change. I have already given away drinking in preparation (losing 3 kgs/6.5lbs) in a short time. I meet with the Dietician next week and then on to the 2 week pre-op diet before surgery on June 3 with Dr Copp here in Brisbane. Happy days ahead!!:confused:

I'm going thru the same thing. My surgeon told me he wanted me to lose 10-15 pounds before he would do my surgery. I initially lost about 12 pounds but now I am stuck in a bad spot. I have jumped up to only having a loss of 6 pounds. I am worried that when I see him on the 15th he will be angry and postpone my surgery date. I hope he won't, I have switched medications and I am on my period both of which can cause weight gain. I'm hoping for you. Like someone else said drink lots of Water and try not to stress. I have heard stressing can stall weight loss. Good Luck I'm sending good thoughts your way.

I got read the book A Pound of Cure and have started his 2 wk metabolism reset. It's easy to follow and it has moved my scale 1.5 lbs since yesterday. The 7 lb weight gain is my own fault from eating all the wrong things and letting my head hunger get out of control. I'm reversing it now and will get to goal. Also the VSG is constipating for me but with eating Dr Weiner's way I don't need to take stool softeners so far. The only other issue I"ve had from surgery is I have to take Prilosec 1x a day and sometimes every other day. It is so true that the no desire to eat stops and the appetite does return with all the bad head hunger if I let it. I would recommend the book for anyone having a struggling with weight gain or even thoughts of it. I'll keep updating as to how it's going. Good luck to all w/this weight loss journey. Sherry

I strictly avoid processed sugars. I have a sweet tooth and that is one of the major causes that contributed to my weight gain over my lifetime. I limit myself to artificial sweeteners (such as Splenda and sugar alcohols), to natural low calorie sweeteners (such as Stevia) and to the natural sugars found in fruits and milk. I had diabetes. That went into remission when I left the hospital two days after surgery and I have not taken any diabetic medicine ever since and my blood sugar levels are good. I am almost 5 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery. I test my blood sugar levels periodically. I read the labels of all food that I consume. I look at the grams of sugar per serving. If it is above 5 grams, I look at the ingredients. The ingredients are listed in order by highest percentage, and if the first 5 ingredients contain processed sugar (in any of its many forms), then I avoid this food, like a plague.

I had a big weight gain. I was eating things I shouldn't because my home situation changed. After the 70 lb weight gain. I moved out of the situation I was in. I have lost close to 40 lbs. It took years and I am still trying to get back to my previous weight. Hopefully I will lose 50 Lbs more. To get to a more sensible weight. I had RNY and tried a revision surgery to SADI. It doesn't seem to be doing much good. Maybe I am eating too many calories. I was eating between 1500 to 1200. Now I am eating 1000 to 1200. My doctor wants me to go lower than 1000. I am not sure how you do that without relying on protein drinks. Which he told me not to do. I lost 17 lbs since the surgery 12/4. Most of that was during the preop diet and the initial post surgical time. Any suggestions about this situation are welcome.

Maybe he will come around and embrace the healthy choices that come with your surgery and the new you. I have been very overweight for most of my life with the exception of my multiple huge weight losses followed by huge weight gain. My wife is thin and could have dated and married anyone she wanted (as I had been told by her family and some of her former friends), but fell in love with me. She has been with me every step of the way through several serious and in one case life threatening illnesses and surgeries. When I started this process it was her who went with me to seminars, doctor appts, post op support groups. She spends many nights up late researching recipes, foods and supplements. Our relationship has been further cemented by "our surgery and journey" ( her words). We will be celebrating our 25th anniversary next month, and I am looking forward to being a hot stud for her. She is also looking forward to me to turn a few heads as well. This is just to say if you have a great relationship, things can only get better and nothing has to change for the worse. Sent from my iPad using VST

Aetna is no net weight gain. U cannot weigh more than your first weigh in.

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

Except for the weight gain, its a beautiful story...and welcome to our world...everyone needs support at some point in their life...Good luck on your journey bec thats what it really is...l think l would have gone nuts without this web site..so many caring people and so many stories..no matter what kind of day you might be having, something you read here, will cheer you up. we all basically go through the same things here..we are each others support...Welcome

You all are good. I doesn't hurt that we are women and very observant. I wonder if men can tell with other guys. My husband worked with a young woman and he always though her arms looked weird, then she hinted that she used to be big and he said she picked at her food. One day a co-worker told him "yeah she had that weight loss surgery". I never got the feeling that the young lady wanted others to know but you can't assume people won't say anything. Funny thing is that I used to be a workout junkie back in the 90's. I even had Lipo on my gut after my daughter was born because my gut did not go down fast enough. So with the weight gain, my gut did fluff out again!. but that is the first place that shrinks when I lose weight, then boobs, upper body and lastly lower body.

i have been holding on to a 41 bmi for 2 months, ugh paperwork should be submitted by tuesday. Also frustrated i wanted to hit onderland before surgery but was told at my last appointment surgery will be cancelled the day of if my bmi is to low, and all my weights are submitted because Aetna requires no weight gain so they have to see the progress through the 90 days

I don't understand it myself. I'm 9 weeks and I went another week without losing, after going 1-1/2 weeks going up and down a pound, up 2, down 2 the next day. My son went through everything that I have been eating and I'm between 450-600 was my max calories a day. I'm doing the gazelle an hour a day, swimming 1-2 hours, going to for walks. I'm staying at 20-30 carbohydrates a day (sometimes less) 60-70 Protein. Yesterday was my birthday and my husband and son kept nagging me about getting ice cream or yogurt and my son said listen Mom, you are doing everything right and it's like before, when you would diet hard and we would go out to eat and you would blow your diet and end up losing weight. Eat some no sugar added frozen yogurt and you will weigh 2 pounds less tomorrow. I don't know why I said yes to them. I haven't cheated once on this diet, I don't even allow myself the sugar-free puddings anymore, I get almost all my carbs with my Protein shakes or vegetables. I said yes. I went to bed literally frustrated that I ate 1/4 cup of no sugar added FroYo (which tasted not that great) but they were happy with their chocolate and I was mad that so they could treat themselves, I had to agree to have some, otherwise I wouldn't eat it. I told them no more of this, because if they want yogurt, ice cream etc. it's up to them, but stop bringing me into it. They both felt bad, something I promised I would not do to them, because let's face facts, this is my journey and they have been supporting me but they shouldn't have to go without because I have to. Well, guess what....I weigh two pounds less today and I was still under 600 calories yesterday and only hit 30 grams of carbs. It makes zero sense. It makes no sense when it says "you are in starvation mode" on myfitnesspal.com It makes no sense that consistently, for the past 6 weeks I have had a deficit in my calories vs. exercise and yet I am not losing as fast as I want to. What I can tell you is this though, bones are appearing where there was just chub, my arms are getting tight, the middle of my back is getting a chiseled dip and I look smaller, my clothes are hanging different this week than last week. It messes with my head a bit. I give a lot of pep talks to people that post the "I am failing" especially when people tell themselves enough they are failures, they can find ways to actually fail, they give up and I won't give up and I don't want others to give up. I can't say I'm a failure at this, because I know eventually the weight will fall off and I worked too hard to fail. Our biggest issue is using the scale consistently as a judge, jury and sometimes executioner to our self-esteem. I moved the scale from the bathroom (which gets kicked and moved and the steam in there and every time I brush my teeth, go to the bathroom, before a shower before bed I wanted to hop on it. Seeing the weight gain from first thing in the am or throughout the day would cause my head to spin. I don't have the discipline to not reweigh myself when it's in my face, so I moved the scale to my spare bedroom. I weigh once a day, I get up, after my first Pee, I go in the spare room, shut the door, take off my nightgown and weight, so it's only once a day and it's upped my mood a bit. Look at the whole picture, it's so easy to judge your success to someone elses. How many people look at my "total" weight loss and think wow, look at all she lost and she had surgery in June...I lost 10 pounds a month Pre-approval. If you look at my overall weight loss, guess what....it still equates to about 10 pounds a month. I started the plan in November had surgery in June and we're in August now! I lost faster after surgery (because I had to lose all that Water weight from the IV etc.) but we all got so used to that 1 or 2 pounds a day the first week and now, our body has to readjust. I promise you, if you keep getting in your nutrtion, drink your 64 ounces of water, chart your cals. carb. protein and you do the right thing, the inches will fall off, if you add exercise into the mix, the fat will fall off and be replaced by lean muscle, and eventually the scale will reflect this. I will reread this next time I start to wig out about the stupid scale. Good luck.

I have the Mirena IUD also. No problems with weight gain and I have really, really liked it. I've had it about 2 years. About 6 months ago, I got my period back though and it is annoying!!! Man, it was convenient to not have one, no cramps, either. Some of the periods I've gotten have been long but light. Still, I'm about 90% satisfied. I also really liked the Nuva Ring when I used it before.

I was Banded 3/2/10 and I did not experience this I have had steady weight loss, but I was trying to rush it the first month. You need to remember that the first month is all about recovering. you just had surgery and your body needs to recover and heal from that. This can lead to weight gain and loss. Also you need to take in enough protein a day to continue with the weightloss. The more protein in a meal the less hungry you should feel in between meals.

Hi all - I feel like a Newbie to Bariatric Pal when in truth I have been a non-active or at least not very active member since 2008 when I had my band placed. I am now in the process of insurance approval for RNY. When I first got my band in Sept 2008 I had great success in the first 4 months, losing 60 pounds, but then some stressful health issues raised their ugly head combined with depression and fills/unfills never finding that "sweet spot". I feel like I wasted 6 yrs of my life with the band. My original choice of surgeries was RNY but my previous surgeon talked me out of it due to the fact that I had a DVT 3 yrs earlier after bunion surgery. I guess was afraid of me coding on his watch... but that's another story. I have been trying to get thru all the hoops you must jump for both doctor and insurance approval since May 2013. I was at the point were my previous surgeons' office (not same surgeon, as he's no longer in the practice) filed papers with insurance and I was denied because my chosen surgeon did not work in a COE supported by my insurance company. His hospital WAS a COE just not an approved COE with my health insurance company - United Healthcare. So.... I had to start over with a new surgeon in Jan 2014. I am hopeful for an approval thru my insurance but they DO say that they will not pay for a 2nd WLS unless it is a medical necessity. Well, I think not being able to eat most solid proteins, throwing up or forcing myself to throw up because I feel like I have swallowed a golf ball, total weight gain and multiple comorbidities should be considered in their evaluation. I just hope they see it the same way I do. Good look to you all in your journey.

I sometimes wonder if it would be easier or harder for me if I had been normal size at any time during my formative teen years, on forward. These are of course only my personal feelings, but on occasion I think about how many of you mention that you were 120lbs in HS or 115 when you married, etc. and you just can't stand the way you look now and how much you've changed. I find myself thinking you have no idea...I have NEVER been a normal weight since I was 9 years old. That is a terrible way to think, I know. Is your struggle easier than mine? No! But I'm being honest. I think to myself that at least you've experienced life at a normal weight. At least you've had the experience of going into a store and having someone come right over and help you. You've had occasion to not worry about which way to walk through a crowd or through a restaurant so that you don't bump against someone or have to squeeze through. You've ridden public transportation and not had someone look at you in disgust when they had to squeeze next to you in a seat. You've not had someone look at you with disdain because you are sweating after running to catch a bus or a cab. You've probably flown without worrying that someone will have to move out of their seat to let you out to the restroom (I won't go on a plane, I am afraid of not fitting in the bathroom). Some of you have joined the mile high club, I can't fathom that. You've had the experience of shopping at a regular store for clothes or shoes or swimsuits, maybe you were able to get your wedding dress off the rack. You've stood up in weddings, I haven't. I think sometimes it is because some brides worry about the appearance of their pictures, some don't want a fat bridesmaid in them. Some don't want to limit which dresses they choose for their maids to something available in plus-size. Some don't want a fat girl in a strapless dress. You've had sex and been on top without worrying that you'll crush a guy's pelvis. You've had sex and not been mortified when your stomach rolls smacked against each other and made that horrible sound. You've not had some man make a comment about how huge your thighs are when he starts to "go down there" (that ruins ANY chance for having a good time, let me tell you). Maybe you have been lucky enough not to have your heart broken after you fall in love with a gay man because that's the only man who will give you attention and affection. I cannot remember being thin. I have been smaller than I am now, so I still have the issues with running into someone I knew years ago when I was merely obese, not super morbidly obese. I put on almost 100lbs since I've met my DH nearly 9 years ago. My 20th HS reunion is coming up and I still think about how much I've gained since HS. I see the Slimfast commercials where someone wants to lose thirty or fifty pounds for their reunion and I laugh. I was a 22 in HS, I probably weighed in the low 200's. I'm in the 300's now. I was near 400 about eight months ago. So I do still have some of the issues that those who were at one time thin struggle with, too. I am sure it's hard on folks who married thin and then have gained a lot of weight over the years. I know that there are spouses out there (men and women) who make comments about how their mates have let themselves go, and that's painful. I'm fortunate my DH has not said one word about my weight gain. But my previous love did. He told me about how his previous long-time love had gained from 130-280 over the course of their relationship and then he said he didn't want me to gain an ounce (I was about 250 then). When we split he said he was grossed out by my gain (about 20lbs) and disappointed that I wasn't still going to the gym like I was at the beginning of our relationship. He was 400lbs himself! Now I certainly have not sat back and been a wallflower. I am a very in-your-face type of person, I have the ability to be an extrovert, or be somewhat introverted. I never did let my weight stop me from doing much. I used to dive, I loved coasters (until I did get too large to fit), I travel. I am one of those life of the party types. I can go to a gathering not knowing a soul and walk out with two or three lunch dates and a few new friends. I guess that's a good thing, hopefully as I lose weight and get closer to whatever "normal" will be for me, I will not change. I do not want to become a different person. I do worry about that, though. One of my friends here said in one of her posts that her DH knew her thin, didn't like her fat, and is now treating her like shit because she's losing the weight he wanted her to! That he knew who she was at all stages and that she hasn't changed. For those who like her met their mates at a normal weight, I think the transition *might* be a little easier, unless a situation like hers arises. But how are my DH and I going to handle it when my exterior begins to transform into someone he's never met? He's certainly larger than he was 15 years ago, but there are pictures, I'd recognize him at 165lbs like I recognize him at 235lbs. There are no pictures of me at a normal weight, I will be a different appearing person. I don't want that change to affect me/us in a negative fashion. I work with a woman who is 112lbs and is doing Weight Watchers to lose 2lbs. She is devastated that she can't get back to 110lbs. She has 3 children. I am sure her struggle is a real one to her, I would never poo poo her difficulty. But it is NOT the same as mine. No one's struggles are the same as the next person. I don't think you can categorize what anyone goes through.

As a "lower BMI bandster" I've never thought for a moment that I faced the same journey. The health and fitness I enjoyed even as an obese person was a blessing and made my journey that much easier. The fact that I never became super morbidly obese was because my obesity was due to lifestyle factors - the typical weight gain that happens when you have kids, stop work etc. I wasnt just piling on more and more pounds, I'd reached max fatness and held it for a few years before I got banded. I didnt have anything like the headwork to do, anything like the dysfunctional eating to battle and absolutely none of the emotional scarring to heal. I've never not fit in a movie seat, a booth, an aeroplane seat. I got banded becuase I was worried about my ankle, yes, but more so because I didnt like the way I looked. It was totally a decision based on vanity. I've never tried to pretend I totally understand what others are going through, I'm sure actually my "just do it" attitude has at times been insensitive even, because honestly, when people post that they need more and more restriction or they've gained or they cant stop eating chocolate, I really do just marvel that they've gone so far as to have surgery and they STILL cant control themselves? I know that I just dont get it. I try to be respectful of it as a journey totally different to mine and I hope that that works in reverse and people understand that a little bit of weight is much easier to tackle than a lot so why the hell not do it now before it gets even harder?

Hi Shiny - I'm thinking cheesecakey and/or chocolatey. In the past Ive done a mile-high lemon cheesecake for Easter, and I've done different chocolate cakes...what ideas do you have? Re the weight gain - are you grazing at all? Is your portion size slowly but surely increasing?

Man, I'm just so discouraged. I am up to 145. I have gained 10 pounds. I feel like such a slug. All of my jeans are fitting extra tight. I went and had a fill about 12 days ago, got down to 141, but now am back up again to square one. I can eat more now too. I was so motivated after my fill, but now I am just stuck. I feel like I'm never gonna get back down to 135. I know, to most 145 is a wonderful weight to be at. But in my head, it's terrible. I know I should be greatful, but I feel like this is just the beginning and I'm gonna end up back up to 219. What's worse is that right now, I have no game plan. No way to combat the weight gain. Mentally, I am just exausted and stuck. I have lost faith in my ability to keep going. Every single day, every single hour of following the bandster rules is a complete struggle to me. I don't know why. I feel like a food addict. I think about food every hour of every day. I know something is not right in my head. The only stress I am feeling right now is the stress of building a new house. That's it. Nothing major. So what is wrong with me? I am tired of the mental roller coster ride...

2 words - water and shock! It's a great way to kick-start your body during a stall. First thing, eat. Don't diet. Gain a pound. Eat things you don't normally eat. Don't be afraid to eat something off your diet plan. Don't follow your plan. Skip the protein for a day. Don't drink as much fluid. Gain a water pound. Your body stalls because it gets into a pattern. Get it out of the pattern. Shock your body. Then, go back on your meal plan and drink water. More than usual. Water only, lay off other fluids and any artificial sweeteners. Do that for two days. Your body will not only lose the water weight gain but be shocked back into the normal weight loss pattern. Great advice from my nutritionist but it worked like a charm. It's a marathon, not a sprint, and your body can't be constantly in a weight loss mode if it becomes too complacent. It needs some change from time to time. Good luck! And don't worry about stalls. They are natural. Everyone here has experienced them, myself included and the advice I got from these good people really helped. I wish you all the best! You're doing great!

You might have hit a stall which would explain not losing any more. But not having a bowel movement is serious and could possibly explain a weight gain. Try colace or your choice or laxative and if you still don't have a normal bowel movement in 3 more days, call your doctor.

hmm, my doctor told me small amounts are ok. Yes coffee is a diuretic and a stimulant, but usually it causes me to not be hungry after drinking, but I haven't had any since my surgery since I am only a couple weeks out. I was told skim latte's are fine too and to add only sugar free flavoring or add chocolate protein powder to it for a mocha type coffee. I will be giving it a try around the 2 month mark. I guess everyone's surgeon is different. I do think some may worry if you drink in excess due to empty calories and possible weight gain because of that?

Thanks so much for your encouragement guys. You're right Jachut, I am an Aussie. I live in Brisbane. Do you know of good surgeons that I could maybe go and see around my area? I'd like to at least meet with one and just discuss it. I think that would be the first step. I've battled my weight for many years, I have always been on the large size, but since entering my teens to now - It's gone up heaps. The side effect of PCOS is weight gain, and I think that's part of the reason why I find it so difficult to loose weight. I know that it's going to be a tough journey, but knowing that my parents are behind me, and you guys too! I think that I will be able to make it. My best friend is also obese, but I don't think she's ever going to consider lap-banding. I don't think I'm going to discuss with her about getting it done because I'm really scared she's going to talk me out of it. And so I'll tell her after it's done, or maybe when I'm in hospital or something, but not before hand. Thanks for the encouragement though, I really appreciate it. ! And and so you know. 125kg is about 275.5 lbs.

Hi Tamie, congrats on maintaining! I, also, had port revision and have had a harder time catching up with my weight gain. I am about 30 lbs away from recapturing my goal weight, would be happy with just 20. I can no longer eat dairy, allergy I chose to ignore for years. So, my treat is so coconut ice cream. Best wishes, by the way, my lapband anniversary is Oct 30, 2009. And I had my revision surgery in November 2011, too.Karen