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Thank you for writing about your son. Certainly he has had a rough time and of course you yourself have been sharing in his troubles. It strikes me that your child is now stuck in a place where he has a number of factors working against him with respect to weight control. He has severe breathing issues and this will interfere with his level of physical activity. He is also on a number of drugs which cause weight gain. (I was briefly put on an antipsychotic and watched, with horror, my weight skyrocket.) It also seems that you are a bandster member because you yourself have weight issues due to the beautifully efficient metabolism, the very tool which was so useful for survival in primitive times and which, ironically, causes modern folk to end up with the problems of excess weight. This is also something which is hereditary. Your son may have inherited your metabolism along with his other hassles, the ones which lead him to suffer from weight control issues. Who knows? Certainly your child is in a very different situation from that of the young girl who has been the topic of discussion on this thread or, indeed, from the case of any pre-teen or child who is only just entering into her teen years with a weight problem that is neither hooked up with other medical issues nor a case of serious morbidity. In the case of your child his weight issues are both the cause of pre-existing medical conditions and the result of these; and your son's weight problem will seriously erode his health if this is not checked at some future point. All of my heart goes out to you and your boy. He sounds like a champ - I love the "rubber band'" request - and you sound like one, too. It certainly sounds as though the Nemours Children's Hospital will have criteria in place which ideally will assess the medical needs of the child and the maturity of the family before deciding whether the child should be banded or not. I am sure that none of us who were engaged in discussion prior to your post had no intention of dissing people such as you or your son or, for that matter, those young people who are morbidly obese. Weight issues of this nature are medical issues. We were more concerned about this particular kid who had already undergone a year of liposuction/liposculpture while she was still a preteen. Now she has hit the news again because she has been banded at the very young age of 13. The kid is nowhere near 100 lbs overweight and neither she nor her mother seem to have a firm fix on the bandster's role in responsible food behaviour. It was at this point that a couple of other bandster mums waded in to say that all good mothers do insure that their kids learn proper nutritional habits. Knowing proper nutritional habits is never a guarantee that one is going to remain slender, of course. I have superb nutritional habits. My downfall was portion control. I was a healthy fatso, eh. :heh:

I'm delighted you are having success. Having gained back 13 pounds since band removal, I often wonder if I should have considered converting. But, I was just too damn scared after two slips. The "reversible" factor was very important to me. Plus, I had such terrible reflux as a result of my slippage, I would be too nervous (and my surgeon probably would be too) of future problems. Just to end on a positive note, I am exercising more and starting to eat better, so I've stopped the weight gain in its tracks and actually taken off a few pounds. I hope your journey continues to be successful, Anthony. God bless. Elizabeth

This sounds just like me, when I met my husband I wasn't heavy either. I was 15 years old when we started dating and I weighed 118 pounds. I think the weight gain had to do with a few things, one I grew up poor and we lived off of pb&J, mac and cheese and ramen noodles. So when my husband (boyfriend at the time) would bring me McDonald 20 piece nuggets or take me out to eat it was like a huge luxury to me and I would just pig out. Around age 18 (literally like over night) I went from someone super active to not even being able to get out of bed because I was just so exhausted all the time and I was also never hungry. This went on for YEARS!! and during that time is when I gained about 100 pounds. I didn't have health insurance at the time so I never went to a doctor. Then we got married and I was on his health insurance policy. About a year into the marriage we decided to try for a baby and I ended up having miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies (one of which took my fallopian tube) so we set up an appointment with an RE and he ran a bunch of tests and that is when I discovered I had hypothyroidism. The doctor said most likely I had it for years and it was never diagnosed because I hadn't been to a doctor. My thyroid levels were through the roof he said. So I'm a little bit bitter and angry because I feel like the weight gain could have been prevented had I even known what hypothyroid was and had it diagnosed 9 years sooner. Anyways, what I meant about being in the same boat was that my husband is an enabler and spoils the crap out of me and gets me whatever I want but I really hope after this surgery he doesn't try and sabotage my weight loss efforts.

LOL. Carlene, you have NO idea how good your psych skills are. Yeah, he told me he has a sex addiction. He does. But I sort of do too. It was controllable for several years... I think I tried to control it with the weight gain... but now that the weight is off it's back. I've had 2 non-committal makeout sessions with guys this week - one that resulted in 'services' rendered for one man. It's not a good thing. I'm working on it. I'd never tell these kinds of things to people I actually knew. Glad this site is anonymous! You're also right about his rotten relationship skills. He called me on Tuesday because he was in the depths of sorrow (for a reason too long to go into here) and wanted moral support. At this point I was in 'friend' rather than 'girlfriend' mode for him. Yeah, he has some selfish points to him. And the way he said 'athletic' I knew he meant skinny. So maybe in a couple months, after the tummy tuck and boob job, I'll email him a photo with the caption 'Athletic enough?' Kidding.

I also weigh every day, mostly so I can track my water weight gain. I only take the weight I am on Saturdays as the "this is what I weigh" number. The other 6 days, I'm keeping an eye on the effects of salt on my water retention...that way, I can adjust my salt intake.

Your list most definitely hits the majority of the reasons I experienced the weight gain I did. When I first started having weight creep back in, I ended up ashamed of it and after a bad visit with my bariatric team about it, I left and didn't go back to them. Which sure the heck did not help matters! Those, though, are the main pitfalls for bariatric patients to look out for!

Yes. Your sleeve may have streched. But your having weight gain because your eating too much. Many people can have a bigger sleeve without filling it. I'm not sure if you understand what I'm saying 61lbs and don't eat anything doesn't add up . So if your sleeve stretched you put food in it to stretch it. If you gained 61lbs and have no other health issues were did it come from if you didn't eat ? I'm not judging you but we have to take responsibility or we can't make changes. So if you can be honest to say what you ate to gain 61lbs. Perhaps someone can even help you with food ideas to swap to help you lose again. If you continue to say you eat nothing. When your sleeve has stretched and you gain 61lbs.. then how can someone help ? We all may slip up without noticing. And you may have another surgery but we still have to be mindful or it will stretch again But goodluck anyway Edit sorry I just noticed your not the original poster lol I thought you were replying to me because you were ! Sent from my Vivo 5R using Tapatalk

Just an FYI when I first inquired to be resleeved I had an endoscopy done to find out what the problem was and my stomach was totally stretched. My doctor shared with me that when I first got the sleeve five years ago they weren’t taking chances and doing the sleeve as tight as they are doing them now and that’s one of the reasons why my stomach stretched and I was having a weight gain

Don't know what to say really. I had my band in November of 2007. I went from 400 pre-surgery to 272 at my lowest. Since Sx I have been in 3 different jobs in 2 different states. My wife and I have had 2 more children... moved 4 times... I am still below 300... currently sitting at about 290. I blame my 15-20 pound weight gain on the 6 months my family lived with my parents. I was laid off and had to move back across the country to Texas to survive the situation. I then found out that I could "stomach" beer again. Hmmmmm lots of empty calories i guess. I have been off the beer for a month now and low-and-behold... i think I have lost a few pounds! I am somewhat annoyed with my band. I have NO insurance and have been experiencing a lot of "first bite syndrome" I am beginning to think I am either too full or my band has slipped. SUX. I miss the community I once had here on LBT. Seems as though most of the other Nov07 bandsters have drifted away as I did. Thanks for the email and piquing my curiosity to return to the site.

I am donell1000 and I have alcohol and "dry goods" free for 22 years. I sleeved 6_10_2016. What is interesting about getting sleeved is that it feels somewhat like doing a 28 day detox/rehab. Each day I learn something new about myself and I have to work my weight-loss program the same way I work my recovery. What I am trying to wrap my mind around is how someone can loose weight and then gain it back. Is it just going back to eating the wrong foods? Does the smaller sleeved stomach grow back in size? Please let me know your thoughts... How to Prevent Weight Gain After Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery

I could stand to be involved again. I had surgery in 2007. Doing well but need to knock off some weight gain that I put on in the last year. I've had a crazy work-stress year. How is everyone?

Yes...they cover...it is going to be a challenge to try to get BCBS to pay for the lapband. So, Ihave made a decision to try to self pay. Here is the policy: SURGERY FOR MORBID OBESITY (cont.) Criteria: (cont.) A. Bariatric Surgery: (cont.) Bariatric surgery is considered medically necessary with documentation of ALL of the following: (cont.) 3. Diagnosis of morbid obesity for the past consecutive 5 years 4. Failure of non-surgical methods of weight loss with documentation of the following: ▪ Continuous participation in a weight loss program for 6 months or longer within the past 12 months. Weight loss program includes: - A structured program that includes documentation of diet and dates of participation (a minimum of one face-to-face visit per week attendance for dietary counseling/education is required), and, - A structured exercise program (unless medically contraindicated) designed and supervised by a certified or qualified professional with documentation of attendance (a minimum of three sessions per week of participation in an exercise program is required), and, - Demonstration of a commitment to results by documenting weight loss, maintenance, or no more than a 5 pound weight gain over a minimum six month period 5. Pre-operative clinical assessment and documentation must reflect a significant motivation and understanding of the risks associated with the intended surgery, as well as an understanding of the life-long restricted eating habits that will follow. 6. Clinical documentation must reflect a plan for active participation in both a pre-surgical instructional program AND a post-surgical, post-operative or follow-up program. Clinical documentation must reflect participation in pre-operative nutritional counseling and that there is a plan in place for post-operative nutritional counseling as well. 7. Individual is 18 years of age or older 8. Individual has no treatable condition that may be responsible for the morbid obesity, e.g., endocrine, metabolic, etc. 9. Individual has no significant liver, kidney or gastrointestinal disease 10. Individual has no drug or alcohol abuse – must be abstinent for 12 months or more if there is a history of drug or alcohol abuse I have most of it, except for the enrollment of a exercise program. I am unable to afford the gym card along with the 1000.00 access fee.

Hi - my doctor requires a 10 day pre-op liquid diet. So I can have clear liquids, protein shakes, etc. Then the day before the surgery it is clear liquids only and nothing after midnight. I'm really surprised about the variation of diets for before the surgery. It never occurred to me that everyone wouldn't be on the same type of diet! Anyway, after the surgery is 1 week of clear liquids again, 3 days of full liquids (like yogurt, cream soups, etc.), 3 days of pureed foods, 1 week of mashed, 1 week of soft foods (like eggs, cottage cheese, etc) and then a normal band diet. But I am really lucky that there are no requirements as to weight gain or anything. So even if I happen to gain weight before the surgery, they aren't going to cancel it. YEAH!! :smile:

My moms memorial was last weekend. The food really wants to be my best friend right now. I am working to write everything I eat down, and keep up with my stress relief exercise and getting out into nature. I am bouncing around 1-4 pounds above my "official goal bounce range" and really don't want that to become the new me. Its not so out of control, but the stress and sadness do lead to less than optimal choices... eating out with relatives, eating on the run.... I know it can and will change with time... Im just trying to keep my eyes open to what I am doing, and not go into ostrich head in the sand mode which leads to weight gain every time.

I'm more than three years out. Outside of pregnancy, I've stayed within 5% of my goal weight. Some people can't track. Some people have to do it. I have to do it. I think the biggest thing is to stay disciplined. Weigh daily. If you don't know what the scale says, you can easily slip into denial about weight gain until your pants are too tight. I may eat whatever I want, but I choose wisely about 99% of the time. I can't rely on my sleeve to keep me thin despite myself. I have to think about my food, I prefer to plan my meals and I must weigh myself daily. I cannot just "wing it" for long periods of time or my eating habits get sloppy again. I have decades of disordered eating behind me. I have only three years of being a normal weight and making mostly good choices under my belt. If I leave it up to my habits to see me through, I'm going to find myself with a regain and it's harder to lose weight the closer you are to goal. You'll need to find what works for you and keep with it for the long haul. We regularly see people back in the vets forum that have been offline and without support that need to lose a regain. It's all too easy to gain weight if you get sloppy. ~Cheri

I have been without a computer at home for the last 6 days. I have only been able to use my office computer on the 2 days I work and only for a quick few minutes. I knew you were having kidney stones problems but had no idea you had gained over 30 pounds in 7 days. I am only on page 4 of this thread so I don't know yet what has happened. However I am reading that several people have suggested you go to the ER and I tend t o agree there is something seriously wrong ad hope you did get to the ER. If they still haven't found out what is wrong I hope and pray that they do soon before there is even more of a weight gain. I wonder if in your walks something may have bitten you and you are having a reaction from it? Try a recall if anything happened during those walks. You never know! Here I am discouraged and upset over a 3 pound gain and you have gained ten times that amount. I truly feel for you my friend as 90 pounds gone in 4 months was a fantastic amount to lose and I was so happy when you had gained back your mobility to walk again. This is not anything that you do so please do not look at it that way. Once they find out what is wrong I know that weight will come off very quickly. Hang in there and keep positive. Get well!

Happy to hear you are having good weight loss results with the Water pill. Not so good about the side effects . But like you said they are better than the weight gain. So glad you felt well enough today to get out for a bit of a walk. Once that stent is gone and your back feeling like yourself again I am sure you will be back to walking like you use to.

Just got back from the Urologist and they addressed most of my concerns (i.e. pain, difficulty urinating, etc) except for the rapid weight gain. They said there is no way I gained all of that weight from kidney stone surgery or by having a stent. They are concerned I had a bad reaction to the anesthesia which is causing Fluid buildup around my heart. So they set me up for an appointment to see a cardiologist tomorrow morning. I also have to start self-cathetering 3x a day. Yay! Fun, fun! LOL.

Hi. Yes I went to urologist yesterday. They ran some tests and couldn't find reason for weight gain so they got me into see cardiologist today. They also taught me how to self catheter since I had been having difficulty peeing.

@@Fatty McFatster I hope everything is okay! I'm a little concerned for you. That weight gain is very odd. How are you feeling? Do you feel unwell or okay? Yes, please keep us posted!

Lauren I'm with you 100%. Since day one I made a promise to myself not to eat processed foods and for 95% of the time I'm on board with it. I start each day with a cup of coffee (wait 30 minutes) then eat my breakfast which is a yogurt and hard boiled egg. In September after a weight gain and a spike in my A1c I stopped eating at 7PM and didn't eat agin until 8AM. This seems to have been a missing part of my weight maintenance. As for food I prepare and cook my dinners but for lunch it's usually a can fish such as sardines, tuna or salmon. Thanks for the tips. Every little bit helps in this life long struggle. Continue the healthy life.

yes! I think the smaller sizes are often not worn because people buy them hoping they will fit, trying to loose weight. when they don't loose weight they donate. or if they are lightly worn it's due to weight gain. Glad you found some lovely things!

1st off, I'm so sorry you're having to deal with all of this, and without your surgeon's team for support! You really have an uphill battle!! Prednisone will work against you - it will cause cravings and weight gain all on its own. My rheumatologist (I have RA/PsA) won't give me prednisone unless I'm in a huge flare. If your rheumy hasn't started working you towards other anti-inflammatories, find a new rheumy. Methotrexate didn't work for me (and then I had an allergic reaction) but sulfasalazine is helping quite a bit, and we're considering plaquenil. We'll move to biologics before we'll do prednisone again unless I get a horrendous flare. I know how awesome prednisone is, I just got through telling my PCP that I wish it was safe to take long-term because I feel completely human on 10-20mg a day. But the side effects long term are awful, and it will absolutely work against you with weight loss. I can't do ultra-low carb like many of the people here, but I work to keep my carbs moderately low (I usually get 70-80g a day) and make sure I'm eating complex carbs like whole grains and Beans and not eating simple sugars. I focus mainly on getting my Protein and Water in, though some days it's very hard and I fall short but I keep working to do better the next day. If I get all my protein and fluids in, I often don't have room for a lot of carbs. I am so out of shape, have a reconstructed knee (not artificial, but they had to repair/replace cartilage and re-structure the joint), and the best thing I have found for exercise is to get in the pool. I found a close gym with an indoor pool. I can't even kick laps yet, but just get in and walk. The cooler water keeps the inflammation down, and the buoyancy keeps from overloading my joints. When I had my knee reconstructed in 2008, I couldn't afford a gym, but found that my city had an indoor pool at the senior citizen's center, and was able to go water walk there. So I highly recommend finding a pool you can use to get some exercise in and get those joints moving. I don't know what your options are for finding a doc since you don't have your original one. If you can't find a bariatric surgeon who will work with you, try and find a good PCP who is educated about WLS or maybe a gastroenterologist. If you can't find one to follow up with, there are a lot of resources online. Which isn't the best option, but it's better than having no support. I have been very impressed with the videos by Dr. Weiner https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qN8k1ix0DoCLM6VhDvz8w for example. Several bariatric centers publish their post-surgical programs. I highly recommend that you get on one and work really hard to follow it. Even though I can't follow the ultra low-carb programs that most here are using, I'm working really hard to change my eating patterns and my relationship with food permanently so that my tool will work. Best of luck to you!

Thank you for starting this post. I never thought I would admit this but we will be married 20 years this fall but our sex life ended 17 years ago. I know my weight gain was directly related to my feelings of loneliness and emptiness and not wanting to be attractive (so my outside would match my insides). It's good to know that i'm not the only one on the planet with this problem, 'cause it sure seems like it from TV and movies! I know nothing will change if I lose weight. I do know it is very uncomfortable to get attention from other men now that I have dropped a bit of weight. BTW, i'm a trekkie too (live long and prosper)

I expected big things from 2011...just not me! I was banded on September 30th, 2010. It has been a long, but quick process, if that makes sense. I have gone from 325-327 (by my at home scale) to 293.6 , as of this morning. It seemed so daunting when I first started the insurance process, seminars, etc, in April of last year. But, it truly went by quickly. Before I knew it, I was banded. If anyone is reading this and is overwhelmed by insurance hoops, don't be discouraged. Just take it one step at a time because the payoff is HUGE! My last fill, # 3, they put in a little more in my band. That was 3 weeks ago and I've lost about 6 pounds since then. Slowly, but surely! Fill 1 was okay...no real restriction, though, fill 2 was an overfill---followed by some being taken out, then fill 3, I feel, is my sweet spot. I feel like I eat too much (i'm so paranoid about overeating), but my husband says I hardly eat anything. In comparing what I ate before, he's probably right. I still keep track of everything on sparkpeople and really am trying to watch everything. It certainly something that isn't easy and is something that we all have to continually work at. Each day, I still argue with my body about what to put in it. I think it will get easier and easier, but it has hard not to stop at McDonalds in the morning for a breakfast sandwich (not that I can really eat it without getting stuck anyway!), but my mouth would still try. I have just started really trying to get serious about working out. I don't really have time for an actual gym between my kids and my husband's crazy work hours. I have picked up Zumba and also love working out to my Wii! My doctor's office has a program they refer to as 'Bootcamp'. It is 3 nights a week for 6 weeks. Of all of the places in my city, it happens to be held just a few miles from my house, which is great. You work out with a personal trainer those 3 nights, meet with a counselor for a few minutes on 2 of those nights and meet with a nutritionist the other night after your workout. And, as long as you don't miss more than 3 sessions, it is all free. So, I will be beginning that on their next session start next month. I really can't wait! I am starting to have loose clothing, which is great, and my knees are already feeling better when I go upstairs. I love that. When I met my husband, I was hovering around 270. Still fat, but nothing as to what I turned into over 5 years! I guess my happiness was directly correlated with my weight gain, which, ironically, caused unhappiness. But, one the road to being a better me feels good! I recognize I will never, realistically, be 135 pounds ever, but I'm okay with that as long as I can get down to a healthy weight of maybe 170. I really can't wait to to do things with my kids this summer! I can already tell I'm getting more energy and can't wait to see how that goes up, too. Anyway, those are the thought that are in my head today. I hope everyone is doing well after the holidays!