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There's no way, physiologically or otherwise, that you can gain 6 pounds of true fat after one or two so-called "cheat days." 6 pounds of fat gain would have required you to consume and store 21,000 excess calories as body fat. It cannot happen in a couple of days. What is happening is water gain due to consumption of too many starches. Eating too many carbohydrates without enough physical activity will cause bloat. Foods with a high carbohydrate level cause the body to store three times as much water compared to protein. This storage is in the form of glycogen, which requires a considerable amount of water. The end result of eating too many carbs without enough activity is water weight gain, at least in susceptible people. In carb-sensitive people, carbohydrate loading (a.k.a. "cheating") causes fluid retention that results in a lot of temporary water weight gain. Recall that the liver utilizes water as it creates and stores glycogen from all the carbs one eats. Thus, water weight gain will show up on the scale as a heavier weight. I do not have cheat foods or cheat days. If I want a slice of pizza or a cheeseburger or taco, I eat it. Since I have no forbidden foods, I have minimal desire to go off the rails. "Cheat days" are a part of the dieter mentality. I sucked at diets; therefore, I am not on a diet. As long as that burger can be worked into my daily calorie budget, it is not a cheat food for me.

I take Zoloft for clinical depression and anxiety. I took it for years before surgery and am still taking it. I also take birth control pills(yes even at 50) or I will have trouble with cysts. I have lost weight maybe slower than others but I am 50. if you do not mind what antidepressant are you on? Some can cause weight gain. I gained 40 lbs. on Paxil over a 4 month period. It takes at least a month up to 6 weeks for them to kick in and you really feel a difference. You might also consider this. if you are an emotional eater and food was your friend and now it is not there to comfort you . . . it can make you feel crazy, looking for something to make you feel like you do when you can eat for comfort. I do not know you so you may not be an emotional eater but if you are that might be your problem and if you are stressed and depressed it is a tough road to go down without food. If you think that is you go see a therapist and learn some coping skills. That is what I have to rely on. Cheri

I am also currently pregnant. Due Sept 19th. I did have a complete unfill at 10 weeks due to horrible all-day sickness. I was very anxious and worried about weight gain, but after getting ahold of myself, really I'm doing all of this for my baby. I can always get filled again and jump back on the weightloss track. To be completely honest I don't really have the ability at this point to even eat as much as I did at my most filled state. The baby is taking up so much room, so I am back to eating small meals/snacks throughout the day. My surgeon wasn't worried about the calorie intake while pregnant he was more worried about calories during breastfeeding. It is your decision maybe just a slight unfill as the months go on will work for you. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!!!

Today I had a one pound weight gain. Fortunately, I knew that I would have a gain right after surgery because of the fluids they pump in you and the swelling at the surgery site. I felt pretty miserable last night and took a narcotic tablet that we had leftover from some back pain awhile back. My doctor doesn't prescribe narcotics...just an NSAID and I'm already on some of those (Voltarin) for my rheumatoid arthritis. This morning, I took 1/2 tablet and feel a little better. I'm wondering how much weight I will have to lose to go down a size? I just bought (online) a shirt to wear for Thanksgiving that is in my current size (but tight right now). I hope it literally hangs on me! We'll see...

Feeling glum when you have been brave enough to put yourself through SURGERY in order to try and manage your weight and health better, and you have strived hard to follow your diet plan, and you have been admonished by your doctor (!!!! how dare s/he!!!!) for your pre-op weight loss, and you are being deprived of all the ways you soothed your moods with food previously, well feeling glum sounds absolutely normal and acceptable to me! And so you reached out and asked for support....well done. What all this says to me is that you are being human, normal, acting in your best interest, are persevering, are trying to cope with temporary disappointment, and are going to be ok, because you have the self-caring to ask for support. Well done, but not because of the seven pounds but because of your honesty and dedication. You now need to look at yourself and glow with pride at your courage and tenacity mixed with vulnerability and authenticity. Time.....healing.....getting there....and you will, I am sure. Thanks for sharing. I for one have felt glum, angry, despondent, wondered why on earth I submitted my otherwise healthy body to surgery, why I can't just get on with it without all this, felt helpless, bordering on hopeless....then elated, proud, happy, energised....and then bored, forced to look at my weight gaining behaviour, forced to be brutally honest with myself....and accepting that a body is a body and has its own means of rebelling, doing things its own way, being complex and difficult to comprehend...and still having faith that in the LONG TERM it is going to be ok and it will work. It has been 23 days since surgery and I have stagnated, but this WILL change because this is how I have previously given up on dieting, and with a lap band implanted in me, well it is drastic, and I can't give up....so I won't...and that is why I had it put in me, because KEEPING GOING is what has always defeated me. Thank you so much for your honesty. Lynda

You're right on schedule to have the fear factor, because the dream is becoming real and we all have the fear that any dream may turn into a nightmare. If you're anything like me you have cried over what may happen and even feel a little guilty. I am a mother of 6, the oldest daughter 23 is married and have given me 2 of the cutest grandsons.When would she not need me? She is a new mother and has many questions on how to do things. My 19 year old son who is becoming an independent young man. Who would tell him how to prepare for the financial problems or his need for little extra cash? Who would tell my budding 11 year old girl what a wonderful person she is and what are cuties? What about my 4 year old son who has a speach disability, he has yet to say his own name and I want to hear it. Then there are my youngest twin girls. 3 years of life and wraped up into me. The truth is if your a mother there is NEVER an opertune time to die for you or for them. I took that knowledge and asked myself how did I want to live the rest of my life. As it was, My bmi was 32, just obese, however I have a heart murmur under illness. Bad knees ( I was a competitive skater as a child )and the extra weight would make them ache. I had a hysterectomy and could not stop the weight gain through exercise and a 1200 calorie diet. I was going to bed at 8 pm out of fatigue. Would my health get better if I would not get the surgery? No, The more weight I put on my heart the more dangerous the surgery, the more weight I put on my knees the harder it would be for me to walk post surgery. In 20 years time if I hadn't had vsg I would be just like my family members who wake up to watch tv until bed time ( If my heart held out ).I decided my children deserved better, I deserved better! I took strength from the pioneers. They came to a world with peril because it gave them and their offspring a chance of a better life. I wanted a better life for me and my family. Although I would not have to go any where near the trama our pioneers did. I had a thought of using the braveory they might have had, to have my surgery. My Dr. can't find my murmur now and it's only been a few months. I have so much energy and I don't even want to go to bed until 11pm and I don't remember when my knees last ached. I can now give my youngest the same play time my oldest had. I'm so glad I had this surgery and I didn't let my fears stop me.

That's great you are finally going to a psychiatrist. The know much more about issues like bipolar than your family doc. I take 2 meds for bipolar. One possibly causes weight gain but it didn't for me. I lost steadily on it. I would take the meds prescribed for a couple weeks and see how it goes. If you are doing all the right things and still don't loose than you can decide what to do. For me, I'd rather stall in weight loss for a bit than suffer with deppression/anxiety. Good luck!

Ok I searched the forum.... called a friend who had the lap band a month before me and she didnt gain weight... So here I am asking away... Ok liquid Protein shakes sat sun mon and tues.... then nothing after 9pm on tuesday....Surgery on wednesday around noon... Since then I have had ice chips and Water.... I have had 2 shakes since I returned home today (thurs) and I just for the heck of it weighed myself.... AND I am up 10 pounds from Wednesday morning...How does that happen... And how ticked off do you think I am about it Arghhhh! Anyone else experience this....? And if you did when did that come back off... I am assuming it is water and swelling.... All comments welcomed!

This weight gain is normal. But different for everyone. Week one weight loss was 8lbs week two- 4lbs week 3- 2lbs gained 9 this is where I decided to go on the 5 day pouch test until out of bandster hell.) week 4- 2 lbs re lost plus 2 pounds week 5- 2 pounds lost- First fill at the end of this week still little restriction so I will continue on the 5 day Pouch test on monday. 16 pounds lost total in 5 weeks. every body is different but this is what I have experienced.

Hello All, I'm about 13 months post op (sleeve). I generally have no problems eating and following my prescribed diet. I'm staying at about 1,000 to 1,200 calories a day, getting 65mg of protein in, drinking my water, and staying away from bread, pasta, etc. The only vice I have right now is drinking caffeinated coffee. While I have lost 100lbs since surgery (with 50 more to go), I've been stalled at my current weight for the last 3 months. To be honest, I'm dumbfounded about why I can't seem to lose any more weight. I really think it would be difficult to reduce my caloric intake much more while continuing to get in my daily protein allotment. I tried additional exercise on my recumbent bicycle but that resulted in a weight gain of 5lbs. Can anyone advise on what the secret is to restarting my weight loss? Thanks...Rev

Ouch!! As you said, the weight gain is probably from the bruising. I read the thread initially hoping you had found a way to gain weight, fast. I am continuing to struggle with weight loss and poor appetite - six lbs in a matter of days sounded great, until I read the cause. Feel better! And Happy Birthday!

Thank you for the link to the website. I'm starting day one of the 5 day pouch test today, as I really fell off the band-wagon over Christmas and haven't been able to get back on. I was up until 4am last night - eating! I am so ashamed of what I have done and feel so hopeless. It was doing so well for the first three months, then came final exams, Christmas stress, and weight gain. These things combined made me start eating refined carbs (which I hadn't been eating for the first three months) and I can actually feel an addiction to them this time around. So, I know I need to quit eating those and get back on track (and hopefully the feeling of success will help as well). I really hope this is what I need!!! ~

I am on my third week of my pre op diet and I've lost 25 lbs I am 2 pounds away from my goal weight and I cheated and over ate tonight. I am supposed to go to the DR tomorrow morning to get a check up and I know I effed up if I have any weight gain the moment I was done eating I regretted it. I was regretting it WHILE I was eating it but did it anyway. Tomorrow morning I'm definitely going to skip Breakfast and resume my pre op diet but I definitely feel discouraged rightnow because I cheated and I feel like if I can't change my habits now the surgery will be useless. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was taken off metformin by my primary prior to surgery because he assumed I wouldn't need it because I was going "lose weight". I have most of the signs of pcos and he thought I had it but was never told definatively that I did have it. I have facial hair, but I'm blond so I'm lucky and shave. Have/had type II diabetes Have so many skin tags that I can't count and want to wear turtlenecks all the time! My periods are six weeks apart give or take a day or a week or whatever but I'm almost 48 and don't plan on having anymore children anyway Can't go on the pill because I get/had blood clots in my legs Really bad dandruff Had a few uterine cysts but got an oblation Forgot on meds for anxiety and depression clonapen and cymbalta Naturally I have a weight problem and have put 20 pounds plus since surgery Anyone with advice. I was put on synthroid for an inactive thyroid that was just discovered prior to surgery but still gained back all my weight and feel like a loooooser!!! but not the right kind of loser!!!! Never lost weight after being banded 7 months ago, lost it during the medifast phase. I see my surgeon on the 22nd of this month so I don't know what he's going to do with me:confused: Thanks, brandyII

kamicola, thanks for all the info, you sound like you know what you're talking about. I was originally sent to an endocrinologist when my gen practitioner thought I had pcos and also was found to have high blood sugar at that time but she said my thyroid was "normal" and put me on metformin and said "don't think that you're going to lose weight on this drug". I was like well I didn't but okay???? She had a really bad bedside manner and I had this feeling she hated fat people, I don't remember why I got this impression because it was a few years ago but I remember the feeling. Anyway I ended up losing about 20 pounds after that because I went on a diet drug that I don't remember anymore. Went back to her and she didn't change anything but they did take a blood test every time I went in and that was a big twice! My gen pract. had then written the Rxs for metformin. Then, probably about 5 years later I decided to have lap band surgery and my surgeon was pretty thorough and he sent me through all sorts of testing. It was the blood test that I had done through them that caught the thyroid issue. I've heard there's a thyroid test that is very expensive and many don't have that test done, maybe that's what the one that caught the problem. I did a follow up with their endocrinologist and she's the one that put me on synthroid and I told her how I had been on metformin but my gen pract. took me off and didn't renew my prescription because I had lap band surgery (still hadn't gained it back yet) and she's the one that thought that was weird and I also told her how I never tested my blood sugar because no one told me to or how and was never given a kit. Anyway she whips one out and shows me how to use it and tested it right there so now I have one. Unfortunately she never wanted me to follow up with her but did order some tests so I made an appointment anyway. Probably because I went there for pre-op to lap band and she possibly thought I'd see another endo or something, I have no idea but my script from her for synthroid runs out in a couple months so I'll have to find another doctor because she moved to another office much further than I want to travel. Sorry for making this so long and I hope I'm making sense and not just rambling. OKay, I had surgery the end of last August and have put back all the weight I had previously lost on Medifast prior to surgery. I don't know why I totally screwed this up but you've said and so have others that I need to see the endocrinologist. I understand that I should take this into my own hands and find a new one, which by the way, there aren't that many endos here for some reason, but do you think this could be related to my weight gain? I can get on the scale one day and be five pounds heavier, it's awful. I tested my blood sugar yesterday and fasting was 125 but I kept it down most of the day with just one spike in the 250s and that was 2 hours after lunch which was mostly Protein. I don't drink any sugar drinks and rarely alcohol. Anyway hate to lay this all on you but you seemed to know a lot about this and God knows when I'll get an appt. with a new endo. Thanks for listening, brandyII.:regular_smile:

Hello and welcome! Sorry to hear about the nasty turn of events that have caused your disability and weight gain. My husband suffered a severe work injury four years ago that has left him disabled. I understand the toll that can have on someone, both physically and emotionally. I wish you luck in your journey. I'm sure March will be hear before any of us even know it. I am due to be banded on December 27.

I am pre op and trying to get my arms around hearing about gaining weight after surgery. I have heard and read about people getting back up to their starting weight. I am so confused on how this happens- other than people pushing their food limits wayyy beyond what they should be. If you eat "incorrectly" on Occasion or eat normal foods, just in smaller portion will this weight gain occur? What have people time after surgery and weight gains looked like? Also what do you attribute it to? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The past 6 to 8 months I've not like posting my weight on my anniversary, as you can see, it has stayed in the same range. Today makes 17 months since my banding. I am still struggling to get my fill just right. I thought my 10th fill would be the perfect amount, but I still believe I need a tad more. I still can eat anything, bread, steak etc. some days are tighter than others, but I find that it is only about 1 week out of the month that I have perfect restriction - and that is during my monthly. sometimes when I ovulate I am tighter, but again, that is just a few days out of the month. I will be going for fill #11 next week, right before my cruise. I know some might think I'm crazy, but I'm sick of not losing so I don't care if I am tight on the cruise. I don't want to gain on the cruise, I actually would like to lose a few pounds while on the cruise - this will be a first if that happens. The average weight gain for a cruise is 10 pounds and I've always gained weight while on a cruise. Always, at least 5 lbs, last year, I think I only gained around 3 or 4, I can't remember. Well, it hurts, but I have to be honest with myself - so here is my weight history since banding......month by month. I am still determined to finish this race by my 2 year anniversary! I want to lose and hit my goal, I will lose and hit my goal! I will not give up and I will not quit until I reach my goal! Highest weight - 248 1 mo post op - 206.8 2 mo post op - 198 3 mo post op - 193 4 mo post op - 184.2 5 mo post op - 178 6 mo post op – 174 7 mo post op - 178 - went on vacation and ate big (7 day cruise) 8 mo post op - 174 9 mo post op - 170 10 mo post op- 167 11 mo post op - 170 - haven’t even been trying 12 mo post op - 174 - again, not trying. But finally refocused - exactly where I was at 6 mos post op – so basically no weight loss in the past 6 mos 13 mo post op - 183 - Ouch! started taking steroids and made my weight go up, along with not eating right and no exercise! 14 mo post op - 185 - grrrrr 15 mo post op - 180 - weight is finally going down, but inches are actually coming off faster since I've been exercising a lot. 16 mo post op - 178 17 mo post op - 175

Hi all! I found out yesterday that my surgery date is Dec. 21. Now this is strange because I just submitted the final bit of documentation that was needed to submit to insurance. So as far as I know, they hadn't submitted anything to the insurance company for approval yet. I was in seeing my hematologist yesterday, and she happened so tell me that they had contacted her about the availability of a date for me (I'm going through some not fun, non-obesity related heal nonsense). This struck me as weird, since, as I've said they had JUST received the required documents for submission... My pre-op is Dec. 8th and the surgery is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 21. Did this happen to anyone else? Were you given a slot before everything was submitted? Also, I'm a little nervous. I was in the hospital for about a month this past summer. I lost about 30 pounds, but since I've been out I've slowly gained some back. My weight was pretty stable for a while, and in these last weeks I've gained about 4 pounds. It may not sound like much, but I'm nervous they may delay my surgery due to this weight gain. I hadn't been eating really since I was sick, and have had a good appetite for a while now. Should I be nervous?

That's just hospital fluids. It's not a real weight gain. I'm glad ur doing better and out of the hospital

I chose this surgery so I would not fall off the wagon. Falling off for me wasn't just a meal or a day, it was a month and wasn't just a few pounds but 10-15. I was so tired of the yo-yo dieting and weight gain/weight loss. No matter what restrictive surgery you choose, you will still have to watch what you eat (more quality than quantity) and exercise.

When I need to get the scale moving again I go on the plateau buster's diet - which is basically just going back to the lapband "rules". Protein, veggies, then carbs. I started back on it on Monday after some weight gain (8 lbs) and I've already lost 4 lbs. If you'd like I can send you the guidelines.

All I know is, thanks to the band, I eat a heck of a lot less than what I used to....and that is what it took....eating less, (lot less), exercise daily = good steady weight loss until there is no more to loose...equilibrium achieved. Only once in my journey did I not loose weight, gained actually, and that was during my 2nd month...and there was no doubt I knew I was eating too much, not having any restriction....and my Dr. reassured me, not to get very upset, and we will take care of that, and that being his / our goal.... (I have not lost any weight in well over 1-1/2 years, but that's another story)

I was 405 the day of surgery. I'm 38 and was a full scholarship Division 1 football player in the 90's. I was always in great shape but my significant weight gain started after I had three hip replacements on the same hip a couple years ago. I was non weight bearing for several months and gained significant weight throughout the recovery. I am also 6'3 and have quite a bit of muscle mass! I walked for at least an hour a day starting the day after surgery and started working out hard three weeks ago. I am working on losing weight and getting my hips back in shape at the same time. Good luck. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It's April 26, 2012. In 18 days, my life will change forever, and I can't wait! Let me start by telling you about myself. (Apologies if this is long-winded, but I think it will give a more rounded picture of how I ended up here!) I am 42 years old. I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with my husband (my soulmate...I waited until 40 to marry, and he's my forever love!), and our 2 cats, Rosie and Maize. I was born October 20, 1969, a very very small (1.9 lbs!) and 8 weeks premature. My mother has smoked during her pregnancy and I think it impacted my growth. Back in those days, they didn't have neonatal intensive care units and ventilators etc. for preemies. I was just lucky to survive! Believe it or not, I think that is where my problems with my weight began! I used to drink 2 or 3 times the amount of formula my mother's Obstetrician has prescribed for me. It was as if my tiny little body was demanding more and more food to make up for the lack of size and development during the pregnancy! During my early childhood, I was actually average size and played a lot of sports. But food was starting to be more and more of a focus. I would have eating contests with my Dad. Food was a reward when something good happened, and a comfort when something bad happened. By the time I was 12, I was universally known as "chubby" amongst my family, friends, schoolmates. Despite all this, I continued to play many sports, and excel in all of them! High school brought fresh pain and more weight. I was shunned by the boys (more of a tomboy anyways, they saw me as "one of the guys"). Girls didn't want to be associated with me...I wasn't the right "clique" material. The only thing that made high school bearable was sports (I was both admired and mocked for my athleticism....a weird combination!) and music. I was captain of almost every team I played on (volleyball, softball, soccer, field hockey), but when we went to "away" games, I would hear people in the crowd openly call me names and laugh at me. It was very painful and even if we won and I was the star of the game, I would invariably end of crying on the way home. What would make me feel better? Food! McDonalds, Dairy Queen.....the more calories, the better! Of course, I went though ups and downs. I would try a diet, find some success, lose some weight.....then invariably, gain it all back plus. In my Junior year, a group of my friends and teachers I was very close with chipped in to buy me a birthday gift. Looking back now, it was incredibly generous, kindhearted and really demonstrated how much they loved me. But at the time, I was mortified (though I put on a brave face). They had bought me 10 sessions with a Nutritionist, so I could lose weight. OMG! Even the people I loved thought I was unacceptable the way I was. It put me in a depression and left an indelible mark on my psyche for a long time. I went to the sessions and tried to lose weight and keep it off. Of course, I failed (I didn't really want to succeed and prove them right, unconsciously of course). In the end, I graduated and went on to University and then the real floodgates of weight gain started. I was 198 lbs when I started University. I couldn't afford to go to school without a full time job (at the same time!) so I gave up competitive sports (I had enough talent to make Varsity....but no time to dedicate to it!). I was working full time hours from 4 pm to midnight most weekdays, and every other weekend. No time for regular meals (I would sleep late, skip Breakfast, grab a lunch to go that I could eat in class, then rush off to work). Often eating dinner from the vending machine at work, or grabbing fast good on quick 15 min breaks. My freshman "15" was more like "50". I continued my education after University, and became a Respiratory Therapist, but developed an anaphylactic allergy to latex. At the time, this was still quite rare, and most hospital equipment, etc. was still made using latex (especially gloves!). I had to quit my profession before it even really began! Backup plan was to turn to something I already loved as a hobby. Computers. The internet was starting to really grow (1997) and I taught myself HTML and online design/publishing. The rest (as they say) is history. I am now an E-Communications Analyst with our Provincial Government (yes, a public servant!). Needless to say, this is a very sedentary job. It's contributed to my weight gain. I've gone through numerous diets and was very successful in 2006 (lost 100 lbs!) with a strict 1200 calorie diet and ALOT of exercise. In 2007 my brother (who lived on the West Coast, on Vancouver Island) was getting very ill. He had been diagnosed with Brain Cancer 6 years earlier and was really a miracle case to still be alive! His health was deteriorating and I flew out to help him set up homecare and prepare for when he would need hospice. The stress was intense, and I started to regain my weight. Later in 2007, my mother unexpectedly passed away. She simply went to bed one night and never woke up! At 73, it was very very unexpected and I was suddenly thrust into caring for my father (79 yrs old at the time) who had many health problems and dementia. 5 months later, my brother passed away. The stress of all of this loss, sudden responsibility (caring for Dad, executor for Mom and my brother's estates, etc.) sent me over the edge. I regained most of the weight that I had lost. I did manage to lose 35 lbs for my wedding in Sept. 2010, but it has crept back on and I am now at 318 lbs and miserable. My asthma gets worse with each additional pound (when I lost the 100 lbs, I went off ALL my asthma meds and I was exercising like a fiend with no shortness of breath!). I am desperate to get back to a weight where I can exercise without feeling like I'm going to die from fatigue or lack of oxygen! I'm getting my VSG on May 14, 2012 from Dr. Ramos Kelly in Tijuana, Mexico. It's self-pay and it's the best money I'll even spend on anything (especially myself!). I am psyched!