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The weight gain is from all the fluids the pump you with to keep you hydrated while in hospital. No worries, it will all drop off pretty fast. Your healing.

I find it facinating that the stats are just like alcoholism only 5% percent of us (I am one) stay sober for the long haul I think it is frustrating tht Star won't talk but Hey! whatever... I, sadly- am an open book.. I don't tell everyone my stuff but enough. I have given up etoh 10 yrs then nicotine 5 years and now my final and most daunting addiction FOOD. There are other ways to keep it off other than mechanical but for me its about my addiction and anything I can do to help I'm up for it. I went to AA for ETOH I did the patch for nicotine and now I did the band after years of rebound weight gain. I am okay with that but when I was heavier I had to give myself some self esteem and believe I was beautiful INSIDE just so I would not go insane. Right now I have been banded since Oct and have only lost 17 # mostly in first 2 mth. The scale has not budged I am down one --2 sizes but ouch. I see Star and think DAMN I am work ing hard at least I think I am had 2 fills exercising 4-5 days a week.. ARGGG anyway I don't think Star is as pretty now I think maybe a little more weight like a 12 or 14 and she'd be hot. I still want to be full and huggable I don't wan to be fragile Shoot I wan to be able to see my private parts and tie my shoes wear a nice dress and show my arms. Thanks guys I love reading you you make it bearable Elda

Make sure that for your supervised weight loss that you have them incorporate the mental health aspect of it as well, because if you go into surgery with a fixation that strong you can over do it! While I don't experience the same difficulties as you are facing getting a mental health plan established before and soon after support groups will really help. I am also 36 and had my share of bad things happen in my life that led me down the weight gain rabbit hole feel free to pm me anytime if need be you're welcome to my cell number!

It is unfortunate that weight gain is a side effect with so many medications but you need the meds. Your choice on getting banded is not based on 1 year of weight gain, it is over time of playing with your weigh that has brought you to this choice. Keep moving forward in what is best for you and your health.

I read some research once that said that it took an average person 4-5 days to show true weight gain for something they had eaten. In other words, if I pigged out today and was all excited because it didn't show on the scales in the morning, then I should WATCH OUT on Thursday!!

@@Margie122 thank you, I called the ins and they said they have "no guidlines" for weight gain I just need to get my ass in gear and quit thinking I can lose weight by just eating better It's gonna take work and I just hope I haven't f'ed up my chance at having this tool I worry alot obviously lol Thank you again

Although I am newly out of surgery, and you are way further along than me, I would urge you to slow down. Maybe make sure you get the 25 chews each bite. I have always just almost swallowed my food whole my entire life. I was the youngest of 3 boys, and had to eat fast or not get seconds. I contribute that to the huge amounts of food that I was able to eat in one sitting, and ultimately my problem with weight gain. Not saying you have that issue, but eating slowly does give your body a chance to register the amount of food you've eaten. You tend to be satiated with less food overall. Good luck!

I had the VSG in August of 2015 and began noticing more shedding when I washed and dried my hair that December, but it was minimal enough that I was the only one who noticed. It continued to shed a bit more than typical through February of 2016, and then abated. I lost far more hair in 2012 due to a John Frieda product (stay away from the Go Blonder spray!) that caused surreal damage, and in 2013 when the antidepressant I briefly took for grief caused weight gain and thinning right at the front of my head. Both times then my less diplomatic friends bluntly asked me why I was losing hair. When I lost hair after the VSG no one commented because it wasn't nearly as apparent. I am sensitive to Biotin so I never took it. The only Vitamins I was taking at the time were the Garden of Life Vitamin Code for women and Vitamin D. I now take Flinstones with Iron and have not lost any hair. I think the primary reason I lost little hair was that I was losing weight at a much slower pace than many others who've had the VSG. My BMI was low for the surgery (32), and it took me a full year to lose as much weight as some do in four months. I did eventually surpass my goal, though. To add - one change I did make was to stop washing my hair as frequently. I used to wash, dry, and style my hair every day, and that put extra strain on my hair. I wear a shower cap and just wash my hair every third day. I use a little dry shampoo from Lush to freshen it.

Speaking of "friends," I have one that KEEPS referring to me as someone with an eating/obesity problem. She knows nothing of the surgery, so it is as if she hasn't noticed that I have lost 50 pounds and am terribly fit. It seems I have moved on and she has not. She may prefer the fatter, more vulnerable and needy me. She was my friend through the hard times, so I need to find a way to understand, but not allow her to drag me down. I may be the opposite of what I am reading. My entire life I have been very social, until a rapid weight gain took me prisoner. It seemed an alien had taken over my body. To deal with the discomfort and shame, I avoided friends and poured myself into a new line of work, charity, and advanced education (to find self-worth that was not predicated upon my appearance or socially-acceptable weight.) Now that my weight/appearance/health are returning to "normal," I have begun to reahc out to the old friends. As was mentioned, the confidence to just be with anyone and focus on conversation is great. NEW TICKER MOVEMENT!!!

So I am on the "unweightloss" program right now. When I finally was able to see my insurance company's policy regarding weightloss surgery I read in exact terms this: Failure of medical management including evidence of active participation within the last two years in a weight-management program that is supervised either by a physician or a registered dietician for a minimum of six months without significant gaps. This is frustrating to say the least. I WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT. I WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT NOW. AND I WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT FOR GOOD. I am seriously struggling with this. In fact, with just changing my diet and not even my exercise levels, I seem to have misplaced TEN pounds over the past four days! I knew it was coming. My weight issues have always revolved around my hormone inbalances created by being a wonderful glorious woman (said dripping with sarcasm). Once a month - lasting for about a week - no matter what I do, I can't lose a single ounce. Once a month - lasting for about three days - no matter what I do, I gain five to seven pounds. And for the rest of the month, the weight melts off of me when I am behaving. Before I really discovered the trends and understood my body, this would get frustrating beyond all get out. But it's not so frustrating anymore. Now I can muscle down and just keep doing what I'm doing and know that when my hormones balance back out, I will be down. I have said before that my weight gains have always come when I get off of birth control. It's that hormone fluctuation that makes my body go crazy. So I'm off birth control, I'm regular, and I'm "normal", too. HA! I knew, because of where I am in my cycle, that I'd see a drop this week. I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT DROP TO BE TEN FRIGGIN POUNDS! That TEN pounds puts my BMI below 40 - therefore making me ineligible. So...I have to gain it back. Yes, you heard me. I have to gain it back. I really have no choice. Unless I forego this and say "I can do this by myself". I have no doubt that "I can do this by myself". I do doubt that I can keep it off by myself. Which is why I'm here. I WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT. I WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT NOW. AND I WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT FOR GOOD. Sigh. I don't want to gain it back. I DON WANNA! THIS IS SO STUPID! :thumbup:

Dcprincess...often times I feel undeserving and it seems unreal that I have lost weight. I had an epiphany last week when I realized that "yes, I had lapband surgery but no one put an exercise band in me!" Really, the band has helped get me started but the continual success in exercise and fact that I continue to run in 90+ degree weather here in Texas is MY accomplishment and not because of that band of silicone. I like to mull over that from time to time. BTW I ran in Houston last weekend early in the morning and even at 0700 it was HOT. Way to go with your exercise down there! I had a strange experience several months ago. I was out with some friends in a club and was feeling pretty tipsy (not something I usually do anymore!) Well, I went into the bathroom and when I looked at the mirror I felt real strange. I hardly recognized myself. Surely it was the alcohol speaking but at any rate it was a freaky experience. I wonder if we have all failed to have good body images even before our weight gain years ago and consequently it was what got us to where we are today. I had a very good friend (also a shrink) tell me that I was ignoring my obesity because it protected me from being hurt by others. When I finally came to the conclusion that I could no longer continue to be overweight just the admission that I was truly morbidly obese was an extremely painful experience. I cried for days after I scheduled my surgery. I guess I was fearing losing another (in)effective coping mechanism. Dcprincess, have you ever thought of posting side-by-side pictures of yourself somewhere you can look at them on a regular basis? I just might try that myself....although I find looking at the former pictures very depressing. I just think of the years I put up with lugging all the weight around! Anyone else have any ideas?

Do all sleeves or bariatric surgeries need revisions? I’m seeing posts that some people think the sleeve stops working and will need a revision at some point. Where are people getting this information? Yes, some people may need surgery revision. It can happen with any type of surgery. This site is filled with new people and people that have gained weight. People that are maintaining have no need for support here. I’m wondering if this is the reason people think surgeries will “need revisions” That we are all doomed to regain. Understand some may need a revision for various reason: examples: (I’m sure there are more reasons than what I have listed) Complications procedure not done correctly it was the wrong type of surgery for an individual. Many reasons why people gain weight. (Most People can control gains on their own, If the contiune to gain, they can consult their surgeon on options) Examples: Hormones medical conditions medications pregnancy/ menopause eating disorders stress Grazing – Eating a combination of heathy and unhealthy food over their calories and macros. The sensation is no restriction. Its as if you never had surgery and you will gain weight. Mistaking stretching as your restriction becomes less as you progress out from surgery (Your stomach is not back to full size) You still can fill it with food within your calories and macro’s Not knowing how many calories they are eating daily Will all surgeries stop working. NO. Will everyone gain weight - no. If you gain you can work it back down. Weigh yourself before a 20 pound gain continues on to a 40, 80, or 100+ weight gain.

It’s unlikely to be fluid retention but it would be your best interests to have your kidney function checked before looking at taking diuretics. Have you spoken with your surgeon or your dietician? Ask your dietician to review your diet & activity. 1000 calories seems a lot at 2 months but every plan is different & if you’re more active you can consume more calories. Stalls are common through out the weight loss phase where we don’t lose but weight gain like you’ve identified isn’t. Have you continued to lose inches even though the scale has gone up? Are you weighing yourself on the same set of scales, in the same place, at about the same time? Are you weighing & logging everything you eat & drink each day to ensure you’re not accidentally consuming more? I encourage you to go back to your medical team. Good luck.

I had pretty big boobs for my frame all my life. I popped out one kid, and I didn’t even breastfeed (I pumped for 4 weeks only). And it wreaked havoc on the state of my boobs. I had a breast reduction a year or so later, and they were good for a while (still big enough, but at least not droopy any more...i was wearing a 34C for a while after the reduction). Then I gained alot of weight the the next 10+ years and got up to a 40DD/DDD. Losing the weight deflated them, and re-droopified them. Not as droppy as after the kid, but enough to make me want the breast lift. Age, number of times there was weight gain& loss, speed of weight gain/loss, genes, and overall amount of fat lost will determine the sagginess of your boobs in the end. While muscle training may increase the size of the pectoral mucsles behind your boobs and give your chest a bit of lift, no amount if exercise will fill the sacs of deflated boobs. That’s just science. Depending on how much it bothers you, you can still easily look fabulous with a really good bra, no matter what the state you boobs are in. Good Luck ! ❤️

Well....my day is here! As of this morning...I have hit my goal weight of 165lbs!:wub: I knew this day would come but until you actually see it, you just don't believe it!:thumbup: Funny, I thought I'd be jumping up and down and screaming over it, but I am pretty calm about it and happy as a lark. I had to go for a tad bit of unfill yesterday. I am down to 5.2cc's. My body is adjusting a bit and I may have to go in again for another tweak by getting more taken out so I can maintain. It's amazing to me that I don't need as much fill as others. I mean I just assumed we all were pretty much on the same with that but not needing much more than 5cc's is amazing to me. Anything too much over 5.4cc and I get stuck and throw up in my sleep. Which is NOT a pleasant feeling at all.:scared2: It's scary because I think, what if I don't wake up and I choke?! So now, the major question is....do I need to lose more or should I be happy with what I am now? My initial goal was 170 but then I thought 165 would be better for BMI purposes. Now I am not really sure if I want to stop. What about 160? Plan for the monthly weight gain, blah, blah, blah. Am I turning into one of those skinny bitties who obsesses over the scale!:crying: There are some places I feel need to get a little thinner but I am not sure if it's because they are not quite as toned as I want them to be or if it's really just a tad bit flabby. Everyone knows from previous posts I am not exactly happy with where my tummy is but I want to give it a full year before considering anything else. I tried on a size 10 and danced all around the dressing room when they fit. I am thrilled with that....so what is it in me right now that wants more? I am going to have to meditate on that. I mean, I don't want to look sickly! Shape and curves are good.:thumbup: RIGHT???? I am feeling really silly right now...why am I not as happy as I thought I would be? On a different note...my doc left the office where he was. He is on an extended vacation right now and when he comes back he will decide where he will be. Not sure how I feel about that. I love him but I love my nurses too. I bet my main nurse will go with him and if that happens I will move my files with him. Didn't see that coming!:thumbdown: As always....I AM BLESSED! Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?:tongue2: Surgery Date: May 21, 2009 Starting Weight: 280lbs Dr. Michael Metz - St. Luke's Hospital Denver, CO:thumbup: Follow my progress thru photos: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/5...lbums3475.html

You are not taking the easy way out. Heck no! People who haven't struggled with their weight for years might think you're taking the easy way out, but they don't know the struggles you've had from being overweight. The hard times you've had trying to find clothes that look good, and the drastic diets you've tried that seem to work for two weeks and then fail badly, leading to even more weight gain. I could go on and on. You are NOT taking the easy way out. You are doing what is best for you in your situation, because you've tried so many other routes to a healthy lifestyle and unfortunately, they've just not worked for you. Don't worry, your friends won't hate you when you lose weight. They'll be super jealous, and one day they'll be asking to borrow your clothes!

Pre op I was a UK 28 (US 24). I am currently a UK 24 (US 20) and I hope to get back to UK 12/14 (US 8/10). Clothes sizes vary from shop to shop in the UK. Before my weight gain I could wear a size 12 in TopShop but require a 14 from M&S.

I'm not with ICE. I'm happy that you CBP guys are getting 6c. FLETC's always been a zoo. When I was there along time back, I stayed in the townhouses - which are now offices. Since then, a bad injury, a slow recovery and a lot of weight gain. It's coming off now though. Good luck to you guys.

I didnt have one foot in the grave, and the cosmetic effect of this surgery was probably the largest factor in my decision - and I'm not ashamed of that. I hated how I looked, hated myself, was miserable. Now I'm proud of what I've achieved. I was a low BMI too, 36 at surgery but to me that was the fattest I had ever been and the fattest I ever wanted to become. BUT - huge but - how many health problems have I forestalled by doing this? I still got cancer, but my colorectal surgeon said to me outright that the likelihood of a permanent colostomy if I hadnt lost all this weight was very very high - reason being that my cancer was low in the rectum, very difficult to access so far down in the pelvis. Yes, I have a nice wide, shallow pelvis that is a big factor, but being able to a) get into the area though a huge mound of abdominal fat and b ) stretch the remaining colon past all that flubber is very difficult in obese people. High blood pressure, cholesterol and heart attacks run in my family, strongly. But my stats are perfect. They sure werent six years ago, not terrible, but not great either. My excellent fitness is the strongest factor I have going for me to prevent cancer recurrence - exercise is a huge preventative - I never could have achieved that without the band, it was a complete package for me. My energy, my health, my ability to beat a deadly disease, I'm just not sure I would have even had the courage to go to my doctor to report that my bowel habits had changed because I was so ashamed and embarrassed of my body. I've had every man and his dog up my backside in the past two years, I've had to be naked on an operating table four or five times, I've had to have treatment every day for six weeks naked on the lower half in front of two very nice youg guys - all horrible invasive, traumatic but so so much more bearable because I wasnt totally consumed with thinking that THEY were thinking what a horrible fat old slug. It sounds so trivial in the face of how sick i was but it really realy mattered to me and made the whole thing easier. It could have all been so different, I could be sitting here today with a permanent colostomy hanging off my huge bulging gut, weighing god knows what now, I'm pretty sure in my old life the stress would have caused me a large weight gain. Instead I had the focus of keeping a strong hold of what I'd achieved and that got me through it, even though people thought I was insane to still be running and going to the gym whilst having chemo. Nuff said, its life changing no matter WHAT your reasons for doing it.

Hi Butterfly512, We handle hundreds of these kinds of denials (band conversion cases) so I wanted to share something before you went to surgeons thinking you might have to talk them out of a "required" six-month diet. Remember, despite what you might be told, there is no evidence-based medicine to support these bogus 6-month diets and the society of bariatric surgeons has soundly rejected the concept of insurer requirements like this. However it is quite possible that isn't even relevant in your case if you are having your band removed (with a conversion to a new procedure) because of a complication . While most people only think of band complications as being a flipped port or the band slipping or eroding, there are other complications we see every day, most of which result in stalled weight loss, weight gain, severe reflux and other serious problems. Often overlooked, even by surgical practices whose dieticians are often trying to paint we patients as the ones to blame if a surgery "fails", is a recognized complication called "band intolerance." That means, in essence, you cannot get it adjusted in the "green zone" so you're either too tight which results in severe reflux, regurgitation, vomiting, and pain (sometimes) or you are open and getting no satiety or restriction and can eat anything. Either way is bad but having a band too tight is often something people try to muddle through - often by eating softer, usually higher calorie foods because they go down easier than the dense proteins we are supposed to eat. When complications are present and your band has to be removed because there is no other way of treating your symptoms, there is no medical reason to be forced to undergo a 6 month diet. Think about it and you know the answer to this: how is a diet going to help alleviate something that can only be fixed surgically? Sadly too many bariatric practices simply have knee-jerk reactions about these diet programs which make no sense - they do it because they have allowed insurance companies to make these medical decisions. Hopefully this information helps you interview surgeons in your area and gives you some "ammunition" if someone in their office (or the surgeon themselves) tries to convince you that going on the dreaded six-month diet is necessary. And feel free to call us at 877-992-7732 if we can help in any way, even if you haven't had a request sent to your insurer. Good luck! For Patients' Sakes - Drive The Bus!

commenting on someone's weight gain/loss is plain rude imho. although, I have noticed that there are many people who are more easily able to spot a 5-10lb weight gain than a 50lb weight loss. go figure. saying "you look great" or something along those Iines is fine and about as much of a compliment as I would give anyone regarding their weight, but when I am on the receiving end, the cynic in me wonders how much of a beast you thought I looked like before. that said, I have noticed that for me at my highest weight, it does take about 50 lbs to get any comment at all. The heavier you are, the more subtle a 50+ lb weight loss is. I have learned to celebrate my own victories instead of relying on others to encourage me. congrats to everyone! you all must look great! lol. but seriously, the compliments and encouragement I get from people on these boards is more meaningful than most of the reactions I have gotten from people in my day-to-day life thus far. it's a mixed bag of genuine happiness, surprise, scrutiny, jealousy, etc....

Hello! This will be my first post. My name is Jenniffer, I'm 26 years of age, suffering from PCOS (no periods, hirsutism, weight gain, infertility, except for the hair loss) and Hypertension. I'm 5'4 and 266 lbs. I've been overweight my entire life. I developed hypertension when I was 14 years old (inherited) due to my obesity. When I turned 15, I decided to do something for my health and got a gym membership, That's when I reached my lightest weight 180 lbs. Years later, by 2008/09 I was 289/290 lbs. I made it to 207 and then again I'm back to 266/7 in a three year period. I have tried as many diets as you can imagine. I have become a diet connoisseour and a fitness lover. I have become very deppressed and getting sleeved has become my last resource. I found out about going to Mexico and getting sleeved through A Lighter Me , but I also learned about Dr. Ramos Kelly. I have some questions for those that can relate to my experience. Here are my questions: -A Lighter Me (cheaper still good) vs Dr. Kelly (more expensive) -Which loan company lent you the money and how was the process. -Were you able to lose weight with PCOS, just like regular women do? Tell me about your experience please, because I'm completely lost. P.s. I heard bypass surgery works better for women with PCOS but I prefer the sleeve. Please help!

Congrats on this big first step! It's wonderful news that you're able to take decisive action and make such a major decision to improve your life! I'm worried when I hear you say you hope the surgery will make you stop hating yourself. This surgery is a great health improver, but there's no guarantee how you'll feel about yourself afterwards. You could easily end up skinny but unhappy. I'd guess we all come into this with pretty low self image due to all of our previous failures at weight loss. But I would recommend taking some time to understand what's contributed to your self image and weight issues to this point before actually having the surgery. For most people it's not just stomach capacity that led to the weight gain. For those of us using insurance, we had to sit down with a psyche professional and they usually poke around and try to unpack these issues for each of us. Your doctor can probably recommend someone similar that works with MWL patients. I think it'd be a great benefit to you if you reached out to them for some counseling before making your mind up. I hope I don't sound preachy. I would just hate to see you spend all that money and go through everything and end up unhappy. I will pray for you and I hope you get to a really great place!

And then let's talk about the growing number of RNY patients who, at several years out with a relaxed pouch and weight gain, end up getting a band. None of the procedures are a magic fix, and it still boggles me that there is a weird caste system around bariatric surgery (I've experienced it too).

I just had this discussion with my surgeon at a one year follow up visit. I've lost 145 pounds and I am about 13 pounds past my pre-established goal. Weight loss has slowed dramatically for me. He indicated that your body makes the decision for you. If you follow the plan for 12-18 months, the body will settle into it's comfort zone. You can push the limits through a strict diet and exercise plan but unless you can maintain that level, there might be some small weight gain; even when sticking to the diet plan. And that is the body adjusting to where it is most comfortable.