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Definitely wait until you have reached and maintained your goal weight. Your body is going to change so many times before you reach goal. In addition remember when you take fat cell out of one area of your body your body will readjust and any weight gain will be in another part of your body (not that you will gain). Extra weight on the body is always better in the lower extremities than the middle. By the time you reach goal your thighs will be so much thinner and you will probably just want to get rid of the extra skin by then.

The first few weeks can be challenging for many - physically and psychologically. Your stomach and your mind have to acclimate to profound changes. It's also common for your weight to fluctuate more then. I didn't even weigh myself for the first couple of weeks because I anticipated having gained weight from the anesthesia pumped into me for the surgery, and then a roller coaster of gain and loss as my body healed. I anticipated the infamous "three week stall" so many others experienced. I hadn't wanted to be discouraged, so I had my husband put the scale on a shelf that requires dragging out the step ladder to reach until things were more stabilized. I wouldn't really quantify the three pounds you gained as actual weight gain, considering that it came on the heels of a 17 pound rapid weight loss. Anytime you lose weight too fast it's common to gain some of it back. It's why the trendy juice cleanses and detox quackery usually cause people to drop weight fast, and then gain a portion of it back even faster. To me the positive to focus on is that you lost 17 pounds, but only gained back three of it. Meaning you've already lost 14 pounds since surgery just a few weeks ago. If you had a child who was recovering from a surgery and prescribed a diet specifically designed to help her heal, would you permit her to defy it and eat things that could jeopardize that process? I doubt you would. Love yourself as much as you'd love someone whose care is your responsibility. It's not a diet like ones you've probably followed in the past that is to help you to lose weight, though that's a side benefit. It's a medical diet, not unlike other ones people follow prior to or after a surgery or medical / dental procedure. As an example, one of my colleagues just had her teeth whitened and has to only eat white or clear foods for a couple of days to avoid discoloration, and another has been open about having to only eat certain foods in preparation for a colonoscopy. You might not have gotten sick yet, but you're chancing it by eating things your stomach isn't ready for yet. I didn't eat solids until the one-month mark, and got sick that day, so I then reverted to liquids and soft foods for another two weeks until I felt more steady. Have you ever checked out the blog "The World According to Eggface"? It has some recipes for each of the phases following WLS. Pinterest also has a lot of ideas. I enjoyed getting a little freshly ground peanut or almond butter from Whole Foods and adding that to chocolate protein (unjury was my favorite brand) and Fair Life (higher protein) milk and ice in my Nutribullet and having a dessert-like shake. I also still make a lot of smoothies using high protein yogurt like Fage, and lower carb fruit and some frozen kale (berries will mask the taste of it, and it being frozen helps with the texture) rather than having Protein powder. Tasty Soups, like the red pepper one by Trader Joe's, also helped me to have some variety. My nutritionist had suggested egg puddings for the soft food phase, and I found a low-carb, low-sugar but tasty recipe that uses SF Torani syrup. Persevere through this challenge. It's worthwhile.

Hello Everyone, I had surgery on 11/22 and I've had nothing but problems. Long story short, the surgeon put my sleeve too tight which they saw with the GI test the morning after surgery. I lost about 17 pounds between 11/22 and 11/30. Now I am up almost 3 pounds since 11/30. I'm getting down with the pain and the headache that I've dealt with because of the complication. Now that I am drastically better and the complications have lowered, I just can't get on track. I went from eating basically nothing between 11/22-11/30 to "cheating" and eating real food right now. I am still supposed to be on a liquid diet but I'm eating eating solids. I've eaten a pancake, Soup, a cookie, and I'm getting so frustrated! I know that it's my own fault but I just don't know what to eat! Protein shakes taste disgusting to me and I have hunger pains! What can I do? Help . I do not want to fail at this and cannot fail!

I was sleeved on 10/6. And last week when I weighed myself I was 212... then my period started on this past Monday 10/31. And I weighed myself today and I'm 215. Is this normal? Or have a screwed up somewhere?

Before I even signed up for an orientation, I checked out forums like this to make sure VSG was right for me. I have always been an Atkins oriented eater, so the whole protein first thing wasn't a problem. I am a social drinker (weekends only -- no high calorie drinks) and observed that most VSG veterans who were drinkers before the surgery seem to do so without problems after. I also listened closely to my surgeon during orientation who clearly stated that one of the big differences between the VSG and RNY was that that the recommended no one ever drink alcohol after RNY; okay in moderation with VSG. I also found that most threads on the topic of alcohol are full of people who didn't drink castigating people who did, which tended to distort the true information exchange, so before I get tp the questions, I humbly request that people who never drank, or gave it up since their surgery feel free to troll, but please don't comment -- I'm only interested in first hand factual responses! QUESTIONS: 1. How long did you go before having your first drink? 2. Have you had any MEDICAL complications with your surgery that were attributed to drinking alcohol? 3. Have you gained back significant weight from drinking alcohol? 4. Have you developed an alcohol addiction post VSG after having been able to control your drinking before? As I said, I have read all the guidelines and see questions 2, 3, and 4 listed as "risks of drinking alcohol". At the same time, I see lots of comments from people who have returned to drinking post-opt with no complications, weight gain, or sudden addiction. By the way, I have also read all the "doctor's orders" and have found total inconsistency (ranging from never drink again to a month or two). My own program doesn't even have a consistent answer, which is why I'm asking for real stories... Thanks!

You don't have much willpower because there is no such thing. We make a choice and we stick to it or we don't. We must focus on Protein and foods that will nurture our bodies, fuel our engines. There are no magic words or techniques that we can give you to make you decide to do it the right way. Get your protein in. Stay hydrated. Our sleeve only hold 4-6oz of anything....fill it with good things. Grazing = weight gain. Decide to stop doing it.

So angry and sad. I'm recovering from a total hysterctomy and preparing to have sleeve surgery in 4 weeks, on Feb. 23rd. My husband (new I might add, just married over a year) has been brutal towards me because of my weight gain overthe last year and half. I gained 70 lbs (again, after losing 50). This was the last time I was going to go through this. I had to gain 10 lbs to have the surgery, and I did. It was great! For the first time, I ate what I Wanted...with no guilt. I have continued to eat some healthy things and some not healthy things. And he has insulted, put me down, told me he doesn't want a fat wife...and on and on. Today I woke up sick, with a headache, but feeling good about my body. I have lost 10 lbs after this last surgery. I thought, hey! I'm looking better. I then walked in his office to him looking disgusted, telling me I had a headache because I ate some starbursts...and essentially telling me he wasn't going to buy me any junk food. I need to be on "His plan". And he is angry at me for gainig weight, and not being an obedient wife. I was hurt, sad, enraged, and just sick of it. I have battled my body for over 25 years, and I know this descion to have the sleeve is right, no matter what he says. It just hurts to know that the man I married, has let me know...he doesn't love me for me. He obviously married me for what I looked like. I told him tonight that I hate him, and wished I never married him. He is a preacher, and so good to other people. But, horrible to me. It sickenss me. With bad health, and am not supporting myself. I can't leave. I feel trapped with no support or family near me. Just wanted to vent. Also, I'm a Christian and a praying person. Please pray for healing from this surgery, and healing and help through the sleeve Surgery. Thanks

My favorite protein bar is no protein bar . . . they are Satan's work IMO. Turkey jerky or some chopped up chicken breast in a little tupperware container is lower calorie, lower carb, higher protein, more filling, and often cheaper too. Nutritionally not much different from candy bars with protein added. I've noticed that people tend to get obsessive about their protein bars the way they used to with candy bars or brownies or whatever. True story -- my mom has a weight problem. She tends to be underweight! She has to work hard to keep her weight up to a normal range (yes I resent this bigtime). Her doctor ordered her to eat a protein bar every day in order to stop weight loss. If she finds she is losing weight, she has to eat two protein bars a day. It works for her! Protein bar = no more weight loss. Two protein bars = weight gain.

My band has been more trouble than it's worth from the very beginning. Right now I have unfilled as much as possible and will await insurance so I can get it removed all together. I've been diagnosed with PCOS, a condition which prohibits weight loss and actually involves weight gain for no apparent reason. Thank goodness I discovered the Atkins low carb plan of eating which is the only thing that has resulted in significant weight loss and it's easy to do and after the first two days there's no hunger involved. I've heard reknowned doctors talk about sugar as being as toxic as tobacco and I now believe it. For anyone who wants to jump start their metabolism, I suggest buying the Atkins New Diet Revolution book and trying this plan. It works for me.

Sleeve surgery, like the band, isn't magic. There are people who do well initially, but, regain because they go back to weight-gaining foods. You might work with a therapist knowledgeable about food issues. You can also register at shrinkyourself.com (either the free version or the pay, it's up to you). A well-regarded book is "The Beck Diet Solution,"* Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., cognitive behaviorist and heir to the Beck Institute. The latter two will be most useful if you do the exercises. Beck is meant to be read/worked from page one, not at random. * Not her later book with a similar title and a food plan which isn't suited to WLS and contains less learning & support material.

I can only share with you my experience. My husband hates me tiny. He hates it with everything in his being. Literally, he loves that I am gaining weight in the pregnancy. He jumped up and down when the scale showed a 15lb weight gain. He has always preferred "thick" girls, all of his exes were bigger girls, I was just the biggest he'd ever dated. He admits that my personality/character traits/behaviors have not changed with my weight, but he doesn't like me below 150lbs. Well, he just learned to deal with it because I got down to 125lbs and a size 2. He likes me best around a size 7/9. He has a preference, and I no longer fit into that preference. However, I told him that I had a preference of taller, dark-haired, hairy chested, older men, and then I met, fell in love and married his scrawny 6ft tall, 6 years my junior, 165lbs framed, blonde-haired, blue-eyed, bare chested offerings, and he needed to realize that he fell in love with me, not my size just as I had fallen in love with him, not his physical attributes. It's been a tough 2 years with me dropping weight, and sizes changing. The big, round, soft women he "knew" doesn't exist anymore, but he still loves me, still thinks I'm beautiful, and loves everything about me. Lots of communication has been the key to use navigating through the changes.

hi so its been awhile since ive posted,im 13weeks prego,ive lost 6lbs due to morning sickness... other mommys have put on 3,6 or even 8lbs but i keep in mind tht im sleeved nd dont eat as much as they do... my question is how much weight did you sleeved mommys gain during pregnancy?.. i snack often nd keep hydrated...i wrk a 12hr shift but sleep most of the day on my days off... im not on a diet but do make healthy choice at time... also nxt week would be a year post op frm surgery..so i got prego around 9mnths out..

I am 7 weeks an I was sleveed 17 months ago so my weight had pretty much stabalized. I was 180 when I found out I was carrying 3 weeks ago last week I was up 5 pounds to 185 an as of today Im down three pounds 182. I have no morning sickness so not sure of the reason for the loss. I was told 15 to 20 pounds so well see. I snack all day because Im always hungry but I am mindful of what I eat an I still cant eat alot so I also continue to work out when I can keep my eyes open lol just to stay on top of the weight gain. Congrats all its nice to know im not alone.

It could also be a stall - extremely common - except for the weight gain issue. Stalls usually start in week 3 but can start earlier or later & can last for 1 to 3 weeks. I liked to think of them as my body taking a breath to catch up with all the changes - the surgery, reduced caloric intake, change of diet, change of activity levels... You’ll experience these along your journey. Some say increasing or decreasing your caloric intake or activity level will kick start your weight loss again. I just stuck to my plan & the weight would start to drop again. If you’re keeping to your plan, weighing/measuring your food, logging what you’re eating & drinking, making healthy food choices you’ll lose weight. Good luck.

I am considering the following items: Monthly or quarterly meetings. A fun or educational activity at each meeting. Examples include preparing a weight loss surgery-friendly meal, filling out a customized meal plan, or going for a group-wide nature walk. Presentations by surgeons, nutritionists, other professionals or bariatric product companies at local meetings. Annual national meeting of BariatricPal Local Chapters in a location such as Los Angeles, New York, or Huston. Option to go on an annual cruise What Do You Think about BariatricPal Local Chapters? What I would like to ask you for is what you think about the above suggestions. Also, what are your answers to the following questions?All of the above sound great! Would we be allowed to bring +1 to the cruise? Such as spouse or what if someone has children but no babysitter? Would you be interested in attending regular local chapter meetings in person? Would you be interested in being a leader (or co-leader)? Yes!! Absolutely. Would you like BariatricPal to provide agendas for meetings?This would be ideal and very helpful. What additional support could BariatricPal provide to encourage your participation and/or leadership?BariatricPal is super helpful already. Maybe a yearly conference with all of the local chapter leaders, maybe in person or on GoToMeeting would be good to share ideas/stories/etc. Also, some help with venues would be good. Should there be limits on the minimum and maximum numbers of members that each Local Chapter can have?Yes, I think this should really be a stipulation. The maximum should be around 30. Any more than that and it seems like not everybody gets noticed nor the one on one that someone should get in a live support group setting. What other ideas do you have?Setting up different meetings tailored to individual needs such as pre-op, post-op, over 1 year post-op, longer and perhaps by surgery type though I would not be opposed to running any of the above. Also perhaps special sessions for people who are struggling and need help with getting back on track, weight gain, transfer addictions or other.

@lelewatson. You will not be in a lot of pain. I had rny on wednesday sept. 14. Came home sat. First day you are druged. No pain. Second day your mouth will be super dry when you wake up. They will give you swabbs for your mouth and one once crystal light per hour. Should be no pain or problem. Second day 2 onces hr. And you will go home. You might weigh ten pds more due to iv weight gain this will vanish. Follow the diet and walk. Best of luck.

Kathy, you look cute anyways. Glad you are doing so well. I am doing much better. Had a 5 lbs weight gain and that really motivated me to not feel sorry for myself. Going back to the gym has been a HUGE motivator for me. I am looking forward to my fill on July 17th. I also start with a personal trainer on Wed. next week. So far I'm down around 12 lbs but I see the scale moving South again with the exercise jump start.

Fear of failure or critisim and shame are powerful tools that sabotage us. It's likely the reason why many of us comfort ourselves in different ways. Food, alcohol, sex, religion or other substances and activities help distract us or let us escape from those feelings. Sadly, some of the ways we can self medicate have negative affects. Maybe if you start your conversation by telling the drs that you're afraid they'll chastise you, it will help them understand. Remember that they've likely had other patients who've experienced this come to seek help. I hope any dr who helps people who are over weight realizes that weight gain is not a cause, it's an effect. That's seems like a simpe concept and I'm not a dr. You need to be helped, not scolded or told by your Dr or from some Dudley do right on their own journey who loves to feel so enlightend by stating the obvious (ex: "You have to stop eating the white chocolate."). I've had the band for seven years now and I understand now that it's not the biggest resason I lost weight. I lost nearly half my weight going from 289 lbs to 148 lbs, went up to a more comfortable weight of 165lbs after being told I looked sick and now I'm up to 180lbs. I was freaking out over the fear of getting huge again. For me that was a hellish prison. I'm a bit older now and maybe my motivation isn't as fired up as it used to be but I thought maybe by going to the gym and joining this site it will help trigger some reaction. "For every action theres a reaction", right? Your fear or shame may be the real problem here so don't beat yourself up. It sounds like the time I had to climb this really tall ladder. I stood at the bottom of it for quite some time, staring at the top of it thinking "how the heck is my foot going to reach that high up?". After feeling very nervous and thinking it might be easier not to bother trying at all, I looked down and saw the first step. It was only a small step up but it got me closer than staying still. That's obviously a fictional storey and simpler compared to what we are really dealing with but things can only get better if you do something, even a small thing. Actually, you already made your first step by posting the problem and you may have helped someone else who can relate to you..... like me!

Tell me more about your diet! Currently 6 weeks...want baby to get adequate nutrition without weight gain! 1 lb! [emoji847]

Amelie2016 - I have been researching this myself and today I found these questions and answers. Unfortunately, according to this, bariatric patients do not qualify for this procedure.I am only 3 weeks out and having the worse GERD of my entire life and it is not being controlled with medication. This is from Massachusetts General Hospital Frequently asked questions: LINX® system Q: What is the LINX® Reflux Management System? A: The LINX® Reflux Management System is an FDA-approved device implanted laparoscopically. The system relies upon a flexible bracelet of magnetic titanium beads that, when placed around the esophagus, supports a weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that opens and closes to allow food to enter and stay in the stomach by restoring the body’s natural barrier to reflux. Q: What are the risks associated with the LINX® procedure? A: All surgical procedures have risks, such as the risks associated with anesthesia, risk of bleeding and risk of infection. These risks are small. The most common side effects of the LINX® system are difficulty swallowing, post-operative pain and temporary bloating of the stomach. In the long run, many surgeons have concern that the device might erode into the esophagus and need to be removed. This has not been observed in the clinical trials to date. : How soon after the procedure can I eat? A: You should be able to eat soft foods with 48 hours of surgery. Q: How soon after the procedure can I resume normal physical activities? A: Routine daily activities can begin within a few days of surgery when pain medicine is no longer required. Activities such as sit-ups or weight lifting, which require use of the abdominal muscles, should be deferred for three to six weeks. Q: Will I have to take acid suppression medication after the procedure? A: Based on the clinical trials performed prior to FDA approval of the device, only 10% of LINX® patients required daily medication at one- and two-year follow-up. Q: Is there any risk the device will be too tight and cause food to get stuck? A: Yes; about 3% of patients that have had the device implanted had this problem and required removal of the device. Q: After the device is placed, is there any risk of infection? A: There is always a small risk of infection whenever a foreign object is placed in the body, whether it is LINX®, a pacemaker or an artificial joint. There is not enough data at this time to calculate the percent risk of infection, but the early data suggests it is quite small. Q: Will the device ever have to be removed? A: The intent is for this device to be permanent. But, since there is no 10-year follow-up data available yet, we cannot be sure. : Is there any chance the LINX® system won’t work as well if I gain a lot of weight after the procedure? A: The LINX® system works by creating a pressure of approximately 25 mm at the gastroesophageal junction (the place where the esophagus and stomach meet). Weight gain increases the pressure inside the abdomen, so it is possible that significant weight gain can create more pressure than the LINX® valve can counteract, leading to the return of reflux symptoms. Q: Will my insurance company pay for LINX®? A: Nearly all insurance companies pay for antireflux surgery. Since the LINX® procedure is a new form of antireflux surgery, insurers are learning about the procedure. We are working closely with them to obtain pre-authorization for these procedures on a case-by-case basis. Q: If my insurance won't pay for it, how much would the procedure cost? A: Please contact the Mass General Billing Office at 617-726-4098 or at cs.mgh@partners.org for more information. Q: I have heard that because I had bariatric surgery, I am not a candidate for LINX®. Is it possible this will change and I could be eligible for the system in the future? A: The LINX® system is not approved for use in patients who have had prior bariatric or esophageal surgery. Q: If the LINX® device needs to be removed or isn't effective, can I have a standard Nissen fundoplication (NF)? A: Patients often mention that an NF was suggested to them in the past, or they were considering it when they found out about LINX®. As the screening tests are the same for both procedures, NF may still be considered, providing testing doesn't exclude you. If you cannot or choose not to have LINX®, NF may still be an option.

Thank you !! Amelie2016 - I have been researching this myself and today I found these questions and answers. Unfortunately, according to this, bariatric patients do not qualify for this procedure.I am only 3 weeks out and having the worse GERD of my entire life and it is not being controlled with medication. This is from Massachusetts General Hospital Frequently asked questions: LINX® system Q: What is the LINX® Reflux Management System? A: The LINX® Reflux Management System is an FDA-approved device implanted laparoscopically. The system relies upon a flexible bracelet of magnetic titanium beads that, when placed around the esophagus, supports a weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that opens and closes to allow food to enter and stay in the stomach by restoring the body’s natural barrier to reflux. Q: What are the risks associated with the LINX® procedure? A: All surgical procedures have risks, such as the risks associated with anesthesia, risk of bleeding and risk of infection. These risks are small. The most common side effects of the LINX® system are difficulty swallowing, post-operative pain and temporary bloating of the stomach. In the long run, many surgeons have concern that the device might erode into the esophagus and need to be removed. This has not been observed in the clinical trials to date. : How soon after the procedure can I eat? A: You should be able to eat soft foods with 48 hours of surgery. Q: How soon after the procedure can I resume normal physical activities? A: Routine daily activities can begin within a few days of surgery when pain medicine is no longer required. Activities such as sit-ups or weight lifting, which require use of the abdominal muscles, should be deferred for three to six weeks. Q: Will I have to take acid suppression medication after the procedure? A: Based on the clinical trials performed prior to FDA approval of the device, only 10% of LINX® patients required daily medication at one- and two-year follow-up. Q: Is there any risk the device will be too tight and cause food to get stuck? A: Yes; about 3% of patients that have had the device implanted had this problem and required removal of the device. Q: After the device is placed, is there any risk of infection? A: There is always a small risk of infection whenever a foreign object is placed in the body, whether it is LINX®, a pacemaker or an artificial joint. There is not enough data at this time to calculate the percent risk of infection, but the early data suggests it is quite small. Q: Will the device ever have to be removed? A: The intent is for this device to be permanent. But, since there is no 10-year follow-up data available yet, we cannot be sure. : Is there any chance the LINX® system won’t work as well if I gain a lot of weight after the procedure? A: The LINX® system works by creating a pressure of approximately 25 mm at the gastroesophageal junction (the place where the esophagus and stomach meet). Weight gain increases the pressure inside the abdomen, so it is possible that significant weight gain can create more pressure than the LINX® valve can counteract, leading to the return of reflux symptoms. Q: Will my insurance company pay for LINX®? A: Nearly all insurance companies pay for antireflux surgery. Since the LINX® procedure is a new form of antireflux surgery, insurers are learning about the procedure. We are working closely with them to obtain pre-authorization for these procedures on a case-by-case basis. Q: If my insurance won't pay for it, how much would the procedure cost? A: Please contact the Mass General Billing Office at 617-726-4098 or at cs.mgh@partners.org for more information. Q: I have heard that because I had bariatric surgery, I am not a candidate for LINX®. Is it possible this will change and I could be eligible for the system in the future? A: The LINX® system is not approved for use in patients who have had prior bariatric or esophageal surgery. Q: If the LINX® device needs to be removed or isn't effective, can I have a standard Nissen fundoplication (NF)? A: Patients often mention that an NF was suggested to them in the past, or they were considering it when they found out about LINX®. As the screening tests are the same for both procedures, NF may still be considered, providing testing doesn't exclude you. If you cannot or choose not to have LINX®, NF may still be an option. Thank you for this. This is not good news, is it. =( I guess now I need to find out why, good to know because I will take this info to my next appt. too. So sorry you're having GERD right now! I do hope it resolves itself. I keep reading that as we lose weight, the loss of pressure helps. I do hope it goes away for you! =(

Amelie2016 - I have been researching this myself and today I found these questions and answers. Unfortunately, according to this, bariatric patients do not qualify for this procedure.I am only 3 weeks out and having the worse GERD of my entire life and it is not being controlled with medication. This is from Massachusetts General Hospital Frequently asked questions: LINX® system Q: What is the LINX® Reflux Management System? A: The LINX® Reflux Management System is an FDA-approved device implanted laparoscopically. The system relies upon a flexible bracelet of magnetic titanium beads that, when placed around the esophagus, supports a weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that opens and closes to allow food to enter and stay in the stomach by restoring the body’s natural barrier to reflux. Q: What are the risks associated with the LINX® procedure? A: All surgical procedures have risks, such as the risks associated with anesthesia, risk of bleeding and risk of infection. These risks are small. The most common side effects of the LINX® system are difficulty swallowing, post-operative pain and temporary bloating of the stomach. In the long run, many surgeons have concern that the device might erode into the esophagus and need to be removed. This has not been observed in the clinical trials to date. : How soon after the procedure can I eat? A: You should be able to eat soft foods with 48 hours of surgery. Q: How soon after the procedure can I resume normal physical activities? A: Routine daily activities can begin within a few days of surgery when pain medicine is no longer required. Activities such as sit-ups or weight lifting, which require use of the abdominal muscles, should be deferred for three to six weeks. Q: Will I have to take acid suppression medication after the procedure? A: Based on the clinical trials performed prior to FDA approval of the device, only 10% of LINX® patients required daily medication at one- and two-year follow-up. Q: Is there any risk the device will be too tight and cause food to get stuck? A: Yes; about 3% of patients that have had the device implanted had this problem and required removal of the device. Q: After the device is placed, is there any risk of infection? A: There is always a small risk of infection whenever a foreign object is placed in the body, whether it is LINX®, a pacemaker or an artificial joint. There is not enough data at this time to calculate the percent risk of infection, but the early data suggests it is quite small. Q: Will the device ever have to be removed? A: The intent is for this device to be permanent. But, since there is no 10-year follow-up data available yet, we cannot be sure. : Is there any chance the LINX® system won’t work as well if I gain a lot of weight after the procedure? A: The LINX® system works by creating a pressure of approximately 25 mm at the gastroesophageal junction (the place where the esophagus and stomach meet). Weight gain increases the pressure inside the abdomen, so it is possible that significant weight gain can create more pressure than the LINX® valve can counteract, leading to the return of reflux symptoms. Q: Will my insurance company pay for LINX®? A: Nearly all insurance companies pay for antireflux surgery. Since the LINX® procedure is a new form of antireflux surgery, insurers are learning about the procedure. We are working closely with them to obtain pre-authorization for these procedures on a case-by-case basis. Q: If my insurance won't pay for it, how much would the procedure cost? A: Please contact the Mass General Billing Office at 617-726-4098 or at cs.mgh@partners.org for more information. Q: I have heard that because I had bariatric surgery, I am not a candidate for LINX®. Is it possible this will change and I could be eligible for the system in the future? A: The LINX® system is not approved for use in patients who have had prior bariatric or esophageal surgery. Q: If the LINX® device needs to be removed or isn't effective, can I have a standard Nissen fundoplication (NF)? A: Patients often mention that an NF was suggested to them in the past, or they were considering it when they found out about LINX®. As the screening tests are the same for both procedures, NF may still be considered, providing testing doesn't exclude you. If you cannot or choose not to have LINX®, NF may still be an option. Thank you for this. This is not good news, is it. =( I guess now I need to find out why, good to know because I will take this info to my next appt. too. Yes, that;s what I hear as well but preop and with the surgery I've lost 45 lbs and my GERD has not improved at all. Of course I still have a lot of weight to lose. I don't think I have ever been so miserable with pain. If I didn't know it was acid, I would swear I was having a heart attack. No its not good news so if you find out anything different let me know.

That's a lot of weight to lose in 6-7 months! I had my surgery in July 2019 too but am only down 53 lbs from surgery date (261-209). That's an average of 7.5 lbs per month, which I believe is a normal and healthy speed. Your body is probably just readjusting. Plus, at that lower weight, you don't need the calories you needed to maintain anything over 200 so check what your current calories needs are. Eat sensibly, exercise, and let your body work it out. And make sure you don't repeat the mistakes you made leading up to the weight gain! It's hard because it's so much a part of who we are but we have to fight temptations and rejoice in the healthier lifestyle!

Got admitted to hospital tonight. They are running CT scans tomorrow. I just finally got off last 'water weight gain' from last week's IV treatments. I just really need to STAY off the scale when this happens

Isn’t the fat in keto meant to make you feel full for longer? Is it that our bodies can’t digest fat now, or that the fat is extra calories and possible weight gain?