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So I've spent 10k on this procedure, gone through some discomfort & told far to many lies to people about how I'm losing weight then I get on the scales this morning & I've gained 1kg......WTF????

Hello out there.... I am in the final stages of approval and will be getting my date Friday! My biggest stress is my skin. I would like to know of those out there that have lost 100 ish pounds and what has happened to their skin. If you were saggy, where it is, how bad is it - really.... I've pretty much accepted the "girls" are going to be the area most affected. I have still maintained a great deal of exercise and muscle despite my weight gain, so I am hoping that will help. Any stories, suggestions, ways of handling the problems, etc. Thanks!

You weight lose sounds great, I on the other hand have lost 50.4 pound since 4/11/12. The docs are happy but he tels me not to worry about the weight lost because the goal that I want should be reached in a year. He tells everyone the weight gain did not happen over night. So look at your inches and the weight on thescale make sure that you are eating health beause it helps with the changes. This way you would not put the pounds back on. Good luck on your journey

So sorry to hear that. Also, don't worry about the weight gain. That is normal from all the fluids they pumped in you and trauma from surgery.

I had my appointment today and dr said according to the Upper GI the band looks good. Too bad it doesn't feel so great to me!! I am still having the nausea, though not as horrible as before....still have the weird pain on the left side. She asked me "so are you pretty much done with the band?" My response was YES! She asked if I wanted all the fluid removed today...I said NO, it's not too restricted right now, I have been much tighter before. I obviously don't want to remove it all and wait for them "to build their case for insurance"! Honestly, what's a little more vomitting here and there for another month??!! I once again explained that I know my water retention plays a huge roll in the restriction and inconsistancies. If I don't take my HCTZ until later on in the day, I can forget about trying to eat a "normal" meal (normal according to band) I don't think she believes me on this one!! Like I stated before, I really think this dr thinks that I am just telling her these things because I want the sleeve, which is far from the case. I really like this doc but when I feel like she's not taking me seriously it really pisses me off! So the "plan of action" if you can call it that is for me to meet with a dietician (that right there tells me she thinks the weight gain is my fault) which she is right to a point, because any bandster who has struggled with being too tight knows you find what works and eat that! It's not my fault raw veggies, fruits, & Salad dont work for me! After meeting with the dietician I will then meet with dr. I did ask what exactly medically necessary mean and her response was that they need something concrete that the band isn't working. it just blows my mind that constantly vomitting and nausea etc isn't concrete enough. Not to mention previous slips and dilations that weren't diagnosed by xray. I understand they are helping me by building a case and I spose' they know more about insurance than I do but it would be nice if the dr would say I AGREE with you, you should get the sleeve, but she doesn't seem to be on my side on this one! sooooo frustrating!

I knew from the beginning that Lap band was the way for me, I have two co-workers who have the gastric done, and they tried to convince me that, that would be the way to go. When I see one of them in the bathroom all the time (getting sick) because she ate something that she wasn't supposed to, I know that I made the right choice. I love me band, because I still have control and it's up to me to make good food choices as opposed to my body rejecting something that I really want but don't want to get sick. This person actually had it done twice a (revision) because she gain all of her weight back. My director actually had it done several years ago, and she has doubled her weight gain. I know with the Lapband you can gain as well, but if you feel that your are eating too much with this you can at least have a fill. It's been 3 months since my surgery I've lost 40 pounds without having a fill. Just know whatever you decide you have to be dedicated to it. Good luck.

Before certain people jump on here and start with the "you have to change the way you look at food" speeches, I should make it clear that my post about the Pasta was my experience with pasta and that it should in no way be taken as an endorsement, recommendation, advocacy, affirmation, approval, or countersignature of similar behavior. My relationship with food was apparently a lot different than some others on here. I was a "volume eater" becuase of other medical problems I had been having that were making me extraordinarily hungry all the time. But I know now, through counseling, that I really wasn't trying to fill a void in my life with food. I thought that might be the case, but it's not. I've only been obese for the last couple years when my other medical problems started. They were eventually corrected, but the weight stayed on. No, I wasn't always "thin" before my weight gain, but I had never put on that much weight. So the "void" wasn't my problem after all. However, if you think the "void" problem might be part of why you are overweight, then I'd rethink why you might be craving pasta.

I'm so sorry you had that experience. I was claustrophobic during my sleep study and the anxiety had me feeling the same way! When you've been beaten down by people telling you you're fat or talking to you negatively it's easy to think that's what everyone will do. I hope you have a positive experience with the nutritionist, psychologist etc... I think most of them are working in this field because they really want to help overweight people (or were one themselves) and not because they are fat haters. I tried several times to get approval for the surgery and couldn't get it past insurance. Each time I was denied I got knocked further and further down emotionally, got more depressed and gained more weight. I was not strong enough to go self-pay and I honestly was shocked when I actually got the approval. There was no way I would have been able to save or set aside the money even if it meant losing weight to save my life. I didn't think I would be strong enough to go through the entire process another time or that I would be able to lose any weight, let alone 15 pounds before the surgery- I thought I would be the one person who forced them to cancel due to weight gain. Most of us are emotional eaters and when you take away our coping mechanism we get frustrated and scared and feel like we have failed or will fail. For what it's worth, you aren't alone, other people have felt or are feeling this way right now. You aren't alone, even though we don't always admit it, alot of us are scared, depressed, feel fat and worthless. You aren't alone, people will read this post and identify with it like I did, they will feel compassion for you and send you good wishes and prayer. You aren't alone, support may come in the strangest of places, even if it's on a message board, you deserve it, it's being given by people who know, who've been fat, who understand. You are not alone, you don't have to stand unsupported and without cheerleaders, let us support you, cheer you on and rejoice with you in your triumphs. You are not alone! Your feelings and emotions are valid and even if you feel like giving up, continue to reach out for support, there are lots of us here to provide it!

*UPDATE* For all who asked: I talked to a local malpractice attorney, he said no one legitimate would take my case. It seems if a doctor has been reckless, negligent and unprofessional, it would be best if they killed you. The problem it seems, I haven't died yet and it isn't "profitible" for them to file suit. He was really very nice and explained some of what I suspected- it would require hiring specialists to say what the doctors did was wrong which would be thousands of dollars on their end. Since I didn't lose my life, or at least a limb, the case is likely worth less than 50k and they would eat up most of it in expert testimony. How can that be? seriously? oh well, there has to be a dollar amount placed on everything and apparently this isn't worth a whole lot! His suggestion was to call the hospital and talk to their patient liason or the risk management department and complain about my stay. I replied it wasn't a hotel and I didn't need to complain, what they did was grossly negligent and almost cost me my life and my daughter her mother. I'm on the fence about trying another attorney, I don't want to hear the same thing but I also don't want a sleaze ball giving my high expectations and hopes that can't be realized. I AM pissed, I've been hurting, I DID suffer for way too long, NO ONE listened to me, I DESERVE compensation for the misery they put me through, I want them to pay for what they did, I want everyone to know what they did. I'm petty and childish and want retribution for the wrongdoing, to feel vindicated in a courtroom, in front of a judge and jury, to be able to look at them and tell them what they did came close to ruining my life and ask who would have mothered my child had I died? To remind them the hippocratic oath says to do no harm and they failed, they harmed me, left me in pain, didn't ease my suffering, blew me off as just another fatty who didn't care enough to take care of themselves and what were they supposed to do? fix all the damage I did to my body over 40 years? My biggest concern is for other patients seen both at the hospitals and by the doctors involved. I really don't want to ruin anyones career but I also don't want these doctors thinking that the bare minimum is good enough. We are patients, living, breathing human beings who are at the mercy of people who take one look at you or review your file and decide you're a complainer, you can't tolerate a small amount of pain, you're a drug seeker, you like the attention, you're a hypochondriac, you should just shut up and be quiet or better yet, just stay home. I'm still not able to eat and drink enough to sustain myself but found milk and bread settle my stomach so I don't feel like i'm constantly spinning from the nausea. The problem with that has been a temporary 5 lb weight gain- sooo scary, i've lost all but a pound, back up to 301, great! Having some temporary relief has made it worth it though, I honestly hoped I would die some days because the nausea and vomiting were so bad, feeling that vomit well up from your toes and the waiting, trying to stop it from happening, worrying about the pills you took earlier and whether they were in your intestines or stuck in your pouch and would come up with the vomit, being so tired you aren't sure you'll actually live through another stomach spasm because when they start they don't stop, even if you've vomited up everything and you just lie there, with your eyes bulging out and your mouth open with your tongue pushed out and you can't slow it enough to even catch your breath. So the good news is that my PCP referred me to not 1 but 2 departments at the University where I will see a gastroenterologist and another bariatric surgeon to get some insight into the complications and hopefully a long term fix. If anyone can help, it's the University hospita,l and I am so thankful that my PCP was able to get me in there! The blood clots in my arm have not subsided which is slightly unusual and makes me worry, alot. For anyone with hand or arm problems, it's similar to nerve issues like carpal tunnel or guyon canal compression etc.... i'm having pain, numbness and tingling just like I did before I had surgery on my hands. My arm is still swollen and i've woken up with my hand huge and cold several times this week. It feels like theres a rubber band at my anticubital that is tightening and irritating the nerves. The scary thing is that neuropathy and nerve issues can be the result of med toxicity and could be permanent. I don't believe that is the case, I think it's just from the vericose veins and the blood clots. I hope that's the scenario, but to find out either way and see if it requires surgery, I have been referred to a vascular surgeon. yay! I've gotten a reprieve from the terrible trips to the lab for blood draws! My insurance carrier has covered a home PT monitor to check my clotting times. It only takes a drop of blood and gives the score which I call in to the doctors office every day. It has been running high so they decreased my coumadin which means only3 pills instead of 6 every morning- I can't tell you what a relief it has been! I took some flowers to the lab tech who had been drawing my blood these last few weeks. She was my hero, she gave me tiny infant foot warmers that I would put on before I went every day so they could increase the blood flow and make it easier for them to get. She listened to everything I said about where to try a stick and avoided the veins I told her to, even though she could see them and really wanted to poke them, she believed me when I said they would blow if she got one or worse yet, roll and hide when she went to stick which causes them to poke you and then dig, dig, dig for the vein they know is there- they won't get it and you'll be miserable, eventually scar tissue forms and there won't be any more blood draws in that spot. The greatest things through all of this have been the support, compassion and sincerety i've been met with while sharing my story. My primary doc was so open, honest and apologetic for what I went through, not even my surgeon has admitted anything went wrong but my PCP knew something wasn't right, he listened to me and fought for me. When I said I couldn't go back to my surgeon's office he personally contacted specialists and got me in to the best ones he could find. I'm much more optimistic and hopeful that someone, somewhere will figure out my issues and help me. It has to keep going up from here right? :-)

Hello all. I am still doing my two week post op liquid diet and I read some people say they gained weight after getting back on solid foods. Is this a common thing? I have lost ten pounds and am so scared to gain it back once off liquids. Have some people just kept losing during the transition?

Hello everyone, I'm MIke. I'm 38 (or am I 39, I forget), from New Orleans and I wanted to formally introduce myself to the forums. I've been a little chubby but the bulk, 100 pounds, I gained in past two years. I'm in drug recovery since February 16, 2010. I've switched addictions from drugs to food. Most of my weight gain in the last two years is a result of being clean and off drugs as well as the medication and a lot of tres leches cake., now that I have successfully passed my two year goal of being totally clean and have graduated from the medication, here I am 100 pounds heavier! My insurance (Medicaid) has approved my lap-band surgery and I am soooo looking forward to this new life of not only sobriety but with a new healthy body. I was scheduled for this Wednesday the 29th. to finalize all my surgery paperwork, but with the hurricane Isaac but to hit New Orleans on tomorrow and Wednesday, my appointment had to be rescheduled for September 13th. Damn, It seemed like it took forever to finally get to the 29th, now these next 2 weeks are going feel like an eternity! The most peculiar thing is that I was scheduled for gastric bypass August 29, 2005, the very day that hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, as a result all the computer hard drives and patient records were lost, now on the anniversary of hurricane Katrina, seven years later, another hurricane is wrecking havoc and causing problems with my surgery. If I was a superstitious man, that would really give me something to think about. By the way, if anybody want to be friends and add me to Facebook here I am: https://www.facebook.com/mjuniordominguez Peace. One Love!

Hi all Looking for advice on exercise. I see so many people saying they exercise 4, 5 or 6 days a week for 60 minutes. I find it hard to fathom that after being overweight and sitting on our asses for years or decades - boop!!,... you have sleeve surgery and now want to exercise like Jack Lalane.... well, it's hard to believe. Here is my reality. I smoked 2 to 2 1/2 packs of cigarettes for 42 years. I quit 14 weeks ago with the assistance of Chantix. I quit so I would be eligible for WLS. I have been obese for most of my adult life. I have never, let me repeat that, NEVER, been into exercising per say. I loved playing sports, softball, volleyball, basketball, frisbee, swimming, etc but sit-ups, push-ups, crunches, jumping rope, etc. was not for me. As I got older and fatter, and it was harder to breathe and move (weight gain, smoking and now arthritis in my knees, hips and back) even the sports I loved to play became too much for me to be physically able to do. I mean, my weight and arthritis can make it difficult to walk thru a flea market or on the beach without putting me in excruciating pain for a day or two. On top of that Aleve is the what the orthopedic doctor has told me to take for the arthritis (and it is the only thing that helps). I would love to hear from the "older folks" that have arthritis or perhaps made the bad choice to smoke for 40 some-odd years or their others whose weight makes them short of breath... please how does the sleeve work for you and just what do you do for exercise and how often. I mean I would love to be able to able to play volleyball or softball or basketball but, seriously, is that a reality for me? And the fact that I can't do much (at least 'til I lose the first 40 or 50 lbs) physically - will that be discouraging mentally/emotionally for me because of lack of weight loss? I am pre-surgery and still struggling with the question of bypass or sleeve. I would prefer the sleeve but want to be REAL about the results I should expect -- will I be able to lose the 120 lbs I need to lose with the sleeve?

Thank you! *hug* You know, I'm sitting here listening the GMA. They are talking about someone famous (sorry the name escapes me) that lost a lot of weight recently. "She did it without surgery or gimmicks..." See, now there is the problem. No wonder people are so judgmental! Thats why I rarely tell anyone how I lost it. When the media downplays this method, makes it like we are doing something wrong, the stigma of being weak, and bad for having the surgery will never go away. Shame on the media... My morning thought... When will the scale stop mocking me? Its like a daily showdown. I circle and tell it "ok, scale, its either you or me, one of us is going down!" *insert old western music here* too bad its NOT my weight thats going down!! I need to lose 5 lbs (I had gained 10 after a pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage), I lost 5 of it but the other 5 just won't come off! I hate that scale, yet I can't live without it. I have to know, I have to watch. Those 5 lbs SHOW. I SEE it. My clothes look awful. I can't find anything baggy enough. I know...I obssess on my weight. I am well below my goal weight but its not enough for me. And you know what, thats not going to stop because when it stops being a concern, it will creep back, slowly... and before you know it BAM...182 lbs back on. No, I'll take the obssession rather then the weight gain tyvm. Ok, scale...I'll see YOU....tomorrow... Have a good day everyone

Thx for the info! I'm already emotional abt it all! All I do is research, and look for answers online. I'm mad that I have to go through this. I thought of revision, but the fact that it could slip again or erode??!! Ummm just not enough confidence to make me revise. I know it was never guaranteed but I swore it was a one time thing!! BUT now after researching like a nut...I see sooooo Many complication stories: slips & erodes--scary! I won't let that happened to me again! I'm worried abt weight gain. I have been with a personal trainer for 5 weeks & now I have to give that up for awhile I guess bc of the surgery. I'm gonna miss my aqua classes :-( I'm more mad abt not being able to exercise the way I have been lately :-( How long does it take to be able to exercise!?

you are being way too hard on yourself. Im sure your weight didnt come on overnight... it took a long time, as it did with me. Along with the weight gain we had wrong food choices and portion sizes. ...and to make things worse, we ate for emotional comfort. When you think about it, you didnt just have a surgery to put a band in, you also were put on the road for changes in every area that Ive mentioned above. This takes time... if you have a day where you slipped... just put it behind you and move on. AS for your dr... im sure he will understand completely what you are going through.. after all, he sees so many patients and knows the issues that come with lap banding. I agree that you shouldnt change the drs appointment. If you do that, it could open the door to the wrong approach even further. You dont want to do that. I tell you... you are NOT ALONE IN THIS. Every issue youve mentioned here im sure everyone of us has been there. i know i have. ive eaten more sugar the last month or two than ever before... so its an issue that cropped up with me and i have to deal with it. I can see on various emotional levels and physical levels, more than ever, what needs to change. i had no idea before hand. i think if someone had tried to explain everything in this area to me i wouldnt have completely understood. i had to go through it myself . Despite have issues with sugary confectionary... im still so happy with the band... and know that ive made the right decision. if my weight loss isnt up to scratch... too bad. it will come off eventually. Meantime im busy learning more about my psyche.... and dealing with it. Good luck, and like i said , dont be so hard on yourself.

Oh thats a tough one. I totally see what you are saying. The only problem is that the sleeve could really take you down to a much much smaller weight than is healthy t the point that you are at. One thing that i did to see if i qualify for the conversion (because i too was below the bmi standard for bariatric surgery following my lap band) i checked out my insurance co policy and it did say that a certain percentage of weightloss i.e. Less than 50 percent ebw was considred to be a failure and that i would be eligible to convert to a different surgery, however my bmi is in the mid 30s. I cannot imagine that any doctor is going to perform such a surgery if you are as small as you say. As far as your cincern for the weight gain maybe you could talk to your dr about a prescription appetite suppressant, i have taken one called phentermone before and it worked really well, i can only imagine how difficult this must be, especilly being at you goal! Hang in there!

Hi Folks, A brief synopsis of my situation. I was banded in 2007 at 210 pounds (self pay) The band was always problematic for me and I lost a great deal of weight because of the huge amount of discomfort I suffered. My goal weight was 120 pounds and I reached it and actually dipped below that to 115 because my band was too tight. Fills were difficult and expensive to schedule so I suffered. In June of this year (2012) I went to the hospital for a fill because the previous fills seemed to have no effect. It was discovered that the band was cracked at the juncture point and had partially opened and slipped down over the bottom portion of my stomach. Emergency surgery was performed and it was removed June 1, 2012. I cried and cried because even though the band was extremely uncomfortable for me for most of the 4.5 years that it was in, it was still my best friend and had allowed me a quality of life never before enjoyed due to my weight loss. My doctor told me that I needed some time to recover due to extensive scarring before they could perform a revision. I told my doctor that I did not want to regain the weight again before I could have the surgery. He assured me that this would not be the case. The records say that a revsion would be considered after a 4 kilo weight gain. Needless to say since I started back on a regular diet of solid foods I have gained 6 kilos (about a pound a week.) I am daily fighting the impulse to eat everything in sight and feel that with help and hope on the horizon that I can stave off weight gain but am also terrified that they will penalize me and say that they will not perform the surgery because I have my weight "under control." Has anybody had any issues with revision because they have not gained weight rapidly since having the band removed. I know all this sounds crazy but my emotions are all over the place and I am terrified of returning to my previous level of obesity. The only reason that I am holding on and able to exercise control is because I know that it is for a limited time only (October 9th) but if I am refused based on the fact that I "appear" to have it under control, I know that the hopelessness will crush me and I will return to the comfort of overeating. I would appreciate any and all feedback on this matter.

I understand before I even went to my pcp I had to make up my mind if I was gonna quit for life for this! It is a hard decision I understand, smoking to me was almost a best friend...lol...but one I know I have to let go! We have decided for me that chantix with Wellbutrin would be right for me! With the sleeve right after I quit the weight gain associated with quitting would be gone! You can do this! And for life! To have a life free from nicotine and obesity is priceless;)

Getting obsessed with one's scale does contribute to unnecessary negative feelings imposed on oneself...depending on what the almighty scale says. Trying not to weigh yourself everyday is healthier...and your mood doesn't need to reflect any negative thoughts of no progress or even a small weight gain. Small fluctuations in weight are normal, and if you can accept them for what they are that's great. I've read too many posts from individuals lamenting about their lack of progress or weight gain when it was only a small fluctuation and not indicative of a trend. Other's mileage may vary...I just feel it's important for one'e emotional health and well being to stay on the positive side of thinking.

Um....why is he complaining about people not being able to put down the fork? It looks like he fought and lost that battle a few times...we ALL have! Why is he getting surgery??? Uh for the same reasons as most of us. Yes diseases/injuries can contribute to weight gain but I bet eating helped that along as well. Bottom line is, we ALL have issues with weight here, we have tried other means and have decided that this is the best option for us! No one should judge because we are ALL here trying to get or have gotten WLS! Maybe he's gotten rejected before and he's jealous...just saying. I love this site and I hope to never see negative comments like that before.

I hope those thoughts are normal, because I thought them ALL THE TIME pre-surgery. Post surgery I have not regrets. I look back at the things I was worried about and I realize that after only 11 weeks any changes to my past lifestyle are so worth it and I really do not miss my old ways. I do miss a beer in a frosty mug once in a while, but not enough to trade it for already undoing over ten years of weight gain! I still enjoy gatherings with friends and family even if they are centered around food. I have my small portion and enjoy the company. Like OTRSleever said, my view of food has shifted to one of noursishment and is no longer a great source of pleasure or comfort. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy flavors and an occasional treat, but food no longer rules me. It is amazingly liberating.

I am 8 days post op today as well. I too had a small weight gain. I think it is all part of the healing process. Just keep your chin up and do what you are suppose to do and the weight will come off.

Well, my weight gain is from menopause. I'm sure of it. Again my diet is in check, I have restriction(sweet spot). I drink the green drink Dr OZ, most morning's and piece of fruit. Lunch and dinner consist of fish and veggies on a small saucer plate. Snacks consist of low cal cheese, grapes etc. I will admit I cheat a couple of times a month(small cheats). I take care of my parents weekly, watch my grand-kids 1 to 2 days a week, plus work out 2 or 3 times a week on my treadmill... Just saw my doctor this morning, he wants me to add in lite weight training. The only prescription meds I take are the biodentical hormones. No depression meds. Since nov of 2011 I have gained 22 pounds.... Good luck to All. Thanks!

LindaS being on vacation, eating & drinking right, physical activity - sounds great - hard to do when you are away from home. you are scratching your head trying to figure out what happened not loosing any weight must be/hopefully is due to Water retention. 6 lbs sounds like a lot, maybe tomorrow the weight gain will be gone as quickly as it came