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I agree with elcee...menopause does not need to include weight gain, despite the gyrating hormones and possible feelings of depression. What can easily cause weight gain during this phase of life is antidepressant medications and a lack of exercise due to the depressed mood. Menopause is another phase of life...accept it for what it is...I experienced daily hot flashes which caused my skin to get flushes and my hair to become wet from perspiration within a matter of only a few minutes. HRT did help, though I was only on it for a minimum amount of time. Try to continue your daily structure of exercise and monitor what you eat. Any mood changes you experience will be tied to the chemical changes in your body. It's going to become even more important for you to get your Calcium daily.Likely your metabolism will also be slowing...so look for ways to keep that as active as possible. Menopause is life changing, but it doesn't need to be weight changing as well... Best wishes...

I came back from vacation today, and my scale is saying I gained 6 pounds. I cannot believe that is true. This vacation was one of the most physical vacations I've done. There was a lot of hiking and exercise. I ate normally (about 800 to 1000 calories a day). I did NOT eat my calories, and I didn't eat sweets and high-calorie things. Most days I ate Breakfast (two eggs), lunch (a couple of pieces of lunch meat rolled up without any spread or bread), and dinner (one night it was chili). The activity level was high. We were walking several miles a day; one day it involved a very hilly three-hour hike. After the hike, I felt like I could walk back the way we came, but my kids and husband wanted to use the shuttle (none of them are overweight). It was a good active vacation with smart food choices. Yesterday, my ankle was swollen quite a bit (I have arthritis). Because of the swelling, I suspect a big portion of this weight gain is Water weight. I am going to up my liquid intake today and hope that things flush out. I'm also going to change the batteries in my scale. I am not trying to be delusional. I had actually expected a loss when I stepped on the scale. I did not do anything that would account for a six-pound increase.

I believe that any weight gain through menopause is due to bad eating habits. I may or may not be menopausal. I had a hysterectomy last year but I still have my ovary(only one) and I am not sure if it is functioning or not. I get the occasional hot flush but far more cold flushes. I have no idea what a libido is , I may have had one once but that was a long time ago. I used to have a brilliant memory , I could watch the first 5 seconds of a TV show and remember the whole thing, these days I know I've seen it before but it comes back to me slowly. I don't think I'm moody but my kids might beg to differ. I have been getting quite bad palpitations - I have just been for blood tests to try to find the cause so I'm not sure if I can blame those on menopause yet or not. I have gained a couple of kgs since the beginning of the year. Is that because of menopause? Well it would be nice if I could blame that but realistically I think it is because I am eating more junk. I haven't been working much so I'm at home bored and surrounded by temptation. I think what you need to do is be honest with yourself. Make a note of what you are eating. You can use a site like my fitness pal or just write it down or even take photo's. You will probably be surprised. It is quite likely that odd Snacks have crept in here or there and the calories soon add up. Good luck, hope you get back on track soon. I need someone to kick my a@@e and get me back on track.

Any weight gain? If I have restriction with the band, why am I not losing weight? I eat very little everyday! Not to mention, I eat health foods, very health, I might cheat 1 time a week. And that is a small amount...

I have had my band since 2008. Had to have many unfills due to acid reflux, I now have 5.5 in my band, I started out with 7.0 in my band. Well to make a long story short, I have gained 22 pounds back, I have restriction which is good I think, after not eating much and some exercise the weight has not come off... About a month ago I realized I'm in menopause with the sweats, depression and everything that goes along with menopause... The weight gain is from this nasty menopause... What do I do???? I have good restriction and still gaining weight! My doctor seems to think I'm crazy? Anyone with this problem?

No- I have never heard of that shake. I know that there are Protein drinks for weight gain, but there are also some for weight loss or Meal Replacement. When Ive resorted to having to drink a Protein Shake I have had the low carb Tigers Milk one and the EAS low carb drink. Wal Mart makes a good generic brand.

Sounds like you have what we call "soft calorie syndrome." It happens when your band is too tight and you end up favoring soft, often high-calorie foods (like ice cream) that provide little or no satiety rather than the solid, healthy food that provides satiety and gives your body the fuel it needs. If you can hardly even drink tea in the morning, I really think you need a slight unfill. I'd make an appt. to talk to your surgeon about this soon so the two of you can come up with an action plan and nip the weight gain in the bud.

I have gone through a 10lb weight gain in the hospital, nasty breath, crazy digestion, dizziness, exhaustion to feeling like I am now on the other side of this! I was getting really annoyed that I was not losing any weight beyond re-losing the 10lb hospital gain but finally I dropped an additional 5lbs. Yesterday, I tried on a pair of capris that "shrunk" last summer and they buttoned, zipped and were more comfortable than when I bought them. As an added bonus I found $13 in the pocket, so I splurged on a manicure! I am having an easy time getting my fluid and protein in, walking more, digestion is much better, much less soreness and no more dizziness on days 9 and 10! Thank you for letting me share my small acomplishment

What is your take on any type of artificial sweetener? I'm researching it, well, I just started, and I'm finding that artificial sweeteners (AS) in the end cause weight gain. I read an article on Dr. Oz's website about it, I tried to copy and paste to this message, but I don't know what I'm doing, so it's not here. I use a fair amount of AS, and I'm thinking I should stop. I have to admit, I'm addicted. It's an easy way to get "sweet" and not gain weight. And in my favorite, Iced coffee, it is sweeter than sugar. I'd have to use a LOT of sugar to equal my AS's sweetness. I hear it is bad for you. I want to use mostly natural foods in my diet, you are what you eat, right? So if you can give me your opinion on AS's, the pro's and con's, I'd feel good having your input. You guys know your stuff! If I'm going to be losing weight, I'd like to put the most nutritional, safest foods in my body. It can't be avoided completely, but I need to cut down. If you used AS's and stopped using them, or cut down....I gotta ask, HOW did you do it?

I had a reduction a few years ago. Don't regret it for a second and even with the weight gain- the girls still stand at attention. I hope to lose some and am confident they won't totally go away. Yey girls!

My Doc believes there are 2 groups of people. The sweet eaters and volume eaters. With past results she recommends the sleeve to volume eaters generally. One reason many slider foods (sweets) can be consumed with the sleeve and actual weight gain can be accomplished. With the other surgery you would have instant dumping syndrome from the sweets. One other item I myself looked at was the sleeve was a less invasive surgery compared to the other. Also, I am a volume eater so both myself and Doc agreed that would be the best route. I understand you have to decide but have you asked or considered your Docs recommendations?

Due to my weight gain, I had to put my ring in my jewelry box because i always told myself that I would loose the weight. Ha, I never did. Short story short, I have had rings fall off my finger in the weight loss process and I don't wear a wedding ring now. I will buy one as soon as I know that I'm at my goal weight. I remember we use to wrap yarn around the rings that were too big so they wouldn't fall off.

Hello and Welcome. I'm 5'7 and weighed 221 lb when I decided to have plication. Personally, it truly is a decision you must make for yourself because only you will have the experience and outcome. But for me personally, it was the best decision I ever made. Going through not just the surgery, but the pre op diet, the post op liquid phase, to soft food phase, to regular food did something for me psychologically. It cleansed my palatte of all the junk I had been craving and it really allowed me the positive opportunity to be in control of what I eat. I lost 15 lbs with my surgery center's required pre op diet and weighed in at 206 the day of my procedure, last month, July 20th, and today, 1 month and 5 days later I have lost 17 lbs post plication. That is a total of 32 lbs that I no longer carry. I feel so much better, I am more limber, I can bend better and reach over and tie my shoe without turning blue in the face! All things I took for granted before my weight gain. I hope this helps. The main thing to do is research the facility you are thinking of having your procedure at. Research the Doctor. Make sure s/he is qualified and experienced. Best of luck and keep in touch.

Ok... Here goes B- 1/2 scrambled egg 1 slice of bacon L- 1/2 piece of Tilapia highlander brand) D- 4 naked chicken wings FRIED!!!! Snack- Energy Vitamin Water Do not follow my example here bc I paid dearly for poor choices w a 1.5lb weight gain , very sad about this... Feeling like I can't get control sometimes

Hey Amanda. I guess overall Im cool with the idea of the surgery, my hesitation is just more abt the after effects, and making sure Im doing everything right so that nothing goes wrong. With in the last few years I have had issues with HBP, diabetes, acid reflux, hiatal hernia and sleep apnea. I am 32 and want to live a long life and be healthy. I just want the chance to feel good again and not worry with all the ailments this drastic weight gain has caused me.

I can SO relate. I have had many ups and downs in my lapband journey....between chronic abdominal pain....that still is left undiagnosed because GI said it's not GI related, band doctor said it's not band related and GYN says its not GYN related....real nice...I have had colonoscopy, EGD, flouroscopy, gallbladder removed w/exploratory while they were in there...and nothing. Then, I broke my ankle which required two surgeries. That REALLY set me back. So, now, being about 30lbs away from my goal I was left in a plateua w/some occasional weight gain. I just started the Ketogenic diet.... high Protein, high fat (like 65% of your caloric intake) and VERY low carb. It's similar to Adkins, but I am doing the carb cycling where you eat little to no carbs for 6 days and you have one carb up day where you can eat literally anything you want and all the carbs you want, then the next day you go back to the strict no carbs. It's a little confusing, but a lot of body builders and people who want to drop weight fast and still keep their muscle mass do this diet. A close friend of mine swears by it along with a lot of his friends, so I figured I'd try it. I'm only 4 days in, but I've already hit ketosis (which means my body is burning fat). Doing a 2-3 week trial to see where I'm at. My suggestion to you is to shock your body! When I am in a rut, I do a crazy "fad" diet to shock my body into losing weight and then gradually go back into the normal healthy lifestyle. Best of luck!

My original posting was on the LB talk site but have never liked it because so many people talk to you like you're a freak of nature when you say the band hasn't worked for you or you've had complications, you get the whole "you're doing it wrong" "what do you eat" responses. I guys, any thoughts on Lapband removal and going to sleeve? I was banded April 2008 and have many complications over the last few years from GI issues to slippage causing weight gain. Spoke to my doctor today originally thinking of going to gastric bypass, but after much discussion of how I am dedicated to working out, counting calories and portion control, that he feels the sleeve would be a better option for me to lose the weight Ive gained and help me obtain my goal weight with out dealing with the complications of re routing intestines and malobsobtion. Here's the break down: I had never really considered the sleeve only because I had read that those who failed with the band would fail with the sleeve. And with my track record lol... Let see banded April 2008, lost about 30lbs in 10months Bad break up on Feb 2009 prompted the run/drink water/smoke diet and lost 40lbs or so in 2months. April 2009 got life back on track and was less depressed so was able to eat and hold down food and gained 60lbs in 6months Aug 2010 went back to nutritionist and was put on phentramine (yet have lb but still needed diet pills) and lost 30lbs in 6months. July 2011 delt with slight weight gain and possible ulcer Nov/Dec 2011 nearly hospitalized from GI issues and had ever test they could think of to figure out what was wrong with me and scoped from WMD to end. Off phentramine March 2012 learned my band had slipped which wa cause of a lot of the issues my GI doctor was trying to figure out. And band unfilled and began discussions on revision to gastric bypass May 2012 band looked better had partial fill and more talks about revision, up 7lbs, back to other doctor an put back on phentramine weightloss program July 2012 gained another 13lbs and another fill, stated to start researching revison options. Got personal trainer at gym for 2xs a month work out for extra support. Still on phentramine Aug 2012 down 3lbs, still having issues with band, can't lay on stomach because port site hurts, can't do certain work outs because it hurts to twist. Still not much restriction but fear tha because my band is tighter when I stress that any fill can cause issues. Discussed my fears of gastric and my doctors/my fears that of band is completely removed I will gain even more back and then some. Doctor recommended sleeve over bypass. So yes I've been looking into it for awhile, I'm doing everything that has been asked of me and then some to lose the weight and keep gaining the min I'm off diet pills and sometimes even when on them. Doctor expressed that believes its my intolerance to certain healthy foods (the good Fiber ones) is a big problem, cant have a salad or fresh veggies with out getting stuck, sliming or PBing. So that's why I'm torn, hadn't given much thought to the sleeve before it scared me more than bypass until I read all the horror stories of it and heard stories from friends who knew people who died from gastric complications months after surgery. I've spent 4hours yesterday just reading and researching and so far the sleeve really does seem like the best option. The idea to continue to have a tool to help me control my weight gain and the ability to eat a salad at the same time with out being in pain or throwing up sounds heavenly lol So that's where I am at lol

I am a 54 year old nurse, wife and mother of 9. I have 5 adopted children, 4 are still at home ages 5 to 13. I have a 25 year old entering his 3 rd year of international film school a 28 year old who is a phd candidate at Rutgers U and a 19 year old who is entering her sophmore year at NYU. the other 2 are finding their way. The yougers are adopted with my second husband. I have a special needs 10 year old with significant emotional/psych disabilities. I work as an RN doing home care for a VA hospital in CT. i love my vets! I have struggled with my weight since I was a teen. I had been a runner for 20 years that kept the weight off. Many years of diet pills to keep the trophy wife status then Doctor husband wanted. Once I gained weight, i was emotionally and verbally abused and ended in an ugly divorce. More weight gain. Despite my weight, my best friend and the greatest love and my life were married. Atkins for 2 years, awesome weightloss then bigger weight gain...optifast, medifast, scarsdale, south beach, juice, atkins again and again, for repeated failure. Now I have hypertension, arthritis, plantar fasciitis. I am miserable and sad. My husband supports me and my best friend supports me. I am almost done with my requirements and hope insurance is swift and my surgery sometime in October. Nice to meet everyone

Good topic! I'm 28 and have had the crunchy knees (mostly on the right) for quite a few years but then again I was almost 400lbs. =/ I feel a lot less strain on my knees now 100lbs down but still find the high impact excercises to be too much for my joints. Stairs wreak havoc on my knees so while I choose to live on the second floor and take the stairs at work I never do the stair master in the gym. Ellipitical and treadmill are much easier on me, walking is much better than jogging when you're still heavier also. You can still do your zumba my trainer recommends just subsituting alternative movements for the jumping up and down. At the end of the day you just want to burn calories and strengthen your muscles and you don't need to high impact excercises to do that. Bad knees can eventually undo all the success you've had in weight loss. As a nurse in a rehab I've seen countless people come in who have waited to lose weight and get knee replacements and find the new sedentary lifestyle and slow progressing physical therapy that follows crossed with sudden stress of the trauma of surgery and change in diet to be the catalysts for the return of old habits and worse, rapid weight gain. Talk to your doc about treatments for cartilage loss and inflamation. Try using proper body mechanics at all times, wear good shoes, continue losing weight and pay attention to the warning signs that your activity is doing more harm than good. Go easy on those joints, don't replace the waddle for a limp!

I have to agree with others who have written that the issues causing conflict don't really have to do with the WLS. You should be realistic about this...a support system is what you want it to be. Likely there would be a support group in the area you would be moving to. You can't blame anyone or any life event for your weight gain; that's something you need to be able to accept the responsibility for. There is a psychology behind maladaptive eating patterns, and seeking counseling as either a couple or by yourself would help to identify the reasons why these unhealthy relationship dynamics developed. Your information regarding the time line for qualifying for insurance coverage are accurate for some, not all insurance plans. The requirements vary by policy and insurance company. As for surgeons not wanting to accept another's surgeon's patients, this is primarily based on wanting to limit their professional liability risks. Sad but true, the bottom line there is the dollar... One consideration I want to share with you is that having a band is not always limited to just regular follow up appointments. Sometimes one can have unanticipated negative consequences...I was hospitalized for weight loss related issues, not band related medical issues. Twice since being banded I attended a regular scheduled appointment with my bariatric surgeon, and he sent me directly from his office to the ER. Imagine the logistical nightmare this situation has the potential to create... I know that many others who participate on this forum have opted to travel great distances to their surgeon...even to a foreign country. They usually have positive outcomes. I'm just not comfortable with that idea, and am better off for having my surgeon based locally. Other's mileage may vary...best wishes as you consider your options.

We're not machines. You can gain 3 lbs just by eating too much sodium or too many carbs. Medications play into it too. Never fret over 2 little lbs. I gained 7 lbs in July when my grandkids came out. I lost all of it plus 1 lb a week after they left. Too many chips, ice cream, fruit slider foods. Fortunately the band kept me from eating too much so all my weight gain was Water. Going back to my band friendly foods brought me back on track. It's the same for you. You can gain or lose lbs of water in days. tmf

You look FAN-TAS-TIC, you are one pretty lady! Do not beat yourself up over a .6 weight gain, you know that as soon as you are able to get up and move you will continue to lose. There will be times in all of our lives where we won't be able to exercise for whatever reason but as long as we get back at it as soon as possible all will be well. I have never had any previous bariatric surgery but have lost large amount of weight before only to gain it right back so I kind of know where you have been and the fear that you have. I just have to believe that we learn from our mistakes and that everyone has battles they are struggling with in their lives it is just that those of us with weight issues have a very visible struggle and it is easier for people to judge us then to look within themselves and face their own weaknesses/failures.

I had never really considered the sleeve only because I had read that those who failed with the band would fail with the sleeve. And with my track record lol... Let see banded April 2008, lost about 30lbs in 10months Bad break up on Feb 2009 prompted the run/drink water/smoke diet and lost 40lbs or so in 2months. April 2009 got life back on track and was less depressed so was able to eat and hold down food and gained 60lbs in 6months Aug 2010 went back to nutritionist and was put on phentramine (yet have lb but still needed diet pills) and lost 30lbs in 6months. July 2011 delt with slight weight gain and possible ulcer Nov/Dec 2011 nearly hospitalized from GI issues and had ever test they could think of to figure out what was wrong with me and scoped from WMD to end. Off phentramine March 2012 learned my band had slipped which wa cause of a lot of the issues my GI doctor was trying to figure out. And band unfilled and began discussions on revision to gastric bypass May 2012 band looked better had partial fill and more talks about revision, up 7lbs, back to other doctor an put back on phentramine weightloss program July 2012 gained another 13lbs and another fill, stated to start researching revison options. Got personal trainer at gym for 2xs a month work out for extra support. Still on phentramine Aug 2012 down 3lbs, still having issues with band, can't lay on stomach because port site hurts, can't do certain work outs because it hurts to twist. Still not much restriction but fear tha because my band is tighter when I stress that any fill can cause issues. Discussed my fears of gastric and my doctors/my fears that of band is completely removed I will gain even more back and then some. Doctor recommended sleeve over bypass. So yes I've been looking into it for awhile, I'm doing everything that has been asked of me and then some to lose the weight and keep gaining the min I'm off diet pills and sometimes even when on them. Doctor expressed that believes its my intolerance to certain healthy foods (the good Fiber ones) is a big problem, cant have a salad or fresh veggies with out getting stuck, sliming or PBing. So that's why I'm torn, hadn't given much thought to the sleeve before it scared me more than bypass until I read all the horror stories of it and heard stories from friends who knew people who died from gastric complications months after surgery. I've spent 4hour today just reading and researching and so far the sleeve really does seem like the best option. The idea to continue to have a tool to help me control my weight gain and the ability to eat a salad at the same time with out being in pain or throwing up sounds heavenly lol

I guys, any thoughts on Lapband removal and going to sleeve? I was banded April 2008 and have many complications over the last few years from GI issues to slippage causing weight gain. Spoke to my doctor today originally thinking of going to gastric bypass, but after much discussion of how I am dedicated to working out, counting calories and portion control, that he feels the sleeve would be a better option for me to lose the weight Ive gained and help me obtain my goal weight with out dealing with the complications of re routing intestines and malobsobtion. Any thoughts?

I am getting my band August 31, 2012 and it is a done deal, I was excited and now I have major doubts. It doesn’t help that my loved ones closest to me have the same doubts as I now do. I have told two people my mom (just in passing so she doesn’t know I am doing it in 11 days) and my boyfriend. Both never had weight issues, super healthy and fitness freaks. I have never really shared my weight struggles and agony with my boyfriend so he just thinks I haven’t tried hard enough, that I am quick to give up a lot. Maybe he is right and maybe this will not work and I will be out of a lot of money. I am looking to not do this alone and have someone that understands weight gain and loss. Who understand why I am doing this and we can support each other to be successful.