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Janine, I couldn't help but notice you haven't posted since this post. How are you doing now? I understand what you are saying about mourning the loss of the band. I have gone through that, too. I think it's normal, and I think it's OK..... as long as you give yourself a reasonable amount of time to mourn and then get back up and move on. You, and I-- and all of us-- have gone through too much to let this fail us. Look-- I don't think that there are many of us that go through this process thinking it's short term. We make a commitment to our band and we do our part. If it fails us, we feel cheated, and rightfully so. But in the end, we have to realize there are some things we have control over and some things we don't. The only thing we have control over at this point is how we handle the outcome of losing our bands. The 12 pound weight gain is not what you wanted, but is to be expected. Just don't let the 12 pounds continue to multiply. You are adjusting your eating patterns once again. You CAN do this and we will be right here with you!!! (((hugs)))

My obgyn says the anesthesia during surgery can throw off our periods. I'm due again around feb 10 and I'm hoping I don't get the heavy clotting and dizziness that sent me to ER on jan 13. Nuts!!! I'm on Iron supplements too 27mcg 1x a day -- metabolic weightloss doc put me on Vitamin k for one month due to all the menstrual bleeding and OB also gave me aygestin to help slow down extra heavy bleeding next month if it happens for more than 6 hours I'm so hoping I never have to go through that again it's so scary and worse than dehydration for me Wouldn't want to go on any birth control pills either due to weight gain and the bad experience I had with them 6 years ago with rapid heart beat (I was on yasmine) I'll be 7 weeks out tomorrow and feeling so much better these days

Eating all of these foods daily in place of lean meats and vegetables is absolutely not a healthy diet and is precisely the cause of my weight gain. When I lost over 60lbs in the past, I could still occassionally eat these, but not to near the extent as I am now. I was simply explaining my reasons for regaining which was replacing my whole foods diet with a high carb/starch diet out of convenience.

Hello all and Happy Surgiversary. I have made it down to 189 without gaining weight. That is good but I have been stalling ..that would be because I have not been as Not that I have lied but have not told everything. to make an appointment with the psychologist as food has been the culprit of weight gain when making healthy choices. I will keep you all informed of this outcome.

http://healthland.ti...etic/?hpt=hp_t3 New Genes IDd in Obesity: How Much of Weight is Genetic? By Alexandra Sifferlin @acsifferlin July 19, 2013 Two studies zero in on DNA-based drivers of weight. Is obesity written in our genes? In two separate papers, published in the journal Science and in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI), researchers describe new genetic factors that could explain weight gain in some people. In the Science study, researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital studying mice found a rare genetic mutation that prevented the animals from burning off fat calories. They also found the same gene was mutated in a group of obese people. And a team based at University College London reported in JCI that a specific form of a gene previously linked to obesity, FTO, can increase craving for high-fat foods. The discoveries add to the growing body of knowledge about the biology behind weight, and the results confirm that while it’s represented by a single number, weight is the complex combination of a multitude of different metabolic processes, from brain systems that regulate appetite to enzymes that control how efficiently calories are turned from food into energy that the body needs. Making matters even more confusing, these factors are also likely influenced by environmental contributors such as diet and lifestyle. In the mouse study, the research team determined that mutations in the Mrap2 gene led the animals to eat less initially but still gain about twice as much weight as they normally would. While their appetites returned, these mice continued to gain weight despite being fed the same number of calories as a group of control animals. That led the scientists to figure out that the mice with the mutated gene were simply sequestering fat rather than breaking it down for energy. The mice, like people, possessed two copies of the gene, and mice with even one defective copy experienced significant weight gain, although not as much as those who had two mutated versions of Mrap2. The scientists found a similar pattern among a group of 500 obese people; they detected four mutations in the human version of Mrap2, and each of the obese individuals possessed only one bad version of the gene. In the British study, the researchers divided a group of 359 healthy men of normal weight by their FTO gene status. The majority of the men had low-risk versions of the gene, while 45 of the participants had mutations that have been linked to greater appetite and caloric consumption. To figure out how the altered genes were affecting appetite, the team measured levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin both before and after meals that the participants ate; the men with the mutated form of FTO did not show the same drop in ghrelin levels, signifying that they were full, as the men with the low-risk form of FTO. Genome wide association studies, which compare genetic makeups of obese individuals to those of normal weight, are making it easier to flesh out important genetic factors contributing to weight, and researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health say that to date, these studies have identified over 30 candidate genes on 12 chromosomes associated with body mass index. “Thus far mutations in about eight genes are known to cause obesity in humans. But these mutations account for under five percent of the obesity in our society, and certainly are not, by themselves, responsible for the current obesity epidemic, since the mutation rate in these genes could not have changed dramatically during the past twenty years,” says Dr. Joseph Majzoub, the chief of the division of endocrinology at Boston Children’s Hospital and an author on the Science paper. “However, mutations in these genes have led to the discovery of pathways that are important in energy balance in humans, giving us hope that drugs can be developed that affect these pathways to prevent excessive weight gain, either by curbing appetite or increased burning of calories.” Here is a round-up of some recent genes, and their products, that have been linked to obesity : Leptin: Often referred to as the “obesity hormone,” leptin is made by fat cells and acts as a thermostat for the body’s energy needs. Each individual has his own leptin threshold; if leptin levels fall below that amount, the brain understands that the body is starving, and needs more calories. If leptin levels are maintained or surge above that amount, the brain knows that it doesn’t need to take in more food. Unfortunately, while mouse studies showed that overweight mice had lower levels of leptin, the same wasn’t true of obese people, who generally show higher levels of leptin in their blood. Somehow, researchers how believe, these people are not getting the signal to stop eating, which is referred to as leptin-resistance. Ghrelin: This gene makes an appetite hormone that can make foods look more desirable–especially high-calorie ones — by influencing the brain’s reward system. Some studies have found that people who are sleep-deprived have increased ghrelin levels, which may explain why lack of sleep can contribute to weight gain. Neuropeptide Y: One of the brain’s many chemicals, neuropeptide Y may trigger eating by manipulating appetite, possibly resulting from changes in mood and stress levels. It may also contribute to an increased deposition of fat from food calories.

I am losing a lot slower than most of you guys (which can be frustrating). I am following my doctor's orders thoroughly. It might be that I am older than some (I'm 55). I'm on several medications that cause weight gain and they may be causing me to lose slower. I did water aerobics before surgery and have continued with that so I know it's not from lack of exercise. I can't up my exercising much without causing a fibromyalgia flare up but I can try to increase it slowly over many months. I use myfitnesspal to record what I'm eating to make sure I'm on track. I'm down 31 pounds and I'm happy with that until I come to this site and read where everyone else is.

Everything I like is Illegal Immoral causes weight gain or refuses to text me back promptly.😦

Hi Jay... my surgery scheduled for May 6 with Dr. R. will probably be pushed back, since I had an asthma flare, was put on steroids Thursday, and I got sicker Friday night and was sent by Urgent Care by ambulance to hospital to be admitted... fortunately the situation turned around and they let me go home early in the morning, then called me back in for a CT scan with contrast... which turned out NORMAL... but they want me to see a pulmonologist. So with my pre-op eval. scheduled for Tuesday at the Weiner Center, and visit with Dr. R. afterwards - I am quite sure everything is going to be pushed until a Pulmonologist will sign off on the Surgery, not to mention the weight gain from steroid caused fluid retention... and probably cannot stay strict pre-op when so sick... I am not going to let this get me down though... I just ordered a feather bed for the post-op need for fluffy-luv, and a bunch of low-glycemic vegetarian and vegan cookbooks from Amazon for my post-op reading, to prepare for post-mushy phases and a new lifestyle. :laugh: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Sounds like everyone is still plugging away at it, although I know it's not easy. I hit a plateau a few months back, I was alright with it since my husband and I were trying to conceive. Well I probably won't be on here for a while because I am finally pregnant. We've tried for 6 years and the surgery was a plus for helping with pregnancy. I am pregnant with twins so I probably won't be on here until January after they are delivered. I will surely need some motivation after a pregnancy weight gain. I have noticed that I am very conscious of what I eat, so hopefully I don't go overboard on my eating. :thumbup: Thanks for everyone's support through the first 9 months of "band life"!!

Does this medication cause weight gain?

OH, Tiny...my issue was that I gained that much in like 3 weeks!! I've been at 3.5 and 4 CC since my hospital visit in early Sept. I just started working out again about 3 weeks ago. Yep--totally coincided with my weight gain. I'm not a believer in that whole "muscle weighs more than fat" thing. I know I was hungrier when I started working out. I ate more. I ate healthy, but tended to eat more fibrous foods and not enough protein. Funny enough---I saw him today. I was in by 4:19 for my 4:30 appointment. I never even had a chance to fill out the paper that we do before each appointment. I was out before 4:30. He didn't even mention my weight gain! He simply told me it was "a good time for a fill". Oh, and to think I agonized about it!!! So he put me up to 5.0 cc's. Hoping the restriction will help with the hunger!!! Staying away from Halloween treats and candy hasn't been easy.....

Hello all - my date is Sep 11. Before I got approved I started liquid dieting because my decision stemmed from a 25 lb weight gain in just two months! W/ my insurance time - i have NOT been able to lose though I tried. Then i was going to go on liquid for a while but now that i have a date I'm kind of eating things I never ate before!!! Like bagels (had two this week).. because I will never have them again. I don't eat them for a reason! I am trying to exercise more than the two times a week that I ride my horse (but I have only gotten as far as restarting my gym membership, finding my card, and heart rate monitor). My excuse is working late but thats a bit of an excuse because i didn't work late today! I am single and only have a brother and his family (aside from some friends) and I hate imposing on people so I have a question. I am told I am not staying at hospital overnight. Does anyone know how much you really need to have someone with you? I live in NYC so everything is easy - can have a cab take me home... etc.

Caffeine headaches ouch! Several articles I read say that diet soda causes weight gain and cravings. Hard because for a long time that's all I drank (not good). Who knew that diet pop was worse than regular? Ironic.

I say go for it. Watermelon has a lot of good qualities that make it good for bariatric patients. It's had amino acids that assist in weight loss and reduce muscle soreness. It is mainly composed of Water and does not pose a real risk to weight gain. This link has good information on watermelon and weight loss. If your doctor gave you the OK then go right ahead. http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/fat-eating-watermelon-3775.html Sent from my Nexus 6 using the BariatricPal App

I am a sugar addict myself and though this surgery did not stop me from wanting sugar the amount I ingest has diminished immensely. I will have one or two hersheys kiss in the evening just to get my little chocolate in (I'm a major chocoholic) but it seems I'm basically good with that. I use a little of the sugar-free syrup (sweetener) in my Protein shake so that gives me a little sweetness too. The only thing I really can't eat after this surgery is bread, Pasta, rice etc. I don't want that kind of food anymore which is great for me cause I was a carb junky too, I do wish that the surgery took away my sugar issue but I guess you can't have everything. I can say I don't eat not even close to what I used to consume so I am not guilty for the little I do eat. As for the artificial sweeteners, I know they are not healthy but for me it is a necessary evil Its like when I smoked I didn't eat a lot but when I quit I gain 50lbs in 4-6 months and if it wasn't for my bronchitis I would kept smoking to prevent the weight gain but I picked breathing over smoking and weight. I had this surgery so I can still have a little of what I like to eat I just don't eat it all day long I give myself 5 minutes to enjoy something sweet then move on to something else. I don't think any surgery will take away all of our little demons from poking at us, we have to excercise that will power as well as our bodies!

Hey Southern Missy, I had a look at your post and just had a couple of questions (I did not have to do a 6 month preop diet thing)... 1) What is your 6 month preop that you have been on? On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being not so good) where would you say you are on it with how well you have been following the diet guidelines? 2) Is the medication that you have been taken known to cause weight gain as a side effect?

The 6-month supervised "diet" really isn't a diet at all...like most people, the doctor is not so concerned with me losing any weight, more of a maintenance type thing, which as a general rule I don't have a problem with. For example: I have been the same weight for over a year and a half with only TOM fluctuations. When I saw my OB/GYN last month for my yearly, when he discovered I was put on Lexapro, he made a point of telling me it was not one he would have chosen because of the side effect of weight gain. So, anyway.. I would have to concur that it did have that effect on me. Prior to that, I was on Zoloft for 5 years and, as I said, since starting on Lexapro in October, I have had the 20-pound weight gain. BTW all January bandsters, Didn't mean to hijack your thread! :smile:

I think that compliments are all about perspective. People's perceptions are their realities; and ​their realities and perceptions can be greatly influenced by ones confidence, lack of confidence or feelings. If someone is extremely self conscience, embarrassed or ashamed of their starting or highest weight, then yes, they will be offended by someone asking, "How much did you lose?" That is already a very sore topic that they perhaps have not come to terms or forgiven themselves about, so they are offended by it or they just don't feel comfortable sharing. And, personally, I think that is okay; there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I also believe that people's insecurities lead them to believe that they are being judged, because they negatively judge themselves and assume others are doing the same. What I think is not okay, is when you take those inner feelings of turmoil and self consciousness out on the "asker" or "complimenter," especially if they meant well. You can respond in various ways: I've lost enough to feel great. I am not comfortable sharing, but I appreciate that you noticed my weight loss. A good amount. Thank you. And then you can redirect the conversation. My BMI was at the lower end of the qualifying spectrum--39. At my lowest weight post surgery, I weighed 140; which totaled to 110 pounds lost. Currently, I weigh anywhere between 150-155. However, the weight gain has been muscle mass and I have remained the same size. People have and continue to ask me all sorts of questions. I have been--and always will be--honest about my surgery and my numbers. I think my honesty and lack of feeling offended by questions comes from the fact that I am EXTREMELY proud of my journey--and that is not saying that people whom are conscientious are not extremely proud. People's opinions or judgments--if they have any--don't matter to me anymore because I do not need their validation. I feel very validated on my own because I know how hard I have worked. One thing I always tell people, and have shared on here countless times, is that the sleeve gave me QUANTITY control, but I taught myself about QUALITY control. They sleeve DOES NOT choose the food I put in it and it does not control my activity level. I do all of that. And at the end of the day, the numbers are arbitrary. The way I FEEL is what is important. Also, I hope that my story might inspire someone else's life. Even if they hear it 2nd or 3rd hand, because it was someone's story that inspired me and motivated me to take this path.

I am so disappointed with myself. I started off great, then I had a blood clot and just was focus on not bruising myself or falling. Now, I have gained 10 lbs and still haven't reach my goal. I haven’t exercised, but now I am trying to do something each day. My two year surgerversary is 4/16/2016. Has anyone else come back and met goal after a long stall and weight gain? Thanks

I am so sorry you're going through this. You say you throw up constantly and have 8cc in your band. I fear you're too tight, which ironically can cause weight gain because when the band is too tight you resort to slider foods to eat- which are usually very high fat and calories. I also worry because vomiting can also lead to a slip. I would make an appointment with your surgeon ASAP. Tell him everything going on, about the vomiting and weight gain, and ask that your band be checked. Best wishes to you.

Hi, I think having the sleeve was the very best thing I have ever done for myself. Food seems to be what I went to when things were good or bad. Like you I gained weight with y first child and I was 27 when I had mine. Now I now longer make food my main thought. I no longer let the food control me. I am in control of the food. I no long live to eat. I now eat to live and be healthy. You have to know that this is NO miracle cure. It does requires work and effort on your part and some exercise too. We have all been on the roller coaster of lose the weight gain the weight back. I must have joined Weight Watcher 20 times and got frustrated just like you. I believe that it works for some, but I have watched so many of them regain it too. You have to be willing to make a lifestyle change. It isn't about being on a diet, but changing forever how you are going to eat. This is the first time in my life that I have maintained my 105 pound weight loss for 4 years now. And it is something that I know I can do for the rest of my life too. I am 67 now and did this when I was 63. I did not have insurance that paid for mine. I am so very happy that the insurance is really coming around and paying for these for people. I feel so very lucky to have gone to Dr. Aceves, because I believe he is one of the very best Weight Loss Suregons out there. There are a lot of good ones, out there I am sure. I can only speak about my experience, and going to Mexicali, Mexico. I know for a fact that I received so much better care than anything I have ever received in any US hospital. I wish you nothing but success, and I am always out here if you have any questions at all about this. Hugs, Suzanne

I will be out 7 years in April. I am still thrilled with it. I have gained a little bit of weight back because I can't seem to keep sweets out of my mouth. I lost it before and gained it back because I had 3 back surgeries last year. It's easier to diet when I gain weight back because I'm never really hungry. I just like to eat junk when everyone else is, and of course, that causes weight gain.

@Michelle71 I know how frustrating stalls are! Lets keep working at it! @rubia72I hope you made it through the storm just fine! @facebro29I have your starting weight as 216 so no weight gain on the challenge! Plus the travel gain will most likely come off quickly!

I didn't think about needing new bras! I don't want to lose all of my boobies. I hope my weight loss is proportional like my weight gain has been. ... but I can lose all of my stomach!

hmm, my doctor told me small amounts are ok. Yes coffee is a diuretic and a stimulant, but usually it causes me to not be hungry after drinking, but I haven't had any since my surgery since I am only a couple weeks out. I was told skim latte's are fine too and to add only sugar free flavoring or add chocolate protein powder to it for a mocha type coffee. I will be giving it a try around the 2 month mark. I guess everyone's surgeon is different. I do think some may worry if you drink in excess due to empty calories and possible weight gain because of that?