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(((((((((HUGS)))))))) I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Ezma. I know your husband had been very ill; I am sure the last few months have been very stressful. Any weight gain is understandable and no one is going to comment negatively about it. The VVs are here to help, motivate, support each other. One day, one meal, one walk at a time. Keep checking in with us and we will all help each other. I missed your inspiring posts. I am glad you are back with us. Take care, my friend.

Hi Jules- I was banded on 4/10/06 and I too had a few pounds of post op weight gain 2-3 days after surgery. I attributed it to the many bags of iv's I had during surgery and until I went home. Do not fret-I lost that weight and am continuing to lose. Just rest and heal now, Jess

Hi Carlene, My weight gain came during the pregnancy of my first child. I gained 50+ with my first, 30 with my second and 20 with my third. In between the pregnancies I gained and lost. Unfortunately, I gained more than I lost. I think being under 130 is fantastic. I would be thrilled to be there. It is people like you who give those of us just starting the journey hope that we can succeed. As far as PS, if I am financially able to get a TT, breast lift down the road than I will. These are the 2 things I definitely think I will need to be comfortable with myself. I know I will never had that pre-pregnancy body. I can live with that. I will be happy just to feel better and fit into my clothes. My NSV is to be able to tuck my shirt into my pants without my stomach hanging out.

Great question. This was one of my primary concerns because I have approx 100 lbs to lose. Despite my weight gain I don't have any stretch marks (had my baby at age 20 when my skin elasticity was probably optimal). However, I believe there are several factors that determine whether we will have saggy skin i.e your skin type, genes, and how active you were before surgery. But, as importantly I believe we have to stick to the high protein, high fiber, low fat diet (whatever your surgeon prescribed) with tons of water/fluids to help with elasticity.

The person who explained in detail what the sugars will do re: weight loss & weight gain is absolutely correct. Since my surgery from 1980 I went from 264# to 132# so very quickly. In all of these years i never gained an ounce. May of 2016 I put on my first summer outfit as I live in snow country so live in heavy clothes all winter; My clothes were loose on me. Somehow I had managed to lose another 12# over the winter. Wasn't eating or drinking anything any different. I was 120#. I was actually ecstatic. For some demented reason which I do not understand to this day I started drinking a 12oz bottle of Coca-Cola from Mexico over a 24 hour period daily. I am so addicted I can't believe it. But I wasn't worried as I was still my 120#'s. Well in June 2017 I put away my baggy heavy clothes & grabbed cutoffs & knit top. They were kinda tight??? It's now Sept 2017 & my stomach area (I didn't have plastic surgery as I didn't know the insurance would have covered it & really didn't need it after the weight loss) this has gotten back to being fat & saggy. I can barely fit into the 132# clothes but this stomach is making me sooo sad & depressed & i can't stop drinking these darned things. I'm praying that with walking & stopping this nonsense that it will go away but I have no idea. Listen to what has been said about the calories & calcium loss. I'm a living testament as to what a 12oz soda a day can do to a once upon a time extremely successful gastric bypass that's stayed in great shape for 36 years. DO NOT PICK UP OR CONTINUE TO DRINK CARBONATED BEVERAGES, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH SUGAR.

I keep coming back to these boards because of posts like this. I have almost stopped a couple of times because of super sensitive people or people who feel its there duty to tell me when they feel I am being "mean" to someone (I am direct when I detect people trying to "bargain" their way to poor behavior or having a pity party!) But this post alone has made it worthwhile for me. I have had 2 long stalls in the 29 weeks since I had my surgery. Both lasted for a month. The first one was the dreaded 3 week and was very frustrating. However, I could read here how this was normal and to quit worrying about it. I put the scale away and stopped weighing myself everyday, and instead just checked every week or so. After the stall ended, the weight fell off very rapidly. My waist went from a 48 to a 36 in a matter of 5 months. Stalled again around Haloween and just weighed again this morning to find I was losing pounds again. Am actually looking to lose about 5 more pounds and then start adding weight gain shakes into my diet to stop losing weight. My doctor doesn't want me to lose anymore. Weird place for me to be to say the least!

I am now 8 days post op. My doc required a two week pre-op liquid diet. Immediately after surgery, he wants me on a two clear liquid diet. Since starting my pre-op diet, I am down 25 pounds!!! But...I had gained 15 pounds from my initial consultation in November. I think the weight gain was due to numerous things since November...Christmas, Disney Vacation in January and the whole fear of not being able to eat a certain food ever again. I feel good. I don't see my doc till Thurs. for a followup and release to return to work. I'm looking so forward to full liquids and mushies! Never thought I'd say I was looking forward to cream soups, puddings, etc. Later.

My surgeon just talked to me about this. He said it had to do with dehydration, losing a lot of water weight and getting hydrated again. He told me to expect a stall and possible weight gain.

Good Morning everyone, i truly enjoyed reading everyone comments. When i tell you guys this has been super hard for me. My first year all i did was stay going into the hospital from issues with my surgery. like now i was rush to the hospital from my PCP. The issues was that my throat felt like something was blocking it and it was cutting off my airways. Once i arrive to the hospital and they check me out. According to the doctor it's GERD I HAVE. its been kicking my butt for years. like now cook food is a no go for me. cant swallow meat so i do not eat it. Let's not forget about constipation x10. Plus now i have arthritis in both knees and neck until its hard for me to walk. fluid building up because of my 20lb weight gain from the steroid shots... just started walking again... i need some relief from all this. The insurance i have do not cover no type of weight loss surgery. when i got my sleeve done my late husband insurance paid 100%, but this market place cigna EPO connect do not cover at all. unless the doctor will have to submit a medical note. i do not know what to do helpp...

I get it. I too had about a 3lb gain after being stable for a year or so. Yes a small gain but just like you it was concerning to me. My fluctuation had been 48.5-49.5kg but suddenly I was 51kg. I liked being under 50kg & I too worried it was the beginning of the end. I am a believer in your body settling into it’s correct set point & what it needs to function effectively which may be at a higher weight. Building muscle will result in some gain. Becoming more complacent & less vigilant in your choices, making adjustments to your way of eating to better suit your lifestyle, medication changes, or your original way of eating was too limiting all can contribute to weight gain. For me, I discovered a contributing factor was my HRT was no longer working (absorption issue after my gall removal. I also had increased my protein intake due to the same absorption problem. Changed to a patch, made a slight adjustment to the protein sources I’d added (legumes be gone - well reduced) & slowly I lost not all but most of that gain. I now fluctuate between 49.5-49.9kg & have been stable for about 6 months. Funny thing is I do eat more than I did at the lower weight (about 1300 then & about 1500 now) which, according to those BMR calculators, is about right for me. If you want to nip the regain in the bud, maybe start with tracking your food intake for a couple of weeks to see what may be contributing. 100 extra calories can result in a 10lb weight gain over a year. You mentioned you’ve been snacking more & that may be contributing. May be drop one or two of those snacks, reduce your snack portions or look for a lower calorie alternative. But only change those things that are sustainable & don’t affect how you want to enjoy your life. You have to decide if the changes you may need to make to your eating are worth weighing a little less or whether being a couple of pounds heavier is an acceptable increase. And what an acceptable fluctuation may be for you. Unfortunately, I think we will always have to be vigilant. We have too much history with eating & weight gain not to be. All the best.

Sorry just seen this now. Yes they were happy with the weight gain. Month 9 I did gain another 8 pounds (my appetite went crazy) so 15 pounds total. Baby was 7 pounds healthy and perfect! By 2 weeks post partum my weight went back to pre pregnancy weight. But then the holidays came and I did gain about 10 pounds, so I would just say be careful after you give birth and try to continue healthy eating habits.

I ate healthy and under 1500 calories a lot of the time and never lost weight. Some of the time I would go through periods of eating a lot more and most of it was junk, and strangely that didn't seem to cause any more weight gain. I will clearly state that I ate more than I burned. It's not a total mystery how I got to 300+ pounds, though I never ate as much or as bad as one would think to get to that weight. The sleeve allowed me to get my calories under 600 per day for the first several months, and then I kept it around 800 for the rest of the first year. I now know that I have to eat under 900 calories a day or I will not lose weight. That was a shocking revelation to me. I maintain at around 1400 calories, and gain at any more than that. I would like to lose that last 10 pounds, but can't seem to keep my calories low enough, long enough to achieve that. I look and feel pretty good, so I'm not too worried about it any more.

Enjoy your holidays and just make your first appt Jan 2nd....And enjoy the BMI 40! Just kidding... Sort of?? Well I remember getting so frustrated with what seemed to be an unstoppable gain about 2 1/2 years ago. PCOS and hypothyroidism were taking a toll. Tried a dr supervised plan, WW several times and medifast. Each time I lost and re-gained. I Remember wishing I was heavy enough for lapband (remember the hungry lion Commercials). I wasn't. Fast forward prob another year the local bariatric office had a new dr/nut supervised plan. No surgery and no Phentermine (another failed attempt I didn't want to repeat) and I was pretty sure my insurance would pay. So I go for the introduction and get weighed and the coordinator asked, "so are you interested in surgical or non surgical?" I said non surgical I am not heavy enough for WLS. Oh your a BMI 42 and with bcbs it would be covered. Whoa I did a double take. I was totally disgusted with getting that big and shocked I was even considering it. But I had really tried HARD since I had my son 5 years ago and was just getting bigger. Fast forward I had the sleeve 9 Months ago and I am at my personal goal and a Normal BMI. My point is you are so close... Just normal progression of weight gain you eventually qualify without doing anything to qualify on purpose. That is just how obesity goes.

I've been a little hesitant to post here as I've seen some very judgmental replies in other topics, but here it goes anyway.... I found out I was pregnant back in May, 6 months post op, after bc failed. Both my surgeon and OBGYN (who actually had gastric by-pass surgery and had a surprise pregnancy 4 months post op) are happy with my progress and baby girl is very healthy. I'll be 18 weeks tomorrow and while I fluctuate between 161 and 163 for the past few weeks, I haven't really gained any weight. I started this pregnancy at 175 and was so sick during the first trimester that I lost weight. While this my third pregnancy, I can't really compare it to my other two which I started at 265 lbs and 250 lbs respectively. I've brought up my concerns during my appointments and I've been assured that everything is ok and that if my body wasn't ready for pregnancy it wouldn't have sustained it. I guess I'm just looking to see what experiences others have had post-surgery with weight gain. Basically any and all (constructive :)) advice is welcome.

Hello to you, too, Jaysmm. I can tell all the way from here that you're a "she," not a "they." I shall not venture a direct response to the title of your topic, as I have no idea and, more to the point, I believe you intended the question for yourself. Please banish "only" from your weight-loss vocabulary. Weight lost is weight lost: That is the goal. In fact, you're off to a good start. I don't know what you were expecting or why, but for your own comfort level, it's important to have realistic expectations which is another somewhat vague thing. We all lose at different rates and patterns and it's common for people of lower weight to lose more slowly. In the case of similarities, someone else of your height and starting weight will also lose at a rate and pattern different from yours. You're in good shape. There's no turning back. This is a good time to regroup, reorder your thinking and claim your power. If your surgery practice has a support group, you might find it helpful to talk with others in the in-person setting. You can also benefit by sharing experiences here. May I ask why you had surgery? [You're under no obligation to answer.] Hello, you're right i should not overthink or worry about my weight loss as long as i am actually losing weight. And as of why i had the surgery, it was because i a short period of time i gained 40lb without changing anything in my lifestyle. I'm diagnosed with pcos as well so the doctor suggested that i would get the surgery done before it gets worse as i am prone to weight gain and that the chances of me having diabetes are high. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow - I've been reading a lot of these stories and some reasons are familiar, but even the ones that aren't really resonate with me. For most of life - from my teens to my early 30s, my weight went back and forth over the years and I usually ranged from a size 10 to 14/16. Not obese, but always overweight. But I was an active overweight person, and I felt much healthier than many of my skinny friends who did not exercise and ate junk all the time. I did hit a healthy BMI when I was 24 from all the dancing I was doing, but knee problems forced me to quit and the weight slowly crept up. I did manage to stay under 200 pounds until about 8 years ago the weight started to pile on and nothing I did would last long. WW, Southbeach diet, etc worked for a while, then I would stall and the weight would come back + more. I was depressed and the weight gain just made the depression worse. I remember my personal trainer talking to me about what I needed to do if I was serious about losing weight and I walked out on her - I was angry that she thought I wasn't doing my best, but at the same time I didn't want her to see me break down in tears. I never went back. Like many people here, I had a lot of "well, I'll never let myself get to _____ weight," but it has happened time and again. The first WGD (weight gain defeat) was hitting 200 lbs. Around the same time, realising that I had stop fighting myself in the regular stores - the size 18s were barely fitting, and department stores like Sears had nothing I wanted to wear - and walking into a dedicated plus-size store for the first time. Walking from the parking lot into the store was really embarrassing, but once I was inside I was surrounded by clothes that fit and very positive people around me. Then I hit 220. Then 250. Now I'm fluctuating but hitting a high of 275. Over the past 10 years I have gained, with consistency, 10-15 pounds a year and nothing I do seems to stop it. My overall activity and eating patterns haven't changed (except when I try a new diet or exercise). I don't drink alcohol or any carbonated beverages anymore, no junk food other than chocolate (!), and I still get over 10,000 steps a day. I had a couple of minor health problems last year that really reduced my ability to move and exercise, which is why I've gained so much in the last year (at least 20lbs). At the time I realised that I have no one to help me. I'm single and live alone. Most of my family and close friends are 1000's of miles away. I thought about "what if I die here" (in case of a worse case scenario - some recent events that happened to other people made me more aware) - because being an expat means you can't rely on what you know from home - and realised that it would be much cheaper for my family to cremate me, rather than to have my body flown home (airlines charge by the kilo). But even then, there was no "straw" that broke the camel's back. I woke up one morning, decided to (randomly) research weight loss surgery in Japan, came across a post from this site, and I haven't looked back since. Maybe my brain, my subconscious, whatever, was quietly making a list of problems that I just couldn't ignore, so that when I woke up that morning about 6 weeks ago, it knew that I needed to start making some real changes in my life and that this would be the best way to do it. Now that I've decided to do it, this surgery, this new life plan, has become my new obsession. It's the most positive thing that has happened to me in a while, and I really hope it works out! None of these is the straw, but they've all contributed: Living in a country where absolutely no clothes fit me (I don't even know where obese Japanese women get their clothes - I have a feeling quite a few make them) As a result of the above, spending a ton of money on online shopping and shipping, knowing that it's not worth returning if it doesn't fit, and having to make do with what comes Also because of the above, spending a lot of time looking for stores with plus-size sections when I do travel abroad because I need clothes - bottoms fall apart in the heat and humidity here, and tops seem to shrink with time Worrying about fitting into plane and train seats when I travel Having to bring extra clothes when I travel in case things (especially pants) get ruined by the dreaded chub rub Having to deal with extra heavy or larger suitcases because of my bigger clothes Having 90% of my shoes not fit anymore because of the weight gain and edema (especially in the summer) The looks I get from people all the time. It's not disgust, more like amazement - how can somebody be that big? She must eat 24/7! The fact that people feel they can comment on my weight at any time - from my little nephew asking me why I was so fat, to a Buddhist monk in Burma commenting on my need to exercise more and eat less (!). I'll never see the monk again but I hope the next time I see my nephew he won't even remember asking me that question. My brother laughing at me when we Skyped over Christmas. He hadn't seen me for a few years and he had no problems making me feel humiliated when I was already so depressed. His "just eat one meal a day like I do" didn't help either Friends "forgetting" about me - I get a lot of excuses when I ask people to do things, but they never get back to me about getting together when a time is convenient for them Still single. I've accepted that part of my life but I also want a chance of happiness with someone. That will never happen while I'm in the obese part of the BMI. The only time men seem interested me is when I weigh less than 150 pounds, and it's been a long a time since I was that low. Realising that, over the past 6 years, I have missed 2 family reunions and have avoided visiting friends from a thinner time in my life because I don't want to see the look of shock on their faces when they see the current me. Every time I see that look (like "what the he!! happened!") it's just so depressing Also realising that I keep postponing trips and activities I want to do because I know my weight will either prevent me from doing all that I want, or will really get in the way Looking at photos of myself with my students or other people and realising I am more than double their width Hitting 275. That's a big blow and I definitely do not, cannot, will not hit 300.

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.

I think this is the toughest time for me. I too have gained about 20 pounds back. But I made up my mind no more sliders and no more sugar until it all comes off. Then if I can do maintenance with a little sweets I will, but if I start gaining again I will will not be able to eat sugar again. Because for the last 6 months I have just been going crazy eating junk. I'm one of those people who just can't have a bit. Is that what is behind your weight gain? Maybe we can encourage each other like we did in the beginning.

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...

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!

Bjean, you are not alone since my surgery 9/28/06 I have gaiend three pounds and it is very discouraging. Yes, the desire to eat will return and with a venegance. i have been also struggling with getting in the proper amounts of liquids, and I have only had two BM since the surgery. So I am also annoyed. I go back for a post op visit Thursday, and i am dreading getting on the scale. I never feel any restriction while i am eating and I find that I can pretty much eat what ever I like. I have noticed that if I eat too quick I get a very uncomfortable feeling. So I am trying to hang in there. I have been told not to worry about the weight gain but I can't help it. So you are not alone in the struggle.

Getting old sucks! I have had a radiotherapy induced menopause at age 43 2 years ago and started HRT a bit over 12 months ago due to horrible symptoms of hot flashes, insomnia and anxiety and depression. In the last year, whilst I've recovered well from rectal cancer I feel my health has steadily declined in a non specific way. The worst thing I've noticed though is my rear end and thighs have balooned and I'm certain its the HRT. A recent CT scan also picked up that a fibroid (we think) in my uterus has grown very quickly over the past 12 months. I've also had horrible heartburn and stomach pain and have been depressed to be on regular Nexium. As well, I dont think the HRT has done all that much for my mood (or libido). I had a tummy tuck back in march and it seems like this normal menopausal weight gain now cant go on the tummy and I'm really really unhappy with my shape now, I'm very very pearshaped, even though I'm still slim. All I can say is thank god I was virtually skeletal after cancer treatment since the 20lb that has come out of nowhere has just brought me back to a BMI of 22 or so but its ALL in my rear end! I really need to shift 5kgs, I'm a fine boned build and 154lb is just too heavy for my 5ft 10. I've also noticed my athletic ability decline sharply. I cant run as far as I want to or could and dont recover. I've taken up strength training due to bone density issues and it wipes me out completely. I'm not used to being this weak! It really sucks. I've not taken my HRT for the past few days and wonder of wonders, I've not needed Nexium either. I wonder if I stop will the fibroid shrink (thus avoiding a hysterectomy) and will my ass do likewise? Or will I just become an axe weilding homicidal maniac again?

I had to quit for 90 days or my doc wouldnt even make an appointment and then they did a carbon test on my blood. Came up positive because I was inhaling second hand smoke from my hubby's cigars. Had to do another 2 weeks later. They didn't do another test after that and I was smoking again from October to April. I did do little sneaky things so that he wouldnt know I was smoking, like showering and washing my clothes right before an office visit. No one said word one that they had any idea. The nurse said that it was up to the docs descretion if he does another one. I am still smoking. I am going to try and quit again after I reach my weight goal minus ten pounds for the notorious weight gain lol. Do I want to? Nope, but I know I should lol .

It's hard to decipher all the replies you have gotten I'm sure. So let me say one thing first. You have had several "Vets" reply and try helping you. You will also see a lot of replies that jump to conclusions and or from posters who are really new that honestly think they know all the answers. That's not a bad thing but there is a difference in information between not being sleeved yet, recently sleeved and years out sleeved. As well as different info from rny and bypass people. Everyone's body is different and will adjust their own way. My surgeon told me my sleeve won't stretch. However should I eat things I shouldn't and way too much of it my stomach will expand but it will contract back down. We have bunches of layers inside out tummy walls and that's what expands and contracts before and after you eat. If you eat a large meal and then eat a small meal it won't "stretch" however if you get to a point where you are only eating large bad meals it won't contract all text way back down because of the brain signals saying hey he/she is still hungry. And then you get the weight gain back. I was told (every surgeon and every persons body is different) not to drink for an hour before and an hour after my meals. I was to be finished with my meal in 15-20 minutes and if I still had food leftover to put it up and not pick at it. It's leaning to feel full not finishing what's on your plate. If you drink with your meal it will cause the food to slip through your sleeve making you think you are still hungry and washes away the good absorption that we need. You make feel hungrier sooner or sick with foamies, even vomiting. So what's the point in risking it when we all are using this "tool" to helps us get back to healthy. Just my 2 cents from a newb. Proud Nana of a very handsome grandbaby

Ive gained like 3 pounds. I dont know if I should be happy or worried. LOL. Usually by this time in my previous pregnancies I would have gained at least 20 lbs and another 20 in the next 10 weeks. I'm 29 weeks now, so I have 11 weeks til term but I am high risk because I have had a still born at 39 weeks so I am usually able to cry my way in to an early labor...I usually get induced at 38 weeks, so I am about 9 weeks away from D-Day. I have been so tight lately and worried about baby's weight gain so I will go and get about 1cc taken out tomorrow. I cant wait to actually eat