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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.

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"!!

I agree that worrying about weight gain and our lifelong obsessions with body size are never more inappropriate than when we are pregnant. It's perfectly healthy and normal to be a bit bummed or annoyed even at the fact that we will have to work harder to lose weight after childbirth, but as long as weight gain during pregnancy doesn't affect our health or the health of our children, then it is merely something we should see with humor and grace as one more thing to worry about later on.

I am 13 months post op, I have lost about 40 pounds. Everything was great with band until 5 months ago. Severe reflux and vomiting had to wait 3 weeks to see my Dr. I was not happy it took so long. Had UGI, showing relux had band unfilled for 6 weeks. Had follow up UGI reflux gone and I was feeling better except for the weight gain. I was told by the Dr that about 30% of lap band patients bodies can not work with the lap band and that my problem of being too tight leading to reflux will continue. She gave me 2cc's and said most likely she would not put any more to keep the bad from being too tight and slipping:( I was dissappointed but decided 2cc's are bettee than 0. Now two weeks later out of no where I am having abdominal pain not associated with my port. I feel full and really bloated in the evenings. When I move or take a deep breath I hurt sort of on my left side barely below my rib cage. Maybe it's just gas but I don't know. Does anyone have any insight for me? I have had set back after set back and am at my wits end.:blushing:

Wow, you ladies are very impressive with your exercise. several years ago I did a step aerobic program with a DVD and it did shape me up, but I just ate all the calories I burned. Problem was when I injured my knee and had surgery, exercise stopped and the same intake of food did not. Big weight gain and still have almost daily knee pain. So while I want to get back to my 3 mile walk, which I enjoy, I don't want to use heavier exercise for weight maintenance. It's just not a reliable source of burning calories for me. But it sure makes losing weight harder without it. I don't know how women with a family fit it all in! Have to admire your dedication!

The same thing is happening with me I lost around 15 lbs from my six month med. Diet now people tell oh you dont need the surgery but but the same thing always happens lose a little weight gain alot more back

So I've finally caught up, took me 3 days to do it but here I am. No questions about it, I'm an addict. Not just to sugar and carbs but to food. FOOD still tastes good to me on a daily basis. I haven't given my sleeve anything that it didn't tolerate just fine. As I have gotten further out it has become harder to stay on track because now I don't have this list of like 4 foods that it is okay for me to eat. I actually have to choose to eat what I should, and for the most part, I do. I have days that I fall off the wagon, but each day is a new day. I get up, brush myself off and start again. I am from Louiaiana. Not just from the south but from one of the most obese states in our country. You know there are "starving kids in China" so we don't throw food away, or at least that's what we were told growing up. My grandmother was a feeder. Everyday after school (after finishing off a big grab bag of flaming hot cheetos and a large icee) she would have cookies or cake or fried chicken fixed and just hanging around. We got to eat what ever, when ever we wanted. This was all before the age of 13. It didn't stop. When I was in my early teens my parents did a dieting program through our church and lost weight. I didn't lose weight. I ate what they ate but I ate as much as I wanted. When I was a junior or senior in high school, I went through the program with them and lost 30 pounds. When I started college my freshman 15 turned into my sophomore 60 and stuck around for my senior 70. I seriously gained around 80 pounds in my 4 years of college. I lost some while working on my second degree but then got pregnant just before I graduated. When I went in to have my son I was 286 pounds (I had gained somewhere between 50-80 pounds during my pregnancy). I lost about 20 after I had him but within 4 months put it back on. Fast forward 5 years and I can't get pregnant. We think it's because of my weight gain (I'm now about 320) so I decide to go for a sleeve. A month before my sleeve was scheduled to be done, I find out I'm pregnant. And you know what, I was SAD!!! I wanted this surgery. I wanted to be healthy for my pregnancy but here I was super morbidly obese and pregnant. Gross. I only gained 23 pounds during my second pregnancy and the baby weighed almost 10 pounds so not too bad. That weight came off pretty quick and then I was sleeved when the baby was 4 weeks old. It was the best decision I have ever made. I have learned a lot already. I know that I have limited will power. My will power stops when I take a bite of anything. I can resist any food all day long until I take one bite and then it is all over. I can't stop myself. Carbs are a nightmare. If I start the day off with them, I'm hungry all day and wanting to eat. Same goes for sugar. But it isn't just those. Like Cheri, it fried goodness, burgers, savory, spicy, chips and salsa, FOOD! I have eaten out of bordom, I ate when I was happy and when I was sad. Something good happened, "Oh, lets celebrate! Where do you want to go eat?" Something bad happened, "Oh, bless your heart. What can I get you to eat?" It was never ending. I haven't been a big food sneaker but there were times that I did. I could, and probably still can but have not tried, to polish off a pint of ice cream in a single sitting. I never ate a whole pizza but I sure could eat half a large by myself. I was the one who finished my husbands food, and the kid's. I was the same as someone before who would go to McD's and get a large value meal and get chicken nuggets to go with it. I was out of control. Now I am not a slave to food. I don't think about it all the time. I enjoy it but it does not rule my life. I have an amazing support system and my hubby is happy to finish my left overs So much has changed about me in the last 8 months, on the inside and the outside. I am liking this new person I am becoming. I used to tell people that people liked me for the same reasons they like Santa Claus, cause I was fat and jolly! I'm still jolly. My joy is dependent on far more than the weight I carry or my circumstances but people are going to have to find a new reason to like me!

First off, this is for bariatrics. If you're only 115 lbs and have never been higher than 175, why are you even on here? Secondly, everyone has different issues which caused their weight gain. Google it. Everyone here is already at their breaking point with their weight, to the point that they're considering extreme measures. They don't need you belittling them for being overweight and throwing your weights in their face. Go away. K, bye. [emoji1308]

You really shouldn't be doing creamed soups typically at all. They are generally very high in calories, carbs, fats, and sugars. You should stick to the list of foods they say you can have, and not venture out into other areas until you are cleared for them. Talk to your nutritionist about your diet and have them tell you want you need to be doing. Firstly, weight gain within the first 2 weeks isn't unheard of.... but lots of sleeve folks are on liquids only for the first month, I get that every doctor is going to be different, but you are also supposed to be on a restricted calorie intake, you should be tracking your proteins, water, etc. Give them a call and ask them how they feel about cream based soups. Are you tracking your protein intake? How much protein are you getting? Are you tracking your water intake? How much water are you getting a day? Are you exercising? How much exercise are you getting each day?

Good thread. I always sit on the fence about labeling myself an addict, but whatever you call it (or don't call it) the behaviors were destructive enough to allow me to get up to 300 pounds. I used to say cake is like crack to me, and it still is. I weighed 140 pounds when I met my husband, and he enabled me to gain that weight. He would offer and go get whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it. Now he enables me to lose weight by not doing that, and encouraging me every day to stay on track. I never blamed him for my weight gain - that was all on me. He couldn't stop me from gaining now if I wanted to. So I know I have to monitor myself and my habits and intake all day, every day, forever. I'm not perfect, and don't even care to be, but at least I know what I'm consuming. If I had to point to just one thing that I've learned and feel has contributed to my success so far, I would say that it is tracking and being honest with myself about what I eat - ALWAYS. Even when I don't want to, and even when I've eaten too much, I force myself to face it.

So true the cleaner/healthier we eat our bodies hate junk /processed food. Yes the cruise will have good choices as well as for me I'm packing some Protein powder and bars for mine. I can't eat in the am until late morning so I Make protein lattes n back a bar for the excursions just in case. I found my band has been tighter the past few weeks and when I went for my annual check up he said it looked good but a but a tad tight and asked if I wanted an slight unfill I was scared about gaining weight do I sad no after a horrible weekend of not keeping much down I'm going Thursday to get a slight unfill just to make sure I won't be sick on my cruise. I already eat right and work out so a slight unfill hopefully won't cause weight gain . I think it's in my head so the first year was great I'm going to make the lifetime band living better than great so I'll take a few bumps as we adjust to living together forever . Lol not sure if it's the weather or some stress I'm going through (who doesn't have stres) but I must do what's necessary to keep my band and myself in sync with the help of my dr

commenting on someone's weight gain/loss is plain rude imho. although, I have noticed that there are many people who are more easily able to spot a 5-10lb weight gain than a 50lb weight loss. go figure. saying "you look great" or something along those Iines is fine and about as much of a compliment as I would give anyone regarding their weight, but when I am on the receiving end, the cynic in me wonders how much of a beast you thought I looked like before. that said, I have noticed that for me at my highest weight, it does take about 50 lbs to get any comment at all. The heavier you are, the more subtle a 50+ lb weight loss is. I have learned to celebrate my own victories instead of relying on others to encourage me. congrats to everyone! you all must look great! lol. but seriously, the compliments and encouragement I get from people on these boards is more meaningful than most of the reactions I have gotten from people in my day-to-day life thus far. it's a mixed bag of genuine happiness, surprise, scrutiny, jealousy, etc....

Hello everyone! Sorry about not checking in the last few months but I have been really busy the last few months. I quit going on LBT at work because someone on the boat has been looking at all the sites people have been on and I don’t want anyone at work to know about my band. I went to Asia in May and I have only been back to work and move out of my house. I am now residing in Thailand for the most part. I really enjoy it out here and I plan on staying for a least a few more months. I am not really losing any weight but on the other hand I have not gained in along time either. I got within just 2 lbs of my goal in Jan then I gain some weight back. Right not I am right around 185-190lbs which is about 10-15 lbs more than my goal but I also get a lot of better feedback about my looks than I did before the weight gain. I have not really been exercising much the last few months because of an injury I got a few months back. Anyhow I just wanted to say Hi to everyone and sorry but I have not really looked at the past posts because I think it will talk me 3 weeks just to get caught up. Talk to you all later and I hope all is well. Insub: are you planning on visit Asia at all? Capt Dan

Weight before sleeve: 250LBS Weight after sleeve: 238lbs I was just sleeved on Monday Weight gain: God I hope not. lol

Sleeved on Valentines Day. Came home from hospital on day 4. Stepped on scale to monitor progress...I was up 14 pounds after being down by 27 on day of surgery! What the heck...? Today I was down 5 of the 14. I had IV's while in the hospital and could understand a little water weight gain, but 14 pounds? Anyone have a similar experience or any answers?

Blarg. I've started weighing on the scale at the gym because it has the bodyfat% readouts and whatnot. The first day I weighed it said this (10/12): Weight: 222.2lbs Body Fat%: 43.3% Fat Mass: 96.2 lbs Lean Mass: 126 lbs Yesterday it says: Weight: 226.8lbs Body Fat%: 39.8% Fat Mass: 88.6 lbs Lean Mass: 138.2 lbs So I have gained 12 lbs in muscle, lost 8 lbs in fat, which of course shows a 'weight gain' of 4 lbs. At first I was happy about this. Now i just want to LOSE WEIGHT. Of course, if my lean body mass is 138, that also means that at 25% body fat, I'll still be around 180. I'm hoping to at least get to 160, but who knows. I'm just ranting, lol.

Stef and bcrazy, How many brussel sprouts and broccoli spears can you eat with your protein? 2 or 3? I have a problem fitting in vegies and I love them, because if you eat 4 oz of protein that is the amount you are to stop at? It is all hard balancing it out. the same with fruit. pippz thanks for the added info on the fill and the air pushing it out. I will be curious to see when I go next Friday for my second fill how much is really in there. I to have a hard to find port, and they won't be using a flouro this time either, it will be in the office. It should be an experience! Rhonda, loved your Dog story!! My dog has done that to my dh several times, and I LOL when it happens. I keep telling him not to leave it on the counter close in his reach... it is not good but funny. Your diet is a lot of food and not sure with the band you can fit it all in, but like you said you can modify. And it is what works for you!! stef Hang in there with the weight gain. It was less than a pound, but i know how frustrating. You are exercising a lot which sometimes builds muscle for a short weight gain to turn around and lose more! At least that is what they told me when I was pi--- this happened to me!

Sorry if this is TMI but did anyone else have diarrhea trying to increase calories? I am not sure if it's the general increase in fat or carbs. I thought I had a handle in trying to stay at this weight or maybe lose 5 pounds over a few months. It was working but now I am back to losing 2 pounds in 5 days. I am 5' 2.5 and now 129. I know I can still lose more and be ok however I have a lot of muscle and excess skin from prior weight gains and loses. I feel like I am getting too skinny. My face looks tired and gaunt, my wrists are so bony. Here's what I eat and I am trying to increase calories but heavy meats fill me up for hours. I have to graze all day to get this in: meals: premier shake and 5 oz of milk (1-2%) 1 egg with 1c sauté spinach using olive oil, 1-2T cheese 4oz. premade chicken salad (130 cal with 3.5f, 13g protein) 1.5 oz ground beef with 1/4 c veggies (green beans or broccoli) 1-2T cheese snacks: 1T peanut butter 1 cup of milk 1/2 c berries (divided up all day long) 1-2 servings (5 oz cups) of low sugar yogurt sometimes the one with nut butter mixed in 1/4 c pumpkin seeds or walnuts lentil crackers, nut thins crackers, or 1 sheet of graham cracker harvest snaps green pea crisps --- it all averages to 25% carbs (80g), 33% protein (97g), 40% fat (44g) for an avg. of 1100 calories I know some of the processed snacks are not the best but I am trying to increase calories and carbs without the volume. I have a hard time getting in water since I always feel like I am eating but I figure the milk and yogurt as snacks helps somewhat with fluids. Any suggestions?

It's a date! I'm making a sweeping declaration (a la HIMYM) and promising this: Even if I am no longer an active member on BP at that time, I WILL log on here on (or around) Oct 24th, 2021 and report on my status (fatter or not) ❤️ P.S. To clarify, I'm not denying that there can be bounceback weight, only that there is bounceback weight because of a change in eating habits. If I continue with eating the way I did yesterday (2000+ cals with minimal exercise), I fully expect to report a significant weight gain on Oct 24th 2021. And I would have no excuses for the gain other than the choices I made. P.P.S. I hope you have not been offended with my personal views, and that all is cool. I'm Canadian: We hate confrontation and apologize for everything. Sorry!

I gained about 6 lbs over about 2 months...but is started just before quarantine, so I can't really blame it solely on that. It was basically due to eating more & being less active (which I suppose is the same reason for quarantine-gains). The gain took me over my "upper limit" so I stated to eat less and went back to running (which I haven't done regularly since plastics back in December due to recovery and all that). It took 2-3 weeks, but I lost those 6lbs as of last week and am back down to my "lower limit" (which btw, was a wake up call because historically I would have been able to lose those 6 lbs in a week with a real effort!). I haven't tried Noom*, but do what you can to address those 12 lbs if that is important to you! Addressing 12 lbs now is much more manageable than 50 or 60 later. It's a good that you recognize the contributing factors to your weight gain, because at least YOU KNOW what you need to address. Get up from the desk every hour or so and move around; try to stick in maybe 30 mins of dedicated exercise every day (maybe start at 15 mins if it helps to kick start yourself); figure out something else to do when you are bored other than eating, or keep off-plan foods out of the house & replace with better choices. I admit, I indulge with not-the-best choices every once in while...this is what I do when I recognize I am getting out of hand: If I want something that isn't the best choice, I'll get something to drink, and/or wait out 30 mins or an hour to reconsider. If after those 30-60 mins I still really want it, then fine, I'll have it. But more often than not, I won't want it anymore. This works for me, buy your mileage may vary. *Noom, from what I read is a food tracker + food idea provider + "personalized coach", which encourages healthy food and lifestyle habits with words of encouragement & a points "reward system", as well as an online community for further support. At $50 a month, the convenience of getting all this in one place *may* be worth it. BUT you could also get all the above for free from different sources if you are willing to make the effort (I use MyFitnessPal for food tracking...I signed up for the premium version for $50 a YEAR, because I wanted access to the macros, food analysis and export features, but you could probably get away with just the free version if you aren't anal like me, LOL.) Good Luck!

Lisa H-- don't mean to be critical but part of the weight gain could be the chew and spit method you are using-- believe it or not alot of the sugar in food can be absorbed in your mouth and into your blood stream, sugar turns to fat when we take in more than our bodies can use. And then also with the extremely low cal preop diet we are on our body tends to grab on to all the calories it can get and not let go-- that is a way our bodies have adapted to prevent starvation when we were cavemen so all the literature I've read says.

I've walked by it a few times... just don't want to do it! UGH! I'm trying to figure out what body part I can have surgically removed to equal my weight gain so I can break even!!!!!! LOL!

Hi Everyone, It's been a long time since I visited the site. I could tell you that I have been busy (which is true) or that I had a new grandaughter in July (which is true) but the real reason is that I have been so down and yes, it's because of very little weight loss. Once I was allowed to eat a regular diet after the surgery, I discovered I could eat anything and that I wouldn't be like some of the folks who never needed a fill and lost a lot of weight quickly. I was bummed. So then the fills started. My first fill was 10 or 11 days ago. Actually, it was the same day as my 1 month check-up. I had a 1cc fill (4cc band) on a Tuesday. I called the office on the following Friday to let them know that instead of feeling fuller, I felt looser. She explained that they just replaced air that was in the band with fluid and I said "well fill'er up again." I went in that same day and he put in 1.4cc of fluid. Hardly worth the trip! So I called the following Tuesday to whine and I went back in today. He said he'll put in 1.6 cc of fluid. I said how about 2cc. He struted about doing the "I am man thing" so I stuck my head out the door when I heard my doc's voice and asked if I could have 2cc's PLEASE! To my surprise, my doc came in and said SURE! I watched the whole time and the doc knew I was making sure I wasn't being skimped. He called me on it, I admitted to it, he laughed! He also told me that it was OK to get frequent fills in the beginning because the goal is to use the band as a tool. So if this doesn't work, I'll call on Monday to schedule again. The truth is my weight loss is so slow, it gets me down sometimes. Then I try to remind myself that my weight gain was never this slow and I could have gained 20 pounds in 6 weeks. If it continues like this maybe I will have lost 60 lbs by Christmas. Now that's a pleasant thought. Thanks for listening. , Me:o

Welcome Bigbaby! And congratulations!! The day will be here before you know it. Kimmum & Nina...my thoughts and prayers are with you today!!!! Post as soon as you can and let us know how you're doing Tomorrow is a BUSY day in band land!!!! Day four and I am feeling pretty darn good! Still not hungry, but that's a good thing. I am able to drink more water today, so that's a good thing. I was thirsty but just couldn't get much down before today. I've lost all my surgery weight (gained 8 pounds of fluid) and am on the down swing again. Ya know what's so strange to me??? I drink about 3oz of protein shake and I am STUFFED. I just can't wrap my head around it yet. It's so exciting!

Reeburgdon: I completely understand! I haven't posted in a while...I've been down. I am almost maintaining my weight...gaining losing same pounds right now and not getting anywhere. I go in for 2nd fill this Friday and am also hoping it helps with getting some restriction. I've also started a Zumba class...I love it. Only one day a week right now, but next sign-up I'll do two. I am seeing inches going away though...at least in the mirror. I need to take some measurements. And my clothes are looser. Hang in there...you're not alone.