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Please forgive my comparisons to war or combat. I mean in no way, shape, or form to dishonor the real warfare that our brave military members combat for real. Their real world actions provide the freedoms that I have enjoyed my whole life. It is the overanjoyment of these freedoms where I have failed. I live in a military town and am surrounded by returning vets. I see them in my PT sessions....and I see them in public and I work with them in the civilian world. I respect and honor them deeply. I have learned much from them. Please know this. My use of the terms war and fighting on simply how I feel on a personal level. At war and fighting with my internal, self generated enemies that I've let me not exert the control of the calorie war throughout my life. Most of us have had a few runs at losing on our own and had some serious success. I've done so....huge amount off.....then let it creep back on. ARGHHHGHHGHH !!!! The battles and skirmishes I've been through with my weight have not been tossed aside as failures, though. When I've gone back recently and relived those times....really thought about them......I've gained some insight into where things went well.....and why the weight loss stalled and returned. This new weapon, the bypass, though.....will help sustain the loss.....stay on the horse...and keep riding hard towards whatever BMI my body seems to level out at. I don't know of point, since birth, where I've been in line with my exact numbers on the "standard height & weight chart". Not one day. Big baby at birth, big kid.....hyooooge adult. :fofl: The really cool thing is that with this surgery and sticking with the new way of living.........I can see a point where I may be much closer to the "old standard chert numbers". Here's what I really take comfort from. This is knowledge and insight I gained from once losing over 100lbs on my own just a few years back. Even though it was short lived in terms of staying at that low weight...here it it is: My ability to loose the weight at my current state is limited due to physical limitations that limit exercise....thus I'm only able to exert control over one side of the "calorie equation" = on the calories consumed side. I struggle when this is the only side of the equation I can work on. It's almost like being in the boxing ring with one hand tied behind my back. As I loose weight, I am confident that my physical limitations will improve. Currently it's a back injury that has required 6 cycles of steriods, muscle relaxers and pain meds.....for the last 3 months. On the last day of the current steroid prescription today. Scared, too, as the next day or two are when the symptoms have often returned. The Fluid gain and weight gain from the use of these steroids has been unwanted.....but the relief necessary to be able to attend my job duties. I know that significant weight loss will ease the strains on my back and lead to healing. I know that the knees that are in need of knee replacements will be eased up, too. As I loose weight, I will become more and more mobile. Increased mobility will allow steady use of treadmill....controlled safe soft walking surface. I'll be able to walk so much further on my job every day, too. This activity will give me both hands to fight with while in the proverbial boxing ring. I'll be better able to work both sides of the calorie equation.....consumption AND burning them. This, my friends, will lead to much faster weight loss that will FEEL great. This is the state I want to be in over the time remaining before my surgery. This time is unclear as my first NUT appointment is over a week away. This is the what starts my 6 month timeline to surgery as I understand it. I've got a lot of headroom in my BMI to burn off on my own prior to 6 months. i am really looking forward to the first NUT appointment and getting a better gameplan from them. I'm hoping for a more specific gameplan to follow. Less freelance work on my own...but a factual & actual battle plan to follow. Good news is that I'm taking tomorrow and Thursday as vacation days. Tomorrow is my first appointment with my bypass / umbilical hernia surgeon. Thursday is the next appointment with my spine surgeon. There are a number of things I'll be hoping to gain from them but of primary concern is finding a way to get leverage over my mobility and off the meds that I'm needing for the back. *Is there an epidural injection process that I can get for my back to ease things off so I can get off the meds and mobile as I burn off weight during the next 6 months leading up to surgery? *Is there some type of hernia girdle or wrap that I can wear on workdays to keep this hernia from protruding from my umbilical area? This will help keep my core supported which will have to benefit my back, too. Ideas, insight and questions you think I should be asking my doctors: * * Gotta run and get ready for a 14 hr shift.......but will be checking back in later tonight. Poking around this forum and seeing the progress of the members here is something that I take great comfort and confidence from. I can't wait to get the very best results I can over the next 6 months......get this hernia repaired in the same procedure as the bypass.......and then recover.......but while recovering from the hernia (been through this twice before).....I'll be losing weight bigtime.....not simply laid up for a few weeks trying to just heal a hernia repair. As I recover from the hernia.....and the weight loss continues.......return to the job.......gain more and more mobility.......I'll be walking so much more than I can even conceive of. The future calories that I'll burn over a daily basis will be unreal. The bypass will be a huge tool on the consumption side of the equation. I can look at the old height & weight chart and now say....,"Hmmmmmnnnn"......who knows. At 46, I can easily see weighing what I did when I was 21. I've seen my beautiful younger sister go through all this 15 years ago with her bypass. She's been at her "standard chart numbers" for the past 12-13 years and is fit and trim as anyone I've ever known. She's amazing and has and will be a tremendous source of encouragement. Have a great day, folks. Let's do this thing !!!!!!!!

I'm depressed, was 265 when I underwent gastric bypass. Went down to 170 lb as of April 21st, now I'm up to a whopping 198. Ready to do a reset! Sent from my LM-T600 using BariatricPal mobile app

I was sleeved 2/18/14. My starting weight was around 300, Day of surgery 278 and I dropped down to 198. However, I have been taking care of my dad and working a lot lately and have completely falling off but I don't know how. My weight has jumped to near 230 since February. I'm sooooo depressed. I need help bad.

Well I really need some feed back on this one. Do I begin fertilty treatments or have the surgery first? The problem is the age factor. My ob/gyn has told us because of issues with my husband and my age we would need fertility treatments to have a higher chance of concieving. However, he is not willing to do treatments after 46 years of age and guess who turns 46 this year, ME! He is willing to try 3 cycles which will give me a weight gain of course. The road to surgery is just lacking insurance approval, waiting on me to tell them to submit. If I have the surgery I woudl have to wait a year before we could try and that puts me closer to 48. I have fought thru months of mental and emotional stress, research, reading, praying all to get to a comfortable place about doing the surgery now this. And it's a major this! My ob/gyn has no issues with my weight or co-morbities because they are "controlled" with meds. I am confused as to which way to I go. Any comments are shared experiences would ne greatly appreciated. Thinking about the increased weight with treatments and pregnancy if that would be healthy enough to carry a baby. So many things whirling around in my mind. ipb.global.registerReputation( 'rep_post_715133', { domLikeStripId: 'like_post_715133', app: 'forums', type: 'pid', typeid: '715133' }, parseInt('0') ); The only difference between a good day and bad day is your attitude. Make it a Great Day!!

Hi all! I am 6 months post-op and doing great. I've met all my surgeon's goals, bloodwork is great, energy is great, etc, There is a lot less of me! I am wondering from those of you who are even further post-op, what can I expect now as far as WL? I can see that it becomes more of an effort the further you move from your surgery date; however, calculating proteins and carbs feels easy to me now and my entire relationship with food is healthier than ever before. I'm having a small setback, weightwise-- I was at my first gw but had to take some medication which caused temporary weight gain so now I'm a tiny bit over gw. I'm ready to attack my stretch goal -- would love to hear from some of you what happens in the second half of this year and would appreciate tips for staying on track!

What's causing the weight gain? If you ever lost weight before you had surgery, you know how to do it. Are you able to focus on what you really want -- to lose weight, that is -- while you seek a solution regarding your band? Keep in mind that the amount of Fluid in a band means nothing. What matters is that the amount, whatever it is, gives the desired result. You may need more fluid to get the band back in the saddle.

Hello all, I am brand new to the discussion board, and wanted to join to get some inspiration/motivation. I had the lap-band surgery a little over a year ago and was losing weight pretty regularly, until at about 35lbs lost. I had gotten a fill and everything was going great, I thought I had finally found my 'sweet spot.' Until one day I couldn't eat anything, and could hardly drink water for 4 days. It began on a Thursday, where I was having some trouble getting food down, but as most of you know sometimes we have those days, so i ignored it and thought later that day it would get better, or even the next day. Friday came along and I had to work that day. At work I still wasn't keeping anything down, and this continued Saturday and Sunday. I realized I needed to get into the doctor ASAP to have him loosen my band. My doctor was out of town, so another doctor filled in and took 3CC's out of my band (I had about 5CC's in there). Well, this was a shock, because now I could practically eat like before I had the band. This caused me to gain weight, and didn't get back in for another fill for about a month or so. When I went back to get my fill my doctor seemed suprised that the other doctor took so much fluid out of my band. He filled me up and I was good to go. We scheduled an appointment for 8 weeks later to check up and see how the fill was doing. Well, long story short I still feel like I can eat whatever I want. He told me to call if I needed to come in sooner, but I thought with exercise I could keep off the pounds until I went back in for another fill (which is coming up on August 16th). I went on vacation and didnt eat well at all, but since I have been back home I have really tried to get with the program, but I feel like I have failed miserably. I have been trying to eat Healthy Choice meals, or just healthier in general, and exercise at least 3 times a week. My progress is going in reverse, and I just wanted to share this with others who might have had a tough time trying to get your 'sweet spot' right. Currently I am only 12lbs lighter than I was when I had the surgery, and normally I am a happy-go-lucky person, but lately I have felt really down about this. I know I will be getting a fill soon, but I feel like I have disappointed myself and my doctor (even though he has NEVER made me feel bad about weight gain). I am trying to find some people who may be having the same problems as me, and not total success stories (although those are great and very inspirational as well). I have also thought about seeing a counseler for the psychological aspect of it all as well. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Can't wait to be part of more discussions

HELP!!! So upset! I was banded March 30,2006. My biggest fill was 7.0 cc and I went from 295 to 216 within the first 18 months. I went to my surgeon regularly, and was very pleased with my results. I went to my Dr. in August of 2007 and did not get a fill- stayed at 7 cc, and then went back in December 2007. During my xray the surgeon discovered that my bad was slanted... he de-filled me and put me on a two week liquid diet. I went back, and they could only fill me to 3 cc. January of 2008, I lost my job and my health insurance....I have since gone up to 269 lbs.. and I throw up/vomit several times a day and rarely eat. But for some reason I cannot lose the weight, even though I don't keep much food down. I cannot see any surgeon or specialist, I am currently working, but they don't offer health insurance and I can't afford to just go and self-pay. What do you think is wrong with my band????:thumbup:

I'm not a lap-band patient, so I know little about your situation. Have you been in touch with your NUT to see about caloric intake and scheduled "fills"? Did you check with the pharmacist or online to see if your pain killer can cause weight gain? Don't throw in the towel yet. It's a setback and I'm sure you are frustrated, but you can do this! Best, Amy

My surgery is scheduled for February 8th. When I started this last year my weight was 262. By the time I was done with classes I was down to 252. I have quit smoking since September and now back up to 258. Has anybody had some weight gain but still not over your top weight and still had surgery? I'm scared the surgeon is going to cancel. Yes I am still working at losing.

The key to controlling and eventually eliminating the worldwide obesity epidemic is understanding the underlying causes of the problem in the first place. This article offers some deeply thought provoking ideas and insights into this very serious threat. Broad in scope and exceptionally well written, this article is a great first step. The following are just a few excerpts from the article. I highly recommend clicking on the "Full Article" link to read more. Truly excellent. "With a decline in the number of smokers, obesity has emerged as the main source of many of the pathologies that reduce the quality and length of Irish lives. But where does the lack of restraint that leads to that condition originate? The stress of modern living plays a significant role according to new research." "But nutritional deficiencies caused by an agricultural system dedicated to the production of meat also plays a part. The restricted space dedicated to crops grown for human consumption, as opposed to the area set aside for livestock and the crops grown to feed them, has led to the cultivation of high-yielding but often nutritionally-deficient varieties. The insatiable eating that leads to obesity may be a response to nutritional impoverishment." "He says increased stress levels, especially fuelled by employment uncertainty have had deleterious effects on dietary choices: “Physiologically, stress leads individuals to prefer fatty and sweet foods, and frequently to consume more calories, exacerbating weight gain, especially in the form of risky abdominal fat”. The idea of a link between insecurity, stress and obesity is supported by the ‘social gradient’ of obesity”: it is most prevalent among those at the bottom of the social scale." "Illuminatingly, in the month after September 11th, sales of snack foods increased by more than 12% across the United States as paranoia, verging on hysteria, swept the country. The national sense of homeland security was bolstered by Twinkies and M and Ms." Full Article

My goal is to "eat to live," not "live to eat." I love bread and eating it has gotten me into a lot of weight gain trouble. I am glad that it is difficult to eat bread and other foods with the lap band. This tool will help modify the quantity and types of food I eat. I have proven to myself over and over again throughout the years that I cannot control my urges for food. It's a bummer, but true.

I was wondering if anyone had the same problem as I am having? I was just banded on April 11th 2006 for the first 21/2 wks I couldn't eat anything at all, in that time I lost 21pds. Now that I am able to eat very little I have gained back 4pds!! :help: I haven't been eating anything bad for me basically solid foods. General day is::hungry: 1 egg (if I can eat the whole thing) for Breakfast 4 peices of deli turkey breast for lunch with 2 peices of am cheese 4oz of chicken breast with a small salad for dinner About 50oz of Water through out the day I know I am supose to drink 64oz but I can't seem to get it all in right now. Oh ya and not to been having trouble going to the bathroom. Is this normal a 4pd gain, or can it just be water weight? Any suggestions on what I can change? Thank you for all your support!! Felicia:help:

So here I am 3 years out (VSG Sept. 2016) and I’ve gained 30lbs and I’m so mad that I let myself get here. I did the pouch reset recently and it was more of a temporary fix, however I can tell my stomach has shrunk cause I cannot eat as much. I still can eat a good bit though. I’ve definitely included more protein and my diet, cut the carbs and sugar, but the process is very slow. Any suggestions on what I can do? I was thinking trying 500 calories a day but someone told me that’s not enough. I’m almost to the point where I’m scared to eat because I don’t want to gain more weight. I also walk about 30 minutes a day. I know that’s not much but I’m slowing building up my fitness level. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Help I have gained 5 pounds while on vacation! Does anyone else have this problem? Also I have no restriction after having 1 full so far.

Hi, I'm on Meds that I have to stay on, Ive been on them for 10 years but it resulted in me gaining 70 pounds in the first two years. I've tried many things but it doesn't budge. Would gastric sleeve help me? Thank you.

As far as birth control...I did depo and gained weight. My dr suggested the Nexplanon implant. It goes in your arm, it's like a little plastic stick and it lasts for 3 years. It was a little more painful but but worth it and it doesn't cause weight gain.

I'm in my 3rd month of 6 months of prep for GB and am terrified of gaining even a single pound for fear of insurance turning me down. Wondering how Ohio Medicaid is on this. Anyone else had/have this issue?

I am scheduled for surgery on July 8th. I am nervous because my doctor/center didn't mandate a 'pre-op' diet of liquids. I am worried I have gained weight. Has anyone been denied surgery based on weight gain? I am about a 42 BMI and had no problem getting approved. PLEASE HELP. Should I do my own protien diet?

SOunds like you have been dealing with some hormonal shifts and that can TOTALLY cause weight gain / stall. I woudl recommend that you start getting some more Fiber in your diet to get the bowels moving regularly. Eat a 1/2 cup of oatmeal every day if you can. I am also really bad about Water intake, but it doesn't seem to stall my progress. I also find jusy changing up what I eat can keep my weight moving. I was eatign the exact same thing every day for the first couple of months - since I started to change it up, I have been losing more every week. I would also go back to the doc and talk about the dysmennhoria (no periods). It is not normal to have that for a long time. At this point in your weight loss journey, you should be getting back to normal. You might have to go on a hormone suoplement (birth control pill) to get the periods under control until your body can regulate on its own. Good luck!

I have always been overweight and bigger than people my age. I guess when I really noticed a definite weight gain was after I got married. I gained about 50 pounds. Some traumatic things happened in my life and I just gave up caring. I cannot wait until I have my surgery and hit my goal weight! I don't ever remember being at a healthy weight. I just want to know what that feels like, lol!

When did you guys realize that you had gained a lot of weight ? Lol I didn't recognize mine until I went into a store and tried on my normal size clothes (14/15 or (15/16) and realized they were 1 sneeze from the seams bursting lol ?

So I've had some weight gain and struggles, so I've been playing around with a few sites like sparkpeople. I need to lose about 15 lbs by March 20th I"m in my bros wedding and my dress is too tight! For the amount im working out now, SP says I should be eating about 1300-1600cal a day. But my trainer says 1200-1300. I've had a complete unfill bc of constantly pbing. I plan to have some put back in soon. it's only been 2 weeks. I know it's all about calories in and calories out. I wasn't losing crap bc I couldn't get in solid Protein, and I WAS making poorer food choices bc of this problem. Everything I ate, my body hung on to. SO who's right SP, or my trainer? Since I REALLY gotta get some weight off quick bc of my bros wedding, I thought about doing the 17day diet? Any thoughts?

I am still very sore but can walk around and do things, I gained 11 pounds during hospital stay from saline Iv. I've lost 5 of them, does anyone know how soon I will lose all the bloated feelings and water weight gain? And when the soreness will go away?? I also walk every hour or two for 15-25 min. Thanks!!

My guess is that it may be related to medications, as many of the mental health meds have weight gain or increased appetite as a side effect. There are some that are considered metabolically neutral-check in with your psychiatrist about that. On the other hand, 16 lbs above “normal” BMI is really not bad! Many, many bariatric patients never reach a “normal” BMI and their surgeon will tell them that going from obese to just over weight is a success. Congrats on all you’ve done so far!