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It's been six months since my sleeve surgery (6-12-12). It's been up and down, but mostly up. I'm incredibly pleased with my 75 lb. weight loss. Yes, 75 lbs! I feel like a completely different person. I have 25 more pounds to my goal of 100 lbs. lost. I not only used the surgery as a tool to eat a considerably less amount of food, but I hired a personal trainer to help me tone and ward off the potential weight gain from old habits that don't seem to go away. Yes, it is almost impossible for me to consume amounts of food like I used to, but its the wrong kinds of foods you must be aware of! If there is anyone on the fence about this surgery, you have every rig to be scared or to wonder if this is right for you. It isn't right for everyone. You can really hurt yourself if you don't listen to your body! It took me awhile to realize the pain in my chest, that was my body telling me I'm full and I need to put down the fork, NOW! At times I would get sick, and you learn. I stay away from most breads and rices because they just aren't worth it to me, and they are carbs, so it is a win/win! I get the occasional criticism, "oh, you cheated," or "it was the easy way out." Look, you go lay in that hospital bed after I woke up from having major surgery, and we'll discuss what was the easy way. It hurts. It's hard. It's also expensive. But it's worth it. I would be 27 with diabetes and high blood pressure, hitting the scale at around 250-260. I think I did what was best for me. Thank you for listening. And to whoever set up this site, thank you. Before and after my surgery, I checked this app daily. It was extremely useful!

Hi everyone, I am 2 1/2 years post op and I've gained 35 lbs. I'm getting married in June and instead of losing weight I keep gaining. Has anyone had the same problem? Does anyone know how what stage should do start on so I can shrink my stomach again? Any info would be appreciated.

I have been seeing a dietician for a year and a half and through all this she has seen all the struggles I have had and I finally discussed weight loss surgery with her. I had decided years ago off and on to get it, but always thought I could lose it myself. Of course I did but you know how that rolls. Anyhow she was very skeptical at first but she decided to do some studies on it and to my surprise she decided to support me on my decision. This dietician works for the VA whom I am going thru for all this so we decided to get the ball rolling. She clearly has 1 1/2 yrs of records for my weight loss and weight gains. I wanted to learn how to eat healthy and not go on the all or nothing plan. I lost 32lbs which clearly wasn't fast enough for me but then again I was not dieting like I was use to doing and I really learned to live on a healthy plan. I went thru all the rig a moral with the drs, psy, therapists everything I had to do to clear me for surgery. My dietician told me she talked to the bariatric coordinator and she was going to call me. Well she did and everything sounded real good and all I had to do was wait for the hospital surgeons nurse to call and set everything up. Supposedly when it got as far as the hospital it was stopped, and I was told that they wanted 3 more months of record keeping and counselling before she would approve it. When I heard this I was livid, here I was waiting on my surgery date and then I was told a year and a half was not enough. I felt so much anger that I started eating like a crazy woman and gained all the weight back. I am trying so hard to get my head back in the game but I just don't know how and now my dietician and I are really struggling. I told her I cannot trust that if we do this another 3 mos that it will be enough for them. And can't they see how hard I worked to lose 32lbs in a year and a half? If I could have kept it off I would have? Now here I sit with a nontrusting bad attitude and can't wrap my head around the fact that I have to do this again. To me it is very much like losing it and gaining it back yo yo syndrome that I have been through all of my life. I know that I can't let this beat me because I want to get this done, but yet I can't get my frame of mind to do this again. I have waited all my 57yrs to be skinny and it just doesn't seem like it will ever happen. It pretty much destroyed my will to keep trying! So, I need help to get my head back in the game and get back on my eating plan. I know I am mad and distrusting of the VA but I am not doing this for them, I am doing this for me. How do I get myself to do this? any ideas? I just needed to get this out and I couldn't think of a better place than here! So thank you!

Hello there, My name is Nikkita and I'm 22 years old. I live in Perth, Western Australia. I recently discovered this forum and spent a few days absorbing it, in total awe. I am fascinated that people out there feel exactly as I do, and I'm not alone. I have been obese for over 4 years now, due to chronic PCOS. It affects my life in the most awful way. I am having WLS, (vertical sleeve) in or around October. Here, I am waiting on my Health Insurance to cover me, and I still have to come up with the remaining balance of - $3000 - my fiance and I have paid almost half already! I havent ever really spoken about being overweight, to others - only my close friend and fiance know how I really feel, most of the time. Its hard for me to open up about how much it really affects my life. I cannot wait until I have a date; I should find out on the 8th of September. I am so touched, that there is a place for me to talk about how I really feel.. I sound silly, but I have always felt that weight gain is my own fault, and I should suffer it. I can feel myself opening up, and I actually feel very vulnerable posting this. I am a smoker, and I plan to completely ditch the fags after my last pack - only four left now. I have given up so many things due to my size - my dream of becoming a Teacher is on hold for now, as I am struggling to hold down a part time job in order to pay for my surgery - standing for over 8 hours a day at 130 kilos is no easy feat. Most days I want to quit on the spot. I am currently : HEIGHT - 163 cms WEIGHT - 130 kilos or 286 pounds. Thanks for listening, :heart:

thank you to all who replied! I too am on the 2 week liquid diet. I was given Bariactric Advantage Meal Replacement shakes and couldn't stomach them so I am now tring to get in 5 Carnation Instant Breakfast shakes a day which is hard because I am type 1 diabetic and have to wait 4 hrs inbetween insulin injections. Now that I am 4 days away...the diet seems easier even though I find myself admiring food I look foward to at least some Soup after surgery. I am only allowed sugar free Clear liquids and Jello or popsicles...as well as the shakes and chicken broth. I have had a few days where getting fluids in was hard but did really well today! I am glad to find others going through or went through this surgery. I was originally going to get gastric bypass but couldn't come to terms with the finality and complications. I know it would of helped get the weight of quicker but I kind of want to work for it also from the start. I feel if I can do these two weeks I can do the rest of my life. The weight gain has caused me to have PCOS and in order to have a child I need to lose weight and get my diabeties under control and I feel inside this surgery will be a tool to help!:thumbup:

Thank you!!! Im 250 & have severe sleep apnea and have other issues from weight gain. I am now on the liquid diet and am scheduled for surgery on Oct 10th. Have been seeing others talk about leaks just has me spazzing out. Gettin scared but at the same time i know this surgery will help. Just mixed emotions i guess.

I'm not banded but I can try and give you some advice! Your first 2 weeks is usually when you see the weight drop quickly, especially if you had to do a liquid pre-op diet. Once you start moving on to more solid foods, a weight gain is not uncommon and shouldn't get you discouraged! A ton of people experience up to 10lbs of weight gain as their bodies shift from liquids to mushies or semi-solids. And walking will help you with the gas pain. And Gas X strips are recommended by lots. I hope this helps some! And welcome!! :thumbup:

please can someone advise me I have my pre op talks on 16 august and I was 97kg my weight has ballooned again to 103kg and I am worried they will refuse me due to weight gain again I'm having op under the nhs any help or advise

Well this is a hit in the head. Lost 12# one week post op. Next 2 days, I have gained 1 1/2 #. Getting 90% of water, 100% protein, and about 500 calories what with skim milk and protein mix. Anyone else had this happen?

Hi, I am back online to this site. I started about a year ago but did not care for the doctors or their set up so it's taken me a year later to get it together enough to try other doctor's. Anyway, I have my paperwork in but have not heard anything yet. I am 53 years old, married to my best friend for almost 30 years. Two children, two grandchildren and one granddog. My family is very important and love spending time with them. I have a great support network with family, friends and church family. I have severe arthritis and have been disabled for 5 years. Unable to walk, work and everyday mobility has brought me close to 300 lbs. My life took a total change when I could no longer walk, I have to use a walker and a scooter to get around. I am tired of not being able to live my life to the fullest and sitting on the sidelines. That's why I have resorted to Lap Band surgery. When I am able to lose 75 lbs. I hope to be able to have my knees replaced and then get back to a normal life style. I need a lot of help if anyone wants to contact me, I also would like to have recipes and figure out what to expect after surgery. I love to cook, sew, play with my grandchildren , attend church activities and was pretty active prior to the health problems after the 100 pound weight gain these last 5 years.

This surgery is the best thing I ever did !!! I had always been normal weight until my early 20's and then developed thyroid issues where I had my thryroid removed. Ever since then my weight went up then went down, the went up then went down... the yo-yo weight gain/loss is not good for your body so last year my sis had the surgery and I saw how wonderful she did so I made my appt. and had my sugery this past April 2012. I will be one year out soon and have never felt better. I would do this again in a second !!!! Stay positive, follow your doctors orders and you will do fine !!! Good Luck !!!

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 am new to all of this! I have battled my weight my whole life. I have lost weight gained it lost it again i am just so tired of this!!! Through my years of dealing with my weight I decided to go back to school and get a degree in nutrition (it's so much fun to be a chubby dietitian) so as you can imagine I no what to do to lose weight I just have such a hard time doing it. If someone told me that there was a magic pill I would take it!! So what I want to know is this worth it! Does it work? I know the science behind it all, but does it really work! I work at one of the local hosptials and the surgeons are having an info meeting this week and I just wonder if I should go. I have not talked about this with anyone in my life (my husband, sisters, friends etc) I feel like my god if I can't lose the weight who can. Sorry to have rambled I just would really like some help thanks for you time. Angela

Yes I agree I don't have a scale I don't want to purchase one and it's simply because I've watched so many people get discouraged to the point they were in tears because of weight gain and they start to regret the surgery and it turns into a psychological thing and I don't want to deal with that and I've never been a person that looked at the scale so I don't have a problem with not having a scale Sent from my SM-G935T using BariatricPal mobile app

Why not have a small piece of something on a special occasion? I think it’s unrealistic to think of certain foods as “never” foods. Should you justify eating whatever you want for a whole weekend because it’s your birthday? Probably not. Is enjoying one small dessert item throwing you down the worm hole back into an endless spiral of weight gain? Likely no. Happy Birthday and Enjoy.

I am hopefully getting vsg in August (not scheduled yet.). My concern is that I've lost 130 lbs on my own without surgery in the past. I've since put back on half of that amount. Nothing I did to lose weight before works now so I decided to get sleeved. Will I have the same problem as the ppl who are 2-3 years out and not lose after surgery? Sent from my Nexus 6 using the BariatricPal App

Hi there, Ahb08, I would call your doctor's office and ask them what they think you should do, i would think they would not want you to go below 40 bmi though, possibly stay the same weight aka lose 8 lbs.; but not go below 40bmi before approval?? Ask them " Do you usually get approval from aetna ppo with this regime, Has anyone ever been denied? What about the weight gain, has anyone ever been denied for gaining or being at 40 bmi exactly? Waynes6, I just cut out almost all sweets, and most of the high cal foods, like potato chips, butter,corn chips, bagels, ect. I logged what i ate on "My Plate" and i would make sure i was exercising... walking an hour a night at the gym on the treadmill and doing crunches.... I lost 7 pounds. I actually gained back 3 and had to lose it again!! I got sick for 2 weeks with that flu i think and i actually gained??! I have read on here that you do not want to lose more than 10 pounds during the 3 months.... My nutritionist just had me bring in a few days printout of my online food diary ~~ "My Plate" and i brought in my workout routine printed out too. You should be working with a facility that puts the whole package together for you, all you do is schedule appts. with the physical therapist and psychologist and your primary care physician. To find a actual Bariatric Center within a hospital that does this {puts together the pre-req's for insurance} is A Must!! They should be putting it all together because they will know what it takes to get approved, and who to call ect.... I met with a nutritionist, nurse, & surgeon every time i visited. They guided me through the entire process, this is what you want to find first off; If i did not have that now where you are you might want to look at Obesity Help and read reviews on the centers and surgeons near your area. I personally went with what i knew was a top ranked hospital in the first place and then checked out their seminar, and decided that it was where i wanted to go. They had good reviews but they were not too over booked...

It's only your weight from your initial visit....if you lose 50 pounds in 6 months, awesome! I was scared of the same exact thing and the doctors office told me that it goes by the initial weight....they don't want to see a weight gain, as that might be an issue with your "dedication" to the lifestyle change.

Guys, I am so happy to say that I have a positive update and one that might help other women in the 45 to 55 age category who are going to do VSG or in the process of having had it and experiencing difficulty getting weight to move. I am very hard on myself. While I was not being perfect on my journey, I have a tendency to always feel that if something is not going right, it is all my fault. I was a food addict for so many years and did everything wrong that I almost felt like when my weight plateaued and then stopped and then I started to gain weight that it was just because I let myself down. To cut a very long story short. I had a gynecological emergency about a month ago and ended up having to go through a bunch of tests. It was discovered that I was producing next to zero progesterone and my estrogen was also extremely low. It was causing me SO MANY problems which I will not get into so that I will not digress from the main point. As a result I was put on hormones and almost immediately I started to loose weight again! I have lost 10 lbs since I started taking hormones 3 weeks ago. The reason why is that hormones have a major role to play in weight loss and weight gain. The reason why I was gaining and not loosing was not because I was being so terrible in my disciplines but because the lack of estrogen and progesterone, the total imbalance was actually causing me to GAIN weight. So I am working with my doctor now to see how HRT may be able to not only help my perimenopause/going into menopause issues but also to help bring better balance to help the weight loss process kick in further. I feel like an entirely different woman - I cant even articulate it the difference in overall feeling but certainly the fact that I have lost the weight I had gained and now back to making the scale go down instead of up. You can read my previous thread to get a better context of where this post is coming from. If you are having similar struggles and are female in the age range of 45 to 55 it might be well worth your time to have your hormone levels tested and see if hormone therapy can help you get balanced again and improve your weight loss. I am just one lbs away from being in another weight bracket and after not loosing for 4 months I feel like a million bucks There are many articles and information on Google that you can look up and research regarding hormonal imbalance and the role it might be playing in extremely difficulty in weight loss, especially in women of a certain age. I am just putting this out there for your consideration in case you are a woman like me that may be struggling in this area and not even know it. Talk to your gyno and get your hormones tested. I will soon post an updated photo when I hit that next weight bracket

Anybody else having this issue? The more depressed I get about my huge weight gain the more I am drinking to forget. I'm doing this instead of eating. Anyone else going through this? Pretty sure this is contributing to my possible ulcer.

Weight Loss Plateau / Stall = Stalemate Written by: Brendaliz Roldán When we started the journey to lose weight, we measure our success or failure on a scale. Like everything usually happens at the beginning, we see happend we want fast and are happy until the scale no longer changes the way we want and that the questions begin ... Part of this process is the "weight loss plateau (WLP) or weight loss stall", what we know as stagnant weight. It is at this moment that we're frustrated, we doubt we surrender and not seeing the results you want on the scale. The first thing to do is understood to mean the WLP and understand their possible causes. According to Dr. Debra Fulghum "It's hard to imagine that for weeks in your weight loss program suddenly the scales do not give an ounce. The WLP during weight loss is normal. No matter how diligent be to follow a good diet, occasionally you'll fall off the wagon. The key to continue losing weight, experts say, is to acquire the skills and knowledge itself. This is what will allow you to recover after a relapse. " THE Dr. Troy Lamar, bariatric surgeon explains that "even if you're doing everything perfectly well, it is normal that you stop losing weight at some point. What is recommended when this happens, take note of what is consumed and ensure that their foods are low in fat, carbohydrates, sugar and high in protein and exercise mild to moderate. " According AWR (2011) weight can be represented by other things besides just fat. You may be losing fat, but that weight is being offset by the gain in weight otherwise. For example, weight loss and weight gain can occur as a result of: ü Grasaü Músculoü Aguaü Glycogen (explained below) ü Estreñimientoü All of the above There is a possibility that a pound of fat lost successfully has been compensated in the same period, it seems to have reached the WLP although some fat is lost. This is why it is a good idea to monitor your progress using more than your body weight (eg measurements, body fat percentage, pictures, mirrors, etc.) What causes WLP? The first thing to do is understand our body and understand that no two people are alike. We are all different and we all go through the process in a different way. Part of the process is to know your body! Body changes and Metabolism After some time they started losing weight, body composition changes, like nutritional needs. The metabolism tends to self-regulate and adjust to their new needs in a lower weight at this point is that it is more common than WLP (Riverside Surgical and Weight Loss Center, 2013) occurs. As you lose weight, it is estimated that 25% of lost body tissue is muscle since muscle is critical to keep the metabolism running, lose muscle mass and reduces the metabolic rate slows weight loss. Strength training can help strengthen the muscles and helps speed up metabolism. The theory is that the body adjusts naturally tries to keep the weight where you feel more comfortable, therefore, if you look at the same weight for a long time, you might have come to that comfort zone. Suffice it to add that you face a battle between what your body wants and what you want to achieve. It is possible that at this point need fewer calories and more physical activity to keep losing weight. This is one of the main reasons for the WLP, although there are other factors influencing such problems in the thyroid or adrenal gland, medicine, menopause, hormonal problems, anxiety, ect. Portion Control It is very likely that the WLP is because it has stopped carrying portion control and a decrease occurred in physical activity. Furthermore, it can affect whether high-calorie foods are consumed frequently. It is a reality that people drop their guard when an initial weight loss and it is perfectly natural. The important thing here is to understand that portion control is essential for weight loss. (WebMD, 2015). Glycogen Our bodies use energy storage glycogen short term. Glycogen is not very soluble, but is stored in the muscles for quick energy. Glycogen requires one pound of 4 pounds of water to keep it soluble, and the mean glycogen storage capacity is approximately 2 pounds. So when a bariatric patient is not getting enough food in the body, which consume is first converted to stored glycogen, which is easily broken for energy. Then when two pounds of glycogen are used the person will also lose 8 pounds of water, which were used to store two pounds of glycogen. There are the "easy" 10 pounds that most people lose in the first week of a diet. However, when the body remains in a state of calorie deficit, the body begins to realize that this is not a short-term problem. Then, the body begins to mobilize fat from adipose tissue and the burning of fat for energy. But the body also realizes that fat can not be used for short bursts of energy. Thus, the conversion of fat into glycogen and rebuilding glycogen starts. As put back the two pounds of muscle glycogen, 8 pounds of water must be stored with it to keep it soluble. Thus, although the patient still may be losing energy content in your body but the weight does not drop and may even gain weight as water retention dissolved glycogen that is reforming and stored (DS Facts, 2014). Note that: 1. the more you lose weight, the weight loss slows and 2. losing weight is harder when you are reaching the ideal weight as the body adjusts to the weight that is most comfortable. How can we leave the WLP? ü Keep a food diary : It is important to take daily meals, that way you can see your true eating habits, see if it is complying with the suggested servings, always remember to read the nutritional labels on the foods you eat. ü Consult a diet change: Ask your dietitian if you need a change in your diet to help the metabolism. Remember to focus on eating foods low in carbohydrates and high in protein and is essential to follow the recommendations suggested by your dietitian food. ü Consume 64 ounces of water a day. ü Exercise and start strength training. ü Get enough sleep and manage stress: Lack of sleep and anxiety is strongly linked to weight gain. Seek professional help and join a bariatric support group. ü Weigh yourself once a week: Weigh yourself every day can be counterproductive. Use other measures of progress. ü Most importantly :. Focus on the benefits already obtained with the weight you have lost Make a list of all the things you can do since losing weight, put a photo when I was overweight so you can recognize how far it has come to serve him motivation to continue (Ridgeview Medical Center, 2015). My motto: If others have been, I do not know why? If you can! Note: The shared information is obtained from various sources on the Internet, remember to always check first with your doctor, health professional and nutritionist.

Thanks everyone. I don't see my Dr. Until 2 weeks post op so that's the 27th for me. They had advised me not to weigh myself at home because of the weight gain in the hospital from everything they pushed into me. I am excited to see the numbers when it happens. I notice my face slimming out and my collar bone is more prominent.

I decided to go through with the surgery some time in MAY and went to a required seminar in June. Got all my paperwork I needed to sign, no pregnacy, smoking, etc. in July,, now just waiting for my first appointment which is with the shrink.. I was totally into this and determined to lose some weight, recording everything I eat,, (for current dietician) and was exercising again.. Now that I'm just waiting for an appointment I'm slipping, how do I stay motivated. The surgery program I am going to put a new notice on their site today, that they are making almost everyone go on a pre diet even if your insurance doesn't require it,, mine doesn't, and that if you gain weight they will postpone your surgery.. I am terrified.. :eek: I have been struggling with weight gain since my hysterectomy(been overweight since early 20's). I stopped gaining when I stopped taking HRT but I have been unable to lose any.. I am swimming regularly, and know I should be doing some more exercising, but I'm eating less then I ever have and still can't lose.. My clothes fit better but these doctors go by the scale not by inches.. I am curious if after meeting with the shrink, and the dietician that I will feel like there is an end to the waiting and it will motivate me to exercise more and do better,,, did this happen for anyone?? Did anyone feel really pumped about the life style change and get really excited about it.. Lately I have found myself getting more depressed about my weight then I ever have before.. I hate going anywhere, and have resorted to long flowing skirts instead of shorts this summer, and hate to go swimming in public.. I have never cared about any of this before... I know that if they called tomorrow and said I was scheduled for surgery I would not be mentally prepared,, I really feel like I need some guidance. I am truly eating the right foods 95% of the time, but am physically hungry all the time and its driving me crazy.. I have just started taking a new generic form of prilosec for GERD and have had weird stomach pains and pangs since.. Could this be the source of my hunger?? It is making it even harder for me to not give in to overeating and its exhausting me mentally. I have an appointment with the dietician and my PCP next week and will definately ask them what to do,, (drinking Water today when feeling strange) On a lighter note I have been checking things off of my pre op check list.. Went to a shrink on my own for anxiety and she agreed with me that anti depressants won't work... they make me bi polar (its actually a real diagnosis) I am going to see a Behavioral Therapist for my anxiety and panic attacks.. I have more anxiety then panic due to high stress at home and life in general so I am going to learn some coping skills, and hopefully will be able to teach them to my children and avoid them going through what I am,, and what my mother did. I also am having some long overdue dental work done,, need to chew my food more:biggrin: I was going to apologize for the ramble, but will just thank anyone for taking the time to read this!!! I am having a difficult time finding a support person who will stick with me through this, and not try to police me!!! But that is another issue...

To a certain extent, if you will have loose skin, you will have loose skin. It will firm up some, but if your skin was damaged from your weight gain, it can't heal itself. It can shrink up some, but won't gain elasticity if it was lost. Light weight training can help, I've heard, so can keeping your skin moisturized, to help the collagen and elastin. The places where you have stretch marks- those are marks of the elasticity of your skin being damaged. I know I'll always have loose skin in those areas, unless I have cosmetic surgery. My calves will be fine, but my upper arms, thighs, belly and breasts will be loose and saggy.

If you read the long term studies by O'Brien weight loss is virtually the same when comparing bypass vs band. But, the band is minor surgery, totally reversible and carries few if any complications. Furthermore, if you look at weight loss for bypass vs band charted out on a line graph you'll see a slight weight gain for bypass pts in the long term...kind of like a rebound. You don't see this same curve for band patients b/c in bypass the pouch can stretch with the band it can continue to be adjusted. For me its a no brainer. My surgeon has ceased bypass altogether considering it somewhat barbaric considering the strong results of the band.