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Hi there, I do not want to be a naysayer, but I am against IUD's after my daughter's experience with the Mirena IUD. She had severe abdominal pain, weight gain, depression, anxiety, etc. She had always been a very petite, happy-go-lucky, optimistic and carefree person until the Mirena. On top of that they recently found out it had perferated her uterine wall and it had become infected. Again, I do not want to be negative, and everyone reacts differently to different drugs, etc. but I urge you to do some thorough research before considering it. Good luck!

With most diets you can lose weight but eventually you will gain the weight back plus 10 pounds. So the more times you diet, the more your weight gain. Eventually you will reach the point where you body does not respond. All the exercise and dieting have no effect on weight loss. I had RNY surgery 22 months ago, It was very much different from dieting. I completely lost my hunger. When you do not have hunger constantly gnawing at your bones, it becomes easy to lose weight. It happens quick. I was losing about 2 pounds per day for several months before it tapered off. Maybe the word "easy" is wrong because there is a lot of work involved in keeping track of your Vitamins, Protein, fluids and meal allotments but it is a totally different experience than dieting.

Goal weight is an artificial number. I think my surgeon told me that I could reach 190 pounds. I was happy with that. But in the end I dropped almost down to 140. As far as a goal, I would shoot for the high side of normal BMI. Normal BMI 18.5-24.9. So for your height of 5 foot 2 inch that would correspond to a goal weight of around 135 pounds. The reason why I would select that as a goal is because individuals on the high side of normal live the longest. It is important to keep a little fat in your body because when you have a very, very serious illness or accident, you need that reservoir of fat to keep you alive until your body recovers. It is O.K. to drop below that level for a little while to compensate for a small amount of weight gain as you progress in Maintenance phase.

keea LOL you are definitely NOT the only one that does daily weigh ins if i had a donut - ahhhhh i mean a Protein shake for everyone that weighs every day - i could open my own store!!!! "i get upset if i dont loss weight... crazy" mannnnny people tell you/me to hide the scale, it will drive you crazy - get rid of it et al if you are watching the scale too much - being upset if it doesn't move correctly - then i would "make" myself/force myself to get on the scale only once a week that being said.......... i have always weighed daily, and will probably continue to do so I need to make sure that i'm staying at the right weight it fluctuates sometimes - 2-3 lbs at the most won't let the weight gain get any higher people have been shot for less as far as the mood thing - i don't know, i never had that problem - (cuz i'm so wonderful, sweet and perfect!! ) but i hear stuff about hormones maybe affecting different things good luck kathy

Everything is normal. My motto is that just like you have to kiss a lot of frogs until you find your Prince, you have to try a lot of shakes until you find one that suits you. Buy single serving packs or samples whereever you can. Try RTD , powders , shots and liquid Proteins. Also try yogurts (I prefer Fage 0%,) or Kefir. Once you can get in your proteins and fluids your energy level will perk right up. In the mean time make sure you are taking your Vitamins and supplements. As for the weight gain, do not worry. I bet you haven't had a BM yet either. Either way, it's early days and your body is adjusting to major surgery and an entirely new eating program. Once it realizes that you are not starving or dying it will release the calories.

Hello, I have had my band for a few years now but have had various ups and downs so here is my journey............... As a teenager I was always a healthy but as I hit 19 my weight began to creep up and up and it was discovered I had polycystic ovarian syndrome which was the doctor said was the trigger for my weight gain, I carried on gaining weight and then I fell pregnant with my son at 23, I actually lost weight while I was pregnant, however after having my son my weight began to creep up again and after lots and lots of research I decided I would have a Gastric Band, so I flew to Brussels and had one fitted by the most amazing surgeon Dr Bruno Dillemans , this was back in January 2006, once back in the UK I had a first fill of 3ml which gave me a small restriction, however my partner and I had to move to Northern Scotland and at that time the nearest place I could get a fill done was a 5 hour drive away, at this point my band just got forgotten about, I kept saying I was going to go but just never got round to it due to various things and my weight then began to creep up again. I then moved back to my hometown of Torquay and went to see my G.P who advised me that she would put me forward to have further treatment through the NHS which I was not expecting but pleased about, it was a long process of visits with dieticians, specialist etc, and then the day of the band fill came, I was so excited, but it was not to be , my portal is in a funny position, so I was referred to have my fill under x-ray, I had 5mls my first fill and it was to tight, I couldn't swalow my own salivia without feeling like my chest was being crushed and being sick, I had 1ml taken out and went on to lose 2 stone, I then went back and had another fill up to 7mls which was tight and it took me a while to get used to it but once I learnt my do's and don't's I was ok with this and went on to lose 5 stone, I was over the moon I hadn't been that slim since I was 19 i'm now 31..!!, then I fell pregnant by mistake, I had to have my band totally deflated which was ok, I could of had a couple mls put back in but decided not to and was very careful with my eating during my pregnancy and ended up just gaining 7lb which I was over the moon about. My problems started once my daughter was born, she was born in November 2011 and with a cold winter I sat in most of the day on my own bored and eating...!!! my weight has shot right back up again so I begged for an earlier appointment with my specialist nurse, who tried to fill me but again I had to go under x-ray, I had 6ml put in and felt restriction for about a week then it seemed to slack off so I requested another appointment which I got 5 weeks after my 6ml fill and there was only 3ml still in, so it is thought I may have a small leak in my tubing...!!!!!!, I am now at the point where I was filled up to 7mls 10 days ago, which is a mega restriction, which I like, but i'm now just waiting to see if it slacks off to see if I have to have my tubing replaced....!!!! So there is my journey so far, I came so far but am backk where I started and my journey is just beginning again...!!! Wish me luck xxxxx

DD found a ride home from college (saved me a 4-5 hour trip tonight, whew), so I’m back from the track meet and all packed for the trip tomorrow, so onto my day… Stop reading if you don’t want to read about my incontinence issues, yes…again (it never ends). I went in this morning (after taking DS1 to get blood work and to school) to get my ultrasounds done for the incontinence Dr. (Urology Specialist). After drinking the prescribed 32 oz. plus some an hour before the appointment, I arrived 15 min. early as instructed, full and ‘ready to go’. My appoinment time came and went...then I sat for another 15 min., then another 5…my back teeth were floating by then and my eyes starting watering…I crossed my legs and said a prayer of thanks that the good Dr. had put me on Vesicare, or it would have been all over by now. 5 more min…I’m in some serious pain…and then I gave up…I walked up to the receptionist (with my knees locked together) and asked politely for the bathroom key. ‘Oh, but I think they need your bladder full for this procedure’. I glanced around at the men sitting in the quiet waiting room...OK, I'm way beyond caring. I nicely said ‘I understand that, but they are late for my appointment and I have to go NOW!’ (Do they understand that I am here for an incontinence issue??!! What about a full bladder and having to wait longer than expected don’t they understand??!!!) She saw the desperation in my eyes…or maybe it was the tears of pee streaming down my face…either way, she showed me right in. The tech lady had a ‘trainee’ gentleman with her, so I tried to be brave. The rest was textbook, well sort of…ultrasound of my bladder (yeah, push on my bladder a little harder with that thing…I dare you), then kidneys, then ovaries (do you know your ovaries move around with age, yes, even without a hysterectomy…I thought that was interesting). Then she handed me the lubed up ‘probe’ and asked me to place it up the vajay-jay (Oprahism). She sought out the ovaries internally…all I’ve got to say is that I’m glad she knows what she’s doing…looking for a baby on an ultrasound is a piece of cake compared to finding ovaries that are no longer where they are supposed to be (I think mine were touching...awww, cute). Even looking at the screen it all looked like fog to me…no dark spots, no light spots. Don’t you always try to read the tech’s face just to know that they didn’t find something bad? Am I the only one who thinks I’ll be watching the tech’s face and they’ll gasp when they find the 70 lb. tumor (that’ll explain the weight gain anyway). Sometimes I can even get something out of them…this one wasn’t budging, not a thing…I even pulled the ‘I’m having abdominal laparoscopic surgery in less than 2 weeks.’ Nothing…no indication…I’ll get the results by Monday. I’ll try to post about my pre-op visit today this weekend…it was…interesting.

Really one question and then one statement..I'm feeling kinda down about the weight gain. Some say,oh it's because you're comfortable but know it's me just not taking accountability for stuffing bad things in my mouth

Your story is my story ...had my revision surgery December 28.I was in lapband misery since 2004....total failure...revision to bypass and getting that crap out of me is the biggest and best thing I have done for myself in years.The years of torture ,sliming,vomiting,slippage,weight gain....was back fat as ever...Gerd....High chloresterol,PCOS,fatty liver,fear of reoccurrence of breast cancer,joint and muscle pain....flipped ,eroding painful port area...just so many problems....I HAD TO DO IT!Get it done!!!!Take back your body and your health.....do it fast!

Had my sugery in Aug. 2008 @ 353 and at my lowest weight I was 225!!! But then I got a piece of food stuck and had to have all of the Fluid taken out. I've felt like I've lost control since then and can't get back on track. I've put off going back to the doctor because they've changed how they code the adjustments and it will cost at least $300 to have an adjustment. Finances are really tight right now. The other factor, and probably the most severe one for me, is that I'm embarrassed. I've been embarrassed to talk to my doctor about my recent weight gain of at least 50 lbs!!!! And I'm lost. I've tried dieting to get it off without success. That's how I've gained so much...binging. So I googled 'getting back on track with Lap-Band' and found this site. I'm just now deciding to get on track and I'm feeling overwhelmed and defeated. I am just now starting nursing school and time is limited which leads to emotional eating, poor food choices, and excuses to eat bad and not exercise.These are just a few. I'm hoping I can get back on this wagon. It's not my doctor's fault but I just am so nervous to admit/face him...I don't know how to do it...and even worse, facing the nurse; getting on that scale...her writing it down and telling me I've gain 58 lbs...then the questions 'have you been drinking with your meals? Eating between meals?'... Please, any advice is helpful!!!! Jess

I had become very lethargic because of my arthritis and pain in my knees; which added to my weight gain. When I saw the orthopedic doctor, he said I HAD to lose weight in order to get my knees done and get some pain relief... I had thought about WLS before, but now I was even more propelled to look into it... I wish I had done this sooner. I have gone back to the orthopedic, who was VERY pleased with my weight loss and we are planning my surgery for the beginning of '15!!! Once that is done, I am hoping to be even more active and looking forward to pain relief in my left leg (first one to be done)... I couldn't have gotten here without WLS... the past year I have been maintaining with a 5 pound variable... tho I'd like to lose more, right now I'm just not active enough...BUT I have MAINTAINED for a year, which has NEVER happened with all my "diets" before this tool was "installed" LOL

You will be alright. Although for future reference, remember to stop after you initially make a bad choice. That thinking of "I might as well eat all that I want, since I've already blown it" will get you into trouble. One bad food choice shouldn't have too much of an effect on your weight loss. It is the continuation of bad choices after the initial one that will lead to weight gain. Think about it, when you run a red light, do you decide to go ahead and run red lights for the rest of the day? No, that would be silly. It is the same for food choices. If you make a small slip up, own up to it and move on with your bariatric diet.

I have been very very good about logging all my intake of food, my activities, and my weight every day (Note: I know a lot of people don't like to weigh every day. However, I find that I get very attentive to those .6 and .8 pound fluctuations and it keeps me in line better, rather than adjusting to seeing 1+ pound weight fluctuations over a week or so...my theory being that if you get used to the "pound-plus" on the scales you are more likely to backslide into 2-3-4 pound fluctuations....just my own philosophy). I have noticed a definite correlation between the days I "overeat" (over 950 cal) and the subsequent weight upswing within about 2-3 days. I was out on the web looking for guidance on just how long it takes before the "bad days" turn to noticeable weight gain. I found this interesting.... Temporary weight gain could appear quickly after a large meal or two, but that does not mean that if you've overdone it, you're doomed. After all, daily weight fluctuations are normal. Generally speaking though, if you keep your calories burned in line with your calories consumed over a week's time, you shouldn't gain -- 3,500 calories is equal to one pound. If you do have a surplus of 3,500 calories by the end of one week, most people will be up a pound from the prior week. The most worrisome is the gradual weight gain that people experience, which is more likely to represent new pounds that you truly gain over time. Keep a food diary to try and help combat this gradual weight gain and (you knew this was coming) exercise regularly!

my insurance took the weight gain as a sign that i wasn't able to do a regular diet. so they approved me.

I am a little bit nervous about the weight I gained after Thanksgiving holiday. I had my last weigh in on 11-19 and did not get approval until 12-11. I called the surgeons office and a rude receptionist told me that my surgeon was booked for the rest of the year. Well, I gained weight after my last real Thanksgiving and have not been able to get any of it off. My surgeon's office called me today to schedule my consultation for 12-17 and I am nervous about how the surgeon will feel about the weight gain. My insurance Anthem does not require weight loss for the surgery. I am freaking out! Should I really be worried about this since I have not yet started my pre op diet? Btw, my surgery is on 12-28.

Hi, I will be seeing a bariatric surgeon this week. I've always been at least 10 or 15 pounds overweight. But I am now at least 70 pounds over ideal weight. I thought it was only going through treatment for colon cancer, that caused me excessive weight gain. The surgery and the chemo wore me out, the steroids I had to use to treat the chemo side effects also affected my weight and I was not making good food choices. My oncologist raised bariatric surgery as a possible treatment for the obesity. My primary care doctor is ok with the idea, she just wanted to make sure that I was mentally and physically prepared for another surgery. My BMI is about 36. That BMI level, plus having at least two competitors, high blood pressure and sleep apnea, will qualify me for insurance coverage. I've found some studies that suggest excess weight increases the risk of developing certain forms of cancer. But I've also seen a study that suggests that those who have had bariatric surgery have a greater likelihood of colon cancer after the surgery. Ann Surg. 2013 Dec;258(6):983-8, Increased risk of colorectal cancer after obesity surgery. I have records of my weight and I see that as far back as 2012 I was at least 60 pounds overweight. So this weight problem has been with me for awhile, both before and after cancer treatment. I've tried calorie restriction and exercise in the last few years but it hasn't helped. In the past I've used slimfast, Atkins, weight watchers, etc. They all worked, but I gained the weight back. I am an emotional eater. What will happen if I continue to eat based on emotions after I have bariatric surgery? I recognize that surgery will not cure the emotion based eating. I am considering either lap band or gastric sleeve. I would like to know anyone's experience with these surgeries. Were the side effects really difficult to deal with? How did you decide which surgery was better for you? Do you think that the reduction of the likelihood some cancers outweighs the potential increase in colon cancer likelihood? Finally, I am aware that bariatric surgery is not a quick fix or a cure all.

Yeah I can understand the weight gain. I gained about 4-5 lbs from the iv fluids. Hoping to get those off once I start getting my protein and daily fluid up. I wouldn't worry about it this early.

Greetings Gastric Sleevers! My name is Jay. I am 45 years old and I have been Morbidly Obese my entire Life. Here is my story. I had a Work Physical in December 2006. When I stepped on the scale I weighed 326lbs. That was the most Obese I had ever been, and enough was enough. I had had it. I needed to do something drastic to stop the weight gain. I decided to have a Lab Band. At the time I didnt want to have any physical changes to my body, and people were having very good weight loss success on the Band. In February of 2007, I had my surgery. From February 2007 to September 2007 the band worked great!!! I weighed in at 207lbs. I was extremely happy!!! But sometime in September the tubing to the band developed a kink and then the tubing cracked and the band was worthless. March of 2008 I underwent my second surgery, this time it was a port and tubing replacement. Everything seemed fine until I went in for my first fill. When they tried to fill the band they werent able to. The tubing was kinked again!!! Are you F'ing kidding me? I had enough and was just going to do my best on what the surgeon had put in the band ( I think it was 9cc's). It wasnt enough, I started to gradually put on weight. In 2012 I had enough again. I went in to have the band filled under X-Ray Fluroscopy. For whatever reason the band took in 15 cc's The band I had was only supposed to hold 12. Needless to say the band was closed off, and I couldnt eat or drink anything. Two days later I had emergency surgery to release the band. The surgery went well, but the Surgeon didnt replace the band. When I went in for a fill they put in the Max CC's of 12. Guess what? No restriction. Yup in was stretched out so much it was ineffective again! I had had enough with the Lap Band, it was nothing but a big giant headache for me. I decided to have a Gastric Sleeve in 2015. I had my surgery on June 24th 2015. The day of the surgery I weighed in at 275lbs. Today is September 11th and I am down to 240lbs. I am very happy with my Sleeve, but the adjustment to the new diet was very hard for me. I am doing 3 Protein shakes a day and I added 1 KETO OS drink a day to my diet. It has made a huge difference. My energy levels are through the roof and I feel absolutely Fantastic!!! The weight is coming off twice as fast for me ( from 2 pounds a week to 4) I took the time to research this product and it is the best decision I have made in a long time. Check it out for yourself: http://C7W6R4.pruvitnow.com

Hello, I am 40 and live in the Washington D.C. area. I have a BMI of 35.5 or 36, depending on how I list my hieght (5 foot 2 vs. 5 foot 3). I also have weight-related Depression and very high blood pressure, so high that I've gone to the ER twice. I want the band, and want to be sure I get approved. I have Aetna. The first thing I want to know is: will they approve wls, and will they allow lap-banding. If yes, how much will they pay. I think the most efficient way to find out is to call them, but will this raise a flag that sets them looking for ways to deny? Should I simply start by going to the doc? I can def. document this weight, plus weight loss attempts that at first succeed, but ultimately fail when I gain back all the weight. Also, i am on medications for depression that cause weight gain by increasing hunger. Will that be an obstacle, either in terms of approval or in terms of success for the band? My weight definitely causes and worsens Depression symptoms, easily documented by my psychiatrist and therapist. Please forgive me if these things are addressed in existing forum questions; I have searched but haven't seen my specific concerns show up. Can anyone advise me about any of the above? Thank you!

So frustrated just got back from dietician and I have gained 2 of the pounds I lost [emoji19] Sent from my XT1650 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi, I had my consultation in April but with a 3 month overseas holiday it wasn't an option to do it earlier. But today (after a very lovely holiday) I have been to my appointment with the Surgeon to lock in a date- 12th November!! However due to a disgustingly long and indulgent holiday (Austin, Texas- so lots of cocktails and BBQ) I have put on 10kgs more since my original consult in April... I'm not incredibly happy with the weight gain. But it is what it is! I now have to lose 12kgs before the surgery and it has been recommended 6 weeks of Optifast. However right now nothing could possibly make me feel any less than fantastic! I am so excited and I know I am going to succeed. I am so grateful for this forum and the constant encouragement and inspiration. Thats my little word vomit.

Thanks Kate! Actually I had the bypass then the sleeve. Not bypass, sleeve, bypass. I know. It's a little weird. I have a sleeve now. What contributed to my anorexia was that I already had an eating disorder before i had surgery and the surgery made me worse. Having been anorexic in my past the wls made it easy to be again. And I took it too far. And I relapsed. It was bound to happen. Having a bypass and then converting to a sleeve contributed to me having a severe stricture for almost a year. Those surgeries created a ton of scar tissue. I also had an exploratory, my gallbladder out, and an endoscopy. I ran the gamut. But my eating disorder was there before surgery and sooner or later I would have had to deal with it. I'd say 99% of people who are obese have an eating disorder of some sort. The surgery can most definitely help but also worsen those issues. Most people regain weight because they still have disordered eating and then their wls restriction lessens after time, they go back to their old behavior, namely, dieting. Which causes weight gain. And the whole cycle begins again. No one fails at wls. They fail to address their disordered eating. That's the real issue here. Your way sounds good. As long as you don't feel deprived... then it sounds like you've managed to find stability and happiness. That's what matters.

you're in the three-week stall. Happens to almost everyone. Just stick to your program and stay off the scale if you have to. It usually lasts 1-3 weeks. as for the 2 lb bump up, if you've been following your plan, that's not a true weight gain. Could be water retention or constipation. Or maybe a hormone-related gain. Just give it a couple of days.

I truly understand I was trying to do a surgery before and was not able to do so my weight gain is not up significant amounts but it is not going down.. My PCP is working with me ???????? I saw him today as well as my dietitian I have to do the 3 month prep.. I have always thought that we r supposed to be practicing preventive medicine so I feel that the surgery is just that PREVENTIVE Medicine.. GOOD LUCK

I had a consultation in June 2011, was told I was a little under the guidline weight and only had one documented illness (high blood pressure), so my chances of Aetna covering the surgery was only 50%. I did not feel like wasting my time so I explored other options. I went to a medical weight loss center and was put on phentermine for 3 months. It worked by my body became immune to it and I had to stop taking it. Around that time I was also diagnosed with nodules on my thyroid that were making me gain weight. The Dr. opted out of surgery stating that surgery could make my situation worsed to permanent hypothyroidism Right now its back and forth, depending on stress. However, the weight continues to creep up on my because of it. I went from 190 to 220 since the phentermine. I am only 5"2. Should I be re-evaluated? Does hypothyroid count as one of the eligible medical condidtions? I am on blood pressure meds but it also went up some (140/90) since the weight gain thyroid stuff. I do not want to be disappointed again. Thanks!