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@@perforce I'm also in Idaho. Thanks for the great information. Good reminder that weight gain can happen to any of us.

I have been on depo for two years. My lady doctor said that there shouldnt be any issues after surgery. There was some weight gain, but this was also when I wasnt conserned and was eating everything but the kitchen sink. But I love the depo. Its conveniant, not a daily thing and I hated the idea of inplant

I am currently on Prednisone 15mg per day, Plaquinil 400mg per day, folic acid, nexium, and will start Methotrexate injections on Sunday. I am really leery of the Methotexate as the side effects are quite nasty, hair loss, stomach bleeding, almost total supression of your immune system so a common cold or flu can turn dangerous. Log term use of the Plaquinil can effect your eyesight as well. Prednisone has been a lifesaver lately, but it promotes weight gain and robs your body of potassium and other vital nutrients. I will start the meds as my Rheumatologist wants me to, but I am hoping if I go vegetarian and get the inflammation under control that I can slowly wean off of the meds and control it through diet. This is the worst sort of pain I have ever had in my life, it is constant and debilatating at times. So I will try anything. I hate being sidetracked from my lapband journey like this, I had come so far and was doing so well b4 this hit. I was walking everyday, now I can barely walk 10 feet at a time.

Just know that your story is very common and that's not a bad thing just know that you're not the only person who thinks, have thought or is thinking this way. You're story is not too far from mind I was never a big kid, teen or even young adult if I post all my pic from birth to high school graduation I was considered normal or even skinny my weight gain started later in life mid to late 20's and I too felt that I should be able to loose this weight with out this particular tool - I put it on myself I just need to try harder! But you know I tried WW, Nutrisystem and every fad diet out there with some success but very short lived. This surgery was the best thing that happen to me and I knew I needed this particular tool to help me success and so far i'm 22 months post op and happy! Don't feel bad about having to have surgery if all of us were able to loose on our own i'm quite sure we would have and have tried! What ever you decide be selfish and make a decision for you and what's best for you what ever that maybe! Good luck in your decisions and journey!

Products that are sugar free using many forms of artificial sweeteners and also products using natural no calorie sweeteners such as stevia should be fine and should not cause dumping syndrome. I am 3 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery. I strictly avoid processed sugars. I have a sweet tooth and that is one of the major causes that contributed to my weight gain over my lifetime. I limit myself to artificial sweeteners (such as Splenda and sugar alcohols), to natural low calorie sweeteners (such as Stevia) and to the natural sugars found in fruits and milk. I had diabetes. That went into remission when I left the hospital two days after surgery and I have not taken any diabetic medicine ever since and my blood sugar levels are good. I test my blood sugar levels periodically. I read the labels of all food that I consume. I look at the grams of sugar per serving. If it is above 5 grams, I look at the ingredients. The ingredients are listed in order by highest percentage, and if the first 5 ingredients contain processed sugar (in any of its many forms), then I avoid this food, like a plague. The sugars I avoid are sucrose (table sugar), fructose (honey), dextrose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), cane juice, evaporated cane juice, agave, molasses, corn sweeteners, brown sugar, barley malt, beet sugar, and pure maple sugar.

Hi everyone I was just wonder if anyone else gained weight right after surgery? I was 209 when I went in for surgery that morning and when I got home 2 days later I'm now 217 grrrrrr. So I thought ok its just the Water weight from all the fluids they pumped in me from the IV but its been 4days and I'm still 217 will this weight come off? It really makes me mad I haven't ate nothing but my protien shakes and some sf Jello and sf popsiclkes. Please let me know if this happen to you the first week of surgery. Thanks Belinda

Good morning! How many ladies gain weight when its that time of the month. I was a little upset because I stepped on the scale yesterday morning and apparently I gained 2lbs since Sunday. I'm still on mushies so I know I have not gone over my calories for the day. This morning I got my period and I'm thinking that might be the weight gain. I hadn't gotten it since April 17.

@@dusky goddess, I posted a face picture comparison on this site about two months ago because I felt it may encourage other people who are in the weight loss stage. I think about having it removed from time to time. I struggle emotionally with my new body and realize there is a lot of healing that has to come from within. I was never one to flaunt it for the camera even when I was young. I didn't take my high school year book picture but picture avoidance worsened with weight gain. It bothers me when people talk about how skinny I am now. Even that makes me feel uncomfortable. My mind is struggling with these comments. I don't have answers for your situation but I hope you become more comfortable with who you are physically. I'm sure you are beautiful in a full body picture as well.

I think they also probe the root cause of the weight gain and if it has to do with physiological issues to make sure the proper support network is in place to deal with those issues.

Well, yesterday marked the 3 month anniversary of this journey for me, and I am THRILLED to be down 48 pounds! I have dreamed of the day I could write something on the success stories thread because I spent a whole lot of time reading here during the dreaded pre-op diet, the post-op gas pains, and the bandster hell period to help remind me that this will be worth it in the end. I can say so far that I absolutely do not regret this decision. On Thursday, March 15th, I went to the plus size clothing store on my lunch break to find something to wear for a college preview day my daughter I would be attending that weekend. I left the store nearly in tears. Even a 26 was tight and everything made me look like I was wearing a tent. Right there in the parking lot, it felt like I was hit by a bolt of lightning and "get a Lap Band" just came to my mind out of nowhere. I truly believe it was one of the "God moments" for me. Over the next two weeks, I researched all I could on this and how I could make it happen. I learned that I would have to give up my 2 liter a day diet soda addiction because carbonated drinks stretch the pouch. I was pretty certain I was going to use one particular surgeon with a great success record, and he requires under 50 net carbs a day. OMG! How would I ever do that? I thought I would just eat the same as always, just a lot less, and I have to eat slower, chew how many times, and not drink with or after meals?? I wasn't sure how I would be successful but I knew I couldn't keep going this direction, and I was feeling my rock bottom. Knowing I had to kick to soda and do the initial "carb detox", I decided to do get a jump on the pre-op diet and go back to Weight Watchers, so that I do not have to deal with such a drastic change all at once, and I am glad I did. So, on April 2nd, I went back to WW, with goals of getting off soda, cutting carbs and getting a new mindset. I did this for 1 month prior to starting the pre-op diet and that made the pre-op diet a little more tolerable and jump started my weight loss. I has initially lost 12 lbs by the time I had the 1st visit with the surgeon. On May 14th I was banded, everything went well. No Fluid was put into my band during surgery. After the intial swelling went down, I felt like I could eat a house, and I struggled with this til I got my first fill on June 14th. I even gained a couple of pounds and this was so discouraging. Even though I was following the carb and Protein guidelines, I decided I was eating too much fat and calories, so I started tracking 5 things about everything I ate: WW points, fat, calories, carbs and protein, and I weighed everyday and wrote in on my log (a simple MS Word table). The negative feedback of a weight gain motivates me personally. If I stall, I can easily see what the problem food was and avoid it next time. This has been the most successful thing for me and I am learning to live with and work with the band. It is a huge priority for me to write everything down. Instead of pouting and wondering what I did wrong, I can easily identify it, learn from it and move on. Since I have done this, the weight has literally fallen off. So, yesterday, July 2nd, was officially 3 months since I walked back in WW with my head hanging low. I walked in with my head held high and stepped on the scale to see a 48 pound loss. It was more than I ever imagined. I'm so glad I had that God moment in the parking lot that day.

I didn't have any weight gain but I know I've stayed away from the broths/canned soup as much as possible. Calorie wise you think you're doing good and then, bam, you've taken in a million grams of sodium. If you're close to any soup restraurants, that would be great...a hale n hearty is wonderful...still have sodium but not as much as canned, just what they put in to cook with, not the preservative. I don't have one where I live, but next time in NYC, I will buy a bunch up and freeze. good luck!! Trisha

This is something that scares me. My SO wants to start having children 5 years from now and I worry about weight gain, cravings and the possibility harming the baby if I don't properly. I wonder would the child be under weight, malnutritioned or sickly because of the decision I am making now. I understand how you are feeling.

Hello Everyone! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! I am a week out from surgery and I started pureed food this week. I'm not sure if it's just my anxiety, but I'm kind of nervous that I gained a pound yesterday. I ate half of a deviled egg, mashed potatoes, and some egg salad yesterday, but it was my first time eating mashed potatoes so maybe I should stay away from carbs? I also felt hungrier than normal. Is it possible to stretch your stomach a week in? My program is kind of behind due to COVID, so my apologies for the many questions. Thank you so much!

Hello everyone, I am moving along the process of my gastric bypass fairly well, no surgery date yet, but 2 months left of the classes and all I's will be dotted. I'm actually writing this for my wife. My wife is going along the process with me, but she is about a month behind me. She has many issues, and we're trying to figure out the best surgery for her. In order to keep this post as short as possible, I will briefly summarize here: Early forties Beginning stages of abnormal menstration (irregular/delayed menses) Migraines, sometimes occular. She has tried Topamax, but it caused significant (permanent) hair loss (Has been off it a year). It helped, but made her nauseous when she took it and became somewhat forgetful. The Triptains sometimes help, but sometimes are worse. The only thing that helps more than half the time is excedrin migraine, which has an NSAID in it. She had them in 20's onwards, sometimes birth control helped, sometimes not. They seem to have gotten worse after the birth of our child. She no longer takes BC because it is not needed (I got a vasectomy). She also has GERD quite bad. Docs put her on protonix, but we are very concerned about the anticholinergic effects of PPIs (Alzheimers and Dementia) and so she grins and bears it using zantac (Still anticholinergic, but a lower amount) and tums. We have yet to try Pepcid AC, which is not anticholinergic. She has very bad knee and hip pain, and has restless leg syndrome She has a sweet tooth (Pastries being the worst). She is not a diabetic, but her fasting blood levels are over 100, so she is technically prediabetic. Her father has diabetes. She is a bit worried that after bypass, she will no longer be able to eat sweet foods at all. While it is certainly not a good idea (After all they got us here), for legitimately rare circumstances (Holidays and birthdays) can sugar-free items be consumed (ice cream/cake/pastries)? She has a slow metabolism, but didn't like how ill she felt on synthroid, so she stopped taking it. I think she has high testosterone and low estrogen, but I could be wrong, I can't remember the test results. She also has motion sickness pretty bad. I don't know if that is connected to the migraines, or if others that had it noticed it went away or got worse after WLS? According to the surgeon, the bypass is the best cure for GERD in the world, because it is impossible to get it with no stomach acid. But, NSAIDS are a no-no. The Sleeve (I've read) allows for NSAIDS, but sometimes makes GERD even worse. Plue the Sleeve doesn't have a negative reinforcement of high carbs like the bypass does. In the information seminar, they mentioned that WLS sometimes reduces or cures migraines, so maybe that is a moot issue? Between the two, I think the migraines are the more severe. She gets them several times a month, at least once to twice a week, and they are worse before/during/after menses. She has not tried botox injections (Botulism is not something we want to inject into our bodies), and she has not tried antidepressants or acupuncture. Antidepressants because of the weight gain, and the anticholinergic effects many of them have. (I take Luvox and Lamictal, but they are both very low). I'm sure that others here have had similar NSAID/GERD & Bypass/Sleeve decisions, and I'm curious which direction you're going (or did go), why, and if you like or regret your decision. Diabetes runs rampant in my family, and because of that, I want the bypass, and I think that is the best way for her as well (Get rid of the GERD and the Pre-Diabetes, and likely lose the most weight helping the sore knees/hips), but I want to cry (And I'm a guy) when I see her constantly suffering with the migraines. My wife and I thank you very much for any advice you have. God bless you all!

Know how you feel! I woke up this morning with Bags the size of suitcases under my eyes! But spent the weekend in Vegas and had fun - ate small amounts but did drink a little. I know that and the FRIED chicken tenders probably had something to do with my 3 pound weight gain! Anyway - it's Monday now and time to be good and drink more WATER!!!! Hey - at least I won a little money and found that I can stay up till 3AM without turning into a pumpkin!

I had never heard of this before so I googled it. I found that there is an app that tells you what foods are supposedly better. What is FoodGauge? FoodGauge is a revolutionary food rating system that helps you make food choices to assist in weight loss. This 5-point system simplifies food labels and nutrition. It was developed by Bariatricians (weight loss physicians) Robert Ziltzer, MD and Craig Primack, MD FoodGauge favors food with Protein and Fiber, and disfavors food with carbohydrates and fat. Why did we develop FoodGauge? Trying to figure out if a food is going to cause weight loss or weight gain by reading a nutrition label is confusing. We made it simple! A single score tells you what you need to know. It is available for iPhone and iTouch through iTunes or direct download, and Blackberry through App World. What types of foods will be highly rated? Foods that are high in protein and/or fiber will rank highly. This includes lean meats, chicken, fish, eggs, and nonfat cheeses, as well as vegetables and low sugar fruits. Many high protein, low-carb Entrees will be highly rated. What types of foods will receive a low rating? Foods that are high in sugars (carbs) and/or fat will be poorly rated. This includes baked sweet products, candy, butters and oils, most cereals. Sticking to lean Proteins, vegetables and fruits will assist in making proper choices.

okay so im going crazy:lol:. after 2 years of debating this im finally going for it. my hubby is in the airforce and we ae currently overseas in germany. i started the first step of making an appointment with my PCM but am terrified of not getting a referral. not to mention even if i do get a referal, so many people are having trouble with tricare. im 22 years old, 247 pounds. 5'8inches tall with severe arthritis and a degenerative hip diesease that can only be fixed by a hip replacement. has any one on here had hip surgeries (i've had 2 so far) and got approved for the band? im worried that it could hurt me instead of helping me with the surgery. they might say the hip diesease caused the weight gain and i know that you cant have any condition that causes the weight gain. you can only have a condition that gets better by less weight. even though ive always been a big girl, i have to admit, i wouldnt be this big if i could exercise more. (my hip has no cartlige in it so its painful to exercise.i still do though, and im sure with less weight on my joints it would be less painful. anyways, thrusday is approaching ever so fast and i have no clue what to do.

5 weeks after surgery, initially had been down 21 lbs and last 2 weeks I gained 4. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. Feeling down for fear this didn't work for me.

I had an epiphinay yesterday. I started blood pressure meds and then doubled the dose last week. I think that is part of the problem as I went online and see people complaining about the weight gain. It just doesn't make sense why I suddenly have so much extra but I'm down 5 this morfing so go figure. Maybe it's a conicidence but yesterday I only had half a dose lef and my wight is down. Hopefully the remaining 5 will vanish by morning! I don't think it's salt, I don't eat much salt and drink a ton of Water. Sorry, this probably should have gone in the support forum instead.

I'm bummed. I'm up 10 lbs from my last weigh in which was probably two months ago. Since then I have stopped swimming 4-5 miles per week and have had rotator cuff surgery, was in a sling for 6 weeks and am in third week of PT so very little physical activity. I have eaten more carbs than usual the last few days and in the process got glutened which also causes me Fluid retention. In addition I am also premenstrual, worth 5 pounds alone. So, it seems the perfect storm...my preop workup is Monday so I'm hoping some of the gluten or premeunstral fluid is gone by then. I have not gained anyting since the surgery and then all of a sudden BOOM. I hope fluid retention does not cause a delay to my surgery, if my pre-op were on Wed instead I'd probably have shed that whole ten pounds. I've never been given specific instruction about having to lose a certain amount of weight or anything. Through this whole process 'i lost some then gained a pile right after surgery which must have been related to the surgery because 5 days later I was weighed and it was gone. I just have a tendency to retain fluid. But WHY does it have to be now?????

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.

You haven't had any fills yet, so you are probably still eating too much. This healing time is a very rough time for most. Your stomach has almost healed and you have little or no restriction. Most doctors will tell you not to worry about small weight gains during this time, this is the time for healing only. Once you have your fills at the right level you will only eat 1-2 eggs for breakfast, and 2-3 ozs of chicken and 1/2 cup salad for lunch. You should get to where you can eat 3/4 to 1 cup of food total at each meal. At the moment you might be consuming too many calories with the protein shakes also. Try tracking your food intake and see how your protein levels and calories are. You may find that you don't need the protein shakes and this will drastically reduce your calorie intake. Once you get restriction you might be able to get by with 900-1200 calories a day. i try to keep mine around 800-1000 a day.

Well, I'm 3lbs away from hitting my personal goal weight. Firstly, I know it's all about doing what I'm most comfortable with but I've been doing some thinking as the weeks and months flew by. Secondly, I'm just not sure if the stories I've heard about the whole gaining 5 to 20 or so pounds back after said years are even true once you hit your goal weight or let alone just make it to a healthy BMI and stay there. That leaves me asking myself and just wondering.... Once I make it to my goal... (Which I'll give it til next month) should I just stay at my goal and maintain that or just add a 10 or 15 pound gap between my goal just in case... Then maintain? At first I was dead set on just getting to 130 and then stopping there... But if that weight gain thing is true where you'll lose and lose.... Then gain like 15 lbs then just stay there or whatever happens. I'd prefer to be on the lighter side then be 130 rather than 140. I like being in this weight range. Told myself that I was getting myself into the healthy BMI range and I'm staying here. Life is too sweet to make a departure. Lol Hw-273 Sw-226 CW-133 GW-130 Size- 4 or 6, Small in sweats. Small in shirts. depends on how it's cut or made. Bra Size- 36C Surgery Date- April 26th, 2017 RNY "Only those who try will become" FFX

I was denied by Aetna due to weight gain

Anyone else that is sleeved for a while started any new medication and gained weight because if it? It was actually an antidepressant and I gained 7lbs in one month after starting it when I have been a stable weight for a year! I did quit taking the medication and am looking at other options. I only quit taking it a couple of weeks ago, so I am hoping the weight will come back off. Any other experiences would be appreciated? I am just feeling so frustrated when I have worked so hard, have been so stable, and BAM!