Search the Community

Hi Christy, I am not familiar with the med you have been taking so long. What exactly is it for? Have youseen a Neurosurgeon about your tumor, and if so, what does he/she say about whether or not surgery would be a definite plan for the future? Have you ever had any surgeries on it yet? Sorry, I don't recall alot of these things from your earlier post. I was starting the process for lap band surgery two years ago and then all came to a screeching halt because I first found out that my insurance has an exclusion through my employer for any kind of weight loss surgery, and second, my second tumor was found. I decided to get that surgery done and already knew that I would also be having the radiation treatment too later on. I am not sure if this surgery will help your weight gain, but for the most part, I believe it will because even though you are on meds that probably caused the weight gain by overeating or not processing fat like it should, the band should keep you in control over that. So, you are having surgery on Monday also? Cool! I will be thinking about you too hun. You take care and don't stress over the other. Concentrate on the surgery and how well it will help you in the long run. Take care, Judy

It has been 2 1/2 years since I was banded. I got down to size 10 and my lowest weight was 155 lbs. My husband and I were traveling in March to May this year. I got sick with a kidney infection on our drive to Florida. My stomach got upset with my IBS and I was nauseated. My band got really tight in the middle of all that and the end result was MILKSHAKES! My stomach was so upset and my band so tight that I was living on very little food but could drink milk and milkshakes felt very comforting. They settled my stomach and filled me up. I got antibiotics when I got to Orlando but they made my stomach more upset. I was throwing up a lot and had terrible heartburn, throwing up if I laid down. I spent most nights sleeping sitting up. I was in misery. It was not caused by my band but my band got into the middle of everything. I needed a defill but was out of my country. I tried everything - bland foods, eating mushy or liquids, using antacids constantly. Nothing helped. We got home from our trip to Florida and I got more antibiotics because I felt like the infection was still there. I also got a small defill. We were leaving again only 10 days later for Hawaii for our 40th anniversary. When we got to Honolulu for the first week, I got really sick again. I was very nauseated and throwing up. My band felt very constricted again and I stopped taking my antibiotics. My stomach settled down but the band stayed very tight. When we got home from Hawaii the first week of May, I was sick again for about 4 days, vomiting and nausea. My band seemed even tighter and I could hardly eat anything. It was hard to even drink tea. My band seemed to have tightened on it's own again. Then I started having choking episodes and I felt like my stomach/pouch was up in my throat. I had a few episodes where I couldn't breathe and had to concentrate to relax my throat and let the food or drink go down so I could get my breath. I was terrified. I could not understand what was happening. It seemed like the band had slipped. I phoned and talked to my clinic and they advised me over the next few days to get a big defill. I did that and my stomach and band settled down. I had severe gas pains for about three days following the defill that doubled me over and I was in agony, pacing the floor and crying with the pain. Bandster hell. Finally that stopped. I then felt no restriction and was eating too much and too much junk. I started gaining weight and felt so upset with myself. I tried to stop overeating and watch what I was consuming but continued. I needed my band refilled. A month after my defill of 2 cc, I went back for a fill of 1 cc. that gave me back some restriction but I was still gaining weight. We had our 40th Anniversary party on Aug 7 and I felt self conscious and fat. I changed dresses to cover up my 14 lb weight gain. Other people didn't notice but I could feel the extra weight around my middle especially. I missed feeling svelte and beautiful and in control. I have had a lot of company and been too busy to spend any time on my Curves program or eating patterns. I am feeling more restriction now but have had another setback.After all the problems with my stomach, my doctor sent me for tests. One test I had on Monday this week was a barium swallow. The radiologist asked me questions before the test about what had been going on. He was not knowledgeable about lapbands but could see it in the xray. He told me that it was sitting on top of my stomach not like the picture on my lapband card I showed him. I guess my band has slipped and I am anxious to get it back to normal again before I gain too much weight. I wish I could control my eating and lose some weight through just diet. I really love my band and how wonderful it made me feel to lose all that weight in the first place. Wish me luck! :wink2::glare:

Steph, glad to know you're doing better. Don't worry about the weight gain, as Pelo said, that'll be off in no time.

I lost a big chunk of weight in my two weeks pre op and my first 4 weeks after surgery. I started eating solid foods and the scale did not move for two weeks and I am actually gaining weight back. 3 pounds so far. Am not eating too many calories. Is my honey moon stage over???

Hi Ninababy. I have a band, PCOS and stuffed up thyroid but good restriction and have lost 43Kg/95lbs since Aug 09...I think it took me 3 or 4 months to learn to live with my band and get my restriction right. Give it time and please be assured that slow weight loss is better than slow weight gain...all steps in the right direction will lead you to your destination. Stick with it girl :-)

Yes it does. I had un-diagnosed PCOS for 30+ years. When it was finally spotted and treated the Metformin and hormone troche together meant that I dropped 20+kg without changing my diet. Then the thyroid went and my TSH was off the scale almost at 57, I thought I was dying. The result after 18 months with no thyroid was that my weight had gone up and over my previous untreated PCOS maximum and was at 138kg. I am now down to 105kg since my op in Aug 09. The band, with some restriction, stops me feeling hungry early in the day then lunch-time onwards I just eat the normal low GI food that is best for PCOS folks anyway. The weight loss helps with the insulin resistance which in my case has turned into type 2 diabetes due to the thyroid collapse, I think I am now back down to just plain old fashioned IR again now. :-) I thought like you that it wouldn't be any benefit but once I hit 138kg, after fighting the insulin resistance weight gain all my life and then having the thyroid do so much to add to that side of it, my GP recommended it and I said...but I am overweight because of medical conditions that will still be there working against me even with a band and I felt very mis-understood by them. I talked to a top diabetes expert and my trusted endocrinologist (who had diagnosed the very obvious PCOS missed by my Gp's for so many years) between us we decided that at 45 years of age I did not want to spend the next 3 years trying to get my weight back to where it had been before my thyroid packed up. My life was wasting away and I decided after much research and heartache that I did not want to die of a heartattack while I undid the damage from the PCOS and Hashimotos. I felt cheated, like it wasn't my fault and why did I have to have the operation. I also struggle with the pre and post op care as no one reads my records and assumes I am a junk food addict that sits on my butt watching TV and stuffing my face all day and that's why I am overweight! If your excess weight is due to the IR then so long as you are having Metformin for it, hormone treatment for the excess androgens and Oroxine or whatever (none generic, go for the full price brand,,,there is a difference!) for the Hashimotos it should benefit you. Make sure your T3 & T4 are at the high end of the range and your TSH at the lowest end to get the best benefit from your thyroid meds. PCOS is hard to deal with as it is a collection of symptoms that are too often attributed to other things. The PCOS symptoms are related to an excess of androgens and Insulin Resistance. These need to be treated by a doctor with specialist knowledge. Menstruation needs hormones to regulate it. The body hair is the wrong sort, male hair not the softer velus female hair, hair growth can slow down and lighten if hormone and hair treatments are used at the same time. Excess body weight, probably carried centrally - small bum, skinny legs and big round belly, is caused by Insulin Resistance which prevents you from using and causes you to store too much of the energy you consume, Metformin deals with this and then the band will give you the best help to get rid of the excess weight you have probably amassed throughout the years. Both Hashimotos and PCOS are autoimmune type conditions. Auto Immunes tend to run in packs!! Most people that are diagnosed with one have or end up with more than one. Good luck with your decision and journey. I would say that the band in conjunction with Thyroid treatment and PCOS management will take you where you want to be. I'll see you when you get there :-)

you are worth the changes we need to do. we became obese because we never said stop to food, right? now you have a new challenge, you are worth it. take one step at a time, take a breath and see what happens. walking will help you get your mind off the weight gain, start now. keep in touch with the forum. we want to see you succeed, you can do it. drug addicts and alcoholics stop using, so can you. I have been drug and alcohol free for almost 29 yrs. if I had looked at stopping everything past one day or even one hour at a time in the beginning I would never have made it. the best thing I did was get and use support of a group. I trusted others who had gone through the same issues, it works. smoking is not good for you, it is a drug. take care of you, you are worthwhile!!!

I would love to find a mentor too:) Had my surgery last March down 57# wish more I have tough time food choices & meal planning trying new foods.Mother of 8 would prefer quick easy meal for brkfst & lunch I don't know....started curves to get moving more. I have daily back and hip pain on meds that cause weight gain. Having trouble getting protein in don't like fish some meats tough going down.Could use some help please )))

I went back on Nuva ring 2 weeks post op with no issues with weight gain. I am still loosing. Pregnancy soon after is not recommend and Nuva ring has one of the lower hormone levels compared to the pill.

For my journal readers here is a bit more about me: I am 31 and the mother of two children - my daughter is 14 years old and my son is 10. I'm newly married *3rd and last time!* to a man who is 18 years my senior. I was first married at 16 - to my DD father - divorced by 19 and remarried at 22. That one didn't work after 7 years of marriage. I'm married again - more secure now, more mature, more sure of myself. The kids have had a hard time adjusting to the change... I have a day job and also own my own online company. (www.providerwatch.com and www.findadaycare.com) I enjoy living in Western Washington for the weather, the green, and the fact I can get in the car and drive somewhere. NOT like when I lived in Anchorage, Alaska! I write - poetry mostly. I love music - listening to it cause I don't have a musical bone in my body. I love to read - anything from fiction to interesting non fiction. I think I'm more serious than I should be.... From the thread "Why are you Fat?" My weight gain began about 9 years ago - it was a slow process that began with excessive drinking - high calorie drinks -depression...I gained about 30 pounds those first few years, lost some and have steadily increased reaching my all time high - currently 255. I quit drinking a year ago - eat more to replace it - and have worked at a desk job for 3 years. That combined with no physical activity. I ENJOY food, its emotional for me. When I cook and enjoy a good meal, it feels good deep down. But this good feeling is followed by guilt and remorse. When I feel full - I feel guilty. I think about being fat from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed at night and sometimes in my sleep. The bottom line is I overeat, food is emotional satisfaction, and I sit on my a$$ at work all day.

I know that's a question that only I can really answer, but it's one that keeps spinning through my head. I came to this site today to do a bit more research and realized I had joined back in 2018! So yeah, this is something I've thought about off and on for the last four years. What's stopping me? First, I have had SO many surgeries in the last decade. Fourteen to be exact. I really don't want another one. Second, the thought of having part of my body removed (especially my stomach) is triggering and scary. Been there, done that. A bit of history: Up until about 8-9 years ago, I was a fairly thin and fit person. In Jan 2012, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through five months of really rough chemo, a mastectomy (a body part removal), anti-estrogen meds for seven years, surgeries galore (including an oophorectomy - another body part removal), depression, anxiety, depression and anxiety meds (even ones that say they don't cause weight gain - HA!)... just a lot. Through all that, the scale just went up and up. I'm now 80 lbs overweight, pre-diabetic, have sleep apnea, and my cholesterol is high for the first time in my life, and just mostly feel like hell. In the last four years, I have tried several (doctor prescribed) "weight loss" meds, injections, a liquid diet, an elimination diet, calorie counting, points counting, exercise, nutritional counseling, intermitant fasting, acupuncture... the list goes on and on. Nothing has worked or has been sustainable. So I came here to just get more info and couldn't resist clicking on topics that speak to regret (I know I shouldn't do that, but I couldn't help it). I mean, this is a no-going-back situation. Most of the stomach is being removed! I know there are no guarantees that I won't have regrets, or that the procedure will work or that I won't have complications, but I WANT those guarantees. So much in the last ten years has been up in the air and I hate that feeling. But I also hate feeling miserable in my own body, so... How did you make that final decision to go forward? I want to lose this weight more than anything. but this is a really huge decision I wish I didn't have to make. Sorry for the long post. And thank you in advance for any insight you can offer!

Been back on nuvaring for a years and no weight gain

If you are going down bands but your cup size is the same (44DD to 42DD to 40DD, for example), then your *volume* is going down. Because the cup size is the difference between the band and your fullest measurement, if your assets are staying the same size, then every time you size down a band, your cup would go up. So, for example, I went down two band sizes (44 to 40), but only lost a size in cup -- going from 44DDD to 40F. If my assets had been just as big, I would be in a 40G now. But yes, I know what you mean about wearing the good bras. I have so many fancy special ones from Lane Bryant, and It breaks my heart to see them go -- pink and black plunge lacy numbers with matching garter belt skirts and stuff. So sad! :-) I am going to go some place and get measured when these are all too big. What I meant by band size was all my 44DD were tight and uncomfortable, not they are all comfortable. I have a lot of bras so I can rotate. Before I was using bra extenders because Cacique gets really frumpy after the 44 band size but I don't have to use those anymore and I can wear all my bras on the last hook, even the newer ones that aren't stretched out. I have a lot of back fat, but the front never really changes even with 150+ lb weight gain. Yeah yesterday I was desperately looking for clothes that fit so I could go shopping and I opened my sexy lingerie drawer and it hit me that all of that was going to be toast. It is a nice decade plus collection. Hopefully one day soon I can fit into Agent Provocateur and the sacrifice will be worth it.

Hi there. I had my lapband fitted about 5 years ago. Until recently I had no problems with it. I lost weight initially. But have since put plenty back on. Now I get substantial pain in my abdomen. I'm no doctor. But I feel as if my weight gain is somehow pulling on my lapband around my abdomen. It almost feels like it is moving around in there. Its really uncomfortable to say the least. I can almost feel the tubing in there.

PCOS doesn't automatically cause weight gain. One of the women at my work has it and she's normal weight for her height. She's pregnant with her second bub, but her ovaries are full of cycsts, she was saying. However, it is more common to be overweight with PCOS though. Sadie: First of all, its up to you and you alone if you get the band. Your parents are concerned for you, which is their job, but they can't stop you from making the decision for yourself about getting the band or not. You need to do that, in consultation with your doctor. As for what you are eating, are you aware that if you don't eat enough, your body goes into starvation? It slows your metabolism, which means you won't lose any and then when you do increase your food intake, it will store it all, incase of another famine! (this is what your body thinks is happening).

I too have clinically high blood pressure, weight gain, and Insulin Resistance. My main reason for doing this is because I had post partum Congesitve Heart Failure at 25. I was in 1% of pregnancies this happens to,and I run huge risk of have heart problem later in life,and with my next pregnancy....but next time it may not correct itself. My heart is fine and normal now, but in may be permenant damage next time if I get pregnant and have all this extra weight. I am ready for a change, and ready to feel normal again!

Another midwesterner here (Wisconsin)! I get what you are saying Harleymama11. I'm scared as he** too, but then I ask myself what my alternative is. I've played this game before (drop some weight, gain it back and more) and I always lose. I can push it off and let my health deteriorate more (and it will... that's why they call obesity a chronic disease) or I can do this now and be on the road to recovery and better things. You're doing this for you, to be healthy. You CAN do it :-)

im so glad i found this post i too have aetna pos II and i have actually gained weight since my initial visit..im on the 90 day thing, but since i started and in dec 08 but skipped jan im having to do my final appt tomorrow.....but when i went to the initial visit on 12/21/08 i was 244 a bmi of exactly 40.0 so yea i aint gonna lie i knew that if i followed that 90 day thing with eating right and exercise daily i would loose and fall below 40 so i got on a "i will never get to eat like this again" binge and i have gained about 6lbs...since 12/31 to the present, which puts me at a bmi of 41 so im praying they approve me even with a slight weight gain in 4 mnths...and for the fact that i missed a month....but made it up by extending to april. Also my case mgr told me that aetna didnt require psych eval...that was up to the surgeon...i read on the aetna website that only if an individual has a history of psychological mishaps is when they would require a psych eval. and so far the surgeons office told me dr. marsden doesnt require it also.....so my last visit is tomorrow....and hopefully i will know something by 5/10/09!!

You can gain back weight, that is a fact. Surgeon is altering size of your stomach and not doing brain surgery. If you decide after surgery to eat junk, hello weight gain. Even a person with thier jaw wired can gain weight by sucking down unlimited malt shakes and smoothies. So - saying this I want to encourage you that you ARE going to keep off the weight. Choose to make permanent changes BEFORE surgery. The sleeve is only a tool allowing you to lose the weight. I am at 3 1/2 years out. I am still right around surgeons goal. Sure I have bad days were I choose to eat junk. But one day does not determine permanant gain. I choose to make the sleevie wonder work. Be a loser forever. I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

hi everyone, checking in....sorry i've been MIA. i have this bad habit of when i'm struggling...i hide....it's crazy. that's when i need to share with everyone the most.... i have alot going on that is causing me stress. it's not bad stuff but nonetheless stressful. 2 of them are are the top of those "stress lists". i'm moving from a house i just had built 3 years ago. i love the house...but...i am also getting married. my fiance has to live in the town that he is the head of the bank. i knew this from day one. in theory it all sounded fine...but going through it is a little hard. i really have seen my "headhunger" in action. it is so CLEAR. when i get off the phone with the realtor after a tough conversation....i immediately want to eat....ANYTHING but it has to be bad stuff. the good news i got back to the gym so it is making me have some sort of control. my big issue now is nighttime wanting sweets. if i can wrestle this....i'd be fine. that is a huge IF. whitepants: you really are inspirational in sharing your journey as it happens. the gym definitely helps to get us moving in the right direction. you are right when you say it's easy to lose control and harder to get back on track. but when we are on track...it's easier to stay there.. jeni: great news about the 4 lb loss. i hear ya' about we went this far....getting an operation, sacrificed to get the weight we have gotten off, we CANNOT give up and go all the way back. this statement you made is making sense to me and it offers me motivation not to give up. i know when i get in the give up mode..i will be 270 lbs in no time carol: good girl on no weight gain.... i will check back a little later in the week. i am trying to give up eating crap at night and sugar. that will be my promise. josie

Hello Everyone, I am new to this site so I appreciate your help. I currenly have had the LapBand for a year now. I have had many issues with the Band(Including revision of portal site, intergestion, pain in area, weight gain and vomitting. I am having a new DR remove the lapband next week and I was thinking of then going to get the Sleeve Procedure done. Did anyone decide to make this decision and has any insight for me? Thank you again, Jennifer.

I've been flamed many times in chat or with a post....some just feel that me saying I don't use Protein powders....or diet foods....or go to a gym....or count calories....or go on a diet....is so wrong. Look, it's simple. Get the band. Get the adjustments. Get restriction. Get a reality check. Get smaller clothes. Get real. Get the band. Won't work if you don't have it. Plus, the band makes the most common sense. Cut off the pipes and you'll lose the weight...not a maybe...but will. Get the adjustments. Won't work if you don't get adjustments. Decide on a fill doc before surgery. Make sure you see 'em at 6 weeks and every 4 weeks after. Don't need a followup...cancel. But always make sure you have the appointment every 4 weeks til YOU decide you've got restriction. Get restriction. Don't be a baby! You are going to have to cut down on the quantity of food - that's the point of the lapband system. Don't want to cut down on the amount of food - don't get the lapband. So what if you slime from time to time....it's all a learning process and you need to allow yourself time to re-learn how to eat. But this isn't saying that if you vomit that you shouldn't see your doc, quite the contrary. Vomiting isn't good. But sliming, as long as you are in the process of re-learning how to eat...it's a tool. Get a reality check. This time to relearn how to eat is crucial. Eat a few bites and walk away from your food - it will always be there...you don't need it all now. Want something sweet- have it. But only a bite or two. If you can say..."nah, I'll skip that"...you are already on the right track. This is about choices. It's not easy during this time. I remember thinking I was going to DIE because I was so weak from not eating (massive amounts of food). Your body will go through withdrawal symptoms....you can bet on that. But you prevail! And remember, it's not forever. If you are hungry...eat! Get smaller clothes when you reach goal....it's a motivator as well when you walk around in potatoe sacks...makes you want to go faster. Get real. You know how you got fat, you now KNOW it doesn't take much food to fuel the human body. You now are amazed at the difference in the amount of foods you eat. You go to a buffet with your family, you get a teaspoon of everything...a sampling if you will. And you are so satisfied to finally 'taste' something...instead of inhailing. Keep your scales, pay attention to your new clothing. Weigh weekly, then every two weeks. But step on those scales at least 2x a month. And if you see weight gain, or your clothing getting tighter.... modify your diet. Maybe that soda pop put you over the edge...or you found you ate 2 pieces of your mom's sweetpotatoe pie. No worries, just modify things. Your new life is about nutrition, not dieting. Ensure you get the fuel to run your body like a well oiled machine.

I have to totally agree with your husband. I find TV and computer to be very addicting in the evening. I directly attribute my weight gain to change in activity level when I went to grad school. I had lived in a college town where I walked everywhere (parking was unavailable/too expensive). Then I would go run/weightlift/swim for fun. When I went to grad school you had to drive everywhere. My job subsequently was sedentary and my babies kept my busy. I think the support that we have here is great and really important. I think all modern people im america need to watch our lifestyles.

PCOS is <!--StartFragment -->Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Here's a link that explains the syndrome and its various symptons, which include weight gain. http://www.webmd.com/hw/womens_conditions/tw9104.asp?src=Inktomi&condition=Healthwise

Cindy, I'm all for blaming the husband. I blame him for my gaining weight in the first place! Hell, he's used to taking the blame. Kids too, especially the teenager...or is that why my hair is going gray? :thumbup: Sades, what do you mean the answer to life is 42? Do you mean age 42? I'm 44, does that explain why my body loves to torture me with overnight weight gains? :crying: