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My name is Becky and I just turned 21, I'm a nursing student and am engaged to the love of my life. I started my WLS journey in November of 2012 and got the gastric sleeve at the end of December 2012. My starting weight was 260. From the moment I woke up, I had a stricture and had pain with swallowing. We decided as I healed this would calm down and eating would become less painful. Well, that never happened..I've had roughly 10 endoscopy's and they have dilated the stricture each time hoping to help ease the pain. I've been hospitalized for pain and malnutrition roughly 5-6 times and it's been a tough journey. Now it's July of 2014 and I haven't eaten solid food since my surgery in 2012. I am in constant pain and have been taking the liquid Vicodin on and off this whole time. Living life has been a real struggle because I can't get in enough Protein or Water to stay energized or hydrated so I sleep a lot. I was a relatively healthy (besides some comorbitities) full time nursing student and now I'm barely staying afloat in school. I've pushed back my clinicals which pushes back my graduation date because I just don't have the energy to start them; plus I'm in the hospital so often that I miss class which is not allowed once I start working in the hospital. I went back to my surgeon two months ago and they ran all sorts of tests, he told me if I didn't get this fixed I was heading in the direction of Barret's and esophageal cancer which scared the crap out of me at 21. He said the only way to fix the severe esophageal spasms and the swollen inflamed stricture is to revise to a bypass which would stop the bile reflux and change the anatomy of the stomach which will hopefully help the irregular pressures in my esophagus and let the stricture heal. I agreed since that seemed to be the only option AND I haven't lost any weight...ZERO. It's because I can't eat what I'm supposed to eat, I can barely get down pudding and ice cream much less vegetables or protein so my metabolism is basically shut down and I'm stuck. We are hoping the bypass fixes my pain but it would also be an added bonus to lose the weight like I originally planned. We had set a date of 7/11/2014 which is today but I got a call on Wednesday saying the insurance retracted my approval because they want another EGD done. He did the EGD on that same Wednesday and came back out to talk to me about what he found. He said it's significantly worse than it was two months ago, my esophagus is eroding from the bile that keeps irritating the already swollen stricture. I asked about Barret's and he said not YET...so scary! My surgeon himself called the medical director of the insurance company to tell him how badly I need this surgery. He said he would be very surprised if we didn't get it approved and set a new date for next Friday. Here's to hoping I suppose. I will keep you guys informed when I have a date and I will update on how I'm feeling. Hopefully in a couple of months this will be another success thread, I'm crossing my fingers and toes! I already have all of my Vitamins and Protein shakes from the last go around and have tried a ton of stuff and have a ton of experience with all things bariatric that are soft. I'm happy to answer any questions anyone has and am thankful for all of the support that you guys provide. My current weight is the same as my starting weight at 260 but like I said, I'm more concerned with the pain stopping than the weight gain although I'm hopeful that this will help me with both. My surgeon wants to keep me 2 nights in the hospital and saying the surgery will take 2-3 hours. I'll post pictures soon and update the title with the date we select..hopefully it will be 7/18. Pictures: Pre-Sleeve 2012: Pre-Bypass 2014: Recent Face Shot 2014: UPDATE: Surgery is approved but won't happen until August 1st because my surgeon is out of town I'm keeping my head up and am thankful that it is approved at all even if the date is farther out than I had been hoping. I will keep everyone updated and am on a cancellation list so maybe I'll get in sooner.

I feel you, I hear every day from co-workers and family how fat I am getting. I am so tired of hearing it. People act as though you can drop the weight just by thinking it. They tell me these things as if I do not know it. Some are as big as I am but think they aren't. I was so tired of hearing it along with me hating the weight gain myself. That's what brought me to the band on 22 Jan 09. I have only told two people. the rest just know I had herina repair. I get no support at home with this. I want to do as well as you have, but with out support I am not sure it if well do well. Keep up the great work. you inspire me.

I would like to here from some members that may have had weight gain a year out from surgery. I know it’s from my eating habits and poor exercise regime. I have started back this week to exercise and I need to work on improving my eating habits. I started at 250, my lowest was 172, and right now I’m 186. My ultimate goal was to get to 150. I feel like such a failure, one of my biggest fears of having the surgery was failing and I feel that has happened. I looking for encouragement, guidance and I’m hoping that being honest and up front in a large group will help with accountability. Thank you for your support in advance. MKT

I had sleeve not bypass, and I don't have sex because I'm not interested in it, but I know that you will likely be much more fertile after surgery, even if you don't get your period for a while. I haven't heard of birth control pills not working, but you will have to be really careful to take them EVERY SINGLE DAY. I know a lot of people on here have used IUDs and really like it. I personally would hesitate to get the implants because they can cause weight gain in some people. I would ask your surgeon.

From: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/weighing111605/home.html Study Suggests Daily Self-Weighing Should Be Emphasized In Messages About Weight Control MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (Nov. 16 2005)--University of Minnesota researchers found that people who are either trying to lose weight or avoid gaining weight do better by weighing themselves daily. Study participants who weighed themselves daily or weekly had better weight outcomes than those who weighed themselves less frequently. Daily self-weighing should be emphasized in clinical and public health messages about weight control, according to the new study published in the December issue of Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Previously, clinical and public health recommendations for better controlling body weight did not emphasize weight self-monitoring. In addition, well-known weight-loss programs do not widely recommend participants weigh themselves daily; instead, many programs recommend weekly self-weighing. Public health recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control do not include self-weighing at all. “Our study showed that higher weighing frequency was associated with greater weight loss or less weight gain after 24 months,” said lead researcher Jennifer Linde, assistant professor in the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health. “If people notice that their weight has increased, they may try to make that small correction rather than try to compensate after gaining a larger amount of weight.” The research team evaluated self-weighing practices of more than 3,000 people participating in two different groups—those involved in a weight-loss program and those in a weight-gain prevention program. Both groups received the directive to weigh themselves at least once a week. The first study group consisted of 1,800 obese or overweight adults enrolled in a weight-loss program. Participants all had a body mass index (BMI) of at least 27 and were randomly divided into three groups: a telephone-based weight-loss intervention, a mail-based weight loss intervention, or a usual-care control condition. The researchers weighed them every six months for two years. The average 12-month and 24-month weight losses of 1.3 and 2 BMI units respectively, were in the clinically significant range. The second group consisted of 1,226 adults enrolled in a weight-gain prevention trial, all with a BMI above 25. They were randomly divided into an educational weight-control intervention, the same educational intervention plus a reward for returning self-monitoring postcards, or a minimal-contact control condition. The researchers weighed the participants at the study's outset and every year for three years. In this group, the researchers found that the control group decreased weighing over time, and both intervention groups increased weighing over time. Even though weight maintenance was the goal for this group, daily weighing also led to weight loss at the 12- and 24-month time points.

Turns out I had my thyroid checked with blood work and I have hypo-thyroid. Dizziness is one of the leading side effects among weight gain. Encronoligist gave me a pill to level my thyroid and I will have blood work again in October. FYI, thyroid levels are not checked in routine blood work unless you ask fir them to be checked.

Well, after the weight gain with the band, my total BAND weight loss was like 30 lbs. I have only had the sleeve for 10 days, so........I can't answer for it. I can already tell I am much happier with the sleeve than the band. Since my pre op diet, and post of diet thus far I have lost 17 lbs.

So yesterday I went to my appt with the surgeon's office and it is official... I am scheduled for surgery on May 21st. :tt1: I am super psyched and not at all nervous. I can not wait! I wish it was tomorrow! The process went very smooth and quick! One month from seminar to surgery..... :thumbup:BRING IT ON!!! :tt1: I have my pre-op day of testing scheduled for the 12th. I also need to meet with the Psych. again as it is their policy to meet with her one more time before surgery... Personally I see it as a way to get more money out of me....... but alas I must do what I am told to do to get to my ultimate goal.... So it will be a period of my life I wont be able to get back...... LOL! But it is just a step in the process....... The office did not give me a specific diet except to start cutting down portions and working on chewing food well and all the things that I will need to be doing after surgery...... I have on my own started a protein liquid diet to prepare anyways so all is good....They said I could continue that if I wanted.... The only thing mentioned was that they did not want a weight gain prior to surgery..... to start an exercise program. Two checks in the block completed... I work out 3-5 times a week for an hour allready and have been for over a year.... and I am down 13 lbs. since the seminar....so no weight gain to worry about.... :biggrin:Sooooo anyone out there joining me on the 21st?????? :tt2:

I have gained about ten pounds since the start of all the weigh-ins. I just started nursing school and i have been stress eating like crazy! Im at my halfway mark now so I really need to get on it and start eating better. Has/did anyone have this problem during their weigh-ins and does anyone know if the weight gain will effect my chances of being approved for surgery?

Anyone have any advice on the transition to phase 3 (soft solid foods) weight stall and/or weight gain? I started my transition this Friday (11 days out), per my doctor. It started with just 1 ounce of salmon (lunch and dinner) on friday, then 2 ounces of salmon (lunch) and 1 egg (dinner) on Saturday. During the Friday and Saturday my weight stalled and this morning (sunday), I'm up 0.2 ounces. I know it's not much, but I am trying to prepare my mind for the "if" I have larger gains. I also was able to increase my protein intake from an avg 50g - 60g per day, to 80-90g over Friday and saturday. Any experiences, advice or comments would help. Thank you Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Scotland is very strict with our NHS and each area within Scotland is different too. I'm NHS Glasgow and it's taken me 10 years to get this far within the weight managment programme. Our basic timeline is like this. 1: GP sends referral if classed as morbid obese - referral can take 6 months. 2. Interview with dietitian and papers signed for referral to classes. Another 6-8 weeks before placement. 3. 12 classes to start with, one each fortnight, and during this if you lose more than 11lbs you are discharged. 4. If weight not lost then 4 classes, one each month, again if you reach 11lbs your discharged. If you gain more than 11lbs without obvious reason then you are discharged as proves your not trying 5. Repeat above with medication called Orlistat - 11Lb rule still applies . 6. If weight still not lost then you come back within 2 months to start a pre surgical class and get dates for the 4 mandatory classes that take place every 2 weeks. During this time you need to have weight loss and go on a practice surgical diet. 7. By the time you have done 2 classes you should have seen the surgeon, THEY make the final decision and will put you on the waiting list. If approved you normally will have surgery within 12 weeks. During this time you must lose weight or maintain with no more than 2Lb weight gain either way. Forgot to say, if you do leave by choice or discharged, you must wait 13 months before referral again and another 6 months potentially for going into all the classes again. No fast track happens and the rules have just changed in NHs so diabetics only get surgery unless special case. Getting plastic surgery for a Panni etc is even more difficult as you MUST have a skin infection or irritation for over a year before weight loss began or surgery was completed Hope this helps Fridge Pickers Wear Bigger Knickers ????

Jan 31st: Info session Feb 11th: Meeting with surgeons staff, got my requirements binder starting making appointments March/April/May: 3 month weigh ins and nutritional meetings, tons of appointments (psych, sleep study, cardio, etc etc) May 11th : Minor set back due to weight gain June 1st: last weigh in made June 2nd: Submitted to Insurance June 14th: Approved June 30th: Surgery Date Scheduled Excited, Scared, Shocked, Nauseous, Ready, Not Ready and everything in between!!! Sent from my SM-G920T using the BariatricPal App

Para guard is awesone! It's an IUD and no added hormones or weight gain and it's good for 10 years! Woohoo!

People all calculate differently. My surgeon and nutritionist both use the weight from my first consultation visit when assessing progress, so it includes the weight gained or lost while in the program leading up to date of surgery. In my case, the starting weight of 383.4 is from June of 2019. I was 337 on my surgery date in mid-July of 2020. However, my all-time highest weight is probably from 2016 when I weighed approximately 410. 410... 383.4... 337... it ends up being semantics IMO. The only thing that really matters is that the weight now is well below all three.

My dreams are only positive. I really want to be healthy and want to start my new journey with the band. I look at all the possibilites that will come back from years ago when I lose some weight. Not just looking better, but actually being more productive to myself and to my family. And prednisone has a way to help you breathe better but also give you much weight retention. My dearly departed wife was on 60mg of prednisone and she gained about 55 pounds. But being older and almost 5 foot 10 inches tall, she could carry her weight gain. Lose weight and you will breathe easier, then the familoy doctor should wean you off slowly prednisone. Best wishes Best wishes on your new journey.

I am nervous about my appointment on s Monday! I have had a couple dreams that I get there and after talking...the doc tells me he can't perform my surgery. I have struggled with weight my whole life. Even as a child. I was bullied....which made it worse. I am tall so I carried it well as I got older. I dated with no problem. Even had really georgous boyfriends!! But in the end I was cheated on by all with a skinny model looking girl. Think that made it worse. I now have an amazing husband and 2 beautiful boys ages 2 and 4! I have lots of medical problems and have been on prednisone for 4 years. I weighed 205 this time last year. I now weight almost 300!. Can't breathe...no energy but I force myself to for the kids. I have severe RA and its gotten worse with the weight gain. I need to get this weight off so I can get my life back and have a healthier me for my family. Has anyone had nervous dreams about not getting approved? Scared

I'm a little discouraged. I'm currently 14 days post op. I have had no issues and other than fatigue, I feel great. The weight has been falling off every day and all of the sudden on day 10 it just stops. I'm thinking ok no problem it's just a stall. It'll be over before I know it. Two days later I step on the scales and was shocked to see that it had suddenly went up 2.5lbs!! Obviously I'm still on liquids, calorie intake 400-500, since surgery I've lost 11lbs. & I was a lower bmi patient. Still how is this even possible?!

Ten years of seminars, learning, disappointments, frustrations, HBP, diabetes, more weight gain and other health problems finally got us to the sleeve. If you quit the cigarettes praise the Lord. What an accomplishment! Asthma helped me to stop smoking 4 years ago. Now I can walk and breathe thanks to sleeving. Your day will come. It will be so worth it!!! best of luck!

I had a lot of stretch marks and 80 pound weight gain with my first child prior to banding. I had 1 band baby and found that after losing the weight with the band baby, the small excess of skin was enough to allow me to grow with pregnancy without getting bigger or any stretchmarks. I am now 30 weeks pregnant with the second baby and I still have not had one stretch-mark or extra skin. It seems like the extra skin from weight loss allows pregnancy to occur without additional impact in my case.

I had my sleeve on 7/21/2018 and I started losing a pound in a half a day. I was 350lbs pre surgery and I have STOPPED losing weight and I am stuck at 313lbs. I weight myself every morning and noticed this morning I was actually 316lbs. This is super discouraging and so I wonder that is happening. What should I be doing differently? I recently started walking and swimming on a daily basis. Trying to walk always 30 minutes of some exercise a day. Nothing seems to work. I feel like these last 16lbs are taunting me! Some help ease my mind :-)

Thanks for quick reply that's what I was thinking HBP pills usually a diuretic which could explain the weight gain...I started to take half a pilly was getting light headed on full pill! thanks, Rob

I know, I am hungry too. Had my first post op appt. today, and have been increased to puree's. Now, I feel I could eat anything. I won't have my first fill until the end of March. I am really worried about weight gain now.

I agree with Manyloves...some of it could be shrinking feet! Has your shoe size changed? In my thinner days years ago I wore a 5 1/2-6, after pregnancy 6-6 1/2, with weight gain 7 1/2-8 and now back down to 6 1/2-7. It's not bad enough we have to buy all new clothes several times on the way down but we have buy new shoes too! I finally ordered all new appropriate size underwear after my plastic surgery. I had to draw the line somewhere so I wore baggy underwear for a long time.

Ugh, a lesson learned the hard way! I LOVE to cook, especially the holiday dinners. I'm a pretty rockin' cook, hence all the weight gain after married life began and I had to learn to cook!! So since surgery was just last Monday, we decided to order all of our Thanksgiving dinner from Honey Baked Ham Co. My poor husband is very much a country boy and looks forward every year to my cornbread dressing and cranberry sauce. I also had to make deviled eggs. No big deal. I can throw those together in an hour. I don't know if it a southern thing, but I don't use recipes. I taste everything step by step to make sure it is awesome. Did the deviled eggs and took just baby samples to make sure I was on track. Thought I did pretty good and was proud of myself until I was done with that and went on to my dressing. I was/am so miserably full that I can hardly breathe. I am miserable. Stupid deviled eggs. I still had to taste the dressing in the meantime. I put a baby bite in my mouth knowing that I was going to spit it out and my mom rounded the corner and saw me tasting after I had already told her that I was a complete idiot and she yells "just spit it out!". Poor thing, she is so worried about me, but I had learned my lesson and told her that she was reading my mind and I was definitely spitting it out. So, I will continue to cook and cook well, but I will never swallow that food again! Sorry for the long post. Needed someone to vent to!!!!

wow...12 months. That is amazing. I can understand why you would do that. It is stressful and I should eliminate as much stress as I can because stress leads to weight gain! I think I just obsess about the numbers. I guess I just want to know that going through all of this wasn't for nothing. If you didn't weigh yourself weekly, then how did you figure out how many carbs, protein, calories etc. you needed for your optimal weight loss? If you have any advice, then please share. Calories during the first month? protein? carbs? Thanks in advance.