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I have finally found a doctor that is willing to give me hormone replacement medicine. I had a hysterectomy almost 10 yrs. ago. I know one of the side effects is weight gain and this is one of the reasons I dont really want to take this medicine. But, I know I need to take it so I do. I have only been on this medicine for a month now and I can already tell the difference it can make. I am not as moody, don't have hot flashes, and my sex life well it have actually come back to life. The bad thing is, I have gained a few pounds. I am constantly hungry since I have been on this medicine and I hate it. Does anyone know how to counteract this one side effect? If so, please, please, please tell me.

This 'trend' is growing in the international awareness arena. I learned long ago in grad school the physiological reasons "water" itself is far far better than any other Fluid, for our bodily processes. I also observed during my postOp Bandster experience, that plain Water was also very beneficial for a multitude of reasons. This brief article http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/drink-water-to-cut-obesity-health-experts-say-9562887.html gives a few point worth knowing about. They talk about the risk of weight gain using sugary drinks. I for one, suffered a host of adverse metabolic effects from the high-fructose corn syrup concoctions marketed during the 60s/70s/ before I started rational observation of the consequences of such intake.

Tomorrow I begin my two week full liquid diet, not looking forward to it! My revisional RNY is scheduled for 8/20. My original was back in 2004 & I lost a total of 170lbs. Over the last two to three years I began gaining weight (53lbs). I decided to have a revision after an endoscopy showed my anastamosis was dialated. I also had a upper GI that showed my pouch was not stretched. However having the dialation causes food to empty my pouch quicker causing hunger after a short period of time. This is something that just happened through no fault of my own. However I did pick up the habit of smoking for the last eight years after never smoking before that! I have succesfully quit since 6/20 & hope to stay that way! I also started drinking alcohol twice a month, which I attribute this bad behavior to part of my weight gain. I would just like to tell newbies that although I will be doing this again I do not feel like a failure. I have been extremely happy and most importantly healthy over the past 8 years; I was to a point that if I did not have surgery I would not be around today. I had severe complications my first time around & still have decided to go through with this revision because RNY saved my life. I am not doing this again to be a size zero or to look a certain way. I just want to continue to enjoy the quality of life that this surgery afforded me. It has been one hell of a ride that I plan to continue to enjoy. My best advice is that carbs/ sweets are the devil and you should really limit these! Enjoy each day that this great procedure allows us to enjoy it is magical & magnificent!

Good advice, but the idea of spreading meals out is kind of outdated. It's based on studies done with athletes and bodybuilders (which most of us are not). Having 5 or six meals a day causes you're body to increase and maintain high levels of insulin throughout the day. This is a recipe for insulin resistance, which leads to more weight gain. The current science seems to support the opposite, which intermittent fasting. Most people seem to do very well going with a 16:8 fast, with a 16 hour fast a week (no calorie consumption at all after 8pm and then next meal/calorie would be lunch at 1pm). This can be done three times a week, with the other days have three meals a day spaced at least 5 hours apart. Most people tolerate it really well and even if the calorie consumption is the same, weight loss numbers increase because of the increase in insulin sensitivity.

From what I personally have read, apple cider vinegar does not help with curbing appetite/weight loss. I considered it myself, but have read it does nothing, and it does not exactly taste the best so I would say don't bother. Don't be too hard on yourself! Weight gain, I feel, is inevitable. It is going to happen. Just think - compared to what you have lost, 15 lbs is a quite small number. You have obviously done it before - I know you can do it again. Just don't get discouraged, you are stronger than you are giving yourself credit for.

Congratulations on your weight loss!! The same determination you had when you had the surgery, can help you get back to your goal weight. I have heard that if you start to gain weight trying the Stage 1 diet (liquid/protein shakes)for a week can help to get you back on course. I applaud you taking control of your weight gain now, because if you are like me 20 will become 40 if you don't do something about it. Keep us posted on your progress :-)

I'm 7 weeks post-surgery. I struggle with meeting my Protein goals, but for the most part I have followed the nutrition's guidelines. I have not touched bread, Pasta, baked goods and I hardly eat any carbs (the few grams I get in daily are part of protein meals). I had a graduation today and someone backed home-made chocolate chip Cookies as a present for everyone; she went around the room and personally gave one to all attendees. I felt so bad refusing that I took one, put it inside a ziplock bag, put it away and forgot about it. Until I returned home and emptied my bag. I ate the cookie and immediately starting feeling guilty and panicking about dumping syndrome. But what happened is that not even 10 minutes after eating the cookie, I could not keep my eyes open and fell asleep (fully dressed) on my bed. It felt like when I had to take the oxycodone and it would knock me off within minutes. I woke up 3 hours later feeling hungover. I don't think that I experienced dumping syndrome... right? Does it mean I don't dump or does it mean that one cookie is not enough to make me sick but enough to knock me down? I had no pain whatsoever, no need to use the bathroom, no sweating, no nothing. I just could not keep my eyes open and crashed. I'm trying not to shame myself for eating the cookie; I'm a therapist and I know that shame never motivated anyone to do any better. Shame is probably what fueled my weight gain to begin with so I know all too well that if I beat myself up what will follow is, "well, I'm a failure, I messed up... I may as well mess up more." Instead, I'm acknowledging that I have allowed old habits to creep in for a moment, that it's okay to make a mistake and I'm committing to promptly return on my road to recovery and weight loss.

I am 22 weeks and my ob has been concerned with that I had lost 10 pounds. I had seen my surgeon last week and had 1cc taken out of my band. My concern now is that I had gained back all 10 pounds in 1 week. What experiences have you had with weight gain and taking fluid out? I do not feel as if I eat enough to gain 10 pounds in a week.

This happens! It's happened to me but it isn't true weight gain. Do you know the gargantuan amount of calories that you'd have to eat in order to truly gain that? It's probably just water or whatever. I remember when I had my last check in appointment and discovered I had lost a whopping 6 inches off of my waist and I was down in the dumps because I felt I wasn't making progress. Hang in there!

I know it's not an appeal...just sounds like a lot of the rigamoro of appeals others of us have gone through...just as frustrating and annoying. I meant in the future you could try and combat the weight gain by keeping food logs...always helps me. Got to try somehow.

Congrats on baby #4. I'm on #4 as well. After 2, whats a couple more, right? I'm 16 weeks along and starting to get a little paranoid that I'm not eating enough. I've only gained about 3 maybe 4 lbs so far and it just worries me being this far along now. I had really bad nausea that started in week 4 and lasted until about week 13-14, but I only ever threw up a hand full of times, but the thought of eating was so unappealing. Ugh! I have my appetite back to normal, but still feel like its not enough to grow a little person My husband has mentioned it over the last few days and so tomorrow I have an OB appt so I'm going to talk with her and see what she thinks about where I am with weight. Before the band I was 192, and pre-pregnancy I was hovering between 157-160. Now I'm going between 159-161. I haven't gotten ANY unfills yet, and sometimes things get stuck, but usually when I'm eating too fast or taking too big a bite. And of course if I eat too much I get that uncomfortable "after Thanksgiving" kinda full feeling So being how you are on band baby #2, any advice? When did you get an unfill, if ever? And when did you know it was time for one? How was your weight gain? Of course I don't want to blow up, but I want to make sure I'm eating ENOUGH to have a healthy baby. :-/

A couple of weeks ago I started experiencing tingling in hands and fingers (peripheral neuropathy) - I have had this to much lesser degree before I have read many causes of this - Diabetes, nerve damage etc. I really feel this is due to my weight gain and I'm interested to hear anyone else's experiences with this

Welcome to my life (my old one.) Your story is very common. I've been through hell and back working for "the man." Right now life is awesome, I finally found a lawfirm that let's me combine my analytical mind and organizational skills with the kid inside me. But back in my hell days, there were limited options for me, so I had to put up with a lot of abuse. I consider it abuse and harrassment. Going to HR never helped because it always blew up in my face. I was desperate because my health was deteriorating (insomnia, anxiety, depression, weight gain.) I finally wrote a couple anonymous letters. I chose my words carefully and made sure nobody saw me. Eventually the letters got into the right hands. Things got ugly for a long time with people being pulled into private meetings. Eventually a couple people quit, one got fired, then finally the boss himself was laid off. The same thing happened to my sister, but she exploded in the open and ended up getting the boss fired and getting an apology letter from Time Warner offering her whatever she wanted. You are not alone. My friend Jennifer had the same psycho boss. We each had our reasons for not quitting, but she came over crying every night after work. Then one day she showed up in shock. She was ghost white and couldn't talk because when she got to work, her boss had committed suicide. I don't really have suggestions, but please know that you are not alone and that there is always light at the end of a tunnel.

Thank you guys for the encouragement. I get a fill next week, I hope it will help me start to eat less. I am trying not to be depressed about the weight gain but I really want it off!!!!

Heyy, I woke up this morning and the 3lbs I gained over 3 days (!!) of Aunt Flo were gone. Still not losing, but I see a light at the end of the irritating, poorly timed, cramp-y tunnel. You all are right, of course! If anyone else is experiencing bloating, weight gain, stalls due to your period, just know that everybody's right: it feels TERRIBLE, but it does just go away afterwards.

Knee pain can be quite debilitating and cause misery ,I had a knee replacement in 2014 after trying so many pain management techniques, it turned out that I had early arthritis and the cartilage in my knee had worn out so it was bone rubbing on bone, fast forward 5 years and weight gain and the knee pain came back. Now with VSG done 3/7/2019, am managing the pain and doing my walks and dropping weight gradually, I trust that when am about 70 pounds lighter the discomfort will be manageable. But please check the root cause of the pain and get help so that when you do the VSG you can exercise without so much discomfort.

I've been around for a bit, so I thought I would give you all a little insight into the insane inner working of my brain. I was sleeved on 10/26/2016, but in my previous incarnation, I was a nearly 300lb woman who when fed up with her situation, got her feelings hurt, and turned to the interweb of strangers to share my journey. Yes...a blogger. I blogged for years about losing the same 25-30lbs over 7 years, cried about injustices, shared my victories and my disdain for WLS. I love/loved my blog. I met amazing people and while I lost very little weight over the years, there were changes to mindset...some major, some still a work in progress. Today, I ran across an old post from 01/09/2012 called Things I HATE About People. Five years later and 59lbs down, I had a good laugh. Anyway, take a read if you're so inclined. Ok, Ok...so PEOPLE is a pretty broad term and to be honest...if this list were really about all people...it would be pretty detailed, less of a blogpost, and more of a series of blogposts. Or...a blog all in itself. This is just about people when it comes to weight loss and more specifically MY weight loss or journey thereof... To be fair, I am going to tell you straight out of the gate that I am guilty of some of these things. After all...I'm a people too! People who tell you the "BEST WAY" to lose weight. The problem I see with most of these people in my life is that they are always standing by and waiting to tell me that the best way is this new gimmick diet that someone who they know has a brother whose wife has an uncle whose cousin lost a lot of weight eating nothing but pickles and beer after 3pm. (This is not a real diet) (I hope). The fact of the matter is that we all already know the best way to lose weight is to decrease calories, make healthier choices, and work your ass off. The pickle and beer diet is only good for finding yourself drunk in an alley stinking of beer and vinegar. Not Good. People who try to push you to weight loss surgery. For those of you who are in an overweight or a "low" obese range...you may not see this one enough to get where I am coming from, but for a person who is 5'1" and 300lbs wearing her "sarcophagus" like a crown...I see this one more than I can stand. In one breath the person will be talking about my strength and determination. How they know that I am capable of soo many things and then they suggest that I lop off half my stomach if I really want a shot at losing weight. Wow....now I totally believe all the things you said about me before that (please note sarcasm). Not only do you people piss me off, but when I lose this weight through sheer will and determination...I will find you. I will have had less cookies by that time, so my mood will be questionable. People who suggest that weight loss surgery is the "easy road". Please note my above passage. I never said that I thought it was easy...I said that it is not for me and I hate when people assume that I can't do it without the help of surgeon and scalpel. I personally have checked it out. I have sat through seminars that have discussed all the options. I have talked to doctors, I have set appointments, but in the end I don't believe it is the right step for me. In fact...I think it may be harder than what I am doing now. My weight gain is a product of an emotional disorder. Creating "Frankenstomach" or naming it "Carrie Bradshaw" and dressing it in a fashionable "belt" doesn't fix that for me. I fail on this plan, but if I fail on that plan...I could die. Literally die. I refuse to let my tombstone say "Here lies Christie" followed by "Those damned mashed potatoes" If I eat them now...I regret it. I can LIVE with regret and move on. People who fail to recognize ANY obesity as an eating disorder. I believe that all eating disorders are emotional disorders. If I binge eat...its for the same reason that someone who is bulemic binge eats. I just HATE throwing up. I have the same body issues as a person who is anorexic, but starving myself to get the result they get will take time and unless you are a newcomer to this blog, you know that I have issues with follow through. (I am not condoning any of these disorders as a legitimate way of losing weight, but merely saying I can relate). I have an effed up relationship with my mom, I have an effed up relationship with my dad, I have an effed up relationship with my sisters, why should my relationship with food be any less effed up. I don't know one person who is overweight who thought, "Gee...I have nothing else to do today, why not make everything in my life HARDER" People who think they can change a person by pointing out that they are fat. They already know, thanks for pointing it out, Captain Obvious. Have you seen the sky today...its blue. People know they are fat. This is not an appropriate way to handle any situation. If you think it is, consider this is probably the reason that you do not have many friends. Pointing out someone's flaws or hurdles that they have to jump is not the best way to get them motivated to change themselves. Listen closely...you can not motivate anyone to do anything. The motivation has to come from within. If you care about someone and you have the type of relationship where you can have those kinds of conversations, then tell them that you are concerned, reassure them that you care about them and offer to support them if they decide to do something about it. Even Biggest Loser trainer, Bob Harper relayed a story about his sister and how he reaches all these people, but he just can't reach her. He can only be her brother...not her salvation. Remember, just because you are ready for them to make a change, doesn't mean they are. If you care for someone, you care for them no matter what. There is your free "Life Lesson" for the day, courtesy of me. Food and/or workout judges This is not the first time I have talked about food judges, but I find myself wanting to do this more and more. I guess it may be because I am finding success with what I am eating and I want to share my success, but being a victim of it. I know there is a right way and a definitive wrong way. I try to NEVER randomly judge food on someone else's plate, but in all honesty..it happens. Just the other day, I was in a restaurant with a friend and she had Bread...lots of bread. Cheese and Potato Soup. Chicken Tenders, a baked potato, all melty with butter and sour cream. (lo I have to admit. I saw her, I saw what she was eating and I thought, "remember when...." (mostly I was jealous...lol). I did have a twinge of sadness for her, because I was transferring feelings about myself onto her. NEVER EVER EVER, did I think about saying anything. It is not my place. If she had asked me for tips, about my weight loss journey, or to analyze her food then I would have gladly suggested swaps and told her what I find is the best way to make changes without feeling like I'm cheating myself. But she didn't so I sat silent. The point is that all people are not armed with the knowledge that you have and your knowledge is limited by your experience. If your knowledge is welcomed then share it. If you are not sure...say nothing until you are. Change is a delicate process in the fabric of one's life. Don't pull the loose string that causes it to unravel. Same for working out. Sometimes people are doing all they can do. It may be the first time they have made it to the gym. If you see them struggling and you start thinking negative thoughts, then you need to rearrange your thinking. At least they are there making an effort. The point is...become a support to those who are trying (even if you see the flaws in their thinking), life has enough road blocks that there doesn't need to be another you-shaped one in their path. Today's spark: Kicking my roadblocks in the peas!

Hello! Sadly my baby is 5.5 months and I only BF once in the early morning now. Baby boy won't take the boob bc he got so used to the bottle. I don't make enough to save but I'm thinking about taking supplements again to get my supply back up. I would just have to really commit to pumping at work which is really hard for me (and my pump is manual and it sucks!) I would say just try your best to eat healthy in terms of hating the weight gain. Hopefully your breastfeeding will help you shed the pounds. It didn't for me but that's bc I never made enough to start with If I can get my supply back up I may wait to get a fill ... My doctor said I could come in whenever I wanted though. We'll see! Good luck! And congrats to you too!

If it has caused you weight gain in the past then no don't use it. Try something else.

I'm 5 feet and weight 260 (BMI 51). I have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, achey knees, etc. My family history of heart conditions, obesity, and cancer on my father's side is not good. Five out of the seven children in his family have died of cancer. I somehow managed to get myself right in line to be just like him. I know that for me, this is medically necessary. I know it will almost immediately improve my health. I know that my children (ages 10 and 14) will have me around longer and that I will enjoy doing more things with them. I know I NEED to do this. But I am so scared. I'm not scared of the surgery itself but the long-term "living with the sleeve forever". What's it like five or ten years from now. Is there still satisfaction from eating so little? Is there weight gain. Is everyone still as happy as they were when they lost the first 100? Looking for a little support I guess. Thanks,

I had my surgery about 2 months ago and have lost 30 lbs. I have received many compliments, I have felt really good about myself, and when people asked me (my surgeon included) if I was happy with the whole lap-band thing, my answer is A DEFINITE YES. It has been years since I felt I have control over my body, my weight. And for the first time, I am very sure (100% sure) that even if I may not reach my goal weight I will never be as heavy as I ever was. However, in the past two days I realized that there are parts of myself that I missed. Ok, not the weight, not the flabs, but I used to be quite fit (despite my weight gain/weight loss cycle). I climbed a mountain (non-technical climb), I did yoga, pilates, tennis (hard core). I ran. All more than 2-3x a week. I've walked since week 2 after my surgery, but I didnt try to get back to my previous workout habits until this week. I had no problem with 2.5 hrs hike over the weekend, but yesterday I did my pilates and I felt wobbly and dizzy. Today I went to a new yoga class and I could not even support myself with my arms, I could not do simple poses, and I could not even balance myself (I was very good at balancing before). I'm not sure why I suddenly have no control over my body and no strength esp upper body. It's only been 2 months since I really work out and am I that out of shape strength wise? I used to stop working out for 6 months before and I got into it just fine. Does anyone have this problem also restarting their workout? I think a few weeks ago I saw someone posted their exercise schedule and my impression of them are that they are quite rigorous, at least in terms of frequency and types. Is this a malnutrition issue? I am quite upset with myself...I quite the class halfway. I'm not a quitter! I just could not take it anymore. I also felt since the surgery a lethargicness in some ways - I don't mind walking, I walk everywhere: work, class, etc. But I can't seem to be able to lift - not even a bag full of groceries. I can't bend. I felt all my muscles are tight, too. I'm going to see my osteopathist next week. Hopefully she can help me....

I had planned to eat reasonable portions of pizza and french fries, and one Reese's peanut butter egg. However, my surgeon's NP told us at our small group meeting on Wednesday that we were supposed to start our pre-op diet that very day. She reminded us that she had that day's weight recorded. She warned us not to gain any weight by saying our surgeon had already postponed three surgeries this week due to weight gain. Now I am too afraid of losing control and getting off-track. It's happened to me before, and I don't want to take a chance.

Thanks for your reply and opinion! I'm on depo and don't get a period so I'm not sure if that would be something that would cause the weight gain? or if it's just Water.. not a clue

im 3 weeks post op and was horrified by the 3 pound weight gain so I feel your pain!

I can relate to the life long struggle. I am 38. Just sleeved 1/23/18. Highest weight 322 Surgery weight 290 Current weight 253 Goal weight 150. I have tried so many diets before and been up and down in weight with nothing that really worked for long or with much weight loss in the last 20 years and been so discouraged and just about given up. I have PCOS, thyroid, been on meds that cause weight gain and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes last year and decided to take the plunge. So glad I made the decision! Before the surgery with the support from the clinic, and making small changes preparing for the surgery I was able to lose 40 lbs. I actually chickened out cancelled my surgery holidays hit and gained 10 lbs back and then rescheduled with more confidence and was ready to do it in January. Within a month I lost another 30 lbs right away! It’s an entire lifestyle change now and I’m never looking back. I physically cannot! My stomach won’t allow it! I look forward to my new life each and every day! No longer show diabetic in my lab work and off four of my meds. Life is good! So worth it! What do you have to lose?