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I think genetics play a huge role here- like with stretch marks. I have HORRIBLE stretch marks from pregnancy and weight gain on my belly, so I'm going to guess that because of those I'm most likely going to have a lot of tummy wrinkling once I'm done. I also think it's dependent on how your fat is distributed. I imagine someone who is 300lbs who carries weight mostly in their abdomen is going to have a much worse tummy than those who are 300lbs but the weight is evenly distributed across their body.

Dave...thank you for mentioning the weight gain. I cried when I weighed out before leaving...I was albs heavier than when they weighed me in. And I was in and out in 5 hours. Almost broke my heart to go up that much in 5 hours. But now, this morning @ home I've lost 4 of the 8 (survey was yesterday) and the gas is finally coming out

Hi everyone! I could really use some helpful advice. I'm one year post band, and down 100 pounds! As great as that sounds, I'm having a very very difficult time with the loose skin on my arms. My arms had gotten very very big at the very end of my weight gain, and even with the weight loss I'm still having a hard time losing that flabby skin. I'm getting married in November, and I'm wearing a strapless down, and would hate to have these arms in all of my pictures for eternity. What has anyone done to help tone their arms? Keep in mind, I just broke my wrist in April, I needed to have surgery to fix it, so I'm not allowed to use anything with weights!

Michelle, sounds like you are definitely too tight. The weight gain may make you even tighter. Have you not checked with your doctor in two years? I have heard of several instances like yours. Tight is good. Too tight is NOT. You can't eat properly when you are too tight, as you know. Small portions, SMALL bites with an annoying amount of chewing, should allow you to eat fairly well. I didn't lose weight for about 3 months...got two unfils, just a smidgeon at a time, and immediately dropped 5 pounds. Like you, I got hungary but ate band friendly foods, or did the Pbing. Don't risk a possible erosion from being too tight. See your doctor as soon as possible. Good Luck

LOL I did the Lindora diet. Same as Atkins. I stopped losing and so I upped the calories in my diet and nothing. I have even begun core body training 3 weeks ago, so maybe the weight gain (2lbs) is muscle, but still discouraging. Today is first day of bootcamp. YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! this should do it.

I also feel sorry for her but like they say, it is only a tool and you need to be strong enough to change your eating habits and keep up the exercise. I hate it when people use pregnancy and an excuse for weight gain. Yes, you do gain weight but you can keep that to a minimum if you eat correctly... not for two! I only gained 25 lbs with my pregnancy and he was 10 lbs!! I was also 200 lbs when I got pregnant so I wasnt slim. I was in my regular clothes the next week. I know everyone is different, some have bed rest and all but I feel exxesive weight gain with a pregnancy is completely avoidable if you work at it. Best of luck to you Carnie!

Started running and I have gained 3 pounds. I am trying to not get discouraged but after 3 weeks I am back down the 3 pounds but now stuck. Has anyone else had a plateau and how do you break it?? I journalize what I eat and usually stay in the 800 to 1000 calories a day. I also run about 8 to 10 miles a week. Help? Does anyone have any ideas? I'm nervous that I won't get the last part of my weight off. Surgery was May 28 btw. Help!!!

Ok, So I recieved my first fill on the 2nd while on my cycle and I have gained weight since the fill. 1st, my cycle has come on WHILE on my active birth control pills. It has been full force for over a week. Could this be because of my 40 + weight loss since November? 2nd, I got my fill and has not felt ANY restriction. It is almost like I didnt go. Now I weigh myself this morning and have gained 2.5 pounds this week. Could it be because of this pesty cycle? I need to know before I go workout and pull a muscle LOL. This is driving me crazy in more ways than one. And it doesnt help that I am snowed in with cabin fever. Everything I see I want. I need to get out of this house. HELP!!!!!!!!:thumbup:

After waiting for what seemed like forever, more weight gain, and health scared due to my weight, I finally officially have my initial consults with my Bariatric surgeon team on Monday!!!!

Personally I would be very very concerned about your stuck episodes. I am 2 and a half years out and can count my stuck episodes on 1 hand. I absolutely do not think that you need a fill if anything you may need an until. Some people keep their bands really tight because they think it should stop you from eating certain foods. My doctor does not hold that philosophy. If your band is in reality not too tight then my guess is you could be eating some foods that don't agree with you. Having a too tight band will lead you. to choosing slider foods that go down without getting stuck. Problem with slider Foods is 1 they tend to be higher in calories and 2 since they don't keep you full you eat more of them. This will lead to weight gain. In the years I've been on this site I've read more than enough postings of people who started to eat ice cream and shakes from McDonald's because they go down so easily.

I read the article below from ABC a few weeks ago about how they had found that sitting for prolonged periods effectively shut down your lipase enzyme, which is reported to be a key enzyme in breaking down fat cells. It seemed to show that even if you exercized for an hour a day and had an otherwise healthy/active life, if you sat for hours at a time the effect on the lipase enzyme could still result in weight gain. It was this article that made me wonder if maybe using an exercise ball at work might keep those core muscles active enough to stop the enzyme from shutting down. I went so far as to track down the head researcher at the university that did the tests to ask him his thoughts on this. He thought it sounded feasable but wouldn't commit one way or the other. I'd like to try it but as I said before I'm the only gal in an office of guys that already like to poke fun at me I'm afraid the ball might be just too easy a target for them. Still I might give it a try. If I do I'll let you guys know if it seems to help. ABC News: Overweight? Standing May Be Solution

Hello Becky, I applaud the lifestyle changes you are making. Eighty pounds off is a huge achievement! I'm very proud of you without even knowing you. Living with extra weight is a daily struggle and it doesn't get easier as you age. As for band removal, I'm in a similar position. I had the lapband surgery in June 2012 and never lost weight. I've been trying to get a removal date for the past year, but my clinic keeps putting me off -- first to have some tests -- now because the surgeon is too busy to see me. They say the band is fine but I experience vomiting, heart palpations, sweating and reflux on a regular basis when I eat (I take small bites and eat very slowly). I never experienced the "sweet spot" that successful banders reach. Like you, I feel the band is doing nothing, but I am not confused. I know the band has to come out. For one thing they degrade over time and can cause injury to the stomach area under the band. You may experience a small weight gain initially as you get used to life without a band, but if you keep your focus and stick to your healthly lifestyle, I think you will be successful without the band. I wish you all the best with your decision and your future health. Peace and love, Delightful Soul

I am 3 years post-op RNY gastric bypass. 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. This is a list of sugars I avoid: Sucrose (table sugar), Fructose (honey), Dextrose, Maltose (malt sugar), corn syrup, corn solids, high fructose corn syrup, cane sugar, evaporated cane sugar, molasses, corn sweeteners, brown sugar, barley malt, beet sugar, pure maple sugar and date sugar.

There is also the theory that as fat cells empty they fill with water causing short term weight gain or lack of loss. The fat cells then over time release the water and weight loss is the result.

I was told that I was "underweight" as well. I gained 10 pounds. I have an appt with my surgeon on the 19th. With the weight gain I am hoping I will be approved with no issues. Self pay is not an option for me.

I had my sleeve done last Wednesday at Blossom, and they are as advertised. That practice is a well-oiled machine, and less than a week out I am feeling surprisingly good. I did not even have much in the way of gas pains. The worst of it was the side effects of the anesthesia and anti-nausea meds, which was gone within 2 days of surgery. I seriously debated flying out on day 5 or staying an extra day, but really wanted to get home to recover rather than stay in a motel room. I was able to fly as scheduled on Friday without any problems. I am post-menopausal and had reached a point where after years of yo-yo dieting, I simply could not lose and keep off weight. Last summer I tried a diet clinic and ended up even worse off, gaining back 15 pounds I had lost earlier in the year. YouTube's Dr. Weiner says that weight loss surgery is basically a one-time offer--only redeem if you cannot lose and keep weight off any other way. I feel I had certainly reached that point, and I had the surgery with a BMI around 35. I am down 16 pounds since I started my pre-op diet December 1 (a few days early). In comparison, earlier in the year it took me about twice as long to lose the same amount, and I plateaued after losing 25. This was on a low fat, low carb, low calorie diet that was torture the entire time. I am glad that I did this after entering menopause, because I rapidly gained a lot of weight at that time and hope that the hormonal aspect of weight gain is behind me now, so that my redeeming this offer will result in a lifelong improvement in my health.

there are ups and downs for most people I would think. You are so right with the numbers. We know we didn't overeat anywhere near a pound of calories (3500) yet it shows up. Life is not fair. Personally I can keep calories low and work out and times the scale won't budge. I also checked out some new medication side effects. Of course weight gAin was listed. I was able to switch meds thankfully and my clothes are once again feeling looser (I am not a daily weigher). And just for added pounds.... Menopause does not help Nonetheless. Here I am headed towards 8 years post surgery and happy to not "fight" hunger daily Life is easier at a more "normal" size for me. Good luck!!

The weight gain is from the fluids pumped in for surgery as well as swelling from surgery. He best advice that I was given and seemed to work great was keep walking. It helps to move and expel the gas while promoting healing. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

It takes a long time to put on muscle weight, and doing cardio doesn't do alot of muscle building. Cardio burns calories and is healthy in other ways but that's not where your weight gain is coming from. I have a trainer who's taught me alot about working out, but the main thing is the motivation of meeting with her. I cant really afford it right now, so i'm back to walking mostly, but i do it with a friend and my dog so it's harder to get out of when i don't feel like it. I heard that one of the makers of the band (Allergan) just worked out a deal for patients with Curves and some sort of online tracking and after program with Lindora. I don't know if it's only for new patients but check it out on the Weight Loss Channel- there's a video about it there. There are tons of fun workout dvds you can do from home too if you need ideas and fun workouts

I need to inquire in regards to people's propensity to "throw up/ vomit" food that isn't agreeing with them. Now, I'm six years post op and have never thrown up. In fact, I thought it was impossible to throw up. So, I'm curious about the number of posts I've read on this board where people complain of throwing up. Are you actually tossing your Cookies, or simply (which I have experienced on a couple of occasions over the past six years) finding a bit of bile coming up to the back of your throat? Oh, and just a comment regarding dumping. When I first became post RNY, I experienced a couple of classic dumping situations. I learned to stay away from high carbo foods and high sugar foods, like Desserts with sugar. At this point, if I do have a bit too many carbs or sugar, it pretty much just puts me into a groggy state where I fall asleep for awhile. One of the habits that put me back on the road of Weight gain, was when I was having a sleepless night, I learned I could get up and have a small bowl of dry cereal--corn flakes with no sweetening-- and milk and it would work faster and better than Ambien. And, by way of closing comment, I'd share that my efforts to get back on track this time are unique in the RNY experience. I started dieting on Jan 1,sticking to 1500 calories per day, not eating, dairy, wheat, or any white foods, eating lots of veggie salads and not much fired, except the occasional fried fish. I feel better and I've lost 35 pounds. But, the point I want to share is I've changed my thinking about food. When I first when down the RNY road, I just ate less of the same stuff (with the exception of sugar which I really tried to avoid). I experienced head hunger, especially after year 3 post op. Now, eating much more "clean", I don't experience head hunger and find eating healthy much easier than it ever was previously, and I'm much happier with my food choices and NOT looking for something to more fully satisfy me. So, the point I'm trying to emphasize is with the miracle of RNY and the cessation of hunger cravings that accompanies the surgery, if a person switches their dietary emphasis to clean eating they'll find a dramatic knock down of "head hunger" thinking. So, there you go.

Just thought I would drop in and say Hello to everyone. My mother and myself are going for our initial visit tomorrow in Ocala, Florida with Dr. Jawad. Im excited, and nervous. I doubt insurance will pay for both of us, even though we both fit all the requirements. We have Cigna, and from what we have heard its a pain. I just have a couple questions or concerns which I am sure that I can ask tomorrow, BUT, I would rather hear it from people who have had this done. I ride horses, and with the exception of wanting to live a healthy life, my horse's are the biggist reason that I am considering this. In the past few month's it has gotten harder and harder to ride my horse and I feel like I cant to do anything. But prior to this last patch of weight gain I was around 220 and was able to compete and exercise my horses, I now weigh 265 and physically am becoming unable to ride my horses. My question is, can you still do all things that you could without the lap band? Is the pounding from the horse going to effect me once I get the band? I am just worried that I will get this done and then not be able to ride. Are there people on here that have been approved by Cigna?

Well, my name is Meggie. Im 21 years old, and I recently was banded on DEcember 10, 2007. My story isnt exceptional or sad, maybe it isnt even worthy, but its mine,and I have had quite a journey becoming the young woman I am today. I have had a weight problem since I was a child. My mom worked fulltime so frozen pizzas and processed french fries became a hot meal for me. I was very picky, and that was easy for her and tasteful to me. I grew up with the occasional teasing but nothing out of the ordinary. I always felt out of place;even with family. I was always the "fat" kid in my eyes. My family never saw me as that simply because they saw beyond my weight. They saw what I call the "internal me"--which is in fact a totally different person.-I was never pressured to lose weight or compared to my "model material" kid sister, and in fact, I have been my own worst critic all along. When I got to the seventh grade I decided to take control the only way I knew how; I became bulimic. Typically, bulimics are rail thin and look malnourished-but I never hit that point. The disease never got out of control-well I mean the idea is out of hand enough in itself-but it never got excessive.It was my last resort when food got the best of me.My mother sent me to counseling and there I was, 13 years old with "control" issues as the doctor would call them. I was always told how beautiful I was, and in fact, I was the popular kid in school; neverhteless, I still didnt like me. I went all through highschool with my weight issue and in my senior year my dream came true- I needed my tonsils out. I know, I know-silly dream huh? But, to me it was so much more than a painful surgery. It was a period of 2 weeks that I would lose weight. I did ofcourse-18 lbs to be exact, but it all came back on within a year. So, there I was 18- still struggling every day of my life with my worst enemy-my weight. I dropped some weight at almost 19 because I was going through a break up, and my "control issues" caught up with me yet again. That weight didnt stay off either. As you can see, I never succeeded in keeping it off. It haunted me and creeped up just when I thought I was winning. When I was 19 my 45 yr old father died of massive heartattack while watching the superbowl. A part of me slowly died that day simply because he was ultimately my biggest fan. I dont think my daddy ever saw my size. He didnt care-I was his baby girl no matter what anyone thought. He was the dad that yelled at other small-and I mean young and innocent--kids if they called me names. I wasnt fat, he said and he belived that. Its as if he saw my soul, and not the horrific body that held me hostage. I love him for that and I find myself still trying to see what he always did....Anyways so here I was almost 20 years old. I lost a few lbs after Daddy died because of a loss of appetite, but still nothing to brag about. In November of 2006 I found out I was pregnant. Ive never felt so overwhelmed in my life. While ofcourse I was scared and anxious to meet my beautiful baby boy, the sick part of me thought "hOw will I possibly deal with this weight gain." I know-that should have been the last thing I thought of, but I couldnt help it. The whole 40 weeks I ate like I was on a diet, with the occasional splurge of McDonalds, but for the most part I monitored. Thats insaine isnt it? Who wants to be pregnant and on a diet? The two words dont belong together. Well, needless to say thank god that I monitored considering that I still gained 60 pounds! After the baby I struggled with some deep depression about my weight. I was always crying, and it was the number one focus in my life aside from motherhood. I remember actually thinking" if I have to live like this, I dont want to live." Scary thought, I know-but it was real. In the meantime I had consulted with a plastic surgeon to give me a breast lift. I guess I was looking for anything on my body that I had the power to change when really I just wanted to be thin. I even cut 12 inches off of my hair thinking I was going to have a "new" me. Little did I know, I was far from being new and I was still overweight. By this point I was tired of fighting this battle. I couldnt win alone and that was definitly apparent to myself as well as my close family. So, on the day I was going to schedule my breast lift, I made a call to find out if I qualified for the lapband....well indeed I did-by the skin of my teeth, but it didnt matter. That day I think I found a hopeful part of me that I never knew existed. I connected with the little girl in me and let her know that we were finally going to be alright. I met with Dr Fritz Rau only a week later and immediatly felt a sense of protection and peace. He was wonderful, and assured me that I was in good hands. I soon went on my 2 week liquid diet and did very well. My mother wasnt completly supportive in the beginning but she knew that with or without an army of support, I was going to be banded on Dec 10, 2007. She came through for me, ofcourse, she always did. I got there early that morning and was prepped in no time. After a long wait of about 3 hours-it was my turn. Finally, the moment I had awaited since I was that little girl was actually happening. I almost couldnt bare all of the emotions because for the first time in my life, I felt like the real me was going to have a chance at shining. I came out only 35 minutes later, and everything had went fine. I had alot of pain from the trapped air, but otherwise I was okay. I was already a new woman mentally. I went home the next day, and within a week was taking care of my son. I have had 3 fills so far and am down 25 pounds. My loss has been gradual, but thats okay now because I know it will melt off soon. So, as you can see, I have had an interesting travel to get to where I am today, and to Dr Fritz I owe my happiness. The man has changed my life, and because of him I will be the girl that I was destined to be. Nothing, not even weight, can hold me back now. God Bless all of you- may you all find that inner self who screams to be heard.

For those that say they can eat what they want when they want (with bypass) is it without getting sick? I ask because I'm trying to decide on which surgery and the my reason for leaning toward bypass is because I don't want to worry about regain in the future. I want to not be able to eat anything HOWEVER I do not want to feel sick or weak all the time. I would also like to eat certain foods from time to time in very small portion if I choose to. Do you feel your weight gain is from no reaction to certain foods when you eat or have you just learned to eat through the "pain"?

Hi Sharowna, My surgery was almost 4 years ago. I started out around 250. After surgery got down to 185 but have gained around 15 lbs gradually. I have slipped into eating whatever I want whenever I want- in other words like I did before surgery. How are you going to start reversing your weight gain? I need to make a plan. Thanks, Luciessa

I'm not a lap-band patient, so I know little about your situation. Have you been in touch with your NUT to see about caloric intake and scheduled "fills"? Did you check with the pharmacist or online to see if your pain killer can cause weight gain? Don't throw in the towel yet. It's a setback and I'm sure you are frustrated, but you can do this! Best, Amy