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Let me/us know what happens with the weight gain and surgery date. I am on the diet and am worried also,,,thx.

Thanks for asking and any other suggestions you may have. Here is the specific wording in the denial letter: "Diagnosis: esophageal reflux,vomiting, abnormal weight gain Type of treatment: longitudinalgastrectomy The service is not recommended asmedically appropriate for the following reasons(s): Authorization for Sleeve Gastrectomy isnot recommended, as clinical criteria for this procedure are not met.For example, per SPD: Recent history and documentation in MD notesthat the pt has participated in and reasonably complied with at least1 physician-supported weight loss program (including nutritionalanalysis, education and regular clinical encounters with a healthprofessional), documented by a physician who does not perform weightloss surgery, lasting for a minimum of six (6) cumulative months andoccurring within two years prior to surgery. Also dietary therapy,i.e., restricted calorie diet, increased physical activity i.e.,exercise program, behavioral therapy to reinforce dietary therapy andincreased physical activity."

I'm sorry you are struggling and feeling anxiety about the water weight gain. That is bad that you had to change meds and it's affecting you this way, but they should be able to understand. Try to get in a lot of fluids, perhaps that will help your body start releasing the water you are retaining. I am sending you positive vibes for a good outcome and a surgery date soon!

Hi everyone. When I initally went to see my surgeon he recommended the gastric by-pass since my weight gain came not from eating large quantities but rather snacking on carbs and sweets, especially chocolate. He said the "dumping" would keep me "sraight" I should mention I have been on anti-depression meds for years and my family doctor feels my cravings for chocolate and carbs is from the low sertonin levels associated with depression. After doing much research I decided, given my medical history of many surgeries and the depression, I would be much better off with the sleeve. Now I am being discouraged from this procedure because of the sweet tooth. Did anyone who has gotten the sleeve have a sweet tooth as their main problem and if so how is the sleeve working for you? I really want the sleeve and surgery is in 2 weeks. Could really use your help. Thanks

I would suggest you contact your OB/GYN doctor. Something may not be right. I use to have extremely heavy periods and found that the hormone that is suppose to slow down your bleeding was not kicking in. I tried birth control pills but they did not work, They then gave me a prescription that made my body think it was menapouse so I did not have periods (I was already done with having children) but that big side effect was WEIGHT GAIN. I finally had hysteretomy (this was all presurgery many years ago) and I don't miss a thing with that time of month anymore. The main thing is there may be a medical reason so you may not want to wait.

I really like what you've said and agree that I would rather feel like I can have an ocassional treat here and there, even if that means losing the weight slower. Although I am very frustrated with my recent almost complete shut down on losing weight, I did just get back from a 2 week road trip where I was out of control in what I was eating pretty much the whole time. I was prepared for a 5-10 lb weight gain when I returned, but surprisingly I only gained ONE pound!! If I had actually eaten more healthily during this trip I might have LOST weight! As it is, though, I am very pleased that the restriction I still have has kept me from binging and eating too much in one sitting, which makes a big difference for me.

It's official now, I'm going to do this surgery!! I have been on a long hard journey since April of 2010, and alot of it was my own fault for it taking so long. I went through a lot of soul searching to figure out if this surgery was really what I wanted to do or not, and I finally told myself I was in it for the long haul. I have struggled with my weight since I was about 8-9 years old, and I've always been the "thicker" type. I thought that I was alot bigger than I really was, and looking back at pictures of me in high school and my early 20's make me cringe to think that I really thought that I was FAT then. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) in 2000 and got all of the fun side effects of that-weight gain, insulin resistance, and facial hair. It's great fun to say the least. Thankfully I was able to have 3 healthy girls and didn't struggle with in fertility with it. I went from 145 lbs when I got pregnant in 1999 to 200 lbs by the time I had had my 3rd baby in 2003 (yes, I had 3 kids in 4 years). The struggle was on after that. I stayed around 200-225 until last fall, and I started having alot of swelling in my lower legs and hands. I quit smoking in March of this year, and since then I've gained 42 lbs between that and the swelling, I have massive pitting edema in my lower legs and my hands swell really bad as well, and the only reason that the dr's can come up with is due to weight gain. I was diagnosed with Obstructive sleep Apnea in Dec. 2010, and then with Barrett's Esophagitis in April of 2011, and I've had GERD since 2002. They put me on high-blood pressure medicine to try and help with the leg swelling, along with diuretics. AND, I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel and tennis elbow in both arms this week. So, I wear a CPAP to bed with 2 wrist braces, I have to wear compression stockings all day to keep swelling down, I take 6 pills a day for my stomach problems and I pee absolutely constantly. Yeah, I'm ready to get all of this taken care of. My sister asked me today if I thought that I really needed this surgery. I told her that I was tired of feeling like I was trapped in this body, like my fat was in control of me. I'm tired of being terrified to go to the dr, because they're going to tell me that something else it wrong with me. I'm scared to death of the first 6 weeks after surgery, but I know that those 35 days will be the best hardest days of it. I'll live, I'll get through it. I'm ready to feel like me again, to feel like I'm in my skin again. Not this fat person's body who has no control. I'm scared,but I'm finally going to do this! Let me know all the little details that I need to know...don't hold back!!

Thank you guys !! i have written down all shampoos and biotin!! I have also read about ovationnhair therapy, it is even used with quimio patients, I and willing to try everything, and yes, even washing my hair less times per week !!!!! A friend used zinc, that also could be an option. I know hair loss is normal, as stall, nut when you are actually going thru it it just sucks !, no matter how normal !!! May we continue to lose weight....gain hair !! Thank you again !!

What kind of protein shakes are you drinking? You have to be very careful because some of them are formulated for weight gain.

I think setting a goal of 1-2 Lbs per week is both realistic and expected. That's always what I go by. Now that I'm post goal and just trying to either maintain and simply avoid weight gain, and because it never hurts to lose a little more here and there I usually say 5 Lbs per month maximum. HTH

I also started mushies this week and though there was no weight gain, I have lost only .5 lb here and there. As far as eating during this phase, I try to add unflavored Isopure protein powder to almost any of my mushy meals (cream of whole wheat, yogurt, soups, sugar free jello, etc...). It helps me get enough protein in for the day without adding too many calories and I think that's the hardest part of this phase, since I'm still not allowed to eat meat or fish or other forms of animal protein that have a decent amount of protein per serving. I am still weighing myself twice a week, which I know some people would disapprove of, but it's my way of keeping track of what's going on, and for now I feel I need to do it. Also, are you exercising yet? It's very important to start moving as soon as you feel able to. That really helps the weight loss (in combo with your post-op diet). I started walking very slowly 3rd day after surgery, then have been increasing to 2-3 miles a day or 30 minutes on the elliptical at slow to moderate pace, depending on how I'm feeling that day. I think that helps too. I don't have as much experience as some of the other responders, but I've been told the same things about plateauing and also about not worrying so much about the pounds dropping until after you get the fill (but I think we still worry because it's hard not to think that way after all this time Good luck!

I am at 7cc and I couldn't imagine having anymore in my fill- but you have to remember everyone is different. Comorbidities, like Diabetes, do cause complications- but there is absolutely no reason I could think of that would have caused your 10 lbs weight gain without "cheating". It isn't worth the chance of band slippage, paying to have it repaired and going through it all again. I feel for you- that is no way to be treated, but consider that they are not angry at you but angry that you are failing your band. What types of foods are you eating? Are you hungry or bored? Do you push past FULL? Hope all gets better- stay on top of your sugars and your choices!!! I have reached a huge goal- down 40 lbs today. YOU CAN DO IT!!!

I dont even know for sure where to start.....all i can say is i went for what i thought was gonna be a fill....well it went poorly.....my blood pressure was up the Nurse Practioner was rude basically yelling cause I gained 10 lbs....I tried to explain that my Endocrinologist said my sugars were high and suugar was spilling into the toilet in my urine....now sugars are better due to going on insulin pump and due to better sugars i am retaining some calories causig a lil weight gain. She said.....they are NUTS and yelled thats the craziest thing she ever heard....I tried to explain i feel i need a fill.....i am not getting a full feeling....she wouldnt even listen.....do i deserve to be treated and chastised for making a mistake.......i guess i just need to vent....so how do i know i need a fill??? and also what point is there in even going when she said i am at 6.5 and thats the max fill.........my band is a 10 cc can i not ever get more?? if thats the case why do i drive 2 hrs to go get treated poorly.....and when i leave there end up in an er for high BP?????? thanks for listening

can you feel it inside? I was looking into the depo shot but side effects include weight gain and hair loss. Not a good combination

I will be getting on some kind of birth control this week. But not sure what. Is there something out there that doesn't cause weight gain?? Thank you!

I would be careful with the weight gain. It may come back to haunt you. Most insurance companies want a two year previous weight history and for you to at least show you can lose weight. I wouldnt advise you not to do something but just consider all angles. Good Luck

<P>I've always had a pretty good knowledge of what to eat health wise. I could do well for weeks and months at a time with my well rounded healthy meals, but because of my body and some health issues one bad meal would cause MAJOR weight gain for me. I have never believed in getting your band so tight you can't swallow your own spit lol. If I can't fit in 1200 healthy calories each day I would get some fluid taken out. I do know a lot of people who only eat 700-800 calories a day and it really is not enough to realistically be healthy. You're body needs nutrients to survive and THRIVE. I use my band to keep me from being hungry between meals so it's easier to stick with the plan. It also keeps me from being as bad as I want on days where my will power is not so strong and when I do have a treat day with something not so healthy I don't pay the price I used to. It's funny now a "bad day" is eating 1500-1800 calories lol. Not that it's a lot but probably once a week I treat myself with higher fatty foods. I know before a bad day would be SO MUCH more than that.<BR>It's great that you've found something that works for you. Good job and keep at it!</P>

I am 1 year out from the vertical or gastric sleeve. I chose this for several reasons. I had gained weight due to another health issue, where I had to take medications that caused a long term(10 years) weight gain of 75 lbs. I am still on some of these meds so weight loss continues to be an issue with me. Although I do not regret the decision to have wt. loss surgery, I do think I made a mistake in the type I chose. It is permanent-which seemed a good thing at the time, It is advertised as lowering your hunger-it does not, I am extremely hungry often, but am only able to eat very small portions, while drinking next to nothing during meals. I no longer can enjoy meals or activities surrounding get-togethers involving food. I become extremely uncomfortable quickly-often having to lie down somewhere until I recover. I have adjusted by eating very little in groups & not at all at work. Yes, I have lost weight but only 40 lbs so far. I experience GI difficulties all the time. Nausea, and worst is the gas-all the time-noisy like nothing I have had or experienced other than through teen-age movie antics. I am always uncomfortable worrying I will embarrass myself in this way. I would strongly suggest to anyone thinking of this to do the lap-band instead! I know people who have had this successfully & wish that I had one. It can be removed. I am stuck with this altered stomach-an organ that cannot be replaced & I did this to myself. I have no problem with wt. loss surgery itself. My recovery was uneventful. But, if I could go back & have the choice over I certainly would! I am depressed in a way that I wasn't prior to the surgery. Does anyone have a similiar experience or know of solutions to make me more comfortable?

hon, these are questions for your primary care doctor and/or rheumatologist to answer. I have fibromayalgia and was told it was not an obstacle for the surgery but every case is different. I know that one of the medications that they prescribe, Lyrica, works against you as far as weight gain goes. I am hoping that my dosage can be greatly reduced after my surgery. Consult with your PCP or bariatric clinic. Have you been to a free seminar? There is usually a MD at these. You might find it very helpful....All the best to you, Melinda

Had my pre-op testing yesterday. As far as I know, all is still a GO for next Monday! One thing I haven't seen anyone talk about yet - eating disorders, bad relationships with food, bad habits. That is what I'm going to think and meditate and pray on today. I am seeing a therapist [for about 8 weeks] and most of my issues seem to be when I confuse emotions with hunger. Mostly, I tend to "hide" the emotions, but act them out in eating. So we've been talking about how I feel when I eat. How I feel when personal relationships or life cause stress. How I eat when I'm stressed - and more. I hope to go for prayer ministry later today - I am a firm believer in the ability of God to heal us and restore us - so I'm thinking about these issues. Any of you gone to counseling? Uncovered any "reasons" for weight gain? Had any healing or restoration in your relationship with food?

My friends and family all know I am going to Mexico for the surgery. That's just the kind of person I am, very open and honest. I don't hide anything. My dad is nervous about it being done in Mexico so he is going with me. He said he talked to his doctor about it yesterday, he is very overweight and having some health problems now. She talked to him about the pros and cons and he wants to wait and see how my surgery and progress goes before he decides to have it done. My dad was always super skinny when he was younger and this weight gain is really getting him down so I think he's hoping it works well for me. That just motivates me even more knowing he will be watching me.

Starvation mode doesn't really exist. Sure you can starve, but that takes generally 72 hours of no Water and food for your body to kick into such a situation. But what many people who attempt to lose weight eating extremely low calories experience is a metabolic downgrade, which means that your body adapts tot he low calories you are feeding it and when you exceed that number, you eventually gain weight, even though it seems silly to gain weight eating 1200 calories, but consider this. A woman eats 700 calories a day and loses weight perfectly. However, she hits a plateau and wonders why. Well, instinct tells her to drop her calories even more, which may result in SOME weight-loss but at such low calories you're hardly able to eat enough food to fuel yourself, so then you generally opt to eat more, but adding to your calories causes weight gain because your metabolism has downgraded. And the only way to really fix such a situation is to lose the insane calorie deficits and eat higher calories. I went through this personally, still am. When I was first starting out I was eating 600-800 calories a day for almost a good 5-6 months, but it worked, but it also ruined my metabolism. So yes I've packed on 10lbs, but my metabolism is re-regulating itself, so nowadays I CAN eat 1800 and lose. Just something to consider.

I don't like the way that low fat and low sugar things add in other stuff. Low fat things often have artificial thickeners in them, which I just won't eat. And the low sugar things have artifical cancer-causing sweeteners, which I also won't eat. So I pretty much have everything that I eat full fat full sugar. I just stick to healthy options so that the few FF/FS things I have don't amount to any weight gain.

Weight gain should be few and far between with mirena. The medication does not really leave the uterus. Unlike other birth controls, mirena is a localized birth control that does not enter the blood stream.

What about side effects? I am worried about weight gain and acne. I have been told it is really good, but since I have lost my 72 lbs my husband has been all over me. So I am glad I have a good form of birth control. Just a little worried about side effects.