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HI Y'all, I wanted to do some research with REAL people instead of reading about it in some report. I'm wondering how much weight (IF ANY) you have gained since being sleeved. I go up between 1-3 lbs. so my answer would be 1-5 lbs. I'm curious to see how this goes. Thanks!

Hey Donnie - Thank you for sharing. I started noticing weight gain. So I found another bariatric doctor (because mine conveniently left state) and he did an endoscopy and found it. The thing is it had been eroded for awhile so what I dont understand is why didnt my surgeon find it. I hated my band. It hasnt done half of what I was told it would. And I was a self pay for it so I feel like its money down the drain. However, I spoke with my insurance company this morning and they say with a medically necessary letter the surgery could be approved. My doctor is already working on it so hopefully I will know something soon.

These are the reasons I am fat: 1-I am Italian...anyone else that is Italian knows the emphasis we place on food, and that all family gatherings are centered around the dinner table. I grew up loving food and not understanding the importace of nutrition and exercise. 2-when i finally did learn the importance of fitness at age 13...always the fat girl, of course, i joined the swim team. I toned up quite a bit. Swimming 11 times a week will do that! After i graduated high school, i was so burned out from swimming that i just stopped, but continued to eat like i was swimming 11 times a week...this is where my first big weight gain happened. 3-I hovered around upper onederland for quite a few years. My biggest weight gain started about 3 months after I got married. I had a pretty severe back injury that prevented me from doing most activities. The combination of the injury, adjusting to married life, plus going back to school full time and working full time led to a lot of really, really bad choices. The day of my surgery, I weighed a whopping 286 pounds (yuck). I am struggling with a major plateau right now, but I am NEVER letting myself get to that point again.

My band was installed in Oct 2007 and removed in February 2011. My sleeve was placed August 10, 2011. My surgeon said he could've performed a direct revision but I had chickened out at the very last second. I waited 6 months but I believe it was for a good reason. The scar tissue is softer if you wait between, easier to manuever/peel around and the 6 months allowed me to see exactly what I was up against, as far as weight gain, if I decided NOT to have sleeve surgery.

Research is starting to show that after you have reached the obese range of weight, your physiology changes, and it is not like a regular sized person who wants to lose a couple of pounds anymore. It is probably true that you could eat like you have the sleeve for a year and take off lots of weight... but that would be crazy! I ate 350 cals a day for the longest time, then slowly popped up to 800, 900 and now 1100 at 8 months. I will probable stay pretty close to this for the next year I am guessing. Without the sleeve and Drs supervision, that is pretty much an eating disorder! With a regular sized stomach, could you really eat this way for the rest of your life? That is why my diets failed in the past... I just couldn't keep it up. I couldn't fight the hunger, the small portions, or really HUGE portions of no calorie foods....no feeling of satisfaction...skipping meals, trying to stay away from the foods I loved. Well with the sleeve, I am satisfied with much less, I do watch protein intake and when I drink my liquids... but I can eat a little abnormally for long enough to get the weight off, and then eat pretty normally to keep it off without getting killed by those couple of weeks of birthday parties, holidays or vacations that make it sooo easy to bust the diet and spin out of control again. I just can't eat enough at this point to spin very far out of control, and the next day I just don't even want to eat crap. I say this at 8 months, and I see statistics show some folks have some weight gain between 1-3 years... I may not have met that challenge yet, but I am working on it right now changing habits before I get there.

I read a story of a vet sleeve patient that I could relate to all too well. I leaned on her for support as a mentor. She posted her reflections and it clicked for me. She told me that her choice to have surgery was like ending a toxic marriage. Kind of like divorcing that abusive, inconsiderate, doucehbag of a husband who was a person she loved to hate. The relationship was toxic, but they had good years similar to the good years we have with dieting/exercising/doing it the "old fashioned" way, and then those toxic behaviors, issues in the marriage would pop up again, and the marriage would go to pot, AGAIN. That made perfect sense to me, I could lose weight, I could diet and exercise, I knew the cause of my weight gain after each diet attempt and why I couldn't keep the weight off. I had a toxic relationship with food, quantity and my love of food with no consequence other than being fat were my issues. I wasn't an emotional or compulsive eater, volume was my issue. I just knew that I couldn't do it without surgical intervention. Just like some people can not leave a marriage/relationship without intervention from family, or a major trigger to make them see that they need to get out. I hope all of that makes sense. I never had any issues post-op with the acceptance of having to have surgery to be successful. I'm not one of those that believe this is the easy way out, it's easier because I had surgery, but so is driving to the store instead of walking.

I just had my WLS Tuesday. Today was Friday. I stopped by my in-laws house to drop some things off and talked a little bit with my mother-in-law. While there, she asked me how much I had lost. I told her I had gained weight (5 pounds) because of the IV Fluid, but I lost it all in a day and that I was the weight I was at when I went into surgery. This is 3 days after surgery. Later, my husband talked to his parents. His mom commented on how I didn't look like I lost any weight yet. My husband laughed about it. He couldn't believe his mom's unrealistic expectations. He told her it wasn't an overnight fix. (Yay hubby!) I know my mil is dealing with her own issues. I've heard through my father-in-law that she is now considering weight loss surgery of her own. She has an investment in how I do, and I think she is kind of hoping I don't do well, so she has a reason not to have WLS. I'm not concerned about her since I know what I have to do, but it is amazing the little digs people will get in even when they know better. I think what ticks me off most is that I had explained to her that very day that I had some weight gain because of IV fluids, but she was still being unrealistic and critical. I just think most of that was posturing for her husband who I think has been encouraging her a little too much for her liking to look into WLS.

I had to get more taken out of my band than was put in on my last fill because it was too tight. For the last two weeks I have been able to eat like I did before my second fill. I could have sworn I was going to gain, but instead I actually lost 6lbs. I did start the month off with a lot of exercise daily, but as the tempature got into the triple digits I didn't even bother. I just wanted to post this too let some of your who has had a month were fluid was removed not to freak out, instead exercise and try not to get obsessed about lossing. The more we stress the less we loss. Stress can also cause weight gain.

I love seeing the stats on the ghrelin levels. I have also seen studies that show that increase of reflux follows the curve of the weight gain almost exactly! Any Reflux I have had seems tied to what I eat for sure... crappier food, fried food, sugar = more reflux......= weight gain...?

I also followed the low carb, high protein diet pre surgery and lost 53 lbs while I waited for paperwork to go through. I had surgery less than 1 1/2 weeks ago and will continue with that until I am close to goal. I expect it'll be 6 months(ish) I see others eating whatever they want and then complain of slow weight gain. Like everything it's what you put into it to a point. Others just lose faster or slower no matter what they do. But I will say that it seems those that put the effort in and follow the guidelines seems to lose most of the weight within a year.....a little more for those that have 200+ lbs to lose, and most seem to lose the bulk of it within 6 months. I'm down 63lbs in 5 months and I've only been sleeved for 1 week. Most of that was on my own dieting. The sleeve just makes it faster. Good luck, hun!

A question for the ladies who have had the sleeve. Do you experience weight gain with your TOM? If so, when does it usually happen - the week of, the week before or 2 weeks before? I'm just trying to figure out why I gained 4 pounds a week ago and have stayed at that level. At the support group meeting last night, the PA suggested it could be because of TOM. I'm inclined to think that is what caused it because I haven't really changed any of my other eating habits. However, having my surgery a month ago and it screwing with my TOM, I really don't know when I should be having it again so am a bit confused with this weight gain. I should have started my TOM last month on the day of my surgery, but it started a week later. So now I am thinking that I will start sometime next week (at least that is what I am hoping considering my normal migraines that come just before TOM started yesterday).

I think it might have something to do with whether or not you do the emotional work.If you don't work on the things that gave you issues with food you can fall back into the same problems. Slider foods are easy to eat and they taste good. I think weighing regularly and taking action if you gain a couple of pounds will keep that from being a problem for you. It is slipping into denial and the old ways of eating and eating around the sleeve that causes weight gain. The sleeve is a tool m that is all. It would be nice if it guaranteed weight loss and maintenance but that just is not true. We are the captains of our sleeve ships and I for one am committed to not joining that weight gain statistic. I think if you set a firm policy to weigh, and to take action if the scale creeps up then you will be fine. It will take you a while to determine what your maintaining intake looks like but trust yourself!

OK lately I've been hearing that A LOT of wls people have gained or are gaining a lot of weight back after wls. I actually just met a lady in my panni class a few weeks ago that gained 50 lbs. back in a 2 year period...hearing this is TOTALLY freaking me out. I go up and down between 1-3 lbs. and that's the MOST I've gone up. Are there any sleevers out there that have gained 10, 15, 20, and up??? If so, how long did it take for you to gain???? Also, by any chance do you drink with your meals??? I use to be really strict about waiting the 30 minutes to drink after meals, but I'm finding that it's easier to drink sooner than the 30 minutes, and I'm wondering if that will contribute to weight gain. Right now I'm really trying to maintain (difficult stage to be in) and not counting or watching every bite I eat, because I really don't want to lose any more (for the MOST part I do make healthy choices), but on the other hand I'm freaking out about gaining my weight back after hearing about all these other folks. Any feedback would be appreciated!

I also have a leaking port or band. Dr. had to fix my band last January 2011 and since then I haven't held a good fill and have not lost weight. I had only lost 40 lbs total in the first 6 months then gained 10 of it back and have stayed there until now. Its been over 2 years now. I am fighting to keep the weight gain from happening and its now getting to hard. I have started gaining and hunger is out of control again. I have had several fills since January and I lose fluid each time. Yesterday I went to the Dr and he was in the room when they pulled out the fluid under fluoro and he said yes I have less fluid. I told him everytime I have come in it hasn't held. He was mad because I didn't come to HIM and let him know I was having problems. I thought his nurses would tell him. Anyway, I have to wait 2 more weeks and he will check it again himself. He said I may need a port change but I want him to put contrast in the tubing to see where it is leaking because I don't want to have a port change and find out it is the band not the port. My band was causing me horrible pain when they would unfill. It was so bad that he agreed something was wrong and went in and fixed it.I didn't get a new band. He adjusted the band and I wonder if he nicked it or something and thats where the problem is. He is working hard with me on my issues and gave me hope again yesterday that my HUGE cash payment for the band was worth it. I hope to lose 40 more pounds in the next year. Not asking to much but sure want the band to work properly so I can use my Tool as they constantly say. Hope is in the wind. He hasn't talked about money to do this so I don't know how much it will be. My insurance now coveres Lapband and they will cover me also after appeals on my part were done when I found out they covered the surgery when I had it done. They told me it wasn't a covered expense and the book said that and so did the on line benefits. So I paid out of pocket for it. We must keep the faith. I read so much about it not working and all the problems. I am counting on my DR to get me back on track and he seems to be willing so we will see.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life, because today is the day I decided that this weight thing is serious enough for me to start considering the other options. I'm terrified. But, I guess I should probably start out with Hello. My name is Jen, I just turned 30, and I live in sunny Florida with my husband and 4 year old. All of my life, I have been heavy. I remember weighing one sixteen in the 6th grade, which was heavy then because I was just a wisp of a girl. My heaviest was 350, during my first marriage. I dumped the ex, got divorced, and lost 60 lbs by diet and exercise. I had my time of partying, feeling good, met my current husband. That led two two pregnancies, of only one which made it, and the plateau of weight gain that followed. I'll be honest and admit that I was a freak of nature, I only gained a total of 7lbs during my full term pregnancy, it was the afterwards that it really piled on. Now, I have terrible pain in my feet if I walk around, and I know that it has to do with my weight. Currently, I know I am about 300lbs or more. I get too depressed to look at the scales, so I try to avoid them, but I know that my pant size has gone up. Also, seeing pictures of myself disgusts me so much I have asked my relatives not to take any. And if they do, they are not to post them on social networking sites. It truley is sad when you can see a picture of yourself at 260lbs, and think "I want to be -that- girl again!" Which leads me to yesterday. Yesterday, I was sitting next to my husband thinking that I do not wish to be unattractive anymore. I slept with that in the back of my head, and woke up this morning thinking "I am ready to start looking at the options." So I've been researching all morning, (With a bag of potato chips.... What cruel irony.) and I find my stomach flipping in knots. A gastric sleeve! How frightening! RNY? I can't even look at the photographs. Lap band? Seems like the least invasive. But what about band slippage, erosion, all the side affects. I am scared. But I know it is what has to be done, and I am in the process of finding out the insurance options for me. (Currently on Florida Medicaid, but I'd be happy to hear any of the options you ladies/gentlemen have, or if anyone else has Florida Medicaid.) So really, I guess I am asking.... Where do I start? What are the chances and rates of side effects, and how long have some of you had your bands?

I haven't been around in a while, just now able to really sit at the computer for long. Congrats to all of those on the losers bench and to those joining us soon. I'm still having pain and needing Tylenol every 4 hours, but I am getting around well. I was up and walking a lot right after surgery. They called me their star patient, but I seemed to have a lot of pain and bruising. sleeping is a challenge, but I have no hunger and have not regretted this once. I actually gained 12lbs overnight from all of the fluids. It took quite a while to lose that, but the pounds started melting off within the last 3 days. I am 8 days post op and down 7lbs even with the 12lb weight gain, so 19lbs in 8 days. <laugh> I was able to start mushies yesterday. Everything is going well so far, but I eat very little. I don't want to over do it especially since it's only 1 week since surgery. I can see my muscles wasting away already and cannot wait to be able to exercise and lift again. GL all.

hi..I just had my first fill was so excited my weight dropped the first 2 days and now on the 3rd day its up!!! its really sad that our bodies dont respond...every one looses in the liquid diet phase...why not me.. anyone has a similar story....

Nope, never heard of that one. I'd be interested to hear where he's getting that information, and what part of VSG, losing weight, gaining health, increasing your heart health is the contributing factor to an increase of lung collapse.

I TOTALLy get it!!! My second day home from the hospital, by baby sitter was downstairs making home made lasagna with my kids and I thought I was ok. I was starving and the smells were so good. Out of no where.....seriously I don't even know where it came from...I went into my bathroom and started bawling. I rarely cry like that. I had to call my mom to help get me grounded as I had to go downstairs and Celebrate my son's 5th birthday. I think I was a little overwhelmed by the whole thing. Thinking that I will never be able to eat the way I used to. Yeah...I know that's what I signed up for with the surgery. But still....I think I needed to break down and mourn the loss. I agree that I don't think it that unusual. Also, in terms of the weight gain.....be kind to yourself. I only allow myself to weigh once a week. It's too easy to get really neurotic over numbers. One thing I have learned over a million years of weight loss is that our bodies constantly fluctuate....whether it is Water weight, period weigh, the body trying to reach homeostasis etc.....it all even's out in the end. Unless we are eating candy and drinking milk shakes...I don;t see how it is possible NOT to loose weight with tiny stomachs. Just watch the sugar intake and focus on the Protein. Hugs to you!!!!

Hello Everyone, I just found out that I may have a low functioning thyroid (which I'm sure you all know causes weight gain, depression, fatigue and other issues) and now I'm wondering if I should be going through with this surgery or trying to treat the thyroid issue first. Of course the surgery is scheduled for Monday, this is the first time I have considered cancelling and now I don't know what to do. I am going to see my nurse practitioner tomorrow. But I'm kinda freaking out! My question is does anyone else have hypothyroidism that is being treated but still having or have had surgery??? Thanks

I may be late to this post but I agree with not going with depo. Especially if already on it long term. A few years ago I stopped taking BC altogether to see if that was the cause of my weight gain. Plus I think the depot was making me go crazy! When I got back on bc I went with The Nuva ring. It stays in for 3 weeks and on the 4th I take it out and have my period. I love it and so far no significant weight gain that I can tell. Only thing is it's hella expensive and your insurance may not cover it. I know mine doesn't and theres no generic

Well, I am divorced so have no dh to tell, but my dear mom knows and she is actually the one who suggested I think about it as she knows how unhappy I am with my roller coaster of weight loss/gains over and over. I get so depressed about it. My sisters and brother know I'm looking into it. My brother's mother in law had it and he is very supportive in me getting it. ..and surely my dad will know eventually. I just know that at first he will be one that's not too supportive of it.... He just doesn't understand how I can't just make up my mind and lose it and keep it off. He just doesn't get that. ..and more than that....I fear he will blab it to others. That's what I don't like about him knowing, but he will have to know before hand. Other than them, just a few of my friends know that I'm planning on it, if all works out with my insurance and they are supportive, except my very best friend has some issues with it, because she has heard negative things, but she KNOWS my weight issues as we've been friends for many years. I think in the end, if I choose to tell her before hand, she will be supportive. There is one gal at my work that had it a few years ago, although she did not have the funds to continue getting fills so she hasn't done much to help herself lose anything more than the first 20 lbs or so. She knows that I'm looking into it because I have asked questions over and over, but she also knows that I'm not putting it out there for the whole office to hear. I am NOT ashamed of it, but like some others, I just don't want to hear the opinions of those who DO NOT understand the emotional eating/binge eating roller coaster of weight gain all their life. They DO NOT understand what it's like to be a thinner/healthier person inside of a fat and unhealthy body. I do not need them critiquing everything they see me eat.....as they sometimes do now . I don't do well with "food police". I would be under less stress with them not knowing. And I really do not plan on telling the manager/supervisor. I will just tell them I have a dr. appt. for each of the appts. It's none of their business why. And as for the sugery....I have vacation time to take still, so I'll plan it at least 30 days out if all possible. Also, after being banded.....you are not lying when you tell people that you are eating healthier, lesser amounts...etc. That is true. From what I understand, YOU are still the one making the food choices and how much....so even though you have a tool to help you, YOU are the one making the choices that lead to the weight loss, so I won't just automatically tell people I'm banded if my weight loss comes up. Most people I know, also know that I have been a follower of weight watchers for years. I have lost over and over to gain over and over. Now if they flat out ask if I'm banded, I cannot lie, so I will tell them...but also point out that it's all about the food choices I make, just as before. Educate them.

You simply CAN'T focus on day-by-day weight loss, as there are too many things that happen on a daily basis -- eating/drinking, elimination, Water weight gain/loss, hormonal changes, exercise-related changes, sleep-related changes -- for a daily weigh-in to be useful at all. Frankly, even a weekly weigh-in is almost too much, but it is the most frequent you should weigh yourself. Day-to-day changes in weight are nothing to really pay attention to.

I had the mirena IUD and HATED it - basically every sideaffect listed, I got. I had headaches, weight retention, and a weird out-of-body feeling like my body was not actually my body. Also, it can contribute to ovarian cysts so isn't a good option for those with PCOS. I only know one person who used the nuvaring and she got pregnant the second month she was on it, and the nuvaring made it an ectopic pregnancy. I take the pill now, I'm on one of the ones that helps with PCOS symptoms (acne and facial hair). It's taking a looooong time to see those benefits though! I've been on it for 3 months. I haven't had any weight gain from it though.

I used to have the Mirena IUD. I had it for the full 5 years. When it was time to have it removed, I was going to a different GYN and they said since I've never had children I should not have another one inserted. The risk of infertility was way too high. So they put me on the pill. I've been okay with the pill. I've not forgotten (i set my phone alarm) and actually no weight gain (even when I wasn't dieting). The generic name is Triphasil. The only thing I don't like is that I now have a period. With the IUD I didn't have one AT ALL! So of course I stared my period THE DAY BEFORE SURGERY! When it rains it pours!