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Hello, I too am bipolar. I have been on many different medications over the years. Some that I have been on have contributed to my weight weight gain which doesn't help my mental health situation. It took a long time to find a medication that didn't make me feel like the walking dead or make me have anxiety. I finally learned that I needed to communicate what was going on with me with my psychiatrist or even my counselor to get the ball rolling in the right direction. I feel for you because having that much anxiety is miserable. You might want to reach out to your psychiatrist and explain what is going on with you and maybe they can alter your dose or try something new. I think it would be overwhelming to be feeling what you are and going into such a life changing event. Please take care.

Sorry, but I gotta ask? Are all these extreme weight gains due to food you're eating or is it your body retaining fluids? tmf

There are two phases to weight loss surgery - the Weight Loss Phase and the Maintenance phase. Because you had surgery around 3 1/2 years ago you are most likely in the Maintenance phase. This is the approach I used in the Maintenance phase. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery2.pdf It is common to have some limited weight gain after gastric bypass surgery. They call it a 20 pound bounce. The important thing is not let go beyond it. According to my nutritionist, meals should consist of equal parts of protein, fats and carbs after the first couple years post-op. Snacks should be limited to primarily whole food options: nuts, natural nut butters, fruits, veggies, boiled eggs, string cheese, yogurt with berries and almonds, tuna pouches. Avoid processed packaged foods as much as possible. Also do not expect to lose weight at a rate similar to right after surgery. Generally if you gained the additional weight over a couple years, then it may take a couple years of watching what you eat to get back down.

I have recently been told by my doctor after an upper gi that I have an asymmetrical pouch and a small slip. He showed me an example, which when I googled it later, it looks just like pouch dilation. Wouldn't this qualify for a revision? I should have asked more questions but it didn't sink in until I started reading posts on here. I didn't think I had much to worry about because the doctor seemed like it wasn't a big deal. He said we would "keep an eye on it" and if we get to the point it gets worse then he would recommend the sleeve. I have been living uncomfortably the past few years with horrible heartburn, port pain, waking up choking on acid, vomiting, some days I can eat a lot some days I get stuck and vomit.. And now weight gain. I feel so fat and like a failure. I have gained so much weight in the last few months. My dad told me that I have "really packed on the pounds!" And I need to get my "belly tightened". I feel like at any moment I am going to split my pants. I just bought a bunch of new clothes too last year for winter and they are so small compared to how big I am now that I literally sat in my closet and cried. I had an adjustment at my last appointment, even though he said I have what is considered a small slip and that my pouch is enlarged, but I don't feel any restriction. My band was previously too tight and I suffered thru it for two years thinking it was normal and my husband lost his job so we lost our insurance. Now we have Medicaid and although they cover visits to the doctor, I don't know if they cover the revision surgery. I am also scared to death of surgery because I went to the complication forum and read a few horror stories. ????????☹ that really scared the heck out of me!! ️My doctor also said my bmi may not be high enough but I'm 5'4 and weigh 203 pounds...and I think I'm still gaining. This time last year I was 165. What should I do?!?! I called another bariatric doctor but my family doctor won't write me another referral. Help!!?

You look fab! You definitely have the pregnancy glow! I think it's great that you're not worrying about the weight gain and extra food intake. Gotta do what's best for "sprout"! Good luck to you as you continue through your pregnancy!

You know, I just started about a week ago but seldom because its been linked to weight gain. I was doing th sf monsters but it would take me all day to drink and I would dehydrate. Though crystal lite raspberry lemonade. Sooo good!! I like to mix it in a bottle and stick it in the freezer until it starts to freeze. Good and refreshing.

Some broths are high in sodium, which may exacerbate your premenstrual weight gain. This is temporary, follow the advice of@@BLERDgirl and you will start to lose again.

Has there been any significant or small changes in your life? Sometimes we get determined to lose weight at first because of a new relationship or we are starting over again. Once everything seems comfortable we lapse and temporarily lose site of everything. I am not saying this is you, but for whatever reasons we have failed on other programs in the past, could happen here as well. Perhaps it has nothing to do with food, but more of how you are feeling about something personal in your life. I fear this happening to me one day, because I have always been an emotional eater. I have always done well with diets and lost significant amounts of weight only to put it back on because I wasn't dealing with the real issues at hand. If it is just about food, then just don't buy the things that are causing your weight gain. Distract yourself from eating by getting out of the house and being active. Spend time with friends and family. Go to support meetings and share your experiences. You aren't a failure by any means. Make a new commitment to yourself and get started. Sometimes you just have to be creative and make a new strategy when the old one fails. You are a winner in my book. Best wishes, Stephanie

And watch your sodium intake, more sodium leads to water retention which leads to weight gain .

From what I've seen about it, your stomach is not so much stretching as relaxing over time. You will be able to take in more food eventually. I don't believe that it will be the same amount as in the past, but you'll be able to get more in there. Weight gain seems to usually come from unhealthy choices & habits coming back. As I see the surgery, it was an opportunity to hit a reset button. A chance to lose weight & build new healthier habits (and a lifetime commitment to keeping up those new habits).

Hi, @@ava32! I really am sorry to hear you have to deal with fat-shamers at work. That's got to be all kinds of stressful. Tuning it out is definitely the way to go! (Though, I don't know that I'd have that much restraint and grace, honestly.) I told a very small handful of people I'm close to, but they were carefully selected. Not even my brother knows. Right now I'm a full-time student, so I don't have to deal with co-workers but I won't be telling any of my professors or classmates. My health is nobody's business unless I want to make it so. Please don't feel pressured to tell people if you don't want to. People are nosey and will probably ask what kind of surgery you're having when you ask for time off, but you're not obligated to inform them. All you have to say is that you're having surgery to explain why you need the recovery time off and if they ask what it's for, you can tell them you prefer to keep your health and medical details to yourself. There is no shame in being quiet about it. They don't have to like it, they just have to respect it. As far as dealing with the stigma of not losing it on my own, maybe I'm an outlier here, but I don't really care? I've been fat since I was probably 9 years old after a trauma triggered my weight gain. I picked up habits from family and voila, here we are. I was 11 when I went on my first diet, not self-imposed. I've tried at least once a year, had some successful times, and used a number of methods, but nothing worked. I always gained it back. There have been COUNTLESS things I've missed out on because of my weight. Because of my weight, I don't really live anymore. I have been simply existing for the last 20 years. It's felt like being trapped behind a plate of glass while watching everyone else live their lives. I'm adventurous and actually enjoy working out, hiking, running, outdoorsy stuff, but for the most part, I can't because of my back and knee pain. What I want most in the world is to one day have a family. Someone I love, kids, dogs, etc. I want to really be there in the moment instead of in my head worrying about the pain, how hot I am, how I look, my shorts riding up or cutting into my tummy, etc. I don't want to pass my eating habits or lack of activity and enthusiasm to my future hypothetical children. That is something I would feel guilty about. I do not at all feel guilty for taking advantage of better living through science and medicine. Having the surgery doesn't mean there's no work involved. Figuring out your diet, managing that during your busy life, making a commitment to working out...those are things you will be doing after the surgery. The very same things someone would be doing who did not have WLS. You'll be doing just as much work as they will. The only difference is that for people who have WLS, doing those things on their own have already proven to not work. The surgery gives you a tool to help it work. It gives you a boost, but it definitely isn't work-free. Please stay true to what is right for you and don't let the obtuse, judgemental opinions of anyone else drive you away from staying true to you. You are doing this for you, not for anyone else. Your opinion is the only one that matters here. Sent From BariatricPal App

I am having the sleeve done because im tired of dealing with weight I have 3 small children n am tired of being tired I no my weight gain keeps me from being a more active mom n I am so tired of being told how pretty I am but should lose weight

Maybe someone on here can help me because everytime I call Humana for an answer I get a different one. So the requirements are changing for surgery effective May 1,2017, to me this means that I would need to complete each of these requirements within 6 months before my surgery. What do u all think? Clinical record* of participation in and compliance with a multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen (within 6 months prior to surgery) which includes the following: o Absence of weight gain during the course of the program; AND Behavior modification regarding dietary intake and physical activity (unless medically contraindicated); AND o Nutrition education/counseling with a dietician or nutritionist that addresses pre- and postoperative dietary intake expectations; AND • Preoperative psychological evaluation and clearance (within 12 months prior to procedure) to rule out psychiatric disorders (eg, chemical dependency, major depression or schizophrenia), inability to provide informed consent or inability to comply with pre- and postoperative regimens *Clinical record documentation must include a summary of historical (failed attempts) as well as details of present exercise program participation (eg, physical activity, workout plan), nutrition program (eg, calorie intake, meal plan, diet followed), BMI and/or weight. So, if I started this journey in January 2017 but dont want to have my surgery until maybe July-August would I submit everything now before May 1 before these changes take effect? I kno I should be asking my insurance company but nobody seems to know and I havent got the same answer twice after calling for clarification atleast 5 times. So now I want to know what you all think, do I sound like Im right or no?

I Feel your pain! I am in the same situation as you! On my first appt. I was 227 lbs with BMI @ 40.3. The nurse cautioned me that if I were to lose 2 lbs I would not qualify. That was on January 26th. I completed almost all my tests except for psych. Two weeks ago at my follow up I weighed in @ 229 lbs and the nurse cautioned me again that the Dr. didn't like it when we gain weight during this process because he wants to make sure we take it seriously however I reminded her that if I lose 2 lbs I don't qualify. She just suggested with a smile that I keep the same weight. Now, two days ago my dietician appointment I am 234 lbs..OMG I gained 5 lbs in two weeks. The point is I am so nervous to lose the weight, gain the weight, and maintain the weight that its freakin driving me insane! The only benefit is that prior to my first appointment I had seven months of an approved weight loss documentated plan @ a weight loss center, fortunately I just have to wait for my psych appointment which is next week and then they will submit to insurance. Thank you for your post it makes me feel that there is someone else in the same boat as me. I wish you good luck on your journey and I am sure with your kids ball season on the horizon you will be too busy running around the time will fly!

AT 5+ years, I am still a work in progress. I still maintain at 55% EWL. I gained over 35 pounds in the last year+. Easy as pie. Literally. I can eat anything, and in large amounts if spread over time. I still do not drink with meals unless I have breakfast out which is not often. I reach for food when emotional or stressful situations come up. I know it... I watch it, I work on it. I mostly write down what I eat, and watch Protein, but those weeks that I don't, I gain. It is not easy to get off. Yes the sleeve still works. I eat less at any sitting... protein first really makes me feel full faster. I continue exercise, and recommitted again.... just finished the 5 day "pouch" test with a 5 pound loss and a lowering of the Carb addiction. One step at a time. The head has to be in the game, just like before weight loss surgery. The sleeve helps... it is a tool, just like they say, and has helped me to maintain at least 50 pound loss for 5 years. I had a weight gain at 2+ years and worked to get to goal after that... so I know I can do it. I think for me, this is something I need to watch and plan every day.... when I don't I gain. I am very happy I got the sleeve though.... VERY HAPPY. Kindle, so true! I didn't see that. @@feedyoureye - Is putting on the weight post-op much easier than it was pre-op? During the week I'm pretty structured but on the weekends I tend to be a little more relax. I normally eat whatever I want, but I still have been losing weight. I think it's because I walk an hour each day. I'm still in the pre-op stage but I was recently approved for the Bypass. I'm thinking of having the approval changed to the VSG because the RNY scares me. I can gain weight like I did before surgery at the same rate as I did after losing weight after dieting. It is easier to eat less now though... when I set my mind to it.

JerseyCityGal - First off congrats! that's so exciting. Seems we are about the same stats and I love your progress! Couple questions if you don't mind... 1. Did UHC Oxford mention anything about your progress as far as weight loss? I've gained some weight because I had the flu and basically sat around for days on end.... 2. My Bariatric facility seems to think right after my 6th visit with the NUT we can submit my paperwork my only concern with that is that's only 5 months total on the "motivated attempt" I'm wondering if that's true... I'm so worried about the weight gain it's driving me crazy!! Any encouragement will help. Thanks.

@@Bluesea71 Thank you for understanding. You are very nice. My husband was the same way. Husband are protectors. They just want us to be safe. I was one of those special cases. I inherited my mom's thin Irish skin, plus I stretched it several times from the weight gain and pregnancies. My skin is so super paper thin. There were several things he could not do to me and had to use alternative methods. For example, he could not pull my skin super tight, otherwise my skin would have ripped apart. I went back a year later and was pulled tighter durning my thigh lift surgery just as he promised. For me he explained in great detail this was the best way specifically for me. I can not recall all the exact reasons. My body is not straight, so he had to do things a bit differently on me so that I could get the best results possible. Like I said, I was one of those special cases. (I got a little light headed durning my markup, so I do not remember everything.) I am glad I had someone who cared enough about all those little things, which added up perfectly in my favor. I healed healthy and happy, without complications. I grew up sewing with my mom. (Smile) I hemmed a lot of clothes by hand. If you are familiar with the 'blind stitch,' then you will have some general idea how he does it. Hard to explain, but all layers of sutures are internal.

Hi everyone - I've been a member for some weeks now but have just gotten comfortable posting here and there. About me: I am a military wife and thanks to my amazing, selfless and just all-around wonderful hubby and his military service, I have Tricare (United Healthcare Military West) insurance and I'm about to get my surgery date. My weight gain began when I left my father's house and entered into the real world sans maids, which meant no regular healthy meals prepared on schedule every day which is how I grew up. I was 125lbs at 21 but by the time I got married in 2009 at 23, I was 201. End of that year I was 231. Between 2010 and 2012 I began Zumba and became a certified personal trainer and got down to 181 and was quite happy there until I dislocated my knee cap one day at the gym. This led to some serious weight gain and I was at 240lbs. So I decided to do Optifast through Kaiser (medically supervised) which I did and got back to 207 by June 2013. Well, around this time my knee started bugging me again so I had surgery to repair the damage from the initial dislocation. I gained 20lbs right after surgery in October 2013. My husband had just returned from his 2nd deployment and I had promised him that when he got back we could finally have a baby. I didn't know before he left that I would have surgery but a promise is a promise right? Jan 2014 I was pregnant and we welcomed our lovely daughter in September 2014. I left the hospital at 310 lbs. fast forward to now, I have gotten myself down to 282. I've been going up and down from 252 and 282 this whole year. I decided in mid November that I would finally have the surgery. Met with Bariatrician on 12/1 - said I'm a good candidate and that after talking to Tricare reps, was informed that my 6 months on the Kaiser program from 2013 meets the insurance requirement of having a documented attempt at weight loss before approval, so I was told I needed to have one dietician visit to complete requirements. Had EKG same day. She also put in an order for pre-op labs, GI, etc. 12/2 - Met with surgeon (amazing dr!!!) and he agreed that I was a great candidate and he was especially interested to see my results as far as my knee issue. 12/3 - had psych eval and was told no red flags and that I would be recommended for surgery. 12/4 - had labs, chest X-ray and scheduled GI X-ray for 12/11. Dietician appt. is 12/8 - will receive pre and post diet instructions, information on general eating, as well as final green light to be scheduled by surgeon. Was told surgery will most likely be mid January so fingers crossed for that! It's moving faster than I expected and I'm really excited. There's a lot of good information on the forum and I can't wait to learn more and share more. Especially looking forward to joining a monthly group once I find out my surgery date. God bless you all on your journeys!

Well, let me tell you, as someone who uses the brand name Canadian version of your medication, Cipralex, that's exactly why. If you can get the generic of escitalopram, generally cheaper (especially if your insurance doesn't cover all of it), it tends to have the same potency. The apnea induces anxiety and panic attacks associated with obstructed breathing. These mimic a few symptoms of a heart attack, but rest assured, if your EKG is showing normal (make sure you get the long version of one if they didn't do that) your heart is fine.. for now. In the short term, apnea won't cause any problems with the heart, but over time the oxygen deprivation (even seconds of it is a shock to the body, hence the reaction) will cause significant heart damage, especially of the left side. So, your apnea goals.. the average person has 5 or less apneas per hour. In order to be on a CPAP I would hope you had a sleep study done. In my case, I had 55 apneas per hour. That's bad. My Fitbit watch also revealed this in "interrupted sleep" patterns. I will point out I'm not a doctor and cannot substitute for doctors advice, but as someone who suffers the same as you, I will give my advice as follows: Short term: - Use your CPAP - If you're a back sleeper, as I was before my weight gain, try sleeping on your side.. I personally find the right side easier on both apneas and anxiety attacks. - Elevation Long term: - Get your weight down, obesity causes this, you're doing great.. keep going - If normalizing your weight doesn't help obstruction, surgery on your airway to remove the obstruction should resolve - Given it's clinical significance toward preventing heart attacks in the long term, make sure your family doctors, physicians, and specialists related to this are aggressive in treating it as the underlying causes are treated A good idea to stay on the escitalopram until your apnea resolves. Its nothing to be terribly worried about as it's being treated.. just keep up the weight loss.

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

Hi there, Just wanted to see if anyone can help. I started this whole process in September. I started my monthly dietary evaluations in October and finished them in March. I went through some very hard times and became very depressed during this time, and gained about 30 pounds. Before the weight gain, my BMI was 37+ and I had co-morbids of sleep apnea, hypertension, and acid reflux. After the weight gain, my bmi is now 41. My insurance required a bmi of 35 plus 1 or more co-morbidities, or a bmi of 40+. I meet both requirements now, and all the paperwork has been submitted. I have been through the whole process of being denied once because they said they didn't receive all my paperwork for nutritional eval. They said medically I qualified. My doctor's office appealed and re-submitted the paperwork, and now I'm waiting to find out if they will approve it. I'm worried that they will see the weight gain and deny me again. Does anyone know about this? Thank you, Erin

I have an issue that I haven't seen addressed here, and I would love to know if others have experienced this. I didn't become overweight until about 15 years ago (when I was 24 or so). Now I'm at 250, and I'm 5'5". The issue is that I don't really eat that much compared to other people!! My husband probably eats 3 times as much as me, but he does work for UPS and is very active. I drink LOADS of Diet Coke, but I eat pretty healthy other than that. I've had all kinds of tests, but no one has found an explanation for my weight gain. I'm so afraid that the band won't help me that much!! I'm scheduled for one week from today!!

@Jeep-girl im day 8 post-op. I gained my first few days home. I didn’t lose my first couple of pounds until Day 6. You’re on track. I was freaking out too. I was googling sleeve failed? Or Pouch too big? If you search weight gain after surgery in the forums you will see many of us gained initially after surgery. I focused on other things—walking, measuring inches, journaling and coming out of the fog of the pain meds. And a good friend gave me this advice: remain calm and be confident that it worked. Put that positive energy out there, honey. You got this and it worked and you are fabulous and becoming more fabulous every day. 🙂

I had surgery yesterday, stayed overnight and have done quite well. I am able to manage fluids, walk off the gas and besides a full feeling in my chest and incisional pain I feel quite well actually. I know I am swollen but to gain 9.5 pounds overnight? I did have 4.5 bags of IV fluid and having some difficulty peeing, but wow 9.5 pounds. Anyone else experience this?

Has anyone ever kind of turned agoraphobic because of their weight gain? I just moved back to my home town and live petrified of running into people who knew me 100 pounds ago. I am so ashamed and nervous. Throughout the years several of my good friends have attempted to reconnect but I would always "lose their number" or ignore their emails. No real point to this post, just kind of venting and curious if others have this severe reaction to going in public.