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I weighed the day I got home. I had this daily graph I had to fill out. It required me to weigh daily. I didn't have any weight gain or swelling from surgery so I did a steady pound a day for the first two weeks and then I hit the popular stall that is very common around week 2/3 after surgery. I stayed that weight for almost three weeks and it started going down again. But I did lose inches during those three weeks. It doesn't bother me to weigh and see the fluctuation and stalls. There is a 2 - 3 lb body fluctuation that one can gain over night just from water and stuff. Our nutritionist gained 2lbs in 5 minutes just by drinking 5 glasses of water. It was his way of showing us not to let those little gains bother us. As long and you know your are following your plan correctly and as long as the clothes are getting loser and your feeling better that is what matters. I haven't felt this good in years. I'm ecstatic. And I still have 100lbs to go. LOL I can't even imagine.

Isn't it funny how things have changed since being banded?? Instead of worrying about weight gain, we can now worry how we going to deal with all the old clothes, when to start buying new clothes and in Alex case, if the port will start sticking out

Hi BRight, Hyperinsulinemia is a pre-diabetic disorder where your body becomes insulin resistant. Causes lots of problems, especially for women because it can also be confused with PCOS, which is polycystic ovarian syndrome. Similar symptoms for both. (Hormone imbalance, less menstrual or inconsistent menstrual cycles, hirutism, fertility issues and weight gain) THe only way to put diabetes or insulin resistance in remission is to lose weight, take meds and/or eat less carbs or all of the above.. If you dont have lots of sugar highs and lows, your body does not have to work so hard to process insulin, thus elimating carbs or limiting carbs in tandem with exercise, weight loss. will keep you from developing full blown diabetes. I still think you need a good fill though...... Babs in TX

If I see another shake I will hurt someone. Just discovered isopure drinks. LOVE them. 40 grams of protein per bottle. Just got a case a GNC. It's a very refreshing drink in the hot and humid weather we are having right now. Finally getting my 60 grams of protein in per day. Yea for me. This has been the emotional turning point for me. I'm exactly one week post op. But struggling with the food craving. Getting alot of quilting done. Can't eat, SEW or walk. Been walking alot also. Finally back done to my preop weight. Boy, that weight gain after surgery really is upsetting even though I knew it was temporary, Just depressing. I weight 25 pounds more post op from all the fluids and air forced into me. Today is looking brighter.

I started going to the gym on Monday after several years of sitting and I've done nothing but gain both days! Almost 3 lbs now! Am I missing something? Is this normal?

hi everybody i'am new to this but as of today i have finished all of my post -opp test my doc wanted me to do a sleep apnea test inwhich i done this thursday(03-15-07) yes i have it do to weight gain and i have a c-pac machine that i have to use every time i go to sleep to give me enough air to prevent me from stop breathing during sleep my insurence has already givin the doc the go for me to have the lapband so from my understanding my surgery date will be set next week.wk-ending (03-25-07) hopefully i can be have it done in april. I will be happy when i can lose wieght and get off of high blood pressure meds and this new breathing machine inwhich doc says is all do to weight gain i'am now 230lbs and would like to be 140-145 (75-80lb loss) looking very foward to the better health and new me i really enjoy this web site and the info that i've read if anybody out there would like to walk me through this please do. I want to here it all.thanks vicvic

After my father's death when I was 13, I lived with my mother and two brothers in South Florida. All along, I wanted to go back to Peru, but now my mother was hesitant because we were in a good school in Florida and coming into important years as teenagers. My mom hoped to return after we finished school. I remember distinctly how much I weighed at each age and stage of my teen years. 4th grade 9 years 115 pounds - went on diet 5th grade 10 years 105 pounds - lost weight 6th grade 11 years 133 pounds - gained 30 pounds in three months after moving to USA 7th grade 12 years 140 pounds 8th grade 13 years 144 pounds - dad dies 9th grade 14 years 150 pounds 10th grade 15 years 160 pounds 11th grade 16 years 170 pounds - went to a diet support group for almost 1 year and started aerobics 12 grade 17 years 155 pounds My brothers were very involved in sports and my older brother who eventually became super morbidly obese was then very lean. My younger brother was a bit overweight until about 8th grade when he began playing sports. My younger brother also always struggled with weight as an adult but never became morbidly obese. They both were encouraged to play sports. While I was athletic, I was relegated to taking care of the house and cooking for the family. This may not seem at all fair, but I think I probably preferred this to sports because I was self-conscious of my body and my weight and had no confidence in my athletic ability. It was later that I realized I was a really strong person and really a fast runner with great hand-eye coordination. Back then I had no clue, so I played piano and did family chores from age 11 on. Every day, I thought about my weight. There was one moment I remember when I thought that if I could see in the future and knew I would be an overweight adult, I would rather not live. I was very desperate over it because I stood out like a sore thumb in South Florida where I was very white with large hips. None of my school friends were like me. They all were tan and thin (I went to a private school and one of the "poor" kids). While I had a great time in many ways in those years, I was tormented by my weight issues. My peers never teased me, but my older brother, my uncles, aunts and a male teacher all told me to lose weight. One aunt offered me money for every pound lost. My mom herself was overweight so she struggled as well. She never weighed more that 180, but was also tormented by it. She and I started attending a wonderful weightloss support group and we started taking an aerobics class together. This is when things started clicking. I lost very slowly compared to the others, but over the next year (during my senior year of highschool), I lost about 15 pounds. I became very health conscious and started my habit of exercising regularly which is key to my success even today. Now looking back, I know that I likely had problems with thyroid function (hashimoto's hypothyroidism). I had a time where I was very sleepy, had trouble functioning and I gained weight and my skin was very dry, etc. The physician tested everything but thyroid function. Now looking back I wonder if my weight would have been less with less struggles if I had been properly diagnosed at that time. I also had PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) which was manifesting then too, but no one really understood that disorder and how it was related to insulin resistance and weight gain. As I reflect, I can see how God has helped me through. In my struggle I started praying, meditating, journaling and reading scripture daily. It was a phenomenal time of spiritual growth and has a lot to do with my personal faith and love in action today. Without the weight struggles I may not have reached out to know God. My weight struggles have also humbled me and helped me to look past the surface in other people. It has shaped me in so many ways, so I can't regret, but move forward and embrace the new me and be thankful for what I have learned along the way!

My appetite goes back and forth on me as well. Some meals I feel like I could eat a full 5-6oz amount of food before I feel full, and other days I'm full at 3oz. I know my appetite opens up after doing longer, more strenuous exercise. I also get that slightly bloated, distended feeling around the intestinal area for a few days after. I'm still eating the good stuff -- lean meats, green veggies, skip the fats, the refined carbs. There is no weight gain, in fact mixing it up from higher caloric days to lower seems to help break minor stalls. I wonder if when we eat "more" ounces the food is not digesting in the stomach enzymes enough before being pushed into the next stage? When food is not broken down enough, usually the intestines are unwilling or unable to grab all the nutrients and kind of wants to "get it out of here" faster. I told my husband I needed his help, since he's usually with me for every meal to make sure I get back to measuring. I got to a point I could eyeball 2oz of chicken, fish, steak on the nose. Same with veggies, yogurt, etc. But when eating out, other sleevers in my support group have told me to ALWAYS get an empty plate and measure your food before you take one bite. The worst things to do is to split with someone or order a full entree and not portion out what you will eat right then and there. My weakness is that my husband will order say, a bento box. I eat 4 pieces of sashimi, some edamame, then I'll have a little chicken teriyaki...oh and a bite of salad, maybe one piece of the roll he ordered as well (rice picked off)....did I mention I had a few sips of miso Soup before? Instead, I need to put what I SHOULD eat on a small plate and STICK TO IT without picking away at the box. The other thing I had to get back to doing was food journaling. I got off about a month ago because I started to rotate the same meals, Snacks, etc. so much I practically had the numbers memorized and I got comfortable. However, I think it's a good reminder to journal the meals and snacks before their even eaten. That way I know when to stop. Fact is, my stomach is pretty satisfied with 2-4oz of food, or about 200 calories. It's the head hunger that kicks in after that. Not always bad, just remembering what it's like to be at a summer cookout, having fun, letting my guard down, distracted with conversation. Does that make sense?

Just to give you a different perspective! I had lap RNY 2-1/2 years ago. I have recently gotten banded on top of it because I began to gain with the RNY. My stomach grew and my system got used to whatever they did. I find the weight gain and diets a common theme after 2 years post op!! With the band, you just get a fill.

Best of luck to you. On making a decision I am going with the mini gastric bypass. After some major research that's what I have decided to do I also have had weight gain. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Diarrhea is pretty common because all you are taking in is fluids, so out comes fluids. But if it becomes really bad, you risk getting dehydrated again. I know they gave me something, can't remember what it was, to stop the diarrhea that I got a couple of days after surgery. As for the weight gain gabby899, remember they are pumping you full of fluids, that is why you gain weight. It is all Fluid weight and as soon as you start eating normally and are not on IV anymore, the weight will come off!

oh wow I found the perfect forum, I am working with lindstrom as well. I hired them jan 2016 to help with my case to overturn my denial, but just last week they denied my appeal but lindstrom is not giving up without a fight they are an awesome team. The reason they are saying my surgery was denied bec of net weight gain 1.5 lbs and my surgery was not scheduled within 6 months of initial date. we questioned them over and over again , " when was I suppose to have scheduled the surgery if you already denied right after the 3 month pre-op requirement" ?. all Aetna could do is read my policy to us 20 times UGHHH! . I was so hurt and disgusted by this I could not believe it and I was going over it in my head about everything asking myself, where could things have went wrong? no way 1.5 lbs gained would be such a big deal bec you cant calculate 1.5 lbs as a major weight gain. So many factors can cause a 1.5 gain. clothes , time of month anything etc....... at this point , I was confused and I started to do a little digging on my own today 7/27/16. so, I called my dr office and asked what were my weigh in's which I should have been monitoring and keeping track of everything from insurance coverage to all my weigh in info. /initial start date 6/2015 240 , 7/2015 245 , 8/2015 242, finial weigh in 9/2015 239.5 .. MY MOUTH DROPPED! ok so where is this 1.5lb weight gain they are talking about, what was the real reason for denial???? so I am thinking the ball dropped with someone or am I missing something here ? has anyone experienced this before?

I was denied for a weight gain during my 3 month supervised diet. And no weight for 2013. But I had 5 years of dates. Didn't matter. I was denied in July, sent my appeal on my own by August, denied 2 weeks after and hired lindstrom. They had me approved in 2 1/2-3 weeks! I was approved October but because of my work I couldn't schedule surgery until jan 5th. I was looking at end of November/December with my doc. But had to wait. And it was 100% worth it. I'm down 95 pounds since jan. Best thing i ever fought for!!

After several years (about 10 years) of being overweight I have decided to do something for myself. I was involved in a bad car accident in 2001 and in that accident a lot of things happened that contributed in my weight gain. In the accident my mother and aunt were killed (and I was the one driving), I suffered a badly broken arm (humerus) and head injury that left me with a seizure disorder. For 3-4 years after the accident they struggled trying to find medications to control the seizures, I was dealing emotionally with the loss of my mom and aunt and the guilt of being the one driving and then I was told I wasn't able to work anymore. I wasn't allowed to drive so I never got out of the house. Plus, I was afraid to go anywhere because I was afraid of having a seizure in front of people. So my life became very restricted. I never left the house, and I found comfort in food. Since the accident I have gained around 100 pounds. My seizures are now pretty much under control. I have been working a few days a month and have started getting out with my friends and family again. The problem now is I hate that I am overweight! People judge by what they see without knowing everything that is going on. I know when people see me there are people who think I'm lazy and if I really wanted to lose weight I would do something about it. This is why only a few people, who are close to me, even know about my surgery. I have tried diet after diet and I fail every time. I do great in the beginning and then something happens and I just quit losing. I have worked with personal trainers, dietitian, and my doctors and I have them puzzled too. I have tracked my exercise and my food. I have tried to do everything right and then I fail. I have been so frustrated and have decided I need help. So, in August I went to my first informational meeting for the lap band surgery. When I was there they went over all the different procedures that are available, the Band, the sleeve, and the bypass. When I left I had decided the band wasn't a choice for me and that I would choose the sleeve. The doctors basically said the sleeve wasn’t very successful and that the sleeve was a much better choice. I had a visit with the surgeon and he told me all the ins and outs of the surgery and what to expect afterwards. I had my cardiology clearance, my phych clearance and then I had to see the nutritionist. Andrea was great and she basically told me about my current diet and what would change. Then we had a group meeting where they went more in detail about EXACTALLY what we should and shouldn’t eat, portion sizes, what will happen with each surgery, etc. I guess after all these meetings and really spending time researching each type of surgery I got really scared. With the sleeve they actually remove the majority of your stomach. WOW!!! That is permanent ....they can't put it back. Also, Andrea said that in the future if you need a feeding tube (for whatever reason) they would be unable to do one if you have had the sleeve. (She gave the example of being in a car accident and breaking your jaw and having to have your mouth wired shut and not being able to eat.) That hit me like a TON of bricks. The bypass forms a pouch and they reroute the intestines which changes your absorption. This means I might not be able to absorb my seizure meds correctly and I could be back to the drawing board trying to find a combination that would keep my seizures under control. So, after long consideration I just have a bad feeling about the sleeve and bypass so even though my doc's don’t care for the results of the band I believe this is the right choice for me. I know weight loss will be slower, and I know the complications that could happen but in my mind they are a lot less than the other two choices. I am now waiting for the Sleep clearance (had the sleep study just waiting to be 30 days on C-Pap will see doc next week.) and then they will schedule my surgery. My biggest fear about all this is that somehow I will fail again. I have support from my family and my friends but I have failed so many times before I just can't imagine being successful. I am only 43, I’m too young to have the medical problems I have that are cause by being overweight. I have high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, feet, ankle and knee problems and low self-esteem. All these can be changed by having this surgery. I know this is the thing I need to do to and this is the First Steps, reaching out to people who know what I am struggling with. People who don’t judge someone by their weight and people who want to help other be successful. I am glad I found this site and I look forward to sharing with you my next steps of success. Thanks EVERYONE!

I haven't posted in quite a while and decided that as I start this year "anew", I needed to post again to signify my "new"/"renewed" start with my band journey. I was banded 8/03 and have basically done quite well. In fact, overall, I've lost 115 pounds. However, after having almost no problems for the first 10 months or so, I have been struggling for quite a while. I have been on a major (6-7 month) plateau. I then had problems with reflux and difficulty tolerating food; had tests for a possible slipped and/or eroded band (which so far shows that it has not slipped and there is no sign of erosion); got an unfill a few weeks ago (which eased the reflux); and as of today, got another fill and am starting "over". In the meantime, after a long plateau, while I had a 3 week period of an unfill and while I was away on a 10 day cruise (I just got back on Saturday night), I gained back 12 pounds! Although I am not happy about the weight gain, I know that it WILL come back off. I think I really needed a period of not feeling so restricted. (And, fortunately or unfortunately, I wasn't restricted at all while I was away!!!) One of the things that was certainly reinforced for me is how important the band is as a tool. Over the last 16 months, I have certainly worked with this tool - I basically followed the bandster "rules"; I made generally good food choices; I exercised regularly; and I went to support groups. However, it is clear to me these are NOT permanent changes. I worked "with" my band, but I certainly do need the band. Having little or no restriction showed me how easy it is to go right back to "old" ways. So... this critical little "tool" is still the essential ingredient for helping put it all together. As of today, January 10, 2005, I am using this post to publicly re-commit to a new start and to moving forward with my banding journey! I have worked too hard and have come too far to gain it all back! And I have experienced too many of the hard won "rewards" of weight loss to not keep going forward. I've come a long way - but I still have a long way to go. And now I am on my way. I'm attaching a new before and after photo update. The 1 month pre-surgery photo was taken on a cruise - at my "ATH" weight. The 1/05 photos were just taken on another cruise - showing a 115 pound weight-loss. Wishing myself - and all of us - a good journey in 2005! Mary

It's great to hear your doing good! From what I heard the weight gain after surgery is usually due to all the fluids they give you. Please Continue to keep us posted...you are the losers bench now:-)

I am extremely carb-sensitive. I have had PCOS for 25 years, and full-blown type 2 diabetes for 10 years. In MY world, there is no difference between a "good" carb and a "bad" carb. All carbs cause me to gain weight and spike my blood sugar. I eat an extremely low-carb diet, with my PCP's blessing. My endocrinologist loves my diabetes numbers when I am eating "vlc" (very low carb). I have successfully lost HUNDREDS of pounds over my lifetime by eliminating carbs. Weakness has caused me to allow carbs back into my life every single time and that leads to weight gain. There were other issues at play prior to my getting sleeved, including the shape of my pre-surgery stomach . . . my surgeon said that he was pretty surprised when he got in there and saw what it looked like . . . that made it so easy for me to gain weight . . . and the sleeve has done exactly what I wanted it to do. I am down 43.5 pounds in 7 weeks. But no matter what my sleeve makes possible, I will ALWAYS have to be aware of my carb intake. That is something I accepted a long time ago. However, I know that there are plenty of people who can eat carbs and lose weight quite well. I used to be jealous of people who could eat carbs and still lose weight, but I got over it! Every one of us is different, with different tolerances for different things. No one can say, "you HAVE to eat carbs to live," anymore than anyone can say, "you can't lose weight while you are still eating carbs." I KNOW my body . . . and I KNOW that I can't eat carbs. That being said . . . I still LIKE carbs! And I love apples. This time of year has always been hard for me because it's freaking apple season! I allow myself an occasional piece of apple. It's definitely easier to only eat a "little piece of apple" with my sleeve!

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.

Keep moving forward. I am 2 years post-op and did a big cheat for several months and paid a big price in weight gain. Don't be like me! One of the biggest things that kept me in that cycle of eating junk (and too much of it!) was the shame and feeling that "Oh well, I blew it. I might as well eat what I want now!" Just go right back to doing what you should! You'll get there.

Major side effect of the Depro provera birth control shot is WEIGHT GAIN!!! Unfortunatly the weight that you gain from the shot isn't as easy to get off as it is to put on. I gained 85 lbs in 7 months. They didn't tell me that was a major side effect and it was well before I was a nurse. But, I at that time had decided I would rather be fat then pregnant as I had just had two babies back to back. Think very long and hard if you decide to do the shot, Very few %of people don't have weight gain but when you are banded who would want to chance that it hindered what you fought so hard for?

I think surgeons might not be too surprised at the weight gain over the holidays. Have you called them to ask about it? You might call and express your concern about the weight gain and ask if that's going to slow you down to surgery. Why worry about something you don't even know is an issue? Let me tell you something crazy. I went in for my pre-op appointment on Thursday and my weight was up a pound and a few ounces from my first appt in September (it was 267.4). I had to do liquids only on Sunday and when I arrive to weigh in at the hospital I weighed 254.6. WTH in four days? The only thing I can think is the liquids helped all the solids pass through my system and then the fasting the night before had me a little low on fluids. When I got home from the hospital I was 268 on my scale which is always a bit lighter than the Dr it seems. This morning I was 250 on my scale... =)

It's all about the FOOD! If u ask me ne ways. When I'm @ restriction I don't count calories. Also u will plateau. Everyone does. I personally loose for 2 wks then hold steady for 2 wks. I'm down 120 lbs in 13 months. I've had a lil set back due to be unfilled & unable to exercise bc of plastic surgery. So currently I am counting cals to help get the last 13 lbs of my 30 lb weight gain off! Surgery was 3 wks ago... I had a ton of swelling. But right b4 surgery I hit 120 lbs lost & was 14 lbs from my 150 lb goal weight

Hi There! I have been working with Dr. Cobourn for several weeks now. I essentially also spoke to him when i inquired about the process. He is extremely nice, and dedicated to the craft. I was able to speak with him, and he appeared to be very realistic regarding the results. He was very clear this was a tool and I need to work alongside it in order to achieve success. Since the holidays (Christmas 2014) I have been working with the Smart Shape team. They have been very supportive and very professional. My surgery is Wednesday of next week. I am anxious, excited and scared - all of the above times 10! I have never been put under, and I worry about this stuff, and naturally i think anyone does. I was so scared a week ago that Dr. Cobourn personally called me again and reassured me that this is normal, and truthfully there is nothing to worry about. He made me feel very comfortable and I was able to shift my focus from fear to thinking about my new shape! The cost of the surgery is rather expensive, but I have tried many different avenues at weight loss and everything seems to lead me back to weight gain. It's time I do something that I am convinced will work - crossing fingers. As for reviews, in my experience i have done a lot of internet research and of course spoken to a few folks who have had the surgery locally here in Toronto. I find the internet is filled with a myriad of posts, comments. I had to realize quickly some people who do not follow the healthy lifestyle after banding are quick to say it does not work. Every experience will be different but overall this process seems to work for many people. Best of Luck!

I am almost halfway through my 3 month multi-disciplinary program for insurance to approve RNY. I have done everything required so far- just have to have the last two meetings with Nutritionist and Psych eval. I am very concerned as I have gained about 8 pounds since my last visit. I know aetna's verbiage says "no NET gain." I'm not sure if this means no gain from starting weight or no gain at all during the process. I would be devastated to be denied from gaining....My next weigh in is in a week. I am fully prepared to fast in order to meet weight if necessary. Anyone have experience with this??

Dr John Gray who is the author of 'Men are from Mars...' has a whole diet and excercise section on his website. He also has a book about it which is really interesting. There were a few snippets i was reading earlier which i though might be helpful to you guys so here goes... "Repetitive, easy exercises stimulate fat burning, while most common forms of exercise stimulate sugar burning. When you finish an hour of exercise and you are not tired or out of breath and you could easily repeat the whole routine, you are in the fat-burning zone. If you are tired, you were burning sugar. If, after 20 minutes of exercise, you were to suddenly stop and needed to "catch your breath," you were in the sugar-burning zone - not the more desirable fat-burning zone. By burning sugar, you get instant energy, but it eventually leaves you tired. It also makes your body more acidic rather than alkaline. The body is designed to burn fat for energy while the brain is designed to burn sugar. When muscles use up that sugar, less is available for the brain. The muscles are designed to burn fat but they have a back up system to burn sugar in emergencies, though it is unhealthy to do this often. Weight gain, low energy, anxiety, restlessness or the desire for sugar are signs that your body is burning sugar instead of fat. The purpose of exercise should not be to get the heartbeat up into the cardiac zone. The key for most people, and particularly if they are overweight or they are out of shape is to get just below this zone. Burning calories through exercise is only a small part of losing weight. The secret of effective exercise is to stimulate the metabolism to burn fat all day - while you are sitting at your desk or even while driving your car. When your exercise is fat-burning you tend to continue to burn fat for the rest of the day. When you push your heartbeat into the cardio zone, you train your body to burn sugar and not fat. In many cases, conventional exercise is counter-productive. When we engage in sugar-burning exercise, the result is increased acid in the body. These acids from diet and exercise choices are then stored in the fat cells in our guts to protect our organs. Ultimately, no amount of exercise will get rid of this fat. A variation of this exercise exists in almost every ancient indigenous culture. It is a simple bouncing movement. It is like standing up and using a jump rope without the rope and without lifting your feet or heels off the ground. This gentle up and down movement stimulates the lymphatic system. When done with rhythmic breathing, the increased oxygen helps to neutralize the acids as they are released from cells. As the body becomes less toxic, the fat cells automatically begin releasing fatty acids into the blood stream to be neutralized and released. Besides balancing hormones by stimulating the glands, brain boosting by increasing the flow of cerebral spinal Fluid, and stimulating the lymphatic system through 15 different bounce and shake movements, the Isoflex exercises also include seven power moves that will tone and gradually increase muscle mass. To build muscle mass faster, try the slow burn method. You only need to work out about 20 minutes a week at the gym and then let your muscles rest for the rest of the week. Meanwhile every day do about 45 minutes of the Isoflex movements and you will be rewarded with better relationships, increased energy, unconditional happiness and lasting romantic feelings.