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I had a 20 year reunion I didn't attend because of my weight gain. (I was a state champion gymnast weighing 110lbs, and homecoming queen and now I'm more than twice that.) My 30th year reunion is in October and I'd like to go but don't think I'll get surgery till August and I don't think I'll lose enough by then to feel good enough about myself to go :frown:. So, my list of things in a perfect world would be to: 1. run into some of those people and look really good in the near future, 2. to dance without being self conscious, 3. snow ski again, 4. Water ski again, 5. ride horses without hurting them!! 6. wear regular clothes with a single digit size, 7. buy my bras at Victoria's Secret just because I CAN! 8. take new family portraits (none since 13 yrs ago) 9. do my own pedicures 10. get rid of back, shoulder, knee and foot pain 11. See my mother just once without her asking me if I'm doing anything about my weight ( I've BEEN doing something, that's what got me where I am!) 12. My husband is wonderful, the very best but I don't feel even one bit sexy or like doing anything in that department looking like I do, so I'd like to have desire again, 13. I'd like to be able to clean my house and car without feeling run over by a truck. 14. Not feel hot ALL THE TIME (BUT IT IS A THOUSAND DEGREES OUTSIDE SO...) 15. Run on a treadmill at the gym on the second floor without feeling like I'll end up on the first floor 16. Run without feeling like I'm doing more damage than good to myself 17. to have energy!!!!! this should actually be #1 18. to swim without feeling like a whale 19. to not be embarrassed anymore 20. To sleep in skimpy little sexy nighties without "all that" hanging out Ok, I could go on and on.......... But the best part is looking forward to maybe a year or two from now, I'll actually get there instead of taking off some and putting on more!!

Thank ya'll for the support. I will try to be more patient.It is just after 3 days of eating nothing it showed a weight gain. I am now drinking my protein shakes and I will see the Dr in about a week.It helped to hear about your story Psyched2.Have you had your surgery cookiecutter?I know how you feel esummersett,I had to pay for mine also,it was 14,000,so it better work.Thank all of ya'll CINDYMC

I'm a Sheila too! I come from a family that has weight issues and my weight struggles actually started in Kindergarten and only progressed from there. In grade 5, I was on the Slim Fast diet for a while (I looked back and think of why my mother thought that would be OK, but she was desperate to help me and also struggles with weight). And I just kept on gaining and gaining all through middle school. Then in grade 10 I decided to do something about it, started exercising everyday and watching what I ate. I started at I think around 225lbs or 230lbs, it took over 2 years and I got down to just above 150lbs. I felt great! But it didn't last long. In the fall of 1997 I had a serious accident which left me unable to exercise. Also moving away from home made a difference, having no money and buying the cheapest foods possible (think Mac&Cheese and instant noodles). I gained back some weight and was back up to around 170lbs, then lost down to around 160lbs. Then, I met my husband at age 20, and that is when it got really bad! He was thin and could eat whatever he wanted. My weight just ballooned until I was my heaviest on my wedding day at 265lbs. Shortly after my wedding, I really started working at it again. I wanted to have children and knew that being so heavy was not healthy. For over 2 years I worked my butt off, losing just over 70 lbs and getting down to around 190lbs. Then I got pregnant and ended up 30 lbs heavier. And that is where I sat, at around 225lbs. Even after having another baby, my weight just stayed there and I gave up. I was exhausted from always having to work so hard for every pound lost and resided in the fact that I would be fat forever. I had looked into the band, but was a little unsure. I had thought about RNY, but it made me nervous, plus I was not big enough for it to be covered. Plus, I live in Canada, and the wait list to get it done even if I qualified was 10 years. Then, by chance, I was searching around on the internet and found a local company that was facilitating sleeve surgeries in Mexico. I talked to my husband about it, did some research, and knew it was what I wanted. We had to use our line of credit, but I got my surgery done on November 29th, 2010 and have never once regretted it. It took me 18 months, but I got to my goal and even dropped a few pounds below, and I maintained it easily for almost a year. Then a few months ago, I switched medications (I struggle with depression and was trying a different med). In 3 weeks I gained over 7lbs. I stopped taking the medication because the weight gain was worse for my mental health then not being on any medication at all. The weight gain stopped immediately, but it never came back off. Then I started reading all the posts on the Gonna Get to Goal thread and when Georgia started posting about 5:2, I knew it was something that I thought I might be able to do! And here I am! Another long post, but I find it therapeutic to lay it all out sometimes!!

I lost 103 pounds after the first five months after surgery and hit goal of 140 pounds lost at 7.5 months post op. While this may seem fast, it was originally what I set out to do from the beginning. There was willpower involved, of course, and I never ate unless I was hungry. My eating plan was under the supervision of my doctor and I stuck strictly to the rules 99% of the time. Nobody informed me that problems could occur when losing weight at this rate. I had heard others mention that you get more loose skin when losing this quickly, but I don't believe that to be true. Most post ops develop loose skin no matter what rate they lose and the body adjusts once you his maintenance. So, it all evens out over time. My issue with this rate of weight loss is what it does to your hormones. I'm beginning to go through menopause at age 38. The hot flashes and skin blotches are nothing compared to the mood swings. The medication available to help correct the issue is full of side effects, with the number one being WEIGHT GAIN. I've pretty much decided against it. I just wish that I was made aware that this could happen so that I could've been proactive. I want to hear from others that have lost this quickly and their experience.

Excellent advice from everyone....up the calories!! I've found that when I'm REALLY cold (can't seem to get warm), I'm dropping inches (not lbs. right away) and am not eating much it translates into lbs. on the scale 4-5 days later. I've started doing 5 days really low calorie (and lots of water) days and then 1-2 days a little higher calorie intake. I just don't want my body to get used to the lower calorie intake. Also, not that this would happen, but a long time ago, I did an 'Optifast' medical supervised fast for 4 months. I was taking in ~ 600-800 calories a day. When I went OFF the fast (and yes, I was working out too), anything I added above 800 calories a day, I started to gain weight. I learned (the hard way) then not to let my body get TOO accustomed to a daily low calorie regime. Mixing it up a little keeps you from going into 'starvation' mode. Just my $.02 worth...everyone is different and others may have different successes different way. Here's to US all being successful!!!! :smile: P.S. One last thing. When I'm on a plateau, I figure the scale is about 2 days behind what I'm really doing at the time. Weight gains and losses (at least for me) usually show up a day or 2 later... -Becky

I am on depo shot every 3 months and have been way before surgery and its been my savior. One of the side effect is weight gain but for some reason, I have not gained a pound since I have been on it but I know someone that has gained weight while on it. I had my baby 7/10/12 and was given the shot before I was discharged 3days later.

I wouldn't. I love my band and it's worth it for me to lose 130 pounds - but not for 30. The band isn't a miracle diet. All of us on this board are having to work HARD to lose weight. We have to follow rules or suffer consequences which include more than weight gain. The closer a person gets to their goal weight, the harder it becomes to lose. Being only 30 pounds overweight I expect you'd have to work at it just as hard with or without a band. I also think that you'd have a hard time finding a doctor willing to perform surgery on you, even if you went to Mexico or another foreign country. 130 pounds - yes. 30 pounds? Nope.

You posted your thread back in November 2009, it is now March the following year - so did you goahead? I was banded back in December 2007 - and I had objections from my siblings but I went ahead and I am so glad I did. Let me disabuse you of a commonly held misconception - getting a lapband is by no means taking the easy way out - the easy way out is to stay obese. Having a lapband just makes it harder to eat too much. I can still eat biscuits and sweets and chocolates without restriction if I want to - the things that are restricted are the sensible foods - especially carbs and Proteins. This can be frustrating. I can't cele brate with food any more. I can't take out my frustrations with food any more. The whole way I deal with food and my life has changed. Having said that, with dedication you can overcome restriction and overeat and some people even manage to gain weight with a band. My best advice is that given to me by my banding surgeon - he told me that if I couldn't change my lifestyle and diet before a band was fitted then I would never be able to change it afterwards either. I lost 5 stone (70 lbs) before he would band me - and I made sure that my changes weren't don in a diet mentality. I know that if I ever went back to the way I used to eat then I would go back to the way I used to look and feel too. Diets do work - it would be impossible for them not to - the problem is that people think of a diet as a short term solution and they forget that if and when they go back to how they used to eat and live then the weight will soon return. It isn't easy but it aint rocket science either. The band is a tool. It can be useful when you take an interest and use it wisely and correctly. Over restriction (too tight a fill) can cause weight gain - although my surgeon says that the majority of his patients are always pleading for more fills and more restriction. Apparently too tight a fill leads to the temptation to drink more calories because you can't eat at all without pbing and liquid calorie sources tend to be denser than you think (milk shakes and stuff, I suppose). The band is a useful tool, but you have to know how to use it in order to get optimum function from it. So, did you go for it.....?

A couple of weeks ago I started experiencing tingling in hands and fingers (peripheral neuropathy) - I have had this to much lesser degree before I have read many causes of this - Diabetes, nerve damage etc. I really feel this is due to my weight gain and I'm interested to hear anyone else's experiences with this

I have generalized anxiety disorder. I have been on LOTS of different anti depressants over the years because of it and every single one made me gain weight except the one I switched to back in December. Its Celexa...only the generic brand. The issue with this one is fatigue which was pretty bad the first couple mths. Now its manageable. I found out after the fact that I could have talked to my doc to have the dosage reduced because of the fatigue which I still may have to do after surgery if it becomes an issue. But weight gain hasn't been an issue. Just feeling tired sometimes.

My doc said that almost everybody experiences weight gain the first week (even through the post-op visit). So I wouldn't worry about it too much. I'm only 2 days ahead of you and haven't had that problem, but I can seem to get enough water intake as it is, so maybe this is why???? I just want to know when the burping will stop! Soooo over it!

Can anyone tell me how long this Water weight hangs around? Surgery was on Thursday May 7, just sent home today, Saturday May 9. I had heard of this dreaded weight gain, but frankly I didn't expect it to stick around so long. Can anyone share their experience? Of course I'm starting to feel as if I'll be the only person having undergone a Roux En Y gastric bypass and not able to lose weight. Certainly emotional fears not based in reality. Thanks for the support of this forum, I do not go through this experience alone.

Sherry77 is right! The weight gain is a result of all the IV that you received and the swelling from major surgery. During surgery I was told that my abdomen will be pumped up with air, and the best way to get rid of it is to walk. Simply. You might also notice that the pain travels to your shoulder area. I was told that was normal and to be expected. Again the solution was to walk. The incision site on the left did feel numb to touch at first as well as my navel area. But to be honest I did not worry much about that lol! When drinking, remember not to use a straw and to sip slowly taking small sip Be patient and Hope you feel better...

Scared? Yes. All the time. But that is good right now. I was told by someone at work yesterday "you look great, you have lost so much weight. ....again". This was just a very good reminder for me for that I have had a very, very long history of weight loss and weight gain. Usually in the past this was the moment I would feel defeated and give up. I totally recognize this behavior now and am much stronger to just let it go. We can ALL do this! Keep up the great work.

But do you realize acid reflux and weight gain aren't normal? You're not supposed to be having either. Have you spoke to your surgeon recently about all this? I would even go so far as to request a barium swallow to make sure your band is still in the proper place.

You must understand some people who have bands 4 or 5 years sometimes have problems with acid reflux, and weight gain. I'm one of those folks. My tool worked great the first couple of years and it has been down hill since.... There are a lot of folks who have had this problem and are still having it... Plus not to mention I'm in menopause... Just looking for some NEW ideas.... Thanks

Well, I was banded on Monday, August 27th, 2007. My surgeon said it was a "textbook" surgery and I spent one night in the hospital. It is Day 6 now and everything is going fairly well except I can't believe how bloated I get after I eat something. Is anyone else having this problem? I just finished my breakfast protein shake which I sipped over a period of 45 minutes and my stomach is starting to bloat up and I feel uncomfortable. I got weighed this morning and have finally lost all my post surgery weight gain from the IV fluids. My doctor said to only weigh once per week but I felt thinner this morning and wanted to see how I was doing. I am on Phase 1 of the post op diet and am sticking to the 500 calories per day. I have two protein shakes per day, 1 cup of strained soup, and usually 1 cup of 100% juice, SF popsicles, and SF jello. I really don't think I could eat anymore of that right now. I have started walking outside but couldn't believe how weak my legs are so have to build up slowly. Everyone have a good day and stay well. Write when you can. shelli:ranger:

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??

I realize that even after losing over 60 pounds in 7 months, I'm not going to feel "skinny." I have at least another 60 pounds to go and I also realize that even skinny chicks have their fat days. So, I'm just going to wallow a bit in my fat day. Yesterday my feet were killing me. I have had MUCH less trouble with my feet as I have lost weight. At the height of my weight gain, I could barely get through a normal day of work in crocs or tennis shoes. Now, I am careful with the shoes I wear, but I can wear "normal" shoes to work and I work out regularly. My feet ache some, but I think that is normal. However, yesterday, it was like I was back up to 285. :cool: They hurt throughout the day. At the end of the workday, we received an email that the elevators were not functioning. We were told that we could use the service elevator, but there is only one. The service elevator is the slowest form of transportation on the planet under normal circumstances. For it to service all 22 floors, it would take me an hour to get to the lobby from the 18th floor! I had to get to Jazzercise, so I took the stairs. I have to say that it wasn't as bad as in the past when we have had to do fire drills, so that's a plus. But my legs were a little jello-ish at Jazzercise. My feet hurt so bad at class, I feel like I was at 50-60%. I don't think walking the stairs was the cause since they hurt throughout the day, but I'm sure it didn't help. I was SO internally cranky during that class. I was picking fights with people in my head to the point I had to physically shake it. [sidebar: Do you all do that? I often times find myself picking fights or having arguments in my head. For instance, if I know that I'm going to tell my boss something he isn't going to like, I have the worst case scenario conversation in my head. It drives me crazy! I'm getting better about not doing that, but I certainly did it last night!] I went home and did all the things with my feet that I am supposed to do. They feel a lot better today and I tried to pick out a pair of comfortable shoes. No Jazzercise today, but I'm planning to workout at lunch. I think I will choose the ellypical or the bike so I can limit impact on my feet. Then, because I am a glutton for punishment, I plan to walk down the stairs at the end of the workday. That is my punishment for wallowing in my fatness. :laugh: Oh well, tomorrow is another day!!

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

I agree with everything Jachut said. Pull yourself up. Stop having a pity party and MOVE FORWARD!!! If you don't like the doctor; find another one! You are the customer. Stop them when they want to run out of the room quickly. I had to do this to mine. I had to say "Wait, I have more questions and if you've got something else to do, I'll be right here waiting for you when you finish!". They knew then, I was one they were going to have to take their time with. He turned around and smiled and asked, "What's on your mind?". I then began to tell them that I'm a 25% payer and I don't have the time to continuously come there for small fills and then file the claim, take off of work for both, etc., etc. SPEAK UP, they will listen! Build a rapport with whatever doctor you choose. You are so close to your goal ( according to your ticker). Don't you lose heart or hope. Remember, the band is a tool. No tool ever works unless you grab it and use it! We've all had setbacks. Join the club, honey. But, be a part of us who move past our setbacks, weight gain, and self sabotage. You can do this!

Will your hospital put you on days temporarily just to get the surgery? That's underhanded but, my gosh, he's an idiot. An educated idiot, but an idiot. Lack of SLEEP contributes to weight gain, but working nights doesn't contribute to weight loss. Where's the proof? Where is he getting his data? From the gnome who lives in his closet? good grief.

Hey, I am just the other side of a thigh injury and I was given strong pain meds and anti inflammatory... I will be honest here... I did put weight on... I completely freaked out.. cried, had a 'moment' ... but am pleased to say that as soon as the meds stopped the weight gain stopped and it has now gone. The difference between you and I, is that I was completely immobile during the time I was gaining. Sounds like you have been advised to keep active during the time you take the meds, so, fingers crossed it might not happen to you?! Good luck and I wish you a speedy recovery!

I self-paid in Mexico. The actual day of the surgery, my BMI was 29.75. It was 32 when I decided to do the surgery, after 6 months of painstakingly chasing the same 10 lbs up and down. (I guess my highest BMI ever was 37.) The cardiologist who cleared me for surgery told me I "wasn't that big" -- 45 minutes before I went to the OR! Not a helpful time to be planting doubt. You have to decide for you if it's worth it. There are risks to any surgery, and it is a hard adjustment to make...every once in a while, I suddenly realize how permanently and profoundly I have changed my eating habits. It's great on a Tuesday when you're losing weight hanging out by yourself drinking Protein shakes, but I'm guessing Christmas dinner is going to suck, or my birthday when I really truly do not have room left for a piece of cake, and everyone around me is trying to force me to eat it, because they think I'm just being coy, instead of actually being afraid of vomiting. But, on the other hand, I watch people struggle every day with both the big and little repercussions of being obese: heart disease, cancers, leg cellulitis and edema, not being able to fit in a booth at a restaurant, not being able to enjoy a day out with your family because you know you walk so slow that it will hold them back. I could see exactly where my weight gain journey was going, and I decided to head it off at the pass. And, as a doc said to me, you so often see people wait till they're old and super-obese before they get surgery, and then the damage is done, and they don't get the full enjoyment of being skinny, because theirs knees and feet etc. are permanently damaged. (Please don't flame me for this...it may be the particularly Canadian viewpoint, where you have to be SO obese to qualify for surgery...and then you have to wait 6 more years to get in the OR. And in the meantime, socialized medicine lets the rest of you go to pot too.) And, just a note, a radiology tech could lose their job and their license for expressing such a medical opinion to you. Totally inappropriate.

Yes, I get nervous as well. Sometimes I think it won't work, because I have to take medicine for longstanding depression/anxiety (these are known to cause weight gain in some people). At the end of the day though even if I don't lose as much as someone else, I will still be way better off healthwise than before the surgery.