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I've had far too many surgeries . I have a rare type of brain tumor that helped contribute to my weight gain. I'm doing this, like everyone else, to try to reduce my morbidity. But with my underlying condition I'm virtually being a guinea pig in hopes it will help, but I guess someone has to be the first one to do it, so here I go!

These posts make me nervous regarding the insurance approvals! I called to find out what was needed and the guy told me a BMI of 40+ or 35+ plus co-morbitities. However, when I went to my 1st consultation Wed. Dr. B told me a lot of times they require you to do other things as well (doc monitored diet, sleep apnea tests, phsycho eval) but I don't want to have to do all of that bc I know that I am mentally fit and I don't have a sleep apnea problem...I'm fairly healthy besides my PCOS problems that I believe are a mixture of stress and weight gain! I hope to have a surgery date in March as I am getting married Jan. 1, 2011 and I would like to have lost atleast 85-100 lbs by then! Figures crossed and LOTS of prayers until Monday when I'm supposed to have an approval or disapproval. He said once I am approved he can work me in within a week or two...so here's hoping I'm a "Spring Into March Bandit!"

I just found this app and registered. My surgery was August 19. I've finally lost all my IV fluid post op weight gain. Getting tired of drinking my meals. No major issues so far just very tired and finding it hard to get in 3 protein shakes a day.

Did liquids today? Exercised this morning...on the right track again...leaving for FLorida on Thursday...want to lose a few pounds...know I will be eating out a lot while I'm there and don't want the weight gain.

One thing I would HIGHLY recommend you research is the issues with malabsorption with the GP. In short, after about 12 to 18 months, the body typically resets itself and while it might only actually absorb half the calories you are consuming for that first 12 to 18 months, steadily your body will adjust and absorb more calories until you are almost where you were prior to surgery. So, if you were used to eating say 1,500 to 2,000 calories after surgery, your body is likely going to only absorb half of that in the beginning. Eventually, your body will adjust and it will start seeing all or nearly all of those calories leading to weight gain because you won't realize what is happening with your body. This is most often what leads to re-gain for those that have the GP. Also, understand that you are signing up for frequent labwork for LIFE to be sure your body is getting the necessary Vitamins it needs to keep you from having other health issues. Just imagine if you had this surgery, started regaining weight and left with the side effects of having to take a laundry list of vitamins just to stay healthy. No thank you! Just try to research the best you can. Ultimately you have to feel comfortable with your own choice. Just sharing some of the thoughts that went into how I made my decision for the sleeve. I have absolutely no regrets except that I didn't do it sooner!

I believe my stall happened a week or so after my surgery. I lost 33 lbs and then gained. 4-8lbs. I believe I lost 4 more in the past week. I’m on my cycle so I’m hoping that it’s water weight gain on top of being in a stall.

Oh that is probably what the weight gain is. I always gain a few lbs during my cycle.. That happened before I had surgery too. You get bloated. Make sure to always weigh yourself as soon as you wake up and after you use the bathroom -- that way you can have a more clear idea of your weight. Everyone's weight fluctuates during the day after eating & drinking -- it can be a 2-3 lbs difference. But if you weigh yourself when you wakeup; therefore - have less food/liquids in your system, then you'll get a more accurate, consistent idea of your weight.

Weight gain 1 year after sleeve

I got banded at 208, not too far from 199. I had alarm bells set at different weights. I think in kg, so at 70 a small alarm rang, at 80 it rang again, at 90 it was louder, at 95 it was really loud. I was at 95 for a few years till i decided to get banded because I saw myself headed for the next big alarm at 100 (222 pounds). I am not being mean, and I am positive that elcee wasn't either - she's always very supportive and positive in her responses. I knew myself and I could see the path I was headed for - and once that realization set in I decided to take action. I honestly do wonder why it takes some people longer to get this realization and to take drastic action - but not in a judge-y way... in a 'hmm I wonder why that is' kind of way. I too did not want to 'wait' because I knew I was headed for more weight gain. Not because I looked down on bigger people or thought badly of them - not at all!! - but because it would have taken me even more strength and courage and a longer road - something I don't think I would have been capable of. I think it's really admirable that YOU have that courage at the young age of 23! It is impressive, and your achievement will be bigger than mine. I will have run a 10K you will have run a marathon. But we will both reach our end destination hopefully and catch up to elcee here who's lookin' pretty hot here

I had never really considered the sleeve only because I had read that those who failed with the band would fail with the sleeve. And with my track record lol... Let see banded April 2008, lost about 30lbs in 10months Bad break up on Feb 2009 prompted the run/drink water/smoke diet and lost 40lbs or so in 2months. April 2009 got life back on track and was less depressed so was able to eat and hold down food and gained 60lbs in 6months Aug 2010 went back to nutritionist and was put on phentramine (yet have lb but still needed diet pills) and lost 30lbs in 6months. July 2011 delt with slight weight gain and possible ulcer Nov/Dec 2011 nearly hospitalized from GI issues and had ever test they could think of to figure out what was wrong with me and scoped from WMD to end. Off phentramine March 2012 learned my band had slipped which wa cause of a lot of the issues my GI doctor was trying to figure out. And band unfilled and began discussions on revision to gastric bypass May 2012 band looked better had partial fill and more talks about revision, up 7lbs, back to other doctor an put back on phentramine weightloss program July 2012 gained another 13lbs and another fill, stated to start researching revison options. Got personal trainer at gym for 2xs a month work out for extra support. Still on phentramine Aug 2012 down 3lbs, still having issues with band, can't lay on stomach because port site hurts, can't do certain work outs because it hurts to twist. Still not much restriction but fear tha because my band is tighter when I stress that any fill can cause issues. Discussed my fears of gastric and my doctors/my fears that of band is completely removed I will gain even more back and then some. Doctor recommended sleeve over bypass. So yes I've been looking into it for awhile, I'm doing everything that has been asked of me and then some to lose the weight and keep gaining the min I'm off diet pills and sometimes even when on them. Doctor expressed that believes its my intolerance to certain healthy foods (the good Fiber ones) is a big problem, cant have a salad or fresh veggies with out getting stuck, sliming or PBing. So that's why I'm torn, hadn't given much thought to the sleeve before it scared me more than bypass until I read all the horror stories of it and heard stories from friends who knew people who died from gastric complications months after surgery. I've spent 4hour today just reading and researching and so far the sleeve really does seem like the best option. The idea to continue to have a tool to help me control my weight gain and the ability to eat a salad at the same time with out being in pain or throwing up sounds heavenly lol

Just checking in after waaaay too long. I am so glad to hear about how most of you are doing really well and that the rest are getting in there are handling their problems! Speaking of problems, I've had some of my own. You might remember how I was having bleeding problems and got put on hormones that caused weight gain. Well, finally had surgery to correct that problem (yea!) but I am 14 pounds heavier and ready to get back on track. It's very hard to get my 'head wants to eat even if I am not hungry' under control. I've decided to return to the beginning...just doing Protein drinks for a couple days and then gradually add back the protein. I found it was too easy to let my hormone hell take control and I'd find myself buying ice cream or 'just eat a little'...all day long. Now that I have confessed :thumbup: I feel much better and will be checking in to keep myself in line. Janey

Hi everyone! I was sleeved on 2/11 weighing in at 213 but today when I got home I weighed 227.2? I feel like my skin is going to burst with how tight it is! Has anyone else experienced Water weight gain? I was on IV fluids all 4 days at the hospital. How do I get rid of this extra weight? Did anyone else have this happen to them? Talk about frustrating!!!

So, I had my surgery back in 2008 and have lost 170 lbs. I've lost consistently throughout my journey and then once I got to a weight where I was comfortable, I've stayed there. I go up and down a few pounds, but as long as I stay within what I call my "safe range" then I'm good to go. Here's why I'm writing. Back on April 30th I went to see my surgeon. I had decided that I was going to ask to have a tad bit of Fluid removed, just to be a little more comfortable. I don't think I was too tight, but I figured I'd see what happened. My doctor took a little bit of fluid out and he did tell me that I might feel like he had taken out too much. I wasn't worried though. Boy was I wrong. Since I saw him, a little over a month ago, I've gained 10 lbs. I'm not eating any differently, but I am constantly hungry. I go back to my doctor on the 25th and am definitely asking to have that little bit of fluid put back in, but I never imagined that a small unfill would contributo to a 10 lb. weight gain. So, I was curious if anyone else has gone through this?? I'm very concerned because I've NEVER gained. I want to get as much of that weight gone before I go back to my doctor on the 25th. My clothes all fit, but I suddenly have a muffin top above my loose skin. Plus, I feel bloated and miserable all the time now. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to get this weight back off?? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!! Thanks so much :0) Liveforit

I was banded in May, 2003. My loss has been slower than some, but really better than I felt I was doing. I have lost 63lbs to date and I can't tell you how my health has changed. When I began this journey, I had been recovering from a bout with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in 2001. Between the year 2001 and 2003, my body basically just turned on me. Feet and ankles swelling to almost bursting, my lung capacity went to nothing after the embolism, my cholesterol went up to 306. I was started and stopped on several different medications which started a weight gain mode. I wound up gaining an additional 40 lbs on what was already a 210lb 5ft tall body. I was dying a slow miserable death. I had heard just bits and pieces about the lapband possibilities, but when I heard that a co-worker had gotten one and our insurance company paid. I got busy on finding out what I would have to do. I saw a doctor in Houston, who refused to band me due to my diagnosis of Systemic Lupus in 1983 and my past blood clotting problems. I was so ready to begin losing, but I had promised myself I would never do the yoyo dieting thing again. But, I was at the point of asking to be put on some sort of medical weight loss plan or consider gastric bypass. I was so depressed and out of shape, I was ready to give in, but I am single and had no one to fall back on, so I knew I HAD to do something to regain my health and be able to continue to provide for myself, so I set out on my research to find someone who would do the surgery for me. Long story a little less long, I read the yahoo message boards faithfully and everything else I could find and finally heard of a woman in San Francisco who had been banded and also had Lupus and DVT problems. My ex-husband and my son live in Northern California, so my daughter had wanted to move out there and asked me if I wanted to go with her. My job was 100% travel, so I was able to do that. I contacted the Dr and the rest is history. I was the first to ever have the lapband and a vena cava filter (to help prevent blood clots from moving to the lung, brain or heart) placed at the same time. My surgery went perfectly and along with learning how to deal with my band, I also have been able to work my health back to some semblance of normalcy. Instead of barely being able to do 10 minutes on a treadmill, I now go to Curves 3-5 times a week. I can walk much farther and I'm trying to get the guts to see if I can jog. (I don't know about that yet.) I've bought myself a bicycle, which I haven't tried in years. I have gone from 250- 187 (size 24-16). My cholesterol is no 168. I am beginning to feel more like the feminine, sexual being that I once was as opposed to the sexless blob I felt I had become. My whole outlook is back to something much better. I have had some complications recently, which I had repaired. My band was apparently positioned too low or had 'slipped' and I had a hiatal hernia repaired just 2 weeks ago, but I'm definitely not finished. I love my band and I missed the restriction when I was un-filled. I do have respect for the band, because I know it's not foolproof, but, yes. I'd definitely do it again. So, where in Texas are you located? I wish you much luck in your journey to be banded!!

Hi Chris: \It is pretty funny that we both are experiencing the same "problems" with eating and asked the same questions, but I have received some TERRIFIC answers from people and I looked at your post and you did as well. There is a different way to know that you are full, and I am using all the advice I have received and working on fine-tuning my method of knowing when I have had enough PHYSICALLY! Physically is the operative word here. To work out what I want to eat EMOTIONALLY is a totally different subject and needs to be handled on emotional terms. NOT EASY to do. Believe me, I know all about it, but I am on the journey to work it out and I hope you can join me and the many others on this forum who managed to also work it out. A hugh undertaking, but well worth it. The first thing I did after posting my request for help here is to set specific times when I eat so I don't graze. This hasn't been that difficult to do because I have been keeping busy in between times. That is also important. That way I don't think about food until I eat my meal. I drink lots of Water in between. And I try to change my priorities to look for value in other things besides food, and things like that. I am also eating foods like fish which have a lot of Protein and little fat and if cooked properly, is pretty moist. I make a little tarter sauce with low fat mayo and relish and put a little bit (tiny bit) in a small bowl with a small amout of fish (I have cod today) and mix it up and eat it. I happen to love fish, so I guess I am lucky, but for now, it is something I can work on. The biggest problem I have, like you, is loving the taste and wanting to eat more than I can. But, besides becoming very uncomfortable, I know it will lead to weight gain in the future and I have to force myself to put controls on myself. So I also just put about 2 oz of whatever (now it is fish) in my tiny plate and sit down and eat it as slowly as possible. I don't get up to have more until I have stopped eating for at least 10 minutes. This is hard to do, but I am getting better at it. I also just recommended a book to Shea, above, and I will recommend it to you as well. I have found it very helpful with helpful tools. The WeightLoss Surgery Workbood, by Doreen Samelson, EdD, MSCP. There you can find different strategies for controling emotional eating. Good luck and let's keep in touch! Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

AS I type this post, I'm thinking about what kind of responses I'm hoping to get from the BP community. For me, accountability is everything. I'm open to hearing suggestions/feedback and also hoping to get some support from others to keep moving! I am 11 months out from gastric sleeve surgery and am still struggling to implement a consistent exercise routine. I wouldn't consider myself nonactive by any means. I have been hiking 6-12+ mile hikes since before surgery. Problem is there is NO consistency. I will go walking for 1-1.5 hours one day and then not walk or exercise for five days. I have really only "exercised" a handful of times since my surgery 11 months ago. I recently purchased a Fitbit last week and discovered that I am more active on a daily basis than I'm giving myself credit for. I typically walk 6,000 steps a day on what I would consider a "non-active" day. So I realized I'm possibly farther along in being active than others on here. SInce getting my fitbit a week ago, I have been walking a minimum of 10,000 steps a day/5 miles/20 stairs. (Why didn't I get one of these little buggers sooner?!?) I do feel I have payed the price by not prioritizing exercise since surgery. I wasn't always overweight, so I have a pretty good idea what my body "should" look like at a certain weight. At 5'7" tall, I reached my surgeon's goal of 160 several months ago. I am now down to 154 and would like to get to 140-145. I look in the mirror and my body composition is VERY different from it was when I used to weigh this amount. (Note: I weighed between 150-163 from ages 14 through 31.) I appear more "flabby." I keep wondering how this may have been different if I had exercised more during this process. I do have genetics on my side. I naturally have an athletic body type. I was a competitive athlete when I was a child/teen. Later on in my 20's and 30's I power walked every single day for an hour to keep my weight in check. Unfortunately exercise was one of things to go when my work/life balance got out of whack when I had children. Some history on me - I've never liked "formal" exercise. Gyms still scare me. Maybe it's the whole "I don't have 3 hours in my day to drive-workout-shower before work" excuse I have always used. Regardless, fast paced walking is an exercise I can do anywhere, doesn't require any equipment and (for now) most likely the exercise I will consistency stick with. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new Fit bit as it is providing the accountability I need. SO what's the problem you may be asking? I have been gaining weight the last two weeks since implementing daily exercise. SInce surgery, I haven't had a problem with regain at all. Once I lose it, it rarely if ever fluctuates. SInce exercising I have GAINED 3 pounds. Intellectually, I "Get" what's going on. My body is adjusting to this new "curve" ball I've introduced. I may have to tweak my caloric intact. My body is also likely building muscle, which weighs more. Muscle burns more than fat, so long term having more muscle will make maintaining easier. I know intellectually I just need to keep plugging along and keep exercising! In a few short weeks I will experience a drop in weight, I will jump up and down and Celebrate. Right now, I need my BP pals to talk me off the ledge (Kidding, sort of ) Here's where I have to be honest though — and before I do, I want to say, DO NOT DO WHAT I DID. I noticed very early on after surgery that I would stall every time after I exercised. If I exercised, the scale wouldn't move. If I stopped exercising, the scale would move. There was so much focus on what the scale reported verses what my body looked like, that I stopped implementing a formal exercise routine all together. Old habits are hard to change and my old thinking right now is telling me to STOP exercising. Over the past year, there have been several times on the BP website I have read others talking about stalls and people commenting about how they exercised daily and wonder what their weight loss would be like if they didn't exercise. So many times I wanted to tell them to just stop exercising and they would lose weight! I wanted to type this.... yet I never did. You know why? Because I always knew exercise was key to long-term maintaince. I knew I may possibly be able to lose the weight without exercise, but it would be very difficult to maintain it without it. I also knew bodies with more muscle mass burn calories more easy. I knew I was screwed if I didn't eventually address this key issue that played a huge role in me neglecting this area of self-care. So here's what I need from my my BP buddies today. Encouragement that this 2-4 pound gain I have seen on the scale the past few weeks since implementing daily exercise is temporary and to hang in there. Seriously, I wish I could just stop obsessing over what that darn scale reports! I am in the home stretch here! I am less than 10 pounds away from my stretch goal of what I want to weigh. Problem is I want to look good NAKED. The only way that's going to happen is if I keep on moving!

Re fear of weight gain ... I can't imagine each of us doesn't fear that. But I'll speak for myself: I fear it. I'm only four months into maintenance. There's no way I feel stable at this point.

I was banded in Milwaukee May 12, Dr. Chua. I live on Milwaukee's south side. I am male, 61, single, and determined to lose at least 100 pounds and keep it off. I did the Lap Band because I have seen the co-morbidities creep into my life--sleep apnea, worsened asthma, gout, heart risk, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, etc. I have six children and would like to stick around to see how they do. Plus I am sick of being a whale. Up and down all my life, but always a little more weight gained than lost. Now I sincerely hope I will never see 300 again (I am now 297, after losing about 10). Anyway, a once per month meeting in Milwaukee somewhere would be lovely, if we can get critical mass. I would like to benefit from veteran lap banders and over time I would hope to be supportive to others.

I have been told by my Doc that one drink stalls weight loss for 3 days. Myself like others in the thread broke my own rules and drank more than I needed scotch on the rocks over the holiday weekend. It made me feel like crap the next few days. Now I am stalling with even a slight weight gain. I will not do that again. Not another drink until I reach my goal.

Yeah but the flip side of that is...they will pay more down the line due to a lot of serious health issues that comes along with being morbidly obese. That was one of the reasons Medicare started covering bariatric surgery. Yeah they mighy shell out (or more like the tax payers will shell out) a big chunk off the bat, but if that lowers BP, cholesterol, DM and so on, then its worth it for them. Its a win win for both parties. But I agree with them finding canidates who are serious about it. I was never denied, but I called Cigna and was active with them and my PCP and the bariatric doctors office. Plus I'd had them back when I was thinner, so they watched all the weight pile on and all the comorbidities that went with the weight gain so maybe that's why they immediately approved me...

Please do not get depressed- remember why you have done it, right now I am only getting 1 cc in at a time too but 4 weeks apart. I sometimes still fill hungry more than I think I should but I grab water or 1 of my fat free jello. I am 61 days post surgery and I too wish that I had more restriction faster but I know the process will be slow just as my weight gain was slow. I hope that I have encouraged you somewhat. Yolanda

It is realistic to be a normal weight. Yes, it does take work (if you call eating healthy and taking the recommended amount of daily exercise work) but it is worth doing. And I don't actually know anyone who is a healthy weight who doesn't exercise daily, eat well, and take care of their health. I set my goal weight, and my Dr agreed that for a woman of my height, it was a good weight. I have maintained 107 (a BMI of 19) for over 18 months now with no "rebound" weight gain at all.

I eat carbs but I am careful with the type. I had this surgery in order to live a life that is enjoyable and satisfying. I love fruits and vegetables and not having them is neither enjoyable or satisfying. My focus is Protein, and I always try and eat that first, however, this is a life-long journey and the minute I tell myself something is off-limits, the cravings begin. My carb intake slowly increased the longer I have had my sleeve but I try and make sure they are ones that are healthy for me. Old fashioned, but I believe the real truth is about the calories. All macronutrients have calories and it is the measurement of energy used for cell metabolism. Anecdotal evidence points to the increased number of calories verses the actual type of macronutrent being the real culprit of weight gain, and more and more scientific research is finding this anecdotal evidence to be true. Do not misunderstand me, certain foods can trigger dopamine receptors in the brain and various other pathways of central nervous system chemistries increasing cravings and decreasing chemical signals to the brain that help register satiety, but by and large, if calories in is less than calories out, weight will be lost. There are those who will argue that stalls are a result of "eating too many carbs" or "not eating enough calories" etc, but I don't buy it. We underestimate the number of calories by as much as 50% in the US population-can't speak for my mates across the pond, but this underestimation is pretty considerable. If "starvation mode" existed, why did concentration camp victims continue to lose weight when their captors/tormentors stopped supplying food? <jumps off soapbox> In short, I got this sleeve to use as a tool to help me control portion size and help me make healthier choices without restricting what those choices may be I weigh my food and measure everything, including carbs, and thus far, 6 months out, I have NEVER stalled. Live the life you choose and understand everyone has a different biochemistry and metabolism, some do well to limit carbs, some do ok with carbs, but it is all based on individual needs.

I picked 4..I really don't care what anyone thinks. My personal feelings is all that matters to me. Outside opinions can make your head get rather large...and I don't need any additional weight gain at this point..lol.

@@perforce I'm also in Idaho. Thanks for the great information. Good reminder that weight gain can happen to any of us.