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*raises hand* My first period after surgery was VERY heavy (compared to pre-wls) and very LONG (it lasted over a week!). It continued (and still does - I'm two years out) to be comparatively heavier than before surgery, but the duration has gone back down to "normal" (for me, that's about 3-4 days). Another thing of note is that it comes like clockwork. I used to be very regular before I became obese, but then it became very irregular after the weight gain. The 1-2 years before surgery I would go months without it. I thought I was going through menopause or something, but I guess it was just being fat? Edited to add: I'm 49

Okay. First off. Congrats on losing 14 pounds in a week! WOW! As for gaining weight (1 lb!), it might be your body's way of keeping itself in check. You lost 14 pounds in a week - a one pound weight gain isn't bad. When I've lost a lot of weight quickly sometimes my body has to regain its composure. Maybe it's that time of the month? A little water weight gain? Just a thought. I'm still floored by a 14 pound weight loss in a week. Rock on.

Did you pick up the scales and hit him in the head? Of course the damn scales lie, that's all they do. This is so personal for me. I've been accused of being a lier about my food and my excersize, because I gained 10 pounds in a week at 1000 and only lost 1.5 pounds the month I was at sub 700 calories. There is a recognized condition called Cushing's, and one symptom is unexplained weight gain, another is the inability to lose weight. I'm so tired of doctors and everyone else using the scale to beat-up on us. The next time he does this, accuse you of lying, you get pissed off! How dare he do that to you.

Sounds like you may be getting too many calories, I aim for less than 1000 and I'm 5'6 at 177 right now. If you aren't working out as much you may be taking in more calories then you are burning which will cause weight gain. Hope that helps- good luck!!

I dislike shopping as well (do I really have to do this after I come home from work?) and I don't like cooking (do I really have to do this after I come home from work?) and cleaning up after (do I really have to do this after I come home from work?). I also dislike preparing food for the next day (do I really have to do this after I come home from work or before work in the next morning?). My compromise is that I keep it as simple as possible. I buy ready made soups that only have a few ingredients listed, even though they're relatively expensive. In general I think of warm food as more satisfying than cold food (e. g. warm oats are more satisfying IMO than cold oats) so I usually don't eat a sandwich/bread on its own but with soup. Soup and sandwich is a go-to for me when time is scarce. I also use frozen vegetables a lot. Saves both shopping, preparing, cleaning up and cooking time. Rice I cook in batches with a microwave rice cooker and freeze it in batches. After I started my new education my working times have changed (including 24 h shifts which are draining as hell) I'm struggling a bit as well, though it's more with regular exercise. I never got into the real groove again after my shoulder injury so far. Ok, I usually bike to work and I have been lucky with the roads not being icy so far but that's about it. Interestingly enough I haven't gained an ounce so far, even though I didn't feel I ate less food (though I must have anyway?). That's kind of a liberating observation. Convenience food (like sandwiches from the cafeteria) or eating lunch at the cafeteria even though they have a salad bar makes for less than ideal choices too often. I don't notice it in terms of weight gain (even lost a bit since starting my education), but I feel tired and drained a lot which I think is only partly because of different working hours. So even though I don't might like it, I will see to preparing oatmeal in the evening to grab in the morning instead of simply buying a sandwich at the cafeteria. There's no way though that I'll be nibbling on a piece of cucumber at 2:30 AM when I want something sweet. Protein bar for me then.

The goal should be healthy at whatever that weight might be for you. Here is my issue with statistics. Per my surgeon's office : St Luke's for the state Idaho follow patients for five years at each check up. The problem is that many bariatric patients stop coming to follow up appointments. Surgeons offices see a drop off of participants in the first to second year. St. Luke's is still required to send in the statistic even when they know for fact they are not accurate. These are factored into the national average. St lukes also says its normal to gain around fifteen after goal. Your body naturally wants to settle at a certain weight. I don't judge people that have lost 100% of weight, Lost below the norm or have weight gain. I also don't judge " if your body does not want to put up with a diet and calorie restriction" Things that I see when I talk to local patient in my area: (not saying all these issues will cause weight gain either) Gains can be small or a major for many reasons...Healthy issues, wrong type of surgery for the individual, not properly screened by the mental health process, muscle mass gain, eating/exercise disorders, mobility issues, hormone issues, Pregnancies, complications from surgery and going back to poor choices/behaviors (I'm sure I missed more examples) Personally, I never wanted to be considered a statist in this process. Each of us have different goals. it's a choice of what weight makes you comfortable for goal and maintenance. I hate the word failure. It might be you cannot lose weight due to the examples listed above. Could be a set back gain. What my life looks like at 3.7 years out for life I live on protein, sugar substitute, dairy,vegetables, healthy carbs and fruit.( I eat all food groups) At goal I indulge once in a while. When I have a weight gain. I go back to basics and get back down to where I am comfortable. Maintaining for me is chasing the same 10 to 15 pounds.Weight loss is slow.

Since I hurt my back again (& have been having a pity party for myself), I have been dealing with the binge demons. And I suffered a 10 lb. weight gain because of them! I still have my band, but I feel your pain sista!

Thanks Donali... I know that my weight problem has taken on a life of it's own over the years... and I also know that I have let it stop me from enjoying life to the fullest. I think that being taunted and teased on a daily bases from third grade on somehow pounded the idea that my weight was directly connected to my worth. That seed of thought has grown with each passing year and has become stronger and stronger. I am so ready to spread the Round-up and tend to a healthier garden of thought. Please be assured that I don't look upon the Lap Band as a miracle cure. I do look upon this surgery as providing me with a tool that will help control the quantities of food that I eat as I learn to deal with emotions and fears differently. I am really not counting on quick weight-loss with this surgery... mostly my hopes are focused on permanent weight-loss. My sister had the quick weight-loss with the RNY... but she is now battling weight gain much like she did before her surgery. I hope that the surgery I have chosen will give me lifelong success in a time period that the changes in my head can keep up with the changes in my body. It's like quitting smoking... I just couldn't do it without the patch... I needed help... I needed a tool to help me make a better choice. I think that is why waiting for the surgery has benn tough... I want to stop thinking about this... planning for this... waiting for this... I just want to get the surgery behind me so that I can start the journey to a healthier and happier me. Donali... you are awesome and you look MAUVELOUS DARLINK! Thank you so much for reminding me to look at the other great things in life that are totally unrelated to my weight.

Sue, that's GREAT news!!! I'm so happy for you. Don't be embarrassed about the weight gain. If we could control our weight on our own, I'm just sure none of us would be having surgery. I know I wouldn't have spent $13,500 out of pocket either.

I was one of those who originally was going for the lapband, mainly because I am younger and didn't want something permanently done to my insides. After researching thoroughly about all the complications, weight gain, etc that comes with a lot of lapband patients, I switched to the sleeve. My reasons for not even considering gastric bypass?: Didn't want my system rerouted. A lot higher chance of dumping syndrome. Malabsorption issues, which can lead to malnutrition. The weight loss is just about the same as the sleeve. Obstruction seems to happen more often, like with the lapband. Going to support group meetings, I notice that people who had the bypass looked more sickly than ones who had the sleeve. Not everyone did, but just a trend I noticed. Right now, I only get acid reflux when I have something with bad butter (like the buttery topping on popcorn), margarine is fine though. I don't have to take a daily pill for it, I just pop a couple of Tums when I have it and it goes away pretty quickly.

Well, my name is Meggie. Im 21 years old, and I recently was banded on DEcember 10, 2007. My story isnt exceptional or sad, maybe it isnt even worthy, but its mine,and I have had quite a journey becoming the young woman I am today. I have had a weight problem since I was a child. My mom worked fulltime so frozen pizzas and processed french fries became a hot meal for me. I was very picky, and that was easy for her and tasteful to me. I grew up with the occasional teasing but nothing out of the ordinary. I always felt out of place;even with family. I was always the "fat" kid in my eyes. My family never saw me as that simply because they saw beyond my weight. They saw what I call the "internal me"--which is in fact a totally different person.-I was never pressured to lose weight or compared to my "model material" kid sister, and in fact, I have been my own worst critic all along. When I got to the seventh grade I decided to take control the only way I knew how; I became bulimic. Typically, bulimics are rail thin and look malnourished-but I never hit that point. The disease never got out of control-well I mean the idea is out of hand enough in itself-but it never got excessive.It was my last resort when food got the best of me.My mother sent me to counseling and there I was, 13 years old with "control" issues as the doctor would call them. I was always told how beautiful I was, and in fact, I was the popular kid in school; neverhteless, I still didnt like me. I went all through highschool with my weight issue and in my senior year my dream came true- I needed my tonsils out. I know, I know-silly dream huh? But, to me it was so much more than a painful surgery. It was a period of 2 weeks that I would lose weight. I did ofcourse-18 lbs to be exact, but it all came back on within a year. So, there I was 18- still struggling every day of my life with my worst enemy-my weight. I dropped some weight at almost 19 because I was going through a break up, and my "control issues" caught up with me yet again. That weight didnt stay off either. As you can see, I never succeeded in keeping it off. It haunted me and creeped up just when I thought I was winning. When I was 19 my 45 yr old father died of massive heartattack while watching the superbowl. A part of me slowly died that day simply because he was ultimately my biggest fan. I dont think my daddy ever saw my size. He didnt care-I was his baby girl no matter what anyone thought. He was the dad that yelled at other small-and I mean young and innocent--kids if they called me names. I wasnt fat, he said and he belived that. Its as if he saw my soul, and not the horrific body that held me hostage. I love him for that and I find myself still trying to see what he always did....Anyways so here I was almost 20 years old. I lost a few lbs after Daddy died because of a loss of appetite, but still nothing to brag about. In November of 2006 I found out I was pregnant. Ive never felt so overwhelmed in my life. While ofcourse I was scared and anxious to meet my beautiful baby boy, the sick part of me thought "hOw will I possibly deal with this weight gain." I know-that should have been the last thing I thought of, but I couldnt help it. The whole 40 weeks I ate like I was on a diet, with the occasional splurge of McDonalds, but for the most part I monitored. Thats insaine isnt it? Who wants to be pregnant and on a diet? The two words dont belong together. Well, needless to say thank god that I monitored considering that I still gained 60 pounds! After the baby I struggled with some deep depression about my weight. I was always crying, and it was the number one focus in my life aside from motherhood. I remember actually thinking" if I have to live like this, I dont want to live." Scary thought, I know-but it was real. In the meantime I had consulted with a plastic surgeon to give me a breast lift. I guess I was looking for anything on my body that I had the power to change when really I just wanted to be thin. I even cut 12 inches off of my hair thinking I was going to have a "new" me. Little did I know, I was far from being new and I was still overweight. By this point I was tired of fighting this battle. I couldnt win alone and that was definitly apparent to myself as well as my close family. So, on the day I was going to schedule my breast lift, I made a call to find out if I qualified for the lapband....well indeed I did-by the skin of my teeth, but it didnt matter. That day I think I found a hopeful part of me that I never knew existed. I connected with the little girl in me and let her know that we were finally going to be alright. I met with Dr Fritz Rau only a week later and immediatly felt a sense of protection and peace. He was wonderful, and assured me that I was in good hands. I soon went on my 2 week liquid diet and did very well. My mother wasnt completly supportive in the beginning but she knew that with or without an army of support, I was going to be banded on Dec 10, 2007. She came through for me, ofcourse, she always did. I got there early that morning and was prepped in no time. After a long wait of about 3 hours-it was my turn. Finally, the moment I had awaited since I was that little girl was actually happening. I almost couldnt bare all of the emotions because for the first time in my life, I felt like the real me was going to have a chance at shining. I came out only 35 minutes later, and everything had went fine. I had alot of pain from the trapped air, but otherwise I was okay. I was already a new woman mentally. I went home the next day, and within a week was taking care of my son. I have had 3 fills so far and am down 25 pounds. My loss has been gradual, but thats okay now because I know it will melt off soon. So, as you can see, I have had an interesting travel to get to where I am today, and to Dr Fritz I owe my happiness. The man has changed my life, and because of him I will be the girl that I was destined to be. Nothing, not even weight, can hold me back now. God Bless all of you- may you all find that inner self who screams to be heard.

I think your body will slow weight loss and stop when it needs to. You are pretty young and so getting back to your pre children weight would not be too thin. So I don't think you should worry over much. Add some healthy higher calories Snacks. My goto is a handful of almonds, dark chocolate m&ms and almond m&ms. It is fat and tiny bit of sweetness and also fills me up. I would not recommend in Weight loss phase but in maintenance it really hits the spot. I also have a banana or other fruit a couple times a week when I never did I in weight loss phase plus 2-3 Alice's of bread a week. Just make sure to track so that a little extra doesn't add up to more and then you get hooked on carbs or sugar which is what causes weight gain. Remember Protein then fat then carbs - and very rarely sugar.

Hi there. This is the time that you need patience and lots of work with your dr. I learned from reading these forums that weight gain after band surgery is normal! If your band isn't properly adjusted, then it's not dimming your appetite yet. I gained weight for the first couple of months after surgery, then I stopped gaining and maintained, and finally after about 5 months of getting fills (and a couple of unfills) every 3-4 weeks I finally found a comfortable spot where I was losing weight consistently. Good luck on your journey and do NOT be discouraged. It takes some time and work to get the band in the right spot. But for me, that flexibility and personalization was one of the reasons I chose the band.

@@Julie norton I get that none of us are exempt from weight gain. I've just made nutrition and working out my lifestyle. I still weigh myself in the morning. I just don't think about my surgery anymore.(the thrill of watching my weight go down is gone) I'm getting my motivation from living at the gym, I like being a bad ass at my age. lol Its become my addiction. I don't think of myself as a surgery patient anymore. I plan to participate here when I can. I just don't feel like part of the group some days...Life has just moved on.

I thought that I was doing really well. I finally beat the 180 mark that took me close to a month to hit. All of a sudden my period comes and I gain 3 pounds instantly. I went from 177 to 180 within 2 days. I am so discouraged. I'm afraid that I will go back up again. I watch my food and exercise daily but the weight Jim has freaked me out. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

OK Delarla you went out drinking last night and having fun and so did I. I had to get away from the weight gain demon. However this is the holiday season, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! I am facing those hunger pains every day when I wake up till I go to sleep at night. IT really sucks. Vera thanks for the sweet phone call yesterday. It is calls like that which will keep me on track. Lisa we both will be able to do this. I am gonna fight this tooth and nail all the way. You can do this. We can do this together. Have you filled out your Biggest Loser application yet? LOL!! I say we start a talk circuit of Eroded Bandsters and encourage all 1 year or more bandsters to get Endo's. We can get local docs to give discounts on the Endo costs and give them away as door prizes. :Bunny Anyway, try to enjoy the holiday and I will see you when I get home. Offer still open and on the table to come stay at the house. HUGS Give Chris a hug for me.

congrats on your weight loss! I can't hardly wait til I can say the same. I don't have a surgery date yet and I really just got started with the process. I've wanted to have the lap band surgery for a few months now. I did WW and lost 83lbs. but I have really struggled to keep it off. I have gained 60lbs. of it back. My PCP knew I was doing WW at the time but I only saw him 1-2 times during the diet. My last check up ( last July), he was concerned about my weight gain since he saw me last. I hope he will be supportive since he knows I have tried in the past to lose the weight. It seems the older I get the harder it is to lose it. ( I'm 34).I go for my seminar and surgeon appt. in 2 weeks.

I'm three years post op. I think the biggest mistake I have made was to believe that I was "normal" . I felt good about my weight for the first time in my adult life. People were nicer to me. I was nicer to me. It felt really good. But something clicked in my brain. I was angry for losing all those years that I didn't & couldn't live a normal life. I was angry for losing my Father to Alzheimer's. I was angry that I had to move in with my Mother (my choice but not easy) to help her after my Father died. So what do I do when I am angry? Yep, you guessed it, I eat. All of a sudden I felt as if I had starved myself for three years so I ate whatever I wanted. I didn't plan any meals and I grazed all day. That's what normal people do, right? Anyway I was maintaining for a year ,even though I didn't reach my goal. Then maintenance turned into fighting 3 -5 pounds, up and down, up and down. Then it turned into weight gain that refuses to budge. I'm up 18 pounds and I know what I'm supposed to do but I don't know why I don't do it.

:thumbup: I just went from full liquids to soft food this week and I gained 3 pounds this week. What did I do wrong? Is this normal? Has it happened to anyone else? :confused2:

Six Patterns for Weight Loss Management Researchers Say Certain Habits Can Maintain Weight Loss Efforts By Kelli A. Miller WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD on Tuesday, August 03, 2004 Aug. 4, 2004 -- Has dieting got you down? Concentrating more on your behavioral patterns and less on your middle may help keep off the pounds for good. A study published in the July 2004 Nursing Science Quarterly reports that 18 women who lost 10% of their body weight and kept it off for at least a year did so by embracing six behavioral patterns. Study author Diane berry, a postdoctoral fellow at Yale School of Nursing, evaluated the weight loss experiences of 20 women, aged 33 to 82, who were enrolled in Weight Watchers or Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS). Berry questioned the women about their childhood, their relationships with others, stable periods of time in life, and major life-changing events. Ninety percent of the women successfully maintained a weight loss of 15 pounds to 144 pounds for a period of one to 27 years. Those who were successful exhibited six common trends. The patterns involved an initial period of chaos, followed by a time of conscious decision-making, and the development of new behaviors. In pattern one, women exhibited self-consciousness, low self-esteem, and a high sense of vulnerability before losing weight. They were also naïve regarding events that contributed to their weight gain. Pattern two involved problem recognition and a readiness to change. Making a decision to lose weight gave the women more overall energy, according to the study. Pattern three revealed the women taking control and engaging in behavior change. During this phase, women felt empowered and experienced a new sense of control over their lives in general. Pattern four showed women regularly incorporating the new behaviors into their life, such as routine exercise and food portion control. All women reported an increased awareness of food. Pattern five showed that social support was immensely valuable in reinforcing behavior change. Attending weekly weight loss meetings offered comfort and helped foster new friendships. Some women required more support than others. Pattern six brought increased self-confidence, self-esteem, and weight loss maintenance. Positive energy abounded across the group. Once women reached this step, weight loss was maintained. While many diets can help shed pounds, most provide only short-term success. Researchers say close study of the six patterns may shed new understanding on why some women can maintain weight loss while others cannot.

I am so excited to be losing weight consistently. Unlike many overweight people, I was never able to succesfully lose a lot of weight. The most I ever lost was 30 pounds and it took me ten months and then I regained half of it before I got banded. I am still VERY concerned about keeping the weight off down the road. I'll have to be very vigilant about watching the smallest of weight gains. I called the Dr to move my fill up, I had big time hunger yesterday and feel like the band is not yet helping me as much as it could. 15 pounds for you in five weeks is unbelievable! You are really doing well. What should our next challenge be? Valentine's day to Easter or to April's fool's day?

I have gained about 10lbs and I haven’t been doing anything different. I eat healthy and walk 2 miles a day. My PCP did change me to a birth control pill. Could that be causing weight gain? Or and I on a stall?

I have taken Zoloft 100 mg in the past for about 4 years. I now have been taking Lexapro for 1 year. I had LB surgery on July 13, 2009 and it does not seem that the meds have any effect, I am losing weight pretty good without a fill yet. I also took Prosac for about 6 moths and gained weight also weight gain with Welbutrim. My Zoloft I loved but seem to do better with Lexapro 20mg. I am still hoping this surgery will help me lose weight which in turn will make me want to get out of the house I try to hide-a-way in. I would not suggest trying to wean off the Zoloft until after you go through Surgery process. I have weaned off a couple of times and it is too much to deal with while dealing with getting use to new things. Once I weaned off and stayed off for 6 months, worse 6 months of my life. My Surgeon knew about the Lexapro and I also take Xanax for Anxiety. He told me to take it as normal before surgery. BUT THAT IS JUST MY EXPERIENCE, ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR. Hope that helps some.

Anyone take nardil after being sleeved? Nardil is an maoi that is known to cause weight gain. Wondering if the craving for carbs would be tamed with the sleeve?

A fluroscope is used for fills. The dr has me drink a Fluid that he watches pass through the band to gauge the amount of fluid needed in the band. Upper GI is when the dr uses an endoscope inserted through the mouth to view the esphogus and stomach. Everyone I know that has a band has either spasms or gerd or both. Anyone know why this is? Anyone out there that doesn't have either? I am frustrated by the spasms and the gerd but not wanting to get my band removed. Afraid of the weight gain. I also have Fibromyalgia and Osteonecrosis both of which complicate matters for me. The FM can and does cause the spasms and gerd along with a host of other things and both limit ability to exercise. Would like to know if others that have FM have similiar banding issues.