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HELP! As a Naturopathic & Holistic Doctor, this APP has been informative and inspirational. In the past, I have been totally against invasive/gastric surgery. My Story: My PCP and Nutritionist informs me a month ago that I am in severe need of a gastric method; due to my personal medical conditions, such as: severe weight gain from 180 to 337, severe back problems with L5, S1, C2/3 neck, SI Joints, pre-diabetic, elevated cholesterol & severe hypertension. Interesting, I am an author and my motto have always been centered on "Living a Holistic and Healthier Lifestyle"! I often thought as a Military Brat, Military Officer, Holistic Doctor, Professor of Biology, Medicsl Terminology, Body Physics & Anatomy, not to mention, I facilitate holistic seminars, eat proper nutrition, eat on a saucer (I do not eat beef or pork, i am not an overeater) and i drink holistically! Really?? Me, yes! I often thought to myself, how did I fall in this category? I fell in this category because it can happen to ANYONE!!! Another reason, I was against these type of procedures are because I have personally assisted several patients/friends/relatives with failed gastric methods. Upon carefully reviewing each case; I noticed, the following: *Patient 1(Gastric Bypass): Patient had an unsuccessful surgery that was reversed and almost resulted in loss of life, due to poor surgeon & patient practices. *Patient 2 (Gastric Band): Patient was unsuccessful, due to a lack of proper eating and not ready to make a lifestyle change. This patient became very ill and suffered from band erosion several times and resulted in removal; due to over eating, dietary choices, did not follow dietiary plan and improper regime daily. In the above mentioned information, I have selected Gastrectomy Sleeve. For years, I followed a plan and excellent dietary choices. It appears that i have not loss much weight, however I did manage to lose 20 lbs. before i made this decision to purse my health further. I have stopped my practice, seminars, writing books, until i can improve my own life!! In leadership, I have always lead by example; so I started DrAshmonGetFit on FB social media to assist others. I know how to lose weight, my issue were the injections (steroids) that casused an extensive weight gain. I have stopped back injections because I could not lose weight; due to steroid injections, lack of mobility (in wheelchair 30% of the time) and exercise regiment. My PCP and Nutritonist have convinced me to proceed with surgery; due to my high BMI of 53, weight of 337 and other health issues listed above. Good news, on February 10th, I received a letter from surgeon. It states that I will report to main hospital on March 19th in DE for a meeting with Nutritionist and to watch a video; thereafter a conference is scheduled with surgeon and nurse on the same day for Q & A as well as to select the most appropriate procedure for my health conditions with surgeon. Therefore, I join this community for support because this process is not my specialty. In addition, I am willing to assist where my education and experience is needed! It is time to take my own life back!!

Question: - won't going off the steroids and going low carb reverse the weight gain, especially if you already do portion control? How long have you been at this high weight? What will you do for the back pain without the steroids?

I had my band removed yesterday and I have to wait 3 months as well. I hope to get sleeved the end of May. I am actually looking forward to having a moment between my band and my revision. I had my band for nearly 5 years and due to all of the issues I had with it (food intolerances, vomiting, etc.,) I have developed new bad food habits that I need to undo before being sleeved. I need the time to get my "head" right because I think that is where the majority of my problems come from. I am a bit worried about weight gain during this healing period though.

Ur weight gain at surgery is from the air pumped in ur stomach...it will go away over time--walking helps..I was like 10-15 lbs higher day I came home and it takes a week or two for the all the air to leave ur body..I still feel some air come up when I drink and I'm 6 wks post op tomorrow

After Gastric Bypass surgery, I lost 120 pounds (8.6 stones) within around 7 or 8 months after surgery. One of the advantages of this surgery (RNY gastric bypass) was that I completely lost my hunger. It was not difficult to lose the weight when you are not constantly hungry all the time. Eventually after about a year the hunger returns but it is not as strong as before. A picture is worth a thousand words - so here is my before and 6 month after - photo comparison. Initially the weight loss is rapid but as time goes on it slows down and then eventually stops and a person transitions into the Maintenance stage. In this stage the goal is to maintain the weight that has been lost. There is also something called the 20 pound bounce. Many individuals will gain around 20 pounds back from their bottom but it is important to not let this weight gain accelerate beyond this bounce.

I've been on Nexplanon (implant) since about February. Been happy with it. No periods anymore, just a day or so of spotting every two months. I had it for four months before my surgery and I did not have any issues with weight gain with it. The only thing that is weird is that I have to use blood pressure cuffs on my right arm and everyone seems like they like to do it on the left arm.

*My feelings are hurt. I gained 3 pounds already since Thanksgiving. I was two pounds from goal and now I have to lose the damn pounds again. Smh I'm tired of my s**t and the roller coaster. * Gotta do better... Start measuring my ingredients in my home cooked meals because I've never paid it any mind..Now it matters. Back on the success train now. Thanks for reading. Lol K Bye

I have read many posts in the past about the same situation as u. Your body is adjusting.. Once it stabilizes.you will see a continuous drop..watch your salt intake. This can cause water weight gain. U may not want to weigh as much. I did have a little stall for several days ..so I just stopped weighing for several days. Then my weight loss was inching down again.

It's too bad that people don't view Bariatric surgery for what it is, a medical intervention. Nothing is easy about it except that the tool we are given causes all our efforts to finally actually work for us. People are plain ignorant about the medical reasons behind weight gain. After all the years of working out and dieting with no results, I say we deserve this. But it's easier for them to think we chose surgery over doing the work. No one has said anything negative to me yet, but if they do, I guess I'll have to school them. LOL

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and support. To answer the question "Why were you denied?": AETNA states the reason was because I had not followed a 6 month doctor supervised diet. They wouldn't accept that I've been on a strict diebetic diet with Dr. documented weight data every three months for the past 5 years and that I am at the end of my rope with the diabetes. I'm alergic to the non-weight gaining diabetic medications and I'm maxed out on the dosage as well. I've been working with one of the best bariatric surgery centers in Orange Co. California and supposedly the wording has been the best that it can be. When I called Aetna I was told that even if I were on my death bed I'd be required to complete the 6 month diet. But it's also my understanding that the requirement is dependent on the policy itself. So, some of us with AETNA will get this road block where as others will not.

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

Have you discussed your desire to lose weight & your interest in bariatric surgery with your endocrinologist? Are they aware of how little you eat now which must be a concern with your malabsorption issues. Unfortunately, the surgery won’t stop the weight gain side effect of the meds you have to take. Medications are one of the causes behind weight regain after surgery. Are there alternative meds you could take that don’t cause an increase of appetite/weight gain? Malabsorption issues are a possible side effect of weight loss surgery which would only add to your existing situation. Being aware of your nutrient intake & meeting protein goals is a lifelong consideration for everyone after weight loss surgery. Many will always need to take vitamins to supplement their intake via food. Just some things to consider.

My surgeon said to expect a weight gain right away because off the iv. I stayed overnight so I had a constant iv and my weight jumped a couple of pounds. Don't worry it will be off before you know it.Congrats on entering band land.

The key to controlling and eventually eliminating the worldwide obesity epidemic is understanding the underlying causes of the problem in the first place. This article offers some deeply thought provoking ideas and insights into this very serious threat. Broad in scope and exceptionally well written, this article is a great first step. The following are just a few excerpts from the article. I highly recommend clicking on the "Full Article" link to read more. Truly excellent. "With a decline in the number of smokers, obesity has emerged as the main source of many of the pathologies that reduce the quality and length of Irish lives. But where does the lack of restraint that leads to that condition originate? The stress of modern living plays a significant role according to new research." "But nutritional deficiencies caused by an agricultural system dedicated to the production of meat also plays a part. The restricted space dedicated to crops grown for human consumption, as opposed to the area set aside for livestock and the crops grown to feed them, has led to the cultivation of high-yielding but often nutritionally-deficient varieties. The insatiable eating that leads to obesity may be a response to nutritional impoverishment." "He says increased stress levels, especially fuelled by employment uncertainty have had deleterious effects on dietary choices: “Physiologically, stress leads individuals to prefer fatty and sweet foods, and frequently to consume more calories, exacerbating weight gain, especially in the form of risky abdominal fat”. The idea of a link between insecurity, stress and obesity is supported by the ‘social gradient’ of obesity”: it is most prevalent among those at the bottom of the social scale." "Illuminatingly, in the month after September 11th, sales of snack foods increased by more than 12% across the United States as paranoia, verging on hysteria, swept the country. The national sense of homeland security was bolstered by Twinkies and M and Ms." Full Article

I jumped on the scale yesterday morning and it said 226.6, and now this morning it's saying 229.9! I was completely shocked and frustrated! I have no idea why Or how I could gain 3.3lbs overnight but I am not happy! I even went to the gym yesterday and did 30 minutes on the treadmill (Dr Approved Treadmill only). Has anyone else experienced this? I know that my weight is going to fluctuate, but 3.3 lbs really? I can deal with 1-2lbs but not almost 4!

I live in sports bras but unfortunately as the sisters have gotten bigger (from weight gain) a lot of sports bras don't provide enough support. I guess the manufacturers don't expect "big girls" to be playing sports. Anyways, the one good thing is that any one sports bra usually functions through a range of sizes so as my boobs shrink after surgery (hopefully) I won't have to buy new bras for each size. Once I'm stabilized I'm really hoping to fit into something pretty instead of functional!

I'm a 40DDD. I hope I don't lose much in the breast department. Before my weight gain I think I was a 36 C\D cup. I'm not certain since I never measured before. My family is well endowed for the most part so maybe mine is genetically okay.

@@Kindle - Firstly, big hugs to you. I'm so sorry you're suffering. I take Wellbutrin, and have for many years. It's one of the only anti-depressants that isn't known to cause weight gain in a lot of patients, and it generally doesn't affect sleep if you take it in the morning. I however take one in the morning and one with dinner and I have no trouble sleeping. I wish you the very best of luck and please know it will get better. <3

So my grief counselor has suggested I try Wellbutrin. Things have been especially bad for me lately because its coming up on the 1 year anniversary of my friend's suicide. We've also been exploring some buried emotions from my brother's death that I never really got over (apparently drowning them in alcohol didn't make them go away ;(. ). At this point I'm having difficulties experiencing any sort of emotion besides sadness.....most of my days are spent going through the motions and putting on a show for others and quite frankly I'm exhausted. She thinks the Wellbutrin will help me with the biochemical issues I may be having that are hindering my healing process. So I'm going in to see my PCP on Friday to get his OK for the Rx. So anyone else taking it for depression? How's it working for you? Just wondering if there are any weight loss/weight gain/appetite issues I could expect by taking this medication. Any other weird side effects? I've taken Prozac and other SSRIs in the past for anxiety and stress, but the main problem was I could not sleep while on them. Not sleeping was worse than the reasons I was taking them in the first place so I had to stop.

I went on a cruise the week before my weight in and I wrecked everything. there was so much food around 24/7 came home with weight gain ???? Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

I've since been reading too about those with slips having issues with replacement bands - that they're at a higher risk of slips in the future too. I think if my complication had been a slip I would have been less inclined to get a band replacement as well. I so hear you though on the whole 'just remove it and do it yourself' thing. I gained weight when I sprung my leak but since managed to arrest the weight gain, and even take some off. So everyone I know can't understand why I would get another band. But I know why. It's because I seriously have to be obsessive with food to maintain. And if I can't exercise (like in the last 3 months due to broken bones) I struggle not to gain, because I'm hungry but can't exercise to burn anything off. So I say do whatever works for you. I have chosen band replacement for a variety of my own reasons but if I were to have complications in the future, I'd weigh up all my options again and decide which way to go at that point, depending on all the information I have in front of me. Good luck with the surgery. I hope the 6 weeks will go quickly for you.

Ralheit - You lost 60 lbs that is no small feat - it you did it then you can continue to do it and get the rest of the weight off - you just have become complacent You know that you struggle with emotional issues of confidence & esteem that comes with being fat. But you may not know that you could be what are called as an avoider. This is due to the turmoil that comes with public & private dislike for obesity and you avoid confronting your situation at because of the fear of not being able to beat it. Here is how an avoider thinks – once you deviate even slightly from a diet or healthy eating you figure you might as we drop the whole thing – this stars a cycle that avoider can’t find a way out of – We are fat we try to lose weight we deviate just a little we feel rejection for the perceived failure we isolate ourselves from people we stop talking about it, we stop the diet we eat a pound of candy – we get fat then we try to lose weight and the cycle continues Instead of avoiding bad foods avoider tend to want to avoid other things like the people who want to help them and the disciple of trying to eat healthy. Avoiders try to separate themselves from these 2 strong emotion associated with dieting. The minute you ban any food from your diet you are setting yourself up for failure. If you eat half a cookie or a couple of fires from that banned food list – the diet is dead and that’s where the guilt sets in and now you feel that you lack the strength to succeed. This shame spins you back into the cycle of avoidance When you reach an obstacle you decide that instead of trying to find a way around it you might a well turn around and go back to the beginning – four fry’s leads to a handful then the whole bag. One way to handling emotional eating is you live & eat in the now – not being upset about what you are in the past and not obsessing about what you will eat in the future. The very thing that’s designed to help people lose weight is the very thing that promotes this heavier – diets promote the all or nothing mentality. In our lives we allow for a margin of error – which we should also do when trying to eat healthy – if you are eating 1000-1200 calories a day – allow for some of those calories to be used for a little bit of something you really want - you need wiggle room in your diet to make it work – the all or nothing practices has to be thrown our of your mind. You can learn to reprogram your mind to strip away the guilt that comes with dieting. You have to realize that it’s not that the first slice of cake that will doom your diet – it’s the second or third or whole thing that leads to weight gain. You have to listen to your body & respond smartly to your cravings and emotions but over time you will learn how to eat right and mange your craving and that’s when you’ll train your brain to stop obsessing about eating right and punishing yourself – If you stop overthinking you’ll stop over eating.. Go back to making healthy food choices – low fat – sugar free – I personally love WW style of eating – you get everything but it’s all about portion control – see your doc about your band – why are you pbing – eating too fast?? Not Chewing?? Trying to eat the wrong food?? Sweetie you can do this !!! You have proven you can by the 60 lbs loss – you took a little vacation and now it’s time to get back to work…

Why do we eat? The most basic reason is hunger, however with the growing rate of obesity this shows us that people eat for more reasons than just hunger. People eat out of boredom, loneliness, hunger, or deprivation. All of which can lead to excessive overeating and added weight gain. By choosing the right foods to eat when you are actually hungry you can limit cravings to eat for these other reasons. Superfoods contain essential nutrients that the body needs to properly function. When the body is functioning optimally it will speed up your metabolism, boosting calorie burning, making it easier to lose weight. Superfoods contain Fiber, Protein, Vitamins, and minerals, which play a role in how your body responds to calorie absorption and fat cells. Superfoods tend to be lower in calories and take the body longer to digest. This leaves you feeling fuller for longer, giving you less reasons to eat unneeded calories. They also provide the body with a steady flow of energy, keeping the metabolism working to burn more calories. By adding these foods into your Breakfast, lunch, dinner and Snacks you can lose weight and feel great. -Apples- Apples are great for weight loss. They are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Apples are low in calories, low in sodium and high in fiber, which keeps the body feeling full while providing a stable source of energy. -Lentils- These small legumes pack a real big punch against weight gain. Lentils are high in folic acid, Iron, magnesium, fiber and protein. Lentils also contain resistant starch which shrinks fat cells; smaller fat cells means less fat. -Eggs- Although most people only eat them for breakfast, eggs are a great food for weight loss. High in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and Proteins, eggs help to build muscle, which in turn helps to burn fat. -Yogurt- Yogurt is a healthy combination of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. This combination staves off hunger by keeping blood sugar levels steady. Yogurt also contains a healthy dose of Calcium. Calcium signals fat cells to stop pumping out cortisol. -Sweet Potatoes- Sweet potatoes unlike most other vegetables are higher in calorie content but are worth all of them. Sweet potatoes contain resistant starch, which produces compounds to signal to the brain to stop eating. The bulk in sweet potatoes fills the stomach so you feel full. Carotenoids in sweet potatoes stabilize blood sugar levels and lowers insulin resistance. Kiwi- Although peculiar in size, shape, color and taste, this small fruit is loaded with nutrients. Kiwis are high in fiber, both soluble and insoluble, low in calories and high in Vitamin C.

I have been thin most of my life. My weight gain came after several (8) rounds of chemo, first you cant eat then you can and food is wonderful then more chemo it was a vicious cycle. Size 6 then size 12 it takes a toll on you. Now cancer free for 3 yrs the weight just kept coming so I'd lose and something stressful would trigger and wham weight again. I can lose weight just can't maintain then my portion sizes got bigger and bigger. Then got diagnosed with diabetes and got really angry with myself because i caused the diabetes. Thats when my pcp and i discussed the sleeve. I was sleeved 9/10 and although I'm in the 3 wk stall i have lost 11 pds and 9 inches. Best decision ever. I have 70 more pds to hit goal of 110 as I am only 4'11.

I'm thankful that due to my sleeve journey I discovered I have severe sleep apnea! Restless leg syndrome, tired all day (over-caffeinated to compensate!), weight gain, etc. all the symptoms were there! My study was a horror-show! I selected a sleep clinic right in my small town (weird, never knew what the red door on main street went to...now I know!) Only one staff member there all night (scary!). There was another patient who arrived when I did so I waited from 10:30 pm until 11:30 for him to hook me up (meanwhile I had to be at work at 7 am -times a tickin'!) The TV was broken, whaa! Finally fell asleep only to need to use the restroom 50 times! I was told to use the TV remote to "bang on the side table" if I needed help! Hello-are you kidding me?!? No intercom. Just bang and yell in the middle of the night! I was so creeped out by the place, by the tech. Everything! I felt like I was in the next installlment of Saw-so scared! Results were horrendous! Guess what? They need me to do another study! Nooooooooo!!! This almost caused me to cancel my sleeve! I refused to go to that so-called center again so I had to change pulmonilogists-reschedule a consultation then had my 2nd study done at the sleep center in the hospital where my Bariatric surgeon's office is too. Where I should have gone in the first place, but tried to cut corners! PS-I hate using my CPAP machine! I go to bed with it on, but get claustrophobic and rip it off my face during the night! I have no idea how long I use it, but I know for sure it's not the 4 hour minimum! It dries out my sinuses and mouth soooo bad! I can only hope my weight loss reverses it sooner than later!