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Iwas banded 8-23-13. I had an easy surgery hard time getting approved b/c I take 22 pills a day...used to be 33. I've lost 25 lbs. I've not had a fill yet. Dr says I'm doing real well. Slow and sure. But I take psychiatric drugs that are weight gain...have diabetes...and low thyroid. You would think I'm a failure before I began...but I would do it again. I've learned some things others take awhile. If you don't have my sort of problems...and you follow the plan...you'll probably lose weight fairly fast. Mine is going to be slow...but I did it for health reasons first weight reduction second. I have 50 lbs to go to meet my goal so I'm happy the way I'm going. If you have questions I can try to answer but going to general lapband support groups then lapband support groups alot of vets are on there and many are willing to help. I go there with my problems and they are very supportive. But always consult your lapband doctor. Good luck.

I am so excited for you! You are getting so close. I have just started my 6mo pre-op diet. If you don't mind me asking... did your surgeon provide a checklist of items for your Dr. to review and add to office notes on your 6 month pre-op? Did you loose weight, gain weight, or stay the same weight during this time? Thanks for sharing.

A couple of things I wish I knew. The constipation is real. I average between 14 - 22 grams of fiber daily but still have to take something everyday. I wish someone had of explained that too me. I have rarely been constipated in my life until now. All the aches and pains I got. I am the only one of several people I know who got the surgery who has had issues. Weird hip pain where I couldn't walk without assistance and now Meralgia Paresthetica. I had this condition many years (24) ago when I was pregnant and it came back with a vengeance. I refused any meds due to potential weight gain and will hopefully wait it all out.

Welcome! Its interesting that you say there may be a corallation between TBI and weight gain. My son in law was always slim until he fell and had a severe head injury. He gained a huge amount of weight and developed diabetes because of it. We just thought it was because he wasnt able to be as active and because he sleep eats in the middle of the night. He is also looking into WLS. Good luck to you. I hope you get to have your surgery soon. I am also just waiting for my Echo and my EGD and hopefully will have a date too.

I have been lurking for a couple of weeks and finally joined today. I have gotten a tentative approval for VSG. Final approval is dependent on heart health clearance via results of echocardiogram, which is scheduled mid-February. Hopefully, I can set up my surgery in March. I view Gastric Sleeve and all bariatric procedures, as tools to help, not as a sure fix....it is not the easy way out as some would claim! I have been severely hypothyroid since I was 20 years old after having most of my thyroid removed because of Graves' Disease (autoimmune hyperthyroid). Although, I take thyroid replacement, synthetic drugs do not work as well as your own natural hormones. For the past 40 years, my weight issues have been cyclical "hills and valleys". I would normally stay slim about 12 years and then would go into a gaining pattern but never topping more than 163, lasting 6 to 7 years before dropping the excess weight again. In 2012, I suffered a head injury and my weight exploded. I went from 117 to 212 in 8 months! The medical community is now starting to study the relationship of TBI's (traumatic brain injury) and weight gain. I can relate a definitive change in my food cravings and appetite. This time, I couldn't get the weight off even though I had a history of successful dieting. My resolve was as strong as ever but something had changed with the head injury. What this proves is the path to losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight is rockier and steeper for some than others through no fault of their own. The adverse changes to my health was the catalyst that motivated me to look into VSG. I recently had to start on HBP meds and have a been experiencing knee issues. I have always enjoyed an active lifestyle but the extra weight has elevated my fears of a stroke or heart attack due to heart palpitations and shortness of breath with even the slightest exertion. I am certain I will be asking lots of questions and am grateful for such a knowledgeable and supportive group.

mother natures nature's miracle is a liquid vitamin that i have used for years. i really love using it before surgeries because it makes me heal faster. it is really great it has everything and then some in it, even protein. it is a small company and their site is not fancy but the product is really great. Mother Nature's Miracle? | Liquid Vitamins | Eden's Miracle of Mother Nature | natural vitamin program Vitamins Function & Symptoms of Deficiency Vitamin A; Beta Carotene 14,000 IU Cancer Prevention, Prevents Eye Problems, used for Acne, Ulcers, & Tissue maintenance repair. Enhances Immunity. Protects against Pollution. Vitamin B6 (As Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) 4 mg Maintains health nerves, Skin Eyes, Hair, Liver, Mouth, Muscle Tone, & G.I. Tract. Coenzyme, Energy Production, used for Depression, Anxiety, Metabolisrn / Stress & Prevents Anemia Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) 1000 mcg Skin, Eyesight, Fatigue, Abnormal Sleep Patterns Vitamin C 1200 mg Helps Wounds, Surgery, Stress, Allergies, Asthma, Immune System, Heart Disease, Cancer Prevention, Bleeding Gums, Protects against Pollution. Vitamin D 1 800 IU Osteoporosis, High blood pressure, increases the absorption of minerals. Vitamin E 1 180 IU Antioxidant, Cancer prevention, Tissue repair, improves circulation, Prevents Age Spots, & PMS Vitamin K 170 mcg Blood Clotting, Tissue repair, Bone formation, may prevent Osteoporosis. Sulfur** Degeneration of cartilage, ligaments & tendons Lupus, Sickle Anemia, & Collagen Diseases Copper 2mg White/Grey or Brittle hair, Hernias, Varicose Veins, Aneurysms, Anemia, Hypo or Hyper Thyroidism, Arthritis, Liver Cirrhosis, Violent Behavior, & Learning Disabilities. Coral Calcium 1100 mg Osteoporosis, Receding Gums, Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia Kidney Stones, Bone Spurs, Calcium Deposits, Cramps, Twitches, & Bells Palsy Iodine 320 mcg Fatigue, Colds, Muscle Pains, Heavy Periods, Low Sex Drive, Brittle Nails, Weight Gains, Hair Loss, Muscle Cramps, Depression, Puffy Face, Dry Skin & Hair, Poor Memory. Magnesium 260 mg Asthma, Anorexia, Migraines, Growth Failures, Muscle Weakness, Tremors, Vertigo & Small Arteries Iron 10mg Hemoglobin, Pica, Fatigue, Heart Palpitations, Memory Deficits & Anemia Phosphorous 500 mcg Brittle Bone, Low Energy, Inability to break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates Potassium 300 mg Muscular Weakness, Mental Apathy, FACT: May lower Blood Pressure Zinc 30 mg Impaired ability to heal, hair loss, fatigue and acne Chromium 200 mcg Depressed Growth Rate, Glucose Intolerance in Diabetics CoQ10 3mg Anti Oxidant, Cancer, Heart Disease, Poor Immune System Herbs Function & Symptoms of Deficiency Gingko Biloba 100 mg Improves Memory, Brain Function, Blood Flow, Depression, Oxygenation, Asthma, Alzheimer's Disease, Heart & Kidney Disorders. Aloe Vera 6000 mg Restores Tissue, Anesthetic, Heals Burns, Itching, Regenerates with no Sear. Ginseng 500 mg Used for Impotence, Energy, Diabetes, Colds & Chest Problems. i Enhances Immune Functions & normalizes B.P. Enzymes Function & Symptoms of Deficiency Proprietary Formula Amylase Is the digestive enzyme used to digest carbohydrates Lipase Is the enzyme used to break down dietary fats Papian Helps improve skin and breakdown protein Pepsin Is the principle enzyme which helps aid gastric juices Ptyaln Helps in aiding digestion in the stomach for several hours Protein 3 G From vegetable sources is essential in building, repairing and maintaining body tissue Trace Minerals Function & Symptoms of Deficiency Sulfur Important mineral in several amino acids within the body involved in functions of Hemoglobin, Insulin, Hormone, Adrenal Hormones, Enzymes, and Antibodies. Deficiency: Degeneration of cartilage, ligaments and tendons, Lupus, Sickle cell anemia, Several collagen diseases Ten Animal studies show deficiencies cause: Poor growth and Poor feeding, Hearing loss, Male pattern baldness, Cancer prevention properties Chromium Deficiency: Low blood sugar (Vanadium& copper also) Prediabetes (Vanadium also), Diabetes (Vanadium also) Hyperactivity, Learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD Hyperirritability, Depression, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde rages Impaired growth, Peripheral neuropathy, Negative nitrogen balance (body lean mass/protein loss), Elevated blood triglycerides, Elevated blood cholesterol plaque, Infertility & decreased sperm count, Shortened life span Copper Deficiency: White or Gray hair, Dry brittle hair, Ptosis (sagging tissue-eye lids, skin, breast, stomach, etc.)Hernias, Varicose veins, Aneurysm (artery wall bulges) Kawasaki Disease, Anemia (common in vegans & high milk users), Hypo or Hyper thyroid, Arthritis (especially where growth plate are involved), Ruptured vertebral discs problems, Liver cirrhosis (Number 9 killer in US) Violent behavior, blind rage, explosive outbursts, Learning disabilities, Cerebral palsy & hypopasia (failure to form) of the cerebellum, High blood cholesterol, Reduced glucose tolerance (low blood sugar) Praseodymium Enhances normal cell growth. Doubles life span in laboratory animals Antimony Effective against blood flukes Strontium Strontium can replace calcium in many organisms including man, Essential trace element Thulium Enhances growth of normal cells Doubles the life span of laboratory animals Trace Minerals Function & Symptoms of Deficiency Gold Reduces active joint inflammation Molybdenium Essential as a metalloenzyme of several enzyme systems Iodine Needed by body for thyroid function (Thyroxin is thyroid Hormone), Copper needed to utilize iodine Deficiency: Under Active Thyroid, Fatigue, Cold intolerance Muscle Aches and pains, Heavy periods or less than 28 days cycles, Low sex drive, Brittle nails, Weight gains, Hair loss Muscle cramps, Depression, Constipation, Elevated blood cholesterol, Puffy face, Dry skin & hair, Inability to concentrate, Poor memory, Goiter (throat swelling) Over Active Thyroid, Insomnia, Heat Intolerance, Excessive sweating, Light periods or longer than 28 day cycles, Hand tremors, Rapid pulse, Bulging eyes, Weight loss, Increased appetite, Muscle weakness, Frequent bowel movements, Irritability, Nervousness Goiter (throat swelling) Lithium Deficiency: Depression, Manic depression, Lithium deficiency aggravated by high sugar consumption Reproductive failure, Infertility, Reduced growth rated Shortened life span, ADD, Rages & fits Manganese Deficiency: Congenital ataxia, Congenital deafness, Asthma, Chondromalacia, Chondrodystrophy, Poor cartilage formation problems, Repetitive Motion Syndromes (like TMJ, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), Convulsions Infertility (failure to ovulate or testicle atrophy), Still births or spontaneous miscarriages, Loss of sex drive, Retarded growth rates, Shortened long bones Nickel Deficiency: Poor growth, Anemia (low hematocrit) Depressed oxidative ability of the liver, High newborn mortality, Rough/dry hair coat in animals, Dermatitis Delayed puberty, Poor zinc absorption Silver Kills over 650 disease causing organisms, Systemic disinfection & immune support, Subdues inflammation & promotes healing, Anti-bacterial, Anti-viral, Anti-fungal Boron Essential for bone metabolism, Aids efficient calcium & magnesium use, Proper endocrine function Reduces calcium loss from bones (Osteoporosis) Bismuth Ulcers result from lack of bismuth & a bacteria Heliobacter pylori Calcium High protein diets increase demands for calcium Deficiency: Osteoporosis (& Dowagers Hump fractures,) Receding gums (osteoporosis if facial bones & jaw bones) Osteomalacia (failure to mineralize the protein bone) Arthritis, Hypertension/High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Kidney stones, Bone spurs, Calcium deposits, Cramps & twitches, PMS, Some low back pains (sciatica, muscle spasms), Bell?s Palsy, Osteofibrosis (enlargement of bones with scar tissue), Tetany, Panic attacks Cobalt Essential part of Vitamin B12 (Growth & nerve system) Emaciation, listless, starved look, pale mucus membranes, Anorexia, Anemia Cesium Cancer aid cesium enters cancer cell and produces alkaline condition Europium Doubles the life span of laboratory animals Fluoride In plant based colloidal form will aid bone strength & no toxicity Iron Deficiency: Hemoglobin (Oxygen carrier in red blood cells) Pica (mineral lack and eats dire and chews ice), Listlessness & fatigue, Heart palpitations, Memory deficits, Sore tongue, Anemia Gallium Reduces brain cancers Silica Increases collagen in growing bone by 100%, Deficiency: Dry brittle hair, Brittle fingernails, Poor skin quality, Poor calcium utilization & arterial wall strength problems Samarium Enhances normal cell proliferation, Doubles the life span of laboratory animals Selenium Effective anti-oxidant, Deficiency: Anemia (red blood cell fragility), Age spots or liver spots, Fatigue, HIV (AIDS), Myalgia, Scoliosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Cystic Fibrosis, Cardiomyopathy, Multiple Sclerosis, Heart palpitation, Irregular heart beat, Liver cirrhosis, Pancreatitis, AS (Lou Gehrig?t Disease), Parkinson?s Disease (associated lead poisoning), Alzheimer?s Disease (associated high vegetable oil consumption), Infertility, Low birth weight, High infant mortality, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Cancer (associated with high vegetable oil intake) (Number 2 killer), Sickle cell anemia Germanium Highly efficient electrical impulse initiator, Aid in oxygen utilization, Enhances immune systems function, (Killer cells, interfering, macrophage and T-suppressor cells), Deficiency: Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Low energy, Cancer Yttrium Enhances normal cell growth, Doubles life span of laboratory animals Potassium Deficiency: Muscular weakness, Mental apathy Lanthanum Deficiency: Maybe involved in chronic fatigue diseases Magnesium Deficiency: Asthma, Anorexia, Menstrual migraines, Growth failures, Neuromuscular problems, Tetany-Convulsions, Depression, Muscular weakness, Tremors, Vertigo, Calcification of small arteries, Malignant calcification of soft tissue Vanadium Aids in glucose (blood sugar) oxidation and transport, Enhances insulin effectiveness (aids with blood sugar problems), Decreases cholesterol production, Increases effectiveness of heart muscle contraction, Anti-Cancer properties Deficiency: Slow growth, Increased infant mortality, Infertility, Elevated cholesterol & triglycerides, Hypoglycemia & Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, Obesity Amino Acids Function & Symptoms of Deficiency - Proprietary Formula Alanine Important source of energy for muscle tissue, helps in the metabolization of sugars Arginine Improves immune responses to bacteria, crucial for optimal muscle growth Cystine Powerful antioxidant, aids recovery from burns and surgical operations Glysine Helps trigger release of oxygen to energy Leucine Used for production of energy to the upper brain Methionine Prevents disorders of hair, skin, and nails Phenylalanine Improves memory, reduces hunger pains Proline Helps maintain and strengthen heart muscles Serine Strengthens immune systems, synthesizes fatty acid Tyrosine Improves memory, helps overcome depression Valine Promotes mental vigor and muscle coordination Sea Nutrients Proprietary Formula Alaria Valida Rich in Vitamin A, vitamin B and calcium Costaria Costata Helps reduce blood cholesterol levels. Helps improve thyroid function. Agar Used for constipation Algin Ability to draw harmful pollutants like lead from the body Dulse Rich in protein, fluoride and iron Kelp Helps thyroid conditions Kombu High in Trace Minerals Kuzu Helps soothe the stomach and strengthen the intestines Nori Good for prostate and thyroid, high in protein __________________

The side effect of my medication is weight gain; for example my younger brother at one time took this same medication and gained over 60 pounds in 3 years (prior to that he was always skinny). I have def noticed an increased appetite with it. I have never eaten to feel "full" or uncomfortable since surgery, I have always been good about stopping and eating small portions at a time (half plate of food). However, I think my main issue is feeling hungry again soon after eating and then snacking. The only thing I can think to do is to measure every single thing I eat for a period of time and see if that helps, and to cut out snacking completely. My diet is average at best. I still make sure to get 60-80 grams of protein a day, and enjoy lots of veg and some fruits, however I do not stick to low carb or low fat options all the time--this may be another issue.

I have not had surgery or major weight loss but because of my weight gain I have had a major problem with yeast rashes and the "stinkys". :thumbup: I use Mitchem gel deodorant anywhere I had a problem. It protects the skin from moisture and takes care of the stinkys.

Hi everyone, I am 6 months out and have lost 57 lbs so far. (229 to 172) I have been on the mini pill for about 18 months, and it was great my periods had stopped completely. But now they have come back with a vengeance ... So I was looking at other options like the implant or injection... The only thing is I have read a side effect is weight gain. Had anyone any experience of this? I'm after a contraception with stops my period and hopefully doesn't make me pike on the pounds :-(

I had the vsg about 2 years ago. Lost about 100 lbs and felt amazing. But thennnnnn life happened. I became a nurse, my father passed and I miscarried. Needless to say, I've gained about 30 lbs back. Has this happened to anyone else? We're you able to lose again? If so, how? I'm just really trying to take my control back. I want to stop this weight gain now. Get back on track. If anyone has any advice. Or success stories involving gaining after the vsg then losing again, please share. I'm ready to take my life back again, I just need help on how to get started! Thanks!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes, even though of course I know that weight gain during pregnancy is "normal" and even healthy and desireable, it is very hard for me to watch the numbers, which I fought so hard to make go down, go up. I know what everyone will say, that now is not the time to diet (and I'm not) and that I should not be starving my baby (I'm not), but I just want to validate you, OP, it is very difficult for me to "enjoy" or even deal with this weight gain! Good luck!

Some broths are high in sodium, which may exacerbate your premenstrual weight gain. This is temporary, follow the advice of@@BLERDgirl and you will start to lose again.

I have gone back and forth on 1.5lb this week so no real change trying not to think about it and keep moving!!! Did anyone find that muscle weight gain made it challenging to see some loss? I have been focusing on work out and see loss of inches but weight is hovering at not moving.

Like this - after rapid weight gain when ill I never lost it. Looking back all my diets were carb heavy. Food fell into a treat - Who knew that many cookies had between two and 500 cal! At times I ate out of boredom and other times it was what my palls and I did. Now we may hike or paddle rather then meet for dinner, happy hour or coffee and a scone. The Why.. too many diets and a trashed metabolic situation plus carbs ignorance.

How is your relationship with food post op ? I’ve always depended on food to fill my emotions when I was depressed or anxious. I absolutely hate it but I am worried about I am going to handle my stress and anxiety after surgery. I want to be healthy and to feel good and not hate whenever people take any pictures of me or hide behind everyone in photos. Go out with my boyfriend and friends and family. :( it’s been so hard because of my weight gain. My sisters had a great dinner with my mom the other day and I didn’t go I missed out on memories because of how nothing fits. So I understand my relationship with food is something I am willing to give up. Especially for my health.

How many weeks between your last fill? I was doing 3 weeks but it will be 4 weeks this round. You may still be in the yellow zone. Share your concerns and see if they can be aggressive with the amount of your fill. I had 2 CCs primed at surgery and then 2 CCs at 3 weeks, but ONLY 1 CC at the last fill. I'm hoping that I get at least another 1 CC [hopefully 2 CCs] on Mar 4. Have you been monitoring or having feeling challenged with your food intake? Sometimes, it may be that the body is plateauing and just needs a jump start to get back to the losing weight. But, when you think about it, a 2 week plateau is miniscule compared to the years of weight gain. Plus, look at it as a VICTORY++++....YOu haven't gained weight. Patience. Be well...

I had the bypass and am now 6 years post op w complications. My new dr is going in and removing the hormone producing part of the stomach along when redoing the cut on my stomach. He explains back when I had it done they cut the stomach different which proved in many patients around the 3 year mark for their stomach to start stretching and taking a new sharp which resulted in weight gain. Since then they perform of differently.

You can go on any form of birth control after the sleeve luckily. When I had my sleeve I was on the pill and loved it! Now with my bypass my options were IUD, Nuva ring or implanon. I chose Nuva ring. I have not experienced any side effects with the ring, or even weight gain. I am happy with it

Ok, let's have some drama for the weekend and shake the tree!!!! Question: Is the only difference between meeting your goal and maintaining it long term versus losing some of the weight and regaining part or all, only about following your diet, weighing/measuring/logging and exercising (i.e. maintaining healthy diet/exercise practices)? ORRRRRRRRR Does weight gain at year 2 or 3 "just magically happen" through no fault of your own and despite continuing to eat the SAME exact healthy diet you were eating to lose and initially maintain? I mean, if you're still eating 1000-1200 cals/day and exercising 4-5 days a week, 45 minutes a day--will you regain the 10-20lbs regardless of how pure you are? Or is regain ONLY gonna happen when we revert to old poor food behaviors and overeating/eating crap or eating around our surgeries? I'm honestly terrified of being in this second group. I want to know what I must be on-guard about after surgery. Like I can't fool myself into believing that after surgery moderation in everything will allow me to lose and maintain my losses. It's just illogical. I never had balance before. I crave bad crap. Often eat emotionally. Etc. If I don't revise ALL of those things, it seems to me, I'm just a few bites away from regaining all the hard won losses? True? Or false? Will all of you who've maintained their losses please share your secrets for maintaining your weight losses without a regain or only a tiny regain, please????

Maybe you need ( like all of us) to get rid of words like "should" and "ashamed". I hate being told I cannot have certain foods...it is the one way to get me passionately interested in almost anything. If they came out with a study and said that rice cakes (ugh, ugh, ech!) were to be avoided by dieters at all costs, I would immediately begin obsessing ways to sneak them into my pantry in large quantities. I would doodle rice cake people on my desk blotter (I would have to actually buy a blotter on which to do this, thus blowing my household budget and risk losing my home to the bank), I would drool over pictures of illicit rice cakes in underground magazines while pretending to read literature, and my dreams at night...well, best to draw a veil, Dear Readers. My saving grace? I know this about myself after years of restrictive diets ( many successful for the short haul), self-blame, and Guilt. What works for me...not protein-lovers, not those content on low-fat programs, or the complex-carb folk - is the old fashioned calorie counting method, where nothing is forbidden, no food is "bad" (thank you WW for this gem), but married to the idea that food is actually fuel...and my body will simply not work well without the basics. Which have to go in first. So proteins first or I feel like crap and my hair will fall out - now there's a threat!, and tart cherry juice for my arthritis (140 cal), then veggies for vitamins and minerals, my milk quota, which I have in my tea ( I also add a teaspoon of totally useless calories in sugar which is non-negotiable if I am to feel human). This, believe it or not, leaves me with some extra calories that I can use anyway I want without guilt, horror, remorse, or weight gain. I get control and a MacDonald's smoothie (210 calories - less if you leave out the yogurt) with friends. Thinking of food a fuel makes me look at the Big Mac's, curly fries dripping with fake cheese, over-stuffed then fried burrito, etc as useless and disgusting excesses. What you need is to find your own path...almost all diets work, but won't last until they feed your souls and mind as well a fill your stomach.

I'm New York, and within the past few months - bleh. The lockdown didn't bother me so much as a concept, weight wasn't a problem for the first two months. I was VERY involved in a virus-related contact tracing effort that has basically consumed all of my time, and obviously the status of healthcare in America means that I've spent since mid-Feb bashing my head against a wall to try and make things happen and hitting political and insurance roadblocks and let's just go ahead and agree that being 20 feet away from the kitchen during 13-hour days when you can't leave home without wearing a mask is... not ideal for maintaining weight loss? Long story short, I am a whopping 30lbs up on my lowest weight right now. It's reversible, and in fact with some of the virus-related work finally getting traction (Americans finally stop living in denial, hopefully?) and being parceled off to other teams I'm actually seeing work hours go back down to a normal schedule, but I'm rebooting starting this week through Orgain protein shakes twice a day and one carefully planned meal, plus coffee, water and a cheese stick. I've deliberately and proactively sectioned off my calendar to make sure I don't keep working until 8pm every damn night anymore. I have done terrifying things in Salesforce so now all of my spinning plates are in view at all times. How did I get here? Well... Stocked up in late-Feb when I realized that this was going to be a pandemic. Then tried to order once or twice a week from restaurants when it was clear they'd otherwise shut down, which meant a single dinner lasted three nights. Two months in, I started going to the store occasionally for simple human contact, usually ended up buying stuff I didn't need as an excuse to make the trip. By the end of the spring, the stocked-up stuff started to reach the end of its expiry date, which meant I had to eat it... You see how this spirals. I hate summer. Hate it. Seasonal depression (yes, it does exist for summer). Oh, and then this year it turned out I developed a sun allergy. So even if I did go out to exercise, I risked days of an itchy, poison ivy-like rash. Pool closed, obviously. Work stress. Firstly, trying to make sure I kept my team employed and occupied and engaged as they ended up stranded in apartments and parents' spare rooms in rural towns and assure them that layoffs aren't coming to get them. Secondly, all the virus work. Work happy hours at the start of the lockdown. I had maybe 3-4 drinks every MONTH before lockdown. But then everyone started having happy hours to stay connected, and about three weeks in I think the cocktail started representing the time you officially stopped work so we were all starting making it more of a daily ritual. And once you're having a drink every afternoon when you shut your laptop, you start having two on the days things are particularly rough, and now it's August and I have consumed a remarkable amount of calories via gin, tonic and cider and definitely need to change that pattern. Pandemic stress and constant, haunting thoughts about why I didn't get New Zealand citizenship when I lived there and could do it, dammit. Stopped wearing proper clothing. I vowed to keep wearing my jeans and nice work tops, and stuck to it for about two months. Then I realized that wrap dresses worked great on calls and were cooler. Then started wearing yoga pants (but not doing actual yoga!) and a nice top on calls. Over the last three or four weeks, I've worn zip-up hoodies on internal calls. So it was easy to ignore the weight gain. My wireless scale broke and it took me three months to buy a new one. Anyhow. The pandemic sucks, so many things about living in the US reality distortion field suck right now, but one thing I very much can control is my food intake so it's back to basics on that count. The grocery supply chain is just fine, I've bought a projector TV so I can lock my dog out of the room and do yoga with an image projected on a wall instead of trying to contort myself to do yoga via computer while battling weak wifi, and IT'S GOING TO BE AUTUMN!!! Also I'm taking a week off. Also one of my NZ friends is now living in Sweden, so we spend a lot of time WTF-ing at each other about our situation compared to our friends' situations. How are all of you doing? Working parents, I am not one of your number but know that as one of your colleagues, I do not mind seeing your kids onscreen, totally understand you can't make that deadline, and basically just want to make sure you can make it through the week with 50% or more of your sanity intact. This pandemic has not fallen equally across all shoulders by a long shot, and anyone who's trying to make you stick to a Before Times schedule or gets ratty about "unprofessional" childcare complications can go stuff themselves. **definitely not looking for any advice or encouragement here, and am in fact allergic to both unless expressly requested - just figured since this is a check-in I’d update on current state of play for anyone interested in comparison.

Oh yeah, my metabolism was well & truely wrecked from decades of literally starving myself to try to lose or maintain. That has been a bonus of this surgery: a metabolism that actually works again. I’m truely surprised by how much food I eat to maintain my weight now which would have resulted (& did) in weight gain at my much higher weight pre surgery. I am still a believer of calories in & calories out (not that I’m a regular calorie counter by any stretch of the imagination) but temper it with the calories in are what your individual body needs to function. No one’s body is exactly the same as another’s & therefore our bodies have different caloric needs & we process the nutrients we need from the food we consume differently so we also have different nutrients requirements. That’s why one diet/style of eating will work for someone but not for someone else. It’s why so many of us advocate you discovering what works for you. That’s a benefit of this forum, lots of ideas, suggestions, experiences from which you can start to develop your eating style from people who truely understand the struggle.

I agree with therapy. It has also happened to me and it resorted to a huge weight gain, this was prior to WLS. I had lost in on my own but gained it all back. I understand that you say you have no time, but if you do not have time for yourself … who else will? You have to always take care of #1 because that is how you are able to be there for others in the long run. Remember you did this for you, take the appropriate steps to take care of yourself precious one. You do not realize how much self damage you inflict when you are in pain.

I have suffered from anxiety/depression/PTSD for the majority of my adult life. I am on Celexa 40mg and Xanax as needed for anxiety at bedtime. Recently (in the last year) I’ve worked very hard on my mental health issues: developing new coping mechanisms, upping my visits to my therapist, etc because I knew I wanted this surgery and I wanted to make sure I was in the best mind frame. The psych consult could have gone better and my second visit with her was when she informed me she would only conditionally approve me for surgery due to my anxiety and depression. This of course made my anxiety and depression worse, but I soldiered on, saw my therapist more often (the psych was NOT the best person and she made me uncomfortable so I refused to continue seeing her), but that’s another story all together. I received my clearance from the psych and the doctor, nutritionist, and physiologist two weeks ago and now I’m scheduled for next month. I say all of that to ask this: how many of you that have had the sleeve had pre-existing mental health issues, specifically anxiety and depression, and did the symptoms lessen and/or were you able to dose down on your psych meds at some point after surgery?? While I realize that my mental health issues have little to do with my weight as it is a legitimate chemical imbalance, I do hope for some improvement and for the possibility to go down to a lower dose of Celexa (which btw, is known to cause weight gain) since I’m on the highest dose. Any experiences you guys are willing to share would be super helpful!! HW & CW: 251 GW: 145 Height: 5’3 Age: 31

I was reading your other post about gaining 4 lbs and just wanted to let you know your weight gain is almost surely caused by this time when you didnt intake protein. Your body goes into starvation mode and now that your eating mushys it is holding on to every calorie you eat! SO hopefully a little more time on the mushy stage will kick your body into weightloss mode Best of luck!