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It doesn’t take much to lose a cup size, it’s only 1” in measurement per cup size. Your under bust measurement (gotta pull that measure tape tight) is your band size rounded up or down if need be. And measure loose on the fullest part of your bust. Each inch difference between the two is one cup size. As a general guideline since bra styles vary plus other factors. I had some nice Freya deco bras that I loved but with sudden weight gain didn’t fit anymore, they were size 30F UK (30G in U.S.) of course I bargain hunted them when I got them but they were practically brand new when they stopped fitting. So I put them away. I’d bought bigger sizes from Target. But After surgery I just wore sports bras for a while. But then finally my Freya bras fit now! They are a moulded cup so give some shape. I just hope I get some wear out of them awhile. I hate bra shopping since I’m weirdly small in the under bust area and stores don’t sell the band size unless their sizing runs small. I used to find in Nordstrom rack but last few times their inventory was terrible, then Again I only shop the clearance rack.

I'm with a previous poster - could be a lot of different things. Have your thyroid levels checked for sure. I happen to have hypothyroidism, and I know that I am barely able to crawl out of bed when my levels are off. And anything can make your levels shift - like weight gain, or weight loss. It makes sense that with your new eating habits that your metabolism would work a little differently, so you may want to have it checked. If you're already taking something for a thyroid issue, you should have your levels checked again anyway - because I just learned from my pharmacist (the doctor never mentioned it) that this surgery affects the absorption of that medication. I've also been through the reno process, and let me tell ya, nothing wears a body out like renovations! Take care of yourself!!

I am having some different effects from my birth control. But I've had it/been on it even before my weight gain. I have implanon and have had it since August 2007. I have noticed on my big loss weeks I have stages of spotting and moodiness. Now if your doctor has you on antibiotics or blood thinners is possible for your period to pop up irregularly and really it depends on the type of BC you use. Please make sure your staying hydrated. I would check with your doctor on an iron supplement. 14days can put us banders at risk for anemia. Hope this helps... Don't freak just chat with your doc or their med aide they will find the answers!

I think that in some way we mourn our relationship with food. If you're like me, you use it to soothe yourself and now you don't have that crutch anymore so it sort of just all comes out. I suffer from anxiety badly so I understand how you feel. I have recently stopped taking my meds (lexapro) because over the course of a year I gained 50 lbs! Having said that, I think an anti depressant is a good idea - Wellbutrin is a good one for people because it doesn't lead to weight gain. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have gained about ten pounds since the start of all the weigh-ins. I just started nursing school and i have been stress eating like crazy! Im at my halfway mark now so I really need to get on it and start eating better. Has/did anyone have this problem during their weigh-ins and does anyone know if the weight gain will effect my chances of being approved for surgery?

If you tend to freak out about sudden weight gains invest in a scale that measures body fat as well. These things might not be very accurate but when you gain weight and see a sudden drop in body fat at the same time - you're retaining water.

You need to go back to the Doctor, insist they do something a 50 lb weight gain is not good. that fluid building up in your body very unsafe. Please go asap.

The further out I get, the more I adopt the attitude of Never Say Never. I have regular crap food in my diet. As I do healthier stuff (i love me some salad). I love food and can thoroughly enjoy eating in my much smaller quantities. Balance and portion control is key for me. I started eating bread again (the regular, non-keto, full-everything kind WiITH butter) about 2-ish years post op…and surprise, surprise, I didn’t implode. Warm, fresh bread is THE BEST (my Mr. is the bread whisperer lol). Now, I won’t eat 5 slices anymore, I’ll likely just have 3-4 bites (as it is very filling for me), but still. Other than excess sugar, I can enjoy a wide range of foods with no ill effects nor unintended weight gain. Im 3 years post op and been maintaining my weight consistently at 115-ish since reaching goal almost 2.5 years ago…non-healthy food choices (with portion control) and all. My most recent labs a couple weeks ago showed once again that i am the picture of health. I do understand that for some folks, some foods are triggers or potential starts of slippery slopes. I guess just know what your boundaries are and strive to stay within them. You may not be perfect, but u can be perfect ENOUGH. Indefinite denial and avoidance, especially if it causes you angst is a meltdown waiting to happen. P.S. For those early in the process, for me it helped to tell myself: “Not right now, but maybe later”; or, “This kinda sucks, but it won’t always be so”. Making peace with the fact that nothing is forever helped with accepting my present circumstance. and who knows? what u really want today may not even be on ur radar tomorrow or next week or next year. And if it is, you can always have it then. Good Luck! ❤️

Hi I am new to all of this! I have battled my weight my whole life. I have lost weight gained it lost it again i am just so tired of this!!! Through my years of dealing with my weight I decided to go back to school and get a degree in nutrition (it's so much fun to be a chubby dietitian) so as you can imagine I no what to do to lose weight I just have such a hard time doing it. If someone told me that there was a magic pill I would take it!! So what I want to know is this worth it! Does it work? I know the science behind it all, but does it really work! I work at one of the local hosptials and the surgeons are having an info meeting this week and I just wonder if I should go. I have not talked about this with anyone in my life (my husband, sisters, friends etc) I feel like my god if I can't lose the weight who can. Sorry to have rambled I just would really like some help thanks for you time. Angela

I was so obsessed with weight loss that it consumed my life till the point of me purging everything I ate, unfortunately in the long run I had to get my bad removed. I am still obsessed with weight gain I was down to 103 pounds and I still thought I was fat. My family and friends kept telling me how sick I looked but I just didn't see it. I am now almost 4 months out without band and been so depressed with weight gain. I'm at 115 to 118 and I feel like a slob. I do everything in my power not to eat anything but the weight is still there. I don't know if I'll ever be happy with myself but I pray to God some day I could look in the mirror and say I love myself no matter what, I have a husband of 26+ Yes and 3boys and I should be happy they love me know matter what. What in the hell is wrong with me. 😥😥😥

Hi everyone, I am 2 1/2 years post op and I've gained 35 lbs. I'm getting married in June and instead of losing weight I keep gaining. Has anyone had the same problem? Does anyone know how what stage should do start on so I can shrink my stomach again? Any info would be appreciated.

Hello all! I’m very excited to find this forum for questions and support. I started my journey towards WLS in January. My insurance, at that time, required 180 days and 7 dietician visits. I did well with the first 2 dietician visits and the counselors appointment. Then COVID hit. My March appointment was cancelled, and I didn’t hear from my surgery center for a little while. I reached out to them at the end of March to see if I could start virtual visits, and they said that they were transitioning to that. I met my surgeon virtually, and I’ve had 3 virtual dietician appointments. Aetna changed their qualifications for WLS surgery in May, so now I need 12 appointments, but there’s no weight gain rules. The office is having me do 3 appointments a month to try to keep me as close to my original end date as possible. Some things about me: I live outside of St.Louis, Mo, I’m 37, am a mom of 3, 11 yo boy and 9 yo boy/girl twins, I have 4 cats and 2 dogs, all rescues, I’ve been married 13 years and together 16. My family is very supportive of my decision to have surgery. I am 5’10 and 290lbs. I have a few medical issues, but nothing comorbid to my weight, so I cannot lose too much weight before surgery or I will disqualify myself. I’ve been able to lose a little since my first appointment, but they want me to maintain now. I’ve had my upper GI and an abdominal ultrasound to see if I can have my gallbladder removed durning surgery, and it looks like I can, but my surgeon hasn’t confirmed that yet. It is slightly enlarged and I have sludge, so I’d like it gone. Anyways, I’ve rambled long enough. I’m happy to be here, and I look forward to getting to know y’all!

Just got back from my pre-op appnt and i'm so annoyed with myself. I knew the liquid diet was going to take care of the 10-15 pound required weight loss so just ate whatever for the past months. Now ive gained 10 pounds. Doc wasn't happy with the weight gain and wanted me to lose that in addition to the original 10 pounds. Thankfully its just made me more resolved to stick to the liquid diet. No more fooling around. I guess its just Optifast shakes, soups and Healthwise drinks for the next 2 weeks. I can and will do it!

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.

I don't really count calories either with the exception of every 4th day I try to get more than 1500 on what I call my maintenance calorie days. A regular day is likely under 800 though based on rough math-- I count protien and my water intake an just try to limit carbs. I am testing a theory of 3 days on typical vsg food and one day increased calories to keep my metabolism up. Please note: this is not from a nutritionist or doc--I figured I would try it and see how it goes for a bit. I am out of town all week, so I have not been able to hit a scale. Clothes are getting very loose and the belt had needed to go in another notch this week. Granted, I cannot eat that much food on my high calorie days--so I suppliment with "Suplimed" a well balanced weight gain drink on day4. So far most food has just been like taking medicine--not hungry, but I know I need the nutrients.

612belly man oh man, did i see right? you gained 4 lbs. only kidding about your small weight gain,don't kick yourself in the tush too much don't beat yourself up about it either i am now hanging head down very low i had two weeks prior to WLS, that i went food crazy My dr. didn't require a pre- op diet op before WLS. i wish he had, that might have prevented me from eating too much. so its the dr.s fault, right? i don't think so, he didn't force food down my throat i didn't need any help with that I gained weight pre-surgery. mmm don't seem to remember how much i gained oh yeah, for my ears only its true, other people go through this longer food funeral too, so you're not the only one good luck, you'll be fine kathy

The restriction may have kicked in. Alot of people swear that they don't feel their fill until 2 weeks after it. I haven't ever experienced this and I personally can't figure out the "science" behind it, but so many people have said it, that I just got to believe it to be true. Your band can get tighter because of stress. I had this happen when I had to go to St. Louis for a few days. The trip wasn't stressful, but I never felt that I had enough time to eat. Many people notice that their bands get tighter during their period -- well, right before it and when it first starts. My theory, you ask? Alot of women retain Water before their period (thus the weight gain)...I think that affects the band too. Causes things ALL OVER to swell. Also, when you have a PB, you should back off a little bit. If your first PB was bad enough, your stomach might have been irritated because of the PB making you even tighter than you were before. This is very common -- alot of surgeons recommend going back to liquids for 12-24 hours after a PB because of this. SO....in my opinion, go back to liquids for 24 hours. Then start solids again, but VERY SLOWLY. Cut what you think is a bite, then cut it in 1/2. Chew that 20 times. Then swallow. See if that helps. jayme

OMG! I had no idea! Here I was pushing protein, protein, protein! I just checked my MyFitnessPal log and sure enough I've been getting 90+ for the last week. So I googled what you said about too much protein and found: Weight Gain Your body can only use a certain amount of protein each day. If you take in too much protein, you may gain weight. Each gram of protein has 4 calories. If you take in 100 grams of protein, but your body can only use 50 grams of it, your body will store the extra 200 calories' worth of protein as fat. Doing this daily can cause you to take in 1,400 extra calories per week, resulting in a weight gain of almost 2 pounds per month. How to calculate how much protein you need? Here’s an easy way to calculate approximately how much protein you need: Take your weight in pounds. Divide that number by 2.2. This is your weight in kilograms. Take that number a nd multiply it by: 0.8 if you’re a regular healthy active person, 1.0 if you’re an intense athlete.

Hello all, Let me just say, regaining the weight is very easy. When I was banded in 2010, I thought this was the cure all to weight loss. Bottom line, behavioral modification is the key. Prior to banding I was 270, I went down to 215. I was hospitalized periodically during the months of September 2012 through November for an Achilles tendon rupture. My weight is now fluctuating; 220-235; I gained weight! I am terrified to go to my physician because of my weight gain. He is aware that I was on strict bed rest, he explained, I could still do exercises while sitting up. He threatened to remove my band if I am not compliant. My fear is that my weight has been 215 for months prior to surgery. I have been drinking a lot of juice that is loaded with calories, I eat on the average per day of two cups of starchy food items, one palm size meat item, two cups of vegetables, and the rest is juice and coffee with cream and sugar. These food items are divided through the day. I am definitely not hungry. In all reality, I still should have lost weight! I last saw him in August, I was 215. Prior to surgery, I was doing spin aerobic three times a week. Now that I am on my feet and can walk, I walk 2-3 miles three times per week—the scale has not moved. What the heck do I do??? I need to get back on track. I am feeling like I went under the knife for what?

I am just starting my own pre-op diet (dr. only requires 2 week Atkins-type diet). Initially, I lost about 5 pounds, but have slowly been creeping back up .5 - 1 pound at a time. A lot of us go through last supper syndrome, which can cause weight gain, so don't stress out too much about putting on a few. Just try to control how much you eat and balance any "slips" with some healthy eating and exercise to keep any gain from being too dramatic. I can't imagine a few pounds would matter too much, but your dr. might not liek ti if you really start packing on the pounds because it will make performing the surgery more difficult. Good luck!!

I have an IUD (Copper). I had normal cycles, and I have had my IUD so long that my periods are light again after initially being heavy. I have always had regular periods my entire life, no lady issues, no PCOS anything like that. At first I still has normal periods, then once I dropped a lot of weight (over 100 pounds at about 9 months) I started having periods every 2 weeks almost. It seems to finally being almost normalizing, but my body is still trying to adjust to the weight I am at now. My periods are light so it doesn't bother me that they are every 2 weeks, except for the weight gain or stall that comes with them. It makes it hard to see progress on the scale, even though I can see and feel the inch loss.

I have Aetna. Did the 3 month multi-disciplinary requirements. Approved 4 days after my dr office submitted to insurance. No issues at all. I had no net weight gain during the 3 month period and was over 41BMI at the beginning.

I've been told it is not an issue if there isn't dramatic weight gain. Most people fluctuate 5 pounds in a day so I would not worry about it. If insurance gives you trouble see if you have an employee assistance program or advocacy service through your provider that might help. They've been a huge asset for me

I am a jolly old soul. Love to eat, cook, and did I mention eat? I long for that full feeling. It comforts me. I have lost weight off and on over 12 years. Most successfully by starving myself. Once lost 70lbs eating one meal a day. Weight Watchers and Adkins worked for 20-40lbs. I gained it all back a few months later. I always thought bariatric surgery was too extreme and that no matter how bad things were, there was always the possibility that some day I could lose the weight and be healthy by exercising and eating well on my own. Years later and heavier than ever, I realize that I am going to die on this path of gluttony. I cannot pretend to be a better person than those who take the surgical road, because in truth, it is an illness of willpower. I am sick. Those who have pursued surgery have done something. I have done nothing. Too often I speak with people I respect in my life and they view bariatric surgery a failure, because one could not diet effectively. It's a stigma that is just wrong. Why attack a person for doing what they can to survive? At the end of the day, no one can save you but yourself. These same people who will look down upon you are not going to work out with you at the gym, take time to ask how you are doing losing weight, or try to motivate you. They will say nothing until you fail, and then they happily take the opportunity to point out your lack of result. I think LAP-BAND® is a gift from God. The concept, and staff in the medical field using this option are saving lives. I only hope the insurance games are eventually prohibited. I am pursuing this surgery and will have a few more months before my insurance will consider paying for 50%. My wife is not supportive. She loves me, but with a Christian Science background in her family, she is quick to judge the medical field as a monster to be avoided. I recently explained to her I was doing this without her. I will take the money from my 401k if necessary, because I deserve to live and must do anything possible to defeat my obesity and lack of willpower. She thinks I am selfish. I think dying would be selfish, and with two kids I have to do this for them also. I am walking a lot right now. I have a 5K on Thanksgiving morning to kick off my endeavor. Small goals...one day at a time. Hoping to lose some weight on my own while I wait. I would like to think in a year it becomes easier. I would like to think the naysayers will look how happy I am, healthier and thinner, and admit they were wrong about my decision. I would envy a day in which my spouse would thank me for not giving up on this when we fought so hard over it early on. However, at the end of the day, I have to do this for me. No one else will. I am not a victim. No one else is to blame. I am just a guy with life choices, and I cannot pretend that what I have been doing will prevent more weight gain. I cannot assume a day will come where I will magically have the willpower and strength to change on my own and never abuse food again. I cannot pretend I am exempt from diabetes and heart disease. Already my health is starting to slide, and I am only 33 years old. I cannot pretend that when I do succomb to an early death on this path of denial, the people who did not believe in bariatric surgery will obstain from making aloud comments at my funeral...that I made the choices that led to my demise. So...this is a choice I make for me. A choice to live. A goal of survival and no one will bring me down or stop me. I will be happy. I will lose this weight...I will live...and this is the choice I make. I pray God will help me and make LAP-BAND® available to my life. Without this, I don't think I can change or prevent what is coming. With it I have a good shot to lose the weight and keep it off. Wish me luck! -Christopher

OMG!! I went for one of my last pre op visits with my surgeon and when they weighted me, I gained 6 pounds!!! I was doing so well up until the beginning of this month. I went into a bit of a blue funk and I sometime emotionally eat and hence the weight gain. I'm sooo scared my insurance will deny me because it looks like I didn't follow thru with the diet! I can keep myself in the butt!!! OAN: I have a surgery date of September 19th! I can't really be excited because of this weight gain issue! Please pray for me that all goes well...