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I have been on birth control for years due to irregualr menstrual cycles. I don't know if it contributed to my weight gain before surgery, but I do notice I tend to eat more the week prior to starting or I get the urge to eat when I know I'm not hungry.

For my one month update I wanted to share from my overall experiences both good and bad. Lets start with the good: Surgery was on 4/28 and today is 5/28 and I have lost 30.4 pounds. 30 pounds in a month is awesome and I am so thrilled I made this decision. I do feel my restriction and get full very quickly. 4-6 ounces is about my capacity depending on the type of food. Slider foods like Greek yogurt I could eat more of but I just eat a 6 oz container and stop there. So far I have been lucky to not have hunger *knock on wood*. I have felt thirsty though--but this could be psychological because I used to always have a diet coke nearby to drink from--now its water or crystal light but I still have the need to have liquid around allot. Needless to say, I always get my fluids in and usually more. This may be TMI but my urine is usually clear (which is supposedly a good thing) Now lets talk about my diet. Some people say this is not a diet and not to treat it that way- but technically your diet is what you eat so everyone is on a "diet" all the time (neener neener, HA!). I stick to the general doctors orders here for the most part on most days. I count protein, but I have not really bothered with calories that much. I get very full on protein so I try to have some type of fruit or veggie when I can fit in an ounce or more. I think I could still add some more here but I will explain why later. 3 out of every 4 days I am pretty much by the book vsg diet low carb, high protein (70-80). Where I have drastically differed is on my 4th day. I up my calories and do count calories on this 4th day because I want to try and hit from 1800 calories or more. This would not really be possible for me to do without pure junk food IF I tried doing this with just food just based on how often and how much I can eat. So I supplement with a "weight gain" drink called Suplimed. It was developed as a well balanced formula to help those who have lost weight through illness to regain weight. One 8 oz shake in water is 500+ calories and more if its in milk.(sometimes I do half at a time) So I typically do 2 whole shakes plus food to get me to the 1800+ on my forth day. As I can eat more real food in time I will lower the shakes or half them. Why? because I am trying to avoid any weight loss stalls and not allow my system to adjust to low calorie metabolism--and I use the shakes because I don't want to use junk food to up calories. I am not recommending this to anyone, because that would differ from what your doctor would have you do--I am happily the human guinea pig for this and I just want to see how this works for me over the next couple of months. So far no stalls *knock on wood*. This zig-zag calorie method has been in the body-building world a long time--so I did not think it up on my own. I just could never do it pre-op with all my hunger. I started my first high calorie day on my second day of full liquids and have stuck to the 3 regular days 1 high cal day since then. Honestly, I don't look forward to the high calorie days because it is a chore to get the shakes and food in when you have no hunger--but I stick with them like a prescription medication for now--if they stop being effective over time I will drop them. Supplements I take: BA multi vitamin. The orange was nasty but I can tolerate the berry flavor. Twin labs sublingual B12, Vitamin D weekly 50,000IU (set by doc based on pre-op low levels), prescription to prevent gal stones(help me keep the gal bladder), and I take a tablespoon of Barleans Omega Swirl to get necessary fats in. Protein supplements as needed too. Ok the Bad: It has not all been roses--or maybe it has been roses, but there are a few thorns . Let me preface this by saying I am very happy with the sleeve and would not trade it. Post op--I had a wonderful experience until about one week out where it felt like I pulled something on my large incision. It was painful and I had to rest it a couple of days--luckily I did not tear it or have a hernia (internals protrude through incision) but it was a wake up call to me. I should admit this now I guess-- I hit the Stairmaster Stepmill (real stairs that rotate) the day before this happened --STUPID ME! I just felt so darn good and the stairmaster has been my punisher of choice for years--nothing happened that day but the next day simply bending over without bending my knees and popping back up quickly caused the oh crap moment. I talked about the bending over part before, but I had to come clean on the Stairmaster part so someone might learn from my idiocy. This from a guy who skied 1.5 days with a broken collar bone back at age 18--I did not know it was broken but my pain tolerance is a little off and dammit I had paid for those lift tickets! Anyway, I thought I would be super sleever at one week out. That stairmaster is going to get its ass kicked at 6 weeks out I will tell you though! With a couple of rest days I luckily had not messed anything up--whew what a wake up call. The next item I have had to learn after moving into regular food is to slow down. Its easy to remember this with dense heavy foods, but for foods like scrambled eggs--I used to inhale those. Bad habits of not chewing foods like this have led to me throwing up--I would stew for like half and hour trying to walk it off until finally my stomach says "nope!" and up it came. So yes you have to chew even the smaller soft foods. Last but not least I have dealt with some constipation. This is why I think that I need more fruit or fiber in my diet. I have used Miralax (or the Walgreen's equivalent) to clear this issue up some, but I want to get the food right so I don't have to. So there you have it the good and the bad so far at one month out. I am loving my sleeve and the results have been awesome. Feel free to post any questions if you are pre-op or new to this. Thanks!

dont be scared.... i thought it was going to be really really painful and unmanageable and actually besides being able to move around freely for about a week or two as long as i was sitting around hunched over there really wasnt much pain. i did have a pain pump and i would really recommend having one for the first 5 days or so. the drains arent that bad just very irrating from poking you. i really do enjoy my new breast since i got them lifted they dont giggle very much. my doctor didnt know much about my port either i pointed where the port was and he circled my port before surgery so that would remind him not to mess with it. everything went fine. i still got some swelling but things are looking up finally back in my jeans again. alittle tight but every week seems to get loser. i lost half my weight gain since i quit smoking the month before as well. so got about alittle more to go. i see that i am alot flatter and my pouch is gone but my sides of my tummy overhang alittle. i think its due to swelling and some fat still. when i dont exercise for the day and hang around the house i really dont swell up much but when i exercise and run around for the day i swell up like its no tomorrow but its getting better and better. not as frustrated as i once was. its really up to you what you want done. if you think you can live with just doing your tt and not doing the around the world go for that. or if you think you just have to much lose skin on your back do the around your body. one doctor said if you can grab a good chunk of fat on your love handles then it will prob be good to do all around or atleast get lipo back there to compliment your tummy. its really what you want and think you need and what you will be happy with. i dont know if your anything like me but i carried alot of weight from the extra skin and fat that i couldnt get rid of in my stomach and breast and getting a tt and breast lift actually helped out my back. i dont have back issues anymore which is great.

I don't think there's anything consistent about weight loss, no matter what you do. We have too any changes going on in our bodies at all times to expect that we will always lose the same amount. I tend to stay the same for a couple of weeks and then I'll lose 4 lbs in 2 days. Here's what I do to keep from going crazy. I weigh myself most days, but I only log the number it's consistent for a couple of days. Also, whenever I log my weight, I check to see how much weight I've lost since the same day last month. That gives me a better perspective on how much I'm losing on a weekly basis, instead of freaking out over this week's Water weight gain. I know you are only 3 weeks out, but this process is slow. It will feel like forever if you worry about all of the minor fluctuations. Cindy

Hi Celialou, The advantage you have is that you are young, and by getting banded you will avoid any possible problems that might pop up as you get older, not to mention the possibility of more weight gain. As someone told me when I first joined this site, it's better to have the risks with the band, than the ones you might have without it. I am not where I'd hoped to be but I have been taken off a couple of blood pressure medications, and have more energy than I have for a long time, not to mention all the things I can do that I couldn't preband. Please keep us posted. I hope you go through with it, and as others have said, you may look back on this in six months and be as happy as so many of us are. Good luck! Debbie

I had a breast reduction in 1992 when I was 18...went from a DD to a C cup. The recovery was quite painful and I was in the hospital for six days and resting for about 3 weeks. It was extremely painful to have the drainage tubes removed. That was NOT a fun part. My breasts were rock hard for a year or two then they started to lower and soften up. I would frequently have stabbing pains in my breasts...from what i understand that's just the nerves regenerating. My nipples are still sensitive; however the sides and undersides of my breasts are completely numb. In 2002 I had my first daughter, and she was a preemie, in the NICU for 3 weeks. That made it extremely difficult to exclusively breastfeed her as I had to keep battling the nurses not to give her formula, I also didn't live in town and I pumped and pumped and pumped but I could barely get anything out. She was very sleepy and had a poor latch. So basically when I got her home I breastfed her but supplemented with formula. I nursed her for 3.5 years. My one breast did not work that well, so I didn't get much milk out of it, but the other worked great, so I had hugely insanely lopsided breasts while lactating. My second daughter was born in 2004, no complications, and I exclusively breastfed her for almost a year and a half - no formula! I was so proud of myself!! I even tandem breastfed both daughters. So now, 11 or so years after my reduction and a 100 lb weight gain, they are a bit saggy but still perky. My scars are pretty bad, you can see the scars in my cleavage, and i have keloid scars underneath them. It was one of the best decisions I made in my life to have the reduction. They used to hang straight down and my nipples pointed to the floor. Now they are perky and round and with the weight gain they are back at a DD but I'm OK with that. Hope this helps!!! Robby

For the first time since I've been banded I feel bad about myself because I've gained weight. I'm an avid cyclist (bicycle) and had Fluid taken out of my band so I could train. During that time I was hungry all the time and ate pretty much whatever I wanted. Over a six month period I've gained 23 lbs (current weight 160 lbs.) and I'm at a loss... this is the heaviest I've been in years. I had my band tightened but its a fine line for me between just right and too tight. Has anyone else experienced weight gain? If so, how did you handle it emotionally and what did you do to help get it off? As a side note, I do work out and ride about 80-100 miles a week. Any insight would be appreciated!

I am stunned that a Dr. would band you with so little weight left to lose. The surgery itself is traumatic and will cause a weight gain between the IV's and such. You may not be getting enough calories. How many calories are you taking in, how many grams of protein? I would find it difficult to believe any one would do somthing as drastic as a full gastric bypass for so few pounds to lose. While I am certain you are frustrated, my thinking is that you are not taking in enough calories/protein grams to get an effective 1-2 pound per week weight loss. Have you discussed this with your nutritionist?

Y'all know how much I HATE to feel feel down. This week, I have not been losing and this morning on my official weigh in day, I was up .6. (At first I thought I was up a whole pound, so I'm not going to get too upset about just over a half!) Anyway, when I think back to why... Exercise: I exercised for a total of 3 hours last week. One hour of Jazzercise, 2 - 30 minute treadmill sessions (couch to 5k), & 60 minutes with my trainer. Not bad, but far from my best. Food: If I am honest with myself, I know that I did not make good food choices this week. I don't think it is about stress or comfort. I think that I'm hungry and I have no will power. The doctor had said that he thought I was close to my sweet spot and might not need another fill for a while, but I think that might not be the case. Typically, I'm not hungry in the mornings. I will usually drink a protein shake in the morning (around 9:30-10:00), not because I'm hungry, but to make sure I'm getting good protein. Today, my stomach was growling (with hunger) by 7:30 AM. I don't want to be so tight that I can't eat, but I do need to be tight enough to curb my hunger more. Punishment: because I have gained weight this week, my punishment is to log my caloric intake. I HATE DOING THIS! I know some people are completely focused on this and I know that it is probably extremely helpful. But I HATE IT. So, it is an effective punishment and motivator to not have to do it again. Interestingly, I seem to do better when I'm away from home. Pre-band, vacations were weight gain guarantees! However, now, it seems to have the opposite effect. I don't snack much and I find time to work out. So...I will track my calories Mon-Wed. If I'm on the right track by end of Wednesday, I won't track my vacation (Thurs-Tues). When I get back, I will have one week until my fill. Now that week includes my birthday...so wish me luck!! Ha! Random question: do you all update your avatar pictures? I know that picture is how people here know me, but it isn't me anymore. Do you all leave them or update them??

Has anyone gained any weight? I am almost 4 weeks out. I was down 17 lbs then gained 1/2 - 1 pound but ended up loosing another 2 1/2 pounds over the past week or so. Then woke up this morning to a 2 pound weight gain overnight! What is up with this? Extremely frustrating. I am on the treadmill 2 miles a day. The only thing I did differently yesterday is I had two slices of cheese with 4 slices (very thin) deli chicken at about 9pm. I don't usually eat that late but felt very hungry. That cannot possibly be the reason could it?

Unless your insurance requires you to lose a certain percentage before you can be approved, the 6 month supervised diet plan does not mean you HAVE to lose weight. As a matter of fact, I ended up with a net gain after a few ups and downs over my 6 months. I was worried about this too but I had read from others that it really wasn't an issue and sure enough, I still got approved for the surgery even with my weight gain. Now some surgeons do have requirements for weight loss before they will do surgery so if you've already seen a surgeon, that may be an issue. My surgeon only requires that his patients not gain any weight after their first consult (thank god for some sanity in this process). But, since I've had a gain, I'm in the process of "tightening the belt" and dropping those few pounds before I go in for my pre-op appointment.

Congratulations! The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology has revised guidelines for weight gain in women who are obese. They do not, however, recommend weight loss. Sometimes, a bit of loss is unavoidable--due to things like hyperemesis. And babies do tend to fare well in these situations. However, intentional weight loss during pregnancy is discouraged--there are increased nutrient needs. Talk with your OB about this. Some will permit weight maintenance if you are meticulous about meeting nutrient needs; I did this with my last pregnancy, with great results. (Large, healthy baby.) Good luck--what an exciting turn of events for you. (Good that it happened now--in the year after banding, it would be tricky--but now you can have your babe, then be banded!)

One day at a time here for sure........today was a GREAT day foodwise. Good choices. But ya know I have to be careful cause we are in the nighttime hours now!! Danger zone here. So has anyone thought about Black and White thinking and perfectionism? For me I want everything perfect.....and if it can't be perfect I give up to early and to easy. Just been thinking about that and how that contributes to weight gain/weight loss. I know when I clean my house or do my work.......it has to be perfect by my definition. WHich is way above normal expectations. If I think I don't have enough time or energy I don't even start. Why do something half hearted.........but than the house gets dirty or things go undone cause I can't do them perfect or I am afraid I can't be perfect?? That isn't right........sometimes just doing your best is better than expecting perfection, because at least you move forward and don't get stuck in a negetive pattern. An example my house could be neat but maybe not sterilely neat!! LOL. Discouraged perfectionist.....I think that holds alot of people back. Ya know that black and white of it all. The either or........like if I can't eat perfect or I mess up than it ruins my whole day eating good. Maybe instead of being so hard on myself I need to be ok with trying my best and being ok without perfection. Could perfection be holding people back??? I sorta think it is something to explore.................I know I was shocked at what conclusion I came to around this whole issue. Ok.......my therapist used to tease me all the time about black and white thinking. She finally gave me a grey card to carry in my purse to remind me there is not always a right and a wrong answer but that healing and wisdom sometimes comes in the grey!! Thinking I need to get that grey card back in my purse again. Made me smile whenever I reached in and would see it!! PAM Yea your right how do you make a pouch with the band unless your stomach majorly streched. But to gain 110 pounds back two years out........that is alot!! Bands rule!! LOL. At least I hope they do!! :-)

Agreed :w00t: I think I want Koli to stay and Daris to go. I didn't care for Daris's attitude about his weight gain, it's like he didn't really care.

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.

Hi Dr Jossart Some of the medical literature seems unclear on this point; does ghrelin return 3-5 years after surgery? Is that a possible reason for weight gain? I understand that this procedure is still considered experimental by some and there is paltry information on long term effects, but when can we expect to see studies that aren't just anecdotal, that include quantitative information?

Emma, I am in the same boat. I have diligently performed every prerequisite defined by my insurance company. I meet all the requirements and am now simply waiting for a response. It's frustrating - I called the insurance company last week and they said I would have a decision by last Friday. Monday, I phoned and was told by my (prospective) surgeon's nurse that they asked for additional information, which was provided. I phoned the insurance company again today to learn that it is still 'pending' review. My wife tells me that if I meet all the requirements, that it should be no problem. However, I fear that something will come up - they'll think I didn't try hard enough to lose weight, or that my high blood pressure isn't enough of a contributing factor (my BMI is 38.6 - it needs to be 40+ or I need to have another contributing medical problem like the hypertension), or maybe they'll pull my pharmaceuticals and find that I forgot a blood pressure medicine dose here or there... I literally feel like if I am accepted, that I will be on the path to return to a healthy, vibrant lifestyle and a bright, exciting future (my weight gain has been gradually up and down since a normal weight in high school 26 years ago). If not approved, I'm destined to suffer poor health which will eventually cause my career to fail, ending in an early, miserable death that leaves my family to fend without me. I am not normally this dramatic but I feel like this is my last shot. So I wait and I pray and I tremble. The waiting is hell...

Also in The Woodlands. I was banded 4/1/2010 by Dr. Wilkenfeld through True Results. About 20 pounds so far, but now am fighting with a new prescription of Lyrica which causes weight gain. haven't gained but am in a snit because I haven't lost yet this week. I'd love to join a local support group outside a Dr's practice...I think peer-driven groups are best.

sorry to hear about your reflux and esophagus - but good to hear that I am not the only one going through this I never had reflux until 3 months ago as of now I have a full unfill because my esophagus was stretched I am trying to keep positive with all this weight gain since I hope this is only temporary

My doctor gave me Lyrica for severe nerve pain in my shoulder/neck area, and carpal tunnel pain in my hand. This was Thursday and I have been high as a kite ever since. I mean really happy, floaty fun....thank heaven I am not working or needing to drive anywhere right now. Supposedly I will adjust to the drug and simmer down and it does seem to work on the pain. But when I weighed myself I found that I gained 3 or 4 lbs and all the time I kept to my 1200 calorie limit, met my protein level, took my vitamins, etc. So I believe it is the drug since weight gain is right at the top of the list of side effects. I think I'm going to ask to switch to Cymbalta which has fewer side effects and one of the main one is loss of appetite. Has anyone else had experience with these two medications for nerve pain? Had the floaty feeling and know if it does go away? Or the weight gain - does it stop at a few pounds? I joined the 4th of July Challenge and feel I need to lose not gain each week.

Good luck! :frown: If you're going to be careful with your pregnancy weight gain, don't forget that on top of your own requirements, through pregnancy you really only need about an extra glass of milk, because you're not actually eating for two! :laugh: :w00t:

Styct, I don't eat strictly low carb. I don't know about you but I didn't have this surgery so I could continue stressing over calorie and carb counts. That being said I still do follow the rules to the best of my abilities. I try to eat all my protein first. I wait an hour after I eat to drink. It is a funny thing my body has done to me though. I don't really like a lot of the simple carbs anymore. My husband has made roasted chicken and potatoes and when I try to eat the potatoes they don't taste the same anymore or they don't taste as good as I remember. It is totally weird its like I put them in my mouth and chew and they just are not appealing anymore. I told someone that and they thought it was sad and I guess if I hadn't had the surgery it would be but its not like that its as if my brain has switched off my potato loving button. But my doctor actually wants us to have three servings of dairy a day, either yogurt or milk and both yogurt and milk have carbs. Plus, one serving of a complex carb a day. So I guess my doctor's diet isn't strictly low carb. I have lost 26 pounds in 5 weeks which for me is fast enough. I think if my weight loss started to slow down I might consider being more strict on myself. I think just follow the rules and don't stress over it. Plus if your stressed about the diet your own you might hold fat. Stress is known to cause weight gain.

Talk to the person who deals with the insurance companies for your surgeon. He/she should be able to tell you what your insurance company is looking for. At my first Nutrition appointment, the benefits coordinator came in to talk to me and basically told me that because my BMI was right at 40.1 with no co-morbidities, I needed to maintain my weight and not lose anything. I told her that I was getting ready to stop breastfeeding my daughter and anticipated that I would gain around 10lbs when my metabolism went back to normal. Because she is familiar with how each insurance company works, she was able to instruct the doctor and the nutritionist to both put notes in my file that stated I was currently breastfeeding and anticipated a 10lb weight gain once the baby was weened. During my 3rd nutrition visit, I told the nutritionist that I was going to wean my daughter the following week. She put another note in my file. At my next appointment, I had gained 9lbs. But since everything had been properly documented, it wasn't an issue. There are some insurance companies that will not approve your surgery if you gain weight, and even some doctors can extend your supervised weight loss if they are not satisfied with your progress and/or effort. There are also some insurance companies that base your approval on your weight after the supervised diet and some will even look at both. That is why the very first person (unless you are self-pay) that you talk to should be the benefits coordinator. Good luck.