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I'm so sorry that you have had so many health issues and complications. I am 2 years out and recently gained 15 lb and I went to the doctor and found out that I had several hormonal imbalances and PCOS. Perhaps a visit to see an endocrinologist for a full hormone evaluation would be a good idea and make sure your thyroid is functioning properly. These things can easily cause weight gain. Also it sounds like the RNY is the way to go, the quality of your health and life are the most important things to be focusing on! I'm so sorry that you have had so many health issues and complications. I am 2 years out and recently gained 15 lb and I went to the doctor and found out that I had several hormonal imbalances and PCOS. Perhaps a visit to see an endocrinologist for a full hormone evaluation would be a good idea and make sure your thyroid is functioning properly. These things can easily cause weight gain. Also it sounds like the RNY is the way to go, the quality of your health and life are the most important things to be focusing on!

I am on my 5th month of my dr supervised diet and I am still on the fence. Somedays I am like wow I want this surgery soo bad, and then the next day I am like what are you crazy! I worry about all the changes in my life too, and the quality of life after the band. I also know at this rate of weight gain, I won't have to worry about quality of life, because I won't have one. Just like everyone said you have to read the posts on this site with an open mind and remember this is not what happens to everyone, but it is good to know all the facts before doing anything. This site is great and you should use it everyday to help you sort out your emotions and doubts. Also keep in mind most people who do make the decision to be banded have thought about or researched it for a while so don't feel rushed to make such a decision. Good luck!

Hi Megan, I suppose at 5 years post banding, I am not what you would call someone in the 'first flush' of the glory days of my band. Nor am I by any means a newbie, and as time goes on I am more interested than ever in posts that discuss the longevity of the band, especially with regards to symptoms experienced, in the hopes that I can in fact be vigilant of possible complications. First let me qualify that I'm Australian, and Australian surgeons have been placing bands for a lot longer than American doctors. My surgeon has well over a decade's worth of experience and to this day, still thinks the band is the most effective wls there is. I just wanted to make that clear so you understand where I stand on this. I recently had band replacement surgery as a result of a leaky band. I had the option of revising to a sleeve but both my surgeon and myself agreed that the band was a better choice. I have lost 100% of my excess weight, I have not experienced pain, reflux, nothing at all that has caused me concern, and even when my band was leaking for 15 months, I only gained 35lbs of which I then lost 40% of without the band's help before my replacement. All the recent posts I have read regarding complications experienced by banders who have had the band for 5 years or more have the same theme to it: pain, reflux, weight gain, discomfort, damage etc. I have experienced none of these. I maintain my weight easily when my band is working. I live with my band very easily. I have had a multitude of tests as a result of my leak and I have no physical issues or damage caused by the band. I have no reason to believe that will change, either, seeing as it hasn't happened yet, and if it was going to, I'd expect it to have happened before now. I also have a good lot of bandster friends on FB who have been quietly living their lives with the bands without complications, who have had their bands as long or longer than me, who just don't talk about it that much any more, unlike when they were first banded. So just to provide some balance, I do believe people have complications, and in many cases, serious ones too. And I do believe you have and it's always a wake-up call to see it talked about. But I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that everyone will, or that it will even be as common as some people make it out to be. Nothing you've said about your personal experience or anything I've seen posted about complications just recently has convinced me of that at all, especially since I see so few similarities with my own experiences with the band. So I'm piping in, I guess, to give a different view of what long-term life with the band is like so anyone reading understands that there is more than just one point of view to everything. And I personally have nearly nothing bad to say about my experience with the band.

Hi Everyone, Rava and Lisa, The liquid stage can be hard in terms of being hungry. I stuck with pure liquids, but I have heard people say that they liquidized spaghettii bolognaise etc for more substance. I tried to drink Water also and keep myself busy. It will not be long until you can go for a fill. Hang in there. Blythe, 29 days!:clap2: Yay! You will be joining us all soon in these shananingans.:biggrin1: Anna, What job are you going for? Don't worry about the weight gain, just get them to give you a small fill and you will be back on track again. Everybody else I hope you are all well. I am feeling really well and happy these days.:clap2: A friend of mine has been asking me to think about going to Israel for a holiday to see if I would like to live there for a while. I think it could be good, although my Hebrew is very limited, and I would have to learn the language completely. Another consideration is the fact that my surgeon is here, and my follow up care is here. I am sure they have the medical staff over there to treat me, but I feel very happy with my care here. Maybe I will consider it in a few years time when I have lost all my weight and I only have to have follow ups every six months etc. Hugs to all Susannah

anyone having problems with weight gain years after gastric bypass surgery? I need support! help please, we can do this together and lose that weight gain! Thanks in advance, Sharowna

HI everyone! I started my journey in May of 2016 when I went to my family doctor frustrated with my lymphedema issues in my lower ;egs and chronic back pain. I had been to the lymphedema clinic off and on over the past 6 years and was still doing leg compression machine twice daily. In between treatments, my legs swelled bad and hurt to walk. He basically said nothing more could be done. He asked if I had thought about weight loss surgery. I had never really studying up on it and didn't know much about it. He brought in his critical care case manager nurse to talk further about it. After our talk, I agreed for her to schedule me an appointment with the weight loss clinic in nearby town. Couple weeks later I went to the information meeting and had my referral already with me for the program. I was a bit overwhelmed at first but knew this was only way I would feel better. June 2016 I went to my first class and knew this was the plan for me. Meet with the surgeon and he suggested the sleeve for me considering other health issues I had. I was glad for that one from my research. I joined the health club where the weight loss clinic was at to walk the lazy river and get into arthritis exercise classes. I was overwhelming the first couple nutrition classes but I knew I had to follow this or it would be a waste of time. I started watching my 600 lb Life TV show. I was weighing 436 which was my highest weight and was miserable and hated looking at myself in the mirror. Started exercising and eating healthy and charting everything. I lost 9 lbs the first week from cutting out soda, and tons of junk food and not eating fast foods and exercising in the pool. In the 14 week nutrition classes, and following months prior to surgery, I lost 70 lbs. I was approved in January 2017 for surgery and got my date for the operation. I was upset at first that I had to wait 6 months, but now I am so glad. I was able to lose more weight and was mentally prepared for the surgery. Was able to get things prepared at home also. Surgery day came and I was not scared. Actually very eager for my new life to start. Surgery went well and was not in a lot of pain. That day was foggy and still don't remember much. Did develop minor complication but not from surgery itself. I was borderline anemic prior to surgery and was having issues with my blood count being too low. I was in hospital for 6 days as I had to get 5 blood transfusions . It was rough first month adjusting but soon weight starting coming off and feeling better. I was able to get off all asthma meds (3), blood pressure, water pills, depression meds, arthritis meds and pain pills. All I am taking is an allergy med and anxiety med for restless legs. My lymphedema issues are gone, less back and knee pain. First year I lost 105 lbs. Now approaching my 2 year anniversary, I have lost a total of 225 lbs and going in for knee replacement surgery next month. I have had no weight gain since the first month of surgery. I have gone from size 30-32 clothes to a 16/18. Few problems I have encounter were all my own issues in pushing the limits on eating and they were very minor things and didn't last very long. I am so glad I had this operation as I was headed for life in a wheelchair and probably nursing home as my legs were not getting better and chronic ulcers on them. After rehabbing from knee surgery, I will be able to continue losing the additional 25 lbs I want to reach my final goal and toning up that I haven't been able to do because of bad knees. Exercising is just lots of walking and swimming. I have had great support team at the weight loss clinic and family doctor and don't think I could have accomplished all without them. and family and friends support. Pictures of me at my heaviest and then recent one from Easter this year.

TRUE! Anyone with bariatric surgery should have serial growth scans to be sure their baby is growing well, and beyond that just eat healthy. As long as your baby is growing well, no worries! No weight gain needed! Bariatric surgery patients also should have the Vitamin levels checked due to problems with absorption. Even with lap band and sleeve procedures. Hope this helps!

Hi all, I'm a newbie... to the forum, not the situation. I had my surgery early 1996, dropped about 75 lbs initially, rebounded back about +10 lbs, and stayed there for about 12 years. Then all hell broke loose. I had an eye infection that sequestered me to a blackened room, in extreme pain for nearly a month... That's when my metabolism ceased to exsist it seems. I was in bed, not moving, so not burning calories, not burning calories, so had no energy or appetite, no appetite so not consuming any calories for energy ... etc etc, you get the picture. Since then, I have been steadily gaining weight (and also crested the dreaded 40 year-old mark). I've put on about 40 pounds and can't seem to shake it. I'm really not sure I know how to be honest. My surgery dropped the weight 'for me' I guess. I eat very little (my kids even mention it), and still hang on to the weight. I feel like the surgery hyjacked my metabolism to begin with... like my body adjusted to surviving on its surgery-given food allotment... then with the illness and age on top of it, it feels hopeless. Any suggestions?

I never knew what a thyroid did, until mine quit working. When I started exhibiting symptoms, I thought I had arthritis. The first doctor who saw me, diagnosed me wrong, but the second doctor knew just by the symptoms I had. I blood test confirmed it. My symptoms were: hair loss, clumps of hair falling out Severely tired (I could not get out of bed) Joint pain and overall body aches Weight gain (60 pounds in about 40 days)

Well I've been on HRT for a couple weeks now. Things are evening out. I no longer feel like I could eat the paint off the walls. Unfortunately my weight is up to 125. It could be water weight from the progesterone or perhaps real weight gain for the week and 1/2 that I was eating like crazy. Now to take it off. My goal is 119.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh and here is my update from today on obesityhelp regarding my platelet counts and prednisone therapy: PLATELET COUNT - 121,000 WOOT WOOT. . . The Prednisone worked beautifully, and all the crankiness, little weight gain, increased hunger ARE ALL WORTH THE END RESULT ! ! ! "Thank you" just isn't enough for me to say at this point for all y'alls support and prayers/good thoughts/swinging chickens ! ! ! We were hoping for a jump to at least 85,000 and here we are at almost normal level. Just for reference, I started off around 70,000. Again, without VSG this would not have been possible, and I'm elated and beyond blessed once again that I chose the "right" surgery for me, for all the "right" reasons ! ! ! I'm cleared for the epidural, and will be awake for Tatum's arrival ! ! !

Hi Everyone, I had my surgery 3 years ago, I had about 110 pounds that I wanted to lose, I went down 55 pounds in about 6 months and the last time I went to her (my surgeon) I gained a pound and she yelled at me.:thumbdown:...(i'm probably old enough to be her mother!! anyway after that, I didn't go back. so I am really mad at myself, I stalled right there and then slowly started to put weight back on, now with i've gained 20 pounds. So now it's back to the old feelings how stupid i am, I can't believe I'm doing this again (the old I'll start eating right on Monday!!! Remember that one, and the other one is no more sweets after that cake is gone....It is totally my fault, i'm a sweet eater, I have never been sick after eating sweets, and i'm always sick after eating any meat at all, so instead of a soft or crunchy diet I eat sweets...that was always my problem and it still is. I went to my regular doctor, (she shoots right off the hip, if you know what I mean) so she looks at the weight gain and says "so I guess the lapband didn't work for you, now what are you going to try" I told her that i'm so sick of my weight gain and loss, that I just don't want to talk about it anymore. And I gained the last 10 pounds since Thanksgiving, and I can only say that this is all my fault, all the old insecurities and hating myself for being so weak are here with me in full force. Something kind of good happened, a friend of mine recently had lapband surgery and when I talk to her, she is so excited and so thrilled, she has me thinking about changing....notice I said thinking:confused: What is up with me!!! I'm hoping some of her excitement will rub off on me:unsure: So please don't think i'm whinning oh poor me, I know this is totally my fault and I just wanted to write it down in case someone is in the same boat and needed to know that they are not alone. nanadi1118:frown:

Hi everyone, I'm very interested in being banded, but my BMI is currently at 35. I did have a surgeon approve me for the procedure, but I'd like to hear from any of you who started out at a lower starting BMI. I have fibromyalgia, and the drugs I take for that are not optional, however, they have resulted in a significant weight gain and a dramatic increase in my appetite. With the fibro, every extra pound means more pain, so I'm pretty desperate to at least stop this in its tracks. Can anybody share? Thanks.

So I see my PCP in the morning for my last appt of my 3 month supervised diet. I have done horrible and haven't lost any weight, i have gained! If I could lose weight in the first place, I wouldn't be where I am now, right? My surgeon requires the 2 months of not smoking so I quit. Hardest thing I've ever done but how was I supposed to lose weight and quit smoking at the same time? Now I'm worried I'll be denied because of the weight gain. Anyone know how this will affect my chances? I hate to have come this far in the process and not get approved!! Does anyone know if I need to send my food journal in to the insurance company or if my doctor's progress notes are all that is require?. Ugh, I am so frustrated and nervous about this whole thing. Any advice will help!!

Hi sandyray. I'm over 1.5 yrs out and what you say is so true - you definitely learn your body and how it reacts, what things mean, etc. -- all of which makes it "easy" to work around the band. Eating stuff aside, have you looked into finding a therapist, preferrably one who specializes in eating disorders? We all know the food itself is such a small part of the story. Maybe if you had help identifying your triggers and gains (psychological gains, not physical/weight gain), you'd be able to rediscover the magical "groove" that keeps us being good (compliant) bandsters.

Hey readytobehealthy! I am scheduled for 2/25 and I too feel alittle shamed that I could not lose and keep it off ......that I had to resort to surgery......but I know this is the way to a better life, for me. I have battled weight gain since high school and it has taken its toll on me.....lose 10, gain 15, lose 5, gain 8, etc etc....exercise, swim, walk.....this is the right decision for me now. I wish I had done this 10 years sooner, because I feel like I have l lost 10 years of living, sucumbing to existence only. Good luck!

reset is not returning to postop style eating... it is many more calories than post op and much more protean... the weight gain is temporary, and sets up your body to lose weight... see the eat-more-lose-weight link above...it gets you out of starvation mode...that Looooong stall where you eat a tiny bit, cardio yourself like crazy and cant lose....

I am now at 18 months. I never got to my "normal" weight, but just a few pounds shy of it. I have been at the same weight for so long, I have come to think of myself at at maintenance. My scale broke, and it took me a couple of weeks to get a new one... and my weight/range went up two pounds. I guess with that in mind I am now averaging at the top of my old wieght range/bounce. So I have gained about 3 pounds and holding. I do need to watch it, and it is EASY to put on a few... I do snack, and eat carbs... I dont log everything as well as I have in the past... and I think this is key for me. After all my long term house guests head home, I hope to get back into a little more of a regulated lifestyle... just a little more.... and see how it goes. I hear about the 15 pound bounce at three years... perhaps this is what they are talking about? I also read that along with the weight gain, acid reflux often shows up as well.... have you noticed this?

I totally agree with Alex. True love is UNconditional...always. I am very blessed to have a husband that has accepted my obesity from day one. Talk about an odd couple, when we married 16 years ago, he was 29 yrs old, never been married, no kids, was 5'0" tall and weighed 130 lbs. I, on the other hand, was 35 yrs old, had been recently been divorced, had 2 kids, was 5'6" tall and weighed 270 lbs! He says he fell in love with my heart (but claims to love my body too!) I have to admit that our sex life had been really bad lately: he is more than willing, but I feel so "ugly". And the truth be told, I am uncomfortable with it. Not emotionally, but physically. I can't breathe and just feel miserable. The desire is definitely not there. We cuddle a lot though and I DO enjoy that. He is so kind and understanding. I know he gets frustrated, but never complains. He does and says all the right things to help me "get in the mood", but nothing seems to work. Hopefully, as I lose the weight, things will improve. ANYWAY, (boy did I get sidetracked.....sorry, must have needed to vent). Back to the real subject; I get the impression that your marriage may have more issues to address than merely the weight gain. When my husband and I got married we promised to love through better or worse, in sickness and in health. I understand that weight can be a turnoff, but the love should be there regardless. You AND your husband will be in my thoughts and prayers.

I rarely have so much to share, but I must reach out to you. I know you. You are me. Please, I urge you to consider this reply. I hope this will not be perceived as condescending. I speak from experience. I spent years in a relationship that was NEVER obviously abusive. He was the love of everyone we knew and everyone thought that I had it made. Even me sometimes. Weight seemed to be to blame for everything that was wrong though, and certainly the root of my self-hate. It turned out though, that this person didn’t want what he perceived as damaged goods no matter what the issue was. Finally with weight watchers I started losing the weight, but my joint problems are not related totally to weight and they still got worse over time. It all came to a head during a trip to the zoo. I was having a horrible time limping around, in pain and struggling. I was almost in tears when I swallowed my pride to take a wheel chair. I had never done that in my life, and I was humiliated by admitting my weakness. I just didn’t want to ask him go home because of my problem because he loves the zoo and being outdoors and active. Then it came…the knife. He said “No, pushing you around in a wheel chair isn’t exactly my idea of a good time. I would just rather go home.” This man, who was so seemingly gentle and kind, and yes, wonderful with kids, was, at the heart of things, cold and unthinking. That was the beginning of the end and I have regained happiness since then. After finally learning to love myself, I then started dating a man while I was on Topamax and thin, and now have ballooned into a big big girl. He still tells me I am beautiful. He supported me in my surgery and even loaned me the money and we aren’t even engaged. He keeps encouraging me even though I haven’t lost weight very well because of other medical issues. That is real love. That is real support. John, that is his name, would push me in a wheel chair for the rest of my days if necessary and pop wheelies with me all the way. He has known this is a possibility for me from the beginning, but sees my worth far above that. YOU ARE SCHEDULED FOR SURGERY!!! This is taking care of “this one thing.” He should be jumping up and down for you! Why? Because this is not a weight loss scheme! Has he researched it with you? Does he show interest in this process and what will be happening? If weight loss is truly the answer, then right now, he should be feeling a renewed sense of hope, and so should you. But is it? This is a very complex issue. You have responsibility to love yourself. There is no doubt about that. And that is not just a feel good notion that I throw your way just to make you feel better. If you cannot, you won’t be happy with anyone, and it can destroy everything you love. Now with that said, I do not mean to cause despair. I KNOW that is not just something you decide to do and POOF! you suddenly think you are awesome. It is a process, but one that is up to ONLY YOU and it is ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE. There a lot of things you can do to get started. Counseling is one obvious one. It is likely that larger issues and addiction drive the weight, and this will only be discovered in deep self-discovery. THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. BUT!!!!!!! His IS TO LOVE YOU UNCONDITIONALLY. Yes, UNCONDITIONALLY. “Just because we took vows?” YES!!!! That is exactly why. If you were in a terrible accident and were paralyzed, what would be the outcome in your marriage? Only you know the answer to that. That answer is very important. Why? Because this parallel can create a very similar situation without the stigma and blame of weight gain. However, it can also produce the same bad characteristics in our loved ones. The fact is though, then, they do not have the luxury of blaming, judging, pointing the finger, and pretending there are far above you because of “your condition.” How do you REALY THINK he would behave? Again, REALLY. Be honest with your self. I do not pretend to know that answer, but you must find it. I have seen both sides. Think long and hard about what you deserve. YOU ARE NOT YOUR WEIGHT. YOU ARE NOT A FAT CELL. YOU ARE A WOMAN WORTH LOVING. Please PM me if you wan to discuss more. It so much deeper than what I can write here and I know you understand that. I hope this helps.

I agree with this- I would say really consider whether you are scared or whether you really think you can/want to do it on your own. I, too have had a health spiral down as my weight has gone up progressively after every diet. I have Hashimotos and suffered endometriosis and a myriad of other things that affected my weight. You can feel good when first on thyroid meds but if it's like my thyroid it's up, down and all over the place and you are constantly battling exhaustion and weight gain. So if it were me, I'd probably lean towards doing it because I have lived the years since one of my besties did it - watching her get and stay healthy and me slowly getting bigger and more unhealthy. I wish I'd done it then. That said, if you don't do it I fully support that.

My feet are shrinking too -- I thought it was just the width from weight loss, but when I got out my sandals from last year -- you know how you can see the footprint -- (gross but true) Well the actual length of my foot is shorter. I was in a 10 and now I'm a 9! I was an 8.5 before kids & weight gain maybe I'll get there again!

Pam, I too am 5 days out. I have thankfully had a relatively easy time of it, but just the usual soreness on the belly and gas/shoulder pain. I have found that a microwavable heating pad works wonders for the soreness on the belly and in the shoulder!!! I got mine at WalMart for about 12 bucks--thermabeads is the brand I think, and it's got a handy velcro strap so you can secure it around yourself like a belt. Also, I use the Gas-X strips that melt on the tongue. Be sure you read the dosage cuz I didn't at first and you're supposed to take 2 at a time! As far as weight gain goes, I wouldn't stress about it at this point. We still have to process the IV fluids out and everything...so that may make your weight look different than it should. Also, we are swollen / healing in the stomach and that puts different demands on our body that may cause it to retain water. Best of Luck to you!!!

My first stall happened week three as well. It lasted for three whole weeks. I was so frustrated. But then like magic I dropped another 10lbs. Now I’m in another stall. As far as weight gain it might just be water retention. Especially if you sticking to the program. We don’t eat enough for real weight gain.

Deanna Nerves are part of the process. Many of us have "tried everything." The weight comes back ... with friends! My weight gain was not so much in indulging in sweets, entire bags of potato chips, etc., as just plain overeating. I watch what I eat because with a little bitty stomach, I can't eat very much. The ravenous hunger is gone (after the healing phase). I definately would do it again. I've had other surgeries, and this one was easy. It was outpatient. I had the surgery around noon and was home by dinnertime. (Not that I was having any. :rolleyes ) I can understand that you might really nervous since you have had surgery complications in the past. But the past is past. This is now. Look forward. Starting a new job? You said a few weeks after surgery? I would think no problem. If it was within one week, you might be pushing it. A new job might be good to keep your mind occupied so you aren't thinking about food so much. I would be sure to eat really Protein rich foods. You will be on liquids by then I would think. Thinned and blended Soups (think chicken noodle, here) and easy on a new stomach and good brain food. Good luck.