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I completely and totally understand the frustrations you are experiencing. I'm so sorry you are going through this. When a band goes bad it affects every single area of your life. If you are having major band problems I wouldn't wait long to have it removed. I waited too long and have permanent problems because of it. If you slip and an unfill doesn't do the trick they won't be able to do a revision in one surgery, two surgeries is much more expensive. If you erode... again, two surgeries. Then the weight gain while you wait for surgery #2 for revision. If you are self pay don't wait, get it done as soon as financially possible.

I have read so many posts about being discouraged and "losing faith" in the process, and, believe me I've had my own struggles. The one thing I've found that REALLY helps and makes total sense is this. When I start wondering why I'm working so hard and not seeing any results, I ask myself this.. "If I continue to eat the correct foods and portions, and continue to exercise, will I gain weight long term?" The answer to that question is obviously no. Then I realize, that even if the scale or my clothes are not showing me the results I want, I ABSOLUTELY KNOW, without ANY DOUBT WHATSOEVER, that what I am doing is the BEST for my body FOR LIFE!! Not for the day, not for the week, not for the month, but FOR LIFE!! Believe me, every single one of you, if you KEEP doing what you're suppose to do, YOU WILL see results!!!! It took me 2 MONTHS (yes, 8 weeks people) of seeing NOTHING but weight GAIN here and there with proper diet and working out like a fiend. Then, one day...BAM!!!!! The scale MOVED and STAYED!! I lost 6lbs and stayed there. I have gone down ever since, but I KNOW I will STALL again! If you have realistic expecations, and understand that you DON'T understand how your body is going to react, AND Understand that what you are doing is EXACTLY what you need to do, you will be ok. PLEASE don't expect to lose a pound a day, or 3 pounds a week and get discouraged if you don't. NOBODY can predict what the human body can do and is capable of, but EVERYBODY knows that proper diet and exercise are the recipe for long term success!!!!!

I think an important thing to be said is how life changing a VSG can be. I read on here and on OH about people wanting to eat more than their stomachs will allow and how long it takes to get to eat alittle more. The surgery I have chosen is meant to reduce the amount I am able to eat. I have to be accepting and even grateful for that. I have come to accept that I will never ever be able to eat 3 to 4 cups of anything at one time ever again. Should I want to? Yes its a grieving thing, a missing of that almighty drug of choice in the amounts that we have grown acustome to. You know the amount that made us huge and made everyone else comment behind our backs. But I dont think the food addicted mind will let some of us grasp what that change is really going to be like. It is permanent, that means forever! Sure we can eat around our sleeve like we could around the band. Grazing all day on high calorie mushies is wonderful weight gaining sabotager. Still there are those of us who cant fathom not being able to eat a plate full of a large meal like other non sleeve freinds and family can. We are limited to our 3 to 4 oz, sometimes a bit more if you have a bigger pouch and that is only after several long months out. If this is something that is difficult for a person's mind to grasp, they perhaps should rethink the sleeve surgery. I dont mean to be preachy but it isnt something that was talked about much before I had my sleeve and when it was, I wasnt able to make the connection at that time anymore than some pre surgery patients can now, so I feel it is worth mentioning again. I have an addiction to foods. One taste of some foods is too many and a thousand is never enough. I still grieve the loss of the ability to have all that my brain wants to eat but grieving will pass. I feel better about it every day. I would just like to reinforce the concept and purpose of the sleeve. It is to greatly control our intake. Forever. Ok, that is off my chest and alot of fat is off my ass as a result of this life change. There are soooo many positive life changing gifts we can accept from this surgery. I want to dwell on those for now.

Ditto here took mine the same night after surgery. i take Ortho-cyclen and it's smaller than a tic tac ! For what my GYN has said the pill will only increase weight gain in some individuals by just 3.5 lbs. If you're swelling up then its water retention and you need to drink, drink, drink water.

I having been watching your post, and waiting to see replies. I have basically gained back all but 5 pounds of my pre-surgery weight. I spoke with the MD about my weight gain, since I have been filled and unfilled. He said if we couldn't get weight off with the band, he would recommend bypass. I was banded in May 07, and had lost a max of 59 pounds.

Hang in there, Vickie! I can imagine how frightened I would be at this point if my doc made me remove all of the water from my band. Its not just a weight gain/loss thing at this point. . .its more about finally having a sense of control over your own life. Every one of us with a band had to first hit that low point where we were convinced that we couldn't control our own eating no matter how hard we tried. For most of us, having the band is the first real ray of confidence that we've had for years. Don't lose hope. You know that the band does work for you, and that you just need a short period to heal from your complication. You are still in control. Just try to do what you can to hold the line until your band can be filled. A few gained pounds is much less of a big deal than giving in to the old fears. Try some sugar free popsicles - they take a long time to eat. I was going to complain that I've gained 2 pounds and need another fill, but your story helped put things in perspective. Thanks.

Hate to be ignorant, but what does PB stand for? I have had the sliming thing a time or two. I agree, it's like aversion therapy but still much more tolerable than out of control weight gain!

Hi... i know this has possibly already been covered... but i suppose this is my story... I had lapband surgery in July 2007.... lost 20 kg... and my band erroded on 12 months resulting in m having it removed in July 2008.... Now 12 months on and having kept my weioght off for 9 months... and now having had a weight gain of 8 kg... approx 16 lb in the last three... it is time for me to rethink my surgical options... I alternate between rebanding or sleeve.... my against banding is that it may erode as quickly again... My against sleeve is that there is metal staples .... I would be interested in others thoughts and stories as to what decisions they made....and would appreciate the help My surgeon is open to doing both surgeries, and he wants me to make the decision to what is best for me.... Heather....

My surgeon told my DH that he put in a smaller band (I didn't know there was such a thing!) and that I could expect more rapid weight loss more quickly. When I got home I got on the scale and expected to see a weight gain because of the IV fluids, which I did. I was up 5 lbs. Today I got on the scale and not only were those 5 lbs gone but so were another 4.5! I am following my liquid diet to a "T". I am on clear liquids this week and thicker liquids next week. Then I go to pureed foods, then eventually soft meats and then "normal" food. It is a 6 week process to get back to regular food.

It took time for the weight to go on; it will take time for the weight to come off. You just had surgery, and you most likely won't start losing weight until you get on more solid foods. Each transition to a food stage usually means a weight gain. If you start getting it in your head now that you're going to fail, then you will fail. Weight loss with the lap band is a marathon, not a sprint. Have patience and realize it's going to be a journey. If you can't get yourself in the right frame of mind, you need to find a support group in your area. These forums are great, but they aren't a replacement for face-to-face support. You're only two weeks out. With the way your posts sound, i think it'd be a good idea to go to a support group.

Back from town and buying groceries an Super Walmart. I hate not shopping locally, as my income comes from this community, but I saved A LOT. Basically bought almost a months worth of groceries and misc. for $250. I have even started searching online for coupons, saved $4.50. Every little bit helps. I picked up some tilapi fish, so if any of you have recipes for it, please let me know. PB'ed on lunch, I guess I stressed the stoma last night. Gave up and am skipping lunch today, had about 100 cals. I'm going to take a little nap. Candice you sound like you are really haveing fun with the RV! You comments about the cpap make sense, I didn't think of it that way. My respiralogis (sp) said we could try lowering my pressure since I have lost weight, but the doc that did my sleep study says that weight gain contributes to apnea, but weight loss doesn't seem to help, so who knows. Check in later.

OMG-I would feel sooo cheated! IT may have been a hormonal imbalance? Did you address it with your doctor? They say you burn an extra 500-800 calories a day by breastfeeding, so if you go by numbers, it should at least MAINTAIN even eating extra instead of going up!!! I'm so sorry, I would have been really mad were I you. I just went back and checked my notes, when I got pregnant the first time I was 235, I gained between 45-50 lbs with the pregnancy and by the time I returned to work 5 months later I was down to 216 (not dieting or exercising) so I know by my habits and history that the weight loss was due to breast feeding because I went through a postpartum depression and guess what? I EAT when depresssed...ho hum. This time I plan on getting back to the gym right after the 6 weeks I have to wait to heal (for a C Section) to try to combat the nasty post partum and I will do my darndest to keep sweets out of the house and stick to fruits to kill the dreaded sweet tooth. I think during this time I will hide the scale though as it is my biggest downfall. I'm really happy to hear that even though you had weight gain with your last pregnancy that you even considered breast feeding again, it is so good for both mom and baby and many of us fight it (it's easy to do in this day and age when it just isn't convenient and some of us JUST have a hard time getting the baby to take it as well...I did at first) Good for you, keep us posted on your progress, we love to hear from you!!!!!! How old is your baby now? ps...i'm so excited to get to meet my baby, i'm dreaming of his little face almost every night right now..i'm so smitten with my little man and haven't even gotten to meet him yet.:smile2:

I am not about to judge your marriage, but I would definitely tell your husband. And if need be, tell him the day before the surgery. It is already going to happen, so he can either jump on board and be supportive, or he can choose to be selfish and not support your decision. Mine doesnt like the idea of the surgery, infact, he uses the "you are perfect the way you are" excuse, but that simply doesnt cut it for ME. People have to understand that you want this to be a happier, healthier you. If they cant understand it, or choose to be ignorant, then they arent worth having around. I have told most of my friends, my husband, my sister and my Mom. My Mom was supportive at first, but changed her mind quickly when she read something somewhere about some program that could speed up my metabolism. Everyone else has been supportive. They just want me to be ME again. I havent told my Dad because in the past few years he has started to really judge me because of my weight gain. He categorizes me as "lazy" and "weak." Perhaps I am those, perhaps he is mistaken. I just dont want to surround myself with people who are going to put me down and not be supportive. I think you should tell your husband because he is your husband, and in case something happens (NOT THAT IT IS GOING TO). You need all the support you can get. And if he doesnt want to give it, sorry, but to hell with him! If he does, then that is fantastic!! BEST OF LUCK and let us know how things go!

Well since I was in Mexicali, they don't do major pain meds like Dilaudid; they do the initial morphine spinal (an odd pain medication delivery system to me, but whatever) and after that you get under the tongue pain meds which aren't very effective. Most of my discomfort was from gas, bloating, queasiness, and everything associated with stomach upset rather than real PAIN. Dilaudid is a heavy-duty morphine pain med; I had it when I broke my leg as that was the appropriate pain relief medication for that situation. I had to have surgery to fix my fracture (and thus began my 10 year spiral of weight gain, but that's another story). For this type of surgery, in my humble opinion Dilaudid is way over-kill. Not that I would have turned it down, mind you, but apparently such a heavy duty drug is not the protocol at Hospital Almater.:laugh0: The liquids are going. I use a straw. The first 5 days (that's all I got so far) it still hurts a little when I drink. That supposedly goes away after a week according to Dr. Aceves. Hope so. I am sipping, not gulping (as if!) but I still feel that spot that the Water hits when it goes down, especially in the middle of night when my pump is not primed like during the day, if you know what I mean.

restless monkey - yes i have that problem - lose then gain plus another 20. I am now 240 or 235 - i had been bouncing up and down from 222 to 196 for the last 6 years. If i can eat 1000 cals a day i can lose weight. that is why I am ok w/ trying lapband. I don't want to do something drastic until lapband is proven to not work. My docs had said that lapband had cured a lot of diabetics. So I'm hopeful. And the other thing is that the rebound weight gains won't happen (the rebound weightgains are due to volume eating when i get carb 'reactions' low blood sugar and becoming a bottomless pit) - this cannot occur w/ lap band. I do tend to do a lot of research - but in the case of bypass i am not right now at the point of believing that is my best option - in 2 years maybe i would change my mind but i have to try the tamer option first. one is reversible the other isn't. one requires a lot more time off the other doesn't.. so at this point i know enough to not pursue it. Don't mean to be defensive. It just took me years to get to accepting the lap band. I think I will lose on it. I just may not lose more than 30 lbs in 1 year (40 if i am lucky) but that is fine. The following year I can lose another 30.

This is my view on this (not banded yet). I have a slow metabolism so I worry about not losing weight. If you can't lose weight on 900 cals a day then you absolutely SHOULD be banded because there is no way someone can really sustain that sort of caloric intake forever without the help of a band so to me you are STILL better off. That's what I tell myself .. cuz it can take me a year to lose 20 lbs on maybe 1300 cals a day BUT I can gain it in a flash (like 2 months) if I slip so even if I only lose 20-30 lbs in a year - I WON'T be slipping up to the tune of 25 lbs weight gains anymore.. so i'm still better off.

Okay, I watch a lot of lap band patients on youtube and most of them seem to have an accountability partner. So how many of you here have an accountability partner and if you do, how does he/she help to keep you on track? I have been struggling for 5 days now and have gained some weight (not a lot though), but weight gain is not part of this journey.

This past Monday I went in for my much anticipated visit with the doctor and nutrionist. It was my first time back in over a month and I was excited, curious and nervous all at the same time. I was excited because I knew this was another step closer to where I eventually want to be, curious about my test results and nervous about getting on the scale because I knew I had gained weight. Well, my appt definitely took me closer because by the time I left I had my psych appt scheduled (8/20), my appt following the sleep study moved up 2 weeks and in between appts to return to the doctor. More or less I have an appt every week between now and the end of Sept and if everything goes well, I may be looking at an Oct date. My test results came back well. I was told that my ultrasound and upper GI was normal and my blood tests were excellent. My blood clot scare last year had me wondering about how my tests would come out since this is always a worry for me now, but it gave me a chance to dicuss this further and I will see the doctor that will insert the filter to avoid clots prior to surgery on my next appt at the hospital. My fear about the weight gain rang true. I knew it from the way I was feeling. My back has been aching and I feel sluggish. My back aches at a 5 lb weight gain, so I knew I had at least gained that..but I was shocked to learn it was in fact 11 lbs. :wink: I was told it was probably fluid. Yeah..Grey Goose I explained. The numerous happy hours my co workers and I had attended since my last visit had caught up with me. The nutrionist and doctor both encouragingly told me not to worried since "thats what I am there for". I later had to laugh since it was the first time I wasn't scolded by a health care professional for gaining weight. The surgeon on the other hand, came to see me with a couple of students, wasnt as dismissive reminding me of the high calorie content of alcohol and how important calories will be when I get lap band since my body will not reject the sugar automatically like gastric. I knew he was right and could only sit there like a scolded kid nodding in agreement. I needed that kick in the ass. It brought the importance of this surgery and saving my life back to the forefront of my mind. I had lost focus having so much time in between appointments and simply slipped back into bad habits. I had to get back on the horse. As I explained to the nutrionist, I KNOW what to do, its DOING it. I am a professional dieter. I know it all..I have read it all. I am just a very unsuccessful dieter. She listened but I could see she wasnt buying it, she gave me my food journal for the week and told me to fax it on Friday. She told me her appt is last and usually a couple of weeks before my date to avoid wasting money if not approved. She said she had flexible hours so I said, cool lets meet for drinks. I quickly followed with..IM JOKING! and she actually laughed, then added, sure we will meet for breakfast and have carnation instant breakfast drinks! She was so quick I had to join her in laughing. :eek: She later repeated it to the surgeon who also got a laugh. Putting that imprint on her mind, also puts her in the forefront of mine. I know I have to make more of an effort to do the right thing because it is truly now or never.

This past Monday I went in for my much anticipated visit with the doctor and nutrionist. It was my first time back in over a month and I was excited, curious and nervous all at the same time. I was excited because I knew this was another step closer to where I eventually want to be, curious about my test results and nervous about getting on the scale because I knew I had gained weight. Well, my appt definitely took me closer because by the time I left I had my psych appt scheduled (8/20), my appt following the sleep study moved up 2 weeks and in between appts to return to the doctor. More or less I have an appt every week between now and the end of Sept and if everything goes well, I may be looking at an Oct date. My test results came back well. I was told that my ultrasound and upper GI was normal and my blood tests were excellent. My blood clot scare last year had me wondering about how my tests would come out since this is always a worry for me now, but it gave me a chance to dicuss this further and I will see the doctor that will insert the filter to avoid clots prior to surgery on my next appt at the hospital. My fear about the weight gain rang true. I knew it from the way I was feeling. My back has been aching and I feel sluggish. My back aches at a 5 lb weight gain, so I knew I had at least gained that..but I was shocked to learn it was in fact 11 lbs. :sad: I was told it was probably fluid. Yeah..Grey Goose I explained. The numerous happy hours my co workers and I had attended since my last visit had caught up with me. The nutrionist and doctor both encouragingly told me not to worried since "thats what I am there for". I later had to laugh since it was the first time I wasn't scolded by a health care professional for gaining weight. The surgeon on the other hand, came to see me with a couple of students, wasnt as dismissive reminding me of the high calorie content of alcohol and how important calories will be when I get lap band since my body will not reject the sugar automatically like gastric. I knew he was right and could only sit there like a scolded kid nodding in agreement. I needed that kick in the ass. It brought the importance of this surgery and saving my life back to the forefront of my mind. I had lost focus having so much time in between appointments and simply slipped back into bad habits. I had to get back on the horse. As I explained to the nutrionist, I KNOW what to do, its DOING it. I am a professional dieter. I know it all..I have read it all. I am just a very unsuccessful dieter. She listened but I could see she wasnt buying it, she gave me my food journal for the week and told me to fax it on Friday. She told me her appt is last and usually a couple of weeks before my date to avoid wasting money if not approved. She said she had flexible hours so I said, cool lets meet for drinks. I quickly followed with..IM JOKING! and she actually laughed, then added, sure we will meet for breakfast and have carnation instant breakfast drinks! She was so quick I had to join her in laughing. :biggrin: She later repeated it to the surgeon who also got a laugh. Putting that imprint on her mind, also puts her in the forefront of mine. I know I have to make more of an effort to do the right thing because it is truly now or never.

As long as you are eating healthy food, getting in some exercise, feeling good and the baby is growing well...try not to think so much about weight gain. I know it is hard, but that's how we have to think. Yes, some people do lose weight in the first trimester if they have a lot of nausea and/or morning sickness. But others gain weight. It's different for everybody. You are growing a new life right now. After you have the baby (or after you finish breastfeeding depending on what you choose to do and what your doctors say), you can get a fill & lose whatever weight you gain. You will still have that tool. So hang in there!

what contributed to your weight gain? Just curious? Could there be a leak? Or do you think that you just became complacent and not watching what went in your mouth? We all get that way at times? I'm just asking so maybe your experience can help others, can you share a little more on your battle. The good news is like your title states - Your back! We are all battling this thing together. The great news that you do have a little helper called "the Band", its always there ready to help you when your ready to use it. You have proven you can do it, so dont be discouraged and we can do it together!

Nickie, So sorry to hear about the weight gain. Good for you for taking action to correct it! If you did it once you can surely do it again! What do you think went wrong? Did you maintain for a while and then start eating slider foods or your band got lose and you didn't get a fill? Welcome back and congrats for making the deicison to use your band to get back where you want to be!

Hmm Candra..... they told me the same thing about the Effexor took. Effexor is actually a stimulant but somehow it works. I have a friend on well butrin that is gaining weight. I think maybe it is less chance of a weight gain but it is still an anti depressant............. With me it I just felt bloated and slept to much after 3 years on them. I had to do something different but once the 50 pounds was on, it was on. I thought it would fall off once I stopped but it didn't!! LOL. So two years later............lap band.

No, I can't take those medications. I get sweaty, headaches, nauseous, feel like I drank 1,000 cups of coffee, and they make my insomnia worse. The one I can take which is one of the oldest ones, amitriptiline, causes horrible weight gain. I think that was the beginning of all my gaining weight. All the newer ones which are the SSRI's cause me every side effect that is listed is possible.

Erin, I wouldn't take it personally that your aunt does not ask you to go riding. I must admit, there are very few people that are allowed to get on my horses. I have to know how they ride and feel like they will be safe on my horses and that my horse will be safe in their care. Some of us are very protective of our horses - it's not personal. I had a friend that wanted to sit in my saddle while it was on the horse. I reluctantly agreed to avoid being rude. She landed on the back with a THUD - my horse was not impressed. I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to get her off fast enough to avoid her being injured. hmarko, I'm so sorry for your loss. I also lost a horse a couple of years ago, just before the weight gain started. It's like losing a part of us.