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I have been on paxil during menopause. I gained alot of weight, know it is not all the paxil but think it contributed to the very quick weight gain. I am concerned that my weight loss is slower being on it. Any suggestions or has anyone changed SSRI's since surgery? Carol

I'm 2 months out on the 17th and I'm stuck again...I had a 2.5 week stall at week 3,4 and 1/2 of 5...down 6lbs and stopping again. I'm 42lbs since Spring break and have 38lbs to go. i know these next 38-50lbs are going to be the hardest. So tell me....how much exercise do you get?

Hi! I haven't been banded. I am just doing research regarding LapBand. I weigh over 100 lbs. beyond my goal weight, but the gastric bypass is too invasive! I am 59, and not sure whether this is for me. Secondly, my husband has Medicare with Tricare for Life, and I am covered as his dependent (spouse) with Tricare Prime; I do not qualify for Medicare, etc. I found Tricare Prime accepts referrals from Primary Care Physicians for GBS. However, I checked about 4 months ago about whether they approve for LapBand surgery, and was told "No, not at this time." Has anyone heard different as to whether they have reconsidered? I am curious. Does anyone know why Tricare Prime would pay for GBS and not LBS? Maybe because the procedure is still too new? I would also like to know why it is easier to exercise and eat right when one has the LBS, than before the surgery? Doesn't the motivation have to continue? I know one thing... I have been too heavy, too long (about 8 years) and realize that soon I will be prone to diabetes, sleep apnea, etc. as it runs in my family, both sides. My motivation to lose lasts about 1 week, then it fades. Could be because my husband can and does eat Desserts, or anything he desires, with no weight gain. Guess you might call that co-dependent, but I can't help it. When sweets are around, I weaken. I have not been a happy person for a long time now. This weight is depressing. I would hate to think that I would have to carry my two dogs around all day long, but my excess weight outweighs them! Any information about insurance, or advice about LBS will be appreciated! Thank you! Pam pamblundell@aol.com:omg:

Hello all, I am new to the forum, but I am about 1 year and 2 months post surgery. It's been a rough road from the start was hospitalized a week after surgery for dehydration and C. Diff. Since then I have had multiple visits to the the office and ER for adjustments and pain. We can't seem to find a happy medium to keep my band filled to, it's either too tight or not enough restriction. In the last month I have had to have fluid removed and of course so goes the weight gain. Just frustrated, i do not regret the surgery because the weight loss has been awesome but I feel like I am stuck in a rut. I pretty religiously cook food from skinnytaste.com and the skinnytaste cook book, but going out proves the be the hardest from food options to cocktails and beer, makes me feel like I am missing out! I need to get back on track. Any suggestions!!!

So I have Highmark BCBS and I have completed everything and had my pre-op appt with my surgeon this pat Monday 5/08/17. She said they would be submitting everything to my insurance for approval. Today is Friday and I found out surgical coordinator has been out sick all week (God bless her soul) but the wait is killing me. I'm so anxious and worried I may not get approved. Patient Selection Criteria for Adults The patient is morbidly obese and is at least 18 years of age. Morbid obesity is defined as a condition of consistent and uncontrollable weight gain that is characterized by a weight which is at least 100 lbs. or 100% over ideal weight or a BMI of at least 40 or a BMI of 35 with ANY ONE or more of the following comorbidities: Medically refractory hypertension (blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg systolic and/or 90 mmHg diastolic despite concurrent use of 3 anti-hypertensive agents of different classes); or Cardiovascular heart disease (with objective documentation by exercise stress test, radionuclide stress test, pharmacologic stress test, stress echocardiography, CT angiography, coronary angiography, heart failure or prior myocardial infarction); or Hyperlipidemia; or Diabetes mellitus type II; or Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); or Obesity-hypoventilation syndrome (OHS); or Pickwickian syndrome ( a combination of OSA and OHS); or Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); or Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) Patients should have documented failure to respond to conservative measures for weight reduction prior to consideration of bariatric surgery, and these attempts should be reviewed by the practitioner prior to seeking approval for the surgical procedure. As a result, some centers require active participation in a formal weight reduction program that includes frequent documentation of weight, dietary regimen, and exercise. However, there is a lack of evidence on the optimal timing, intensity and duration of nonsurgical attempts at weight loss, and whether a medical weight loss program immediately preceding surgery improves outcomes. The patient must complete a psychological evaluation performed by a licensed mental health care professional and be recommended for bariatric surgery. The patient's medical record documentation should indicate that all psychosocial issues have been identified and addressed; and Patient selection is a critical process requiring psychiatric evaluation and a multidisciplinary team approach. The member's understanding of the procedure and ability to participate and comply with life-long follow-up and the life-style changes (e.g., changes in dietary habits, and beginning an exercise program) are necessary to the success of the procedure. If the patient does not meet ALL of the patient selection criteria for bariatric surgery, the procedure will be denied as not medically necessary. Procedure Codes 43644, 43770, 43775, 43843, 43845, 43846

Hi all, I have been participating in a medically supervised weight loss program for the past 5 months and I've nearly completed all the pre-op requirements to qualify for bariatric surgery. I've been really lucky and have already officially lost about 50 lbs (at my last weigh in a few weeks ago, it's probably closer to 60 now). My BMI is now probably 31ish. I have adhered to their guidance fastidiously and have made major changes to how and what I eat. I've learned a lot from these boards and I'm leaning towards going the surgery route. Far and away, my primary concern is my ability to be physically active short- and long-term after the surgery. Exercise is extremely important to me and has been for most of my life. Even at my heaviest and unhealthiest, I've still maintained some degree of regular physical activity. And for a lot of the time, I've been able to engage in quite vigorous exercise regimens (running half marathons, weight lifting, vigorous cardio 5-6 times per week). My weight gain has been almost entirely due to poor eating habits as opposed to anything else. Given the considerable calorie restriction post-op, should I expect to have enough energy to exercise vigorously? I understand if it may take some time after surgery to build up my conditioning to where it's at now given that I'll have to take time off and given how little I'll be eating, but say a couple months after should I expect that I'll have enough energy to work out intensely? My other question is how useful/effective is bariatric surgery for those who have been able to lose (considerable) weight historically, but haven't been able to keep it off. As part of doing my homework in preparing for the surgery, I actually obtained all of my medical records for the past 10 years. I charted my BMIs and weights (attached here). It was really eye opening for me to see the true "yo yo" that I've lived. I've definitely been able to have success losing weight, the issue always has been maintaining whatever changes I've made to keep it off. From what I can tell, the surgery seems immensely helpful for initial weight loss but it isn't as clear to me from what I've seen how helpful it is for those who've lost weight as part of the medical supervised plan (and who've been able to lose it historically) to help keep that weight off. I greatly appreciate any insight, advice, or guidance you can offer. Thank you!

My "stress/emotional eating day" has cost me 1.4 pounds. That one day caused a weight gain of 1.4 pounds. Do I feel better now two days after my binge? Not no but hell no!!! Will it be able to resist the urge to do it again? I truly don't know the answer to that Million Dollar Question. Do I regret eating a zillion calories and not even enjoying them?? A resounding YES. Hopefully I have learned a lesson and won't forget it. It ain't easy...

How great, it's always wonderful when our families are supportive. . . i didn't tell my mom until i was about 2 or 3 months out. . . she is a major drama queen and of course when i told her, she had me in my coffin and buried right away. . . :lol: Now at over 1 year out she thinks i'm going to regain everything back because i gained about 20 lbs over 6 months. . . she is sooo funny. . . but all i can say is be careful after 1 year out. . . what they say about weight gain IS true. . .I'm really watching now that i don't go up anymore and it's been working well. . .I don't think i'll hit my ultimate goal of 180, but that is ok! for now I am grateful I'm not 350 anymore. My hubbie is glad I'm not losing anymore he thought i was going to die too :lol: God bless our families! . . . . good luck!

Good advice. Just beware runaway weight gain, get on top of it quick, its harder to lose the second time!

She has added about 150 calories more a day about a month ago (sitting about 700 cals a day now) and noticed a stall, then slow weight gain of about 5 pounds in that time. She walks 5 times a week and has since she had the surgery.

i started in may received my band june30th i have lost 53 pounds total and six sizes yet im frustrated that i bounce back and forth 2 or 3 pounds for weeks at a time but now my dr gave me water pills and i lost 6pds in less than a week but my friend says i only lost it because of the water pills can that be true other than that im excited i fit my husbands large sweatpants and xl tshirt how does the size compare what size would that be in womans

Slider foods are no good to any of us. period. If you think they are Your in your weight gaining cycle. Your not working the band except in the wrong direction. Just my 2 cents. Your only fooling yourself.

I have the VG 10 cc band. Just had 2nd fill and has slight restriction for about a week then it went away...going again on the 7th for another one. My Dr. refuses to give me any kind of aggresive fills. He says the more agressive the fill the more likely it is to slip from his experience. The last time I went he said he didn't pull barely any Fluid out from the 1st fill and I might have a leak!?! He said the original Dr. who put it in (Dr. Joya) may have punctured the band if I did have a leak. However, Dr. Joya's people are saying that would be impossible since they test everything during and after surgery to make sure the product is not defective and nothing is leaking out. They are saying that since my Dr. does not use fluro (Dr. Billy) that perhaps HE put a hole in the band if there is one. I am so confused...At $175 a pop I am wondering if I should just go to Puerto Vallarta for a fill under fluro since they are free for life? However, I want to believe my Dr. because everyone says he is so good and he certainly seems to be very educated and well liked and spends plenty of time talking to me when I go in....I also love that he is in the US and only 10 minutes from my home. I'm also very luck that he will take patients from Mexico. Any suggestions? I am so discouraged because I'm gaining back original weight I lost and I think I am only down about 10 lbs now since surgery back in June with the recent weight gain! Oh, I do exercise 3 + days a week at Curves and log everything I eat at fitday.com and I'm averaging about 900 - 1300 calories a day. I drink a ton of Water and my fit day calculations I am burning about 2000 calories more a day then I am taking in. I guess I need a fill to take my calorie intake anymore. Oh and no I am not losing inches either.

I would avoid Pasta and bread. All empty calories. If you can't eat 3 oz of solid Protein you are too tight. My doctor doesn't want me drinking my calories ie Protein shakes. Some people are really tight in the morning and do a shake for Breakfast, I get that. I am at restriction and eat chicken twice a day and don't have any trouble. If you can't eat 3 oz solid protein by lunch you are too tight. People who keep the band really tight because they are loosing weight, usually eventually fall back on protein shakes. This usually leads to other liquid calories and thus weight gain.

I never had the sleep study done. But I've noticed since my weight gain, I can feel how heavy my chest is and just rolling over in bed can make me breathe heavy. :tongue2: I'm hoping for approval but would do the sleep study if it would get me qualified. The arthritis in my knees wasn't bad enough, blood pressure not high enough and I'm not diabetic. So at 100lbs overweigh my co-morbids weren't severe enough. But now I'm closer to being 200% over, so hopefully I won't need the comorbids.

Its four years for me tomorrow. over time, the bands effect on your appetite and cravings does, I have found, diminish. I dont eat as faultlessly as I did and some habits have returned. I also find lately I can eat more again - I have found the need for teeny top up fills once a year or so - like 0.1 cc (have a 4cc band). However, my perspective has changed too so whem I think I eat "a lot" its nothign compared to normal people. this is good, my view on serving sizes etc is much much healthier than it was. However, I have not regained so much as a single gram. I continue to work hard at making good decisions and if I have a few bad days, I make up for it. I do not allow my weight to fluctuate by more than a pound - even whem I know its hormonal weight gain I get super strict for a few days. I also continue to challenge myself with my fitness, I continue to run, do boot camp and circuit training, keeping up a pretty gruelling fitness schedule, but I love it. I am under NO illusions that I can give this up, even where I to fall back to simply walking every day, I would gain weight. I exercise on holidays, I dont have a day off just coz its Christmas etc. Probably sounds depressing to some, but I love it and I crave it. It makes me feel good and you learn to enjoy the sensations of pushing your body. could I keep the weight off without the band? Not sure. Probably not all of it. But I do not believe I'd become obese again either, I think I'd probably return to the BMI of 27, 28 which used to frustrate me so much all through my teens and 20's, because my habits are so diffent now, particularly exercise wise.

This is a great question! There are a ton of studies that were done on line that can help you answer by googling it. I have done this multiple times and have learned that although your pouch capacity changes in the first two years allowing some additional room, it is really not about stretching as much as it is about your body and brain learning to tolerate more. In one study I read that the average pouch size after 2 years should hold about 6 ounces at one time but they had seen pouches as large as 9 to 10 ounces. The interesting thing is regardless of the pouch being 6 ounces or 10 ounces, when the appropriate food plan is following they did not see any difference in weight gain. This really is all about putting the right thing in your body and learning about when you are actually full. I suspect your friend from work is both not following the eating plan nor is he/she probably taking their supplements which are required for the rest of their life to remain healthy. I am only 9 months post op so I have not yet hit maintenance but I am definately able to eat more that I was able at 4 months. That is why it is so important to make sure what is on your plate is good quality Protein and good carbs on a regular basis. You would not find a 6 inch subway sub on my plate mostly because of the heavy bread. I simply could not tolerate it. However the insides of that sub might work for me. I have also been taught by my nut that when eating you have to think of your food capacity post chewing. In other words, you will be able to eat a lot more than 6 ounces of salad once that salad has been chewed up. niw if I was eating chicken or steak, I will be lucky to get 3 ounces in, because it is so dense. I use the 2 bites of protein for every 1 bite of good carbs until I feel full. It takes the brain 20 minutes to catch up with your stomach. This is why the requirement to eat so slowly yet not go past 30 minutes. Your pouch likely starts emptying at the 30 minute mark which would give you capacity to over eat. Google your question, there is a ton of info on this topic.

This has been the hardest week so far. I was sleeved 6-26-14 am down 32 lbs and at a stall. I know stalls are to be expected. I am more afraid that now I am eating solid foods that I am causing the stall & possible weight gain in the future. I eat the right foods but the last 2 days I ate a bigger portion at dinner time. I a one who used to eat the majority of food/calories at right. I am terrified I will get back into that habit. I was so hopeful until ow that I could control my new way of eating but not so confident now. Help!

So my next weigh it just so happens to fall on my 3 nut visit so I'm dreading the scale and what my nut will say if I'm bloated and weigh more.? Sent from my SM-G530T using the BariatricPal App

Just had an EGD done today and the results show that i have mild dilation of the esophagus, mild gastritis and also a hiatal hernia..my surgeon did the doplar test to measure the acid levels in the stomach and now i have to carry this device around my neck for 96 hrs to monitor my acid levels when i eat/drink, sit for prolonged times and also while i sleep.. i was sleeved in May 2015. The initial reason for the surgeon to to the EGD was because my weight has been fluctuating up and down. Now that the results came in I can sorta pin point into the reasons as to why the weight has been the way it is. Has anyone else experience these same symptoms? And also what are the solutions to these problems especially the hiatal hernia. I know some hernia's do not need surgery and some do need it.. also with the dilation is that something of concern when it comes to weight gain.. surgeon did say that the overall anatomy of the sleeve is good and no leaks noted. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi! Wow, I can understand how frustrated you must feel!! It is really hard not to focus on the weight gain. Just remember that during the time that you were gaining, the band was not doing its job when the doc took out the fill, so the tool that was supposed to help you lose weight was unavailable. Kinda like trying to take notes without a pen..Pretty hard to do Just focus on the fact that you did lose 35 pounds!!! So you know you can do it. When you go back in for your fill, hopefully things will be back on track and you will be good to go!! Don't look back on time lost, just continue from where you left off!! I am also going to see a counselor and it is really helpful. I have one that specializes in bariatric issues, so they have a really good understanding about this stuff. We are all rooting for you, and for each other!! Good luck :tongue2:

I did research on this and I think it's due to other surgeries sometimes having complications and weight gain after a few years. Most things I read said if you're part of a group (like at work) you're fine but the self insurance is hard to get. I agree about it being prejudicial for the same reasons. I wonder if we worded it "partial gastrectomy" (such as people with a large ulcer or stomach cancer might get) if that sounds better- just not saying the words WLS. Essentially that's what it is- right? partial gastrectomy (removal of part of stomach). If asked directly, legally you have to say weight loss surgery, but that might be the way around it.

I added both of you ladies to my friend list - I'm glad to hear your stories too. I can't blame my weight gain on anything but myself - I started a company about 5 years ago which kept me sitting at a computer for so many hours a day, I ended up eating every meal at my desk. I also drank a lot too. It's part of the culture of my work environment... we are all really big drinkers. It's hard to break out of. Luckily, i kind of "grew out of it", in that i'm 31 now, and that lifestyle just isn't feasible for me anymore. Two of the things that have been bothering me the most since I reached this weight are: 1) The almost constant fatigue. I feel like I have mono all the time. All I want to do is sleep when i'm not working. I can't get motivated to do the things in my life i need to do, like running errands, or even fixing up my new apartment. I don't have a husband or kids to force me to do stuff, but honestly, i'm pretty glad because if i did, I'd be a pretty sad sack of crap. 2) Aches and pains. My hips and knees hurt all the time. Like I'm sore from exertion, but I haven't exerted myself. That puts me further down the black hole of inactivity. UGH, it's embarrassing to even type. As it gets closer to time for my surgery, i find myself trying to be more active, because I want to make the surgery go as smoothly as possible, and i figure i'll be stuck in bed long enough after i get home. Since i've been feeling bad like this 100% of the time for the last few years, it's made me really excited about the surgery. I feel like it's the exact life changing event that i need to pull me out of it. One of the guys I work with had VSG a couple of years ago, and said that very soon after, his energy level doubled, and it jump-started his life. He really enjoys working out now, and it really shows - he looks fantastic. Because I can see him with my own 2 eyes, he's been my best motivator, and ultimately *the thing* that helped me make this decision. <3

I am struggling with weight gain and it's been almost 3 years ! I was considering a re sleeve but not sure how risky it is ! And hernia's can keep happening depending on where they are located and the pressure on she weakened muscle and tissue ! What have u figured out about the weight gain ??

46 pounds in 6 weeks is very good. I would not compare my weight loss to others, we are all different. I would watch the sugar until you lose much of your weight. It might not be very many calories (you do log your food don't you to keep track?) but sugar has a tendency to make you hungry... the more you eat, the more you want.... Some foods are "sliders" and just mush up and slide right down... perhaps salad is that for you. LIke PDXman said, eat your protein first to make sure you get the restriction and your requirements, then if you want a treat later, how about surgar free pudding cup, a SF hard candy or jello.... I would stay away from cookies or cupcakes... I know they are yum, but you are here for a lifestyle change, and follow your Docs plan as close as you can so you will have not regrets or slower weight loss than you can..... the honeymoon phase does not last forever. It gets harder to lose and slower later on....At 11 months I had quiet a few sugar treats this christmas and had a weight gain... Im back on the streight and narrow for a week, to shake that sugar craving and lose those extra pounds! Jump back on girl, you are doing great with the weight loss!