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When you aren't eating solids, you don't retain much Water. when you go back on solids, you start retaining more stuff (including water) in your system. So one way of looking at it is that it wasn't entirely fat that you lost on the liquid diet. By the way, .5 pounds is the difference between my weight before and after I go to the bathroom. In other words, it isn't a significant amount, and not an indicator of real weight gain. Since we're on the subject, don't be surprised if you gain a few pounds before you get your first fill. You have no restriction yet from your band, so it really isn't working for you yet. Be patient; you didn't gain your extra weight in a couple months, and you aren't going to lose it in that time either.

Hi LadyTonya! The weight management people are (supposed to be anyway) registered dieticians to help you in your weight loss journey..I have seen mine once so far--11 more visits to go. They help you make good decisions when it comes to eating..esp after being banded. Endocrinology is for glands and hormones...hmm not sure on that one, but maybe they want to rule out any glandular problems that would cause weight gain...cause then the banding would be useless. I called my pulm docs office to ask a question and they got all up in arms...they were completely unreasonable! I asked them if I could go to another sleep apnea location (same company mind you) and they told me the doc doesn't read there and I explained that my insurance covered the "other" location and ----they could get me in way sooner than where they wanted me to go...doc promised to get me in asap...and the staff scheduled me for 5 weeks later!!!! Ummmmm, no that doesn't work for me! They were so rude they told the person at the other sleep center that I called them, and the new girl had the nerve to tell me that me getting the sleep apnea test sooner wouldn't get me surgery sooner!!!!!!! OMG....so I explained to her that I could not afford to pay out of pocket and as a patient I had the right to make sure that everyone got paid for services rendered. She was much better after that! I wanted to slap her. My surgeon specifically told me the sooner the sleep test, the sooner the band. Don't feel that you are being a pest......it is your right to see that anything related to your surgery goes smoothly!! I haven't been banded yet, I am like you--I really want this to happen!!! Best Wishes!!! Let us know how you are doing!!

I have read into the Phase 1 of this book. I am impressed. Oprah does the forward. Even with the band we have issues. Right? I am involved with this new program with high hopes. My wife has joined me this time. I have high hopes. Anyone have opinions on this book? There is some solid info there. Also the best life products. Barilla has the new Pasta plus out..Its good and better for you. I hate to say it but I had a severe weight gain over the holidays. Gaine 13 lbs in the last 6 weeks, thats never happened in 3 plus years of being banded. I hurt my back in the gym and had to rest plus got the flu. You see what happened when I didnt exercise? BAM here comes the lbs. With my band restriction I can eat if I have the desire to drink with my meals. I feel Im in a good restriction when Im respecting my tools like the band to help me. Thats why I dont want another fill yet. Lifestyle changes is what I want to cure this weight gain. I completely stopped drinking alchohol. I thought this would be a definate weight loser! Nope, I gained. Maybe I replaced that comfort with food. Obviously huh? Better to not drink. Sober 5 months and counting. A record for me. Anyway I am back on track and have my wide joining me for support now. this could be the recipe for success. Lord knows that recipe has worked for everything else. Thanks folks.

4 days post op. And yes grumbling is loud.. scared the crap out of my dog. Chest pains aka gas pains I'm managing with gas x strips. Haven't experienced weight gain. Actually weight loss I'm down 9 pounds as of this morning. But since I've only been on liquids since Monday I'm not surprised. Hopes are every day will be alittle bit better. It really is hard right now. But keep trying to tell myself in the end it will be sooo worth it. Especially helps talking to those going through the same thing.

Dear "baby": Welcome to the club. You are now in what's know as BANDSTER HELL. You want to act like a bandster, but without restriction, you are about the same as you were before surgery! We've been there! It's just awful. Here are my suggestions: 1. Don't beat yourself up. IF you could have done it without restriction, you wouldn't have needed the band. 2. Everytime you stay on your diet, you are being a superhuman. Everytime you cheat, you are being human. 3. This is the time to pretend to be a bandster and practice using small plates, saying thin things, doing bandster behaviors. Kind of a fake it til you make it thing for practice. Read a lot on this site and take time to educate yourself. 4. Remember that bandster hell is sooo much sharter than all the years you were in weight gain hell. You have started the journey and you are close to getting to really be a bandster. 5. See if they will do your fill 3 weeks after surgery instead..... 6. Congratulate yourself every day for sticking with the post op diet. Did you even know you were capable of such an extraordinary feat? 7. It's a good time to start to figure out the role that food played in your life. For me, food kept me drugged enough to watch TV at night. I don't do that anymore, and I don't think about food at night as a consequence. I used food when I was bored, so I've gotten some new hobbies...like exercise. 8. Mostly, just know that it's short term and that if you have to sleep through it to get through it, do whatever you need to.....

Unless you can calibrate yours to say the same things as your doctors office, keep your sanity and listen to yours until your next appointment and then you'll see the difference between the two and are able to do the math. scales rarely say the same thing, even two identical models side by side. Just know that you're losing, pay attention to the one at home and like myori said....only weigh in the mornings. Sensitive scales will show a difference after you've eaten a meal or drank your 64 ounces of Fluid and show a weight gain. I hope this makes sense, I just woke up and am still kinda ditzy / foggy right now (not that this isn't normal even after I've been up all day LOL) xoxo, Renee`

I would say you are too tight.If you are hungry between meals because you have not been able to eat a reasonable meal because it hurts too much that is a problem, Going to mushy food as the above poster suggested will not help. The band is designed to work with solid food - you do not want to get into a habit of eating mushies or sliders. They do not fill you up, they are easy to overeat, they leave you hungry and as they are often high calorie they can lead to weight gain. Your Dr also gave you what I would consider to be a huge fill. To go from 5.1 to 8.3 in one go is enormous - flouro or no flouro. I would suggest going for a small unfill.

It takes time to adjust. It also takes committment and stocking the cupboards with healthy Snacks so that you don't totally return to old habits that will result in weight gain. You got the surgery to lose weight, don't let yourself fall into self sabotage. In the beginning there were times when I just cried - missing the comfort of my go-to (food)....but I let the tears come, and deep breathing, and putting into perspective in my mind. We can't depend on that crutch anymore if we want to succeed at this. I find that we eat so little, as long as your snacks are the right ones you will slowly start to come to terms with this new life. My snacks include a few grapes and a couple of cubes of cheese, or a handful of nuts, a cheese stick and sliced apple, or some olives. Good Luck!!

Welcome to LapBandTalk! Did you know that if you don't get enough sleep, your ghrelin levels rise? This could explain how the sleep apnea caused weight gain -- since it cuts into your sleep time and you aren't as rested.

February 2012 i had gastric bypass...I lost 95 lb...was very close to my goal wight. I wasn't able to get on track after surgery due to neck pain...and that turned into 2 neck surgery's...the first neck surgery was 4 months after gbp...the second neck surgery a year later...I was on different meds (including morphine) for 1 1/2 years...Then last February 2014 I spent a week in ICU with blood clots in my lungs. Well, it's now 2015. I've been off all pain medication and meds that caused 70lbs of weight gain. I feel I let my family down..but mostly myself. Is it to late?

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

ok, cruisette i'm confused, lol doesn't take much for me. You got a 2nd band and it didn't take?? or you went from band to sleeve and it didn't take?? where did the 60 lb weight gain come from??

Ok, so I have been wanting to go on the pill for like forever now, lol, but have just kept putting it off. Hubby and I are using another form of birth control but I want to go back on the pill to regulate my period again. My period has been irregular for 20 years. I was on the pill before two different time, but never really stayed on it long enough to finally get regular. This time I would really like to, but I know it can cause weight gain. Is that something I need to be worried about? I wanted to go on the pill a few months ago, but figured with upcoming surgery and the risk of blod clots after surgery and the fact that the pill makes you more suseptable, I figured I would hold off. I know it probably seems silly, but if I am getting a surgery to help me loose weight, the last thing I want to do is to slow it down! Anyone have any insight or ideas? Should I wait till I loose my weight? Will it even matter? Thanks everyone!

Hello everyone, I just want to introduce myself. My name is Ammisuu. I am 49 years old and have been yo-yoing weight gains and losses my entire adult life. Since early July 2012 I have been attending a bariatric surgery program. I attended several general information meetings, met with a social worker, met with registered dietitian, met with a nurse practitioner, had blood work, answered multiple questionnaires, took quizzes, communicated with my primary care physicians office several times regarding insurance referrals and prior authorizations with my insurance company………all while exercising, eating right and losing weight. My starting weight was 246. BMI = 45. The center recommended that I lose 5 % total body weight (12 pounds) prior to meeting with the surgeon. I met the recommended goal and had an appointment with my surgeon on Sept 26. I was cleared medically to have the surgery. After that appointment I met one last time at the bariatric center for a 2 hour review session. The presenter lectured a repeated theme, “you cannot gain any weight before surgery or the surgery will be postponed”…. I have been a bit stressed about this since I have a history of frequent gains and losses. This fear is a bit unrealistic at this time since I have lost 22 pounds as of this morning’s weigh-in. Regardless, I still worry. As of this writing, I have completed my preoperative diet and today is the FINAL day. Tomorrow, October 31, 2012 I will undergo Lap-band surgery!!! I’m sure you’ll be hearing more from me soon. Happy Halloween everyone Ammisuu

Before you consider reducing your use of shakes, I suggest keeping a journal of all of the food you eat (even if only a small taste) and the quantities, so you can calculate exactly how much Protein you are eating. If you truly are getting 75-95g of protein or more, then you can probably reduce your use of protein shakes as @@Veronica_mm said if you are able to maintain your 50g of protein a day with other foods. I would also caution you that very soon now, when you reach the solid foods stage, you are going to have to stop the "nibbling". Grazing (as @@James Marusek can tell you from a recent study he was talking about) is a major cause of weight gain, and that goes especially for WLS patients. When you are on liquids and purees, eating small portions constantly is fine, and even necessary to get in your minimum protein because the pouch is so small, but when you are getting into real foods, you should be moving towards discrete meals with nothing but Water or water substitutes (Powerade Zero, Crystal light, etc.) in between. Also, it's important to know what you are grazing on. Are you grazing on yogurt, cottage cheese, tuna or other high-protien foods? Ok. Are you grazing on whole fruit and veggies? Not as good, but still probably ok. Are you grazing on canned fruit, crackers, nuts or other foods with lots of carbs or fat? Probably not good. Finally, if your grazing is due to real hunger, not just "head hunger", then you might want to try adding a bit more protein to your normal meals. Protein should keep your hunger down longer. However, if you are not really hungry, but just satisfying a craving, then you may want to think up of some things to get your mind off of it, or possibly see a therapist to work on that. If not dealt with, the head hunger can really derail your success.

I've just finished the third week of my pre op classes. The thing that led me this is of course the obvious... I'm obese!!! But, the health and social issues that follow have finally made it too much to bear. I am a 60 year old grandparent who has never gotten on the floor to play with his grandchildren. I suffer from osteoarthritis in both knees which hinder my ability to walk across the room. I have diabetes, COPD, hypertension, high cholesterol, and I'm sick of being sick!!! I don't think I've had lifelong history of weight problems but I can remember being teased for being "fat" as a young child. This changed as I entered high school and started to played sports and then joined the Army. After the military I became an avid backpacker and got into rock climbing. During this time I keep my weight in check without problems. It should be noted that I did suffer from other self esteem problems... I was an addict and I think I used the alcohol and risky activities to mask my low self esteem. If I was great athlete I couldn't be a drunk? Or if I was a drunk... whatever was needed to cover up the real me and what I was feeling. After I got sober I got married for the first time and as things didn't go well I took to eating to cover up what I was feeling. After the end of this marriage I once again took to activity to hide out. I biked up to 200 miles a week, or would go days without eating. People gave me praise for losing weight but didn't know that I was going through my first major depression and couldn't eat or sleep. The bottom line is that I got down to a respectable weight again in a totally inappropriate way. Soon I got married again and things were good. I exercised at a healthy (non manic) way. Life was good and my wife soon gave birth to my first child. It was during this time that the exercise stopped and quit working to be the stay at home parent. Within the next few years I started to exhibit emotion problems and was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder. As the psychiatrists piled on the medications I became less active. I developed breathing problems and was placed on oxygen. Talk about a cluster ****, my body totally shut down. Over the next 15 years my health got totally out of control. During that time period I was hospitalized no less than 7 times for emotional and health reasons and no one was willing to identify my psych meds as a major health concern. Finally, 2 years ago I decided to go off of my meds after I start to develop some rather nasty neurological side effects from one of the psych meds. During the ensuing months I started to breath again and was no longer physically depressed. Luckily I now have a psychiatrist who sees that I had been over medicated all these years. Instead of being on a cocktail of meds that promote weight gain I am on only one. (Unfortunately this med promotes weight gain but it's the one that seems to work) It's been like waking up from a dream, there are literally years that I can't remember. My wife and family are happy that I am awake. So this brings me to the next chapter. What am I going to do to prolong the rest of my life. This surgery is the first step! With it I can be not only see what is going on around me but I can participate in it. And with the help of my higher power I hope that all will go right.

It's official now, I'm going to do this surgery!! I have been on a long hard journey since April of 2010, and alot of it was my own fault for it taking so long. I went through a lot of soul searching to figure out if this surgery was really what I wanted to do or not, and I finally told myself I was in it for the long haul. I have struggled with my weight since I was about 8-9 years old, and I've always been the "thicker" type. I thought that I was alot bigger than I really was, and looking back at pictures of me in high school and my early 20's make me cringe to think that I really thought that I was FAT then. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) in 2000 and got all of the fun side effects of that-weight gain, insulin resistance, and facial hair. It's great fun to say the least. Thankfully I was able to have 3 healthy girls and didn't struggle with in fertility with it. I went from 145 lbs when I got pregnant in 1999 to 200 lbs by the time I had had my 3rd baby in 2003 (yes, I had 3 kids in 4 years). The struggle was on after that. I stayed around 200-225 until last fall, and I started having alot of swelling in my lower legs and hands. I quit smoking in March of this year, and since then I've gained 42 lbs between that and the swelling, I have massive pitting edema in my lower legs and my hands swell really bad as well, and the only reason that the dr's can come up with is due to weight gain. I was diagnosed with Obstructive sleep Apnea in Dec. 2010, and then with Barrett's Esophagitis in April of 2011, and I've had GERD since 2002. They put me on high-blood pressure medicine to try and help with the leg swelling, along with diuretics. AND, I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel and tennis elbow in both arms this week. So, I wear a CPAP to bed with 2 wrist braces, I have to wear compression stockings all day to keep swelling down, I take 6 pills a day for my stomach problems and I pee absolutely constantly. Yeah, I'm ready to get all of this taken care of. My sister asked me today if I thought that I really needed this surgery. I told her that I was tired of feeling like I was trapped in this body, like my fat was in control of me. I'm tired of being terrified to go to the dr, because they're going to tell me that something else it wrong with me. I'm scared to death of the first 6 weeks after surgery, but I know that those 35 days will be the best hardest days of it. I'll live, I'll get through it. I'm ready to feel like me again, to feel like I'm in my skin again. Not this fat person's body who has no control. I'm scared,but I'm finally going to do this! Let me know all the little details that I need to know...don't hold back!!

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?

I'm struggling with how much I should be eating at a normal meal. Sometimes I think that I have no idea of what I should be eathing. If I eat 1/2 cup to a cup of food, I feel like I'm not getting enough nutrients. I can eat much more than a cup of food (depending on the food, even if it's healthy food), and since the holidays, I have done just that. Getting back to small portions of dense foods has been a challenge, and the 10 pound weight gain since October is making me feel horrible. So, for a healthy meal, how much are you eating?

Hi there! Congratulations on having your surgery. Yes, it is absolutely normal. The reason you are heavier is because of all the fluids they put in your veins the last few days. You will lose that very fast and then some. Your tummy is protruding from the gas they pumped into you to expand your stomach for the surgery itself. The more you walk, the faster this all just disappears. They should warn you about the weight gain post surgery and they don't. I remember being really angry about that because I worked so hard to lose 13lbs before surgery and gained it all back in 2 days in the hospital. Just know that it is all fluids and it will go away quickly. Right now you need that because it gets hard to get all your liquids in. I hope you have a safe and speedy recovery!

Ok so I'm three days away from my two month post op mark. I'm so worried cause I haven't lost anymore weight and I'm adding new foods. I'm worried that ill gain weight or that I've lost all I'm going to lose. Preop weight was 236 current post op 195. I was so happy to reach 195 and now I'm worried cause the scale has not moved in weeks. I do Pilates and strength training for toning. I am a lot more active. I am however under a lot of stress. I broke out in hives last night and had to go to ER and get a shot. It was a steroid! The doc said I had no choice because of the rash. So now I'm really panicking. Steroids equal weight gain. I know the shot is temporary and won't last but a day or so but I don't need any help gaining! I guess my question is am I losing weight at a normal rate? Have I stalled? Help! My goal is 145 realistically but really want 135. I do drink tea with sweetnlow and water with crystal lite. Only one slice of toast a day with sugar free jelly. Any ideas?

I agree the weight gain is mostly fluid and medication that was used during surgery. Once your body starts healing, you will see the weight drop. Hang in there!

I agree with you. Even though I am ashamed to return to the doctor with weight gain but I really need a fill so that is the route I plan to take in order to get back on the right track. The tighter the better. Thanks.

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!!!