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I was diagnosed with PCOS 14 yrs ago. Took metformin for a long time. Switched birth control pills so many times. Lost weight, gained weight and was infertile. After a long time my body stopped responding to metformin. They upped it to 1000mg 3x a day and added spironolactone. I was taking pre natals at the time to try & grow my hair for my wedding. I was pregnant the next month. I delivered my daughter over my 31st bday. I was kept on metformin through pregnancy and on weight gain restriction. I was off the meds after pregnancy and losing weight and doing well until i had implanon in my arm. I gained all my weight back, acne returned, hair started thinning and I went back on everything. I had enough and wanted a permanent solution. I'm 3 wks post op Monday, doc warned me that I'll be super fertile and pregnancy is not recommended for 2 yrs. I left the hospital off all meds! Knock on wood, still no acne

Thank you for your very nice, and concerned response! I have been seeing a therapist, but not for the weight gain. I was seeing one for the OCD and anxiety, and they prescribed me with Lexapro. Ever sense I started taking it, I hardly ever have anxiety or panic attacks. It really has helped. But I heard it makes people eat - go figure, lol. The Lexapro has given me my spirited, outgoing self back. But I still have low self-esteem issues with my appearance. I know I'm attractive, but my weight is making me feel like I'm not myself. I am not at all in the process, besides making the decision to do it. If the Bypass were the only surgery available, I probably wouldn't have weight loss surgery at all. I heard the Sleeve is a bit safer. At this point, I'm going to have severe health issues in the future if I don't get the weight off. I have found a surgeon. His ratings are 4.8 stars out of 5, which is great! I called and left a voicemail at his office, but no one has returned my call. So, I think I'm going to give them a call in a few minutes. I am not being treated for sleep apnea. I haven't had a diagnosis yet, but I am almost certain that's what I have. The only thing is, I've heard you don't remember your dreams when you have sleep apnea; but I almost always remember mine, and have them frequently. WOW!! 200 pounds in a year?! Congratulations! That is so nice to hear. I am so happy for you. That is like 16 pounds per month! Have you had to continuously replace your clothes? Lol! As much as that would probably cost a lot of money to replace that many wardrobes, I'm actually looking forward to it. I still have a ton of clothes saved from high school that I hope to be able to wear again, since I haven't grown a single inch since I was 15. A few things that I am wondering about are my gastritis and PCOS. I found out I have gastritis, which is when the lining of the stomach is inflamed. I'm wondering if this will be a problem. I know you're not a doctor. I'm just hoping the surgery will maybe even improve my stomach problems. I also have PCOS which can cause women to gain weight. Do you have that? I don't have PCOS but your surgeon should take everything into account when recommending a procedure. I have never heard that people with sleep apnea can't remember their dreams. I never noticed that. Other than WLS, being treated for sleep apnea has been the best thing I have done for my health. Getting good, restful sleep is critical. Your surgeon and/or insurance will most likely require a sleep study and treatment. I don't spend a lot of money on clothes. I am not working so I am still wearing old clothes (I have a lot of basic dresses). I do make sure I have a bathing suit that fits: I started with a size 32 and my current suit is a tankini with a top size 20 and a bottom sized 24. I have buy a couple of new skirts and tops periodically so I have something to wear in public. Not long after surgery I bought underwear in three sizes so I always have underwear that fits. I just bought a packet of the next size down. I bought a couple of new bras a while back. I am due to get a new bra. I know a lot of people buy clothes at thrift and consignment shops while they are transitioning. One other thing, I recommend you make sure you use a surgeon who is at a Bariatric Center of Excellence.

I am so with you on the weight gain! I am beyond frustrated, the scale almost went flying out the window this morning. I think mine is from my evil period coming up..but I am joining curves this week and I hope that works.

Always consult with your medical professionals Option (1) Stay on your bariatric plan. How intense is your workout? I worked out five to six days a week on my bariatric plan until goal. Bariatric plan seems to be working well for you. down 47 and another 47 pounds to go...Really think this through if you choose to go off plan. Option (2) Fitting your new macros in. It takes all day eating small meals. If you choose to follow your trainers plan. Monitor and make sure you stay in weightloss mode. If your trainers plan causes weight gain..Go back to your tried and true bariatric plan. __________________________ A few things I can relate to..... My surgeons office had no advice when it came down to my exercise/fitness level. I did consult a sports medicine dietitian. She has no experience with a athletic bariatric patient. I distance run and lift weights. I am at the gym two hours five days a week. I also have long run days. (two to three hours on a route) ______________________________

Hi everyone, I've been on soft foods for 5 days and I've gained 2.4lbs. Pure panic has set in and surgery regrets and all that fun stuff, but I am a worrier by nature. There's no way I'm eating enough to gain 2 lbs in 5 days but it makes me think I'm doing something wrong. I'm usually getting 2 meals and 1 snack in and I'm having no issue with foods so far. I don't have an appetite but I make sure to get my Protein in. For example, this was what I ate yesterday: Meal 1 - 1.5 oz lean roast, 1 laughing cow wedge, 1 piece of soft beet Snack - babybel Meal 2 - 2 oz baked chicken breast, a few peas and 2 T of tzatziki sauce I could eat about 75% of each meal. I drink a lot of Water. Is this a normal part of recovery or am I doing something wrong?? I fear 2 weeks of liquids has further damaged my metabolism. I'd appreciate any input! Thanks Kelly

I wish I could relax! It's not in my nature. Weight gain just doesn't make sense with what I'm consuming. I'll keep getting my water and protein in and not weigh for a few days.

Thank you for the quick responses! I've been wearing orthotics since I was young, so I don't expect that to ever go away, but my feet definitely got worse over the years with more weight gain, especially in the last 3 years it became so painful to walk for longer than 20 minutes without massive aching in my arches and feet, and of course the fun bonuses that go with it like shin splints, tight tendons, and knee pain! I'm just hoping some of those symtpoms go away with the weight loss. I've got some good ASICS now that have taken me a long time to 'break in', my feet still get sore no matter what I wear after a certain period, but at least I know that it should improve a bit and that I'm wearing good shoes and have proper orthotics. I'll see how I go later down the track when I've lost some weight!

I always start my day with something hot, I have convinced myself that it helps me hold food down during the day. Needless to say I have become addicted to dunkin donuts hot choclate but it has never interfered with weight gain. I have remained at 135 for the last three years.

My suggestion to you is to start the process yourself. Call your insurance provider and ask what the requirements for WLS if any. This can help get you in the right direction. My old insurance required a 35bmi w/2 comorbidities or a 40bmi. I didn't have any co's so i had to have a 40.... which i was just shy of back then. So before i even went to the seminar, i put on 10lbs. (gained 10 to lose 89... hell yes). I knew i would be approved.... My Dr. arranged all the appts. to heart, lung, phyc., sleep test, NUT... etc. After he got ALL the results back he submitted as one packet WITH a SX date. I was approved in three days. I had already researched the band for months before, but from the day i went to the dr and SX day it was around three months. I got my GYN to submit info on my health and weight gain over the years and i also has my logs from WW to show my dieting attempt.

Later this week It will be three years since my sleeve surgery and this is what I've learned. The surgery gave me hope and a jump start to rapid weight loss and better health. That's it. Nothing magical to it, you lose a good portion of your stomach therefore you eat less and you lose weight. I learned that without any work on my part the weight came off rapidly and in eight months I was at my goal weight. Now, here is the most important lesson out of this whole process, ( need to capitalize this) THE HARD WORK IS MAINTAINING THE WEIGHT LOSS. Since April of 2018 I have been struggling daily to maintain that weight loss and to stay at my goal weight. For those of you who have had long term success you are truly the best and you should be proud of your accomplishment. Early July I saw that I had a weight gain of eight pounds. I redoubled my efforts and was able to lose 4 1/2 pounds in three weeks. I am still struggling to lose the other 4 1/2 lbs. So, to date I am 4 1/2 lbs above my goal weight. I don't consider that a good thing. For the first time since my surgery three years ago I am forced to work twice as hard to lose weight rather and to maintain my goal weight . I'm still ahead of the game being so much healthier. To those who have recently experienced the euphoria of weight loss and better health after surgery. Enjoy it, embrace it and most of all keep in mind that it can be lost if you are not vigilant in your maintenance. I wish everyone the best of health and the best of success in your weight loss journey.

I only weigh every couple of weeks. It was so discouraging to get on the scale every day and see weight gain instead of loss. I finally threw out my scales. I pay really close attention to how my clothes "feel". I know I'm loosing because I go down a size a month, on average. I started at a tight 28 and am now in a "loose" size 12. Just remember that the weight didn't just get on your body overnight and it won't come off overnight. Seems like during the weight loss journey, even little weight gains can be discouraging and it is hard not to focus on the gains and let it start controlling your mind. As you loose weight, you will feel more like getting out and exercising. Remember that with exercise, fat turns to muscle. Muscle weighs more. People tend to forget this when they climb on the scale and get discouraged. You are loosing inches but "putting on weight" due to increased muscle mass. Keep your eye on the prize and don't fall into the trap of letting the scales sabatoge you. You are gonna do great!!!!!!

So weight is up on these day more today than yesterday!!! Normal??

I am new here. I am looking for support and friends that are in the same weight loss surgery boat! I was sleeved in Aug 2016. I have lost very slowly and actually have gained 19 pounds. I take a medication that causes weight gain (although my dr. says it is unknown as to why it causes gain) and I am struggling with eating when I am not hungry and don't exercise at all anymore. I really need to be on top of all the things (eating every 2-3 hrs, staying off the sweets, drinking enough water, eating enough protein, exercising) I need to do even more so as the meds make it additionally hard to loose. I don't have any friends who've had wls and the support here is lacking. I am so concerned that I will not be able to loose any more...yet, I know that I am not doing what I need to do in order to loose. Anyone out there had any success while being on meds that make it difficult to loose or far too easy to gain?...or have any other advice? Thanks.

"happy losing to all my losers!!!!!!! @@BabySheldon Who are you talking to???? we're not "losers"!!!! we're all winners!!!!! good for you on realizing your "goof" its done, over with, can't go back!!! but more importantly nipping your weight gain in the bud i think by telling "us" that you screwedddd up, your apt/might be more diligent in the future you know we are all watching you!!! i know where you live!!!! only kidding bud not sure if going back to "yeachy" shakes et is necessary after gaining one pound but if that "punishment" encourages you not to eat "badly" again - whatever works for you is good Wishing you and "Felipe" the best for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer lives!!! keep up the good job (both of you) 59 lbs down!!!! kathy congrats

what an awesome story! I've started my journey in early september. i'm 48 and i've been heavy all my life. I'm tired of the yo-yo diets, weight gain and loss...i'm ready for the real me to come out.... By the way I'm sure you will make a gorgeous bride....

I am 2 1/2 years out. Weight loss was fast, relatively easy, and for two years was always down. Then something happened and I am now gaining weight - up 20lbs. Yes I am not eating perfectly, but the really scary thing is that I feel like something major has switched. Before if I strayed my weight would go sideways and then easily return its downward direction if I got back to eating right. Plus, my old, life time struggle with cravings and "needs" to eat and deprivation that was so beautifully on hold after surgery, seems to be back and like it was my whole life before surgery. Now no matter how little or much I eat, my weight will at best be flat but more than likely go up... That whole pattern of starting every day with the promise that I am going to eat right today, followed by uncontrollable craving and eventual snacking, and then feelings of hating myself and actual weight gain is back, like I never had surgery. I am really sad and discouraged. Two things that have changed that could be a factor but not really consolation are (i) I have been having insomnia for months which I hear (sleep deprivation) can effect hunger hormones, and (ii) I have been having regular abdomen pains, like hunger pain, gnawing feelings that docs say is acid - yet I am on tons of acid blockers (double dose prevacid, have tried tons of prilosec and others)...docs don't know what this is or what else to do - for me it is not normal heartburn, actually only thing that helps is eating...? I am seeing docs about this for past year, but they don't seem to have a clue. I exercise every day, a lot. I have cut all alcohol out since before surgery. What is happening? Is this just the way it goes after a few years? I have tried restarting everything, going back to basics, doing food diary and then with no improvements after days and uncontrollable cravings (like pre-surgery), I go back to snacking. I am getting into a very bad pattern and worry if I am just doomed to go back to where I was all my life. Plus - for the 1st time, I have gone up a notch on my belt and my cloths are getting tight....YUK! HELP....

Did you ever hear anything about your approval? I'm just wondering because I had United Healthcare try to pull the "one surgery per lifetime" card with me for my revision. It turns out that was not in my husband's company's policy at all and they were trying to deny saying it was something like - obesity surgery standards--blah blah blah. They said they would remove or replace my band only. They denied my case, I immediately appealed and just heard back last week that they are overturning the denial and will be paying for the revision. My advice is if it's truly what you want then don't give up! I'm not going to say it's an easy thing. It's extremely stressful both physically (putting up with the band and weight gain for longer) and especially mentally! You just have to decide if it is something you want to fight for.

I am meeting with surgeon in a couple weeks and we are discussing the sleeve verses bypass. I am 50 years old, no other health concerns except my knees are bad from my extra weight and the obvious.. I am overweight scratch that obese : ) So for those of you who have had bypass I was wondering if you would now have considered the sleeve or visa versa. THANK YOU ahead of time as I am a newbie. Losing weight Gaining Life, Cindy Virden www.cindyvirden.com

I'm in the same boat. Surgery 9/2012 260 down to 176 now 210 don't know how to stop the weight gain. Looking for help! Glad to see you have taken some steps in the right direction. Unfortunately most help is not covered by insurance ????

I know Im late. I feel your struggle. I got sleeved in 2012 also. June 14th was my surgerversary. I put on 50 pounds in last couple years so I know your frustration. I manned up and went to see my doctor this past monday 6/20/16. I was sure he was going to go in on me for the late visit and for the gain but it was totally different. He said that I carried the weight gain well but said my blood pressure was high. Im 36 and too young to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure does not go with my outfit. LOL I even had to go back to sleeping with my CPAP machine. I was very discouraged but he told me to come back to see the Nut'ist and he wanted to see me in six months instead waiting a year. So Im paying attention to my diet and I walk an hour everyday. It feels like an up hill battle but Im determined to get back to were I was. You can do this. just take it one day at a time and know that you are not the only one who has fallen. If you need someone to hold accountable from now on the let me know. Sometimes I need that myself. I was a sexy fother mucker at my goal weight. LOL! Now I just feel like blah! Thats real talk. My wife likes the smaller me and I did too. She doesn't complain but I want to be healthier to be around for my family so thats my motivation.

Hey everyone! I am Juuuust starting the journey. Have spoken with my insurance and will be picking out a doctor in the next day or so. I have been over weight for far too long. All through high school and even throughout my time in the military, I was too skinny. (5'8" 120 - 129lbs). I got married my last year in the military and within a year, I gained over 100 lbs. The weight kept inching on over the years and no matter what I did, I would drop a few pounds and then gain back double. Finally, I began working for the post office where I had a walking route. I walked over 9 miles per day. I went from 270 lbs down to 218. I felt great and swore I would never gain the weight back. Unfortunately, I was hurt on the job and out of work for 6 months. When you walk 9 miles a day in the South GA heat, you have to eat...and I ate a lot. When I was out of work, I kept eating. I gained all the weight back and then some. When I was allowed to go back to work, I started working in IT, where I sit most of the day. I gained up to just a hair over 300 lbs (I'm now 5'9"). I did the same roller coaster weight loss and weight gain over the years. Last year, I started on a plan offered free through my work called Real Appeal. I was able to lose about 35 pounds and have for the most part not gained much back. I changed jobs at the beginning of this year and was surprised to find that my new insurance covers WLS, so I am in the process of going with the VGS. So you're probably wondering why I ask about going crazy in my title. My ex-wife had gastric bypass. She traded her eating addiction for alcohol and drugs. I then met a really nice girl, who, as it turns out, had bypass surgery also. She, traded her addiction for a sex addiction. I have had several friends and acquaintances over the years that have gotten bypass, or lap-bands, or VGS, and nearly every one of them have developed really bad habits and "gone crazy" I am a pretty normal person, or so I think. I don't feel like I'm addicted to food, I'm just lazy, so I am hoping I wont go crazy when I finally get the surgery. Anyone else have experience with this?

Be nice to yourself, it looks like you are early in this journey and that is the hardest part! There will be a day when a restaurant serving of egg fu yung would last you a week if you ate it at every meal! Even if there are set backs (there willl be) or Christmas weight gain, I always tell people in a year or two none of it will matter and you will barely remember it! I know I agonized over every choice and every pound but now in maintenance I really dont! It has become easy and that will happen for you too!!

I know most everyone has abandoned the thread at this point (Hi Joe! me, too! :frown:) but the stories sound so much like my own. I have got to get back on the wagon. I gained 10 pounds over the holidays and the only problem is, I am scheduled for a panniculectomy with tummy tuck and breast reduction on 03/24/2010. I had really wanted to lose another 10 pounds before the surgery so that leaves me wanting to shed 20 pounds in approximately 5 weeks 1 day. I don't know that it is possible but I have got to do my best -- just because I want to be at the best possible place for the best results. I was originally scheduled to have surgery in January but I rescheduled because of the weight gain. However, I do think some of my problems may be related to an inability to see change as well as inhibiting optimal exercise capacity due to my large pannus so I have decided to go ahead with surgery as long as I maintain my current weight. Hopefully with a little accountability, though, I will at least lose the 10 I gained before then. I do exercise regularly but I want to ramp that up to 5 days a week for 1-2 hours and, of course, go back to low-carb eating. I don't necessarily think that low carb is for everyone but I know it is a necessity for me. It is the only way I have ever lost weight, band or not. My body just clings to carbs :wink2: which, of course, I love. So, anyway, here is to my 1st day (again) of holding myself accountable for my actions -- eating like I should, exercising like crazy and understanding that I may fall along the way but I will just pick myself up and keep going. It is indeed a journey. I would love to have some company, so if you are reading, please feel free to join in.... company or not, though, I WILL do this! :biggrin:

thanks now that you mention it i have slowed down on the drinking but that was coz i thought i was drinking to much Water thats way my weight gained. i love my iced tea and decaff coffee love my crytal light, but for sum reason was gaining, then loosing the gain it back

HI, One of the biggest surprises I have had since being banded June 2008, has been the ability to keep the weight off. Unfortunately I'm stuck at about #20 pounds from goal, but am down 70-75 pounds. I lost all my weight in @ 14 months. I have modest restriction, but enough to remind me of "stucks" and "sliming". Like you, I'll keep track of any weight gain, and then go back to "first principles" of the band. When I hit my plateau I got another 2 fills. It didn't do much. Sadly to say, I've not pursued the fills and have not kicked it up to the next level, but I'm working on it now. Treats around the house don't seem to matter. We live with 3 teen-age boys. It is best when I totally eliminate eating many of the treats,, (like the cheese cake in the fridge), and limit myself to small portions of my favorites, like maybe a cookie or a small brownie. I'm more of a volume eater. One thing I don't do anymore is make the rounds of the fast food places. That is certain death. I don't ever have "total pig outs"; it is like psychologically giving up. You may want to decide what 3 or 4 "first principles of banding", have helped you the most, and go back to them from time to time. It may be waiting 20 minutes to feel full, no drinking for 2 hours, no soda pop, record keeping, meal planning, lots of regular exercise, or trying to psych yourself out for "looking good' at the next family gathering. I do think you are on the right track with the regular weights and self-evaluations. My friend who gained back over 100 pounds, just stopped keeping track, and stopped thinking about what he was doing, and it was very easy gain weight. He also quit his daily walking, and his wife gained back her weight. Vigilence is the price of weight loss, and maintenance. Personally, the greatest tool for weight loss, has been a calorie diary, and planning. I've quit doing that, (until now), and things will change. There is a great satisfaction with total control. It is very empowering. For me, it lasted about 14 months, but the weight maintenance has been nearly as fulfilling. Good Luck, Brian