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Hello, everyone! I'm new here & was glad to find this group. I'm still pre-op, but almost finished with all the requirements. My surgeon won't even submit my file for insurance approval til next month, but I already made his nurse pencil me in on June 19. I'm in school right now, so I had a very narrow window to squeeze in the surgery between my summer classes. Coco, good luck to you today! Please let us know how it goes when you can. I am not in a wheelchair (yet), but I have very limited mobility. I blew out my left knee when I was 17, and the weight gain over the years has caused my poor knees to deteriorate badly. I can't walk without limping & I'm in pain every day. I was facing double knee replacement surgery, but I decided that sleeve surgery would be the better option. Not only will losing weight make me healthier overall, but my ortho surgeon told me that for every 10 lbs of weight I lose, I'll take 40 lbs of pressure off my knees! I will probably still have to have knee replacement some day, but I'm hoping to hold it off for as many years as I can.

Ok so I'm extremely bloated, constipated, have tons of gas, and my pouch is so tight it can be painful to consume food. My jeans hate me lol they are tight, no weight gain. I needed to talk to the doc about a laxative. I'm thinking going back to strictly liquid with my shakes mashed fruits and veggies. I feel huge yet no weight gain. A little frustrated and making me consider not having another after this(which is still a few years away). But this pregnancy is definitely more difficult than my previous. More food isn't agreeing with my pouch, I'm having to relearn what's ok and what's not with foods that once agreed. Soften, I tried to get off of it, and I threw up two days in a row. Now don't be afraid. I'm sure my experience is unique to me. But just an informative journal so you ladies can get an idea what post sleeve pregnancy is like. Now a few things to consider, I am pregnant 8 months post OP, until the month before I got pregnant I had a great restriction anyway. I do crave unhealthy food but fried food doesn't work in my stomach, I get very ill. I love love love pancakes. But I can't get much of it in. I spend a lot of time eating yogurt, cheese and eggs. I boil my eggs because I cannot use butter in to cook my eggs. I have a cup of coffee in the morning and I'm denouncing carbs again because I let myself eat those before my restriction came back. Baby needs what I can get in. And it needs to be of value. So I'm bank to figuring this all out again. I may be criticized by a few. But if honesty helps the few who need it. I'm willing to endure the few on here that are holier than thou. (no pun intended towards God, but their attitudes because after this sleeve NO ONE is allowed to make a mistake smh). Sent from my EVO using VST

I have type 2 diabetes as well. I actually got the band as part of a diabetic study that McMaster University is doing. They're trying to associate some hormone that is eliminated with weight loss surgery (there were 3 random groups, RNY Bypass, Lap Band and Medical Management, that participants were slotted into after heaps of pre-screening tests. Guess what i got :cursing: ). I was taking 2000mg of metformin, 6g of gluconorm and 40 units of Lantus insulin daily. When I started my pre-op diet I cut out the insulin right away and then the gluconorm and finally was weaned off of the metformin. I am 2 weeks post op and was told by my specialist not to take anything until I see him at the end of Feb. He thinks that I might be back on metformin (although a smaller dose) for a bit until I get my weight down, but that it will actually assist with weight loss. I was told that insulin makes you gain weight (the fact that I gained 16lbs in 2 weeks when I started it leads me to believe that this is correct in my case) and that the gluconorm can also cause weight gain. I'm ok going back on my metformin for a while. Since I am part of this study that is specifically for diabetics, they have done a whole bunch of tests that I'm sure the average patient doesn't go through. That being said, my bariatric specialist has told me that my pancreas secretes enough natural insulin to support a person with a normal BMI, and the entire team of doctors is convinced that once I get down to that level that I will be off of all diabetes medication for good. Hopefully, the same is true with the rest of you. It's a stupid disease and it's nice to know that it can be "reversed", if you know what I mean.

How exciting, and how exciting to have the surgery when you are young! When I was your age I was over 200 lbs. and managed to lose over 70 lbs. on my own (low cal diet, lots of exercise). I kept the weight off for a couple of years and then got engaged and then married, and started eating like a "normal person" again, and poof I started gaining weight like crazy. So now it's nearly 20 years later, and I have been back over 200 lbs. for the past 15 years or so, and every year I have told myself "THIS is the year I lose that 100 lbs again!" Every year I tried to lose weight and some years I would lose 20 lbs. But it's a LOT harder to lose weight in your 30s and 40s than in your 20s and I never was able to keep any weight loss off for more than a year. So now I've decided 2011 really IS the year I lose the extra weight, but this time I will have a powerful tool to help me and that is my VSG procedure. I'm so happy for you that you won't have the yo-yo diet & weight gain hell that I've had for 15 years. Yay for you!!!!!

Yes, I am on Tricare. I have been put on things like child-safe weight loss supplements and such all during my childhood and teen years (My weight gain all started by a doctor's misdiagnosis and mistreatment when I was about 6/7 so I have been trying to lose weight since that all started). But living overseas my whole life I was never "old enough" to go to the gyms on base or able to drive to a gym or anything. Even now, I currently live 10 miles out of my town, and was in an almost fatal car accident where my car flipped and turned over about 4 months ago. So the concept of getting to a gym is impossible (my father also commutes 50 miles to the base). I have been a yo-yo dieter in the past, I've tried many fads, bought countless books, etc. I really do worry about my health. I'm about to be put on blood pressure medication before I even turn 19. All of my attempts at a life style change have failed and I think it's time to get REALLY serious about it.

Please, as was said do not be too hard on yourself. My surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday (7/30) and my surgical team told me to expect temporary weight gain after surgery. So, hold your head up. Remember, the key word here is "temporary"

Add me to the temporary weight gain club. Almost monthly, I'll pick up a few lbs for a week or so, then I'll lose it and a lb or two more. I don't know if it is a coincidence or not, but the weight gain is greater after I've eaten fruit - like strawberries, grapes, or watermelon.

Who told you that? If it wasn't a representative at Aetna, then I wouldn't worry too much about it, and three pounds isn't much, 3lbs of weight gain could be a number of things. I'll lose 3lbs if I take some Miralax and have a good dump. LOL

Unfortunately, I HAVE heard of people being denied because of weight gain. So be careful. All the more reason to follow your pre-op diet to a T! NOW is the time to start making new habits, exercise, eating cleanly.

maybe water weight gain....I dont know much I havent had mine surgery yet. but could be

So where to start...I've feel like I have been on a roller coaster ride for the last 6 months or so. I had Gastric Bypass Jan 2015. So far I have lost 210 lbs as of about a month and a half ago. Truthfully been afraid of weighing myself lately. So I'm 36 years old, don't have any children, not for lack of trying. So I figured my chances of getting pregnant after losing weight were very positive. So went to the Dr. for check up and woman exams and all that. Well I've had abnormal results, pre cancerous in the uterus, before but Doctors always said lose weight and then we can talk about a treatment plan. So here I am 6 months ago, Test came back abnormal, they did another biopsy and the worst news I could have received. Endometrial Cancer Stage 1. So options, hormone treatment or hysterectomy. The tears came, depression reared its ugly head and my hopes of having a biological baby were crushed. So i finally accepted my fate and decided hysterectomy was what I needed to do. Well I go to my follow up appt and Dr basically tells me that I should try a hormone treatment so I can hang on to the possibility of being able to have a baby. So against my better judgement I did. 5 months later after hormone therapy, I go for follow up biopsy. And mind you during this time I tried to not think about babies and possibilities, But since I strive to be optimistic deep down , buried I had begun to hope and visualize what it would be like. Turns out the hormone treatment did nothing, Cancer is still there, no change. So yeah basically my only option is to have a hysterectomy. Again I felt like another piece of me has died. Not to sound so dramatic but ever since I was a little girl, I have always pictured myself with kids. Dr. says I have options, I can freeze my eggs, and still have a biological baby. But truth be told and me trying to be realistic with myself, That is just not an option for me. Aside from that I do not want to give myself false hope. There is no way I will be able to afford any the cost associated with freezing my eggs, surrogacy and all it entails. If I had money and was able to afford it then yes I would definitely do it. So about 3 weeks ago I had a pity party which lasted a couple of weeks, depression hit me, I stopped going to gym, couldn't sleep, basically went to work , came home and locked myself in my room. Didn't feel like seeing or talking to anybody. This week I'm emotionally in between still but I guess I have finally accepted my fate and accepted that it just wasn't meant for me to be a mother in that sense. I have a great relationship with my nieces and nephews and I absolutely in love with my furbaby Gyzmo. Yes he is a spoiled.lil doggy. I started getting back to my work out routine and trying to get back on track physically. Mentally preparing myself while waiting for my surgery date sometime next month. So now I need to concentrate on continuing to lose weight, maintain my sanity in the process of everything that is coming my way. Oh did I mention, I will be having a full, total hysterectomy, so yup you may have guessed already. That means I will be a 36 year old going through early menopause. I have done some research on symptoms and reactions. When I was 200 lbs heavier I was always hot and sweating because it would be physically exhausting for me to mover around. 200 lbs lighter I didn't have to worry about that. Now I may be back to those hot flashes and mood swings? Really? O not to mention that they say woman who have this surgery tend to gain weight after. So the odds are yet again stacked against me. Nothing new there. But I am desperately trying to be optimistic and prepare for what awaits me. I do not want to go back to the 517 lb girl that I was 16 months ago. I have tried to talk to some friends and family about what I am going through but they really don't get it. Having the WLS itself was one thing, I was getting my self confidence back but now dealing with infertility and another surgery and potential weight gain and mood changes. I fely like I needed to reach out and I guess I just want to feel like I'm not alone in this struggle. Has anyone experienced the same type of situation I am currently facing? Any insight or advice you can share with me? I'd appreciate it. I'm trying to hang on to my sanity. :-) Thanks for reading my ranting here. lol

So I am three days post op.. came home from the hospital and I am up 7 pounds from when I left.. Is that normal??? Thanks!

Wheetsin, thank you for all the great suggestions! It had crossed my mind this morning that I could possibly get my Internist to maybe help me push on this since she was very supportive of me taking this path for help when I mentioned to her. And, of course she has the records of all my bloodwork, etc. We have been struggling for the past two years trying to find a cholesterol medication that would work for me which might could help too. The weight gain, in spite of multitudes of attemtpts to get it down, has been steadily going to up by 6-10 lbs every year. It's simply in my genes. My brother got sleeved last July and he just looks great and is so much happier, energetic, and healthy.

I finally got the nerve to take an e.p.t yesterday and was positive x 2!! I had my IUD removed Jan 24 th, my DR said "it will be 3 months or so before you get your period".....I got my period Feb 17th!!! and then nothing in March. I started having breast tenderness a couple weeks ago but didn't think much of it. I'm going this morning for testing with my Dr. As for my band, I had 1 cc removed recently due to throat burning and have managed to gain 8 lbs. I know weight gain/loss should not be a big concern right now.....however! I have been eating way to much and want at least 0.5 cc fill. I have no restriction at all.... I would like to know, how much weight have others gain thus far or throughout their pregnancy in general......

Maybe you are just having a very big baby. My sister in law, who is very petite put on close to 40 kilos when she was pregnant, she was so upset. Most of hers was Fluid and she lost it all within 3 months of giving birth. I think she even got lower than her starting weight. I find it hard to believe that all your weight gain is body fat, it must be baby and fluid. But seeing those scales must be so hard. Just think, you can start fresh when baby comes :huh2:

I've enjoyed my fair share of alcohol beverages before surgery but due to home issues and life I've started t drink a lot more and have gained at least 30 lbs back since my surgery approximately 4 years ago. I don't know what to do at this point and am not in a place where I feel not drinking is an option (i know this is so wrong) but I feel like I'm looking for permission to do something unhealthy like not eating or severely limit my calorie intake in order to resume the weight loss process. I'm feeling weak and not in control and I don't know what to do right now. I hate exercise and i know it's something I need to do but I can't push past my discomfort to do it. I dont know why because before surgery I actually did the work and lost 40 lbs on my own in 3 months. I don't feel like I eat any more that I used to but I keep gaining. I'm so sad because a I'm writing this I'm getting drunk. I feel like maybe my drinking is causing the weight gain ( since it's the only thing that I've really changed) but I don't feel like I'm in a head space to stop. Any advise would help. Thanks

Apnea should definitely count as a comorbodity. Also you might want to talk to your PCP and see if you have anything else going on. Lots of people have comorbidites and don't know it. I had early onset osteoarthritis, and had no clue... I just got a gritty sensation when I turned my head on humid days. I would throw in your BP and diabetes, too, because those will be costly to insurance in the long run. At your height, 218.5 lbs will put you at a BMI of 40. What has your weight gain looked like in the past few years? E.g. do you have a trend of gaining about 10 lbs a year or anything? You could also "project" (as long as you have history to back it) a likely timeframe when your BMI will reach 40, and include that info. It won't win you an appeal, but every little nudge in your favor helps. You can also see if your PCP could write you a letter explaining adjusted BMI. BMI really is a crock of poop. By any BMI stnadards, weightlifters with under 10% body fat are still "obese" because they're heavy. "Modern" BMI charts account for your age, gender, and build as well. One of my co-workers is very tall and lanky, "beanpole" if you will, and weighs around 200 and is categorized as "obese" and wears a 34" waist. Sigh...

I think your doing awesome, throughout my weight loss I've lost a lot for a bit then not so much! If your weighing yourself often you could even see a pound or two weight gain at times, but the great part is it does come off !! So don't get discouraged, You are and will do great!!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Ok, I'm totally confused by this.... I am doing most things right. I'm not perfect, but I log everything in my fitness pal and keep a good track on my diet and exercise. For example, I apparently did 9,100 steps yesterday on Fitbit. Which is weird because it was one of my lower activity days I felt. I ate ONLY about 849 calories yesterday. Totals 849 36 27 107 1,852 7 849 cals 36 carbs 27 fat 107 Protein 1852 sodium 7 sugar Besides sodium being higher than I would like, I did decent. Today is my second day on soft foods. Yesterday was my first. So this morning when I weighed myself, I gained .7 of a pound! Is this because of eating solid food and it weighing more? My bowel movements have been infrequent. Could that be in play as well? Like am I still on the right track? Is this just a minor setback? I am 3 weeks post op. So could it just be a plateau in combination with being blocked up inside? I feel bloated. Also, I've noticed I really don't get full. I stop willingly and am content, but never full. I wonder if I really have the sleeve sometimes. I'm usually hungry and I'm able to eat with no problems. I stop when I think I've eaten enough so that I keep on track. Is this normal? While I feel I have much more control over how much or little I eat post-op, I'm still usually hungry and really didn't get all the results that I thought I would have. I did lose about 50 pounds so far (30 day pre-op diet + 3 weeks post op). Thank you for your answers.

I had my sleeve August 18th 2014. I have not drank any alcohol since August the 9th over 4 months. I am wanting to drink but I am afraid for a few reasons. I am afraid I will gain weight, afraid I will get sick or dehydrated, but the weight gain is my biggest worry I have come to far to fail now. Any sleevers that drink ???

We'll always have PCOS, but the reduction in body weight means a reduction in insulin resistance. It may make conception easier for you, or it may be no change. I am one of the lucky few who has not suffered infertility...just weird cycles, multiple miscarriages(4 full term pregnancies in there too), weight gain since puberty, and some of the other less than feminine side effects.

This is so amazing because I've been diffusing lavender to keep calm also. I've been using essential oils on and off for a few months now and they do help. I just seem to forget how helpful they are. I use a blend and dill for hunger but will definitely look into grapefruit oil. You're inspirational and strong to have gone through all of those surgeries. Truly inspirational. As for worrying about my weight gain, I'm going to either avoid weighing myself until the swelling goes down, or try and accept that the scale will be higher due to the swelling. Do you know of anything that can help with swelling? I will try and stick to my normal routine diet as best as I can. But I need to accept that I might have to make tweaks due to my healing. My cravings are strong but I have plenty of alternatives that can calm them down. Thanks so much for your advice. I greatly appreciate it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

my insurance requires 4 months with a nutrtionist/dietitian. I am on month 4 now. However my nutrtionist calls me for a monthly weigh in. I guess she allows it for people with busy schedules. I'm a nurse. I'm always busy. My problem is that I gained back my weight. I was 338 at my weigh in and got down to 334 then my mood stablizers meds were up a few milligrams and I now I weigh 246. Should I tell her I'm still 234 and keep trying to lose the weight until I am seen again or should I be honest and tell her about my weight gain? Anyone else have issues like this and still get approved for surgery? Thank you for any advice. Also I am only required to lose one poubd during my weigh ins. I probably physically won't see them for a month or two. I could get back down to 234.

Hello all, I am NOLA Lady. I am 4'10" n on the day of my surgery I weighed in at a whopping 230lbs and was in a size 18/20. I was extremely regimented, listened to every instruction and was ahead of my group in weight loss because of it. In six months I lost 100 lbs and went down to a size 2. I was so excited that I could finally shop at Victorias Secret & Cache that I became a clothes horse. I have a closet full if fine clothing. I am in sales n marketing and my career took off with the weight loss. I quickly rose to the #1 sales rep as I am a petite blonde in a male dominant field. I have kept the weight off for four years effortlessly and have stayed in my size 2. I went through a really rough time on my job at Airgas. The men hated me because sales came effortlessly to me because if the way I looked. Not once did I dress in appropriately with low cut shirts and or mini skirts. I was always professional in a business suit or when at a refinery or chemical plant I was in jeans n Airgas shirt and steel toe shoes nothing attractive about it. I went through an extremely stressful time and was forced out by men who could not handle being beat by a woman. They lied on me made up rumors and heck one guy went as far to not give me any accts out his branch for 5 years. When I confronted him two days later he gave me a new acct Southern Comfort Strip Club said I could sell them beer gas! Text book sexual harassment case that any attorney would have had a field day with. I did not pursue I found another job n moved on. However the stress I endured was overwhelming to say the least. I was forced to leave a job I loved was passionate about successful n the best of the best. Well I am a stress eater n a eater of the wrong things chocolate chocolate n more chocolate. I put on 25 lbs in one year and went up to a size 12. I am sick to my stomach about it. I so want to get back on track yet I am now overwhelmed with depression. Between being forced out a career I loved n enjoyed so very much and now the weight gain after spending $15k out my own pocket for the VSG surgery I am so depressed about things. I keep trying to drink my 42 gram Myoplex every day n take my Vitamins yet I am so down n out n overwhelmed with depression that I feel immobile n unmotivated. I feel like I am sinking into a black hole n can't stop myself from swirling down into the quick sand. Please help!! Does anyone have any advise or words of wisdom for me??? Toolgirl16@gmail.com

I had gastric bypass in June 2005 I lost a total of 120 pounds and kept it of for 3-4 yrs. I gained 65pounds back and opted to get the band on Jan 4 2013, have lost 20 pounds so far.. I have 9.2 cc in a 14cc band.. I saw a question above about why would someone need B.O.B if they had gastric bypass... Well in my case I thought the surgery was a quick fix and yes the weight came off quick but I didn't have all the knowledge I have now.. I mean yes I was told it was a life style change but if at first when u get the surgery u can't eat bad things if u tried or u will throw up and feel awful and then over time those symptoms start to diminish and u start to get back to those old habits u will then start to gain weight.. For me am like there was no way I would be 303 pounds again even if I ate to much I still could hold that much in my pouch.. But what got me is bc I started to drink fluids with my meals and what that does is washes what I just ate out of my pouch and then in 1 hr or so am hungry again. There by taken in more and more calories.. and that equals weight gain... So after researching this lapband for 2 yrs plus getting educated and trying to live and eat right I feel like am better prepared for this journey. Yes it's totally different from my previous surgery bc in this u have time to learn how to work with the band and not against it. Nt to mention u can get adjustments as u go along. Good Luck all