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Hi everyone. Up until this point (9 months post op) everytime I've had a weigh in (only weighing at a doctor's appointment, I've had weight loss. Tuesday I had a pcp appointment about 30 days after my last weigh in and I had gained 3 lbs. I know that the rest of the world thinks it is insignificant but as we all know, it is huge. I am still very vigilant about what I consume. I weigh just about everything I eat and if I can not, I usually only eat a couple of bite and fill very full. I haven't had fast food (maybe a few fries from a friend's meal) since before the surgery. I sometimes have candy but try very hard to make sure it is sugar free and low caloric. Has anyone else experienced this and what can I do you reverse this and continue with weigh loss? Guaranteed, I had already hit my goal weight and just a couple of lbs of it right now but I can no loss this momentum. Thanks everyone Sent from my SM-G935P using the BariatricPal App

Thanks so much for replying. I thought I would be getting sleeved much faster....especially when the patient advocate told me my surgery was approved ugh!!! I have to have 6 months of paper work from dr stating my weight etc. since I was seeing my dr already for the weight gain she was able to go back to April. Yeah !!!! So I've got July , August , and September. My consult with my nut is in August. I hope maybe they will speed it up lol.

I currently have a very eroded band (in the middle of my stomach) and am waiting on a surgery date to have it removed. I have had absolutely NO symptoms with the exception of weight gain because I have only moderate restriction provided by the obstruction in my stomach. Lately I've been feeling some twinges and odd little feelings and pains but I'm not sure if they are related to my band or just me being hyper-conscious because I know something isn't right. I have to agree with the others though, it sounds a lot like slippage to me. I would try to get in sooner if you can.

Up- My surgery was at 7:30 in the morning. i was aloud to have liquid up until 3:30 in the morning. My hospital was an hour away from me. My but got up at 3 am and drank a small cup. And don't worry i had an hour argument about decaf with my surgeon it was the only thing that I was completely grumpy about. It took me 4 days to drink coffee after surgery I did not care to have it. Then it was like "ok" i feel better about getting liquids down and decaf worked for a week and then I just went back to reg. Caffeinated. All i can tell you is keep sipping liquids don't down it. You really can't it just uncomfortable. Next week is a month for me. Now, I can take normal gulps. Oh and DON'T be depressed about weight gain in the hospital i gained 10lbs. It took a week for the Water weight to come off. No matter what please walk no matter how much you just want to lay in bed. It was My savior it hepled so much. I brought my slippers, and my robe to the hospital. The slippers made it easier to walk on the ground. Please walk and do more than the normal two hours. It gets things moving down there and you will feel so much better. You don't have to walk fast but just keep walking. Every time I had to pee I walked even if I just got done walking half hour later. Your stomach makes crazy noises! I even said to my surgeon its making noises like its empty and I need to eat. She told me to ignore my brain its because it doesn't know what to do with itself because 6 ounces of your stomach is gone. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Some people are just ignorant and stubborn. He's obviously not very educated in weight loss, most people who diet and exercise to lose weight gain it back within the next two years. I had a couple of friends that did not understand why I would be willing to go through surgery too. I just told them that the Lap-band® is a tool to weightloss, it's not a solution, we still have to work to lose weight. If he's a good friend you should explain everything to him and hopefully he'll understand better. good luck :]

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:

My surgery is on Monday! Here are tips I have learned from the pre-op experience. - if you smoke, quit now! Most surgeons won't even admit you into the program unless you quit, and will test your blood to make sure you haven't smoked for at least 6 weeks prior to surgery. After surgery, smoking can be very dangerous for a whole list of reasons. - if you drink soda, quit now! I would also recommend trying to cut back on your caffeine levels in general, because caffeine withdrawal after surgery is going to be just one more thing that makes you feel terrible. - if you eat white bread, Pasta, rice, etc, I would highly recommend reducing the amount you eat as much as you can and switching to a whole grain version. It's a bit more expensive but the doctor or nutritionist you're going to be seeing before surgery is going to tell you to do that anyway. Plus, it helps to cut back on grains in general, as your post-op diet is going to be Protein, protein, and more protein for a long time. - try to be patient. I know what it's like to be super excited and hopeful about this great change in your life, but taking things slow and doing them the right way, and making your body as ready and healthy as possible before surgery greatly increase your chances of long-term success in terms of keeping the weight off and your general health. - my last tip is to spend some time thinking about why you are overweight in the first place. The surgery is amazing, and extremely helpful, and an overall incredible experience, but in the end, it's just a tool that you have to help you lose weight and keep it off. The problems that you have before going into surgery are still going to be there when you come out of surgery, and even though you will lose a lot of weight in the beginning, long-term success is absolutely dependent on your good habits and healthy coping skills. Personally, I had to address a problem I didn't really think I had (emotionally speaking) as a lot of my weight gain came from pre-existing medical issues and just down-spiraled from there. The fact is, we all got heavy for a lot of reasons, and addressing the psychological issues, like emotional overeating, is essential to this entire process and your happiness and health for the rest of your life. Good luck! It's an incredible journey. Utilizing ALL the tools you have, including forums like this, food journaling, therapy, the support of your loved ones, etc, will go a long way towards making this time and the rest of your life amazing! Feel free to message me anytime if you want to talk, rant, ask questions, anything.

2new, I am in your boat except I will say this stay away from the special K, and a lot of Protein drinks, they have tons of sugar which will just make you GAIN weight not lose it. Many many protein powders and drinks are designed for weight gain not weight loss. Just because it is whey isolate doesn't mean its for you. Also gummy Vitamins are almost all loaded in sugar, look more for the chewables, there are several that have the calcium in them and Iron as well, and that dissolve fast. For some taste tests you can if you wish check out my blog, I video tape all the products I am trying and ive tried many of them, and add at least 4 taste test per week, in video form. I also have a bunch of products coming from a company that saw my blog and wants me to taste test their products, I get no money at all here, I am actually making this blog into an ebook 1 year post surgery as an adjunct to help men get past the stigma of bariatric surgery. if you are interested it is at http://cuttingthefatwithaknife.blogspot.com

I have confirmation from a barium swallow that I have a big slip. I have chronic heartburn and weight gain :thumbup: They are unfilling my band tomorrow to see if that will correct the slip, if not, they will have to surgically correct. Just be aware, symptoms can be so different from person to person. If you don't feel right, call your doc.

Hi everyone, new here to the forum! i have been lurking for awhile and have decided to get started in the process of getting banded. i have been overweight practically my entire life. everyone would always tell me, "well you're tall" or "you're have a bigger build" and i always felt fat. now at 27, i am the most i've ever weighed! i was always an active person, but the weight just kept coming back plus some. now i have three herniated discs and knee problems which make it hard to stay as active as i was once. i have to take meds for my bi-polar disorder for the rest of my life. these meds help but all have weight gain associated with them. my entire immediate family has weight poblems. i feel like this will definitely help me to improve my overal quality of life. i have a 4 year old son who i love and want to be able to keep up with him. ahh and this is tmi, but my weight gain is mostly in the stomach and lower body. i have no chest whatsoever! sucks but it literally all went straight to my butt! i saw my pcp on friday, and he said he would refer me to a doc at the universit of penn. he wanted to check out my blood work so we're doing that on monday to rule out thyroid problems. if all is clear, he'll refer me so i could get started with that part of the process. i'm nervous, i know i need to gain some weight to have at least a bmi of 35 for my insurance company to cover it, but i'm so scared to willfully gain weight and then be denied. i cannot self-pay at this time or anytime soon. thanks for reading, any suggestions or thoughts would be appreciated. good luck to everyone in their journey!

Great advice, @djmohr...Hang in there, @pollywolly--you are definitely fighting a beast with the prednisone-hunger and weight gain are know side effects.

I take the gapapentin for pain control for tardive dyskenesia (no cure). It has weight gaining properties that complicate my situation. I have verbal approval from the insurance company and my appointment with the surgeon next week. Is there anyone out there who as dealt with this.

Thanks everyone for your support and suggestions. Mom's condition remains a mystery. We hoped that tests of the fluid around the lung and lung tissue samples would provide some clues. The good news is no cancer or other problems they could find. The bad news is we still don't know what is causing these problems with her heart rhythm (racing) and fluid building up on heart, lungs. She got a procedure which will keep the fluid from building up in lungs but where will it go now? The abdomen. I've warned Mom to watch for fast weight gain - if more than 2 lbs. a day, she should call her doctor. I will contact Dr C (whoever that is) and pose my questions to him. I posted this message in the Post Op Problems section of the Forum with the same message. MORAL OF MY STORY: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY AND CALL THE DOCTOR IF YOU START FEELING HEAVINESS IN YOUR CHEST OR YOUR HEART STARTS RACING. If Mom "toughed it out", she would be dead by now. (I apologize for being so morbid.)

Hi. My partner is having the gastric sleeve op in 5 weeks time because he is type 2 diabetic and needs to get off the medication. He is only slightly over weight. He used to be into his sport in a big way but has lost a lot of fitness due to the effects of the weight gain and medication side effects. So, my question is, what support did you feel you needed from your partner or family/friends after the op? Was it more about having someone to talk to openly about how you were feeling? Did you have mood swings? How did you feel in the first few days after the op with limited eating ability? How did you keep occupied in those first 2 weeks after the operation? Any tips and ideas greatly appreciated.

Well, my wife has been dieting and trying to eat about the same thing as me. Understand she is NOT banded. She has done terriffic, but the reason I got banded is because I believe everyone can lose weight until biologically we are driven to start eating too much again. I just believe, for most people it is inevitable to regain on a diet because we have in our basic genetic code too many things that work against us. I watch how hard she is working and I remember how difficult it used to be, and it really makes me feel bad. In fact it is down right upsetting. I wanted her to get either banded or get a gastric sleeve at the same time as me, but she just doesn't want to do it. She wants to lose it on her own. Well she is a strong women who has proven she can do it, but it is a terrible thing to watch how hard it is for her. I also feel that she has lost the weight in the past and can do it again, but has also always gained it back. Why can't she see how futile it is without some help? I'm just really frustated for her, and I feel guilty, about how well and how much easier this is with help. And then I dred what I think is inevitable, the biological need to eat will force her back into weight gain and make her feel like a failure.

I too have the same issue and it was right about the same year. Of course the eating was snacking on things that weren't good for me and thus the weight gain came. I don't think it is conscious until after you grab the snack or food. I would wake up repeatedly during the nights, so I thought well I will stop buying snacks and so therefore the issue will go away. It did for awhile after I cut out all sweets and breads. But, over the years I went back to buying sweets, but in less moderation. It is psychological, because its like my mind or body know there is something in the kitchen to snack on; not sure which. Nevertheless, it has plagued me for so many years, then the last 2 years my body failed me. I was constantly tired, to the point of being physically drained. I stopped wanting to do things. I wanted to sleep late everyday and would hit the snooze button, because I was just too tired to get out of bed. I had to force myself to do things. It was very debilitating. At that point I knew something was wrong, this isn't right and I shouldn't feel like this. I decided to see a weight loss doctor, because I attributed my issues to my weight. My doctor did every test there is to give a person. I found out that my Iron, Vitamin D3 and testostorone was low. Who, would have thought low testostorone, because we attribute it to sex. So my doctor I prescribed me testostorone medication and I researched it and thought ok I have most of those symptoms. I was also put on bupropion, naltrexone and phentermine compound, which helped tremendously. I researched those as well and thought why would she prescribe this to me. I was hesitant, but gave in and told myself to trust my doctor. I thought wow I have found my cure after all these years. I had NO cravings for junk, but most of all I slept all the way through the night. I got approved for my surgery, got laxed and started back buying and eating junk food. Now the medication is no longer as effective, because my mind and body has taken back control even over the medication. I say this to say after this looooong message, that it is psychological and medication is not the cure, although, it is an aide or maybe I failed me, because I became laxed. One thing I have learned is that discipline is the key to success. I have a sleep study scheduled for May 17th and hope that once done I can get to the root of the issue, without the medication.

I am so dissapointed with myself. It has been a rough year for me and I have returned to seek comfort food. As a result, I have gained 10lbs back.

Hi all, Recently had a slew is off issues happen in the span of a couple of months. This past year has been an emotionally difficult one when a loved one was diagnosed with an illness and it spiraled into resolve when they passed just recently. The stress of this came a week before my wedding and bam, my depression hit. I started to notice I was starving myself for hours and then munching on chocolate and popcorn. We had to entertain guests and mourn privately in the middle of this chaos, lo and behold I weighed myself last night (first time in a month) and cried to see I was 8 lbs heavier. I am so discouraged and so disappointed in myself. I find the motivation to continue being healthy is harder than ever and I still feel sadness from all the recent stresses and how it's weighed me down. I am mourning quite hard and feel almost self-destructive because of the loss. My husband (as we're a recently married couple) expressed his sadness to my weight gain and though he has been supportive of my stress and understands the reasoning, couldn't help but say he was disappointed in me too. I want to feel confident but I am notorious for being a depression eater (I starve and graze on crap typically) and I am terrified my stress will cause my hormones and body to just keep responding by gaining weight. I need some support feeling ever so discouraged that I won't finish my journey and lose the last 30 lbs I need to get to my end goal.

Seppi, I am too wanting to quit so bad, but am afraid of the weight gain. I was going to do it this week but talked myself out of it because of my lack of restriction right now. I am scheduled for a fill on Oct. 2nd, I think I will make that my quit day, therefor, I will be on liquids so I can't overeat. I am going to use the patch. I've heard that even if you don't overeat you will gain some because the nicitone in your system makes you burn more calories at night while sleeping, and if you quit you won't burn that much at night unless you take a brisk 20min walk before going to bed to release some enzyme into your body. Not sure if this is true but I know smoking does release alot of stuff in your body (mostly NOT GOOD). Anyway you are doing great and keep up the good work......

I've had a mirena for a year. No weight gain from it

I am almost 5 years out from surgery. I lost around 155 pounds and kept it off for about 3.5 years. But in the past 1.5 years, I have suffered from depression and started drinking alcohol excessively ( I typically would have ate food excessively in the past). In the past I could have several drinks and be fine; however post surgery the side effects were much more severe (depression, a feeling of real dependency, blacking out suddenly with no recollection of where the cutoff point would be i.e. 2 drinks now was just as strong as drinking 5) The alcohol goes so quickly into your system that it is a real danger if not properly monitored. Although my eating habits didn't change, without daily exercise and with the added calories of excessive alcohol consumption, I regained around 60 pounds. In addition to the weight gain I have struggled with the affects of alcohol dependency, which I never had experienced before. As VSG patients we were all cautioned on drinking and how it affects us differently after surgery. I didn't really take heed to those warnings until it had become a problem for me. I am working on it daily now and also am struggling to lose the weight all over again, which feels pretty much like as difficult as it had been prior to surgery. I think this is not talked about enough and I'm sure I am not the only VSG patient who has experienced this. As a community being open with one another, and as individual seeking out help earlier, I probably wouldn't be struggling with these 60 pounds now. Anyone who's been through it should reach out sooner than later. Not only have I suffered from this issue, I have had to deal with the fact that I messed up my own progress and success and now have to deal with the ramifications of starting all over again so to speak. This I can say for certain, staying in a support group and dealing with your issues is imperative to continued success in this journey. I'm not sure if I'll loose all of the 60 I've regained again, but I am willing to fight the battle to do this all over again and to warn others of how dangerous alcohol consumption is for us post surgery!

This sounds rough. Losing a loved one is very hard. May I ask what kind of food choices you were making during weight gain periods? Also do you still see your surgeon or are your follow up visits only yearly?

If it’s because if fluids and swelling that will fluctuate until you get the issue sorted. I know it’s hard to do but if you are truly sticking to your plan it’s not a real weight gain, Try to ignore fluctuations like that.

In weight loss if we stumble we tend to then throw ourselves down the stairs. Don’t. Resist the urge to focus on the weight gain, instead focus on the loss and know you can again. Go back to basics, maybe revisit your nutritionist or get one if you don’t have one. Take it slow and don’t be discouraged. You can do this. Don’t bite off more than you can chew, instead start slowly and move to where you want to be.

I was 9 months post op on12/24 (surgery was 3/24). I started at 230 (5'6") and am currently 170 (6 pound weight gain from Thanksgiving until today). I typically come to this site to research questions I have and see if anyone else is experiencing what I am while on this journey. I have posted questions and received good feedback. I figured it is time for me to give back in case there are others that are similar to me and wanting answers as I have. Background: I am 43 years young, a teacher with three kids. I hovered around 180 pounds throughout my 20's with no real concern about my diet or exercise. I decided at age 27 to "get in shape" and started watching my diet and joined the YMCA. I got down to 150 pounds. Then I became pregnent with my first child and thought it was the green light to eat whatever I wanted, subsequently gaining 90 pounds. I also had the mentality that I could just go back to the gym 4-5 days a week and lose it all again. Ha! Was I naive! I got back down to 190 after the first child, then became pregnant with the 2nd child. Here is where my blood sugar issues came into play. I was determined NOT to gain so much weight with this pregnancy but my blood sugar would drop all the time so I ended up gaining 50 pounds. Over the next 6 years, I lost and gained the same 20 pounds all the while with blood sugar issues being my enemy (never formally diagnosed with Type II diabetes only insulin resistance). Then at 200 pounds, I became pregnant with my 3rd child at age 39. I was considered "high risk" due to my age and my weight and eventually had to take insulin shots. However, I only gained 20 pounds with this pregnancy as I was very vigilant with what I ate and the insulin shots helped my blood sugar drops. Decision to have weight loss surgery: The was not an easy decision financially speaking as well as with my family. My husband (who is very fit) just thought if I worked out and watched what I ate, I could lose the weight. However, my blood sugar was still an issue (I was off insulin after the pregnancy and still not considered diabetic although on Metformin). After having an emotional break down, my husband was on board and I started the insurance process in December 2014. I was approved in late February 2015 and had my surgery on 3/24. Honeymoon period: Like most, I was fully committed post surgery and LOVED watching the weight fall off. The fact that you can't eat helps your mind turn away food for a long time and I had the mentality of, "Oh, I can't eat that, it will make me sick." I had no blood sugar issues and I was so happy until about three months ago. What I have learned from the process: About there months ago, the little cheats (a bite of cake here, a nibble of bread there) started to tell my brain that my stomach can tolerate all foods and eventually it can (I am not one who has dumping syndrome etc. I can eat it all). Those cheats lead to bad days. Days I started off really well, eating my Protein, drinking my Water etc. Then there was dinner with friends, treats around the holidays and the days became a wash. This really did't start happening until Thanksgiving. Since then I have gained 6 pounds which has me freaked out and part of the reason I am writing this right now. My period of falling off the wagon has lasted awhile now and some things I have noticed are: 1. With an increase in carbs come an increase in hunger. 2. When trying to get back on track after a period of being off track (more carbs, sugar etc.) If you have blood sugar issues, expect that your will feel the blood sugar drops while your body adjusts to getting back on track. 3. The relationship with food that you had pre-surgery does not automatically change in the honeymoon period. The real work comes at about 6-9 months out! 4. Working out is key to success after the honeymoon period. However, expect to go through an adjustment period where working out doesn't seem "to work" and for frustration to set in. Started Orange Theory last week and still no weight loss. Could be due to water retention and muscle gain. Trust me I have researched the hell out of the effects of starting an intense HIIT work out. 5. TRACK your food. My little vacation that has resulted in a 6 pound weight gain is primarily due to not tracking. It really is key! I equate this experience to needing AA. For me, one bite of sugar or refined carbs leads down a slippery slope which leads to blood sugar drops and feeling like crap. SUGAR = POISON. Getting back on track is hard but can be done. Day one is today and I'm giving myself that mental day 1 chip for success.