Search the Community

Hey folks, I have had my band for 6 years now, finally went in for a fill b/c I noticed weight gain and very little restriction. When I finally decided to get a fill, under the x-ray they saw that the port and tube was disconnected. Next step is an Endoscopy to see what needs to determine exactly what is going on and what needs to be done. Ok so here I am at this point. 1) I have to finance as my insurance deductible is extremely high so I have to pay OOP. which will have to wait because of the $$$$'s 2) Second I am so nervous about having surgery again as my options are a port replacement or a new band if needed. I'm really concerned and could use some support, please and thank you. Has anyone had a disconnect?

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.

Hi dreamers! First of all, take a deep breath. I had a lot of worries going into this too, knowing I wanted to make the change but not believing that I could after so many years of unhealthy habits. Congratulations for quitting smoking -- you have just added YEARS to your life! Many of us went into panic mode that week before starting the pre op diet. I hit all of my favorite restaurants and drive thru's. You know that you are only sabotaging yourself, so it is essential to reach out for help. What does your doctor say about the 30lb weight gain? Are you required to see a nutritionist or therapist? Please set up an appointment ASAP so they can help you get to the root of this. As far as practical suggestions -- how is your exercise? You have not been banded yet but the earlier you start, the better. Even just 15 minutes. Have you considered a personal trainer for motivation and accountability? If hubby is willing to work out with you, even better. Figure out your trigger foods because frankly those will have to go for the next few months. DO NOT have any unhealthy foods in your house, period. Pack your lunches for work. It is not worth damaging your chances of having the surgery, and later damaging your band. How would you feel knowing you threw away this life changing opportunity just for the temporary satisfaction of junk food? You deserve better.

I completely understand what your going through. Two months before lap band I gained 62 pounds. I ate so much junk food, fast food preparing for this new life style. My family kept telling me I was sabatogizing myself and they were completely right. My advice is: each pound you gain before lap band surgery is only making you further from your ultimate goal. I am so incredibly mad at myself for gaining so much weight right before surgery. Start now!! They say with lap band we can expect one-two pounds per week of Weightloss. Each pound you gain preparing for surgery is adding a week to loose...I know my body can gain one pound per day and it did. If I only didn't do what I did I'd be almost 200 pounds today but instead I'm 275. Also, my surgeon explained to me that the weight we gain before surgery is belly fat that can cause complications during surgery. He said the fat all stays in belly first and makes the surgery harder to perform. That scared me, and I wish I knew this before gaining 62 pounds right before surgery. Also, be careful about weight gain because you can get denied if they weigh you, and a month later you've gained more. It shows insurance and surgeon unreadiness for life style change. Also, try going on a shake morning and lunch..and eat sensible dinner..I lost twelve pounds week before surgery drinking the two shakes and having dinner. Three weeks of liquids is a lot....and mentally if you know you don't have too, it makes it very difficult. Try one day of replacing breakfast and lunch with shake and see if you can manage that before going straight to all liquids.....

Congratulations on making it this far! My surgery is in 7 days and I am super excited. I know how you feel, when you have to hear the negative views and opinions of others. Don't let them break your spirit though. You are doing this surgery for you and not for them. Many people don't realize that it's not about what you eat that causes the weight gain. Emotions, stress, depression and mental well being contribute to weight as well. If the people that view your choice in a negative light can't be happy and supportive of you, then they obviously don't truly care about you. People that care, can see where you have struggled and will do their best to encourage, support and uplift you on this journey. I wish you much success on your journey!!!

Have you ever had a sleep study? I just completed my second night of testing where I got to wear the CPAP machine to help me breathe. I didn't get but 5 hours of sleep(in a lab with wires attached to me everywhere and a hose attached to my face for the first time) but the quality of sleep was great. Today was the first day in years that I did not have to take a short 30 minute nap about 4:00. I get my machine for home next week, and while I dread wearing it, I hope that it will give me the improved quality of life while I am awake to be worthwhile. I have felt fatigue for years, even with 8 hours of sleep every night. What I didn't know was that I was waking up between 300 and 350 times a night and never got a full nights sleep. I don't know if this is your case, but sleep deprivation is going to cause fatigue, irritability, weight gain, hormone imbalance, heart disease, and more. I am not an expert, just on my second day of learning about it, but my experience today is making me a little more hopeful. Bill

I was told to write it all down and it would make me feel better...Well here it goes! All my life I was up and down in my weight but never considered myself to be obest..weighting in at about 150lbs my highschool year. Right out of highschool I was pregnant with my daughter and weighed near close to 225lbs. After delivery 199 seemed to be where I was at. I should have been more concerned as my weight started to go from 199 to 215 to 225 while trying every weightloss gimic out there.... 7 years into my weight gain..I had the biggest weightloss imaginable..lol I lost a 250lb husband (divorce) and about 30 lbs of my own. Funny cuz even at 199..or even 189 (Smallest Ive been since giving birth) I always had a gut I could just hide it better then, than I can now ..lol however I was in a size 8 (I'm 5'9 BTW) some may have even said I was too thin..of course I didn't think so..How did I loose that much weight and keep it off you ask? Strees Stress and more stress...Getting back into the relationship scene, I slowly started to get alittle too comfortable with myself and the weight (after 2 years of keeping it off) started to find itself back to me whether I wanted it too or not! age 36, 242 LBS..it could be worse right? I mean at least I wasn't 250 LBS..well just give me another 1/2 year Id get there... I decided to look into the lap band when I stepped in the scale and weighed in at 253 LBS..High closterol, High Blood Pressure, bad knees, bad back...I was convinced this was the only way to go. Found a clinic in my home town and Feb 1 2010, I went for a consultation. Did my psych test and nutrictional evals over the phone and March 26, 2010 went in for Surgery..**** I didn't even meet the Dr untill the day of... It's been 2 years this month..I feel like it was just yesterday and I'm still learning and struggling..Lol I can't speak for others but in my opionion "this was a get thin quick"..or so I thought..I rememeber I use to tell my adjustment guy that I refuse to beleive that all those people on the commercials did EXACTLY what they were supose to do when they were supose to do it! How do you automaticlly just get UNLAZY? They say the band is a tool, to help you with the eating..you eat you full faster..you stop eating...well mines broke!..lol I know I need to do the things I am supose to I just think that my Dr forgot to fill my band with Motivation!...I am hopeing to find some sort of inspiration joining this group. My day starts off with a cup ( or I should say Coffee Mug of coffee) breakfast? How am I supose to eat breakfast and drink coffee at the same time..I need my coffee so breakfast doen't exsist ( I know I know mistake). Computer, housecleaning, laundry, occasion trip to the store..continues my day By about 1 am decided that I should prolly eat something althougth I am not hungry..Really? I'm not hungry? tell that to my mouth! I eat so fast that I'm throwing up what looks to me like a ball of slim! Research... your body produces saliva to help break down your food the more you eat the more salvia builds up and has no where to go cuz your stomach is smaller so out it goes... Slow down? How do I do that? I have always eating this way... By dinner and soon there after I am looking for anything and everything that I am able to eat..to eat..and I say able to eat cuz we all know there are things that just don't mesh well with us anymore..some pasta, bread, bananas, grapes, But low and behold! I have NO PROBLEMS keeping cookies and Ice cream..anything sweet ( my weekness).. My adjustment guy explains to me that most things sweet disolve in you mouth there for there are no restrictions!.. Great who knew? besides my Dr!. My current weight post surgery is 205...2 years and only 52 lbs lost...(Yes I know thats off alittle, cuz i gained a few) I just resently went to see my Dr for the 2nd UNadjustment in the past 8 months...For a few months now Ive been having alot of heartburn..after the first scare (I got sick with fever, dehydration ) I was better for a few months and all the symptoms started up again only this time I was spitting up what looked to me to be coffee grounds, Dr says it's blood! Great! Now what? the blood could be 1 of a few things, bleeding ulcer..or stomach erosion.. After having me drink water and feeling pressure build up he rules out Erosion...Good for me no Surgery!!! But now what. Back on the bland diet and food diary (ugh) no NSAI's (bad back, knees mentioned before) and come back in a month! I ask again "What did I get myself into!...needless to say I'm not gonna give up...I'm gonna figure out a way to get thru this all without the strees and headach of when and what did I eat and how long did it take me to eat and how much protein have I had today!!! And hopefully reading other peoples experainces with help me make sence of this all! I beat myself up because I know I need to take control!! It just hard..I have no paying job (I am a stay at home Mom) which means no insurance so I can't afford for these issues to get any bigger... Any suggestions? Diet wise, excersises for the Lazy...Good and inexpensive protein powders...horror stories so I don't feel alone!..lol

Congrats!!! #1 thing is to make sure your OB is aware of your surgery. They may put you in a higher risk category to ensure that your blood levels are good and monitor your weight more closely than a normal pregnancy. I had the band with my most recent pregnancy and while you do need to increase your calorie intake, it needs to be as much good food as possible. So back to the basics: meats, veggies, whole grains, dairy, etc and take a really good multi-vitamin or prenatal vitamin. Your doc may also want you to supplement with additional Iron and Vitamin D since the babes tend to deplete those rapidly. This will be an exciting time for you. Don't stress about any weight gain you may or may not have; just concentrate on being healthy and your baby will reap the benefits!

Over the past week I have gained 3.2 lb, so I am freaking out; however, I have been working out twice a week with a trainer, and have lost 2.2% body fat over the past week as well. I did not realize miscle weighs that much more than fat.....is this normal to gain weight with weight training???

I have Mirena and so far so good. All MD's I've discussed this birth control with seem confident that it does not cause weight gain.

My nutritionist and my OB both say that although Mirena doesn't cause weight gain, patients do complain about not being able to lose. My OB said roughly 60 percent of her Mirena patients complain about trouble losing weight. I have one but am having it removed soon.

I get weighed everytime I see my doctors, even my family doctor. Remember its your weight gain and nobodys else. Get back on track and count carbs. SIP lots of water 1 hour before eating.

@@Cervidae I think @@Inner Surfer Girl was right. The article talked about total weight (e.g,. I began at 265) not excess weight (which for me is 100 pounds or so). 25-30% of 265 is a far higher number than 25% of 100! As I said, I don't math well, but pretty sure that would put the amount on the low to middle end of the projected excess weight loss. At 6 mos. out, there is no way you could have stopped losing! I have not yet had my surgery, but I (and probably you) have lost a lot of weight before and once experienced a 6 week stall. Sometimes it takes awhile for our bodies to catch up. Please, please don't fret. Keep following your guidelines and your body will catch up eventually. @@heather5565, I directly quoted the article. It sounded odd to me because I had been told the 50-70% (and even more!) numbers. I'm also aware that people on average will gain some weight back after two to three years. The trick is to not allow that weight gain to be the excuse to return to bad habits. In fact that was in a series of articles suggesting reasons why some do gain weight back. I don't think the doctor was doing anyone a service by expressing weight loss in terms of total weight instead of excess weight. @Inner Surfer Gal - So right! None of us would be here if previous diets had long-term success rates. @@Babbs, I have turned to the surgery for just that reason--a tool to help me maintain my weight loss.

Banda Its good to read that you are doing much better now. Im sure the weight gain is hard but it probably your body adjusting to eating more and keeping it in. do you work out? that may help you start losing again. you will probably also notice that once your body adjusts that you may start losing again. good luck with everything

Thanks you guys. I'm really not blue. I am kind of laughing about it, actually. I have not really allowed myself to eat stuff like "real" candy or those forbidden foods for many, many years. My weight gain has related to overeating, but it has usually been healthier foods. Not that it makes a difference, though. My BMI is around 36, and I have the disabling health problems nonetheless. I guess I feel like I have struggled with the urges, fighting them daily for so long. Now that things are going to change, maybe I can just relax for a minute and have that Milky Way bar. I think dinner tonight will be a Malibu and Coke, some uncooked bread, some popcorn, and a grilled chicken salad. I will enjoy these on your behalf, and when I'm on the flip-side, I'll feel like I've said my last goodbyes properly.:thumbdown:

I can tell you how a person can become overweight without sweets and binging -- by dieting! There are studies that show that once you've lost weight, you will gain weight on fewer calories than someone who has never lost weight. In my case, I went on my first diet when I was five pounds overweight! I thought I was being responsible. Then every time I was pregnant, I went on a diet to lose the weight gained from pregnancy. By then, I was in the seemingly never-ending cycle. Like a lot of people on this board, I blamed myself, even though I never binged and I rarely ate sweets. Four years ago, I lost 70 pounds on Medifast. This time was going to be different! I watched every morsel that went into my mouth. I exercised like crazy, even commuting to work by bicycle, 34 miles round trip! I logged my calories and exercise in an online journal. I had my resting metabolic rate checked at the University of Texas Department of Kinesiology by the department chair. He determined that I should be able to lose weight on 1800 calories a day. I ate between 1400 and 1600 and exercised and STILL did not lose or even gained. Even on Medifast, at fewer than 1000 calories per day, I was a fairly slow loser. I realize now that I will not be able to lose weight on as many calories as the charts and tables say I should. And since I don't think I can make myself eat fewer than 1000 calories per day for the rest of my life, that's why I got the band. At my age, I'm fighting other sources of weight as well. I think there are a whole lot of variables involved, too. I definitely believe genetics play a part. I also believe that the explosion of obesity is related to the unhealthy added ingredients in our food supply, such as high fructose corn syrup, added to almost everything! Khaliah Ali and her doctors do a great job of explaining these issues in her book, "Fighting Weight." She and her doctor have been banded. And of course, we can develop bad eating habits, such as emotional eating and binging. We don't all have the same reasons for being overweight, just like people don't all have the same reasons for getting cancer (and we don't always know the cause of cancer, either.) There's a difference between blame and responsibility, too. I don't blame myself for being overweight because I feel like I did the best I could with the knowledge that I had and I genuinely fought it, just like most of us here. I don't think most people blame themselves for getting cancer, either. But all of us are taking responsibility for losing weight -- in our case, by getting banded.

Hi! I have tried switching but it did’nt work out for me. But indeed, . Paxil is the worst when it comes to weight gain, and the hardest to taper off. but I hope someone has an answer to my intitial question

Wow this takes some getting used to, had my first fill on May 2nd had no restrictions now all of a sudden today I'm having restriction, for the last couple of weeks I have been at a plateau with my weight gain one pound lose 1 pound I am just hoping that I am finally getting past bandster hell

What solid foods are you eating? While there are no real negative-calorie foods some foods have a track record of not being weight gain friendly. You also want to avoid the suplements - they are not good for weight gain and expensive. I did not say they wouldn't work! I said not good. My sister and I had the same metabolic issues but different ends of the spectrum. I was overweight and starving at 1200 calories. she was underweight and starving at upwards of 3500 calories a day and for a few years a doctor supervised 4500 a day. She ate alot of stuff and was ok'd for crap, empty calories too, but among the healthy choices were: chicken, turkey, leaner red meats - buffalo is good. Chick peas, Edamame, heirloom Beans. starchy veggies. Potatoes are good. Oranges are good. Whole grain cereals. Berries, seeds, etc. Variety was a big deal for her too. Good luck.

Not to be alarmist, but are you sure it is real weight gain and not something causing you to gain water? I had this happen a number of years ago, where I was legitimately NOT eating enough to gain fat, but the scale was increasing. I was dealing with a heart issue at the time, and the weight gain was from that. I had to get on diuretics until my heart was in a better place. Again, not trying to be alarmist in any way, just throwing out that maybe something else is going on and it's not the PCOS. Perhaps you've become more salt sensitive? During the timeframe I noted above, I really had to become aggressive about cutting salt. Not so much anymore, but at that time it was like pouring gasoline onto a fire. It's just usually weight gain of that kind is water weight, unless you are gorging on food day in and day out.

Hi, I have been at the gym 3 times this week and have gained 3lbs. Am a bit confused as am not eating more than 600-700 calories a day, at least 50g protein and trying to get around 40 ounces of water in a day too. What am I doing wrong? Is this normal? I am 7 weeks post surgery and have lost 35lbs so far. Please help!

I'm a year a three months out of my surgery, and I figured this is as good a time as any to share my story. I always found other people's journeys so helpful, and I hope someone can benefit from hearing mine. I definitely struggled a bit with my weight when I was younger. Even with playing sports I was heavier than my friends, and I have a critical mother who frequently put me on one diet after another, fostering some pretty unhealthy feelings about food. My weight didn't really become an issue until my late teens, when I struggled with some mental health issues that resulted in a weight gain of more than 50 pounds in a year. In between high school and college, I went to a summer weight loss camp, and that helped bring me down to a more regular, albeit still unhealthy, weight. However, the following years I really struggled and was eventually diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. In the period leading up my my diagnosis, some poor medication decisions and my emotional struggles contributed to a rapid weight gain of around 80 pounds, bringing me to my all time high of 250lbs. I tried dieting, weight loss programs, weight controlling medication, and I never could get more than 20lbs off. I had finally got my psychotropic medications right, but I was left feeling pretty defeated and exhausted by everything that had transpired. Even though I was struggling, I was always an excellent student and I was accepted to attend an Ivy League school for my master's degree. My program was extremely intense, and my peers were all very high achieving and disciplined. I was one of two people in our class of over 100 with a weight problem, and I isolated myself a bit because I was so uncomfortable. I am an avid traveler and studied and work in the International Development field. During my lower weight in college, I spent close to a year studying and working in Madagascar and Uganda, and felt very much at home traveling and learning about other people and cultures, and working on projects to tackle rural poverty. My early twenties were very fulfilling, and I went to grad school wanting to continue the work I had done. Towards the end of grad school, I was on a trip to Alaska with my family and it struck me how miserable I had become because of my weight. I had already been participating in a weight loss program luckily run by a physician, and so when I decided to have surgery I had already fulfilled all of the requirements. I decided to have the sleeve, and within a month I had surgery. My life has improved drastically and I am ten thousand percent certain that this was the best and only option for me to be successful. Seven months into surgery, I accepted a position with a very large US NGO, and was relocated to South Africa to begin managing the NGO's 21 country programs in Africa. I work on public health programs for people with intellectual disabilities, and am so thankful that I have been able to work in an area that I am passionate about. I would not have been able to do this job at the weight that I was. Just in the seven months I've worked in South Africa, I have traveled to our programs in Nigeria, Uganda, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. These trips require a lot of physical activity, and I'm often in areas where you have to walk long distances is very warm weather, and spend a lot of time sitting on the ground and working long hours. For a vacation this summer, I went on a horse trek to Kyrgyzstan, riding for 6-8 hours a day and sleeping on mats in rural yurts with nomadic people. I cannot properly articulate how amazing it feels to be able to do the things I've always wanted to do. Having WLS was certainly not a walk in the park. I struggled a lot for the first several months with fatigue and a series of frustrating medical issues. I had my gallbladder removed a month after surgery, and I got c diff in the hospital. Finally being able to lose a significant amount of weight helped me to stick with the program and kept me motivated. As of this morning, I've lost 103 pounds and am solidly a normal weight. I'm still working on those last stubborn pounds, but I feel confident that I am going to reach my goal. I'll end with this--last week I was working in Malawi at a training for Optometry students to help them learn how to work with people who have intellectual disabilities. We screened a hundred kids, and many of them got new glasses to improve their vision. It was close to 100 degrees, and I was able to walk kids between different locations and carry heavy equipment for over eight hours. People didn't look at me strangely like they did when I was obese (unsurprisingly, obesity isn't as common in many parts of Africa), and I just felt normal. I've realized that being a healthy weight doesn't necessarily induce euphoria like I imagined it would when I was at my highest weight. Instead, it is the constant noticeable absences of discomfort, shame, and sadness. We all have our own feelings about body image and weight, but for me, I have a new perspective and appreciation for my "normal" problems. My boss might piss me off, I might get stressed about money, I might just have generally bad days sometimes, but I don't spend my day feeling like everything about my body is uncomfortable, embarrassing, and limiting. I very much admire and appreciate everyone on this site. If you are new, know that there will be some very serious struggles, and that perfection is not a long term reality. The further out you are the harder it gets to stay focused. But don't let that stop you from fighting. The sleeve helps stop the spiraling out of control that many of us have experienced, but ultimately your brain and attitude are responsible for keeping you on track. Good luck to everyone, and when you inevitably fall, get the hell back up.

My NUT said 50% veggies, 25% protein, 25% starch, and to aim for .6g of protein for every lb of body weight (for me at my current weight that is ~65g). With that said, I'm doing my own thing: Aim for 60g of protein (which I reach maybe 80% of the time) and total calories around 1800-2000 calories during "normal" times*. I no longer concern myself with carb nor fat amounts. Though truth be told, I don't think I was ever really concerned about fat amounts, so long as I was under whatever calorie level I was aiming for at any given time. *Am currently attempting to find am acceptable calorie level as I have been out of commission on the exercise front for about a month due to injury. Am going on about a month of ZERO exercise and in an attempt to avoid any weight gain, reduced calories to about 1200-1400...but this is too low as I lost 6lbs in the last 4 weeks. Still trying to figure it out. P.S. I'm a sleeve, 2.5 years out from surgery, and almost 2 years into maintenance. I've maintained my weight +/- 5 lbs this entire time.

It’s been a while omg hey guys! Ok so I could never understand before and after having surgery how people gain back their weight and sometimes more. I was sleeved over 2 years ago and now that I can eat whatever I want I completely understand the struggle. I still till this day can’t eat full meals like I would have a little bit of everything and just pick at the plate until I’m done which takes like an hour or two honestly, my problem is snacking. I can eat everything from snickers to Doritos and it’s just so annoying because having the self control is more like mind control. I always tell myself I don’t need it yet sometimes I still end up getting candy or a salty snack. My lowest weight has been 140, I recently went through a bad break up in April. I was 143 pounds and now I am 165 pounds. I’ve been eating junk food like crazy and even though it’s stress eating I need to find other ways. Can anyone recommend health Snacks? In the mean time I’m going to try and “reset” my sleeve. I called my surgeon about this a few days ago before I made this post (what a great guy he actually listened to me for a good hour) and he told me to start over from liquid diet to soft foods then reg and to keep going to the gym. Start: 316 • 12/14/2016 Current: 165 Lowest: 140 & here’s pic

Wow things are so different from place to place. Here in NY it was a six month process of seminars, exams, nutritionist, losing 10% of weight, psych consult, etc. Very strict, any weight gain they'll cancel your surgery. Best of luck hope your process goes smoothly.