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I want to urge everyone not to compare your progress and weight loss to others on the forum. Some of us started at a lower weight and had less to lose, so we are of course closer to our goal in a relatively short time. Also, everybody's body reacts differently to this process, and some will take longer to settle in. Don't forget that we will be in our "honeymoon period" for another six to eight months, so we all have plenty of time to get near our goal weights. As long as you are making steady progress, even with some stalls or small weight gains, you are succeeding! And if you get off track, please reach out to the rest of us for the guidance and support you need--that's what this community is for. You are not in this alone!

I lost about 140 with my original sleeve back in 2013. I regained 60 pounds in addition to having bad reflux. The papers say I will loose about 80% of weight gain ... BUT those are just averages. I remember my original surgeon who did my sleeve told me I would probably only loose between 60-80lbs and I surpassed that (even though I gained some back. Besides the point point now )) Everyone is very different. I have weighed myself everyday since surgery. Surgery day post op (6/26) was 202. Today I weighed 184. I know some of that was the gas & saline my surgeon left AND the hydration IVs I received the day after surgery. I was too nervous to try and set a goal weight this time around because I’ve read some people don’t loose weight like they once did. I do want to be 130/40 but it will take a lot of work. I wish we had better statistics but my advice would to be to treat this as serious as your first surgery. Maybe even be more cautious!

I researched a lot before I even went the bariatric route. I knew what I was getting into before I even talked to the doctor. But my acceptance was different because I went through the bariatric clinic on the military base and you don't have to go through all the hoops most insurance companies have you go through. I still had to go to seminars, I did four 2hr long nutrition classes, I had to go to support groups, and the psych evaluation. I still have two more classes I need to do for pre op one is an hr and the other is 2hrs. They expect you to start eating better and exercising, but we didn't have to go on a diet. They said if we went on a binge and gained weight then that would show them you're not ready for the surgery and they wouldn't do it. But for me my weight gain wasn't because I am an over eater, binge eater, ect. I gained weight from PCOS it caused me to have a metabolic disorder. So my body was just making me gain weight because it wasn't processing my insulin correctly. Basically my body is slow to let go of fat, but also holds creates more fat then usual. I would have to work out 3x's harder then the average person to lose pcos weight which is ridiculous and why I havent been able to lose it. It sucks because most of my life I was thin everyone in my family is thin... but lucky me I was the only one to have PCOS. I just keep gaining and gaining and its not from eating poorly and massive amounts of food its from PCOS that's why I always said its the Devil! lol But back to my original question. They never said stop eating everything we wont be able to eat after surgery at a certain time before surgery. I know for sure they expect you to stop on your pre-op diet, but before that all they said is don't gain more. So like you can see some stopped well before and some rode it out until the 2wk pre op diet and still cheated. I just wanted to see what the majority was. Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Trying to compare like that is very hard. I am sure there are an equal amount of side effects and benefits to both. This is why you have a surgeon to discuss it with that should be able to advise the best option for you. For the record most of the extra risk with the bypass is at the time of the op, it is a more complicated surgery than the sleeve so requires a more skilled, experienced surgeon. I had a revision from band to bypass in Jan and am very happy. I didn’t want a sleeve as i know so many people that have one and the majority seem to have either not had good loss or have major weight gain, I know this is also possible with bypass but I don’t know many people that have one. My surgeon also told me that with my history of reflux he wouldn’t consider sleeving me. At the end of the day the most important thing is the commitment of the patient. Realise the surgery is only a tool and that success requires hard work.

What happens when two sleevers with ADD make a podcast? Exactly what you think. I'm Kristen, or @themorrigan.vsg and my cohost is Emily or @emilyamvsg. I'm 16 months out, and she's 6 years out. We've got a lot to talk about trust me. I'm a recovering Binge Eater, she's on a quest to find love while struggling with life after VSG, and we're just out here doing the thing, ya dig? We talk about weight, weight loss, weight gain, messed up childhoods, VSG, struggles and successes after surgery, being fat in the nineties, the soul crushing experience that is online dating, and to top it off, for the fellow Murderinos, we do ten minutes of True Crime at the end of every episode. Because they say stick to what you know. We want everyone who's going through all this, or about to, or just wants to kiki with us and share some giggles, to know that there's a podcast out there full of all the things you want to talk about but may not be able to. We sometimes have guests on to share their stories and backgrounds and experiences. We'll laugh, we'll get triggered, we'll ugly cry. We'll find out that the real treasure has been in our hearts all along. Or something. Get in losers - we're going podcasting! Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

It is said a loss is a loss. Better than gaining but there will be times we gain but we can't let weight gains go over 5lbs. They say eating to low calories can make you gain. Normally, eating anything below 1200 calories per day make your body assume there's a food shortage. The end result causes your body to go into what is known as Starvation Mode. During this mode, your metabolism will slow down and try to conserve energy. So guess we have to find a balance and at first you get way under 1200 and we start losing water weight and when your able to eat more at first will be a weight gain but we have to get out of starvation mode and eat enough but not to much. Keep going we all will learn through trial and error. You got this. Sent from my LM-Q710(FGN) using BariatricPal mobile app

I have regained a bit as well and have been wanting to do the two week reset. I have heard from others that it works, but am not sure myself. I keep telling myself "I'll start tomorrow" then lunch rolls around and I am so hangry that I give in to food and not the shakes. I don't have a "team" and have never really had one. My doctor's office has always seemed uninterested and very in and out. The last time I talked with my doctor about the weight gain, they suggested I take multivitamins and do some crunches. I have IC so going to the gym is difficult for me, so I feel like the reset would be most beneficial. When I finally do start, I will share my results.

I’m just starting out but I have read that it helps to do a pouch reset. Having hormone, metabolic and other medical issues I can relate. Try to pinpoint what medication might be affecting your weight and why. For example I needed beta blockers and the generic caused more side effects that included slowing my metabolism. Once I got on the name brand and also adjusted my calories it helped. If you can pinpoint the medication ask the doctor about switching to something with less side effects of weight gain. Also see an endocrinologist to have hormones checked and anything that could be throwing off your weight there. You might try some natural hormone supplements ie. Wild yam, black cohosh, (my head isn’t working to think of them all) 15 years a lot can change and it takes time to re-evaluate and adjust. 2-Week Pouch Reset Diet The 2-Week Pouch Reset Diet can help you if your weight loss stalls after getting gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, lap-band, or another type of weight loss surgery. There may be a time after weight loss surgery when you wonder whether your pouch has stretched, or when you get off track with your eating. The 2-Week Pouch Reset Diet mimics your original post-op diet, but it moves through the stages more quickly. You start with clear liquids, move to full liquids, then progress to pureed foods, semi-soft foods, and solid foods. The 2-Week Pouch Reset Diet can help you: Break the pattern of off-track eating. Remember what it feels like when you feel restriction from your pouch. Practice stopping eating before you feel overly full. Diet Guidelines: When you get to the solid foods diet, this is the time when you will feel that your pouch is working again. Eat slowly and mindfully, and focus on the feeling you have when you stop eating just before you are full. You can continue on the solid foods plan (repeat Days 10-14) for as long as your doctor agrees. Drink plenty of water and other calorie-free or low-calorie liquids to stay hydrated. Only use under the supervision of your doctor. Day 1: Clear Liquids Breakfast ½ cup apple juice, ½ cup decaf green tea Snack 1 1 sugar-free ice pop, ½ cup sugar-free gelatin Lunch Tomato Basil Sipping Broth, ½ cup sugar-free gelatin Snack 2 ½ cup decaf coffee, Lemon Iced Tea Fiber Drink Dinner Delight Pho Sipping Broth, ½ cup sugar free gelatin Dessert 1 ice pop Day 2: Full Liquids Breakfast Strawberry Meal Replacement Shake (240 calories, 35 grams protein) Snack 1 Decaf Protein Cappuccino (90 calories, 15 grams protein) Lunch Broccoli and Cheese Protein Soup (100 calories, 15 grams protein) Snack 2 Vanilla Meal Replacement Shake (240 calories, 35 grams protein) Dinner Meal Replacement Chicken Protein Soup (160 calories, 27 grams protein) Dessert Banana Protein Shake (80 calories, 15 grams protein) Totals: 910 calories, 142 grams protein Day 3: Full Liquids Breakfast Chocolate Meal Replacement Shake (240 calories, 35 grams protein) Snack 1 Vanilla Cappuccino Hot Protein Drink (90 calories, 15 grams protein) Lunch Cream of Tomato Meal Replacement Soup (160 calories, 15 grams protein) Snack 2 Strawberry Meal Replacement Shake (240 calories, 35 grams protein) Dinner Corn Chowder Protein Soup (110 calories, 15 grams protein) Dessert Cheesecake Protein Pudding or Shake (90 calories, 15 grams protein) Totals: 930 calories, 130 grams protein Day 4: Pureed Foods (Mushies) Breakfast Peaches and Cream Protein Oatmeal, ¾ cup pureed canned or frozen peaches (150 calories, 16 grams protein) Snack 1 1 container plain non-fat Greek yogurt, ½ pureed banana (150 calories, 15 grams protein) Lunch Pureed tuna salad with 3 ounces tuna, ½ cup cooked or canned green beans, ¼ cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons black olives, pepper (180 calories, 25 grams protein) Snack 2 Vanilla Meal Replacement (240 calories, 35 grams protein) Dinner 4 ounces pureed canned chicken breast, ½ cup pureed cooked carrots (130 calories, 19 grams protein) Dessert Protein Cheesecake Pudding with ½ cup strawberries, pureed (120 calories, 16 grams protein) Totals: 970 calories, 126 grams protein Day 5: Pureed Foods (Mushies) Breakfast Shake with Peanut Butter Protein Powder, ½ banana, 1 5-oz. cup vanilla Greek yogurt (200 calories, 20 grams protein) Snack 1 Pureed egg salad with 2 hard-boiled eggs, 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, pepper (180 calories, 15 grams protein) Lunch ½ cup non-fat pureed cottage cheese, ½ cup unsweetened applesauce (140 calories, 14 grams protein) Snack 2 ¼ cup hummus with 1 scoop, (220 calories, 32 grams protein) Dinner Chicken with Pasta Protein Soup, pureed with ½ cup cooked frozen cauliflower and ½ cup cooked brown rice (220 calories, 18 grams protein) Dessert Mocha Cream Protein Pudding (100 calories, 15 grams protein) Totals: 1060 calories, 114 grams protein Day 6: Pureed Foods (Mushies) Breakfast Vegetable Protein Omelet, 1 ounce cheddar cheese, melted, ½ mashed banana (260 calories, 23 grams protein) Snack 1 Pureed Protein Chili with Beans, 1 cheese stick (string cheese) (180 calories, 22 grams protein) Lunch Cream of Mushroom Protein Soup, ½ cup mashed potatoes with 1 teaspoon olive oil (200 calories, 16 grams protein) Snack 2 Maple Brown Sugar Protein Oatmeal, ½ cup low-fat ricotta cheese (250 calories, 28 grams protein) Dinner Chicken with Pasta Protein Soup, 3 ounces pureed cooked ground turkey meatballs blended with ½ cup tomato sauce, ½ cup cooked pureed fresh or frozen winter squash with 1 teaspoon olive oil (220 calories, 23 grams protein) Dessert Strawberry Banana Protein Gelatin (70 calories, 15 grams protein) Totals: 1180 calories, 117 grams protein Day 7: Semi-Soft Foods Breakfast Buttermilk Protein Pancakes, ½ cup blueberries (240 calories, 21 grams protein) Snack 1 Protein Hot Cocoa (80 calories, 15 grams protein) Lunch Beef with Pasta Protein Soup, with ½ cup cooked or canned beans and ½ cup cooked vegetables (240 calories, 24 grams protein) Snack 2 ½ cup low-fat cottage cheese, 1 cup cantaloupe (160 calories, 14 grams protein) Dinner 1 veggie burger, 1 cup cooked green beans, 1 medium cooked sweet potato (250 calories, 14 grams protein) Dessert Soft-Baked Protein Brownie, ½ cup vanilla yogurt (180 calories, 20 grams protein) Totals: 1150 calories, 108 grams protein Day 8: Semi-Soft Foods Breakfast Southwestern Protein Omelet, with 1 ounce cheddar cheese, ½ cup cooked spinach, ¼ cup salsa (270 calories, 22 grams protein) Snack 1 Hazelnut Cocoa Cream Protein Pudding (100 calories, 15 grams protein) Lunch Spaghetti and Meatballs Protein Entree, 1 cup cooked frozen broccoli florets (260 calories, 18 grams protein) Snack 2 Berry Delicious Protein Smoothie (100 calories, 15 grams protein) Dinner 3 ounces broiled salmon with teriyaki sauce, ½ cup cooked brown rice, 1 cup cooked cauliflower florets (350 calories, 23 grams protein) Dessert Double Chocolate Cake (120 calories, 12 grams protein) Totals: 1200 calories, 105 grams protein Day 9: Semi-Soft Foods Breakfast Chocolate Chip Protein Pancakes, 2 tablespoons peanut butter (300 calories, 22 grams protein) Snack 1 (70 calories, 15 grams protein) Lunch Creamy Chicken Pasta Protein Entrée, ½ cup cooked zucchini (240 calories, 16 grams protein) Snack 2 1 cup cut watermelon, 1 ounce feta cheese (120 calories, 4 grams protein) Dinner 1 cooked bell pepper stuffed with 3 ounces ground turkey, ½ cup stewed tomatoes, 1/3 cup cooked quinoa or barley, and Italian seasoning (280 calories, 27 grams protein) Dessert Creamy Cheesecake Protein Dessert (120 calories, 12 grams protein) Totals: 1090 calories, 96 grams protein Day 10: Solid Foods Breakfast Berries ‘n Chocolate Crunch Protein Cereal with 1 container Greek yogurt (230 calories, 25 grams protein) Snack 1 Chunky Crisp Peanut Butter Protein Bar (160 calories, 12 grams protein) Lunch Tuna salad on lettuce leaves, made with 3 ounces tuna, diced celery and onion, ¼ cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons black olives, pepper (180 calories, 25 grams protein) Snack 2 Caprese salad with 1 ounce mozzarella balls, 1 large tomato, sliced, 2 teaspoons olive oil, basil leaves, black pepper (210 calories, 8 grams protein) Dinner 3 ounces Mexican seasoned shredded chicken mixed with ½ cup pinto beans and 1 cup cooked bell pepper strips, topped with ¼ cup avocado (350 calories, 30 grams protein) Dessert Tropical Banana Protein Pudding (100 calories, 15 grams protein) Totals: 1230 calories, 105 grams protein Day 11: Solid Foods Breakfast Breakfast sandwich with 1 whole-grain English muffin, 1 slice fat-free cheese, 1 cooked egg (230 calories, 17 grams protein) Snack 1 Fruit salad with 1 cup cut fresh fruit and 1 ounce sliced almonds (240 calories, 8 grams protein) Lunch Five Bean Casserole Protein Entree (240 calories, 11 grams protein) Snack 2 1 large whole-grain high-fiber wrap spread with 2 ounces fat-free cream cheese plus shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes (170 calories, 18 grams protein) Dinner Protein Pasta with 3 ounces lean ground turkey, Tomato Parmesan Flavor Pack , and 1 cup cooked broccoli, cauliflower, and carrot mix (300 calories, 41 grams protein) Dessert Chocolate Chip Protein Cookie (150 calories, 15 grams protein) Totals: 1330 calories, 110 grams protein Day 12: Solid Foods Breakfast Crispy Lemon Meringue Bar (160 calories, 14 grams protein) Snack 1 Pineapple Orange Fruit Drink (70 calories, 15 grams protein) Lunch Roll-ups with 2 ounces all-natural sliced turkey breast, 1 ounce swiss or cheddar slices, and ¼ cup avocado slices (260 calories, 24 grams protein) Snack 2 1 cup baby carrots, 1 tablespoon peanut butter (140 calories, 8 grams protein) Dinner High-fiber wrap with 3 ounces tilapia or other white fish, grilled eggplant, and Honey Dijon dressing (250 calories, 30 grams protein) Dessert Chocolate Protein Cereal, 1 apple (210 calories, 15 grams protein) Totals: 1090 calories, 106 grams protein Day 13: Solid Foods Breakfast Strawberry Meal Replacement Shake (250 calories, 35 grams protein) Snack 1 Caramel Brownie Protein Bar (180 calories, 14 grams protein) Lunch Greek chicken salad with romaine lettuce, cucumber slices, grape tomatoes, 3 ounces cooked chicken breast, 1 ounce feta cheese, 2 tablespoons vinaigrette (250 calories, 26 grams protein) Snack 2 1 cup bell pepper strips Meat Snack (120 calories, 15 grams protein) Dinner Pasta Fagioli (210 calories, 14 grams protein) Dessert Mint Hot Chocolate, 1 apple (80 calories, 15 grams protein) Totals: 1090 calories, 119 grams protein Day 14: Solid Foods Breakfast Golden Protein Pancakes ½ banana, ½ ounce pecans (240 calories, 17 grams protein) Snack 1 2 hard-boiled eggs (140 calories, 12 grams protein) Lunch Salad with spinach leaves, 1 cup sliced strawberries, 1 ounce shaved parmesan, 2 tablespoons light dressing (230 calories, 10 grams protein) Snack 2 Protein Chips (130 calories, 10 grams protein) Dinner Protein Chili with 1 ounce cheddar cheese, 1 cup cooked carro (280 calories, 24 grams protein) Dessert 1 small pear, 1 ounce blue cheese (170 calories, 7 grams protein) Totals: 1190 calories, 80 grams protein

Congratulations on a successful surgery. Yes the weight gain is definitely fluid especially since you haven't been eating. Totally normal.

Hi Frustr! I had a transoral bariatric surgery in 2009 that wasn't approved by FDA, as it was not working as they thought it would. I lost 100 lbs on my own! Working out and cutting out all the fried food i used to love and working out 6x a week. I was taking about 30k steps per day. Walking everywhere all the time. I maintained my weight loss for about 6 years....began fertility treatment which contribute to lots of weight gain, became pregnant and have struggled since, gained back almost all of my weight. HW 291=8, lowest 162, currently 250. Stopped working out, which doesn't help. i am doing revision to a surgery that gave me zero restriction. I am currently debating on going back to my original surgeon or a new one. I have a scheduled appointment with a new surgeon for consultation. Very excited to see him. Hope that helps! my surgeon suggest i do the bypass and i suggested he takes my suggestion of DS lol, which he agreed lol. The second surgeon is well known for DS and SIPS, so I am certain he will agree as well.

I think this article both makes and misses a couple of great points. What it gets right: 1. Muscle mass does not increase RMR as much as people believe it does. 2. It is not easy to add significant amounts of lean mass - especially in a calorie deficit - especially with age - especially with other comorbidities. What it get's wrong: 1. The goal for us post-op should be to reduce muscle loss as much as possible. It is far easier to keep what was already there supporting our greater pre-op weight than it is to lose the lean mass and then try and get it back. 2. The contribution of muscle mass to RMR does not have to be that large to be beneficial. Rough numbers of course but assuming 3500 calories in 1lb of adipose tissue and a 50lb weight gain over 5 years is a 175,000 calorie excess over 1825 days or an average daily excess of just 100 calories. Could preserving 20lbs muscle during during a 100lbs weight loss be beneficial? Using the article's 6 calories per pound of muscle per day that equals an additional 120 calories per day. 3. The best way to maintain muscle mass is lifting weights. The benefit is not only during the actual exercise but also in the post-exercise period where metabolic rate and protein synthesis remain elevated. This along with HIIT gives you 'twofer" as far as calories burned and also maintains muscles mass. I know people's abilities here vary greatly but resistance training has been shown be beneficial across the board for those who can tolerate it. The fact is many of us gained weight over a sufficiently long period of time that while in a calories excess (and yes I know there are compensatory changes to metabolism both in a calorie excess and deficit but let's keep it simple) that actual excess was not huge. Just 100 calories per day over 10 years will give a 100lbs gain. So my point...I think maintaining muscle mass during weight loss is absolutely important to longterm weight loss and maintenance...evenif the contribution to RMR is not as high as what that charlatan Dr. Oz claims.

Congrats and welcome to the club. Dont worry about the weight gain. You are filled with IV fluids from surgery. Everyone has a little gain in the first few days post op. Also, i was in the hospital 3 days and 2 nights (standard for my surgeons practice) so just enjoy the time that other people are paid to take care of you. Again, congrats!

I had gastric sleeve in Dec. 2013 after having reached a weight of about 440-450 and everything went according to plan the first 18 months or so. Since the spring of 2015 or so, I have been stuck in the 285-305 range (I'm 6'3" and 43 yo) and have been unable to get out of that no matter what I try, to the point where emotionally, I am basically back where I was at my highest weight. I can't stand to look at myself in the mirror, and I'm either a) obsessively counting carbs or calories or b) not caring what I eat and engaging in secret compulsive eating (though on a much, much smaller scale—instead of a dozen donuts, I'm going for one or two and not telling my wife or anyone else). The latest emotional defeat is this: I've spent the last three weeks doing a keto/Atkins-type thing, which was the only thing that ever worked for me before my surgery. Meticulous tracking, urine sticks showing I'm in ketosis, moderate walking exercise, and—here's the catch—a pretty extreme calorie deficit. Most days less than 2k per day, never more than 2,500, and in one four day period, I basically did the surgery prep diet of only protein shakes and broth, at about 800-1200 calories. After all that, I lost 2 pounds, which, when you're 292 pounds, is nothing. I'm already planning to eat poorly and secretly tomorrow, and I have absolutely no idea what to do. I feel essentially the same way I did before my surgery, though less intense, in that it seems like there's really nothing I can do. This is driving my wife crazy, and she's unable to understand or emotionally support me. I'm also trying very hard to not go back to some other addictive patterns. I know the first thing some are going to say is exercise more. I haven't done that lately, and there are two things holding me back on that point. At various periods in the last 4 years, I have done serious, several weeks-long programs with personal trainers in tandem with calorie deficit, and have had literally no success, other than gaining a little muscle, which resulted in a net weight gain. Also, I have some pretty extreme chronic degenerative disc pain, and it's hard to motivate myself to work past that pain when past results from diet and exercise have yielded little to no tangible benefit after great effort. One other thing that may be a factor: I had my gallbladder removed in 2017, and it had been basically shot since at least fall of 2015. I also had hiatal hernia repair the same time I had the gallbladder out. To be honest, I'm not really expecting any useful feedback. This may just be what life is for me now. But I had to say it somehow to someone.

I revised from Band to VSG 8 weeks ago My insurance did not pay for the band 10 years ago -- but different insurance and a doctor who wrote up the request based on the esophogeal issues got an approval within a week. No pre-op diet, no psych eval --- I met with the Nutritionist to go over the post-op plan and did a 1 hour orientation at the hospital --- so, had my surgery within a month of going in for an office visit to discuss reflux and weight gain. Really happy I did it. I am down 20 pounds in 8 weeks (at age 61) and removal of fluid from my band relieved the reflux almost immediately -- and it has not come back with the VSG.

Okay so I’m late to the party, but here is my $0.02. 10 years ago I lost ALL of my hair when I was on chemo for TNBC. The single biggest risk factor for any kind of cancer is obesity. Eventually chemo ended, the hair came back (it was really weird hair for the first year— it was frizzy and a bit orange) and by 12-18 months post-Chemo, nobody would’ve known I was bald as an egg previously. I’m 4.5 months post sleeve, and I’ve noticed some thinning— especially around my temples and on the top of my scalp and it’s slightly annoying because I’d rather not cut my hair until I hit goal and don’t feel like emphasizing my face until then. If it thins much more I might have to cut it. Another side effect from having breast cancer is 2 reconstructive surgeries and scarring, etc. the side that got the radiation is much firmer than the unaffected breast and at the end of the day there’s only so much plastic surgeons can do. 🤷‍♀️ I’ve also got stretch marks in various places across my thighs, abdomen, and upper arms from rapid weight gain and pregnancy. My skin prior to surgery totally was a wreck to start with. I wanted to go into this detail because I’ve already experienced all of these things you’re worried about, and I was morbidly obese! How I look at it now is I can have all these issues and be fat, unhealthy, unhappy, and at continued high risk for cancer recurrence, or I can be fit, fabulous, and happy and decide later if I want/need plastics for excess skin. Honestly the plastic that I want most of all will be Lipo on my thighs. Even when I was in my 20’s and weighed at or under 135, I HATED my thunder thighs and I had massive cellulite even when I was a size 4/6. *sigh Edited to add... I’ve lost 61 pounds and have gone from a size 22 to a size 14 since February 6th.  

FOR ANYONE IN THE FUTURE THAT MIGHT STUMBLE UPON THIS AND WANT TO KNOW... I will also update after my WLS. Can Weight Loss Surgery Help Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome? Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine system disorder in women. About 10% of all women of reproductive age have signs of PCOS, which is a hormone imbalance that can cause weight gain, acne, extra hair, irregular periods, and other problems. Perhaps the most significant problems experienced by women who suffer from PCOS are hyperandrogenism (the presence of excess of male sex hormones), and anovulation, which causes a woman to stop ovulating, rendering her infertile. Many women who suffer from PCOS are also obese. Recent studies have indicated that women who are significantly overweight may achieve improvement with PCOS through the significant weight loss that bariatric surgery can bring. Below we discuss the role of weight loss surgery as a potential tool to assist patients with PCOS. The Connection Between PCOS and Excess Weight Almost 60% of women with PCOS are obese. Many women with PCOS are also insulin resistant and/or have a reduced glucose tolerance. When someone is insulin resistant, their body does not use its insulin effectively to store glucose in the body as fuel. Too much glucose is the system slows the breakdown of fat in the body and creates new fat cells. This is why someone who is insulin resistant tends to gain weight. The problem worsens when the insulant resistant person’s body makes more insulin, trying to compensate for the inefficiency. This increase in supply only makes the body more insulin resistant. It is estimated that over half of women with PCOS are resistant to insulin and eventually will develop metabolic syndrome, a cluster of serious metabolic conditions (high blood sugar, high HDL cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, abdominal obesity, and high blood pressure) that increase risk for coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes, and heart disease. Since bariatric surgery treats weight gain and obesity, it can have a positive effect on the metabolic processes – including how the body metabolizes insulin. This in turn may be able to treat the symptoms of PCOS that relate to problems processing sugar, such as weight gain. This relationship may explain why weight loss surgery seems to affect PCOS symptoms. Studies Show Bariatric Surgery Can Help PCOS Research has shown that weight loss surgery can reverse the conditions associated with metabolic syndrome (such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, etc.) or prevent them from occurring. Additionally, scientific studies have shown a positive connection between bariatric surgeries and relief from PCOS symptoms. The basis of these assertions is the relationship between PCOS and obesity. One study of 33 women with PCOS who underwent weight loss surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation found that bariatric surgery resolved many key characteristics of PCOS, including enlarged ovaries and excess androgen. The study concluded that women should consider weight loss surgery as an extreme remedy for PCOS. Still, the women with PCOS who did undergo bariatric surgery did report positive effects on their symptoms. Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

I think EVERY society has ALWAYS been obsessed with food. There are numerous evolutionary reasons behind this, and I don't see any society changing it anytime soon. That's just a hard fact. However, it does annoy me that there aren't a lot of alternative things to do when it comes to socializing these days. American society in particular has become very sedentary. We like our video games, tablets, smartphones, streaming channels, and Internet. Rare is it anymore that people ask each other to hangout in the park to go walking, or after a date, to go dancing to burn off your dinner. People don't even go bowling that much anymore. Personally, I think it's sad and the more I think about it, it's pretty clear this societal change played a major role in my weight gain (I wasn't always heavy). I remember back in my middle/high school-college days, friends and I loved being active. We hiked, camped, putt-putted, and swam in public pools in the summer then ice skated and bowled in the winter. We even glow in the dark putt-putted! Places like the library or art museum would offer free or nominal fee day camps/ classes to everyone from kids to adults. We learned how to paint, sew, make pottery, and do other brain-stimulating things that didn't require staring at a screen. Yes, there's no question about it. There was always some non-food related activity we could partake in if we wanted to socialize. But things changed. A lot. Most of those places, sadly, closed or became associated with criminal activity and were no longer deemed safe. The libraries and museum stopped offering classes and day camps. A personal tragedy scared my friends and I from camping and hiking. What was funny was that some of the places that closed were actually bought out by fast food or local restaurant chains (such as our glow in the dark putt putting place and bowling alley), subconsciously implanting in our minds that guzzling down 700-calorie blended coffee drinks was the new way people socialized. I'm not trying to blame all my problems on societal changes, but it does frustrate the hell out of me. People wonder why obesity has risen to astronomical rates and I can't help but think about stuff like this.

Not just fluid although your weight gain will certainly be fluid - did you have keyhole surgery? If so, they actually carefully pump a whole load of air inside you! They use the jet of air to separate your organisation inside to move them aside and make the keyhole surgery easier. They suck some out as they close up but surgeons all leave more or less of it. It slowly dissolves over the next few days, but this is ‘gas pain’ and it is probably the worst bit of the recovery - mine hurt like hell up in my left shoulder, front and rear. Just get up as soon as you can, and walk. You have to walk it out. As you move about, your bodily organs absorb the gas and you go back to normal!

UGH- I know that kind of dr...they should not be allowed to interact with people! The make you feel more like an 'it' than a person. OMG - YES on the 'you're going to die on the table'. When I came home and happily shared my surgery date with my husband, he asked what my last wishes were and he was NOT kidding/teasing. Sure, those type of discussions are ones that we should all have with family/friends/etc. at some point and sooner rather than later..no matter age or physical condition as there are no guarantees that tomorrow will come for anyone. Your enthusiasm is contagious and you and AZHiker are helping me get mine back. I know none of us will know what issue we might have after surgery, but I have an 'up front/in my face' realization of issues I now have before surgery and I'm willing to make the trade. This!! How did you know this?! That is what I've been fighting with the past few years. I worry so much for one of my daughters as she is 27 and although she is 5 inches taller than me...she is the same weight as I am. I worry so much about her. She has other issues, including medication issues that contribute to weight gain but these meds are not optional. I don't fear dying from my own standpoint as much as I am in terror thinking about what would happen to her if I were to die. We've lost so many people in the past 5 yrs that were wonderful, loving, incredible people who adored me and her..and we adored them back. My Dad...my best friend of 20 yrs (brain cancer), my Mom 2 years ago...after a gut-wrenching/traumatizing 3 year battle with dementia..and then my FIL 1 year ago. All of the kind of people who were truly capable of loving us unconditionally...are now gone from our lives. With both parents and my best friend gone..it's a rather stark realization to know there is no one left in this world who has the capacity to love you unconditionally as you once were loved. I'm so thankful that neither my daughter nor I ever took that for-granted and we treasured and spent time with these people long before they were gone so that is a blessing as the regrets would be almost insurmountable if we had that do deal with as well. I wish..especially my Mom and my best friend, Kelly..were here..to be with me as I wait for surgery. To make me laugh...to hug me. Kelly would have been making me laugh and giving me all the assurances I needed. Actually, having this surgery concludes me doing the very last thing she ever asked of me before she passed - I have done everything else she already asked of me with the exception of this..and that was "to get my life back...to have the surgery...to quit waiting". I miss them all so very very much. I sat outside the other night and talked to her..and told her "Kelly, I'm almost there!" Oh my gosh..my eyes are "leaking" like crazy. Part in relief at people on here caring and understanding....and because I miss my family and my best friend oh so much...their absence is STARKLY felt right now... Thank you for your kindness..and your words...your honesty...

@Deedee12Thank you! I don't know quite who to talk to @ Aetna, I was thinking a case manager may be able to help me. I too would just barely meet criteria if just applying for a sleeve as I am just obese, have no co-morbidities. In the clinical policy bulltetin there are options A-D for repeat bariatric surgery and all of them require "compliance" with diet and exercise program which is hard to show because when I was successful I did not frequently see a doctor for my band. I started seeing a doctor when my reflux started and i started gaining weight. My doctor prefers to do the removal and revision in 2 different surgeries but if there is no complications will do it all in one. My fear is that if i Just get the lapband removed I will be denied for a sleeve. Even without the "compliance records" I feel like with the damaged lapband evidenced by xray and the reflux and weight gain I should be approved for a revision---I feel that with all the research and data out about lapband complications insurance suggesting another band or a band fix is ridiculous! The person at my doctors office just keeps saying this may be tricky, I want to know from someone at the insurance company what I need to submit exactly to be approved. I have a POS II policy. I don't know who to talk to there or where to start and would like to speak to someone before submission because I know a denial can be difficult to fight. I am also choosing to go out of network because the previous physician I had seen did not catch all the problems visible on Xray with my band. I appreciate all of your advice, thank you! If you have any other suggestions I would appreciate it! Thanks! Maura

All calories aren't equal. Sometimes it could be salt, sodium, water retention or carbs that cause that weight gain.

Thank you everyone for your input and support. Today I'm feeling fine about the whole thing. I'm actually feeling more excited than scared. I've lost a considerable amount of weight several times in the past only to gain it back. This time around I'm not having any luck losing weight, and am about 20 lbs. heavier than I've ever been. I keep having to buy new clothes because of the weight gain. I feel trapped in my own body, and don't exactly feel good about myself. I know this is the right thing for me to do, and until I actually have my surgery I imagine that my emotions will be all over the place. I'm so glad that I found this forum, and I'm extremely grateful for everyone's support. Wishing you all well.

^^^^This a thousand times! I honestly think if you are having this issue, you must treat food as you would a prescription. You will need to be regimented, and determined and disciplined to go on a weight gaining program, but not just any weight--a muscle gaining regimen. And for that you really need a trainer who understands sports medicine and bariatric medicine. Cuz you do face challenges. For instance, are you logging? Do you track every bite that goes in your mouth? If you do, then you at least know a baseline both calorically and from a macro prospective. So you can alter your plan to increase your nutrition. The most obvious ways are NOT to add sugar. That is a recipe for RH. I have it. It sucks. Juice is TERRIBLE for that! But the most obvious way to add back cals and nutrition are to add back your protein drinks as supplements on top of your food. And eat very nutrient dense and calorically dense foods that allow you eat more of them cuz they are hedonic stimulants (lasagna casserole without noodles, casseroles, gooey things with cheese). Also adding in psyllium and miralax have been lifesavers for me... Hope those ideas help. If you are losing, I'd personally up my cals by 10-15% for the day...and get at least 1 meal in that had 30g of protein for that meal, cuz Dr. Longo says that aids in muscle building...

Hi guys, I started my pre-op diet last week. I can have 1 healthy meal a day and shakes the rest. My calorie intake can be no more than 1200. I had lost 5lbs when I weighed in on Friday, but when I weighed this morning I gained 3 lbs. back?!? I don’t get what’s going on since I’m following the diet and not having more than 1200 calories. Anyone experiencing this?

Hi Everyone! My name is Rosie and I had the sleeve done in Dec 2016. I lost 100 lbs and I was so excited. Fast forward to 2018, my husband dies. I meet my now husband and gain 50 lbs. Yes I got comfortable. I miss the old me! The more confident me. So since then I started seeing a psychiatrist to address my food addiction tendencies. I am now on medication to help with my ADHD and depression, which I Feel contributed to my weight gain. I am attempting to be more mindful in my eating. I'm here for support and encouragement. My husband wants to lose weight, so I'm doing the Dr. Now caloric diet. Heavy on protein and light on carbs. Today is day one! Woohoo! I'm excited about whats in store by both fixing my head space and how much I eat.