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I agree with tmf above me , maybe drinking water with your meals contributed to your weight gain. Why cant u just drink before hand, out of all the things people miss i cant imagine drinking with meals getting a higher prority than ones health and wellbeing ..

I'm hoping to get some advice/insight. I was sleeved on 5/30/13 and since then have lost almost 100 lbs. My husband and I are wanting to try for another baby. Today I actually got my Mirena IUD taken out (which hurt like a mofo lol) so now the real thing is to start trying within the next few months. Sooooo..... to those who have gotten pregnant after having the surgery. . How long did you wait? Any complications health or delivery wise? food intake? Weight gain/loss? I'm just trying to get as much info as possible so anything will help

Good advice. Just beware runaway weight gain, get on top of it quick, its harder to lose the second time!

To me, it's been a miracle! I thought I was being left to die a slow, diabetic death because of a metabolism that had abandoned me. Today, I'm almost a year out. I've lost 48 pounds in 10 months. Not spectacular, you say? WELL, sweetie! That's better than I was able to lose and KEEP OFF for years before now. NEVER have I lost for a 10 month period with NO weight gain. It's a constant down and this weekend, I had to buy new clothes. Still, it's an 18-20 (XL or 1X), but you know what? It's been 15 years since I've been able to squeeze my big toe into that size. Judge it if you want, but I'll take my band over your next two or three attempts to lose on your own (AND keep it off). Me? I've fought that battle too many times and I'm finished.

I'm having the RNY as well. 3 day clear liquid. No weight gain before surgery. I asked my doctor and he said there really are just different views on things and that every individual is different. My liver is not enlarged so I'm good with 3 days. He said if my liver had been enlarged, we would be using a different pre-op plan. Based on what I have read here, there are many factors and philosophies. Size, age, comorbidity factors, pre-op nutrition requirements etc. Just like post-op- none of our experiences will be exactly the same.

I am on a Diet to drop my extra pounds I put on but did you still get approved even with weight gain? Sent from my SM-G920R4 using the BariatricPal App

since my december 3 surgery. i was doing great. lost almost 30 lbs including the weightloss from the pre-op diet. then...the holidays hit. i was finally able to eat normal food but it had to be on the softer side. anyways, i have gained almost 6 lbs. i don't feel the full feeling like i did a few weeks ago after surgery. i know its because my stomach isn't swollen from surgery anymore and that i transitioned out of a liquid diet but i just need assurance that it will not be like this after i get my fills. it scares me that i can eat so much without feeling "like i just ate a thanksgiving dinner"..as my clinic told me how i would feel after eating. anyways, this small weight gain has really put a damper on my journey and i feel completely guilty for it. any input helps. thanks!

tanya when I was a newbie - people didn't talk much on the board about gaining weight after maintennance seemed like a taboo subject i am glad that weight gain "issue" is brought up more often when you/me/we are first sleeved - "most" of us consistently follow the necessary rules to lose their weight how great is that!!!! but.........some people don't realize/or don't act on the fact that having/working with the sleeve is something we need to do for the rests of our lives we must consistently follow all the rules that we had after surgery Water, eating slowly, moderation, waiting after eating before you drink etc etc maintennance, yes its easier to slip into old bad habits and gain back some weight it happens to the best of us none of us are perfect (except me of course ) its "ok" to think of the possibility you might gain weight might help keep you on the straight and narrow!!! hopefully you/me et al won't gain but.......... we've all worked too hard, became too healthy and happy to now "blow" it now fluctuate sometimes 1-3 lbs but thats ok by me never said this was easy (despite what non WLS OP say about this being the "easy way out") you've lost 90 lbs woo hoo party dance party dance kathy congrats

Hand on my heart, totally and utterly honesty, I do not have "eating restrictions". I live a completely normal lifestyle, I just eat less than what I used to. I try to make healthy choices most of the time, I definitely choose better but I can do everything I used to. Holidays, going out to eat, socialising, none of them are a problem to me. I just ingest half of what I would previously have done and dont have to face the weight gain afterwards.

I've had insanely slow weight loss as well but there are so many behavioral, physiological, and environmental contributing factors that I can't just come out and say "the surgery wasn't worth it" without tweaking/ruling out all of those influences. Despite a low 20lb weight loss over 6 months, I can say that I am still 100% better off than I would be without the surgery. At the very least, my band has put the brakes on my consistent weight gain. Without it, I would invariably weigh much more than I do now. In the future, it's possible that I'll see that the band may not have been the best option for my optimal weight loss, but I maintain that I made the best, most logical decision I could at the time. Compared to others, some may consider me a current failure--but I'm not ready to give up on myself or the band just yet. My weight loss journey may be different than others, but perhaps no less successful years from now.

I don't have a bucket list per se because there isn't really anything my weight kept me from doing that I enjoyed, like going to football games (Go Eagles!) and amusement parks and things of that nature. I think I'm just looking forward to being a healthier person, more confident, breaking and getting rid of bad habits that led to the weight gain and incorporating all of the things I've learned along the way into my new lifestyle. I'm just fortunate that I was able to have the surgery to begin with and have had a lot of support throughout my journey.

To take your questions one at a time: 1. Is gaining weight normal when you start to eat regular food again? Yes, when you've been on liquids for a while (pre-op + post+op), you empty out your alimentary canal and this accounts for probably 5-10lb of the "weight loss". You probably would have noticed a marked decrease in the amount of matter eliminated from your system. When you start to eat regular food again, you refill yourself and this will appear to be a 5lb weight gain. Don't worry about it - it's normal. 2. I'm worried about stretching my pouch. I haven't gotten a fill yet. Is it possible to stretch the pouch before the first fill? Stretching the pouch is something that happens through significant over-eating over a prolonged period of time, i.e. always eating the the point of absolute fullness (as far as the band allows) and doing it often. If you haven't had a fill yet, it is unlikely that you will have restriction, so you won't be filling your pouch much at all -the food will be going straight through into your main stomach. The likelihood of stretching at this time is very small. 3. How would I know if I did stretch my pouch? It's hard to tell but if you had a fill test (i.e. they take out the Fluid in your band, measure it, and replace it) and the test showed that the band was very full and you should have restriction, yet you were still eating large meals, that might be an indicator - not a definite, just an indicator. 4. Is there any way that it can be fixed or if I ever do/did will I have ruined my chances at this working for me? Yes, in the event that you stretch your pouch, there are several remedies that can be applied before you have to even start thinking you might have "ruined things". One simple remedy is to do the "5 Day Pouch Test". Search this site for threads on that - there are dozens. 5. Would someone know if their band slipped? If so how? One of the common symptoms is being able to eat a lot in the day but getting severe reflux at night, i.e. when lying down/sleeping. 6. Do weird things cause the band to slip or is it simply overeating or something like that? There are several causes but you'd be better off asking your doctor about that one.

I would say "Don't worry, you'll be able to eat all those things," but I don't want it to sound like encouragement! No but truly, you will probably be able to eat most foods you loved pre-op once you have recovered from surgery and your stomach heals. The decision to NOT eat those foods is when the real work begins, because eating around the surgery is self-sabotage and will probably lead to weight gain. Post op, I really miss 3 things: pizza, diet soda, and cake. I mean, really. LOL, sometimes I obsess about those things but I make a choice not to eat them - otherwise, why did I have this huge surgery? My desire for cake, etc, hasn't disappeared, but I'm more motivated to lose weight than I am to buy and eat that piece of cake from the bakery. Post-op, I spend a lot of time thinking about food -- food I should eat and food I shouldn't eat. It's a battle every single day to make the right choices. Thank god I had the surgery to help me along - otherwise, what's the point?

Ok, so I have been wanting to go on the pill for like forever now, lol, but have just kept putting it off. Hubby and I are using another form of birth control but I want to go back on the pill to regulate my period again. My period has been irregular for 20 years. I was on the pill before two different time, but never really stayed on it long enough to finally get regular. This time I would really like to, but I know it can cause weight gain. Is that something I need to be worried about? I wanted to go on the pill a few months ago, but figured with upcoming surgery and the risk of blod clots after surgery and the fact that the pill makes you more suseptable, I figured I would hold off. I know it probably seems silly, but if I am getting a surgery to help me loose weight, the last thing I want to do is to slow it down! Anyone have any insight or ideas? Should I wait till I loose my weight? Will it even matter? Thanks everyone!

Tomorrow is my one month surgiversary. I lost approximately ten pounds in the first week and a half post surgery. Since that time, I have not lost any additional weight. In fact, I have gained a pound and a half in the last week, making my one-month total between 7 and 8 pounds. I have progressed past the point of EVERYTHING making me nauseous, but I am not losing weight at all. For example purposes, on Friday I had four spoons of the instant oatmeal, made with Water and unsweetened for Breakfast. For lunch I had about five spoons of Soup. For dinner I had two small rings of calamari, two shrimp, and two scallops, none of which were deep-fried. The only thing I drank the entire day was water. This experience started out rough with a lot of dizziness, etc, but I was happy I had little to no surgery pain. I was positive with that first 8 pounds or so, and for the past 2.5 weeks, nothing. Then when I weighed myself this morning and saw a weight GAIN I couldn't believe it. I am sooooooooooooooooooooooo in regret land right, and am having a pity party, table for one. Just need to vent. Thank god for this board.

Oh, sweetie, hang in there!! We've ALL been there, one way or another. Your body is freaking out because of the new reality it finds itself in. You know for a fact that nothing you're doing is causing weight gain--your body is probably retaining fluids, and those will flush out eventually, too. Just keep doing what you can do and stay hydrated. I know when you're eating so little, you feel like the weight should just be dropping off visibly--and there will probably be weeks when it does! Just keep doing what you're doing. Sounds like your 3-week stall just happened a little bit later than some.

Congrats on your pregnancy! I am almost 7 months along. So far my weight gain has been 10lbs (although I see the dr again next week so we'll see what that number says) and I had to have my band emptied at 10 weeks due to horrible morning sickness. There are days where I could eat everything in sight and there are days I'm just not all that hungry (I think the heat sometimes has something to do with that too, but I do my best to push my fluids). My port sticks out like a turkey timer and sometimes my son will kick at it and it can hurt. At this point mine has flipped onto its side but this is my 2nd band baby and I know that it will go back to normal once baby comes. If you are gaining weight and baby is growing on schedule I wouldn't worry too much about it. Good luck!

I have a major sugar problem. Cold turkey is the only way. I read once that if you are craving carbs/sugar then you are eating to much. For me this is soooo true. I have had two stalls followed by weight gain since I had surgery. Both times were when I went on vacation and had sugar when I got home I couldn't stop. It takes we a week of trying before I can get a grip on the situation. I think the most important thing is to acknowledge when the sugar monster has you and don't let it go on, kick the problem ASAP. As soon as I stop the sugar/carb intake I start losing again but I can't help but think of the 3-4 weeks I wasted.

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

Thing is... we all have food issues or we wouldn't have gotten fat. So while it is true that some target groups will try harder and put forth more effort, I don't think anyone goes into this thinking that they aren't going to put some effort into it. Most people I have seen fail any WLS type goes into this determined to change their eating habits and food choices just to discover that maybe they can't do it afterall. The band or sleeve or any other WLS type doesn't do a thing to fix your head. It seems so easy on some levels, get surgery and darn well just change head stuff. It doesn't work that way. You really don't discover just how many food issues you have until AFTER surgery and then you also discover the severity of these food issues. Before my surgery I kinda didn't believe it was going to work. I knew I was going to try very hard to do it but I really didn't think I could change my food choices and habits. I shocked myself when I did it. Today I prefer healthy foods and getting back to basics. I won't eat a burger from Mickey D's, you couldn't pay me to do it. I never thought I could give up fast food but I did. I'm lucky, a lot of people try their best and have the best of intentions and they discover they just can't do it. So you can't really take just those that are able to change food habits and use that as a target group for average bandsters because they aren't average, they are above average. The average bandster will lose about 55% of their excess weight (considering loss and the well known regain for all procedures) by 5 years time. That includes people like me that really seriously changed diets, added exercise, etc. AND it includes those that just can't hack it. Then there are issues of another nature. One problem with banding is that each time you have a complication the fill is removed and you are put on liquids for a time and then solids but with no fill. Esophageal dilation, pouch dilation, slip, etc., it's an unfill. That puts a dead stop to weight loss and actually turns into weight gain for most. Then the problem is resolved and you are back to getting fills again and finding a sweet spot. This is one reason banded folks have slower weight loss on average. Then you have mechanical failure. Leaks in the tubing, port, or band itself. You lose restriction and quite frankly if we could do this without restriction we wouldn't have had surgery to begin with. Without restriction weight gain happens again until surgical repair. I guess my point is that you can't just take successful bandsters and use that target group as the average WLS person. They aren't average, not in the least. We all make all sorts of plans and promises to ourselves that we will do this or that but the true test is when it's time to do it. Then we discover it wasn't as easy as we thought. My guess is 100%. Nobody is perfect with food issues all the time. Some do a better job than others. LOL! You are in for a big surprise. Banded and sleeved people make cheap dates too. ;o) It's also a matter of less food in your body to slow down absorption of alcohol.

Ditto (you are beautiful before and after)!!! Its normal to be nervous...this is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make and it is indeed permanent. It was the tool I needed because I had my thyroid removed 7 years ago and nothing else was working to stop my weight gain, Its a life change and more than a notion to stay focused in doing everything your surgeon and NUT tell you to do.... but I can tell that you will look even more stunning (and much happier) after the surgery! I get "approving" looks and comments every day (friends and family esp.), cat calls (which I can do without) from men young and old, and my husband is once again chasing me around the house (wink-wink). God will bring you thru this with no complications, just name it and claim it!!! Keep me posted on your progress cuz I'm here for you girlfriend! #VSGworks

Why did you/Doctor feel the need to remove saline from the band? Were you too tight? having symptoms? Most often taking saline out is done to resolve problems. I'm curious why he felt that was the "right amount" . I've has saline removed due to reflux on occasion but usually.5 cc. waited about a month then went back for a refill. I don't know your age but when going through a menstrual cycle some women have complained about "Water weight gain" which is possible our body retains water in the cells constantly, due to different reasons, salt intake etc,and the body is 60% water in general. Call your new doctor ask them to come back in, but some saline back in and I think you'll be surprised at how quickly that 10 lbs will go away. Good luck

I know that I had been fatigued and tired for years. I was willing to try anything. although I slept okay, I slept restlessly, awakening several times a night. I complained to my PCP for years. I have been told that I was depressed, had hypothyroid, too much cortisol, etc. I finally decided that my weight was the problem and that if I lost weight I would feel better. The weight doctor decided to send me for a sleep study. I discovered I had sleep apnea.I feel like a new person! Or better yet, like the person I used to be. It took awhile to get used to the machine but once I got used to it, wearing it feels very coomfortable. sleep apnea is associated with weight gain so now I'm wondering if I had recognized it earlier would I even need lapband surgery?

I hate to hi-jack this thread but it caught my eye because my 15 (just turned 15) year old daughter was just diagnosed with this. Do you think this condition led to your initial weight gains? Any words of wisdom for a mom of a teen with this....for now and/or in the future. Thanks for any information you might share. Her doctor really kind of scared me with all the "high risk" problems associated with this!

Thanks for light at the end of the tunnel! I too was denied, but for a weight gain. My husband had a heart attack and triple bypass (at 37 yrs old) and yes, I gained some weight. I just got my denial letter yesterday and plan on appealing. I can't wait until I get to come on here and scream at the top of my lungs..."I got approved!" So until then, I'm going to the gym every night with the hubs (he is doing very well) And eating next to nothing (I'm starving) :) Congrats on your approval and I hope to be not too far behind!!!