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Depo shot me up about 50 pounds when I took it as well. I never would have but I went with a friend who didn't want to do it alone. Hurts and weight gain is CRAZY!

I hate the depo!!! I gained 30 pounds like it was nothing. I love my para guard IUD! No added weight gain and no hormones. Down 54 pounds in 5 months!

I'm a former Depo user and I'd never do it again! In addition to the weight gain I had fertility issues that several doctors said was related to prolonged Depo use. This surgery is a terrific tool and those shots have a long and notorious history for causing women to gain extreme amounts of weight. In my opinion, the risk is too great. Definitely ask about an IUD or some other form of birth control!

The thing that people early out from WLS seem to forget or not even realize (and I consider myself still early out) is that restriction isn't forever. There's going to come a time where you will be able to eat a normal sized portion of food, albeit smaller than the humongous portions most Americans eat. Either way, more than we can now. So what you're choosing to put in your mouth will be that much more important when the time comes to maintain the weight you've lost. So I guess my point is lean protien and veggies should still make up most of the bulk of our meals in order to maintain. You start making carbs and sugar the priority--which I've seen happen when people start getting lax with them because they are addicting--THAT'S when weight gain happens. Don't believe me? Ask my husband who had an RNY 9 years ago and got lax with drinking empty calories, sugar and carbs and started packing on the pounds. It wasn't until he went back to the basics of very limited carbs and protien first and then veggies did he get it back under control. Does he indulge occasionally? Sure, but VERY occasionally. Otherwise, he will be right back to square one. You all are fooling yourselves if you think you can moderate those things and live happily ever after. Sorry, but I speak the truth. We have the disease of obesity, and the only ongoing treatment is moderation and even avoidance of certain foods for the rest of our lives, or weight will be regained.

So...Im currently on the 6 month physician supervised diet required by my health insurance. Went in today for my 3rd weigh-in and my doctor was so frickin negative. It left me feeling so bummed. He said something like "I really wish there was something to say to get you to change your mind. I know this surgery will not work."....MIND YOU...He was originally supportive when I started in October. Maybe he said this cuz I had a 2lb weight gain...but I am on my period....I usually gain about 4lbs. Perhaps he was only supportive because he thought I wouldnt follow through. Idk...im just feeling bummed out about this. I really LOVE my doctor and do not want to switch providers mid program but I just may have to. Thanks for listening

@btlombardo68...I have not cried yet, just frustrated sometimes that I have done this to myself and need surgery to correct. Not that I think I did this purposely, but having babies, SSRI's (weight gain side affect noted and used), and menopause, have made me quite the plumpkin! I think it's normal to have emotional rollerecoaster feelings over this, but if you go to support group and listen to the stories from the veterans,...It's going to all be okay and you will more than likely be saying you wished you had done it sooner! I'm keeping busy and refuse to allow my head to take in any negative thoughts. If I have any doubts creep in (and they do) I look into the future and what I want for me going forward after surgery. I want to fit in regular clothes. I want to take better care of my health (55+ and don't like the idea of diabetes, stroke, and electric carts at walmart!) I want to feel like a human being and be treated that way. Try to focus on the outcome of the surgery and you will be on the other side with me counting the pounds we lost. Good luck to you!

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.

...for the benefit of any journal visitors! (edited and updated form introductions thread) I am SOOOO glad I found this forum - reading posts over the past few weeks, and viewing all those inspirational before / after shots has helped me in my decisions and plans immensely. God Bless all LBTers for sharing and caring so much:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: - I hope that I may contribute to the forum as well as the benefits I'm already enjoying. I'm 34, a mother of one boy (who's 5), married to a WONDERFUL man (he always cheers me on, and thinks I'm sexy however I look! Bless him!). I work part-time as a consulting environmental scientist. I have been thinking of getting banded for over a year - but only just started to discuss it with my hubby in July. I got a referral from my GP this week, and first met with surgeon in early August (with Mr Chris Hensman at EndoSurgery Victoria, Mulgrave).:nervous I have fought the battle of the bulge since I was 16 - when my mum joined me at WW - since then I've been the classic yo-yo ride of WL support systems, diets and pills. Depression and control issues with food haven't helped either :Banane10: (Man! How do I relate to some of the stories posted to the forum!) I want to GET OFF THE ROLLER COASTER - NOWWWW!!!! My weight has hovered around 135kg since just after my son was born. My hubby was made redundant from his job at the same time, so my emotions and eating were all over the place for a LONG time. I maxed out at 138 - 140kg during last year.:omg: I'm currently around 132kg. (I'm so ashamed...) The thing is, until recently, I've never felt big or heavy. Because I'm a pear-shape, and therefore most my fat is on my legs / hips / rear end, it's kind of "out of sight, out of mind". Only this year have I felt too big / fat / tired / slovenly / unfit / "insert any other of your favourite self-depretiating terms here" (they'd apply here) to get off my but and do things - even things I love to do like play with son (who can run like the wind) or gardening. Cleaning the house even feels like too much effort... I feel like that a lot of the emotional baggage I've been carrying around has been put down over the past year, and is now GONE FOR GOOD. :clap2: Hubby and I have a stable, Christian marriage, we have a loving home life and good jobs and career prospects. It was a long struggle. I also feel like I'm able to finally put down the bags I've carried siince school days, feelings of insecurity and inadequacy (God knows why I have them in the first place, but the mind is a beast...). I honestly feel that if I can make a break in the weight gain-loss cycle, and lose the excess weight once and for all, that I'd have a great chance that the fat would also be GONE FOR GOOD. I guess none of this is new to many / most of you in LapBandTalk land. Anyway, it's these new feelings about myself that have shocked me into doing something more to lose the kilos- enter the LAPBAND - dadadadaaaaaa!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: My hubby & I REALLY want more babies - but right now I'm too scared of complications / dying to contemplate getting pregnant yet. I can't seem to lose the 15kgs and 5 years of age I put on since I had my son... The desire to make some new people for our family to love is also contributing influence to my decisions right now, but not the main motivation. Initially, I'd like to get down under 100kg before trying for another baby, and then after that continue on towards an ultimate goal of 60kg - 70kg (would be nice on a 5ft 4inch girl...). I think I was about 15 when I last saw my weight defined by a number lower than 70kg.:cry :faint: :help: I'd like to hear from anyone who has conceived / had a baby after LapBanding. My GP suggested we had a baby (or two) first, and then the LapBand - the way I feel right now, I don't think that would be sensible - I can almost feel diabetes or a heart attack at the thought of it!:sick The surgeon said at least three months, although the longer we wait after the banding, obviously, the better th weight loss would have been. Also, I am really nervous about how I will adjust to the Bandster's lifestyle given how much and how often I eat. Feelings of hunger / fullness / satiety etc are almost meaningless to me right now. I'm looking forward to changing this, but for now, the thought of restricting food volume and types fires up those old feelings of rebellion!:hungry: :angry :Banane20: Definitely need counselling, support and reflection in this area.:nervous Anyway - enough introductions - let's make music!!!

Hello everyone... I had bypass on 8/29/17 so I am about 6 days out and I was wondering if anyone has had weight gain? On surgery day I weighed 209 and they weighed me afrter surgery and I weighed 216 and I have lost some weight but not very much. This is super frusrating since I havent eaten anything in a week, I am getting my daily water and close to my protein...whats wrong!!! Any ideas!!!!????

Hey- been there done that! I am now on my second band and i had to wait about 4 1/2 months to heal befoer they allowed the second band... and in my mind no doubts i was putting the band back in..... my slip was out of my control- my gall bladder went bad and i violently threw up for a while and the band slipped.... so we went in and took out gall bladder and replaced band --- this time around i got a 14 cc band- bigger band due to scar tissue and to make sure i could get teh band loose if it ever got too swollen again.... i was at my goal weight when i got the band removed and in those 4 1/2 months i gained 28 lbs no matter how hard i fought it... I got rebanded on 02/16/11 and it is taking me alonger to get to restriction of course--- but i will say almost instantly I was able to control the weight gain--- and after my last fill as of right now i have restriction.... and the scale is starting to go down. I reeally tried to keep the weight off i follwed my diet plan and worked out but the weight kept coming back on.... I am not gonna lie and say that it is easy bc it has not been- emotionally it is a rollercoaster... but glad i have a band back-- and looking forward to getting back to my goal weight i have 21 lbs to go to get there. Stay strong-- and just pray for what decision is right for you.

I met with my surgeon yesterday and his expectation for me was less than I had anticipated. I am 5'4" and 239. He said 18 months out he would like to see me at 160 and that was his first goal. I guess I anticipated a short term or more attainable goal like 200 at some point, and that 18-24 months put I would be closer to goal of 140. Is this just relative based on how much effort I put in? I'm super motivated, and was very fit and athletic before weight gain from thyroid cancer/issues/thyroid removal. How did you guys formulate goals? This is so different for everyone, where do we begin? Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

This is really interesting. I'm three weeks away from my bypass and was chatting to my nutritionist about my expectations and hopes for weight loss. In all honesty I couldn't say. A number feels terribly arbitrary and not very helpful. A big motivation for me is to be able to play and run about more with my five year old as he grows up. My weight gain really curtailed my physical activity and now I'm so keen to live more of my life outdoors that, for me, success will feel like being able to cycle and climb hills without wheezing and sweating (actually walking up stairs without wheezing and sweating would be a good start). Beyond that my self image is important, but I have no idea what weight corresponds to when I look great again. Watching the numbers is clearly invaluable in terms of what you eat and how much exercise you do - but when you use numbers as your sole measure of success I imagine there's a danger you disappoint yourself even when your achievements are immense.

I agree with the others. You might just have slight Water gain and not a true weight gain. Drink some more water today.

I am trying to find the best birth control option after my sleeve. I don't want to take the pill due to the increased risk of blood clots and I have no experience with the IUD. I certainly don't want anything that will cause weight gain either Any suggestions??? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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

I have PCOS and have struggled with acne breakouts on my chin since college. I was prescribed Spironolactone when I was nineteen, and had taken it perpetually up until my surgery in August. It had initially given me flawless skin with invisible pores and a glow, so I was enamored by it. Even when it no longer was effective at preventing cystic acne, and contributed to my skin becoming parched and numerous health problems (including significant weight gain), I was terrified that if I stopped taking it I'd have an acne apocalypse. Still, I slowly eased off it prior to the surgery because I have very low blood pressure (unusual for being overweight) and was worried that taking it while I was consuming far fewer calories during the month of recovery would be problematic. I'm very happy to report that for the most part my skin has improved since surgery, and I never resumed taking the medicine. Spironolactone had been drying my skin out, causing the appearance of fine lines. My skin completely smoothed out and cleared up post surgery. My periods are also completely regular now. I think the weight loss has helped to alleviate PCOS, which in turn has helped with my acne. Stopping the medicine helped to prevent it from becoming so dry and irritated. My diet is also a significant factor because I'm not consuming nearly as many carbs or sugar as I was previously. The last awful breakout I had prior to surgery was following my birthday when I'd had cake and other sweets. For me, sugar is a definite culprit for my breakouts. For others it might not make a difference. Be very careful with taking B12 and other B Vitamins if you're acne prone. It's a bit paradoxical because they can actually help to heal and prevent acne for some people, but cause or exacerbate acne in others. The amount you're taking is also very critical. I had a horrific breakout right before Christmas that I am certain was caused by the B12 I'd added to my supplementation. It was a war zone of cysts and other funk all over my chin, and it took a month to heal. My dermatologist had given me B12, and I'd been taking it along with my Multivitamin (which has B12, but in a smaller quantity than what was recommended for VSG patients) without any problems. When I ran out of it I simply bought more B12 from Trader Joe's. I later realized that the problem was it was twice the amount of B12 as what my dermatologist had given me. I'd also begun taking Probiotics from Trader Joe's and believe they were fuel to the acne fire. Again it's something that for some people can be helpful for acne, and worsen it for others. I'd been taking it because of a Stanford medical study about how probiotics had helped VSG patients to lose more weight and prevent B12 deficiencies. Since I've stopped taking the B12 supplement and probiotics my skin has healed dramatically. I'm just taking the multivitamin and trying to be mindful about eating nutritiously.

I know Im late. I feel your struggle. I got sleeved in 2012 also. June 14th was my surgerversary. I put on 50 pounds in last couple years so I know your frustration. I manned up and went to see my doctor this past monday 6/20/16. I was sure he was going to go in on me for the late visit and for the gain but it was totally different. He said that I carried the weight gain well but said my blood pressure was high. Im 36 and too young to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure does not go with my outfit. LOL I even had to go back to sleeping with my CPAP machine. I was very discouraged but he told me to come back to see the Nut'ist and he wanted to see me in six months instead waiting a year. So Im paying attention to my diet and I walk an hour everyday. It feels like an up hill battle but Im determined to get back to were I was. You can do this. just take it one day at a time and know that you are not the only one who has fallen. If you need someone to hold accountable from now on the let me know. Sometimes I need that myself. I was a sexy fother mucker at my goal weight. LOL! Now I just feel like blah! Thats real talk. My wife likes the smaller me and I did too. She doesn't complain but I want to be healthier to be around for my family so thats my motivation.

@@smb1966 As far as artificial sweeteners are concerned, all have their disadvantages and research suggests using them sparingly. I have been told by both my PCP and surgeon that our bodies can actually process zero-calorie sweeteners as it would sugar, causing both weight gain and insulin resistance. I try really hard to use any type of sweetener in extreme moderation. I used to use Splenda for recipes, especially for baking as it worked great as a substitute for white sugar, even the BS Splenda was a great alternative to regular brown sugar. However, I have recently discovered Monk Fruit (in the raw) and it has made a wonderful substitute for Splenda and or white sugar. It doesn't have that licorice taste that Stevia has and it is much sweeter than white sugar. http://www.intheraw.com/products/faqs/monk-fruit-in-the-raw

Let me add my point of view. Surgery is not the solution it’s a tool. Those same issues you lacked self control over pre surgery will be there post surgery. You must be willing to put in the work to optimize your tool. I’m close to 11 years post op. I went from 384 to 210 with my surgery. 6 years in I stalled and put in the work myself and went from 210 to 164. How did I do it? I spent time in counseling. Learning how to love me. Resolving issues that caused a negative relationship with food. Every once in awhile they will pop up. But investing in healing has saved me. I didn’t need a cheerleader in the process. I needed someone to hold me accountable. I didn’t want sympathy for making the decision to eat crap. Call me out on my sh*t. I got rid of those who wanted me to fail and created a healthier circle of people who wanted me to succeed. I recently put on 20 lbs. I didn’t get depressed. I earned every pound gained. I knew where I slacked. I let Coronavirus get me. I owned it and set a plan that didn’t include starving. Currently down 10. Clothes fitting again. Plan to be back at goal by Thanksgiving. The decision to have surgery is extreme. And it’s going to take extreme responses to give you a reality check. The reality is you’re going to have to put in the work to lose the weight post op. And that requires being called out on behaviors that may have need brushed under previously. It’s hard but it’s needed. Hit me up anytime on IG: @bariatricbutterfly. I work with women atleast 3 years post op experiencing weight gain and want to gain control on working their tool.

i'm lucky to have the hourglass shape, and i love being short, but i can't wait to be truly petite. all the women in my family are tiny (none of the men are heavy either...except my dad..we are the only ones). anyways, my mom is 4'10" and most of her life she weighed 85 lbs (she is a nice healthy 120 now, and she thinks she's fat :faint:..haha..she still wears a size 5...but i do joke with her that she just might be considered obese now.. (haha..she has bad health problems and really doesn't need any extra weight, but her new med's caused a quick weight gain..she always sayed things to me out of concern..so now i'm returning the favor..although she is almost 50 and i would rather her be an older woman with some meat on her bones...). anyways..back to the subject, i have a cousin who is the same as my mom 4'10" wears a size 0, a sister who has had 4 kids and is 5'0" and half my size...lol. only one girl in the whole family who is taller than me..... so, i'll be glad when we can go to christmas gatherings, etc., and i won't feel like the giant (hhahaha...it's hard to believe i'm the giant at 5'2").

I'm not sure if there's a WLS solution for heartburn in your case since you've already had bypass - that's usually the revision they recommend for sleeve for those sleevers who have severe heartburn (i.e. sleeve to bypass). Although maybe there's some other type of surgery (non-WLS- related) they can do for that?? Not sure. the only "revision" they can do for bypass is tightening the stoma, but I've read mixed reviews of that. And I've heard the same as the above poster - people usually lose about 20 lbs with that. as for insurance coverage, some policies will cover revisions if they're done for medical reasons (GERD is one - but then, you've already had bypass, but again, maybe there's some GERD specific medical treatment out there? Not sure). I don't think many policies, if any, would cover it for weight gain. I'd talk to your PCP or a bariatric surgeon. I don't know what your options are since you've already had bypass. Sorry you're going through this - GERD is awful!!

Dave...thank you for mentioning the weight gain. I cried when I weighed out before leaving...I was albs heavier than when they weighed me in. And I was in and out in 5 hours. Almost broke my heart to go up that much in 5 hours. But now, this morning @ home I've lost 4 of the 8 (survey was yesterday) and the gas is finally coming out

Dave...thank you for mentioning the weight gain. I cried when I weighed out before leaving...I was albs heavier than when they weighed me in. And I was in and out in 5 hours. Almost broke my heart to go up that much in 5 hours. But now, this morning @ home I've lost 4 of the 8 (survey was yesterday) and the gas is finally coming out

Moon, sorry to hear about your troubles. The one thing that I have heard is that if you are not getting enough protein then one of the side effects is hair loss. The other is weight gain. If you are not eating enough protein, then you must be eating too many carbs which leads to the weight gain. The pre-op diet with very high protein and very low carbs along with getting plenty of exercise should kick everything back in. Get back on your vitamins too, the B12, calcium and iron are very important. The B12 does help in the weight loss. Don't forget the 64oz of liquids a day. Good Luck and keep us posted.

Hi! It's been almost 1 year out (sleeved Dec 6th 2011) and I think I'm just gaining weight back. My lowest was 205 in the summer but now I weigh 235!! I had a rough summer with getting laid off so gained back some weight because of it and could not afford my vitamins. I got a new job now so am trying to lose weight again and taking the vitamins. My hair is falling out so is now very thin. I'm used to having a thick head of hair. Right now I put myself on a liquid diet for awhile so I can lose the 30 lbs and get back on track. I feel I should have lost way more by now so feel like a failure. My weight before surgery was 300+ and highest I been was 400. I'm still glad that I had the sleeve because there is no way I could have lost 70 lbs on my own. Does anyone have any advice on how I can get back on track?