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I definitely never ever let anyone make up my plate. That just wont work long term for you. The reason i say that, as time goes by you will be able to eat more food and because it is there, likely you will. In the beginning I measured everything until i got used to what a real portion for me looks like. Now i can eyeball what food i can eat and am pretty good about not overeating. Even when i order in a restaurant i have learned to ask for a to go box and remove most of the food off of my plate right away. I do this because, i dont want to over eat and for some reason my husband is on a seefood diet. if he sees more food he will eat it. LOL and my weight loss has become his weight gain! So we have gotten good at sharing or stashing the extras away. Just tell Mom you would like to fill your own plate and choose only items you can and should eat. Protein and veggies.... I promise, you will get the hang of this.

I saw the nutritionist today. She said that I’m doing everything the way that I should. She recommended that I only drink one protein shake a day and make sure I add some carbs to my meals. She reassured me that this phase is the prep phase for my soon to be new way of living. She said that some people don’t lose weight before they go on the pre-op liquid diet. However, when I start that diet I will lose some pounds. All in all I feel better. She has not seen any weight gain due to protein brands, but think that my lack of a loss was due to too much protein. Now I am focused on eating 2 good nutritious meals, my 1 protein shake and listening to my body. I was trying to walk 5 days a week, but it’s hard when you work overnight. So I’ll do 2 days of walking at home. When I’m at the hospital walk up the stairs, take the long way to the units… anything to get mg heart beating and steps in. last thing… I thank you all for being there. This forum has been great.

You are still in that perfect honeymoon period where you can turn this around!! I had the sleeve in 2014 and I did great. I got lower than my goal, but then life got hard. I ate “slider foods” as they feel better going down than dense protein. I became obsessed with frozen coffees that are full of sugar. I hurt my neck and I had an ovary removed, the other tied, and had major hormonal changes. Boom, 40 pounds back on. It’s a struggle!! I am converting to bypass due to damage from severe reflux, not the weight gain. I am also looking at it as another chance to do it right. I refuse to fail.

My journey began around 3 years ago. I was under the treatment of a number of specialists most recently Endocrinologists. I received a diagnosis of Hypo-Pituitary and Hypo-Thyroid. I could not pursue weight loss surgery until I had a release from my endo. I received that approval in December 2010 and began my journey with Atlanta Bariatric and Dr. Christopher Hart. My insurance is Aetna and the approval I sought required 6 months weight loss consultations. I met with a primary care and a nutritionist. I was approved in August and my surgery to place on August 31, 2011. My highest weight was 567 with my endo and my weight before surgery was 479. I am sensitive to wheat and gluten, corn and potatoes. I was well aware of what I could not eat. I needed those six months to get a good idea and what I could eat and lose weight eating. In my teens and 20’s I had experienced some events in my life which caused me to want to alter my appearance. Believing that if I made myself unattractive I could keep myself out of harms way. In my 30’s I got the help that I needed and I realized that I myself was putting myself into harms way. But I struggled with ending this cycle of self-abuse. In my late 30’s I was married and lost my appetite with my second pregnancy. It never fully returned and I thought nothing of eating once a day. If I got hungry I knew the pain would eventually subside. So fast forward into my 40’s I commit to do a better job caring for myself, but my body refuses to respond. I start to get recurrent infections, my weight loss efforts plateau soon after diets start, and I just literally feel like I am slipping away. Maybe I waited too long. The weight loss Doctor told me that I needed to see a specialist because there was something going on internally that diet and exercise alone could not address. I went to Progressive Medical and they referred me to my first Endocronologist and after extensive testing I received my diagnosis Hypo-Pituitary and Hypo-Thyroid. You know when you receive medications that help in one area but can make you ill in others? Well that was my experience. We stopped the infections and lessened the fatigue. The trade off was weight gain and becoming Insulin resistant due to the medication. That was not an acceptable trade off for me. I changed Endo’s and was freed from the medication. My body was responding positively to the positive food choices and I was infection free. So here I am it is a new day and a new chapter in my life. I have learned so much about listening to my body and I have experienced so much love and support. I look forward to being apart of a community who happen to be headed in the same direction, Health and Joy and Peace.

Hi Im actually in the middle of the master cleanse right now. I am pre surgery though. You not only drink the lemonade but you drink a laxative tea at night and do a saline flush in the morning. Im doing it to cleanse my liver before surgery. The liver and kidneys process toxins in the body and when its overloaded with chemicals and antibiotices from your food it stores it in your fat so as you lose fat you release the toxins back into your body. Im hoping to eliminate the toxins BEFORE losing the weight. so my body liver and kidneys can focus on getting the fat out haha. but mostly because its good for your skin and other organs in the body. Im not hungry but I crave foods...talk about the epitome of weight gain. Eating not because your hungry but siply because you WANT something. haha. Im learning alot about myself. As for after surgery my only concern might be dehydration during the flush. Otherwise I dont see why you COULDNT do it.Hope this helped.

Historically, my weight has really jumped around seemingly without much "input" from me....I'd pile on 20 lbs here and keep it for a year and then suddenly drop 20 lbs in a month for NO reason, but the general trend was up a little every year. My eating habits have generally been WORST when I was thinnest....probably because I thought it was "okay". My most severe and most recent weight gain was different, however, because I started taking meds that made me hungry all the time--so yes, still small portions, but LOTS OF THEM. I'm looking forward to the sleeve, got the hubby on board, trying to choose a surgeon, and trying to MANAGE my expectations. If I expect to lose 10 lbs a week I will be let down and make bad choices if it doesn't happen.

I was very afraid....and I did gain. When I started the mushies phase I gained 3 lbs starting week 2 po. It happens, but it will come off. My surgeon told me to expect some weight gain bc the metabolism is adjusting from liquid to mushies to solids. I was so mad at first, but realized that it quickly came back off.

Get thee to a doctor!!! It could be weight gain or weight loss or could be any number of scary things. Don't mess with it. GO SEE A DOCTOR!!!! (end of tough love)

Let’s talk weight gain if you are researching. This thread is not to discourage you. Many people lose weight, have no complications and keep weight off long term. It’s a good idea to understand weight regain and reasons for revisions. Information is power. The work does not end after goal. This may help you get in a mindset that this is lifelong work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7zBjwtL51M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKBfkTqcwVo

D1, I chose para guard cuz there r no added hormones or expected weight gain. Mirena has hormones just like depo did and I didn't wanna risk more gaining. My periods are normal. I get them and sometimes I don't, I really wanted something that I didn't have to think about taking each day, having my cycle wasn't a concern for me.

Wow, there's clearly more to this than I had considered! I hope to lose around 30kgs, I eat one small meal a day and will usually have one snack, I haven't counted calories nor do I know my MR, I rarely exercise (very sore joints), I have an exocrine disease and some of my meds are renouned for weight gain. I suppose I wonder if moving ahead with the operation will actually help on my circumstances.

You are quite right. After surgery, you shouldn't have carbonated beverages. Although I haven't seen any studies on this, I suspect the carbonated bubbles create microscopic explosions in the stomach that stretches the pouch. As your stomach gets microscopically larger, it allows you to eat more. Over time using carbonated beverages produces a larger stomach and weight gain. Also it accounts for why when I went cold turkey with diet cokes, my stomach got slightly smaller and I lost weight.

I have been drinking Cokes for the past 50 years or so. During the initial trials on "flip-top cans", I was one of the subjects interviewed. That is how long I have been drinking them. Around 10 years ago, I transitioned to Diet Cokes because I was gaining too much weight. That transition didn't stop my weight gain. When I applied for Bariatric Surgery, I was told that I had to give up caffeine and carbonated beverages. Generally I had a 6 cokes a day habit. So I went cold turkey. I didn't realize how addictive cokes were. My body experienced major withdrawal symptoms. My whole body ached for two weeks, every joint in my body seemed to ache. But then after two weeks, the pain went away. I have not had a carbonated beverage for the past year and a half. By the way, when I gave up Cokes, I lost 20 pounds of weight just based on that change alone.

Hi Heather- I have been reading this post and wanted to say that I hear your dilema. I was first banded in 2006 and it worked like a charm. I was very happy and lost weight...until........I started having reflux like I couldn't believe!! I was waking up in the middle of the night and I couldn't catch my breath! My throat was burning! It was aweful! Finally after having fluid removed little by little I had an xray that revealed a slip. First step was to remove all the fluid to see if band would move itself back. It didn't. That was the beginning of my dreaded weight gain! The dr.'s answer was to give me a new band. In 2009 I got new band and things just haven't been the same. It's not the same band, but supposedly a new & improved band. I just know its a bigger band that has taken a lot more adjustments for fills. (Funny at the time of getting second band my dr. mentioned a sleeve, but I had no idea what it was) I have gained almost all of my weight back and I am totally discourage & depressed by my new band. I am seriously considering talking to my dr. about a sleeve. From what I gather it people seem to be really happy with it. I am sure there are some drawbacks, although I haven't heard any of them. But keep talking to your doctor and others. Take your time in making your decision then you can be sure you will make the best decision for you! I wish you the best of luck & keep us posted!

short story - i will probably be prescribed anti-depressants. However, I want to be careful about what I'm prescribed because I've heard that some cause weight gain (even if the manufacturer claims different). Please tell me your experience with antidepressants. Any that, in your opinion, i should definately avoid? I'm terrified of going backwards but I know I'm going to need it, maybe long term since depression runs in the family and my home situation is not good right now.

Has anyone taken Pristiq? Does it cause weight gain?

I had surgery two and a half years ago. I, too, had an extremely traumatic childhood, part of which involved being frequently left home alone without food. That obviously led to a host of eating/food issues and a considerable weight gain in adulthood. I've lived with a fear of starvation since childhood, so was also concerned about whether I could go through the various eating stages for the surgery. What really bolstered my confidence was when I was able to severely restrict my food intake a few weeks *before* the surgery, paring down my calories to about 800/day, which is what I would live on for the year after surgery. After the initial fear wore off, it actually became easy. I was really shocked at how easy it was. Plus, I was lucky to have weekly therapy to discuss my progress and concerns. The surgery resulted in my losing my lifelong fear of starvation. My brain now knows that there is always food available to eat, that I won't be threatened with hunger, etc. It has been really uplifting. I hope this happens for you, too, whatever your childhood issues were.

that medication you started the side affect listed on it is possible weight gain. But lets start there at your food habits... Are you still eating healthy? making sure to limit carbs and sugars? or are you just eating whatever? I am only 9 months out and i dont feel the restriction i did 5 months ago. I can eat much larger portions than before. The goal tho is to limit those portions regardless. The goal is not to eat until you cant anymore. Its to eat until you are satisfied. not full but good. Not sure what else you can do with surgery. you already had the sleeve and then bypass which is what most people go to when they gain too much weight after sleeve or have GERD issues.

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.

Hello everyone, My surgery is rearing it's head, coming up on March 24th so I thought I would give you some insight on my journey. Maybe you can relate, maybe not. If my story resonates with one person than I am glad I posted! I decided to look into weight loss surgery 2 1/2 years ago when I hit an all time high of 318lbs. After numerous failed attempts at weight watchers, hcg, medifast... you name it.. I knew something had to be done. I suffer from depression and PTSD. A huge part of my weight gain can be directly related to events in my childhood. I grew up in a well off family, I never starved or had to worry about not having food. It was one year after I was sexually abused by a family member (more than once) that I began noticing I was bigger than the other kids in my class. Prior to this I was modeling for ABC kids and teens and had a very supportive loving family who encouraged me to be who I wanted to be, my entire life my parents have supported me in every decision (lucky). I never said anything to my parents about being sexually abused because I thought it was my fault and I was embarrassed. I didn't want to hurt my parents or feel like I let them down. I struggled with this weight on my shoulders for about 15 years of my life until 2 years ago when I sought out therapy and someone to talk to. I didn't want to be on anti depressants any longer or anxiety medication because I didn't feel like I was living but merely existing. It was time I figured out a healthy way to cope. Through therapy I was able to come to a lot of realizations just by finally talking to someone about it and reflecting (as hard as that was). One of the realizations I had during therapy was that I was eating A] because I felt it was the only thing in my life I could control and B] because I was using my weight as a shield, as comfort, as protection. I thought if I was big people could not and would not want to abuse me. During my two years of therapy I got off of all of my medications, and gained more weight and hit an all time high of 343. Now I was eating for comfort because of all of these repressed memories I was dealing with and without medication. I was self-medicating with food. Once I had this realization I sought out to get educated on EVERYTHING I was putting into my body. All those words in the ingredients you cant pronounce, I looked them up and read how they affected my body and how my body breaks them down or doesn't. It is amazing how a little education and self discovery can shift your relationship with food! I have recently lost 45 lbs since I have changed my relationship with food. I can finally say I am at a place where I can now eat to live and not live to eat. I spent a lot of time working on me before I decided I was "ready" for WLS. Once I decided I was ready I attended several classes on mastering weight management. This is not something I have taken lightly as I really want to be a better person and live my life for me. This is my second chance at life, better yet the chance I felt was robbed from me. I wanted to be as emotionally, mentally, and physically prepared as I possibly could be before starting this new chapter in my journey, to ensure I would have nothing short of success on what I was about to set out to do. I know this was a long read so thank you to those of you who stuck with me here. P.S. I am so ready! :-D

i was banded on the 15th and when i came home tuesday evening and weighed myself, I was 7 pounds more heavy than i was the day of surgery. Today which is two days after surgery, im still the same. Did anyone else go through this as well and know what it is caused by??

I don't know about you but candy (sugar) was a big culprit in my weight gain. No candy for me. Also, in the 12 weeks of classes I took prior to surgery I was told spicy things can hurt my new tummy and gum is out because it creates gas. If I continue to do the things I did prior to this surgery then nothing will change and I will not have the results I'm looking forward to. I personally want to change my life and make healthier choices and live life not confined by my body. Old behaviors must die for me.

First of all, I'm so sorry for the difficult situation. It is a truly heartbreaking road to walk, and our hearts are with you. Second, @catwoman7 is spot on here. Its VERY unlikely to be 2 pounds of true weight gain. So give yourself lots of grace to navigate this season, and turn your attention back to your weight when your mental energy allows.

I just got off the phone with UHC and they basically said I can't be denied because of weight gain/loss or staying the same. That said I do think that I've been eating "bad" because subconsciously I might be feeling like this is my last "hurrah" if that makes sense. Kinda like going crazy before you go to prison. Like food jail. Isn't that terrible? I definitely wasn't doing it purposely so who knows. I do have to put my foot down though and start preparing. Thanks Ladies!!!

Weight gain after surgery is normal from all that sailine they pump you full of. Drink lots of water and it will be gone in no time