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As a OB/GYN health care provider, I can tell you that the Implanon that you are using is fine if you are happy with it. It does have a small risk of weight gain, about 10 lbs over a 3 yr period. The only method I would NOT recommend would be the DEPO. It alters the way carbs are metabolized and can really put weight on. Increases appetite as well. The NuvaRing is excellent and would be a great choice as well Does not matter if you are obese. If you know you are not a reliable pill taker, then don't even consider. You do need to find a new PCP.

I've always been overweight, I have also been on NuvaRing for 10 years, not once has a doc or wls doc said its a cause for my weight. They also say I should continue to use it after surgery! I had the lapband with it and with revision I will continue to use it! I love and swear by it! Almost every method has to list "weight gain" as a side effect because they have hormones which can effect a woman's weight. But check it out, keep an open mind and find a new supportive pcp! There are a lot out there!

I had my original sleeve back in may 2015.. just had revision from sleeve to bypass on august 1.. have dropped 22 pounds so far. I also had the revision to bypass for GERD and also due to sleeve pouch stretching causing weight gain. I finally start solids in 2 days and looking towards seeing how my body reacts. Soo far i have tolerated everything i have consumed but everyone warns me of the first dumping symdrome attack i will experience eventually. Is been just over a month and i don't feel like i have a bypass. Puree and liquids go thru like nothing and do not know if this is normal or is the way is just supposed to be. I hear many stories of people who also say the same until they get to solids. My weight loss has sorta stalled right now but i have confidence once solids stage kicks in thing will pick up.. the sleeve is sorta like hit or miss and it all depends on each individual. Some people are a success and do not suffer from any symptoms or issues like GERD and have been able to maintain the weight loss very well. On the other hand now i am seeing that the sleeve is becoming sorta like when many people were getting their lap-band removed because of complications. The number of patients getting sleeve revisions is climbing. But goodluck to you on this journey and hope that you can finally have relief from your GERD

That was a little harsh! Anyway, if you look at the band as a lifestyle change, then I don't believe it does you any favours to unfill just so you can overeat. You can still enjoy the foods on your vacations, just less of them. I would find this even MORE enjoyable as you'll have a lot less guilt (and weight gain)!

I don't understand how you think that eating pizza and three slices at that is on the list of what you can eat foods. Nothing on your diet that you have listed is healthy. Especially all the soda you are drinking. Soda causes weight gain and hinders weight loss. I think the real problem here is you are eating with the same mentality you did before you got the band. I am not sayin a slice of pizza now and then is bad but no way can I now or before any fills could eat three slices of pizza. If you are just trying to make our hair stand up then you have done your job. If you seriously are eating like you stated then no way would any of us lose weight. I don't see why if you have good cuts of meat that are tenderly cooked that you can not eat them. Some days for me its hit and miss but the days that I can eat meat I take advantage of it. The days I cant eat meat I find other things that are healthy and not pizza and soda. You have to know that those things are what got you over weight to begin with. Why not some cottage cheese instead of meat with some fruit on it. Why not some nicely cooked seasoned beans. Your choice of foods is why you did not do well with the band so it probably is a good idea for you to get it out. If you don't change your eating habits once the band is in place then it will not help you do its job. You have to help. Point blank.

I am kind of scared of this. I have a prescription for nuvaring in my refrigerator, but my weight loss already feels slow - I don't think I need to set myself back by starting on it and gaining some back. Has anyone started nuvaring post-op and not had any weight gain/stalling?

Antidepressants are notorious for weight gain and impairing the ability to lose weight. I used to take Abilify and Pristiq. They messed up my blood pressure, so now I'm on Prozac and Rexulti, which is a better fit for me, but they're still not weight neutral. In the end I'll just have to lose more weight to counteract the weight impact of the medications.

Hang in there, I'm right behind you time wise, but you are way ahead of me weight loss wise. So be proud of that fact! I see that you are only in your 30's. Could the weight gain be due to it being that time or near that time of the month? I don't have that excuse any more. :scared2:

I have shared over the past year or so the many different struggles I have had with seeing myself accurately. I have had a couple of mental breakthroughs the last few weeks and I thought it might be insightful to some others who are struggling with the same thing. I am like 5# from goal now. I felt that my goal is high - it is like a 26 or 27 BMI and I kept wondering if I really should lose another 10-15 or 20 (or honestly is there a number that is enough?) amount less then that to get to a "proper" weight for my height. I have had some friends concerned about this because they keep telling me it is time to stop losing. I had the plastic surgeon tell me the same thing - I am at a good healthy attractive weight. Well, it is hard to believe that about yourself when the mirror keeps noticing every little imperfection. A few weeks ago I went to a trapeze party and yes I swung on a flying trapeze (terrified, but did it). The photos from that party made me realize that I am thicker then the 20 year old waif girls but thinner then pretty much every one over 40. I am fitter then most of them too. A good friend loaned me a dress for a work related 1970s themed party that I was so nervous about. That being dressed up and being SEEN. Well, the dress was a modest outfit - I went Saturday Night Fever theme. She is average sized and I never believed her dress would fit me. I slipped it on - a fitted medium - and it was pefect. No shapewear squeezing me in, i just fit a medium, fitted, nonstretch costume. Even I couldn't deny that it made me seem so... normal sized. Then, I went to this big work related event where I was declared attractive, not just by people who know and love me. For the first time in my adult life, I felt like an attractive, normal looking woman. It is such a strange thing to think about isn't it.... when you have always felt everything from lumpy frumpy all the way to huge. Last night, I was waiting for a friend outside of a restaurant and got a whistle from a passing vehicle. I was wearing a winter coat over my leggings and boots - hardly dressed provocatively. In my past, I would have assumed alot of different things about that event.... but this time i had to turn away so no one could see my smile. I am not invisible anymore. I am 48 years old and for the first time in memory, I am not invisible, I am not frumpy, I am not embarrassed to be seen. I dress nice, wear stylish clothes and shoes, do up my hair and makeup - I look better then I did when I was 28 when I was frumpy and dressed like I was trying to hide. I am shocked that my looks have held up so well to time and all the weight gain and loss but I bet alot of it is my attitude. I like me pretty dang well and just feel like I have finally given myself permission to shed the fatsuit. Yes, I still want to have that tummy tuck, but even if I never do... that will be okay too.

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

So yesterday wasn’t a great for me as far as following my diet. I weighed myself yesterday morning at 309.2 and this morning, the same scale, is reading 315-317!!!!!!!! I am not proud but yesterday I did eat more often than I should have. I had egg salad(without bread))for a snack and I usually do not snack. I also had part of a sno cone which did have sugar. I’m just unsure how there was such a dramatic increase in weight. TMI, But I will also add I have used the bathroom. I know you shouldn’t weigh everyday but I have never “gained” so much in one day even before surgery. I could go to a buffet and still not gain so much! Hw-378 Sw- 363 (2/27/18) CW-310.6

What's everyone planning on doing for staying active? I know we have to walk, walk, walk. But anything else in addition to that? I have always been a "thick" girl but my horrible weight gain started after I dislocated my knee cap at the gym in 2012. No bueno. It was on a Saturday so I was rushed to the ER but the military didn't understand how serious it was so they delayed my MRI until that Wednesday. When my doctor got the results he called me and told me he didn't realize it was that bad and had me off my knee for several weeks. It was too late for surgery and I had to do conservative rehab. Since then I have gained 70lbs. Granted, I had a baby 16 months ago but still...that's a lot of weight. So I am very eager to get back to working out. I plan on starting out walking only for the first two weeks. Doctors orders. And then adding light weights for the next two weeks after that. I bought a 4lb bar - very light, I know, but I am going to kill my arms with reps each time I use it. Then I don't know what I'm going to do. I love Zumba but the class I go to is really hard core. I am a licensed instructor myself (not practicing) so I know hundreds of routines. I might just start doing that at home for a month to get back into it. I also have a membership at Orangetheory fitness. Anyone heard of it? I put my membership on hold until March...that's also pretty hardcore - HIIT on the treadmill for 30 minutes plus 30 minutes of weight training. If I stuck with that I would probably go 3 times a week at first. I've recently seen ads on tv for Shaun T's new dvd set - Cize - which is another dance program (I love dancing, can you tell? I was a cheerleader in high school and on the dance team in undergrad). I don't know anyone who's tried it. One appealing thing about it is that it uses actual hit songs that are popular right now which I find very motivating! But anyways, what are some of y'alls plans for working out post-op?

so i started on thyroid medication & lost 5lbs & i feel like maybe thus may have been the culprit for my weight gain. i was doin a pre-op diet & was not losing at all! now since i started the meds, i feel so much clearer now; no foggy mentality like before & my mood is even cheerful now, it's like I'm back. so I'm questioning "what if" this was my problem. did anyone else go through this? or may it be a coincidence? my procedure is in the 30th, so I may be getting cold feet too.... hhhmmmm....

I already have a baggy tummy -- four ten plus pound babies, two c-sections, and a lifetime of rollercoaster weight gain and loss. Part of my drive to get my band this year is because I want to have my tummy fixed when I turn 50 (so that gives me two years to find the new me). I have to say though, I am more excited than anything else. I have only lost a few pounds so far, but I found cheekbones I had forgotten were there. Bring on the new, saggy, skinny me. I think at least she will be able to do the stairs without gasping....

Hello all, I had the lap band done in august 2009. I was given 8 hours to recover and discharged..this from a "center of excellence"...well i was given liquis roxicet...and no other instuctions as to my other meds i should take. I went through withdrawl from my pain meds since i have polymyositis...i couldnt beleive it! Less than 2 weeks later i was at a camping site having my family wait on me hand and foot...just enjoying it...then outta no where...POP...N PAIN LIKE U WOULDNT BELEIVE!!! my beely looked like i was carrying sextuplets...it was shiney and purple from the distention...911 was called...2 ambulance rides..and enough pain meds to bring down a horse (as the paramedic said) i was still in so much pain i went into shock! I should have known that this journey would be hell for me. I was told by my dr that he found nothing unusual....SERIOUSLY!!! whey DID I WAKE UP IN ICU 2 DAYS LATER, WITH A NASO GASTRIC TUBE AND ALL TYPES OF DRAINAGE TUBES..PIC LINE 2 IV'S???? After that my hell began...first cpl of months where ok besides the sliming and vomiting... i lost 123 lbs in total...but i paid the price...i laid on the couch to weak and in too much pain tp do anything but vomit up even Water..my hair was falling out in clumps...i had rashes all over my body..dark bags under my eyes..then it got scary...i started to pass out and have seizures. my dr told me all my blood work was fine and i needed to eat more SO I COULD ABSORB THE NUTRIENTS!well if my labs where fine then why would i need to eat ( and vomit) more for the nutrients?! finally my husband had it...took me to mass general...was told it was not "in my head" and yes i was hyper sensitive since i was having a severe allergic reaction to the band...and it should have never been put in since i have an auto immune disease!! Mass general contacted my doc and i was in later that week to haver it out...so needless to say 6 abdominal surgeries later and countless tests in a lil wary. since my band was removed i have gained 90 lbs back in the first 6 months.. diabetes and high blood pressure is back...and not to mention the pain i suffer from all this weight gain, i have wanted to get the vertical sleeve now since the removal..(and i wasnt about to let that dr do the revision after the removal). Thank you for the website and stories...this makes me more at ease with my decision to move foward..did anyone else have a horrific outcome like this? i mean i researched the center and the doc..i am in health care so i knew his reputation in the community...i guess i got him on his bad days...sigh..again ty for the time and place to vent!...GOD BLESS...AND GOOD LUCK ON YOUR JOURNIES!

Have you ever heard, misery loves company...well thats what is going on. I'm a christian woman who use to be very athletic, but due to a knee injury and weight gain..I'm unable to lose. I firmly believe God wants the best for us. Our bodies are a temple in which we need to keep in good condition. She is taking the word out of context and using it for her own reasoning. If it isnt for her so be it,,but don't make you feel bad. Do you!!! A real friend would support you not be judgemental. I'm having my surgery on July 12, and its about me not anyone else. Get your life...health back...l will keep you in prayer. Chanel

So glad to find this post because I am also over 2 years out with my band and lost 65 pounds the first year and then put on 30 pounds the next year. I am really struggling, but like the suggestions here. I have a terrible addiction to sweets which seem to go down just fine with the band so I know my weight gain is due to too many calories in and little to no exercise. It is time I get back in control and like the idea of going back to the shakes. Thanks so much for the advice. I should have come on here a long time ago. It is nice to know that I am not the only one struggling.

That sounds so amazing!! That is how I want to feel!! I'm scheduled for surgery Oct 7 and I feel your joy in your words. I would like to know is it easy to gain weight back? If you can gain does that mean you need a fill? I read a lot about weight gain and I'm just trying to still to figure it all out. Thanks so much!! Keep up that great work you inspire me!

Monday, September 14, 2009 10 minutes, 10 months, 10 years Talked with my 7th grade girls group about the 10,10,10 principle, which is a way of helping you make decisions. We make decisions just about every moment and we need to ask ourselves what would the results be, good and bad, 10 minutes from now, 10 months from now, and 10 years from now. I thought about how that applied to food and how something that looks good right now and would satisfy our craving right now (or maybe not) ends up cumulatively as weight gain 10 months down the road which 10 years down the road puts us on the path of high blood pressure, high, cholesterol, high blood sugar, and prone to heart disease, strokes, Alzheimers, breast and colon cancer, Dr.s' bills, food bills, wardrobe bills, loss of income from not being able to work as well or at all, shame, etc.,etc., etc. Of course, for my kids, the consequences of bad decisions now, like just going outside and walking around at night in high risk neighborhoods, can be fatal. Told them I didn't want to be visiting their graves, or their jail cells, or them struggling to raise 3 babies from 3 different fathers. None of them thinks any of that could ever happen to them, but they were almost all telling about dangerous situations with kids showing them guns, bangers trying to sweet talk them, predators trying to talk them into their vehicles, and they find it very exciting. The part of their brain that foresees the potential consequences of their actions is not fully developed until the mid-20s, but stupid actions we all took when we were young didn't usually have the severe consequences that my 7th graders are more likely to experience. Some of these consequences for bad choices didn't exist. HIV, getting shot, crack cocaine, meth--its not like there weren't drugs available but they weren't so instantly addictive. Teenage pregnancy existed but it wasn't as widespread, nor was it an accepted way of life. I'm hoping to give these kids a tool, 10-10-10 to get these kids to think beyond immediate gratification. 10 minutes from now, 10 months from now, 10 years from now. Puts things in perspective. For me, for them.

Do a split again? WOW! For ever doing one! I forgot a major one- my engagement and wedding bands were stuck on my hand for years due to my weight gain- and in the pre-op area they managed to get them off using a VERY painful method with wide dental floss tightening the finger and pulling them little by little. I have them on a gold chain now but want to lose enough to put them back on. And I can now weigh on my scale from childhood!!!! 249 today....

My stepson has a masters degree in coaching, he told me that for weight loss I should stick to a 65% rule. Walk on the treadmill or use the stationary bike and keep my heart rate at 65% of resting. For me at 40 years old, that is 117 bpm. He said this uses slow twitch muscle fibers which burn fat for fuel. Cardio is 80% of resting heart rate and burns sugar that is already in your bloodstream for fuel and this helps prevent weight gain. He said you need to keep your heart rate in this zone for 1 hour for results. Maybe try substituting this for your cardio for a week and see if it gets you better results.

Weight gain is possible in all facets of life banded or not, WE will watch our calorie intake and how quickly we eat, Our band and fills will help with our portions, WE will get thin and healthy and remain there, Amen,

Hi again Jack, I agree with you completely. I too have an interest in the psycology of weight gain & loss however I wonder if it's not a bit 'too much too soon 'for a lot of bandsters. I know myself that I am just so greatfull to have the band and it's finally working. Maybe down the track, if I'm no longer happy with my progress, I'll look at it more closely but right now I feel like I've won the lotto.

So, if I had my hyst to remove the faulty tubes and ovaries, is it possible that I still have the metabolic issues that go along with this disorder? Yes. However depending on the amount of weight lost it may have reduced the insulin resistance significantly. If this is the case, could this have been an issue with why I gained 76 lbs in less than one year back when I was 19 years old? Absolutely. Insulin resistance and obesity are inter- related with each other. Example, women pack on weight during pregnancy rather quickly. This is because the entire insulin axis tilts. From an evolutionary standpoint, gaining weight as fast as possible during pregnancy is good thing. It helps ensure the survival of the mother and child and ensures the mother can feed the child for months even if food was scarce. So the body cranks up the fasting insulin level which causes fast weight gain. Then you have issue like gestational diabetes pop-up. All related to each other. Conversely you have obese women who cant get pregnant who have PCOS. They lose 30 lbs and bango! (no pun intended :]) are pregnant in two or three months after weight loss. Similarly women with PCOS put on metformin can get pregnant even though they are still obese because it improves the insulin sensitivity which was causing the skipped periods and messed up ovarian function. Could it have been a factor in all my weight issues ever since and why I've been a slow loser even with the band? Absolutely. This is why its so important to curb your carbohydrate intake even after you get banded. You still have high fasting insulin levels for a while until some significant weight loss has occurred. Insulin release upon carb intake slows or stops your weight loss. 5% of Gastric bypass patients gain all their weight back! Why? They become sweet feeders. Same issue us banders have to watch out for. would having the hysterectomy/ovary removal have basically cured the metabolic issues associated?? The full hyst would not have cured the metabolic syndrome.

I had my lap band in 2003, I started at 215 & within the first year I lost 157lbs, & reached my goal weight, I had great success. At the end of my 9th year, i was vomiting quite often, couldn't get much food down, I had an esophagram & my lap band had slipped, so I had emergency surgery with my original surgeon & unfortunatly the damage was realy bad & it had to come out. So now I'm on month 3 without it & up 15 pounds. I have been eating healthy & exercising. I am very frustrated & so afraid of gaining any more weight back. Any diets known for those who had to have thier band removed????!!!! HELP