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Thanks everyone. I look forward to reading and posting more often to this site. If I ever find the magic cure of estrogen and weight gain I will be a happy camper :clap2: How does one add the weight goal ruler? Thanks, Judy 7/22/05 Dr. Hamn 250/192/140

Megan, Bright, Alex, You guys are so witty. Megan: Great thread. Most obese people think all of these things, but rarely share them with others because they don't think they will be understood especially by slender people. I do not know why I am obese other than the fact that I eat too much. I have never tried to pin it down to one specific or multiple things that occurred in my life that contributed to my weight gain. Way too deep for me!!! Yes, I come from a dysfunctional family, yes, I was mentally abused and physically abused as a child and yes I had at least one parent who forced me to eat everything on my plate and threatened me if I left food there. Would talking to someone about these issues help me? Probably to some degree, but I think I would benefit more from therapy to help me with some of the changes you mentioned rather than thrive on the past and why I got this way. I worry about lots of things; will I still feel the same way about my husband or will he feel the same way about me? Himself? WIll I want to take up skydiving or do something totally outrageous that was taboo before because of my weight? I got lots of questions... Bright: I am getting more and more excited for you as the big day comes! By the way, early eighties fashion is making a big comeback!!! Alex: Remember that one of the greatest strengths you have is the advice that you give others. Not many people are capable of this, so this is a wonderful asset which you have and I always enjoy your posts even if I have a difference of opinion. At least as far as this board goes, I have never thought that you were observing life from the outside. And from your photo, you look absolutely beautiful, so I am surprised to hear that you do not think you get lots of male attention now, but it is true that you will get more later! Babs in TX 334/289/180 6/23/03

I never shut up about it, it sneaks into all my posts! I am a passionate runner! During my weight loss phase, I ran a LOT - an hour six days a week, sometimes an hour and a half. All of that cardio stripped the weight off my body. Longer term, I've toned it down a bit. I love it so much, I want to be able to do it forever. I fulfilled a desire to do a half marathon, but my body is not really built for running, I'm an enthusiastic runner, not a gifted one. I stick to about 7 or 8kms maybe 4 times a week now - its just enough to keep the weight off, keep me keen, but not to get sore knees, hips and heels. Other days I do a bootcamp session, that's INTENSE! One day is cardio, the other strength training and he's just introduced a boxing session also. I'm going to drop the cardio session (I get plenty with my running) and do the boxing instead. Its a good balance for me, I manage to fit it all in around full time work. At the moment, I'm also running 3kms at lunchtime 3 days a week because I'm training the grade 3 to sixes for the upcoming cross country. Lots of cardio based stuff with bodyweight strength training works for me - I like to look long and lean, I dont have a great deal of muscle, but I like the look of the body I have and dont really want more. I can eat what I want without worrying about weight gain too.

Thought I would update... Day 2 and I am retaining these dang fluids. I decided to hop on my scale for my weekly Friday weigh, and put on 4 pounds... 4!!! I'm not happy. I'm kind of hoping that this is a norm. Maybe the Fluid retention is because my body is confused as to why I'm not feeding it solid food! Either way, I am NOT happy at the moment and feel bloated and miserable, and HUNGRY! I talked to my BFF who is doing this with me tonight, and she told me she is feeling the same way, so at least I'm not the only one miserable, and you know what they say about misery loving company! I'm not trying to discourage anyone, just thought I would fill you in. I knew it wasn't going to be fun, but I did not expect the bloating, and weight gain the first couple of days in.

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.

I am new here. I am looking for support and friends that are in the same weight loss surgery boat! I was sleeved in Aug 2016. I have lost very slowly and actually have gained 19 pounds. I take a medication that causes weight gain (although my dr. says it is unknown as to why it causes gain) and I am struggling with eating when I am not hungry and don't exercise at all anymore. I really need to be on top of all the things (eating every 2-3 hrs, staying off the sweets, drinking enough water, eating enough protein, exercising) I need to do even more so as the meds make it additionally hard to loose. I don't have any friends who've had wls and the support here is lacking. I am so concerned that I will not be able to loose any more...yet, I know that I am not doing what I need to do in order to loose. Anyone out there had any success while being on meds that make it difficult to loose or far too easy to gain?...or have any other advice? Thanks.

the scale showed a weight gain for me between my 1 week visit and my 1 month visit. I believe it is because at the 1 week visit I was dehydrated and hadn't yet eaten anything so my body was empty - so the scale registered an extra 10 lbs of weight loss that had nothing to do with fat. Don't worry about the scale at this point. As long as you are following the diet plan, the weight will come off at whatever pace your body thinks is right for you. and just wondering....is your name a sports or school reference or do you have bulldogs? asking because I have an English bulldog.

I'm glad to hear that you went to the doctor and are getting things checked out. It is best to get some answers. If you don't already know, prednisone will cause a temporary weight gain so don't be alarmed if you don't lose while on it.

My nutritionalist said we also get more blood which weights. Its prob not true weight gain. Stay calm track ur food and stay on track.

Wow, super long and didn't get ALL of it but I promise I will come back and read every word and reply again. Just wanted to say Hi and tell you to look at my stats...very similar but my weight gain has been steady up with less "way downs" than you. Banding BMI was 38, I think. I am 5'5". I am also a little older. Anyhow, it's possible. Have hope. Look at the Before-After Pics Thread.

SOunds like me too! In high school I was 170 or so, 4 years ago I started zoloft and my anxiety disorder got me down to 180-190. Everyone asks me why I can't lose it like I did 4 years ago and I never explain but the truth is that starting zoloft (which doesn control my appetite now since my body is used to it), having uncontrolled anxiety, and have liquid bowel movements for a year is a great way to lose weight, but not healthy! I was like the chubby kid in grade school. The "full figured gal" in high school. 175 or so when I was 18. Up to 245 when I was 20 Back down to 185 or so when going thru the above mentioned. And then back to 245 (BMI 38) I was pro-active in getting surgery b/c I am only 26 but I see that pattern of weight gain every year and I knew in my heart it wasn't going to change. I have nothing I would have thought as "co-mobities" but I do have kneee problems and back problems, acid refulx and a hiatal hernia. Before the the surgeons I saw found out my insurance wouldn't cover the band they said my problems could be "co-morbidities" so don't give up on that idea just b/c you don't have the "typical" ones like diabetes and high blood pressure. Anyways, point is, as hard as it is to face, statistically your weight will continue to go up yearly. Only you can change that number, and if you need a band to do it then so be it - I mean, this site wouldn't exist is there were people left and right that could do it on thier own! As far as the surgery - I had mine one week ago like exactly to the minute and it was not to bad. I was knocked out before I knew it, and the incisions are so small - I've looked way worse falling off a bike! Good luck in whatever you choose!

I was told by my surgeons office that there was a 90% chance of me being denied due to a 7lb. weight gain during the three month nutritionist program. I was initially told if I gained weight it would not matter by my nutritionist but now that my paperwork has been submitted I have been told differently. I followed her plan exactly as she told me and still gained 7lbs. Two of my three weigh in I was very bloated due to water retention which she noted so hopefully they look at the whole picture. I called my insurance company in a panic because I really want this. They suggested in the mean time I go ahead and make another appoint with my nutritionist and lose as much weight as I can before that visit so that if I am denied I will be able to appeal right away with proof of weight loss. Her other suggestion was that I do one of the many pre op diets from now until then ( August 12th). She told me my best choice would be two liquid diets (protein shakes or smoothies) and one sensible meal at lunch or dinner time. Do any of you agree with this method? At this point I am willing to do whatever it takes to have this surgery. I made the appointment for August 12th so I would be doing this for the next nine days because I plan on starting Sunday. I was told if I was approved by the appointment to cancel it.

Hi everyone, I'd like to share a horrible experience I had this past weekend while attending a holiday get together with family. This is a pretty long post so I apologize in advance for any long winded-ness. I was banded back in July of this year. So far, I have had no complications and few, if any, side effects. I have had one fill and so far have lost 73 pounds. I have been very pleased with my experience and results and I do not want anyone to think that the following story is meant as a deterrent to those considering the lap-band, or gastric surgery in general. I am sharing this as a way to provide a perspective from a first hand experience with band abuse/misuse. A little background: I have struggled with binge eating disorder since childhood. A lot, if not the majority of people on this forum, can relate to this. I was diagnosed at a young age with major depressive disorder, and I believe that the eating disorders that have plagued me my whole life are a direct result. During a major episode I would purposefully and mindfully eat until experiencing severe abdominal pain. Looking back I can recognize this as an act of self harm. These episodes ultimately led to stomach stretching and weight gain. I struggled with weight my whole life, and after hitting my highest weight of 325 and my blood pressure reaching stroke level, I decided enough was enough. I took a long, hard look at how I was living my life and did extensive research on how I could turn things around. I knew my track record with weight loss (up and down, on and on), and after reading and talking to a few doctors, I decided bariatric surgery was for me. The rest is history. I have done very well sticking to the prescribed diet. I recognize real hunger cues, head hunger, and signals that I am full or satiated. I only keep good, nutritious food in the house and when I eat out I preplan my meals. I track my calories and macros and micros. My Water intake is on point. I work out hard 3x a week. I made the lifestyle change happen and have stayed on track. That is, until this weekend. My husband and I traveled to his parents' home for an early Christmas celebration as I have to work during the holiday weekend coming up. Extended family were in attendance, presents were exchanged, and of course, there was a plethora of food. All of it fabulously rich and fatty. Some absolutely swimming in cream or oil. Every single item smelling and tasting delicious. As the evening wore on my guard dropped more and more. A bite here, a nibble there, and before I knew it I was painfully full. By the end of the festivities I was miserable, my stomach feeling stretched taut like a balloon. Feeling guilty and sluggish, I retired to the sofa after helping with the clean up. Sitting bolt upright, I concentrated on relaxing and allowing the food to travel through the band and into the lower part of my stomach. After some time, I felt enough relief to shower and retire to bed with my husband. I chocked it up to poor planning and bad decision making and resolved to learn from the experience and get back on track in the morning. Around 2:00 AM I began experiencing the absolute worst abdominal pain I had felt in my entire life. I can only describe it as someone reaching inside of me and trying to squeeze and rip out my stomach while I was alive and conscious. All of it was located in my stomach. I was not experiencing intestinal cramps or discomfort. I did have some mild nausea but nothing that indicated to me right then that I may need to vomit. I chewed some Tums. After the powder hit my stomach I immediately felt the urge to vomit. The problem with vomiting with the band is, if the food has already moved past the stoma created by the band, then it is near impossible to actually produce any vomitous. Each time I wretched small amounts of mucus or saliva were produced, but little more. I tried drinking small sips of water, only to have it come right back up. The pain only became worse and worse. I became pretty scared at this point. My husband kept asking if I needed him to take me to the ER. I held off, thinking "if I can just wait it out, maybe it will go away." I also knew with the symptoms I was presenting any small town hospital would just pop me with some phenergan, maybe give me a GI cocktail, and send me home with a huge bill. My husband was concerned my band my have slipped, which was a major possibility at this point. My father-in-law heard me wretching and came out to check on me. The pain in my abdomen was so severe that I was unable to even sit down. He offered me a phenergan tablet and a lortab. I took both, hoping maybe I could hold them both down long enough to get some pain relief and to stop dry heaving. (I know, I know, never take anyone's medication but your own. But I had scripts for both of these things at home). Suddenly, after 5 more minutes of suffering, I felt it coming. I can only liken it to the pulling back of the shores of an ocean before the tsunami. You just knew something bad was coming. I knew right then sh*t was about to get REAL. I ran to the bathroom, and almost immediately everything came up. I finally, FINALLY vomited, but it was not the cathartic experience vomiting normally is. The narrow opening of the band creates a high pressure area, and it takes a ridiculous amount of force to get partially digested food from the lower part of the stomach back into the pouch and then up and out of the esophagus and mouth. I'm trying to NOT be completely disgusting, but it was very much like when you place a thumb over the end of a water hose. With the force of a thousand suns, out cam every rich, fatty, and greasy piece of food I had eaten earlier in the evening. The pain was magnified 10 fold for the duration and I felt like my head was going to explode. I have never in my life had my abdominal muscles work in such a fashion. But finally, mercifully, after everything came up, the pain and nausea were immediately gone. Afterwards I went to bed and slept like the dead. Being so thankful that I was no longer in such searing pain I didn't notice the aftereffects of my episode. I have petechiae covering my cheeks, nose, temples, and forehead. It is so severe it looks from a distance like a bad sunburn. I have included two photos of this. The hard lesson I learned from this is that I can never, EVER become comfortable or complacent now that I have been banded. Just one night of poor decisions can cause serious damage. I know that I am very lucky that I didn't have a band slip. I don't ever want to experience that kind of pain again. My stomach can no longer handle the kinds of foods I used to eat all the time. Be careful this holiday season, my friends. Do your best to stay on track while enjoying time with family this year. I discovered on my own that it is all too easy to fall into the over-eating trap again, and I paid for it.

Ok so I've met with my nutritionist once so far. I had gained 4 lbs when she weighed me from the time I met with the surgeon at 284 and she weighed me at 288. My question is will I automatically be denied from that initial weight gain? If I'm able to lose that weight by my next visit, which is on October 16, and continue to either lose or maintain that weight will I not be denied. I'm just getting really worried over that initial gain. I also think it's a bit ironic that the very thing we're getting surgery for could wind up denying us the surgery that would help alleviate that problem. Ugh, oh well, please if anyone has some info about Aetna and all this please respond! Thanks!!

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A weight gain of something like 20lbs could actually make the band tighter again if u have put on visceral fat around your tummy, the same goes if u lose weight the band will often loosen .. i would contact your doctor but just onto liquids for a few days too.

I wouldn’t advice on Bariatric Advantage Vitamins. They are a complete waste of money. They made me nauseous each time I took them. Worst of all the bottles did not have complete information on the ingredients. There was some info missing. I take Calcium in malate chelate 1200 mcg in a serving of 4 capsules, Multivitamins in multi-standard formula and 1 Vitamin b12 sublingual in the form of methylcobalamin with 1000mcg.I get all these vitamins from Vita4Life. As for Biotin supplement I would advise hair skin and nail vitamin from vita4life. They offer biotin and msm supplements that in combination work great for your hair skin and nails. I personally hate chewables. They make me barf each time and I hate the idea of chewing for over two minutes and then swallowing. As per weight gain, I have not noticed any after surgery. I guess it all depends on your diet.

Hi. Many of you followed my story as I went through hell with complications from surgery. 6 hospital stays, feeding tubes, ambulance etc..... I went through hell to finally be OK. I went from 308 to 171 as of this past March. I looked great and felt great. But....... A heavy depression set in early this year. Work stress, marital issues, financial issues etc..... I got so depressed I tried to take my life twice!! I am blessed I survived twice I know this. After hospital stays to get better they put me on meds including abilify which is notorious for weight gain. I've gained 40lbs in 4 months and have been as high as 216 for a low a few months ago of 171. Depression is setting in as I went thru hell to get to that 171 now I'm obese again. Had to buy bigger clothes each month. I'm shocked with the sleeve how much I can eat now. The meds slow the metabolism and make it to where I'm not even aware how much I am eating. Please help, how do I get the weight off now? 40lbs seems daunting when sleeve doesn't seem to be helping anymore. I am sorry if this post disappoints many. I'm doing better mentally, no thoughts of hurting self and wasn't depressed until recently due to weight gain. I don't know how to get back what I went by thru hell to get. From the poster boy of hell to success to falling from grace. Thank u all again for your support when I was so sick. Could use some more support now. Sent from my SM-J700T1 using the BariatricPal App

Yup, I get plenty of Water, and I take benifiber quite frequenly, nearly everynight, espically now that i'm so darn tight. And I've tired the mixing it up like you suggest Eileen, too, but that didn't work any more than anything else has Good point about the meds Paula. I 've check my meds myself, and weight gain was only an indicator when I was on birth control this summer. I am still gaining and losing those same five pounds.

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.

If there is a weight gain in one of your appointments during your 6-month diet plan, will you be denied even if overall you lose weight? For example, say I start at 300 lbs, lose 10 lbs in the first two months, gain 5 lbs during the third month, but then I lose 20 lbs over for a final weight loss of 280 lbs, will I be denied? I have Anthem BCBS and I just wondered if they focus on the month to month or overall accomplishments. Gaining weight over the holidays seems to be a logical scenario, but I wondered about anyone else's experiences.

I hope you are seeing a therapist....therapy can really help the root of depression and CBT cognitive behavioral therapy van work even better then meds or with meds have the best efficacy. My hope is that you won't have to stay on abilify or maybe try another one that doesn't cause weight gain because sometimes they don't cause that side effect. I was on abilify before and have been to many dark places you mentioned. I was misdiagnosed with depression for many years but recently found out I have bipolar l. Anyways, exercise helps the mood as well as weight loss so I encourage that but therapy number one and don't give up. Keep a weekly gratitude journal... sounds cheesy I know bit it helps to keep you appreciating life and open to positive possibility

I'm very happy with my decision to get the sleeve done but i've been stuck around the same weight for the last 2 months. I dropped 50lbs almost instantly but just last week, I was 278, few days later I was 289. I can't say I eat extremely healthy but I can't say I eat extremely bad. And, of course, I can't consume much food. Why is it soo easy to gain weight, soo quickly? Is it just Water weight? I feel like the weight gain is defeating the purpose. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That is very helpful! I appreciate how much time and thought you put into your responses. I am around one kilo away from my new goal which I think is too low anyway, so I want to shift to maintenance at the moment but I am scared, worried, don't know how and I think I'm developing a low key ED. I was out with my mom and sister for lunch yesterday and we went to this fancy Chinese place and ordered dim sum, Kung Pao Chicken and Tenderloin. Obviously due to restriction I had very little food but then they brought in a dessert platter with mini samples of desserts they were testing and I was really scared to even trying a mini bite of anything. My mom and sister went like you aren't going to gain weight if you have one bite of something you fancy! this is not healthy. I don't know how to shift gears for maintenance and I am so worried of weight gain but also don't want to be sick looking. I have blabbered too much but I really want to learn from people who have successfully kept the weight off for years but are not afraid to eat. I need to achieve that balance and don't know how to do it.