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Man, I'm just so discouraged. I am up to 145. I have gained 10 pounds. I feel like such a slug. All of my jeans are fitting extra tight. I went and had a fill about 12 days ago, got down to 141, but now am back up again to square one. I can eat more now too. I was so motivated after my fill, but now I am just stuck. I feel like I'm never gonna get back down to 135. I know, to most 145 is a wonderful weight to be at. But in my head, it's terrible. I know I should be greatful, but I feel like this is just the beginning and I'm gonna end up back up to 219. What's worse is that right now, I have no game plan. No way to combat the weight gain. Mentally, I am just exausted and stuck. I have lost faith in my ability to keep going. Every single day, every single hour of following the bandster rules is a complete struggle to me. I don't know why. I feel like a food addict. I think about food every hour of every day. I know something is not right in my head. The only stress I am feeling right now is the stress of building a new house. That's it. Nothing major. So what is wrong with me? I am tired of the mental roller coster ride...

As Djmohr stated I would be glad to provide support and accountability. Please PM me with a few more details..date and type of surgery, is there anything specific you are struggling with (weight gain, no weight loss, lack of protein, etc.) I am a 4 year veteran of the sleeve and have lost and maintained a 125# loss. Sent from my XT1096 using the BariatricPal App

I'm on my second band, so my advice would be to go with either the sleeve or the bypass. I was actually successful with my first band, too, lost 90 pounds and achieved a normal BMI (around 23). The problem was that in order to do it, I had to have quite a bit of restriction, which meant that although I was unable to eat the things that got me fat (carb addict), I also couldn't eat a lot of foods that were actually good for me. Fresh fruits, fresh veggies, lean meats? Nope, stuck 75%+ of the time, sliming and regurgitation. I lived with it until the good didn't outweigh the issues anymore. I was having to literally sleep sitting upright because of the acid reflux, and even then I was still waking up choking because I'd inhale acid. My chest and throat hurt constantly. I finally had to go in for an emergency unfill, which of course then lead to weight gain because I'd never learned how to eat a properly balanced meal, just the stuff that would go down. Several months after being unfilled, I moved across country, and wasn't able to find a new surgeon for a while. When I did, the first thing he did was do a fluoroscopy, which revealed that I'd had a massive slip. Even mostly unfilled, there was only a space about the size of a pencil eraser for food to pass through. I had to have my band replaced. I wanted to revise at that point, but even though I'd gained quite a bit of weight, I no longer fit the requirements for conversion to another surgery. Ironically, if I'd NOT been successful with the first band, I would have been able to convert, but since I was initially successful, I didn't have two straight years of 35+ BMI anymore. With the new band, I've never been able to reach "the sweet spot." It's either too loose or too tight, and usually both in the same day (too tight in the morning to eat anything, but am an empty pit later in the day). I'm now hopefully able to be approved for a conversion, but I'm having to jump through hoops to do so. Yes, there are some oldies out there that still have their original bands, but they are getting fewer and farther between. I honestly don't understand why people would willingly subject themselves to the band anymore, when there's more than enough evidence at this point to show that it's not the best option anymore. There's a really high complication rate, you're almost guaranteed to need surgery again down the road (removal, repositioning, etc.), and the excess weight loss statistics aren't nearly as good as the sleeve or the bypass. You have to constantly worry about getting sick, food poisoning, etc., because vomiting can lead to a slip. To be honest, even though I'm looking into both the sleeve and the bypass, I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the bypass. The band taught me that I shouldn't just blindly trust what the future outcomes are projected to be. When I was originally banded, it was being said that the band would have better long-term outcomes than the bypass, fewer severe complications, etc. Most of us know how that turned out. I don't trust projections anymore. And to be honest, after living with the severe acid reflux for so long with my first band, I'm really scared of the possibility of reflux with the sleeve.

I'm right there with Stacy! I've had a IUD in for the past year and a half and I can't be happier, I rarely have a period and when I do its barely anything! I have absolutely no cramping, no weight gain (unlike when I use to take birth control pills) and I've had no side effects. I even got my tubes tied when I got my sleeve done at the end of December and I had my gyno leave the IUD in so I don't have to worry about a period. I love and I mean LOVE my IUD!!!!

Lived it: 1) I lived through the approval process 2) I lived through all the doctors appointments 3) I lived through the pre op liquid diet 4) I lived through the surgery and complications 5) I lived through the emotional ups and downs 6) I lived through the post op diet 7) I lived through an 8lb weight gain Learned from it: 1) I am a much more patient and determined person than I ever gave myself credit for. Insurance companies suck, it took me a year to get approved, nuf said. I was determined that regardless of approval or not, I needed to lose the weight to live a long life. My fear, like so many others was being able to keep that weight off. 2) I learned from getting to know my doctor that he only has my best interest at heart, hence the appointments and everything that goes along with that. He had genuine empathy for me with what I was going through. 3) I learned that the if you put your mind to it and are determined you can do anything, the pre op diet was not as hard as I thought it would be and flew through it with flying colors! 4) I learned that I had to put my trust in my doctors hands, that he knew what he was doing and that I would make it through the surgery and wake up to find my family by my side. I also learned that complications do happen and that as long as you have a great doctor and hospital staff that they will take care of you to the best of their ability. 5) I learned that my emotions are freaking crazy! I was up one minute because yayyy no pills! I was down the next minute because I missed my favorite foods. I was flat because there was nothing I could do to stop my head from going through these damn emotions! 6) I learned how to re-teach myself how to eat. I learned how important the post op diet is and that it was in place to make my recovery that much easier and to teach me how to make healthier food choices. 7) I learned that yes, indeed, the sleeve is a tool and not a miracle. I tried to quit smoking and gained 8lbs. I learned what I can NEVER eat and what will cause me to gain weight at a drop of a dime. Move on from it: 1) Regardless of the outcome I was determined to do this and move on with my life. 2) Went to all the appointments that was required and not required because I was determined to do this and move on with my life. 3) 2 weeks pre op and done, moved on to the next stage because I was determined to do this and move on with my life. 4) Surgery and complications be damned, I did heal in record time and trusted my doctors because I was determined to do this and move on with my life. 5) Life is full of emotions and you get throught them, if you can't then you get the help you need to get through them (THANKS VST and WLSF) I wasn't going to let them stop me because I was determined to do this and move on with my life. 6) No more living to eat, now I eat to live (love that saying ) Food is not an enemy, it is a source of what I need to live, just like air, just like Water. I was going to get that through my thick skull because I was determined to do this and move on with my life. 7) 8lbs gained, ok, I know what I did wrong, I recognized the culprit, moi, I understood that I cannot do this to myself. It took me 3 weeks but I have lost all 8lbs I had gained and now, I am back on the "wagon" and determined to do this and move on with my life. From my all time high of 280+, I am down 101+ lbs. From the begining of my journey I was 240. From the begining of my pre-op diet 225. From the begining of post op I was 193lbs. From the begining of insanity from trying to quit smoking I was 187lbs. From here on out because I am determined to do this and move on with my life I am 179lbs. The most important thing from all of this is that I am down to 2 pills a day from 20 a day and that was my main goal. I have accomplished that and am so very, very, happy about it. Thanks, to everyone here for all your supporting words to eachother. I don't post a lot about what I am going through but wanted to do this today because .... thats right, I am determined to do this and move on with my life. For once in a very long time my future looks promising and bright. Raine

We love sharing good news. This morning Staten Island Live did a feature story on NYC Marathoner and LAP-BAND Patient, Michelle Stiglitz. Click here to view the article. Michelle has lost 130 lbs. since her LAP-BAND procedure and states, “My weight loss journey has truly changed my life and I am so proud to now call myself a runner. Soon to be a marathoner!” Like so many WLS patients, Michelle is paying it forward by running with the Leukemia and Lymphoma's Team in Training. She has also become a personal trainer and fitness instructor "in hopes to help others live a more healthy life." Her story has appeared countless times over the past year in major news outlets like these below: http://abc7ny.com/553678/ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3015117/Woman-gained-120lbs-hormonal-disorder-drops-HALF-body-weight-completes-two-half-marathons.html http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/a50113/the-extreme-thing-i-never-thought-id-do-after-i-gained-back-120-pounds/ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/health-fitness/news/a37670/how-this-woman-lost-135-pounds/ http://www.glamourpage.com/youll-never-guess-how-this-woman-lost-135-pounds/ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a31849/extreme-weight-gain/?src=spr_FBPAGE&spr_id=1443_161265505 Please join us in congratulating her on her accomplishments!

My NUT was exactly the same way. I was stressing about every little bite and she told me to stop killing myself over a spoonful of food. She said it's too stressful and ultimately that would lead to more weight gain! Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

Thank you for the support. I'd like to say I was only a size 2 for a few years, from childhood to age 25 I was always a big girl 180 lbs often called pork chop legs etc. It's devastating for me as I got a taste of what small feels like and losing it is crushing. I've done terrible things to my body such as the eca stack, topamax etc. I was on topamax for stress and I lost 60 lbs( I also ate low fat and exercised) but the medication I became stupid, i couldn't remember anything on topamax and couldn't function at work. I then had a ton of stress at work and of course food became I comfort. The hardest thing for me is knowing what it feels like to be small but being unable to get back there. I avoid seeing people I haven't seen since I was small as I feel so ashamed of my weight gain. Ive joined this board to learn a new way of life as my surgery is august 17th and regain my confidence. Lisa

I had my pre-op class today and I have gained 6 lbs. I was told I should lose it as fresh weight gain goes right to the abdomen and takes up the room they need to operate.If there is not enough room for the intruments, they won't do the surgery. Yikes! Also ran through the possibility of having the tube put in BEFORE you go nto surgery. I would defo panci. I hope they take it out before I wake up too.

Gosh, some people love to judge, offer unwanted advice, trombone their own opinions ..... To hell with them. Opinions are Not facts, and I usually stay clear from super judgemental people as they really annoy me. "Thank you", "Thanks for sharing", "I do not wish to discuss it", even "so you think you are God?" are some of my answers. I mainly copped few judgements (not from friends or family) when I had a rapid weight gain due to my thyroid disease. Such as " OMG, you need to get back to your size, need to go to Gym, need to diet" etc .... Consequently, I do not see these people anymore. Now, I look forward to get back to health and slimmer me. Frankly, this is my business, and if anyone would keep on annoying me, I'd quickly nip it in the bud. "What you think of me is None of My business", is a title of a book. I've even said it to some people, and watched their brains doing cartwheels, trying to process it .....

@shondelrobert Your band was merely "installed" last month. What they don't tell us in the consultation is that it could take months to get to the restriction level (sweet spot) where your hunger diminishes and your not able to consume the same volume of food at one sitting. I'm 7 months in and countless fills later and I "think" I've finally made it. It's been a long road. Some only take 1 fill, some 4, some 10...Restriction with lap band you have to sneak up on it, it isn't immediately out of surgery. If I were you, I'd stick to chickens and meats and vegetables for now. Stay away from sliders and junk foods that you can eat a lot of because they're filled with the most calories and will cause weight gain. Right now any weight loss will be from your very own will power and discipline.

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.

So what and how much are you eating compared to when you were losing weight? That's what you really need to look at. steroids don't magically make you gain weight on their own. I've been on both prednisone and methylprednisolone for cervical stenosis and pinched nerves since my VSG 2 1/2 years ago and did not gain any weight because I still made myself eat on plan. Basically steroids cause weight gain because of 1) Fluid retention, which can partially be controlled with a low sodium/high potassium diet; 2) increased appetite, which you need to still keep in check with mindful eating. Track and measure every bite if you have to. and 3) decreased activity due to pain or doctor ordered restrictions. But in the end, weight loss and gain has to do what you put in your mouth, not necessarily how much you excercise. Go back to basics. Lots of Water and Protein. Watch your carb and sodium intake very carefully. Try resetting yourself with a week or two of Protein shakes only or try the 5 day pouch test.

I had VSG on 5/25/16. SW: 245. I lost 10 lbs in the first week after surgery, then stalled for the next 2.5 weeks. Then I GAINED 2lbs over the last 3 days. I drink 2 Protein shakes per day and eat pureed diet (Beans, lean meats, cheese). In total I get 7-8 cups of Water a day and 80-100g of protein. I am so frustrated! I am trying hard to follow the program, but I feel like I'm a failure. I feel like this is just one more thing that doesn't work. Has anyone went through this? Advice?

Well I guarantee your weight gain is from Coke and wine and whatever other empty calories you are consuming, not from the steroids. Once I was maintaining below goal I have stopped any regains immediately if I pop even 1 pound above my bounce range. 2 things have worked for me.... 1) full on preop liquid protein "preop" diet. Three protein shakes/day and unlimited leafy green veggies. At least 80g protein and 100oz water. Usually only takes a few days of this to drop several pounds and to curb any carb cravings that have taken hold. Or 2) go back to just protein and veggies. Still the same protein/water goals but my overall calories are higher and it may take a couple weeks to drop a few pounds. If you cut out all refined carbs (including Coke, alcohol, pasta, bread, rice, etc) and just go back to the same basics that helped you lose during those first 6-12 months you WILL lose those 40 pounds. It may take several months, but isnt that why we had surgery? To lose weight and keep it off? And remember You've got your sleeve forever. Let your sleeve do what it does (portion control) and you do what you need to do (make smart choices) and it will work.

I was just denied by Aetna due to weight gain. My doctor did a peer to peer appeal and they didnt overturn it. So Im waiting to see what the doctor says and whats my next step. I started birth control around the same time I went for my initial visit and I think that is the main reason that I had a lot of weight gain.

Hi I had my gastric bypass in 2011 i had lost 120 pounds. i have gained 60 pounds back. I am totally disapointed in my self. I have tried everything to get it back off.i was a slow loser to start with but it came off. also i had a transfer addiction with alcohol i have been sober 17 months i know it was between that and the over eating again as to why i gained the weight back. i just need some good support and disiplin i can get back on track. My name is Tammy I"m 56 from Michigan.i was excited when i found this sight hopefully this is a new tool i can use to get my body moving again lol Thank you

Seppi, I am too wanting to quit so bad, but am afraid of the weight gain. I was going to do it this week but talked myself out of it because of my lack of restriction right now. I am scheduled for a fill on Oct. 2nd, I think I will make that my quit day, therefor, I will be on liquids so I can't overeat. I am going to use the patch. I've heard that even if you don't overeat you will gain some because the nicitone in your system makes you burn more calories at night while sleeping, and if you quit you won't burn that much at night unless you take a brisk 20min walk before going to bed to release some enzyme into your body. Not sure if this is true but I know smoking does release alot of stuff in your body (mostly NOT GOOD). Anyway you are doing great and keep up the good work......

I've always gotten that "high and mighty' vibe from you Alex, so I can see where she's coming from ... (**insert big wink here**) A woman I've known for gosh, 8 years or so has dropped me since I got the band. When i was on my last supervised weight loss regeim, I lost a good amount of weight, didn't keep it off, but well you know the drill. Every time I mentioned my weight loss she would quickly, I mean quickly change the subject. But when it came to her diets, she would go on and on and on. She was an enormous size 10 when she started her diet and now she's a size 4 and looks terrible. She recently started to use a rowing machine and got really good at it, but because she built up her upper body and gained muscle mass, she's pissed off at the weight gain, so she quit so she could loose the weight she gained from rowing.

Did you have the by pass or sleeve? The reason I ask is I was going to have the sleeve but my surgeon highly suggested the bypass for more weight loss. Because I have noticed that the people that have the sleeve lose less weight than the people that have the bypass I am assuming that is because with the sleeve you still have a larger stomach capacity so you can actually eat more versus the bypass where you have a little bitty pouch. I am not quite six months out and then 112 pounds lighter so I am very thankful for my surgeon knowing and recommending the bypass. Also I was weighing every two weeks but now I only weigh once a month that way if you did have a stall then you wouldn't really notice it because I was very afraid if I seen a weight gain or a stall it would mess with my mind so once a month is all I will wait now and I am still averaging about 8 to 10pounds a month loss. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you for both of your responses, I'll address them both separately here: Grace: The pain clinic is one of the very few that take medicaid in my area. I tried getting in with another one a couple of years (YEARS) ago and they took my paperwork then never called or returned calls. This one has their own review process for referrals and another pain clinic in town recently closed so they've received a lot of referrals recently. So it'll be (at least) 2 weeks until they call me to put me on the schedule, so who knows how long until my appointment. It's very frustrating. I have gotten myself one of those full back heating pads that goes from my neck to my hips and it helps (you can do wet heat with it too) but I've noticed that all of it doesn't seem to heat up at once unfortunately. My (new) GP is a naturopath, which I'm not into but I really like the clinic and she's both very on the ball and easy to get same or next day appointments with if it's urgent. She will not prescribe pain meds at all. I don't think my therapist is a pain specific specialist, but we vibe pretty well and she helps me. Mental health professionals are hard to come by in my area so when you get a good one, you stick with it. Being touched like that (massage) by strangers has always triggered anxiety in me, it's just too intimate. My bathroom with a tub has no doorknob/ lock right now, so that's not good either. I appreciate your advice and kind words. NovaLuna: Thank you for sharing your story with me; I can never remember the name of your condition, just that it's "the suicide pain." I'm so sorry you've had to and may again go through that, but I'm glad that there's at least some form of treatment. Chronic pain is so very isolating and limiting. That's why I'm getting bypass so that hopefully some of it will alleviate but if its fibro (which, the more I learn about it, that seems likely) it will be a lifelong thing regardless. You're young, so you get what a scary barrel to look down that is. I'm 41, so another 40ish years of this? Oof. My new GP is the first one to really acknowledge my issues and put a name on it. Everyone else just wrote it off. Hell, my last gp wrote in the notes that I had pain because I'm fat when the reverse is true: my loss of mobility and the extra depression caused my weight gain. (It was fun hearing the judge at my disability hearing read that out loud. I lost, go fig.) Reading and Netflix are my current go-to's, so I guess I'll be sticking with that. ❤️

These people posting just had the surgery and are still in the honeymoon phase of it all. You can lose for up to 1.5 years give or take. I would not look at those weight gain as the end all be all. I got pregnant at 1.5 years out from the sleeve and settled into 160 for two months prior to getting pregnant. While I am probably on the high end...I gained 70 pounds. I just had my LO 5 days ago and a significant portion of that weight was water!!!! So yesterday I weighed 206. I believe I will land around 195/198 in the next week as my uterus shrinks and I lose more water. My appetite is so-so now, but I still have crazy hormones going all over the place. I really want to see where I get to in six weeks. I will post again.

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)

I did well durning the holidays. No weight gain, I lost 6 lbs this month so far. My surgery is January 15th . I start my 14 day liquid only pre op diet on December 31. I celebrated New Years with my husband yesterday with my last glass of wine. I am not nervous at this point, but I am sure the nerves will show up eventually.

I didn't get to my goal weight gained 3 kg and I tend to bounce around that 3 kg