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My bariatric doctor told me during my initial consultation that 90% of his patients lose 95 pounds during the first year with gastric bypass. He had never had a sleeve or lap band patient, so that was the only statistic he had on his past patients. To me, 95 pounds in one year would have been amazing. When I switched to VSG, it seemed like 95 pounds in one year would be almost impossible to reach. I was more than ecstatic when I lost 95 pounds five months after surgery. When I lost 140 pounds at 7 months post op, I hit goal. I would love to keep this weight off forever and I know it might be quite a struggle to do so. I've read that most post op patients gain about 10%-20% of their weight back after two years. That would be about a 15 pound gain for me, so I'm trying to decide if I should lose 15 more pounds now.

I understand the concern over the weight gain, but why not try a more balanced approach going forward? Do you good log? Try planning a snack in your schedule so those random bites here and there don't catch up yo you again? Also t coming up with non food ways of celebrating. Don't let this one misstep throw you back into yo-yo dieting.

I have also been thinking about that. I have to take classes before I can have mine done and have to lose some weight before they will do the surgery. What scares me is that it is so hard to not eat everything because of the "last meal" syndrome. I am hoping I can get the weight off before my banding on Jan 2nd!! I am with you! Brain hunger is way different (and more challenging) than stomach hunger!

@qhein Thank you. The band seems to have given so many people problems @@aqua The vomiting almost came naturally. I knew i had issues when i was puking clear slime in my sleep. It just started happening. I couldnt help it. I have gained about 60 lbs in two years. Some of that is muscle, since i weight train heavy weights 3-5 times a week. But at least 3/4 is fat. So i've gained the same as you, but for an added year. You're getting sleeved june 5? I go for my endoscopy that day. Then get sleeve two weeks later. We should keep in touch. We'll be getting sleeved around the same time.

Ok so I went to the doctor. He said I had 3.8 CC's in my band. By his records. I asked him to pull it all out and see what's in there and let's go from there. He could only get 2.5CC's out. So he put in .5cc's. Right now he is saying I am at 4.1 in my 4 cc band. I actually had a 3 lb gain instead of lose. I told him about not having any restriction at all. I am just afraid that I do not have a leak. He wasn't to interested in listening to what I have to say. He was to busy trying to rush me out of the office. Thanks for the reply!

I was logging on here to say the exact same thing. I said in another thread yesterday that I thougth a lot of the reason for the relatively modest weight loss the lap band effects (statistically) is lack of proper exercise by users, but also equally vital is aftercare. All my aftercare is free for life here in Australia (not precisely, its bulk billed direct to the government, but nothing will have to come out of my pocket) I could go back and fourth four times a week for fills/unfills. Its so important.

I was banded on Feb 26 so I too am under that 3 month mark and there are still lots of is this normal questions. I'm at 5cc and I get good restriction sometimes, but then other times I could eat and eat but I cut myself off. I worry about the band not working or slipping or like you, my pouch stretching. We didn't go through all the hoops and post op pain to continue being over weight, if your like me you are dying to see results asap! I have been stuck before and that is aweful. The pain is not fun. I've also had food not stay down once, again NO fun. How much saline is in your band and what has your weight loss been?

My weight loss so far...day of surgery I was 290...weight as of today 248...so I think the weight loss is going good...but I am agreeing with the post after mine...just worried about hitting that sweet spot...I have 6.5 cc's so far...I think I am almost there... not sure...this is a whole different process for me and all of us...taking it one day at a time.

i have had about 4 fills.I haven't lost weight in a long time.I don't exercise either.I know if i exercised it's logical that since i am not gaining OR losing i would get the scale moving with exercise right??? This is my problem.Not sure if i eat too much or just need to move more. The answer (even though i don't want to face it:))is to start exercising and see what the results bring... geez writing it down sure makes the problem crystal clear huh!

Well, I have had lots to say since the day I started talking but never put it in writing before. This should be interesting. Too bad I have to type it all out -I'd rather just talk into the mic like I do with texts on my iPhone! Ok - 6 weeks out of surgery... Week 1, down 7 now THAT's what I'm talking about!! (290) Week 2, down 6 Oh I got this... so easy! (284) Week 3, down 6, More food choices and it's still dropping away. Finally under 283 - that hump from hell I couldn't pass on my own! (279) Week 4, down 2, Hmm, well ok, not great but still a loss. (277) Week 5, down NOTHING! OMG!! Nada, Nyet, Rien!!! how can this be? How can the famous 3-4 month honeymoon phase be over already? I knew this was too good to be true. I'll probably wake up tomorrow and have gained 30 pounds! WTH! Ok, now really bummed. Am I really sticking to the program or do I just think I am? Maybe it's a fluke. Bad scale at gym... It did just get fixed so maybe it's way off. Hope so. Week 6, down NOTHING! Ok now wait a darn minute. Depending on the scale, even gained 2! Although it seems like I'm taking in less than 800 calories a day, I think I need to be even more vigilant. Maybe it's what I'm eating. No more pudding and small pieces of bread. Maybe it's not about what I can tolerate as the doc says, but making better choices? In the first months you're supposed to lose almost no matter what you eat since you're eating so little. Maybe my body is used to the smaller amounts because of my pre-surgery diet and so there's not much impact. Ok, I'm not giving up, I'm getting tough (and mad) at this fat. IT IS GOING!! So for the last 10 days I have had virtually no simple carbs and no sweets. Nothing but protein shakes, cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese stick here and there, and mainly fish with a few veggies. Also did some research on the rules and why they are as such... seems I was taking a few for granted, like the "no drinking with or 30 mins after a meal". Now I realize it's to keep you full longer as well as not wash the nutrients away before they're digested. Good to know. Also, protein and heavier, thicker things stay in the stomach longer than say... all the soup I was eating, so those food should keep me full longer. I have noticed that I get hungry more often, obviously because my stomach empties more quickly. I like the protein shakes but I'm hungry not to long afterward. Hmmm. Need to get with Katie, the nutritionist to make sure I'm doing things right. Eating about 6 times a day but small and full of protein. With -315 or so from the gym, my calorie count is about 500-600 a day. So, why the hell am I not losing? Theories - Maybe my body is used to the smaller amounts because of my pre-surgery diet and so there's not much impact. My body is in shock form the quick 19 pounds loss and is hording the calories fearing starvation? According to Ruth you always gain a pound or two before you lose a big amount. Rather than steady decline, it's a step like scenario, and I'll catch up with a big loss soon? 800 is too low, shoot for higher or your body thinks it's starving. There are apparently many posts on this 4-6 week stall - happens to lots of people so I feel a little better about that. If I stay very much on track, then the laws of physics should apply soon. They have to. In the meantime, it is sure disheartening. I even cried. Feeling like the whole thing was pointless if I have to struggle so hard already. Really, it's the same damn policing work since now I'm going for 800 instead of 1,200. I was hoping that it would be simpler... not such a fight. I knew I'd have to eat well, but I thought I'd have no more hunger pains pulling at me. I thought the sleeve would make it easier to stay within the calorie count of 1,200. I chose 800 to speed things up and make the most out of the first year of tremendous weight loss, since I have so far to go. I wanted 20 in month 1 and 10 per month thereafter, hoping for a loss of 60 and a weight of 237 by the time we go skiing in December. Stay tuned. In the meantime, gotta stay devoted, focused, upbeat, and fierce.

:cool: Hi everyone, Just wanted to vent a bit. I thought my family was behind me in my lapband decision but now they are saying things like you can lose weight on your own, etc. I am just feeling down and scared about the approval process. I am right on the border 39.9/40 bmi so I am afraid of not getting approved. I am not sure if I have any comorbidities cause no one told me my test results from my blood workup - i.e. high cholesterol, high liver enzymes, etc... Please pray that I get approved. I am so wanting to start this phase in my life. Thanks for reading.

Okay, So Ive been approved with Kaiser. I have been to all their meetings, psych drs, I have an appointment with the Surgeon next week to get my pre-op goal weight (which I should be close, since Ive lost 20lbs so far on my own)....What Im wondering is how strict, or intrusive is Kaiser before and after surgery. They tell me that they test for nicotine, alcohol and caffine....they ACTUALLY drug test? I have a pre-op diet (very VERY strict) which Im not really following. I excersise six days a week, which is why the weight is coming off. Im trying to do the things they say are important, like chewing my food thouroughly, eating slower, making better choices (for the most part), not snacking...etc... but there are some "rules" that Kaiser has, that Ive never heard anywhere else. I heard from someone that Kaiser has a basic plan that works for lap band and Gastic bypass, and thats why it has to be so restictive. They tell me I can never have a glass (or 1/2 glass) of wine...ever again. They tell me that I can never eat Cereal, bread, Pasta, or Peanut Butter...EVER AGAIN. Im 25 years old, and yes, I want/need/long to lose weight, but at what price? Im slowly realizing that I need to find a balance between Kaiser's obvious restictive plan, and what will work for me, for the rest of my life. Anyone with Kaiser who has an experience (positive or negative)? They seem to be so hard nosed about the whole process, its very cold and indifferent so far. I am going to the Kaiser Richmond facility...anyone have experience there? How many of you can eat peanut butter (in small quantities)? It might sound weird and petty, but I LOVE peanut butter. I dont have to eat it by the spoonfull or anything, but the thought of a world without it, is not a world I want to live in... Before someone jumps me for "not being ready for the surgery", I make no claims to being ready for this surgery, Im weighing my pros and cons on a daily basis...Im extremely conflicted regarding this...and any insight is always appreciated.. A

there's a new procedure call ROSE for people who has had the RNY years ago with weight gain.. I don't know if that's what they are going to do for your friend. ROSE, which stands for Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal, is a new, safer, incisionless, gastric bypass revision. It is not a primary method of weight loss surgery, but a follow-up procedure that is specifically designed for gastric bypass patients with weight regain. The ROSE procedure is indicated for gastric bypass patients who were initially successful in losing the excess weight but are now regaining some of the lost weight because the stomach and stoma have stretched out and no longer effectively control hunger and food intake.

Sorry guys I happen to disagree. While yes I agree eating less is much more difficult pre fills it isn't an excuss to gain weight. If you were saying that you were not losing or gaining then I could understand but if you are gaining then you should probably make some changes. Why waste months until you get to your sweet spot giving yourself an excuse of "it's normal" to gain weight. You had major surgery for weightloss and I doubt you take that lightly, so why allow yourself to gain weight. What are you doing to exercise? Are you eating high fat foods? You can follow the band rules, eat a healthy diet and still lose weight (maybe a bit slower) before you get to your sweet spot. I probably just found my sweet spot after 3 fills about 2 weeks ago. Most of my weight was lost w/out restriction. I have worked up to walking about 20 miles a week and it makes all the difference. Sorry I am not meaning to sound harsh here but think about it, you had surgery to lose weight. You picked a surgery where you have to work a little harder than other surgeries. Don't allow time to pass with the idea that the band has to do all the work. Otherwise you will look back several months later and not lost much weight. Best of luck to you in your journey.

Ho my name is Evelyn and I had gastric bypass last year 2-12-13 my starting weight was 267 lbs and my current weight is 140 so I've lost a total of 127 lbs. Well let me tell you that it wasn't easy for me, I have been in and out of the hospital about a total of 15 times because of my diabetes went haywire, On Oct 8th 2013 my twin sister found me unconscious and so she tried to wake me and couldn't so she called 911 and then called my husband and sons. And I was taken to the nearest emergency room and the doctor had told me that I had to be revived cause my sugar went down to 10 but I didn't understand what he was telling me and again I lost consciousness well I was taken to the icu where they hooked me up to all the machines and the head of the icu until was telling me if I knew why I was there and I told him that I didn't and do he tried to explain as best as he could. But what he told me actually scared me to the point that I just started to cry, cause what he told me was that I had died twice and that if it weren't for my sister that went up to check up on me, I wouldn't be here today

I think if I was any stricter, I couldn't get liquids down. I think I may be just like .1cc too tight.. But I'm too afraid to have it taken down, knowing how stingy he is with being filled, and having to wait a month..and I hear about losing weight, it loosens up, etc. And when I am consciously eating protein first, and trying to stay full all day on it.. it doesn't seem to work for me. Maybe it is just head hunger.. but after dinner I still feel like eating everything in sight.. You don't have this anymore? Makes me think mine really just is head hunger. I try to curb it with a healthy low cal snack, but I always want more.

Oh okay I'm sorry I misunderstood, I got it now. Well, like bakawaka stated about the Protein, that is the key to losing the weight! If you cannot drink more than one Protein shake, then get some unflavored protein powder and add it in to yogurt and soups! If you aren't getting enough protein, that would explain why you can't get a momentum going. Yeah I'm with you, let's be online buddies! I don't have anyone in real life that has been through this surgery either. There are definitely a lot of questions and emotions that we encounter that only those of us who have gone through it can fully understand! I'm glad we found this app, too. It's been extremely helpful. Does your surgeon offer any support groups? That might help for in person if you needed it.

I felt the same way i week ago, i had my surgery in august and hadnt lost any weight, but i recently got my third fill and im definitely restriction.Cant hardly get anything down where before i could get anything and everything. U just feel full and if u eat another bite ull be sick(this is where iam learning not to over eat).I am feeling satisfied and no hungry what so ever, before this fill i thought i was failing and that i would never lose the weight.i have lost 4 kgs (8.8lbs) in a week and a half.Hang in there it will be better.

Hi there,dont panic about the fills,they dont hurt.You have been through the hardest and most painfull part-getting banded. I think they do numb the area,but its a tiny needle and all you will feel is a bit of pushing when it goes in and a slight pulling when it comes out. Its quite a nice feeling really as you know you will be closer to the weight loss journey at that point! Happy banding.:w00t:

I am 8 years out from my gastric sleeve. I have gained 35 pounds. I need to get this off! My lowest weight after surgery was 155. Now I’m 190. It’s gotta go. I am retired now so I’m not as active as when I was working. I have back issues and can’t do a lot of exercising. I have been going to line dancing 1 day a week and I can tolerate that pretty well. Give me some tips how to jump start my weight loss again!

Hey banders! My name is Jeremy and I was banded yesterday. I know it is too soon to worry about exercising, I have to wait a month or so but I wanted to post something and interact with others and see how long you waited and what type of exercise you guys did? Quite honestly I wanted to hire a personal trainer but kind of skeptical on it. I am committed to losing weight and have a positive attitude towards acheiving whatever I can! I set my expectations at a low bar so I don't get disappointed if I don't achieve what I initially desired!:wink:

Cowgirljane, I just started maintenance and just recently returned from a vacation that was number one on my list of things I was shooting for when I reached my goal weight. And almost like clockwork of times past, I felt myself subconsciously easing up on the level of workouts I was doing during my weight loss. as in.......goal reached....vacation's over.....I can relax now....right !!..... Deja Vu..... This is the eye opener I needed as well. If it takes me creating another distant future goal to keep up the routine.....then so be it. Or maybe just to keep topic fresh in my mind by frequenting Bariatric Pal often to read posts like yours. Maybe even just set little goals of 2 more pounds to lose or attempting to build some more muscle in my arms to fill the saggy skin. Anything to keep me motivated so I won't backslide. Thanks for the reality check. Probably the most important issue of the whole process.

Great post -- and so important. I am reallly glad winter is nearly over so I can crank up the outdoor exercise again. I can definitely feel the flabbiness when I'm not working out enough. For me that is a lot of walking then stretches, weights, etc. at home. Today I went for a PT session (hip stuff) and I got on an elliptical. That was an eye-opener. Geez, I can fast walk four miles but could barely do four minutes on that thing. Hello! Big plans for my body this spring, summer and fall, then a better strategy for next winter.

Hi everyone. I am a AF veteran and a spouse of a (AF)military retiree. I am in the Bariatrics program at Camp Pendelton. I live about an hour away but tricare sent me there. I don't live near an active base and my pcm is a small private Dr office. I addressed my weight concerns at my yearly physical (my first with this new Dr. as my hubby only retired about 18 mo.(at that time). I braced myself for the negative comments I had experienced in the past from military Drs. you know the drill.....eat less....exercise more....with the looks of pity. I have definitely had a few "winners". now I admit I am sensitive about the weight issues so some of these things could have been how I perceived them. When I had my physical this past January I carefully broached the subject with my new PCM and he asked me if I had ever thought of surgical options. well.....yeah! of course I had but I honestly didn't know enough about it to make an informed decision. That is what I had told him and I was so grateful that he said he would be happy to start the process for me to get a referral to speak with someone so that I could learn more. He said it in no different way than if I had asked him for a referral to see the dermatologist. I so love him for that! He sent my referral request to the insurance company for me to see a specific Dr that he likes to send his patients to. When the paperwork came it was for Camp Pendleton...an hour away.....I was very upset that I would have to go that far. (later I realized it was a blessing in disguise). The date came for the the info session and the one on one consultations. when I was called into the consultation, the surgeon matter a factly, having reviewed my paperwork and medical history, stated that based on #s I needed to lose 10 lbs and that VSG was the best option for me and that my surgery would be in 6 mo.....any questions?! I was so ready to justify why I felt I needed it and what my medical history was. I thought I would have to convince him I needed it and wait for insurance approval. I walked out stunned and happy. I am about half way thru the process and reading and educating myself as much as possible.