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It is fairly common to have a little post-op weight gain and take several days for that to come off. Try to increase your fluid intake, because that will help you start peeing out some of those extra fluids... then shortly after you should start losing actual fatty weight. Be patient, it will come! Oh... and walk as much as you can.

I PB'd and slimed a few times during the past week -- I was still on liquids at the time, and misjudging small container as well as not noticing the difference between that tightness in my throat from having too much versus the similarly-felt ache from just having the surgery a week ago. I felt like hell. It was one of the least dignified and humiliating experiences of recent memory. But I'm getting the hang of it, I think. I'm sure I'll have others along the way. But what I'm mostly concerned about is the six-inch sub. Plus the Cookies. The cookies shouldn't even be on your plate, I'd wager, but the sub? I could see the non-bread portions of the six-inch sub, maybe spread over two meals, but the bread itself isn't doing you that much good: too many calories for too little nutritive value. You have a limited budget -- physically, if nothing else -- and you need to spend it wisely. Even switching from hoagie roll to a low-carb/high-Fiber tortilla would probably be better. Switching to a lettuce wrap would be better yet (if you can manage lettuce -- this is a way I've enjoyed sandwiches in the past). Thin-sliced discs of apple? There are a variety of better choices that should be able to substitute in some measure for what the sub loaf provided, and perhaps excel in ways that loaf cannot. You have to remember that the band only helps through your efforts and good choices. I'd be concerned that if what you described is your typical pattern, that it will lead toward recklessness that'll derail you. I know for my own part that this is the sort of behavior largely responsible for getting me where I was when I started pre-op. So just because you *can* have a sub and 3 cookies doesn't mean you should, restriction or no. I know that can be difficult -- I'd love to have a rather slab-o-meat and gnaw on that for an hour right now. But even if it were fat-free, and despite all the wonderful Protein it'd provide me right when I need it to heal, it would still be a bad choice, right? Dividing it among many, appropriately-sized and -spaced meals -- good choice. Do you keep a food diary or somesuch to keep track of what your food intake is providing you? Do you have the support of a nutritionist or other qualified person to help guide your food choices post-op, and to who you can feel accountable to? I know a lot of people don't -- I do, and I have to say it's helped to have someone scold me (gently) in between praising the parts I've done well, and of whom I could ask questions about how I should approach certain foods (preparation ideas, suitability, problems noted by other patients, what I medically need at this stage, etc). Don't take this as criticism -- it's more concern. I've heard of and seen a lot of folks crowing over being able to revert to the same eating habits that led to their weight gain in the first place ("I just managed to eat a whole cheeseburger with PBing!", "I just ate an entire Hershey's bar without dumping!"), and in the same breath complain that they gained back some of the pounds they fought very hard to lose. This post (and a few others) raised warning flags. Good luck with the fills. I'm expecting my first at the end of the month, if they decide I need one.

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. ❤️

Congrats on your pregancy btw!!!! 130lb weight loss is AMAZING!!!!!!!! So you are due at the end of March I take it? Do you know what your having? I'm having another boy! I have a 6 year old daughter and a 3.5 year old boy. Both I had before I was banded! This is my first band baby. I feel you on the weight gain jitters.....Seeing every week the numbers go up is so hard for me. I haven't been eating a ton but I have a major sweet tooth Its killing me.....lol......Started out at 116ish and I'm now 135.5......My due date is March 10th but I'm sure my OBGYN will induce me a week early as my husband works out west and will have to make arrangements to be home....

Went to a local WLS support group meeting tonight. Out of thirty or more people, there were only two bandsters--three including me who has yet to me banded. The leader of the meeting pretty much said I would fail at this band thing--that most banded she's seen convert to the RNY eventually. She said that most of the lap band folks are not happy with their slow weight loss--and she said that there are so many things that can go wrong--slippage, erosion, etc. She said that I'd have a higher chance of having more surgeries than if I were to have the RNY. She said that if I have a sweet tooth, then the band is DEFINITELY NOT FOR ME. This bummed me out for a---SECOND--then I came to my senses. This is the best and safest way to go. Eventually, I am going to have to come to terms with the type of and amount of food I eat, and even if I were to get the RNY, I'd have to come to terms with eating sugar eventually. From what I hear, the "dumping" gets less and less severe as time goes on. I do have some what of a sweet tooth, but I don't care for sugary liquids at all. I do love cookies--cakes, etc., but I willing to say good-bye to them to regain my health. The main thing I'm looking for in the band is to help control real, physical hunger--not head hunger--but physical hunger--that's all my expectation of the band. It just frustrates me that she (leader of WLS meeting) tried to talk me out of the band. She even mentioned how she's struggling with her weight gain (after 5 years out/RNY) and that she still vomits a lot--and that her teeth are chipping easily (possibly due to a mineral deficiency). Ahh--I don't know. I just want SO BADLY to be successful. I don't expect a miracle cure. I just want help with this journey. Am I asking too much of the band for that--help to curb the ravenous physical hunger? Thanks all for listening...

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

I'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!!!!

This post had perfect timing. After 2 days of eating whatever I wanted I woke up to a 4 pound weight gain. I actually cussed loudly when the number popped up. I need to stop that and get back on track.

So here I go starting all over again. Lap Band installed 2005 - Starting weight 430 Port removed 6 weeks post install Lap Band eroded 2010 and removed - end weight 232 7 Years later I regained 88 lbs - been very steady at 320 for about 4 years, just can't do it anymore. Surgery Date 5/1/2017 - for the gastric sleeve. Nervous, excited, scared about going through everything I went through with the band. My journey with the band was a complete and utter failure and success all in one. I had my band installed in 2005. I knew something was wrong almost immediately, but the surgeon didn't believe me, he thought I was just making it up, the pain and the fevers. I went to see my general practitioner (a band patient herself,) she took one look at me and knew I was not faking it, she put her hand on my belly, stormed out of the exam room, came back 15 minutes later and told me to drive right to the hospital, that the surgeon was on his way there to meet me. I was taken into surgery the next morning and my port was removed. The tubing that connected the port to the band was looped in my stomach muscle, and so every time I moved, turned or twitched it rubbed against the muscle wall - it caused a huge infection. I spent a week in the hospital on antibiotics and then went home with an open wound and a drain for the next 9 months. I never had a port put back, I never had a fill, my band was wide open and it worked, and I lost weight at the right pace - 200 lbs in 5 years. Toward the end of the five years, I had some discomfort, a little pain but it was manageable. I was getting ready for an international business trip, my wife was driving me to the airport on a Saturday, I was really not feeling too hot, thought I just had a bug, my wife knew better and we ended up in the emergency room. I was taken in with a fever, I was dehydrated, and I explained I was a band patient, they did an ultrasound, and said they could not find the band. They then did an x-ray, and said the band is not where it is supposed to be. I was released, with pain meds, and told to follow up with the surgeon the next morning. I went to see the surgeon, they did a fluroscopy that afternoon, that evening I was in surgery to have the band removed. The pain was not from the band, but it was from the leftover tubing floating in my abdomen, it had punctured my stomach, and I know had peritonitis. When the surgeon found the tube he traced it back to my stomach and found that the lap band was completely inside my stomach. He removed it, and left me with a 2" open wound so that I could heal from the peritonitis - it was about 1 year for the wound to close fully. The physical scars were nothing - the mental scars remained. So I went seven year and I found the weight gain - i fought it hard - but it has been a life long battle. So now I have a new surgeon, a new procedure and a new plan forward - hope to GOD its nothing like the last plan.

hello, I am 34 years old. this july will mark 8 years since i got the gastric sleeve surgery. i still always watch my carbs and try to maintain under 30 carbs. my lowest weight i got to was 180. currently at 210 lbs right now. i was at 255 lbs when i had the surgery. i have noticed my weight start to creep up, my clothes start to fit tighter. i did let go of the protein for a while last year and just maintained lower carbs. i admit i fell off. for a couple months now i have increased my protein intake and still maintaining a lower carb count. i have not had a carbonated beverage since i had the surgery. i do not take any medicine except for blood pressure medicine which is a 12.5g lisinopril everyday. with my daily protein intake becoming normalized now, mainly in the case of protein shake and then higher protein meats throughout the day. high water intake, i am still not seeing weight loss. i see that it is staying about the same. my question is, has anyone gone through this or is going through this? is there something i am missing as far as supplements. i did get blood work done, but my doctor has not said anything about any abnormalities. i have read it could be low iron. i figured if i went back to the basics, high protein low carb and of course high water intake, i could see results. could it so normalized now that it will take longer to lose weight? physical activity, i do try to get in about 10,000 steps a day. any help, advice, would be greatly appreciated. thank you!

Hi future friends! I don’t have my surgery date scheduled yet, but I’ve got most of my ducks in a row, and just waiting to hear back from insurance on when my sleeve date will be! I’ve read so many inspiring stories and seen so many of you share your before and after pictures, that I must say I am blessed to have found such an authentic and supportive group to go through this journey with! My story is pretty common as far as up and down weight gain since childhood, post-baby weight gain, etc. Then, 3 years ago, PLOT TWIST! One day I couldn’t walk or use my legs. We thought it was Lymes Disease, and it took over a year to figure out it was Fibromyalgia. Then, it took another year to get the right medications to bring the pain levels down. I’ve come very far, but still have to use a powered wheelchair for any walking or standing longer than 10-15 minutes and tire extremely easily. Of course being immobile and on MANY weight gaining medications pushed me right into the MO category super fast! My hope after sleeve surgery is to be able to be more mobile and finally feel like myself again. I would love any stories of anyone else’s journey! Remember my friend, Your weight may fluctuate... But your worth never will! <3, Sarah

@@Hiraeth That's amazing! I am so happy for you. I have PCOS and the fatigue and weight gain (plus sleep apnea!) were miserable. It feels so wonderful to get your life back. Keep up the great work. Can't wait to hear more on your progress.

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

Have you incorporated weight lifting in your workouts? If so weights add weight in a good way. I had my surgery in December too and I had to stop weighing myself so much. I now give myself a weigh in date at least every 2 to 3 weeks. I found that helps keep me sane. Don't be discouraged on the weight gain, it can be a number of things. I'm sure you're not doing anything wrong.. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Heya, Thanks for responding. Water weight would make sense for a few days, maybe even a week-- but 11 days after surgery?? I am getting all my liquid in, and my vegan soy Protein shake. Doctor has me on papaya for acid relief. So did you experience this weight gain/lack of weight loss immediately after surgery too?

I revised from lapband to RNY in July 2014. I ended up Preggo in October and had my son June of this year. Well I was pre-op for a tumor removal and found out I was Preggo AGAIN!! I didn't gain much weight with the first pregnancy and I'm trying not to gain again. I'm 40lbs from goal weight. Anyone have tips on how to keep weight gain at a minimum with baby #2

I hope you do not mind , but my daughter and myself were on effexor , I had horrible withdrawals,weight gain gave my daughter headache, and weight gain the Dr put her on fetzima she did very well on that drug with minimal wright gain

Yes to weight gain during and cravings. The really bad period I had last month I lost 10 lbs after it ended! And I had only gained 2 in water weight during! How weird is that?! Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi, I am Lizzie and I'm 56 years old. At present, I am waiting...waiting...waiting for my Surgeon's appointment on 2 October to discuss Gastric Sleeve Surgery. I am hoping that he will see and understand my frustration and hopelessness over my long term battle with my still increasing weight. It has really started to affect me much more physically now and in many other ways too private for discussion here at present. I was not overweight as a child, my weight was gained after each of my three pregnancies; followed by emotional & stress eating; many episodes of depression and medication and lack of exercise. I can't list how many "diets" I've been on over those 34 years, there is not enough room here. I have been successful a few times in this period in reducing my weight, but after time it was always regained and then some. A turning point came in my life back in 2003, after I had a "lightbulb moment" after watching Dr Phil McGraw on an Oprah show episode. I don't know how it happened to this day, but on that day something switched in my brain and I just knew what I had to do. It was something special and it's never happened to me again, so who knows, maybe it was divine. I rejoined Weightwatchers yet again, (my height being 172cm (5'8") weighing in at 112.8kg (249lbs) and reaching my goal weight of 73kg (160lbs) in 11 months. I lost another 5kg slowly after that, maintaining at around 149lbs. It was the most successful I've ever been at anything. I stationary-cycled twice a day for only 10 mins at the start because I couldn't walk because of foot & heel pain, then a few months later, a very much lighter me took up walking every day for 30-45mins. My bubble burst in 2007 when I was diagnosed with early breast cancer. After two surgeries and 6 weeks of radiotherapy, the stress changed me and again I suffered Depression. Medication, lethergy and overeating contributed to my slow weight gain over the next few years and while I improved for a while and took up walking again, I could not get rid of the weight. A couple of years ago I weighed 106kg (234lbs) and now I weigh 121kg (267lbs). I can't walk far because of foot & heel pain and a sore back. I've had enough! ENOUGH! I've tried and tried and TRIED!!! I consider myself a smart person. I've been to dieticians, psychologists, a psychotherapist, joined gyms, read books, tried medications, healthy eating, shakes and all the rest!! This weight is killing me emotionally and I need a way out before it does kill me in every sense. My growing bitterness, hopelessness and isolation is affecting my relationships. I have two young granddaughters who I cannot play with properly. I can hardly put my socks on or get up off the floor. I'm 56 not 86!!! My self-esteem is at an all time low at present. I feel so "less than" - no positive thinking can fix me now. I am desperate...desperate enough to now finally consider gastric surgery...some of my friends and family would just scoff if they knew, but they CANNOT know how much pain I am in, so I've realised (once again) in my life - the only person that can rescue me...is me!...and I'm going to DO it!!! I am just so tired of running, tired of pretending, tired of putting up with it and tired of ignoring my needs. I know this surgery is only a "tool" but a powerful one and I need to get back Power and take Control of my life. I want to feel good about myself and to just feel "normal". I want to be healthy. I want to walk again and get fit again. I want better relationships with the people in my life and I want to travel - be able to walk & climb & explore. I want to "participate" in life and not just stand on the sidelines and I want to play with my grandchildren and see them grow up. Is this too much???????????? I hope my experience helps someone here because reading about other's success after surgery, is giving me my hope back. Thank you! Lizzie

Has anybody gained weight from the time they completed 6 months supervised weight loss to time to get clearances done? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am hoping you make an appt with your dr, maybe a small fill ? Perhaps load up on Protein Drinks, Protein Bars , eggs, tofu. Whatever you know works for you...i think half the battle is at the store! Please don't mistake me for someone who has the right answers....ive been at this 11 years and just experienced a weight gain I never thought i would have again....now, i do have a bit of a fill, but it is a long journey! I try to remember that I don't have to be at my destination ,but need to be on the road headed the right direction...and moving Best of luck Ps. You are not a failure! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

It took my 9 pound surgery weight gain about 8 days to go down Sent from my Pixel 3 using BariatricPal mobile app

I had that happen with my first wound. Actually, I don't know that it tunneled. New tissue grew too far up, closing over the top of a hole/tunnel. My Dr. had to re-cut through this tissue inside my wound 2 times b/c of this. The nursing service that comes to my house during the week sends a wound specialist every Friday to take care of me. His expertise has been wonderful to have and it seems that I have questions for him almost every week. He (and other nurses) have said that abdominal wounds just tend to take longer to heal. I know I'm just getting impatient, but I really am! I think it was easier to be on the wound vac with my first wound b/c there was a light at the end of the tunnel. A new port once my hole closed up. Now there's nothing to look forward to. No light, only weight gain :cry I know I will pull myself out of this, but it's been a hell of a long, trying almost 6 months. I never thought I would be here on my 6 month 'Band-anniversary'. I have a LOT of pictures on the OH website if you click on the link in my siggy, if anyone's interested. They're pretty graphic though, so consider yourself warned! I've gained 5 lbs in the last 6 weeks or so. I have just GOT to stop gaining! My Dr. prescribed Xenical last week to help me lose, but I haven't noticed anything yet (weight related anyway, BM's are another story!) I'm not eating like I used to, but still more than I did while banded. Hunger sucks!!! Anyone have any experience with Xenical (my Insurance doesn't cover it and it was $215 out of pocket :omg: ) or any other pill that seemed to help at all? Also, I know we've all dieted like crazy (and failed) or we wouldn't have had or be looking into surgery, but did anyone ever do something that really did work? Non surgical obviously. TIA!!!

You have to like what you're doing at least somewhat. I mean, I have stopped kidding myself that I will EVER go to the gym and lift weights. Its just not going to happen. But I do love running. What I love about running: - you can set goals. Distances, times, fun runs, small goals (5K) big goals (half marathons). You can measure your improvement, you can do it in different places. And it was just a goal of mine. I never ever get over the kick of being able to say "I am a runner". To me, it was the ultimate of what losing weight is all about. And on that note - its about focussing and enjoying the outcome, perhaps even more so than the process. I plan to do a hard interval run on my treadmill tonight. I dont really "want to" per se, but I know I will and once I get going I will feel awesome about what I am doing and when I am finished I will feel GREAT. And I have accepted that its what I have to do to have the body I want. I look around the workplace, there's a few of us women between 40 and 55 and nobody is really obese but everyone has softened into middle age, and has big tummies and large breasts and thighs that want covering. They all sit at lunch in the staffroom with healthy lunches, salads, fruit and yogurt, rice cakes and avocado. Nobody eats crap. nobody brings chocolate for Snacks, nobody drinks soft drinks. I am the only one who is not fat and looks fit. I have a lapband and I'd say I eat more during the day than half of these people. The difference is my running. I wont ever stop! I've been through early menopause at the age of 43 thanks to chemoradiation and I have none of that typical round the middle weight gain and accelerated body aging. Bone density tests have shown excellent results (they were worried about me what with being only 43 and so thin) - that's thanks to running. I got through it with minimal pain - thanks to running. Anybody that doesnt exercise will live a substandard life as they age, its that simple. It keeps you young. Thin is only a small part it.

Hello Lap Banders - I am 8 months pregnant and having my lap band removed today. It's been a long ride but I haven't been able to eat solids in at least a year and now liquids are giving me a hard time too, plus having acute abdominal pain and they ruled everything else out... I've had the lapband in for nearly 2 years and with no fill since 6 months in. The doctors don't think it's a slippage and couldn't see what is wrong but from my research and reading I am thinking this might be the esophageal enlargement issue?!? In any case, I am nervous first and foremost to have the surgery while pregnant since they cannot monitor the baby during the laproscopy, and also so nervous about future weight gain. I had lost 102lbs in my first year and even with almost or no fill, but now I'm worried I will lose control, especially given the pregnancy. But I can't keep living on Soup and ice cream my whole life, not to mention that right now even those won't stay down... Has anyone been through anything like this and/or had their band removed during pregnancy? I am also concerned about post op pain and recovery since my post op after putting the lap band in was AWFUL!!! Any advice and words of wisdom are welcome! Thanks! Jo