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tabbymonroe, when i first had my surgery 3 years ago, I hit a stall that drove me crazy! I had been losing so great, then boom at exactly one year i stalled for 7 MONTHS. . . it was crazy! no weight loss, no weight gain. . .I had really thought this was it! then one day it just moved, I lost another 10 - 15 lbs and that was it, BUT i did reach my goal the doctor had put out for me plus 12 lbs more, so that is what I call success. . . now at 3+ years out I'm still the same weight and am maintaining beautifully. . .I don't worry about anything anymore. . .I finally love myself and accept myself for who I am. . . good luck, it'll happen for you too. .

yeah Ive wondered the same thing on sizes-Im 5'3 and at 214 I wore a 20/22 but I see others with basicly same stats wearing 18-I wished-if I wore an 18 id look squished in and itd define my rolls-lol.I am also top heavy-even before all my weight gain my chest is a 42dd now its a 46dd-ugh-but my doctor will finally sign off to have reduction once I lose the weight as its a health issue with my back and such.

I was on Depo for three years and gained 80 pounds. Nothing I did was able to stop it. And I didn't attribute the weight gain to it at the time otherwise I would have stopped sooner. Had I known then what I do now I never would have gotten that shot, I am not completely blaming it for my 318lb self but it certainly did not help. My nurse ended up telling me that people who have a tendency to gain weight, will gain weight with Depo. It just seems so counter productive if you are having this procedure.

Hi Everyone, My name is Eli and I am 21 years old. I just wanted to share my amazing journey with everyone and hopefully help anyone that needs it. Since I was a young boy I struggled with weight loss. I put weight on and I took weight off and it didn't seem like I could ever get it right. Growing up, all of my friends were thin so they never understood what it was really like to be overweight, nobody actually understands unless they actually walk a mile in your shoes. I was miserable, depressed, and felt like there was nothing in the world that could help me. As a lineman for my high school football team I justified my extreme weight gain with the fact that I needed to be bigger to play my position and this mindset caused my weight to spiral out of control. When I graduated high school in 2011 I weighed the most I ever did and it took a huge toll on me as I was about to go away to college and had literally no self-esteem. Jumping ahead to my sophomore year of college I had now put on even more weight and it was affecting me more then ever. My grades were slipping, it didn't seem like any girl would ever want to talk to me, and most of all it was hard to look at myself in the mirror. When I came home from school after my sophomore year I weighed about 320 pounds, which was by far the most I ever weighed. When I came home in May that year I just came to the realization of what I did to myself and I asked myself, "How did I let this happen?" Before I continue I want everyone to know that this is not a sob story and that there is a huge gleaming light at the end of that tunnel. When the conversation of weight loss surgery was brought up for the first time I honestly felt offended because I never thought that it would possibly come to that and after countless talks with family members and friends I finally agreed to schedule an appointment and the Center for Bariatric Surgery and Weight Loss in Ridgewood, New Jersey in June of 2013. Fast forward to September of that year I had completed all of my pre-surgery requirements and a date for surgery was scheduled. My surgery happened on November 4th at New York-Presbyterian in New York City. Let me tell you that November 4th, 2013 was the first day of the rest of my life. I'll save the details of pre-surgery, hospital stay, and post-surgery for another post. On the day of surgery I weighed 316 pounds having lost a little in the months prior to my surgery date. Now, in October of 2014 I am proud to say that I weigh 196 pounds putting my total weight loss at 120 pounds. My life has changed in the most extreme way, not just with how I physically look and feel, but mentally, I am a different person. I am the happiest I've been in my entire life. I understand that there are countless reservations people have before making probably the hardest decision of your entire life, because for me it was, but I can also proudly say that it was the best decision I have made in my entire life. I understand that you might feel that there is no way out of being overweight, but I'm here to tell you that there is. I am willing to talk to anyone who has questions and I am always available because I understand how hard it is to make this decision. PLEASE don't hesitate to ask me anything. Thank you for listening to my journey and my story and I hope this might help anyone who is on the fence or anyone who is scared or nervous. Lastly, I'd like to say how amazing the last year of my life has been and I hope everyone can share the same happiness I do. -Eli

I'm not so sure failing at the supervised diet is the plan. My surgeon made me sign an agreement that I would lose on this diet to show that I was ready for the lifestyle changes necessary to be successful and any weight gain could potentially delay surgery.

It has been over seven years since my surgery. I have gained a lot of weight back, what have you done to get back on track?

I'm going to have a revision soon and was wondering if with the sleeve do you get that food caught in the back of your throat feeling like with the band? I can eat and be fine and then never fails with my band after a few bites sometimes I feel like food is caught at the back of my mouth. Different feeling from a productive burp. Yes I get that too with this thingy in my stomach. The band was great my first 3 years andI lost 95lbs. Then about year 4 it all changed and constant band issues with weight gain of about 45lbs and tons of throwing up. I'M TIRED OF THIS LAP BAND GAME!!

Im not sure I think it just depends on Ur surgeon I go August 6 to meet with mine and they said she will start me then and I will be 4 months in so I'll have a month or so to get it all done then can submit it to insurance ) I just hope my weight gain doesn't set me back any I have gained 4lbs last month

This is very interesting to me! Even though you were eating no more than 500 calories per day, you were putting ON weight. Then your endocrinologist sent you for WLS after getting your thyroid condition under control? My question is, do you think your weight gain was JUST thyroid related? If so, why WLS considering you were managing calories to less than 500 per day? If not, do you think the WLS has helped despite the thyroid issue? Thanks! And continued success

The law of physics is part of the equation but it is not the complete answer. The logic behind calories in vs calories out is sound, however there are many variables within each individual that tip the balance in favor of weight gain and/or weight loss. food sensitivity, and/or intolerance is a big one, the way your metabolism works and/or doesn't work. If you have any endocrinology issues such as Diabetes, metabolic syndrome, thyroid issues etc. These can often be helped by weight loss and sometimes they are NOT helped by weight loss and/or diet alone. Taking all this into account stalls if we are being honest with ourselves can be very real. When I say being honest with ourselves I mean, are we really eating according to plan. Are we steering clear of the foods that hinder us in our journey to weight loss? Are we really maximizing our calories in vs. calories out by getting the proper and balanced exercise and nutrition? A few years ago I took a test to check my metabolic rate. According to this Dr.'s test I should be able to consume in excess of 1500 calories and still be losing weight since my resting metabolism registered at rest as burning up to 2500 calories. REALLY? Well no..not really. On further examination, I have endocrinology issues with my hormone regulation mostly with my adrenaline. Often for reasons unknown to me and the Dr.'s as well...my resting heart rate can be well over 110 beats per minute as if I was running a race and I could just be sitting in chair or relaxing. I have an electrical heart arrhythmia that is also involved in this whole wacky scenario, all of this pre-WLS. My father also suffers from something similar, he has had quadruple by pass, lazer surgery to the heart valve replacement, curated artery dissection and a defibrillator implanted. These are just a few of the reasons why I try to keep myself healthy, lose the extra weight and exercise and eat right. There are just some things that fall outside the boilerplate logic, but we have to be honest with ourselves to be successful because no one else knows us and what we need better.

One of my docs first questions in his initial survey was, Do you take steroids? From my knowledge and experience doctors will not do the lap band surgery if you are on steroid therapy. You need to research this further, is this long term therapy? short term therapy? You'll have to find a doctor and see what happens. Although, when on steroids weight gain is a huge side effect. Good Luck in your searching. Leah

Hey everyone thanks for ALL of your advice/suggestions and help. My steroid therapy is usually short term (two weeks of prednisone) with months or possibly even years apart from taking it. It all depends on how my joints are acting up -- which is always extremely unpredictable unfortunately. The doctors never said anything about my NSAIDS.. I have read about the dangers of it, but I think they doctors think that my chronic foot and ankle joint inflammation in combination of my weight will cause even more problems before any possible stomach problems. Their goal is to keep me out of a wheelchair. I am too young for joint replacement surgery. especially in the foot, and at two hundred and fifty pounds - ya dig? I think its extremely interesting from what I understand from the responses -- if the challenge is really not the drug, but the drug causing how much one consumes, maybe the band will be helpful -- im definitely willing to take that chance becuase I dont really have any other options. I appreciate all of your stories. Slow weightloss is better than no weight loss or weight gain. I guess I will have to have even more nutritional guidance and support.. maybe even rejoining weight watchers would be helpful. Thanks all

the best advice I can give is follow weight watchers type diet while you have no restriction. Of course, we've all had a hard time staying on diets and that's why we got banded, but most of us can diet for four to six weeks. At least you'll hold off the weight gain until you get good restriction. Track your Protein and be sure you get at least 60 gms. a day. Give up white carbs, like white bread and potatoes. If you must eat bread, change to low carb, whole wheat or whole wheat pitas. Substitute the bagel and cream cheese for a cup of Kashi go lean Cereal with 1/2 cup of skim milk. or try the Special K low carb cereal or how about the low sugar instant oatmeal. Milk should only be skim, yogurt non fat and if you're looking for easy to cook/microwave meals...lean cuisine and weight watchers are good choices. Look for the lowest calorie, highest fiber choice of any food that you are eating. A couple hundred calories a day really adds up. Restriction could take several fills, so you want to do the best you can during this time, so you don't get frustrated. And making the above changes will help you later down the road when you do get restricted and even later when you're in maintenance, as you'll have replaced a lot of the old bad habits.

My family and a few others know I' had the lapband in 2007. Of course they noticed I lost weight (75lbs) but never got to goal. They never said anything negative and I was happy being 75 lbs down amd not really stressing about weight loss anymore....just coasting. 18 months ago starting to have problems...had upper GI and Endo 3 months ago and found....dilation of esophagus, prolasp of my stomach through the band. Port had flipped because of adhesions...my symptoms were extreme weight loss for 3 months then weight gain with nausea. And just feeling...not right. None of my family knew any of this except my husband. Now ..I'm telling some of my family since I'm having surgery to let them know....we're a close family. I'm really having a hard time explaining why I'm having the band out and going to a sleeve...since nothing really shows on the outside except I'm gaining weight because I can't keep solid Protein down and eat more slider foods. My siblings are asking why I don't just see if I can unfill and let it all go back like before...and they say surgery is dangerous. I'm just second guessing myself all over again. Maybe I want someone to tell me I can wait and everything will be fine....then I wonder how much damage waiting longer will do. I'm soooo feeakimg confused and scared of making the wrong decision like I did with the band..even though I thought amd was told it was the best thing out there for PERMANENT weight loss. My surgery date is Feb. 28th, 2013. Thanks for listening to my crazy ramblimgs.

:cheeky Marsha, I have PCOS and was diagnosed as Insulin Resistant 5 years ago and I've been on Metformin - prescribed by a Repro- Endo/ they seem to have a better insight for women with either PCOS or IR. Mainly because both conditions are due to hormone inadequecies which cause irregular cycles, excessive weight gain, increased glucose levels, etc. Especially if you are pre-disposed to diabetes like me (my mother had type 1 diabetes and died from complications to long term diabetes 35 years). I want to be banded as the metformin hasn't helped me one bit with the weight loss, but it has helped in reducing the side-effects/symptoms of PCOS. I've tried a variety of daily dosages 500mg once daily, twice daily, and currently three x's daily. But nothing works on the weight loss. The higher the dosage the impact worsens - upset stomach, runny stool, cramping, etc. I agree that metformin works best when Carbs are significantly reduced and Proteins are the bulk of your meals. Exercise is key as well - but nothing will beat the positive impact the band has. I'm still awaiting approval from BCBS (insurance) as I cannot afford the procedure on my own. Try switching your Protein intake and make sure that you consume 60grams daily, exercise 60 min daily 6-7 days a week, and most importantly drink your Water and lay off the carbs and the weight should come off. Most folks that are on metformin for PCOS are usually taken off the meds after banding as they glucose levels normalize. The same holds true for type II diabetics, from what I've heard. Talk with your endo about it- if you don't have one you like - get another one by all means. It's your life we're talking about. Good luck and keep us posted.

Weight loss? Weight gain? Pain better? Exercising?

I had sleeve because I was worried about medication absorption. Since then I have read about tons of bypasses who are on meds, even the psyc meds I worried about and they have had zero issues. I am a year and a half out and so far no gerd issues but I have not lost all I weight and I struggle with regain. In all fairness one of my meds does clearly state is causes weight gain and with the depression I don’t exercise like I should but I still can’t help but wonder if I would be in a different boat with bypass. Don’t get me wrong I don’t regret my choice. I am glad I chose something because they are both great surgeries that will get you down to a much more healthy weight. I just can’t help but wonder what if I had chosen bypass would I be sporting my skinny jeans right now.

I had my band put in feb 9 th, 2009 and have gone from 325 pounds to 200 pounds ...Recently I gained 20 pounds back and have found myself to get sick 4 outta 5 times I eat now....Been trying to identify suspect foods....Pretty much the only kind of meat I eat is fish, no beef or chicken.....I haven't drank any milk for over a year now...just use almond milk... I worked out the first 3 years of my band being put in...Last 2 years I've limited my exercise. I'm wondering because of my weight gain if I have tightened the band too much ? Anyways, by not being able to keep anything down , I believe I may fix the problem soon . Has anyone else experienced the inability to not keep anything down? I would like to be able to eat again and am grateful when I can.

Me too ,this happens all the time for me, I am so upset when I don't loose weight , so when I see a weight gain like 3-4 pounds overnight this freaks me out, bit on the other hand it makes me be extra good that day or week...

Hey, Don't feel sorry for me. I am happy with the way things are going for me. I have the money right now, I am happy with my choice in doctor, and will let the cards play out the way they are supposed to. I don't think your weight gain has anything to do with the time of year. I too have gained weight, and I think it is more psychological than anything. Every meal has been my last time to have this type of thing, you know. I was thinking these thoughts three months ago, LOL. I wish I could have had the surgery three months ago but travel plans wouldn't let me. My time is coming, and your's is too. Bill

Hi! I also have a lower BMI, of 36.something and am scheduled to have my lapband surgery on March 9, 2009. I am so EXCITED! I do have some co-morbidities, such as sleep apnea and pre-diabetes (PCOS related). I also have PCOS and started gaining my weight in my 20s. From everything that I have researched, read, and spoke with the surgeon about, the Lapband will help you to lose weight with PCOS. This is because of insulin-resistance being the big contributor to weight-gain in PCOS sufferers. The band will help you to not only control your food portions, but it will also slow down the release of carbohydrates into your system, thus, not allowing your body experience such rushes of glucose into your system. I believe that this surgery is going to HELP me to change my life! :thumbup:

Exercise for anyone can cause weight gain. Two main reasons seem to be not increasing your fluid intake and increasing your muscle mass. Fluid needs to be increased during exercise or else you'll experience water weight. It's so counter intuitive, but water flushes out water retention. It's your bodies way of freaking out and holding on to what it has because it doesn't think it's getting enough. And then of course is muscle gain. We all know by now that muscle weighs more than fat, so if your gaining muscle, the numbers might reflect poorly. That's where body measurements come in handy. Lastly, there's always the potential that your body is in a stall mode while one or both of the above options are taking effect as well. Stalling plus muscle gain or stalling plus water retention. Keep at the exercise, increase your fluids, and check again in a week or two. Your body should get the right idea soon. HW: 328 (02/21/17) CW: 278 (preop 50# disowned)

belinda, thank you so much for sharing! to ease your mind about the weight gain... i gained 10 lbs in the hospital after surgery! my doc said it was normal. its all the fluid that was pumped into you and what your body is holding onto from swelling... from how i understood it. the good news is my wedding band is loose now. so that gained stuff will come off very soon! hang in there belinda!

I'm at wits end , band done 2012 done really well until 2016 , horrendous pain down port side going into pelvis, after NHS diagnosis tube disconnection and embedded between pelvis and uterus , hospital group wanted more cash and then advised a new band operation , I didn' have enuf money , doc offered full removal but I was scared , weight gain was rapid , 2017 saw surgeon at Nuffield who offered repair costing 3000 but it hasn't worked , constant pain feel tummy is full of hernias I need this out of me and I'm looking for advice , wish I'd had sleeve done now

I would say "Don't worry, you'll be able to eat all those things," but I don't want it to sound like encouragement! No but truly, you will probably be able to eat most foods you loved pre-op once you have recovered from surgery and your stomach heals. The decision to NOT eat those foods is when the real work begins, because eating around the surgery is self-sabotage and will probably lead to weight gain. Post op, I really miss 3 things: pizza, diet soda, and cake. I mean, really. LOL, sometimes I obsess about those things but I make a choice not to eat them - otherwise, why did I have this huge surgery? My desire for cake, etc, hasn't disappeared, but I'm more motivated to lose weight than I am to buy and eat that piece of cake from the bakery. Post-op, I spend a lot of time thinking about food -- food I should eat and food I shouldn't eat. It's a battle every single day to make the right choices. Thank god I had the surgery to help me along - otherwise, what's the point?