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Hi and Happy New Year! I hope the holidays were good for everyone...I was wondering if anyone else gained over the holidays? I am a teacher so I've been home for two weeks now and have gained 6 pounds!!! I realize that being home, I eat way more than if I was working and of course I'm eating all the wrong foods, but I didn't think it would be so easy to gain 6 pounds in 2 short weeks! Looking for a way to jump start my weight loss again, any suggestions?

When you look in the mirror SAY hi to the NEW YOU and keep encouraging yourself to continue on the successful path you have chosen. It does take time for our brains to catch up with our bodies. You have to remember that your weight gain came over a long period of time and now you are losing it rather rapidly and getting our minds to wrap around that is a challenge. Just like you made the choice to take control of your life and live a better quality, you too can work on changing your mental state. I use positive affirmations to encourage myself. I use post it notes and put them where I will see them; the bathroom mirror, the refrigerator door, near where I sit. Right now I am struggling with drinking my Water. I use to drink close to a gallon of water a day and now I am lucky I get in a couple glasses. SO on in my kitchen by the sink faucet I put a note "DID YOU DRINK YOUR WATER TODAY??" You and I can do this and enjoy the NEW US. It is a NEW YEAR and I wish you the best of success! SMILE and keep positive!!

It's not just empty calories... http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh21-1/76.pdf This publication does talk a lot about long term effects in alcoholics, but there are also some key findings pertaining to acute alcohol consumption that affect us sleevers. Everything from esophagus and gastric motility (resulting in reflux) to damaging the lining of the stomach and intestines. Believe me, I am not anti-alcohol and loved my evening cocktails. I could binge drink with the best of them! I have no doubt alcohol has played a part in my weight gain prior to surgery. But at this point I am going to be on the wagon for a very long time to help protect my health and surgical investment.

also I do empathise..I suffer with Plantar Faciitis..last year I had to have injections in my feet as they were so painful..people who hasnt experienced this..you cant even take one step..it IS excruciating! Then what happens...you become less mobile to zero.that equals weight gain!

I had surgery 2/11 and guess what! 14 lbs up since day of surgery! So tell me water weight or "search the forum" or whatever, but I am so DAMN angry it should be physically impossible to do this! So much for people who told me to eat less and I would lose weight well NO FOOD FOR 14 DAYS =WEIGHT GAIN. I know nobody wants to hear it but I have no one to talk to so here's my post. I have tears running down my face I am so upset. I am farther into the 300s wtf...I hate this.

Hi. I noticed that my weight has started going up like crazy over the past four days. I was 76.5 kg on 26 April 2023 and I weighed 80.2 Kg this morning (30 April 2023). I usually weigh myself after going to the toilet in the morning, around the same time, before eating or drinking anything and wearing only my "birthday suit". Gaining 3.7 kg over 3 days is definitely unusual and alarming. This afternoon I also noticed that my feet were swollen and felt a bit numb. Then I remembered that I've been eating a lot of pickles that my wife made for me. I read somewhere that there is a strong connection between increased dietary salt intake and weight gain due to water retention but the studies were all inconclusive. The recommendations were to just drink a lot of water, exercise and wait it out. Anyone experienced a similar situation and how long did it take to get back on track? It is frustrating that I'm experiencing this while I'm only 6 kg from my goal weight.

Haha, your post made me laugh. I worked out hard for the first 80 pounds and then I had plastic surgery and the most I could do was walk daily, which in the beginning I was positive was going to result in weight gain. Amusingly enough, over the course of almost 8 months I had three plastic surgeries and a week after the last one I hit my goal weight, which was 37 pounds lost from not exercising much. I think I lost a lot of muscle, but I am always amused when my body throws me a curve ball I never expected. Maybe try walking as your exercise? I find it boring as can be but while I'm in recovery it has helped me maintain at goal and at the very least relaxes me a little.

I have a question for anyone that may know. Even if we are taking a medication that can inhibit weight loss such as beta blockers.....when we've had approx. 85% of our tummies removed, how can we stop losing weight? This is a serious question. I don't see how that is possible, it may come off a little slower, but slow and steady is not a bad thing. Weight gain with these drugs is approx. 4 lbs. They are prescribed for high blood pressure, usually when diuretics haven't been successful, or for migraines when other migraine medication hasn't worked, or in conjunction with other migraine meds. Maybe try something else, if possible.

I got send home on day of surgery because of a small weight gain and the doctor didn't think I took the preop diet seriously. It was a high protein no carb diet. I was heartbroken and went crazy on sticking to it and lost some weight and finally got the surgery done. But I was devastated when it happened. I don't even like thinking about it.

Sorry to hear about your troubles, is it possible to change the medicines you are on? (as your weight gain over the last 2 yrs could be a reaction to the medication ) to see if that will help you lose the initial weight? You might also want to consider contacting a Dr in Mexico to discuss your case (a lot of people on the forum have had their op in Mexico and have named their Drs if you would like to check it out). Their requirements might be different and you may be able to do your op there. Good luck and wish you all the best. Sent from my SM-G900FD using BariatricPal mobile app

I was diagnosed with pseudo tumour cerebri about five or six years ago. I felt humiliated because You know your fat when the eye doctor tells you to lose weight. It always worsened with my weight gain and improved with any losses. I am now 145 lbs at 5"3'. No more symptoms. It has completely resolved. I had gastric bypass jan 2013.

concerned, yes and no, I think that healthy is 2-3 lbs a week, while others say 1-2 lbs. The problem with losing weight fast is the rebound of weight gain. Be sure your drinking a lot of fluids from keeping yourself from getting dehydrated. Be sure to eat atleast your minimum amount of calories otherwise your body will go into starvation mode and you will stop losing weight and be actually behind on your weight loss. Its a slow process but if you follow the rules you will be fine. Congrats on your weight loss, just be careful your losing it the healthy way!!! Best of luck with your continuous success, your Beautifil Chriper!!!!

During the weight loss phase most programs recommend staying completely away from bread, Pasta, potato, cake, crackers, and most carbs. I get "good carbs" from some veggies but avoid the rest as much as humanly possible. Some people can incorporate carbs back in during the maintenance phase, but for some people they are a slippery slope and can lead to weight gain through "grazing". It's common to have a stall. Don't be discouraged.

I'd encourage you to have a talk with your doctor about your need for treats. it may well be that there is a way to tweak your eating plan that's helps deal with that. I can't speak for others, but when I'm on a low carb diet with sufficient fat in it, I experience very little need to munch. I've been reading Dr. Paul O'Brien's book - he's the researcher/surgeon in Australia that has done more studies on the Lap Band than anyone else I know of. What he emphasizes over and over again is that if something is getting in the way of you losing weight or doing what you're supposed to, you should talk to your doctor about it. Don't assume this is just you being an undisciplined bum. I'd also encourage you to understand the mechanics of weight loss and weight gain. Because if you know what catalyst you're unleashing every time you drink a Starbucks drink or snack on something you shouldn't, it may make it easier to avoid that stuff. The first problem with coffee or tea is the caffeine. Studies have found that drinking caffeine with Breakfast makes blood sugar levels spike through out the entire day - including a 36% spike after dinner. When your body has lots of glucose floating around in it, your pancreas releases insulin to convert all of that energy to fat. With Snacks - particularly processed food - you're causing your blood sugar to rise quickly, and that's food that's going to be plastered directly to your hips, thighs and tummy. Here's a 60 second video from the Mayo Clinic about how food turns into glucose and what happens from there. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-sugar/MM00641 And here's an explanation of the whole process from Calories Per Hour: http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_sugar.php "Our pancreas creates a hormone called insulin that transports blood sugar into our body’s cells where it is used for energy. When we eat refined grains that have had most of their Fiber stripped away, sugar, or other carbohydrate-rich foods that are quickly processed into blood sugar, the pancreas goes into overtime to produce the insulin necessary for all this blood sugar to be used for energy. This insulin surge tells our body that plenty of energy is readily available and that it should stop burning fat and start storing it". Watch the video a few times. Reread the text. The next time you're tempted to snack on something you shouldn't, remember that stuff. Thinking about your fat cells getting fatter because you're drinking Starbucks will likely slow you down as least part of the time. Remember, that drink isn't bad for you just because it's calorie dense and liquid so it slides through your band easily, it's bad for you because it has caffeine and that caffeine may very mean that your body holds on to MORE of the calories you eat ALL DAY LONG. As for snacks, they're processed and quickly broken down by your body, so your blood sugar will rise rapidly in response, and your body will store more of what you eat as fat. And talk to your doctor. See if he/she has any advice for you or if they want to make some changes in your diet.

Ok well, I had some real inner fighting going on with myself before I got the band. I was so nervous and concerned about whether or not I was doing the right thing for myself and my family. I knew without a doubt I needed to do something that I thought was drastic but I wasn't sure I wanted WLS. I was so paranoid about the surgery and the care required afterward. I took about a year to attend seminars and finally pick a surgeon (gaining weight the entire time I might add). I would be for it then against it and so on. That is, until my older brother's wedding. I have posted it on a thread before but I wanted to tell you also. His wedding was May 23rd. I flew to Atlanta and I had done a lot of preparation buying new clothes, shoes, everything, spending big bucks on my hair and nails, etc. You get the idea. Thinking I looked pretty good but still knowing I was overweight just not registering it. So I go, and man were there a ton of the "beautiful people" there from LA, New York, everywhere. I was deflated in a real big hurry. All the prep I had done meant nothing in about 2 minutes flat. So, after an entire weekend of crying my eyes out, I made up my mind right then and there to do it and never looked back. I was banded less than a month later. That is how determined I became. I even had pre-testing and insurance to go through and did it in record time. Now, a little more than a month later and awaiting my first fill on 08-04-09 and already 25 lbs. lighter, I am more thrilled than I can explain. I never thought I would see the day that I could lose weight instead of gain. I had a host of medical problems not just caused by weight gain and I had just come off of 2 years of oral steriods for a skin condition. But the weight is coming off with some work and determination. Hope you find that determination and decide what to do. Good Luck!

I am not at my personal goal yet, but am with my Surgeon's goal. I do admire how you have reached your goal and also am worried about myself being at goal and letting my guard down, and then the weight gain begins. So for me, I suspect I will always have to watch what I'm eating. I'm also going to weight myself 2 times a week at least. I am curious to know how others are with maintenance. Sleeve of Steel,you have done a great job and CONGRATS! You are very successful and will continue to be successful with maintenance.

I'm 2 years out and here recently have noticed I can eat a whole lot more, including bread. I've been good for 2 years about not eating bread and rice, then one day recently I tried a breadstick and it was like a gateway drug for me. I had gotten down to 160 from 330 but I think the last 20 was from the gallbladder surgery I had to have due to rapid weightloss, for the last 7 months I have struggled with 16 pounds weight gain and even went back to weight watchers to try to lose and hit goal. I understand that eventually your body catches up to the weight loss and I found out by joining weight watchers that even though I was eating small meals I was still eating pretty bad. I feel that it happened over night and I never pushed it to stretch out my stomach but I can eat so much more now and it scares me because I don't want to put the weight back on. Has anyone had this problem? Any suggestions or tips to get it back off? Obviously working out and stop eating the carbs would help, I know this.

I am more hungry and want to eat everything in sight. In addition I can eat more food but can only barely tolerate water. It is so strange but thankfully like others, the weight gain is quickly lost afterwards.

Update: After taking another x-ray and nothing has changed with the band, we're going back into surgery next month. I appreciate all the input, and 2muchfun mentioned the band coming unbuckled. I feel like that is all that is left, as we have checked everything else. My doctor says he's never had that happen before. Dr. Kureshi has been very supportive, and open about this. He is over the bariatric unit at TMC in Denison, TX, and they've just received awards for their efforts that rank them above others in north Texas. I have confidence them. I have read enough forums to know that when I made this post, that I would get the usual, "Control your eating" responses. Because, that's why I shelled out 15 grand in cash, to get a surgery that I didn't need, because all I had to do was watch what I ate! <sarcasm> I have tried it all. Atkins, juice diet, Zeal, Plexus, etc, etc. Even after the band, I walked 3-5 miles every night. At the end of the week, I had gained 2 lbs. "It's muscle!" everyone said. I could care less! Weight gain is weight gain to me! I had an episode Jan. 4. The wife made a meal of red Beans and cornbread. All I can figure is that after I ate, it expanded in my stomach, possibly forcing the band to unbuckle. I had intense fever that night, and then again 2 days later. For the next few days, I had to go back to liquids, broths and Soups. Before the event, I had normal restriction, and just a cup of food would keep me full for hours. A cup of coffee, and about 3 of the Peanut Butter toast crackers is all that I could get in for Breakfast, and that would keep me full until lunch. I was losing weight steadily. After the event, when I could start eating, I noticed that I could eat foods that before I couldn't. Rice, potatoes, heavy beef, etc. So, back under the knife I go. If the band has simply come unbuckled, then the doctor will re-buckle, and stitch it so that it can't come undone. I will keep everyone posted. Thanks again for all the support!

This is bad for those of us on this journey. Yes I heard Mirena doesn't do major weight gain, but at this point scared to use any BC until I at least finish my weightloss. What I'm thinking is, I think these BCs mess with our metabolisms, because the changes I noticed were like the way I was before I had the surgery. But I'm hoping someone has be able to kick start their weight loss again, and if so, how? Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App

I am trying to find the best birth control option after my sleeve. I don't want to take the pill due to the increased risk of blood clots and I have no experience with the IUD. I certainly don't want anything that will cause weight gain either Any suggestions??? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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

Have you been testing for metabolic disorders like thyroid, etc? I've heard that stress can cause you to have cortisol build up and that causes weight gain. There is also some disorder caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland. What theories does your doctor have???

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

I will start with a little, tiny bit of information about myself. My name is Allyssa, I am a 20 year old girl from Alberta, Canada ! I operate heavy equipment as my occupation for now in the beautiful oilsands (haha). I like to longboard, party and do pretty much any typical thing any 20 year old nonsense a 20 year old gets into. I first began my struggle with weight at the young age of 8 years old, being an asthmatic I was put on hardcore steroids very young that caused a whopping 30 pound weight gain in just a short month and a half. With such a dramatic change, so quickly, I turned to food to cope. By time I was 13 I weighed 150 pounds. By 17, 220 pounds. Hard to believe, hard to imagine, even harder to deal with. I was bounced from Jenny Craig, to Herbal Magic, to stress filled, painful no food diets, and intense workout. In my opinion Herbal Magic was the only diet that worked. I went from 220 to a small 160! It was a fantastic loss, and I was doing so well, when I stuck to my program. With being such a young age, it was hard to stay away from alcohol, and occasionally eating what I wanted. This past January I unfortunately lost a very important figure in my life, which caused me to plummet to the very low that made me re-gain most of my weight. In just a month, I had reached 180 pounds. So February I had decided I want the gastric sleeve, so I hit the internet in search of a doctor I came to a conclusion that Mexico was where I would have my surgery. My surgeons name is Dr. Roldolfo Natera. And my surgery is Hosptial Star Medica. Finally booked for June 1/2012. I am a little nervous as I assume anyone would be. I am looking for support, advice, and knowledge from anyone who has also , decided to have surgery in Mexico, I would like to know all about your experience, dealing with the hospital stay, healing time, diets etc. Thank you so much.