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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

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

You are an inspriation to me. I want to run again...it is one of my goals/my dream! I ran thrughout my 20's to my mid-30's and then something happened that I just gave up on myself after a few physical, emotional, and spiritual set-backs resulting in a nearly 90 lb weight gain. I am in the pro-app phase at the Ohio State Unversity program. Once I begin to lose weight after getting banded I look forward to running again again

Another thing about a small weight gain like that....are they counting those that became pregnant after the sleeve? Because that's definitely a 22 lb or more gain.... I can only imagine they are smart enough not to attribute pregnancy to weight gain as it is being referenced here. This is about gaining weight, ie fat. Not another human.

Like deana I was in such great shape and could choke a person with my muscle dense thighs (jogged, rode my horse 5 days a week, etc.), LOL. That was until I got a terrible pain disorder and had to take medications such as neurontin and similar meds. I also was on anti-anxiety and depression meds which are also notorious for weight gain. I was put on depression meds in my late twenties and that was when I became "overweight." I was still very active and amazingly looked good too. By my mid thirties when I was put on neurontin for trigeminal neuralgia I got to an obese BMI. It's got worse as high doses steroids where added to my drugs and I gained nearly 80 lbs. in 6 months, became cushionoid and nearly died. Two brain surgeries later and I finally was in remission and easily lost 30 lbs as I was weaned off the steroids. It stopped there and I am still battling the bulge ten years later. The sleeve is a tool I have been looking for. I don't expect to maintain a weight of 120 lbs., I am looking for a decent 150lbs. and at that weight I was a force to be reckoned with and very active.

I agree, I think there is less of a risk of negatively affecting plastics results with minor weight gain. IMO losing more weight after plastics would be more detrimental. The strange thing is, I have seemingly lost fat, while the scale hasn't moved (and without working out)

Ad12368 the reason that they gained the weight back as with all WLS is because they did not follow their doctors orders, you can not eat whatever you want and not exercise, if you eat more than you are willing to burn off then you will have weight gain and thats with surgery or not. People consumed to many calories and refuse to exercise. As far as hanging skin goes you will have hanging or stretch skin rather you have the wls or not if you do not have the surgery you have hanging skin do to excessive amount of fat at least with the wls and you do what you are required to do and exercise you can minimize the amount of skin you have hanging through exercise. I have lost 100 pounds and I look great I work out 5 days a week for 2 hours . I watch what I eat and hold myself accountable for my actions. I eat to live not live to eat anymore. Most people overeat because of some issue they have going on rather it be stress eating, depression, comfort their is always a source to why people over eat. You must remember WLS is a tool only yo must do the hard work and be willing to make the necessary changes that is need to loose weight. Also regarding appearance and confidence , your confidence goes way up and you are finally seen as a person and with envy not the butt of everyone joke. I know that I was also tired of everyone telling me I had such a pretty face now I have the body that match and I have been happily married for 20 years. You will see changes as well as people will show their true colors friends who you thought were friends were not they became upset because you are getting healthy and changing. Do not let fear prevent you from being healthy no matter what choice you make. Good luck and keep me posted.

I am a 40 year old former college athlete. Prior to 2010, I was 6ft 3 1/2 inches weighing approximately 315...which was 85lbs heavier than my college playing weigh 20 years ago. Nonetheless I was pretty active and never really had any issues maintaining or losing weight whenever necessary. In 2009, I was starting to experience problems sleeping (night sweats, light sleeping), fatigue, and weight loss. After seeing my primary care doctor, I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease which is basically an overactive thyroid. I was taking medicine for this until July of 2010 when my life would change forever. In July 2010, I had an episode called a "thyroid storm" where my thyroid went all out wack causing me to be hospitalized in the ICU for 2 weeks. This was actually a life threating dilemma as my blood pressure and heart rate shot through the roof and I was dealing with severe dehydration, diarrhea, and a few other things. Needless to say, I made it out of the woods and recovered but in October of 2010, I had a total thyroidectomy (removed my thyroid). One of the main things that your thyroid controls is your metabolism and prior to having it removed the endocrinologist told me that some patients experience weight gain but as long they get the correct dosage of thyroid replacement meds and as long as I workout regularly, I should be fine. Being that I was a former college athlete and I was still semi active, working out was not an issue for me. Little did I know what was in store for me... Shortly after recovering from my thyroidectomy, I was down to 302lbs and remembering what the doctors had told me, I began working out 4 times a week for a least an hour each time (cardio). I was also advised by my endocrinologist that I should maintain a 2500 calorie a day diet that I was pretty strict about rarely going over 2500 calories...maybe 3000 calories on a few ocassions. Despite my efforts I was noticing that I was beginning to gain weight...slowly. I would do quarterly visits with my endocrinologist and they would up my doses of levothyroxine (thyroid replacement) and she would tell me to "push away from the table more". I told her that I was following her advise to no avail. After a few more visits (6 month's time). I was still gaining weight at an alarming rate. I was starting to experience fatigue and several other issues associate with weight gain. Finally the endocrinologist upped my dosage to 200 mcg (from 100 mcg). At this point I was extremely frustrated with this endo and decided to get another doctor. The second doctor that I started seeing was no better than the first, she offered no solution to sudden weight gain despite working out and despite monitoring my diet. When I explained to her that I was considering weight loss surgery as a last resort she said well maybe you should...that was the last time that I saw her. In January of 2012, I made the decision to have weight loss surgery. At this point, I've gained 100 + pounds and it wasn't until recently that the weight gain had really stopped. I am now 425lbs...the heaviest I've ever been. I now have issues getting around without being tired or my back hurting, my desire to workout is pretty non existant, sex life is bad, sleeping is an issue, and the list goes on. I went through Dr. Fullom's 6 month program and was approved for surgery. My first surgery was scheduled for October of 2012 but was cancelled due to some blood work that came back. Since then my surgery has been cancelled 3 times for the same reason...they thought that my blood was too thin. Since then I've seen the hemotologist and I now have my clearance letter from him and I'm scheduled to have my surgery on April 11, 2013. I am extremely excited about this new chapter in my life and I'm ready to go "All In". I am somewhat nervous because of the whole thyroidectomy/slow metabolism issue.

During the first 1 1/2 years after surgery, I weighed myself weekly because the weight was easily coming off. When I plateaued, I then began weighing myself daily. This is to ensure that if there is any micro-trend toward weight gain, I can immediately take action by reducing calories by about 200/day until my weight becomes stable again. That said, I eat 1200 calories or less every day so am sometimes puzzled by weeks when I notice my weight increasing, even by a couple of pounds. For example, there was one two-week period where I gained and lost eight pounds without any changes in my diet/exercise routine. Most people weigh weekly and that's enough to stay on course. I'm a little more watchful because that's my comfort zone.

Wellbutrin/bupropion is kinda like legal speed. If anything, that particular one will help you lose weight, not gain. SSRIs are notorious for weight gain, but are sometimes necessary. Just talk frankly with your psych...see what he/she can come up with to help. Also, talk to your bariatric surgeon...they've had some experience with this as well.

Well I haven't been on her for so long and it is good to read all of your posts! My surgery date was actually June 7, 2013 I have been out of town but for some reason I really wanted to share a little of my journey. I started this journey actually 2 years before I had the surgery. It took me that long to make the decision that once I had my surgery I would never turn back to my old eating patterns. Making such a change to your body was something I took very seriously and played the head games for 2 years. You know..........You can do this just eat right, exercise stay with the program! I was at the gym 3 times a week and trying so hard. I managed to lose about 25 pounds then my mother passed away. I kept up the same routine same eating patterns and despite all I gained 10 pounds back and finally said "That's it!" I knew I needed the help and made the decision to have the surgery. When I started the 2 weeks of liquid diet before surgery I had my answer to my biggest problem. I was a carbaholic that was the biggest insight into who I was and what was controlling me. I knew then and there I could no longer eat useless carbs. They were and are still a drug for me. Have you ever noticed when you eat a good piece of bread, cake, chip etc. it makes you want it more? It calls you from the cabinets and the frig......."I'm in here so close just come and have a few more!" Damn carbs!! I still fight this but know myself so well now I know what trigger foods to avoid and what I can treat myself with on an occasion. I am not anti carbs just the bad ones that pull you in. Avoid them! I haven't been the best at exercising but I do go twice a week during the school year (I work at a high school) and swim and bike ride during the summer. My goal weight was 160 pounds and I had a secret goal of 150 pounds. I knew I was going to make the 160 because I wasn't changing my body without a good outcome if I could help it. The day of surgery I weighed 293 pounds and today I weigh 149 pounds. I have been able to maintain this weight pretty easily (no boasting) and am amazed and give all the glory to God and my sleeve! When I returned home from my 3 week trip I had only gained 7 pounds and knew it was mostly bloat. By the end of the first week home it was gone and I marveled at how helpful this surgery actually is! To this day I still do not have hunger pains.........Thank the Lord!!! I know when my body is in need of food because I get an empty feeling or show signs of low blood sugar but that doesn't happen to often. Only if I am really really busy and honestly forget to eat. No eating disorder here.......no worries I still love my food! My body definitely has wrinkles all over the place and one day when I win the lottery I will have some surgery to fix myself up. The funny thing is when I was on vacation and was carrying some Water weight the wrinkles in some areas were not as bad. This is how I knew it was water weight. I missed my wrinkles and was happy to get them back because I felt back on track. Proof of being where I was supposed to be. Weird!! I still get a runny nose when I get full and can eat about 8 ounces on a really good day. I eat a high Protein diet with a lot of veggies and fruit. I have become a gluten free organic eater it made the difference for the last 5 pounds. I do love a Crown and diet organic coke or glass of wine. I didn't have a drink for about a year or more after surgery. This is one thing I caution everyone with. I quickly caught myself enjoying a drink in place of carb foods and put a stop to that. I thought well there is little calories and carbs in a Crown and diet coke so I will be okay and I didn't gain weight but drinking should just be kept at a minimum. You could easily fall into a really bad habit. For some reason eggs are still hard for me to eat I can't eat more than 2 on a really good day. What is up with that? Scrambled eggs........Really!! I take my Vitamins religiously and my blood work has come back great.......very grateful! One of my favorite treats is a cup of coffee with my half of a Premiere Protein Drink and some hazelnut creamer. It's a great middle of the day treat. I am still the person I was before surgery but with more confidence, self awareness and energy. I will protect this new person and body with all vigilance. The true answer to this surgery is getting to know the authentic self, recognizing your triggers and fixing them. Be it personal issues or food issues such as mine. Easier said then done I realize this full on. When I was on the liquid diet I put a whole new spin on being a bitch............My family was ready to run away! Every once in awhile I will go to a restaurant that overwhelms me and I tear up and get mad but I do not stray from my eating patterns. I know myself......... I would rather be mad for a few minutes than go down that slippery slope of gradual weight gain from getting addicted to carbs again. This was pretty long so if you hung in there and read the whole thing........Thank you!! I'm not perfect by a long shot and I'm sure there are some that would criticize. Please don't this is my life and I am feeling pretty darn good about it. I wish each and every one of you the best and brightest of outcomes!!!!

Xann, Hang in there girl, a lot of us have been in the same boat, here take my life jacket for a while. I have dealt with a lot of depression since my banding. I try and remember that we all started at different weights so we are gonna lose differently as well. Some of us are turles and some are rabbits, but look on the bright side, you are lossing, yes it is slow, but lossing, its a blessing. My first visit back to the doctor I had gained 10 lbs back from the weight I had lost during my all liquids stage. This is a life time journey so dont be so hard on yourself, I think to myself " I didnt get this heavy over night and I am not going to lose it over night". I believe your period has something to do with weight gain, I know I bloat something awful, so Water weight will get to you. Drink more water, sounds crazy but it helps flushes the extra water away. We all are here if you need us, vent, cry or even cuss....you're not alone!

OP, my Psych changed my meds when I questioned if my meds were contributing to me not being able to lose weight. My anti-psychotic was changed from Quetiapine (which apparently is VERY weight gaining) to Asenapine (which isn't weight gaining). My SSRI was changed to Fluoxetine. My Psych said that Fluoxetine can aid in weight loss in some people, I'm not sure if this is of any help to you. I noticed your in the USA - I have no idea if you have the same medications or any idea how your health system works I just wanted to tell you about my personal experiences. Of course everyones Doctor has a different opinion and everyone is going to react differently to medication, so it might take a bit of trial and error which can be frustrating. Best wishes in finding the right combination for you

It's common for low thyroid to impede weight loss or cause weight gain, but it doesn't necessarily work that way. Have you been working with an endocrinologist? Has your dosage been switched around for four months at a time? My doctor told me it takes about that long to know the result of a change. After nearly 30 years taking synthroid or L-thyroxine, my numbers went wildly cuckoo a few years ago. My primary referred me to an endocrinologist who changed my dose a couple of times. I've been in the normal range for a decent time now and see him every four months for blood work. We're still tweaking slightly. It's a good thing I like the endocrinologist greatly and we have good conversations about all sorts of things. Otherwise I'd resent having to go in that often. I hope you get to a good place. It seems unreasonable to me that your medical plan might deny you for the reason you mention, especially since your doctors will submit letters in support.

I'm an apple too. Lost in my boobs first and have one less chin now. Surgery May 8th down 32lbs. I used to wear my hair really short, but weight gain made me look like a bowling pin! Will cut my hair when I lose the weight.

What Kristine73 said is very true, different meds work very differently for different people. It's interesting she said wellbutrin made her eat more. Many people have taken wellbutrin to cure cravings, some have used it for weight loss and to quit smoking. The weight gain possibility on it is very low, and as i said some people actually lose weight on it. I take wellbutrin for depression. It didn't help me lose weight, but it certainly helped my depression. It didn't make me gain gain weight either. Good luck. As mentioned above it may be a good idea to see a psych specialist to prescribe these types of meds .

From liquids to solids willl cause weight gain until your body adjusts, another reason is 900 calories is not enough, try keeping it between 1200-1800 and see if that helps, body goes into starvation mode with that little ammount of calories. hang inm there is will happen, you have not had a fill yet, once the fills get rollin' you will see a difference in the numbers on thescale, but alos try not to focus so much on what the scale says, look for the other possitive things goin on that have changed since your band, like more energy, feeling better, clothees getting bigger, etc..

Ahhh yes the good old climbing up the scale thing. . .me too, I was doing really well and guess what? the heat in Texas started and I started to swell and retain tons of fluids even on my diaretics (lasix and amiloride) I thought at first it was because I've been grazing here and there, but nope it was the heat. . . so if you are susceptible to gaining Water weight during the hot seasons, this could possibly be the answer. . .don't worry, just cause we're gaining some weight isn't the end of it, just look how far we have come! Wow, I'm ok with some weight gain. . .at least I'm not 350 anymore! Good luck!

Good morning :rolleyes2: I was officially banded this past Monday and I am doing pretty good so far. Have followed my Clear liquids religiously and I am looking forward to full liquids this Saturday. I do have a silly question but I can't help but ask - did you experience a slight weight gain after the sugery? I went in as 204, was 206.5 yesterday and today now 204.5- Oh and I am not being anal retentive about weighing myself I was just curious to see what happens after and how quickly. I know that your body fluids fluctuate greatly and I want anyone who reads this to know I do not weigh myself normally more than once a week :thumbup: My urine is clearish and I am pleased with that is as I am drinking as much Fluid as possible to stay hydrated. I find that I am very tired easily but I have been getting up and walking around - which has helped with the gas greatly. Any ways, back to my original silly worry - did you gain weight directly after surgery and how long was it before you actually started to lose weight?

Its amazing how putting on a few kgs can affect your whole attitude. Each day I weigh myself the scales have gone up, even if it is only a little bit. 2 weeks and 4 kgs is ALOT. I havent been eating any differently to what I was, only more because the restriction has gone to nearly zilch. My mood is back to that depressive state. I feel fat...so fat. The new clothes I have bought are tight and snug fitting now. I feel yucky and I feel sh*t. Its been 6 months and its never been a problem to him before, why now? Its controlled and I dont even know I have it if I take my meds. For me my prior post is weight gain inevitable...welll right now....yes it is. I cant stop it. The difference in eating little amounts and now eating more normal ppl amounts is making me put weight on in itself. No one here (in real life) understands so please excuse my whining and if you think I need a kick in the butt and told to wake up then please do it. Tell me something...anything just dont tell me that this is the way it has to be...not with a few months left to my dream wedding.

I too suffer from depression mainly coming from being assaulted at work by a patient, and then not being able to go back to my job that I loved so much. I know I do feel so much better now from losing the weight, and if anything the surgery has helped me come out better. Wellbutrin may help with your depression, however sometimes it takes many attempts at finding the right one for you. I am currently on Effexor which is a combo anti depressant that works on not only serotonin but dopamine as well. One of its side effects is weight loss, so that helps as well with my getting to goal. There are a lot of SSRIS that cause weight gain, so be careful to discuss those side effects with your psych dr. Good luck!

I have always found Thanksgiving to be the biggest cause of winter weight gain. Lets eat like pigs and then the next day start getting ready for Christmas with shopping, decorating, BAKING and getting ready to pig out some more. I found a cure for that since surgery. Since I live on the border, I spend the day in Canada. It's not Thanksgiving there. That way I don't start the holiday season off on an overstuffed gut! I've made it through the last 3 years without holiday weight gain.

I am becoming more and more convinced that I am doing something wrong. I do not feel that I have lost enough weight. My sleeve was 1/20 and I have only lost 37 lbs It has been 2+ months. I see where others have lost that much in the first month! I am very stressed about this and am not sure what to do. I just hit send on an email to the NP at my surgeon's office and anxiously wait for her reply (which might take several days and before anyone says it, I know if it Sunday and she is not working). I am loosing pounds and have lost inches, but I am afraid it should be more. I am watching everything I eat and doing cardio for 30 minutes 5 times a week. I am on several medications for Lupus and Fibromyalgia and they cause weight gain (one of the many reasons I am hear now and could not loose). Could that be why I am not loosing as much? Am I doing something wrong? I know that no one can give me an exact answer to my question, but I could really use some support. Thanks y'all!

Being genetically pre-disposed to obesity will make it “harder” for one to lose the weight and eventually maintain, but it doesn’t mean it can’t be done. If you are fully committed to a lifestyle change, I believe it is achievable. You’ll just have to work harder and longer than the person who isn’t pre-disposed. My mother and sister are both obese today. My mom was just overweight when she was in her twenties, but my sister has been overweight to obese since puberty. My father was normal weight up until his 40’s, and then slowly entered into obese territory as well. I was normal weight up until my twenties, like my mom, and got MO by the time I was 40. I had dieted and lost weight a few times (50+ lbs each time), but always managed to gain it back plus a quite a few more within a year. I am now 1 yr, 2 mnths since reaching goal (1 yr, 9 mnths since actual surgery), and I am 17 lbs less than when I decided to stop losing weight. So I think (hope!) that I broke my own personal curse of the 1-year-weight-loss-weight-gain cycle. Based on what I’ve read, I was/am a normal to faster loser (but I lost at the same rate even before surgery). The main difference between now and then (besides my physically smaller stomach, of course) is my attitude. I have done a total 180 in regards to eating habits, exercise, and probably more importantly, in temperament. Could I have done this without the surgery? Maybe. All I know is that I have a ridiculous amount of confidence now that I didn’t before, and this self-belief thing started the day I decided to go through with WLS (I had changed my mind twice about going through with it over a 2-year period). And it only got stronger as time went on. So I get where @Arabesque is coming from about the therapy thing. The mind is a very powerful thing when used to your benefit. So, did I worry that biology would hinder me? No. I just figured I would do what I need to do to get what I want. P.S. I know I am not one of the wls lottery winners. I exercise a crap ton more than others on here who manage to maintain a weight similar to mine without a lick of exercise and who even eat pasta (the horror! Lol.). Luckily I like exercise now vs dreading it (well, except maybe for strengh training, which I still sorta hate, but it’s slowly growing on me...) P.P.S. Sorry this was sooooo long.

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