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I have not but only about 2 months out of surgery. Steroids will be the culprit to that weight gain I believe. I would suggest quit eating chocolate and bisquits (Are you talking about what we Yanks call cookies?)

I gained 40 pounds before being diagnosed with hypothyroidism. That was on top of my already overweight body. What a drag. Having hypothyroidism really does screw with your body. The pounds were just flying on and I was eating very well and excercising. It was so depressing. Now that I'm on my medication the weight gain stopped and I had to bust butt to get those 40 pounds off. Hang in there.

I've had a mirena for a year. No weight gain from it

Yeah, and just pointing out...i'm a guy and i'm 19...so my metabolism is faster (not as much as my skinny roomate who takes weight gain protein..2500 calories per serving...GOD I HATE THAT) Try and tell me my metabolism is high and i'll laugh. But in all seriousness guys lose weight easier than girls, and the age factor goes the same way. And yeah, comparing weight is the easiest way to get discouraged so dont...trust me i'm not ready for before and after photos yet...i dont see a difference..i've still got a good 100 lbs to lose.

The Nemours (A.I. Dupont) Children's Hospital here in Delaware is creating a Lap-Band program through their Weight Loss Clinic. I found out about this because my son is a patient there. They apparently are partnering or being funded in some way for a research study with the FDA to do lap bands on 13 year olds - that is the age group specified for them to work with. The Dietician I spoke with about this said the children do have to be at least 100 pounds overweight to be considered and there is extensive counseling and nutritional education to be involved. She brought it up to me at our last visit a few weeks ago. My son is not a candidate, though he at 8 years old has asked if he can get a "rubber band" around his stomach too so he can lose weight like mommy. He is currently about 60 pounds overweight at 4'9" and 136 pounds. I disagree with the generalization that having an overweight child is because you are a "bad" parent. I am in no way a bad parent and I have an obese child. My son's weight gain is from medication (anti-convulsants, anti-anxiety/psychotic medications, steroids and corticosteroids) and from his chronic severe health conditions. He has permanemnt damage to his lungs resulting in chronic asthma (which is also exercise-induced) and he has damage to his brain (bands, and bands of damaged tissue throughout his brain). He was a normal weight and proportionate until he was 3 years old and started on the anticonvulsants. Even with the steroids and corticosteroids his weight was maintanable and in a normal range until then - he has been on them since birth. He has been under the care of multiple doctors since his birth and I was warned about the weight he would gain because of the medications he is on and his limited ability to exercise and be active because of his severe asthma. Will he be a candidate at age 13 or more? I don't know. Would I consider it for him at that age, again, I don't know. The determination will be his physical and mental health (because of the epilepsy and brain damage he has a mood/behavior disorder) and if the benefits of the surgery would outweigh the risks. As a parent of a child in this situation, and having been banded myself, it is comforting to know that it *might* be an option for my son. I am hoping that we can continue to manage his weight through diet and exercise but that has not been working as well as we would like. His conditions are chronic and he will be on these medications for the rest of his life. Losing the weight he carries in his abdomen would absolutely help with his asthma and breathing difficulties not to mention his self confidence. Kids can be very cruel and they don't understand that he is different because he cannot help it, not by choice. He doesn't look "sick" so they, like the rest of society tends to do, just assume he has no self control and eats and eats and eats and has a weight problem. It's a difficult situation for any child to be in and whatever reason put them there, my heart goes out to all of them.

I was raised on healthy food and skim milk. I never tasted soda until I was in my late teens because when I wasn't at home I was in boarding school, another junk food-free zone. When I finally did try it I was really shocked; I thought it tasted horrible. This proved lucky. I never acquired the addiction to the stuff that so many people seem to have. I was also really late having my first Big Mac experience. I was 35 when I ate my first Big Mac and fries. Now, those I enjoyed. I am inclined to believe that when parents raise their kids on good food the kids will often carry on with this style of eating in adulthood. Both of my brothers along with myself continued to prefer quality food as adults. One of them went on to become a superb cook. Two of us had problems with weight because we were so very fond of what was on our plates and because our genetics favoured weight gain. (This is why I love my band.) I suspect that sometimes children are not properly fed because their parents run out of time and energy by the end of the day, possibly because they themselves are not eating healthily. It takes time and good organisational skills to make good food for dinner and to pack good lunches for the kids to take to school. I also suspect that most people know very little about food and nutrition. I have always preferred good food but I have learned a helluva lot since being banded. This is because I now scrutinise the nutritional content list on all prepared foods. This is a real learning experience and often not in a reassuring way. One of the things that I have learned is that most vegetable soups and pasta sauces are pretty much devoid of vita C as well as just about every other nutrient. :omg: Learning how to eat properly is a challenge. I think that this should be taught in schools but more importantly, no junk food should ever be available in a school cafeteria. I think that all parents should lobby their local school boards about this.

Then you should talk to your surgeon about it and possibly get a slight unfill. Slider foods lead to weight gain and a band too tight leads to slips.

Has anybody with an autoimmune disease had this surgery?? I have Grave's disease (affects my thyroid). The surgeon did not seem to think that it would be a problem at all, but I am still going to talk to my endocrinologist on Jan. 22nd to see what he thinks about me having this surgery. I have done nothing but gain weight since I was diagnosed and treated with radioactive iodine for Grave's disease. (I had radioactive iodine which killed part of my thyroid and made me hypothyroid instead of hyperthyroid.) I am really wanting a solution to my 80 lb weight gain. :help: Thanks!!

Thanks for all of the replies you guys, it just sucks to be at goal buy all these nice clothes and now you can't fit them anymore but I did it to myself and I'm doing something about it now and once I reach goal again I'm going to stay there cause I never want to feel this way again. I got a good man he saw the 25 pound weight gain and never complained he's away for six weeks when he gets back I hope to be at least 135 when he first met me wish me luck.

I have the same type of under rib and sternum pain and pressure with upper stomach gas. So tired of pain and bloating. I'm happy to say after six years my band is being removed and a sleeve done on 2/14. My band the first three years was ok. Lost 140lbs basically by eating chicken and beef soup and exercising. Soups were the only way I could get real solid protein. Then years four through six have been hell with pain and weight gain. The band isn't a real solution in my opinion.

My soda substitute has been Vitamin Water Zero and the occasional diet Snapple. Three months ago I was addicted to Coke Zero and soda in general. I don't feel that way now, and I don't want to risk a relapse. I did however look up carbonation (I would like an occasional beer) and it's been discussed in much length on this board and others. One of the best responses I've seen is from a competing website: "Great question! The conventional wisdom is that carbonated beverages should be avoided after gastric bypass and vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Reasons stated include potential stretching of the pouch or sleeve and uncomfortable bloating caused by the expanding gas. These reasons make common sense, but to the best of my knowledge have never been tested in an objective manner. I suppose one would have to have half of a randomized group drink sodas for five or ten years and the other not. So you can see that that's just not going to happen. The question "do sodas stretch the pouch" will remain unanswered. Another reason that surgeons advise against sodas is the possibility that drinking calorie free sodas will pave the way to drinking sugary sodas. Again, I don't know if that's likely or not, but drinking sugar sodas is the kiss of death to successful weight loss maintenance after bariatric surgery. Really drinking any calorie containing beverages including juice bar drinks, vegetable juice, sodas, sports drinks, kids sugar drinks, ice tea containing sugar, coffee with milk, and beer will lead to intake than more calories than needed and weight gain. Now does that mean No Milk, No Juice.....? Well not really. It just means that if you drink liquid calories, you have to figure it into your daily calorie allotment and eat less of other foods. Since many calorie containing liquids have little nourishment other than sugar, that means eating less healthy stuff. A bad trade off. To summarize, if you do drink calorie containing liquids, make sure they are nutritious and include the calories in your daily calorie allotment. If they are of little nutritious value, make them small, occasional, a real treat. So have that glass of orange juice or glass of milk or glass of wine, but remember that they contain about 100 - 120 calories so skip something else and keep your calorie budget intact. Drink your calories responsibly." Dr. Charles Callery

Quote: Originally Posted by vegasgirl44 Ok, if you get offended by that time of the month talk, I apologize, and please read no further. HOWEVER, if you are intrigued, please continue. I am on day 9 of my preop diet of Protein shakes. I am supposed to stay under 1200 calories per day and have actually been hovering around 600-700 per day. Saturday night I ate a package of turkey bacon. Sunday morning, I gained 1 lb and today, I woke up and gained another half lb. I simply cannot tell you how discouraging this is. I'm supposed to get my period next Monday (I think this diet has thrown me off schedule) but I'm already bloated and cramping. Maybe I'm starting sooner, but I'm still pissed off that my scale is not going in the right direction. I have not had anything except that damn bacon, and I still came in under 1200 calories that day. I think I just need encouragement and a similar story...yeah, that would help. My scale is going to go down a lot after my period comes, right? I'm 47 years old. I should know this by now, but I need a hug. :thumbdown: Or just some cheese with the wine. :cursing: Hey Vegas...I'm probably a bit late on my reply, but I just read your post and wanted to offer my opinion, and past experience on this. I do think that your period will affect your weight loss, and once it is over you should notice a drop (as long as you haven't cheated). However, I also think that the Turkey Bacon may be the culprit to your bloated weight gain. Even if that package of turkey bacon was in your calorie allowance, it still mostlikely had way over the recommended sodium intake for the day; which, probably retained Fluid in your body, making you bloated and more weight. I say this only from personal (bloaty) experience. Cutting some of the sodium should help with the bloating, as well as adding lots of Water to flush out the sodium. Although, my Dr. told me NOT to take any diuretics to take away the water. So just do it the natural way, and celery and cucumbers help too! I hope this helps somewhat. Good luck!:thumbup:

20 lbs since February?? Um.. is this not great??? How much were you losing BEFORE being banded?? The AVERAGE is 5-10lbs PER MONTH - after having restriction. I'd say you have done better than average and you can tell those inquiring minds that the band is slow weight loss, not unhealthy super fast weight-loss and that you'll report to them on a monthly basis or quarterly, but minute by minute is just unreasonable.. lol. You probably ARE compacting and gaining muscle OR your itty bitty 2lbs is water weight gain. I fluctuate this much IN A DAY... Give yourself a break, girl, this is not a race and you're right on track! Keep up the good work and try to relax, this is for life. Even your doctors goal is ONLY 50-100 lbs PER YEAR. It all works out over time...

I want to be within my target weight maintenance range at the two year mark - Oct 20th. Range is 153-156. Weight this morning - 151.6. I always read that most folks have a "bounce back" weight gain at the 12 to 18 month mark. My weight stabilized at 155 at about 13 months out. I was determined that there would be no bounce back. So far, so good! I'm absolutely convinced that the key is my food log. Which I've maintained since a few weeks after my surgery. And the next milestone will be being in the same range at the three year mark! Lovin the new me!!

My surgery is on 8/1. I have my pre-op appt with the surgeon on 7/29. I was told to begin my liquid diet on 7/25. But the last 2 weeks I have been pigging out on all my favorite foods and I have gained about 10 since my last appt. I am worried I will go to my pre-op appt and they will be pissed at my weight gain and postpone my operation. I am scared. I began a low-carb diet today since that has been my diet of choice in the past that allowed me to lose the weight the fastest. I don't want to be postponed. I can't believe I gained 10 lbs. since my last appt. Feeling very disappointed with myself for that behavior. Did anyone else pig out or am I the only one?

Honestly, no. My weight gain made absolutely no difference to how he was with me and nor is the weight loss. I honestly did it for myself.

I have been banded since October of 2007. I think that I am qualified to answer this question because I have not lost 100% of my excess weight. I am not a size 2 like I hoped I would be. Expectation not met. I won't make excuses, I eat right, and I exercise. But my weight loss has a serious twist: I am bipolar, and as such I take a massive amount of weight gaining medication. (6000 pills a year.) Having said that I am totally pleased with my weight loss. I continue to lose weight, but it is VERY slowly. (1 pound a month, and I earn that pound!!) My surgeon is thrilled, because I have managed to lose 71% of my excess weight. Right on!!!

Hey Sharon, I'm sorry, but this doesn't sound right to me either. My DH doesn't think this sounds right either. Here is my DH's advice: The surgeon should be available at the time of the seminar. If he isn't available now, will he be available when you need him? Run, don't walk. You will have much better results from a good experienced laproscopic sergeon than one who is primarily a bariatric surgeon. (DH has lost about 185 pounds with his band so far.) Oh, and one more thing. About the whole "being commited" thing. I have gained weight since my original weigh in. I'd been on steroids for my asthma for most of January, and now I'm on them again. When I went for my final round of tests two weeks ago, they noted my weight gain. But they weren't judemental about it. No "Bad Crystal, no surgery!" They were more concerned that I was able to breathe than gaining weight. They also know I'm on steroids again for my asthma, and know I will likely gain more weight between now and Monday. Again, there is no thought of "Bad Crystal, no surgery!" just, let's get you lthis surgey so you can loose weight so you can breathe better.

I quit on Super Bowl Sunday, 1985. I had a horrible sore throat and it hurt to swallow, much less smoke. I thought, I wonder how long I can stay off cigarettes? The answer is 29 years and counting. It wasn't easy when the sore throat cleared up. Habits were hard to break. Everything I did with a cigarette in my hand had to be relearned. This was back in the day when you could still smoke at your desk at work. Driving, out to dinner, out to a bar, watching tv, you name it. It hits you like a ton of bricks how often you reach for a cigarette. Mine was cold turkey from about two packs a day at age 23. I started in high school. My high school actually had a smoking lounge for students. I had never really tried to cut back or quit before then, but I was getting winded on stairs, etc., and it wasn't all from my weight. Once I quit, it only took a few weeks to begin to see the benefits. My sense of smell came back, things tasted better. I don't recall a big weight gain, but I was already obese. I had dreams occasionally for years that I had sneaked a cigarette. I'd wake up sweating. One thing I know is that quitting cigarettes was a cakewalk compared to quitting overeating. I've done both in my life and the food was much harder. I'm proud of being smoke free and now on a journey to healthy weight as well. You can do it. Think of the years added to your life the moment you quit. You will have a cleaner car, a cleaner home, your coat won't smell. If you can change your eating, you can do this. Good luck.

Last year when I started to see my weight plumage! My body for years was getting too comfortable with being in the 280's for decades! But when I hit 304, then 310 and jumped right into 367 I knew something was wrong. I wasn't feeling right. sleeping a lot, the weight gain, swelling. My thyroid was a little off and I am being treated for that. Not to mention, I have degenerative hips (one replaced several years ago), I couldn't walk. Today, I can walk so much better, move around faster, more agility. Best decision I ever made for myself. Yes, I wish I took control a very long time ago before it got out of hand with my health. Better late than never.....

@@VSGAnn2014 Great article. @@Tssiemer1 You said you're not sure she's anorexic, then went on to ask her about obsession and losing as an outlet for something missing in her life. That IS anorexia. Anorexia isn't about vanity. It's about control. The person feels their life is out of control, and this is the ONE thing they have control over, and it makes the feel safe. At the very least Bellabloom, you have a pattern of posting about fears of weight gain and remaining very slender to a point where it seems to consume you. And anytime someone is consumed by negative thoughts, no matter what they are about, it's time for some intensive therapy to help you overcome them. The fear you're going through seems normal to a certain extent, because I see it all the time on these forums. But like I said, it seems to be all consuming to you. And that's never healthy.

I have weighed myself everyday from the start. I bought a small 2 year calendar and record it every day. I see the pattern of my weight loss and now that I am at goal it is neat to look through it. I still weigh myself everyday (morning, after pee, no clothes same time every day) anf have given myself a five pound weight gain limit. If I go over 5 I need to get a tiny fill or up my exercise. Some think it's obsessive to weigh every day but for me it keeps me mindful all the time about my body and what it is doing. I find it helpful. Barb

Um I have love that I got my sleeve, am wouldn't change it for the world. That being said my boobs are not small then they where when I was in high school before I gained all my weight. I was naturally before weight gain a 34D a large D after I gained I was 40F and a large F. Now 7 1/2 months later and almost 100 pounds down I got measured at Victoria Secret I am a 36B, oh my gosh a B. I actually teared up when she told. My boobs have always been one of my favorate things about my body and now well they are gone. I am learning to deal with it and am saving to get them bigger and lifted. However again I would choose small boobs and being healthy over my big boobs any day, but it is a bit depressing I will say, lol!

Sherri- My heart goes out to you!! My sister just went through this same thing about 1 year ago. She had been married for 7 years, 3 small children and had no idea her hubby was on his way out. He was wonderful for the first few years but then when he turned 29 it got really bad. He complained about what he had in life and didn't have, weight gain and losing his hair (mind you he was only 29....good grief!!!) Anyway, he went to work one Friday and didn't come home after work, somewhat had become the norm. He would go out with guys and they would set up and drink all night but he would usually come home by 3-4 am. This night in particular he didn't come home until 9:30 the next morning. Had every excuse in the world. My sister loving him ever so faithfully, let it go. She didn't believe him but she let it drop for the day. That night we had a family function for a wedding reception with dance. They got there about 6 and he told her they had to go at 7:45. Said he was tired and wanted to go home. Went home, dropped her off. She asked where are you going and he said where ever I want. I will be back. He came home the next morning at 10AM (mother's day last year) and said I am moving out I have found someone else. Walked out and didn't give her a cent. 10 months later he had a baby with 'the other women'. The divorce wasn't even final yet. The family pitched in and helped her but I tell ya we were all soooo worried about her. Now she is 57 lbs lighter, is socialiing with friends again and has a life. She hasn't been like she is now since before she got with him. She is doing so much better and just the other day we were talking about the whole thing. He has bothered her a few times since leaving with one day he wants her back and the next she is worthless. She fell for this a long time. Then we talked her into counseling. It has done her womnders and given her life back. She had stayed home for so many years and done everything for him and now she is living for her daughters and herself. He still gets angry because she doesn't take anything from him now. She has her own life and if he doesn't like something......TOO BAD!! I know what you are going through right now. I too was married before. He cheated on me in the very beginning and even after 10 years of marriage it still hadn't gone away. I honestly don't think that is something people can get past. Good luck to you. You are NOT asking for sympathy. Just compassion. We all need that. Exspecially at times like these. It may seem like you can't do it without him but believe me you can. I am now remarried but I am also a very INDEPENDENT women now. My new hubby and I have the problem that he feels that I don't 'need' him. I do....but I can also take care of myself. Good luck and I hope things work out for you. Come here and talk anytime. We will listen!

What should I be feeling when I am full with the band. I know this feeling may be specific to each person, but I need to know what you guys felt when you were full. As for me instead of just feeling full I feel pain, and I have spasms all the way up my neck. I havent had a choking feeling or anything, but I definately feel a pain in my throat. I have also noticed that my stomach growls and bubbles a lot. Is that normal? And my hunger has come back as well. I am 12 days post op and I have no gas pains or any pain near or around my port or any of my incisions, the only pain I have is when I am guessing I am full. Even though the scale says different I feel like I have gained all of my pre op weight back. I was down to 274 and now I am back up to 278 which really makes me angry. I have read on here that the hunger will return as you heal after surgery so I kinda understand the weight gain. I just hope I dont have to wait much longer on my first fill. I would imagine I'll have to wait until my incisions are completely healed up. My Doc said that by the #rd of July which is my next appt. with him, I should be eating fish and today I ate two pieces of fish from Captain D's so I guess thats following the Doc's orders. Anyways, what I am trying to say is that I feel like I have taken a step back instead of forwards with this weight gain. And I so dislike seeing the hunger return. Although I have enjoyed being able to eat somewhat solid foods I would rather the hunger stay away. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.,