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Hi everyone.. Hoping for some advice. I had my sleeve done in March 2013..and lost approx 66 pounds....I had done really well up until about 6 months ago where I have just been on an eating road to destruction. I can now eat so much more...which is my downfall.I am snacking between meals now because I "think" I'm hungry...and now I get occasional hunger pangs which of course I never had initially after surgery.Up until 6 months ago I would get warning signs that I was full but now when I do get them it's way too late and I feel ill.I've been reading the tiny amounts people are still only able to et at 3 years post surgery,but I can still eat good sized meals. I don't eat meat..and after surgery I had a lot of Protein shakes to keep my protein up,but thats also stopped too.I do eat fish and chicken but not that often. I had started exercising before Christmas..after no exercise after surgery..just keeping busy with incidental exercise but fell off the wagon,so currently do not do any form of exercise except for a job that keeps me moving a fair bit. I've also stopped taking Vitamins,not intentionally..but wonder if they make a difference? I've tried rebooking into my surgeon but they have no appointments until April. I've been under a lot of stress lately and have reverted back to my comfort eating which is what got me to the point of surgery in the first place. Do anyone think i should go back on the Optifast VLCD as a kick start? I was thinking if I did that for a few weeks for Breakfast and lunch and just have a regular meal for dinner? Any input would be really appreciated.

LMAO....I think maybe that explains it then...I'm not sure if my doctor had 4400 calories running thru my veins but I considering the weight gain I wouldn't doubt it one bit. Thanks for the info. I go back in a week for a follow up..maybe I'll ask him about it then. Linda

"happy losing to all my losers!!!!!!! @@BabySheldon Who are you talking to???? we're not "losers"!!!! we're all winners!!!!! good for you on realizing your "goof" its done, over with, can't go back!!! but more importantly nipping your weight gain in the bud i think by telling "us" that you screwedddd up, your apt/might be more diligent in the future you know we are all watching you!!! i know where you live!!!! only kidding bud not sure if going back to "yeachy" shakes et is necessary after gaining one pound but if that "punishment" encourages you not to eat "badly" again - whatever works for you is good Wishing you and "Felipe" the best for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer lives!!! keep up the good job (both of you) 59 lbs down!!!! kathy congrats

What I was told before is that when you have one addiction like food and give that up then most likey you turn to something else that you will use as your crutch. I personally don't think it's a high percentage but it is a possibility. I seen a special on this on discovery health. I also believe if you don't work out the underlying issues that has caused weight gain then of course you'll have issues.

While I agree with all the posts, the bigger issue is I think the pressure you are putting on yourself. That's not healthy. You are pregnant and bringing life into the world. Some weight gain is to be expected and you have to stop stressing so much - that's REALLY not healthy. Try to eat clean, but don't say "I can never have this again" because you'll fail and then beat yourself up. Pregnancy is a beautiful thing and a once in a lifetime opportunity. Enjoy it and don't be so critical honey! If it helps any (which I doubt it does) I had gastric bypass, lost 100 pounds and then during my pregnancies gained probably 40 pounds. But it came off quick after, even with me eating not so great during pregnancy. I found it really easy to get back on track right after and a lot of my crap eating was craving related. Feel good!

I'm new to this site, I really need some advice. I had the lap-band surgery 04/2008. Immediately I starting losing weight. Walking everyday probably had more to do with it. I drop from 217 to 191, wasn't much but a lot when you don't lose none. I have missed two of my doctors visit, and was pretty embarrassed to go and see him after the holidays, due to weight gain. Along the way, I have been having some bad outcomes with now I know (P-Bing). It has gotten so bad that I can't get anything down. I had this feeling prior to the New Year, but once again afraid to face my surgeon with the weight gained. By the way I currently weigh 200...:tt2:. Last night I began eating my dinner, but had to stop as usual to let my food go down without getting stuck. Soon I was in the bathroom seeing it in the toilet. The entire night afterward was miserable for me. I even had to turn on my side to keep safe from (PBing) in my sleep. I thought the feeling will be gone this morning, only to realize i was more miserable than last night. I believe the two chocolate covered caramel candies I had ate earlier could have played a part in my miseries today. I'm still currently unable to put any solid down, or free fluid. I have managed to sip down a Low Carb Slim fast, as well as a Sugar free Milk Shake. This has me really worried. I have placed to emergency calls to my Surgeon Nurse, and i'm waiting her return call. I believe it this doesn't gets better, and she doesn't call me by noon tomorrow, I'm going to walk over to their office for an emergency. If you know what's going on, please lend me some advice. Thanks, gon2nj.

I did not have to do the six month diet before the surgery, so I can't give any advice for that or changing doctors midstream. But here is what I can advise you: CHANGE DOCTORS!! 1. Any doctor who "can't be bothered to read the reports from other specialists" is NOT someone that is focusing on your health and your best interests!!! A doctor should not only try to gather as much information about you and your health, but definitely should READ the information he does get! 2. He is your doctor - which means that the specialists are giving their reports to him with the idea that there is one person who is reviewing the info and able to create a complete picture of your health. There are many diseases, disorders, syndromes, etc that can cause weight gain. That can prevent weight loss. That can cause other irregularities in various way. So one specialist might only have 2 pieces of a ten piece puzzle. They will never know if there is a piece missing. Only the main doctor having all the pieces will know right away that there are only 9 pieces or there are 11! That is his job!! 3. Weight loss is a very complicated science and they are discovering more and more that there is so much more to weight gain/loss than simply calories in vs. calories burned. The idea that if you "simply eat only 1500 calories" it is guaranteed that you will lose weight is NOT true. And a good doctor should be working with you on that. Helping you, not berating you! The fact that you are seeing a nutritionist - someone whose only job is diet and nutrition - and the doctor is contradicting their advice should be a huge warning light in your head! 4. If the s**t hits the fan, you are going to have to rely on this man to help you and your family through an incredibly difficult time. Is this the man that you really want to hold your hand through the rough stuff? You don't have to be best friends or anything, but you sure as heck better feel that your health and welfare are of the upmost importance to him. He has already shown that isn't true with him by not reading those reports. 5. You and your doctor are supposed to be a team! He has extra knowledge and you are paying him for that expertise. He works for YOU!! Together, he and you are supposed to be trying to get you in the best health possible. He is no different than any other service industry employee. Would you buy a burger at BK and allow the guy behind the counter to belittle you? And when the order came over and it was wrong, would you just take it if he said, well I just couldn't be bothered to actually listen to your order! That would never fly! And you have to try and think that way. You have a right to be treated well. I'm not sure what the deal is with switching doctors now, and I do realize that the last thing you want to do is start from square one again, but I really have to say that you need to switch doctors. I just can't get over that he didn't read those reports. Keep looking until you find a doctor you are comfortable with. There are tons of doctors out there and at least a few must be covered by your insurance, right? Find a GOOD one!! :cursing:

So do I! I thought I was the only one this anal (I mean no disrespect either). I really like to see the progression. I also have my measurements on a sheet all it's own along with other sheets of information. Back to the thread topic: I think I lost about 15/16 lbs. I lost the weight, but I never gained it back, which I was grateful for. When I went from clears to fulls I noticed a few pounds of weight gain, but it fell off quickly and I started to lose again. Same thing for mushies, and then solids. I was just fortunate I guess. Everyone is different.

Just before my 10th birthday my stepfather began coming into my room at night while my mother was at work. This continued until I was 12 years old. I tried several times to tell my mother over those years what was happening to me but she didn't want to hear it and I didn't know what words to use. My grandmother stayed with me once and figured it out and also tried to stop it but again, her words fell on deaf ears. Her attempts caused a huge rift between her and my mother that was never repaired. I finally stopped it myself. Many ramifications. The most lasting one besides my view of the world was my view of myself. Somehow, I blamed the way I looked. If I didn't look like that he wouldn't want me. While my conscious mind knew that it had nothing to do with me, the result was a slow, steady weight gain that continued until June 11th 2015. After struggling with diets and exercise, back pain, knee pain and hip pain, I decided that something had to change. A friend had the surgery and loved the results. It took a year for me to decide and then I did. Once the decision was made, I was excited. I started making a list of all the things I looked forward to -- not being in pain anymore, my blood pressure going down, my blood sugar leveling out, shopping at any store, shopping in my closet, being able to wear normal shoes, my feet not swelling anymore...so many things. I add to list everyday. I can see my cheekbones again, my face is thinner, so are my fingers, my thighs don't rub together when I walk, I can walk up 4 flights of stairs, I can walk again. Don't get me wrong, I have achieved much success in my life both personally and in my career. I just couldn't do this without help. The feeling is amazing to step on the scale and see it change each week. It's great to not be hungry anymore. I feel braver, stronger, more in charge of my body. Life is very good and I am grateful for the gift of this surgery. I love this new life.

I haven't had any major complications, but there are definitely mental aspects to post-surgery life that I didn't really think about. First, you can't overeat - even if you have the worst day ever, you can't turn to food for comfort. Is that a con? Not really, but it does mean you have to find new ways to deal with your issues. Prepare yourself. Second, there are times that you are going to be pissed off that you can't eat what others are eating or as much as they are eating. I didn't expect that at all. You just have to change your way of thinking! You can't take a break from your new lifestyle. You will get sick and/or potentially cause harm to yourself if you don't follow your diet guidelines. This is 100% commitment for the rest of your life. I'm not saying you'll never eat normal foods, but you have to be committed to eating nutritious foods in the right quantities. Make sure you are ready for that before you take the plunge. I didn't have any major food issues before surgery . . . I just neglected myself for too long, which led to my weight gain. That being said, the mental aspects have still affected me from time to time. They are all manageable, but I definitely think this is more of a head game than people realize before surgery. Good luck with your decision! Even with all of the above, I do NOT regret my decision. I feel better than I have felt in years, and I'm really happy I went through with my surgery!!

As most of you know i am having the gastric sleeve in about 4 months and i am really looking forward to this as i can finally move on with my life as this tool for a better life can show me that i can for the first time in my life see food for what it is and that is energy and not for comfort like i always went to it and of course i always failed at however i am now up against another battle MY CLOTHES they are all so tight and uncomfortable it really makes no sense to go out and buy a wardrobe of new clothes when i will be losing weight either right after the surgery or soon thereafter. So here comes the "dumb question" did any of you run into this problem with your clothes i would assume you did and if so what did you do to deal with it i need some help because its really affecting me emotionally that i dont even want to leave the house until i get my date for surgery, my weight gain is really showing now , even back in March my PCP said Mr Cooper i can see you have put on some weight since our last appt i agreed with her as its not like i can hide it , its rather obvious actually' Has gaining weight on your part affected you like its affecting me what did you do, what did you do to handle the emotions that came up for you, my wife says i am getting up in the middle of the night , in her words, "eating everything in sight" i would deny this when she would bring it to my attn the next morning until one morning she left the mess i made the night before she showed me there was cookie crumbs, peanut butter , loaves of bread left open , cereal bowl(s) left on the kitchen counter, etc etc i cant keep living like this its almost like i am going to food(by the way , one of my meds the side effect is i sleep walk/eat and i remember nothing )for comfort in my sleep and not remembering this at all i am really struggling and i don't know what to do anymore i am truly hoping someone, anyone has /had this issue that can relate to my issue(s) please don't think any less of me i am simply trying to straighten out my life and coming here to this wonderful site and feeling safe so i can share my pain. 😐 Coop She's the best that's ever happened to me

Hello everyone!! I am 33 years old, 471 pounds and tired of being overweight. I'm married and have two children,and one furkid. I want to do more with them on a daily basis, not just interacting with them daily, but running, rollerskating, hula hooping,and jump roping!! I miss doing those things. My girls have asked for us to take them to Disney World, but I know a large amusment park like Disney, there is no way I could go there and enjoy myself, I want their experience to be magical, not a nightmare because mommy got stuck in a turnstile or couldn't fit in the tea cups ...I have decided to have the bariatric sleeve surgery because I'm just tired of living my life this way, and it's just passing me by. I get angry when I think of all the time I've wasted being this way instead of taking action years ago and having this done. I sought out the source of my tremendous weight gain, and found it to be I am an emotional eater. Now that I have that in check, I think about how I'm feeling before I eat, instead of shoving food in my mouth. I'm done with one clearance which was a stress test and let me tell you, I never ever in life want another one of those. It freaked me out having my heart beat faster from the dobutamine being pumped into my IV, but I wasn't moving. I would have rather run around the bed a few times with the nurse on my back to get my heart rate up. Just one more to complete this Friday, my psychological test, I'm pretty confident about it, I feel that I have dealt with the emotional eating, but will continue to keep an eye on that to make sure I don't slip back into that. I'm one day into my pre-op diet because my doctor wants me to try to lose 30lbs before my surgery date. I'm surprised that I'm not hungry, I thought drinking protien and eating only once, I would be ravenous by the end of the day, I feel great!! I'm hoping to schedule by the begining of or mid-August. My insurance will approve the surgery with a BMI of 70 and co-morbidities with no 6-month requirement of documentation. My BMI is 70ish and I am on meds for high BP. I am looking forward to this surgery, I'm ready to get off the sidelines and start enjoying time with my family.

Sending hugs, and I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Thank you for sharing your experience with weight gain after surgery. I think it is a fear that many of us have & it is unfortunate how easily the weight can come back. I hope getting the help you believe you need gets you back to where you want to be. I wish you well, and know you can do it. 😊🍀

Obviously don't have that problem yet at a BMI of 26, but I'm thinking, what about using healthy foods for weight gain? Drinking whole milk and juice instead of water or sugar-free drinks comes to mind. You could easily add 300-400 calories a day with that - even more if you felt the need to. 114 lbs at your height is very low and below healthy BMI, but it sounds like you already know that, anyway. You might have heard about higher mortality in underweight people before - this is because underweight people don't have as many reserves to get them through a bout with serious illness. So it's definitely important to do something to try and bring your weight up into a healthy range.

So glad to hear from you @FedUpwithBeingFat! By now you've had your check up with the doctor and I can't wait to hear how you're doing. I'm hope the appt. will put your mind at east about the lingering anethesia symptoms. Unless you've been there, I'll bet it's hard to describe. I've had a few surgeries but none has lasted as long as yours so I have no frame of reference. I imagine it will take longer to fully rest and recover. Be sure to give yourself the time. I went back to work after 2 weeks and when I got home I didn't do much. I didn't venture into the kitchen to cook for a full month cuz working 8 hours was taxing and I've got a desk job! My hubby was very supportive too so no pressure from him. Your Water weight gain must havebeen a real blow. Several people on these boards (and the author of a book that I ordered from Amazon) complained about the water weight. Your initial discouragent is going to be replaced with excitement - especially about the future - when the "real" weight starts to peel off. After the band failure, it's like a miracle to see the scale going the opposite diretion for a change. We'lll have to trade stories. I must admit, I didn't know about the ban on most medications in pill-form until my pre-op appointment a few days before surgery. It sure shocked me. I hope you find an alternative for the migraine meds. Perhaps a neurologist will have an idea. Thanks for asking about my progress. I finally dropped into the 170s. Barely. No kidding, just squeaked by but that didn't stop me from skipping around the room for a couple of minutes. I haven't seen 170's on the scale since 2010, and even with the band, I never got down to 160's. At least now I believe that it's possible, and I hope you begin to feel that kind of confidence in your future too. I'll be traveling for a week and probably won't be able to post but please keep share your progress. I'm looking forward to more conversations with you.

I Lost ALL my excess weight also....without really trying either....what I mean is, that with the lap band I eat less, a lot less, than what I used to because the band controls my portions....Since my portions are now controlled, I now concentrate on eating healthy, low fat, high Protein foods....I do not count calories....and there are foods I will not, and in some cases cannot, eat anymore....pasta, breads, red meat, rice, etc, etc... With the band, it has become a new lifestyle...eating good nutritious foods, and never overeating...it becomes a day to day, natural part of me without giving it a second thought.... I was fat because I ate too much, and always the wrong foods....now, and for the rest of my life, that is the complete opposite....so that old lifestyle caused to me gain weight, UN-naturally, with this new lifestyle I naturally returned to a normal weight..... My Dr. says there is simply no excess weight - fat, left to loose, and that as planned, my body reached a equilibrium, a natural - normal state of balance.... Most importantly, this is not a diet where when I reach a goal I can turn it on or off....it is a permanent thing!! Always to be there and always to be this way....so I have no fear of ever "Falling off the wagon" and ever gaining the weight back...I do not see how that would be possible...as long as the band is there, it is impossible for me to over eat....and it is difficult to eat bad foods..... With the band, I still have to think through why someone would only loose 50-60 %, OR LESS, and then stop....of course, one's weight is always equivalent to one's eating habits....perhaps they are holding back and not letting the band work to it's intended potential....following bad advice? From those who have not accomplished it themselves and think they know all the answers? There is certainly a lot of that going around. But it is something I'll never know.......but everyone is different and one thing is for sure....I will not and cannot argue with other peoples success experiences....if it worked, then that's all that matters.... I do know, that I am 100% happy where I am at right now...and have been for over 2 years...in the Green Zone....I also know that if I were to get any Fluid taken out at all, even the slightest, (not that I need or want to), it would tip that balance and my hunger/cravings would return, plus my portion sizes would increase, which result in weight gain...so I hope that never needs to happen....

People think being tight is the answer. I think one reason is because we are so desperate to succeed, not fail and we want it now. While I long for restriction ( I haven't reached it yet) the answer is not being so tight that solid food doesn't go down. You will then just eat "slider" food that goes down easily, won't stay in your pouch long enough and you'll be hungry again sooner. Eventually being too tight, IMO, will lead to weight gain. I believe that instead we must use the time to listen to our bodies and learn the signals our newly banded stomachs give us about being full. We won't have the "old lower belly" fullness we used to have. I am not opposed to a low calorie liquid day or two to jump start weight loss, but eating that way long term should not be the goal. My goal is to be able to eat salad, apples, chicken and other Healthy food that will keep me and my pouch satsified. At two 1/2 months post op, maybe I am still just nieve (sp?) but this is how I see restriction at this time.

Honestly, I think we all compare with each other's results on this journey and I think it can be a bit emotionally damaging especially when we see those large numbers other people are putting out there (congrats to them btw). The problem I have is that I'm not losing 1 or 2lbs per week at all (I wish it were that steady). I'm on this weird stair step trend where I drop a couple pounds, gain a couple, lose some again and then stall for a few weeks. It makes me feel like I'm not doing my personal best and that's the psychological part I've hated about this journey. The diets I'd been on since 2012 had been more of a steady loss so I ended up getting used to that type of weight loss cycle. But this one is taking quite a bit of getting used to for me. Maybe I have some Fluid retention which causes the crazy fluctuations...IDK All in all I'm very happy I got the surgery and wouldn't change a thing. I know that in the long run VSG will help me stay the course and give me the opportunity to bounce back from any future weight gain I may have. I absolutely know for a fact I wouldn't be able to do it on my own if I hadn't gone this route so I'm extremely thankful I could afford to pay for this. Good luck to everyone who's working hard to stay the course and I'm happy to be on this journey with you all!

Let me add my point of view. Surgery is not the solution it’s a tool. Those same issues you lacked self control over pre surgery will be there post surgery. You must be willing to put in the work to optimize your tool. I’m close to 11 years post op. I went from 384 to 210 with my surgery. 6 years in I stalled and put in the work myself and went from 210 to 164. How did I do it? I spent time in counseling. Learning how to love me. Resolving issues that caused a negative relationship with food. Every once in awhile they will pop up. But investing in healing has saved me. I didn’t need a cheerleader in the process. I needed someone to hold me accountable. I didn’t want sympathy for making the decision to eat crap. Call me out on my sh*t. I got rid of those who wanted me to fail and created a healthier circle of people who wanted me to succeed. I recently put on 20 lbs. I didn’t get depressed. I earned every pound gained. I knew where I slacked. I let Coronavirus get me. I owned it and set a plan that didn’t include starving. Currently down 10. Clothes fitting again. Plan to be back at goal by Thanksgiving. The decision to have surgery is extreme. And it’s going to take extreme responses to give you a reality check. The reality is you’re going to have to put in the work to lose the weight post op. And that requires being called out on behaviors that may have need brushed under previously. It’s hard but it’s needed. Hit me up anytime on IG: @bariatricbutterfly. I work with women atleast 3 years post op experiencing weight gain and want to gain control on working their tool.

Hi David, Well I have some gerd with weight gain with my vsg surgery which was in 2018. So last year I asked if I can get resleeved due to the weight gain and slight gerd issues. and i was told in California they don’t do that the only option I had was bypass, So I went with that..my surgery was cancelled at 0100 last year due to my iron levels. I had to do the 10 week class as part of the revision requirements. So I’m all cleared now (this year) i plan on doing things way different this time around and actually puttin in the work..with my sleeve I didn’t workout or anything (I don’t advise that all) plus we were in the pandy sooooooo crossing fingers that I find things that help me along this new journey so I stay consistent but it’s all mental Honestly!

The day I found out both my mother and father had diabetes, and I was walking straight toward that with my weight gain. And I couldn't stand to look in the mirror anymore or go out with my friends like normal. I was depressed about my weight, and it was ruining my life.

Having suffered with depression since I was 15, I can safely say this is why you have stalled. Also some of your medications may have an impact on that. When depressed, your body only knows you are ill, and will cope and try to help you by slowing your metabolism. This usually results in weight gain but because you had surgery, is instead, storing your calories. Enjoy what you have lost thus far and when your mood lightens, and it will, the weight will come off!!

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.

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

Just wanted to share something I experienced and would love to know if this has happened to anyone else. For the last couple of years I have experienced ongoing severe lower back pain. I assumed it was due to my weight gain but it restricted my activity to the point that I rarely left the house. Going to the grocery store was excruciating....had to find places to sit down briefly while shopping due to the pain. Husband suggested using one of the motorized shopping carts but there is no way I would do that. Terrible pain when doing simple housework activity and had to sit on a stool while cooking. It got so bad I consulted a spine specialist and had an MRI. It showed normal wear and tear. He suggested some steroid/long acting analgesic injections and I reluctantly agreed. Had the injections on each side and there was no change in the pain at all. He then prescribed a topical NSAID cream which had no effect whatsoever. I rarely left my house for the next couple of months other than my preop appointments. Started the preop diet April 18 and when I got up on April 22 I noticed that my back was not hurting AT ALL. It has not hurt AT ALL since then. Surgeon had no explanation when I saw him last week for preop appt. and said he did not think my liver could be that enlarged to cause severe back pain. It is still hard for me to process but I am so thankful!!