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I made some poor eating choices 2 weeks ago (about 5 weeks after surgery) and experienced some weight gain. When I went for my fill the doctor was very firm about sticking to the proper food to eat & way to eat them. Also about exercise. It was hard to hear because I was already hard on myself. The fill has really helped & I have had an excellent week of eating well & exercising every day! I did have my first "frothing" episode a few days ago eating cantalope of all things. I think I ate too fast & didn't chew enough. I won't being doing that again!

I was taking Lyrica before I had the surgery. After a couple of weeks of having the surgery, I felt so much better so I stopped taking Lyrica. One of the side of affects of Lyrica is weight gain. I noticed that pre-surgery and complained to my dr. about it. We tried another medication but it did not work as well as Lyrica.

My doctor switched me from dilantin to Lyrica for seizure control and the Lyrica had other benefits so that's been great. However, I went on it after having been at my goal weight for 4 months and then in January I had a sciatic injury that helped me gain 15 pounds back. I've lost 7 of that, but can't seem to lose the remaining 8-10 to get back to my original goal. I'm pretty much doing the same things that helped my success, but seem to be in a huge rut. Now, I shouldn't complain, I'm still at a weight that is pretty good, but just where I want to be. I'm wanting to blame the Lyrica as weight gain is one of the side effects.

when i was pregnant with my daughter i started out weighing 85kgs and then went up to 115kgs at full term, if my band was completely unfill id be scared to have such a huge weight gain again. I was so sick 24/7 for the 1st 3 months of my pregnancy and hardly gained any weight but once i felt better and able to eat its like my body stored all this fat after not eating really anything for so long. im just scared of undoing all this work

The medical issue is major depression and anxiety. I've tried going of the meds over the past 10 years but it always ended in a mental breakdown so I'm not trying that again. Even with the meds I'm so so.. But I have a wife and 4 kids and got to keep on jugging onwards. Yes the weight came on in the first two years and I've been steady at 270 for the post 8 years. Doctor says my blood work shows fatty liver which would be good if I were a duck and very high cholesterol. I really want to do the sleeve if it will help me get on the right path but it's so expensive in the states..... Regarding taking took the shrink about the weight gain.... My exclusive is that they just look at the DSM and quote "you shouldn't have weight gain" they are pompous.

Hi Lovemylapband I don't know anything about lupus, other than it's one of those diseases that they have to use steroids to treat you with. And that's the problem, the steorids. I know how awfull it is to be on prednisone and just watch your body swell, semingly of it's own accord. The rapid weight gain, the 'roid rage, the round red moon face, the acne, I could go on, but anyone who's takine steroids knows all too well. I think with steroids you are looking at a double edged sword. The increased steroids in your body make you hold onto the just about evey calorie you take in. The calories in/out thing doesn't work if you have a high level of steroids in your system. The other edge is that for many people, the steroids make them hungry. I'm not sure what mechanism get flipped on here, but this is what happens. I don't know if this makes you feel better or not, but since they have you weaned down to a lower dose, your weight gain should really slow down. Once you are completely weaned off the prednisone, you should be able to lose weight again. I'm so sorry about the lupis, from what I understand it's a difficult row to hoe. (((((hugs)))))

Have you ever taken it? I was put on that in my teens, when I was barely 6kg overweight! It is awful stuff, I was climbing the walls, vacuuming my bedroom at 3 am, I was aggressive, had insomnia and yes, no interest in food whatsoever, lost weight easily and regained it in a matter of 2 or 3 weeks when I stopped. It is dangerous stuff that can cause heart problems. However, when you feel desperate enough, you do what you have to do, and if you're under medical supervision, its your choise. It will probably make it very easy for you to eat hardly anything, but even with a lapband, if yours isnt providing the restriction you need, then rebound weight gain is going to be a problem when you stop taking it - and you cant take it forever, its too dangerous. No doctor will let you do that. What sort of exercise are you doing - really an hour of cardio a day is going to be necessary when you've already lost a lot of weight - it gets harder and harder and harder to lose it. My weight now, my daily intake needs to be about 1800 calories (WITH an hour of exercise a day) to maintain it, so I wouldnt lose much on 1200 either - you cant eat nothing sot he answer is you've got to burn more. And the exercise may need to be really vigorous - running or interval training etc. Otherwise weight loss does just peter out and may stop at a point you're unhappy with. But duromine is not a long term answer for you, although it will most likely work short term. Good luck and I agree, if it gives you a renewed control and gets you motivated again, then short term it may be worthwhile.

No regrets. I was a yo-yo dieter for years. Each time it came back with more weight than I started with. The last time the cholesterol shot through the roof and BP was barely controlled with meds and then the sleep apnea had gotten so bad I was only sleeping about 3 hours a night. My daughter was banded last year and lost 95 lbs and just seeing her journey made me convinced that this is what I needed to do. Now I was only banded June 1 and had one fleeting moment after surgery of "what have I done, surely I could have just kept my fat mouth shut and lost weight." But it was a fleeting moment. Almost two weeks out and still no appetite or hunger. I eat because I know I need to eat. I have no doubt this may change, but again, like the other poster said, I don't have a problem dieting. This is just giving me a tool to help it all come together. I've lost 15 lbs since weigh-in two days before surgery but the big plus is no pain in my knee that's been bothering me ever since this most recent weight gain. The band is not the end-all be-all. You still have to live with your band and still have to do portion control and watch the foods you eat but when you get full fast or you're forced to eat slow it helps tremendously. Good luck on your decision. I have absolutely no regrets at all so far. I didn't have to do so much research because my daughter had done it all. The big difference between us is we have two different types of band, so we'll be able to compare if there are any differences. Trisha

I suspect what happens is this: Food only comes in three varieties..protein, carbs, and fat. After gallbladder removal, fats are usually limited, leaving people with protein and carbs. Protein is usually pretty stable in people's diets, so they increase the carbs.. Voila.. weight gain. The way to minimize this is by replacing fats with veggies. But it's worth considering not getting rid of fats completely, rather just spreading them out a bit thinner through the day. You can ask the Dr. if Actigall might help. It's good for prevention and treatment of gallstones.

Dorrie...do you feel comfortable with the weight you are at now? At times I wonder if i will be able to get to goal? I have over 40 pounds to go and it is slow going, but I am still very committed. One thing about being in menopause is not experiencing the water weight gain around that time of the month..

@@Valentina is right. If you didn't have some doubts, you wouldn't be normal. @@HanSolo1977 Mine started one I started the pre-op diet. I kept thinking about the fact that I could never go to a party and get a 'regular' plate of food. That I won't be able to finish a hamburger. That I couldn't ever be a real foodie like I've been and wanted to be. I grew up poor, and we barely had food on the table. My weight gain was thanks to me wanting to eat things I couldn't afford before + my PCOS. So all this swirled around in my head, and I really doubted that having an irreversible surgery was the right choice. I was terrified. But then I bit it all back, I took a deep breath, and I reminded myself WHY I was doing this. To ensure and hold myself responsible, so I could by the cute clothes without paying nearly twice as much. So I wouldn't cringe whenever someone wanted to take a picture of me, and so I could actually have the opportunity to have kids and be there for them as they grow up. Leading up to surgery, you're going to doubt it, second guess it, everything. What it comes down to is whether you can hold yourself to your current diet and keep it going and keep it off (I never could). Or if you need that insurance.

Stats: 5 10" Nov 1 2013: 266lb - pant size 22 -3x shirt Nov 21 2013 (surgery):248.lb Cw ~ 5 months: April 12: 180- pants size 12- medium shirt I am actually holding back tears as I write this because I am so happy. I has happened so fast and it was so easy but at the same time it was extremely hard and slow. I say that because I have been struggling with losing weight for so many years and even thought I wasn't fully successful those years prior well it was extremely hard. My story: I was a cubby kid from the ages of 8-13. When I was a pre teen I over heard my best friends making fun of how fat I was and I don't think I have ever gotten over that and I am not sure if I ever will. I became anorexic and grow a few inches. Hind sight ( we all know what they say about hind sight) I was never really over weight again until, I was about 24. That is because of course because I on again off again anorexic that whole time. I never learned from my parents how to eat correctly, growing up I remember hearing my mother throwing up after dinner, so needless to say it was learned and encouraged behavior. Ok fast forward to 24- there was a boy, there is always a boy. We broke up and needless to say it was a bad bad breakup. I starting eating like crazy and with in a year and a half I was 230 lbs and a shut in. My weight gain felt like a Scarlett letter for all to see, showing how depressed and the failure have become. I stopped going anywhere in fear of running to people. I started getting on meds to help my extreme anxiety, but I did like the side effects. Now I am 28 my mother who is 5 11" and 210 tells me that she is going to have weight loss surgery. This is the same time a celebrities mother just died from it so I was ver much against it, I wish I was more supportive, but with the pre op 6month diet she was 190 just a few weeks of surgery and I convened her to just kept losing like she has. Which she did, and kept it off. Two years later I am 240 lb and going back to college my mother brings up the surgery suggesting that I get it. I told her I was on a diet and if I don't see results by May I would look into it. I did that for next couple of years. I was still a shut in expect for school and work I never left my apt. I was on first name with the local delivery squad. I graduated school and got a job which required me to move to TN, all while still saying next May. Last Oct a lady at work showed me a pic of her beautiful but slightly overweight daughter and told me she just had weight loss surgery. I though enough is enough and was in Mexico 4wks later. Flash forward to now. I am so happy that I did this. I find my self dancing almost constantly. I have put myself on dating websites and meetup.com to meet people. Yes I haven't dated since I was 24, I hated myself for so long but I feel like a new person. I am not saying I am cured, I know problems, but it am not afraid like I was before. I have to say I am happy for the first time in a long time. Thanks for reading, I just had to tell someone. " I am sorry for writing such a long letter, I didn't have time to write a short one"

I lost 31 lbs. within 5 months after surgery. I gained a few of those back around Thanksgiving and Christmas. On January 1, 2006, I started having dizzy spells that lasted for literally weeks. I am still undergoing testing to determine the reason for the dizziness and vomiting. At the end of January of early February, I had a total unfill because I was afraid of slipping my band. It still might have happened though. I have gained all but 11 of those 31 lbs. back. I am fighting the weight gain, but unfortunately, when you're dizzy, you can't even walk let alone exercise. My band doctor won't event think of refilling me until they find out what I have. Unfortunately, food is my only comfort right now. Tricia H

Just thought I'd pop in and say hi again. I've been struggling with weight gain since an unfill in Sept 07 as well. I've had several re-fills but still can't seem to relose those pounds. I know it is mostly head issues at this point but sometimes I worry I may also have a bit of a slipped band. If I could only commit to following the bandster rules again for a couple weeks to see if I still have problems I'd go back in and start asking for some tests to confirm or rule out a slip.

You know, I've been really worried about that. I'm almost at a point of being afraid to gain weight. I guess because I worked so hard to lose it. I don't think I had the time to psych myself about the weight gain since this wasn't a planned pregnancy. I'm on the scale every morning just checking to see if I've gained anything yet. I only gained 22 pounds with my first child...of course I was 300 pounds at the time and probably didn't NEED to gain anything.

Honestly, I wish people had offered me legit help back in the day. It's a bit different because my weight gain started when I was a little kid (though my parents did nothing out of the belief that I didn't need my diet policed and that I'd find my own way to healthy eating), and obviously your husband is an adult, but I don't think offering help and support and policing his diet are the same thing. Maybe just say to him, "I've observed these behaviors, and I don't know what they're about for you, but I know for a lot of people they may mean x,y, or z. If you're happy, I'm happy, but if you're not happy, there are thing we can try (therapy and nutritionist for starters), and I'll support you and help you all the way. I won't bring it up again, but if you decide you want to bring it up or try something new tomorrow, next month, next year, or in ten years, let me know." I really wish someone had said something like this to me, not just when I was a kid, but also as an adult.

Almost 2 weeks post op. Surgery weight-262 Yesterday-248 This AM-251 Yesterday- Protein shake, fat free cream of chick lunch, and last night puréed chicken with fat free sour cream, not counting my water! What the hell?!

Ok had to ask because i dont want to drink a protein that is for weight gain or building mass/muscle. I need to lose like 30-50 more pounds and im 8months out

I usually try to stick to spirits if I drink and believe me...when I drink I binge drink out of control... It's summer and I'm 23. Last summer free before I have to buckle down for nursing school so you do the math! I do drink until oblivion but I also low carb and I usually drink bacardi and crystal light. I end up in the morning with little to no hangover. The first time I binged after my surgery I had drank vodka (smirnoff lemon) mixed with crystal light lemonade and the volume of it itself had me throwing up the next morning. Be careful with that! I am careful to only have one or two mixed drinks and just do shots along with them if/ when I drink. I also didn't drink any sort of alcohol until 4 months post op. The alcohol hasn't affected my weight gain/loss at all and I usually drink like that about 1x-2x a week.

Is anyone on NuvaRing or has used it? My PCP prescribed it and knows i have The sleeve. She said NuvaRing does not cause weight gain but im still worried about gaining. Anybody has experince with this BC?

You proved that you do need the surgery. They will not deny you. Weight gain however makes them angry lol!! you will be fine

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

Well its unlikely to be a fat gain, its likely to be a temporary scale weight gain likely caused by fluid retention or something else. Keep following your guidelines and you will be fine. If you have constipation at the moment, that could be a factor too. Also make sure you weigh the same time of day each time, best is first thing in the morning after going to the toilet. Make sure the scales are in the same place and that the batteries do not need replacing. You didn't mention if you had changed what your are eating or drinking in the past couple of days or if you eating more volume? Have you started to exercise? Do weight or strength training? All these could result in temportary fluid retention.

i probably would have gotten the sleeve if i had to do it over again. i'm in no way upset with the results, no complications to date, however being realistic - i'm not sure this band will last me a lifetime. just a gut instinct & that's a concern - as is the weight gain. i "think" i've learned what it takes to be successful, should i happen to lose my band - but ultimately would be devistated if the weight came back. i've read a lot about the sleeve "after the fact", and that and the lapband would be the only WLS i would consider. good luck to you.!.

yes, prednisone is a corticosteroid used to treat, in my case, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. I do not take it all of the time....but I do take it a lot. One of the side effects of steroid use is weight gain...and I am concerned as to how that will factor after lap band surgery. Thanks for the responses so far.