Search the Community

Will a pouch reset help after 2yrs rny and gaining back 20lbs? Sent from my LM-T600 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm very happy with my decision to get the sleeve done but i've been stuck around the same weight for the last 2 months. I dropped 50lbs almost instantly but just last week, I was 278, few days later I was 289. I can't say I eat extremely healthy but I can't say I eat extremely bad. And, of course, I can't consume much food. Why is it soo easy to gain weight, soo quickly? Is it just Water weight? I feel like the weight gain is defeating the purpose. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It's official. I gained 6 lbs since my "unfill" on March 10. It's probably not a full 6 lbs because I'm very bloated in a womanly way - I'm guessing it's about 3 lbs once I unload all this fluid. The thing is, I really don't feel badly about the weight gain. I've been able to wrap my head around the idea that this is a process and with any long term endeavor, there are ups and downs. In this case, it's still mostly downs (as in weight going down) and I'm way ahead of where I was mentally and physically, even a month ago. Sure, a month ago the weight was falling off but it was at the price of vomiting, feeling unwell and feeling mentally punished for being fat all the time. With the unfill, I was able to replenish both my body and my mind. I like to think of this period as a mini vacation from the band that allowed me to refresh and start anew...just like coming back from vacation and going back to school or work. Yesterday, I got a fill. Only 1cc which brought me back to 6cc, exactly what I had after my first fill. I couldn't feel any restriction when I had my soup for lunch and fluids go down fine but I decided on some soft cheese, salad and hummus for dinner and I could feel it. Yay! Restriction is back and not too much. I may still need another adjustment but I'm really ready to get back on the wagon and correct these bad patterns I fell right back into over the last month: 1) Drinking while eating 2) Bread, bread, bread 3) Eating too fast and not chewing well enough - even with very little restriction I had a bad PB incident with a bagel 4) Slider foods and candy 5) Diet soda 6) Booze 7) Snacking It was a great vacation - eating, drinking, my birthday, having too much fun with food - but I'm back now and tightening the reins. Happy Easter, Passover, Spring to all!

I did not experience the weight gain but Ihave heard a lot of people do! I am so happy you are doing good!!

Thank you all for all of your help. Newmebithebypass, thank you I was completely unaware of trileptal. My doctor did explain the serious rash/death side effects that sometimes can happen to people, but he said it was that or seroquil, and that the people that could tolerate lamictal were very happy with the med and were not overly drowsy, brain fog, or weight gain. I am seeing your post after my visit, but he put me on a single 100mg sublingual dose in the morning. He gave me the option of the chewables and even if I wanted to adjust the dosage, but I am the "slow and steady" type personality when it comes to mental medications. He explained that lamictal originally came out as a sublingual, and that sublingual was the best way to get the medication into the blood. He did say (And expect) some flack from my insurance company, so it might take a week or two before I start it (My pharmacy is small and usually has to order out-of-the-ordinary meds). I will update this thread once I get on the sublingual ones.

Normal. Many of us hit the 3 week stall which is common. You also need to consider surgical weight gain from Fluid retention. Your TOM will cause Water retention as well as any excess in salt from bad food choices. Hang on, follow plan FOR REAL, and move your body. The weight will come off.

Lizonaplane, My daughter may be atypical, but she is bipolar and had a RNY bypass over 10 years ago. She was on three meds; antidepressant, psychotic and anxiety. They tried crushing the tablets which made her throw up, so they changed her to Epilim as it was a liquid. Part of her weight gain had been the bipolar drugs. After her surgery she started to lose a lot of weight. Unknown to me, she weaned herself off the drugs, going cold turkey with the anti anxiety meds, because she started running. She found the endorphins from running made her feel good and moderated her condition. At her peak running she was doing 2 marathons per weekend many weeks. She is highly unusual as a Bypass patient in being able to do this! She injured her hip, and couldn’t run, so now she lifts weights. She was determined to take control of her life in every way. She has been drug free for years and is fit, healthy and active. I wanted to share because her psychiatrist at the time said the Bypass would not help her with her mental health, and refused to sanction the op. We paid a psychiatrist to assess her and they concluded she was sane enough to make her mind up. As a person who had previously attempted suicide on more than one occasion, she is an example of the positive outcome possible from gastric surgery. It saved her life, literally, and has given me my daughter back. I wish you all the best.

Your Dr is crazy. You are doing great and you are supposed to be healing now, not losing weight. Most Dr's tell their patients to expect a small weight gain between their post op check up and their first fill. Just concentrate on healing and follow the post op eating instructions making sure you get plenty of good Protein.

The unfill, rest, refill idea occurred to me too as did the possibility that after 8 years it is highly likely some fill has evaporated and you dont have as much as you think. For those thinking this should work for life - over the years, we do get older and 8 years is almost a decade after all. You do loose your lean body mass over time, and gradually your energy needs decline, normal unbanded people have to work harder and harder to stay the same weight and most people spread with age. Exercise is the best defence against this kind of weight gain, maintaining bone density and muscle mass is vital. Thankfully with a band you have one more weapon in your arsenal against weight gain over time.

Lol yea I had weight gain after but it started coming off I only had a 3 day preop diet and then surgery on Saturday the 14th and I'm down 12 pounds and already onto puree food I video blog on YouTube my username is CreamyMoo it really helps to document every day and focus on what's getting better

A person who is building muscle will have a different diet plan than one that is wanting to 'cut' and show ripped muscles. Body beast by Beachbody is a program that is strictly designed for weight gains. The food program bulks you up then at end of program you go on a 'cut' diet plan to define the muscles you have been building up. It's a science.

Unless you eat like 40 sticks of butter for dinner, or are a medical anamoly, overnight weight gain is going to be Fluid fluctuations. Mushy foods tend to be high-carb foods. Liquids tend to be low-carb. On liquids you probably were in ketosis, eating the potatoes threw you out, and the result was a bit of fluid retention. You're only like 2 weeks out from surgery. Don't worry about losing weight at this point, just focus on meeting nutrion needs and resting so that you can finish healing. I don't know if your surgeon was clear about this, but weight lost between surgery and restriction is a bonus, not an expectation. Most people will lose a chunk after surgery because generally you don't want to eat or drink much, or are afraid to, but you can't expect that weight to stay 100% gone when you're doing things to alter the way your body treats its fluids, and when you're gradually getting back to a more "normal" diet. For hunger, do as many Proteins (not liquids if you can help it) as you can, as long as they fit into your food stage. Proteins make you feel full longer than carbs, fats, etc.

I'm heading down to Miami for 7 weeks with the kids. They go to nature/archeology camp on Biscayne Bay and since the camp won't let me in (something about age limit Pffft) I have created my own Mommy Camp. I bike, collect mangos, can mango chutney no one will eat, kayak, explore, take yoga classes and tennis lessons. This is our 4th year going and the last few have been kind of rough because of major surgeries and subsequent weight gain. I'm so excited to head down his year lighter, fitter and happier than I have been in years. My husband and kids are loving the mom who is always on the go and I'm loving life. Bring on the South Florida heat and humidity! I'm ready for you this year! At the end of the summer we are going on an 8 day Alaska cruise with my husbands family. My goal is lose enough weight to feel comfortable in the wet suit I'm going to wear when we go snorkeling in Ketchikan. I have had a life long fear of wet suits (I'm convinced I will look like a seal in one) so I specifically booked this trip to motivate me to move this summer. Just the thought of me trying to shimmy into a wet suit on the shore of a freezing cold body of Water makes me laugh so hard I'm already burning calories... I love hearing everyone's plans. Be safe and wear sunscreen and post pictures! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Your stomach is permanently small. I'm still less than a year out, and I'm back up to near 1000 calories a day. I think as you shift from loss to maintenance you can eat more - but you still can't fit more than 1c of food at a time, and eating too often leads to grazing which leads to weight gain. You don't want to be back for a revision (I actually met someone who has had all three surgeries - band revised to sleeve revised to RNY!). It's a lifelong journey. If you aren't prepared for the lifelong changes, make sure you get the facts and really think. It's a tool and it's not removable

Because of the age of your daughter, her activity level, and her mood swings. I would seriously take a look into what one of the earlier posters mentioned...PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). Unless your doctor is aware of this, and most are not, it's a condition that is best diagnosed by an Endocrinologist. The problem with this condition, is that many doctors don't look for it until a woman is ready to begin a family, and is having some problems. While the condition actually begins with the start of puberty and gets worse with time. Catching it early and properly managing it can help prevent some of the later problems that it can lead to. Here are a few symptoms, either by themselves can be a sign of PCOS or other conditions. The more that a woman has, the more likely she could have PCOS. Some of these are hard to tell, because of her age. Many teenagers experience them just because that's the stage in life they are at. There are some, that I'm not going to list, that are based upon blood work. Ranges can be high normal to slightly above normal, but be too much for your body to handle. Which is why I strongly suggest an endocrinologist (someone who specializes in this, versus a regular family doctor who would just over look a slightly elevated result). Puberty beginning early: menstruation at 9 or 10, early physical development. Extreme emotional highs and lows Weight gain (especially if concentrated around the middle/stomach area) Painful or irregular menstruation Dark/rough Patches of skin (neck, elbows, underarms, inner thighs) Depression (leads back to hormonal imbalance) Poor memory Male pattern hair growth/loss Adult acne (for those besides OP that may be reading this) ...and more. There are several web sites that discuss this, and some contradicting theories. One that I know of that is fairly informative is Soulcysters.com, and they do have a teen section. You can do a search on PCOS or Stein-Leventhal Syndrome to learn more. I will admit, though, that from the moment you started discussing your daughter, this is what I thought. ___________ Chris

Hi Week2ers, Hope you are all feeling good. Goose I hope you gas pains have subsided. I have a severe case of the "growlies". I don't feel hungry, though I felt more full yesterday, today I still have the full feeling most of the time. Mostly I have been eating broth with unflavored Protein. Yummy! Anyone else experiencing the "growlies"? Yesterday, I felt lots of gas pain in my sides. Today it isn't as obvious. I have pain around my port area and soreness through my midsection. Other than that I am doing really well. My biggest concern is that I have gained weight. I started the 3 day pre-op liquids at 286, on the morning I left for hospital was 281. The morning after I came home from the hospital I weighed 293!!!!!!! I know I some of it can be attributed to surgery but that seems excessive. Anyone else experiencing a weight gain?

From all I've read pop and alcohol stretch your pouch. Greatest cause of weight gain in some. Just a thought to keep! Be well!!

1000 calories from protein & vegetables is the same as 1000 calories from pizza, burgers, fries, cake,… it’s just the protein & vegetables have better nutrients that contribute to a healthier you. Maybe on the day you had pizza or donuts, you consciously or sub consciously ate fewer calories. Who knows but I wouldn’t rely on that being a dependable or healthy way to lose weight or break a stall. At 4 months out, you’re not very far along in understanding & managing your drive to eat. What is an occasional break could easily become a regular thing & you’ll be back to where you started: cravings, weight gain, etc. In time, when you have better strategies in place to manage your cravings (because they never go), you may be able to have the odd pizza or donut. Stalls happen. They end too. Your body just needs to take a breath every now & again. You’re putting it through a lot of changes. When I stalled, I just kept to my program & I’d start to lose again. No cheating, no change to my activity or caloric intake & in a 1, 2 or 3 weeks, I’d be losing again. Good luck.

I'm pre op but I have pcos and have been on all types of BC? Started with pills but had to stop when I went on blood pressure meds, did depo for years, loved it but the weight gain was over 60 pounds. I have a mirena IUD put in last year, have had maybe 10 days of cycle in the 10 months I've had it. Love that I don't have to think about it, but it really doesn't do much for my hormone level fluctuations. I can't get pregnant so I don't worry about that, it's more to control bad bleeds for me. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

My dr has always been very supportive until recently. I was banded 06/16/07. Lost 110 lbs. Then in Oct 08 had a fill of .25cc. That evening I had no restriction at all. I called my dr. He said it was my imagination. Went back to dr in Jan 09. Only had 2cc in band He put 5cc in. Jan 09 got 2cc. March 1 cc for a total of 8cc in an 11cc band. Still have no restriction. Had upper GI last week, no slippage everything fine. Sat. had scope. No problems. So in my opinion the problem has to be the port or tube. The dr. says no the problem is in my head. But this is my body and I know how I felt (with restriction) prior to what over happened in October. What is your opinion? Has anyone elst had this problem? What should I do?

Nighttime snacking is definitely my downfall also. I eat a semi healthy Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (only eating 6-8 bites) but start my mindless snacking at nite when I lie in bed and watch tv. Thought about making my bedroom off limits for food. I have 22 lbs to get to goal and I made a deal with myself last month. I'd start trying to lose again after the holidays. Until then, I'm happy maintaining. Hubby also gained 40 lbs over the last 9 mths since he's been eating carbs willy nilly (he's usually an Atkins fan) and also has plans of starting Atkins Induction on Jan 2nd. So while I won't be doing Atkins, I can certainly cut down on my bad carbs and cut out the nighttime snacking. And my nightly glass of red wine - of course while in bed. I'm hoping my eating carbs (not to mention that we recently moved in with my FIL and hubbys daughter. MIL passed away 2 mths ago so we're helping out FIL) and others eating carbs (I don't eat much so I never really caused him to stumble but now that there's 2 other people in the household, not sure whats gunna happen) don't make my husband stumble. Anyway, as I was saying, I know where ur coming from. Snacking is the culprit on much of our weight gain or at least preventing us from losing. And I don't mean 1/2 an apple with PB. I'm talking a handful of cheese Its, a scoop of ice cream, 1/2 PB and banana sandwich, a few bits of dinner leftovers, a handful of corn nuts, 5-10 Hershey Kisses (who can resist the green and red ones at holiday time?), an ice cream sandwich, or 1/2 Starbucks biscotti. All things I've snacked on this past week So on jan 2nd, I will ban all food in my bedroom. That oughta help take off the final 22 lbs (albeit slowly. I know the last 20 are the hardest) Good luck to u too!

I notice that many people don't reach goal but have lost significant weight? Are all of the changes and the fears and the money worth it? Would you do it again knowing what you know now? I am deciding on WLS. I know my weight gain has made me feel old. I can't do activities that I love to do. I love to ride horses but my weight is too heavy for my horse babies and it makes me unbalanced. I love to run but my weight makes it so hard on my joints. My feet hurt daily. My back hurts all of the time. While I would like to get down to goal-I would be thrilled with 50% of excess Weight loss. I would be so much more able to be active. What do you all think? :paranoid

i am looking for information about becoming pregnant with the lap band. will the lap band be able to stay in with no complications and how about diet and can avoiding the extra weight gain besides baby weight be possible? Thankyou for any ones answers.

(Note: I was just reading a thread from someone asking about the consumption of Cookies and other sweets, when I realized my response was turning into quite the essay. I decided, since I was going to post a little hello/re-introduction message anyway, that I'd just move my response over here.) I absolutely agree that once you start eating the sweets, it's that much harder to stop. Vicious cycle. In fact, I'm just now coming off of a 3-4 MONTH stretch of eating sweets almost morning, noon and night. I was doing wonderfully for the first few months after being banded. I was eating healthier, diligently tracking almost everything that went into my mouth, drinking tons of Water, taking my Vitamins, doing more and more research, participating in forums, and watching the numbers of the scale steadily drop. Then came time for a family vacation. I told myself I'd allow a little "wiggle room" to enjoy myself and indulge, but that'd I'd still play it safe. The vacation didn't quite go as planned, for a handful of reasons, and I found myself falling back into old habits. I allowed myself candy, ice cream, cookies, baked goods, etc. When I got home, because I was still eating LESS, I continued to allow myself these things every once in awhile. Only problem is that when stress reared its ugly head, or PMS, or getting sick (when certain foods were harder to consume), I was far too permissive and actually justified it with "I deserve to..." and "Just one more, and then I'll get back on track after the weekend..." We've all been there, eh? And then I found that I had this almost insatiable craving for the sweets. I'm ashamed to admit there were more than a few shopping trips where I looked down into the cart and everything I'd tossed in was carb/sugar-filled, barely resembling real food. I completely slacked on vitamins, on drinking water (and when I did drink it was liquids with calories), on eating Protein, avoiding empty carbs, didn't follow-up with my surgeon's office, I stayed away from the forums because it was less painful to claim "blissful ignorance" rather than be forced to take a hard, realistic look at how far I'd backslid. I have two young children at home, and I'd been leaning on the fact that taking care of them was more important, rather than realizing I absolutely have to make the time to take care of myself as well. Thankfully, I didn't do much damage in the way of weight gain, and even managed to lose a couple of pounds in there. But I'm positive I could've lost a good 15-20 more by now had I snapped out of it sooner. It's taken some time, and I'm certainly aware that this is something I will struggle with the rest of my life. But I've re-evaluated, started taking more of an interest in whole foods and cooking again (hooray for the local library's cookbooks!), and am just getting back on track, in general. Sure, I'm disappointed and bummed that I'd allowed myself to behave in such a way. But it happened. And I'm ready to move onward and upward. I never thought this would be a miracle cure, that I'd get banded, never think about food again, and just watch the weight melt off as I happily went about business as usual. But I've come to realize that I'm someone who needs the advice, support, input and accountability of others. I'm grateful to have a couple of friends who were also banded, and are at different stages in things, that I've started to turn to for advice and support. Now I'm just trying to find a way to start attending the support groups for my WLS clinic, because I think that will also help. Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble and share a bit of where I'm at in my journey. Congratulations to those of you who are on the steady path to reaching your goal, to those of you at goal and maintaining, and to those of you taking the steps to living a longer and healthier life. And for those who are struggling, for one reason or another, hang in there!