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When you aren't eating solids, you don't retain much Water. when you go back on solids, you start retaining more stuff (including water) in your system. So one way of looking at it is that it wasn't entirely fat that you lost on the liquid diet. By the way, .5 pounds is the difference between my weight before and after I go to the bathroom. In other words, it isn't a significant amount, and not an indicator of real weight gain. Since we're on the subject, don't be surprised if you gain a few pounds before you get your first fill. You have no restriction yet from your band, so it really isn't working for you yet. Be patient; you didn't gain your extra weight in a couple months, and you aren't going to lose it in that time either.

:sad: congratulations on all that have wonderful and successful lap band experiences! I have an alarming problem :crying:. I gained lots of weight from 2007 to 2008. I normally ranged from 115lbs to 145lbs for the last 20 years. I now weigh 208lbs. Because of large removal of part of right lung in 1990, and trouble with ankle pain when walking the pulmonary dr said get the weight off. I ran to get lap band in Oct 2008. I quit gaining weight, but no weight loss. Was grateful of weight gain seizing. Dec 2008 unspecified fever started, and now it is at a serious stage. Monday I had to go in for IV of antibodies for 5 hours, my blood pressure went from 200/105 to 95/50, fever 103 to normal, and pulse 120 to 60 after fever broke. Friday the hospital called for blood test to be done stat! I ran to hospital, and was taken before all patients in waiting area. They say hazardous fluids are showing in blood, and urine which could cause liver and kidney damage. My friend said she heard that a lap band caused a serious infection which killed someone at work location. I have one kidney because of kidney cancer in other in Oct 2007. I am so scared. Has anyone heard of infection throughout body because of lap band? I have every type of doctor trying to isolate problem. Found new lesions in liver. Looks like deteriation in upper arm bone showing up. They believe because of infection. Help! Need information! Debbie

I'm excited to be here and to find others going through the same experience. I have met with Dr. Valentine in Meridian, Idaho and have begun checking off my requirements to be eligible for the surgery. I am 140 pounds overweight and have struggled my entire life, I was always chunky maybe 20-60 pounds overweight depending on the time period. However, 11 years ago, after the birth of my twins my weight gain really skyrocketed. I have consistently been 100-140 pounds overweight since that time. I have dieted (many times) and done really great, getting down to 50 pounds from my goal weight only to put every single pound + back on. I have decided that I am unable to do this on my own and need help. I understand that I will still need to put in a lot of effort and that the band is just a tool. My hope is to have the surgery by the end of January or early February. I look forward to sharing my experience and to reading about those of others. SuBandy

Are you going poop? That can also mess with the weight gain. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Yes, try a protein drink first thing in the morning. Caffeine can actually make you more hungry, so cut back on that. You might have 1 sweet cake a week as a treat to yourself for following your dietary rules. Another important food to watch out for is carbs. Those add up fast, also make you hungry, drive your insulin levels crazy and put on weight gain. I try to stay under 40 grams of carbs a day. Hope this helps. Good luck!

With the limited information you provided, would say yes, the increased calories has led to weight gain. The further we are out from surgery, it seems it becomes easier to gain, too. Medications can also cause weight gain, but since you didn't mention that, I'm assuming that's not it. Try decreasing back to 1200 to lose the weight, then gradually increase to see how many calories you can eat to maintain your desired weight. The other factor is activity. Try increasing activity and see what sort of impact that has, too. One last thing, I agree, it is very alarming to watch the pounds pile on when there has been a slight change (or even none) in your diet. I always say there is a reason I was so obese, and it has to do with a body that wanted it that way! However, we can beat this with hard work and diligence.

Yes, it definitely changed for me also. I used to keep my ac at 60 during the summer. Now that's too cold. I've lost 100+ lbs. Funny, one of the side effects of hypothyroidism is being cold all the time. That was exactly opposite for me. Had every other side effect (weight gain, sleepiness), but was always hot. It'll probably change for you too! Marci

Here's what you can expect. You're going to be asked a serious of questions from either the HAMD or MADRS test for depression. You can look up samples online. A lot of people that suffer from obesity and have a BMI that qualifies them for surgery also suffer from depression. Many also have addictive personalities and abused food, drugs and/or alcohol in the past (or may be presently abusing). Having a history of depression or addiction does not disqualify you from surgery, but the psychologist need to show that you are being treated and that you can handle this procedure. They need to know that you have a support system in place to help you with this transition. Having this surgery is not going to cure all your problems--it's just going to make you thinner and PHYSICALLY healthier. If you gained weight because you have underlying issues, those issues need to be addressed (and you need to show that you are continuing to addressing them). That covers you for mood disorders, but they are also screening for other issues including personality disorders (borderline personality for example). People with borderline personality disorder (and other personality disorders) don't do very well with surgery or the changes that occur after surgery. If you are suffering schizophrenia, you may also have issues post-op. This will likely show up in your medical history, but you'll be screened anyway. If you have bi-polar depression, you can have problem coping with this surgery and many of the anti-psych drugs used to treat bi-polar depression cause weight gain, and that would need to be taken into consideration. I am not sure that any of these issues alone will disqualify you from surgery, but you're going to need to show that you're conditions (if you have one) is well controlled for at least a year and that your treating physician believes you are psychological prepared to handle the stress of surgery and the changes that it may bring. Aside from questions that are probing for the above issues, you'll be asked specific questions to determine whether you have considered the consequences of having this surgery and how it may effect your life. I would just answer these honestly. This is what I said in my interview (paraphrasing) 1. Why do want weight loss surgery? (asking to make sure you have realistic expectations and have a healthy outlook on this process) I don't want to have weight loss surgery. I wish I didn't need it, but I do need this surgery to become a healthier person. The cosmetic benefits are secondary. If the surgery just made me a healthy person, but I stayed just as fat as I am now, that would be fine too. However, that's not the way it works and I need to lose this weight to be healthy. Being fat is one thing, being sick and dead is another entirely. 2. If that's the case, Have you Tried Dieting and Exercise to lose the Weight? Absolutely, I have been dieting most of my adult life (or was between diets). i can lose weight, but keeping it off has been a problem. Most recently I went on a strict doctor supervised diet where I lost 40 pounds, but could never get below a certain point. I did everything by the book but just hit a plateau. After two months, it became frustrating and I started to slip. Within another 6 months, I gained back the 40 pounds I lost and then some. That's been the story of my life. Dieting and exercise just doesn't work for me or almost anyone that has more than 70 pounds to lose. That's not my opinion, that's what virtually every study shows. 3. Why do you think you gained this weight? Everyone is going to have a different answer, but in my case I gained the weight a little at a time. I was thin as a kid. Even in my early 20's, I worked out every day and watched what I ate. I even had a six pack for a while. Once I started working, that disappeared. I started gaining a few pounds every year. Then I would diet to lose the weight and it would creep back on quickly after I fell off the diet horse (with a few extra for good luck!). I am now 44, so if you take a normal person my height with a normal weight at 24 and add 4 pounds a year on average you end up being me. It wasn't noticeable at first, but it sneaks up on you and suddenly you realize you're the fattest guy in the room. (obviously, this doesn't apply to everyone--but that's how it happened for me). 4. Can you commit to changing your lifestyle after this surgery? Absolutely. It's not going to be easy. Nothing about this process is easy, but I either commit to change or I am going to have a very short life. I have two little girls and they need their daddy to walk them down the aisle when their time comes. I also need to do this for myself. I love being alive and I want to feel healthy again. 5. How does your family feel about you having this surgery? My wife is nervous, but supportive. My mom is behind this 100% and my dad is very nervous about it, but he supports me too. I have told anyone else in my family. I think they would support me, but I just don't feel like they need to know at that point in time. 6. This type of surgery can change the way you feel about yourself and the people around you. How do you think it will effect your relationship with your wife? I believe it will improve our relationship. My wife is a thin person, who watches what she eats. I know she loves me, but she's not happy that I am heavy and she is scared about the effects that being a diabetic may have for me. Being heavy (and diabetic) also can, in my case, cause sexual side effects for men and I think that losing the weight can only help me in that regard. I think you get the picture. Don't lie, but they want to know that you understand what you're getting into and will be able to handle the difficulties and changes that come from surgery. Good luck!

The key difference between the two situations are vast, one can be avoided the other could not. Does my husband love me unconditionally, absolutely, is it right for me to sit around and let life happen to me or get up out of my pity party and do something about it. Now out of my hubbys own mouth he has said if I had a medical condition that prevented me from losing weight it'd be an entirely different story. Don't both parties deserve to be happy in a marriage? Imo extreme weight gain prevents couples from doing a lot, is the other person required to stop living because of the others negligence of their bodies. Negligence and tragedy are two totally different things. This is a reality I had to face myself, if I had taken care of my business as soon as I saw things going on a way I didn't like I would have never ballooned up to this weight. If you have a person who wants to obtain a law degree, but doesn't put nearly the amount of work into their studies to be successful, and they come crying to you about their failure, what will be your response to them. Even after being sleeved one must exercise their will to "not be obese" through their lifestyle point blank or all this will have been for naught. This is my reality which fuels my change.

I'd suggest "jumping through the hoops" so to speak. Go on their "diet" and not really diet. If you feel that it will be another lose weight, gain back more scenario. Shawn

Thanks everyone for replying! I actually dread going to the doctors now because of the weight gain. I also cannot exercise, I keep hurting myself. My knee feels like it is full of rice krispies and actually went out on me twice yesterday. I guess I am really going to have to have a talk with him. Maybe I can get him to refer me to physical therapy in a pool. That would be easier on my body. I feel so discouraged. I thank you all for making me feel like I am not alone. If anyone wants to talk regularly let me know, It would help me alot. Thanks Kim

I'm sorry. I am cracking up right now... of all the posts on this forum this one came out of left field big time!!! We used to enjoy a wonderful hookah in college... made out of an ocean spray cran-grape bottle with 4 hoses for all of us to share... and we weren't smoking flavored tobacco!!! In fact, my college hookah probably led to munchies that caused at least a 50 lb weight gain! LOL Oh, memories!!! lol

Basically that was what I was told yesterday by the psychologist and it made sense. I would rather be safe than sorry, so I actually don't mind waiting. Although I really don't want to wait too long but I will, won't have a choicel. I just know it will be a fight to maintain my current weight, plus I'm not strong in the will power area. Just don't want to have to lose it all over again. That is my main concern, weight gain without the band. The "damn band" is now actually working now that it has slipped. I really know when to stop eating, as it tells me. Go figure.

You clearly haven't read many of my posts. Please don't weigh in on what I post or don't until you've done that. I say many positive things. I did read, all of it. And I will clarify my statement above. For the people for whom saturated fat leads to weight gain and poor heart health the information you post is accurate and should be heeded. There is a significant portion of the population for whom that is true. It just isn't true for everyone. There is a genetic basis that can actually be tested for. I'm sorry you think my the newest science is negative. I think it's exciting to learn more and figure out this puzzle of why certain thing work and don't and even more exciting to discover a scientific basis for why it works for some people and not others. Science is science and not positive or negative.

Thanks so much for replying. I thought I would be getting sleeved much faster....especially when the patient advocate told me my surgery was approved ugh!!! I have to have 6 months of paper work from dr stating my weight etc. since I was seeing my dr already for the weight gain she was able to go back to April. Yeah !!!! So I've got July , August , and September. My consult with my nut is in August. I hope maybe they will speed it up lol.

I agree!!! I was on seroquel and a few others about 4 years ago and I gained 100 lbs during that time. Can not for the life of me take it off. My mom, and cousin were/are on seroquel and they gained massive amounts also. I seen my cousin about 2 months ago and he had really lost weight. I asked him how he had lost so much and he said 'I quit taking me meds'. The pysch that I see now asked who prescribed seroquel for me because that is such an OLD med that is rarely used anymore. I told him who it was and he was surprised. Alot of the psychotropics and antidepressants have the side effect of weight gain. I used to work in a residential facility woth people with depression or other mental illnesses and I have seen the results several times. Good luck!

I'm crossing my fingers I get approved I'm glad u did I hope dr doesn't say anything about weight gain fingers crossed

I am almost 3.5 years post op and still could not eat as much as your cousin ate. I actually feel a little sorry for him as he is on the fast track to weight gain and obviously did not take this surgery as seriously as it needs to be taken. This surgery is a chance to make changes and start over again. I am far from perfect, so I would never claim to be. I do, however, still follow a lot of a general "rules". I never counted or tracked, but I cut back on "bad" carbs and still do not eat/rarely eat rice/pasta/bread. I rarely drink with my meals. I never drank pop much before, and I now rarely drink it because it still hurts my stomach. I eat Protein and veggies first. I do eat treats sometimes, and I have and probably always will mess up here and there and over do it. But what has made it easy is it is always fairly easy to get back on the right track. I think it is not so following a strict set of "rules", but making it a lifestyle change. So many have said it, so I will only echo that it is a tool to work with. The sleeve will not do everything for you.

I suppose I should clarify my weight gain is less than 10 lbs (fluctuation). I just don't feel the restriction I once felt. Now I still measure food and exercise. So I've not necessarily fell off the wagon. I just want to ensure my pouch is not stretched out or developed a enlargement at the fundus, in order to hear of weight gain in the future.

Hello! I'm glad to see this topic on here as I've been struggling with the issue, among the others in my contemplating of banding. I am 5.1" and now over 200lbs. I carry my weight very well, (all over stocky type figure) and have been told repeatedly how I " don't look that heavy." My mother has had the surgery and it helped her a great deal. My conditions include fibromyalgia, degenerative discs in neck, back and a previous lower back injury. My knees have always been a problem even at a low weight. I have BMI at 36. It's right at that level where people say, you aren't heavy enough to consider this option, but as someone who has fought the mighty wave of weight gain since early childhood I disagree. I have been gaining since after the birth of my child and had a hysterectomy in 2010. Since then, it's been almost impossible to lose a pound. I have tried every diet, weight loss idea on planet earth. I am still always consistently 50lbs+ overweight which is obese. I believe it's a matter if time before more serious health problems. Am I to wait for that? Any thoughts or encouragement is appreciated.

I had surgery two and a half years ago. I, too, had an extremely traumatic childhood, part of which involved being frequently left home alone without food. That obviously led to a host of eating/food issues and a considerable weight gain in adulthood. I've lived with a fear of starvation since childhood, so was also concerned about whether I could go through the various eating stages for the surgery. What really bolstered my confidence was when I was able to severely restrict my food intake a few weeks *before* the surgery, paring down my calories to about 800/day, which is what I would live on for the year after surgery. After the initial fear wore off, it actually became easy. I was really shocked at how easy it was. Plus, I was lucky to have weekly therapy to discuss my progress and concerns. The surgery resulted in my losing my lifelong fear of starvation. My brain now knows that there is always food available to eat, that I won't be threatened with hunger, etc. It has been really uplifting. I hope this happens for you, too, whatever your childhood issues were.

On feb 7th will be my one month post op. The first two weeks I lost 15 lbs... Now I've gained 4 lbs! My doc gave me no restrictions on food except steak and tough meat, which I haven't consumed. I make healthy choices... For example, I will chose salad over pizza or grilled chicken instead of fried. Anyone else going through or have gone through what I'm going through? Thanks! ❤️

I would say "Don't worry, you'll be able to eat all those things," but I don't want it to sound like encouragement! No but truly, you will probably be able to eat most foods you loved pre-op once you have recovered from surgery and your stomach heals. The decision to NOT eat those foods is when the real work begins, because eating around the surgery is self-sabotage and will probably lead to weight gain. Post op, I really miss 3 things: pizza, diet soda, and cake. I mean, really. LOL, sometimes I obsess about those things but I make a choice not to eat them - otherwise, why did I have this huge surgery? My desire for cake, etc, hasn't disappeared, but I'm more motivated to lose weight than I am to buy and eat that piece of cake from the bakery. Post-op, I spend a lot of time thinking about food -- food I should eat and food I shouldn't eat. It's a battle every single day to make the right choices. Thank god I had the surgery to help me along - otherwise, what's the point?

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.

Hey there ... Quick update on a few things. I got on my fancy FitBit scale this morning. I have officially lost the alcohol induced weight gain from my Florida trip plus a little bit more. As a matter of fact, my integrated FitBit app tells me I have 14.7 more pounds to lose to hit my goal of 169. A couple thoughts on that 169. First, I must tell you that the weight is falling off at glacial speed. Which means very, very slow. I am still really trying to stick to the plan that has brought me this far, but the results are far more frustrating than when I started this adventure. Sure, I get it. More ass, more weight loss. Less ass, less weight loss. Statistically speaking, a half pound loss of smaller ass is the percentage equal of a full pound loss of fat ass. So I got that going for me. But I am not doing this to amuse some pudgy mathematician. I really don't give a rat's patooty about a percentage loss. I'm in the game for poundage! The excitement of hitting the home stretch to 169 has been tempered down quite a bit since Dr. X gave me the news back in December that he wants me to go for 150. If you remember, he also told me that we have another year and half to go. New goal date is May 15, 2015. Yes, this kind of took the wind out of my sails. I think I mentally took a breather and took my eye off the ball a bit. Maybe that's why I have been hovering here at the 183ish level for a month or so. I need to get re-motivated. First off, my travel schedule is definitely counterproductive to to maintaining a strict diet plan. Yes, I do really well choosing my food options. I choose healthy foods and reasonable portions. However, these healthy choices are the choices that people make when they are trying to maintain their weight. Not the more restricted menu a weight cutter should be making. It's not that easy when you're dining out for every meal for a week straight. And then there is Al C Hall. There is no way that more than several adult beverages a day is good for weight loss. I know it and you know it. But while I am on a precious vacation, I have to imbibe. Ya know, just to be polite. This is why I settle for maintaining my weight while I'm jet-setting. So here I am. I'm under 15 pounds from my original goal. Working through a hectic travel schedule and trying to maintain my weight. That's not the plan. My plan was to be 169 by May 15, 2014, and I am gonna stick with that plan. That means I'm going to have to change a few things. Honestly, I really need to get more active. It's super hard to get motivated when you're ball deep in snow. Yeah, I'm using the treadmill a bit. And I hit the weights occasionally. But it's not enough and I know it. I enjoy walking on a beautiful summer day during a rousing round of golf. Working the treadmill and staring at the wall, not so much. Maybe I'll try the Shred that Lap Band Girl is always touting? She is my muse. She is always reminding me of what it takes to get to your goal and maintain it. Suffice to say, sitting on my backside is not in the equation. That's it for now. Same goal - 169. Same goal date May, 2014. Same plan? I'm going to have to think on this one. More activity is definitely on the schedule. And maybe I'll cut off one of my now thinner legs. Buh Bye JT Fat Fanatics! Email your comments and questions to: mccgolfer99@gmail.com I will answer all questions and, who knows, your pithy comments might make the blog!