Search the Community

@ - I'm not sure it is a simple as "he dumped me because I got fat." My GF and I challenge each other all the time physically. We are both 53 and we both want to be there for each other in the long haul, and that means taking care of ourselves. In many relationships the weight gain is an overt sign that something else is wrong. I know there are superficial jerks who would leave because things are not as perky as they used to be, but I also know women who quit taking care of themselves, their homes, their relationships et.al. (same could be said for guys, but we are usually the more superficial sex) so the reason for leaving is all of the above, but since everyone else can see the weight, they assume that is the cause.

I have no weight gain or loss to report on this challenge yet. Got a fill this a.m .3cc, think I need more but have decided to go a little at a time. Driving back to RI now, just came home to Ct for the appt. Don;t have much time for the forum lately. things will calm down soon and I'll check in on all the great weight losses I'm sure you're all posting!!!

Hi, Stayed 4 nights in the hospital (minor complications with my bladder). I got home and saw I gained 2 pounds since starting my pre-op diet last week! I had the RNY. I know there are some people the surgery doesn’t work, and I’m freaking out a tad! If it matters I started at at 305 and am now close to 308! I’m following the diet to the letter! I had a hernia repair too, as well as the removal of my nissen. Thanks!

I remember going to my Doc at 260lbs, and telling him I would like surgery to cope with my drastic weight gain-a few years back. He told me "Why don't we put you on a diet low in calories (yea right..never thought of that before), and increase your exercise." Uh, huh. Excercise. At my weight...exercise is cleaning my kitchen floor, walking from the parking lot to the university, and doing laundry! There is a new day on the horizon. This is for all of us-because we are still alive! Joan

I been cleaning my closet monthly, in the past I always saved it and that's how I ended up getting in trouble again cause I would gain some weight and I would get the big clothes out. I'm hoping this time as soon as I see some change on how my clothes fit that I will take control of any weight gain.

I know that I've been on this site before many times but I still don't know how to start a new subject or reply without doing a quote first. Please someone help me. I may be seemingy stupid but I just can't seem to find it. Thx. Now I've lost 30lbs in 8 months. I take a few weight gaining drugs plus insulin. So I know my losing will be slow . I have 6cc in 10cc band. I now think next months ckup I'll need another fill. Everything is going down nice..pills too. But I'm still eating far too much and still getting hungry...I know everyones different but anyone with a 10cc band what amount of ccs have you found to be beneficial?

I apreciate you not WANTing to sound like a cold heartless a$$, but you are only reading what you want to read. Does nobody actually read an entire post? I have said many things in my posts but I don't recall talking about wanting to EAT. I said and I quote "I am looking for options on removal, but in no way am I looking for imeadiate removal. " and the reason: "One less thing to cope with and one less thing to learn to function through one less kind of pain." Which means I AM IN PHYSICAL PAIN from the band, the gas is one thing, but everytime I eat I IF I get solids I have to take TINY bites and chew VERY slowly, more so than what the doctors have explained over and over to me. THEY (meaning the doctors) unfilled me because of this... it has helped but not entirely. Nausea and shoulder pain are STILL a daily thing for me ON TOP of everything else. This has been going on Since the first day I was banded. NO WHERE DID I SAY I WANTED THE BAND OFF TO EAT!!!! Where do you get this??? I know I haven't been as successful as the rest of you but why do you think I would get it off just to EAT!!!???? I lost 35lbs my first month...I went from 292lbs - 257lb...yay me...everybody dies then unfortunatly I began drinking alchohl and fruit juice...whole milk....ice cream...mashed potatos...because A.) those were the foods I could keep down and, B.) Yes they were comfort foods. I gained back up to 278lbs and I stopped all the foolishness once I realized what I was doing...I switched to healthier semi-solid foods...I am back down to 270lbs( have since been mantaining that weight), however the weight gain I am most disapointed about was the gain of FAT and Loss of Muscle that is what really worried me... lifting weights had to stop because of port pain. stretching my arms over my head or twisting, crunches all resulted in feeling like my port was being ripped from my muscle. Curves hurts but if I start to over tax myself (unlike other gyms) no one puts me down or looks at me in disgust for taking it easy til the pain gets to an easier point and I can begin again. BUT I KEEP GOING! I have also said that I have been working to correct what I've been doing...instead of a milk and Ice cream I'm now just sipping slimfast. I can keep that down. THAT is also a baby step in the right direction is it not?? I know how big I am I know I could gain more weight with band removal...thats why I am just taking in OPTIONS. Being on the band isn't the easy way to lose weight...so why would you attack me for wanting the option of removal which is Obviously a harder way??? Instead of trying to talk me into keeping the band users attack me and call me stupid and lazy and to top it off you think I want if off for the sole pleasure of EATING? I could have kept eating the ice cream and mashed potoatos and shakes if all I really wanted was to eat because those were my comfort foods before the band anyway. But I haven't...I am 22lbs down STILL from my heaviest. What are banders who are happy with their bands doing on a thread for people who aren't happy anyway? Do you get a sick kick out of making people who probly already feel like failures feel THAT musch worse about themselves?? Do you feel better? You said come here to vent and scream and whine...I thought thats what I was doing...but as of yet you and the others have not allowed me to do so without feeling like a complete A$$. Like you said, this is MY LIFE and MY experiance how could you take what I said so personally when I've been spending all my time defending your attacks? Better question; why would I want to be a part of such a judgemental community? I thougt I was in a forum where I could complain and discuss removal without judgement. I am grateful for those who have given me the little kind support I have recieved. I'm hurt and disapointed in those of you who think I'm looking for an easy way out...by now there is no such thing as the easy way, I am damned if I remove (no tool to help in my weightloss) and damned if I leave it in (constant physical pain)

I've been doing my own research for BCBS and have saved my finds in a thread I started. (it's just so much information) Here is criteria I found: DESCRIPTION: Clinically severe obesity is a result of persistent and uncontrollable weight gain that constitutes a present or potential threat to life. For purposes of this medical coverage guideline, clinically severe obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m2 or greater. See the height and weight tables for Men and Woman, BMI tables (100-195, 200-295, 300-400, and formula for calculating a BMI. Several surgical (bariatric) procedures are used for the treatment of clinically severe obesity. These procedures can be categorized as follows: <LI class=bulletedList-1>Malabsorptive procedures - alteration of the intestinal absorption limiting nutrients available to the body OR Gastric restrictive procedures - reduction in the capacity of the stomach thereby limiting the amount of food ingested. Gastric surgical procedures for the treatment of clinically severe obesity include: <LI class=bulletedList-1>gastric bypass where approximately 90% of the stomach is bypassed and reattached to the proximal jejunum OR gastric stapling, vertically banded gastric partition, or vertically banded gastroplasty where a proximal pouch of 30-60 ml and a one centimeter outlet are created by a row of vertical staples and a horizontally placed reinforcing band Certain surgical procedures performed for the treatment of clinically severe obesity may be considered medically necessary when ALL of the following conditions are met: The member: meets the above definition of clinically severe obesity,has been severely obese for at least five (5) years, has attempted a physician supervised (by the primary care physician) non-surgical management weight loss program (e.g., diet, exercise, drugs) for six (6) consecutive months ,has received psychological or psychiatric evaluation with counseling as needed, prior to surgical intervention; does not have a medically treatable cause for the obesity, (e.g., thyroid or other endocrine disorder). The following procedures may be considered medically necessary when the above criteria has been met: http://mcgs.bcbsfl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.main&doc=Surgery%20for%20Clinically%20Severe%20Obesity

@@rebecca wills I also have Graves Disease, had it most of my life, but only got formally diagnosed last year. It kept me slim till last 2 years 2014-2016 where I gained 41 kg (90.2 Ibs) !!! I had to have my thyroid destroyed and stabilised prior my VSG, so I finally was sleeved in March 2016, instead of July 2015 ... Auto-immune diseases, hormonal dysfunctions, they all can play havoc with the body/brain/mind and emotions. I am close to 3 months post op, have lost fair bit of weight, still suffering with thyroid issues, as the more weight I lose, the more hyper-thyroid I get, and my Thyroxine dose needs constant monitoring and adjusting. I am afraid that the Ghrelin will come back, after 6 months or so, don't know how this whole journey will pan out. Just trying to do my best one day at a time, and coping with hyper-thyroid symptoms again! The heart ones are the scariest, high blood pressure again and racing pulse, plus rebound insomnia .... As for the hunger and appetite, for now I have lost most of it, and lost my chocolate and sweet cravings. I am very mindful of high Protein diet, fluids, good veggies and vitamins/supplements. As I had such a massive, rapid weight gain in the past 2 years, so far the Sleeve is really helping me. I tried Duromine tablets before, and had to stop as my Graves could not cope with the speed/amphetamine type drugs. I wish you all the best, rebecca! Providing your labs (thyroid) are OK, the surgery should help. You're welcome to PM me. Margo

I had lost 3 lbs. then at my last visit to set the surgery date I had gained seven. I told the doctor I had quit smoking and was trying to fight both battles. Plus my insurance was changing and they were not going to cover the operation, I had a appointment within two weeks to be banded on Dec. 30th. And they were strict also about the no weight gain. It all in how you present it.

A few years ago I posed a question to the BariatricPal community. I asked how it was that people with no history of obesity eventually became obese. What had happened? The answers I got were both accurate and astute. Here’s what people had to say. Perhaps you were obese for as far back as you can remember. Or perhaps you were healthy and fit and turned obese over time. The result is the same in either case — and many of the reasons for why we become obese are also the same. Why We Were Obese A few years ago I posed a question to the BariatricPal community. I asked how it was that people with no history of obesity eventually became obese. What had happened? The answers I got were both accurate and astute. Here’s what people had to say. “…I changed to a career which didn’t naturally burn thousands of calories/day.” The most simple formula for weight loss or weight gain is the balance between calories consumed and calories burned. If you burn more calories than you consume you will lose weight. If you burn less calories than you consume you will gain weight. Read, “Bad Eating Habits that Cause Weight Gain.” “I was sedentary for a long time and gained another fifty pounds.” Sedentary behavior (particularly watching television) can lead to sedentary snacking. Eating food while watching TV causes people to eat more calories, especially calories from fat. “…it became much easier to grab a quick ‘something’ instead of sitting down to a proper/healthy meal.” Time pressures from school, work, and other obligations can cause people to eat on the run or not get enough sleep. Both have been shown to contribute to weight gain. Read, “Healthy Chain Restaurant Meals.” “Low self-esteem. Possibly some depression…” Not only can depression contribute to obesity, but some medications for treating depression can cause weight gain as well. SSRIs often promote weight loss initially, but within six months of treatment many people report weight gain. Read all of the community responses on BariatricPal. Learn what Science shows are the reasons we become obese. The answers will surprise you! Continue reading this article on MyBariatricLife. Weigh-in with your thoughts. What is it that you do to prevent excess weight gain from ever happening to you again? If you have experienced weight regain after your bariatric surgery, what is it that you did to overcome it?

Hey Dooter – You totally rock! This is EXACTLY the reason I came to BaritricPal. Like so many others, since the day I decided to have surgery, I've been terrified of what would happen down the line when it gets hard. I'm only 3 months out and still basking in the glow of my honeymoon period, but I know that the wolf is lurking out there. So I'm working now to get my head right for when it knocks on my door. Now here's a delicate question... Can you advise us as to what are the behaviors that lead to "cheating" our sleeves? I know that ice cream and fruit juices are the quickest path to weight gain. But what are some of the other types of eating that we should watch out for? What sneaks in unnoticed over time until it becomes difficult to stop? Is is starches? Pizza? Junk food? Candy? Desserts? In other words, are there some foods that would be best left permanently in the past? I worry a lot about my slippery slope, so for now I make choices to avoid all of the "bad foods". But at some point, we're all going to have to increase our calories from 700 to 1200. What are the safe and unsafe ways to do that? Since planning for meals is a strategy for not making bad choices when eating out or at events, I figure that planning for "normal eating", whenever that comes, should also be a good strategy. Thanks to all who had the courage to share their struggles. I wish you nothing but success in regaining control of your journey!!!

Remember that each of us starts in a different place. Even if we were to find someone the same age,gender,height,HW, and SW, you STILL wouldn’t be able to compare yourself because there are so many many complicated factors and biological systems involved with weight gain and weight loss. I guess about the only people who could compare themselves would be identical twins, and even that could be dangerous. As of today I’ve lost 88 pounds PO and my surgery was 2-6-19. I know many in my February group who’ve blown me out of the water in number of pounds lost, but I’m less than 4 pounds from GW and couldn’t be happier with my progress. My progress was “slow,and steady”, but I’m almost there. I won’t quite hit GW by Saturday, and the story of this entire process for me has been falling short of monthly weight loss goals (I think in the 8 months PO, I’ve only hit a goal on time just ONCE) but I’m going to keep plugging away and working the plan. Guys, this is a marathon, not a sprint bc it is something that will have to be managed for the REST OF OUR LIVES.

Update: I have bottomed out again and am in a major relapse of my eating disorder, triggered by surgery and fear of weight gain. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The first few days are the WORST and yours sound even worse than average due to the chest infection. Don't fret about the weight gain, that is all just the IV fluids and swelling. Hang in there an just try to do a little more each day. Inch closer and closer to your fluid and protein goals. Sip, sip, sip and walk, walk, walk.

Depends on the goal weight you're talking about. The one I tell my team to prove that I have a realistic understanding of what my surgical outcome is likely to be? I punched in my numbers to an online outcome calculator, rounded down so that they had the opportunity to gently adjust my expectations. I don't remember what this number is, because I could not care less about it. The one I use for my usual calculations and plans at this stage? I used an ideal body weight calculator (there are a number of different equations) and picked the highest version to be realistic. The secret one that I rarely admit or factor into planning? It's the one above, minus 10% of the amount of weight I would have lost at that body weight to buffer against expected weight gain. I doubt I'll reach this one, it depends on how I feel and whether plastic surgeons have a minimum weight requirement. I dunno, it doesn't really matter all that much at this point. I have no idea how much weight will come off from plastics and top surgery, how much weight I'm stuck with because it's extra bone or organ tissue that supported my fat body, and how my transition would realistically affect those calculations anyway.

I agree with sleevesk about the therapist. A lot of people swear that they help so much. I wish I could find someone near me who specializes in disordered eating. I am 16 months post op and got down to my easy goal but not my dream goal. I am on medications that can cause some weight gain so they warned me that may happen. I would’ve been happy enough to maintain there but now I am dealing with some life stress and a medication change and my weight is already starting to creep back up. Not trying to scare you but I am an emotional eater and I know that this would’ve been easier if I had the tools that are learned in therapy. I say you have come this far, may as well do whatever you can to set yourself up for long term success.

Question 1--people say ins goes off starting BMI to qualify.. However if you lose too much they think you can do it without surgery. Question 2...i would be careful putting off 3rd visit..dont let it go too far because you may have to start 3 months all over..and usually unless your ins specifically says you need to show weight loss i wouldnt worry..i would however worry about weight gain as many have been denied for even gaining 1lb.

Hi everyone I had a roux-en-y gastric bypass with fobi pouch 5 years ago (well, 5 years and 11 days to be precise). In the year or two after surgery I was a regular poster here and got immense support from people going through the process at the same time as me, as well as from those who were living with the changes, so I though I’d come back and share for a bit. I have the same story as many of you I am sure - a lifetime of weight loss, weight gain. I had a bit of a distaste for serious exercise but I’d walk happily. I know I ate (well, still do a bit) to deal with feelings - especially loneliness. Stressful jobs over the years, I am 5 foot 7in tall and my weight seesawed until at 100kg (220 lbs) i got a gastric band. That was good, helped me loose maybe 25lbs, but eventually the refill port broke and it had some other issues where it broke, so I made the decision to get a bypass. Because I was back up to 120kg (165lbs) ’My’ bypass has a fobi pouch - so instead of having a small rounded stomach, I have a longer thinner one with a permanent band (made from a baby’s catheter with permanent suture through to make a tied-off loop) in place around it, so it will never stretch. Anyway, it has been a resounding success. I initially dropped to under 60kg (130lbs). I remember worrying ‘how do I make this STOP! Then settled at about 62-64kg. My partner was concerned I looked a bit skeletal, and I run (sometimes) and cycle (a lot) now, so encouraged me to consider putting on a bit of weight for my own health, and I did and feel better for it - so now I sit happily at about 66-67kg - just under 150lbs. There were times when it was tough work. There still are - I occasionally still get sick with that horrid ‘dumping’ if I make an unwise choice, but the benefits outweigh that so much! I want to thank users of this board - the best bit was each problem I encountered, I found someone else had encountered it and overcome it. And it helped me hang in, see it through.

We're sleeve buddies -- I'm the 6th, too! I'm with you as well, I'm not a snacker, and I don't love junk food -- it's the quantities (I LOVE to cook) that got me where I am today, so I'm really looking forward to enjoying a healthier relationship with food in the years to come. You're a health care professional, and I'm a certified group fitness instructor and Pilates instructor (though I haven't taught in 18 months due to weight gain) -- proof that even those that know better can be fallible. Best of luck to you next week -- we're on the home stretch!!

Hello Va Gang again, JA9VA I really appreciate your reply, Thanks you so much . It's so great to have this place to vent. Those friends that are not in this realm have no idea of the torment that goes into making a decision like this because they have always been naturally thin. When I was younger I was very thin then around 22 I gained about 50 lbs in a year. I didn't understand it but it happened now I have been told that I probally had PCOS which causes huge sudden weight gains and could have been corrected. But then I tried to diet and excercised lost a little weight had baby packed on more weight, lost a little again, had another baby, gained more, and then repeated it one more time. I have tried so many diets but it's never been successful for long. One time I took Redux and lost 60 lbs I loved it but then it was taken off the market. But since that I have been extremely unsuccessful with weight lost. I also had to have Hysterectomy when I was 33. Recently developed Thyroid issues, reflux, joint pain and Diabetes. I guess thats enough of my justification. It's really difficult to want this so bad and still not even know if insurance has approved me yet. It seems like the process is so slow. Lumpy: I will definitely keep in touch with the process. I really wish you well with the surgery. Thanks for being here. Suzie

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.

I have been banded approx. 3yrs., 3 months. Goal to lose: 70 lbs weight loss; 30 lbs. On scale of 1 to 10 with satisfaction of the band: 5 Because I was post menopausal when I had the band put in,I was told that if I did not exercise, it would not work for me. I have not exercised. That is my fault. The psychological exam before the surgery was a joke. Anyone who has dealt with being obese for years would easily give answers the psychiatrist wanted to hear, rather than the truth. If you are still considering the band, listen to the people who say it is just a TOOL. That is what it is. You will still have to plan out meals, write down what you eat, and exercise, ... as you did before the band. The band will allow you to eat portions that will satisfy you, and you can easily stick to the plan. Concentrate on doing whatever you have to do to get to your goal, and the glory is, that the band will facilitate staying within 5 pounds of your goal weight a breeze compared to the past. I found the support groups that I attened for the first 18 months to be very frustrating. They were pretty heavily populated with people who had Roux-En-Y surgery, and they do not have to deal with the same issues that we do. At the support groups, I was sold tupperware, and people brought lots of dessert recipes. Let's face it, I was not obese because I had a lack of dessert recipes. How to cook chicken and fish meals that are low fat and interesting, that I could use. I am grateful that I do not have to obsess every day on what I eat, and get on a scale and have it show that I have gained weight anyway. I have stayed at the same weight for the last 2 years. No weight gain during the holidays, vacations, etc. I do need to find a support group. Maybe I can still pull of the next 40 pounds and feel good about myself. Before band, I ate more vegetables than the average person. Now it is easy to 'fill my face' with a yogurt (which is fine on the healthy intake scale) , or a burrito from Taco Bell, etc. ... or something that does not go down well, ... like a half a bage and cream cheese, or a donut, so I deal with the 'stuck' feeling for the next few hours, but I skip a meal that way.

A little background..I had taken Zoloft for the last 8 years for anxiety (not so much depression). Over the years, I went from 155 pounds to 223 pounds. Not blaming it all on the Zoloft, but I have researched and that does seem to be a side effect of it. Anyhow, I went off of it back in August of 2004. I didn't really lose any weight during the time I was off of it and having my band surgery in March 2005 (in honesty, I didn't really try to since I had made up my mind to have lap band surgery) I am now going thru some trying times (not related to the lap band) and have considered going back on it. My question is, do you think I will have a weight gain? Rhonda Dr Lopez 3/10/05 221/198/140 First Fill 05/07/05 3cc

I gained 65-70 lbs with the Paxil before my lap band and am now off of it, there is no way I would ever go back on that, it has nothing to do with the ammount of food you eat, I ate the same foods that I ate before I started taking the paxil as I did when I was taking it, same ammounts too but gained all that weight. all of those meds make your metabolic rate zero( Paxil, Zoloft, Wellbutrin etc..) I went round and round with my PCP about this and all the different meds. I do not think having the band or not having the band will make a diference , weight gain is still possible, this is just my opinion on it!