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I'd hate to come on here and say well, I'm unfilled and I havent gained so you can do it too, its patronising and not helpful. But perhaps I can share my take on it and you can take or leave my opinion, but if it helps you at all then I'm glad. I've been unfilled for a couple of months now because I had rectal cancer, and had to have chemo, radiation and a major surgery, which involved creating an ileostomy so I have a bag for now. I'm now having more chemo and will have the ileostomy reversed sometime in the next few months. Chemo hasnt made me the type of sick that means i dont want to eat so my appetite is quite normal. I was so devastated/angry/frustrated/terrified of being unfilled, I'd been so successful with my band. But I had no freaking choice. So I sat myself down and said to myself "you're a grown up and you know you have to face the consequences of your actions". I was also feeling so out of control with the whole disease that is cancer, my life was just taken out of my hands and I had a new schedule for the coming 12 months, my job, our travel plans, even our plans for a new house, I've just had to let them all go, so I was absolutely adamant that it would not take over my weight and self image too! I have continued to exercise like always, I run daily, I do bootcamp, I circuit train with my son - exercise is your prime weapon, it is just so important. Do lots and lots of cardio. I follow what I call my no bullshit diet, but amazingly, the other day I found someone has put it up on the web, lol - google the NOS diet or the no "s" diet. No sweets, no seconds, no Snacks is all it is basically. I eat three meals a day - healthy meals, meals that satisfy - I dont even try to stick to bandster portions, because only bandsters can do that! I've been logging calories, weighing and measuring but I stopped, because I felt that despite not gaining, I was losing all I'd worked so hard for and starting to become obsessed with food and dieting again - so yeah, 3 healthy meals, no snacks. That's only a couple of rules. No agonising over can I eat this, how much Protein does that have, how many calories do I have left for the day. I can eat enjoyable food, but not junk. Its really really worked for me, my weight has stayed pretty stable. Now I've had a slight advantage in that I had a big surgery in there and lost a couple of kilos that I was able to gain back, and unfortunately my 3 healthy meals included LOTS of salad to fill the gaps. Salads and ostomates and chemotherapy dont mix - I've just come home from hospital following a bowel obstruction (painful, you dont want one!) and I am simply going to have to cave in and follow the recommended diet of lots of white bread, potato, rice and not too many fruits and vegies - and especially no skins. It freaks me out - all those white carbs - but I really believe with the no bullshit approach, I still wont gain weight! You are the one in control of this, it is only you and you must make your choices. It is as plain as that. I wish there were a secret but there simply isnt. You're only human and you still might gain weight, statistically most unfilled or de-banded people do. But you dont have to absolutely pile it back on at lightening speed. You need to protect your self esteem, your sense of achievement and if you can contain the weight gain, you'll feel better than if you simply give up. Best of luck to you.

I too have the same feeling that you do at this time. My surgery was May 2013 and this month is the first month that I tracked a weight gain. I seem to bounce between 150 and 155. Today I am 152. I have tried the tips already mentioned (tracking food and Water, cutting out the "junk" and getting Protein first.) I find that I can get 50-60 gm of protein a day. I manage to take in about 72 oz of water. I have decided that 150-155 is an ok weight for now. I am wearing a size 8 (which is a size I have never worn as an adult) I am staying positive that the last 25 lbs will come off with time if I stay on track. If I stay this weight for a while, my body must need the break from weight loss. I am hoping that my skin will tighten up while I am working off the last few pounds. I do not look at this as a failed surgery because I am 115 lbs lighter than when I had the surgery.

This reminds me of that episode of "King Of Queens", where Doug lost weight. Suddenly the whole dynamic of the relationship shifted and Carries was NOT happy. She had always been "the hot one" and Doug had always been grateful that she stayed with him - what with his having a weight problem. Now, women were flirting with him and he was getting attention from everyone, commenting on his achievement and buff new bod. Carrie tried to sabotage his diet by tempting him with high calorie food that, previously, Doug had enjoyed and which had contributed to his weight gain. Though the comedy of the situation was highlighted, I actually found the way Carrie acted very nasty and passive aggressive. Yea I know it is just a show, but this goes on all the time in real life, with partners showing their insecurities when the other partner loses weight. Not with everyone, but some partners display this behaviour, as witnessed by this thread.

One of the office I go to will not touch you if you have not lost weight. You will be sent away. The place where I ultimately ended up having surgery (had nothing to do with weight gain or loss, I left for other reasons) puts you on a strict preop diet and they do expect you to lose weight. I don't know if they would turn you away or not but you are only putting yourself at risk.

Hi all!!! I'm new to this app. I had gastric sleeve surgery 2 weeks ago and instantly lost 14 pounds. Well I have gained 3 pounds back and it's causing some extreme anxiety. I feel like I'm gonna fail this time as I have so many times before. Anybody else experience this?

@playlikeworldchamps congrats on "regaining" your success. must be hard to loose weight regain. 65 lbs - terrific!! you are aces i was sleeved 6+ years ago. i "assumed" once i lost my weight - that was it. no more problems, weight gain etc. WRONG!! i gradually heard from OP (VETS) that you can/will gain weight if you don't follow all your P's and Q's you learned as a newbie. Newbies need to learn/realize they must continue/follow how they ate as a newbie. water, protein, carbs forever. most OP do stretch the rules as time (years go by) nothing lasts forever. welcome to the real world.!! newbie beware good luck Kathy

I'm curious about whether you have any experience with taking Metformin? I am not diabetic, but have PCOS and it has been helpful in this respect but problematic in others. I first started taking it in November 2016, after having reached my goal weight in August of that year. I had the VSG in August of 2015. At first I lost eight pounds on Metformin, in part because of the nausea it caused. Then my weight and appetite remained stable for most of 2017 until traveling abroad actually helped me to reach my "dream" goal in December. In January of this year my endocrinologist increased my dosage to 1500 MG a day, and I suddenly would have these tremendous surges in appetite and feel ravenous. I'd shake until I ate something with carbs. I've gained 10 pounds this year. When I told my endocrinologist in April about the weight gain, he wasn't surprised even though most lose weight on it. He said it can cause hypoglycemia and excessive hunger. I've made sure to stock up on healthier snacks so I can grab one and not eat something else in desperation, but am still frustrated. What snacks do you eat to keep your blood sugar levels in check?

Suzie, I'm sorry to hear about your job. That's lousy news. Hopefully, though, you can enjoy the extra time off and find a new one you like even better as soon as you're ready. Lela, I'm glad to hear you're doing well. Keep up the good work. Anna, you can always start again. We're living proof of that. I think a visit to your doctor is a good place to start. It sucks to have to go in and confess that you haven't been doing well, but I promise that the doctor has heard it before. By going in and having a consultation, you can make sure your band is still properly placed, verify how much fill you have, and either get some added or taken away. If you're getting stuck on scrambled eggs , you might actually have been a little bit too tight, which can actually cause weight gain. Once you're ready to start again, you just need to go back to the beginning and follow all the rules. ALL of them, ALL the time. Measure and weigh your portions, keep track of your calories, take tiny bits, and chew chew chew until your jaw is about to fall off! You can do it, you just have too want it enough to work for it. I'm still going crazy with allergies, which is helping neither my work nor my eating. I'm not doing badly, but it's harder at the moment. I think that because I spent so long using food to soothe myself, I'm still having trouble not doing that when I'm not feeling well. But I'll get through this, just like everything else. Hope everyone 's having a good day.

Well my pre-op testing was yesterday. Let me start off my saying I HATE DRIVING IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cabbies and biker's really irritate me and just the traffic and overall overcrowdedness!!! (is that even a word! my sister(the teacher would probably kringe if she saw that)! anywho! got to the doctors office and only 2 people were in the waiting room. I pay my deposit($$$$$$) and complete some more paper work. Once I get called back I go thru the norm of BP, temp, height and weight. Yep BP was high 147/98, which is high for me, but they dont seem concerned and feel it's "white coat syndrome". lol You can call it whatever you like as long as it doesnt stop me from getting banded!! Get blood taken(not that bad), and EKG , talk to the anastesiolgist(i can never spell that, but ya'll know what i mean..LOL), and I can say i'm not to thrilled about the intubated thing, but I know i have to have it. Went back out the to waiting room and there are close to 20 people waitng! WTH!!! are they giving away lap bands now,...sign me up! found out the doc was running late so i had to sit another 20 minutes for my barium swallow. he comes rushing through the door. i get called back and in like 2 minutes its over. I stand in front of the xray like machine. take 3 big gulps of this white stuff and bam that's it. As I look over the papers I was given there is a 0 POUND WEIGHT GAIN CLAUSE! WTH is this. well apparently if you dont weigh the same you did on your pre-op testing(done 2 weeks before your surgery), there's a chance they wont do the surgery. i asked for clarity and it's like if you gain like 10+ pounds. Ok not sure how you would do that if you're on a liquid diet for 2 weeks, but apparently someone has done it or they wouldnt have to say it. Ok i've rambled enough! SMOOCHES!!!

I dont think getting the band removed will help the RA. Once you have it you have it. And with the steroids you may need it as they cause terrible hunger and weight gain. This would be bad for your joints. Ask a rhuemotogist but that is my opinion. Jill

Ad12368 the reason that they gained the weight back as with all WLS is because they did not follow their doctors orders, you can not eat whatever you want and not exercise, if you eat more than you are willing to burn off then you will have weight gain and thats with surgery or not. People consumed to many calories and refuse to exercise. As far as hanging skin goes you will have hanging or stretch skin rather you have the wls or not if you do not have the surgery you have hanging skin do to excessive amount of fat at least with the wls and you do what you are required to do and exercise you can minimize the amount of skin you have hanging through exercise. I have lost 100 pounds and I look great I work out 5 days a week for 2 hours . I watch what I eat and hold myself accountable for my actions. I eat to live not live to eat anymore. Most people overeat because of some issue they have going on rather it be stress eating, depression, comfort their is always a source to why people over eat. You must remember WLS is a tool only yo must do the hard work and be willing to make the necessary changes that is need to loose weight. Also regarding appearance and confidence , your confidence goes way up and you are finally seen as a person and with envy not the butt of everyone joke. I know that I was also tired of everyone telling me I had such a pretty face now I have the body that match and I have been happily married for 20 years. You will see changes as well as people will show their true colors friends who you thought were friends were not they became upset because you are getting healthy and changing. Do not let fear prevent you from being healthy no matter what choice you make. Good luck and keep me posted.

if that's seriously all you eat then there's something really not adding up, I agree, because your portions would have to be simply enormous to cause weight gain and a weight problem. Do you never eat butter, cheese, any dairy, any other food than that? Is it all no fat/steamed and no carb? is that fish and chicken simply plain, a fillet steamed or grilled? Or are you really eating processed foods of a much wider variety and whilst not obviously overeating or pigging out taking in more than your body uses? To weigh 340, your body would require significant calories to not lose weight and I cant fathom how you could possibly take in that many on such a tiny variety of low fat food. I'd be insisting that it be checked out. Keep a journal for a few weeks perhaps?

It is normal for your levels of restriction to change. Sometimes they change because of hormones, TOM, weather, how well hydrated you are ............ the list goes on. It is certainly normal for them to change the further out you are from surgery. I also think it is normal to be worried about that and about potential weight gain. Even if we are told presurgery that the period after surgery is about healing not weight loss we skip over that part in our excitement. It is important to remember that this is a process and it takes time. In the same way that you didn't gain overnight you also won't lose overnight. Stick to what your Dr has told you to eat.,make healthy choices,do some exercise, and the weight will come off

This is the first time I've visited this forum. I was looking for a place to share my story with other RNY patients, and here is where I landed. So, first off, the basics. I had bypass surgery 6 years ago at the U of W Hospital. The surgery was straight forward and I suffered no complications.My pre surgery weight was 355. During the first year post op I shrank to 217 (which contrary to all obesity tables was thin for my build). I was 60 at the time of the surgery. During the first year, I ate whatever I could tolerate, and drank no alcohol at all. I was pretty gruntled over the results. I tossed by CPAP, as the decrease in fat around my neck cured me of the obstructive aspect of my apnea. I was on a low dose of blood pressure meds, and I no longer needed to continue that med, as my BP dropped with my weight loss. I never could tolerate sugar after the surgery and found I really needed to limit any carbs a couple of hours prior to doing physical activity to prevent lightheadedness--although, I continued to eat a lot of high carbo foods. After the first year and the highly satisfactory weight loss, I started reintroducing alcohol. I had, for over twenty years, been a daily drinker-- usually a couple of cocktails in the evening with friends. I found that alcohol after surgery was different. I got drunk much faster, sobered up much quicker and never suffered a hangover, no matter how much I consumed. This was great fun, as I'm by nature a happy drunk, pleased to make people laugh and enjoy the company of friends and alcohol together. This behavior went on and I started to gain weight. I wasn't overly alarmed by either my alcohol use or my weight gain, as I had been told that studies indicate that RNY patients suffered a 10% weight regain after reaching their highest weight loss. Well, pressures of life mounted, I daily traded in the Stock Market, and found with the advent of the Fed's QE programs and the advent of ALGO trading, my trading strategies suffered considerably. Over the course of the next 3 years I lost $10s of Thousands of dollars in the Market. So, I sat at the computer 14 hours a day watching the evaporation of my money as it went to money heaven. It was disturbing and depressing--to say the least. My alcohol consumption increased, as my activity level decreased. In fact, I started adding a daily bottle of good red wine with dinner to enjoy and make me feel better. This escalated over the months. On top of my own Market disasters, our Family suffered some terrible tragedies and losses in the course of an 8 month period in 2014. My Wife, of 46 years marriage, had suffered clinical depression bouts and hospitalization a number of years ago. With the family loss, I constantly worried about her mental health, and as she increased her wine intake (she is on Wellbutrin), I viewed it as not a bad thing, as it helped her cope with the immediate pain and depression. My weight gain continued. I found myself back on my BP meds. and, back on the CPAP machine--which I hate with a passion. Finally, towards the end of 2015 we had a discussion about our health and what to do about it. On Jan. 1 we both stopped drinking and started dieting. At that point I had ballooned up to 278! I was embarrassed by my weight gain and felt I had failed myself and my Wife in my presurgery promise to get healthier in order to have longer and happier life together. So, on Jan 1. I got the Fitbit App and went on a 1500 cal. a day eating plan. I cut out alcohol, all starchy foods, most meat and very little fried food prep. I take a couple of Premier Protein drinks a day and eat a lot of raw veggie salads. I have to say, I couldn't be happier. Since Jan. I've lost 32 pounds and have a goal to drop another 30 pounds before Fall, I've put away my CPAP machine, I sleep better and have less aches and pains in my joints. My wife has also lost weight, although only 8 pounds, which is very visible on her, as she wasn't overly sized to begin with. I have to admit that I have an easier time with the diet, as I don't experience hunger pains, and often view eating as necessary rather than desired. My activity level has markedly increased. I've started woodworking again (just finishing up a stunning dining room table of solid black walnut) --I had stopped for about 6 years. And I am currently building a deck on the south side of the house that I had been putting off for the last twenty years! I wanted to share this with others in the hope that it might inspire anyone that fallen into a similar situation and despaired of regaining their health and happiness. So, my first recommendation is the Fitbit App to monitor and track your food intake. And, to be honest, the first week of big change like this is a bit of a hurdle, but, put your head down and power through this period and you'll find it will be easier going forward. Life will get better. Best wishes to all.

Need Advice! I was banded 3 weeks ago. Prior to that I went on the liquid diet for 2 weeks and up until a week ago I had lost 27 lbs. I have started eating real foods now and sometimes get 1000 cals in and sometimes less. I have gained back 8 lbs in the last week. I feel discouraged and don't know why I am gaining. When I drink I can gulp water and even know I eat less than before the band I am not lossing weight. I have never vomited my food back up, but I find chicken can get stuck at times. I haven't had a fill yet and am eating about 3/4 cup to 1 cup of food at meal time. Why am I not lossing weight is my body thinking it is starving? Right now I am not super active as I am on vacation and not at work. Help me with some advice.............please?

Congratulations to you all for taking the New Year "by the horns". You all have taken the 1st steps to controlling your weight gains. We are here for you, welcome back and best wishes to you all. Food is an addiction, we can't go "cold turkey" and be completely off, that is probably the hardest part of this addiction. We need to control our addiction with the help of great lapband tool. Karen

I'm sorry that I have taking so long to repost. I jus got off the phone with my bariatic clinic they say that every clinic may say something different. About what they want their patients to do but everyone is different but caffine can; prolong healing, cause dehydration, cause weight gain, and caluim absorbsion difficultly. Are all possible as well as it is addictive. Bad for your nervers. Yeah I was a coffee drinker but all that info just came from my clinic and that's why I posted it. Not cuz I didn't like it. But I must admit. I have cheated and tryed a sip or two but its jus not the same anymore. I've past my goal weight. Clinic said I had to be 222 before being able to seting appointment to see the surgeon.and I'm now at 215 so I will post again soon. Hope I was helpful. Keep in touch everyone. Stay focused.

I have had luck shocking my metabolism. I normally eat around 900-1000 calories a day. When I hit a plateau, I will have 1400 calories one day, 700 calories the next day, then back to 900-1000 calories a day. I don't do this unless I've gone at least 2 weeks without a loss, I know I've been eating right so it's not a matter of food choices, and I'm not on my period (because I know that can cause Water weight gain). But the two times I've done this, it's worked and I started losing again.

WLS allows for a metabolic reset of your fat storage/energy system. It allows your body chemistry (super complicated) to defend a lower set-point, but google Dr. Matthew Weiner on The YouTube and watch all of his videos and you will learn about it. Unlike what @VIN_IN_AL says, my program (major university) told me no caloric threshold for calories. My real advice (RNY) was to get 60-80g of lean, dense, low fat protein in daily from as many sources as possible for diversification, to eat 1-2 bites of low glycemic veggies, and don't eat much fat--but if I did, to use tiny bits of healthy fat. And to get in 64oz water + daily vitamins. Beyond that, they were fully aware that during WLM (weight loss mode) I averaged between 650-850 calories per day and my sweet spot seemed to be something like 750cals. The doctor and my RD never said a word about it, nor did either encourage me to artificially inflate my calories because of some mythical theoretical mumbo jumbo just to hit some "magic threshold" to prevent "starvation mode" (a myth). I hit first goal at around 8-9months despite having a crapton of metabolic issues and shortcomings including being on a cancer drug that shuts down my hormones and causes weight gain in most people. (See the rest in my signature). I'm now maintaining at 131lbs this morning at 1100 cals average. That means preferentially some days I eat 700-800 cals per day (3 days per week) and some days I eat as much as 1400-1500 cals per day depending on appetite or what I'm doing. Over the week it averages to about 1100 cals. I'm not in starvation. My vitamin status at two years is fabulous and there ya have it.

It took time for the weight to go on; it will take time for the weight to come off. You just had surgery, and you most likely won't start losing weight until you get on more solid foods. Each transition to a food stage usually means a weight gain. If you start getting it in your head now that you're going to fail, then you will fail. Weight loss with the lap band is a marathon, not a sprint. Have patience and realize it's going to be a journey. If you can't get yourself in the right frame of mind, you need to find a support group in your area. These forums are great, but they aren't a replacement for face-to-face support. You're only two weeks out. With the way your posts sound, i think it'd be a good idea to go to a support group.

Anyone else going through this right now and wanna chat with like minded people? Ive noticed mine coming back over the last month, and I'm thinking about getting on something. (Again). I'm a little afraid of weight gain. The first three months after surgery I thought I was free from these things, but I know depression is common with Bariatric surgery. I think now is my time. I'm excited to feel happy and calm again.

My doctor let me decide though he suggested bypass. I chose the sleeve. First reason - dumping and alcohol. We entertain a lot with wine pairing dinners. Not willing to give that up. Second was purely anecdotal. Having lost a lot with band then regaining after it failed, I am completely averse to rebound weight gain. I saw too many examples of rebound weight gain in bypass patients as people’s intestines learned to absorb nutrients (and calories) again.

Yes, extreme indeed. I couldn't keep my own saliva down. I think that was the worst. If it was just or even if it was just water maybe my night wouldn't have been soooo horrible. But OMG -- you can't stop your body from producting spit. LOL, I was getting creative to make it through the night. Trying to spit out any saliva before it escaped down my throat. Of course, saliva is not only produce in your mouth so my attempts for futile and the foam just kept coming. and coming ... Yes, I'm glad that I had an unfill. I'm not worried about weight gain ... That's the least of my worries. Just happy to be healthy, pain, and foam free. Honestly, after the horrible experience -- these 3 days of liquids only have been the equivalent of eating a steak dinner to me .. I'm happy as can be and hope I never have the experience of an overfill again ....

Hello.. I've been an occasional "lurker" at this site but thought I'd share my recent complication with others. I was banded in December of 2006, had my first fill of 1.1 cc two months later and as of yesterday lost a total of 34 lbs. I started at 195 and now weigh 161 lbs. After fill, I had some restriction, steadily lost at an average of 1.2 lbs./week but two months ago spontaneusly began getting tighter, pbing with great frequency and the last two weeks could eat little to nothing and finally, not even Water would go down. I WAS SO MISERABLE!!!! I flew to my doctor and had a fluroscope (?)/barium check. No slippage, no stretched pouch -- I simply had so much swelling that nothing could go down and I was 1 cc of the initial 1.1 cc was unfilled. The relief and comfort was almost immediate. The "coffee grounds" and dark sputum is in fact blood from a very irritated esophogus or blood vessel. When I started the pbing, I should have immediately gone to total liquids and not created the viscious cycle of pbing, swelling, pbing and swelling that resulted in total closure of the opening. I will return probably in July and the dr. recommended a slight fill of .4 cc. Sometimes spontaneous tightening due to weight loss, stress occurs and the pbing/swelling cycle exacerbates it. I am less worried about weight gain right now then I am about not getting in adequate fluids and nutrition. Just thought I'd share my experience. sumatragal:) The coughing, spitting up of "coffee grounds" was in f

Did anyone get pregnant before the recommended 12-16 months? If so, how much weight gain? Any complications? Were you able to have natural childbirth?