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No help for us. We are fat, we are gluttons, we are weak and undeserving of help, sympathy, or adequate medical care. Like Orson Wells said, “Gluttony is not a secret vice.” Do I believe that? Some days I do in fact believe it, when I’m down, and lately more because of how ill I have been. Mostly it is a load of hog wash. Fat does not equal ugly. There has long been a weird relationship with food, the body and the Christian church. And of course, we all know the impact that both Protestant and Catholic sects have had on Western Civilization… Some of the Christian based weight-loss schemes are screaming “fat people don’t go to heaven,” and “use our program based on Leviticus and you will loose weight and be closer to God!” Sorry, I’ve read Leviticus, and I am NOT eating bugs…. (I call them schemes because I think we all here have come to the understanding that “diets” are just schemes…) If you had better self-control, more self-esteem, more will-power, were a better person, loved God more…. You would lose weight and be a better person. There is no understanding for the overweight from most doctors. Before my husband had his band installed, the cardiologist said “Have you just tried cutting out sweets?” Now, on the face of it, this is good advice, advice we could all use. However, this showed a complete lack of understanding on the part of the doctor. You see, before my husband had his band installed, he weighted 596 pounds with a BMI in the high 80’s. Cutting out sweets would have certainly helped, it wouldn’t have stopped my husband from eating two or three fast-food meals at one sitting, or any of the other overeating behavior some of us know intimately, and other behaviors we are only starting to understand in ourselves and others. I am currently having difficulty with my asthma: hospitalizations, steroids, greatly reduced lung function, other things as well. What am I told? Well, just lose some weight, we aren’t going to help with this, we are just going to pass judgment on you. Sudden and unexplained weight gain? Well, just don’t eat as much… (never mind that I gained 10 pounds overnight with severe edema…). I have to suspect that part of Delarla’s current adventure with gauze might have been caught earlier if she was thin. I was told by my doctor that I just need to take up running. Yes that’s right, take up running. Can you imagine a woman with a BMI in the high 40’s running? (Please see the thread about giving one’s self black eyes…) Being fat or overweight or big boned, or under tall, or metabolically efficient or famine resistant doesn’t make us failures, bad people or jerks. We might be over sexed (skin is the largest sex organ…), but we are not failures, or bad people or jerks. If we are failures or bad people or jerks, it is independent of our weight or size.

I think that you need to do some research on your own. I believe (I'm not a medical doctor) that your pro's and con's list is totally inaccurate. All the research I have read reports that the sleeve has a lot less complications than the RnY. It is one of the safer wls out there. From my understanding the RnY is not reversible and people do regain their weight because their pouches stretch. In fact for individuals that are extremely obese, they would first do the gastric sleeve before the RnY procedure. I have a friend that had an RnY and she regained 40 lbs of what she had lost. Other people I have spoken with have had weight gain too. Plus there's a lot of dumping and malabsorption issues with RnY. Your friend has good intentions but is grossly misinformed....... Please do the research.... I love my sleeve and would do it over in a heart beat. BTW I have had no complications from my surgery. My problem is my head hunger and sugar addiction. If you have any questions, please ask.....

That's wonderful news! I met my bf on POF and I love him to death but he can eat whatever he wants and it's hard to have him in my life sometimes. I've gained back 15 lbs that I am trying desperately to lose. He eats sweets in front of me all the time. I wanted love in my life so it's worth whatever weight gain! I'm trying hard and I've been sleeved 4 years now. Life goes on! I hope you two are really happy and please post a wedding picture!

I was told it's not good for you as it can cause acid to build up. There's also certain schools of thought that believe the fake sugars in gum may actually cause greater weight gain than sugar by stimulating your appetite. Either way I don't chew gum.

Hi all, I'm new to this place. But I had my surgery on my 20th birthday, when I was 385 lbs. In the eight years since my lowest was 240lbs, but I am back up to 292lbs! I'm freaking out! I know I leveled off pretty quick with my weight loss but I held steady for a long time. It wasnt until I started my birth control that I started to notice some weight gain. Of course it doesnt help that my job requires me to sit in front of a computer all day. I'm terrified because I'm getting back to the point where its hard to exercise and I dont know what diets to try or anything like that. I missed an appointment with my bariatric doctor only a few months after my surgery. I waited a few weeks to go back but they had moved apparently and then he retired, so I cant ask him. I have a new GP so hopefully she can help direct me down the right road. But has anyone else had this problem, with gaining back significant weight?

Every WLS surgery has it's problems. The problem with bypass is Mal-absorption, and weight gain after a year or 2, That's not the ones that worry me though... Everyone that I know that had this type of surgery has passed away. I don't mean do to Old Age or Disease either. I wish you good health, and please take care of yourself.

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

Does anyone know what they look for, like a certain amount of weight loss or weight gain or nothing? Does it depend on the insurance provider?

My surgeon told me to expect a weight gain of 10-20% once I hit my lowest weight. He said the body will adjust up to where it feels healthy/normal.

You summed it up perfectly. The pre-op is preparation for the post-op, post-new mindset...This is not a drill, this is the real deal. If the weight gain is fork gain and not medical beyond our own control gain, then we must re-evaluate. What's in your tool box???

I did gain about 20 lbs in year 3 post-op, but a 10-20 lb rebound weight gain after hitting your lowest weight is very common. And to be honest, I think I look better at this higher weight, even though part of me would like to get back down there again! To maintain it, I track everything I eat and try to get some exercise most days of the week.

You definitely have the right attitude. I'm glad that you are doing something before the weight gain gets out of hand, which is what I wish that I would have done! Congrats on that! You've got this!

Please don't think that you're alone. I was thin (5'7"- 110-125 lbs in high school) and although I gained weight in college, I lost it and stayed at around 150 most of my adult life. My mother has had weight problems all of her adult life, and when I was younger, I would get so frustrated when she would constantly say, "Am I as big as she" when we were out in public. I now find myself constantly comparing my size to that of other women. My sister and I would get upset with Mama because when it was time for her class reunions, she worried for months before the event, scared about the fact that she gained weight. Now, I can relate to with what she's had to go through. I have moved away from my home town and if my high school reunion was this year (it's next year), I wouldn't go. I've had people that I was close to in high school not recognize me. I'm a Social Worker and was working at a dialysis center when I began to put on weight (I've put on probably 50 pounds since I quit in 2008). The patients and staff would say the rudest things to me about my weight gain. I started trying to get pregnant in 2004, but have never been able to. I remember once, I saw a dialysis staff member that I had not seen in several months. Her comment to me was, "Meg- are you pregnant or are you just fat?" At that time I probably weighed 180 pounds, which was big, but not morbidly obese. I cried for an hour afterwards. I remember we had a Priest who would provide various services to our patients. He came into my office after I had been crying and asked me if I was ok. I told him that somebody had hurt my feelings and went to pieces again. He asked if he could pray for me. He stood behind me (I was sitting down) with his hands on my shoulders and as he prayed, I completely lost it. I couldn't understand what possessed someone to say something so hurtful. Since that time, others have made similar comments. My mother says things because she knows what I'm going through. But what she doesn't understand is that sometimes her comments are hurtful. I know how big I've gotten. I see myself naked everyday. I don't need anybody to tell me how much weight I've gained. In addition, my health has gotten completely out of hand. I had my mind set on gastric bypass, having read a little about the sleeve and deciding that it was not for me. When I attended the Seminar, the surgeon went into detail about it and I knew then and there that this was the option for me. Since I haven't been "morbidly obese" for 3+ years, insurance won't pay. Bypass is more expensive ($12,000.00 more if I had gotten it from this surgeon) and my insurance won't pay for Sleeve since it is considered a new procedure. I'm glad that I have to pay out-of-pocket because I don't have to jump through insurance hoops, but mainly because I am able to choose an option that is right for me instead of settling on something just because insurance pays. I've really been considering weightloss surgery for several months, but when I found out just how bad my health is, I kicked it in gear. I am the type that when I decide on something, whether it's to get my hair cut or to have weight loss surgery, I want it done immediately. My initial consult is on Tuesday, 6-7-11. I honestly feel that this is a great decision for me. The money isn't a problem since I will be able to get a personal loan. I figured that would be the biggest obstacle for me and since I was able to get past that, I'm hoping and praying that everything runs smoothly. Please don't hesitate to send me a message if you need support or just vent. I can relate to how you feel and know just how important support is from those who understand. You're in my prayers.

I have Aetna, amd they require three months supervised diet, with no weight gain. I use this stuff called Teami tea, a colon cleanse that helps with a pound or two. I went through Irma this past month and had gained weight. So four days prior to weight in I went on a full liquid diet and drank the Teami tea (double dose) and lost 1.2 lbs from my previous months weigh in. I suggest you do this and get weighed again. Now I'm one month away and trying so hard not to binge this last weigh in is so important. Good luck to you. Keep us abreast of what's happening! Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

So yesterday wasn’t a great for me as far as following my diet. I weighed myself yesterday morning at 309.2 and this morning, the same scale, is reading 315-317!!!!!!!! I am not proud but yesterday I did eat more often than I should have. I had egg salad(without bread))for a snack and I usually do not snack. I also had part of a sno cone which did have sugar. I’m just unsure how there was such a dramatic increase in weight. TMI, But I will also add I have used the bathroom. I know you shouldn’t weigh everyday but I have never “gained” so much in one day even before surgery. I could go to a buffet and still not gain so much! Hw-378 Sw- 363 (2/27/18) CW-310.6

I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I think my ticker speaks for itself...and as you can see, my starting weight was where you are right now. My initial goal weight was to get back to where I thought I'd be comfortable (175ish--just like you're thinking) but I've been able to reach a normal BMI. Awesome stuff. My sister is getting sleeved in less than a month. Yes, there are risks of complications but the risks associated with obesity and yo-yo dieting/weight loss and weight gain are pretty intense, too. Do all of your homework and have all of the facts so that your sister knows that you know what you are doing and that you are 100% knowledgeable with this procedure as well as the aftercare. You can also remind your sister that gastrectomies have been performed for decades for people with stomach cancer, etc. The biggest regret you will hear from people on this board is that they didn't have the surgery sooner. I was 29 when I had mine and had struggled with obesity my whole life. I managed to lose a significant amount of weight and maintain the loss for a few years in my early/mid 20's but gained it back slowly, surely and with a vengeance. I kept trying *everything* else and spent tons of money on *everything* until at this time last year, I decided that I needed a more permanent fix to my problem. I couldn't keep doing the same things expecting different results or go on an expensive 'medically supervised diet' only to go off of it to save money and then gain weight back...I needed the restriction the sleeve has given me and it is a godsend. I also knew that I'd still be struggling in 1 year/5 years/10 years, etc. and wondering "what if" I did it sooner...? I wish you all the luck that your family will come to support your decision but remember, ultimately, it is your decision and they will surely understand that you have researched that this is the best option for a longer, healthier life. Do you live in Canada by any chance and might be working with Melanie/WLF?

It has been over seven years since my surgery. I have gained a lot of weight back, what have you done to get back on track?

I had the RNY bypass only last week but had been thinking about wls for some time. My husband was exactly the same as yours - very anxious about the risks of the operation and not understanding why I couldn't just lose through dieting as I had in the past. Anybody who has not been obese/morbidly obese almost certainly doesn't understand the issues around weight gain/loss for those who are. I had various co-morbidities and once I decided that I was going ahead with the surgery, just powered through his anxieties by saying I'd rather die of the surgery than spend 10 years having limb amputations due to diabetes. The day before my surgery somebody recommended to me Dr Matthew Weiner's book - How Weight Loss Surgery Really Works - and I read this immediately before my surgery. It validated all of my decision making and I highly recommend reading it if you're undecided about the surgery. If you, like me, are a yo-yo dieter who can lose weight on a diet and then gradually regains it all - it will resonate with you and give insights. Good luck with the decision making!

Hi I am to going to have a sleeve to bypass revision due to serve GERD and hiatal hernia. I also have AETNA. Did you say you did not have to do the 3 or 6 month program again? I'm really hoping I don't have too. I do have a bmi of 40. I did have some weight gain back from the sleeve. Look forward to hearing from you 😊

There is a lot of conflicting stories & advice out there about whether you can drink carbonated drinks after WLS, but apparently there’s little scientific evidence to support either the yes or no position. The only evidence is that drinking carbonated drinks increases weight gain. There’s also information coming out that artificial sweeteners are just as bad if you go down that route. (Basically they trick the body into thinking it’s getting sugar but isn’t so it stores more fat to compensate for the perceived reduction of glucose - which the body does need.) Plus artificial sweeteners continue to feed your craving for sugar. As with many things after surgery, some can & some can’t. It’s really your choice if you can & it works for you. Personally, I gave up carbonated drinks years ago because they aggravated my reflux & gave me horrendous hiccups. I only had bubbles in a gin & tonic & champagne but too many of them & urrgh! So no change for me (though I drink less alcohol & drink it less frequently now).

I was downing carbonated drinks very early on, I had no specific prohibition. Probably week four? I drink several cans of diet sodas a day, it’s how I get my water intake needs met. never had an issue with bubbles or cravings or weight gain or blood sugar levels etc. ymmv and your doctor may not approve…

I think season three's winner did gain all of his weight back. They had some kind of show either on the discovery health channel or TLC about his weight gain and how he was going to get it off again.

I had a lapband placed in March of '09, complete unfill November of '12 and then removed in February of '13. Now waiting to have sleeve surgery on May 7th. I start my 2 week liquid only diet later this month. As the date gets closer I am excited and nervous at the same time. I have regained 30 pounds since having the complete unfill in November of '12. Now starting to have blood pressure issues again due to weight gain (was on meds prior due to weight) and I feel sluggish. I just want to feel full of energy and motivated again!

You said you had no co-morbidities and that your bloodwork came back fine. Did you have a sleep study? Did they rule out sleep apnea? What about a pulmonary breathing test? I presume you had all the heart stress tests, etc... If all of this too is negative, then go for the weight gain - it will be the only time in your life that you intentionally wanted to gain weight. Have fun, eat your favortie foods and wear your heaviest clothes. Good luck.

I’m 2 days post op gastric bypass (sorry, not a long term success to share). I wanted to say , though, that that was my thought process too and my PA said “ listen, I’m not going to tell you what to do, I’m going to give you the facts. The bottom line is is that you have to be happy, because you’re going to keep coming back and checking in with me and I don’t want to see you with regret having chosen the sleeve and not bypass. “ Because of my history of weight gain and loss and eating disorders, bypass was the better option for me. I’m home, I spent 1 night in the hospital and have no regrets at this point in time. I knew myself well enough to know that if I got the sleeve, at some point, the chances of me regaining weight were higher than if I did the bypass. Everyone has a different experience; for me, I don’t look at dumping syndrome as a bad thing. To me it’s a tool to listen to my body and an assistant for making good choices. I went into this with a lot of information. People have complained about calcium deficiencies, but I learned that this could be because they weren’t the taking their vitamins. I work with a girl who doesn’t take her vitamins on the weekends, doesn’t like to exercise, drinks with a straw (no no!), makes not so great food choices, no drinks alcohol. She’s the kind of person who may, down the road, say how it didn’t work for her. I plan on being a success story. This was my first surgery, I was petrified! I went into the operating room and fell asleep and woke up in recovery. I was nauseous for a couple of hours, but that was it. The pain was nothing worse than I would have expected. Read all of the good and bad stories, learn why some people had bad experiences, was it something they could have prevented, was it because of a previous medical condition, etc,. The best of luck to you! You’ll make the right choice for yourself. Be honest with yourself, keep a journal, make goals to stick to, and feel free to reach out to folks because you’re not alone!