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Joan, this morning i was still steaming over the weight gain but because of you and your motivation i got out of bed and went to the gym !!! I felt sooo much better and my inches are down ( i take my inches every sunday morning) so thank you all for the support here !!!! Amy

I posted this on another thread so I'll share: Think You Need a Fill? THINK AGAIN By Nikki Johnson Do you remember that feeling you had when you first had your band placed? For a while, everything was great. You didn't experience hunger, you felt satisfied with a small portion of good food, you had more energy, and you were thrilled with your initial weight loss progress. If you are like most people, your experience changed over time, Some of those feelings of hunger returned, and you stopped losing weight. You knew you needed something, so you went to your surgeon's office and asked for a "fill" right? If so, you might be surprised to learn that it is your thinking about your band, and not the band itself, that needs adjusting. The LAP-BAND Bad Word Paul O'Brien, MD, FRACS, is a skillful, compassionate surgeon and a foremost expert on the LAP-BAND System. he was involved in its design in the early 1990's and placed the first band in Australia in 1994. Since then, he has treated thousands of patients and is recognized worldwide for his expertise. When his patients utter that worst of four-letter words, "fill," in his office, they are asked to throw a dollar in the Red Cross donation bucket--a reminder that, according to Dr. O'Brien, thinking about a "fill" is just wrong thinking. How can a concept that we hear about so constantly be so very wrong? Dr. O'Brien's answer is simple: "Any adjustment to the band is something that only takes place in the context of clinical consultation--part of a relationship of trust, honesty and communication between patient and surgeon--that is much more key to the success of the patient than the precise number of milliliters of Fluid in the band. This concept of partnership is the central theme of Dr. O'Brien's new book, The Lap-Band Solution--A Partnership of Weight Loss. Patty's Note: Available on Amazon.com ISBN#9780522854121 Like many people, you might assume that weight gain or a sustained plateau means an incorrectly adjusted band; in fact, you may be right. But you may be surprised to learn that weight gain sometimes results from a band that is too tight. This is part of the reason why the "fill" concept is so misleading. If your surgeon determines that you are not losing weight as you should, then discovering why that is happening is crucial. Sometimes adding fluid to the band will only make matters worse. Life in the "GREEN ZONE" Most people who have the LAP-BAND operation will have an amazing feeling of disinterest in food for the first week after surgery, before any adjustments are even made to the fluid in the band. According to Dr. O'Brien, that lack of interest in food is referred to as satiety. A related but different feeling is satiation, or the feeling you get as you are eating, precisely at the point that you don't need any more food to eat but you do not have an uncomfortable feeling of fullness. These two feelings--satiety and satiation--are what the properly adjusted band helps you achieve, allowing you to maintain your new healthier eating habits. Your careful observation and truthful sharing of your feelings and eating behaviors, combined with the expert care and training of your surgeon and his or her staff, can make the very individual determination of whether your band is properly adjusted much more accurate. In order to help create the most effective partnership between themselves and their patients, Dr. O'Brien and his colleagues at the Australian Centre for Obesity Research and Education have developed a concept they refer to as the "Green Zone". When patients are in the green zone, they experience satiety, satiation after properly-sized small meals, and satisfactory weight loss or maintenance. However, there are also yellow and red zones, both of which indicate that the band is not optimally adjusted. If your band is too loose, you will not have the benefits the band's hunger-controlling mechanism. If your band is too tight, you will have trouble eating properly and may actually gain weight because the foods you can eat more comfortable, that tend to be liquid and calorie-rich, like ice cream and chocolate, do not provide the proper nutrition. Learning to recognize when you have the feelings and eating behaviors that signal a problem can help you give your surgeon the information he or she needs to help you keep the band optimally adjusted. Thinking Adjustment Once you have eliminated the concpet of "fills" from you Lap-Band vocabulary, you will be able to let go of much of the conventional thinking connected to it. Perhaps you have heard talk about the "ideal" amount of fluid in the Lap-Band. While it may be helpful to have some idea of how much fluid is in your band, Dr. O'Brien says there is no magic number. No perfect amount of fluid will provide the best results for everyone. He says, rather, that "whatever volume of fluid is needed to achieve the [feeling of non-hunger] is the correct volume." When you notice that you are feeling hungry or are not losing weight, your body is telling you it is time to revisit your partner in weight loss -- your surgeon. your success absolutely depends on this relationship. So rather than thinking "adjustments," adjust your thinking, and, in partnership with your surgeon, find a lifetime of health! For more information about all of the themes discussed in this article, please see Dr. O'Brien's book, The Lap-Band Solution--A Partnership for Weight Loss, which is available fro Amazon.com. We also invite you to visit LAP-BAND® System Forum - Home for more information and supportive resources. You should You are You should ADD FLUID OPTIMAL REDUCE FLUID Hungry Early prolonged satiety Difficulty swallowing Big Meals satiety Reflux - hearburn Looking for food Small meals satisfy Night Cough Satisfactory weight loss Regurgitation or maintenance Poor eating behavior

It's out. I had a stack sitting on the porch when hubby got home last night and he took care of it. Probably took it to work. My official weight this morning was 212. Ugh. A 3 pound weight gain this week. A bit of a wake up call. It's all my eating because my exercise hasn't changed at all.

For me (a year into maintenance now), calories continue to matter. In fact, all macronutrients (Protein, carbs, fat) and Fiber, sodium, etc. matter to me. There are a bazillion stories in the naked city about WLS patients who've regained weight who have no frickin' idea how many calories (or Proteins or carbs) they're eating. If I start gaining weight I would at least like to know why. Therefore, I track all my food / drink in My Fitness Pal. My therapist would like for me to become a more "instinctive, healthy eater." By that he means that my instincts about what I want to eat and what I do eat should magically equate and result no weight loss, no weight gain. Yeah, that ^^^^ was written in sarcasm font. I'm so not there yet.

hello bariatric buds I wrote the above phrase on the previous page on January 29th - fast forward 2+ months..................... new day, new world! funny/sad how things can change. 8 months ago, i started Peritoneal Dialysis- done at night while i sleep, no problems through the procedure, sleep like a log!! (DH says i still snore LOL) dialysis causes a water "situation" . i am now 13.3 lbs over my GOAL of 130. I know its just water weight, but it is gradually effecting my clothes. Life is good - dialysis keeps me going - don't like the water weight gain. It's a trade off. I'm still cute as a button!!🤣 good health is all that its cracked up to be. 7+ years sleeved, I'm still standing!!☺️ kathy

it'll be ok mKat, they will take care of whatever it is and who knows, maybe that is the cause of your weight gain and then you wont have to get the band.

Shiny/skinny...Don't be too hard on yourself about the weight gain - our bodies fluctuate alot. It averages out over time...at least, this is the rationale I have decided to believe it! Hope your husband hears soon about the position...ideally he hears because he is successful. Keep us posted.

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

I was just thinking this morning that if some of the posters were so stupid to post the comment they did then they were just too much of an idiot to undertake major surgery. Basics such as how many calories it takes to actually gain/lose a pound of fat and the realization that if you're eating <1000 calories a day your 1 or 2 lb weight gain isn't fat. And, another of my favorite comment made prior to surgery "I know I can lose the weight with WLS because I don't make poor food choices today. It's just quantity." Yeah, right.

I would never recommend depo to anyone. I would say birth control is a good idea, you can get low hormone ones and honestly if you are keeping yourself in check you should be fine. My antidepressant has a high weight gain probability, I've been on it 3-4 months and lost weight. I also keep myself in check.

Hi Friends, I am new to this forum and this is my first Post. firstly this is a very valuable forum with lot of good infromaiton.. I am two weeks post Op and had lost only around 4 lbs and unfortunately i have gained a lb back today... i am about to get my periods as its already due. could it be reason for the weight gain.. also i am currently in the pureed diet stage.. i am walking 20 to 30 mins.. Request you to share you views. i am worried about this sudden weight gain.. Thanks dears.

This is encouraging...thank you! I don’t plan on going back to eating the way I was which got me into this mess in the first place with the weight gain, but I also don’t want to stay at a cal level this low for the rest of my life if my hunger starts to come back some!

Thanks ladies! Although i know my mirena has contributed to some of my weight gain (food started tasting really good after i got it--like REALLY good-lol), ive heard about the hormone issues. And even though its in a different location, you just never know. Plus i dont want any hinderances during my weight loss stage. Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App

I eat three meals and two snacks (if I remember). I tried nibbling but ended up eating way more than I should plus I was getting into the trail mix. This resulted in ..... A weight gain for me. So for me nibbling is out for sure - I can not be trusted apparently ☺️

I have literally 50 pounds to lose (BMI 31) and "only 50lbs" is not ONLY to people with that much to lose. Although I don't have the medical necessity, I have a lot in common with my fellow sleevers when it comes to my history with weight loss, etc. The decision was not taken lightly either. I'm scheduled on Nov 30th and even though I'm nervous, I've been living with a steady weight gain and failed experiences in the past, I want to live a more fulfilling life without some of the lifestyle limitations and medical issues that could potentially be down the road.

Well I guarantee your weight gain is from Coke and wine and whatever other empty calories you are consuming, not from the steroids. Once I was maintaining below goal I have stopped any regains immediately if I pop even 1 pound above my bounce range. 2 things have worked for me.... 1) full on preop liquid protein "preop" diet. Three protein shakes/day and unlimited leafy green veggies. At least 80g protein and 100oz water. Usually only takes a few days of this to drop several pounds and to curb any carb cravings that have taken hold. Or 2) go back to just protein and veggies. Still the same protein/water goals but my overall calories are higher and it may take a couple weeks to drop a few pounds. If you cut out all refined carbs (including Coke, alcohol, pasta, bread, rice, etc) and just go back to the same basics that helped you lose during those first 6-12 months you WILL lose those 40 pounds. It may take several months, but isnt that why we had surgery? To lose weight and keep it off? And remember You've got your sleeve forever. Let your sleeve do what it does (portion control) and you do what you need to do (make smart choices) and it will work.

I thought that sounded a little familiar, so I pulled out my paperwork I got from the patient education seminar and saw a slide that read this: We expect weight loss prior to surgery Even a few pounds (5-10) can make a difference - Liver Do not gain weight May cx (cancel) surgery if there is weight gain ... So yeah, I need to be extra mindful about that.

Hi Betty, Good post. I don't know if I would neccessarily call my obesity an illness but in my case it is obviously hereditary. I am the spitting image of my grandmother and great great grandmother. Heaviness runs in my family everywhere. I also know people who are very thin and can eat whatever they want. It seems obvious there is something different in my metabolism when I see people like that. I was thin till I was about 3 years old and then I started getting heavy. My parents were dealing with emotional stuff at the time so I don't know if that changed their meals or what but I also have always eaten too big of portions and I think being on the depo shot for the last 9 years has played a role in my adult obesity. One clinic had quit giving me the shot because of my huge weight gain but I continued getting it elsewhere. New evidence shows that shot definitely causes bone loss, so just recently I switched off of it to a lower dose pill. I think many factors have played a role in my weight problem and they have all compounded it. I think insurance companies should be more willing to treat it as a disease and treat it as such. If I even mention weight when I see my family practitioner my insurance refuses to pay and sends me the bill for the entire visit regardless of what the appointment was actually for. That is very wrong in my books. Best wishes, Teresa

I am curious the process people went through for Sleeve to Bypass? I've been seeing a gastroenterologist for pain, nausea, vomiting. I have had 2 EGD's, both show chronic inflammation and gastritis, due to reflux. My surgeon is sounding very reluctant to do this surgery. I did get down to 115 lbs and have put on 50 lbs since my lowest. He is blaming the reflux on the weight gain, but I was at my lowest, when the first EGD showed inflammation due to reflux. He just ordered a barium swallow, and all came back normal. I am seeing the nutritionist, she said she spoke with the surgeon, and we would be going over the new pre-op diet, since it is different than the sleeve and has changed since I had the sleeve in 2019. I am afraid he will refuse to do the surgery and I will be left with this pain, nausea and vomiting; I have been battling for almost 3 years, with no relief. My gastroenterologist is at his wits end and doesn't want to continue seeing me go through this. I wake up choking on acid, had tests run by my pulmonologist and cardiologist. My asthma had gone away but returned. The surgeon also blames that on the weight gain. Pre-sleeve, I had walked 27,000 steps in a year. This year, I am at 1.7 million steps and ride a stationary bike 10-15 miles a day. This is huge for me, I have something called Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Pre-sleeve, I was knocking on deaths door. I only found this "terminal" illness, from my pre-op tests for the sleeve. Since the weight loss, I went from 6 months to live, to medication that has me at "normal/high" levels vs "high". My specialist is afraid the weight gain is spiraling and illness progressing. What changed for me, the medication I take for PAH, you have to consume 250-300 calories per dose with 30-50% fat content. Otherwise, you get violently ill. I take 3 doses a day. When I was diagnosed and first 2 years, I was on a CADD pump and that medication didn't have dietary requirements. Sorry for the long story........I just can't take the reflux (even though the barium swallow does not show but EGD definitely does and has, in 3 different tests) and the weight gain is scaring me to death. What was your process with your surgeons, going from sleeve to bypass? Is this a long process? Did you have a difficult time with insurance approval? Any suggestions on getting this done? Your experience and help, is greatly appreciated!

Hi all, I’m new here and only 1 day post op. I was excited to get home and step on the scale but I’m up 7 pounds! I also have my menses. Anyone else experience this?

Hi I am Cari. I live in Fletcher (near Asheville) and am going through the process of getting the lapband. I am on month four, lost 4 pounds (need to lose 15) and am getting more and more nervous about my next appointment. They said this is where I get pre apporval? I don't even know what that means. I know my insurance covers the procedure (state employee's BCBC plan) and I have a ton of co morbidities with a BMI of 49, so it would behoove them to approve it, but I am just so nervous. I am 31, been heavy since I was 12 and I really want this. I lose weight, gain it back double, and I just don't know how I am going to live a healthy life unless I do something drastic like this. As I read more and more insurance horror stories I get more and more nervous. I have a big week in 2 weeks. I am going to the support group on the 8th at Mission, have my sleep study on the 10th, and my 4th month appointment on the 11th. They told me once I get preapproval they will schedule my surgery. Oh I hope I get it. This waiting is killing me. I will be working with Dr. Alan Bradshaw I believe. I love the staff at Mission (well the nutritionist is kind of loopy) but every one else is great. Anyone here get it done at Mission, or in the process?? I would love to talk?

I'm confused by some of the items here. Before you read on ... understand that I'm asking this because I want to believe so badly that you're RIGHT. I'm not being argumentative. I just am hesitant. Set me straight if I'm wrong here. Hummus? Isn't that really high in fat? The label I see (online) says 24g of fat. Do they even make low-fat hummus? Beef Jerky? Isn't that crazy high in sodium? That equates to retaining liquid, meaning weight gain. And sodium means high blood pressure too. The sugar free pudding I have here says zero grams Protein. I'm sure the Jello is no better. What brand are you using? I found only one or two varieties of Boar's Head products that are low sodium. Traditionally, lunchmeat is loaded with sodium. Peanut butter (the normal kind) is pretty high in fat too (16g for Jif, one serving is 25% of your daily intake!) Ok hold your fire for a moment. Maybe I should explain myself better. My nutritionist said to worry about protein, sodium, and fat content, before worrying about calories. If you can find something high protein, low sodium, and low fat (and low sugars), then the calories are less of a concern. Yes, I'm focused on sodium a lot. What good is losing weight if I still have high blood pressure? Yes, I'm focused on fat somewhat too. Sure, some fat is necessary, but if one serving of something has 30% of my daily recommended intake of fat (for a normal stomach person!), then it can't be good for me. Ok, flame on. Be gentle. Staisea ... I love your term "with a blip of cheese". That's fantastic. Like "bagel with schmear".

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.

So what and how much are you eating compared to when you were losing weight? That's what you really need to look at. steroids don't magically make you gain weight on their own. I've been on both prednisone and methylprednisolone for cervical stenosis and pinched nerves since my VSG 2 1/2 years ago and did not gain any weight because I still made myself eat on plan. Basically steroids cause weight gain because of 1) Fluid retention, which can partially be controlled with a low sodium/high potassium diet; 2) increased appetite, which you need to still keep in check with mindful eating. Track and measure every bite if you have to. and 3) decreased activity due to pain or doctor ordered restrictions. But in the end, weight loss and gain has to do what you put in your mouth, not necessarily how much you excercise. Go back to basics. Lots of Water and Protein. Watch your carb and sodium intake very carefully. Try resetting yourself with a week or two of Protein shakes only or try the 5 day pouch test.

2 years 8 months out. Doing good. Reached goal last August. I still have in the back of my mind the twenty pound weight gain they say will / can happen at the two or three year mark.. I weigh weekly so I can stay on top of that situation..