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Another good point. I'm frustrated right now at my lack of restriction, but the plus side is I'm not gaining. And I know for a fact from past dieting, for every 1lb I could lose, I gained 5lb more. I gained nearly 80lbs in one year before I decided to do the band (after losing quite a bit from Atkins), and it was only getting worse. Even on my bad months, right now where I'm not restricted and losing, I'm not gaining. That's a bonus. My great g'ma was morbidly obese and bed ridden by age 30. She weighed around 500-600lbs and died by age 35 from diabetes. I felt like I was heading that way with my gross weight gain and predisposition in my family to be diabetic.

I know most everyone has abandoned the thread at this point (Hi Joe! me, too! :frown:) but the stories sound so much like my own. I have got to get back on the wagon. I gained 10 pounds over the holidays and the only problem is, I am scheduled for a panniculectomy with tummy tuck and breast reduction on 03/24/2010. I had really wanted to lose another 10 pounds before the surgery so that leaves me wanting to shed 20 pounds in approximately 5 weeks 1 day. I don't know that it is possible but I have got to do my best -- just because I want to be at the best possible place for the best results. I was originally scheduled to have surgery in January but I rescheduled because of the weight gain. However, I do think some of my problems may be related to an inability to see change as well as inhibiting optimal exercise capacity due to my large pannus so I have decided to go ahead with surgery as long as I maintain my current weight. Hopefully with a little accountability, though, I will at least lose the 10 I gained before then. I do exercise regularly but I want to ramp that up to 5 days a week for 1-2 hours and, of course, go back to low-carb eating. I don't necessarily think that low carb is for everyone but I know it is a necessity for me. It is the only way I have ever lost weight, band or not. My body just clings to carbs :wink2: which, of course, I love. So, anyway, here is to my 1st day (again) of holding myself accountable for my actions -- eating like I should, exercising like crazy and understanding that I may fall along the way but I will just pick myself up and keep going. It is indeed a journey. I would love to have some company, so if you are reading, please feel free to join in.... company or not, though, I WILL do this! :biggrin:

As a society, I believe we are conditioned to thinness. Even as a former "fattie" at times I already find myself somewhat looking differently at a larger person than a thinner one. And I WAS that person. People feel free to ask if we've lost weight and even somewhat angrily. Lol. But not so with weight gain. I got used to hearing it from everybody I knew when I initially lost weight and like FYE, it stopped when I picked up a few pounds I had lost. And began again when I re-lost the weight gain. "Are you STILL losing weight?" You are SOOO thin? almost accusingly. Lol

@DB25rny sorry it's been a crazy week! I'm not sure what my calories were, I swear I'd have to do a spreadsheet lol! It's like all of the sudden I'm just standing still. I mean I'm losing but slowly, way slower than I like. If you eat too little your body will slow your weight loss. I think 800 was a magic number for me, I think I started adding nuts in but that depends on your nutritionist. I'm eating probably 1000 calories now and I'm stalled now, kinda, but I'm also exercising a lot and burn about 650 in the morning which is SO good for our depression as we all know but it's such a vicious cycle. I have bipolar depression so I too have been on meds for so long, but wasn't properly diagnosed until 8 years ago. Lithium sucks, it's a go to wonder drug. But it is a weight gain trap. So is depekote. I just saw another that is less weight gaining in my psych book, if I find it I'll let you know

I am due June 9th as the official due-date although by LMP it should be the end of May. I was 150 or so around the time when I got pregnant, dropped to 141 over the first two months. I have pretty much held steady but I had seen 143 on the scale for 2 days in a row now . . . and I fear the higher weight might stick. I feel like so far I have been lucky with my weight . . . my lack of weight gain has had nothing to do with me maintaining a strict dietary plan. I have been eating when I am hungry, drinking tons of milk and water and trying to avoid too much sugar and fat (but sometimes I indulge). If I am hungry, I eat and have now gone up to 4 meals a day instead of 3. My extra meal generally is a small bowl of cereal because I have been craving it a lot. I don't want to gain more than 20 pounds . . . but I guess it will be what it will be when I get to the end. I know I have my band waiting to be kicked back into action when the time is right.

Bexleygal-Halfway!!! I know my next ultrasound is about 2-3 weeks away and that's when we will learn the sex (if the baby is coorperating) and I can hardly stand the wait. I can't imagine how long your weekend is going to be waiting to hear your news on Monday! Be sure and let us know how it goes. Raynie-A boy! How exciting! I can't wait until our next ultrasound to learn the sex. I too have that feeling that I am having a girl, don't know why really, but we are kinda hoping for a boy. We will be ecstatic with either though! Ok, I have to ask this question as my next doctor's appointment is next week and I am already worrying myself about the scale....How much weight is everyone gaining and at what point in your pregnancy are you? I am 16 weeks and the last time I saw my doctor (at 13 weeks), I had gained a total of 5 lbs. and he said we needed to watch that. I was really proud that I had only gained 5 but he wasn't overly thrilled with it. I am just wondering if that is normal, not normal? I have no idea seeings how I have never been pregnant before. I know from my scale at home that I have put on a little more weight and I just dread that part of the appt. I really can't help but wonder if my weight gain is due not only to the baby and placenta growing but to the totally different lifestyle I have. I mean, before I got pregnant, I exercised a whole lot more than I do now and I was so strict on my eating. All I am accomplishing now as far as exercise is walking and I hate to admit, I'm not as faithful as I should be. And I know they say you only need 300 more calories when you are pregnant, but can that be true based on how little we bandsters ate before? I was STRICT! I lost over 125 in 8 months, I was a fanatic about it. Now, I am not focused on that and am eating more because I know that my baby needs it. I guess what I am asking is, could our weight gain not be "textbook" because we are adding more than just 300 calories because our intake before was so low? I can't help but wonder if that's the case. What's your opinions?

Yes, that's exactly what he thinks. He thinks he's given me all the necessary time to devote to getting myself in shape, so he doesn't understand why it's not my #1 priority in life. Getting in shape and looking good so I don't want to hide in the house all the time is "putting my marriage and him first". He views my whole weight gain as me not loving him enough to want to look good for him, to put us back on the path of an intimate relationship, etc. I understand that, but I've resisted doing anything "for him" because of the tough love approach he has taken as his way of "encouraging me". I would get a job, but I want the weight gone first. We have enough money that I can have the surgery, and I even have my own money with an advisor, I just hate doing this behind his back. And once I do it, I doubt he will respect me not wanting the world to know. He's all about having integrity and being honest. Ugh I can't stop crying about all this

I have no clue why this popped up on my phone this morning but as I read first post then second a few more then I stopped reading. I forgot I had the app honestly because I stopped being on here. I had just decided to do the surgery a few months ago, went to the seminar, my first appt was done and I was still up on the air about it. As I started to go through the process, all of the testing read more and I joined this forum to get other people's experiences, see how you all are doing, looked at some on youtube videos I guess to see if I really wanted to do it this time. I started the process three years ago and stopped halfway said I didn't need it because I eat healthy salads, veggies not alot of food, bake not fry and I excercise but here I am three years later. Still weigh the same as when I started, I'll lose it and gain it right back but never go over what I've been. It wasn't my time back then and one thing that I read that I absolutely agree with is that you truly have to mentally prepare yourself for this. I've made my decision based on the fact that I want to be healthier without all the meds I take daily. I can and will honestly say I don't have a problem with food because I barely eat. Which is also a problem lack of eating which I've been working on. I have health issues high blood pressure, asthma, pseudotumorcerebri, and REM apnea as to why I qualify for the surgery because your BMI has to be 40 or above mine is and was 38 my first dr visit. My weight gain came from me taking the birth control shot years ago and I have never been able to go back to under 200 lbs and currently 248 I'm 5' 7". I'm scheduled for surgery Dec 6th and I have my last pre op test today. No backing out this time. I am stocked and ready to start my liquid diet in 2 weeks. Wish you all the best of luck on your journeys ????

If you're relying on mostly liquids because you can't keep regular foods down, you're likely too tight. A band too tight actually can (and often does) lead to weight gain because you're stuck drinking calories or relying on slider foods. In fact, most people who gain with a band too tight will start losing again once they get a slight unfill and can actually eat a variety of healthy foods again.

I lost about 40 pounds during my 3-month with Aetna. I was already losing when I started the process for the sleeve. The insurance coordinator at my surgeon's office said Aetna only uses the starting weight to determine BMI eligibility (mine was 42 when I started the 3-month and 39 at the end), so how much you lose during that three months...all the better. But she did emphasize that any weight gain from my initial weigh-in could get me denied by Aetna.

@Sweetsoul oh how I understand how hard it is. I am 7” shorter than you. I can’t excercise due to chronic illness but I understand avoiding the gym. In all reality exercise does not help with weight loss. Building muscle (which I cannot do) helps burn fat, but I meant to say is I’ve been here before and I fought so hard the first time and it’s hard, I was losing my ability to taste food and I wasn’t getting hungry or full signals but I felt that needs to just want something good, something rich with flavor, strong taste. Never was a snacker either, love salt need salt fo orthostatic intolerance. I tried vegetarian back then too when I couldn’t tolerate meats. I had been doing extreme low carb and calorie counting to lose weight And I finally did but it was extreme under 10 net carbs and very low calorie. but wanted to add more vegetables and vegetarian foods. I was feeling sick. And guess what my weight crept up. Somehow I managed the best I could but always on the brink of gaining until I eventually ended up having drastic weight gain. Maybe because my gallbladder went bad and I wasn’t processing fats but I was eating more greens, kale salads, vegetarian foods and 800 calories yet gaining, no snacking, I felt like a total failure. And I eventually was able to seek out gastric bypass surgery. And have had to recreate my way of eating. I’m finding salt and fats an issue now and vegetables even though I relied heavily on them before I can’t eat much salt and will need to treat my orthostatic intolerance some other way. But you are right in your approach to understanding the problem. I feel you I do. It’s my fear long term so I’m working so hard on what my long term habits need to be especially as things change. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your surgeon and the nutritionist you worked with too and re-evaluate where you are now. I know it’s easier said than done I’m afraid of my surgeon visits after some issues from my own surgery. That they don’t understand my medical issues outside of surgery. But you won’t know unless you take the step. try to find other things to compensate for what salt offers. It’s hard. I hope my response isn’t too forward. To obnoxious. You came pretty far and maintained well and maybe at some point you can take a step further don’t worry. I’m slow in moving forward with food, I have food issues. You are fairly tall too and some people are naturally curvy. I just know you didn’t fail especially because you are giving it good honest evaluation and thought.

If you had the 2nd surgery for weight loss then it has everything to do with your question, if in fact it was because of weight gain. At least that is what I am getting out of that response from the other person.

God bless you Katie, and I hope it gets better for you. It doesn't seem fair that insurance would deny a surgery that has such benefits just because someone has multiple complex issues that could cause a weight gain or loss. If I was an insurance company, I would take a holistic look at the person after their six month trial, and if they met all the checklist requirements (BMI, co morbidities, commitment, etc.) just approve it. Hopefully this will turn around for you and start a good momentum...

@@Lexigurl82 First of all... you are beautiful. I know you can't see this right now because you're so broken but you really are. Your ex is a straight up BUSTER. Know that you have done the absolute best thing for you and your daughter and I just want to applaud you for having the COURAGE to take such a huge step. Many women live in this kind of turmoil and because they really don't believe they deserve better-- they stay. YOU made the first step and not only did you leave-- but you filed for DIVORCE. Please know that This too.... shall pass. Lexi, this is your time. I know it doesn't feel like it right now but in time you will be able to look back on this day shaking your head and smiling at the same time. It's time for you to start loving YOU. You've had the WLS-- and been quite successful thusfar. Congratulations!!!! Continue with healthy activities it's this kind of thing that can derail us back to bad habits but DON'T EVEN. The 5 stages of grief associated with dying apply to Divorce just the same. Some stages you will skip past quickly, some you will linger around in longer. It's ok to be sad. To cry. To break things. To be ANGRY. But then you must move on so that you can grow as an individual and transition into the next phase of your life that GOD has waiting for you. It is amazing. Don't worry about dating right now. You're no where nearly ready for that. You have to heal first so that you are ready for the right one. OR else you might find yourself back in the same situation. First and foremost allow me to recommend personal counseling/therapy. I know this is not a very popular option but-- check your insurance benefits. Many plans have a Mental Health benefit that most of us never take advantage of. If your co-pays are too high, reach out to your Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Its a great resource available to employees to help you cope with stressors in your life. If you belong to a church you can also seek pastoral counseling. I went through therapy for about 4 months. One night a week. 1 hr. No judgement. Psychologist was neutral and helped me to identify reasons that led to my thinking and behavior, and provided tools and behavioral exercises to help improve my thinking patterns, and responses. I had to DO THE WORK chile, because she couldn't be with me 24 hours but there were things I would work on until my next visit and we would review and move forward. This helped me to look at life with a new perspective, see the positive in myself so that I could focus more on becoming a better version of myself. That was the mind part. I began eating healthier, exercising, taking care of my body. Then I had WLS. That was the body part. Many men who are themselves insecure, will prey on others with insecurities as a method to inflict control. He had not problem with your weight gain because it was no threat to him. He asked you if you were going to leave after having WLS because this was a threat to him. That's his problem, not yours. Then the soul... whatever helps you to tap into a higher power, spiritual connection-- meditation, prayer, scriptures-- Bottom line all things need to be in check mind body and soul. Spend some time to yourself to do some reflecting and create a vision board for what and who you want to be. Fit, stylish, Social, Traveler, whatever. Create a list of things you want to do. Yoga, Spa, re-connect with old friends, visit a new place, get your hair, nails, feet done. Go to the mall buy a new lip color, let them makeup your face. LOVE on YOU. IF you look good, you'll feel good. Spend time with your daughter. I encourage you to work on yourself first and foremost because everything you do affects her. If you're moping around and depressed-- mad at the world, mad at her dad. She's taking it all in. Trust me kids pick up on these things and when mommy is sad... she hurts too. Be open to discussing her feelings. I understand your feelings toward his friends and family but at the end of the day... their loyalty is to him. My sister in law and I are very close but I KNOW-- if there were something going on... her loyalty will always remain to her brother. Sometimes people just don't want to get involved or cause drama. That doesn't make it right, but this is a time for you to purge individuals out of your life and its up to you to pick and choose who you want in your life. I do wish you the very best. I have a feeling this time next year for you will be much different but it is a process and there is light at the end of the tunnel. But it starts with you! Best wishes Lexi!

I've been banded for 4 years next month. I have a 10cc band. I lost all my weight in the 1st year and kept it off until recently. I started at 256lbs and made it down to 152 and fit comfortably in a size 6/8 for the past three years at 4.2 cc's. I slowly started having band issues over the past year. Pb's, acid reflux at night, and about a 10 lb weight gain over time. I had my doctor do a slight unfill (.25cc's). This helped my reflux for a short time, but it came back. I tried not eating after 6pm, propping up on pillows to sleep, but no matter how small the meal, my pouch was stretched and it would just sit in there and come back up when I laid down at night. My pouch had stretched over time and I didn't even know it. I didn't stuff food down my throat and sit there in agony until my pouch stretched day after day. It wasn't like that at all! Like other bandsters, sometimes I eat and am comfortable, other times not. My doctor said this is something fairly common when you've been banded for a while and that every now and then I would need a "reset". An unfill for 4-6 weeks, then slowly filling again. I had a complete unfill 2 months ago, then a 2cc fill about 3 weeks ago. I'm going in for another fill next week. In this time I've gained 13lbs. It's been hard for this "foodie" to not have restriction during the holidays. I have the lap band for a very good reason. I'm looking forward to getting back to where I feel restriction again so I can drop this weight I've gained. My doctor recommended doing this once a year to keep things in check. Hopefully this helps your curiosity about pouch stretching.

I'm 10 months post-op and 11 weeks pregnant. You will just have to be monitored more closely. At least that's what they told me. More doctor's visits, more sonograms, and make sure to get plenty of Proteins. Don't freak out about weight gain and maintain a healthy diet. I have heard some people who could not get enough nutrients during pregnancy had to receive them intravenously, but I guess that would be a worst case scenario type situation. My bariatric doctor said not to worry though. Hope this helps. Good luck!

walk daily , weight training 3 days a week if available lots of water get your protein daily for your size no sugar - as close to this as you can no simple carbs - avoid the middle of the store - shop the 3 walls - veggies , meat , dairy highly refined foods are your worst enemy no fruit if your weight is not going down no snacks after dinner dont fear the fat it makes it easier to go longer between meals try to go at least 12 hours from last calorie in till first calorie next day. your asleep most of this. get enough sleep - most people don't start day with protein and fat not carbs good luck and i am sorry meds have set you back it is always tougher when other factors fight against you and so many meds cause weight gain

Today I am up a couple of pounds from the water weight gain from salty foods and junk over the weekend. Today I am feeling more in control:clap2: , I hope it lasts., I will try hard. I went grocery shopping and bought my protein. Those out of control, need to push food into my mouth are so intense and sneaky that they are here before you know it. Missed the onset cue. :phanvan AM 3 bites cereal and millk coffee, splenda, cream

Haven't binged, not a binger - but a single binge is not going to do much to you . Any weight gain is likely from the break in ketosis, and should come off as soon as your ketosis is - reinstated. Tomorrow is always another opportunity. So is right now. (Meaning - the "tomorrow" syndrome kills plans, the "right now" doesn't).

As far as I am concerned, the numbers on the scale are pretty irrelevant until you can reliably get in your protein and fluids every day. Getting enough protein and fluids is critical for healing and for weight loss. That said, none of us lose at a constant or steady rate. We all experience stalls and slow downs and almost everyone has a stall about three weeks after surgery. Weight gain in the first week of surgery is usually because of the IV fluids and swelling (you did just have major surgery). Just follow your program. Focus on getting in at least 64 oz of Fluid and reaching your protein target. Take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed. Exercise when cleared. Stay off the scale. And, Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall My protein target is 60-70 grams of pro mod liquid Protein. Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

Happy New Year everyone So I made it through the Christmas season without gaining a single pound. Now that is a first but we will see how the next 3 months goes because I start my supervised diet tomorrow. I have faith that I will do good and even though my doc doesn't care that I don't lose any weight I am still going to try. He actually is really excited about my journey as well as my registered nurse. I had an appointment with her on Friday and she was really giddy about me and my journey. I think that was the push that I needed to really work on the issue and be completely ready for my surgery in May. Any who....enough about that and more about the project that I have started with the encouragement from my therapist. When I was home for Christmas I looked through pictures of me from when I was born until high school and noticed the weight gain that I never noticed before. I think when I hit junior high school is when the weight started to increase. With that being said you can also notice the ups and downs weight that I had as a small child. I even found a picture of me stuffing my face (I think I was about 5 or 6) and my dad laying down on the couch eating as well. I guess father like daughter is actually true after seeing that picture While looking through the pictures I actually became sad. I noticed how cute I was as a child and what would it have been like if I wasn't as overweight in school and in my 20's. Would things be different or would I be different than I am now. I was so innocent as a child that I don't think I realized that what I did back then would actually hurt me today. I am about to turn 35 in less than 14 days and I have more motivation now than I did 10 years ago. 2013 is going to be my year and I soooo look forward to sharing it with each and every one of you all.

Hi, My husband is allergic to codeine, and gets wicked headaches from it. As far as your weight gain- don't worry about it- your body has just been through surgery and is in the process of healing.

I haven't gone back yet. Too many things going on and i have put it on the "middle" burner so to speak. I really hope it was just the dr. and not something wrong with my band. My insurance that i have now doesn't cover LB or anything associated with it. Question: If my PS moved my port and was the cause of the problem.... should he be responsible for the repair? On another note: i have been able to keep the weight gain at bay and even lost one .... this makes me happy.

@lark60 It’s great to talk with people years out. Sorry to hear about all the personal stress. Sounds like you have found what puts your body back into weight loss mode. Eight pounds down is fantastic. You can also inspire others struggling with weight gain. Welcome back, Jenn

So I am 5 years post sleeve. I managed to get within 5 lbs of my goal and slowly slipped back into bad habits. When I went for my annual PCP appointment and saw the scales were reading 175, I almost cried. I hadn't been weighing myself over this past year due to my house flooding and all my stuff was in storage for 6 months. I realized that I had been wearing stretchy leggings and hadn't tried on a pair of jeans in a year (again everything was in storage and I bought a few comfy outfits to tide me over till the home repairs were complete) I went through my kitchen and pulled all processed foods, bread, flour, sugars, root veggies, fruits, cereals, pasta and rice. I gave these things away to my neighbors. I researched diets and weight gain after sleeve procedure. I have started following a modified Keto diet. I say modified because I try to keep my protein at 80 grams a day. So basically I have replaced carbs with healthy fats. My next step back on track was to come back to this site and read the different topics. It has been 2 weeks on my version of Keto and have lost 8 lbs! I still have problems eating enough calories and know my metabolism is slow so I eat what I can and spread a meal to be a 1/2 cup meal and 1/2 cup snack 2-3 hours later. I have found some great recipes online and have bought a few books about Keto diet. I have read up on resistant starches because I have not taken beans out of my diet. They are my source of Fiber and some protein. Since I only eat a couple tablespoon full of beans, I am testing the theory about resistant starches by eating the beans cold. Apparently when certain foods are cooked and then cooled, the carbs crystalize and become resistant to digestion (but are great food for gut flora). I bought a new scale (my old one was lost in the flood) and have started keeping track of what I eat. Coming back to this site and writing my story will help me keep on track to getting back to my goal weight.