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Hi there- DO NOT GIVE UP! You have a great tool now you just have to commit to working the tool. I'm 5 years out and have had small weight gains, tried to use excuses to keep eating crap but just decided I wanted to look and feel better! So I went right back to basics- the first thing that caught my eye was that you don't eat breakfast- START EATING BREAKFAST RIGHT NOW! It is proven that people who eat breakfast weigh less than those who don't AND it will be easier to get in all of your protein. The first thing you want to do is take everything out of your diet besides protein for a day or two or 3 to adjust your eating habits and hunger...Once you start down the carb road your hunger follows quickly. So eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, chicken, shrimp, sliced lunch meat turkey and cheese- no bread, no pasta, no rice, no potatoes..Whenever your hungry take in some protein....After a few days of this (when you are no longer ravenouse every hour) limit your calories.Make sure you are getting plenty of fluids...but not with meals....no diet sodas or artifically sweetened stuff....and figure out a plan that can get you to the gym before work- I'm at the gym 6 days a week by 6:30 am and at work by 8:30 - and I'm a woman and have to do my makeup and my hair and gossip in the locker room so you should be able to make it in and out and to work on time.....send me a private message if you would like more - I'll give you my email address (or u give me yours) it's quicker and easier to talk. Sandi2004

I am 9 wks pregnant and 41. I was sleeved 9/10/15. My tubes have been tied 12 years now I got pregnant 7 years ago and carried her to 29 wks and delivered her( stillborn) they tested my tubes said there wasn't a pin hole leak. I have lost 112 pounds and freaking out about weight gain and something happening with the baby Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm 6 days post op and doing great! Lost the surgery weight gain plus 2 lbs.

I guess I counted Monday, the day of surgery as Day 1 but really that should've been Day 0. Anyway - I weighed this morning at 268! I've lost 15 pounds in the first 6 days. I am still on liquids so I am attributing this to water weight and just the shock of my body going through the surgery. It makes me really wonder what the hell was I eating and how much was I really eating before surgery?! jeeeez. I admit that I am a restaurant lover. If I could, I would eat every meal out. I actually like cooking but hate the shopping, preparation and clean-up. If I could be a t.v. cook and have everyone do all of those other things for me I'd be sooo happy!! I could sweep in and prepare a fantastic, healthy meal for me and my family and walk out of the kitchen with the first bite! Ah if only! Anyway, I'm guessing that a lot of my recent weight gain came from 1. Not exercising 2. Eating out at restaurants or fast food places at least 5-6 times a week 3. Eating snacks late at night So because of this I'm trying to change those 3 things. The late night snacking I've gotten under control but that is mainly because it takes sooo little to fill me up. If I eat dinner around 6 or 7 pm I will usually have a sugar-free jello or pudding or popsicle around 9 or 10 pm and that's it. I drink water until I go to bed but I really want to learn to tame the night time eating. Today we went out to eat for the first time since my surgery. We were away from home and I had only had some crystal light with protein powder at about 9 am. By 2 pm I was feeling a little light headed. I could feel a teeny tiny bit of hunger but just barely. We met some friends at a phenomenal Mexican restaurant with a huge menu. The smells were amazing and I admit, for a moment, I was bummed I couldn't devour my usual basket of tortilla chips, salsa, 3-4 tortillas, 3-4 drinks plus my entree. I am supposed to be mainly on liquids until tomorrow so I ordered Caldo de Res, a vegetable/beef stew with broth. We were there with friends and 1 of my good friends knows I had the band and that I was planning on having plication. She was pretty amazed at how I was able to get around relatively well, considering. Anyway I really enjoyed sitting with friends and my family, enjoying their company. I sipped my broth and didn't feel weird or excluded or anything. I did take a bite or two of some super mashed, refried beans and a bite of the egg off a chili relleno, which were out-of-this-world!!! Other than that, I was pretty much on track. Everyone left complaining and holding their stomachs and I left pretty full myself but not miserable and stuffed (like usual). I'm so happy that things are going so well. I am still fairly sore and still take pain medicine at night before bed to help me sleep. I am planning on being off of work for another 4 more weeks as I have a very active profession so I'm hoping to fully recover before returning to work and to be able to start an exercise regimen. Take care, Jenn <a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wuVsfBP/"> <img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wuVsfBP/weight.png"></a>

SOunds like me too! In high school I was 170 or so, 4 years ago I started zoloft and my anxiety disorder got me down to 180-190. Everyone asks me why I can't lose it like I did 4 years ago and I never explain but the truth is that starting zoloft (which doesn control my appetite now since my body is used to it), having uncontrolled anxiety, and have liquid bowel movements for a year is a great way to lose weight, but not healthy! I was like the chubby kid in grade school. The "full figured gal" in high school. 175 or so when I was 18. Up to 245 when I was 20 Back down to 185 or so when going thru the above mentioned. And then back to 245 (BMI 38) I was pro-active in getting surgery b/c I am only 26 but I see that pattern of weight gain every year and I knew in my heart it wasn't going to change. I have nothing I would have thought as "co-mobities" but I do have kneee problems and back problems, acid refulx and a hiatal hernia. Before the the surgeons I saw found out my insurance wouldn't cover the band they said my problems could be "co-morbidities" so don't give up on that idea just b/c you don't have the "typical" ones like diabetes and high blood pressure. Anyways, point is, as hard as it is to face, statistically your weight will continue to go up yearly. Only you can change that number, and if you need a band to do it then so be it - I mean, this site wouldn't exist is there were people left and right that could do it on thier own! As far as the surgery - I had mine one week ago like exactly to the minute and it was not to bad. I was knocked out before I knew it, and the incisions are so small - I've looked way worse falling off a bike! Good luck in whatever you choose!

I was is SO MUCH PAIN every day. It hurt to walk, climb stairs, carry groceries in, sit. I was always out of breath and had zero stamina. I was uncomfortable in my skin and the negativity that was running through my mind. I absolutely hated for my husband to see me naked, and pictures were very cringy to look at. I also dealt with mental health, and the medication I was on contributed to my weight gain (I gained 60 lbs in less than a year). I was just tired of being fat, unwell, and unhappy. I struggled to lose weight and needed help. I also had sleep apnea and high cholesterol. In the long term, I wanted to be well for my family and, eventually, my grandkids. I wanted to enjoy the second half of my life (I just turned 41). I didn't see that future at 262 lbs and the physical and mental condition I was in. Now, 71 lbs lighter, I have minimal pain (arthritis is still an issue), I'm growing stronger every day, and my stamina is higher. I strut around naked in front of my hubby and am confident in my own skin. I'm off all mental health medication, and my cholesterol is normal. I'm still having some sleep apnea issues, but I'm hopeful those will resolve by the time I get to my goal weight (30 lbs to go). And I feel hopeful for my future. I'm so incredibly thankful for the opportunity to have this surgery.

Weight regain is based on a patient's ability to make the necessary lifestyle changes and continuing to adhere to a bariatric friendly diet plan, NOT what kind of surgery they had. The type of surgery doesn't dictate success or failure, an individual's behavior does that. I will add in an exception....with the malabsorption of bypass, you may be able to get away with eating off plan without regain more so than a sleeve patient. I have two good friends that had bypass almost 10 years ago and I would certainly regain if I ate like they do. However, they suffer from a variety of illnesses related to nutritional deficiencies. Personally, I'd rather take on the added accountability and stick with the healthier lifestyle required in order to maintain my loss. And as for studies comparing weight gain between the two surgeries you probably won't find that many. VSG just hasn't been around long enough to have accumulated enough long term data. But really, that data is only going to tell you what OTHER people have done, not what YOU are capable of.

That sounds so amazing!! That is how I want to feel!! I'm scheduled for surgery Oct 7 and I feel your joy in your words. I would like to know is it easy to gain weight back? If you can gain does that mean you need a fill? I read a lot about weight gain and I'm just trying to still to figure it all out. Thanks so much!! Keep up that great work you inspire me!

I believe I have ruined m y opportunity I had my sleeve procedure on Nov 2017 ans since then I have lost 100 pounds but in last few months I have gained like 30 pounds I trying hard no to gain more now I can eat more I am hungry all the time I can eat like the normal person I am so depressed and whenever I try to keep track and get on the wagon one more time I fail i think I have get back to point zero or before the surgery . I was obese since I was child I failed all types of diet I have tried and now it is the same I can't do any diet for more than two days I can't believe how fast the stomach got stretched and gaining weight . I have failed my surgery which make me so depressed.

@@globetrotter You've lost about a pound a week. Good for you. I think you've established you have a slow metabolism, and now I think you've established you know what to do to lose weight, and that you can lose it. That's good news for you! My advice is to stop stewing in the fact that it's slower than you want, and a lot of hard work, because when you are fighting yourself, that just makes the weight loss battle that much worse. If you were my daughter (and I have 3 of them whom I love more than anything) I would tell you to stop wallowing in your own self pity because you are making yourself miserable. I always remind them not to be a victim. We choose our happiness. But since you are not my daughter, I won't tell you that. Having said all that, I do understand where you are coming from. Most of us got dealt a bad hand when it comes to weight management. Whether it's a genetic predisposition to weight gain, a lifetime of bad habits, or something else resulting in weight gain, there is not one WLS person who doesn't have to battle. The realization that it's going to be a lifetime of rigid dieting and there is no wiggle room is a little disheartening. It's probably our worst nightmare on so many levels to experience regain. Staying thin is not as simple as "a new way of life" for me. It is a full time job for me, and I consider it job one, all day, everyday. I wish that weren't true, but it's my reality. I've learned to be happy anyway.

Hello everyone. I'm looking forward to hearing what you all have to say about sleeve surgery. From those that are considering it and those that have experienced it. I've spoken to a facilitator over the phone and email and hope to meet her mom who lives near me as she has had the surgery as well and is a facilitator too. She's also close in age to me (I'm 54) and I thought that meeting her face-to-face may help me make a decision. I'm in Canada and the hospital is in Mexico - it has a Canadian connection (I think owned by a Canadian woman) and meets very high standards. Although it's in Mexico I don't feel worried about the level of care, or the abilities of the doctors and staff. I've asked a lot of questions of the facilitator - to the point where I think I've asked more questions, or taken more of her time than she wishes to give. That did turn me off a little - it was only two phone calls and a couple of emails. I guess they have their limit as per how much they get paid? As the hospital is in Mexico I don't get to meet the surgeon to discuss things and that's a worry for me. I'm relying on facilitators with no medical background, just the fact they've been through it and have had some training. My biggest worry: REGRET. This is a permanent procedure. I read something where somebody commented - "why would anybody want to remove a perfectly healthy, functioning body part?!" I get this - it's what makes this whole thing a bit on the bizarre side to me. And what if I just cannot STAND the changes? What if I feel nothing but sorrow and regret and horror at what I've done to myself? There's no going back - this thought haunts me in the time that I've been considering this as an option to weight loss. I don't see myself as somebody that is super obsessed with food. Not once have I ever gotten up in the middle of the night to eat something - not one time. I don't overeat. I choose the wrong foods a lot of the time and I love chocolate. My servings at dinner are likely too big, but I've never just eaten non-stop. Don't eat a bag of Cookies, nothing like that. I noted that I was putting on weight at 9 years old. I distinctly remember the moment I was aware of this. I've battled weight gain for much of my life. The thinnest I've ever been was when I was eating around 1200 calories a day, and working out (literally!) 2-3 hours PER DAY. Yup. I was super fit and looked good. This of course, was before I had 3 children. I'm a Weight Watchers "joiner" as my friend and I refer to ourselves. Never a WW grad, always a joiner. I did Weight Loss Clinic in my early 20's and lost weight. Up and down, up and down. Always weighing more with each subsequent weight gain. I'm sure what I've said here is pretty close to what each of you have experienced. How do I deal with this fear of regret? I can't seem to move past it. I hear what my facilitator says - she doesn't know anybody that has regretted it. She says she has many, many relatives and friends that have done this surgery and they all feel happy about their decision. But I'm also speaking to somebody who WORKS for the hospital and from my point of view, is trying to bring clients in for the money (cost is $13,600 just for me, no companion). A bit cost prohibitive for us, and I haven't mentioned a thing to my husband - he won't have a clue how I feel as he's never had a weight issue in his life - but he'll sure feel reluctant about the money spent! We all have our stories about our rock bottom. In fact, I have many rock bottom stories - each one, at the time, I'm thinking it's the worst thing that's happened to me. The most embarrassing, the most demeaning, the most sad I've felt. I don't see these rock bottom occurrences stopping because I'm not losing any weight. I've dieted my way all the way up to this weight (I'm guessing my weight is around 250 lbs.) and in the last few years I've given up on dieting. I'll just end up losing it once again and then gaining it all back +more, so why try? Why keep doing that? My biggest worries are: 1) Regret - what if I regret my decision? 2) Age - is 54 too old to do this? 3) Post-op diet - along with the pre-op 800 cal. a day diet (wow!), I'm worried about the weeks of liquid diet. I have to work, how will I do it if I'm starving? (my job can be intense and I have to be on the ball all the time). 4) I have chronic migraines and see a Neurologist. Will the weight loss alleviate/lessen migraines, or make them worse? 5) Will I ever actually enjoy food again? Or be able to? We have a favourite restaurant - would hate if I can never again enjoy that sort of outing 6) No caffeine, no alcohol! OMG - that's harsh! I love wine and would miss that. But think it's 6 months off of it? Caffeine. Due to migraines I'm not supposed to have it at all, but I now just have a tea in the morning so guess I could do that. I do love my tea and wine though :-) I so appreciate any comments, good or bad, that you can offer me. I do want to be truly happy in my own skin. I can't picture myself on the plane, in Mexico (never been there), and in the hospital going through with this. It just doesn't seem like a reality. And I really am fearful of the entire thing. My income is very important to my family and I still have a young child (almost 11) to care for. What if I don't recover? What if I can't work and cause my family to suffer due to me wanting to look good (okay, and hopefully ward off diabetes and other weight-related issues). Ugh… I'm a mess! LOL Tracy

A person who is building muscle will have a different diet plan than one that is wanting to 'cut' and show ripped muscles. Body beast by Beachbody is a program that is strictly designed for weight gains. The food program bulks you up then at end of program you go on a 'cut' diet plan to define the muscles you have been building up. It's a science.

Another "late post" due to vacation and medical issues, but wanted to "chime in"... Weight loss success is more than making good choices with food...there is portion control and conquering distorted thinking about food that are also "major players". It's like gun control...guns don't kill people, irresponsible people who possess and use guns in an inappropriate manner kill people. "Fast food" should not be "villianized"; like everything else, it's a choice we make. Burger King and McDonald's did not make people gain weight and become fat, the people who choose the less healthy items on the fast food menu and don't manage their portions are the ones who gain weight and become fat. We just returned from a road trip, and if you want to arrive at your destination in a timely manner, you just don't have the time to search out better places to eat. I managed to loose 2 pounds while on vacation, and yes, we did stop at Burger King and McDonald's where I was able to find healthy wraps and salads, and controlled my portions. Weight gain is a complex event; there are components of will power, education, and psychology involved. There is no "one size fits all" to describe the mitigating factors which cause an individual to become obese. Blaming fast food when you have a choice to manage portion size and choose healthy menu items is far too simplistic to be considered an idea of merit, IMHO. I eat responsibly, the same way that I carry a concealed weapons permit responsibly. Other's mileage may vary...

My GP informed me my metabolism level dropped significantly after I went thru menopause which was causing the weight gain at such a fast rate. Don't get me wrong, I also wasn't moving like I had been (workouts went from 3-4/week to just walks around my neighborhood). This was due to the unexpected fatigue that hit me hard at that time. So I started Weight Watchers, followed everything by the book for seven weeks. Not only did I not lose anything (weight or inches), I actually gained a little. My GP said it was because I was post-menopausal. This is why she recommended me for this surgery. I recognize my fears are creating these negative thoughts, therefore, I think I'm going to create a scrapbook of this amazing journey. I'm hoping it will keep me busy and motivated while I conquer this thing called obesity.

I want to lead off by saying I am an outlier. I had a very easy surgery and recovery. I have an iron sleeve, almost nothing bothers it, and hasn't from the beginning. I have lost 100% of my excess weight, am below my goal weight, and have maintained for nearly 6 months now. So, take what I say with a grain of salt, knowing that I have been supremely lucky, and the stars have aligned for me, for now (who knows what the future holds though). I am also a foodie. I eat out very frequently, both for business, and just as my personal lifestyle. I have not have any issue eating a very wide range of food (with one exception, I'll get to later). My first business trip was 3 weeks post op. It was a week long wine and dine event, with elaborate meals, dinners being upwards of 20 courses. I ate ahead of my plan, and had little tiny bits of just about everything. I don't recommend this, but it caused no issue for me, other than a weight gain of 3 lbs when I returned. I have been on multiple international trips post op. I ate meat pies and drank beer in Scotland. I ate pasta and drank wine in Italy. I ate falafel and drank tea in Egypt. BUT, it wasn't all just eat whatever I want, but smaller portions. I balanced "off plan" meals with being very disciplined, especially when I was home. For many months, until my hunger returned, I was routinely under 500 cals a day. I took advantage of not being hungry, and not having head hunger triggers, by eating to only get my required protein in, and therefore consuming very few cals, many days. Now that I am in maintenance, I have been fortunate so far. My BMR appear to be north of 1500 cals a day. I still have a fair amount of restriction, so I am able to eat relatively freely. But I log everything I eat and weigh myself nearly everyday I am home. I am willing to adjust my diet and cals in order to maintain at a weight I'm happy with (which may eventually end up higher than my current weight). But even if I do end up having to be more careful with my diet, it will always be a combo of disciplined and splurge meals. It will just be about finding the balance between the two. On the topic of digestive issues, I have had no accidents, no diarrhea (other than the occasional that everyone gets from time to time). I was constipated early post op, and added Benefiber to every non-water liquid I ingested. I can get nausea if I over eat, but it passes quickly. I have only gotten sick twice, and it was vitamins on too empty of a stomach. The only negative consequence I have had, is dumping-ish symptoms, from time to time. Occasionally it is random, but the most common trigger is liquid sugar, such as Vietnamese coffee, or Baileys Irish Cream for example. I just get extreme nausea and my heart races. So I've given up any large quantities of sweet beverages, or anything similar, like ice cream, pudding. So, it is possible to live a normal foodie life, post sleeve. But this journey is very, very individual. It is a true YMMV situation. So just as there are outliers who have lots of complications & food sensitivities, I am an outlier that has had practically none. I am at one extreme of the bell curve. Hope that helps!

i would call ur doctor u need to get unfilled alittle bit! PB is productive burp..slime is what comes up when u get stuck (saliva)..sweet spot is when ur fill is perfect and ur consistantly losing weight (usually takes 3 or more fills) depending on the person...usually when u get a fill ur supposed to give it a week or two to feel restriction u are 2 tight it can result in weight gain or not losing weight..call ur doctor he needs to take a little bit..good luck

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.

Thank you Gmanbat! I'll pick some up tonight...it certainly sounds like its worth a chance. My head has been so upset over the weight gain that I didn't stop to evaluate my supplements. Great advice to everyone...

I was sleeved 4/17/17 and, after a 10 day stall w/ walking 2-3 miles per day for the last 2 weeks, the scale finally moved today. Do not be disappointed as your body is just trying to catch up w/ the trauma it just endured. It will get better as your body heals, you will see the loss reflected on the scale. Rejoice in the non scale victories. A thinner face, looser pants and being able to resist temptation, as hard as THAT can be sometimes! I think when people ask "how much have you lost so far", I might just reply w/ "enough" as the change I see does not match the # reflected on the scale. Besides, I can't expect to lose 30 years of weight gain in less than one month. I know they are just curious but ask me in a year and I will give them a #. You will get there, just give it some time to work.

Froufrou - this where I am now .18 months post sleeve and my appetite is back and I am gaining weight .It started with stress when my sister became very ill , and now I am considering asking for Wegovy as I don't want it to climb further .I've done a lot of reading about the sleeve ,and it's pretty common for weight gain to occur between 12 months -18 months .I'll see what my doctor says ,I am hoping it will help me .

As the others have said it is very, very common to experience a 10lb+/- bounce back regain in your second or third year. Some gain may be attributed to your body resettling. Some gain may be to put you at a weight that is what your body set point really is now. Some may be a little complacency. Some may be the return of your hunger. Some may be changes you’ve made so your eating plan better complements your life. Some may be attributed to changes in medication or general health. Have to admit I too, would question a doctor who would prescribe medication to manage a 10lb weight gain. The points raised by @Sleeve me alone! would be a concern especially with a medication which swells in your tummy. Did your doctor request a blood test to assess your hormonal levels or to see if anything was lacking. At your age yes peri menopausal or menopausal side effects could have contributed to your gain. I put on about 15kgs very quickly when I became peri menopausal pushing me to 91kg & couldn’t lose any of it. It’s what made me turn to surgery. It’s an area to explore further. But I’d also go back to your surgeon & see what they have to say.They’ve got the experience & knowledge to give you the best advice. And maybe find a therapist who can support you identify ways to manage your hunger in case there are other issues at play too.

Just wondering if you or anyone doing the 5K's noticed weight gain? I was losing weight during the 1st and 2nd weeks, now I'm slowly gaining weight. I don't think I'm eating more food or making poor choices, I pretty much eat the same foods daily without much variation.

Weight gain with increased exercise intensity is pretty common. You will initially retain more water as your sore, tied muscles need it to repair. And, overall you may see a slow down in your rate of loss. My weight loss definitely slowed when I started running, but my body composition began to change pretty drastically. My body fat percentage is declining very steadily now that I am exercising more.

I agree!!! I was on seroquel and a few others about 4 years ago and I gained 100 lbs during that time. Can not for the life of me take it off. My mom, and cousin were/are on seroquel and they gained massive amounts also. I seen my cousin about 2 months ago and he had really lost weight. I asked him how he had lost so much and he said 'I quit taking me meds'. The pysch that I see now asked who prescribed seroquel for me because that is such an OLD med that is rarely used anymore. I told him who it was and he was surprised. Alot of the psychotropics and antidepressants have the side effect of weight gain. I used to work in a residential facility woth people with depression or other mental illnesses and I have seen the results several times. Good luck!

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).