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I was banded 10/08. I have NO SIGNIFICANT weight loss, in fact, I had weight gain. I'm ticked off as I was 20 pounds lighter before I went into surgery. I am in and out of the surgeons office and it's just frustrating. Totally in the same boat. Bleh. Half tempted to tell him to take it out or lock me down so I can do nothing but drink.

I had my 6 month medically supervised diet a couple years ago - so I haven't been "dieting" at all and as a matter of fact it's been the opposite. My surgery is Nov. 6 and I keep telling myself I have to get on track before the pre-op diet (they'll weigh me in on Oct. 24 the day of my nutritional appt. and I don't want to show a big weight gain since my appt. with the surgeon). The 2 week preop diet is really scaring me - can I do liquids for 2 whole weeks. I've seen some ppls' Liquid Protein diet actually allows them to eat one real meal a day - I'm hoping I have that but I'm not counting on it. You're not alone in your reservations. I'll be totally psyched one day and then depressed the next questioning my decision. I just know in my heart it's the right decision. I'm on YouTube and hope to post videos of my journey (I've posted 2 but don't feel like I want to post another until after my NUT appt. and start of the pre-op diet). You can find me on YouTube at cmf1267. There's a big WLS community there and they are very helpful. If you haven't already - check it out.

Phentermine, taken alone is safer alternative to using it in conjunction with fenfluramine, which was associated with some significant cardiac risks in the 80's. I had used it several times over the 10 years prior to my band surgery. Your body does build a rapid tolerance to it, so it was effective for only about 3 months, and then I would have to go off of it for another 6 months. A three month prescription was all that my physician would prescribe. I lost about 30 pounds during the 3 months, and did manage to keep most of the weight off after every 3 months off of it. "Rebound weight gain" is common, when the patient needs to go off of the medication. This can happen if the individual does nothing to maintain a long term adjustment in life style with changes to smaller portions and exercise. I have not taken it for several years now. I recall that I did like the increased energy associated with it, and though I took in in the morning, I did not like the insomnia which I also experienced while taking it.

Divorcing food is as difficult and emotional as divorcing a person. I am serious. I don't regret having this procedure done because I've lost 30 pounds and I'm 1 week post op. However, seeing delicious food in front of you and knowing you can't eat it because you're fresh out of surgery really burns. In fact, knowing I can't eat it because it'll make my stomach hurt and I'll probably throw it up is what really burns. I've been watching videos of food recently because I haven't seen solid food in pretty much 2 weeks. It's probably not a good habit but its already a habit so the way I see it, I can't eat but I can at least look at it. I thought that my stomach is healing fine and faster than usual, so the other day I had some tuna. It was about 1 spoon full of tuna. My bodies reaction wasn't pleasant. Long story short, my stomach is 100% not ready for solid food or even soft food but that doesn't stop food from looking good. I want to lose 100% of my excess weight. At this point in time, The reason I want to lose weight the most, is so I can eat. Is that weird? I want to eat lasagna one day and with absolutely no thought of my weight in my head. I want BBQ porked. I want to have Georgian, Armenian, Greek, Vietnamese, Chinese, Caribbean, Italian and more in my regular life. Obviously, not all at once. I'm very scared by love of food. People say you have to reset your mind with this surgery. I feel that, although i don't mind giving up sweets things like soda, candy, Cookies and deserts (not a fan of sugary things), I don't want to give up meat and carbs. After I reach my goal weight, I'm really hoping that I can find the perfect balance of eating things I love and maintaining my weight loss and health. This has just been on my mind all day. I think this is my initial shock to realizing that the sleeve is permanent. Unfortunately I have been feeling hunger as of late but It's definitely a lot more manageable than in my pre-op diet. How do you people feel about food? How has your day to day diet changed? What do you eat when you eat out? What foods do you find affect your weight the most? I know the VSG allows one to eat what they like in the end but I know many people cut things out completely because of the fear for weight gain. How do you guys feel about food?

That is what I'd expect, too. How worried are you ? Let that worry motivate you.....and not just for insurance reasons. Does your surgeon require a pre-op diet of any kind ? Only you know where you stand in terms of BMI, health issues and comorbiities. Only you know the real risks at this point. For me things were fairly straightforward. I was told by the staff of both surgeons that I've dealt with along the way this Summer-Fall that they would delay surgery if they saw weight gains as they believed it's a sign that you aren't ready. The two that I've dealt with were real sticklers about this and each went out of their way to show actual surgical films that show the liver of folks that did the pre-op diet successfully vs folks that didn't . It really hit home when you see them lift up the liver and suspend it out of the way so they can work. I was convinced that I wanted to do whatever I could to allow my liver to get smaller and less prone to damage when lifted. It makes sticking to this short pre-op diet a piece of cake. That footage scared me. I'm not kidding about the difference in patients, either. It was hard for many in our class to watch.....but it was powerful stuff to see. Sh!t got real. I try to keep in mind that the goal is weight loss......before a& after surgery......weight loss. Giving my back, knees a much needed break. Anyway....not trying to be a jerk......just hoping that you'll keep in mind that the insurance guidelines aren't the ones that really matter. There's a compelling reason you are doing this surgery that is unique to you. It's important to you for some specific reason. Tap into satisfying that need and let it drive your behaviors towards positive results. I wish you the best. You can do anything.....anything that your mind gets behind and wants.

Congrats on your pregnancy!! That is awesome. Most likely from your wieght loss, that's how I became pregnant all three times. That and God. You will be amazed how much your body is going to change. You'll have pains and other things just due to being pregnant. I'm not banded yet ank no longer able to get pregnant. I think there is a thread you could seach on banded and pregnant. I think most women have an unfill. Also the medical field is changing the weight gain amount for obese patients. So you don't want to lose, but may not need to gain. I think for prego and nursing moms you need an extra 300 calories added to what you need to maintain your weight. God bless you and your baby. Nora

Have you talked to your surgeon? They would be best equipped to handle any weight gain issues. I'm only 1.5 years out so I can't say I've had reflux issues... do you eat small meals? Chew really well? I'd have your band checked for problems like dilation or a slip or erosion. If there's a problem like that the surgeon can probably do a revision, right?

I have spent the past hour or so reading blogs and catching up on the lap band community. As I was reading it came to me that we have all been given a wonderful opportunity to have the support of thousands of people. People like us, who can over advice from first hand experience and learn from all of our successes and failures. I never introduced myself when I started blogging, I just started pounding away spilling my thoughts and feelings on the page. So her goes, my name is Diane, I am 55 almost 56 this November. I am married, have two children, a boy and a girl and 3 grand children, a dog, Lexi ( She is posted with me in my picture) and a cat, Sassey. I love animals and if I lived in the country would have many more than I do, animals love us unconditionally and don't care if we are fat or thin. How and why did I chose lap band? I have been what you call the professional diet queen. I am 5'1" and have struggled with weight gain after the birth of my first child in the late 70's. I lost the weight and just gained it back with the birth of my second child. I lost that weight and did pretty good until I went to nursing school and packed it right back on. In those early years I could keep it around 180 or 190 but still thought I was fat, but I never realized what fat was until I hit my 40's. That is when I really started to plump up, I reached a high by the time I was 50 of 260's and believe me on a 5'1" frame that is a lot of weight and my knees began to tell the story a few years ago. Three years ago my right knee went out, swollen, painful, difficult to walk, etc. I went to the doctor, they x-rayed and MRI. I had some beginning stages of osteo, thinning of the cartilage on the inner part of my knee joint. The doctor injected with steroids, last about 48 hours and then I did the weekly injections to rebuild the cartilage. It puts the cushion back between the joints. That lasted about 8 weeks. Then the dreaded conversation came up, Diane you need to drop a few pounds. I knew this already, I had two bouts of pneumonia over the past two years, my BP was out of control, and I was having sleep apnea. Oh by the way I forgot to mention I have been a nurse for almost 30 years. You would think as a health care worker we would have better health habits. But no, we probably are one of the most unhealthy group of people because we are always taking care of others and not ourselves. I am very stubborn, duh so I refused to wear a CPAP for the sleep apnea, and when I saw the metal they would put in my body as a joint, I said no way. Off to Jenny Craig I marched, I joined for 500 dollars, bought my meals at 120 plus a week and lost down to 195 lbs. Then it became too expensive and I just knew I could do this on my own, portion control and 1200 calories, a piece of cake I thought. NOT!!!!!!!!!!! I plumped back up to 248 lbs within 2 years of stopping Jenny Craig. So that is how I got to lap band. Live a life of pain and not enjoy life or get off your butt and do something about it. As for the nursing, I am a critical care nurse, so you would think I would know better and make better choices. Oh well that is the past and this is the new me. I involved my family in my journey, I made my appointment for the information meeting and took my husband with me and told all of my family. I figured if I was going to make this a life style I better include the persons in my life so they could be supportive. I thought about not telling the people at work, because sadly I was one of those people who thought weight loss surgery was a cop out. Boy have I changed my mind. so once I scheduled my surgery I told all of my peers at work I was having Lap Band surgery on the 28th of October. Now a very good friend of mine at work, Ron, looked at me shocked and said" your not fat enough to have weight loss surgery." I could have kissed him but instead, I stopped and said, "Ron, I am morbidly obese. My BMI is 47.5. I have to lose weight or I am not going to get to enjoy watching my grandchildren grow up. He looked shocked and said, I had no idea you weighed that much. Thank god for the Ron's and the Paul's(my husband) who love us whether we are skinny or fat and see us for something more than how we look. I will tell you I was scared, I think my biggest fear has been that I will fail, fail to loss and keep it off. But that very fear is my driving force, I will not gain this weight back and I will be successful. The difference for me know compared to back in the dieting days is I am choosing to change my life style with a gentle nudge from my band. I always lost weight on the planned programs I paid for, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, South Beach etc. But when I stopped paying I gained the weight back. Lap Band is a permanent solution to me because as long as i listen to my band, make healthy choices and exercise I will be successful. I know a lot of people struggle with weight loss and the band but in my opinion we fail because we fail to change our behavior. When I don't lose weight now, i sit down and look back at what I am doing. If I am honest with myself, I am snacking between meals, eating past satisfied and not exercising. I chose not to eat sweets, potato chips(which I love), I stay way from carbohydrates, pasta, rice and potato's. Not because I can't have them but because I like them to much and they make me feel over stuffed. I love pizza, can I eat pizza yes, should I eat pizza no. It is full of carbohydrates, so I look for alternatives that satisfy that void. This truly is a journey and you learn about your body and your inner self along the way. For me this journey is not about being skinny it is about learning to make the right choices, developing a healthy life style and spending quality time with my family. So now you no my story. I was banded October 28, 2010. I weighed in at 248 on surgery day and as of today I weigh 180. ( I have been stuck here for several weeks) I started in a size 24 and now wear a size 14. I have lots of shrinkels but who cares, I consider those my battle scars.

I seen a lot of people on this forum not receiving family Support and getting called weak well i have a confession to make i didnt get any support i was laughed at and made fun of called weak called will less was told its all in my mind and was told several time I will fail most of the people were so called friends and family who themselves are not in perfect shape but have a lot to say . I feel it is your strength that you are taking this step also all you are getting is a tool to help you win this battle. I went to hospital with one of of my friends cause family wouldn't support me and thought i am wasting time.Guess what Surgery weight height 6 ft wt 287.5 in 5 days ( my surgery was on 8th of this month) today weight 264.... With ought this tool it's a very hard battle something I read at New York Times..... Shows Why It’s Hard to Keep Weight Off For years, studies of obesity have found that soon after fat people lost weight, their metabolism slowed and they experienced hormonal changes that increased their appetites. Scientists hypothesized that these biological changes could explain why most obese dieters quickly gained back much of what they had so painfully lost. GETTY IMAGES But now a group of Australian researchers have taken those investigations a step further to see if the changes persist over a longer time frame. They recruited healthy people who were either overweight or obese and put them on a highly restricted diet that led them to lose at least 10 percent of their body weight. They then kept them on a diet to maintain that weight loss. A year later, the researchers found that the participants’ metabolism and hormone levels had not returned to the levels before the study started. The study, being published Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine, is small and far from perfect, but confirms their convictions about why it is so hard to lose weight and keep it off, say obesity researchers who were not involved the study. They cautioned that the study had only 50 subjects, and 16 of them quit or did not lose the required 10 percent of body weight. And while the hormones studied have a logical connection with weight gain, the researchers did not show that the hormones were causing the subjects to gain back their weight. Nonetheless, said Dr. Rudolph Leibel, an obesity researcher at Columbia, while it is no surprise that hormone levels changed shortly after the participants lost weight, “what is impressive is that these changes don’t go away.” Dr. Stephen Bloom, an obesity researcher at Hammersmith Hospital in London, said the study needed to be repeated under more rigorous conditions, but added, “It is showing something I believe in deeply — it is very hard to lose weight.” And the reason, he said, is that “your hormones work against you.” In the study, Joseph Proietto and his colleagues at the University of Melbourne recruited people who weighed an average of 209 pounds. At the start of the study, his team measured the participants’ hormone levels and assessed their hunger and appetites after they ate a boiled egg, toast, margarine, orange juice and crackers for Breakfast. The dieters then spent 10 weeks on a very low calorie regimen of 500 to 550 calories a day intended to makes them lose 10 percent of their body weight. In fact, their weight loss averaged 14 percent, or 29 pounds. As expected, their hormone levels changed in a way that increased their appetites, and indeed they were hungrier than when they started the study. They were then given diets intended to maintain their weight loss. A year after the subjects had lost the weight, the researchers repeated their measurements. The subjects were gaining the weight back despite the maintenance diet — on average, gaining back half of what they had lost — and the hormone levels offered a possible explanation. One hormone, leptin, which tells the brain how much body fat is present, fell by two-thirds immediately after the subjects lost weight. When leptin falls, appetite increases and metabolism slows. A year after the weight loss diet, leptin levels were still one-third lower than they were at the start of the study, and leptin levels increased as subjects regained their weight. Other hormones that stimulate hunger, in particular ghrelin, whose levels increased, and peptide YY, whose levels decreased, were also changed a year later in a way that made the subjects’ appetites stronger than at the start of the study. The results show, once again, Dr. Leibel said, that losing weight “is not a neutral event,” and that it is no accident that more than 90 percent of people who lose a lot of weight gain it back. “You are putting your body into a circumstance it will resist,” he said. “You are, in a sense, more metabolically normal when you are at a higher body weight.” A solution might be to restore hormones to normal levels by giving drugs after dieters lose weight. But it is also possible, said Dr. Jules Hirsch of Rockefeller University, that researchers just do not know enough about obesity to prescribe solutions. One thing is clear, he said: “A vast effort to persuade the public to change its habits just hasn’t prevented or cured obesity.” “We need more knowledge,” Dr. Hirsch said. “Condemning the public for their uncontrollable hedonism and the food industry for its inequities just doesn’t seem to be turning the tide.”

I really need help. i have gone back to the dietician, spoke with the doctor, and even went to my regular doctor for some assistance. The weight still has not budged. They said add more protein so i did that. More aerobics ...still no change..kept a food diary..nothing. I have now went into a slump, I am eating as the dietician has required and i am now getting deressed because i am not moving forward. 3 months is a lonnnnnngggg PLATEAU. Does anyone have any suggsetions. i have had 8 fills in 9 months . Every month since the surgery. I have Prayed and cried ..and feel helpless.

I have gained weight, lost weight, gained weight and lost weight again. There have even been a few times that I lost over 50 lbs and still gained it back plus more. I'm a little over a year since my VSG and it was the BEST decision of my life! No more yoyou dieting to only gain it back. The sleeve limits the amount of food you can eat at one time which helps a lot! Unfortunately, you will still be able to "graze" throughout the day and will put weight back on if your not careful BUT it's nothing like before the VSG. I will notice I'm putting on a few pounds and then I'll stop the grazing for awhile and get back in control and my weight goes back down. I personally would never have been able to keep the weight off without the VSG. Prior to my VSG I kept asking myself the same questions that you are...I can do it myself. I have before, so why not again? and am I just being stupid and taking the "easy way out"? These statements/questions are all too common from people like you, me and members on this site. Almost all of us on here have lost weight before on our own...the problem is...keeping it off and keeping our weight under control. Yes, you definately have cold feet as most of us did. I have no regrets doing the VSG and have recommended it to many of my friends and family members. Good luck and if you need to lose the weight one more time on your own then do so but if you want to get to the end of the insanity of yoyo dieting and exercising then I recommend keeping your appointment and going through with the VSG. It's such a personal decision that nobody is going to be able to tell you one way or the other of what to do. Be honest with yourself and really evaluate what you want. Good luck on your journey!

That's great you are finally going to a psychiatrist. The know much more about issues like bipolar than your family doc. I take 2 meds for bipolar. One possibly causes weight gain but it didn't for me. I lost steadily on it. I would take the meds prescribed for a couple weeks and see how it goes. If you are doing all the right things and still don't loose than you can decide what to do. For me, I'd rather stall in weight loss for a bit than suffer with deppression/anxiety. Good luck!

Even with the same insurance provider, policies can vary. Are you required to lose weight in order to be approved? This is typically information that your surgeon's office gets from your insurance provider, so I would check with them. You can also check with your insurance provider, but I've personally had issues with customer service reps giving out bad info. If your policy doesn't require any weight loss or exclude you from approval for weight gain, it shouldn't matter. You may also want to ask your surgeon if he or she will do surgery if you've gained weight, as some surgeons won't.

Oh my gosh!!!!! This is the BEST thing I ever did? My one regret: (and I have heard this SO many times...). I wish I would have done it sooner! I was 57 when I had the sleeve done 10 years ago. I lost 80 lbs and just in the last couple of years I have put 15-20 lbs back on which is why I am back here to figure out how to stop the gain. I went in with the mindset that this was a very exciting time in my life and I was finally going to get a handle on it and I did!!! I wrote a book called Queen of Crop where I kept a blog faithfully each week....I suggest you do as well because it will be a very exciting year for you. You will be in the Honeymoon phase for the first year....but listen and learn so you don't regain. Sadly, my surgery was very early on and I was traveling for a year so had very little (if any) follow up support so here I am fighting some weight gain. But oh, the freedom of feeling thin!!!! Good luck and have fun with it. My passport photos taken exactly one year apart!

I do find that snacking leads to stalls and or weight gain for me. I have to be very careful because I also get reactive hypoglycemia so i pretty much eat very small meals all day long. That is a slippery slope and can feel much like grazing which is the worst thing i can do. Early on while in weight loss mode my nut had me drink milk for a snack. it gives you added Protein, turns to a solid keeping you full for quite a while. And.....best of all you can add different types of tea to it. My favorite all time snack especially in the winter is chocolate chai tea. I use the loose tea version from teavanna and steep it for 3 minutes. It is especially delicious, hits the spot with NO added sugar other than what is in the milk. I use lactaid because i still have a lactose intolerance. If i dont have that, i will eat full fat cheese, pepperoni, shrimp, almonds and sometimes bariatric pal hot chocolate or bariatric pal vanilla capacciono.

Weight gain is totally normal - I always gain about 2-4 pounds during my cycle, I gain Water weight if I eat certain things or gain/stall if change up my exercise routine. And don't forget that fat also acts as a storehouse for things like hormones (like estrogen), so as you lose fat (weight) it is releasing tons of stored hormones back into your system. That can not only can that cause weight fluctuations, it can also make you feel moody and screw with your general well-being as well. But it is all perfect normal!

Dear Anita, Boy that is bad luck. I must say having seen thousands of people with the band, this level of complication I have not seen. The weight gain you have experienced may be due to the frustration and feeling let down by the whole process. I would hope that your Dr is giving some extra TLC. Keep at it and be extra patient until the process gets started. IN the mean time gain some control back in your life by focusing on what you can have control over. I think being active does wonders for your mind set, that includes fresh air. Good luck Bariatric Dietitian Helen Bauzon Welcome to globalgastricbandsolutions.com.au

Good afternoon love! Just wanted to reply to your comment and share a bit of my journey with u. I had a revision in December from a VBG(first weight loss surgery approved) in 2004 to a gastric bypass do to esophogus issues, heartburn and major weight gain. I lost 46lbs after revision. The vitamins I see you posted are great but expensive. I have blood check up every 3 months have been amazing and i take a Bariatric vitamin from amazon. 16.77 month. My health is fabulous. Look into amzon for vitamins love. It will really save you money and they work just as well. Please take your daily calcuim after revision and you will be just fine. Good luck and God Bless you

I agree! I started gaining weight when I was happy & comfortable in my relationship. We both love eating & drinking, that's it. I believe what also contributed to my weight gain was I eating the same portions as him. He's taller than me so he didn't gain as much as me, I'm really short. I'm not blaming him but I think sometimes people get fat because they're happy & comfortable. It's not always a tragic reason why we become fat. Height: 5'0" Weight for WLS consultation: 216 lbs. Surgery date: 2/13/17 Goal: -71 lbs for healthy BMI (about 145 lbs). Current weight: 174.2 lbs My profile picture is not me. It's my "FITspiration" body.

When I started going through menopause (at age 42) that was one of the FIRST symptoms. I have very thick hair and I was losing almost as much hair in a day as some people HAVE. It's worth checking out. Adding my estrogen patch did wonders for me! Here is a list of symptoms: Simple symptoms may easily be ignored but it's important to note that these symptoms have been reported by women experiencing menopause. If you have any of these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor during your next checkup. Hot flashes, flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling Irregular heart beat Irritability Mood swings, sudden tears Trouble sleeping through the night (with or without night sweats) Loss of libido Dry vagina Pain during sex Crashing fatigue Anxiety, feeling ill at ease Feelings of dread, apprehension, doom Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, mental confusion Disturbing memory lapses Incontinence, especially upon sneezing, laughing; urge incontinence Itchy, crawly skin Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons Increased tension in muscles Breast tenderness Headache change: increase or decrease Gastrointestinal distress, indigestion, flatulence, gas pain, nausea Sudden bouts of bloat Depression Worsening of existing conditions Increase in allergies Weight gain Hair loss or thinning, head, pubic, or whole body; increase in facial hair Dizziness, light-headedness, episodes of loss of balance Changes in body odor Electric shock sensation under the skin and in the head Tingling in the extremities Gum problems, increased bleeding Burning tongue, burning roof of mouth, bad taste in mouth, change in breath odor Osteoporosis Changes in fingernails: softer, crack or break easier Tinnitus: ringing in ears, bells, 'whooshing,' buzzing etc.

thank you all so much I think I am definetly going to research this nuvaring. I know I probly sound silly, however I am soo soo soo terrified of gaining weight. Thank you all so much for your advice. I am just soo upset about this weight gain. Kristie

What kind of things are you eating, or were eating, when you were on liquids and then mushies. And then once you started real food what were you eating? I am worried I won't lose weight. I don't know why I am thinking like this. I am eating right now things like liquid yogurt, cream Soups strained, sugar free popsicles, and lots of Water. I have not lost anything since my surgery Wed. In fact, I've gained five pounds! ACK! Maybe it's water weight gain from the IV fluids?? Anyone else gain weight right after surgery? Help with ideas please!

You look amazing. I'm sure that is a common fear. I'm just a couple months post op and I'm already fearing weight gain. Maybe a before and after photo on the fridge might help. I'm not sure. Welcome.

I would venture to guess the weight gain is due to re-hydration. It should level out and you should start losing again.

i knew in my head that the weight wouldn't fall off immediately, but i did kinda expect that when you go from eating 2500 or how ever many calories you eat when you're not dieting... to less than 600 a day, i did expect to lose more weight in the pre-op/post-op stage before i started adding solid food to my diet. Some people do, i didn't. i'm still struggling... i was banded march 30, 2009 and only lost 7lbs pre-op and have only lost another 10 or so since then... it's very frustrating for me. I got on the scale last night at support group -- that I was a speaker at, and had actually gained 2lbs... this journey is very hard for me right now. it's hard for me to stay motivated when i'm not seeing any weight loss or in the case of last night, a weight gain. i knew it was going to take a long time to lose the weight, i just wasn't prepared for the reality of the slowness. i hope that soon, i will start losing consistently and i hope that when you have the surgery, you lose in a constant manner.