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Well congrats on quitting smoking, thats got to be very difficult!! But yeah i just went to my month three group appt and should be having surgery around the same time you are. The only thing i am worried about is my weight gain before surgery. I was unaware until i came upon this site that we have to actually LOSE weight before the surgery. I was kinda border line on the diet, so i figured that the only bad thing would be to lose too much weight. Then i justified my eating because i wouldnt be able to eat what i want after the surgery. Needless to say, im up 10 more pounds in the three months. So now after reading the helpful posts about maintaining or losing weight, i know i have to lose that 10 pounds and then some. lol.. im trying to stay focus and not worry too much but just eat healthy. I know i could do it if i could exercise. So im trying to join the gym, there just so freakin expensive. What are you doing to burn calories?? i would love ideas, i just cant go outside too much right now cuz i have a toddler son that shouldnt be out in the cold weather. and btw, thanks for your response

Thanks @jenn1 So as most say it is a long time battle with managing the foods you eat and the weight gain. I guess it a big jump start and most keep most of their weight off but it's not easy. I guess they have so much vested probably or have better tools to cope with urges. I mean realistically I never really hungry now but love to eat and crave sweets big time. I'm just trying to wrap my brain around how I will be successful long term when I have lost my weight (70lbs) before but have not been able to keep it off. I appreciate your detailed input and congrats on success!!

My weight continues to drop after I started working out. The weight gain could be muscles which in turn will lead to more weight loss and a leaner look.

Nothing to do with weight loss and the band, but just wanted to say hi to you wonderful Australians! I was there two years ago for two weeks. Went to Adalaide, Kangaroo Island, the Great Barrier Reef and the rain forest. Beautiful, beautiful, and what nice people! Wish I stayed longer and saw more! By the way, good luck to you both. I've been at the band thing for a little over 3 months, and despite the few little negative 'downs' (little or no weight loss sometimes, or even once, a weight gain!) it has been an amazing journey, already reaping super rewards (off 3 blood pressure meds, down 4 sizes!). The frustration/grumpiness will pass, I promise! It will visit again from time to time, but like my Mom always said, "This too shall pass." And it always did! Best of luck to you down under!

Well, my friend had her surgery done last Tuesday and all went well. I'm so ready. I have my medical history, my curves papers. I have an appointment for Jan 8 to do all of my testing. I'm already trying to prepare my self and the insurance company hasn't even approved yet. I'm done to a couple of sips of pop a day. I'm weaning my self off of it. I try to remember to eat slow and cut back on my volume at mealtime. That's where I have trouble if its in front of me I want to eat eat eat... seems like I can eat so much before I feel full. I think I'm driving my co-workers, friends and family crazy always talking the lap-band. I hope truely this will change my life. I want to buy cute cloths, go in to a place and not feel like everyone is looking at me judging me. I feel I have been successful in my career (so far) successful with my family (I can see improvements needing to be made) but overall pretty good. Now I'm ready for the body to work well with all the other things I have accomplished. I feel if I don't do something my weight gain over the yrs with catch up with where it affects everthing my career and family. I can still go to six flags and ride with my boys but barely and I'm almost embarressed to get on some stuff. I'm ready, ready, ready,,,,,, I'm ready to get something that will stop my eating alot.... rather my head wants to are not.... :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Is anyone on here post op 4 years or more? Just checking to see how everything is and if there has been any weight gain. It gets so much harder the further out you are. I lost 175 lbs but in the past year gained about 15 lbs back from my lowest. It is extremely hard to lose weight now and I feel like I eat like a normal person again. And I feel like I'm hungry all the time. This is making me nervous. I try eating healthy and exercising but doesn't seem to be helping.

You are all so smart! I actually did find the joke funny - but then started feeling uneasy about it. I'm pretty sure that after you all have brought me back to reality, that I was feeling overly sensitive. I had just faced my doctor with the idea of Gastric surgery, thereby admitting fully to myself that I'm pretty overweight and have no control over my weight gain. I was shaking when I told her so I think my feelings were a bit raw. thanks to all of you!

I know it's normal for your period to be irregular after surgery but seriously?? I'm just about 8 weeks post op and am on my period for the FOURTH time since surgery! Every two weeks I turn around and there she is again! I was on a normal cycle before surgery, am not on any type of birth control and haven't been for quite some time. The most frustrating part is the weight gain randomness... I finally broke a 3 week stall, past the 50 lbs down mark and then BAM I'm up 2-3 lbs again. FRUSTRATED!

Hi Everyone: I hope this message will not encourgage anyone on how i feel. Just needed some support. Been banded since 12/16/11, almost a year has gone by. My weight lost was from 240 to 163. Now since them i have been depressed on what to eat. Its really hard for me to see someone eating a hamburger with a bun! Potatoes, squash, rich, eggs, green beans, broccoli and yorgurt are so hard for me to eat. It doesn't matter how i eat them or cut them, they just don't feel good. I had to change doctor due to moving from another state. I now weight 180 and i don't understand how i gained weight. It don't seem like i eat anything. I have been having a couple glasses of Bailey's Irish Cream! Can you believe i can drink this! There are a lost of days i ask myself why did i do this! Please give me some suggestions. Thanks, Kelly

i got the lapband because i was fat/lazy and overate huge amounts of fast foods, chips etc...i feel once a person accepts what the problem is, they can fix it. i do not have any fills *just a starting primer at surgery and i have no idea how much* but i do watch my caloric intake and try to eat better foods...and i feel is someone gains (65 pounds after a fill), they overate/drank more calories than their bodies burned off and hence the weight gain...i can say this and its true because i did not get over 300+ by dieting.....that being said, you stated you were a success, excuse me, you still are.... so to lose weight, do what you and everyone who has the band is suppose to do...eat better foods in the allotted amounts (stopping at 20 min mark) and let the band control the quantity..i understand fills help with the controlling the quantity......and because you can eat more then the 1 cup (or whatever your dr recommends) doesnt mean you should...that goes for whether someone has the sleeve or band or ds or bypass..you drink/eat more calories than you burn off and you WILL gain weight. again, BEST of luck to you. hope it truly works out.

@melsabells Yes, you will do wonderfully. Your doubts prove you’re human. I felt pretty secure about everything. Some anxiety the night before and during initial admitting at the hospital. Even then, I looked at my husband right before admitting, I rhetorically asked, “I really need this, right? I can’t lose weight any other way?” He said, “you need this.” I felt better after that. I struggle with generalized anxiety. You are going to live moment-to-moment through this process. There’s no doubt in my mind that you will get through this just fine. And, about the 1 lb. weight gain, don’t sweat it. Weight can shift 1or 2 lbs. and not actually be true weight gain. Sending love & light your way...☀️

I'm on the same journey. I had my lapband 14 years ago and 4 children from then on. I maintained weight at 125 for over a decade. But scar tissue and acid reflux problems caused me to get my band emptied in June and I have gained 33 lbs since June:( I had my endoscopy last Monday and I'm getting revision to sleeve on October 3. The rapid weight gain has been really hard and made me very depressed honestly. Keep us posted on your journey ❤️

You're right on schedule to have the fear factor, because the dream is becoming real and we all have the fear that any dream may turn into a nightmare. If you're anything like me you have cried over what may happen and even feel a little guilty. I am a mother of 6, the oldest daughter 23 is married and have given me 2 of the cutest grandsons.When would she not need me? She is a new mother and has many questions on how to do things. My 19 year old son who is becoming an independent young man. Who would tell him how to prepare for the financial problems or his need for little extra cash? Who would tell my budding 11 year old girl what a wonderful person she is and what are cuties? What about my 4 year old son who has a speach disability, he has yet to say his own name and I want to hear it. Then there are my youngest twin girls. 3 years of life and wraped up into me. The truth is if your a mother there is NEVER an opertune time to die for you or for them. I took that knowledge and asked myself how did I want to live the rest of my life. As it was, My bmi was 32, just obese, however I have a heart murmur under illness. Bad knees ( I was a competitive skater as a child )and the extra weight would make them ache. I had a hysterectomy and could not stop the weight gain through exercise and a 1200 calorie diet. I was going to bed at 8 pm out of fatigue. Would my health get better if I would not get the surgery? No, The more weight I put on my heart the more dangerous the surgery, the more weight I put on my knees the harder it would be for me to walk post surgery. In 20 years time if I hadn't had vsg I would be just like my family members who wake up to watch tv until bed time ( If my heart held out ).I decided my children deserved better, I deserved better! I took strength from the pioneers. They came to a world with peril because it gave them and their offspring a chance of a better life. I wanted a better life for me and my family. Although I would not have to go any where near the trama our pioneers did. I had a thought of using the braveory they might have had, to have my surgery. My Dr. can't find my murmur now and it's only been a few months. I have so much energy and I don't even want to go to bed until 11pm and I don't remember when my knees last ached. I can now give my youngest the same play time my oldest had. I'm so glad I had this surgery and I didn't let my fears stop me.

Hello all, I'm Karen. And I am new to all of this, so I hope i do it right. I am a 33 year old wife and mom living in gloucester point VA. Kind of secluded spot, but I have lived in Gloucester most of my life. I have a husband (14 years and counting) and an 11 year old son. I have always been well not skinny. In high school i was a size 16 which to the kids then was practically the size of a house!!!! I am also legally blind, which does tie into my story because I have been that way since 1990. After being married, I had to have knee surgery on both knees from an acident. That is when the real weight gain began. Having no weight bearing for 6 months, no matter how good your diet is, really does bad tricks to your body. I gained most of my weight then. Since then, I have been in and out of the orthopedic ofice. Being almost blind, i can't get out and excercise as much as i would like. I do things close to home, but i can drive, and everyone works so it is difficult to get a ride to the gym. I tried to keep my diet good, but i gave in sometimes. I think thte real deal breaker for me was when last year, I had lost 30 poundsand i was so excited!!! I was getting ready to head out the door and i tweaked my knee, well poop!!! I was in a knee immobilizer for a month,a nd all the weight i lost came rushing back. Even though I kept to my diet, the inactivity killed me. I was SO mad!! Then the orthopedic said the next fix for my knees would be replacement. Um....NO I got in touch with the weight loss surgery center here in Newport News and went to the first seminar in January. I was scared, but I pushed through with it, and had my Sleeve Gastrectomy on May 19th. My doctor is Dr. Terracina at Mary Immaculate Hospital. I have had no ill effects from the surgery thus far. Everything seems to be going well. I can say i don't care for the liquid diet lol, and am not looking forward the the puree either, but if it leads to a healthier me, I'm all for it. So, my weight loss so far is 23 pounds. I was scared really bad as I thought fast loss was bad, but after talking to my doctors I am assured it is normal for rapid loss in the beginning. Well, that is my story up til now. I am getting ready to go and work the treadmill for a while. Karen S.

I went to the info session last night at the U of PA to learn about my options for weight loss surgery. I was suprised to hear the surgeon poo-poo banding in general. He said they are doing less of them now due to instances of re-surgery, complications, weight gain of patients and the wearing out of the band. I was shocked! I went in there having almost made my up mind that the band was for me. He was very much for gastric bypass. Have others experienced this? Is there merit to what he is saying, or do the surgeons have a motive for wanting to do gastric over banding? Appreciate any thoughts!

Okay, I've had several emails and people ask questions about what I'm doing to lose solid numbers every week and I've compiled my list of personal habits (disagree or agree this is just how I'm doing it, feel free to take as little or as much as you want): 1) Protein. I went off the doc's diet after week 3 (bad i know!), I get 90% of my calories from pure protein. I completely avoid carbs like the black plague. I snack on chicken, and whatever I can get my hands on. Yesterday for lunch I had pulled pork bbq, 3 oz and I was done, saved the rest and ate it again for dinner. No sides, no bread, nadda. The bbq was more than enough. 2) Routine is my bff. I know what I'm going to eat every single day before I leave the house, I leave nothing for imagination and I workout with other people so even if I'm not feeling motivated to do it, I know they are waiting on me to show up- there for I actually do my workouts religously. 3) Here's the tough love. 20 minutes is not good enough. 30 minutes is not good enough. 45 minutes is NOT good enough. You need to commit to 1 FULL HOUR EVERY SINGLE DAY to working out. I don't know your schedule but I know this- simple math says it takes 3500 calories to burn 1 lbs of fat, even on a low calorie diet and your BMR helping to burn some calories that still a LOT Of calories that you need to burn. 4) READ the guru's. I've read Jillian Michaels and Bob Harpers books, I've read Oprah's trainers, I've read all the top hollywood trainers books. I've educated myself thoroughly and there are several key things THEY ALL AGREE ON: A) To lose weight you must work out a MINIMUM of 1 hour 6 days a week and it must be intense, not lolly gagging- doesn't matter if it's running, walking, elliptical or what you got to make it intense and get your heart rate to 120. Weight lifting is NECESSARY. At least 3 times a week for 30 minutes at max weight. All the trainers said it, if you want to change your metabolism it starts with weights. Muscle burns more fat. There for increase your muscle. If you rotate a day of weight lifting for cardio, or add them both in for a 2 hour workout 6 days a week, magical things might happen. C) Carbs are the enemy. They all agree. We are a carb heavy society. And because of our sleeves now is the time to back away slowly and reconsider them later. Eat a very heavy protein diet. D) Sugars are the enemy. And you know what I'm talking about. Even the protein shakes are full of crap. Time to step back drink h20 (and none of the other crap) and focus on proteins again. I will miss my smoothies and my fudigcles and my occassional sweet tooth cravings, but do want to lose weight or not? E) DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT eat after 7pm. Water ONLY. Sleeping on a full stomach, partially full, or any thing at all in your stomach will screw with your metabolism in your sleep. Just don't do it. Maybe masters swimming and water polo are my saving grace, but I know several people who've had success with trainers, workout buddies, etc. It's HARD. Period. No matter who we are to get this done. It takes time and commitment. Now, with all this said and done, let me also say that I will NOT be losing ANY weight this week. WHAT?! Why do ask ?! Because my period should be starting tomorrow, and well I got PCOS (PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome which has been a huge factor in why I needed the VSG- my body cannot regulate my hormones or my insulin), and I have always gained between 7 and 10 lbs on my period (sorry guys for the TMI but weight gain is true for the vast majority of women). If I only fluctuate by a pound or so I will be delighted. So this week I'm easing up on myself and just training and ignoring my numbers as they will most likely go up. BE AWARE of your cycles and get a calendar. Start tracking on your calendar, calories consumed, when your period is, when your PMS'ing (which is when your hormones start to surge and the first onset of weight gain pre-period happens) and watch what happens. You might be bloating because you're so close to your cycle. I also get horrific acne- which right now is pretty bad :/ so that's my indicator mother nature is about to come kick my a$$. I work out a LOT. A minimum of 2 to 5 hours a day and that's why I've been dropping numbers. I know a lot of people cannot commit to that, but I'm doing with with a packed schedule and a kid because my health is #1. It's time for me. THIS IS MY TIME. And I don't have anymore time in my life to waste. I'm being as completely proactive as possible. Hope this helps!

I am a newbie here, lots of great info thanks. I have cigna, I started my 6 months of nutrition counsel teo months a go, my BMI was about 37-38 in the two months I put on about ten lbs, the nutritionist says that it won't bear well if I gain weight during the six months of eval. I don't want to disqualify myself. I do have co morbidities, HBP. Will the small weight gain make me lose my insurance coverage? Thanks for the help

I just want to say that I know exactly where you are coming from! I have prayed for a long time for God to show me what i need to do to lose weight and keep it off. And i went to my dr and asked her what kind of diet i needed to be on to lose weight, and she then point blank said....“have you ever considered lapband?” And at first i was kinda stunned and didn't know what to think. But then I started to feel like I had failed bc I haven't been successful on my own. But I realized this surgery is a tool...not a overnight fix....and God knows it's a process, lol...but I need something that will change my life...and I truely feel like God said “this is it, this is your answer”. And of course as soon as I accepted this new chapter the devil has battled me. Making me feel like I will fail if I try this bc I have failed at losing weight my whole life. And then I felt doubt and confusion creep in...BUT then I remembered my Bible says that God does not create confusion....that satan does...so I knew I chose the right path. I am (almost) 27, I have a 6 year old daughter and a great life with my husband. But I feel like I have let them down bc of my weight gain....my weight has held me back for far too long. And i not only want to do this to make them proud of me...but I want to be proud of me. I am still going through my processing stages, and my insurance co. Has an awesome team of supporters that helped me get started. I still have a ways to go....but its exciting, sometimes scary and overwhelming....but I am confident in God that He will give me the strength to accomplish my goals. The devil has told me all my life that im a failure, I am unworthy and I should give up bc I will mess up and fail. BUT I CAN DO ALL* THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENS ME....and so can u! Hold your head up! Rebuke the devil and the lies he is trying to feed u....and put him under your feet! You are a child of the ALMIGHTY and he has set you free! We don't earn forgiveness....he just shows us his love and mercy if we ask! (sorry so long)

all4gizmo. I too have struggled with a little weight gain since having a revision surgery. I have 5 cc in my band and can't tolerate more. I have had to readjust my food intake and mind. Try joing myfitnespal and logging your intake and exercise, it is helping me! Best wishes, Karen,,aka..kll724

It sounds like you are describing cystic acne. That can be a symptom of PCOS. You really should go see an ob/gyn or an endocrinologist and have your hormones checked. Even if it is not PCOS, getting a blood work up is a good thing to see if anything else may be awry. PCOS is an endocrine disorder that affects 5-10% of women in their reproductive years. PCOS stands for poly-cystic ovarian syndrome. It is a not a disease as there is no known cause, but a syndrome (list of symptoms). There is a correlation between insulin resistance and PCOS as well as obesity, however; PCOS can develop in women at any age and weight. PCOS symptoms include weight gain, mainly in the abdomen, cystic acne along the jaw line and chin, absent or irregular menstrual cycles, male pattern hair (chin, chest, back, etc), male pattern baldness, inability to loose weight or looses very slowly no matter what the amount of food or exercise, infertility and miscarriage due to hormonal imbalances usually involving insulin resistance and too many androgens (male hormones) in the body. Many women with PCOS also suffer from depression and skin issues, like eczema, have elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. PCOS cannot be cured, but it can be managed with medications and life style changes. I have PCOS. I developed symptoms at age 16 but was not properly diagnosed until 24. I have been struggling with it and my eating forever. I just got banded on 11/29. I hope with weight loss, some of the symptoms will decrease. Oh, don't try popping cystic acne. They are so deep seated that you will only get minimal release, and it will only inflame them worse; or they won't pop at all without a razor to open it. They can also leave nasty scars. You can try hot cloths on them to relieve the pain and try an over the counter hydrocortisone cream to relieve the inflammation. You may want to consider a dermatologist to see what cleansers and medications that may work for your acne. Good luck.

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.

Grilled tilapia, roasted asparagus and ... yeah ... that's it. I started my pre op two weeks early and no food funerals were had. I figured I had enough food to get me to 264 pounds and I'd eventually have anything I wanted again. No need to started my pre op with a crap load of carbs that would only make it harder and why risk (minor) weight gain just to have to lose it?

LMD that makes sense. I don't have access to long term data but it's what I would have expected logically. Usually with major weightloss there's a "bounce up" of some percentage, sort of no matter what you do. Rebound weight gain usually has something to do with people riding the bounce way too far for way too long. But with the sleeve you just really can't get those whole pepperoni pizza binges and triple sundaes packed in fast enough-- or that's what I kind of figured. Otherwise...if there was a danger of a huge regain, why do it?

Most Drs call the honeymoon period the first 4 - 6 months. That's when the weight just melts away almost effortlessly. You absolutely will keep losing if you're doing the right things and from what I've read it sounds like you have been, it just slows down. Did you read the bottom of Dr. Aceves' page where it says approx. 96% of excess weight will be lost during the first 12 months? Don't worry, you'll do it. About it being harder to lose weight after a weight gain, I was just talking about this with Gabby this morning and she said it's mostly because people are the most diligent right after the surgery and then as time goes on, they slip up. They always will have the tool though, but they have to make the decision to get back to the basics and kick start it in again and thats hard for some people to to, get back in that mindset. Renee`

Kooaburra, Have you every watched the show called "Ruby". It's a reality show following Ruby through her weight loss journey. It's a great show. She weighed over 700 lbs. at one time. I think she is down in the 300's right now. It's similar to your story. She has blocked out years of memory because of something most likely traumatic happening to her when she was young. She is seeling a psychologist and delving into the idea that her weight gain is acting as a barrier. You have gotten some great advise here! :thumbup: