Search the Community

I didn't ever have the depo shot but, before being banded I was on Seasonale Birth Control Pill (they have a generic for this now) for my Endometriosis. It's the one where you only have your period 4 times a year. I've been on it at least 3+ years and have never had a weight gain from it, only from eating too much. It really helps with my Endometriosis and cramps. My surgeon had me go off it in July temporarily because any birth conrol pill can cause blood clots and they wanted to lessen my risks during both my gallbladder and lap-band surgeries. I'll be starting back up on it in September. That might be a better option for those of you having trouble with the depo shot. Of course, that's just my opinion but, I just wanted to tell you all my experience. Hope this helps.

I haven't done band & depo at the same time, but I tried depo a couple of years ago.. ONE TIME.. and gained 30lb in the time I was on it (I think it lasts 3 months?). I never did it again, but I am always weary of the depo, and advise anyone I know with weight issues not to try depo. I'm not sure if any of ther other b/c options work on Endometriosis, but I would definitely ask your doctor giving the depo if they can suggest something with less weight-gain side effects.

Prednisone is a steroid notorious for causing weight gain. I've been on it several times since my VSG and have not experienced any regain. Bottom line is, no matter what medication you are taking, its still comes down to what you eat that causes regain. (And I don't count water weight because it's not "real" weight) You may just have to be a little more diligent about your diet plan if you are taking these types of medications.

I don't think anyone has ever noticed whether I am drinking or not during the meal. Seems like a weird thing to keep track of when out with friends, doesn't it? I got the band so that I could lose weight, so that means following the rules. I wouldn't get the band if I still wanted to continue on with my eating habits as they were pre-band. So, even though this is a hard rule to follow for me, I am still going to do it because my goal is weight loss, not steady weight or weight gain. And since I spent all this money on the band, I am not going to drink while eating and defeat the purpose of the band, seems silly to me.

I agree, six months is nothing. My insurance requires a twelve month MD supervised diet. It is just something that you have to do unless you have the resources to go to a surgeon and self-pay. I suggest if you do that, that you do some serious research about the doctor first. Some are wonderful, some are questionable, some are quacks. Also, you need to set up aftercare in your area BEFORE you go elsewhere and have a band placed. Just some things to take into account. I am also here to tell you that six months means EVERY month. Do NOT miss ONE single monthly visit. If you do not have the resources to self-pay or decide that the six month diet is doable, then start right away! Also you have to find out if your policy has a weight loss requirement during this six month program. If so, you need to make sure you loose that weight or you will be denied. I was, and that was despite letters from two doc's saying it wasn't my fault and that I was sick and on meds that precipitated my weight gain. Good Luck!

I completely understand what you mean! I think the difference for me is that I was so STRICT in the past that if I "messed-up" by eating anything that was unhealthy, I just threw it all away. This past weekend, with permission from my nutritionist, I had a half cheesesteak (no mayo, lite cheese and the bread gutted) and a piece of my birthday cake. It was my birthday and I was not going to jeopardize the surgery or outcome. I had that meal and 4 cocktails.....with no weight gain all weekend. I was so excited. I think I have actually learned to eat in moderation and for the first time in my 40yrs.....listen to my "full" button. Please let me know as you go through your appt how things go for you...how much do you have to lose?

I am one year out, and was stalled for the last 3 months, no weight gain and maybe some inches lost, but scale not moving. Even when I increased my exercise. Been no carb for 3 days and low carb after that for another 3 days and weight is coming off again. My whole body just feels better on low carbs. I like many others did the Adkins diet several times before WLS and lost weight but always regained it. The trick I think is to do low carb while losing and then you can very slowly add more carbs. If you do it slow enough and not just quit the weight is not just regained. Cheri

ok preop i’m 100 more than you - if you just look at % - I am SIGNIFICANTLY heavier than you - and - I did gain about 2 yrs after I went on the merina - weight gain is NOT a side effect listed by the manufacturer - but you can ask 20 people and get 20 different responses - I have 2 good friends on it and neither appear to have gained (OR LOST) since on the merina - Now - on the flip - I used to hemorrhage - think bleed through 3-4 pads in an hour - which is when they think you misscarry - it was impossible to work (i own my own business) and basically I wouldn’t work for the few days when I had my periods - I used to get very bad cramps - in 3 yrs (it might be 4) I haven’t had a cramp - AT ALL - I’m a bitch during my cycle - but really zero cramps... Now - I get that icky nuisance bleeding - rarely ever a clot or any kind of big bleed - I am not fond of weight gain - but I’m ok with that as a trade off for the excessive bleeding. The last few months I didn’t even get that - but last week my psudo period was back. I gained 13% body weight on the merina - over 3 yrs - I also had some excessively stressful years at the same time - so I can’t definitively say I gained with the merina - or i gained with HUGE ASS life stuff - I’ve seen some online forums that vilify Merina - and for me - it works - now - post surgery - and I don’t loose all the weight I’m supposed to - I am open to pulling the Merina and trying albation - but right now I have so much on my plate - I’d rather not screw with one more thing -- JUST MY OPINION - I am neither a medical expert - nor do i play one on tv - Good luck with your decision - for me - it’s worry free - and I like it - on the pill I get high blood pressure - and/but without Merina I had high blood pressure - technically I’m 200 lbs overweight - for what the charts say I should weigh - so who the hell knows....

It doesn't irritate me, I just feel bad for them. I think the maintenance stage will be difficult when the restriction is less and you haven't changed your eating habits. I wish everyone success but there's a reason statistics show a lot of people experience weight gain after maintenance.

I am meeting with surgeon in a couple weeks and we are discussing the sleeve verses bypass. I am 50 years old, no other health concerns except my knees are bad from my extra weight and the obvious.. I am overweight scratch that obese : ) So for those of you who have had bypass I was wondering if you would now have considered the sleeve or visa versa. THANK YOU ahead of time as I am a newbie. Losing weight Gaining Life, Cindy Virden www.cindyvirden.com

Once you get the sleeve the extra weight gained after the band is out comes off super quick Lapband Nov 13 - Removed Sept 16 Gastric Sleeve Jan 16

Banded in 2009; Unbanded 2012 (due to erosion) Lived life 2012-2019 struggling with weight gain and massive depression The decision to have Gastric Sleeve made Oct. 17th, 2019 Contacted my doc for initial consultation (Oct 30th) Self Pay This time...I tell nobody but my CORE family....I can't deal with the stupidity of people who don't understand this life! Here we go....finally getting back to ME Created a new blog to journal ALL of my thoughts and progresses www.SabrinaGoddess.com

I had a reduction done several years ago. Pre surgery and pre weight gain. Mine were naturally huge. Having that surgery helped every aspect. It was easier to exercise, my back improved. It was a major operation for me but never got me as small as I wanted. Recovery was simple. Fast forward to now. When I get to goal I'll investigate having another one. I would say go for it if it's covered. Just find a great surgeon.

Just read the article on weight regain. interesting but the samples are very small -- 26 in one study and 41 in another. I believe one had 96 patients but that is still pretty small to generalize to the total population of vsg patients. Also mean EWL is just the arithmetic average. Some people would be lower and some would be higher than the percentage they present. In a small sample, one or two "deviant" people with huge weight gain could throw off the mean. Using a median (50% above it; 50% below it) might be more meaningful as a middle point. Hard to know without seeing the entire database. As one of the formerly super obese people they mention in the article, at least this is a sign to me to be really vigilant forever about what I put in my mouth. Water, healthy eating, and exercise is a way of life during and after weigh loss and I imagine a lot of people slow down on those, hence the weight gain.

I knew it was coming. I knew I hadn’t lost any weight, or not nearly enough to be pleasing to myself. Sure enough, I’d lost a mere 5 pounds in the past six weeks. Despite the reassurances of the nurse taking my weight that almost everyone had the same difficulties due to the weather being so cold, I knew I could do better. My appetite had been on the increase, and consequently, my caloric intake on my FitDay.com report showed a gradual increase. So, I went in today for my visit, determined to have maybe a couple of cc’s just to nip that trend toward weight gain in the bud. Nope! Once these pounds come off, they are not going back on by golly! See ya! Buh-bye! I’d only lost 5 pounds, but about 4.9 of those pounds was pure fat! Now, that’s a reason to Celebrate. I might have lost more, but Dr. Baptista’s nifty machine said I had Water weight issues. Yes, I did, mostly in a swollen left ankle from doing too much this past weekend. Told ya it was a nifty machine. Finally, that incredibly handsome doctor with the soulful brown eyes and the talented hands (Get your minds out of the gutter! I’m talking about his surgical skills, thank you!) appeared. He seemed to agree that I needed a nudge toward the sweet spot. Thoughtful man that he is, he also remembered I’m needle phobic. He took the time to reassure me while swabbing my port area with alcohol. It was somewhat painful, but more weird than uncomfortable. I hate needles. I am a certified needle phobic with a tendency to faint when shown a hypodermic, much less have one coming at me. Sure, it stung. I expected that. I didn’t expect the second stab of pain when he found the port. I think he used a butterfly or something. My tits were in the way, and I have the good sense not to look down in case I do see a needle. (wry grin) Whew! No matter what, I was glad that part was over. Yes, I’d do it again, if necessary. I knew that immediately. It wasn’t THAT bad. He put some saline in. I was okay with it, and I could feel the change in pressure a bit. That was cool. Then doc had me drink some water and tell him when I felt “full” and when I felt the water go away. I never really felt full, and never really felt it go away. He said I needed more restriction. By the time I drank close to 16 oz of liquid, I had a whopping 4 cc’s in the band. Apparently, I needed more restriction than I’d guessed and that explained why I hadn’t lost. All my loss up to now had been low carb diet and habitual dieting, not a restriction. What a shame. I really thought I’d been close to my Sweet Spot. Oh, well. If millions of others can fiddle with their band until they find bliss, so can I. Well, I’m on liquids for the next couple of days. Fine by me. I’ll pop by Wal-Mart and get some more Meal Replacement shakes. It’ll be interesting to see what happens when I’m allowed solids again. I don't feel anything much when I drink a meal replacement shake, but I'm burping like an adolescent boy with a carbonated soda. :laugh:

I'm in Portland, surgery tomorrow! Revision from sleeve to bypass due to acid reflux and weight gain. Dr Patterson is the surgeon, what about you guys?

I have to say, I've been through several surgeries (thus my weight gain) two parents with different cancers and I've never posted on a forum until now (looked but never participated) you guys are great thank you so much. It's good to hear that I will be constantly ingesting. Since I've done this once before (dumb weight loss show) I know logically that my calorie intake is minimal, it's just a weird feeling to NOT feel hungry and believe I'm actually losing. Woke up w minor tummy pains, so the constant stream of PAC maninzing stuff Into my mouth has subsided but we will see how the day progresses. Thank you!

Okay so after having maybe 2 light periods a year for the last 7 years thanks to the weight gain and PCOS, I have had a period the last 3 months. First month was pretty 'normal', last month was SUPER heavy, and this month has been pretty heavy as well. I've noticed last month and this month that I'm very, VERY drained and tired, and very spacey. I feel very out of it, and like I'm a walking zombie. My blood tests have all been normal since surgery (the last were done 5 months ago, though, so I ordered new ones). I'm fearing that I'm now experiencing iron-deficiency anemia due to these heavy periods. While yes I'm going to speak with my doctor about it and have the blood tests done, I want to know if anyone else has experienced this? If so, other than supplements (I will happily add the Iron patch vitamin if I need to), what have you found to help in the moment when you're feeling super sluggish because of it? I know even when I had a regular period as a teenager (I didn't start showing signs of PCOS/lose my period until I was 20, and I'll be 27 soon), that I was never this rundown and tired. This feels like something is wrong. That's the only reason I started questioning it and researching.

Thanks Kate! Actually I had the bypass then the sleeve. Not bypass, sleeve, bypass. I know. It's a little weird. I have a sleeve now. What contributed to my anorexia was that I already had an eating disorder before i had surgery and the surgery made me worse. Having been anorexic in my past the wls made it easy to be again. And I took it too far. And I relapsed. It was bound to happen. Having a bypass and then converting to a sleeve contributed to me having a severe stricture for almost a year. Those surgeries created a ton of scar tissue. I also had an exploratory, my gallbladder out, and an endoscopy. I ran the gamut. But my eating disorder was there before surgery and sooner or later I would have had to deal with it. I'd say 99% of people who are obese have an eating disorder of some sort. The surgery can most definitely help but also worsen those issues. Most people regain weight because they still have disordered eating and then their wls restriction lessens after time, they go back to their old behavior, namely, dieting. Which causes weight gain. And the whole cycle begins again. No one fails at wls. They fail to address their disordered eating. That's the real issue here. Your way sounds good. As long as you don't feel deprived... then it sounds like you've managed to find stability and happiness. That's what matters.

As a dietitian I often find myself instructing patients to lower their intake of carbohydrates, in fact I’ve said it so many times, and to so many patients, that at times I feel like a broken record. Previous genetic studies into obesity have tended to focus on how genetic variations alter our appetites and food behaviours. However, a new study recently published in Nature Genetics piqued my interest as it suggests that there may in fact be a rather novel genetic link between metabolism and obesity. The study authored by Dr. Mario Falchi from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London investigated the relationship between obesity and a gene called AMY1, the gene responsible for an enzyme present in our saliva known as salivary amylase, the enzyme first encountered by food when it enters the mouth that begins the process of starch digestion. "We are now starting to develop a clearer picture of a combination of genetic factors affecting psychological and metabolic processes that contribute to people's chances of becoming obese. This should ultimately help us to find better ways of tackling obesity," Dr. Mario Falchi says. The number of copies of a gene that a person carries can vary throughout their DNA, although people usually have two copies of each gene. Yet, Dr. Mario Falchi and his team found that the number of copies of this particular AMY1 gene can vary greatly between people. The researchers examined the number of copies of AMY1 present in the DNA of more than 6,000 people from four different countries: the UK, France, Sweden and Singapore. And according to their results, it is those who have a lower number of AMY1 who are most likely to become obese. They determined that AMY1 was the gene that had the greatest influence on body weight and then counted the number of times the gene was repeated in each individual and how this affected their obesity risk. The chance of being obese for people with less than four copies of the AMY1 gene was approximately eight times higher than in those with more than nine copies of this gene. The researchers estimated that with every additional copy of the salivary amylase gene there was approximately a 20 per cent decrease in the odds of becoming obese. This new discovery highlights a strong link between metabolism and obesity and suggests that goes someway to proving that our bodies react differently to the same type and amount of food, leading to weight gain in some but not in others. How we deal with carbohydrates and hence, how much carbohydrate we should be consuming, must be adjusted for each individual. This research indicates genetics may play a role in obesity, and carbohydrate metabolism is very much involved.

As a dietitian I often find myself instructing patients to lower their intake of carbohydrates, in fact I’ve said it so many times, and to so many patients, that at times I feel like a broken record. Previous genetic studies into obesity have tended to focus on how genetic variations alter our appetites and food behaviours. However, a new study recently published in Nature Genetics piqued my interest as it suggests that there may in fact be a rather novel genetic link between metabolism and obesity. The study authored by Dr. Mario Falchi from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London investigated the relationship between obesity and a gene called AMY1, the gene responsible for an enzyme present in our saliva known as salivary amylase, the enzyme first encountered by food when it enters the mouth that begins the process of starch digestion. "We are now starting to develop a clearer picture of a combination of genetic factors affecting psychological and metabolic processes that contribute to people's chances of becoming obese. This should ultimately help us to find better ways of tackling obesity," Dr. Mario Falchi says. The number of copies of a gene that a person carries can vary throughout their DNA, although people usually have two copies of each gene. Yet, Dr. Mario Falchi and his team found that the number of copies of this particular AMY1 gene can vary greatly between people. The researchers examined the number of copies of AMY1 present in the DNA of more than 6,000 people from four different countries: the UK, France, Sweden and Singapore. And according to their results, it is those who have a lower number of AMY1 who are most likely to become obese. They determined that AMY1 was the gene that had the greatest influence on body weight and then counted the number of times the gene was repeated in each individual and how this affected their obesity risk. The chance of being obese for people with less than four copies of the AMY1 gene was approximately eight times higher than in those with more than nine copies of this gene. The researchers estimated that with every additional copy of the salivary amylase gene there was approximately a 20 per cent decrease in the odds of becoming obese. This new discovery highlights a strong link between metabolism and obesity and suggests that goes someway to proving that our bodies react differently to the same type and amount of food, leading to weight gain in some but not in others. How we deal with carbohydrates and hence, how much carbohydrate we should be consuming, must be adjusted for each individual. This research indicates genetics may play a role in obesity, and carbohydrate metabolism is very much involved.

It sounds like you have identified some options for yourself... going to to the hospital and having outpatient interviews, or waiting for an appointment with your PCP. These may not be your first or favorite choices, but I suggest you get both of those things going until you can figure out something better. As a psychiatric social worker, I can tell you that early intervention is the best thing for both Depression and Anxiety. Also, as for the weight gain that comes with some antidepressants, not all are created equal... talk with your whoever you end up seeing when you have your appointment and discuss this concern. There are lots of meds on the market that do not have this side effect. A good one right now that many people have lots of success with is Pristiq. In the mean time while you're waiting for your appointment (which I'm hoping you will schedule today especially since you've already identified might be a wait), please do some self-care and be gentle with yourself. You're just recovering from surgery. You're body and mind are in transition and that's no small adjustment. Allow yourself some grace. It's okay to feel overwhelmed at times, worried, frustrated, uncertain, however you feel. I'm so glad you reached out here. Keep talking to others!

What about weight gain from working out? I have started to gain a little weight and I am wondering when the weight will start coming off.

I know....the scale is like a ball and chain and we can't get rid of it!!! I think Jachut explains some weight gain in the damaged muscles retain water???? I am not sure about that it just sticks in my mind. Keep at it and it will go away and you will be sleaker, sexier and lean...Deanna

I am currently 33 Weeks pregnant and have been concerned about how my weight loss might continue after the baby is born. How have fellow Sleevers that had a baby a little over a year out from surgery got back on track with their weight loss and how difficult it was? My partner and I are both nervous that I won't be able to lose weight. Pregnancy causes weight gain no matter what, but I know I have given into craving more than I would like too. Nothing to crazy but I'm aware that I have strayed a little.