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Hi Deb, Welcome and congratulations on finding the lapband -I hope you are able to go through with it. Many of us, like you, have lost and gained the weight you describe. The band will 'force' you to see all those behaviors that may have contributed to your weight (overeating, eating too fast, not chewing, etc.) I did notice you said something about hormones and some other reasons for your weight gain and just wanted to suggest you really explore that fully before getting banded - I've had many struggles getting weight off and do follow the 'bandster rules' (not perfectly but pretty darn close) and am just exploring what I know will be a long and probably expensive road to figure out what is going on metabolically/hormonally. However, even if I don't lose another pound the band has helped me in other ways with my eating, etc. Please know i am NOT discouraging you from the band - just suggesting you check out all reasons for not losing weight prior to doing this. Good luck.

After my battle with my insurance company, I was approved. Initially I was told that because I had given birth to twins in the last year, that more than likely that was where my weight gain came from. After they recieved my medical records they saw that I was infact pounds smaller after the birth of my daughters. I had this surgery to improve my health, I have horrible cycles, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and I'm just out of shape. I need to be in good health to take care of my daughters. It has been a struggle for me. The pre-op two weeks diet, i did in moderation, i kicked candy and sodas but i backslide on small portions of food. After surgery on the 28th, i'm scared but a burger sure sounds good. I can not wait to lose this hunger feeling. the only thing keeping me going is the fact that i went through so many doctor visits to get here to screw it all up and I dont want to make myself sick. I'm struggling! I hate the protein drinks! can't drink no more than two, bare drank one today and that was because i put it in coffee. I'm dying for some grits or potatoes. My head hurts alot. taking multi-vit. drinking some water, not really thirsty. I have gas moments and it feels so good to burp. No bowel movement yet. I have consumed a few oz. of chicken broth over the last few days. Any advice?:scared2:

Creatin produces weight gain

weight gain during year 3 is very common - with or without PCOS. Some people have had luck with Weight Watchers, intermittent fasting, or Keto. Some just go back to what they were doing in year 1 - not all the way back to protein shakes and purees, but the whole protein first, then non-starchy vegetables, and maybe an occasional serving of fruit or whole-grain carb. If you do the latter, start tracking (if you're not doing it anymore) to see where you're averaging calorie-wise, and then start cutting back from that. I find that easier to do if I cut 100 calories at a time rather some drastic cut. different methods work for different people - so just find one that works for you. You CAN lose regain - although it's much slower and harder than it was when you were in weight loss mode.

I just want to step in and say to Frumpy, regardless of the weight gain, please take the GERD seriously. I am just a month out from revision to bypass that was necessary because of multiple ulcers and inflammation that occurred despite me taking nexium since my surgery in 2013 and never actually feeling heartburn. We don't have much stomach left after sleeve and we can't afford for GERD to damage it. Gastric bypass makes GERD practically impossible because the bile duct is in a different part of the system from the esophagus and stomach after the bypass. I'm not saying you need bypass but you need to be monitoring the situation with your doctor.

@Stevehud This is true! I still love mine, and don't want to lose them LOL! I have had them since I was in grade school, they are part of me... I agree with whoever said that if they have always been pretty big that you will lose less of them. Mine were large at a normal weight from normal breast tissue/fat, but kept getting bigger in proportion to my weight gain. When I lost to goal with the band they went back to my pre-gain size, but not as perky.

I was banded in Feb, 04, and have never been able to keep a fill. Approx six weeks after a fill, the discomfort would be unbearable, and I would have to get unfilled. Three fills over three years -- three unfills. Done under fluro, esophagitis was always the problem (a sensation of having a lump in your throat; the feeling you get when you start to cry.) Fortunately, I always have restriction w/o any fill, and have manged to lose weight. Fast forward 2 1/2 years, and now I have been diagnosed with GERD. I've had the endoscopy as well as motility study and PH. Lots of reflux going on; sleepless nights due to coughing and wheezing. Aciphex twice a day and now a diagnosis of Barretts esophagus (precancer condition). My surgeon insists that none of this is attributable to the band as "research supports that the band aids GERD symptoms". I believe that the band has put too much pressure on my lower esophagus, and it no longer works as it's supposed to and stays open all the time. This was confirmed by the motility study. So the acid just keeps coming up all day and night. I'm getting very close to having the band removed and possibly trying a VSG. I'm not sure a VSG will help with the GERD symptoms, but I'm afraid of weight gain once the band is removed. My advice is that if you are experiencing heartburn/acid reflux/coughing/wheezing, etc., talk to your doctor. The acid is nasty stuff and can cause some permanent damage if you don't manage it properly.

Hi all! I was banded back in 2003, and it took me 2 years to reach my goal weight. Then came the great lap band slippage of 2005. I went for the corrective procedure and was told all was well, since then I have had nothing but trouble - I've regained 60lbs and can't seem to loose any of it. It's as though EVERYTHING I eat causes me to gain weight - even though my diet consists mostly of veggie Soup (cause its about all I can keep down) and I wake every night choking on reflux, not to mention the constant pain at the port site. So today i went back to my surgeon and as suspected, the band has slipped again. I've discussed my options with Dr.D and have decided the best plan for me is to remove the band and have the revision to a sleeve. Dr.D tells me that I have to remove the band, wait 3 months for my stomach to relax then have the sleeve done. I've tried to argue with him re; the 3 month rest period but considering he is the surgeon, and I have no idea about surgical matters, I didn't get very far in my attempts to get him to do the removal and sleeve in one surgery. Has anyone had the same experience - Band out, few months wait then sleeved? I'm so worried about the weight gain in those 3 months - can anyone share their story? Did you gain weight? How rapidly? Or how did you maintain your weight loss over that time? I'm not going to lie, this is terrifying me - so I thought I'd reach out to fellow banders for support!

Called and they said no but I might need two cormoditys I just have high BP said she would talk to the doctor. Because she doesn't see my referral yet. So I was trying to lose but I think I'm going to stop. Going on vacation and I know I will gain weight unfortunately. So I pray that they will see me when I get back cause Iknow there will be weight gain

I agree! My husband and I are high school sweethearts. When he met me, I weighed 130 pounds. He has stayed with me through my weight gains (mainly from pregnancy). I still love him after losing 111 pounds and I feel the same for him. I am so self conscious with all of my skin issues, but he never complains. I felt so guilty when I asked if we could start saving for a tummy tuck, but he is supportive of me getting one. (We have spent 12,000 between a self pay lapband and revision co-pay) I you have a strong relationship, weight loss should not matter. I do feel though that some people may change when they lose the weight and that could cause them to want to leave their partner, espcially if there are issues before the surgery.

I am 33 years old. MY starting weight was 360 and I am 5'10''. I have lost about a hundred pounds in three months. I exercise often and try to get all my fluids. I still have some skin issues but I have noticed that they are in places that I previously had stretched my skin from weight gain. (example: under my arms) Honestly, it is not yet a serious "issue" for me and I have noticed that places that seem a bit "saggy" one day have improved and tightened up a bit in the weeks to follow. I do not think there is a clear cut answer to your very valid question. I question, I might add, that weighed heavy on my mind prior to my surgery. Everybody's experience is different because there are way too many factors involved. I truly hope that all goes well for you in your journey. Good luck.

I have only told 3 people, my husband, my best friend and a friend I have been re-connecting with from High School Husband doesnt want me to do it because he doesnt want me having surgery. He thinks something bad will happen. Its because of him that I went to the nuritionist and dr before hand to see how I can change my diet (its already what it should be) and to see if there are any other problems with me that could lead to the weight gain (perhaps one... but nothing major) Best Friend: When I told her I went to the seminar she said "You arent going to do that". Mind you she is about 110lbs and eats anything she wants... one of those people :frown: obviously she can't understand how it is to be overweight and everything that comes along with it. Old friend: She was 100% supportive. We trained together to walk a marathon for charity and she saw how I ate and all the exercise I did and my lack of weight loss compared to her so she thought it would be a good idea to go for it :eek: SO yeah, everyone gives you a different reaction.. just sort of have to role with it and od whats best for you!

Skeebo, I can sense your frustration with where you are following your surgery. My surgery is tomorrow (1/3) so I cannot offer any specific information to help you with your situation; however, what I can say is that I have found this forum to be extremely helpful and as you can see by the responses you did get that you at least have more food for thought. Do you know if your doctor checked for any other medical conditions such as Thyroid condition? From your post, it's obvious your weight gain is not from eating, so it has to be something. Much success to you as you work with your medical team to figure out what is going on with your body. Light~ Theresa

Don't do the show for the weight loss, do it for the money and the exposure and the potential money from that! Then you won't have to wait for insurance to pay, you can afford to pay cash! And you could be on Oprah or something! You have the guts for something like that...I think you would be great on the show...I really enjoyed it last go-round. The Good Side: get famous for a few months, win money, have a chef and a trainer, meet lots of nice people, see your beautiful face on TV, take a "vacation" from "real" life and live in TVLand for a few months, and lose weight!!! The Bad Side: get famous, meet mean, competitive, back-stabbing people, don't win a dime, put your life on hold for months just to be embarrassed to see yourself on TV grunting and groaning, and knowing your Ex and former co-workers will see every bit of it, be at the mercy of the producers editing the show to make you look like a B**ch from hell if that's what they want to do...lose weight, gain it back months after you get home and are released from the program, be back at square one and you could have gotten the Band two years ago and kept the weight off and kept your private life to yourself. Wow, no matter how you look at it, there is a good side and a bad side!!! And after all that...I just don't know what you should do. But you would do great on the TV show, I know it!

I know that was funny about what LaMadam said & its true I have lost my humor over this quandry.(sorry LaMadam) I wish I could do both. But I am just really searching for answers & am scared of making the wrong choice. I do need you to know that I am not that excited at about the show- I am more concerned that God is trying to tell me something. Why the call now? Right after I spoke w/the doc's office saying they'd tell me next week. I am set for surgery in 3 weeks, if the insurance says yes.. I just thought I was all set in my mind-you know?? Prepared & ready..I am sorry I'm not explaining myself well. I am going to take a sleeping pill & hopefully be more coherant tomorrow. Thank you all- forevery thing [/quote-Kathy]The Bad Side: get famous, meet mean, competitive, back-stabbing people, don't win a dime, put your life on hold for months just to be embarrassed to see yourself on TV grunting and groaning, and knowing your Ex and former co-workers will see every bit of it, be at the mercy of the producers editing the show to make you look like a B**ch from hell if that's what they want to do...lose weight, gain it back months after you get home and are released from the program, be back at square one and you could have gotten the Band two years ago and kept the weight off and kept your private life to yourself.This is what I am most afraid of.

Givemeglory I am in the same boat. Stuck with most foods, can eat easier and too much at night, and stuck at a plateau the past few months. I started a thread called hungary and eating at night in the Janusry 08 section. I go up or down 1-2 lbs since the beginning of November. I'm so frustrated. Last time I went to the doctor 12/9 I had a .25 unfill. I can't say it helped much but I've been working on my chewing and eating slow so more food is getting down with no weight gain thank god. Girls - Hi everyone - Update Tonight was my first slimming. I thought I ate and chewed okay and then soon after I got this wet mouth feeling, chills, nausea an had to throw up like immediately. Slime and the rest of my food came up (sorry so graphic). I'm trying to pinpoint why that happened after almost a year of being banded. Anyone got any ideas?

Hi All, Just wanted to know what others have experienced. For some reason I am having daily anxiety. I absolutely can't stand it as it hits out of nowhere at all. I am only 17 days Post-Op, take my vitamins daily, and still taking my Metformin until I am blood tested again. I do not want to go on an anti anxiety medication. I had been on Lexapro for 4 years at which point I put on a lot of weight going from a size 4 to 1-2X. I lost all motivation on working out as well. I went off the Lexapro completely 2 months before surgery and started actually caring about myself which is why I decided to do this surgery so I could get my health back on track. Following my weight gain, I developed diabetes, Apnea (now using a C-Pap for a year) and NASH of the liver. I notice exercise helps with the anxiety for sure but I cant seem to get a decent response from the medical community to help me feel better about this. I asked my surgeon why this sudden onset of anxiety that hits for what seems like no reason at all and his response was if I am eating right and exercising that this could be the cause because of sudden change and that maybe people are treating me differently and all of this is causing anxiety. I then told him no - people are not treating me differently. My family is amazing with all of this and I am working out of the house so have not been around others for them to treat me differently. In my case this is absolutely not the case at all. I pressed on asking if chemical changes in the body could be happening due to the surgery that may be causing this and he said yes. Wondering why I had to keep poking to get that response at all and yet because that was not the first response I am even doubting that. Why not just tell me that since I made it clear I am having these spikes out of nowhere and can't figure out why. I am finding myself overthinking everything right now honestly. Wondering how I will tolerate eating anything at this point or will I ever be able to. My doctor keeps his patients on a 5 week post-op liquid diet before you go on to a pureed / soft food diet for another 3 weeks. So unsure of myself right now and considered I made a huge mistake and so very much want to get passed this feeling more than anything in the world. Part of me is happy I did the surgery for my health and the results of weight loss I have seen thus far but another part wonders why I could not get back on track on my own and worried about long term complications. Like once I start eating will I have a sudden stomach leak, will I have no ability to hold down food or end up on liquids for the rest of my life? Will I ever be able to enjoy a glass of wine again and comfortably get on with life in a better more healthy way. Will I end up with Gallstones that cause another surgery or will I have stomach blockage in the future and how will I know if I do? I want to celebrate my choice to have done this and enjoy the weight loss but instead I am having so much self doubt and it's making me miserable. My liver health alone was cause to do this along with the diabetes so what is my damn problem? It is really hard to deal with this and I'm frankly pissed at myself for letting the anxiety get to me. I am considering going back on a lower dose of Lexapro again at least until this simmers down as I am hoping this is a chemical change in my body due to part of the stomach being removed and all the dietary changes just concerned it will make me not give a crap again and go lazy. IDK, if I knew factually this was all going to be a temporary reality then I would do it until the body goes back to normal.

I stopped taking it too…. I was advised to stop taking it preop so I never started again. I have to go see my gynecologist next week so, I guess that's one of the questions I should be asking. I'm also not on my birth control pills – that was another thing they want to meet a stop preop i'm not sure if that will affect any weight gain or Water retention or anything of that nature… I'm on a relatively low dose one. But I can definitely feel the sis coming on and feeling them burst. It's not as bad or I should say frequent when I'm on my meds. What are y'all's experience with them?

Having the same issue with weight gain while working from home during COVID. I don't think we'll be going back to the office any time soon so I need to figure this out. I know I'm eating out of boredom and not exercising enough. I feel like there's nowhere I should be going because of COVID so trying to stay at home as much as possible. SO BORING! I'm 3 years out from VSG and up 15 pounds. Need to get it under control now.

@Jessless great work on the one pound. It all adds up over time. Additionally getting the snacks out of the house always helps! It sounds like you know what the issue is. I had a poop ton of weight gain and I am now down 13 pounds. I’m over the moon. It has been S L O W and steady but I went back to protein first, not drinking with meals, cutting out crappy food, and exercising 4 days a week. We’ve got this. Keep at it and be patient with results.

Everyone's NUT has different suggested diets. Mine says that we ARE allowed full fat ranch, mayo, cheese etc etc since we only eat a few bites at a meal anyway. I however, choose to eat low fat, low carb. I will NOT let myself become overweight again once my goal is reached. Many people are denied this surgery and I appreciate so much that I wasn't. So I will not sabotage myself for a few minutes of satisfaction followed by hours of guilt and possible weight gain. I am taking advantage of the lack of hunger and not listening to my head. Head hunger is the worst. Meal prepping has been a life saver so there are no last minute changes in what I plan to eat. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi, I need help! I had the sleeve in March of 2015. About a year ago I started gaining weight back. I've gained about 25 lbs back. I recently got a personal trainer and have been working out consistently for 2 months. The problem is the scale hasn't moved. My trainer focuses on strength training. So 4 of the 5 days we workout we are lifting and 1 day is cardio for about 30 minutes. He wants me to eat more because of this but physically I can't ( you guys can relate). He wants me to eat more than 1200 calories a day but I'm only getting in about 600. Maybe 700 or 800 on a good day. I just need advice. I don't know if I should cut back on the strength training or revamp my eating (which I don't know what I should do with my eating). I just want to lose the weight I gained so that I can feel better in my body like I did year 1 and 2 after surgery. Any advise who would! Thanks in advanced.

You are asking yourself the right question. At 4 years post sleeve, I can eat anything and everything in large enough quantities to gain weight. And even though I can't eat as much at once as I used to, I can graze all day and eat enough to weigh 300 pounds. Maintenance is hard. And losing any regain is just as hard as losing weight before surgery - almost impossible. So, you have to be diligent all day, every day. Having said that, I would still do it again. What IS different is that I know what it takes to lose weight. For me, a 1200-1500 calorie diet will cause weight gain. I know that I need around 800-900 calories a day to lose, and the year it took to lose my weight taught me how. So just because it's not a magic bullet doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. Only you can decide if you are ready to commit - and it's only worth it if you are committed.

That’s correct, sleeve surgery removes around 75-80% of your tummy but gastric bypass creates a much smaller tummy from your tummy & attaches it to your rerouted intestines. Your remaining tummy is still there after bypass but no food can enter it. Further conversations with your surgeon may be needed to help you understand the differences in the surgeries, how they impact your body & which may be best for your needs. It may help ease some of your nerves too. (Nerves before surgery are very common - fear of the unknown, uncertainty, etc.) With both surgeries your ability to consume large portions is reduced. Initially after either surgery when you start consuming purées you will only be able to eat 1/4 - 1/3 cup of food. This slowly increases. (By 6 months I could eat about a cup of food & now I eat about the recommended serving size or a little less.) And it is possible for you to eventually eat around your smaller tummy which of course results in weight gain & something to be aware of. Changing your eating habits, your relationship with food, understanding the nutritional benefits of food, etc. are vital aspects of losing your weight & maintaining the loss. This is the work you have to do & has nothing to do with the surgery. Many find the temporary changes to our sense taste & sometimes smell after surgery is an opportunity to try different & healthier foods. I have some food sensitivities so I recognise you may as well but are they legitimate food sensitivities or just you don’t like to eat certain foods (taste, texture, etc.)? A dietician can help with this as well. Often working with a therapist is very helpful to work through your relationship ship with find & what is behind your eating habits., as well as your hunger (distinguishing between head hunger & real hunger). Focus on eating your protein first at every meal. Then eat your vegetables. Finally if you are able eat any carbs. This will be the same advice you will be given after surgery & when your able to eat solid foods. There were many meals I only ate my protein & couldn’t or didn’t want to eat anything else. ( I still have days like this almost 4 years out.) Start tracking your food (portion sizes, calories, protein & other macros). There are some great apps you can use. You can be successful with either surgery but after the honeymoon stage when things like your appetite returns, most of your success depends upon you. You have to be ready for the surgery & the changes it brings & the changes you have to make. Surgery was the best thing I ever did. All the best whatever you decide to do.

OMG ..... If it's the Depo Shot..... STOPPPPPPP!!!!!! Years ago they removed the IUD and started me on the Depo... I gained 50lbs in one month.... it was horrible. Look into the Nuvo Ring. It was the best Birth control EVER.... I tried it all, the Pill (nausea all the time), diaphragm (terrible bladder and yeast infections), Condoms with and without foam (latex-sensitive), IUD (terrible bleeding), the shot (major weight gain, but i didn't bleed), then the Ring. It was the only one that worked for me. Then in my 30ies i had a partial hysterectomy.... OMG it was like the heavens parted and the angels were singing.... At 50 i started menopause and it sucks Ass..... I started gaining weight and couldn't control it, no matter what i did. So i decided enough was enough and paid OOP for a revision to the sleeve. Note: All of the birth control was before i was banded in 2009 SW: 232 LW 143: Removal 2017 at 143. Sleeved 8/28/19 at 173.5, today 131.4