Weight Gain.. 3 yrs. post op

[rmahoutx 0]

For the first time since I've been banded I feel bad about myself because I've gained weight. I'm an avid cyclist (bicycle) and had Fluid taken out of my band so I could train. During that time I was hungry all the time and ate pretty much whatever I wanted. Over a six month period I've gained 23 lbs (current weight 160 lbs.) and I'm at a loss... this is the heaviest I've been in years. I had my band tightened but its a fine line for me between just right and too tight.

Has anyone else experienced weight gain? If so, how did you handle it emotionally and what did you do to help get it off? As a side note, I do work out and ride about 80-100 miles a week.

Any insight would be appreciated!

[longlegsally 0]

I wanted to reply - not because of experience - just out of fear that I might be going the same way. This board has a lot of newbies with the same questions about pbing and restriction but no one really talks about what happens a few years out. I'm a year and a half post-op and I am stuck and have gained a few pounds back. I have full restriction and I think maybe you should make sure that you are eating the "right" calories as it looks like you are getting plenty of exercise. Have you started back on any bad eating patterns? Unfortunately, they can fix our stomachs, but they can't fix our brains. The emotional eating is still there if you are an emotional eater. Look at your life right now. Is there anything different going on now that wasn't going on 6 months ago? Maybe you can change it, maybe you can't but addressing it will help.

Try to stick to a diet for 2 weeks and see if anything happens. Go back to your doctor and talk to him/her about it but most importantly don't let it get too far out of control before doing something. Good luck to you. We did this to change our lives and it has. Keep up the good work! :smile2:

[BUNNY7 3]

For the first time since I've been banded I feel bad about myself because I've gained weight. I'm an avid cyclist (bicycle) and had Fluid taken out of my band so I could train. During that time I was hungry all the time and ate pretty much whatever I wanted. Over a six month period I've gained 23 lbs (current weight 160 lbs.) and I'm at a loss... this is the heaviest I've been in years. I had my band tightened but its a fine line for me between just right and too tight.

Has anyone else experienced weight gain? If so, how did you handle it emotionally and what did you do to help get it off? As a side note, I do work out and ride about 80-100 miles a week.

Any insight would be appreciated!

I do feel for you but am wondering as to whether you have gained muscle rather than fat? I know there is a scale that can do the reading which good gyms have. Would you feel happier if your weight gain is associated with muscle which is much heavier than fat?

[honk 780]

"Fluid taken out of my band so I could train. During that time I was hungry all the time and ate pretty much whatever I wanted." I don't want to sound mean spirited but it sounds to me like you shut off your tool (took the saline out), and ate what ever you wanted. The question is was what you wanted unhealthy fattening foods/ and how much of it? I am a big proponent of the 90/10 theory of eating. Eat what you know is the the right way and good for you food 90% of the time and treats (not always dessert) 10%.

When I was preband I was going to meet friends at Chili's for lunch. I normally ordered the bite size burgers with fries. Turns out that meal has 1,000 cal and 100 g of fat! What! No wonder even though I was doing more than 7 hours of cardio a week I was a slow looser.

I have a friend who lost over 50 on WW and who bikes like a fiend. They were noticing some weight gain because they had reintroduced dessert. Guess what they had to cut back on.

Again, I don't want to sound harsh because we all have our food issues. I don't keep carbs like bread, Cereal, crackers in my house because I don't have good control. I wonder if you journaled your food and if necessary went back to weighing all your food you would notice counter productive behavior.

[vlp1968 83]

That's good you are aware of the weight gain and want to do something about it. Sounds like you need to go back to basics when it comes to food choices. What did you eat before when you where loosing? I would go back to those foods. Of course, keep up the cycling! You can correct this minor bump in the road.

[Cocoabean 430]

You are gaining about a pound a week. 3500 calorie excess. You got your band tightened, that is step one. Are you eating by band rules, or are you eating sliders and/or brainlessly eating between meals? Are you drinking liquids with calories? Are you getting all your Water in?

You might try journaling your food to be sure there aren't hidden calories somewhere. Also, if I were cycling that much and knew my diet were truly under control, I'd be in to see my primary care doctor for some bloodwork to be sure everything was working properly.

What has your weight done since your fill?

[BetsyB 9]

I think the "eating just about whatever I wanted" is the problem.

It doesn't matter whether you are banded or not, "eating whatever you want" doesn't work, particularly if you have a history of morbid obesity. Even if you're exercising a lot.

It's great that you've had a fill--now you need to concentrate on making sure your body gets the right fuel in the right amounts.

In your shoes, I'd journal eating and exercise at Fitday.com, to see where you're coming out, in terms of calorie balance or, if you are gadget-minded and can afford it, investing in a BodyBugg for the same type of information, but a little more accurately.