Sad to report, that weight gain can happen post-WLS. Never kid yourself that this surgery will keep the weight off "forever". Forever in the world of weight loss whether surgically induced or not can be a very short time. I haven't really publically mentioned this issue before. Embarrassment? You bet. Denial? You bet. Self-loathing? Perhaps. Okay, maybe not. This past year we've been through heck and back - 5 surgeries for me for breast cancer, Rich's dad being in the hospital for 51 days and then nursing home until his death about 6 weeks later. Stress, stress and more stress. Depression abounded in response to all the stresses. I'm not trying to justify anything here. While, eating in response to stress is something that probably most of you are very familiar with - the bottom line is that Rich and I have both gained. We are greatly displeased. We have a tool and we didn't work it. We grazed our way past the tool often choosing useless white carbohydrates in a pinch to soothe the stress and we have paid the great price. GAIN. Rich had his appointments with our primary care physician and bariatric surgeon. His pre-surgery weight was 450. His lowest weight (for a few days) as a post-op was 239. He hovered for a long time in the 240s. But he is now 297 knocking at the unpleasant door known at the 300s. Yes, a 50+ lb gain. That's 25% of what he lost. The bariatric surgeon wants a stop to it and wants to see him in 3 months rather than the usual 6. Kudos to the bariatric surgeon to try to get the gain under control and him back on track. As for me, my appointments are coming up the week after next (with primary care) and then the week after that with the bariatric surgeon. My WLS consult weight was 276. My weight pre-op (post-pre-op diet) was 244. I hovered in the 160 range (my goal) but earlier this year got down as low as 148. Right now I'm 168. I've been up to 174 so I'm somewhat happy to be back in the 160s but most of all - I do NOT fit in my clothing. I hate it. I had to go back into bigger sizes. My body distribution is totally different. Clothing I wore 2 years ago at 170 do not fit me. I have more in the belly. I suspect with the removal of fat from my breasts (mastectomies), when I gain it goes where the fat cells are meaning belly and thighs. Argh. We are working on recommitting to working the tool we both have and getting back to the gym. Not sure how that will work for me with lower back disc problems again but I'll ease into what I can do. Changes we want to implement: 1. Eliminate the evil white carbs. We've both done well keeping them out of the daily intake before. 2. Eliminate the grazing. For me, I am fine all day long until I enter the house in the evening. I'm solo and therefore pretty unaccountable. I have foraged (grazed) from the minute I get home until I go to sleep and eat what is here whether it is cheese, SF ice cream, bread, etc. Whatever is here was fair game. No more. 3. Eliminate drinking while eating. Nuff said. 4. Eat in a 20-30 minute time frame. Then put it away. More a Rich issue then a me issue. 5. Exercise, exercise, exercise. 6. Protein first and foremost. We are both excellent on vitamins and good on protein shakes. Will continue there! Putting this in writing and admitting this really is so very hard for me. I admit that a few times I've skipped support group gatherings because I didn't want to show up - with an increased weight. Though I suspect that most others wouldn't notice. My sister was here for Rich's dad's services and didn't notice until I pulled up my shirt and she saw my belly. Sadly. LOL. (At least, I can laugh at it now.) I feel like I'm morbidly obese again and I hate how that makes me feel. I need to work on that. Heck, I need to work on alot of this. I'm far from cured for the behaviors that got me obese in the first place. Kathy (baring her soul)

hELLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Anyone home? I've seen some familiar faces on the grads board, but I wanted to check in with my 1st family. How are you guys doing? Me...I had a tough time for a while, but I am back on that horse. I woudl like to wish you all a wonderful holiday season, stay safe and be blessed.

Congrats on your date Sonja. I am 11/6 so we will be surgery buddies. I am having breast reduction and lower body lift. Good luck with your procedure.

I was just reading my weight loss diary. In the beginning, I swore off soda, pasta and hamburgers. I made sure to use a small plate at dinnertime, so as not to over eat. I made sure to drink at least one protein shake per day. I made sure to take all my vitamins. I weighed myself often. I only snacked on foods like soy chips or wheat crackers (triscuits). Now, a little over two years later - I still do all of the above! Oh, I admit, for a little while, I got away from the shakes, only took my vitamins a few times a week instead of daily, and my snack list started to grow. But I recently had a talk with myself, and re-committed to taking care of myself. I did not go through surgery for nothing. I knew this was a commitment for life, and I need to stick to it. I weigh myself everyday - not looking for weight loss like I used to, but keeping myself in check, I do NOT ever want to see weight gain. I exercise several times a week too. How is everyone else doing? Have things changed? Has your mindset changed? Has any one felt the need to re-commit?

I also had the same problem,however I didn't have my band removed my doctor empty it for 6 weeks and problem went away. He is slowly refilling it.No new problem as of yet. My surgery date was 5/20/05 Maybe that would be a option for you Lisa