Help Gaining weight Back

I had lap band 6 years ago. I went from 295 to 190. I have gained 26 pounds back in a year. I found out I was going through menopause at 43 need hormones but hate taking them because of weight gain . I have had two fills in the last year but they do not seem to work as they did before. I am getting very upset!! I have to lose the weight I have gained. I need help!!

All too easy to do, isn't it! I was banded just before you and know from personal experience. I got to my lowest weight ( too thin!) after about 15 months, deliberately regained a few pounds and then stayed about the same for a while. But after a year or so, the fight back began! People post to say " X pounds lost forever" - would that were the case!

Generally, I keep in line by weighing every single day and if I go above my 7 lb comfort zone, I go back to proper band eating. But in the five years since reaching my target I have twice gone way over. Once 28lbs, currently about 14.

For me the only say back is to go on to a diet! I lost by eating small amounts of everything rather than counting and dieting. But now, to get back to where I should be, I diet.

I think your first step needs to be another fill perhaps?

Good luck, Kate

I am 3 years post-op.  I too have struggled with regain over the last year.  I just can't seem to be consistent.  I have a few good days- then bam craving**** and I overeat on food I shouldn't be eating.  This weekend has been bad, much more junk at my parents then I thought.  My plan was to just "cheat" on Thanksgiving but I haven't stuck to that plan at all. Today is a new day!  Just know you are not alone.

I agree with Kate. I think you probably need another fill (or more). I would schedule an appointment with your surgeon and dietitian to talk about the weight regain, check your current fill level (in case you have a leak), and come up with a plan.

Also, I suggest that you talk to your GYN about the hormone replacement therapy. It may be possible to reduce your dose. I started menopause at age 38 (early menopause runs in my family) and did HRT for much longer than I really needed to. HRT increases the risk for breast cancer and other serious illnesses. When I moved from MA to TN, my new GYN strongly recommended stopping the HRT and much to my surprise (and relief), the menopause symptoms did not return.  

I have an acquaintance who uses bioidentical hormones and says they work well and with minimal side effects. She got them from a local compounding  pharmacy. The bioidentical hormones are formulated especially for the individual patient based on a blood test. The mainstream medical community questions the use of bioidentical hormones but once you find a compounding pharmacy (just ask at the pharmacy you use now), you can talk to the pharmacist about the benefits and risks involved.

In the meantime, give yourself some credit for taking action now, before the 26 pounds creep up to 100 pounds.

Jean

Hi Kennedy !
Great advice from kate and jean! Glad you came back to ask for help. I am 5 yrs. out. I have about 12 pounds to lose, myself. I do not believe i need a fill though. Grazing and bad carbs
( processed foods) crept in. I eat very clean, but as of lately I have made some poor choices.

Back to basics; journal food, eat dense protien, whole foods ( veggies and fruit). Water, no alcohol. Alcohol leaves us to uninhibited ( hubby may like the unhibitedness, but it sets you up for cravings too). Weigh and measure. When we stop doing that portions slowly grow. Attend support group meetings, you are not alone in weight gain!

No pizza, chips, bread, crackers or candy!

I am hosting a (commit to be fit post ). Just commit to however many minutes of exercise that you can for a week, and at end of week submit your minutes. Jean posts a daily ( what are you eating post). A Few things for accountability.

Ahhhh hormones! I do not use synthetic hormones! I do swear by my bio identical hormones! And so happy for it. Insurance won't or tend not to cover it. But I have an OBGYN who supports it. He does blood work (and orders my pellets according to my blood levels. Inserts into my tushy) and I use an progesterone at night, comes from a compounding pharmacy). Something to look into, of course their are doctors who frown upon it, but, then there are doctors who frown upon WLS too!

Good luck, and hope to see you posting ,
Prek3

Hey...I am going through menopause too, I am getting more hot flashes now...ARGH...when you say your fills are no longer working, do you mean you are getting more hungry despite getting more fills? If that is the case you may want to check the status of your band to make sure you don't have pouch dilation.....I had pouch dilation and a hiatal hernia and it did not matter if I got more fill, my old band was no longer effective and fills no longer worked...I had to eventually get a new band to kick start my weight loss again. I hope that;s not your problem.

Thank you all for the response I am planning to have a upper GI. Good luck to you all! I will keep you updated!

I agree with Jean M,

Eating high calorie food and taking rest may also helps you to increase your weight. But in that case you may also invite some other problems too.

So, have a healthy vegetarian foods and do basic work with less physical toil. It will naturally helps you in weight gaining and also keeps you fit and also prevents extra weight gain.