S@ssen@ch

I've suffered from fine/thinning hair since my children were born and have taken hair, skin, and nail supplements for many years. WLS did NOT help the situation. My Hair loss started around 3 months and didn't stop for at least another 3 months. I recommend you look up and read about telogen effluvium.
My advice:
As others have said above, the supplements are likely worthless at this point. If you're already shedding, starting supplements after the fact won't make a big difference. *I took them long before surgery and still got it. The hair you're currently losing was in production at the time of your surgery (see telogen effluvium hair cycle). Meet your nutritional goals set by your doctor. At this point, it won't stop it, but it might help it slow down and help you recover faster/grow your hair back/etc. Consider healthy scalp treatments like massage, oil treatments (castor oil and others) Get plenty of rest and manage stress (stress only makes it worse) Take it from someone who has spent $100s (if not $1000s) of dollars on "supplements," "natural cures," special shampoos, and all sorts of snake oil on hair loss. The best thing you can do is not stress and get your nutrition in.
Today, my regime looks like this:
I still take a daily Hair, Skin, Nails formula (mine also has a lot of other vitamins/minerals, so I justify it like that) Here's the one I take I introduced a collagen supplement (good for hair and hails) I do not wash my hair daily. I usually wash about every other day and if I can stretch it to a 3rd day without looking like an oily mess, I do. I got a scalp massager Here's the one I purchased on Amazon I sleep on a silk pillowcase (it is recommended to reduce breakage) (besides, they say it's also good for the skin and preventing wrinkles) Before I wash, I do a deep scalp massage with follicle-stimulating oils like castor oil or red pimiento or some similar oil meant to moisturize the scalp and strengthen hair follicles. Every time I wash, I use a different Shampoo (I change between 3 favorites) to prevent any build-up that would weigh my hair down or lead to breakage. I recently started washing my hair with cool/cold Water. I cannot believe the difference! My hair immediately felt fuller and was definitely shinier, stronger! If you can tolerate it, I strongly recommend this one.

I've suffered from fine/thinning hair since my children were born and have taken hair, skin, and nail supplements for many years. WLS did NOT help the situation. My Hair loss started around 3 months and didn't stop for at least another 3 months. I recommend you look up and read about telogen effluvium.
My advice:
As others have said above, the supplements are likely worthless at this point. If you're already shedding, starting supplements after the fact won't make a big difference. *I took them long before surgery and still got it. The hair you're currently losing was in production at the time of your surgery (see telogen effluvium hair cycle). Meet your nutritional goals set by your doctor. At this point, it won't stop it, but it might help it slow down and help you recover faster/grow your hair back/etc. Consider healthy scalp treatments like massage, oil treatments (castor oil and others) Get plenty of rest and manage stress (stress only makes it worse) Take it from someone who has spent $100s (if not $1000s) of dollars on "supplements," "natural cures," special shampoos, and all sorts of snake oil on hair loss. The best thing you can do is not stress and get your nutrition in.
Today, my regime looks like this:
I still take a daily Hair, Skin, Nails formula (mine also has a lot of other vitamins/minerals, so I justify it like that) Here's the one I take I introduced a collagen supplement (good for hair and hails) I do not wash my hair daily. I usually wash about every other day and if I can stretch it to a 3rd day without looking like an oily mess, I do. I got a scalp massager Here's the one I purchased on Amazon I sleep on a silk pillowcase (it is recommended to reduce breakage) (besides, they say it's also good for the skin and preventing wrinkles) Before I wash, I do a deep scalp massage with follicle-stimulating oils like castor oil or red pimiento or some similar oil meant to moisturize the scalp and strengthen hair follicles. Every time I wash, I use a different Shampoo (I change between 3 favorites) to prevent any build-up that would weigh my hair down or lead to breakage. I recently started washing my hair with cool/cold Water. I cannot believe the difference! My hair immediately felt fuller and was definitely shinier, stronger! If you can tolerate it, I strongly recommend this one.

Honey, this is exactly what the band is SUPPOSED to do. You WANT to eat, but the band stops you. The "wishing you could eat more" is a whole other subject.
The area of the stomach that is responsible for satiety is in the top portion of your stomach. The bottom portion isn't calling out to you. This is your head thinking you didn't eat enough, aka "head hunger."
When I was banded, I could eat small amounts (usually about 1/2-1cup) of food. The amount of time before I felt hungry again depended on what I ate. If I ate a cookie or cupcake, I was hungry again in about 15 minutes. If I ate solid meat and vegetables, I wasn't hungry for hours. With the lapband, if I ate too quickly or didn't chew my food well enough, it felt like razors trying to pass through that stoma. It hurt so bad and I didn't want to have to experience THAT again, so I'd go back to my chewing/eating slowly/etc. Then I'd forget and the RAZORS would quickly remind me. I never had the "burp" and I'm cleared thing other than once when I had something stuck in the stoma (I hadn't chewed a piece of meat well enough). When my gallbladder went crazy, I had a lot of violent vomiting and my band slipped. I didn't have it out because it failed me. I had it out because it slipped and was giving me reflux for years before the doctors found the slip.
With the sleeve, it is much the same. I eat small amounts, about the same as the band. The amount of time before I feel hungry again is exactly the same as the band. If I eat junk food or high-carb food, it doesn't satisfy me and I'm hungry again very quickly. If I eat a meal with substance, I could go 3 or 4 hours without being hungry. EX: for lunch today I had a small salad and some Tomato Soup. I ate it about an hour ago and I'm still as full right now as I was when I stopped eating. This will probably last me at least another hour or 2. I still have the razor feeling if I eat too fast or don't chew well enough. I get a "hard stop" if I've reached my max capacity, which I try not to do. It's painful and I can get thick saliva that foams.
In comparison between band and sleeve, I'd say they were very similar. I have a firmer "hard stop" with the sleeve, but that's OK. Otherwise, the satiety and consequences of not chewing well enough are the same.
I'm still of the opinion your problem may be related to what and how you're eating. I wasn't able to tolerate fills at all in my band, so I never got the full benefits of having the adjustable restriction, but I never felt like I was starving. Go back to the basics of your bariatric diet. Chew well and eat s-l-o-w. Log everything you eat, so you know how many calories you're getting. If necessary, contact a nutritionist for a diet plan. If you're still struggling after all that, maybe a counselor?
disclaimer: My comments are not intended as medical advice. When in doubt, always contact your doctor.

I don't know...it sounds like your band is doing what it's supposed to do. It is supposed to limit the amount of food you can eat by slowing its movement into your stomach. Think of it as a sort of hour-glass where the sand (food) is held at the top and trickles down into the larger portion of the stomach to be digested.
The kinds of foods you're describing that you can eat "gobs of" are considered "slider foods" that slide right through. Visualize the hour-glass again. If you pour liquid foods or semi-liquid foods, they slide through the opening. I would think you've had similar experiences with smooth Soups, ice creams, puddings, etc.
The key is you're not supposed to be eating those items and if you do, you should be limiting yourself in quantity and frequency.
When you're foods are getting stuck and causing you pain, have you chewed them to a pulp? I saw an article today that we should be chewing to applesauce consistency. I don't know if I could do THAT, but you should be chewing so there are no "chunks" trying to get down. Again...visualize the hour-glass. Chunky food clots up the works.
The band isn't supposed to prevent you from eating things you shouldn't. It's a tool to help you feel fuller, longer and therefore eat less. It's still up to you to eat the right things and eat mindfully, meaning chew well and take breaks. All other WLS have the same issues with slider foods.
My advice: before you consider a revision, start tracking everything you eat. Be honest with the types and quantities of food. Call your doctor and or nutritionist. It sounds to me like you need to get back on track, following the rules. No WLS is the magic ticket out of fat-ville. They're all just tools.
Best of luck!

I had my lap band out as a separate procedure and without any intention of having another weight loss surgery.
The removal was a much easier procedure than the installation. To answer your questions:
It was done outpatient. No hospital stay required. It was brief. I can't say for sure, but less than an hour because I was recovered and we were on our way home by noon (surgery at 7am). Of all the surgeries I've ever had, I would say that it was probably one of the easiest. The port site was the sorest, but even that wasn't bad. I had to take very few pain medications. I recovered very quickly and I was back to work within a couple of days. Even the progression to eating was smoother and faster. On liquids for a day or 2, then right to soft foods. The removal was covered by insurance as a failed implant. Mine had slipped. However, my insurance also covered the original surgery. Word to the wise: make sure you have insurance approval PRIOR to undergoing the procedure. My doctor didn't and I had to fight with the insurance company in a drawn-out appeals process to get it covered. Meanwhile, the surgery center was trying to take me to collections!

I had my lap band out in 2009. I was just miserable with it, constant reflux issues. Felt immediately better having had it removed. It was probably one of the easiest surgeries I've ever had and I had no complications.
I was a little terrified that I'd gain all my weight back but noticed that my portion sizes were still small. I kept up my general lap band-like practices and my weight held steady UNTIL life handed me a big bag of stress and change. As a result, I started stress eating. Over the course of a year and a half, I gained all of my weight back. Fortunately, those pounds didn't bring too many extra friends to the party. Long story short, I had the sleeve in 2017 and am happy with that decision.
Moral of the story: there IS life after the lap band. If you stay the course and do not return to bad habits, you'll keep your weight off. Best of luck to you!

I had GERD before the sleeve. Started getting heartburn about 6 weeks after the sleeve. Began taking Nexium and making some general lifestyle modifications. My 1st year was the worst and by the end, I consulted with a GI specialist to discuss options. We decided to try the stretta procedure and were in the scheduling stages when COVID hit and along with it, all closures/elective procedures/etc. I was left to my own devices for that year and today, I have very little GERD. I still take Nexium, but at this point, I'm taking it every other day with the hopes of eventually getting off of it entirely.

First, let me say that you picked one he// of a time to get sleeved. You're very brave. Me, I was sleeved in the spring but as the holidays approached I grew very anxious. Eating is so integral to my family's holiday season that I had a lot of feelings that I had to work through. Kudos to you! Stay strong!
Second, it does feel like you're eating/drinking on a schedule in those first days/weeks. Hang in there. It gets better.
Lastly, to answer your question on the strictness of the no drinking with eating rule, I'd say it's pretty important and one that I can honestly say that I never break. Not only does it negate some of the benefits of your sleeve, but it also hurts (at least for me anyway). That being said, I was never told not to drink 30 minutes BEFORE I ate. This is where you'll see some variances in advice based on your doctor's preferences. I generally drink right up to when I eat, but NEVER drink with my meal and ALWAYS wait at least 30 minutes.
Think of your new stomach sort of like an hourglass. The sand (food) moves through slowly, but steady. If you introduce liquid into the mix, the liquid effectively "washes" the food through more quickly. By drinking with eating, you will empty your stomach quicker and feel hungry again sooner. So, it's good to get the habit down now while you're on liquids and still swollen from your surgery. At this point, for me, it's a habit and I only notice it when I'm in a restaurant. I always get that quizzical look from the wait staff who are confused when I tell them I don't want anything to drink/don't want refills/etc. "Yes, really. I don't want anything to drink. Not even water."

I can't commiserate with you on the severity of the acid symptoms you're experiencing, mine were much less severe. However, I can offer a suggestion on the change of insurance issue. I moved to a different state after I was sleeved. Therefore my bariatric practice was no longer available to me and most bariatric practices don't want to pick up bariatric care after someone else did the surgery. I was having some GERD issues and was concerned about the long-term use of PPIs, so I went to a gastroenterologist. He is good and understands the issues surrounding VGS.
So, if your insurance prohibits you from going to your bariatric surgeon, go to someone who specializes in stomach issues (gastroenterologist).

I am an avid hot tea drinker, not only for enjoyment but for the health benefits many teas offer. Green teas, herbal teas, you name it. On a day to day basis, I drink my tea with no sweetener. However, honey has medicinal benefits (especially raw, organic honey that is locally harvested). So, when I feel like my immune system needs a little boost, I'll add a little raw, organic honey to my tea. It's especially good with a slice of lemon.

Honey, this is exactly what the band is SUPPOSED to do. You WANT to eat, but the band stops you. The "wishing you could eat more" is a whole other subject.
The area of the stomach that is responsible for satiety is in the top portion of your stomach. The bottom portion isn't calling out to you. This is your head thinking you didn't eat enough, aka "head hunger."
When I was banded, I could eat small amounts (usually about 1/2-1cup) of food. The amount of time before I felt hungry again depended on what I ate. If I ate a cookie or cupcake, I was hungry again in about 15 minutes. If I ate solid meat and vegetables, I wasn't hungry for hours. With the lapband, if I ate too quickly or didn't chew my food well enough, it felt like razors trying to pass through that stoma. It hurt so bad and I didn't want to have to experience THAT again, so I'd go back to my chewing/eating slowly/etc. Then I'd forget and the RAZORS would quickly remind me. I never had the "burp" and I'm cleared thing other than once when I had something stuck in the stoma (I hadn't chewed a piece of meat well enough). When my gallbladder went crazy, I had a lot of violent vomiting and my band slipped. I didn't have it out because it failed me. I had it out because it slipped and was giving me reflux for years before the doctors found the slip.
With the sleeve, it is much the same. I eat small amounts, about the same as the band. The amount of time before I feel hungry again is exactly the same as the band. If I eat junk food or high-carb food, it doesn't satisfy me and I'm hungry again very quickly. If I eat a meal with substance, I could go 3 or 4 hours without being hungry. EX: for lunch today I had a small salad and some Tomato Soup. I ate it about an hour ago and I'm still as full right now as I was when I stopped eating. This will probably last me at least another hour or 2. I still have the razor feeling if I eat too fast or don't chew well enough. I get a "hard stop" if I've reached my max capacity, which I try not to do. It's painful and I can get thick saliva that foams.
In comparison between band and sleeve, I'd say they were very similar. I have a firmer "hard stop" with the sleeve, but that's OK. Otherwise, the satiety and consequences of not chewing well enough are the same.
I'm still of the opinion your problem may be related to what and how you're eating. I wasn't able to tolerate fills at all in my band, so I never got the full benefits of having the adjustable restriction, but I never felt like I was starving. Go back to the basics of your bariatric diet. Chew well and eat s-l-o-w. Log everything you eat, so you know how many calories you're getting. If necessary, contact a nutritionist for a diet plan. If you're still struggling after all that, maybe a counselor?
disclaimer: My comments are not intended as medical advice. When in doubt, always contact your doctor.

I don't know...it sounds like your band is doing what it's supposed to do. It is supposed to limit the amount of food you can eat by slowing its movement into your stomach. Think of it as a sort of hour-glass where the sand (food) is held at the top and trickles down into the larger portion of the stomach to be digested.
The kinds of foods you're describing that you can eat "gobs of" are considered "slider foods" that slide right through. Visualize the hour-glass again. If you pour liquid foods or semi-liquid foods, they slide through the opening. I would think you've had similar experiences with smooth Soups, ice creams, puddings, etc.
The key is you're not supposed to be eating those items and if you do, you should be limiting yourself in quantity and frequency.
When you're foods are getting stuck and causing you pain, have you chewed them to a pulp? I saw an article today that we should be chewing to applesauce consistency. I don't know if I could do THAT, but you should be chewing so there are no "chunks" trying to get down. Again...visualize the hour-glass. Chunky food clots up the works.
The band isn't supposed to prevent you from eating things you shouldn't. It's a tool to help you feel fuller, longer and therefore eat less. It's still up to you to eat the right things and eat mindfully, meaning chew well and take breaks. All other WLS have the same issues with slider foods.
My advice: before you consider a revision, start tracking everything you eat. Be honest with the types and quantities of food. Call your doctor and or nutritionist. It sounds to me like you need to get back on track, following the rules. No WLS is the magic ticket out of fat-ville. They're all just tools.
Best of luck!

If they did a urinary catheter during your surgery, the biggest risk factor is infection. Damage to the structures during catheterization is very rare; possible, but rare.
What you're describing sounds like 2 things/2 different symptoms: Urinary urgency and Urinary retention (the not feeling like you're emptying, then having to "go" more). You should see a doctor for both. Get checked for a urinary tract infection. Both can be symptoms of a urinary tract infection (among other things).
My experience: They did not insert a urinary catheter for my surgery (I know, I asked). But, within about a month after surgery, my urinary issues were better. Before surgery, I dribbled and would easily wet myself if I coughed, sneezed, or laughed too hard. No amount of Kegels seemed to help. After surgery, I no longer dribbled and I these days it's pretty rare for me to have issues with coughing/sneezing/laughing.

If they did a urinary catheter during your surgery, the biggest risk factor is infection. Damage to the structures during catheterization is very rare; possible, but rare.
What you're describing sounds like 2 things/2 different symptoms: Urinary urgency and Urinary retention (the not feeling like you're emptying, then having to "go" more). You should see a doctor for both. Get checked for a urinary tract infection. Both can be symptoms of a urinary tract infection (among other things).
My experience: They did not insert a urinary catheter for my surgery (I know, I asked). But, within about a month after surgery, my urinary issues were better. Before surgery, I dribbled and would easily wet myself if I coughed, sneezed, or laughed too hard. No amount of Kegels seemed to help. After surgery, I no longer dribbled and I these days it's pretty rare for me to have issues with coughing/sneezing/laughing.

I can't commiserate with you on the severity of the acid symptoms you're experiencing, mine were much less severe. However, I can offer a suggestion on the change of insurance issue. I moved to a different state after I was sleeved. Therefore my bariatric practice was no longer available to me and most bariatric practices don't want to pick up bariatric care after someone else did the surgery. I was having some GERD issues and was concerned about the long-term use of PPIs, so I went to a gastroenterologist. He is good and understands the issues surrounding VGS.
So, if your insurance prohibits you from going to your bariatric surgeon, go to someone who specializes in stomach issues (gastroenterologist).

I have full triggers that are in "stages."
Runny nose: caution, you're getting full. You might want to stop now.
Sneeze: You are full. STOP! (This stage has a couple of levels: 1 sneeze is mild. Multiple sneezes mean it's more urgent/severe.)
Hiccups: DANGER, DANGER Will Robinson! STOP, you daft wench!

Three years out....stomach still sounds like deep Water sea creatures mating.

I think this depends largely on the type of work you do. If you work in a relatively sedentary position, you'd be able to safely and comfortably return to work sooner than someone who is on their feet all day or doing heavy lifting.
I work in a sedentary position, in an office with no heavy lifting and I returned to work six days after having surgery. That being said, I was pretty fatigued and needed more frequent breaks in those 1st weeks after surgery. My boss let me work from home for the first week that I returned to work. I sat down on the couch for a lunch break and fell asleep! I slept for an hour and a half!

To answer this...
I don't think it's possible to binge through your entire pantry/freezer in one setting. However, it is possible to graze your way through your day, and depending on what you graze on, you could theoretically get up to 4000 calories. I think the difficulty with maintenance is entirely individual. This is YOUR journey and your own habits/practices dictate the difficulty level. Since COVID lockdown, I noticed that I've reverted back to some old (aka BAD) habits like sweets/baked goods/etc. I'm struggling a little to eliminate those again. It's like crack or something... Fortunately/unfortunately, my husband was recently diagnosed with diabetes and we're getting back on track TOGETHER. So, I guess the point here is that it's easy to revert to old habits. If you have strategies in place to keep yourself on track, maintenance will be much easier. Side note: take advantage of your Bariatric TEAM. Consult your nutritionist as needed. If you need counseling, get it. I'm almost 3 years out and I absolutely cannot eat as much as I could before the sleeve. Can I eat more than I could in the 1st year? Yes, sometimes. That depends on exactly what I'm eating. Some foods fill me up much faster than others, but my typical meal fits on a small dinner plate (like the one you put under your coffee/teacup).

To answer this...
I don't think it's possible to binge through your entire pantry/freezer in one setting. However, it is possible to graze your way through your day, and depending on what you graze on, you could theoretically get up to 4000 calories. I think the difficulty with maintenance is entirely individual. This is YOUR journey and your own habits/practices dictate the difficulty level. Since COVID lockdown, I noticed that I've reverted back to some old (aka BAD) habits like sweets/baked goods/etc. I'm struggling a little to eliminate those again. It's like crack or something... Fortunately/unfortunately, my husband was recently diagnosed with diabetes and we're getting back on track TOGETHER. So, I guess the point here is that it's easy to revert to old habits. If you have strategies in place to keep yourself on track, maintenance will be much easier. Side note: take advantage of your Bariatric TEAM. Consult your nutritionist as needed. If you need counseling, get it. I'm almost 3 years out and I absolutely cannot eat as much as I could before the sleeve. Can I eat more than I could in the 1st year? Yes, sometimes. That depends on exactly what I'm eating. Some foods fill me up much faster than others, but my typical meal fits on a small dinner plate (like the one you put under your coffee/teacup).

To answer this...
I don't think it's possible to binge through your entire pantry/freezer in one setting. However, it is possible to graze your way through your day, and depending on what you graze on, you could theoretically get up to 4000 calories. I think the difficulty with maintenance is entirely individual. This is YOUR journey and your own habits/practices dictate the difficulty level. Since COVID lockdown, I noticed that I've reverted back to some old (aka BAD) habits like sweets/baked goods/etc. I'm struggling a little to eliminate those again. It's like crack or something... Fortunately/unfortunately, my husband was recently diagnosed with diabetes and we're getting back on track TOGETHER. So, I guess the point here is that it's easy to revert to old habits. If you have strategies in place to keep yourself on track, maintenance will be much easier. Side note: take advantage of your Bariatric TEAM. Consult your nutritionist as needed. If you need counseling, get it. I'm almost 3 years out and I absolutely cannot eat as much as I could before the sleeve. Can I eat more than I could in the 1st year? Yes, sometimes. That depends on exactly what I'm eating. Some foods fill me up much faster than others, but my typical meal fits on a small dinner plate (like the one you put under your coffee/teacup).

To answer this...
I don't think it's possible to binge through your entire pantry/freezer in one setting. However, it is possible to graze your way through your day, and depending on what you graze on, you could theoretically get up to 4000 calories. I think the difficulty with maintenance is entirely individual. This is YOUR journey and your own habits/practices dictate the difficulty level. Since COVID lockdown, I noticed that I've reverted back to some old (aka BAD) habits like sweets/baked goods/etc. I'm struggling a little to eliminate those again. It's like crack or something... Fortunately/unfortunately, my husband was recently diagnosed with diabetes and we're getting back on track TOGETHER. So, I guess the point here is that it's easy to revert to old habits. If you have strategies in place to keep yourself on track, maintenance will be much easier. Side note: take advantage of your Bariatric TEAM. Consult your nutritionist as needed. If you need counseling, get it. I'm almost 3 years out and I absolutely cannot eat as much as I could before the sleeve. Can I eat more than I could in the 1st year? Yes, sometimes. That depends on exactly what I'm eating. Some foods fill me up much faster than others, but my typical meal fits on a small dinner plate (like the one you put under your coffee/teacup).

To answer this...
I don't think it's possible to binge through your entire pantry/freezer in one setting. However, it is possible to graze your way through your day, and depending on what you graze on, you could theoretically get up to 4000 calories. I think the difficulty with maintenance is entirely individual. This is YOUR journey and your own habits/practices dictate the difficulty level. Since COVID lockdown, I noticed that I've reverted back to some old (aka BAD) habits like sweets/baked goods/etc. I'm struggling a little to eliminate those again. It's like crack or something... Fortunately/unfortunately, my husband was recently diagnosed with diabetes and we're getting back on track TOGETHER. So, I guess the point here is that it's easy to revert to old habits. If you have strategies in place to keep yourself on track, maintenance will be much easier. Side note: take advantage of your Bariatric TEAM. Consult your nutritionist as needed. If you need counseling, get it. I'm almost 3 years out and I absolutely cannot eat as much as I could before the sleeve. Can I eat more than I could in the 1st year? Yes, sometimes. That depends on exactly what I'm eating. Some foods fill me up much faster than others, but my typical meal fits on a small dinner plate (like the one you put under your coffee/teacup).

I doubt the weight gain is directly responsible for your misery, but I'm not a doctor. I would recommend you contact a doctor. If it were me, I'd consult a gastroenterologist.
Theories on your current situation:
Theory #1: You may have long-term, silent reflux. After a while, it sort of erodes the lining of your stomach and causes an ulcer. Theory #2: The changes in your diet may be contributing to an exacerbation of your reflux. If you have reintroduced diet sodas, are they caffeinated? Caffeine can contribute to acid reflux (as per my doctor). The gluten in bread is more challenging to digest. Not to say you're gluten intolerant, it's just the nature of the beast. If you're eating too late into the evening/too soon before bedtime, you may have residual undigested food that's sort of "laying there" and causing your discomfort. Theory #3: The extra weight MIGHT be causing additional pressure on your diaphragm at night and contributing, but is unlikely a primary cause. Theory #4: A combination of theories 1-3. Long-term, untreated GERD can have lasting consequences. Please consult a doctor. In the meantime, if it were me, I'd implement standard GERD strategies: PPIs (prilosec/nexium), make changes in my diet to avoid foods that contribute, sleep on a wedge/inclined bed, do not eat 3 hours before bedtime, etc. Good luck!

I doubt the weight gain is directly responsible for your misery, but I'm not a doctor. I would recommend you contact a doctor. If it were me, I'd consult a gastroenterologist.
Theories on your current situation:
Theory #1: You may have long-term, silent reflux. After a while, it sort of erodes the lining of your stomach and causes an ulcer. Theory #2: The changes in your diet may be contributing to an exacerbation of your reflux. If you have reintroduced diet sodas, are they caffeinated? Caffeine can contribute to acid reflux (as per my doctor). The gluten in bread is more challenging to digest. Not to say you're gluten intolerant, it's just the nature of the beast. If you're eating too late into the evening/too soon before bedtime, you may have residual undigested food that's sort of "laying there" and causing your discomfort. Theory #3: The extra weight MIGHT be causing additional pressure on your diaphragm at night and contributing, but is unlikely a primary cause. Theory #4: A combination of theories 1-3. Long-term, untreated GERD can have lasting consequences. Please consult a doctor. In the meantime, if it were me, I'd implement standard GERD strategies: PPIs (prilosec/nexium), make changes in my diet to avoid foods that contribute, sleep on a wedge/inclined bed, do not eat 3 hours before bedtime, etc. Good luck!