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I'm one month out now. I have a job where I'm on my feet the majority of the day and lift/ position patients. I was back in 2 weeks. I work 12 hr shifts and while the first week back was tiring it was completely doable. The patient lifting positioning I had to have more help with but I know better than to push it!

I'm one month out today (woo hoo!!) but I'm falling into this trap also... I enjoy yogurt and cheese and sliced meats but there are days when solid proteins do not feel good to my stomach. I have never thrown up-- but I have had moments when I wish I could! At times like those I find it is far easier to eat my slider foods. They don't hurt. I do look forward to the day when I can have all the veggies again! I love veggies, and felt like with the band I was completely banned from them. But as I heal- I am struggling with the urge to fall into bad habits that feel good. I know better. And my weight loss has completely stalled for a while (since day 10 to now day 29) I'm trying to do the right things though and not eat what's easy- not be around it ,not bring it in the house. It's helped. I hope I can lose again.

A lot of people have breakthrough bleeding after surgery or any other trauma. It may end up being a full on bleed or just spotting but it's really typical after such a shock to the system. Bleeding from surgery would likely come out in vomit or stool not vaginal bleeding.

I have gas pains still if I eat or drink too quickly. I didn't have anesthesia gas pains that far out but still feel gas in my shoulders every now and again If I go to fast. I'm one month out. The burning in the esophagus does sound like reflux/ acid. Are you taking a daily ppi?

I am One month out today! I still have bouts of raging waterys... And have even had an "oops I crapped my pants" moment on my way to dinner one night- they were right, never trust a fart! I have found that this week I had formed stools! But I have been eating real food for the most part. Shakes only when I can't get my protein in otherwise. My tummy still has things it likes and things it does not as I try new things. And it lets me know quickly! I am lactose intolerant post op also-- I am hoping it goes away!

The gas x soft gels do not work as well for sleeve patients. The gel outside is broken down after where we need the gas x to work. I was told to avoid the soft gels not because of their size or because they are a pill, but because they just aren't as helpful as the liquid drops, or chewables.

I'm just over 2.5 weeks post op. My surgeon cleared me for full liquids, puréed soups, yogurt and cottage cheese 7 days ago. I find that if I eat anything in the normal food category-soups, cottage cheese, etc. I can only eat a few bites (which I'm totally fine with) but I break out in a full body sweat, I get dizzy and feel like crap after I eat... Then quickly have to run to the restroom and have mild diarrhea almost immediately. Is this normal?? I'm confused! I thought bridging over to more normal foods was going to be so easy! I certainly want them! But it's proving to be quite the challenge. Anyone else in the same boat? Or have you come through it and have advice? Thank you!

I was sleeved on 10/1 and today is my first day back. It's tiring! I work 3 in a row, 12's also. This day could speed up and be over sooner but it has not been bad, just tiring.

I have had the same sort of things happen. I'm switching back to mostly Protein drinks and an occasional snack. Seems to at least keep me out if the bathroom some and make me feel a little better. I'm 16 days post op today.

Thanks all! I feel like it may all be too much too soon mixed with the lactose intolerant spin too most likely. I'm going to try to just stick to my drinks for a while and see if I feel better with just those. Last nights was watery pea soup (no dairy) and it was awful. I start back to work tomorrow and will be happy to just have the protein drinks and focus on getting my fluids and proteins and give my body more time to deal and heal.

I wish I had known the pain in my neck afterwards was a side effect of anesthesia. I wish I had known that there are a few stitches in the abdominal wall where the stomach is removed on the left side... If you maneuver that area too much you can pull a stitch (I did and it hurt like a mofo) and exposes me to hernias later down the line. I wish I had done this before and not had the band. I wish someone would have told me about mango and coconut flavors of isopure so I could make it through the first two weeks of clears more easily.

I put vitamin e cream on my incisions to help lessen their appearance and help control the itching. I wouldn't do that until the steri strips come off (7-10 days) but after that it helps a ton! I'm 2 weeks post op as of yesterday. Mine are healing really nicely and with the added moisture I don't itch like crazy. Hth..

I dated online aLOT!! I found all if the sites to have their charms. Match was easy, and had a lot of activity. Mostly people not looking for something long term... Quickies, friends with benefits, dinner pals, etc. but none that truly wanted something of depth. I didn't care for e harmony the first time I used it. I am an RT and they kept matching me up with trach/ vent dependent men... I need a lover not a patient! Thank you! But I had my band then.. And looked ok. About a size 12. I felt good. I had come a long way from size 20-12. And had the confidence and a strong job and knew I have a lot to offer the right person. I stopped dating the wrong ones just to have something to do. I dated a person until I knew they would never work for me (typically took less than 3 dates, and generally went through them in about a weeks time) I dated a TON of men. I'm not bragging, just stating the facts. I dated a billion "not it's" and a few I really enjoyed. I met my now husband The second week we were both on eharmony. My second run with it, his third over several years. I think we knew before we met each other that it was going to work... But when our first date lasted nearly 6 hours and we both laughed and talked like we had known one another forever it sort if sealed things nicely. Shortly after we started dating I told him about my band, and my infertility due to me weight and he supported me through my band slippage, and held my hand as they rolled me in to surgery to have it removed and my sleeve done. I am so lucky! I found one of the kindest, well put together, sane, fun, caring people I have ever had the pleasure if knowing by online dating. I would have never found him another way. Dating after WLS can get better but you get out of it what you put in. Be honest- about yourself, your goals, and what you want and don't! Learn to weed through the ones who are just going to quickly ask for naked pics.. They can be fun, and tremendous ego boosters but keep your focus on looking for the one who is going to woo YOU! Not just screw you! Eventually you will get tired of the time wasters.. But enjoy the ego boost for a while. You may not see yourself as sexy for a while so it's nice to hear it from others from time to time. Don't let any of the rejections hurt you too badly... We are all looking for our perfect other half and if they don't think you are it--don't try to make yourself fit the mold of what they want. Only you lose in the end of that game. Be true to you and be confident that even if it's not online you will meet someone amazing. And it doesn't matter if they happen to wink at you first or vice versa... Just enjoy and when the right one happens along your path hold on for the ride!!

I had a lot if scar tissue from my band removal and my tummy was very swollen post op. I couldn't even lay on my side for 4 days. But by week 2 I can sleep on my tummy again. It just depends on your individual comfort level I will say that I did pop a stitch in my abdomen at day 8 flipping over (trying to move my pillow) so be careful!

I was sleeved on 10/1. And am a PCOS girl too... My biggest reason for surgery was to try to have a baby. I completely feel you! I have lost about 10 pounds since surgery but have stalled over the last week totally. I didn't expect to see the stall so soon. I knew it would happen eventually... But if I add back calories at all I gain weight. It's scary for me. I walk 2-3 miles several days a week also, and eat/drink around 400 calories per day. It's amazing to me that with so few calories I'm not dropping the weight faster. The doc is ok with my loss so far though. He says to make sure I am getting enough fluids and I try to get a min if 64 per day. And 80-100g protein. How are you doing on fluids and proteins??

What's a tummy teddy?? I assume to hold when you have to cough??? I had a 4 hr class also and it was actually really informative and kind of fun. We got a bunch of samples of vitamins and and a few different protein shakes and powders. I liked that they didn't try to push any one specific product but give us a broad overview and some options. To the starter if the thread-- sounds like you have had a ton of hoops to jump through. Try to keep an open mind when you go the the long visit, it's probably not going to be as bad as you think.

I was told you could do the carnation shakes if you did the sugar free kind, and added a protein supplement. Nestlé makes a packet of unflavored Protein powder that adds 6g (beneprotein), and the carnation and mootopia milk (lactose free milk with 1/3 more protein) put you over the 20g that is suggested per serving. Many like that better because they can't taste the yuck!

Post op I have to be on clear proteins for 2 weeks and that has been hard for me to find. But I found ONE that I like its isopure cocotein. 20g protein, no carbs and 100 calories. It's coconut water flavored. I've also liked the isopure cookies and cream protein powder, and banana cream flavors. They aren't as nasty as many of the other powders, and give you 50g of protein, and 230 calories. If mixed with milk it's even more protein, but they are ok just mixed with water. I have also found that if I CAN't smell them- they taste better. (Any protein shake) so I tend to drink them with a cup with a lid so the smell doesn't smack me in the face.

I had a severe slip, and my bmi is 27. I was a successful bandster by their standards... But my band and I don't get along well. Like you I had horrible reflux and vomiting even with very little fill. But insurance approved my band coming out and sleeve straight away. I was shocked that they were willing to pay for it! After your egd you may be very surprised at how easy it will be to get rid of! Best of luck let us know how it goes!

How long did the nausea stage last?? What did you find that helped it not be so bad? Just getting mentally prepared ... How are you feeling now a few more weeks out?

I paid out if pocket for my band. It was over 11k in hospital and surgeon fees to have it placed. I worked hard to get my band, and have paid dearly with both my mental and physical health since it was placed. I was lead to believe going in that it was permanent, that I would likely never need another invasive procedure (aside from fills) I will now have to have a removal. Do I take responsibility for my decision to have it done YES! I've lived with it and kicked myself for not having the willpower on my own to not need it... But if I had a chance to recoup the money I spent or time I spent in misery... Yep I'd sign up for that! And will... I'm sure it's coming!

I am considering the sleeve too, my band HAS to go!! But when speaking to the doc yesterday he said that I was a "very successful band patient" (regardless of whether my loss was healthy or not. ) I started at 240 with my band and my lowest weight was 165. So I was able to lose 75 pounds and maintain it as long as I stayed filled. My ideal body weight is 140-150. And I was never able to get there with the band even if I threw up everything all of the time! But my doc said that I should ONLY expect to maintain my current weight with the sleeve (~170). Still 20 away from the high end of normal for my bmi scale. I'm a hiker and exercise regularly, and am Willing to use it as the tool it is but I hoped to at least hope for better results. Was anyone else told something similar?? I want to maintain my loss, but I'd like the hope of losing more....

I got banded in May of '10. It was never a happy rind for me. I was slowly raised to restriction 1cc at a time with a month in between fills until I reached 7 cc in an 11 cc band. Since surgery I have never been able to burp. I know weird right?? But never could. My band is fickle there are many days I can eat tons of food and days when I can't swallow my own spit with the same full level with no apparent reason why. I began having horrible reflux about a year and a half after surgery when previously I had no reflux at all. It began getting worse... I paid over $1000 for an EGD. I had horrible acid erosion in my esophagus. My band was unfilled, and I was immediately relieved! But... I gained weight back (~25#, over 6 months) I had lost about 75 with the band. I started at 240, and made it to 164. But after the unfill I was back up to close to 200. I was engaged at the time and wanted to lose some weight for my wedding and couldn't seem to get the weight off on my own so I refilled my band. I have no restriction at 4 cc, at 5 I have terrible reflux... I can't even tolerate the 7 that used to be my "sweet spot" but the truth was, for me even before the reflux the first time, my weight loss was from not being able to keep down food. I would retch after a few bites but still be ravenously hungry... It never was healthy weight loss in my opinion. But I needed the loss so I took it how ever I could find it. We just went on our honeymoon and something happened-- I stopped being able to hold food down at all. And my reflux which was mostly controlled with dexilant became horrible. I would wake up projectile vomiting straight stomach acid through my nose. I can feel every food I eat sitting in my esophagus for hours and hours... It bobs up and down. I can't even keep down broth at this point. I was in Italy until last week and could not do anything about it. When I returned home, we have recently moved and I am 5 hours away from my previous surgeon. No doc would unfill my band. I am completely suffering, can't keep down anything and the docs are basically telling me I need to pay them $1000 to be accepted as a transfer patient???? WTH??? I could get an unfill in dallas for $50! But I did pay the fee and was referred to have a barium swallow... I did that last Friday I was called after and told by the surgeons office that the band had slipped pretty dramatically and if I experienced and further "trauma or changes" to go the ER. But otherwise they would unfill me tomorrow when I finally get to meet the doc. I want the unfill, but I feat that because of the slip it may not fix the problem.... I figure they will push for removal and possible revision. I'm looking at my options. I want to have babies soon and I am a PCOS'er. I'm currently 170 pounds. I still do not have regular cycles. My re said the only way I would ever be able to ovulate on my own will be to get at or under my ideal body weight. Which I can't attain with the band in place and holding nothing down. I'm feeling very discouraged and need to know if anyone else had similar stories? I would like to know if anyone is a revision pt in the Austin Tx area... I would like to hear the good bad and uglies of the sleeve and if I should consider it or just leave my band unfilled in its place??? I'm scared and craving relief from the hell of my band. But I'm scared of a new procedure and what hells it might entail also... Advice??

I very much do not want to cause any permanent damage. I am afraid I already have though I will learn more today... And I thought I was posting to the band to sleeve area, sorry if it is in the wrong spot ;(