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Yay for new babies Janine!!! Lol. My mom because a Grandma when she was 38. Maybe she was 39. I don't remember... Lol. Went out to eat at Sweet Tomatoes with a friend tonight. I love going to eat with her. She is my super thin friend and she has been nothing but supportive of me from the begining. She is the only friend that I have who knows about my band, and will still go out and eat with me. Seriously. Maybe a few others will go out with me, but they hate watching me eat tiny portions, and tiny bites and chewing. Honestly, I hate watching them scarf down huge bites of things I could never dare to eat. Lol. Oh well. ANYWAY... so we went out and I seriously paid $10 to eat like 6 peas, a few peices of shredded cheese, 1 crouton, 1 small broccoli head, 2 sips of broccoli and cheese soup, and a few sunflower seeds!!! Thats insanity. We laughed really hard about it and she said that she was going back for 'thirds' to finish eating our moneys worth. Haha. We had a good time. Missy - I know what you mean about the scale... this morning I was back at 280.1. yesterday morning I was at 279.1. But (here's nasty TMI talk) I realized I hadn't had a bowel movement in like 3 days. So I doubled up on the fiber today, which just made me gassy. I really felt like I SHOULD go tonight, so I did a suppository! Haha. I was desperate! I feel about 5 pounds lighter now. :redface: Yay me!

Thanks everyone for your input, that is why I love this site so much. I went for bike ride came back and saw all these replies. So let me start by saying yes I agree that my Protein and calories are low but every time I eaten food this week and for the past 3 weeks I experienced pain under my left breast. That pain is why I am still drinking a Protein shake or protein hot chocolate in the morning, even though my Dr told me to stop the liquid Protein. This morning I had Think Thin protein oatmeal and within 4 small bites I had pain. I read the paper and 15 minutes later went back to it and was able to finish the cup. My Dr says I should be done eating in 20 minutes and only eat 3 times a day. It took me about 7 minutes to eat those 4 bites, waited 15 minutes that is 22 minutes and it took another 20 minutes after that to finish the rest of the cup. If I had stopped at the 20 minute mark I would have only had the 4 bites. To eat all that food which is only 1.76 oz till you mix it with Water (not sure how much that makes) in 20 minutes I can't do it. I always was a slow eater. Questions So do I blow off his 20 minutes and just keep eating with the breaks in between?Do I keep to the 3 times a day or just blow that off too and eat more often? Next Sodium I went back and looked at the sodium here is what I found Sunday 1,395 Monday 1.611 Tuesday 1,347 Wednesday 739 Thursday 839 Friday 856 Saturday 786 Was surprised to see that some items the Dr said I should eat were so high in sodium like the turkey lunch meat, the Lentil Soups and the cheeses. The Dr's office doesn't have a dietitian on staff yet, they are trying to get one on board and as of 2 weeks ago they were still working out insurance approvals and scheduling for her. Questions what should my sodium being? Should I eat more like what Ann was eating at 6 weeks 550 to 800 65 to 88 protein? By the way Ann that was very helpful, thanks. As for the Dr here is the info on him Medical Director of the Institute for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Board Certified, General Surgery Fellow of the American College of Surgeons Member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons He is highly regarded among his peers for his technical skills, excellent outcomes and low complication rates. On staff at our Medical Center since 1995, He started the bariatric surgery program in 2000 with an extensive background in weight loss surgery. The Dr. trained under Dr. Alan Wittgrove, pioneer of the Laparoscopic approach of Gastric Bypass Surgery and the first surgeon to perform a Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass in the world. Since then, the Dr. has performed thousands of Laparoscopic weight loss surgery and has trained 36 surgical teams from around the world in his techniques. After graduating from Birmingham Southern College, the Dr. attended the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. He completed an internship and residency in General Surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami, Florida. The Dr. is proficient in both open incision and Laparoscopic weight loss surgery. In addition to bariatric surgery, he performs an entire range of general surgery, including gallbladder removal, hernia repairs, heartburn surgery, colon and intestinal surgery, stomach surgery and skin cancer surgery. Sorry I do not know how to take off the blue since I copied the info above and pasted it. However to answer the other question. Yes I am having constipation problems. TMI probably!! I use to go every day before surgery and in these almost 6 weeks I can count on 1 hand how many times I went. When I do go it is very little. I tired the Citrucel twice that the Dr told me to take and it is disgusting to drink. So what do I do? To be up 6 pounds in one week is very discouraging to me. I agree I probably need to just weigh once a week and not every day. Thanks everyone for being here for me as I am on this journey alone. No family and friends I can talk to except for all of you here.

Dumping comes from the other end! And for those of you experiencing the horrible constipation I def recommend getting your fiber in every day. I was not going to share but two weeks ago I had to go to the ER because I could not pass my BM and had to do a manual kinda thing. I felt like dying due to embarrassment but I'm not going to lie it was like having an elephant off my chest. I learned my lesson and decided on a probiotic and or activia yogurt! Ok that was my lil TMI

TMI the constipation is REAL. I bought Medicated Laxative Suppositories and it worked like a charm.

This is gonna be TMI and nasty, since it's all about constipation. 30 days post-op and yesterday was the absolute worst day I've had. I can't recall being in as much pain and discomfort in all 43 years of my life. My post-op constipation has been ongoing. Generally there's been 3-4 days between bowel movements and every bowel movement has taken a lot of effort. Yesterday...yesterday was a whole new world of suffering. I was on day 4 since the last BM and woke up knowing I was backed up and I was going to have one at some point soon. Except 5 trips to the bathroom yielded nothing but straining and discomfort. I ended up going home early because I was so uncomfortable. Came home and downed 60ml of milk of magnesia and prayed it would work fast. It didn't. Ran to the store for Miralax (which my surgeon wanted me to avoid for the time being) and an enema kit. Drank the Miralax, despite knowing it wasn't going to actually do anything right away, but would hopefully start the process of helping going forward. Called my primary care because I was in so much pain and was pretty much told to drink MoM and start on Miralax and definitely use the enema to hopefully break things up and make it easier. Waited a couple of hours to see if I could pass anything on my own or if the MoM was helping. Nothing but liquid and blood from hemorrhoids for my trouble. Finally gave in and used an enema. Met with even higher levels of pain as I expelled the liquid, but nothing else. Spent 20 minutes on the toilet in agony and tears, on the verge of asking to be rushed to the ER. I could not physically stop straining to pass what was blocked. I was finally able to get it to pass and was horrified by what had finally left my body. I am 99% certain I was on the verge of a fecal impaction based on what finally came out. The diameter was about 1.5" and probably a total of 12" in length. I ended up having one more loose movement about 45 minutes later which may have been from the MoM or remnants of the enema...not sure. Then followed 8 hours of added agony in the aftermath where extra strength Tylenol did very little to ease the discomfort. Sitting down? Hurt. Standing up? Hurt. Lying down? Hurt. Went to bed around 10pm. Fell asleep around 1am when the pain finally started to subside. No BM this morning. Mixed Miralax in with my breakfast protein shake. Not sure if I should do more MoM today or not. Need to go to the store and get Benefiber since the Celebrate powder clearly doesn't have enough fiber in it for me. But the worst thing is that I am genuinely afraid of trying to go to bathroom now. I can't go through that again. I would gladly take the pain from the first two days post-op back if I could get rid of this constipation. I really hope that I can get past this.

oh yeah well i can say this for sure that the pain is much better day by day :Banane37:. Well as far as the drinking part i was given ice chips and water about 2 hours after surgery. (the nurse offered me a diet soda but as far as i know we aren't supposed to have anything carbonated so i just didn;t drink it). the water stayed down with no feelings of nausea. I only got a lil nausea when i stood up to walk up and down the hall which was about 3 1/2 hours post op. my surgery was schedualed for 8am and i was out by 2:30 ish. Now i am drinking water. and i mix in some of that kelogs potein water to get some protein. My insicions are doing well except for 1 that is well sorry if this is TMI but it's ight under mt breast and it kinda is rubbing on it. I just put a paper towel on top of it to prevent running. no gas problems but i been using the gas-x strips just in case. i take bout 2 a day. as far as home i live with my parents but really i can do everything for myself. i showered the next day after surgery but immediatly took something for pain. i do work but i have 2 weeks off before i go back to work or school :sleep2: oh yeah andi don't have any children but if i did i wouldn't be able to care for them much. i have pretty much just beenlaying around on the couch for the last 2 days. oh and also it is painful to sleep laying down so i have been sleeping on the couch sitting up. i have heard people say it is very comfertable to sleep in a recliner.

I am 4 days post op (sleeve) and had a tiny poop today. We're talking between the size of a regular M&M and a peanut M&M. Still a victory and not surprising, considering all I have had is liquid for 2 days pre-op and 3 days post. By the way, I've always been a regular pooper...hope that's not TMI!!

This might be TMI but..... Being able to use the restroom in the smaller stalls [emoji7] Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

Ok gals...Sorry to let you know I had no staples! I have steri strips over the glued incisions....One just fell off tonight up by my cleavage...my bra must have rubbed it too much! TMI Last year I had staples after my hysterectomy and they really do not hurt coming out...if you two are pierced and tatooed I think you can handle it. Kammi ...glad to hear you and hubby are doing great! I am doing great also...I really have never napped yet. I got home Thursday and was druggy and laid about then slept really well considering I hadn't slept much since the night before the day before surgery. I went walking around the store on Friday morning and then just hung out at home...Sat I went out 3 times to places just to walk...it is too hot to walk outside here... Sunday I was out several hours with a friend even went to restuarant...I am on mushy's so had refried beans... Same with Monday...drove around with my DH as he had things to deliver and then I window shopped and walked from like 10 - 3...was tired when we got back and just hung out at home... Today, I went by my school to see everyone...theyare teaching summer school but NOT ME this year...yea....Then went out to lunch with the family...had hummus and some banana.....then bought a pair of shoes...then tonight went to the casino and played slots and walked around...got my free 2 buffets....watched hubby pig out while I had some salmon and sf jello.... Now I ready for bed...so I guess the sooner your body lets you get back to life...the better you are.... What I am NOT doing is playing MOM...lucky for me my kids are older and can take care of themselves and me if needed... I guess I am just lucky because I bounced back last year after my hyster pretty much the same way... I have not taken pain meds since Thursday PM...well really early Friday am...I think that has really helped plus I am allowed soft food...have been eating since Sat, My surgery was Wednesday... 1 week ago tomarrow! MY port area definitely gets sore every now and then but I am being careful when I get up and I do not try and bend down.... So, that is my story...I am really sorry some of you are so miserable and I wish the best for all of you. I am not writing this to make any one feel bad...I just think those waiting to be banded should hear everyone's experiences..good and bead so they are prepared! Be well everyone....OH yeah I am down about 7 pounds since my weigh-in at the hospital! MY ticker reflects the when I started the process and preparing for all of this...I worked hard preop...I think it helped me! My blood sugars have been great too! And BP! Yea I am on the road to health!

I am on week 2 of my liquid diet. My surgery is in 2 days. Today, I was sitting watching a movie. I felt a little funny and then an orange liquid came out of my bum and soiled my clothing. It did not look like poo at all. It looked like orange water, slightly transparent. Is this because of the liquid diet?

Just a quick hello before I get ready for another food party---football party at my sister's house. I am right now drinking a latte shake sample. I forget who makes it but it is nasty! I am drinking though because I will be danmend if I waste it. This is where it works to buy samples, sure am glad that I did not invest any real money in a bucket of this toxic crapola! Steph-I cannot believe you have a 22 year old. Although, my Mom and Dad are 19 years older than I am so I know what that is like. IT is cool having young parents though since we are so close. My mom is like a friend to me (now-not when I was younger!). I had my first at 24 and felt so young, I don't know how my parents did it. And I turned out pretty well (except for the fat thing-haha). Feta cheese is one of my favorite foods and I was drooling over your feta and olives. I am craving a spinach bake with low fat feta and low fat cream cheese. Like a creamed spinach. I cannot wait to have a little of that. Is that considered a mushy??? Can anything be a mushy if you just mash the heck out of it? What a good daughter you have going to do missions. That is great. It is amazing how quickly we all forget and I thank you for the reminder. BKwalling-glad you found out what that pain was. I am sorry you had to go to the ER. I am telling you though, every little pain I get freaks me out like I think something is wrong. I am sure it is mostly healing pain but it really does give me the creeps when I get weird sensations. I have turned into a hypochondriac! Beversman-I am trying to think how many parties I have been too. I think it is 7 and all since surgery. Ugh-but it is not popularity but having big families with divorced parents. I don't have time for friend parties and had to decline the offers to go to family parties. haha. But I should be done until Easter! Thankfully. Okay-lots of talk about burping. I amnot burping at all. Not since the fist post op days when I was really gassy. But I do have more gas from the other, less pleasant end. Just loud but not particularly offensive (at least not to me-hehe). I sound like a trumpet. hahahahahaha sorry, TMI. I need to get my house picked up and my kids are driving me batty today so I will talk to you all later.

ok about me im fine mostly...got bump been pushing out last two weeks mixture of baby and holiday choccies i think...lol the absolutely amazing thing is im lightest weight im 176 pounds if my maths right 12st 7lbs and six months pregnant on tuesday so pretty fecking amazing think babies eating all my calories..lol(my target after baby now 11 stone was 12 but when i was 19st 4 at the beginning i imagined i would be skinny at 12 ......not !!! so at 5ft 8 i think 11 be right although i will need some serious tucking done look like someone let the air out....ewww ok bad side im really bad with acid reflux so bending down sends acid into mouth and throat and while eating and sleeping so pretty much all day and night so intake at moment dire ,also constipation & wait for it piles .ewwww tmi so afraid to crap so this might be longest 3 months of my life band fully open so cant do anything else to help myself im sure it pregnancy& band and now baby expanded into chest area putting pressure up into tummy it not a good thing,also port sticking out like knob on old tvs.......lol aint pregnancy great !!!!

Hey guys! TMI but I need your help So I'm having bit of trouble.. so I did number 2 yesterday and it was solid.. then it was liquidy... right.. so I took some smooth move tea so that I can get things back to normal. And I woke up with a lot of gas but had to strain to poop.. and it was just a little bit .. and it hurts.. i feel bloated :( what do I do :(

hi girls. Bk - yes I pb - sometimes everyday sometimes once a week. Who the heck knows why or when its going to get bitchy? I also do something I'm ashamed to say but heck if I can't tell all of you then who can I tell? If I over eat and feel crappy - I get a ache between my shoulder blades, its not enough to make me pb, but its when I know I just took a bite too much, I stick my finger down my throat. I know its probably not a good thing to be doing and its not like I do it everyday or even every week. I am concerned that its not good for the band but then its not even like throwing up, its like when a baby has had a little too much and you pat his back, up comes that little bit of milk. Well thats about what its like for me. Sometimes I just take a drink of water to get it up but I usually need to gag myself. And its crazy bc I never could see how anyone could make themselves throw up, I thought even if I had wanted to I didnt' think I could but my gag reflex is so much stronger now. Last night when the kids were here the little one pooped and I had to wipe her butt (its been a long time since I've had to wipe a butt) and it gagged me - like I felt the food come up in my throat kinda gag. LOL ok sorry way tmi!!! Sweet - lucky you going to Rome! I've always wanted to go there too - have a wonderful time! Va - good luck on your fill and your trip to Co. I hope you have good weather. Bman - we have the same crappy weather here. Its been raining now the last few days and they are calling for a major drop in temps tonight so it'll be freezing rain I supose. I'd rather have snow. Well I'm off, gotta run to the bank, dd #2 is coming home at 11 and we're going to lunch and getting the nails done. She has the Christmas dance on Sat. and I have a Christmas party on Friday.

I was released from the hospital today - YAY! Finding that I have slept most of the time. I'm a little more nauseous than I was in the hosp, and TMI, but pooping is taking it out of me. My NUT says I need to be at 80g protein, but that will take time. Work up to it. I'm shooting for 40 tomorrow. 60 if I can manage it.

TMI WARNING!!: Yeah I haven't seen my hooey (borrowed that nickname from Scrubs ) without mirror assistance for a loooong time. hope to lose a lt of fat from that area - sorry, but honestly, when I'm just in underwear and looking in the mirror it looks like I've got a Cornish game hen in my underpants! It's embarrassing to look like I've got more junk than my husband! I wear "shape wear" to flatten it out, and any other areas that benefit are just bonus. I mean you know you've got a problem when you have a camel toe while wearing a skirt! (ok, just exaggerating on that one but still......) I hate probably 98% of my body - abdominal rolls, side rolls, back rolls, neck rolls, gigantic double chin, sagging belly apron, huge arms, back boobs, under arm boobs, fat and flabby thighs, huge calves....the list is almost endless, but my, uh.....well, my crotch is my biggest issue, the part of me I hate the most. I refuse to go to the gyno simply because of it. I'm too mortified, and I don't care what anyone says about how they see it all. See my surgeon on Monday to discuss my surgery on 7 Jan. Woohoo! Can't wait to get my stomach 85% removed!

Samsies! I've been eating the same post fill as i did pre fill! Trying to cut back, but i get so hungry it physically hurts. Alos, with the diabetes, if i don't eat enough of the right foods, i slip into hypoglycemia. Not Fun. Have had some semi-stuck feelings, but i just drink some Water and that helps. UH! I need to exercise more, but i don't have a gym membership, my bicycle broke, and i don't live in the nicest neighborhood so going for an early morning run, or an evening walk is a no-no. I'm so frustrated! I generally go to the beach to walk/run/jog with my dog, but gas is so expensive and i still haven't found a job so i have to save what little gas i do have for school. I hope December is a better month for me, Though i am still not giving up on November! I've wanted to have this surgery since i heard about it when i was 16, now at 24 I've gone through with it, so i really need to push and stay motivated! I'm slowly heading back up the scale, but i have been noticing that my clothes are feeling big, and my bra's don't hold anything anymore (Sorry for the TMI guys), so perhaps i'm gaining muscle? Hope so, though, I'd rather lose weight.

(((Beversman)))) In case I missed you before you went. BIG HUGS and get back here soon girl! Today was interesting. I was not hungry all day. I had to force a Protein shake down over the course of 2 hours. Small sips of Water throughout the day and a 1/2 cup of no sugar applesauce that I couldbarely finish. Allof a sudden at dinnertime, i was hungry! Hubby and kids for chicken fingers, fried, and boneless b-b-que wings with bleu cheese dressing. :: I heated about 1/2 cup of whipped cottage cheese and strained a little jarred marinara sauce over it so that there were no chunks and I heated it in the microwave. Wow, it was yummy. I don't know how it is on Stage 3 when it is not actually liquid,but my post op diet says it is okay so I tried it. No bad reaction. It was nice to have a little thicker consistency and I think I will bring this to my Christmas Eve dinner. For those of you struggling. I know how hard this is. I cannot transition to mushies until after my January 11th appt!!! I don't know how I am going to make it that far. I will do whatever I can though because i am so afraid of messing things up internally. Good for you all that got right back on the wagon. This is definitely the toughest time of year to be going through this, but hey, at least we won't put on that Holiday 10 pounds!!! Sweethot-my tummy too is so bloated that I look pregnant! Wacky. But the gas is really moving and picking up speed. I have caught the girls mudd that Nathalie had after drinking the MOM. I had no MOM but still have mudd. Embarassing to be out because it is loud! Sorry, I know TMI. My surgeon's office called to check up on me today and I told them that I went out shopping and had a particularly good day. I tried to transition of the percs and to Tylenol today without too much trouble but I am somewhat uncomfy now. I am going to go back to the percocet for bed tonight. Have a good night all. Welcom to the Man Eric! Hopefully more of you will come out of lurkdom. You are a brave brave man!

So my day is done...house is clean, dog is fed, papers are graded and I want a drink. I'm staring at a well-stocked liquor cabinet and umpteen bottles of wine given to me as Christmas gifts. Ahhhh...for a red zin! Instead, I'll distract myself by telling you all my story before anything good comes on TV. As I have mentioned before, I live in Seattle. I love the Pacific NW for all it has to offer in terms of the great outdoors! I grew up camping and playing outside all the time. I even spent about 7 years as a camp counselor during my college and beyond years. Seattle is great for food, nightlife, cultural activities, sports, water activities and more. I love everything but the blasted rain right now- much more than usual. We had the wettest November EVER! And December is no better. Despite loving Seattle, I left after four years of teaching in a Catholic school to teach 6th grade at an Americal school in Brasilia. I absolutely loved the people I met there, but try being the fattest person on Rio's beaches! Still..., good times. After 3 years there I went to the other side of the world for two years in Istanbul. What an amazing part of the world! It was so rich in history and I left many good friends behind. I adopted my dog when she was a puppy living on the street outside my school. Her name is Siyah (black), hence the handle. She's a great companion and comes to school with me every day. Five years abroad was enough. I came home, bought a house and decided it was time to date. My on-line adventure was fun. Despite being a big girl, I have a fair amount of confidence so dating was not a bad experience. I used to keep track of guys on a big white board in my office so when I was talking with them I wouldn't get confused. My friends would laugh at me. I met my husband on Match and we married a year and a half later. No kids. Unfortunately, after 3 miscarriages I was diagnosed with a thyroid condition and learned that was the cause. Who'd have known? Sad, but now I have a new shot at a healthy life with the band. Our plan is for me to loose weight, making it easier to carry, and get pregnant in a year and a half to two years. I'll be pushing 40, so fingers crossed. Now the house is on the market and we'll move to North Seattle to be closer to jobs. I'm back in a great Catholic school and hubby works at microsoft. All-in-all, life is good and hopefully getting better with the band. Now if only the scale would move again... SO that's my tale. Thanks for reading (TMI???) Whew! Over the liquor craving and time for tea. Jeri

Ugh. Frustrated. I have been hovering around 186.6 to 186.8 for the past couple of weeks. I kicked up the walking last week and on friday when i weighed it was 186.0. Yesssss!!! Or so i thought. Last night i ate chips and queso and it had sausage in it. This morning i decided to weigh myself. 186.6. I dunno if it was from the salt in the chips or sausage. But ugh! So now I am cranky! And I am constipated (tmi, i know but its adding to my crankiness). AND that one incision is still goopy and unhealed. Seriously. Surgery was 9/22 and i still have a freaken open wound??!! Just when it starts to get better it looks worse. Its right at my pant line so sitting rubs it. Its also on my left side and i sleep on my left side so i dont think thats helping. A nurse friend of mine told me not to get it wet bc it seems like when the scab is soft from the water it busts open. I have been covering it when i shower but i cant keep it covered 24 hrs bc then it doesnt scab up. Ugh. At least it isnt my port incision. I ate pizza friday night....just remembered that. And then i wonder why i gained .8 in 2 days. Lol. 1 slice and it went down ok as long as i chewed like crazy. No way would it have gone down if I'd had a fill. My goal is also 50#s by christmas which i think is reasonable. My long term goal at this point is around 150. That is what i got down to after my first baby (granted i was 21). I looked in my medical records to see what i weighed then and it varied between 150-160. I pulled out some pictures to see how i looked and man, i was hot. Lol. Hope everyone has a good week! J Banded 9/22

Thanks for the feedback! I'm on clear broth, protein shakes, puréed fruit or plain yogurt only. One week 2 of 3. I did put some pb2 in my yogurt and it helped. Of course the yogurt gives me the runs (lol sorry tmi!). 1 more week I can do this!!

I haven't gone # 2 since my surgery on the 29th is that normal? Sorry for TMI!

I'm here!.....in fact, I'm in the hospital with a g-damn bleeding ulcer....passed out last night pooping blood ( sorry ,tmi), then throwing up blood....serious ulcer....not good. Giving me carafate to heal the ulcer...yuk. Hopefully, I can get out if here to get to my neurologist appointment I've been waiting for tomorrow for two months....aaarrrgghh!!! Whhaaattt next??!

Well I did my first Zumba class and what fun! Small problem at the start of theclass, some tmi, I've been really constipated lately and last night I had some fresh cherries. In the back of my mind I knew they can give me cramps and bm's but I figured no problem with nothing moving anyway. WRONG. Had to run to the bathroom twice and I was loving the class! Success!!! So will not eat cherries again but the instructor lets you watch her first and then do it for the neebies. Also some weights for upper body that kicks butt or should I say arms. Reminds me of jazzercise with latin music and moves. Definitely worth a try.

Thank you! I was just talking to my Hubby about that. At my one week check up I was fine so he didn't put me on anything. I am going to call him in the AM to see if that would be something that would help. I am crossing my fingers that is what the problem is. It driving me crazy I am sure it is louder to me than anyone else but I feel like my throat is always making noise now. For the first time after surgery I ended up getting sick and I did not like that! Not to give to much TMI it was very acidy tasting so I think your thought is right on the money.