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I'm five days out of surgery, and I'm kind of having some issues. Well, I feel fine and everything, really, I do, but I've had a few issues with being able to drink anything at all really. I sip Water all day, but can never get down more than maybe one or two bottles in a 24 hour period, and I'm suppose to have 6 oz. of liquid 6 times a day for meals, but I can usually only manage two of them. I'm also NEVER hungry. Not at all. I only try the two meals so I can at least make sure I have some nutrition in me. They settle like a lead balloon in my stomach. I think that, maybe, I just swelled a little more than expected, but it is starting to worry me. The past three days, when I finally was able to go to the bathroom, I've only urinated once a day (zero bowel movements since surgery) and it's a pretty dark color, so I'm worried I'm getting really dehydrated. Sorry if that's a bit TMI, but I just need a bit of help keeping liquids down. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow, to see what he says, but I wondered if you guys had any ideas? Maybe I should try less Fluid more times than six times a day? Any advice and prayers would help, thanks! Edit: Also, I haven't thrown up or anything like that, I just constantly feel so full, like I've eaten a huge meal, even though I haven't really eaten anything, you know?

I cheated and ate a Babybel cheese. 9g protein and 70 cals. I let it melt in my mouth before I swallowed it. So far no issues. The fact that I got to bite into something and chew it made me feel a little better. I've only consumed 400 cals today. I'm going to try some applesauce too. It will help so I don't get constipated from the cheese. TMI I know.

I cheated and ate a Babybel cheese. 9g protein and 70 cals. I let it melt in my mouth before I swallowed it. So far no issues. The fact that I got to bite into something and chew it made me feel a little better. I've only consumed 400 cals today. I'm going to try some applesauce too. It will help so I don't get constipated from the cheese. TMI I know.

As Bufflehead mentioned, there are a lot of different programs and plans - so what's outlawed by one doc might be perfectly fine for another. My surgeon's rules are very lenient compared to many I've seen mentioned on this site. In fact, I was given ibuprofen while still in the hospital, after my surgery! My doc has no issues with it at all. Concerning Protein, I am a very picky person and what some people say tastes good or great usually tastes terrible to me. I got a bunch of sample packs and finally found just 2 powders that I could stand. I also got the Premier Protein ready-to-drink ones from costco and those are saving my life. In fact, I have a bunch of powder and samples that I will never use because the Premier is all I need. I'm also at my 4th week post-op (tomorrow! time flies) and my recovery has been like clockwork. I had very little pain, no gas pains, haven't puked yet (but it's been close), and while I thought I'd lose my freakin' mind during the 2 weeks of liquids only after surgery, I did actually survive!!! LOL I haven't had any emotional issues, but it's early still for me. What I'm finding is that now that I'm allowed purees/mushies, I am eating more carbs. This is something I need to control. It's also a balancing act, because I am still struggling to get in 8 glasses (minimum) of Water per day - not because I have trouble drinking, but because I just forget or don't feel like drinking. On an empty stomach I can gulp water - it's very surprising. My next steps for week 4 and beyond are to track my water much closer, since the weight isn't magically falling off and I can tell I'm dehydrated. Plus, I will continue to use My Fitness Pal to track all foods, so that I can keep a watch on those carbs. Finally, I have been having a real issue with BMs. I will suddenly realize that it's been 2 days, and so then I drink a dose of Milk of Magnesia -- X number of hours later, I experience the pain of not being regular. It is really no fun. I am planning to get on a daily dose of some sort of OTC med for this, because I hate Milk of Magnesia!!! But, I hate constipation more. (There's just no such thing as TMI on this site, FYI ) I hope some of this helps. This surgery has been my best decision ever ( btw, less than 10 people are aware that I had surgery because it's my health and my decision and I don't want comments/feedback/scrutiny), and I wish I could have done this 10 years ago. Good luck to you!

As Bufflehead mentioned, there are a lot of different programs and plans - so what's outlawed by one doc might be perfectly fine for another. My surgeon's rules are very lenient compared to many I've seen mentioned on this site. In fact, I was given ibuprofen while still in the hospital, after my surgery! My doc has no issues with it at all. Concerning Protein, I am a very picky person and what some people say tastes good or great usually tastes terrible to me. I got a bunch of sample packs and finally found just 2 powders that I could stand. I also got the Premier Protein ready-to-drink ones from costco and those are saving my life. In fact, I have a bunch of powder and samples that I will never use because the Premier is all I need. I'm also at my 4th week post-op (tomorrow! time flies) and my recovery has been like clockwork. I had very little pain, no gas pains, haven't puked yet (but it's been close), and while I thought I'd lose my freakin' mind during the 2 weeks of liquids only after surgery, I did actually survive!!! LOL I haven't had any emotional issues, but it's early still for me. What I'm finding is that now that I'm allowed purees/mushies, I am eating more carbs. This is something I need to control. It's also a balancing act, because I am still struggling to get in 8 glasses (minimum) of Water per day - not because I have trouble drinking, but because I just forget or don't feel like drinking. On an empty stomach I can gulp water - it's very surprising. My next steps for week 4 and beyond are to track my water much closer, since the weight isn't magically falling off and I can tell I'm dehydrated. Plus, I will continue to use My Fitness Pal to track all foods, so that I can keep a watch on those carbs. Finally, I have been having a real issue with BMs. I will suddenly realize that it's been 2 days, and so then I drink a dose of Milk of Magnesia -- X number of hours later, I experience the pain of not being regular. It is really no fun. I am planning to get on a daily dose of some sort of OTC med for this, because I hate Milk of Magnesia!!! But, I hate constipation more. (There's just no such thing as TMI on this site, FYI ) I hope some of this helps. This surgery has been my best decision ever ( btw, less than 10 people are aware that I had surgery because it's my health and my decision and I don't want comments/feedback/scrutiny), and I wish I could have done this 10 years ago. Good luck to you!

Everyone's answers to these questions will be a little different, we are individuals and our path after surgery is individual . . . but here are mine. Was controlling my emotions and eating hard the first three weeks? No, for the most part I wasn't overly emotional. I had to work hard to get my protein and liquids in (I was on full liquids for three weeks after surgery) but other than that it wasn't hard. I certainly wasn't interested in eating, craving food, etc. An ounce of fluid every fifteen minutes? My schedule wasn't that rigid. I had to get 64 ounces in every 24 hours, and it was a lot of sipping at first, but as long a I paced myself throughout the day, I didn't have to set a timer or anything. Protein: while you are on liquids and purees, you'll be having protein shakes. I would suggest getting a boatload of samples of different kinds of protein and then start testing them AFTER surgery. What you liked before, you may well not like after. Don't buy big tubs until you know what you like. My favorite brands are Unjury and Syntrax Matrix. Being "need ridden"? Not sure what you mean . . . I came home from the hospital and took care of myself, never felt particularly needy. Vitamins: I take Trader Joe's High Potency Chewable multi-vitamin (double dose), plus an iron supplement, B-12, vitamin D, and 1 calcium citrate petite. When I was on liquids, I took liquid vitamins from Wellesse. How long should you wait to have sex? It upsets the nurses if you do it in the hospital. Other than that, have sex when you feel ready! Constipation: I have had no constipation, I poop every day, sometimes twice. (there's no such thing as TMI on this forum, right?). Ibuprofen: I'm allowed Ibuprofen as long as it isn't a long term thing with high dosage, but I haven't taken any. I'm still working my way through the Tylenol I bought prior to surgery -- that is important, not to take Ibuprofen in the weeks leading up to surgery. I threw all the NSAIDS in my house out and replaced them with Tylenol because I was scared I would forget and mess up. Good luck to you!

Haven't seen a list quite like this, so I hope it is helpful for someone. All of these are available on Amazon. While I'm obese and now just after post op, I've used a toilet tissue holder to get back all the way to clean. It looks like a giant kitchen utensil, but it was recommended to me after ankle surgery last year. A similar item on Amazon is called a long reach comfort wipe. Another helpful item is a reacher. It's like a claw with a trigger. It's helpful for getting dressed post-op and to pick up items from the floor. One more indispensable item is a portable pole. On Amazon search for a mobility pole. I have the standers security pole and grab bar installed temporarily next to our toilet. Molly (10/2/13)

Oh yes, there are tons of photos from my surgeon. Not the ones he cherry picks either - ones from a facebook support group so the good, the bad and the ugly. some are so faint.. you think... there is a scar there? Others are horrible and red.. having to do with people who do too much too soon and also just your skins own tendency to scar. Be really careful about internet before and afters... some of the surgeons that look amazing only put their cream of the crop photos out there. anyway, I think I am going to go for it, I know where the scar will be - I am just hoping I don't regret it. The 3rd photo I posted is sideways. That is the view I see when my arm is down and in front of me. It is absolutely hideous... that bothers me more than any other view. Okay, sorry for TMI, but I often see that view during sex or even when I am working out, and everytime it kind of gives me a startle...LOL

Picture = TMI Try some egg drop Soup. It's really just broth with an egg blended in and is very satisfying.

Hi guys, I read your post this morning and it made me sad I have a real issue keeping my protien intake high enough while still staying under my calories for the day. When I use the Protein shots, or protein bars/drinks...to help get those extra grams in they are great, and low in calorie..but OMG the gas!!! (TMI alert!!) Not so much the PU of it..but the pains in the belly. Grumble rumble tumble..and I can't exactly rip it here at my desk! By the time I get to the ladies room..I can sit there a good 10 minutes just blasting away..sounds like world war three! EMBARRASSING! Then of course when the protein is not high enough I am not losing any weight..and I'm feeling tired all the time and consequently got myself sick with a bad upper respiratory infection! So this morning...I was on a tirade! I am an overweight, gas blasting, bald cranky b***h! Get out of my way!!!!! Good thing it's Halloween...I got everyone running scared! BOO! Hoo...what should we do??? Yeah yeah I know protein..get your gas mask on, the bombs are about to blow!

I would love to post a positive, nice post once in a while but at this time I apologize because all you guys have read from me are complaints and frustration. I am 5 weeks 3 days post op and boy have I had a rough time. At first of course its rough for most of us.. I started doing better and then during soft foods I became sick again. (Hint: my horrible gais pain post.. lol.. it really was bad!).. After going to the hospital and visiting with my Dr I was assured I would be fine.. 2 weeks later and I'm still here. In these two weeks I called/emailed my doctor constantly to see what else I could do. I pretty much ate just a few ounces of food a day and drank as little as I could to avoid throwing up like crazy. Of course dehydration happened again. I visited with my GI doctor who changed my medicine for acid reflux to something stronger and also got new nausea pills.. Didnt work. BUT at least he tried to help.. I called doctor, surgeon, and asked which doctor was I supposed to be seeing because I felt like I was being ignored and my GI doctor at least tried to help by giving me stronger meds but I felt the surgeon should be the one helping me figure out what's wrong with me. I had 4wks off from work and my doctor's nurse practitioner did not take my complaints seriously all this time until this week which is the the week I went back to work. So of course scheduling is crazy! I have a full time job and its hard to just leave everyone hanging at work and mess up everyone's schedule! They did blood wrk on Tuesday and I'm now sitting at the hospital again to have a swallow test done. My appointment was at 8am it is now 10:35am and I'm still waiting.. the doctor never faxed the order. I even had to go pick that up because they couldn't fax that to the hospital for me! I knew there would be possible complications, but I feel like I'm alone. My husband tries to understand, and like he says I did this for a greater good.. My PCOS got really bad and this could potentially help us, a lot! That's why I did it. I want a baby.. and plus I thought it could help me health wise.. I can't help but wonder if I made the right desicion. The other day I even told my husband "we should have just adopted.." and when I said that I felt like I had given up.. which is so not like me.. I wish I could be like all the lucky ones who have no problems at all.. I'm emotional, I feel very dissappointed, sad, angry at my dr, I'm hungry, thirsty, upset, tired, concerned, I didnt lose any weight last week, I have gained 2 lbs this week I have no idea why, and I'm even constipated, (I know, tmi.. sorry!), but even that is soo not me.. I used to go to the restroom so much! If this is the new me, I don't like it.. Thank you for letting me vent.. And sorry I vent so much.. lol..

As others have said, it does get better. I remember feeling the same way and now I'm almost 5 months post-op and down 67 pounds - I don't regret the surgery at all. You just had major surgery a few days ago, ANY surgery is going to make you feel like crap at first, so give yourself some time to heal before you start thinking of regrets. What got me through the rough days in the beginning was focusing on the fact that each day would be better than the one before. This isn't an easy process, physically or mentally. Take your pain meds - I took them like clockwork for the first several days, then I was able to just take at bedtime. And I carried a travel neck pillow with me everywhere. It was my best friend. Hold it against your stomach when you cough, sneeze or get up and down out of bed/chair. This may be TMI, but it helps in the bathroom when you have to "go" as well. Stay hydrated - really focus on the Water right now, then Protein. But staying hydrated is most important for now. Also, your emotions are going to be up and down. I ate my emotions so I was a MESS without my food to comfort me (therapy helped with that). Maybe keeping a journal may help with the emotional stuff. Just remember, it DOES get better. So hang in there, keep reading the experiences of others on here and know you are not alone.

Some docs want you to buy specific brands, but my doctor wasn't too picky. I use Flintstones Complete, Tums (calcium), and B12 (the berry flavored dissolvable tablets from Walmart- don't know the brand name). And apparently these things are working bc my lab work looks fantastic! I also take Biotin and (tmi) Colace daily. In the beginning I'd def buy some Gax X strips and children's Tylenol as well. Hope this helps!

Hi I'm 17 days out and have been feeling pretty good , but today I woke up shaky, I got my protein drink down then my heart started racing , I thought I was gonna faint I laid down and bam I got diarrhea ( sorry if its TMI) so I slept for awhile then I got up , I felt hungry so I got some apple sauce omg I started gaging like I was gonna throw up , and my heart started racing again .... Wtf after about 5 min I seemed ok and was able to eat the apple sauce ... I've had diarrhea on and off , keep trying to drink water ... Idk what the deal is ... Anyone else had anything like this ... Ps for the last 3 hours I've been fine ...

Oh yeah, I had some um... TMI ALERT almost surprise diarrhea from the swallow test barium. Since then I've been having some bunny rabbit sized ones. LOL (((Like was mentioned before, only here on LapBandTalk can we be so open, huh?)))

I hope this is not a TMI moment but here goes.....FYI - if you have allergies (and post nasal drip with them) watch out for possible "hunger pangs". I was miserable from "hunger" that even a protein packed meal would not satisfy. Turns out, what I really had was allergic post nasal drip that was troubling my stomach and making me think I was hungry. Be sure to treat your allergies (Claratin works great for mine) and keep the false hunger away.

So constipated.. Ugh! What can i take?

I am 3 weeks out and this strep-throat is kicking my butt ....grrrrr...i am sooo upset i have never had strep like this before i am on 3 different antibiotics 2 for the H. Pylori they found when i had the surgery and 1 for the strep and none seem to be helping at all with the strep every single day my throat hurts even more i barely can even swallow my own saliva sorry if tmi and my throat just looks more swollen and red i have no taste at all!!! I think i will be visiting my doc again tomorrow i can't take it anymore i even had to stop 1 of the antibiotics for the H. Pylori because its a HUGE tablet and i can't swallow it (( sorry i just need 2 vent idk whats going on but since surgery i feel like my oral health has taken a toll my gums bleed sometimes i've gotten sores in my mouth on my tongue and now the strep could it be from surgery? I was perfectly fine before surgery :/ again sorry if tmi

Just got home from Urgent Care. I was dehydrated but just the beginning stages. Blood work was good and stomach x-rays looked good, minus me being backed up (sorry I know, TMI). Does anyone know if we can take Miralax? The doctor I saw wants me to start taking it but she said to of course check with my surgeon first. They hooked me up to some fluids and gave me some Zofran through my IV as well. Feeling better now that I've had the fluids, not 100% better but definitely better! She told me to double up on my Zofran when I start to feel nauseous and to push fluids and get as much fluid as physically possible and not worry about getting my daily protein or any of that right now cause main focus is getting enough fluids...

Yes I agree! During the first 3 days I was calling on Jesus! The Pope! Mother Theresa and Mick Jagger!!!! I wanted relieve quickly. I underestimated this surgery! Never thought the pain would be so great!!!!today is day 6 and besides the sore incisions I'm doing great! Just can't get down 64 oz of down. I kno too much tmi but my urine is strong!

thanks for all the we'll wishes! I think I over did it on the bowel prep drank 2 mag citrates I have been on the shitter all day and night sorry for TMI! praying that this will end soon. I've been trying to replace what IM losing hopefully everything will be fine cause IM usually a hard stick and am trying not to get dehydrated. My 7 year old started crying tonight she is my shadow and is worried for her mama. I have posted and left it up to God, at this point there's no turning back. Took a couple of Xanax going to drink my last cup of tea and go to bed.

this was day 5 for me. overall, i feel great. very little pain of any kind. occasionally there's a little discomfort/gas pain. i feel like i want to burp or hiccup but can't. actually, my biggest annoyance is that i'm really, really hungry. yesterday was my first day on all liquids, and i had a smoothie. today, i've had at least 800 calories of juice/smoothies/soup and stillllll hungry. guess i'll be making that first fill appointment asap. also, i'm retaining water and i've actually gained about 5 lbs since surgery. i don't feel backed up or anything. but i wasn't on any pre-op diet, so i was ingesting plenty of calories right up till surgery, but it's been 6 days since i've had a bm. sorry if tmi. i'll probably roll out the milk of magnesia if nothing changes by tomorrow.

Mine is at 1:30 tomorrow. I feel better now, I guess....TMI ALERT: It's doing the job now! LOL but I'm no longer going to hurl, so that's good...I guess? hahaha

Had the same thing. Have you had constipation at all? I did and went to doc and he attributed it to constipation and having to "push" - sorry if tmi. Take a suppository or milk of magnesia and "clean" yourself out. Should help.

Oct 3rd for me, i'm day 3 on liquid diet & hangry that others get to eat on their pre-op diet. I have lost 3# but I dont see that as significant. And tmi but liquid in liquid out is killing me I almost sharted myself. Guess lesson is to never trust a fart. allons-y