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I joined the “losers bench” on 10/23/17 I got the standard Duodenal Switch. How long before you see a BM? I have been passing gas for the most part but feel kinda worried about no BM. Also any tips on how to stop the hiccups? It hurts so bad when they happen. I am getting all my fluids in for the most part and walking the best I can. My legs are super sore and arms as well and my abdomen isn’t as sore as I thought. I am on a clear liquid diet and my last bm was the 22nd. Thanks in advance!

I just wanted to add-- the truth of this depends on how filled you are. I have been at this for 7 months and I have never gotten stuck, nor have I vomited. I don't think this is true for everyone. I will say that I keep my band fairly loose (2.5 cc in a 10 cc band) because I want to avoid these things at all costs

Hi everyone! I hope everyone is doing well on their journey. I was sleeved on 10/03/16 and was wondering what are some of the things you do to prevent constipation..? I had to pass a very hard stool (sorry tmi I know) and I would like to never, ever go through that again! Please, any advice you can share is helpful [emoji4]

well the 4 days off really got me...I gained 10 lbs. How could anyone gain 10 lbs in 4 days? I know I ate like a pig but was it my body taking in all the calories it could since it has been deprived of them for so long? What could it be? I waited yesterday and ate like I should and lost 5 lbs so I'm sure it was mostly water weight but I've never had that much water in me. I'm drinking like I should, ordered more protein powder from BE. They were out of my favorite chocolate so I'll try some new flavors. I just wanted to die when I saw the scale. That means I still have 6 lbs to lose by the 15th. How am I going to do this? I came in early to work, actually at 5:45 instead of 9:30 to catch up on paperwork. I'm trying to get all the OT I can before vacation in Aug. I still want to get to 200 lbs by Aug 29th. Now I have 5 more lbs on top of the 26 lbs I had to lose. I just have to get it together (that is the story of my life) Coming into work is not always a bad thing, I am here by myself and I can watch my favorite show-snapped-on tv and work at the same time. Life couldn't be any better...getting paid and not having to deal with customers what a relief that is. There were some off the wall people yesterday and that makes for a long day. They take their cable very seriously. I got my bangs trimmed, always go to Toni and Guy, and they didn't trim the sides like I am used to so I have to keep sweeping the hair out of my face. I bought 2 books on the lap band procedure and how to deal with it after surgery so I am starting to read those and I will keep you updated. So for now life is good just need to lose the 6 lbs by the 15th.

Every night when I get off work I call the husband to see what is for dinner. The night before he said let's figure out what we are eating tomorrow night so you don't have to ask. I didn't get the fact that it bothered him for me to ask...I ask every night after work, it's just a question. I've made decisions all day and don't want to have to make one when I get off. Well last night he went off when I asked about how he doesn't know what is for dinner and I always ask and that it makes him mad because he doesn't know what to say when I ask. That threw me into thinking...my life revolves around food. Food is my best friend...it is there when I am happy, sad, depressed, bored, celebrating. It is always there and I can't stop thinking about it. I think about food from the moment I wake up until I go to bed. I think about what's for breakfast, what's for lunch, and what's for dinner. I can only eat 3 times a day so food is very important to me. I even dream about it sometimes. So I've come to the conclusion that I need to focus more on what I am doing that day and take one meal at a time. You have to be prepared when you have had the surgery, you just can't pop into McDonalds for lunch and order a burger. There has to be some meal preparation and thought into what you eat. My life just revolves around food. I love to eat out even though I can't eat that much, I like the atmosphere and getting waited on, not having to cook or dirty up dishes. I love to eat out. At first I didn't because I couldn't stuff myself from the plate of goodness that sat before me but now I am getting re-adjusted and I love it. PF Chang's is my favorite because there are appetizers that I can make a meal out of and have enough to take home for another meal later on. But just having him make me think about how important food really is got to me. I hadn't realized just how important it is and how much I think about. So that is that story. I weighed this morning and finally hit 226 lbs so I feel better since this is what I weighed last month when I went in for my fill. So anything that I lose after this will be a plus. I'll tell the doctor about my 4 day binge eating feast that I had and how I gained 10 lbs in 4 days so he will know that I am human and lost alot more than what shows on the scale. I just can't believe baked beans and birthday cake were worth gaining the weight because it has taken me 1 1/2 weeks to get it off. I don't know why I chose them to be my friends for the 4 days off but I did. I think after my fill I will stick with my protein shake in the morning along with my coffee, cottage cheese or some type of meat for lunch, and a hot dog for dinner. The hot dog helps because I know I am getting more calories from it and that is what I seem to not be hitting. Maybe that is why I am not losing the weight like I think I should be. One of the series Robert and I like started on Showtime and we missed the last 4 episodes so tonight we are going to catch up with it again. I can't wait for True Blood to start but I hope it isn't as stupid as last year. The commercials look good. We also like Dexter, it is so good and coming from being a cop, I can relate to wanting to kill off the bad guys that get away with their crimes. Yes I was a cop, I made $9 an hour working as a Deputy Sheriff for the small town I lived in. Now I make more than twice that and don't have the life threatening decisions to make. All I can do these days is turn off your cable if you don't pay. It bothers me that people come in wanting extensions on their bill because they are unemployed and can't afford to pay that month of service and you look and they have the top teir of cable there is. How can you justify paying $149 for cable for one month when you don't have a job? I know cable is a big thing in people's lives and it is the only source of entertainment for some families and I'm ok with that but don't come in and give me a pity party because you are broke and have that kind of teir. Do you really need all the channels? The high definition box and the recording box? If it were me I would downsize to just basic which runs $20, keep my internet so I could look for a job. I'm more than happy to put you on a promotion for 6 months to help you get back on your feet but we look at payment history and how long you have been a customer to do that. I've been unemployed twice lost 2 jobs and didn't have another one to back it up so I understand being unemployed. In fact before I got this job at the cable company I was unemployed and this first thing I did was get rid of the cable, internet, and house phone. I had my cell phone in case I got a call about a job and would go to the library to look on the computer for a job so I understand being in a position where you don't know where the money is going to come from for the next month. I didn't get unemployment so I didn't have that to fall back on. I understand where people are coming from that are in this position. Ok enough about that. I have the day off with the husband and we are going to meet up with my mother and her boyfriend for lunch so it should be good, don't know where we are going but it should be good wherever we go. We have some shopping to do so I'll have something to eat this coming week but really I don't need much after Monday because Tuesday is my fill and I have to be on liquids for 2 days after and then mushy for 2 days after that so that takes me to Saturday before I can eat something good. I hate getting fills for this reason but like the restriction I get from them. I'm not at full restriction but I have some. I just hope this fill does the trick. Well everyone have a good day and please don't bash me on this entry.

That is exactly what just happened to me. I have a 10 CC band and went for a fill and they put .3 in it and I knew it was tight but I was able to eat still. When my stomach growled it was uncomfortable and I felt almost nauseous but not really. Not sure what the feeling was but it was uncomfortable. When I went in to dr they did a barium xray and found out my band was too tight and it was backing up and I just did not feel it. My pouch had swollen so now I am on a 1 week liquid diet (which today is the last day thank goodness) and they took out 1 whole CC and I have an appt on the 3rd to go back and we will see how that goes. I had noticed that my stomach was growling and gurgling a bunch but just thought that was my band talking. My PA told me that is a sign on bad being too tight. When she took out the 1CC that all stopped.

about 10 pounds.

I wonder if he feels threatened and insecure about your success. As in, maybe she won't need me anymore. But even so, that's his problem. If you are not getting the loving support you need, I'd say run. I know, easier said than done. But I've been there. Was there for 10 years. Time lost and wasted. Don't let anyone bring you down. You are brave and are working hard. Be proud and happy!

I was only in the hospital overnight and never took narcotic pain meds. I went back to my desk job after 10 days and felt great!

Before and after my VSG surgery. I can't believe it's DONE!!! http://youtu.be/UEKb6UsFhvg

I saw my therapist every week for the first 4 months and have now switched to every other week. She says eventually we will switch to once a month for at least 2 years post-op to be sure to stay on top of any maintenance issues. I visit with (phone call) my NUT once every 4 to 5 weeks but am able to email her and get quick response if needed (though at 5 1/2 months post-op this more urgent need for contact has slowed down if not stopped). My surgeons office had 10 day post-op follow-up, then at 1 month then 3 months post-op then 6 months post-op. Not sure if the visit after 6 months is at 9 months or waits until 1 year. I have been in contact with them on other occasions up to about 3 months post-op for some complications (Stricture). They (including the surgeons) were extremely and amazingly available. My clinic did not have an exercise physiologist but I sure wish they had. I think that would be a great addition to any bariatric team. I am going to a personal trainer who has no clue about WLS and am really frustrated with the nutritional "advice" she keeps trying to give me. I just ignore that part.

Do your cardio first thing in the morning if you can. Try to get 20-40min. I find that gets me burning all day long! Don't get hung up on what kind youre doing or what machine you're on, if youre sweating, youre doing great! If the higher intensitry stuff is too much right now, stick to the bike. Showing up is what's most important. Don't set up hurdles for yourself. Make it a routine that you cant imagine breaking. Your body will adapt and improve and before you know it, you can start blending in a couple minutes of higher intensity machines. I started bike only and now I do 20 on the bike followed by 10-20 on a skiier or stair climber. Those things HURT!

Hi I just got my frist fill on 01-07-10 at 2pm and they gave me 1 cc and i had lost 9 more lbs from the last vist to the doc on 12-14-09 they say to do liquids for 24 hrs and then go to solids but i am going to do this 1 day liquids 1 day mushies 1 day semi solids then back to solids just so i can get use to the band i did talk to the doc about this he said that would be good if any problems to call the office ASAP:thumbup:

Got my band Aug 20 it took 2 fills b4 I felt anything and I think i need a bit more soon. i had 4 cc in a 10 cc band and then had 2cc added I am down 18 lbs in 7 wks i am happy. line dancer

only suggestion i can say is in the morning try to get up and do some light excerise i use to be tired and weak all the time even before the banding and now since i have been excerising i have been feeling good throughout the day and i actually wake up early in the morning and trust me i dont usually wake up before 10 and here i am i can get up at 7 in the morning or earlier to start my day.

I'm not at the point were I can eat whatever I want just yet, I'm only in phase four surgery was 2/19. But I do wish I would've had a bigger food funeral. I would look at my children eat things like salad and wish I could eat that too. But today I just started phase 4 and this is the phase were soft veggies and dark green lettuce are introduced. Can you believe I'm really never hungry I only want to eat when I see others eat. So no one is in the office but me so I had to force myself to eat the salad I brought to work today and I didn't really eat that lettuce I wanted oh so bad, I just pretty much ate the protine (crab meat, eggs and cheese) out of it. But yeah there are some foods that I "think" I miss and right now it's pickles.

Almost there! Say it with me...Countdown...5! 4! 3!... Countdown To BG's Banding!!!

I can't believe I haven't updated my journal since one week post-op. I enjoy reading all the other journals, but have been lax in updating mine. Went back and got my list of things I wanted to do, so am updating it here: I hope to be able to do all these things when I lose some weight: 1) Ride my horse without worrying that I am breaking his back!! Too hot, haven't even tried. He's having fun in the pasture. 2) Have the energy to clean my house and shovel out all the stuff I gathered thru the years. I have more energy, and have started cleaning out some (namely clothes that are getting too big) but sad to say not real enthused about this yet!! 3) Stick my arm in that blood pressure thing at Walmart and not have it get stuck there!! And use a normal blood pressure cuff! Haven't tried it yet! 4) Walk somewhere without huffing and puffing and stopping to rest 20 times. Can walk 45 minutes on the treadmill and am finding daily walking a lot easier! 5) Get off all these pills I am taking - or at least most of them!! My blood pressure is pretty much normal now (with the pills), but it will probably be a while longer before I decrease them. My blood sugar has decreased but still a ways to go. Went off Metformin when I got the surgery. Going to the doctor tomorrow and will get blood tests for sugar, cholesterol, etc. 6) Quit getting my butt stuck in chairs/theatre seats, etc with arms. This has decreased dramatically, with just a 24 lb weight loss. 7) Have enough energy to play with grandkids, do some gardening, ride my bike. Stayed off the bike for the 6 weeks after surgery, still not gotten back on it yet. Maybe today if it's cool enough! 8) Not be the biggest person in the room. (Already accomplished this when I went to the bariatric clinic-how sad. Finally sat in a chair too big for me!! But I don't consider this a NSV) What a sick mentality I have that I rejoice that someone in the room is bigger than me - this isn't usually the case tho. 9) Do something besides read, crochet and watch soaps on tv all day long because I don't feel like doing much else. Still need to work on this. 10) I'm sure there are many more but I have gone brain-dead for now.

Hi all. First post, and i usually don't read or follow any kind of forums at all, so excuse any lapses in protocol please. I'm at 7 days post op, Andrew Hargroder in Gonzales, LA. Great surgical experience, I guess, it's the only surgery I've ever had. I've been reading a lot of the topics on here, and hearing about people having lots of trouble eating/drinking enough. Since about day 4 post op, I've not had any problems getting down my protein drink throughout the course of the day. It consists of about 20 oz water mixed with 3 scoops of max protein from gnc. I've also not had too many problems getting 60-70 oz's of water. i'm also eating 3 6oz yogurts per day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So my question is, how do you tell if you're putting too much in? It takes me 15-20 minutes to eat a carton of yogurt. I'm experiencing no pain in my stomach that I'm aware of. I still have a little muscle/incision pain on the "big one" on the left, no pain at all from all the other incisions. A typical day (now) is cup of yogurt for breakfast, wait 45 minutes and start sipping water. About 10:00 I'll start to get hungry and I'll drink about 6oz of my protien drink. Wait about 45 more minutes and start sipping water again until lunch. I repeat the process throughout the day for lunch and dinner. I start to get hungry about an hour or two after eating my yogurt, so I'll have a third of my protein shake mid afternoon and finish it off around 8 in the evening. I'm really paranoid about MY STOMACH BUSTING OPEN, or even stretching or in any way damaging THE HUGE WOUND IN MY STOMACH THAT I PICTURE IN MY HEAD. That being said, I'm not in any pain and I'm ok with the diet for now. I actually kind of enjoy the simplicity of it, but is it too much? Thanks in advance for any input.