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Hi... This is the first time I have posted at all so here it goes... I have been on this forum almost every day and I must say it seems you can get alot of strength and support from here... I so want to have the sleeve surgery but just really really scared something will go wrong or whatever...Like all of you I am just plain fat... I hate myself at this particular time... I am the biggest I have ever been... I am 45 and also in menopause and taking bio identical hormone therapy.. They certainly have helped my mental state of mind and I now have somewhat of a sex drive again (sorry if that is tmi).. lol...But my goodness I have gained the weight in the last year... I am 5'10 and have always been able to carry a good bit of weight... Im pretty ok with weighing 220lbs but now at a whopping 270... I hate this feeling... I have tried and tried to get this off but always fail and grab a bag of chips and a coke... Im obsessed with eating .. I wake up every day praying today will be a better day... I will eat healthy... I will drink lots of water... I will exercise... etc.... Never happens but yet the desire to be thin and healthy is sooooo there !!! .....I would be a self pay patient... I ve just recently gotten health insurance -- I have been rejected several times because I am classified as morbidly obese... I am really considering Mexico... It seems alot of people have had great experiences...I desire to have some telephone conversations with some of you... Is that possible????

The burping hurts more then passing actual gas. I've had my first bowl movement (TMI) and I'm peeing with no problems at all.. I should be walking more..maybe that will help.

This is going to be way TMI but I wasn't in to it till one day I was on top and for once, since surgery, I didn't feel like I was crushing my husband. I suddenly could let go. What a great feeling. It will get easier- try not to stress too much about it- I know it is hard. I definitely went through the motions too after surgery because I knew how important it was to my hubby to have that intimacy. Hang in there.

Yo are not alone, you will get it back slowly. But for now you must try to have sex with your huband. TMI Sorry. He is there for you through your changes don't push him away. You can always please your husband eventhough you don't want to be pleased. I am now about 7 month s out and I don't do it the way I use to but since the weight lost it has been the best sex I have. Good luck

2.5 months out lost 35 lbs from 253lbs day of surgery. Just not interested in Sex and not even horny!! I know TMI!! But just wondering if anyone else feels the same way! My husband is very frustrated, however I am ok with it. Has anyone else's libido dropped too?

Thats great nothing is tmi IM MY OWN MOTIVATION

Thank U wonderful ladies so much, I hate to TMI I had 2 cups of peppermint tea and WOW I had magic.. lol In other words I am releasing... Still a little gas in my shoulder but I am feeling soooo much better. No pain meds since this morning.

Ok I know this is probably bordering TMI. My highest weight was 294 but mostly lingered about 280 since 2004. My sex life consisted of the ceiling view. But just recently I got the birds eye view lol. I was on top the whole time. Not out of breath, not hurting from shifting weight. No hurting my husband! I have been waiting for this for a very long time(so has my husband). I'm now almost 3 weeks post op at 250, dos 264? I'm pretty sure. But I just wanted to share my excitement about conquering another area in my life that I've so longed to have control of. And feel good about myself in the bedroom again! )

Getting graphic here but I decided not to do the wax because it's like 60 bucks around here. EEK! Why couldn't Santa bring me a gift card. So i'm going back to shaving. I'm thinking of just shaving the bikini line and trimming the rest. Do you girls shave between your legs? I don't usually get razor bumps there so it's mainly the mons area where I get bumps. Anyway! Hopefully not TMI or too personal questions.

I just came back from my upper GI exam and that nasty drink they give u its beyond disgusting. I mean ewww no chocolate flavor with a hint sugar. I secretly think they get a laugh out of see our face once we are drinking it. Then not to mention the fact that I have to live in the bathroom as this drink makes its way out(tmi) am I the only one that went through this, I can't imagine but I don't recall seeing a post about it...

Hi all my bandster buddies! I was banded on 12/21 and I'm doing ok. Been having a lot of diarhea (sorry tmi, I know). Immodium is ok to take and has really helped. Also, water/gatorade mix keeps me hydrated. I wanted to just give up because I was so miserable, but I know this is going to pass. Congrats to those who are getting banded in the next few days.

That's a good point. I have never measured my food, but rather let my stomach tell me my limits. If my bites are too large, I can feel it in my stomach and it is not good. So, my bites now are definitely smaller than they were 2 years ago when a bite was as big as whatever utensil I was using could hold. A fork, spoon ... whatever, would be mounded. Now, my bite would be about half to three quarters of that. Sometimes, though, depending on the food, even that will be too much. I hope this isn't TMI, but in those cases, I chew very well and will not swallow everything in my mouth. I would rather take two individual swallows and know it will all go down and sit in my stomach comfortably. Yes, the second swallow is a bit gross, but then my next bite is smaller and I learn. I think the bottom line is to start by taking bites smaller than we used to, chew it well and don't rush to take the next bite. Evaluate how you are feeling after each bite and join in the conversation at the table. There was 20 people at my table yesterday and only a couple knew I had surgery. Everyone else didn't even notice my eating and I didn't give it a second thought. Another reason for my post was to give hope that this is not a permanent thing, this pureed food and restrictions. Everyone will be able to enjoy their holidays and be able to eat food again. Myself ... I felt like I was never going to eat anywhere near "normal" again, but that was just my self-sabotaging mind attempting to hijack my happiness. Crazy people are like that ...

I agree about the lortab. It made me so sick so they finally had to give me Norco crushed up. But this weekend I was a bit stopped up so I took 2 colace tablets and whoa!! Then they kicked in, I felt so nauseous, I thought I had the flu. Then all of a sudden I had to go to the bathroom and needless to say, Im not stopped up any longer (sorry for the TMI). I dont know if taking the normal recommended amount was a good idea. Did the trick but it felt like crap (excuse the pun).

Don't shush! All great tips! I actually have to use the anti chafe for the girls (sorry guys for the tmi). I had all sorts of problems with finding a good sports bra. I still have issues. My only solution has been to double bra and use an anti chafe around the breast. I didn't see the post by BTB before I posted. Great advice as well. Everybody is different. I've never tried thorlos socks- I'm intrigued. Replacing the shoes can't be stressed enough. I was only at 400 something miles on a pair of brooks and after a couple runs I noticed that I had immediate bruising on my knees and shins after running. Bought new shoes and voila the bruising stopped. Thank you all for posting! I get so much out of reading others' posts.

2 months out and I never have the urge for a bowel movement.... I have a BM every 2-3 days by forces because my stomach feels sour. Before surgery I was daily and now I miss that. Ugh!!

Thanks Lorraine! My insurance and doc have me (barring complications) staying the night and leaving around dinner time the next day so it's about a day and a half stay. I heard walking really helps with the pains and since I know with vitals I won't be sleeping much anyway. The leak test both friends said they almost vomited over so that's excitement in the works, lol. I have such issues with permanency so I'm hoping the buyers remorse is minimum. It took me years to be ready despite my doctor begging me so I hope it'll be minimum to none now. I "kinda" have a have a good support network back home waiting. While I love my family, several of which who live with me, they are unhealthy to say the least and after much careful thought I chose not to tell them. I'm a therapist by trade and discussed it with my own therapist and it's just in my best interest. I have a few amazing friends who offered me to recover at their homes but there's something about home that I can't replace and my own space so I'm not sure what I'll do. Plus if I stay elsewhere I'll have more to explain. The syndrome that causes my weight gain causes me to need multiple surgeries too often so I can say it's related to that. I also hate burdening the worriers over the holiday especially when I don't have details to offer. BTW no TMI I need it all and thanks for taking the time!

Hi, it's totally normal how you are feeling, especially the feeling that you are obsessing about things. I thought I would share how things went for me immediately post op in the hope it helps. Day one post op went in a flash, I spent the first few hours post op very groggy but not in pain. Don't get me wrong, I knew I had had surgery and was uncomfortable where my stomach was removed but it wasn't an unbearable pain. I was on an IV for the first 24 hours with nil by mouth, just little sponge things to keep my lips moist. Day 2 : I was still uncomfortable and found that a few times I did have to ask for a little bit more pain relief, again nothing that a little top of mess didn't handle. On day two I was given protein shakes throughout the day and a jug of iced water to drink throughout the day. Drinking was hard and slow and I felt weird about not being able to just down water as I had previously. The wind (gas) as you call it, was really bad but walking certainly helped. I did laps 3 laps of the ward every 45 mins and pumped a lot :0s. Mid morning of day 2 I was given my leak test where they make you swallow what can only be described as the most fowl tasting liquid known to man. You swallow the liquid and they watch (on X-ray) as it goes down and into your new tummy, making sure everything enters and exits through the correct route. Sleeping was uncomfortable and as they kept checking on my oxygen levels etc during the night very disturbed. On day 3 I developed what can only be described as the worst case of the runs I have ever had in my life (sorry TMI) doctors were reluctant to let me home in case I became dehydrated but its amazing what some crying like a 2 year old can get you (cringes) so on the evening of day 3 they had had enough of the 33 year old cry baby and allowed me home, this was when they reality if the operation sank in for me. While I was in the hospital for some reason everything somehow seemed surreal like when I got home everything was going to magically be better after a good nights sleep or two. Obviously this doesn't happen and every day became like an obsession over the surgery, it was all I could think about from first thing in the morning til I eventually went to sleep. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't in a great deal of pain or anything I just couldn't get what I had done to my body out of my mind, it was like my mind was in delayed shock or something. Fluids were slow but steady and got better every day, however my mood and buyers remorse ( although you don't pay across here) got worse, the oh my goodness what have I done to myself hit along with the this is irreversible surgery what am I gonna do now? For about a week my mood was really low but with every day it got a bit better until about day 10 when I was feeling "normal" again. The best advice I can give you is take every day as it comes, don't be a martyr to pain if it hurts ask for pain relief, walk, walk, walk, sip, sip, sip and have a good support network back home waiting for you, not just for helping out in the house etc but for the emotional roller coaster that most people endure. I am 7 weeks out now and feeling great with no regrets but I am not going to lie and say its not hard because it is. However every day things get a little easier and I am a step closer to feeling in control of my life again. I know this is a bit long but hope it helps. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. XXxxx

Is anyone experiencing very toxic gas? Ever since my surgery I am very toxic. I googled it so I'm going to consult my PCP. Any suggestions??

I had my TT on Thursday the 20th... I feel ur pain with the BM thing. I was ok with the surgery pain, but the gas/bloating pain moving around was horrible. Plus I hadn't went in 3 days because of the anesthesia. I took some milk of magnesia and was in relief in about 6 hours. It was recommended by my PS nurse. I apologize for the TMI, I hope this helps others.

I am doing good....would be MUCH better if I would/could have a BM! Sorry TMI... First couple days was worse than expected but each day has been better than the last. I'm more miserable with my bowel issues than the surgery at this point. I had a really hard time with the anesthesia this time...waking up was horrid & apparently, according to my mom & daughter, I was mean. Day 2 was ok, I slept a lot & was only in real pain when I had to get in/out of bed. Left the aftercare facility & went to the hotel where that evening (Thursday, postop day1) my wonderful doc came to see me at the hotel, checked my bandages & fixed my CG, making me much more comfortable. Day 3 I was getting around better, could walk by myself but needed help to get in&out of bed....couldn't wait to get home to the lift recliner I had rented. My hubby has been a much better & more compassionate nurse than I had expected. I'm getting a little stir crazy having to ask for help for most everything I need. I've tried doing too much on my own & pay with pain and/or fatigue. My drain ports are more uncomfortable today too. Hoping tomorrow is better & hoping I'm up to going to see family for a short time tomorrow afternoon.....WISH ME LUCK!!

Right now I am a tad bit irritated. I got banded on Nov.2 and since then I have been losing 2-3 lbs a week and this past week I lost nothing. Maybe TMI but this past week I was in my period. Does this have anything to do with it. I work out 4 times a week for an hr each day. I just need some feedback. I'm kinda worried about not losing weight. Advice please.

A few other things!! Bein able to ballroom wit my hubby without sweating like a pig and being out of breath and having to sit down. Lookin in the mirror and double taking cuz I'm not use to my reflection anymore! Puttin on a 5in stiletto heel Puttin on a small or med in junior sizes Going up and down the stairs in my house without gettin out of breath Bending over to tie my shoe Bending over to paint my toenails Sex in a different level lol (tmi)

I am getting sleeved in the spring of 2013. I am getting married in the summer of 2014. My fiance and I have never had sex. I have had sex before and have a child. He is a virgin. I do not want to have sex with him until I have lost a lot of weight because I want it to be both of our "first time". I figure having sex with an entirely new body is going to be like having sex for the first time all over again. I have a friend who told me that I am nuts, that the only thing that's going to be different about me is that everything is going to be saggy instead of plump. So I guess my question is this, is the sex different after you lose the weight. And keep in mind, I weigh over 400 pounds so there is a lot of weight to lose. I really will be a completely different person!

liz darling I'm so sorry. some of the meds are so hard on our bodies and it sounds like you are getting the worst of it. i am so glad that you get your chips though. they taste good don't they? although with all the other issues you probably don't want too many of them! TMI as well dear but my body went the opposite direction as yours. it hurt to move, yet i had diarrhea so badly i needed to go constantly and making it with the hoses, lines and tubes was HELL! i hope they get this under control hun. do you want me to fly down and beat someone up? I've never forgotten how supportive you were of me after my hell and it breaks my heart that such a dear person has to suffer the same...or maybe worse issues. you are always getting healing thoughts your way when I'm in wa and alaska (those might make you chilly though) smooches from afar and i hope the day gets better for you!!!

I can have ice chips and sips of water, but they're giving me 48hrs off antibiotics to attempt to get rid of this yeast infection. I'm actually on bed rest because of it and I get a high dose of Ativan just to calm me enough to pee. I'm having an allergic reaction to diflucan. I'm more miserable now than I was when I first came in. Leak can't be seen now but the other stuff is keeping me here awhile. TMI but, no bm for 3 weeks, can't pee without sobbing its so raw "down." My Dilaudid isn't even touching my pain.