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I can offer no advice on the hemeroids, so far I’ve been lucky to dodge that...but keeping with the TMI heading, is anyone else experience really smelly gas? I suspect the protein shakes/soups are the culprit as pre surgery they kept me super regular lols. Or is it my smaller stomach? I asked at the hospital and they said it was due to the surgery for the first few days, just hopeful it will get better soon.

Well, after 3 years on my own following the break up of a 30 year relationship, at the weekend I finally got naked with someone I have lusted after for years.... He didn't run away screaming at my wrinkly, saggy bits. I took my clothes off - ALL OF THEM!!!! And the world didn't end, he didn't laugh and I didn't die of embarrassment. Something for me to add to my list when people ask how my sleeve has changed my life - I can do naked :-))))))) Sorry if is is tmi, but I actually never thought at 52 that I could throw my clothes off with such abandon and without stressing -oh how I love my sleeve!

Sorry if this is TMI but I'm curious. Is throwing up a sign your over Eating ? Or is it possible to be over eating and never throw up? I'm hoping that if I was eating over board I would get sick and up chuck and not just be stretching my stomach

I'm still feeling great!! I started I chips yesterday and then moved to sips of Water, the ice chips don't bother me but sometimes the water is too much!! My nurse Jessica is the best ever!!! We even connected on fb and exchanged numbers! I will miss her greatly! My dr has been in several times to see me and just chatted with us, he's wonderful and so down to earth. The assistant Dr has also been great, frequent stops as well. I feel like I'm being treated like a princess, its truly amazing!! I am having just a tad bit of pain mainly from the bloated belly, I really wish I could pass some gas or a big burp lol sorry for the TMI there but it's the truth!! I haven't been sick at all and I even got my shower last night. My dr actually said I've bounced back greatly, really even better that most!! So my advice to future sleeves-- get that mindset that you are gonna be one to bounce back easily with little to no pain!! I know I did and it worked!! I will tell this, my husband didn't tell me but right after surgery I had said I was in a lot of pain (I do not remember any of this) they have me some meds and my nurse said I scared her bc my oxygen levels started dropping and got below 80 and was going down, my dr was right here by my side within seconds and had it all under control, yes it was scary to hear this but it was a comfort to know he was so quick to fix it!!! I'm fine now and it was just my dose of pain meds didn't suite me. I am so thankful for a wonderful nurse and a superb dr!!! I will suggest him for a lifetime!! Dr Alvarez is the best, I'll stand behind him 100% always!!!! If you plan to go to Mexico this is the man to see!!!! You won't regret it one bit!!

Had surgery on Monday, went back to work yesterday. I've gotten lucky my boss said he hired me for my brains and not braun... however I never really noticed how much walking I do in a day. Definitely, exhausted and went to be around 8 lastnight. I've had my first BM. I know alot of you might feel tmi...but I was so excited I told my sons who were getting ready for work and textes my husband. One incision is still draining but everyone that noticed the wet spot on my shirt were completely understandable and super supportive. I called my doctors office about it. It seems to be alot, but the nurse called me back and said it was normal, some people have the drainage while others don't. As long as it doesn't turn yellow or green or start to smell funny. My headaches are still waking me up. I think im sleeping about 3 hours before it wakes me up. Nothing appears to be working. Is anyone else experiencing severe headaches where its above the left eye towards the center of the head. Any ideas or suggestions...please. They hurt tremendously bad and the 500 tylenol twice every 6 hours doesn't touch them.

There's really no way to tell. I kind of thought within an hour or two something wou'dve happened so I called my pharmacist and asked and he said "usually within a few hours" and I asked him to define a few (nicely) and he said "Oh maybe 1, but sometimes 8 or 10." Doing the math I think it took me about 14 hours. There was one exception of a tiny "spurt" (felt like it was going to be more) that was kind of like raw magnesium citrate, sorry if that's TMI, stinky as all get out. So I thought ok, game on... that was about 7pm, but nothing else happened.

I think I am going to be afraid to eat for a while... LOL. I still haven't mastered eating so slow... quantities yes I am ok so far with and I am chewing well, found that out last week when I had the stomach bug yeah I know TMI LOL

I am 6 days out. I don t understand why I can have processed cream of whatever and broth and yogurt but you can't have fresh blended up fruit or eggs. I need something more than soup. I know its tmi but my belly can tell there is no substance coming in...so I'm having trouble with diarrhea...which doesn't help my fluids! I want an egg or some refried beans and my nut said no!

Is anyone else experiencing painful (moderate) burps? I feel like burping should be good, but I get a bit of discomfort under my ribs each time. Kinda sucks, but certainly bearable. Also this stabbing shoulder pain that seems to keep coming out of nowhere is driving me crazy! On a high note, riding in the car does not hurt my belly anymore. My port site is the only thing that appears to be tender. I sneezed a couple of times today...OUCH! Can't wait to feel normal again - every day is closer, though! To answer another's question (sorry I didn't remember your screen name before I started typing my reply!) I don't not have any bruising. I think I am definitely swollen at the port site, though - seems to stick out more than the rest of my stomach. I went #2 yesterday - that was a relief and not painful at all. OK - TMI, but seems to be a shared concern post-surgery so I though I'd share I seem to be getting a little more interested in food. I pureed some Mexican leftovers that my family had for dinner (chicken, Beans, guac, sour cream) the first few bites were OK, then it just seemed to gross to eat. That has been my experience with everything I've tried to "make." I think I'm better off sticking with slimfast, Yogurt, pudding and cream soups! Tomorrow is my husband's b-day - we are going out to eat to one of my favorite restaurants. I am so excited to have some Lobster Bisque! I'm sure I could use the calories at this point...I'm not getting many in right now. Happy Healing everyone:thumbup:

Well, I'm four days post-op now and feeling pretty da*n good! I'm still a bit sore on the right side where my port is, but my swollen belly is going down finally! Yeah! I can see my toes again! Still having a little gas pain here and there, mainly right smack in the middle of my chest. Walking and standing with my arms over my head usually helps and usually ends with a huge belch (was that TMI?). Went school shopping for my sons today. Did good, but getting in and out of my Jeep became a pain after about 3 hours. I haven't used my pain med in two days but seem to be living on Gas-X strips. My surgeon used skin adhesive, so I'm able to take a quick shower each day as long as I don't let my incision sites get soaked and I pat them dry real good. And boy, are they itchy!!! I've been wearing an abdominal binder during the day to support my muscles when I sit/stand or lie down/get up. It really helps. My abdomen is definitely less sore at the end of the day. As for my diet, my surgeon and dietician had me on clear liquids on Day 1, then full liquids after that for a week, but I was given the okay to advance slowly as tolerated before the week is up if I stay hungry. I've been doing great on the full liquids, and drinking protein shakes 3 times a day, but find that I am feeling hungry after 2-3 hours. I may try some soft scrambled eggs in the AM. I go for my first follow-up next Wednesday (7/28) and hope I can get my first fill since I only have about 1 cc of fluid and feel no restriction at all! So far, my experience has been awesome. I can't wait to see how I'll feel (and how much I lose) in the next month or so. Will keep you posted. Good luck to all of you.:smile2:

Hello Fellow Band-Members! My name is Rueben from San Antonio TX. I'm a new bander going on 2 Days Strong! My surgery date was 12/30/10, what a Xmas and new years present to myself. I'm still in alot of pain and have hella gasses coming out of both openings, I know TMI but it's the truth. I've been drinking protein shakes, sipping on alot of water, doing my breathing excerises and walking around for atleast five minutes! My pain meds don't seem to work or help bur I know within time I'll be a brandnew Man! I'm looking foward for 2011 and the future! Happy New Year! God Bless & Good Luck! My current weight is 6'6 499, my new years goal is 6'6-375. It's going to be a long tough journey, but it's all or nothing! I've come this far, why not step it up and keep going!!!

Wow - I never meant to let it get this long without another posting. Yet more evidence that the more weight you lose, the more you re-enter the real world and that thing called "a life" that you have been avoiding, which means you just get busier and busier!! SOO.... I have been doing great. I have lost 62 lbs. now but I know that I have been slipping from the right path. One thing is my food choices. Not the greatest lately. Not terrible (I AM still losing weight) but not great - a few too many cookies here and there. And while it hasn't derailed my success (YET), it just shows me that I am getting complacent - lazy! So I need to get back on track. The second thing I have been bad about is exercise. I basically haven't exercised at all since the start of winter. Given that it is now mid-February and that I live in MN, so winter began about September - that is a long time and, again, a bad habit. It has been so cold that walking outdoors wasn't an option. And I joined the YMCA with the intention of swimming (the only exercise I actually enjoy!) but it has ended up being a hassle to get the truck. We only have the one SUV and Pat uses it to go to work. Normally it isn't that big of a deal because we live so close to the base that I can take the truck anytime. But it means getting everyone up really early (about 5:30am) to bring Pat in and then come home. So I recently bought a treadmill on Craigslist for $50 (great deal!!) and I am excited. Imagine that - me excited about exercise!! But I am! I feel that I have already had a lot of success with my weight loss and can you imagine the results if I actually got off my butt and did some exercise?? Well, I can and I like it!! It will be nice to be able to go to the den downstairs and put my ipod on or watch TV while I walk and Molly can play, etc. So my exercise is now completely in my hands - no excuses about the truck or weather. And I am looking forward to the challenge. (Which is shocking to me that I even wrote that sentence!!) The last thing that I am being bad about is going to the lapband doctor. I don't need a fill (I don't think so anyway. I am pretty happy where I am at. I already skip meals at times because I just forget and I'm not hungry. *I am NOT advocating that as a good idea!!* I'm just being honest. But I also feel that when I do eat, I can eat more than the one cup that I should be eating. But I am more concerned that if I get the fill any tighter, I might stop eating even more, which is obviously not healthy. So I think I'll stay where I am for now.) But what happened was I missed the first appointment because I flaked out. So I rescheduled and it was about a month later before they could get me in. So next thing you know, I freaking flake on that one too!! (I often ask myself if I am really an adult and so far, I can't answer myself!) So I was really disappointed in myself and embarrassed that I did that twice. So then I didn't want to call and make another appointment - I felt like I'd be scolded or they'll be mad at me. Which is ridiculous. They have so many patients they probably don't remember that I missed the dang appointments anyway. And even if they do - what are they going to do?? Make a comment and we all move on. But I have let it go on for so long now, that I really don't want to face them and have to admit how long since I've seen the doctor. (Hello?? Will Claire the adult please stand up??) This is childish and I know it, but I can't seem to get over the feeling like I've let them down and I don't want to show my face there. So I think I will call and schedule an appointment and make my husband go with me. He is really my rock - he is a no-BS type of guy and helps me overcome these types of issues and see how silly it really is. So that is how I have been bad. BOO!!! :thumbup: Now onto the good stuff!! I have lost 62 lbs baby!! I used to wear a 26/28 and I am now in a 22/24!! I just bagged up the last of the too big clothes from my closet and with our tax return we got me some clothes. Which I loved. Not only shopping for smaller sizes, but the way clothes looked better on me, the fact that there are cuter clothes to choose from, that there is more variety to choose from, etc etc. So that was pretty awesome. My husband spent a fortune on lingerie for me!! Every pair of panties are adorable now (or sexy) and I even have some actual lingerie. Which brings me to a side point that someone else mentioned and I figured I should talk about it. If sex is TMI for you, skip to the next paragraph!! Okay - sex is GREAT! I mean, I've always enjoyed sex, but for quite awhile before the surgery, I had NO sex drive. I just never felt like having sex. I still enjoyed it when I did have it, I just never felt much like having it. But now, it is so different! Not only do I have a normal sex drive, but the sex is better. Why? Well, for one thing, there are positions and stuff like that we can do now that we haven't been able to do in awhile. But now we can because I have lost so much weight. I don't know whether it is hormones or what, but the "grand finale" is much better too. Which of course makes me want sex more often, etc. So that is a great side effect of all of this - my husband thanks the surgeon every night!! Back to the normal great stuff - in losing so much weight, I am beginning to literally and figuratively "find" myself. I am seeing parts of my body that I haven't seen in ages (not always a good thing, but the novelty is nice!). I am discovering my body and beginning to feel like we are friends again. For so long I felt like I battled my own body all the time - being sick all the time, all the problems and medications I was on, and the constant battle to lose weight with no results. But now I am beginning to feel like my body and I are working together and now that we are on the same side, I am beginning to actually be proud of my body - despite the imperfections. I feel like I earned those battle scars and that despite the abuse my body has endured, it is still here and we are on the right track now and my body is still going! I don't know how else to describe it. But I also am finding ME. The actual person and personality that has been smothered for so long under all that fat. I've begun to realize that I have a sense of style and individuality that is beginning to be reflected in my clothes - for so long it was all about the clothes that fit and would flatter as much as possible while still fitting in my budget. That doesn't really allow for style and personality. But now, I am discovering that I am pretty off beat. Maybe it is also a reaction to having to wear fat girl clothes for so long, which are often kind of older and dowdy, but I am really throwing that aside. I realized that I love the Rockabilly look (very old school, Bettie Page hair, pencil skirts, peep toe shoes, etc.) which I'm still not small enough to pull off, but I still like more edgy clothes and styles. I have begun to shop exclusively at Torrid. Now, there are a lot of clothes there that are not my style AND way too young for me, but there is a lot there that I really love. I am dressing younger and hipper. I painted my nails purple the other day!! Which, if you knew me, is pretty extreme. I was always so conservative. But I loved it. For my 32nd birthday in January, I got the top of my right ear pierced AND my nose pierced!! I have always wanted to get it done - I love the way it looks. But I always felt like I was too fat and too old. A mother of two who is 32 does NOT get her nose pierced. But when my husband found out that THAT was the reason I haven't done it, he was adamant that I was getting it done. That was my birthday present from him. He said, "Who says you are too old?? Who cares what anyone thinks?? You want to get it done, it would make you happy - what does anyone else's opinion matter??" It might be different if I worked at a very conservative job, but I don't!! I'm a stay at home mom and I'm going to college online for graphic design. My hubby said that my nose ring and new look are perfect for an "artsy" career. He said that looking young and being your own person and slightly unconventional will probably be a plus in my job field, when I get that far. So I am happy about that - I feel like I am developing my own style and learning all over again what I really like and what works for me. Of course I am still busy with the kids - James is in third grade and he just had his 9th birthday party. Molly is about to start kindergarten in September (boo hoo!!:tt1:) and her 5th birthday party is in a month, which I am still trying to get my butt in gear and finish planning everything for. (Get my butt in gear - are we sensing a theme here??) Patrick is frustrated at his job, but we are actually all really happy. Life for our entire family has steadily improved since I got this surgery. It has changed our lives in so many ways - many of them unexpected. So, that is about it for now. As usual, I'll end with - I LOVE MY LAPBAND!!

My questions is what is PB'ing? This is what happens to me and not sure why, or if its something different: I am about two weeks out since my surgery. My questions is that, I dont have much restrciction, i do feel full but I feel I can eat as much as I did before ( if I allowed myself I could do some damage) Sometimes when i eat, especailly mushy food I find that this flem is stuck in my throat. ( sorry for the TMI) kind of like when u have a cold. well i make it come up and its white/clear and slimmy. What is this and why is it happening? am i eating too much? or too fast? If this has happened to anyone, i would appreciate feedback. Thank you !

Can we drink Boost or Ensure? I know they are full of Vitamins and Protein. I like the taste and I probably can get a prescription for it. I had one before when I was sick and had IBS.. I know TMI. But I need to save every dime I can.

I had to take Milk of Magnesium and (TMI) it was miserable. I lived in the bathroom the day before surgery. I also suffered from dairrhea after the surgery. My mom said it was probably a lasting effect from the Milk of Magnesium. It was a wretched feeling that lasted about a week. Sleep before surgery was elusive for me. I was just so excited!!! Best wishes for the tail end of our May Bandsters! I am sure that you will do great with the surgery.

Im having no problem getting liquids down, any consistency, any temp, and I'm just curious how you can tell when your ready to move into puréed. Coughing and dry heaving we're EXTREMELY painful in the hospital, so I want to avoid vomiting at all costs. Also, I know this is TMI, but how long before people had a bowel movement? I'm not surprised that I haven't had one since there isn't much in me, but I don't want to go too long without one.

BASH Dates: Sept 23, 24, 25 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) ANY stage of bandster is welcome. We don't exclude anyone. Even spouses are welcome. Or in Donali's and my case SO. LOL!! TMI = Too much information I can stay in NY or Manhattan or NJ or on the Hudson River for all that matters. LOL!! I just wanna GOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! LOL!!

Thanks everyone for sharing! I have been very blessed with no other medical issues or meds. However, I just had my lab work done and my cholesterol and triglycerides were too high that my PCP is considering putting me on Cholesterol lowering meds. I told her I'm in the process for the WLS and hoping I can hold off. I've lost 30 lbs twice while on Metformin once 7 years ago, got pregnant, stopped Metformin and gained all weight back and then I lost 30lbs on my own 2 1/2 yrs ago watching my carbs (less than 20 grams a day) and no sugar. And staying on my metformin very strictly. But, I started having other issues, like repeated bladder infections, constant diarrhea, (TMI) but results of 4 extended release Metformins a day! I found myself stopping the Metformin when I knew I was going to be on a trip or away from a bathroom during the day and slowly started adding the carbs back into my diet. Now, I'm at the exact weight I was when I gave birth, accept this time no baby excuse. Looking forward to starting a new journey with my sleeve and not looking back! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It feels like my body is starting to "settle". I don't know if anyone else has experienced this feeling or if it's just me. Don't know quite how to explain it. My clothes are not fitting right - almost everything is too big. It's a weird feeling to have underwear that's too big. If I wear it to bed it slides off when I move. TMI, I know but it's just weird. Believe me I'm not complaining I just don't want to spend a ton of money on "in between" clothes. My massage therapist says working on me is like working "on a completely different body". That's awesome to hear. I've created a huge bag full of clothes that I can no longer pull off as presentable. They are just too large. That's so nice to say! I'm looking into joining a gym now to start to tone since I'm getting some definition in my arms & legs now. Yep, even starting to get a figure! Although at my 3 month post-op I was only awarded a C- by my surgeon because I'm not drinking enough according to him. Well, it's really tough to get down 80 ounces while not drink during or 1 hour after meals! I'm trying, I swear! Keeping track of food & liquid like this is almost a full time job! 53 pounds down - 73 to go... GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!

Okay, this may be a little TMI for some, so here's the warning: DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE, OR GET OFFENDED, OR WHINE A BUNCH. We're adults, sex is a normal part of our lives, and this is just my own personal experience. Sex post weight loss is pretty fabulous. Positions obviously now have a new meaning bc they are easier to get into. Also, I felt more at ease with my husband even though that man made love to me regardless of my fat. He never once mentioned my weight, my size, my inability to get into freaky, fun positions, he never once complained nor mentioned anything negative about our sex life pre-op. I will be 100% honest with you and everyone else here. Now that I've lost all my weight, having sex with my naturally thin, lean, muscular husband can be somewhat challenging. My huge boobs that being fat gave me are now just skin and little bit of breast tissue. I lay back, they fall over to my underarm area. Therefore, causing major sternum bumping in missionary position. This hasn't posed any problems perse but it's not always comfortable. I still have a little tummy fat roll that likes to make these "not so" cute noises, that took some time to getting used to, and for me to not be embarrassed when it did happen. Also, my butt seems to have disappeared completely therefore I'm quite boney in the rear area. Hip bones are torture devices, but now that I can manipulate my body with ease, it's not so bad. Overall, sex is pretty amazing. I feel closer to my husband, I'm not hiding under the sheets, I'm demanding the lights be turned off, it's very enjoyable even if some adjustments have to be made to avoid injury. It's a new world. I could give more specifics, but I'll refrain because it could be too graphic for some. If you want any other specifics, or have any questions, please feel free to contact me via the Private message system. I will say this, my private parts lost weight as well. Things are boney in that area, it looks different, it's not something that I focused on when I was fat. Because, well, I couldn't see all that well without the assistance of a mirror. But, my husband has even commented on how it has changed. It's not disgusting or gross, it's a good change, and it's kind of cool to be honest.

I am loving these responses, thank you SO MUCH ladies! and, for the record-- there's no such thing as TMI in my book :scared0: I'm SO WORRIED about my boobs. I know I have to just suck it up and get over it but I'm 23-- saggy boobs are going to be a real downer for me, I just know it. Not that mine are super fab to begin with, but they at least have shape and size on their side. I'm lucky that the boyfriend had Bypass 2 years ago so it's not like I have to be super self conscious, but at the same time it makes it a little more difficult to talk about. He's a jokester and "couldn't care less if you're all saggy" which is nice albeit somewhat dismissive. I CARE! Anyone had any luck keeping the sags at bay with water/exercise? Obviously I'm trying to keep my expectations reasonable, but I'm really hoping to not totally hate myself naked after this. Even fat I at least dig my butt and boobs.

wannalise, I just wanted to comment to you that the vitamins have been a major pain for me too. My doctor required liquid vitamins for the first two weeks which made me very nauseas and then gave me the runs. Sorry TMI! But I managed to keep them down. I was so excited after two weeks when I was able to start chewables. The first one I had I chewed and it went down just fine. I thought everything was ok. Not three minutes later it came right back up. Which was the first time I threw up with the sleeve. It was not pleasant and was not how everyone described as crawling back up. It was a full on puke, dry heaves, sweating and all. So after that I tried children's chewables. I know that they aren't optimal but I take two in the morning and two at night and they go down pretty well. I plan on finishing this bottle and seeing if I can't go to regular pills and maybe just cut them in two if they are too large. I know they are necessary but i hate all the supplements. Why do they all have to be so big. HAHA I have the hardest time getting down those citracal pills as well and I buy the petite ones. Oh well I guess I will just have to get used to them.

TMI question here; is anyone else having problems with bowels with this liquid diet? This is Day 4 for me and I've had two episodes of very loose BM's. I also get a bit of cramping and my stomach gets really bloated and hard afterwards for a bit. I understand everything going in is liquid and liquid shall come back out, but I have to do a bowel prep Monday for a colonoscopy on Tuesday and I'm slightly concerned that I'll become dehydrated or ill. I think I might have to call the doctors office tomorrow to find out how to handle this. I can't imagine taking Imodium would be prescribed since I believe this is what they want is for the body to be cleansed. Anyone else having problems?

I hope this isn't tmi, but I've pretty much have had diahrea since the surgery. I just always know where a restroom is where ever I am! Also, early on I had some nausea and still occassionally do. I can't really predict when it will happen, but it's very rare now. So, nothing serious and nothing that I can't deal with.

Yes, it really sucks. I've had my period now for 21 of the past 30 days now. Hoping it will stop eventually. Like I said, it's not my normal flow - but it's dark brown (TMI) like really old blood. So nasty. And eventually I would like to have relations with my hubby!