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My surgery was not sceduled until tomorrow. My doctor called me last week and was if I could move it up to last Thursday. With my juggling with my job and responsibilities it happened. I truely believe this was GODs way of getting me through the surgery. I had spent the weekend before reading a lot of everyone's post and truth be told had almost talked myself out of surgery. I went in at 11 am to forest park medical plaza in Dallas Texas. ( The Westin of all hospitals) my husband asked me If I paid for a VIP suite. The place is amazing! I was bad I was "working " till they rolled me in and knocked my butt out. Three hours later my husband said the surgeon came out saying all went well but he had found a very large hiatal hernia. I also have Barrettes easaphugus. Btw I've had no reflux at all. Popsicles don't cause reflux a guess! Not gonna lie I was not a happy camper when I woke up the nausea really sucked. I didn't have much pain to even speak of. I swear if one more person told me to get up and walk heads were gonna roll! Walking does help move the gases. I didn't have a lot of gas pains. I was pooting by the next day ( Friday) they were kinna pushing me to go home but I was self pay and I thought no way I'm staying here. Felt safer. But I soon realized Saturday when I did get home I felt so much better. I am 51 pretty tuff most of the time. This is not the easy way out so get over any of those negative thoughts. You have to walk this walk. It's all different for everyone. Yesterday I weighed myself I was like WTF 7lbs heavier then the day I went in. I was 197. But today at 530 I'm 196 they pump you with lots and lots of fluids! Sip sipsip everything is way to sweet for me. I've got to find the right protein mix advocate vanilla and orange sugar free jello teaspoon for teaspoon water and ice. And sip not to bad. Just don't drink a lot of water before or after. It gets messy. I know Tmi! Sorry for my typos. No glasses imams I'm typing from my iPhone !four days out! Oh btw. Walk walk walk

I am a lil behind on posting as I was not to encouraged as this week I gained weight. I have read plenty posts about the dreaded 3 week stall or weight gain but I was convinced I would beat it...Not... But all in all it has been a good week. I started eating soft foods and it was a welcome addition. Eggs with cheese was my first meal. I have made some othe recipes from Emily Bites andTheworldaccordingtoeggface. Most of them have turned out pretty good...I even managed to eat some shrimp and handled it okay considering I did not like shrimp pre-surgery...However at 21g of protein and only 1.5g fat and 4g carbs, it will become a frequent visitor on my menu. Still eating about 2-3 ounces of food before I get full and still adjusting to making sure I chew my food well to avoid that stuck feeling in my chest. My body still has not figured out how to resume regular bowel movements. I could probably lose a few pounds justing taking a good ole dump...lol TMI I know...My heartburn has also become more frequent over the past couple of weeks so I am resolving to taking priolsec or something of that nature with my daily vitamins. I started but stopped but realizing at least for now this is not possible. This week I hung out with my cousin who had lapband surgery in Jan 2012. She has had minimal success with it. I was so amazed at how much she could eat compared to the amount I was able to eat. Now mind you she had 7 months on me but I still thought our eating habits would be the same. I took a high protein, low carb potluck dish over it went over well but all the things she made were so high in carbs or fatty. She also tend to graze which all the reading I have done said this is a way you "eat around" your band or sleeve. I also notice that her pantry was riddled with things I would be afraid to bring in the house because all willpower would be gone...I do not say all this to judge but i do so it to say that even with the surgery we have to still exercise healthy eating habits. The surgery is only a tool and if we do not use the tool properly it is unable to perform as intended. I was careful not to judge her because I did not want to come off as a surgery eating expert after just 4 weeks of diet compliance. It was just an eye opener to be cognizant to not let my old eating habits that led to me being overweight erode the sleeve. On to the good news...I started out my journey a size 18..Well, this week I got into a size 13/14 jeans I had bought about two years ago...A phenomenal feeling that was...so despite having gained two pounds this week, I looked over it as I twirled around in the mirror 4 sizes smaller than I was a month ago...And so many folk are noticing the weight loss and that too is a really good feeling. Something that nags at me is that thought no less than 20 people have told me I lost weight, my ex-boyfriend has not acknowledged my weight loss...I know he is an ex and I should not care...Obviously there was something that put him in the ex category and it wasnt good so I should let go. Easier said then done but that is another story. I also measured today (09/16/12) and was pleasantly surprised at those numbers as well. I first measured on 08/23 so just under a full month Neck -1 in Thigh -3/4 in Hi Wasit (just below breast) -2 in Natural Waist 2 in Belly Button (Abs) -3 3/4 in Chest 1 1/2 in Hips 2 1/4 in Biceps 1 in Shoulder -2.5 in.....Total Inches Lost 16.75.. :D VSG 08/17/12 HW 232 08/13/12 SW 227 CW 210.4

All such GREAT rewards! In the TMI category ... I am already feeling more confident being intimate with my man. I am looking towards that increasing even more!! I think I am very lucky that I have always been able to tie my shoes or paint my toes or walk around a store... My perspective is already different b/c I realize some of what I have taken for granted. Believe me... I have a LONG way to go to goal, but y'all that REALLY have had to start at ground zero... y'all are such AMAZING inspiration! ! Reading your joyous reports of achievement... it takes my breath away!! Please don't take this wrong b/c it's meant right... I always think if they can do this than I sure as heck can!! They make me understand how lucky I am this is happening for me at this point of my life. I mean this from the bottom of my heart.... ALL of you are going to deserve credit in my soon to be success story!! Ha! I am even teary eyed writing this.

Hiddy ho, everyone!!! Its been a bit since I have been here but I'm back. Not alot has changed but then again, everything has changed. I know, a contradiction in terms.... that would be me!! Well the first thing I want to talk about is frustration and lying scales!! Okay so maybe they don't lie but it sure feels like it. This is why I have purposely not gotten a scale for my house because I KNOW I would become wayyyyy to involved in weighing myself. So I have choosen to just weigh in when I go to a doctors appointment. I went Friday for a "sick" visit, which I will get to in a few. Anyhoo, I was actually very excited about this because it had been a few weeks since I last weighed in. I was feeling really good about it, especially with all the mucus I have blown out (I know TMI) and even excited, which if you are anything like me, is a very very weird feeling indeed!! My clothes have been getting bigger and bigger and I've had more energy (kinda) and I can walk without gasping for every breath. So I go in thinking I've lost at least 15 more pounds.... NOT! I had only lost 5lbs more but I got to thinking that is still an accomplishment. Also my body is acting more like 15lbs than 5lbs so who am I to complain?? I will but still lol.... I have lost exactly 50lbs since July 17 so that is really something to be happy about and don't get me wrong, I am extremely happy and proud, just wanting it to go faster. Never thought of myself as being impatient but I guess it is something I can add to my personal resume'. Okay, now about the "sick" visit. I got a cold about a month ago. Normally because of my major breathing issues, I would have missed a couple of days of work and kept my fingers crossed to keep pneumonia at bay. This time though, it was really no big deal even though I did feel like crap. My issue is that I got over the cold in about a week but have continued to sneeze my way through at least 10 boxes of tissues!! My nose hurts, my face is chapped and my eyes feel like they have lead weights in them!! I've never been prone to allergies but I've got a whopping case of them now. My friend/mentor at work said she also got bad allergies also after her surgery. Anyone else having the same issues? I got a huge shot of steroids in my posterior and was feeling fairly okay until today and I'm back to sneezing and blowing again!! Anyone heard of a nose transplant??? Jest askin' I have given away my first bag of clothes which is truly a blessing. One of the funny "side affects" is my pants are getting too long! Less booty and belly make for long pants lol.... Again, not that I'm complaining!! One thing I guess I didn't really think about is the deflation of my body and what would happen. I have been blessed with very good genes and have very little grey hair for someone almost 52 and very few wrinkles.... or had very few! I am now the relunctant owner of varying types of wrinkle / toner creams. I have mentioned in previous entries that I can be vain about some things... well this is the latest!! As my face is deflating, my wrinkles are increasing!! I also have discovered that I am developing bat wings!! arghhhhhh!!! I've always been very muscular so never really thought much about that but it is happening. Fortunately, I already have the rubber excercise thingymabobbers (okay so exercise equipment is not my fortay!) so I guess I'm going to have to make it a part of my routine (that does not yet exist) to recapture a forgotten youthful body that, honestly, I don't remember ever really having. I do have a picture from when I was 19 or so and I did look pretty hot but I just never got the confirmation of that fact. I just remember being told I was never thin enough or going to be loved if I didn't get skinny or thin or whatever so I had a poor body image even though it really wasn't so bad. Now I haven't told you this for sympathy or the po' me's... no, its just to point out that many of us have had the same experiences and journies, although each are unique. Its how you decide to steer the ship that decides your satisfaction with said journey. I have been very blessed to have had many many people truly love me for who I am and not for what I look like. Something that many of us have to deal with is the fear our mates may have that we will lose weight and then leave them (like my hubster!). My theory is that he loves me like I am and will love me as much or more later. He has stood by me through illness' and surgeries and my failing health so I believe he deserves and has earned the good times too. Besides, he's kinda cute for an old fart!! :wub: Which brings me to my other topic of discussion.... intimacy. Now I'm not going to get graphic because, for one thing, yuk, and another is some of my family members actually read my blog so I will spare them. It is, however, one of the perks of getting this weight off.... I can hug and cuddle with my husband. It is amazing how much better our interpersonal relations are now that we have both lost weight. And no, I'm not just talking about s.e.x...... I'm talking about being able to pass each other in the kitchen without doing acrobatic moves or now fitting in our bed together comfortably. This may not sound like a big deal to some but oh yeah, it is!! So I guess I will stop here for now. If anyone has any suggestions on the subject of allergies, please bring them on.... I hope everyone has a wonderful week and continue to enjoy your journey!!! Hugs!!

I had that problem the week after surgery and I used Milk of Mag and that worked, I was starting to get really worried and you don't want to be straining after having surgery on your stomach, may be TMI, but hey, it happens. I took probiotics before surgery that kept me regular and after surgery, when I was allowed to (2 weeks), I got back on them and they keep me regular. They don't work overnight, as for that 2 weeks I could not take them, I could definitely tell, but I'm now 2 months out from surgery and back on track. The Pearl probiotics are really, really small so no problems with taking them now or in the future with a tighter band. Just another option to add to the list. Oh and like the above commenter said, my nutritionist said about the only thing sugar free candy is good for is if you are constipated, lol.

I'm having surgery oct 3rd and that day I'm going to have my period and I'm worried about how they going to do my surgery like that , am I going to have underware on ? Can I use pad help please I know it's silly but I'm concern about it !

Well I'm three days out and got a bad case of head hunger today not real hunger just my other half had steak and my son had pizza and it was stuffed crust!!! I am having a hard time with my liquid in take everything tast so weird to me I cant finish a Popsicle with out feeling like I'm going to bust on a good day I am getting in around 44Oz a day and I'm making sure what I do get in has electrolytes I have one incision that is really sore and I have been Laying on my back and putting my feet up like when I had my son and it pushes the gas out tmi! I know but the gas is such a killer just trying to stay hydrated!! I can finally sleep on my right side forget about the left side it is way too sore! I hope all the posters are doing good and all the ones still waiting are staying sain!

Anybody have any experience with Federal Blue Cross and plastic surgery after weight loss? Do they pay? I hear that they do pay for quite a bit of it but I'd really like to know from someone who had it rather than from third party sources... I know I'm getting waaaaaaaay ahead of myself here since I haven't even had my surgery yet but I really think knowing I can finally look normal (for the first time in my life) would be a huge motivator to me. When I lost 160lbs( I've gained back 60) 12 years ago I was sagging skin everywhere--EVERYWHERE! I was very disappointed that I was still disfigured. I hate to admit this but my husband has never seem me naked with the lights on. He likes to joke by saying he gets glimpses of different parts and then just puts them together in his mind like a puzzle! lol... yes, he is a saint! But I would love to feel comfortable enough to be more at ease. The idea of plastic surgery gives me hope! Sorry if I've shared too much TMI.....

I have a question....Why is a daily BM not the norm for Bandsters?? This may be TMI, but I go pretty much every day. Should I be concerned?

Well this time around the doc has me on florastor (spelling) as well in hopes to get the good bacteria back in check. Weirdest thing though.....I read all the stickers on the antibiotic bottle (cripe there are 5 of them not including the label) and one of them says May Cause Diarrhea during treatment. UMMM HELLO I'm trying to get rid of that not make more of it LOL When it comes down to it....in my humble opinion....nothing is TMI in here. Anything any of us is going through can help someone else. Jen in SoCal...antibiotics caused the whole issue in the first place for me. The initial antibiotics were for an incision infection. Thanks everyone.....I'm sure I'll have the...ummm...errrrrr........oh heck just say...poops under control soon. hahaha

Glad ur ok! Yes, bright red is a good sign. Most likely a hemroid. I'm not a doctor, but my dad is, so that's who I asked to give you my opinion. And I know from 3 pregnancies about hemroids! TMI.

There are so many things i am looking forward to when i get thin and healthy but to name a few...SHOPPING!!!!!! Clothes without elastic! No more back fat, Sexy panties,bending down without a struggle ( LOL ) And ( sorry if Tmi but ) seeing my lady part without lifting up my stomach!!!!! Let me hear yours!

The only issues I had with my periods before were that they were never on time or sometimes would not come at all and were pretty heavy. The heaviness I'm talking about my latest period is no where near what I had before...when it started it came with no warning and I had to change clothes and stand in the shower for about 30 mins because it was pouring out! Sorry for the TMI but no other way to explain it. I hope we don't all have these issues long term...I thought that surgery would have helped in the pcos department! :/

feel better soon hon. I thought I had a UTI, but I have a stupid bacteria infection because of the antibiotics they gave me in the hospital. probably way tmi but I jus wanted to let you know you aren't alone ::hugs::

I have pcos. I'm 2 months post op & have had 2 periods. Starts off looking like old blood. Very heavy! Lots of clots, cramps to the point they push my tampon out (sorry if tmi) so painful (beginning labor anyone?) My period used to last 5 days tops. The 2 since surgery have been 7 & 9 days 5 of which were heavy flow each. New Life Started 07/24/12

I haven't written in a while so.....What or who is an experienced Bandster? At nearly 6 months post op apparently, not I even though I have dropped 81lbs. Being an experienced Bandster is not all about weight loss.... This morning on the way to the Office I stopped at Dunkin Donuts for a sausage, egg and cheese wake up wrap and a large decaf coffee. I don't drink with my meal but I wanted to have it for when I got into the office. Well without thinking much about it I proceeded to head to work on the freeway and ate my wrap. Not paying attention I ate it too quickly. Stuck episode on the freeway in traffic is not fun by any means. I ended up pulling over to the side of the road and got out and paced back in forth for about 15 minutes until it passed. With my last fill I am definitely in my sweet spot. I can eat almost anything if I do it correctly. Correctly seems to be a problem still. I am eating the right things for the most part but I am still eating too quickly and not chewing enough. I have spent my entire life eating junk food and binging at times and just shoving it in. I never thought learning to eat properly with the band would be this difficult. I have had probably about 7 or 8 stuck episodes since being banded in April. One episode led to (and sorry for the tmi) vomiting. So a couple of things are going to happen here. I am either going to get this straight and follow proper band rules or I am going to cause a slip. Next week I have another support meeting and I am going to sign up and re-take the hungry head class again. That class focus on binge eating and eating habits. I don't think I need the hungry head class as far as binging but I think being around people and talking about experiences will help me keep focus. My next Doc appointment follow up is 9/25. I am not getting a fill. I am still getting the needed "restriction" from the fill last week. In my opinion and I have said it before the word "restriction" sucks when it comes to band talk/terminology. It's not about restricting at all it's all about appetite suppression and satiety. I got that going on right now, no question about it. Now if I can only learn how to eat properly. I also know my band is tighter in the morning. From now on protein shakes only in the morning even if I am running late. ***

Hey everybody- I am 5 days post-op, and I think I had a breakthrough today. I have been having the same issues with the shoulder pain and the gassiness. So last night I took a laxative, and sorry if TMI but had two BM today and it has definitely helped with passing of gas. Also, I got a bottle of children's liquid ibuprofen, and took some of that today and it REALLY helped the shoulder pain. (I took 400 mg) So not sure if this will help anyone else but it sure made me feel better!

I had surgery 9/4, and starting 9/6 I've had diarrhea (sorry tmi!!) daily. liquid in, liquid out! :-) Robyn

1. Lane Bryant - bye! Bye! Tired of paying ridiculous prices for the simplest garment! It costs a fortune to look nice for work each season and a lot if the clothing styles should not be made plus-size (horizontal stripes size 22/24 is not flatering no matter how well made or attractive the item is!) 2. Pulling into a parking space and then you realize you can't squeeze out the door, so you have to re-park or change spots- embarrassing!! 3. The "personal hygiene" issue- I use tons of cornstarch-based powder! 4. Seats, seatbelts, rides, cars, bikes, etc. - always the worry "Will I fit?" or "Will I break it?"-horrifying!! 5. Feeling like the most undesirable woman in the world! My husband is so supportive and truly loves me but I don't love myself enough to be free to love him. The weight has affected my self-image (zero labido-TMI, sorry!)

Strangely enough, I'm not as freaked right now as I was 10 minutes ago. Oh wait, here it comes......yep, self-doubt and that horrible feeling in my stomach is back. Ok breathe. In and out, in and out. This is what you've wanted for so long, remember? Just calm down! It's gonna be fine. Molly, you work at the hospital where you have surgery, you've explored all the ins and outs of the surgery, you know what to do and you'll do it. You're super educated about this whole process so, why the freak? Ah yes, that nagging feeling that they're gonna weigh you on the day of surgery and say, "you gained 5 lbs and now you can't have surgery." They probably COULD do that if they wanted to BUT, in my situation I don't think they would. And, I may have gained 5 lbs. I just haven't gotten on the scale in the last 2 weeks since I met my 5% weight loss requirement for surgery. Gulp. My friend who had the sleeve done said that they did weigh her right before surgery in the pre-op area and she had gained 3 lbs but, no one said anything about it. So.....that gives me hope. I mean seriously, what do they expect? I want to stuff my face at every waking moment now. It's terrible, way worse than trying to loose weight. I'm not gonna get to eat most of the junk I'm eating now....well, for a really long time! Ok, I guess that's the point. I had a LARGE piece of red velvet cake at work yesterday. It was so fabulous. I'm really never going to forget it. Or the horrific diarhea after I ate it that looked surprizingly red in the toilet. YUCK!!! TMI!!! I dreamt about Top Ramen last night. I woke up thinking, WTF? I never dream about food!!! Never!!! Am I gonna dream about food now? Oh brother, I sure hope not. I dreamt that I was parked next to another car with 2-3 people in it. When I got out of my car I noticed that they had a large bag of Top Ramen on the shelf that you can see via the back window. I asked them if I could have it. WTF!!!!! LOL In the end, I think it turned out to be cookies and something else instead of Top Ramen. So, I said, "Oh, nevermind, thanks anyways" and I had to leave the bag of whatever with them. Hopefully this is a good sign. Wow, this whole blogging thing is super therapeutic. I'm gonna have to do it more often. Off to work for my last day until October. That is IF they still let me have surgery. lol

I was banded today in Phoenix at a little past 7am. We had to get there at 5am for check-in and we were staying at a hotel about 30 minutes away so we had to get up at 4am.....that is very early. Especially early for someone who took her cpap machine out of mothballs and tried it for the first time in 2 years and couldn't sleep because it was tickling my nose hairs and pinching my face. I finally gave up and got to sleep around 2am. Got to the hospital and did the paperwork. Hubby and 7 year old son were out in the lobby and hubby put a movie on the DVD player so he could watch it and stay quiet. The nurse told me they would take me back and my family could join me after they were done poking and prodding me. This may be TMI, but of course I started my period 2 days before my surgery. They wanted me to get completely undressed and I told them I HAD to wear underwear. So they gave me these mesh panties and a brick sized pad. Well, let me tell you something, the mesh panties and not meant for big girls. I tore one pair before asking the nurse for some scissors to cut the sides a little or I would have no circulation. I had to share the pre-op room with two other people and the nurse gave the woman in the middle the remote. She put it on the news and all they were talking about was the DNC and I am so sick of politics right now. i would have rather watched QVC! They gave me a shot in my belly. It didn't hurt at first but the alcohol they used to clean it after burned like hell. After awhile, it kind of ached a little. Then they gave me my IV in my hand. It wasn't so bad. They gave me cute little socks with grippers on the bottom and the compression things for my legs but they said they would put those on right before. I was kind of bummed because I wanted to know what it felt like. In the meantime, my son is getting upset because he didn't pay attention when I went back and didn't get to kiss me goodbye. He demanded to be back there with me and they eventually got to go back. Not sure why he was so nervous. Maybe it was the fact that my husband joked to our 7 year old son that they were going to carve his momma up like a christmas turkey? Men! Finally, it was time to go back. I got my kisses and got a little choked up at leaving them. What surprised me was the fact that I kind of got freaked out as they were wheeling me into the OR. I actually considered telling them never mind! I just started praying and God took away my fear. It was incredibly cold in the OR and the bed they had me move to was really uncomfortable. That is all I remember until I woke up from the anethesia. They asked me if I wanted tea, something or something and the only thing that I could stand was tea. They brought me warm unsweetened tea(which I usually like sweetened with something) but it was the best tasting tea I ever had! I do have a bit of advice though for them: Do not hand a patient who is high as a kite and not in control of her motor skills a warm beverage. I spilled more than I drank. BTW: Doctor informed hubby I had TWO hiatial hernias. He was able to repair one but I will have to lose some weight for the other. They made me go to the bathroom and get dressed and then walked me out to the front. It was raining and Hubby busted it in his haste to get the car but he was alright. Just banged up his knee. Got home and didn't have to use the wheelchair we borrowed from the hotel at all. I just used it to kind of hold on to in order to keep my balance as I wanted down the hall. I was not in that much pain. I have four incisions and one of them has a major bruise on it. It is later in the evening now and I am really sore like someone punched me but it is not intolerable. I was even able to go out to dinner with hubby and son and I had some broth from some tortilla soup. We then went to Walmart! Blessed be: NO GAS PAIN....yet. I felt what I thought was gas so I took a gasx strip but that was it. Overall, I was pleased with my surgeon. It was sort of a wam bam thank you maam with not really a lot of fussing about but I kind of like that. I didn't really want to stay overnight and they said my surgery was perfect. To top that off, when the nurse weighed me this morning, I weighed 289!!!! That means I lost 25lbs on my pre-op diet! Believe me when I tell all of you future bandsters or even people just on a regular diet....if I can do it, anyone can! I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me. Thanks for viewing and God bless!

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!

A little TMI but I just want to see if anyone else is having this problem too... Every time I drink my protein, whether it's 30g like I am supposed to or a few sips I feel so sick for about an hour. My stomach is rumbling like crazy and I get bad gas pains and until I finally have diarrhea I am just miserable! In addition the stuff tastes terrible and I have a hard time not throwing it up when I drink it. My main concern is that the entire time the protein drink is in my body I feel terrible. I have eaten a few scrambled eggs (usually can only have half of one for a meal) and I feel just fine so I know it's the protein drinks.... They are the same ones I had for liquid diet before surgery and I was fine then. Thanks for any input!

I was released Thursday & I have had diarrhea at least 1 time a day since. Do you think it's just from the anesthesia? I am able to get in my liquids just fine, no issues. Also my Vitamins & b12. Been taking the Prilosec they prescribed. No pain meds since 3 am (yay!), or nausea meds since last night (another yay!). Up at 7 this morning, watched tv, took a 2 hour nap, watched a movie, took a shower, dried & straightened my hair, read part of a book & going to go walk at the mall (bc it's 104° here today, yuck!!). So what do you think the diarrhea is from? :-( I don't feel bad when it happens. Robyn