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I was sleeved last Tuesday. They didn't let me take my birth control while I was in the hospital (2 nights). Doctor gave me the okay to resume taking them on Thursday night when I got home. He didn't tell me I need to crush them or anything since they were small enough. Despite having my period the week before surgery, I started spotting on Friday and feel like I've been having a mini-period ever since, despite taking the birth control regularly. Anyone else have this problem? If it's not resolved itself tomorrow, I think I'm calling the doctor's office to figure out what the deal is because this is annoying and frustrating.

I missed counted and tried my pureed stage too early. I hope I did not cause any problems. TMI I have not had a bowel movement since I did that. I still have trouble sleeping and some pain in the from and back in the same section. I am glad I did this but did not prepared for the problems that have happen. Hoping that I did not cause aproblem with my sleeve. back to the liquid that one day of pureed may have caused a problem OMG. I am scared and alone.

I know this may be tmi but 5 days post op and i had my first bowel movement .. I TOTALLY expected that to be an issue because I wasnt even regular PRE op .. but sure enough it came.. NOTHING solid but it came from THAT hole so ill call it a bowel movement lol.. is this normal?? How many days post op was it for you guys?

I know this may be tmi but 5 days post op and i had my first bowel movement .. I TOTALLY expected that to be an issue because I wasnt even regular PRE op .. but sure enough it came.. NOTHING solid but it came from THAT hole so ill call it a bowel movement lol.. is this normal?? How many days post op was it for you guys?

Welcome to you both! I thought about the surgery for several years before I committed to it. I was scared too. I am so glad I did though! I feel so much better now. My back hurt all the time and my feet too. I was even having trouble wiping myself because it twisted my back (sorry if that is TMI but it was becoming a real problem for me). I knew then that it was affecting my quality of life! I did not want to live like this anymore. It was the best decision I have ever made and there is no way I would have ever made it this far without the sleeve! Love my sleeve!

sorry for a tmi but added to me feeling super sick i have diarrheoa,is that a symptom also?

I eat a salad at least once a week. I chop up a boiled egg in it with lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, cheese and bacon bits. I use a little blue cheese sparingly. It is so yummy. I have such probs with constipation but I have a lettuce intolerance so it clears everything out (sorry tmi). I love my salads!!

Hi Bandits, This is day five and so far so good. I'm not in much pain, not hungary so far and I have been able to do all of my business, (TMI) I know, I know- I plan on starting my 30 minutes of exercise on tomorrow and I will do my weekly weigh in's 1 week from my surgery date of 4/24/2012.

I drink coffee every morning & my nut & surgeon ok'd it......thank the Lord cuz this girl NEEDS caffeine!! Also, a little tmi added bonus - it keeps me totally regular, no constipation issues like so many others have

1. Are full liquids eating, i.e. no drinking for 30-90 minutes after? Ask your doctor. 2. Is Jello considered eating? No, its a full liquid believe it or not. 3. Can I drink broth all day? Is there a difference between chicken and beef? Yes, and nothing. 4. I don't like artificial sugar for the sugar free diet. How can I compensate? You can't. Although you have had a sleeve. You can still get dumping as you do with gastric bypass if you eat sooo much table sugar. But you won't have the cramps...you will get diarhea...trust me. 5. How do I keep the momentum going with the weight loss? I'm starting to feel hunger, but can't eat. I'm worried about going into starvation now that I'm actually feeling hungry and it working backwards for me. I'm also afraid that when I do start eating it will either stop the weight loss or go backwards because of the previous "starvation". Momentum, momentum, momentum, I want to keep it rolling. If you wait to each until you get hungry. Make sure you are eating every 3 hours at least (3 meals - Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 2 Protein shakes) It the protein that is most important as it contributes to healing and more "filling". 6. I'm having a hard time watching my family eat. It grosses me out the food intake not so much with my growing boys, but especially with my husband who is going to have the surgery also. I feel like....."hey do you realize how much food you eat and I'm over here drinking broth all day long! Get control of yourself." Yikes, I know. So sorry, but it's true. This is emotional. You don't realize the emotions that you will go through in this life changing journey. Don't know if anyone told you but when you lose a lot of fat, your body will release a lot of hormones into you rsystem which give you mood swings like crazy. I felt the same way about my family but I remembered that my husband did not have the surgery and I didn't like it when someone told me that I ate too much so I usually talk more at the table or sit down at the table 10 minutes after everyone else does so that we all finish at the same time. My husband has decided to go forward with the surgery so soon he'll know what I went through. 7. TMI Warning!! I am on the Depo shot and I have been spotting ever since the surgery - 12 days. I never have a period if I do it a day or two of lite spotting. This is every time I wipe, not fresh but old if you know what I mean. Sorry again. Could something in the surgery have messed with my shot or what are your thoughts on this? I do not want to get pregnant! Again the hormone release do to the rapid release of fat can do this. Call your doctor to besure. 8. I'm starting to feel normal and that scares me a little. When I could feel the soreness and restriction (no hunger), it made it easier to not eat and be great with it. Now, it's like appetite is coming back. I'm scared of gaining. Other diets have worked opposite for me and I don't want this to also. I'm scared of any change or move! I feel like I have to starve myself to keep this going. :-( Remember this is a tool to help you adjust to a new healthy life style. If you try to eat something fried or full of sugar you will get very sick. You will only be able to get 300-500 calories in the first month or so then you will need to get 800 to keep your hair from falling out. And it will be a challege to get 800 in. I am at 3 months and I'm struggling to get 600 calories. Also measure, measure, measure your food. I can't stress this enough. Normally, leaks occur 3 weeks after surgery because patients feel better and use the sleeve to gage fullness. But remember, it take 20 minutes for your mind to get that signal that you are full so by then you would have consumed to much. Besides, if you do eat to much or too fast, you will thowup and believe me, it's no the same as throwing up before you had surgery...it's worst! Not to freak you out but it is painful and sometime lasting. You will also plateu that will sometimes last for a week. You may gain a little when drop the following day. These are all normal things. I used a calendar to write down my weight everyday and the total lost. Then at the end of the month I figure out how much weight was down for the month. One month I gained 5 pounds but had at total weight loss of 13 pounds. My husband has been very supportive. He is having his surgery in August. We have already change what we eat when we go out and what I cook for the family. Being obese is just as much of a mental battle as it is an emotional and physical battle. Everytime I was tempted to eat bad or eat fast or stuff my face or felt sad that I can't eat what everyone else was eating, I would redirect my mind to think " in 3 month I am going to look HOT!!!!" Now, I am the envy of every woman at work! I can fit in to a Small Shirt!!!! i have never fit into a small shirt!!!!!!! 9. Life evolved around cooking, eating out, social eating, etc. I've halted all of that and feel a little trapped. No one except immediate family, i.e. husband, sons, and girlfriend who went to hospital with me know that I have done this. I don't lie and would have a hard time explaining why I'm not eating, drinking alcohol, participating in the activities this early in my post surgery. So we are using our workload right now as a reason for staying home, etc. There's so much there for me right now. My husband is extremely supportive and wants me to do the same for him when he has the surgery. Sorry rambling but trying to get through the emotional/mental part of it. I like to cook too. It was a real adjustment to cook healthly things. I have discovered new foods as part of the process and that has been fun. As far as explaining why I don't eat to colleagues, I told them before the surgery. For colleagues I haven't seen in a while, I told them the truth if they ask and answered their questions. I have had only one person treat me bad but she was a big B to begin with so I was prepared to handle it. As for anyone who had past judgement on me to my face or behind my back, that just doesn't bother me because I did this for me and my family and for my health and that is all that is important. I think you will surprise how supportive people can be. Most people are just curious. And again don't get sorry about rambling because you are emotional...it's the hormones talking. 10. I'm still bloated and tend to bloat throughout the day. Is this normal or what can I do to alleviate this? Yes, this is normal. I was bloated for 5 weeks. This is because of swelling. Also there may be gas still trapped inside. Walking makes a big difference. 11. I know I don't get enough liquids in as I can't drink Water. Any liquid suggestions would be great. Frozen sugar free popsicles, warm tea, and sugar free gatorade were my friend. I also had sugar free jello and broth. 12. I can already tell that my absorption rate is super sensitive and high! Within seconds of trying something, I either feel sick, lightheaded or full or all of the above. Does this stay? When food is introduced will it be one bite at a time? You may need to eat slower. Take a bite, chew 25 times, swallow, then count for 10 before taking another bite. This does going away...sort of. You will get sick, lightheaded if you eat too fast. As far as full, you will have to figure that part out on your own but my Doctor told me to start with 4 Tbsp. (2 tbsp of a protein, 1 tbsp veg, tbsp fruit - in that order) but be prepared if you can only get 2 tbsp down. I started with 2 tbsp but now I am up to 1/4 cup. 13. I think protein shakes make me sick?? You tastes with change over time. I liked my protein shakes before the surgery. Then could not stand them for about 6 weeks after surgery but now I like them again. I would try a bunch of difference one. I like the Unjuy and nectar brands. The nectar brands taste like fruit juice with not after taste.

Sorry in advance! I was sleeved on April 17. I've lost somewhere between 15-20lbs. :-) This is my week of full liquids. Wednesday I can do soft diet for 2 weeks. I'm at a turning point and have several questions. Please answer any one you can. I need all the help I can get. 1. Are full liquids eating, i.e. no drinking for 30-90 minutes after? 2. Is Jello considered eating? 3. Can I drink broth all day? Is there a difference between chicken and beef? 4. I don't like artificial sugar for the sugar free diet. How can I compensate? 5. How do I keep the momentum going with the weight loss? I'm starting to feel hunger, but can't eat. I'm worried about going into starvation now that I'm actually feeling hungry and it working backwards for me. I'm also afraid that when I do start eating it will either stop the weight loss or go backwards because of the previous "starvation". Momentum, momentum, momentum, I want to keep it rolling. 6. I'm having a hard time watching my family eat. It grosses me out the food intake not so much with my growing boys, but especially with my husband who is going to have the surgery also. I feel like....."hey do you realize how much food you eat and I'm over here drinking broth all day long! Get control of yourself." Yikes, I know. So sorry, but it's true. This is emotional. You don't realize the emotions that you will go through in this life changing journey. 7. TMI Warning!! I am on the Depo shot and I have been spotting ever since the surgery - 12 days. I never have a period if I do it a day or two of lite spotting. This is every time I wipe, not fresh but old if you know what I mean. Sorry again. Could something in the surgery have messed with my shot or what are your thoughts on this? I do not want to get pregnant! 8. I'm starting to feel normal and that scares me a little. When I could feel the soreness and restriction (no hunger), it made it easier to not eat and be great with it. Now, it's like appetite is coming back. I'm scared of gaining. Other diets have worked opposite for me and I don't want this to also. I'm scared of any change or move! I feel like I have to starve myself to keep this going. :-( 9. Life evolved around cooking, eating out, social eating, etc. I've halted all of that and feel a little trapped. No one except immediate family, i.e. husband, sons, and girlfriend who went to hospital with me know that I have done this. I don't lie and would have a hard time explaining why I'm not eating, drinking alcohol, participating in the activities this early in my post surgery. So we are using our workload right now as a reason for staying home, etc. There's so much there for me right now. My husband is extremely supportive and wants me to do the same for him when he has the surgery. Sorry rambling but trying to get through the emotional/mental part of it. 10. I'm still bloated and tend to bloat throughout the day. Is this normal or what can I do to alleviate this? 11. I know I don't get enough liquids in as I can't drink Water. Any liquid suggestions would be great. 12. I can already tell that my absorption rate is super sensitive and high! Within seconds of trying something, I either feel sick, lightheaded or full or all of the above. Does this stay? When food is introduced will it be one bite at a time? 13. I think Protein shakes make me sick?? I know I'll have more, but here's a start. Thanks for your patience. Thanks to anyone and everyone for replying. It's wonderful to have a great resource like this board to be able to utilize.

i am tryin the sugar free fatfree yogurt,anyone else "stopped" up?lol sorry for tmi,lol i have mixed feelings about losing the freedom to eat all the foods i love but at over 300 lbs i NEED to do this for me and my kids,i love this site,ty everyone for making this hard time alil more bearable

i was banded on 4/23 also. I only experience the tightness when i gulp instead of sip. I havent experienced any hunger yet. I have been nibbling on jello all day and i have 2 ounces of broth periodically. I stopped taking the pain meds days ago, it appears im allergic to them. i got hives all on my abdomen. Im only taking liquid tylenol now. I was only nauseated on day one. maybe this is TMI but i havent had a bowel movement since ive been home. that worries me

I thought I covered what type of blog I was writing in my first one. But, apparently, not everyone reads all the entries. So, from now on I think I am going to have to do the following. *******DISCLAIMER!!!!! What you are about to read is to be taken lightly. It's goal is to make you smile, laugh, and hopefully see the funny side of going through weight loss surgery. This blog is in no way my feeble attempt to get advice (unless I ask for it), or to be told what I am doing or saying is wrong. We are all different. We all heal differently. We all experience different things. With all this in mind, please enjoy my take on life after the sleeve. I hope it helps make your day just a little bit easier and happier. ********* Now that all that is out of the way. I feel the need to talk about the looks I've been getting from people when I tell them I've had weight loss surgery. I actually find the looks funny. For example. Today I went to GNC to see if I could find some type of protein drink that I can actually handle. When I went in, I got attacked by the vulture (aka the sales man). So, I proceed to explain to him that I had weight loss surgery and I was looking for a protein that I could handle (and that tasted good). It was interesting to see the look on his face when I said the surgery thing. It was only a split second or two, but it was obvious that he did not approve of my surgery. Not that I asked or wanted his approval. All I wanted him to do was help me find some protein I could handle. So, I ignored him and followed him around the store as he explained to me how, everything "tastes amazing". I know not to trust sales people, but really, EVERYTHING??? I highly doubt that. We are talking about protein and I have rarely met a protein that I found "yummy". So, after he promised me I would "love" this one brand, I decided to throw him off his game. I asked if he had samples or if they sold them per bottle. I refused to buy a whole thing of them only to get home and find out I didn't like it. So again, the sly fox of a salesman pulled this one on me, "No, we don't. However, I will give you this bottle if you PROMISE not to tell my manager. I really am not allowed to do this." I actually laughed at him as I saw the bottles behind the counter that they used for such an occasion.. Did he really think I was going to buy that line? Well, as shocking as it sounds, it really wasn't that bad. It's called GNC Total Lean, Lean Shake. It has 25g of protein, 2g of sugar, 3g of fiber (which I really need but more on that later), total fat 6g, and 170 calories. I had to taste it warm and I was able to stand it so I am sure once it's ice cold, it will be much better. As a whole, the unapproving, over zealous salesman did a good job. And, he gave me the first, "I don't agree with your decision" look since my surgery which I kind of enjoyed in a strange way. Next I headed to Walgreens. I needed a fiber supplement and I needed one fast. Not to give TMI, but my first number 2 after 9 days and two things of Miralax, was more like the number 2 of a VERY LARGE rabbit. It wasn't fun passing, and as soon as I was done, I was ready to find a way for that not to happen again. After staring at all my options for a good 15mins, I finally gave up and went to talk to the pharmacist. I proceeded to tell her my issue and included that I had the gastric sleeve and because i was unable to get much food in, my fiber was almost non-existing. There is was again....that LOOK. She took a little longer to recover than the GNC guy (if she did at all). Even while she was telling me about what fiber would be my best option, she was unable to hide her disapproval of my decision. So it was right then, in Walgreens that I decided. Screw YOU....SCREW ALL OF YOU who think you have any idea what I have gone through, or why I decided to do this. No one asked for your approval or disapproval so don't give it. And, if you do give it, be prepared for me to tell you I don't really care what you think. I did this for me. I did it for my health. I did it for my medical reasons. No, it's not easy. No, I couldn't just eat less and exercise. I've tried that. It didn't work. So, keep your two cents and I promise I won't judge you on your attitude (which sucks) , your clothing (I don't care what the magazines say, you do not look good in overly tight jeans and five inch heals), your hair (1980 called and they want their puffy bangs back) , your makeup (yes, it looks good on models, but you are not a model and you you didn't have a professional do it) , your marriage (don't lie and say you have a perfect marriage, we all know your spouse is not "running errands", he/she is running around on you), your children (a rough patch is a few months or back-talking not years of getting arrested and being pregnant at 12) ....or any other decision you've made or thing you've had happen during your life. If you don't want to be judged, DO NOT JUDGE. Now, before I get attacked for children/marriage/clothing/hair/attitude thing. I know there are always other issues at play. I was just using these as examples of things people do talk about and look down at others for. Funny thing is, people will not be as blunt with their feelings with those people as they are with me for having weight loss surgery. And my decision is one to help me and make me healthier. Doesn't something just sound wrong with that?

I am having pain that seems to sit below my tummy. It is central and forward (maybe on the forward). It is at a point that I feel it most when I am sitting upright at work, and the longer I go (sometimes) the more it seems to hurt...it is being accompanied by nausea but not alot of throwing up. I have been keeping a spanky on during the day to keep me from jiggling as bad when I am running around the warehouse...but it isnt exceptionally tight. I am not trying to shape, just hold in. It seems to be relieved when I can get off my feet and stretch out, or have a more substantial BM (sorry TMI I knowwww). What could this be? Anyone else with similar symptoms care to relate what it turned out to be? It is seriously beginning to affect my day. I have been at work today and between fidgeting and trying to be even somewhat comfortable, and in the bathroom feeling like I am going to throw up, I have got almost nothing done

youve been through a lot with diet change etc. do you have tummy wind as well?/ is the pain more in your gut than higher in your stomach?? ive had a lot of wind pain since the op. im sure its due to the change in diet. i had more wind last night than normal (tmi.. sorry lol.) after i had my first meal of veges and meat without it being sloppy. im sure it had something to do with that. im not sure how much air is being swallowed as well.... that could be a factor.

Sorry for tmi. Did anybody else take this long? I was sleeved on Friday 4/20.

My pee smells like my orange celebrate multi vitamin or an old medicine cupboard. Lmao....tmi.

I have also noticed I have a much different almost pleasant odor down there..lol.. my fiance has even made comments.. sorry if thats tmi also

Now this is TMI here. But..... I've noticed a difference 'down there'.... In a good way. Lol. I think it's the diet change and I'm drinking much more than I've ever drank.

Tomorrow I will be a full week post-op. As a wound care nurse, I was overly pleased that my wounds are pretty much totally healed - yay! Still a little soreness at the lap keyhole where my penrose drain was, but nothing too bad. In many ways, my recovery has gone beautifully. I was able to lean over and pick things off the floor at 4 days post op, can walk pretty well (though I'm slow), drove home 5 hours on 3rd post-op day. On the other hand....my sleeve is a tempermental tyrant (we call him Cthulu Jr.). He won't tolerate plain Water in any form - tepid, warm, cold - I get terrible cramping and bubbles, often resulting in that gut-wrenching kind of gas. My sense of smell has become hypersensitive - on the drive home, my husband opened a bag of Doritos in the car and it felt like my stomach was going to come up through my nose. It's been the only time I had really terrible nausea. My doc has me on clears until 10 days post op, and I've yet to make my Fluid goal of 60 oz a day yet - I'm lucky to hit 30oz. Even watered down, anything with sugar gives me terrible cramping diarrhea - apple juice, white grape juice, clear VitaminWater. I have attempted liquid Protein twice (once with Isopuke, once with Nectar), both times with extreme discomfort. I had 3 sips over 30 minutes, and then it sat in my abdomen like a lead weight for nearly 2 hours. Chest felt tight and I generally felt unwell. WTF? This has been such a change for me. In the past, I was the master of my stomach....even if it said "I'm full!", I would just shove more food into it! Now, I am at the mercy of this tiny abdominal tyrant who gurgles and churns constantly. It's like when my daughter was an infant, before I figured out what her different cries meant and they all sounded the same....is it hungry? Is it full? is it angry?? I can't tell! The worst is those gurgles that I have learned to identify as "Oh my God, find a bathroom...high-speed liquids coming through!". Ugh! It starts bubbling at my low abdomen and progresses in one long, writhing motion up to my esophagus...and I've got about 90 seconds to find a toilet. Sorry, probably TMI. I thought I was prepared for post-op - heck, I've taught bariatric classes! But I feel like a n00b. ~Asche, The Crazy Cat Lady

ChrissyLu, hope your weekend activities went well, now you can relax!! Meredith, thanks for that website, I have added it to my favorites!...I am already in love with a few suits...the Carnival 1 piece is beautiful! Love the facts that the suits have underwire--an absolute MUST! I love lane bryant bras, in my opinion, they are made waaay better and wear waaay better than victorias secret, and i dont have to worry about a wardrobe malfunction! LOL! LadyBandito, glad you decided to join us! I always follow along by email notifications, but am at work all day and sometimes at night too--working 2 jobs sucks--so i dont always have a chance to reply, but i do look forward to the posts from everyone! We are a great group! I agree, a suntan can make anyone look better! I have been doing much better with hunger lately. In the morning I have an iced coffee, then for lunch at work I have been having a lean cuisine or smart one. The amount of food never satisfied me, but it does now! How wonderful! At night, it depends when I am doing...I usually cook some type of lean Protein, potato, and veggie. Sometimes a salad and homemade Soup. If I am working at the family restaurant, I will have something there...the food is sooooo good, my dad is an amazing chef I am also obsessed with drinking green smoothies. I was afraid of them at first, but they are amazing--here's how I make it--6 oz coconut almond milk (made by blue diamond), 6 oz plain fat free greek yogurt, 1 banana, 3/4 cup fresh pineapple (I get the precut, pre-cored kind in the produce section, cause I make the smoothie a few times a week and I hate cutting up pineapple!), 2 T shredded coconut, 1-2 servings lite tofu, 1 cup or more baby spinach....blend, add ice, blend again...OMG soooo creamy soooooo delish! I got the recipe from skinnytaste.com, a great website! So I don't know if I have officially had a pb experience, but this past week is the closest I have come to it. Sunday I was eating PB cheerios (oh, the irony)...got stuck-ish for a while. I felt the pressure, the pain, the panic. Then I noticed I had some extra saliva. Ew. Went for about 30 mins that way, didn't know if I was truly stuck, because I could feel little, tiny bubbles gurgle up every once in a while, but never any relief. Finally, I had to go to the sink and make myself gag. Not fun. Then, a few burps into it, and a noticeably bigger BURP! Then, liquid cheerios emerged. Instant relief. The same thing happened on Thursday night while waitressing at work. Sorry if that was TMI, but had to share! LOL!

Post-Op Update - 9 days Out. First five days were fine, a bit of soreness, kind of loopy from the pain meds, but I was able to walk around. My appetite was non-existent and I had a hard time getting my liquids in. Then all hell broke loose on Wednesday! I was extremely constipated, and finally able to go, and it just made me sick! (Sorry for the TMI). I was able to go do report card pickup for my son, but by the time I got home, I was bedridden. I could not get out of the bed on Thursday, called the doc, he gave me a refill on pain meds. Nurse told me if one dose did not help to go to ER. BP and HR shot up skyhigh! Forced myself to drink a protein shake and eat a small cup of yogurt, went to sleep, woke up the following day feeling 100% better. Long story short, get your liquid and protein or your body will rebel on you! I learned the hard way! Today, I was able to get up, go run errands, clean house and for lunch had some pureed chicken curry over mashed potatoes, about 1/2 cup total. I felt like I'd eaten a five course meal. All and all I seem to be healing and getting back to my old self. I am actually anxious for my first fill so I can really start losing. As of my first Dr. appt, I am down 26 lbs, 12 since my surgery last week.

Sasha pretty much hit the nail on the head. I am 5 days post op and a terrible food addict. So far no cravings or desire to really eat at this point although I must admit the KFC and BK commercials are starting to get to me a bit. I feel great but I must admit the gas pains were rough and I had bouts of diarrhea (sorry for the TMI) but it appears that has all passed (no pun intended) now. You can do this!! Use this group and don't be afraid to post anything that's on your mind. Good luck.

Today hasnt been bad. I am still having shoulder paint husband brought me some icy hot strips and they work wonders!! No pain meds today!!! As of yet.. And I been walking through the house non stop! Gas is moving but no bm ( tmi sorry) dr says I need to drink g2 for strength but I take two swallows and feel like I have drank a gallon! No desire to eat food and no appetite at all and the smell of food is really causing me nausea. The last two days I woke I didn't think about food or what to eat for breakfast. My mind was on being healthy and going back to work Monday. I love my dr who did my lapband! Dr bagnoto from albany Georgia