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TMI, Capt? LOL! Skin on skin + humidity/heat = yeasty, icky combo! Baby powder is like my garlic against vampires.

Wow.. after reading this post, alot of the symptoms were the same ones I had.. the "alllergies" etc.. I would take 2 bites of food and start sneezing with nose running like crazy. My lapband was removed on Mar 15 and I have to say i saw an immediate change. The problem was found with mine after I complained about pain in my esophagus right below my throat and excuse me for tmi maybe but basically I was coughing up mucus in my sleep or waking up to do it.. not a good feeling either way . I had a barium swallow.. went back to dr in 2 days and he said it has to come out. I had never had any fills but the band appeared to be only allowing flow as if it was full.. completely full. I was scheduled for 1st thing in morning at 7:30 and the dr said it would only take about 30 min to remove it... however I was in the OR over 1 hour. When he went to remove it.. the stomach under it was completely inflamed and he had to put a drain in since he was worried about erosion. He saw no infection luckily but put in the drain as a precaution. Even now when I eat a week or so later.. I still feel some discomfort when it hits the "banded" area.. he said it should slowly stretch back to normal and if not within a few weeks to come back in and they would have to check again to maybe remove or stretch the scar tissue around the stomach. Overall .. I do feel better.. the pain of eating is not too bad.. I will not get another lapband as he said he would NOT recommend that as it appears my body rejected it.. (one of the few) I did lose from 340 at the start of the total WLS down to 225 so I am happy with that and I have good exercise habits now and can actually move better with the weight gone..

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to give a little update for some who might wonder how it is after being sleeved. I recall, not to long ago wondering how I might feel a month or two out. First let me say, I went to Mexico, had surgery with Dr. Kelly. I lost 12lbs preop (if I recall right lol). Since the time I was sleeved I have lost 25 more lbs. I am tickled. I was on liquids for 2 plus weeks and around the 3rd week I started mushies. About 4 weeks I started soft foods. So far this has been a blessing but my sleeve has tolerated EVERYTHING. I have not ate one thing that has bothered it. I must say that I do pretty much stay by the book. I eat protein first always. I have tried a lot of different foods. I even can eat not huge amounts but never have I ever felt like I was going to be ill. I do feel sometimes that I have had enough. I did take 4 weeks off from work. I am a server at a very high volume restaurant and also clean houses for a living. Very physical work. I have no problems with energy level being low. I get in all my vitimans, protein and liquids. Everything has went almost to smooth. If I did say I have had an issue it is that I continue to deal with constipation ( sorry if TMI). Some NSV's (non scale victories) that I am so happy about are 1) I measured before and then a month after surgery and had lost 14inches total. 2) I went from a 20 tight, probably 22 to a 16 wide easily 3) My husband is lean , no weight issues and now finally after many years I way less than him. YEahhh. He is tall but .... who cares I weigh less. 4) I have been walking atleast 3 miles aday, sometimes twice a day now and have started jogging also. ME JOGGING, CAN NOT BELIEVE IT!!! 5) I can sleep all nite now, I also can sleep lying down, not with a bunch of pillows sitting me up. 6) I can not believe I am going to say this but..... for the first time I feel attractive. It is not how I look but how I feel about myself. I can breath and not huff and puff when I walk. 7) Oh yeah, I can cross my legs...lol. I love this. 8) Okay... I am going to say it kinda.... lol , by choice I have not been getting a lot of sleep. Not only am I happy, my husband is a very happy man these days. Something woke up, my hormones have been screaming. ok I am done.

I'm 7 months post-op and only 5 lbs from goal...and I literally feel like crap. I'm moody and depressed ALL the time and it's really starting to affect my marriage. I don't think my husband can stand me anymore. I knew losing weight wasn't going to make everything perfect but I feel like I went in the opposite direction all together! Yes I love my new body and I feel great physically, but emotionally I'm a wreck!! Anyone else?? I know exercise is good and I go to my gym as regularly as I can but this feeling is draining....Also, and I don't mean to get too 'tmi' here but I have absolutely no 'interest' if you know what I mean...I should love showing off the new 'me' to my husband...but I hardly want him to talk to me, let alone touch me...UGH, I need advice.

My personal observations since my journey began.... maybe TMI When I was larger, 54 pds ago, I didn't mind walking nude in front of my bf. Now I have became completely embarassed by all the extra skin forming and want all the lights off. How did I ever allow myself to began this large? Please understand he doesn't have the problem, I do with myself. However, I on a brighter note, sex has become incredible. It was pretty great before I had the surgery but now...WOW... I can move more, better flexibility, etc., etc. It is quite amazing how each of us fare on our journey. For example, I have read several posts on this discussion board were people are eating chips, ice cream, etc. at three months post-op. I went to Busch Gardens and was determined I wanted ice cream. My boyfriend is telling me NO it will make you ill, remember what the NUT said to us about your diet. We got into an argument how I have seen others not have any problems eating sugary food and neither should I. My outcome.. vomiting and 'I told you so.' Lesson learned... Actually, I have had several lessons that I have learned the hard way. Seriously, all the book knowledge and information doesn't prepare you for such things as slimming, or knowing that exact moment you will experience that full feeling before you overeat that one small bite and vomit. My daily life is now consumed with taking Vitamins, Fluid intake, counting Protein grams, etc. However, I refuse to count claories, fat intake or carbs. Seriously, I dont eat enough to worry about fat content, I know I am not eating enough calories and yes I do need carbs because I become a witch. My personal view is this is suppose to be a LIFESTYLE CHANGE, NOT A DIET. I willnt go through life counting numbers, however I will focus on protein first and then my vegetables. I have learned along the way that protein does fill me up and allows me to go several hrs without eating. Which leads to my current battle of constipation. Seriously, I hate Water, flavored water and Protein drinks. So, I try taking a Fiber supplement mixed in my milk. This hasnt helped much though, so I have included cranberry juice and vegetable juice in my diet. Recently I had a battle with the nurse over the phone about not being allowed any juices in our diet. She got upset because I am drinking diet Cranberry juice. She said it had to much sugar. I tried explaining it was made with Splenda and had only two grams of sugar , milk has twelve grams. The doctor even recommended I drink nine glasses of milk a day to fulfill my fluid intake and protein dietary needs. I still do get jealous when I see people eating and not having limits such as ours. However, with a 54 pd loss, I am thankfully for my sleeve. I am asked if I have any regrets due to complications. It is to late to regret anything and I am thrilled with my weight loss and how amazing I feel. My regret is that I didn't do this sooner. My last observation ends with a recent outing to a buffet. Yes, I did go with my boys and throughly was pleased with my limitations of food. While there I got the chance to sit back and observe people eating. Truly, I am astonished how we eat... how I use to eat. But my biggest concern was when I saw some of the larger people and how their weight has affected them. That could or would have been me. I am glad I took this step and I am going to encourage others to do the same. It may mean being told it is none of my business, but our weight seriously can cause lifelong health problems. Good luck to each of you...

Ok, I am having THE most awful pain when I sit down, and think it is where my once very padded behind has gone, and left the bones at the bottom of my spine exposed (I am not complaining). My problem is I cant sit comfortably for long enough to even watch a tv show without having pain, so I have to sit in the most bizzarre positions! Please tell me its not only me (top tips on getting comfy also warmly welcomed)

More TMI Alert: Going into the small bathroom stalls and being able to reach my booty!!! (Usually have to go in the bigger stalls for logistical reasons I'm sure some of you are aware of! )

Haha, I love this one.....I have a few that are really good ones but I will warn you that one in perticular is TMI and might offend some of you.... so dont read it if you think it might offend you 1.) the small towel fitting all the way around me. 2.) getting a honk and a whistle while walking down the street. 3.) having to tell the lady at the dressing room....can you get me the next size down. this one is to big. 4.) (this is the TMI one) my hubby going down there (you know the spot) for the first time in 16 years. 5.) accidentally grabbing the medium dress instead of the ex large one.....getting upset when I tried it on and it was just a little tight...thinking to myself WTF ex large didnt fit? (FYI I bought the dress anyways cause I loved it and knew it would fit eventually) got it home and was hanging it up when I realized the tag said medium instead of ex large! hehe...and BTW... it fits me now! DOING THE HAPPY DANCE!!! OH YAH!

I have been using Protein Shakes for a few months as part of my 6 month diet. I swear I could blow away the entire town! lol Recently I started using Metamucil 1x a day (liquid form mixed with Water so it helps me get my water in) to help keep me stay regular, it hasn't been a cure all but it seems to help reduce the gas a little. Sorry if that was TMI but I think that is what we need from each other!

I was two week post op but pretty much whenever u are comfortable. I was nervous but he was on top and there was no pain at all actually (tmi?) because of the few lbs I dropped it was way more comfy!!

I got one right after surgery from all the antibiotics. I called my PCP and he called in a script for diflucan. I also take "pearl" acidophlus ( a probiotic) and they have a special formula for "female health" u can get them from wal-mart or any pharmacy or health store. Just a warning to be careful if u r having sex...you can pass it to your male partner. how's that for TMI!

Thanks for the input gals. I've done more research and have decided to just have it out altogether to avoid the possibility of having it out later. I've always struggleds with constipation (TMI!) anyway so hopefully the loose stools won't be a problem...lol

Okay, so is it just me that gets seriously constipated at least once a week?? Sorry if this is TMI, but its like I can feel all the 'stuff' backed up in my stomach/intensines...whatever organ that is. I think its maybe because I'm not drinking enough, but I'm getting as much as I can down. Any other remedies people know of? I've tried Colace and it doesn't do anything and Dulcolax....yeah...like pain much?? Won't be using that again. Does prune juice really work??

I have to say, I am simply amazed by this journey thus far! I wanted to post my story (in a condensed version) for those of you who are thinking about getting this procedure or have just begun your journey. I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. I just ate what I wanted, and enjoyed it very much. I had little to no concern about my health. I remember in middle school, I would sit in my bedroom closet just eating a can of icing. How disturbing is that?! I finally started thinking about WLS about a year ago. My highest weight was 259 LBS. Although I didn't have any health issues, I had began to miss my monthly visitor (sorry for the TMI). This really concerned me because I desperately want children in my future and I knew that the direction I was going in would make that difficult. I went to meet with a surgeon, and got the ball rolling! My insurance required that I meet with a nutrionist for 6 months before surgery. Those 6 months just FLEW by! However, I had not originally planned on getting the Lapband. My heart was set on getting the Vertical Sleeve. A week before surgery, my Insurance Cordinator gave me a call saying that my insurance will not cover that surgery as I needed to have a BMI of 50. I was really far off. However, I COULD get the Lapband. So after crying my eyes out all day, I decided that this is how it was supposed to be and I agreed to get the Lapband. It was the best decision of my life! I stayed one night in the hospital. It was my first surgery ever, and was relatively easy. The only difficult part was that I felt more comfortable resting in a chair than I did in the bed. I did not sleep much that night. Also, the first time they got me up to walk, I thought I was going to throw up and/or pass out. It got better. Today, it is exactly 4 months since my surgery, which I got on November 21st 2011. Today, I am exactly 60 pounds lighter. Today, I am FINALLY in Onderland (199 pounds)!! It has been simply amazing! I have had 2 fills. My doctor decided to hold off on another one due to the amount of weight I have lost. My weight loss has slowed down a bit, but I am still losing about 2 pounds a week. I will probably ask for another fill when I see him next month. I know everyone says this, but the band really is a tool that YOU have to use. I believe you have to want to put some effort into this before even getting the surgery or it won't work for you. Your mind has to be in the right spot. You have to WANT to change. You have to be willing to give up some of the foods you love or at least only have them on a very rare occasion. You have to be willing to work out. I guess its possible to lose weight without working out, but you will lose more slowly and you may end up looking disproportionate. Thanks to the band, better choices, and the gym, I have lost 60 pounds. I never thought I would be here. I love to work out as it makes me feel so much better and I have so much more energy. I also do the Couch to 5K Program. I strongly suggest this program to anyone and everyone! Although I am only in the 4th week (9 weeks total) I am seeing an improvement. My thighs are smaller, I have lost inches, and I am more fit! Since my surgery, I have also lost 2 inches on my neck, 7 inches on my waist, and 6 inches on my hips. Oh, I also use myfitnesspal like a fanatic! Feel free to add me on there. My username is legnarevocrednu. Also, feel free to message me on here if you have any questions. Good luck to all of you on your journey! I still have about 54 pounds to lose, but I'm glad that I could finally post my story as a success!!

I have to say, I am simply amazed by this journey thus far! I wanted to post my story (in a condensed version) for those of you who are thinking about getting this procedure or have just begun your journey. I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. I just ate what I wanted, and enjoyed it very much. I had little to no concern about my health. I remember in middle school, I would sit in my bedroom closet just eating a can of icing. How disturbing is that?! I finally started thinking about WLS about a year ago. My highest weight was 259 LBS. Although I didn't have any health issues, I had began to miss my monthly visitor (sorry for the TMI). This really concerned me because I desperately want children in my future and I knew that the direction I was going in would make that difficult. I went to meet with a surgeon, and got the ball rolling! My insurance required that I meet with a nutrionist for 6 months before surgery. Those 6 months just FLEW by! However, I had not originally planned on getting the Lapband. My heart was set on getting the Vertical Sleeve. A week before surgery, my Insurance Cordinator gave me a call saying that my insurance will not cover that surgery as I needed to have a BMI of 50. I was really far off. However, I COULD get the Lapband. So after crying my eyes out all day, I decided that this is how it was supposed to be and I agreed to get the Lapband. It was the best decision of my life! I stayed one night in the hospital. It was my first surgery ever, and was relatively easy. The only difficult part was that I felt more comfortable resting in a chair than I did in the bed. I did not sleep much that night. Also, the first time they got me up to walk, I thought I was going to throw up and/or pass out. It got better. Today, it is exactly 4 months since my surgery, which I got on November 21st 2011. Today, I am exactly 60 pounds lighter. Today, I am FINALLY in Onderland (199 pounds)!! It has been simply amazing! I have had 2 fills. My doctor decided to hold off on another one due to the amount of weight I have lost. My weight loss has slowed down a bit, but I am still losing about 2 pounds a week. I will probably ask for another fill when I see him next month. I know everyone says this, but the band really is a tool that YOU have to use. I believe you have to want to put some effort into this before even getting the surgery or it won't work for you. Your mind has to be in the right spot. You have to WANT to change. You have to be willing to give up some of the foods you love or at least only have them on a very rare occasion. You have to be willing to work out. I guess its possible to lose weight without working out, but you will lose more slowly and you may end up looking disproportionate. Thanks to the band, better choices, and the gym, I have lost 60 pounds. I never thought I would be here. I still have 54 more pounds to lose, but I am soooo happy. I love to work out as it makes me feel so much better and I have so much more energy. I also do the Couch to 5K Program. I strongly suggest this program to anyone and everyone! Although I am only in the 4th week (9 weeks total) I am seeing an improvement. My thighs are smaller, I have lost inches, and I am more fit! Since my surgery, I have also lost 2 inches on my neck, 7 inches on my waist, and 6 inches on my hips. Oh, I also use myfitnesspal like a fantatic! Feel free to add me on there. My username is legnarevocrednu. Also, feel free to message me on here if you have any questions. Good luck to all of you on your journey! I still have about 54 pounds to lose, but I'm glad that I could finally post my story as a success!!

My doc's office just called, and my Iron is low. It was 24, she said it should be between 50-150. I've seen lower levels in googling. the nurse said I should take Ferrets iron supplement. I have seen some of the other recommendations of other types to take, one of the things I'm worried about is that I am already have (TMI, ahem) constipation issues, and the iron is just going to make this worse, right? Grr. I think I am also going to take the plunge with Novasure. I've been toying with it because of lady problems, but now this added to the mix, makes me want to just cut the whole TOM thing out. Any advice or sharing of your story would be helpful!

ok this might be TMI.. but can i just say..... now that im seeing someone... my eh hem.. libido is getting worse...lol.. its like i get some and i just cant seem to get enough!!!! WTF?!?!?!? I am officially a dude! lol I think im wearin the poor guy out! lol Might have to go find a spare...OK IM SERIOUSLY JUST KIDDING ABOUT THAT ONE... but it was too funny not to put in.

Good Day Sleevers and Pre-Sleevers: Well, I survived the two week hurdle and made it back to work today. I had a fun day, but today was really busy caring for cancer patients. Only a few people noticed my weight loss, but I was wearing a lab coat so I guess I look like my usual self. I'm happy no one noticed the changes or in denial...works for me. My face is noticably slimmer and my pants are falling off. I am known for my big boobs and they are shrinking, too. I am looking forward to buying a shirt with buttons instead of pull-overs! I am disappointed that I did not drink the two bottles of water that I brought to work. The day was so busy and I was away from my desk all day. I expect to have a slow day tomorrow and eager to improve. My doctor and nutritionist advised that H2O intake is essential throughout the day, so I have to make a conservative effort to do better. Pee-pee is supposed to be yellowish to nearly clear, and that is my clue for doing a good job. Unfortunately today was not so good sorry if too TMI (too much info)...hahaha. Often I want to drink a whole bottle of water, but I feel like I cannot. I am used to drinking two bottles of water back to back, but now I just cannot. Anyone else having this problem? On another note, as of today I am exactly 200 lbs. My doctor said that I should expect 1-2 lbs weight loss per week. Wow - watch out summer I am making my comeback! I am really excited about the new me to come and you should, too. Breaskfast: Two boiled eggs - whites only Lunch: two + 1/2 pieces of baked chicken without the skin H2O: 1 bottle in AM and 8 oz of tea Dinner: Smoked salmon (YUMMY!!!) Exercise: tennis in the park with a friend

I'm curious about something. I've been consistently losing on average about 1-2 per week since banded 1/17. I started back on my NuvaRing 2 weeks ago and have not lost a single pound since (not gained either). coincidence or what? I've not been eating any more and doing about the same amount of exercise. I know BC has its weight gain issues but I was thinking ok! I'm banded and exercising this shouldn't be a problem. I get my second fill on Friday.. I have to decide to continue with the ring by Monday.. (it's not for preventing pregnancy its for cycle control..it has always been a beast lol) I'm wondering what's worth more to me?? taming the beast or losing weight consistently, I hope this wasn't TMI for everyone! What would y'all do?

Wow, finally I can feel restriction. I have lost a bunch of weight and have followed the rules (more or less) and have great results but I did not feel any restriction. 2 weeks ago my Dr. did a fill using the Floroscope. He said I had virtually no restriction so he did a fill - I drank more of that great tasting white liquid and he said he had it too tight so he took some out. Fine, the next gulp went down like it should the next time. Well, I have completed a 5K and done tons of yard work since but it seems like at least once a day here comes the PBing. In fact, as I type this I just finished an episdoe that lasted almost 45 minutes. I don't think I am too tight and I do have 60 pounds more to loose (lost 88) but darn, this PB stuff is for the birds. I am work, so I go outside my office and hide behind the bushes with a roll of paper towels and a trash bag..This is no fun. Oh, what had I eaten..2 bites of tossed salad, 1/2 cooked baby carrot, a couple of bites of black eyed peas and 2-3 bites of filet (very tiny bites, well chewed). Fromt the looks of things, it is the salad that caused the problem (sorry TMI). I am not new to the band as I have been banded since 7/7/11 but now I am really seeing what goes on and the PB stuff is no fun. I don't want to call the doctor as he will take more out of the band so I guess it is liquid Protein for a few days till things calm down. Thanks for listening. Melinda in Florida

I had VSG 4 months ago...prior to surgery I never had regular periods. I lost 42 lbs prior to surgery, and have now lost another 46 lbs, so 88 lbs so far all together. Since surgery I have had regular monthly periods (this is awesome since it has been 10 years or more since it was last regular!), but starting 3 months ago, a week or so before my period, I seem to get horribly sore nipples. Excruciating sore. Heating pad, and hot baths seem to help with the pain. But I was wondering if anyone has experienced this...

Caradina, I was going to start a thread about this myself. I was given blood tests last year and told that I was peri-menopausal at the age of 39. I went on HRT but I suffered with severe migraines and taken off them; I only last 6-8 weeks on the Patches. The last year, the symptoms came with a vengance... sweats, sleepless nights, moody, emotional and all for 'no apparent reason'! I was horrible and I felt horrible. I went back to my doc and she gave me tablets to control the sweats, whcih worked a treat. I was also refered back to the menopause clinic and put back on HRT patches and I am still on them 3 mths later. No migraines this time as the flush tablets also stop migraine attacks. I feel a lot better, moods are calmer, I can concentrate for longer and I have better sense of well being... all in all going good. Now, my concern here is two fold - firstly I am spotting every 10-20 days and it is not pretty (sorry if TMI) i also get cramps and pains that I didn't get before, although my monthlys were very erratic! And secondly, I haven't lost a pound since October and was wondering if the HRT has 'something' to do with this? Since the New Year I have been logging food (with a couple of breaks) and my calorie intake is looking good - between 900-1200 a day. I do exercise, but the last couple of weeks it hasn't been as regular but I still ... I am in a bit of a quandry about it! I am 19+mths out and not at goal, although I am happy with the weight I have lost, I do feel that I would like to get rid of another 14lbs or so. According to the BMR charts and all that malarky, I 'should' be losing about a 1lb a week? I was also interested in the oestrogen being stored in fat comment that you made... I didn't know that until recently and am now wondering if the weight loss that I have achieved might have spurred on the menopause a little earlier that it might have been. However, I really do think that I was going to go through it early as my symptoms, albeit minor, were there anyway. Any thoughts would be appreciated as I am a little confused... Whatever happens, I am going to continue all my efforts to getting this last 14lbs off... and when work calms down, my exercise will go up! Good luck to you and sorry for the lengthy response!

mews, thanks for the reply. I feel a difference in my attitude and pain every day. every day has gotten significantly better. The first 2 days I was miserable. I couldn't even sip Water without severe chest pain on every sip. I couldn't sit down or get up without pain. I couldn't even sleep in bed because it hurt too much to get up (and I couldn't get up by myself. hubby had to help me!). Day 4 was much better. the pain was more manageable and the chest pains when sipping were only there occasionally. today is day 5 for me and I feel even better. Today i have reached many milestones already. i can get out of bed myself with no help (still hurts, but at least I can do it!), I can reach to wipe after using the restroom (tmi...I know), I can drink without chest pains--they are much fewer and farther between! I can stand and sit without much pain. I feel SIGNIFICANTLY better today. I can't wait to see how much better I feel tomorrow! hang in there! Each day truly does bring more surprises that you will be thankful for!

I haven't had the surgery yet, but since I am covered partially by insurance I have to do the 3 months of supervised dieting. I haven't told anyone but my husband and my other care providers (doctors), who I asked to write letters to the insurance for me to help me with approval. I have been struggling with what to say and who to tell, and then I came to an epiphany - for me at least. When I first started learning about the lapband and reading how it works I noticed the one word that everyone uses - TOOL. This will be a tool for us in the steps we are taking to make our lives healthier. This is not a magic fix-it band, not a you'll-never-crave-chocolate-doughnuts-again band, not a cure for the I-want-some-icecream-now band. It is merely to reduce the AMOUNT that we are allowed to eat at one time.. Everything else is up to us. It will be hard work, especially at first, and I will be consciously making healthier choices and chosing what I eat (already started in January to get ready). Now, if I tell anyone or everyone that I have this band, any steps I've done or long hard road I've gone down or sacrifices I have made will all be lumped into one phrase: "oh, she has the Lapband, no wonder she lost weight so easliy". It may be petty or feel like I need attention, but if anyone wants to pay attention to my weight and how much I've lost or how much better I look, then I want it to be about ME and about my choices and the hard work I've done to get there. Maybe if someone is curious about the band, or if I feel like they may understand how much work I still had/have to put in, then I may feel the connection and want to tell them about it. For now, I haven't even told my sister (who is one of my best friends) or my mother (who lives with me and my family) or any of my friends. I am a talker and constantly give TMI to my friends and family, and this has been hard for me not to say anything and gab on and on about it. But I know once I open that dialog up I can't take it back. So I found this website, and I found a place where I can talk about it and feel like everyone understands. This is a very personal decision and it's hard to decide what to do. Good luck with your decision. ~Kelly <3

My weight was right on the line between 39 & 40. If I'm a little constipated (TMI sorry) its 41. If I'm "cleaned out" it's 39. The two days before my appointment I ate sushi, salty foods, etc so id retain water and weight. And my BMI they documented at 40.9. Beautifulnewme is right - Gotta do what you gotta do.