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WARNING TMI: I'm out 14 months and last Friday night we went for hamburgers at Red Robin. I had a turkey burger and ate less than 1/2 the bun and fixin's and all the turkey patty, I also had maybe 6 steak fries and two small bites of my wifes dessert and was in distress almost immediately. I hocked up two big mouths of phlemmy nasty stuff before giving up to it and finally barfing up ONE mouthful of vomit. Instant and total relief. So what would of been a light snack a few years ago was TOO much today. So at 14 months the restriction is still good for me. I picture the stomach as a kind of a saggy balloon, not the smallish kids balloon but a larger maybe latex, it's got TWO opening though, the output opening has a valve to keep it normally sealed. It's hung from the top opening and the other opning is more to the side on a slant from the top. It has a tougher band running across the top edge that doesn't stretch much and is there to hang the whole thing on, the bottom can stretch a LOT. During the VSG a majority of the bottom stretchy part is removed and you are left with more of a tube than a saggy balloon. The bottom cut is sealed with staples and heals with a thick ridge of scar tissue - which if you have any scars you know it does NOT stretch. The part between the bottom scar and the thick upper part DOES stretch - SOME. Remember it's limited somewhat by being so close to the thick upper part and the new scar. So YES it does stretch but not NEAR the amount the old stomach could, and even then they BOTH spring back to the original shape pretty fast and never stayed stretched. Of MORE concern is developing bad habits post sleeve and starting to snack all the time, therefore never hitting the restriction and eating too many calories over the course of the day.

This weeks weigh in: 175.4lbs. Down .6lbs this week. I went to a step class Friday. It kicked my ass and I loved every minute of it. Trying to use the toilet or climb stairs on Saturday SUCKED but it was that good good pain. I sweat my ass off through a tank and a t-shirt! GOOD STUFF! Phew! Work has been crazy and although my daily eating habits are just fine despite being out for work dinners almost every week night for the last week and all of this week too. At one of the dinners, I tried a few bites of a hot dog A HOT DOG!!! I haven't had a hot dog in forever. It smelled horribly delicious at the table next to us and I wanted mine with mustard. Tons of mustard. I had a bite and it was all good. Not quite what I imagined it to taste like but I settled on the compromise that since it was not a 10 out of 10, I would only have a few small bites and leave it alone. Well, I did have a few small bites while keeping up the conversation with a few folks. I must have been distracted because on my 3rd bite, about an 1/8th of the way in to this guilty pleasure, I felt a funny swallow. It was too big. I was going to get stuck at a work dinner. FABO! I quietly (couldn't talk) excused myself, went straight to the bathroom and was horrified to see 5 little girls playing around in and out of the 2 stalls. There was a line up! I could not imagine letting these innocent little darlings watch me lose my lunch into the garbage can, but it was coming. I couldn't open my mouth to tell them to hurry or get out of the way... so I waited swallowing hard, rocking the cold sweat and pacing. Finally, they left and I went straight in to the stall and effortlessly just spat it right out. Not to go in to TMI but this piece of hot dog that was causing all of this, was the size of a small pea. My vitamins are bigger than this. WTF? Lesson learned. Farewell hot dogs... I will miss you but my ass will not. Apparently, I have tricked myself in to believing that they taste a whole lot better than they really do. This weekend the hubby and I are hitting the slopes at Marmot Basin. A whole weekend away together... alone! I don't know if we have ever done this. I am really excited about us being able to share another hobby! I love the Rocky Mountains and I love Jasper, Alberta almost as much as I love the ocean. There is something to be said about a heard of elk greeting you at your door in the morning and the surrounding views of the Rocky Mountains. When I was younger I used to dream about building my own little cabin way up there in the bush with a zip line just for me to take my trips to town for supplies. Although I still love the idea, I know that I would never survive! lol. I love the outdoors and am so fortunate to live where I do. The promise of this will get me through this week! Check out one of the Travel Alberta Commercials: If anyone ever wants to come visit Canada for a BOOBS tour - let me know! lol. Sadly, I will not be making Chicago this year. I had hoped to but with the wedding in April (38 days until departure to be exact) and an awesome week-long road-trip with the Besties to Vancouver Island in July, I won't be able to afford it. It doesn't help that September is black out month for all of the field executives at work either. Maybe 2013! More news; My Mom had decided to have Bypass surgery in May after the Mexico trip. She has started a blog and when she figures out how to send me a link, I will share it with you all. I am really excited for her and she has worked really hard at all of this for a while now. She is down 30ish lbs so far and I only see her working harder and harder. Allot of the work has been on her own and she has even been trying to motivate some of the girls that she has met through different nutrition and psych classes that she has attended. I am proud of her and cannot wait for her to tap in to the wonderful world of support in blogland! Stay tuned! Take Care all and please keep your fingers crossed for me to escape the weekend without injury!

I was diagnosed w/ a band slip in October of 2011, and I'm scheduled for a revision on March 27th. Anyway, I'm all nervous about my band killing me in the mean time. I've had most of the fill removed, but I still have a touch of restriction occasionally So lately, sometimes when I eat, I get a weird pain in my abdomen. Not up in my chest hear my band, but lower near my port, sometimes it feels even lower than that. I don't have any problems swallowing or anything, but like standing up after eating sort of hurts. I've also felt a twinge of pain (or something) when I twist wrong when I'm laying in bed. Also, sorry for the TMI, but my abdomen aches lots of times after I go #2. Thoughts on that? I'm seriously terrified of erosion. I'm planning on doing my revision in 1 surgery, and I don't want anything screwing it up.

Thank you for your thoughts. I firmly believe running is what keeps my weight off. My eating has increased since I had my band done almost 4 years ago. I'm pretty much maxed out on my fill, and don't have a ton of restriction, so I have to do something to keep the weight in check. ha! I visited with a couple surgeons, and most will do the tummy tuck and breast lift together. They don't like to do tummy and legs, because I guess with tummy you hunch over, and with legs you are supposed to stay straight, so one would kind of outdo the other. I haven't even asked about face, etc.. Congrats. on your arms. I would like to have mine done, but I had to pick my battles. I can only do this once. $$$ does not allow a multiple surgery, so I chose the two parts I want to do most. My breasts have tons of skin, and it flaps when I run, even with the best bra possible. (I know tmi) hahah sounds nasty ha? My stomach isn't terrible, but def have a slight apron, and I figure since I'm doing one anyway, I would go for it. Maybe down the road I can do another part if I win the lottery, lol. Thanks again for getting back to me. I'm going to see another surgeon next week.

Constipation has been a problem for me also, I tired the fiber tablets and other stuff but it gives me so much gas that my family can't stand to be in the same room with me. Sorry TMI! Make sure you drink your water and exercise I have found this helps me some.

More sex. YAY!!!! Seriously, I didn't feel into it. My husband always was, even at my heaviest. Now we are having some fun. TMI? I am also less "invisible" to others.

Holy moly! The original response to the question was in no way rude or snarky. I reread it a few times to see if I could find another connotation and I couldn't. You would be doing yourself a disservice to delete your account as everyone is very helpful with ANY question. Even some that are TMI and rarely are answers given that are judgemental.

The shoulder pain has been minimal and its on the right side this time. TMI time----once I had a bowel movement yesterday and started passing gas I seemed to start feeling better very quickly. It's 6:30 am and I'm up and moving pretty well. I just have a little bit of tenderness in the one incision. I'm going to work and see no reason why I won't be able to make it through the day. Just hope my coworkers and customers don't notice all the farting!

Ha! I'm almost 4 years out and until my band started leaking about 2 months ago, I still did that. And embarrasingly enough, it seemed to get worse during sex (lol, sorry TMI I know!). I usually don't have to explain it to anyone, but it's a little bit harder to ignore right smack in the middle fo getting intimate with someone! It is part of band life, and after a while, you get used to it. I figure those noises are still better than most people's loud belching or flatulence!

Hey you lot! Thanks for the suggestions re measuring... I measured a couple of weeks ago and there was no change! I'll have to do it again soon. As for adding veggies and healthy foods, I eat a lot of greens... mange tout are great as they don't take up too much room, same with green Beans and peppers... I eat a lot of peppers, red, orange and yellow are my favs! I have also tried some curly kale as Feedyour eye suggested and it was lovely, again in a stir fry. I usually put the greens with a portion of chicken/pork/beef/ fish and I feel it makes a really balanced meal that keeps me full for a long time! I rarely eat processed foods now too... i don't like the texture and prefer to see what goes into my food... however, I do like tinned Soups and baked beans now and again. I really believe in moderation, so the opening a tin now and again isn't gonna do any harm. I weighed this weekend and I am back to the top of my bounce range again... I know it is Water as my rings are tight ... I am also having another visit from 'aunt flo' second in 20 days and this one has lasted over a week... as did the other one. It isn't heavy now... but still there if that makes sense...TMI??? I shouldn't really be getting visits now I am HRT and this is leading me to believe that my hormones are affecting my weight? I am not looking for excuses here... ust trying to work out what the hell is going on...

The title of today's subject cracks me up! I really do mean this literally. This may be TMI to some, and if so I apologize. I have been backed up before surgery due to the amount of protein we take in and I am still having this problem. I searched the message boards and found a topic that discussed this already. So I will be attempting to use either Miralax or Benefiber. I think the Miralax will provide some relief and the Benefiber will help with fiber until I can consume more through eating. I am drinking as much water as I can. On a side note in Houston, it is time for the Livestock Show and Rodeo, with the carinival. So there is a lot going on with food, drinks and good times. Funny thing is that I am not even hungry nor do I have a desire to eat that food. Every year we go the barbecue cook off and this year we skipped it. I thought I would be a bit upset about not going, but no. My health and well being mean so much more!

Thrush is usually painful and the "white coating" is of a more "cottage-cheese like" consistency. Ketosis will also cause a whitish coating on the tongue sometimes. Unless you're having some sort of pain or discomfort, its most likely ketosis. Thrush is caused by the antibiotics that they give you in the hospital or after surgery. By taking liquid antibiotics you disrupt the normal bacterial flora in your mouth and this imbalance allows yeast to grow unchecked causing thrush. This is the same way yeast infections develop in other areas (ladies!)... and guys, yes you can "catch" thrush from certain "activities". This is probably all TMI, but I think everyone should know these things.

Wow! A whole thread of newbies! Welcome everyone!! You can find lots of information here about VSG and almost any question you can think of has probably been asked here, including the TMI questions! It's normal to be excited and nervous before the surgery, but there are tons of surgery stories here. There are also tons of posts from people who were scared or nervous before surgery. It's normal, but you are all on a journey to a whole new life! I was one who had lots of medical complications before surgery and I feel like I've been reborn since having VSG. This board is my support group because my IRL one just doesn't do much for me. I hope it will be a great place for each of you to receive encouragment as well!! Again, welcome to VST! Nope, I'm not the welcoming committe...just another member working my way to goal!

definitely won brownie points!!! lol... see i knew there where more of you guys out there than the handful that i see posting...... Not TMI at all.. congrats that you are so close.. you are gonna love your sleeve. depending on how much you have to lose it may take time, but im sure you will do great! just stick to the program, don't get me wrong it aint gonna be easy and you are probably gonna stall like every other person, lol, but at least u will have the awesome support of this group to keep you on track!!!!

Hey guys, Lately I have been waking up with HUGE morning boner. Maybe TMI but its like a third bigger and thicker than my usual erections. I wish I could harness it and have it all the time, not that im lacking im a human tripod ya know but this is some serious lumber. I was wondering if any of you guys have had the same issue, is it the weight loss or something else? Maybe my nightly vitamins or protein shake? Gotta remember to be careful, almost took out the bedside lamp getting outta bed this morning

Not TMI at all. You're right where I was 5 months ago. Now I can walk and and walk. No doubt in my mind you can get there if you put the work in and follow the program.

I be here too. I'm about a month pre-op and having the preparatory tests done. Sleep study, scope down the throat, counseling, ultrasound. I think my surgeon has ordered evry single test possible for me! He is on record as reccomending a RNY, but the more I read about the sleeve, the more I am definately going with it. I have a high BMI and am afraid that I won't get to where I want to be. (Thin) I am so sick of being fit and all of the crap that comes along with it that I want to get down to almost skinny. I want to be able to walk and walk and walk. So sick of being almost disabled. Ahh, TMI you say? OK, getting off my soap box.

Ok I just woke myself up choking on and then throwing up the NASTIEST very yellow stuff that I would assume to be like stomach acid or stomach bile?! It was very,very nasty...I went to bed with a pretty bad pain in my left side last night,although it does not hurt as bad now. All I had to eat yesterday was 2 very small shrimp and about 2 baby bites of smashed cauliflower,2 muscle milks and water. I also went a mile on my treadmill,the last 10th of that mile I ran. Not sure what's goin on,I am pretty nauseous now bc I still have that nasty stuff trying to come up. Gonna try sipping on some water and maybe give it till this afternoon to see how I feel. Kinda scared :/ Has anyone had this happen??? Could it have been bc I was laying flat? I take a prescribed antacid everyday along with my vitamins. Thanks for any advice.

So I had my surgery yay! Recovery in the hospital was hard I'm not gonna lie I was not prepared. I was sleeved 2,15,1012 It say fast but really it has been a lifetime in the making. I have been over weight my whole life. Starting around 6 years old with not much success at losing. I tried and tried but it seems like it would all come back and then some more. I had my daughter 3yrs ago and while I was preggo with her lost 30 lbs because I took such good care of myself while pregnant. Then I gained it all back. I had a trainer and lost about 30 more lbs but then was attacked outside my apt last year and gained all 30 back plus 30 more. On a side note on being attacked. It was an eye opening experience for me. I ALWAYS thought because I am bigger no one would mess with me. In school no one did in life no one had. But I was so so wrong I was only a bigger and much weaker target. This guy came out of nowhere and had me on my back against my stairs punching me in the face in less than 15 seconds and there was nothing I could do. He didn't get anythng but my lunch bag but it was a horrible experience. I couldn't defend myself all I could do was scream and thats what saved me. I met my boyfriend about 2 years ago. he is an amazing person and has been there for me from day one. I wasn't sure I would ever meet someone who could love me for me but he does. He prefers bigger girls but wants me to be healthy and happy more than anything else so he supports me losing weight. Around mid January at my highest weight ever 320 I was miserable to the point of just beyond help. My weight was effecting me in every aspect of my life. I talked with my awesome amazing man and we decided that Weight loss surgery was the best option for me. So I started checking things out. I found this site and it was awesome. I learned a lot very quickly and decided this was the procedure for me. I found a surgeon in my area who happens to be one of the top 3 in the US. I am self pay so we had to get a loan but we did and got the ball rolling. I made and appt for the following week with my Dr on 1-27-2012. That day I scheduled surgery for 2-15-2012. I was like what this is crazy. No way is this going to happen so fast but it did I met with the nutritionist had blood work done had gallbladder scans and I was ready to go. When I went into the hospital I was nervous and excited. Things moved fast from there. I went to pre-op first. They started my IV's one in each hand, cleaned up my belly had me change clothes, gave me a heprin shot, and stuff for anxiety and antibiotics in my IV. I started feeling pretty good after that. I remember them talking to me a lot and taking me back to the operating room and seeing the big over head lights and wondering why it was so freaking bright. I also saw on a shelf the alligator staple thing they use they had a bunch of them in boxes and I remember thinking they shouldn't just leave those things around..lol.. Then a guy was like ok I'm giving you some more of the stuff that will make you relax.... The next thing I know I'm waking up in the recovery area and my mom is there. She said (and I do not remember this) that I woke up and told her to take a picture of me which she did..lol and then I asked her if I was skinny yet...lol sounds like me. It was hard to open my eyes and swallow but they gave me ice chips that helped.. I also made sure before surgery I had lots of chap stick on my lips. I knew they would be dry and I'm glad I did that. They also let me swab my mouth with those swab things. I had a NG tube down my throat into my stomach which I HATED!! But in reality it helped me and once it was removed I threw up several times. Mostly blood or whatever I had tried to put in my stomach. Ice, Water, meds, saliva... gross. I'm not sure how long I was in there awhile it seemed but finally they took me to my room. I had a hard time recovering from anesthesia and the pain meds seem to make it worse. I was so nauseous even with the anti nausea medication I was still throwing up. I was in and out most of that first night and not really able to get around but in the morning I felt better. I always liked t6he way pain meds made me feel before but now no freaking way I hate it. So they took out my NG tube around 6 am and that's when I started to vomit. I tried so hard not to and the nurses were really nice and trying to help but nothing helped. I found that if I spit out all the saliva I was making instead of swallowing it that helped. I had to drink this blue stuff to see if I was leaking and I wasn't but I threw that up also. They took out the cathater around 10 and took me for my x-ray leak test. I had to drink the contrast stuff so they could see my stomach and if it was working. AND guess what I threw that up too...lol.. I came back to my room and they said I could start my Clear liquids so I tried some beef broth and water just a little and it comes up. I walk around some and I am in pain so I get more meds. The dr comes in and says I can go home. I choose to stay because I felt like crap and wasn't sure I wanted to go home vomiting like I was. The nurses suggested I try the oral liquid pain meds so I did and of course it came back up. I had one more dose of pain meds through IV and one more dose of Anti nausea meds and that was it around 9pm. After that I decided I wasn't going to put anything in my mouth until the morning. I was on IV so I was hydrated. So I slept well that night and woke up in the morning early and feeling so so so much better. I was able to keep down water and was home that day by noon. I'm pretty sure my extra day in the hospital is gonna cost me big since I am self pay but it was worth it. Since I have been home I have felt better by the hour. I am able to keep down all clear liquids that I have tried. Today I started full liquids for 4 weeks. I had a protien shake and some creamy organic tomato Soup it was soooooo unbelievably awesome. I also was able to have some apple sauce and creamy potato soup. It was funny to me to open up the can of soup today and realize how long this will last me! Seriously I could only eat about 2 tablespoons. I am so glad I am feeling so good about food now. My boyfriend even had pizza delivered for dinner and made brownies! I told him to since I wasn't up for cooking yet and I was fine with it. No desire at all to have that stuff. Of course he can eat anything and he is still the same weight.., with about 14 BMI!!!! he has no fat on him at all except maybe his butt...even that has muscle though. I slept in my own bed the first night home! My butt was so numb from being in the same position for so long there was no way I was sleeping on the recliner. I have lots of burping I mean manly burps that can put some of the best to shame..lol it's kinda funny though. I have been able to poo (sorry if thats TMI) with no problems at all. I have very little pain and havent had ANY pain meds since the night before I left he hospital. My big incision is a little tender but nothing I can't handle and my belly is pretty bruised and banged up. My sense of smell has gone crazy. I'm not sure if anyone else has had this problem before but everything stinks to me. I walked in my house from the hospital and was like nope that trash needs to go out this house smells gross. I can smell everything and things I used to like really are bothering me now. like the smell of my boyfriend is grossing me out, I feel so bad and I'm hoping that changes. I won't tell him though I don't want to hurt his feelings. I spent today doing some light laundry and cleaning up the kitchen and airing out the house(hoping it would smell better) It does. Oh and just for kicks I got on the scale expecting to weigh more because of all the fluids and swelling from surgery and I'm down 13 lbs since the day of surgery. 22 lbs since pre op!! I no longer snore!! I was a bad bad snorer before my boyfriend had to wear earplugs and he says I make no sound now.. HOW awesome... My daughter was a little weird around me at first I think she wasnt sure what to think she is only 3 but she has been with my parents and today they came over for a visit and she was touching my tummy and asking if it hurt and what did they do. :wub: She is a sweet girl. The pic is of me pre op before meds.. So that Is my story. It started out rough but I'm doing great now. And well on my way to needing smaller sized clothes.

Figured I'd say Hi, as there doesn't seem to be a lot of men on this board. I'm 28, and just recently relocated to the Northwest, and decided it was time to lose this weight. Moving from Texas, where the majority of everyone is severely obese, I found myself in the extreme minority out here. The looks and rude comments behind my back have led me to this point. I also am having extreme knee problems, from walking up two flights of stairs each day at work. I attended a WL seminar last week, and I'm still waiting to hear back from their office on insurance verification for surgery. From all the research I've done with BCBS MA, I don't think there's any issue with me qualifying. The doctor told me it's usually a 6-8 week process from insurance verification, so here's looking to two months out Having never worked out before in a gym, do any of the men have suggestions on where to start, after getting surgery? Is a personal trainer worth it? When I was in the military, I was accustomed to running 5 mile runs every other day, so I don't think cardio will be much problem at all. Finally, for my first topic, I brew beer. I brew damn good beer in fact. Is beer drinking (even very occasionally) something that I will need to give up? I'm not talking about downing a 12 pack of coors, I'm talking about enjoying a delicious home-brewed coffee chocolate stout with 8.9% abv, once in a blue moon. Thanks, and I hope it wasn't TMI for my first post.

<---is going to Sams also! I didn't like the Atkins shake at all, made me throw up in my mouth! TMI! Also, grab some Gas X dissolvable strips. I've heard they're a life saver after surgery with the gas pains.

Hi All- I was sleeved on February 15, and I am STRUGGLING getting liquids down. I am curious, did anyone else have issues with this? How much were you getting down 3-4 days after surgery? I am afraid I am starting to get dehydrated (just from the color of my urine (TMI, I know). I am allergic to the pain medicine so I can't take any of that, and the antibiotics gave me thrush. So the horrible taste in my mouth is just too much...I don't want to put anything in my mouth. Any advise would be appreciated. Thank-you.

Great progress, I totally understand the "TMI", I have plenty of bodily noises that I make now that I just except and move on. Sounds like you are doing well with your proteins and liquids. I remeber thinking in the early days how would I ever get in all that protein, I was barely drinking or taking in 400 calories a day but it gets easier over time. Good Luck.

Feeling pretty good today. Learning to listen to my body and the cues it gives me. It is getting easier to rest so I can heal.Yesterday was a good day. I was able to pass gas( sorry for the tmi, but when you get to this side you will understand I had 1/2 cup of egg drop soup, one protein shake, and a popsicle. I also had a vitamin water that I sipped on all day. Well actually I have been sipping it for two days. I was so stuffed. Today I added protein powder to my shake for a total of 40 grams of protein there and I am 1/2 way through it. I also broke out in a rash from head to toe. It turns out I am allergic to the pain meds. So no more for me. Lucky enough I really do not need them anymore but it has to work itself out of my system. Im going to try to walk more today, but still the simplest things tire me out. But I am happy to be on this side!