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I had my surgery on July 11 and initially did really well losing about 18 lbs by the 22nd. My bowel movements have been spotty since the surgery but I attributed that to the fact I was eating so little. Today I am on a mixture of soft and regular foods and since the 22nd my weight has not moved down at all, it actually is going up every day. I have been taking correctall trying to help but it is not working. Does anyone have any advice or words of wisdom because I feel like a failure and am now starting to feel uncomfortable (like I am actually constipated). Sorry for the TMI but I am getting really upset with this situation.

Hello All. I am 8 weeks out from my surgery and down 30 pounds. I hit a stall my third week. I am doing everything by the book, food, water, iron, protien....Problem is, I started to bloat at week 4, and they said the surgeon said this is normal, especially with the higher temps. I increased the water from 64 oz. to 80-100 oz., and did see abit of difference in water retention, but the swelling is still there. Mostly in my calves and top of my feet. Here's the other thing, and pardon me for being graphic and giving TMI, but I have had my period since June 17th. My surgery was on May 31st. I am 47 years old, (PRE-SURGERY WEIGHT:379)and my periods were like clockwork before the surgery. Maybe Menopause? I can't seem to get an answer. I went to my regular doctor for the swelloing and she is afraid to give me anything for it (Lasix) because she does not want to knock my system out of whack. This last week, my period has been so heavy, it's a wonder I am not passing out. But I feel fine.Already had the pap and all that pre-surgery, so I am not worried there. Has anyone, my age or any age, had this problem post surgery? I just read that fat has lots of hormones, and when I dropped 30lbs., my estrogen went nuts. Help!!!!!!! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Also, has anyone else hit a 5 week stall? I am about to go crazy. Eaing like a bird and not losing weight. Thanks all.

Hi- I am back to work- and still on verge of dehydration. I drink at least 64 oz./day can't get (sorry for the TMI) pee to not be bright yellow, and don't GO while at work... but my work is warm, always moving- non stop, (I used a pedo and do about 4 miles a day) Today I drank 48 oz. while working and I started off with 20 oz. shake for Breakfast. I am seeing my PCF. tomorrow. I think the intake/output has something to do with my dizziness. so far all tests have revealed I am healthy...

OK so here it is the night before (well early morning of..) my pre op testing!! to be 100% honest, I am a Nervous wreck!! I have literally made myself sick in the last 48 hours. I could not figure out why all of sudden my stomach is nauseous and I had diarrhea..(sorry for the tmi)...but I just figured out..its my NERVES!! I am a nervous wreck and didn't even realize it. I just got off the phone with my best friend who had to remind me to breath bc I was beginning to have what I THINK is an anxiety attack! I know I have made the right decision to get banded, after a lot of time and research,but now as I lay in bed the night before Pre Op testing,I am having second thoughts !I know deep down its the best decision but right now Its not so clear!! I was always a "strong" person,so right now I am surprised at how much In freaking out on the inside! I know a lot of people start feeling like this a few days before surgery,but I still have 10 whole days! Im not scheduled until August 12th. is this too soon for me to be freaking out? has anyone else experienced these feelings this far away from surgery day?? my stomach is bubbling,I feel like I have a lump in my throat, my chest is heavy and overall I think I might just sh*t my pants before surgery day arrives!! LOL MY NERVES are SHOT!!! I only told a handful of people about my surgery plans,so I think the fact that there are ppl close to me whose shoulder Im used to leaning on when I need support,that dont even have a clue as to what Im in the process of doing is also playing a role in my Pre surgery Jitters.(they dont know bc I dont think they'd be as supportive as I'd need them to be) So pretty Much this site is my NUMBER 1 person (people) to turn to! SO I NEED ALL OF YOUR HELP!! PLEASE tell me about your pre op jitters stories. I would like to hear from any and everyone. any advice,tips,stories etc are greatly appreciated!! Also I would REALLY LOVE to befriend other August banders..ESPECIALLY those of you with the same surgery day of August 12th!! Also anyone else who is pre or post op that would like to be band buddies I would love that too! I need as much support as possible!!

Just an update and a word of encouragement to all newbies. I'm 6 weeks post op - and since the surgery I lost about 20 lbs. First few weeks on liquids and mushies were kinda sucky - but tolerable. After that - I've been eating healthy foods, mostly lean seafood, veggies, occasional red meat - but very little. I haven't had a fill yet, so without restriction I've been watching my own portions and there have been days where I've eaten more than I should have. I've started on solids sooner than prescribed but I'm pretty well-tuned to what my body wants/needs and because of portion controls I've been able to eat most things. By choice I've eliminated most white carbs: rice, bread, Pasta. I've had a bit of rice and a nibble of bread here and there and I do have oatmeal - otherwise all Protein diet will screw up your BMs and you'll have to supplement Fiber. I really hate supplements or non-natural things, so I've been increasing fiber in my diet while keeping protein high. So far - only slight constipation - I know TMI 3-4 weeks post op I've started working out: cardio about 3-4 times a week and weights on alternating days. That has helped tremendously not so much in increased weight loss as in energy levels and overall healthy feeling. BEST PART - old pants fitting again!! And shirts and jackets too!! 20 lbs is about 1 size in clothes - so I'm back to L from being XL. Yay! Tomorrow I'm going in for the first fill - really excited about that. And a bit anxious because so far I've had nothing "stuck" as there was nothing to obstruct my pipes - now it's going to be different. I'm just hoping that post fill, I'll have just positive experience as I've head up until now. That 20 lbs of weight loss has increased my energy 10-fold - now I'm hoping that the weight loss will continue at a nice, steady pace. By Xmas I intend to look like a Greek god . So - if you just joined, just had a surgery - the first few weeks are tough but not impossible. After that - things are downhill. Stay motivated!! Ahab.

Oh how I wish the solution was just to change the time I take it! I have daytime post-nasal drip as well, sometimes quite bad. And right after I got sick with the mono (which lasted about 6 mos!!), my doctor put me on a steroid nose spray and Advair. They disturbed my sleep, made me extremely irritable, and eventually led to HALLUCINATIONS. Yep, that's right, steroid psychosis from 2 totally normal medicines that many people combine. Somehow during all this crap, I've become incredibly sensitive to chemicals I used to be able to tolerate just fine. It blows. I will try that! The nose sprays REALLY help the swelling but the other side fx have been intolerable. I had a bunch of swelling removed from inside the sinuses, and the deviated septum, and bone removed to hopefully improve drainage. I think polyps are not IN the sinuses, are they? Did they pack your sinuses? Cuz that was the part that was terrible. My sinuses and nose were completely packed for 2 weeks, swallowing was much worse than anything I experienced with WLS because my head was so blocked up that swallowing created pressure pops and stuff would come back up. TMI but *shudder* that is what I am afraid of going thru again!

Maybe you should rest it for a day or two, then try more activity. I had open abdominal surgery a year ago and it took forever for the phantom pains to go away. TMI: I'm on day 4 of post op and have started to have really bad diarrhea. I've read some older post and seems like it's normal. Hope it goes away soon! I'm going to start drinking protein shakes tomorrow to try to get something else in me. Good Luck and hope your side feels better!

It was so good for me to find this posting today. I have been stalled for the last couple of days, I was sleeved on 7/11 and initially things were going good. I was moved to soft foods on 7/21 and since then have been stalled. I had lost a total of 16 lbs from 7/2 until 7/21 but nothing since then. I have been on the verge of tears all day today and am wallowing in self pity. I have not been able to get all my water nor do I think I am getting enough protein each day but I expected more results. My bowel movements have been few and far between (sorry tmi) and I have been questioning what I'm doing wrong.

That was my BIGGEST fear was being sick. I HATE to throw up and feel sick like that! It didn't stop me from getting sleeved tho!! Luckly, I didn't get sick or nausea. I am 11 weeks out and still have not been!! YAY The worst thing for me was the gas!! OMG!! IT WAS BAD!! I felt horrible and could not even sit up straight. I didn't have pain from the surgery at all. It was all gas in my belly!! It lasted about 3 days and then I got really bad farting! LOL, TMI i know and then diahreah for about a week!! But, it made me feel so much better!! Kelly

Good evening! I had band to bypass revision on May 3 and I LOVE IT!! I am so happy with my "decision". Mine wasn't so much of a decisions as it was...if you ever want to eat again you need to get the stupid band out of you. I was very successful with my band and lost 110 pounds in 9.5 months but then right around my 3 year anniversary I started having major problems. I was completely unfilled but I kept throwing up quite regularly. Any time anyone would question it, I just made one excuse after another without realizing it: The food was too tought, I ate to fast, I didn't chew enough, etc. Finally I had resorted to eating three things: Hershey's with almonds, cheese puffs, and Pasta with alfredo sauce because those were the only things that would go down with out being rejected by my band...which we soon nick-named the "anti-gravity band"...cuz what went down was inevitably coming up!!! (TMI...but any of us revisioners have been there and done that!) After craziness with my insurance company I finally had my revision done by Dr. Stowers in Decatur, TX. The recovery was very easy for me. I was back to work as a high school science teacher 6 days after surgery. The first two weeks were pretty easy because it was just liquids. Weeks 3-6ish were a little more difficult as I transitioned to soft foods and then to real foods. I was getting nauseated all the time. Every time I ate I felt like I was getting car sick. However, that has seemed to fade unless I eat too much fat. I have avoided sugar at almost all cost except for the piece of cheesecake on my birthday which sent me over the edge. Dumping for me is a lot less about running to the bathroom (though I was in there for a while) and more about my the heart pounding in my chest. From what I have read everyone's experience is a little different but for me I know when I have too much fat or sugar because my DH can put his hand just barely touching my shirt and feel my heart beating. I can feel it in my ears and it is awful. This might sound bad but I am done counting calories, grams of Protein, and everything else so I don't. I eat things that are healthy (though I am having a really hard time even wanting meat...it disgusts me right now!) and I eat small amounts but I don't fret like I did with my band. I have lost 27 pounds in just under three months. However, I was fairly close to goal and only have 13 pounds to go to get to goal so my BMI was not very high. Both my doctor and I agreed that I would take the weight off slowly because my rapid weightloss with the band caused me some medical issues. I will tell you that your tastes buds are going to change. I thought they were crazy when they said you wouldn't crave sweets, but I haven't wanted a candy bar, doughnut, or ice cream since surgery. Salt on the other hand...that is my new "transfer addiction". I can't get enough! Please let me know if you have any questions. I still feel like a newbie myself but I will do my best to answer any questions you might have. Good luck!

Well I just ordered genie bra, I sure hope they are worth it. I'm not to worried about the sagging because I have had a lift with implants but I do worry about them smashing me. I have had such a hard time with bras. Maybe that was TMI if so sorry

Hey Huni! That must be it, usually when I have a coffee from a take-away place I have a shot of cinnamon syrup in it so that sounds like it's the problem! I'll be avoiding that from now on for sure. Not TMI, lol, don't worry. Good to know I'm not the only one CONGRATS on 11months Wednesday!!! x

Hi Sweets! I also get diarrhea once in a while. In my case, I'm totally convinced it comes when I eat too much sugar. I spoke to the doctor about it and they said we can not physically dump, but that we can have reactions like diarrhea to certain foods or sugars. I am at goal and trying not to lose anymore, so on Saturday on my way to the beach, I ordered a regular caramel frap for the extra calories/fat and within the hour I had rush to the restroom and BARELY made it LOL (sorry if TMI). So you are not alone my sleeve sister LOL! Hugs!!! P.s. I will be 11 months out on Wednesday yayyyy!

Ok, I'm almost at the end of day 4 and I have been feeling pretty good for the most part. I had the worst gas pains that felt like horrific heartburn for 2 days then overwhelmingly bloated yesterday. Now today from just drinking clear liquids I have diarrhea (tmi I know). I can't tell if I have hunger pains or if that is just the feeling of the band around my stomach, lol kind of a strange predicament. Do you think I will be ok to start full liquids tomorrow since I have been keeping liquids down and feel like I am past the gas pains for the most part or should I stick to 5 full days of clear liquids? I know everyone's diet is a bit different. Mine is 5 days clear liquids, days 6 & 7 full liquids then puree for 2 weeks then on to regular food for 1 week prior to my fill at 5 weeks. I am so excited for this life changing journey and to have fabulous people to share it with. I would love to see some great ideas for pureed food if anyone has some.

Polly, Continue following all the post op instructions, I also gained weight right after (about 3-5 lbs the first week!). I was extremely bloated and having some regularity issues (sorry about the TMI). After about a week and a half to 2 weeks, I dropped a few pounds and it's continued since. Your body is trying to find normal again and is going through a lot. I was also crabby and not exactly happy right after (I'm not far into my journey either, I'm about 8.5 weeks post op at this point). You are doing nothing wrong! Right now is not a fun time and weight loss sometimes does not occur right away. A lot of people call this "bandster hell" until the first fill because many people get hungry between now and the first fill. Please, keep it up and continue following the instructions! Hopefully you'll be on full liquids soon and able to take in some Protein, that made me feel much better! The Protein shakes did make me pretty bloated but also made me feel a lot better and gave me some energy. You're still healing, don't worry about minimal weight loss or even a small gain at this point. The first month (for me at least) wasn't much fun, but I'm very happy with my decision now and you'll be there soon too.

The gas for me was HORRIBLE!! The only pain I had was the gas. Nothing helped. I was miserable for about 4-5 days. Then when it finally decided to break loose, I got really bad gas and was soooo happy to fart!! TMI, I am sure, but I felt so much better after about 10 of them. Then I got the squirts and that just made me feel even better. Those lasted for about a week. It sucks, but it is what we have to go thru. Gas X did nothing for me!! Walking didn't help, only time made it better. Hope your's breaks loose soon!! Kelly

I've had a panniculectomy so here's my story. When I had my sleeve done on Nov 18th 2010 the surgeon found my fibroid tumor was way way bigger than we knew. Luckily he was able to do my sleeve and now we knew I needed a hysterectomy sooner rather than later. My original goal was to wait until this fall and hopefully most of my weight would be gone and I could get a tummy tuck at the same time. Unfortunately, the fibroid was making my life miserable.....back pain, shortness of breath (my diaphragm couldn't fully open) having to pee all the time......so we decided to do it March 1. I knew my abs would be cut for the hysterectomy so I talked to the plastic surgeon. I had stomach that overhung to my pubic area (so gross) and even my girly areas drooped. (grosser) I decided to have the panni done when I had my hysterectomy. The gyno cut vertically to get the tumor out, and the plastics cut on either side of the incision and pulled it together. My panniculectomy incision runs from nearly the back of one hip to nearly the back of the other. My belly button was moved. When I figured out he had cut it out of the skin that was removed and cut a hole where it is now and sewed it in I was sort of disgusted...but it looks pretty good. Sometimes I feel like Frankenstein. There are some pros and cons to what I did and I'll share them with you. Pros: Not having that overhang was a huge motivator to me. No more rashes there I can move so much more freely (ie...when I ride my bike, my knees don't hit my stomach) I have a lap again My clothes fit so much better and the overhang used to be visible under clothes TMI alert (sex is soooo much better without that between us) BTW.....he removed 15 pounds of skin and fat. So if you've ever grabbed your stomach and said 'I wish I could cut this off" Well, it turns out you can. Cons: It hurt soooooo much. Please understand a lot of that pain came from the removal of a fibroid tumor that weighed in at over 10 pounds and the cutting of my abdominal muscles. The scar is big and ugly, but as bad as it is, it's better than the overhang. Because I had my surgery with A LOT of weight left to lose, I may still want to have a tummy tuck later. I'm going to wait and see on that. I paid for it out of pocket and it wasn't cheap, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat My doc explained that the panniculectomy was like a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) without the tightening of the stomach muscles. If you're at your goal weight now, my suggestion (unsolicited so tell me to shut up if you want) would be to have the tummy tuck. With the tummy tuck they will remove the excess skin like they would in a panniculectomy, but they will also tighten up your muscles, giving you a more toned look. Sept 1 I'm having my girls reduced and lifted. If you have questions about that, I'll let you know after. Insurance is footing the bill for that one and I'm psyched. If you want to know anything else, please feel free to PM me. Good luck with your decision.

There will likely be some TMI in this post so consider yourself warned lol. BCPs are horrible little buggers for me. The ONLY one I can take and not be COMPLETELY miserable is Ortho-cyclin (NOT ortho-tri-cyclin). The others are horrible, and Yaz was the worst for me. I practically hemorrhaged during AF while I was on it. I would soak a super plus tampon before I could even stand up off the pot and get re-dressed. On top of that AF lasted TWO weeks not one!! I tried the Mirena and I would have taken the yaz over that any day. I had migraines, dizzy spells, hot flashes, night sweats, gained 60 pounds in the 6 months I had it (I am a big girl but I don't gain weight THAT fast and as soon as it was removed I lost about half of it so....), had a horrible scraping feeling in my uterus, severe stabbing pains every time I climaxed, the list goes on and on. All we can use are condoms or withdraw. I swore off hormonal BC after the Mirena. JMHO, but when you add hormones into hormonal chaos you are asking for trouble, at least that is the way it has played out for me.

Talk to your OBGYN and your surgeon. I have the copper IUD (no horomones) so that might be a way for you to prevent pregnancy but I'm not sure it will help with the heavy flow. TMI Maybe but the only negative side effect so far has been extra discharge (stringy/snotty) right after your period. My OBGYN said that it was where the string of the IUD rubs the mucuous membranes and causes them to create more mucus than normal. It's so not a big deal though.

This may be TMI, and one day I hope I can laugh about it but what a saga! I've had to wait three years for WLS, and have been set to go on July 27. In the last two weeks I'd developed multiple swollen glands in my girl parts, possibly stress related, and started one antibiotic to try to deal with those before surgery. Saw the surgeon for my pre-op appointment, and he said he hopes the glands will be back to normal by the day of surgery. The antibiotic I am taking led to a yeast infection (common side effect), which I realized that same day. That evening, I went for a short hike with my family up our local canyon and inadvertently picked a poison ivy plant, but didn't realize it. On the way home, I ran in to the drug store and bought a 3 day yeast infection treatment. Got home. Took a shower. Gave myself a good scratch, if you know what I mean, still not realizing I had poison ivy oil all over my hands. You tracking with me??? Got out of the shower, began the treatment for the yeast infection. Went to bed, blissfully unaware of the mayhem about to ensue. The next day, I noticed a red patch on my arm and suddenly realized what had happened and that I'd touched poison ivy. By that night, my face was swollen from where I had touched my face, pre-moment of enlightenment. It has been awful. I tried all the homeopathic options first, asked friends on FB, they asked their friends, people were networking, all trying to help me. Bought Tecnu, bought calendula cream, Rhus tox, you name it. The next morning was even worse (glands were larger still, starting to get itchy). It was a Sunday, so I went to the ER in tears, hoping to get Prednisone and try to kick this whole thing. That was the treatment I received, and they were all wonderful and sympathetic. Was in charge of a company picnic for 125 in the 95 degree weather, with a boss who never thought to mercifully send me home, so I toughed it out. Got a mild sunburn from that. Today, my fingers are worse from the ivy and I'm finding other small Patches on my bod, here and there. Something is giving me diarrhea, but that is the least of my troubles right now. I just need something to get better... This is a comedy of errors like I've never experienced. I just don't want to have to postpone surgery. These are minor issues, but I know added up together might do just that. I have to surrender to the idea that there are worse things that postponement. I am very healthy overall, and this is just crazy. Thanks for being the one place I can tell this dumb story. One way or the other, it will pass. But my advice to you all in the weeks before your surgery is to NOT LEAVE THE HOUSE. Kidding.

I understand completely. I was worried something was wrong with me because I never remember seeing anywhere in post about the pain that comes after surgery. I mean I know there would be pain, BUT OMG!!!! :blink:This stuff really hurts. I also have lovely post nasal drip right now and the coughing hurts so bad and I am in tears.... But it does get better except I dont think I have slept since I left the hospital on Friday. Im always afraid that I will cough and blow out my left side stitches. Also Water does not like me and I dont like it. Which is crazy since I loved it before surgery but now my tummy does not like it. It yells and burns afterwards telling me how terrible I am.... But I can drink Apple juice with no problems.... Its a light apple juice. And OMG have u went the bathroom yet???? I mean really went? I went today for the first time in a week, first time solid tar reminded me of the baby poop after the baby is born, 2nd time pure liquid out of both ends.... Thank goodness I didnt have a drain in, dont know how much more pain I can take. I swear if anyone every tells me that this is an easy way and I cheated, I will proceed to RIP their heads off.... lol. I think I might try the liquid Loratab tonight (dont wanna cause it is horrible) but I want to actually sleep some.... But I know this is all worth it cause next year this time, I WILL BE ONE SEXY MAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Skinnyness is painful.... lol. Im hoping next Wednesday the left side will stop hurting so bad, fingers crossed Sorry if this is all TMI..... lol

When they do the tummy tuck does it also raise or flatten the skin in your pubic area?

Hey kids, I'm 4 days post op. I have had severe pain in my left side since waking in recovery. Everyday it get's a little better, but it is always there. It's a bit swollen, and the incision indents~ I have been walking with difficulty. Drinking, and taking in calories just fine. I have had some gas, a few times, nothing major. I have had no vomiting and very little nausea. But man my abdomen HURTS! I have to sleep sitting up, I still need help getting up if the furniture is too low, or I got too comfy. I can't bend over, I can barley (TMI WARNING) wipe myself after tinkling! Will this go away soon?? I do still have the JP drain in, but its in the middle of my tummy, not on the left side where I hurt so much. Did anyone else go through this kind of pain, or is it everyone and no one really talks about it? lol... I haven't seen much about it anywhere. Thanks!

TMI alert, I apologize in advance! Everyone has been talking about constipation...I am having the opposite problem - never have I not made it into the bathroom before, but twice today! Has anyone else had diarrhea vs. Constipation???

I got a bra on the day after surgery as I HATE that feeling of having boobs flopping around. I had an incision on the high sternum too, but this was well covered and small so the front of the bra rested on it and caused no pain at all. Having my boobs resting on my stomach loose was WAY worse. This is total TMI, but when I first got out of bed a few hours post surgery I had nothing on but a gown and I had to lift them off of my stomach (what with all the sweat and blood stains) to even get standing. It was so much more painful!