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Thanks to EVERYONE that has replied. We should keep the music from Rocky in the back of our minds.....the "theme music" for this phase of our Journey........LOL!!!!! ok.... For those not into "theme musi " it's ok..... But I know that THIS TIME..... we are going to FINALLY going to be VICTORIOUS against this long rivaled Obesity opponent!!!! Good luck Everyone!!!!! @ findingreneeagain: I have to do a liquid diet for 2 weeks pre-op. Today was my first day & OMG...... I think my kids think I've been playing a new instrument call the "Flatulant". LOL!!!! ( ok.... That was probably TMI, sorry ) hope that doesn't aggregate your pain. I hate to hear that ur still hurting. I would take advantage of the long weekend....do ABSOLUTLY NADA!!! Glad to see ur in good spirits. Your right. We must keep our eyes on the prize. @Thinkinthin LOL!!! u crack me up!!! But, "I feel ya!"..... Uve gotta do what uve gotta do!!!! All for the ultimate goal of "Healthy" even if uhave to "hide" for a few minutes. Please don't get caught!!! LOL!!! @ Cathie: my surgery is scheduled for July 14th. Are u doing a liquid diet right now? Good Luck on Tuesday!!! @ Candaceshenea: Awwhhh I hate u had this setback. Do u think that it was made worse by extra moving (like reaching above, sliding in ur chair, etc) on ur 1st day bk @ work? Sometimes the smallest of things that we normally do without a 2nd thought can set us bk. Thankfully u were able to give urself the extra time. Hang n there!! @ Penpen: Hey...... Have u been in my head? U sound like me with the "exploding stomach & blood clot" fears (among others) LOL!!!. But, ur right, I just keep reminding myself if my ultimate goal. I havent told but a few close friends & family abt me having this surgrey, so thats another added fear abt a longer recovery. I know it should be my LAST concern. So I keep reminding my self of that. @ Nancy: My job is pretty sedentary. But I will have to control how much I move around. THATS my plan. I've had a little practice with the recovery after my Hyst. I was "reminded" when I over did it. Hopefully I've learned how to gauge it.

Nechama: Looking forward to hearing from you!! Amy: Thanks for making the post-op thread! Re: fills--my surgeon has me scheduled for my first adjustment appointment on July 29, which is 23 days after my surgery. I have a 7/13 post-op checkup, too. I specifically chose a surgeon who is aggressive with fills and who has a strong after-care program including a thriving support group (which is run by the therapists who work in his office). I'm getting excited about moving into this new phase of all of our lives! And a possible TMI moment (excuse us for a moment, Stan and Kevin--this is just for the other women of the group): TOM hit this week, right in the middle of my pre-op diet, complete with food cravings and mood swings. GRRRR!!!!! As if I weren't cranky enough with this diet! (LOL!!!)

I had a cath put in so I didn't have that happen but I'm sure it was nothing to worry about......nurses have seen it ALL...which is worse, having that happen or being the one who PUTS the cath in.....hopefully THAT little bit of TMI will make you feel better!!!

no, not tmi- thanks, Cathi- that will help alot- I WILL TAKE THAT NAUSEA PRESCRIPTION! LOL... really; thanks alot! Hi there, I had my surgery at the same place, with Dr. Billings!! I am 3 weeks post-op today. The staff there are wonderful. I was worried about going home the same day, and truthfully, I wish I had been able to stay overnight as I got very sick the day I went home. However...did they give you a prescription for nausea, one pill to take at 3:00 a.m. the morning before surgery? If so, TAKE IT. I was told by a nurse during my pre-op appt. that it was optional, and since my insurance charged a higher co-pay for just the one pill, I didn't get it. Dr. Billings was not happy that I had been told that, because he said it is not optional, that I would really need it for nausea. They gave me extra nausea meds. in my IV the morning of the procedure, but it didn't help. I vomited all afternoon after I got home, and all night long. The next morning, I was very dehydrated and needed several bags of fluids. They kept me most of the day to make sure I was okay, giving me nausea & pain meds. thru the IV. They said everyone is different, but if I'd had that nausea pill, I probably wouldn't have been so sick. The liquid percocet they give you manages the pain well, as well as the valium. Take them both religiously the first few days to stay comfortable. Other people I have talked to weren't near so sick, so I don't want to freak you out or worry you. I hesitated sharing my experience since it was kind of rough the first few days. But also want to assure you that they will take good care of you, and they are only a phone call away. I had a one week post-op appt. and I was doing fine. They gave me pictures of the surgery and the piece of stomach they took out! When are you scheduled? I wish you the best!! You'll do great, I'm sure! Cathi so, i keep reading about how people spend 2 or 3 days in the hospital- if you had laprascopic vsg outpatient surgery, please chime in! i have to go in the next morning for fluids, and there is a hospital very close by if there are complications, which i'm not worried about- guess i'm more worried about pain management... no nurse at my beck and call...would appreciate your experience!

How low are we talking about here guys? Would you all mind to share some of your levels? Mine came back today as 3.1 (normal is 3.5-5.1). It is interesting to me though that I have had almost ALL the symptoms listed below, even down to the eye twitching thing. Just as an FYI and wondering if anything can be connected.....my biliruben and globulin levels were elevated. We were originally thinking I might be anemic b/c of some (TMI alert) rectal bleeding. I'm thinking now that the dizziness, etc is from potassium level though. Would welcome any thoughts though.

Sorry for tmi. Had surgery yesterday and could not pee so they put in catheter. Took it out this morning and still can't go. Help?

Very Little.... I wore the same outfit home that I wore to the hospital, just make sure it's loose and comfy. I bought clean undies and didn't put the bra on (incision is right at my bra line LOL Also: Chapstick Biotine (?) mouth spray A loose light robe (to cover the gown when walking) Slip on slippers for walking if you don't like those socks they give you, and I wore them home Your meds Toothbrush Hairbrush Book That was basically it. You aren't there long and the first day you're pretty drugged. I didn't even read much. TMI -- I had started my period that morning (and I'm told surgery brings it on for some ladies) and they gave me mesh undies and a bunch of pads. I hated the itchy mesh undies so had hubby bring several pair because I kept freaking leaking out the pads. They don't allow tampons. Stupid.

I am scared that I have messed something up, but then again I might just be overreacting. I worked in the yard quite a bit last night and lifted one of those big water hose caddies on wheels before I thought about it. I was fine today until about 3 PM and I noticed I was more sore than usual in my port area. It's okay when I'm still, but when I move it just feels like a pulled muscle. Also, my whole abdominal/stomach area is pretty swollen now. I am not sure if I pulled something last night or if I am just bloated because it's about to be my time of the month and also I haven't had a bowel movement in a couple days. I know this is TMI, but I'm worried since I'm so bloated looking. Anyone had this problem??

I got my band yesterday too and had noticed the same thing. TMI alert: I have been sitting further back on the potty to help speed things along. I keep drinking and walking around the house as much as I can, trying to get back to normal.

As the others mentioned, anesthesia, trauma and the fact you're not indulging in food and getting the endorphin "high" all play a part. It works that way for the boys too, I have been super grumpy lately and pissed at the world. WARNING! May be TMI: I had previously diagnosed with low testosterone and had my levels under control till I had surgery, then they shot right through the roof. I halved the dosage and was OK for a few more months and then had my levels rechecked and they were through the roof again. So the doc prescribed a half strength version for me - which I cut the dosage in half AGAIN, so now I am taking 1/8th of what I originally used to take. I have to wait a few weeks to get rechecked but I can feel they're too high yet. I have to take SOMETHING as my level bottoms out way below male normal between dosages, then I want to cry all the time. The reason is simple, there is less of ME to spread the hormones around in so they in effect get stronger. This can also happen wihtout taking replacement therapy as your own natural hormones will become more "concentrate" too. Now you're just starting out so this effect may not be kicking in yet.

I used to have them and that is the worst pain ever...It feels like razor blades are coming out when you go to the bathroom...I used to bleed more from the rectum than a full blown period. Honestly the only thing that I know of that helped me was going regularly. I must have started eating more fiber because now I am going more frequently and it comes out soft instead of hard and tearing my rectum. I don't have this problem anymore. I feel for you! That pain is horrible. I went to a specialist and he stuck his fingers in my rectum and I cried and screamed while climbing the table. It hurt sooo bad. Sorry for the TMI! But I so feel your pain! I don't exactly know what to tell you to correct it though except you need to get fiber or whatever in your system so your bowels don't tear you anymore once these heal. And that will take a while too--especially if your bowels are all solid.

KPB-Today is my 6th day post op. I consider myself to be strong and a trooper. I have done great so far but today I feel like I have just had it! I still need to drink the liquid death too and I hate it. I think it is ruining my taste buds. I am swallowing my ppi which is small just fine so I am thinking of calling surgeon and asking for something small in pill form. I can agree with everything you wrote with one addition and this may be TMI BUT--I have diahrea which I expected but my whole abdomen hurts so bad that I can not twist enough to wipe as well as I would like so now my butt is really irritated. I am a clean freak so it is really bothering me! Just generally irritated today which is not really like me! UGH!!!! Still happy to be sleeved I must say!

This might be TMI but is anyone else constipated fro. Pre-op diet? Day three here...nine more days

I usually burp ;-P I found I need to pay attention to that or I will regret it. I ignored it once and everything came back up. Other report hiccuping, one person even sneezes! Not to be TMI nut it is not like a regular burp, it is a burp with a little of the flavor of what I am eating. It is so hard at frst1 you really have to listen to your body!

I will apologize to the guys for this topic up front. Now I am going to warn all of you male bloggers I am going to discuss a rather x-rated topic. My panties! lol Well yesterday I finally broke down and bought my self some new underware. I know your all asking how in the world was she still waring the same panties she wore 68 lbs ago. They were a little baggy in the seat but they were dear old friends and I just wasn't ready to go to the expense of purchasing new ones. I have had to purchase new bras, on two separate occasions but the panties worked so I left them alone. Well for two weeks I have been saying to my husband, "Honey I gotta buy new panties, one day I am going to be walking down the hall at work and they are going to fall right off." It had got to the point when I wore my tee shirt spanks that my underware gave me a wedgy. TMI right but you have to fully appreciate how much our bodies change and all of the things we go through when losing weight. Well I bought two pair of really cute hipster style panties at Target. They were so cute, "Not granny panties at all" They were a soft gray pattern with this cute little bow on the front and flat ecru colored lace on the legs. And guess what they are a size "7" and they look so cute. Ok, so they are only underware and I know I am the only one that is going to see them but they make me feel thinner. I know that may sound ridiculous but they do. I have not bought underware that was not of the granny pantie style for years, I got satin ones, lacy ones, etc. Tomorrow, Monday June 27th I start my exercise at Curves®. I have to be there at 7am, so excited. Spent the weekend working in the yard and swimming in the pool. Also bought some delicious protein bars at CVS for buy two get one free. Had a yummy pretzel peanut butter one yesterday for lunch and a chocolate Carmel crunch one today. 200 cal 15 gm protein and low carbs. I like these on the weekend for when I am busy outside and use as one meal replacement. Hope everyone is doing great this weekend. I will keep you posted this week on my exercise, oh and I guess I get to wear my new panties to work and won't get a wedgy!

Friday the 24th of June Well, it is day six post op, and my ports are hardly sore at all anymore. I can get in and out of bed, a chair, etc without much discomfort at all. On the down side, I am still running a temp in the 99s. It is minor, but a temp really makes me feel crappy. I finished the antibiotic that my surgeon gave me last night, and I still have a temp this morning, so I called my primary care physician and got an appointment for 11:00 AM this morning. Hopefully all it will take is a couple of antibiotic pills, and the temp will vanish also. On the brighter side, I lost two pounds! I am now down 28 pounds from the date I started the pre-op diet. Of course, 20 of those pounds were lost with the pre-op diet, but weight loss is weight loss, isn't it? So far none of my clothing is lose or baggy on me. I must have been wearing my clothes REALLY tight, as you would think SOME of my clothes would be lose after almost 30 pounds gone! I felt really sick last night at bedtime. I was getting worried. For starters, I was running a temp then too, of 99.4 (not much, but as I said I always feel really crappy when I have a temp.) And I started having these cramps. I wasn't sure if it was gas or what. I was sweaty, and hurt so bad, and didn't know what was going on. I have tried to comply exactly with the post op diet instructions, so I was pretty sure it wasn't a leak or something like that. I got up to walk around, cause I was panicky lying in bed, and just couldn't stay there anymore. Well, when I got up, I got rid of a huge amount of gas (rectally, TMI, I know). And then...... I had to poop! First time since before surgery! And I felt SO much better afterwards! The cramping stopped, the sweating stopped, the anxiety vanished, all that was left was fatigue, which I came by honestly since I had been to my grandson's baseball game. Words can't describe the relief I felt!!! I am still thinking about food, and what I am giving up (ah, that should be HAVE GIVEN up) to lose weight. Every food ad that comes on TV, every time we pass a billboard advertising some food I like, everytime I go out someplace, I think "wow, I'd Really like to have some_____________ (you fill in the blank, it doesn't matter, I want anything that sounds good to eat!) After reading one of my blog posts, one of you wise people suggested that I am "mourning" the loss of food. I think that hits the nail right on the head! Last night after the ballgame, we went to my daughters house and she had made homemade strawberry shortcake. I almost cried, I wanted some that badly! But I pulled out my zip lock bag with my protein drink powder, mixed it up, and drank my protein drink. My son in law offered me a mixed drink, which I guess would have met the post op guidelines, it would be clear liquid, but I knew it had calories. So I just thanked him and drank my protein drink. I'm really thinking about this whole food thing and how it relates to my life. I mean, when I have company, I always bake something wonderful. My girlfriend came to see me the other day, and even though I felt crappy, I got up and baked a scratch apple cake with carmel topping. YUM! Just the smell almost gives me an orgasm! Of course I couldn't eat any, didn't even taste it. And I sent the left overs hone with her, so neither hubbie or I would be tempted. But why would I get up from my "sick bed" to make something that is a fair amount of work, just because one of my best friends was coming over? She would understand if I didn't make anything! My attitudes with food and friendshipand social interactions are all mixed together and scrambled around. (Scrambled? Using food terms to describe feelings?) Enough about food! So, today is Friday, the beginning of the weekend, tomorrow I can start on full liquids, a BIG step forward. Will make my diet SO much more interesting. Also I want to throw a big "THANK YOU" out to LilMisDiva for her tutorial on how to add a weight loss ticker to my posts! Although I am fairly computer literate, I could NOT figure out how to add the ticker. Her tutorial is GREAT! Thanks LMD!!! Enough for today. All you VSGers have a GREAT DAY and GREAT weekend. Get out there an DO something, be active.

I am 9 days post op (woo hoo!) and I had terrible gas pains for about 4 days. The gas x strips didn't touch it. I guess the walking helped. I think part of mine was the gas they pumped in and the other part was just being gassy period. My stomach would rumble and rumble but nothing would come out! UNTIL about Day 4 when I had filled myself so full of liquids I guess something had to give! Anyway, I know that's TMI but hang in there, once you get past that part, you will be much more comfortable!

THANKS LADIES....OOOO SO ITCHY! A LITTLE BROWN ON THE EDGE, BUT NO PUSS, OR WARMTH (SORRY TMI?) FIGURES THE MOST PAINFUL ONE IS THE ONE THAT HAS NO COVER. ANYONE HAVE THAT BROWN AS IT HEALED? THANKS AGAIN~

My surgery was Thursday, and I had my first bowel movement Sunday morning. It was a combination of solid and liquids (TMI), and then I've had a couple small bouts of diarrhea since then.

So my journey began in December with the decision to get the vsg. I couldn't stand the thought of getting my guts rearranged or a plastic ring and string put inside me. So I chose vsg! I started out weighing 304 when I went in to see the doc for the first time(I'm 5'5 female). When I started the preop diet in April I was 286 and got down to 267 on the surgery date. Well I hit a couple of rough Patches after surgery. I went in with nothing wrong with me Healthwise except for being overweight. So I know myself and my doctor were thinking this was gonna be a breeze. So about 5 hours after surgery my blood pressure dropped to 60/40 and I was rushed downstairs for emergency surgery. They figured I had bleeding going on somewhere. Well turns out I had bleeding at the staple line. So they fixed me up and here I am today. And even saying that I would do it again. I've seen posts on here and always looked for them when I was a pre-op, about complications. Well I had one I am 28 and yes I was heavy but that was it. I had a catheter and a drain as well. But being a little over 2 months out I love my sleeve. Best thing I did complication and all. I am now down to 224! So I thought I would make a list on some good things and some things I wish I could change. The good: -glad I didn't tell a lot of people -love that my pants are falling off of me -tmi.... Sex is way better -my husband has been so supportive -always make my own meals -have exercised since day 1 out of the hospital. Walked for the first 6 weeks. I now do spinning classes and I am lifting weights -loving the compliments -my doc is happy with my progress -search like crazy for recipes, it helps so much Some pointers -stop eating before ur full, my sign that I'm done is hiccups. My doc gives me 30 mins to eat and I take my time and chew very well. Small bites -please exercise we all don't want to but ur doing this for a new life. You have to be commited to everything -I do have bad days when I want things like fast food or bread. I did not go through all of that to eat like how I used to. Now some people can have a little of this and a little of that. But that's not how my mind is. Those days are over for me. some may not agree but I'm talking about myself here. Those are trigger foods and will not be allowed back in my diet. Well good luck to all! Do what feels right. Be a success!

My partner is LOVING it, but honestly, he and I have always had a really good sex life, and I weighed almost 100 pounds more than I do now when I met him. He just loves me for me no matter what size I am, but I think he's secretly happy that I feel more confident and that I am more limber and able to be more active. (Sorry for the TMI)

All I can find is that a burning sensation on the skin can be caused by nerve endings that were cut and are regenerating. It literally feels like someone has lit my skin on fire...and not on the incision but in between them. Hurts any time I move and use my abs on my left. I have found the pain meds and an ice pack held there are the only things bringing relief. Hoping this clears up fast. I think if it was gone I would be somewhat functional. As is, I have a hard time going pee!!! Tmi I know. Frustrating!!! I will keep researching. Joan

Hey Jewels~! Just a little update on me (sleeved 6/6/11). Doing well overall. Some minor pain at the big incision. Can sleep on my side - either side - as long as I use a pillow to prop up my leg and against my tummy. (( Sorry hubby, no cuddling yet...) LOL Umm that brings me to a TMI question people like to ask... yes "IT" was possible and "IT" was great!! LMAO Granted it was very easy going and gentle. Have to be extra careful this early out. OK moving hahaha... what am I eating... B - Powerade Zero, Water, 1/2 serving of Protein shake... whatever I can get in. L - still finishing breakfast!! LOL and D - when I really seem to be hungry - water, shake, lots of SF pops and Cream of Potato Soup (strained out). This diet is getting dull but in 2 weeks I get to add mushies.. so I am excited. Let's see, what else? Umm BM? Check.. VERY small, yet normal. Hunger pangs? Yep, like I said, dinner and after is my hungriest time. But I watch a lot of food Network at night, so that might add to my hunger. Energy? Hmm so-so. The PowerAde Zero has helped and plus I can drink gulps of water now. I feel hydrated although I am sure I could use more. Last, but not least, I have a hematoma in my pelvic/groin area. It is the size of a golf ball, no pain unless prodded and is just ugly. Otherwise, no issues!! Tip of the day - buy stock in sugar free pops... because I am going through them like crazy!! LOL!!! :cheer2: Congrats to all the Jewels that were sleeved this last week!!! YAY!!! And next week Jewels... wooosa! It will be fine. No worries!

Time time time...that's what I keep hearing...lol I'm IMPATIENT!!!! Its so much better today after I finally passed some gas last night and today. I just keep reminding myself everyday is only going to get better! @Chef there is no such thing as TMI in this forum in my book...lol