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yep, went home the next day. my blood work was fine, no leaks, and no nausea so they said i could btw, i feel much better now that it's 3 days post op. TMI but I've finally had a few bowel movements and oh are they heavenly lol. passing gas out the other end helps with gas pains as well. now i'm having muscular pain from sleeping, i'm still not comfortable. I sleep on my back, left or right side, but only for about 2 hours at a time. I have some nausea when i take my Vitamins, just threw them back up. called the surgeons office and left a message. but now i can see that it does get better! I'm quite excited now. will be weird introducing new foods in the next few weeks. thanks everyone

One and a half days of Protein shakes, one day of clears and then SURGERY! I am so ready. I'm sure I will be a nervous wreck in the holding room, but I'm hoping for a little chemical help with that. I have lost about 15 pounds since I started the liquid diet. According to my scale this morning I lost 7 pounds in 24 hours, which is very hard to believe. I have done very well after the first two days, but I have noticed yesterday that my energy level has started to bottom out. I can see why they only do this for two weeks. Your body couldn't handle it for much longer. After the first couple days I also got to where I could see and smell food without it bothering me. TMI, but all the protein is giving me constipation. I'm going, but it's not too pleasant. I think I'm plenty hydrated because my urine is almost clear. I guess it's just the change in what I usually eat. My stomach hurts too. Not badly just kind of annoyingly. I figure if I can survive these two weeks with my large, insanely stretched stomach, I should be able to handle it fine for a couple of weeks after surgery. On week 3 I can at least start pureeing some Soups and stuff to get a flavor other than "sickly sweet." It's really great to have all this support here and to have so many people going through EXACTLY what I am right now.

Real quick input -- I too am Catholic, but my husband and I use condoms (TMI, I know). After my ectopic pregnancy in which I hemorrhaged and nearly died, we think condoms are safer. Plus, the church now states you can use condoms to prevent AIDS -- I figure if I KNOW that my life will be threatened by a pregnancy, we can use condoms too.

I know, it is a little TMI. Even so, since being banded 5 months ago, I am full of gas! My belly hurts all the time from gas pain. The best relief is to just let it all out! Also, I have not had a normal (as in presurgery normal) bowel movement since being banded. I'm always having to strain to get something going or it is the runs! Geez!! Do you experience any of this?!?!

Mine to and it hurts sometimes. Guess its norm. Hey Sh#t happens about the TMI. And remember to much antibiotics give us those dam things Eat yogurt.

So I have this little problem... we'll actually, its a HUGE problem!!! *TMI* alert: Since the surgery my sex drive has disappeared!!! (had surgery Sept. '10) Its not that I don't love my husband or don't want to be with him... I just simply don't have the desire for that. So now for the past few weeks I have been accused of cheating...*sigh* My husband has this idea in his head that anytime I step out of this house its to be unfaithful to him!!! As funny as this sounds... its really breaking my heart. Its been a constant battle (almost every night) with him. I'm sick of fighting about this but he really is convinced that Im cheating and the only to calm him down is to freaking show him proof of where I've been or what I've been doing . And I know I shouldn't feed into that but its the only way I can shut him up! I don't know what to do anymore... Im really TIRED of this Bull$#!* WHAT DO I DO !?!?!? I can't take it anymore... #this is one of very few times I regret getting the surgery- Other than that.... I FREAKING LOVE MY BAND...down 65lbs and feeling great in my XL clothes

So, I'm 6 days Post Op as of 12 o'clock this evening and, I'm feeling about 85% normal. My abdomen is still sore and some of the incision sites. I can actually see one incison (the bandage came off) and the incision looks healed for the most part. I'm hoping I won't have horrible scars on my tummy, but then again, I have stretch marks so I doubt it makes any difference. I'm also feeling hunger pangs. Or should I say hunger pains? I looked into the forums and read that though our small pouch may be filled to capacity the larger stomach is still there growling underneath. My question is... is hunger supposed to hurt?! I've felt hungry pre-surgery and it didn't "hurt" just a lort of growling... Now post op, I get the growling and it hurts! I'm not sure if it's because of the band and it's still sore/swollen on the inside, which is my best guess... but sheesh! When it growls, I can not waist anytime! That's one pain I don't want to deal with... Now to the TMI... I'm pretty sure during surgery they gave me antibiotics, and these almost ALWAYS cause me to get yeast infections. Ugh! So three days post op after anesthesia and all the meds are completely wearing off, I realize that I have a yeast infection. This sucks because I HATE using the nasty creams and inserts you can buy from the store, and I think the prescription pills work best, but now that pills are a no go for bandsters, I had to break down and buy the insert... Why am I sharing this info? I don't know just mad that I have a yeast infection and can't take a Diflucan to get rid of it ASAP...just needd to vent! Well anyway, I haven't weighed myself since surgery... I think I'll wait, but I won't lie, I'm very tempted. I'm at work so if I find time I'll probably go check it out, but I won't update my ticker until I have my first post op appt on May 2. I guess that's all for now. Hope all is well with everyone in LapBand land and my Surgery Date Twins! TTYLaters!

Hi Everyone!!! The pain is still there and horrible! the gas medicine doesn't work and neither does the pain medicine. I was reading that some people don't even have the issue with gas! I've been taking nightly walks to try to get it out and I know this is TMI, but I burped this morning! FINALLY!!! It felt so good! What a relief. Hoping this pain will go away soon cause I want to go back to work! I've lost 9 pounds since thurs though! WOOHOO

I am apparently a slow learner as yesterday I guess I ate my 100 calorie cottage cheese dinner too quickly. I headed out for a walk immediately after finishing and within a few minutes I had the hiccups...something I haven't had in YEARS. Then the hiccups stopped (after maybe 5 minutes) but I felt this enormous pressure under my diaphragm like I needed to burp. It was so painful that I turned around and headed back to the house but....vomited before I got a block away. (Sorry neighbors...not a pretty sight to see). :crutch: You'd think that I would have learned my lesson, but NO...I did it again this morning! I got the hiccups immediately after eating, they lasted about five minutes, huge feeling of pressure and then I vomited again. The only improvement over the second time is that I was in MY bathroom and not the neighbors yard! The reason that I am sharing all of this is to get feedback about whether or not anyone thinks this might be more related to acid production versus too fast eating...or maybe a combo? I didn't appear to actually vomit the cottage cheese but more of a stringy, mucus type stuff...is this the dreaded slimes?? :fear: I am not taking anything for acid production as my doc likes to wait and see if it is necessary. I haven't had the feeling of acid reflux like I did before surgery but maybe it won't present itself in the same way? Tomorrow is my 2 week VSG anniversary and I have my follow-up appointment this afternoon so I'll see what the doc say but any other advice is welcomed!

Surgery Day... So, my mom and I got to the Tampa General Hospital around 7:05am, checked in at the Admission desk, they sent me up to Surgery Prep on the 2nd floor, checked in at the desk, and they handed me my chart and sent me back into the Surgery Prep area. I met me nurse at the nurses desk soon as I walked in, very nice lady by the way. She took me to my temporary room where I was asked to derobe and given a gown and a cup to pee in to check for pregnancy prior to surgery. So I sat in that room for all of about 30 or 45 minutes; long enough for the nurse to check my blood pressure, temperature, ask me a few questions,and they gave me a shot of Lovenox I think in my left abdomen to prevent blood clotting. Then Dr. Dicicco came in marked my belly with a pen and asked it I had any questions prior to surgery. I asked what size band I would be getting. He explained that the use the standard AP LapBand either a 10cc or 14cc depending on the amount of fat around the actual stomach. So, I wouldn't know what size band until after the surgery. He also told me he'd be sending me home with some liquid Hydrocodone for pain, but to make sure that I asked for pain meds as soon as I get into the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), because they would be the only ones who could give me IV pain meds. Then transport came and took me to the Pre Op holding area, where I sat another 30 to 45 minutes. I met the Anesthesiologist, Anesthesia Nurse, OR nurse, and I seemed like a lot of other people. My mom sat back here with me for a few moments. They rolled in another patient right next to me who was also getting the LapBand. I knew because she talked about her liquid diet and what not. I wanted to say hi to her, but I didn't want her to think I was being nosy. They started my IV in there and gave me a cap to put over my fro. Everyone was checking my name band, and I felt like a repeated my name, date of birth, and what surgery I was having about 1,000 times. Anyway, my sister came into the PreOp holding area just as I was being wheeled out of there she was able to say "hi" before they took me into the operating room. All I remember is them telling me to hold my arms out to the side, I'm not sure if I was asked to slide onto the operating table, I think I did. The Anesthesiologist said he was going to give me my "cocktail" and while I saw him injecting three different syringes into my IV they placed an oxygen mask over my face and told me to breathe. All I remember is thinking" jeeze, THREE needles to knock me out" I stared up at the ceiling and I then I was out! When I woke up, I was FREEZING! Shivering and all! My lips were dry and I just wanted to sleep. The nurse asked what my pain was and I told her an 8 and she came and gave me something my IV. I remember saying I was cold and I had warm blankets piled on me after that; even on my head, LoL! My mom and sister came in, and my mom was asking me questions. Not sure what she asked, but I do remember my sister telling her to leave me alone and to quit asking so many questions, LoL! I don't remember this but I have pictures which I'll post later. Transport came back into PACU to take me back to the Prep Surgery Unit... they put me into another room, where my sister and best friend and her boyfriend sat back there with me until I left. I had to walk up and down the hallway before I left and I had to pee as well. I was sleepy/groggy from time I got out of surgery until about 1 or so. I asked my nurse what size band I had placed and she looked through my chart and the stupid Dr didn't document what size, which I'm not too pleased about. I'll have to wait until I go to my Post Op appointment on May 2 to find out. I also asked if I could be weighed before I left, because they didn't weigh me when I checked in and I wanted to see if there was a difference from my weight a day ago (there wasn't so surgery weight is officially 284) I was discharged around 2pm. My sister drove me from the hospital, dropped off my prescription at Walgreens and took me to my parents house to wait. Soon as I walked through their door I plopped on the couch and slept from 2 to 6. Woke up just as my dad was bringing in my medicine... so I got up with some help since I was still sore. Went to the bathroom and then took a dose of my pain medicine, and then asked to be taken home. Once at home I tried to sleep in my bed and it was a complete disaster! I'm a stomach sleeper so, I just couldn't get comfortable. I stay with my 82 y/o grandmother, who kept checking in on me, she boiled water in a kettle and gave me an old fashioned heat pack for my belly. She's so sweet! So at around 2 or 3 am I had to pee which I was upset about because I didn't want to move, but I went potty and then I went and got on the couch and was able to find a comfortable position and that's all that happened surgery day... Post Op Day #1... So, PostOp day #1 was interesting to say the least! I was up after not being able to get comfortable and sleeping off and on 3 to 4 hours here and there. So, luckily my Netflix account came in handy. I've watched Seasons 1-3 of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (my favorite!!!) for the past three days! At around 5 or 6 my granny got up and started getting ready to go to her little "desk job" (she likes to keep busy). Then my other best friend called me at around 7 on her way to work to talk about something her boyfriend did (luckily I was awake because here's where it gets good!). My granny is legally blind due to 26 years of Diabetes. She can technically see, but her distant vision is completely gone, someone has to be right up on her for her to know who they are. So the city busline provides a van/small bus service for the disabled, and she rides this bus to work and wherever else she needs to go, when I or another family member can not take her, since we all work. So, this morning, the guy knocked on the door and from the couch, I yelled for my granny letting her know that someone was at the door. I thought I heard her say "ok", mind you I was on the phone still. So after while the man knocked again, so I went to the door told him just a minute because all I had on was boxers and a sports bra... I called for my grandma again and this time I asked what she was doing back there, and she replied "just trying to live" ... I knew then something was wrong. I went back to her room and found her sitting on her vanity bench, sweating profusing, with a runny nose, and incoherent. I quickly hung up the phone with my friend, told the bus man to leave after he asked me if I was sure because this would be considered a "no call no show" and if I hadn't been so concerned with my granny I would've cussed this asshole out! Anyway, I ran back to the room dialed 911 told them that she was diabetic and I wasn't sure if she had any meds this morning or not. I kept calling her name and she would just say "hmm" and I'd ask her whats wrong and she just kept saying she didn't feel well. So while I waited for the EMTs I checked her blood sugar and her monitor read "Lo", so I knew she kept candy in her bedside night stand... I found a mini snickers bar and tried to get her to eat some... I wet a towel with cold water and wiped her down with it. And then finally the EMTs arrived. I told them what I could, and they checked her sugar again, they're monitor read "46" and so they decided to start and IV on her and give her a shot of D50, which is sugar basically. I sat back there with them while they checked her vitals and waited until she slowly came around. They asked her her name and birthday and the year and the president... and after she signed the paperwork and they were cleaning up and getting ready to leave she realized all she had on was her thigh high stockings, her blouse, and underwear and she said "OH MY GOODNESS! I don't have any clothes on!" I knew then that she was back to normal. They laughed because like I said all I had on was a sports bra and boxers and my hair was sticking up EVERYWHERE! I laughed with them and told her I was practically naked too! So, my mom and dad came over because now I needed someone to babysit the both of us for the day... My dad brought her breakfast because she needed to eat. She had taken her insulin that morning and got sidetracked looking for a paper and forgot to eat within the alotted time, so her sugar dropped. My sister left work and came waited on both of us... Then my aunt came over and sat... And then my boyfriend's sister came over. The my BFF who had come to the hospital came over to take my pictures of my abdomen and my "before/after surgery" pics... Long story short... I was not in pain for about an hour that day! I guess the adrenaline rush for worrying about my granny and making sure she was okay made me forget all about my sore abs. I mean I was bending over (not all the way to the floor) but enough to be eye level with her while she was sitting and everything and I felt nothing until about an hour later... when I took a shot of hydrocodone and fell asleep. An eventful Post Op day 1 right?! Post Op Day #2... So, I stayed on the couch again. My granny was feeling much better, she even went to the beauty salon the next morning. My sister came and sat with me. We watched "The Switch" with Jennifer Aniston... cute movie... Then my niece and cousin came over to decorate eggs with my granny and that was nice... My aunt came over again and I was in and out of sleep on the couch while they were there nothing much I can remember..... I do remember being not as sore and the first two days, and getting so agitated with that fact that I couldn't really sleep. So I got up from the couch went back into my room, took my heating pad my mom got for me on Post Op day 1 and said I'm sleeping on my bed ON my stomach! It's gonna happen! So, I started out on my side which is where most of my pain is for some reason. So I placed the heating pad between me and the bed and laid on my side.. When I woke up I was partially on my stomach/side, so I knew this technique was working. I repositioned myself and my heating pad and was able to sucessfully sleep without pain on my stomach... My grandma was sooo worried about me because I slept from about 4 that afternoon until 2am the next morning! She kept coming in and asking if I was ok, and had I been drinking my fluids... I was just soooo happy to finally sleep straight through the night! (sorta) Post Op Day #3... So I woke up at around 2 am, and checked my discharge papers and realized I could now take a bath! I'll admit my armpits were on the verge of funkiness! So, I washed my hair and took a shower. I'm not sure if it was the meds or just me being down for a few days, or maybe just the hot shower, but I felt a little lightheaded while in there. Luckily my granny keeps a shower chair in theire for her use, so I just sat down and finished up. When I got out of the shower I sat on the toilet to catch my breath and to get a cool breeze because I was still feeling kinda light headed. But I dried off, put some leave in conditioner in my hair, made sure to "pat dry" my incision sites per the instructions and finished watching Law and Order: SVU. It's Easter! So, my granny got up around 5 to go to Sunrise Service at church at 6am. So After she left, I was feeling pretty normal aside from the pain in my abdomen (like I'd done some sit ups). I was able to move around my bed normally and comfortably enough, so I got dressed, and went to Amscot for a money order (I had a bill to pay), and rode around for awhile. It was a little weird driving. My car is small and the the drivers seat is broken so it sits a little low, and I had to make myself comfortable here too. After that I came back home and decided I should walk. I took my dog from the back yard hooked up his leash and headed down the sidewalk very slowly. Picasso, my 60lb pittbull, was pulling and I forgot just how strong he was. We walked a very short distance when I saw the neighbors dogs barking and then it dawned on me that not only is my strong muscular dog pulling the hell out of me right now, but I didn't bring a stick or any type of protection in case a stray dog arrives, and I knew I wouldn't be able to run. So, we made a UTurn and headed back home... LoL... we walked all of about 5 or 10 minutes... I knew I had to work tonight (7p-7a) so I laid down around 11am. Granny came bugging me talking about I need to be up and moving around and drinking my fluids! LoL! I told her I had been up early this morning. So, around 5 we went to my parents house and THEY ate Easter dinner... Now what's funny is the last day of work before surgery my coworkers threw a going away party for another coworker and since I was on liquids I couldn't partake, but I was able to tell my best friend EVERYTHING they had and it was ALOT! But today, I wasn't even hungry, so I couldn't tell you what we had for Easter dinner other than I had broth and I sure I saw a Ham on the counter... ALSO, I know this may be TMI as well, but I think I have a yeast infection... I can't remember whether or not they gave me antibiotics, which I'm sure they did, and I know from the past that antibiotics give me yeast infections... so I'm gonna call the DR and see if there's something I can take orally or hopefully the over the counter vagisil or monistat will clear it up... I know TMI but it totally sucks! Back to Work... So I'm at work now... not feeling too much discomfort. I never really experienced gas pain. I normally associate gas pain with my stomach, but other than the pain of the incisions I don't think I had any. Thank God! I have been passing gas though, and I burped for the first time this morning! I was so happy because it felt GREAT! But the gas (from the other end) has been small and minimal, LoL, TMI! I know, but I guess I was expecting large thunderous gas, and it's really been small quiet, small little toots, and they don't smell... I'm trying to get in all my fluids... I think they said about a gallon a day, though I know that's ridiculous! I'm barely thirsty... I'm feeling almost normal other than I'm not eating and like I said, I'm still a little sore... but I doing good. I cant wait until my Post Op appointment.... not sure if I'm supposed to be getting a fill or not. I have 5 incisions all about my belly button, one right under my boob! The first and second day I was practically naked because I didn't want my heavy ass DD boob laying on my sore incison... it's not sore anymore... I'm wearing wireless bras though until it completely healed... I have what they call "steristrips" of 4 out of five of my incisions. The one under the boob had only a band aid, which I was told to remove all bandaids on post op day one... so there's nothing there, but the incisions looks good. I'm kinda confused at the places where my incisions are... one seems to be on my left side where I thought my rib was located, but I dunno... I think my port is my largest bandage/incision almost directly above my belly button but slightly to the left... I have a half dollar sized bruise between the port incision and a second incision... not sure where that came from... but duh, I sure some part of the surgery caused it... Well, this has been one of the LONGEST blogs ever, so like I said I'm doing well... will post photos as soon as my BFF emails them to me, I'm gonna try to take a picture of my stomach with my phone in the bathroom and post it tonight while I'm at work, if I can't then you guys will just have to wait! Again, I want to thanks EVERYONE for their prayers and well wishes! I'm home, ALIVE, and doing well!

Hello Everyone! I have been lurking around here for a couple of weeks now and am now ready to join the ranks here I am in the beginning stages of this journey, currently in the 6 month dietary program required by insurance. One month down almost. Tomorrow I have my first consult with whom I hope will be my surgeon. I am feeling excited/nervous about it. Its' almost like being excited for the first day of school as a kid. I haven't felt like that in a loooong time. Two years ago I started researching the lapband. My weight at that time was 272 which is my current weight. I didn't have any co morbidities but did have a qualifying BMI. I went to a seminar and there were only 10 people there, which was nice because we all got to speak with the surgeon individually. He told me that I would have to under go a year long medically supervised diet (all out of pocket) required by my insurance at that time. I asked him what would happen if I lost weight to the point where I was not at a qualifying BMI. He gave me a smug look and said, "that's not going to happen." Whether he meant it or not I took it as a put down. I left the seminar determined to lose weight on my own and I did. I joined a Biggest loser competition at work lost 30 lbs and got an honorable mention. For the next year and a half I was up and down the same 40 lbs. Fast forward to 3/5/11. I went and saw a podiatrist. I had been experiencing terrible pain in both feet for about six months, I am on my feet a lot at work. I just accepted that because I was so overweight that they would hurt. Turns out one of my toes on one foot had a stress fracture and I had plantar fasciitis in the other. I was given a cortisone injection for the PF and insoles for my shoes which helped a lot. That was a turning point for me. I realized how out of tune I was with my body and that all of these aches and pains were real and valid and that something needed to be done. I have been overweight since childhood and have tried many diets, I was always successful in the short term but could never keep the weight off. I started thinking about WLS again. I was considering the band since that was covered by my insurance and seemed to be the safer option. At the seminar 2years ago the doctor talked about the Sleeve but said insurance companies considered it experimental and didn't cover it. Summer of last year a coworker got sleeved in Mexico since our insurance didn't cover it. She has had amazing results with it. I called my insurance to see what my benefits were and turns out they now cover it 95%! Since then I have enrolled in the insurance required 6 months of appointments with a nutritionist, went to a seminar with a different surgeon and have an appt for a consult tomorrow:) Sorry for the long post. They will be shorter in the future. I just want to thank everyone who posts here. This forum has been an invaluable resource for me (I have done other research as well). I do appreciate the TMI things by the way. I feel confident, that I know what to expect and how to prepare myself for the steps ahead of me. Thank you all!!!

I am on day 5 of my 2 week pre-op liquid diet. i have not been struggling as much as i thought i would be. the worst thing for me has been ...ummm, er..tmi, but the bathroom visits. i literally can't be more than 5 feet away from one. i try to finish all of my liquids by 8pm so i can at least get a decent nights sleep (without having to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes) make sure you are getting plenty of other fluids, that seems to also help with the full factor. i know by the end of the day it has been a struggle to get that last protein shake down because i just don't want it. i am supposed to have about 1,000 calories a day, but i am hovering around 950, which i think is probably acceptable. as of this morning, i have lost 11 pounds.....

I just tried to email, so I'll see if they answer me, otherwise I will call tomorrow. TMI - but just 1st BMI and 2 sneezes. Call you Dr. Tomorrow.

I am hoping that the band really works for me (with me) because i will not have RNY or Sleeve or any of that. if i can't lose weight this way, then that is just a sign that i'm supposed to be fat! i am going to try to do my part to eat healthy but i am really hoping that the band helps with my apatite issues. i could just eat all the time. I am already finding that whilst i am on the the 2 week liquid diet that i am not really hungry. i figured i would be miserable. so far, my only misery has been...ummmm tmi, but going to the bathroom. anyway, your surgery is just a few days after mine, so good luck to you and i'm glad there is more than just one of us who have a lot to lose. it can get kind of discouraging for me to read all the posts from people whose starting weight is my goal weight.

Hey there! I was banded on Monday as well so I don't have any definite answers, but I can certainly share with you what I am going through as well. My experience is pretty similar to yours. First of all, don't stop drinking Water. Yesterday and the day before I realllllllly really slacked on my water intake. Today I got some major gassy like cramps in my stomach, got cold sweats and was having trouble breathing. I think that I was getting dehydrated! Once I started drinking water, I started feeling better & better. As far as a BM, I finally had one yesterday. I tried this morning when I felt horrible, but it was watery. (sorry tmi) I answered the questions that I could. They may not be much help, but thought I would give you a perspective from a 4/18 surgery date as well. Hope you feel better soon! 1: Left side under rib, what is this pain/discomfort I am feeling???? The doc has my port on the left side of my body, and I believe it's stitched to muscle? That causes me some pulling discomfort... I'm starting to get used to it, I suppose. 2: I constantly feel my stomach growling - is this normal???? Well mine is too lol. It gets annoying! Perhaps it could be normal...? 4: Why can I do ok laying on the recling couch, but horrible if I try to lay in bed? I also slept sitting up for 2 nights. I upgraded to my bed the third night, even though I was uncomfortable at first. When I woke up, my body felt much better that it had gotten to stretch out. (I did prop myself on 2 or 3 pillows, with one at the side lol) 5: How long is recup time? I thought I'd be able to go back to work Monday, I'm still taking Pain pills at night just so I can sleep. I'm wondering the same thing. Not going back to work Monday, for sure. 6 I am barely drinking, I'm lucky if I can drink more than 15 oz of Protein shakes. I'm trying to just shake and not blend, but finding them hard to get down. Try the pre mixed! They are much better and easier access in my opinion. 7: Water seems a little easier to get down. and I can eat Ice pop and Jello....but how long before I can eat food another 3 weeks, how will I last???? I'm just dying for real food, but I can't wait for cream of broccoli, cream of tomato, or maybe something else. I've already nibbled on a little bit of mashed potatoes. Started eating sugar free Jello pudding too. I bought a can of Tomato Soup as well... can't wait to try it! 8: Stopped heartburn meds, but gas pains are yucky. The heating pad works wonders... especially if it's in your shoulder like mine. I am still using the heating pad. I love it.

I was banded on monday too...I hope you get some answers because I am no help. I am actually feeling okay except forvthis severe intense headache! Noreal.pain unless I pushto do too much. Good luck to you ...take it easy. Oh oh..I can answer one question...had first bm on friday (water..maybe tmi but its an fyi)

Haven't had a movement since before surgery and wondering if this is normal while on clears or if I should add a fiber supplement? I don't feel constipated, but also never hvae the urge to go. Sorry if TMI!

What's wrong with me i had my surgery on the 14th and although i have not eaten much, Protein shakes , broth and liqueds i have made a couple mistakes with Peanut Butter and half a cookie but iam back on track but what worried me is sorry for TMI but i have not pooped since the day before my surgery!!!!!!! it has been 9 days my doctors said it is normal but that was the after-care doctor waiting to speak to my surgeon! IS THIS NORMAL SHOULD I BE WORRIED? i have taken a laxative and need to buy a stool softne anyone can comment on this, would be greatly appreciated!

Hi. I was sleeved on 4/14 so I am just over a week out. I had my one week appointment yesterday and every thing was fine. I feel fine, no pain, no problems. I get my fluids down and my protein in. Sorry if this is TMI, but I just went to the bathroom. I had diarrhea. It was dark pink/red and turneed the toilet water pink. If it happens again, I will definitely call the surgeon. My question is, I just had Torani Sugar free Rasberry syrup for the first time today mixed in some runny cream of rice. I have never had it before. Could that be the source of the color? Just wanted to ask and see if anyone else uses Torani and has had this happen to them. Thanks!

My nutritionist recommended Bariatric Advantage Chewable Iron. It comes in different doses but if you're a menstrating woman with heavy flow (Yah TMI too) you should go for the 60mg. Here's what it says about it at their website: Our Chewable Iron was designed to meet the iron replacement needs of patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. Our iron is in a form that is both easy to take and tastes great. Our strawberry Flavored Iron provides 18 milligrams of elemental iron from Ferronyl®, and our 29 milligram iron is a blend of Ferronyl® and ferrous fumarate. Both contain Vitamin C to optimize iron absorption and utilization. Tablets are designed to be easy on the digestive system, to support maximum absorption, and to minimize side effects like constipation. We suggest that iron supplements be taken at least two hours away from Calcium supplements and dairy products. Hope that helps

I have 2 more days before surgery (Friday Morning 8am!) EEEP. I'm freaking out a little more every day. Which I assume is 100%normal right? On to the TMI (AVERT YOUR EYES SQUEEMISH PEOPLE!) Elemental Iron has always given my digestive system fits...as in I have needed large quantities of laxatives after consuming it. Every single shake I have looked at or tried has 20% of the daily value of Iron in it in the form of Ferrous Sulfate which is bad when you're drinking 3-5of them a day. I know I haven't been eating anything solid for 5 days now which may be what is the majority of the problem, but I feel like I need to go...and can't! Or only go a very small amount. I'm not looking forward to the potential for straining post surgery (btdt w/ c-sections...NOT PLEASANT!!!!) gah I don;t even know what I'm asking....LOL I need advice I guess.

Yea 5 weeks.... The first two weeks I was really positive and this last week I just don't feel like anything is happening, like I am in a stall on the pre-op diet, not sure how that happens, I'm not eating hardly anything. Plus every three months I get a depo shot and it is coming up to get it again, May 2nd, day before surgery. Since I have been getting the shot I never get my TOM, however it must be the drastic change in my diet because I have had a light one for the last 2.5 weeks, enough already.....I suppose that is making me more irritable and frustrated. Sorry if that was TMI. I just want it to get here already and I am afraid if I don't lose anything else, he might postpone me again.... Started reading a new book, so hopefully that should keep me busy. Thanks for the support =) Coming here keeps me busy for a while and I love reading all the successes people have and seeing the photos.

Hi all. Odd post I know but I had to ask if other people were experiencing this. As I've lost weight everything feels so exposed now. I wear kinda tight jeans (not where I have to suck in to zip or anything) and even when I'm sitting in the car or walking it's like they are rubbing on my good stuff. I feel like I constantly have an invisible camel toe now. At first I thought it was just a specific pants that had low rise but no, its all of them. I haven't been this small since Middle school so I suppose this might be what everyone experiences who is of normal weight? I guess my thighs and fat had kept things quit cushioned before. I do wear panties but maybe i need like some padded ones or something <shrug>. Maybe TMI but j ust standing or sitting everything is hidden if you know what I mean I don't have extra good stuff so that it might be easy to rub against jeans etc.

Can anyone tell me what happens if you have not been taking your B vits? Here's the deal I went to a vit store and I was explaining that I was about to run out of my zip melt dots and I needed to get some more b-12 supplements. He recommended some liquid drops that I thought was B-12 complex. Apparently not. Why I just did not go back to my original store and simply replace my dots, I don't know, Hind sight is always 20/20. Anywho I had been off the dots for a few weeks and then all of a sudden "TMI" alert, while me and hubby were in the midst of adult activities I heard a loud ringing. I mean it was so loud I asked him if he heard it. We stopped all activity immediately because something appearently was wrong. As I try to stand up and walk to the lavatory I was completely disoriented had no control. This has me freaked, hubby got me to do calming breaths for about 2 mins. The ringing finally went away but I got a really bad headache immediately afterwards. The next morning tried to walk around and was still super dizzy. Hubby left work to take me to pcp, I explained that I thought it could be me changing my B-12. All he seemed to have heard was really bad headache, he treated me for a migraine and sent me home no labwork done. The next day I had another "episode" the ringing came and then dizziness. Hubby says I actually fainted, I just remember him putting me in bed. After waking I started praying. I then got on-line and googled vit-b deficency. All my symptoms were there, it seemed like a match to me. So I asked hubby to pick up some vit B-complex. I started taking that same day I haven't had an "episode" since. I decided that I still needed to have some labs done so I called my surgeon and they agreed that I should come in. I went and did the bloodwork and the results should be in today sometime. I was just wondering if anyone else had any insight.

Im sure i had it yesterday. I drank half of a Protein shot quickly. It was really sugary and syrupy. Pretty much straight away, i got funny pains, almost like period pains and i knew i needed the toilet. I had only just been about ahf an hour before. It was more solid than diarreah but felt just like it. sorry tmi! After i had passed it i felt fine. No other symptoms apart from the pains and needing the toilet asap!