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For the past two nights after dinner I've had major diarrhea (gross,sorry ) I'm transitioning from mushies to solids and pretty much everything is going down fine, but smaller portions than preop for sure. Does diarrhea ever mean band slippage? I've not had it after earlier meals in the day. But both nights right after I aye I had horrible stomach cramps, and then.... Very painful. I feel fine otherwise except for this morning o feel bloated with gas. I don't think I have the flu, stomach virus etc. I can't just pop into see the surgeon, I had my surgery on the opposite side of the country to where I live. Any insight is so appreciated.

Debbie Downer here right now. I have been reading, but haven't been posting. SOrry. Everything was going great until yesterday. I've been losing weight and really happy about it all. 5 lbs away from my ticker! SO....yesterday I went to the Russian Nutcracker Ballet with Andrews sister and her two kids. THey are adorable and I love them so much. THey are here from Vegas until the 17th of January so it will be so fun to be with the kiddies for Christmas. It was a great day. On the way home from the Ballet my mom called and my sister called within minutes of one another. I knew something was wrong. Well, remember my sisters dog that had to have surgery that i love so very much? Well he went missing. My sister said that he has been acting really strange and hasn't been acting like himself. My sis and her new bf went to his familys hunting cabin and spent the weekend there. Things were ok. She was cleaning up yesterday morning and getting ready to go and let the doggies out. THe weiner dog came back, but Wallace, the black lab mix never did. She searched for him for 6 hours with her boyfriends family. Everyone was following all of the pup prints in the snow, but they couldn't find him. He would NEVER run away. Such a mommys boy. Sis thinks that he went into the woods to die. She went back to look for him but still, no sign of him. We are all distraught. I cried myself to sleep last night and woke up with tears in my eyes. Poor puppy. Ugh. It only got worse. Andrew didn't feel very well when he went to bed last night so I sent him up with a "barf" bucket. He used it. LOTS. Throwing up all night. I slept on the couch and woke up today sicker than a dog. Achy, fever, the whole 9 yards. My stomach was upset, but never threw up. I think my band was holding it back. Ok, sorry, TMI. Slept all day and now have to work tomorrow. I am sooo busy at work. Hopefully I will be feeling beter tomorrow. I'm going to take a shower and hit the hay. Lori~ So glad your parties went well! Awesome! I call my grandmas "Grandma Winnie" and "Grandma Angell" first and last names. I think that kids figure it out for themselves because we called my Grandpas "Grandpa Sunshine" because thats what he called me, and "Grandpee", because we liked it. Arlene~ Happy belated anniversary! Apples~ Sounds like you had a blast!!!!! So happy for you. Cheri~ I saw something on the news tonight about this gospel group out of Compton. I will try to look it up on line so I can share it with you. I think you would enjoy it. IT was amazing. I thought of you. I've been getting your cards. Thank you! I have all of mine addressed and sealed, but I keep forgetting to get stamps!!!! I will tomorrow. Hopefully you will get them before Christmas, but if not, you will know why. Today I was supposed to do all of my running around. NOTHING got done. I could hardly talk on the phone and this is the first on the computer. Time for bed. Long week ahead of me. Love, Meredith

Well today is exactly one week from my surgery. I started out this process at 291. When I went in for surgery I was 255. When I stepped on the scale today I am at 243! So I have lost a total of 48 pounds since I began this journey back at the end of September. I have lost 12 pounds since surgery. So far everything has been really good. I am able to eat and drink and not get sick. Last night though I was getting stomach cramping after eating and also when I was drinking water. But this morning it hasn't happened. TMI...my BMs are weird. Liquid in and liquid out and all that jazz. I have heard to never trust a fart this early out and I do believe that is great advice! Back to a more pleasent topic....I finally have been able to sleep in my bed on my side. So the first few days I was sleeping in a comfy chair will like 8 pillows! I also was able to wash and dry my own hair this morning with little pain and discomfort. I have super long and thick hair so it is a pain! It has been raining cats and dogs here in Northern California so I haven't really been able to walk outside. Last night though there was a break in the weather so I went for a midnight walk and it was lovely. I also have gone to the mall to walk around which is okay just to get out of the apartment. I have one more week off from work so I want to relax and make the most of it! Each day gets better and better. I can't wait for next week when I should be able to start pureed foods. It will be amazing once I am back to eating regular foods and still lose weight!

Janet....no diagnosis yet. We are going Wed to get answers on that. And as far as the "hanky panky" goes. Never even thought about that part of it. There's all kinds of lovin'. I have a great imagination...(tmi). We are ready to start a new year. The limbs are about to break on the tree and need a new start. Positive thinking. Hope you don't have 5 days of work piled into 3 but I know how that goes. Have a good one.

Good Morning again gang - Quick ck in before I get started on my day here at work ... Melissa - Ok if you can't do all day shakes - then do shake for bf - Soups for lunch & dinner (it's liquids) - Yep big girl panties & jank on those boot straps !!!! food isn't the answer - it really isn't... I know we all have the desire to turn to it - when we are happy, sad, angry etc - but all it does is makes us feel worse about ourselves. Once you accomplish your goal - you will be so proud of yourself - you will show yourself that it's doable - As your names says - One Day At A Time... Apples - Hugs & Prayers for DH - my bro in law just got diganosed w/it - I haven't talk to them yet don't know what stage - but w/my sis on oxgeny I doubt that too much hanky panky going on anyway- hell just get it taken out ihmo - My boss just had his removed last month and threw the grapevine (freinds w/his gf) the doc said that he's still going to be able to have a hanky panky (TMI ;0) Charlene - Here you about scaling back - with the crash a few yrs back - not being able to sell any ranches - the $$$ isn't what it use to be.. It's so much easier to travel when you don't have to fly - I like cruising the Mexican Rivera (Pacific side) as all I have to do is drive to San Diego or Long Beach - no flying - But I love the Caribean Sea the most... So on a plane I go. I've done interior twice - it's not bad at all especailly if you want to take a nap during the middle of the day when at sea - cuz the room is pitch black ;0) - but again that was back when you could smoke in your room on cruise - now I have to get a balcony so that I can smoke ;0) and gotta say I do like them.. Well need to get in gear - cbl

Jiust banded on the 14th. I'm uncomfortable and stopped using my pain meds a few days ago. I think they made me worse. Now my port site which was unbearable at times is SO MUCH BETTER! I can do a few more things I wasn't able to do like use the bathroom properly (tmi) I know! But hey, you take those things for granted. So it doesn't hurt as much to get out of bed as it does to get in to bed and I still can't drive yet ( I don't feel back to normal yet and I definately need a nap during the day. One thing I did learn the hard way is to make sure you're hydrated before taking your pain meds! I was sick for a full 24hrs! Ugh! I get this burp/convulsion feeling that doesn't turn into anything but pain. I take a deep breath and the pain goes away. Don't know what that is, but it scares me! I don't like that feeling. I've burped a whole 2 times since Tuesday! I would like to actually burp more! I felt like my stomach was gonna come out of my mouth but the release was great! Coughing/sneezing sucks! I have to hold my port site when I feel either one comming on. I can't sit in certain positions yet because of the port site, which sucks because I am a creature of habit. Oh well. Every day things get better! Thank God! If I was to do this again I would! I'm already down 12pounds from surgery! Yay!

Just banded on the 14th. I'm uncomfortable and stopped using my pain meds a few days ago. I think they made me worse. Now my port site which was unbearable at times is SO MUCH BETTER! I can do a few more things I wasn't able to do like use the bathroom properly (tmi) I know! But hey, you take those things for granted. So it doesn't hurt as much to get out of bed as it does to get in to bed and I still can't drive yet ( I don't feel back to normal yet and I definately need a nap during the day. One thing I did learn the hard way is to make sure you're hydrated before taking your pain meds! I was sick for a full 24hrs! Ugh! I get this burp/convulsion feeling that doesn't turn into anything but pain. I take a deep breath and the pain goes away. Don't know what that is, but it scares me! I don't like that feeling. I've burped a whole 2 times since Tuesday! I would like to actually burp more! I felt like my stomach was gonna come out of my mouth but the release was great! Coughing/sneezing sucks! I have to hold my port site when I feel either one comming on. I can't sit in certain positions yet because of the port site, which sucks because

I drink body fortress starwberry whey Protein. I get it from walmart. I also like EAS ready mixed shakes they have smooth taste and bot brands are low in carbs and u dont get the gritty taste. the BMs come when you get more on solids. your body has to adjust to surgery, swelling etc. TMI but i got really loose bowels about a week or so after surgery with little to no warning. Once I started eating it went back to normal for me.

Okay ladies, TMI yesterday, I guess I was having a bit of a pity party. I always seem to get that way when I think I should be doing better. That just means that I have hit the bottom and the only way to move is UP!! So new attitude today!

Hi Gals, rehearsal with Mark went really well today.... we have quite a lot of work to do, to get it into shape.... but I think he is a good fit. Peter liked him too (whew!) We have a gig on Monday, and THursday, but we are using Floyd (piano) for those gigs... then I leave for Italy on the 1st of January!!! 2011 01012011 LUCKY DATE I think! Janet you are so right about the GOOD food, I cooked myself a little steak tonight, 4 oz max.... we`ll I got 2 oz in and WHAMMY it had to LEAVE!!! You get the picture... oh it was so tasty too... Diareha today TMI, but it was weird ... I NEVER get that....Ive even switched over to Decaf coffee....hummmmm? Karla, two weeks from now you will be much stronger... just don`t push it right now.... nap when you can as Janet says.... she is the QUEEN of napology!!! LOL WHere is Phyl today? Hope you are not missing cause you are sad... Don`t let those kids get to you sweetie. HUGS

I was sleeved on 11/29 too. I have lost 26 lbs. so far and Monday will begin soft foods on week 3. I have also stalled with losing weight. Seems like when I started pureed food it slowed things down. I think it's your body readjusting to your caloric intake. Excuse the TMI but bowel movements have once again begun as well. So, hopefully it will begin again. I have an appt. with my MD this coming Thursday so I will ask them then. I can't wait to get back on my AeroPilates machine in another 3-4 weeks. Then it will melt off.

wait. let me get this straight. you were going fine before, or as you think you were. Were you feeling any discomfort or bloatedness in your intestines tho? And now you have cramping in your intestines and are going often? And your stomach is bloated too now? When you go to the bathroom, is it the same kind of pooh, or more? Or what? Do you FEEL the laxatives are getting out more than you were getting out before? Are you able to take a gas X? Sounds like your stomach is sorta gassy from the laxative? Can you try gasX to see if it helps? Other than going so often now, is the laxative REALLY working (like getting out a ton more than you were normally)? Sorry for the TMI questions, but just trying to understand more of the whole picture and rationale. And sorry you're feeling the pains... laxatives will give cramps b/c it's stimulating the bowels to get rid of what's in there..

I was at work the other day, and 2 of the nurses I work with were joking and said that they loved me, but I really needed to get some scrubs that fit me because I was swimming in the ones I was wearing. I knew my scrubs were getting pretty loose, but I have been so overweight for so long that I am afraid to try on new clothes because I worry that they will be too small. When I look in the mirror, I still see the old me. Anyways...and I hope I don't gross anyone out with the next part....the nurse manager of the ICU called me and said there was a patient on the surgical unit who was crashing and they wanted me to go out there and start an IV medication to keep her blood pressure up, stay with her and monitor her until they could get the ICU room cleaned and ready for her...off I went. While I was in her room taking care of her she started to vomit....and it was not pretty..I will avoid the description since I know this will be too much information for some...but I quickly turned her on her side to keep her from choking while I was turning on the suction. Unfortunately when I did that she totally nailed me! All down the front of my pants and my shoes!!! I am usually a quick dodger of all things nasty, but I was so worried that she would choke I was right in the line of fire. When she got transferred to the ICU, I went back to my unit and told my manager that I was leaving to go get some new shoes and uniform. I ran across to Wal-Mart and didn't have a clue what size to get. I had been wearing 3XL before the surgery and 90lbs later was still swimming around in them. As it turned out, I bought an XL!!!!!!!! I don't even remember the last time I wore that size!! I was smiling as I checked out in my barfy pants. That was NSV #1 NSV #2 - I got back to the hospital, ran into the bathroom to change clothes, threw my old scrubs and shoes in the trash and walked back into the ER. EVERYONE who was working freaked out!! They all couldn't stop talking about how good I looked. I do have to admit though, that it made me feel pretty uncomfortable. I am used to being large and in charge lol but not all of this! I had my back to the door of the triage room when one of the night shift girls walked in and she told me that she thought "Who the heck is that?" when she saw me from the back and then when I walked out she was stunned it was me. Feels so good, but a little un-settling at the same time. After Christmas, I am buying all new scrubs and getting rid of the old ones - after all, I will never see those sizes again. Oh, and by the way.. my coworkers from the morning cheered for the lady who barfed on me because she is what finally made me get something that fit me!

All 3 tests were blood tests. I guess I should've mentioned a little background history. I have been diagnosed with Lupus about 14 years ago. I have severe Kidney disease as a result of the Lupus illness. I had been through numerous treatments, including chemo therapy to help with my Kidney disease, which has caused me to go into early menopause (I'm 33 years old). I hadn't had a period (TMI) in a couple of years. While I have the organs (uterus and ovaries) to bear a child, I never thought I would be able to get pregnant after all my issues. That being said, I believe that my Lupus may have been the reason why the tests have come back false positive. Very strange to me, maybe I should get a second opinion?

Karla - how about he skips ;0) - Sure glad he's doing better.. Don't really no what was wrong yesterday just quesy and the tmi - ok today ;0) but would love to retire.. I know I would find something to do ;0).. Have fun at your party tonite ;0)... I don't have this yr.. I guess I am just not doing too much Christmas this year at all... Pple here at work were bugging me why I wasn't decorating - told them just too much work just for me and the dogs ;0)... Don't know I'm just pooped ;0) Just day to day stuff is enough to keep up with - then you add Christmas. Well maybe next yr I'll have more time (won't schedule family vacation) and will be more in the mood for it.. Phyl - you are the Grandparents - Age alone is the reason that they should be driving to see you and bring the kids to you - I think that's the priviledge of our age and grandparent status... Maybe they are just bah humbug. Yep 60 miles 120 miles round trip is too much - Don't her and Tracy get along or what... I would think they would want to be w/the whole family on Christmas.. But again this is coming from a girl who has only 1 sibling left - if my Sis was just 60 miles I would go there for Christmas for sure ... Yep back on tract - so much so I have boot camp tonite. Candice - I know I heard just a tad when napping yesterday about the cruise ship - yep lightening doesn't strike twice - if seas were that bad - don't think there was much the capitan could do ... Storms... 30 ft swells - I know that I would be sea sick for sure with those kind of swells .. Hugs on your snow - Ya sometime Walmart is the most exciting thing to do - for me it's target & marshalls since they are across the street.. Well at least if I lived there I would be getting snow days - but losing power - well that would be a bitch - can't watch t.v. or get on the computer - and I'm read a book on my eread that needs charging every 6 hrs ;0).. Well just a quick ck in- bored at work - not motivated today... Maybe tomorrow ..

Well I have been a member of this site for almost a year and havent told my story & thought I would today. January 2010 I decided to have the sleeve after researching for many months. The sleeve it was..until I went to see my GYN, umm (sorry TMI alert), I have been menstrating for many months, I kept thinking-'if I can just lose this weight, it'll be okay'. but Dr. decided to do a sterilization/ablation on me to see if that help, well it didnt. So after many ultrasounds, the 'ultrasoundist' asked if I had been told I had endometriosis. Noone has ever told me that, infact after 12 years of trying to concieve even with doctors interventions (all self pay), noone has told me that, they just called it 'mysterious infertility', (finally chose to adopt). Now 12 years later a new doctor is going to finally diagnose me? Of course I thought the ultrasound lady was wrong but dr wanted to 'go in and see' as this is the only way you can be diagnosed for sure with this disease. Sooo(had to put my sleeve on hold) April 2010, she did a look see laproscopic and indeed found that I had one of the worse cases she has ever seen of endometriosis, I had stage 7!. Endometriosis is a disease that feeds off of your estrogen, and produces a rock hard 'glue' that had 'glued' my ovaries together and had adhered to my intestines and bowels. Dr. immedialtely closed me up without taking anything out, because she needed a robot to help her. So,again my sleeve on hold til we get this out of the way. June 30, 2010 I had surgery for her to go in and get that out of me, after two hours of trying to cut this out of me laproscopic, she decided to open me up and take everything as she described 'it was just one big ball of mess all glued together.Thankfully she didnt nick my bowels while cutting that away! I was happy as I knew now, no more things in my way of my sleeve, I scheduled my sleeve for sept 17, I get a call sept. 6 , drs office telling me that dr has jury duty on my surgery date!! OMG really? I cried with her office personel, they called me sept 8, told me to be at the hospital in the morning Sept 9th.!! Ok I wanted the surgery but wow tomorrow? Lots of things went thru my mind: I thought of my kids, my life, was this really going to work, am I really prepared for it, will I make it thru surgery? Well I made the 4 hr drive to the hospital crying while thinking of all these things... I had the surgery, everything went great, I was out after spending two nights. I am on week 13, lost 58 pounds, I just keep thinking somone pinch me, this is too easy. I HAVE NOT ONCE REGRETTED HAVING THIS SURGERY. My sleeve has been faithful to me, and I treat it right too! I look at myself in the mirror and see ME! The person I knew was in there long ago. I AM ALIVE, I particpate at my kids schools, I feel good in a crowd of people ( I always felt the biggest in the room at any given time). Sunday was the first pic I had taken with my kids in 8 years, and even better, I liked the pics!! ITS BEEN AN AWESOME RIDE, WORTH THE WAIT!! Anyone thinking of getting the sleeve, I say 'go for it', you owe it to yourself. Your life will change for the better... God bless!! Kelly

My new best friend. Just wondering, what do you all take to prevent constipation???? I need to add a Fiber supplement but don't know what to take, Recommendations??? Jackie

God bless you and thanks for this thread... I am traveling in India 2 weeks post-op (12 days to be absolutely exact sleeved 30th Nov in Mumbai). It is my centremost stitch which is kinda high up on my tummy & sticks up too. The long periods of sitting - waiting at airport, aircrafts, etc. through the day...... The band of my bra probably rubbed against it through all the travel. Now it is a bit raised and red with a yellowish dot in the centre. Hurts when I touch it. I am a bit scared. I hope this is not serious.... My posture is probably to blame as well. I might succumb and visit the doc tomorrow. Sorry if that was TMI back there. But reading about all your experiences will help me sleep tonight. Thanks and God bless.

I was weighed at the hospital pre and post op (I gained about 4 pounds IV fluids, edema, etc) After that I waited 2 weeks to weigh and I had lost around 10 pounds from pre-op weight! BM were really hard with me, pun intended. After about a week I had the urge to go and it was so hard it got stuck TMI i know, so i had to remove it with gloves and glyceryn supositories, just telling you this so you make sure you get in enough fluids and bebfiber if your doctro allows you!

Today is an official blizzard..it is made of snow and not of ICECREAM. I woke up very early this morning, felt achy and like I had slept all wrong! Took a little liquid pain med slept a few more hours and walaa..I felt so much better! I start my day with sips of H2O, I find that if I start my protein too early I burp way too much! This is day 5 post op. My pain level is very low, seems to be just at the button site and no where else. My incision sites look really good, a few steri strips came off today too. TMI I'm sure.lol I'm going to try and post a new recipe every day from my lap band "bible", they are SO good and a nice change.. Just tried an awesome one today.. Strawberry pie: In a blender add: 4 ounces fat free milk 6 ounces light yogurt * I used strawberry 1 graham cracker 1 scoop strawberry protein mix Blend This provided 26 grams of protein! I will try and add a new one each day..I am now down to my pre surgical weight,plus a pound, so that feels good, I have an Ipod, added a free app that tracks my footsteps with music that I choose, so I go round and round to my faves!! Happy snow day to you all!

So, How often do you have a bowel movement? i know this is an off color topic that most women dont talk about but honestly, I work in healthcare and I am not real shy about bodily functions. Since surgery I am only going about every 4 days. Is that a normal time frame for a bandster? Also, TMI, Its pretty difficult to actually go. Before surgery it was pretty much on schedule every day. you know the routine....Sh*t, shower, shave, lol Now its really unpredictable, hard as a rock, and difficult. Any suggestions?

I feel like I am posting a lot, but I just had to share a few more victories! I hope everyone isn't getting sick of all my posts So, tonight I figured out how much weight I have lost in a percentage. I have lost 20% of my body weight!!!!!!!!! That is so awesome to think of it that way, and I am only a little over 2 months post-op. Not sure if this is NSV or not, but it shows that I am getting healthier everyday. For probably 2.5 years, I did not have a period. Instead, I would bleed ALL the time. It was horrible!!! I went to a GYN but felt like she blew me off. She put me on meds which made me want to kill someone so I stopped taking them. I just put up with it for tooooooo long! So, after surgery, I stopped bleeding for a while and I was SOOOOO excited. Then, I started to bleed again after a few weeks. It was horrible heavy. I almost went to the ER it was so bad one day. Then, it stopped again after 6-7 days like a normal period. Then, I didn't have any bleeding for 30 days!!!! WOOOOHOOOO. I had a normal period this week that lasted about 6 days, and it wasn't heavy like last time. Sorry if this is TMI, but I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited. I went to a new GYNO before surgery, and she didn't know if I had something going on or if it was just because of my weight. She said sometimes you can bleed because people with more fat produce more estrogen and that makes you bleed non-stop. Not sure what it was, but pretty sure its nothing serious or nothing I need to take any meds for!! I think my body is finally getting back to normal!!!!!!!! :) :) Oh yah, I guess this is another NSV. I have been off my BP meds since a few weeks post-op, and no more diuretics either! I don't have pitting edema in my legs anymore Gosh, so much is happening so soon after surgery, and I am still very overweight at 296 pounds.... wonder how great it will be when I get to goal!?!?!?!

Good Morning Gang Thankfully I have a short week ;0).... Gym again tonite.. Phyl - How about Sunday since then we can have day light ;0) and sit on the patio - gotta warn you - house is decorated for Xmas - Don't know if it will this year.. Sunday ... What time around 2 ish so that we can visit and we will eat around 5 Karla - where are you... Candice - What are your plans today.... I'm constipated ;0) tmi - not drinking enough water - plan today - drink water !!!!