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LJM: hope that fill does the trick and helps you get where you want to be before surgery. But, keep in mind that right now it's more important to maintain your muscle mass than it is to lose fat, so keep up the protein! Thanks for the tip on Old Navy. I love drawstring pants anyway, and that sounds like quite a deal. Nina, I plan to get just one extra set of support garments. I sent a letter to my surgeon with a bunch of questions, and one was what type of support garments he recommends, how much they cost through him, and whether I can buy them separately. I have a feeling they are probably much cheaper online. Has anyone checked out eBay? They are so expensive, and frankly, once you're done with them, you're DONE with them, ya know? Also, I gotta mention to you that I've eaten tons and tons of one-pot dishes, chilis, Soups, and it hasn't hindered my weight loss in the least. I keep everything healthy and low-fat. I honestly think if you focus too much on eating plain/dry meat and veggies that it will ultimately sabotage you because of the lack of variety. The best thing *for life* for all of us is to cook and enjoy healthy foods and stay away from restaurants, fast food, and pre-packaged/prepared foods! Here's my list of stuff to have on hand before surgery, compiled partly from the lists that LJM and I posted, and a few extras. Some of the things I already have on hand, but put them on the list to remind myself to have them accessible in my "recovery zone" (bed/recliner): List of important phone numbers, including surgeon's House phone and cell phone Remote control Gopher grabbing tool Books/magazines Medicines in liquid form and liquid measuring cup, including anti-nausea medicine such as Zofran Nutritional supplements including Vitamin C and Arnica Montana (helps w/ bruising/swelling) Stool softener and/or laxative Tylenol, chewable or liquid Timer or alarm for meds, check-off sheet for meds, chart to note drain contents Ice bags, heating pad Recommended wound cleansers, ointments, bandages and scar products Thermometer Extra set of compression garments and Spanx (or Assets from Target--cheaper!) PJs and/or track suits that open down the front Slipper socks and slip on shoes/clogs (I think I'm going to get a pair of those slip-on clog-style athletic shoes.) Tissues Laptop, Nintendo DS, plus cords iPod Wet wipes Head bands/pony tailers/scrunchies/bandannas Plenty of pillows, including a firm one to hold while coughing, and a wedge to elevate upper body in bed Rolled up pillow or blanket for under knees to ease lower back aches Pail or coffee can with lid (take in car for ride home in case of nausea!) Earplugs and eyemask Water, Crystal Light, and Green tea Soups, pudding, yogurt, Jello, fudgesicles, crackers, vanilla wafers, Protein drinks Moisturizer Pen and writing pad Flashlight Small trash can Camera with fresh batteries Hand mirror I wish I had a recliner with an push-button lift system. The one we have takes way too much arm strength to pull out the leg rest, and too much ab lifting to get up from the recline position. It was a struggle getting in and out of it after the lap band surgery, and that's a drop in the bucket compared to this surgery. I'm gonna have to think on the best alternative. I get a full Brazilian every couple of months anyway, so I'll probably get a touch up the week before surgery, unless the doc tells me otherwise (sorry Neal, TMI, I know!) Another note I made to myself is to make sure and take some pain med before getting the drains removed at the post-op appt. (Sorry this is so long, just trying to cover everything in one message!) Tami

Oxy...the coughing fit is good bc you are getting all that gunk out!!! (even thought it hurt at the time and pp are right pillows pressed against the belly really help). I had a huge coughing fit on day 3 and (TMI) blood and a lot thick mucus came out. I was scared to see the blood. The dr. said was it bright red or dark red. Mine was dark red and that was fine because it was old and just making its way out. After that, I felt so much better in my chest and didn't need to use the blowing machine. Plus I was content to know I wouldn't get pneumonia. I felt so good. So keep coughing it up, with a pillow on your belly!!!!

Well hello fellow bandster hellians, Seems like we are all in this together. I am having more problems with head hunger I think. I don't really feel hungry because my stomach always feels bloated or gassy. I take the gas x strips and I do pass gas (tmi) but I still feel bloated. Nevertheless, I still have an urge to eat something. This is what makes me think it is only head hunger. I have not gotten on the scale since surgery on 12/17 but I go for my first post-op appt tomorrow so I will see what it says. I started at 282 prior to pre-op diet and was at 268-269 on the day of surgery. I am just feeling tired, although I am trying to get in the protein and I have started to exercise more. I guess this is just a process that I am determined to get through.

Well, ended up in urgent care last night followed by the er... Without getting into tmi, it was NOT gas :-/. Anyway, had full work up (CT, X-rays, ultrasound) and all is well with the band. Thanks to the great staff at DRH (you guys rock, and addressed my crippling pain first!). Went to Walgreens and got chewable flintstones with iron rather than the sizable costco style I had been taking (flintstones are more complete as well). Thanks to my LBT CREW for all your comments! Gonna work on my fluid intake as well, heard you all loud and clear!

My last post "tummy looks small" was supposed to be nice incisions LOL ...drugs .... what can I say? My tummy actually looked like I was 6 months pregnant again and hard.. full of gas they kept saying it will pass soon soon it will pass ...4 days until i finally started getting rid of that gas wow!!! ( TMI - sorry) Now I am at home doing so much better.. it was difficult getting fluids in at first I know logically that it wasn't going to be forever but still emotionally it felt like it was. today I hit my protien target 60g and I drank 2 bottles of water plus ONE of my vitamins ..ha its a start! Getting better every day. Today I even walked down the street and back with my daughter. I know we aren't supposed to weigh in this early but curiosity got the best of me and I am down 5 lbs. Nice.... Follow up on Tuesday.

amy, maybe this is tmi but i couldn't reach around the front because most of my weight is in my belly. so i lean forward and get to it that way from the back. hopefully when i lose the belly, i can do it the "normal" way. it works for me though and haven't had a uti in more years than i can remember.

TMI but omg these cramps are horrible :**[

TMI ALERT!! (Consider yourself warned) So I started the pre-op diet yesterday of full liquids and I think my intestines are in shock, I have had nothing but diarrhea. Seriously, I'm afraid to leave my house and I'm going to need more toilet paper if its going to be two more weeks of this. Imodium would be ok but not for two weeks. Did this happen to anyone else?

I have been walking 3-4 x a week for about 60 min. I live in MN and it is now cold. No problem... I just bundle up. Today the walking path had lots of icy patches and some snow. I did fine but my dogs were walking on 3 legs after a while. BUMMER. I may get them some little shoes so they can continue to go with me. Does anyone else have problems with hemmorhoids??? I have had one that is really bothering me for the last 2 weeks. I am not constipated and am very regular. UGH Sorry TMI.... Other than that I am feeling awesome!! I tried on some pants a couple of weeks ago and they were too snug. Tried them on today and they are baggy. I have only lost about 5-7 pounds since then. Lovin my sleeve!!!!

Hello... This is kind of embarressing but I must know the answer to this... My bf and I of 5 years have an EXTREMELY healthy sex life - which usually always tends to get rough.... I have read the other posts saying after healing time, u can pretty much go back to having whatever kind of sex you were having before without any issues.... well here is my question.... we tend to get rough with oral sex as well which can cause gagging.... (sorry TMI) ... will this hurt the band or cause it to slip? This is pretty much an everyday thing for us... so it wouldnt be like its occasionally so i really have to take it into consideration. Ive read other posts about food causing people to throw up so I was assuming if other things tended to make you gag I would be ok... but i just wanted to see if anyone else could help me out.... Thanks!! surely im not the only girl who experiences this????? lol

Hi! Wow a week. I can't believe it. I went out on Saturday and Sunday. Both times were quick trips to the store with my husband. I was dizzy and sweating by the time we got home. I think it is normal. I feel good so it was odd that just a little bit of walk around the store could do me in. Before surgery I was walking 5 miles. I go around the block now several times a day. It is hard because it has been hot here as I am sure it is there too. I have got on the scale. Couldn't help it. 12 lbs as of Monday. I am sure some of it is Water weight as I am consuming so much less sodium but it is great to see movement. It seems all my loss is in my limbs though! My arms have small bat wings and my legs are much smaller. Now I just look like a weeble wobble perched on small flabby limbs. Great just what I wanted :glare: Oh and my "girls" seem to be hanging lower. I asked hubby if they looked more saggy and he was evasive so that means yes. I have not bothered measuring because I still feel like my abdomen is swollen. I am not one to be real worried about measurements anyway. To be honest I am struggling with liquids. I have a headache today and my urine output is not great. I am going to start measuring today (TMI). I took a clean one of those hat things for the toilet home from the hospital just in case. I am glad I did. I was told not to worry about Protein the first week but try and consume as much as possible. I am getting about 40 grams a day. It takes me an hour to drink a shake so I could add another and was thinking of doing that today. With shakes counted I am only getting about 25 oz of Fluid a day. I am going to try and do better today. It is so hard because I still am dealing esophagus spasms. I seem to be able to drink more later in the day so I need to just get on it and sip, sip, sip more. It seems thirst went away with hunger.

Wow I'm late on responses! Well I am doing great. Healing very well I feel back to normal already I know I wasn't suppose to have sex but I did twice my husband can't keep his hands off of me lol I lost 46lbs in 3 weeks. And I can see and feel the change. I am still on liquids I meet with my Dr. On Monday I am hoping to start exercising and eating food soon as get started on birth control soon I do not need a baby right but things are heating up in the bedroom lol I am feeling sexy again and enjoying love making with my husband I was so big a few weeks ago sex sucks for me I didn't even wanted. Sorry if that was TMI I'm just happy! I love my slveeve .

ok, i called and left a message they open at 9. it's not quite 9 yet. even if i could ride this out, i don't want too, i don't think. i am thirsty..and i need to drink. i haven't felt the need to urinate yet today (i know tmi), and that is not normal after a full nights sleep. is it supposed to hurt when you take a sip right after a fill? i've been tight before, and i've felt my drinks go through my stomach, but never any pain. and it seems to just stay there.

I think it is amazing the things our brains tell us concerning our weight loss. I was having one of those days myself, I have a raging cold with tons of drainage (TMI I know) so stayed home from work. Before surgery this would have been my excuse to graze all day in front of the TV, and today I didn't really want any hard protein on my sore throat, I still felt like I did sooo bad today, but just checked MFP and I'm at 690 calories, 22 fat g and 63g protein. Not as much protein as I normally get 80-90g but ok since I'm sick. So why did my mind tell me I ate too much!

I have been trying to poop but i can't. I really have to but i am scared to push to hard. What am i going to do. If i don't go this weekend i am going to call the doc on Monday. I can feel it but it hurts to strain and stuff. I know it is TMI but i need relief soon.

newgrandmother, that's so funny. I saw my Dr on Monday and she said I've got slightly too much calcium in my urine (TMI sorry) and it could lead to kidney stones. She said to cut back on cashews, almonds and peanuts. Those were my go to snacks at work. So, I decided to try beef jerky instead. So far so good. I have a low fat, low sodium teriyaki flavor that I like. A little bit goes a long way, by the time I finish chewing it I'm no longer hungry. I'm almost 5 months out, yes, I'm losing some hair but not enough to make me worried. I don't dry it with a blow dryer or use any product on it (my fantastic hairdresser helped me find a style that allows me to do this), so maybe that helps? I'm taking 5000 mg of biotin twice a day and using Nutrix shampoo and conditioner. I use MFP to track my protein and calories, I usually get well over 50 g of protein a day.

Walking is helping. Finally farted TMI but made some difference. Discharged a few hours ago. Coming home to three excited dogs and a family that really wasn't sure how to handle things was rough. A few pot holes later, some liquid Tylenol and a nice long nap I'm doing much better. Trying some minestrone broth and one oz isopure non flavored protein. I take it thought he Tylenol counts as fluids!!! Didn't realize the restriction yesterday but am today. Sipping my oz items now. How's everyone else?

I'm finally banded and am 2 days post op! YEAH!! It really was not bad at all like I thought it would be. As soon as I got to the recovery room I was ready to get up and walk around (but of course they wouldnt let me do anything that quickly My inscisions are a little sore, but nothing major, and I didnt have any of the shoulder pain that I've ready about. My biggest problem now (sorry if its TMI) is gas in my abdomen that just seems to sit there. Any solutions other than walking (which I've been constantly doing)???

Ok... this may be TMI but ... anybody else having probs with constipation??? I have IBS and have had for years but only occasionally have I had to take anything. When my IBS acts up, it's usually the OTHER END of the spectrum. Feeling like I need to buy stock in fiber meds. Anyone got any suggestions? Yes... I'm drinking plenty of water. I'm about 3 weeks post-op. Should I just buy some Benefiber and put it in my protein drinks? Anybody else with this prob?

You know i wrote the same thing yesterday about being too informed...http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/tmi-bad-bad-thing-119644/ i was reading too many posts about band's gone wrong and erosion and slippage and the list goes on and on to the point that i dont wanna get banded anymore, but i got a great response from another member who told me: "people who are happy do not keep posting. How many times can they start a thread saying the band is wonderful, it's the best thing I have ever done etc etc. You would soon get bored. Most people that are banded and successful do not spend time on these groups. they go off and happilly live their lives. So you have to remember that you will see what seems like a high proportion of problems." It really helped me put my ideas back into perspective and will continue with the band... Hope all goes well with you and your upcoming surgery i too wonder if this will work for me but just gotta think positive....

Ok i have a TMI Info for ya'll. Does anyone have hair on their stomach ? Like LOTS of hair (Ok not LOts and lots ) but you know that dark line of hair you get when your preggers ? Well mine never went away ? If you have it what do you do about it ? Im HOPPING once i get my TT it will all be cut off LMAO Mindy

I'm having similar pain, I'm pretty sure it's bowel related. I'm never constipated, and I've been going at least once a day (sorry for the Tmi). However, it is lower than the stomach, I had had a c.t. scan, no leak. Try a stool softener or maybe something a little stronger. Our sleeve is getting used to a change in textures after many weeks of liquid and things maybe clogging up.

I’m looking forward to: Being in more pics instead of hiding behind the camera. Not doing some freakish yoga move to take care of bathroom needs....I know...TMI not constantly pulling on my shirts and adjusting my bras because the fit is never right. Buying clothes in regular misses sizes instead of plus (or just giving up and buying men’s shirts since they run bigger) Not having to cram into a airplane seat or ask for a seatbelt extension. Sliding into a new pair of jeans and feeling like I’m rocking em! Buying pretty lingerie and driving my husband wild - WIN, WIN! Having more energy to exercise.

:redface:Okay some times we get into a little TMI on these blogs but I dont know where else to turn for these kind of odd questions.But here I go...... Before I had my band I had IBS. I lived in the bathroom, my husband joked and would tell me to save time instead of eating I might as well just throw the food in the toilet. I would often go four or five times a day. Now after the band, I go days and days (sometimes even a week or more) without going to the bathroom. Obviously I am eating less now and I am also ttying to eat healthier (less grease) but this is crazy. Does any one have any suggestions other than starting laxitives I would rather not go there. HELP?!:thumbup:

suegirl im that way also all the milky shakes gives me the runs. (tmi) i drink the clear protien now even though right now im have eas just to get away from the fruity protien i hope it dont upset my tummy