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Well...I had pretty much come to the conclusion after the past two months that I just don't lose anything in the 2nd half of the month. From the time I ovulate until a few days into my period, I'm pretty much at a stall. So I was expecting the same thing this month. I'm right around ovulation time and for the past 4-5 days the scale didn't budge. I also got very constipated again. Night before last I took two dulcolax and nothing happened. Last night I took 2 more and finally it worked a little bit this morning. But before it worked, I weighed myself and dropped EIGHT POUNDS! That's the biggest drop I've seen yet. I thought...this can't be right. I got on the scale 3 more times and I even picked it up and moved it to a different location and tried again. Yep, still a drop of 8 lbs. I did take a diurex (fluid pill) last night. Maybe it's Water retention? I did buy some Miralax and my plan is to add is to my daily smoothies but I'm a damned blonde and I keep forgetting! I think if I could remember that maybe the whole constipation thing wouldn't get so bad. Anyway, I just wanted to share my weird experiences..lol :001_tongue:

I've been eating 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds a day for the past couple of weeks, they are MARVELLOUS for your bowels, high in protein, low in carbs and a great source of quite a few important nutrients for about 200 calories. I've been having bowel issues for reasons other than my band - a lot of low grade diarrhoea, constantly needing to pass tiny quantities, bleeding etc. I was taking lots of benefibre etc, but not to much effect, the pumpkin seeds have not only provided a lot of fibre (which I was already getting) but have added a lot of bulk to the stool, sorry, I know that's TMI, which I really really needed. I cant tell you how good it feels to pass something that is actually satisfying, lol. Sunflower seeds are brilliant too. Just plain, not salted, flavoured or anything, they're really really good for you.

Just get me to the plane in time for my ride home. Actually, I did get sick from drinking 1 time. My first husband and I were at my uncle and aunt's house in Milwaukee (both of whom turned out to be confirmed alcoholics-they divorced after she tried to set the bed on fire-with him in it). We hadn't had lunch and they took us to a brewery where we sampled the beer. Then we went to their house and sipped on wine well into the evening before they grilled some brats soaked in beer. I think I had one Southern Comfort Manhatten thrown in there too. Next morning, bright and early, with the sun shining in through uncovered windows, I finally gave up trying to sleep and went in the bathroom and stuck my fingers down my throat. The brats hadn't digested-just pickled. TMI I know, but funny. I actually told that story at my uncle's intervention. My husband, who ended up with an alcohol problem himself, started drinking Southern Comfort a lot after that. I had a five month old baby with me and I decided I'd never again drink that much. I don't think she liked the taste of my breast milk the next day either. So that's my drunk story. Once in a while I don't mind getting a nice buzz if I'm not driving anywhere. But I am not at all fond of headaches and throwing up. Cheri

I m pre band and my Dr. is telling me to eat low carb. I am finding it hard to do, just because I think I ned more meal ideas, or else I am going to be eating the same thing day after day. I do not eat fish of any sort, so that narrows my Protein choices down a bit. I did make this delicious chicken and veggie stirfry the other day. Also any ideas for low carb Snacks? I have been eating a Fiber one bar, but the carbs is like 25 g or something. But I feel I need to have that extra fiber due to my bowel habits. (I recently started taking fiber supplements as well, sorry if TMI)

My guess would be, hopefully, dietary issues. Not to ask TMI, but are you gassy or constipated or the opposite? Have you tried gas-x? I hope this is the simple answer! I really doubt its the band itself because it is at the top of your stomache. Feel better soon and let us know how you made out with your tests/doctors!

I know some people say you don't dump with the sleeve but I definitely do. When I was on vacation in Arizona, I ate at the cheesecake factory. I had never been there before. I had a very rich dessert and it went down just fine. Then I was dizzy and sick. I had to sit on a comfy chair in the mall while the room spinned and I was in a cold sweat. I was so nauseous I had to sit there for an hour before I had to search out the bathroom. OK this is TMI but after that, I had horrible diarrhea in every bathroom in every anchor store in that mall. I finally took some immodium. I have dumped before, but not in a long time. It seems to happen with high sugar combined with high fat foods. The sick thing about this is I knew this would probably happen, but I wanted that dessert so bad I was willing to take that chance. Talk about being a food addict!

Pickles-I see your point that you have lost that much before, but just like you said yourself...how long did you keep that off? That's the difference. Losing that much with a defective port is awesome and just think...now that it's fixed you will start getting fills and get some restriction and it will feel less like a diet. I opt to keep my band a tad bit loose because yes I do eat the dreaded BREAD once in a great while. I just choose the whole wheat kind with lots of fiber (and hey TMI, but with the high protein I can use all the fiber i can get!) I know for me personally if I feel deprived, I snap and got way overboard with the bad food. So yes I don't always eat things that are what my surgeon would consider good. He also said that yes in a perfect world he would like me to never touch cake or cookies or ice cream or chips ever again, but he knows that that's really not realistic and said if I really want or feel like I need something, incorporate the extra calories (eat really good the rest of the day) and try to go by the 3 bite rule which really works well for me. I can take 3 bites and be satisfied and not feel deprived. Hope this makes sense and helps!

Hey everyone, Just wanted to say I am here. Boss is still a witch but hanging in there she has been gone for 3 days in person anyway bit not in email. Right now I am trying to remember to drink all my water and no caffeine ( which is totally hard to do) since I still have UTI symptoms. So the Dr got my culture back and It had no bad bacteria growing but my pee test still showed a UTI. She says it looked worse than the first test. Alot of white blood cells and traces of something else which by all indications means I have a UTI still. However since the culture came back negatice she decided to not put me on a 3rd round of antibotics and see how I feel next week after water logging myself and no caffeine. I am drinking decaf in the morning which stinks and I ended up take a goodies powder today cause my head pounded so bad and I really could not leave work. The Dr said if I start feeling bad to call her and she will bring straigten for some kind of scrap test in the girly area. She this I could have some kind of vaginal thing that shows up as the same symtoms as a UTI. I know TMI. But I felt I needed to share and I figured enough woman on this board would know how this felt.

Morning all!!!!!! Hi Lee- Pretty much the same with me. I weigh myself on my bathroom scale ever few days and I don't see much change. I weight myself on the Wii fit every week or two. So far the last month or so I usually see 1 -2 pounds loss each time I weight myself on the Wii. At the end of June I was 214 so I hope to be under 200 by late September. I’m waiting for the next bathroom cycle to weigh myself. I know TMI but I like it to be consistent when weighing. Haha You are doing so well with exercise! I am not. Never find much time for it other than an occasional walk. Still very happy with everything. I can eat a little more now, getting close to a cup a meal but it all depends on what as some things go down better. Only spit up some saliva the last couple months 2-3 times. I recently transferred off of chewable vitamins and one day my stomach didn’t like them which is a problem I think you used to have. My recent three month checkup (done at four months) lab results showed low vitamin B so I think I will need to take a double dose. Waiting for the doc to return to ask. I’m also switching to the faster dissolving vitamin B from Trader Joes you recommended as the other one takes forever to dissolve and I end up swallowing or chewing it before its totally dissolved. Good day everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, so I had surgery on 9/21/09... and finally after 8 fills, I am feeling restriction... but yakking (sorry, TMI) a lot of my food up... I am sure that it is due to not having any restriction at all prior to this. I guess I am looking for guidance as to what I should be doing, because I have been kind of half-*ssing it at this point because I could pretty much eat whatever I wanted (there are a few foods I couldnt get down previous to this fill). Interestingly enough, I should have had 7cc's in my 14 cc band and the Dr was stumped as to why I wasnt getting any restriction. So he removed the Fluid which only amounted to 5cc's when there should have been 7. He said it was possible that he had missed on previous fills (which take about 7 stabs for him to find the port) so I am kind of peeved that I paid for 7 fills which really only yielded 5 fills. Anyway, any help is much appreciated!

The first thing they had me do was drink a mouthfull of something like alka-seltzer and told me not to burp the gas. then while standing take a sip of the thick barium hold it in your mouth then swallow when I tell you. did this a few times then while standing on the small platform and my side to the table they reclined the table. once in a laying positon I had to trun over and over to coat the baruim in my esophogus and stomach. now while laying down on my stomach they gave me more barium to swallow this was a bit thinner took more pics. then the table moves again to an upright position more picts. Then I go to work I lasted 1/2 hour I was back and forth to the bathroom 3 times last time I did not quite make it (i know TMI) I went home and stuffed myself with the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, apples and toast) to bind my self up. Wish someone warned me!! It seems to go one way or the other. The barium binds some...I was not that lucky!

Hey great question! I had lost 17lbs since i came home but today I have gained 3 lbs! Its so discouraging but I think if I could have a good BM (tmi i know but im among friends:) Actually yesterday I had gains 1 then today 2 more so thats 2 days in a row with gain did anybody else do this?

good morning everyone, thanks so much for all the well wishes. & Chrissy you are right the first couple days are the worst. I still have pain but am feeling much better. I actually got about 5 hrs sleep last night, as opposed to 1-2 i was getting before. not gonna make it to the meeting today, still on pain meds and have no driver. But will for sure be at the next one. still keeping all my fluids down and finally passed some gas!! I know probably TMI, but at the hospital they keep asking me if I had yes thththtth will probably advance to full liquids later today, wish me luck :-) everyone going to the meeting have a great time, for all have a great day !!! Sherri

The day before my surgery I was on clear liquids. I made a chicken flavored Ramen noodle soup and drained all the juice off the noodles, put it in an insulated coffee cup, and sipped on it all day. I was not really ever hungry, ironically. I was supposed to drink my first bottle of Magnesium Citrate at 4:00 and then a second one at 6:00. Since my surgery was a couple of hours from home, I decided to stay at a hotel the night before. I checked in and drank my first bottle at 3:30. It wasnt until it was almost time to drink the second bottle that it began to work on me. (To my advantage, my stomach had been a little upset that morning and I had some diarehea, so a good bit of my "clean out" had already started.) The first bottle went down pretty easy. It wasnt near as bad as I had expected. I had kept them on ice all day to get them really cold, and that helped. The second bottle was not so easy to get down. By that time, I was already on the toilet.....(sorry if TMI) I did manage to get a good nights rest and arrived at the surgery center just before 6 am. and was taken back to pre-op about 6:15 or so. I had a WONDERFUL nurse....they prepped me, my husband came back to see me before I was taken into surgery, and still NO NERVES!! I was so content about my decision to do this, and still I have NO regrets!! They gave me something to "relax" me and from that point forward I dont remember a thing!! Until I woke up in recovery with a very painful feeling in my chest. My nurse told me that it was probably from the incision where the retractor was at. And she gave me some more pain meds. What I know now was that it was more than likely the pain from the carbon dioxide that the doc fills your chest up with during surgery. That lasted just over 24 hours. I was released from the surgery center at about 2:30 pm. I went to the hotel where I stayed for another 48 hours. My doctor made rounds and came and checked on me each night, and would have probably come more often had I complications or problems. I did call the office and speak with the nurse during the second day because I was unable to keep my pain meds down, and was vomiting foam. Over the next 8-10 hours probably I was unable to take the pain meds, or sip water without vomiting the foam. My nurse suggested I switch to ice chips, but even then I vomited. I finally decided to try the suppositories that I was given for nausea. The foam was pretty gross, but there was no acid, no taste, just foam. I did vomit some blood along with the foam the first two times, but it was dark and was probably from the surgery itself. It was not bright red in color, so I was not alarmed. My doc came by around 5 pm and I had not had any nausea or vomiting since just before 4pm. He told me that alot of times what happens is the esopogus kinda "stacks up" after surgery and the foam is just from the siliva and liquids hanging up in there. He also said that I would take a turn in the next 12-24 hours and all of it would stop. He was right!! I didnt have anymore vomitting and no more nausea. My sister and I actually went to Walmart to get me some popsicles and get her some dinner, and I did fine. Walked slowly and rested when I got back to the hotel. The next morning, I was to check in with my doctor by phone and update him on how I was doing. He gave me the go-ahead to go home. I will go back to see him next week for my one week post op check up. Since I have been home, I have not taken any pain meds at all. I am not having any of what I would call pain. Discomfort yes, but no pain. I have been resting alot. The first day home, I took a slept quite a bit. The third day post op I stayed up all day. No napping. I took it pretty easy, just didnt sleep. I was sipping water, chicken broth, and eating more than my share of popsicles all of those days.. I didnt know I would love them so much....lol! Today on day 4 post-op I woke up feeling very drained. My arms and legs felt as if they weighed a ton. I rode to Walmart with my sister and pushed the basket until it got too heavy and then I just walked. It was really hot today too so I am sure that didnt help any, but I was completely exhausted. When we got home, I took a three hour nap!! I was more tired than I thought....lol! When I woke up I did feel better. But I will take it a little slower for the next few days, and I will probably try to take a short nap during the day too. On a VERY bright note, I am 13 lbs. down today from surgery!!! WOOHOO!! Anyone considering this surgery, I would very highly recommend it! It is not something that I will ever regret!!!

HEY, SORRY TO BE POSTING THIS ON HERE but anyways, i graduate from highschool tomorrow!! i was the first student that i know of who has had the band done at 18 while in highschool. i may have missed many days due to being sick the first few months of having it done but everyone has told me that i made a complete turn around. its true! my final grades are 87-96 and i made high honor roll 3 quarters in a row (1st quarter made nothing) now more about the band, i got my insurance card today!!! very exciting (: but i have news for some of those who commented my thread about gallstones i believe...i'm having surgery to get it removed, i was going to have my surgery done on july 5th but they surgeon on the hospital near me told me to call my lapband surgeon to see if he should do it and obviously they said he should do it do the surgery is cancelled and i have a consultation with my surgeon on july 7th. i just hope that this (gallblader) is what has been causing me discomfort and pain....nausea!so i say BRING IT ON!! i hope i feel 100% better after andd after i get that out, i'll be getting my first fill!!!!! finally after a year getting banded! omg! and i'll also be seeing a therapist most likely because my "depression" or whatever i have is still with me and i cant stand it, yup :smile: and i have a question..woman answer only please, my boobs have been (mainly the nipple part TMI!!!)hurting a little over two weeks, no monthly thing and no having been with guys, does mean i'll be getting my monthly thing soon? i never had that happen before

I started my day with a dr appt at 9:30 am this morning. Still feeling a little weak and not ready to drive so my husband drove me. Plus I took pain meds last night. I guess I tried to turn over while sleeping and woke up with some nasty pain. :smile: Turning over in my bed is difficult! Well I got on the scale at the dr office and was down to 264!:tongue2: I started at 277 and was 271 at my last nutrition class which was on the 19th. When they weighed me at the hospital Monday prior to surgery I was 278 :thumbup: I told them their scale really sucked! Boy did it feel good to see the scale today!!! And what was even better I can move on to pureed foods this week!! I can have puree soups, protein shakes,applesauce, OATMEAL, and cream of wheat! I used my magic bullet to puree Progresso chicken vegetable soup. Looking forward to that! I still have gas issues but hopefully they will go away soon! Waiting for my bowels to return to normal (sorry TMI). First day with no Tylenol! The other issue I have is taking a deep breath I feel pressure..is this normal? Any good puree recipes/ideas? Thanks for the support!

Not too many complaints in the DH dept. Even after he encouraged me to go yesterday morning, I struggled with the guilt of leaving him during such a busy time. When he got home last night, he insisted I book. Honeymoom at the lake this weekend! :thumbup:(TMI)

Hi gang! I have been miserable all day. You see, I started on real food friday. I always take Miralax , but when I started the shakes I stopped because of all the fiber. Well, I forgot to take the Miralax. Oops, then last night I took a prescription laxative....not good. Needless to say.....I am sitting on donut cushion. lol I know TMI, but I don't want y'all to make the mistake I did. I couldn't even go weigh in. Okay, nough said. Apples have a good time.....you will be missed. Great, Pictures please!

Morning all I AM BACK UP TO 225.5 THIS AM!? wtf!? I don't understand.....well maybe I do, I didn't eat that well this weekend. I am back on liquids today and tomorrow, going to jump start myself again like usual...I have to get back undet the 220 like I did Friday!!! it was such a good feeling!! I am also waiting on TOM and I was alil backed up this weekend too...tmi...LOL Have a good day everyone, off to school

Good morning everyone~ Not really much to say this morning. Hip is hurting already...started before I got out of bed. DD is going to see Toy Story 3 this morning with a group of her friends and a couple of moms...I decided to stay home due to some irregularity med I took last night that should be kicking in shortly. TMI, sorry. I had strange dreams all night long. OK, I can tell I am rambling... I will post again later. Glad to see everyone is back and doing good :thumbup: Jenn-sorry I did not call you. I will make it up. :Banane20:

Hey all, Not to sound nasty or TMI, but I have a serious question and wonder if you guys can help. I don't seem to be going to the bathroom enough... I'm not constipated per say, but it seems to me that it would be a lot healthier if I went more often. Before surgery, I didn't go to the bathroom terribly often.. maybe once a day or every other day... but now it's seemed to stretch out even more. I try to eat more Fiber, but I'm wondering if there are any supplements or anything else that would be recommended. I'm losing steadily, and I'm wondering if my digestive tract was functioning better if this would be a boost to my weight loss and over all health. Any suggestions or thoughts would be much appreciated! :smile2:

Morning all, Congrats on the new car Ash! That's exciting. Tina I think I do have restriction. I get full after a few bites, and bread deffently sticks!! No more of that! And after 1 day of eating, I am up 5 POUNDS, back at 223? What the heck? I guess my choices were not to smart or something?? I haven't gone potty yet tho (TMI) so that could just be my food sitting but sheesh!! my period is due too, I dunno!! we will see, I may have to go back to liquids...I got kinda addicted to them, because the scale was moving...lord I would be the one who ends up with an eating disorder. LOL.

Ok now I am officially confused. I went over a week ago and got a fill. I only had him do .25 cc's because I was afraid to be too tight. I did fine for about 4 days and actually lost 4 lbs. but now everything gets stuck. I can get down oatmeal..or wheat thins if I chew them to mush. Otherwsie its coming right back up. Last night I took one bite of a turkey brat, with no bun and the bite was TINY. It instantly got stuck and I was dry heaving for an hour. And it wasn't just "BP-ing" I literally threw the food up, stomach acid and all (sorry tmi) So I haven't eaten much in the last 2-3 days and I weighted myself this morning and NADA! It still hasn't budged. How is that possible? I know if you don't eat enough calories you will not lose but I thought that was over time. I just don't get it. I'm miserable and I'm still not losing. I don't know if its stress related or whatever reasons behind it all of a sudden getting tight but I don't feel stressed out-and I'm not a person whos terribly prone to stress. So I don't really know what to do but I am back at this awful place that I was at about 4 mos ago. My band is so unpredictable and touchy I am terrified of eating with other people or to go out to eat bc I literally have no idea what its going to do. That is not a normal way to live and I can't keep throwing up. I'm so confused :smile2:

Bonjour! Well, it's Sunday. Off to the hospital tomorrow. I have to be there for 3.30pm, even though the operation isn't until Tuesday morning. I get a 'light supper' about 5 pm, then apparently I'm to have a shower and wash my hair with some antibacterial jollop that smells like drain cleaner! and again in the morning. The instructions are very precise on how and where to wash - makes particular mention of your bellybutton and between your bumcheeks :scared0: Hope they don't come and inspect!!! The hospitals here are very hot on preventing MRSA (do you have that in US?) by scrubbing everything and everyone to within an inch of their lives. Which is a good thing. I took the dogs up around our fields this morning - the sun is shining, birds were singing fit to bust. :thumbup1: I collected the eggs, did a bit of weeding in the veg patch and planted some more salad crops. Couldn't help wondering when I will do that next - not too long, I hope! Spent ages in the bathroom, used all my body scrubs and delicious shower gels (had already got rid of the 'lady garden' (TMI, I know :thumbup:)... Buffed my finger and toenails, did the cuticles... I'm scrubbed, smoothed, trimmed and fragrant as can be. It is all about displacement activity and that pretence of being in control again!! Tomorrow is my last blog entry before I'm a fully-fledged sleever! Can't believe it.. Will load some more radio programmes onto my iPod today - I have Book at Bedtime, Play for Today, the News Quiz and The Archers Omnibus x 2 and Desert Island Discs (All from Radio 4 and 7 - the Brits on here will recognise the progs!). French TV is so rubbish, it isn't worth me paying the equivalent of 10 dollars a day for my own TV.

I was conflicted before I had surgery, I am SOOO happy now. At 12 weeks out tonight we had a special dinner for my son, I had 1/4 cup of brown rice and about 6 oz of strip steak, and a few bites of green beans, A little later I had about a 1/4 cup of oreo ice cream. I was totally comfortable. Now I NEVER eat like this but I am getting ready to start my period (TMI) and it was a special time for my son, the point is I can eat normal foods (just MUCH less) and I can do it comfortably and I am completely satiated afterward because I am full. I highly recommend the sleeve, I can not imagine that you will not be thrilled too. Best wishes to you!