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Hi Lynn! I guess I thought I would be one of the people who could go back to work in one week. I do work at home sometimes. I actually just emailed my boss and told him that I could work only if I worked Thursday and Friday at home. I have more sick time, so that is not really the problem. If I do work at home those 2 days, it will be a good way to ease my way back into the office. I can get up and down when I please and dress as I like. We are pretty casual at work, but I think *******Warning Fenton TMI****** the no bra thing at work could be a problem. :scared2: Otherwise, I am slowly improving. I managed to gag down that gall bladder pill. YUCK! I am stopping by the Stanton pharmacy and getting the liquid version as soon as possible! It is hard enough to get all the Protein and liquid in even when it tastes good! That pill was nasty! Otherwise, I am feeling better! I wasn't sure if I ever was going to feel better, but I have more times now that I feel good than not. I actually have a ton of restriction. I went to the Olive Garden with family yesterday and had their Soup. I managed to take some sips of the broth. It was amazing! I am happy with the thought that I can taste and not gourge my way through life now! As far as telling. Well, I am keeping that to a minimum. I think it varies for everyone, but me personally nope, no way am I telling anyone else. The people in my life won't be surprised that I loose weight. I was on a diet by the dietician since January and have lost some weight anyway. If I really thought it would help someone, I would tell. I'm just not ready to have a nice conversation about how I took the easy way out. Nothing feels "easy" right now.

Greetings Shamrocks! Well I am now an official bandster! Too funny about the Rubick's cube. I am a licensed adjuster and went to a meeting in early March. We love toys and the vendor who sponsered the night gave us all a couple of rubick's cubes. I mesed one up and left the other one whole. I did play with it for a while. I figure it will take me a while to get the hang of it. Well.....my story is that I arrived at the hospital at 7:15. Got sent to the waiting room, they brought me to another waiting room to stripe and put on the gowns and little socks and robe. Sent back to waiting room. ***** warning Fenton, TMI******I was totally embarassed because people could see my hairy legs......oh well. They took me back and put me in a lounger with a tv and a nice warm blanket. Very cool. Then I was moved to a bed, they took vitals, started an iv and I waited, until 11ish when they wheeled me into the pre-or area. They asked a bunch of questions. Then they wheeled me into the or. Boy was it cold in there! They hiked up the bed. I scooted over onto the tiny OR table. I put my arm out and thought I hope I don't fall off. The next thing I know I am in the recovery room. I also managed to get the realize band. I asked my doctor about it and he seemed real excited that I was interested and made it all happen. I was one of the lucky ones, I recovered quickly, no real pain and no nausea. They moved me to my private room. I have to tell you that I loved that! I was on a pain pump, loved that as well. It was a good thing because they were a little overwhelmed. I was bummed because my tv didn't work. Well, I had sound, but no picture. The tv guy came and said "yep, it doesn't work". They could bring me a new one on Wednesday. I did listen to Biggest looser. I really like that show. It was a bummer that I couldn't see it. I slept in about 45 minute cycles. I'd wake up, hit the pain pump and fall back off. At times they were in to take the vitals. I enjoyed the young cute male nurse. It was nice to look at a pretty face. I walked as much as I could. I didn't see any of the other patients in the hallway. I don't know if they weren't walking or were on a different time table. Today was OK. It just took forever to get the x-ray thing to move me onto fluids. Fortunately, I wasn't hungry or thristy. The ice cubes were good enough. Finally, at about 12ish I could have fluids. Got to tell you that I (at this point) have minimal gas. The worse part is the stupid hiccups. I get them and they last for a few minutes. Yikes! I really love the lack of hunger. Is this what skinny people feel? I finally understand "forgetting to eat".

Oh, another thing: one of my big worries has been getting a bit stopped up - I tend to get constipated every time I go on a diet. I've been pretty good with keeping up my Water intake, and have been using Benefiber twice a day, and I've been fine. I'm going to try to increase my Benefiber after banding, but I don't know if that'll be possible. Sorry if that's TMI, but it's an issue that's been one of my biggest fears, so I imagine there are others out there with the same issue!

Hey everyone! I have been gone for a few months, but I think of you guys everyday. I am glad to see that everyone is doing so well. I see struggles here and there, but you are overcoming them. Your courage is exactly what I need to see right now, I am so glad that I am back. I have not been off the food wagon so much as off the exercise wagon. I have one of those jobs that can steal your life, but I love it. Unfortunately, that leaves little time for me (ha, surprise surprise). I am still losing, but very slowly. I am 70 pounds down, and it has changed my life. I feel and look like a totally different person. Yet, I am still disappointed. I just knew that I was going to be the model Lap Band patient, eating all of the right things, exercising daily, and I fully expected to be down 100 pounds by now. Had I excercised like I was supposed to, I would have been. Oh well, I am going to let the past be the past, and start fresh for 2009. I want to start that by reminding myself that what I have done already is huge, and the future holds nothing but more positive change. Things that I am thankful for: 1. I finally got braces! At 34, I have wanted them my whole life, but could never afford them. I have always been so self conscious about my teeth, I have severe crowding in the front. Time to release another ghost! 2. I am wearing a size 18 pants, and I started this journey at a size 28. 3. I am wearing heels for the first time in years. My knees and ankles would never support the weight. By the way, heels make me feel hot! 4. I sat in a lawn chair a few weeks ago on a rare warm day, and stood up without it suctioned to my butt. Huge! 5. My diabetes meds have been cut in half, and my doc expects that it will self resolve within the next 50 pounds. Down with needles! 6. This may be tmi, but in the shower, I find that I can easily reach every area of myself, without acting like a circus performer. It is amazing! 5. I am being seen. I have worked at the same location for a year and a half, and people that I see everyday are all of the sudden making conversation with me. Speaking to me. Seeing ME. 6. Even tho I am down only 70 pounds since surgery, I am almost 100 pounds down from my highest weight. I did a self imposed liquid diet prior to surgery, just to make sure that my liver was okay. I was paranoid that they would open me up and change their mind. I topped out at 352, and had surgery at 326. I need to remember and Celebrate this, every day! Okay, I am sure that there is much more, but I wanted to just say hi to everyone, and to remind myself why I started this journey in the first place. I want to be healthy, happy, and needle free. Thank you for letting me vent!!!!!

Don't worry about the TMI - I think we've all had that fear at one time or another. Let me tell you about a product that I've used when I've had a similar problem. It's called Kondremul Lubricant Laxative. It's a liquid and doesn't taste too horrible. I bought mine from CVS (Link here: CVS Online Pharmacy Store ) It's gentle on your tummy and it also softens the stool. Just thought I'd throw that out there for ya. :drool: I ordered mine from the website but I would love it if they could be ordered locally!

Life with Real Restriction... it IS what I asked for, right? It's complicated, I'll say that. :tt2: The first week after the fill, I was doing great, following all the normal band rules, no problems, even eating out at restaurants (but mind you, very small portions). Then suddenly it got much tighter and I wasn't expecting that! Breakfast was going to be cottage cheese with pineapple, but two bites in and I heard gurgling. So, I stopped and ended up with a Protein shake. Later that day, I attempted to eat some leftovers from one of those restaurant visits, and a couple of bites in, gurgling again. An hour and half later, I had thrown up (sorry, TMI) everything from the last 6 hours with stomach acid. Back to liquids for a couple of days -- I was so swollen and tight that even Water was gurgling! Ever since, it's been a battle at most meals to avoid the overactive salivary response. No more PBs, but several near misses. I don't track my calories, carbs, or anything... The only thing I do is to just make sure I get enough Protein by supplementing with a shake a day and maybe a protein bar or protein pudding. I don't want to be a slave to tracking my meals, I just want to eat like a 'Normo'. (Okay, other than the shake and stuff...) However, I also understand that this is perhaps why I don't lose weight at quite the rapid pace some of you do. So, as for a bump in calories, who would know if I don't track them?? :thumbup: Fortunately, brownies are not too much of a weakness and 2/3 of them have nuts to which I'm allergic!:thumbup: It's the cake and ice cream that are more tempting for me. Oh well, one birthday down, three to go. Sorry this got so long... I guess that's what happens when I stay quiet too long. P.S. Congrats, Lynn, on Onederland! I, too, made it there recently, but it's not really the SV I'm waiting for -- I can't wait to report when I've finally lost all my 'pregnancy weight'... and my 'baby' is only almost 9 years old!! :biggrin2:

Sorry if this is to much TMI. But my cycle has came on and surgery is scheduled for Monday. It's going to be a mess.

Definitely too much sugar. I tried a mango smoothie (Mango Lasi) and I was glued in the restroom for 30 mins (excuse the TMI). The sugar can make you dump. I've surely learned my lesson. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello Everyone, I had my gastric sleeve done on May 7th. I too also cleaned the house good, gave the dog a bath etc. With the Lord watching over me I did great with a few bumps. I bought premier liquid shakes because they were already made and bought them at Costco you can also get the powder form in a HUGE bag for 40.00. I bought sugar free chocolate pudding, Mott's green apple applesauce. Campbell's has an awesome butternut squash soup. I loved Swanson's chicken broth I went to stage 2 a day after surgery because I didn't do well on the 1st phase. I have protein drink for breakfast, instant cream of wheat alternating apple sauce, pudding and soup for lunch and dinner I'm lucky to do 2 1/4 tsp. I use the pudding to take meds it slides down easier. The one thing I miss the most is drinking as much fluid as you want at one time. For further down the road has anyone tried making ice cream out of protein shakes. This might be a TMI but baby wipes for cleaning your bum is a blessing. Get the flushable ones. God Bless Kelly

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.

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 haven't had one of those days in a couple weeks. I thought that was over, but my surgeon is 8 years out and he said he still has them on occasion. So I suppose I can expect it on occasion. At least I wasn't running for a bathroom...I hate those days worse...I carry emesis bags that are very convenient just for times like yesterday. I always know ahead of time so if I'm out to eat I can always make it to the car. I know... TMI. lol

Georgia - I'm so glad you received good news! I spoke with a guy in my office that does Marathons. He said the treadmills are the best on impact, but if you are training to run an actual 5K that you need to eventually start running on that type of material. Concrete is the hardest on impact, then asphalt, tracks, grass, and treadmills. I think we'll eventually take the run outside (maybe next month) when it cools off some. They have a running track at the Y and a dirt/pebble (meaning slip an bust my butt) track too. I missed running this morning myself. I want to go so bad this afternoon. I found out why the gain bothered me so much last night/yesterday. PMS. It sucks. I've had horrible cramps all day (maybe TMI?), thus I'm not running today. I'm going to run tomorrow though. I'm looking forward to Monday - Starting Week 3! Thanks everyone for your advice and support with this crazy plateau I'm on. I'm SO tight today and will be so for a few days. Maybe a loss? I think I'm going to get a slight fill next week. I thought about canceling my appointment, but think I need it. That time of month I've found makes me a little tighter. Is everyone like that?

It's like the surgery day wasn't coming soon enough, but on the other hand now - its the countdown! Can't wait to wear a great pair of boots with skinny jeans and have my shirt tucked in with a belt. So many things I want to do!! I just hope I don't lose too much boobs! Sorry, just saying! TMI right? Surgery date: May 14, 2013

Had a possibly TMI NSV yesterday.. I am basically blind without my glasses, I need things to be within 6 inches or so to see clearly so shaving my legs has been pretty hit or miss (mostly miss) for many years.. Yesterday I was able to bend over and actually see what I was doing I was pretty proud. Other NSVs From size 4x tshirt to L, size 28 pants to a tight 16/loose 18. It's pretty amazing... I stole my oldest daughter's shirt the other day.. (don't tell her

Here's my update.... I'm 6 days post op (surgery was Monday Nov 17). I am doing really great. I was released the next day after surgery. I am meeting my protein/water goals, can tolerate multivitamins, taste buds have NOT changed (though I was hoping they would) and I can tolerate sweet things-- like my Unjury chocolate splendor shake, but I've never really had a sweet tooth and much prefer the chicken flavor protein. I have plenty of energy and have been running errands and walking around. I even did a tour at the Pentagon with my mom. My main issue has been the constant gas/burp pain. I really wish I can burp or fart on command, sorry if its too much TMI. Also, my left incision hurts, but what hurts the MOST is two bruises that I have on my lower abdomen (no incisions there just bruises). If I move too quickly, it feels like someone is pulling or tugging and stabbing me at the same time. Though Tylenol seems to work on them. I had people tell me that the first week is really depressing and you will feel like "what the heck have I done to my body?!!" However, I have not experienced ANY of that. Though the sucky part right now is the liquid diet stage AND the drain. I can't wait to have this thing removed tomorrow. Also, I really wish I could have something solid, a piece of egg or canned salmon. Maybe some yogurt. I envy those people that had no desire for food or water after surgery. As far as weight..... I was 216.6 day of surgery, 222 when I got home from the hospital (IV liquids, swollen). And as of today, I was 210. So far I am so happy that I went through with the surgery and there are no regrets.

Hello October Sleevers! Had my WLS on Oct 9th. All in all I have to say my surgery went pretty well. I still experience some pain on my left side, under the incision where my tummy was pulled out. I am still on the Phase II full liquid diet, and so far had not had any trouble keeping any down. However, today I thought, well...since I am sooo close to Saturday and that's when I will be switched over to soft foods I wanted to try a little bit of egg salad. Wrong decision, I experienced the "dumping syndrome" I was at work, so needless to say, I was praying the good Lord would not make it a "noisy" trip to the ladies room - he heard my prayers! sorry if that was TMI. I didn't experience the chills, nausea, or accelerated heartbeat affects, but oh boy did I have some cramping fairly quickly after I ate my 3 spoons of egg salad. So...lesson learned and patient I will remain until Saturday. I'm sure you can guess what I am not going to try to eat on Saturday I am sooo looking forward to getting out of the full liquid diet, since I have been on liquids since one week pre op. I am looking forward to making friends on here and so excited to be able to talk to others who understand what I am going through. Oh one good thing is I have no problem drinking Water, but I do have problems remembering to drink it. I know for sure I am not getting my Protein in. I tried Isopure and OMG I nearly threw it up - scratched that from my list! I am taking the unjury chicken Soup and do have the Unjury unflavored Protein that I add to my Soups when I remember. My saving grace soup has been the Marketplace Tuscan Tomato Basil - sold at Vons. It is so creamy and taste like Pasta except without the pasta. I can only have about 1/4 cup before I get full, but it's been great!

@@Dabliss111114 - I am so sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Recovering from surgery is stressful enough without all you have gone through lately. Hugs to you and your family. I've been doing better the past couple of days - finally! It was a rough 4 days there, but thankfully that was short. TMI alert: I finally blench a BIG air bubble up as I was throwing up and I think that was the cause of my 4 day puking spree. My nausea went away after that. Since then I've been forcing small burps throughout the day to keep that from happening again. So far, so good. I got out today and did a lot of walking in Target. :-) I really do need to get out more. I had more energy since I can keep food down better. I was also dragging emotionally - it was frustrating nor being able to eat, not feeling like doing things, missing some of my favorite foods and probably having a minor pity party. Not full-blown really because I am extremely grateful that everything has gone so well, so more like a pout!

Ok... so I wax... actually hubby waxes me. We find it kinda romantic. I highly recommend Gigi brazilain wax... it comes in a kit with pre-wax oil which is a MUST. I get it at Sally's Beauty Supply. Several of my friends "sugar" instead of waxing. They say they prefer it but I like the waxing better. TMI? Oh well...somebody asked. :thumbup:

Oops! Apple juice sure wasn't my friend! It helped me have some (TMI) runs!

Donna, you excited? The 29th will be here soon Elizabeth...spounds like all went well. sorry you're so sore. I also feel like it's not quite real, that the band is IN now. I keep feeling my port I can't stop belching today. I also had my first luck in the bathroom this morning (sorry for tmi). My belly is getting itchy, a sure sign of healing. I'm feeling better since I backed off to just liquids this morning and took the nausea medication. am still going to just lay low today and keep it to thin fluids. My mom is picking me and the 3 kids up later to go to my folks house (40 min drive) for St Patricks dinner, wher emy husband will meet us and drive us all back home. He works up the street from them. I may take some tomato soup with and yogurt. I'll see how I feel. I may just stick to chicken broth and tea. Is anyone else's belly swollen around the incisions? i look pregnant

Omg this post is TMI but for others who can understand: I FINALLY had a BM on day 4 postop. I had to strain a little which made me nervous but I feel like 10 pounds lighter and so much less uncomfortable!! Phewwwwwww!!

Sorry if this is tmi. I'm 4 days post op. I had a bowel movement the morning of the surgery, but nothing since. I have had 2 moments where I felt like I needed to go, but it was just gas that was difficult to pass. How long did it take you guys to have your first bowel movement after surgery ? Thank you. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi All, I had my surgery on Tuesday, and I am still in pain. I was hospitalized on Tuesday night for observation and yesterday night as well. I came home today. I am not in as much pain as I was the past few days, and thankfully, I am now passing "gas." Sorry, I know it is TMI but the nurses told me that I need to, to release the pressure caused by the CO2 during surgery. I am home now, armed and dangerous with vicodine and anti-nausea medication. The past two days I was wondering what I did to myself, but now as the pain slowly decreases, I believe i made a good decision. I cannot wait to live the rest of my life. Thank you everyone for sharing on this thread as it has been amazing moral support. Reading about what everyone is going through gives me the courage and confidence to keep moving forward. Good luck to those being banded today and shortly. Keep us updated/ Tabitha

I'm 4 days post op and I feel better than before. My stomach is healing and does gurgle alot and gets gassy but the gas has no problem coming out .. Burping is kinda hard sometimes .. I'm not constipated either. Sorry if TMI my first check up is tomorrow