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I'm 3 weeks post op and moving onto some regular foods. I'm eating healthy, exercising every day, and my calories are reasonable (I haven't had a fill yet). But geez.... my body wants to make so much noise!! My rumbling stomach - even when I'm not at all hungry, I feel like it's making SO much noise that surely other people can hear it! hahah I'm glad I have my own office at work. Anyone else? And as for other bodily noises, well, they're coming out both ends! I didn't have issues with indigestion or gas or anything before. And I don't FEEL like I have those things going on inside of me even now. I mean, I have no desire to run for Tums or anything. Yet, I burp. A lot - way more than I ever have in my life. They're different, shallow, sneaky. I don't even want to talk about the other. LOL Anyone else? Is this just adjustment or is this how it will be going forward? I'm sure it's not the same for everyone, just trying to figure out if anyone else whent through this and came out the other side with a quieter body. :wink:

Hi Everyone, I go by SnohoGal98296 - I have been visiting and posting for a few months now. At first I was lurking to learn about your experiences and your pre and post surgery successes and failures. I also wanted to learn if you had the same experience as I have and if those experiences helped lead you to weight loss surgery. I did this research to determine if WLS was for me - and through this site, my outside research of specific surgeons and my own family who have made the leap for themselves and are very happy, I have made the decision to get weight loss surgery, specifically the sleeve. I am just in the process of determining which bariatric surgical center at which I will spend my hard earned money. I am self-pay, well employed and well insured, but with a WLS exclusion. As this is a huge investment for me I have closely examined specific reasons why I want this procedure. Below is my list (I apologize in advance for any TMIs :-D): I have tried nearly every diet on the planet - I am 45 years old and first realized I was overweight when I was about 10 years old. Here is a list of diets I have tried over the past 35 years: Lowfat / Nonfat liquid VLC diet (I snuck my Dad's Optifast in the 6th grade) Jenny Craig Weight Watchers Acupuncture Hypnosis Grocery Diet (Lean Cuisine, etc) Starbucks Diet Subway Diet Atkins South Beach Medically Supervised Optifast Medically Supervised High Protein / Low Carb (I was most successful here) Here are my physical observations since my last diet and regain, I don't make this list to complain but to remind me why I need to be proactive for my health, in no particular order: I am 5'6", I started my last diet at 275lbs, I lost around 50lbs. and was feeling pretty darn good about being in the 220's. I thought I could lose more and keep the weight off and did for almost a year, unfortunately the diet was too hard to maintain and I ended up gaining back the 50lbs. plus another 20lbs. Actually I am fluctuating between 295 and 298. At my first surgical consult their scale, fully clothed in the afternoon, said 302lbs. I have finally eclipsed the largest size of my favorite work slacks - Lee "khaki" style slacks. Their largest size is 24W. I wear 24W in other brands but not in Lee anymore. I have been on two business trips since October and on both occasions I had to ask for seat belt extenders, (funnily enough on the USA based airlines but not on the Japan based airline). When I bend over to tie my shoes I feel starved for oxygen, I often need to prop my foot up to reach. I am unable to wear my favorite pair of boots anymore, my calves won't fit anymore - and they are men's boots. I have resorted to fastening my bra before I put it on because my arms don't bend that way anymore. I have a few creases in different areas of my body that get raw and irritated if I get sweaty. I have had to have prescription yeast infection treatments for these areas. Needless to say I hate to sweat now, in fact it makes me itch. I barely fit in my son's car and the seat belt is fully extended when I fasten it. It is close in my car - but I have few inches there yet. Some public restrooms stalls are too small for me, I have to use the handicap stall to have the space to reach, if you know what I mean (sorry TMI). At a recent meeting at work, the chair I was sitting in broke, snapped underneath me with a loud crack and I barely caught myself before tumbling over backwards, and I yelped! My only relief from complete embarrassment? A normal size guy broke his chair too, a short while after mine did. When I go to bed at night, I have to sleep with 2 or more pillows because I can't lay on my back without my own neck flesh choking me, I also need the pillows to sleep on my side due to my body is larger than one pillows width from the mattress surface. I have borderline high blood pressure. I do not have type II diabetes, although my surgical consult reminded it hasn't been tested in a couple of years. Climbing the single flight of stairs at my work, walking between buildings, or trying to keep up with my family while we are on walks causes me to be out of breath. Walking or standing for more than 20 or 30 mins makes my feet and back hurt so badly that I have to sit down. Cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year was excruciating. Doing normal housework is now a workout. My hips brush the armrests of my office chair, not too small yet, but close. There is a woman at work who had to have facilities order her an XL chair and everyone knows about it. Regarding my family - My husband is truly supportive, he backs me 100%. My 17 year old son wonders why I can't diet and exercise more. My daughter really hasn't weighed in - I believe she supports me. I have a cousin who weighed over 440lbs. when she got the lap band, she got down to 300lbs and all weight loss stopped. After her band failed (i.e. broke internally, she didn't regain very much) she got a revision to RNY and has begun loosing again. Her son just got banded this year and has lost over 150lbs. and just got engaged. I feel comfortable within my own family with this decision. Regarding work - I have told my Boss and she supports my decision but I will only tell my coworkers on a person by person basis. Some will understand and support others just don't need to know. So these are some of the reasons why I have decided to get weight loss surgery, what are some of your reasons?

Hi everyone! I just got the sleeve done 3 days ago, and I am struggling. I'm in so much pain, because of the gas stuck in my stomach area. I've talked to a few people about the recovery but they all say it wasn't too painful and a fast recovery. I'm feeling in the odds because of this. I'm almost starting to feel a little regretful. I just got really hungry today, but my body doesn't too well with liquids, so I'm drinking maybe 2-4oz of apple juice a day. I just got discharged from the hospital for the first day, so I feel more comfortable that I'm home now. Also, this might be a little bit of a TMI, but I woke up to having my period after surgery. The nurses joked with me saying, "boy, when it rains, it sure does pour, huh?"

Robin, re: reflux I -also- suffer with nighttime reflux every now and then. Ive tried everything. Meds, pillows, drinking a gallon of Water to flush out the pouch, not eating late.... but the one thing that has helped me lately is when I go to bed and get that heaviness feeling (start of reflux), I get up and pb - to completely empty my pouch. When my pouch is completely empty - I dont have any problems with reflux. Even though I *thought* my pouch was empty when I went to bed, Im shocked to see the things that come up with that pb. TMI???

This is a frequent post-op problem. [TMI Alert!] From research when it happened to me, constipation is caused because there is not enough moisture in the stool. Most laxatives and stool softeners add Fiber to your system, which causes the stool to absorb more moisture and become softer and easier to pass. [Yuck!] I took Miralax, which is a tasteless powder that can be stirred into any drink (coffee and sugar-free hot chocolate work well). Then drink as much Fluid as possible. Shortly after surgery, fluid is even more important than Protein. It may take a day or so to work, but when it does you'll feel so much better. Good luck!

Yes, I have tried them, and maybe I'm in the minority here, but they taste AWFUL. I know this is TMI, but to me they taste like burped-up stomach acid. I was hoping that they'd taste like Crystal Light, but not even close. The only problem is that I get sleeved tomorrow and will have to do Clear liquids for a week. Isopure is one of the few liquids I'm permitted to have, so I'm going to choke them down anyway. I hope they don't go to waste! Don't let my experience deter you from trying them--you may end up liking the taste. If you have a Vitamin Shoppe near you, you can find individual bottles in their refrigerator case so you can just try one and see how you like it. I think they're about $3.99 or so. Good luck!

So....I have found myself severely constipated.....ended up this morning in the ER, they were not much help. I took an enema this morning, it did nothing, went to er the give me a soap and Water enema, nothing but liquid......I can feel there is stuff in there that needs to come out, my legs are weak from the pain. The hospital gave m a shot of Valium to calm me, but that didn't so much either. I stopped at the store and bought prune juice, heated it up and put Mirlax in it.....so far nothing.....I'm afraid I'm going to end up back in the ER.....any suggestions?

So I know this is TMI, but I haven't gone to the bathroom at all this week!! Any suggestions?

I am 2 days post op and had blood in my stool. Called surgeon and he said if it continues it call him back. I am seeing if anyone else has gone through this.

Hello thank you for the prayers..I am going home this evening..Yes.cus this bed sucks..Pain is tolerable.. On meds but has a high pain tolerance cus I hate being drownsy all the time..The drink they have you take for the xr tho is the only time I threw up..awfully sweet so it came back up..walked the hall n walked in place after going to bathroom on my own..I know this is,TMI..but I want to poop but haven't yet..ughhhh Thank you guys for all the support n information.. He helped a lot???? Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

:redface1:The surgery took about 2 hours, (I'm told) and it went well. My Doc likes to put his patients in delux accomodations, so I am living the sweet life while I recover. WARNING! TMI SECTION: I am very gassy, and have been encouraged to belch as much as possible.. So I've been walking around burping like a 10 year old boy does for fun VERY unladylike!.. I am still having bouts of nausea and spitting up plegm.. that's the most uncomfortable thing..., that & the dry heaves.. They are going to keep me cathed for a couple more days until my "output" increases... (looking forward to losing that thing, I can tell you) Over all I'm feeling pretty good. There was a little spot on my leak test that the doc thinks is just a curve.. but they're holding me a couple extra days to get another look. He doesn't seem worried, so I'm not. And hanging out here won't be a burden. I'm looking out a 14th floor window at the East River in Manhatten, a truly gold-plated view. So now I'm playing a waiting game.:biggrin2:

they said it would either be endoscopy or stool sample that the insurance would require to ensure no bacteria before actual clearance. (sorry if thats TMI)

I love the people on this site too. You are all so courageous. Every one of you should be proud for being pro-active and meeting this horrible health issue head on. I am truly blessed to be recovering so well. I haven't had pain meds since the recovery room (I hated the morphine) and right now I have so much energy I feel like jumping up and down. My only small complaint is that I think I am constipated. I know there's not much to make a BM (TMI?) from, but I did cheat and have a bit (1/8 cup) of oatmeal yesterday and a tiny amount of flakey fish the day before. My sleeve handled it fine. My colon -- not so much. I wonder if Benefiber would do the trick. I don't want to take a laxative.

it's weird . It comes and goes for me. I have had small glasses of milk and done okay. Yesterday I went to a wedding and I could not figure out what I at or drank but I sure had gas and diarrhea (sorry tmi) when I got home.

Hey Panda, I am a runner. I have been running for the last 17 years of my life. So a 4mile walk is nothing for me. One would think with all of the running that I do, I wouldn't need this surgery -- but I did. My starting weight was 225lbs, and I am down to 214 in a matter of days. (I haven't been able to get the weight off in YEARS!) I am sooo excited for my journey to see where I will end. My goal is around 130-135. Per my doc, I can walk~walk~walk~as much as possible. The more walking -- the less gas I will have. I figure, by 3 weeks I will be back to running again (as long as there is no pain). I can do up to 10 lbs of weights. I am restricted from elipitcal machines, or any machine that could pull the stiches loose for 1 month. I feel great! Unfortunately, I have sooo many chores, etc to do around my house -- so when I got back home, I didn't stop moving. Woke up extremely tired today to come back to work. Ohh about that Protein, I am only 5\6 days out. I am just trying to get my liquids in at this time. My body isn't accepting the protein just yet. I have been drinking "G" (Gatorade) - Recovery (it has protein in it). I also have protein shots. When I take the shots (and this is TMI people - turn your heads.lol); it gives me the runs. So, until I go on thick protein, I will stay away from the shots for now. Fluids are going down like a champ. It hurt at first, but ever day is better and better. Not so much pain. Panda, keep me posted on your results and how you're doing. I would love to share as we move forward. Take Care Sleeve2B

Hi Guys! My kids just left for school so I can try and take in some fluid. I woke up every 3 hours to use the bathroom, I feel bloated still like I'm pregnant and had my first BM sorry if its TMI IT Sure wasn't solid, my body is still gassy. I have no desire to "eat" but the smell of food makes me sick, my four year old doesn't understand any of it and my two year old is obsessed with my incisions. Ill see how today goes, but I feel better already. this wasn't easy but I have to look further than right now...

We also have this forum: http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1183-where-venus-and-mars-collide-new/ It's an adult oriented room for men AND women to discuss TMI/adult oriented issues.

Aww, little boy got his feelings hurt and now he's deleting his account...which has a whopping 11 total posts. Clearly, our community will be suffering a great loss. On another note, I too have accidentally posted in the guy's room because all of the feeds pop-up on recent topics. If the subject is obviously oriented to men, sometimes I'm like, oh whoops, let me get out of here, but otherwise if it sounds like a regular topic I don't even notice what forum it is in. Guys, I promise, we women do not care anymore about your TMI problems than you guys care about ours.

<p>What you guys were/are experiencing is absolutely normal. I don't think I drank much of anything for the first two days after surgery. You have a general feeling that there is a big glove surrounding your food canal and squeezing. That's your body going "WHOA! What's THIS!" to the band, and trying to heal. Everything feels tender after surgery, and this is no exception. About 2 weeks out you will really start to feel human again. A couple of things you will experience to a great extent probably for the first time though are (1) you will burp....a LOT....this is GREAT. You're getting rid of the air they pump into you for surgery...that's the gas you feel crawling around inside you and generally settling PAINFULLY up in your shoulder, neck, etc.... (2) you will....uh....fart....a LOT. Get used to ducking into other rooms or stepping outside of a building...by the way, I didn't notice much, if any smell at all (TMI, I know...but as long as we are getting things in the open....) (3) you will GROWL and I mean GROWL a LOT and LOUD. The growlies are amazing. Kindof feels like an earthquake in your tummy. Growlies will be a part of your life pretty much from now on (I call it my Beast....it tells me when it needs something put in to shut it up) and was something as a fat person I had never experienced (who waits long enough for your stomach to growl before feeding it....ha! Not ME!). The audible growlies seemed to have lessened after my first month or so, but I still growl about every three hours or so, just not so people across the room can hear anymore! HAHAHA!</p>

I started losing my hair at the three month mark. It was coming out in clumps when I applied shampoo, conditioner and product or when I combed/brushed it or just even slept. Not to make light of cancer patients, but I felt like a chemotherapy patient. It stopped coming out in such large amounts after a couple of months. The hair loss was very noticable....in fact, my hairstylist mentioned that my hair's texture has completely changed. The hairs are now growing back. I have many Patches of two-inch-long hairs all along my hairline, part and pretty much everywhere. I changed to a shampoo/conditioner that was meant for weak hair. I also took Biotin about three times a week. When I asked my surgeon about the hair loss, he said it was a result of rapid weight loss. He also said the hair WILL grow back. The funny thing about taking biotin is that it accelerated the hair growth on my legs, armpits and bikini area (TMI?). Good times......:tongue2:

I'm walking at least 10 mins every 4 hours.....yesterday I had some shopping to do so I was out walking (slowly) for like 2 hours. Not too much pain, only take painkillers at night before I pass out. Make sure you're in bed stretching and act like you're walking. I've already lost 10 plus pounds which is crazy but I'm staying super hydrated and going to the bathroom a lot. Movement and hydration is key....also TMI I'm in my period so I'm sure that's also causing some pain

Warning, there may be TMI ahead in this post. I assume since this is the lady's forum, it's okay just to be open. My body has the absolute worst timing. Here's the story. Growing up, my period was incredibly irregular. Like, from when I first started, I'd have a period once a year, but it would be a monstrous two-week long flooding ordeal. Now, that period also could be triggered by stress, and without fail, if I took a trip or something, there it would be, messing up all my clothes and the sheets and generally ruining my life. I evened out a bit as I got older, but it was still pretty rough, and not anywhere near regular. I lost about 120 pounds a few years ago, and during that time my period became regular and much, much lighter. Like... it actually became predictable and manageable! I was never excited to see it, but I knew I'd get through it, and in a couple of days, it would be gone. I have regained every pound of that weight I lost, maybe even more, but my period has stayed regular for some reason...until this month. Now I'm two weeks late, and I'm having my VSG in two more weeks. I read in my pre-op material, that the stress of surgery can bring on your period, and to pack accordingly. I'm curious, did anyone, regular menstruaters or not, actually experience your period starting right after surgery? I know you may mention or ask me a few things, so let me toss out a few more pieces of info to help. No, there's no chance I'm pregnant (unless it's immaculate). Yes, I'm sure I have PCOS, I have every single classic sign. I am, in fact also having a very large para-ovarian cyst removed at the same time as my VSG. It has been with me for years, so I don't think it's impacting this particular missed period. I have had some signs of an impending period, but it's like it just won't start. I got achy, some slight pain, I've been moody, tearful, alternating between sleepless and sleepy. It's like I've been morphing in and out of a fog of almost-PMS for a couple of weeks, but my body just can't quite get it started. It may be that I've just reached that point again in my weight, where my period was going to disappear and become crazy again. I know that was a lot of information. I also just seriously needed to vent because this is frustrating me. I hate walking around every day not knowing when it may strike. I'm suddenly appreciating a regular period for the gift that it was. Main question is this: Did any of you start your period in the hospital, and if you did, was it during your normal cycle, or brought on by surgery?

Well this may be TMI but that barium is moving thru me! I have another on line journal on another message board and I put it all out there so you have been forewarned lol Also forgve the many typos I type with 3 fingers but I am quick and therefore that equally a lot of typos! :thumbup: A/w I will try my best to proof-read! A/w I bought some K20 protien Water the mixed berry flavor its not bad at all. It has 5 gms of protien and only 50 calories in the whole bottle. I tried the ensure it was ok but it has a lot of carbs. There is a pre-mixed protien shake I started taking last year b/c of all the working out I was doing its from Worldwide it has 21 g of protien and 2 net carbs it isn't bad tasting at all. I am trying to get my system ready for post-op. I am really just playing the waiting game at this point, now I am wondering if I should have had the Dr. squeeze me in before the New Year. My boyfriend has a nice New year's eve planned for us though and I didnt want to miss that plsu I have some work stuff I need to wrap up. I want to use this time to lose the 10-15 pounds the Dr. told me to so I will focus on that. She did not put me on a liquid diet thank God! Just a Atkins like plan I can do that I may do more of a South beach and have 2 fruits a day though. I can do 10-15 in a month like that. I had the nerve to break the knob on my treadmill already! So I didn't even get to use it yesterday! :youcandothis: My boyfriend said he will take a look at it this weekend. I told himt o bring gym clothes we are gonna work it outttttttt all weekend! I am excited for Christmas the plan at first was to go down south to his family but he found out he has to work on Friday :sad: so I said let's do a nice hotel and we are going tonight to a very upscale hotel downtown Baltimore it is usually $400 a night its less than half of that for Christmas eve! :tt2: Happy Holidays ladies!!!

Crazy Janey - your estrogen theory may be something! I rarely have a period, maybe once every 5-6 months, lasts only 1 day and very, very light. The first night I couldn't sleep happened to be the day I started my period! I even commented to my friend that I was bleeding like I did as a teenager - sorry TMI. I go for my 1 week post-op tomorrow so I will inquire for all us non-sleeping estrogen ridden sleevers!! Thanks for all your comments

Linda, Hope you have a nice bday celebration! The cake sounds yummy. Yes, you guessed correctly- my sister stayed home. They wanted her to take care of the cats and mom had a new dishwasher being delivered. She also started a 6 hr/week job. Yes, you heard me right- 6 hrs. OMW. She is a licensed insurance agent, believe it or not- the guy who hired her is cheap, owns his own agency, and wants to pick and chose WHEN she comes in for those 6 hours! I can't believe she accepted such an offer. But I guess she can say she is "working" now. (doesn't sound as bad to be a free loader at 50, living at home). I really get so frustrated with her. But then a small part of me is glad she is there for my parents- at any capacity. I agree with most- like the new thread. : ) Yes, DH got done in about 1.5 hrs and even took Nels to a movie! I am cooking cabbage stew, doing laundry and cleaning house- so much for my "free time". LOL. I am feeling punky today. TOM surprised me for a visit, a week earlier than expected! TMI I know. Just feeling bloated and PMSy. So glad I didn't get that fill the other day now. There's always next week. Laura