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PCOS=Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It is a lovely disorder that is named after a symptom instead of what is actually is, which is basically a hormone imbalance. Essentially, when PCOS-ers eat our bodies make MUCH more insulin than a normal persons would, causing 1. more hunger 2. more fat storage. All this insulin and fat causes an excess of testosterone which opposed to popular theory does NOT drive up the libido but causes things like facial hair, acne, more weight around the middle, skin tags (basically moles) and..hence the name...a failure to ovulate fully which can cause small cysts on the ovaries. I don't have TOM for months at a time then will spot for like 3 weeks unless on some kind of birth control. I currently have an IUD which has triggered a weight gain of about 50 lbs in the last 2 years, not that I was thin before!!!. It is treated with birth control pills for period regulaiton and some diabetes medications, usually metformin, but the only "cure" is weightloss, which because of the insulin stuff is VERY hard...I can restrict eating and workout like a crazy person and lose half of what others around me are. sorry may be TMI but I love to educate women about it because there are so many out there with it, this is an incredibly common syndrome, who don't know anything about it until they start trying to conceive. I was lucky enough to have a surprise baby back in 2004, but many struggle with infertility their entire lives.

HEy this may be a bit TMI but I was wondering if this is normal or if i should call my doctor I have an appointment in 3 days. I've had bowel movement since day 4 after surgery today is day 6 (i'm on a clear liquids diet so not even protein shakes just water, jello, broth) i figured nothing solid would come out since all i'm getting is liquids but is it normal that i go to the bathroom at least twice a day and it's all diarrhea? (i was like this before i went two or three times a day with no problems) I'm concerned i'm not retaining any liquids, I'm not feeling sick, my stomach doesn't hurt, I feel pretty normal except for this. I'm sorry this is TMI

Has anyone who had a panniculectomy/TT also had their FUPA (sorry! Don't know a nice way to describe it) also modified/trimmed up during surgery? Is that done? I haven't had sleeve surgery yet, but I'm expecting there to be extra material there and didn't know if that's considered a separate area to tweak ($$) or if it's pulled tight enough with the TT/panni? Thanks in advance!

I did not but after the gas I wish I had. A doctor her in DC suggested the enema and the person who did it was low on gas pain. If I had to do this over again I would do the enema. TMI I think.

Sorry if this is tmi.... But I'm taking the weight management fiber gummies that have chromium in it and I'm wondering if it's causing anyone else to pee ALOT? It's like every 5 mins I'm peeing ????????

Milk of magnesia helps me as my bowels kinda lock up now...sorry TMI I know but taking 2 stool softners daily has helped. Just the cheap generic ones from Walmart have made the difference. I too have felt like food gets stuck when I am stuck if you know what I mean.

Poo makes a difference too! If you aren't regular then your weight WILL go back up before it goes down! This is a major issue with me! I will lose 5 lbs and then gain back 2-3 a day to 2 later, and then I have to up my water and fiber before I go back down to where I was! It can be frustrating but now I just don't weight myself if I haven't been regular in a while. TMI? Maybe. But so true.

My stomach or what feels like my intestine has had a really loud persistent gurgling every minute of the last 10 hours Its like a rumbling monster that starts up in my left upper quadrant, and roars down like its going to be gas then painfully stops and shoots the gurgling back in to my gut. I have taken gas x strips, and have the colace but havent taken any because they are gel caps and Ive heard that we cant take gel caps. I have only passed gas once and almost went in my pants. I have not had a bm since surgery Wed but have only been drinking water and gatorade a little tomato juice and some sips of protein drink, which I think was the problem. Sorry for the TMI but you ladies are so good at having answers to these things and I am desperate. I have put a call into my dr but I know someone out there must have had a similar experience and I would like your thoughts/advice. Thank you!

Hey guys, I'm on Day 5 of my pre-op and I feel like shit. I'm not really hungry, but my stomach hurts soooo much. Last night it felt so bad I couldn't even sleep. I'm not sure if my tummy hurts because I'm hungry or because it's feeling sick from the stuff I'm eating. It's weird because I don't feel like eating, but my tummy seems like its telling me to eat something, but a yogurt or soup doesn't cut it. Last night I could have eaten almost any thing, but I got a yogurt instead and just sipped on it until it was all gone. If I'm having these problems now, what's going to happen after I'm banded? TMI----I seem to be having a lot more gas then usual, and some acid reflux when I lay down at night. In addition, I either can't have a bm when I feel I need to, or I'm having diarrhea...how the hell does that happen? After I drink a protein shake it's straight into the bathroom, but when I wake up in the morning I feel like I need to have a bm but nothing happens. This liquid stuff is screwing my whole system up, and to boot I don't think I have lost any thing. Maybe only 1 kilo or something. What I'm eating: Protein shake for breakfast (slim fast type of thing) yogurt for snack (low fat no sugar) vegetable soup for lunch yogurt for snack (low fat no sugar) chicken soup for dinner (no chicken just broth and noodles) sf pudding or another yogurt for desert -+1.5l water -+1l crystal light or tea Help guys-.......:help:

I was sleeved on 6/6 but not on full liquids yet. Question for ya, you said Dumping? I havent had a BM since the night before surgery!! I am pretty freaked out but I havent had anything except broth. So do you mean you have to use the restroom?? So confused! TMI I know.. sorry

I had a cath put in so I didn't have that happen but I'm sure it was nothing to worry about......nurses have seen it ALL...which is worse, having that happen or being the one who PUTS the cath in.....hopefully THAT little bit of TMI will make you feel better!!!

Anyone post op having a bad monthly visitor?

Hello! I'm a little over halfway to my goal, and now is the time I want to start thinking about the possibility of plastics in the future. I am looking for recommendations for plastic surgeons in the Bergen County NJ/NYC/Westchester area that you have had good experience with. I will be looking for a panni (no tummy tuck, just skin/fat removal), maybe a little bit of lipo on my legs, breast lift/reshape (no implants), and possibly a thigh lift. I'd also like to get a lower eyelid lift to get rid of my dark circles, but that's optional. Also, not to be TMI but is lipo on the pubic mound a thing?? If so, I might consider that also. I am starting to look now because I want to be prepared for the price when I'm ready to go into this. I'm hoping I won't need it, but in case I do, I'd like to have all the info I can! Thank you in advance!!

So my journey began in December with the decision to get the vsg. I couldn't stand the thought of getting my guts rearranged or a plastic ring and string put inside me. So I chose vsg! I started out weighing 304 when I went in to see the doc for the first time(I'm 5'5 female). When I started the preop diet in April I was 286 and got down to 267 on the surgery date. Well I hit a couple of rough Patches after surgery. I went in with nothing wrong with me Healthwise except for being overweight. So I know myself and my doctor were thinking this was gonna be a breeze. So about 5 hours after surgery my blood pressure dropped to 60/40 and I was rushed downstairs for emergency surgery. They figured I had bleeding going on somewhere. Well turns out I had bleeding at the staple line. So they fixed me up and here I am today. And even saying that I would do it again. I've seen posts on here and always looked for them when I was a pre-op, about complications. Well I had one I am 28 and yes I was heavy but that was it. I had a catheter and a drain as well. But being a little over 2 months out I love my sleeve. Best thing I did complication and all. I am now down to 224! So I thought I would make a list on some good things and some things I wish I could change. The good: -glad I didn't tell a lot of people -love that my pants are falling off of me -tmi.... Sex is way better -my husband has been so supportive -always make my own meals -have exercised since day 1 out of the hospital. Walked for the first 6 weeks. I now do spinning classes and I am lifting weights -loving the compliments -my doc is happy with my progress -search like crazy for recipes, it helps so much Some pointers -stop eating before ur full, my sign that I'm done is hiccups. My doc gives me 30 mins to eat and I take my time and chew very well. Small bites -please exercise we all don't want to but ur doing this for a new life. You have to be commited to everything -I do have bad days when I want things like fast food or bread. I did not go through all of that to eat like how I used to. Now some people can have a little of this and a little of that. But that's not how my mind is. Those days are over for me. some may not agree but I'm talking about myself here. Those are trigger foods and will not be allowed back in my diet. Well good luck to all! Do what feels right. Be a success!

Hi there. I was wondering what people have experienced in their monthly cycle since having surgery. I tend to be fairly regular with timing each month, and how long it lasts, but I know a big reduction in caloric intake will definitely affect everything. Did you even get your period during the first month? Just curious about what to expect...thanks!

I just came back from my upper GI exam and that nasty drink they give u its beyond disgusting. I mean ewww no chocolate flavor with a hint sugar. I secretly think they get a laugh out of see our face once we are drinking it. Then not to mention the fact that I have to live in the bathroom as this drink makes its way out(tmi) am I the only one that went through this, I can't imagine but I don't recall seeing a post about it...

Good Luck! I was sleeved in Boston on 11/6. The pain wasn't nearly as bad as I thought and I haven't been sick once. I'm one week post op and looking forward to the mushy/soft food stage in one week. My energy is pretty good but not 100%. FYI, TMI...start drinking fiber and stool softeners as soon as your out of the hospital. You'll appreciate it when nature eventually calls.

POSSIBLE TMI - you have been warned. I slept almost all the way through the night. And then I woke up and had diarrhea. And yes, I do think that's awesome too. We went to bed around 11:30p. I had a hard time falling asleep. It shouldn't be because Jess was in the bed. I couldn't stop coughing. And since I can't get a real cough in, I couldn't dislodge whatever was stuck. After a while I figured out I could brace my 3 middle incisions by putting very light pressure on them with my hand while coughing. I also used my inhaler once and that seemed to help. I finally coughed out some icky stuff. Not a lot. Jess ran and got me a roll of tp so I could spit it out. After that it was much better. I woke up around 1 / 1:30a and I had to pee really bad. First time that's happened in a while. I took more pain meds and went back to bed, I didn't bother walking around. I slept till around 7:50a when I heard the front door close. Jess had left for work. I felt like sleeping more but I had to go to the bathroom, so I got up. I felt like I had to poop. I wasn't expecting that. In the binder it says that you probably won't poop for 5 to 6 days after surgery. Technically I am 5 days out. I just wasn't expecting it. It was fantastic! I had to brace my stomach with my hand so I could push everything out and it took a bit of effort. I'm surprised at how much came out and just the fact that anything came out at all. I wonder if it's from the broth I've been having. The last time I drank broth was years ago when I was sick. It went right through me and I haven't drank it since being post-op. I was curious if it would have this effect again. I also started taking my vitamins yesterday. I took 2 Calcet Creamy Bites. The chocolate has 4 grams of sugar and the lemon has 5 grams. So I wonder if that did it too. I'm sipping broth now and get the feeling it was the broth. Yesterday when I took my multi it made my stomach hurt. This morning I took 2 sips of broth, then the multi, then 2 more and had no pain. It takes me a good 3 minutes minimum to eat each chewable. My parents are going to stop by today. That means I have to take down my board in the kitchen and hide my meds and kaiser paperwork. My mom knows but my dad doesn't. So it'll just be like I have a weekend off for once. I feel like I'm going to get the runs again. It's gotta be the broth. I haven't had a creamy bite yet. I called the pharmacy where I live and I could barely hear the lady, but what I got was that I should refill my liquid vic when I have 2 days worth left. I'm confident that I am at that point, so I emailed my dr to refill it since calling the number on the bottle would probably refill it 45 minutes away where my surgery was and I want it sent to the pharmacy where I live. Hopefully he will email me back soon. Today I am going to walk around (and maybe dance a little too) to music after I post this. Then organize my meds. I bought an organizer at Target yesterday. I can't do much cleaning b/c I have a weight restriction for lifting. Once my mom calls saying their leaving I'll take a shower. They live about an hour away. I'm having a hard time working carafate into this. I did it 3x the day before yesterday and not at all yesterday. Well, better get on with my day. I'm sure I'll post more later. ~Liz

Days 5-9. I gradually reduced my once a day paracetamol and took no more after day 6. I'm still taking omeprazole to make sure the esophagitis clears up but this is only needed until 2 weeks post op. I was working by day 5. It's a desk job though. The pain and stiffness went away very quickly. My wounds are fantastic. The glue they now use makes such a difference. It's waterproof and reduces the chance of infection. You really wouldn't know it's only a week and a half since it came out. I've had to make sure I'm eating enough fruit to "keep things going" post surgery. There was nothing for 4 days and I was getting stomach gripes but it's getting back on track now. All a bit odd colour wise, bit like a rainbow lol (sorry for tmi) but I guess it's because they move your liver and the stomach is near your gallbladder which upsets things. Anyway I'm almost back on track thankfully. My thirst has reduced but I'm sticking on my 1.5 liters Water plus Hot drinks minimum and sometimes do 2 liters. What about food? It's fantastic. I'm eating healthier than ever in my life having at least 6/7 portions of fruit and veg a day. Have lost 7 pounds since it came out and am back down to my lowest preferred weight of 114 pounds. I am watching my calories and eating no processed carbs which means I don't get those incessant food cravings. I'm keeping my Protein above 60 grams but usually having more than that a day. I've eaten out twice and have ordered what I always used to order with my band in, which is usually 2 starter portions of protein or a protein and veg. I've felt full and satisfied on the same amounts but I have absolutely no restriction so can't have been too scarred internally thankfully. The big difference I notice in eating out - I can drink 2 or 3 glasses of sparkling water or diet soda before I eat or with my food and I have no need for anything else. It feels great. I don't know if this is just the honeymoon period or if it will last. I know processed carbs turn me into a complete food obsessive. The stuff I've read on insulin makes such sense. I have no need for that kind of "non food" and when I have eaten something like that (in the hospital and at a friends), I've seen it as just one of those things and eat some protein soon after which gets the insulin straight back in check. I can't believe the energy I now have not being dehydrated and getting good nutrition. I feel liberated. I feel like I have been given a second chance to get this right and I'm going to! My advice from the last few days. Drink lots of water and keep your protein up. Avoid processed food and move around a bit. In the past I would have completely confused my thirst and hunger signals, eaten processed rubbish which would drive my cravings and hunger even further and made me feel sluggish too. I'd have been stuck on that wretched cycle again where I felt I had no control and couldn't stop it. Not anymore my friends !!!!

Totally having the same issue here. I drank a premier protein this morning though and it went right through me, clearing my blockage...sorry TMI ????

Day AFTER surgery I woke up to my period! It was awful. I already could hardly move because IV and drain tube but now I had to deal with changing pads and trying to keep clean. It was horrible. Surgery was 9/2...went home 9/4...and just yesterday finally stopped. It was a heavy one too! Sorry if that was TMI...????

I'm starting day 3 of my 9 day pre opt diet. When I was eating my usual high calorie, high fat, high sugar, high carb etc diet I poo between 3 - 4 times a day. Now I'm going once a day and (sorry for the TMI) it's a bit of a strain to get it out and it isn't very much. I'm a little surprised because I'm drinking so many fluids that I assumed I'd be having even more frequent, soft/liquid stools (like diarrhea). How about you guys that are on the clear liquid diet (broth, Protein shakes, Jello, SF popsicles) diet like me? Are you experimenting irregularity compared to your own diet? Are u taking any kind of laxatives or stool softeners? I'm debating if I should call my nutritionist or wait it out.

I am three weeks out and on soft foods. I am struggling to get my Proteins in and get nauseated and vomit about 1/3 of the time after I eat. Sorry for the TMI, but it rarely contains a lot of the (little) food I have eaten, but I am just so sick and feel so bad. Is this normal? Also, after I eat, I feel myself getting hot. Am I the only one experiencing this? Should I call my doctor?

SEX No port does not get in the way during sex, trust me it is the last thing I am thinking about. In terms of the scar, I have a long standing booty friend (I am talking 10 years) I just told him it was from a hiatal hernia repair. This partly true, since the doc did a hiatal hernia repair at the same time. TMI - I recently got a full brazilian wax, needless to say, I dont think the scar (or my hysterectomy scar) were noticed!!

Hello All! And congratulations on our anniversary month! Please be warned in advance that my post is about some "bathroom topics" so feel free to stop reading if your easily grossed out. I was aware that constipation was a likely issue for "sleevers," but I have had the exact opposite problem -- and frankly -- have not had a normal bowel movement since the surgery. I'm very, very careful about sugars and fats, and I've eliminated lactose from my diet all together because of the horrible reaction. Yet I'm still in the bathroom multiple times a day with water-based diarrhea. Food and certain medications come out in the bowl as though they were not digested at all! What is going on in my stomach?! GI says it's IBS (apparently IBS is the new black!) and that I should take a fiber supplement. I can't live like this! I'm at "goal." I was a band to sleeve convert. I'm nearly 5'10" and currently 126 lbs., and wasting (no pun intended) away each day. This condition is affecting my work, personal life, fitness routine, etc. I'm so exhausted all the time, and the physicians that I've seen seem to write me off because the choice that I made to have the sleeve. Any information, similar symptomology, or guidance you all could offer would be most appreciated. Many thanks and wishing you the best!