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Well, I am 8 days post op and I am a bundle of mixed feelings. I am still somewhat sore, but not bad. Getting up and down are the worst part. Or yawning and sneezing. But sometimes I have been having a terrible sharp pain, like a stitch, in my side and my shoulder. It hurts so bad. Then I have to use the Vicodin. But it is happening less and less, which is really good. I am having a very hard time telling what the heck is going on in my stomach. Is it gas? Am I hungry? Am I full? What the hell? Right now, I can drink fluids pretty much as much as I want and not feel full. It seems like it is just sliding right through. Which is all right - I'm not really hungry. I eat more on a schedule because I know it is time to eat more or have more fluids or whatever. But when I DO eat or drink, I have no idea what full is yet. Which worries me a little. I have moved on to full liquids which is wonderful. I am so happy. I love Cream of Mushroom soup anyway, so this is really good. I was going to scream if I had to eat one more bowl of broth. But I have realized that soup, even the thicker cream of mushroom soup, is really just another liquid, which means I can eat the entire can of soup in one sitting and not feel full or anything. I don't know.... I am hoping that as I eat more solid things, and as I heal more, it will all become obvious. TMI for many people - but something that might be important for many .... I think I am getting a yeast infection. It is the beginning stages and it may resolve itself which is what I am hoping for. I think it is a result of the antibiotics that I got in the hospital. Just one more bag of fun to add to the bag. I am having issues of being tired but not really, but wanting to nap but not really. I am really tired right now. It seems to come and go in waves. And sometimes by the time I am able to finish up what I am doing and actually take one, I am not tired anymore. Then later I have a wave of tired again and I wish I had taken a nap earlier! But I am also restless, so even when I am tired and want to take a nap, I often can't quite settle enough to really sleep and all. I don't know what my problem is! I'm sure it is a matter of calories (eating so little means little calories means less energy) and just recovering from the surgery. I am feeling pretty good and I think I am often suffering from completely unrealistic expectations of how I should be feeling and what I should be able to do by now. I can't wait until I am further out and eating more normally, feeling more normally and able to do the things that I normally do. I especially hate the lack of cuddle time! I cuddle with my two kids and husband all the time. Hugs, snuggles, couch cuddle time, everything - I am one who lets the kids climb all over me and love every minute of it. So this is hard right now and I feel a little isolated at times. I let Molly lie on top of my side against the couch, so she wasn't on the incisions or anything and she almost fell asleep there and it was nirvana. :frown: SIGH.....

Constipation sucks. I think I need to add prunes to my daily diet. TMI?

I have been loving this running so much... but have a question to ask. This is probably TMI (too much info), but thought I'd ask for advice here... Before being banded, and +70 lbs ago, I had mild "stress incontinence". I'd have to cross my legs when I sneezed . That went away quite awhile ago, and I haven't had a "leak" in months. This last week it has come back, but different. Now my bladder never seems to empty... I'm going so frequently I mise well stay there, but only a little bit each time. Then I "leak" frequently throughout the day and night. I started to wear a pad just to stay dry. Could this be caused by the running? Should I go get this checked out? Anyone else heard of this?

I really have no place to ask this, I'm super embarassed, and have been on webmd all night, and I feel so weird! First off, I'm 24, and in the testing stages before lapband. For a while, I've always had that "need to pee NOW" issue. A few times, I've accidently slightly peed my pants on the way to the bathroom, before I could get my pants down. Now tonight for the first time since I was say, maybe 4, I peed my pants, like, totally. Thank God I was outside and no one saw it. I've had some tiny pain in my lower abdomen, but I have IBS and I've had ovarian cysts my whole life, and I've kind of gotten used to it. I'm going to be calling my doc on Monday and trying to get in right away, but I just feel totally ashamed, astonished, and embarased. I'm only 24, I would think, ok maybe if I've had a baby, thats expected, maybe if I was much older, than its ok, but I'm 24?? I just was wondering if there is anyone on here who has ever had the issue or has any advice, I just don't have anywhere to ask this because I'm so embarrased! Thanks for listening!

Thanks for the replies.. I was pretty confident that it would be okay because I was pre-approved medical wise, but I'm so siked for this now after months of thinking about it I don't want any brick walls. Its good to hear that some of the symptoms go away.. Being constipated is horrifying for me after going the other way for so long,, stool softeners are a must... TMI huh?? lol, there isn't much you don't discuss openly when it comes to this huh? I don't think I have ever shared my weight with people as much as I have in the past month.. I even braved adding a ticker,, now hopefully it will start moving huh? I have been on a salad bender for about two months, now eating lots of yogurt and fruit trying to prepare myself for the new eating habits.. I haven't had IBS symptoms since I started, and the reflux is getting better also, and I have been sleeping better too!! I hope my motivation continues and the hunger or urge to eat goes away!

When it happened to me it was mostly mucus and saliva. This happenes because there is no where for these fluids to go. If your band is to tight nothing can get through. The same if something gets stuck, which is what happened to me. I was the victim of a stubborn Vitamin and puked for 2 hours. You will know when you are to tight or if something is stuck just by the way your saliva or anything else feels when it tries goes down. I am not sure about anyone else, but it wasn't projectile for me. I know, TMI, but different things happen to different people. You will also find that the same things happen to different people. We share symptoms. That is one of the many great things about this site. You will hear lots of advice from everyone and get terrific support as well. Good luck!

Becky your food intake for the day sounds good and nothing wrong with fruit and veggies I consider them all most free food - especially veggies even corn - I know all the diets say to stay away from corn and carrots but heck 1/2 cup of them is better than 1/2 of tatos or Pasta or rice and not as many calories.. If you are hungry eat extra veggies - I have always done that - and for me it works - I also eat those 100 calorie packs of popcorn at night when I need that munch factor.. Also, Becky you have to eat to lose - we equate no eating to losing weight but really you just have to eat healthy (you get more food when you take out all the fats & sugars)... Me personally I have to be able to eat 1 to 1 1/2 cup for dinner - I would die on half a cup of food per meal.. As far as your restriction with your 1st fill - it will depend on how aggressive your doc it - mine is - but my 1st fill only lasted about 2 or 3 weeks and I had to go back for another one. but that 2nd one was my sweet spot.. Tmi subject I had the runs for the first few weeks after surgery - I finally took some imodiom and it stopped.. Lori the hair loss issue - My hair dresser says its the lack of fat in our diets that causes the hair loss - and I seem to beleive her - I have a gf who did just medifast and lost her hair - she got plenty of protein and no surgery so we can't blame that - but when I ask her about the fat issue she said yes she cut it out almost entirely... Keep healthy fats in your diet - I did and was lucky not to lose any... Thankfully cuz I have fine hair to begin with - really can't stand to lose any... I have some chewable calicum that I really like it's not the citrate kind but it's still calcuim - and someone said that their doc said that really it's the bypass pple who need the citracte - I'm not a doc so don't take my word for it and never take my word over your doc -but I am the kind of person who does what works for them.. My biggest problem is with the chewable multi vitimans - I don't care for them and I need to take them more often cuz I a bruising...

THANKS!! I just pb'd AGAIN!! I did fine with breakfast... my usual omelet. No problem with lunch... went out for Mexican with DD & SIL. I had this kind of a stir fry thing with lots of onion, mushroom, green & yellow peppers, shrimp and some rice & cheese. They gave me corn tortillas, but I just ate a piece of a small one. I ate half of my lunch & brought the rest home for tomorrow. Tonight, DH BBQ salmon & gave me 3 oz w/steamed veggies... broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, squash. I mashed everything up good & even mashed the salmon with some fat free miracle whip & catsup... I know, sounds gross. My DIL got me started on that with fish. Anyway, I only ate a few bites before I got that familiar pain and discomfort. Thought I was going to die. Slimed a bit and some of the stuff came back up. Not much, but just enough to relieve the discomfort!! SORRY>>>>TMI!!! Feel better now, but still feel kind of stuck. Never did get my celebratory wine! Can't drink anything now for a while! There is STUFF in my suitcase now. In fact, my train bag is almost done. Just need a change of clothes. And DH found the other bigger suitcase that he wanted. Ohhhhh, that baby EXPANDS!! Nice!! There's me & Steph on our way to the hotel! Where's DH?? Maybe he's sitting with the driver, rolling his eyes! :ohmy::biggrin::blushing::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::sneaky::biggrin::biggrin::wink::biggrin::wink:

Warning: this may be TMI! BUT I don't know who else to share it with! So... this morning at church I feel a little strange, I hop into the bathroom and lo and behold, I'm spotting! I grab the tampon that's been in my purse for about a year and a half since my last period. It's really dark and very very light. Normally, I'm very heavy... so I'm thinking this is just day one. I am just so excited! I've been so heavy and haven't had a "natural" period since 2001ish. I went off birth control about a year and a half ago. I'm just so excited! I came back from the bathroom at church and wanted to tell someone, but figured that was definately an inappropriate topic for church. lol. I guess I'm just so thrilled because being banded was the first step to getting pregnant... getting my period is definately the second step. Now to lose all the weight and begin the baby factory! :thumbup: I told my husband, but I don't think he really understood the thrill. He actually said "Man, that takes out 25% of the year for sex." Men....

Hola Banditos! Well, I'm finally back home in California, and I'm glad to be with my DH. Surgery on the 16th went well, but I get tired easily, especially in the late afternoon. I was glad I had time to recover with my relatives in CO before coming home because I think that made a huge difference. Thank you to everyone who sent me good wishes and congrats! (Mini, Lap, Munchkin, PrtyAntOvrYt, and Green... gosh, I hope I didn't miss anyone!) I wanted to read more on this site the last few days, but I had spotty Internet access while at my cousin's house. Bella, contrats on getting banded! Adorkable, what a wonderful huge difference I see in you! Also, I'm so sorry to hear about the gall bladder, but hopefully you will be and feel better when they take care of it. I was glad I got to kind of touch base with Lotza at Dr. K's office for our preop appts and in the recovery room. I know I don't really know her, but it somehow made me feel a little bit better "knowing" someone who was going through the exact same experience as me right *there*. I hope you are healing well, Lotza! I'm having a hard time getting in all my liquids because I feel a teeny bit of pressure/fullness. Or maybe it's the normal amount and I'm just being overly scared. But I guess better safe than sorry. Now that I'm home I bought protein bullets and Isopure protein drinks to help me get in more protein for the time being. TMI alert!! I also have a LOT of gas going through my intestines, etc. Egads, what's up with that? Is it because I ate almost nothing for a day (and ate low carb before that) and now I'm having sugar water (in the form of juice and popsicles)? Inquiring minds wanna know! Actually, what I would really love is for some omnipotent being to explain to me what each of the different feelings are in my body and whether or not they're normal, abnormal, etc. "This is due to the blah blah blah..." I know I'll eventually be able to interpret my own body eventually, but I wanted to be 100% sure NOW, ya know? Ah well, I guess a little patience never hurt anyone. And now... to bed. My OWN bed (well, with DH in it, too!). Glory be.

Hi I recall not being able to get as much fluids as recommended in the early days. Just keep sipping as frequently as possible. This may be TMI, but, check the color of your urine - if dark, then you must get in more! If normal amounts/light color, you're probably doing OK, especially if you're taking it easy and staying in cool areas. Everybody has a different Fluid need, and I am NOT a big drinker. But, especially in warm weather, you do need to watch how you feel. (Such as getting light-headed, weak.) Some medications can make people prone to dehydration/heat exhaustion, so just be careful in hot weather! Good luck - gradually you will be able to tolerate more as you heal.

I had my Upper GI yesterday. Boy oh boy do I wish I had done the endoscopy instead! The liquid chalk wasn't too bad going down and the xrays only took about five minutes. It's the chalk coming back out that's the problem. I had a belly ache all yesterday. I drank lots of water as suggested but that chalk sat in my gut like a painful bowling ball. Today it's been nothing but gas and going to the bathroom. I am so glad I am on summer vacation from work because my co-workers wouldn't be enjoying my constant gas and going to the bathroom. I aide an autistic child on a school bus and there's certainly no bathroom on a bus. Sorry if this is TMI. Lisa

Fair question... I was banded in May, and have yet to have adequate restriction, but (TMI) I have done that several times with my DH, and no problems! I say if you can swallow a gulp of water, you can swallow a gulp of ...ahem...

I had Pasta today. I didn't feel v. full or ill but I have worked hard to avoid wheat flour and other bad carbs and I did up right today. A piece of cookie cake in the afternoon. It was a really nice woman from work's b-day and another woman made an Italian feast. I normally don't like Italian but it was good. On the bright side I did get enough Protein with two turkey meatballs and some shrimp. I also avoided the alfredo sauce (easy because I don't like it) and the bread (easy because I was afraid it would get stuck). Somebody was taking pictures and it wasn't a very full plate of all, I was just a little dissapointed with myself. But on the other hand I didn't eat myself sick or go back for seconds. But the sad thing is if I was going to eat pasta I would have just preferred some plain old macaroni with a bit of butter. Ahhhh the fat girls comfort food - am I alone sisters? Somehow I doubt it! If nothing else I am feeling more satisfied with my meals and the hunger is tolerable versus the pre-band painful hunger. Long may it last. OK and one last little whine. I am feeling like major crap. The company who we have our insurance through makes us use crappy Medco for meds we take longer than three months. I send my order in last Monday but it didn't get shipped til Saturday so I ran out of my Cymbalta. Now I don't take it and not need it! I am already feeling crappy and on the verge of tears. I am praying it arrives tomorrow. Off to take some benadryl or something to get a nice sound sleep. I am super irritable. Cathy - you are lucky to not still be zombified. With the CPAP I am still sleepy. Without it, forget it, I feel sick the next day. PLEASE GOD we get off them soon. It is so hard to feel sexy wearing that thing and never mind spontaneous sex, I miss spontaneous napping. Sleep apnea was the final straw in realizing what a mess I'd become and needed this surgery. Also I get puffy when I eat carbs it seems. Been eating anything different. My ankles were puffy today after the pasta. Going to see my GP tomorrow. Wish me luck! Hopefully I will get some good news from her since my scale is wonky and I am not sure how much weight I have lost. Oh and here is a TMI NSV I have to share.:embaressed_smile: I am wearing a sort of silky short sleeve dress shirt. I had pretty much quit wearing it because I just sweated too much in it and would have sweat marks in my arm pits no matter how much anti-p I put on. Well ladies, no sweaty pits for me today :huh2: Sorry if I grossed you out but I can't be the only here with a similar problem, especially amongst us Texas folks in the summer time.

hey! i'm getting banded on july 24th, day 4 of my pre op low carb diet...dude, its TMI but i've been peeing like crazy! please oh please tell me thats good! i went into lane bryant today to make a payment...usually when i pay $50 on my card, i charge up $200 in the same visit:biggrin:...not today my friends, i'm like psssh if i buy something today it wont fit in a month! oh yeah...i'm optimistic!

Last nite hubby and I had take out Chinese. Shrimp fried rice and some chicken. No problem, it was yummy. Today I heated up some leftovers for lunch. Whoa, big problem with the rice! I now know what stuck is and I know what sliming is. Gross!!! I haven't had problems with any foods since being banded 5/5/08 and I've lost over 33 pounds with 2 fills. Why in the world would the food go down OK one day and not the next? Is this normal? As I was standing over the kitchen sink sliming (I know TMI), my dogs were just looking at me wondering what I was doing. Don't think I'll be trying that again for awhile.:party:

So...umm....WAY TMI!! Be forewarned!! questions about Flagyl! Important Poop Question from a Post Op...Help.

good afternoon ladies. Just a quick check in since I needed a lbt fix. I fixed my curtains for my bathroom. The tiler is coming Monday so that maybe by Tuesday I can have my bathroom back... or at least my shower. I can't wait to have it all done. I'm trying really hard not to go to the store and buy new stuff for it until Monday when I go to Minot. Janet!!! How awesome you are! That is absolutely amazing. To think you went to the gym more than you didn't go to the gym. And you didn't even have a trainer for most of the year to keep you accountable. Just yourself. How great you are!! You will be in great shape when you get ready to do your ps too. DH is talking more and more seriously about banding. He called the new insurance lady to find out about whether the new insurance would cover it or if we wanted to cobra the old insurance. Then he said something about how exciting bed would be when he is skinny too. Okay...tmi I'm sure....but he's really getting there!!!! Well...I better go get something accomplished. I've only had one bottle of tea today so I need to get on the ball there. I hope you all are drinking like you're supposed to. Talk to you later ladies.

Hey gang what's up... I am beat wasn't going to get on the computer at all tonight - I am just too tired to think - but on QVC (listening Steph & Denise) phyilosoplhy is the TSV and they had a body spray (it's not todays spec value but I love the scent) - pure grace (ivory soap smell) that I had to order before it sold out and gs was on the phone - so as usual email pops up first had to ck that out - GREAT NSV for Candice on her Bandanniversay !!! Then had to come here and say Hi and see what went on today (was super busy at work :smile2:) Oh ya I HAD A FANTASTIC DINNER.... I am fricking super stuffed really didn't need the last 3 bite but it tasted so damn good (yes steph I wish I could be more like my daughter too) Well here it is - I know you all want to know what was fantastic Lean Cuisine Fettuccine Alfredo - ok ya not exciting - well I added 4 cut up scallops to it that I had sautéed in a little evoo & butter & garlic - OMG IT WAS SO FANTASTIC.... The lean cuisine is 270 cal - scallops 100 -= 370 calories (well really most likely 400 with the little bit of oil that stuck to the scallops as I spooned them our - but I am not technical - I count it as 370) and like I said I should have quit before I did but I just couldn't - it was so fantastic - total comfort food - I thought I went to heaven and died - an Italian restaurant couldn't have been better. As you can see I still love food.... :thumbup: Soy nut for bf 130 - Salad for Lunch 250 - snack popcorn 200 (large bag) dinner 370 - 950 today and I am stuffed - and No I did terrible on my water - maybe one bottle - and will have some before bed. Ok for those who have the tmi #2 problems - I have some chewable caltrate 600 D plus calcium supplements (I know they aren't citrate but I figure I am getting some calcium from these - I do have the citrates but forget to take them in the mornings ) anyway - I have been taking them before (2) bed every night (they taste good I wish the chewable vit tasted as good)- well in the morning I have not been having any problems - were as before I was only going every 2 or 3 days...:cool: Ok this is why I didn't get on the computer when I got home - i get on here and end up 2 hrs are gone - My eyes are tired - so I am headed back to the couch and to bed in a few - so will talk to you all tomorrow.. Sweet Dreams... xoxoxo Janet

Isnt it awsome to feel comfortable enough to go out on a date again. And In my opinion...I think having more then one with different people is awsome that means I am not settling for that jerk that just wanted sex. lol Granted I miss sex but geesh after 4 1/2 years I can wait a little longer...TMI right? sorry But still I want to meet someone I like...and likes me, and go from there. :biggrin2: Oh and I would LOVE to show off the picture of the guy I have a date with this weekend. HOT HOT HOT:drool:

Great Responses everyone! I am still a newbie but I did have my first bought of...TMI....hard constipated bowls...so I am using a stool softener quite a bit right now....OUCH! I am definitely getting my Water.... Keep posting all!

LateBloomer! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. I thought it was honest and entertaining. I think one of the great things about this site is that we get to read everyone's experiences before, during, and after the band. I just had my psych eval and nutrition visit today--surgeon appointment on the 15th, and God willing, I could have surgery in a few weeks. I have been reading everything I can, copying and pasting notes and lists of things to buy, and loving the whole thrilling process. I appreciate all posts, especially yours. The funny thing is when you talked about your period. I wondered the same thing and you answered the question for me. Many people would consider that TMI, but not me! LOL! I loved your post! Right up my alley, baby!

That we have different opinions, different ideas, but I love this support group because we always express these different ideas in such a respectful manner. That being said. I didn't have a preop diet, and because of that I always forget that people who lost 75 lbs might not have lost it since Feb. and I think. Damn it, whats wrong with MY band. But at the same time, Good for them to be able to lose ANYTHING without being banded. Jaime, Crystal, and all my other VV you are doing amazing. I might be a slower loser, but that gives me the oppurtunity to be inspired by all of you. Thank you so much for continuing to come and post, to speak. I love you guys. I gotta stop typing. I want to cry. I must be about to start my peroid. TMI? I don't care.

I just want to agree with kgloverii, the constipation i was not expecting! Constantly I am struggling with this. I eat plenty of fresh veggies, but apparently not enough Water. DRINK YOUR WATER! I already knew how important water is, before i was banded any day that i did not have enough water my fingers would swell, i could tell right away. But now, it is hard for me to get enough water to keep myself regular. (probably TMI, sorry)

I am going to give it a few more days before I eigh to see if I have lost cause it is TOM and I feel so bloated... TMI, I know....