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Hey sleevers, (some TMI) My surgery was the 28th (Tuesday) and I have been so miserable. All I want to do is sleep... I force myself up to walk around the room every hour or two and take deep breaths, half the time using the spirometer. seems like everything makes me throw up even though I am on zofran, I started using the subpositories and it works better... Just had a Popsicle, it was so nice to have a non-nasty taste in my mouth for once and know I'm getting some liquids at the same time. I do have problems with taking all of my meds and vitamins without throwing them back up.. I still have "foam" in my mouth and when I throw up, it's just more foam. Anyway, I just wanted to see if it is a normal thing for us to feel so miserable the first few days or weeks? Thank you! Ps: if this didn't all make sense i blame the drugs!

I’ve not updated but just got around to checking my tablet and emails. I’m here for eight days. But I trust if the doctor didn’t think I was ready he would postpone. He is going to follow up via video to monitor my incisions. But he he a stickler for perfection and I trust him with my life. I live closer to Miami but costs were a challenge. I chose the Hospital BC in Mexico. From surgery in Miami? Seems strange to me. I had my issues due to my medical circumstances. But the doctor has been nothing short of excellent. I know it’s naviating something i have never done. But Hospital BC has a certificate of excellence, is the only American own hospital in Tijuana Mexico. The nurses and staff have worked hard. As has the doctor. Dr.Ampulia went above and beyond to ensure things went well. Despite my physical challenges. my surgery was Monday after 3pm he wanted to ensure I was ready and well for the procedures.mit was a very long surgery. I only remember getting into my room after midnight. I was a bit sick from anesthesia but I’m very susceptible to that. The next day I didn’t follow the normal process. So I was bedbound until this morning. Which my doctor knew my issues and what a struggle this was for me to come this far.and and to be this trusting. I gave permission to share my before and after photos. Which I never thought I’d do. But it felt important. They do bariatric surgery as well as plastics for bariatric patients. I had a exhausting day but the staff work so hard. I got on my feet which is hard doing the hunch walk. Got showered and into Faja. I get a daily lymphatic massage post op until I leave. As for navigating certain things while wearing Faja if anyone has tips please feel free to share 🤣 sorry if it’s TMI but how do you poop with this on? Iive got a body suit type garment short legs, bottom up to under bust with shoulder straps. I felt bad for the lady struggling to get it on me. It’s got a kind of cutout but it doesn’t seem sanitary and isn’t open enough, maybe needs readjustment? I didn’t think of everything ... you can’t really. You just know that you pick a place you trust. I do worry about traveling home but they say I’ll adjust as time goes on. i do wonder what the time frame is. From people that have had it for standing more upright, I’m a little worried navigating the airport and trip home. But still have until Sunday but it’s a very early morning flight. and yes I’m alive. Just need to keep changing positions and try to get up to walk when I can.

Mona: What a way to spend the holidays! I'm glad you're on the mend. LA: It's totally awesome that your mom's helping with the surgery! My parents (who are loaded), cry poor all the time and that they just can't help! I know mom's not too supportive over the whole surgery thing because she's had complications with a hernia surgery and thought that I would too...she also this that I'll fail at this too...since she wasn't able to keep off the Adkins lbs. she lost...we're clones you see. OK - TMI coming up, but need help. Got my tubes tied with my last kid and since then I have two added problems: I crave chocolate a week before my period (I don't normally like the stuff) and my blood flow is more than it's ever been. So, after sleeping through this past week I realized last night that I'm low on iron! No wonder since I can't eat meat and usually I just have a steak or two during "that week" and that keeps me going. Any suggestions on getting my iron up? I'd like to start working out, but can't get out of bed! Ahhhh! It's getting cold here...almost zero today...thank heavens we have a Rec Center!

Sorry for the novel folks, but maybe before getting to tips and tricks, let's talk a bit about what causes plateaus: First, the most common reason for any stall, including the dreaded 3-week stall is simply that you are retaining more water. There are a few reasons this happens, but around the 3-week mark it comes down to the fact that your body is adjusting to a low carb intake after converting from glycogen to ketones for energy. More water is needed to burn glycogen, so you were retaining more water pre-surgery than you are now that you're using primarily ketones for energy. At about the 3-week mark, your body eventually recognizes that the water loss is long term, so other mechanisms have started kicking in to start holding on to more water. This water loss due to the change between glycogen and ketones is the primary reason for "keto flu", and something that increases your risk of dehydration early after surgery. The other "reasons" for plateaus really don't apply as much at the 3 week mark, but will become more important later in the process. Let's cover those too though so you're prepared: As you lose more weight, your overall metabolic rate will slow down. People sometimes think fat is not metabolically active, but that's not true. Less fat means your metabolism slows down, even if you retain the same amount of muscle. As you lose weight, it takes less effort to move, so the amount of calories you burn from activity also drops quite a bit. As you progress, you'll be able to eat more and especially if you're not tracking intake closely by weighing and measuring your food, you can easily be eating a lot more than you think. This one may be TMI for some, but you may simply be retaining more stool. This is going to be hard for some people to hear, but I can tell you one thing it's not, and that's hormones. Yes, various hormonal processes negatively impact weight loss in a myriad of ways, but they don't overcome basic physics: if you eat less than you are burning, you'll lose weight. What these hormones can do if they're out of whack, is not good things like slowing your metabolism, increasing your hunger, screwing with water weight, or even fooling you into thinking you're eating less than you are. So, with all that sciency stuff out of the way, what do we actually do if we're in a stall? Well, I think it depends on when it happens and how long it lasts: If it's early (a.k.a. the 3-week stall), just keep doing what you're doing and you should be fine. I know people don't like that advice, but as I said, it's just water, so don't worry about it. Later on, especially if the stall is lasting longer than 2-3 weeks. that's when I think it's important that you look closely at what you are actually burning, as well as really tracking what you are eating. If you don't know your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), you should. The closer you are to goal, the harder it is to get the balance right between intake and output to make sure you're not eating too much, so fixing this starts with knowing your BMR and accurate food logging. There's a lot of anecdotal advice thrown around about "ways to break a stall", but there seems to be little scientific evidence for any of it. Most of it certainly won't hurt to try, e.g. breaking up your routine in terms of diet or exercise, but just understand that this change may or may not have had any impact. If it makes you feel better to be proactive, go for it. Longer term, there is one piece of solid advice that's backed up by lots of research: Even if you don't really like working out, do it anyway. Those WLS patients that make a regular habit of exercising for 45 minutes to an hour most days a week are significantly more likely to reach their goal and maintain the weight loss. (One caveat here: significantly changing your exercise routine can make you retain water and possibly even add muscle, so don't freak out if you see a stall or even a gain.) I'll take that exercise advice one step further and say you really should be doing some form of strength training. This is also backed up by lots of studies, but the great thing about strength training is that it makes your burn more calories even at rest (in other words, it increases your metabolic rate). There are lots of other benefits, but the metabolic benefit is the most germaine to the stall question. Those that do strength training are less likely to stall during weight loss.

ooooh Haydee... I like your new avatar! You are so gorgeous!!! Well, the vet is here... she took Mo out to the van... then she came back to get permission to sedate him, as he is impacted "up past the bend in his colon". Lovely. Poor guy. I can tell that she REALLY thinks we should stick w/Mo... & we are for now... she says there's 1 more drug we can give him... + we (& when I say "we", you know I mean "me", right?) will give him weekly enemas, see how he's doing, then move to every other week, then every 3 weeks... w/the hope that it'll taper off... so we'll see... all I know is that if he gets to this point again, the outcome very well may be a "final" one for him... :confused: Sorry to go on about this... you all are great to humor me w/using this forum to vent about this... I know this is WAY tmi for some of you... you all are vooderbah!

*TMI* WARNING *TMI* I didn't know about the serve constipation. I've been struggling so bad trying to pass this lumpy stool. NOTHING seems to be working, had to leave work early. I'm in sooooo much pain. I'm in the 2nd week of my 2 weeks pre-op liquid diet. Do anyone have any suggestions? I might not survive this.

I will I weigh in on Thursdays. I fully expect to still be a slow loser even with weight watchers but I'm confident that this may be what I was missing all along on my journey. I haven't told my leader about wls and don't plan to. She seems very open minded but I don't think it's any of their business. I do plan on signing up for the "monthly pass" since I'm basically paying the same with the week to week or pay as you go plan. Since I lost almost 3 pounds my first week, I'm not expecting a big loss this week and wouldn't be surprised if I maintained. Also it's that TOM :/ (sorry TMI) but I've still counted every point and haven't gone over my weekly points.

@@bhartwig glad you are enjoying coming to this board and seeing many interesting stories, questions you will learn popular things about pre-op and post op questions ,advice concerning gas, contstipation, poop, diaarrhea, and the ever popular vomitting hope this isn't TMI - cuz that doesn't exist on this board oh - lots of talking about sex too see what you have to look forward oh, one more thing you have to look forward to..... improved health, happiness an a longer life have fun jumping through the hoops with insurance good luck with surgery speedy recovery kathy WELCOME NEWBIE

I wanted to share a note about weight gain during the surgery. As a few posted before, the fluid from surgery makes you GAIN weight when you get it, so don't be sad or look at the scale for a while! I knew I would gain fluid, also since I missed a few doses of diuretic meds during/after the surgery. I gained TWELVE POUNDS when I got home- and this is after almost no calories for two days! So far I have lost two of those pounds (TMI- peed them right out, ha ha). It will take some time for the rest of the liquid to go away- I can feel a lot of it in my gut, etc. Even more TMI- my main incision (I have five- the big one is right above my bellybutton) is definitely worse than the others, and last night there was a lot of bloody drainage out of it. Hopefully this is normal, and it seems to have calmed down. Not fun cleaning that off the floor through :rolleyes2: I'm sure this happens to a lot of other people, so I think we should just not look at that scale (or realize it's all fluids!). I have to say I think I have more pain than some others on here, along with a killer headache- I think maybe it's just the different ways we are affected by surgery, and how much they have to dig in there to do the surgery. I have to take two vicodin every four hours just to manage. I found that instead of grinding them and putting them into a spoonful of yogurt, it actually tasted way less bad to just chew them a bit and swallow with water. It is lovely here in MI today so I walked outside, slowly, for half a mile. Being outside was a relief! I hope the rest of you are doing well!

I spent this week thinking "wth did I do to myself?" I have been in pain, from incisions, gas, throat,and back. When one cleared up a little, the others hit with a vengence. BUT... Tuesday was surgery, and today is Saturday. I am better, can move better with just a little soreness, and not crying at every step or turn. This might be TMI, but try to get the gas out the back end. You shouldn't be able to burp yet, and it needs to get out to make you feel better.

Hope it’s not tmi, if so, I’m sorry. My surgeon only prescribed me the lovenox because I have a birth control implant so the hormones make me more prone to clotting I had a hysterectomy and have to take estrogen vaginally (sorry, TMI!). I wonder if I will have to do the same?

Sounds perfect, Sheribear! There is no single correct path, and each of us has to find what works for us (as long as it's not a hot fudge sundae). I went to the gym this afternoon for the first time since surgery. I think I was feeling guilty after admitting to Marine yesterday that I basically don't exercise. I did 50 minutes at 3.5 miles per hour, which is basically a brisk walk--and I was totally spent. But I felt so virtuous afterwards! More fun this evening. I had some white meat chicken and a sugar-free popsicle after getting home from the gym, both of which I've eaten many times before without any problem. About 90 minutes later I was overcome with an overwhelming wave of nausea, the worst I've had since surgery. I ran to the bathroom thinking I was going to vomit, but I just coughed and spit into the toilet multiple times (sorry if that's TMI). It's now an hour later. I took anti-nausea medication 30 minute ago and am waiting for it to take effect, but I'm still feeling pretty shaky. Just when we think we have this thing under control, there's another curve ball. In spite of it all, I've lost a mind-blowing 48 pounds since surgery.

I hear you on the back pain! I've already got arthritis in my spine and a pinched nerve in the neck. My knees were starting to hurt too so that was when I decided I had to get serious and scheduled the gastric bypass. Knees are all better, my the pain in my back and neck are ever present. I have wanted a breast reduction for a long time but am now waiting to get to my goal weight before I go to a surgeon for an opinion. I must say I do not like the way the girls feel---gravity is getting meaner and meaner.... I now this is TMI, but I literally feel them pulling my shoulders down more than ever, leaving me with horrific posture and more neck pain. What is the epidural all about? I have not heard of that for back pain before.

I had a hysterectomy and have to take estrogen vaginally (sorry, TMI!). I wonder if I will have to do the same? You can always call your surgeon/surgeon’s office up and ask about it. Nothing wrong with finding out if it’s a possibility. Safety first right?

Hope it’s not tmi, if so, I’m sorry. My surgeon only prescribed me the lovenox because I have a birth control implant so the hormones make me more prone to clotting

Ahhhhhhhhhh.....it really feels like spring here, FINALLY! There is still one big clump of black, ugly snow in the front yard......but I suspect it will be gone by Monday! Did a lot of walking today....went to the grocery store....UGH....forgetting that Saturday is sample day AND root beer float day....the Special Olympics sells floats on Saturdays to raise money...hell, they'll probably go broke now! NOT REALLY, I still gave them them $2.....but the kid just didn't get why I didn't want the float! Then took a quick walk to the corner and back.....the neighbor's horse should foal any time, I keep hoping to catch it! Daughter and I took a spin around Sephora, too.....the SECOND happiest place on earth..... Feeling really good, if I could shake the shoulder pain....I would be pain-free! The heating pad helps when I'm sitting down, though! TMI Time.......haven't pooped since Tuesday.....I don't feel really cramped or bloated...I guess it's just because there's nothing there!! Still feel fairly satisfied on my 1/2 c. cream Soup or cream of wheat in the am, so that's good! All in all, so far, so freaking good!

hey everyone!!!! sounds like most everyone is doing well and moving onto soft foods for the most part.....YAY Well i had a terrible day yesterday besides the fact that i have not lost any weight in a week..grr....and i was backed up so bad.....i hadnt pooped in like almost a week....grrrrr....and i think that had something to do with the no weightloss which is really starting to make me angry.... So yesterday i went to the mall with some friends..and we walked and i felt good and we went to the food court and i didnt eat anything just drank some Water and i felt so sick i got soooo nauseous....it was terrible the smells of the food court ugh...... anyway i got home and i ate some food thinking i was just hungry and NOOOOOO i felt worse.... SOOO last night....i went and got some milk of mag., prune juice, and some prunes (those ones those new ones) i took some of the milk of mag...drank some prune juice and took one of the prunes...and nothing...but this morning YAY i pooped it was the best feeling ever in the last week LOL and i have been having the runs all day (sorry TMI) lol i better get on the scale tomorrow and see the scale move down....if not i am going to be lost for words... Anyway....the weird part of this all is the last week after i eat sometimes i got really bad shoulder pain...and i asked my doc and some people on the forums...and that is my sign that i am full or overate...sooooo for those of you that are having some shoulder pain that might be what it is....today while eating dinner i started feeling a little shoulder pain..and i stopped eating and it went away....dunno just thought that might help some of you... Hope you all are doing well...lots of prayers to all of us to lose lots of weight and see that scale move... Much love! Frances

I can see a change in my face as well. Not quite as round as it was. I am down about 23 pounds since the beginning of my preop diet, Sept 1. That is a lot of weight to lose in one month!! I am having all kinds of NSVs. Back in jeans for the first time in forever. I had refused to buy any larger AGAIN after ridding myself of the 24s and above the last time I lost it. So I just had to wait to get back in my 22s that I outgrew this time last year. My shirts that were tight are beginning to get a bit too lose as well. I love this part of losing weight. Also, I am finding it easier to shower and can reach parts of myself that had needed assistance. I may just retire the back brush in a few more pounds. that may be TMI, but it is a real NSV in my book.

Lisa so glad you are doing well. I am doing pretty good too. Nothing major going on. Pain very manageable. Just trying to get liquids in and get the 2 ounce meals in (full liquid). Even started back on some vitamins yesterday. Passing gas a lot, need to poo though (TMI)

Welcome Kim! I added you as a friend! I hope all goes well for your surgery and weight loss. Megan, thanks for sharing your life with us. I want to say how sorry I am that you had to go thru the loss of a pregnancy. It's not an easy thing to get thru when you want children so badly. I will pray that this happens for you. Today my surgeon's office called to say I tested positive for the H-Pylori, so now I have to do a stool sample (TMI, I'm sorry) and if it is still positive then they will treat it with two weeks of antibiotics. Anyone else have this problem?

Tomorrow will be three weeks from my surgery. I went the other day from the milk of mag and it wasn't solid (sorry if TMI) now I feel life I have to go and it would be regular but it still hasn't happened yet. We shall see. I'm not really uncomfortable from it but I don't want any bad backups or anything

Phyl Hugs Hugs Hugs !!! Pain is a terrible thing and the meds do usually just put you to sleep (at least they do for me) me and vicidon don't get along - so I feel for you - it makes me sick to my stomach !!! How did the pt go !!! Darling there is nothing wrong with 54 !!! I'm 54 !!! headed for 55 !!! Now that's going to be a werid # - thinking about it is depressing and look you have a whole nother yr til you get there !!! Love the Pictures - you look the same !! Karla - The car is a replacement you have coverage (well most policies I would have to read yours) but it would be covered.. We won't talk about food yesterday had soapa (sp) pasta mex style... He woke up sick - didn't go - I went target at 8 then just laid around the house until we went to the MJ concert which SUCKED SUCKED SUCKED... We left early and so did a whole bunch of others Darling don't worry about the weight right now - you aren't eating and moving and are retaining all that water - ducolax is the best for the tmi subject.. Denise Hugs why are you pbing??? Liquids Steph - You are very stressed right now - I know it makes my band tight !!! Hugs and yes I get you on someone else being the bad guy.. Linda Belated Happy Bday to Cora - Sorry about your mom - I am reading Pat Conroy new book - your mom sound like one of the characters in the book - and xnun who got married.. A real piece of work... Ok gang just a pop in - As I said my concert sucked big time - didn't do anything thing put watched tv - Andrew and I did watch this movie - Wes Craven's House on the left - something like that - it was violent but ok.. I gotta jump in the shower - talk to you all later

Candice, thanks for you advice. I'm 39 and really don't think I'm ready to go through all this crap but then again, will I ever be? Oh well. If the flashes and sweats are worse than this pain I could lose my mind. I can hardly hold Jaimi anymore because of her elbows. As for the TMI issue, you didn't gross me out, but I also know that Jeff will not even consider it. He's funny that way Love him, but some things that gross him out are so weird. I keep telling him that THAT is when it would be the best but he won't hear of it. Oh well. There's more than one way to skin a cat...LOL I'm with you though, I hope no one else reads this thread I had a good enough dinner. Stuck on it though. I guess it's time to go back to liquids for a few days. Let everything settle again. I did break and lunch liquids hoping that would be enough but no go. I'd better run for now. I need to make the tortilla roll ups for tomorrow's game. I'm glad they will be there and not here because I have a feeling I could eat a whole plate. Later ladies. Have a great evening.

Good Morning, Ladies! So you're still getting snow, Candice! I'm sure they're still getting it in Buffalo, too. Janet... hugs on going back to work. Hope the pain is less today, Karla! Going to the pool... no energy, but going anyway. First time to the pool w/o the scooter. Haven't used it in days. It's really bothering Zoey!! LOL! She loves to ride in the golf cart, but she still wants to go in the scooter and keeps sticking her nose under the cover! Thing is, if I'm not in the pool/hot tub nearly every day, I start having serious skin problems. Showers apparently don't cut it. Very red sore rash under all the skin folds... sorry, TMI!! Smearing it with gel the Dr. gave me several times a day is not helping much this time. So... at least the hot tub today. Not much energy and still coughing up junk! I"m ready to be done with this crud! Hope you all have a great day! Missing Linda and others!! Where are you???

Morning ladies, Steph, have a safe drive to Billings! It will be okay. DD#2 is coming up tonight and we are moveing everything to storage. I am hoping the sellers of the house I'm buying will let me move the big stuff in, since we will be closing POSSIBLY next week when no one can help. I am going to offer them some $$ for the privilege and hopefully they will go for it. The Radon test came back high, so I am asking for a long term test with possible remediation if it comes back high. I'm beat and sore from working in the nursery. I haven't been doing anything heavy, just cleaning up 4 inch perenial pots. But it involves sitting on a 5 gal bucket and lots of bending over. Unless things start feeling better, I am going to have to go to the docs and see about a peccuary, not what I want, but if it ends the pain, it will be worth it. I'm sick of the pain and of not being able to urinate (yep TMI) I am going to have to take Friday off, I know my boss won't be thrilled, but I don't have any other options right now. Hopefully she will understand. Life has gotten so crazy. DD#4 didn't come home last night (at least she called), so I had her furry in bed with me, but he whines when she isn't around, so not much sleep. Once I get moved I'm going to take what time I have left for personal days, and get the house together and SLEEP. I'm tired. I know it seems like all I do is talk about me, sorry. Yesterday, I was really missing my dad. All these decisions to make without his advise AND I have NEVER moved without him and his horse trailer. I want him here. It seems so weird not to have him around. Most the time, I just don't think about it. but right now I want him. The other day when I talked to mom, I heard him. I know just my imagination. But I wish I could talke to him. He always had such good advice. Oh well, life goes on even when we don't want it tooo. I can't even think about going back to work right now. Only 9 weeks left. Well best get going, TTFN