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Oh man, what a topic! Well, when my husband and I met, I was 19 and a college cheerleader. I was heavy in Hs, and lost 60lbs in college getting to an all time low which was a size 8. My relationship with him started off completely just sexual (sorry TMI). I ended up pregnant 6 months later while on birth control. I wasn't in love with him, but we decided to parent anyway. It was rough, going from being "hook up partners" to a couple and parents. I gained over 80lhs that pregnancy because of depression. After I had my son, I gained about 20 more from severe post partum depression. We split up for a while, and I think I went back to him because it was easy. I knew he wanted me, even if he wasn't the best for me. Now, 4 years later, were married with another baby and we still have a rocky relationship. He's not unsupportive, but he's not terribly supportive either. He never tells me I'm pretty, or tells me that he notices my weight loss. But if I say "hey I lost 5lbs this week" all he will say is "good job" and leave it at that. He's a great provider financially, but a crappy husband and so-so father. We'll see what happens. As my self confidence has gone up, I've been more "ballsy" during fights and standing up for myself. Not sure if I even answered the post lol. Sorry I hijacked it!

Hi everyone! I just got banded the other day, 2/7/13. I'm very excited I got it done and I can't wait to start seeing results. My number one complaint right now is back, chest and shoulder pain from the CO2 gas. When should I expect this to go away? I don't really think the pain meds are helping much in regards with that pain, just with the incision pain. My husband has been rubbing ben gay on my back which actually helps a bit. Now sorry for the TMI, but I've starting passing gas early this morning. I've read alot about people taking gas x but it actually feels good, like I'm relieving some pressure. Should I be taking gas x? Thanks!

Oh, that last pound or two are the hardest. So close yet so far. I sat just off my goal for almost three weeks so I feel your pain. It’s like those numbers are just taunting you. Catwoman7 is also right. A real good bowel movement or a night peeing can see the scale drop a pound or so. (Sorry if tmi.) Try to look at your plateau as if your body is just sorting itself out & finding its new ... I so want to say its new normal but that phrase has been ruined forever. I know it’s easy to say that but it is sort of what’s happening. Your body is working out what it needs to function & maintain at a weight in relation to your calorie intake & activity level. It could just be your natural fluctuation around the weight your body is happy at. Mine fluctuates about 1kg (2.2lb) so similar to yours. Congratulations on your weight loss. It’s a wonderful achievement

I feel bloated I try everything nothing is working can I try this instead tonight I have been having pains both sides of my stomach I’m 2 months out from gastric sleeve surgery I’m 2 weeks out gallbladder removed surgery

My husband and I waited a whole...day? We dtd the day after I was sleeved, the day I was released from the hospital. I wouldn't recommend it so soon but I was fine with it in the right position. Sorry for tmi, but it is absolutely true that you can go for it whenever you're ready. We're still in the newlywed stage so abstaining the night in the hospital was difficult in itself, even considering how much pain I was in.

I know this is TMI but- I'm still pre op but have have the Brazilian done a couple times and yes it's embarrassing to have to told your tummy rolls, but just cause I'm fat doesn't mean I don't want it to be nice and clean for my man I have to much trouble trying to shave by myself lol ill take the 15-30 min of embarrassment

Here's a tag! Name the top 5 things you will not miss or will be glad to say "goodbye" to forever post op! Here's mine to start 1. The stares from people. Followed by the whispers. I can still hear you when I have literally just walked past u and u say to your friend "look how big/fat she is" 2. The sweating. I'm 25 years old...I am not anywhere near menopause but omg being overweight gives me a glimpse of what night sweats and hot flashes are gonna feel like. 3. The smell...I don't know how else to put it. But ever since I started gaining weight there's that smell that comes with being overweight...tmi perhaps but it's a foul odor from my folds..and especially under my breasts (im top heavy) 4. The disappointment at clothing stores. You know when you see something and you think of course that's gonna fit! But I'm gonna try it on anyways...and it's way too tight? Not gonna miss that! Or worse when ur too tired or annoyed to try it on at the store and u go home to try it and realize its too tight..go to return it and when the cashier says "was there something wrong with it?" and u say yeah it was too big/lose when the truth is it was the opposite but u were too ashamed to say. 5. Being out of breath after the smallest things - walking 10 stairs to the 2nd level of my house..are u kidding me? Then having to sit for 5 mins So I can catch my breath! Forget sports or running or just being able to run around with little kids..I can't even walk without feeling winded!!

1) It's a Friday. It's the 13th. Friday-the-13th's tend to lucky days for me. I have won three contests in my life - and they've all been on Friday-the-13th's. 2) FIVE more months? REALLY? Ok. Four months and three weeks. But I want to start NOW - not play games...but here I am. I guess four months and three weeks IS better than five months IS better than six months.... 3) How to eat post-band. How will it be different than now. I struggle to get my protein now, although becoming aware of this battle has helped. In the past two days I have been getting enough. I have approached Atkins in the past as eat whatever I want - protein like. But you can't sustain that for very long without causing other problems for your body, I believe. But what if I'm incredibly selective about the proteins I select? Instead of bacon, I pick salmon. Instead of cheese cubes, I eat broccoli dipped in hummus. Can my body sustain THOSE choices longer? I wonder. When I get banded, I am supposed to follow a high protein diet. Eat protein and then if you still can eat, then eat the veggies and then if you still can eat, then eat the carbs. Well. Out of seven days, I am supposed to avoid the carbs for six. On the seventh day, I can eat those carbs. It's my "cheat" day. If I pick a Sunday, though, to be my cheat day, then my cheat day should always fall on a Sunday. So hey, everyone, get your birthdays scheduled accordingly! Sorry, just a little blithe sarcasm, there. Anywho, say it takes me a year to lose my weight. For a whole year - I have not really eaten "normally". When I get into maintenance mode, then the band would presumably be loosened a smidge. Which should mean my caloric intake might be sufficient for actually getting to eat the carbs. Wouldn't that cause my body to say "here we go again, better start hoarding?" Now, Band_Groupie pointed out to me this morning that with restriction, by default, you essentially are doing an Atkins diet. You just quite simply can't eat enough food to get ALL the necessary protein AND ingest the carbs. Fair point. But as my weight decreases my necessary intake of protein will, too. This has me wondering and I will do more research. In esseance all of this came from - you guessed it - Band_Groupie's blog! It really got me to thinking when she was blogging about not wanting to diet. She’s been there done that – and this is a lifestyle change. I agree with that whole-heartedly. And that got me to thinking – so how is doing the Atkins AGAIN, even though with a band this time, not a diet? But. But But But But But. I can see why people would get into smoothies and shakes because although they are sliders – they also would be a way that you might actually be able to ingest the daily recommended protein and carbs (and all that other stuff that goes with them). I, like BG, do not want to be a smoothie/shake chick, either. With one exception. As is, right now, unbanded – and it’s been this way for years – I do drink smoothies in the morning. I will not stop that post-band. Lots of thoughts in this one little thought. Lots of research to do, too! Next… 4) I’m such a whiner. I don’t generally consider myself a whiner – but it sure is coming across that way when I reread my blog. I am sorry for that. With the insurance situation under check, I should be getting back to my non-whiny self. Sorry for the detour… 5) I am so glad I am done with all the Dr. appt’s. I have an appt with my cardiologist this afternoon. He had me do a stress test a couple weeks ago and stated I was cleared for surgery. Today is the formality of getting the written clearance that I can turn in. With this appt done, I literally only have the weigh in appt’s left. Two of those down – four to go… 6) Four appt’s to go sounds better than five months to go. I think I’ll switch to that song and dance…33% done. 7) I want to remember what it feels like to be bloated but thin. It’s bad enough that I have to be bloated on a monthly basis, but to be bloated and fat – well…that’s just downright uncomfortable!!!! I don’t remember ever feeling this uncomfortability (like my word?) before my heavy days. And even with the heavy days – it’s still pretty recent that it’s become so dagged uncomfortable. Now there’s a strange milestone for myself… 8) Maybe my cramps will get better, too! (TMI?) 9) Does anyone else see anything wrong with failing the unweightloss program on purpose? Does our insurance industry not get what they are causing here? Added expense, wasted time, a whole plethora of negatives by creating this game. My very own insurance company cites study after study in their very own weightloss surgery policy document. One such study states that a sample group of about ~300 patients was put together. ~50 of those patients were forced to do what I have termed the “unweightloss” program. ~250 were just given the surgery. (All cases used the Lap-Band.) The ~50 who were on the “unweightloss” program did it for real and were losing weight. Of those ~50 people, ~60% decided to not do the surgery. A year later all ~300 people were examined. The ~250 people who had the band surgery had ALL lost a minimum of ~50% of the weight they wanted to shed. Of the people who were on the weightloss program that did have the surgery, they had ALL lost weight, although not as much as those that just went straight to surgery since at the recheck they’d only been banded for six months vs. a year. But the people who thought the diet was going well and opted out of the surgery – they had ALL regained ALL of their weight back plus more, in most cases. So here we have it. Cigna has a document citing what their policies are. In this document they backup those policies with study after study after study. And in this particular study it shows that the unweightloss program hinders weightloss! There are quite a few other studies cited in that document that show similar results. Quite a few show that the efficacy of the lap-band is substantially greater long term than any other weight loss surgery option. And yet there they are, playing games. Oh well. On with life. Only four more appts to go! I think I’ve blogged enough today. So with that, I bid you adieu. I will be back this weekend with additional thoughts I may or may not have.

I am 13 days post op and I feel like I've already been stalled for a week. I have heard of the 3 week stall, but one week, really? I am at the puréed stage and I eat 3 meals per day (1 egg w/cheese for Breakfast, 3 oz chicken salad for lunch, 3 oz puréed chili w/ cheese wedge) plus one Protein shake amounting to 600-700 calories and 70-80 grams of protein per day. I haven't started exercising yet but plan to start walking next week. I have lost 8 pounds since day of surgery. Is it too soon to panic? Please help? Does this seem like too much food too soon? Thoughts? Also, this may be TMI, but my monthly visitor is here this week. Could that be the issue?

Surgery is set for this Wednesday 8/14. TMI here but I just got to shout it out! I NEVER thought I would be so dang excited that I started my period TODAY!! Cramps suck since I cant take Motrin but I'm beyond thankful at this point. Even if I am still having my period Wednesday, it will be on the end point. Woohoo :-D

I was banded on monday too...I hope you get some answers because I am no help. I am actually feeling okay except forvthis severe intense headache! Noreal.pain unless I pushto do too much. Good luck to you ...take it easy. Oh oh..I can answer one question...had first bm on friday (water..maybe tmi but its an fyi)

OK folks I am not trying posting this to be saleys! I have been so disappointed in so many clothing lines in clothes. I cannot find clothes that have decent compression that hold in all this stinking skin while I work out. After a few washes its like I may as well go to Walmart or target. I am so sick and tired of buying workout clothes to throw them away after a couple weeks because I am shrinking in size and they are losing their stretch and the compression is lessening. Well I found a brand that is straight up a god send and I am going to post a link here. Right now they only sell ladies clothes but I believe they will sell a mens line down the road. I bought a crap ton of their stuff and they did send me some discount codes so if you want to save 25$ off any purchase just use SHARE25 in the coupon at check out and you can have 25 dollars off your purchase. I am super impressed with every single thing I have bought. I wash in cold water and hang them up to dry and they haven't lost their compression or color at all!!! They are true to size and I really cannot say enough about how they hold in all the skin, I haven't had any trouble with chaffing while I run or ride bike (sorry if that is TMI) but that was a problem with all that skin before. With 80 pounds lost that is an issue.....Hope this helps anyone looking for high compression work out clothing!!! https://savvi.com/savvikrenzy

This might be tmi but I don't know who else to ask, when do you return to "intimate activities" after surgery?

When I move, I feel a swirling/swishing of my inside flying from right to left, and wobbling back. I swear it feels like my intestines/organs are swimming around. It is gross and so painful. Regarding # 2, I had a miracle yesterday before I was discharged. I felt the urge, and something (tmi) did splat its way out from the appropriate place :-) basically just a teaspoon of sediment on the bottom of the toilet.

Take your time sitting up and getting out of bed. Be patient with yourself in the bathroom (tmi, I know) because it HURTS. I remember I got my period hours after surgery! So irritated, but I survived, and you will too! Congratulations- dont forget to plan for the new you!

Just wondering how long it was for everyone post-op to have their first bowel movement. I'm only two days out and was told if I don't go by Monday I should call the dr. What's everyone's thoughts?

Hey guys! I hope everyone is doing well and haven't had any major issues. How have the progression through the different food stages been? For me, I haven't had too many problems aside from acid/burning stomach but I've been prescribed more acid reducing meds, and I'm much better!! One thing I find crazy is I have so so so much gas... like all the time. Not necessarily painful but I'm constantly tooting lol (sorry if this is TMI) I was just wondering if any of you have been experiencing the same thing? It's the weirdest thing ever.... to me anyway. If anyone has insight as to why I'm experiencing this much gas that would be awesome. I was sleeved November 26th and so far it's been good! I hope you all are doing well! Sheena :-)

I am five days post op and was wondering the same thing I stop smoking cigs when i started my pre op diet but last night I smoke my first cig and it helped me use the bathroom(tmi) anf get rid of alot of gas.

I actually went there last week thinking they still had their angus burgers and I could get one if those bunless and be ok. Um, NO! They don't have them anymore. So I got the home style burger bunless. I ended up having the runs (sorry, probably tmi) several times. NEVER doing that again. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I was watching some YouTube videos and there was a personal trainer on there that said that the stair climbing machine is the best thing for hips and thighs so I did just joined a gym I'm going to look and see when I go if they have one of those machines and start using it because I know when I climb stairs I have one hell of a time. I've always felt so self conscious because I can't wear shorts my thighs are huge and I not only have cellulite, but these big bulging fat deposits around my hips and in the back of my thighs I have a big bulges as well. It's disgusting. I've never seen this on anybody else per se and I'm thinking that I will be one of those that's going to have to have like a lower body lift or thigh lift when I'm done. This is always been my problem area.. you could count my ribs and my stomach will be flat but then I have these huge thighs and you can't even see my knees. I know this is probably TMI!

TMI for public broadcast. I will send you a private message.

Preop diet starting weight 239. Date of surgery 5/27 weight 222. Releases from hospital weight 228. Weight today 218. Constipation finally over. Sorry tmi. Still trying to get enough fluids daily.

Hi Jen! You just described my feelings exactly. We are very similar in height and weight as well. I am day 2 post op... Although I've had some post -op issues, the surgery itself went well. Maybe TMI, but, after they took out the catheter I was obviously expected to urinate in the bathroom ( I may also mention that I am on the heaviest menstral cycle I'v e had in over a year). Well everything went well until I realize I couldn't bend to wipe myself. It was rather eye-opening and embarrassing to have the nurses' aid wipe for me. And the second time I went to pee, I roughed through the wiping part, but my underwear fell to the floor and I could t pick them up. Again, mortifying. Luckily my nurse was super understanding to made me feel a bit better. So far the best information I could give you is to advocate for yourself. If you're in pain, tell them. If you need help in the bathroom, tell them. There is a reason you're in the hospital and the nurses are there to help. - Angela

I was sleeved this past Thursday, so today I am 4 days out. I am still having a lot of trouble swallowing. Feels like a golf ball every time. Also, they gave me a suppository in the hospital bc I was in SO much pain from gas. So now I have (sorry TMI) liquid diarrhea. Did any of you have any of these issues? I am worried about dehydration. I am on full liquids, so I'm trying to drink skim milk along with water and some zero calorie electrolyte drinks like Powerade Zero and Gatorade. Haven't attempted a protein shake yet.

this is my 4th day post op. The first few days were ruff, severe nausea and pain. I'm home and still very uncomfortable still having bad gas pains slight diarrhea. Sorry for tmi. I hope it's just from only being on liquids and not some sort of reaction to my Protein shakes. Getting liquids down still is so hard I'm suppose to drink 3 shakes per day I'm lucky if I can stomach one. I'm trying to do everything by the books and walk ect. This is a tough journey. I'm trying my best what more can we do right? Good luck to you on your journey. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App