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Ditto to what tomorrowsdream said. The stuff makes you poo 24/7, and it's not your regular poo, it's 'oh crap! I just pooed greasy poo on the sofa poo'. And then you're scrambling to get the bathroom to finish the job, and then worrying that you won't be able to get the greasy stain off of your couch. (Sorry, TMI I know, but just trying to be honest and let you know what to expect.)

Porclndol, How funny about your mom!! and dad for that matter. If you remain in your seat at a Prince concert (how could you keep from sliding out of your seat? tmi? ) ...than you just should have stayed at home. He is incredible. Yeah, it would serve your husband well to like Prince...at least fake it. My husband now has everything that he ever put out. I forgot... I also went to see Jimmy Buffett. Great concert...I think.

I no longer have colitis, nor constipation! I have about 4/6 small BMs a day and do not have gas in a farting way....TMI Good health to you too!

I weighed 408lbs on my surgery day. At my 8 month Bandiversary I was down 100lbs! Since January I've lost 126lbs. Can you imagine? I lost a supermodel! I need to lose one more to get to my goal of 180lbs. Life is so much easier now. Sometimes I see people's starting weights and think, hell, I wish I was that weight right now, I would've never had surgery. Unless you've been where we are, or where we were, people just don't get how difficult life is, just the little things. Taking a shower was a workout in itself for me. I found it difficult to stay standing up the entire hour it took me to get ready in the morning. Shaving my legs was precarious at best, trying my best to scrub all the hidden parts, then trying to make sure they dried completely before putting powder between my rolls to prevent chafing. For me, the biggest personal hygiene victory was (close your eyes guys) being able to put in a tampon while standing up. Ok, ok, tmi. I'll stop... lol Getting banded is the best thing I've done for myself. My upstairs apartment used to be my prison. When I got home from work, I didn't go out again until I went to work the next day. Now, I work out 4 days a week and I absolutely love it. My blood pressure is normal. Hopefully this weight loss will prevent me from ever getting diabetes. Slowly but surely, the levels on my cpap machine are getting lowered too. By the time I reach goal, my sleep apnea will be gone and I won't have to use a machine anymore. Life is grand! Mercy

1st week was good - hard to stand after the surgery - had to have a catheter (eck) - as far as eating goes, I wasn't hungry at all - just sipping Water and eating my crushed ice kept me pretty busy. your stomach will hurt at the incisions but not a lot since you stay drugged up for awhile - after that the only hard part is using your abdominal muscles to help sit, lay back, stand, etc. as they are still healing. Oh and as I'm typing my wife reminded me about the gas - the gas is the worst!!! but the pain meds do help! you'll be so ecstatic when you release your first gas - either burp or the other side - feels soooo good. is that TMI?

You're right it isn't easy with the band. Because we are a society that celebrates and or commiserates with food, being unable to eat more than a bite or two when restriction is high is disappointing. Restriction is high for me when I'm up too late, up too early, sick, stressed, or excited. Celebration preparation usually increases stress and excitement...go figure. I lost a few pounds over the christmas season last year though, instead of gaining. I go up and down the weight scale with in 3-4 pounds until I'm down another, then up, then down another. I am after a year losing very slowly now, but still slowly losing. I can generally eat most band friendly foods. I just have to take it slow, and have a little at a time so, over time I get enough. I am down from a size 24 to some damned cute size 14's that I can buy anywhere. My underwear are no longer support panties, but low rise bikini's. TMI? I would absolutely do this again. Heaven forbid I should end up with complications down the road, but even with... after healing... I'll do it again. I thank god daily for giving me this chance to live life feeling great again.

Ok, so I did it! 8 days out and I know this is wayyyyy TMI but several positions felt just fine! I say if you feel like can do it - do it - cuz I know I feel alot better tonight!

Yep I had it too! I was so empty that I could take a drink & listen to it traveling through my bowels as I ran to the bathroom! TMI! Sorry! "Liquid in" "Liquid out" Pretty much sums it up I think! It'll go away post-op when you get to the mushies.

Krystal, good for you for coming here and asking for support and admitting to it all, thats half the battle, none of us are perfect bandsters, heck last night I ate an ice cream drumstick and resses peanut butter cups, I need chocolate on the day my period starts which was yesterday (TMI) Just get back up and get back to basics, you can do this! Come here often, read, post, get the support you need. We are all here pulling for eachother to succeed.

Please forgive me for copy and pasting this from another site I post on. I was referred here by someone at obesityhelp.com. I hope to find support and shared experiences on this site! Sorry this first post is SO long!! On day 7 post op 3 of my incisions started oozing Fluid. I went into the Dr. and he opened up my port incision so that the fluid would have somewhere to drain (a whole other story here. I had no idea what he was doing until it was done. Only that it hurt a tremendous amount). I now have a 'wound' about 3-4 inches across and maybe 1 1/2 to 2 inches deep. Seems huge in person. I have been packing my wound faithfully 2 times/day over the last 12 days. It actually began looking like it was starting to heal a little about 3 days ago and I've been VERY excited about that. Then 2 days ago I started hurting. REALLY hurting. Not the wound itself, but the area around it. I couldn't sit, stand, put my hands above my head, bend, NOTHING without hurting. Heck, it hurt bad just to pass gas! (sorry, TMI!) I called the Dr. and they told me to take Tylenol and apply wet heat 4 times/day. Well, yesterday morning it wasn't any better, and the swelling was obvious so I called again. They worked me in. First off, I told the Dr. that I like to be a part of my own medical care vs along for the ride. I feel like he should have talked to me more at my last appointment about what he was going to do, said things like 'this might hurt' (in warning), and just explained more to me about what was happening to my body. I had no idea how deep this thing was until I got home and changed the dressing the next day and I was shocked. SO... before I even let him look at it yesterday I told him how I felt. Told him the only thing I fear is ignorance, and I don't want to be ignorant when it comes to my own body. Told him I don't mind pain, but would like him to let me know BEFORE he starts cutting into me, that I'm going to feel some. KWIM? He was very receptive and apologized several times. Then he told me he was going to poke around a little and it might hurt. Well, he poked (with the long Q-tip thing) inside the wound and must have punctured through some of the new tissue and darned if a bunch of fluid didn't come pouring out again. I don't know if he was surprised, but I was. So, my pain must have been from a build up of fluid again, with nowhere to go. He laid me down again and told me he was going to reopen it. That the inside was kind of shaped like an hourglass b/c of all the new tissue inside, and he wanted more of a trough so it could drain better. In the end, I don't hurt too much anymore, which is great. I'm frustrated, b/c I was really thinking that I was doing well, when in actuality I still have fluid building up inside my abdomen. He was much more compassionate today though, and I feel more like it's a team effort to get me healed up vs me just being a chart or file. I don't know if it's a bad sign that even though he opened me up 2 weeks ago it's still building up, or if there was as much chance of that happening as not, KWIM? I just want to be better!!! Anyway, not looking for anything other than to vent, although if someone has been through this, your experience would be invaluable to me! Best case scenario, I heal up (although he said it will take weeks) worst case I end up having my port removed, let my body heal, and have a new port implanted in the future. Grim, grim, grim Thanks for listening! Erin

lol,, too funny, I have been there the same through all of this, I got my hitchhiker on 8/30. still on liquids so I still have the "sh-arts" the liquid farts,,,lol and major major major flatulence. When is it going to stop...... One would think I eat nothing but gassy foods.... not jsut little toots, but loud and long... I know TMI, but hey we are all family now,,,,lol

Dee Dee - Hey there girlie! I think I may have hit it a few times as well. I can tell by the scent of pee(gross I know TMI) But its true. Time to cram some of naturres fruit into your diet like it or not! Get your carbs in the natural way with corn or carrots & apples & oranges - oh & try some beets! I think it will help you out. Glad to see you around;0)

Oooopps forgot to mention those,, I never had to use my heating pad, but Boy I am still using the Malox maxx chewable tablets,,, I am sooooo full of the "farts" but I have to hold until on the toity, so there are no accidents... Ha ha ha ha ha, maybe TMI for some people, but ya know how sometimes guys can be "kids" and love it when they get a really stinky one or sometimes try to pull the covers up over your head?,,, well the other night I had a really bad one.. I mean awful,,, it made my hunny go whew and wanted to get out of bed.... My band has its advantages,,, ha ha ha...just hate having to Fart soooooo much though....

Oh there is (almost) never TMI on this board. We love all the scoop, so keep it coming! Best of luck to you on your incurance coverage. let us know how it turns out. Welcome to LBT! so glad you found us!

I've been looking at obesityhelp.com. Found this site when someone posted it there. Started the research a few years ago. Late last year I went to 2 drs. and various seminars in MD and VA. Was denied because my work ins. didn't cover lap band, only gastric. Saw a dr in VA, and really liked him-Dr Chebli (sp?). Was waiting to get re-married, move to a newer house, 2 kids graduations, etc. So, this year found out on the BC/BS CareFirst providers website that as of June 13, 2005, they no longer consider the lap experimental. "Obesity and Morbid Obestity, 7.01.36. New technology/--aparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for treatment of morbid obesity. Description--Placement of a silicone band around the upper portion of the stomach, to restrict the patient's ability to ingest food. CareFirst and CareFirst BlueChoice Determination--If it's 'Considered medically necesary when treating morbidly obese patients who meet the established criteria for surgical intervention. This is a change from previous policy.'" There isn't a CPT code, but a HCPCS code, S2082. Found at another site that there is HCPCS S2083 for adjustments. Was told my the dr nurse in MD those codes are for hospital coding. So, it's a wait and see for now. Paperwork was sent this Mon. Nurse told me 2/3 wks to hear. Person who does it is out-other's are handling in her absence. The kicker could be if my employer didn't have a special rider for WLS. Not sure? Could be an appeal coming my way. Lots of co-morbities. Take too many medications. Rheumatologist's visits increasing lately. Said way to much for now. But, wanted you folks to know what I've found out. This is such a great site! Glad I found it. Glad to communicate w/you all. Finding folks in VA/MD/DC area to meet in person. Don't think there are enough support groups, even for this large metropolitan area. Maybe TMI? too much information

I got more, here it goes I am looking forward to walking from the parking lot(at work) to my bench in the lab without feeling like I need to stop by respiratory therapy! I am looking forward to wearing stilettos i am looking forward to my class reunion in 2 years(20th) I am looking forward to wearing a dress(I only wear skirts and blouses cause my top doen't match my bottom) I am looking forward to the Victoria secret angel collection I am looking forward to my boyfriend picking me up when I think of more I will post again. And to some this may seem gross or TMI but it is my reality I want to be able to see my vagina I know it is down there I just haven't seen it since the 12th grade. lol

((sigh)) someone explain the TMI and fish connection.... I am sitting here puzzled.

Ok guys lets talk. I've been searching through old post and cant find one subject on this. I've been with my BF for 4 yrs and we like to keep it interesting, new "moves" and stuff. ( if this is TMI turn away now) I am pretty flexable for being a PHAT girl. My question is...is anything off limits? Will I feel a poke from the port, will he feel the port (not that I think he would care) but serioulsy can I damage the band or the port, by having a wildly "good time"? Oh and how long before you were "back in the game" after being banded?

Fine, hubby and me did it last night! There, I said it. Not by choice either, but he can't resist me in a thong (don't lose your lunch.) TMI, TMI, TMI!

OK, not one of the things I am really wanting to admit but is this normal???? Since a few days after surgury I have noticed all of my body odors are stronger.( four weeks out now) I shower at least twice a day now and deoderant fails within an hour or two tops. I just smell. This is all new for me. I have never had trouble with BO but OK this is about to be TMI..but...ALL of my bodily fluids, bodily odors, hair, everything is just different and not very pleasent. I am brushing my teeth several times a day as well.....ewwww very embarrassing. I thought maybe the liquid Vitamins were doing it so I stopped them for threee days, no change. I am getting plenty of Water, about 68-80 oz a day. I shouldn't be in ketosis because many of my mushies are carbs. Could it be from the protien drinks ( I drink 2 EAS Advantage edge carb controls a day) I will be on solids very soon so I can then give these up if they are the reason. Did anyone else else go through this? Will it go away??? Embarrassed and in need of advice!!!! thanks

The nuvaring is a flexible plastic ring (kind of looks like the outside rim of a rolled up condom, but a little larger). It slow releases a very low dose form of BC into your blood stream. It is a different mix than you would get in the pill. For me it was great, because you don't have the emotional side effects, reduced cramps and for me, drastically reduces the amount and length of my period. The ring is pinched together and inserted vaginally. Once it is there, it softly "springs itself into place". You leave it there for a period of three weeks and then remove it for one week to have your period. Another nice feature, is that you can leave it there for up to 4 weeks to have your period on your schedule in case you are on vacation or something. No- you don't feel it, it is easy to retrieve and you can remove it for up to three hours at a time for sexual activity. (Although you don't have to and wouldn't notice if you didn't) OK, sorry for some this is TMI, but I have been telling all of my friends about this wonderful invention since I started. Hope this helped and please just let me know if you have any other questions about it!

Hey, I got banded three days ago. So.....I know this is TMI, but since yesterday I'm having diarrhea. It's not crampy or painful, it's just all.....liquid. This is rough because yanno I'm doing my best to keep up with liquids and it seems I'm losing them just as fast. My sister says she thinks my body is having trouble with all the meds I'm on (I am SUPER sensitive to medication of all kinds). I think it may be because I'm only on liquids so it's not making things solid down there. Anyone else have this "side effect" after being banded? And how long did it take to go away? I'm not worried yet but may put in a call to my doctor tomorrow.

Hey all, well, my surgery is Thursday and so I'm doing liquids only now in preparation.....wowowow this is HARD work! I started with a Protein shake this morning, Green tea mid morning and some Imagine brand potato leek Soup. So far so good but I think by end of day I will be a mess. I couldn't get through all day yesterday on liquids so had a small meal around dinnertime. Thoughts? Advice? Suggestions? Man oh man am I peeing a lot too! (I know, TMI!) I'm sure hoping this goes easier after I get banded......woooo little light headed!

Thank you so much Kathy! I appreciate every word. The thing is I am taking it super easy. I am not working & still feel really weak. I have been having a really bad stomach since surgery. (here is the TMI part- Peeing from both ends for a week) sorry if thats TMI But its making me very weak. I am following the menu to a tee. No substitutes at all. Just feel dizzy sometimes(haven't taken any meds in 3 days except tylenol) & not strong like usual. Thank goodness I see the Doctor on Monday-Hopefully he can drain this thing. Anyhow Now I am complaining-sorry I just expected to be complication free. I guess the bright side is I have lost 7 pds in the past week. So I am 14 down. Just can't wait to feel like me again;0) P>S> I am sure I wouldn't be so cranky if my back hadn't been out for two weeks prior to surgery, I think thats whats making it worse. thanks for the kind words. I know it will be better Monday

We can be a pretty gross bunch, that's for sure. If you think this is TMI, try checking out my other post under, "Warning, Gross Pictures." I've never heard anyone having such a long PB stuck episode. Mine usually pass within 5-10 minutes. I can eat bread, just not as much as I used to, as long as I take small bites and chew really well.