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I applaud your TMI about personal hygiene. I am so happy that I am not alone. I think it is a personal decision to tell our not, but I agree that if people are beginning to look up to you and how quickly or easily you are losing weight is different. Knowing how much I have struggled through the years I can imagine how defeating it would be to watch someone losing so much weight with just "diet and exercise" when I'm trying to same thing with little result. I would feel like even more of a failure. Not knowing they have a secret tool helping them that I could never match on my own would be giving me a false expectation. Not that anyone is trying to hurt others by keeping it a secret, but think of how many people you could help instead. Would you have appreciated someone sharing their story with you during your struggles? Your story may not help them but it may help one of their family members. It also helps to remove the stigma about obesity. Now they may think they were right all along in thinking we are just lazy and some good old diet and execute would solve all of our weight issues. You may be able to help them understand that it's ok to get help.

Well, I'm going to give myself a little pat on the back tonight. It is the worst part of my TOM (TMI for all of you probably sorry :tongue:), AND I had a horrendous toothache (not sure what's up with that, need to see the dentist tomorrow) BUT, I still did my Couch to 5K session! Becky, you are going to have one pretty garden to look at while you're recovering! Have a great night everyone!

Could it be Ketosis? Sometimes you get a metal like taste in your mouth. Not to be TMI but I find that when I'm in Ketosis and I use the bathroom it smells like Nail polish remover.

Sorry guys. TMI. But here goes. I am 8 weeks post op and have lost almost no weight. I lost about 5lbs right at first... Then nothing. I eat right... Lean meats and legumes mostly... A little oatmeal when i feel carb starved. I also have had severe constipation. I cant go without copious amounts of stool softners and mirolax and i have to resort to magnesium citrate fairly regularly. When i do go, its a very small amount and seems like it is just scootching around a big blockage. Im making a doc appt this week as im afraid im going to create a laxative dependency. In the meant time.... Could this lack of bm evacuation be causing me to not loose. I know the stool itself weighs alot when impacted, but i am wondering if impaction will actually keep your malabsorption from working propperly? Thanks for your thoughts on this

My advice: Scrub that colon clean. That's what I'm planning to do after you suggested it a while back. I'd want my bowels as tidy as possible because with an RnY they Will be monkeying with them more. And #2 (maybe TMI) in my case I have both a cystocele and a rectocele, don't want anything,caught in a pocket and fossilizing down there. So the cleaner and happier bowel for me. Swoosh! Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Maybe TMI territory here, but have you gone to the bathroom? That is what did it for me. I lost about 6 pounds right after surgery, but as soon as I got on solid foods, I jumped up a couple. It is an interesting ride the first few weeks, I think. Good luck!

Okay so I literally JUST realized that I am one pound away from losing half of what I need to lose! OMG! That's a crazy thought! In less than 4 months!! I hope to keep going at this rate, but I'll be realistic. I know weight loss tends to slow down as you go along. On top of that, I have 4 more pounds to lose to finally be under 200. That's totally awesome. I love my band so much! I mentioned in the title "problems." Some of this is TMI, so if you don't want to read it, you can click out. However, I wanted to share to see if anyone else has experienced something similar. I often found myself stuck on in the bathroom trying to have a BM. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't. This morning, it was for 40 minutes and I was unsuccessful. LOL. Sorry, I have to laugh or I'll realize how disgusting this really is. Anyways, I was late to work by 15 minutes because of my issue. This isn't the first time either. It's just kind of ridiculous. I eat prunes and I've been trying to drink more water. I'm trying to take the natural route before I implement any kind of medicine. Tomorrow is my next fill appointment. My doc usually leaves me the option to choose whether I want a fill or not. As always, I'm not sure! I usually fill out a chart, but honestly, that doesn't really help. It asks me what I eat. I purposely choose not to eat sweets, pastas and bread, so me checking no on that doesn't necessarily mean I don't need a fill. It just means I know how to make better choices. Anyways, last week, I did get stuck a little bit and had to throw up. Also, Saturday, I was not able to finished my broiled crab cake. I've also lost 12 pounds this past month. However, there have been meals where I know I could have finished it if I wanted to. Meaning, no restriction. I still feel restriction every so often, but not enough that I feel completely confident in telling my doctor I don't want a fill. I am leaning more towards getting the fill. The way I see it, if I'm too tight, I'll just go back for a little unfill. I want consistent restriction, not hit or miss. Oh I've also noticed that I haven't been as hungry or been thinking about food as often. I have to remind myself to eat sometimes. Just my rambles! Feel free to chime in with any opinions or advice on anything I mentioned. Thanks!!

I have to say, I am simply amazed by this journey thus far! I wanted to post my story (in a condensed version) for those of you who are thinking about getting this procedure or have just begun your journey. I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. I just ate what I wanted, and enjoyed it very much. I had little to no concern about my health. I remember in middle school, I would sit in my bedroom closet just eating a can of icing. How disturbing is that?! I finally started thinking about WLS about a year ago. My highest weight was 259 LBS. Although I didn't have any health issues, I had began to miss my monthly visitor (sorry for the TMI). This really concerned me because I desperately want children in my future and I knew that the direction I was going in would make that difficult. I went to meet with a surgeon, and got the ball rolling! My insurance required that I meet with a nutrionist for 6 months before surgery. Those 6 months just FLEW by! However, I had not originally planned on getting the Lapband. My heart was set on getting the Vertical Sleeve. A week before surgery, my Insurance Cordinator gave me a call saying that my insurance will not cover that surgery as I needed to have a BMI of 50. I was really far off. However, I COULD get the Lapband. So after crying my eyes out all day, I decided that this is how it was supposed to be and I agreed to get the Lapband. It was the best decision of my life! I stayed one night in the hospital. It was my first surgery ever, and was relatively easy. The only difficult part was that I felt more comfortable resting in a chair than I did in the bed. I did not sleep much that night. Also, the first time they got me up to walk, I thought I was going to throw up and/or pass out. It got better. Today, it is exactly 4 months since my surgery, which I got on November 21st 2011. Today, I am exactly 60 pounds lighter. Today, I am FINALLY in Onderland (199 pounds)!! It has been simply amazing! I have had 2 fills. My doctor decided to hold off on another one due to the amount of weight I have lost. My weight loss has slowed down a bit, but I am still losing about 2 pounds a week. I will probably ask for another fill when I see him next month. I know everyone says this, but the band really is a tool that YOU have to use. I believe you have to want to put some effort into this before even getting the surgery or it won't work for you. Your mind has to be in the right spot. You have to WANT to change. You have to be willing to give up some of the foods you love or at least only have them on a very rare occasion. You have to be willing to work out. I guess its possible to lose weight without working out, but you will lose more slowly and you may end up looking disproportionate. Thanks to the band, better choices, and the gym, I have lost 60 pounds. I never thought I would be here. I love to work out as it makes me feel so much better and I have so much more energy. I also do the Couch to 5K Program. I strongly suggest this program to anyone and everyone! Although I am only in the 4th week (9 weeks total) I am seeing an improvement. My thighs are smaller, I have lost inches, and I am more fit! Since my surgery, I have also lost 2 inches on my neck, 7 inches on my waist, and 6 inches on my hips. Oh, I also use myfitnesspal like a fanatic! Feel free to add me on there. My username is legnarevocrednu. Also, feel free to message me on here if you have any questions. Good luck to all of you on your journey! I still have about 54 pounds to lose, but I'm glad that I could finally post my story as a success!!

Has anybody else had a problem with constipation? I've barely gone once since surgery and now that I'm mostly eating foods with some density I don't think that's healthy at all. I'm not uncomfortable or anything, but I'm starting to get worried. Should take a ex-lax? I bought some colace should I take that instead? Or should I just wait it out?

I’m only one month post surgery, and I thought I was ‘doing well’ then eat too much 2 days ago and had what must have been dumping, such awful cramps etc (I won’t give you tmi but you can guess). So I have gone back to tiny amounts of purees again because my gut just feels sore and upset. So I guess that my ‘forgetting’ I have had the surgery has had horrible consequences. Re. the getting hungry…I have that as well, but so much of it is ‘head hunger’, I want something sweet after dinner, that’s a habit, and ‘mouth hunger’ I crave crunchy, salty food. It’s not real hunger. My brain is saying ‘but you are eating so little, how can you possibly not be starving hungry’ but if I ignore those messages the ‘hunger’ passes (specially if I drink some liquid. A cup of tea, or a Miso soup help my 4pm crash. Really, really listening to your body, stopping before you are full is the way to go. I haven’t really been doing that, and the consequences were grim! Anyway hope that helps….I’ve got to deal with this myself, so any ‘advice’ is just my thoughts…I’m not sure there is a magic answer!

You know that miraculous restraint I mentioned in my previous blog?? Well, scratch that! I caved yesterday. In my defense, I was sick. I skipped breakfast (I know, BAD!), then had 4 or 5 tortellenies(sp) from the healthy choice soup and threw the rest away. About two hours later, I took some meds to help with my horrible cold and the headache that came with it. 45 minutes later, I was throwing up muccus (I apologize for the TMI). It was awful! It was the first time I had thrown up since surgery and I am so nervous that it hurt something. I was at my moms and had such a horrible taste in my mouth, that I grabbed the first thing I could find and ate it...which happened to be a chocolate rice krispy treat. That was the first thing I've had sweet since surgery. That wasn't the only thing I had either but I won't bore you with the details of the day's menu and my bad choices. I did still manage to stay under my calories, but they certainly weren't GOOD calories! Then this morning I get to work and the post man brings in a Harry & David treat basket! I feel like crying. I had one chocolate covered cherry (50 calories) and that's all I'm planning on having. I didn't have breakfast yet again (not on purpose, I thought I had something in the fridge, but I didn't). I feel like crying! It's funny because I helped throw a bridal shower on Sunday and there were sooo many yummy treats but I didn't cave then! I didn't even have the baked zitti (which I LOVE!). I had 4 meatballs. 2 for Lunch, 2 for dinner. I actually skipped breakfast that day too. Totally not like me. Also, another bad thing I've been doing, is taking a sip here and there either right before and/or right after eating. It's not a lot. Just sips. I feel like it's really unrealistic to not drink anything at all an hour before and an hour after eating. I'm trying my best and most of the time I succeed, but I just can't help myself. I know I just need to jump right back on the band wagon. I've proved to myself I can do this. I just hate this feeling of guilt!! I hate feeling like I'm on a diet. Oh and another interesting story! I went to pick up a friend from the airport and we stopped at Cheesecake Factory on the way back. The cool thing about that place is that they tell you how many calories is in EVERYTHING and they have a separate menu for people who are trying to eat better. Anyways, I ordered the crab bites (suuuuupppperrr yummy!!! and only 400 calories!) and a peach smoothie (300 calories). My friend that was with me told me I needed to eat more...that I was starving myself. I thought that was hilarious! Actually, that was the most calories I've had since surgery (counting my breakfast and lunch that day). Miraculously, I lost weight over the weekend. 1.2 pounds to be exact. Very odd. I have a feeling my bad behavior from yesterday will catch up to me though. I pray it doesn't, but these things have consequences! I also heard that we are having pizza delivered as a Christmas gift to us on Friday. I love pizza! I just want to cry :*( I'm afraid I'm starting to become obsessive and psychotic about food. I didn't want that. I don't want to be weird about this. I just want to be NORMAL!! Anyways, that's today's rant!!

I had my sleeve revised to RNY 11/10/22 due to GERD. I stayed on fluids/purées/soft foods advancing very slowly. I didn’t start solid foods until end of December (about 6 weeks). Since then I feel like I’m playing Russian Roulette every time I eat. Sometimes I eat and feel fine without pain or restriction. Other times I will eat the same exact thing, same amount and be doubled over in pain until 4-8 hours later when I finally throw up and the food comes up not even partially digested. Every time I freak that I have an obstruction. Nutritionists say it’s too much fiber or too much fat, but it’s not necessarily associated with diarrhea and why, then, can I tolerate it sometimes and others not? Surgeon is sending me in for an upper GI barium study next week. I’m so stressed that I have stretched my pouch somehow but I can sometimes eat far more volume without issue compared to some of these episodes. Has anyone else experienced this? TMI, I’m also noticing pale colored stools but the pain is on the left, not on the right with my gallbladder. He said my gallbladder looked fine during surgery. I just need this to work so I feel better and can get on with my life.

Eating Greek yogurt is one of the topics I share with others about this lifestyle. I started to eat Greek yogurt on the advice of a health coach about two weeks before my pre-op diet. I detested it. I mixed in chocolate Protein powder, but the sourness was strong and it was like gagging with every spoon. After a month, I stopped gagging, but really hated it. I found I had tried so many brands hoping to find the one.....and I did.....Lucerne. It is the cheapest plain Greek yogurt. I had tried organic ones and ones with bigger brands or better packaging. I think Lucerne is a local, Texas brand. I must say while I don't like plain Greek yogurt, it has become a staple. I attribute some reductions in flatulence volume and toxicity to the yogurt (sorry if this is TMI). It remains on my doctor prescribed diet even after the Protein Powder and so many other things have gone away. I go through a 2# tub each week for $3.45. I don't shop at chains other than Randall's because other chains don't sell this brand. To me, it was part of the lifestyle change I needed to make, and I made it successful.

Thanks for asking Sreeves, actually, my gas has changed. TMI alert. Instead of gas, I'm getting 'rumbling' in my lower abdomen, resulting in a small, but noticeable, loose stool. How could I have stool when all I'm doing is drinking? I drink warm decaf tea w lemon, beef or chicken broth, skim milk and SF Koolaid. Not in any order. But I'm scared I'll try to pass gas when it's actually something else. I haven't taken the gas-x yet. What's worse than the pain, is being scared a possible symptom means this and/or that and you worry, worry , worry. Like I am now. ????

I know I havent been posting that much lately but I have been feeling some kind of something for a few weeks now but it seems in the past week since I have been dealing with a Sinus infection and ear infection It is worst. I have taken NSAIDS as my gyobyn said it was ok, and today I got a shot of steriods with a prescription of Prednisone to start in the morning. I have taken Advil this past year, and just this week been taking a nasal decongestant and Mucinex for cold and flu. Ok so now to what I have been feeling. I get a pain in my pouch at least once a week, I mean bad pain that I usually go all day with. Eating and drinking does not make it better, but then I go to bed wake up and its gone. Now the past week, and definately today, I am getting a burning pain every time I eat or drink, and when I drink, It feels like my pouch is filling up like a balloon and is going to pop. I have been getting a tiny bit nauseous starting today when eating or drinking, and real burpy and my stomach acid in my stomach is like non stop almost. I have also noticed a change in my bowel movements. Sorry TMI!! but i was going regular regular sometimes 2-3 times a day, but the past week or so I have noticed not so much and each time they are getting harder and darker and darker. In which I had noticed I have been having trouble losing weight since June. I havent lost one single pound i have actually gained. I weighed 180 June 1st and today I weigh 185-187. I am one year post op gastric bypass 10.29.12 and had gallbladder removal 12.29.12, and a complete hysterectomy 05.02.13. Any ideas would be nice. Rhonda

Hi, females. I am 11 weeks post-op. My sex drive is nonexistent. I have none. It is starting to annoy my bf. Also, when I do the deed, I am in sooooo much pain because I am as dry as a bone. Anyone else experience this? In my 5 years of being sexually active, I have never had pain. Thanks!!

Wow! Well take care and get some rest -- you probably are very relieved! Does your insurance pay for that? Sorry, it's not TMI, I can deal.

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!

Horrible and tmi, but I can't WAIT to have some constipation and be more on the normal side. I go 3+ times a day. IBS, anxiety, and food doesn't agree with me since I was AT LEAST in 2nd grade! So hoping I will go from 3+ per day to every other day! Lol

Sorry for the TMI post that follows.... I was Sleeved two weeks ago. The first few poops were bad! Solids and difficult to pass. I'm not yet regular, but hopefully getting there. I use to be daily like clockwork, no coffee or help needed. Tonight I had a pain in my lower tummy, figured it might be time to poop. Made it just in time. Sadly explosive poo is not something that I enjoy. Hubby thinks I need to up my protein, so I'll try that. But I agree, this is not something that can be brought up amongst polite conversation with most people.

TMI Me too, been there, done that

Here I am post OP day 3. I honestly feel really good. I haven't taken a pain pill since Wednesday, tylenol yesterday, nothing today. Tmi...I pooped for the first time this morning, so I am happy that's out of the way. I am actually debating going back to work on Monday and save that second week of vacation for true days off.

mgallagator, they repaired by band via surgery... my surgeon actually replaced my band, instead of just repositioning it, because he said there was a lot of scar tissue and my stomach had sort of "attached" to my band. (sorry if TMI... lol) Jenny

I gained 6 lbs in the hospital. Came home and started my period (sorry TMI, I know) gained another 3 lbs. Went to my 1 week post up follow up appt and lost all of that after a week. I was sleeved 1/27/12, and had my 1 week follow up on 2/3. I stepped on the scale this morning and had lost another 8 lbs from Friday. It will happen.

This is a pretty major concern for me, too. I'm pre-op but generally eat a very high-fiber diet. TMI, but I am...very petite in THAT area and the few instances of backup I have had have meant major trauma...tearing, bleeding...eeeek. Going low carb sounds like a recipe for pain to me.