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thanks marillon... :smile: my PS did say he basically 'traumatized' my body and its not too happy right now. im still quite swollen and my tum feels like ive done a billion crunches right now. this muscle ache (not pain, just almost a dull ache) has just started early this week... grrrr) im seeing my giggly thighs and horrid boobs/arms now even more too... this is going to be a really long process. but im starting to realize that there are not many perfect people in the world. i saw a co-worker today (she may weigh 140 is about 5'8" looks GREAT) and she has the back fat/side boobies going on ... i need to redefine my version of 'perfect'... i just ordered a book from Amazon: When Women Stop Hating Their Bodies: Freeing Yourself from Food and Weight Obsession... hopefully that will help. kinda TMI ... right now, my tummy is flat (as in i can go from where my ribcage used to be :wink2: stupid swelling alllll the way down to my hoo-ha in a flat line ... no bumps, no ridges, just a very slight swollen mound of my tummy...) before, it was a chore just getting there :wink2: i'll post a review of the book once i finally get it and read it.

Remember your why. Why did you want this back in 2014? For me it was not only my physical looks but other things. I couldn’t bend down and tie my shoes without having to breathe in between. Bending down like that cut off my breath. Another thing and this May be TMI, but I couldn’t hardly wipe my butt when I went potty. I remember sitting on the toilet crying because I couldn’t reach. I couldn’t walk or stand more than just a few minutes without my lower back burning and aching. Diabetes and high blood pressure run in my family. These are my whys. So you’ve gained 40 back. Thank God it’s not the 101, right? Start back with the protein shakes, maybe substitute a meal a day for one and when you’re comfortable with that substitute two meals a day with a shake. I lost 26 pounds in 3 months prior to surgery from that alone. When you want a snack in between, have one. But make it something healthy and filling like a banana or cottage cheese. You’ve done this before. You know what to do. All you have to do now is, just do it. Sending you positive vibes and hopes for your success!!! ❤️

I am sort of with CarolinaGirl on this one. Fortunately you are young and have not become as large as others ( myself included) before deciding to take charge of your life. With age often comes wisdom because we have already been there, done that. LOL I can tell you the part about bathroom habits being different is spot on. At 316lbs I could barely manage "down there" because I could hardly reach things. That time of the month was an exercise is aggravation and agility as I tried to angle just right to use a tampon. (sorry if TMI) I had started having bladder control issues. Things you may or may not take for granted become so much harder the larger you are. Now I am down in the 220s ( which is still obese) I can take care of my hygiene 100% better. Things are once again accessible! I no longer have issues with incontinence. And of course there are many things I can do now I was restricted from doing at 316 lbs. That all being said do I miss some of my old lifestyle? I would be lying if I said no. Many times I have had the thought "man I would really like to just sit down and pig out". But I know I can't. It is usually in response to some emotional issue so I have to deal with it in another way. I probably think about food a LOT more now than I did before just because it is now so much more important to me. I think about the healthy foods I need, how I can be creative in preparation of them so not to get bored, what their nutritional content is etc. I also do long for foods I no longer can eat. Or should I say ought to eat. ( I can tolerate everything I have tried) It is a much bigger mental battle. Before you are overweight and unhappy with it. But I know I did not micromanage my eating, which is what helped me get obese to start with! Now my life revolves around food in many ways. I miss the freedom of eating with abandon I suppose. But I will never, ever miss being the size I was. Nothing about that body was good. It may be sagging more now, and the boobs may be smaller, but I can work with that. No way you can hide 316lbs! LOL

That is awesome! I don't think that's TMI but I am a nurse so I've heard and have seen almost everything. I'm happy for you and your SO. :shades_smile:

Good to hear you guys are doing great! Mine was on the 27th and I still have a catheter in...but I want it out soooo badly. ..and maybe a bit TMI but my bowels started again after 5 days. It was the blackest poo i've ever seen. Still having a bit of gas pain in the right shoulder when i go to bed at night, but when i walk around for a bit, it helps. Damn that phrenic nerve! So all in all, Im still feeling like a wuss.

I had coffee and a cake donut at a 3 ½ hour long meeting Wednesday. I eat the donut in batches of 3 it took about 1 ½ hours and I had no real issues I felt the restriction and wasn’t over full, however by the end of the day I had to go to the bathroom (TMI) because my stomach felt upset, I thought I would have diarrhea but I didn’t. So what I learn is that donuts can be done with my sleeve and I get restriction but shouldn’t be done because of the tummy issues.

Okay, I am down from a 26 or so to a 12-14 or so, and to be blunt I cannot run due to my lap...it claps, and while I am not experiencing any rashes it tears at the softer skin underneath...it is painful to run (and I can run now, dammit!). Any specific products anyone has used (I mean undergarment, duck tape, super glue, majic wishes from an evil djin) would be greatly appreciated. Thing is it just doesnt seem to be that big...I really want to run guys! I want to get out there and feel my legs burn and my lungs stretch...but I feel like someone is trying to aggressively peel my abdomen away...

VickiJ, I'm doing a bit better although last night I had a craving and went for some chicken and it decided it didn't want to stay there for long so that was fun. Today though I just had Protein and eating slower and chewing more and it went down fine but it was scrambled eggs so I guess they are easier. I still need to walk on the treadmill, keeps me regular in many mays, I know TMI. Anyway I'm feeling better about the band and am hoping by the time I see my surgeon in about 3 weeks I'll either get a fill or stay the same and not remove any because I'll be getting a hang of it, thanks brandyII.

I didn't have regular bm's for a little while after my surgery and when I did (TMI ALERT), it was usually just tiny bits.

Yay for going the fiber route! Miralax is gentle as laxatives go, but it's still a laxative. I was an on-again-off-again laxative abusing bulimic, and fortunately have no lasting ill effects. My younger sister regularly abused laxatives for years and her system has never recovered. Now she HAS to use Miralax and also has been put on IBS meds. So yeah, I'm all about fiber vs. laxatives these days. I've been using Benefiber (or the generic knockoff) for over a year now. I had to work my way up to the full daily amount, as it does make you produce more gas at first. I'd say it took a couple of months to get my body fully adjusted. But even though my diet contains a lot of Protein, the fiber via the Benefiber and regular dietary fiber (mostly in legumes) has kept me as regular as clockwork. (LOL TMI) I put a heaping tablespoon in my hot tea once each day. It's nearly flavorless, and has no texture at all. Love it!

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.

Okay, I've had several emails and people ask questions about what I'm doing to lose solid numbers every week and I've compiled my list of personal habits (disagree or agree this is just how I'm doing it, feel free to take as little or as much as you want): 1) Protein. I went off the doc's diet after week 3 (bad i know!), I get 90% of my calories from pure protein. I completely avoid carbs like the black plague. I snack on chicken, and whatever I can get my hands on. Yesterday for lunch I had pulled pork bbq, 3 oz and I was done, saved the rest and ate it again for dinner. No sides, no bread, nadda. The bbq was more than enough. 2) Routine is my bff. I know what I'm going to eat every single day before I leave the house, I leave nothing for imagination and I workout with other people so even if I'm not feeling motivated to do it, I know they are waiting on me to show up- there for I actually do my workouts religously. 3) Here's the tough love. 20 minutes is not good enough. 30 minutes is not good enough. 45 minutes is NOT good enough. You need to commit to 1 FULL HOUR EVERY SINGLE DAY to working out. I don't know your schedule but I know this- simple math says it takes 3500 calories to burn 1 lbs of fat, even on a low calorie diet and your BMR helping to burn some calories that still a LOT Of calories that you need to burn. 4) READ the guru's. I've read Jillian Michaels and Bob Harpers books, I've read Oprah's trainers, I've read all the top hollywood trainers books. I've educated myself thoroughly and there are several key things THEY ALL AGREE ON: A) To lose weight you must work out a MINIMUM of 1 hour 6 days a week and it must be intense, not lolly gagging- doesn't matter if it's running, walking, elliptical or what you got to make it intense and get your heart rate to 120. Weight lifting is NECESSARY. At least 3 times a week for 30 minutes at max weight. All the trainers said it, if you want to change your metabolism it starts with weights. Muscle burns more fat. There for increase your muscle. If you rotate a day of weight lifting for cardio, or add them both in for a 2 hour workout 6 days a week, magical things might happen. C) Carbs are the enemy. They all agree. We are a carb heavy society. And because of our sleeves now is the time to back away slowly and reconsider them later. Eat a very heavy protein diet. D) Sugars are the enemy. And you know what I'm talking about. Even the protein shakes are full of crap. Time to step back drink h20 (and none of the other crap) and focus on proteins again. I will miss my smoothies and my fudigcles and my occassional sweet tooth cravings, but do want to lose weight or not? E) DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT eat after 7pm. Water ONLY. Sleeping on a full stomach, partially full, or any thing at all in your stomach will screw with your metabolism in your sleep. Just don't do it. Maybe masters swimming and water polo are my saving grace, but I know several people who've had success with trainers, workout buddies, etc. It's HARD. Period. No matter who we are to get this done. It takes time and commitment. Now, with all this said and done, let me also say that I will NOT be losing ANY weight this week. WHAT?! Why do ask ?! Because my period should be starting tomorrow, and well I got PCOS (PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome which has been a huge factor in why I needed the VSG- my body cannot regulate my hormones or my insulin), and I have always gained between 7 and 10 lbs on my period (sorry guys for the TMI but weight gain is true for the vast majority of women). If I only fluctuate by a pound or so I will be delighted. So this week I'm easing up on myself and just training and ignoring my numbers as they will most likely go up. BE AWARE of your cycles and get a calendar. Start tracking on your calendar, calories consumed, when your period is, when your PMS'ing (which is when your hormones start to surge and the first onset of weight gain pre-period happens) and watch what happens. You might be bloating because you're so close to your cycle. I also get horrific acne- which right now is pretty bad :/ so that's my indicator mother nature is about to come kick my a$$. I work out a LOT. A minimum of 2 to 5 hours a day and that's why I've been dropping numbers. I know a lot of people cannot commit to that, but I'm doing with with a packed schedule and a kid because my health is #1. It's time for me. THIS IS MY TIME. And I don't have anymore time in my life to waste. I'm being as completely proactive as possible. Hope this helps!

I was sleeved 3/16/11...I am 3 mo's out and feel fantastic!! I started at 251 before pre-op diet and have lost 45 lbs to date. Here are just a few things I have noticed: No more aching joints Not as out of breath when walking up and down 3 flights to my apartment Not as hot No diabetes meds No liver pains Not hungry all the time Love going to the stores to try on clothes and find I need a SMALLER size Not tired all the time as before Feel younger More active with my family TMI...Being able to clean my ENTIRE body with out struggling TMI...Being able to wipe with ease after going potty But the BEST THING is....Making love with my husband!! Who has also lost weight as he has been drinking my Protein shakes- 3 times a day and a sensible meal for dinner. He's lost 20 lbs. Yea Pookie!! After gaining so much weight through our 18 year marriage...sex was quite difficult and not worth having. Now?? Well...let's just say everything is A-O-K in the boudoir!!

Don't worry about that gas!! All that rumbeling will break loose and it will turn into the screamin' me-me's!! I had HORRIBLE gas from surgery. For 3 days I was in so much pain I could not sit up straight or take a deep breath! Then it all went south and rumble rumble in lower stomach. I passes some LOUD gas!! Then, I trusted one fart too many and paid for it BIG TIME!! So, if you get to tootin' do it over the toilet! I know TMI, but trust me, you don't want to be sorry later! LOL Kelly

I have an ob/gyn appointmnet in a few weeks but wondered if anyone else was encountering odd cycles? Mine seem longer and heavier, with more spotting. Anyone else bring this up to their doctor?

I had surgery 9/4, and starting 9/6 I've had diarrhea (sorry tmi!!) daily. liquid in, liquid out! :-) Robyn

If you can pinpoint why you aren't going it might help you. This is way tmi, but I had developed hemorrhoids and a fissure and the physical pain and bleeding that came with pooping made me constipated. I was getting enough food IN to make a bowel movement, but I needed my stools to be softer and waterier, so the Miralax was the perfect soluction. It was overnight and gentle, an osmotic laxative that was just want I needed. If you need to "bulk up" your stool you will need something different, or if you if just need an extra "push" then something else might work better. I have done my research on this topic because I was so desperate. I had another thread about laxatives that might help. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/44216-are-all-laxatives-created-equal/page__hl__laxatives__fromsearch__1

banded 11/18 I can feel my port lower right site next to right rib cage far away from Bra area... My problem know is that I my "friend" andy eveythign is a little swollen band really tight and port really sore!!! Sorry if it's TMI!!!

I am trying powder protein shakes with milk but its like a ticking time bomb. Cold sweats and everything. Wth? Sorry if this is in the overshare or tmi category but this is crazy. How do i get protein daily goal without them?

Ok.... I know all of us women had an issue with wiping front and back, after surgery, because of all the soreness ...lol .... Well I had a BM (I know TMI) and I was able to wipe myself without my mom's help!...lol.....

Can I start with an I LOVE? I love that this is nothing like what I thought it would be. I really, really thought (as ink had resigned myself to accepting) that this would be fairly miserable: constant nausea or vomiting, virtually guaranteed food intolerances, etc. About 5 months in and I can eat anything, so far. That includes Pasta, rice, bread, dough, etc. Not that I eat it much or in large amounts, but I can get it down. I do still very much enjoy the freedom to eat whatever I want (though I really wouldn't complain if it were any other way). The NSAIDS are indeed back and forth. Really, the only reason we can't take them is a "just in case". They aren't inherently bad for us, but IF you do have a reaction or complication that results in an ulcer, it could be harder to treat than if you had a regular stomach. Ok so that's super simplified, but the idea is there. What I hate -- I hate not really knowing when to stop. As a general rule I under-eat my sleeve. This has also resulted in me never having hit above 650 calories in an entire day, 5 months out. I worry about that. It's no good. I'd hoped to be around 900 calories by now. My nutritionist wanted me at 900 calories 3 months ago. And from what I've been told, this may never change. I never thought I would _hate_ that I can't eat _enough_ calories. Related to the above, I do hate the hairloss. I've been through it before (previous WLS) and I'm rather used to it now... but it still sucks. If nothing else, I hate having to clean my shower drain every day. I hate what this has done to my poops. I take Fiber, and laxatives, and still have a hard time. A few times I've been able to go, only to have it "get stuck" halfway out and refuse to budge (either direction). That may be TMI for some, but it's the truth. What the heck are you supposed to do when that happens? I hate that I have pretty bad reflux, and I hate that every time I reflux, I worry about complications. Mental note: call my surgeon and talk about this. My reflux is associated with a particular sensation, and it's a sensation I also had with my band - which makes little sense. I'm wondering if I have some dismotility, or a slight stricture. My "this may never change" above is related to the amount of scar tissue I had from my band & previous surgeries, which could also be exacerbating this sensation/reflux. I hate that with my lapband I lost weight like a rockstar, and relatively 'm a total toirtoise this time around. Don't get me wrong, I think I'm going OK considering I stalled for the better part of my first 3 months post-op. But when I had lost weight so quickly before, I just had high expectations that it would happen again and accepting that it isn't going to sucks money butts. I hate that I don't know what to do with my too-big clothes. So I'm hoarding them. Because I'm also a little afraid to get rid of them (if I'd gotten rid of them the first time, I'd have been screwed when that weight came back.) I hate what my body is looking like. I'll take it over the fat -- don't get me wrong. And I'm not a vain person. But I look like a melty wax sculpture. I guess more generically, I hate that I've ALREADY destroyed my body. That I will never have my natural, tone bare skin again. That I've wrecked it, and that no matter how much weight I lose, I will never have my beautiful naked self again. Ugh I could go on.

URGENT ?????????? Sorry, this is gross. Ok, I was banded on the 6th. Yesterday I went pee and there was a little blood well, Today, I went poop a few times and when I was done and wiped there was dark blood on the T.P. and brighter red blood in the potty. Not just a little, the water is pure red. I called and they said it could just be a hemroid(sp) I had one a couple years ago. But, The poop was not hard at all. They said I can go to the E.R. or go to west and make an appointment. We think that is too much blood for just a hemroid. and I am having pain and cramping in my tummy and below my belly-button. I know, I am really sorry, this is gross and TMI, but, I need to know if I need to go to the E.R. or not. I don't want to go if I do not have too. but, I worry about the amount. I seem to be losing quite a bit of blood. Any Advice would be great. Thank you so much. Ps. Way to go Special.

I just urinated for the first time since leaving the hospital and that oddly relieved the pain in one shoulder. I'm sorry if that's TMI but I'm trying to be as specific as possible about my recovery so others can compare and our prepare for their own experiences. I tried waiting 5 hrs between pain meds (rather the prescribed 4) so far I made it to 4.5. Haven't used any of the nausea meds yet I'm guessing I'll need those when I get off the Clear Liquids.

Nikki, I thought you were doing well. What's has changed for you? Are you still tracking what you eat? Sometimes it helps to go back to basics. But how much have you gained. I gain Water weight very quickly and if I don't poo (sorry TMI) I can gain more. Hugs!!!

For the past week I've felt bloated and I hadn't had a BM. Tonight at dinner I had the intense urge to buckle over, I had the worst stomach pain for about 10 minutes, so I went to the bathroom. I swear I must've eliminated at least 5lbs of waste. It's like what I had for dinner decided to kick start my bowels and get them moving again. Now I feel soo much better and the bloating is gone. This is the 2nd time that this has happened since surgery. Has anyone else experienced this?