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Tomorrow I will be a full week post-op. As a wound care nurse, I was overly pleased that my wounds are pretty much totally healed - yay! Still a little soreness at the lap keyhole where my penrose drain was, but nothing too bad. In many ways, my recovery has gone beautifully. I was able to lean over and pick things off the floor at 4 days post op, can walk pretty well (though I'm slow), drove home 5 hours on 3rd post-op day. On the other hand....my sleeve is a tempermental tyrant (we call him Cthulu Jr.). He won't tolerate plain Water in any form - tepid, warm, cold - I get terrible cramping and bubbles, often resulting in that gut-wrenching kind of gas. My sense of smell has become hypersensitive - on the drive home, my husband opened a bag of Doritos in the car and it felt like my stomach was going to come up through my nose. It's been the only time I had really terrible nausea. My doc has me on clears until 10 days post op, and I've yet to make my Fluid goal of 60 oz a day yet - I'm lucky to hit 30oz. Even watered down, anything with sugar gives me terrible cramping diarrhea - apple juice, white grape juice, clear VitaminWater. I have attempted liquid Protein twice (once with Isopuke, once with Nectar), both times with extreme discomfort. I had 3 sips over 30 minutes, and then it sat in my abdomen like a lead weight for nearly 2 hours. Chest felt tight and I generally felt unwell. WTF? This has been such a change for me. In the past, I was the master of my stomach....even if it said "I'm full!", I would just shove more food into it! Now, I am at the mercy of this tiny abdominal tyrant who gurgles and churns constantly. It's like when my daughter was an infant, before I figured out what her different cries meant and they all sounded the same....is it hungry? Is it full? is it angry?? I can't tell! The worst is those gurgles that I have learned to identify as "Oh my God, find a bathroom...high-speed liquids coming through!". Ugh! It starts bubbling at my low abdomen and progresses in one long, writhing motion up to my esophagus...and I've got about 90 seconds to find a toilet. Sorry, probably TMI. I thought I was prepared for post-op - heck, I've taught bariatric classes! But I feel like a n00b. ~Asche, The Crazy Cat Lady

I have been doing bootcamps and I am on a clean eating diet, I walk daily and I have three kids so I'm always on the go. I'm wondering if I'm psyching myself out?? I can't eat a full meal anyway lol and as far as cheating like having a sweet something I do but I usually only have a couple bites and don't do that but maybe twice a month. I feel like it's mostly this hanging fat that's keeping me back, it's not just loose skin there is some of that too but it's really bad, I will try to attach a picture sorry it may look nasty!!! I don't have the money but I honestly think I need plastic surgery to fix this, I have tried so hard to tighten this belly flab it's from rib cage down to pubic line and it hangs over my public line. Sorry for the TMI it's also hanging over my belly button and causing bad irritation and redness. I have a hard time at the bootcamps and I really think I overdo it because I finish it all but when I get in my car I feel dizzy and half out, I'm very stubborn and I have this issue with being very self-conscious and so I have to finish the class and not slow down too much, there's times I get blurry vision but I just keep going. Yes I know it's stupid of me so I am on a break from the bootcamp but I'm starting back in a couple of weeks. I still walk every day but it's this. "Front butt" and "beer gut" that's horrid!!! No I don't drink beer but just comparing lol

:redface1:The surgery took about 2 hours, (I'm told) and it went well. My Doc likes to put his patients in delux accomodations, so I am living the sweet life while I recover. WARNING! TMI SECTION: I am very gassy, and have been encouraged to belch as much as possible.. So I've been walking around burping like a 10 year old boy does for fun VERY unladylike!.. I am still having bouts of nausea and spitting up plegm.. that's the most uncomfortable thing..., that & the dry heaves.. They are going to keep me cathed for a couple more days until my "output" increases... (looking forward to losing that thing, I can tell you) Over all I'm feeling pretty good. There was a little spot on my leak test that the doc thinks is just a curve.. but they're holding me a couple extra days to get another look. He doesn't seem worried, so I'm not. And hanging out here won't be a burden. I'm looking out a 14th floor window at the East River in Manhatten, a truly gold-plated view. So now I'm playing a waiting game.:biggrin2:

I was having terrible constipation at about nine weeks as well, and I occasionally went 5 or 6 days without a BM. I could still eat, but I found that I had little appetite and couldn't eat as much when I was so backed up. This may be TMI, but I used an enema each time it had been three days or longer, and that always did the trick for me.

Hi everyone! I hope everyone is doing well on their journey. I was sleeved on 10/03/16 and was wondering what are some of the things you do to prevent constipation..? I had to pass a very hard stool (sorry tmi I know) and I would like to never, ever go through that again! Please, any advice you can share is helpful [emoji4]

So it's Sunday, and if I was you I know I would check the scale even though people told me not to. How are things going? An issue I had too (I know it's TMI) was I pretty much never pooped either. I was on a liquid diet for 2 weeks pre-op too, then clear fluids, then full liquids THEN puréed then FINALLY soft food. It took me some time to lose at first but then it started and stalled and started again (we all will have annoying stalls) now I'm on a streak of great loss. You'll do great! Go slow with soft food.

tmi, i bet cum tastes better now that we all arent eating fried shit foods

Hi everyone! I survived! the first night was pretty horrible. in my drugged stupor, i confused the morphine pump with the nurse call button and kept pumping more drugs into my system which made me more nauseous. i threw up 3 times, but got it sorted out finally. i passed my leak test the next morning and they brought what seemed like a feast on that lunch tray. although, i did not want a bite of anything to eat. had a rough day yesterday (day 3) but made it through and today, day 4, already seems like a better day. am enjoying some decaf coffee because its the only thing that doesnt taste sweet beyond measure. am getting some sugar free gatoraid today-plan to drink it to excess to make up for slacking on the water (due to the sweet/soapy taste everything has-even plain water). am looking forward to moving to full liquids tomorrow. already planning my pudding fest! oh--if you have never heard this line before--BELIEVE IT---"never trust a fart". sorry if TMI but seriously, half of my walking is from running back and forth to the bathroom not knowing if I just have gas or you know what!!!!! I wish all of you the best in your journeys!! Let's keep up and keep each other informed and supported. going to go get a hot shower now! have a wonderful Sunday-attend church if you are able. May God's glory be found in all of our stories.

Thanks for the well wishes. I'm feeling much better today and ate real food. I was scared I'd be too swollen to eat but I guess having two days on Clear liquids did the trick. I did get some nasty trapped gas (TMI, I know, but this is a stomach flu thread) so I took some Gas X and that "went away" if you get my drift. The suppository the Dr. perscribed is called "Tigan (generic form)". Kimberly- I sure would suggest calling your doctor and getting a perscription just in case, especially when you KNOW you've been exposed. Once again, thanks everyone! Now go get your suppositories!!! Hee hee... Megan

Probably TMI here, but be careful where and when you eat these (at least at first!) I brought them to work (before WLS) and they made me VERY gassy! Like, I had to go home or embarrass myself gassy! Just be careful...that's all I'm saying!

Hey Ladies, So I have had PCOS for about 10 years... I haven't had a period in about that long..the only time i would get one is when my dr would have me take progesterone to force on on. But it wasn't a regular one on my own. I am a little over 2 1/2 months out and Monday I got my first real period on my own... this probably explains the sever moodiness the past few weeks that I couldn't figure out before. The last time I dealt with this was long I forgot what it was like. My only problem and question is how horribly bad it is! I know this is going to be TMI so i apologize ahead of time. I have to change my tampon less than once an hour.. and I"m using the strongest they come in.. I am even extra protecting and wearing a pad.. and am thankful cause its that bad. My boobs had been so sore to the touch the past week that even wearing a bra was uncomfortable. That has now passed. I am having such bad cramps and can't do anything becuase I don't want to be too far from home or the bathroom... My question is I know this is becuase of the PCOS and my body adjusting to being normal again. Does it get any better after a few cycles? I can't even remember what my periods were like when I use to get them, I know they were not this bad.. I called my Dr and they said there isn't anything they can do for me..I'm just so weak and worried about losing too much blood. Any advice from fellow PCOS er's or non that have eperienced this would be greatly appreciated. I'm at a lost.. my husband obviously can't understand and I feel bad that I have banned him from our bathroom and he has to use the guest one for now. LoL.

Well, I guess I wasn't dehydrated, I just couldn't pee lol. So I'm stuck with a catheter until Monday...yay lol. I've noticed any stomach pain comes with some gurgling and gas. I only take one small sip then wait about 10 seconds and repeat. I'm tolerating most everything I've ingested. TMI but I got the worse yeast infection Tuesday night. Never had one before but it is worse than the incision or stomach pains. And thank you for the compliment, you are so sweet! You looked great for just having a major operation! Lol. I woke up with quite a bit of nausea. But after all that was taken care of, I was fine. Do you feel much restriction? The only time I know I drank too much or too fast is that my stomach makes a gurgling noise. It's hard to realize that I actually have 85% less of my stomach when only consuming liquids lol. And by any chance do you know what size of boogie Dr. Curry uses? You know I would love to have your email or phone number so we can communicate a little better

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. ????

Had one of my worst days post-op. I guess I let myself get dehydrated and unfortunately constipated. Soooooo painful.. Magnesium citrate eventually cleared the way (sorry for TMI) after 10 hours of writhing pain. Don't want to have that happen again!

Anyone had this? It is located right by my belly button. Gotten progressively worse all day. No redness, swelling or fever. Doctors office closed....unsure what to do. Feels like a hot knife stabbing. Sorry if tmi. 5 weeks out bypass.

I was bad today. They served us lunch and I gave in to a brownie. I have not had real sugar in over 3 months. I really just wanted to see how it tasted and I also wanted to see if I would experience "dumping." I guess I'm a sadist or something. The other day I was happy to have felt "restriction" and ended up vomiting. Well I didn't have a dumping reaction to the sugar. I did enjoy the treat while it lasted, but afterwards I felt I'd fall into the old craving of sweets. I surprisingly have not. With it being that time of the month, no less! (I know TMI, but hey this is why we have the forum!). Overall I feel I've tested something within myself with this cheat...but I don't know what...

A year ago, I would look at people who are the size I am now and think, "Oh, what I would give to be that size!". I just knew I would be full of confidence and that my self esteem would be flying high again. But, now that I am where I was striving to be a year ago (not thin but no longer obese), I'm still not happy with my body. Is this becasue society has told us what is beautiful so many times that we start to believe it? Or, is it much more simpler than that. Is it just that I'm not happy with my body as a whole? Why am I minimizing my success in my head? I know I'm not sabotaging myself, but I also know that when I look in the mirror now, there are parts of my body that I dislike even more now that I've lost weight. Now, before everyone blows up at me, let me explain. I am 110lbs smaller than I was a year ago and aroun90lbs smaller since surgery six months ago. I can look and feel my body and I KNOW it has made tons of positive changes. i also know that even though I mess up with my food intake some times, I have made huge strides in that area as well. For example, this time of year in the past I would have had bough four bags of candy just for my husband and I. To be honest, I ate 3 1/2 of those! Now, I've been very careful. If I do eat a mini bar, it's only one or two for the day and then no more for awhile. I've learned that apples and peanut butter can taste just as good as a Reese's Cup....well, not AS good....but close enough. Plus, the apple doesn't make me feel bad about eating it when I'm done. I also try to exercise when my back will allow. Another huge step. As for my body changes, the pouch over my "lady parts" is so much smaller that when I'm using the bathroom, I marvel that I can see certain parts again. (Sorry if that's TMI). I can now see the numbers on the scale with out having to bend my body all cockeyed when I weigh myself. My arms feel like little girls arms to me when I fold them across my chest and the best part is the way I fit into the area under my husband's arm when he puts it around me. For the first time, his arm goes all around me and can even go down part of my arm. For the first time ever, i feel like I can be that comforted woman in the arms of the man she loves. But, with all the good comes the bad. My boobs continue to try to make their way to the floor. If they continue on their trip, they will be there in a few months and I can turn them into cleaning tools as I walk around the kitchen floor!!! Also, they are much smaller, and I have to admit, I REALLY miss them. (If you read my blog lots, you can see that I say this all the time...I have always had a close relationship to my boobs!!! LOL). The skin under my lady parts and between my thighs continues to look like a bull dog's jowls. My tummy is now wrinkled and I can fold areas of skin and fat over on it. My arms have wings and to really just shock me, I noticed today that my face skin is hanging a little too. I swear, I know it's Halloween, but I do not have any desire to look like a walking melting wax figure!!!!! So, I did what I do and asked myself, "Which would you prefer? Who you were six months ago or who you are now?" No question, hands down, The PERSON I AM NOW!!!!. So what's the problem you may ask? It's simple. I've been overweight my whole life and I always thought that if I lost weight I would have a killer body. But, becasue of my age and the length of time I've been fat (not to mention the inability to exercise the way I would like), my body didn't get my brain's memo and can't just fall back into place.....right now, it can only "fall". Because of this, it adds some negative thoughts in my head about how I look. Now, I know only I and my husband can see my body....and I'm lucky that he loves it the way it is.....but every person I know wants that tight, chest up, butt up, tones arm look!! But for now, I will have to rely on Spanks and the right clothes to hide all these changes....and trust me, I don't mind one bit.

I got up this morning and stepped on the scale as I do every morning. I weighed 235.6 which is six tenths of a pound from my next major goal of losing 50 pounds! Still have a bit to go. No worries. I continued to get ready and as part of that went to the bathroom. Without TMI, a lightbulb went off above my head and I weighed again. 235.2! Only 2 tenths away from my next goal! I almost wanted to cut off a finger. Ha! But then I realized that whether my scale read 235.6, 235.2 or 235.0 this morning, I still look the same this morning. My true goal is to feel better and to look better. That .2 will come off and when it does I will be very excited! But no frustrations, because things are moving steadily in the RIGHT DIRECTION! And that is what is important. I hope you all have a WONDERFUL weekend!!

Oh girls! Im sorry your day three was worse. I had bad gas pains, that woke me up during the night but, it ok today. I finally went to the bathroom (TMI I know)

TMI, but I need to know. So I'm 8 days post-op and started light bleeding. It is almost like the beginning of a period, but I'm not due for one for another 2 weeks. Then the part that really freaked me out is blood in my stool. It isn't a lot, but is definitely there. I've had no problems in terms of energy, keeping liquids and food down (egg, cheese, other soft Proteins - I'm definitely on one of the less strict diets in terms of being able to eat soft foods post op 6 days. I was sent home with those blood thinner shots and just took my last one this morning. I have of course called my dr. and am laying here ( self-prescribed bed rest) waiting to hear back. The only thing I can think of was overdoing the walking at 5 days post-op when I walked costco for 2.5 hours (dumb I know). Since then my belly has felt a little crampy and I had some pain in my drain site when waking up and getting out of bed the next day. Thoughts??? Did this happen to anyone else?

TMI but to not fear crushing my hubby during 'adult activities' One of the reasons I decided to get this surgery now is because with the last 20-25 pounds I've gained, for the first time, I started to worry about the crushing my husband thing. It's making me self conscious an inhibited during adult activities.

I have the stomach flu for a couple of days, and while that sucked, it did make me think that a liquid diet would not be complete unbearable... On the other hand, it was 2 days, not 2 weeks pre/2 weeks post, but hey, I'll take support where I can get it!

I think in the beginning there wasn't a whole lot to really "go" as it was all liquids that I was taking in. There was nothing "solid" really coming out (sorry if that's tmi). But as the months have progressed (I'm 21 months post op now), sticking to the diet has proven challenging to get enough Fiber in. I either have to take a fiber supplement or take miralax or MOM a couple of times a week to keep things regular. Otherwise, it would be a problem.

OOOHHH!! Goody!! Another band sister - BandaCat - looks like October 5th is a big Banding day! With JDru and myself - that makes three of us on the same day!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Another LBT firend - Wheeler - is having revision surgery on Oct 4th.:clap2: Definitely a busy surgery week in early October. I didn't pig out before the pre-op diet - I haven't felt the need, as I am (nervously) READY to start my new banded lifestyle. However, I did make sure to have a few things this week that may not be terribly band friendly later, that might take me a while to work up to eating again, or that I shouldn't be eating anyway (eg. sticky bento rice, sushi, asparagus, chocolate and some cheesecake). I only had normal servings of each, at normal times. Since deciding to get banded, a lot of my old habits and attitudes are already changing. I just don't want to eat badly at the moment (hooray!). My girlfiends are taking me out for a Thai buffet on Sunday, and we are having a BBQ party at home for my dad's retirement on 1 Oct, so there'll be couple more good meals yet. :hungry: hehehe!!! I'll just avoid carbs / fried as much as I can, and won't drink any grog or caffeine.:biggrin1: I lost 1 kilo after Day 1 of my pre-op diet - but spent the whole day and half the night peeing:eek: sorry, TMI (too much information!), so it must be all just Water weight. I am also doing a 15 day digestive system detox (QuickClense, which is just herbal / fibre supplements), so that would be contributing to the water loss also. Looking forward to joining bandland with you all!

Oh, and sorry to ask you to maybe ask you to post TMI but I imagine with the post op diet diarrhea may be a problem.... I have been considering buying diaper rash cream, baby wipes, etc. to minimize discomfort. Have you found this necessary?