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If I got all this extra skin removed, I would be at goal - although I can only get the panniculectomy through my insurance. I just cannot afford anything else. If I made my goal, I'm wondering if I would be too thin. I've already noticed that the last 20 pounds left me with much more skin - especially on the thighs. This is TMI, but when I sit on the pot I really notice it all hanging over. I'm in great shape and would wear a size 4 or smaller without that apron. I've also been stalled for a couple months. I'm just wondering if this is where I should be.

I have weird stomach rumbles when I drink certain Protein drinks but not others. For instance: carnation instant Breakfast (sugar free chocolate) makes my stomach so noisy. It doesn't hurt or anything, mild discomfort but no physical pain. Mostly, my issue with them is that my stomach really gurgles really loud out of nowhere sometimes lol..so I've tried others and some I've found don't do that at all. I think it might be partly bc of soluble Fiber and maybe partly because of the sugar free sweetener. Sometimes I used to get diahreah (tmi sorry) when I would eat my grammas Sugar Free Chocolates. Maybe something similar?

Everything went well. Honestly, so far, it hasn't been too bad. I'm starving. I could only have ice chips all day yesterday. The gas pain was horrific, but (tmi) I had a bm almost immediately so that subsided. The incision with the drain was/is the most painful. Fortunately, most of my pain has come from this stupid IV. I didn't get in a whole lot of walking yesterday, because I was so nauseous. However, I have been getting my walking in since earlier this morning...I haven't gotten much sleep. I suspect that I won't need very much pain medicine today, because I am starting to feel a lot better. I can't go home until Thursday...my doctor decided that before I came here. The hospital staff is awesome, so I don't mind staying. Thanks for all of the well wishes!!! You have no idea how much they help!!! Little Bits

Finally feeling so much better and had my first bm (tmi but we share and relate). Still tender in belly and drinking more since bm. So so happy.

I am going on 3 yrs out and was wondering if anyone else is having an issue with their stomach locking up on the main incision side when either bending wrong, doing crunches and sorry for the tmi but going to the bathroom? I havent had it checked out but wanted to know who else has experienced this. Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

TMI continued... I had explosive water BMs late day 2 and all day day 3, and now just gas. When I left the hospital day 2 I was told I would have water stool until I passed all of the contrast from the 3 leak tests I underwent pre discharge. I was sleeved on the 27th.

So glad you are feeling better laurie! You sure sounded aweful before Great NSV on the little bbq! Makes me wonder if smashed up watermeelon is ok for the pureed stage?? I still have 18 days until then, but I bet the watermelon would be lovely. The docs typically soak the new stomach in Water inside the abdomen and check for bubbles that would be leaks. The next day they should at least do a barium swallow so you can see your new stomach. My doc did it for confirmation of leaks but he also wanted us to see how the new stomach worked. I'll attach a picture. The reason you should get a copy now is so that in 6 months you can get another barium test to see how your sleeve has healed and if they missed parts that are now stretching (which obviously can lead to regain). I didn't think the barium was aweful - mine was more like a strawberry and cream Protein drink. Just one big gulp. However my doc also had us do a blue dye test. which is a much thinner liquid (water) than the barium test. This allows even the smallest leaks not to go un noticed as any leak in the stomach would come out in the drain that is placed by the new sleeve. THAT stuff was disgusting. And probably TMI, but I'm still peeing blue! LOL Here is my pretty new sleeve

So I have this little problem... we'll actually, its a HUGE problem!!! *TMI* alert: Since the surgery my sex drive has disappeared!!! (had surgery Sept. '10) Its not that I don't love my husband or don't want to be with him... I just simply don't have the desire for that. So now for the past few weeks I have been accused of cheating...*sigh* My husband has this idea in his head that anytime I step out of this house its to be unfaithful to him!!! As funny as this sounds... its really breaking my heart. Its been a constant battle (almost every night) with him. I'm sick of fighting about this but he really is convinced that Im cheating and the only to calm him down is to freaking show him proof of where I've been or what I've been doing . And I know I shouldn't feed into that but its the only way I can shut him up! I don't know what to do anymore... Im really TIRED of this Bull$#!* WHAT DO I DO !?!?!? I can't take it anymore... #this is one of very few times I regret getting the surgery- Other than that.... I FREAKING LOVE MY BAND...down 65lbs and feeling great in my XL clothes

I went from not having a period for 15 months pre-surgery to having three in six weeks immediately post-surgery. Now almost five months post, I am back on monthly schedule but, oh boy, is this one a doozy! At the risk of TMI, I got out of bed this morning to go for a walk but needed a shower and to change my bed instead!

TMI!! Lol ...

I was told no carbonation ever and I quit cold turkey days before surgery. I only drank Diet Mt Dew. I was just thinking yesterday, how I wish I could reach ppl, how much better my life is without soda. My skin and my bladder are the biggest improvements. I used to have to pee (tmi) after just about half a can of soda. At night I would get up 4-5 times a night. But now even though I drink Water constantly, I can go 3-4 hours without having to go. My skin is so smooth and soft , none greasy. Like CG, when I hear someone pop a can of soda, for a minute I really would like one, but then I think I really like whats happening with my body and starting again is not worth it. Like someone else stated here, if you try one sip you will not like it and I truly believe that b/c even now Propel which I liked is even to sweet tasting now. I also found that sweets, artifical or not make me crave more sweets, so I limited my lo cal sweets, even my artifical sweets (Splenda) Just my observation and opinion.

Gas X strips - so easy to take, they just melt right on your tongue 2oz Dipping cups (Walmart) - used these to store my food for after surgery (yogurt, applesauce, eggs, etc) they are the perfect size for your little pouch and you can just grab and go Unflavored Protein powder- mixed a tablespoon in everything I ate for a way to get added protein. Also made my own protein Popsicles with a Zoku mini pop maker Jello & pudding - sugar free of course just took a box of these in my favorite flavors plus a scoop of protein and mixed up a batch for the week - just follow directions on the box Sugar free Popsicles - a good go to snack Water Enhancer of Choice - you will get tired of water so I brought so many to keep myself from getting bored Sugar free mints - to keep your mouth from getting dry. The first few days home my month was do dry and I liked to use the mint to also help get rid of the protein and vitamin after taste Waterproof bandages - the hospital provided me with some but I am one that changed mine daily no matter what. I brought the kind that were just a size up from a band aid and they were the perfect size Protein shakes and blender bottles - I got 2 of the small size blender bottle and pre made my shakes for the day. As you can see I had everything in the fridge ready Mederma for your scars - once they completely heal rub on daily Miralax or Smooth Move just in case you are constipated Imodium for diarrhea - which I needed and didn't have because people only tell you about the constipation ( I know TMI) All your Bariatric vitamins - multivitamin, Iron, Vit. D, B-12, and Biotin Small bowls, plates, and baby silverware to help you eat small bites and slowly Comfortable place to sleep - I used a recliner but you can do a large sofa chair, couch, or even a toddler bed. (my friend did this, Lol) just so you will not accidentally roll over on your stomach. I also purchased a food mill for about 10 bucks off amazon to purée my meat but I have not got to the stage yet so not sure if it will be useful. I am only 2 weeks post op. Hope this helps!! If I think of anything else I will let you know Willa

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!

Ok. Update. After I posted this.... TMI Alert.... I had a poop and even though I weighed Monday. I decided to weigh again. Lost .9 Monday. And down another 1.1 today. So. I am celebrating a total of 2 lbs down this week. Feeling much better by the way I am 5'6". And 45 years old yesterday. Yay me:)

I have a tilted uterus and tampons hurt a lot when I wear them. Also, for some reason, my cramps become so much worse while I have one in. I'm pads all the way, but always the overnights. I have weird periods. They don't follow any schedule they want. I went through a time of none for years, then I would have a heavy one that would go on for 40 days. I ended up with a D&C 2 years ago (they found several small uterine polyps) and since then it's been like clockwork, up until about 6 months ago. They are gradually getting more and more time in between. Right now I'm experiencing spotting since New Year's Day (I remember because had sex on New Year's Night and I thought the bleeding was because things got a little...um...intense....TMI). I've been spotting every day since then. The last 2-3 days, its more than spotting, but barely enough to wear a pad. Of course, I'm due to be banded on Wednesday and I'm probably going to have to have surgery while on my period! That SUCKS!!!!

Personally, I like a tampon with a panty shield just in case there is any bleed through. TMI I know, but hey, I'll play!

Haha, just watch, Swizzly will end up being down a pound the next time she weighs after that food-a-palooza . TMI Alert: As for me, I seem to have caught some sort of intestinal thing because even though I've only eaten 3 pieces of toast and a couple saltines in the last 3 days, I'm in the powder room every half hour. Trying to stay hydrated. As for the rest, I do not have enough sick time accrued to go to Germany, and I simply cannot afford leave without pay so I am stuck for the moment until I think of something.

Welcome to a day in the life. We all experience what we term as bandster hell when we are first banded and we don’t have that right level of “restriction”. It’s the holy grail that we bandsters search for. It’s that spot between just right and too tight….and some of us walk that line pretty close and even those of us that think we are not walking that line, could be sitting right on it and all it takes is one small thing to push you over it and I'm over it. In July I had a fill that left me in my just right zone. I was feeling good and eating small portions and working out and banded life was just great. Enter my “real” life and all that goes out the window. I have great band mechanics. I take small bites I chew chew chew. I eat within my 20 minute range time, and I have so much stress in my life I don’t know how I have not had several breakdowns. Must be that spine of steel I often joke about and those brass balls that I keep in a nice little box. I could tell you stories my band friends that would probably curl your hair. There is going to be a time when I sit down and write out all these things because you couldn’t make these things up if you tried and who the heck would want to?! I know we all have our ups and downs but these things are extraordinary, it just doesn't lend to that comic genius in my writing just yet but someday I'll work on it. I am not one that doesn’t practice what she preaches. In fact I won’t sit and talk about anything in a support group that I don’t know about. I am one of those avid learners (yes you might say geek) that will go to school, learn it practice it and then speak about it. Recently I went back to school to become a nutritionist, it’s important to me and my friend and my family so I did it! I really don't have an affinity for people that talk out their ass, or people who look down their nose at people like me because we are obese. It's hard to listen to the twiggy nutritionists talk when they have no idea what it's like to be in my skin. Words are great, but experience, understanding and empathy is what reaches me. OK so my BIG problem….I do too much! I don’t know how to slow down until something crashes into me literally and so that brings me to where I find myself today. In the last couple of months I have had a major car accident, that kept me out of work for 3 whole days! To me that’s a long time, and has kept my body in aches and pains, muscle trauma, and a concussion for about a month. I had to stop going to the gym and working out and I really felt like that was a huge set back for me after finishing my first 5K and finally starting to feel like going to the gym wasn’t the heart attack it once was. On top of that I got sick and had swollen glands and this lovely virus on top of my allergies which has me sliming my head off day and night. Over the course of all this and all the medication that Dr.’s shove down your throat for this symptom and that, my band got tighter and tighter and tighter until last night I hiccupped and (TMI gross alert) vomit came shooting out my mouth and across the room from the sip of Water I just drank! I knew I had to get to the baratric Dr. this was just not right. I knew I had been tight, and I knew that stress was not letting up any time soon. 5 kids, who have varying degrees of drama they like to give their mother a heart attack with on a nearly minute to minute basis, one husband, and then we have two new additions to our family. The furry four legged kind two lovely little PinTzu’s. They are the joy to my day in the morning and at night after a rough work day, but you know what it’s just like having new babies. I love it and the hubs is getting used to it he has never had dogs before so much of the pressure to “train” them all husband and pups and family members that live at home is on me to keep consistency. This morning I woke up and I could barely take my morning meds, and swallow my saliva. Add to that some post nasal drip from being sick and allergies and I knew it was time to see the doctor ASAP. So I called and wouldn’t you know I got the whole we don’t open till 9 am thing. Which is BS I know they are there early in the morning but they don’t open the phone lines until 9 and I wasn’t waiting. I drove straight there and of course once I got there and I told them what was going on with me..they took me in right away. I went down for a video esophageal or barium swallow and x-ray. Wouldn't you know it, sure enough that pouch was dilated. They had to remove 5cc of Fluid and I am now on a 3 week liquid diet to see if the dilation goes back to normal. Ugh, but you know what I have to say…nothing bad! I am grateful that I have a great Dr.’s office and good doctors to take care of me. I am glad that I did not wait for longer to get myself in there and have things checked out so my band didn’t slip or prolapse. I’m confident that I can make it through this liquid diet I have done it before and I will do it again! It is a lesson to learn, a BIG BIG one for me. I can’t tell you how many friends of mine have told me time and again to slow down and stop doing so much to just relax and let things flow. I really honestly have an issue with it. I can be lazy sure we all can and I do have days where I do nothing but vege out and watch TV or read. Most of the time though I just cram every second with something. There are things I want to do, and I find I am always battling against the things that I have to do, and my “responsibilities” and commitments. Those things make me feel pressured to be more and do more. It’s exhausting and I always get to the point where something has to knock me down to sit me down. This can’t be a good thing. So here I am in band “reset” mode. What have I learned from this….? Or perhaps the better question is what will I learn from this? So far today I have learned that I need to put up some really strong boundaries. I can’t save the world unless of course the power that be would like to get behind my idea of dropping large portions of Prozac in the water supply of all the middle eastern and certain other countries....happy people just don't decapitate other people. I don’t know quite yet how I am going to corral the issues that I have with my children and my family, those seem to plague me the worst. I have come to realize that work is work and I can give that 100% of effort in relation to the amount of effort extrapolated by those around me which should leave me with plenty of reserve energy to get to the gym and take care of myself. I am going to set some small goals, and keep myself accountable to them. Not just when it comes to my band but when it comes to taking care of myself as a whole person. I am going to keep myself accountable… Today’s goal: Body: Set a pattern for liquid diet protocol and hydrate in between. Mind: Get outside for some fresh air Soul: Practice some deep breathing

I had my Sleeve done four years ago. I still get sick if I eat too fast or something not good for me. I don't usually throw up any food mostly the slime or more like releasing a large burp but it is not a burp, my stomach clinches like I am Throwing up. (I know TMI) I know the obvious answer would be to just eat slower and better selections. I guess I am wondering if this is normal so far out of surgery. This does not happen all the time, sometimes I go a month or so without getting sick and then like now it is an everyday occurrence. I had a scope a few months ago to see if there was a blockage that is causing this but they said it was all clear. Please any advise would help, or is this just normal? I have lost 130 lbs from my surgery weight. Thanks David

Its a long story, and I wont bore with the details, but basically this is it. I was banded in Oct 2009.. Have had LOTS of sensitivity problems with band, the nurse who did all of my fills (the only one I trusted to access my port) left the practice and myself & a bunch of other patients followed her to the new practice. I saw her once there and had a fill at 4 cc's.. Then went for my next fill and found out she left that practice too. Its now been about 9 months or so since ive seen anyone at either practice, and I still only have 4 cc's in my band. I always have had a very hard time eating anything and have not been successful at all with my wieght loss. I have 2 young kids and frankly just dont have the time... So anyway.. Last week we went out to eat to a hibachi restaurant for my husbands bday. I didnt eat much, but adterwards violently vomited. That night & the whole next day I was very very sick. Nausea, passing out.. Even diarrhea (sorry, tmi) I developed a high fever too. I eventually got over it but never found out the cause... But ever since that vomitting episode, I have had absolutely ZERO resistance in my band. Its like it emptied itself or something! Is this even possible?? Should I just go back to my original surgeons office? Someone please help..

Another beautiful day and another chance to make this work! Jamie- I sure hope that having your gallbladder taken out cures what has been ailing you. Shiny- I haven't thought of jumping jacks in years! I am going to have to give it a try. (I immediately got a mental picture of black eyes. HA! Guess my jumping jacks will involve a really tight sports bra or an ace bandage!!) LOL. Things just aren't where they used to be, ya know? Ready- I am also glad that you had a true band experience. Sliming is the worst! I had an episode myself and I was amazed at the quantity. Where does all of that stuff come from?? I was blowing bubbles trying to get it all out. Sorry....TMI :smile2:. LilMiss- I have read on here before that steroids mess with a lot of people's weight loss. UG! You have a great attitude. It is a journey and you will get there! We all will!!! Tap- Good luck with finding a new tenant. Twenty months without problems is a great record. Just think: renovating an apartment= excersize! You are killing two birds with one stone...at least that is how I reason with myself when it comes to housework :sneaky:. Good morning and Happy Thursday!

Ahhh....Mini- you hit the NAIL on the HEAD on this one... I 'forget' that one side effect to the weight/depression is I have ZERO sex drive...(at the risk of 'tmi' I have not um....'had fun' in going on 2 years) so I am sure when the wieght comes off the 'sap will rise' again... right now I think I have literally taken myself mentally OUT of the dating pool- somone would have to be very agressive to date me (would I let them in the door with out paranoia (what do they really want? certainly not my body...etc...). my mom says maybe I have hit my bottom....may be some real truth to that... as to the job hunting- I totally agree- I can't picture me in an ill fitting suit, sweating, trying to fit in a too small chair walking into ANY interview...it IS about the looks. That said I do have one advantage I forget about...I am 6'4 1/2" so that is a plus. a side note- another reason I want to do this...my father is not getting any younger and really wants to see me happy, I think this might be a big tool to that goal (I would also love to see him see me in a healthy stable relationship before he is gone...)

Today I am officially ,1 month post op. MY surgery was April 15. I am feeling good! I am wearing some clothes from the other side of the closet, hehehe. I was nauseated this morning so Protein shake for me. Truthfully, I think I need a break from them. Yesterday, I had to gag my way through them. So I ordered unjury chicken Soup and unjury unflavored protein. My bras are starting to be too big and undies too. Sorry if that is Tmi. Overall very happy. How is everyone else progressing

Sorry for this being TMI, but how long have you gone between BMs? I've gained almost three pounds and haven't had a BM since....Sunday? I have 5g of fiber in my water 2x a day.

I'm doing good, some tenderness but I'm ok. Has the gas x stripes been giving you any relief? I've been passing gas and belching pretty good[emoji23][emoji23] (tmi I know) . Prayers that you start blasting gas!!![emoji23][emoji23]