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I'm one month and a week post op and I DO have this issue on some days (no blood). Before surgery, I followed a low carb diet (for the most part) and my BM were at least twice a day... It was a pleasure to go. LoL. I'm currently using glycerin suppositories because they work fast and do not leave you with a sore bumm. However, it's not safe to depend on them, so once this bottle is finished, I guess I'll drink more water and eat more fiber-rich veggies. Good luck! I hope it's nothing serious.

For me when I move onto soft foods they told me to have three meals and one snack. I have to say, I'm looking forward to this

The PA gave me my fill last week. She said that since I had very little fluid in my band she was surprised that I hadn't gained weight. I'm really hoping the whopping fill she gave me will help! I lost 3 pounds on liquids right after the fill but as soon as I started eating again I gained 2 back. Someday it has to budge!

Wow, did I have an interesting experience. I went to my Dr.'s information session last week. In the waiting room (the session was supposed to start at 1:30, it actually got started at about 3) I met two women. Let's call one Kay and the other Nancy. Kay is 18 and had the band 4 months ago. SHe has lost 24 pounds in 4 months. She now is wanting the doctor to take out the band and give her an RNY. She has a ton of medical problems and seems to be a real mess emotionally. I talked with her for about half an hour and all I kept hearing from her were excuses as to why her band hasn't worked. She blamed everything from her health (which I'm sure is a real battle) to her mom's cooking. She has been throwing up "everything" and says that the doctor tells her she must eat slower and chew more (he also said that she must be eating something because she's not dehydrated or loosing weight rapidly). Kay blamed her troubles on everyone else. She took no responsibility for her situation or her choices. After Kay went into her appointment, I breathed a sigh of relief. It was hard work talking to her. I felt like she was so down on the band that I was beginning to wonder if she was right. Then I met Nancy. Nancy had a brightness to her face. I wanted to talk to her. We chatted for a bit and she has had the band about 4 months too. She's thrilled with it and said it's the best thing ever. She said that the day she decided to have the surgury she decided that she was going to think of the whole experience as being "great". It is a miracle procedure and so she's going to act like it's one. She was so excited and enthusiastic. Guess how much weight she's lost...35 pounds! After talking to these two very different women, I decided to take the same attitude as Nancy. This journey is going to be great. It maybe hard once and awhile, but it will still be great. I also decided that I'm going to make sure to get rid of any negative person in my life. I also am going to work really hard at seeing the positive things myself. Megan

I went to my ob/gyn today...I have officially lost... 40 lbs...I'm 4 weeks LRNY as of tomorrow! Just wanted to share my progress!! ????????????

I sorta approached it that way, too. I'd done the short term diets and scale monitoring over and over again prior with mixed results and zero long term progress. I decided to have wls surgery and joined here. I was willing to follow the often given advice to "embrace the stalls" and to "not worry about the scale". Well....that didn't work for me. The pre-op diet was where I kicked the who "embrace" attitude to the curb. I knew there would be monthly weigh-ins with my NUT and I couldn't stand the internal drama from anticipation as to what those monthly results would be. I bought a superbadass scale and kept check on it myself. No drama...just a steady move in the desired direction. I was then able to walk into those weigh-ins with a smile on my face...secure in the knowledge of what the results would be as I stepped up on her scale. This weighing was very effective in validating results in food choices post op. There is a good bit of experimentation with our simple post-op diets. The scale helps to show the results of this. I believe, at least at this point, that the scale will be a very effective tool for me once I reach the fighting weight that I want to live at. I will be able to see upward trends and take corrective actions. Simply gauging based on how my clothes fit isn't a good method for me. The scale will identify where I am and help me stay in the narrow weight range that I intend to live. Everyone has different ideas and theories on the scale. I began this process with similar thinking that you describe. I quickly changed my thinking though. The scale is a vital tool. I hope you have successful results and are able to find your stride and get dialed in on what works for you.

I was just banded on 5/9 but as I read about fills it gets confusing. I am wondering why if you have a fill and you have restriction after the fill why is it that in a couple weeks you don't? What causes that? Anyone know?

It has happened to me, and I think it is because anytime you have a fill, you also have some swelling, due to the band being altered. So after a week or 2 the swelling goes down and for that reason some people lose restriction. Hope that helped! :confused_smile:

Since you've had your surgery...do you ever notice how MUCH all of those other people are eating!! I am keenly aware of this and think WOW did I use to way that much!!! I can say that all I thought about for 2 weeks post op was eating again but you will be surprised once they give you the go ahead it won't be such a present thought (%#@$ head hunger). I wish you luck but know you are strong and madge it through any temptations. I promise you as each situation presents itself you will feel more inner confidence about making this life change. Wishing you a continued speedy recovery.

I also felt weak and short of breath for several weeks. Gosh, I was winded for.. 4, 6 weeks? Try milk and broth. They may go easier than protein shakes.

Hi, before you get too concerned about your body rejecting the port as suggested above, you should call your doctor, make an appointment to go and see them. I had my surgery on 7 april, and 10 weeks later, my large incision has only just now finally healed completely. I had an infection on the left edge, which caused open wound about 1/4 inch across. I had 3 courses of strong antibiotics to help rid the infection.

12.4 Kg (27 pounds) is a good weight loss for the first 4 weeks. Follow the program requirements. A lack of energy could be caused my not following the Vitamin or Fluid requirements. I had RNY gastric bypass surgery and the program did not have me transition to solid foods until week 9. So there is no need to push into solids because it can be hard on the stomach (and can cause nausea). Walking at least 30 minutes each day can help ease the pain quite a bit.

I have a different Blue Cross plan. Under my plan, the out of pocket max is the max I'd pay in a year for all services - its intended as a safeguard if you have a catastrophic injury or illness. That was different than what I paid for any given service. Does your blue cross plan have a SErvice Benefit Brochure online? If so, it will likely list bariatric surgery and say what you need to pay depending on if the doc and hospitals are preferred providers or not. Also, note that this cost is JUST for the hospitalization. I ended up with costs for the hospital, surgeon, anesthesiologist, and lab work. It was far lower than my out of pocket max. I saw three surgeons before I decided on surgery, the only one that would have required me to make such a big payment up front was someone who did not take insurance and was covered as a non-participating provider. Again, my insurance may work differently than yours.

that's totally normal. It's from the swelling and the fluid... not to mention they blow up your belly with gas to make room for for the surgery... You will see the difference in a week or so.

I started eating pureed foods 1 week post op as per nutrionist....I've been eating tuna w/miracle whip blended in the magic bullet (love that thing), scrambled eggs, chicken breast w/broth blended in magic bullet, cottage cheese, applesauce, sweet potato and green Beans (magic bullet). My favorite is the tuna w/miracle whip.......it's heavenly - I use 1 small can (3oz) tuna and 1 Tbls of miracle whip and measure out 4 tbls of it....yum!! Now I want to leave work for lunch. I'm allowed 4 tbls of any of the above 3 times a day....I also still have 3 Protein shakes in between (Unjury) with 4 oz of milk. I haven't really been hungry at all. Good luck everyone!!

Hi Tawn, My name is Teresa and I live in the Eugene, Oregon area. I am 30 yrs old, married 5 years, no kids but lots of pets. Maybe if we are ever headed in each other's direction we should try to meet up. I am 7 weeks post op and down 32 lbs. Your banded friends will be very important support for you. Best of luck to all of you. Teresa

I was also banded on the 15Th & have had a 4 pound increase from the day I went in. I'm sure it must be all the IV fluids. I cant see any other way I could have gained. I was 15 lbs down from the slim fast diet I did 2 weeks prior to surgery and the day before I was only allowed clear liquids. Since surgery all I have had is liquids power aid, cranberry juice cocktail and a couple of slim fast optima shakes. I think I will try some cream of chicken soup for dinner tonight. I don't know how U all feel but I really have no appetite at all ,and I'm having a hard time getting the required liquids in. But I was allowed nothing by mouth for over 30 hours after surgery cuz I had to wait for my swallow test and then for the doc to approve. So the first time I even got water was around 3pm yesterday. I wonder when hunger will kick in? What all are u guys eating/ drinking to get ur protein in to keep from getting weak? I don't want to get dehydrated or malnourished but I also don't want to hurt the band !!! Any input would be much appreciated.

Hello I went through the same thing. I was up about 8lbs for about a week after surgery. I then dropped 13lbs 2 weeks after surgery and I am 4 weeks post-op and down 20lbs. Just hang in there you will start to lose soon. :tongue2:

Hi, glad I found this thread, you all answered exactly my question: I had my surgery Thursday 9/25, and came home that afternoon and weighed 6 pounds MORE than I did that morning! Ha! Well, I sure haven't taken anything in to speak of since the surgery, only broth, tea, sugar free jello, so I know I have really "gained" 6 pounds. I have been told not to worry about the scale right now, only about healing, but it's nice to know that your collective experiences suggest that the extra 6 pounds will likely disappear in a week or so. Thanks! We all need all the encouragement we can get!

I've heard it's best to reintroduce alcohol at home as well because some of us will not react well with the new sleeve. I've heard it's common to get drunk off of just a few sips, or get flush and sweaty from the sugar alcohols. Sorry, can't speak from experience -- I don't care much for alcohol so not sure when, if ever, I'll try it again. But women in my support group talk about alcohol ALL THE TIME. Also, remember to count those (empty) calories! Red wine is the best, and measure. Most of us Americans "think" we know a glass of wine, but really the way we pour is more like 2-3 glasses (well over 8-10oz). But yes, please wait at least 6 weeks to 3 months!

Hey everybody, I'm feeling kind of down lately, and I'm wondering if anyone else went through this and what got them through. I just hit my 5 month mark on Monday. My highest weight ever was 331, the day of surgery I was 281, and I'm now 201. I've been a strict rule follower, Protein, chewing, separating food and fluids, exercising every day, etc. I got a lot of milage out of these first months out of surgery. However, the last week or two there have been a handful of days that I didn't hit the 64 oz Fluid goal, and I have missed some Vitamins as well. Because I'm on thyroid medicine, I have to take that in the morning, then Calcium in the afternoon, and finally my Iron multi before bed. The toughest one for me to remember is the calcium because it's at work and things get so hectic during the day. I'm really good with the other two. Anyway, there are a couple of things that are going on with me I think and I just want to see what you guys have to say about how to move through any of these. Not always following all the rules by missing a couple glasses of Water or missing a Vitamin dose makes me feel like I'm slipping. I hate that feeling. It's a scary feeling because it feels like a short step to my old 'all or nothing' type of thinking. I hope that I can deal with this and stop that kind of thinking (I honestly don't see myself just giving up and eating junk or anything), but it does really bug me when I didn't do everything right for the day. Second, things have started to slow down. I was hitting at least 15 pounds a month for the first 4 months, and this month I hit 13. I know that's awesome, but it really disappointed me when I didn't make the goal I set for myself this month. It's also not helping that I'm hanging out right above a major accomplishment of hitting the 100's. It feels soooooo slow. I sometimes feel fat, which is not how I expected to feel after losing 130 pounds. Don't get me wrong, I often feel great about how I look comparatively and there are many things which are so much improved and easier (like today I sat in the backseat of a car with two co-workers without worrying if I was encroaching on someone else's space, yay!). I don't really get why I have this new body criticism, when I made the best of what I looked like before. I was telling my husband how I was feeling last night, but he did not get it. He asked if I was re-gaining weight and when I said I was still losing I don't think he understood or knew what to say because the conversation just dropped. Maybe it's a girl thing, I don't know. I figured if anybody would understand my bariatricpals would. Well, this turned long really quickly. If you have any insight or want to tell me what helped you through any of these things, please tell me. Is this down feeling just a phase? Right now things are crazy busy at work with the end of the school year coming up. I just want to keep going and keep losing until I get to goal in 61 pounds TIA!

Hi Everyone, So happy and excited to finally be a part of this group! I was sleeved on 5/21/12. My highest weight was 299 pounds. When I first saw my surgeon, I was 294.4. Surgery weight 279 and current weight 166. I've been eating the 5.2 way for about 3 weeks now. I've been stuck for months trying to get the scales to move. I'm hoping this works for me and I know I have to be patient. My goal is 150. I'm 5'6" tall. So at 150 my BMI will be just below 25. Thanks again for the add! Looking forward to getting to know each one of you here. Attached are some before and afters. I hope showing my bra isn't too much. lol I'm really excited to be where I am today but really I don't want to stop here. I need to be in the normal range for my height. But still.... I'm so grateful!!!

I was banded 12/10. Lost 20 lbs right away between the pre op diet and being afraid to eat. Then I got stuck. Plateau'd for 3 weeks as the swelling subsided and I could eat more. I didn't gain but it was so frustrating. Now suddenly I am losing again. Really have to concentrate on what and how much I am eating. I get my first fill next week. Down 26 lbs total so far. Yes, it is hard and frustrating, but it is such a relief to be losing weight and not gaining it. It's just a daily struggle to eat right and healthy. But I'm doing it! Thank you to all who are on this site. Very reassuring and helpful. Xoxo

Oh also exercise. I still don't do any. I am looking at knee surgery to happen about the 2nd week of October. So I'm looking forward to that even though I'm more nervous about it then I ever was with my wls. But I want to start pairing exercise with this because I even though I'm lighter, I still feel tired and heavy. I have no energy and I know its because I'm not very active.