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Hi all! I am new here and have an important question. I apologize if it is TMI but I am desperate. I have my first appt. with a band doc in April, but have been having severe bouts of dysfunctional uterine bleeding with no underlying issues identified (no cysts, polyps, hyperplasia, etc.). My current gyn is concerned about doing a hysterectomy because I carry most of my weight in my stomach and she would have to cut deep -- since I am diabetic, she is very concerned with healing issues and the risk of infection. Since the cause of this is probably an overproduction of estrogen cause by excess weight (bmi 48), I have been told that this MIGHT be improved or even cured with weight loss. I am trying to decide if I should wait or move ahead with a specialist. I am on double doses of birth control to stop the bleeding right now (have had 3 d&c's, etc.) but I cannot stay on it forever and am still having breakthrough bleeding. Please, please, please...if anyone knows anything about this, can you share it with me? Thank you so much. I look forward to being a part of this board!!! Karen

So I haven't had a regular period in years and for most of that time they were nonexsistant. But now with my weight loss I started a very lite period oh about two months ago and now in the past three days it is out of control. I have never had cramps or back pain like this and never ever so heavy. I haven't dealt with this in years and it's kinda freaking me out. Is this something that happens often with the weight loss?

LMAO!! They don"t tell you about constipation and with some like me diarrhea (TMI). I thank everyone here every chance I get and I now call them "My LB Family".

I am on a diet that consists of A Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch in 8oz milk 2 servings of fruit Lean Cuisine or Smart Ones for dinner Unlimited sugar/sodium free clears My question is, had anyone done a diet similar to this and if so, did the high protein cause you to be gassy or constipated. Big TMI... It's hard to tell if I am constipated because I had a bowel movement on Wednesday so I don't know. And my calorie consumption is only around 900 so I'm sure I don't have as much waste anyway. This is the first day I've had some discomfort. It's not terrible and I just took some Gas-Ex to see if it helps. Any input would be great...just curious to see what everyone else has experienced! Thanks!!!! Jordan

Had surgery on the 8th and mines is like water also but not uncontrolable even the gas its hard to get out. I kno its tmi but its like it has tightened up for some odd reason.

Hi!! I have had two fills, my latest was two weeks ago Friday. I was pretty tight, I actually threw up ( tmi sorry) twice .. I have not lost in the last week but I didn't over eat calorically I'm very careful.

Hi everyone. What is the best form of contraception you've been recommended? Or, what have you been using that has been effective? I have been on the pill for 11 years, no problems, ever. Came off it for one month prior to surgery and re-started again this month. My surgeon didn't mention anything else in regards to contraceptives, but I've seen a lot of stories of women who get pregnant soon after surgery. I'm sort of worried that my go-to method might suddenly not work. They say the pill is like 99% effective if taken correctly. Does WLS decrease the effectiveness?

Awesome!!! I will be making some for dinner tomorrow. Don't worry about the tmi good to know lol.

Hey all! I am almost 3 weeks out. And in that total, I have had a total of two bowel movements. The first one was extremely hard to get out (sorry tmi) and since then have started fiber gummies and stool softeners. Only have had one more and it was a little easier to get out than the first. My main question and concern is, I wonder what you all did to stay regular. The stool softeners make my stomach cramp and I dont think they are good for me to take everyday! Does it get better? I understand I'm still in soft food phase but wondering if when I'm on a reg diet for it change that much? Wasn't prepared at all for this aspect of the struggle...

Well, as the title says, I started my period over the weekend. Sorry if it's TMI but it's facts. I have absolutely NO energy and I am 12 days post op. I am so sick of protein shakes, soup, sf jello and sf popsicles I could scream! I go to Dr. on Friday for my 2 week post op and i'm supposed to get moved to mushies then. Surely that will help! Wont it? I'm really having second thoughts on what I have done to myself. I want FOOD so bad! I am not a good one to go without food while on my period at all. Any one have any suggestions or even words of encouragement? A lady down the hall who knows about the surgery said I look like I'm melting cause I've lost weight. I don't know how much because I don't have a scale at home but I hope she's saying that being true and not just trying to perk my mood. Hate this:( Just want to whine and cry but i can't because I did this to myself.

Hi all, I read a lot of the posts here but, other than the generalities, did not see a match to the questions/feelings I am having right now I look forward to your replies. This is probably going to be a long post so I had apologize in advance for monopolizing everyone's time. Maybe others have questions similar to mine and answers here can help more than just myself. I had gastric sleeve on 11/13. The pre-op diet was brutal and a real mind game but I knew I would shortly be on my way to a healthier lifestyle so it was, for me, fairly easy to push through. Surgery itself went extremely well. I was home the next day and off all pain meds two days later. I realize that is not completely typical so I am appreciative of the seeming simplicity of my procedure. So, I have been on the full liquids since returning home. The first few days were OK and each day since I have been gradually moving up my protein numbers as well as my water intake volume. "Sipping" is something I've never done! To help with that, I purchased a whole bunch of 1 ounce plastic "shot" glasses. It was less than 20 bucks for 500 on Amazon and I figured those little suckers would help me stay focused on taking small sips. I was right. For the last 10 days I have basically been following this plan in one form or another. As soon as I get up I start with either protein or water. - I pour 1/2 of 1 Premier protein container in to five 1 ounce cups. I proceed to drink a 1 ounce cup every 6-7 minutes using a repeating timer to keep me honest. Then I wait 20 minutes and start the same process with approximately 8-10 1 ounce water "shots."I am then wait 30 minutes and go back to protein then wait 20 minutes then go back to water. --It's not a perfect system especially when I am at work, but I generally stay on a good schedule and by the end of the day I am able to reach my 60 g of protein and I have been getting closer to my 48 ounces of water. FYI, I started out, like most everyone on here I guess, extremely obese. I nearly tipped 400 pounds on the scale at my heaviest and the day of surgery I weighed 384. I never had a problem losing big chunks of weight but keeping it off was a whole different story. I understand the surgery is only a starting point and most of my changes need to be mental, mixed in with some extra exercise too. I am planning nothing but winning, this time for life, but I am worried that I'm doing something wrong or not doing something exactly like I should be because I just don't feel "right " The first 10 days post op were fine. Sure, my mental hunger went off every five minutes as commercials on TV and other triggers would trick my mind into thinking I was hungry when I really was not at all. I did not waver and have not wavered. I am greatly looking forward to Monday when I start my puréed food stage. At least that will be something tangible. Well, the last two days or so I have not changed anything and yet my stomach has been, I don't know how to describe it, maybe bloated? Also, these last two days I have also been having worse reflux then anytime post-op and I'm also fighting to get to my water and protein goals as it has become tiresome and tedious since I'm not actually hungry. So, here is my first actual question. After reading the above, do you think I am doing something wrong? I'm very discouraged right now maybe even a little depressed and I just don't feel right. I feel like I'm doing something wrong or things aren't going to like they're supposed to going you or I am not on the right track. I don't know exactly how to explain it better other than to say I'm pretty sure it's just all in my head I can't escape the feelings of negativity I don't have any pain per se, except for the new newly found acid reflux. I'm not really going number two yet (TMI?) but I'm not sure if that's just normal. I'm not "eating" anything so really what's there to come out of that end! Don't get me wrong, I have been "going "every day or two, but the number twos are really just nothingness and basically just liquid. It's not like I have diarrhea, it's just that when I do go there's nothing really there. I know it's a long long road but right now it just seems like I am not doing something I should be because when I read a lot of the message board, I hear people having a few problems that I have not had. Is it just because I have not even started my vitamins or puréed food stage yet (Monday!)? I'm worried that I might be drinking too much or drinking too fast because it doesn't "feel" like I am losing any weight or that my stomach is any smaller than it used to be. I have not had any throat nor stomach restrictions nor feelings of being grossly overfull. Maybe I am just overreacting need to start the next stage of this process before I can't shake the feeling that I am doing something wrong. I want so badly to do this right and finally win at this decades long struggle. Thank you.

Exceptionally helpful. Thank you very much. Never tmi after this surgery.

I had a single vomiting episode and I'm pretty sure that was because I drank a mug of herbal tea too fast (tmi, but at least it was raspberry tea coming up instead of something worse!). I also get the stuck feeling in my throat if I eat too fast. Honestly I think it's my new full signal. Although, if you're in any way concerned you have a stricture, I highly recommend checking it out with your surgeon, just in case.

Has anyone in the over 40 crowd noticed their libido increasing significantly as they lose weight? Weird question I know, but I am interested because it seems like a lot of things are changing as I lose weight.

Hello Shamrocks! I keep meaning to start this thread, then forget about it when I am online. I figured it would be nice to have a thread that is for all our embarssing questions and/or comments. Funny part is that right now I don't have one, but I wanted to start the thread before I forgot. :thumbup:

Finally…fill number 4 seems to have done the trick. I have been working closely with one PA at my doctors to find restriction. Each week I have been providing them a detailed food and exercise log. We reviewed my food log and how long 8 oz. meals were lasting (2-3 hours) and agreed that another fill was appropriate. However, they took a very different approach this time. Instead of picking a fill amount and then seeing how it went over the next few weeks. They drained the entire band and then refilled the band while I was drinking water until it would not go down anymore them they backed things off to let a little go through. Prior to this I have felt a definitive ceiling on food consumption (10-12 oz) so I can’t complain that it was not helping…but I never felt like I was experiencing restriction. This is the first time after a fill that a protein shake has had to be drunk in stages. I have gotten away without chewing everything to death; I have certainly slowed down and did chew much more than in the past. However, going forward I am definitely going to have chew much more carefully. I am back to liquids for a few days and finally feel confident that I will be finding a long lasting restriction experience this time. It is good to feel that I am finally getting what we paid for…Despite not having had a full restriction experience before this, I am thrilled with the things the LapBand process has done for me to this point. I am down 98 pounds so far, including pre-op, and have 78 more to go. My goals is to get the last 78 done over the next 6 months and then stabilize for a few months, so I can use our annual shutdown in December to get some PS done and have those 2 weeks to recover for the New Year. It is pretty clear I will have to get reductions on the waist and my “moobs.” (sorry…probably under the heading of TMI)

Hi Boutique - surgery same day as yours - I agree - today has definitely been the breakthrough day - I think anyone who has had the surgery doesn't consider that TMI - they know your happiness lol. This was a rough few days but I'm really seeing some positives today!

Gosh Marvie I have the opposite problem. While I feel I do have some restriction with food, I can drink all day long. I am actually worried I might be overdoing it! Keep in mind though if you're have liquids in shakes and other purees that does also count. Not to give TMI, but as long as your urine isn't too dark you're ok for the meantime.

So Im 4 weeks post-op today and I was doing great in the beginning numbers kept going down and down. Long story short when I was 3 weeks post-op last week I was at 206 and surgery day I was 226 so I was very happy that in 3 weeks I had lost 20 pounds BUT!! I got my period and I gained 3 pounds so Im at 209 again and I've had my period for 8 days non-stop like what is going on? Before surgery I was very regular and by day 4 PERIOD WAS GONE. ughhhhh Im sad that I gained 3 pounds and that I've had my period for 8 days and who knows when its gonna stop. anyways thanks for reading ladies hope someone can help me out and let me know if some of you when through this too.

Our relationship has always been great, but we are having sex more often and I love it. Sorry if TMI.

Update: I know this may be TMI (too much info) lol but since it's what the topic is about...I finally got my period today. Whew! I'm relieved. For a moment I thought it was early menopause. I don't even know why I was so worried, it's not like I plan having any more children. Maybe it's all the menopause associated symptoms that I often hear women complaining about is what scares me. After all, I'm still recovering and adjusting after this surgery. Well, although I'm relieved about getting my period after 3 months of not having it, I'm not enjoying the bloating and cramps! I think the doctor and several people here were right about the stall. It's been over 2 Weeks since I began soft foods and now I have stopped losing weight. It's only been fluctuating between 158 & 159 lbs. I've at least 34 more pounds to lose to reach my goal weight. But yes, I notice that since I stopped losing weight so quickly, now I have my period again. Makes sense. My body is no longer "in shock".

Have you thought about the Luigi's no sugar added Italian ice cups from the ice cream section of your grocery? They are 60 calories per serving, and the no sugar added box comes with three strawberry and three lemon. They don't have any Protein, but they can satisfy that desire for a frozen dessert. I have tried the no sugar added ice cream, and it is pretty good. In Texas we have Blue Bell ice cream, which also comes in no sugar added, but it has that sweetener taste. I've had a few dairy items that were higher in sugar and were not tolerated well. TMI alert, but search on "dumping". Also, like Tai29 said, I don't want to open the door to "small" indulgences that will slow my progress. Or, even worse, lead me back to the habits that got me in this place to begin with. Ice cream is a slider food. It would be easy to eat a lot of it.

Hi all, here is my Journey so far. I was one of the lucky ones (NOT) who had a JP Drain. I hope my story helps others. So far, so good - no regrets at all!! June 2017: My ins just dropped the numerous lengthy requirements and is allowing sleeves. I jumped on it, and was able to navigate thru the list quickly. Start to finish took me about 2 months. Do Ins companies really think we haven't tried every program out there prior to considering major surgery??? Stupid! They no longer require 6 months of Dr administered weight loss program, but my Dr watched me for a few months, and submitted it just to make sure I would not run into any problems. I was approved 10 days after submission. I hate having to jump thru hoops, but the savings was worth it. Altho, I would have paid out of pocket if denied. Check off the requirements, and you should be fine. Most Drs have a good relationship with the ins claim reps. My daily (boring but working) pre op intake is: coffee with a splash of Premier Protein banana or caramel , then the rest of the Premier Protein Shake for Breakfast, at 10am I have 2 C of chicken broth, at Noon I have 2 C chicken broth + another Premier Protein shake, at 2pm I have 1 sf Jello cup, at 6ish I have 2 C chicken broth (appetizer ) and another Carmel Premier Protein shake, 8pm snack another sf jello cup. I don't really like any other flavors of broth or I would have those. My shakes have to be under 200 calories, high protein (these are 30g) and as low sugar as you can find (1g). Premier is handy, pre made, and I like the flavors (Caramel, Banana, and strawberry Cream are my favorites). I SWEAR I have not had any headaches, and my energy level is really good (just fall asleep earlier which helps me not dwell on food). Aug 25/2017: Surgery day and I couldn't be more excited!! My surgery went well except that I needed a JP drain that will remain in for about a week. I was up walking 2 laps of my floor that night. The nurse said she had never seen anyone do as well as me. She said my positive and excited attitude surely helped! My pain never got above 2 or 3 and I needed very little pain meds. 3 ice chips made me nauseous, so I did not eat or drink anything the first night. I do have to give myself shots in the stomach of Lovenox (blood thinner) to prevent blood clots for 2 weeks. Aug 26: Got discharged this afternoon after my upper GI and chest xray came back ok. Was able to keep down 4oz of liquid before I left the hospital. I'm off the pain meds now, and don't even feel the need for Tylenol. The Lovenox shots are not as scary as I thought they would be. The trick is to freeze the area for 10 minutes before you give yourself the shot, and put the ice back on right after you are done (the after affect feels like a wasp sting). Now I just need the gas to pass (pun intended). All said and done, I feel great for what I've been through, and lost 12 pounds pre op. I will keep up with updates. Thank you for all the support and info. This Forum is great, and I hope to pay it forward. Aug 28: Ok, so to continue my journey, I am 4 days post op and my drain is still working over time Im not concerned, but can't go back to work until its removed. After having little to no pain, this morning I noticed pain on my right side - like a stabbing pain. I have to hold my stomach when I walk for any relief. Seeing as most of my stomach was sliced off, I am assuming that now that the swelling is going down, some of this is "normal". Its definitely NOT gas pains. I don't like taking the liquid pain meds so am taking tylenol only. liquids are going down no problem. Energy level is up, and I'm looking forward to Protein Shakes on Friday. Update: Dr said my drain most likely moved which is causing the pain. Its pretty intense. Good thing is they will be removing it on Thursday. Bad thing is I will be living with the pain and have to take the liquid pain meds until then...a small price to pay I've discovered a love for tropical flavored sugar free popsicles !!! Aug 29: Having a good night and a great hair day so I'm psyched! Lol. My incisions are dissolvable stitches with a rubber cement waterproof type paint over them. The stuff just flakes off when healed. Easy peasy. I SERIOUSLY think I could have returned to work tomorrow if not for the JP drain. All bodily functions working perfectly, and no hunger pains. BUT I know that even tho I feel good, my body is still recovering from major surgery, so I am working from home Thurs and Fri and returning full time the day after Labor Day = 10 days post op. Knowing that there is still swelling and fluid retention from my hospital stay, Im staying off the scale until my post op appointment. I have ankles again!! August 31: Got my JP drain out today (yes, it hurt), but as soon as it was removed, the pain went away!! I feel like a million bucks Sept 1: Diet additions today!! I get to have protein shakes again, yogurt, milk, and cream soups. Still not feeling hungry and am down 18lbs. Had half a protein shake for breakfast, yogurt with sugar free cheesecake pudding mix stirred in for lunch, broth and a half glass of milk for dinner and sugar free jello with sugar free whipped topping for dessert. I heard that some are lactose intolerant after surgery, but I had no issues with anything I ate. I'm paranoid of gaining anything back, so am kind of afraid to eat. I will have to watch that. Having cabin fever so decided to venture out for the first time since surgery. I have a tendency to feel good and over do it, so wanted to be careful. Took a quick trip to the store, and then for a well deserved pedicure. Heaven. Energy level is still up. Since my boyfriend took good care of me, I decided a date night was in order and we went out. Challenging to say the least. How do you go into a bar without ordering a drink?? Pre planning helps. THIS IS A NO JUDGEMENT ZONE!!! I ordered a tall glass of water with lots of e and 1 small shot of vodka. Then I added Crystal Light cranberry to it that I brought along. Nursed it for 2 hours and did not even finish it. I have read others say alcohol hit them quicker after surgery (no noticeable change for me) and I KNOW that its not allowed (this soon or in some minds at all), but I am human. I gave up diet coke for Gods sake Next challenge coming up = lunch with friends in the liquid stage. I am mentally preparing already. Eat before, and take my Crystal Light. Since I am keeping my surgery secret, the only viable option is to say Im having a little tummy issue. Stay tuned. Sept 2: More milestones accomplished today! Ride my motorcycle - check, go boating - check Sept 3: Lunch with my man and his mom.....First I had to reassure my fiance that he could eat in front of me, and I would be ok. He was considerate enough to make sure that it was ok to plan lunch with his mom. Sweet man. I had a protein shake for breakfast and some vitamin water. We chose a restaurant where I knew they had soup on the menu. I told my future mother in law that I had been having stomach issues, and was changing my eating habits. I am not telling people I'm on a diet, or that I had surgery because history has shown that when you do say these things, people watch what you eat, or fill your ears with "helpful" tips etc. I'm not having it. So I ordered water and a cup of soup. Ate the broth and inconspicuously covered my cup with my napkin and handed it to the server first chance I could. Mission accomplished! You can go out to eat when in the liquid stage. Sept 4: Family bbq planned today.......Again, I will eat before we go. My fiance and I came up with a plan. We will both take plates and put food on them, he will then eat his plate of food, and then mine. Oh the games we play....Again, sweet man! I really don't care what anyone thinks, or surmises, this is my Journey and I will do it my way. 2 more weeks til I can eat real food The bbq was great. Truly a testament to the fact that it isn't the food, it's the company. I drank a shake for breakfast and then had some Greek yogurt before we left. Packed some So Be Life Water (my new staple). My brother in law tried to tempt me with Sangaria and grilled pineapple and I simply told him that I was trying very hard to eliminate sugar from my life plan and I was feeling GREAT so I must be doing something right. My fiance and I carried thru with our plan, and as we went thru the food line, he put on my plate half of what he wanted and then ate everything on both plates. Nobody said a word!! Not even my brother in law who notices, and comments on everything. That night we hit one of the last post op milestones Sex 10 days post op is just as fantastic as pre op. Yay! Sorry for the TMI, but this is a question that others are wondering about. Sept 6: Planning our road trip evac for hurricane Irma. I am packing protein shakes, cream soup packets, SoBe Water, crystal light packets, cottage cheese, yogurt and sugar free pudding mix for my yogurt. Wish us luck! Sept 12: The past week has been hell thanks to Hurricane Irma. Prepping 2 houses and 4 days of travel thru 3 states.....Boy, if I ever needed comfort food, or wanted to garbage up, it was now. But I stayed true to my plan by packing a cooler, and was never hungry! Sept 14: I am now in the puree stage and happy to be "chewing" kind of. I still love my sugar free popsicles. I have been switching it up with egg salad, tuna salad and lots of soups. I am surprised that I do not have any hunger pangs. So far I have not had any issues keeping food down. Watching my fiance eat the foods I used to eat does not bother me because I am so looking forward being thinner and healthier. So far I am down 24 pounds in 1 month (that includes my pre op diet week). Yay!

Two weeks prior to my Jan 19th surgery date, I begin a 2 week Protein shake and clear liquid diet. My surgery went well and I spent the night in the hospital. I didn't have a pleasant stay so I was happy to be released. The procedure was more painful that I expected and the medicine caused nausea and nightmares...not a good combination. The first week post op was quite painful and the worst part was releasing phlegm every morning (sorry if that was TMI but it was my experience). I could not really follow the Stage 1 and 2 diets because everything including Water caused more nausea. I took two weeks from work and I needed all of that time to prepare myself both physically and mentally to return to work. Beside advice I can give is take it slow and have a good buddy to help you for the first few days.

Sorry bur i figure someone had gone through this.. I was sleeved on monday and still have not gone #2..any suggestions? Thanks friends