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Hey guys, I've always kind of lurked around, don't really say much. But I need some advice. Here's a little about me. My name is Deborah, you can call me Deb. I'm 26 years old and I've been over weight almost all of my life. When I was 8 I had a really bad incident with some boiling Water and after that I never wanted to play outside, I stayed inside eating. My mother tells me she regrets never taking me to see someone professionally because she believes it has stemmed a lot of weight issues, as well as depression, anxiety. Etc. Anyway, fast forward to 2010, I find out I'm pregnant with my first, my daughter. I knew right then that my weight (especially since every doctors visit included a long speech about how being obese can hurt or hinder the pregnancy) would have a huge toll on me being a good mother. Just like everyone here, I've dieted and failed a million times over. I'd lose then gain and was constantly reminding myself how useless I was. It was some very dark times for me! So that's why I decided to look into bariatric surgery. 2013 I find out that I'm pregnant with my son. So that kind of stopped every thing in its tracks. Well I finally jumped through all of my insurance requirements and FINALLY got the gastric sleeve on September 29th at 7:30 in the morning. My heaviest ever was 350. Day of surgery, I was down to 335. My issue is...its been 2 days and I still cannot move! I'm in such unbearable pain that I can't go to the bathroom by myself, I can't get up and down without my husband (who's 135 lbs sopping wet) pulling me up and letting me use his shoulders to lower myself down. I can't pull my own pants up, tmi but I can't even wipe myself! I know it's only been a couple of days and everyone responds differently but is there anyone else out there that has dealt with this? I feel like every muscle in my stomach tears apart every time I stand up. They burn like they're on fire! I'm really worried. Oh and the doctor has me on Percocet which I have been taking faithfully to keep ahead of the pain. Why am I having such issues? Just too early still? TIA. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This may fall under TMI... But this all liquid pre op diet has made me constipated... I'm not quite sure how that happens... Having 3-4 premier protein shakes a day, 16 oz broth and some Jello.. At a hotel at the beach so haven't had any Popsicles. Surgery is tomorrow morning and wondering if I should take something to get this under control before anesthesia and pain meds make it worse?? Any thoughts?

I know what you mean I have a big scar I had surgery 14 yrs ago appendix removal. Back then they didn't do the little tiny one so I have a pretty big scar I had 16 staples. So you would imagine besides gall bladder, hernia removal, ovary cist and I have one in my back. A little upper of my crack..lol ( sorry tmi) and now the sleeve. When ever I lose the weight.. definitely no bikini for ke cause of the scars..lol

I take an anti-convulsant that is extended release and before the surgery it went all the way through, and I would see it on the other side...tmi. They switched me to non xr formula. Did they mention changing it once surgery started and have you never seen it go all the way before or only fter surgery?

Just to comment on #1 and 3 - I actually didn't have a preop diet, I did some slimfast / sensible dinners - sort of for a couple weeks before my surgery and lost 5lbs but after surgery it took me days to actually have to poo and when I did I wasn't even backed up. TMI I know haha. And to # 3 - just hehehe maybe. Well I did my own preop smarter eating diet and lost 5 lbs BUT I had a bad case of the "last supper syndrome" and between knowing I'd be getting it for sure and waiting for surgery date I easily gained 15+ lbs. *sigh* so I'd be counted in that category of a poll lol. What you said about the empty stomach before surgery does makes sense ... although I've never had to have that (besides the no food/drink after midnite on day of surgery thing) with any of my surgeries, interesting to know though - thankfully I don't have anesthesia issues and it doesn't make me sick/diarrhea at all. Good to know for others though.

My doctor said my scales are fine. I weigh every day when I get up after I pee and in my birthday suit (TMI I know) and I chart my weight. This gives me an accurate movement since it's daily on the same scale. I however would love the FITBIT ARIA scale.

I know this may be tmi but 5 days post op and i had my first bowel movement .. I TOTALLY expected that to be an issue because I wasnt even regular PRE op .. but sure enough it came.. NOTHING solid but it came from THAT hole so ill call it a bowel movement lol.. is this normal?? How many days post op was it for you guys?

Hi everyone! I was banded on 11/10 and have 5 incisions. They were closed with steristrips and all have fallen off except for the one on the largest incision. I started to try and peel it off but it looked like it was pulling off the scab (so sorry if that's TMI or grossing anyone out). Not sure if I should just peel it off anyway? All of the handouts and what I've read said to peel them off in the shower after 2 weeks. I'm sure it's closed, I'm just weirded out as I've never had surgery or incisions to deal with :-/

Im 23 and 5'3"....So I recently went shopping and found that I am finally in regular size clothes!!! WoooHooo!!! My sleeve date was May 1st. Starting weight 257-18w & 2x tops---today 199- ..........14 & 16 REGULAR JEANS & L tops!!!! Notice I also hit Onderland!!!!! I am currently in a stall and have been for at least a week or so! I try not to weigh my self everyday... for the last 2 days I've worn dresses! I never thought I would but they look amazing! As you can tell I'm very proud of my self. It wasn't but maybe 6 weeks ago I was on here crying thinking I wasn't going to drop anymore weight...I have stalled ALOT!!! But hey slow and steady is fine with me. I have noticed I'm starting to have extra skin in my breast area...SRY TMI!!!!! I will have plastics sometime in the near future after I hit my goal. I'm shooting for 160-----140 would be amazing----who knows... Im going to let my body decide. My husband loved the old me, but is wild about the new me.... I do sometimes "miss" food....I hate the uncomfortable feeling when I take that 1 last bite (I still haven't learned)! I haven't conquered "head hunger" My enemy....chips (Pringles & Cheeto-Puffs)...in the last 3 months I have quit my job, went back to school(full-time), strengthened my relationship with my hubby and son! I'm trying to finish my basics so I can get into the Petrolleum Engineering program. Before the sleeve I was to tired to do anything... I worked full time 50+ hours...I wasn't in control of my life...I am now...What have I learned... No matter the size or shape I am...pretty or not...I love me for me and want to be healthy for me and my family!!! I do not regret my sleeve at all. At times when I ate to much and was in pain I would probably tell you different but it has been absolutely life changing!!!!! I'm sorry for all the extra info I have crammed in here I just felt like I had so much to share with the world and you guys, I knew, would be happy for me and listen!!! Future sleevers-don't second guess your self...And when you hit that stall get on here and talk to someone...there is so many motivational stories on here that will help you get through!!!

So I've been banded about 9 months. I have 8cc's in my 11 cc realize band. I had my last fill about a month ago. I felt tight in the morning, loosening up during the day. Went out for dinner one night and got stuck bad on a piece of lettuce. Threw up 3 times and went on liquids for 3 days to give it a break. Everything went back to normal. That was about a month ago. This past week or so, I've been so tight I can barely get anything down. Sometimes I can't even swallow a full mouthful of Water without pain and burping it back up. So my question is - am I too tight? Do I have a slip? Or is this the way the band really works and I'm not working it correctly? I'm chewing the bejesus out of everything, eating slow ect... Also, way tmi, but when I threw up, it was this giant mucus ball. Never actually threw up the food. What does that mean? I have a dr appointment on the 13th, just hoping to get some insight before then. Can only live on frozen yogurt and girl scout Cookies for so long!

i had got so large.....that i could hardly walk as my girth hurt my legs/knees and (sorry for TMI, i was having trouble wiping my butt after the bathroom)..but was that enough to make me do something about it..NO.....my son told me i was going to be a grandmother...i wanted to push her around the block in her stroller...that is and was the main reason i sought help..... the surgery helped me realize that once i got by all the reasons i (cant) and understood/accepted all the reasons i (could/can)...that i have...

TMI Alert (1) I can have sex with the lights on... All of them... And enjoy it! (2) People I have known for years don't recognize me. (3) I am going to my 10 year high school reunion next month and looming forward to it!

I felt just like you described, except I also felt like someone had a corset around me and was squeezing it so tightly that I was having to pant and gasp. I think my friend was afraid I was dying...she kept asking me "does this happen a lot" (she knows about the surgery and is a doctor, although not for humans, lol) and I couldn't even talk to answer her. I never threw up, but I felt really nauseous. My main doubt that it was dumping was that it occurred at least 2 hours after I ate. I had not eaten all day because I felt kind of overall yucky (which isn't a normal thing and what made me think stomach flu) and I finally decided I had to eat something before I went to meet my friend. The only thing that sounded good was some Cookies (I know, poor choice, but everything else sounded unappetizing). I ate them and felt fine until I was waiting for my friend. I told my DH on the phone that all of a sudden I was hurting. He knows when I say that I am hurting that I am serious...I have a seriously high pain tolerance normally, so he said he knew right then something was really wrong. When my friend came we walked into the restaurant, and as soon as I felt the heat from the kitchen/smelled the food everything started going to a pinpoint of light and I felt like I was going to faint. I sat down and told her to call DH and have him come get me...it took me three tries to even be able to tell her DH's number where he was at. I felt like I couldn't breathe in fully and I was panting like a dog and unbuttoned my pants...I'm sure my friend was mortified and all the other patrons were staring ...lol, I don't care....probably won't be going back to that restaurant for awhile! I went and sat in the car and debated whether I was truly dying, and had my friend put the AC on full...that helped the most. She kept trying to quiz me down medically, but I couldn't even really talk for most of the time. After about 15 minutes it finally started to subside. DH showed up about then and took me home. I felt much better, but still not good that night and (TMI alert) did have diarrhea. Same for the next day, but now I am just sore. I told DH that I think it may just be a strange reaction to stomach flu or food poisoning since my stomach has been altered so much. I am sure that when you have those things your stomach swells in reaction, and if it is restricted, wouldn't it make sense that it would hurt much more? I don't know.

The day before my surgery I was on clear liquids. I made a chicken flavored Ramen noodle soup and drained all the juice off the noodles, put it in an insulated coffee cup, and sipped on it all day. I was not really ever hungry, ironically. I was supposed to drink my first bottle of Magnesium Citrate at 4:00 and then a second one at 6:00. Since my surgery was a couple of hours from home, I decided to stay at a hotel the night before. I checked in and drank my first bottle at 3:30. It wasnt until it was almost time to drink the second bottle that it began to work on me. (To my advantage, my stomach had been a little upset that morning and I had some diarehea, so a good bit of my "clean out" had already started.) The first bottle went down pretty easy. It wasnt near as bad as I had expected. I had kept them on ice all day to get them really cold, and that helped. The second bottle was not so easy to get down. By that time, I was already on the toilet.....(sorry if TMI) I did manage to get a good nights rest and arrived at the surgery center just before 6 am. and was taken back to pre-op about 6:15 or so. I had a WONDERFUL nurse....they prepped me, my husband came back to see me before I was taken into surgery, and still NO NERVES!! I was so content about my decision to do this, and still I have NO regrets!! They gave me something to "relax" me and from that point forward I dont remember a thing!! Until I woke up in recovery with a very painful feeling in my chest. My nurse told me that it was probably from the incision where the retractor was at. And she gave me some more pain meds. What I know now was that it was more than likely the pain from the carbon dioxide that the doc fills your chest up with during surgery. That lasted just over 24 hours. I was released from the surgery center at about 2:30 pm. I went to the hotel where I stayed for another 48 hours. My doctor made rounds and came and checked on me each night, and would have probably come more often had I complications or problems. I did call the office and speak with the nurse during the second day because I was unable to keep my pain meds down, and was vomiting foam. Over the next 8-10 hours probably I was unable to take the pain meds, or sip water without vomiting the foam. My nurse suggested I switch to ice chips, but even then I vomited. I finally decided to try the suppositories that I was given for nausea. The foam was pretty gross, but there was no acid, no taste, just foam. I did vomit some blood along with the foam the first two times, but it was dark and was probably from the surgery itself. It was not bright red in color, so I was not alarmed. My doc came by around 5 pm and I had not had any nausea or vomiting since just before 4pm. He told me that alot of times what happens is the esopogus kinda "stacks up" after surgery and the foam is just from the siliva and liquids hanging up in there. He also said that I would take a turn in the next 12-24 hours and all of it would stop. He was right!! I didnt have anymore vomitting and no more nausea. My sister and I actually went to Walmart to get me some popsicles and get her some dinner, and I did fine. Walked slowly and rested when I got back to the hotel. The next morning, I was to check in with my doctor by phone and update him on how I was doing. He gave me the go-ahead to go home. I will go back to see him next week for my one week post op check up. Since I have been home, I have not taken any pain meds at all. I am not having any of what I would call pain. Discomfort yes, but no pain. I have been resting alot. The first day home, I took a slept quite a bit. The third day post op I stayed up all day. No napping. I took it pretty easy, just didnt sleep. I was sipping water, chicken broth, and eating more than my share of popsicles all of those days.. I didnt know I would love them so much....lol! Today on day 4 post-op I woke up feeling very drained. My arms and legs felt as if they weighed a ton. I rode to Walmart with my sister and pushed the basket until it got too heavy and then I just walked. It was really hot today too so I am sure that didnt help any, but I was completely exhausted. When we got home, I took a three hour nap!! I was more tired than I thought....lol! When I woke up I did feel better. But I will take it a little slower for the next few days, and I will probably try to take a short nap during the day too. On a VERY bright note, I am 13 lbs. down today from surgery!!! WOOHOO!! Anyone considering this surgery, I would very highly recommend it! It is not something that I will ever regret!!!

http://www.kcra.com/news/10575699/detail.html?treets=sac&tml=sac_12pm&ts=T&tmi=sac_12pm_1_02000212202006 here's a link to a new article about microbes in the gut that may cause obesity. I just thought it was interesting. (i definitely have those big microbes....) :biggrin1: girlin nyc

Tiffy, I think the chatter has slowed down too, maybe the holidays? Or maybe all the senior sleevers have been so thorough and covered most of it? I still love hearing you guys get on a TMI subject, gives me a chuckle. I am thankful for all the help and concern that you all share with us newbys and especially covering some subjects that you don't know how to ask.... Happy Thanksgiving all!

Hey all! Most of you probably know my story: I was banded in OCt of 2009 and did well. Lost 104 lbs in 2 yrs, was down to within 9 lbs of my goal when I started having severe nightime reflux last year. Had to sleep on my back only propped up on 3 pillows, taking RX Prilosec, OTC Zantac, and popping Tums like crazy. I refused to tell my dr cuz I was scared he would take out some of my fill. My husband got tired of my whining about my reflux (some mornings I'd wake up with brown stomach acid on my pillow, sorry if tmi) and insisted I see my dr. I made the 6 hr round trip visit to my dr and he did an xray. My band was slipped. So he took out about 1/2 of my 10cc fills (I have a 14cc band) and let me rest for 4 weeks. The reflux stopped right away. Yeah. In 4 weeks I made the trek again (not to mention that everytime I say hello to my dr, it's $160 + the xray) and without doing a followup xray, he put in 1cc. Well, that was fine, still nor reflux, but also no restriction. So 3 weeks later, he put in another 1cc. The reflux came back that night. Went back (yet anoter 6 hr journey - it's an all day affair + $160) so he finally did another xray. It was still slipped (could've done the xray earlier and prevented all this) and said that "he treats the symptoms, not the xray" so he took out the previous 1cc he had put in. I still have 7 cc in my band. I haven't had reflux too bad (maybe 2x a month or so - I can handle it), but much, much less restriction. In the past year, I've gained 24 lbs. I started Atkins 3 weeks ago in hopes to get rid of it. I promised myself I'd never diet again after getting the band and prided myself on never counting anything and still losing 104 lbs. The portion control only works till about 6 pm then it's a free-for-all. I've lost 11 lbs in the past 3 weeks. Still 20 lbs from my 135 goal. Here's my dilemma: I have this very expensive tool inside me that not's working correctly. Should I go to my dr and pay the over $300 I owe him (no clue where that'll come from) and insist that he correct my problem? That may mean surgery again and starting from scratch, with monthly fills, monthly 6 hrs trips and a liquid diet for 4 weeks (HATED that). Or should I continue to diet and lose the weight (I'm doing well on Atkins, but I'm not really happy right now. I sure miss carbs!) and rely on my band to do just PART of the job? Like I said, I have SOME restriction, just not optimal to lose more weight. No clue what to do. I'm sure Medicare would pay for revision surgery, but I don't want to demand to my dr that he operate when I have no symptoms anymore. He said this was up to me now, not to rely on my band so much. What would you do? I HATE dieting, that's why I got the band in the fist place. I luv being able to eat just a few bites of everything I luv and still lose. HATE not being able to eat about 95% of food. Suggestions? Marci

sorry TMI-- I had diarrhea yesterday and I don't think it's related to what I ate. I am thinking it was a virus. That made me wonder what happens post surgery if we get a virus like the flu. Do we still vomit? There's not much in my pouch at any given time so I guess it would only be a little? Maybe that benefits us that we wouldn't get as dehydrated as fast? Has anyone been ill post surgery? How was it different?

I haven't been banded yet - just starting the process ... however, I've already have this problem - or should I say - HAD - this problem. A friend of mine told me that her gastroenterologist told her to take 250-500 mg. of magnesium daily and it would regulate her -- she said if that didn't work, increase it by 250 mg. until it did - that you can't OD on magnesium - your body will burn off what it doesn't use. Well, my BF and I both started taking it - You can get a 100-ct. bottle at Target for $2.49. I started taking 500 mg., about 3 weeks ago and now I go every day -- sometimes more than once! Hope that's not TMI!!! Give it a try - hope this helps someone. :rolleyes2::tongue:

Hi fellow Shrinkos! I was banded on May 6. I am still feeling blah. Today is better, though. It hurts to get out of bed. My gas pain is in my lower abdomen, not my shoulder at all. I am walking like a feind because I don't want to sit down or lay down (it hurts to get up). That may be helping my gas move down. Also (beware of TMI...) I am having mild diarrhea. How can I? I am only drinking Water and tiny sips of apple juice?!? Anyway, it feels weird knowing that I have a band inside me. It's like being pregnant before you can feel it. Good luck to my fellow May Bandsters! I will post more as I am able.

Ok so day 1 liquid diet and I have diarrhea. Is this common cause I feel like I can't get to far from the bathroom. And premier Protein drinks are so much better than whey!! Omg I may actually be able to do this! Any coupons out there for this stuff lol ☆Jeni☆

Hello im about 3 weeks post op and im feeling really constipated. Ive haven't done anything in 1 week. Today i can't drink or eat anything without feeling like im going to explode. Also my chest is hurting as a result. Ive taken miralax, nothing happens. I was supposed to see my dr today but after a 2 hour wait, i decided to walk out pissed cause it was going to be another hour before i see him. Please help, im desperate

The Gas is something that gas been unbelievable . It hurts like crazy but I have been using gasx and only taking my pain meds like 2x a day . My abdomen is sore but I'm back to my daily routine of things . Just takes me a bit longer but I manage ! Parents haven't helped me since the first night because I have not really needed it ! Lol I might as well get used to it because the work 13 hour shifts at a time and I am the only child ! My progress is coming along really well .. Just really hate all the gas ! I feel pressure in my abdomen, chest, and back ! I have had no nausea it vomiting just SEVERE GAS. Today , (might be tmi) but I have had really great bowel movements ! I feel better totallly ! I sip sip sip all day long !

I am wearing stretched out cotton crotch pink Lycra panties that I have to keep pulling down over my right butt cheeck, because it rides up in my crack. The elastic comes up so high on my stomach that it almost coves up my port scar. My Bra makes up for my undies. I have a Strapless Beige Lane Bryant Bra only one month old. It is formed so it can stand up in the corner by itself, which I like because the only bra I have that my nippies don't show through. It has so much underwire it pulls the girls up off my panties and midway my upper arm just like Oprah's $72 bra. Mine was on sale for $19. Besides that I have a Cozumel Mexico Yellow Sundress on and I am barefoot. TMI?

Well I for one did not vomit for MONTHS after my surgery, and then I think it was due to a stomach bug I caught. It's a bummer to puke and I hate it, if there is an upside to having to ralph post-op it's the fact that since our stomach is so small you barf up a lot less. It's a quick half mouthful and I'm done, not the gut wrenching dry heaves of yesteryear. I know TMI! Since then I've over indulged a few times and the only relief was to puke it back up. Nasty, I know, but I ignored the FULL feeling and just HAD to eat that extra coupla bites. I paid for it too. I think the long term barfers are by far the minority and are more vocal than the non-barfers are. After all who's gonna post and say something like "Guess what, I didn't barf today!".