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Update on Dr. appt. about my lump in chest. Turns out that since my weight loss, I WAS feeling the low end of the sternum which is mostly cartilage and soft tissue. When I would push on it and messing with it, I was making it inflamed and made it tender and sore. He offered an anti-inflammatory and I said I was happy to kick the naproxen after many years and I didn't want it. He said then you should just stop pushing on it and irritating it and should be fine. Ok...lol I was stressed all day because of work and this appt. I was thinking the worse possible news I would get from this. I was stressed over something at work and had a sharp pain in my chest. That just about put me over the edge..lol My BP was great, but I had a slight fever. I have been struggling with nasty constipation lately, but will soon get relief. I know TMI...tee hee Thanks for your help and concerns. Peace, Judy

Thanks everyone for your input, that is why I love this site so much. I went for bike ride came back and saw all these replies. So let me start by saying yes I agree that my Protein and calories are low but every time I eaten food this week and for the past 3 weeks I experienced pain under my left breast. That pain is why I am still drinking a Protein shake or protein hot chocolate in the morning, even though my Dr told me to stop the liquid Protein. This morning I had Think Thin protein oatmeal and within 4 small bites I had pain. I read the paper and 15 minutes later went back to it and was able to finish the cup. My Dr says I should be done eating in 20 minutes and only eat 3 times a day. It took me about 7 minutes to eat those 4 bites, waited 15 minutes that is 22 minutes and it took another 20 minutes after that to finish the rest of the cup. If I had stopped at the 20 minute mark I would have only had the 4 bites. To eat all that food which is only 1.76 oz till you mix it with Water (not sure how much that makes) in 20 minutes I can't do it. I always was a slow eater. Questions So do I blow off his 20 minutes and just keep eating with the breaks in between?Do I keep to the 3 times a day or just blow that off too and eat more often? Next Sodium I went back and looked at the sodium here is what I found Sunday 1,395 Monday 1.611 Tuesday 1,347 Wednesday 739 Thursday 839 Friday 856 Saturday 786 Was surprised to see that some items the Dr said I should eat were so high in sodium like the turkey lunch meat, the Lentil Soups and the cheeses. The Dr's office doesn't have a dietitian on staff yet, they are trying to get one on board and as of 2 weeks ago they were still working out insurance approvals and scheduling for her. Questions what should my sodium being? Should I eat more like what Ann was eating at 6 weeks 550 to 800 65 to 88 protein? By the way Ann that was very helpful, thanks. As for the Dr here is the info on him Medical Director of the Institute for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Board Certified, General Surgery Fellow of the American College of Surgeons Member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons He is highly regarded among his peers for his technical skills, excellent outcomes and low complication rates. On staff at our Medical Center since 1995, He started the bariatric surgery program in 2000 with an extensive background in weight loss surgery. The Dr. trained under Dr. Alan Wittgrove, pioneer of the Laparoscopic approach of Gastric Bypass Surgery and the first surgeon to perform a Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass in the world. Since then, the Dr. has performed thousands of Laparoscopic weight loss surgery and has trained 36 surgical teams from around the world in his techniques. After graduating from Birmingham Southern College, the Dr. attended the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. He completed an internship and residency in General Surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami, Florida. The Dr. is proficient in both open incision and Laparoscopic weight loss surgery. In addition to bariatric surgery, he performs an entire range of general surgery, including gallbladder removal, hernia repairs, heartburn surgery, colon and intestinal surgery, stomach surgery and skin cancer surgery. Sorry I do not know how to take off the blue since I copied the info above and pasted it. However to answer the other question. Yes I am having constipation problems. TMI probably!! I use to go every day before surgery and in these almost 6 weeks I can count on 1 hand how many times I went. When I do go it is very little. I tired the Citrucel twice that the Dr told me to take and it is disgusting to drink. So what do I do? To be up 6 pounds in one week is very discouraging to me. I agree I probably need to just weigh once a week and not every day. Thanks everyone for being here for me as I am on this journey alone. No family and friends I can talk to except for all of you here.

This might be TMI but since surgery every time I am intimate I get so much pain and urgency to pee it isn't ever a bladder infection. It's driving me to the point of tears because I want to be intimate with my partner but it hurts so much after. The doctors don't seem to care and I'm losing my mind.... Sleeved 4/6/17 HW: 350 SW: 324 CW: 206 GW: 165

Wheetsin, Really? Even mild dehydration? Because the first night I got a headache happened to be a day I had cried a lot. My only day of crying really. It was the first week and hormones you know.. Anyway, I thought because (excuse the TMI) that since my urine was not bright yellow that it wasn't the fluids. But maybe later on during the night the crying caught up with me. I will pay closer attention and see if this is a pattern. Thanks! And thanks everyone else who said it may be the fluids. I hope it is as simple as that..

Please forgive me for copy and pasting this from another site I post on. I was referred here by someone at obesityhelp.com. I hope to find support and shared experiences on this site! Sorry this first post is SO long!! On day 7 post op 3 of my incisions started oozing Fluid. I went into the Dr. and he opened up my port incision so that the fluid would have somewhere to drain (a whole other story here. I had no idea what he was doing until it was done. Only that it hurt a tremendous amount). I now have a 'wound' about 3-4 inches across and maybe 1 1/2 to 2 inches deep. Seems huge in person. I have been packing my wound faithfully 2 times/day over the last 12 days. It actually began looking like it was starting to heal a little about 3 days ago and I've been VERY excited about that. Then 2 days ago I started hurting. REALLY hurting. Not the wound itself, but the area around it. I couldn't sit, stand, put my hands above my head, bend, NOTHING without hurting. Heck, it hurt bad just to pass gas! (sorry, TMI!) I called the Dr. and they told me to take Tylenol and apply wet heat 4 times/day. Well, yesterday morning it wasn't any better, and the swelling was obvious so I called again. They worked me in. First off, I told the Dr. that I like to be a part of my own medical care vs along for the ride. I feel like he should have talked to me more at my last appointment about what he was going to do, said things like 'this might hurt' (in warning), and just explained more to me about what was happening to my body. I had no idea how deep this thing was until I got home and changed the dressing the next day and I was shocked. SO... before I even let him look at it yesterday I told him how I felt. Told him the only thing I fear is ignorance, and I don't want to be ignorant when it comes to my own body. Told him I don't mind pain, but would like him to let me know BEFORE he starts cutting into me, that I'm going to feel some. KWIM? He was very receptive and apologized several times. Then he told me he was going to poke around a little and it might hurt. Well, he poked (with the long Q-tip thing) inside the wound and must have punctured through some of the new tissue and darned if a bunch of fluid didn't come pouring out again. I don't know if he was surprised, but I was. So, my pain must have been from a build up of fluid again, with nowhere to go. He laid me down again and told me he was going to reopen it. That the inside was kind of shaped like an hourglass b/c of all the new tissue inside, and he wanted more of a trough so it could drain better. In the end, I don't hurt too much anymore, which is great. I'm frustrated, b/c I was really thinking that I was doing well, when in actuality I still have fluid building up inside my abdomen. He was much more compassionate today though, and I feel more like it's a team effort to get me healed up vs me just being a chart or file. I don't know if it's a bad sign that even though he opened me up 2 weeks ago it's still building up, or if there was as much chance of that happening as not, KWIM? I just want to be better!!! Anyway, not looking for anything other than to vent, although if someone has been through this, your experience would be invaluable to me! Best case scenario, I heal up (although he said it will take weeks) worst case I end up having my port removed, let my body heal, and have a new port implanted in the future. Grim, grim, grim Thanks for listening! Erin

Thanks for the kindness! I had the surgery Monday and survived it I am now a loser LOL!!! I was able to leave the next day, I was unable to conceptualize "just get your liquids in" versus Protein until I wasn't s fuzzy from those meds. I cannot get Premier Protein down right not and was freaking out about it too! As far as pain the area where the most work was done by my surgeon stings and the rest of my stomach feels like how it did when i was a little chubby gal running too much and too fast so as to catch up with everyone. (TMI) was so worried about the gas which I avoided with all the tips! But it is constipation that's trying to make me get all teary along with a visit from an unexpected aunt Flow it'll be okay tho but not without a fight!

I'm surprisingly feeling good. Walked down the driveway and back with no problems it must have gotten things moving cuz I've released a bunch of gas tmi I know. But I wasn't having gas pains anyway. I'm drinking my first protein shake and I've had about 26 oz water mixed with powerade zero already. I have a tad bit of pain after I swallow sometimes. But other than that I just can't believe im doing so well. Been thanking the Lord all morning.

Lol I'll probably need one, I hope not but mine is all puffy and fat!! lol I hope it shrinks without getting flabby but who knows. I am far from my goal so yeah lol. I look in a mirror LOL I know that's horrible, but I look in a mirror to see if I got all the hair when I shave LOL TMI I know but hey this is pubic area talk. The worst part of my va jay jay is the mound the lips aren't as bad All I can do is hope for the best just like the rest of you. I am just looking forward to being skinner even with flabby skin.

Thank you! I was just talking to my Hubby about that. At my one week check up I was fine so he didn't put me on anything. I am going to call him in the AM to see if that would be something that would help. I am crossing my fingers that is what the problem is. It driving me crazy I am sure it is louder to me than anyone else but I feel like my throat is always making noise now. For the first time after surgery I ended up getting sick and I did not like that! Not to give to much TMI it was very acidy tasting so I think your thought is right on the money.

Oh heavens, yes! I had my gallbladder out 5 years ago and have had real "dumping syndrome" problems until my WLS 3 months ago. Actually until 4 months ago when I went on the pre-op diet and also cut out coffee. I will tell you that there are days I wax poetic about the loss of dumping syndrome. But that's not everyone. Some people get dumping syndrome after WLS. I have not. I do make sure I get at least 70 oz of Water a day and that helps. I saw a good post about someone adding dehydrated veggies to their diet to help with regularity. I know a lot of people use Fiber products to help. I haven't been so uncomfortable yet that I've tried it. But I'm tempted on the weeks when I'm stalled on my weight loss! I know--TMI.

I don't know if its a girl thing or not, but its certainly a "me" thing. Not only do I need to feel like I need to be prepared, but I'd rather be "burdened" by the list now that have to worry about it while I'm recovering. Thanks for all the suggestions! I've had two c-sections and a breast reduction before (sorry if its TMI) so I know I can handle this surgery. Its just all getting very "real" all of a sudden. lol

Congrats on the path you are taking!! I struggled a lot with my pre op diet but I stuck with it for the most part. It really does help with shrinking your liver. For some reason the Premier shakes made me constipated. I know...TMI! But just FYI in case it happens. I live off of the Atkins shakes. They are my life line!

I have my surgery date and by my calculations, it will likely be "that time of the month." It's making me nervous. Did anyone experience this at the time of their surgery? I have my final pre-op appointment with the doctor in a couple of weeks and plan on bringing it up, but I don't wan to sound silly.

This didn't go well at all for me, it was my first time eating out and I thought I could eat a mozzarella stick. I think 15 minutes later I was in the restroom vomiting cheese sorry for tmi I was sweating profusely and was hot and everyone was eating like normal. Oh never again and lesson learned probably avoid eating out or continue to make healthy choices. How do you order when you're out? What do you order?

So thankful for all these posts! I’m 12 days post op VSG and currently going every 4 days (today was on my own accord without Milk of magnesia) I have history like many of you of constipation. While I’m going, it’s more loose watery with solids mixed. I sure hope this regulates. Sorry if that was TMI; I tend not to be squeamish regarding these things. 😊

This maybe waaaayyyy TMI but, my husband has told me he has plans for me after the surgery (he, he, he). He asked me if I was still as limber as I was in my days of gymnastics LOL On a more serious note, in the past before my orthopedic issues were such a problem, I have lost weight from diets and exercise and hubby was thrilled! Not just because I felt better about myself but because I was healthier. In his words, "I want you in this life and in the after-life so if getting surgery can make you healthier and hotter than I am behind you 200%". While I think some of our significant others would get a little annoyed at some extra attention, I believe that if the person really cares about you, the results of the surgery will only enhance things. Please keep us posted,

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?

Like everyone else, I had heparin shots in the hospital along with many bags of antibiotics. We were surprised that none has to be sent home with us. My dr has his own rules for each stage. He calls this one "food that goes easily through a straw". So I've been able to have a bit of strained creamed corn soup, miso, etc along with juice/water mix, G2, and premier protein shakes. And hopefully not TMI for this forum, but I've been passing gas since my discharge. At this point, only the dogs really notice. My big bugaboo is turning over in bed at night. Oh my god, OW. That really pulls my bigger incision (next to the belly button). I didn't even manage it last night.

I'm 32 (almost 33) and had the Loop DS at my surgeons suggestion because along with the original DS it has the highest average percentage of weight loss. I say average because some people can lose just as much with the other surgeries, but I have hypothyroidism and so the Loop DS was their suggestion. I was 321 on the day of my surgery and now five months out I'm 245. So I've lost 76 pounds in these past 5 months (and 64 before my surgery). The thing with the DS though is you occasionally get really BAD stomachaches. Like my system will be fine one minute and the next it's like RUUUUUNNN (or you know, accident). It's kinda the norm now though so... you get used to it, but my family knows when I get an odd look on my face that I'm gonna be 'occupied' for a while. Oh, and this is TMI but don't think you can escape the constipation curse that people often get with weight loss surgeries if you have the DS, because it happened to me TWICE and it shocked my surgeons office because apparently I'm their first Loop DS patient who ever had that issue... but it CAN happen! Also, I have a reaction to wheat that was remarkably similar to dumping syndrome even though that's not SUPPOSED to be possible with the DS or Loop DS (I started having stomach pain, sweating, nausea, followed by... bathroom time, about 15 minutes after I ate. Worst nausea I'd had since BRAIN SURGERY! Needless to say I avoid wheat products like the plague now!). Soooo, yeah. I don't know if it's just weird abnormal stuff that happens to me or if a lot of Loop DS patients have had similar experiences lol. I don't regret my choice for surgery though. Every surgery has their ups and downs so you kind of just have to go over those and decide what'll work for you! I wish you the best!

I've had a panniculectomy so here's my story. When I had my sleeve done on Nov 18th 2010 the surgeon found my fibroid tumor was way way bigger than we knew. Luckily he was able to do my sleeve and now we knew I needed a hysterectomy sooner rather than later. My original goal was to wait until this fall and hopefully most of my weight would be gone and I could get a tummy tuck at the same time. Unfortunately, the fibroid was making my life miserable.....back pain, shortness of breath (my diaphragm couldn't fully open) having to pee all the time......so we decided to do it March 1. I knew my abs would be cut for the hysterectomy so I talked to the plastic surgeon. I had stomach that overhung to my pubic area (so gross) and even my girly areas drooped. (grosser) I decided to have the panni done when I had my hysterectomy. The gyno cut vertically to get the tumor out, and the plastics cut on either side of the incision and pulled it together. My panniculectomy incision runs from nearly the back of one hip to nearly the back of the other. My belly button was moved. When I figured out he had cut it out of the skin that was removed and cut a hole where it is now and sewed it in I was sort of disgusted...but it looks pretty good. Sometimes I feel like Frankenstein. There are some pros and cons to what I did and I'll share them with you. Pros: Not having that overhang was a huge motivator to me. No more rashes there I can move so much more freely (ie...when I ride my bike, my knees don't hit my stomach) I have a lap again My clothes fit so much better and the overhang used to be visible under clothes TMI alert (sex is soooo much better without that between us) BTW.....he removed 15 pounds of skin and fat. So if you've ever grabbed your stomach and said 'I wish I could cut this off" Well, it turns out you can. Cons: It hurt soooooo much. Please understand a lot of that pain came from the removal of a fibroid tumor that weighed in at over 10 pounds and the cutting of my abdominal muscles. The scar is big and ugly, but as bad as it is, it's better than the overhang. Because I had my surgery with A LOT of weight left to lose, I may still want to have a tummy tuck later. I'm going to wait and see on that. I paid for it out of pocket and it wasn't cheap, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat My doc explained that the panniculectomy was like a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) without the tightening of the stomach muscles. If you're at your goal weight now, my suggestion (unsolicited so tell me to shut up if you want) would be to have the tummy tuck. With the tummy tuck they will remove the excess skin like they would in a panniculectomy, but they will also tighten up your muscles, giving you a more toned look. Sept 1 I'm having my girls reduced and lifted. If you have questions about that, I'll let you know after. Insurance is footing the bill for that one and I'm psyched. If you want to know anything else, please feel free to PM me. Good luck with your decision.

I broke a chair at someone's house about two years ago. I didn't weigh too much more than some of the men there, but still... I think it's a combination of things. I refused to be in pictures. When I saw myself in pictures I couldn't believe it was me. It must have been the lens, or the angle, or something. Or I was standing next to that skinny person! That said, even employing all of the "tricks" like putting your weight on one leg, being photographed from above, turning my head…it didn't disguise that I was big, and getting bigger. Especially when I knew the person next to me in a photo did in fact look just like that... Two years ago I participated in one of those "have a month free" things at a local (very nice) health club. I loved it, really wanted to do it. But (TMI warning) I had female issues…I peed when jumping rope. Then I investigated that with a local urogynocologist, and had the surgery to correct that about 6 months later. I put off going to the doctor to avoid stepping on the scale. Sometimes refused to weigh if I had to go. This year I realized that the last two surgeries I have had (gallbladder and uro-gyn)--if they were not caused by my being overweight, they were exacerbated by it. And I spent a lot of the last year getting sick in small ways and not just bouncing back. And my weight kept creeping up. I realized that it was really a matter of time before I was staring at a diabetes or heart disease diagnosis. Maybe 10 years, maybe less. And did I want to live my life that way, or take the bull by the horns now? Anyway, here I am. Happy about the choice. Working on myself and my progress.

I'm on pre-op diet of liquids - day 3 - and I go a lot....it's all liquid (sorry for the TMI) but I am going.

Quote: This from the man who nagged me for YEARS about my weight. I think he is afraid I will leave him! Which is not the case at all! LOL You know... I think many of our spouses/partners make the, "You're gonna get skinny and leave me" comment. This is a big adjustment for them as well. And frankly, during our weight loss journey, by necessity we tend to be more self-focused. So part of our job is to reassure them that we love them and that's not gonna happen. (Assuming that's true, of course). My wife, who has no reason in the world to feel insecure, has said it in jest. I just keep telling her I love her. And by the way, now that I'm smaller, lighter, and more agile, our romantic life has improved as well! TMI–LOL!!!

My doctor recommended Milk of Magnesia for constipation. It's a full week after my surgery and no BM yet. Today I started feeling like I have to "go" but have not and really want to avoid the pain of cramping if I do start to cramp. As of now I just have that sort of feeling, but no go. I am a little scared to take the M of M... did anyone take it for this? I have never had it before and do NOT want diarrhea or cramping! I am only going to take 2 tbs which is the minimum dose... thanks!

That is so awesome! I'm hoping that with this surgery it will help me to level out my hormones. Prob tmi but I recently started producing a substance that looks like breast milk. This stuff is just to weird. So at least I won't feel too much like a cow lol