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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

Sleeved on 5/28, an I still haven't had a BM. I tried to go yesterday, but couldn't due to constipation. Yes I no TMI, but I just wanna go to the restroom! Lol.. I also have been getting pains through stomach that move up to chest, that I believe are gas pains. Please tell me someone else has been having same problems. On another note, I have been getting my multivitamin in, an it does have iron in it. I will start tonight on my calcium an d3 chewable. I also have been doing protein shake to get in my 60 gm in but I can only get in 1 shake so only 30 gm of protein in:( I feel like im doing something wrong, plz help

I have a diet coke every once in awhile with no problems. Occasionally I will get an uncomfortable tight feeling but I burp and feel fine. Then today. .. had about 5 sips and got a terrible "stuck" feeling. The longer I sat there, the more sick to my stomach I became and finally threw up. (TMI.. sorry) I wasn't eating food and my last fill was 3 weeks ago. So what's that all about? I've read that many people can't drink carbonated beverages ever after surgery. (Apparently I might have just become one of them) What's the physical reason for that? And is there a reason why a diet coke would bother me one day and not 4 days later? Just curious.

Hi Janette and everyone, I know what you mean! There is a really positive group on here and it is so good to share things with others who are at the same stage and understand and have good ideas. Well I did weigh at Longs yesterday and it was after Breakfast and clothed (thankfully for everyone else in the store!). I have now lost 5 and a bit pounds since being here which is 2 weeks. That is faster than it was at home. The flights home will make a difference in Fluid retention so that is very encouraging. I won't change my ticker until that has all settled down and I am using my usual scales. I am getting to the point where I will be less than I have been in decades so that will be wonderful. My newly altered summer sun dresses are getting too big again but thankfully my swimsuits are still just about decent. I am hoping to carry on with them because they can't be altered but the slippage factor (!) could start to be even more of a problem in which case swimsuits won't work. TMI I know, but I know that you all know what I mean.I do love being able to be in the pool or sea. Fingers crossed. Take care all of you Claire

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.

Not to be graphic or tmi... Has anyone had any bm issues? I've gone quite a few times, obviously very loose.. :-/ I usually hear stories that people don't go for days on end...

They scared me cause they put some machine on my stomach/bladder to see how much was in it and it was gonna pop. It's very awkward having 2 nurses working on that, tmi! You feeling alright tonight?

So I'm freaking out a little, I am about 3 weeks post op and I have had a yellow thick vaginal discharge. Has anyone else had this? It doesn't itch or burn but I did have antibiotics in the hospital? Should I treat like a yeast infection???

Well, here goes nothin'. This is my first blog entry, I've honestly never written a blog before but I thought I would give it a shot. I have quite a bit to say and I feel safe saying everything here. Let's start off with my weight loss journey and where my weight problems stemmed from. I was always a yo yo'er. I would be thin, fat, thin, fat all my life. I was into sports then I would stop and balloon back up. In highschool I was a 18 and thought I was fat, little did I know, by the time I was 23, I would be nearly 400 lbs and a size 30 in jeans. I was miserable, I got married young, at 22 and before then I was on a steady incline of weight gain, after the marriage, it got out of control. I was eating my feelings and I didn't know how to stop. The topic of surgery came up when I had blood work done (i'm anemic) and my doctor told me that I was borderline diabetic and when I saw the # on the scale say 394#... I knew something had to be done. He referred me to the Bariatric Institute of Wisconsin. With my insurance I was required to do a 1 year treatment plan and several times within that year, I nearly gave up and thought it wasnt worth it. Boy, I'm glad I stuck it out. My gastric sleeve surgery was May 16,2013. The day that changed my entire life. The surgery was good, the next day in the hospital was torture but again, It was 100% worth the struggle. I spent my time looking at before and after photos and watching youtube videos of people who had the surgery and wondering "will I ever be this person with these kind of results?" and the answer is yes. If you want it bad enough, it will be you and I am living proof of someone who changed their life with one struggle at a time. The first few months are the worst, your life is basically taken on a rollercoaster with no seatbelt. You have to learn slowly what you can and cant handle, how to count protein, and slowly get into a work out regimine. At about 3-4 months, everyone besides me was noticing the weight loss. I honestly thought I was at a stand still and scared of developing body dimorphic because I wasn't seeing it but everyone else was. I just thought everyone was being nice knowing I had this surgery done. At about 8 months, it hit me. I looked through old pictures of myself where I thought I looked great and to my own self, I was unrecognizable, thats when things started to really hit me. The hard work, the 5-6 days a week at the gym, the sacrifices were all making sense and I was ecstatic. It's a strange feeling. okay.... at 10 months, my personal life started to take a bad turn. Before my surgery, my husband told me he would be supportive and was excited for me to go through this and better myself and he promised to take the plunge with me with changing eating habits and working out....that didn't seem to be the case. I was more active and wanting to experience life because well, I got my life back! and all he was concerned with was going to buffets, ordering pizza and laying in bed playing video games. Our sex life (tmi) was non existant, We started to only speak a few words a day to eachother. I was going out with my friends constantly because he would never want to go anywhere. Well.... a month ago I filed for divorce and am moving into my own place tomorrow. It's really liberating to have the strength to do this, I was unhappy for at least 2 years but this surgery gave me the confidence I needed to break free. I'm only 25 and yes, I got married young and I understand, marriage is a commitment but a person can only give so much until they break and try to work on things so much before it becomes a lost cause. I never knew I had this strength in me and I owe it all to the gastric sleeve surgery. It saved my life in more ways than one. So if you're on the fence or not sure about it... think about all the doors it can open in other aspects of your life. I'm now just over 1 year out, almost 190# down, went from a size 30 to a size 14 in jeans and i wear a size small/medium in mens tshirts, when I used to wear a 3x. it's a pretty amazing feeling! thanks for reading

Sorry to the men! TMI I know. I know what you mean about getting the time of the month. Because my O2 levels kept dropping they didn't want to take the foley cath out. So they expected me to walk with the cath and deal with mother nature all at the same time....embarrassing. Oh well all is good now.

@@Cupcake, Yay for you! You got through it! I am so glad you feel good. Isn't it nice to be on this side of the surgery? @@allielee, I almost threw up in the hospital and it was terrifying! You are a trooper. Congrats on your weight loss so far. @@Kookichu, thanks for always being so positive and supportive! The scale started moving the very next day, and "bathroom issues" had a lot do to with that! Without providing TMI, I think things had been backed up for awhile. Not any more, though!! And, on a NSV note, I actually went to work out last night!!! Just a little bit on the treadmill, but I have not had energy to even do that. So, baby steps back to cardiac health for me.

THis is my first cycle after surgery, I'm having all the pms, cramps, bloating etc and I'm always regular. I guess I started 2 days ago but it's not even enough to wear a panty liner ( sorry TMI)! It's never this way & was wondering if anyone else has had this issue ? I had surgery May 8th. Thanks!

Sorry if tmi but I was just wondering when I should expect to have a BM? I am 1 week post op and no sign that it's near but it's so strange for me.. I'm used to being a once a day kinda girl. ????

Welcome ladykatie, So glad to have someone new join us. It's wonderful to have the support and share our experiences. I had my surgery May 5th and I actually have lazy bowels which makes us have opposite issues. As far as shutting off that valve I am not sure. I have been focused in opening mine (tmi). I am now on duco, miralax, Metamucil and just finished a prescription strength laxative. Amazingly I am still losing. I have lost 24.2 lbs since the day of my surgery. I am blown away by that amount. The nausea on the other hand I was prescribed the scopolamine patch for behind the ear and the dissolvable Zofran. Usually surgeons will call these prescriptions in without needing to see you. I did notice in the beginning sitting straight up was better when I tried to drink or eat. It helped with nausea/needing to vomit feeling. The Zofran worked pretty quick. I am on the puréed portion of the diet and will go to soft foods in about 8 days. I am 37 years old and live in California. Everybody asks me what do you want to get down to but what I have observed with others having this surgery is there bodies kind of determine that for them if they do all they should. I dunno maybe I'm wrong. I am currently a size 18 bottom and 14/16 top. I really haven't tried to put jeans on yet so I don't know if there looser but I already can see the physical change in myself. Yoga pants are my friend and sun dresses. Hope to learn more about you. Sincerely, Angelface811

Hi everyone.. I was sleeved on May 6th and I'm doing pretty good. I can't drink protein shakes cause it goes in and right out the other (sorry TMI) but it happens until your body adjust to everything. So I'm stuck eating chicken and fish already to get my proteins and doing well...I do have an issue that I have asked my doctor about some nerve pain right at my belly button area. It is like a burning pinching pain when I laugh or move wrong. Just wondering if anyone else had this..

So sorry in advance for the TMI... But everything today is just running right through me:( I can only assume it's from the protein?! But boy is it ... Uncomfortable for lack of a better word! Hopefully everyone else is faring well!

I'm so nervous that I have to pee at least every hour. I know this is TMI but I find it fascinating. Butterflies in my empty stomach constantly. I am blessed with a very supportive wife and kids. I don't know how some people can do this alone. My wife calms my worries, but they return.

Okay, TMI Alert. I made it down to 150.9 just a few days ago. A weight I know I haven't been in a zillion years. Then, I get my cycle and I know there's going to be a little weight there, but I'm freaking out that I'm doing something wrong. It's up to 153.1 this morning. I'm hoping that that's all it is, is because of my cycle and it should be. It's taken me oh, so long to get back to this weight, that I'm just worried. I feel like I'm doing great with my food restriction. And I'm being honest that I did treat myself to two Cookies yesterday, but how many ladies would not eat something we're not supposed to at 'that time of the month'? I'm drinking a lot of water/liquid, but had to slack off on the exercise due to a leg/foot injury. I am doing what I can without doing legs. Ladies, I'm interested how you handle things/what happens to you, when you're on your cycles. Does the same weight thing happen to you and how long does it take to drop back off? I'm hoping in a couple days, that the scale starts back down again.

I am 5 days post op. Feeling pretty good. I have been getting up and walking since the afternoon of the surgery. Surgery was at 10:20 am on Monday and I was released at 8:00 am on Tuesday. Things at home have been pretty calm. I am not hungry but I am working at getting enough Protein and Water each day. Not quite to the preferred amount of either yet, but getting close on both. BM's started happening yesterday and are happening daily for now. I was taking the milk of magnesia each day but today I switched to benefiber. I think that will work as well and not taste as bad. I know tmi but we all go through it. I have had only been nauseous one time and I woke up that way in the morning. I got really sick to my stomach and threw up a bunch of foam. After that I have been fine. I used my inspirometer religiously for the first three days home and I think that really helped with the breathing and getting over having the breathing tube down my throat during surgery. The one problem I have had is that all of my things I drink, except for water and non-fat milk, are sweet. I have been craving something non-sweet. I tried squash Soup which was ok, but I tried my flavorless Protein Powder in it and it clumped, even after I blended it it was still clumpy, so that was an epic fail. I tried chicken broth, from the store, nasty. I was so disappointed. So this afternoon I sent my husband to the store with a list of ingredients so I could make my own chicken broth......heaven, finally. I put my fiber in it and it was perfect. I hope all the rest of my May buddies are doing well, or feel well soon. It feels good to be on the loser's bench.

Ironic that some of the last few posts were on constipation. I was just hospitalized for major impaction. I was in tears and shaking like crazy. So now in addition to the liquid stool softener I have been taking we are adding miralax twice per day, Metamucil, and lactulose. It's very difficult at this stage (puréed) to get much fiber. I am an excellent water drinker and was well hydrated going into the hospital. I was given 3 enemas (joy) and the lower portion of things have been evacuated but the upper portion is making its way down. Some of these things will be temporary and I was told I have a lazy bowel. Stopped my pain meds altogether even with that burning left side pain. I have also been pretty active. But hey! It was my choice to have the surgery and I absolutely don't regret it. This was a possible complication but a minor one. I share this with you just in thought that it might help someone else. My ahem! hurts like never before but it could've been something way worse. We will get through all of this!! Sorry about the TMI...

Good morning all. I am now 4 days post up. Not as bad as I expected. I've been walking 1/2 mile a day. I'm gonna shoot for a whole mile this morning. Still have drain until next Friday. Trying to get fluids in. Ujury chicken protein has been awesome. 26 grams per 8 ounces. Herbal tea, lots of ice and water has been my thing. I realized yesterday that I now hate sweets! The antibiotic meds are really sweet, don't like them. Heating pad has been wonderful. I pooted for the first time last night (TMI, BUT IT WAS AWESOME! Still sore in the abdomen but everyday it gets better. I hate the compression socks. now I can take them off all day and only put them on when I sleep. Uhhhmmmm I think that's it for now. Oh 10lbs down. 2 lbs from pre op and 8 lbs post op.

Hi Everyone! Welcome Cath! you will find that we are positive and supportive and no judgement feel fee to ask us anything Nerms congratulations on making the decision on the band! how exciting Leanne!! OMG YOUR AMAZING!!!!! that is soo good babe! Im really happy for you! I know how exciting it is when things fit!! good on you you deserve it! Babe the path we have chosen is not easy seriously the people that say surgery is easy have no idea what they are talking about lol So i bet you were looking smoking hot at the 21st! well done on breaking the stall girlie! apparently upping the calories is the way to go.....dunno how im going to do that though lol so im off to the movies today would normally enjoy some popcorn and a choc top now no idea what i can snack on any ideas lovelies? oh and about the TMI T.O.M i wish it would end! If its not gone by wed im going to the docs i want that pill lol hope you all have a great weekend! Chez how are you going babe? nearly over!!!!!!!! Have you jumped on the scales yet?

Greetings Everyone! Hope folks have been well. I have one of those 'delicate/TMI' type of questions, and who better to ask then you fine folks. I am almost 4 months post-op, (surgery on 01/27/14). I went in at 272lbs. As of this morning, I am 203.4 lbs, (ugh, I am sooo close to 'onederland' I can taste it, haha). Anyways, I have noticed over the last month or so, that my bowel movements are changing a bit. I have been having the "long thin ribbon-like" bms. I initially thought it was simply cause my new stomach was long and thin, but reading online that doesn't make as much sense as it first did to me. Since only my stomach was changed, wouldn't my normal bm size/shape remain? The thin ribbon like thing is a sign of a blockage/colon cancer, so obviously I'm cautious now. I wanted to see if anyone else post-vsg noticed a similar change to their bms. Look forward to hearing any replys, especially if your experiences match mine. :-)

Desiree try an enema or dulcolax for ur poop issues. Trust me we share everything here, TMI is nonexistance lol.

Happy FIVE Week Sleeviversary everyone (I am actually a day later then all of you)... I am so sorry I have been in and out of here, you guys are a wonderful group!!! My three year old keeps me busy and she's a late sleeper (lol this will change in September!) so please forgive me I do not get much mommy time!!! I am here reading and you are all the best HELP ever... 1. 5'6 275.8 2. 255 3. 234.2 down 41.6!!!! 4.155-165 still want to see what that looks like on me!!! 5. Back to work and doing good!!! 6. Poop issues... Lol I know TMI...