Search the Community

Wow it's been a while! In the past Year leading up to my 5th bandaversary I feel like my life has went in to the dumps. I have to admit I've gained weight and that is greatly effecting me. Let me go back to Oct 2012 I decided I was going to get merina (this evil device) and that's when it all started. Yes my life changed and by that I mean my weight my mood my everything. I became a coach potato depressed person. I felt like I was going to bleed to death the first 6 months (sorry TMI). Month 7-8 gained another 20 lbs and then another few So I finally had the thing removed because well I started producing large cysts like grapefruits and well hence my frustration. I've been trying to get it together but well apparently it's not working. I did get a fill actually 2 since... and a slight unfill. Jan 1 I decided I should join the gym and stop being a coach potato and I've been doing pretty good with that but I haven't really lost much maybe 3.3 lbs and gained back 1.8 UGH. I know I need to learn to work this band again and not eat around it but wow it's a challenge I've become dependent on soup and hot liquid to losen this bad boy up so I can eat =( and well I need to stop it. Last 5 days I've only had hot liquid in AM (coffee) and I've actually been eating breakfast 1 egg and 2 slices of turkey bacon. I need help I need Idea's and support (a buddy... email, text and phone would be awesome and LBT) to get back to losing and working this band. let the suggestions and support unleash on a side note wow LBT has really changed.

I used to dream about raw meat when I was pregnant, it was awful because it would make me sick, I would wake up gagging. Thankfully i never puked in bed! ( sorry tmi) I think this is the brain trying to find out why we don't eat that thing anymore, it gave us so much pleasure, maybe we just need a reminder? Darn pleasure centers! Oh I didn't crave raw meat while I was pregnant, I could barely stand it because I could smell it at 100 yds! (LOL) And I am a serious meat eater! So far no weird dreams about the surgery, I am in for my last consult this week then the hit the ground running on my tests and hoped to be sleeved in March. I am sure I will have a few weird dreams before this is over!

TMI WARNING Are any of you having issues with constipation? I've had a couple of episodes and the only thing that helped was Milk of Mag. and they taste of that stuff is just awful. Plus the excrement was so big and hard it stopped up my toilet! Had to go to Home Depot to buy a new plunger.

Oh, I should probably add that my surgeon really wanted me to have the gastric bypass when I went through the pre-op for the lap band, I'm still torn on whether or not I should have listened to him as I was afraid of how invasive bypass surgery is/was and turned to the lap band because the sleeve wasn't being approved in 2010 by my insurance company. I did learn a lot from having the lap band such as eating healthier and smaller portions. Unfortunately I only lost about 35 pounds and then gained almost 50 pounds back when I quit having band filled due to constant vomiting and a constant stuck feeling in my chest. Sorry if TMI but it was not a good feeling & I'd rather you know about it.

I'm walking at least 10 mins every 4 hours.....yesterday I had some shopping to do so I was out walking (slowly) for like 2 hours. Not too much pain, only take painkillers at night before I pass out. Make sure you're in bed stretching and act like you're walking. I've already lost 10 plus pounds which is crazy but I'm staying super hydrated and going to the bathroom a lot. Movement and hydration is key....also TMI I'm in my period so I'm sure that's also causing some pain

You're so right I'm down 3 pounds since yesterday just by going to the bathroom with significant success ( sorry I know it's TMI). It had been 6 days which is way too long. Seems like I tell yall more about what's going on with me than my own family but I also know that yall can relate. Yes I am from Georgia, howdy y'all:)

Challenge start 288 Last week 282 This week 279 -3 I think it might even be a tad lower then that but TMI I'm a bit 'backed up' lol So I made my challenge goal of 280! I would like to revise it to 275. I've lost 9 pounds so far with this challenge and I know ill probably hit a little stall since I've lost so much, but think 275 is doable!

TMI WARNING: I wanted to let those of u who supported me and lifted my spirits yesterday thru that gain, I took some m.o.m b4 bed bc the left side of my back has been hurting as well as having hard small stools. The m.o.m worked a lot this morning. So my side immediately stopped hurting and the scale said 207.2!! So to u all, make sure that if the stools are not solid but small pellets or is too hard, it may b a culprit to stalls n gains as well. Tho I was using the restroom, they were not"normal" or frequent. So again ty and keep checks on those bathroom visits. God bless and tya again.

Only 4 days to get the thought of all that tubing out of my mind. I feel nauseous. Never thought I'd say this, but TMI IMO.

I had some trouble with the flank steak. I had this before with no issues. This is probably tmi but when something isn't going down, I can bring it up easily. After my pouch settled down, I tried it again and no problems. I have noticed this before....anyone else have trouble with the first bites and then tried again?

Well, against all good advice, I was weighing every day. I was losing a pound a day for a while, so it was pretty awesome. When I hit 297 (started at 344) I hit my first stall. It was at 3 weeks. I was ok at first but then on the 4th day of stall I gained 2 pounds to 299!! I had a BM and went to 298.5. I knew then I needed to stop weighing every day. So I went to every three days -- only in the morning only after a BM. (Sorry tmi) -- this morning-- voila. Down 5!

I understand everyone is trying to help, but pro biotics can do nothing for c- diff, try Googling it!! It is VERY SERIOUS and can lead to mega Colin!! We are talking apples and oranges here, it's a whole different animal. Dear you have my best thoughts and I am so sorry you ate enduring this, cdiff makes diahrrea look like fun Please keep on top of things,may I suggest word puzzles for the time spent on toilet. Don't be afraid to use those febreeze coupons!! I agree nothing is TMI you will be in my thoughts and sending good vibes and angels!!

Wow!! You are so brave!!! Ok...here I go... I am choosing to have RNY for the following reasons: I want to live past 50 (which is the age my gma passed away from a heart attack and stroke. I want to live to be a great great grandma! I want to for the 1st time in my life...look in a mirror and have the reflection match what I feel inside I have borderline high BP, and my sugar was slightly elevated in December when I had some labs done I want to be a good no great example for my kids! I want to have more energy to go and do things, not just cuddle...I want to be active with my family! I am 35...I have a long life ahead and I want to enjoy it and not feel constant self loathing and self consciousness. I do not want to feel my lower stomach on the tops of my legs anymore I want to be able to have a real family picture taken and NOT make excuses why I can't. I am so proud of my family. I waNt to be seen with them, they are amazing I want to have a pic of my husband and me professionally done (something he's asked for since 2002...our wedding photo) I want to have sex with my husband of almost 12 years....and not feel like it has to be black as night in the room (sorry if tmi) I want to not turn over n pretend I am asleep instead because I am soooo self conscious of my body 50% of the time. I want to be...healthy and have a healthy relationship with food. There are many many more reasons...I won't keep going on here but...these are some ones close to my heart. Thanks for being so brave and posting this thread!

Hi Everyone, I go by SnohoGal98296 - I have been visiting and posting for a few months now. At first I was lurking to learn about your experiences and your pre and post surgery successes and failures. I also wanted to learn if you had the same experience as I have and if those experiences helped lead you to weight loss surgery. I did this research to determine if WLS was for me - and through this site, my outside research of specific surgeons and my own family who have made the leap for themselves and are very happy, I have made the decision to get weight loss surgery, specifically the sleeve. I am just in the process of determining which bariatric surgical center at which I will spend my hard earned money. I am self-pay, well employed and well insured, but with a WLS exclusion. As this is a huge investment for me I have closely examined specific reasons why I want this procedure. Below is my list (I apologize in advance for any TMIs :-D): I have tried nearly every diet on the planet - I am 45 years old and first realized I was overweight when I was about 10 years old. Here is a list of diets I have tried over the past 35 years: Lowfat / Nonfat liquid VLC diet (I snuck my Dad's Optifast in the 6th grade) Jenny Craig Weight Watchers Acupuncture Hypnosis Grocery Diet (Lean Cuisine, etc) Starbucks Diet Subway Diet Atkins South Beach Medically Supervised Optifast Medically Supervised High Protein / Low Carb (I was most successful here) Here are my physical observations since my last diet and regain, I don't make this list to complain but to remind me why I need to be proactive for my health, in no particular order: I am 5'6", I started my last diet at 275lbs, I lost around 50lbs. and was feeling pretty darn good about being in the 220's. I thought I could lose more and keep the weight off and did for almost a year, unfortunately the diet was too hard to maintain and I ended up gaining back the 50lbs. plus another 20lbs. Actually I am fluctuating between 295 and 298. At my first surgical consult their scale, fully clothed in the afternoon, said 302lbs. I have finally eclipsed the largest size of my favorite work slacks - Lee "khaki" style slacks. Their largest size is 24W. I wear 24W in other brands but not in Lee anymore. I have been on two business trips since October and on both occasions I had to ask for seat belt extenders, (funnily enough on the USA based airlines but not on the Japan based airline). When I bend over to tie my shoes I feel starved for oxygen, I often need to prop my foot up to reach. I am unable to wear my favorite pair of boots anymore, my calves won't fit anymore - and they are men's boots. I have resorted to fastening my bra before I put it on because my arms don't bend that way anymore. I have a few creases in different areas of my body that get raw and irritated if I get sweaty. I have had to have prescription yeast infection treatments for these areas. Needless to say I hate to sweat now, in fact it makes me itch. I barely fit in my son's car and the seat belt is fully extended when I fasten it. It is close in my car - but I have few inches there yet. Some public restrooms stalls are too small for me, I have to use the handicap stall to have the space to reach, if you know what I mean (sorry TMI). At a recent meeting at work, the chair I was sitting in broke, snapped underneath me with a loud crack and I barely caught myself before tumbling over backwards, and I yelped! My only relief from complete embarrassment? A normal size guy broke his chair too, a short while after mine did. When I go to bed at night, I have to sleep with 2 or more pillows because I can't lay on my back without my own neck flesh choking me, I also need the pillows to sleep on my side due to my body is larger than one pillows width from the mattress surface. I have borderline high blood pressure. I do not have type II diabetes, although my surgical consult reminded it hasn't been tested in a couple of years. Climbing the single flight of stairs at my work, walking between buildings, or trying to keep up with my family while we are on walks causes me to be out of breath. Walking or standing for more than 20 or 30 mins makes my feet and back hurt so badly that I have to sit down. Cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year was excruciating. Doing normal housework is now a workout. My hips brush the armrests of my office chair, not too small yet, but close. There is a woman at work who had to have facilities order her an XL chair and everyone knows about it. Regarding my family - My husband is truly supportive, he backs me 100%. My 17 year old son wonders why I can't diet and exercise more. My daughter really hasn't weighed in - I believe she supports me. I have a cousin who weighed over 440lbs. when she got the lap band, she got down to 300lbs and all weight loss stopped. After her band failed (i.e. broke internally, she didn't regain very much) she got a revision to RNY and has begun loosing again. Her son just got banded this year and has lost over 150lbs. and just got engaged. I feel comfortable within my own family with this decision. Regarding work - I have told my Boss and she supports my decision but I will only tell my coworkers on a person by person basis. Some will understand and support others just don't need to know. So these are some of the reasons why I have decided to get weight loss surgery, what are some of your reasons?

I think the thing that makes me look at vitamins differently is my two pregnancies. I had bad levels my first one and was so constipated (tmi) from iron supplements I started having contractions.. my second pregnancy I took one that was food based and noticed a dramatic difference. The main difference is vitamins and minerals that are manufactured vs made in nature. And the prenatals are cheaper than the bariatric vitamins my Dr recommend. But any vitamin is better than no vitamin. My mom had bypass 5 years ago and hasn't taken anything in a year and is now dealing with iron infusions and b 12 shots :/

MisssMac I had to go to the site, spark people maybe I should have waited it said in 1more pound reaching my 60th it will equal a "elephant penis" OK....TMI

Living in South Louisiana, spicy food is the norm. I'm almost 9 months out and haven't had any issues with spicy foods yet. Of course, crawfish season is just around the corner and it isn't good unless you have tears running down your cheeks and your sinuses are flowing (TMI, huh?! LOL), so I guess that will be the real test!

So this evening I got my IUD which is giving me the worst flippen cramps but not only that I ate this fiber bar and I have a bad case of what I like to call whomp whomp farts and all I could do while the gyn was placing my iud is try not to fart on her... Here I am 8 hours later waking my dog up with "braaaap brap" and I have a 3 hour dentist appointment in the AM so help me god this gas passes. Any tips other than never eat a fiber bar again? When will this be over?!

So, TMI, but the more a absolutely destroyed the intensity of my orgasms!!!! My gyn said I was nuts but as soon as I had it taken out they went back to normal. Also, ultra sensitive breasts for the 9-10 months I had it....

I am still a newbie here almost 2 months post-op and maybe this is tmi but I really need some advice! I think I have a stomache bug of some kind... going on day 4 of killer D! I am really concerned about hydration at this point trying to get extra water in but I dont know if this is enough..should I be calling my surgeon or riding this out? ???? Any advice?

I am 6 weeks post op VSG. A sinus infection is causing post nasal drip which causes nausea. I'm on regular foods, but have been vomiting after each meal, no matter how slowly and well I chew, since I've had this sinus drainage. Figuring my new little tummy simply doesn't have room. TMI but too much phlegm is what's making me vomit. Have been doing lots of Water and back to some Protein shakes to at least get some protein. Any other suggestions?

i felt like total shit the first 8 weeks after surgery. i ate too fast and foamed, never got enough Fluid in. some days only 200 calories. into my third month when i was able to drink more than little tiny sips i started feeling so much better. i think it's the tight swelling of the tummy combined with the shock of your digestive system getting constipated (i was impacted a couple of times). what made me finally feel best was going to the ER, getting a bolus bag of IV (one bag in an hour) then a second one over time, and they gave me some crazy powder that caused me to (i know TMI) FILL my toilet bowl within three days. constipation makes me sick, then i can't drink cuz it's gross then i get dehydrated then i get more constipated. try to find something you can take every day to keep you regular. being dehydrated makes you feel nauseated too. and when you eat too little you get weak and dizzy. it sucks. but it does get better! good luck!

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

NOt TMI Leepers.. I too have noticed I am gassier weather I burp or fart since surgery .. also you have gas pockets that need to come out from going under as well.. better out then in

I love Quinoa. I usually substitute it for my rice. It's delicious. There are tons of recipes for using it. In my experience, it needs to be cooked thoroughly or it'll exit your body via your stool. I know that's TMI, but hey...It happens. lol Quinoa is awesome!