Totallytater

The only trouble I've consistently had since surgery is problems going to the bathroom. I don't eat that much anymore so my bowels just don't seem stimulated enough to work well. I go to the bathroom every couple of days but don't produce much. Then every several months, I get severely impacted. It's so bad that I am homebound for a couple of days. The first day, I writhe in pain and pray for death (just kidding). Then I take laxatives and crap my brains out for a whole day and a half or two days. It seems incredible that a human can crap so much. Does anyone have this problem and has anyone found a way to avoid it?

It's probably less about you, and more about the situation he's in. Lifting weights and body building are probably just hobbies the folks enjoy while they are deployed. It gives them something to do, and goals for them to reach while they're over there.

It's hard to say what the right answer is. I started at a BMI of 49 so my choice was clear. You have to know that if you remain restricted, you will never get to enjoy food in the normal way again. I can only eat such tiny amounts. Bread and fries (my favorite foods in the past) are off limits completely. I cannot eat them AT ALL because they get stuck. You have to leave behind your love of food, because your ability to fully enjoy it will be over. The question is. . . are you willing to give it your enjoyment of food and eating forever to lose a relatively small amount of weight. That is what you need to consider.

Hi. I flew from Charlotte to Denver for my surgery since I was self pay. I am almost at my goal. I have 24 pounds to go. Good luck to you.

I have this same problem occasionally. I switch to only protein shakes for a couple of days (no real food) and it calms down on its own.

Marie, Do what I did. Fly from Charlotte to Denver. Enjoy a few days of vacation (Denver area is terrific). Then go see Dr. Kirshenbaum for a band at just under $10,000. Fly back to Charlotte, then lose your weight. You can get fills from Dr. Ahigian in Denver (NC) at Fills Centers USA. Dr. Ahigian is a great fill doctor. I also think there is a new New Hope Bariatrics in Charlotte that does it pretty reasonably for cash. Good luck.

Why not just go to Denver and see Dr. Kirshenbaum? Only $9950 and the safety of the USA.

You have a mixed up family, but luckily you made the right choice to go with The Heels!! That was a sweet game wasn't it? I found myself saying bizarre things like, "Darn, we are only up 19 points. I want to keep it over 20". It felt too close when we were under 20. What a blowout!

You are not restricted. I have restriction and I could not possibly eat a sandwich. I wouldn't even try it. I might be able to eat the meat off of the sandwich if it is not too much. I can't eat fries at all. If you can eat anything that resembles a whole meal (i.e. sandwich and fries) you are not restricted.

I am absolutely stuffed with 1/4 cup, but I am at my sweet spot after several fills. You won't be happy with 1/4 cup after 1 fill. It will take you several more fills to get there.

I haven't heard of anyone getting surgery in Hickory, but many in Charlotte or Concord.

Liquid diets (like Optifast) are quite common. Tons of people use Slim Fast too. I don't think many people will question it. It's a popular diet now.

Has nothing to do with the band, but I have to give my alma mater some love. GO HEELS!!!!

It's perfectly okay to hide your surgery. Boy, I sure have. I hid mine as a vacation. While I was gone on vacation I had the surgery. No one needs to know my business or yours. I am not at my goad yet but I look terrific compared to how I used to look. I eat very small amounts when I go out with my friends and they think that is why I lost the 100 pounds. They need not know the rest. Good luck to you.

MaryBN, are you going to see Dr. Ahigian? He is great! He gives a good fill. Good luck to you

I've got a better story than that. I went on a girls weekend with some old friends I haven't seen in 2 years. In the last 2 years, I have lost 100 POUNDS!!! They didn't say a word about it. Can you believe that?

Today is a great day to start fresh and anew. You can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A tell-tale sign of gallbladder trouble is waking up in the night with severe abdominal pain after you eat something greasy (like pizza or fried fish or fried chicken). Tends to show up on vacation, because you eat rich, fatty foods.

I have hit a serious, long-term plateau There are some doctors in my area that give shots of HCG, B12, Choline, and Inositol plus prescribe Metformin to lose weight. This is in conjunction with a low carb diet. Do you think the addition of these shots to my existing low carb diet will help me lose any more weight?

Will most plastic surgeons do an arm lift and tummy tuck at the same time? Or a lower body lift and an arm lift at the same time? Do you think it is okay to combine these surgeries?

Artificial sweeteners cause an insulin response in the body, just as if you drank sugar (although not quite as bad). You can't fool mother nature. Your body knows Crystal Light is sweet even if it's artificially sweetened. Use sparingly.

She is right that you won't be able to eat the same way again. You won't ever be able to go to Wendys and wolf down a big burger, fries and large drink in 10 minutes. That will never happen again. But that's what made you fat to begin with. You get adjusted to what you can and can't eat. You get an unpleasant physical response when you eat the wrong things, so you actually DON'T WANT to eat them anymore. It will be fine. You will be slim in a couple of years after your surgery, and you will love it!!

I agree with JJSmiles. I think the tummy tuck and arms are a must for most people because they really make a difference for your clothes. Those are the 2 musts for me. I may get other stuff later though. I am wondering if a doc will do TT and arms at the same time?

I go with the Wendy's chili when I can get it!!

It depends on the Dr. Mine did not require any pre-op testing and I only had to do a 10 day low carb diet to shrink liver also.