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Everyone is different of course, but my IUD experience was terrible. So much incredible pain every single month. I've never had kids, but I feel like the pain was similar to that of childbirth. I had to take opioids and muscle relaxers to get through the 5-9 days of my period and I bled so much I became anemic. I also believe it gave me ovarian cysts and falliopian blockage, as that is suspected to be related to IUDs. Now I have to be on hormonal BC to control the cysts. Of course there are people who love it and have no issue. But I can't recommend after what happened to me.

You are smokin' hot. Good for you Seriously That's crazy , (good kind) Well, I just began mine and actually, I've been swimming for the last few weeks cause I'm burned out on the dang stationary- elliptical ( the standing up kind is too hard for now -my weight makes it hard on my knees-for now) And anyways, I love swimming. I swim for an hour, sometimes 45 minutes, but I swim laps andI want you to know, I've been between 304-306 (up and downbetween these numbers for 2 weeks) I thought to myself. Maybe I am not bruning enough calories with this swimming, which saddens me bc there is not a lot of exercize I really "love" So may it'sjust the stall everyone's chirping about Did you stall at 3 weeks? and if so, how long was your stall. Sorry for SO many questions, but I cann't keep at this number I am super proud of your weight loss. That's amazing and.. I hate you! Lol

I’m single, so I don’t know your exact place, but of course you’re not going to expect kids to change their diets. I was on liquids over Christmas and I skipped my family celebration bc it mainly revolves around dinner. It’s super hard, and they don’t understand what you’re feeling. You may have to just go elsewhere while they’re eating, or have your gf pick up fast food on her own. Sorry this is going on. 😣

I threw up a scrambled egg this morning. I can’t decide if I’m throwing up bc I’m eating too much or eating too fast. I know it’s not bc I’m not chewing enough.

I think this notion of "it's just head hunger" after bariatric surgery is total BS. You're starving your body. Of course you're going to be hungry! You're not feeding yourself. Your body is very literally going into starvation. Yes...you're HUNGRY. I don't know who decided that you're not supposed to be hungry after surgery, but I sure as heck was. When I started eating 1000 balanced calories a day two weeks after surgery, I wasn't hungry anymore:)

Hi everyone. Have been reading a lot about people getting scared and questioning their decision to have VSG and wanted to share. I’m scheduled for January 15th (a week away aghh!) and I’m currently starting week 2 of my pre-op liquid diet. The weekend was very hard because of going out with the family and them wanting to eat. But I stuck with it...but during that time, I started to freak out and question if my life was going to be like this, not being able to go out with family, friends, and never being able to eat again ( I was getting very dramatic-might have been the lack of calorie intake lol). I was really questioning my decision and even thought about calling the doctor today to postpone. I started to convince myself that I could do this on my own (especially since I’ve lost 11 lbs on the liquid diet). In the past, I’ve lost up to 70-75 lbs on my own and kept it off for over a year. So why not be able to do it again? By Sunday night I had pretty much convinced myself and was ready to call my doctor today. Then I remembered that I had never taken pictures of myself at the start of my liquid diet, which I had wanted to do to see if I saw a difference in the two weeks. So I took the pictures and had my epiphany....I hated what I saw and for a long time i had convinced myself that I looked and felt great when I didn’t. Body dysmorphia is real. When I would lose weight I still felt fat and ugly, when I wasn’t. And when I gained the weight back, I avoided mirrors and pictures and felt and imagined being smaller than I was. So I’m back on the wagon and even though I am still scared, I am excited again and will try to remember why I am doing this. Even though I’ve lost some pounds now, there is no way I could live off of protein drinks, jell-o, and broth for the rest of my life and I’m sure if I started eating again it would all come right back. Sharing because I hope other people can relate and for support bc I think we all need it, especially me. Now to finish this darn liquid diet! [emoji846]

I was sleeved on Dec 19th and am entering my 4th week. However I think I have hit the infamous “stall”. I barely lost a pound this week (lost 2 lbs last week) and am disheartened. I have been following my diet and even under eating bc I can’t drink all the fluids and protein shakes as directed. I’ve been exercising everyday and have full energy. I know it’s something that happens but any suggestions to help jumpstart will be welcome!

I definitely think going off and then going back on birth control for the surgery played a big part. I feel like I had things in check in terms of moods and whatnot before (I'd been on BC for years with no interruption), but I feel like it's the mixture of the pills and also the extreme changes my body is going through. It just seems, I don't know... amplified? I mean, a 40lb weight loss in a month and a half has to make an impact, right??

YES, this totally happened to me too. I'm on birth control, and I'm wondering if going off would make it better or worse. I personally get extremely depressed and emotional the week before my period, even while on BC. It didn't happen like this before surgery. I haven't done anything about it, but being aware at least helps me kind of prepare for that time when it comes.

I have BC/BS. They cover my vitamins. I had the doctor write a note that they are necessary due to WLS. They write a new note at the start of the year. Just putting it out there for anyone struggling with the cost. Also curious which programs recommend Flintstones? Mine, and some others, specifically say not to take those.

I peeled off all of my glue at about 5 days post op bc I was having an allergic reaction to it. At my 1 week post op appointment, my surgeon said it was fine bc she was going to take it off at that appointment anyway. I don’t advise that you do this, but if it’s coming off on its own, it’s probably fine. Lap band 10/2007 revised to RNY 12/22/2017 HW 270 SW 263 CW 251

I was wondering , if I am the only one here who got wls done at a young age .Im 19 and almost 7 months ago I got a gastric plications done. So far I have lost 42kg ( my biggest weight was 127kg, and now im 86kg) If there are people here my age , how do you deal with various situations infront of your friend,relatives,co workers. Cause i feel like my friends dont want to hang with me anymore bc I dont eat junk food or (as I say) I am on a strickt diet. Sent from my SM-J730F using BariatricPal mobile app

Thanks! Will be starting day 7 and it’s been hard and easy at the same time. Easy because I don’t have to think about what I’m eating or preparing anything since I have about 3 things I can eat lol. It’s hard bc the cravings are still there and there is still that thought of self-sabotage. Like today, went to my dealership to get my car serviced and they had pizza and I was offered a piece.....I almost said yes.....and thought about eating it but I didn’t. Gotta take it almost hour by hour. How are you doing?

Damn Tink, I'm sorry to hear this. I don't speak fluff and I don't needlessly try to build people up. You are one of the hardest working people on this site, don't let this slip up take seed in your head. However, let it be a very serious reminder on how we must always remain vigilant. I've always looked up to you man, I know you will take that 60 back off. PM me if you ever need to BS about this stuff.

Totally normal to be nervous - I almost backed out a week or two after scheduling. The closer I got the calmer I got though, which is weird. Or maybe I just didn't have the energy to be nervous bc I was too lethargic from the Pre-Op diet! I think you are lucky to be doing it young. Not that it should be taken lightly, but in my 20's and 30's I wasn't heavy enough to be a candidate - still struggled with my weight/dieting/body image, but just not extreme enough for this kind of medical intervention. I am 45 now, and when I look at the before and after pics, some of the women just look SO amazing, and then I realize that they are the ones who had it done while they were younger. Everything bounces back better Not to dis the rest of us, we still look and feel a far cry better than if we had not had the procedure, (I'm 10 days post-op now, so I'm kind of an expert, haha), but I think for most in our age group, it's the body contouring and "lifts" and skin tightening that make the best end result aesthetically speaking. Just remind yourself that you made this decision for a good reason and try not to second-guess that too much, because that's extra stress that really isn't worth it. Just shoot for "optimistically cautious"

Good question. I’d love to hear the answer. I’m not far enough out to know. I do know that they took me off my bc after surgery and I had the longest, heaviest flow that I’ve ever had! Ever! It was awful!

On my way out the door today I went to grab another Mucinex and the pack I had originally taken from was empty. So I just grabbed one from the next pack...popped it in my mouth...took a swig of water...swallowed it...noticed how huge it felt sliding down my sore throat...and realized I had - being on auto-pilot - just swallowed a huge gel-cap! Like huge, huge. And thought, "What the Hell did I just do?! What was I thinking?!" (I wasn't, obviously). It was too late to undo it, so as my son drove me to the eye doctor's I just kept sipping on my water hoping all would be ok and I didn't pop a stitch/staple with this ginormous pill - or whatever else might go wrong as a result, I don't even know. The eye doctor appt took 2 hours. A lot of sitting, leaning forward, carefully bending down to look at frames, etc. By the time we left I was NOT feeling so good. My voice was extremely froggy, throat dry and sore (forgot to take my water bottle in w/me, of course). I felt really tired, and I started getting some cramps on the left side of my abdomen. Sort of felt like menstrual cramps - def partially around the ovary area - but then some slightly higher. At first I was really worried, but then I got home, my son brought me home Liquid cold medicine - whoo hoo! It's so gross...but anyway...I had some chicken broth...a little vitamin water...promptly fell asleep watching TV w/hubs. He woke me at 8:30 and sent me off to bed. I took my usual night time meds for my Fibro/Back Pain/UTI prevention/Migraine prevention/Cholesterol (whew I really hope I can get off some of these one of these days). Anyway, I have an adjustable bed, so I had the head raised and was going to do some stuff on my laptop til the meds kicked in bc I was feeling a little awake by now. Next thing I know it's 3:30 a.m., my laptop is still on the bedside cart (I never even got far enough to pick it up...?). Get up to use the bathroom and notice my stomach is really distended. It feels all big, round, and tight, and one of my incisions is really sore - which they have been healing fine. So I take a look and I think it looks ok (incision) but can't believe how huge my stomach is! This was a busy day and I ate less than usual due to being sick and having the long appointment. So one protein shake, one cup of chicken broth w/added protein powder, a sugar-free popsicle, a vitamin water, and regular water surely were not the cause of THIS? Feeling super worried, but take more cough medicine, try to fall back to sleep. Notice that while lying more flat now it feels like there's a tight band around my abdomen. Like when I breathe it feels like there's a tight but stretchy belt between naval and sternum that stretches out when I inhale, and back in when I exhale. It's pretty scary because I've only ever felt anything similar when I was hugely pregnant (nope, not a chance)...So I get up to consult Dr. Internet, and I can't even find a complication that matches my symptoms! Huh. No nausea/vomiting, no fever/chills, no real issues taking fluids (hurts some/get gurgling still if I accidentally swallow too much at once or too fast, but that seems to be the normal response to accidentally doing those things this early on). Maybe it's a lot of gas bloating for some reason? Maybe I'm premenstrual and this is super-duper fluid retention? I don't know, and Dr. Internet is being of no help. Anyone else ever experience something like this (especially after swallowing a big pill/chunk of food etc. that already has you concerned?

What a GREAT question! (I’m looking forward to tacos, btw! Lol!) I didn’t have to lose beforehand. Actually, I had to gain bc I didn’t have two comorbidities. I’m only counting what I lost on my pre-op liquid week and since surgery. I kinda feel better knowing others are counting before them bc I was feeling a little like a failure. Even though I’m eight whole days out! Thanks for the good question!

My NUT said FF String Cheese was ok. I guess bc its soft? Yeah, I know its not really pureed. I started a thread just for ideas and tips on pureed food. Maybe that'll help us all!

I am 9 days post-op from having my sleeve done. All of a sudden yesterday I started sneezing like crazy (so much fun, doesn't hurt at all). Within a few hours I had stuffy/runny nose, sore throat, some light coughing with mucus, I'm a wreck. At first it felt totally like an allergy attack - seems weird to get in the winter, but our dog is shedding a lot and is overdue for a bath. Possible that is an irritant and trying to get hubby to find the time to take her for one (bc she won't go anywhere near our bathroom). Took Claritin yesterday, felt a little better. By last night the rest of the symptoms were kicking in...sore throat, coughing, etc. If I am getting full on sick, I don't even know what I will do. I have taken Mucinex Cold & Flu, Benadryl, you name it. Starting to feel a little nauseous for the 1st time since surgery and thinking all these meds aren't a great idea, but I don't know what else do. I am completely miserable and pretty desperate. Has anyone else gotten sick with a bad cold/flu/allergy attack in the immediate post-op weeks? If so, what did you do? Do you think there's a chance of popping a stitch/staple (my sneezes are coming from nowhere and feel like hurricane-force). Just figured I'd ask and try to get some help. Thx

Im not sure there is too much fat. That is one of the most surprising things I’ve learned since keeping track of what I eat since surgery. I’m almost 6 months out. Every day apparently over 50% of my diet comes from fat. My egg each morning is cooked in grass fed butter. I use normal cuts of meat. I cook or use coconut oil or olive oil in meals. I eat my protein powder in full fat Greek yogurt. My tiny portion of homemade granola has whole milk on it, and has fatty seeds in it. i lose weight steadily. Eat plenty of healthy fat. I finally believe fest doesn’t make you fat, as long as it is healthy fat. (Bad fat would be the tub down at kfc in the fryer, cheap salad oils etc) ive never felt that sweaty dumping feeling from fat. However, I have felt really bad after eating a bit of carb like a couple bobas in water, or even one tortilla chip. And I don’t touch sugar or sweet stuff, not even more than one bite of fruit. So I’ve learned it is not fat I need to avoid but sugar/bad carbs. EDITING TO SAY I HAD GASTRIC SLEEVE NOT BYPASS. MAYBE THAT IS WHY I CAN EAT FAT AND NOT CARBS. SORRY!

Thanks Orion and Alcn! Brief update: Surgical nurse suggested it was possibly low BP or reactive hypoglycemia. I already had an appointment with my NUT the same day, and she said the hypoglycemia was unlikely based on symptoms and timeline, but she mentioned the sodium issue. I was cleared to start trying veggies, and I started with pickles yesterday bc I missed them so much. Should also cover any missing sodium, although I'll also pick up some electrolytic water to drink every day. I reached out to my primary care, and I'm waiting on a call back so they can look into the bp issue. Unfortunately we got about 10+ inches of snow yesterday so no one is open. Teri, I have asthma and am only 40 pounds into my weight loss journey, I am frequently out of breath. [emoji23] Sent from my SM-G900V using BariatricPal mobile app

9 days out and in full liqued stage.... I fed feel hunger pains for sure.. about the 5 -6 day I felt them. Anyone else??

Thank you so much!! It’s surreal! And I cannot believe how much weight I had to drop before I went down a size. I keep saying “the 12s fit bc this brand runs huge” and I have that past “weight watcher” mind set that I may be 197 now but next week I’ll be back to 220. Trying to wrap my head around this whole thing bc losing 5 lbs before this surgery was almost impossible. I am also happy to report that I was able to zip up a pair of tall boots, over my calves! Some brands still won’t zip but That’s ok bc at least now some do! Thanks for your kind words! Here’s to all of us and being on this crazy road together! [emoji173]️ Sleeved 8/7/17 HW: 256 SW: 248 CW: 197 on 1/3/18 5'7" GW: 150

I'm just kinda shrinky dinkin' all over, really. I especially notice it where I had liposuction and surgical removal of fat and muscle when I had my reconstruction surgeries for BC. I feel sooooo small and flat on my upper body. Even my lymphedema in my left arm, left chest, left back are going down and leaving wibbly wobbly skin in its wake. I'm also losing the fat hump on the back of my neck. My face is also getting thin, and I've lose 1 1/2 of my 3 chins. Slow to go is my lower tummy, booty, and thunder thighs...but I plan on sending them to the starving children in China at some undefined point this year.