Let's get to know each other before our surgery...I'll go first.

My name is Amy (37 years old). I live in central FL with my husband and two kids, 3 yo DS and 4.5 yo DD. I work in IT doing technical writing and operational readiness. I love photography and have a small side business, and when I'm thinner, I really enjoy running and spinning.

I was banded in Nov 2009 at 374 lbs. From my banding until Dec 2011 (2 years), I lost 198 lbs. I was thrilled! Despite the occasional vomit and inability to eat certain foods, I was still 99.9% happy with my band. Right after Christmas this year, however, I got a terrible upper respiratory infection. I coughed and coughed and coughed. I coughed until I puked, which caused a slip.

I got a complete unfill in early January. Once the slip was fixed, I started getting fills. But then my band developed a leak and slipped once again. Since the surgeon I was seeing was less than helpful, I found a new surgeon, Dr. Domkowski, who finally treated me without acting like I was crazy, as my last surgeon did. Based on his recommendations and test results, we decided to do the removal and sleeve in two separate surgeries.

Dr. D removed my band on August 3, 2012. Because of the extent of damage done by the band, including scarring and pulling the fundus through the diaphragm, I am waiting around four months to be sleeved. I'd love to be banded on November 25, which would have been the three year anniversary of my band.

I've gained about 70 lbs since December. Sigh. The good news is my surgeon is not at all concerned about my weight gain. He is 100% convinced that I'll lose it all once I'm sleeved, since I was so successful with the band. I'm a bit of a goody two-shoes, and I followed the rules to a "T", and I intend to do the same with the sleeve.

I hope the next four months fly by!

Good question bcuz I have loose skin on my arms, tummy and inner thighs:-(

highest weight 224#<br />sx weight 212# (11/20/12)<br />current weight 158#(5/14)

Me too in all those places but I only care about my arms because I am not gong to be wearing bikini's on the beaches of Brazil, or anywhere for that matter!! haha

Good question bcuz I have loose skin on my arms' date=' tummy and inner thighs:-(

highest weight 224#<br />sx weight 212# (11/20/12)<br />current weight 158#(5/14)[/quote']

Yep me too and my stats are similar to yours Hw 234 Sw218 Cw 156... Trying to work away the wobbles

Highest weight before surgery 225.5

Surgery date 11/12/12

Today's weight 158.4. Yeah!!

Sleeved 11/20 down 80.8 lbs and happy to be in Wonderland! I am still hoping to lose another 20-30lbs but very happy so far! Pics are day of surgery left and today right.

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Highest weight before surgery 225.5

Surgery date 11/12/12

Today's weight 158.4. Yeah!!

Stats similar! I've been at 158# since the 14th...this has been ny biggest stall! Anyone juicing to break a stall or just help with weight loss? I'm worried to do it bcuz toi many carbs and sugars. Info anyone?

highest weight 224#<br />sx weight 212# (11/20/12)<br />current weight 158#(5/14)

Sleeved 11/20 down 80.8 lbs and happy to be in Wonderland! I am still hoping to lose another 20-30lbs but very happy so far! Pics are day of surgery left and today right.

Wow! U look great! I was sleeved on same day but have lost 54# since sx.

highest weight 224#<br />sx weight 212# (11/20/12)<br />current weight 158#(5/14)

Well, I am still plugging along and getting smaller. I have seen some people on here ask about excess skin. Well, if you haven't been working out all along, START NOW. Being healthy and fit is not just about what the scale tells you, as one can lose muscle mass along with the fat and be at a lower weight but not necessarily be at his/her healthiest weight overall. I have been working out since the beginning. At first it was the walking due to not being able to lift. However, when I could start lifting, I hired a trainer (I'm lazy and don't love to work out) to guide me in using machines, free weights, mixed cardio, etc., etc. This has helped with me getting smaller. So, I do weigh and the scale keeps moving but it's not huge amounts. However, my size is shrinking and I'm stronger and fit, even though I still have 30 lbs. to go and maybe more depending on how I look and feel at that weight.

So, again, get moving and get into a weight training program. If you cannot afford even one visit to a trainer, most gyms will help you with at least one visit or you can do research yourself and learn to use the machines and weights safely. Of course, depending on your age and health history you should discuss this with your doctor.

Ready to lose it.....you...look...AWESOME! Keep up the great work.

Sleeved 11/20. 70 pounds gone!

Sleeved 11/20 went to Nut & Dr yesterday lost 79 dunce surgery 11 lbs before so total of 90! I've still have a lot to loose but they say I'm doing well! Jab done some sitting exercise but with bad knees can't do much else!

Well, I am still plugging along and getting smaller. I have seen some people on here ask about excess skin. Well, if you haven't been working out all along, START NOW. Being healthy and fit is not just about what the scale tells you, as one can lose muscle mass along with the fat and be at a lower weight but not necessarily be at his/her healthiest weight overall. I have been working out since the beginning. At first it was the walking due to not being able to lift. However, when I could start lifting, I hired a trainer (I'm lazy and don't love to work out) to guide me in using machines, free weights, mixed cardio, etc., etc. This has helped with me getting smaller. So, I do weigh and the scale keeps moving but it's not huge amounts. However, my size is shrinking and I'm stronger and fit, even though I still have 30 lbs. to go and maybe more depending on how I look and feel at that weight.

So, again, get moving and get into a weight training program. If you cannot afford even one visit to a trainer, most gyms will help you with at least one visit or you can do research yourself and learn to use the machines and weights safely. Of course, depending on your age and health history you should discuss this with your doctor.

Thank you for this. I will visit my gym for a workout plan. I was walking all the time but blew out my knee. I did talk to a trainer who said that working out wouldn't make the skin change much but the workout would work in many positive ways. He urged me to try it since I won't be considering surgery until next year anyway. Now, I just have to get going.............argh

Well. . . I am just about 6 months post op now. I was warned that wt. loss would slow down considerably at this point in the journey. My Fibromyalgia pain has returned with a vengeance with the cool and damp of winter arriving. I had been warned that this might happen as well post operatively. I have been laying of my cross-trainer, which I had been doing 50 min. a day, Mon. through Fri. Combine these things and I am feeling the pain of very poor wt. loss at the moment. I have also listened to a few long term WLS folks on here in the chat room, lamenting not doing all they could have/should have during their 1st 18 months post op. I am concerned. I also need to work on getting my head into this more consistently. I don't want to be one of those people say if only i had . . . . whatever.

I leave for an extended visit in the U.S. soon, and will be living with my 90 yr. old dad, who hasn't seen me since months before my surgery. I need to establish the game plan/rules when I get there. Hopefully, the warm of summer will help me feel better and get moving again, literally. I will be in the U.S. up until almost the 1 year mark of my sleeve surgery that was on 11/29/12. Hopefully, I can get re-motivated and inspired for the next 6 months, to make the best possible gains during this time. The last 6 months of the "golden window" will be spend back here in New Zealand, in the summer months here.

How are the rest of you staying motivated and active? I am not being totally bad, but feeling somewhat less inspired, how about you? I try to appear regularly in the chat room to share my experiences with others, which helps me stay on the right path, but sometimes, it is less easy than at other times on this journey. Do tell your tricks and inspiration.

Sleeved 11/19

Start weight 289

6/3/13 weight 187

Down 102 lbs...holy crap...still have like 40 lbs to go...I was stalled a little but I changed up my routines and that seemed to help...excited for everyone

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Century club and ONEderland in the same day!

I DID IT!!! 100.2 lbs lost, and now I'm officially below the 200lb mark!!! I will never see my scale lead with a "2" again!!! ~ Doing the happy dance ~ woohoo!!!

Sleeved 11/19

Start weight 289

6/3/13 weight 187

Down 102 lbs...holy crap...still have like 40 lbs to go...I was stalled a little but I changed up my routines and that seemed to help...excited for everyone

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You look fantastic. Congratulations.