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!

Hi everyone,

Well I'm not too happy with my progress. I'm at 165#. Last time I was at 155# and maintained for a long time. I started to get back on my protein shakes and work out but I hurt my right leg. Don't know if its sciatic or hamstring or what! Been battling skin infections too. I'm trying to get back on track but working Mon-Fri and watching grand baby Fri-Sun is just killing me! I'm going to have to just suck it up and at least walk everyday. Hang in there ladies and good luck. Alma

Well, I haven't been here for a long time. Nothing positive to share so why bother visiting the forums. Here's my update. Initially I lost 80 lbs, my risk to Type 2 Diabeties disappeared, my Cholestral changed for the better. But guess what! High calories fit in small places. Yup chocolate, wine. Never drank wine before but now I do. My stomach stretched a LOT! It holds about 16 ozs now. Gained back over 35 lbs. Wearing the same clothes as when I started this journey. I chose Vertical Gastric Sleeve surgery because I felt that I didn't need the extreme reduction to the stomach size as the other surgery choice. I was wrong. And from what I understand even people that have had the Roux-en Y stomach surgery can become morbidly obese after an initial weight-loss. :/

Hi alma,

Thanks for your update. I too have recently been diagnosed with sciatic injury. my car was totaled last year and I have been having issues ever since. I am going to go to some specialists pretty soon.

I have started trying to add Protein Shakes back into my diet and writing my food into my fitness pal. On the 2nd I will start going back to basics with the Protein Drinks. I am going to buy some popsicle forms tomorrow. I have found if I make unflavored unjury shake with nonfat milk, frozen fruit, and Ice. I can freeze it. I need something to be able to snack on at night. Walk when ever you can and do what you can.

Look forward to hearing from you again.

Ainslee

Hi everyone,
Well I'm not too happy with my progress. I'm at 165#. Last time I was at 155# and maintained for a long time. I started to get back on my Protein shakes and work out but I hurt my right leg. Don't know if its sciatic or hamstring or what! Been battling skin infections too. I'm trying to get back on track but working Mon-Fri and watching grand baby Fri-Sun is just killing me! I'm going to have to just suck it up and at least walk everyday. Hang in there ladies and good luck. Alma

Hi Patti,

Thanks for posting. I am struggling with all the same things. Many more of us are than post here. So the fact that you posted is great.

I hope you can start back again. Remember how proud you were of yourself and how good you felt when you struted around, all sexy?? Get back too it! We can do this. Please see above, I responded to Alma with a food snack idea. Keep us posted and keep the faith. We did it and we can do it again.

Happy New Year.

Ainslee

Well, I haven't been here for a long time. Nothing positive to share so why bother visiting the forums. Here's my update. Initially I lost 80 lbs, my risk to Type 2 Diabeties disappeared, my Cholestral changed for the better. But guess what! High calories fit in small places. Yup chocolate, wine. Never drank wine before but now I do. My stomach stretched a LOT! It holds about 16 ozs now. Gained back over 35 lbs. Wearing the same clothes as when I started this journey. I chose Vertical Gastric Sleeve surgery because I felt that I didn't need the extreme reduction to the stomach size as the other surgery choice. I was wrong. And from what I understand even people that have had the Roux-en Y stomach surgery can become morbidly obese after an initial weight-loss. :/

Hi Ainsleet

I have been trying bars for in the morning instead of just of coffee. I haven't found the ones yet lol. I have Protein mix there but just looking at it just turns my stomach! I too feel like I can eat way more than 1 cup like my nutritionist said day #1 I will cut out all sweets, decrease carbs and walk at least 2 miles a day. Its a good start! I found a beef Jerky that I like (no mans land spicy) and I started to snack on that for lunch at work because I was skipping lunch then pig out at home then get hungry again at bedtime. I have been walking on and off and I'm doing good. There hasnt been anymore pain in my leg(knock on wood)!! Thank God!! The holidays just killed the start of my diet so I'm starting Friday morning! I also stopped weighing myself everyday because when I was doing that and I didn't see the scale move I got frustrated. So I weigh myself weekly. Happy New Year ladies! Let's just take it one at a time and do what works for you!

Hi Patti,

Thanks for posting. I am struggling with all the same things. Many more of us are than post here. So the fact that you posted is great.

I hope you can start back again. Remember how proud you were of yourself and how good you felt when you struted around, all sexy?? Get back too it! We can do this. Please see above, I responded to alma with a food snack idea. Keep us posted and keep the faith. We did it and we can do it again.

Happy New Year.

Ainslee

Well, I haven't been here for a long time. Nothing positive to share so why bother visiting the forums. Here's my update. Initially I lost 80 lbs, my risk to Type 2 Diabeties disappeared, my Cholestral changed for the better. But guess what! High calories fit in small places. Yup chocolate, wine. Never drank wine before but now I do. My stomach stretched a LOT! It holds about 16 ozs now. Gained back over 35 lbs. Wearing the same clothes as when I started this journey. I chose Vertical Gastric Sleeve surgery because I felt that I didn't need the extreme reduction to the stomach size as the other surgery choice. I was wrong. And from what I understand even people that have had the Roux-en Y stomach surgery can become morbidly obese after an initial weight-loss. :/

Hi Ainsleet

I have been trying bars for in the morning instead of just of coffee. I haven't found the ones yet lol. I have Protein mix there but just looking at it just turns my stomach! I too feel like I can eat way more than 1 cup like my nutritionist said day #1 I will cut out all sweets, decrease carbs and walk at least 2 miles a day. Its a good start! I found a beef jerky that I like (no mans land spicy) and I started to snack on that for lunch at work because I was skipping lunch then pig out at home then get hungry again at bedtime. I have been walking on and off and I'm doing good. There hasnt been anymore pain in my leg(knock on wood)!! Thank God!! The holidays just killed the start of my diet so I'm starting Friday morning! I also stopped weighing myself everyday because when I was doing that and I didn't see the scale move I got frustrated. So I weigh myself weekly. Happy New Year ladies! Let's just take it one at a time and do what works for you!

Hi Patti,

Thanks for posting. I am struggling with all the same things. Many more of us are than post here. So the fact that you posted is great.

I hope you can start back again. Remember how proud you were of yourself and how good you felt when you struted around, all sexy?? Get back too it! We can do this. Please see above, I responded to alma with a food snack idea. Keep us posted and keep the faith. We did it and we can do it again.

Happy New Year.

Ainslee

I am happy to hear you are starting with something.

I am going to share my newest tips that I like.

1. My Protein Bar of choice is Quest. It is 20 g of protein, only 170 calories and they have about 25 flavors. I only eat the strawberry cheesecake flavor. It fills me up and I am getting protein. I start my day with that. vanilla almond is pretty good. they also have flavors you can heat in the microwave for a few seconds and test like fresh baked. banana nut, brownie, apple pie, etc. No more than 2 a day or you will get gaseous.

2. My newest is protein popsicles. I use unflavored unjury Protein Powder with frozen strawberries and non fat milk. Blend well and freeze in a form. You could probably use a flat tupperware container and cut them into size pieces. each serving is

46 calories and 5 g protein. I am working on perfecting this recipe. I am thinking a 6 oz milk and 2 oz Water to make them a bit more icy.

3. EASY vegetable Soups. Last night I made Broccoli, cheddar and milk in the blender. Puree and heat to eat. Ymm.

107 calories and 8 protein.

Protein and veges are what it takes. Both of which I have not been eating enough of because I love carbs and sugar. That is why i am focusing on this. For Soup I search 5 ingredient or less soups and got plenty. I am going to try a roasted carrot, broth, olive oil and cayenne soup, also a cauliflower and a few others. If you are interested in my recipes I am happy to provide them. I will probably add them to my pinterest site, too.

Also, I am not a cook so easy is about all I can do.

Hope this is helpful on your journey back. Hope it helps me too!

ainslee

>

Well, I haven't been here for a long time. Nothing positive to share so why bother visiting the forums. Here's my update. Initially I lost 80 lbs, my risk to Type 2 Diabeties disappeared, my Cholestral changed for the better. But guess what! High calories fit in small places. Yup chocolate, wine. Never drank wine before but now I do. My stomach stretched a LOT! It holds about 16 ozs now. Gained back over 35 lbs. Wearing the same clothes as when I started this journey. I chose Vertical Gastric Sleeve surgery because I felt that I didn't need the extreme reduction to the stomach size as the other surgery choice. I was wrong. And from what I understand even people that have had the Roux-en Y stomach surgery can become morbidly obese after an initial weight-loss. :/

lockquote>

November was my 3 year anniversary. I managed to maintain the weight fairly well, only gaining back 10 pounds. The problem is the alcohol consumption. I eat Breakfast and lunch, usually healthy. But dinner consists of beer, wine or vodka. Sucks!

Ladies about how much are y'all(from Tx lol) able to eat at once?

I can still only eat about 1/2 of the meat of a sirloin burger, but a whole bag of microwave popcorn. I still get sick at times. Yuck!

I have gained 20 pounds so working at taking 10 off

Celebrated 3 years in November down 96.4lbs. Still plan to lose another 5-15lbs this year.

Melissa,

This just cracked me up.

I didn't drink much at all until about 2 years ago. Now I drink about 10 oz of wine most every night. Empty calories.

A

November was my 3 year anniversary. I managed to maintain the weight fairly well, only gaining back 10 pounds. The problem is the alcohol consumption. I eat Breakfast and lunch, usually healthy. But dinner consists of beer, wine or vodka. Sucks!

I still get sick too. But to answer your question, I can still only eat 3 oz of meat and about 1/2 c. of veges. I can eat 2 small pieces of pizza if I havn't eat in a while. It's not my quantity that has gone up just the bad calories. Carbs and sugar.

Ladies about how much are y'all(from Tx lol) able to eat at once?

What are you doing to take it off? I put on 25.

I have gained 20 pounds so working at taking 10 off

I don't drink ladies and carbonated drinks hurt and make me have some very painful burps. At least that keeps me from drinking any kind of cokes!! I can eat about 2 slices of pizza or a kids double cheeseburger with kid fries???? just depends what I eat I guess.

Here's my issue...I did great for 2 years. Fell off the wagon with sugar and carbs. Gained about 30 lbs. Avoided scale all year since last week...but felt it. Knew it. Scale knocked me back to reality. Back to basics...protein, veggies Water.

How do I flip that "switch" in my brain again. It's all so mental for me. I feel like crap so I eat..bigger clothes..don't exercise which makes me feel MORE like crap and fall further in the funk. HELP!!

How do I get back to where I was at beginning...I still can't eat alot..but mind still wants. Not my stomach!