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!

Welcome, Guy. This is the best place to find support. Another great place is your surgeon's weight losss support group. I never miss a meeting. Every time I go, I learn so much and I've met such wonderful people. It could be just the thing you need right now,

As for your partner leaving, I want to say congratulations. I know that sounds weird but here's my thinking. You decided to have this surgery, which is a big deal mentally, physically and emotionally. If your partner decides to leave just when you are embarking on this life altering journey, that person wasn"t there for you and would have just been in the way, emotionally. You need to surround yourself with people who really care about you. We all deserve to be loved and appreciated. Do not let any negativity fill your heart/soul. I'm guessing that for many of us, that's part of how we got here in the first place. At my last support meeting a psychologist spoke. He said that a typical WLS patient is one who takes care of others first and we need to take care of ourselves first. My new mantra, "take care of me first". Not that easy, but it's time.

Hi Fun,

Very well said, I like your style. Ainslee

Hello, my name is Guy, but everyone calls me Bear.now there is a clue about my lifelong struggle with my weight. I am 49 years old and I live in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. My surgery is Nov 20, 2012. I have been jumping through hoop for a year to have this surgery, and right when I am scheduled to have it... BAM.. My partner decides to leave. Ha! I am the only person that starts off surgery with an instant 350 pound weight loss. Buddies and support is what I need. Let's all get heathy and wiser together. Peace!

Take a look at Buckeye_girl40 photo. It may bring you a smile.

I am in countdown mode. My birthday is the first week of November and thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. However, the main date that has my focus is 11-28. Lol. Is that weird or what?

I am in countdown mode. My birthday is the first week of November and thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. However, the main date that has my focus is 11-28. Lol. Is that weird or what?

Not weird at all. It is pretty much all I can think about too.

You can look forward to the best life ever and many more birthdays to come.

Ainslee

I am in countdown mode. My birthday is the first week of November and thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. However, the main date that has my focus is 11-28. Lol. Is that weird or what?

I think its normal! for you not to think about it and not countdown would be weird..lol.. I think you are right on track with us. Im nervous about the journey but ready for it. I think we are all ready to be happy people with a healthy long life ahead. I hope 5 or 10 years from now I can log on here and say hello and see how life has changed for everybody. I wish I could move my date up but because of where Im at thats not possible but its all good I will soon be on the losers bench after being a BIG time winner in everything else... Now is really OUR TIME TO SHINE!!!

You know' date=' I keep reading about stalls. Especially on the contest threads. I have an idea. So that we November Sleevers stay absolutely motivated no matter what the dang scale says...lets have our contests be two parts. Yes the scale matters as it does pertain to our goals of healthy weights, BMI's an such, but it is not the only way to measure success. We will have times of no weight loss but still our bodies will change. So that being said I propose we have goals for pounds lost/final weights AND for inches lost. That second one will be hard to gauge. But it would still an important motivator for us.[/quote']

I LOVE this Idea! Someone should make a forum for November weight loss challengers;) I am really getting excited!

My husband was researching protein shakes for me last night;)

So I am researching protein drinks and here is what I found if anyone has anything to add, jump in.

I found that a person needs a 4 or 5 to 1 ratio of protein to carbs, more specifically, fibers.

I first looked up Unjury products.

Unjury teraswhey vega one TJ's protein can

Protein 21g 20 15 21

Carbs 0 5g (1 fiber) 12 (6 fiber) 4-5 (2 fiber

Sugar 0 3g 2 1-2g

sodium 55 mg 25 mg 140mg 150mg

vit. & min. very few very few quite a few very few

That all said. Most of the others I researched had fewer protein, more carbs. but less fiber and the sodium averaged around 150-160 mg.

TJ's and Unjury were the least expensive per serving.

If sodium not important to you TJ's might be convenient once you start going out to work.

I hope my little chart transfers legibly. Otherwise, I apologize and I will make a spreadsheet and attach it.

So I am researching protein drinks and here is what I found if anyone has anything to add, jump in.

I found that a person needs a 4 or 5 to 1 ratio of protein to carbs, more specifically, fibers.

I first looked up Unjury products.

Unjury teraswhey vega one TJ's protein can

Protein 21g 20 15 21

Carbs 0 5g (1 fiber) 12 (6 fiber) 4-5 (2 fiber

Sugar 0 3g 2 1-2g

sodium 55 mg 25 mg 140mg 150mg

vit. & min. very few very few quite a few very few

That all said. Most of the others I researched had fewer protein, more carbs. but less fiber and the sodium averaged around 150-160 mg.

TJ's and Unjury were the least expensive per serving.

If sodium not important to you TJ's might be convenient once you start going out to work.

I hope my little chart transfers legibly. Otherwise, I apologize and I will make a spreadsheet and attach it.

Pretty legible! yeah me. Ainslee

I like the unjury and premier shakes of all the ones I have tried.

So I was thinking... what do you guys think of starting a November sleevers post op thread?? That way we can still motivate and support each other....

So I was thinking... what do you guys think of starting a November sleevers post op thread?? That way we can still motivate and support each other....

I vote yes on that! Great idea.

I found this site called egg whites international. I came across it in oxygen magazine. It's basically 120 calories per cup. It has 26g of protein with no fat and no cholesterol. It's pure egg whites without the potential for salmonella. So basically it's unflavored protein. I have found tons of protein shake recipes for it. A lot of athletes use it as well as people seeking weight loss, etc. it comes in 1/2 or full gallon containers. You buy a pump to put on it and keep it in your fridge. I'm gonna give it a go and use it to control the sweetness of my shakes. Can't hurt to try. I am going to use it as the liquids and add other protein flavors in shakes to up the protein level. I also came across a recipe that used cocoa powder, stevia and egg whites. Maybe add peanut butter or almond butter. Like I said....can't hurt to try.

I found this site called egg whites international. I came across it in oxygen magazine. It's basically 120 calories per cup. It has 26g of protein with no fat and no cholesterol. It's pure egg whites without the potential for salmonella. So basically it's unflavored protein. I have found tons of protein shake recipes for it. A lot of athletes use it as well as people seeking weight loss' date=' etc. it comes in 1/2 or full gallon containers. You buy a pump to put on it and keep it in your fridge. I'm gonna give it a go and use it to control the sweetness of my shakes. Can't hurt to try. I am going to use it as the liquids and add other protein flavors in shakes to up the protein level. I also came across a recipe that used cocoa powder, stevia and egg whites. Maybe add peanut butter or almond butter. Like I said....can't hurt to try.[/quote']

Let us know what you think of it when you try it!

Will do. Ordering it on Friday when I get paid.

So I was thinking... what do you guys think of starting a November sleevers post op thread?? That way we can still motivate and support each other....

I say ... Yes :-)