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 guys, I was scheduled to have surgery on October 28th, but on my way to Mexico I got stuck at Newark and had to turn back due to my flight being cancelled. So I'm rescheduled for November 8th, the surgeon was super nice and agreed to fit me in even though he was full that day (I'm going to see Jaime Ponce de Leon in Tijuana). So I get to do the 3 day yogurt fast again, ugh. It was so hard the first time, I'm not a huge yogurt eater and that's a bit much! I would have done anything for something salty towards the end! Chicken broth would have been heavenly.

Anyways, so now I guess the stress starts again, it built up the week before my first scheduled surgery and now it's building up again. I tend to have panic issues in hospitals so I'm hoping I can make it through this without a panic attack (they're not triggered by pain, but more by feeling tied down, I'm claustrophobic and being tangled up in IV wires and not being able to be comfortable in the bed etc, they all add up to me hyperventilating and thinking that I'm going to die, fun times!).

So a bit more about me, I'm 35, have 2 kids, a 6 year old daughter and a 3 year old son. I've been married for almost 14 years now (wow, can't believe that long!). We live near Montreal, Canada.. I'm a graphic artist, my husband is a scriptwriter for a video game company. We both spend way too much time in front of our computers! I'd love to lose about 160 pounds... I'm lucky in that I have no comorbidities (that I know of!) right now. I may have sleep apnea, who knows, I've never been tested for that. No diabetes though, and I figured I'd rather lose the weight now before I destroy my joints and develop other problems. I have for a long time told myself "I don't need WLS, I can do this myself", but I can never lose weight long term. I can lose it fine over a short term, but I just can't keep it off. Really hoping this is the solution!

Hello November Sleevsters' date='

I'm a late OctoSleeever less than one week out and I thought that you guys might want to hear some of the details of what "little things" to expect as surgery day approaches. I remember how I was constantly flipping between excitement and nervousness as my day approached. Fortunately with this site and my doc's office I felt I was fully informed as I could be, but still, there was much "unknown." I'm posting this on two different Nov Sleever threads I have seen so sorry in advance for the repeat.

Obviously bear in mind each doc and facility is different, and each person's circumstances are different, but you all already know that!

First: my personal stats: mid-30's male, borderline diabetic, sleep apnea, hypertension, very high BMI (59 at highest weight)

Pre-op: No specific liquid diet other than days pre-op clear liquid only, NPO after midnight night before surgery. But my doc required 5% weight loss pre-op, and NUT recommended min 2 weeks of high protein/lo-carb diet consisting of 2 protien shakes a day, one 4-6 oz lean protein meat dinner with some veggies, and "healthy" snacking (greek yogurt, cottage cheese/string cheese, tuna, etc)

Day before surgery: Pre-op hospital check in with administration (ID card, insurance, any pre-payment if needed, etc), and Nurse (review medical history, meds, allergies, planned post-op care, weigh-in).

Day of surgery: Check-in pre-op 2 hours before surgery, led back to a curtained bay where I was instructed to "take it all off" and put on hospital gown, compression stockings, and non-skid socks. Instructed to use the bathroom to empty bladder, met briefly with surgeon and anesthesiologist, nurse took vitals, started IV, administered a heparin shot in my belly, and placed a scopolamine patch (for nausea) behind my ear and administered an anti-nausea med Iv as well (either phenergan or reglan I think), and also an oral zantac for acid reduction. I waited in the bay on the gurney watching TV for about an hour as all this was going on, and then they came to wheel me back to the OR. I slid over to the OR table and they put some warm blankets on me. The anesthsiologist gave me some "happy juice" through the IV and I really think I was out in less than 10 seconds.

When I woke up in recovery all I felt was extreme pain all across my abdomen and rising up to my ribcage. I'm pretty sure I heard someone say "Dilaudid." The next thing I really remember I was already in my room. It was about 4 hours after my surgery start time. A nurse was standing over me and I felt I could barely talk because of extreme dry mouth and dry/sore throat, but I was extremely nauseous and in pain. They gave me Dilaudid for the pain, Phenergan and Zofran for the nausea, and some glycerine swabsticks for my lips and mouth. For the next three hours I was in and out of sleep, waking up only by the gas pressure/bloating. That was really the worst part, the extreme sense of fullness/pressure in my abdomen.

The surgeon visited with me that afternoon and told me it went well, that he also removed my gallbladder because it showed a lot of scarring (I already had known gallstones and this was a possibility going in), and told me he did not visualize any hiatal hernia or ulcers. I had four little wounds for the ports, the largest of which was at my belly button and barely visible. No sutures or staples, as all were closed with Dermabond (surgical glue).

Finally around 5 pm (surgery was 9 am) I got up to walk around the nursing unit with a nurse's aide, used the restroom (they measured all urine output - my first was 600 cc which they said was good enough. I did that two more times that night, about 8 laps total. I was told that walking was the best way to relieve the gas pressure. They wouldn;t allow Gas-X strips that first day.

The next morning they gave me a tray of clear liquid to try after the PA came around to visit me. Broth, water, tea, and crystal lite with Juven mixed in. I really couldn't tolerate even two sips due to the ridiculous pressure I felt it placed in my stomach. I felt SOOOOO Full. I did many walks that day and they tried several different anit-nausea meds. I didn;t really ask for any pain meds because it was not that kind of pain, just extreme fullness. Finally after my doc saw me they gave me Decadron by IV, and within a couple of hours I was starting to feel better. But by that time it was late evening and they had decided to keep me an extra night because I couldn;t tolerate the liquids. The next AM I was able to tolerate about 4 oz of fluids and they allowed me to be discharged. FYI no "leak test" performed -- I know docs vary on this nationwide.

Meds at discharge, in addition to the multivit, calcium, and iron, was liquid Lortab for pain. I've only used it once. It makes me groggy and really doesn;t help the bloating/gas pain, which is the only pain I really had. I declined any nausea med.

Things I brought to hospital and used: Toothbrush/paste (which also made me dry heave after gargling the first 2-3 times), Gas-X strips, iPhone, deodorant, change of underwear/socks.

Things I brought but didn't use: cell charger, biotene rinse, cepacol throat spray, house slippers, headphones, a book, robe.

Post-op course so far: No complications, just getting fluids in is the hardest thing. Combined with the diarrhea (sorry), risk of dehydration is greater. Doc recommended at least 64 oz fluid and 60-70 grams protein. First day home (post-op day two), I only got in about 6 oz (plus the leftover IV in the hospital), next day 14 oz, next day 28 oz, and yesterday 36 oz. I have to force myself to keep sipping and keep walking, but every day is getting a little better. I have no hunger whatsoever. I drove post-op day 4 for the first time (since I wasn;t taking pain meds), just to the pharmacy and back to get a liquid calcium since the chewable I had was making me nauseous. Showering was fine as soon as I got home, just told no soaking in a tub and pat the wounds dry. No creams or lotions on the wounds for at least a week.

Fist post-op visit is next week, but had post-op phone call with the nurse already. Full liquids only until post-op check. I'm off work for two weeks.

Hope that helps some. Sorry it was so long. Good luck to all of you!!!![/quote']

Thanks. That was awesome information.

Hello November Sleevsters' date='

I'm a late OctoSleeever less than one week out and I thought that you guys might want to hear some of the details of what "little things" to expect as surgery day approaches. I remember how I was constantly flipping between excitement and nervousness as my day approached. Fortunately with this site and my doc's office I felt I was fully informed as I could be, but still, there was much "unknown." I'm posting this on two different Nov Sleever threads I have seen so sorry in advance for the repeat.

Obviously bear in mind each doc and facility is different, and each person's circumstances are different, but you all already know that!

First: my personal stats: mid-30's male, borderline diabetic, sleep apnea, hypertension, very high BMI (59 at highest weight)

Pre-op: No specific liquid diet other than days pre-op clear liquid only, NPO after midnight night before surgery. But my doc required 5% weight loss pre-op, and NUT recommended min 2 weeks of high protein/lo-carb diet consisting of 2 protien shakes a day, one 4-6 oz lean protein meat dinner with some veggies, and "healthy" snacking (greek yogurt, cottage cheese/string cheese, tuna, etc)

Day before surgery: Pre-op hospital check in with administration (ID card, insurance, any pre-payment if needed, etc), and Nurse (review medical history, meds, allergies, planned post-op care, weigh-in).

Day of surgery: Check-in pre-op 2 hours before surgery, led back to a curtained bay where I was instructed to "take it all off" and put on hospital gown, compression stockings, and non-skid socks. Instructed to use the bathroom to empty bladder, met briefly with surgeon and anesthesiologist, nurse took vitals, started IV, administered a heparin shot in my belly, and placed a scopolamine patch (for nausea) behind my ear and administered an anti-nausea med Iv as well (either phenergan or reglan I think), and also an oral zantac for acid reduction. I waited in the bay on the gurney watching TV for about an hour as all this was going on, and then they came to wheel me back to the OR. I slid over to the OR table and they put some warm blankets on me. The anesthsiologist gave me some "happy juice" through the IV and I really think I was out in less than 10 seconds.

When I woke up in recovery all I felt was extreme pain all across my abdomen and rising up to my ribcage. I'm pretty sure I heard someone say "Dilaudid." The next thing I really remember I was already in my room. It was about 4 hours after my surgery start time. A nurse was standing over me and I felt I could barely talk because of extreme dry mouth and dry/sore throat, but I was extremely nauseous and in pain. They gave me Dilaudid for the pain, Phenergan and Zofran for the nausea, and some glycerine swabsticks for my lips and mouth. For the next three hours I was in and out of sleep, waking up only by the gas pressure/bloating. That was really the worst part, the extreme sense of fullness/pressure in my abdomen.

The surgeon visited with me that afternoon and told me it went well, that he also removed my gallbladder because it showed a lot of scarring (I already had known gallstones and this was a possibility going in), and told me he did not visualize any hiatal hernia or ulcers. I had four little wounds for the ports, the largest of which was at my belly button and barely visible. No sutures or staples, as all were closed with Dermabond (surgical glue).

Finally around 5 pm (surgery was 9 am) I got up to walk around the nursing unit with a nurse's aide, used the restroom (they measured all urine output - my first was 600 cc which they said was good enough. I did that two more times that night, about 8 laps total. I was told that walking was the best way to relieve the gas pressure. They wouldn;t allow Gas-X strips that first day.

The next morning they gave me a tray of clear liquid to try after the PA came around to visit me. Broth, water, tea, and crystal lite with Juven mixed in. I really couldn't tolerate even two sips due to the ridiculous pressure I felt it placed in my stomach. I felt SOOOOO Full. I did many walks that day and they tried several different anit-nausea meds. I didn;t really ask for any pain meds because it was not that kind of pain, just extreme fullness. Finally after my doc saw me they gave me Decadron by IV, and within a couple of hours I was starting to feel better. But by that time it was late evening and they had decided to keep me an extra night because I couldn;t tolerate the liquids. The next AM I was able to tolerate about 4 oz of fluids and they allowed me to be discharged. FYI no "leak test" performed -- I know docs vary on this nationwide.

Meds at discharge, in addition to the multivit, calcium, and iron, was liquid Lortab for pain. I've only used it once. It makes me groggy and really doesn;t help the bloating/gas pain, which is the only pain I really had. I declined any nausea med.

Things I brought to hospital and used: Toothbrush/paste (which also made me dry heave after gargling the first 2-3 times), Gas-X strips, iPhone, deodorant, change of underwear/socks.

Things I brought but didn't use: cell charger, biotene rinse, cepacol throat spray, house slippers, headphones, a book, robe.

Post-op course so far: No complications, just getting fluids in is the hardest thing. Combined with the diarrhea (sorry), risk of dehydration is greater. Doc recommended at least 64 oz fluid and 60-70 grams protein. First day home (post-op day two), I only got in about 6 oz (plus the leftover IV in the hospital), next day 14 oz, next day 28 oz, and yesterday 36 oz. I have to force myself to keep sipping and keep walking, but every day is getting a little better. I have no hunger whatsoever. I drove post-op day 4 for the first time (since I wasn;t taking pain meds), just to the pharmacy and back to get a liquid calcium since the chewable I had was making me nauseous. Showering was fine as soon as I got home, just told no soaking in a tub and pat the wounds dry. No creams or lotions on the wounds for at least a week.

Fist post-op visit is next week, but had post-op phone call with the nurse already. Full liquids only until post-op check. I'm off work for two weeks.

Hope that helps some. Sorry it was so long. Good luck to all of you!!!![/quote']

Glad to hear that things are slowly getting better for you! I had my gall bladder removed years ago and remember the gas pain well, that is what I am fearing the most! I am starting to get very nervous. I am also a nurse and know the ins and outs, but on my surgery date I will be freaking out. I have to go in a 9 day liquid diet pre op. hearing stories like yours help me to know that I can do it! Happy healing!

pcp clearance in less than 4 hours! and i am down 9 pounds since i started pre op diet. is that possible it hasnt even been a week yet

pcp clearance in less than 4 hours! and i am down 9 pounds since i started pre op diet. is that possible it hasnt even been a week yet

What have u been taking on ur pre op diet? 9lbs that's good

Everyone I created the most delicious shake this morning.... Gotta test it if you like pumpkin pie!

3 teaspoons of canned pumpkin

1-2 teaspoons of pumpkin spice

1 drop vanilla

ice

one Premier Vanilla Shake

Blend and enjoy!!!!

Vanilla ice?

Vanilla ice?

Ice ice baby?

Ok so I went out on a limb and actually tried a RTD recommended by my Bariatric Clinic and it is the EAS Advantage Carb Control in French Vanilla and it is not bad. It sort of reminds of vanilla rice or soy milk in flavor and texture...I can't stand the thick sliminess of some of the other shakes or the heavy whey taste. I am going to see what kind of recipes I can make with this:) These are also pretty inexpensive at $4.99 per 4 pack @ Target.

What have u been taking on ur pre op diet? 9lbs that's good

I started at 319 and I'm at the doctor now and I'm weighing at 307. I kept fluctuating through out my 6 months of nut visits.

I drink Atkins shakes lots of water crystal light and one protein meal a day. 2oz of chicken,1 cup of veggies and either Greek yogurt or a hard boiled egg. I am nervous sitting here waiting for my ekg and final clearance with my Pcp.

Sent from my Samsung Admire using VST

thank you so much for sharing with us! it gives great insight as to what is ahead. i seriously cannot believe my surgery is on tuesday. just hoping and praying for the best.

Lady T. you will do outstanding as I see we are in the same ship and are smokers...Im so excited for you and nervous at the same time. I so want to see how well you do and see the progress. I think it is all starting to hit home that this is going to be happening...TIGER WOODS FIST PUMP!!! YOU GOT THIS...Please keep us informed.

I'm a September sleever I wish all of you the best and huge hugs

Thanks ArtSong!!! If you dont mind how have things been for you so far??are you virgin sleever or a revision?

As we all embark on this new journey. IT IS OUR TIME!! I have the upmost respect,hope and appreciation for all of you regardless of being new to WLS or revision. We all know each others sturggle as we have all been there. I want you wish you all blessings and the best along this road although it will be tough for some and not so much for others I will do my best to be a shoulder to all who will need it because Im going to need it. I thought I could do it alone with the lapband but that was not the case. I find it you need to know the struggles and success of others to help you along the way. Its nothing like having family but its more benefical to have somebody that knows what your going through especially in the weight game. All be blessed and happy journey to getting to know the new you...

HUGS B. :wub:

HAPPY NOVEMBER SLEEVERS!!!

It's the first day of November people! It's time for some to get their sleeves on! Lets rock and roll!!

November has finally arrived, yay for us!! This is our month .. Good luck to all of us being sleeved/reborn. We got this!