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!

Hello sleeve sister! Congratulations! Our new lives begin on November 19! So exciting...God will watching over us...all of us!

Yes, it is! Congratulations to you! I can't wait! I know Jesus will be with me through every step!

Well tomorrow is the big day. I am so nervous. I can't stop thinking about it. I'm very afraid. As I said in previous posts' date=' this is my first surgery[/quote']

Congratulations George!!! I hope you are recovering comfortably!!!!

Congratulations to all you November 5th sleevers! I hope you are all recovering well. :-)

Sailed through the first three days of pre-op with no problem. Now on day four, I am MISERABLE! Hungry but the thought of another protein shake makes me gag. I am even nauseated - I think it's all the sweet stuff.

Three more days, three more days, three more days...

Just had to vent out loud to people who would understand.

Yes' date=' it is! Congratulations to you! I can't wait! I know Jesus will be with me through every step![/quote']

Yes he is!

4 hours to go and I will be on my way to the hospital. Yikes !!! First surgery. Wow. What a road that has lead me to this day. So excited and nervous!

Hi Chris - please let us know how you're feeling! We're praying for your speedy recovery!

I'm getting sleeved on the 12th also. It can't get here fast enough.

Good luck to everyone getting sleeved today!

Our 11/12 family is growing. God bless us all.

I'll b sleeved in less in about 6 hrs. May the master up above be And stay with me!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Prayers your way

Prayers your way

What the heck, Jesse? You just got sleeved this morning and you're posting????? Whoo Hooo!

Hi Chris - please let us know how you're feeling! We're praying for your speedy recovery!

Surgery went well, pain was bad in recovery but was quickly under control. The rest has been a breeze really, no nausea, not too much belly pain. Most of the pain is referred pain in my left shoulder from the CO2 they fill the thorax during surgery. Other than that it been a good day. Tomorrow morning I have a upper GI to rule put any leaking and then I get to start my phase 2 diet. Thanks for all the thoughts and good vibes sent this way everyone, makes me feel great to know so many people are thinking about me. Excited to start the next phase of my life. If anyone has questions about my day just ask. Thank you again!

Surgery went well' date=' pain was bad in recovery but was quickly under control. The rest has been a breeze really, no nausea, not too much belly pain. Most of the pain is referred pain in my left shoulder from the CO2 they fill the thorax during surgery. Other than that it been a good day. Tomorrow morning I have a upper GI to rule put any leaking and then I get to start my phase 2 diet. Thanks for all the thoughts and good vibes sent this way everyone, makes me feel great to know so many people are thinking about me. Excited to start the next phase of my life. If anyone has questions about my day just ask. Thank you again![/quote']

hey Chris just glad you came through it ok i had seen how nervous you were x by the 19th when my surgery is you'll be a sleeve expert

Surgery went well' date=' pain was bad in recovery but was quickly under control. The rest has been a breeze really, no nausea, not too much belly pain. Most of the pain is referred pain in my left shoulder from the CO2 they fill the thorax during surgery. Other than that it been a good day. Tomorrow morning I have a upper GI to rule put any leaking and then I get to start my phase 2 diet. Thanks for all the thoughts and good vibes sent this way everyone, makes me feel great to know so many people are thinking about me. Excited to start the next phase of my life. If anyone has questions about my day just ask. Thank you again![/quote']

Chris we're so glad you're doing well after surgery! I think recovery is what worries me most...I'm a big baby, so I cry for ANYTHING! So emotional! Congratulations in the next phase of your life! Let us know how you're doing as the days go by...

Surgery went well' date=' pain was bad in recovery but was quickly under control. The rest has been a breeze really, no nausea, not too much belly pain. Most of the pain is referred pain in my left shoulder from the CO2 they fill the thorax during surgery. Other than that it been a good day. Tomorrow morning I have a upper GI to rule put any leaking and then I get to start my phase 2 diet. Thanks for all the thoughts and good vibes sent this way everyone, makes me feel great to know so many people are thinking about me. Excited to start the next phase of my life. If anyone has questions about my day just ask. Thank you again![/quote']

Glad to hear everything went good. I'm happy for you. Excited to hear about the weight coming off.

Congrats Chris! I am glad to hear that everything is going well. To make everyone feel more at ease about the PACU (post anesthesia recovery room), as a nurse I can tell you that they have seen and handled it all! The nurses who work in PACUs expect a high amount of patients to wake up crazy emotional/angry/nauseous/in pain and they will use every medication they have on board to make us comfortable! I woke from my first surgical experience (when I had my gallbladder removed) hysterically crying and so embarrassed because ugh! I work with the people I was acting insane in front of. However, they helped me collect myself and never acted unprofessional don't worry about the recovery room, focus on recovery!!!

Surgery went well, pain was bad in recovery but was quickly under control. The rest has been a breeze really, no nausea, not too much belly pain. Most of the pain is referred pain in my left shoulder from the CO2 they fill the thorax during surgery. Other than that it been a good day. Tomorrow morning I have a upper GI to rule put any leaking and then I get to start my phase 2 diet. Thanks for all the thoughts and good vibes sent this way everyone, makes me feel great to know so many people are thinking about me. Excited to start the next phase of my life. If anyone has questions about my day just ask. Thank you again!

Congratulations Chris!!!