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!

Omg I was approved!!! Surgery is in one week on the 14th!! I was so scared because they Waited until the week before to submit and I can't believe they approved me- especially in one day! OMG this is really happening!!! The nerves are sinking in!

Omg I was approved!!! Surgery is in one week on the 14th!! I was so scared because they Waited until the week before to submit and I can't believe they approved me- especially in one day! OMG this is really happening!!! The nerves are sinking in!

That is so wonderful! I'm having mine on the 12th. Do you have to do a pre-op diet this week?

Hey guys just wanted to check in surgery yesterday at 1pm. Just did my leak test and I finally got some crystal light and chicken broth. I'm stuffed how are we supposed to get all these fluids in???? I burp after every sip. The incisions are barely visible they sealed them with glue which is cool!!! I am exhausted though but walked two laps so far:) I feel 100x better than yesterday! !! Thanks everyone and good luck to all you sleeveers coming up soon

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Great to hear from you! That's so awesome that you're doing so good. Keep it up!!

That is so wonderful! I'm having mine on the 12th. Do you have to do a pre-op diet this week?

Thank you!! Congrats and good luck to you! I wasn't required a pre op diet, but I'm going to do protein shakes and 1 meal 3 days leading up to surgery. I've already lost 20lbs on my own so maybe I can knock another 5 off lol. Just want to make sure my liver is nice and shrunken lol

I started my pre-op diet yesterday. The headache yesterday and today is atrocious. And everyone around me keeps talking about food. And it's all I see people doing. Ugh. But it's hitting me that things don't suddenly change the day of surgery, though it it is the most dramatic change. However we all have been changing from the moment we made the choice to pursue this process. The pre-op diet is just one more in the long line of many changes that we are making. And as overwhelming as it can seem...it's so freaking exciting I cannot even describe it!

Ok rambling over. pre-op sucks but I'm gonna get it done!!

Omg I was approved!!! Surgery is in one week on the 14th!! I was so scared because they Waited until the week before to submit and I can't believe they approved me- especially in one day! OMG this is really happening!!! The nerves are sinking in!

Congratulations. I am the 14th as well. Sleeve sisters!!!

I started my pre-op diet yesterday. The headache yesterday and today is atrocious. And everyone around me keeps talking about food. And it's all I see people doing. Ugh. But it's hitting me that things don't suddenly change the day of surgery, though it it is the most dramatic change. However we all have been changing from the moment we made the choice to pursue this process. The pre-op diet is just one more in the long line of many changes that we are making. And as overwhelming as it can seem...it's so freaking exciting I cannot even describe it!

Ok rambling over. pre-op sucks but I'm gonna get it done!!

It will get better in the next couple of days. Food is going to smell 200xs better than it ever did. I smell food everywhere driving in my car. DRINK LOTS OF WATER. Water and crystal light peach mango are my savor when it gets really bad. I have lost 16 pounds in about two weeks. I get hungry and I can have another shake if I want to (per the doctor).

Hang in there we are in the final stretch. I have 6 days to go, and this will get alot easier!!!

I think pre-op is the hardest part....

It will get better in the next couple of days. Food is going to smell 200xs better than it ever did. I smell food everywhere driving in my car. DRINK LOTS OF WATER. Water and crystal light peach mango are my savor when it gets really bad. I have lost 16 pounds in about two weeks. I get hungry and I can have another shake if I want to (per the doctor).

Hang in there we are in the final stretch. I have 6 days to go' date=' and this will get alot easier!!!

I think pre-op is the hardest part....[/quote']

Thank you. It's really different when you are going through it. And I do get a regular lean protein and veggie dinner and I'm ravenous when that time comes. I'm just desperately to chew. Ok. I have 11 days left then the last day before the surgery date I have to do only clears. That's gonna suck!!

I started my pre-op diet yesterday. The headache yesterday and today is atrocious. And everyone around me keeps talking about food. And it's all I see people doing. Ugh. But it's hitting me that things don't suddenly change the day of surgery' date=' though it it is the most dramatic change. However we all have been changing from the moment we made the choice to pursue this process. The pre-op diet is just one more in the long line of many changes that we are making. And as overwhelming as it can seem...it's so freaking exciting I cannot even describe it!

Ok rambling over. pre-op sucks but I'm gonna get it done!![/quote']

Pre-op does suck and it's hard but you can do it. It's will be so worth it in the end. I feel the same way. I'm so excited too. Surgery day cannot get here fast enough.

Thank you. It's really different when you are going through it. And I do get a regular lean protein and veggie dinner and I'm ravenous when that time comes. I'm just desperately to chew. Ok. I have 11 days left then the last day before the surgery date I have to do only clears. That's gonna suck!!

Sounds like we are identical. As we are sleeve sisters, surgery on the 20th, we are also pre-op sisters. I have a protein drink for bfast and lunch, then lean meat/veggies for dinner. This is my second day and haven't cheated. I am soooo looking forward to surgery :-). I found some kook-aid like protein (0 fat 1g carbs & 27g protein). I put a little bit of black cherry mio and its quite yummy.

Good luck on the pre-op and surgery. Keep us updated how you're doing :-)

Sounds like we are identical. As we are sleeve sisters' date=' surgery on the 20th, we are also pre-op sisters. I have a protein drink for bfast and lunch, then lean meat/veggies for dinner. This is my second day and haven't cheated. I am soooo looking forward to surgery :-). I found some kook-aid like protein (0 fat 1g carbs & 27g protein). I put a little bit of black cherry mio and its quite yummy.

Good luck on the pre-op and surgery. Keep us updated how you're doing :-)[/quote']

Kool aid like protein? I'm interested!!! I have surgery on Monday and been doing the protein shakes with one real food meal thing for a while....I need to change it up soon! Can you tell me what brand it is?

Definitely need to share what that is...lol.

Please keep us updated on everyone's progress! I know many of you have had your procedure this week. Just thinking of you all.

congrats to everyone who has gotten sleeved this week. I go in for my pre opt appointment at the hospital tomorrow and then 1 week from Monday I go in. I actually have everything ready to go. Can't wait

Definitely need to share what that is...lol.

The protein is called Berry Chiller by RD Body; however, its pretty much the same as Iso Blast 800. It's not too bad by itself, but with a bit of mio, it is not bad at all :-)