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 November sleevers!! as some of you know I was sleeved Monday. was released Thursday!y. The surgery was textbook. I woke in recovery in some pain' date=' more discomfort than anything else. Very sore. They gave me some diludid. I woke up in my room that night with vicious dry mouth. Every time I tried to move it was so uncomfortable. For a brief moment laying in my bed a couple hours after surgery I asked "why did I do this" Then a wonderful nurse realized I was uncomfortable. She got me a cold sponge lolly pop to use on my lips and tongue. That, mixed with painkillers I received I began to change my tune :-) I woke up the day after surgery feeling better. Went for the leak test and passed. I was so happy bout that. Then they removed my catheter (guys worst nightmare) After said catheter was removed life got a whole lot better. Because I passed my leak test I was able to have water and diet juice or decaf coffee and tea. Even ate some yogurt. I was feeling much better at this point. Still sore of course, I mean I just had major surgery. I tried to fight the pain meds and that was my biggest mistake. I don't want everyone to think I was in excruciating pain, it was more discomfort from the gas pains and Soreness from the incision sites and external drain. Side note : Dr Kim is a brilliant surgeon. I honestly believe she is at the top of her field . My incisions sites look like tiny scratches, they are so clean and are healing incredibly. I want to take another minute to acknowledge her personality and her bedside manner. She made time to see me personally 4 times after surgery. With her hectic schedule that meant alot. She explained my leak test In detail to me and my mom. She explained that when I woke up it wouldnt be pain so much as a pressure in your chest. Boy was she right! So after Getting some fluids in I started to feel much better. I went for a few walks with a physical therapist that actually made me feel better, to be up and moving. They bring an assortment of bariatric fluids to your room 3 times a day, to see which one you can tolerate. Plain yogurt never tasted so good! The I had my drain taking out after realizing I was healing properly. I was able to take a shower and all was well Thank you all for asking about me..I just saw some of your posts and felt I had to let you know..It means alot to know people Ive nenver met care about my well being..I thank you all again, and hope to talk with you all often..[/quote']

George it is comforting to know that you're doing well! For us pre-ops it really helps to know your experiences; although all experiences are not the same, but it helps nonetheless! Prayers for a great continued recovery and thanks for sharing!

ok. Surgery is Monday. Handholders get ready!!! I am nervous. I've been closely watching Chris RN and JessieLynn who were sleeved on 11/5. Happy that they are doing ok. Just talked to my nurse who is short like me. She is so supportive. My BMI is 46 and I wear a size 16w. Being the crybaby that I am that doesn't seem fair! Oh well' date=' I guess that will be history soon.[/quote']

Fun size...our thoughts and prayers are with you! Please let us know how you're doing as soon as you're able to...

Surgery was Wednesday, it went very well, doc discovered a hiatal hernia that he repaired while in there. No real pain, just discomfort. Hospital staff is amazing, taking really good care of me, I'm up walking every hour, using my inspirometer, and sipping my fluids. The discomfort gets better by the day.

ok. Surgery is Monday. Handholders get ready!!! I am nervous. I've been closely watching Chris RN and JessieLynn who were sleeved on 11/5. Happy that they are doing ok. Just talked to my nurse who is short like me. She is so supportive. My BMI is 46 and I wear a size 16w. Being the crybaby that I am that doesn't seem fair! Oh well' date=' I guess that will be history soon.[/quote']

I'm doing good, stomach feels better than ever today, it's post op day 3 today. Still feel the full feeling and using the gas x regularly. TMI but I had my first bowel movement yesterday. Trying to keep the protein shakes and water going down all day, kind of hard at this time though. My stomach is pretty bruised from the lovenox shots and the surgery itself. Not too sore either, just feels weird. Keep your head up, the only real tough time for me was in the recovery room everything else has been good. I will try to keep updates posted regularly.

George...so glad you had a good experience. For me it was the nausea, once they got that under control so much better.

Fun size, I pray that you will be great!

I'm having trouble getting my fluids and protein down. I sip, sip all day and it doesn't seem to add up to much. If I sip too much, I get a really bad pain in my chest. I know it will get better as time goes by just worried I'm not doing enough protein.

I will repost what I wrote in the other November forum here...I was sleeved on Wednesday:) My swallow study showed things weren't moving through my sleeve as fast as they should be so I have not anything to eat or drink since Wednesday morning. My doc is talking about worse case scenario being re-operation with conversion to bypass if things don't start working soon.. Turns out my stomach and now my sleeve is shaped like a letter J and the contrast is slowed by the loop at the bottom of my sleeve I have had no nausea or vomiting so my Doc is going to let me try some liquid to see how it goes... Pray for me that everything passes through well and I don't need re-operation...

I will repost what I wrote in the other November forum here...I was sleeved on Wednesday:) My swallow study showed things weren't moving through my sleeve as fast as they should be so I have not anything to eat or drink since Wednesday morning. My doc is talking about worse case scenario being re-operation with conversion to bypass if things don't start working soon.. Turns out my stomach and now my sleeve is shaped like a letter J and the contrast is slowed by the loop at the bottom of my sleeve I have had no nausea or vomiting so my Doc is going to let me try some liquid to see how it goes... Pray for me that everything passes through well and I don't need re-operation...

Oh man. So sorry about what you are dealing with. All the exciting build up and then arrgh. It has only been a day so it islikely things will go well but the shape doesn't sound good. It would be better to have it fixed right away than go home and have to go back. Will you stay a couple extra days to be sure?

Paryers and love to you.

Hi all! Sleeved this morning and doing pretty well. Some incision site pain which is.controlled with toradol. Already walked and crunching on ice chips.

So far so good!

Oh man. So sorry about what you are dealing with. All the exciting build up and then arrgh. It has only been a day so it islikely things will go well but the shape doesn't sound good. It would be better to have it fixed right away than go home and have to go back. Will you stay a couple extra days to be sure?

Paryers and love to you.

I am still in hospital he doesn't seem to be in a rush to discharge me ... He said it is better to have the re operation within3-4 days of original surgery otherwise the body will be acting crazy and swelling and then we'd have to wait 6 weeks . He says he is not at a re operation decision yet he just wants to watch and wait a little a d see what my body does...

I hope it goes well and you are just fine..

2 days left. Hospital called yesterday and told me to be there at 9 am on Monday. I'm not nervous yet. I have 12 pills to take on Sunday. I'm anxious to get packed and get this done. I've worked hard to get to this point. I've lost 26.4 pounds to this point. My goal was 30 before surgery. I'm hoping that will happen by Monday morning.

I will repost what I wrote in the other November forum here...I was sleeved on Wednesday:) My swallow study showed things weren't moving through my sleeve as fast as they should be so I have not anything to eat or drink since Wednesday morning. My doc is talking about worse case scenario being re-operation with conversion to bypass if things don't start working soon.. Turns out my stomach and now my sleeve is shaped like a letter J and the contrast is slowed by the loop at the bottom of my sleeve I have had no nausea or vomiting so my Doc is going to let me try some liquid to see how it goes... Pray for me that everything passes through well and I don't need re-operation...

That's awful that you are going through this. Hopefully they will figure it out and you will be home to start our new life really soon. You are in my thoughts.

Surgery Monday morning in Boston. Man am I nervous.... The nervousness is freaking me out a little because I thought I would be feeling excited. I've lost 24.6 pounds over the past five weeks and really wanted to hit 30. People have noticed it and that feels so good!!!!! So I'm fine with what I've lost so far. I'm starting to get really scared..... Like.... Really scared.

Is anyone else having surgery in Mexico?

Congratulations Chris!!!

Hi I had surgery on the 5 th nov i was calm an scared the same time being so far from Hm. Thinking my hubby may have to make arrangement to carry me Hm In a body bag but that was just the enemy!!! But it all happen soo fast the surgery was a snap short sweet N quick! I didn't no I was done! I was bk in my bed an very cold. As always from the many surgeries I've had! I got up a pea every half hr I think on the drip! But after doing the barium test and having the drain removed I have nt pea like that which have me a little scared hope am nt dehydrated cause am always sipping fluids! I have also nt have a BM and I really think I need it! But hubby says wait on time cause my body is changing. I also gained 2 lbs after surgery. So help a sis out! Wt should I do?????

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