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!

Is anyone else having surgery in Mexico?

I am having surgery on the16th in Puerto Vallarta.

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 am doing my pre-op same day and time! We are gonna do great!

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']

So great to hear from you! I am glad that things went well. Let us know how the next few day go. Happy healing!

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']

You are going to do great! Keep your chin up and think about how great you are going to look!

Is anyone else having surgery in Mexico?

Hi Bayou I'm having surgery in Mexico on November 19...

Hi all! I am sleeved! Had my surgery on Thursday and now I'm home. Gained about 4 pounds at the hospital, now down two from that. Can't wait to start losing!

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.

Good luck

Ok so I have surgery scheduled for Wednesday. I have a stuffy nose. Say a prayer they dont cancel me. Just want to be done

I'm sorry but it makes me so happy to see that everyone else is freakimg out also . Everyone at my work keeps saying "aren't you excited?". I say, "no, I am freaking out!" 17 more days to go. I keep feeling like I should call and cancel it, but I know I would live to regret that forever. All of the post op stories helpe push forward. You are such a great group of people.

You can do it! It's definitely not easy but it is worth it. I was like you, not excited, more anxious. Now that it's done I'm glad but everyday is a new different struggle. Anyone who thinks this is the easy way out is kidding themselves. It's not easy, just the most efficient. Good luck. God is with you.

I feel the exact same way. It's like I don't know my body anymore. I look forward to getting in sync with it again. I've already been losing weight which is great and i have no regrets' date=' it's just a weird feeling.[/quote']

I had mine done on the 8th...and feel much the same...really struggled to get anything down but throughout the course of the day i have managed to eat a 120g pot of yogurt :-) feel like celebrating.

Ok so I have surgery scheduled for Wednesday. I have a stuffy nose. Say a prayer they dont cancel me. Just want to be done

I know how you feel. I keep praying nothing happens to stop the surgery. I don't know if I can stand to do the pre-op diet again. I'm sure everything will be fine. Good luck!

Tomorrow is my big day. I'm so excited that it has give me a burst of energy. I think I have everything I need for tomorrow. I bought a heating pad, gas-x, and Chapstick. I'm ready!!!

Hi, Tomorrow is the big day. Can't wait for surgery to be over and on my way to a new me. I'm from Black Mountain, NC and my surgery is being done in Hickory.

Hi fast forward! I just moved to Lewisville (outside of Winston) from Morganton. Good luck! I had a great friend go through Frye and had a great experience.