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!

I learn so much from you guys' date=' Thanks for going first. This is day two post op. Bending over to put on socks hurts. Guessing this is normal.[/quote']

It gets better, by day 4 or 5 I wasn't feeling any pain.

Been sleeved for one week and two days' date=' all is going well. I can understand about the feeling of missing food and the experience, I have noticed how much of my life revolved around food and going out to meals. I've saved a crap load of money and I've been trying to figure out how to spend my time besides eating, I've been walking a lot and spending time with my daughter. At first I wasn't hungry at all, that last for about 5 days. The last few days I have been very hungry. I did start eating more strained soup, I am on a smooth liquid diet. I am taking in around 500-800 calories a day, I hope that is within Normal limits. I have no pain, maybe some discomfort sometimes and some twinges of pain when I Drink too fast but I think that's the way to tell me to slow down so I don't get over full. My belly is still pretty bruised from the lovenox shots and the surgery itself, my incisions sometimes are a bit sore now, maybe I'm using my stomach muscles too much. All in all things are going good. Can't wait for my next appt. so my surgeon will let me eat real food. It's also funny how people don't want to eat around me, I actually don't mind since when I eat my soup I am satisfied like I ate a full meal, I think they think I'm missing out, when it was my idea to do this because I don't want to eat so much and be healthier. Anyone else experience this? Anyway, just wanted to check in, hope all is good for everyone, here's wishing for speedy recoveries the everyone![/quote']

I actually have done this. When I decided to start eating a little bit more to satisfy myself a bit more than a half cup of soup' date=' it happened. I was really really full and uncomfortable with some pain twinges most of that night. I figured I had over done it too. I scaled back on the amount of soup and ate slower so that my body could tell me when to stop. Since then I haven't done that to myself. I think the key is eating or drinking slower so that your stomach isn't overwhelmed with so much at once.[/quote']

Chris,

Thank you so much. That makes me feel a lot better. I'm feeling better today. I've decided to slow things down. Have to remember this is a new stomach that needs time to heal and adjust. Thanks again buddy

Thanks so much for all the heads up...going for surgery on Monday and I can't wait, although not gonna lie a bit nervous because I have never had surgery before. Anyway I have a question or situation. My family has a big Thanksgiving gathering about 30 min away at my cousins house, my grandfather will be there and he was just diagnosed with prostrate cancer stage 4...he is 89. I wanted to go to this because it might be our last Thanksgiving together. Pain wise do you think I would be able to go only 3 days after surgery? Do you think it is reasonable to go?

Thanks so much for all the heads up...going for surgery on Monday and I can't wait' date=' although not gonna lie a bit nervous because I have never had surgery before. Anyway I have a question or situation. My family has a big Thanksgiving gathering about 30 min away at my cousins house, my grandfather will be there and he was just diagnosed with prostrate cancer stage 4...he is 89. I wanted to go to this because it might be our last Thanksgiving together. Pain wise do you think I would be able to go only 3 days after surgery? Do you think it is reasonable to go?[/quote']

In my opinion, I would find no problem with that. The pain isn't that bad anyway, most of my pain/ discomfort was fading by day 3-4. Those days my stomach felt full of air and gas x was my best friend. To me it was more discomfort rather than pain. You may be uncomfortable but I would go. Day 3 I was running errand around town.

Thanks

Just got my time, tomorrow at 12 ahh!

Chris or George....or anyone who recently had their surgery. I had mine on Monday and my doc put me on stage 3. I am having such a hard time getting enough in without feeling overstuffed. Did you guys feel that a couple days after surgery? I don't know how I'll get 60 proteins and 2liters of water in.....

Boo!!! So my surgery was scheduled for tomorrow I arranged my whole family around it and my surgeon cancelled!!!! Need some encouragement! I am rescheduled for the 23rd but man what a psych out!

Chris or George....or anyone who recently had their surgery. I had mine on Monday and my doc put me on stage 3. I am having such a hard time getting enough in without feeling overstuffed. Did you guys feel that a couple days after surgery? I don't know how I'll get 60 Proteins and 2liters of Water in.....

I still can't do it. I can get my Protein in and like 32 oz of water. They told me to focus on the protein first and then water, that is to say water is still very important and you should be sipping all day, but they told me to make sure to get my protein.

Boo!!! So my surgery was scheduled for tomorrow I arranged my whole family around it and my surgeon cancelled!!!! Need some encouragement! I am rescheduled for the 23rd but man what a psych out!

It's gonna be ok. Just realize that maybe this is for the best. If he had an emergency that made him cancel then maybe it's best he did instead of being distracted with you on the table. It will happen next week and it wil be here before you know it. I cannot believe its my turn in less than 6 days.

Hugs! Take care and don't let anything psyche you out.

Chris' date='

Thank you so much. That makes me feel a lot better. I'm feeling better today. I've decided to slow things down. Have to remember this is a new stomach that needs time to heal and adjust. Thanks again buddy[/quote']

How are you feeling my friend? I'm glad to see you posting and helping those of us joining the losers bench after you. It is appreciated.

Chris or George....or anyone who recently had their surgery. I had mine on Monday and my doc put me on stage 3. I am having such a hard time getting enough in without feeling overstuffed. Did you guys feel that a couple days after surgery? I don't know how I'll get 60 Proteins and 2liters of Water in..... <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Yes, I felt the exact same. To be honest, I've yet to fully hit my water or Protein goal. I just do the best I can. I'll have some fluids as soon as I wake up. then 45 mins later I try to have a Protein Shake. I try to repeat that process as often as my stomach lets me. Just do your best, gets as much of it as you can. Even if you have to spend an hour and take tint, annoying sips :-) It gets easier each day. I promise. Get as much in as you can. Take your time. We're all having trouble meeting those goals of liquids and proteins

How are you feeling my friend? I'm glad to see you posting and helping those of us joining the losers bench after you. It is appreciated.

It's my pleasure to help. Im doing better. My biggest challenge has been meeting my Protein and liquid goals. It takes so long to finish a protein shake! I would have never thought this would be the biggest challenge :-) Im just trying do the right things :-). I'm down almost 20lbs

It's my pleasure to help. Im doing better. My biggest challenge has been meeting my protein and liquid goals. It takes so long to finish a protein shake! I would have never thought this would be the biggest challenge :-) Im just trying do the right things :-). I'm down almost 20lbs

Congrats on 20lbs down!! OMG that's wicked awesome! It's definitely gonna make it easier to make good choices when you have great results like that. Keep it up and if you struggle...you know we are all here for you!