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!

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!

Thank you so much :-) it's been challenging on all liquids. When's your big day?! Im always here to talk as well

Hello all! I was sleeved yesterday. I am home and feeling fine. It was almost easy. Well, at least compared to what I thought it would be. The hardest part was trying to get some sleep in the hospital. I am tender and sore and a bit tired. But I feel strong and confident. I am happy to be in my quiet home. Thanks to all for your suppot. And, hey there sleevers to be, QUIT WORRYING!! Unless you use that emotion to clean. It was great walking into a clean, quiet house. Seriously, don't worry. Goodnight all.

I am so happy for you that all went well. I shopped today and am feeeling ready.

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!

Ohhhhhh, what a bummer! It's all going to workout in the end. Your family will reconverge to be there for you again.

I have my pre op appointment tomorrow. Then I will start my 9 day liquid diet on Sunday. It's all beginning to become a reality. All of the people that have already had surgery are definitely helping to calm my nerves!

Thank you so much :-) it's been challenging on all liquids. When's your big day?! Im always here to talk as well

My turn is on next Tuesday the 20th. I have to be there by 8:30 for my noon surgery. I'm also seeing my surgeon tomorrow for my preop appointment and on Friday I see my bariatric PCP last time preoperatively. Getting excited...not really nervous though. I've had a number of surgeries in my lifetime. S it's old hat to me...though I'm a little concerned about the anesthesia. I either wake up mean or all lovey dovey. And I tend to sing dirty ditties when it's preop med time. Lol. Oh well.

My turn is on next Tuesday the 20th. I have to be there by 8:30 for my noon surgery. I'm also seeing my surgeon tomorrow for my preop appointment and on Friday I see my bariatric PCP last time preoperatively. Getting excited...not really nervous though. I've had a number of surgeries in my lifetime. S it's old hat to me...though I'm a little concerned about the anesthesia. I either wake up mean or all lovey dovey. And I tend to sing dirty ditties when it's preop med time. Lol. Oh well.

wow that's coming up so soon! that's hysterical about the anesthesia;-) You have done all your homework so I know you'll do great! Where are you having your survey?

Surgery this Saturday! I can't believe it is here already..super emotional about it but I think its cause i'm hungry from preop full liquid diet. Only have to do it for ten days and this is day seven. It actually was easier today then the first few days. Good luck to everyone! I will check in when I get back. :-)

wow that's coming up so soon! that's hysterical about the anesthesia;-) You have done all your homework so I know you'll do great! Where are you having your survey?

I'm having it in Florida. Should be interesting.

The Bear checking in: six days until surgery. My personal physician cleared me for surgery, the check for the doctor has been surrendered, I am pre registered at the hospital, and I am still not to thrilled about the catheter being shoved into mr happy..... But, excited to get this done. I was the Fat kid and suffered (until l learned to beat the shmit out the first instigator and the rest would leave you alone) my weight has made me strong, determined and one of life's fighters, bit I am so eager to say goodbye to it!!

The Bear checking in: six days until surgery. My personal physician cleared me for surgery' date=' the check for the doctor has been surrendered, I am pre registered at the hospital, and I am still not to thrilled about the catheter being shoved into mr happy..... But, excited to get this done. I was the Fat kid and suffered (until l learned to beat the shmit out the first instigator and the rest would leave you alone) my weight has made me strong, determined and one of life's fighters, bit I am so eager to say goodbye to it!![/quote']

My surgeon does not catheterize any of his patients unless absolutely necessary.I was in an extra hour for a total of about 3 hours and they did not need to catheterize me...So maybe Mr. Happy will come out unscathed:)

My surgeon does not catheterize any of his patients unless absolutely necessary.I was in an extra hour for a total of about 3 hours and they did not need to catheterize me...So maybe Mr. Happy will come out unscathed:)

Today was my last visit with NP and Nutritionist so now the wait for Aetna to approve. I specifically asked about catheters-- my doc usually does it. I asked that it not be done and I was told that if I request it not be done he'd probably go along with that. Thank God! I really don't see the need for it -- they did not do it for my previous surgery (thyroid cancer - thyroidectomy) and I got up on my own to go to the bathroom soon after I got back to my room.

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' date=' 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.[/quote']

Thank you Chris! I really appreciate your honesty and response!!! Are you doing protein primarily by shakes? I just ordered geletein 20 to help me with mine.....

Yes' date=' 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[/quote']

Thank you George..... Very much. It's comforting to hear from someone that not only went through the same thing so recently but also who lives so close by! (I think given your name) I live in Watertown but I'm still in a hotel in Boston with my mom until tomorrow. How are you getting protein in? Anything other than shakes?

Had my sleeve yesterday!

All the staff are beaming about how well it went.

Will stay until Friday.

Just sitting here in bed half asleep with my little morphine button!

Had my sleeve yesterday!

All the staff are beaming about how well it went.

Will stay until Friday.

Just sitting here in bed half asleep with my little morphine button!

Congrats!!!!! Keep on using that morphine button! That's what it's there for!!!!