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!

Anyone have any tips for sleeping? I'm not a back sleeper, so Im having a ton of trouble my first night home. I woke up with a ton of back pain so now I'm on the recliner feeling a little better. I'm thinking maybe I'll just sleep here for a few nights, but how did you sleep in bed?

Had my 2 week post op yesterday. Im down 22 lbs since surgery. And I can eat regular food. So excited!!

Wow George!!!!! Congrats!! 22 lbs in 2 weeks!! Fantastic!

Anyone have any tips for sleeping? I'm not a back sleeper' date=' so Im having a ton of trouble my first night home. I woke up with a ton of back pain so now I'm on the recliner feeling a little better. I'm thinking maybe I'll just sleep here for a few nights, but how did you sleep in bed?[/quote']

I'm having the same problem..... I bought one of those pillows that looks like the back of a chair and its going better. (Not great-just better) I wish I had a good tip on what to do..... Sorry I don't.... But if your experience is similar to mine definitely DON'T try to sleep on your side at all!!!! Even in a couple days when being on your right side doesn't feel all that bad..... I tried it and propped myself very comfortably with a ton of pillows, etc and woke up in such pain and couldn't move!!! If I come across something that works ill def let you know!

22lbs!!! Wow George, that is awesome!

Thank you very much! I have to say, the first 2 days of post-op I hardly ate anything. I think that had a lot to do with the huge drop in weight. I 'll take it though..First time under 300 lbs in 10 years Woo-hoo!

Two weeks since your surgery and your allowed to have regular food ? No soup or purée ? How can this be ? Lol I am 10 data out I've got to have liquids for another 4 days then onto purée for two weeks . 4 th dec I'm allowed real food .

I should clarify..I was adavanced to puree. I was just so excited that I did not have to drink protein shakes 3 times a day, even puree seems like real food now So I am doing the mushy stuff for 4 weeks.However, even this is so much better than full liquid all day!! Hang in there! Dec 4th will be here before you know it..

Wow George!!!!! Congrats!! 22 lbs in 2 weeks!! Fantastic!

Thank you so much!

Still struggling with pre-op diet. Only lost 2.5 lbs. in 2 weeks! Also still struggling with insurance. I am not so happy at the moment. Time is ticking by and surgery is planned for less than 2 weeks away. Having a U.S. Thanksgiving dinner for friends and family here in New Zealand. May be a long hard haul to surgery date. Hope everyone else is doing well and staying strong.

Congrats on the 22lbs that's amazing! Your like the perfect role model for all of us! Thank you for all the insightful information.

Thank you so much! But I have to be honest, I hardly ate anything for 2 days..Im sure that a lot to do with it..And I was never a back sleeper either..Just give it a few days and you'll feel more comfortable on your side..The body pillow help because you can put it between your knees and it takes a lot of pressure of your side and stomach..Try it out. At points I was so tired I did fall aleep on my back. I was amazed at this! A week from now and you will be able to sleep anyway you want :-)

Had my 2 week post op yesterday. Im down 22 lbs since surgery. And I can eat regular food. So excited!!

Hey, I was sleeved nov 5th , I am now 21.5 lbs down since surgery, when were you sleeved?

Hello everyone!! My surgery is just 4 days away! Nervous bit excited! I have been on the pre-op for the past week and a half and the scale was moving great the first week but this week it shows I have gained 2 lbs...how is that possible??? I am allowed yogurt' date=' fruit or egg in the morning, protein shake for lunch and then 4oz lean white meat with a green veggie for dinner and then another protein shake (which I never do the last shake). With that I am lucky to take in 600 calories a day. Any ideas?[/quote']

The same thing happened to me Ricky. I wasn't eating much before the preopt diet (one meal a day , small salad) and my body took a week to adjust to food on a regular schedule. Keep the faith, follow the diet and your metabolism will adjust quickly.

Hey' date=' I was sleeved nov 5th , I am now 21.5 lbs down since surgery, when were you sleeved?[/quote']

I was sleeved on the 5th too! My surgery was at Mt Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA. How bout you?

Congrats George! Your doing amazing!

I'm having back sleeping issues too. My lower back is killing me. I'm a tummy sleeper so I'm way out or my element lol. I think I pinched a nerve or something because my right thigh is totally numb. I was worried about that but read its signs or a pinched nerve in the back. Great just what I need lol. Been like that for 2 days now, anyone else experience this or something like this?

First day post-op and just passed my leak test! Can't believe how much easier this was than what expected. Hardley any gas or pain! : )

So i think i jumped the gun on that post! Third day postop and boy the first n second were rough and i am just seeing the light. Cant seem to keep anything down.

I was sleeved on the 5th too! My surgery was at Mt Auburn Hospital in Cambridge' date=' MA. How bout you?[/quote']

That's awesome, we are losing at the same pace! I am in the great state of Ohio! I don't know about you but I think I already feel different , even better already!

Or maybe I'm crazy, lol! I am also allowed to at normal food. Right now I'm on mashies but the only thing that really sits well is refried beans! Who knew I would love refried beans so much?

Still struggling with pre-op diet. Only lost 2.5 lbs. in 2 weeks! Also still struggling with insurance. I am not so happy at the moment. Time is ticking by and surgery is planned for less than 2 weeks away. Having a U.S. Thanksgiving dinner for friends and family here in New Zealand. May be a long hard haul to surgery date. Hope everyone else is doing well and staying strong.

Saltmistrose,

You're in New Zealand? Lucky you! I hear it is just beautiful!