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!

Well sucking it up' date=' I am. I have a question and I hope it's not too personal. How long did it take for your bowels to return to normal duty? I asked because this is really sucky! I'm scared to travel too far from my bathroom. [/quote']

Freja, are you drinking protein shakes that contain lactose? I was at first and that was what was doing a number on my stomach ... I am over 2 weeks post op and I am so sick of protein shakes and I have been avoiding lactose as much as possible bc pre op I was already iffy with the lactose and post op it is worse.Just wondering if this could be your issue?

Well sucking it up' date=' I am. I have a question and I hope it's not too personal. How long did it take for your bowels to return to normal duty? I asked because this is really sucky! I'm scared to travel too far from my bathroom. [/quote']

You might want to look into a plant based protein. Get one that has samples and try those. Also, check with your NUT and see if you could substitute broth with protein powder for a shake. It will change things up a bit that might make you feel better.

Hey all ~

I am 10 days out from my surgery and have pretty much had NO problems with eating. Eggs are going down fine, cottage cheese great, oatmeal perfect. OK, so I'm going back to work tomorrow. Any ideas about good and easy "meals/snacks" to pack for the last 2 days of the pureed stage?

Thanks!

Ouch! I was staying with my parents the first week out of surgery and I returned home. I've been doing a little more, went out and did a little shopping today, and all I can say is my incisions hurt! My belly button one especially is killing me. I go for my checkup and after surgery class tomorrow, so I'm hoping everything is alright with my incisions. The belly button one is always warmer than the rest but I'm figuring that's because of where it is. Hoping everything will come back alright.

Freja' date=' are you drinking protein shakes that contain lactose? I was at first and that was what was doing a number on my stomach ... I am over 2 weeks post op and I am so sick of protein shakes and I have been avoiding lactose as much as possible bc pre op I was already iffy with the lactose and post op it is worse.Just wondering if this could be your issue?[/quote']

The lactose knowledge was right on time. Feeling much better! Thank you! 2 days to go!

The lactose knowledge was right on time. Feeling much better! Thank you! 2 days to go!

Glad it was helpful:)

Hey all tomorrow I will be 1 week post op and everything is going well. I am tired of the clear liquids though and I am dreaming of protein shakes. At least with full liquid phase I will have more variety.

Ok. I need some input. I'm on The pre-op liquid diet. The problem is I seem to have a lot of gurgling going on in my stomach. It is a lot of air and I don't know what I can do about it. I won't even start talking about the bathroom visits. Any suggestions on how to alleviate this problem?

I have the same problem. My stomach gurgled so loud earlier that my daughter thought I farted! I also run to the bathroom all the time. I think it sticks around until surgery

I have the same problem. My stomach gurgled so loud earlier that my daughter thought I farted! I also run to the bathroom all the time. I think it sticks around until surgery

I stop consuming milk protein and I feel much better. Try that. We're almost there. New body, here we come!

The hospital called me today and I have to be there at 8:30am. I am not really nervous, more excited! I'm sick to death of this pre op diet and ready to move on to the next phase of my life!

The hospital called me today and I have to be there at 8:30am. I am not really nervous' date=' more excited! I'm sick to death of this pre op diet and ready to move on to the next phase of my life![/quote']

Good luck. Prepare yourself for the pain the first two days are incredible difficult but after that it just keeps getting better!

The hospital called me today and I have to be there at 8:30am. I am not really nervous' date=' more excited! I'm sick to death of this pre op diet and ready to move on to the next phase of my life![/quote']

I'm excited for you. You'll be fine. Just think healthy. Hope to hear from you soon. I'm the next day and totally agree-blah, pre op diet. We'll be reporting to the losers bench.

The hospital called me today and I have to be there at 8:30am. I am not really nervous' date=' more excited! I'm sick to death of this pre op diet and ready to move on to the next phase of my life![/quote']

Many prayers are with you as you begin your new journey...you're going to do great!

It's gonna be fine ladies and any gents preparing for surgery this week. I'm a week post-op tomorrow and the difference in just a week is like night and day. Follow the rules. Get up and walk as soon as you can. Even if its just to the bathroom to brush your teeth. Do it. Makes walking easier later. Hold a pillow against your abdomen if you have to cough or move, especially when standing up. Put the foot of your bed as low as possible, your head up high, swing your feet over the side, then use your elbow to push yourself up so that you're sitting on the side of the bed. And don't forget to breathe. Lol. Then rock back and forth, count to three, on three exhale as you stand up. And just stand...get your bearings before you move. Keep hold of that pillow when you try to stand....your incisions will hurt just moving, standing, etc. that helps the pain and helps you feel in control for some reason. And use your spirometer and do your breathing treatments. And just deep breathe, cuz that helps you get the anesthesia from your system.

Most of all...use your morphine pump. I did and its what got me the rest I needed.

I totally agree with Tally. I am a week out tomorrow as well. Today, I walked on the treadmill for only 10 minutes, but then walked around my block this evening. I find the binder to be quite helpful. Life gets better every day :-). Be positive and know your boundaries. Walking will make you feel so much better :-)