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!

Last two days of November Sleevers...lets bring it on home!! We need to get rocking and rolling on our weight loss and on taking steps to better lifestyles!!

Remember...if you're struggling let us know! There's no shame and we are here for our sleeve family! Hugs!

No loss in 3 days. Is it a stall coming on? Nothing changed. Still on liquids but started working out. Lost 18 pounds in two weeks. Is my body in shock? Water and Protein intake is dead on. Need some reassurance. I didn't think it would happen this fast.

Hello November sleevers!! Surgery in the morning... wish me luck.

Luck to the last of our November sleevers

I just got back from my 1 week post op, down 9 lbs from surgery, 17 lbs from official.. And NO MORE STAPLES!!!

And I get full liquids again! Who would have thought puréed Soup would taste so good?

Sleeved on 11/19...isn't it too early for a stall? Scale didn't budge this morning and it looks like I'm on track to stay the same again tomorrow.

Hello November sleevers!! Surgery in the morning... wish me luck.

Buckeye...our prayers are with you! You will do fine! This time tomorrow night you'll be up and walking and sipping and we'll be welcoming you to the losers bench! Please let us know how you're doing when you're able to!

Sleeved on 11/19...isn't it too early for a stall? Scale didn't budge this morning and it looks like I'm on track to stay the same again tomorrow.

I'm going through the same thing! I've been walking, drinking water, getting in my protein, and have only lost 5 pounds. Was sleeved on 11/20! I guess we have to be patient and trust it is going to happen.

Hello November sleevers!! Surgery in the morning... wish me luck.

Good luck! You will be fine. Initially, upon waking, I was in PAIN. The kind that makes me want to cry. By the time I was wheeled into my room, I felt a little better. My body has been improving daily. My thoughts...

1. Don't be afraid to use your pain pump.

2. Sip as much water as you can. You do not want to dehydrate. However, still sip. Gas is very uncomfortable and gulping water is one way air can get in.

3. Walk, walk, then walk some more. Walking help me with gas, anesthesia hang-over and loosening up sore muscles.

I had buyers remorse for about 12 hours. Now, I am thrilled with it. Trying to name it.

Finally, get plenty of rest to allow the body to heal. Burping and farting are good things. Do it! You'll feel so much better.

I had my VSG on November 14th

Hello November sleevers!! Surgery in the morning... wish me luck.

Good luck!! You will do great! Hardest part is walking through the door. You life is going to change for the best!

No loss in 3 days. Is it a stall coming on? Nothing changed. Still on liquids but started working out. Lost 18 pounds in two weeks. Is my body in shock? Water and protein intake is dead on. Need some reassurance. I didn't think it would happen this fast.

When you work out your body will go into shock. It's important that you get all your fluids in and protein. Once it stabilizes you will see pounds lost again and lots of inches. You might need to up your protein and fluids though. Because you need more protein for your muscles and water too. Never fear...it's going to ebb and flow but you will lose so long as you're not eating the wrong things. Give it a couple more days, keep exercising and drinking your water. Then weigh yourself and let us know how it goes. We are here for you!

Hello November sleevers!! Surgery in the morning... wish me luck.

Good luck my friend! I'm so excited that its finally your turn!!

OMG, Have I got a tip for ya'll.

Isopure aka Isoyuk. I bought grape flavor, hated it. Today I froze about 1 oz. in an icecube tray. Maybe a bit less so I could pop it right into my mouth. Guess what, fantastic. It tastes kind of like a no sugar added, grape propsicle.

I am psyched. Lets get our fluid and proteins however we can!!!!!!!!

Ainslee

Hello November sleevers!! Surgery in the morning... wish me luck.

Good Luck!

I was sleeved on 11/27. I must admit that the recovery was a little more painful than I had anticipated. The hospital I am at is great and my care has been superb. My room mate is the same age as me, she had the bypass. The doctor did want to release me yesterday, but I told him that I was not comfortable with the amount of fluids I was taking in, so he let me stay an extra day. I am leaving today and feel much better about it. All I can say is walking was the biggest lifesaver. And taking pain meds constantly. I am excited to start the new me

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' date=' 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![/quote']

Good luck on your surgery