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!

Hello fellow november sleevers!! My name is George. I'm 29, I'm being sleeved on 11/05/2012..I am so nervous..But, I'm so tired of consyantly going up and down with my weight..I've been really struggling the last 8 years with this..I feel like my weight robbed me of my 20's..I am looking forward to a new me!! I know it's going to take a lot of hard work on my part. But I am willing..This is the kickstart I need. I plan on meeting with dr's and going to the support groups long after my surgery. I want to change my brain too! I'm glad we have this group and can talk with eachother!!

Hello George and welcome!! You have come to the right place.... the people on here are so friendly and very informative. Congratulations on getting your date and making the first step to the new healthier you! Any time you need to talk, vent or ask questions ( I'll try to answer... pre sleeved too) I'm always around. Good luck on your journey

WOW! So glad to see this place hopping!

My surgery is 5 weeks from today, pre-op starts four weeks from today. I cannot wait!

I am Nichole, I am married with no children but many nieces and nephews and others who call me Auntie. I am scheduled to be sleeved November 5th (one month from today). Super excited and scared but I know it'll all be worth it in the end. Been thinking about WLS for 10 years now, first in the early 2000 Gastric Bypass, was all set to go but employer changed insurance companies. Then 2005, 2008, 2011 "almost" (funding was approved but then frozen) so now the $$ is in the bank, got my surgery date and am waiting patiently for 11/5.

Hi, Nicole. I'm new here, too. I'm hoping to revise from LapBand to either the sleeve or the bypass. Are you having the bypass? If so, how did you make that decision. I had decided on the sleeve but then an endoscopy showed my esophagus to be like "ground hamburger" so I'm not thinking I should maybe go with the bypass since the sleeve can cause more reflux. I never thought I wanted a bypass because it seemed too extreme to me, but now I'm trying to come to grips with the possibility. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Hi, I am new to the group. I just created my password, but have no idea how to set up my profile so I thought I would introduce myself.

My name is Ainslee. I am, newly 61 Y/0. I have an adopted daughter who is 19 and 2 cats. I stated this journey 2 years ago and then became quite sick so her I am again. You can imagine how anxious I am for the surgery. I crated this surgery date because that is when I want it. In truth I got a message on Friday that I am insurance approved. Yeah. So tomorrow, I will call and get my date. I have to wait due to work. I cannot wait. I have already organized my clothes by size so I can wear them as needed and then get rid of them forever. I have a size range between 14 and 20! (I actually have smaller sizes but they are in boxes.)

I am looking forward to this group and the group support. I am a good cheerleader for everyone else (not for myself).

Hi, Ainsleet. It's nice to see a "mature" person on here. I'm 63 and was thinking that I may be the only grandma getting surgery. Congratulations to US!

Not in my sixties, but am gonna be a grandma! Grand baby due February 28th

Not in my sixties, but am gonna be a grandma! Grand baby due February 28th

Congrats! Being a Grandma is one of the true joys in life.

Thank you! Already started buying things.... I will admit gonna spoil it rotten lol

Hello George and welcome!! You have come to the right place.... the people on here are so friendly and very informative. Congratulations on getting your date and making the first step to the new healthier you! Any time you need to talk' date=' vent or ask questions ( I'll try to answer... pre sleeved too) I'm always around. Good luck on your journey[/quote']

thank you so much! I really appreciate it. this is so much to take in. I'm very excited but I'm also nervous. I've never had any surgery before.

You're welcome! It's okay to be nervous.... I'm nervous and I've had several surgeries.

Hi All,

I am Kali I am 32 and married with 3 kids ages 4,6&7. I was originally thinking I would be sleeved in October but due to thyroid issues was delayed. I will be getting my thyroid re checked (cross our fingers it is all good)and attending my last NUT on October 15th and then I will be done with my checklist.I will be sleeved at San Antonio Military Medical Center and the wait is not long after checklist is complete. Let's do this November:)

I'm a grandma too and scheduled to have my surgery on the big 52 : ) Welcome Boston George ! So glad to have you ! NOV 9th for me.

i have had surgery before....hysterectomy....

Hello Kali, can definitely relate... I was originally scheduled to have my surgery today, but my thyroid had other plans sigh so now I'm scheduled for November 30th. Good luck, hope things go well for you

What is the app called I wasn't it for my iPad!!

It's called t-zero. It's really an iPhone app, but I put it on my iPad. It was the only one I really liked. It's nice to have. When I first got it I had 70+ days left until my surgery...now I'm only a mere 45-ish days left. omg!!

Hello fellow november sleevers!! My name is George. I'm 29' date=' I'm being sleeved on 11/05/2012..I am so nervous..But, I'm so tired of consyantly going up and down with my weight..I've been really struggling the last 8 years with this..I feel like my weight robbed me of my 20's..I am looking forward to a new me!! I know it's going to take a lot of hard work on my part. But I am willing..This is the kickstart I need. I plan on meeting with dr's and going to the support groups long after my surgery. I want to change my brain too! I'm glad we have this group and can talk with eachother!![/quote']

I started my journey a long time ago when I lived in Mass but was unsuccessful. This was due to insurance issues. I miss my home state but NOT the cold weather. Best of luck to ya!