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!

Went to my 2 week (and 2 day) checkup today.

Starting weight: 308.5

Date of surgery: 286

Leave hospital weight: 291

Weight today: 276.5

Sooo excited...32 pounds down total, 14.5 since came home from surgery. I was a bit bummed that it wasn't more than the 14.5 pounds, but that's about a pound a day, that I've LOST!! It's an awesome feeling to realize that weight is GONE :-). All this AND I had to go to the hospital this past Monday for fluids (was dehydrated). Going back to work tomorrow and had to buy two new pair of jeans as my others are too big...got them a size smaller.

We are well on our way and we should all be proud and excited!!

Congrats to all November sleevers :-)

And this morning I am up 2 pounds. 500-600 calories a day' date=' walking, drinking. Scientifically impossible, but still true. I am officially the first vertical sleeved, very compliant patient to defy science. Welcome to my pity party. Bring your own water.[/quote']

It's not only you. I have been doing everything by the book. Protein, Water, exercise, and eating a snail pace. This week the scale has stayed the same. I don't get it either. I was eating 3000 calories per day pre-op. How can I eat 600 per day and stay the same?!

Had my first pre-op appointment!! Down 16 pounds since surgery (9 days) Woo Hooo!!! I lost 30 pounds total in three weeks. The 2 week pre-surgical diet and then post-op. I still have 6 days on full liquids, I am up to walking 2 miles a day. I can say with complete pride I slipped into a LOOSE size 20 jeans before surgery and diet I was a 28.

So encouraged! Lets go November sleevers!!!!

It's not only you. I have been doing everything by the book. Protein' date=' Water, exercise, and eating a snail pace. This week the scale has stayed the same. I don't get it either. I was eating 3000 calories per day pre-op. How can I eat 600 per day and stay the same?![/quote']

That must be so frustrating!!!! I just want to encourage you to continue.... Your weight loss so far has been so incredible and I am 100% positive it will continue. Keep up the good work George!! I look forward to hearing about how you overcome this stall!!!

That must be so frustrating!!!! I just want to encourage you to continue.... Your weight loss so far has been so incredible and I am 100% positive it will continue. Keep up the good work George!! I look forward to hearing about how you overcome this stall!!!

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it :-) Im not going to let it get me down. Just keeping chipping away :-)

Thank you so much' date=' I really appreciate it :-) Im not going to let it get me down. Just keeping chipping away :-)[/quote']

Anytime George.... You deserve the same encouragement you give everyone else on here! BTW..... If you eat out somewhere that has some WLS friendly foods will you let me know where? I'm starting to feel like going out but don't know where! Ill do the same if you want the info too! There are so many restaurants in the greater boston area there has to be somewhere right?!?

It's not only you. I have been doing everything by the book. Protein, water, exercise, and eating a snail pace. This week the scale has stayed the same. I don't get it either. I was eating 3000 calories per day pre-op. How can I eat 600 per day and stay the same?!

Thank you, George. Just staying the course (and pouting), hoping for a break.

I finally broke my stall!! Started logging everything and upping my water! This is the lowest weight I have been in almost 20 years! I am loving my sleevie!!!

Congrats to all you Stallers!

I'm going to have to add my self to that list of Achievers!

Please be advised the following will take a minute but well worth it....all typed/pecked out on my phone. Hope this can help someone and if not that's cool too. During a weight loss journey one must be many things...learn what works for you and go for broke, don't let up on yourself. You have one body, one mind and soul/spirit, therefore, only you should choose your FINALE. This is not selfish at all, I promise. So make some room for me on the bench, I'm coming out!

I've been dieting & exercising for 3 faithful weeks only to have my scales and body stay the same. Week1-basic strict food, week2-one simple dinner, light lunch, healthy Snacks and replace 1-2 meals with Protein Shake week3-liquid only. I will check measurements tonight for any change.

Now for the crazy part, I have a traditional & high tech scale. I weighed my self last night & my husband followed suit. We decided that the traditional was just broke (it was being too kind) & the high tech one was sensitive (it was being too indifferent). They vary on any given day by 2-6 lbs. I got real close to being upset/frustrated & felt like crying but as I laid myself down for bed I promised my self at least "1" POUND would be in my favor when & if I rose from my slumber. This morning the husband and I are preparing for my EGD/UPPER GI @ 8AM and "by golly gee" we had won the popular vote, FAT was out at least it appeared to be on all polls! "254" I refrained from a spiritual happy, happy, joy, joy dance (TERRIFIED that both scales would go out with the trash today). I told my husband we'll see when we get to the hospital...check in went fast, anxieties try to set in..to the scale (shoes & clothes on) that scale said *254* I almost passed out! Still didn't accept it until I got my BMI reading of 38.2! 265, 11 lbs lost in 3 weeks 254 please math genius CONFIRM because I'm in disbelief/confused. A last minute show of possible PROGRESS?

I will be the first to say this is a hard journey but I pray you proceed with it & never give up! I was denied 3x but I knew it was erroneous according to my policy. Insurance Directors/Dr's are paid like the rest of us; just a little different by denying get a bonuses/incentives. Why else would I be approved & denied the very same day? Their response, was my Dr. office called & cancelled, come on now...who does that?! Well needlessly fro say, I have 2 approval letters & 3 denial letters...stay on the insurance & the performing surgeon. Be relentless, don't accept no, & HELL even rebel if you have to...think that is why I'm able to share this with you all. My Dr's office got frustrated, didn't want to do a peer-to-peer (Director/dr of insurance & your surgeon discuss your need for surgery & the reasons why its recommended. Do your HOMEWORK! Know policy, procedure, develop a plan of action & work it. I was told that my Dr. Hated peer-to-peer, therefore, he would not do one for me and that my options were to pay cash or do a 30 day appeal & sit wait for it (meanwhile, be still & go crazy & start hoping, wishing & praying they rule in favor of helping save my life no sitting around for me). I got a life to live, I refuse to be that statistic. No @#$?%* THAT! Not that those things are bad practice...there's a time & place for everything & this time called for LIVE ACTION FIGHT THE POWER MOVEMENT BY ONE SERIOUS MORBIDLY OBESE WOMAN! Words from my surgeon by "my" choice! And Dr. he can't/won't pick up the phone on my behalf to back up his very own findings (for whatever reason)? Oh "HELL NO", trust I got my own phones. Right is right, here I go...I'm a person that never really accepted comprehension of the word no, No, nO or NO. Called performing surgeon office heard them say they were just gonna appeal it; it was almost like sure we can get it approved. I'm telling myself no you can't because I handed you perfect case file, everything was done when I came in your office for consultation. Seriously, all that was needed were the clearance/recommendation letters from various Dr'w/NUT & push the damn submit button...well I told them to go ahead & submit person in charge of my file seem frustrated with insurance not me because real & sweet...lol but I'm no fool for things that make no sense. Inquired about Cash route advised it was feasible.But proceeded to follow up on my research and called my plan b & c. Then call plan a back and requested my medical records. They then asked why & I told them I needed them for my personal records/use & when would they be available for pick up...Friday I said "ok thanks, good bye"-

I never made it...got the call that I was approved, approval code & set necessary dates for events lead up to surgery date of December 10, 2012 originally November 12, 2012 but all the same I will be a SLEEVE SISTER! Trust, I have no hard feeling for my any one at my surgeon's office. I am proud of me for taking much needed steps I'm at peace with myself.

Be a blessing, if to no one else but yourself...Yeh, I'm sure I'll have or continue to have critics but they will not control life or decide on my destiny.

Peace & one love,

CJ

I finally broke my stall!! Started logging everything and upping my water! This is the lowest weight I have been in almost 20 years! I am loving my sleevie!!!

Congrats! I am still waiting. I told my husband that I feel like tomorrow will be the day this stall breaks. He'll be thrilled because his wife isn't usually this bitchy! I've amazed myself at just how groughy I can be. wow.

Anyhow, I am happy for you!

Congrats! I am still waiting. I told my husband that I feel like tomorrow will be the day this stall breaks. He'll be thrilled because his wife isn't usually this bitchy! I've amazed myself at just how groughy I can be. wow.

Anyhow, I am happy for you!

Hang in there, it will break! We are here for you, keep us posted!

Ok let's figure this out...what are you drinking? How are you getting your protein in? How many ounce of liquid are you getting in and how much protein? What does a typical day look like for you?

I know if I don't start drinking right when I wake up I'm going to have a rough time getting it all in. And you feel like crap when you don't get the fluids and protein in. And I have to have a shake when I first wake up. I'm on puréed foods but I find I still need one shake a day so I do that first thing. I'm not a big thinker when I first wake up so the shake is a great go to.

I am the same way. First thing in the morning I heat up a cup of milk and mix in my caramel chocolate protein mix from GNC. It is very yummy and warm. Helps me forget about morning coffee and I'm getting 32g of protein in. As the day wears on I have to force myself to get another shake in. I have steady lost 2 lbs per day,

though I expect a stall any time now.

Hey Fellow Sleevers,

After reading the thread, I refuse to step on a scale. I'm determined to wait until my scheduled doctor's appointments. I'm sticking to my routine: protein shake for breakfast, protein pack meal for lunch and dinner, lots of water, with 45 min, 4 days a week of aerobic work out, I've returned to work and I feel pretty good. My clothes are my barometer for me. They are fitting a little looser and that makes me very happy. I'll find out my weight in a month. I'm just thrilled to be on the journey.

Hey Fellow Sleevers' date='

After reading the thread, I refuse to step on a scale. I'm determined to wait until my scheduled doctor's appointments. I'm sticking to my routine: protein shake for breakfast, protein pack meal for lunch and dinner, lots of water, with 45 min, 4 days a week of aerobic work out, I've returned to work and I feel pretty good. My clothes are my barometer for me. They are fitting a little looser and that makes me very happy. I'll find out my weight in a month. I'm just thrilled to be on the journey.[/quote']

I am with you! I am not intrested so much in the numbers. I love the way I feel and the way clothes fit. I stepped on the scale after surgery and I was up but it was while I was in the hospital and it was from the IV fluids. I was devistated and even though they told me to expect it I was still upset. Not to mention my feet, hands and face were swollen so I should have known my weight would be up. But at my 9 days post op I lost it all then some.

I will wait and use other indicators to track my weight loss, I know as long as I follow the plan I will lose.

How far our are you? I am 13 days post op.

Wow...I actually had FUN shopping for a few clothes with my boyfriend this week! I'm down 2 sizes and my clothes were hanging, or, in many cases, FALLING off me. Actually am starting to be able to see my shape again...yay! Started my pre-op healthy diet in June at my HW of 333 (I'm 5'9"). The day of surgery (Nov 1), I was 290. Today, I'm 268. Happy, happy girl!