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!

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' date=' 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.[/quote']

Hey there,

I'm 11 days out. Working out the rules between my new tummy and me. Rule number 1-eat very slowly. LOL. I made a list of goals/rewards based on clothes size. I'll leave the weight stuff to my doctor. Do you have any mushy tasty protein meals? I've done refrained beans, tuna, and crab.

I am so over being on this darn stall 3 weeks post op tomorrow and I have spent half that time in a stall. Barely able to eat anything and still only getting about 30oz of fluid a day and around 30 grams of protein. I know that is my problem but I have absolutely no desire to eat and drinking makes me fill so full.

DON'T I REPEAT DO NOT CHEAT! I went to Starbucks to treat myself to some camomile tea, for some reason it just tastes better when someone else makes it. Anyway I say the pretty picture of the holiday brownie cake ball and just had to try it. Never AGAIN with in 20 minutes my head was pounding, I began sweating, and felt like I was going to die! My stomach didn't enjoy the cake ball either and I basically threw my guts up for 10 minutes straight. Moral of the story please heed my advice and abstain from sweets!!!!

anyone having trouble with BM's? It was a little over a week before I finally went tonight. I'm on soft foods starting yesterday, but I don't know why I haven't been going. Three days of miralax and I was finally able to go, but what gives?

anyone having trouble with BM's? It was a little over a week before I finally went tonight. I'm on soft foods starting yesterday, but I don't know why I haven't been going. Three days of miralax and I was finally able to go, but what gives?

YES, Ashley! When I moved to blended foods early last week, I started having issues with constipation. UGH. On day 4 of no-go, I took a Dulcolax and that helped after about 4 hours. Another 3 days later, I again wasn't going. Definitely don't want to be taking laxatives, but what can I be doing differently to get things going naturally? This has never been an issue before for me.

Well I go back to work tomorrow. I miss my students and my work friends. I know I am going to have to answer lots of questions tomorrow. I hope I can keep my energy up all day, we will see. Just happy to be teaching tomorrow

anyone having trouble with BM's? It was a little over a week before I finally went tonight. I'm on soft foods starting yesterday' date=' but I don't know why I haven't been going. Three days of miralax and I was finally able to go, but what gives?[/quote']

Drink plenty of fluids. Yes, I know. Easier said than done. Water has become a life saver to me.

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' date=' 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![/quote']

I'm betting your boyfriend is very happy to see your clothes FALLING off of you

Hey there' date='

I'm 11 days out. Working out the rules between my new tummy and me. Rule number 1-eat very slowly. LOL. I made a list of goals/rewards based on clothes size. I'll leave the weight stuff to my doctor. Do you have any mushy tasty protein meals? I've done refrained beans, tuna, and crab.[/quote']

My dr's rule is no food until day 14. So I haven't eaten yet. I am on what's considered "full liquids" Bariatric advantage shakes 3 times a day I use 4oz skim and 4oz water and it makes each shake 31g protien. I can have blended FF cream soups and instant potatoes thinned as long as I can pour it through a strainer. I am doing well with it. I start food soft/blended food on Wednesday the 12th and yes I am counting the days. It's been 4 weeks since I have chewed anything. I was on a pre-surgical diet as well. But it's all been worth it I have already gone from a 26 to a 20!!!!

So any food tips for ME???

My dr's rule is no food until day 14. So I haven't eaten yet. I am on what's considered "full liquids" Bariatric advantage shakes 3 times a day I use 4oz skim and 4oz water and it makes each shake 31g protien. I can have blended FF cream soups and instant potatoes thinned as long as I can pour it through a strainer. I am doing well with it. I start food soft/blended food on Wednesday the 12th and yes I am counting the days. It's been 4 weeks since I have chewed anything. I was on a pre-surgical diet as well. But it's all been worth it I have already gone from a 26 to a 20!!!!

So any food tips for ME??? <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

On day 7, my doctor transitions us to mushy food. We'll be on mush for 4 weeks. Fat free retried beans, tuna with low-fat dressing, blended crab with lemon juice are some of the foods I'm having.. Also, whenever I eat, I move afterwards. Makes digestion easier. Do not drink with meals. Wait 30 minutes.

YES' date=' Ashley! When I moved to blended foods early last week, I started having issues with constipation. UGH. On day 4 of no-go, I took a Dulcolax and that helped after about 4 hours. Another 3 days later, I again wasn't going. Definitely don't want to be taking laxatives, but what can I be doing differently to get things going naturally? This has never been an issue before for me.[/quote']

Mine is exactly the opposite. Unfortunately. The more protein you eat the more you can get bound up. I learned that on the Lindora diet many years ago. Drink some water with fiber in it or take one of the fiber pills. That will help.

My issue is not dumping BUT if I eat something with more fat or any seafood I spend the next day in the bathroom. I see my doc tomorrow for my post op so gonna ask. I'm on puréed.

Well I go back to work tomorrow. I miss my students and my work friends. I know I am going to have to answer lots of questions tomorrow. I hope I can keep my energy up all day' date=' we will see. Just happy to be teaching tomorrow[/quote']

I return to work tomorrow...I'm also a teacher, but funny thing is I DON'T miss my students or co workers. Bright side is that winter break is in two weeks!! Lol

Sent from my iPad using VST

anyone having trouble with BM's? It was a little over a week before I finally went tonight. I'm on soft foods starting yesterday, but I don't know why I haven't been going. Three days of miralax and I was finally able to go, but what gives?

I have not been having BMs as often as before, but I'm not eating much either. I just transitioned to solids from the soft foods. It's been a few days and I think I'll drink some "smooth move tea" tonight. Haven't had to take anything else, but that is a natural way to get things moving.

Just noticed we are both 4 weeks out. I had my surgery on November 10 in Juarez, Mexico with Dr. Rodriguez. I was self pay and had a revision from the lap band that was done in July 2006.

DON'T I REPEAT DO NOT CHEAT! I went to Starbucks to treat myself to some camomile tea, for some reason it just tastes better when someone else makes it. Anyway I say the pretty picture of the holiday brownie cake ball and just had to try it. Never AGAIN with in 20 minutes my head was pounding, I began sweating, and felt like I was going to die! My stomach didn't enjoy the cake ball either and I basically threw my guts up for 10 minutes straight. Moral of the story please heed my advice and abstain from sweets!!!!

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Drink plenty of fluids. Yes, I know. Easier said than done. Water has become a life saver to me.

Someone earlier posted about Smooth Move Tea. Alvailable at all heath food stores and here in SF it is sold in Safeway and many supermarkets. Not only helps you go but you get liquids in too and it is a natural supplement.