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!

How long have all of you been taken out of work? I have my post op appointment tomorrow. My doc was very strict about being out for 6 weeks' date=' but I guess it is due to the nature of my job. I am an ER nurse and do a lot of heavy lifting. I feel like I will be good to go at 4 weeks. Some people go back to work after two weeks![/quote']

I am 4 weeks out on Wednesday. I am a nurse myself. My surgeon also said 4-6 weeks. It feel that i am ready besides having another ear infection. ( 4th in 2 months). Went to the ear doctor today, suggested tubes. Little old for that. Will see my surgeon tomorrow. Weight loss is slow.. Good luck to you..

I am 4 weeks out on Wednesday. I am a nurse myself. My surgeon also said 4-6 weeks. It feel that i am ready besides having another ear infection. ( 4th in 2 months). Went to the ear doctor today' date=' suggested tubes. Little old for that. Will see my surgeon tomorrow. Weight loss is slow.. Good luck to you..[/quote']

My surgery was 11/20 and had I not had big complications my dr said I'd be back at work in less than a week. As it was I returned in exactly a week and I really had it rough. Exhausted like I've never felt before, barely able to get upstairs to my office and then dealing with 50-60 highschoolers all day and walking all the way back to my car did me in. I was in bed by no later than 7 and could hardly wake up for the next day. Now I'm down with the flu and I think it's due to lowered immune system from all this. I highly advise everyone to take a few weeks off. 6-8 sounds even better !

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

How was your first day back? What grade do you teach? I am a retired second grade teacher. I miss it a lot.

I think we were sleeved on the same day (11/12). I am the slowest loser ever.

How are you doing?

Think it might be the slowest loser. Sleeved

11/14. Down a freaking 10 lbs......not a happy sleever..good luck. See the doctor tomorrow. It am nervous because if it dont see a significant weight loss it amd going to freak out in the office..fingers and toes crossed..

I'm a slow loser too but just remember--we are losing. Don't freak out. Be happy about your loss. It's goona start falling off. Keep up the great work!

Think it might be the slowest loser. Sleeved

11/14. Down a freaking 10 lbs......not a happy sleever..good luck. See the doctor tomorrow. It am nervous because if it dont see a significant weight loss it amd going to freak out in the office..fingers and toes crossed..

Think it might be the slowest loser. Sleeved

11/14. Down a freaking 10 lbs......not a happy sleever..good luck. See the doctor tomorrow. It am nervous because if it dont see a significant weight loss it amd going to freak out in the office..fingers and toes crossed..

I'm a slow loser too but just remember--we are losing. Don't freak out. Be happy about your loss. It's goona start falling off. Keep up the great work!

Hold on Ladies! I believe I am the queen of slow losers. I'd gladly relinquish my crown for just a few pounds.

Anyhow, as sad as I am to share this status, I am relieved to learn that I am alone on this throne. I hope we all move to the losers bench soon. It's just scientifically impossible not to.

I've quit weighing myself because it just makes me mean and grouchy.

Hold on Ladies! I believe I am the queen of slow losers. I'd gladly relinquish my crown for just a few pounds.

Anyhow' date=' as sad as I am to share this status, I am relieved to learn that I am alone on this throne. I hope we all move to the losers bench soon. It's just scientifically impossible not to.

I've quit weighing myself because it just makes me mean and grouchy.[/quote']

Ok. Maybe we will have to settle for a 3 way tie. I haven't weighed myself in a few days. I figured I will leave the dirty job up to the Doctor..no your not alone. I'm here if you need to vent..

How was your first day back? What grade do you teach? I am a retired second grade teacher. I miss it a lot.

I think we were sleeved on the same day (11/12). I am the slowest loser ever.

How are you doing?

It was good. I teach ESL to K5 to 2nd grade...lots of hugs and they got me flowers. I was exhausted after school and am a bit tired. I was sleeved 11/19 I am down 33lbs. Don't worry it is different for everyone

Today was my second day back. I only took a week but I have a desk job. I am exhausted. I realized today that I need to measure my meals. I keep over estimating then getting sick. Any tips on how to stick to two ounces? I am not getting any "full" signal so if I don't carefully measure I eat too much.

Today was my second day back. I only took a week but I have a desk job. I am exhausted. I realized today that I need to measure my meals. I keep over estimating then getting sick. Any tips on how to stick to two ounces? I am not getting any "full" signal so if I don't carefully measure I eat too much.

I am three weeks out and I'm having a hard time reading the full signal also. I thought that would be stronger. I haven't gotten sick or overeating in a meal but I feel the need to always look for something to eat as if I'm hungry. I know old habits are hard to break and I need to break some. Still exhausted too

Today was my second day back. I only took a week but I have a desk job. I am exhausted. I realized today that I need to measure my meals. I keep over estimating then getting sick. Any tips on how to stick to two ounces? I am not getting any "full" signal so if I don't carefully measure I eat too much.

Get a food scale. I got a digital one from amazon for about 11 bucks. Also one space in an ice cube tray is 1ounce. A 2 ounce portion is meat is about the size of an egg. 3ounces is about the size of a deck of cards

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Get a food scale. I got a digital one from amazon for about 11 bucks. Also one space in an ice cube tray is 1ounce. A 2 ounce portion is meat is about the size of an egg. 3ounces is about the size of a deck of cards

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Thank you that is great info and easy to go by.

Get a food scale. I got a digital one from amazon for about 11 bucks. Also one space in an ice cube tray is 1ounce. A 2 ounce portion is meat is about the size of an egg. 3ounces is about the size of a deck of cards

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Great info thanks

I've been in a stall since December 3rd. :-( it's starting to get me down..... Anyone break there stall?..... And how did you do it?!?!?!!??!!