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'm going to have to stop following this site for a minute. Today I calculated how much weight I've lost since surgery...17 pounds in six weeks. I am so discouraged especially after reading about your successes. Very down right now.

Don't feel that way. We all are going to lose at our own rate. This site is a great place to see what other ppl are doing and try to incorporate it into our own lives.

I'm going to have to stop following this site for a minute. Today I calculated how much weight I've lost since surgery...17 pounds in six weeks. I am so discouraged especially after reading about your successes. Very down right now.

Don't get down! You have to realize that we all lose at different rates. Some of us weigh more than others. And as you know, the more you weigh, the more you lose in the first few months. And look at it this way, your still averaging almost 3lbs per week! That seems pretty good to me. Don't be discouraged. Imagine if you lose 3lbs a week for 6 months? I think your on a good track

Freja, don't be discouraged we all loose differently and don't cheat yourself of a great resource, this site. This site has be a wealth of knowledge for me. I've learned a lot to add to what I already knew.

Are you taking any medications still? I found that my meds are hindering my weight loss. So I know how it feels and what can do to your feelings & mind to see others going through the same thing at the same time and lose double, triple & quadruple the amount of weight! I had to tell myself that this was not a raise. I did this for my health more so than pounds lost. It will not hurt me if it takes me 12 months to get to goal just as long as I get to goal eventually. Keep in mind your genetic profile plans a big part in how your body responds. I will say don't get caught up in the pounds.Measure yourself weekly as I do you will see great change. And be rewarded with a week or two worth of NSVs from the tape measure, yourself & whomever you may have to help measure you...my husband gives the best NSVs! He cheered me up & cheers me on when I was feeling like you breifly. I have been stalled for 4 weeks, scales say not much has changed but the measuring tape says much has! So embrace this moment learn & grow from it. Plus, I'm sure it has been said but keep in mind the bigger a person is the more they will lose fast. And a plus for you to think about and this excites me...slower you lose the better it is for your skin to recover! Less need for plastics....all for that! Stay positive, keep reading because you are not alone sister. And guess what I am a December sleever, we are all in this together! Stay up beat...lol I ain't hard to find I'm always posting something....do some reflecting so you can see the bigger picture. Best of luck. Many blessings. This is a new year, time for new thinking and a new you! Shape up girl & get with the program!

XOXO

~CJ

Thanks for all the great posts. I am dealing with a slow loss as well. sleeved 11/15 and only down 28lbs. Really thought it would go faster. I am so glad to read I am not alone. But I will be a cheerleader for those who are going faster!!!! Went to see my Dr today. He was satisfied with the loss and told me any loss over the holiday has to be a plus. And he is right. Keep it up everyone!!

"Slow"is an understatement for my weight loss

Oops wrong button 11-13-12 #225

Today # 199 .. I don't trust it's 199 yet do I'm going to wait a couple of days to record it!!

Hey. I'm 9 weeks PO today. Sleeved Nov 7 2012.

I was 303 and now 242. I'm about half way to goal.

Laura - your BMI has come down from 40 to 34, so I guess that isn't slow?

Good luck everyone,

Deano

I'm going to have to stop following this site for a minute. Today I calculated how much weight I've lost since surgery...17 pounds in six weeks. I am so discouraged especially after reading about your successes. Very down right now.

Freja we are in the same boat. 20 lbs. in 8 weeks. Very slow. Also discouraged. Happy for the sleevers with a large weight loss, but it is hard to read all the success stories and wonder why I am not in their boat. Good luck..

Hi,

I'm an Aussie in Brisbane and I'm 6 weeks post op yesterday. (27 November)

Pre optifast: 137.5kg 303.13lbs

Day of Op: 130.1kg 286.82lbs

Today: 123.1kg 271.38lbs

I think this is REALLY slow considering its a 7kg loss in 6 weeks and I haven't been cheating, but thanks to the forums here, am accepting that not everyone can lose fast, still it doesn't make one feel that much better.

What do you all think?

Hey. I'm 9 weeks PO today. Sleeved Nov 7 2012.

I was 303 and now 242. I'm about half way to goal.

Laura - your BMI has come down from 40 to 34' date=' so I guess that isn't slow?

Good luck everyone,

Deano[/quote']

Thanks Deano! I guess when you look at it that way it's pretty good!

Though my loss hasn't been as big as others, I'll take it because its going the right way at least.

Today when I went out I had choices on what to wear and felt good in the world.

Thanks Deano! I guess when you look at it that way it's pretty good!

Though my loss hasn't been as big as others, I'll take it because its going the right way at least.

Today when I went out I had choices on what to wear and felt good in the world.

We're not that dissimilar when you look at BMI.

When we get our BMI down another 3 or 4 we'll no longer be obese. I'm looking forward to only being 'only overweight'.

How good is that!?

Hi,

I'm an Aussie in Brisbane and I'm 6 weeks post op yesterday. (27 November)

Pre optifast: 137.5kg 303.13lbs

Day of Op: 130.1kg 286.82lbs

Today: 123.1kg 271.38lbs

I think this is REALLY slow considering its a 7kg loss in 6 weeks and I haven't been cheating, but thanks to the forums here, am accepting that not everyone can lose fast, still it doesn't make one feel that much better.

What do you all think?

I think your killing it. There are lots for women who seem to lose slower, for reasons beyond their control. We're all going to get there though. Really if it takes someone 6 months and another 12 months to get to goal, do you think either will care in a few years if they're still at goal?

I'm from Brisvegas as well. Who was your surgeon?

Deano

Hey Freja!

Look what you started.......

SUPPORT!!!!!!!!

You are doing great girl, don't go away.

The reason for the difference is we are all different. We each have our own genetic make up, our bodies respond & react differently, some are taking meds that affect our weight loss, some are not getting all of what is needed after surgery even though they think we are. There are many variables. You just run you own race and you will all be winners!

~CJ

We're not that dissimilar when you look at BMI.

When we get our BMI down another 3 or 4 we'll no longer be obese. I'm looking forward to only being 'only overweight'.

How good is that!?

Wow I'm trying to wrap my head around that one because I'm not even close to halfway to goal o_O

But I like the idea of getting out of the obese stage and moving on to overweight !