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!

Hey guys there are more of us slow losers than you think !! Look how many of us complain about it

And turning 40 this month?? I wish I was turning 40 !!! (I'm 46) it's all relative !

At least we did it right? we are here and getting where we need to be...

Forgive I'm in a good place about it today but I get down about it sometimes too.

I haven't posted in such a long time because I am embarrassed by my weight loss. I am down 25 pounds since 11/12. I work at it. I bought a Fit Bit that keeps track of my steps (I average more than 12,000 a day) and I track my calories burned and taken in. I am always burning 700 to 1000 than I take in. Science tells me it shouldn't be this slow. It is what it is.

Freja you are not alone. I'm 8 weeks post-op and only 21 lbs. down. It is bitter sweet to hear all these success stories. In one way I am thrilled for all the success stories that I am reading about, on the other hand I'm wondering what am I doing wrong? It's not fair. It is extremely disappointing. I expected to be down so much more by now. I actually got angry today. Was wondering what the hell I did to myself. Had regrets. My co-workers are very supportive but they truly don't understand my frustration and disappoint. I here the same thing over and over. 21 lbs is good. Yes I agree it is good, but not good enough. I'm turning 40 this month. I was hoping to have lost much more by then. I know ( I'm sure you do too), we cannot give up.

Lets keep in touch. We can support each other. Keep up the good work...

Stephanie

Just had to check in with everyone and share my great news!!!! Today I am exactly 2 months post op. I had an appt with my surgeon, and I was surprised to see that I am down 50 lbs! I stalled for a long time and have just recently started losing again. So exciting. Please stay encouraged as we will all get to the place we want to be, in our own time. Losing is losing, no matter how slow it is. We are all going in the right direction.

Good Afternoon Everybody! I haven't posted in so long. I was sleeved Nov. 27...everything is going very well. I have lost 35lbs and feel great. I am back to work, which is hard to get used to. I work 12 hour shifts in a very busy ER and I feel like I just can't get in enough protein or water. I really think slow and steady wins the race as far as weight loss. I do notice that if I drop weight too quickly I feel very crappy. I am just trying to exercise more and find new ways to tempt my palate in a healthy way. I hope everyone is also doing well!

Good Afternoon Everybody! I haven't posted in so long. I was sleeved Nov. 27...everything is going very well. I have lost 35lbs and feel great. I am back to work' date=' which is hard to get used to. I work 12 hour shifts in a very busy ER and I feel like I just can't get in enough protein or water. I really think slow and steady wins the race as far as weight loss. I do notice that if I drop weight too quickly I feel very crappy. I am just trying to exercise more and find new ways to tempt my palate in a healthy way. I hope everyone is also doing well![/quote']

I also work 12-13 hour shifts in a pediatric hospital. I also am unable to consume enough water or protein. My weight loss has been beyond slow. I was sleeved Nov. 14, lost 23 lbs. hard not to get discouraged. Sometimes I can eat a lot of food, sometimes I don't feel right after 3 bites. Today I ordered a nice salad with grilled chicken, after a few bites I felt that stuck feeling in my throat. I have been eating all "regular" food but small portions. It's hard to eat at work, and if we do get time there isn't time to eat slow. Good luck with your journey..

I am down 88. I lost 50 pre op and 38 since November 8th. I feel good but I guess I thought I would be down more post op. does this seem normal or do you think it's slow?

I am down 88. I lost 50 pre op and 38 since November 8th. I feel good but I guess I thought I would be down more post op. does this seem normal or do you think it's slow?

I'm not sure how long your pre op lasted, but I'd say losing 88 lbs is anything but slow!!! Even if that were for a 6 month time frame... Wow!!! Congrats on the lose. )

My preop was a month. I am happy with the weight loss, don't get me wrong, just seems a little odd I lost more pre op. I know it's stupid, but my doctor said my weight loss was "pretty good" and I am analyzing that to death. Plus, I'm not a perfect eater. I eat what I want, just in very small amounts. I concentrate on protein but I do treat myself. Kids cup of ice cream or a small caramel macchiato and none of it sugar free. So, I guess I'm wondering if that is hinduring things. I never eat more than 1200 - 1400 calories and sometimes less. I know some people are very strict about what they eat but I don't want to feel deprived. I didn't do this to diet, but to reduce my intake. Yes, I am eating much healthier, but I will never eat only sugar free or reduced fat foods. That's just me.

Get a skinny macchiato instead of a full sugar one. If you're getting a "skinny" drink from Starbucks it really does taste almost as good as the real thing.

I am down 88. I lost 50 pre op and 38 since November 8th. I feel good but I guess I thought I would be down more post op. does this seem normal or do you think it's slow?

Sleeved November 7th and have lost 34lbs which is slower than some but as long as weight is dropping it's all good!

Well today was my first day at the gym, and it wasa doozy. First off I was far off my water intake and protein for the day so as I finished my first day of couch to 5k I realized how out of shape I was when my chest started to hurt, and then started seeing spots along with a horrible headache. Needless to say I sat down and sipped some water and felt a little better. I'm now home sipping on some strawberry apple juice from whole foods to try and get myself feeling a little less woozy.

Note to all, don't push yourself too far past where you can go.

My preop was a month. I am happy with the weight loss' date=' don't get me wrong, just seems a little odd I lost more pre op. I know it's stupid, but my doctor said my weight loss was "pretty good" and I am analyzing that to death. Plus, I'm not a perfect eater. I eat what I want, just in very small amounts. I concentrate on protein but I do treat myself. Kids cup of ice cream or a small caramel macchiato and none of it sugar free. So, I guess I'm wondering if that is hinduring things. I never eat more than 1200 - 1400 calories and sometimes less. I know some people are very strict about what they eat but I don't want to feel deprived. I didn't do this to diet, but to reduce my intake. Yes, I am eating much healthier, but I will never eat only sugar free or reduced fat foods. That's just me.[/quote']

I am only doing around between 600-800 cals a day most days the holidays I was closer to 1000. My BMI was 39.9 on Surgery Day and with my BMI my loss will be slower than those with a higher BMI to start.I know I would not be losing on 1400 cals without serious working out but that is probably where I will be when I hit maintenance.

Hi, I was sleeved Nov. 1st. So far I have lost 33 lbs. I didn't go through a stall at week 3 or 4 like most did but I am surely going through it now. It's challenging right now knowing that I am just not budging but at the same time I am happy with my weightloss so far. I am still learning how and what to eat and how to span out my meals especially when I am on the go. I have gone back to my protein drinks hoping it will help get me moving again. I can't believe I am almost 3 months out already, wow! I see we are all moving at different paces but as I read updates here I am still amazed at how the sleeve is changing our lives for the better and I am not giving up. I am staying positive and letting my body guide me. Keep up the good work everyone! (And I love all the support given here.)

Greeting everyone. I'm feeling great & I have been getting back to a normal life finally. Today I step on The scale after a week in I'm down again. YESSS. As of right now from my date of surgery 11/7 to now I am 92lb down.

Well, my 50th birthday last week gave me a "hiccup" on weightloss and this week it has surely slowed down again. However, I did lose a pound and I'm happy to see the scale move. I know the inches have come off, as I had several people at my "surprise party" last Friday make comments about me "shrinking". They hadn't seen me in a month so that was so encouraging!

I did slow down on my activity level but this week, upped it again. I am also going to be seeing a doctor and will have my hormone levels checked, as I feel my metabolism is slow and that may be attributed to that and the big "M" coming on. We shall see!

Found myself starting to munch here and there on things that are not going to do me any good (pretzels, tortilla chips, etc. and other crunch carbs) and although I didn't have very many, this is something I am NOT going to do. I guess as I've healed, I am feeling a bit hungrier, but I need to make that time count with something healthy going in my body, like a fruit, more protein, etc. Any ideas for a "snack" would be appreciated. I don't seem to get in enough fruits and vegetables.

Also, are any of you taking a vitamin and what do you use? I am using a chewable bariatric support vitamin, along with dissolvable B12, fish oil, CoQ10, dissolvable biotin, and D3, with a chewable calcium.

I feel pretty good with enough energy. I