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!

Thanks! It's good to know that I am not alone!

I feel very slow on this journey. I ride a bike for 20 minutes, climb stairs as I walk around the school building that I work at, there are many staircases and I try to run each of them two stories. I have my phone alarm set to every two hrs and when it rings I eat some protein or drink a protein shake, between the two hrs I drink a full bottle of water. I pee all day long! I'm sure I get at least 70 + protein and probably 30-50 gms carbs on some days but other days no carbs at all. I began at 277 and I'm at 245 today. Very frustrated because I walk the circle and stairs a few times a day to keep my metabolism burning. Can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I've dropped two pant sizes so why isn't my weight dropping more. My dr said I should lose 80 lbs in 6 months! I was sleeved on 11/20 so at this rate I'm not going to live up to his expectations. Any ideas what to change?

Same here. I'm probably not perfect but I focus on my protein which doesn't leave room for much else. I was sleeved on 11/30 and down 35. I think we are all doing fine but it is frustrating. I wonder if when we look back over a full year of we all don't average out to be very similar in pounds lost per month. There are so many variables involved in weight loss.

I see a lot of ppl are talking about protein. To be honest I have not really paid much attention to my protein intake or my vitamins and I know that is horrible but at the same time I'm wonder is I start this will it slow up my weight lose. Ppl on here have lost 30-40lb and I have lost 108.2lbs since my day of surgery November 7th. What do you all think.

I see a lot of ppl are talking about protein. To be honest I have not really paid much attention to my protein intake or my vitamins and I know that is horrible but at the same time I'm wonder is I start this will it slow up my weight lose. Ppl on here have lost 30-40lb and I have lost 108.2lbs since my day of surgery November 7th. What do you all think.

Are you exercising a lot? What was your starting weight? Do. You just eat whatever you want whenever and that's working for you? Ill try that if you answer yes. I'm so over paying so close attention and moving so slow. You may have the right idea. How much do you eat in one sitting?

I see a lot of ppl are talking about protein. To be honest I have not really paid much attention to my protein intake or my vitamins and I know that is horrible but at the same time I'm wonder is I start this will it slow up my weight lose. Ppl on here have lost 30-40lb and I have lost 108.2lbs since my day of surgery November 7th. What do you all think.

I think you are a show off

Don't mind me I'm bitter:)

And a slow loser

From what I was told by my surgeon, protein is the most important food group post-op.For at least the first 6 months. It helps recovery, healing, preserves lean mass, keeps you fuller longer, and your body spends more energy trying to burn it. My doc told me post op no matter what you eat your going to lose weight,,But, if you don't get enough protein in, you will lose muscle as well as fat.. And the more you weigh, the more your going to lose initially.. So if somebodys weighs 400lbs, of course they will lose much more weight than somebody who is 260lbs..

Hi:

I am new to the form. I was sleeved by Dr. Landerholm on November 29th and am now down 35 pounds including my 12 pound loss pre-op. I am so thrilled with the weight loss and the restriction of the sleeve. I am able to eat the things I like but totally unable to overeat anything. This is great as we all have waves of wanting to be totally good about eating right and exercising and waves of not really being able to do it effectively. I have been on every commercial weight loss plan and also have ran a half marathon etc but haven't been able to manage my stress level and not overeat. This is a real miracle for me. Looking forward to hearing more from the November crowd. I am from Vancouver Canada and self pay in Washington State. Canada does pay for the VSG but you have to be at least 100 pounds overweight and I was not that heavy.

Jennifer

Are you exercising a lot? What was your starting weight? Do. You just eat whatever you want whenever and that's working for you? Ill try that if you answer yes. I'm so over paying so close attention and moving so slow. You may have the right idea. How much do you eat in one sitting?

I don't eat whatever I want whenever. I eat 4 times a day small meals n a snake at night. I go out to eat every Saturday and I divide my food in half. I do workout but not as mush recently b/c I tend so dehydrated do quick and it doesn't feel good at all. If u send me your email I will forward you the plan my trainer put me on.

I think you are a show off <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Don't mind me I'm bitter:)

Noooo don't say that I read this done days in feel so bad about my lost. Some ppl are following the diet to the T and I'm not. I really want us all to reach our goals we are all in the same boat. I think part of my lost is sometimes I'm bad at eating cuz I'm always running in differer directions

Are you exercising a lot? What was your starting weight? Do. You just eat whatever you want whenever and that's working for you? Ill try that if you answer yes. I'm so over paying so close attention and moving so slow. You may have the right idea. How much do you eat in one sitting?

470 start

444- day of surgery

336 now.

I have has stalls and I have also gain weight but now it's moving agin

I don't eat whatever I want whenever. I eat 4 times a day small meals n a snake at night. I go out to eat every Saturday and I divide my food in half. I do workout but not as mush recently b/c I tend so dehydrated do quick and it doesn't feel good at all. If u send me your email I will forward you the plan my trainer put me on.

I'm curious to see the plan your trainer put you on. I eat 4-5 small meals and drink my water and shakes with doing 6 flight of stairs every day and haven't budged much since Jan. 2nd. I was sleeved Nov. 1st and am looking for changes I can make to see the scale move a little more. I have lost 38 lbs. My wt at time of surgery was 220 and I am now at 183. I am very pleased with it but would like to see weekly change.

I'm curious to see the plan your trainer put you on. I eat 4-5 small meals and drink my water and shakes with doing 6 flight of stairs every day and haven't budged much since Jan. 2nd. I was sleeved Nov. 1st and am looking for changes I can make to see the scale move a little more. I have lost 38 lbs. My wt at time of surgery was 220 and I am now at 183. I am very pleased with it but would like to see weekly change.

Of course I don't know how to post it for everyone to see. It's all about team work

Im interested in seeing your diet to!! I'm just so obsessed right now with the scale!! I want anybodies tips and pointers or whatever because my biggest fear is not being sucessful!!! I was sleeved November 27th and im down 51 pounds!! I hate all the pressure I feel from my coworkers wish i would of kept it a secret yet at the same time love the compliments!! Even though Im not very good at receiving them!!

hi i am katie 58 years old, from western ny. starting weight 275ish 9 weeks sleeved, nov 26, now 240. not feeling right yet, slimming, gurgling,constipated. my neck looks terrible. down 2 pants sizes. and i hate my surgeon's office, doubt i am going back. more importantly i no longer have sleep apnea, and the arthritis in my knees is much improved. i love this web site,i have learned alot, and found alot of encouragement. love to see updated

Can you possibly find a NUT to meet with every 3-4 weeks? It may helep. I meet with a NUT and she has a therapist quality. It really helps me. If you don't like the office don't go but try to find a NUT. Mine is covered by my insurance but they also do sliding scale.

BEst wishes, Ainslee