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 started at 256 on 11/15. Since then I've only lost 45 pounds. Seeing the weight loss in my face' date=' I just wish it was coming off quicker. My friend had her surgery not even a month ago and is down almost the same amount. She started off at 313 but it still frustrates me that it's not comin off a fast for me[/quote']

Only 45 lbs?!? Never say "only"...that's a HUGE accomplishment..and be proud! You look great! Keep up the good work and don't compare your loss to others . Everyone looses at their own pace. Keep doing what your doing and you will make goal!!! :-)

She's right, 45 is great and you can really tell the difference!!

I started at 256 on 11/15. Since then I've only lost 45 pounds. Seeing the weight loss in my face, I just wish it was coming off quicker. My friend had her surgery not even a month ago and is down almost the same amount. She started off at 313 but it still frustrates me that it's not comin off a fast for me

You look fantastic! Don't worry about the pounds it is coming off.

On surgery day 11/07/12 I was 218 and a super tight 16....

This me a couple days ago 02/03/13 I am at 175 and wearing skinny jeans in a size 10 !

Hoping up be a size 6 by summer

On surgery day 11/07/12 I was 218 and a super tight 16....

This me a couple days ago 02/03/13 I am at 175 and wearing skinny jeans in a size 10 !

Hoping up be a size 6 by summer

Wow! You look awesome. I was sleeved the day before you but started at a higher weight. I've lost 53 lbs. and weigh 198. I can't wait to be in a size 10 skinny jeans! You go girl!

Yay! My stall finally broke after 4 looong weeks. I have lost 3 more lbs (and hope it continues). I am back on the road to success. I did make changes by upping my water and protein intake like others had suggested.

Wow! You look awesome. I was sleeved the day before you but started at a higher weight. I've lost 53 lbs. and weigh 198. I can't wait to be in a size 10 skinny jeans! You go girl!

We have the same start weight and same current weight . Great job!!!! Size 10 here we come!

Im 4'10 and have wide hips, plus my spare tire. The 12's are getting loose but tens dont fit yet

I can't wait to be In a size 12!!!

12 is my goal size! I went from a 26 and now in an 18 :-) luckily in tall...so I "carry my weight" well. My goal weight (190) is as high as some folks starting weights lol ...but as long as I look good and feel good the numbers don't matter

the american heart association says girth under 35 inches means you have a better chance of survival, so i think i will go with that for a goal but but i will be very happy with any size that dosn't start with an X.

-2 pounds!!!!!

Oh my god I have been stuck at 194 for weeks !!!! 192 today!!

I guess those couple of potato chips that accidentally found their way into my mouth on Super Bowl where ok.....

What??? Don't judge, I thought they were

jicama sticks!

Oh, I gotta go change my ticker !!

-2 pounds!!!!!

Oh my god I have been stuck at 194 for weeks !!!! 192 today!!

I guess those couple of potato chips that accidentally found their way into my mouth on Super Bowl where ok.....

What??? Don't judge' date=' I thought they were

jicama sticks!

Oh, I gotta go change my ticker !![/quote']

Laura, i eat a semi high calorie snack sometimes just to get my metabolism going. Like a piece of regular cheese with grapes. I was bad the past two days though, i had three chicken wings (over a 24 hour period) ahem, aunt flow is comin

Well then, I might see another chip or two in my future! Oh and tell aunt flow to stay away from my door!!

Ya'll all look Amazing and are doing so great!!! Thanks for all the pictures it gives me motivation!!!

BayouTeche Your too sweet!! All I do is get my protein in and try to get my water in!!!LOL it's so hard!!! I wish I cold say I work out but I yeah I dont!! Your doing awesome too keep up the good work!!Let's keep each other motivated!!I have 9 lbs to lose before my 3 mths checkup!! lets see if I can do it!! I only have 2 weeks before my apt