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!

Really!!?? OMG you always have a way of seeing the positive and cheering me up!

Ok I'll dump the other guys!

Really!!?? OMG you always have a way of seeing the positive and cheering me up!

Ok I'll dump the other guys!

You know I've got your back!

Ummmm BostonGeorge? Daaaaamn. You look great and I think you must feel better too. But really you're confidence has got to be soaring! Great job my friend.

P.S. Rarrrrr!

Haha! Thank you so much! When are you posting yours

Ummmm BostonGeorge? Daaaaamn. You look great and I think you must feel better too. But really you're confidence has got to be soaring! Great job my friend.

P.S. Rarrrrr!

Do the RAWRRR!!!!

Bostongeorge, you do look good! Who would have thought you could be hit on by so many ladies in one spot.

I have a Bella, too .

She is so cute. Thanks for sharing.

I have a Bella too. But she's a chihuahua.

All Bella babies are beautiful girls.

Girl.... I was about to tell you to back of my pretend boyfriend, Till I saw your dog!

My chihuahua apple

YOU are the apple of her eyes. I can tell.

Haha! Thank you so much! When are you posting yours

I still have a ways to go. I was planning on it at 100 down. So another 27 pound or so.

Girl.... I was about to tell you to back of my pretend boyfriend' date=' Till I saw your dog!

My chihuahua apple

[/quote']

So cute. Looks like a deer head chihuahua. My Bella Marie is an apple head and my Delana May is a deer head.

So cute. Looks like a deer head chihuahua. My Bella Marie is an apple head and my Delana May is a deer head.

Yes she is! She is 5 pounds of pure love and devotion!

I had a shock tonight. I was measuring myself for sewing patterns. I have lost a total of 65 lbs. since I 1st saw the dietician and the surgeon in April 2012. I had my sleeve done on November 29, 2012. I feel good and look better. My current clothes are loose, but still wearable. Anyway, according to the size charts, I am still a size 26/28. I was almost ready to cry. I am very good about what I eat, exercise, and water intake. I thought I was on target, but wearing the same large size, makes me doubt myself. Any ideas about why my measurements and size is so much the same as before the weight loss?

I had a shock tonight. I was measuring myself for sewing patterns. I have lost a total of 65 lbs. since I 1st saw the dietician and the surgeon in April 2012. I had my sleeve done on November 29' date=' 2012. I feel good and look better. My current clothes are loose, but still wearable. Anyway, according to the size charts, I am still a size 26/28. I was almost ready to cry. I am very good about what I eat, exercise, and water intake. I thought I was on target, but wearing the same large size, makes me doubt myself. Any ideas about why my measurements and size is so much the same as before the weight loss?[/quote']

Sewing patterns seem to go by 'older' measurements (as in non vanity sizing) from what I have seen? Could that be the difference?

Sewing patterns seem to go by 'older' measurements (as in non vanity sizing) from what I have seen? Could that be the difference?

Good point! My sizes are all over the place when I shop!!!

Yeah- I bought a size 12 dress that fit last weekend- there is no way in hell I could fit into a real 12!! I'm 4'11 and 195! My 16w jeans are getting too big- so I 'might' be in a 14?

Yeah- I bought a size 12 dress that fit last weekend- there is no way in hell I could fit into a real 12!! I'm 4'11 and 195! My 16w jeans are getting too big- so I 'might' be in a 14?