Tricia K.

Awww...I'm sorry that this upset you but she was just doing her job. I'm positive that your surgery will be fine. I also hope you have a very easy recovery. We'll see you in bandland very soon!! :confused:

Here are some more that I found... http://ww2.khou.com/Global/story.asp?S=2126357 http://www.lapsurgery.com/BARIATRIC%20SURGERY/Before&AfterPics.htm http://www.inamed.com/products/obesity/us/patient/lapband/photos.html http://www.inamed.com/products/obesity/us/clinician/lapband/photos.html http://gastricband.com/html/stories.html http://www.whyweight.com click on success stories http://www.obesitydoctors.com/NY/BeforeAndAfterPictures.htm

:clap2: Woo hoo!! Happy early Birthday and Band Day!! We'll see you on the losing soon very soon!!

Mini_me, I completely understand the reasons why you're not telling anyone. Who wants that kind of aggravation anyway?? It's amazing how jealous some women (and men) can be. I'm so happy that you were able to get the surgery regardless of the exclusion in your insurance policy. I am very much like you in that regard. We're both very fortunate. :confused:

- Tortillas (white, wheat, corn?) Yes to all 3 - Salad (what kind of lettuce can you eat?) Yes, I can eat any type of lettuce - Hard breads (pretzels, crackers, melba, etc.) Yes, yes, yes :confused: - "Fluffy" breads (pancakes, waffles, muffins) Prior to my first fill I could eat a muffin. Now, I don't go near them. - Ground meants (turkey, chuck, sirloin...) Yes, yes, and yes - Shellfish/crustaceans (scallops, shrimp, crab, lobster, mussels...) Yum....absolutely!! - Hard cereal (grape nuts, oat bran, etc.) Yes - Hard cheeses Another absolutely! I love cheese!!

:laugh :laugh :laugh

Oh boy...LOL. My husband used to jog several miles per day. Of course, this was long before I met him and about 50 lbs. ago. He tried jogging a few months ago, got 1/2 mile and had to huff and puff all the way home!! Poor guy. He's a good walking partner....when he's awake. LOL @ ekksotic!! Philadelphia is fun. If you've never been and have an opportunity to go...it's well worth it. It would be so cool if we lived close enough to walk together. I don't know anyone in my immediate area that has had the surgery either. Then again, I don't really know anyone in my immediate area, period. I've lived here for almost 2 years and just recently starting hanging out with our bowling league partner. I miss having girlfriends to hang out with. :phanvan Hee hee @ the rich bee-yatches! You crack me up! I understand that you want to keep this private. I tell anyone and everyone. Everyone has been positive and I havne't experienced anyone keeping "tabs" on me. It's all a matter of personal choice and I totally respect your views.

Ahhh.....gotcha!! Hee hee. I keep forgetting that you've just recently had surgery. Oops! But, ya know what? A walk is a great idea! I wish I had a walking partner. My husband is on such a weird sleeping schedule so he's asleep when I'm awake...oh well.

Why can't you just go and not talk about it with anyone?

I experienced the same thing. I didn't feel real restriction until after my 3rd fill.

Happy Birthday!!

My surgeon was Dr. Thomas Lavin from the same office. I have nothing but good things to say about everyone at Surgical Specialists of Louisiana. You're in good hands. Keep us posted. P.S. You and I were born on the same day but 7 years apart.

Hello and congrats on your surgery. I itched a bit after surgery too but I wasn't in pain. I took pain meds the first day and a half just to avoid the pain though. I doubt that I really needed it. I didn't feel like eating anything either. I sipped on my Water and had a few sugar-free Jello cups, but that's it. As far as right now, I'm feeling great! I am so happy with my band and have the proper restriction (for now). I hope your recovery goes well. Good luck!

Here are a few of my updated photos... And, an after back shot....

Hammond, Louisiana here.

*BIG HUG* Sweetie, this is a decision only you can make but, personally, I don't think it would make you a bad person. Sometimes we just have to do things for ourselves. And, yes, you do deserve better. From what you've posted, it seems as though you've pleaded and tried to get him to go to counseling, to no avail. Maybe you can try one last time and then have a serious talk with him about your concerns to get his reaction. But, please, please, please, please.....DO NOT give him an ultimatum. That's one of the worst things you could do, to him and to yourself. I hope this gets better very soon. *BIG HUG*

I already had a nice sterling silver bracelet so I purchased a sterling charm from the web site below. I'm very pleased with what I received. Now, if only my bracelet would stop breaking!! (I've had it soldered 2 times in the past 3 months and it just broke again the other day!!) ARGH!! http://www.hahoriginals.com/ My charm has the following (exactly) engraved on it: LAP BAND PATIENT NO NSAIDS & NO NG TUBE W/O ENDO SCOPE There are other sites out there that specialize in designer medical ID bracelets but I preferred this one.

I have a similar situation. I didn't ask my husband that often if he could see the difference, but would every now and then. For the first 40 some pounds, he couldn't see a difference. Then, as soon as I purchased smaller clothes, all of the sudden he could see a big difference.

Girlfriend, you're doing a fantastic job!! :clap2: 20 pounds is nothing to scoff at. I think you're doing all of the right things and, before you know it, you'll be losing again. Keep your chin up!!

Not necessarily, no. Everyone is different and your restriction level could be different from mine. I just know that when I have proper restriction, I stay full for 4-5 hours and average a loss of 2 lbs. per week. As far as the size of the entree, the Lean Cuisine I purchase averages between 8 and 9 oz. each.

I have proper restriction and can only consume about 1/3 of the the Lean Cuisine frozen dinners. I hope this helps.

:clap2: Woo hoo! Congratulations!!

Congratulations on your success!

Awwww shucks.....thank you. I had no idea I had been nominated for something until I stumbled upon this thread today. Thanks again.

If you go to User CP and click on Edit Avatar, you can upload a picture of yourself. There are size limitations though. I hope this helps.