Tricia K.

Congratulations!! I was stoked when I reached the 50 lbs. lost mark too. :confused:

Indeed, it is amazing. The cool thing is that I don't feel deprived or hungry. :couch2:

It should be fine. However, if it gets red, swollen and hot, call your doctor.

Oh my God, it smells sooooooo good. :couch2: Just the smell alone was well worth the $12.50.

Has anyone used this to help rejuvenate/renew the loose skin that sometimes happens with WLS? I bought some the other day and have been using it ever since. It feels great but I wonder if it really works. Any thoughts?

This is a typical day for me: Breakfast - 16 oz. Protein shake lunch - 2 slices of lunch meat and maybe some watermelon dinner - 1/3 of a Stouffer's Lean Cuisine dinner

There's also a Dr. Emma Patterson out of Portland. I've heard nothing but good things about her. Best of luck to you.

Darcey - I'm originally from Central Oregon and have known Dr. Koning for 15+ years. I've never been to him for any medical reason but know of many who have. He has a reputation for horrible bedside manner. I'm sure that his surgical skills are fine but I don't know if bedside manner is of any importance to you. Best of luck to you. FYI - from my understanding, he does have a medical partner at his facility that also does bariatric surgeries. You may wish to check into this option as well.

Oy vey....when will it ever end?

I'll join your challenge. I never enter the other challenges for prizes or to be the big winner. I, like you, just enjoy seeing my progress. Best of luck to everyone.

1/4/06 Weight = 236 NSV: I bought a size 18/20 belt to hold up my too loose size 22 pants. 1/9/06 Weight = 234 (-2) NSV: I was able to fit into a misses size 20 pants at Old Navy. 1/16/06 Weight = 229 (-5) NSV(s): 1) My mother-in-law came to visit this past weekend and called me a "skinny minnie!" 2) I can now fit comfortably (with room to spare) in those plastic, stackable patio chairs. 1/23/06 Weight = 228 (-1) NSV: I FINALLY had to break down and buy new size 20 clothing because I was tired of my old clothes falling off of me. 1/30/06 Weight = 226 (-2) NSV: I had to move the seat in my vehicle closer to the steering wheel because my butt isn't so big anymore. 2/6/06 Weight = 221 (-5) NSV(s): 1) Our female bowling league partner told me this past Tuesday that I had a nice butt. P.S. She wasn't hitting on me. LOL 2) I fit into and purchased a pair of size 18 shorts. SV: 4 more pounds and I'm halfway to my goal!! :biggrin1: 2/13/06 Weight = 220 (-1) NSV: I don't really have one this week. Hopefully I'll make up for it with 2 next week. 2/20/06 Weight = 220 (no change) NSV(s): 1) On the plane to and from Vegas last week, I didn't have to struggle to secure my seatbelt, but rather had 6-8 inches of slack. 2) My hips didn't spread into the seats next to me causing the armrests to lift up. 3) My husband said he saw several men in Vegas checking out my ass!! LOL

Hey Marcelle, I'm glad to hear that you're home and recovering. Best of luck on a speedy recovery.

Has anyone heard from Marcelle? I tried calling the 2 numbers last night that she provided on obesityhelp.com but the calls would not go through.

Right here... http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=4642

Thank you very much, Shawn.

I had a similar, but less emotional, conversation with my mother prior to being banded. She was very concerned, but trusts my decisions and supports me 100%. It's great that you have a wonderful friend who is concerned about your health.

I think you answered your own question.

Please see my stats below

I was in surgery from 8am to 9am and was walking out of the hospital at 10:30am to go home. I was up and around like normal in about 2-3 days.

I'm posting early again because we're leaving for Vegas tomorrow and I won't have access to scales on Monday. 1/4/06 Weight = 236 NSV: I bought a size 18/20 belt to hold up my too loose size 22 pants. 1/9/06 Weight = 234 (-2) NSV: I was able to fit into a misses size 20 pants at Old Navy. 1/16/06 Weight = 229 (-5) NSV(s): 1) My mother-in-law came to visit this past weekend and called me a "skinny minnie!" 2) I can now fit comfortably (with room to spare) in those plastic, stackable patio chairs. 1/23/06 Weight = 228 (-1) NSV: I FINALLY had to break down and buy new size 20 clothing because I was tired of my old clothes falling off of me. 1/30/06 Weight = 226 (-2) NSV: I had to move the seat in my vehicle closer to the steering wheel because my butt isn't so big anymore. 2/6/06 Weight = 221 (-5) NSV(s): 1) Our female bowling league partner told me this past Tuesday that I had a nice butt. P.S. She wasn't hitting on me. LOL 2) I fit into and purchased a pair of size 18 shorts. SV: 4 more pounds and I'm halfway to my goal!! :biggrin1: 2/13/06 Weight = 220 (-1) NSV: I don't really have one this week. Hopefully I'll make up for it with 2 next week.

--Are you self pay, partial insurance covereage, or full/most insurance covered? self-pay --How long have you been banded? (in number of months) almost 5 months --What is your AVERAGE weight loss since banding? (total weight loss divided by number of months banded) 10.8 lbs./month --Have you had any complications? If so, what? no complications --Have you had your band removed? no --What country was your band placed in? U.S.A. --What is your age? (I know...touchy. LOL But it does go along with the question.) 34

Jill - I have a wide variety of friends (both overweight and thin) and I haven't noticed any particular pattern in sexual appetite with either. They are all over the board. - Tricia

From what you're telling us, it seems like the family dynamic is very unhealthy. It would really benefit you all to have a serious talk about the real reasons behind their sudden hesitation. If it ends up being an issue about them being worried about your health by going under the knife, there is plenty of research that you can provide them between now and your surgery date. Hopefully this will alleviate their fears. However, if it's just a matter of them both being catty and unloving, I would simply take the money that was offered and never look back. I know that sounds harsh but you have to consider the source. And, to hold things over your head like "we're not going to pay for any wedding, provide any further financial assistance or pay for you to come visit us" is absolutely ridiculous. Who needs people like that in our lives? Money/love from family members shouldn't be offered and then have stupid conditions put on it. Best of luck to you. *hugs*

LOL...I hear you on this one. When I first met my husband I told him that I've always been the one in the relationship that wanted more sex. He replies with "Oh, you don't have to worry about that!" Well...let's just say...I've had to tell him on many occasions that he needs to eat those words!!

In my opinion, both of my suggestions taste better than the Slim-Fast shakes.