Tricia K.

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.

Congratulations!! :clap2:

Ok, maybe not so huge for others but I finally fit into GAP jeans today. Not only did I have room in them but they were also on sale! Woo hoo!!

:biggrin1: Thanks!

The Old Navy stores near me do not carry anything above a misses size 20, which runs smaller than a plus size 20. I'm able to fit into a few of their misses size 20 pants, but only the regular cut, not the low-rise. Keep in mind that misses sizes start from a misses size 8 form and go up where as (I believe) plus sizes start from a plus size 16 form.

I never feel the lidocane (sp?) needle nor the saline needle. And, I've never had to sit up with the needle still inside of me. That's weird.

I told me entire immediate family beforehand. My Mother was initially worried until I provided her with a lot of information. Everyone has been extremely supportive of my decision.

Deja vu? :phanvan

My surgery was done on an outpatient basis. I was in the surgery center at 6am for all of the pre-op stuff, surgery was from 8am-9am, and I walked out of there at 10:30am.

I weigh every morning and sometimes at night. I also take pictures and measurements on my monthly surgery anniversary.

This sounds exactly like me. Although, I'm a bit different in that I didn't eat a lot when I was hungry, I just ate. Everyone I know says that I ate like a bird even before I had the surgery. My thin friends always commented that I ate less than they did. My problem was I didn't always choose the right foods (e.g. I would eat carbs, sweets, etc.).

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.

NSAIDS = Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs PB = Productive Burp DH = Darling Husband

Low-cal for me. I average anywhere between 800 and 900 calories per day.

Be careful with some of the prescribed diet pills....(such as Xenical)....they can produce not-so-pleasant side effects.

I hit my sweet spot after 3 fills. I'm at 2.2cc in a 4cc band.

I was banded on 9/16/05 and have lost 42 lbs. in the 4 months since.

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.

< 1200 calories 30-40% fat 2 lbs. lost per week

Other than the amount of gas needed to travel the 22 miles to my surgeon's office for fills, I haven't spent a single cent since being banded. I'm also waiting until my clothes are literally falling off of me before I buy new ones.

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.

I was self-pay and was banded by Dr. Thomas Lavin in Mandeville, LA. He's very well-known and well-respected. He's also one of 4 proctors for Inamed, which helped me make my decision to have him as my surgeon. If you qualify for his low-risk, self-pay option, the cost is $12,900, which covers surgeon fees, the surgical center, the anesthesiologist and 1 year of follow-up/fills. You can find out more information about him on his website, which is www.whyweight.com or read his patient comments section on obesityhelp.com at http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+profile+Thomas+Lavin+fnp.html .

I'm definitely joining this challenge. Starting Weight: 236 Goal weight: 216 1/4/06 NSV: I bought a size 18/20 belt to hold up my too loose size 22 pants.

I was discharged the same day as my surgery with no barium swallow.

My surgeon suggested that I not chew gum in the event that it may be swallowed. From what he told me, it's not good to swallow gum after being banded. I've never been one to swallow it so I still chew it to avoid bad breath.