Kim_8

1 day post op self portrait with cell phone :-). I think someone stuck a bicycle pump up my butt and filled me up with air - ugh!

ok - you guys are making me laugh :-) ouch again! needed that though! I'm glad you're sharing your big brown bottle - mine's almost gone... speaking of wusses! ok - so we're off and running - 50 pounds in 3 months? go Candace! To do that I'd have to lop off one of these big sagging... TMI :-). Anyway, feeling more human today - still have the gas though and port incision / right below it is REALLY tender. My stomach is so distended I think one of those thing from Alien may jump out at any moment. Took off the bandaids to reveal the lovely looking cuts... plus the big bump where the port is. Prrrreeeetttttyyyyy.... goes great with the big ol stretch marks though! Hugs to you all! Thanks for the laughter! Kim

Wow Randy - tell her congrats! I am two weeks behind her and was at the Surgery Center of Richardson yesterday to be banded - were you there, too or at his office? Small world anyway! Ok, so MsJoy is now my role model for my two week milestone! Please let her know I'm happy for her! Kim

Hey - congratulations! I'm with you on the pain meds - hang in there! The last thing on my mind right now is food as well! My thoughts are with you for a speedy recovery! Take Care of yourself and give that husband a big kiss for being so sweet!

Well, tomorrow is the day for me. I go in to Dr. Benevides tomorrow morning at 9:30. I'm off to try and sleep tonight - although a little nervous/excited! Have gas-x and popsicles ready thanks to a couple of you out there! The doctor said he was going to try and use a small band on me because it had a smaller port and would keep it from showing when I lost weight (I'm really short AND short waisted). He wouldn't know if he would be able to use the smaller band until he got in there and looked around though. Anyone know the difference between "small" and "large" bands besides the smaller port? Anyway - wish me luck! Thanks again for all the info shared on this site.

Thanks you guys - I needed that! I'm off to Dallas now. Gimme 3 1/2 hours and I'll be all done! Talk to you soon.....

WOW!! How did you do that? Congratulations! I'd have to cut off a body part to do that!

Dr. Benevides - Surgery Center of Richardson - Coit Rd.... very nice guy. Good luck with your move!

Ah - I'm sorry you didn't get the job! At least you love doing web design - you could be doing something you really didn't like! I like web design, too... takes talent and creativity to do it well. Be happy - all things happen for a reason :-). Kim

Hey Congrats! I'm jealous - but I'll join you in two days! Good luck!

Cheri - sorry about that - I can just imagine.... I'm having a hard time with the thought of what I'm about to go through and thanks for helping me to realize that that's probably going to happen! I'm excited, but I think I'll feel the same way you did - food is such a HUGE part of my life! But look at you - you're already down 22 lbs! That's lots of sticks of butter! You're doing great - hang in there! By the way - I just spent 2 wks with the MIL and you're right - that's a WHOLE nother story!!! :-) Take Care of Yourself! Kim

Hey Kel - great job! You should be very proud!

Hi Styler - congratulations! That's awesome weight loss! Nice to meet you! Kim

Hi and welcome! Hope everything goes well with your pre-op testing! Mine is done and I finally go in on Thursday... keep us posted on your progress! Kim

Try old navy for low rise jeans in plus sizes - that's where I get mine - they have different degrees of low rise - really, really low, mid low and then normal higher cut. I like the low rise - not so much the super low. Maybe this will help? I couldn't live without jeans!

I'm in! Thanks! That was fun.

I've told almost everyone, too. It's like I'm too excited to shut the heck up even though I may be met with some pessimism. It just blurts out of my mouth before I know it - then I think maybe that wasn't such a good idea - people will be watching, but before you know it it's blurted out again! Oh well, I'm proud of my decision, too and hope to show the pessimistic people a thing or two...

Welcome! I found this site very helpful - lots of good info - My BMI was 39, so very little more than yours and I was qualified no prob. Read lots on this board and research your surgeon. Best of luck!

Oh congrats! I have been trying for 16 years to do that and never made it. I do laundry and my husband has these itty bitty underwear and I have sheets that flap up in the air and take two people to fold. What will my husband do when he's not a chubby chaser any more? Wonderful post - it is a huge milestone! Kim

Thanks guys - I went ahead and accepted the assignment - I mean who doesn't want to go to Cancun?? DeLarla - I could bring back Dr. Lopez for you :-) --- that would make a nice souvenir- no? Ok, so I'll check and see if there's a lap band surgeon on hand around that area in case of problems - only a 2 1/2 hour flight back to Texas though if I needed to rush out for any reason I guess. Thanks for all the advice guys. Kim

Hi All, I've tried contacting the Dr's office today but it is closed. I am scheduled for surgery on the 12th of Jan and just found out from work that I have to travel on the 3rd - 8th of Feb. Does anyone know if the doctors have any issues with traveling out of the country this soon after surgery? I won't even have my first fill quite yet. I have to approve the flight itinerary today, so any help is appreciated! Thanks so much! Kim

Hi All, First of all.. THANK YOU for all your posts on this board. I have been reading for about a month now while I've been going through all of my testing. It's been really informative and has helped answer many, many questions I had. I feel like I already know many of you! Thank you again! I am Kim from Keller, TX - Username Kim_8 - get it? Kim-Ate? Ok, so it wasn't that funny! I am 37 years old, happily married with 2 teenage girls. The 2 girls rival my weight battle for my life's biggest challenges! My company has an exclusion on this surgery on our insurance - so I'm a self-pay - ouch! I think it will be worth it though - I'd sure rather have this than a new car! I have never been so excited! I am scheduled to be banded on Jan 12th, 2006 by Dr. Benevides in Dallas. I just went for my last test and started my 2 week liquid diet today, so I consider it official now and have decided to "chime in". I have tried every diet ever dreamed up - and of course have lost - but always gained back PLUS a few extra pounds just to encourage me to try yet another diet :-). So, like many of you have said - I look forward to a lifestyle change - feeling full??? I can't even imagine :cheeky . I look forward to talking with all of you! I am so proud of everyone on this board! I read all the comments (ups & downs, too), and all of the words of wisdom and encouragement from those who have been there before... I love the weight loss pictures - brings a tear to my eye - I'm just so happy for you guys! Now I get to be one of you! Best wishes to you all. Have a GREAT new year!

I'm in.... pre-op menu... ugh. Breakfast: Myocel Shake Lunch: Myocel Shake - 2 sips for me - rest for garbage Dinner: The best chicken breast I ever had :-) Water: 70 oz Exercise: carrying around a 70 oz jug of water

Karla & Teresa - Thank you! Karla - nice to know someone who went to Benevides as well. I've heard nothing but good things so far! I'll keep tabs on you to see how you're doing! Do you guys miss anything terribly so far? Any regrets? The only really disgusting thing right now for me is the Myocel shake - gag me. I'm experimenting with it to see if I can make it any better! You guys are doing great so far! 12 lbs each! Congrats!

I spent the past month+ reading everything I could - I read lots of posts on this board - the good and the bad. I feel better knowing what I'm in for and it's full up helpful hints. You'll find things you never even thought of. You'll also be inspired! I also did searches on keywords (like my dr's name) to see the relevant posts. I'm just starting, too... best of luck to you!