KarenG.

I live in Manhattan. It totally depends on the restaurant and the time of day. Some have a minimum per person, some charge a special plate sharing fee. Most places you should have no problem. Whatever the rule is should be printed on the menu.

I have had a ton of hairloss and it freaks me out. I am about 4 1/2 months out. I have very thick hair naturally but every day in shower and when I comb my hair after it comes out in handfuls. I can tell it is thinner when I put it up in a pony tail but I dont think anyone can tell hen it is down - it just looks limper. Hope it stops soon.

I find you have to indulge a craving or it takes over your mind.

I am still one week 7 b/c I was sick and it was bad weather here - I will finish up 2 more runs and then head on to week 8! Glad the thread is back!

updated: KarenG.............215....................210 .............205..................5

I have had 3 fills. I have a phone appointment with my nutritionist on Weds. I am pretty tight in the AM but then after lunch I can eat a ton. I don't know what she will say since I have lost a bunch of weight since my last appt. but I am hoping she and my surgeon will agree to a tiny fill since I feel like that is all I need. It is frustrating since I was really restricted for the first 1 1/2 - 2 weeks after and then it goes away.

I usually have to wait a week and half at most - not because of the doctor but because it is done in radiology at the hospital and the doctor books the fluroscopy room and does them all at once.

I still love eating - maybe my restriction isn't great? I find that I dont like eating out very much because of the unknown, the timing, eating slower and less than everyone else- I don't avoid it but it used to be my favorite thing. Now I love to cook with fresh ingredients and plan what I am eating for each meal - that is a major change for me.

I knew about the lap band before last year but I had no idea I was going to decide to do it until may 2007 when I went to my primary care physician, after that I did mad research and decided to do it within 6 weeks. My consultation and surgery were scheduled within 3 weeks of each other - so a little over 2 1/2 months between first thinking about it seriously, doing the research and doing it. No regrets.

fashion show sounds like fun! Enjoy!

I took prilosec every day for years but have not had to take it once in 4 months since my surgery.

I am 5'6'' and weight 210 as of this morning and can just fit into a pair of size 16 pants but can wear an L on the top and a 14/16 in dress sizes depending on the cut. I have large hips and breasts but am narrow on the top. Hope this helps!

goes in spurts for some odd reason. Very mysterious to me. I always get upset when the scale stalls for a week even if I had a big loss the week before - I haven't learned yet! Be assured if you are doing things right it will pick up again.

YAy! 210 this morning - don't think that i will make it by new years though but you never know - I could get very close. Purplegirl we have the same band date and very very close stats!

Wheetsin - that is a great list - thanks. I have to say - it is all very mysterious to me! :eek:

I want to come to Barney's - can I come too?!

Ugh - having a slow week and considering another fill....

It does feel so good... except now I am realizing that even my "skinny" clothing is getting loose. Ah ... such problems!

ugs 211 now - need to make 12 more to make it but new years! or 11.25!

All three times I have had a fill it loosens up in a few days or one week. CAn you drink anything? My surgeon told me to stay on liquids a few days longer than he usually recommends to let the swelling go down.

This is a fun one. I rushed home from work today and had some errands to run and quickly changed out of my suit into some brown cords. While I am running my errands I was like wow... these are so baggy on me and also seem like they are bootcut? Well, it turns out that I had some plus sized brown cords that were elastic waist and too tight last winter (I thought I was putting these on) and I had some bootcut gap regular sized non-elastic waisted cords which were also brown but I had forgotten about.. when I got home I realized that I had put the much, much smaller ones on and they were baggy on me!

Julie - i can't believe you are already running again! So great. Sooooo cold though in NY for that though today.

Could ketosis give your tongue a coating? I have had a nasty coated tongue since banding that isn't thrush.

I can very clearly see my port and it is not the scar tissue. Actually when I am standing up I can see it even better. I was not expecting that but I don't mind. My surgeon is going to move it if I want when I have lost more weight.

Thanks for taking the time to read you post. I should probably wait it out. I lost 6 lbs the first week after the fill and then about 2lbs the second week, this week I think I haven't lost any. I guess what is the damage in waiting until after the holidays anyway right?