Tricia K.

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.

How about saying that you have cysts on your ovaries that need to be removed? Most likely, the men won't ask anymore questions and the women will sympathize with you.

My husband told me the same thing. I found this thread by using the search function only to find out that, yes, this is common. So, I now carry breath mints and gum with me where ever I go. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=10256&highlight=help+bad+breath

I was banded on 9/16/05 and, other than a minor incision infection, I've had no complications.

As far as it stands right now, I plan to keep the band on for the rest of my life.

My 1st fill did nothing for me either. I was good for about a week and a half after my 2nd fill but then got another one after 3 weeks. My restriction is very good now. I'm currently at 2.2cc in a 4cc band.

I voted that I'm 100% satisfied with my band and my surgeon but the following also applies to me. If you had your Band removed, would you want a new one if possible? A resounding YES!!

Pre-surgery BMI/Weight/Height: 44.2/274/5'6" Current BMI/Weight: 38.7/240 34 lbs. lost divided by 14 weeks = 2.4 lbs. lost per week

Not every surgeon requires a sleep study of his/her patients. After answering a series of questions, my surgeon determined that I did not have sleep apnea and, therefore, didn't need one. I'm sorry to hear that your insurance company has denied the study. Did they give you a specific reason? If not, maybe you should call and ask for one and then inquire about what you should/can do to receive approval for the study. Otherwise, your only other option is to pay for it out-of-pocket. Good luck.

I can only say from my own experience that drinking right up to eating a meal is not good. I experienced my 2nd PB after doing this. It was extremely painful and lasted longer than the other 3 that I've experienced. Personally, I wait a 1/2 hour before eating and at least an hour after before drinking anything. Therefore, none of the above poll options refer to me.