Kim_8

15K self pay with BenAvides including 1 year of follow ups/fills. I was banded on 1/12/06. He seems to be a very nice guy and has a very good reputation. He's done more bandings than anyone in the area and trains others to do the surgery. Do a search for benAvides on the site and you'll find others who he has done the surgery for.

Hey - Congrats! I haven't seen a size 12 since birth! You should be VERY proud of yourself!

Welcome Steven - Good choice! Keep us posted!

I had surgery on Thursday and went back to work on Monday - I could have used one more day - but not really too bad overall.

Hey Janet - Just saw this post. I'm in Keller, too and was banded on 1/12. Let me know how you're doing. PM me anytime. Kim

out same day - in at 9:30, out at 2:30.

Penni - Fingers, toes, eyes, legs, etc. crossed! Good luck - I know you really want to do this and hope that you get selected! No matter what happens - I'm impressed that you are trying! That's a huge undertaking to consider - really exciting though. Kim

Mary - I'm so proud of you for doing the surgery - it's been a long trip for you so far - but geez, 50 lbs down has got to have made a big difference for you! Keep it going - and stay in touch! Things will only get better from here! You take care of yourself! Kim

Here's me and husband, Steve

Here are pictures of my girls - Sam & Chelsea

Ah Doc - I just saw this! Sorry - I would have chimed in sooner! How are you doing today - any better???? You know I have two teenagers who snack all the time - I find it hard as well. I got some pudding cups (sugar free, fat free - on my "approved list") and I just take one of those out when I can't stand it anymore - it takes care of the "head hunger" for me and makes me feel like I'm not as deprived. This has been quite an emotional deal though. I found myself almost in tears driving home from work the other day and didn't know quite why. This is a huge adjustment and it's gonna take some time to get used to. You're doing great though - look at all that weight lost! Hang in there kiddo and if you need anything, let me know! Take Care.... Kim

Hi Julie - Congratulations on surgery! 9 lbs already - WOW! Take it easy this first little while - I am a little over a week out and just now getting used to the fact that I really did this and I think I'll be ok with it. It's been touch and go up to now. Good luck with your journey! BTW, what part of town are you in? I'm in Keller. HKHarms - Best wishes on your surgery - it's just around the corner! The main problem I had was really horrid gas pains - they're easing up some now. Also, I really feel the port and have a bit of pain in that area. It feels a little foreign to me, but I hear you'll get used to it. I've had a hard time getting my calories up since surgery (I think due to swelling). Drink your Protein shakes and try and keep your energy up! Kim

Hi - Yes I'm from DFW area - Keller to be exact. I didn't use Barker, I used Benevides in Richardson. Congratulations on your surgery and weight loss so far! Good luck on your fill... you'll have to let me know how it goes! PM me any time... Kim

Ah, Plano I see! I'm in Keller so what about an hour drive to go stand in front of a crowd in my bathing suit? Sounds well worth the drive! LOL Just kidding you. I work in Coppell so it's heading at least some bit closer that way... my grandparents just moved from Plano - they were near Parker and Preston. They actually have a center about 1 mile up the road from me where they do water aerobics. I just have to gut it up and do it :-) My aunt tried it and has been hooked - she goes 5 nights a week I think.

Leatha_G - Super Good Job! I know that's a HUGE NSV. I've been thinking about doing that for 2 years now and haven't drummed up enough courage to put on that bathing suit and go exercise in front of other people! Great job! Congrats.... Kim

No whining! I would rather be poked with needles in the eyes and have my fingernails pulled out one by one than have to wear a bathing suit in front of people at work! UGH. And is it just like 1 or 2 people? Heck no - it's about 700 or so :omg: . I leave on the 2nd and return on the 8th. You think anyone would notice if I wore nothing but jeans to the beach? Although I gotta tell ya - I look pretty darn cute in my black bathing suit with the big ole skirt - LOL. :eek: Margaritas will make it all ok :-). Kidding! Melissa - think anyone would think it was wierd if I wore jeans in the ocean and drank margaritas out of a shotglass? LOL Kidding - it's an idea!

Hey MouseCrazy - I'll give it a go. I just downed some Maalox to see if that would help. Off to the shower in a few minutes. Hey - I see you live semi-close to me - well at least in the Metroplex! I'm off 35 too but about 30 miles south of you in Keller. You're doing great on your weightloss so far!! Have you gotten used to your band yet? I feel like oh my gawd - what the heck have I done sometimes ---- but you know, then I stand on the scale and forget I even thought that! Stay in touch - if you need anything, I'm not that far down the road...........

Thanks for the responses - guess it's good that it's gas. Not so good that you guys still get it and were banded 12/7 and 11/04. I really don't like that pain - Eveyone at work is starting to immitate me and walk around with their fingers stuffed in that little hole above your collarbone.... :-) Thanks for letting me know i'm not dying... LOL. Hey BigG - Welcome to the board! Kim

Hi - banded a week ago and have been experiencing a really, really sharp pain behind my collarbone. If I press my fingers just above my collarbone it seems to help it some, but it's getting so bad today I could cry. Is this normal? :faint:

Hey Sus- Spit/Chew Method is good... although you'll REALLY want to swallow! LOL on the boob - you're right - it is :-). Hey - me too on the swelling! Life is good... I'm feeling sooooo much better. Only a week and a half to go for you! I'm jealous! I have to go to Cancun for work and I'm going to have to bring along a freakin blender! Better yet, I'll just stick to Margaritas.

4 sizes and a job and a trip scoped out to Italy. Life is good. A 16 has got to be just thrilling for you! Congratulations - keep up the good work! Gotta say I love the attitude! Kim

Ok, even if I was down to 110 lbs - No way in hell I'm putting mine up there! I have a sad feeling I'll be tucking stomach in my pockets... but you know - that's ok - if I'm 110 lbs who cares where I have to hide my stomach skin! The swelling right now is nice - it's keeping it nice and un-wrinkled and it's hardly hanging at all! I could actually pass for pregnant... if anyone asks I'll kill em though :-). Hey - yours doesn't look so bad at all! I would never have guessed you were fat once! You've done a great job on weight loss! But hey - a little nip here and tuck there is cool if it will make you feel better! You really do look good though. 7.5 is way too rough.

1. stand on the scale :-) 2. watch tv (Lost, House - good shows during the week) 3. read a book - preferably not a cookbook 4. talk on the phone - preferably not to pizza Hut :-) 5. start repainting a room in your house.... then another, then another :-) (I'm big on this one) 6. take a walk - this one really does work if you can make yourself go for the walk. Sorry - I'm being somewhat silly - I quit smoking and eating and am trying to find anything to do besides smoke right now. These have good for me so far. Good Luck!

Hey Bandayed- I'll try to start "listening" to what my band is trying to tell me. So far all I hear is don't drink or eat! :-) At any rate - you must have been absolutely right.... I can now drink my soup and it doesn't hurt! I guess the swelling has gone down enough to let liquids through more easily. I'm feeling mucho better. Even made it to 777 calories today (a first). I was feeling drained of energy from not being able to eat and scared that would last forever. It's mucho better now! Thanks for the feedback. Kim

Sherry, Congrats! I was just checking back in on you to make sure you did ok. You are way lucky with the no gas thing - if you don't have that, I think you'll find it to be a walk in the park..... sore, but nothing you won't be able to handle! No marathons - I agree! Be good on your food this week. I found that I was so swollen that even liquids were going down really slowly and causing me a little pain. I just got better tonight and tomorrow will be 1 week since surgery. Just know that if you experience the same thing I did that it WILL eventually go away when the swelling goes down. I thought I was going to be like that forever and was stating to get worried :-). We'll see if the fill puts me back to square 1, but for now I'm good. Best wishes to you and keep us posted on how you're doing. Kim