ousooner

It mean "Non-Scale Victory" For example, if you can fit into a smaller size clothing, that would be a NVS, Something good that happens without looking at the scales.

Thanks. Not trying to hijack your success, just thought it was ironic we were banded at almost the same time and hit a milestone at the same time. Don't know about you, but I know I am so close to goal, but I look in the mirror and don't feel so close. I need to re-evaluate my self image I guess

That is great. We hit that mark at the same time. I weighed this morning bringing my BMI to 29.9 and no longer obese. Sounds like we are right on track with each other Great job!

Hi Sharon, Love NSU! Went there after high school for several years. Wish I had graduated there. I hear they are no longer the Redmen because of the PC police? Is that right?

Hi fellow Dr Cribbens patient. Glad to see your doing well! :clap2:

Where did you obtain that video of me?

Marci - Great job. The ladies of May Rock!

Sooners is their name. They are the OU Sooners. Like Dallas Cowboys.

Hi Becky, I am Neal. I chose ousooner because I am a huge fan of Oklahoma University athletics.

Just to add, there is a link on my homepage that you can watch a surgery being performed and they stich the band in place as well. Warning though, not for the squeemish See the link below.

All I know is that my life expectancy would have been far less that 67 if I had continued down the unhealthy, MO life I was leading. I honestly don't think the band has been around long enough (even the ones done around the world before they were approved in the US) to determine what the life expectancy is. I think it was mentioned earlier that life expectancy may be lower due to damage we have done to ourselves by being overweight in the first place. Too many factors IMHO.

Alicia - looking great! You are much smaller, but your smile is much bigger! Proud of ya! Another May banding success!

I have heard good things about Barix Clinics in general down here in Texas, but thats about it.

I feel comfortable with my doctor using floro. I sure it is fine without, but it puts me at ease. If I lift my head a little, I watch the screen while its being done, kinda cool to watch.

Linda - that is awsome, Way to go!

That is awsome. Nice to hear isn't it?

Thank you for clearing that up :clap2: . It had me worried. Hang in there.

That's what I was thinking. Odd way to break a plateau. Not to mention dangerous!

Confession is good for the soul - or so I have been told :speechles

Great question Alicia. I innitially went by my doctor's goal for me at 226. I guess that is based on average weight loss by lap-band patients. Then i thought to myself that I wanted to see the scales hit the one-hundreds, so I made my personal goal at 190. Then I lost so quickly that I lowered my goal to 170. My ideal weight is like 165 and I figure I have at least 10 pounds of extra saggy skin that I won't be able to lose without surgery. Thats how I came up with my goal.

Wow, I am shocked. I thought just like Wheetsin.

I think vanity plays a part. I did it for what I call "quality of life". Part of that being health. I was borderline diabetic and had high blood pressure. The doctor wanted to put me on meds for both. The other part of the quality of life thing for me was to not be seen as the jolly fat guy, or to be able to go to a sporting event and not worry if I would fit in the seat, or go to a concert and buy a concert T-Shirt like everyone else, or go to a reseraunt and not have to wait extra for a table because I couldn't fit in a booth, etc. I don't know if I consider that to be vanity or just being able to be "normal".

Welcome. I had surgery 5 weeks to the day after I had my innitial consultation. It went very smoot. But I read all the time about struggles with the insurance companies. Hope yours goes as smooth as mine. I am glad to see you are doing your research. The band, as well as RNY and the others types of WLS, are just tools. My biggest advise to anyone starting this journey would be to make sure you are willing to make the commitment to make this work. It most definately can. The band helps us with portions, but we still have to make good food choices. Studie sshow that after 5 years, Lap-band patients and RNY patients have vertually the same success rate. Lap band usually takes longer to make goal (though I have lost mine quickly, it isn't the norm). If you have any further questions, there are so many good people here that have invaluable advise and knowledge. Feel free to ask around.

What a great success! I hope my one year bandiversary finds as much success.

I have heard this quite often. I am not down on the length, but all my wide shoes are too loose. Come to find out I didin't have wide feet, I had fat feet! Imagine that