AmberLam

Great thread Nicole K!!! Congrats EVERYONE on your NSV's!!! Mine are: I can finally cross my legs for the first time EVER I had to get spacers for all of my rings I too can shop at the "regular" stores.. although I dont feel comfortable there yet My shoes are no longer Wide Width and I went down 2.5 sizes I actually get compliments on how good I look... and not the "Oh, you have such a pretty face" BS line A "regular" towel fits all the way around me!! > Amber

I started at a BMI of 58 (good lord!!) and as of today my BMI is a 38!! I am finally just "obese"... ahahha It's fun to watch it go down Keep up the GREAT work everyone!!!! We are all lookin FAB-U-LESS!!!

Mee tooooo

Not bragging cause I still have a lonnnnggggg way to go, but there is a slideshow link in my signature. Good luck on your surgery Cathy!!!!

How did everyone decide where they want to be? When I met with Dr. Miranda, I asked her about where I should set my goal. She could only offer what a "healthy" weight would be based on my height. OK, personal preference.. I get it. Recently I've had people ask me where I'm going to stop loosing and start maintaining... but I don't know. I've always been a big girl, so I'm not sure where I'll be happy. For short term I've decided that: 1) I want to weigh less than my husband. 180.. 32 pounds to go 2) Be less than what my drivers license says. 180... 32 to go (I've NEVER changed this, so 180 when I was 16..YIKES!!!) 3) I want to loose 100 pounds by my 1 year bandiversary. 195... 17 to go by 8/20/08 4) I want to be less "Fluffy" (especially in my gut/spare tire area) That's all I've got. So what made you (or how did you) choose your ending goal weight?

ok my dear... I will be expecting a post/pm from you detailing how it went!!! My ex sounds similar.. I think he was a feeder. Add that to my laziness... and before you know it your 318 pounds!! I know he never force fed me, I take full responsibility for that.. but he always wanted to go out for food. He was SOOOOOO picky, it was just easier than trying to make something he would like. I realize now that he did this so that I would gain weight... thus I'm unattractive to (most) men, therefore I wouldn't leave him. He had such low self esteem. (as did I, obviously cause I stayed with him for so long... and was going to marry him! ugh) His brother and father ultimately convinced him to call it off. I could kiss them now!!!! hahaha We have a mutual friend and I hear that new girlfriend is an ex Seagal (Seattle Seahawks cheerleader). I'm sure that bro and pappy just LOVE her... she too makes his life miserable.. Sounds like she's is a violent little lassy! I bought my Christmas party dress today. It's too small right now of course.... But I'm gonna ROCK IT in December!!!!

Hanna!!! I would really like to meet/visit with everyone!! I dont need a fill, so whenever!! I'm in!! Amber

LOL I know what you mean.. I still have lots to loose in my bully/gut/spare tire area. But, at least he noticed!!!! Kittycat- LUCKY!!! There was NOTHING skinny on/about my body before

Hey Miss Kitty! Just a word of caution about the shoe and jewerly shopping... I had to buy new shoes about a month ago cause my feet lost weight. I went from a 9.5 Wide Width to a 7. My rings, I had to get spacers for all 5 of them. But I had ALOT of weight to loose since I was a BIG, big girl to begin with. Maybe earrings, necklaces... OHHHH!!!! Purse!!! HAVE FUN!!

Thanks everyone for your encouragement! I'm very sorry it has taken me so long to respond. Here's the details... It was very brief, maybe 5 minutes????? I was heading into Wal-Mart and he was coming out. I saw him and smiled (I've been waiting two and a half years for this), he saw me and had to do a double take. His face said it all. He was shocked. I asked how he was doing and he said fine then asked how I was. I very enthusiastically said that I was great. I then dominated the conversation by telling him Thank you (he was again shocked) I explained that what he did to/for me was the best experience that I could have gone through. I am a different, happily married woman now... I also said that he was right to call off the wedding bc in reflection we couldn't have ever worked out, too many family differences. He didn't have much to say, but added that I 'looked' like I was doing very well... I agreed! Told him to take care then went on about my business!! I felt amazing. I finally got my closure... got to say my peace. All while looking/feeling AMAZING in my new body!!!!

Thanks Maytee!!! I still have a long way to go.. But I'm glad I can now actually see the results myself. It took me 9 months!! Thanks EVERYONE for the great info!!! I stopped at Wal-Mart today but forgot to grab any of the Biotin! It's on the list for next time

Cost of Lap Band weight loss surgery: $8,000 Round trip air fare to San Diego to have Lap Band surgery: $500 Monthly follow-up visits for my local Fill Center USA doctor: $85 Seeing the look on my EX-fiance's (the one who dumped me 5 days before the wedding, when I was at my highest weight and after being together over 6 years!) face after loosing 105+ pounds........ What was your 'priceless' moment????

Momonamission- What is Biotin? Is it a shampoo sort of product or oral supplement? Thanks! Amber

Congratulations!!!!!! Told ya it was a breeze > >

The gent in Auburn is Dr. Fox. This is who I see now as it is alot closer for me than Arlington or Olympia. The initial appointment charge was $349 (I went in January) and if you have a fill I think (dont quote me!) it's $125. Just a office visit is $85. He will only do fills on FC USA peeps on Thursdays. Just to warn everyone... He's a crazy old Kook! Ok, so he's not that bad.. but he likes to joke around ALOT. I didnt know this going in and was like WTF!?!?!? I've had 2 fills from him and it does take him a long time to find my port. At least 3 pokes each time. I guess my port is a bit caddywompuss cause it doesnt take him 3 pokes with my mom. Lisa- I dont know why... My swollen stomach never when back to "normal" after I was banded until I got the fill. I wonder what if I wouldnt have had the fill... maybe I would have never needed one??? Oh well, too late now!!! Amber

I have used Dr. Neal in the past. I had my first there 10/4/07. They gave me 1.0cc's and I knew right away that it wasnt enough. I had better restriction pre-fill!!! So, I called the office within a few days and they got me in on 10/31/07 for an adjustment. I got an additional 1.0cc's and it was at the reduced price!!! You dont actually see Dr.Neal, just the techs doing your fill but everyone is very nice and professional I dont know the current prices as it was last year since I was there. I've since started using another doctor that is closer to me. Hope this helps! Amber

I'm jealous!!!! Mine got smaller... but defiantly NOT perkier!!! I've got pancakes now!!! I've been practicing the "roll and stuff" hahahha Lots of augmentation to come

Before I lost any significant pounds I lost inches. The chest area was the fist place that I noticed any changes to my body. I wasn't too sad cause I had allot there to work with and I kinda expected this was going to be the first place that might shrink. Beyond that it was my arms and I was astonished when I could feel my elbows. Who knew there was ACTUALLY bone under there!!! hahaha My skinny friends couldn't wrap there heads around what I was saying... whatever I'm curious where was the first place you noticed changes were happening to your body?

FYI For those in Washington State, (or maybe elsewhere????) These shakes are back at the Costco in Puyallup!!! I dont know how many per case & how much cause my mom was there, called me and I had her pick them up.

Thank you MamaMichelle. This is me to a "T" Now i've got MORE work to do > I wonder how many others on this forum it describes?

Thanks everyone for the great support! BeBe- Yes, thats my husband. He's half English/Scottish and has the sexy English accent.. YUMMMMMM! Paula Bee- Yes, MORE PICTURES!!! I dont post very often, but do lurk at least once a day and I LOVE seeing pictures!! MM- Thanks! I'm a Halloween nut! All of my friends and I dress up and have a contest... I should find the pics of when I won. Oompa Loompa.. It was priceless Sorry that most the pics I seem to be partying... That's the only time my camera comes out Amber

Hope the link works... I'm not very good with this stuff http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r18/Amb...nt=d6514756.pbr

Thank you BeBe!!! You look awesome and are a inspiration! In fact, your willingness to post very personal pictures of yourself has finally inspired me to create a sort of time line.. I was not smart like you and MamaMichelle to take pics in the same outfit on a monthly basis so all I have is just mish-mosh of pictures. I am off to post my thread. Thanks again! Amber

Hi Mikey!!! I remember you, we talked for a minute on here before our surgerys. ( I was 8-20-07 ) Great post and all the things you talked about are very important for us to remember. THANKS! Keep your chin and spirits up, Amber

I changed out of the paper panties as soon as I was back in my room and able to get out of bed. I hated them!!! Felt like I was wearing NOTHING... and all my goodies were hangin out (even though they really werent)