Parvathi

Congrats, Nickie. If you're anything like me, getting there the first week and a bit will be tough, but after that, it becomes habit. Now I feel horrible when I miss it. I enjoy exercising for the first time in my life and it makes my mood for the day good Good luck with it all and know that if ya need a kick to get back on track, that's what we're here for LOL.

When I get a good fill, I usually experience that for a few days until it 'settles in'. That said, its always such a fine line between good restriction and overfilled, that for me, its hard to tell the difference unless I get reflux (for me that's a sure sign I'm too tight). Last time I was overfilled, a mere 0.1ml taken out was enough to have me comforable again. Hope you're feeling better soon

Nykee, that's a fantastic NSV!! You must be so proud Keep up the great work!

Well done, Keri!! And everyone!! It was heaps of fun

Andy hunny, how long did it take you to put on the extra kilos? I'd hazard to guess quite a while (if you're anything like me). They're not going to come off over night, but once you reach a good restriction level, they're gonna fall off. I'm lucky, in that my doctor is very understanding and lenient with regards to fills. He realizes that without the proper restriction, the band isn't going to work for me. So I had my first fill at 5 weeks. Then he let me come back once a week until we hit that sweet spot. Now we still have appointments every two weeks, just to keep up with progress. Talk to your doctor, tell him/her how you feel. See if you can get your appointments closer together - its really been a lifesaver for me. I love my doctor and I couldn't do it without the sheer understanding he provides. But you've also got to be patient. I'm not a patient person so that sucks lol ..but you'll get there. May not be as quick as bypass patients, but quick enough for it to be healthy. Fingers crossed for your first fill

Are you on clear liquids or basically anything you can sip through a straw? If its the second one, try something like potato and leek soup with a bit of extra water added, pureed. Or some minestrone pureed. I know it doesn't sound appetizing, but both of those are really filling. I lived on them during my liquid stage post op. The post op diet, especially this early out, is designed so that your band and port have time to settle into place. It sucks, but it's needed so that you don't cause harm. Only two more days left - you can do this! And when all else fails, go for a walk so there's no food around lol. Keep busy and the next two days will fly by. Enjoy that egg on Monday

NSV means "non scale victory". So like, being able to wear a small size of pants; sleeping without a cpap; not needing a seat belt extender any longer; etc. Any changes you notice that make you feel better really

Well, I've lost fast enough to ensure that I'm not allowed entry into the slow loser club lol, but that doesn't mean I'm completely satisfied with the speed of my weight loss. Are any of us? lol ..its definitely slowed in the past few months anyway. In any event, I love the idea of keeping a NSV post, just to remind myself of what I've accomplished to date, so here goes. Hope this isn't stepping on any toes :/ I've went from a tight size 22 to a tight size 16. I put clothes on lay by, in sizes too small to fit me and when I pick them up 3 months later, they fit or are too big! heh (I used to buy stuff I liked that was too small, promising myself I'd get into it soon and it never happened) When flying, I had a good 6 - 8 inches left on the end of the seatbelt, in economy. I can keep up with my 7 year old - even out walk her on some days. I'm fitter than I've ever been. I can walk up a flight of stairs without feeling like I'm going to pass out. My sleep apnea is completely gone!!! My cholesterol is perfect. My blood pressure is perfect, perhaps even a little low. I weeded my garden for 4 hours straight, with no knee or back pain (or laziness kicking in). I can walk into a regular clothing shop and fit into the largest size they have (16, although its still tight)!!! I can walk with my head held high, down the street and I don't hear voices in my head, making me think people are talking about me. For the first time in my life, I weigh less than my husband. I've always been at least 5kgs heavier than him. Now I'm 27kgs lighter than him!! My wedding dress is too big for me. My wedding ring is too big for me. My daughter constantly tells me how great I'm looking now and how proud of me she is. My mom brags to her friends and family about my weight loss (something she would have never done in the past). My self confidence is at an all time high. And last but not least .. I now have more good days, than bad days The past three days, its been warm so I've worn my comfy long flowing summer skirts. My thighs didn't rub together and chafe!!! They didn't even tough a lil bit. This is a first, for my entire life!!! Gonna go stock up on more of these lil beauties lol.

Sorry to see you go, Kim. Best of luck to you and your partner. Hope everything works out there. Good luck on your band journey as well. You know where we are if you need to talk or anything...

For me, a typical Mon-Fri day includes:- Breakfast - fruit smoothie with skinny milk and protein powder Lunch - 1/2 can tuna salad on two crackers with a bit of cheese Snack (if I'm hungry) - a handful of nuts Dinner - Some sort of meat (grilled chicken strip or two) and salad or veggies, usually. Last night I skipped the veggies (bad Jess!!) and just had some lamb curry - about 3/4 a cup of it probably Then if I feel like dessert, I'll have a snack size thing of m&m's or a bit of dessert yougart. You've just had your first fill though. Its still really early in the game. You're bound to be eating a bit more than someone who's at a good restriction level.

Congrats Spydr Reckon ya spent too much time worrying before hand? LOL Glad things went so smooth for ya!

Wow, Kim!! Simply stunning! hair, dress, makeup .. everything was perfect! Edited to add: and what a wonderful surprise from your hubby. He sounds like a real catch

Its normal to be nervous. I acted like my 7yo daughter before hand. Waiting for them to roll me into the OR, I was so close to sneaking out of there lol. You'll do fine though. It really is a piece of cake. *hugs*

YaYYY - Welcome Home, fee. And welcome to the land of the banded Your body is still healing, so you're gonna have pain in weird places lol (or atleast I did), but if it bugs ya too much, just call and check in with the doc. Just remember to sip sip sip and take care of yourself.

I don't have a sweet tooth, but when I do feel like chocolate (or whatever the sweet culprit may be .. mmmm cheesecake!!), I definitely indulge. Instead of a whole piece of cake or whatever, I now have a few bites and that's more than enough. The band is a tool - you still have to put in a good bit of work and learn to say "that's enough for me" occasionally. But its well worth it.

A new one Today, for the first time in 8 years (since before my daughter was born), I'm wearing shorts. And they look good lol. Still need to work on my thighs hehe, but that's okay - I've got a lifetime

With all those NSV's you have under your belt, you don't need to weigh! You're such the model bandster though, it does sicken me that it doesn't speed up. Maybe you'll be like MuffinBirdie though and when it kicks in - look out!! You've offered so much inspiration to so many people on here (myself included). Heaps of good karma bound to be coming your way soon...

with or without clothes? With or without shoes? Just wondering what the norm is around here lol.

Will be thinking of you on the 28th. I can't imagine what you're going through (although, in all honesty, I have had nightmares of it happening). Take care of yourself and let us know how you go, please...

Someone posted the link to her site a couple of months back and on a Sunday afternoon, I sat there alone for 3 hours reading. Since then I've checked back atleast once a week. Life can be so cruel at times. I think we can all empathize with her, as we've all been where she was in the beginning - making a decision to change our lives for the better, to have a longer life with our family, etc. I count my blessings that I have been one of the lucky ones. My prayers go out to her family and that lil boy...

Congratulations Just make sure you take it easy at work and get lots of rest. Sounds like you're doing great though!

Welcome valhallagirl and hedwig! Good luck to you both in January Just yell out if you have any questions and I'm sure someone around here will have an answer or two.

Well done, Ray!!! You're fit as a fiddle My stomach gurgles/sings constantly. More so when I'm too tight as well. It can be soooooo embarassing in a quiet office lol.

Thanks guys! It just freaked me out yesterday and had me worrying that perhaps I've had a slip. I'll see how I go at lunch today. Ray, they were Nacho Supreme ones, but shaped like lil Christmas trees lol - I was feeling festive. After sitting down with the bag, when I finally said, Okay enough! I filled the bag up with Water and tossed em lol. I knew if I just threw them away in the bag, I'd dig it back out later (like Miranda on Sex and the City with her chocolate cake hehe). I'm just so not used to not feeling restricted. Fingers crossed, today will be heaps better. Oh .. and I've just talked to Jaz .. she's safe and sound in LA and having heaps of fun already. My lil 7 yr old globe trotter lol.

Here on the boards, I've read about the depression quite a few times. For myself however, other than the initial "OMG what have I done?!?" when I was in the recovery room, everything went smoothly in the mental end. That said, I did struggle later down the track with not having comfort food anymore. Alot of people tend to mourn the loss of their friend food. Having this board has helped me immensely in that department.