chocolate_snaps

I guess as the OP I should give our little NSV thread some CPR! CLEAR!!! My latest NSV has come about because I work in NYC. I live here too but I used to drive everywhere...ANYWHO. I now take the train to work...the subway. If you've ever been on the NYC train system you know how close everything is. People sit next to me now when they never could before. When I was +300lbs I took up 2 seats and no matter how I sucked it in or held my arms nobody could fit next to me. Now I am just your everyday commuter sandwiched in like a sardine!!! The New Yorker in me hates that, but the Bandster LOVES IT!!! Oh yeah! I now wear a size 14 top and am moving to a 16 bottom!! I can shop in regular stores!!!! Skinny girls ask me where I shop. The always have but now it somehow means more. Come on twenty-somethings lets help each other not get apathetic with our weight loss! CLEAR!!!

Okay, its getting close to halloween everyone. What did you choose? On Friday for family friendly trick or treating on the Upper West Side I will be a Wall Street Exec. teh he hehehe! On Saturday I will be Mistress Yoanna Spankin...again. This year Minus 100+ pounds!!!! I will post before and after pics!

OMG! You look amazing! Who is your surgeon? Now that Im 2/3rds of the way to goal Im getting serious about find a PS. And yours obviously does great work. The scar line is so even and steady (a big factor for me).

I had a very unsupportive PCP. What I did to get him to do my bidding i.e. write my surgical referral and support letter was to bring him a packet of lap band research and a list of participating surgeons in the city. I proved to him that not only was I serious about having surgery but that I did the research and knew the risks. He was nonplussed to say the least. But you bet I walked out of there with my referral and when the time came for my support letter I was on his ass like a deer tick. I didnt ask him what I should do I told him what I was gonna do. Remove the option of telling you no. Moral of the story...he/she works for you and can only stand in your way if you allow them to. He/she is recommending the diet and exercise exclusively, let him/her know that you will most likely have to do a 6month diet and weight in before you can have surgery anyway. So you will indeed do the diet and exercise, while you move forward with the banding process.

I guess I really started today. I worked out on the elliptical for 45mins today.

Consider me the choir! I am a cookie addict. I have never only had one cookie even now. It has been my biggest demon.

Im in! I need baby steps right now, but 30 mins a day is so doable for me.

Welcome baby bandster!

Just remember he or she works for you. AND you're paying for her/him to kick your ass. I love working with a trainer, they are far more creative with workouts than I could be on my own.

It is a little bitter sweet at first, then when you slip on something you never thought you'd ever wear that all goes away. I mourned my old "fabulous fatgirl" wardrobe just until I realized how easy it is to shop now. The best part is, I havent shopped at LB for a year! BTW: I sold all of my old ensembles on Craigslist. Good luck to all of you Sept bandsters!

I am really interested to know also. It hasnt been explained to me how, without being under fluoroscope, you can tell that the pouch is stretched. I really would like to know. So if anyone has the answer, dont sit on it.

This isn't going to be a huge retrospective on the first year of the rest of my life. I am 100lbs lighter and I love it. Such is the nature of a tragic perfectionist, that I am focused on my goal. What that means is that this bandiversary I am recommitting myself to achieving my goal of 178lbs. I took this week to begin-again so to speak. I took many steps to gauge where I am in my journey. Here are some: I saw my nutritionist to remind myself of what and how I should eat. I attended my Dr's WLS orientation to remind myself of how it felt to be hopeful about never being fat again. I had a complete physical in order to see where I am medically and nutritionally. I refocused my brain on being thin. I talked with the only experienced bandster I know in real life to discuss her eating habits, her plastic surgery and how she got her insurance to pay for a full Tummy Tuck. It has been a full week of refocusing on ME and my weight-loss journey. I have had more than a happy bandiversary, I had an honest appraisal of how far I have come and the kick start to where I am going to be. This has been the best year of my life because I finally feel alive. Happy Bandiversary!

Ask for Bactrum. It works on MRSA. You CANNOT treat this over the counter. It can kill you. One of my closest friends was hospitalized for a week because of it. Dont handle children when you have a boil. You cant wash your hands enough.

I think hair loss occurs on an individual basis. I didnt lose any hair. BUT my hair was brittle for months after surgery. On the natural hair note...Ive been natural for 11years, my whole adult life. And what I have learned in that time is that you have to try different products. LOTS AND LOTS. Right now I swear by Aussie Moist for conditioner washes, Aussie 3 Minute Miracle DEEEP for detangling and deep condtioning, ABBA True Curls shampoo (organic), and ABBA Nourishing Leave in Conditioner, AND ElastaQP DPR deep conditioner. Like I said LOTS. Nappturality is a great resource. MotownGirl.com is the original natural hair care site.

Congrats Georgia Girl! You have done amazing! Stellar job from a fellow Finer Niner!

LOL! They looked at me like I was up to something. I was...so it made me laugh harder. Mine is so cute red and black. Perfect!

Whatever it is just be creative. Those party shop "sexy" costumes are cheesy and obvious. My tried and true, go to costume is a Dominatrix. When in doubt I throw on my leather corset, whip out my riding crop (Tractor supply shop LOL), and hand sew a quick tutu and VOILA...punishing dirty boys in no time. Last year I was a Homicidal Housewife. This year Im going to be a Fembot or Willie Wonka. Either way I am getting one last wear from that corset. All home made and no sew. Other sexy type options are: Obscure Super Heroines or Super Villains Murderous Playboy Bunny Bad-ass Alice from the Video Game Burlesque Dancer Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct Single Girl Scout Troop Leader An American Apparel Model Be creative.

My favorites are Des'ree Kissing You. Its from the Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack. She sings it when they meet...*SWOON* And Lets get Married by Jagged Edge. The original is slow and the remix is all about the party.

I dont know but I cant wait for that text message!

You said it!

Just dont get the soy protein from Trader Joe's. LIQUID THROW-UP! I still cringe at the thought.

My major problem with the other WLS postings is that it will make the "New Post" search tool less targeted towards bandsters. Sure it is more of an annoyance than a full blown problem but, it is the primary way I navigate the site. I am sure that I'm not the only one who does it that way. If you could fix that it would be stellar.

I wish their was a secret but there isn't. I eat less and move more. I haven't had the stability to take up a specific sport or activity so I just hit the gym. I usually do 45mins on the elliptical. But there where some things that gave me an edge like I don't eat red meat, I hardly ever eat fried food, and I actually LOVE veggies esp raw broccoli and spinach. I NEVER diet. Diets imply that they are temporary and thusly set you up for failure, its a lifestyle change. Now if only I could stay away from Cookies.:wink2: