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Just popping in to say HI. I'm having my morning latte, which lasts me through lunch. I'll eat tuna pack w/crackers at about 1:30 and drink some water. Dinner I'll probably have another buffalo chicken whip (thanks Kaydoll for mentioning that!). I whip it chunky and sprinkle bleu cheese on top. Holding strong at 222.5, which is bullshit. I need to put the scale away until the end of the month when I will undoubtedly bust strong into the 2-teens. Oh, NSV. I went to the drivethrough Beaners, but the line was too long so I got my can out of the car and went inside! Last year at this time I would have waited in the line, pissed because they were going so slowly! NSV2 - I am wearing a pair of Jones New York olive green, side zip, no-waist pants that I have never worn before! They have always been too tight (and were tooooo small when I bought them!). My sz 14 jacket is baggy on me, too! I am feeling kinda good today, mommas! I didn't exercise last night, so I am bound and determined to hit it hard tonight. I'm sure that's why the blasted scale isn't cooperating. Not in the mood to be at work today, I can tell you that. Not in the mood for meetings or being politically nice to people. I hate everybody. Seriously. EVERYBODY. Nat

So glad you are feeling better laurie! You sure sounded aweful before Great NSV on the little bbq! Makes me wonder if smashed up watermeelon is ok for the pureed stage?? I still have 18 days until then, but I bet the watermelon would be lovely. The docs typically soak the new stomach in Water inside the abdomen and check for bubbles that would be leaks. The next day they should at least do a barium swallow so you can see your new stomach. My doc did it for confirmation of leaks but he also wanted us to see how the new stomach worked. I'll attach a picture. The reason you should get a copy now is so that in 6 months you can get another barium test to see how your sleeve has healed and if they missed parts that are now stretching (which obviously can lead to regain). I didn't think the barium was aweful - mine was more like a strawberry and cream Protein drink. Just one big gulp. However my doc also had us do a blue dye test. which is a much thinner liquid (water) than the barium test. This allows even the smallest leaks not to go un noticed as any leak in the stomach would come out in the drain that is placed by the new sleeve. THAT stuff was disgusting. And probably TMI, but I'm still peeing blue! LOL Here is my pretty new sleeve

B-man yeah my doc when he done the fill did it under fluroscope and said the band looked fine I honestly as much as I hate to admit it I think it is my fault because I have a prob chewing my food I have gotton better and being doing fine but I think the steak meat irrated my band because not chewed well I will try to chew better I have another appt the 27th and of course I want fills but I am scared of the slip from pbing you know honestly the court day when I was throwing up it was nerves and a little left over stomach bug I will speak with the doc hopefully i will get the hang of the band like all of yall seem too I never dreamed I would be the girl who pb'd I always thought I would magically chew better when banded va thanks for the well wishes and congrats on the nsv and aren't u lovin this nice weather

Hi everyone -- I had my first NSV this morning. A small one but huge in my eyes. I was able to put a ring on my finger I haven't been able to wear in about a year. I didn't think twice about it when I grabbed it out of my jewerly box and slid it on my finger. It was about 5 minutes later when I realized what ring I had on. Whoppee!!!:clap2:. My hands have been so swollen this past year, I pretty much quit wearing rings. I hope my NSV is motivational to others. Sometimes you have to forget about the calories your taking in, the number on the scale, and look within yourself for the small victories. Anyone else have their first NSV? Melissa Lea:hippie: Spivak 06/09/06 Self pay

To answer your question Stef, I can eat 1 cup of food at the moment. I only lose because of the band. I used to eat three HUGE meals a day. Bigger than a normal fat person. I'd also have a giant muffin and a whole bar of chocolate and a muesli bar. Now I can only have three small meals a day. I haven't cut out snacking ('cept the muffin)but it doesn't matter. My overall calories must be much less and as I'm a lot bigger than some of you so my body would naturally require a lot more calories just to function. I'm not on a diet and won't go on one. It puts me in a bad head space. However, I'm starting to realise that my standards in life have been set too low (in all areas, not just food) so now I'm starting to choose things which are more nutritious because my body needs them. Although I don't count cals, I have been on diets before and I do know that a chocolate bar has the calories of two extra meals so I've cut down to the small-sized one and every other day rather than every day. I'm sure that after a while, I won't be able to eat 2000 cals (I'm guessing here) and still lose but I can now so I'm not going to worry. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Awesome NSVs everyone.:bounce: I haven't bought any new clothes yet but a colleague commented that I was 'swimming' in my current ones. She doesn't know about the band. I'm also starting to notice little things. Tonight I doled out the correct portion for dinner. I ate it and I really do need to take pea-sized bites now or I'm in trouble. I like tasting every mouthful. When I had finished, I went to get more and as I was reaching for it, I thought, "Who am I kidding? That isn't going to fit" and put it back in the fridge. Also, I was going to eat some chocolate wafer biscuit thingies and then I had the thought that they were cheap, sugary rubbish and ate two passionfruit instead. If I'm going to have junk food, I'll make it a small 70% dark chocolate with almonds or marzipan or something I love. I have been chewing and spitting less (gross I know but I do it). I now only spit out junk food and not normal food. I used to buy a takeaway meal and be angry I couldn't finish it and chew and spit it in a bowl until it was done. Now I can't be bothered and see it as a waste of money. It's as though my eating habits are slowly starting to improve. I can even recognise emotional overeating now. Today was a really stressful day at work so I'm off to the gym to see if that'll help. I think my body needs the movement. It's not good to stay still all the time. Which isn't to say all is hunky dory. Had a really tough time with PBing this week and had to go on liquids for 48 hours. My stomach was really sore but I'm OK now.

NEW NSV!!! My son walked into my bedroom but only to the door on Satarday morning around 8 a.m. I was still in the bed. He called my name and I was like "YES". He said "Momma your so skinny I didnt see a pile of you in the bed....I only saw a pile of Dad." LOL....my husbnad said geeee thanks so now I am just a pile.LOL Sandra 255h/242s/197c/165g

Mornin' all! I'm doing okay...the scale isn't moving much, but my clothes continue to get looser and today I put on a skirt I haven't worn in at least 2 years. NSV's rock!:confused:

Ooh I have an NSV I forgot about. Last night I noticed my wedding ring was getting really loose, so I went to show my husband how shaking my hand would make it fall off and well, it went flying onto a corner of the room where I have lots of paperwork stacked and baskets full of projects lol. It took me almost 20minutes of digging through stuff to find it at the very bottom of one of my baskets (that last one too, hehe) I guess I was shaking my hand a little too vigorously

I'm the opposite of you Tann. I'm exercising 5 days a week but not eating right. When I'm stressed I just turn to food. So I pop and oreo in my mouth without even thinking about it! I'm going for a fill on Friday, hoping it will help. Lapbandit, you're the best! We all know you'll get right back on track! Elisabeth...I have major cravings! I try and find the healthy alternative to what I'm craving. Hasn't been working lately though. LOL! Josette, congrats on the NSV girl! Doesn't it feel great to wear something in the "normal-sized" category?

Hi all, it's been a while since I posted on this thread. I went back a couple of pages and it look like everyone is doing great. I'm down 34 pounds since my surgery and going for fill #3 on Wednesday. The NSVs are adding up. I can actually wrap a large towel around my waste and do that tuck thing. I flew coach last week without needing a seat belt extender. I've been reading up on plastic surgery and figure I will be signing up for it by year's end.

Kristen, throw that Halloween candy in the garbage! That's what you would tell me so do it for yourself. We're supposed to get Papaya Enzyme. I got mine at Walmart and the brand name is Spring Valley and they are chewables. It's not very expensive for 180 tablets and the holistic Dr I spoke to yesterday said we can take 6 if needed. Caryn, I know that protein drinks do that to me too. Now I need to cut out the black beans in my hubby's wonderful turkey chili and no more sweet potato fries for me. I just started the probiotic and maybe between that, watching what I am eating more carefully and the Papaya Enzymes i can reduce the gas. Sorry about TMI. Last night we ordered Outback takeout with friends. I was amazed that I actually stopped and felt full after les than half of my petie filet and less 1/4 of a baked potato. I ate all my salad with their Tangy Tomato dressing and felt full so I stopped without eating even half of my dinner. A real NSV for me. I thought their dressing was low fat so I used it. NOT! That house salad was 216 calories. I should have checked it before I ate it. If I know I am going somewhere out to eat I always check to see if their menu is online. If I had, I would have taken off the croutons and used my own dressing. I really did enjoy it but looking back I should have been more careful. Since I had not eaten much yeserday I was 156 calories over my 1100 so it will probably be OK. Overeating on salad, dumb mistake. :mad3: We can do this! Blessings, GG

Well Guys and Gals. I went for my 4th fill appt on the 19th. My doctor asked if I wanted a fill and I told hime "a little". Just a little because I was feeling pretty tight before hand. He did the fill and I drank the "yuck" and watched it go down. I went home prepared to do broth two days and so forth. lunch went down ok. dinner Soup was a no go. I got choked in the middle of the night and from then til after noon the next day I could barely swallow even my own salvia. I got sick several times and was feeling bad. I have a lap band friend that I called and she insisted I call the dr and go back. I did. They took out a little more than they put in on Monday and I go back in three weeks. I still have the tight feeling. My fitness pal is showing I have lost 16 pounds and don't know why. I have lost 29. I had my NSV of going from 18W to a 16 misses and from a 2xl shirt to xl. I am so excited to start seeing a difference in my clothes. I thought Thanksgiving would be hard but I fixed my very small plate and ate slowly, and actually cut a piece of cake and nibbled a little but didn't eat much . Wasn't as good as it use to be. GG, I will be praying for you. I pray that all of us are good during Christmas and don't gain. Merry CHRISTmas to you all.

Hello August bander!! How is everyone? Its 6 months today I got my band. I have been doing well and loving the band (sometimes) It is kinda tight and I like it like that, it helps me make the right decision to eat. Old habits or you can say bad habits are hard to break. I log my food everyday on my fitness pal, I look for help and advice from friends or family when I struggle. I was never a breakfast person and now with the band I find I dont like to eat breakfast so I have a protein shake every morning. I try any and all shakes and usually stick with the isopure, 2 splenda in a blender. Lunch is usually Chobani with some protein granola in it, by lunch I have usually had my protein for the day. Dinner is always different. Meals I enjoy CHILI always is good, chicken depending on how its cooked,turkey sausage keilbasa with kraut, I love the crockpot and try to mix up meals in there. Crock cooking helps because my daughter is 3.5 and son is 17 months doesnt leave me much time to do much when I am home with them and my husbands days off rotate so im alone and not always easy and by the time I get them in bed it is almost 8:30/9pm and I'm done by then!!!! I started couch to 5k, I was religious with it but its been cold and I have weened off a lil in the following weeks. Since my husband leaves for work by 6am I have to be up and dressed to run by 5/5:15AM if I wanna get it in. I have been doing it usually 3 days per week and go to the gym once a week to get in a Zumba class. I love it and lots of fun! The weight was slowly coming off and I am happy with that. i am still not done and still a work in progress LOL I have lost 49 pounds and I started at 236, was 231 the day of surgery and now I am at 187..ugh 1 lb away from 50...SOON!!!! Once I started running the weight flies off, so anyone thinking they cannot do it, you can and its a basic simple training program that works on interval run for a minute or two then walk then run...interval training has worked wonders for me. I am so proud of all of us and we are keeping our heads high and doing it! Somedays are better than others, some things are tolerated one day and not the next. I still hate eating with people, I go out to lunch with coworkers but usually play it safe and get a chili. I skip most carbs- bread, pasta, pizza, bagels,cereal (all was a staple everyday or once a week) I have changed everything I used to eat and feel terrific. I on occasion will eat slider food and regret it but for the most part I follow the "rules" I stay focused on my goal, i am liking my willpower, determination, and my 50lb weight loss verses the guilt I would feel for going to mcdonalds and pigging out, or the clothes not fitting and me getting angry or upset with myself and saying "thats it Im going on a diet" and failing the next day. Its not always easy but the NSV's I have had these 6 months will carry me another 6. I like walking into a regular store and buying clothes at Macys, not sweating from a flight of stairs, and most of all even if the scale doesnt move I know I am not on a diet but I have changed my lifestyle for the better. Wishing eveyone the same success!!! I have an incredible support system from online bander support groups, friends, neighbors, family, books, LBT, and my husband. I am here if anyone nees any support, advice, or a kick in the arse LOL best of luck A11's keep on with your journey and dont ever quit! keep your eye on the prize!

Ha, I've actually found I have to shave more often and it takes longer since I've lost weight! But I'm not complaining. I think the changes in my hormones regulating has made my hair grow faster, and now I've got all the bumps to maneuver around again -- knee caps, ankles, etc. Another great NSV!

Ya'll I vote for a Avenger's Cruise! We'd get all kinds of cabana boys, shows, pools, beaches...it'd be awesome! I didn't mention the food - but food (ah, my weakness in life). Bea - I'm like you, big boobs, small waist and big hips. I was blessed with an hourglass (nothing like tootin' my own horn, when you got it flaunt it baby!). I'll never ever be skinny. I'd kill to have a Sophia Loren figure - or something close. I hope you enjoy your girls night out! I agree with mom - don't worry about the blowup. DH and I had a HUGE fight Monday night. He decided I couldn't go to the gym in the mornings. HE DECIDED!! Hell no. I'm not anybodys puppet. For 8 years I got the girls up, made breakfast, got ready, got them ready for the bus, double checked everything...well, it is now an inconvenience for him. They dress themselves, eat breakfast at school. All he has to do is get them up and out the door. URRGGHH I was so mad at him! He said that EVERYONE was happy when I went at night to the gym. I wouldn't get home until 8:00. I then had to cook dinner, help with homework, do some laundry, give the girls their baths, get them to bed. All of this by 9:00. NO WAY!!! Then of course I had to clean the house, dry the laundry, fold it, get my lunch ready for the next day, have sex with him and try to go to sleep. OK I'm ranting now...sorry. It seems to him I was happy with this arrangement. WTH??? I'm not superwoman! Mornings are so much better...for obvious reasons. He has since changed his mind. I haven't been that mad in a LONG time. Mom - go to Walmart and try a couple of things on to find out your size (just the tops - I wouldn't try on the bottoms, no telling what you might catch). Then go online and order you something! DH loves cut-offs and tight T-Shirts (You can tell we're southern - lol)...he likes those more than anything fancy. Of course he loves high heels too! Nurse - that's an AWESOME NSV!! You go with your sexy self!

I am just over 6 weeks out. My main protein source is still a protein drink. I personally am scared of food so good for u for trying food. But I always read if a stall increase protein and go back to basics. Try liquid only for a few days and see if that helps. I was also told that even at 6 weeks out I should be at about 600-700 calories a day. And start to measure ur self!!!! Weeks that I only loose a few pounds I see my inches change and that helps. I personally haven't dropped many pant sizes, although I'm at a total loss of 67lbs. By belly is still to big. Look for NSV too. Like can you tie your shoes better or are you walking better. Little things that don't always show on the scale. Good luck to you!!!

Tracy~ I used to get my lip waxed, and then about a week later, I'd have a dozen horrible blisters. I thought they were fever blisters, until after about 3 times, I realized it is from the hot wax. Now, I bought Sally Hansen Lip Dipilatory Cream, and do it at home about 3 times a year. Does not burn and more importantly does not blister. I must have sensitive skin there cause I get eyebrows done about 2x a month and beside some redness, no problems. Are you going for the Brazilian??? LOL Anyway, that is my 2 cents. I am sooo pissed again. I need a drink already and it is not even 11am. Oddly enough I don't drink but a few times a year...maybe I should start. NSV...3 large PINK BOXES full of donuts...walked right past them about 6 times already. Not worth the calories. Now chips, kickin salsa and a margarita...that is worth the calories!

Wonderful post. And a great perspective. Congrats on all your NSVs. We'll hear more about your Survivor adventure, I hope.

First of all, great job! It's so important to recognize NSVs along the way, and those are awesome! Second of all, bodies are so weird. I just celebrated getting into a size 16 in a plus size store and I'm 183 pounds at 5'5. You're gonna be a size zero at that rate, great job!

Great NSV (non-scale victory)!! Hope you had a lot of fun.

Haydee – get well soon! Laura & Terry – I am extremely tight today as well. I don’t know if it was the overeating and aggravating it yesterday – or just scaring the stuff from slipping thread. I have been getting in 128 oz of liquid a day (gulps are fine) – today not even 64 oz – sips every 15-20 minutes. Could it be the full moon? I haven’t had a fill since 1/10. Scale was up today 3 lbs and rings that barely stay on fingers – tight as can be. TracyK – Happy Birthday! – I personally am so proud of you to be close to goal – and know that just because you have a few pounds – it is no different that the 70 lbs – if anything more frustrating due to the fact the scale moves even more slowly the closer you get to goal. And for the record – some doctors recommend you indulge like you did today occasionally! You are doing great – this was just one day – for the overall good! Terry – How is your Mom doing? Judy - how wonderful for you to find such deals on clothing and having NSV’s! Laura – wonderful NSV for you as well. Kat – How is the tooth? You are so brave to go through the pannectomy – I can’t even think about another surgery. Tracy – love the hair/highlights! You are beautiful. Jenn – Monday will be here before you know it. Your Mom sounds wonderful and what a wonderful NSV on the sizes and that will make you even more confident on Monday! HAVE A GREAT DAY TOMORROW EVERYONE!

Here's some pics. First, the NSV!!!! Legs crossed COMFORTABLY on the plane.. and I got lots of legs. And the seatbelt is no where near tight. HOORAH. This was me BEFORE I had to bundle up. And then these are taken in Central Park.. And I'm not sure where we were for this one.. The coat is an NSV too. Last time I bought from Burlington Coat Factory (about 6 years ago with parents), they had the patchwork suede coats, and I remember crying because the only thing in my size were ladies coats.. boring black trenches, etc. The day before the trip we went to BCF to find a warm coat. I was looking in plus size. I am 2x in coats I guess, I saw ONE cute coat in 3x.. and ONE cute coat in 1x. The 3x was just way too big. There was nothing in 2x that was trendy at all. I was really getting frustrated. So I decided to try the 1x coat. And Voila. there it is! I'm wearin a 1x coat!! :thumbup:

Boy, I sure wish I had your dedication Lynn! Exercise is my weakness right now. I try, really get on a roll, and then I get busy for a day or two. Once I miss one day working out, it gets very easy to miss day two. And so on.... What's sad is that once I start working out, I love it! I feel great afterwards. But just getting dressed and actually walking down to the basement to get on the treadmill, man, that is harder than actually working out! I try to talk myself out of it at least 5 different ways. I have yet to understand why. Very nice NSV potatie! I can't wait to buy myself something obnoxiously expensive when I hit goal. Maybe a hot, very expensive pair of stilettos???

Great NSV at Cedar Point, Special K! You're strong, and you can beat the eating from boredom thing while unemployed. Maybe dance around the house when that feeling comes over you? I know it's tough... just keep making good choices when you're eating. Christine, I heard something interesting while at a consultation with another surgeon the other day. He and another doctor were discussing what sounded remarkably similar to your delayed gastric empyting thing, and one of the solutions they were looking at was first to try dilating the pylorus (the muscly opening at the bottom of the stomach, I think), and if that helped the patient, then Botox (!) that muscle to help keep the pylorus open and make the transiting of the food out of the stomach and down to the intestine easier. Does that make any sense in the context of your issues? Clearly I'm no doctor, but I immediately thought of you when I heard it. Maybe you can ask your doctor about the idea? Fenton, I loved your "blowout" dinner -- yum! But I'm really amazed how you just drop weight! :cool:

ROTFLOL!! Remember in "Friends" when Joey found his hand-twin? Well, Diva, I think we're arm-twins! :cursing: But seriously, did you say you ate 5.5 (bunless) hotdogs? Or was that a typo? I finally have my first NSV to share: I went back to the gym for the first time since surgery, and after my workout, I was able to stretch much farther than before because I have less belly in the way!! :thumbs_down: