Search the Community

My surgery was June 10, 2013 and today I did my first 5K. Finished in just over 42 minutes! I can't run the whole way yet, but I'm not doing too bad!

We have a friend visiting and he's very intrigued by our tiny portion sizes. He just can't get over it. Unfortunately the poor man is also probably starving. We think we're making him a huge portion--and compared to our food we are--but I suspect it is not nearly enough. After lunch yesterday, I offered to make him a peanut butter sandwich, and he didn't say no. Oops. Funny how quickly we forget what a normal portion size looks like. I mean, we've all eaten normal-to-large portion sizes all our lives! I'm very encouraged to see that even as early as 7 weeks post-op, we're now clueless as to what a normal portion size for an unsleeved person looks like. I can however, cast a critical eye over my husband's plate and know that he's put more than 4 oz on his plate, that he won't finish it, that he will be uncomfortable afterwards and will complain My own two ounce portion is getting equally easy to judge. For all those wondering if you'll be able to reduce your eating, I hope this is encouraging to see how quickly our bodies, minds, and eyes adapt to our new reality. Our new reality now is what our sleeve holds. I still measure and weigh every meal, but I'm learning fast. Love my sleeve. <3

Happy crying is okay, and congrats on a NSV!!!

woohoo! That is a great NSV if it is really a scale victory, too! Awesome!

That's awesome!!! I have a list of NSVs that I'm looking forward to achieving, and that's definitely on it! Congratulations!

So it's been a long day. I went to the doctor this morning and at first she said: 'Lets run some blood tests and get a stool and urine sample. If I don't find anything with those I will send you to have an ultrasound.' I said sure and waited while she left to print off my paperwork to take downstairs to the lab. A few minutes later she walked back in with a frown and told me she had done some research and wanted me to have the ultrasound right now. So they called down to radiology and had someone brought in just to give me the total abdominal ultrasound. (Which btw is no longer painful now that they no longer have to dig the stick into me to get a decent picture! NSV!!!!) While I was having the ultrasound done, the tech turned the screen to me and pointed at it. She showed me my gallbladder, which showed up very clearly, then pointed at a massive amount of white spots. 'These, are gallstones.' she told me. 'But I am not a doctor so I can't say that for sure.' Grrrreeeaaat! There was a LOT of stones in there. Sigh. I don't have any vacation or sick days left if they decide to take it out. Will have to pray I can get leave or something. On the bright side, I met my out of pocket awhile ago. P.S. Digging through my poop was disgusting!!!

At under 300 pounds you shouldn't need to worry that they won't let you fly or will require a second seat. You are making great progress and your internal mental image may not be in synch with your new trimmer body. I'm sure everything will go smoothly and you will be pleasantly surprised at how much you have changed since the last time you flew! Keep up the good work and be prepared for a NSV when you realize how much easier it is to travel at less than 300 pounds! I am flying for the first time post surgery on 9/29 and am hoping I won't need the extender this time! We have to embrace and rejoice in the little victories along the path to a healthy body!

Newat52, your reply really resonated with me yesterday and I put all of my energy into resetting my mindset (and doing my hair/makep/etc. - tried to look and feel my best when I walked through the door). I had a smile on my face and I kept my son by my side the entire time (he's 18 and very funny, I asked him to not leave me alone with her so she couldn't slide in any comments that others can't hear like she typically does). Anyway, she seemed pretty confused about half an hour in. We were there for two hours, and she said, wow, you seem so more confident and relaxed in your own skin! I haven't seen you look this good in years! Every time she said something nice I went out of my way to respond warmly and genuinely. I never once gave her an inch to say or do anything "off" and I actually realized I was enjoying myself! GASP!!! I was laughing and joking and when we got home, my husband to,d me that was one of the best visits we've had in years!!!! And his mom pulled him aside and told him that this surgery was the best decision I/we've made and she's so happy to see the old me shinig through... So I must say your advice was EXACTLY what I needed to hear to get me to focus on the positive and not the negative. And I also realized that maybe I have been overly sensitive and prickly, always waiting for the "attack" and being on defense mode instead of relaxing and trying to just be myself. So while we may not have the best of relationships, at least I know we can spend time together without conflict if I just get my head right and not give her an opportunity or reason to criticize me or our relationship. I think this was my first NSV! Thanks again for the great advice and I hope you have a terrific day! All my best, Blue

Didn't do c25k today but I did have a NSV(sorry if this is a duplicate story) ... While I was waiting on my mom to land, I parked and went into the airport and walked around baggage claim, I had around 45 minutes, did over three miles, and as I was walking, I had to control myself because my body wanted to run....WANTED TO RUN !? what? I had to give myself a mental pat on the back... It was awesome!

Sorry was flying yesterday... Total with yesterday and today, 81 miles! Woot!woot! Also an NSV... While I was waiting on my mom to land, I parked and went into the airport and walked around baggage claim, I had around 45 minutes, did over three miles, and as I was walking, I had to control myself because my body wanted to run....WANTED TO RUN !? what? I had to give myself a mental pat on the back... It was awesome!

Congrats, great NSV!

I just got an email from the center where I exercise asking if I would be willing to be the Spotlight Member for the October newsletter!!! ME!!??? I can not believe it. Granted I have been there almost every day since May 24th but Im soooo flattered and proud and just cant believe it! 5 months ago I didnt want to go to the grocery store and now I will be in the spotlight!! So crazy! I'm sooo excited! I am working really hard and it's amazing when other people notice! Seriously never could have imagined I would be in the spotlight for a fitness article!! MIND IS BLOWN!!! Push yourselves!! This journey is AMAZING and it only gets better!! This feels so much better than french fries taste!! Feeling proud today that is for sure!

Surgery date: 8/21 Doing ok. Lost about 28 pounds so far. weighed in on monday and again this morning, still at 242. I really hope im not about to hit this dreaded stall i keep reading about! Did really well first few weeks out.....now not so much. Not having any real problems getting anything down. The 'you're full stop eating' sensor still works but my weight loss has really slowed. Didnt notice it until i stepped on the scale. Trying not to worry about it to much I'll focus more on the NSV.

What does NSV stand for? Congratulations on your successes. Wishing you many many more!

One of the scariest or infuriating things I encounter is when I've made a new low on the scale and then gain back 3 or 5 pounds in the next few days. And then it takes a week to get back where I was. I know it's just my body getting adjusted to my new lifestyle, but it is infuriating to see it happen. After reading so many success stories about losing 20 plus pounds per month in the 1st 6 months, I WANT IT TOO! Not 10, not 15, I want my 20+ pound loss, just like clockwork - gimme, gimme, gimme! But that isn't the way my body wants to do it. So I'll just have to get used to the way it works. In fact, the gains are my fault. I allow myself a "cheat" meal on Saturday nights and one more on Sundays when I visit my parents (twice a month). It's not that I eat more food, it's just less healthy. For example: Friday morning weight in: 296.8 Saturday night was Golden Corral buffet night. Over the hour I was there, I had about 4oz of meatloaf, 1 fried chicken strip, 1 big cauliflower floret w/cheese, about 2 tablespoons of Shepard's pie and about 1/2 of some kind of pecan gooey thing. I didn't stuff myself, just ate until I was full, waited while my friend hit the buffet again, and I ate a little here and there as my stomach emptied. The following Sunday happened to be one of the 2 days a month I visit my parents. At lunch we had Churches fried chicken. I had 1 fried breast, 1 single serving of mashed potatoes, and 1 biscuit. This is not the normal fare, usually mom cooks meat and vegetables. I wasn't able to eat the whole thing in one sitting. I broke it into 2 meals, one at 11am, the 2nd at 2pm. The rest of my meals for the weekend were my normal fare: turkey hamburger w/cheese and spaghetti sauce or turkey hamburger w/gravy and chopped cauliflower. In a 4oz bowl. Monday morning weigh in: 302.4 - almost a 6 pound gain! I can only assume that all the salt and sodium caused quite a bit of water retention. I don't believe I really over did it too much on the calories. Now it's Thursday - 4 days later - and I'm back down to 298.4 - 4 pounds. Not surprising really, it's happened more than once. That doesn't mean I have to like it! I think it might be a good thing to switch up foods this way, my body won't get accustomed to a certain calorie count/protein/carb/fat intake. I just won't go overboard on the bad stuff and eat it more than 6 meals a month. Now if only I can get over my fear of seeing the scale move up instead of down! And I'll watch and see how my body reacts long term. If turns out that it's causing stalls or long term weight gain, I'll have to go back to the basic diet and cut out the bad stuff. NSV! Now, where's my light saber? I have to punch a new hole in my belt.

Today marks 3 months with Miss Pearlie and I have to say that I'm so glad to have her in my life. Since she's been with me: I've lost 46 pounds I've lost 40.5 inches My blood pressure is normal - 120/80 My blood sugar is 94 (no longer in diabetic range) My severe obstructive sleep apnea is gone I don't snore loudly I feel good I look younger I have several NSV's, but these are the things that matter the most to me and many other bandsters. Needless to say, I am thrilled at my progress and it has truly exceeded my expectations. Good luck everyone!

So I found it amusing my blog yesterday was titled "Reflections". I walked out of my building to meet a coworker of mine outside. As I was walking back in the building, I looked up and saw my reflection in the glass doors.. I literally giggled out loud like a giddy school girl. The reflection was...amazing. I was just your normal, average woman walking towards the door. My legs looks so thin...My entire body looked so thin. I know i've lost 100 lbs. I know I'm a new person..but there are days when I just don't see it. I just see me. But yesterday, Oh lord! I SAW IT!! HOLY SKINNY MINNIES BATMAN!! THAT'S ME IN THAT REFLECTION!! not a friend, not some stranger, ME. I practically started skipping back to my desk. Oh what an amazing NSV moment. Just seeing ME. Who I was meant to be.. WHO I AM!!! Now if I could just find another job or at least get a damn call back from 1 of the ones i've applied for... grr...but that's ok. God is watching...God has a plan...

Now that I'm posing in the correct forum This lady that works on my floor told me I'm looking line one sexy mama. Made me blush. :-)

Wrong forum

I just bought a fitted Trench coat off the rack at a really nice store in the Seattle Airport! Couldn't have happened 3 months ago!

It's really unbelievable, and I am still having this weird out of body experience... Last night my husband and I went to visit a friend who just had a baby. We took lots of photos of each of us holding her, and then this morning, he posted all the photos on Facebook. I have never, and I mean NEVER, in my entire life, looked at a photo of myself and thought I looked skinny. And I know in person I don't look skinny--I mean, I'm 5'2" and a size 14--But these photos! I just can't get over it!!! I look almost gaunt! Bony cheekbones, no hint of a double chin, indents in my neck, sharply edged shoulders, small arms... WHO IS THIS PERSON???? It's so weird!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay I've never been ideal weight in my whole life.....I mean NEVER! ALWAYS been overweight and always got in trouble every time I would go to the doctor....well the other day I went to the OBGYN and got on the scale and had lost 4lbs from what I was when I went to get a fill. The doc had no clue that I had lap band and I just knew I was going to get fussed at for being 366. So she came in asking about how I have been doing and I told her about my lap band and she just thought that was so awesome! She was so proud of me for taking the step to a healthier me and so glad that my weight was gradually coming off and at a slow pace. I never heard once "well you know you need to watch what you eat" or "you know you need to lose more weight that that" it was ALL positive things about my weight and I've literally never had that happen before. It was nice to hear something good from a doc :-)

Awesome scale victory and NSV! Keep up the good work.