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Well, today is my 61st Birthday. I guess no cake and no ice cream for me. Haha, maybe a frosty protein shake (actually that sound pretty good as it is still hot in Florida). I got up this AM and decided it would be nice to stand on the old scale. Well, I am down some. 2 more pounds down ..that makes 106 down..not bad. In fact, I feel pretty good about that. I am still on the "no exercise allowed" list until the Neurologist gives me the OK and that won't be until my visit on the 18th. (If then). I am walking a bit, about a mile a day but that is nothing compared to what I used to do (4-5 miles a day + a gym work out). Oh well, I do have to take care of my health. That fall has really left me with some issues. My weight loss has really slowed to a creep but, at least it is not going UP..I am thankful for that. Anyway, since it is my birthday, it is a good time to reflect on the past just a bit. A year and 2 months ago I was SHORT and EXTREMELY CHUNKY..268 pounds - baby blimp..today, 162. Still short and a bit chunky, but so much better than I was before. This journey has been worth it. Sure, I get stuff stuck, and I get miserable. I can't eat somethings that I used to enjoy but I try to figure out a way to satisfy myself with a substitution so all in all it is OK. I buy clothes in the regular department now and not in the plus size department - that is cool and I can hook my seat belt, sit in a standard size chair at the movies and on a flight..wow..my life has changed so much. My only regret..I didn't do this sooner. I get mad at myself every now and then for "breaking the rules". Don't sit there saying "what rules" you know what I am talking about. There is some really good tasting stuff out there that is a slider and goes down very nicely...This does take willpower and I am not the Queen of willpower nor patience..so I have cheated. Thanks to the band - it is just that, a cheat and not a way of life. So tomorrow is another day - a year older and hopefully wiser. I am so blessed to have a beautiful and supportive family (even though not everyone was on board with this surgery when I had it done). I will keep moving forward. Thank you to all my Lapband buddies that have been there to kick my butt when I fell off the bandwagon and encouraging me to stick with it on the bad days and to the ones who cheered with me on those NSV moments and the actual weight loss. You guys are the best - I guess becuase we are all in the same boat. Across the world in some cases, but in the same boat. I am glad I found you guys !!!! Have a great day, stay on track, get some extra exercise in this week and be proud of yourself and all that you have accomplished. Melinda in Florida

that's awesome! it will work soon! Don't rely on what the scale says to measure how you are doing... yes the numbers going down are awesome but look for the NSV's (non scale victories) like your clothes fitting better, being able to tie your own shoe, crossing your legs, the double chin becoming just one chin lol.... i know we rely on numbers so much (me too) but try to look at the whole picture not just what the scale says

NSv?

Great job. What's ur biggest NSV? Sent from my mobile productivity killer.

About a week post-op, I got so sick I could not eat/drink a thing w/o feeling like I was going to throw it all up. I could not stomach the Protein shakes, so I know I was not getting enough nutrition in any form!! It was a vicious cycle for about a week! I had about 2cc of Fluid removed on about Day 12...and he told me I could start eating SOFT foods. A by-pass-patient friend recommended Taco Bell refried Beans....= HEAVEN!! lol BUT, this meant I had virtually NO restriction...so for the past 3 weeks I've been free-lancing!! And like Joann, BOY DID I EAT. Not much during the day (stayed busy) but at supper, when I am fixing for my family - wow. I got some fluid put back in yesterday - not as much as was taken out, but we discussed taking this slow to avoid any complications. Today, I'm feeling hungry, but will drink my Water until its time for lunch. Supper I CHOOSE to do what is right. Its unlikely you have harmed yourself...BUT, like everyone said, TODAY/TOMORROW is a new day. Face your "crime" - and clearly you have done the time (berating and hating yourself = been there/done that!!)...so move forward. Make a list of your WHYs....why you want/need to lose weight. Here are few of mine - and maybe yours are the same!? - 1. Get off the floor w/o help (or a wench) 2. No shame at the beach - both in my swimsuit AND getting up from sitting 3. Crossing my legs - without havng to hook a foot on something to keep it there! 4. Riding some of the rides at an amusement park (I have not fit into a seat in YEARS - shoulder bar crushes the girls and kills my back - NOT WORTH THE EMBARRASSMENT) 5. Holding my head high at a school function w/ my children 6. Shopping for clothes that do not start w/ a "2" and end with a "W" 7. Making love to my husband w/ the lights ON. (and add shopping at Victoria's and actually BUYING something!) 8. Shopping at CHICOs. 9. Seeing my feet when I look down. 10. Not getting stares in a restaurant, knowing I will no longer be judged because I am EATING. (these are not necessarily in order of my priorities - just what comes to mind!) That's the short version...but making a list of my WHYs has been really REALLY helpful. I have not lost a ton of weight (16 to date), but I am noticing some NSVs - rings and watch are looser, pants are looser in the fanny and around the waist (tho not falling off yet by any means)...those COUNT. I will not give up...and neither should you!! We are all walking the same pathway here...some are a little farther down the road, but there is nothing new under the sun for those of us who've let our stomachs be our god. ITS A NEW DAY. Now, hop up, look yourself in the mirror and hold your head up and tell yourself "I am worth it"...then go write down your WHYs...and you're off!! We're rooting for you!! Kim in IN

Linda...I feel yer pain!! I've lost only 16 - and that's including the 5 I lost on the pre-op liquid diet!! I have been feeling hungry all day long, then when supper comes, I'm ravenous and want to eat everything in sight. My DR removed about 2cc of Fluid about 3 weeks ago, when I was so so sick. So, I really have had NO restriction, either. And that's been very noticeable. I do fine during the day because I'm working in another part of my home, away from my kitchen. AND my hubby works from home, too, and I'd hate myself if he knew I was "cheating" - esp after what this is going to cost us. (the hosp bill was just under $30,000!!! Still don't know what our portion is after ins. pays theirs - but YIKES)...so considering the price ($$ and emotional), I'm really not willing to be dumb and sabotage this for myself. BUT, that's not to say I don't have my moments - like today ... bought a bag of Baked Lay's...and ate a bunch on the drive home. I did get a fill yesterday...but today I'm not noticing any significant change. Still feeling hungry and those potato chips went down just fine. BUT I AM DONE. NOW, you've GOT to look for those NSVs (non-scale victories!)...I KNOW there are at least a couple, right??? For me, its my rings fitting loose enough to roll around my finger. My watch fitting loosely around my wrist. My pants getting a little baggy in the butt. A friend noticing my face looks slimmer (tho I really don't see that). ARE YOU WALKING?? Lucy asked the question...so, are you?? I have been, and I know that's helping w/ the NSVs...even tho the scale is not really moving, moving my butt IS causing other good things to happen. Do I like walking? Not really. I'd rather sit on the couch...but I know this is in MY best interest, and I'm finally realizing that "I" have to do this for "me"... tho, honestly, I'm doing it for my family, too. Don't give up on yourself or your dream to get that 40+ lbs off by November. KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE - of how great you'll feel when you can trek through Disney without feeling like you're gonna die...of being able to say NO to the crappy food that's in front of your face all day long...of being able to ride a ride you've always wanted to...of not feeling embarrassed or ashamed of yourself (okay, maybe that's just me!?)... Remember, THIS IS SIMPLY A TOOL...you are still the one who controls what goes down the hatch. Choices Choices Choices. And yes, its hard and yes it makes me mad, too, some days...but you are worth it!! Now, get out and take a walk sometime today. This does not have to be a 5K or a 1/2 marathon...Just make it 15 mins. That's 7.5 mins one way and back. Do that for the rest of this week, then next week, make it 10mins one way then back - for the whole week. For me, its daunting to think I "have" to go 30 mins. The exercise girl at my clinic says you can do three 10-min bursts, throughout the day. ITS BETTER THAN NOTHING, and I can truly promise that you'll start seeing the changes. It'll tighten your butt (which makes your pants looser!! - then you'll have to buy a smaller size because who wants a baggy butt??), and your legs (then you can wear a shorter skirt/dress!)...oh gosh, there are so many good things about it!! So, FOCUS on your "whys" - so I can get off the floor w/o help (or a wench), so I can get up off the beach w/o people rolling their eyes, so I can cross my legs w/o having to hook a foot around something to keep it there!, so I can get my rings re-sized - smaller! -, so I can sleep on my side w/o a limb falling asleep, so I can make love to my husband with the lights on!, so I can SEE my feet when I look down, so I can move my bra hooks over one row, so I can begin to see the definition of my jaw line - and not just a jowl, so I can hold my head up higher when I'm at a school function w/ my children....those are just a few of mine. Maybe yours are the same - and maybe you have a few more or something different. FOCUS ON YOUR WHYs. (I'm preaching to myself here, too!!)...WRITE THEM DOWN! We can do this, ladies. We've been given such a wonderful tool...we'd be crazy not to do EVERYTHING in "OUR" power to maximize its benefits and helps. Until the pain of remaining the same becomes greater than the pain of change, you will remain the same. THIS IS NOTHING compared to the pain we've all felt when we've been at our heaviest....yes??? Yes. I have hated myself for long enough. That's my sermon for the day...and maybe it was just what "I" needed to hear from myself. So, if I've stepped on some toes, I'm sorry. BUT, if it resonates w/ you - any of you - then hold your head up and move forward. You cannot change yesterday, but you can move forward today and affect tomorrow!! Blessings! Kim So make today a NEW DAY. A NEW ATTITUDE.

Congrats! if there is 1 peice of advice I can offer (taking with a grain of salt of course) don't get yourself worked up or obsess on fixating on a specific weight you want to be at this time. From personal experience- Your surgeon knows what's best for you and your body type- You cannot go by the charts in doctor's offices.. Take 1 day at a time and take into consideration all of the inches, healthier choices you are making, smaller clothes, NSV's (non scale victories) etc. I did not set out with a certain poundage in mind- NEVER owned a scale until after my procedure and am very happy with my results. I have surpassed my surgeon's goal for 1st year out and am continuing to loose and feel so much better about it, my other goals and where I want to be in a year, 2, 3 etc... Good luck! you wont regret it!!

I have been working up to running non stop and I was able to do it! I had actually ran 3 miles straight at the gym a few days prior so I KNEW I had no excuse not to do it at this race. Prior to this I had been stopping at 1 mile but I knew that was my brain and not my body stopping me. I have another 5k this weekend and I can't wait to run that one too. By no means is this fast running but it is a start and I feel stronger and faster every week. If I can do this now it is exciting to imagine what I will be able to do with 50 more lbs off me! Sorry I just wanted to share this NSV.

That is the best NSV ever, congrats!

Woot! Woot! U look fabulous! I like the black dress with the flower the best. Big NSV for rocking juniors clothes without spanx. Really, u look awesome!! Congrats!

I havent been on in a while... I had a great NSV yesterday!! Well, I went to the Gap to buy a new pair of jeans, and when I tried on the 16 thinking it would fit or be just slightly snug.. it was TOO big!! woooooooooo hooooooo! So I bought the size 14.. I couldn't believe it! And they look darn good on me too! <3 I only lost 1 lb in the last month, and I am OK with that. I haven't been getting my proteins in and I found myself picking here and there. I have been going to the gym 2-3 times per week, but now look to increase that now that my little boy is back in school. I am going to join a local kickboxing gym to change things up a bit. Feeling great... next goal is ONEDERland!

Congrat on your NSV! He is a loser. He knew that you to good for him anyway.

Wow, thank you for the inspiration! I cannot wait to go places and not have the first thing I think about is "Can I fit in the chairs?". That is the best NSV!!! Wish you continued success!!!!!!!!!

Love nsv's so happy for you

Isn't it strange seeing 'bones'?? I love it, and have finally gotten use to it. My collar bone has been my favorite NSV!!! I wear 4's and 6's, and still, it's strange to shop in the Missy dept and not the women's.

Or the very FIRST time in my life, I fit into a complimentary shirt with a company logo. This was given to me by the gym.. The max size they have is an XXL. I fit into an XL. I want to cry and laugh till I don't know which is which. I want to post a pic but I feel I look hugely gross.

great news and congrats on the great weight loss. my nsv are small and most likely different than anyone elses. i am happy to be able to walk to my car in the parking lot without stopping and catching my breath.......or putting on clothes that i havent been able to in a long time.......(nothing like clothes that are getting tooo big).......and just being well in the mind and positive thinking. my little personal goals are continue to keep walking until i can walk around the block with my hub (and not have him run back for the car to pick up ole girl here) .......hopefully soon i shall get there

OH, added NSV, I'm now off my thyroid meds on doc's orders! Now the only prescription med I'm on is for reflux. Went off blood pressure meds right after surgery. Sent from my iPad using VST

Spent several hours at the mall today. I haven't done that in 5-6 years. Today I went to "normal" stores, bought clearance shorts and capris in a size 14R (down from 22/24W 6 mos. ago), shoes 1 size smaller than 6 mos. ago, and two shirts in a size SMALL (down from 1-2X). The size small is an outlier 'cause I've got some big hooters, but I'll take it! I can't remember the last time I didn't have to shop in the "big lady" section. Still can't believe this is all real. Sent from my iPad using VST

Okay, this may not be a big NSV, but it was to me. I have never worn less than a size 22 or 24 in LB jeans, even when I lost weight on my own. But, today I stopped in LB to buy some Spanx and said let me try on some jeans. My surgery was 2 weeks ago today and I could wear a size 20 jeans! Woohoo! I don't know how much I've lost because I decided not to weigh until I go to the doctor on Wed., but I'm pretty happy with that little victory! Yay me...

Hi, let me start off saying this is the best thing I've ever done for myself. It wasn't easy...but so worth it. I think a few key things for me were: 1. Look at the band as a tool and not a magic cure. 2. I used this site for information. I did not get into any debates with anyone. (back when i was banded there were some pretty nasty people on here. It seems to have gotten much better...people are more supportive) Each person's opinions and journey are their own. -I tried to follow people that were banded before me that we're successful. These people journaled their food (myfitnesspal is a good one), they exercised and when they fell off the wagon....they worked to get back on track. -i was concerned before being banded because I noticed some people hadn't lost weight after having the band for a pretty long time. But after investigating I noticed they talked a lot about dairy queen, taco bell, etc. and they thought the band was a magic cure. You'll be able to see the people that are working hard at it.... Connect with them My plan was: 1. Journal food 2. Exercise (3 aerobics/2 weight training per week) although when I started out I could barely do one class a week) I had to build up to this. 3. I only weighed and measured myself 1 time a month. I did both (weigh/measure) because I was losing inches fast. So I could see a complete picture. In the beginning I was weighing myself a lot and it drove me crazy. I actually put my scale at my sister in laws house so I couldn't get to it easily. 4. I wrote down my NSV's (non scale victories). Like the first time I rode in an airplane without the belt extension or when I first saw my collar bones. These helped me to keep going. 5. I also met up with other bandsters in my area as support. 6. I read LBT stories for support. Anyway let me know if you have any questions or need more info Best of luck in your journey... Josie

So my stall finally broke itself - Those of you who said it would just break on its own - 100% right. I did try stuff to get out of it, and it taught me a good lesson, my body controls itself sometimes - not me. I am glad that I vented on here though. I will be glad when I'm farther along that I can look back (especially when I hit another stall) and prove to myself that even though it was hard and I was upset, I got through it. And my body went through a period of readjusting. You know, it's really easy to say that your body is readjusting to other people - but it can be difficult when it's you that's going through it, even if you keep telling yourself it rationally. Add in hormone fluctuations and you get frustration, upset, etc. I think that's natural. I researched a ton before this procedure and knew I'd stall and it was still hard for me when it hit. So much for being level headed and prepared! With the end of my stall also has come a decrease in my mood fluctuations, which is another clue to me that it's related to hormones. My period started, my weight started dropping again, and I'm finally a little more rational again. My 26s fit okay most days. They're a little tight, but I've been measuring weekly and I'm seeing the numbers come down, so I know it's just a matter of time before I'm fully into them. I'm really looking forward to getting to wear them at school. I pulled a bunch of clothes I'd had packed up in my basement and the majority of them I will be able to wear in the next couple months. It's very exciting. My eating has been going well. I have stayed on plan and the only thing I'm having any trouble with is making sure I'm getting in my water at work. Funny enough it's easier for me to get a snack in at work than water, which is backwards from pre-op. All of my coworkers have been very supportive - They have been volunteering to take out the trash and whatnot when I work the late shift because they know I can't. One of my coworkers I was with my first day back made sure all the night work was done for me, which I was super appreciative of. She's awesome. I am a little anxious about school, but also excited. I can't wait to see my classmates. They all went out on Saturday night but my sleeve and I were having a disagreement, so I decided to stay home. I know a couple of my classmates that I'm closer with are a little bummed, so I'll have to make a point to come up with a group outing sometime soon. I chatting on the webcam with my ex the other day and he told me that he can really tell the difference in my face/upper body now. That felt nice to hear. I have been having quite a few NSVs lately. I think I might open a word document and make myself a list, so I never forget what this life changing event has given me. Mostly I just wanted to make this post because I can tend to write in blogs when I need to rant, but I want to document my happy times too. Through our good and bad times, my sleeve has become my best buddy. Now I just need to think of a name for it....=p

OM Goodness!!! I had a stellar day out on the lake. When I was younger, I loved to tube. For those who don't know what that is..you have a boat, some rope, and a tube like air inflated raft or other device....attach rope to tube and boat, hold on for your life..and go! I haven't tubed since I was a normal sized athletic teenager! I thought.."can I even hold myself up because you have to hang on while this boat is pulling you" well..then I thought..this is the mentality that got you fat in the first place..just try". I lasted 30 minutes...amazing!!! It was just like riding a bike... I remembered how manuver my body to swing the tube out and I was parallel with the boat flying....I even caught some great air after they found some waves for me to sail over....and the boat was almost at full throttle! awesome!!!! I even got a standing O from all the boats occupants..I was the only adult to tube with the kids! Thank you sleeve..best decision I ever made was to improve my health! Why I didn't do this sooner I'll never know!