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Ok, I can't remember who posted about the 'skinny girl in the mirror', but I, too, can't picture myself skinnier. Although everything and everyone around me tells me different! A little background..... Well, today, I went to Mexico for an unfill. To make a long story short, some of you may have read my complications while on vacation in Chicago and having a hard time finding a doctor to unfill me. Well anyways, I don't want to experience the same situation while I am flying to Hawaii for my son's first football game. So I went for an unfill and will get a fill upon my return. I don't fly much ever, so this won't become a habit, but I am taking the safe side. While in the office, Dr. Ortiz walked in and he gave me a hug, asked how I was doing, blah blah. He asked how much weight I had lost and how much more I want to lose. I told him 30-40 more lbs. He said "Why? You look fantastic right now!" That boosted my self esteem up so high, I was walking out of the office after that with my head up so high! It was just nice hearing such positive words from a doctor! I really do need to lose more lbs, I know, but just wanted to share with everyone and tell everyone once again what a nice man Dr. Ortiz is!!!

I am still excited beyond all belief about this. I have been shopping at Lane Bryant or in the "woman's" section of clothing stores for twenty plus years now. We all know that in regular department stores, the selection for plus size clothing is very, very limited. Yesterday I took my daughter back to school shopping. We went into Kohl's. All of my clothes are absolutely huge on me, and I really need some new clothes for work. I had already made plans to hit Lane Bryant later in the day. But, as long as we were already there, I begrudgingly made my way back to their teeny, tiny "woman's" department. As I made my way there, I was looking at all the really, really cute clothes along the way in the normal sizes sections and hoping that one day I will be able to wear those cute clothes. So, I get to the Woman's section. I had to guess my size, because it had been a while since I clothes shopped. I got to the dressing room, and the clothes were too big. I couldn't believe it. So, I went the next size down, and then the next until I was at the smallest size they offered in the woman's section, and they were still too big!! I couldn't believe it. So, I thought, dare I venture into the regular people's section where all the really cute clothes are. I thought, no, I am just going to be out of luck because there is no way nothing there will fit me. But, I decided what the heck, it wouldn't be the first time in my life I was disappointed so I may as well give it a try. I grabbed several items that I thought were incredibly cute and made my way back to the dressing rooms. You won't believe what happened... THEY FIT!! I was so excited and happy you wouldn't believe it. It was crazy, but a whole wave of emotions came over me and I sat down on the bench in the fitting room and started crying. Then, I had to run and find my daughter and share the exciting news with her. I had to call my husband and my mom, she called her brother. I have to say, this is the best NSV I have ever experienced. And, today, just to see if it worked in other stores, I tried clothes on at Dillards and Coldwater Creek, and I was able to fit in regular sizes there too! I am so blessed to have been given this wonderful opportunity to be sleeved. It is truly the best thing to ever have happened to me!

This was posted by someone way back in 2015, but is one of the best responses Ive seen about stall concerns: It seems that at least 50% of the posts on BariatriPal are bemoaning a stall. Daily, and sometimes hourly, I am reading about how someone ONLY lost x number of pounds and now the scale hasn't moved in ___ [fill in the blank] days/months, etc. Oh no, they write, I am a failure/unique/my surgery didn't work/life is not fair, ... Why am I in a stall? I know I am exaggerating but I think you get the idea. Guess what? STALLS are a NORMAL part of the PROCESS of losing weight. If you want to lose weight, you will stall. Not just once, but over and over. And, guess what? A stall is where your body actually does the hard work of becoming smaller. It takes a lot of work and energy to dismantle a structure that has been holding up, in some cases, hundreds of pounds. For those who think they have to DO something to somehow "break a stall" (in my opinion, you do not break a stall, you just ride them out), here is my response: What can you do to "break" a stall? 1) STAY OFF THE SCALE Relax and stay off the scale if it bothers you so much. Weigh no more than once a week, or even less often. Weighing only at your doctor's appointments early in the process is a good strategy if your mood and self-worth are dictated by the numbers on the scale. 2) PICK UP A TAPE MEASURE In addition to using the numbers on the scale to measure your progress, take your measurements. Inches lost are also a great way to see physical progress when the scale isn't moving. Most people see the biggest physical changes in their body when the scale seems stuck. 3) TRACK YOUR Protein AND Water AND MEET OR EXCEED YOUR PROTEIN AND WATER GOAL EVERY DAY As long as you are getting in all your protein and water and following your NUT and surgeon's instructions, you are doing what you are supposed to do. If you aren't getting in all your protein and water, then increasing your protein and water is something you can do (and should be doing anyway whether or not you are in a stall). 4) EXERCISE If you aren't exercising, then you can exercise (and should be whether or not you are in a stall). You can start slowly by walking or even moving more around the house. Exercising will help you feel better, tone your skin and build fat-burning muscle. 5) MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR NUT If you are unsure or unclear about what you are supposed to be, or should not be eating, then make an appointment with your NUT (which you should be doing whether or not you are in a stall). 6) REASSESS AND REEVALUATE About the only good result I see that comes from complaining about a stall is when you take an honest look at what you are doing and realign with the program recommended by your NUT and surgeon. Have you started eating more outside of your plan? Are you restricting calories? Are you eating enough carbs and protein for your exercise? Are you taking your Vitamins? Are you eating often enough? Are you eating slowly with protein first? Sometimes, all you need to DO is go back to basics. 7) JOURNAL One of the biggest things I have noticed from the various posts is how anxious and out-of-control some people feel when they notice a stall. Journaling can help you gain some perspective and deal with some of the emotional turmoil. -- Write about how you are feeling about the stall and your weight loss, and surgery in general. -- Write about why you had the surgery in the first place. -- Write about what life was like before surgery. -- Write about what you hope and dream about accomplishing in the future. -- Write about your fears. -- Write about your NSVs. -- Make a gratitude list. -- Make a bucket list. -- Write a letter to your old self; write a letter to your new self. Just write. 😎 SEEK HELP Stalls are when too many people seem to revert to old, counterproductive dieting behaviors (restricting calories, over exercising, bingeing, etc.). If this is you, then another thing you can DO is to talk to a counselor or therapist or consider joining a bariatric support group or a twelve-step group like Overeater's Anonymous. The discomfort of being in a stall can also drive people to develop new, unhealthy coping habits or even transfer addictions. This is where you want to marshall all the resources you have available to you and use them. The last, and most important thing you can DO is: 9) EMBRACE THE STALL Stalls are a normal and natural part of the process. Our bodies are complex systems and not simple machines. Stalls go hand-in-hand with weight loss. If you had Weight Loss Surgery, then you probably want to lose a significant amount of weight. So, get ready to embrace the many stalls you will experience as your body is transformed. It will be worth it.

I just bumped my complete list of NSV's. I highly recommend that everyone track theirs. http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=8943&highlight=Crystal%27s I know that so many people have wonderful weight loss, but that is not in the cards for me, at least not yet. The band saved my life in a couple of ways, it saved my husband's life, and it saved my mariage. One of the things about keeping track of your NSVs is that it adds dimention, texture and color to your life's journey. Someone could say "I lost 38 pounds" which is wonderful, but it doesn't quite have the same impact as saying what that weight loss translates into, whether it is being able to fit into a booth at a restaurant, the seats at the Baseball Stadium, or being able to walk around the Fair or Ammusement Park all day. Or for an hour, or whatever your victory is. Be kind!

Hi, I made rules when I was learning to eat again. One of them was never to go back for seconds. That was what got me in to trouble in the first place. I suggest that you don't go back for seconds - ever. Are you eating slowly? Thoroughly chew your food and take your time. As for craving the bad stuff - well in my case that was never done. I just made the decision not to eat certain foods - bread, chocolate etc. If you must eat, eat fruit - I eat apples and bananas. They are much healthier. Take fruit to work with you. Also, get rid of the bad foods from the house - stick them in the bin. I eat the same food as everyone else here, no special diets or calorie counting. I just use portion control. The most important message is that you are not a failure! It's common to have setbacks, the trick is how you overcome them. See your weight loss in perspective to the rest of your life. It's important that you try to enjoy your weight loss. Have you had any NSVs? I had two operations because the tube between port and band became detached. My second operation resited the port and replaced the tube.

I vote don't weigh. It will save you a lot of stress. Better yet, you won't even know if you have a stall or not. You can concentrate on drinking, getting in Protein and making healthy food choices. Judge your success by how your clothes fit and NSV's. F... K the numbers on the scale. I don't even own a scale. I weighed myself at the doctors office maybe 4 times in the first 2 months. After 4 months, I have stepped on the scale at work about once a week so I have something to post on my ticker. And I've always lost weight whether a I weigh myself or not.

That's a pretty great NSV! I can't wait for a day when my doc would say somethin' to me like that, lol. scales are all different. My home scale vs my doctors scale vs the one at the gym. My home scale is the one I go with, since I can use it more often (and do, sadly), I should just chuck that one and go with the one at the gym that does %'s too, lol. Congrats!

I am so happy for you - I really am. I love hearing how you are progressing and how well you are doing. I also take public transportation every day, and I posted an NSV about fitting in one seat cushion on the train. I can totally relate & its these little things that we all take for granted and it all means progress!

This is fabulous. I bet you wanted to cry. I can't wait until that happens to me. That is definitely a NSV. Hoo Ray for you. Sherri

You've already lost 24 lbs so in 7 months you should lose quite a few more - depends on how determined you are. Add exercise and lots of fluids and it will fall off. It's all a matter of choices and quality over quantity. Any amount lost will be a bonus for your trip. Remember to celebrate the NSV (non scale victories) too. They are just as important as the numbers on the scale. Good luck and let us know how you're feeling.

I personally think NSV's give us more to celebrate than where the dial is on the scale...it is so satisfying to pass a 'lifestyle' milestone. Becky

nsv- Non Scale Victory, like your rings fit, clothes are a lot looser, can fit in airplane seat comfortably, can now tie your shoes without passing out, etc.

:banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana I was at the outlet mall and decided to go and buy a new bra. This might be more info then you really want to know, but I went from a size 46 bra to a 38. I can't even remember when I wore a 38. At least 20 years ago. Just wanted to share my NSV.

I know this is a dumb question but what does NSV stand for?

Whooo Hooo! Great job Kim, and such a great NSV!

Just goes to show we can not go by the nymbers on the scale..Great NSV!

That is so awesome. I am looking forward to that NSV myself. I can report that my wedding ring is sliding on and off again with relative ease. It was just swollen around my finger. Not bad for being banded less than a month. :thumbup: You Go Girl!!! Keep it up. I hope to follow you soon.

Gosh a year flies, doesn't it?!? lol Happy bandiversary, Jessie Thanks for always being there, for all of us! and .. happy belated birthday lol, cause I reckon I missed it :/ Those are excellent NSVs .. especially that first one *g*

I totally agree with rmom, but if you're just out of Lane Bryant, you may want to try the 14W for that little extra give. Silhouettes even has a 12W, which also provide a little extra with style. Congratulations on your NSV.

WTG!!! Wow and that was really fast, you go girl!!! How thrilling. I too just posted my first NSV today and it is so exciting to have all of these positive things happening to us. It's like what we hoped and dreamed for, right? Congrats and keep up the great work!!! Cindy:Bunny

seatbelt extender!!

:clap2: :clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2: those are GREAT NSVs!! i still cringe just walking past the booths!!

I am finally pulling all the clothes from the back of my closet...and they fit again!!! My winter coat that I haven't been able to wear for 2 years now buttons and has room to spare. And tonight, I went out to dinner with some work associates and when they took us to a booth I just cringed. I not only got in the booth but I had room between me and the table. I can't remember the last time I could do that. And, my plate had the most food left on it after we were all done. AMEN! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2

Thanks everyone, it is really getting exciting to see what will be coming next. And congrats to the rest of you and your wonderful NSVs.

I had an appointment with my regular doctor today. My list of medications has now gone froom 8 to 4 :becky: and that's only because I CHOOSE to be on these 4: zyrtec(for allergies), birth control, synthroid, and effexor(new ssri since Paxil packs on the pounds) He was really surprised when I told him that I had not been taking my Actos for the past two months, but when he looked at my numbers he was really impressed. We decided not to refill my blood pressure meds and that I only have to take what I have left every other day until I run out. That should not take long. I'm down 30lbs since surgery! :clap2: My hA1c is 5.7. That is down from 5.9 on the day of surgery and it should continue to drop. Today has been a really good day. My nephew is also visiting with me for a few days and made the comment the other day that I sure do hiccup a lot after a meal. :hungry: Seems he's picked up on my soft stop as well.:thumb: