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I went to my primary care doctor this morning and I am finally under 200 lbs. I honestly can't remember the last time I weighed less than 200. I have been hovering for a couple months but I think I'm finally in the "green zone" so the scale started moving! I'm so excited. Also, my fasting blood sugar was 102 and my blood pressure is in the normal range. Yeah!!!

That is an awesome NSV! Congrats to you - makes me want to run out and buy pantyhose just to see what size I am now!

Enjoy that NSV! You may find you feel a bit tighter during the flight...drink some liquids and sit back and enjoy not snacking! Travel safe

I've lost about 90 pounds since getting lap-band on November 24th of last year.....today I got bras at Victoria's Secret. Yes, I paid way too much for two bras. But this has always been a place I could never shop. I did a happy dance in the dressing room.

Soccermom17, I too have had my first fill. I have noticed that there is some restriction but not a lot. Congratulations on the NSV's!! Those are the best I think! I have been shopping in my closet since I'm down two sizes. I love it!

I was banded on 10/4, had an "unfill" on 10/8, and first fill on 11/1. In that time, I went down 24 pounds, then up 4, had my first fill, now down 7 pounds (for a total of 27 lost). It was really hard to see the scale go up, but I had no fill, and was at the end of my post-op recovery. My doctor reassured that this is normal, and they are not looking for weight loss in that first month, just for you to heal. Focus on that first - the rest will come! With the first fill, I noticed a major difference in how much it took to feel full. I feel very lucky that with one fill so far, I am seem to be at that perfect setting. Who knows, though, it may change some more and I will need another fill. Seems very weird to be on a "diet" and feel so full. I have definitely learned that waiting for and eating really good, well-prepared food is worth it. Why waste the space I have on nacho chips and then not have room for the nice pork loin I made for supper? I just track the protein and don't worry about the rest. I am very careful, especially with drinks, to stay away from sugar. I can't track and worry about everything, or I find I just give up. I make sure I get the protein and stay away from high sugar food. The rest I figure will fall in line. My luxury of the day is a McDonald's sugar-free, fat-free vanilla latte for my 30-minute drive to work. Otherwise I just drink water or propel. I have also found that by eating my supper a little later (around 7:00) that I am full for the rest of the night. If I eat right when I get home at 5:00, I am hungry right before bed (DANGER time.) NSV yesterday - was able to hook my bra (the pull-over complicated type that also has a hook) by myself. Also wore a blouse that I couldn't wear before without a huge gape/pull at the chest.

I know I’m almost a week late! But I’m officially 7 months post op! Yay! I went on a cruise last week (November 6-13th) to San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and the Grand Turk. I managed to NOT gain any weight while I indulged in EVERY thing that looked delicious; though I wish I had worked out more than just two days while on this trip, I probably would’ve lost more weight… At my last check up with Dr DiCicco, I weighed 253lb, I think… well I’m down to 241lb, so I lost 12. He was upset last time that I had lost so little, but he was pleased with my progress; I’m basically 50lbs down and that’s halfway in his mind, so I’m on track! He was especially happy I managed to still lose weight while on a cruise. Like I said before I was doing a no carb/low carb diet… and I completely forgot what carbs were on this cruise. Of course I had plenty of empty calories as well with the alcoholic drinks and what not, but they served bread/dinner rolls EVERY day… and I indulged cause I LOVE my bread and butter, but towards the 4th day I had to start telling them no, because I was afraid it was going to RUIN me, LoL! I didn’t get a fill, as I still feel I have restriction, though I also feel I’m able to eat a little more than I could when I first started out with the 6.3cc; I’m thinking I’ll probably get a fill come next month; it should be a little looser by then. But I’m currently in a good spot at the moment. I had no PBs or stuck episodes while on my trip, which was a blessing! So we’ll see how things are looking come December. I don’t really have any NSVs this time around. I wasn’t down to the weight that I wanted to be come November (220lbs), but October’s NSVs made up for that. This month though I’m kinda upset. I’ve been tossing clothes out left and right because they don’t fit anymore. A lot of tops that I had to buy large because of my then extra large boobies look like they’re swallowing me now. Just recently I had to attend a funeral and I had a black suit that I had worn before but couldn’t even button the jacket (so I wore a nice blouse underneath). I put it on for this funeral at the end of October, and what do you know I can button the jacket and it looks ridiculously big on me, so I had to toss it!... I ended up wearing a dress that had been given to me by a friend (18/20); thank goodness for that. So, while on my cruise they have a Captain’s Ball, where everyone dresses up really nice (ball gowns and tuxes) … so I wore this pink strapless dress that I hadn’t worn since either 2008 or 2009, I can’t remember…. But long story short… I was pretty sure that when I tried the dress on prior to going on my cruise that it fit… it was loose but it fit. Well, I get on the cruise … it’s Ball night and I get my make up done and I pull the dress on, no girdle or nothing and it’s super loose! My strapless bra is showing in the back and I cant fill out the boob area anymore… I was so disgusted and upset. Mind you I got plenty of compliments because it’s a pretty dress. But I had to rig it and I wasn’t happy about that. I had to pinch one side under my arms to tighten it a little. And I also had to pin the front of the dress to my bra so the dress wouldn’t fall down. Again everyone thought I was flipping out for no reason because the dress came with a shawl and no one could see how I had pinned everything together, but I just wanted something to FIT! Everything is either too loose or still just a little too tight. But I won’t complain… I’ll take this as a blessing! At least its not like I brought a dress and it needed to be taken OUT in order for me to wear it!... Trying to look on the bright side of things! Even my bathing suit bottoms were kind of loose. Mind you it’s a maternity two piece swim suit… the top still fits pretty good, especially in the boob area, but the bottoms are getting loose…. Does that mean I’m LOSING my caboose?! J Anyway, I guess I thought of two NSVs… for Halloween, I was a “Modern Vampire” … meaning I put on regular clothes and bought some fake teeth and popped them in m mouth… it was fun… well, anyway, I wanted to be a sexy vampire of course, so I had my boobs out and drizzled with blood, and I had on some ripped fishnet stockings and heels and …. Drum roll please….. my sister gave me an old jean skirt size 16! Mind you it’s NOT a stretch jean material, so I was amazed when I could button it and everything. Again I say, it’s still tight, and I wouldn’t wear it out just yet, but it was Halloween, so it’s okay to look a little out of place… J Next, NSV is kinda of stupid I guess but I’m really weird about wearing my arms out… I NEVER under ANY circumstances wear my arms out unless I have something to cover them with… a shawl, a small jacket, sweater, half jacket; anything BUT bare! So while on my cruise, the last day, we docked in the Grand Turks right on the beach… so I wore my bathing suit and a really pretty sun dress of course it was sleeveless otherwise there wouldn’t be a point to this story! LoL! Anyway of course I wasn’t gonna wear a sweater on the beach, so I proudly stepped off the boat with my arms BARE! I even took a picture and to my surprise I didn’t throw the picture aside like I normally would because to me my arms just look fat and disgusting and if I don’t like how my arms look then I don’t like the picture… but this one… I liked and I was surprised at myself… for being more confident! Which brings me to my last paragraph I promise! LoL! I feel like I’ve gained confidence with my weight loss. Granted I’m still disgusted by the loose skin and flab hanging, but in clothes I can really see a difference and I see my self being more outgoing. For instance on the boat there was a 70s Dance Class…it was just for fun, but normally I wouldn’t have participated because I would’ve been thinking about how I looked dancing around like a fool, but I just let loose and I had a good time. And NEVER would I wear a bathing suit in public without shorts or a shirt on, well, while on this cruise I wore my bathing suit without a shirt or shorts while on the ship and off… I even laid out and tanned a little bit… LoL! I wish my weight loss was where I wanted it to be, but it seems I’m right on target… Losing weight…Dropping sizes.. And building up my self confidence! I’m IN LOVE with my BAND!

Ladies this one is just for you... I had to pick up a pair of panty hose...I used to have to buy Plus size because the Queen size didnt fit any more. Today I looked at the back of the package and... I wear a size A now! Almost cried in the store.

Major NSV today! I bought a Kia Soul last year and have always felt that the seatbelt plug-in was way too close to my butt. I have pretty much been dealing with it because I felt that I was "too big", so I tolerated it. And dealt with it by making sure I sat as far left as I could. Tonight, driving home from about 50 miles away, I noticed that I kept shifting in my seat. Finally I realized that I have about 2 inches on either side of my boo-tay in the seat and I was shifting because I was sitting too far to the left. So, I moved around and got comfy and the seat belt plug was NOT digging into my tush! I can't wait to see how big the seat gets as I lose weight!!

I know what you mean... I heard a lot of crap for having it done, even though they told me I looked good ? Weather they liked it or not, or approved of it or not. I did it for me ! I planned on living a while. Now people are starting to tell me that I look good again, and the biggest NSV that I got the other day, was that someone wants to come over to my house, and talk to me about the Band, Because they have seen the success, that I have had, and they know that I did the right thing.... How's that for a Twist in the Band Story.

Oh I love this NSV!!! I've always dreaded going through those things!!!! You reminded me of something else I won't have to stress about! :-) Congrats on all your progress!!!!!

what an inspiration. I am only 2 months out but already seeing NSV's.

It's been 1yr 8 mos since I was sleeved and I thought it was time I let everyone know how my life has changed since having the sleeve done. I'm at a comfortable weight, I fluctuate between 146 & 148 pounds. I wear a size 8 to 10 (from a 3X). I have loose skin everywhere, but it has tightened up somewhat. The major things that have changed for me.. 1) Self-confidence. My weight is not the 1st thing people see when they look at me now. I am no longer embarrassed by how I look. 2) Strength. I have always been a little bit of a tomboy and I have been doing a lot of physical work and playing that I was NOT able to do in the years before the surgery. My arms are truly buff! I love to make a muscle! I feel like I'm in my 40's again! 3) sleep Apnea. Gone. No more machine. I sleep like a baby! 4) Clothes shopping. I can go in any store and find something in my size. Small thing but SO NICE!!! Now it is a treat to get new clothes! I can where my younger sisters clothes now. She was always the skinny one. Now she's worried I'll have a smaller butt than hers!!! 5) Sex. Positions I was not able to do before. Need I say more? 6) Knee pain. Much better now. Probably 90% improvement. I can run down stairs now. Downside? 1) I still have to take my antacid every day. But that may be exacerbated because I drink too much coffee. 2) I miss the way I used to be able to drink Water. I could down 8 ounces in a few gulps. I still can't try to make food or water go down quickly. 3) I still can't drink much carbonated stuff. I miss Pepsi a little, but I can still sip at it. 4) I can't think of any more downside things. That says a lot. You haven't heard much from me because I'm just busy living my life! All of the post-surgery discomforts and liquid diets are behind me. I still have NSV's all of the time. I am absolutely delighted with my life since the sleeve. The picture is from the summer. My hubby and I spent a lot of time working outside and on hot days, I would just wear a sports bra. Lookin' good!

I think that is AWESOME! I am only in week 4 and have had a few NSV's. I am in the "Week Three Stall" right now but that's ok. I am still learning. I can't wait to get where you are!! Congratulations on the victory over the turnstile!! Shae

Yesterday I went to an NFL game with hubby. When I walked through the turnstile...I didn't have to turn sideways! I just walked straight through and didn't bump into anything!!! So love my sleeve!!! Living the dream, Laura

I havent posted for awhile, but I had to tell a funny story. I was modeling an outfit that I bought to wear to Chicago next weekend for my mom to get her opinion. My son came in and said " you look like a teenager". Now I dont know if it was really a compliment, but I guess I will take it as one. Made me laugh!! Quick update; im down 58 pounds. have been plateaued for the past month or so. But finally started losing this past week. Which is weird, cause I havent even been trying. I was just planning on riding it out until after the holidays and start again. I guess I will see how far I can go with this wave of weight loss!! hope all is well with everyone

Lol, great NSV!

Awesome NSV. Congratulations.

My NSV is in the clothing department. I purchased a pair of size reg./misses jeans YEARS ago (at least 10) and I can fit them now and I just tried on a pair of 16 women's trouser slacks I purchased a couple of weeks ago and they fit great now. Yaay!! How great is that. I started out in a snug 20W. This is awesome.

It's been a long time since I've posted anything here. I just had to share this with you all... I went to Target today to buy a new pair of workout pants. I left the store with a size EXTRA SMALL. I wore a freakin Size 28 W pants when I first started my weight loss journey. Just so you know... it IS POSSIBLE!!! Keep your eyes on the prize, because even at 15 Months out I'm still making the magic happen. Much Love, Xoxo

Great victories for both of you!!! I'll add some to the list: 1. Got up this morning to do my Saturday chores (laundry, vacuum, sweep, mop, etc) that usually take me all day to do. When I finished, after going non-stop, I looked at the clock... it was only noon! So, not only did I go non-stop with full energy for 3 hours, but I get extra play time this weekend! 2. Put on a pair of pants yesterday that fit before surgery. They fell right off!! I'm thinking this one should have been listed first! 3. Had to tighten my bi-pap mask AGAIN last night. As my face gets smaller, I have issues with it not staying on my face. 4. Doc lowered dose of two meds on Thursday, with labs required again next week to see if I am able to come off them. That's enough for now, except that I am every day I am enjoying my new ability to walk, my higher energy level, and the knowledge that this weight WILL come off of me. That's an NSV that is priceless!

Yeah! And I had to check your age, because I am in the "old Broad" stage too! Love your NSV!!!!

Last night I went out for a drink with my friend who is also banded and has also lost 150 pounds. We saw two 22 year old girls that we both knew so we sat and visited with them. There were 4 men sitting a couple tables away. One of them got up and walked over to our table and said, "I just wanted to tell you that we all agree, you are all absolutely gorgeous!" We thanked him and he went back to his table. The girls were unphased by it but us old broads just looked at each other and grinned!

1. Having the counter lady at 7-11, who recognizes me because I used to smoke, ask me where I have been for the last few months (since I quit smoking in March) and ask if I was losing weight, then tell me I look 'great'. 2. Having a snarky co-worker who usually doesn't compliment anyone tell me I am looking 'really good'. (Knows I had surgery.) 3. Taking 65lbs of freshly washed size 3x and 4x clothes to goodwill. Those sizes are done forever! I feel like a million bucks, and I'm only 60 lbs down. Another 90 to goal. I can't imagine what that might be like. But I'm determined to get there!