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For those of you fearing your first fill, I was with you!! I had myself all worked up. And I sorta have a horror story. But it's so minor compared to what I expected... it's really not worth mentioning, lol. The entire thing was really anti-climatic. There's a small pinch & a burn with the numbing shot -- felt like the heparin shot after surgery, only it hurt less, imho. I didn't feel ANY pain with the fill needle... just pressure. Both times, lol: My doc started with 1.5cc, but I couldn't swallow the water. I now know what overfull feels like -- at least a little. I could still swallow spit, so I wasn't THAT bad... but water kind of gurgled going down, and took forever to swallow a TINY sip. After 3 attempts, Dr Sewell looked at my face & asked, "You're too full, aren't you?! Let's get some out of there!" He popped me back onto the table & took out .3cc. Made a HUGE difference. And I was still numb from the first one, so I didn't need a new shot... and still didn't feel the fill needle. I was super-duper paranoid after that, lol, so I kept myself on tiny sips all day... until I got too hungry & had mushies (**blush for my lack of willpower! **). I did just fine, as long as I chewed everything to death. I'm definitely feeling restriction. Time to learn what I can & can't do again! I'm just so glad to be moving! My bags have been packed for a month now, time to get the journey started! Lou: Go you with the weight loss!! And congrats on the fill date! Becky: Happy bandiversary!! Looking back now, isn't it amazing how far you've come! I don't mean weight loss, though you're doing great on that... but pain-wise. You're sleeping in a bed!!! And congrats on upping the treadmill, I'm scared of grades! :eek: Tammy: Woohooo!! It's fill time! I'm glad to hear that folks are monitoring your niece. I hope she can kick her demons in the bootie! Oh my goodness, congrats on your NSV! And you got extra exercise too! Awesome!! Stacey: Wow! You're 3rd fill? What size is your band? Hope you feel restriction soon!!! Magic: Welcome to the Febsters! You've got a lost of reading to do, lol. :eek: Just joking... jump right in, we're glad you're here! Dena: You still out there? Missing you, girl! Oh, just reread... I bet you're in San Fran. Enjoy yourself! Cashley & Renebean: Front & center! Looks like you both had fills yesterday... how'd they go?

Holy toledo you guys are a talkative group!!! I've been really busy and then I was on a cruise for a week (and, of course, catching up as soon as I returned) but I wanted to check in. Seems like everyone is doing really well! I'm settling in to banded life and I really love it. I haven't PB'd yet (hopefully never!!) but I have slimed many times. I find I am extremely restricted in the daytime but only slightly restricted in the LATE afternoon (3-4pm or later) and evenings. That actually fits with my normal routine, as I'm not a breakfast eater. Unfortunately, I don't think it's the best for weight loss to eat everything at night. The cruise messed up my weight loss because I ate a lot of desserts. I've been hovering between 15 and 20 lbs lost since I went back on solid foods a few weeks after surgery. I am happy to return from a cruise and only see the scale go up 1 lb!!! But since I got back from the cruise, I've been going down steadily every day -- YAY!!!! I was scheduled to go in for a second fill tomorrow but I've canceled it because I think my restriction is good right now. Interestingly, the one time I came closest to vomiting was when I had breakfast the last day on the cruise -- cream of wheat, of all things. I think I just need to stick to my protein shakes and tons of water in the mornings from now on. I am so happy with my band. After warnings from the doctor, I didn't expect to lose any significant weight until 4-6 months after surgery. He told me most people settle in to a good restriction after about that time. So for me to see the scale moving a little every day (and notice the body changes) at this stage post-op is very exciting. I'm looking forward to getting out of the 230's and into the 220's. Just that much closer to Onederland -- and that's when I start looking like a "normal overweight person" rather than an obese person. BTW -- a NSV -- for the past few flights I've taken, I've either had to be very uncomfortable with the seat belt or request an extension. On this trip, no extension needed! Woo hoo!

So last night was my time to get depressed... in a BIG way. I woke up in the middle of the night & couldn't sleep. I ended up looking at old pictures & bawling my eyes out. I finally woke Mikey up when I couldn't stand it anymore. Poor guy! LOL. He didn't know what hit him! **sigh** I eventually got to sleep, but today I've got that "I cried all night" headache & eye ache, lol. Serves me right! I can't even point to what was wrong... just hormones, I guess. Bleh! Go Nanster with the NSV!!! That's awesome!! I can't wait to feel more energy! Wow Tammy!!! Grats on 9.5 pounds! WOW!! Stacey: I can feel my port, but I also seem to feel another set of "something" that's above my scar (my port is below). The upper set aches from time to time. I THINK (Dr Janet here, of course, lol) that it's where he sliced to get the camera in. It's pretty large & seems to be through my stomach muscle. I'll have to ask the doc next time I see him! My port itself is sometimes irritated, though I haven't noticed it feeling "hard". More... um... warm. Especially when I get gassy. I have to wonder if the gas makes the saline move around, lol. I sure get creative with my explanations!! Ms Vicki: Hang in there, fills are coming!! Hopefully your doc will attack those fills with a vengeance! Glad to hear you're not PB'ing!! And Tammy with the loose rings, awesome!! Congrats!

I've lost almost 50 pounds since beginning the process. My 4th fill is on the 30th - right now I have 5.5cc in an 11cc band and can eat pretty much anything...in moderation. Every once and awhile I'll get stuck - fish seems to really get me. I don't see the scale moving as much as I'd like, but I'm down from a 3x over all to a Med/Large top and and 18-20 bottom. NSV's...I hauled my 5 year-old neice to the car after a day at the beach and her 45 pounds of dead weight brought my success home as did today's trip to the consignment shop to drop off some of my 3x career wear. The woman at the shop asked if I was dropping them off for someone and when I told her, "No - it's all mine" she commented that, "You must've have lost a ton of weight!".

Had a great NSV yesterday!! Some guy said I was cute!! OMG that hasn't happened in like 7 years!! Woo hoo!

Well I had my first PB today. We are in the mountains of NC for 4 days and had an appointment and we were late getting back to the condo for lunch. We were and only had 15 minutes to eat lunch. I ate some leftover chicken breast and a small bit of rice and some cooked carrots. Chicken has been hard sometimes so I chewed and chewed and chewed. It just would not go down! I've been a little uncomfortable a few times before but nothing like this. So, we had to leave for our appointment and ended up stopped on the side of the road and up it all came. I was better right away but I really don't want to do that again. I wil not ever rush eating for anything ever again. It was a little scary. The moral of my story is slow down when you eat! On a lighter note I had a NSV, (non scale victory) yesterday. My friend and I stopped at the Tanger Outlet on the way up the mountain. We went into Chico's. I had been in there before and could not wear anything they had. They have 3 sizes. 1,2,&3. I pulled out some 3's and they actually fit. I evidently had a tendency to buy loose clothing so my friend made me try them on for her. She pointed out they were too large, so I got 2's! I think I will go back there when they are having another sale and get all my clothes there just to see a size 2 anything in my closet. It was great. Thanks for your kind words healthywoman & ms.lady about my posts. Got me a little teary to think I might be helping any of you. I talk about the forum all the time and my hubby knows about all of you. Welcome back Jess & budapatti. I wondered about Caryn too. Maybe she will come back. It's so good to have some new voices out there. We need to support each other. I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend. Stay on program and it will pay off. Go for a walk and drink your Water. ( I sound like a Mother don't I) We can so this! Blessings, GG

Kristen, OMG I'm dreading halloween candy in the house! Right now we have a pumpkin pie from costco in the house and i'm not a huge fan of pumpkin, but I still can't stay out of the damn thing. Shouldn't have bought it. That's what happens when you take the husband to costco. Been eating regular foods tonight and although I did have to slow down because I could feel it going through the band, I didn't feel any more restriction really. Ugh. I must have a teeny tiny esophagus cause i'm up to freaking 10ccs in the 14cc band. I know I need to give it some time though. I didn't feel much restriction after the first few days after number 2 either and then ultimately I DID by the time the next fill came around, so I dunno, just gotta see what happens. I was up 3lbs this morning but I know i'm just bloated because I haven't really been bad or anything, and then I started my period today so i'm chalking it up to that and won't weigh myself for a few days. GG, yay for the nsv's! Catherine, why would the doc be "not happy with that"? My docs haven't said a damn word to me about how much, or little, i've lost. They are just like, ok more fluid in the band, since i'm obviously not there yet! Rebecca, my girlfriends are going to be the death of me. At least a lot of the sweets we eat are bread-y and eventually I won't be able to tolerate that at all.

Go Nanster!! I love your self-talk! Hope it's as positive in the "real world"! I'm crossing my fingers for you Stacey!! I'm praying you feel restriction TODAY!! & can start feeling the band take some of the weight-loss burden from your shoulders! For those of you down on your weight loss (myself included), the "turtles" have a great spokesperson -- Vinesqueen (Crystal). Btw, they define turtle as losing less then 1 pound a week. (I keep praying I don't fit that definition!) VQ only lost 15 pounds IN A YEAR!!!! (She's being tested for Cushings.) Anyway, VQ recommends starting a NSV thread -- or journal if you don't want to post it here. Write down EVERYTHING that makes you feel better about you & this surgery. When the scale's not moving, it really helps to see positives elsewhere! If you want, we can start by putting an "NSV for the day" on our thread. Here goes mine for today: It's getting easier to get up off the couch. I no longer require a boost from Mikey, woohoo!!

I'm giving up keeping up with everything, at least for today. Welcome to all the new members! I think I even saw a male type!! Woohoo! I just updated the front page based on recent posts and/or your signatures. I added a chart at the bottom for our average pounds lost per week. If you get the chance, please check that I have your current values. If I don't, feel free to post them or send me a PM. Thanks! Love ya'll! Sorry I've been MIA... I've been mostly avoiding LBT. The flame wars made it a not happy place for me. I'm trying to decrease my BP, lol, not raise it! Mikey & I got fills on Tuesday. We're finally feeling them, at least a bit. We've definitely slowed down. I seem to HAVE to wait 45-60 seconds between bites now, or pay the price. Everyone sounds like they're getting some restriction! How are those fills doing? Anyone contemplating an unfill? Hope you're all controlling the speed & not PBing! Oh, and congrats to our first time fill folks!! Glad you overcame your fears & did it! That's an NSV right there!! Everyone have a lovely weekend! (( Hugs!! ))

Thanks everyone, Cheri NSV is a short for Non-Scale Victory. Andigump, everyone is welcome here, once you get a fill that hunger will go away.

I want to thank everyone for all the support and prayers during my family’s health crisis. My aunt is at home and doing well but unfortunately it looks as if my uncle will have to go to nursing home if he makes it. Ok let me see if I can do some catching up myself here….. Nanster- WOW girly great NSVs. Good going on the no chocolate and no coke victory! About my port, I really can’t even feel mine unless I push down about an inch or so, I reckon that tells ya where I carry most of my weight huh? Oh do you remember when you and I were talking about not having enough restriction and I said be careful what you asked for you just might get it….lol. Congrats on a great fill, I am glad the scales are moving down for you. Let us know how the next couple of days go for you. Michelle- my hair is still falling out at an alarming rate. I have a multi-vitamin with the biotin (sp) but I think I will take some extra. I am sorry to hear about your pbing this weekend. I had that wonderful experience once since being banded and if I ever have it again it will be too soon. My band seems to be working some days and wide open others. Hang in there girl, you’ll get through this bump in the road. Think smoothies!!!!!! I am looking forward to a long weekend too, sigh I need it!! Stacey- I have so many factor working against me with the hair loss, ughhh I don’t want to be bald or thin!!!! When you say your hair got really thin, just how thin did it get? As far as tanning goes, welllllllll I love the way I looked when I was tan about 80 lbs ago but now I am scared to lay in the bed because I am scared they will break. When I was a little over 200 I would go tan and I would hear the beds cracking and popping, and now that I am 267 I wouldn’t dare as much as I would like too. But I do have a friend that tans and she has a scare on her leg from an accident and she puts a amount of sun block over her scar cause she said it turns very dark if she doesn’t Tamyrn- I was banded on Feb 8 and had my first pb last Monday and it was nothing short of awful. Now that I think about it I have had no restriction since then either really. I am scheduled for my 3rd fill this Friday so I will be sure to let you know if my band is still in place, but I thought if it slips the opposite happens. I thought if the band slips you can’t keep anything down and even water becomes a problem, oh lord but what do I know. Good luck hun, keep us posted. Janet- You were missed while away, I hope that you are feeling better. We are all glad to see you back. And OH what a beautiful new picture, all you ladies are beautiful. Quote “ Tammy & Michelle, on the hair loss: Our nutritionist told us this week that the hair loss from the anesthesia (sp) starts at about 3 months out” OMG why is this the first time I am hearing this??? No one at my doctors office every said a word to me about this. I guess that what I get for not wanting to read all the possible side effects. I read them and it scares me to death! Thanks for the great info on the first bite blues, I have noticed that eating in the mornings is not something I want to do. I am always running late and in a hurry, I know I am not suppose to skip meals but I would rather eat later than to pb early!! How you have managed to catch up on all of us, how are you and Mikey doing? You’re always such great support and comfort; allow us to return the favor. How is Janet doing?

Careful with those, I had a bad experience 🤢🤢. As a treat for myself I’ve gone to the canarie islands to soak up some winter sun After a rough two weeks this is giving me the boost I need. Highly recommend do something nice for yourself when you hit the two week mark. Food wise I’m managing about six to seven mouthfuls of food. Trying to eat about 5 times a day that’s what my team suggest. Protein always comes first then usually veg. Looking forward to some nsv’s

I don’t see my dietician until the 19th so my food options r still very limited 😔 what is nsv’s?

I forgot one of the best NSV comfortably using an airplane restroom on a transatlantic flight!!!

I am not even a full month out (surgery was July 2nd) and I am down like 23 pounds from day of surgery. My clothes are fitting loose and I have soooo much more energy. I am already noticing my confidence returning...and my adventurous nature! The other day, I DIVED off a diving board - 3 times! My children have NEVER sen me do this! They loved it - and so did I!!! Also - we went to the movies, and my butt fit in the chair! My husband - who is 100% supportive and never made me feel less than sexy - is astounded! He is gone 2 weeks at a time - so he sees bigger changes than I do in the day to day functioning....... I am excited...I haven't lost much in the last week and a half, but I have faith. food is not controlling my life, yet I enjoy SMALL portions of really good food that is good for me! I am hitting 60g of Protein a day - thank God I love fish!!

What an amazing NSV!

Doing well. Down 40 lbs already. From highest weight. 30 from day of surgery. Almost 2 months out. Feeling better every day! NSV yesterday, went to a football game and very comfortably fit in the seat. I was nervous the whole ride there!

Congrats on the NSV!!! I’m looking forward to watching those sizes drop!! I’m not sure if it’s normal or not (the winded part) but those deep breaths are still pinching a little (I’m assuming muscle spasms and tightness). I’m still using my spirometer they sent home and trying to take long slow deep breaths throughout the day to keep my lungs strong. My guess is as the muscles and Internal healing take place those deep breaths will get easier.

When you can no longer shop in your favorite plus size stores anymore When you and your 12 year old and raiding each others closets When you reach a weight lower than your hubby and kids When you buy Jeans from fashion nova in a size 13 (juniors) and they are a little loose so you buy another pair in an 11 and when they arrive you realize you could have gone down 1 more size When you don't have to try on your clothes anymore when shopping. You can pretty much eyeball it. When you wear clothes that were purchased as a NSV award during previous weight loss attempts and they are now too big When people see you and say I want to look like you

I had my 1-month appointment this week. My bloodwork came back great, except some minor elevated liver functions which worried me, but didn't worry my surgeon. They were pleased with my progress and told me that they measure percent excess weight lost and in 1-month that was 23% and they want 30% at 3-months, so they don't expect me not to meet that goal. I'm not sure what numbers they are using because they won't tell me a goal weight, but they have to have it somewhere! I was cleared for all foods but I've been having issues with meats so we will see how that goes. I had an episode of the foamies and it was terrible. That happened with chicken. Also cleared for exercise, although I get between 7-8K steps just at work, so they suggest 45 min 3x a week for now. NSV: I had a Zoom meeting today and it was the first time in such a long time that I didn't loathe how I looked on screen! It was pretty cool!

The little things are sometimes the sweetest NSV's!!! Today I painted my toenails and it was sooo much easier to reach and bend. I had been struggling with back pain as well, and found it hard to walk a long way. But my back is great now!!

Yesterday marked two weeks since surgery and I’ve been feeling good. Saw my surgeon and all is healing well. I went back to work on Wednesday and am just a little tired. I’m in the purée stage and have been handling that well, but get full so fast I’m not getting all my protein in but am hitting my water goals. I’m still really sensitive to smells and struggle with my vitamins (they stink!) haha so I’m trying out the patches. my first NSV happened the other day - I was able to fit into a pair of jeans that would go past my hips the day before surgery 😊 hope everyone one is well and sending those who have upcoming surgery well wishes! PMP

Sorry I haven't been on much lately but I had a setback and have been really taking it easy. About my 5th post-op I kept getting really bad wrenching cramps in my abdomen under my incisions. They sent me for a CT scan with the blue contrast dye and all that fun stuff. Come to find out I had a gas bubble in my pouch. Plus they had given me heartburn medicine to take for a month, but the directions weren't clear so I had not been taking it. Come to find out that the omeprazole (sp) was there to help with any kind of gas and whether or not I had heartburn. Once I started taking that again, the cramps went away and I could heal. I was so scared I had done something wrong and messed up my surgery. Definitely not fun! But I'm down almost 40 pounds since I started this journey. I had a NSV yesterday - I was able to walk up the stairs in my home without feeling winded! What kind of non-scale victories have you had recently?

Roberta, congratulations on meeting the January challenge! Your accomplishment deserves special kudos because it was achieved despite the health and physical issues that have challenged you this month. Thank you for the inspiration you have given us. Julie, your mentoring idea is brilliant! Definitely count me in. Here's the thing, when you run the race on Sunday, I want you to visualize this entire group standing along the route -- actually, jumping up & down in excitement -- and cheering you on big-time. We will definitely be with you in spirit! (And if you tell me what time the race begins, I will make it a point to be there at the right time.) You run, girl, and run good! We love you. Betty, your weekend away in Palm Springs sounds fabulous. Hooray on your impressive finish in the Mah Jong tournament! I love those tiles, and I wanna learn how to play too! A guest at my Christmas bash was wearing a bracelet made of antique Mah Jong tiles, and it was the prettiest thing I ever saw. Kat & Dawn: I'm directing healing thoughts your knees' way. Kat, so good of you to fly out to Denver for SIL's knee surgery. Hope all goes well. Amourette, thanks for letting us (a little way) into your new dating life. It's so gratifying to hear about an NSV that's a Romance, and we're hanging on each new chapter! Boo, your brother is a world-class skier??!! How cool is that! And then there's our own Julie, a child-prodigy world-champion-level domino player. This is such a cool group! And I note that our endeavors now embrace even bigger athletic feats, like marathon running. April 2006 Bandits January Challenge: 25 days of exercise completed

Bluehill....14/16 pants are truly a NSV. How in the world did you keep those 22/24's up????? :-) Just got back from belly dancing....55 mins. workout. I'm starting to get congested so I know the weather is changing. Tomorrow evening the temp. is going to start to drop with a possibility of snow; and Friday with the wind chill it will be minus 5 on Long Island.