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Hi FLORIDAYS... I was banded on 12/3 and went in for my first fill this past Wednesday. On my pre-op visit on 11/20 I weighed 269. By 12/3 on Surgery day I was 258. When I went in for my fill I was 243. 2 days later I weighed in today at 241. My doctor was very pleased with my progress so far. I was a little disheartened that he didn't want to give me a fill because I am losing at a good pace. But he was very encouraging and really made me feel like I am doing well without the fill. So far I haven't gotten sick at all and am having no problems with any foods. I am not having any heartburn or nausea. The doctor said that if he acts too aggresively and gives me a fill he is afraid that I will start having some of those problems. He said that he felt that I would just be back next week asking him to take it out. But he did say that when I return next month he thought I would be ready for a fill. But even still...only a little. I had alot of mixed feelings at first. I was kinda excited about getting the fill...I guess just ready to move on to the next phase and possibly loose more. But by the time I left the Doctor's office I felt good about it. The doctor was so very encouraging and really acted enthusiatic about my achievement so far. The recommended weight loss by Allergan - the makers of the band - is 2.0 - 2.5 pounds per week. Since 11/20 I have lost a total of 28 pounds. I had lost 10 pounds in the previous month. For a total of 38 pounds lost since October. I am estatic! I had a great NSV victory this week. All of my clothes are getting pretty baggy. I went to get just one outfit to reward myself. I had to go down 2 sizes in both my jeans and sweater. After I got home and tried it on for my husband and kids their remarks nearly brought me to happy tears. My daughter said that it was hard to tell just how much I had lost because my clothes were so big. My sons were like "Wow mom - you look so much smaller". And my husband was VERY encouraging! I hope and pray that I can continue on this well. And I wish the best of luck everyone else too. We are all on this journey together!

I totally think this is true. I haven't lost weight in a few weeks now - and I'm not lying, my body feels like it has shrunk A LOT!!! Sometimes I'll look at myself (like my butt or whatever) and I don't even recognize it's me in the mirror (nice NSV!!) My pants (sizes 16M now) are getting saggy bottom, fitting very loose in the waist and my XL shirts are TOO BIG now. My Larges even getting a loose too. I'm actually smaller now than I ever was with my band. I weigh right now a few pounds more, but my body is definitely smaller. I just realize I'm not one of the ones who can focus so much on the scale. My sleeve IS WORKING!!! I just have to keep doing what I'm doing and play by a different set of rules. I just go with the flow though. I know I'm gonna have a good loss one of these weeks.

Please don't get me wrong, this is not meant to be mean, and I am only 9 weeks out so maybe I can't understand how long-term sleevers feel, but I don't understand how people complain about "only" losing 8 pounds a month - that is about 2 pounds a week and I believe that is right on target and anything much faster (at least after the first few weeks) would be seriously unhealthy - sleeve or not!! My surgeon said at my 6 week post-op eval, that they consider everything over 25 pounds a success - this is for my range, starting at a BMI of 43 and of course it includes the immediate post-op weight loss. On one hand, people acknowledge that the sleeve is just a tool, but I have the feeling that many still expect miracle weight-loss. I know, I am disappointed if I post no loss for a week or so, but in the end I know this is better than anything I could have ever done myself or that I have done myself in the past. Globetrotter, you are doing awesome - you shared your wonderful NSVs a little bit ago. Be proud, not down on yourself considering yourself a slow loser!

Thanks for getting this thread pinned LilMissDiva. It's my favorite read and I'm sure others feel the same way! GO NSVs!!! :cheer2:

Globetrotter... this is MEGA, MEGA. MEGA exciting... wow 70lb+ in just 5 mths in NOT slow... you are doing an amazing job and an inspiration to me, as I am sure to all of us! I love your NSV, they give me that happy feeling!!! keep up the good work and well done! Looking forward to the pictures =]

Wwell no one has posted here for awhile, so I thought that I would in hopes to drag some new people here. Ive been banded since 11/10/10, but Ive had some nsv's before and after the band. Here are a few post band: my rings slide around my fingers, and Im gonna need sizers soon the watch that I bought 2 weeks after my surgery left imprints on my wrist. Now it slides around, and I might have to take a link out. my calves dont get stuck when I put my feet into rubber boots! I dropped down 2, almost 3, pant sizes!

Love you NSV! I have one ... lately I keep checking to see if I have my seatbelt on. The seatbelt indicator light is not on, but I can't feel the seatbelt so I start to panic thinking I don't have it on. Low and behold, it's on ... it just fits differently now that I have lost weight. YAY for us!! LOL Have you tried cauliflower? I don't particularly care for it but it is similar in texture to broccoli, so if you can stand the taste ... Good luck. ~Fran

We went to an old favorite restaurant for lunch yesterday.. haven't been since before surgery in August... I fit in the booth with a couple of inches between me and the table! I used to squeeze in and be embarassed that my stomach was smashed against the table. Definetly gave me a much needed boost of encouragement. I was pretty loose with my eating over the holidays with the kids home from school all day everyday... definetly put on 5 lbs since Thanksgiving, but seeing the booth yesterday really made me feel like I was making progress. I'm meeting my DH's extended family at a reunion at the end of March for his grandfather's 90th bday... he hasn't seen the extended family in almost 7 years either, so we're both trying to drop a size before we go. I'm still having trouble not drinking with meals, and chewing enough. I find that when I chew as much as we're supposed to I start to gag on the gross mushy saliva filled food and have a hard time making myself swallow. I'm also the saliva freak who has to dump the milk if I catch DH drinking out of it because the backwash possibilities in milk are the worst. It's an issue I'm working on, but the consistency has always been a problem for me. The feel of fish when I bite into it makes me gag, squeaky green Beans on my teeth make me shudder and gag. I have a hard time swallowing bananas Jello or yogurt if they've been in my mouth for more than a second or two. Veggies that are slimy I can't do for the same reasons... tomatoes when they are raw (I can handle cooked), cucumbers I can't do either. The only veggie that I can almost always eat is Broccoli- but I eat it so often I get to the point that it's just hard to make myself swallow it. I need to find some veggie recipes that I can eat without gagging. Consistency of food is my big issue. I can swallow it if it's gross, but not if it's slimy or too jiggly feeling. I've found myself eating the same 3 dinners, lunches, and breakfasts for months and I'm bored! anyone else with these type of issues? how do you train yourself to eat food that your reflexes think you shouldn't?

Thanks guys!!! My laptop decided to give up the ghost so my ability to post anything to the internet is temporarily suspended, but once everything gets figured out I will definitely post a Then&Now. Another NSV this morning - a year before my surgery I had bought a cute t-shirt in the biggest size available from a grocery store in my hometown, it had the store logo and dancing vegetables and I thought it was cute. The biggest size in the women's style was an XL and when I tried it on I could barely get it over my breasts, it felt exactly like a corset, and forget about pulling it down any further. Fellow sleevers, as I write this, I am wearing that shirt with a pair of jeans. In public. =) =) Oh, and I'm down another 2 pounds - I am now officially half way to my surgeon's goal, and 10 lbs from halfway to my personal goal. =) =) =)

I am sooo thrilled for you -- those NSVs are not small, but huge!! And 70 pounds is not losing slowly!! You've lost almost 15 pounds a month!! That's an enormous amount of weight!! I say CONGRATULATIONS and keep up the good work -- and I second that we need pics!

I am sooo happy for you and all your NSV's. Each one is a may seem like a small accomplishment but when you actually look at it, they are HUGE accomplishments. And losing 70lbs is AWESOME!!!! Congrats to you!!!

So I have been a member of VST since before my surgery, 5 1/2 months ago. I have longed to submit an NSV thread, but never felt like I had a "legitimate" one to share. I recently went on R&R, home to my parents. Those who know me here know that I am a frustrated slow loser. Well my first victory is I guess a scale victory; By the time I was set up at my parents house and got to the gym, 8 days had passed since my last weigh in and ... I lost 8 pounds! Baffled doesn't begin to describe, I ate eggs benedict, chocolate, high tea cakes and sandwiches, and fancy cheese plates in those 8 days! So that was pretty groovy. My NSVs however, are these: going to the gym I realized that I was tying my shoes with zero strain or effort, just bending down, and tying them. Though the memories have become cloudy of life pre-op, I definitely know that tying my gym shoes used to be dangerous and depressing. To reach my laces I used to risk throwing my back out or had to lift my foot up to a high stair and even then felt the struggle to do this simple act around my fat. Now - bend and tie. The other NSV is that I was able to pour myself into a size 16. Due to vanity sizing and a discount brand, this doesn't really mean SO much, but when I stop to remember that I started out in a 24 - and that at my highest ever I was even in a snug 28- then I realize that yeah, I've made some progress. I bought a blouse from Old Navy, right from the store, in a regular XL. The embroidered terry bathrobe that came with my hotel room fit - not loosely, but it fit. I can scratch between my shoulder blades without an instrument. Although it was stretched to its limit, I was able to use the actual seatbelt in the airplane without and extention, and was able to bring down the tray, though that was a snug fit. Still, it was impossible before. I fit into the seat without my hips painfully bubbling over the arms. I'm in a 38D, from a starting point of 42G I think I've lost 6 inches off my hips and I think 3 inches off my waist and one off my calves. All of my old jewelry fits again and my newer jewelry is all loose - rings that I could barely shove onto my ring finger now fit my pointer and middle fingers. And as for that scale? I am mere ounces away from having lost 70 pounds, and barely 6 away from the milestone of 75 pounds lost. This is really happening, isn't it?! =)

Well, I started this journey wearing a size 26/28. Last night, I went closet shopping and pulled out some pants from the WAY back.....well, the 20s are loose and the 18's FIT !!!! :Banane45: Plus.....I went shopping the close-out rack tonight and the 14/16 tops fit! Wow this feels good...... :success1:

Another in a string of non-scale victories (which is good, because the scale has been lazy lately). I was putting fresh sheets on the bed and when I flicked my wrist, smoothing the sheets out, my wedding ring flew off. It's been feeling loose for a few weeks, but this time it flew across the room and hit the wall. I don't want to get it sized yet, because I'm only about halfway done losing weight, but I guess I'll move the ring to my middle finger for now. Yay!

I had a nice NSV today...I realized that the jeans I wore to work today were so loose that I could actually take them off without unbuttoning them! I knew they were getting very loose, but I had no idea they were THAT loose! So, during lunch today I went to Lane Bryant for a new pair (BTW, they are having a big sale) and ended up bringing home 2 pairs of jeans, 2 sweaters and 5 pairs of underwear all in a size smaller than I normally wear!! This did wonders for my mood today because I have been very frustrated that the scale is not moving at all...I have been journaling my food (staying around 750-850 calories) and exercising and still nothing! My husband thinks I should try to increase my calories slightly and see what happens so I am trying to do that today. I am scheduled for my first fill next week so hopefully that will help!

I love what someone once told me....the band is around our stomachs, not our brains! This was my 1st holiday season with the band and had just assumed I would do fantastic but, being a food addict, I didn't so so well over the holidays either. I grazed, nibbled, and ate for 2 solid weeks. I don't want to step on the scale because even though I know I didn't do as well as I should have, I DID NOT do the damage that I once did and, for me, that is a NSV. If I am up a couple of pounds, I take ownership of it and blame no one else but myself. The past is the past and I am back on track now. I (HOPEFULLY) learned a lesson on how to cope with the holidays for next year but can't look too far beyond day to day. I am proud that today I went to the gym at 5 a.m. and had a healthy, Protein rich Breakfast. That is all I can ask of myself right now. Hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2011!!! Katie

Janet, that was something for you to click on QVC and see that I also like adding the "learn" to our mantra -- very nice thoughts. Well, it looks like Christmas never even happened around here -- that's what my DH just said. Everything done and put away and cleaned. Soup is in freezer and dishes done. Just finished some coffee and wil get my dinner goig soon. Just not hungry yet from all the activity. Going to have chicken breast and salad tonight - haven't had salad in over a week and am hungry for it. Another NSV that it only took us about 4 hours to completely put everything away and clean--WOW. I remember before banding that I would sometimes take two days to get the decorations out and put away -- this year it only took me about 4 hours to get it all out too - so I too notice a huge difference in my activity level. Apples, yes doing 65 seconds of cardio two years ago probably would have killed me -- doubt I could have even done that. I am in really good shape -- probably the best shape of my entire adult life since I don't smoke any more -- last time I lost the weight and exercised daily (20 plus years ago) I was still a smoker. So I can really do cardio with no problem. I just get sore -- but I'm sore without exercise so it doesn't matter. My shoulder has been feeling better the past few days. I've been off upper body weights now for about 2 weeks and I think it's finally better. I'm supposed to be getting a call from my orthopedic surgeon to go in for a one year check up on my hip so when I do I'll see if he can check out my shoulders too. Might as well see if there's a problem with the joints or if it's just fm or stress. Love putting up the Christmas decorations but also love looking at my house after I put them away -- It's like it's all new again. I even take artwork off the walls and put up Christmas artwork, so it does make a big difference. I have so much stuff from years of crafting and being at all those craft shows I bought lots from other crafters as well. I love all my Christmas goodies -- that's the one thing that will be very hard for me when we finally do sell and go to our RV. I just really hope the kids will want this stuff cause I really don't think I could sell it or donate it -- too many memories wrapped up in it. Eva, your party sounded great. But why didn't you spend the night as well? Ricotta and spinach pies sounds great. I usually make my broth that way too but I was in a hurry today and didn't want to let it set in the fridge and then scrape off the fat - plus I like my pea soup thicker than DH does, so making the two pots was another way to solve that problem. LOL. Great, I miss the mountains -- Reno is much like SLC -- Reno is in a bowl and mountains around it -- I miss the dryer air too - I wish we could have moved to Reno after LA instead of here, but it just wasn't meant to be. Okay, I'm game for Chicago, but I already have plans starting on Memorial Day for that week. I need to go to Ohio sometime this summer -- so I'll wait to firm up those plans after we decide when to meet. Probably would be easier for Cheri after school is out?? Or we could try to do it in the spring like March or April -- that sounds pretty good to me. I might just jump on the train from here and not drive -- it's a nice train ride and easy from here -- takes about the same amount of time as driving but you can sleep and read as you travel. Okay, gotta get my dinner. Have a great night everyone. Hope your weather gets warmer in the southwest - I'm sure it's tough cause you don't really have the clothes for it. Later chickies and Chris. Linda Okay, will

Good Afternoon Gang OMG you all have been junking up the thread this morning LOL !!!! Tina - Cheri gave great advice (as usual) Yes you did let her take control - Yes you have done things in the past not to be trusted - Addicts are very manipulative pple - I know my DS was one... Oh we need tires - or spent the $$ at the casino now need food - yada yada yada.. He's sober but I don't fully trusts him cuz he has been sober before and gone back to using... Baby steps - nothing is over night - we have to work for everything... Oprah - Like Cheri's saying Take what you want and leave the rest - It just goes to show you that even pple with all the $$ in the world - chefs - gyms everything at her disposal and she still has a weight issue - Why - I understand - she does so very much for everyone else - food is what she does for her - it's her drug of choice.. I agree - sometimes she's a bit to preachy - I record her shows - but only the ones that I find interesting - I agree w/Linda - Cheri should have been on the teacher one.. I just went and found the channel on my t.v. 230 ;0) - I added it to my fav's and when channel surfing (I'm like a guy - I channel surf alot - or leave it on QVC just for the noise while on the computer) Cheri - I would assume that since you live in a big city that you would have a support group (lb) I think that's a great idea... Hugs Hugs Hugs on the wanting to self medicate w/food right now - a book isn't going to do it - it's keeping you in the house - I am glad you are going to get out.. Diets - Well as I am always saying they don't work - none of them work cuz you aren't going to follow them for the rest of your life as they are too restrictive - ya as long as you restrict your calories - any and all of them are going to work - but that's the secret restrict calories - exercise - that's the only way you are going to lose the weight - PERIOD END OF STORY... For me and my body - I have had a dessert (sf) & starch (normally only 1 serving a day) every day since 7/17/07 - I have exercised 4-5 days a week since 7/07 3.6 yrs. I restrict my calories - I exercise - I have lost 114 lbs - I have maintained that weight loss for 2.6 yrs. I over indulge at times but I get back to eating healthy and never quit exercising.. I have not dieted since day 1 - I just eat healthy low fat - limited carbs/starches/sugar.. Each of our bodies react diff to all these things (fat/sugar/starches) one plan isn't a one fits all - we have to find out what works for us (that's a lifetime livable change) and stick to it I need to make my NY resolutions about taking my Vitamins too cuz I am REALLY REALLY bad about not taking them and I think that's why I haven't been super motivated lately (energy wise).. Melissa - I thought that it was the sweetest thing that you text-ed me last night - I am sure glad you had a great time !!!! Linda- I hear you on loving GD but wanting your time - At our age I truly believe it's now about us not raising the gkids - I've been there done that but again I was only 36 when Andrew was born - and gotta say I love being an empty nester - He called last night to wish me happy new yrs ;0) Apples - You have found what works for your body - yep you are lucky to be able to eat more than most of us - but you sorta have the opposite problem than us - you have a hard time getting the calorie in - where as we have a hard time keeping them out - so you do have an issue - just diff than ours - and as to that bitch- f her ;0) I'll share the rent a car w/you - cuz I will be flying in too.. Vote is to stay outside city by Cheri's and take the train in ;0) The only thing I have to deal w/will be the dogs/cat issue.. For those who need Pedi's I bet you will find a shop open somewhere - most Vietnamese shops are open almost 24/7 365 LOL well at least here in the desert ;0) - During the winter I normally don't get them - since my feet are in closed in shoes - I just do my own - another NSV I can reach my toes ;0) - plus no one see's my feet - another plus for being single - and I don't have to shave legs every other day LOL Lori - My xdh was a handyman - I do miss that I would love under cabinet lighting... I always leave the living room light on during the night - if I had under cabinet lighting that would be my night light (my room isn't close to kitchen/living room - so it doesn't bother me - but I can see if I get up in the middle of the night to take the dogs out) Well Deb got here around 7 - we had salad lobster veggie and I had maybe 2 bites of potato (Charlene Sweet Taters are good carbs) she brought brownies had 2 small squares - she had a couple drinks - I didn't - Salt is an excellent movie !!! Really only watched the ball drop on Dick Clark - it was mostly commercials and just interviews - Did watch the back street boys & new kids on the block (I loved them back in the day - I was a big New Kids on the Block fan even though I was in my 30's) I was so surprised to see Mark Walberg on there since he's a big movie start now a day... That was the only part of Dick Clark that we watched - we watched house hunters after the movie... Deb left around 2:30 I went to bed at 3ish - dogs had me up at 7 - but I got on the couch and went back to sleep - got up at 11:15 ish .. Lobster was ok - not great - I think it's cuz it's not main lobster (I ate 1/2 then a few hrs later the other 1/2) I had never broiled it either - but it's easy - try it Lori... Apples - it's always hard to figure what to take cuz you don't know what you are going to feel like wearing... I don't plan my clothes for a week of work - I walk in my closet and say what do I want to wear - I think our problem is that we have TOO MANY choices LOL... Well - Don't know what I'm doing today - I know it's Saturday but feels like a Sunday to me - Ya 1 more day off work - I have gym tomorrow at 10 ;0) Weather Today 54 right now..Plenty of sunshine. High 56F. Winds light and variable. 56 High 33 Low Well off to ck my #7 thread - cbl - Happy New Yrs everyone...

I'm in-time to get serious. Vacation and then the holidays lead me totally away from eating right and I've gained 4 pounds. It's so easy to lose focus even with this great tool. I did have a NSV since I have gone to the gym everyday this week. I've also decided to go back to WW, they have a good support group that I obviously need (and it's cheaper than a therapist!). Hurray for everyone on the board and HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

That is so great that you like what you see. It's amazing how much better we feel about ourselves when we feel good about our own image! Definitely a NSV!!!

So I really did not look in the mirror for the first 5 weeks, I honestly had no idea how much my body had changed. I went back to work and by day two my uniform pants were so large I asked to wear regular clothes the next day as my uniform should be arriving. The boss said it was ok, but it had to be business casual. So I had to head over to Good Will and get something. I grabbed a bunch of size 18 pants and one x shirts (formally I wore 22 tops and 24 pants), some jeans that looked new in different sizes and headed to the dressing room. When I tried on the sweater top and slacks I stood there and cried. i could not believe that was me looking back at me. I continued to try on the clothes and for the fist time in many many years I like what I seen below the neck line. For at least 10 years, when I looked in the mirror I only focused from the neck up. Funny thing was a few hours later in my head I was back to the old self image. I guess it will take a while to get to know the new body I have now and what is to come.