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Gorgeous Anna! Okay so I’m posting a NSV. Since June 21, I’ve only lost 3.2 pounds, but I’ve lost over 7 inches from various parts on my body, with 1 of those inches leaving my lower abs and 3/4 leaving both my waist and hips. Seriously I’m not sure how it’s even possible to lose that small amount of weight and lose so many inches that I measured twice. Then I realized that I’m fully 10 pounds heavier at my current clothing size than I’ve ever been before. It’s like my body weighs more, but is smaller than it’s been for that weight and I’m thinking it’s all purely body composition.

How is everyone doing? Just had my 4th monthly follow up with the programs APRN. We set a goal for me to be below 300lbs by my six month follow up with the surgeon. I'm super thrilled with my progress so far. Lots of little NSVs lately, fitting in chairs/cars way easier now, my thighs are starting to look noticeably smaller when sitting down. I had to add notches to my belts the other day.

DonnaMarie - so good to hear from you! You're doing great Congrats on tying the knot, too :eek: I am happy for you that you have such a supportive husband. Keep up the great work! Mary, hang in there with your mom...she's lucky to have you there with her. Sorry to hear she's having so much pain issues. I had the greatest NSV ever today - I was in the waiting room to be called in to see my lap band PA, and the girl that called me in opened the door and saw me sitting there and said "OMG look at you!" super loud in the waiting room. It was so cool! Then I walked through the door and all the nurses and my PA were standing behind the desk right inside the door and they just looked at me and their mouths opened and no one said anything, so I went "ta-da!" They all were laughing. My PA said I'm doing "phenomenal" about 6 times and said I am ahead of schedule and losing more like a gastric patient. He said he was very proud of me. That made me feel so good. Just wanted to share Oh - I'm down 107!!!

hi all! Hugs ruthie! congrats on the nsv's! i have finally gotten to 50 lbs. my goal was 60 by christmas but 50 is good! i think i put some on over the last week. not too much but we'll see when i go back to school on the 2nd. i weigh myself on the nurse's scale. my mom's 75th birthday is in feb and i am flying to see her. i will try to jump start my weight loss by going back to liquids or oatmeal for breakfast. my doc reminded me at my last appt that oatmeal or 1 egg will stick with me longer than liquids for breakfast so i will try it. i am also going to stick to mushy meat for lunch. then reg for dinner with less carbs which seems to help. maybe i can lose 20 by mid feb???? it;s a little high but shoot for the stars and reach the moon! Happy new year all!

Stetsi Stephani, I don't know how you can deal with plucking ppls eyebrows lol. I could NOT do it lol. I can barely handle having my own done, I keep my eyes closed the whole time! Ouch! I think it would be fun to put make up on ppl though. So have you ever purposely made someone look like a clown? Like some really obnoxious rude person? lol I would hhehehe. *evil grin* Michelle that picture is so funny! Even my husband got a kick out of that one. Im so glad we have this julyster thread. When we all become skinny bi**hes we'll have to have a big hurrah in some tropical place. ericsmom Stefanie, congrats on the nsvs! I can't wait until you start posting some before and after pictures, Im sure the change is remarkable. Keep up the good work!! You motivate me sooo much. Thank you. Ruthie, hope you feel better soon. I'll pray that you do and that you find a good caregiver too. Beth congratulations on becoming a purrfect grandma! lol for years my Mom was my cat's grandma too hehe. Everyone talks about my cat like he's a person, its so funny. Even now and I have 2 daughters. Isn't it funny how attached we can get to our four-legged friends. Im back to square one on my strep throat, the antibiotic shot they gave me started to seem to work for a bit, but now it seems my infection is over-powering it. Im going to go back in tomorrow and get a different anti-biotic. I feel like im just post-op again as im on a liquid diet. Its hell. Ive never had strep before this, it feels like theres a razor blade stuck in the back of my throat. The worst part is, im dehydrated because I can barely drink liquids even. So I think my breast milk is drying up. *sniff*.

Hey everyone!! I haven't been here in a while because I've been sooo busy! I have no idea how much wieght I have lost because I'm in nyc without a scale, but I'll know tomorrow when I go back home to Maryland. I'm going crazy because I live in a 4th floor walkup and its been hard - because I am normally so tired coming home. I know I've lost weight though! But yesterday at Ikea, I had their salmon and I had my first PB! It was scary but I knew it wasn't going down so I just stood in the bathroom until it came up. I thought it was over but I had to go back to PB the rest of it after that. I was on liquids until today. I felt so much better. Its not something I'd like to do a lot, but it wasn't the worst thing in the world! My fill is finally kicking in! I think its the stress.... I had an audition for casting at my school and got a callback so I have to audition again tomorrow... wish me luck! I've been sooo stressed- with my new apartment and such, but hopefully it will go away soon Alright, I have to get going so good job everyone with your NSVs!!! Speaking of NSV, I have one... I am getting compliments left and right from friends and teachers! woohoo

Okay guys, I've got to share my first nsv with you. As you might have read I'm in Nashville shopping until Thursday and I had looked at Opry Mills and 3 other huge malls for pants today. I went to Macy's, Penney's, Sears, Old Navy, Buckle, Aeropotale, Goody's, you name it and they were all stretch jeans and I may be out of style but I just don't like them. Finally of all places I found some Lee Riders, low rise at Walmart here in Nashville, so I went into the dressing rooms and took several sizes. The size that fit with extra room was an 18 regular, no stretch, no plus, just 18. I let out a yep that you could probably here all over the store. I bought them and a 16 for later. Now this may not mean much to you skinny people but I was in 24's 3 months ago so I'm so excited. Just had to share. I'm sitting here in the hotel on my laptop exhausted from all of the looking but it was soooo much fun. First time in years I didn't have to go to Lane Bryant.

Thanks everyone for all the kudos! I have been so happy all day - and had a couple of NSV's as well...I pulled a top out of my closet that I haven't worn in over a year and it fit great and looked good and I was swimming in my 4X stretch pants and dug in a drawer for a 3X and it fit great, too! I had dinner at Applebee's with a co-worker that I haven't seen since the begining of June (we work for the school district and get summers off) and she was amazed at how different I look already at only 38 lbs gone! That was great, too! When I walk back into the school on Aug. 28th I hope to be down another 5 lbs or so. I get my fill tomorrow morning...yippee!! Hang in there Baylor Mom...I'm sure you'll feel better after your fill. I'll let you know how mine goes

Good luck to those being banded! We're here for you when you get back. Let us know how it went! I'm a week and a half out now. 11 days!!! I feel really good. My incisions are healing nicely for the most part. One is a little bit infected but I'm taking care of it. I'm still eating pretty small amounts. I'm still fighting with head hunger though and wantng to chew something! AHHHH! But I'll be ok. I can sleep on my stomach already with no problems and I haven't used any pain meds or tylenol since three days after surgery. Like I had said.. I'm feeling good. I did have my first NSV on Saturday when I tried on a pair of jean capri's I couldn't fit anymore and they fit me perfect. Not tight at all! Yay!!!!! I'm still waiting for my scale to arrive so I can see how much I've lost. I'm so happy we're all getting banded. The month is halfway over!!!!

Kari, My doc recommends the same...protein shake in a.m. and then try to eat food for the rest of the day. Colleen: Kari told you about that unjury powder. Well, since I'm not one that loves to drink those protein drinks (I find them pretty gross...have tried many), I took the vanilla unjury and added a scoop to skim milk, then added in some chocolate or chocolate fudge sugar free Jello brand pudding mix....didn't measure just sprinkled it in. Now, that's what I drink every morning. It's delicious...tastes like hot chocolate. I ran out of unjury (it is low in calories, low in carbs and 20 grams protein a scoop), so my hubby bought me some "On 100% Whey Gold Standard" He bought it from the Vitamin Shoppe and it has 120 calories, only 3 carbs and 24 grams protein. The flavor is Vanilla Ice Cream, but again, I just added that sugar free pudding mix to make it a chocolate drink. I haven't tried it with anything else yet, but I may try a smoothie tomorrow with strawberries or something. I had an NSV (nonscale victory) yesterday. I tried on a pair of jeans that just 4 weeks ago, I could barely get up over my Big (but shrinking) ***. Well, I could button them up yesterday!!! I couldn't zip and didn't feel like lying down on the bed to do that (did any of you do that in high school/college?) but the fact that I had them on and buttoned is significant for me!!! By the time it gets colder here they will fit!!! I have 2 pairs to wear as I shrink!!! Yayyy!!! I know only you guys on here can relate to my happiness!!!

Hi all July folk: It's nice to hear your stories, victories and comforting to hear the support for those having down days. I too am having a down time with my DH's caregiver situation. We went through 4 in seven days. I don't think the agency is being up-front with the fact that he needs a lot of assistance due to 2 strokes. The lady who left yesterday (in her Ghanian accent) said "they told me I would be sitting for an elderly man (well, he's not THAT old) but they didn't tell me I would have to observe him." Duh. When you take care of disabled people you usually need to keep an eye on them. Anyway....I went back to square one and am going in a different direction than the agency. I am just so depressed today. I have something in place for next week but still feel so overwhelmed by it all. I miss pieces of him so much. His strokes have changed our lives and I try not to get down about it but....well, wish me luck, please. On a happy note I had a nice NSV yesterday. One of our teachers is a "Mr. Muscle" competitor (whatever they are called....body-builder). We are kind chummy (I listened to his divorce saga #1 and #2). I had the opportunity to chat with him yesterday and asked him if he did protein drinks and what does he use. We had a conversation about protein, etc and I finally told him about my band. He said "I KNEW you had lost weight but some women freak if you say anything. You look amazing!". Wow. That was lovely coming from mr. beautiful body. Michelle....the Hooters pic MAY be your best yet. What a perfect Halloween costume. I don't think my principal would approve though....what do you think...lol???? YOU are a hoot. Have a nice weekend all you nice July people. Ruthie

I was able to keep up with insanity work out DVD

NSV today... Co-worker: Are you getting skinny? Me: Trying!

today makes 7 weeks banded for me...what a journey already! THE NUMBERS & NSVs jan 23-241-before pre-op diet feb 15-233 surgery day apr 4-212 i completed 30 minutes on the elliptical yesterday!!! it was my first time on that evil machine! it works the hell outta you! my pants are really baggy especially in the crouch and thigh areas:) tightly wearing a stretchy cotton XL shirt! THE SCALE-so i decided that i'd weigh in weekly because i was driving myself crazy with the scale. i was banded on a wednesday so my weigh in days are wednesdays. i joined the april weight loss challenge and the weigh in days are sundays so twice a week it is for april! this has been difficult for me because i was weighing multiple times daily! pure torture! FILL-i had my first fill last Friday and i am not sure how i feel about it (see previous post for details on the fill). there are times when i feel hungrier (real hunger) than i did before my fill...weird. i don't think i really needed a fill to begin with as i was not really feeling hungry and was still losing weight. i could only take an additional 2 cc's on top of the one that was added at surgery. i think i was expecting the fill to be some magical thing that would take over my body and create some type of change...and maybe that's what it's supposed to do, not sure yet. and maybe that's what it did, also not sure yet! i do know that the fill has made me think more about the way i am eating and i have been slowed down at least three times by my body telling me "you are eating too fast" and "that's enough". so the fill is working...i just don't understand why i feel physical hunger more now...any ideas? going to see my surgeon next week for my 2 month check-up...i'll see what he has to say about this... FOOD-i have been super consumed with thoughts of food ever since i was given the green light to be on step 4...which is basically the step where you can eat like a normal person...but i feel that i can't really because i don't know what that is. i talked with a fellow band mate that was banded a year ago and she suggested that i go back to eating the way i did before the band as she had. you know, eat regular like we all did before the band!!! NOW WAY! my eating habits pre-band were horrible and there is no way i'm doing that again i don't care how little i can eat...there will be no fried anything, no pizza, no chips, no sweets, and no "bad carbs"...these are all my downfall...as an overweight person i KNOW what to eat, but as an overweight person in recovery i feel lost. i crave the flavor that is crammed into all the bad stuff and i am not much of cook so this has been difficult. i am also one of those folks that eats rather simply, meaning i eat the same stuff over and over and don't do much to expand my menus:/ this is a major goal for me...MAJOR... YUM-i went to starbucks for the first time since january and ordered a skinny decaf vanilla latte--120 cals...can't become a habit, but it was good:) PUPPY-hubby and i were walking with our 2 year old black lab miles and a family was moving and asked us of we wanted another lab...we were like "noooo". they said they couldn't take her to their new place and were going to take her to the pound...they said she was current on her shots and was house broken...so we looked at her and the next thing i know we are walking home with two dogs! she is six months and we named her daisy!! happy spring all...until next week...in weight loss and beyond

Checking in with the Fabulous 50's...I'm really happy today. I hit the 70 pound loss mark. 40 pounds to go. Surgery was May 3. I had to go out and buy new clothes this weekend because I have a couple of week long business trips coming up in colder climates and there is nothing in my closet that fit! My most recent NSV is that I can now fit in Chico's clothing! And not even their largest size! The sales associate had to keep bringing me smaller sizes. It felt awesome. And, bonus, This was the Outlet store that had tons of sales!!!

I've had the same experience! The little NSVs everyday add up to a changed life don't they? Congrats on all the great changes ladies!

Paula - I got ya updated. You've lost 65 pounds, not 64. Don't ya just love mistakes in your favor? hehe Heather - I'm so glad you're having such a great day! You happiness is infectious! Grats on your NSVs gurl! Funny - It is awesome to see the amazing amounts of weight our members has lost, isn't it? I'm so proud of everyone!! And with your fired up, ready to kick butt attitude, you'll be on that Honor's page before ya know it! Everyone - Just a reminder... to help us save space, please leave your signatures off of your posts. There is an option to Show Your Signature that you can de-select before you post. Feel free to put them on your score cards though. You can put whatever you want on those. Before and after pics, measurments, whatever helps you. Thanks everyone!

Kelly sorry to hear about your mom. Don't forget to take care of yourself! Joan praying the band slippage corrects itself. I am 215 today, down 2.25. Had a fill on Thursday. I also had a NSV today that means a lot to me. Acouple of years ago family and I were swimming in a lake. Everyone swam to a floating dock and got out. I couldn't pull myself up the ladder. I had to swim to the shore. I was so humiliated. A little biy ago I climbed out of the pool at the YMCA using the ladder! Yay me!

Wow - that is a great NSV! You are a very beautiful woman - congratulations on all your success.

Thanks buddy! Likewise. I also enjoy seeing your progress photos. I will be posting about my recent island trip so stay tuned for that. Lots of NSVs

Can I share something???? One of the NSV for me was, (if you read my posts I am a slow loser) BUT I have more self confidence and self esteem than I ever had had in my life. You maybe can understand when I share with you that I would avoid any situation that involved seeing people that had not seen me in awhile or meeting people for the first time after we had met over the phone etc. because I could see it in their face the (OMG) this person is not who I thought she was over the phone or look how much bigger she has gotten. I will write more later...

Couch to 3K sounds great! I have wanted to do a 5K forever and it is one of my NSV goals.

Good Morning! Just a quick check in, I have a lot to do getting ready this morning for my interview. Wish me luck!!!! Sherry - Half the people on here are from Texas! We just jumped in and posted. I actually didn't realize I was posting on a NJ thread till I had posted for a few days. Pat - I'm a fair weather person too, it was 82 yesterday. It sure didn't feel like it though as it was cloudy. I can do some 60's but 70's/80's are my weather. I have rode when it was much colder, but I shiver so bad I usually don't. Great NSV on the vest. I bought one a couple of years ago to sew all my Patches on and never wore it. Now it is way too big on me so I went the other day to exchange it and didn't like anything they had. So, I still have the big one till I can find something I like. Love your cooking story! Doc - I know you are very nervous, but you will be fine. It won't be long till we can welcome you to bandland! Well, got to run and get ready. I'll check later!

Last week, I only lost 0.1kg, which is nothing really. I was a bit worried that I'd stopped losing weight until my first fill, but this week it's dropped off again. I don't weigh-in "officially" until tomorrow, but I jumped on the scales this morning and I'm already down 1kg Very pleased about that. I started a thread yesterday about my first NSV - my neighbour stopped me in my driveway and complimented me on "getting skinner", which was thrilling! I'm fitting into clothes I've never worn before (bought them without trying them on and then found out they were too tight)... And a funny one - my bras are fitting better (less side/back fat), but my boobs actually look bigger! Because my belly is shrinking! FINALLY, I've been waiting for the belly to shrink for 4 years since my daughter was born!!! I stayed looking pregnant all that time! SOOOO pleased with how this is all turning out!

Ok, I'll bite. WTH is NSV?