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A NSV in the midst of problems While I was being prepped for the camera thing, they had me hooked up to various monitors. The nurse asked me if I was a marathon runner. I was a bit boggled by that, and asked her why she thought that. She flipped the monitor around to show a resting heartrate of 53, and a BP of 109/67. Those are pretty amazing numbers, given that my doc wanted to put me on hypertension medicine just before I got banded. Still working out the bleeding thing, got a bunch of meds and such to take. So be it....

I am SO happy it's the weekend! I'm here for confessionals and personals and to share my NSV... Personals first: SweetHot: YOU GO GIRL! If it's not too personal to ask, how far does your dunlap fall? Yeast infections are NO GOOD! My tummy is just now starting to hang, but I'm also still over 200 lbs. By the time I'm down to 170, I'm sure it'll just be a lump of soft flesh. Good luck with the loss! I'd be motivated, too! B'man: Keep your chin up. I know I asked before, but have you ever thought about anti-depressants? The're not a permanent solution, but girl, they could help to bouy your spirits during this tough time. I'm sorry your Gramma is tripping. We love you. Just keep in touch periodically. *hugs* Jill: I know all about daycare woes! You poor thing! Does your city have a county agency you can call for licensed child care referrals? Does your job have any kind of Employee Assistance Center/Program (EAC or EAP)? If so, call them and see if they can't help. If not, I can call my company for you to see if I can't get some direction. Bless your heart. And give your tummy a love rub for me! SO excited about our 2nd band baby! I assure you, if you eat sensibly, the baby will continue to grow even if you're losing weight. I lost a TON of weight when I was pregnant! I had huge fibroid tumors (14cm and 16cm) while I was pregnant! I could barely eat. Still managed to give birth to an 8lb 4oz healthy, bouncing baby boy! :thumbup: Nikki: How's our first band baby doing, you sexy mama? It's summer for you, right? How's the weather? How far along are you? You crack me up talking about your wobblies. Give yourself a love rub for me, too! Sending positive energy to you and that baby! Steph: What are you doing with your time these days? Are you doing any skiing this year at all? I remember how much you enjoyed it last year. You have company this weekend, I think. Did you get all your cleaning done? Wish you could come over and help with MY cleaning! My house is okay, but my room is a friggin disaster area! I have clothes. everywhere. *sigh* I just need to stop bullshitting and get busy! ...maybe later. VaB: How did the job interviews go? *fingers crossed* How's the exercising coming along? I haven't exercised a single day all year long. Well, not since I got back from FL. I have been sooooo tired! Well, today I am determined to get up onto that elliptical for an hour - even if I have to break it into 4 sessions of 15 minutes each. I'm so close to crossing the continental divide, I am ready and willing to WORK for it! :tt1: How's the man situation? Meeting any new cuties at all? Did I tell y'all I joined some online dating sites? *giggling* I DID! No luck yet... Claudia: So you moved to Chicago? I'm confused, I'm sorry. I can't remember if you were moving or visiting. And do you have a job there yet? If you are in Chicago, how are you finding the weather? Chicago is one of my favorite cities! I'm a huge Bear fan, too! I live across the lake in SW Michigan, about a 2 hour drive. Next time I'm headed that way, I'll let you know. Maybe we can meet up for a cup of coffee or something. :tt2: So I'm hoping to fill yall in without writing a novel. I have a raging case of PMS. Well, it's either PMS or I'm pregnant, too. And I swear to y'all I'm praying for PMS. It hasn't been this bad in months. I'm irritable, bloated, my nipples are really tender, I've got a headache, and I've got some (TMI) discharge that is making me itch. It's not yeast. If there's no motion in the ocean by 2/15, I'll be getting a HPT. Again, I am praying for my p'rot to fall. Until then, I'm struggling to keep my mood swings under control. I took measurements today! I have lost a total of 55.875" since 12/1/2006 (when I started my pre-op diet). I measure neck, bust, ribs, waist, hips, arms (2), thighs (2) and calves (2). I have lost 9.75" from my hips alone! Can you believe that? Almost 10 inches! And I've taken off 7.5" from each thigh. My thighs are under 30" around for the first time in 15 years, I bet. It's just amazing. AMAZING! I'm determined to be under 200 by 1 March. To help me with my loss I gave up sugar and alcohol for Lent. I think part of my headache and moodiness is from sugar withdrawal. So while I was taking measurements and changing clothes, DS was in my living room scribbling on the arm of my sofa with a permanent marker. OMG! I completely lost my mind! I spanked him and threw him in his room. I scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed - the marker came out of the sofa. I thought the couch was ruined. Anyhow, he's still in his room. This happened about 2 hours ago. I can't even deal with him now. I feel like BAD MOMMY, but I need a break. Not much else to report. About to get on my elliptical for a while to work off some of this frustration and weight! BIG LOVE! Nat

Lauren congrats on the NSV!, Makes shopping a bit more fun. Mindy you look great! I found a before Pic last night (the only one I think I allowed to be taken @a wedding) and I'm just SO reluctant to post before/after pics right now - You rock for sharing!

Stranger - glad you are feeling better and super glad you logged fewer lbs! Welcome ting - your found a great thread. These guys have funny stories, and offer great support and inspiration! I seem to be playing tag with this silly cold, I had to skip yesterday's gym trip and I am sitting out today for rest. I may try tomorrow depending on how today goes. I had a cool NSV of sorts yesterday. I visited my PCP for a re-up on my cholesterol meds and something for this cough. Our Ins is a PPO, so he doesn't know a thing about my banding adventure. So, I finally told him about it. For some history, I know him - he is not just my doc. His wife helped found our local Habitat, she still helps me with fund raising, and I have worked with their daughter on a HFH project. Let's just say I was nervous. He was positively giddy! Can't wait to observe the whole process. Wanted to know why I chose LB over GBS. Apparently, I will be his first patient to go the LB route. And here I thought he was going to give me some big "don't do it" speech. That was a big relief.

I love these NSV's - as much as the before / after pic thread:) Congrats everyone!!!! So have a few more this wk - the scale has decided to freeze up like the weather, so I"m going to guess that working out has helped with: * New Wedding band bought last year, slips off * Watch that need links added (which I didn't) fits perfectly now * Shoe size gone from 8 1/2 to and 8 * Size 10 Jeans fit comfortably * Have only one chin now

Great NSV's!!! You know, I can't seem to get in the groove of exercising either. I know I really need to, and I agree with you, my husband and I were walking 4-5 times a week when the weather was warmer. We just need to get our butts in gear!!!

Ah, the closet. Well, I had a huge surprise. I went through all the clothes I'd saved from losing weight 5 years ago or so. I can get into my fat skinny jeans, if that makes any sense - the smallest jeans I got into - which makes absolutely no sense because I'm 20 pounds heavier now than I was then. The NSV that makes me smile is I can go up and down the stairs without making them creak.

Wow you guys...way to go ont he NSV....I can't wait to walk in those prints

LJM: I wondered what your PS would say about your breast problem. You know I think, as long as its safe, its probably a good idea to wait, because you are going to lose even more weight and you'll probably want a little adjustment on the tummy when you get to goal. I'm envious that you are getting your back done. That's fantastic! I think I have decided to go for the breast augmentation along with my lift. I've talked to my internist about it and he alleviated a lot of my concerns and told me I'd do fine with all the surgery, which was a relief for me because I thought he might say lose the last 20 first or with your heart problems I don't think its a good idea. Instead, he said, I was doing fantastic. Now coming from this doc, that was a real NSV! I am having the pain pump and I hope it's worth the $350. Ghost sure said it was on her thread. I've heard this from others as well. I, too, am dreading the pain. Sorry I won't be going before you, so I could tell you my opinion from experience. Hopefully, Neal and Nina get back on here quickly!

Just got done with 5 miles on the bike and 10 minutes on the glider. I tried the stepper and I'm not likin' it. I'll offer it to DD and if she doesn't want it, it goes back. It works the same parts of the body that the elliptical trainer does and I like the trainer so much better. Just seems better made. Pork chop leftovers are in the fridge for tomorrow's lunch. I couldn't finish my chop, but the Bobster devoured his and was slurping more sauce when I caught him in the kitchen. We got our next fill scheduled for March 17.. the nurse told us to remember to wear green! Pam...don't ya just love the pbs..?? specially in public. I swear there are times I feel like a bulemic. DD says it's an adventure eating with her parents now. She says.. "I know every time you sit back and cross your arms, that in a minute you're gonna head for the bathroom!". I noticed that she had left one of my sweaters in my bathroom and I asked if it was hers or mine. She said it was mine and that she was going to wear it last night, but changed her mind. I'm almost positive the reason she didn't wear it was that it was too small for her. It is a little tight on me, but her belly is sticking out more than mine these days. An NSV for me, but I feel bad for her. Don't want to mention her weight cause her emotions are so fragile while she's trying to get pregnant. Kat...hindsight says it would have been better for you to munch on that m&m rather than go through all this with your tooth!!:regular_smile: But you were being a good bandster! And when I read the recipe called for a mortar and pestle, I thought....... shucks, dont' have one of those. So I improvised with a little bowl and the bottom of a jar. Not as efficient, but the Bobster never complained of tapioca globs. Time to go watch a little tv and run on the trainer for a bit. Then hit the hot tub, head to bed and get up early for Ethan again tomorrow. I'll check back before I head to bed. TTFN.....

I went shopping today for some new pants. My 16Ws were getting big. I'd tried on my mom's 14Ws, and they worked, so that's what I was intending to get. Well, once I got to the Liz Claiborne outlet, and started trying on clothes, I realized that the 14Ws were actually too big. So, I try on the 16 regulars. They WORK! But, they were too long. I asked the sales lady to help me, but apparently the store doesn't carry many short-length regular-size styles. There is a petites section, but the sizes only go up to 14. I was incredibly disappointed and prepared to go home empty-handed. My mom then comes up to me and nags me into trying the 14P. Granted, the one I tried had a little elastic at the sides, but it was a 14. IT FIT! And the regular, no-elastic was only slightly too small. So, then she came back with a pair of 12Ps. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I got them on. THEY FIT, TOO! Better than the 14Ps did! Again, they had a little elastic at the sides, but I don't even remember when I last wore a size 12. Maybe 7th/8th grade? Of course, we then lost that pair and couldn't find it again (I tried on probably 25-30 pairs of pants). Hell, even the sales lady couldn't find it. Apparently, that was the only pair of 12Ps with elastic in the sides that they had in the store. Figures. I wound up buying a couple of pairs of 14Ps that fit pretty well, but I wanted those 12Ps, damn it. :confused: But, hey! I wore a size 12 today! :tt1:

Ok, so it's been a while and I owe a huge apology to you Janet for not logging on to wish you a Happy Birthday!! I hope you had a great day (even though you couldn't eat). :confused: So, here are my NSV's I've been wanting to share with you all. One is that I have two pairs of size 22 jeans that I can now get off and on without unbuttoning or unzipping them. It makes me laugh when I have people telling me that I need to buy new clothes. I've been waiting to buy new clothes until I'm completely out of plus, and I'm pretty sure I'm getting awful close. My problem with pants and stuff is that I carry most of my weight between my stomach and thighs. :tt1: Oh well, it's all going away slowly but surely. :wink2: I feel like the marshmallow "wo"man when I wear my winter coat, but I absolutely refuse to buy a new one this year. Also, I'm getting excited because I have about 30 pounds to go, and my hubby and I are going to start to take action to have a family. I'm super excited and know with the weight loss that pregnancy is going to so much safer because of this. Well, I'm down to 214 (started at 268) and I thought I'd be under 200 by now, but oh well. It's not happening as fast as I'd like it to be, but it's still moving in the right direction. I've attached a picture montage and the big picture in the middle is of me from tonight. I forgot to take pics for my 6 month, so here's the 7 month. Hopefully it's not too big and if it is, I'm sorry, but I think we are close to the end of a page, so it shouldn't be on for long. The only reason that the Vegas pic is on here is because I have the same sweater on and I can't believe the difference in how it fits and even that's starting to get big and it's only an XL. I shouldn't have been wearing it back then, but I thought it was cute, and think it's even cuter now. :huh2: I really love my band family here and even though I'm not good at posting, I do read all the time and love hearing of your successes and trials because I'm having the same ones!!j Hopefully it won't be as long between posts. ~Nichole

Hey guys just jumping on for a quick second. Pat, thanks for the compliment. Just think how I would look with the massive amount of skin removed. (I tuck it into my pants right now) I could do without the breast lift.....Hubby says the girls still look really good. :confused: We went bowling with some people from a bike group that we belong to, and had a blast last night. It was nice to have some adult interaction. Abi went the the doctor yesterday and she has a sinus infection. We are back at the ENT tomorrow. I went for my allergy test today, good news is, no allergy. Bad news is I still have sinus issues with no real cause. I go for the cat-scan tomorrow. It was supposed to be today, but they had to postpone, the tech was sick today. I see the doc tomorrow, so we will see what he says. We got a ton of snow Sunday night, about 6 in. in a matter of a few hours. I shoveled the driveway, steps and walkway, and I didn't get winded at all. Talk about a huge NSV. We are expecting more snow again tonight....ugh! My neighbor is a real estate agent, we were out shoveling at the same time Sunday, and I told her that she had to sell me on staying here in this frozen hell. She just laughed at me, she says we have to stay cuz we are such good neighbors. She's the best. I also have big news. I ran for the board of directors in my subdivision, and last night I was elected onto the board. It will be a ton of work but worth it, I really do love my community. I'm off to bed. I'll check in later. ~Mandy

sweet- I am a finacial office asst Ok so I asked my boss at the end of the day so have you heard anything and this morning as well and he said no nothing . So I hate playing this limbo crap lol either they fire me or I am not fired lol I have things to do jajaja Ok so its not that bad in my life since I have things to do in the future I think that what keeping me calm and that God is with me in my heart as well as many good people as you all to keep me from thinking other things . On the good note I am so Happy I lost 5 pounds on my trip to Chicago maybe being there will make me loose more Nsv I went to go see my tax advisor yesterday oviously I havnt seen him since last year he knows about the surgery and he said did you get a tummy tuck also . I started laughting said no why I need one I know that . He is like no you look awsome you look really good and I am pround of people like you that take initiative to do what they want in life to be happy. I was so happy when I walked out of there with a good refund lol and a good complemint. oviously it did put me to think that know I am caring more for what I want in life and what makes me happy and doing it taking a chance :mad: read you later girls bev- how are you boo- call you during the week if I can ok :cake: and again thanks for the talk clau

Good morning violets! Wow everyone be careful who is in that ugly weather. So glad your son in law is ok Judy. I'm sure that was so scary for him! Happy Birthday Laura!! The bracelet is beautiful!! Pam - so lucky that you get to go to Disney. I love that place. We haven't been in about 6 years. We all said the next time we go it's with our kids so that'll be a looonnnggg time from now, LOL! Haven't started on my water or anything this morning. I pledge to be a perfect bandster today. Cottage cheese for breakfast, turkey roll ups for lunch and I've got some chicken breasts defrosting for dinner. No snacking! Oh and major NSV... I wanted to share this pic with ya'll... All the girls in my family are teeny tiny and i've always felt like a huge cow around them. Just recently I've been feeling "normal" around them. Well someone took this picture on sunday and i look normal next to my freakishly little aunts!! it's finally starting to sink in that i can pass for normal...

OK...I love you NYMPHS..I truly do but as I write this I am in a state of depression over the lack of love from my PATS. I will give my kudos to the Giants they played a great game. The best team did win IMO. Watch out for next year, you can't keep a good team down. This is great fuel for next year and Belicheck will use it to his advantage. Can we say pit in my stomach for all 4 quarters. I never did feel confident that we were going to win; except maybe in the last 2.5 minutes of the game. I can't talk about it anymore to depressing; just want to forget. As for another NSV moment. I lost 3lbs from Sunday to Tuesday and all because of the PATS loss. This Superbowl loss was good for my weightloss. Love you guys, Cindy

i've had some nsv's recently: most of my pants are too big. i can sit in my boss's chair and my hips don't touch the arm rests. and then there's a scale victory that has an attached nsv: i'm down 42 pounds since 12/27/07. that includes 19 days of pre-op liquid diet, and then 21 days of post-op eating. some--but not a lot--of exercise. i've also down a total of 24.5 inches! (and i finally resized a picture for my avatar...i can see the difference from photos taken on 12/31/07 and photos taken today.) toni-o

And just so I can point this out.. NSV.. I could never wear women's bracelets or watches, the entire part of my life that I would ever want to. It was Dec. that I realized I could, so for the first time in my life I wanted somethin snazzy on my wrist!! It's 7", and it's SNUG, but it does close and it's not cutting of circulation lol. I think 1/8" more would be better, but I'm confident I'll lose just a little bit more wrist in the next 60lbs, so it'll fit perfectly soon. I made DUCK tonight for dinner. Finally found some at the Publix down the road. I was nervous, didn't smell so hot when cooking. But me and DH both really liked it, I'll be making duck again!!

I forgot to share my NSV -- the Birthday boy - Adam, he has been over to the house a few times a week recently - and I am always in my old (baggy) sweats, wearing 4 or 5 shirts/sweatshirts (I am always cold). I wore black jeans and black/white shirt there and it was warm enough that I didn't have a jacket on -- and when I got out of the car- he exclaimed OMG look at you -- you have lost A LOT of weight - and I said yes I have - he's like no I mean A LOT OF WEIGHT -- you look absolutely wonderful -- giving me a big bear hug! whooo hooo!

Tracy~ I used to get my lip waxed, and then about a week later, I'd have a dozen horrible blisters. I thought they were fever blisters, until after about 3 times, I realized it is from the hot wax. Now, I bought Sally Hansen Lip Dipilatory Cream, and do it at home about 3 times a year. Does not burn and more importantly does not blister. I must have sensitive skin there cause I get eyebrows done about 2x a month and beside some redness, no problems. Are you going for the Brazilian??? LOL Anyway, that is my 2 cents. I am sooo pissed again. I need a drink already and it is not even 11am. Oddly enough I don't drink but a few times a year...maybe I should start. NSV...3 large PINK BOXES full of donuts...walked right past them about 6 times already. Not worth the calories. Now chips, kickin salsa and a margarita...that is worth the calories!

Wow - great reports everyone! Karri/Salsa - size 10's???? I"m in awe!!!! Glad to hear your band is behaving better now too. Real food is a definite improvement over shakes! Frangi - glad to hear things are going down for you again! Val - good for you for getting the food logging on track. I need to do the same! Becky, you're a wise woman, and your tracker shows it! Keep up the great work! I can't say that my eating was all that under control this weekend, but I can say the portions are much smaller than they would have been before surgery. I did have a few NSV's this week: - A friend stopped by with 2 bags of clothes as hand-me-downs. It felt really good knowing that I'm in the same size range as her, even if the items don't fit just right (too big in the waist, too tight in the legs/butt - she likes the "slimfit" stuff, which I wouldn't necessarily choose as a flattering option). This is going to sound a little immature, but it felt good to know I've caught up with her and will be passing her up in a bit - she's the one that's always drawn the looks and it would be fun to actually be the smaller one for the first time. Then again, I see myself naked every day. Nothing like a reality check to keep things on track. Ha!

I stayed home. Went to school this morning to make copies, but then came back home. We are supposed to be getting a new couch delivered in less than an hour so then I can curl up on the couch with my box of tissues and watch daytime tv! I actually have a lot of work to do, but I am going to veg until about noon and then get busy. Besides I can't think anyways. Yeah it always makes me angry whenever anyone even HINTS that WLS is the easy way out. The fact that there are so many people who are NOT successful with WLS should clearly show that this is not easy. Of course anyone who says anything about WLS and being easy gets a piece of my mind... and not the pretty part either. Well I am going to try and eat something. My fill is really loosening up. I don't know if it will be to the point that I have to go back in the end of March and get a fill (VERY SMALL ONE!) or if I will be just fine here. My superbowl party was fun yesterday. I have realized though that when food is just sitting out I end up eating more than I should. At home, the food is always in the kitchen. Thankfully we do not have an open floor plan so I can't see the fridge or the microwave or any of the food, so I don't have a problem with grazing. I mean I did really well eating wise and made good choices (the people hosting new I had surgery and made sure to have high protein choices for me!). I just happened to notice that I am more likely to graze when I see the food. One person did bring this ENORMOUS chocolate cake and I did have a piece of it and frankly I didn't think it was to die for. Now prior to these changes I would have done anything to have another piece, but now I am happy just having that half of a sliver (and not the part with the frosting HUGE NSV for me!). I am a huge frosting girl. For the first birthday that I had after my dad and I started talking again we celebrated together since is is shortly after mine. Instead of the cake, we both just ate the tubs of frosting. I know that had to lead to a few pounds that I am working off now! Okay well I need to move our old love seat out of the way so I will check in later.

The NSV's keep coming. Yesterday, I had to order new bras. I have gone down another size. I started in a 44D and now will be in a 38D. I also found two more pair of pants in my closet that I can now wear and both of them still had the tags attached. Had to have bought them 8-10 years ago. Also had a box in the bottom of my drawer that when I cleaned out one of the closets in the beginning of my journey were too small and needed hemming. Well, one pair of the jeans fell off me when I tried them on Right to the charity bag they went.

Thanks for the support, everybody! The thing is, I'm not upset at all that I've lost "only" 13 pounds. I know that's great! I'm upset because I should not be gaining. From everything I've learned, I should be steadily losing weight (I'm not worried about speed, here)..not gaining. I don't expect miracles...I only expect to be rewarded for what I'm doing...not punished. I'll keep moving forward, but I'm calling the facility tomorrow to see if I can talk to somebody. I know we are all different and I don't expect to be dropping big numbers right now. I just expect to be seeing changes and I'm not. I've also ADDED 3 inches. Hello?!? 1 in my neck, 1 in my waist and 1 in my hips. I still don't get it. I don't even get NSV's right now to be happy about. I'll just keep moving forward like I said before. I'm not a quitter, but I am easily discouraged and I get disappointed in my body very, very easily.

Phyl - Congratulations on the NSVs. Isn't it great feeling better about yourself?