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Labgeek... Where or bring slip-on shoes. That was great for me. I had flip flops and streach pants, w/shirt. I was also really thirsty on the way home, I could not drink that much but needed to keep my throat wet, so I would say an extra bottle of water as well. Good luck and let us know how you are! Anita, Thanks for telling us about the fill. I go tomorrow and am scared, but so anxious as well. I am also a big wimp (all five feet of me) when it comes to needles BUT I have not lost one dang pound in three weeks so this fill has to work for me! Michelle, Great job working with the trainer and on your NSV!! Also let us know how your fill goes todays. You know we want all the details!!!

Haydee, I am the same way! When I went in for surgery the only thing that really even bothered me was the shot in my tummy..... aHHHHH that freaked me out. The IV was a bit of a pain, but since I have had many IV's I knew what to expect. So I am worried about my fill tomorrow as well. I think I am going to take some of my liquid vicoden before I head to the Dr.s. You all are so funny. I am having a rotten day and then I read these posts and just started laughing! OMG this is so funny! "So this morning I got to work early and I decided I'm going to do some of that ab work where you get on all fours." That is something that would happen to me! Judy, Tell DH good job!! Also great job on your NSV. Everyone with fills this past week how are you feeling? Are you losing yet? (please please give me hope!) Are you still on liquids or able to eat?

Today is a new day and another NSV! I had to find new jeans to wear today cause my standard pair are too big. AND I thought I might need to get a new bra. I was a 44DD a couple weeks before surgery. Was a 42DD a couple of weeks after surgery and went to get a 40DD, but they didn't have that size. So I got a 38DD and hoped it would fit soon. Well, soon is TODAY. I tried it on and it fits!! PLUS I was wearing size 10 Fruit of the Loom undies and now I'm in 8's. Now this is information I can only share with DH and all the Shrink'n Violets. The rest of the world would not be that interested in my underwear, trust me.

Hey Maysters! Haven't checked in with you guys lately! How is everyone? Happy Bandaversary to all of you! We have done so well as a group! My Bandaversary is coming up in 9 days! I had hoped to be in Onederland (199) by then and am just outside of it. Today I weighed 204! How awesome is that?! I had another fill on Tuesday and am now up to 2.75 cc's in my band, so I'm still on liquids. HOPEFULLY I will make it to 199 by the 26th. If I don't, I won't be upset... this year has been amazing! I bought some size 14 MISSY's capri pants and a size 12 Missy's skirt the other day(It doesn't zip all the way, but it will). I have NEVER in my life shopped in the MISSY'S Department! I went straight from the Sear's half sizes when I was in elementary school to the Plus Size departments. I gotta admit that I am totally freaked out by the Missy's department and find myself wondering back to the safe, comfortable Plus Size area. This is a mental hangup that I have to get past. I feel totally out of my element in the Missys. How crazy is that? I have sooo many NSVs that I have exeperienced over this last year that I can't even begin to list them all... I had a wonderful talk with my surgeon the other day.... These were his comments: "Wow, do you realize that you have lost a lot more weight than we expect in just under a year?", and "You are definitely leading the pack", and "I can't ask for you to be doing any better" and "Since you have done so well... we aren't gonna go crazy with this fill.. the only thing worse than being too loose is being too tight". My doc made me feel sooo good about where I am right now! I love my band!!! Its the best 18 grand that I will ever spend. Also... I have been getting alot more attention from guys... A little background... my younger cousin (by about 4 years) and I have always been very close, she is practically my little sis... anyway.. she is adorable.. 5'6, 125, awesome blue eyes and gorgeous long flowing brown hair. She has recently become single(broke up with a total loser, thank you God!) and we've been hanging out a lot. In the past, I've always been the invisible fat girl with the hot cousin. Well, now I'm no longer invisible! I catch guys checkin me out a lot more now. This is nice, but I still am having lots of body issues. I think I've always hidden behind my weight and I am a little freeked out that its not gonna be my protection from the world anymore(I have no idea why I need this protection). Most people don't understand this because I am very outgoing... everyone's confidant, everyone's buddy,I never meet a stranger.... but nobody's girlfriend. My friends tell me that I put out a major "don't approach me vibe" when it comes to guys. I don't know why I do this... I guess it is because my self esteem has always been pretty low, which I have always attributed to being big. Anyway... the weight loss has been awesome and I will never regret being banded. I just gotta work on the self esteem and body image now. Slowly the fat girl in the mirror is being replaced by a "normal sized girl"...the transformation continues. Thanks for letting me rabmle and I know you guys can relate! Have a great day Mayster and thanks for being here for me!

HELLO Fellow Violets!!!!!!! I had a hard time getting in today so now it is already afternoon! I was VERY happy to see the weight on my siggy this a.m. now I want those 230's!!!!! I have had 1 pc cajun string cheese 1 fairly large pc of meatloaf 1 cookie ( ) 44 oz's of water..... My sister and her best friend just started a colon cleansing program Colon Cleansing, Constipation, IBS, Colonix, Cleanse, Detox – Online Resource and I am about ready to try it myself, I wonder if it would be ok for us! I'm guess it would be since we have all our innards. I will warn you the pics on the website are DISGUSTING so if you thought my surgery pictures were gross..... BE WARNED..... I will also say that my sis (who is only on day two) is already a believer.. she's had bathroom problems her ENTIRE LIFE... she used to run from my grandma if she had a bar of soap in her hand! LOL sad but true. Feed back anyone???? NSV: I am now able to wear 5 pairs of my old jeans and two of my old "good" bra's that I had gotten too wide for. My boss, today said he could tell I was losing weight.... (HE DOES NOT KNOW I HAD SURGERY) but he does know that I'm on a diet and paid to see a nutritionist. Also... this is pretty amazing because he is a near retirment normally unobservant MAN!

OH OH OH!! And I had an NSV today at lunch! Was trying on some new clothes (everything is BIG in my closet!!!) and instinctively went for the 16W's, which is the next size down for me. They were all too big! Guess what?? 14W's are just right!! That's a drop of 2 sizes so far!! Almost into the regular womens sizes!...maybe another 10#. Now THAT is gonna be one helluva day.

Hi ya'll, Has anyone else been having trouble with LBT? I keep getting error messages. I guess they don't have all the bugs worked out with the new format. The scale was kind to me after my Mother's Day indulgence, and I was still at 173 on Monday, which was down 1 lb. for the week. My 16-year old daughter has been wanting to walk in the evenings, and of course I want to support her fitness efforts, so in addition to my spinning classes, I've been doing some power walking in the evenings. Of course, I'm getting nothing *else* done in my life these days *except* the exercise. Lisa, I admire your running. I actually tried it the other day, but the ol' knees reminded me that I was practically crippled with knee issues a few months ago, and we *don't* want to go there again. I also keep a fairly moderate fill level, but it's my own choice. The fill nurse at my doc's office is pretty lenient, and offered me .5 at my last fill, but I declined, and asked for .25. That's been perfect for me. I can still eat solid foods, even a little bread occasionally, but am able to keep my hunger under control. Karey, let us know what you think of the Body Bugg. I've heard really good things about those. My daughter just got a pair of the Nike Plus shoes. You put in this little device, which sends a signal to her iPod Nano, and tells her # of steps, calories burned, and let's her design fitness routines which it monitors on her computer. Pretty cool. Sandy, congrats on the 3# drop! And, yes, my blog is visible. If you go to my LBT profile, there's a link there to my OH profile. If you have trouble finding it, let me know. Mim, you're gorgeous *and* a computer whiz? Dang, what a combination! Congrats on being "normal"! Unfortunately, no matter how much weight I lose, I will always be slightly *abnormal*. April!!! It's good to hear from you! I'm so glad to hear your problem resolved itself, and that you've got your band in gear again. Don't stay away so long! Lifelongband, 7 lbs. in one week??!!! That's awesome, congratulations. You're really moving along. I had a really nice NSV this week. I was crossing the street, and a couple of guys drove by in a hot sports car, and one of them yelled out the window, "Lookin' good!". Made my day/week/month! Tami

Well everyone, I tried so hard this last week. I lost 7 pounds!!! WOOHOO! I am so excited!! What a great birthday present!!! I am now at 101 pounds until goal!! WOOT! I went to the 2nd hand store and bought jeans over the weekend and I am down from a 30/32 to a 20 or 22 depending on the brand. So, this week I have had a SV and a NSV!

You know, I had problems logging in yesterday and now I have to play catch up! LOL!! Molly....great NSV!!! Losingjusme! You'll make it to 100 this week! I know you will. Ridin...have a great time! I had a fill last Friday and it feels like NOTHING! He filled me and then said "oops, a little too much" then took some out. I still don't feel restriction!!! I was hoping for more of a kick but with that whole "fat around the stomach" bit, I'm thinking maybe this is the best it's gonna get from now on. I'm going to have to start relying on some willpower.

Waterlily!!! I forgot to tell you how proud I am of your great NSV!! You go girl!! Keep up the good work and the 18's will be slidin' off that tiny behind!! Katie

hey annie, congrats on the nsv! and thank god im not the only one going through this. I JUST turned 39 and thought i was going through "the change" early too. You know though it DOES make sense to get on the pill to try to control it. Libra, thanks for that idea, ill probably go in and see what i can do. maybe because of the extra estrogen the pill you were taking isnt strong enough anymore? Im definitely going to go in and find out if i can get on them. we only have so many eggs. when they go, they go...and rapid fire shooting isnt doin me any good.

molly, great NSV!!!

Welcome Katie! Glad you found us :youcandothis: Well I had a major NSV today. I went shopping for some new slacks and I bought a pair of 22's my current fav pair are 26 and the smallest I have other than the 18's I have stashed away. My DH asked me if I was gonna try them on and I said no, they will fit very soon if they don't yet. Took them home and tried them on, they fit!!! I started this journey out wearing size 34's and they were pretty tight! Now I am in 22's I can barely believe it. As for more weight loss I am having a hard time not approaching it casually, I kinda feel like I need to get rid of the diet mentality and just go with the healthy eating mentality. Diet mentality works great for me in spurts but I get burned out really quick. I think that now that I am about half way I am cool with slower weight loss or faster whichever my body decides to do. Despite all the hard work and all the right numbers I cannot make my body shed pounds I just have to go with the flow and let my body shed when it wants to and make healthy choices so that I don't back track at all.

Hi all. Well I haven't weighed myself latley, will probably do so tomorrow. I also haven't been keeping track of calories the past few days because I wanted to focus more on eating and getting food and stuff in me and just resting and healing. But I am starting to feel better! I don't think that counts as a NSV since it isn't really related to weight loss directly, but I'm sure happy about it. A couple of days ago I had some chopped beef brisquet for dinner. It was yummy. Then when DH was eyeing my left overs (I always have plenty these days) I told him not to touch them cause that was going to be dinner for the next day. So he started mumbling about how he needs to start ordering more so he will have left overs too. The past couple of days I've been on a cold cereal kick for some reason. It just sounded really good. So I ate some cap n crunch. Then I remembered I had some healthier stuff like grape nuts and kashi. And cold cereal goes down well! I can eat a whole bowl of that stuff. I was surprised because once I wasn't even full after eating a bowl. Shocked is more like it. So I was thinking to myself that maybe I was starting to lose some of my restriction since it seemed like I was eating more of stuff. Then today for lunch I decided to have a burger- a fastfood one since DH picked one up (he worked from home yesterday so he gets to be a bum today I guess). I got a angus burger for burger king, with cheese, but no mayo. Took the top bun off because all that bread is just too filling. So I ate half the burger (no fries- I don't have room for fries!) and then massive PB, evil golfball feeling. Even half a burger with just half a bun was too much I guess. So I suppose my restriction is still pretty good. Cold cereal and stuff like that just slide on down apparently! So I guess I should stick to my oatmeal-- that stuff is sticky. Eitherway right now I am not that concerned about gaining a few pounds. I know that sounds strange and I don't want to gain weight in general, but I feel that I need to focus on just healing now and getting better and making sure I eat. (sometimes its easier to not eat esp if I wait too long and then I feel nauseated and won't want too, etc) Then once I feel stronger and so forth I get back in the saddle, so to speak and refocus on the specifics of the foods and calories. I'd just been feeling so very tired rundown sick plus I feel like I've had great weight loss so right now the numbers aren't my focus. I am sorting through some old clothes I have though- keep, give away, throw out. The keep clothes I am then going to sort by size so when I do go down a size I can just go to the right pile instead of having to sort through all of them. My size 22 jeans are just too big on me! I can take them off without unfastening them! That is a good NSV I think. I hope everyone else is doing well! Keep up the good work!

Sorry for all your bad news Pam On our way home from my parent's yesterday we pass a cemetary and I saw 2 young guys putting flowers on a grave and I had a teary-eyed moment.. must have been their mom So I briefly said something about it last night before bed, but I ate so much and so much BAD stuff yesterday. I don't know how it all got in there, I don't feel like it's backed up, but how would it not be stretching out the pouch?? I ate about 3c of food in one sitting.. I ate half of a bratwurst in a hot dog bun, and that's the only thing that gave me problems, and I ate that first.. I had to do small small bites. And then I was going to try my dad's burgers, but one bite and I wasn't hungry anymore.. so I had some chips and dip, and then I was able to eat (this is not an NSV moment.. I forget the acronym) 2 pieces of cake!!! I was trying to resist, but both my g'mas make their cakes from scratch and.. someone brought cupcakes, and I was able to say NO to cupcakes.. someone brought brownies, and I said NO to brownies.. and then the cakes came out.. and I thought, I'll just try each of them.. took a normal slice of one (someone else cut the pieces), and a tiny slice of the other (i cut that one)..But while I'm eating them, I never got the 'full' feeling.. ugh. So sad.. woke up this morning, bleeding heavy from period, so I'm hoping that's the source of my weak moment. I did do extra time on my Gazelle last night trying to work off some of those calories I packed in... but I know I still went way overboard. I can't wait till June 6th..

Thanks Elisabeth!!! I had the best NSV on Mother's Day!!! My husband and son gave me a giftcard for The Avenue for Mother's Day and let me spend the afternoon shopping with my mom. I needed clothes desperately as everything is falling off of me and my husband said he had no idea what size to buy. When I got to the store I guessed that I would be a size 18 because I just bought a cocktail dress in that size two weeks ago. I tried on a pair of 18 capris....and they were too big!!! Yup, I'm a size 16!!!! A 16!!!!! Have I mentioned that I started this process as a size 30? I was so excited that I actually started shouting "woo hoo!" in the middle of the fitting room!! I haven't been a size 16 since high school! As a matter of fact, my senior prom dress was an 18! I'm so excited that I think when I wear my new clothes, I'm gonna announce to everyone and anyone..."Oh, by the way, I'm wearing a size 16!!!" LMAO!!

I'm gonna be honest here. Since about two wks post-op (my banding was 3/14/07) I haven't really had to chew-chew-chew, take very long to eat a meal, or really have to slow down much at all, maybe on occasion in the a.m. Even after my 1st fill I didn't. But now I do. My last fill of an additional 1cc has done the trick. I knew by ppls posts and the LB rules what is expected of me when it comes to meal time. But as of Friday, I officially have to follow these rules. These few days have been hard. I haven't pb'ed yet but today i really wanted to. I thought i was gonna die. I spit and spit saliva but never did. This is taking some getting used to. Did good for dinner! went to Applebees and had the weight watchers talapia..yum-o! I had about 3 tbsp of it and a few bites of broccoli and 1 asparagus speer and I was totally full! Slow and steady really was the trick. I guess this is my NSV! I'm slowly learning how to use this cool new tool I have!....Oh, and I went down 1 pant size! woo-hoo Lost 30 lbs since November, 20 since banded. Thanks fro listening

WARNING...NON-SCALE VICTORY (NSV) AHEAD! So I am out for my walk today, just going along, admiring the view of this beautiful day and minding my own business. Most of the walk was uneventful, outside of saying HI to a few people I would pass by here and there, until I made my way back home, a car came by and some TWENTYSOMETHING guy whistled out the window at me! ROFL. Wow, how long has it been since that has happened? I have no idea *grin*....but it certainly feels great! The funny thing was, I had nothing revealing or outstanding on...just a casual outfit of capris and matching top. Of course, they were a couple of sizes smaller. Heh.

<p>OH Julie:</p> <p> </p> <p>Doesn't sound like boasting to me. Sounds more like an NSV!</p>

Beth - sounds like you had a wonderful day with your daughter. Way to go on the NSV!! I'm sure it felt good to get that size 18 on! I have had a long day of doing a lot of nothing...I finished a project someone hired me to make and I entered all my email addresses into my new lap top and now I've been cruising the Internet a bit. Time for me to head to bed. Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!

Hi All, I was banded 4/5 and I am feeling great! I have to remind myself I just had surgery, like I wanted to give blood at a blood drive two weeks out, luckily my sister is a nurse practioner and she reminded me while on liquids maybe I shouldn't give blood! Now I have to remember still no heavy lifting. Anyway, my major change has been that my rings are no longer cutting off my circulation! I have been forgetting and sleeping with them on because they fit so well. They used to leave deep inprints on my fingers. Hows that for a NSV? Good luck to all!

Nat- how is ds today? I hope better my ds ate a bunch of vitamins when he was about 2 puked his guts out- thankfully that was all. Bev- hope you and Eric are having fun. Enjoy your weekend! kaydot- Good luck with peds. I liked peds, I always thought in nursing school I would do peds or OB. It turned out I did critical care, ER and that kinda stuff. Now I am a house supervisor, I really like it. I have some great bosses and a great hospital. What area are you looking at going into?? Bk- That dvd does sound like fun-- I love to dance except I have 2 left feet. my dd thinks I am so fun when we dance together My NSV- I was sitting at my desk the other day and I crossed my legs! Normally and it felt good, when I realized I was doing it I was like oh my goodness! =) I am still pretty tight. We are going out for mothers day tonight I think I am going to get a salad. I really want one and I have not tried it yet. I hope I dont pb in front of everyone. Actually maybe I can just have some of dh--I dont know going out is such a pain! Well i will update more later! Jill

OH Juli - You look Marvelous! Tia - The picture of you and your daughter is precious, and I love the new do! I can really tell the difference in both of your faces. Congratulations on the NSV Kaelin's Gma! Stay strong and keep the faith everyone! We will all do this at our own pace. Our bodies (and minds) will want to revolt at various times. Working with our bands will be a learning process and will take time. I like the fact that I am losing slowly....I think it's way better for our health and skin and mental adjustment. I was talking to someone who had bypass and lost 100 lbs in 5 months......that is SO not healthy!

Well my gallstone purge worked, about 200 stones I estimate. It was not a fun week for me but it's over. Maybe now I can finally get some good excersize in! It's a little hard when you are living in the bathroom or doubled over in pain. Efficka, just keep checking in and letting us know how you are, I am sorry you are so sick, it's no fun at all. Take care and feel better soon! Julie, good for you getting the candy thing under control It isn't easy being unfilled. Well I am not sure how or why but the scale says 269 and even if it goes up a pound or two for a few days I am taking the low number and running with it. Now despite flucuations I am in my mind in the 60's yay and hopefully with my little baby fill i got I will get safely to the center of town and maybe even breeze on thru without stopping for gas. Kat I am still praying. Oh and Betty do we have a date yet? for or little bash? Ooh nsv I almost forgot about. I was talking to some ladies from church during a rehearsal Wednesday night and we were talking about dress sizes and how I bought a new dress off the internet a size 26 but it is about 2-3 sizes too big! It must run genreous because I know I am definitely no smaller than a 22 at the very smallest. My 26 slacks and skirt are getting pretty loose so maybe somewhere between 22-24 but anyway, I said it's hard cause I really don't know what size I am anymore, and the one lady said I looked about like her daughter who is an 18! Now I know I am not an 18 yet but boy that made me feel good! Hehe, had to share.

One of the first little NSV's I noticed after surgery was that my nails stronger and didn't peel back any more!! My hair is also much thicker than it has been in several years. I give all the credit to protein.....I get 80/100 grams a day every day for the past 14 months now.