Search the Community

Hey everyone...i'm about to be banded soon (may 4th) and since summer is starting and i am starting to sweat....lots. I was wondering if any of you have had NSV's in this department. Sweating less?

Nope, I still have a phobia about the weigh in. In fact the only times I do get a weigh in is when I go to TLBC for a fill and that is because I am fascinated by their hi-tech scale. The thing gives you a full read-out including BMI and your ideal weight given your height, age, sex, yadda, yadda.... I've been functioning pretty much entirely on NSVs: compliments, how my clothes are fitting and what sizes I can now buy. I prefer to work this way because pounds don't have any visual reality for me and yet knowing that I am carrying a lot of them is going to upset me. This is why I gave up on weighing myself when I was 25. If I weighed 200 lbs, but could fit into a size 8 and have the blood pressure of a baby, I wouldn't care. It is the NSVs which count for me. And, by the way, here is one change which will really lift your spirits while you are suffering through your tedious pre-op diet, now that I am banded I find that I do eat much, much less than I did before I was banded and I find that I don't miss the nosh. The appetite is no longer there. This has really freed me up and it is this which has helped me lose weight. Of course you must work on reassessing your eating patterns during your recovery period and this can be quite interesting. I have never been fond of soft drinks and I do like water so I kinda lucked out there. I've also never been too fond of using prepared foods but since being banded I have become fussy about looking at those Nutrition Facts labels with which our Canadian prepared foodstuffs come supplied. I learned that those great tasting Gardenay soups, the ones I lived on during the full liquid phase of my recovery, are fairly empty of the vita Cs. Eggs are loaded with the Bs. I've learned to avoid the frozen lo-cal dinners, a staple when I first graduated out of the mushie stage; they are low on calories and they are low on nutrients, too. Of course this new found hobby of mine has often put me between a rock and a hard place. This is because I really don't enjoy cooking - just eating. In the pre-band days I ate a lot of roughage-rich carbs, cholesterol rich protein (i.e. cheese), and fresh vegetables. Healthy but very fattening, especially when eaten in big quantities! Now I eat a lot of those little tins of tuna that Cloverleaf produces, the seasoned ones with the pop tops, yogurt, tzatziki, baked flatbreads, poached eggs with old cheese and salsa, avocados with fresh vegetables and a home made vinaigette, and stir-fries. I also occasionally make pasta with fresh vegetable but now this meal will last me two to three meals instead of just one. It is also easier for me than for most lap banders to tinker with my eating habits. My husband works second shift, I am retired, and we have become comfortable with fending for ourselves. This has turned out to be a long post, hasn't it?

brandi that is awesome someone did not even know I love it sounds like a nsv to me sassy I agree with the others about your band kay I know how u feel to not want to order or buy the size u are that is me totally ladies tommorrow I am getting a fill at my docs office I will just pay for it last night I ate 3 slices of pizza I had barely ate all day and was starving but I have never ate that much since being banded I need a fill in a bad way I know i didn't stretch my pouch from overeating once but I need a fill still I got my doc just to charge 250 and that covers a whole month incase i need more fills or unfills that month pretty awesome I am happy

Don't get ticker obsessed, grrl. This business of losing weight is a combination of a whole lot of things or so it seems to me. For sure there is the poundage loss thing but there is also the sudden drop down into smaller sizes, the realisation that you simply are not eating as much as you were before, and there will be an array of other NSV signs. You will notice a difference in your stamina, flexibility.... Your doctor may comment on your BP or say something in the way of 'oh, wow, you've lost quite a bit of weight lately.' This is what my doc said the last time I saw her. I had to remind her that it was because I had the lap band surgery last September and not because I have cancer or whatever! LOL All of this is to say that you will get plenty of feedback from other sources than your scale during your weight loss journey. I should tell you that I don't own a scale and until the morning of my operation had refused to step on a scale and look at my weight since I was 25 years old. Yep, I had gone for over 36 years without knowing how much I weighed! :heh: Anyhow, when I walked into the operation I wore a size 18W pant and yesterday I bought a size 12P pant. I was totally flabberghasted and so I have been wearing 'em today just to make sure that I wasn't in a cheap dream over the first nice weekend of 2007. And yah, they still fit! (woot)

Congrats at your NSV. That is fantastic news. You are doing great. Keep up the good work.

That is a fabulous NSV! You look great and I can tell by your smile that you obviously are feeling fantastic as well. Congratulations!! :biggrin1:

Congrats to you! That's a great NSV!

Just think, we are FAMOUS! Hahaha! By the way, Gig Harbor and Lake Oswego are two BEAUTIFUL places to live. I have family in both cities. While I love California, there is sure an extra sparkle there on sunny days! NSV: I brought my trophy to Mexico to show Dr. Ortiz. He came out between surgeries and was so excited. He took a lot of pictures of the two of us (eat your heart out, Betty;), his hand was around my waist. ) I am his FIRST patient to report winning a trophy in a race. haha! Next time, I'll be hauling that giant first place trophy across the border. I ran an easy 4.5 miles today in a little over 45 minutes. Hey DAWN, you are shrinking by the minute. Hey, JULIE, how hard is it to maintain without being able to run? I'm tempted to have the surgery, but am scared to be immobile. It is worth it, right?

What an exciting and amazing NSV!!! I love the pic!

Ladies huge NSV I measured myself tonight and I have not measured since surgery gonna give yall a update I have lost about 15inches total all over my body 9 of which came from my waist hip hip hooray I am so happy go me scales on evil I like the measuring tape

Ugh..I was typing away and my power went out. I will make this quick. I hope the quietness here means everyone is out enjoying the Spring weather. I think it is hitting 70 here in Boston. GORGEOUS! What is nice is having lost most of this weight over the bundled up winter, means I am feeling so much better putting on those short sleeves and capri pants! There isn't that dread I usually feel in the spring of "shoot, I better hurry up and lose some weight before the summer comes!" You know, when you can't hide under big sweaters and coats. Not this year girls! Major NSV for us all..or at least those of us who have winter seasons. Have a wonderful day. Enjoy.

Kim ~ LOVE your pic....you are beautiful!! You are going to be in onederland b4 you know it. It's funny how 9 lbs can seem so small and yet so big at the same time. You'll get there!! Neal ~ We ended up in the Yukon/Mustang area. Edmond was too much of a drive for work considering the traffic. We love the easy access to OKC and the small town feel you get in Yukon. I have to say we are really impressed with the down-home feel and the friendly people that don't even know you from Adam. I swear the guy from the drive-thru at Starbucks chatted for 5 mins. We are going to love it. The moving company comes next week for the estimate then we will schedule the move within the next couple of weeks. Lapbandit ~ Super NSV on the new clothes!! Great time of year to go shopping too. Amy ~ Have fun shopping. Does you DH get a new suit? Hey Myra ~ How's the wagon ride.....are you back on yet? I hear you on the junk food. It seems to go down way too smooth. 3Loves told her surgeon he forgot the band on her brain. Food can really mess with that tummy/brain connection!! Give us an update on how your doing.

I've told everyone about my band and really don't regret it. It makes it easier when I go out with them and can't eat like I used to, etc. No explaining to do. Sometimes I feel like I'm watched more closely, but I don't care. I've become a pro at brushing off people who think they are helping me lose weight with their comments. But, being watched constantly also has its benefits. I swear, every day this week at work someone told me I was looking good and they could really tell I was losing weight. NSV for sure.

Ladies yall have been chatting it up. I am so proud of each of you. Nat you make them IT men want you. you go gurl Brandi - you are my role model my husband laughs at me cause I am always like well Brandi said this and Brandi said that he is like who is brandi It is funny. you are so right about the food mushy way to often in my diet. kay- I really need to track my calories better. I will work on that :faint: annie you have lost weight really quick too you go gurl sassy I am happy to have u back steph you have more nsv you lucky gurl you :clap2: well I am off to play soccer with my little men

Huge NSV for me today - or well.. a nice compliment. One of the lady members was just in for the first time this season and she said oh Stephanie you look so nice and then in a whisper .. are you losing weight? ROFL!!! I whispered back .. 40 lbs! She's like 85 y/o - love her to death! Then she took me out into the dinning room and chattered away about diets for half an hour! I expect to get more like that when the members start rolling in from the south. I had another lady in today and she said Stephanie you look so nice, you got your hair cut didn't you? I said um well er..yes I did. And then she said how much easier it is when its short. If you recall from my before pic, its about the same as I've always kept it. Just funny how the weight has made a difference but they just can't really tell if what exactly it is. Or they are just to nice to mention it... except in whispers. LOL Brandi its always been a dream of mine to go cross country and camp along the way. No highways only side roads, stay 2 nights and then hit the road again. How cool would that be? Have a great weekend ladies. I have a wedding to go to tomorrow.

BMan...Holy COW! 70 pounds!??? YOU ROCK!!!!! That is amazing!!! I am jealous! :confused: But I know that my 40 isn't that bad either...I'm just pissed b/c I can't seem to get off of this stupid pleateau I've been on for a month! I can't wait to go get my fill on May 2nd! STEPH....My son wrestles in HS now...and is pretty good, but hasn't made states yet. Let me know when your son is on and I'll have my son watch him! :cool: Congrats on the NSV!!! NAT...You Hot MAMMA You!!! Sounds like it's time for you to look for a new job where the people won't drive you crazy! :eek: I have only told a few close friends and family...no one at work knows about my surger, and some of my friends don't either and I'll keep it that way! As it is, no one has really noticed my 40 pounds loss.....so I certainly don't want the scrutiny, plus, as you guys said, this is STILL WORK!!! I gotta get my arse back on the elliptical now that I'm 99% over this cold. This weekend! TGIF All! I have some friend from college in town so they're coming over tonight for a BBQ and then we're going to do touristy things in DC tomorrow and go to a comedy show in the evening. Hope you all have a great weekend!

OH hey NSV - wearing a shirt I haven't worn in over 2 years! Oh yeah I'm hot! And yes its old but its a friggin golf shirt - the kind that never goes out of style. LOL

Here's proof that numbers mean nothing - I tried on my wedding dress last night and it actually fit. I'm 6 whole kg - about 15lb heavier than I was when I wore that dress and it fit easily. That's proof that all that running has put muscle on my body, toned me and that my thought that I am leaner at 78kg than I was 12 years ago is right. Great NSV, lol. I guess it was easy to re-evaluate my goal too because I just plain havent lost any significant weight in about 5 months, no more than 3kg.

Hazel, great job! :cheer2: Only banded a month and already a NSV! :clap2: Wahooo! I can't wait to be shopping anywhere that isn't a plus-size catalog!

Hey all, So today i decided why not try on some jeans that havent fit me since JUNIOR HIGH....you might not think thats far away for me since im only 20, but believe me it was so so so far away. Anyways, I tried em on and THEY FIT!!!!! Like 5 pairs of jeans that havent fit me since freaking junior high, fit now....no laying on the bed to zip em up......no girdles to hold it all in so they zip....no nothing....its just me, and the jeans....THE FIT...do you believe it? OMG sooooo happy about that you have NO idea. Just wanted to share that with you all. There is hope LOTS of hope....Good luck to you all and have a good day, i know im going to have a very good day today hehe!!!! ~Hotpink~

Two days in a row. Gotdamn I rock! ((laughing)) So I had a good day. Well, in terms of the AMOUNT I ate, but I didn't necessarily do well with my protein. Morning 1 cup coffee. Lunch 1 cup veggie broth soup w/bread. Dinner 1/2 chicken breast. I tried to eat more for dinner, but I got full up after 1/2 the chicken breast. The GREAT thing is we had a lazy night (Wendy's) and even though I ordered a sammich, I ate no bread. The baby ate more than I did tonight. I will go back later for an Isopure drink or something. Steph - California Closet is a brand name of a company that does closet organization. I'll post a pic in Yahoo so you can see my closet. It looks amazing. You can see their work at www.californiaclosets.com I think. Annie - We are both pears and both the same size girl! I'm a 14/16 up top and an 18 (20) down below. Too much junk inna trunk, I guess. NSV. The janitor (facilities) guy told me I look good today. He's about a 55 year old white guy, but it still made me blush. I walked away thinking "Awww yeah, he wants summa my brown sugah." ahahahah I have been giggling about that all afternoon. He's right though - I did look especially hot today. Brandi - I'm convinced that your body works on momentum. So you can work out really really hard for 3-4 weeks, then slack for a while and your body will still be reacting to the work that you put in previously. I need to get busy and melt some of this ass. I could lose so much faster if I'd just moooooooooove. I suck. Claudia - have a BLAST in Chicago! It is my favorite US city, and my 2nd favorite city in the world. Paris tops the list. If you can, swing by and treat yourself to a small bag of Garrett's Popcorn. It is to DIE for. And way to go on not boozing it up the other night. That is some will power, girlfriend! bk - I hope your day has gotten better, and that you are having a wonderful evening. It sounds like such a terrible ordeal. Big picture: you weren't at Va Tech this morning. (Not to make light of your series of mishaps.) Do something special for yourself this evening. How come you think you need a fill? Are you throwing up frequently? I'm sorry, I should page back and read a bit more. I discovered today that most of the foods I'm eating are TOO SOFT. I know. You've all said it before, but I'm a hard head. I need to eat less whips and cottage cheese, and eat more solid pieces of chicken and fish. I think Ill stay fuller longer and eat WAY less. I was thinking I needed a fill, but I'm going to eat better and work my band. I may schedule a fill for after my trip to Charlotte. We'll see. Size. 12. I AM SO JEALOUS! I AM SO JEALOUS! IAMSOJEALOUS! I have to get off my ass and quit making excuses. EVERYONE is busy, right? shut up and mooooooooove, bitch. (That is me motivating myself) I think I'm going out to get on this elliptical now. Okay - more later. Big Love! Nat

That truly is a NSV! Maybe that is what is happening to me. I'm only down 4 lbs since last month, but I'm getting more and more compliments, and my jeans are really big. Good bye 16's and hello 14's! I've already given up my 18's, got rid of all of them, I've been holding on to my 16's, but I about to get rid of them too. I have been wearing some of my 14's but don't have many, so I'll be shopping a little before I get rid of all my 16's.

It's good to hear from everyone who is checking in! There are some fabulous results being posted. The males on this thread are really going to make some of us females jealous with the way the weight is just falling off... LOL As for me, I have my 2nd fill today. My surgeon does them himself, and he doesn't use xray/flouro. So far, mind you, it's only been one so far, we haven't had any problems. Anyway, I've got a NSV...a real one. LOL. I've been waiting for this moment. Anyway, I was going out this weekend and was running late because my jeans were in the dryer and refused to dry. So, there I was standing in my closet trying to find something to wear when I remembered my old pair of jeans which were still brand new three years ago when I grew out of them. So, I say what the heck, pull them off the hanger and right on. I didn't even have to lay on the bed to button or zip. I was shocked...more then shocked. I'll admit that I had tried them on about three weeks ago, and had said then that I'd be in them in about two or three weeks. But that was before my weight lose plateaued for about the same amount of time. And, I'm still sitting on that plateau, too... So...there's my NSV...moving from growing tight 28's to a comfortable 24. Not bad, hunh? There was some advice I'd read from an older bandster that said..."If you've got some clothes you've been saving for when you're smaller....better try them on today..." Never thought it would apply to me, being in the larger sizes we tend not to drop sizes that fast (yes, part of my problem was my clothes "grew" with me). Apparently, I was wrong.

Hey everyone, I was so swamped at work last week, that I didn't even have time to log into LBT - not that I was missed, but I did miss reading everyones ups and downs. Looks like we had more downs than ups, and that is a great thing! Congrats to all you losers, and to those that are struggling, you are doing great because you haven't given up. It is inspiring. I will add to the losers group, I lost 4 more pounds for a total of 36 (oops, got to adjust my sig!), I think the brain side of all of this is finally sinking in. Eating too much, makes you sick, duh!! I had an NSV on Friday night - I went to a get together at some friends house and they had lots of great looking food (brisket, beans, potato salad) and I just sat at the table and visited while they ate their food and saved my tummy room for a glass or two (okay it was 3) glasses of wine instead. It was okay to be in a social situation and not to eat - it was actually quite empowering to realize after 43 years of fighting this fight, that I can have the power over the food and I get to decide what is best for me. It also helps that I people are really starting to notice the weight loss now and the clothes are looking a lot better. EVeryone have a great week - I really want to be part of the group, so I will try and not miss a week again. Later,

OMG -- NSV!!:clap2: I am wearing my new pants I just bought at the store!! Guess what size !?!?!?!? They are 12's!!!! They arent tight... my fat isnt buldging over the top or anything. They fit perfect!! I was with my mom, and she laughed at me because I could wait to get back to tell all of you. You're the only ones that will understand how great that it is! boo boo -- hehe, yeah. That scale and I have a love/hate relationship. If I didnt have it there everyday though I think I might cry. Im addicted to its digital abuse!! haha Nat!! Hey hon. I was wondering what happened I saw the partial post. Ha gotta luv them kids. I am glad to see you sounding so good. Dont worry about the novel girl. We love your posts! Glad you told your mother how things were too. Sometimes we have to be tough. Especially at first... when people arent used to it. We just have to tell them to back off. (hugs) glad your back in action girl! VAband -- i know what you mean about getting back into exercising... I have SUCKED it up the past month. I really need to get another elliptical. I should have some extra money this month. Maybe I will go get another one. I used the heck out of that thing when it was sitting in front of my face. This gym deal hasnt been working out this month. i just cant get myself to go down there. Not becuase I dont want to exercise, but because it is too far out of the way. (everything is too far away here.. ha) I am gonna try to start running every day. See how that works. I need to get back into my AB work. and my weights. BOY, i HAVE been slacking off. Everyone -- Thank you so much for the encouragment with my pictures. I'm glad you can all see the difference. I will just keep working my ass off and eventually I will get exactly where I want to be :-)