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Hi Notorious Novembers! I'm doing well - just over a month out from surgery, and healing very well. I did have one incision that seemed slow to heal, but has finally healed up after I wore a band-aid on it for several days in a row. It must be in a spot that is irritated by my bra band or my waistband, I'm not sure which. Weight loss is stuck - down a pound last week to 239, no loss this week. I'm trying not to be too hard on myself, since I haven't had a fill yet and I'm not sure if there is any fluid in my band already. I do feel some restriction when I try to eat too fast or too much. Bread still gives me a little trouble, so I minimize it or chew it to liquid before trying to swallow. :huh2: No trouble with vitamins or medication now - I split my pills for a couple of weeks and did chewable vitamins, but now I'm back to the 'normal' ones. :thumbup: My clothes are getting looser :tt2: - I'm down to a size 18 (comfortably) from my previous high of a 22/24. I'm thinking I'll be in a size 16 before New Year's if this keeps up. :smile::w00t::thumbup: The inches are going, but not the pounds yet. My first fill is scheduled for January 6th. I've got a plan for the holidays that includes a little grazing, but none of the 'eat yourself into a food coma' that I used to do. My employer gives us a recess from Christmas Eve until the Monday after New Year's so I'll be in the gym every day except for Sunday.:eek: I want to start the New Year in better shape and I figure 10 days of gym work is just the thing I need. :cool2: It's good to see all the other Notorious Novembers checking in - everyone is doing well and handling their struggles well. You all give me hope and inspire me. The newbies are so full of enthusiasm that it reminds me of why I did this.:wink2: The veterans are full of wisdom and good advice and help me to make it through when I'm struggling. :wink2: I almost didn't post today because I haven't lost anything, but figured someone might need to see that there are NSV's to be had (non-scale victories) and that even small progress forward is still progress forward! :w00t: Happy holidays to all!

Hi SistaSassy, Please update me: Current weight 239; Thanks a bunch for doing this!:biggrin:

PJTP that I'm jealous of those who can indulge in an occasional glass of wine... As a type II diabetic, my medication prevents me from EVER indulging. Even when I could, I was not a big wine drinker, but knowing I can't EVER have a glass of anything alcoholic is occasionally a super-bummer. Especially during the holidays when everyone seems to have a glass in their hands. I can do sparkling cider, but only in moderation because the sugar content is so high...:biggrin: *deep sad sigh* Somebody have a glass of something for me, please...but not too much - I don't want ya to get into any trouble! :scared2:

PJTP...WOW! I'm away for a few days and look what happens! Music - LOVE Kem - definately baby-making music. Agree with the other singers posted - love me some singers! My DH has a really nice voice, so he sings a lot around the house. Some R & B, but funnily enough, he's really into country music. Says its one of the few genres he can sing without being embarassed by the words...so if we run into each other in a country-western bar and you hear me singing 'Redneck Woman' don't be surprised...I love me some Gretchen Wilson! :eek: Glad the tension is gone...I love this thread for all the giggles I get! Welcome, BamBam - nice to have another guy around. SMS -love the 'cop groupie' tag...too funny! :scared2: Ceradad - bet you're looking forward to Christmas...just don't abuse the bod too much with all that food - we gotta keep the hard bodies hard! Pretty good snowstorm the past couple of days in NE - snow on Friday, sleet and freezing rain on Sunday, and I'm at work today...YUK! :biggrin: Slim-in-tn - nice to meet another person of the chocolate persuasion on the boards... I think Michelle Obama is gorgeous - and I think RuPaul is just stunning! Would love to have one quarter of his sense of style...he's a head-turner no matter what persona he shows up in! Now I'm actually going to do some homework - yes, it's a slow week at work, so I can get last-minute homework done...very few people in the office, so I can play on LBT all day as well...

PJTP that I had a really good *but busy* day yesterday and made it through with my sanity... Admissions committee at work - normally we get 5 days to recover and prepare for the next one, but because of the holiday, we had to turn it around in 3 days!:ohmy: At-work Christmas party - gift exchanges, lots and lots of food. I got a Home Depot gift card from a co-worker :w00t: and didn't eat myself into a coma :cursing: Committee ended early, had to do all the post-meeting stuff, get organized to send out admission decisions, and generally clean up the files so when we come back in January we can start round 2...:eek: Left work exhausted, so I didn't even go to the Department party that night...actually got home a little early and curled up in front of the fire with my DDog...nice end to a frantic day...:bored:

Oh Tina, My heart aches for you :w00t:...you have GOT to start saying what you want TO happen, not what already HAS happened. I heard a motivational speaker say once that you must 'confess' what you want to have happen out loud, that the words we say go into a part of our brains he called the 'nebbish' and that part of our brains doesn't know the difference between the truth and a lie, so whatever we SAY, it sets about to make it happen. If you are saying these things to yourself (and especially out loud) you will keep driving the nail into your heart and soul and causing yourself pain. :cursing: Don't wait until after the holidays, beloved, start NOW! Get up every morning and look into the mirror and say OUT LOUD to yourself what you want to happen that day. It might sound crazy, but I believe that the spoken word has a LOT of power, and that what we say out loud can shape our realities and our lives. Start confessing OUT LOUD what you want to have happen - say OUT LOUD how you WANT to feel, how you WANT your marriage to work, how you WANT to love your husband completely again, how you WANT to trust him again. Keep doing this - it will go into your subconscious and that part of your brain that doesn't know the difference between the truth and a lie and it will start to make it happen! Even if you don't really feel it right now, keep confessing what you WANT to have happen, rather than what has hurt you and what happened in the past. Things are going very well with me and my hubby - I have stopped talking about the past - he has apologized and changed his behavior, and if I keep reliving the bad episodes, I'll never get over being mad and being sad. I know you can't go back and reverse time and make it all go away, but unless you PUT IT BEHIND YOU, you may keep yourself from moving on and your marriage might not make it. You sound like you really WANT this to work - start confessing that OUT LOUD and keep working on it and keep saying positive things to yourself and to him until IT HAPPENS. :ohmy: Bless you darling, I pray that your heart heals, becomes as light and energetic as your new body, and that you go skipping happily into a new and bright future.:bored:

Mornin' Folks! Loved the results show...SO happy with everyone there (except Vicki, but I digress)... All the former contestants looked great - I was especially proud of the father-son grey team...they really worried me at the beginning. Proud of the father-daughter Yellow team (having a brain fart - can't remember names this morning). Amy from the red team look very good...so did her hubby! Laughing hysterically at Heba - why doesn't that woman know she needs a bra?:glare: You would think after all she's lost, she'd realize that the 'girls' aren't going to stand up by themselves! When she came out for the weigh-in, she must have put one on, because she looked SO much better. Agree with Glou about Vicki - I didn't like her one bit, but to wish actual HARM on her? WTF? Get a life, people...I had to laugh when she nearly fell, and she was trying SO HARD to get extra camera time, standing on the stairs like she did. Ali had to tell her to get down...:glare::biggrin: The preview for the next season looks amazing...all those poor folks - this seems truly life-or-death for them, and that woman who they said is the heaviest woman ever, the young man who's the heaviest man ever...there but for the grace of God and my band go I... Hope there's more emphasis on exercise than drama next season, and I am so glad we finally KNOW that Ali is pregnant...my DH and DD were speculating that she was, but it's one of those things - thought maybe she was just gaining weight... Michelle looked SO AWESOME! I nearly cried - she looks SO GOOD...I didn't know she was so short! I really thought she was taller than that. All in all, great show.:smile2:

PJTP...I missed you, too, Ceradad - just don't tell my hubby!:tongue2: Don't get me started on your "talents" bub...and you are definately big enuf to miss...gotta love the big fellas! Always been a fan of big men...skinny little dudes that I can break in two need not apply...:thumbup: Now that I've started THAT...time to go!:frown:

Mornin' Everyone! I am a "frequent" exerciser...every day, rain, shine or snow, I have to walk our DDog. He doesn't care what the weather is, that's HIS exercise time (and his poop time). If I don't want a mess in my house, he has to get walked. My entire family goes...our route is one mile. On the weekends, I take longer walks with him - 2 - 3 miles. I go to the gym at least 3 days a week - because I have classes on Monday and Tuesday evenings, I go Wed - Fri and try to get in a Saturday morning. This is above and beyond the dog walking. I do try to stay active during the week at work - depending on my schedule, I get in a lunchtime walk as well. I know the exercise is good for me - right now, I'm just at 1 month post-op and the scale is still moving downward (though slowly). I have to keep reminding myself that 1 - 2 lbs a week is good, especially since I couldn't sustain that kind of loss before getting "Jillian" (I've named my band after the Biggest Loser's psycho trainer - I :mad2: her!). I've got to be patient with myself and will continue to work out. As I get stronger, I'll increase the intensity of the aerobics I do (treadmill or elliptical 30 min) and up the weights I'm using (right now upper / lower body circuit). I believe strongly that consistency is the key - I was in the best shape of my life when I worked as a lifeguard...why? Because I swam a mile a day, 5 - 6 days per week. It wasn't that I was the strongest or the fastest swimmer, but I was definately consistent.:blushing:

Mornin' Sistas! I'm posting to say I worked out three days last week - missed Friday (forgot my shoes) but went to the gym with DD on Saturday morning and did 30 min on the elliptical and a full circuit through the weight machines. Felt tired but good at the end. Down one more pound, putting me at 239 - territory I haven't seen in I don't know when! Now if I could just get my 'fat mind' to shut up and stop asking for food - I ate Breakfast this morning and I already want something else to eat! I'm going to wait a few more minutes and then I have a yogurt in the work fridge. If nothing else, I've learned how powerful our minds can be! I've called my surgeon to try and get a fill before the holidays, otherwise I'll have to wait until January 6th...I'm on the waiting list right now...

'Morning Notorious Novembers! I did call my surgeon yesterday - they of course are booked solid, but will call me if something opens up, which I pray it does! Otherwise, I'll just have to work hard and try to keep the head hunger under control. If I don't get a fill, my goal is to maintain my weight over the holidays, which is definately different from what USED to happen!:mad2: I'm down to 239 for the first time in I can't remember when! I've named my band "Jillian" in honor of the psycho trainer from Biggest Loser (my favorite TV trainer, bar none). I am thrilled to be banded and have lots of hope for my future. Right now I'm still working on not drinking Fluid with my meals. I tried it this morning with my Breakfast, which I ate before getting on the train. Now, here it is over 2 hours since I ate and I still feel full. Guess that little bit of fluid (relatively speaking - I'm a very high fluid consumer) that I didn't drink helped the food stay in place longer. That doesn't mean I'm not experiencing 'head hunger' though...I DO want to eat something, but I think I'll wait another few minutes to see if the craving passes, and I've got some yogurt in the work fridge. Have a terrific day, y'all!:blushing:

PJTP that I'm really happy I'm out of the 240's!:mad2::w00t::crying: I hope never to see 240 lbs again...with the help of "Jillian" my band, who is named after the psycho trainer on Biggest Loser! I am so happy that I made the decision to be banded - I have so much hope for my future now...had an appointment with my PCP yesterday...he says that I was the "best results" he'd seen all day!:crying: I am gunning for the day when I can leave all my diabetes meds behind...initially after surgery my sugar was down really low, but it's rebounded. I'm back on the Lantus insulin, but still only taking one pill, and my goal is to be off the insulin by my birthday in February. My PCP says another 20 - 30 lbs should do the trick, so I'm revising my goal to get me to 210 by my birthday. That's another 20 lbs lost the rest of this month and in January. Love reading all of you guys' posts!:blushing:

Thanks a bunch, Luluc!:frown: The plan is: Protein first, then veggies until I feel full...kinda like how I'm eating now!

PJTP - I have my first appt with my primary care doc today...I think he'll be pleased with my weight loss, but my blood sugar numbers are not responding as well, so we'll see... Re: People noticing that you've lost weight...I don't know why people won't mention THAT, but they will talk about you behind your back if you appear to be GAINING weight!:confused_smile: Susan - doing a happy dance for you! Woo Hoo! I don't know what I will do about my port if it sticks out when I get closer to goal. Because it's kinda "under" the girls, unless I lose a LOT of boob, it may not be an issue. So far, my bras don't irritate it...lucky me! Anyone got any tips for making it through the holidays with no fill? I'm not scheduled until early January, but thinking about calling and begging for an appointment next week to help speed up my weight loss. Yeah, I know, it's been just under a month, but I don't want to gain anything over Christmas, and the head hunger is threatening to take over!:thumbup:

Hello Notorious Novembers... I'm in the boat with some of you who are anxiously awaiting your first fill...I'm dreading Christmas without a fill, because I feel very hungry now. It's been slowly increasing, and sometimes I have a hard time reconciling actual hunger with my head hunger...I've been working on "I want it, so I'll eat it" for so long that recognizing real body hunger is proving to be elusive. I'm still losing, I think - my next "official" weigh in is tomorrow morning. My family and I only weigh in officially once a week to try and decrease the obsessive daily weighing that I used to do. They've been great about eating pretty much what I eat - 2 weeks on liquids, a week on mushies, and slowly transitioning into soft solids like I am now. My hubby occasionally eats a hamburger when I can't, but everyone is down several pounds and feeling pretty good.:tt2: My recent challenge (besides the hunger) is that my blood sugar numbers have gone back up to pre-surgery levels. :tt2: :confused_smile: I'm really not happy about that, because I don't want to go back on all the meds I used to take. I'm back on the slow-release insulin, and I wish I wasn't. It makes it harder to lose weight, and that's not good for me. I'll just have to see what my doc says today...and I may call and try to get in for a fill next week prior to the holiday shutdown. I'm just afraid that if I don't, I'll gain a bunch over Christmas and eat WAAAY too much 'cause I'll be at home for nearly two weeks. Everybody keep your head up - we are going to do this!:thumbup:

Good morning Warriors! Friday was a bust, workout-wise. Had to wear my boots to work (normally wear my cross-trainers) so I had NO shoes to do a lunchtime walk or my evening workout.:confused_smile: Note to self: buy extra pair of crosstrainers on EBay and leave them in my workout bag! Saturday DD and I went to the gym. 30 minutes on the elliptical, plus a full route through the circuit training area which included upper and lower body work. Tired, sore muscles, but feeling great. Had Protein shakes after workout for both of us instead of normal Breakfast, so a GREAT start to the day! Walked in the afternoon with DD and DDog, so it was a great Saturday. Sunday was a slow day, exercise-wise...walked with DDog in the morning, but had a potluck after church. I was pretty good - ate mostly protein, left the home-made biscuits alone:crying: Slow Sunday night - studying and homework. Back on the grind this morning - full walk with DDog, DD and DH, planning to walk at lunchtime. No gym tonight because of class. Seeing my Primary Care doc this afternoon for the first time since surgery. I think he'll be pleased with my weight loss - I know I am!:thumbup:

Back again...:crying: Chellie - I've been adding protein sources like deviled ham and chicken to my menu recently. You have to watch the salt content mostly, but they are not really high in fat. I add a little sweet relish and eat it with crackers or on a thin slice of bread. Both have been going down well unless I eat too fast! I haven't had my first fill yet - won't until early January if I remember correctly. I'm a little concerned about Christmas, because I don't feel much restriction right now, but I did try to eat a sandwich too fast the other day and really felt it! Talk about an OUCH! :mad2::wink2: Of the things I've tried to eat, bread seems to cause me the most trouble. Biscuits are totally out right now, so are most rolls and types of bread. Crackers are okay, and soup / oyster crackers in my soup are okay. I use the saltines with unsalted tops (blood pressure concern) and they mush up nicely in most soups. Easing into more solids - had Indian food for lunch today - rice, veggies and chicken. Not too spicy, and I cut the chicken up very small before eating it, and chewed very well. No problems with that...of course all the bad stuff goes down easily - it's the HEALTHY stuff that gives problems!:wink: Canned fruit has been good - they have single-serve cans that are around 100 calories (packed in juice), and the fruit is fairly soft, so it also goes down pretty easily. If that's too tough, try applesauce, or making your own purees by blending the other canned fruits. Gentylwind - go easy on yourself...our bodies have been through a dramatic change, and they need time to adjust. Like you, I want it to happen quickly, but I've been forced to accept that I don't completely control WHEN this weight is going to come off. I'm currently at a standstill, and I just have to accept that. If the power-exercisers on the Biggest Loser can have weeks where they don't lose much, we mere mortals must accept that they may happen for us too!:sleep:

I PM'ed you also, BBK - don't be too hard on yourself:wub:...and I agree wholeheartedly with LJM...:wink2:

Checkin' in, Sistas! Been to the gym the past two days - Wednesday was 30 min on the ArcTrainer, 20 min on the treadmill, and yesterday I did 30 min on the Elliptical. Felt good but tired both days. Will go back today and do more aerobics. I'm working on strengthening my heart, since I've had some troubles, and will add in the weights next week. Gotta find the right routine - I've only got 3 weekdays in the gym, because Monday and Tuesday I have classes in the evening. Will get in either a long walk or a gym session on Saturday as well to make it 4 days. Don't feel like I'm losing much weight, but my clothes and even my coats are getting looser, so I'm happy for now. Keep up the good work, ladies - remember that ANYTHING positive you do exercise-wise is better than doing NOTHING...

Hey Warriors, Great workout at the gym last night...back on the elliptical trainer (because of the upper/lower body combo) and burned the same number of calories in 30 minutes as burned in 50 minutes the day before. I'm all about efficiency, so that will definately be a part of future workouts. Walked yesterday in the AM, but not at work - preparing for committee meetings. Today I walked with family and DDog in the wind and rain, and will go to the gym again tonight. That will make 3 days this week :wink2: Gotta get in another day's activity on the weekend - whether that will be a longer walk or a gym session depends on the weather. Question for those using the Daily Plate - do you log your work hours as activity? I looked up what they say I burn, calorie wise, as a desk jockey and was surprised. If I added that in as activity every day, I think it would give me a false sense of security...thoughts?

Hey Ladies, This has been the MOST interesting thread the past few days...I've been reading a lot, copying down product names and ideas, and very much enjoying the exchange. I was banded on the 17th and am transitioning to solid food with very little trouble. Tried a sandwich this week and got a little stuck, but nothing too painful. I will not try it again for a while, though...I LOVE bread, but it's not my friend right now. I love the ideas about adding protein powder to SF pudding - I have a couple of boxes at home, so I'll be trying that as soon as my protein arrives (which I ordered this morning). I know I'm not getting enough protein (I do track what I'm eating) and may add my protein shakes back in as another poster suggested - between meals. So far, soups have been great for me - reasonable amounts of protein, lots of veggies, low fat, and everything goes down really well. I also found deviled ham and chicken go down pretty easy - the trick is to find lower fat and sodium versions. Keep up the good work, all - you are inspiring and educating me as well! I'm back in the gym this week - have gone two days so far, and today will be my third. Monday and Tuesday I have classes at night, so I'll have to go another day on the weekend. We will all be healthier in 2009!:wink2:

'Morning, Family! PJTP that I'm having fun virtual shopping for clothes, even though I promised myself that I wouldn't buy a WHOLE lot of things while I'm transitioning to the new me. However, I do have a need to purchase a couple of things now and then...I'm definately a shopaholic...and there are such nice things in the stores nowadays...:crying: Hoping for some shopping resistance so I don't overspend...maybe I'll buy myself a christmas present early from DH and just tell him I bought it...:wink2:

PJTP...My nails are stronger than ever since being banded. Must have something to do with taking my vitamins and calcium regularly (I took them before, but not so regularly) and the extra protien. First two weeks I practically LIVED on jello, which is supposedly good for your nails...don't know exactly why I've been blessed, but I'm happy for it!:wink:

BBK, The next time a co-worker wants to discuss your weight loss, refer them to LBT and keep it moving. If they really want to know, let them do the work to find out. You could even say that for you, the journey continues, but you choose not to talk about it so much. You can only answer that question so many times before you get tired of it, which, by the sound of your post, you definately are! I want to encourage you to get out of your regular 'circle' and find some new experience and new friends. If they are intimidated by you, then they don't really KNOW you...we've never met face to face, but I feel certain that you would never do anything to hurt a friend...I just got that feeling about you, dear heart. Define what would make you happy - just you, not anyone else in your life. What makes you smile? What makes you sigh with contentment? Find out what those things / activities / people are and surround yourself with them. Build a sanctuary in your home that's just for you and you alone. If you have a spare room, decorate to YOUR taste (whatever that might be at the moment) and then put a lock on the door to which YOU have the only key. Create a 'safe space' for you to just be you...whatever that means on the day you choose to define it. Hang in there, sweetheart - you have inspired so many people, me included, with your willingness to open up your heart and your life and share your experiences with us all. God Bless You, girlfriend - Pressed down, shaken together and running over so that your fingers cannot catch it all...

Hey Ladies, I'm doing well - 3 weeks out from surgery and feelin' fine. I've lost 15 lbs since being banded, 25 total. The head hunger is roaring with a vengeance...transitioning from mushies to some solids, which explains my only losing a pound last week. I'm not real happy about that, but I know it's still more than I would have lost before I was banded! Going back to the gym today - I walk every day with my family and our dog, but for instance today I didn't get in my lunchtime walk because of work and the weather. I will hit the gym tonight - a combination of aerobics and weights. I've gotta keep the aerobics in my routine because they help me get stronger (especially my heart) and I love the weights because I like feeling physically stronger and I know the more muscle I put on, the more calories I will burn at rest. Keep on going, ladies - we are working to become healthier versions of ourselves, and we will succeed!:wink: