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Hi everyone, I've not been keeping up on the tread and just read everything that has been posted since Sept 1. I am 2 lbs from my Sept challenge (next week is deadline for me) and seem to be stuck! Ugh! I think it comes off 5 lbs at a time and the last 5 came off my boobs I'm sure. I did have a great NSV last weekend. I went on my first carnival ride in over 12 years! The man loading people onto the ride didn't even look at me like I wouldn't fit, the harness went over my head and locked down on me with room to spare. It was the funnest ride I've had in like, forever! Keep up the great work everyone, I wish we had updates from everyone who was chatting in April/May. Maybe they will find their way back.

Drews...You are a hottie!! Janey, I will make sure my DW gets your chicken recipe. That sounds really yummy. Chicken is my favorite, regardless if I have a band or not. marz88, WTG on your NSV and your weight loss. It is really great to hear about your progress. missnikki, It's great to hear from you. Hope you post more often. LindaV, WHAT? You lost? You are just amazing!! Congratulations and tell you DH to take you out more often. Love the Turkey Take Off Challenge. I'm in. Need to think about the amount of weight. May go with 15 lbs instead of 20. Will think about it and let you all know for the commitment factor. GOBBLE GOBBLE

Pebbles, my prayers are with you in your healing process. Kristina, you go girl -- sounds like a really fun job. Robin, Bug & GEMom, I hope your knee and ortho problems are resolved quickly. I am a little over 2 months since surgery and 1 month from my first fill. I haven't yet decided when to get another one. I'm losing weight -- slowly, but surely, so I am planning to wait until I stall before I get another fill. I can eat most anything, just less of it. I'm still staying away from most startches, so I think that is helping. I feel good and NSV's are starting -- clothes are not fitting, a few people are noticing, and I feel better! Best to all. Jessica

I would like to start a thread that encourages long term vets to share their success patterns. It is an open discussion of strategies, NSVs and day to day habits that define your success in being able to maintain or even improve in terms of weight, health, activity or anything else connected to this journey. Life as a vet is where the real work happens so let's share in a way that motivates both new post ops for the future and current vets for the here and now. We have a whole new chapter in our lives to engage in positively as movers and shakers. Let this thread be a beacon of encouragement for all. We have a chance to make real positive differences in the lives of others we interact with.

Today I went shopping to get some new clothing items because well my old (new) stuff is to big I am changing sizes every 2 months big chester cat grin. I was able to buy bras and panties from Victoria secret ( may I recommend the bombshell bra my boobs need a lot of work due to my weight loss but the bombshell bra restores the look my fat used to give them at least in the bra and under my clothes) . Shopping at black house white market, shopping in the regular size cloths stores no more plus or women sizes for me. Walking into "normal" size stores and knowing I fit there and sales people trying to dress me and offer me outfits to tray supposed to the look I swore i used to get like why the hell are you here. Certainly not my reality 100 lbs ago. I leave these stores with my purchases on such a high as I say to myself HOLY Bleep I can wear this my hard work and my band really is showing off. I call my sister or best friend to sure my NSVs I can't believe they want to share clothes with me and that we can swap clothes if need be ( truth be told Im a little smaller than my best friend and maybe the same size of my sister this has never happened in my life.) I have m ore workout clothes in my laundry then my regular clothes I plan my schedule around my gym time people in the gym looking up to me and making me their role model WTH !! But its true I am working my A$$ off in the gym literally lol I packed for vacation and my suitcase looks empty but I have more clothes then I will need but it looks less then previous vacations because my clothes are half the size.!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know these are feelings all of you on here can relate to but I need to share because no one in my life can relate. I booked ziplinning and safari tours and proudly checked the YES box when they asked if i was under 250 lbs. I actually took a snap shot of the screen and almost cried when that happened. I wanted to scream Im under 200 LBS Im in onderland dear cruise line I can do all ur excursions now what lol Can't wait to get on that rock climbing wall and see the gym schedule. . Instead of worrying about what Snacks i will need to pack just incase. I am happily packing my gym clothes sneakers,Protein powder ,Protein Bars, shaker bottle and Water bottle having my trainer give me workouts to do while I am there need to get my exercise in!!! I know cruises can be a food orgy but the cruise line will not go broke because of me this year Unless when I win big in the casino. So excited to go one vacation as a healthy skinner me !!!! I don't know what I more excited about finally going on vacation and unplugging from the world and enjoying fun in islands or the fact I know I will fit in the seats on the plane and no activity will I have to pass on because I am afraid I am to big or the fact I am to big. I am finally a "normal healthy size"!!! That is what the band gave me a life I never knew I was missing out on. I was happy when I was fat but I wasn't healthy now my healthier life style has introduced me to a whole new happier lifestyle I am sure you understand what I mean. Thanks for letting me share/brag whatever. The band is an awesome tool when you work it and dam it I am working it lol

sorry to hear about the obstacles Mitzie. You have been a great surgery buddy. It won't be long until we are posting in the NSV thread!

What are everyones scale and nsv goals? I'll go first.... 1. Drop 30kg - primary goal and to get past 72kg which was the lowest weight I reached just over 2 years ago. 2. NSV: to be able to cross my legs sat on a plane. I travel a lot and would appreciate the feeling of not filling the space I have entirely! 3. NSV: to be able to comfortably zip up some knee high boots that aren't wide fit! 4. NsV: do 10 pull ups. I love crossfit but can't do these. They are my ultimate exercise nemisis. 5. NSV: to get rid of my lovehandles. Almost gone but with a weight drop would hope they go forever!

Nsv Two weeks after surgery I returned to work wearing slacks that I was unable to fit into for 2 years prior. Perfect, comfortable fit. Today (2 weeks later) I had to roll the waist of the same pants over just to not look like a hobo. They're hanging off of my hips and way too loose!! Time for some shopping!

Major NSV: I got my @ss kicked by some awesome roller coasters last night at Universal Studios. I didn't even need the larger seats on the ride.

NSV for me today. My daughter had been at a camping trip over the weekend. When I went to pick her up, I was walking toward her from the car and she looked at me and said, "you're getting skinny mom!". I haven't heard those works ever : ) it was really nice. I was 221 pre-surgery. Day of surgery I was 200. I had surgery 2/25 and I am now 173.5. It feels really good.

My NSVs at this stage: 1. Only 30lbs lost and intimacy has become waaaay fantastic 2. Knees not hurting walking up stairs 3. Clothes are very baggy 4. Some smaller clothes look amazing on me again 5. Back not hurting as much when I wake up in the am 6. I can cross my legs cross cross applesauce style 7. My curves are noticeable again! More to come I'm sure :-)

Just got back from Sea World with my daughter. It's the first time I've flown in two years. Normally, the belt won't fasten - this time, there was a good 6-8 inches left on it .. YaYYY. And my arse/hips didn't keep pushing the arm rest up lol, which has always happened in the past. I was able to out walk my lil one at Sea World and she's a real bundle of energy, so that in itself was quite a feat for me. I didn't even keep having to stop and catch my breath. <doing the happy dance even though I'm exhausted from the trip LOL>

Remember this post from way back in January??? Don't forget your stance on how much weight the scale has on your progress (no pun intended). You are already down a few sizes, and are celebrating many NSV's. Stupid scale. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Get the point?

I am more of a lurker here, but thought I'd post some of my NSV's and weight loss. I was banded on 9/30/05, I have two fills and I've lost 41 lbs. A big NSV I had today was I went to Sam's Club and bought a size 16 capri pant without trying them on. Got home and they are too big, I have to take them back for a 14, woo hoo. I am noticing more size loss than poundage loss. I have a hard time mentally with the fact that I am not losing more pounds, but when I try clothes on, that mental struggle goes away. I like to hear all the positive stories from everyone.

There's an old saying, the grass is always greener on the other side. It's only human nature that you envy her for her rapid weight loss as you are in the process of losing weight yourself, albeit slower. I doubt very seriously that there are very many banded people who haven't at one time or another questioned our original decision and thought about what if. It's human nature. If we could take a pill and wake up thin tomorrow, there would be a line wrapping around the globe itself to get that pill. I'd be in it, I know. Stating that she eats anything and everything isn't possible without her suffering some really adverse side effects. We all know that, but if you are basing this on her word alone, don't be so easily taken in by her. If you have witnessed her yourself eating things that she shouldn't be able to, I doubt if you get to see her bodies reaction to it. Besides, what is she learning, how to continue her unhealthy habits, resulting in the usual outcome eventually? Instead of putting down your own accomplishment, which is wonderful BTW, try giving yourself credit and be proud. You are doing what you felt was best for you at the time you made the decision. Try to remember those reasons why you opted to be banded vs GB. Those reasons were important to you then and still should be. You are losing at a perfectly normal healthy rate. You are also learning to make better food choices and living a healthier lifestyle. You cannot tell me that after all of the weight you have lost, you haven't noticed any changes, it would be impossible. Think NSV, write them down and remind yourself of what has changed for you. Do you not have more energy? Are you not wearing a smaller size? Are you sincerely not happier than you were before you lost this weight? Sorry to go on like this, but I think you are selling yourself short. You do not deserve to be treated like that, even by yourself. You are better than that, recognize it and respond to the positive thinking rather than the negative. Take care of yourself, please. I personally think you are doing a wonderful job and I know I am not alone here in thinking that. Cindy

scheduled for July 8. Just 3 days short of my 46th birthday. Over a year ago I went to my GYN complaining that my menstrual cycles were very heavy and painful. She suggested a Mirenna IUD. The Mirena IUD has a small amount of progesterone that will virtually make your period go away completely and in 5 years you'll have to replace it, by that time I should be in menopause….Great! sign me up. So last Oct I'm on the table, feet in stirrups when the good old doc tells me that I have a fibroid in the way, that there's no way she can insert it. Months go by, periods get heavier and at about January I'm getting bursts of blood about a week after my period that lasts about a day or two then by May I'm bleeding almost every day. My doc orders an ultrasound which doesn't reveal much but some very small fibroids, she believes I have Adenomyosis, a non-cancerous condition of the uterus that can mimic many signs and symptoms of fibroids. This condition results from the lining cells of the uterus growing directly into the muscle wall of the uterus. When the lining cells of the uterus bleed at the same time as the period, these misplaced cells causes pain. As the blood accumulates, the surrounding muscle swells and forms fibrous tissue in response to the irritation. The only way of diagnosing it is by examining the uterus after it is removed. She tells me of a treatment of cauterizing the inner lining of the uterus but that this technique doesn't always work. So I opted for the Hysterectomy. I'm not going to live like this any more. At all cost I will NOT let them take my ovaries! My doc knows all about my band/rebanding and is very pro-band. Also since I don't have a colon and had intense rectum reconstruction she has decided to perform the surgery abdominal at the risk of surrounding scar tissue and the fact that I've had 2 C-sections, she'll just go in the same scar. I handle surgery fairly well, but I still have to stay in the hospital 2 nights. Good news.We just bought a newer boat, a 22' stingray 2001 and if I want to achieve my NSV goal of Water skiing, I'll have to do it by July 5th due to the 6 week recovery time. Next week we're off to Yosemite, there's 10 of going as a group. The last time I was in Yosemite was in May 03. I looked at the pictures of myself and said I've got to do something about my weight. That was the turning point in my life that started my lapband journey. Thanks for your all of the support. I haven't been as active here lately but I want to thank all of you for such a wonderful board!!

Great work on the mileage! Truly inspirational. Keep taking measurements. Stay the course. The pounds will fall off eventually. You're doing so well. I'm pleased to see you are using various methods to measure your success. (We call those Non-Scale Victories--aka NSV's) I think you're about 3 months post-surgery, give or take. You're going through the exact same things I did at that point. Give it time. Keep up the outstanding work! It will happen.....keep us posted. Happy New Year!!

You're doing great! From what I've read & went thru, we all have stalls but get NSV's (NonScaleVictories) in other ways so my suggestion is to give yourself some time before the HCG. My friend had the sleeve for about a year before the HCG and she did it to help "reset" her weight. and to lose the extra 20 she wanted to. I'm 4 months, 46 pounds and grateful for this weighloss but my metabolism is so shot from the gain/lose that I am really considering the HCG to jumpstart it also.

Ladies... WOW! I'm loving these updates... well done nannieg... you got it sorted now Meg!! WTH... I agree with Dorrie, you need to get some new trousers...lol... great NSV! Dorrie... you HAVE the DRIVE... get out there and do it! It feels really good to get that heart beating! =] GT... I am loving your crossfit update... you go my lovely sleeve friend! What an achievement... I am well proud and a slight bit envious! Sometimes I really wished I lived over the pond!! I'm just chugging along at the moment... nothing to report, no changes anywhere but all good! x

Hey! Words of wisdom again Meg! Loves it! I particularly relate to the 'choice' mantra - I practise this most days - mostly my choices are good and when they are not, I don't stress anymore! I suppose that is an NSV of sorts. It certainly helps with the mental side of weight loss and struggling to get to goal. I have been home from my holidays for ages now... over a month. Lost the holiday weight, and now bouncing around from 163-164-165 ... I still weigh most mornings - got to to make sure that I don't go over the bounce range and I think partly to torment myself...lol! Would love to see the scale lower, but, well we'll see how the ole body reacts. Next mth the stall will be a year old... thinking of starting a new thread...lol! I am really convinced that my stall is hormone related... although I am still taking my tablets to stop the hot flushes, they are back! Not like before but they are getting worse - I am trying to get an appointment to discuss this with my doc, perhaps I need to change my tablets now?

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond to me. I plan to maintain my workouts. More so to make sure that I am consistent. I think that is one of the main reasons I am on this see-saw. I am trying to work on being consistent with logging my food on my fitness pal. And I will do better to focus on my NSV. Thanks so much.

Tonight is going to be snort of bourbon night. It may be a big snort. This morning started off with the impending visit of a friend of mine. He needed to go to the sawmill I frequent to get some lumber he was not able to source local to his own home. He lives about two hours from me. About 15 minutes before his anticipated arrival, my father called me to inform me that their well pump had gone Tango Utah, and they had no water. Both my parents are in their eighties. They live a little more than an hour north of me. Without going into all the sordid details, I managed to get my friend his lumber, and shuffled back to NJ, from whence he came, all the while coordinating between a plumber friend of mine and my father, who has an innate distrust of anyone he doesn't know. I am usually the one on deck for doing his plumbing work, but I told him we were hiring out if I had to pay for it myself. Oh yeah, the sawmill is located in "dark country". There is no cell service there. Not even texts get out of the cellular black hole there. So in addition to being monkey in the middle, I had to get it done while traveling in and out of phone service. One of my major accomplishments, perhaps even an NSV it is so big, was teaching an 82 year old man how to use his phone to take a picture and TEXT it to me so I could inform the plumber of what was actually going on. And I talked him through it over the phone. I did get the privilege of standing in an unheated basement in the mountains (read high temp of 15 degrees today) to help with the work. One other detail for the day is my friend had sleeve surgery almost six years ago. It did not work for him because of his intractability when it comes to his eating habits. But, he has experienced a rebirth of determination watching my success so far, so I have been counseling him as to how to mend his rotten ways (Jethro Tull reference there for those who might recognize it). So yeah. It's time for a snort. I'll be back on my strict diet again tomorrow. I am invoking the 80/20 rule laid down by the folks at my program. They never did say what those 20% bad calories could be, and I have been cleared for booze. The drinking light is lit. If I am not careful, I'll be lit too.

Congrats! Can't wait until I'm there. I'm stuck in 20s for now. But I had a NSV a couple of days ago. I went to a dancehall and was actually asked to dance! That's never happened before. The poor guy had to teach me lol.

Haaaaaapy Friday everyone!!! So happy the weekend is upon us! Although the weekend seems to be the most challenging time for me, I'm really going to try and be more mindful of what I put in my mouth (and what comes out of it) hahah nah, that's no fun:-) The hubby and I have date night tomorrow which if I know him means eating at our favorite steakhouse which is great because they have a ton of different options on the menu that fit within my plan so that shouldn't create any pitfalls. Yesterday, let's just say I veered to the left a smidge, no stressing, it's all about balance right. I went over my planned calorie target by 230 so I consumed 1410 (silly things in the freezer). Finished the last day of my Water flush with 85oz, no exercise @@2babutterfly, I'm with you this is the hardest thing for me!!! Today the plan is pretty simple and I will be disciplined to stay with it!!! B: Yogurt & trail mix 250 cal 17p L: Protein bar and 1 cheese stick 270cal 27p D: 2 eggs with 2 slices of low sodium bacon and 1oz of cheese- 320 cal 21p S: Skinny Cow Ice Cream- 160 cal 80 oz water 1,000 cal 65p Being honest exercise probably won't happen today I have meetings at work and things going on this evening. I know excuses, excuses @@JustWatchMe your weekend sounds like so much fun! Italian is my favorite and that menu sounds to die for, send me some:-) I'm sure your friend is extremely thankful!!! Also what a wonderful NSV!! Life is great! @@s_suther I think splitting your shake in half is a great idea especially if it takes 1-2 hours to finish the entire thing, this will not only help your body consume all of the Protein and process it like you want it to but it will also help you fit it within that 30min window. My only question is if you do that will it satisfy you the same way? Since this is a first try maybe you should have a thought out snack on standby just in case so that you're not starving?? Just a thought. @@2babutterfly @@bacon sounds you have great food plans in place! I do believe we're rocking and rolling! We should all be very proud of our accomplishments!! Have a wonderful day everyone!

Morning all! Just thought I would drop in and let you know about my NSV last night! (Admittedly, it started out with a bit of a nightmare!) I was happily sitting at home, in my pjs (no judging) after dinner last night when I logged into my work emails. I was waiting for a client to send something back that I needed for today, and being the paranoid soul I am, wanted to check it was in my inbox. I logged in, and to my horror, it was not. (Wild panic ensued). I then checked my outbox and to even more horror, my last email was stuck there! Long story short, dashed out of my PJs into the first clothes out of the closet and raced to work to send the email properly. It wasn't until I got home that I realised the jeans I had slung on were the ones I had bought before surgery, that wouldn't even go over my thighs. Admittedly, they were still a bit tight on the tummy, but I am taking that as my first NSV thank you very much! Hope everyone is well! MB Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App