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SoCal that is a really neat NSV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are looking great. I haven't seen PinkyLee yet. My husband talked to her on Friday when the moving truck was there. Hope to see her soon in her new house. I'm sure she is really busy with the new house and closing on her former house I think tomorrow. I've been just maintaing. I'm getting stuck more so that's scary for me. I don't do that unless I'm overfilled. I think its stress. I've been extremely busy at work, working long hours. I'm taking a little break from all of this. Hope to hit it hard in Jan., but meanwhile trying not to do too much damage. Sounds like many of you are so close to goal. That is terrific.

Wooooo Hoooooooooooooooo!! Great NSV, Tracy!!!! It's not money, but it's a nice Christmas bonus anyway!!!

It's good to know that the weather change could be causing problems. I don't like being tighter, but it will pass and I love the cooler weather we're getting in the Houston area. Genn and Beachee Girl, Perhaps there needs to be a special recognition for bandsters who continue to follow the rules although losing slowly or not at all. If you continue to plateau, perhaps you should check with an endocrinologist. A journal would be invaluable to you and your health professioal. Cathy, Good move on the fill decision and good luck with the first fill. No more fills for me unless I am 100% positive it will be helpful. A new NSV for me. I just realized that I'm learning how to handle my emotional stresses in a much more positive way. Food was a bandaid for my depression that never promoted healing. I'm facing demons I ran from before. No where to hide now--unless it's LBT.com!

Good Morning, Violets.. Ethan is in his "cage" as we call it.. just the crib we have downstairs to contain him when it's naptime. He's amusing himself right now fighting off the inevitable. lol Cindy... have a wonderful cruise!!!! Jennifer... loads of purple power vibes being sent your way. Hope today is a better day for you. Terry... the same purple power vibes are on their way to you too. TracyK.. my alltime favorite NSV is being able to cross my legs at will withouth having to lift one over the other. And when I cross my legs sitting in a church pew, my top leg doesn't push up against the back of the pew. Now that's a "heavenly" feeling!! Also being able to wear pants that don't have an elastic waist is a great feeling. Also being out of plus size clothes. Oh, the list goes on an on!! Pamela.. TGIF today for you!! Plus Suzanne will be there. Doesn't get much better!! Tomorrow is fudge making day. Got to get all of it done so I can hand it out to the dog groomer, hair dresser, nail tech and church staff. Lots o' fudge for them.. zippo for me and the bobster..... I HOPE! Going in for a little fill Monday so have to be good. I want the scale there to be kind to me. Time to get some things done while Ethan snoozes. Catch ya later!!

I AM SOOOOO JEALOUS!!! I want one now!!!! I've been wanting one for a while, but I have others things I have to buy first...you lucky duck!!! Marcy, first, congrats on reaching 238!!! That is wonderful! As for what you mentioned above, I think you're talking about sliming and not PBing. Neither one is fun, though. Appleblossom, I am loving the fall colors/theme you've got going on w/your posts! Citygirl, I'm sorry about your fill drama. I go tomorrow for my first fill and I hope it is pretty uneventful. I'll let ya'll know how it goes. Chris, YAY!! You got your fill. My first is tomorrow. And look at all those NSVs!!! Congratulations. Sorry about the bill. That bites, but I'm sure you'll be able to appeal it and win.

Harley---Now that's what I call a NSV!! In fact there are At LEAST 2 of them in there! Sounds like a nice day.

Yes, I'm Australian MVR. Bandsters are really ripped off at those all-you-can-eat places. I'm going for my 2nd fill tomorrow too. I'm sure I've put on weight but I always think that. Hopefully, I'll post back with a loss.. I have to remember that it's not a race and it's not a diet club. We won't start really losing until we're properly filled. I was fine the first few days after my first fill but then the restriction went away. I don't have high hopes for the 2nd fill. I'm thinking the 4th might be more realistic. So what's everyone else up to besides obsessing over weight? Any NSVs? ETA: Hair loss. I had an undiagnosed thyroid problem for several years. I used to have gorgeous hair but it thinned to the point of baldness along the part. Luckily I'm tall, so it goes unnoticed for the most part but it was really, really bad for a while. It started to grow back a little once my thyroid issues were corrected. I'm a blond but it grew back a brownish colour. It was really funny as it was never as long as the rest of my hair. I hope it doesn't drop out again now but I'll live if it does. My aunt has lost all her hair in chemo just now, so I have some perspective for the moment. Just want to say that it *can* grow back and you won't be bald for life.

Aww! Great NSV. I know that you must have had a secret smile all day long. Good for you. Karen

Morning All, In reference to loosing alot then plataueing, I did the same thing, I lost 36 pounts from the time I started pre-op till i got my first fill, but the last 3 weeks b4 the fill I was stuck BIG TIME, then I went and got my fill, now I have NOT felt any restriction from that fill only 1cc put in, but that first week I guess being on liquids a couple of day or something kickstarted me and I lost 12lbs in ONE week. I called the doctor and asked what was going on, that's alot to loose in a week (not that i'm complaining) they told me the weight lose before the fill was great but when you loose that much you body has to go through a period of what they call compacting and adjusting to the change that is where the scale don't move but you will feel changes in clothes etc. Well that 12lbs lose was last week and this week I haven't lost anything!!!! I really need another fill, I am not restricted and as my past will show i can't continue on willpower for long. I am going to call today for an appt. I guess was upset me so much is I was 255 b4 surgery and when I stopped this week from losing I was at 207, I wanted soooo much to get down to ONEderland before I stopped again and I didn't. But I am trying so hard to stay positive, and look at the fact I have lost 48lbs total. But some great NSV's too, I went from a 44DD bra to a 42D, and from a 24 pants to a 16 now, I do love my band but I really need some restriction right now!!! Thanks for listening guys.

BIG NSV! I had to share! I just hit the mother load of jeans I had stashed away in a drawer! I was going through the closet and tried on a pair of jeans I got off e-bay a couple months ago. I wanted to see how long before I could zip them ...... they fit! They are size 13 cruel girl jeans. I thought I might have a couple size 13s stashed away someplace. I started looking through drawers and found several drawers full of my all time fav brand (Rockies), but they were all size 11. Then I hit the drawer of size 13s! Rockies! They are in the washer right now! whoo hooo!

Well Guys and Gals. I went for my 4th fill appt on the 19th. My doctor asked if I wanted a fill and I told hime "a little". Just a little because I was feeling pretty tight before hand. He did the fill and I drank the "yuck" and watched it go down. I went home prepared to do broth two days and so forth. lunch went down ok. dinner Soup was a no go. I got choked in the middle of the night and from then til after noon the next day I could barely swallow even my own salvia. I got sick several times and was feeling bad. I have a lap band friend that I called and she insisted I call the dr and go back. I did. They took out a little more than they put in on Monday and I go back in three weeks. I still have the tight feeling. My fitness pal is showing I have lost 16 pounds and don't know why. I have lost 29. I had my NSV of going from 18W to a 16 misses and from a 2xl shirt to xl. I am so excited to start seeing a difference in my clothes. I thought Thanksgiving would be hard but I fixed my very small plate and ate slowly, and actually cut a piece of cake and nibbled a little but didn't eat much . Wasn't as good as it use to be. GG, I will be praying for you. I pray that all of us are good during Christmas and don't gain. Merry CHRISTmas to you all.

Congrats on the NSV today GG!

Sounds like we all getting fills now, finally! I am getting my 4th teeny tiny .25 cc. fill tomorrow but I do feel like I am getting close to the green zone. My appetite is getting less and I get full faster which is a good thing. It still makes no sense to me how we eat 900-1000 calories a day and are not loosing tons of weight. That's normal in our situation I guess but it sure can be frustrating. Catherine, I hope that fill goes well for you and your weight loss continues. Chick, keep us posted. Hoe are you doing now? Jess, chicken is not good to me either. Ms lady, let us know how it goes. Cake girl, have that appetizer, you can do it and stay on program. It is so hard to watch others eat isn't it? Bobrocky, maybe saltines explode when they go down. LOL Glad you are feeling some restriction. Hope the next time it goes down easier. Ctarintina, 30 lbs is amazing. Keep up the good work. Caryn, good job. Keep it up. Helathywoman, I can't wait to see those 180's. Good job. Did anyone get much snow or loose their electricity? My youngest lives in NY in Sunnyside and they got a few inches. Chich, I thought of you. Stay warm. I had a few NSV's today at church. 3 people asked me how I was loosing weight and said I looked good. I'm at 19 lbs and I've always heard it takes at least 15 lbs for anybody to notice. I said exercise and counting calories, which is true. I have not told many people yet about my lapband. I will when I loose a lot more weight. I just don't want people watching me and asking how I am doing or like some of your experiences of asking why I have not lost more weight. How is everybody else dealing with telling people about your lapband? Keep those reports coming about your fills, unfills and victories. You never know when it's just the thing someone else needed to hear to help them. Have a great week, stay warm and on program. We can do this! Blessings, GG

That's a great NSV! I'll find out tomorrow if I need a seat belt extender. We'll see. ;-p Husband is taking his computer. I'm not taking mine but I may still be able to check in on his. Have a good week everyone!

Hello August bander!! How is everyone? Its 6 months today I got my band. I have been doing well and loving the band (sometimes) It is kinda tight and I like it like that, it helps me make the right decision to eat. Old habits or you can say bad habits are hard to break. I log my food everyday on my fitness pal, I look for help and advice from friends or family when I struggle. I was never a breakfast person and now with the band I find I dont like to eat breakfast so I have a protein shake every morning. I try any and all shakes and usually stick with the isopure, 2 splenda in a blender. Lunch is usually Chobani with some protein granola in it, by lunch I have usually had my protein for the day. Dinner is always different. Meals I enjoy CHILI always is good, chicken depending on how its cooked,turkey sausage keilbasa with kraut, I love the crockpot and try to mix up meals in there. Crock cooking helps because my daughter is 3.5 and son is 17 months doesnt leave me much time to do much when I am home with them and my husbands days off rotate so im alone and not always easy and by the time I get them in bed it is almost 8:30/9pm and I'm done by then!!!! I started couch to 5k, I was religious with it but its been cold and I have weened off a lil in the following weeks. Since my husband leaves for work by 6am I have to be up and dressed to run by 5/5:15AM if I wanna get it in. I have been doing it usually 3 days per week and go to the gym once a week to get in a Zumba class. I love it and lots of fun! The weight was slowly coming off and I am happy with that. i am still not done and still a work in progress LOL I have lost 49 pounds and I started at 236, was 231 the day of surgery and now I am at 187..ugh 1 lb away from 50...SOON!!!! Once I started running the weight flies off, so anyone thinking they cannot do it, you can and its a basic simple training program that works on interval run for a minute or two then walk then run...interval training has worked wonders for me. I am so proud of all of us and we are keeping our heads high and doing it! Somedays are better than others, some things are tolerated one day and not the next. I still hate eating with people, I go out to lunch with coworkers but usually play it safe and get a chili. I skip most carbs- bread, pasta, pizza, bagels,cereal (all was a staple everyday or once a week) I have changed everything I used to eat and feel terrific. I on occasion will eat slider food and regret it but for the most part I follow the "rules" I stay focused on my goal, i am liking my willpower, determination, and my 50lb weight loss verses the guilt I would feel for going to mcdonalds and pigging out, or the clothes not fitting and me getting angry or upset with myself and saying "thats it Im going on a diet" and failing the next day. Its not always easy but the NSV's I have had these 6 months will carry me another 6. I like walking into a regular store and buying clothes at Macys, not sweating from a flight of stairs, and most of all even if the scale doesnt move I know I am not on a diet but I have changed my lifestyle for the better. Wishing eveyone the same success!!! I have an incredible support system from online bander support groups, friends, neighbors, family, books, LBT, and my husband. I am here if anyone nees any support, advice, or a kick in the arse LOL best of luck A11's keep on with your journey and dont ever quit! keep your eye on the prize!

Kristen, throw that Halloween candy in the garbage! That's what you would tell me so do it for yourself. We're supposed to get Papaya Enzyme. I got mine at Walmart and the brand name is Spring Valley and they are chewables. It's not very expensive for 180 tablets and the holistic Dr I spoke to yesterday said we can take 6 if needed. Caryn, I know that protein drinks do that to me too. Now I need to cut out the black beans in my hubby's wonderful turkey chili and no more sweet potato fries for me. I just started the probiotic and maybe between that, watching what I am eating more carefully and the Papaya Enzymes i can reduce the gas. Sorry about TMI. Last night we ordered Outback takeout with friends. I was amazed that I actually stopped and felt full after les than half of my petie filet and less 1/4 of a baked potato. I ate all my salad with their Tangy Tomato dressing and felt full so I stopped without eating even half of my dinner. A real NSV for me. I thought their dressing was low fat so I used it. NOT! That house salad was 216 calories. I should have checked it before I ate it. If I know I am going somewhere out to eat I always check to see if their menu is online. If I had, I would have taken off the croutons and used my own dressing. I really did enjoy it but looking back I should have been more careful. Since I had not eaten much yeserday I was 156 calories over my 1100 so it will probably be OK. Overeating on salad, dumb mistake. :mad3: We can do this! Blessings, GG

Hi everyone! Christine - I am sorry for your loss. It sounds like you have a good handle on things. It sure is a lot! Harley - I thought your dress was beautiful. I bet you looked great! I have a picture of a dress I want to wear on my bedroom door. I look at it daily. Mostly, it is inspiration! SpecialK - Way cool about the NSV. I love it when stuff like that happens!!!! Tess - lol, my birthday is April 15th. We are birthday mates! Well, I went to the party and had a fabulous time. I took a nibble of some rum cake. (holy cow was that stuff potent) and took a tiny bite of carmel apple cake. (yummy!) and drank 1/2 glass of wine. The rest was all good stuff. I felt wonderful. I actually didn't want any more of the cakes or booze! I had a little, enjoyed myself a lot and danced the night away. I can't think of a better way to enjoy the party. Last year, I enjoyed it, but felt so huge and like my skin was too tight. This year was so very much better!!! Another good thing was that the scale didn't go in the wrong direction. I am a little nervous about the 22nd. It is my official baking day. I bake tons of Cookies and make this stuff called "white trash". The white trash is sooooooo good. Most of the stuff will be out of my house by the next day, so that is good. I just have to maintain my willpower for one day! It is very sad that cookies can just slide right through the band! But, I anticipate that I will eat only one cookie. I'll allow myself one and then put all the goodie bags in my car. (hopefully, it will be as cold as it is today and no way will I go out there! lol) Have a great day fellow bandsters!

Stef I did not know about your band being that way. My port is tilted but no special instructions. You are the Exercise Queen!!! Keep up the great work. marga, Dawn and pacu... I know how you feel. But I really beleive this will happen to us in time. I am taking some step backs this week to measure my food and think about how I feel. I think that my band is working with some restrictin, just not that pain or pbing or limited foods. Like you I can eat some foods that most can't like pizza. But I think that the restriction is tighter a week after my first fill. Some say it is delayed. joeyg glad you called the doctor. Keep us posted on how it goes. cmp I never heard of a omnipac either. I even asked my nurse at my first fill if they use anything other than saline, and she said no, and looked like I did not know what I was talking about? I had a NSV this week, for this shows exercise and the band is working. I tried a black skirt on for work that was so tight prior to surgery that I could not wear it, now I can turn it around zipped. I also fit into a pair of white shorts yesterday!! I was so excited, my dh was too! :whoo:

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR Just spent 25 min writing a lengthy note, and one of my kittens jumped up on my laptop and closed it ! I mean the whole computer !!!! SO, i'm gonna try this again ..... Anne - Congrats! the really WILL fly by! So happy for you HB - 12"Snow? WHere do you live? Antarctica? I'm in ND and it 70 here today ! Christie - Congrats on being Obese :-) Leigha - great goal! Happy Bandiverssary to those celebrating! No word yet from the douch at sears optical. That was Monday! LOSER I cant wait until the 5 of may - going on a scrapbook retreat for 5 days! Its at a resort in Minn. Lake, pool, hiottub, private cabins, meals served, golf, etc... its called Fair Hills Resort - sooo beautiful. we go there twice a tear ( spring and fall ) for these. Have any of you scrapbooked your journey?? I am. I saved all my paper work from pro op , classes, post op , and wrote my weight and nsv's in my calendar and transfered them. I have tons of before and progress pics. I figure the first 2 years are the most important. Its so cool to look at. I think WTF! Was I really that big?? I didnt feel like i was. I cant get over the difference. It makes me feel so proud to show it to others. Ok, kittens crawling up window screens !!!! Gotta go ! ttyl

Jenn - I'll make you sing to me when I see you in a few weeks! He he he... That's awesome about the NSV. I can't believe you're already in a MEDIUM!! Like Pam says, you are a skinny b-word already! Tracy - My birthday was Friday and so far I've had 3 different celebrations this weekend. Today was the last one. My friends met me for lunch and brought me a cake. My neighbor is gonna kill me. Everyone insists on giving me the leftover cake and of course i don't want that in my house so as soon as I get home I walk on over to my neighbors house, she has three kids, and I leave the cake with her. I'm sure her kids are bouncing off the walls, LOL!!

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tame those wooly mammoths! Good morning everyone! TracyK you are not alone! That is so cool to have a consult with that ps on BM........ hey maybe you can get a cut rate if you agree to go on the show! Pam: Married Life feels just like the Living in sin life.... when it feels different is when someone refers to him as my husband. Kat: Glad you dad came through the surgery ok..... my prayer for you is for your life to stay calm for a bit Jennifur: You are such a good neice! I have a meeting today with a big whig.. my boss wants me to attend so I can see what goes on at these annual meetings... it is me playing the game for when he retires......... he really wants me to get his job when he leaves... the problem is that he has a Masters degree and I don't.... the nuns are VERY educationaly snobbish as many of them are phd's. Most of them have no idea what I actually do, since I deal with the lay employees.................. so anyway...... today's NSV is that I'm wearing one of the new white blouse I bought yesterday.... (Size 16, black jacket size 16, and black dress slacks, size 14), but they are cut loosely and they have some give... BUT last week I could not get them zipped. My hair is up and I actually have matching earrings............ and new shoes that I bought last year but have never worn................ so I AM DRESSED TO THE NINES........ very professional............ Now that I am fitting into some of my old clothes it feels very good to dress up......... hell it feels good to give a crap again.... I am only now realizing how deep of a pit that I was in......... I know I've said it before.. but my beginning pic is so very painful for me to look at over and over again day after day on my sig.......... I don't even recognize the miserable woman in it........... to me, I've always looked like my most recent pic.... heavy but happy, sexy in size 16's........ I can not describe how much power my little band has given me over food. It is very freeing................... OK so enough with deep introspection........... lets talk about seeing our coochies! :car:

Laura - Glad to hear you got some relief. Melissa Are you at 3.0 or above? I was shocked when they put in .4 to make it 3.0 and then wanted to go another .4 because barium went so fast. I declined and it's a good thing. Water went down ok at center, but my one sip of liquid protein since being home seems to be taking it's time. All I can say is--yeah! I want restriction and I can handle liquids and mushies for as long as necessary I'm off to lah lah land until I begin teaching this afternoon. One more NSV. I stayed in Onderland even at the Surgi Center with all my clothes on. I was 198.6. My scale showed 199.5 fully clothed right before I walked out the door.

See, Betty. There were changes and you didn't even know it. THAT IS CALLED A NON-SCALE VICTORY!!!! (NSV) Just remembet that next time you get stuck. Your body is just catching up with the loss. Go Betty! Did you measure before you started? I did. Haven't measured in a while, but I have lost at least 7.5 inches from my waist. It happens when you least expect it. lol lisa

Thanks!! I've actually hit 65#'s lost now....my body is so weird! I go through about 3 weeks of gaining and losing about 3 or 4 pounds and then WHAMMO....in 1 week I lose 10 pounds! At first it really bothered me but have learned it's just how I lose weight. I had to work all weekend also, driving a tractor on our farm. One big NSV for me was that pre-band I would head out for an 8-10 hour day on the tractor with a cooler full of lunch food and snacks so I wouldn't "starve to death". Caught myself going this time with a Southbeach Diet High protein granola bar and 2 waters...and beleive it or not, I didn't die of hunger!!! Hope everyone is doing well, need to head to bed. Going to check out a new swimming suit store tomorrow morning, mine isn't exactly fitting anymore!:clap2:

Wooooooooo Hooooooooooooo!! Concert is done!! Everything went well and now no more Monday night rehearsals!!! I told the director tonight that I couldn't be in the spring concert cause I'm gonna be with my Violet Sistas!!! He was not pleased, but that's the breaks!!! I'm going to get out of my black outfit and hit the hot tub. I was told numerous times tonight how nice I looked. I had to stand in front of the chorus as I played flute with a couple of songs and I was sooooooooo relaxed cause I knew I didn't look like I did a year ago at the concert! It was a great NSV this evening!! Now onward to a fill tomorrow and -3# by Christmas!!! Everyone sleep well! Patience, Trust, Purple Power and WWJD??!!