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Hi ladies, Sarsar, sorry things are rough right now... I'm sure things will look up soon for you. I took my little doggie out today for a bird watching trip... a lot of it was car bird watching... which is really good, it doesn't scare the birds off as much a walking around. (we did walk around too, but not so much for birdwatching) I got lots of pics. Ill post a couple. It just makes me feel so good and relaxed when I go out birdwatching... its so beautiful in nature, and there are so many birds out there right now.. I saw flocks and flocks of swans today... really cool. I also think I might have had a break in my "art block" I have had a really hard time feeling up to making art lately... really for around 6 months or so... just not me... but a couple of things just set a spark in me today... I hope I can get the mojo back! Great NSV today too, I went to dance class and there are two tiny, sporty girls there that have been coming to class for maybe 3-4 months now, really nice and committed to the class....much younger than me... anyway today they were saying how the class is kicking their butts, and it is so hard, even their hands hurt! And they are trying to get one of the trainers to come and try the class and how it will kick his butt too.... I told them I had lost 91 pounds while taking the class, and they about fell on the floor. The class really works you, but it does not kick my a$$ any more... I just do it....(with a little grace I might add) and to think that these two sporty, hiking, rock climbing, bike riding girls are getting beat up by the same workout I do.... it just blows my mind! I know the stuff they do would kill me too... different set of muscles... but It makes me really proud, because I have never thought of myself as "sporty" and here I am... in the big leagues! I always liked QOC, she seems like a great adventuresome lady... I say yes if the rest of you agree. Laura!!!!! Come look at my bird photos! Then post a <3 because I know you'll love them!

My personal "goal" was not a weight, not really....it was a size....I wanted to wear a size 8! I went shopping last week because my size 8's are too big. That's right, now I'm wearing a size 6! Shocking. I'm 51, and I wasn't wearing a size 6 in highschool. I don't remember EVER wearing a size 6, I'm serious. I am certain I went from a 6x in elementary school to a size 12 in jr. high!!! It feels good, I look at them and am sure there is NO WAY I can actually slip into them, but lo' and behold, they fit. Of course, I thought the same thing about the size 8's, I didn't think I could really put them on!! I love my sleeve.

Friday was my 6 month (at 7 months? post op follow up visit. My BP was 110/57 HR was 76 Amy cholesterol 135 overall LDL 43 HDL 85 all other blood panels were in the normal range A1c was 4.1and my body fat is down to 20%! The Dr. was extatic about my results! He said that by far I am his most successful patient at the VA! My skin is healing well I have some loose skin but looks like it is still young and will probably not need to have any removed as it is not hanging and my muscle building will help for it to "go back to normal"! Another NSV is my energy level, my family and are are getting ready to move across country (for me to continue my education I was accepted to Colorado State University) and I have been loading the moving pods all weekend and have done most of the heavy-lifting myself. I am not tired or sore I worked all day both Saturday and yesterday and was like the energizer bunny, I just kept going and going.

Oops -- forgot a big one -- Been having trouble with the CPAP machine keeping me awake at night (sleep apnea). I called the doctor and took the machine over to the clinic to have the pressure lowered from 11 to 8 (all attributed to weight loss). However, for the past 2 nights, it's still bugging me, so I have an appointment to see the doctor in about a month and I think I'll end up going off it for good. For now, I'm not using it because it interferes with more than helps me sleep. THAT's a big NSV.

Some of my NSVs are: Walking into work without getting short of breath. I went to a restaurant and could fit in the booth without squeezing in. I can bend over and tie my shoes instead of bringing my leg up onto the bed or sofa to reach my laces. I can actually bring my leg up and cross it on the other one.

Most recent NSV....being able to take a picture one time and not nitpick everything about it. Also having candid pictures taken of you at an event and not chasing down the person with the camera to delete the photos Sent from my SM-G935V using the BariatricPal App

These ALL sound so amazing and Im so happy for you all. I really can't wait to have my nsv experiences!! :^)

I just read through every post in this thread over the past few days and it's made me laugh and tear up. Congratulations to all on their NSV, and for noticing and appreciating them! Your posts have reinforced to me what a good decision this procedure and lifestyle change is. I've started a list of NSV goals inspired by all of yours!

My favorite NSV ... I'm able to buckle my seat belt without lifting my butt/hip I can just click and go! I wear my watch and it slips up and down my wrist. .::SurgeryDate 7/25/12::.

I have a few NSV's to share. I am 2 months out I lost a lot of weight before surgery. My total now is 110 pds lost. My shoe size went from a 10 to a 9. My scrubs for work were 4x and now is a size Large. I am now starting to shop in the misses dept instead of the Plus size dept. I just can't stop smiling I feel so good and am loving my life!!!!

Loving the Nsv's. Keeps me motivated.

What a great NSV!!! Size 14 ????

Tiny NSV today I had to keep cinching my seat belt in my van to get it tight enough.

I just had a nice surprise. My husband and I are going to Italy and Greece for 2 weeks in June. I don't know what made us start talking about our passports but we did. So he goes and pulls mine out of our lockbox. We got it renewed in March of 2008. Here is where I digress a bit... so, my 'ah ha' moment was in november of 2006 while at my moms house. I didn't own a scale and she had one in her guest bathroom. I jumped on it and saw 267 pop up and realized I can't do this anymore (at 5'2", I was easily 140lbs overweight). It was right there that I decided to do whatever it took to take the weight off. If someone told me shooting horse pee into myself would work, I'd do it. Luckily for me my answer wasn't as gross. I scheduled a consult at the mayo clinic to get the lapband. Mayo has an extensive bariatric program and requires six months of appointments prior to surgery. I jumped in full force. By March of 2008 I was 25 lbs down, tracking my food religiously and exercising regularly. So when I had that picture it wasn't even my 'come to Jesus' moment but wow five years makes such a difference. As many of you know the band didn't work for me. I had it placed in June 2008 and did well the first 2 years. Then I started having terrible reflux and playing what I referred to as my food games ( waiting until 2 or 3 in the afternoon to eat, get stuck, throw up, look longingly as others ate around you knowing darn well you can't even swallow Water but you are starving). In December of 2012 I couldn't ignore it anymore. I made an appointment with mayo again to get an EGD and find out what was going on. I found oyt later that week that the two years of vomiting, reflux and heartburn had manifested itself into intestinal metaplasia. It was then I decided the band has to come out and I wanted converted. Having a friend die from Barrets several years ago, I knew I was done playing. June 2013 (almost five years to the day from my lapband) my band was taken out and I was converted to RNY. I was 220 on the day of surgery and am 160 this week. I am confident I will reach my goal if it takes me another 20 years. God willing horse pee won't factor in. So back to my NSV.. Seeing that picture was a great visual reminder of my journey to this point and reminded me how every step along the way helped me get here. My relationship with food is better than it has ever been, I feel healthy and while I have the all too damiliar freakouts from stalls I never take my eye off of the prize. Me and my worth to achieve anything I desire.

Well I started to update you guys the next chapter of the Frustr8 Follies and this fool smartphone dropped everything! I am about ready to heave it over on the couch, we are not having a happy time together. And my Beautiful Post is out floating in the Ether somewhere! I was going to tell you, gastroenterologist fou,d my small bowel is patent (Medicalese for open) but failed to mention number and degree unhealed ulcerations in my stomach and jejunem, and width of my stoma opening. Still having emesis bouts, he may have gotten through that day with his magic endoscope but will it stay open? Doubt it! Tomorrow I visit my opthamologist, hopefully my left cataract is not ready and there is another explanation for blurrier vision,like (shudder )OLD AGE. On Wednesday it's PCP and orthopaedic surgeon, something is wacky with my right hip. Pain, hardly able to walk with it, really limping, took in office X rays, no obvious deformity, doubts it's arthritic degeneration, his theory,is Stress Fracture of the hip, sent me for a MRI last Monday, then the next week I consult with the dermotologist, I have dark pigment blotches on my cheek area, really had them since I was carrying,Tomkitten, but as I lose weight they seem to have become more noticeable n people have been asking if someone,abused and bruised me. Then on Thursday Tomkitten and I both have sleep apnea evaluations so we'll see how That plays out. Heard from Roy, my dietician at OSU, wanted to know why they hadn't heard from ME, so I explained it all to him and told of my May fiasco which He Apologized that I was treated badly. And now I'll finish my take maybe tomorrow, I have more to tell, some NSV,and nicer things. See you on the flip side.

NSV = Non scale Victory A "Way to go girl" kind of thing that makes you happy but does not involve the dreaded scales to enjoy......

This is so fun! LOL THE CHAIR: My NEW hairdresser looked at me and pumped the damn chair up BEFORE I got into it and I had to climb onto it like a toddler climbing into a high chair. AND I'm 45 pounds lighter. I wonder what she'd have done 5 months ago. She was a skinny thing, about size 5, and the haircut was awesome. ELEVATORS & Planes: I step so lightly into an elevator so the don’t drop a few inches and then I tense up as the door closes as I am certain they just won’t be able to lift off with me in them. The same with airplanes, I am sure they tilt on my side of the plane, due to me of course. A long time ago in real small planes they’d ask me what I weighted before I got on so they could balance out the plane so my fear isn’t that far fear and aversion is bases on a real experience. OTHER NSV: Fearing the booth at a restaurant where I may be able to get into it, but I'm all squished up and my boobs hang over on the table and there is no room for a plate. It was so embarrassing. Not being the heaviest person in the room. That one just happened and it was weird!!! I wasn't sure what to do with the loss of that special distinction! I felt really odd. And like I said in my signature, pants with a ZIPPER!

WAY TO GO !!!!!!!!! great nsv ! Are'nt they fun ??? I love the fact that you're jogging too. Keep it up, there are more nsv's to follow ! ( Especially nice when that dang scale wont move !)

Hi Sue! That's great news about your son!!!! How does he feel about it? Man I wish we had insurance, that would make things a lot easier. I was self pay and unless I get back to work with a company that has insurance that covers WLS my son would have to be self-pay as well. It would be worth it but I just wish I knew if he had what it takes to be successful. He's the type that makes excuses for everything and I could see him doing that when it comes to eating. Please keep me posted on your son's progress! That is also wonderful news about your BMI!!!! I just calculated mine and I have a couple of more points to get out of the obese category! I'll just be "overweight"! How cool is that? I also understand about the crossing of the legs. I find myself sitting with my legs crossed all the time now as it was uncomfortable for me to do so before. I love these littlle NSV's! Thanks for the notice about the clothing exchange! I have so many clothes I need to get rid of. I will be sure to bring a car load! LOL

I am getting my hair braided, and as all my sista's out there know I'll be here for hours. Every time I sit in a chair like this, for hours I dream of this moment of comfort, and now it is here! My NSV is that I'm sitting in a hair salon with my legs crossed enjoying this iPad comfortably in this uncomfortable salon chair. I'm leaning to side a bit so I'm not 100% there yet, but this still so exciting!! No one here knows how excited I am about this on the inside. I do not know the stylists here very well so I'm not gonna tell them, but I had to tell someone, so I choose you, my BariatricPal's. Yay me!

I hope your surgery went well @SGirl35. MY NSV is being able to cut my toe nails with out pain. P. S. what does NSV actually stand for?

Hi everyone Happy Holidays of all! Still here I ahve a difficult time logging on to BP or writing a post that freezes, frustrating. I just wanted to add my experience with tomato juice because someone just suggested it as an alternative to the sweet options. I didn't read all my NUTs notes before I tried some V8 and ended up with a very irritated belly. Tomato juice can cause irritation, too acidic for some, so be careful. LainieG thinking of you and hope to share your sleeve success in the coming months. Losing slowly but this week had a bunch of NSVs tied my own shoes, shopped then entire mega grocery store, got rid of 4 bags of clothes, cooked 2 celebration dinners including my own birthday bash and all this while having some intense pain from 2 bone spurs and an Achilles tendon problem- not bragging about doing it just sharing how I can do life with this utterly amazing sleeve. Wishing everyone good health, peace and happiness.

Good Morning Gang Didn't get on the computer last night since DS & Family are here - they swam - we had pizza (1.5 Pieces) - watched slum dog millionaire (EXCELLENT MOVIE) Kath - Mushies Refired Beans are the best with a little low fat cheese on top - and even mashed potatoes - I use instant w/skim milk and no Water to boost the protein.. I did still have restriction at that point so 1/2 cup even 3/4 c isn't bad Meredith - Glad you enjoyed your semeniar - yep after being on lbt you are more informed that most.. I know I impressed my doc w/my knowledge.. Phyl - I really think that you should be able to get the leg plastic sugery covered by insurance if your doc submits it the right way... It is for medical reasons and not cosmetic.. Linda - Even if the scales don't move one week I think our bodies redistribute the fat and we lose inchs even though we don't lose poundage. Isn't it great to say my clothes are to big - greatest nsv !!! Julie - you sound like you are getting stronger everyday... My Mother's day menu - BBQ chicken - Mac salad - Aspauragus - this is for my for the girls - and the boys will have steak and baked potaotes.. Ok I should be on the computer to nite as dil going to meet friends - DS will be watching basketball - if not for sure on Saturday - the kid are going to see the other mom and I will have the house to myself.. Will ck back later...

Well, I guess this is a NSV......I tried on all my Christmas shirts and they are way too big. I will just have to go with a red tee shirt. I don't want to buy a Christmas shirt yet. I am holding out for going down one more size.

PHYL - You are still our tech QUEEN - Cheri is the tech queen on how our body burns foods - carbs fat Protein etc ;0) Ya Bella was running playing w/Sheba - Lucky Sheba does like Bella - but HATED Ryder - ya her collar was $10 - a waste - hell she couldn't sniff to pee w/it on - and she has left her stiches alone - goes back in 10 to get them taken out You are going to have to get a seat belt for her - she's going to jump out or cause you to get in an accident. Yep Coach at the outlet in LV ;0). Great - Glad you got your purse - I want a B Marcowsky (sp) but he had dark interior and I like the lighter ones - easier to find your stuff - 111111 Julie - Getting ready for wedding already... 300 pple - omg - I thought it was going to be a small one - You are doing this all by yourself ???? Linda - The last 3 days have been my days off exercise - but I go in the morning :0) and I did walk the mall today and tried on tons of clothes - my legs hurt Julie Hugs on your shoulder I bet you are sick and tired of being sick and tired. [QUOTE=peascorps;1505759]Hi guys~ Thanks for well wishes. We leave tomorrow morning early. I have to be creative with packing since we are going in small plane. Have to pack in small duffels and has to be light. (tricky) Mom's bday is the 17th and I got lots of useful stuff at Bed, bath and Beyond. (things that were getting worn out, but are expensive and we all drag our feet to replace.) A lot of their tablecloths and placemats are 50% off. They had a Williamsburg- reversible placemats and matching tablecloth one that is usually $8/each $3- got her 12. She will appreciate a gift that gets used. Dad gets her Chanel #5 every occasion (the only perfume she uses). She is really hard to buy for. She has gained some weight this last year with Dad sick, ~ 50 lbs and I know clothes is a touchy subject for her. So don't want to go there. DH took Nels to TKD this morning. Acted like he needed a gold medal or something- urrrghhhhh. He has NO idea what i do every day to get that kid ready and to and fro. I just wanted ONE morning alone- that's ALL i asked for. And... I got him up, got him Breakfast, got him to brush teeth and get dressed. All he had to do was drive there! Men. Just don't get it sometimes. I got my way, and in the end... that's all that matters. :party: Janet, yeah, I will be one of 3 classroom moms. I "adopted" the class ($200) and that goes to supplies the teacher needs. They put a little note on the wall is all. I will be able to help when I can. I don't want work full time, just PT will be enough. Not sure I will find it. I live in a SMALL town. There is no bariatric "program" at the hospital (though that would be a dream job). Just two surgeons who happen to do a few RNY and bands every once in a while. Really sad- very poor follow up here. (which is why I went to a different city for my surgery) I don't want a job with a lot of management responsibility- I like to be a NP, take care of patients, but have no desire to run an office. (which is why I won't open up my own private practice). Insurance these days is a NIGHTMARE to deal with. I want to go to 20 hours in an ER or urgent care or family practice. But not take my job home with me every day. I better go pack- need to hide the toys I got before someone sees them! Will CBL. Hugs to you all- will write more later. <having a hot flash> laura Laura - Ya why is it when men watch their kids it's called babysitting ??? They don't call it babysitting when we take care of the kids... Great Idea for Mom's Bday Presents ;0) - She will love them Safe trip tomorrow ... GREAT - Ya isn't is so great to be able to do stuff that we use to couldn't do !!! WTG NSV Melissa - Glad you weren't hurt - would have love to seen it ;0) [QUOTE=ocotillo;1505858]Sorry about the bruise, but I am glad to hear you are doing well. It's good to hear you up beat. Hope the movie was really good! Phyl, I'm sorry to hear you are still having trouble with your back. Hope that improves soon. Sounds like the therapy is helping. Zoey is young one and they do tend to act up now and then. She is so cute, it's hard to resist letting them get away with everything. Do you harness her in the basket? Lori, I've been to Park City and yep, it's hilly. It's very pretty there and I really liked it better than SLC becauce SLC was socked in and had snow and fog. Park City was sunny and clear. It was one of those inversion things. Yes, I will be in Vegas. Laura, why don't you ship the bulky stuff to your mom. It will get there and you won't have to worry about stuffing it all in a small place. Your mom will really appreciate you being there and helping out. And I agree, most men don't get how much work we do to make their lives easier. Some days I want to rebel and just lay around all day. Of course, then nothing gets done. Julie, is this your DD's wedding? I forgot what date it was. I can't even imagine 300 people at a wedding let along trying to make that amount of food for them. If I was already retired, I'd come help. You talk about me being busy, you stay pretty busy yourself. Jessica, a test on the first day? Is that so they can judge what levels you are already? Janet, or should I say coach Janet. Didn't do formal exercise on Thursday, but I worked with some hand weights while I was reading posts, Friday I did my pilates machine (can't do a full session yet, but did get on it and worked out about 20 minutes). I also did 6 flights of stairs at work and thought my legs had turned to spaghetti. Today DH and I walked 3 miles (1 hours) over to my sisters. All of my muscles are sore from the work outs to various parts. I guess I'm finally getting started on getting off my butt and doing something. But as usual, the tingly foot thing has started but I'm not going to let it stop me. I have to be in better shape for Argentina and I've got 2 months to get there. I think I need a nap...it is Saturday and I can nap if I want, right? Laundry is started and watering is happening. I need to go to the store, but that can wait a while. Okay, nap sounds good. See Julie, I do take it easy now and then. Later Eva Eva You might not get formal exercise - but girl all that you do does count some.. Yep you can nap - you are a grown up - I wanted to - but Bella kept kissing me.. [QUOTE=ifyourstomachoffendsyou;1505875]Walked an hr this morning and have been working in yard ever since. (7:15am-1pm). Just stopped to eat and check LBT. Janet, the fiber and soluble fiber are supposed to help with cholesterol. This is going to be gross. Consider yourself warned. For most people Fiber helps them have BMs. All I can say is I have to drink unbelievable amounts of liquid to wash it through and now I'm constantly on edge to see if I plugged the toilet. Fiber expands and so do my intestines. It can also create gas. I had such bad gas yesterday I had to lay down in hot water to relieve the pain. One side of my stomach was actually sticking up (not the side with the band) and I could literally push it in like pushing on a balloon and watching the air bulge out elsewhere. My husband started following me around with the Lysol air freshener. If I didn't use the Miralax, I'd be backed up to my throat. My body will adjust somewhat (I hope). Especially before school starts. Nothing like gassing out my students. I think I'll pay a child to take the blame. Laura, have a great trip. Lori, sounds like a fun time shopping, and plenty of exercise. Gotta get back out and finish watering plants. We had a huge rain early this week and none since and we're supposed to be moving into a 90 degree week with abolutely no rain. Gotta get my flowers prepared. Cheri Cheri - too funny about the gas ;0) Try some gas x strips ;0) Charlene - Hugs on your carb attach - I got a tiganello small cross body (tan) $34 from Marshalls last week - Like I told Great - I really do want B Marcowsky bag - love the cell phone pocket - but don't like his interiors - Did you see the camoflage bag on QVC tonite - loved it - but it would only go w/a couple outfits - didn't get it - I've had QVC on all day - got some of those women in control pants .. Joyce - yep some days we just twitter :0) Cheri I have heard that Inception was a good movie but you gotta pay attention and see it more than once Well gang - I am typing this in word ;0) don't want to lose it ;0) Had hair cut this morning - I now have bangs ;0) my face as gotten so long - she cut shorter side bangs - but when I came home I made them in to full bangs - can wear them both ways. Went to Macy's (had 20% coupons) Saved $50 ;0) got 2 pair on INC pants that fit like a glove - one in peities to wear w/flats and one regular to wear w/heals - Oh ya got a pair of Tiharri (sp) pants - size 0 and they are lose ;0) These were on the clearance rack a Karen Kane blouse gray w/sequines on the front these were on clearance too - then went to the shoe department - I want ballerina flats but most make my 10's look so big and fat - found some Stan Weissman for like $150 (NOPE) - found a pair of Joan & David $92 for $27 ... and they look good on my feet.. Got 2 bra's at Penny's and then came home - That's been my day ;0)