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SO, I've been feeling a little down lately with my plateau at 40 lbs out. I've been slightly depressed with some life events and what not, and my scale just doesn't move. I am in Vegas now with a friend for a girls weekend. I have no shorts that fit so she grabs me a pair. Now, I started my journey wearing a tight 18. Today I put on a 10!!!!!! I've been wearing a 12 for awhile now so this was huge! It has shown me that the changes I've made recently are in fact making changes. I couldn't believe I put on a pair of size 10 jean shorts. Definitely feeling good about myself!

The bra. I need to wear a "real" bra tonight as I am going to our school districts board of directors meeting to meet the new Principal of my school. I've been living in my comfy sports bra and comfy pants. Shoot...real pants too. Eek! Haha! On a side note, I guess this is a NSV, my school (horribly uncomfortable because it was too dang tight) shirt fit a bit better today. Only a few days post op. Feeling good...

The NSV... I went to my nephew's brass band concert last night. It was held in the auditorium of my high school alma mater. This auditorium is pretty much like most high school auditoriums across America... not too comfy, nor too roomy. I not only was able to sit in the seat with room to spare, but I could even sit with my legs crossed! :thumbup: The catty comment... Since my nephew has been in this brass band, I have found out that a girl I went to kindergarten thru hs with also has a daughter in the same band. I have not seen her since we graduated from hs (1988 :frown:). Pretty much since the 4th grade, she has made nasty remarks about not only my weight, but my mother's weight as well (ie. call xxx-xxxx and ask for "FAT A$$"). Well... I do believe that she has gained the 80+ pounds that I have lost since being banded. Unfortunately, she arrived after the concert had started so I couldn't go up and say hi to her. ISN'T KHARMA A BEE-OTCH!

I am 1 month out, my stall has just broken but I experienced that as well. I never really was a leg crosser but one night while siting watching tv, I realized I had my leg up in my chair with me, like where your foot is by your butt and knee by your face. Use to sit like that a lot but haven't in years. It was neat to do it and not even realize! Another NSV just experienced is I got out of the shower and wrapped the towel around me, the edges actually overlapped a little, woo hoo! Forget the scale, the NSV's rock!

Hi there, I am scheduled for my surgery on July 1st (revision from lapband to plication) so I can answer alot of your questions. Two questions: 1) What is NSV? no scale victory - 2) Does anyone have extremely serious regrets for having the surgery? well even with having to have a revision on my band - I don't regret it - lost 170 lbs - gained back 50lbs due to an enlarged pouch - but will have the plication and get back to my lowest weight in no time. Hope this was helpful. Donna in Seattle surgery lap band 3/2003 - scheduled for plication on July 1st with OCC TJ 310/145/200 and counting down again!

stacechase congrats on the first of many NSV's good for you - prepping for your new sleeved life exercise, eating right, even a juicer!!! wow - you are ready for WLS!!! continue with this great attitude!!!! you are aces!!!! keep up the great job today, tomorrow and for the rest of your longer, healthier, happier sleeved life good luck on august 19th speedy recovery kathy

WOW!!! What a great NSV. Who the heck cares what the scales say when you have something like that happen.

Here is a list of common used abbreviations on this board #/#/# in signatures: weight pre-surgery/current weight/goal weigh AF: "Aunt Flo" -- menstrual period BC: Birth control (or BCP: birth-control pills) BIA: Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. BMI: Body Mass Index BMR: Basal Metabolic Rate. This is the minimum number of calories you need to sustain your current weight. This includes resting and sleeping. BP: Blood pressure DS: Duodenal switch (another type of bariatric surgery) EPGSHFLYADV: Excruciatingly Painful Gagging Sliming Heaving Feels Like You're About to Die Vomitation FAT MASS: This is how many pounds of your body is fat. FAT%: The percentage of your body that is fat. FFM: Fat Free Mass. This is how many pounds of your body is not fat. GBP: Gastric bypass surgery GERD: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease GP: General practitioner LPD: Liquid Protein Diet MO: Morbid Obesity (or morbidly obese) NP: Nurse practitioner NSAIDS: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (a class of painkillers--which includes ibuprofen--bandsters should try to avoid because they can add to ulcer risk). NSV: Non-scale victory -- a weight-loss achievement that has little to do with numbers OTC: Over the counter (i.e., non-prescription medications) PA: Physician's assistant PB: Productive Burp -- what happens when something eaten can't go down due to restriction has to come back up PCP: Primary care physician RNY: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (the most popular type of bariatric surgery) TBW: Total Body Water. This may be expressed in pounds or as a percentage. The average % for a healthy adult male is 50-65% and for female 45-60%. WLS: Weight-loss surgery

I have to have MRI scans every now and again and hadn't had one since being banded. For those that don't know, you lay on a table, are strapped down and then the table slides you into a round tight capsule where it takes very noisy (think jackhammer) scans of your body......it must be horrible for people who are claustrophobic. Today I noticed that when I was being slid into the capsule that I didn't need to almost dislocate my shoulders to fit my arms through the gap and also that I didn't need to take a huge breath in to stop myself from getting jammed in the gap due to the size of my tummy!!!!!! :thumbup:

Nothing beats the NSVs We have all gone way too long without them.

Welp, I did better than last week and lost -3.1 lbs this week. I'm definitely starting to see patterns in my body, and how it reacts to things throughout the week. On Wednesday I weighed in at 185.6, today (only 2 days later) I'm weighing in at 187 lbs. I'll take a loss, no problem, but it intrigues me how my body bounces up and down a pound or two during the week. One of my healthier habits I've acquired since surgery, is weighing myself only once first thing in the morning when I wake up, and not doing so again until the next day. I use to be obsessive compulsive about weighing myself multiple times a day, praying I would see some kind of loss, if even a few ounces. By only weighing myself once a day, I feel like I'm seeing much better results and not dwelling on it as much. Things I also know that have been working for me are laxatives. On Monday I tried miralax dissolvable (pre-measured packets- love it) in my coffee and it worked wonders. On Wednesday, I tried a good old laxative pill and it worked wonders as well. So now I know that if my body needs a little push to dump the toxins out of my body I have options. I'm very wary of taking any laxative every day because your body becomes dependent on them, and I do NOT want that to happen. I've been fairly regular up until last week, so trying different things this week brought a lot of relief to my system, and my numbers dropped as well. I will say that my biggest NSV to date happened today. I have about 20 pairs of jeans ranging from size 16 to size 8. About 3 weeks ago I was able to squeeze into my size 12's that have been getting looser and looser. Today being Friday and jean day at work, I decided to reach for my prized (slightly expensive, but fabulously fitting) size 10 jeans just to take an assessment of how they fit and how much farther I have to go. I put them on, and to my shock and amazement- they fit. Perfectly. No muffin top either. I went and looked in almost every mirror of my house just to make sure I wasn't hanging out or fooling myself. Nope- they fit! I felt overwhelmed with emotion this morning, over a pair of jeans. It's been YEARS since I've worn them, and even then I remember the last month or so I was able to wear them, I was wearing spanx and girdles trying not to bulge out thanks to the evil muffin top! After I got in my car, got my son to school, and just started thinking- I went into a Zen like state. I just felt like everything was going to be okay. I don't know what my all-time ultimate goal weight will be, or when my body will stop losing weight, but right now, the feeling of having my beloved size 10's fit me, is enough to praise God and count my blessings. I love my sleeve! Height: 5'9 Highest Weight: 216 Current Weight: 187.0 1st Goal Weight: 169 Sleeved: (8/17/2012): 216 lbs Week 1 (8/24): 204.8 (-11.2) Week 2 (8/31): 200.6 (-4.2) Week 3 (9/7): 196.8 (-3.8) Week 4 (9/14): 193.5 (-3.3) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 9/17/12- 1 Month Anniversary w/Pics Posted in Blog Week 5 (9/21): 191.6 (-1.9) Week 6 (9/28): 190.1 (-1.5) Week 7 (10/5): 187.0 (-3.1)

I'm down -3 lbs this week!!! Woot woot! I can officially say that the after Christmas/Holiday vacation recovery is fully underway! I haven't done anything drastic, I've just been back to work for a week, eating healthy choices, drinking lots of fluids, and really just watching all the crappy stuff leave my every day meal choices! And it's working! So glad! I was technically on a 3 week stall, because I was eating so much bad stuf the last few weeks, that this week I felt soooo much better and in control. I'm going after my 145 lbs goal with complete focus! I'd love to hit it in the next 3 to 4 months! I'd be sooooooo excited! Just got to keep focused, and know that the little numbers add up to big numbers in the end!! And my NSV? I walked into the the GAP yesterday and grabbed a pair of size 8 jean legging (jeggings I think they are called) and they fit perfectly. I walked into a name brand store and bought a pair of size 8 jeans??? Whaaaat? REALLLYYYY? WHaaaattt???? It's made my week! So excited! Height: 5'9 Highest (Surgery) Weight: 216 1st Primary Goal Weight: 169 (Achieved 11/27) 2nd Optimal Goal Weight: 145 Sleeve Journey: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 8/17/12- PreOp/Surgery Day w/Pics Posted in Blog Week 1 (8/24): 204.8 (-11.2) Week 2 (8/31): 200.6 (-4.2) Week 3 (9/7): 196.8 (-3.8) Week 4 (9/14): 193.5 (-3.3) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 9/17/12- 1 Month Anniversary w/Pics Posted in Blog (-22.5 lbs) Week 5 (9/21): 191.6 (-1.9) Week 6 (9/28): 190.1 (-1.5) Week 7 (10/5): 187.0 (-3.1) Week 8 (10/12): 181.9 (-5.1) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 10/17/12- 2 Month Anniversary w/Pics Posted in Blog (-11.6 lbs) Week 9 (10/19): 181.4 (-.5) Week 10 (10/26): 177.9 (-3.5) Week 11 (11/02): 176.8 (-1.1) Week 12 (11/09): 174.7 (-2.1) Week 13 (11/16): 173.3 (-1.4) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 11/17/12- 3 Month Anniversary w/Pics Posted in Blog (-8.6 lbs) Week 14 (11/23): 173.1 (-.2) Week 15 (11/30): 167.3 (-5.8) Week 16 (12/7): 168.1 (+.8) Week 17 (12/14): 164.6 (-3.5) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 12/17/12- 4 Month Anniversary (-8.7 lbs) Week 18 (12/21): Holiday Break/Vacation- No Scale Available Week 19 (12/28): Holiday Break/Vacation- No Scale Available Week 20 (1/4/13): 164.5 (-.1) Week 21 (1/11): 161.5 (-3.0) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 01/17/13- 5 Month Anniversary (-3.1 lbs)

@@Tanya Gif - It varies greatly. Some people lose nothing initially. Others lose massive amounts. Do not compare yourself to others. Follow your program. Focus on getting in your protein, drinking fluids/water and walking and/or exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Better yet, step away from the scale. Instead take your measurements. Then retake them once a month. There will be times the scale doesn't move. NSV (non -scale victories) will be your saving grace

Everyone has them. Stalls can last from a few weeks to months. Make sure you're getting in all your protein, drink your water and exercise. All you can do is follow your program until your body decides it's not starving. In the meantime look for NSV and take your measurements to compare the differences.

I am almost 6 months post op and took my first vacation this week (Drove up to Tahoe). I went with some friends who did not know about the surgery but knew I was actively losing weight and trying to eat healthier and it wasn't awkward at all. I didn't snack, but I did eat some meals I shouldn't have. But between watching how much and exercise, I was down just over 2 lbs for the week. In the past, anytime I vacationed I would be up so I'm super excited. I had some great NSVs while I was out. - Hiked almost every day - around 5 miles, intermediate hikes, at elevation. Still hard, but I did it. - Kayaked, and was able to get in and out easily. - They had standard size bath towels in the bathroom, and it wrapped all the way around me without a gap! - It was my birthday and I didn't have any cake, and really didn't miss it. I tried alcohol for the first time since surgery. I had a glass a wine a couple of times and did fine. However, I had about 1/3 of a margarita and felt awful. I don't think I full on dumped, but I think if I had drunk any more I would have. It's the first time I've had any amount of sugar so lesson learned. I'm going back to not drinking for a while (it will continue to be an occasional event going forward).

Great NSV. !!!

That is such a big NSV. I bet you are feeling good. Congratulations, and good luck with your next goal if you have anymore . ~~~Stephanie

That's great!!! My surgery is the 29th! Can't wait to have my own NSV's!!

Great NSV! I'm wishing Kaleigh luck!!

Great NSV. I got out of a low beach chair yesterday so I totally understand what you are saying. How fun! I wish her luck. Let us know how it goes today.

I didn't have quite as much to lose (I started at 325) but I was overwhelmed for sure. Even when I was down quite a bit I felt overwhelmed. Every time the scale stopped I was worried that was it. But I hung in there and ten months out from surgery I am down 125lbs, am down 6 pants sizes, and I feel (and look) like an entirely different person. It's scary and frustrating at times, but sooo worth it. I kept trying to tell myself that the next year would pass whether or not I got the surgery or followed the plan, and that I'd rather be on the track of looking back at how far I've come than wishing I had made the choice. Making a list of reasons I want to be at goal weight helped me. When I was stressed or when the scale didn't move I would pull it out to remind myself. And as you progress write down all your successes, even the smallest NSVs. It will get easier over time, I promise.

Don't worry about the scales....you need to focus on NSV (none scale victories) for example loose clothing....I have went from a size 50-52 and is currently wearing 40-42, but I still want to lose more weight. Be encouraged!

Okay, what did we used to call those "non pounds loss" happy things that happened to us? Was it NSV(non sleeve victory)? can't remember, but I've had SEVERAL today! We had a focus group meeting in my office of several Financial Advisors from around the state that I have worked with over the past many years but whom many have not seen me in a couple/several years. I had not one, not two but at least three of them single me out over the course of the 4 hour meeting and tell me how "wonderful" I looked and how much had I lost and how long, etc? FIRST, it made me realize - You know what? I HAVE accomplished a lot and I AM almost three years out! When I told one who asked when did you lose it, "Three years!" And it HIT ME! It's been three years!!! THREE YEARS!!! That made me feel really good! Just to have the affirmation again of a "job well done" and a huge accomplishment meant a great deal to me today. Not bragging, simply stating that perhaps we need to "lighten up" on ourselves some and see what others see. A real change in who we are and what we have accomplished. It surely opened my eyes today. And then... I went and ate 3, YES THREE, donuts. Oh well, its back to low carb.. )) We've got this, Pals!!!!!!

Holy cow, today is my bandiversary. I’m just going to let my fingers do the walking and see where this story takes me, so try to stay with me if I get a little boring! On March 4th, 2009 I drove to my clinic with my mom so early that she had time to get McDonalds Breakfast. I was so glad the day had finally arrived, more than anything glad that pre-op was over and the medical issues I was going through weren’t stopping me from having surgery. I weighed 255lbs that day, down 15lbs from my highest weight of 270 which was recorded at my consultation for lap-band surgery, January 13th. What a year. I now weigh 90lbs less than I did when I started this journey at my consultation, 75bs less than when I had surgery. For those doing the math, that averages to just under 1.5lbs a week - slow losing IS STILL LOSING. That is probably my biggest piece of advice to remember, and surely advice I need to remind myself of. Even if you lose a small amount, week after week, when you don’t give up, those small numbers turn in to big ones. I had lost more most weeks I was on weight watchers. But I never stayed on a diet before. I was twenty-three years old when I had this surgery, and at that point was really wondering if I would ever be a normal weight. I had struggled with my weight since puberty, and could not remember a time past the age of seven where food wasn’t a crutch or a treat or a secret or a shame. I saw a nutritionist for the first time when I was seven years old, after all. To think that one year later, I’ve done it. Sure I am not at my ideal weight by my nor my doctor’s standards, I’m so freaking close. I’m close enough that I get to- Shop at any store Buy (overpriced) designer jeans from lines like Citizens of Humanity and JBrand Buy Hunter boots that fit over my calves... OK so there’s clearly a shopping theme here. I am fit. Or Phit, rather. I work out a minimum of eight hours a week, and I love every moment of it. I love that last night I did 144 push-ups - real perfect push ups. I couldn’t do five when I started seeing Julie in September. I struggle a lot still with loving my body - I struggle to see how different it is and how much closer to ideal than not it is. But after a workout, when my muscles burn and my hair is matted down with sweat, I love my body because it is strong and it is powerful. I didn’t start working out seriously until about six months post-op, for whatever reason it took that long for it to click with me. For those waiting for that moment, it will come, I truly believe that everyone can love exercise if they find the right workout, and in my lucky case, trainer for them. It is hard to say how much this surgery and losing weight has changed my life. In many ways I have not changed at all, and in others, I am becoming the person who I always hoped I could be. I am accomplishing the thing I knew I never could, and doing that is beyond empowering. I am more settled in myself, I can let my whole self just exist and not worry quite as much as to what I’m projecting. I am so grateful for the band... And so incredibly grateful to all of you for the support all my friends from my blog and here on LBT - I'd be lost without the support you’ve given me. I could never have come as far as I have without the support I get from my friends online, as well as a select few in my real life and my family. No one without the band can understand what we go through - the highs and the lows, the stucks to the the elation at experiencing a huge NSV. I have come so far in my first year with the band, and am so grateful that I get to spend the rest of my life with it. Lots and lots of love to you all, I’ll speak to you when I come back from Mexico with lots of pictures to share!

So, Friday, I spent the day at Cedar Point here in NE Ohio with my wife. We got there at about 10 AM, and we ended up leaving at 10:30 PM. In that time, I managed to ride almost every roller coaster that they had in the park. Only one of them was I completely too big for. Sure, some of the safety bars and harnesses were a little on the tighter side, even for their larger riders areas, but six months ago, I wouldn't have been able to ride anything. I had a blast with my wife, and as of today, my BMI is now enough under 40 that it no longer rounds up to 40.