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So at the start of my journey a year ago I weighed 309 lbs. At the day of surgery I was 251 and today I'm down to 170.2. Yes I am an addict to my scale. I mean so damn bad that the battery died and I swear I went into convulsions. It's hard to believe that this is my body and I do take pics almost everyday so it will register in my head that yes I am thinner and not the 300lb blob that I still see myself as. I'm not to comfortable in my saggy skin just yet but hey heres what I look like in my first tank top since I had surgery. My hard work is starting to pay off I would think. If you are undecided still, do it and you will not regret anything at all. My hubby has even decided to have the surgery after he was against it

Well, it was an okay week, a loss is a loss I keep telling myself. I am sure it is going to slow down now. I am down a 1.5 lbs this week. But a I had a great NSV (non scale victory) I had to take a flight to CA on Monday and no need for a safety belt extention!!!! and there was room even better! Good Luck everyone!

YAY! What a great NSV!

Hey Riane: You might want to search on the NSV threads to see if someone says they got to come off of their cpap machines because they probably could give you theirs if they don't need it anymore. Good luck finding a machine. I hope someone gives you one. Sue

I totally agree with the "one pound at a time" perspective. I need to lose in excess of 150 pounds but I don't even care. Today, the scale went down another pound and I am elated, because that brings me a pound closer to my old pants (or insert your own NSV... my big NSVs are my wardrobe. I have TONS of clothes transitioning from when I got bigger, so through the transformation, I'll have a new lil wardrobe each milestone).

Well that avatar certainly looks like model material. Which blows ME away because at 5ft 10 and 154lb I must look pretty similar. Which means I'M thin too. Wow, an NSV in someone else's thread!!! Whoot, is there no thread I cannot take over? Ahem. Well done! It is incredible to think that some people will NEVER know the fat you and just assume you're one of the lucky ones.

@@Tulsamom23 hi Okie Welcome Welcome Welcome you have done amazing wonderful success!! great before and after pic your after pic you are glowing i just ran to get my sunglasses!! NSV's (they are non sleeve victories) ie the airplane, buying clothes etc your self confidence with you in the REAL world all wonderful hope you explore the board answer questions for newbies and others hearing and seeing VETS is very helpful nice to meet you keep up the good work good luck for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life kathy congrats

Go you!!! Best NSV........EVER!!!!

Sounds like a wonderful NSV. Keep up the good work....

I think it is a fabulous NSV and so great that you can shop at your favorite store. A medium is a very exciting accomplishment - so nice not to be "large" even though we are not at all defined by our size. Feels good anyway and enjoy!

Last night was one of the highlights of my weight loss journey...this is a pic of my 18 year old daughter and I sharing my pre surgery pants...that didn't need to be tied to stay up before my sleeve! 20 pounds away from goal [ATTACH]5624[/ATTACH]

Thanks, Jack! You know, I have been told a lot lately that I "carry [my weight] well." Translation, most people don't believe me when I tell them I started out over 300 lbs. This kind of NSV makes me feel so fabulous when it's not so obvious that 45 pounds are gone. I can't wait until it's patently obvious that I have dropped all this excess crap! =)

You are amazing! That is a fantastic NSV. So when is the first 5K going to happen??? You should be very proud. It's quite a gift you've given yourself.

It is hard to beleive that it has been 13 months since I have been banded. A lot of things have happen since being banded and I will do that in another post. In June of 2007 I went in for a sleep study and found out that I did indeed have sleep apena. I was put on a CPAP machine in August 07 and did ok with it. I was banded in September of 2007. After being banded I was having some issues with the CPAP machine, in regards to being bloated all the time and taking the mask off at night. I talked with my doctor about this and he had the machine set to the lowest settings. He also suggested that I look into getting a dental applaince. I went and meet with the dentist who deals in sleep apnea and she said it would not be a problem and so it took about 4 months to get it approved by insurance. I was fitted with the herbest retainer in February, 2008. I went back to my doctor who handles the sleep apnea in August and he was real pleased with the way I looked and the amount of weight lost. So the doctor order a new sleep study. I had the sleep study on year to the date of being banded. I will say that the band can help people get away from using the CPAP. Keep in mind that everyone is differant and what works for one might not work for the other person. Here is the results of the study: Per Band Original study (pre weight loss) Weight 250 BMI 40 Breathing event per hour: 68 Total breathing cessation per hour: 49 Lowest recorded oxygen level: 70% Banded New Study: post weight loss Weight 186 BMI 29.1 Breathing events per hour: 19.4 Total breathing cessation per hour: 19.4 Lowest recorded oxygen level: 91% With the Herbst Retainer Dental Device: Breathing events per hour: 4.6 (counting little bitty ones 6.2) Total breathing cessation per hour: 4 Lowest oxygen level: 92% It turns out that with the Herbst, you are worst when you lie on your left side. Then you have 8.3 events per hour. In dream sleep, you have 10.2 events per hour. I went to the sleep doctor this week to review this study and he said that I could stop using the CPAP Machine and continue with the Herbst Retainer. He also said that my numbers were low enough that even if I did not use the retainer that I could do away with the CPAP. He also felt the numbers would go down lower with more weight loss. My goal range is between 165-175. He also said that I did not need to come back and see him unless I feel that Iam having problems. He said that I can just go back to the dentist and get a new herbest retainer when this one wears out in a few years. Also I no longer have any snoring issues either. So as you can see here proof is in the pudding about the band and how it can help everyone out. It just takes a lot of time and effort to make it all happen. It does not happen overnight. Chris Pre Band 250 Now 184 " name="message" type="hidden"> <table class="wide" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="bottom"> It is hard to beleive that it has been 13 months since I have been banded. A lot of things have happen since being banded and I will do that in another post.In June of 2007 I went in for a sleep study and found out that I did indeed have sleep apena. I was put on a CPAP machine in August 07 and did ok with it. I was banded in September of 2007. After being banded I was having some issues with the CPAP machine, in regards to being bloated all the time and taking the mask off at night. I talked with my doctor about this and he had the machine set to the lowest settings. He also suggested that I look into getting a dental applaince. I went and meet with the dentist who deals in sleep apnea and she said it would not be a problem and so it took about 4 months to get it approved by insurance. I was fitted with the herbest retainer in February, 2008. I went back to my doctor who handles the sleep apnea in August and he was real pleased with the way I looked and the amount of weight lost. So the doctor order a new sleep study. I had the sleep study on year to the date of being banded. I will say that the band can help people get away from using the CPAP. Keep in mind that everyone is differant and what works for one might not work for the other person. Here is the results of the study:Per BandOriginal study (pre weight loss) Weight 250 BMI 40Breathing event per hour: 68Total breathing cessation per hour: 49Lowest recorded oxygen level: 70%BandedNew Study: post weight lossWeight 186 BMI 29.1 Breathing events per hour: 19.4Total breathing cessation per hour: 19.4Lowest recorded oxygen level: 91%With the Herbst Retainer Dental Device:Breathing events per hour: 4.6 (counting little bitty ones 6.2)Total breathing cessation per hour: 4Lowest oxygen level: 92%It turns out that with the Herbst, you are worst when you lie on your left side. Then you have 8.3 events per hour. In dream sleep, you have 10.2 events per hour.I went to the sleep doctor this week to review this study and he said that I could stop using the CPAP Machine and continue with the Herbst Retainer. He also said that my numbers were low enough that even if I did not use the retainer that I could do away with the CPAP. He also felt the numbers would go down lower with more weight loss. My goal range is between 165-175. He also said that I did not need to come back and see him unless I feel that Iam having problems. He said that I can just go back to the dentist and get a new herbest retainer when this one wears out in a few years. Also I no longer have any snoring issues either.So as you can see here proof is in the pudding about the band and how it can help everyone out. It just takes a lot of time and effort to make it all happen. It does not happen overnight.Chris

@@Jazziminna - That's a BIG NSV!!! Congrats!

I had a great NSV last weekend. Before my surgery my BP was very high, also I could not walk to the back of the grocery store without getting out of breath. Last Saturday DH and I went to a Fall Festival with GD to see her gymnastics class perform. I had to walk so far and I was not out of breath at all. That was so exciting for me !! BP is doing much better, should be getting off of it soon. Share your stories everyone, enjoy hearing everyones NSV's.

I was measured by my trainer on June 4th, and then today........ Drum roll please!!!! 18.5 inches lost!!!! And I bought my first pair of Buckle jeans.... I am in awe at all that I have accomplished since my banding April 1st.... 67 pounds down and feel so much better! Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I have been putting off joining a gym because you know that big lady off in the corner pouring sweat that is beet red and looks and sounds like she's having a heart attack...? That's me!! Lol. I need to get myself into slightly better shape before I 'publically sweat'. Good for you for kicking your scale to the curb! My biggest NSVs are shopping back through all of my old clothes in my closet and being able to wear things that I haven't in years!

Yes!! I can't wait until my hubby and I can sit in jetted tub together without it overflowing the sides:) Congrats on your NSV.

NSV - Non scale Victory

I guess I'm just the opposite..............I LUV purging the closet, bagging things up and moving them out. I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I'm done. One of those NSV's for sure. I've been buying cheaper "transition" clothes from places like Cato's and have even found some designer pieces at our local Goodwill to get me thru the falling sizes.

That's awesome, ladies!!!! How fun! I've not been banded yet, but have been trying to watch my carbs and increase my Protein in the last week. I put on a pair of jeans yesterday and the bottoms came lower past my ankles down on my feet (like they're supposed to)... that was thrilling! I showed my hubby and he was happy for me. I can't wait for all of the NSV's!!! I just realized that all of my holiday tops that I love, this will be the last year I get to wear them, how fun! Then the new clothes shopping will begin. Someday, I'll be able to shop in a regular store. Woohoo!!

Makes sense, Can't wait to have a few of those! LoL Thanks nightingale2u for making me not feel so awkward! Gonrats Gretat!! One month and a "NSV" Way to go! Baileym _______________ 6/21/04 ((((PLEASE!!!!)))

Congrats, that is a huge NSV!

NSV= My butt doesn't touch both sides of the bath tub!!! Lol Sent from my SM-G925P using the BariatricPal App