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Loved the NSV! Lily

Oh Yeah! Just got back from internist's office. I've had hypertension for 5 years. BP was high (150/100), even with meds. Now, after the two-week pre-op diet and 2 weeks of banding, my BP is 110/80. Zipadeedppdah!!! I get to cut my meds in half and doc says in another three months he doubts I will need them at all. I have a big stoooopid grin on my face!!! I love my band!!!:clap2:

Congrats everyone! Would someone tell me what NSV is??

I agree with the poster who said to find the NSVs. The scale hasn't moved in days for me. It sucks. However, I've had 3 NSV this past week! Today, I went back to work and had two people ask me if I had lost weight, which is related to my second NSV. When I looked in the mirror today, I did a double take! My double chin is rapidly disappearing, it's the reason everyone is noticing my weight loss, it's all in my face (yeah, I wish it was my butt and gut but I'll take it!). Finally, hubby got on the scale on Monday and I weight less than him!! Yeah me! Find your NSVs, they are there!

HI all, I went to see the exercise physiologist yesterday and he tole me some great things. First, he said that biking was THE BEST cardio ever. Better than walking. No stress on joints at all. He said that if he could get everyone who starts on WLS journey to get a bike and ride it everyday they(the WLS clinic I go to) would have the number one success rate in the country. So I guess that is a NSV for me, since that is my favorite thing to do... Second he talked with me about strength training. I was a little concerned about adding weight and adding weight as the smaller weight became too easy, but he set me straight on a few things. 1) Testosterone is what builds massive, huge muscles. Women do not have that kind of testosterone in their bodies, so it would be impossible to buile huge muscles. 2) If you can do more that 12 reps in a set of weights then you need to add a bit more weight. These were a few things that I didn't realize and thought I would share with you. Deanna

Awesome! Love NSV's!!

We all know how we've changed the outside of ourselves but what about the inner person? Once we become smaller/healthier/more active, how does that affect who we are and how we act/react to things? I'm not necessarily talking about an obvious NSV but more how the inside changes along with the outside. Some of the obvious things are self confidence and self image improvement. I know that I don't keep my head down the way I used to. I look people in the eye these days and I don't hesitate to engage someone I'm in the elevator with, or on line with while waiting to purchase a coffee or whatnot. I know I have a confidence about me that has been missing for a very long time. I also know that I have to remind myself not to feel superior to heavy people just because I don't look like that anymore. I know if I'm not diligent, I will be right back there again. I also have to remind myself to be patient with someone slower. I used to be that person...walking but struggling with the pain of degenerating hips. Using a cane and having to stay out of people's way for fear of being pushed aside or knocked over. I can walk almost normally now and believe it or not, I am one of those annoyed people if I get behind a slow poke. I can't believe I am not always sensitive about this as I am only a year or so out from that same situation. Anybody else have any thoughts about how they have changed since starting their weight loss journey..or even having met goal?

Congrats Mis!!!! That is very commendable! The steering wheel NSV is outstanding! My 1st NSV (Im only 2 months post op) is that my rings fit loose now. they rotate around my fingers with ease and room now! Im looking forward to looser clothes ... but 1 step at a time

Today I weighed in at 220.4. So I lost 1.6 lbs this week. My total weight loss is at 25.6 lbs. I'm glad I hit the 25 lb mark and now my goal is to be out of the 220's (FOREVER!). On average (since surgery) I am losing 2.6 lbs a week. I am in a 1x comfortably in tops (I have a NSV - non scale victory - of fitting into several tops that I kept but I could barely get into on the 1x side). My pants are probably an 18 and a half (but since they don't make that size I am wearing 20's and some 18's). I bought a pair of 18W white jean capri yesterday at Kohols that i will have to "strech out" before wearing and I bought the CUTEST linen tops in XL from the women's section and I think I can get away with them if I wear a compression tank underneath (or strech them). If not I'll wear them when I start to go down to the XL size (they were that cute The only planned exersize I got this week was dancing in a Zumba flash mob this past Saturday (fun but boy do I look HUGE on the video). I've collected quite a bit of small containers and make my Bento lunch each day. I like that I can snack all day by just grabbing one (I usually have four containers). The other day I had greek vanilla yogurt in one 4 oz container. Go lean crunch cereal in a 1 oz container to mix into the yogert, a 4 oz container of cottage cheese, a 4 oz container of hamburger with mac and cheese, a 4 oz container of marinated cucumber, onion, green pepper mix. It was an eclectic mix but I ate them so spaced out that it didn't bother me. I am currently contemplating joining the Y for $50 a month to go to the aerobics classes and to use the pool for lap swimming. Part of me wants to start a walking program first at home using my zillion Walk Away the Pounds tapes first and then join the Y when school gets out and I have a more flexible schedule. I still need to work on remembering that I have had the surgery so that I stop grabbing larger portions of food that I can't eat AND remembering to eat on a pretty regular schedule. Yesterday I had breakfast and didn't eat again until 3:00 p.m. I was STARVING (I was shaking and the start of a headache was kicking in) and wolfed down some rolls at a restarant and was so sick until I walked around until I felt better (thank goodness...the person I was with was worried about me.). My lesson learned from that experience was to pack a protein bar when I know I am not going to be eating for awhile and to not start with the bread basket! Attached is a picture of me in my Zumba Flash Mob tshirt. Until next week!

Thanks Faith, and Peaches, that was what I was trying to ask...I wish it had worked for you Faith!!! I too had a complete hysterectomy several years prior to banding, and I do not take any HRT. My hysterectomy was done due to cancer, and at that time with the chemo, I lost ALL my hair, soI have also wondered if that predisposed me to lose more again. Mine has stopped falling out, several months ago now, and is regrowing in quit quickly. I would say I have been growing vs. losing for 5 months now, and the back has gotten to the point it now goes into my ponytail---just noticed that NSV this morning!!! Now the top and sides are still fuzzy. When I lost my hair to chemo, I lost lighter blonde straight hair, when it grew back it was darker and curly!!!! Seems the new hair growing in is still curly!!! Frizz is a pain, but with product, it is worth every strand!!! It is interesting to hear what the age span that the biggest hair loss occurred in.... Kat

I'm feeling pretty good about my progress today. Of course I still feel like I want every excess pound off yesterday, but people are starting to really notice and comment now. Yesterday a patient said, "you have lost a lot of weight since I saw you last time, haven't you?" I told her how much I've lost and she wanted to know all about how I did it. This morning on my way to work I went through the Starbucks drive-up. (I get Starbucks about 1-2 times a week and not always at the same store.) I got up to the window and the gal said, " It is you! You have lost a lot of weight! You look Great! " It made me feel good that someone who doesn't really know me and has only seen me at the drive-up noticed and said something. I have 3 part-time jobs. I worked the job that I have had the longest today, so the patients have known me for many years. Most of them said something about my weightloss. I guess those are pretty much "scale victores.", but I did have a NSV today too! I fit in the jeans I couldn't get zipped last time I tried! I will be wearing those this weekend!

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

"I'm a redneck woman I ain't no high class broad, I'm just a product of my raising I say hey ya'll and yee haw!" Gretchen Wilson I waited all night to hear Gretchen, and she came on right when I got on the bull! It was meant to be, just like my new Harley was meant to be as Metallica yelled "Gimme fuel gimme fire gimme that which I desire" as I pulled out of the dealership on my brand new bike! I gotta wonder if my days are numbered because I simply had to ride that bull, it's not like I had a choice. And the whole "Debra Winger" thing was Hollywood B.S. because the guy running the bull doesn't do any special favors ~ I asked him to go really slow but, "You don't come to a cowboy bar to ride a slow bull." It looks so easy, but that's a wild bull! Since debanding & dieting, my new drink of choice is a glass of wine diluted in a tall glass of ice. I allow myself 2 per night, but I think I had 4 last night because not only did I go to the gym at 5 a.m., but then we took the dogs for a long walk, then danced my brains out and rode a bull. Was I buzzed? "Let me hear a big HELL YEAH from the redneck girls like me, HELL YEAH!" Yep, buzzaroni! Tonight I'm going bungie jumping. NOT! So there, anyone can beat my NSV cuz I ain't NEVER jumping off any building unless it's on fire, nor will I jump out of any airplane unless it's on fire! You guys crack me up. Thanks for always making me laugh so hard. I laughed so hard at these responses that I cried!

Lisa, are you seriously challenging me to see who's had the most Wild NSV? I'll see your bull riding, and raise you Bellydancing ...

That's a great NSV!!!! Congrats.

. What is bandster hell? This is after uoye banded nut What does NSV stand for? Where is the green zone and do I need to buy a membership to get in there? What do you mean my appetite/cravings will come back?! What's the truth about the first month? Two months? Do any of you attend local support group meetings? If so, has it helped? 9 days to bandyland, myself, and wondering about all this stuff.....

Last post in error. What is bandster hell? Before you start to feel satisfied with just a cup of food and its 4 hours between meals What does NSV stand for? Non scale victory Where is the green zone and do I need to buy a membership to get in there? No membership just attend all your appointments and follow your surgeons guidelines and it will happen you will feel satisfied after a cup of food What do you mean my appetite/cravings will come back?! This is head hunger over actual hunger What's the truth about the first month? I was very hungry and felt like I was on the strictest diet ever Two months? By the second month getting my Protein in helped I walking too Do any of you attend local support group meetings? Non in scotland uk If so, has it helped? 9 days to bandyland, myself, and wondering about all this stuff..... In 5 days I will Celebrate my first year and Iam delighted with my progress I lost 60lb on pre op diet and have lost 112 lb from band date my bmi had dropped from 48.5 to 30.5 from band date Good luck with your journey

Bull Riding and Belly Dancing OH MY! I love it! This is also on my wish list of NSV's to come once I am banded. How fitting Gretchen came on at the same time. I admire your spirit, you are an inspiration. What fun Bandsters have! Tonya

Damn Girl! What a GREAT NSV...WOOHOO 70 lbs gone and she's ridin the bull..lovin it!

Good morning all, Just wanted to share an exercise/fitness NSV. I ran the Hot chocolate 5K this past Sunday in Chicago, and my time was 43:48. Last year, pre-VSG, I did a 5K (walked pretty much the entire thing) and came in at 53:55. This time I was able to do a substantial amount of running/jogging, and shaving 10 minutes off my time felt awesome! Yay! I guess next time I need to shoot for under 40 minutes

Hey everyone, went shopping yesterday for dress clothes for my new job that i start tomorrow (been wearing scrubs forever) my mom accidentally brought me a pair size 14 to try on, i was like there is no way this will fit but low and behold it did, can you say ALRIGHT!!! Just had to share my awesome NSV, thanks for reading. I am 6mons postop, have lost 40lbs, down 4 pants sizes, and feeling great :-)

I have a question. I was discussing Yoga with a friend who is not getting WLS, but is in the process of losing weight. I have several times tried to get her into the studio with me, and there is always a reason why she cannot. She does/will exercize alone. Recently she asked me "are you sure I will show up and they will let me in?". I responded that they rarely get so full they turn people away, etc. She corrected me by saying, basically, she meant would they tell her she was too big, or that she did not meet the image they wanted, etc. This broke my heart. I just hurt inside for her as I realized what she meant. It has been bothering me sooo much. I brought it up to the young ladies that own the studio I go to, and I hope to turn this into a positive, really, really soon. In the meantime - have you ever felt that way? I have sometimes - horseriding (but not will they turn me away, but because I know those horses can take me, when they can take a friend of mine who is 6'8 and gear weighs 450 lbs together. I literally felt sorry for the horse - silly yes) or carnivals (used to, yay NSV - but because I actually did not fit). I hav efelt I did not fit in, and yes (but not in yoga) felt judged, for lack of a better word coming to mind. However, I do not think I have ever worried about exercize and being turned away, as in refused to be allowed to participate. I NEED to be able to talk to people who have experienced this and are at a positon that they feel they can really, truly answer some candid questions. I can't ask my friend, I do not want to emphasize that fear to her, or make her feel like I find it odd, or such. It is not, but she is really sensitive right now. All imput is welcome, no matter how random, or critical (of me, NOT of the people who feel this way). Feedback...discuss!

Great NSV, you desrve all the fun and love you get!

Miss Pearlie has done an outstanding job in such a short amount of time. I've just had the most romantic weekend and I'm going on pure adrenaline and butterflies today since I only slept for 2 hours last night. Anyway...I can wear the prettiest clothes and it's fun coming up with new combinations to wear them, so for the first time in a very long time I treated myself to a shopping spree on Saturday morning. I came back with clothes that I think I love more than any I've ever had and I can't wait to wear them - something I haven't felt since planning for the first day of school during senior high. And - a guy that I've known for 4 years is looking like he's going to shape up to be a great companion for me. He lives in a neighboring state, but has family (who really like me and have urged him to move back just for me for at least 3 of those years) that he visits often in Houston; he recently accepted a new job and can visit every other weekend now. Call it a hunch, but I can see him moving back to Houston within the next year - I can't see things getting anything but better from here. He is a country gentleman, he's romantic, he loves animals, he's great with kids, has high morals and ethics and he's a good person...a benefit of knowing him for so long before getting to this point. He was attracted and attractive to me before I lost weight, so the doubt about "would he want me if I was the same weight as before" isn't something I have to be concerned about. Another bonus. It's funny...he looks a lot like an actor I had a crush on and his personality matches a character that the actor played in one of my favorite movies (Allen Payne, Jason's Lyric). What's more is that I love the way people look at us, we catch strangers staring and smiling at us and that is so different because before the weight loss, I didn't think we "matched" like he was too attractive to be with me - I know, I know, self esteem, yada yada yada...but now, I don't feel that way and in his own way he "shows me off" when we go out. I never thought I'd be arm candy. LOL Ok...all of this might have been TMI, but I haven't been in love with anyone in more than 14 years - this is an amazing development and I want to share it with the world. :wub:

That's some awesome NSV's!!! That must feel so great being checked out!!! I was only a few months post-op and some guy asked me for my #! I hadn't lost much yet, but maybe I just had more confidence! That felt so awesome! I would totally check you out