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Tonight for the first time in a long time, I went to the club. I went with my God brother and his wife (I call her my sister) and I had an awesome time! For the first time in at least 10 years I didn't feel like the fat ass outcast. I'm not sure if it's the little boost of confidence I have since the surgery or the awesomeness of the people I was with. I think it may have been both because I went on a cruise with some of these people about a year ago and I didn't feel the same then. I'm grateful for them and for the surgery! Tonight confirms that I'm surrounded by supportive friends who love unconditionally AND that I did the right thing for me having this surgery. God is so awesome and I am eternally grateful!!

That's a great NSV!

Hi Everyone,just had to post to say i had my first nsv (none scale victory.) On Tuesday we are flying off on our jollies to Spain, and hubby took me shoping for some clothes that actualy fit, well i would not try on a dress last week a size 20 thought i would be pushing my luck and after thinking about it regreted it all week, well today we were in Ann Harvey's in Exeter and they had the same dress only in a size18 and he persuaded me to try it on and omg it fit's, i think i have tried it on about 10 times so far still can't belive it,what a great note to go away on,Will be away for two weeks and will miss all you guy's, will look out for a internet cafe!!hehehe, well a girl on the way down need's her mates!!! Tina DR Frering Lyon Midband starting bmi 45.5 bmi now 39.5 136kgs starting weight 15/07/04 119kgs

Your initial post really made me smile! What a great feeling of anticipation. Fun to see the follow-up post with your befores/afters--great suit...you are looking very dapper! Congrats on an awesome NSV.

Knotta...that's cool! I know that I have a weird NSV. When I take a bath, I've always wanted my stomach covered with Water, but it never has. Just last week, I found out that if I suck it in, the water will cover my whole body. That was the first time ever. Weird, but I was WAY happy when it happened!

That is surprising, but an NSV in a way, that your own Dr didn't recognize you lol. I went to my Dr recently for an ear infection and it was the first time she had seen me since my surgery. I had spoken to her briefly before about my plans to go to MX, and while she didn't discourage me from it, she seemed surprised. I assured her that I had done my research, for 7 yrs, and I felt comfortable with the Sleeve as the procedure that I wanted and which Dr I chose. So anyway, when she saw me a wk or so ago, she was very pleased with my weight loss and super pleased with my blood glucose reading being in the normal range. She was also impressed with my incision scars. So much that she wanted details, like specifics on the price, the process, contact info for some of her other patients, friends, and family. I am hoping some of our drs will see our success with the Sleeve and start recommending it to their patients as an option. Congrats on your weight loss, you are doing so well and you look wonderful!!

Hi there, I guess it's true that Time flies when you're having fun; I've been having a lot of that. Honestly, I cannot believe that two years ago today I was waking up from surgery and beginning a new chapter in my life. I had no idea then of the many ways my life would be reshaped aside from the shape of my body. I'm forever grateful the band was available to me as it has been the perfect choice for my situation. We are all different. I was 52 at the time and had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before. I can barely tolerate going to the dentist. Getting a band was a big decision but I was fortunate somehow to just know that that's what I wanted to do. Thank goodnes there are so many different surgery choices available to us; we live in marvellous times. Two years ago I was 250+ and now I'm in the seventies. I'm a little tall and like my curves (oh my goodness, do I LOVE having a waist!) so I don't want to get too thin. But a word about collarbones: YIPPEE! And hips. Wrists. You know how it is -- I'm celebrating this new body every day. I was wearing size twenty pants and am now in tens. No more Plus Size anything. I would not have predicted that I have a thing for clothes, but oh yes, I sure do. It's so much fun to be able to just try something on without all of that angst. I have been an exerciser for many years (arthritis - have to move) but in the last two years I have ratcheted up to being more of an athlete. I feel ridiculous even typing that out as it's such a foreign concept. I used to work out for 45 minutes 3-4 times a week; well, it turns out I am some one who needs more like 75-90 minutes 5-6 times a week. There's the faking it until making it thing and that's what I did. I pretended that I liked it, that I was one of "those" people until I actually have become something resembling one of those lucky people who truly look forward to exercising. Like I said, resembling. I'm not quite there but I raise my hands up in that crossing the finish line pose and I go do what I need to do and I feel like a million bucks afterward. Food. I am happy to report that I still like food. I can taste almost anything and be quite satisfied. That is a miracle. I love to cook and one of my weird non-scale victories (NSVs) is being able to tie my apron double around my waist. I love that. All those years in all those kitchens with my big fat Winnie-the-Pooh belly in an ill-fitting apron or Chef's jacket. No more. Silly, but that just feels so good. I was very restrictive in my former life so I am careful to not be on a diet. I make good choices, which I can do because my appetite is dimmed and I know what good choices are. But I also let myself have a little bit of whatever I want, whether that's a square of chocolate or cheese (behold, the power of cheese). This is why I still have a little weight to lose but I'm okay with that. I do drink alcohol and we have a lot of dinner parties, go to restaurants, etc. Practically no one knows I am banded; I'm extremely private about that. What people do see, however, is how much I'm exercising and how good I feel. It was important for me to go a bit slowly because I wanted the weight loss to be incremental and I didn't want to have saggy skin. Well, that's about it. I am tremendously grateful to all of my Lapband Talk friends and now Bariatric Pal. You know who you are -- the encourageers. Virtual friends. This has been my first experience on a forum and it's been great. Best wishes to all of you wherever you are in the process. For new people, a few words: don't get too hung up on what kind of surgery you had; we have much more in common than not. Don't try to give or take advice from strangers on the internet. Have a good working relationship with your doctor and show up for all your appointments. Show up for yourself! I really had to put myself first to get the surgery and choose my own well-being over taking care of other people's needs first. I don't do that any more and, guess what, every one else benefits from that. Here's to our health!

I had a friend point this out to me as sort of a NSV. It is actually something that never would have happened if I had not had the surgery and lost weight.. I had a small claims case filed in my hometown court. It was a family member who I helped out and was supposed to pay me back, but never did. Long story short I wanted what he owed, so I filed the case. On Sept. 23rd I received a UPS envelope that contained a letter from the tv show "Hot Bench". It is a new daytime court show featuring a three judge panel. They found my case filing and were inviting me to have my case heard on the show. At first I thought I was being punked, no way this was true. I did a Google search and hound out the show was legit. I decided what the heck and replied to them. Less than a week later I was on a flight to Los Angeles!!! We taped the show Tuesday the 30th and I was heading back home Wednesday. It was completely surreal and hard to believe I really went to Hollywood and will be on tv. ( Air date of the show is unknown right now) I never, ever would have considered being on tv at my former weight. Even the size I am now I felt a bit odd, but not enough to keep me from a once in a lifetime opportunity. When do you get an all expense paid trip out to LA and the chance at 15 minutes of fame? ( Literally - 15 minutes. Half hour show split into two 15 minute segments...LOL) It was pretty amazing. And while I cannot tell you the outcome of the case I will encourage you all to watch "Hot Bench" and be looking for me!!!!

My blood pressure is now 110/70 WITHOUT my blood pressure meds! I started this journey on 2 blood pressure meds then I went down to just 1 and now... NONE!

Remember this, we didn't gain it overnight, we wont lose it overnight. How many diets have we tried, without equal success, for months only to go back to our normal eating habits out of anger/depression? The sleeve is a tool that aids us in making healthier choices daily. We will be way healthier in the long run. Remember to track the NSVs (non scale victories) and the weight will come off as long as you are doing what you should [:

Question 3, the answer is Lap Band Talk, as in LapBandTalk.com. Question 4, I think the question is what is NSV? They are Non Surgical Victories. Question 2, make WHAT easier, hon? Question 1, not a clue. DW used Dr. Jayaseelan, BlueCrossBlueShield insurance, Pine Creek Medical Center. Good luck with the reduction...

A non-scale victory (sort of) I am a ‘bath’ girl. Pretty much every evening, for an hour, I soak in a tub of hot water and sometes read or do emails or come here to you all, my buddies. I have a gas califont that auto sets - so I just push the ‘bath fill’ button and it gives me 110 litres at 45 degrees - and then the water stops running. Now I noticed two or three weeks ago, it doesn’t feel as luxurious and realised the water isn’t covering my chest and keeping All of me toasty warm. Weightloss! My bum doesn’t press up against the sides of the bath any more - in fact I can fit my arms between my hips and the bath. So I have upped my bath quantity - by 30 litres. I figure 30kg (65lbs) is about 30 litres. Perfect...

Well Biddy you have gotten so small you no longer count as New Zealand's 3rd,island. What a stellar NSV this is 😝🌈!!

Bet you are,enjoying this unexpected,NSV shelly420.

NSV is a non scale victory Something that you achieved that does not have a number attached to it.

Wonderful NSVs! Sent from my iPad using VST

I had a plethora of NSVs this week that I totally didn't even realize! It's probably a good thing since the scale hasn't been moving much (almost 5 weeks out). I need any kind of victory I can get! 1. went off the (low) diving board at a public pool for the first time in years! I have a torn meniscus and was always afraid I wouldn't be able to get up the ladder. I also had fears of snapping the board in half! lol 2. I went out to dinner for the first time since being allowed real food and stayed on the plan. I actually went out twice, got chicken once and seafood once (all baked or grilled)... had maybe two bites of the accompanying mashed potatoes and rice (forgot to substitute my sides). 3. Went out bar-hopping with college friends and didn't drink a single drop of alcohol! These friends do not know about surgery and I want to keep it that way for the time being. I had to get very creative since there were many toasts to the newly engaged friend and to my weight loss (ha ha- the irony). An 8oz bottle of Water fit great in my purse for my trips to the bathroom! lol 4. I actually went to bars both nights this weekend and made it home without stopping for fast food. I used to be the queen of 4th meal- Taco Bell, Wendys, McDs. I was ssoooo tempted (this was the hardest NSV) on my way home because I was actually hungry. Instead, last night when I came home I had a few salami roll-ups and tonight had some milk. 5. I finally joined My Fitness Pal and started tracking my food. It's definitely not as difficult or time-consuming as I expected (the reason I put it off). 6. I went to see my psychologist for the first time since surgery. I was seeing her long before surgery and she was actually the biggest advocate of this for me and facilitated the discussion with my mom because I was too terrified. Anyway... she didn't recognize me! Legitimately, she wasn't just saying that. I was wondering why she didn't say hi to me when I saw her sitting outside the building! Whoo hoo! As always, thanks for all the support! Love this place!

Yay!! NSVs are so much fun =) It's amazing how much the weight loss really improves our lives. You are doing so great!

@@bbrown527 my answer is "i wish I had thought to do" i wish i had kept better records of my journey starting with Pre-op (situations, what was going on, problems etc) took measurements periodically :( took pictures during my weight loss used My Fitness Plan as a way of keeping track of my food kept track of my NSV's other things too write EVERYTHING down for posterity since i didn't write them down I don't remember what they all were write EVERYTHING down for posterity "wrapping" things up - i wish i had kept a diary/blog you are just starting your wonderful journey "its" never too late for anyone to start doing any of the above especially YOU have fun jumping through the many hoops with insurance good luck kathy

Your trips sounds absolutely amazing. Awesome NSV's and scale victories. I hope to see some pictures hint hint nudge nudge.

So, Bearded and I just got back from a 7 day Carribbean Cruise - Left from San Juan, then on to St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antiqua and St. Kitts, then back to San Juan. Because we'd both lost weight, we were able to do things that pre-WLS we wouldn't have been able to do -- in Dominica we went river tubing (WHAT A BLAST!!!); in St. Lucia - we went horseback riding, and in Antiqua we rode Segways (you know, mall cop?) ... and we weren't even close to the maximum weight -- what a great feeling it was not to have to worry about stepping on a scale and being told we were too heavy for the horses. (They didn't actually weigh us, but we were told they could if they wanted.) We did a lot of walking and both held up with no problems -- I have to admit the walk back up from the Emerald Falls in Dominica was a bit rough on me, but more for the fact that I'm not used to 87% humidity -- my legs and knees held up fine though! It was an awesome trip and we can't wait to do it again - something to be said about white sand and blue Water so clear you can see your toes even when you're in water up to your neck! And ... a scale victory -- 7 days on a cruise ship - and I lost 1 lb. and Bearded lost 2! And we ate what we wanted - appetizers, entree and dessert --- the best night was the lobster tail and shrimp - Had to share!! :party4::party4::party4:

Will be 5 years soon and still going great.....most days don't even think about it anymore, just live every day like any other day. It all becomes second nature and routine.... I prefer my band tight enough to restrict me from overeating....that was my problem before surgery. Could not control my appetite with no self control or discipline.....in other words I could not follow any prescribed diets..... Sure there are foods I will never eat again, but in return I am NEVER hungry, and when I do eat my portions are controlled....IMPOSSIBLE to overeat or indulge......It just doesn't get any better! Very Easy! To me it is about restriction... Diets are the thing of the past, so is the fear of ever being over weight again..... (BTW, the foods I will never eat again, were food groups that are good to eat anyway and should be avoided.....pastas, breads, meat, etc....so it's all for the good...) And I agree...the people who I followed when I first came here, are all gone. There is not much reason to stay, and I often wonder why I still log on.....maybe because it reminds me from where I came and where I am now....my daily NSV I suppose. Every-time I do log on, I click "New Content" under Lap Band forums, and all the posts in the Lap Band section are comprised of people with the sleeve or types other than Lap Band!!!

Hello, I was sleeved on 8/8 and I have had two NSV yesterday that I wanted to share: 1. My sister was away during my surgery and when she came to see me she said I look like one of my high school pictures. I am starting to look younger…Yea!!!! 2. Yesterday, I went for a walk with my husband and after the walk we sat in the love chair on the front porch. A few weeks ago, we would not have been able to fit. I don’t have a tracker…so I will share my stats: I started out at 245, I was 225 the day of surgery and I am 209 now. Thanks for reading, Toyia

That's great!! I am looking forward to having some NSVs too.

I have been a little down because the scale is not moving and has not for a week. I know about stalls I am guess I am in one at only 2 weeks out. However, I just went upstairs to get dressed for an open house I am hosting as a Real Estate agent this afternoon. First I put on my "hold everything in" foundation garments because my incisions hurt a lot and it helps. I noticed sagging skin on my legs I have never seen before. At first I was inclined to freak but then I realized that meant I was still losing somewhere even if the waist tape measure and scale were not budging. Then I started trying on clothes. All my favorites were too lose. Even some that were tight before surgery. I decided on something I used to love to wear that was very tight before surgery but looked so good on me now that I just kept looking at myself in the mirror...in wonder. This is the first time I am saying this: I LOVE MY SLEEVE.!!!