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Yesterday was so weird for me. It started out with me blowing the atkins diet and having a pop tart. I didn't even realize what the hell I was doing till I was mostly done with it. Talk about being an automaton!!! I just hated myself, and cried like a baby. I got on messenger and asked DH for help, and he calmed me down. I seriously even considered throwing up to get rid of it. That made me feel even more like a loser. So in the midst of all my blubbering I get a phone call. Its the dept store I put in an application for. I got the job I wanted!! And this is a very high end store. I thought I was too fat to work there, but they didn't seem to think so. So I go out to buy my new clothes for the job, and I find I am a size smaller!! WOOHOO!! And DH tkes me out for dinner to Celebrate and I easily slide into a booth that I used to have to squeeze into!! With about 3 inches between my tummy and the table!!! Scuse my language but HOLY SHIT!! LOL I was bowled over! I was so happy! Happy days are here again :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Congrats Julie, that is a great NSV! Is it time to do some cleaning out of the closet? I know I had a ton of fun doing that!

Nah, you won't miss LB, because you'll find so much more at so many places that you won't have to miss them. Great NSV!!!!!!!

WELL, I was going to post my NSV's too. Your post was so inspiring. I am 60 years old and had my RNY on July 2, 2013. I lost 132#'s in 6 months. I am 5.4 and I got down to 117#'s, but I felt like HELL my Surgeon and my PCP got worried because they thought I was losing muscle. So I did end up gaining 8#'s. You would be amazed at how much better I felt after just those 8#'s. So now I weigh 125 and have maintained this weight for 2 and 1/2 years. So now amoung many NSV's let me say I was on insulin with pills to try to correct my Diabetes. I was so insulin resistant that my PCP wanted to throw up his arms and give up. I took 12 different meds, now I take 4 no Diabetes meds at all and 1/2 of my blood pressure medications. I just can't get around stress. ( BTW if someone knows how please let me know) I am now able to exercise. I do have health issues still FIBROMYALGIA and ARTHRITIS. But I NOW can walk 4 to 5 times a week and 4 to 5 miles each time. AWESOME STUFF!! But one of my favorite NSV's was when my 9 and 11 year old grandkids came and set with me in my recliner and FIT with ROOM TO SPARE!!! So Precious!! There are so many others but I will stop now. LIFE is so much sweeter now!!

sleep Apena NSV I found out last June that I had sleep apena and started using the CPAP machine about a month before being banded. I had a pressure setting of 12 and now down to a 7. I have lost close to 50lbs since being banded 6 months ago. I have been having problems with to much air etc. along with not wearing the mask the whole night. I talked to the doctor about it and he suggested that we try using a dental device instead. Insurance approved me for the device and I have started to use it and it is great. Here are pictures of the device. The dentist who deals only with sleep apnea feels that this device will work for me and that she wants to do a sleep study in about 4-6 months to ensure that it is working. If it is working then I will not need to use the CPAP. Scan and Save to Computer Herbst_anterior_close_up.jpg (651k) [View] Scan and Save to Computer HErbst_elastic_holder_buried.jpg (525k) [View] Scan and Save to Computer Herbst_heavy_hardware_side.jpg (548k) [View] Scan and Save to Computer HErbst_heavy_Herner.jpg (618k) [View] Photos: Scan and Save to Computer HErbst_Chris_Walters_2008_front.jpg (701k) [View] Scan and Save to Computer HErbst_Chris_Walters_2008_front_1.jpg (689k) [View] Scan and Save to Computer So far the dental device seems to be working. Chris

Julie, Couldn't agree more. My nemesis was also insatiable hunger, which the band has corrected. And like you, for years now. I was scared of losing my familiar food-comforts too; afraid I wouldn't find a suitable replacement. In the beginning, I didn't really have to. My band-journey was during the course of numerous surgeries, so the band wasn't necessarily my main focus for most of my weight loss. It was: Surgery --> laid up --> PT appointments, (no choice / no excuses exercise) --> back to work in a hostile, toxic work environment --> , then another, then another... 8 times over four years. I just listened to my body (restriction) and did what the ortho surgeons told me to do, made my intermittent fill appts, as prescribed. I was Knee-deep in the medical industry, and I come from a long line of doc avoiders. Oof! Not a happy place. Every once in awhile, I'd get dressed, look in the mirror, and say wow! THAT doesn't look very good anymore! Way too big! Sweet! Then, all of a sudden, returning to work after the last surgery, everyone called me skinny. Whaaat? Seemed odd. Still felt like me. I WAS still me! Just lighter; in pounds, in spirit and in mind. I think that's how it works with the band. Slow transformation over time - fine by me -cocooning (pre-surg liquid diet, first fills), then adding exercise (for me, just intermittent PT), and more fills, and the realization I'm living life sans insatiable hunger! Cool. And suddenly, out pops a butterfly! Amazing! Love my band! It not only saved my life (Co-morbidities) but made my long ortho-surg ordeal much easier, as pressure on my joints, and pain, lessened. Now, hardly any hip/knee pain to speak of. Fabulous! Presently, I'm thrust to focus on my band again, maybe for the 1st time. Before that, for the most part, It simply worked in the background. So grateful my band worked like that. And exercise, need to get back on track with THAT, ok- probably for the first time since banding too, now that it's not "mandatory" i.e.: PT appts. Do you agree that as vets, instead of fighting hunger, complacency is our new struggle? Are you paying attention, Professor? This is the ghost of x-mas future... For me, Remembering to self-reward NSV's, remembering to exercise, remembering how many oz (or was that grams?) of protein/diem, Am I still supposed to eat only 1-2 tbsp of carbs, because sometimes, I'm tanking. How many CC's are in that thing? Does knowing really matter? How important is it for me to stay in that band-inflaming, extremely toxic, bizzaro-world I work in? Should I tough it out to retire "early"? Or do I go back out into another scary unknown- a new career? Which ones scarier? (After this past week, without a doubt, it's work). IMO, Our bands are for LIFE! There will always be struggles and our bands are in it with us. Sometimes we'll be more band-conscious. Most of the time though, it works, unconsciously.

Please keep posting. Am enjoying reading of your trip and the many many nsv's too. I can't wait till I am able to go to Europe as well. Not there yet, but soon I hope.

Thankful that you had this surgery! Now you can move on with your life i a relatively painless way. CONGRATS! This is the best NSV ever!

One thing I love to do is go to candlelight church service on Christmas Eve; however, I haven't had a pair of pants that fit me in over a year. I have been too proud to buy bigger (actually much bigger) pants, so I thought I would just wait it out until I lost enough weight to fit into my smaller pants. Well, I didn't think it would happen this fast, but now only 4 weeks post-op I am again able to fit into my pants which were 8 sizes too small just 4 weeks ago!!!! YAY!!! I am so happy!!!

I just had that NSV a couple of weeks ago. I felt like happy-dancing myself! You're doing great and rocking that sleeve!! Go girl!!

6 months ago, I was at my highest weight in my life. I couldn't even walk to my mailbox and back without being out of breath. My driveway is only 2 car lenghts long, so that is very sad for a 32 year old woman. I would walk to get the mail, walk back in, and have to lean over the counter to catch my breath. I would take out the trash, and have to rest if I made more than one trip. I could barely make it thru a shower. After I showered, I would lay in bed naked. Once I got a flat tire in my neighborhood, and had to walk like 4-5 houses back to my house, which isn't a far distance. When I got home, I didn't think I could even make it inside. I was sweating and dizzy. I even stopped shopping at the grocery, because it was too hard for me to get in and out of the car and walk thru the store. That's how I got even fatter, just drove thru the drive thru. That was at 369 pounds., Now when I go to the store, I park far away, on purpose! I had a garage sale once, and my sister and I were hanging signs, I had her get out and hang them when I drove, because it was too hard for me to get in and out, I would have gotten too out of breath. I knew at the time it was really bad, but its now that I realize just how bad that was. I am so glad I didn't let it get any further than that. I was 369 pounds and gaining. I haven't exercised much post-op. There was a 2-3 week time frame where I was working out somewhat, but then I got sick and never got back to it. Well, this week I decided I was going to walk, no matter how much I could do. Tuesday I walked 2.5 miles, with both of my boxer dogs. It was kinda tough, but I made it. Thursday, I walked 2.5 miles with just one dog (the other has arthritis pretty bad and I thought it was too much for her). Then, Saturday I walked 4.5 miles!!!!! There are paths all around where I live, thru neighborhoods, around a lake, etc. From my house to the lake it exaclty one mile, and the path around the lake if you go a certain way, is 2.5 miles. So, I walked there, around the lake and back I was so proud of myself. Then, today, I was like, lets top that! I walked to my sisters house and back! I walked past the lake, to her house, hung out with her for a bit, got some Water, and went back home, for a total of 5 miles!!!!! I did take a break in the 5 mile walk, but still, I walked 5 miles, in 1.5 hours!!!!! My average speed was a little over 3mph. I got lost on the way there because I coulnd't find the right trails to follow since I had never walked to her house! It just amazes me. I am so happy too that I can finally do something my dogs love and have missed so much!!!!! I am on cloud 9 right now. I just wish the weighloss would pick up!!! So, I was thinking, if i can already walk this much (I think its a lot, especially compared to what I could do before) at 255 pounds, in another 50 pounds lost, I will be running. I have never even been able to run a mile in my life! I was in soccer, softball, and was a thrower in the track team, but never could run long. So, now I need to pick up the pace somewhat, and maybe jog/walk. We will see!!! Just had to share! It felt awesome!

Good NSV!! Love that you can climb without trbl.

I have a couple to share Last year our office was upgraded, everyone got new chairs but I insisted on keeping mine because the new ones were too small. I recently borrowed someone else's chair and realized I FIT! A couple nights ago we were sitting by the pool and I had my chihuahua sitting on my lap, petting him, and suddenly realized OMG I HAVE A LAP! This was NOT the case 5 months ago. I have also pulled out older/smaller clothes (some with tags still on) that now fit. I am really enjoying reading about everyone's NSVs. Keep 'em coming!

whats an nsv

I think the scale can be your best friend or your worst enemy. For me, in my dieting days before the band, I would allow the scale to dictate my day and my life. If the scale was down from the previous day, I'd be happy as a clam, eat well, do all the right things. If the scale was up, I was done. I'd eat like crap since the scale was up anyway, I'd be done with that weeks diet, and not step on the scale again for days, weeks, and sometimes months until I began the next one. I did this for years and years. I told myself before I got my band that I was NOT going to do this to myself anymore. While my goal was/is to obviously lose weight, the biggest thing is to be healthy. As long as I eat right, and follow the rules, I'm doing good regardless of what the scale says. I DO weigh myself every morning, but I do it to keep myself accountable, and remind myself what I'm working towards. I no longer get angry when the scale moves the wrong way, I only record when I have a loss...sometimes I have one 3 days in a row, sometimes it's 2 weeks in between losses. I'm ok with that! No need to live and die by what the scale says! There's so much greatness that comes with this journey...I've said this many times, but it's the way that I feel, and the NSV's that I truly love most!!

Hey, I rented a carpet cleaning machine today. Got it at 10am, got home started cleaning, of course vaccuuming three rooms and one hallway. I was done at 1:30. That was three hours time. Now, for the NSV. It used to take me ALL DAY TO DO THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would have to stop every few minutes and sit down and rest. Wow, am I impressed with this weight loss thing!!! I just can't believe that I am done and everything is cleaned up and ready to go back to the store......:thumbup::rolleyes2::thumbup::tt2::thumbup::eek::thumbup::seeya:

Globetrotter... this is MEGA, MEGA. MEGA exciting... wow 70lb+ in just 5 mths in NOT slow... you are doing an amazing job and an inspiration to me, as I am sure to all of us! I love your NSV, they give me that happy feeling!!! keep up the good work and well done! Looking forward to the pictures =]

I am sooo happy for you and all your NSV's. Each one is a may seem like a small accomplishment but when you actually look at it, they are HUGE accomplishments. And losing 70lbs is AWESOME!!!! Congrats to you!!!

Loved your blog! The list was terrific and I am so thrilled to say I've already experienced a lot of those NSV's! It really is those victories that make this journey so joyful!

Happy to see you back, Glad to hear you had a nice time on vacation. NSV for you that you did not gain while being on vacation

I agree with plain. The one day at a time is a very important concept. I too have gone through extended period where I did not lose weight. I have grown to live with the fact that this is an extended process. Even when I am not losing weight there is a NSV that pops up and keeps me going. My most recent NSV is getting into size 36 pants for the first time in 25 years.

Ha! I do the same thing! It seems to always make me feel better, lol. And makes me go out and buy pants that actually fit JamieThe pants falling off without undoing them is a sure reminder to either get them taken in or go on to new ones! Seems like this has happened to many What a lovely NSV for us!

Hey Vines! You are sooo right. This IS an NSV. It gives me a lot of confidence to know that when I do reach my goal, I am very capable of keeping it off. I have lost LOTS of weight in my life but never successfully kept it off. Maybe this time it will STAY OFF!! By the way, I am down 3 more lbs today! My Spa incentive is working!! When ever I think of eating junk, I just picture that Day Spa in my mind & I am so motivated that the junk just isn't worth it!! I AM GOING TO DO THIS!!!!!!!!

Definitely NSV time ! ! ! I'm with you on getting the goodies out of the house. . . It's been a tough couple of months for me, but luckily, the sleeve is keeping me in check.

Sleeved on the 13th and doing great. Like Karen74 I was losing a couple pounds a day up front but that has slowed as I expected it would. I'm still losing although slower which is fine for me. I know i'm dropping weight and that's what's important. I didn't gain 2lbs a day so I don't expect to keep up that pace in losing it. Between pre-op and post op I'm down 46lbs which is a ton more than I could have done on my own in this period of time. I'm seeing plenty of NSV's and couldn't be happier.