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Awesome NSV :-). How are those EAS shakes?

I have been so excited over the last few days with my renewed committment. That is great! However, with my new excitement, I have been talking about it A LOT and I noticed that a friend of mine's eyes started to glaze over a bit. HA!! I'm not at all upset because she is SUPER supportive, but it does tell me that I need to close my mouth and show...not tell. :thumbup: That is what my blog is for!! My fill went well yesterday. I typically go to the fill doctor, but yesterday my surgeon was the fill doctor. He did a great job! He told me that I looked very close to my sweet spot and he only added 1/10 cc. I told him that is what the other doc added last time and it really made a difference for about 7 weeks, then it just seemed to drop off. He is quite concerned about over-filling and I appreciate that. I told him I have been having acid reflux at night due to my allergies and I think that added to his concern. Hopefully this darn ragweed will go away soon and I can get back to normal. He also told me that I will not need to get a COMPLETE UNFILL for my tonsillectomy. His first reaction was that I wouldn't need to get any taken out, but then he thought about it a few seconds and said that I probably should, but half would be appropriate. That sounds good to me! It is always interesting to me to listen to the other people getting adjusted. Fills at my doc are cattle calls. We are given time frames and then first come, first served. We are checked in and moved to a holding area where we wait for the procedure then return to that area post-procedure to drink water. I like the system and it gives people a chance to discuss the band with otheres. Kind of a mini support group... I really do try not to judge, but it amazes me how differently people approach this process. There was a very sweet girl talking about eating dinner rolls at a restaurant and knowing it will make her sick and she says that she still does it. Over and over. She said that she has a love affair with food. She also says that she doesn't exercise, but I can't remember if she said why. It made me a little sad because if getting sick or having physical pain isn't a deterrant to bad choices, then I think she is going to have a really tough time. She is a super pretty girl that has about 150 pounds to lose. I truly hope she finds a good support group and something that can help her move forward. My scale was down 2.2 pounds this morning. I know that isn't REAL weight loss for one day, but I don't care. Today, I'm going to strut around like I'm 2 pounds lighter!! HA! I have on a sassy White House/Black Market shirt that I bought several years ago when I was last small. I think it looks really nice! Yesterday, I had two NSV moments. (They sure do seem to be flying at me from everywhere at the moment!!) First, I was talking to a friend (who also struggles with weight, but not nearly to the extent that I have) here just about everything. I told her that I'm just giddy from feeling so good the last few days. I feel like I have gotten a TON of compliments and things just feel so awesome. She said that she thinks that I crossed the threshhold from being fat to being "normal". I think she might be right. For a long while there, I was losing weight and it was noticable (and great!) But going from a size 24 to a size 18, while absolutely EXCELLENT is not something that is really understood by "skinny" minded people. Now that I have moved into "normal" range clothing (even though I'm still a fat person in my head), people see me as "normal" and that they recognize. Does that make sense? I think it will take a long time for me to adjust my thinking as I discussed in my entry yesterday. But I get that other people may not need that time to adjust. The second NSV...I was walking out of work yesterday afternoon. As you go out to the parking garage from my building, there is a wall of mirrors that you face as you turn a corner. For so long, I would cringe or avoid looking at that wall of mirrors. Yesterday, I looked right at myself and I didn't cringe. I have a long way to go before I think I'm hot (ha!), but it is so lovely to be able to not hate my reflection.

(1) Research the band, but don't spend 3 years researching it like I did. I'd be at goal now if I had just gone on and pulled the trigger. (2) The WL journey is very rewarding. Even if you have 200+ lbs to lose, it's not very long until you start having NSVs and start feeling a whole lot better about yourself. I thought, at 358, that I'd have to get to 199 before I felt better. That's just not true. Every step of the journey teaches me something.

What is an NSV? I'm new and see it mentioned everywhere but I guess everyone else knows what it means. Brian

Way To Go Ray!!!!! NSV are so nice arent they! My tummy makes all kinds of noises.. I just tell it "Shhhhhhh already" hehe

thanks ericsmom I had no idea, but you know I like that saying NONSCALE vistory,,,actaully for those when it gets frustrating and the scale isn't moving, that is a great thing!!! Jude was upset she gained,.,but maybe we should point out NSV NSV NSV!!!

do I sound stupid or what...what is an NSV???? and Margo, 1st time I have seen you and I am impressed by your progress as I will be banded aug 10and you have lost 80 lbs and 80 to go...wow, since may of last year?

That is no small NSV Cloe!!! YEEEHAAAAA WAY TO GO!!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I am loving this.... you looked beautiful before the sleeve, and I agree with the others, you look stunning now... congrats on a brillaint NSV!!

You have made some significant NSVs. The great thing about the band it that it is always there to help us.

Way to go GIRL!!!! Skipping 'treats' when we don't really want them but they are just a habit - smart observation............be proud!!! a very important NSV for you!

So I know a lot of people Celebrate every little NSV and to an extent, I do too. BUT! Today I think I have my biggest NSV yet. As of this morning, I have lost enough weight that I would no longer qualify for VSG since I had no co-morbities. To me, that is huge! Would love to hear some of the NSVs you considered major. Keep up the good work everybody!

Ok, so in hindsight I realize this might not actually be considered and NSV since I'm talking about weight. But It's my BMI that really made me think of this.

I understand it. Especially in the earlier days, when it's harder to just drink liquids and the surgery is so "fresh." I feel like the surgery was drastic, the results should be drastic. I know better...I took a year to lose 85 lbs with the band. It's also a bit about the worry, too. Worry that this won't work, worry that I'll stay hungry even after moving to solid foods, etc. So looking at the numbers on the scales is a way to offset some of that worry and the more they move, the more comforting. I've been frustrated that the scales haven't moved since I've been home. I'm going to try to let go of that today and remember that they ARE DOWN from pre-op. I don't know what I weighed on my home scales before leaving, but they're down at least 5-10 lbs (in about 2 weeks). So I need to remind myself that I AM happy with that, I'm HAPPY that I'm wearing some blue jeans that I wouldn't wear before the surgery, etc. Being unhappy just makes me want to eat more. So I have to focus on the NSVs of recovery, those jeans, etc. So I don't think it's negativity at all...I think it's worry and frustration..just plain ol' being SCARED.

What are nsv? Sorry very new=)

That is a great NSV, and story! Hurrah!

What a fantastic NSV!!! I gave up on my skinny jeans and threw them out years ago lol .. but now you're making me wish I had kept them. Congratulations Carla!! That's a wonderful accomplishment :eek:

I had a really good day today. It's not often I sincerely feel like saying that but the days are coming closer and closer together now that I can walk without pain and I don't get so fatigued and my general health is just 100% better. My two new NSV's??? Well, this morning I saw that we were gonna have high 70's today, so I decided to wear a dress and guess what!! I could put on my smallest pantyhose WITHOUT having to sit down to put them on and I DIDN'T need a tow-truck to help pull them over my hips OR pick me up off the floor. I did not suffer any over-exertion either. Used to, it was aerobic activity to put on pantyhose IF I would attempt it all. Secondly, I wore my 'real people' shoes today, with 3.5 inch heels. The shoes are the MUDD brand with a pretty wide, solid heel and a funky square toe, so no danger of really falling off or hurting myself, but when I first bought them it hurt me to try to wear them very long (I have no arch). Today, no pain. It felt SO good to wear something besides flats. I felt very professional and attractive. My boss even commented on how great I looked!

Leatha these are some great NSV's I am so happy for you.

Karen, aren't NSVs the best! Congrats. Keep up the good work.

I'm three weeks out today, down 25 pounds, and even though I was leary I decided to try on some jeans today that haven't fit in two years...THEY FIT!!!!! I could button them! A little snug, but three weeks ago I never thought I would fit in them again. Too soon to declare myself a success, but I'm definately in the right lane

Don't worry! It's NORMAL to have doubts and question your decision. This is a big step you are taking! That said, 18 months ago, I weighed 230 pounds and today I'm at 153, two pounds under my goal (and 8 from my aspirational goal). It's a good feeling!! The thing that helped me the most during my pre-op questioning of my decision was to make a pro/con list about the surgery. Here is a link to my list. Once I wrote it out, the decision was clear. I read that list many times, and every time I did, it just reinforced for me that I was doing the right thing. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, I see that I really did make the right decision. This ride has been very enjoyable. I have loved all the NSVs, I haven't been hungry or felt deprived, and I was able to get free from feeling badly about myself and my body every single day. These days, I shop where I want, I am in the best shape of my life, and I actually LIKE how my body looks. I just wore a bikini on vacation for the first time since college, and I even put a photo of myself wearing it on my blog! I never imagined at the outset of this process that something like that would be possible, but it happened!! Definitely give the pro/con list a shot. It's a great tool, and no matter what you decide, at least your decision will be well thought-out. With best wishes, Catherine

NSV - Non scale Victory Onederland - When you get below 200 pounds PB - Productive burp NSAIDs - Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatories Anyone want to start a new "Band Language thread? Anyone old enough to remember Steve Martin's stand-up acts in the 70s? He was hysterical and said a fun trick is to teach kids how to talk wrong. So his kid's in 1st grade and has to go to the bathroom, so he raises his hand and says, "Me am amm moo dog face in the banana patch." ??? Maybe you had to be there.

Oh sweetie...my heart breaks for you. How brave of you to post this. My children might have been embarrassed but I'm not sure. What I do know is that they were worried. I'm the only parent they have left since their father passed away and I've since found out that they were very worried that I would die from my obesity. They no longer worry about this and the best best best NSV I probably got was when my youngest asked me to be guardian for my new grandson. That would nave never happened 150 lbs. ago.

Thought I would give an update here. VSG was done 9/14/2021, today is 11/14/2021. THE GOOD: Down 55 lbs from surgery, 64 lbs from the start of the pre-op diet, and 94 lbs from my heaviest weight. Hypertension and asthma diagnoses were officially withdrawn. Hypogonadism is under review. CPAP average setting went from 16 cm H2O to about 7 cm. Have an appointment soon to see if I need it any more. Depression has almost completely been put in remission. Went from 52/34 to 36/34 in the same cut of jeans, and actually need to go see if they have 34/34 at the outlet. Went from 4XL or even 5XL shirts to L or XL (mostly XL). Went from 15EE boots to 12D; my arch has returned, which shocked my surgeon and my PCP. Running and enjoying it for the first time ever. Way too many NSVs to count THE BAD: Still occasional bouts of constipation which mess up scale results, but then it all, um, resolves and the number on the scale goes WHOOSH. Had to fire my NUT for being a horrible person. Found a new NUT who is amazing and who does the same fitness I do. The extremely restrictive diet (especially under the old NUT's "guidance") caused a massive drop in strength, which did not help at work. It also caused me to stall out. The new NUT increased my intake from 600-800 to 1000-1400 cals a day, and WHOOSH went the scale once again. It actually hurts to sit down because my butt is bony. I'm cold all the freaking time, even when it's objectively-by-any-sane-standard not cold. Needed a chiropractic adjustment because my hips are not used to carrying 25% less of me and were hurting badly. Had to replace expensive work boots because they were giving me blisters. Clothes I can get from the Goodwill and Ross Dress For Less; work boots not so much. THE UGLY: Eating too fast or even one bite too much means spending the next 30 minutes to an hour in great physical discomfort. It takes time for the full signal to arrive in my brain. Eating lettuce salad was, in hindsight, a really, really bad idea. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Some gnarly skin tags as my fat melts away, and the beginnings of some loose skin. Added in a daily dose of collagen peptides to help. One incision is still quite visible, though it's healed over. Starting to notice a little more hairfall, including head, beard, and chest. Still the best thing I've ever done for myself.