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Your life will get better every day and when the NSV and the weightloss happens. You will be soo glad that you did this for yourself. It is very life changing for the good..

I LOVE READING EVERYONE'S NSVs!! I find them to be very inspirational. I had an NSV just this evening and couldn't wait to get home and jump on the computer so I could share it. I went to go see a movie at the local theater earlier this evening. Not only was I able to sit comfortably NEXT to my hubby, but I also had my legs crossed for most of the movie. :thumbup: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE MY BAND!!!!! PS: The movie, THE BLIND SIDE, is excellent. Just be sure to take along some tissues. :thumbup:

That's super awesome. What a wonderful NSV! Congrats to you.

@@jendolly Woohoo! That's a great NSV! Congrats!

I am so excited, I just got off the phone with my primary care physician. November 2009 I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, with an A1C of 7.4 ~ which gave me a slap of reality and triggered my weight loss journey. I was banded 10/21 and have lost a total of 62 lbs since 11/09 (30 lbs. post-op)... my latest A1C is 5.6!! He said I no longer have to take medication for Diabetes. :bananajump: This is in edition to my two other nsv's of having to buy all new winter clothes because nothing from last year fits and being able to cross my legs comfortably. This really reassures me that I made the right decision getting my band.

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

Want to wish everyone a great valentine's day, if you don't have a valentine, I'll be yours, I have love to give to everyone! I wasn't going to write today, because I didn't really have anything to write about. Then the caffeine hit me and I had a total NSV!!!! So, in case you didn't know I'm going to Key West in oh let me check my calender....39 days. Usually, all I can think about for a vacation is what I'm going to eat, what the food is like, etc. Not so much this time!!! First I decided in March I'm going to try the couch to 5k program (if anyone wants to be my buddy for this let me know!). I'm also going to start working on weight training for my upper body since my dad and I will be going out deep sea fishing while in Key West. Gotta get jacked to reel in the big one (I hope I do!!!). So then instead of thinking of food, I was thinking about "how am I going to work out on vacation" well my parents must have read my mind because my mom sent me an e-mail asking if they wanted to pack my bike in their RV (they are driving from New York state to Key West in their RV, I'm flying). UM, YEAH ABSOLUTELY! The RV resort where we are staying is at Mile Marker 15 on the Keys, so I'm thinking that in the am, I can ride my bike to at least Mile Marker 10 and back, maybe more, who knows. Can you even ride a bicycle on US 1? If anyone knows let me know thank you. So I have to consider this a NSV when I'm usually thinking about "oh what restaurants are we going to go to" or "what am I going to cook while we're on vacation" I'm more concerned about how I'm going to work out. So proud of my self ::hugs:: Have a great day!

carolinagirl thanks for reminding me about the wonderful song and message. This one of my faves by Ms Whitney (RIP) and it's so fitting for this journey, thx again. I had a NSV today, moved a notch on my belt???ƒ!

Woohoo!! I'm so happy for you!! What a great NSV

This is a fab NSV ... congrats on hitting your 'offical' goal too.... well done you!! =]

Lately Ive been on a 3 week + no losing streak,and i was really starting to get depressed-i know I havent been eating right-even with my last fill-i was a chocolate spree, but I just havent been motivated to eat healthy. But Wednsday, i went shopping and actually fit into a size 22 pants(i started a 28/30), and the size I usually take was too big. I was SO excited! Then i tried on a few coats since my one from last year is HUUUUUGE. I fit into a 18/20! And not just that one coat-all the coats i tried were the same- a little tight,but the next size up was definatly too big...plus Ive always wanted one of those long sweaters,but i knew I'd look gigantic in it. But i got up the courage to try it on-it looked so good-if i dont say so myself=) So,Ive actually had 3 NSV's ! How exciting! I just had to share my good news with you all-since Ive been pretty depressed lately because I havent lost any weight for a long long time. Woowhooo! Sadly though I ended up spending a LOT of $$$! BTW-I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! I somehow managed to eat a LOT of food lol..which i didnt mind-it was so good!=)

Ugh, Sorry Ive been sooooo busy this week I dont know remember the last time I was here-probably the last post. LOL Thank you all for your encouragement (and praise!)!! Like I said I've been so down since I havent had any motivation-Ive been eating terrible!But with those NSV's--I have LOTS of nice new clothes-I went for more professional,pretty clothes this time instead of my usual "frumpy"plain clothes-I HAVE A SELECTION NOW! Isnt that so awesome when that happens? I was almost 300lbs at my top & in a 28(a little too tight-i really should have worn a 30-but those sizes are near impossible to find),now Im a 22/24...and there is just so much more to choose from-and I can take trying on clothes & looking at myself in a full length mirroe! Sorry,I just had to ramble-its the weekend & Im excited!! Thanks again everyone for the kind words!!It means so much to me:-D

Thank you for defining NSV...lol. You should see the combination of words I have strung together in an attempt to decipher what those acronyms meant. Haha

It has been a great morning. I got dressed to go to work this morning for the first time since my surgery and everything felt a little big, including my shoes! Perhaps some of it is psychological, but, hey, I'll take it. I was also thrilled this morning that I found a Protein shake that I can tolerate very well. Isopure Low Carb Dutch chocolate. I was really struggling with trying to get my protein in this weekend, so I am happy have found a shake that will work for me. 50g of protein per 12 oz (2 scoops of powder) which sounds great to me. All in all, a very good morning! Brian:biggrin0:

Hi, It was a year ago when I started my dr supervised weight watchers program for 6 months, then my surgery was July 21, 11. I started at 440lbs and today I weigh 330lbs. I just wanted to share my NSV's 1) I'm wearing jeans for the first time in 25 years! 2) I can walk everywhere with my kids! 3) I enjoyed shopping for the first time in a LONG time! 4) I wore my honey moon nightie for the first time in 7yrs! 5) I've decided to go back to school to change my career..big decision! 6) My hubby had surgery in Aug and wow the whoopie is sooo much better! TMI! I am so happy I did this, I have so much further to go and I hope to loose another 100 this year and with the sleeve and faith and persistence I will get there. Thanks for listening and this past years support! Tracy

Best NSV for me was going from 27 prescribed pills a day to 11! 3 more will be gone in June!!

My very best NSV occurred late last week: to be asked to participate in a professional photoshoot and tell my story for my WLS Center website and other promotional material. It is exciting to be able to do this and to have an impact on many future WLS candidates!

Best nsv to date... Completing 4 half marathons in a year!

So last week (week of Thanksgiving) was a crazy week because I went home to Arkansas to spend time with family... First off it was super fun...My daugther is having my first glam-baby and I got a chance to see my glam-baby on the ultrasound. We also had the baby shower the Saturday following Thanksgiving and it was fab as well..Okay I could go on and on about that because I am so happy but that is for another blog.. Well it was the first time any of my family had seen me since surgery and only my mom and daughter knew I had surgery...For the most part everyone had good things to say...My aunt and cousin jokingly called me a "crackhead" or a "cancer patient" as they said I was so small...They aint seen small yet...I got more pounds to lose before hitting my goal...As many of us VSG folk probably was, I was nervous about how I would be around so much food...good southern homemade food....Not to mention all the eateries that are my "have" to go to list when I am home...Admittedly, I did eat more carbs and sweets overall than I have eaten on any day since surgery. However, it was in such small quantity that I did not beat myself up about it. Instead, I just was more conscious about my calorie burn. I do not recall if I mentioned previously but I renewed my subscription to the bodybugg again. I am amazed of how much more efficient my body has become on a reduced calorie diet and less weight. Before the surgery and without any exercise I would burn 2500 calories a day doing just normal activity. Now, I am at 2000 calories a day...While in Arkansas I made sure to hit 2500 mark so I could burn off the extra calories I took on by indulging in cake and dips. In the end I only lost 0.8lbs te week of Thanksgiving. It is actually more than I had on my projected weight loss chart. I said I would lose nothing so I count it as a victory. Things have bounced back this week and I lost 2lbs. I am happy with that but I would like to get my weekly loss up to about 3lbs a week. I am going to get back on my workout regime as I fell all the way off these past 3 weeks. If I am to be running ( I mean running...now walking) a half marathon on June 1st, I need to be in the full swing of daily running like yesterday... And for the not so good...I have had some awesome victories since having my sleeve...My best NSV when I was in Arkansas is I wore my daughter size Large Monkey Suit (Onesie). I have wanted one of those for about two years but could not find one big enough...Well now I can wear a Junior Large...I also bought a Junior Large pair of Yoga pants from Kohls during after Thanskgiving sale...Another big moment...I wish I would have taken a pic with them on because even I must say I think I looked "skinny"..a relative term indeed but it was a skinny moment for me...And the oh girl you are gorgeous...girl you fine comments are coming...oh how I love my sleeve...I guess the best part is not the comments themselves but I actually feel pretty again... But oh back to the bad...My hair has started coming out in chunks...It is so thin...I am wearing hair make-up every day to color in my sides and I have to wear full and half wigs as my hair is so thin in the front. I have been wanting to cut it short anyway but I wanted to do that on my own time...Now entire otherwise healthy strings are hair is just all over the bathroom floor and sink with the slightest comb or brushing...I keep telling myself my doctor has said there are no bald weight loss patients...It will come back and I guess the good thing is when it comes back all the relaxer will be off and I can go naturally curly and short as I wanted to do anyways... I have an Ormin body fat monitor and previous to surgery it said my body fat (bf) was very high about 40.8%..I notice a couple of weeks ago, it now simply says high and now I am 34% bf. That and with some inspiration from my sleeve buddy I decided my next big goal was to get to a healthy bf and bmi. For my height that is 164lbs for a healthy BMI...Hopefully, with the workouts the bf comes on down as well...In the meantime, my interim goal is to be 175lb by Christmas...Gotta put in work to make it happen. I am posting some swim suit progress shots against my better judgement given this is the internet..but I want to give an honest reflection of me...Its hard to hide the flab in a two piece... Beware the photos are horrible but they are becoming less horrible as the months pass. Excuse the blur in the photo and that the distance the photos were taken were not exactly the same but I still think they reflect the 45lb weight loss... Until next week all.... HW 232 & SW 227 (VSG 08/17/12 & 5'8) LW 188.8 Week 14 Weight - 188.2 CW 186.2 [Total Weight Loss 43.2lbs] GW 155 [31.2lbs until Goal]

What an awesome NSV! I'll have to pay more attention when I put my bra on. Its so much a habit...I hadn't really thought about it. LOL.

Clothes. What a total and complete change of feels about them for me as well. I hated clothes shopping in the past. Hated buying crap from Casual Male or any other big & tall store.....or bigger & taller. Now....it's so much easier. Any store has my pants or shirts in stock.....whether it's a clothing store, a sporting goods store or even Walmart. The new sizes are much, much cheaper than before, too. Levis, Dockers, Izod, Polo brands but at cheaper prices than I was paying at the no-brand b&t stores. I actually enjoyed the last shopping trip I went on. This may have been the first time in history that I can say this. Unforeseen NSV. You look great !!! It's gotta feel good to wear fitted clothes again and rock 'em like you are. Well done. Nooooooooooooo not the butt.........

Okay, I love reading NSV's, and SV's, and just cool stuff like that. What do you want to do? What have you done? Weight related, not weight related, just cool stuff. I'm 5 lbs from my halfway point. Started at 280, halfway will be 210, goal is 140 (ish, but for the sake of numbers, it's 140). I am Obese, no longer morbidly obese, and down from severely obese (or the other way around, I don't remember). I am a graphic designer. I always wanted to do something with art, but didn't know what. I started as a QA person for my mom's consulting agency, and then one time our client needed banners "ASAP", so I threw something together. 3 years later, I do all of their graphics exclusively. It probably would not hurt me to go back to school for some things, but I'm still pretty happy. I want to get my belly button pierced. I got it pierced before, but it never healed right because of my belly rolls and the skin touching n' stuff. I want to wear a wetsuit and not feel like a whale!! But seriously, just to be out of the "X" sizes of wetsuits would be good. I never want to look at the weight requirements for anything ever again! I know there's more, I'll have to add later. What do you want to do? What have you done? What DON'T you want to do ever again?!

Well, another weekend has come and gone and I am back to work this AM. Had a successful weekend with very few slip ups. I had a NSV moment this weekend..We had some dead spots in our yard so we had dug them up and were re-sodding..well, I was carrying the 40 pound bags of new dirt and throwing the squares of sod while my husband "watched". I asked if he was going to help - he laughed and told me that I was in better shape than he was, so he would just "let me" get my exercise in for the day..Hehe, As tired as I was - not to mention dirty - I kept on with the bags and the sod until the job was done. I acutally amazed myself in the fact that I was not short of breath and did not really get overly tired and no soreness. Now, you to have to know I live in Florida and it was 97 degrees and humid - Hot my friends..A year and 100 pounds ago - none of this would have been remotely possible. But I guess I am in pretty good shape to have done this job. As I sit and look at my tiny plate, with my tiny amount of food (all the time really wanting a pizza followed by some ice cream) I reflect back on this weekend and realize that I have come a long way. I am not only smaller, I am healthier and stronger than I was one year ago. Yep, I still have about 40 pounds more to go (the weight of one bag of dirt - which I thought was HEAVY) so I trudge on..Moving foward, not wanting to go back to the old fat me. I am thankful for the surgery and my weight loss...even if I never reach my goal weight - hey, there is still 100 pounds less of me today and that in itself is a "GOLD MEDAL" performance - if I do say so myself. So, next time you feel down, feeling left out or short changed - go find an old picture of yourself (a fat one) and think back at just how "wonderful life was" when you were heavier - huffing and puffing your way through life, with sore knees, bad ankles and who knows what going on in your insides. Hang in there bandster peeps - we are in this boat together and we will succeed one way or the other. This Saturday I am doing my 5th 5K - this one is up and down the ramps of the Jaguars (NFL) football stadium. It is called the "Stadium Challenge" and it is a tough one. I did it last year and I am crazy enough to do it again. Been working hard on my training. Keep your fingers crossed for me that I make it through such a demanding 5K. Maybe that dirt and sod "training" will come in handy.....I bet my husband will take credit for that one ! Until next time - have a great week and stay true to yourself ! Melinda in Florida

NSV for me Saturday! My Mom and I went to Kohl's to look at clothes for her. She was wanting some capri pants. I told her I bought some on sale there in size 14 petite. She said that is the same size she wears. I took her over to the petite department and showed her the capris. She took two pair in the dressing room to try on. She came out and said they are too small I need the non-petite. """I am officially smaller then my mom!""" WooHoo!

Laura, you rock, by the way. And thanks for sharing your truly awesome NSV. My husband was never the limiting factor in my social life and my willingness to venture out. It was all me. I'm thankful now that I'm confident enough to leave the house and be social and be seen. Four years ago I was a hermit. ~Cheri