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Awesome NSV!! You go girl!

WHOOP! WHOOP! You had me grinning ear-to-ear with this post! GREAT job on your hard work and reaching this amazing NSV! I understand the effort, time and patience it takes to get this point, and I am super proud of you. CONGRATS!!!

You're my inspiration! I just got excited as if this was my own personal NSV!!! I'm so happy for you!

My thrilling NSV (which demonstrates how lame I am!) is using the dryer. I hadn't ever used it for fear that my clothes would shrink.

Hi, My NSV this week was that I jumped into my pool midday and just enjoyed myself and my evolving body in my bathing suit(which is getting to big ). Just happy!

Hello everyone. I'm about 1 yr and 5 months post op surgery was August 6 2013 my HW was 350lbs. And I'm currently 165lbs. Still about 20 to 40lbs till my actual goal but this far I'm pretty happy. Well I took my measurements a few months back. I've lost maybe 10 lbs since thing but here's my NSV... Hips: 38 inches (then) Hips: 32 inches (now) Waist: 35 inches (then) Waist: 29inches(now) Bust: 36 inches (then) Bust: 30 inches (now) Neck: 13 inches (then) Neck: 12 inches (now) I've lost 6 inches in hips 6 inches in waist and 6 inches in my bust!! Along with an inch in my neck. :-) now only if I could lose this last 20lbs or so and the excess skin oh how I hate the excess skin!! Anyways this feels great to know 10 lbs and 6 inches from each area that's 19 inches all over lost... :-) hmm anyone else with their NSV... oh also I can wear a size 7 with medium tops :-) from size 24/26 to a 7. And from a 3xl-4xl shirt to mediums! Yay

So I was watching all of the wedding shows on TLC today (don't ask me why, I have been married for almost 20 years and am not planning a wedding for anyone else, but I still like them). While watching, I suddenly got this crazy craving for white wedding cake with raspberry filling. I never even liked sweets before VSG, so I do not know why I was thinking about it. I could have gone to the store and bought a piece and just had a couple of bites, but even then, who would I be "cheating"--myself, that's who. So instead, I decided to try a "goal" (very early progress goal, not final goal) bathing suit that I bought. It's a Miracle Suit (halter, really cute) and 6 (women's plus) sizes smaller than the suits I usually wear to work out. I never thought it would fit in a million years, especially because Miracle Suits usually run a size (2 women's sizes) smaller, but it did! I don't look great of course, but I look like a healthier version of ME. Plus the suit has underwire, which is so much nicer than the soft cups--which I know other ladies who wear a bigger cup size can relate to. I couldn't find the underwire in bigger-sized suits (which makes no sense, but I digress). So now I am so happy, I am not only not going to tempt myself with anything that isn't on plan, I am going to go work out in my new bathing suit! I already have it on, after all. Also, I saw a friend that I haven't seen since before VSG, and she asked if I had lost some weight. I said "a little" (probably 35 pounds pre- and post-op since I've seen her), and she said, "No, a LOT!" It was my first compliment! I think people may start noticing more bc I am starting to wear "mini goal" clothes that I had bought a while ago (also like having a new wardrobe without spending $$). Our weight loss is definitely more obvious in more fitted clothes.

Hello! To answer your questions, I am eating 1,200 calories a day. My form of exercise is a turbo kick boxing class at 24 hour fitness. Maybe I do need to spice up my work outs. I figured since the instructors are all different, each day the workouts are different and it's a fact. It really is. My clothing size has actually changed! I posted a NSV a week ago about going from a size 24 to an 18. So I do feel it in inches. I just hate how the scale doesn't go hand in hand with it. And thank you for all of your encouragement and kind words. I really needed this support. <3

I bought a jacket in 2005 from the Big/Tall store. Size 3X. Never could wear it buttoned but it was on sale then for like $40. Broke it out this season planning to wear it open as usual. IT BUTTONS AND STILL HAS ROOM TO SPARE! Granted it is a 3X but now it is a little big. First time I have seen a real change in my clothing. Then I decided on some things I would like to work on. If I can work with my weight there are other things I want to tackle: 1) Eliminate ALL soda consumption - It costs too much and can hurt the band in the long run. 2) Whiten my teeth - Stopping soda and making better food choices can help this. It's like an extra benefit to my better lifestyle. It doesn't make much sense to be smaller and more appealing and smile in the picture with yellowish teeth. 3) Exercise more - I have been really bad lately because of my schedule. I feel like I can run a marathon I just haven't been able to make it to the gym. I am very excited about spending Saturday walking around Chicago. 4) Better skin - Water keeps skin hydrated so its another plus of drinking more water again. And I plan on sporting sleeveless shirts and my tattoss on vacation in a few months. So some small muscles and tan skin would be great. I have always covered up 100% because I hated what was under. So the motto from now on is "lose weight and look great."

So I was debating where to post this, and it seems like a success, so I decided on the success stories board. :-) I was looking through some old pictures today and came across one taken 3 years ago of me and my husband and it just kind of struck me how sad I look. And this picture was not even taken at my highest weight! So I put it side by side with a picture taken a couple weeks ago of us together, and I was amazed. Not only does my body look completely different, but I look genuinely happy. I think a picture can tell a lot about a person.... And younger! Happier and younger is a pretty good combination for 3 years later!

AWESOME! Congrats on your NSV It's always such a great feeling to have someone outside the lap band bubble see and comment on all our hard work

Jalese i agree that you will need to take your body pierces out as you are going to surgery-along with all jewelry WLS - 12/10 -good luck, speedy recovery - you are in for the ride of your lifetime towards health and happiness - wishing you well that being said - i have to laugh a bit, not at you but ...i want to experiment, new things since WLS since i've been losing my weight - i've tried to step out of the box, do a couple things that i never did joked to DH about piercing my naval - i don't think so!!!!! but .......... got a tattoo!!!! OMG got my 2 front teeth capped - changed my "natural" blonde by Loreal to a light,warm blonde with a little red!!!! Face Lift 1/30/13 there are other smaller but cool NSV's that i keep on enjoying this grammy isn't in a rocking chair - but I'm a ROCKIN change is good

I am currently trying crossfit because a friend (RNY a year ago) is obsessed with it and there was a Groupon for the one near me. She wants to be a trainer. I feel like I'm not quite ready for it, because I have to be shown lots of stuff. But they haven't thrown me out, and I'm not giving up half-way through the class. And I can move the next day. I think the most telling NSV is one my Mom pointed out. We were chatting about crossfit and my Planet Fitness adventures and she said "Kathy, do you realize we've just spent 5 minutes talking about exercise?" LOL. NOT the old me at all! Kathy

What is your latest non scale victory? My current nsv is that I can fit in a size 36 men's jeans. Woo Hoo!!

I am over the TOP right now. This morning the scale showed that I have now lost 40 lbs!!! AND.....I put on a pair of work slacks this morning that I have not worn in "8" years. YES, 8 years!!! WHAT A FEELING!! Of course my boyfriend had to ask why I still have slacks from 8 years ago. Well, because they are classic work slacks that won't go out of style and I had hoped that one day I could wear them again. AND I CAN!!!

Puja - where are you in India? I was in Mumbai, with a short trip to Delhi and Agra. 10 day trip in total. To answer your questions, well, I took some Pure Protein Bars with me, and ate one per day. I also ate eggs for Breakfast. I'm pretty sure that some days I was below my Protein still, because there were a couple of meals at a friend's house that were vegetarian. I ate chickpeas and lentils those meals, but those aren't as protein rich as meat, I think. I tried to focus on protein as much as possible, and ate veggies like cauliflower when it was available. Like I said before, I still had rotis and rice and stuff, but just small helpings to tone down the spiciness. When it was available (it wasn't always served) I used raita to tone down the heat. I'm also pretty sure that my calorie counts were above normal (but apparently not more than I burn, maybe 1500-1700), especially the days I ate Butter chicken (YUM!). But I didn't really have a way to log it, and it was just 10 days, so I just listened to my sleeve about when it was full, and hoped that would be enough. I actually wasn't sure if I would lose weight or just hold steady while I was there, but I ended up losing, so that was great. It was a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, and I love Indian food, so I just decided I wasn't going to worry about it. The only time I really had a moment of regret was when I was eating some fabulous butter chicken, and wanted to eat more, but I just savored it as much as I could and then stopped when I got full. likasulema - good luck on your weight loss! I'm sure you'll be able to fit without a seat extender on your next trip. Its the little NSV's like that that really make a difference.

Great NSV John. I never walk around with out my shirt either, can't blame you lolol I can totally relate, I don't even wear shorts b/c of my jiggly legs. I would sooner sweat like a pig than wear shorts or any shirt that show's my arms. I'm glad you are where you are today and mostly that you are mentally feeling on cloud 9. Yesterday DH, DD and I went to a little dinner. This one old woman stared me up and down and watched my every move squeezing into the booth. I said to my DH... oh wonderful, wicked witch of the east is sizing me up. I couldn't even enjoy my meal b/c I felt scrutney in the other booth. I just wish people would mind their own business for crying out loud. You are NOT the only person who feels like this. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU !!!!

That is a great NSV! Size 14!!!! Wow, you are doing great. I piled on a ton of weight after my parents passed away. I think the whole stress thing was too much for me. See you Tuesday! Great job!

Im the same way, I still will choose sizes that are too big because there is no way I fit into size 8 pants or a medium (sometimes a small) top. Its unreal. Its ok though because its like a new NSV every time I actually do fit into the tiny clothes

gotta love the NSV !!! congrats....

I always thought NSV was "New Sleeve Victory" LOL

What is your latest NSV (non scale victories) ? I will start.... I have two that are huge to me. I am 4 weeks out today 1) I can wear my wedding rings again! Yeahhhh and my husband is really happy about it. 2) I noticed I was crossing my legs in church this morning without any effort. I can not remember the last time I could do that. :)

A friend of mine got banded years ago....and she wanted me to follow suit. No way would I ever have WLS, there was no reason medically, I was healthy as a horse. I did feel down after I HAD to go shopping when I HAD to have something new. I did always feel like the biggest girl in the room, I did hate to have my picture taken....but I was healthy, I had a husband who loved me big or small. No way, hell would freeze over first. Well three years passed and my friend had lost 60 lbs and she had not died. Ok, positive things, but still. At 2 o'clock one morning, I got up to go to the bathroom and my tummy was in my lap.....right then and there, I made the decision to do it. Yes, I think clearly and come up with great ideas in the middle of the night, some times I'm in the bathroom, sometimes I just wake up and something comes to me. The next day, I told my husband I'd made this decision. I was firm about it, not wishy washy. He was not on board with fixing something that was not broken. I had no health issues, I wanted to have fun shopping and feel good about myself while I was younger (49 yrs) and while I was still healthy. Vanity and preventive maintenence, priorities rule!! That was Dec 2009, my DH wanted me to do research. I did, I read every single thing I could come across. I found a support group and started attending, and so did he. This guy became my biggest cheerleader!! He attends all my group meetings, even asking questions and taking notes when need be. I found a doctor in Texas, our 'home'. We were at that time living out of state, but I knew I wanted someone in Dallas or Houston to take care of me. I knew we would be moving back at some point. I first thought I'd get a band, but the more I read and heard, even though my friend did ok and did not die......it wasn't the best choice for me. I chose the sleeve procedure after days upon days of talking to different doctor's offices, and after obsessively reading everything I could find. I attended the seminar in Dallas in April and in June 2010, six months after that fateful 2 AM decision, I did it. I never, ever, ever regretted it. Not one minute of buyer's remorse. I've loved every single second since I woke up in recovery!!!! It is a wild ride and the most fun I've ever had!!! Clothes started falling off me, people started to ask if I'd lost some weight, which can be uncomfortable some times. A saleswoman called me LITTLE. LoL I have bones and my mom was wrong all those years, I am NOT big boned!!! I love my collarbone!!! It's my favorite NSV to this day. I'd wake up and all of a sudden have hip bones and my shoulders feel so boney now days!!! I finally got use to going to the Missy dept instead of the Women's. That was hard and it is STILL difficult to get a size that fits. I tend to want a size larger. It takes a long time for your head to catch up with your body!!! I'd read on this forum somewhere that we should get a disposable camera prior to surgery. Have someone take a picture the day before or day or surgery, then once a month on the date of your surgery. I did that, and then after my 1 year anniversary.....I got it developed. Wow, those pictures laying side by side from the previous year, I saw my transformation. I highly recommend doing this!!! I reached my doctor's goal in just under five months. My goal, five lbs less, a month later. My total loss is anywhere from 81 - 84 lbs, depending on the day. I lost 23 of those lbs prior to surgery. I have been maintaining for over 2 years now. I had a hard time stopping the weight loss....is this possible???!! Yes it is! I added calories and gained back to where I was comfortable. Would I do it again....in a New York minute! Forced portion control, that is what I needed. I still make choices, but I don't feel deprived at all. I'm not hungry, my new hunger is an empty feeling, which makes making wise choices much easier. I weigh myself every single morning, first thing. I've done this from the beginning. I log my food on line and I weigh and/or measure my food when I'm at home. This is part of my life, it's like a game. I love it, it also keeps me aware of what's going on with my body. Even if it isn't the wisest choice, I am aware of everything that goes into my mouth. No more mindless eating. I need 1150 - 1275 calories per day to maintain. I do not exercise, not really, so I knew that I'd have to make life changes I could live with, that would allow me to accomplish what I wanted. I get anywhere from 60 - 95 grams of Protein per day, almost without fail. It's all been pretty easy for me. I think I eat pretty much like a naturally thin person. This is my new life, it's fun. I feel good. It is possible to lose all you want, still enjoy food and maintain, but this is not a magic bullet. You can't have 85% of your stomach removed then eat chips, ice cream, drink alcohol, milkshakes and eat food from a drive through, and expect to be successful. We still have to make good decisions. 'Nuff said!!

Congratulations that is outstanding! These are the best kind of victories (not that the scale one aren’t great too) but the clothes indicators really drive home the success story. My biggest NSV will be when I don’t have to go the Big Man store and can shop in regular stores. Keep up the great work.

Howdee all~ I had a doctors appointment today and I found out that I lost FIVE pounds since my last visit with him four weeks ago. I am starting to think my house scale is a big liar~~ According to my doctors fancy schmancy scale, I weighed in today at 222.5. My last weigh in with them was 227.5......According to my scale I weigh in at 219. I am going to keep using my scale for the Fall Weight Loss Challange weigh ins.....cause it does show a decrease in weight...soooooo we will get it as accurate as we can..When I was at the doctors today, she laid me down on the exam table, so she could poke and prod at my belly and she said "Oh my gosh would you look at how FLAT your tummy is getting"...I was so proud!!! I can actually feel my hips and bones, and a waist line....yes my girlish figure is coming out~ Watch out world, I can kill with these hips~And not because they are soooo huge...but because they are soo damn sexy ehehehehehe I AM SOOO PROUD. And the bigger part of the NSV is....I WORE A PAIR OF JEANS THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN IN TWO YEARS~ They are gorgious with detailed bead work on them....ooo soo pretty~~~ And not to mention they are a size 20~~ thank you very much ~~I was in a size 26 when I had my surgery!!! HELLO~~~~I can't wait to bust out the other size 20's that I was wearing! I have such a cute pair of jeans that lace up the sides that I am DYING to wear....maybe this weekend, or next ,,,, hummmm should be interesting to see!!! Next weekend..Nov 5 is the end of season Staff party for the haunted house. And my birthday is Nov 7th...so we usually celebrate all at once~~ I cant wait to show off a "new" outfit!!! I will talk to you all soon~ Thank you for sharing in my excitment!!! TTYL