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YaY! Congratulations for the NSV and having the surgery

I am a friendly person who often greets and gets greeted with hugs rather than handshakes. I noticed lately that peoples arms wrap all the way around me and back to the hugger. I feel so tiny when that happens.

Woo hoo! Congrats on the NSV!!

Although I have no weight change. I have reached and exceeded my goal as far as my dress size. I am definitely in a solid 12W. Can I just say that I have not seen a 12W since I was in 7th grade %%years ago. EXCITED for the little things. This is definitely a NSV....YAY!!! I try to see the happier side of things, since the scale isnt moving and I have had 2 fills. I am definitely seeing the inches melt away. Still happy and excited... :-)

What is NSV?

So I have found myself in somewhat of a dilemma that I could have never imagined six months ago. I had my six-month follow-up appointment with my surgeon after having the sleeve done in April. Needless to say I have worked really hard and have lost 88 pounds from my highest weight during the last 7 months. I have met my surgeons goal but I have not met my own personal goal as of yet, but I am still working diligently on that. Overall I am a pretty private person, and aside from my bariatric pal friends, only my mom and husband know about my surgery. I have gotten lots of questions at work and from friends, but have managed to keep my decision to have surgery private. This is where my dilemma comes in..... When I started at my highest weight, I felt ashamed about having surgery to lose weight. Even though I know now this is a totally incorrect way of thinking, I struggle somewhat with admitting now that I have had surgery since I have kept it private all this time. I don't want people to feel lied to, even though this was a very personal decision for me. So upon going to my follow-up visit with my surgeon, he proceeds to tell me how amazed he is with how great I look, and how successful I have been. He then says he wants to have before and after pictures of me to feature on their Facebook page, and to include in their seminar for future bariatric patients as one of their success stories. So my dilemma is I have kept my decision to have surgery private to this point and don't want to come across as a liar, but now that I have put in the hard work and feel successful I am proud of my accomplishments. On one hand I want to oblige the office and be included in their success stories because of all of the hard work and effort I have put in, and I do feel proud of myself. On the other hand I know how quickly social media travels, and I don't want to look like I have just been lying to everyone all this time. I considered submitting pictures and just blocking out my face, but then I don't really feel like I am owning my accomplishments. I know this post is probably extremely confusing and I find myself going back-and-forth a lot. I would love others feedback or input if you have been in the situation, or of what you would do if you were in my situation. Also thank you to all of you BP veterans who take time to post and give responses to questions for those of us who are still going through the beginnings of our journeys. Your knowledge and wisdom has been invaluable for me through my journey.

K Ladies I used the middle clasp on my bra today!! I have never used any clasps besides the last clip. I am so excited since I haven't seen the scale numbers go down but this was a nice Nsv. Thought Ide share

OK, I'll play. My best NSV's so far are: Having a pair of jeans fall off my body when I reached up on my tip toes into a tall cabinet. Thankfully, no one but me was in the kitchen. Fitting into my decadent bathtub and having my whole body fit underneath the water (no beached whale effect like before surgery). Getting my flexibility back to get up from the floor playing with the grandkids and in the bedroom playing with my sweetie Finding my bones and my muscles as the fat melted away and I started exercising (I have a small frame - who knew?) Looking great in size 10 and 12 petite clothes!

I went for a long walk. Walked from my apartment through the complex to leasing office then went on the road and walked back (stopping at deli to get husband breakfast on way back)!!! And the best thing... No back pain! Feel very good about it. And I even did it in the rain!

Congrats!! That feeling is a great NSV

Great NSV! Mine is that I'm in a musical right now, and finding costumes for my characters has been MUCH easier than it has been in the past!

My NSV today is not getting on the scale since Sunday LOL I am almost 3 months out and this is the first time i havent weighed myself daily. My next NSV is to not get on the scale between now and Sunday. LOL.. Any other NSV out there anybody want to throw out? Happy Tuesday!

dont' get discouraged. everyone is different and loses weight at diff pace and diff people had different reactions to the surgery. in my case, i lost lots of weight in my first three weeks because i had severe mouth ulcers as reaction to the antibiotics. it was so painful, i could not even swallow my saliva without crying. i hardly drank anything but Water and honey because everything else is way too painful. Personally, i'd rather lose less weight and not suffering the ulcers for two weeks straight. I think you are doing great. you're committed to exercises and all. just stop weighing yourself so much i suppose. make a list of nsv's...... good luck and i hope you're feeling better!

Kim, I suggest burping and farting a lot. *laughs* ow ow *evil grin* Seriously though, if I had to face going to work on Monday morning I'd be in a panic. I see these folks that went shopping within three days and I think "What a wus I am!" But DeLara's words keep rining in my ears. Everyone's different. My doc told me to try Milk of Magnesia, which I got today and will try tonight. On top of the gas pains, I haven't had a bowel movement since the day before surgery. I'm thinking constipation will be worse than gas. *chews nails* (not a pretty subject, but all's fair here right?) Speaking of "touchy" subjects, my husband says that since the women on here talk about their sagging boobs (kneepads someone called them) and other more personal things, he wondered if the men talked about equally private nsv. *laughs* I won't go into details. I'm in a "mood" and need to behave myself. *laughs more* Anyway, many grats Kim! *links arms with you and Kennedy927* Here we go.. and! Did you see that? Candice has lost 50 pounds in three months! WooHoo! I'm so excited! Hmm.. I wonder if she's doing so well because she loves to shop? Maybe WalMart has some benifits afterall? hehe

Good for you! That's a great NSV!:clap2: :clap2:

Horray!!! Wonderful NSVs!!!!

Congratulations. It really feels good when something like that happens. My favorite NSV was when I went to the outlet store where I buy scrubs for work (I work in a doctor's office). At the beginning of my journey I wore 2X. I had gotten down to large and they were looking kind of baggy, so I went back to buy some mediums. I picked out some tops and pants, took them home, and when I tried the pants on they still looked baggy. I thought I can't possibly be a small. I went back to the store, only this time I tried them on in the store to make sure before I exchanged them. Well, the small fit, so I returned the pants (the medium tops looked ok--sometimes I am a small but mostly medium) and got all small size. I honestly can't remember the last time I took a small anything. It felt so good! I also shop at the local thrift store, and today wore a layered look top I had gotten there. Group support is tonight and I wanted to wear something other than scrubs. When it was admired at work I told them where I got it. I probably spent about $3.00 for it. Thrift stores are a great place to look for clothes, especially while you are losing and your size is changing. You can save a bundle. I have gotten past the idea that someone I don't know wore them before me. I even found a pair of Ann Taylor Loft jeans there. It was priced $6.98 but they were having a 50% off sale so I got them for about $3.50. I love them. They are kind of a brick red color, size 12 (down from 22W). I take 10-12 in misses sizes now. Pinch me! Good luck on your journey. You can do it. It is never too late, but never is too late.

Over the weekend I was in a store and decided to try on a regular size 14, rather than a 14W - it fit! Woo Hoo! I started at a size 20W. Also... This morning at work, a female security guard ( located in the lobby of my office building) called me over and said " I've been watching you, you are really doing great - how much have you lost?" Woo hoo - so very few people say ANYTHING to me that sometimes I want to yell out - hey, look at me, can you see that something is different about me? I of course don't do it, but it does drive me crazy! Anyway, just wanted to share my NSV - - love to hear about yours!

Ok I had surgery 4/23 and have lost 40 pounds and it's just now sinking in that I am getting closer to onederland.. But the best thing ever was before surgery I couldn't even reach my feet to tie my shoes and last night I watched tv for hours sitting indian style with my legs folded and comfortable! Plus I tied my shoes this morning haha

This morning, getting ready for work, I put on a pair of pants I haven't been able to wear for 6 months and THEY FIT! Woo-hoo! This should open up the work wardrobe choices a bit

I'm still not always thinking like a thin person. I took out my jeans this morning and just before I put them on, a quick thought went through my head that they wouldn't fit. I knew they would but I still recall easily that fear or unease every time I'd put on my pants when I was obese. I always feared they wouldn't fit and that fear is still there obviously. It's especially hard now beacause the jeans are really small and I don't realize that I'm small alot of the times. Still working on body image issues though it is getting better. The other random thought today is that we really really need to not obsess over the scale. I admit I weigh myself daily. I do it because it helps me early in my maintenance phase. Having said that though, the number cannot determine our outlook for the day either. I went out to dinner Wednesday night and again last night. Wednesday night I had grilled fish, a couple of shrimp, veggies and a little bit of couscous. When I got on the scale in the morning, the number was the same as it had been for several days. I was a little surprised since I've been very compliant. So last night, we went to a restaurant that's supposed to have the best Pasta in all of NYC. My sister in law is leaving for Beijing on Wednesday for work and will be gone for a year. She wanted her last meal in NYC to be her favorite food so we headed to Porsena even though pasta is my trigger food for sure. Well...I stayed in control but ate more carbs than usual. After all...it was the best pasta in the city. (It was really good..lol) I also had a little bit of dessert and two glasses of white wine. So I got on the scale this morning and figured I'd be up at least a pound if not more. I lost almost a pound instead. Just shows you that it's only a number and the numbers can move without rhyme or reason. I'm not feeling like I dodged a bullet today, nor do I feel bad if the scale doesn't go down or stay the same when I'm being especially compliant. I focus on the NSVs instead. The best one last night was not that the food was terrific (which it was) but I walked home from the restaurant. I went across town and had no real issues doing it. A year ago I was bed ridden and days away from my hip replacement surgery. Walking home from the restaurant was better than any number on the scale. OK, sorry for rambling...have a great day, and a great weekend everyone. For those who Celebrate Yom Kippur, have a good holiday and an easy fast.

Myra – Good luck with your barium swallow. Keep us posted! I wish you the best. Marz – keep us posted on your fill – hopefully this one hit the sweet spot. Missy – Your trip sounds awesome. I have not been on a mission trip since high school. You will be in my prayers. Marci – I don’t puke after drinking something cold but it is harder for me to get it down. My doctor told me to start out with hot tea to loosen the mucus from the pouch and open it up well. Then drink Water, etc. Do you start out with something hot and then switch to something cold? Just a thought if you haven’t tried it. Maybe your pouch is just a little stubborn and needs coaxing to handle colder drinks. I am officially 2 weeks out from my last fill and I am freaking out. I started out around 192 and by the first week was down to 188. I weighed yesterday and I was 192 and today I am 194. My TOM is upcoming but I have never gained that much. I just don’t get it. I have great restriction and I was thinking I might need to increase my calories more because I may not be getting enough to lose. I am chugging water this morning, hoping it is all water weight and will just be flushed out with enough peeing! Is there a January challenge? I didn’t get on in time for the Turkey Take Off. If we don’t have one, is everyone game for doing one after Thanksgiving? Oh yeah, major NSV to report. I went to Old Navy on Sunday and bought a pair of size 14 jeans! WAHOO! My bottom half is finally catching up with my top half!

I have to say that the 8 week exercise program I committed to has been great. Althought, I hit a little snag last week. I had to cancel my Wednesday appointment with my trainer because I was feeling weak from my Tuesday fill. Then my trainer canceled our Friday appointment because of an issue on his side. Big bummer. The only organized exercise I got last week was 90 minues of walking. That doesn't come close to the 45 minutes per day I have been averaging. That's okay though. The way I see it, last week was a week that left me full of excuses and I still got in 3- 30 minute workouts. In the past, I would have done nothing AND I would have just stopped. Not this time!! Today I plan to Jazzzercise to start my week. I had a couple of NSVs this weekend. First, a guy told me I was pretty. I'm not going to qualify that with anything. A guy told me I was pretty and I'm quite sure he meant it. Yay! Also, on the flight to our destination this weekend, I told my friend that the last time I was on a flight the seatbelt didn't fit. The belts on the plane we were on were kind of long so she was shocked, but I told her that not all seatbelts are the same. I had plenty of room. However, on the flight back, I quickly saw that this plane had short seatbelts like I had encountered before. This time it fit! There was a older gentleman across the aisle from me who was having touble. He and his wife couldn't figure out what was wrong with his seatbelt. I knew that they were short and probably just didn't fit. The flight attendant came by shortly with an extender. I heard him and his wife talking about how they couldn't believe it didn't fit and what they were going to do about it. I couldn't have been more sympathetic. It was nice to know that in the four months since my last plane ride, I had made a big (no pun intended) enough change to truly make a difference. While I was writing this blog entry, something happened that makes me realize how much my life has changed. Today I was scheduled to meet a friend for lunch. She sent me an email and postponed. Shortly after, another friend that I work out with on Thursday's emailed me and told me that her boss had scheduled lunch with her during our next work out so she was planning to work out today. I brought work out clothes for Jazzercise after work, but usually if I work out at lunch & after work, I bring two sets of clothes (I sweat A LOT.) I decided that after last week, I need to make some extra effort. So, I'm going to work out at lunch AND Jazzercise today. I just have to find something to use for a towel. :biggrin: Don't get me wrong, I know this isn't anything earth shattering. But I'm just so proud of myself for being flexible instead of letting myself make excuses. That hasn't always been my M.O. I have my eye on the prize. This weekend marks the end of the month and it would be SUPER if I could have a 10 pound loss this month. To do that, I need to lose 2 pounds this week. I will let you all know how it goes!! I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Hi, I have a comment as well, I am only 1 year and 1 month out. To date I have not lost very much weight I seriously thought I was doing something wrong. My eating was better than ever and I had been exercising but I was drinking so called "lo cal" drinks ie DIET anything. Once I cut that out of my diet, for whatever reason I am now losing weight and have found a balance with the band. Don't be afraid to try again, no one here will point and laugh we all have our own horror stories. Just take it one meal at a time, make better choices and get in some exercise. And remember those NSV are a huge part of weight loss. I still "weigh" heavy but I love the way I look, so go figure... Best of luck!

Here's a new one. I am currently in grad school. Returned to college after many years. My school has those annoying little desks with the chairs attached. Until my banding, I could barely sit at those desks and had to suck it in and barely breathe. Imagine sitting in this position for 2 1/2 hours! One month in and I can sit at the desk almost comfortably. I can lower the desk withour bumping into my belly. Another NSV is that I can easily fit into a size 16. My 18's are loose and if I want to, I can now shop in the misses department instead of womans. How I miss that! The clothes are cuter and there is a larger selection. I own clothes from size 6 thru size 18. I could open up a boutique! It will be fun to shop in my own closet too.