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Hi omfgmelly. Here's my nsv that i hope u will experience...in mornings my bs was always at least ur number u posted...now 6 wks. post-op its more like 80-95! today at dinnertime i had a 64! i had just came back from a nice springtime 6 blk. walk. Prior to lb, i wouldve been weak n sweating puddles being that low but i felt ok. good luck youll do well.

I've had huge NSVs the past 3 months (no longer pre-diabetic, 104/64 BP, great labs, fitting into my husbands jeans!), but today is all about celebrating numbers. Some FAQs before the numbers... I track everything weekly on Thursday (my surgery day) including weight and all measurements. I also weigh on Monday to get an overall feel for how I'm doing that week to see if I need to have a few strict days. For me, I tend to obsess and think more about food if I'm tracking, so I don't track what I'm eating. I estimate my Protein amounts and drink at least 60 ounces of Fluid (at least 40 ou water) I do follow a plan of eating that has worked for me though. I eat from a selection of meals for all 3 meals of the day. If I have a higher % carb meal (like oatmeal), I balance it with higher % protein meal for the other 2. I eat 1 or 2 Snacks per day. If I'm losing slower I add a Protein shake (weird to add when weight loss slows, but it's worked for me) and another cup of Water or a smooth move tea at night (sometimes I'm just full of s&%#... literally . I choose from the following meals: cottage cheese, Colby-jack cheese snack and 4 multigrain crackers, Premier Protein shake, advantagEDGE shake, oatmeal (3/4 McD's or Chickfla usually), chicken Soup, chili, shrimp, Greek yogurt. My favorite meal out is at Tijuana Flats. I order one chicken taco and I eat the stuff inside the shell. I have a piece of cheese pizza once a month. I eat out with family and friends regularly. My favorite things to order are soup or a salad with chicken on it. I usually eat some of the chicken and a little bit of the other ingredients and share the rest with my husband. I think because I look at this as my new way of life, I don't feel deprived. I always felt like a failure on diets before, but haven't had that feeling since I started. Here are the numbers: Height: 5'11" HW: 273 Pre surgery diet W: 265 (1/3/13) SW: 255 (1/17/13) S BMI: 38 (Drumroll please!) CW: 215 C BMI: 30 (1 pound more to get out of obese category!) Loss since PreDiet: 50 pounds! Gone forever, never to return! Woohoo! Measurements (pre-surgery diet/now) Neck: 15.75 / 14 Waist: 43 / 36.5 Hips: 51.5 / 44.25 Arms: 18 / 14.25 Breast: 49 / 44 Ribs: 40.5 / 37.5 Thigh: 30.75 / 25 Calf: 19 / 16 Clothing size before: 20-22, 2x Clothing size now: 16W, XL Exercise: I started couch to 5k (I use Run 5K by Louis Kwok on iPhone) about 4 weeks ago. I run 3 times a week, but usually walk for about 15 min after, for a total of 45 min. Because I have felt so good, I've skipped a few days, so I'm on week 6 day 2. I sign up for 5Ks to keep me on a steady program of exercise. I'm thinking about starting crossfit when it gets too hot to run outside (I live in Florida and it's 85 even at 6am in the summer). My right knee is pretty bad (2 surgeries plus arthritis and chondromalacia), but Orthovisc injections in February really helped as well as taking Krill Oil /hylauric acid (Costco) every day.

I've been wearing size 20 in pants for the longest time and today when I finally went to buy new pants, I fit into a size 16! I can't believe it! I'm ecstatic!

Non-scale Victory (NSV): Went from a bra size 44D to a 40D, and a 3X to a 2X in scrubs! YAY!!

Congratulations!!! This is a huge NSV!!

So, i thought this is a NSV that i should share with everyone. Before surgery my insulin level was very high, it was 33.4 (normal insulin levels range from 4.8 and 27.8) today, (almost six months post op)... my insulin level came out to be 7.8!!!! I was so happy i cried... no meds needed and no more worrying about my health. I am as healthy as any normal person now. Oh and my doctor wants to keep checking my insulin cause he is afraid that it might go below normal level (go figures) lmao. Anyways, good luck everyone and thank you for reading my post.

I was sleeved 9/7/12 along with my husband. I had lost 64 lbs at around 5 months but have since been in a 2 month long stall. I tried everything to bust through it. Yesterday the scale FINALLY started to move again. Yay! It was after increasing my calories (I kept reading about that over and over but it was the last thing I tried, because I was afraid of re-gain...) I started at 293 lbs., BMI of 44. However, during that stall I went down one full size and 2 belt notches. Since being sleeved we've been on 2 cruises and didn't gain anything on either of them, where prior to this surgery we gained 10-20 lbs every time we'd go on one, and we'd do heavy, unhealthy dieting prior to the cruise and then again afterward. The restriction has been fantastic because it allowed us to nibble at a variety of foods but never overindulge. I've gone from a size 3X/24 to an XL/18. I have tons more energy. I am able to do my beloved yard work and gardening again. My biggest NSV was on this last cruise when we did a 6-hour excursion that included lots of hiking, climbing, and zip-lining. I would have never even considered trying this prior to surgery. I have had both knees replaced but with the weight loss and increase in muscle tone since the surgery, I was able to do all of this and I was so proud of myself. My husband has lost nearly 90 lbs. He carried all of his weight in his stomach. He is a hunky stud now!! I'll attempt to get some pictures on here soon. I haven't figured out how to do that yet.

Awesome list of NSV! keep up the great work!

Today has been 3 wks since I was banded and I am feeling wonderful! I am back in the gym every day, was able to get in the pool last night for H2O Fitness Class. And I am training for my first 5K. Total loss so far is 27.2 Lbs Total loss since Banded is 13.9 Lbs ! YAY!!!!! 100.8 Lbs to go.. I love this pic and how true it is. I think sometimes its hard not to say well ABC has lost _______ already or why am I working so hard and the weight is not justt falling off. BUT if we really evaluate who we were yesterday as long as we are more healthy today, we are moving in the right direction. Can I run on the Elliptical 30 seconds longer today than yesterday before I have to slow back down to a walk. Are my pants fitting better or are they loose. Here is one of the first thing I noticed and it sounds silly.. I HAVE SAUSAGE FINGERS there you go I said it. Like had to hold my hands under cold water and really work to get my rings off prior to surgery. About a wk ago I noticed not only were my rings spinning I could easily get them on and off with little to no effort. HELLO Christy!!! that was a HUGE NSV for me.... that same wk the scale did not budge but I knew other parts of me were changing and for the good.

I've plateaued for over a month, and instead if feeling down about it, I wanted to share a little about how my life has changed in the past 3 months: * Went from a 4x to a 2x in tops * Went from a 26/28 to a 22 in bottoms * I can fit in chairs with arms * I can fit in a stadium seat * I can fit in a movie theater seat * I can fit in a restaurant booth * I went roller skating * I can run after my 4 year old at the park * I don't sweat profusely anymore * I can use a backseat seatbelt, and fit in the backseat of a car * Training for a 5k. What?!! * I can still breathe when I bend over to tie my shoes * I put a recent picture of myself on Facebook, lol I know there are more, but this is a huge difference for me. I used to stay indoors all the time, I would get winded from short walks and my body would hurt so bad with any physical activity. I stayed away from a lot of social activities because of my size. I'm not afraid to try something new now. I know it's super cliche, but I feel like I have my life back.

I just had my "first 50lbs lost" celebration Saturday. The celebration consisted of weighing myself about 20 times to verify my scale was working and then doing a happy dance. *gasp* I celebrated something without food! It's true, it IS possible! A SV and a NSV all at once! Well, I started feeling really lightheaded over the past few days and it was concerning me because it was to the point that I thought I might fall over or pass out if this kept progressing. I called my MD and made an appointment for this afternoon. My bp was only 100/60! Six months ago it was 168/94. My doctor told me to stop taking my HTN med! HOORAY!! I'M MEDICATION-FREE!!! I was talking to the nurse who was surprised that I've lost 50lbs pre-op. She was asking me what kind of diet they had me on and how I was feeling about it. I told her I felt hungry all the time, but it wasn't unbearable. She told me she didn't want to discourage me, but that I had a rough few weeks ahead of me... but also that she was really excited for me and can't wait to see the results. I'm really just so proud of myself that all my hard work has paid off to better health already. But it also gets me wondering if I should be having surgery, why see how far I can get on my own... unlike a lot of people, I haven't had the yo-yo thing my whole life. What if in preparing myself for surgery, I was able to learn enough to make better choices and live a healthier life without surgery? And then I wondered if the reason I don't want people knowing I had surgery might have a LITTLE to do with my own shame over my weight and my lack of control. Yes, I'll be happy to lose weight - but wouldn't I be just a little prouder if I knew I did it without surgery? Maybe. But I'll be proud of myself for losing the weight in any event, so why should it matter how I get there? I don't wanna feel like "I've come to far to back out now" but I really didn't start having doubts until today, when I realized that I could effect change in my body, all by myself... The doubt isn't so great that I'm going to postpone surgery, but it's definitely got me thinking... Did anyone have or had similar thoughts/questions? Surgery is 9 days short away...

Hi girls, I was banded on 3-30-07 and am very happy with my choice. At the time, I lived in Katy and was banded by Dr Spivak (loved, loved loved him and his staff). He has since moved back to Israel heading up their obesity hospital. I now live in Eagle Lake (60 miles west of Houston) Like everyone said before me, if we follow the Doctors direction and keep going forward.... It really works. Before I was banded I was reading posts on this site and obesityhelp.com. I found this site suited me more for the lapband. I chose this surgery because it didn't change my physiology. In doing my research I was concerned when I saw people that had a band and didn't lose any weight. I noticed they talked a lot about Dairy Queen, margaritas, etc. I thought "I don't want to have an operation and not get anywhere". But then I saw another group that journaled their food (I still use one. Originally I used spark people.com. I now use my fitness pal APP). These people also exercised and when they "fell off the wagon" (which did happen to me), they got back up, brushed themselves off and put one foot in front of the other. They also shared honestly what they were going through and many people helped. I made the decision to follow this group. And it has been one of the best decisions I've made in my life. In reading your posts I got excited thinking about how your lives will change and the journey is fun...having NSV's like the first time I saw my collar bones again, or didn't need an extension on an airplane and didn't get dirty looks from the person that would be next to me on the airplane. Plus shopping in regular clothing depts... Cheaper and better selections... I stayed out of negative talk. I've noticed lately this site is alot more positive... Which is great..... I'm wishing you guys a great journey and if anyone needs help... I'm here. I'm actually in Katy and houston 3 times a week Josie

That is a truly awesome nsv! :-) I love your stories about you and your wife by the way, it's inspiring!

Debbie and I have spent the last few weeks helping my brother-in-law and dear friend who is in his 80's deal with a blood build up in his brain caused by a fall. I have held him up, picked him up, and generally guided him through his days before he went into surgery. Now we are at the hospital every day helping him and my sister-in-law cope with the ordeal. Debbie is out today doing her sister's job, cleaning houses, so her sister can stay with her husband in the hospital and still have an income. My friend, his wife, daughters and other relatives cannot thank us enough for our love and care for him. We deem it our great privilege. Over a year ago neither Debbie nor I would have had the strength do any of this. Knowing the limitations of our energy we would not have had the desire to help. But now, after losing over 100 pounds each, we have energy that's aching to be used. We've gone from reluctance to move at all to joyful anticipation of activity. We've both gone back to our 20's and we have forgotten that we are in our 60's in the way we act, dress and think. This is one of the most rewarding NSV's we have ever had. Power to be helpful is a great treasure.

What does nsv mean?

At the doctors today the nurse used the "regular" sized blood pressure cuff and it fit just fine!! In the past she had to break out the really big one for me...so yeah, it feels good!

I bought a new pair of jeans today....size 6. I am 15 lbs away from goal. I'm so pleased with my progress..I started this journey at 240.and now weigh 170...

I am only about six weeks out now...but I have my 'skinny closet' separate from my regular closet ...yep, I have kept skinny clothes from the past. I periodically go through it & get rid of what I wouldn't wear now...but I've got quite a few clothes in it...my NSV was me having the determination to get a dress out of there this weekend, hang it on the outside so I see it as soon as I wake up....and for the first time in years, I KNOW I will be back in that dress in a year or so ( I hope sooner, but I am realistic!)...yahoo!!!!!!!

Best nsv ever i started at 322 now i am 258 since jan 29 2013, tried on dresses at old navy that FIT and were cute also tried skinny jeans on! Have NEVER fit in any old navy stuff before best nsv!

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

Best NSV for me was finally loving myself enough to let someone else love me!

I'm at my surgeon's for my 2 month follow up after surgery. They were checking my blood pressure which was great 119/78 and they used the small cuff on my arm. They didn't have to get the bid jumbo arm cuff out. Not even the medium one. They took out the little one. Wow!! I'm so excited.

Great NSV. That will be a great vacation for you and your wife. Enjoy the sunshine in your new self. The last time I flew I made double sure to get an aisle seat because I knew I'd be overhanging my armrest. When I boarded and found my seat there was a guy sitting in it. Apparently a man and wife bought tickets at the last minute that were not together. Before I ever boarded they had arranged with the stewardess to switch seats so I had to sit in the husbands old seat....which was right next to another 300+ lb guy. So here we were, the 2 biggest guys on the entire plane forced to sit side by side. Needless to say it was not comfortable and I avoided planes at all costs for years because of it. Now I'm ready though. Sorry for the long whiny story...just one of those really bad moments in time.