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Aw...that is great! Love the NSVs. :tongue_smilie:

Yesterday I made my modeling debut....LOL! We had a spring fashion show for work on business casual wear and I modeled for The Limited. This is something I would never,,,, EVER do before my VSG - but since losing 56 pounds I am gaining confidence! Not to mention it was a ton of fun! Here are a few photos.... One at the salon after hair and makeup (yes we were pampered!) The other me - doing my best Tyra Banks impression! Do they have a Americas Top Model for Middle Aged Women???? What fun!

I'll start with the update. I'm currently 389, which is 70lbs GONE FOREVER from my highest weight at the end of 2012. It's so exciting... it somehow seems less daunting to lose the weight since I got out of the 400s. I'm so happy and grateful for my progress so far! My weight loss isn't really showing IMO, and by that, I mean I don't think others are noticing it. I certainly am, but all my usual clothes still fit, there are some that are bigger than others, but some that were snug before and now just fit like they are supposed to. I can see that the clothes are looser, though - just not quite enough that it's time to start looking for smaller clothes. That will come soon enough, and I'm not looking forward to it! I don't have many clothes in smaller sizes, so that means I'm gonna have to start shopping! My NSV is: I HAVE BONES, Y'ALL. Bones in my hands! Collarbones! Bones in my feet! I saw my reflection when I was walking to the parking garage at work today, and I happened to see my bones in my feet as I was walking. I was shocked! It's been so long since I saw those bones!! Soon enough I'LL HAVE ANKLES! *gasp* As I write this, I have a ring on my finger that I used to wear as a left hand pinky ring and it's now fitting on my right hand ring finger. Whaaaat??? I can't remember what size this ring is, but I think it's a size 7 - I used to wear a 9 on my right hand ring finger (well 8 1/2 would probably fit, but 9 just felt better). I can see the change in my body and I know that with all this fat sliding off in those places that it's just a matter of time before it starts coming off my belly/hip/thighs. I'm starting to feel like a lady again, and it's wonderful!

Thanks to everyone for their support and advice. I am constantly learning things about myself and my habits as I go through this process. One early learning was that I am compelled to finish what is on my plate. Somehow I just can't leave food that is available. So I bought small bowls that are just the right portion size and that helped there. The other learning is that I like the feeling of having a full mouth. So these little bites just don't yet provide the satisfaction I need with eating. But they will have to eventually. But I had a NSV today. A month before the surgery we went away to Italy to Celebrate my 50th birthday. I needed to buy some bigger clothes to feel comfortable on the trip. Today I tried them on and I cannot be seen in public with them or they will fall off my tuch. Yippee!

That's a great NSV!!!

Woo hoo! Congrats on the NSV!!

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.

I made it through one hour of Zumba and one hour of belly dancing. Woo Hoo!! NSV moment!!

I did my first 5K today!! I ran walked the entire thing and didn't die!! I am 327lbs and if I can do it anyone can!! Next one in Jan...now working on improving my time!! Had to brag...I am so excited! YAY!!

what is NSV. boy do I feel stupid.

.....I started my preop diet. I consider this my anniversary date rather than my actual surgery since I lost 22 pounds on the preop. Since surgery I have lost over 100% of my excess weight and have kept it off for over a year. I don't measure or track my food. I don't own a scale. I never obsessed over numbers or details. I just stuck with mostly Protein and veggies while I was losing and stayed away from the "white carbs". For maintenance I simply eat a healthy balanced diet including protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains. I make healthy choices (most of the time) and my sleeve helps control my portions. I still indulge in sweets, Desserts, alcohol, bread, rice, potatoes, etc, but definitely in moderation. I still drink Protein shakes and eat Protein Bars. Although I don't officially track, I do keep a rough tally of protein and fluids and usually exceed 70g protein and drink 64-100+ oz of fluids every day. I take my Vitamins every day. I have bloodwork checked annually as recommended by my surgeon. I don't excercise but I have a physical job and active lifestyle. It really has been a pretty easy journey. So here's a recap some of my favorite year 1 NSVs.... I can cross my legs. I can even cross them in a car and under a table. I can hop up into my saddle without having to find a rock or log to climb on. I feel so relieved that my horse no longer has to pack my fat ass around the mountains. No more knee, ankle or foot pain. I lived on ibuprofen and tramadol before surgery. I am now completely pain free. I can also squat down and kneel effortlessly without my feet going numb or needing a table or chair to heave myself back up. I can sprint up stairs or hike up a hill without getting out of breath at all. I've been on 15-20 mile hikes with friends and I am always out front, waiting for them to catch up. I can shop in regular stores. I can order clothes online and I know they will fit and look great. I now dress to show off my body, not to hide it. Now for year 2..... Maintenance is boring. NSVs are few and far between. Everything is just "normal" now. Spent most of the year finding and keeping that balance between what my head wants and what I know I actually need. I rarely weigh myself, but I will step on the scale at work after an especially carby weekend or vacation. I go back to strict protein/veggies or even full on preop liquid diet if I pop even one pound above my bounce range. I know I have to nip any small gains in the bud before they become big gains. But this year also brought about the biggest NSV of all. It has nothing to do with my weight, it's all about my head and it's one I would love to not have experienced. My best friend committed suicide 7 months ago and every day since has been a miserable struggle with the grief, anger, despair and confusion. The victory in this is that I haven't buried my emotions with food and alcohol. I spent over 1 1/2 years drinking and stuffing my face after my brother died 4 years ago. In the end that only impeded my ability to heal and made me even fatter and more miserable. I learned that you have to feel the pain before you can over come it. So this time I'm feeling it all. And it sucks. I will never stop grieving either my brother or my friend, but maybe some day I can start living again, rather just going through the motions. Anyways, thanks for reading this extended post, and good luck to all you newbies. My advice is don't get wallowed down in the "now". Don't be overwhelmed by the details. Life is more than just carbs and protein and minutes at the gym. You chose a chance at a new life. The first few months are just a teeny tiny period and simply part of the process you have to go through to get to that new life. First photo collage taken December 4, 2013 and December 4, 2014 Second set taken this morning.......I just had my gallbladder removed 8 days ago, so that's what's up with the new scars and my belly is still a little swollen from surgery. I also got a new tat last February - a tribute to my brother who was a wonderfully talented musician.

Not to be a buzz kill, but head hunger happens even after banding. You're right though, my choices in "cheating" have changed. I know I can't have some of DH's sub sandwich because dense bread and my stoma don't play well together, so I steal just the meat! LOL! Sure, some of my choices are just plain bad, but I can't pig-out-binge until the whole bag of cookies is gone anymore. Does such naughtiness slow down my weight loss? Yes. Does it kill it? Not so far. Yes, I'm a paranoid Scale Whore and will be for many years to come, but the NSV's keep me pretty much on the path to healthy weight and well-being. Speaking of which, Time for me to go ride my exercise bike! I'm stiff and sore from running up and down the steps of the theatre last night. Me! Running! It's a miracle!

Milbedil 35 lbs down big congrats through your long forever journey, you'll find many rewards/results of weightloss (NSV) "being able to breath so much better" - how wonderful is that???? enjoy seeing those great new changes keep up the good work

My NSV is being able to enjoy SEX without any extra movement from by butt and belly. LOL!!!

Congrats on your NSV! Please post pics as proof!

I had a wonderful day of NSV's last night. With my hypermobility, I had really come to dread having a bath. Not only was the extra weight putting more pressure on my joints, but the bath was getting rather snug! Which made it more difficult for me to get out of! Well, last night I set myself in my bath and discovered I know longer had to squeeze into it, infact I could gently sway, there was a space either side of me! Also, the chore that was shaving legs, suddenly was easier! My legs weren't being kept away from me by my tummy! There was no awkward spots being missed. (this is one bit my hypermobility is good for.)I was able to stretch my leg to the point where it oculd touch my shoulder, extreme I know but I can't remember I was last able to do tha! I know that these are small NSVs, but it is a great heart warmer for me. I do look at myself nearly every day, wishing to see drastic changes nad being disappointed. Which I know is silly. The last remenants of my hope that I would lose all the weight with a snap of my fingers, is dwindling day by day and the reality is settling in comfortably! Just as it takes 4/6 weeks for the healing to complete, it is also a healing process of the mental kind. I am regaining control of my eating and my life. It is a day by day process but is still the best thing, apart from haivng my son! I'm even contemplating the possibility of dating! Now note, this is just contemplation, it's not just the weight that is holding me back from a realtionship but is most definitey a factor. Being single does have some fantastic advantages lol!

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

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!

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.

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

Fantastic list of NSVs - congratulations.

Woo hoo ISG!! You are just doing stupendously! Great NSV!

I'm 5'4". My highest weight evs was 325lbs. My most recent high was 287lbs and the weight was heading up, up, up. I started pre-surgery preparation last May (2017). SW 222.4lbs CW 193.2lbs 1st GW 150lbs Secret GW 135lbs (that puts me smack in the middle of my theoretical "normal" range for my height) My actual physical goals are beyond scale related. I want to reduce my chronic daily pain back to the point that it's <4 on the pain scale. I want to reduce my risk of BC recurrence, normalize my A1c out of the pre-diabetic range, reduce my fasting insulin, reduce the fluid around my heart and reverse my heart enlargement, normalize blood pressure without drugs, reverse my asthma and dependence on asthma drugs, decrease my left arm lymphedema leftover from BC, increase my core strength to correct some DDD changes and curvatures, improve my balance, increase my endurance, and be able to participate in life outside my front door step. I want to be able to go anywhere, do anything, wear event appropriate clothing without being self-conscious, be able to wear a bathing suit in public and be able to take float trips down the Frio and Guadalupe and Comal rivers. My most recent NSV is that I went to a minor league baseball game last night and wore a short sleeved shirt for the first time in 20 years. My butt fit in the seat (barely) but it fit. And I wore my arms bare in all their bat-winged glory. I put the F-U in fun. It felt so freeing and I was able to just cope with the pain from sitting in the chairs and for too long without using anything for pain, and was still able to enjoy the night.

Nah......I will never get tired of this one, or anything sharing our NSVs. I don't even mind it when brand new newbies ask the same questions that come up every week.

NSV means something you consider to be a victory that's not coming from the numbers on a scale. Things like compliments, getting into smaller clothes, easier mobility, getting off meds, etc. They're related to your weightloss in a broad sense. SV would be something directly related to what your scale says, more like reaching a goal weight or weightloss milestone, or finally crossing out of the 200s and into the 100s.