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ladydi way to go on the NSV! It does feel great when you make it to a size you haven't been in awhile. My thoughts are with you for your surgery! A question to you all, do we ever get rid of "mental" hunger? I find there are still times when I think that I'm hungry but instead of reaching for food I now reach for Water or take a walk. I think that it is fill time for me so I'm going to go make the call. Ya'll take care!

I decided on my last fill that I would ask for what I wanted. I told the PA to "get serious" and fill that sucker up. She added .5 cc I think and it made a big difference in restriction. So, I say, go for it -- ask for what you want. You're paying for it. If it's too tight, you'll know when you drink the Water or they will see in on the fluoroscope. Robin, I am so proud of you -- you are doing so awesome. You have so much to be proud of. All those NSV's to go along with your great weight loss!! Especially, the health-related ones. Those are truly the best. I may be able to do lunch on Saturday -- I have a busy weekend since this last one was a total bust with being sick, but I'd love to see you and anyone else that is available. Otherwise, after the end of this month, my schedule frees up a lot. I am finally feeling like I'm going to survive -- I'm even going to get into the office tomorrow even though I worked 10+hours today, I did it from my bed, which is a lot easier! Take care!! P.S. I'm totally excited that I am now classified as "slightly overweight!!"

we all inspire each other here, thats the wonderful thing about this site, lets keep the NSVs coming!!

what is NSV. boy do I feel stupid.

Really no secret, just your basic, healthy meal plan..... For the first 6 weeks I followed my surgeon's meal plan and transitioned slowly through the food stages (very good restriction did not allow for "skipping ahead"). As hard as it was, I met Protein and Water goals 90% of the time. Once I was on regular food I focused on protein and non starchy veggies. Steak, burger, ham, ribs, pork, chicken, BBQ, tuna, refried Beans, eggs, milk, Protein Bars, PB2, Greek yogurt, avocados, cheese, cottage cheese, mixed nuts, beef and turkey Jerky, broccoli, spinach, kale, green and yellow beans, mushrooms, red peppers, edamame, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, Chinese mixed veggies, you name it.... Now at just over 7 months out I have a 24-32oz protein smoothie with 30-40g protein everyday and eat 4-5 meals and Snacks. I get a MINIMUM of 64oz water daily and I take whole food based Vitamins. I have had sweets, deserts, chips, fries, alcohol, bread, Pasta and rice, but in moderation and probably not even once/week. As I got close to and passed goal, I started adding more fruit and whole grains. Besides protein bars (Natures Valley Protein, GNC Lean Bars, Fiber One Protein) I added whole grain bars like Kind, Kashi pumpkin Flax, and Pure Ancient Grains. I snack on mixed nuts, pumpkin seeds, edamame, Peanut Butter and apples, frozen pineapple, melons, and plain Fage or Chobani Greek yogurt flavored with Protein powder. I add berries and other fruit as well as Metamucil and benefiber to my protein smoothie. But really, the simple answer is I eat a healthy, balanced diet of protein (always first priority) veggies, fruit and whole grains. I eat when I'm hungry and only until satisfied, not full. Besides protein and water, I never tracked anything. I have no idea how many calories or carbs or fat I eat. As for exercise, I've got no magic formula there, either. I haven't been to a gym in years. Immediately postop I walked a lot but that was pretty much to help with digestion and to decrease the bloated feeling I had. I rode my recumbent bike 20-30 minutes/day for awhile but I haven't been on it in a couple weeks. I actually just have a very active lifestyle. I work 60+ hours/ week. I am a vet tech, so I'm standing, squatting, bending, lifting and walking all day. On the weekends I ride my horse, sometimes 15-20 miles/day (which is an excellent Pilates and thigh master workout if you are riding "correctly"). And along with the horses comes chores...shoveling shit, fixing fences, hauling water, feeding and stacking hay. Last weekend I got 42 bales of hay. Each bale weighs 80 pounds and I had to lift and move each one 3 times (big stack to truck; truck to shed; stack in shed). So essentially I lifted 10,000 pounds in 2 days....and at least part of that over my head (Basically lifted weights and did stair master for a couple hours). I got another 21 bales yesterday and the day before went whitewater rafting and rowed a boatload of friends 8 miles (more Pilates and push-ups). Anyways, everyone's journey is going to be different. What works for me might not work for you. Just figure out what you are most comfortable with (establishing a workout routine and tracking everything is not a bad thing, it's just not what I did). And if you are still reading this, let me say my biggest advice is don't compare your weight loss to others. Concentrate on being healthy, don't torture yourself with guilt, keep a good attitude, and look for NSV's for validation, not the numbers on the scale.

Thanks AfrykanViolet, I workout at a gym and I also ride my bike. I was stuck at 252lbs for 3 weeks and low and behold this past week I lost 5lbs!!! Keep at it and keep moving...that scale is going to move! Janine, I think we're the only ones that use the name "Marchies", but I should have at least put 07 in the original message. I'll see if I can go back and add it. Juli, Congrats on the NSV!!! Thanks Tracy! Welcome to Bandland...you finally made it!!! I hope your surgery was a success! I'll be peeking over at the April thread to see how you're doing! Guns, LLSibley, and anyone else having trouble cutting and pasting...don't worry about it. Just give us a daily or weekly update. We wanna see!!! kuebel j, my5grlz, and medge, I'm sending some "will power" vibes your way as you all wait for your fills! Hazelbunny, size 32/34 to a size 24!!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!! :clap2:

I NEED SOME SIMPLE DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE A TICKER!!!<p>NSV???</p> <p> </p> <p>MORNING YALL</p> <p> </p> <p>I WENT TO ASHLEY STEWART YESTERDAY AND JUST PICKED UP A SIZE 18 SHIRT I WENT IN 10MIN BEFORE THE STORE CLOSED SO I WAS IN A HURRY!!!! DIDNT EVEN THINK ABOUT TRYING IN ON JUST ASSUMED IT WOULD FIT!! </p> <p> </p> <p>SO I WENT TO TARGET AND TRIED ON A DRESS SIZE 16/18 </p> <p> </p> <p>!!!!!!!!!!!!WHOA NELLY!!!! </p> <p> </p> <p>IT WAS LOOSE AS A NAKED GOOSE!!! </p> <p> </p> <p>I TOOK IT OFF LOOKED AT THE TAG SIZE AND PUT IT BACK ON I COULDNT BELEIVE IT!!!!!!!!!!</p> <p> </p> <p>!!!!!!!!I LOOKED PRETTY GREAT WITHOUT A GIRDLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p> <p> </p> <p>I WENT TO THE DOLLAR STORE STEPPED ON A SCALE THEY HAD IT READ 230!!! </p> <p> </p> <p>I DIDNT GET TO EXCITED I ONLY TRUST THE DOCTORS SCALE!</p> <p> </p> <p>I GOT HOME PUT ON THE SHIRT AND GOT PISSED CAUSE IT WAS TOO BIG, BUT I HAVE IT ON NOW AND I PUT A WIDE BELT ON WITH IT AND NOW IT LOOKS PERFECT!!!</p> <p> </p> <p>GOODBYE SIZE 18/20 TOPS HELLO 16'S</p> <p></p>

I weighed in at the gym this morning and it ready 239lbs!!!! The 270's, 260's, 250's, and 240's are gone for good. Now I can officially say that "I'VE LOST 40 POUNDS!!!" Instead of "almost" 40lbs! :woot: Denise, I hope you enjoyed your birthday!!! :happybday: Outdoorfriends, I hope have a fast recovery! Try some sit down exercises with weights and some side bends at your waist. It may not burn as many calories, but you'll have some kick ass arms and shoulders by the time you're done! :boxing: Kyethra, you seem to be having one problem after another. I don't know how you function. You're a strong girl! I hope things get better for you soon! :hug: Hazelbunny, You are doing AWESOME!!! :grouphug: lala3000, I don't know what's wrong with me girl! This is the second week that I haven't made it to the hospital. I have been running around in circles lately. I really need to get myself together. Biking from 63rd to Navy Pier is a GREAT NSV! WAY TO GO!!! CuddlyNymph, The restriction felt after fill #1 has alot to do with your band size and how aggressive your surgeon is with fills. Those with the larger band may need several fills, but if you have the smaller band like me it usually only takes one or two fills. I felt some restriction with my first fill of 1.5cc and 2 weeks later I went for my second fill of 2.25cc. I have good restriction now. I have another appt. on June 4th so we'll see...if I keep this same restriction I will tell my surgeon that I don't want another fill. So, If you have good restriction and you are loosing weight, you may want to postpone having another fill. Happy HumpDay!!!!!

I'm gonna be honest here. Since about two wks post-op (my banding was 3/14/07) I haven't really had to chew-chew-chew, take very long to eat a meal, or really have to slow down much at all, maybe on occasion in the a.m. Even after my 1st fill I didn't. But now I do. My last fill of an additional 1cc has done the trick. I knew by ppls posts and the LB rules what is expected of me when it comes to meal time. But as of Friday, I officially have to follow these rules. These few days have been hard. I haven't pb'ed yet but today i really wanted to. I thought i was gonna die. I spit and spit saliva but never did. This is taking some getting used to. Did good for dinner! went to Applebees and had the weight watchers talapia..yum-o! I had about 3 tbsp of it and a few bites of broccoli and 1 asparagus speer and I was totally full! Slow and steady really was the trick. I guess this is my NSV! I'm slowly learning how to use this cool new tool I have!....Oh, and I went down 1 pant size! woo-hoo Lost 30 lbs since November, 20 since banded. Thanks fro listening

Hey Friends, I joined LA Fitness on Sunday---and worked out today! It was a NSV moment! Denise

Hey Hazel - Yes, the fill was interesting. I kind of expected more restriction but then remember I'm only on liquids so there's not much to "restrict"...hehe. I thought I'd at least be tight this morning though and nope...nothing. So...just a side note and I'm gonna call it a NSV...hehe...sex with hubby is so much better without my big lower belly getting in the way. :-D He's lost his belly too since he's going to the gym with me...hehe. He'd absolutely die if he knew I was telling bedroom stories to ya'll. HAZELBUNNY...make sure you don't say anything if/when you meet him on Saturday. :-P

Ladies, I get where you all are coming from, I am very new to this site. I've been stalking it for a couple of weeks, and just officially joined today... I too get annoyed when someone who weighs 120lbs complains to me about getting fat. It almost feels like they are trying to say hey I think I'm fat and I'm nowhere near YOUR size. But, that's a personal issue I'm sure. It's all about perspective I guess... But, dang it, I just can't wait til I can cross my legs and have an ACTUAL lap for my grandkids to sit in! To feel good in my own body for the first time in my adult life! I'm looking forward to all of those NSVs I keep hearing about, in some ways even more than the actual weight loss! I love this forum and look forward to getting to know you all.

What a great NSV, more to come! -RC-

@@Elode you are considered NORMAL???? hmmmmm, not sure about that great scale # always trust the scale # unless # goes up!! that probably won't happen to you !! who deserves success more than you nice pedicure shows off your weight!! you will continue to have great NSV'S one of your first NSV's was that you got to "meet" me!! keep up the wonderful job sad i will keep "seeing" less and less of you kathy congrats

Old belts, and clothes are definitely a fun way to reward yourself - good non-scale victories (NSV's). Because my weight has histrically been a yo-yo ride, I do keep suits I haven't fit into for years and it is great when you put those back on and you realize you need to have them taken in ! Back to full vs. stuck. Agree with Jack (as usual) - no longer going for that full sensation, rather going for that satisfied sensation. I just received my 3rd fill. If something gets stuck, it is usually because I erred - ate too much, too fast or not chewed enough. I can think and feel hungry these days and when I eat, I portion out a small portion of food and eat slowly and chew thoroughly. When I feel no longer hungry, I stop, which I can do 99% of the time now. When I err, ouch. The band serves as a tool to tell me that I did something wrong. I'm still figuring it all out, but I really like what the band is doing for me these days...

I have always thought to myself this is too easy… I had vsg 2/24/21 I am down 80 lbs since surgery and 104 lbs overall since 10/31/20. Some of it is luck and some of it I feel is good choices and embracing the lifestyle changes as well as mindset. I listen to a few wls podcasts and belong to a few wls groups. I go to support meetings offered by my surgeon’s office and spend a lot of time researching. Celebrate the NSVs and keep making new goals. Tracking helps me meet my goals, measuring everything helps me learn proper portions. Walking and weightlifting are also contributing to my weight loss. I did have 1 hiccup- gall bladder had to come out 5 months after vsg- but I did have a history of gallstones and the rapid weight loss probably was what caused my gall bladder to become inflamed. Hoping it continues to feel easy and I can stay on track for the long term.

Brandy ~ I know it's not funny, but you did make me laugh. Congrats on the somewhat NSV. Now as far as the tickets go, maybe you should trade them for some scarlet & gray tickets. Sorry, just couldn't pass that one up. That game was a nail biter & action packed for sure. I'm glad I was watching from the comfort of my lazy boy.

*bump* love seeing how things have improved for everyone- the nsv's are great!

Congrats Tracy, Stacy and Sunshine! Great NSV's!

Congrats Harley, Jen, Hungry, those are great NSV. I had one today. My husband is a pretty big guy, but for the last few years I've weighed more than him...so when I would put his shirts on, they would be kinda snug. Well today I put one on and it fit be like a gown, it hung off my body and not snug to it.

Congradulations on all the NSV's, I can relate to the adjustment of the driver's seat in the car. One day I got in my car and it just did not feel right, had to re-adjust!! Harley, finally getting to wear those important rings do mean something. I finally was able to wear the ring my mother gave me, makes me "warm and fuzzy inside" each time I look at it now. Purple, bet the dress looks beautiful and heres to hoping you get more uses out of it! Candles reflects great off purple! Wisshi, start buying cute underwear!! Fenton, buy a new belt!!

hi i have 2 "best" NSV's 1. a regular size towel fits around me. i love this to this day 2. the seat belt on an airplane no longer cuts off my circulation nor do i have to ask for the extender. that was the most embarrassing thing in my life.

Try just cutting them up and put in sugar free pudding... I was on 2 blood pressure meds to begin with - one was a sorta big I cut it into 3's and put in my pudding - the other one is tiny tab so had no problem taking that one whole. But great NSV - I no longer take any blood pressure meds :redface:

I typically do not toot the horn but today I received 2 very nice compliments. 1. A lady that I work with that I dont interact with on a regular basis stopped me in the hall to say that she had to do a double take because of how much weight Ive lost. She almost didnt recognize me. That was pretty cool. 2. The other was the woman that works at a gas station I frequent said "OMG youve lost a TON of weight". I told her it was 62 pounds and still going strong. She high fived me and told me "you go girl". She said it was a dramatic difference in my face. I took everything she said as a compliment but had she said it at the wrong time of the month if you get my drift, I might have gotten offended lol. Ive had other minor VSGs but 2 on a payday Friday? Woot woot!! Ill post pictures soon but part of me is still afraid of the camera Have a great weekend everyone.

One of the scariest or infuriating things I encounter is when I've made a new low on the scale and then gain back 3 or 5 pounds in the next few days. And then it takes a week to get back where I was. I know it's just my body getting adjusted to my new lifestyle, but it is infuriating to see it happen. After reading so many success stories about losing 20 plus pounds per month in the 1st 6 months, I WANT IT TOO! Not 10, not 15, I want my 20+ pound loss, just like clockwork - gimme, gimme, gimme! But that isn't the way my body wants to do it. So I'll just have to get used to the way it works. In fact, the gains are my fault. I allow myself a "cheat" meal on Saturday nights and one more on Sundays when I visit my parents (twice a month). It's not that I eat more food, it's just less healthy. For example: Friday morning weight in: 296.8 Saturday night was Golden Corral buffet night. Over the hour I was there, I had about 4oz of meatloaf, 1 fried chicken strip, 1 big cauliflower floret w/cheese, about 2 tablespoons of Shepard's pie and about 1/2 of some kind of pecan gooey thing. I didn't stuff myself, just ate until I was full, waited while my friend hit the buffet again, and I ate a little here and there as my stomach emptied. The following Sunday happened to be one of the 2 days a month I visit my parents. At lunch we had Churches fried chicken. I had 1 fried breast, 1 single serving of mashed potatoes, and 1 biscuit. This is not the normal fare, usually mom cooks meat and vegetables. I wasn't able to eat the whole thing in one sitting. I broke it into 2 meals, one at 11am, the 2nd at 2pm. The rest of my meals for the weekend were my normal fare: turkey hamburger w/cheese and spaghetti sauce or turkey hamburger w/gravy and chopped cauliflower. In a 4oz bowl. Monday morning weigh in: 302.4 - almost a 6 pound gain! I can only assume that all the salt and sodium caused quite a bit of water retention. I don't believe I really over did it too much on the calories. Now it's Thursday - 4 days later - and I'm back down to 298.4 - 4 pounds. Not surprising really, it's happened more than once. That doesn't mean I have to like it! I think it might be a good thing to switch up foods this way, my body won't get accustomed to a certain calorie count/protein/carb/fat intake. I just won't go overboard on the bad stuff and eat it more than 6 meals a month. Now if only I can get over my fear of seeing the scale move up instead of down! And I'll watch and see how my body reacts long term. If turns out that it's causing stalls or long term weight gain, I'll have to go back to the basic diet and cut out the bad stuff. NSV! Now, where's my light saber? I have to punch a new hole in my belt.