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Isn't it strange seeing 'bones'?? I love it, and have finally gotten use to it. My collar bone has been my favorite NSV!!! I wear 4's and 6's, and still, it's strange to shop in the Missy dept and not the women's.

Or the very FIRST time in my life, I fit into a complimentary shirt with a company logo. This was given to me by the gym.. The max size they have is an XXL. I fit into an XL. I want to cry and laugh till I don't know which is which. I want to post a pic but I feel I look hugely gross.

great news and congrats on the great weight loss. my nsv are small and most likely different than anyone elses. i am happy to be able to walk to my car in the parking lot without stopping and catching my breath.......or putting on clothes that i havent been able to in a long time.......(nothing like clothes that are getting tooo big).......and just being well in the mind and positive thinking. my little personal goals are continue to keep walking until i can walk around the block with my hub (and not have him run back for the car to pick up ole girl here) .......hopefully soon i shall get there

OH, added NSV, I'm now off my thyroid meds on doc's orders! Now the only prescription med I'm on is for reflux. Went off blood pressure meds right after surgery. Sent from my iPad using VST

Spent several hours at the mall today. I haven't done that in 5-6 years. Today I went to "normal" stores, bought clearance shorts and capris in a size 14R (down from 22/24W 6 mos. ago), shoes 1 size smaller than 6 mos. ago, and two shirts in a size SMALL (down from 1-2X). The size small is an outlier 'cause I've got some big hooters, but I'll take it! I can't remember the last time I didn't have to shop in the "big lady" section. Still can't believe this is all real. Sent from my iPad using VST

Okay, this may not be a big NSV, but it was to me. I have never worn less than a size 22 or 24 in LB jeans, even when I lost weight on my own. But, today I stopped in LB to buy some Spanx and said let me try on some jeans. My surgery was 2 weeks ago today and I could wear a size 20 jeans! Woohoo! I don't know how much I've lost because I decided not to weigh until I go to the doctor on Wed., but I'm pretty happy with that little victory! Yay me...

Hi, let me start off saying this is the best thing I've ever done for myself. It wasn't easy...but so worth it. I think a few key things for me were: 1. Look at the band as a tool and not a magic cure. 2. I used this site for information. I did not get into any debates with anyone. (back when i was banded there were some pretty nasty people on here. It seems to have gotten much better...people are more supportive) Each person's opinions and journey are their own. -I tried to follow people that were banded before me that we're successful. These people journaled their food (myfitnesspal is a good one), they exercised and when they fell off the wagon....they worked to get back on track. -i was concerned before being banded because I noticed some people hadn't lost weight after having the band for a pretty long time. But after investigating I noticed they talked a lot about dairy queen, taco bell, etc. and they thought the band was a magic cure. You'll be able to see the people that are working hard at it.... Connect with them My plan was: 1. Journal food 2. Exercise (3 aerobics/2 weight training per week) although when I started out I could barely do one class a week) I had to build up to this. 3. I only weighed and measured myself 1 time a month. I did both (weigh/measure) because I was losing inches fast. So I could see a complete picture. In the beginning I was weighing myself a lot and it drove me crazy. I actually put my scale at my sister in laws house so I couldn't get to it easily. 4. I wrote down my NSV's (non scale victories). Like the first time I rode in an airplane without the belt extension or when I first saw my collar bones. These helped me to keep going. 5. I also met up with other bandsters in my area as support. 6. I read LBT stories for support. Anyway let me know if you have any questions or need more info Best of luck in your journey... Josie

So my stall finally broke itself - Those of you who said it would just break on its own - 100% right. I did try stuff to get out of it, and it taught me a good lesson, my body controls itself sometimes - not me. I am glad that I vented on here though. I will be glad when I'm farther along that I can look back (especially when I hit another stall) and prove to myself that even though it was hard and I was upset, I got through it. And my body went through a period of readjusting. You know, it's really easy to say that your body is readjusting to other people - but it can be difficult when it's you that's going through it, even if you keep telling yourself it rationally. Add in hormone fluctuations and you get frustration, upset, etc. I think that's natural. I researched a ton before this procedure and knew I'd stall and it was still hard for me when it hit. So much for being level headed and prepared! With the end of my stall also has come a decrease in my mood fluctuations, which is another clue to me that it's related to hormones. My period started, my weight started dropping again, and I'm finally a little more rational again. My 26s fit okay most days. They're a little tight, but I've been measuring weekly and I'm seeing the numbers come down, so I know it's just a matter of time before I'm fully into them. I'm really looking forward to getting to wear them at school. I pulled a bunch of clothes I'd had packed up in my basement and the majority of them I will be able to wear in the next couple months. It's very exciting. My eating has been going well. I have stayed on plan and the only thing I'm having any trouble with is making sure I'm getting in my water at work. Funny enough it's easier for me to get a snack in at work than water, which is backwards from pre-op. All of my coworkers have been very supportive - They have been volunteering to take out the trash and whatnot when I work the late shift because they know I can't. One of my coworkers I was with my first day back made sure all the night work was done for me, which I was super appreciative of. She's awesome. I am a little anxious about school, but also excited. I can't wait to see my classmates. They all went out on Saturday night but my sleeve and I were having a disagreement, so I decided to stay home. I know a couple of my classmates that I'm closer with are a little bummed, so I'll have to make a point to come up with a group outing sometime soon. I chatting on the webcam with my ex the other day and he told me that he can really tell the difference in my face/upper body now. That felt nice to hear. I have been having quite a few NSVs lately. I think I might open a word document and make myself a list, so I never forget what this life changing event has given me. Mostly I just wanted to make this post because I can tend to write in blogs when I need to rant, but I want to document my happy times too. Through our good and bad times, my sleeve has become my best buddy. Now I just need to think of a name for it....=p

OM Goodness!!! I had a stellar day out on the lake. When I was younger, I loved to tube. For those who don't know what that is..you have a boat, some rope, and a tube like air inflated raft or other device....attach rope to tube and boat, hold on for your life..and go! I haven't tubed since I was a normal sized athletic teenager! I thought.."can I even hold myself up because you have to hang on while this boat is pulling you" well..then I thought..this is the mentality that got you fat in the first place..just try". I lasted 30 minutes...amazing!!! It was just like riding a bike... I remembered how manuver my body to swing the tube out and I was parallel with the boat flying....I even caught some great air after they found some waves for me to sail over....and the boat was almost at full throttle! awesome!!!! I even got a standing O from all the boats occupants..I was the only adult to tube with the kids! Thank you sleeve..best decision I ever made was to improve my health! Why I didn't do this sooner I'll never know!

Something strange happened tonight. I sitting here reading and I have an itch on my chest. I go to scratch it and something feels weird. Like not quite what my hand was expecting. After a minute I figure it out.....my man boobs are gone. WTH??? My wife said she noticed several weeks ago. She says they've been replaced by something called pecs. They are firm and flat and right where my man boobs used to be. Any of you other guys have this.....side effect? My Dr. Didn't warn me about this.

Great NSVs! Congratulations on losing 110 pounds, that's incredible! Sorry about your cracker/pineapple experience. I hate when that happens.

The other day at work a woman who I hadn't seen in months walked right past me and then came back and said hi and that she didn't even recognize me at first! Then today at a family BBQ everyone made it a point to tell me how great I looked! Down 110 pounds in 4.5 months The weight loss is slowing down... And I've encountered a few stalls... I think three. But I've gotten through them Silly me at today's BBQ I had like 8 ritz crackers and a spoonful of relish and three chunks of pineapple. I thought I was fine... But I ended up in the bathroom for a little... Note to self... Don't mess with crackers or pineapple again! But all in all a good day

TO THE CENTURY CLUB???!!!!!!!!!! I ranted on here a little bit the other day about not hitting 100 pounds before I went back to school... well it finally happened 2 days later! I waited out the 2+ week stall before taking pictures and now I attached some below. Before is February 2012, 4 1/2 months before surgery. I should be over the moon but it's just so surreal to me... I guess I'm just a pessimist and still see myself as fat (which I am). I had a bit of a breakdown this morning when I posted one of these pics on Facebook because I was embarrassed and humiliated of my before picture. Don't get me wrong, I know I'm gorgeous and I was quite confident 100 pounds ago but when I look at those pics now I think "how in the hell did I think I was attractive?" This milestone has made me feel guilty for what I had done to my body. I am disgusted now, even though I wasn't then. I haven't felt overly emotional through this journey but I think it's all hitting me now... all of the NSVs, no clothes that fit, announcing it on FB, etc. Anyway, I still have a long way to go... but I appreciate all of the knowledge and support I get here everyday. Next stop... twonderland!!!!!! (Did we ever come up with a better name for that?)

OK here is today's post. I jumped on the scale on Friday morning and I was 198.9 finally in Onelander!! Although it is a 3 day weekend I do not feel it will last, but I will take the NSV!!! Work was stressful and it was hard not to eat bad food, but I did pretty good this week! I logged everything and exercised 3 days this week. So I have caught up on everyones posts!! Melissa welcome!! You have done amazing 380 to 316!! That is huge!!! What have you been doing to track everything and what is your exercise routine? Meredith congrats on the 14!! Even if they are a tad tight still wear them they will encourage you to want to make them loose!!. Also I am just like you with shopping!! I go in with huge arm fulls of clothes and leave with nothing and totally discouraged!!! It has gotten better since I have lost the weight even if something does not fit, I get excited stating maybe next time, in the past I could never have said that!! as for the getting dressed to exercise and not getting the motivation to do it, put on really loud music and start dancing, then you will have the endorphin's needed to get motivated!!! Oh and congrats on the new Job too!!! Kymie I am happy for you being able to eat slowly and feeling good about what you are eating. I was wondering do you still feel hungry though?? NJ2NC congrats on Onderland!!! keep up the good work! Nicki you are so lucky to be able to work out at lunch time!! I love the eliptical!! If you increase the resistance it will help with the strength training part, but you will have a hard time at first getting the amount of time complete due to it being really hard!! I am up to resistance level 6 and it kicks my butt and I can do it for about 35 minutes. I tried level 7 and I could barely do 25 minutes. Chrissy congrats on the new job and the size 14!! As for the feeling ashamed for eating bad food, we all have to remember that skinny people eat junk food too! We should feel bad if we binge, but remember that the band will help us not over eat and forgive ourselves. Savannah you are doing the same tiptoeing around onelander like I am I got to see the scale below 200 for one day and it has encouraged me to keep working at it! Ladybandito- we all self sabatage, we have done it all our lives, that is how we got to the high weights, the nice thing is the band keeps us from going so overboard like we did before. I have learned over the last few weeks, that it feels bad in the moment but i Just need to get over it and start fresh each day. Good luck!! Horsegirl I agree the compliments are the best NSV!! OK all of you who have hit your greenzone or sweetspot I am so jealous!! I have my next fill on 9/18 and I want my sweetspot!! still can eat just about anything and still feel hungry, but try to ignore it or drink more water. Well congrats to you all and I have you to look up to!! TTYL

so, i started this journey with my preop diet on April 1, 2012. at 5'6" i weighed in at 373. i got my sleeve on june 4, 2012. now, on september 1, i am still only 5'6" but now i weigh in at 258. i decided to Celebrate by sharing a before and after (during, since i'm not at goal yet) photo. my beautiful wife is a non-op, but is so supportive of me that she has lost 54 pounds by eating with me, and excercising with me. also, to share my favorite nsv so far. i was able to join my cross country running son in a 5k, the second picture is me getting ready to cross the finish line at 49 min 20 seconds. life is good, just wanted to share.

whew! What a Saturday...busy busy. Hi everyone! Well...I've decided that I am definitely at restriction. Just made taco salads for everyone for dinner. I measured out a 1/2 cup of the beef mixture. Added a tbsp of salsa, tbsp of sour cream, tbsp of sliced black olives and just a few tortilla strips. I really didn't think it added up to that much but it must've been a full cup of food. Oh my word...I am absolutely stuffed!!!! But I'm also satisfied with that. 8 months ago...I would've gone back for another cup full. Today was 1/2 price day at Goodwill, and DH and I both had OT on our paychecks this week...so we went shopping. Well, I shopped more than he did. LOL. We went to two GW stores. I came home with three kitchen towels, two toys & a t-shirt for my son, a t-shirt, golf shirt and a pair of LEVI's for the DH, a pair of slacks, 4 skirts and 6 blouses (one of which can be worn like a jacket also). I didn't spend over $45!!! But the big "WAHOO!" NSV of this day is....all of the clothes I bought were 14's!!! You have no idea how long it has been since I've worn a freakin' size 14! I still have 17 pounds to go for my primary goal. I'm now thinking to myself that I might actually see a size 12 again!

Congratulations on the NSV's and thank God your family survived the tornado! That's horribly scary, I hope everyone else near is ok too.

I've had two nsv s in the last day. First, my underwear literally fell off my butt while I was walking. Awkward since I was in the parking lot at work, but nobody but me knew. LOL! Second, I put on yoga pants that I had previously outgrown and a fitted shirt. My six year old said, "Momma, you look different. You're smaller." We all know kids are honest! And ot, we survived a tornado today. Sacred us all to the core as we could see it and had to stop and go into a stranger's basement. Our poor babies are scarred. It was only 2.6 miles away.

i had a NSV today! i bought this reeeally cute dressy trench coat like 6+yrs ago. when i bought it, it was really snug but it still "fit". i figured id lose more weight & itll fit good. then i gained weight & literally couldnt put an arm in the sleeve. well, i just tried it on & it FITS!!! like its even a lil big but asize smaller would be snug. im like so shocked right now. it feels good to know that im doing what i set out to do!

I was sleeved 8-9 as well and I noticed that I had actually gained a few lbs back. That freaked me out to no end,as you can imagine. I upped my Water intake and I also split what I was eating into much smaller meals, so instead of three meals and two Snacks its more like six 1 to 2 ounce high protien snacks. It seems to work for me and Im starting to lose again. I do feel like I am eating all the time though but Im just trying to listen to my body and stay on track. I am also starting to get back into a regular workout schedule and I know thats going to effect weight loss as well. I did notice that although the pounds may not be flying off right now, my body shape is definately changing and from what Ive read this is really common. You might want to start tracking your measurements or maybe try on some clothes that were previously too small. That is a great way to get NSV and keep you motivated. As long as your doing what your Dr and Nut says you will lose weight. The hardest thing for me is not being obsesive about weighing myself and also not comparing myself to anyone else. My husband was sleeved 6-9 last year and I know it DOES work. He has lost 140 so far and he feels great so that also keeps me motivated that the weight will come off.

Ha ha, I remember the first time I looked down in the shower and saw my own feet, I cried like a baby. Just one of many great NSV's you will experience in the coming months, enjoy them! Sent from my iPad using VST

I'm just about 10 weeks or so since my surgery (6/18) and in down about 66 pounds as of this past Monday. I know I've listing the weight. I see the scale moving. I know my clothes are too big. I know people are telling me I lost weight. There are little NSV that tell me I lost weight like ankle strap shoes fitting and my heels not hurting and driving my mothers car without moving the seat back to fit. But why when I look in the mirror do I see the same body I saw before surgery? Does anyone else feel this way? When did it go away? Does it go away? I can kinda see it in pics but I don't feel like its me weighing less so much as just the clothes that I'm wearing. I attached pics. I hope it worked. All black is surgery day, 6/18. Pink is 8/27. Sent from my iPhone using VST

As long as you're not doing goats or little kids, more power to you! Enjoy the NSV!!!

sounds like a great nsv! ;D

I'm a long ways out but welcome you to VSGLand. We all wish you the best with a rapid weight loss and want to hear of the many NSV's coming your way soon.