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So I was sad on Wed because the scale wasn't moving, but then my future mother in law measured me over the weekend for a refitting of my dress and she discovered I lost 2 inches in the belly and 2 inches in the hips! Yay for NSVs!

"the weight is really falling off of you!" compliment from a coworker!

Congrats to all of you, NSV's are the best! Karen

Hello everyone I have been on this forum for a couple of months now and decided tonight would be the night for me to share my story. My Name is Blannie and I will be starting my pre-op diet on tomorrow. My surgery is September 10th, 2012 with Dr. Marema. I have not always being fat and it wasn't until I was in my 20's when I started this love affair with food. I have had so many disappointments when it has come to men in my life that it is ridiculous. I have tired every diet known to man and had some success but would always gain the weight back and most times double! I am tired of hearing people say when they find out about me having WLS..YOU ARE NOT THAT BIG or why are you taking the easy way out!!!! I have learned from being on this forum that WLS is NOT THE EASY way out!!! I a lifestyle change it is a daily commitment to change your life with the help of the sleeve. We still have to do the work in conjunction with the sleeve and I am so grateful for it. I am doing this FOR ME and I don't care what anybody has to say or think.... So here it is my story: My journey started back in 2010 with me pursing the lap band. After going threw the 6 month pre requirement, nutritionist and pysch evaluation we submitted to my insurance. After a week I was informed that my claim was denied. I was very upset and frustrated because after all why would my insurance deny me? It was during this time that I found out about a requirement that was not told to me while going threw the process. Apparently my insurance (CIGNA) has a requirement that states in order for them to pay the surgeon has to be working at a Cigna Certified Center of Excellence facility. I tried three different ways to have the decision changed. I contacted the State of Florida department of insurance and issued a complaint. I went threw my human resource department and filed a complaint and I wrote a letter of appeal directly to the insurance company. After several weeks of working with my HR advocate I was advised to find a physician that already met the insurance requirements! Thus I found Dr. Marema with US Bariatrics. He was such a nice guy and his staff so accomodating with all the problems I had experienced in the past. He talked about the sleeve and I decided to switch to the sleeve. After meeting Dr.Marema Cigna approved me for the surgery at any facility in FL but I choose to go with Dr. Marema. I am finally excited about something in my life. Other than being a mother to my boys this opportunity to have the sleeve is one of the best things that I had done for myself. Actually it is one of the only things I have done for me..usually I am the last one in my life that I do something FOR! I am so looking forward to being healthy and have NSV's like everyone else... I just would like to be able to wipe my butt and not feel like I am having to lean over and take deep breathes... (I know TMI). Thanks for the support on this page and the information has been priceless. I know what to expect and I am praying the best for everyone on the forum! Blannie

Sorry I'm new to this...what is nsv? Congrats

Great pics and congrats on the NSV's!

Hi everyone! I can't believe one month has already passed. It has been quite a challenging month, but it has been well-worth every minute! I had my VSG on July 30th 2012. I have lost a grand total of 17.4 pounds on one month, and 24.2 pounds from my highest weight in August 2011... Amazingly, I have lost a total of 17 1/2 inches! (I still can't quite believe this)... I have removed more than half the clothing in my closet because it was just too big (again, that is a rare occurrence for me!)... Most importantly, I have been OFF my diabetic medications (I was on Metformin 1000 mg twice a day) and my BP medications (I was on Atacand 16 mg once a day) since the surgery - I am so very thankful for this... ) Here are some photos (the images on the left of each photo are from one day pre-op, and the images on the right of each photos are from today): I hope I am posting these correctly... food in the portions that I used to enjoy), but it has also been one of the MOST important, valuable, and healthy things I have ever done for myself so far - it has changed my life in a matter of weeks and I have been thankful ever since I did it that I made the decision to move forward... Thanks to everyone here for having the courage to share their stories, their humor, and their encouragement! -Sarah

I really, really, really don't want to buy a scale. I don't want one in my home... I have never been someone who obsessed over their weight, I don't want to become one. I can completely and honestly say that my weight (the number) doesn't bother me. Whatever it is, it's just a number. I really just want to get weight for the purpose of having the "starting" number, something to document my dang medical file with. :\ I understand how the number makes people feel better, they like to see the loss - but I'd rather see it in the mirror. The actual number is meaningless to me, I want to be buying smaller clothes and seeing my figure come back and FEELING lighter - that's my goal. I have enough with all the copays and stuff going on financially, I shouldn't have to put an unwanted scale in my home, at my expense, simply because no medical professional I've worked with has a scale that goes high enough for me. And the thing that really stings for me is that I'm heavy, yes, but not so heavy that I'm immobile or can't fit in most chairs and stuff. What about the people who are bigger than me?? Especially men, who are taller and just as hefty... I just don't think it's fair! I'll call the waaaaaaahmbulance and stop complaining about this... what I do know, my first NSV goal is to be "skinny" enough to get on that 350lbs max scale!

I dunno why, but I thought that today was going to be the day. I have been trying so hard to be positive and keep my head up. I feel so discouraged. I know that I've made progress in other places. And yes, I have been staying away from the scale as much as I can, but 17 days? Really? I expected a week, two weeks, but three weeks or more? Aughhhhhhh. I feel like I'm doing something wrong and just not seeing what it is. I walk every day, I have upped my calories a little, I have decreased them a little, I have added more protein, heck I have tried getting over 100g of protein to see if that helps, I am like drowning myself in water, I have decreased my carbs, am keeping my fat down. And the scale won't budge, not a bit. I feel like I should throw the stupid scale in the trash can. I have taken measurements, lost no inches. I am eating healthy things, I am following all their recommendations. Ok I'm gonna end my rant there. I just needed to vent. I know it will end someday. Maybe when I can finally add some good exercise in. Now that I've gotten all that negativity out, I'm gonna list some positives for myself so maybe I can focus on something else today. My NSVs: - I never huff and puff going up the stairs anymore - I can fit into a few of my 26s - I can walk for almost an hour - I have been able to stay on program for an entire month now - I have been getting in over my protein goal every day - I have been a happier, more productive person I go back to work tonight. I am not really looking forward to the shift (I hate working Sunday nights), but it will be nice to be back and get to see everyone. i have no clue what their reactions will be. I'm not sure if word made it around, but I bet it did. Yesterday I bought cardio ballet by one of the girls who was on DWTS. I never watched the show, but I came across the dvd on Amazon and it seemed like it'd be something fun to do when I am cleared to work out, which will probably be just around the time that it arrives.

Here's my Wal-Mart story--- probably been going on for a few months, but I only realized it yesterday: I no longer have to head for the "handicapped" stall in the restroom. I can close and open the regular stall door easily without having to compress myself against the toilet!!! An unusual NSV!!!

That's an NSV if I've ever seen it!

I had a very strong craving for cake. Like thinking about Cake for 30 Min. I cut up And ate a 1/4 cup of tomatoes instead. It's kind of the same thing right? Actually it tasted amazing to me. Nsv

Lil Miss Ree great NSV congrats

My pants are baggy, haven't had that in ages!!! And....my wedding ring fits again!!!!! Sent from my Kindle Fire using LapBandTalk

Lol!! Thanks gals! Luckily I've always kept tampons and pads in my bathroom and glove compartment. I always thought about the "just in case" factor. Even though "it" never came! Lol. So this AM I was able to use one of my supplies. I have always with wings. Hope that's a good brand. We'll see. I wasn't sure how to put it on like which direction... There's a wider part that I figured should go towards the back and the smaller in the front. I hope that's right..? Lol. I'll look into the heating pads as well. I took Tylenol extra strength a few minutes ago. Hopefully it will work Bc these cramps are no joke. I planned on going shopping today but I don't want to walk around feeling like this. Your right this is a NSV! Whoohoo. And omg 72 days of bleeding. Sheesh! Your a trooper. I'm praying this doesn't last longer than 7 days. Lol. Thanks again!!!!

Scully happy for you congrats, you are now in onederland this is one of many goals/accomplishments you'll have with the sleeve/or without - NSV keep up the great work congrats

Sent my skinny mini sister a text this morning saying "I'm so excited to say I'm down to 399 (what a hideous number to be excited about)..." she was so sweet and encouraging, I truly love her! But this was the first real lb lost in a few weeks. I've been pretty depressed about the scale the past couple of days, cranky even! I know the NSVs are there but I'm still just not feeling it. An a different note the Texas heat has been kind the past couple of days and I've gotten some good walking in... Woot! Everyone loves a picture and this is my current NSV... I feel like I need to point out the boob to lumpy tummy ratio... But my family was able to see with out my description

So my hubby and my daughters went into Kmart to buy something. After they went in I realized that I needed something. I went in and got the thing I needed. I was at the register paying for my stuff when my hubby and kiddos came up to the register across from me. I saw my hubby look over at me, at which time I thought he realized that it was me. He looked me up from the feet to the top.....and then came across my face and then shook his head. He didn't realize that it was me at all. When he did his face had this shocked and embarressed look on it. He laughed and said, "I just got caught checking out my own wife....haha!" I thought it was pretty cool that I am skinny (and sexy) enough for my own hubby to check me out Love it!!!!

this is totally a wonderful NSV! dont it feel great? lol

Does not sound crazy at all, congrats on your NSV!

As someone who has broken furniture by sitting on it, I understand what a NSV that is! Huzzah!

I fit in my 9 year olds classroom desk! Why was i in it u ask? That is not the point...the oint is i fit and didnt hear anything crack! . That was awesome!!

I had about 90-something pounds to lose. I'm about 6 weeks out and I've lost around 48 pounds. I completely agree with all the people who posted above, so I'll just add that everyone's body is different so everyone loses weight differently. It's true whether you're sleeved or not. Comparing your weight loss with others' progress is kind of a dangerous game in this respect. I lose muscle quickly, and I lose fat slower than muscle, so I'm sure a good portion of my weight loss is from muscle weight instead of fat. Also, I'll be headed back to the gym soon and I plan on toning up, so I'll probably gain muscle weight now. And muscle weighs more than fat. Although I step on the scale every morning, I'm trying not to fixate on it. Instead I'm focusing on being able to fit back into my "thin clothes", which I'm happy to say I've started doing. My wedding band is starting to fit better too. In sum: don't just think about how fast you lose weight. You can get excited by all your NSV (non-scale victories) just as much.

Awesome NSV, Tracey! I look forward to that day.

I went to Open House at my kids' high school tonight. The last several years I went, I had to squeeze myself into the desks with the attached chairs. It was always so uncomfortable and embarrasing. It really made me feel bad for the teenagers who are overweight and would have to sit in those all day long. Tonight, without thinking about it (since it only happens once a year) I comfortably slid into one of those desks! It did not dawn on me right away, but suddenly I realized that I fit!! Not only did I fit, but I had plenty of room to turn, or slouch or cross my legs! Woo hoo!