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Nicole! That is an AWESOME list of NSVs! I also no longer need acid reflux meds or my CPAP machine! I "tried on" a skirt I wore six months ago, this morning...and was able to pull the waist of it about 8 inches from left side. WOW! I tried to get a picture with my laptop cam but I couldn't do it. I'll get hubby to snap one when he's awake. LOL. I also didn't gain anything during TTOTM this time! Yay!! Meredith & Lady B: Keep us posted on what's going on. I'm going to ask my doc if some meds will cause the band to tighten as well. I noticed that during my TOTM this time, on the days I took generic Midol, I seemed to have more of a problem getting food down. He told me it would be tighter anyway because of the fluid retention in the body, but on the days I didn't take the med, I didn't have any issues. weird. Meredith...have fun at the reunion. Work it Girl! I agree with what has been said about still seeing the "old me" in the mirror. I think part of it is because I don't have clothes that fit properly. I mean, they are wearable, but not all of them really, truly fit. Part of it is that I still have work to do toning lots of areas of my body. So, I've started trying to only look in the "big" mirror when I'm fully clothed. I also try to focus on areas where, to me, the loss is really noticeable...like my waist, neck and chest. That really does help me start to visualize a skinnier me. However, its still hard to wrap my mind around the possibility of being in a single digit size. I mean...I haven't been since I was like, 15. LOL! God bless of each you today. Look to Him for your strength in every moment. Love & Hugs,

I was so busy complaining I for got to list my NSVs: 1. I can now wrap a regular bath towel around myself, tuck in the top & it stays up without showing any skin on the sides the ends actually overlap!! 2. I can carry a load of laundry up 3 flights of stairs without stopping to catch my breath 3. I can shop in any store I want to!! 4. I can eat bad food without hating myself, beating myself up and going on a binge! 5. I got below 225 for the 1st time in 10 years & have stayed below for 3 mths!! 6. I don't feel like taking a nap at 3pm anymore 7. I don't feel like coming home from work and watching TV until bedtime (4-5hrs)!! 8. I am no longer taking acid reflux meds! 9. I no longer need my APAP!! 10. I actually like myself again, am proud of myself and believe in myself!!!!! Whoopy!!

How would everyone feel about doing monthly challenges, for our little group? Each month we have a challenge that we can track either with your signature or a ticker and the prize is weight loss, inches lost, NSVs, and better health. I think this would be a great way to challenge the group and keep everyone accountable. Let me know what you think and we will start in August! Also throw some challenge ideas out there!

My collar bones were one of my first NSV's at about 20 pounds. I've definitely lost from the top down, as "they" say women do. When sitting at my desk at work, I often lean forward with my elbow on the desk, cross my arm across my chest and rest my hand on my chest/shoulder. The first time I felt that bone poking out it scared me. It takes a while to get used to!

My husband and I were play fighting today, which we often do, and out of no where he pulls a move never used on me before... He grabs my collar bone! I didn't know I had them... He told me they've been poking out a few weeks now. Went to the bathroom mirror to check... I'll be damned.. there they were. NSV number 1227... Lol...(or so it feels lol)

Almost six weeks post op and I can finally wear my wedding rings again! Woo hoo! I had to pry them off my finger (no easy task) almost two years ago and I have not been able to wear them since. Thank goodness I am a born procrastinator and never got around to having them resized, because they fit me again! Yay! I always felt like my finger was naked and also felt a little weird about not wearing them. Thankfully my husband never questioned it.

Congratulations. They are great NSVs, especially being a motivation for someone else. Keep up the great work!

Blan, that must feel so good. How rewarding such minor things like this make a 'huge' difference in our lives. I can't wait to have NSV's.. -Patty

What does NSV stand for?

So true, Chrissy, I second all that you said. Just think about it ladies, when our weight has fluctuated with the lapband, I know I can speak for myself, I can put or 4-5lbs in a nanosecond if I go off the diet {before WLS} and then get discouraged and then continue the eating frenzy. From what I'm seeing here, if we gain, it's only seems to be a pound or two and that's nothing. Nicole, even though you went "down under" for a bit, you were teetering on a 2lb gain in the past month! That's awesome in my book! We also have to remember, being banded is just a part of our world, we all have a life surrounded around this new journey. If we had financial, marital, kids, career, etc etc. problems before, the lapband doesn't change that. We have to change it or work with it. I have my down times too from time to time. I've been bad and haven't really exercised although I'm still losing weight. Our "gym" room is not a/c'd. I really need to get up there early in the a.m. when it's cooler but I haven't. Shame on me. I will and I'm not going to beat myself up about it. Like Chrissy said, "we are an awesome group of women" who are bonded together due to our band and hope we continue. Whether we go on everyday and post or through an eye in, we all know we're there for one another. Love you guys! Now for my NSV. Going out with HS friends for dinner tomorrow night and tried on a pr of size 18 LaneBryant cropped pants I bought 1.5mth ago. Tags still on. Tried them on and they literally fell off me! Took them back today w/receipt. No more summer clothes there however, I found my favorite Seven Jeans they carry there on the sales rack. For my 30lb loss I treated myself to a pr which was a size 18 and paid an arm & a leg for them knowing full well I wouldn't be wearing them forever but I just had to have them. Well, they're too big even to be tailored so I gave them to a friend who could use them. I found a pr, size 16 and they cost $19.00!!! When I saw that, I ran back to the rack and got the last size 14 for that price! What the heck, at those prices it was a steal! I have to say, I've been wearing my prairie skirts, {my uniform lately, with tank tops} and haven't worn slacks in 2 mths. When I put those jeans on, I was shocked to see how thin I was. I say that because I am pear shaped so of course that's always the last to go! Like Oatknam,and other's I'm sure, I still see the 235lb matronly woman in the mirror some times. Not today! I looked like an 18 yr old with great curves! Not only will I be having dinner with HS friends tomorrow night, { they've seen me at my 30lb loss} but we have a mini reunion on Saturday night with a good 100 HS people I graduated with 39 yrs ago. They saw me last year at my heaviest. Even one of the guys I knew from the neighborhood was surprised how heavy I had gotten. That's ok, he was kind to me. So, this year, I can't wait to see them!

I thought I would share a few NSV's I've had recently as I find these very motivating. I was banded May 10th but I count since I started the program in February. Since then I've lost 70lbs and continue to lose about 2 lbs a week. Anyway on the NSV's: 1. I was able to buy a new belt today at a normal store, I didn't have to go the Big and Tall store. I wanted to keep the old belt and I had been punching holes in it to keep using it, but I work in a professional office and the shabby look doesn't fly. Anyway I went to the store to actually pick up some socks and figured I'd try on a belt just to see and low and behold it fit!!!! 2. I am a guy and shave every morning for work. Shaving has actually become a lot easier believe it or not. I never expected this change, but I have noticed that my face shaves cleaner and I have a lot less razor bumps now. 3. This one is pretty exciting. I was the biggest person in my office of about 100 people for a long time. There was one other guy who was also large, but about 50lbs lighter than where I started in February. Well since I've lost weight and now I have passed him up he wants to join me in my fitness routine. I am happy to have a workout buddy, and I am really glad that I (the fatest (former) person at work) has inspired one of my coworkers to get into better shape!!! Thanks for all the support fellow bandsters and I look forward to posting more NSV's on here!

NSV = Non Scale Victory

Hello everyone! Congrats on meeting your goals and NSV!! I have actually been reading your posts over the last few weeks but have not posted. I haven't felt good about myself over the past month which affects my eating, exercise and motivation. I have only been working out 2-3 times a week, not logging my food, eating bad food and just kinda moping around feeling sorry for myself. My weigh has yo-yo 2lbs up & down over the past month. The strange thing is it has not really bothered me. I know what I need to do but I have just felt like I need a break from all of this. So I took my break & now I need to get myself motivated again. So my goal is 4lbs by 7/26!! There is my goal!! And motivation. Ttyl!

Good job you are so close to Onderland! I lost 0 this week, and 1 last week. So I think I'm on my first stall Not too bad for 15 weeks out I guess. I ate a lot of junk last week, I was in Atlantic City for the Holiday. So I'm not sure if it's a real stall or just not losing because of the junk. I'm not worried though, I can tell I'm shrinking and today wore a blouse to work that I haven't been able to fit in years. It's a size 14/16 but it's a long tunic and it actually fits over my large hips now. Yay NSV! That's cool about your co-worker. Only a few people know I went to MX to get sleeved. Still keeping the big secret from my Mom. At first I thought the surgery you were talking about was plication, but I'm not sure now. Hopefully you can convince him to get the real sleeve. I talked one of my friends out of the crapband, and now she's getting sleeved. I feel like a spokesmodel now LOL! I'm still doing Zumba classes and my elliptical, but now my Mom has an XBOX Kinect and I so want one now. I played Zumba on it and it's great. Maybe I will get it when I hit the 50 lb mark which is 2 lbs away.

Hi All Sorry haven't had time to post been so busy getting everything ready for the Memorial ride. Somehow I hurt my foot don't know what I did I am going to see the podiatrist today I need to be able to walk this week!! Good news is I am down some weight which is great since I haven't been eating right at all (forgetting to eat) eating late at night when I finally stop! I have been walking alot so I know that has helped! I hope MD is ok? Daisy -Happy Birthday Girl and congrats on your NSV!!! Sleepyone - Happy Birthday as well Lose It - one day at a time I did the same started going up and then talked to the doctor and had a second fill doing well now.

Ohhhh! I can't wait for that to happen to me!!!! I wear a size 11W and I want to buy CUTE shoes again Can't find anything in a size 11W except boring, orthopedic-looking shoes! And if they do carry a cute shoe in size 11W it's always out-of-stock! Congrats on your NSV, even if it is aggravating for you

When i started i was in a very tight 24 ... even had one pair of 26... I have not really changed sizes or tried to except for a couple pairs of scrubs even though my clothes have been getting looser. Today i tried on a pair of 20 jeans in my closet been there since i lost weight (only to gain it right back) 2 yrs ago. And they fit!!!! I did not have to even lay down to zip them. They are still a bit tight but they FIT!!!!!!!!!!! Also if anyone remembers i said i was going to do a pandora charm for each 20 lbs. I have decided to do every 10 lbs instead . Today i found the perfect bead.. Its a Turtle!!!! cant wait to add it to the braclet.

(Sort of) an NSV for me... 15 days post-op, down 18 pounds; 83 total in 5 months. I met a guy on match.com shortly before surgery and today we finally were able to have our first date. (He knows I had surgery but not what kind.) So guess what we did on our "date"... went SWIMMING!!! Yes, I was in a bathing suit on a first date with a guy!!! I was freaked out but he's been so complimentary of me it quickly faded. I can still wear my old bathing suits but it was nice not to have my belly peak out between my top and bottom. And I have complained about my boobs shrinking but now they actually FIT into the top and look perky and round instead of falling out all over the place! Big win for Kelly today!

So..trying to be Wonder Woman.. I hurt my back today. I went to my doc for a medrol dose pck and liquid nasty pain meds so I can walk. Anyway...one of the nurse practioners that helped me during my pre-op stage that had not seen me after my surgery saw and and freaked!!! She said "holy cow you are amazing...I have other patients who have had the sleeve and you are rocking yours!". LoL..teehee for me! And now that I have had a pain shot..and oral pain meds.. Would you believe that I still feel my back??? Oh well..once I get that steroid down it will feel better!

Omg jealoussss. I would LOVE to buy a bra without needing to look for straps that'll hold in my back fat and looking for sizes in the 40's. I'm also super freakin' psyched to buy underwear that isn't elastic to hold in my tummy. Hell maybe even a thong! :3 Ps what is an nsv?

Yeah for you!!!!! That will be one of my NSv also ahhh Victorias secret !

Hi Everyone! Well, I guess I need to set a birthday goal for 7/26, since it is my birthday afterall - lol. I have been one of the slowest losers - sigh. I seem to only lose about 1 lb. a week. I had set a goal of 5 lbs. by my birthday, but with my history, not sure if that will happen. On top of that, I have two (count 'em) 2 vacations planned for the last part of July. I'm going to Hilton Head for 4 days, leaving this Friday. Then go back to work on Tuesday for 2.5 days, then flying to Maine and taking a 10 day road trip back with my daughters and grandchildren. We are totally doing the eastern US touristy thing, stopping in DC (Smithsonian Institute), New York (See Lots of stuff), Vermont (Mt. Vernon), West Virginia (Family visits), then through Gatlinburg, Tennessee and back home to Georgia. That is also my birthday treat for myself. However, 10 days on the road may wreck havoc on trying to eat healthy and drop those 5 lbs. Going to try my best to be very active while doing all of the sight seeing so hoping that will help offset my intake. Congratulations to everyone who has lost so much weight and having all of the NSV's as well. You ladies are my heros and I can't wait to get to onederland - only 15 lbs. away. Seems so close, yet so far away!!

Hi Horsegirl!! Glad all is well! Don't disappear for too long, I start to worry, LOL. That is awesome that you can be more active now. Just really focus on your goals- that's the great thing about the lapband. And I do think that is a great NSV to maintain your weight- I know that before, one "bad day" on a diet was totally my excuse to just blow it totally and forget about it. Now, I have my lapband and I can always correct myself!! Our new goal is 7/26- mine is to have lost 67 lbs by then. Meredith- yes, I think you can be at restriction even with a low fill, it just depends on your own personal innards, LOL. Do wait it out a bit, but don't go too long if you really do need an unfill!!! Chrissy- I hope you're feeling better. It makes sense that you'd be tighter around ttotm. I rarely get mine (yay), so haven't experienced that yet. And LOL on the fondant pronunciation- it bothers me too!!! It would be fun to go to their store, though. Okay everyone- Kymie, Mags, Otaknam, et al- where are you!!!! Post!!! I miss you !!!!!

I am SO happy for you! I cant wait to have my surgery and join you as a VS shopper!! It's the little things like buying a "normal" bra and underware from a name brand store that make this a wonderful adventure! I hope you have many more great nsv's like this!! Hey, you can save that one for me....cause I am sure you'll be losing a lot more...and will need to go down a few more sizes!

So, I've been MIA for the last 10 days or so because I went on a vacation. It was wonderful! I started out by driving to Myrtle Beach, SC to see my son and his girlfriend. We had a terrific time except that my son was totally taken aback by how little I eat. Both told me that I look fantastic, which is always nice to hear! I hit Planet Fitness (my gym) up there 4 times and it was a blast to workout in the "same" gym, even though the layout was a little different than my home facility. For anyone who is interested, it certainly seemed that there were more tourists than "home" members in there every time I went. I left SC to drive to Kentucky, to a cousin's house up there. She lives in a "holler" and her house is 10 miles back into the woods. She's surrounded by 1,000 Amish-owned acres and her nearest neighbors are all Amish families. I met the Amish family from across the street and they were as fascinated by the "Florida woman" as I was by the "Amish people". Beautiful people, literally the salt of the earth and they have a symbiotic relationship with my Kentucky cousin who I was visiting. The Amish provided a good portion of the produce for our family reunion dinner, including wonderfully sweet tomatoes and corn! Yum! Those family members who have seen me in the last few years spent a lot of time complimenting me on my weight loss, although I can still see every ounce that I need to lose. I kept up with everyone else, including my cousin's 20-something son and his wife, plus my cousin's three grandkids under 3 years old. I didn't do much "exercise" while in Kentucky. No branches of my gym in their small coal-mining town, but I did a lot of walking around the property and got to dig through tons of old family pictures. It was a blast to share memories of departed family members with them all. My scale tonight shows that I gained 3 pounds while I was on vacation, but I'm back at the gym and back on my strict plan tomorrow morning. I kept up with my Water and Protein goals while I was gone, but I indulged in biscuits and gravy one morning and I did some drinking Saturday evening with the family. I don't regret one bite or drink or one minute of the time I spent with them all! So, now I'm home, laundry done, clothes put away, car cleaned out and I'm back to work in the morning. I've missed the gym, though, so I'll be there by 7 am. I'm eager to get moving again! Oh, yes, two NSV's on this trip. The first is that I had the energy to drive a grand total of 30 hours without feeling sleepy. The second is that a distant cousin confessed that they have had a crush on me since I was a girl, and that they think I look better now than I did then!