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@@Pillar2butterfly many times people misunderstand what a person might say to them a compliment is not always received in the good way it was intended ie "you look so much better than before" what does that mean, i used to look horrible?? peoples words are usually not said/meant in a bad way just clumsy your boss is aces!! we live for NSV's keep them coming kathy congrats

This is fabulous. I bet you wanted to cry. I can't wait until that happens to me. That is definitely a NSV. Hoo Ray for you. Sherri

First of all, great start and welcome to the losers bench. Secondly, be prepared to stall periodically. Stay off the scale, I know its tempting, but it will cause you all kind of unnecessary angst. As far as keeping the husband (or anyone) posted on your actual weight...that's your call. IMHO, if its going to cause you to question that you are not LOSING ENOUGH then I would keep the numbers to yourself. We don't lose at the same pace. There are stalls, and times where nothing makes the numbers drop on the scale. Measure yourself now, you may lose inches (NSV) those are THE best losses: smaller jeans, better fitting bras, etc. You may lose 20lbs this month and 12 next month and 25 the following month - stalls happen. Good luck!

same here! i agree so much.. my biggest nsv was to be able to buy a plain Lee jean! i didn't ask much i guess

I don't wake up coughing every morning and I no longer snore....I guess thats my wife's favorite NSV (LOL)

I was updating my blog tonight and went back to my pre-op journal to see how it relates to my experience and how I am doing. One of the best things in there was this Plan for Success that I wrote out. Here it is, verbatim, with my comments from today following each item. I thought it would be interesting for us all to share ideas on what things we can do to help ourselves to succeed! Add anything you want to this string! Plan for Success: In reading one of my "band" books tonight, I came across an article that said that having a game plan can really improve my chances for success. I've been thinking of a few things I can do, but hadn't really formalized a plan. So, here goes: THINGS I WILL DO TO HELP MYSELF SUCCEED: - Tell family and friends about the surgery so that I will have a support network (and won't feel weird when eating with them) - (DONE!) - Commit to staying exactly on my pre-op Clear liquids diet - (DONE!) - Commit to the post-op plan of 2 weeks full liquids, then 2 weeks of soft foods - (DONE!) - Think of ways to Celebrate my birthday with friends where eating won't be an issue (maybe a girl's day at Ohm?) - (DONE! Had a great time at Ohm Spa, by the way!) - Hire a personal trainer as of 11/08/08 (I didn't do this on schedule, but I did hire the trainer and recommitted to exercising in a serious way . . see bruise photo from previous post!) - Keep good, correct foods in the house. (DONE!) - Avoid alcohol to the extent possible. (I could be better about this to be perfectly honest. . is just such a big part of my social life that it's hard to really avoid, plus I love a nice glass of wine) - Commit to taking SMALL bites and chewing until food is dissolved (DONE! I'm not perfect, but I do a pretty good job at this) - Commit to small sips (Honestly, this hasn't been all that necessary) - Commit to avoiding calorie-filled beverages (DONE! Well, except for wine!) - Journal/blog regularly and chronicle your success -- AND admit it if you mess up (DONE! And is an on-going part of my plan!) - Look for NSVs if/when your weight plateaus (I'm doing this!) - Try out the support group at NYU (I haven't done this, but I feel like LBT and the people who I know through my blog do what I would have hoped a support group to do) - Be proactive about your care -- don't wait so long for a fill that you gain weight. (DONE!) - Measure yourself periodically and write down your measurements (DONE!) - Know that this is not going to be easy, but that this will be worth while. And, know that this WILL be easier than staying on a diet on your own for a whole year, then maintaining your weight long-term. (So true -- and I do fully know that.) - Try to notice NSVs (like less foot and back pain) as they occur (DONE!) - Make mini-goals for yourself, e.g. 10 lb goals, and feel free to reward yourself with facials, massages, nice mani/pedis, etc. (Oh believe me. . DONE!) - Go through your closet and "size" it so that you won't miss wearing cute things that you like on the way to goal (DONE!) - Don't read too much about negative/failure stories on the lap band chat rooms. (DONE! I do read some of those stories, but I don't get sucked in, which accomplishes my fundamental objective.) - When you start going to restaurants again, do trial runs with your friends who know about the surgery (plus, will be fun). (DONE!) - Don't get disproportionately upset if any of your good friends don't understand, say the wrong thing, etc. They love you, and no one is perfect. (Honestly, my friends have been pretty freaking amazing. I'm very lucky in that way.) - Focus on your other hobbies and interests (Get new letterpress projects, enjoy the Van Gogh course at MOMA) - (DONE! Unfortunately, the Van Gogh course was totally sold out, so I never did get to take it, but I've been spending more time on my hobbies, which is always very enjoyable). I hope that was helpful

Thats a awsome NSV !!! CONGRATS

I'm down just 21 pounds & already people are noticing. Just the other day my FIL asked me how much I've lost and after I told him he said "you can definitely tell it!" He never comments on things like this. Then yesterday at my Dad's house, my step-mom asked me the same question & said the same thing my FIL said! I still can't really tell I've lost 21 pounds. I guess it's because I still see me as 201 pounds.

To answer your question about 500 to 600 calories, I lost more like 10 lb a week except for stalls. At 3 months i still am eating around 700 calories a day, not sure. i don't count calories, i just focus on 3 oz protein a meal and getting in as much liquids a day as i can. i have 6 meals a day and always try and eat a high quality extended release protein shake with water at or right before bed. it helps your body burn calories all night. There have been a few stalls so far of varying lengths, but you still lose inches and have other NSV during this time. Even though I stalled out for sometimes 10 days, I did not stress out about it. We have already won by having this surgery. If you just follow the basics and eat cleanly, you will be a big success. Good luck!

Great NSV. I'm an 18 and can't wait until I hit 16 which is my goal. Good job!

It is official, I am now in a size 10 pants What a thril this is for me, I can not remember the last time I wore a size 10. Went shopping yesterday and today and bought 3 pairs size 10 capris The scale has not moved much for me the last month or so but the inches are coming off. So for those of you who are discouraged the scale is not moving, do not fret, your probably losing inches..I'm living proof What I weigh is not as important as how I look & how I feel and right now I'm feeling pretty damn good!!! Just thought I share my fantastic NSV with all of you I LOVE MY BAND!!! 14 lbs to goal :banana

I cannot believe reality. five months ago i was near my highest ever 285, today i broke through to 199!! I have not been under 200 since my 13th birthday. I am 57 years old, that is a hell of a long time. I dont feel that light, i dont see myself that light and it all feels delusional. I have been consumed by food and weight and diets for nearly fifty years and now several miracles have happened, i am not hungry, i dont think about food, I actually lose weight when i dont eat. The very hard work is not even a problem. I just finished a five hour flight in the middle seat and i was more comfortable than i have ever been on an airplane. NSV's all over the place. thanks all for the support I find here.

Yesterday I bought my very first pair of womens athletic shorts. They are an XL, this is nothing short of a miracle considering I was a 3x bottom a month ago. I also got a pair of compression pants too. I usually get men's reebok or nike athletic shorts from Sam's Club. They have them for about 15 dollars a pair. Which is way better than paying full price for them. Just wanted to share my exciting moment.

Congrats to you nsv !! Awesome. Every time I get a nsv, it always surprises me, and catches me off guard. And I don't know about anyone else, I continue to think, I should never had let it get to where I was. But, on the flip side, I think id appreciate my journey even more for all what I've gone through. So I'm ok.

I can so relate to this. I still need a seat belt extender on some planes but I know I'm making progress cuz I don't use much of the extender. I too have this same NSV goal. Sent from my iPhone

Lol, pantyhose and tights are still the bane of my existence, but each day is getting better. Great NSV!

Just have to share this cute story with everyone. So, first off, I love watching the Dr. Oz show. My 7 year old daughter likes watching it with me. The other day we were sitting together watching a segment about a woman's weight-loss success story and my daughter patted my tummy and said " Dr. OZ would be really proud of you too." :thumbup: How cute is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My wife, kids and I went for afternoon walk. We were out for a total of 45 minutes, 10 of which I was jogging... that's right, jogging. What an awesome feeling! I asked my wife if she thought she'd ever see me jogging again, and she said she knew deep down I'd get back to where I need to be. My sleeve is awesome, but my wife is the bomb!

Thank you all. You all are too sweet. It's great to have friends to share this with...only my family IRL know about my surgery, so I can't exactly share my NSVs.

@ No, do not cry! I felt that same way when I was with my kids, I didn't want to embarrass them. My mom is super morbidly obese and one of my earliest memory's was having a parents come to school day which my mother attended ( she is an artist, painter) After she left one of the little kids said something to me about how big my mom was. We were only 5-7 years old. I never realized my mom was different, I just loved her. I remember that really caught me off guard and I went home and cried which in return made my momma cry. I think that kinda stuck with me so When I was at my heaviest I didn't go up to the school unless I absolutely had to. Most of my daughters friends had never met me. A few months ago my daughter was in a "grace notes" competition for school and I got dressed up and went to watch her. After the competition was over on the way home my daughter said "mom you want to hear something funny?" After you left my friend said "I hope this doesn't offend you but your mom looks like a Barbie doll". Ha! Can you believe it??! I just smiled and said "whatever" but on the inside I was fist pumping ! That my friend was one heck of a NSV!!! You too will have your moments, just wait!

my six months isn't until the 23rd. i've lost 39lbs since my surgery day. i'm very happy with the loss that i've had and my MANY NSV's!!!! too may of those to list. in shirts, i've gone from a 3x to a extra large, even at times just a plain ol' large. in my pants/jeans, ive gone from a snug 22 to a getting a bit loose 18. my knees, ankles, and lower back don't hurt anymore. i've hit a bad plateau, but im hoping to be at 215 by NYE...got a fill yesterday, we'll see what happens!!!

. The little victories, my clothes getting too big, having more energy, my knee stopped hurting and the best thing of all, today my 12 yr old daughter and I bought the same outfit, just a sweatshirt and jogging bottoms, she's using hers for a trip to the lakes on monday and I'm using mine for the gym! I thought that she would be embarrased but she actually insisted that we bought the exact same outfit, colour, brand everthing, identical! I haven't felt this good in a long long time! Chilo... that is amazing, I bet you do feel great, as I know I would too... my daughter is 12 too but not sure she would go for this idea (yet)...lol I love NSV like these!!

Love it... but what I love more is that you had your photo taken in a swim suite... WOW! Double NSV!! =]

I think jeans are one of the best NSV's. A great fitting pair look and feel great... Well done...

LB's, You made me cry today!!!! .............I haven't really had any feelings about the surgery since I started the process of being banded, but today they showed back up. Reading your victories made me rejoice with happiness for all of us. I finally saw my FIRST NSV. Today, I had a pair of previous pair of tight pants from last summer on and they fell down to my ankles. YIPPEE!! Catch me if you can. Congrats. Everyone, Up twist