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those are great goals and fabulous NSVs! congrats!!

I started out in October at a size 22/24. I was finally forced to buy a couple of new bras last night, one pair of Jeans, and two new shirts. The shirts are size 14/16 and the jeans are size 18. I probably could've bought a 16 but they would have definitely been too tight in the sitting position LOL. The scale is still moving but this is exciting because I can finally see the difference myself!

I had my sleeve at Loyola University Medical Center almost a year ago 12/23/2013......went home on Christmas Day. My recovery has been textbook, my weight loss slow. So far I have gone from 235 to 170, which is more than I have ever or could have done on my own. My goal is 135, which was my healthiest adult weight, but I would feel good at 150. Since I am retired, I did not have to worry about getting back to work. From your picture, it looks like you have the advantage of youth. The hardest part about my journey was the pre-op waiting and waiting and waiting for the process to move along. If you have no complications, you may still feel kinda cruddy for the first couple of weeks. As the pounds fall off, you will feel better and better. You have many non-scale victories (NSVs) to look forward to. I wish you good luck and good health. PS, I am a little familiar with Mercy Hospital, such as it was in 1992. I supervised housekeepers for about a year until a foot injury caused me to find a sit down job. I remember there being a convent on the 14th floor, and I had been on the roof once at night to view the skyline. My territory was the basement levels with the offices and morgue, the lobby, the ER and clinics.

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 She says they've been replaced by something called pecs.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.

Hello Everyone: I have good news and bad new. Good news My job sent me t North Caroline for training this week. Normally, I drive everywhere, becasue I hate flying. The main reason i hate flying is because 1. running around the airport only to find out that your gate has been moved to Saigon and 2. I never fit comfortably in the seats 3. I have been too big to fasten the seatbelts. This weekend I had to fly to NC. I have jsut been on the road so much due to my new assignment that I had no desire to drive anywhere. I get on teh placen this time and I am actually able to fasten teh seatbelts around me. Now mind, I had to let the seatbelt as far out as i could, but It fit. It was a snug fit, but it fit. I was shocked. For once i did not have ask for a seatbelt extender. This will defitniely go down as a NSV. Kinda bad news but with a good news ending: I had to have more Fluid taken out of the band. Matter of fact, I went directly from the airport to the OTC. I was in NC for 4 days. In that time, it was horrible. I try to stay away from fast food, but when I travel I that is what I end up eating. Even though I try to eat helthier fast food (you know what i mean lol). i was definitley too tight. I remember buying a 10 piece chicken McNugget for lunch and I was only able to eat about 2.5 of them. Those 2.5 were forced down. People were inviting me to eat for dinner, but I still had lunch left. Truth be told, i should have had some fluid removed last week now that I think about it. But I had convinced myself that i was still adjusting to my new fill. After every fill, I have to learn how to chew even more and drink even slower. I thought that I was jsut not chewing enough or chewing too fast or something. It felt like no "real food" would go down. I serously was wondering if this was what I was supposed to be able to eat and my head was having ahard time accepting that. i remember reading somehwere that all I would be able to eat would be 2-3 bites of Protein, 2-3 bites of veggies and carbs and be done. Then I also read that our new stomachs would only be able to hold 1/4 cup of food. I kept telling myself that it was in my head. Well, after some PBing (twice I had to pull over on the side of the road after drinking) and feeling that my food was always stuck..i had to get my 0.5 cc taken out. Leslie stated that she is now going to fill me in 0.1 or 0.2 increments. So the bad news is that i was extremely retarded for not listening to myself and i ended up having my last fill of 0.5 cc removed. But the good news is that I feel so much better and I will now listen to myself. How is everyone else doing?

Hooray for you Brina!!! Hopefully the next time I fly I can share in your NSV!!! That is awesome!

all victories, ladies! way to go! (Leslie, I especially liked yours...what fun!) I tried to post this earlier, so if it doubles up on me, please forgive, but - I had a NSV today, too. I was forced to eat fast food for lunch - which I never do - and I was good and ordered the grilled chicken sandwich and a fruit parfait at McD's, only to have them give me FRIES in my bag in addition to my order! McDonald's fries are crack to me - I normally cannot resist them. Well, I didn't totally resist them today. I ate two, then drove around the block of my office twice trying to find a familiar face to give them to. There are usually tons of guys around, but none today! So, I had to drive around the block again to find the trash can, but I THREW THEM OUT! Then I went to my office and took the bread off the sandwich and ate the chicken and yogurt for lunch! Whoo Hoo, Me! not perfect, but I say it counts.

OK!! I guess I'm just "dumb as they come", but what does NSV stand for??? I have had to ask for seat belt extenders many times and the steward's have always been fast and discrete about bring them to me, but it's still embarrassing. The first time I flew without one was a joy that most just can not understand. CONGRATULATIONS!! I'm looking forward to attending the support group meeting on the 9th. Is anyone who lives (or will be driving thru) the Perry area want to carpool? I'd be happy to drive and would love the company!!!! RosieJo

Well first of all, Brina, congrats on the NSV! I bet that felt awesome to not have to ask for that extender. I've been fortunate to have never needed one, but I can imagine how that must feel to ask. Good for you! As for the fill, I am glad that you got to where you needed. I know chicken is one food that can give me a little trouble, so maybe that had something to do with it, too. I'm glad it all worked out!

I have become addicted to the gym...well not so much the gym but to the calories I am burning. I workout for about an 1 1/2 per day. I started going to the gym because the scale wasn't moving, but guess what? The scale still isn't moving! I cut out all re-fined carbs, such as bread, and Pasta, because I thought that would also help but so far no luck...so I thought I would come to you guys for a bit of advice... Here is my diet: Breakfast: Starbucks mocha half sweet-non fat- no whip 175 calories ( I cant give it up...I tried but when I don't have it I eat and eat and eat, because I am looking for my fix!) Fruit salad-berries, pineapple, melon, grapes- 250 grams Lunch Chili 1.5 cups Sour cream-fat free 2 to 3 table spoons Dinner Chicken breast no skin 4- 5 oz. Salad- cabbage-veggies-lettuce- 1.5 cup Tomato -just a few chopped up for taste Green peppers small hand full Sour cream-fat free 2 to 3 table spoons Frank's Red hot sauce ( I use the sour cream and the hot sauce as dressing- it is only 45 calories and 0 grams of fat. I figure it helps make up for the mocha in the morning!) Snack Protein drink with 23 grams of Protein (right before bed)I drink 10 - 12 glasses of Water per day. Totals for the day: Calories: 1450 Fat: 34 grams Carbs: 179 (they are from fruit, milk, and bean products) Protein: 101 grams I am burning 900 to 1000 calories per day- 6 times a week. I do cardio every other day, and strengh training on the other days- which consist of Tai chi, yoga, an hour of curves, and an hour walk. Sunday I rest. My scale has refused to budge. I want to know if anyone has suggestions for me. I don't want to lose my spirit and put the breaks on and turn into a couch potato, but it is hard to be motivated when your scale is not backing you up.:thumbup: My pants are still tight too...I could accept all of this if I could fit into to smaller clothes and have a NSV, but I am still in my FAT pants! Has this happened to anyone else?:smile: ANY advice is appreciated! I have never worked this hard to stay in the same spot.

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

Wahoo, rock on girl! Love the NSVs!!!!!

I flew to Fl this weekend. #1- On the plane I had about 3-4 inches of seat belt to take up!!! #2- I started getting a blister on my heel. I took off my shoe and sock sitting in the car and put on the band aid! #3- We sat out side at several cafe's and I was not afraid to sit in those plastic chairs with the arms and I fit comfortably! #4- I STAYED ON MY EATING SCHEDULE! I only ate 3/4 to 1 cup of food. And beleive you me I wanted to eat more! Fresh broiled scallops and shrimp! :bananapartyhat:

Awesome !!!!!!!!!! Supercool story. I wish I cold find my first concert t-shirts from the high school days. My first show was Iron Maiden. I'd get some funny looks rocking an Iron Maiden t-shirt in my late 40's. Hell, I don't care...by my next birthday, almost a year away, I'm going to feel like I'm in my late 20's again. That's really neat that you have those to anchor down the memory of the great shows you must have seen. Fun NSV. Rock on !!!!!

I HAVE GREAT NEWS!!! you know, ever since i got this band, i really have not committed myself to the necessary practices to achieve marked success...thus i have only lost 20 tiny little lbs since march. but today, i had an NSV that was not even weight related!! i completely attribute this NSV to my band, and the way that it has, indeed, modified my behavior. i go for a tweak tomorrow. i have been beating myself up, like i do before every fill because i have not lost more weight. in a moment of weakness, i bought a king size pack of reece's pb cups. got to the car, could not even weight...i mean wait...to get out of the parking lot and i had the package ripped open. i stopped to get gas, thinking i would finish the pack off while waiting on the money meter to stop rolling. would you believe that i finished the one single cup and did not want anymore? i was actually able to recognize that the single cup was enough to satisfy the madness. i tickle myself sometimes...i know, that's perverted, i shouldnt do that...AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! i am so happy!

This time 6 months ago I was waking up after my surgery in the ICU. After a moment on confusion and throwing up I started my road to recovery. Before surgery it scary and so hard to imagine what life would look like now, and now I dont know what I was scared of. The journey hasnt always been easy but it has been worth it. I spent alot of time working on myself, my relationship with food and with others. I still have a way to go to be where I want to be both in weight, the way I look and the way my life looks, but it all feels very achievable now. As far as stats go to to date I have lost 105 pounds, and about 5 pounds from my first major goal....i work in kilograms, so to be in double digits will be my first big celebration. From there I have another 60 pounds to go.I wear anything from a 20 to a 14 now depending on the make. It is hard to judge but have been splurging on some goal outfits as I go along....at times I have bought clothes that are already too big for *shrug* I still have some minor issues with reflux but control this with medication at the moment, still am hopeful I will get off these soon. I eat what I want, tho my body does crave healthier more nutrient rich food and am learning to control the binge urges more than I ever have. I have been working out intensely since 6 weeks out, now work out twice a day averaging 5 days a week. My fitness is getting better and better. There have been stalls and downs but I try take them with a grain of salt and keep working on the next goals, mix it up and keep moving forward. They can really do your head in if you let them. I had my follow up with my GP last week and he did not recognise me. I am getting alot of comments, positive feedback and endorsements of what is happening, alot of positive, some people have also decided to add their opinions about who I was before and how I ate without really knowing anything about what i have gone through and the mental changes I have had to make with the physical. Some highlights (NSV's if you like) from the last 6 months: - Being able to run for over 20 minutes straight and extending that - Fitting in and feeliing confident in my first little black dress - Not complaining and actually wanting my photo taken now - Last Friday night, being able to dance the night away in heels with only minimal pain after 7 hours - Walking the whole parade route (back and forth) while in New Orleans for Mardi Gras - No more extender belts on planes, feeling more comfy in those cattle class seats - Not sure if this related but feeling less stress in my life, being able to hand stressful situations better, think this is more to do with my mental health that i have been working on, before I was a major stresshead - Only taking pain killers twice since surgery, once because I drank way too much the night before, before I felt like I was always having some ache or pain - Feeling like I want to jump, dance on a regular basis Below are the before and todate pictures, the newest picture was from a work Ball I went to last Friday and we had our hair and make up done, I got so many comments and felt so good all night. I still have work to go and plan to keep on keeping on. At the end of the first year I am planning on taking a celebration road trip around the US...not celebrating with food.

Today I was out shopping for a Christmas tree with my fiance, when I saw some cute coats in Walmart. My old winter coat is gigantic on me so I figured "What the heck." and tried a few on...in a size large. And they fit! I was so shocked I kept checking the tags to make sure I hadn't grabbed an XL by accident! This was definitely the boost I needed, since the numbers on the scale have been creeping down very slowly and I was starting to get frustrated. I love my band!

Love these nsv! Prior to becoming pregnant, I was in a size 2 jeans. Before surgery: a size 28! Being able to wear a belt was amazing as well. Being able to tuck in a shirt is amazing. Also, being able to go to the doctor with no shame. Stepping on the scales confidently.

Sleeve, I personally went out of my way to go find a cheap pair of pants in size 28W. I bought them to take them home. They were only 15 Dollars so not that much really... Well I tried them on and... O...M...G... WOW!!! I literally had to hold them up because they would fall straight to the ground. I honestly can't believe I was ever that big. How embarrassing. I only Thank God I'm not that large anymore. I do have a long ways to go, but by golly I'm about half-way there. NSV's rule the scale ANY DAY!!!

I think the NSV's are the most rewarding as well. I always had to buy more clothes so I could fit into them. But now, I can wear what has been sitting in my closet for a while My shirts and pants are no longer tight and fit well. I am so excited!!!!

Taylee_Rose: I know exactly how you feel. My problem is that since I have so much to lose it's like I see the numbers on the scale and that's it. Of course I am glad I am losing, but I am just so anxious to get this weight off of me. I keep telling myself that it didn't come on overnight, so I shouldn't expect it to come off overnight. I am trying not to become so fixated on those numbers and neither should you. Focus more on how you feel and how you look. Are you getting compliments? You probably are! Are you feeling better and doing things you couldn't do before this journey? Probably so! Look at your scale victories as well as your NSVs, you're doing great! Keep up the good work!

Congratulations on your NSV! You must be so proud of yourself!!! It never occurred to me to use clothing as a motivator, but that IS what gets my butt up and moving! Thanks for the tip!

I have been doing a lot of "closet shopping" lately, lol. I think a lot of us who have traveled up and down on sizes in the past have some items in the closet that havent fit right for a while but we can't bear to part with. It has been great!!!!! I also love that I can see the transition in a pair of pants from skin tight . . . looks good . . . omg, i need a belt :0) Another nsv is just being able to go clothes shopping and find cute, non-grandmotherly clothes that fit well. I wouldn't give my band up for the worlddd!!!!!!!

Today I was able to comfortably fit into a misses 16 pants. Horray for me!!!! :thumbup: BUT tonight when I went shopping for more new clothes I realized that I have no idea how to shop for regular size clothes. If that makes any sense?? I wandered around the clothing department looking at clothes thinking, I'll never be able to wear those and when I picked them up and mentally sized them up I didn't believe that I could wear them or that they could possible look good on me. I know it's a mental thing from years and years of never being able to shop for cute clothes because they did not make them in plus sizes. Also, I am finding that most of the clothes are made for younger girls with out sagging underarms and boobs! Where are the clothes with sleeves that cover my saggy arms!! I still want clothes that cover my older body. I was mainly looking for pants for work and while I realize that it is almost summer, how about some long pants instead of capri's and short shorts. I don't mean to grouch because I'm thrilled to be in smaller sizes, but I need adult styles. Anyone else with this problem?? :scared2:

Agreed. I've seen enough "one-ups" on here to not make me want to post my NSV, stats, etc. ever! But again, I'm slightly dramatic haha I'm sorry that happened to you, LV. This certainly isn't the venue for that kind of nonsense. You know you're killing it. Don't ever let someone make you question your success!