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I was banded on 3/9/10 and got down to 222lb before being diagnosed with breast cancer on 1/17/11, Spent 90% of 2011 going through surgery, recovery and chemo and ended back at 243lb. Joined Weight Watchers on 10/20/11, Joined the "Y" on 1/3/12 and started the FitLinx program along with 30 minutes a day of cardio. Just hit my first WW goal of 10% of my weight lost - down to 218! NSV 1 - Although I'd heard all the talk about how exercise helps you have more energy, sleep better and relieve stress, I always was "too busy". Well, I'm still "too busy", but realized that there are things that can wait, like housework and catering to my hubs needs. Putting my health first needs to be a priority especially if I want to be around for the long haul. NSV 2- Last band adjustment was Nov '11 - any further adjustments were understandably nixed by my WLS until after I finished treatment and got the okay from my oncologist. I got that okay back in October, but haven't felt the need to go back. My restriction is good but more importantly, I've learned to realize what true hunger is and what's emotional eating. NSV 3- Kudos from my trainer: Jill - Congratulations you've reached a milestone with your Strength training lifting 100 000 lbs! It is your commitment to regular strength training that got you here. Great job! Adrian 2012 May just be the year I finally reach my goal! <a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/waosz4T/"> <img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/waosz4T/weight

Wow, what an amazing journey! That's a fantastic NSV

Lissa~ Now that's an NSV! Love it....

So today is the last day of 8 weeks out from my gastric sleeve surgery. I’ve been thinking a lot about where I am in my journey. I’ve been able to eat meat for about 1 ½ weeks. I can only eat 2-3 ounces. I have to really gnash it up with my teeth, but I can get it down, keep it down and enjoy it. I’ve noticed in the last few days that I can eat and actually feel full. I don’t feel like I’m stuffed and choking on my food. My sleeve doesn’t feel uncomfortable or hurt when I eat. In the beginning I was so frustrated that I would never be able to eat somewhat “normally” again. Coordinating my meds, food, Protein, supplements, and liquids is becoming more routine. I still have to be vigilant, but I don’t feel like I’m “obsessed with food” so much. I gained 10 pounds with my surgery. No one warned me about that. It took about 6 days for that weight to come off. I’ve lost 32 pounds since my journey began, 17 pounds since surgery. My biggest problem, my waist (I’m apple-shaped – worse for the heart), is 2 ½ inches smaller. At 1 ½ weeks out, I went through a 4 week stall. I thought the surgery was a failure and that I would always be a big, fat, unhealthy mess. I had put SOOOO much faith in the surgery, I guess expected immediate results. The stall finally broke, I lost 7 pounds in 2 weeks, and have been in another stall for 5 days. The scale is stuck at exactly 204.0. I want to hit Onederland so bad, but will have to be patient. I have not been losing weight gradually. Even when I do lose, I gain back, lose again, gain back, lose again, with an eventual net loss. My calorie intake is always about the same - no reason for the gain and loss. I started out at size 22-24. Today I put on size 16W pants. Some of my 14/16W shirts fit. I had an NSV – I had to tighten the armband for my IPOD because my arms were smaller. I’ve started hiking again. I can eat some spicy foods finally (love it!). Wow, as I read back over this, I realize that in spite of my difficulties, I’m doing good! Screw this stall! I will be triumphant! The bottom line is, IT WILL GET BETTER! I had a hard time believing this in the beginning, but this website and all of you have been a godsend, giving me faith. Thank you all for being here! ! !

Connie, Are your clothes getting bigger? Is your energy level improving? Are you more able to do things like workouts and walking? If those things are happening, you aren't truly stalled. I've been bouncing on the same few pounds for about a month, but I'm losing pants sizes and I see my body readjusting. Perhaps you should take your measurements and see if those numbers are changing. If you are meeting your daily Fluid and Protein goals and exercising, it's possible that your body is converting fat to muscle, which is AWESOME!!! Don't weigh every day, or even every week. Look for those NSVs and appreciate that your body is working hard with the good things you are giving it. In my opinion, 127 pounds in 9 months is PHENOMENAL!!! You have really rocked that sleeve!! Don't get depressed and don't give up. The best is yet to come!

this was one of my favorite NSVs as well!!!!!

Congratulations on your losses, thats amazing! What a great time to feel better about being in pictures, huh? Laddie, what did you stand in line so long for?? I dont care how fat I am, sounds boring! Lol. Nsv's of any kind feel good.

U have done great so far... ur ups and downs just goes to show that this thing is real and it's hardwork. Celebrate the NSV's girl.... size 12 after u were expecting only 14 b4 valentines... congrats!

Ok, so I made a daytrip up to Cedar Rapids, IA today (5 1/2 hr drive one way) and about 2 hrs into the drive, my butt started to hurt a little. I finally realized its because I don't have much cushion left on the tushy.... So, my butt bones were sitting on the car seat. Very uncomfortable drive. Guess its time to get a pillow and look like an old lady. A weird NSV, but who would have thought I wouldn't have enough fat left on my butt that sitting in the car would ever be a problem. LOL

My BFF and I, along with her beau, took our kids to Animal Kingdom today. The weather was absolutely gorgeous! The boys had a great time, and just for giggles I wore my pedometer. 12 freaking miles! Holy crap! And the passes we bought were 3 day passes so we get to do this two more times, without the kids though - having both the boys and them being so young was just too much to handle. So, here's a couple of pics. The self portrait is literally the night before getting sleeved. Oh, and the pants I'm wearing today are 18's, down from 24! Woohoo!

Now that's an NSV moment! CONGRATS! :Banane57:

Hello August bander!! How is everyone? Its 6 months today I got my band. I have been doing well and loving the band (sometimes) It is kinda tight and I like it like that, it helps me make the right decision to eat. Old habits or you can say bad habits are hard to break. I log my food everyday on my fitness pal, I look for help and advice from friends or family when I struggle. I was never a breakfast person and now with the band I find I dont like to eat breakfast so I have a protein shake every morning. I try any and all shakes and usually stick with the isopure, 2 splenda in a blender. Lunch is usually Chobani with some protein granola in it, by lunch I have usually had my protein for the day. Dinner is always different. Meals I enjoy CHILI always is good, chicken depending on how its cooked,turkey sausage keilbasa with kraut, I love the crockpot and try to mix up meals in there. Crock cooking helps because my daughter is 3.5 and son is 17 months doesnt leave me much time to do much when I am home with them and my husbands days off rotate so im alone and not always easy and by the time I get them in bed it is almost 8:30/9pm and I'm done by then!!!! I started couch to 5k, I was religious with it but its been cold and I have weened off a lil in the following weeks. Since my husband leaves for work by 6am I have to be up and dressed to run by 5/5:15AM if I wanna get it in. I have been doing it usually 3 days per week and go to the gym once a week to get in a Zumba class. I love it and lots of fun! The weight was slowly coming off and I am happy with that. i am still not done and still a work in progress LOL I have lost 49 pounds and I started at 236, was 231 the day of surgery and now I am at 187..ugh 1 lb away from 50...SOON!!!! Once I started running the weight flies off, so anyone thinking they cannot do it, you can and its a basic simple training program that works on interval run for a minute or two then walk then run...interval training has worked wonders for me. I am so proud of all of us and we are keeping our heads high and doing it! Somedays are better than others, some things are tolerated one day and not the next. I still hate eating with people, I go out to lunch with coworkers but usually play it safe and get a chili. I skip most carbs- bread, pasta, pizza, bagels,cereal (all was a staple everyday or once a week) I have changed everything I used to eat and feel terrific. I on occasion will eat slider food and regret it but for the most part I follow the "rules" I stay focused on my goal, i am liking my willpower, determination, and my 50lb weight loss verses the guilt I would feel for going to mcdonalds and pigging out, or the clothes not fitting and me getting angry or upset with myself and saying "thats it Im going on a diet" and failing the next day. Its not always easy but the NSV's I have had these 6 months will carry me another 6. I like walking into a regular store and buying clothes at Macys, not sweating from a flight of stairs, and most of all even if the scale doesnt move I know I am not on a diet but I have changed my lifestyle for the better. Wishing eveyone the same success!!! I have an incredible support system from online bander support groups, friends, neighbors, family, books, LBT, and my husband. I am here if anyone nees any support, advice, or a kick in the arse LOL best of luck A11's keep on with your journey and dont ever quit! keep your eye on the prize!

That is the BEST NSV ever! You know when people don't say a thing, but what they are thinking on the inside...JEALOUS! HAHA, ENJOY it girl!!!

I agree with Lissa, look at all of those other things that are changing about your body. If your size is changing, and you are feeling great that should be all that matters. I know the point of WLS is to lose "weight" but for me it is about losing weight to get healthier and be able keep up with my toddler. My surgery is in four days and I have decided that I will not be focused on or a slave to the "number". Any good changes that happen to my body will be a WIN for me regardless of how much weight I've lost. It won't be about what I lost this week or last. I think losing weight is important but focus on all of the NSVs you are having. As long as you are doing what you need to do with your Protein, food, and Water, it will all work itself out. I wish you luck!

That's an awesome NSV!!!

Good for you for pretending you didn't see them! They are so childish. Yuck. I also can't stand women like that. Eeew! Congratulations on your weightloss! Great NSV.

Yesterday I wore my skinny leg jeans, a ribbed v-neck white sweater, my black leather jacket, and my pointy-toed black boots. Yeah, I looked hot! Smiling still... This was the 1st day in the two-weeks where I could really show off my new body and weight-loss to everyone. First, one of the directors chased me down to say how great I looked. That made me smile. But, the true NSV was from the group of women that I truly cannot stand. These women are a clique and spread hateful gossip like WILDFIRE! These women haven't said a single word to me since my return to work 2-weeks ago. But, they do stare at me. So yesterday I'm in an early morning meeting with one of them discussing a new priority project. One of the key-cliquer's is in the meeting. She watches me get up and then looks me up and down with her mouth gapping....does she not think I cannot see this? I'm laughing inside and keeping a straight face while talkikng with my boss. Then another cliquer walked in and I get the same reaction from her...looking me up and down with a gapping mouth, but not saying a word. I act like I don't see her, but she goes over to her clique-mate and they start whispering. I'm sure they are talking about how I took the easy road by surgery, but I don't care. My take-away from this...the joy of seeing them look me up and down in shock over my current transformation. Just wait girlies....there is more to come!

I second what NEW HOPE wrote. Look at the bright side quick might mean more skin later. Slow and moderate most likely will make all the difference later in how you look. I think it is a blessing in disguise. It is hard to feel that now but if you know you are doing the right things by eating and working out, it really is to your advantage. Take pics monthly, I plan on looking back at all the NSV others have shared when getting discouraged. Soon you will be seeing those of your own. I am right behind you, seeing how my journey plays out. Good for you girl working out so hard and eating right, it just a matter of time !!!!

I'm dancing signing you Happy Birthday!. This is your first NSV! Congrats! Keep it up!

Soooo amazing! And this is what this is all about... congrats on your awesome success and your lovely NSV!

Hey guys! Well, today marks my 6th month surgiversary and I am down 65 pounds. I am currently in a stall that has lasted about 2 1/2 weeks. I started inching down by tenths since Monday. We will see if its breaking in the next several days. I seem to be in a holding pattern where I lose 8 or 9 pounds one month, then stall and lose 6 the next month, then it catches up and I lose 9, then stall again and lose 6. Overall I am thrilled with the results so far! I feel I am halfway through my journey as I plan to lose all my excess weight by one year post op and I am 65% there so not a bad start! I have struggled like a lot of folks with the fact that others who are the same as me have lost more than me but I have to keep focusing on myself and just be happy for them and keep keeping on with my plan. I have full faith that I will get to my goal! My sister has decided to join me on this journey and she is getting scheduled for June. So excited for her! This will also benefit me as I will have to be more diligent in my eating to set a good example for her. I dont know about any of you that are six months out or more but I have found that my bones are becoming a problem! They are starting to protrude and bother me when I am trying to sleep. My ribs and hip bones are digging into the bed and feel uncomfortable. I thought I was laying on something or had my gown or the covers bunched up, but it was my ribs! Holy Crap! My husband says I am getting bony. I knew from being skinny in college that I have very prominent bones but I had forgotten because its been 22 years. I still have fat and skin hanging but my bones are really showing up now! Cool or not so cool NSV... I will try to post a pic tonight when I get home from work!

Great story, thanks for sharing your amazing NSV moment.

THANK YOU ..I didn't know what an NSV was and had been wondering for weeks!! Anyways..that happened to me also. I tried on a size 40 waist pair of jeans today!! I hadn't been a 40 since GRADE SCHOOL...went from a size 46 to a 40 in 4 weeks isn't too shabby!

What does NSV stand for?