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Congrats on the great NSV!!!!Karen

I have a 16 year old sister and she got a couple pair of new jeans for Christmas. She was trying them on and had a hard time getting them buttoned. The last size I bought were a size 14 and these were juniors size 13, so I said let me try them on. They went on with no problem and were lose at the waist. My mom even said they looked better on me. Needless to say, she was not happy at all, especially when she read my Facebook status that said "Best Christmas present is knowing I can fit into my 16 year old sister's jeans!" She told me I was embarrassing and she was starting her diet tomorrow, forget the first of the year!

Well, I'm not having an easy food holiday, not from overeating, but from eating food that I don't typically eat--my sleeve really, REALLY doesn't like turkey! I thought my sleeve was getting a bit more tolerant, as I have been able to eat foods recently that I couldn't eat comfortably before, but these last two days have been really rough; that's what I get for posting it as an NSV! LOL I actually had to throw up twice, yesterday after eating a couple of small pieces of beef fajita meat (very tender and well chewed, but still not enough, evidently) and today after having two bites of turkey (dark meat, very tender and well chewed). It's kind of depressing to be eight months out and still be unable to eat particular, fairly common foods. On the flip side, I guess that price is an acceptable trade-off for being healthy and not overweight. I'm really thrilled with how things have gone overall. I'm just frustrated that I can't seem to eat meat or poultry with reliability. So I've been "on program" but not because my discipline has been fabulous. I did eat the guts of a sliver of sweet potato pie later this afternoon, and it was delicious and comfortable. Won't overdo, though--too much sugar to feel good!

I take my NSV's when ever I can since the scale moves so slowly for me. I was pleasantly surprised when I was able to purchase size 14 jeans last week. Not 14W, but regular Levi's 14's (I swear Levi's run just a tad bit smaller than other brands) I even bought a pair of skinny jeans. The smile was plastered on my face. I have donated all of my old clothes, 2X tops and pants that were 20-22's. My closet is so empty and so is my dresser. The 16's I bought 2 months ago are going to a friend next week. I can't remember the last time I wore a Large anything.

Merry size 4 Christmas Raine! I think that is a fabtastic present. If I ever get anywhere near your size I think I will cry...lol! Congrats on a chrimbo-tastic NSV!!

That's great!! Making it to a goal is a HUGE NSV!!!

I asked Santa for a size 4 jeans so I could use them as my "goal" jeans. Well I must have been a really good girl this year because they fit perfectly! Merry Christmas everyone! May all your NSV's come true

First off, I just want to say I have the most supportive friends a person could ask for. My best friend in the whole wide world came to hospital every day the four days I was there after my surgery. He stayed for several hours, if he didn't have work, at a time, even when I was drugged up and sleeping. He even contemplated skipping one of his classes so he could stay with me, but I told him no, especially since finals were drawing near, lol. Now that that is out of the way, onto the story. I consider myself in between the pureed and soft food stage, because while I still puree some stuff, my doctor gave me the go ahead to try some soft foods. Like I said, my friends are super supportive. I went to a Christmas party at my friend's house, and the two that were planning the food put a lot of thought and consideration into what they would have at the party based on what I could eat. One of my friend's signature dishes is homemade mac and cheese, and she made it with reduced fat cheese so I could have it since more fattening cheese makes me very sick right now. They also had some sort of chili cheese dip and crab meat dip. They know soda is my weakness, mainly coke and sprite, so my friend hid it before I got there, lol! He even bought my favorite diet juice drink just for me and gave me a saucer sized plate so I couldn't overload. Well, at the party, I probably ate more than I should. I never really felt the signals that I was eating too much at one time (ie burping, slimies, etc), but it was more like I was grazing throughout the night. I started out with about, I'm really bad at measurements, 2-3 ounces of the chili cheese dip and a few noodles of the mac and cheese and it was amazing. Drank some juice afterwards and then stopped for about an hour, before I had some of the meat from the deli tray, probably about four pepperoni sized pieces. We started playing a game so I mainly sipped Water during that time. Afterwards, I had some more of the chili cheese dip and some crab dip on a couple of crackers (I know, I know, some consider carbs evil but I couldn't resist ) and a cube of cheese from the deli tray. All in all, I probably grazed on about 8 ounces of food in a 5 hour time period. By the end of the night, I realized I probably ate way too much, and I felt a bit of heaviness in my stomach, but luckily no nausea or slimies, just a bit of burping. The next day on Wednesday, I was reluctant to go on my scale because I was certain I had gained. Turns out, I had lost 1.2 pounds! Wasn't sure if I was ever going to say this, because in the beginning I severely regretted my surgery, but I love my sleeve! I tried on my favorite jeans last week and I can fit more than a hand's width in between the waistband and my stomach! I was even more surprised when I looked at the tag and saw they were actually a size 22, when I had thought they were a size 24! I wore them a few days later and while visiting my mom, she said, "you need to stop wearing those pants, they're practically hanging off your hips." It was a great feeling. I can now comfortably wear a size 20, when before they would be digging into my stomach so much, I'd resort to unbuttoning them and hope my shirt covered it. I work in a movie theater and we are given two t-shirts for work. Well, a week before my surgery last month, we got new shirts for the holiday season. I wasn't sure what size I needed so I had my manager give me an XL and 2X and I would just trade the size I didn't need for another of the size I did. Tried on the 2X first, and it was too big, so I tried on the XL and while a bit snug, it fit better. Yes, I was definitely pear-shaped because I could wear an XL shirt but needed size 24 pants. Well, the district manager was working with me the next day and I told her I needed to trade in my shirt. After one of the supervisors went upstairs to switch them out, he couldn't find another XL, so my manager suggested I just get a 2X. I politely told her no (since I knew I would be having the surgery in a few days and it'd be a waste), and I'm glad I did because now my XL is too big! It'll probably be another month before I can comfortably wear a size large, but it feels good to physically be able to see my weight loss. The first two weeks after my surgery, even though I was throwing up the whole time, I had cravings like crazy. I wanted pizza, nachos, bread, etc. Now that I'm a little more than a month out, my cravings have gotten better, except a time or two here and there. Well, for the aforementioned Christmas party, I was supposed to make Cookies. I made sugar cookies, and before my surgery I would use a spoon to get whatever leftover batter there was, but I really didn't have the temptation to this time. Well, I bought some vanilla whipped topping and used food coloring to make it red and green, for Christmas. While stirring, naturally I got some on me. The first time I did was the only time I licked it off, out of habit mainly, but after realizing what I did, it was pretty easy to just keep a paper towel next to me to wipe it off. To me, that's a big accomplishment. Those are my NSVs (so far ) and sorry for the long post! I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

I have no need to be "ultra skinny" as you say. I have high expectations for myself, and I don' t belive that's bad. Is it horrible to use whatever motivation you can? I am not rushing this, I am taking slow, I am celebrating every pound and every nsv. HOWEVER, the band does work, and I needed to make this doctor see that. He speaks very poorly about the band, even to prospective patients. I went into my consult with him telling him I wanted the band, and all he told me about was the RNY, which I knew I didn't want! When I reiterated I wanted the band, he told me I would be very unhappy. Eventually, he believed in me enough to do the surgery, and I was going to prove to him that band patients can be successful. Why is that bad? I am healthy, and believe it or not, ALL of my bloodwork was normal, no sleep apnea, no diabetes, no cardiac issues BEFORE surgery. I am out to stay healthy. I want to keep it that way!

Well Guys and Gals. I went for my 4th fill appt on the 19th. My doctor asked if I wanted a fill and I told hime "a little". Just a little because I was feeling pretty tight before hand. He did the fill and I drank the "yuck" and watched it go down. I went home prepared to do broth two days and so forth. lunch went down ok. dinner Soup was a no go. I got choked in the middle of the night and from then til after noon the next day I could barely swallow even my own salvia. I got sick several times and was feeling bad. I have a lap band friend that I called and she insisted I call the dr and go back. I did. They took out a little more than they put in on Monday and I go back in three weeks. I still have the tight feeling. My fitness pal is showing I have lost 16 pounds and don't know why. I have lost 29. I had my NSV of going from 18W to a 16 misses and from a 2xl shirt to xl. I am so excited to start seeing a difference in my clothes. I thought Thanksgiving would be hard but I fixed my very small plate and ate slowly, and actually cut a piece of cake and nibbled a little but didn't eat much . Wasn't as good as it use to be. GG, I will be praying for you. I pray that all of us are good during Christmas and don't gain. Merry CHRISTmas to you all.

I will pray for you GG! Congrats to the NSV's recently. I had one of my own yesterday, although it sounds kinda silly. After my shower, i realized the bathsize towel wrapped around me and covered everything, no gaps!!!! I was shocked ! I'm stuggling again between the 182- 180 lbs but will stick to the plan and watch what happens in 2012. I went to my PCP for a weight check and blood work to check my kidney function this week. She didn't want me to do the band cuz it's the "easy way" out and "won't solve the primary problem of overeating". I've lost 28 lbs, dropped my BMI from 37 to 32 and she said not ONE word about the loss!!! Not even a mention about the surgery or the great BMI drop!!! This gal is 4' 8 inches and weighs about 190-I think she was mad at me!! Oh well, can't wait to show her how this band can work!! Yea ME!!!! Merry Christmas to all! Healthywoman

I've always been a flirt as well. My weight has never stopped me from flirting... and I got married at my highest weight ever! However, I am noticing that more men flirt and are nicer in general as my package gets better looking. That IS an NSV. I'm looking forward to being a normal weight again, but not necessarily because of attention from men. I just wanna feel like I look good in whatever I wear, instead of worrying if my butt looks fat in something. Right now, it usually does! LOL

That's so fun! I've always been shy so I think that even when I do lose a bunch of weight, I'll be so inexperienced, that I won't be able to say anything back! I'm not nearly as far as you, but I could tell one of my guy friends was flirting with me last night at a party. We were playing a game where the point is to win these cards that have describing words. I read off my cards to one of my other friends and say, "hey, look, I'm juicy and sweet." My guy friend, who I've known since first grade but we were never super close, said, "yes, you are." He's never really noticed me that much before and tends to go after different types of women, so I thought it was funny. Congrats on your NSV! It's very cool to be noticed by the opposite sex every once in a while. Keep working towards your goal and you'll have to fight them off with a stick!

I have always been a big flirt. Since I have been heavier guys havent been much on flirting back though. I have noticed that since I have almost lost 100 pounds I have a few more guys flirting with me again! hehe...I love it! So I guess this could be considered a nsv!

So yay! After eight months, I think my sleeve is finally getting more tolerant of wider types of food!!! I used to eat eggs daily pre-sleeve. Since surgery, I have been unable to eat them without experiencing serious pain and the dreaded slimes--no matter how little egg I ate, it would give me the grumbles. I've been trying them off and on through the last months, and I noticed that it was not quite as rough, but I was still not interested in eating something that would cause me pain. Well, today at a restaurant, I ordered hambone gumbo (like ham Soup with collard greens in a rich broth--really tasty, I have to say). It came with a deviled egg in the middle of the bowl--you know, half a boiled egg with the yolk mashed and mixed with something creamy. I decided to give it another try--it was DELICIOUS and it was perfectly comfortable and I ate the whole half egg and some of the soup!!! I know it sounds sort of stupid to be so excited about an egg, but I feel so relieved that my sleeve allowed me to eat that--after months of not being able to eat them without repercussions! Can it be my sleeve is "maturing" FINALLY? Oh, it still restricted my volume, have no doubt of that--couldn't finish the soup!! But the food I did eat, egg and all, stayed comfortably in my tummy and felt GOOD. YAY!!

Awesome NSV! I love any type of clothing NSV because I love clothes lol. I actually have about 5 pairs of jeans in my closet right now I am in a 16 I also have an 18 just to remind me. I have a 14 and a small 12 too. LOL I try them on at different times just to see. Hopefully one day! Anyways congrats to you!

Aha! NSV makes sense now! I'm with you, blackanese25. I was sleeved 12-8-11 and my pants are falling off me now. I had to go scrounging for underwear this morning because yesterday, they fell down in the middle of a client meeting and I had to excuse myself. Thankfully I had pants on but it was still a strange sensation.

I think that's a major NSV!!! I am personally an NSV ho. I keep track of them and look for them like a monkey looking for somethng shiny! LOL I've stalled a couple of times, but every time I stall, I find lots of NSVs to concentrate on. Pants and clothes being too big? Oh, yeah, MAJOR NSV! I'd be happy-dancing, and did when I walked out of a pair of pants a few weeks ago. 42 pounds is phenomenal, and it will just keep getting better!

lol no worries.. and actually congrats to you as well on your nsv! i can't wait to see what i get down to.. im so excited for this journey

It's hard to choose rewards because they so often require spending money, which is tight in our household. So far I've only set two: 241, which was the weight I was when I started my most successful diet in my life (Atkins). I was 23. For that, I will reward myself with a new haircut (which I desperately need). Next one after that is 212, which was what I got to when I got bored with Atkins and quit. That was what I weighed when I met my partner 10+ years ago. Not sure what I'll do then to Celebrate. Of course, there's always "onderland"... I think it's probably important to celebrate goals and NSVs, but I'm still trying to figure out how to do that without it involving food or too much money. I'm curious to hear what others say!

Congratulations! I'm almost 4weeks out and my tight clothes are soooo comfy now. What does NSV stand for?

so when i woke up this morn and decided to get dressed i put my usual pants on only for the past few days they just don't fit right .. too loose.. he he he.. so i went into my room to see if i had anything smaller and i pulled out a pair of pants i bought about 3 years ago i wore these pants a total of about 5 times. .i always said one of these days ill fit in these again.. And for shits and giggles, honestly not thinking they would fit, tried them on anyways.... i had lost enough weight so far to wear them... and not just wear them, but wear them comfortably... funny part is.. half way thru the day i realized something.. they were starting to get a little loose which mean i still wont be able to wear these things for long cuz im just gonna keep losing weight... so i called up a friend and asked her if she would like if i set my pants aside for her... lol i think this would be an nsv? right?

That's fantastic about the wet suit. I know you were thrilled. Congratulations on that NSV. When we were getting certified many years ago they had to put so many weights on me when I wore a wet suit or I could not go down unless they did. All my fluff and then the wet suit made me float like a bar of ivory soap! LOL Merry Christmas! GG

I am 7 weeks out and finally (and slowly) adding regular food back into my diet (I couldn't be more excited to finally get a salad LOL). I went through the whole 3-4 week stall and got over it. But my biggest triumph has been the revelation that my relationship with food has changed...and continues to change!!!! The holidays could not be a more perfect a time for this to happen. I attended an office party yesterday and watched my co-workers (large, small and in between pile food onto their plates and into their mouths....and instead of feeling bad about the fact that I was eating so little, I just kept thinking "Wow, that's soooo much food"!!! It's hard to believe that I used to eat like that and it's even harder to imagine eating like that again!! And even if I didn't lose another pound, my new relationship with food makes it ALL worth it!!