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Well, I had a great NSV yesterday. I knew I had a pair of jeans in my closet -- size 18 with the tags still on. When I went in for surgery, I was in a TIGHT 20. My pants have been so loose lately I thought.....hmmmmm, wonder if I can get those jeans on? So I got them out of the closet, pulled them on (yeah! they went OVER my hips!) struggled to button them :paranoid , but they buttoned, laid down :rolleyes and zipped them up. They actually zipped up!!!! :biggrin1: :biggrin1: :biggrin1: They are still a bit tight to be wearing out, but another couple of weeks and they should fit right. When I first bought them, I couldn't even get them over my hips and they've been hanging in the closet for 3 years. I'm looking forward to being able to wear them all the time.:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

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!!

I had often told myself during my journey that even if I were to ever possibly hit goal I would never post a success story. Maybe I was being modest or perhaps just really hard on myself or…just not able to forgive myself for ever letting my weight get out of control as it had. I guess a lot of it no matter how you sum it up is really just embarrassment. Well I had a change of heart. That change of heart came because I can remember so vividly the feeling of the hopelessness and despair. At times I felt I was knocking on deaths door and that there was nothing I could do about it. So I am writing this tonight in hopes that if I can help just one person even if only one tiny bit then it is my responsibility to do so. I believe in paying it forward and giving back. If it wasn’t for the people before me that helped me then where would I be? It would be irresponsible for me not to do the same. You are not alone and there are people out there, really good decent people who can help you but YOU have to want it and at some point you need to swallow your pride and ask for the help. Help will not come to you. YOU have to seek it out. I have told my story several times and you can read it on my profile. I lost 170lbs doing Atkins between 2003 and 2004. I went from 393 to 220 and felt great…and then I got sloppy and let my guard down and weight started packing on. I went from 220 to 488 in 8 years’ time. At 488lbs doing day to day activities was quite a chore. My knees were taking a beating carrying so much weight on a 5’6 inch frame. I developed arthritis and serious sleep apnea. Walking from the parking lot to my office was a real task and that was even with the use of an elevator. I had to sit out in the car and have my Wife do the grocery shopping because I couldn’t last more than 10 minutes on my feet. I had to sit and fold laundry sitting in a chair. This list could go on and on about the limited mobility. My amazing Wife stood by me and encouraged me to make a change but we both knew until I was ready to commit to change it would not happen. I am not sure how many other women out there would have put up with what she did. My weight affected us both physically and mentally. I did not feel like much of husband at times and I am sure there were plenty of times she felt more like a caregiver than a wife at times although she never said so or complained. Something had to give and it finally did and in September 2011 with my wife at my side I attended a local seminar for WLS. We listened to the Doctor discuss all the surgical options available at the time and being new and somewhat naïve we decided Lapband was the way to go. It was reversible and probably the least invasive of all procedures. I signed up for a one on one consult with the Surgeon that night. October 2011 I met with the Doctor and told him I ready to make a life change. He told me he wanted to see me lose 24lbs and work on shrinking the liver. Insurance required me to do a 6 month monitored diet so instead of losing 24lbs preop I lost 38lbs. My Surgeon was impressed and after completing all the preop requirements I finally got a surgery date of April 16, 2012. I weighed in on surgery morning at 450lbs on the button. So there I was April 17th and getting discharged from the hospital and all that went through my mind is why the hell did I do this? There was no way it would work and I will be known as the fat guy who couldn’t lose weight with WLS. As much as you research and prepare for this new life it seems at some point you say OK well I had the surgery why is the weight not coming off?? This is so frustrating!!! Well apparently I had never heard of bandster hell. Bandster hell is that time from when you have the surgery to the time you actually get the necessary fills to get the need restriction to control your portions. Some very few people are lucky they have the surgery and automatically get that restriction. Not me, it took me 6 months. 6 months of frustration. Probably one of the most difficult pieces for me to learn was patience. Lack of patience made this road even longer. I stepped on the scale almost daily these last 2.5 years waiting on a large drop in numbers that never happened. How on earth could you possibly see a large drop if you’re stepping on the scale daily? Do yourself a favor and don’t do it. To this day I still step on it daily but now it is about accountability not so much weight loss. Always look for other measures to success. We call them Non Scale Victories or NSV’s. Losing weight is not just about numbers. For a while I was buying new clothes every other month because I was shrinking so fast. I went from a size 62 waist to a 34. I went from squeezing into theater seats to have padded space on each side. I could go on and on here rambling about all sorts of stuff weight and band related. If you’ve read this far then thank you and thank you to those who helped me get here. I would like to especially thanks @@Alex Brecher without him I wouldn’t have a home here and I perhaps would’ve remained lost. If anyone has any questions or comments or just need someone to talk to don't hesitate to message me regardless how personal you think your question may be. My name is Jim and I am junk food addict. I have lost 300lbs and the lapband saved my life. 2yrs and 8 months 488 to 188. Peace!!

@@CTRose1160 just posted this somewhere - newest NSV?? parked too far away in the parking garage to reach the "ticket" able to pull up my new teeny weeny rear end, stretch and get ticket favorite NSV.......... when i decided to "put myself" out there and volunteer at our local hospital due to my lack of confidence/how i felt about myself i would never have gone out amongst "real" people before when i was "heavy" look at me now!!! kathy

I'm tracking my progress a variety of ways... weight, body fat percentage, measurement, pictures, and of course, how my clothes fit. I was stuck at 215 for about a week (technically a stall is longer than that) , I started feeling a little frustrated, so I pulled out a pair of "too small pants" that had been too tight on the tummy... And they fit!! Progress!!! Think about those NSV and all the little things. The other morning I got out of bed wearing a short nightie and noticed how much smaller my legs look. My rings are fitting looser. My bras need to be on the tightest hooks. I have big calfs and can't wear tall boots (not even my hubby barn boots) but today?? I was walking past them and though "maybe??" and low and behold, my leg slides in! Celebrate every single little moment!

well. it has been 2 days since my fill. as i suspected not much weight loss, 1 lb. :crying: i was disappointed but I am going to keep trying. it is weird though. my total weight doesnt move much but my Fat Mass goes down. this time by about 6 pounds. what is all that about? NSV: was able to wear some jeans i previously couldnt fit into. :biggrin:

Starting weight: 243 Surgery weight: 228 (Sept 21, 2012) New Years Goal: 190 Todays weight: 191 Missed it by a pound but THRILLED at my progress, as we all should be. How awesome is it for all of us today? How many of us have had a New Year resolution to lose weight in the past? Now we KNOW we will lose it! How liberating!! All these diet commercials and finally, FINALLY, this year I KNOW I will lose weight!! This is an unexpected NSV. Starting the new year knowing the weight will come off. I just want to congratulate all of you for making this amazing decision to transform your life!! Happy New Year!!

Well, winter is coming to the Pacific northwest! Which means SNOW! So, this winter my nsv will be to get up to the mountain and strap on that snow bord and hit the slopes. Any one else plan on going up to the mountains this year?

Ran shirtless for the 1st time ever this summer - such a NSV for a former fat guy

Aww!! thanks for the Temaki Tip! never knew it! I am glad I have had the chance to speak to u!! u are an info guru when it comes to my favorite food!! which I become addictive to after my band!! I was glad I found it too! it was my only way out! with the band "No chicken, meat or veggies can pass through!" so yeah I am glad to have great news about the sleeve and sashimi!! It is a great deal of losing weight! when u stay away from the fried stuff ofcourse:) Thanks again for ur detailed explaination!! it is a great insights to what I should expect in less than 4 days!! my surgery is on the 16th .. BEST OF LUCK on ur journey and glad ur ex wife saw u! and stared!! ) I cant wait for someone who called me a "cow" after he broke up with me years ago to see me after my sleeve! one of the NSV I am looking forward too! have a great week!! and one last question.. is the hunger really fading?

Thank you ClaireC. I have been practicing my post op behaviors now so when it's real it will be second nature. I am quite ready to be thin and healthy again. Next week I have a follow appointment with the NP and dietitian. Just by being mindful of my eating, according to my him scale I have lost 10# since my first appointment sept 23. I have many post op nsv's on my bucket list. Thanks for the encouraging words. Hope to talk again :-D Bear

NSV = NON-scale VICTORY! Something that happens as a result of weightloss that is not directly tied to the numbers.....like fitting in to clothes, seatbelt finally fitting, a hug that wraps all the way around.....things like that!! Here's a link to the thread with all of the definitions: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f73/abbreviations-what-they-mean-7959/

I LOVE this thread! NSV! I have had a few - - The airplane seat belt fits just fine now - with about an inch to spare! I fly nearly every week and prior to surgery I had to push myself back in the seat and suck it in as much as I could to get it fastened! - I no longer pee my pants when I laugh, sneeze or cough! Life is so good! - The other day, I caught myself crossing my legs! I love to sit with my legs crossed, but haven't been able to for a few years now! I'm going to be on the look out for my next NVS!!! I can hardly wait!

Come on MollyBrown, You know the story of the tortoise and the hare.... You, Sades, Kuchie, and I are the November tortoises, but we are going to do fine. I'm down 37 pounds at six months. Although faster might be nicer, I am very happy with the fact that I weigh less now than I have in seven years. It was soooooo great to bring out my spring/summer clothes this year and find out that everything either fit or was too loose. In previous years, the seasonal change out has been very depressing, as everything was always too tight. I have a huge pile of stuff to give to Goodwill because it is too big. That's a big NSV for me. I had hoped to lose 70 pounds this year and 35 pounds in the second year. I'm on track for that (and so are you). Don't let it get you down. It will all click if you just hang in there. We are a thundering herd of tortoises! Invincible!

Oh my goodness that is the best NSV EVER!!!! Congrats!

Great comment above. Doctors sometimes reduce certain health conditions to weight when it is more complex than that - for example, my very fit, thin cousin has uncontrollable high blood pressure, while mine is well controlled with meds. Just looking at our weights, you would assume the opposite is true. Regarding NSVs, big ones for me have been cutting my HBP meds (again, I have well controlled HBP, so I have had to reduce meds), more energy, a better sex drive (a bit embarrassing to share on a forum but it is true so...), less anxiety about fitting in places, fitting into old clothes in my closet, feeling eager to move more (when in the past activity was harder and I wanted to avoid it.)

What is your "Bandiversary" goal? My goal is to be "overweight" instead of "obese" - I'm close! If I don't make it I promise not to "beat myself up" - I will soooooon! What have you learned this past year? That it is not "all or nothing" - before one slip would send me over the top and to making all the bad choices again. That I have to slow down in my expectations - I want it all off right now!/want to be able to exercise for 2 hours and feel like a kid again - For me, that does not work. God willing I have time to make this life changing adjustment to the way I eat and the way I make my body move. Could you share your most rewarding NSV (non-scale victory)? My ankles are no longer swollen, my knees do not hurt, my blood pressure is normal, I handle stress so much better.....................I can walk miles.........I love to exercise (amazing)! I fit into a size 12 pants (that are getting a bit baggy).....and a M/L top..............bra size went from a 44DDD to a 36DD.... What is your biggest challenge? To listen to the full signs - still have a tendancy to put more in than I can handle..............at times still forget to chew my food good (yes, even after almost a year)...usually when I'm talking and not paying attention. What tips would you pass on to the April 2007 newbies? Follow the bandster "rules" - get the fills that you need - it does so work! I love my band....use this tool correctly and it will do the trick for you. START EXERCISING - JOIN OUR EXERCISE GROUP...............for me this has been the second best tool. What is your greatest fear? Losing my band! If I did - I'd have it replaced as soon as possible. What goals do you have for the future? To continue on my road to better health thru more weight loss (this year's new goal - and additional 20 - 40 lbs) and keeping myself as fit as I am now and possibly adding additional fitness classes (more strenghth building). How has your life changed? I'm a healthy 67 year old grammy of 8.............I feel "light" - I don't hurt - I like myself - I look forward to a healthier older age! Has living with the band met up to your expectations? YES, YES, YES. For those of you who don't know - this has been a verrrrrrry stressfull year - my 44 year old son AND my 71 year old husband both had heart valve replacement surgery...........they're both doing great................AND any other year I would have gained weight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Yipee - thank you band and all my band friends!

Calling all April Bandits of 2006: Let's come together and share our successes! What is your "Bandiversary" goal? I dont think I have one, one year ago I thought I would be thin, but thats not realistic since I had like 130-140 pounds to lose. What have you learned this past year? That food doesnt need to be my comfort thing:-) Could you share your most rewarding NSV (non-scale victory)? I havent seen my empoloyee since he left last January, when I met him couple weeks ago he didnt recognize me:-)and also I can finally shop in normal clothes stores:-) What is your biggest challenge? overcoming my cravings and sticking to small amounts of chocoalte:-)plus not weighting myself every day What tips would you pass on to the April 2007 newbies? listen to your body and dont get upset when you hit a plateu,just stick to your excercise and good food choices.dont weight yourself very often just watch sour clothes...and definitely come to LBT cause the support I get here also keeps me going:-)and I must thank to my fellow bandits:-) for all their suppor.THANK YOU ALL!!! What is your greatest fear? That I eat something Im not supposed to eat and that I will fall back to my old patterns (overeating).I guess Im getting a bit obsessed with food,which is not very healthy What goals do you have for the future? losing another 26kgs(57 pounds) and being hot as hell..lol..if needed I might get the TT or breast surgery,but I hope that good excercise with my trainer will help me How has your life changed? Im more confident and happy with myself.I love the attention I get from people, telling me that I lost so much weight:-) Has living with the band met up to your expectations? Yes definitely Bandsters of April 07 if you have any questions or comments feel free to ask because when I was doing my research people here helped me so much and I will be more than happy to help others to my best knowledge:-) Hey and excuse my English Im Czech and English isnt my native language..lol:D

Calling all April Bandits of 2006: Let's come together and share our successes! What is your "Bandiversary" goal? What have you learned this past year? Could you share your most rewarding NSV (non-scale victory)? What is your biggest challenge? What tips would you pass on to the April 2007 newbies? What is your greatest fear? What goals do you have for the future? How has your life changed? Has living with the band met up to your expectations? If you could talk to yourself a year ago, what would you say? Thank you, my friends for all of your posts and for your successes. I have paid particular attention to our April '06 group. I feel a kinship with you. Good luck and happy bandiversary!!! :happybday2:

I guess it's a NSV I kinda forgot my surgiversary. I'm 3 years post op and maintaining all of my 130 lb loss. (I do bounce up and down 4-5 lbs). Still tracking everything I eat, it keeps me in check. Walking 8 miles a day 6x a week. Completed a LBL earlier this year and getting ready for final skin removal on legs soon. Just hope those starting this journey know if I can do it ANYONE can. I stuck to my Dr's diet very strictly making all the changes lifestyle changes. I don't deprive myself now, but splurges are now occasional instead of daily. And I love that my sleeve still really restricts me. It's hard to feel guilty about 1 small piece of pizza and I'm so grateful that I'm totally satisfied after that one piece. Hopeful everyone is enjoying much success and while I don't post often, I'm always happy to help anyone in need. Feel free to reach out. I'm cheering you all on!!!! [emoji173]️[emoji173]️[emoji173]️[emoji173]️

Silly nsv are the best! Love the socks! Work it girlfriend!!

Sheila!!! THAT IS INCREDIBLE!!!!! You should be so proud of yourself!!!! Unfortunately I have no NSV's to report at this time as far as weight goes. But, I was recently accepted into a very prestigious Veterinary Technician program and start August 29th. I start my pre op diet tomorrow and I'm hoping that I will have some scale victories before my surgery on the 29th. I don't think I'll lose enough to have NSV's but we shall see! I'm so proud of you....keep up the great work!

Yay to everyone! SpecialK, your story made ME smile real big, too - in a very manly way, of course. I love that Busy can wear her mother's ring again! And Bratz, your daughter sound like a keeper... I've had such a busy week that I can't remember whether or not I posted about it, but I had an NSV, too: my pants and belt were loose, and I went to tighten the belt to prevent flashing the passersby (not actually a HUGE issue in NYC, to be frank) - and discovered that my belt has run out of notches and can't be tightened any more! I shall now make a Walk of Pride to the cobblers, and have them trim the belt and put in new notches. I'm going to ride this belt down until it's just a little nubbin!

Congrats. on the NSV's!!! Most people don't seem to understand the importance of that "ego boost" thing, I guess because they get it more often than heavy people. I reached a point that if I heard one more time about how "cute your face is" I was going to scream. I wore a dress to work the other day and one of the male inspectors I work with eased up close to me and said, "you might think about wearing dresses more often." I told my husband that night and he said he always thought I was cute but my new confidence has made me sexy!!! I'M SEXY!! WOO HOO!!!

Beautiful NSV Julie! Congratulations!!! and YOU GO GIRL!!!!! Rock that sleeve!!!!