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Raise your hand if you have ever had to bend forward or look to the side when weighing yourself because BOB (big old belly) was in your way. Yeah, I thought so! Me too, except this morning when I got on the scale to do my daily weigh in, I looked straight down and saw my numbers. I tell ya, even though the numbers didn't reflect what I wanted, the action sent me over the moon and damned if I didn't work 10x harder in my Fitness Kickboxing class this morning. I think this is one of my favorite NSV or is it an SV LOL either way when I realized what I was doing I almost cried.

OK, this sounds like a NSV (non scale victory) but since a scale is involved.... tough call. Either way, it is a cool thing to celebrate. Thanks for sharing! I hope you learn to love jumping on the scale and seeing those numbers go down!

Yeah! and congrats on all your NSV's. Have fun on your future trip. Karen

Hi all, My surgery was 3 weeks ago today....I can go up and down stairs with ease.....I have a lap!!!! But the greatest is I can go off one of my high blood pressure meds!!! Yipee! This takes determination and resolve and some short term sacrifice but the rewards are worth it! Thanks for all the support! Tracy W.

Well, this thread will be right here waiting for you when you are ready. I think the LBD is an awesome NSV for us ladies. I sure would like to see many more posts!!!

I'm only 10 days out but lost some weight before surgery and over 10 lbs since. Clothes have started to hang on me so I thought I would go through my dresser and closet before having to go back to work next week. Result - 4 big garbage bags of clothes that no longer fit and will go to charity; my lose is their gain, lol. Fortunately I saved quite a bit of my "smaller" stuff always hoping I could get back into them someday. Well, some day is here. My only complaint is everything is shrinking at different rates and my upper arms are being the stubbornest! Hopefully I can do this again after another 25 lbs and then I'll actually have to go clothes shopping . . . in the misses section. Yeah!!!

I sprained my ankle severely when I was cleaning a closet on Sunday. I was digging out "skinny" clothes and tripped. So I went to see my orthopedic doctor on Monday afternoon, because I thought I had also broken bones in the foot. I wore a brace (laces, straps, etc) in to the doctor - but took with me one of those walking boot casts (metal, straps, etc) I had from a bad sprain a couple of years ago. The doc verified it was a really bad sprain - no broken bones. She told me I would need to wear a boot cast for a month. I pulled the one I had from under the exam table - and she looked at it. She said - that it would work - BUT THAT THEY WOULD TOTALLY HAVE TO REBUILD IT BECAUSE IT WAS TOO LARGE. Yea!

Last weeks weigh in - 183lbs. This weeks weigh in - 180.2. Lbs lost = 2.8. A good week! So as a courtesy to myself, I try to look back at progress once in a blue moon. Progress = motivation for me and this is why: WEEK ONE POST-OP WEEK 29 POST-OP The difference: 44lbs Average: 1.5lbs per week. I know that doesn't seem like allot. But this is for those of who who are frustrated... 1.5lbs a week ADDS UP! KEEP GOING! Posting the first picture is horrifying. SCARY! Imagine, I had already lost 40lbs when this was taken. You will not find an unclothed pic of me at 262lbs. I wouldn't allow any to ever be taken! I am losing slowly, I am doing nothing that I cannot continue to do forever. I take my time. I change things to suit me and my new lifestyle. I do not fool myself in to thinking that I will not make poor choices ever again. I do not fool myself in to believing that I will workout 6 days a week when I just happen to one time and then lose 3lbs that week. I do not fool myself in to thinking that I will be done with the hard work when I hit my non-existent target weight. I still make excuses, I still justify, I still beat myself up when I am having a tough time staying on track and that results in a vicious cycle of poo poo on me BUT I am happy! I try to be gentle with myself. I feel great and the NSV's and progress (when noticed) is fabulous fuel! I read a blog suggested by Lap Band Gal (you can read it here.) and do have to agree that approving people who are roughly 10lbs over the national average is insane! I know the national average is high though. The author refers to the band as stomach binding. I wish! lol. A comment left by a reader "I also find it interesting that the author of this article appears to be considerably overweight. How's that diet and exercise thing going for her?" - bahahahah! I have a feeling that this article will have an interestingly hot debate to follow. Looking forward to the massacre of part II. My choice to have WLS was a tough one. I was only offered WLS after I had lost 40lbs during a 15 month program called WeightWise. Through the program, one attends sessions on general nutrition, emotional eating, identifying triggers, meeting with nurses, psychiatrists, dietitians and being strictly monitored when it comes to attendance, weight loss and food journals. I have to say that with a non-restrictive band thus far and coming up on 7 months post-surgery, the addressed emotional and psychiatric components are what is going to take me to the ideal healthy lifestyle! Having the surgery, sorry for those who tune in often, changed my BRAIN 100%. The commitment, the seriousness of the surgery, the fear and anxiety about the decision and the procedure itself changed me. The band hasn't done anything physically yet, but it does remind me by just being there. There is no way that I went through all of it to fail! Restriction or no restriction, I am in control! I also have to mention that if I had to pay for surgery myself, I probably wouldn't. Not because I am opposed to surgery, (DUH) but because I am young (still milking this for almost one more year). I work in the non-profit world and the mister and I have other priorities financially that just can not be delayed. It is a constant battle to keep up the house, the cars and just life in general. I am not sure that I would or even could spend the money on WLS. Fortunately, I didn't have to and was blessed to find myself in the care of a great team with an awesome gift! "OH CANADA" - free surgery and support for those who are committed and will work at it! Imagine! Anyhoot, off to the 1st shift at the 2nd job today. We have a Mexico trip and Newfoundland trip to pay for. Totalling about 1 month of vacation and $5000.00. Not even half of what a band would cost! It would be hard for me to choose surgery over two trips to sunny Puerto Vallarta and grey but gorgeous Newfoundland! Cheers all!

Sliming is when you throw up mucus type stuff. Pb stands for productive burp. It's when a bit of food that was stuck comes up. NSV stands for non-scale victory.

Morning everyone, I thought you might like to hear my little NSV from Saturday night My Gran's cousin Dawn was over here to visit (we only see her once every couple of years), and since we've only met briefly a couple of times before she didn't know me or my story. We all went out for a big family dinner to Celebrate her trip, and I was sat next to my Dad and opposite Dawn and my Mum with the rest of the family down the table. I can't remember how we got onto the subject but my Dad was egging me on to tell Dawn about my surgery. So I explained about my op, how much I have lost etc and she seemed very interested. I didn't touch on how I feel about it, or the difference it has made to my self esteem etc as I don't know her and felt a bit vulnerable. So my Dad pipes up with "It's brilliant... she is HALF the girl, and TWICE the girl all at once! She wasn't at all happy before, but now she is like a new person." I knew exactly what he meant by "half the girl and twice the girl", and I couldn't have put it better. His words really touched me and I had to go to the bathroom for a little cry (happy tears though!) My Dad is 72 now and has just had knee replacement surgery, so he is a bit frail at the moment. I've been feeling quite keen to get married and start a family etc recently as I know he won't be around forever and I would love him to see that part of my life. I am just so lucky that he got to see me come this far, and I am so so happy that he understands how much this surgery has helped me become who I am today. *sniff sniff* xxxxx

Happy for you great nsv

So I got to the point where my scale at home pretty consistently says I've reached Onderland.....somewhere between 197-199 depending on how I've eaten and how much alcohol I've had. In one of my previous posts, I said I couldn't wait to get to that point and that I would savor it. Did I? No, not really. Mostly because I didn't really believe it at first. I figured it was due to water fluctuations or whatever other excuses I came up for myself. For what it's worth, the medical scale at my gym is still says 203 lbs, with gym clothes on. Maybe I'll believe it when that scale doesn't require me to move the heavy bar to 200...but either way, it doesn't really matter, I realize the number is rather arbitrary...it's more about how I look and feel. Which makes it rather ironic that I'm now really interested in this idea that I can get to 192lbs and that would represent 100lbs lost. I don't know how I will feel then....but I do know that 100lbs lost is a big accomplishment. I hope I let myself enjoy THAT milestone. On the NSV front, something that I don't notice must have changed about my appearance because both my mother and grandmother went on and on about how I'm nearly unrecognizable. I don't see my grandmother that often, the last time was at Christmas so I guess I can buy that I look different than I did then. But my mom? I'd seen her about 3 weeks before. A few other people have made comments so I guess I have no choice but to believe that I somehow look different but I honestly cannot see any tremendous change in the way I looked 2 months ago and the last time I saw my mom. The scale isn't really giving me any answers, I have seriously only lost maybe 2-3 pounds between mom visits. But I had been religiously going to my Crossfit class 2x a week so maybe I traded some fat loss for muscle gain which would account for the scale not really moving but having some sort of change in my appearance. I don't know. I guess I should just accept it but the mental gymnastics this weight loss thing requires is much more complicated than I'd anticipated. My dad has been away since March and is coming back next month and apparently my grandmother told him about my supposed grand transformation. Gee thanks, no pressure there, grandma! Not to say that my dad won't think I look different but I'm nervous that he'll be expecting me to look a certain way and I won't meet that expectation. I'm 5'4.....I still have a good 60lbs to go to get to a normal range and personally, I'd like to lose another 75lbs. I know my weight has been a family conversation for years but usually I'm not privy to them as I had asked everyone to back off a long time ago. Being the center of the conversation again, even on the positive side is not pleasant. So this post is a bit whiny (people are saying I've lost weight and look good....wah!) so I'll end with something a bit more upbeat. I'm planning on visiting my friend in Naples, Italy in November and she's a photographer. I've seen her take amazing pictures of people and make everyone look good and I asked her to shoot me but when I last visited her (3 years ago), she couldn't point the camera at me in anyway without me feeling uncomfortable. But this time I'm at my lowest weight ever and I look forward to getting some good pictures out of her so it's a good incentive to stick to my diet as much as possible and get some amazing pics out of the deal. Dieting for a photo shoot....how far I have come

I am 7 weeks out and despite following my surgeon/nut’s guidelines almost perfectly, have spent much of the time stalled. I lost the majority of my weight by day 9 post-op, then nothing for a month. Lost a few more, then nothing for 2 weeks, etc. I didn’t get too discouraged though…yeah, it was frustrating during those weeks when the scale wasn’t moving, but my clothes were getting looser. So today I got solid proof that although the scale isn’t moving much – I am making progress! I measured 5 areas and have lost a total of 12 inches!!!!! Inches lost: Neck 1” Waist 4” Hips 4” Ankle 1” Bicep 2” It’s hard, but I’m learning to not get hung up on what the scale reads, as that is only one method of measurement. Yes I want the scale to reflect my progress too, but there are other measurements of success that are just as important – clothes fitting better, the overall feeling of improved health, for me today it was inches. Hail the NSVs! Cheers and wishing everyone the best on their journey!!

That's no small NSV in my book. You are doing amazing work! Just think 60 lbs in 2 months would have been unthinkable and you are totally rocking it!

I had to poke another hole in my belt with an ice pick today. Pants were falling down again. Love it! I also had to cut the first part of the belt down because the tail was too long, traveling through 2 belt loops after I buckled it. I will need a new belt soon. Went from a 46 waist pants to a very saggy loose 40 now. BMI has went from 48 to 39 which takes me out of the morbidly obese category and now I'm just plain obese. Thought I would share. This sleeved life is good! 60 lbs down and 70 to go. I'm 2 months out. Woo hoo!!

Congrats! That is a fabulous NSV- no more worries for you! I haven't flown on a plane forever, but will be several times in the next year. My first flight will be in mid October. I hope to be around 250lbs by that time. I'm 5'7- do you think I will need to use one? I hope not! I have no idea at what weight people need one. I know it is probably different for everyone- but wondering if there is a ballpark number?

Congratulations! It's a pretty awesome feeling. I travel a lot for work, too, and had basically resigned myself to forever driving or taking a train--my husband said he thought I was afraid to fly, but that wasn't it at all--I was sick with worry that I would be embarrassed at having to purchase a 2nd seat.... We recently flew to Florida for a training course, and I was thrilled to discover that I not only fit in the regular seatbelt, I had to tighten it a bit! It is such a huge relief!! Just the thought of not having that to worry about is very freeing. Yay for you and for NSV's!!

Sharing a NSV: I have worked for the same man for 22 years. He is a 82 year old fittness buff who is in great shape .....but doesn't eat real food at all. Always tells me I have to lose weight and go on a diet. He is very wealthy & crude but not a happy person at all. I did not and would never tell him about the lapband. So Friday he says to me "have you lost some weight....your face looks prettier". When I told him I did he said "if you lose 30 lbs I'll give you a bonus". I just grinned and bit my tongue. Hope I can do this.....CAT

Hi everyone! I want to share a wonderful NSV that I had today. I wore my size 14 cami and large size long black skirt to my friend's pool party. It looked good! it did not require modification to put on or zip (it zips on side, fitted through abdomen)! I'm so excited! I tried it on a month ago and couldn't pull it over my breasts! Now, I just got a new outfit without spending a dime! I swear, going to my closet is like going to the mall where I already own it. I got my size medium BDU pants buttoned, but they are still too tight to wear - have major muffin top issues and no room to tuck in shirt. And they definitely did not pass the squat test. :-( but give it a few more weeks, and it will! :-) share some nsvs!

Awesome! I love these kinds of NSVs.

Haven't been on here in forever! I have been busy! My husband came back from Army chaplain training, I went to Virginia Beach to visit his family a few times, and right now we are under contract for our first house. I also am having eye surgery monday for eye issue and won't be able to work out for 2 weeks. I think the NSV's for me are #1- looking down and seeing that I am crossing my legs automaticly. I used to attempt to cross and had to reallly think aboiut it and try reallllllly hard. So crossing without thinking is different.#2 I can button almost all of my old size 12/14 jeans. Out of those, I can say that I would actually wear 1 pair out of the house. Just because they button, doesn't mean that they fit, but I am getting there! #3 Slacked off at the gym when hubby got home in July but still eating right. I was freezing last night from the AC and I put on my favorite sweatshirt which hasn't been worn since the winter and I was so surprise how it just hung on me like a tent! After reading everyone's NSV's and weight loss success stories, I am actually getting off here to go to the gym! It's awesome to hear how everyone is doing!.

I had breast reduction surgery 3 yrs ago and went from an I cup to a DD. I was banded on 6/27/11, and have lost 17 lbs. I went to buy a new bras last week. I tried one on, and all could say was ahhhh. No feeling like I was wearing a coat of armour. Pretty styles. Not even any underwire. NSV...Yes!

Want to lose at least 2 pounds more so I can get to a bmi of 30 before my first fill. Unfortunately, with no help from the band, I'm really struggling with that. But I've had NSVs that tell me I'm definitely losing fat, especially around my middle. So, I'm just going to roll with it and see how it goes.