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35 days ago I could eat like a horse. I remember not two months ago being able to put away a whole pizza if I was hungry, a huge sub sandwich. Anything you gave me I could finish and the fact that there wasn't anything left to eat was my signal to stop eating. Hahahahahahahaha. It is such an odd new world. I am now an abstemious eater. This morning I poured a normalish looking bowl of Cereal for myself and ate a whopping three mouthfuls before I was done. I left the house, went swimming(yay), went to get my oil checked and then got a car wash because my car looked like it had just returned from Islamabad, Then I had this weird bill that I had to straighten out. It was 3 PM. I had not eaten anything but three swallows of Special K Protein cereal six hours before. I was starving, driving around, thinking I had to get to food at some point and then I realized I could stop *anywhere* to get *anything* to eat. So after my scheduled argument with customer service I went across the street to Jimmy John's and ordered a turkey sub. Now I knew there was no way I could eat even half of it but it seemed like a brilliant option to my hungry, clueless doggy brain. Okay. When I got home I ate the following: Two pinches of turkey and provolone and a tear of bread. The whole damn sandwich was sitting there and I did not want anymore. I ate a small tomato. Done. 4.25 I paid for that thing and it would feed me for a week. I put the rest of it in the fridge with all the the other stuff I've tried to eat this week and could not finish. Imagine making a Lean Cuisine and having it sit through three mealtimes until it was spent. Can you believe that? I can't. I was standing there perusing the rapid acquisitions my fridge was making and then I realized something. I forgot to weigh myself. I've not been weighing myself at home, will not check my weight if it seems like part of a compulsion, and refuse to obsess. But I do jump on when I'm at the club. Before surgery that scale gave me the highest weight so I decided to go with it. I figured it was telling the truth. But I forgot! The health club I go to is full of normal Midwestern people. A lot of them have nordic backgrounds and I think this is why they have this odd custom of running around naked, even the old women. It is a trip. I have always been kind of a modest person and when you're fat, you know, the last thing you're going to do is go bouncing around a locker room without your drawers on. But these women just wander around with nothing on, in all their Midwestern not-so-perfect glory. I know it sounds strange but as I was averting my eyes from a 55 year old female who was not my relative I started to giggle to myself. I have been feeling utterly hideous for at least two years but I look just like everybody else there, pretty much. Suddenly my perspective shifted. I was not the ugliest, fattest human being on the planet. Not that I was looking for other candidates in that locker room but it was a quick hit of reality: I'm just a normal, overweight middle aged person, like these people here. Still can't bring myself to run around in the altogether like these women though. I'm always in my suit or something and demurely step behind a shower curtain for the full monty. One thing I can tell you though is that when you start to feel like you have more control over something as unconscious as your relationship with food, you just have no idea what other little neuroses are going to resolve along with it. So NSV I guess: I forgot to weigh myself and forgot to hate what I look like today. Go Team.

Everybody has been so quiet lately, so I thought I would start a new topic on how we are all doing. Just a topic where we can check in when we can. I'm doing okay -- the weight loss has definitely slowed down, so I've had to bump up the exercise and adjust my eating a little bit to shake it up. I've only had one fill, and will probably get another one at the end of this month. I think I need it, because I've been getting a little hungrier than usual -- I'm not snacking a whole lot, but sometimes I eat and think "geesh, should a banded person be able to eat that much?!" Overall, I'm feeling MUCH better than I did a couple of months ago -- more energy, sleeping better, able to keep up with my kids a lot easier, and (I think my fellow lady bandster will be able to relate) -- I can sit and cross my legs very easily now, which a major NSV for me! I love the band, and what it has helped me to achieve so far -- I think that I just need to work a little harder on my end (before surgery, my doctor told me that losing with the band is about 5-10% device/90-95% you, and that it does take work...I'm feeling that now). Hope to hear from you all -- I miss chatting with you. :welldoneclap:

Hey Kerry, I hadn't even thought of it like that,.. and in that case it must be a NSV for me...lol!! I was just browsing on the net looking at different options when it dawned on me that all my holiday gear is going to be way to big and that includes my swim wear. I think I might try on a tankini and see how it feels. Thanks ladies for your input! I was gonna ask my hubby, but unfortunately he normally says what 'he thinks' I want to hear when it comes to clothes... and it is usually the wrong thing ...lol... for example, I put a tee shirt on and I suspected it was still a little tight, especailly around the tummy area, when I asked him he said 'No love, it is just a bit short...!!' WHAT is he like. Luckily I found this amusing!!

Well done... glad you are handy with the needle, that could be a life saver...lol!! Hope you enjoy many more NSVs!! Keep up the good work! =]

JoJo; I suggest you just review the NSV (non scale victory) & VSG Success Stories for the next two days. That will keep you happy. This is sudden, but most of the pre-ops here would love to be in your shoes rather than up to a 6 month wait. Keep smiling!

Hi-- I'm going to a family wedding over Memorial Day weekend. Of course, there will be a rehearsal dinner and my partner is in the wedding so I have to dress nicely because I will probably be in the couple's pictures. I was really in a quandry about where to shop. I haven't had a big fancy affair to go to in a long time. I still have a little anxiety about size. Also, like a lot of WLS patients, I am losing all my weight above the belt. I am down to a 12/14 on top (except for my boobs) and I am still an 18 on the bottom. Not a great combo for a dress, right? So I go to Nordstroms (I figured I would spend some $$ if I could find something that looks good). I found 2 dresses!!!!!! I have to have them both tailored becaue they are too big on the top, but they are both so pretty. Best part? They are both size 14 :-) Just 2 months ago pre-op I would have bought a size 18 dress and cried behind closed doors because I wuold have thought I looked so bloated and bad. My lap-band never treated me this well So, to top it off I also bought 2 new pairs of shoes. My bank account may be crying, but I am smiling. Lara

We'll I'll be eight weeks out this coming Wednesday and I've lost 50lbs. My clothes are hanging so I've been sewing what I can but ended up running out to Target to see if they had anything... Tried on a bunch of stuff from the plus section but ended up taking home some XXL's from the regular section. Loving life!

So yesterday was supposed to be my first ever 5K race but a few weeks back I decided to do the Scope it Out with my friends but I was still signed up for todays and it was AWESOME! First I made a goal for myself to weight 175 by race day! Because of course I could run a race at 175lbs! LOL Well earlier this week I didn't think I would make it as I was doing not so great Well I DID! YAY!! The scale was 175.6 this morning! WOOHOO!! Go to the 5K and found out there were hills UGH I was not looking forward to this! It was downhill at the start so that meant uphill at the end! SUCKY SUCK SUCK!!! BUT, I did pretty good. Could have done better but am VERY happy with my time of 36:17!! WOOHOO Thats 1:40 better then the last race where there were NO hills! LOL

It'll be a great NSV for you when you get to the 6/8's again! Here's to never having to "rebuy" anything again (unless of course, we WANT to). When I find something I like that fits, I have tendency to go back and get mutliple colors -- I may need to work on that!! Good luck on Wednesday.

Lila: Congratulations on these two tremendous NSVs! Isn't it amazing how we let so many things that make us happy fall by the wayside when we're gaining weight? It's also an incredibly amazing feeling when we "rediscover" these lost bits of happiness, right? You go girl!

Hey Lila... these are great NSVs... don't they make a world of difference... I have come to learn, that these little things are a BIG achievement in our world. Keep up the good work and enjoy your new wardrobe! =]

This made me lol!!! Congratulations on your awesome NSV's!!!

I just wanted to share, not one, but TWO big NSVs I had today! NSV #! When I gained weight, I stopped wearing nice clothes. In fact, I only bought clothes that were absolutely necessary--a few pairs of jeans, some sweaters and Tshirts, and a couple of pairs of shoes--basically, whatever it took to not get arrested . Yet, I love clothes. In fact, I read fashion magazines and go shopping with my fashionista girlfriends; I just didn't want a giant wardrobe in a size I didn't want to be!! But, today, after losing 65 lbs, I decided it was time to get some cute clothes. All my other clothes are too large, and I was just sick of everything falling off of me. So I went to Old Navy, which is pretty affordable, and I figure I'll pass these clothes on to someone else who is losing weight when I "under" grow them! I am soooo happy I did this!!!! It's been sooooo long since I wore an item of clothing I actually like! I know that as I lose weight, they won't fit anymore, but it's so worth it to have some cute clothes. I feel like it's going to help motivate me to keep losing weight! NSV #2: As I gained weight, my jewelry stopped fitting me. And in particular, I have a necklace that has a single pearl that drops off of a chain. It's really simple and cute, and I used to wear it every day, but as I gained weight, it got too tight around my neck... it was so sad to see my favorite necklace sitting in my jewelry box and being unable to wear it. But, today, I got out my old friend---and it fits again! I'm so, so happy!!!!

I got a cool NSV to share. first today is my birthday. I made an outfit for Easter and cut the pants by a 22 size pattern and i could not wear them. But today is my birthday and i was going through my closet lookinf for something to wear and that would fit. A friend of mine gave me some clothes and a pair of jeans that a couple of weeks ago i could not wear. today i put them on and i can wear them comfortably and they look nice and not too tight!:bananajump: the tag says they are size 20! woo hoo! I told my husband i could care less if i got anything for my birthday just fitting into a smaller pair of jeans was birthday gift enough! Everyone have a great and awesome day! :party:

I got a cool NSV to share. first today is my birthday. I made an outfit for Easter and cut the pants by a 22 size pattern and i could not wear them. But today is my birthday and i was going through my closet lookinf for something to wear and that would fit. A friend of mine gave me some clothes and a pair of jeans that a couple of weeks ago i could not wear. today i put them on and i can wear them comfortably and they look nice and not too tight!:bananajump: I told my husband i could care less if i got anything for my birthday just fitting into a small pair of jeans was birthday enough! Everyone have a great and awesome day!

I wasn't sure where to put this post, but then I tought about it and figured this was a success story and NSV! I am leaving for Hawaii this weekend! I am so excited , :w00t: yet nervous too! I have only been on a plane to FL and back, and that was about 10 yrs ago. I am super nervous to fly, but nothing some medication can't help. I am scared to be in a new place with new food. Also, I have never left my dogs. So, this will be a huge achievment for me to take this trip on so many levels! So, I think this should count as another NSV for me. I can (hopefully) fit in a plane seat. I know at 369 pounds I would not have and would have been very uncomfortable, and probably not wanted to go. I hope to have many, many NSV in Hawaii, and of course, will share here (as well as lots of pictures):shades_smile: Also, my 7 month sleeve-aversary will be while I am there! AND... NO SCALE!!!! OMG, I hope I make it with no scale, LOL. But, maybe I will drop some pounds if I am not obsessing about weighing myself daily (multiple times). AND, I am sure I will be a lot more active there. We shall see!!! I really want to do the zip line, but it has a weight limit of 260. I am 250 right now, but scared because I am so close and probably weigh about 5 pounds more with clothes on. I can't really do the zipline naked. :pound: When we get back, my brother, sister and I are getting out pictures done professionally for our mom, for mothers day. I will have to post those too! ALOHA!!! :seeya: :seeya: :seeya: :seeya:

Love the NSV you are definitly rocking that sleeve! You know that would be the best show middle aged ANTM

Two weeks! Again, it's mostly flown by. This week was interesting for a few reasons. Per my doctor's instructions I advanced my diet. This means that basically I got to try eating anything I wanted to. I was very surprised at his recommendation to do this, because before my surgery I was told this wouldn't happen until week three, and in the hundreds of lap band stories I've read it seems that more than half of the bandsters didn't get to eat whatever they wanted to until six weeks post op. But my doctor is a smart man! I did quite well with his recommendation, and I've learned a LOT this week about eating. I haven't tried steak yet. I probably won't for a week or so, just because I've had issues with other meat. No big issues really, but I definitely have to take my time with it and chew, chew, chew. I have had a few things "stick" as they were on their way down... nothing to the point of getting stuck for hours though, and while it was uncomfortable, there wasn't much pain involved. I called it a gentle reminder to slow my happy butt down, and it worked! I've found that there are a few things that don't go down like you would think they would. Yogurt is the prime example here. For whatever reason, I can only eat a teaspoon or two of it, and that's it.. I don't know if it's because I only eat it in the morning, and that's when my band feels the tightest, or if it's simply going to be a "trouble food" like my good friend Tricia warned me! I have to say that I feel pretty great about eating after this week. I'm able to at least try whatever I want.. and that's very happy news for me. I've been able to partake in some of my most favorite foods this week, and I'm getting the taste that I was worried about never enjoying again, and am only able to eat a very small portion of it, which is of course very different for me, but it feels great! I had issues with my scale this week. It wouldn't budge for five days straight! My scale shows pounds, and ounces. Even the ounces stayed the same for those five days. I was bummed out!! I verbally attacked the scale for at least three out of those five days, but it wouldn't budge. Finally, yesterday morning it gave up 2.3 pounds putting me at 19.7 pounds in two weeks. Very nice, I'll take it! I finally made it to the gym yesterday for the first time! I navigated my way around the circuit room and did the treadmill. My doctor told me as soon as the steri strips came off of my incisions I'd be okay to swim, and they're off now, and looking very good. So, I swam for only about 15 minutes.. which was hardly worth the time it took to change into my suit, but it did feel good to get in the water for a bit. I'm going to walk this afternoon, and go back to the gym tomorrow. I'm starting to think about doing a class at the gym as well.. I'm wondering how I'd hold up in Zumba! It looks and sounds so fun, but I KNOW those girls get a hell of a work out! I can see myself stumbling around in there, sweat pouring off of my body and looking like something the cat drug in by the time it's over... maybe I should re-think that... I think I'll be okay now if my scale doesn't budge much.. losing those first 17 pounds so quickly really spoiled me. It's really awesome to step on there and not see a GAIN if nothing else! I haven't weighed myself today, and maybe I won't. (who am I kidding?!) I do have one little NSV (non scale victory) to share.. I haven't noticed much difference in the way my clothes fit yet, even with almost 20 pounds down the tubes. But yesterday I did accidentally put one of my smaller t-shirts in my gym bag. When I unfolded it to put it on I thought "Oh damn it, I grabbed the wrong one" but I was pleasantly surprised when it fit very nicely, and didn't hug those fat rolls on my belly! Sweet! I'm hoping for a few more of those little victories in the next few weeks! Countdown til the beach is... 60 days!! Woooo Hoooo! And actually a few days before that before my plane leaves! Sixty days til I'm lounging on the white sugar sands of Gulf Shores.. a full week of girl time with some of the best women I know! Right now, in this chilly, rainy spring weather in Nebraska nothing sounds more inviting than that beach for so many reasons!! Okay, signing off to see what week three brings~ I'll be back in-between now and then if anything exciting happens! Thanks for stopping by! http://www.myotherbutt.blogspot.com

I had the most amazing week last week...I had to go on a business trip to Atlanta which is where my boss and the rest of my department work. They had not seen me since October, so the last time I saw them I was about 10 lbs heavier than my starting weight. I wish I had a video of people's reactions to seeing me...it was priceless!! I also got to spend some time with my family and my in-laws while I was there and, with the exception of my parents, none of them had seen me since before surgery either. All in all, I got a HUGE dose of NSVs to tide me over when things get tough (including getting a size 18 pair of pants up and zipped - although they won't be making a public appearance until I have lost another 5-10 lbs)...and I lost 5.8 lbs while I was there as a bonus (not sure how that happened but I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth...LOL ).

Aww! Great NSV. I know that you must have had a secret smile all day long. Good for you. Karen

Hurrah! I know that is a great pick me up for you. Great NSV! Goodluck on your new position,too! Karen

I was wondering what happened to tattoos after surgery. lol. Guess that answered my question. It's a beautiful tattoo. Awesome NSV!!

Today was the first time since I was 11 years old that I actually went into a store and bought clothes a size smaller (one was actually 2 sizes smaller). I mean, I've lost weight before but I honestly can't remember purposely buying smaller sizes because my clothes are not fitting me good now - with plans that I will get smaller. Its weird! I guess because I haven't lost almost 50 pounds in a long long long while. I always just dealt with my clothes I had because I always knew I'd gain weight back. Now I KNOW I will just get smaller. I am due to have surgery in late May but I am proud of what I've done so far. I know with the sleeve, I will be able to do wonders! So that's my NSV and I am relishing it big time! Can't wait until there are more to come. Of course, a couple of scale victories would be awesome too!

OMG I just noticed that the other day and was thinking I must be crazy! I was trying to figure out how my seat got lower. Never thought it was my tushy that was smaller. Awesome NSV I must say. Now how to adjust my seat? Will I need a booster seat when I get to goal