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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

I got in the car today--and noticed that I seemed to be sitting lower in the seat. Sure enough, the rear-view mirror was showing part of the back seat instead of out the back window. I live alone, so I know no one has changed the seat settings, so I was puzzled. Then I realized MY BUTT IS SMALLER! I've lost so much padding in the rear that I'm now sitting lower in the driver's seat. I've kept my boobs but my butt is a pancake!

that's awesome!!! it is a GREAT NSV and you look great too!

Awesome NSV~I hope you feel as great as you look!!! Strut your stuff girly.

Yesterday I made my modeling debut....LOL! We had a spring fashion show for work on business casual wear and I modeled for The Limited. This is something I would never,,,, EVER do before my VSG - but since losing 56 pounds I am gaining confidence! Not to mention it was a ton of fun! Here are a few photos.... One at the salon after hair and makeup (yes we were pampered!) The other me - doing my best Tyra Banks impression! Do they have a Americas Top Model for Middle Aged Women???? What fun!

@NJGirl32 - NSV stands for Non Scale Victory...

NSV - what does that stand for anyway?

I'm still kicking too. Looks like we are all doing very well. I'm pretty happy with the process/progress so far. NSV this week, I'm comfortably in size 24 bottoms and 26/28 tops. Down from 28 bottoms and 30/32 tops. I will be honest in saying that these sizes were a little loose, but that's how I preferred my clothes and I definately didn't fit into the 26's! I'm pretty damned excited by this actually As for the flying thing, I have had to wear an extention for years (I travel a lot for work) and look forward to the day when I don't have to ask for one and to be able to sit comfortably in the seat and not have someone upset that they have to sit next to me (which as horrible as it sounds, I can understand. Those damned seats are pretty uncomfortable to begin with, but toss in a large woman beside you who is spiling over into your space and it's just damned unacceptable ) and being able to actually sit there and use the drop down table and possibly even my laptop etc. So anyway! I hope we all continue to do great and keep your chins up guys. We will all have set backs from time to time, but just remember to just take a step back and try again! This is a life long journey that includes a lot of learning and trial and error! No matter how much research or teaching/classes we went through, nothing can or could fully prepare us for what we have embarked on!

Forget about that stupid comment. That is a great NSV Something like that can put a smile on your face for days and it should. Keep up they great work!!

I teach high school. This is the spring. I teach high school. We've had a full moon. I teach high school. We have TAKS (state mandated standardized testing) next week. I teach high school. OK, so now that we've gotten the basics out of the way... After school today a very well-meaning co-worker asked me what size I have gotten down to. I tell her a 12 and she responds with "Back when I was chubbier, I got this dress that I only wore once that is a size 12. It is just sitting in my closet and I'll never wear it again. I just wanted to offer it to you if you'd like it." GEEZ!!! I've lost 65 pounds and dropped from a size 20 to a 12 and you want to start off with "back when I was chubbier" in reference to a size 12?!?!?! Come on people, THINK before you speak!!! Not 10 minutes later, a senior boy (who I've never taught) stops me as I am walking by his table and says "Mrs. Huebotter, I just wanted to tell you, you look amazing!". At this point, I am shocked and just stop and look at him. As I realized he is starting to get embarrassed, I have to check myself to say "thank you, I've been working really hard at it." He responds with "I can tell." Sometimes God knows what we need right when we need it. I sure needed an "amazing!"

Hey Sasi, great NSV's!!! Congrats I bet you're feeling amazing! As far as the pictures, you will have to resize them on your program or whatever you're using to edit your photos on your computer. I just use simple ole MS Paint, it does everything I need it to. I usually Stretch/Skew to 25% and that seems to work perfectly. I hope to see some updated photos soon!!!

GREAT NSV's! I have not changed sizes yet but hope it will be very soon! Keep up the good work!

For whatever reason I was scared to try on the other clothes sitting in my closet. I have been walking around in these size 20 jeans that were literally falling right off my body. I kept thinking there was NO way the other clothes would fit yet and I didn't want to be disappointed in trying them on and it not working out. So yesterday I looked in the closet and I finally gave in and decided to try on a pair of size 18 jeans that haven't fit me in quite some time, thinking maybe I could finally button them up. Um yeah, they were falling off too! Tried another pair today that were not a true 18, more like a 16 and guess what! THEY FIT! So I went to the thrift store today to look for some Church clothes and found a really pretty size 14/16 lacy skirt/shirt combo, thinking no way would it fit for at least another month and I was a little nervous because of the type of material thinking it would cling too much to my body but for $5 I couldn't pass it up. Well I tried it on and it fit too! It has been YEARS since I could fit in a size 16 anything and I have no idea how long its been since I could fit a 14 or smaller. I'm just shocked. AND my husband who is not one to give compliments keeps telling me how small I am getting when he hugs me. LOVE hearing that. I've had so many friend from Church comment on me wasting away, it makes all the complications seem not near as bad as they were last week I'm already over half way to my goal and only 7 weeks out. I cannot believe how quickly its gone and how much my body has changed. Wish I could figure out how to get my pics smaller to post my beginning pics and my new pics. Hopefully soon I will figure it out. I am loving these NSVs way more than the scale victories that is for sure. edit-Pictures are a few posts down

I got this tattoo about 2 years ago. It has a lot of meaning to me since I lost my dad almost 3 years ago (July 26th). The butterfly has a lot of meaning and there is a story that goes along with it. It's just too long to tell here. I need to write it all down so I don't forget every detail. Anyway, my mom noticed my tattoo looked brighter and smaller, LOL! It is hard to tell from this picture, but it is!!! I got it on my neck because I was afraid when I lost that it would be distorted if I got it anywhere else on my body. So glad it still looks good. And actually I got it on my neck too because I have a birthmark (its red, the tattoo covers some and you can see it into my hair) and my dad had the same birthmark. The picture on the left was taken right when it was done, and the one on the right is from today. I count this as an NSV because my neck is starting to look more "normal"