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Congrats!! Awesome NSV. I was in a size 8 ring (my class ring) and it hasn't been worn in MONTHS! I miss it as it was my favorite ring but my fingers are now about a size 5. I love it!! Enjoy your tax return; I always owe, even at 19.

My rings fit!!! At my biggest my ring finger was a size 9... now my size 9's are falling off and my size 7's are PERFECT. Tax return may help re-size those big 'ol rings!

i'm getting my second fill tomorrow. i am expecting to get 1cc but hoping it will be more because i cant even tell if i have had surgery. the only time i feel restricted/stuck is when i take a big bite of rice or fry bread. My portions are close to what i was eating pre-op. i'm making better choices now, but around Xmas and traveling was much harder. have had some NSVs but in terms of weight loss i am stuck at where i was 2 wks post op.

Congratulations Mandyb! I had my first NSV today too. A good friend's sister-in-law saw me today for the first time in a little over a month and said, "Are you losing weight?" "You look great!" That was so good to hear. She's this adorable, chipper, active, in great shape nurse and it was great to hear a compliment from someone on the other side

So, my plan was to start the New Year with a positive outlook regardless of what the scale said... and I think it is working! Okay, so I ain't losing quickly but it is coming off slow but sure. The strange thing is all the comments that I am getting! Strange but I like it! In work, on a daily basis, I am getting a lot of nice comments... things like 'OMG Coops, you are getting smaller every day!' and 'Wow! You are looking really slim' (that one I do laugh at 'cos I wouldn't consider myself slim; smaller yes!) another 'You look really healthy now, how much weight have you lost?' Even the kids in my classes are being kind and giving me compliments. This is also happening at home too, my husband gives me compliments on how I look now (he did in the past but it 'feels' different now) and each time he gives me a cwtch (welsh for hug) he mentions that I am a lot smaller! My youngest can now put his arms all the way around me and tells me that I am looking good! My eldest wants me to go to Zumba with her, which is a great feeling knowing that she isn't embarassed to be seen doing exercise with me! My Mam and Dad are also commenting on how healthy I look .. now THAT is a NSV!! Over the last couple of months, my weight hasn't really dropped that much, but I think, because I am now feeling more confident and positive in myself it is being noticed by others. I am also doing more exercise and I think this too is helping me mentally and physically. This time last year I couldn't do much without a lot of pain.... now I am jogging for 40mins non stop!!! Yea, I know! Check me out! So all in all... my advise if you are going through a rough patch is to stay positive as it is infectious!!

I am so happy for you! I used to ask for help doing both of these things! I tie my own shoes now but still have my daughter paint my toes simply because it feels like a little bit of pampering for me and she likes doing it (not to mention that I am sloppy..lol) My lastest NSV was being able to join the parents cheerleading team at my daughters' all-star cheer gym. We are working on a routine and practicing several times a week. We will be going up against the coaches team at our national competition at Disney in March. I have always wanted to be part of the team but sat on the sidelines and watched. This year it was finally my time and I am so excited about it! Great job to both of you ladies! Enjoy the small things!

So far today has been a wonderful day! Even though its only 9 am... I woke up to the phone buzzing to let me know the children had no school due to the Snow Storm. Jumped in the shower to get ready for work, then got the call from my boss "NO work for me today"! Wow..great! I finished getting ready and decided to paint my nails and then "try to do my toenails" Its always a struggle (my daughter usually does it for me). But Guess What!!!! I was able to paint them by myself! I could reach my piggies without my belly boobs in the way! It might seem like "YEAH BIG DEAL", but its a huge deal to me! Must be all the sits ups I am doing!!!! Well just thought I would share my happiness!

I am 15 weeks out today. I lost 1 pound this week. I almost said "ONLY" before that 1, but I am not going to do that! A loss is a loss. It's ONE pound gone forever! I'm just going to be happy that the scale is moving in the right direction. I started working out this week, so maybe I am building some muscle. I think I was really dehydrated the week before, so this past week I have been drinking a lot more. I also ate some pretty bad stuff this past week, so I am going to make sure to stay on track this week. I weighed in at 278 pounds today! It feels so weird to say that. Last week when I was 279, I wrote 297 in my notebook where I keep a weekly record of my weight. Either I am dyslexic or just not use to that "7" in there. So, here are some NSV: Some I have shared before, but I felt they needed to be re-shared 1. I am up to 10 mins on the elpitical machine (HUGE FOR ME) 2. I went to the cardiologist for a re-check last week. Haven't been there since a few months before surgery. My BP, with no meds since date of surgery, was 122/84, and pulse was 72! Can I get a "WOOT WOOT"..........the doctor shook my hand 3. I could squeeze my butt into size 20 jeans Still tight, but I could zip them I put my size 24's in the dryer and they are still baggy. But I don't have any 22's and don't want to buy any. I went to a store where I know the stuff is cheap, and NO size 22's!! So, I just bought a few 20's. Just bought some sweat pants for $3 to wear until I fit into the 20's. 4. I got a job! Not a RN job, but it's a job for now. I got a nanny job for a family I have known for 8 years. It's just part time, but it gets me out of the house 5. I can walk from my basement (up 3 sets of small steps- quad level house) carrying laundry and still have the energy to fold it and put it away without sitting or resting! 6. While working, I can run up the steps to check on the kids, and not feel like my heart is gonna jump out of my chest I couldn't walk to my mailbox before surgery without the need to lean over the counter when I got inside to be able to breathe. 7. I can shower and get out and not have to sit down and rest. Sometimes, before surgery, I would have to lay in bed naked because I couldn't do anything else. 8. I shoveled the snow from my entire driveway and sidewalks with no break I couldn't even shovel 1 path last year. 9. I fit into a booth at a resturant without moving the table. 10. My periods are freaking NORMAL!!! 11. I met a friend for lunch the other day that I haven't seen since I was 6 weeks post-op and she said "WOW, where did the rest of you go" 12. I can play with my dogs, and run around (somewhat) with them and play hide and seek, which they love. I can take them for walks (which I need to do more of). Okay, now some # victories: 1. I am in the 270's! 2. I am 11 pounds away from being half way to goal!! 3. I am 9 pounds away from losing 100 pounds!! 4. Starting BMI was 53.... today.... 39!!!!! I know I say this a lot, but I am SO glad I have you guys to share all my victories with :D For anyone just starting this journey, trust me, it gets better, and it will all be worth it!!!

39 here and raining -- guess it's the weather Great had over the weekend - yes, feels and smells like Spring, but oh my are my legs and feet hurting - just aching soo bad. Just a quick check - very quiet here. Phyl, glad you checked in -- nice that you stay so busy -- funny store about the German guy -- can't believe he wouldn't know to cook a hot dog. And never had a toasted marshmellow? Wow that is amazing. Hve fun this weekend with Jodi and Janet. Glad for those of you having a three day weekend - not us - my first 3 day weekend isn't until April 22 -- my birthday and Good Friday -- I keep saying it's about time my company makes my birthday a holiday. LOL. Speaking of that, happy birthday Melissa -- hope it was a good one - hope you enjoyed it and relaxed. Our move across the parking lot (at work) has been postponed for another week -- was suposed to be this Sat. now changed to 29th. No biggie for me - not much for me to move. Just my personal stuff. This is my first day of 8 to 5 - so far so good -- have my ultrasound in the morning. Thanks for the infor. Laura -- I didn't know that about the blood pressure being a problem. Mine is fine usually -- but now I have to watch getting too low -- I usually run 110/70 -- sometimes 110/65. Before lb 140/85 or 90. So that's another NSV. Have to fast after midnight and then they said I have to have a second ultrasound with full bladder - yuck -- so uncomfortable -- they said it may take awhile to fill it - I said, "no way, one cup of coffee and I'll be full." LOL. We'll see. Great - have fun in Denver -- hope you get out. Enjoy that bbque tonight -- sounds great -- I'll tell my DH to get ready to bbque here tomorrow maybe. LOL. We'll see, heard it's supposed to turn really cold like a high of 8 degrees. Gotta run -- later. Linda

I didn't reply to your original inquiry, mainly because I think what one person does is that person's business, no one else's. I hope the wine you enjoyed was all you wanted it to be. And good for you for standing your ground. I did want to point out something that's new for me since surgery: I was never able to drink wine. I'm one of those people who has that immediate reaction to drinking a sip of wine, where I could feel it burn as it slid down my throat, and by the time it hit my stomach, it had turned to acid. I'd have huge reflux issues from the wine, to the point that drinking wine just was something I didn't expect I'd ever do. Not that I'm much of a drinker anyway, but it always bugged me that whenever we'd go out with friends, or someone would crack open a bottle of wine at a dinner party, I had to sit out, because it made me ill to drink any. Well, fast forward to my surgery last month. The surgeon did an Endoscopy a few weeks prior to surgery, and he discovered I had a hiatal hernia. They put me on Prilosec OTC till surgery, and they repaired the hiatal hernia while putting in the band. I've had ZERO reflux or indigestion issues since surgery. As I've experimented with eating after surgery, absolutely nothing I've eaten has given me any kind of acid stomach, reflux, or whatever. It's like that switch is turned off. So then, (the point of ths long tale), last night we went to the after-the-holidays Holiday Party for my spouse's work. Big fancy catered dInner and entertainment thing for several hundred people - your basic fancy, dress-up affair. I ate smart, and was fine that way, but when asked what I wanted to drink, I was a bit perplexed. I knew I didn't want anything caffeinated or carbonated, I didn't want to have any kind of mixed drink, and about all that was left to me was a glass of wine. I figured "What the heck?" and ordered a glass of white wine to have on the table. I already had a glass of Water, just in case. The wine went down without so much as a burp. No reflux, no acid stomach, and I was able to enjoy it enough to realize it was terrible wine, and I quit after about three sips. (Nasty stuff!) But the victory was mine - I can apparently now drink wine, which is a backhanded NSV of ever there was one. LOL! Dave

I was thinking that we should have a newbie dictionary/ abbreivation topic. I was very confused when I first came to the board. I am not sure what all we need to include. Just a thought. NSV- Non-scale Victory PPI-?

Nice story....what a great NSV for you.

Sometimes the NSVs feel so much better than the numbers on the scale. Great NSV!!!! What a great feeling when you can zip up a smaller size of jeans!!

Good Evening sleevers!!! Today I am exactly 4 months post op. I was sleeved by Dr. Alberto Aceves in Mexicali Mexico and he took my lap band out at the same time. (Yeahhh!!!) Well my averages are slowing down but ya know... I'm still losing. I went through a pretty long stall, and maybe partially it was my own fault. I was grazing too much now I realize, as I've taken back up to logging my intake 100% of the time. I even log my supplements. Yes, I do. Maybe that is a little neurotic - but I had to do something. I needed to find out where I was missing and I'm glad to know where I was going wrong. I'm now eating anywhere from 900-1200 calories per day and doing 50% Protein, 25% Fats and 25% GOOD Carbs. NO MORE SNACKING BETWEEN MEALS, and everything that hits my lips is completely healthy and good for my body. I will continue with this regimen until I hit goal. It's so easy to fall off the right track, BUT the main thing is to realize it, pick back up and keep it moving!! On my workout days I add in one extra EAS CarbAdvantage Protein shake, and I'll allow one handfull of peanuts in the evening but that's it. I tried the sunflower seeds but I was blown away to find out it's got a lot of calories... LOL!! Good thing I was low on calories for that day. I won't do that again though. I love peanuts and I might try some pistachios too - however I'm at my limit for today, so maybe tomorrow. Also, I've taken on a new eating plan which gets me more veggies, fruits and whole grain power foods. I feel so wholesome right now. I have more energy right now than I think I've felt in my entire life!!! That is NO JOKE!!! I've been able to rock out my workouts like no one's business and I feel so incredible when they are over. :D I can tell my stamina in increasing every single day. I'M A HAPPY GIRL!!!! Anyway, my stall I do believe is over now that I've gotten myself back on track and revving like a sports car. My metabolism is through the roof - and I can tell this because I just feel it all over my body. My clothes suddenly feel like they are swimming on me. Soon I will not have any clothes left to wear... LOL And THAT is not a bad thing!!! Ok so, to finish as this is long enough I want to type out some NSV's that I've noticed up to this point. Pre-surgery - these were not even Considered!!! When I wake up in the morning and I flip my legs over the side of my bed I'm startled every time that these are actually my legs!!! They look like someone else's... haaa!! When I'm on my Spinner I can actually see parts of the bike seat as I'm riding it. Now that one was pretty cool. It's funny how you don't even realize how much room you take up until you don't take up much anymore. My Wedding Rings can literally fall off my hand without my help! My Size 6 is starting to get a little too loose for my liking even. I have bones in my hands and on my collar. Who knew? I do not wake up sore in the morning anymore from being so heavy it's hard to maneuver in my sleep. When I'm getting dressed in the morning and I'm picking out my clothes, I can hardly even believe I can fit the smaller sizes that I'm wearing now. Some are even getting baggy! Speaking of this, I'm wearing a pair of pajama pants that I couldn't even fit before surgery. I think they are ready to hit the Goodwill bag now because I can't even keep them on anymore. I can jog on my treadmill and NOT have sore knees during or after!!! I can jog a 5K now. I can move around in areas that are tight and I fit quite easily. Before I'd be afraid of bumping into people or furniture! I see a woman's shape when I look in the mirror getting dressed. I love this one!!! Here's a really big one: I have not needed to take any Aleve daily as I used to. I probably have used it once a day for a total of 5 days in the LAST MONTH!!! Whoohooo!!! Pain is going away!! My shoes are feeling really loose too. Hopefully I can even go down a size one day! People at work are already telling me I'm looking "thin"!! Wow, I feel so jazzed!! I still have a bit to go, but THAT is a huge motivator... I am feeling more like being social. For a minute I just was feeling really introverted. Not anymore!! I think that's enough for now. I'm sure I could go on all day with so many things. Life's Good!!! (LG!!!) Sorry for the no body shots, didn't have time - but I did try to get one of them where you can see to my middle. The Blue dress is me right before pre-op diet, the pink shirt is around 300 Lbs and the brown sweater is me at my heaviest. It's the only known photo of me at that size.

Curtisj01, what a lovely NSV... I bet that felt really good...! Keep up the good work =]

So, the Goodwill thrift store is my favorite place to shop now. I wish I had thought to shop there years ago. You can find really good stuff, really cheap. I go every few weeks. I went this morning, because I wanted to find another pair or two of jeans. I need more pants that fit my smaller body!!!! I loaded up with tops to try on and then hunted the racks for jeans. Added a few pairs to try on and even one that is a size way lower than anything I've worn in 20 years. I only liked how two of the pairs fit, but that one pair, was a size 12 (Gloria Vanderbilt). I thought I'd try them just for giggles, but they were pulling up really nicely and then they actually pulled up over my butt and then I just about fell over when they buttoned and felt comfortable!!!!! The other size I got was a size 14 (Cato). The pair I was wearing when I went shopping were size 16 (Ralph Lauren). I am adding the brand names, just to show the way that different companies size things. All three pairs fit very, comfortably. All are sizes that I couldn't wear when I started my pre-op diet in August. I've also recently gotten tops that are in Large not X-Large. More and more people are noticing that I've lost a lot of weight. I am definitely glad I got the band. I am turning 40 this year and by the time the next holiday season (Thanksgiving/Christmas/Hanukah) rolls around, I'm going to be a 40 year old hottie!!!!!

great discovery!!!! as time moves on you will find other NSVs to help mark your progress. Cheers on your journey

Yes it is true and possible, however keep in mind - she is a woman and she weighs less (so her metabolism is going to be quite different). It's not going to be as easy to lose as it may have been for you. Regardless, Congratulations for you're really doing amazing!!! Lila, wow - I agree so much with feed's Dr. I follow that same guideline that I will find my successes in more ways than just the scale. I specifically look for NSV's every single day! My weight loss has been much lower than most others around here so that is what I do to keep positive and know I AM doing a good job. Though I do use my scale as a guide on whether I can try harder or not. However I am very content on my losses to date!! I do set mini goals but and I have set dates attached to try to work to get there. It is disappointing though when I don't make them. I just set the bar lower this time, to something I personally know I can do. Good luck to you!!

In 2004 I had back surgery for herniated and ruptured disk, as well as a spinal bone spur. The surgery helped but I struggled to lose the weight needed to really get the benefits of the surgery. One of the things I noticed after surgery was that when I would lay in bed on my right side, often I would feel pain. It felt as if my lower spine was in a "V" shape. I would have to change positions quickly or the pain would become really bad. It was the weight of my stomach pulling on my back. Since lapband surgery and weight loss I hadn't even given it a thought, but this morning I noticed that the pain was gone and that my back felt ... normal. For me, this is a really big NSV. Anyone else with back problems notice a difference? ~Fran

Today while I was getting ready for work, I put on a pair of pants I haven't been able to wear for 6 months! I was very surprised & happy when I buttoned & zipped them up without any problem. Yay! Also - started the Lifestyle Challenge at work today and at the weigh-in it showed I have lost 5 lbs in the last week. That makes 9 since surgery and 28 since starting the pre-op diet. I also stepped up the diet today to include a little more quantity. Still eating pureed foods, but more at one meal. To be honest, I feel really full after eating 2 meals today that were bigger than what I've been used to. Oh well...guess I'll be a good kid & follow the directions

Congrats, its the little things that are really big. My NSV was I had to buy a belt today, my pants are getting too big.

This morning, getting ready for work, I put on a pair of pants I haven't been able to wear for 6 months and THEY FIT! Woo-hoo! This should open up the work wardrobe choices a bit

Well, I've crossed the overweight/normal weight barrier, so there have been quite a few NSVs lately. 1) Can fully cross my legs without getting uncomfortable at all. 2) Was in a clinical skills session where the doctor was using me to show the sternoclavicular joints and everybody in my group said, "WOW, you have such big clavicles, I can see everything!" 3) Running at 6.0 mph is too slow now - I used to struggle with 6.5 mph, but now it's my cruisin' speed! Haven't run any 5Ks or 10Ks since the surgery, but I suspect my time will improve quite a bit. I also walk way faster! 4) Went to an adult ballet class and was the fittest person there (not the skinniest, but definitely the strongest). The teacher said "You clearly have had some ballet training, so you should check out a higher level class." For someone who's always been fat and clumsy, that was huge! To top it all off, I placed in 4th level ballet even though I had only had the equivalent of 1 level of training. Now that the weight isn't getting in the way, my natural strength and flexibility are finally visible! 5) I don't even think about walking a couple of flights of stairs, I don't get out of breath at all. 6) My "skinny clothes" of yore are all at Goodwill or sold on Ebay now, because they were all way too big! 7) I can wear regular boots instead of special-ordering wide-calf ones and paying 3x the price.

This evening I did something I haven't been able to do for 3 years--I was able to put on my wedding rings! Not on my pinkie where they had been but on the ring finger! I took them off about 6 months into my pregnancy and hadn't got them back on until now. Makes me feel great. Now my husband can't tease me about not being married.

NSV for sure! Atta girl!