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How's this for a non-scale victory? When I woke up this morning, I felt absolutely great! That never used to happened. Now it happens all the time. My mood is terrific, I have energy, my stomach feels flat(er), I even feel taller. Before getting the band, I was very nervous. I had serious fears and doubts about it, so I googled "band" + "regret". I got a bunch of results of people posting "My only regret is that I didn't get it sooner!" And now, that's exactly how I feel. I love you Lap-Band!

Hi there Mari, and welcome to VST!!! The time will absolutely fly by, and before you know it you'll be laying on your back, staring up at the bright OR lights and fade to black... lol!!! It's ok, when you wake up your tummy will be gone and you will be SO THANKFUL!! Re: Loose skin. Yeah likely you will have *some*. Everyone's skin retracts differently. However, I always say - I can hide the loose skin, or the surgery scars for that matter. I have yet to find ANYONE who can hide obesity!! I never was able to... You will more than likely experience stalls. I think there are only a very small handful that have not had to deal with this. I've had a few short ones myself, by about a week long or so. To be really honest though, there has always been a reason for it. I either just had to wait it out or make a few changes. You just need to stay focused and keep doing the right thing and the scale will cooperate with you eventually. ...and finally the permanent aspect. Well, I'll tell you - I had the "reversible" WLS as well. I think too many go into that surgery knowing this and use it as an excuse to blow it off. You can't blow this off! I'll never do anything so major knowing I can go back on it. It's too big a deal. Besides, no surgery is 100% reversible anyway. You will always be left with scars, scar tissue on the inside and sometimes even worse. Do not let those few things dissuade you! I'll even go as far to say you may even have a few moments of regret. I did!!! I won't lie - it was right after surgery and I was feeling so awful and I wondered what the heck I did to myself. But you know what? That feeling fades really fast!!! Every time I step on the scale, someone compliments my losses, I'm wearing smaller clothes or I have a great NSV - I'm ever more thankful! Good luck!!!

what an inspiration. I am losing slowly and am scheduled for my first fill in two weeks and I love to hear about NSV's that other people are having! Great job!

Congrats on your lost so far! I too am a slow loser and do get frustrated that I am not losing as fast as I think that I should. I have had my husband hide the scale from me since I was very down on myself when I would weigh several times a day. The scale has been gone for a week now and I dont even think about wanting the weigh myself. Just focus on the nsv's and keep your eye on the prize!

Thanks all! I think it has been close to 20 years since I actually weighed my driver's license weight! Oh and another NSV is my husband the other day he told me that he keeps gushing over how proud he is and how great I look to the point of looking stupid not to mention WLS works better then viagra(BG) mp8btpc my surgery was 8/24/10 so I am right behind you.

Hi All, So I had 3 NSV today week actually two one is technically a SV. Today I took my blood pressure and it was 93/69 no meds. My BMI is finally below 30 and now I officially weigh what is on my driver's license! 160

I think the NSV moments are worth far more than the scale moving.

I Love stories like these!! The NSV I am soooo looking forward to is being able to go into Victorias Secret and get myself a super hot bra!! I have a while, but I'll be sure to post as soon as it happens! Buh BYE Lane Bryant!! ForEver.

Wow, what a great NSV! I am so happy for you and excited that you got to share in that moment with your hubby as well.

So, it's no secret on here that I'm a Black Friday Fan. Yesterday, we decided to go to the Outlet Mall around 3:00. We did some shopping & got some great deals. We were walking past Coldwater Creek and my husband suggested we go in. (Most items were 60-70% off lowest price!) So we did and I grabbed a few items in Small and a few things in Medium. Went to the dressing room and discovered, that everything I picked out was too big! My husband was a big help and kept running around the store finding smaller sizes. The Sales Woman gave me that "crazy girl" look - apparently, I was grinning from ear to ear and floating around the dressing room. I finally told her that I was an 18W in January and now wearing all 4's and 6's. I also shared about my surgery. She gave me an impulsive gigantic hug and almost started crying. So, I just had to share. I don't believe I wear 4's in most stores, but yesterday, I didn't care. My closet now has size 4 hanging in it. And by the way ... my husband had so much fun shopping with me, we bought over $200 worth of clothing and he didn't even blink an eye. I got 14 peices of clothes including dresses, skirts, vests, etc. I am so excited. Who ever thought the fat chick would need the smallest size a store sold??????? :)

Now I know who to call if my cat gets stuck in a tree!! Really great NSV, congrats!

That is an awesome NSV! Thank you for bringing a huge smile to my face. Keep up the great work and keep us posted. Lily

Congrats that's a great NSV!!! Happy Holiday's

Coops! Congratulations -- a swimming suit NSV is probably up there with some of the top NSVs (at least in my book) -- really, I think when I am able to go out in public in a swimming suit I will die and go to heaven - so big huge congratulations Annette -- NSV = Non scale Victory!

First of all I have to say GREAT POST! This is such great encouragment to everyone! Then I have to ask and I feel really silly that I cant figure it out but... what the NSV means...Thanks I know it has something to do with victories that I wil get to experience after I get my sleeve. But what does it mean? Thanks.

WOW I'm so excited and I had to share... I checked my BMI Today and I'm now in the OVERWEIGHT Catagory! Coming from a 42.3 BMI when i started this path 7 months ago to now being 29.9! I also checked my Body Fat Mass by measurements and I'm a 31.2% where acceptable is between 25 and 31% !!! YAY.... I"M GETTING THERE!!! I'm still on the top side of all the catagories but i Just have to keep working hard and not give in!!

What a great NSV!

OK ... this "may" quality for a NSV. I"m in the 10% percentile for height, weight, and age. WOW!!! Need to try the fun one next.

Tabatha - I was banded on April 10, 2009 and weighed 300 lbs at my heaviest. I am now at 146.5 lbs with an "ultimate" goal of 145. The lapband has been very very good to me. I do not do low carb, but I do focus more on Protein and Fiber. My weight loss has been steady since banding with a few bumps along the way while it took my body time to adjust. What has worked for me is adjusting the band to fit my lifestyle and needs and....yes EXERCISE. I'm not hungry in the mornings and usually in a hurry so I mix myself up a Protein shake with skim milk and drink that. Mid morning a few teaspoons of high fiber/high protein granola. At lunch, I try to eat sensibly and keep my calories under 400 for the meal. Late afternoon I usually have a yogurt with granola topping and then dont' eat dinner until around 7:30 - 8:00 pm. This helps me to stave off the munchies late at night. I don't eat alot of red meat anymore...more chicken, fish and pork. I also don't drink anything with caffeine or carbonation (although I have to admit that once in awhile I just crave a Coke, but rarely have a sip). Hubby and I also do some sort of daily exercise, mostly walking and hiking. If the weather is crappy, we go to the YMCA. Strength equipment really has helped to tone my arms and I will say that I have pretty darned good shoulders. It also has helped to tone up my lower body which used to be way bigger than my top, but I'm now the same size. I can eat anything, but usually reserve treats for the weekends/special occasions. I don't eat alot of Pasta, bread, potatoes, or rice, but they are not eliminated from my diet either. I just find that pasta, pizza, rice, potatoes tend to lead to a short term weight gain for a day or two because of the carbs. I don't keep alot of Snacks in the house that are tempting to me. The best advice I can give is find what works for you. If you're not hungry in the mornings, have a shake. If you get the late night munchies, eat dinner later. If it's a long time between lunch and dinner, have a small snack to tie you over. Incorporate some activity into your daily life. Drink plenty of fluids, focus on Proteins and fiber - they help keep you fuller longer. My life has changed alot in a year and a half. I have more self esteem. More energy. My thighs don't rub together. My feel don't hurt when I wear heels all day. I look good in clothes. I have a more positive attitude and handle stress better. My joints don't hurt (very often). My bloodwork is phenomenal. One NSV I had last weekend is from my postal carrier. I went outside to get a package from her and she asked if I was visiting. I said "no, I live here". She didn't recognize me. Couldn't believe I was the same person. That's a big change in such a short time. I really wish you the best. I feel so blessed and grateful to have the life I have now. It's what I wanted my whole adult life - to feel like I fit in and am "normal". I want the same for all.

Hey Ladies... Greetings from sunny Wales!!! I was sleeved 3rd July... and am doing ok, pleased with my weight loss so far... mind compared to you Bella I am ashamed...lol! I agree with your comments on how life changing this is! Getting compliments is something I was never used to or took well, but now I sorta believe people when they say how nice I look or how healthy I look because for the first time in my life I am starting to feel good and believe in myself. There are sooooo many little things that only us, who have been obese, understand ... little things like wearing my engagment ring and my wedding ring all day... wearing high heeled shoes to work... going to the gym and not crying on the way home because my groin is on fire and my shin splints are hurting! My 10 year old son being able to put his arms around me and for his hand to touch... that was a NSV that had me in tears...lol. The list goes on!! I suppose, I feel in control of things are last, and that alone is an amazing feeling. Although, I am not even half way to goal, I already feel so much better, younger and fitter... I started at a 24/22 and am now comfortable in an 18 (nearly in that elusive 16!!!) Lets keep each other going ... =]

Thank you all so very much!! It's so nice to have a place to Celebrate the little things I too have had jacked up knees for awhile now. With my gains from my band, it was getting worse and worse. I felt so worthless! Gah! They really wanted to give me surgery on my knees too. In fact I was already up and scheduled to have it in this September. However I think that is what pushed me over the edge to make that final decision to get the sleeve. So, it was exciting for me to just fly up that flight. Not even a house flight, this was at work, so it's more like a flight and a half compared to a house. Last night too, I was at a basketball game and I was able to move around the stairs quite easily. Not only that I fit in the seat very comfy too. Ahhhh life's good!!! ;o) Oh and here's another fun NSV. I have a pair of 22's I'm holding on to, because they still fit okay. Well yesterday I was able to pull them up and down without unbuttoning and doing the zipper... LMAO!!!

Hey Blackberry... I am totally with you on this... the day I weighed less than my hubby was defo a NSV and a massive one at that 'cos for the last 12 years I have always been heavier! Doesn't it feel good... he said to me the other day, that it is nice that he can wrap his arms around me and touch hands...!! The little things are so important! x