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OK - this is such a minor, silly thing, but I LOVE my shadow!!! I have to walk back and forth outside between buildings at my work each day. Before I started this journey, I noticed how HUGE and unshapely my shadow had become. For some reason that got to me even more than looking at myself in the mirror! Well, now that I'm over 1/2 way to goal, I love looking at my much-smaller shadow that actually resembles a woman's shape! Another NSV - we have a 'cuddle' chair (oversized lounger), that my husband and two sons could fit in fine together. When I would sit next to my husband or my two sons, It was a very tight, uncomfortable fit, and when I would get up, the whole chair would lean forward and slam back and I would about launch whoever was still sitting there. Now I easily and comfortably fit with my husband or both sons, and the chair stays in place when I get up and they stay seated.

Congrats tyhelms... this is definitely one of the best NSV's. it is also a great motivational tool to keep going here's to a "shrinking you" good luck josie

I noticed an NSV today... I don't meet with my boss very often, it has been a couple of months since I have been up to his office (where the nice furniture is!). I remember when I first sat in his office chairs and I was sorta "wedged" into the chair. Today I sat in the chair and there was no "wedging", I just sat in the chair. It felt so good as I knew I looked "wedged" into it before. This is all so exciting, I can hardly believe it sometimes!! I love my band, and it has only been two months...

can someone please tell me what NSV stands for? I understand what it is, but can't figure out the acronym. Thanks!

Experiences seem to vary widely as far as surgery and recovery. I felt only discomfort (no pain) after surgery. The discomfort was the feeling of a foreign object in my chest that felt very heavy. This feeling went away in about 10 days. I also experienced a strange rash on my hands and arms that went away by itself. I believe this was an immune response to the band. You may experience discomfort from the gas used during surgery. Most people feel pain in the shoulder area. I did not. I felt the surgery was a piece of cake compared to other surgeries I have had. Your surgeon will put you on a post-op diet that you should follow to the "T". You will get really hungry between days 5-10 but you must not deviate from the post-op instructions no matter how hungry you are. I recommend you focus on drinking Water during this time to keep the hunger at bay. The period between recovery and your first fill are called "bandster hell". It is called this because you will have no restriction and will have to use a great deal of will power to get through it. It does take some time to reach good restriction but once you do, you will not feel deprived of food and weight loss will be relatively easy. I highly recommend you begin walking immediately following surgery and increase the amount of time you walk each day as you are feeling better. My experience has been that you will lose rapidly the first few months if you walk a lot. As soon as your surgeon deems you ready, start a routine/daily exercise regimen. I joined Curves and go 5 times/week and ride my bicycle several times per week for an hour or more. Be sure you get measured at your chest, stomach, hips, arms, legs so you can see non-scale victories (NSV's) for when you can't see the loss on the scale. It is normal to hit plateaus during your weight loss. I find this to be very discouraging but just keep in mind the loss will start up again. This is why measuring is important. I will be happy to answer any other questions you may have if you would like to message me. Best of luck to you!:cursing: Donna

I’m coining a new phrase here on LBT. Because I’m going to need it. Soon. How many threads, posts, and blogs have you seen here about LB’ers who are getting close to goal (usually starting about 30 lbs. out from goal, depending on their BMI) and are facing a whole new set of challenges. Their BMI is lower, as is their weight. Although they’re at their Sweet Spot the amount of food they can eat and still lose weight is no longer working for them. The same goes for exercise. Yeah, they’ve hit plateaus before, but that doesn’t even come close to this…it’s much worse…the weight loss stalls and slows down to a painful crawl…a death march even. I’m paying more attention to all those ‘30 and Goal’ posts (sounds like a football commentary, doesn’t it?). They feel guilty for complaining or even asking for support here…How can they not feel guilty for even seeking support when they’ve lost a ton of weight and are now in clothes sizes they haven’t seen in years…for some, since grade school? How can they justify needing support when others are struggling just to start losing their weight? After all, they’re so close to goal…and look at all the newbies here just starting their 6 mo. diet…or those that are now in ‘Bandster Hell’ and are just trying so hard to maintain and wait for those fills. What right do they have to complain? They’d look like FOOLS for complaining! They’ve lost a ton of weight…they’re almost at goal…they look better…they feel better…they are so happy with their weight loss…I’m with you…WHAT THE HECK DO THEY HAVE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT? Except…now…I’m almost there… These Banders get that. They feel the same way…they feel happy and frustrated at the same time…they’re happy with how far they’ve come, but they’re frustrated with their slow progress getting those last 30 or so pounds off. Should they feel happy or sad? They don’t even know how to feel about it…and it‘s not like the NSV’s are still pouring in to make them feel good as they‘ve now been this weight for awhile. Maybe they even feel a little like a failure and as though they’ve let others or themselves down with their slow weight loss. These Banders feel like they have to apologize for even complaining. Over and over they feel like they had to justify why they had a right to be frustrated at all. So how do you go about explaining how horrible it feels being so close to goal and for your weight loss to stall. You lost the bulk of the weight at least somewhat steadily, but now the scale is barely moving and at this rate it might/is taking years to get to goal. Those people generally get sympathy from others who are in the same position they are, or others that have already been through it (and we know there not as many ‘old-timers’ here…maybe this is why some disappear even?). Don’t we all give great sympathy to those going through ‘Bandster Hell’? It’s because we’ve all been there. I kept thinking…heck, when I was going through that period after banding and before restriction and I was feeling down and needed support all I had to say was ‘I’m going through Bandster Hell’ and I’d get all kinds of support…‘Oh, I’ve been there too’… ‘This is normal’ … ‘Don’t worry it will end soon’ … ‘Try this…’ Mention just two words ‘Bandster Hell’ and you need not have to explain any further…we get it…we sympathize. Here’s the thing…I’ve decided I’ll need an acronym or at least a term for this period in my Band journey. If I can say PB, Slime, Stuck, or Bandster Hell and I don’t need to explain or justify these terms and my being there, then why isn’t there one for this tough, usually longest phase in the Band journey? I looked on several sites and there isn’t one. I need a term so that I can talk about this without having to give a lengthy explanation and justification each time…something like ‘Bandster Hell’. I figure the best time to come up with this is even before I start into this phase. I don’t need your support yet for this, because I’m not there yet, but I will be soon. I looked at words and I found one that really struck home…LIMBO, in limbo: a state of uncertainty or of being kept waiting; a state of oblivion or neglect; a condition of uneasiness or aprehension; a state or place of profound anxiety brought on by the unknown; indeterminate state; a condition of unknowable outcome. Well that works. So I’m coining a new phrase for myself (and anyone else) here so I won’t have to explain or justify why I need support. I’ll soon be 30 lbs. or less from goal and I’m sure I’ll need to continue getting support here. You’ll read this phase name and you’ll just nod your head and know exactly what I’m talking about and hopefully give me the support I’ll still need (because if your not there yet, you know you soon will be). You’ll understand that I have the right to be frustrated or upset because this phase of the journey brings its own set of challenges and it’s own set of emotional issues. I’ll need the same support you give all of us at any point in this journey. You see, I’m headed into that last phase of Weight Loss…and I may be there a LOOONG time so I’ll need your patience and understanding. I’m headed into ‘Goal Limbo’.

Hi Notorious Novembers! That is truly wonderful - that's a big NSV if ever I saw one! One of my best friends keeps saying to me that she doesn't want me to become a 'bobble head' with a big head on a tiny body. :hurt::cryin: I'm getting a lot of comments about me being "skinny enough" lately... DD - I'm following the same train of thought. I think I'd like to get down to 170, hold that for a while and see what I can do with exercise, then plan for a tummy tuck next year. With my DD starting college, there isn't a WHOLE lot of extra money to be had... Course, I'm also having some work done on the 'girls'...they are not what they used to be! :eek:

Hi all, Just had to share the fact I now have some 38E pretty bras and they are lovely and they make my boobs look quite nice, with healthy cleavage rather than just loads of squeezed flesh, if you know what I mean. It's been so long since this has happened I am quite excited :001_huh:

I love days like that...you deserve to pamper yourself! Great NSV on the jeans!!! -BG

Good morning! Hope everyone had a better weekend than I did! I was so sick with a stomach virus. L I feel ok now but darn-it! I took up all my fun time!! Now I’m back at work and as usual do not feel rested like I should. But, I have an NSV!! Even though I didn’t feel good I STILL did my workout! I usually use not feeling good as an excuse to skip out, but not this time. It might have only been 20 minutes and 30 minutes calisthenics but still, I did it!! Tap, I so know how you feel, but remember – you are so close to goal now! Maybe you need a day to meditate and get back into perspective. Don’t fall off now… you can slack off after you get to goal. Not to the point of gaining though either. How do you feel? How is your health? I mean, maybe your body IS done. I know I’m just now contradicting what I just said, but that could be a factor too. There’s a lot to consider when saying we’ve finished. I put my goal up to 160. That I know is doable for me. I’ve been 160 before and I liked myself back then. But, at least if I get there I can always choose if I want to do more. The things my nutritionist really pointed out is that I need to substitute more snacks for fruit. So we agreed at this point I’ll up my one fruit a day to two. She also said no more liquid supplements, like protein drinks. She said a band patient really has no need for protein drinks and just tacks on calories needlessly. Also that if I’m not able to get my protein in through solids then I was too tight. I already knew that though! Lol She made a food suggestion. There are some food wraps in the deli section. They are rather good size and they are only 100 calories (2 points) and they have different flavors too. One last good thing she wanted me to do is make a list of 10 different types of breakfasts that fit nutritiously within 6-7 points. She thinks I’m being too repetitious with my eating and might help with my over snacking in the evenings. Okay, well I’ll check back in soon! Have a great day all!! How’s everyone else?

I really love Lily Pulitzer clothing and a few years back they stopped making size 16. I was upset, but went ahead and bought a dress in a 14 at the end of one season (when it was like 60% off) with the goal of being able to wear it after whatever diet I was on at the time. I never once have been able to get it zipped, when I got really heavy last year, I couldn't get it around my hips. Well, this dress sort of served as my carrot. Every weekend since I started my pre-op diet I have tried it on. This weekend I had another big closet clean out where I try everything on in my closets, dresser, and under bed bins. I got to this dress and told myself that maybe in another couple of weeks it would fit perfect, but guess what...IT ZIPPED! I was so ecstatic!!! I had told myself that it would eventually fit, but to actually be able to zip it up was WONDERFUL. I had my husband take some pictures, I'm going to try to post one here and in my profile. The funny thing is, I don't really like the dress that much now that it fits, but it is such an accomplishment that I will always keep it. Edited: cannot figure out how to put a picture here, so it's just in my album.

BillOh, Congrats!! The Running helps in so many ways. I keep saying I want to do that- You inspire me to start at this more seriously! My NSV this month is finally fitting into a size 18 pants ( With elastic waist band) Sizes starting with 1 , is a milestone to me.

Whoo- hoo - Im not alone in the PJTP world! It is getting slower and slower in here...we need a jump start. Where is everyone? heartfire? Kat? Plain? Sick? Slim? Bristle? KC? Pool? CC? and so on and so on...................come on, guys. Are you saying (thorugh your silence) that you don't enjoy our witty repartee? Don't want to know the lives and loves of your fellow bandsters? TALK TO ME!!! Love the NSV!!

PJTP...I'm back! :closedeyes: Weekends are MADE for enjoying! Agreed! When I was researching a new car, I looked at the Toyota Prius - but it was SO much more expensive, I just couldn't afford it. I did get something more efficient than my old car, but I wish I'd been able to go the full distance so to speak... NSV...sitting at my desk with my legs crossed at the knee and my leg isn't going to sleep. It's actually COMFORTABLE to sit like this... Never thought I'd be able to say that...I do my band!:w00t:

I had a somewhat different NSV today! I took my mom to have her knee replacement surgery today at the same hospital that my lapband surgery was performed. We followed the same route that we did the day of my surgery, same nurses, same waiting rooms in pre-op and recovery. My mom's bed was even in the same spot in the pre-op area that I was! We were in reversed roles today though. My lapband Dr. does his surgeries on Wednesdays, so I saw him there, he hugged me (he is so sweet) and even said he would check in on my mom to see how she is doing later. I saw him come in and out of the surgical waiting area throughout the morning telling the famiy members that "their surgeries went well". It really made me feel good to know that I had gone through it, was doing well and down 33 lbs since I started my pre-op diet on 8/15. The weight may be coming off very slowly at this point, but it IS coming off. :crying: I met a couple other patients who were anxiously anticipated the procedure while waiting and shared my experiences and that the anticipation was so much more than the actual surgery and recovery over the coming weeks. I even showed my scars and how good they are doing. :thumbup: I felt like I made a trip back to where it all began and it felt so good!! I really felt proud to have had the procedure and to be moving forward. It was motivating too! Meanwhile.. mom's surgery went VERY well, she now has a full set of two artificial hips and knees..a bionic woman! Darn arthritis.. hope it doesn't hit me that hard later in life!

A little background... So a big reason for me to have WLS was to be healthy enough to get pregnant. A year ago this month I had my first appointment with a fertility specialist. At that time my cycle was anywhere between 55-80 days (I think). I remember that they gave me medicine in November to bring on my period so they could do 3 day blood work, and it still took 11 days before my period actually came. They determined my fibroids were so large (as well as small) and numerous that I needed to have them removed before proceeding with treatment. I was also diagnosed with PCOS (although my PCP had diagnosed it 2 years previous as well). I had the open surgery to remove the fibroids in Jan. 09 and my next 2 cycles were fairly normal (around 36 days). Then I started really packing on the weight and had an 80 day cycle. I began researching weight loss surgery (there were other factors as well). Well, for the NSV... This month I had a 28 day cycle! After the last two years, it is just so amazing. I actually recorded the date I thought I ovulated and it was exactly 14 days into the cycle. I am so excited and hopeful that this will continue.

Hi Everyone! I'm happy to report that I started and finished the Couch-to-5k running program, and on Saturday, October 17th, I ran my first 5k race! It was called the Penguin 5k, and raises funds for the Penguins at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. Since I'd completed the Couch-to-5k program - a 9 week program that takes you from walking and no running to running 3 miles - I figured I was ready for a race. I took longer than 9 weeks to complete the program because I repeated some weeks when I felt I wasn't ready. That was one of the smartest things I've ever done - it let me complete the program injury-free. The race was fun - a bright, clear day, lots of other runners around. The course went from asphalt (roads) through a field (plowed / cleared but still bumpy and a bit muddy from recent rains) and then up a hill (tree roots, rocks, and more soft dirt - oh my!), through a subdivision (killer hill there) and into a cul-de-sac, where we turned around and ran back. When the race started, I kinda figured I'd be at the back of the pack, so to speak, and I was right! :eek: The "rabbits" took off in a bunch - they were really fast compared to me. There were some people who walked the course, and there was me and a couple of others, running slowly and chugging along. I finished the race in 45:10 - slower than I'd thought I would, but I was happy to finish! I was second-to-last, but the cheers from my fellow racers along the way and the thumbs-up I got from the volunteers along the route helped me to feel great about finishing. :wub: I'm going to continue to run, and while I may not do another race before Winter sets in, I'm already thinking about next spring and what races I'd like to do. I have a goal to reduce my time by 10% for the next 5k. My weight is pretty stable at 191 lbs, and I'm okay with that. My size keeps dropping, though - I am now fitting into size 14's (depending on label) and some size L clothes from Target. I'm so excited I can barely stand it - these are wonderful NSV's! I think my body has to have time to adjust to what I've done to it :huh2: I'm able to control the hunger so far - though I know that's as much a function of my band, "Jillian" as it is of my "willpower". I'm eating more protein and trying to balance the carbohydrates. I'm close to getting off my diabetes meds and I'm hoping November will be not only my 1 year Bandiversary, but also the month I leave the meds behind. I'm also adjusting my "head" - occasionally I am still surprised when I walk past a mirror and see the new, thinner me. I still think of myself as "plus-sized", though I really don't fit that designation any more. I've been a Big Girl for so long that when someone refers to me as "skinny", I often don't know who they are talking about! The head journey is going to be the longest part of this - while my body is adjusting, my head also needs to adjust, and so far, my head is lagging behind... Right now I am nursing a sore right hip - think I overdid it a bit on the race but that's not going to stop me from continuing to run and continuing to run this race to fitness and health. If you are not yet banded, I encourage you to do your research and determine if this is right for you. If you are banded and struggling, talk to your doctor, your nutritionist or a counselor, and get yourself back on track - you CAN succeed at this! If you are loving your banded life as I am, and making progress toward your ultimate goal of health and well-being, then GOOD FOR YOU and keep up the good work! Till next time...:wub:

Hi Everyone! I'm happy to report that I started and finished the Couch-to-5k running program, and on Saturday, October 17th, I ran my first 5k race! It was called the Penguin 5k, and raises funds for the Penguins at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. Since I'd completed the Couch-to-5k program - a 9 week program that takes you from walking and no running to running 3 miles - I figured I was ready for a race. I took longer than 9 weeks to complete the program because I repeated some weeks when I felt I wasn't ready. That was one of the smartest things I've ever done - it let me complete the program injury-free. The race was fun - a bright, clear day, lots of other runners around. The course went from asphalt (roads) through a field (plowed / cleared but still bumpy and a bit muddy from recent rains) and then up a hill (tree roots, rocks, and more soft dirt - oh my!), through a subdivision (killer hill there) and into a cul-de-sac, where we turned around and ran back. When the race started, I kinda figured I'd be at the back of the pack, so to speak, and I was right! :eek: The "rabbits" took off in a bunch - they were really fast compared to me. There were some people who walked the course, and there was me and a couple of others, running slowly and chugging along. I finished the race in 45:10 - slower than I'd thought I would, but I was happy to finish! I was second-to-last, but the cheers from my fellow racers along the way and the thumbs-up I got from the volunteers along the route helped me to feel great about finishing. :wub: I'm going to continue to run, and while I may not do another race before Winter sets in, I'm already thinking about next spring and what races I'd like to do. I have a goal to reduce my time by 10% for the next 5k. My weight is pretty stable at 191 lbs, and I'm okay with that. My size keeps dropping, though - I am now fitting into size 14's (depending on label) and some size L clothes from Target. I'm so excited I can barely stand it - these are wonderful NSV's! I think my body has to have time to adjust to what I've done to it :huh2: I'm able to control the hunger so far - though I know that's as much a function of my band, "Jillian" as it is of my "willpower". I'm eating more protein and trying to balance the carbohydrates. I'm close to getting off my diabetes meds and I'm hoping November will be not only my 1 year Bandiversary, but also the month I leave the meds behind. I'm also adjusting my "head" - occasionally I am still surprised when I walk past a mirror and see the new, thinner me. I still think of myself as "plus-sized", though I really don't fit that designation any more. I've been a Big Girl for so long that when someone refers to me as "skinny", I often don't know who they are talking about! The head journey is going to be the longest part of this - while my body is adjusting, my head also needs to adjust, and so far, my head is lagging behind... Right now I am nursing a sore right hip - think I overdid it a bit on the race but that's not going to stop me from continuing to run and continuing to run this race to fitness and health. If you are not yet banded, I encourage you to do your research and determine if this is right for you. If you are banded and struggling, talk to your doctor, your nutritionist or a counselor, and get yourself back on track - you CAN succeed at this! If you are loving your banded life as I am, and making progress toward your ultimate goal of health and well-being, then GOOD FOR YOU and keep up the good work! Till next time...:wub:

2 NSV's this month. I went and bought specifically Levy jeans so I could have the 34W tag visible on them:blushing:. Sunday I finished my first 1/2 marathon 5 minutes faster than I thought I might. I'm still feeling good about that one.

Thanks, everyone. I guess you could consider it an NSV. :cursing:

Congrats Shiny!!! That's absolutely wonderful news. Does that qualify as an NSV? hehe Have a great day guys. I"m off to the doctor's. Didn't lose as much as I wanted but I think I'm down a couple from my last visit. Woot!

I've just returned from my monthly visit with Dr. Baptista, whom I still adore. However, I finally realized I don't care what my weight is anymore. I'm losing weight, though it comes off in about 5 lb increments. I'm wearing size 18, down from size 26, jeans. I'm wearing a 38B bra. I mowed our 3/4 acre lawn a couple weeks ago. I've not gone to the beach yet, but that's in my future when warm weather returns. The biggest change is in my head. I'm no longer obsessed with food, or my diet, other than watching what I eat so I don't throw up and waste food. It's just fuel so I can get back to the business of living. I never thought I'd say that. This year, I don't care if there's candy in the stores. The thought of eating the whole bag like I did on a previous Halloween isn't there. I don't want it. It's the non-food stuff I care about now. Gee, the grandchildren are going to need new warm pajamas. I'd better go make them some. Let's carve the polyurethane foam pumpkins and string some spooky orange lights! Gee, my DH is so tired on weekends. I'd better go mow the yard and mulch that flowerbed. We're going dancing on Thursday night? Super! Where are my shoes? Food? Uh, no thanks. Not hungry. No really, no thanks. Want to go for a Ghost Walk?

Ohhhh and PS… strange I would even have one, but I kinda had a very interesting NSV just last night. I was folding laundry and to my surprise I hear a “cling, cling, cling”. I looked down immediately because I knew what the sound was! My wedding rings fell right off my fingers!! I knew it was close but I guess last night put me over the edge. I panicked a little bit because I was scared I’d lose them! Anyway, they are size 8. I had to go into my jewelry box to find a ring that I could at least wear with my wedding band to hold it into place. I looked at all of them even into a size 7, all of them being still way too big. The only one I could find was a size 6 and it even fits a little loose, but it fits enough to where I don’t feel scared it will fall of. I even shook my hand violently just to be sure… LOL!! My body is changing every day. I think I don’t give myself enough credit. The fact I won’t give up or give in should really be a motivator in itself. All my tools are in alignment now! So I hear December 21, 2012 is going to be the end of the world according to many folklore and the Mayan Calendar. Well, I at least wanna be thin and able to run if I have too! :-P I just want to note to all of you I have made a concrete decision today. I know I can do this, with all my tools I have. I have so much support in my corner. No matter what the future holds and they need to remove my band, I will agree to be re-banded. I started this and I will finish it. I will NOT be a band failure!!! :thumbup: Of course the only way would be if it were medically impossible to get another one...

Well this is a minor Nsv but nonetheless I was excited. I hardly go out to eat anymore but decided to go out with my friend the other day. She chose the olive garden and I was bummed because I never could fit in the chairs, and I spent the whole time feeling like everyone knew it. Well the other night I went anyway and I actually fit in the chair and comfortably. I could sit and enjoy my time and it was one of those moments where you think this is why I did this. Keep up the good work guys!