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Not only was I complimented by 2 of my male associates (I manage a TJMaxx), but....here is the best part...I was able to buy a junior size pair of jeans and am wearing 4 inches heels for the the first time in a long....long time

Are the weirdest and best words to hear from a complete stranger! Today while shopping, I asked a sales woman for help finding one size, but she was convinced I would where a smaller size. "You're so tiny!" She said as she got out her measuring tape. This was also not an average sized woman either! She was a twig in her 20's. I was shocked and she was right. I needed a size smaller... I've had a lot of fabulous NSVs lately :-) which is nice bc I seem to be stalled...

So mu husband just says to me in all his eloquence "Dude, you're looking wicked skinny." I'll take it.

@@mariomomi nicely put and written these successes/accomplishments are commonly referred to as NSV's (non sleeve victory) NSV's vary from buying a smaller size clothes to squeezing in between 2 cars with no problems able to put a little tush in the middle seat on an airplane, with room to spare!! you guessed it - these are 3 of my NSV's look forward to all the NSV's you will be having post op great feeling you will see how far you have come - and eventually will go good luck kathy

It is crazy to me how it feels like the body isn't doing anything and then it suddenly changes dramatically. These dramatic changes should be visible on their own, but it usually takes having my attention brought to it. Early nsv's included fitting into a diner booth, and under growing my clothes. My newest non-scale victory he is a pain in my ass! Literally. I sit down too hard because my body memory this program to throw down over 300 pounds which takes momentum. Today I went to a doctors appointment what to sit in the chair, and I could feel the bones in my butt-they actually hurt against the seat. Stuff like this really helps me realize throughout this journey that the hard work pays off!

I love your NSVs, and you look great! Going to the salon is always an uncomfortable experience when big. Those shampoo capes are so unflattering. Your hair is very pretty!

Congrats , you look amazing !!! And Andersonlj NSV ( non scale victory )

I am out just a month now with the band and just yesterday I had one of the best NSV's I have felt in YEARS !!!!!! We went to a diner and I got ravioli's for dinner. The plate had about 10 fairly large ravioli's on it. I ate a few bites of my salad, 3 ravioli's and walked out of that diner carrying the rest of them to take home. Your probably saying so?????? Well it hit me that finally, FINALLY I had control and that this band is WONDERFUL!!! I walked out of that place with tears in my eyes because for the first time I felt like I can do this, with my band, I can finally do this, there is hope. I told my dh that it felt good not to have cleaned the table off and walk out feeling disgusted in myself AND gaining another 5 lbs. What an awesome feeling to be able to taste life instead of inhaling it. Don't let the bad news get you down, just think about it as more information to be aware of, IMHO its better to know than not to know. I am loving each day and I am so Thankful to GOD that He!!! gave me this chance with the band. Your gonna be just fine....ok!! Leave your worries to the Lord

I sort of thought that being a size 12 would be all the reward I needed... I was looking farward to all the NSVs that I would collect along the way, like merit badges or blue ribbons from the county fair. It never occured to me there would be stuff like DAY SPAS!!!!!!!

Sue, are you gaining? If not, you and your body may just be going through a transition. Losing the weight that has insulated us is difficult, losing food as our best friend is difficult. I have had many plateaus and long periods without loss when I needed and my body needed to adjust. I am going through one right now. Just start getting back on track. Remember how it felt when you were heavier. Track your non scale victories (NSV). Think about things differently - instead of thinking morning exercise walk, think a morning walk to enjoy the nature and prepare to start the day... Good luck. Celeste

Hey Guys! I know it has been a while, and I apologize for staying away so long. I popped back in to update my ticker, and I've been trying to get through all the posts I've missed. I will write more later, but I just wanted to say hi and let you all know I'm still here. I've had some ups and downs since I was here last. I lost a lot right after surgery, then plateaued for an eternity it seemed. I just got fill number 3, and I can finally feel good restriction. (Almost too good) I sometimes have a hard time even getting soft stuff to go down, especially in the morning. Since I got this last fill, I finally started losing again. I have so many NSV's and other things to share, but I'll read everyone else's posts first. I hope you all are doing well! I've missed you all!!

I went to the fair today. First time in 15 years. I can now fit all the rides! Happy dance. What's your latest NSV? [ATTACH]16350[/ATTACH]

My ample bottom actually fits in the chairs at my doctor's office! I no longer have to sit on the edge or have the arms dig into my thighs.

NSV= Non scale Victory...something you achieve other then the scale going down.

No nibblin'? That is awesome Roxanne....GREAT NSV....well done!!! Yeah, Xmas parties.....ours is next week (potluck); I'm bringing Nanaimo Bars....I think I"ll be okay....as I'm too paranoid that something bad will happen if I'm "bad" in public!! Aaaaaah, the shame of fear! Works everytime! I think it might be "tougher" and a little more obvious (that I'm avoiding stuff) when I go to the "at home" thing though (you know what I'm referring to, Roxanne!)....so wish me luck! That is next week as well.

Dec. 4th will mark two years since my VSG. It has been the BEST two years of my life!! I am soooo happy, so sociable, so [yes] sexy, and picking clothes to go here or there is a breeze!! No agonizing about what to wear, or 'will this fit', etc. The mental freedom, self confidence and self-esteem are all wonderful. I'm not hiding from folks--colleagues, friends, etc. I gladly take pictures, my eyes gleam and my smile is genuine. I have not reached my self-appointed goal of 165 (actually, I'm thinking my face will look too thin!!). But going from a size 22, to a size 10/12 is working for me. For fun, I took some 'modeling' photos recently, and (yes), somebody is truly looking great. I can say that now. Brief note for now from me, but if you were sleeved around the time I was--December 2013--do tell your status, update, your NSVs; and share pictures, if you choose. Congratulations, two years out. I know it's been a good thing.

Dawn checking in at 158.2..down 2 this week and one way from goal! Also had an nsv this week! Was able to fit into my size 10 goal jeans!

Well ar least you are brave Bailey... you asked... I didn't know what that meant either and very glad you asked! Now we can both wait for the answer! I proudly join the ranks of the "feeling stupid" club and ask... what is NSV????

WTG!! That's an awesome NSV!! :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny

*I originally posted this about 6 months ago, I recently got a request to repost it! Hope some of this helps! Welcome all newly banded, soon to be banded, or bandsters new to the site. I was thinking this morning, now that I am a little over 9 months out, I could share some information with those of you just beginning your journey. Some of this is kinda common sense, and some of it is info I wish I had understood better before the band. 1. before get very far into your journey, take some measurements. I forgot to do this and now I wish I had my beginning measurements. This is good, bc sometimes when the scale is not moving...you are still losing inches! SO MEASURE YOURSELF! 2. Take some before pictures. I take pictures all the time, but I know some people hate the way they look presurg. But you will wish you had some before pictures after you start losing :thumbup: It's only going to get better afterall! 3. This is really important. And I didnt have a clear grasp on it before surgery. After surgery, and after you heal...you will still be hungry. AND most likely, you will still be able to eat whatever whenever you want. The period after banding and before you first fill is referred to as BANDSTER HELL. It's hell because you have to rely on willpower. What's that you say? I know I know...if we were good at "dieting" then we wouldnt need the band. But for a few weeks at least, prepare yourself to practice restraint. Just bc you can eat it...don't. 4. Know that after surgery, and when you start to eat mushies and real food. Your weight loss will probably stop for a week or so. Your body is going from a really low calorie liquid diet to actual food. It needs time to adjust. So dont get discouraged or give up. Hold on, watch what you eat...and more importantly...start moving. 5. Which brings me to this one. Exercise. It doesnt have to be anything huge! I started walking and I HATE walking. But I set a goal for myself. I wanted to do a 5k. I started walking 1 mile. The next week I added 1/2 a mile and so on. In March, 2 months after my surgery I did my first 5k. Is was a nonscale victory (NSV). Exercising will help your scale start moving again, and even when it appears you arent dropping pounds, you are changing the shape of your body. 6. Start a blog. It's pretty easy. Blogger is one great one. The link to my blog is in my signature. If you go check it out, you will see all of the other ladies that blog. Blogging or reading blogs lets you get to know fellow bandsters on a more personal level and see progress and share experiences. 7. When you go to your doctor ASK QUESTIONS! That's what they are there for...and that's what we (or our insurance) is paying them for. 8. Realize that all doctors are different. You will learn that really quickly on this site. We all have different instructions. 9. Dont be afraid to call and ask your doc if you can change something, move to the next phase sooner..etc. All they can do is tell you know. 10. FILLS! Most of us dont feel any restriction after our first fill. I didnt feel anything until my 3rd fill. My doc is pretty aggressive with fills, if that's what his patients want. I had 4ccs my first fill. I called back bc it didnt do anything for me and went in 2 weeks later for my second fill. He gave me 1.5cc's. Still didnt feel much so I called and went back in one week later and got .5cc's. 11. There will be times, even when you are doing everything right...the scale won't move. Stay strong and stay focused. It will start moving again! And finally. 11. Love yourself! Dont be ashamed of the band. It is a TOOL. You DO have to work at it. You CAN cheat it. IT IS NOT THE EASY WAY OUT! Be proud of who you are and who you are becoming! Hope some of this helps! --Amy

Congratulations on your awesome NSV!

I checked back to my last check-in and I'm down 2 lbs i the last two weeks The weight is just coming off soooo sloooowwwlllyyyy. But I had a very nice NSV yesterday. I bought some pants at Coscto, which was an NSV in itself (they don't sell plus sizes!). But I didn't just need the 18's, the 16's fit. So, I decide to head back later in the day with my mom, and decided to get a pair of 14's, to use as a next set of goal pants. Brought then home and tried them on to see how far before I could get them fastened, and THEY FIT!! I WAS ABLE TO FASTEN THEM!! Without even laying down on the bed!! I fit in a size 14. What's ridiculous is that I've been wearing some of the same brand in 18's. Yeah, they are a bit loose, but I guess I need to pay more attention to how loose! So, even though the scale is being a b***h, the inches are still coming off. Going to take measurements this weekend too.

I am patting myself on the back today. My hubby is deployed and like any marriage...some days it's really a lot of work to remember why I stay married...especially when we are trying to converse via chat and nothing is coming across right...BUT...where I might normally eat a bag of chips and wallow in my misery...today I picked up a cookie, stared longingly at it...put it down and went out and ran/walked on my treadmill for 30 min. Huge accomplishment for me. The start of bucking that stress eating habit I have. It would have been so easy just to eat the darn thing and skip exercising. The best part was realizing I didn't really want that cookie. I wanted the exercise. Hoping this NSV becomes a habit!

​Agree you are eating too much. Here's my tip - set a timer for 1 1/12 minutes and ONLY take a bite when that timer goes off. Set another timer (or watch the clock) and at no more than 30 minutes, stop eating. Throw your food away. Make sure your bites are relatively small. I would be surprised if you could get in even 1/2 cup that way. I know I can't. What do your food logs say? How many calories / Protein / fat / carbs are you taking in per day? What did your NUT say? Give us an idea of your daily food and maybe we can make some suggestions in addition to reducing volume. I saw your other post and you have some HUGE NSV's which you definitely need to rejoice in. Have you taken your measurements? That may help you see the changes.

Great NSV! Congrats! New clothes are always welcome for me!