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Hahaha...DH says I'm not allowed to run outside anymore, lol. I think it will be a little while before I attempt that again. Clumbsiness runs in my family... Great NSV Kathy!! Must feel absolutely fabulous! Welcome back, we missed you!

Georgia... Yeah!!! Congrats on running again! Now, next time you're outside, don't trip on the cracks!!!! Renewed... reality bites, but its good to get a full dose of it once in awhile to bring you back around. Sorry you've conceeded defeat! I've been out of town since Monday morning, so have just now caught up on everyone. I used the hotel fitness facility to run Tue & Today, and it was nice. NSV to share... ever go to the hotel and they have small bath towels and those plush housecoats that are "One Size Fits All". It was always very frustrating for me cause the towels were too small to wrap around me and the housecoats would never fit me... Well now they do!!! After my shower I wrapped the towel around me and it OVERLAPPED! Then I cozyied up in the housecoat, and it was too big!!! I get to fly on Feb 1st, which is the first time since very early banding days (about 85 lbs ago), so I'm excited to see if I fit in the seat comfortably now???

Hi, I made rules when I was learning to eat again. One of them was never to go back for seconds. That was what got me in to trouble in the first place. I suggest that you don't go back for seconds - ever. Are you eating slowly? Thoroughly chew your food and take your time. As for craving the bad stuff - well in my case that was never done. I just made the decision not to eat certain foods - bread, chocolate etc. If you must eat, eat fruit - I eat apples and bananas. They are much healthier. Take fruit to work with you. Also, get rid of the bad foods from the house - stick them in the bin. I eat the same food as everyone else here, no special diets or calorie counting. I just use portion control. The most important message is that you are not a failure! It's common to have setbacks, the trick is how you overcome them. See your weight loss in perspective to the rest of your life. It's important that you try to enjoy your weight loss. Have you had any NSVs? I had two operations because the tube between port and band became detached. My second operation resited the port and replaced the tube.

Congratulations to everyone for the NSVs. It is great to have a place where we can share these celebrations. In the last few days I've tried on a number of blouses and jackets. For the first time I am able to actually button the blouses and some jackets I've owned for years. For many years I've worn jackets without buttoning or sipping because I simply couldn't pull together the buttons or attempt the zipper. It really is a great feeling to be able to comfortably wear some of these items that have been in my closet for too many years.

Ok wow I have quite a few NSV's... Stomach no longer touches steering wheel. I've gone from a tight 22 to a very loose 18. My legs don't look like stumps they look like LEGS! BAD NSV: I've lost inches but no cup size so I've gone from a 40DDD to a 38F. My ankles exist! Rings fall off, necklaces fit better, bracelets don't cut off circulation. Sex has gotten waaaaaay better. I can wear a belt! Guys are flirting with me and staring at me. I instinctively am thinking "Oh no do I have something on my face?" cuz I'm just not used to it. I can shop at normal stores again. Still in XXL or XL shirts but come on...I have 38F's lol Even at my smallest I was wearing XL's. I have officially lost 50lbs. (Not a NSV but still a victory) I actually am having choices in what I want to wear, instead of just taking ANYTHING that'll fit. Used to wear 2XL guys shirts, put one on about 2 months ago so I could wear it to school and I was SWIMMING in it. I bought guys 2XL swim trunks at Old Navy when I was at my heaviest. So a few weeks ago I had to go hottubbing and needed some cover up shorts. I grabbed them and I couldn't get them to stay up and they went down to my ankles:mellow:. They weren't an option lol. People in my classes are talking to me. Sad but when I was at 265(at 5'4") they would ignore me. Not even look at me. Depressing when people can't stand the sight of you...how's that for you self-confidence lol... I can somewhat see my va-jay-jay! In the bathtub when I sit down I slide around a lot more lol...my thighs used to touch both sides and kept me in place lol sleeping hurts because my bones stick out more and I can feel the mattress springs I can run up stairs without losing my breathe. And amazingly I haven't exercised or really dieted at all yet. (bad I know but i've still lost and kept off 50lbs in 6 months all by just eating smaller amounts which is a lesson I needed to learn.)

I haven't figured out if this is a good NSV or not. Since I have lost the weight I am no longer hot all the time. I haven't owned a jacket or coat in over 10 years. Well, now I am cold all the time. It is wonderful not being hot all the time but now that I am cold my knees hurt. Since it has been so cold here in Reno, NV I should expect it. It will sure be nice during the summer. I do not tolerate hot weather at all.

I have had several great NSV! Got blood work back... Blood Surgar ... Normal (I am a diabetic) Cholestrol... Normal And doctor wants me to take a 1/2 dose of blood pressure medicine and maybe get off completely very soon! My foot no longer swells up on long days of running around. I can cross my legs!!! I can easlie fit into a movie theater seat (no stress)! My bath towel can wrap all the way around me. Do any of y'all ever put your hand on your hip, scratch your shoulder or touch yourself anywhere else and it doesn't feel right? Like you can feel bones where you have never felt them before? I am having to get use to the new me. Lovin it... but it is strange sometimes!!

I have an NSV.. At the height of my weight I wore a size 10 ring. When I became engaged last summer the ring he picked out was a size 7 (the only size it came in) I thought no biggie I will just go get it sized. HAHA It's a platinum set so the jeweler told me it would be 200 for each of my rings because of the amount of platinum it would take to extend it out that far. I decided to wait and see what size I was right before the wedding. I took my rings in last week to have them sized and my ring size is a 7.5 and it cost 75 bucks to size both!!! YAY me!

Hey Everyone, Thanks for the words of encouragement. It is so great to come here and see everyone doing so well and know that I am getting right back on track. Hannah - You are very welcome to join us! I put in your info on the spreadsheet. It's great to see how everyone is doing and share in our journey. One thing I have to remind myself of is this is a journey and there will be times that I won't do as well. This last week I also chalk some of my weight gain up to high stress at work. We had a huge deadline to meet by Friday and thus some of the highest stress for work in a long time. But those are only excuses. I did do very well with my walking and like FWWAB mentioned I had some great NSV's this past week. I got the spreadsheet up to date with everyone on here. Not sure if your wanting to join too JohnC. You would be welcomed! It is great when the Doc takes us off meds we have been and beating Diabetes is a huge step! Congrats!

That is so great! What an awesome NSV!

Pete: Now is the time to remember the NSV. Like how come you're coming off the meds anyway? It's only water, it'll gradually disappear again.

Sarah -- good to hear from you too. Don't sell yourself short lady you are so doing well... I'm stuck at my current weight even though I'm adding more exercise this month (which might be building muscle) and so my month goal to hit 90 by my birthday is pretty much out the window but I'm still working toward it -- for whenever I get there. I know you will get there if you've done this great already. Be sure to take some motivation pictures and/or measurements and you might be surprised at how well you're doing on NSVs and those sure do count too.

that is so awesome!!! Excellent NSV!

Mim, Thanks for sharing that. I go this afternoon for my second fill. I will pay more attention to how I feel knowing what you just experienced. I am SO ready to get this show on the road and feel some restriction. I don't think I've lost any weight this month. Thank goodness for NSV!

Isn't that awesome when people assume... LOL. I had some lady tell me "I wouldn't undertstand" what it was like to have a shirt not fit (she was returning a 2x at the store I work at). I was shocked... Go YOU on that AWESOME NSV!

That's what a saleslady at a clothes shop told me today!!!! ROFLMAO!!!! I tried on a top and when I went to pay for it, I saw that it was stained. It was the only one left in that size but I really needed a top for work so just grabbed a similar one off a near shelf as it was the same size as the one I tried on. The (IMO, only very slightly plump) saleslady asked if I wanted to check if it fit and, because I had my hubby and baby waiting for me outside, I said 'no thanks, I'm pretty sure that's my size', to which she then said 'well, it's easy for people who are naturally skinny like you are to know what fits you. Everything looks good on thin people'!!! I didn't know whether to laugh hysterically or hug her. In the end, I told her about the lapband and that there is no way on god's green earth that I could be described at 'naturally skinny'. She then remarked that she thought weight loss surgery patients all ended up looking like prunes with all the loose skin, but I looked marvellous (said in wide-eyed surprise, mind you!) So as far as NSVs go, I think that was my best one yet!

There are additional ways in which to measure the success of your weight loss. These are called NSVs (non scale victories) and they often arrive when your scale is delivering disappointing news. For instance, you will find that your scale has gone up by two lbs but your belt can be cinched in by another notch or two. Or you have gone down a size. Actually, to tell you the truth, I am thinking about buying myself a scale. It is winter here and very, very cold. I am thin (since reaching goal I have lost a lot more weight due to a medical problem) and am feeling the cold and have been eating. I suspect that I have been packing on the pounds. Ugh! It would probably be a good idea if I could monitor myself........

Lisa- fantastic list of things that you have accomplished, and many NSV's!!!! It made me reflect on the things that I am grateful for too. Thanks for sharing:) Wifey- I have noticed for myself, as I go thru this life's journey... When I began to pay more attention to my needs, instead of running around and taking care of everyone else... unfortunately this can sometimes lead us into unexpected places. My DH and I have had some very serious issues in the past, that divorce has been discussed. Thank goodness, we have come to an understanding, and have decided to stay together and raise our children together. The problem will always be there, but so far we both have put each other and our children first... and we are both very content with our lives the way it is. However, no guarantees in life, it could change at anytime... but I know I put forth the best I had to offer. I wish you peace and happiness with wherever this leads you:)

Lisa, great to hear from you on your successes. Yes, braces are wonderful as an adult - my sister got them at about 30 or so to correct a problem she'd had since a child with prominent front teeth and our parents could never afford braces so I just hope you will SMILE SMILE SMILE each and every day! You have so much to celebrate with your 70+ lbs you've already lost. Congrats on those great NSVs -- I can totally see you in the hot new heels since I have met you in person..Strut your self - be proud. On the relationship front, yep, I've been hiding under a rock for most of my overweight adult life so its so hard picturing myself as someone a new person in my life will accept with "bags and sags" as you all say but I do hope I can find someone still who will see me for the real me and look long term on how healthy I'm working to be. I met a younger guy through a local lapband support group and I emailed him a few times and exchanged a phone # but he hasn't figured it out...maybe I'm totally terrible at this flirting thing or maybe he's figured out I'm too old, or whatever. I'm moving on and if he calls we'll see. Don't be thinking I'm sitting at home waiting for him. I'm out there living life! And for our dear Fenton, yes, he is a big guy and I'm also looking long term that he is losing for the future so I see that as sexy and attractive at his current size. :-)

Hi, I am looking for a couple of people who would like to join my little support group. So far our group consists of : Me- I was banded in November and have lost 35lbs. My Sister- She had the by-pass surgery 2 weeks ago. My Mom- She is scheduled for the Lap-band. A couple of our kids who are over weight and we're taking them on this journey with us! I have created a website where I post a suggested menu for the week. We do weekly weigh ins, post food and exercise journals, share recipes and NSV's with each other. Basically it's a very family oriented support group/website. If you would like to join, let me know and I'll send you a link to join our group. Good Luck to all.....We can do this!!

B-Man, How wonderful, I know you were so excited to be able to do that again. Dosent it make the last year sooooo worth it. I had my bandiversary on the 3rd of Jan, I wish I had some type of exciting reward like yours. Everyone is doing so good, is it not amazing the difference a year makes? It makes me want to tear up, so many NSV. Best of luck to everyone. Lois

Bumping up this thread because I love it! Here's my most recent NSV! A year and half ago I could barely walk a mile on 3mph. Now I run comfortably at 6mph and last week I ran my fastest mile!

Hi everyone! I remember when I was researching the lapband I found LBT and I loved reading posts of people’s personal success stories with the band. It gave me hope an encouragement that weight loss and success is possible with the band. I wanted to one day share my success story with everyone. I found LBT to be a great and supportive community to discuss and share experiences about anything and everything lapband related. After a year of having my lapband and having a lot of success with it, I would love to share my story with the LBT community in hopes of giving people the same encouragement I received from others in the beginning of my journey. I apologize in advance that this is a lengthy post…. A year and 2 days ago (Jan 9, 2008) I got my lapband. I started this whole journey to health and weight loss in August of 2007. My highest weight was 315lbs in April of 2007. On August 6, 2007 I weighed 305lbs. I had made the decision to get the lapband, but I had to wait until January 2008 to get the surgery. I resolved that I would not waste my time before surgery to begin my weight loss. I had previously done the Atkins diet with a lot of success, losing 50lbs in 8 months. When I did Atkins, I felt healthy and full of energy. So I started the induction phase of the diet and never looked back again! I continued doing Atkins low carb until the day of my surgery. In that 5 month period pre-op I lost 55lbs! Not only was I in great health going into surgery, but now I had less to lose with the band and would get to my goal weight quicker. A year after surgery and 17 months after this weight loss journey began, I couldn’t be more please with my results. I have lost almost 80lbs since surgery and almost 145lbs from my highest weight! I continue to subscribe to and eat a low-carb diet. I love to exercise and be active. I feel so alive! But, I don’t want to deceive you and make you think that this journey has been all rosy and perfect, because it hasn’t! This past August, only 7 months out of surgery, I found out that my band had a leak and I needed to have the entire band replaced. While the surgery was a lot simpler and the recovery a lot quicker, it was an unexpected bump in the road. So if someone asked me if I would do the surgery over again, I could honestly say that I would, because I actually did! I also learned that having a lapband does not guarantee anything, it is not a cure-all, nor is it the easy way out (and don't let anyone try to make you think that it is!!!). The band does not stop me from eating foods that pass right through the band. It does not stop me from grazing all day long. It doesn't make me exercise! I learned that when following the rules and using it properly, the lapband helps you to be successful. The lapband takes a tremendous amount of dedication, patience and commitment, but the results and feelings of accomplishment are worth it! If there’s anything I’ve learned about the lapband and about anything in life, is that success does not come over night. In order to reach your goals, you must be dedicated and patient. There is no such thing as instant gratification. The lapband was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself. I have been extremely overweight since I was a child. I tried a bunch of diets with minimal success. I had resorted myself to the fact that I would always be overweight……until I found out about the lapband. If you told me 2 years ago that I would weigh almost 170lbs today, after having weighed more than 200lbs since I was 12 years old, I would never have believed you. I am now roughly 10lbs from my original goal, which will put me at a normal BMI. My weight loss has slowed and it gets harder and harder to lose those last pounds though. I know I will get there eventually, but I couldn't be more pleased with where I am today! My journey is not over, and it never will be. I have made a commitment to myself and my health for the rest of my life! While the number on the scale reflects a measure of success, the benefits of the weight loss impact many other things in your life. It's the small (and big) changes that make all the difference as well! I have experienced so many Non-Scale Victories (NSVs) along the way and I would love to share them with you (there are so many more, but here are just a few): Before surgery I: Didn’t go to amusement parks in fear of not fitting into the rides. Couldn’t barely fit into restaurant booths or the school desks attached to the chairs, baseball stadium seats, theatre seats (basically any seat with side-arms!) Got the aisle seat on a flight because I wouldn’t have room if I sat in the middle. Could barely fasten the airline seat belt Couldn’t walk up a flight of steps without getting winded I could barely walk a mile on the treadmill on 3mph Couldn’t keep up with my skinny friends Couldn’t bend down to tie my shoes without losing my breath Had difficulty finding shoes for my wide size 11 feet. Couldn’t wear heels for very long because they hurt my feet Had limited choices of clothing from Lane Bryant and plus size sections Had limited choices of jewelry because my neck, wrist and fingers were so big Now I: Fit into every ride with plenty of room to spare Slide right into restaurant booths, desks and seats without a problem Sit in any seat I want because I have plenty of room on both sides of me Can fasten the airline seat belt with lots of room. Can walk up lots of flights of steps without getting winded. Don’t even think twice about walking a mile on the treadmill. I can run comfortably at 6mph. Not only that, but I ran my fastest mile in 9 minutes and 7 seconds last week! I have so much energy to do everything. I can keep up with the class instructor during work out classes. I love exercising and I miss it when I don’t. Now I have to slow down so my friends can keep up with me! Can bend down to tie my shoes and even bring my leg up on a ledge to tie them without losing my breath. Wear a size 9-9.5 shoes! Who knew that feet shrink when you lose weight! Now I love shopping for shoes even more than I did before Can wear cute shoes with heels. Can go shopping with my friends in any store because I know that I can find something that fits. Don’t need a wide-calf boot anymore Can buy any piece of jewelry I want without adding a chain extension to my necklaces. My ring size went from a 11 to a 7-7.5 Stats: Highest weight April 2007: 315lbs August 2007: Weight: 305lbs Size: 26W bottoms 26/28,3X tops BMI: 47.8 Body Fat %: 46.9 (almost half of me!) January 2008: Weight: 250lbs Size: 20W bottoms, 2X tops BMI: 39.2 January 2009: Weight: 171lbs Size: 12/14 Regular bottoms, Large tops/some Medium BMI: 26.8 Body Fat %: 27.7 Total loss 1 year post-op: -79lbs Total loss from highest weight: -144lbs Thanks so much everyone for allowing me to share my story!

P.S. My most recent NSV-:thumbup: dh picked me up during to switch positions. Hello...PICKED ME UP! Wow! That's impressive. I would have been like "Yeah do it again" ha ha ha

K, I am gonna turn up the heat for a sec....:thumbup: My newest NSV: Last night during the middle of sex w/ DH, he picked me up to switch positions. Just in case you missed that-HE PICKED ME UP! Of couse it freaked me out and I screamed put me down because I still suffer from fat girl syndrom. I am trying to let go of my issues but I still see myself as that chick who still carries the 102 lbs I have lost so far. I am working to get over it and, *ahem*, maybe a few more lbs and I will request to be picked up :thumbup: