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Wheetsin I had to laugh at what an idiot you have to deal with. She should really listen to what is pouring out of her pie hole. yikes! You are kicking butt, and you know it. Don't worry, the "no strings attached" NSV is soon to follow.

I've yet to have a true, authentic, COMPLETE public NSV. By "public" I mean something that doesn't relate to what size I'm in, or what my nekkidness looks like. Something that someone else says to me or notices. I have all kinds of what I consider "semi NSVs". You know - those NSVs that are going great UNTIL the person adds that last little something that just brings the car to a dead stop. Today a lady I work with (not my favorite person) comes over while I'm eating lunch and starts talking to me. While talking she keeps looking at my body. I'm sitting in my chair leaning back with my hands across my stomach and she keeps looking at my stomach, at my arms, at my hips, etc. while she's talking to me. She says, "It looks like your weightloss is going really well." (that's the NSV part) Then she proceeds to say, "I saw you walking down the hallway the other day and I thought to myself, "Oh, yeah, she's losing weight, I can kind of see it. Not real noticeable, not real obvious, but still there, just a little bit." So I wanted to let you know that even though you can't tell that much yet, you really can almost start to see a difference." *sigh* Then she's asking me all about what I can or can't eat, and how much. So I pointed to my lunch plate (chile lime refried Beans, turkey pepperoni) and tell her, "Well, I grabbed the last of what I had in the fridge since it's Friday, but I'll actually eat about half of this." And she says, "Yeah, I noticed your plate and was thinking you really had an awfully big lunch to be eating if you're trying to lose weight." (My lunch was about 20 cooked pepperonis and 2 spoonfuls of beans). *sigh* Dammit, what does a girl have to do to get a real, bona fide, no-strings-attached, public and COMPLETE NSV? :target: *sigh* BTW - no, I don't take what this lady says to heart. It's who she is. When my co-worker was pregnant - very pregnant (sz 4, carrying twins - she was HUGE) she pretty much started just wearing knit skirts and the basic tanks from Old Navy. One day she and I were headed to lunch and this other lady tells her, "Wow, you're usually so feminine, and so classy, I never figured you'd be the type to wear a 'wife beater' like trashy people do."

YAY! Good for you. What a frustrating experience:) I know I'm going to feel silly when you answer this, but what is NSV?

So today I went in for my four month post op visit. My bp was 109/73 I have been off my blood pressure pills since September. My latest labs are all good. From the day I first saw him in late July I weighed 208 today I weighed 159! I am beyond happy and the icing on my cake an ultimate NSV my surgeon asked if I would send him a before and after picture on his web site!! My feet still haven't touched the ground.

Yay!!! What a relief to see those scale #s going down again. We try to be reasonable, celebrating the NSVs as they come, but we honestly do love it when that scale shows a lower #. It's sooo energizing! Congrats!

I've got a NSV for you Joe ... You probably look much better in that Cooper than you did six months ago ....

I never cared that much about the numbers on the scale...hell, I don't even own a scale. If you spend a little time on here, you will read dozens of posts about people making themselves miserable over those stupid numbers. Those threads get real old and I feel sorry for the posters. People obsess over the scale and forget to enjoy the NSVs. You will be a lot more successful, and happier, if you realize WLS is forever. It's not a race to see who "wins" So since I never weighed that often, I have no idea what I lost in the first month. But at 11 days I weighed the same as surgery day and at 7 weeks I was down 17 pounds. I couldn't have been happier!

My surgery was 02/29 and I'm down 46 lbs. In my 26 years I have never lost this amount of weight. I am so exited and it is amazing to see results. Everyone is telling me that they can tell I'm losing. At this point I still do not see it. My start weight was 356 so 46 lbs is small in the grand scheme of things, but huge at the same time! I can feel that my clothes are a little looser. Also I have reached my very first NSV goal. My wedding ring fits!!! I was so excited to be able to put it on. I can eat more than I thought I would be able to, but still NOWHERE near what I used to. I'm so happy that I got the surgery. Sometimes I want to walk up to overweight people and tell them that they can change their life. I know if someone did that to me though I would probably knock them out lol. I love when people ask me questions. My grandmother has someone at her work that I'm meeting with for dinner on Wednesday to discuss the sleeve and answer any questions she has. I guess she will get a first hand look at what eating after the sleeve is like. I am so excited to be able to share the info about the surgery with her, it was the best decision I have ever made for myself. Still quite a ways from goal, but each day brings me closer.

That's a great NSV! I too can now cross my legs.... I love it...it's such a great feeling.

wooo hooo, isnt that a great NSV? i've always just thought i didnt want to cross my legs... :tongue:

Last update to the list's numbers: 2/20/06 Woohooo, it's been a year! (Or close to it, lol.) I figure it's about time for updates. Here's the last list I had (I added a couple of folks from the other thread that posted after I disappeared). I'd love to hear from ya'll -- anything you'd like to tell us. Some ideas: Weight loss so far Inches lost so far Are you at goal? How much further? Favorite NSVs Would you do it again? High point / low point Before & after pics (I know there's another thread for this, but we're special. ) Ok, I guess I'll play secretary. Post your day of surgery, surgeon's name & location (if you want), and any weight loss so far & I'll add you to the list. I've seen it done for other months, can't let 'em show us up! :paranoid Some of January's & March's bandsters are joining us as well -- the more the merrier! Feel free to add your stats! Our surgeries are close enough that we're dealing with the same stuff. As you have more weight lost, post it & I'll update. Inches too, if you'd like. And when you have fills, if you want to share that, please feel free. If at all possible, put the size of your band too (it helps for comparison). That way we can track how others on the January / February / March timeline are doing. Thanks guys! DISCLAIMER 3/8/06: We're adding in pre-op losses separately. If I didn't have yours, I put (? pre-op). If I got your numbers from your signature, I used your highest recorded weight. So if I'm not correct & it matters to you, please post with the correct numbers. Edit 4/21: I updated weights based on signatures where I could. Some still haven't checked in, so they show little to no weight loss. Can't help it! Edit 6/2: Updating everyone's numbers from recent posts and/or signatures. "No update" signifies that I couldn't find new numbers for someone. I'm not taking them off the list, but it does slant the numbers somewhat. NOTE: The red numbers are overall... I didn't subtract out the pre-op number -- though some people did on their own. Yeah, it's confusing... sorry! I should have done pre-op from the get go. 1 kg = 2.205 pounds (Note to myself, for converting Magic's numbers!) Thanks! Jan 24 Gentlespirit (Emily), Dr. O'Brien, Sioux Falls, SD (? pre-op) (-27), Fills: 3/7 Jan 31 Xann77, Dr. Rumbaut, (-0 pre-op) (-19.5), fills: 3/17 (1.33), 3/27 (only .5 in band - evaporation. Now at 1.7cc), 3/31 fill ok!! (2cc) Feb 1 pthrlisa, Dr Stephen Marshal, Peoria Surgical Group, IL (-22 pre-op) (-31 post-op)(-53) sky56, Dr Sasse, Reno, NV (? pre-op) Feb 2 Delia5356, Dr Michael Seger, San Anotonio New Dimensions WLS, TX (-7 pre-op) (-33) pugmum (Kelli), Dr. John Feng, San Francisco (? pre-op) msks Dr Malley, Overland Park, KS (Kansas City Metro) (? pre-op) (-12) Mtorres (Michele), Dr Amy Martin, Richmond, VA. 1st fill: 5/17, 2nd: 7/12 (4cc band) Skinnyagain? (Tonya), Dr Rumbaut, Monterrey, MX (? pre-op) (-15) tinainfortunaca (Tina), Dr John Feng, Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco (2/1 223, 2/8 215) (? pre-op) (-25) Feb 3 Tamyrn (Tammy in TX), Dr Del La Garza, Monterrey, MX (? pre-op) (-32) Fills: 3/25 (2.5/5), 6/2 wannabelean, Dr. Huacuz, Tijuana, Mexico (? pre-op) (-20) Fills: 1st absorbed, 3/28 Feb 6 Gadgetlady (Elisa), Dr. Brian Quebbemann, CA (10.6 pre-op) (-23.2) Fills: 3/21 (1cc), 4/25 (1.5cc) Gloria37 (Gloria), Dr Fielding, New York City, NY (19 pre-op) (-29) ReneBean, Dr. Louis Fox, Surgery Center of Richardson TX (36 pre-op)(-42) Fills: 3/21 Feb 7 Northernsun, (12 pre-op) (-95) Fills: 3/10 ONEderland!! pj robinson, Dr Irani, Bakersfiled, CA (pre-op -14)(total -80) Fills: 4/4 (1.5cc) Feb 8 cashley, Dr Lusco, Louisville, KY (pre-op -5) (post-op -11)(-28) Fills: 3/21 (2.7/4), 3rd 6/8 Jerseytammy, Dr Gritsus, Wayne, NJ (0 pre-op) (-45) Fills: 3/24 (3.5/10), 4/13 (6cc/10), 5/26 (9cc/10) Feb 9 Dancer, Dr. Stephen Hamn (0 pre-op) (-28.5) Fills: 4/14 (1.6/4), (2cc/4) snarlene0214 (Arlene), Dr Rodolfo Sanchez, Monterrey, Mexico. 3 fills (2.9 / 4cc) Feb 10 Hanrahh, Dr Jay, Dallas, TX (? pre-op) (-36) SkyeBlu (Skye) (Reno, NV), Dr Billy, Truckee CA (? pre-op) (-41) Feb 11 StinaNYC (stina), Dr. Fielding, NYC (-7 pre-op) (-35) Fills: 3/22 (1cc), 4/19 (2cc), 5/16 (2.5cc) Feb 13 Gwendolyn, Dr Wetherille (2nd banding due to slippage at 1 week) (-17 pre-op) (-44) Fills: 3/30/06 (3.0cc), 4/20 (+3.0cc = 4.0cc total **lost 2cc saline) Mikey, Dr Sewell, Southlake, TX (-48 pre-op, not in total) (-43) Fills: 3/21 (4.5/10), 4/18 (6cc/10), 5/16 (6.5cc/10), 5/30 (7cc/10) mommy2xp, Dr Christopher Edwards, Springfield, MO (-14 pre-op) (-5) PinkARinTX (Jessi), Dr Stephen Hamn (? pre-op) SherryW, Dr Jones, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA (? pre-op) (-39) Fills: 4/12 (1.25/4) Feb 14 April10 (April), Dr Schmitt, Goodwater, AL (? pre-op) (-21) Kathybirdseye (Kathy), Dr Laura Machado, San Juan Mercy Hospital, Sacramento, CA. (? pre-op)(-27) Fills: 3/21 (1cc/4) prinnie, Dr Rehnke, St Pete, FL (? pre-op) (-62.5), NO MORE BP MEDS!! sourflower, Dr Artuso, New Image Weight Loss Center, Dobbs Ferry, NY (? pre-op) (-15) SRaeM, Dr Cudjoe, alma, MI, 10cc band (-44 pre-op)(-70) Fills: 3/27 3cc, 5/8 +2cc (5cc/10) Feb 15 dcmoore (Diane), Dr. Simpson, Phoenix, AZ (+2 pre-op) (-36) Fills: none yet denog3 (Debra), Dr Carter, Arlington, TX (? pre-op) (-16) Janet, Dr Sewell, Southlake, TX (-59 pre-op, not in total) (-44) Fills: 3/21 (1.2/4), 4/18 (1.6/4), 5/30 (1.9/4), + several more, heh LBdancer (Lou), Dr. Schuster, Louisville, KY (-3 pre-op) (-20) Fills: 4/14 (1.5cc) Feb 16 ricanlady, Dr Patel, Atlantic City, NJ (-10 pre-op) (-41) Fills: 3/15 (2.6) Rockman, Dr Svein Holsaeter, St Anthony's Hospital, Oklahoma City, OK (-16 pre-op) (-51) Fills: Feb 17 angiepUK (Angie), Dr Dillemans, Belgium, Heliogast band (? pre-op) (-12) Feb 18th asbrown (Anita), Dr. Rudolfo Sanchez, Monterrey Mexico (? pre-op) Feb 20 :clap2: AT GOAL Jan 25, 2007!! lisanjason (Lisa), Dr Kuri, Mexico (Home: Riverside, CA) (? pre-op) (-115) Fills: 4/4 1.8, 5/2 1.8 (first 1.8 evaporated), 5/30 (1.3 left - lost .5. Now at 2.2cc. May be slow leak.) reeizbooje (Sherita), 2/20, start 314, pre-op 14, 2 fills Scott F, Dr. Hansen, Sandy, UT (-0 pre-op) (-23) Fills: 4/5 1.5cc, 5/5 1.6cc 6 pounds to goal!! skbishop78 (Stacey) (-18 pre-op) (-79) Fills: 3/7 (2.0/9.5), 3/14 (+.08 = 2.8/9.5), 3/28 (+.4 = 3.2/9.5), 4/11 (+.2 = 3.4/9.5), 5/16 (+.3 = 3.7) Feb 21 Jersey Gurl (Shirley), Dr Spivak, Houston (? pre-op) (-13) Julie*, Dr Patrick Forgione, Burlington, VT (-10 pre-op) (-28) Fills: 5/22 (.5cc) kaobspm2 (Kayo), Dr. Pinnar, Reston, VA (-8 pre-op) (-8) Sunta, Dr Peters, Christiana Hospital, Delaware (-4 pre-op) (-30) Fills: 4/5 (1/4), 5/10 (.5 evaporated + .5 = 1cc/4) Feb 22 Magic, Dr Vincent Frering, Lyon, France (? pre-op) (-10 kg / 22 lbs) Feb 24 nanster, Dr Spivak, Houston, TX (Self-pay) (0 pre-op) (-27) fills: 3/23 (1.1), 5/15 (.4 left - evaporation, now 1cc??) Sandybells, Dr McCollister, Crosby, MN (-21 pre-op) (-47.2) Fills: 4/4, 4th 6/1 sizzles, Dr Kurian, NYC (-0 pre-op) (-25). Fills: 3/30 StormGirl (Dana), Dr Ortiz, Obesity Control Center (? pre-op) Feb 25 5 pounds to goal!! Cozzie, London (? pre-op) (-36) self-pay, Fills: 4/24 (2cc) Feb 27 coogie36 (Christi), Dr. Daniel Huacuz, Tijuana, Mexico Ms. Vicki, Dr H. Spivak (pre-op -3) (-31) Fills: 4/6 (1.5cc/10), 5/1 (.8 evaporated, 2.7 total now) RoxanneRoll (Dena), Dr Spivak, Houston, TX (0 pre-op) (-12) Feb 28 DAA, HUP Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Noel Williams (-30) Fills: none yet Happy2 (Pat), Dr Scott Steinberg, Atlanta, GA (-0 pre-op)(-28) Fills: 4/14 (1.7cc), 5/26 Feb 35 (3/7) DonnaB (Donna), Dr Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey, MX (-8 pre-op)(-30) 5'9" Fills: 5/31 (1.4cc) Tann, Dr Rehnke, St. Petersburg, FL (-19 pre-op)(-138)

I haven't blogged for awhile because well...I've been more active and living my life more than I have in the past couple of years. First off I will start with my nsv's. My clothes are way too big now. I had to buy some newer clothes because they were starting to fall off. I also haven't taken a nap in the middle of the day for weeks now. I used to take a nap daily because I was so tired and worn out from just daily life. My weight loss has given me more energy where I can actually make it the full day without taking a nap. I went to the zoo today with my daughter and hubby and I made it around the entire zoo without having to sit down or leave. Before I had surgery, I would make it most of the way through the zoo, but I would be dead tired and my feet would be aching and I would literally have to lie down and take a nap. I have some personal triumphs to share. I have finally succeeded in mastering the no drinking/eating rule half hour before and after. I started setting a timer after my last bite. Only when the timer goes off do I start to drink again. This is huge for me because I was struggling. I also noticed (I've mentioned this before) that I eat less when I am not eating and drinking together. For some reason, the past week I have been even less hungry than I ever was. To give you a rundown, I started eating around 300 calories a day and then when I started exercising it jumped to 800-1000 calories a day. I was more hungry and eating more during this time. Lately, I can barely finish my protein shakes in the morning and I don't feel my hunger at all. My calories have dropped back down to about 500 calories. Does anyone have any ideas about why this is happening? My portions have been unusually small lately, and the only reason my calories have jumped is because I had a few "naughty" things in the past couple of days. I am almost 8 weeks post op...this coming wednesday I will be 8 weeks post op. I have hit quite a few stalls as some will call it...well on the scale anyways. I have taken measurements and I have lost inches. I have also went from a size 28 to 24w. I started at 298 (day of surgery) and today I am 270lbs. I have been working out at least 4 days a week, getting my water, and protein in. I have only had things I'm not supposed to twice since surgery. I am hoping that I actually gained muscle during my workouts because I have been lifting a lot. So I am not complaining just yet...I will wait until I see my fitness trainer and get my fat % measured. On another note...about the naughty foods I had. I had maybe about a tablespoon of frosting off of my daughter's frosting today (I feel really gross and wish I didn't eat it...actually regretting it now and I had some a few weeks back and said I would never eat it again...I thought it would be okay because everything else I eat doesn't make me feel yucky) and I immediately felt sick. I had homemade frosting about 4 weeks ago and I also felt really yucky afterwards. Do you think it is the high sugar or high fat that is making me feel crappy afterwards??? I don't eat naughty things often. I think I have had sugar 3 times since surgery. When I say 3 times...it was literally a spoonful of something sweet. Besides those three days my carbs are usually below 50grams. I like them lower, but my NUT does not agree and wants me to get less than 100g a day and wants me to add more fiber etc. I haven't had any fried food yet. Does anyone have recommendations for recipes if I do get a sweet tooth? I get them every so often and usually have the motivation to stay away. I am literally surrounded by it because I have to take care of my 3 year old. Any suggestions would be great!

food/eating will be lifetime, continuous resolution - following the rules and maintaining i will/need to get more Water in still sometimes have different water issues to deal with then there are "silly" resolutions that aren't really silly to me ie i put my glasses down here there and everywhere - then can't find them sob sob i now have been putting them in glass case and leaving in certain spot on desk promise to empty clean dishwasher, and load dirty dishes by the time i go to bed will try (really hard) to read more other silly odds and ends - but they add up those little NSV's make me happy (its the little things LOL) happy new year to you, me and everyone may we all find health and happiness in this new year kathy

I would add a scoop of Protein powder to that coffee you are drinking. A lot of docs don't want its to continue w/ protein supplements after 3 mths but as long as most of your protein is from food, you should be fine. If you are a cream in the coffee type, a vanilla flavored protein powder can replace the creamer. Just liquidfy the powder before adding it to your coffee. Perhaps consider dropping from 2 cups of coffee to 1. Dark green leafy veg also contain a but of protein so if you're eating veg, reach for those first. ETA: The scale is not the most accurate method to monitor the changes in your body. Take your measurements. I do boobs/chest, neck, waist & hips. I retake them every 3 months. On those days when the scale doesn't move, this will give you a more accurate view of the changes occurring. BTW, I only weight myself once a month. I am focusing more on eating well and exercising so I don't want to be ruled and/or disappointed by the scale. Another NSV (non-scale victory) is the reduction of your medications. Those are fair more important that just some numbers on the scale.

So, the good news is I can no longer eat donuts! Yay! The bad news is, I really wanted that donut yesterday...but really, this is all about the good news, which is I can no longer eat donuts! Yay! So, I am a year in, have lost half of what I had hoped to by now, and only now am I feeling like my "tool" is working to potential. However, I am thrilled it is working at all and I certainly did not get this big in a year...the 30 pounds gone came on over the last 8 years! So, I will carry on and hopefully find more foods over the next few months that I can no longer get down!

Fabulous! I love these NSV'S! Bet you were on top of the world!

But think back to your last diet... how much had you lost, 8 weeks out? When is the last time you lost 30 lbs in two months. I think that's PHENOMENAL! Also, check your clothes and your inches. I read somewhere (probably nowhere, maybe I made it up) but we don't lose lbs and inches at the same time. When the scale stops moving, I check my inches. Always a change. Can you wear smaller clothes? Are your baggy clothes super baggy? Fat pants looking ridiculous? Feet flopping around in your shoes? How do YOU FEEL? Breathing better? Climbing stairs with no pain? Can stand without a backache? Lots of NSV's to look for that have nothing to do with the scale. I am PRAYING for at least 30 lbs in two months... I think you're doing great. As far as hunger, I have heard the more protein you get in, the longer you stay full. Keep on keepin' on.

Those are great NSV's to look forward to. I'm still amazed when I get up and down from the floor under my own power! Pre-suregery, I always had to have a chair or desk nearby to pull myself up. Next NSV... putting the tray table all the way down in the airplane!

Major NSV I finally weigh less then what is on my DL. For the longest my DL has said I weighed 255 even though I was my highest weight of 311.8. It feels good to finally be less than what's on there. Had to share. Oh yea btw insomnia still sucks

I was chatting with a woman from my 'women on weights' class and while I was busting through my bicep curls, I mentioned that I had lost 118 pounds with the help of the lapband. She tells me she was shocked because you dont look at people who are thin and think that they used to have a weight problem. I almost passed out cause, to her, I had rated as thin. Imagine that. Me being so normal looking that people cant tell I may have once been fat. Blows my mind.

Good for you! What a great NSV. You should be proud of yourself. =)

I am three weeks post-op and have been noticing my clothes fitting looser and a flattening of my tummy, stuff like that, BUT..... Today I was woke up and my wedding ring (which is close to 100 years old and is a family heirloom) was hanging on the end of my finger over the edge of the bed! It is sooooo loose! I had to put another smaller band on over it just to keep it on my finger! I will take it up and have it resized later but will stick with this method for now since I hope to continue to lose weight. In nearly 100 years, it has never been resized. I am almost afraid to do it but want to continue to wear this set.

All right, I give. what is an nsv? non surgical victory neo synthetic vortex neon shining valley nut smashing volley not small vacuum Not for my Small mind to Visualize

Even though you don't want to, I encourage you to put on your tightest outfit and take a full frontal photo now......I did and it was the worst-photo-ever-taken of me.....but now I'm glad I did! I found the same top I had on 70 lbs ago and put it on now and took another photo! It's really amazing to see how your body changes.....I didn't know I had a neck!!! You can see both the BEFORE (ugh) and AFTER on my weekly blog, along with my NSV for the week.......my legs don't touch at the top any more and I didn't know until I took the photo!!!! Just click on my link below to see.... This forum has been so inspirational to me and I hope it is to all of you Pre-op people too!

Hi, All those ideas above are great. Use a marker like the poles to run 1, walk 1 until you push it a bit and run 2, walk 1. Keep going like that. I started running with my trainer in June and that is how we started for a while. Then, I would walk up the trail,which was 1.5 miles and run all the way down. Then, it was 2 miles. I was at two miles for a while and yesterday, we were running on the treadmill because it was cold outside. I didn't look at mileage, just kept the option on pace. We were having an "easy run" day because my hips were feeling sore. I didn't keep looking at the distance and ran 3 miles without stopping at all! I kept an easy pace of 4.5 mph and actually, I could have run further! This is a HUGE NSV for me, always a non-runner before! I'm really proud of myself. I realized also that I was limiting myself thinking "I can run 2 miles." I think it really helped me break thru that mental set I had/have! It's addictive! Enjoy!!!