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Welcome to the family of bandsters. You're gonna love it. The band works for you when you work with it. And keep in mind that you won't have good restriction for several months so you will have to work hard at what you eat until the band can help you out more. An NSV is a Non-Scale Victory. It's anything that isn't pounds you lost. Might be a friend not recognizing you from the back, fitting into theater seats better, etc. For me the weight started coming of 2 weeks prior to surgery with the pre-op diet. I lost 16 pounds then and after that it was 10-12 pounds a month for the first 6 months. Then it slowed down a bit to about 8 pounds a month. Now I'm having trouble but I have some issues going on and should be back to dropping soon. I had just over 200 pounds to lose though so I was losing it a bit faster than you would if you had less to lose. Good luck and enjoy your new life. Always remember that the band is only a tool and you have to do the work, it just makes it easier.

Hi everyone, I'm a Pre-Bandster... and thank you soooo much for your thoughts and ideas, you guy's have taken a lot of the 'Scary unknown' feeling I had and changed my perspective, now I'm excited and trying to imagine what it will be like when I'm in your stage. Jax your husband sounds like mine with the pants story lol. and what on earth is a NSV? I've heard it a few times on this site and have no clue what it means!lol sorry I was wondering, how long was it before you started seeing the weight come off? I don't want to set too high of expectations... I'm trying to find out as much as posible! thanks!

Congratulations to all of you. I love reading about nsv's. Can't wait till I can add some myself. Keep up the good work ladies.

OK so I have been wearing the same bra since surgery (now down 80 some lbs) and yesterday I found a smaller size bra in the back of the closet and it fit Thats not the NSV part tho. When I put it on all of a sudden the girls were back where they were suppose to be! So today I am standing a little bit taller. I don't care what it takes I am getting new bra every 20lbs from now on.

Congratulations, JD. I had to smile at your NSV (Non Scale Victory) because I opened a drawer this AM and it was full of belts I just can't use!!! Keep up the good work!!! Mimi

Steph - I agree w/you - Dr Janet AKA Mom - thinks it may be blood pressure too - but again I don't have a license :laugh: I don't eat perfect all the time but I do most of the time but again - I don't have a DH and house full of kids and I don't like fast food - never did.. Kari - Yep your stuff isn't boring it's your life - I report boring crap every day all day... I just post what's going on - you guys are my DH If I remember correcly Car is from France??? or some place over there in europe... Congrats on your NSV !!!! - Now take your wedding set and get them sized... Steph - Men - eat rocks and die - I think men have it made - we work come home take care of kids house cook - the just eat and but their feet up.. . That's my girl !!!! You should have seen the smile on my face when I saw that you had Posted this morning :cursing: Peer Pressure - I have pple telling me to eat more toO - I just look at them and laugh... I eat normal (well a little on the small side) portion sizes.. I eat 3 meals most days (maybe not on the weekends) I eat snacks every night - that includes a sherbet ice cream cone.. Also, most of these pple telling me to eat or making statements that I eat like a bird are over weight themselves - so what the heck do they know about eating healthy... I know what works for me - Yep I will have a taste every now and then but if it taste too good (like that banana cream bread at my gf house a few weeks ago) I just say HELL NO - NO MORE !!! As I said last night you know we are all here for you and we will get you thru this... You know what needs to be done - and you deserve to be healthy - You deserve to feel good about yourself - their is nothing wrong with having pride in your accomplishments - You have every right - you are a valuabe person and their is nothing wrong with putting yourself 1st Never ever deprive yourself of good-tasting food, even if it has more fat and calories than "safe" diet foods. If you refuse to eat appealing foods that you really want, you will feel deprived and crave them. Then you are vulnerable to bingeing. Remember Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden? The one food they were not supposed to eat was the one they could not stay away from. Until you have achieved some balance and perspective, stay away from temptation. Don't go to all-you-can-eat salad bars. If ice cream is a binge trigger, don't keep it in your freezer. When you want potato salad, for example, or rocky road ice cream, go to a sit-down restaurant and order a single portion, ideally as part of a balanced meal. By doing so, you accomplish three things. You avoid depriving yourself. You avoid the urges to binge created by deprivation, and you also learn how to integrate normal food into a reasonable and healthy meal plan. When you do feel powerful urges to binge, postpone the act for thirty minutes. Surely you can wait half an hour. During that time think about what is going on in your life. What stresses are you facing? What is missing right now from your life that you need in order to be happy and avoid the looming binge? Make a list of things you could you do instead of binge eating to deal with your situation. If you are truly committed to recovery, at least some of the time you will choose one of these healthier behaviors instead of binge food. Take charge of your life. Stop using words like, "I wish," "I want," "I hope," and "I can't." They are weak victim words. Say instead things like, "I choose," even if you are choosing to binge. Say, "I will," . These are words that express responsibility, power, and control. If you can choose to binge, then by implication at some future time you can choose NOT to binge. and then choose a healthier and more effective way to deal with whatever is going on in your life. Ok the above is about relapsing - I read that you can't have recovery without a relapse - it's normal - we aren't going to change our habits in just 1 yr - this is no diff than any other addiction it's going to be a lifetime battle for us - we do have to keep our guard up alway... Hugs - Off to work... CBL

I checked it out and it told me that for my age (58) and height (5'9") that my normal weight should be 192 pounds with a normal BMI of28.4. Couldn't find what my BMI is now. (of course, I'm number illiterate). Anyway, I got on the scale this morning and it moved. 169 lbs. Of course, I was at a friends tonight and she brought out the fudge....................it will probably move again tomorrow morning. (the wrong way) Janet - I'm here. I can always find something to talk about here, I just don't want to bore everyone. I do have a NSV though. DH bought me an amethyst necklace and ring a couple years ago. The necklace fit tight around my neck and forget the ring. I just left it sitting on the kitchen counter and there it sat till this morning when I finally decided to clear out that corner of the counter. I tried them on. The ring fits perfect, which is great cause I had to put my wedding rings back in the jar cause they were too big. And the necklace falls in the perfect place on my chest. I'm just tickled about all of that!! Phyl - Congrats on reaching almost to three digits. Great feeling isn't it? Loved the eat rocks and die. Tell that one to DH next time he starts counting YOUR calories. And, tell him to shut his computer off. The stock market will go back up. You just have to give it time. Tell him to CHILL. Anyway, he can always become a greeter at Wally world. Car - I know it's been mentioned here, but where are you from? I was hoping that you were somewhere close, but you mentioned the euro rate so I guess you are on the other side of the big pond. Steph - you know from the things I've been reading here, sounds like maybe it is you BP instead of BS. Oops, I mean blood sugar. Denise - Great to hear from you. Keep checking in often, just to let us know you are still alive and kicking. RUBY AND KARRIE - We want to know if you both are still alive and kicking. Nothing else if you don't ant to share, .........we can respect that. JUST SAY HI. Candace, - Had enough of that white stuff yet? Man, I am ready for summer already. Had to go out and buy a new jacket for this cold weather. Found one at Wally world for $15.00. I just love to find bargains. OK, Janet. Is this enough for you? I mean, everyone here is pretty chatty tonight. Three pages, in one day....OMG. Why doesn't this happen on week ends? At least, I can't stand to see anyone not post, so at least I check in and say HI. OKAY, ENOUGH OF THIS FOR NOW. HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT EVENING. I'LL CHECK BACK IN SOMETIME TOMORROW.

that's a great NSV.. countdown beth - hrs away!!!

My mother says I have joined the ranks of the no-ass-at-all-Levys! I'll take that as a compliment for now! I am in 14s and loving it. I am really hoping for 12s or smaller by the end of the year. The best NSV was having a fellow LBTer come to visit. We were wandering around window-shopping and we walked into a very upscale shop at Caesar's Forum Shops.... I was trying on "L" fur coats right off the rack! If it wasn't for the $20k price tag, that would have so been mine!

I have lost about 16 lbs. but I have lost 5 INCHES from my waist-WHAT?! Can you believe it?! Also, I used to get in bed and my face would be so hot and red and now that doesn't happen anymore and I don't get so hot during the night that it wakes me up! I do get woken up with intense hunger pains though. Oh well, can't have it all. YAY! So far I really like being banded!

Long!! Great NSV's.. ok here are a couple of more: 1. NEW SEX POSITIONS (well maybe not new but ones I haven't been able to do in like 10 years) 2. crossing legs 3. my original wedding band fits!! 4. keep getting beeped at when I walk up to get mail for work. 5. fit in the movie seat nicely no overhang! 6. Confidence is growing as I shrink! i have to say #1 is my absoloute favorite! It is like being newlyweds.. it has always been great but damn its smoking now!!!! I know TMI.. :rolleyes2:

another piece of advice is to stay away from the negative threads on this website about band removal.....not knocking them but why read them until needed. They are there for good information when you need it. I always read the positive ones. I love the NSV(Non scale victories) thread. Also the before and after pic thread. Stay towards the positive and dont let the negative creep in. good luck you will do fine!!

Those are awesome NSV's Allie!! I can now shop in the same stores as my daughter and unsubscribe to Lane Bryants emails! size 14's!! I went on an airplane and fit in the seat, the seatbelt, and the arm rest stayed down and wasn't pushed up by the parts of me that used to squeeze underneath I also now weigh less than my 6'6 husband I weigh less than my drivers license!!!! the bow when I tie my shoes is now on top of the shoe, not on the side crossing legs!

nsv - non scale victory posting - have spent the WHOLE day cleaning closets & boxing up those clothes not to take up any more closet real estate. i must go shopping...

What's NSV? I keep seeing it and for the life of me can't figure it out...

Ebony - Yay! That's great! SNT - aren't NSV's great? Keep it up - the NSV's, not the clothing sizes!

that is great news ebony!!!! snt - congrats on the NSV !

OMG I am so glad I hadn't taken a drink of my juice before reading that. I absolutely would've spewed it on my screen! Shit that was funny! I fancy myself rather techie but wtf is Susan talking about!?!?!?! :yesnod: My first inclination is to say "do it" if Plain says not to but since I have no idea what the norris android is, I have no vote! Join the club. I finally unchecked him, rat bastard that he is! That and he KEPT calling me names which is just rude! Ergo, he is on the curb with my stalker. That's the only thing I know that FIFO stands for. It's a business term. There's also LIFO = last in first out. Just put myself to sleep. My first NSV - my biggest pair of pants are big. Woohoo!

Isn't it wonderful to go shopping in your own closet! I loved that! I'm now at the point that I have no more smaller clothes, I have to go buy new ones now. ouch. Congratulations on your NSV'S! PS - I know exactly how you feel when you say "I am already ….um…..more comfortable with my husband". I'm finally to that point too, no more "in the dark" lol.

11/9/08 I’ve already begun to pull clothes out of my closet I haven’t worn in years. And that started just a week post-op and continues. I can’t believe it. I am already ….um…..more comfortable with my husband. Okay that was kind of weird putting that down. I’ve moved to weighing myself on the Wii Fit. It says that I’ve lost a total of 27 lbs and I’ve got from a BMI of 49 to 44.11. That is amazing! I was embarrassed of my BMI even on the boards, but I feel more “normal” for a new bandster now. I’ve upped my calories to 1000-1200 per day. I think that is where I need to be to keep the weight moving and I plan to start back to the gym this week. I haven’t gone to the gym regularly since about May. I hope that will jump start my weight loss even more. I still worry about my port and band and I can’t wait until my first fill. Not just for the fill but to be reassured that everything is ok with my port and band. I don’t know what I will do if I need a revision. Self pay means I definitely have to worry about that stuff!

ROFL, I hear you. I'm supposed to be transcribing meeting notes and have much done, so I'm playing a little. I'm not used to being at work yet - only the second full week since HH's over. I have to say that I knew I had some restriction after the first fill because four times in the month (about once a week) something got stuck and I had to PB. The first time really upset me. The last one something was just stuck and I needed to get it out - and then in a few minutes was able to go back and finish my dinner. That said, there is no doubt that the restriction as a tool is working. Not at the sweet spot yet, but this could be it. Today is the first day I'm on soft food after my fill, and I know that with full liquids and water/ice chips I can drink and eat and not get full very quickly. What I just noticed yesterday with the pureed food, and I thought might be a fluke until today, is that I don't feel hungry after I've eaten about 4-6 ounces, and THAT is a first. I CAN keep eating. So today I made a significant effort to stop. Now I'm counting the hours to see how long it holds me. If it works for more than another hour, we did it. Then the onus is going to be entirely on me - to learn and discipline myself to STOP EATING based on measuring my intake, not on how I feel. IF that works at 4-8 ounces per meal, I'll lose weight. And I'll feel very good about myself. My biggest challenge all these years with not being able to lose the weight was feeling hunger too quickly after I ate - sometimes as soon as 20-30 minutes after eating a hearty meal. Banding has made a significant difference, even though I could, up until my fill on Thursday, eat about two full cups. Yesterday was just about a cup or less. Today I stopped myself at a cup. I CAN do more, I just didn't. I don't feel as full now, two hours later, as I would if I'd eaten more, but that is likely to be part of my retraining as well, right? Ah, the lovely middle age Ashkenazi female body (post kids and post meno). Gotta love it! Thanks for explaining what NSV was. By the way, if your friends are anything like the people in my life, they are going to notice the difference in your size.

RDK, Mazal tov on the downsizing of your pantyhose!! I can imagine what a true kick it was. What is NSV? That's a new expression to me. I may know what it means once I hear what it stands for, but I haven't seen it written that way to know. Keep on keeping on! I lost a pound since my fill on Thursday - yay! I'm hoping I can keep going and not need another fill, but if I do, then I do. Best,

Hi, Tova, Amy and all the rest. I hope we get some more "kosher bandsters" on here soon. I have a great NSV today - amazing how simple things can make your day, no? I went to the hosiery store and asked the lady for my size - Queen Petite - so she couldn't find it, and she got the manager. The manager found it, but said to me "out of curiosity's sake, is that for you?" so I said yes. She said - Look, do what you want, but there's no way that's your size. You are a size 2 Plus (the next category down) I was so flattered. I bought both sizes, tried it on at home, and she's right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How silly that a pair of pantyhose can be so exciting. I guess at 30+lbs down, it's starting to affect my clothing sizes of all kinds!

Hi all, This may sound silly, but it's not meant to be. I had my lap band almost a year ago and I've lost a humungous amount of weight - great. The best thing is that I've changed my lifestyle in terms of eating, exercise, activity etc and it feels very natural now. I like who I am and feel the benefits all the time. I've now come to the point where I don't want to lose any more weight. But's it's not easy to switch from a weight loss mentality to something else. I've been used to NSVs and scales telling me how successful I've been and now it seems I'm saying goodbye to that. I guess it means I should eat more, but I really don't want to because I don't feel the need to. I don't want to eat for the sake of it - that's what got me into trouble in the first place. I'd appreciate any insight you may have. Thanks.

That right there gave me something to look forward to! Congrats on your NSV!