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A while back I was encouraged to print pictures of things I wanted in life (new home, new car etc) to keep me on track with my finances. I thought this idea would be great for NSV's. also. Does anyone else have this? I've printed some pictures from yahoo of things I look forward to being able to do again or do for the first time. I'll tape them to a poster board and hang it somewhere I can see it DAILY to remind me during the hard times, that thin will feel good! Things like going skating again, swimming, to the beach, horse back riding, go carts, etc.... It will be fun to add more and then take aways as I can do them!! Anyone else doing this?

Congratulations on your NSV!!! Those are great ones. The one I love the very most I think is going into a restaurant and being able to sit at a booth. With room to spare. I can still remember the day that happened. I cried.

I don't want to sound stupid, but what does NSV stand for?

what a great NSV. buying off the rack in a pinch.

My husand and I just went to Disney for a very late and long overdue honeymoon. We have been married almost 5 years. We both totally love Disney and all things Disney related so of course that is where we went for our little trip. Well we were there one year ago and I have a before and after picture each taken from those trips. My NSV is this: Usually when we are there I am totally exhausted by the end of the afternoon and we go back to the room and nap and shower (usually hot in Oct there) This trip we didn't have to go back for any naps and one night I actually wanted to go dancing. We didn't but I could have dancewd all night. I did 4 days of Disney (read major theme park walking, 12 miles in one day according to my pedometer) and I was not tired, had NO foot pain and no back pain. I had energy and it felt great!!! Here are my before (Oct 2004) and current (Oct 2005) pictures. There are very few pictures of me as I hate cameras, but I am trying to get better about tracking my weightloss journey. ~Mandy

Congrats on a job well done! You've done great work and aren't NSVs just the best?

Hurray! For both NSV's

Well after going to the bathroom, I pulled my underwear up and notice they kept going, and going and going until they covered my breast. I thought it was so hilarious, I modeled it for my sisters and told them it was a new product called the underbra!!! It looks like a horrible cotton swimsuit. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

Neither Joffe nor Yau mentioned my giant liver. I saw Yau 10 minutes before I went in for surgery and I met Joffe during my preliminary assessment visit. Though my gastric specialist knew nothing about the lapband, in fact she researched this on her computer while I was there, she did know both Dr. Joffe and Dr.Yau by reputation. She told me that Dr. Joffe is working hard to have lapband surgery covered by OHIP. This makes sense to me. The operation is much less invasive than the gastric by-pass which is approved by OHIP. She also thought that the price that I paid was fair. I agree. It seems to line up with American prices. It is only when you go to Mexico that you begin to save and then there is the problem of aftercare - the fills, etc. As for having a colonoscopy, Yoda, it is probably best that you talk to your GP about this. I am under the impression that most docs start wanting their patients to have 'em after they turn 50. Mind you, my kid brother died of colon cancer when he was 48. He had also refused to see a doctor for at least 10 years before he was diagnosed. He died a week and a half later. Well, Green is happy that she has got the lapband even though the gastric doc did mention that there could be erosion or slippage and even though she is looking at another colonoscopy appointment sometime soon. And there is the issue of further investigations to be made into the giant liver, eh. Yep, I am happy that I got the band because my boobs stick out further than my waist these days and today I got eyeballed by a good-looking man while I was waiting for the subway. I guess this counts as an NSV, huh?

I felt so good yesterday. I recently got new scrubs at work, because my old ones were to large, I may have been able to get them a little sooner, but did not. But yesterday one of my coworkers said to me, "When are you going to get new scrubs, they are falling off you?" I was I just got new scrubs the smaller one's will not fit me. It just makes me feel good. My weight loss is slow right now, but I am going to the gym and as well as doing cardio, I am doing the weight machines, so I am losing inches. Not sure how much, because I try to measure and I never seem to get it right. There are only 3 people at work who know that I had surgery, so whenever someone else notices it makes me happy. I got banded on 12/20 so it was my 2011 resolution to have no failure. Also just wondering today at the gym when I was doing crunch type things on one of the machines, I felt my port hurting a little. First time that has happened and I've done it multiple times. Anyone know why that may be. Also if anyone knows on my left side (port is in the middle and higher) when I dance/jump and my hangy fat bounces it kind of hurts. I have always post surgery had more irritation in that area, not sure why.

NSV= non scale victory!!!!

That's one of the best NSV I've ever heard! Great news!!

3loves - Cute picture!!!! Your boys are adorable. And, what I can see of you is cute too!!! Very funny that several of you mentioned being the only one who knows how to work the camera. For years I was the only one who worked the camera because it was a good excuse to not be in the picture. HA!! But, things have changed around here & I'm finally okay with being IN the picture. Is that an NSV?!?! I'll add that to my list!! :confused: Anybody else have pictures?!? I love to see pictures.

So happy for you! You have worked hard and deserve all the NSV that come your way!

Lynn - I feel you! Congratulations on your NSV! Lane Bryant and Catherine's are the only plus size stores in my area (and Catherine's doesn't often appeal to me). I am scheduled for surgery on the 10 th and the preop diet has loosened me out of the 24 pants (not shirts - long way to go on the top! I'm planning to wear alt of maxi dresses over the next few months so I can get away with not buying a lot of clothes until I'm close to goal.

I had my very first NSV since being banded on 12-28-11! I got out of the shower this morning and my towel went all the way around me and closed in the front!!!! I just stood there and cried! It's alway amazing to me how it's the little things that make the most difference sometimes. Thanks for reading this! I just had to tell someone!

I took the next step today and joined a gym. It's actually a small program run by the hospital where I had my band done. The people there were great. They even tested my blood sugar for free and it was 106!! The last time I had a fasting sugar profile done was 6/12 and it was 123. AWESOME!!!! Being told I was borderline diebetic is what really pushed me over the edge into making this decision. My brother is diebetic and I feel so sorry for him. He has so much pain in his feet he just can't stand long at all. Doesn't help being an over the road trucker for 30 years either but the diebetes just makes everything worse. I am definately counting 106 as a NSV!:cursing: Otherwise, I can tell the unfill is working much better and I think some of the swelling is gone. I can pretty much drink and feel no pain. I am starting back on full liquids today, had been on clear liquids the last couple of days other than protein drink, so I tried some blended soup. I hope it was ok. It was probably too spicy though so will definately take my Nexium tonight:frown: HAHA I just realized I put in a purple frown for my purple pill. I am so hoping to get off my two meds that I am on!! Kept busy today and the day went much faster. The down side to the unfill is that now I am actually getting hungry. My DH actually made pizza last night. I had to leave the room!!!!! But I didn't eat any. Yeah, me! 6 more days until mushies. Can't wait!!

Monday, July 15, 2013 Welcome back! Are you ready for your weekly beefy brief from your pudgy pundit? Ready or not, here comes another rant for the rotund. Let's start with a recap of the just past 4th of July holiday weekend. I will say it was a definite challenge! The old Johnny would have gained at least 5 pounds by feasting on ribs, burgers, fatty salads and sugary desserts during this fat-a-topia. I would have also had my Jimmy Buffet margarita maker working overtime rendering the frozen concoction that helps me hang on. Sunny summer holidays are the perfect excuse for gluttony of both food and drink. The good news is the New and Improved Johnny made it safely through this fat fest and actually lost 1-1/2 pounds. Whew! Let's get on with the NSV's. While a weekly weight loss is the ultimate goal, there are also other rotund rewards along the journey that are a by product of the weight loss. We call 'em Non Scale Victories. Hence the NSV. This comes from the fat ass secret code book. (Don't tell anyone I let you in on it.) I have had a few NSV's since I started my juggily journey. Mostly of the clothes variety. If we flashback to the day I got off the plane from Florida in early April, we will recall I was about 1 biscuit away from invoking my Level 3 emergency clothes protocol. That would have meant wearing only sweat pants and a moo moo. In other words, I was out of any wardrobe that I could wear out in public. Mercifully, I started my own pre-op - pre-op diet. My doctor wanted me to wait, but I didn't have an option. It worked. I was safely in my Level 2 fat wardrobe in a couple of weeks. I could work with this limited collection, so emergency averted. NSV number 1. In a couple more weeks, I found that my normal wardrobe (Level 1) was beginning to fit again. I was no longer gasping for air while wearing a tie and the threat of a sudden injury caused by a flying button from my pants had receded. I also found my golf shorts and casual shirts were no longer making me look like a stuffed sausage. I could feel the difference. NSV number 2. Then around the end of May, people started noticing that my fleshy face was starting to look smaller. I had a couple flabby friends ask me what me secret was. This made me take a good look at myself in the mirror. Wow! I could see the difference. I guess I was in a kind of fat fog and didn't pay attention. My body was changing. The good way this time. Another NSV. But I now I'm dealing with a couple unexpected consequences. Firstly, my golf swing has gone to hell. After 30 years of playing this stupid game, it's like I never swung a club before. My new, smaller body has really messed up my timing. Secondly, after 3 months of dieting and a loss of 38.5 pounds, my spiffy Level 1 wardrobe is starting to look huge on me. Seriously, I'm dressing up in my best stuff and it looks like I shop at Hobo Junction. People that don't know me are probably thinking my clothes are donated and I'm homeless. But I'm not complaining! These are GOOD problems. I knew the time for an intermediate wardrobe was coming. It kinda snuck up on me. I think I have another couple weeks at most with Level 1. Then it's on to the Marshall's and Steinmarts. I just need some cheap clothes to get me through to my final landing weight. Then I'll start the real restocking. So if you see a svelter looking guy in over sized clothing walking around, don't feel bad for him. It's either me or dieting hobo. Talk soon! Johnny reprinted from my blog: TheDeconstructionOfJohnny.blogspot.com Come and visit!

I took the next step today and joined a gym. It's actually a small program run by the hospital where I had my band done. The people there were great. They even tested my blood sugar for free and it was 106!! The last time I had a fasting sugar profile done was 6/12 and it was 123. AWESOME!!!! Being told I was borderline diebetic is what really pushed me over the edge into making this decision. My brother is diebetic and I feel so sorry for him. He has so much pain in his feet he just can't stand long at all. Doesn't help being an over the road trucker for 30 years either but the diebetes just makes everything worse. I am definately counting 106 as a NSV!:smile: Otherwise, I can tell the unfill is working much better and I think some of the swelling is gone. I can pretty much drink and feel no pain. I am starting back on full liquids today, had been on clear liquids the last couple of days other than protein drink, so I tried some blended soup. I hope it was ok. It was probably too spicy though so will definately take my Nexium tonight:frown: HAHA I just realized I put in a purple frown for my purple pill. I am so hoping to get off my two meds that I am on!! Kept busy today and the day went much faster. The down side to the unfill is that now I am actually getting hungry. My DH actually made pizza last night. I had to leave the room!!!!! But I didn't eat any. Yeah, me! 6 more days until mushies. Can't wait!!

Last weeks weigh in - 183lbs. This weeks weigh in - 180.2. Lbs lost = 2.8. A good week! So as a courtesy to myself, I try to look back at progress once in a blue moon. Progress = motivation for me and this is why: WEEK ONE POST-OP WEEK 29 POST-OP The difference: 44lbs Average: 1.5lbs per week. I know that doesn't seem like allot. But this is for those of who who are frustrated... 1.5lbs a week ADDS UP! KEEP GOING! Posting the first picture is horrifying. SCARY! Imagine, I had already lost 40lbs when this was taken. You will not find an unclothed pic of me at 262lbs. I wouldn't allow any to ever be taken! I am losing slowly, I am doing nothing that I cannot continue to do forever. I take my time. I change things to suit me and my new lifestyle. I do not fool myself in to thinking that I will not make poor choices ever again. I do not fool myself in to believing that I will workout 6 days a week when I just happen to one time and then lose 3lbs that week. I do not fool myself in to thinking that I will be done with the hard work when I hit my non-existent target weight. I still make excuses, I still justify, I still beat myself up when I am having a tough time staying on track and that results in a vicious cycle of poo poo on me BUT I am happy! I try to be gentle with myself. I feel great and the NSV's and progress (when noticed) is fabulous fuel! I read a blog suggested by Lap Band Gal (you can read it here.) and do have to agree that approving people who are roughly 10lbs over the national average is insane! I know the national average is high though. The author refers to the band as stomach binding. I wish! lol. A comment left by a reader "I also find it interesting that the author of this article appears to be considerably overweight. How's that diet and exercise thing going for her?" - bahahahah! I have a feeling that this article will have an interestingly hot debate to follow. Looking forward to the massacre of part II. My choice to have WLS was a tough one. I was only offered WLS after I had lost 40lbs during a 15 month program called WeightWise. Through the program, one attends sessions on general nutrition, emotional eating, identifying triggers, meeting with nurses, psychiatrists, dietitians and being strictly monitored when it comes to attendance, weight loss and food journals. I have to say that with a non-restrictive band thus far and coming up on 7 months post-surgery, the addressed emotional and psychiatric components are what is going to take me to the ideal healthy lifestyle! Having the surgery, sorry for those who tune in often, changed my BRAIN 100%. The commitment, the seriousness of the surgery, the fear and anxiety about the decision and the procedure itself changed me. The band hasn't done anything physically yet, but it does remind me by just being there. There is no way that I went through all of it to fail! Restriction or no restriction, I am in control! I also have to mention that if I had to pay for surgery myself, I probably wouldn't. Not because I am opposed to surgery, (DUH) but because I am young (still milking this for almost one more year). I work in the non-profit world and the mister and I have other priorities financially that just can not be delayed. It is a constant battle to keep up the house, the cars and just life in general. I am not sure that I would or even could spend the money on WLS. Fortunately, I didn't have to and was blessed to find myself in the care of a great team with an awesome gift! "OH CANADA" - free surgery and support for those who are committed and will work at it! Imagine! Anyhoot, off to the 1st shift at the 2nd job today. We have a Mexico trip and Newfoundland trip to pay for. Totalling about 1 month of vacation and $5000.00. Not even half of what a band would cost! It would be hard for me to choose surgery over two trips to sunny Puerto Vallarta and grey but gorgeous Newfoundland! Cheers all!

I don't really frequent the forum much anymore because of my slow loser status. Surgery was Oct 15th, 2012. Top weight: 238lbs, SW: 209lbs, today's weight: 180lbs. I have gone from size 20-22 pants to a size 11-12 and from XXL shirts to M-L. So I DO see a BIG difference. But I see so many others posting they have lost so much more than I have in even a shorter time frame. I have been stalled for 2 months now too, which is discouraging sometimes, even though I am still seeing inches fall off....thank goodness I did take measurements or I really WOULD be upset I certainly haven't given up, but I so want to be in the 170's. I hit 179.5 last week, and went back up to 180 this week. I just can't seem to get out of the 80's...UGH! I would LOVE to be 135-140 as my ultimate goal...but I have really set my goal at 150lbs as I remember WAY by when I looked and felt great at that weight. Also, my main reason for this surgery was to be healthier and I am off of all of my meds...a HUGE NSV for me! Perfect sugar levels, no high blood pressure anymore and cholesterol looks awesome. Then I look at my percentage of weight loss and look at the stats and see that, really, I am right on track. Still want the 170's

Wow! These are great. Some are very funny but I know they mean a lot. Every time I realize that I have done something new or realize a milestone I am just amazed all over again. Keep the NSVs coming, please! I haven't had one in a while, so I'm counting on you guys. Laura

***Bump*** I really do love this thread...and plus i had a new NSV to post... I bought a size XL petite scrubs and when i got home tried them on they were too big.. turns out i need the size Large now!!! And today at the doctors office the Nurse made me get off the scale and on again because she couldn't believe i was 200.5lbs.. she said i looked like i weighed 170-180lbs tops.... I was so thrilled...:thumbup:

Awesome NSV, Tracy! I have lots of them, but the BEST ones are the fact that I didn't need to be put on meds for the 3 medical conditions I was diagnosed with at my pre-op testing. (Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and High Cholesterol) After all, I did do this mostly for my health. The weight loss is a great bonus!

My newest NSV, is one I can not believe!!! I have been friends with this gal for 20+ years. We have neither one been tiny in that time span---but she has always been within normal size in my mind. She has never had to make the jump to Plus size clothes... so the other day she pops over and brings me 2 bags ---garbage bags full of clothes she has outgrown to see if any of them will work for me! I am getting hand me downs from a friend I always considered normal! And I tried one on, and it was too big! The shoulder fell off! Another now, was too tight across the boobs--she has never been as well endowed as I am....dangit! I am still in shock! Kat