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Today while I was getting ready for work, I put on a pair of pants I haven't been able to wear for 6 months! I was very surprised & happy when I buttoned & zipped them up without any problem. Yay! Also - started the Lifestyle Challenge at work today and at the weigh-in it showed I have lost 5 lbs in the last week. That makes 9 since surgery and 28 since starting the pre-op diet. I also stepped up the diet today to include a little more quantity. Still eating pureed foods, but more at one meal. To be honest, I feel really full after eating 2 meals today that were bigger than what I've been used to. Oh well...guess I'll be a good kid & follow the directions

I have not exercised since being banded, and today I walked almost 2 miles. (pushing a double stroller). I have used the babies as an excuse, but no more. My DH and I loaded up and went to the track. He and my 9 year old road bikes while I pushed the babies in the stroller. It felt SO good to be outside and active. We plan to do this together as a family each evening when he gets home from work. We all had a great time!! :clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

Hi mom, Go to the Lapband Talk Lounge and read the thread "NSV anyone?" It's a great thread that makes you see the positive side of banding and it will make you face your fears and decide you want to LIVE your life again! BTW: NSV means 'Non-surgical victory' and the thread is all about the stuff that sneaks up on you when you've lost the weight. Good luck with your decision. If you're having a hard time finding the thread I'm talking about, use the 'search' function at the top right corner of the main page.

I lost the cushion in my butt... now I have a bony butt. Hurts to sit on the floor & play Barbie's with my grand daughter, so I sit on a pillow! But at least I can get on the floor & back up now! Yay for NSV's!!!!

Yep - brought back bad WW meeting flashbacks for me! LOL. I like the idea of an addiction therapist and a group session where convening is rotated. Nice - I'll start doing some looking around here. And I'm going because I've read those same studies! I want to find a group i'm likely to at least be willing to go back to, even if not always anxious to. It was good hearing people both talk about NSVs, losses, anniversaries AND frustrations and stalls and regains - even complications. All the same as is on this site pretty much, but in person. I can see though that you all are definitely where I'm more apt to turn! Thanks for letting me rant and rave!

Hey everyone, I just wanted to write a little update. I am so not a blog writing person, but I think writing helps me stay accountable and then I am able to go back and read what I wrote. Ok.. so for the stats. I am three weeks post op, I had my surgery on Jan26th (self pay). My starting weight a week before surgery was 220 and then my weight day of surgery was 211 (I think the first scale was a little heavy because I was not required to do a pre-op). And I weighed myself today (without clothes) and I was around 203. That’s only about a 7/8 pound lost from the day of surgery in 3 weeks. I am little disappointment but I know I have cheated a couple of times and I am not very strict about the protein and liquids. I know I need to get it together!! But I am glad that at least I am following my progress so that I can implement some changes and see results. I dont know if I told you all... but my short term goal is to lose a lot of weight by my 30th bday on June 30th. That leaves around 4 1/2 months to lose weight. I want to lose around 30 pounds. I would absolutely love to be 170 something by my 30th b-day. lol. You wont be able to tell me I am not cute. hahaha. OK so back to the stats. I've been on mushies for around 3 weeks. I was lucky in that my dr did not require 2 weeks of full liquids but instead wanted us to do mushies for week 2-4. I can do that. I went to the 2 week nutrition class last week and it was good. I told the nurse that I was only getting about 40 grams of protein a day and she warned that my hair may fall out if I dont get the 60-70. Ouch,, I dont want that. So while I have beefed it up.. I am not where I need to be. So starting today I am taking a renewed effort in getting my protein. I just cant seem to find any vitamins or calcium that taste good.. eeew, the chewables are soo nasty; they taste like chald. Am I the only one that misses eating. OMG.. I knew I was a emotional and mental eater but I never knew it was this bad. I just miss the social aspect of eating. Like now.. Im like well what’s the point of going to the mall or to eat if I cant eat anything good. I guess I am saving money...but I sure do miss eating. I have my first restaurant outing tonight with a girlfriend...hopefully that works. Because I haven’t told her about my surgery and I want to just act like normal. My mushi stage includes fish... so I think I will just get fish and mash potatoes or a veggie. That seems to work good for me. But eating with people..I notice that people eat so fast and just slurp their food up. My gosh... I never knew how much we as a people dont stop to really enjoy and taste our food. Speaking of not telling people.. I just told my BF about the surgery. Ouch. I was really nervous about it. He lives in a different state so I was able to hide it from him but since he was coming down for Valentines day I knew I had to say something. Surprisingly he reacted alot better than I expected. His main thing was that he wish I would have told him so that he could of been here to help me. I asked him would he have tried to talk me out of it..he said yes cause he doesn’t think I needed hte surgery. And I told him..see thats why I didnt tell him. He was really helpful while he was here.. He is a Chef..so he made me lots of soft food and even ate the same foods as me. It was nice. OK.. so I need to focus on a couple of things. I think I have gotten kinda complacent with the surgery already. I need to make sure I take all my vitamins, calcium citrate and water and protein. AND exercise (well I still can only walk until next week) and make better choices of food. Right now.. I am eating any soft thing that I can and not really paying attention to caloric or sugar or fat contents. And I am sure that is the reason for the lack of weight loss. So starting today I am going to get it together. I have my 4 week appointment next week and I want to record some weight loss. I also need to stop cheating . Right now the biggest cheat for me is candy. It my twisted little reasoning.. I was like hmm if I can have chewable vitamins then I can have something like sweet-tarts or smarties. And they go done just fine. Argh, I need to stop eating them. So.. like I said I go for my 4 week appointment next week and for some reason they are combining my 4 and 6 weeks appointments and will be giving me my fill then. I didn’t think anything of it initially but now that I think if it...it seems a little soon for a fill. The good thing is that I wont have the bandster hell that everyone talks about but then I wont really get to enjoy regular food. Because right before I hit the 4 week mark I will have the fill and have to back on liquids for a bit. Has this happen to anyone? Should I ask the dr for a fill later than 4 weeks. OK thats enough for now... I should write more frequently so I wont have as much to say. I think I am going to take progress pics tonight so see if I notice a difference. That should be fun. I know I have a NSV... I was able to button up a coat and not have has much pull as it used to have. it was great. now I don’t have to use a scarf to cover up the snug button. Have a good day everyone.

If you get a chance, write down a long list of your "wants" that relate to the band and getting healthier. I did one before my surgery, and I can not tell you how amazing it felt as I lost weight to check all of those things I was looking forward to off my list as I they became part of my reality. Having a standard bath towel wrap around with room to spare was an NSV that I would not have wanted to miss noting! I have just one more to check off... not being a fat bride... so hopefully my BF will step it up sometime soon! Hee hee... Seriously though, I found that list really helpful (I did it as a pro/con list to use when I was having second thoughts about surgery) and hope that, if you do one, you'll get as much out of it as I did. Here's a link to mine if you want to take a look. Congratulations on your Aha moment! And, best wishes for much success!! Best, Catherine

This week was my first work trip since having surgery. Before surgery, I would gain 2-4 pounds on average every time I traveled. Eating out every meal is tough like that. I did fantastic this time. Stuck to salads with grilled chicken, no snacking and last night at our fancy dinner, I had about a third of a lobster tail. And I worked out in the hotel. I have a good feeling about my weigh in tomorrow!

I can remember after my Mom's WLS, when she first got down to a size 14, she said she wanted to wear the pants inside out so that everyone could see the tag! Now she's a size 10! Congrats on the NSV, lot's more to come!

Went clothes shopping today for my husband's reunion. I bought size 14!!!!! I'm down from a 24!! I had the sleeve on Feb. 7. Just over 5 months and I've lost 80 lbs! I'm going to look hot tonight!!

Hello all! I am a *new* member of the 100 lbs to loose club. I am currently 265 and before surgery I was 279.8. Lost 15 on the pre-op and a few more on the post -op liquid phase. When I say few I truly mean a few. Lowest I reached was 262. I have lost inches, and that is the NSV I am holding on to. Glad I have that to hold on to because truth be told, even thought I focused on having no expectations, I have found I have them all the same. I keep reminding myself this is a "life" change and it will not happen over night. My heart knows this but my head will not get on board. Speaking of head.....darn that head hunger. So, here I set, had my first fill on Monday. My band took a fill of .7 cc's. Dr. McBride began the fill with 1.5 cc's and backed it out until the liquid did not get caught up. I hope the fill settles in nicely and I will have some assistance. I am really wanting to have some help with my non existent *FULL* button. I am not trying to be a downer, *BUT* I really was bummed that I did not loose more on the 21 day liquid phase. (Self talk - inches lost...inches lost!!!) So, recap started 280 lost 15 solid lbs. Feeling like I am hanging on the the 15 and having head hunger issues. I am newly banded as of 4/24/09. I am keeping the faith that this will work for me. Anyone else relate to where I am?

I am on this site EVERY single day now. It is my new addiction. I haven't even had the surgery yet, but everyone on here is so inspirational. I love reading all of the stories and posts. I learn a lot from each and every one of you. I especially love reading the NSV stories!! Thank you all!

Not sure why you are so surprised! I knew you would make it. I have watched you throughout your journey my friend and from the beginning I saw the strength and determination you had to reach your goal. The NSV's you posted along the way showed how happy and healthy you were getting. You haved encouraged and inspired everyone around you as well. So thank YOU and congratulations on everything. *inserts Rocky sound track and starts to do the happy dance for Pasquini* Good thing this is a computer because me dancing could be a little scary LOL

2 1/2 weeks later.. my NSV(non scale victory) is I am down 2 guchies sizes (for you non Western Pennsylvania people, that means underwear, and it is an actual word). :bananajump: Also.. do you celebrate your highest weight loss or what you weighed right before surgery or BOTH?? From when I started this journey 8 months ago, I am down 39lbs.. Since my surgery I am down 25lbs...:thumbsup:

It's officially been one month since I had surgery, and aside from the very light, barely existent scars I have on my abdomen, I can hardly tell I've had surgery. I've lost about a total of 34 pounds so far, from my highest known weight of 305lbs, I'm currently at 271lbs, I think. I don't eat nearly as much as I did prior to surgery. I don't have a fill as of yet. I get that at the beginning of June. If I eat a real heavy meal, I'm mostly good for the rest of the day; sipping on water throughout of course. I know I should be eating small meals, which I've tried, but being hungry still hurts, and my mouth waters to the point where it feels like I'll vomit if I don't eat something!!! So I tend to eat a good healthy meal and then snack on low calorie things throughout the rest of the day. Again, this is not ideal. I know! And I know I won't be able to eat as much (thought I feel I'm not eating alot) once I start getting fills. I've had some NSVs! There are two scrub tops that I have for work that I normally NEVER wear unless its laundry day because they fit so tight. Well, I've worn both this week, and they fit PERFECTLY! Not too big, not to tight! PERFECT. I am having issues with my pants being too loose though. It's like my stomach has gone down and now there's nothing to hold my pants up!! I do notice that by looking in the mirror my belly rolls aren't as "rolly polly"... if that's a good way to describe it. I know I've lost weight and can visibly see this because of how my scars have "moved". Granted I was probably swollen after surgery, but one scar was tucked under a belly roll, and now I can fully see that scar! It actually looks like it's sitting "ontop" of that roll now instead of under it... Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me I dunno, but I am happy at they way the scars are healing. I think I'll have more of an issue with loose skin and stretch marks than the actual scarring from surgery. I joined the YMCA ... as far as exercising goes. I go when I can, and I'm trying to make it a daily thing, as of right now, I've been going sporadically and I'd like to make it a permanent part of my daily life. Like brushing my teeth! I know this will help me get to goal so much faster. Though I'm not "moving" as I should, the weight is still coming off. Even starting solid foods, I thought there would be a stall in my weight loss or that I would gain since going from a liquid diet to a solid foods diet can do that, but I didn't stall, it's just not coming off in 5 pound chunks anymore... just a pound or two here and there, which is expected. Another NSV is that I got my period. This may not be an NSV for most, but since I suffer from PCOS and irregular/non-existent periods, this happens to be one for me. I had a period in March before surgery, and before then I don't remember, but I was on Metformin and Agyestin to help my periods come on monthly. I'm no longer taking either. I didn't menstruate in April, but I got a lovely gift from Mother Nature this month, and I actually HOPE that I see her again in June because though I hate my period this would mean, I'm almost normal, and that's my main goal! So, all in all, Michaelangelo and I are doing well, and hopefully when we go to the Dr on the 6th of June, we'll be doing even BETTER and on our way to the 260s!!!!

congrats on your NSV's. girl i feel you on the scrub tops! i cant wait for mine to start falling off, although my pants are already getting baggy. LOL! but i refuse to buy another stitch of clothing unless its the next size down! LOL! Well i get banded today. i lost 13 pounds on the 11 days i was on my pre-op liquid diet. congrats on your success thus far!!

So for the last week I've been in the process of moving....packing the old place, cleaning, movers, unpacking at new place. Anyway, my family helped me pack and my sister packed my scale over a week ago. at first I was irritated because I weighed at least every other day....and then without it, I started to like it. I felt like I've been losing again (had a stall for over a week) and feeling like with all the packing, lifting, etc., I felt like I was getting in extra exercise. So yesterday I caught myself in a full length mirror and I stopped and did a double take...is that me?!? No, wait a minute where am I? ...am I really seeing what I'm seeing? No, this must be one of those stretch mirrors. Yep, that's me. Wow my legs are looking a lot smaller. Wow I'm starting to look kinda good. Seriously, these are all the thoughts that went thru my was in a matter of seconds. I love the NSV's!!!! Unpacked the scale this morning and down 5lbs...love the scale victories too

And I’m down to 256lbs… I’ve lost a total of 10 pounds since my last doctor’s appointment back in August and he was very happy with my progress thus far. I went in today (9/12/11) and weighed in, chatted with him about what exactly I was doing to progress my weight loss. I told him I cut out carbs and still am cutting out carbs as best I can. Most meals only contain meat (protein) and vegetables. Everything that is processed/packaged I look at the contents and if there’s carbs I put it down. I am so proud of me, I should make this an NSV! People, or I should say non-dieters, don’t realize how hard it is to nix carbs all together. Especially since it’s been a part of your daily food intake for years! But I’m doing it. I can say I don’t eat something carby here and there, but not nearly enough to cause me any issues. I was off work for fiver days recently and I did so well not eating carbs. I did enjoy a bowl of cereal over the weekend, but that was it! No bread, no pasta, no rice, no sweets! I’m committed to sticking to this no carb diet because if I drop lbs like I’ve done these past two weeks CONTINUOUSLY then I could possibly make my mini goal come November 6th. I’m 36lbs away and I have 58 days to do so, which is roughly 8 weeks plus a few extra days… but that’s like 4.5lbs a week. I know I didn’t get RNY, and that’s asking a lot to lose that much weekly, but this is what I’m aiming for; 220lbs by November 6th! I Can Do It! J Other than dieting, I’ve been taking two hour Zumba classes (when offered), I’ve been walking, doing jogging/power walking intervals for 30 minutes at a time while on my breaks at work; I’ve also been doing the sedentary bike for 30 minutes at a time while at home… I plan to do a little more toning… my arms are slimming down, but I don’t want the flab… I hate to say this but I definitely see a TT, Brachioplasty, and Breast Lift in my future (hopefully covered by insurance)! It’s not all bad, I mean I love lifting and pulling my rolls aside and seeing my TRUE body frame and shape that’s being hidden underneath. It’s like shaking a wrapped gift before opening it. I’ve been trying to guess what’s inside for the longest! J Overall I’m SOOOOO HAPPY with my progress. Today I re-read my journal entries that I started writing when I started my PreOp diet, and I’m happy that I’ve progressed so much since then… I’m 256! In one of my entries I was saying how happy I was to be 278 because that meant I weighed less than my Dad… but now I’ve progressed so much it just blows my mind! I’m almost -50lbs down… just 1 more pound to go! I’m sure I’ll drop that in a day or two! WooHoo!!! I’ve gone from 305lbs (my highest) to 256lbs!... I’m so proud…

(I'VE ADDED PHOTOS IN A LATER POST....scroll down) Ok old timer pro sleevers or anyone else, really... did this ever happen to you?? I've lost 70 pounds, I've gone from a 30 to an 18/20 (tight, but i got them ON! ), I now fit in bathrooms stalls, airplane bathrooms, airplane seat belts, chairs at places I avoided because of...small chairs, I can reach my feet, feel my hip bones and rib bones, see my chin, cross my legs, reach stuff on the floor from a sitting position, walk up the stairs without getting winded, workout for an hour like it's nothing, get up from the floor without the aid of chairs or 8 strong sailors and a winch--and a plethora of other NSVs... BUT--(we all have a big BUT, don't we??) I CAN'T SEE IT IN THE MIRROR!!!! I see the same 349 lbs staring back at me. WHY oh WHY is my brain doing this to me??? Is this a normal part of the process?? Will it get better? I don't even think my before and after pics look drastically different. That has to be some sort of sickness.... lol

We had a Redbox movie to return, so I stopped by the CVS on my way to the library. The Redbox kiosk was out of order so I went to the library and picked up my books that were reserved. When I got back in the car I remembered the movie. The nearest Redbox was at McDonald's. I walked in and had the weirdest feeling. I realized I hadn't been inside a McDonald's since before my surgery in late April. It smelled greasy and kind of made me a little queasy. This from a girl who lived on bacon egg and cheese biscuits, sweet tea, cheeseburger Happy Meals, and more Diet Coke than you can imagine. Amazing, strange and wonderful!

Ok, so BIG NSV yesterday. Since before I had surgery 2 years ago, I dreamed of riding rides with my boys and knew it may never happen. We moved to Florida last year, and finally had a chance to visit Legoland yesterday. Not only was I able to keep up with them and their friends, I was leading the pack! AAAND riding roller coasters and other rides with them, and I didn't have to worry about fitting. There was ONE ride with a teeny car and the girl had to really push down on the bar to lock it, but that's ok! I've got a ways to go, but I've come SO far! I'm back on track with a trainer and we're going to get this job D O N E!!! KEEP WORKIN' IT PEOPLE!!!

Lol, that's definitely an NSV!! The finale to the Biggest Loser (Australian version) was on last night. Seeing all the contestants before and afters, it totally blew my mind that I've lost as much as most of them. So those INCREDIBLE transformations- I've made one too. I just dont see it everyday in the mirror. I am happy with what I see, for sure, but I'd love love love to really SEE myself like that - the way others see me.

Ohhh! Ya'll are sweet! Thanks Vines! I don't think I'm quite at goal if I can't get under 180. I really really want at least another 15 pounds gone. I'm only 5'5" and I think I can swing 165 well enough. I was 168 and a size 14/16 when I got married. Did it on Diet pills and Looooove. LOL It's funny, I bumped my NSV thread earlier so I can find it but I think it has gone waaay back down the list now. Anyhow, I want to post the individual pic Kim has in her 'puter (taken this same day) next to another indiv pic taken a few months ago, and I weigh only about 5 pounds more? I think. Pretty big difference those pounds made, but it was really inches lost when I re-joined Curves. My body is reshaping, I can see that now, so I'll quit kicking myself about the scale and quit fretting over not really losing pounds. I'll lose them. I don't mind slow, but it's good to see progress in pics. I don't see it in the mirror much. You know what I don't like about me in the above pic? Helmet hair. Remember Sally Fields in Steel Magnolias? That's what I have. It's supposed to be a cute fluffy cut, but I stick it behind my ears just like my school picture from the 3rd grade and I look like such a goob! LOL Plus I want braces. I have a coupon for a free consult with the orthodontist up the street. I'm afraid I'll have to choose between braces and a tummy tuck. SIGH. Reality check...if this is the least of my problems? I'm blessed. I'll quit whining now. (((hugs))) and thanks!

mjrevel great when things like that happen - many more NSV will happen too happy for you

That is surprising, but an NSV in a way, that your own Dr didn't recognize you lol. I went to my Dr recently for an ear infection and it was the first time she had seen me since my surgery. I had spoken to her briefly before about my plans to go to MX, and while she didn't discourage me from it, she seemed surprised. I assured her that I had done my research, for 7 yrs, and I felt comfortable with the Sleeve as the procedure that I wanted and which Dr I chose. So anyway, when she saw me a wk or so ago, she was very pleased with my weight loss and super pleased with my blood glucose reading being in the normal range. She was also impressed with my incision scars. So much that she wanted details, like specifics on the price, the process, contact info for some of her other patients, friends, and family. I am hoping some of our drs will see our success with the Sleeve and start recommending it to their patients as an option. Congrats on your weight loss, you are doing so well and you look wonderful!!