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Wow. Each week you are having great nsv!!! Size 8 is fabulous. You must be so proud of all your work and deservedly so!! Congrats

Ok May people, how's it going????? What are we down to?? It's been 5 months - the warm up month to the big milestone of six months. I feel alive!! NSV's anyone???

Congrats! That's a pretty nice NSV!

NSV is a Non Scale Victori

I've probably had close to a dozen fills (and one unfill, same process, just in reverse) in the 22 months I've been banded. The only one that was really uncomfortable was the first one. And that was likely due to that I was still rather tender over my port area.. and the tenderness due to my being stubborn enough to try to continue to sleep on that side, even while still healing. Even though it was really uncomfy, it wasn't bad at all. I don't get a numbing shot (I don't see the point.. it's an extra needle and the fill doesn't hurt that much). The doctor or nurse uses ultrasound to locate the port, they do a quick stick, pull back to see how much saline is in the band (this is good practice to check Fluid level each time) and then push it all back in with the additional of what they planned to add. Then the needle removed and bandaid applied. All this is done while lying down. Then they sit me up and give me Water to drink. If it goes down OK, then I'm free to continue on my merry way. Water has always gone down fine, but if it didn't, they'd probably want to remove some of the saline just installed. My post fill diet is liquids till that evening, soft or mushie foods (the one time I let myself have mashed potatoes) and back to regular as tolerated the next day. If anything gives me trouble to back down to liquids and advance diet a little more slowly. I've had the nurse not be able to find the port right off the bat a time or two. It's not a stick over and over, they move the needle just a tad while still in your skin. It doesn't hurt, just feels strange. If they use ultrasound or fluoro, it shouldn't be an issue at all. They don't use either on me now as I've lost so much. a NSV for sure!! And I totally understand being anxious. I was asking everyone and everybody about skin numbing preparations.. lol. I was plain out scared! It will likely be a lot easier than you can imagine. Hope this helps a little. P.S. I LOVE answering questions from newbs, oldsters & inbetweens. I learn from everyone and every question.

I love this thread! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! Everyone's story is the same but yet SO different. I have been obese my entire life, even a fat kid. I literally NEVER remember seeing "100 something" on the scale. I was 250+ lbs in middle school. I did some extreme **** as a teenager, starved, salad with fresh veggies and no dressing and water only.. the list goes on. My mother basically threatened to have me admitted because of my extreme obsession with trying to loose weight in an unhealthy manor. Gave up...again... got fatter. Young adult into future adult: Lost over 100 lbs multiple times but could NEVER keep it off! In high school is when WLS became known and my best friends dad was upwards of 800 lbs and he was the first person I knew to have it. I don't know what procedure he had, or if there was even options back then. Anyway, he had MAJOR complications and in about 2 years was wasted away to around 100 lbs and in a wheel chair. Almost died but pulled through and from there I don't know because I lost touch with this friend when she became a drug addict. Anytime anyone ever mentioned WLS that is all I could think about.. was him and how it just about killed him! Now grown adult: It came up a few times, by myself or other people and I always convinced myself I don't need surgery I KNOW HOW TO LOOSE WEIGHT! I know how to eat healthy. I know what to do, I have done it, too many times actually. Then 2 years ago, I broke my record breaking 400 lbs! I was depressed, hated myself, hated doing anything, hated seeing people I knew.. just hated everything really. Thru those 2 year till I made my decision I was actually trying to convince myself to have it and always talked myself out with the same reasoning... "I know how to do it and have done it.. so just DO IT AGAIN and stick with it".. we all know how that ends! About a year ago I was at my doctors office and during conversation he asked me if I had ever considered WLS. I told him everything I just told you. Plus, he has been my doctor for about 15 years, so he has seen it! My weight fluctuating from 250 to over 400 lbs... constant struggle. He explained his side of things to me, never once said things like "you need it" or anything else like that. Just provided information. I left that appointment and couldn't stop thinking about it. At this point in my life I knew a few other people who had WLS surgery, the problem now is that only 1 of them were successful! So then that gave me doubts, because that was really my only issue. Loosing the weight wasn't the problem, keeping it off was ALL the problem. But then, I started paying attention, to what they did, how they ate and I realized it is because they don't try. I suddenly convinced myself! (KINDA) I researched WL surgeons in my area, found an amazing team and called them up. They said I just need to verify my insurance will cover WLS and that they will cover it at their hospital. They did, I had my first appointment. i still wasn't sure, but I decided "what do I have to loose to just do the classes" so I did... honestly most of it I already knew. But i did learn a lot more about the "surgery" itself and life after surgery. But, what actually "convinced me" is health. My family history is the worse! Literally. Everything. My mom has EVERYTHING, half or more of my family is diabetic. High blood pressure, heart problems, liver problems...EVERYTHING! Even cancer runs ramped in my family. I was 400 lbs and had MINOR high blood pressure and GERD (which may or may not have been weight related) and that was it. No other problems, but I kept imagining waking up one day and BOOM! Diabetes.... or heart attack... My mother was 55 and looked 70 and in the worse health you could imagine. On more pills than I could count... I just always saw that being my future and HAD to STOP IT. Or, at least do what I COULD to try to stop it! So.. I did it.. ashamed... and told VERY few people... (like 5 people) I think for me I didn't want people to know I had WLS and then fail at it.. then everyone knows... etc. NO REGRETS! BEST DECISION I EVER MADE FOR MYSELF! I WISH I WOULD HAVE DONE IT 15 YEARS AGO!!!! Within 3 months, off ALL meds GERD is gone... Blood pressure is actually TOO LOW at times! the NSV are off the charts, I can't even begin to list them all. Sorry for my crazy long post, but I was excited about this tread and wanted to throw out all of the details of my reasoning and thoughts!

Hopefully you will be done with those meds for good. I've been 100% off diabetes meds since I came home from the hospital. It sure is a good feeling, and it's been the best NSV so far!!

I only jog outside. I don't know if I could handle the boredom of a treadmill. :-P I need something to keep my eyes busy, and TV just doesn't do it for me. 20-22 minutes non stop is an incredible NSV, Congratulations!!!

Ugh I got that at a "5-7-9" store once. I don't even know if they still exist, this was years ago. Shopping for a skinny friend. Clearly at 400 lbs I KNOW I'm neither a 5, nor 7, nor 9. TYVM. I wonder how often thin women - not having any idea what LB is - walk in and make a (probably unintentionally rude) comment about how, "Oh, they only have big sizes here!" Maybe you had them on the offense. Great NSV!

Congratulations on your NSV.

Congrats on your first NSV!

Yesterday I went out in public in skinny jeans. Size 14 skinny jeans which were honestly a bit loose*. For context here, I am the person who, even in my 20's wore mom-jeans. Big and loose, size 18/20s with a waistband over my bellybutton. Truly sexy, I know. I have a stitchfix subscription and one of my notes on things I want/don't want is "NEVER SEND ME SKINNY JEANS - It is never going to happen." I feel like I'm having an identity crisis! I went from hiding everything to going out in jeans which are clinging tightly to me and making my butt look fantastic. I sent my husband a text when I went out yesterday that said: "I AM WEARING SKINNY JEANS IN PUBLIC WILLINGLY. I DON'T KNOW WHO I AM ANYMORE." His reply was "A skinny mini with self confidence. " Anyway, this is a big deal for me. My scale has been saying 200.00 for the past week, but my NSV seemed almost as wonderful as entering Onederland! *I bought them last week. I went in thinking "maybe a 16 will work" and 14 did. 14 might be loose but I didn't want to press my luck and ruin my happy mood!

hello fellow sleevers, Well a little bit of happiness, nothing to do with eating, maybe a NSV after my surgery 12/15/11 i came home, mixed feeling on how i felt. Pretty good though, my side was just hurting a lot. I couldn't rest or anything cuz it hurt so much, really hard sleeping. DH helped with my shower.....hmmm - seriously folks!!! i took my 1rst shower this morning all by myself. it was a cool feelingBTW feeling great now, sleeping away kathy

So, I bought a house today. It's mine, mine, mine...all mine!!! My DH can kiss my bootay goodbye because I don't need his stupid arse for anything!!! I'm happy dancing and looking forward to getting skinnier in my new house.

I was sleeved almost 4 weeks ago and one thing for sure is less ankle and knee pain. I walked for about 4 miles yesterday and didn't need to ice my ankles after! Still new at this and looking forward to more NSVs [emoji3]

I'm 13 days post op and today I mowed the entire yard, then got on the tractor and helped my husband pull up trees and drag them off and then got on the 4 wheeler and went riding for hours. I'm so proud of myself. I've lost over 20 pounds in the last 3 weeks and lots of inches and it feels so good to do something besides sit in the recliner or lay on the couch. I can't wait to loose more weight. Didn't want to sound bragging but after 3rd degree burns, neck surgery, foot surgery and being fat for 5 years and just existing and that's it I am finally among the living. Hope this continues and I don't backslide. Thank you all for your encouragement it has been so helpful and for all of the wonderful birthday wishes yesterday. Lord, I'm 42, I'm getting old quick. LOL My husband bought me a 1 carat solitare diamond ring for my birthday, he really seems so proud I had this done. He was really against it at first but he see's I'm really trying and he's been so supportive since we got back from Mexico. Love you all, I know that the hard times are ahead, but we have to enjoy the good times while the very little times they exist.

Hey, girls...it is never TOO early for NSV's!!!! Actually, just having the surgery is a NSV. Keep enjoying your SV's and NSV's....

Went to buy new clothes yesterday, and I needed a SMALL. My problem now is finding clothes that are small enough!

Clothing NSVs are the best. I'll be happy if I never leave size 16, because it's a normal-person size. Congratulations!! I had a little one today. I went into a J. Jill store that was having a sale, and walked out with several things in various sizes to try on (I don't shop there, normally, so I don't know how things run). The size 16 shorts fit and one of the L shirts (the other was too short). I also had a pair of linen pants I'd eyeballed, and when I tried them on they were great in the legs but a bit too snug up top. Turns out they were an L!! That means if I can find them in an XL they'll actually FIT!!! This probably has all you regular-size folks rolling your eyes and wondering what all the fuss is about, but after a lifetime of squeezing--if I was lucky--into the very largest sizes any store carried, this sort of experience is totally novel.

My new NSV... my goodness how lucky I have been. It was a wonderful morning today and I ran. I ran 4 km (I walk occassionally) and it felt good. That and my size 16 + jeans are my current thrill. I am trying to train for a 5 km... some times I am just amazed at how well this has worked!!! you guys are all great!! Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal 358/207/179

This is a fantastic NSV! I do have a question for you. When was your surgery? I remember reading something from you very recently that you had just had surgery? Maybe it was an old post? I'm feeling somewhat confused. Thanks

Alright fellow July folk our month starts tomorrow! We have all been on this journey for months and our new lives will begin in the next few days. I am sure this will be a tough and trying couple of weeks but we will start having our own NSVs before we know it. Please remember not one of us needs to fight this battle on their own. Use this board to rant, brag, complain, and ask questions. July is going to be great!!!

I went to the Doctor today for my 4 week post op. I have been very down because the second I started walking I stopped loosing. When I was weighed I was down 1.3% in body fat in the last two weeks. YEAH!! I was so happy to hear that something was going on in there.

I love that encounter, sounds like the ultimate NSV! good for you!... SIlence is golden!..

I sew. I sew a lot. Not only do I make my own clothes, I make teddy bears, quilts, costumes, and occasionally the odd decorating item. Yes, I'm one of those annoyingly creative people who have to decorate anything that holds still long enough. A few months ago, I made myself a beautiful white jacket out of silk brocade covered in white-on-white phoenixes. I loved that jacket, but had to put it away when cold weather struck. This morning, I needed to make some decisions on what to wear for a trip to visit my mother in St. Augustine. Mom, who is a blonde size 6 soaking wet, dresses to kill and doesn't look her age in the slightest. She also hasn't seen me since the day of my surgery. If you've seen my "before pictures" here, you know we don't look a thing alike. Needless to say, my feminine sense of competitiveness makes me want to dress up as best I can when I go shopping with Mom, especially since she prefers some pretty exclusive little establishments. Anyway, I pulled out that gorgeous jacket and decided to try on a pair of black jeans and black silk shirt I've not worn in years because I couldn't stuff my fat body into them. The jeans not only slid on, the shirt was too big! I screeched and ran out to show my roomie, a gay man named Dante. The jeans were loose and almost baggy, and Dante rejected the shirt. "Honey, you look like you're a little girl trying to wear Mommy's clothes. Do I need to take you shopping?" (giggle) I'm still wearing the outfit on Saturday if Mom's free to go out, but I think my proud grin will outshine whatever Mom wears. Guess I'll take in the shirt, though. Good thing I know how to sew.