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I had another.. opposite of NSV. This month I've been tracking my calories, staying between 1,100-1,900. I know I feel restriction. I threw scale away so don't know the weight. Haven't taken my measurements since June 6. So, since I'm anxious, I know I've lost weight, I can feel it.. I took my measurements last night. Not a single inch has changed since June 6. :rain::think :faint: How is this even possible?

Your right NSV's do give me more resolve to stay the course! It is when the scale does not move that I get discouraged. One thing I have figured oout about my body is that for about two weeks my weight will stay the same and then the next two weeks I will lose about 10 lbs. That has happened to me the last two months. I am not sur if it is because I do the eliptical for an hour each day and lift weights everyday. I was looking on my paper and my trainer said to only lift twice a week. I am so scared of being flabby and having loose skin everywhere that I lift weights all the time. Even when I am not losing weight I can tell my clothes are changing on my body. Another question............what are all of you doing with the clothes you can't wear anymore? I wish there was some way we could form a swap or something. I thought about ebay, but I have not done it yet.

You're not the only one: I'm on medifast for a total of 4.5 weeks. At this point I'm 3 weeks down and 1.5 to go. I'm HUNGRY!!! at times. (To be expected at 300-400 calories per day.) I have had 2 off-diet (I refuse to say cheat) items this week: 1 grape tomoato and 1 cucumber. This is a huge NSV for me as previously I've never stuck to a diet before. This is different: it's not a diet, it's a choice to make a lifestyle change. The next week is going to be really challenging. I'm spending Saturday with my folks all of who will be asking why I am not eating. Sunday night I leave for a business meetin out of town where there will be tons of food constantly. Then after I come back, my sister is visiting. she is supersize and last we talked very threatened by my choice. (She is 50+ lbs bigger than I am and she's (rightfully) afraid that the family will say if I can do it, why can't she.) She and I are close so I hope that we can see this through. Wish me luck!

Congrats on your NSV. twinmommy! You are so right about men not noticing. Or if they do they don't speak out. I know that had to make you feel really good and it probably translated into resolve to lose more! I had another NSV yesterday that had been happening for a while, but it just wasn't registering. My skinny hubby always leaves the steering wheel tilted down when he gets out of the family vehicle because it's no problem for him to get out with it that way. I used to silently curse him :-) every time I got into the car. Now I can get in with it tilted down! Wooohoo!

Well, I guess it is time to get a list going! Please post your online name and your surgery date here so we can find Banding Buddies! You know, someone to commiserate with during days of Bandster Hell, and someone to share Non Scale Victories (NSV) with - like tying your shoes without having the laces crooked. Maybe one day, we can even have a mass "granny pantie" burning! September 2007 Bandsters MDICURN (Jeni) - 9/?/07 Rwel4 - 9/4/07 Guinessgirl77 - 9/4/07 PCracker - 9/4/07 Stacy73 - 9/5/07 Littleroo1 - 9/5/07 Surfbored - 9/5/07 Toots - 9/5/97 Missy - 9/6/07 Ghostbuster - 9/7/07 Butterfly17 - 9/7/07 Natie716 - 9/7/07 Allisarin- 9/7/07 Sharon2u - 9/10/07 Skodes - 9/10/07 Phillyms - 9/10/07 Eli - 9/10/07 Andrea71 - 9/11/07 Want3bemeagain - 9/11/07 Nanann - 9/11/07 NcNyrk - 9/12/07 Lap-bandit - 9/14/07 Suemtt- 9/14/07 Kelly5Bellies - 9/15/07 Lmjlmj - 9/17/07 Arley - 9/17/07 Philly08 - 9/17/08 Gurlygirl - 9/18/07 Darragha - 9/19/07 Zgril - 9/20/07 ScareDcat - 9/20/07 Bubblebelly - 9/20/07 Globetrotter - 9/24/07 Juliacleone - 9/28/07 Chubbyone - 9/28/07

Nicole, so sorry you didnt get the job ... (and i know this is very cliche, but i believe it is true). you arent meant to do this exact job at this time. keep your chin up and keep looking if you are unhappy with your current job. it took me 16 LONG months to get my current job (or get out of my old horrible job depending on how you look at it...) great NSV on not wanting to gorge (even if you could) Christine

I had a NSV, we had our boys 5 year b-day party yesterday. One of my husbands friends told him that I looked like I had lost a lot of weight. He told him I had and that I was havung a love affair with the eliptical machine at the gym. You now it is visible if a man notices. It made me feel really good!

I'll post a couple. I am 6 months out from starting my band process, pre-op diet Jan 24, surgery Feb. 14. I passed the 100lbs lost mark in the last few weeks and have never felt better. I have gone from over 60% body fat to 30%, so not only am I losing weight I am gaining lean mass. I was planning on keeping my band private, but that seems to be out the door having lost so much weight in so little time. My job requires me to appear on the news from time to time. After an appearance the other night I had people who dont see me that often phone me up to ask me what the hell is going on. My Mom also had to call me up the other night to tell me that all the ladies at her work think I am really "cute". Sorry ladies, I'm taken. Other NSV include not having any clothes in my closet since that all hang off me and having to get my wedding band resized because it kept falling off. There are more, but that is a pretty decent start. Andrew

Congrats on your NSV!! I have never heard of the FAR Infrared Sauna, what is it and what does it do?

ahaha! you're too funny! But good for you girl - I can't even get a 14 up around my hips (I don't think!)...I can get my 16's on, however they look a little like the 14's do on you... Congrats! That's definitely a NSV~~!!

Tracy-Just noticed your new pic...cute cute cute. You look like a different person! Jenn-Great NSV!! I am so proud of you and good luck with the interviews!! Great things are coming your way, I can just feel it! Pamela-Your trip sounds like so much fun! I know how excited you mut be! Take plenty of pics for us!! Terri-I would also like a WWJD bracelet....hook me up. Everyone have a great evening!!

whooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooo Jennifur!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU NEEDED THOSE NSV's! and you've EARNED them!

Good evening, Violets.. Whew.. it was a hot one here in Northern Michigan. It got up to 92 today and will hit 95 tomorrow. And tomorrow I'm stuck in a NON air conditioned building at the fair passing out Democratic Party literature. I'll be there from 9-5. DD is coming to keep me company in the morning while DH has a meeting out of town, but he'll be back at noonish to either relieve us or sit with me while DD goes back home. I've got some Crystal Light in the freezer and will take that with me to get me through the heat. I did two workouts in the pool today. The water temp was 84 so it was a nice relief from the high heat. Tracy... congrats on the NSV!! I can't even get a 14W over my belly, let alone even THINK about zipping it up. I bought a 16W skort today and hope to wear it in Florida n three weeks. I can get it on and zipped up, but I have that infamous "muffin" top. My mini-goal is to be able to wear them comfortably in Florida. We'll see how that goes. Pamela... I agree with Terry 100%!! You shouldn't even have that junk in your house!!! What were you thinkin'??? Certainly not WWJD!!! Get rid of it and start tomorrow fresh. New day, new resolve, new attitude.. K?? Mdrai...sorry to hear about the ticket. That would put me in a bad mood too!! How expensive is it???? Laura.. again Terry is right about setting reasonable goals. Just like our weight.. if we set goals too high, we can't possibly reach them and we give up. We are all taking baby steps in here. And each step gets us closer and closer to our goal. Time for me to head to bed. I'm not feeling a whole lot of restriction with the second fill. Maybe it will show up later. I was nervous that everything would get stuck, but so far, no problems. Everyone have a great night. Sleep well and remember....WWJD???!! Got that Pam???

Sandra, That's great that people are noticing! This weekend, I was bent over in front of my sister and she said, "You've lost weight in your butt!". Music to my ears. I also had a NSV today when I went in for a mammogram. I got back to the dressing room where they have the large and small gowns to put on. Well, I still clearly needed the large, but this year it covered me quite well! Last year I couldn't let go of it for a second or I'd have popped out! I decided to add some time in the FAR Infrared Sauna to my workout each time this month and see if it seems to help. I kind of like it. Gives me time to just sit and read a magazine and think. Has anyone else tried one?

I thought I'd start a thread to share the special times of our journey. I invite everyone to participate. I think it helps to "feed" on others success. You might help make a difference in someone else's life. I've received a lot of my motivation from guys like ousooner and Jack. I'll start it off by saying that today is my 6 month mark of being banded and I haven't regretted one minute of it. After a fast start, my weight loss has slowed down, but I'm very happy to be 2/3 of the way to my goal. I go in for a fill on Thursday. I have always had a nice weight loss following fills, so maybe I'll be under 200 in the next couple weeks. I tend to lose in bunches and I am due. I'd like to be at my goal (170# or a 25 BMI) by year's end. I've been able to up my exercise lately because my RA has been much better, so that helps. Anyway, enough of my rambling; let's hear from others who are at a special point or passing a benchmark. Stand strong brothers! Bruce

Thanks Laura! Oh man ... your cakes sound delicious.... and since I've just had soup for the last 24 hours I would DEFINATELY consider your post FOOD PORN! LOL Get those NSV jeans out and try them on and then I WANT A PIC Missy and Lisa: I am going to TRY and make it to the September Bandwagon.. we will be in Branson for the August one.. maybe I'll see you all there???? Where is Terry???? I WORKED OUT TODAY and I WANT HER TO KNOW IT! Pam: It's getting closer to Thursday and the Cape! and BTW .. where IS THE PIC OF YOU COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET!!!!! Set the self timer and make a goofy face (I do it all the time) :scales: Last night I was doing my weekly NSV jean try on session and since I'm in most my size 16W I decided to try the 14W's and here is the NSV.. I got them up over my butt!!!!!!! woooohooooo! but there was no amount of sucking and stuffing that would make them button over my gut!..... NOW THAT would be a progress picture!!!!!!!!!!! because ladies I am making a goal that I WILL be in them by my birthday 10/04 even if I have to have the superpowered spankx and a crane to get them zipped!

I bought spanx from torrid.com once.. Even the biggest size (3x/4x), I couldn't get up my legs. I found something somewhere else, that is like a girdle for your thighs.. its spandex shorts with lots of spandex-y.. I wear that when I have to wear skirts so I don't chaff my thighs.. I wore them with jeans once, and from the gut holding in, it made my pants fall down constantly. Without getting into the detail, husband and I had our biggest fight in 3 years last night! I was feeling so horrible, I wanted to eat and eat and eat. Luckily, I didn't.. I just smoked half a pack of cigarettes in 30 minutes! Yuck. Paid for that this morning. And my eyes are swollen like crazy. I've been looking down a lot so people don't notice. I was in the bath last night till about 3am. Woke up an hour late for work No one said anything thank god, I didn't feel like coming up with some excuse. It's officially time for smaller jeans. I had this one pair of jeans I loved how they fit.. so I had bought 5 pairs, and I wore them 5 days a week. Well, they officially DO NOT fit. Belts make me break out in a rash, so I can't wear one all day... and these jeans..when I stand up, they slide down.. when I walk, I feel them moving down my butt. I ordered 3 new pair of pants from Alloy (thats where i get them.. they have the long inseams).. Normally, they have 2 brands that are super small (one is the NSV jeans I'm waiting to wear, lost since I moved, so they may fit, I don't know).. and 1 brand that was small but not too small.. So I always wore size 25 (the 5 jeans I have I always wear).. I ordered 1 22 and 2 23. I bought shorts before Vegas, and I got 20-22's that fit fine. Woowoo. I was knocking on size 30's door before the surgery, and now I'm into 20/22's. Still haven't weighed myself, I don't know why I forget when I go to my parent's house. I guess I'll just be surprised on Aug 6. Wedding Reception is saturday.. just finished up the final plans for the cake. It's going to be 3 tier, rounded corners, and round.. pale blue (delphinium) buttercream icing, with white swirly patterns all over.. and some blue baby's breath and white carnations on it (fake flowers). The tier we freeze is buttercream icing and filling, almond pound cake. The middle tier is fresh raspberry filling in almond pound cake with the buttercream icing. Bottom tier is half coconut-cream, half caramel buttercream, almond pound cake with the buttercream icing. Hungry yet? LOL We couldn't decide if we wanted caramel buttercream or strawberry, so the cake lady brought samples of both at 9am the other day, so I tasted it.. and it was so delicious.. and I made a point to take small bites.. despite the fact she brought about 1 cup of cake! Then she's like 'this is yours, eat it!'. I kept nudging husband to eat it for me. I had a couple more bites.. ho hum. Jen- Good luck on prospective new job :scales: Tracy-Your face is looking so skinny! Time to go fill my water bottle up..

Hey Tracy..... love your new pic!!! I lived on soup at hand while I was in the all liquids stage post op. I loved the clam chowder and potato soups. Jennifur... thanks for the compliment, but I get my inspiration from you all.. it's kind of a mutual admiration society and that is the special perk of being a Shrink'n Violet!! What a great group to belong to!! Pamela...I know my fill is there.. I couldn't finish all my cottage cheese and blueberries this morning. And it's still kind of sitting in my throat right now. It's been an hour so I can drink now and my Crystal Light is nice and slushy. I had another NSV last week. I got a new bra size.. I'm now a 38D down from a 44DD!!! wooooo hoooo. Only problem is I have to scoop them up to put them in the bra cups. DH says as long as I can get a bra that lifts them up and pushes them out, he's ok with it. lol I know if I was younger I would get a breast lift and tummy tuck, but I just don't want to go through any more surgery and as long as DH doesn't care (he says not to do it for him).. I'll just rely on God's gift to fluffy women... SPANX! I got my first Spanx last week and they are wonderful!! First time in my life my thighs are not rubbing when I walk. It's a really strange feeling when you've never felt that before!!! I have never had a "girdle" that felt so comfortable. I wore it all day without any pulling or tugging or feeling like I had a boa constrictor around my stomach. If you have not tried them, I highly recommend them!!!

:bounce: Boo - Thats the best NSV I've ever heard!!!

Gooooooooooood morning, all you Violets!! I'm home from all the traveling and ready to relax for awhile. Our trip for our fills was a good one. I had lost 6# since the last visit and DH had lost 8. I got 1cc making a total of 2ccs in my 4cc band. DH got 1.5cc for a total of 4.5cc in his 10cc band. Everyone there was congratulating us. They are all so friendly there. The nurse that took care of us this time was celebrating her year bandiversary and she had lost 70#. When she saw I had lost 48# in just under 4 months, she was so excited for me. I'm just now trying solid food after doing liquids all afternoon and evening yesterday. My cottage cheese and blueberries seem to be going down alright, but I do feel that full feeling after just a few bites. This is a good thing!! We of course had to stop by the outlet malls on the way home last night. DH has become a shopaholic since losing weight. He's sooooo excited about getting into XL shirts after being in 2XLs for so long. And he's down from tight size 48 pants to loose 42's. He no longer has to pay for the plus sizes!! Great NSV's!!! One of the ladies at his church said she would love to have my clothes from the garage sale, so I packed up a ton of them and brought them to her last Sunday. She was soooooo thrilled and I was glad they would be put to good use. It's funny though because I never would have thought my clothes would fit her. I thought I was much smaller than she is. Guess my perception was a bit out of whack cause she said everything fit.. !! I have one more session in the pool today between music rehearsals so that will complete my exercise challenge for July. I'll stick with the same goal for August. I know we'll be doing as much bike riding as possible and the temp is supposed to be in the 90's this week so that will mean lots of pool time. Life is really, REALLY good as a bandster!!! Everyone have a great day and remember..... WWJD??!!

Hey everyone! I've been lurking the past few days...I haven't really had any updates lately, but now I want to scream from the mountains (I don't have any around me so I'll scream here!) I BROKE MY PLATEAU!!!!!!! It only lasted 5 weeks, I don't know why I'm so excited(!). I finally lost 4 more pounds. I went in for a fill again, and have been at the gym 3 days a week during the work week for a 40-60 minute elliptical session and both sat and sun for a 90 minute workout session of 45 minutes elliptical and 45 minutes stationary bike. If anyone told me 6 months ago I'd be at the gym this much, I would have called them crazy! Thats a great NSV Slikchik - I tried doing something similar. My dog weighs about 25lbs and I took her out for a walk a little while back. We came up to this big hill and I decided to carry her up the hill, since I had already lost 35lbs I figured it would be no big deal! Hell No! I had to put her down after 30 seconds!!! YIKES! Awesome job JULI on the tour de france challenge. And Denise - don't feel too bad about not making the challenge, you know you were working it at the gym! I envy you guys and your biking! I tried the stationary bike at the gym and did 14 miles last weekend. I shocked myself!

Jill--glad you are feeling better. For me when I am too tight an unfill just does the trick and I am able to get right back on track. Steph--hoping to be a hot mama??? C'mon, you will be! Forget aboutit, you will be skinny and stealing the brides thunder. But not on purpose of course because that would just be mean. NSV ladies--I got called a skinny b*tch! WOO HOOO!!!!!!! :scales: I made somone mad at the grocery store parking lot and when I got out she yelled at me at called me a "stupid skinny bitch" lol...I am just sticking to the skinny part.

Well, today was sure an eye opener. I went to city hall to pay for my dog license. After paying, I went out to the car...and found my battery dead. Yup, a dead battery, so dead not even a hitch. I thought about it for a moment...AAA or walk the few blocks down to Autozone to buy the thing. I figured it was a waste to do the AAA when the store wasn't very far and I was hoping that once I was there a poor soul would take pity on me and drive me back with the battery. BTW, it's currently 93 outside so by the time I got there I was hot. After getting the battery picked out, the guy tried to find me someone that could give me a lift, but the extras were out on their lunch breaks. So, I hefted the battery back down to my car. Now, I'm thinking that my battery is on the small side, maybe 30 lbs. Which is about the amount I've lost since last year. Wellllll....carrying that thing in the hot sun for a few blocks was a miserable experience! :drama: But the lesson learned from this was wonderful...just realizing my body had been lugging around that much for over 3 years compared to where I am now. I thought back to my pre-surgery journey and remembered how I felt after all day on my feet (I teach). Now I am able to walk/stand easier, I can lift and do more things, and I feel better in general. I still got hot and it took a bit to change out the battery, but walking in the store with the old battery, after walking out with the new felt REALLY great! :whoo:The serviceman that waited on me was impressed. NSV for SURE!!! Annette

Sara – I agree with Terry, she makes a lot of good points. FIL doesn’t understand the full picture or how the band works. Please don’t think twice about his comment. I will keep the thoughts and prayers going for Dave, you and your family. Pam – love the pictures of the rooms – you did a wonderful job. Looks like the pain was well worth it. Theresa – good luck with the personal trainer and congrat’s on the NSV. Judy – congrat’s on the NSV Capri’s! Jane – congrat’s on your NSV – I can relate – I use to use a seatbelt extension while flying – I think this is finally behind me forever! Kat – oops… wisdom IS a good thing – I wish I would have had it when I was 16 – rather than a know it all! (LOL). What a wonderful Birthday present to yourself – 100lbs gone – forever!!!!!!!!! Jennifur – congrat’s on exceeding you exercise challenge! Good luck on the job front! Gina

I am an old fart who started with a lower BMI. It has taken me approximately 10 months to get to my target weight. I was banded last September. The weight loss has been slow but steady and I think that a loss of this nature is healthiest for the body as it allows the body time to adjust. My advice to you would be not to obsess on the scales too much. You will also be experiencing Non Scale Victories - NSVs - and these are wonderful! These include going down a clothes size or two, getting compliments...... From all that I have heard, band surgeons seem to expect that the weight loss process post-banding will take place over the following two years. In my opinion your 30 lb weight loss is a very good start on getting to your ideal weight. :clap2: Don't be discouraged that it has taken you longer than you would wish, be happy that you have started with a lower BMI and thus have a shorter road to go.