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I know all of us pre operative people are excited to watch the numbers on the scale fall but what else? I can not wait to fee comfortable in my clothing, to sit on the couch or floor with my knees pulled up to my chest! I can't wait to wear designer clothes because right now I'm limited to shoes , purses and capes because nothing else fits! I'm also hoping to buy shoes that are not wides. So what are you looking forward to that doesn't involve the numbers on a scale?

Tropicana ~ My fill appointment went fine. But I am not sure what my restriction level is because I am afraid to test it. I usually just eat very little and mostly Protein. I have dropped another 4 pounds so that's exciting..I've got to update my ticker again. I also have a pair of pants today that are 22/24 (they have elastic in the waist) but I am still excited. I was wearing 26/28 (with elastic) & 30/32 without. So, that was a GREAT NSV for me! I also purchased a skirt that is size 24 w/out elastic - yeah! No, I did not have to see a psych or a nutritionist.

I had emerged from a childhood of being obese as a slim size 6 teenager vowing never to be fat again. A decade later I was bigger then ever. There was no one specific event that made me decide that having the Lap Band placed was the right decision for me, rather it was all of the small indignities that were becoming common place in my life. There were many, but with each new indignity I became more hindered in my ability to live the type of life that I wanted to. At first not being able to cross my legs was just something that I would have to live with. Then I had to start looking for seats without arms, which made going to a movie an anxiety producing event. Eventually shaving my legs became a feat worthy of a contortionist. I was actually grateful that my then year old son was a late walker, as I could not fathom chasing after a toddler I couldn’t understand why I was so fat. I had been a vegetarian for almost 15 years I was insulted whenever a complete stranger or doctor implied that I must be scarfing down whoppers and fries. Of course I knew the answer, I just ate too often and too much.I ate when I wasn’t hungry, I ate when I was sad, I ate when I had a argument with my husband, I ate when my feelings had been hurt because I had been ostracized due to my weight. After delivering my son in May 2006 I weighed in at 375 pounds, six months later I was down to 330 and the scale wouldn’t go down from there. Both my mother and my husband asked why I couldn’t just lose weight on my own again. I could never express what I felt, inside “Why ? When I won’t be able to keep it off ?” At that time I went to an information session at my local hospital, I decided that night that I much preferred having the Lap Band placed instead of either RNY or the Duodenal Switch, the only three surgeries preformed there. I also learned that I would have to wait until I was at a least a year post par tum to have the surgery, the hospital’s policy. I would love to say that during the interim between the information session and my surgery eight months later I changed my eating habits and started a healthy new lifestyle, but in reality I ate like I was going to the chair. I went for all of the prerequisite exams and learned what I was truly doing to my health. I was at the cut off point for not needing a Cpap machine, my heart was enlarged, I had horrible GERD, and my joints ached constantly. Yet I couldn't stop eating. Still when I received a call on July 26, 2007 saying that there was a cancellation with my surgeon and I could have my surgery in a mere 5 days I balked. “Could I really do this?” Resoundingly the answer that came from within was “YES I CAN ” I told my skeptical spouse and mother my decision and turned into a shrew waiting for my surgery day. I weighed in at 342 pounds the day of my surgery. The band has been an amazing tool in my life giving me a sense of satiety that I never had before. I have had success with my band because I keep reminding myself of my inner voice that told me I could when the closest people to me were skeptical. I walk 90 minutes a day at least 5 days a week and follow the Bandster rules. Today I weigh 212 pounds and am 47 pounds away from my goal. I will get there, although it is getting more difficult to lose. The quality of my life is so much better and instead of learning to live with indignities I am finding non scale victories NSVs)everywhere... :thumbup:

I'm not very active on this site, so I hope I am adding these pictures correctly, but I was so excited by a recent NSV that I had to share! First pics are immediately post-op and then the other day in a TJ Maxx dressing room, lol. I am just over 6 months out and about 88 lbs down. I recently fit into and bought a size Large Calvin Klein top for $7.00!!! I was excited that I fit into a regular size (I've been in plus sizes FOREVER and am still a 16W or 18R on the bottom). It blows my mind that if I could just go down one more pant size that I will be done with plus size shopping for good! Thanks! Lindsey

What an awesome NSV! And grats on being below goal.

My weight hasn't changed all week, which considering the amount of calories I am consuming seems unbelievable. So getting dressed this morning delivered a much needed NSV. My "skinny" jeans - hardly skinny but jeans that have never fit well - feel pretty darn good and a shirt that I tried on a week ago suddenly has room to spare. The shirt really threw me because I had tried it on just a bit ago and decided it made me look pregnant. Now, it is loose in the stomach and doesn't leave an imprint across my butt from being so tight. It's amazing what an NSV can do for your mood. Plateau, schmateau.... Though I still hope to see the numbers actually go down soon!

Those NSV's are wonderful, mine have been few, I'm waiting for a big one, lol.

I've been in a stall for a few weeks, so I've been feeling kind of bummed. I went out of town to visit an old friend last week. To my absolute joy and amazement, I was able to fit comfortably in the airplane seat AND I didn't have to ask for a belt extender! I was actually able to tighten the belt a little! That hasn't happened in years. Also, this is the first trip I've taken that didn't revolve around food. I was able to spend quality time with my friend without obsessing about what I was going to eat or how soon I could get back to my hotel and order room service. I had a great time! I'm going to start focusing on my NSVs instead of some stupid little digital number from now on. Thanks for reading this post!

That's a wonderful list, Pinky, keep up the good work. Here's to 4 more months and a whole new list of NSVs.

@@MickeyMax95 - I didn't physically start "seeing" it until I was down about 50. My clothes were the biggest motivators for me. I couldn't keep up my shorts/pants/panties - that's to me the best NSV ever!

I spent all of last week in FL at a work conference, and since my team is virtual (spread across 6 states) I only see about 80% of them at events like this, where everyone is brought to the same location. The people on my team that I've seen in the last 4 or 5 months know I had lap-band, but I never made an announcement to everyone. "I don't mind talking about it at all, but not going to throw it in people's faces" kind of thing. Anyway, I went to dinner Monday with a group that had no idea I'd had the surgery (and didn't appear to have any idea I'd lost weight, either!) We're looking at the menu, and I'm so used to eating business lunches with people who know, and so used to talking about what it's like, what I can/can't eat (that's the first thing people want to know) that I said out loud "Hmm, I wonder if I could eat that..." One of the girls asked me what I meant so I told her about my surgery. She of course asked me if I could tell a difference, and I told her how much weight I had lost, and she replied: "Wow, I had no idea you were that heavy!" Now, wait a minute... what the heck!? What did that mean? 1. You've lost a good chunk of weight, but you still look so fat... I had no idea you were so fat that you could lose that much but still be so big. 2. You looked so good, trim and svelte that I'd have guessed you had maybe 30 or 40 pounds to lose, I had no idea you were so overweight. The lady who said that is very nice, so I'm sure she didn't mean anything by it, but wowzer, what a "compliment". :biggrin1:

Congratulations on your new band. Can't wait to hear about your losses and your NSV's.

Jodie, Congratulations on getting banded! You are in store for a great journey of weight loss and NSVs. Welcome to the other side.

Thanks!! You're such an inspiration to me! Way to go! Congrats also on your NSV, keep it up! Exercising is the best, and is probably the only reason I'm not GAINING... BTW, its my 2nd short term goal actually... hasn't moved much of late, but only I can fix that... Take care my friend! My word is: Fruits

Just wanted to share a little NSV. I realized last week that I had to do some shopping because once again my clothes were getting too big on me! When I started my weight loss journey, I was wearing XXL shirts that were getting too snug, and size 42 pants that were also getting too snug. As of this week, I'm wearing Medium shirts and size 32 pants - holy cow! I found one of my old XXL shirts that used to fit me tightly, tried it on with a little help from my daughter, thought some here might enjoy:

@@leonelbreton hey dude 50 lbs down!! woo hoo party dance, party dance!! first of many milestones more NSV's to follow keep up the good work for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer, life good luck kathy congrats

That is a fantastic NSV. More importantly thank you for all of your back breaking work to help the people who, unfortunately, so desperately need it right now.

NEW NSV- so every year when I go to Fl I browse thru the, what I call, "itty bitty I aint got no tittys section" and wish I could wear this top or that top (I got too much booty to wear the shorts)...well this year I found 2 tops that I really liked and both fit! YAY!! I even was able to buy a bathing suit from one of the stores!!! I told my husband I was going to have to rename the section...lmao!

or NONSCALE VICTORIES...there is a thread like this in the 20s support area but I know everyone in Alabama is not in their 20s. I think this is a good way to show ourselves what our band has done for us so I decided to start the thread on our Local Alabama support thread!!! I'll share some of mine: 1. When I got my hair cut the other day and they put on that awful black cape....I didn't have a double chin!!!:thumbup: 2. ALL my bathing suits from last year I just tried on this morning (bc my husband insisted that I have plenty of things to swim in for FL) ALL TOO big...not to mention I put on a pair of Khakis that I bought 2yrs ago...was never able to wear...they fit perfectly... 3. For the first time in I dont know when XL is TOO big...I got to buy shirts last week in size LARGE 4. My neighbor whom we rarely see was walking up the street and she said OMG what have you done with Kanina you look GREAT!!!! 5. I just FEEL better!!:laugh: SO share everybody!!!!!!!!!!

You are doing great. In fact, doing even better than me since you have 1/2 as much to lose as I did. Took me 7 weeks to lose 17 pounds. Then I gained 3 pounds and stalled for a month. All of which is totally normal and didn't stop me from reaching, even passing, my goal. Relax, enjoy your NSV's and count your blessings....Slower weight loss is much healthier. Remember you didn't gain it all in a couple months, you won't lose it that fast, either.

That's a great NSV! You are almost at your goal- congrats!

Today I asked my DH,"how has my snoring been"? He said it is non-existent!! Huge NSV for him!!! Anyone else's spouse sleeping better?

MINE!!! He said about 2 weeks after surgery, I quit snoring, and before, some nights, he'd go sleep on the couch because I was shaking the foundation of the house. YAY! I never thought of that as an NSV before. Cool!

Whoooo Hooooo! Now that is some great nsv's. I can't wait for the day I don't have to go to those stores either! Great job Babs! :banana :banana

A few NSV's I have enjoyed so far: Not needing an extender for the airplane seatbelt (for that matter, fitting comfortably in the airplane seat) Not hiding when it's time for pictures (and not freaking if someone posts them on social media) Being able to buy a "regular" size bra that doesn't require special order/shopping at a specialty store for the size