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Janine, NSV is a Non-Scale Victory... Small or big steps in our journeys that can't be measured on a scale! Margaret

You guys are great... I try to keep up with reading all your posts to learn, I am a June bandster! What is a NSV! Wenjea What a great feeling when you go shopping and go down in sizes. I went shopping at store at the mall this weekend and they had a big sale. I had to get a dress for my son's wedding this Saturday( not like waiting...right!) but was able to get a 16! And two other dresses for work too. Like you, I don't want to spend a lot on clothes I hopefully don't fit into for long. I try to buy everything on clearance! QUESTION I have not had a fill yet, just reaching my 4 weeks being banded. I have had a hard time staying good on my eating. I am to be on Mushies until my doc appointment tomorrow, however I have eaten tortilla chips and dip with out restriction or problems, besides feeling VERY guilty, I am concerned that I may be harming my band and stomach?? what do you think? I am back on my plan and trying to remain focused, but it is hard when the hunger is coming back and no restriction... I have 3 weeks until my first fill...

Congrats Margaret on your NSV! I can't wait until I can use regular towels I unfortunately have hit my first plateau. No real weight loss for 2 weeks and actually am up a pound despite almost daily exercise (6/7 days a week) and no days of calories over 1500 (most under 1000). SO FRUSTRATING. Makes me want to say f*** it and go eat french fries and cake. how long do these plateaus last?? I don't feel like I need a fill- I don't get super hungry between meals.. this just BLOWS. yea for everyone who is doing so well so far on the challenge! happy monday!

Lee that is such a great NSV, I can't wait until someone doesn't recognize me. That will be a GREAT day. Congratulations!!!!

That is a great NSV, funny! Keep dancing the pants away... Shawn, I would find out the price for alterations if you have a really nice pair. I have no idea what someone would charge for that. congratulations for the weight loss and losing your pants... I'm going shopping for the wedding trip tomorrow. I went back to the gym to the torture machine today just in hopes of losing another pound or two. It is getting harder to lose at the same pace. I hope I have some good news to report. Terry

hi tammy: thanks for the welcome back. i was keeping up with everyone by reading posts but i wasnt posting. i dont know why? but maybe posting and getting to know everyone....you sort of have to commit. and/or you have a responsibility to the group. i think i'm past those issues..... i'm not sure how old you are but i have the cutest trainer. he lives in houston. he's 28....and a really good guy. he's really good too..he trains some professional football players here... if you are ever here in houston ...he's single....i can introduce you ha! juli, can i tell you...the NSV's really mean more...even tho' we tend to focus on the scale. the airplane seat and the movie seat victories are HUGE! it's so nice to not have to worry about our butts spilling over. the USA airlines are usually discreet about extensions. one time i was on a plane in india and the flight attendant shouted from the front asking if i needed one. needless to say...i wanted to open the door and throw her out. ot better yet...ask her for 2 extensions so i could strangle her with one ha! also your daughter probably liked being "babysat" . i remember when i was a kid i always felt it was special. i'm going to use my clothing size as my indicator.....i'm trying to anyway..lets see how i do staying off the scale. i was in a rehab for eating disorder at one time and they wouldnt let me see the scale. i had to face backwards...it was such a mood changer for me. anyway...i just spent a few hours weeding. (i hate gardening) this is my day off from exercise but i feel i got a little in with this. for july....i'm commiting to 5 days of exercise per week. right now i'm doing 6 but need a little wiggle room anyway have a splendid sunday!

Hey Guys, How about a check in? How is everyone doing this summer? How is the WL and or NSV? Are people noticing your loss? Compliments? All's well here. I've had another fill last month for a total of 5 cc's in my VG10 band. I can feel the restriction and that is a good thing. I'm down 44 since surgery in January. My exercise is intermittent...but I do keep re-motivating myself..and tomorrow it is back walking my 3 miles. How are you guys motivating yourselves for exercise? What types of exercise do you do? Lets hear all about it. Shawn

Nimblebean....great NSV!! You must have been dancing in the dressing room! Oh, I had such a moment! Only friends who are going through this understand these small, but important, victories! Thanks Metal! Great calendar too. Today is the first day of the challenge and I still cannot get my ticker to work. I have done everything that the instructions say to do. Oh well I will keep trying! Are you having trouble when you are on the Ticker Factory site, or when you try to drop the Exercise Ticker into your signature?

Nimblebean....great NSV!! You must have been dancing in the dressing room! Great calendar too. Today is the first day of the challenge and I still cannot get my ticker to work. I have done everything that the instructions say to do. Oh well I will keep trying!

Just checking in on this first day of July!!! Time is really flying and I can't believe we're 4 months out already! I'm sure everyone has their own personal goals in mind for this month. I seem to be consistently losing at lease 10 lbs a month sometimes more so my goal is to lose another 10lbs during the month of July. I'm thinking about taking advantage of the personal trainer at the gym I attend, but he is soooo cute!!! I'd feel more comfortable if the guy was ugly...isn't that crazy?!?! Anyways, it's only $15/hr and I think once a week might really make a difference. Welcome Back Josie! It's good hearing from you again! Congrats on the NSV's Julie! Welcome Lee4Love! I'm glad you've joined us. I remember talking to you while you were waiting for your surgery date. Congratulations and continued success!!!

Josie That's a great idea to get the scale out of the house. It can cause us to focus on the numbers and not on the nutrition. I'm trying to focus this weekend too. I want to see some change on the scale. I'm not ready to move it out of the house tough. (I have a little scale addiction, shhhh don't tell.) I'm a FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal user. It takes a little getting used to but I do like it for tracking my calories. You might want to check it out. I want to chat a minute about NSVs. Yesterday I took my daughter to see Ratatouille, and I plopped down between the arm rests and fit. It took me a minute to realize I didn't raise them before sitting. I was like, "wow, that's cool". Last week I rode on an airplane for the first time since November. I didn't need an extention. Truth be told there were two inches to spare too on the belt! And this one is killer. I'm a single mom with shared custody, I have my 5 y/o daughter every other weekend, some weeknights too. I either take her to the pool or walk around the zoo for my exercise on our weekends. But for the first time EVER I've asked the neighbor girl to babysit for a few hours so I can get in a two hour bike ride. It's worth $10 to me, and Zoe just loves the girl. Isn't that crazy!? I'm actually a little proud of myself. Cheers. Juli

Hi Terry! Cognrats on the 40lbs! It seems for a few of us here that is where things start to slow down. So I had an awesome NSV last night! I went to a wedding, and I didn't feel like wearing nylons because it was so hot out. I put on my favorite pair of dress pants, not thinking about the fact that they were still technically "fat pant". Well, I was on the dance floor, and I noticed I had to keep hiking them up. It was so annoying that I gave up on the dancing. Later on, I went to the bathroom and discovered I could pull them down without unbuttoning! DH was laughing because I was so bummed I wouldn't be able to wear these pants again. He was like, hey, aren't you supposed to be glad that you're shrinking out of things?! He's right, of course.

Hi Everyone! Pamela - the pictures are great and thanks for sharing! I agree with you that my mind and eyes think I need more food than my new stomach. Kat - your parents are so lucky to have a wonderful daughter like you -- and so are we - thanks for watching over us and giving us our education, and your advice. Jenn - I wish you the best of luck on finding a job that will be satisfying for you. Laura - congrat's -- can't wait to see pictures! Hope the house is getting fixed. Judy - congrat's on the NSV, looking forward to seeing your picture as well -- Fantastic job by DH -- he caught up to you, that is the way it is with men - they can loose so much faster than women. Have a great weekend everyone and BE SAFE! Gina

This morning I had a small NSV! I got out of the shower and used a regular, standard size bath towel to wrap around myself. There was enough cloth to overlap it in the front! Nothing was gaping (if you know what I mean!) LOL! I guess now I will have to use the beach towels I had been using after showering for... oh I don't know, maybe the beach!!! I had another NSV last night. I went to Lane Bryant to look for a couple of tops. Well, I thought I would try an 18/20 to see if I could get into it. Surprise surprise, too big!! Had to get a 14/16! Amazing to me that back in August, before I started my 6 month, med.-supervised diet and before my May banding, I was wearing a 26/28 top at LB. And sometimes it was tight in the hips! In any case, I had a little weepy moment in the dressing room. I can't believe how proud I am of myself, and of all of us! :whoo: Margaret

OMG you guys I got checked out yesterday! I was driving and I noticed a car pulling up to beside me quite a bit. I figured it was some jerk so I ignored it. Then he beeped and I thought maybe he was trying to tell me something was wrong with my car so I looked over. He waved, winked, smiled at me, pointed to me and mouthed "you're hot"! It's been a LOOOOOOONNGG time since that happened. I'm happily married but it's nice to get noticed again. Scary in some ways too, but it definitely made me smile. I was feeling pretty down on the band yesterday because I was stuck all day but after that, I'm feeling pretty band-positive again! :whoo: On a side note, does that actually work on ANY woman? Like I'd be all "Oh, I'm hot? Well pull over and let's have a go!". While he made my day, he's obviously an idiot. LOL Just had to share as it made my day and who else can I tell?

Good morning all you Shrinky Dinks!!! Sounds like everyone is seeing it's a new day... Kat... your party sounds wonderful and don't you just love the compliments. They are the best motivator!! Pam.... glad to see you finally got my message.. lol Remember to follow the bandster rules. I knew it would catch on eventually! My drink is my treat between meals. I put my CL in my 33 oz. DeJa Blue bottle and put it in the freezer just before I fix my meals. Then an hour later it is icy cold and soooooooooo refreshing. I started not drinking with my meals the week before surgery and I found it relatively easy to do. And yes, they always look at you funny at the restaurant when you say.. nothing to drink please, not even water. They come around later and say.. are you SURE you don't want anything. Then I just say.. sorry, I can't drink anything with my meals. It's the rule. I had another NSV today. I was looking for clothes to wear and decided I'd pull out some of my "I'll fit into those someday" clothes stuck back in my closet. Lucky thing I did cause I'm almost past "someday"!!! I got some things out I bought in 2000 when I was in Tulsa at a Direct Sales outlet. They have name brand clothes for #14.99 each. Got some great buys but of course couldn't wear them cause they were too tight when I got them home. Now 2000 was my lowest weight in ages. And the clothes I found and tried on today were on the verge of being too big!!! woooooooo hooooooooooo!!! I also got out two jumpers I adore, but have NEVER been able to wear. I got them at a craft fair and they were labeled a 3X, but of course they were made by teeny tiny people in India where a 3X is an XL here! WELLLLLLL.... today... drum roll............... they FIT!!! I'm wearing one to church tomorrow. They are linen with embroidery on them. I'll get a pic tomorrow. I'm just so darn proud to be able to finally wear them!!! We're having a garage sale mid-July and I'm going to get rid of a LOT of clothes that I never want to see again!! Well, enough of my rambling. Everyone have a great day!!! And REMEMBER... to follow those bandster rules!!!!:cheer2:

It really amazes me the difference that restriction makes on people...I have .9 and I can not even imagine wanting more in there. Then I read that others have 2.5 and up and I am thinking OMG how can they even swallow Water? I guess everyone must be different. It is still my TOM but last month it wasn't this bad....anywhoooo I am going to get ready for the Astros game...we have tickets for tonight and were hoping that Biggio would hit 3,000 while we were there, but, he did it last night instead. Bummer, but we are going to the game anyway. They are always fun. Especially now that my hips aren't crammed into the chair and I can fit comfortably like a "normal person". That is my best NSV!!! I used to be in such pain from those chairs before and now my hips do not even touch the sides :mad: Everyone have a great night!

I guess I should explain why I feel I need this surgery. I was always the smallest child (or close to it) all thru school. I weighed 98 pounds when I was graduated from high school. I was always a 'hungry' child - eating anything and everything I could get my hands on. We were moderately 'poor' so mostly starches, beans, etc. From the birth of my daughter (when I was 20 on), the scales started creeping up. (I thought I was 'fat' at 130 pounds and 5'2" after I delivered!!) After a divorce, raised my daughter on my own. I decided I would not 'do without' if I could help it. Had a successful career as a systems analyst/computer programmer - a sedentary job. Remarried after my daughter left home and married. Retired at age 55 in 2002 (mainly because I couldn't function anymore - no energy, etc). Shortly after retiring, my 'not doing without - food mainly' caught up with me. Found out why I couldn't function any longer. My LAD artery was 90% blocked (had been having symptoms for probably 2 years but stress tests previous had come back normal.) Diagnosed with coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure all approximately same time in 2003. (Already had been on meds for high cholesterol for a few years by that time). I had made several weight loss attempts through the years - WW, Optifast, Fen-Phen, Diet Workshop and more of the same. Tried to buckle down after the stents in LAD and artery to kidney and lose weight. Atkins, South Beach, etc, doctor assisted shakes, etc, etc. Gained another 10-15 pounds. Right knee replacement almost 2 years ago due to previous injuries (falls). My orthopedic surgeon said on my first followup 'You have the smallest bones I have ever seen for such a large person." Boy, what a compliment! My husband laughed his ass off!! However, he is being supportive for this surgery so I am very happy about that! So here I stand - a 5'2" 245ish pound lardass ready to try to turn my health around. I don't feel like I have the extra year to waste to go on an insurance-required diet and am lucky enough to have enough money in my retirement account to be self-pay (and hopefully live long enough to spend the rest of it!!) If I could lose (and keep the weight off) on the diet it would already be a done deal and I wouldn't need the lapband surgery!! I hope to be able to do all these things when I lose some weight: 1) Ride my horse without worrying that I am breaking his back!! 2) Have the energy to clean my house and shovel out all the stuff I gathered thru the years. 3) Stick my arm in that blood pressure thing at Walmart and not have it get stuck there!! And use a normal blood pressure cuff! 4) Walk somewhere without huffing and puffing and stopping to rest 20 times. 5) Get off all these pills I am taking - or at least most of them!! 6) Quit getting my butt stuck in chairs/theatre seats, etc with arms. 7) Have enough energy to play with grandkids, do some gardening, ride my bike. 8) Not be the biggest person in the room. (Already accomplished this when I went to the bariatric clinic-how sad. Finally sat in a chair too big for me!! But I don't consider this a NSV) What a sick mentality I have that I rejoice that someone in the room is bigger than me - this isn't usually the case tho. 9) Do something besides read, crochet and watch soaps on tv all day long because I don't feel like doing much else. 10) I'm sure there are many more but I have gone brain-dead for now. Thanks to all those who support people here on this forum. I read the good, the bad and the ugly here (in probably half the posts) before making my final decision to have the lapband surgery. I am not usually a joiner but more a lurker so probably won't be posting very often. I started out making my journal private because I was writing it mainly for me but decided maybe if it could help even one person make the journey it would be worth it.

I guess I should explain why I feel I need this surgery. I was always the smallest child (or close to it) all thru school. I weighed 98 pounds when I was graduated from high school. I was always a 'hungry' child - eating anything and everything I could get my hands on. We were moderately 'poor' so mostly starches, beans, etc. From the birth of my daughter (when I was 20 on), the scales started creeping up. (I thought I was 'fat' at 130 pounds and 5'2" after I delivered!!) After a divorce, raised my daughter on my own. I decided I would not 'do without' if I could help it. Had a successful career as a systems analyst/computer programmer - a sedentary job. Remarried after my daughter left home and married. Retired at age 55 in 2002 (mainly because I couldn't function anymore - no energy, etc). Shortly after retiring, my 'not doing without - food mainly' caught up with me. Found out why I couldn't function any longer. My LAD artery was 90% blocked (had been having symptoms for probably 2 years but stress tests previous had come back normal.) Diagnosed with coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure all approximately same time in 2003. (Already had been on meds for high cholesterol for a few years by that time). I had made several weight loss attempts through the years - WW, Optifast, Fen-Phen, Diet Workshop and more of the same. Tried to buckle down after the stents in LAD and artery to kidney and lose weight. Atkins, South Beach, etc, doctor assisted shakes, etc, etc. Gained another 10-15 pounds. Right knee replacement almost 2 years ago due to previous injuries (falls). My orthopedic surgeon said on my first followup 'You have the smallest bones I have ever seen for such a large person." Boy, what a compliment! My husband laughed his ass off!! However, he is being supportive for this surgery so I am very happy about that! So here I stand - a 5'2" 245ish pound lardass ready to try to turn my health around. I don't feel like I have the extra year to waste to go on an insurance-required diet and am lucky enough to have enough money in my retirement account to be self-pay (and hopefully live long enough to spend the rest of it!!) If I could lose (and keep the weight off) on the diet it would already be a done deal and I wouldn't need the lapband surgery!! I hope to be able to do all these things when I lose some weight: 1) Ride my horse without worrying that I am breaking his back!! 2) Have the energy to clean my house and shovel out all the stuff I gathered thru the years. 3) Stick my arm in that blood pressure thing at Walmart and not have it get stuck there!! And use a normal blood pressure cuff! 4) Walk somewhere without huffing and puffing and stopping to rest 20 times. 5) Get off all these pills I am taking - or at least most of them!! 6) Quit getting my butt stuck in chairs/theatre seats, etc with arms. 7) Have enough energy to play with grandkids, do some gardening, ride my bike. 8) Not be the biggest person in the room. (Already accomplished this when I went to the bariatric clinic-how sad. Finally sat in a chair too big for me!! But I don't consider this a NSV) What a sick mentality I have that I rejoice that someone in the room is bigger than me - this isn't usually the case tho. 9) Do something besides read, crochet and watch soaps on tv all day long because I don't feel like doing much else. 10) I'm sure there are many more but I have gone brain-dead for now. Thanks to all those who support people here on this forum. I read the good, the bad and the ugly here (in probably half the posts) before making my final decision to have the lapband surgery. I am not usually a joiner but more a lurker so probably won't be posting very often. I started out making my journal private because I was writing it mainly for me but decided maybe if it could help even one person make the journey it would be worth it.

I had just finished my bath and some extensive shaving (drain clogging) activities when my husband arrived home from a month of working in Mexico. Sadly for me, he did not bring home any duty-free scotch, jewellery, or perfume *sob* but he did bring home himself and a great NSV. He said: Omigawd, have you ever lost weight! As for my hairy legs, I figure that they are a family curse which comes from my Scottish side, an environmental adaptation caused by centuries of wearing kilts in a cold climate. Wow! :mad: I wonder just how thick the fur on a Scotsman's sporran is; they don't wear underwear under those skirts, you know. Haha Ooooh,....Green's legs feel, oh, so smooth.....! :faint:

losing, that is so great!!!!! I know about the seat belt thing...that is the worse thing EVER!!! I always take my own car because you never know if someone elses seat belt will fit!! What an NSV for you. Are you doing any therapy work for your self image. I went to a support group last night and the topic was guided imagery...it was interesting. I really do think I am small until I see myself in the mirror or in passing in windows, then the reality hits me that I am huge still and have a LONG way to go. But in my mind and when I can't see myself I feel like a little person...it is kinda weird. THanks for responding and keep up the great work!!! You are an inspiration!!!! As for the brazillian wax...can you say torture....is it really a 6 week before you have to do it again. That IS a long time, but I can't imagine!! Babygrl......how the hell did you get the wax off??? Oh my, I can't even imagine the agony of that situation....Deanna

losingjusme, you really do look fantastic! I agree with you about the NSV, my hubby has a PT Cruiser and the seatbelt in that thing is short, short, short. At my heaviest I barely got it buckled in the driver's seat (the passenger seat is a little longer), I had to exhale and really tug/push to snap it. Now I have enough slack to lean forward and turn to look out all sides of the car!

Deanna, Thanks so much! :eek: i do not see myself as a smaller me on a daily basis. i still think of myself as being 400+ pounds. however, i do have my 'moments of clarity'... i was getting dressed a couple of days ago and just noticed that my (big) belly is no longer gigantic. i can now see my thighs when i sit down. but i see these things and it just tickles me pink... i can now drive my DH's car. last year this time, i couldnt even get behind the wheel and if i did HAVE to, i had to recline the seat and tilt the wheel all the way up. now i can slip in, not adjust the seat and leave the wheel where DH keeps it and i fit fine ... :whoo: its the little NSVs that make this worth it.

Suzzzie: Way to go! What an accomplishment!! Those 28s will feel perfect here in no time. Musicalmomma: Sounds like that's a good predicament to be in...not enough of the smaller sized clothes yet...but treat yourself. You've lost 37 pounds! You deserve a smaller clothes buy...I'm going to try to do something special for myself every 20 pounds and at big milestones (50, 75, 100). And I have a friend who was banded in Feb. and her birthday is a month before mine so we have a deal...in September between our birthdays we're to have a shopping spree...$1 for every pound we've lost and we're going to a local thrift store to get us some new clothes. She's lost 25 so far and I'm at 18.7 faithmd: Don't be discouraged...we all lose in different places. I've seen my loss in my face and unfortunately in my bra size...I'm still wearing same pants (mostly due to swelling/hematoma at port site). lo2us: A great NSV! One I'm looking forward to as well...I'm hoping that's one benefit of the band that I'll see. Way to go!!! My NSV? I started back to work Monday. When a coworker of mine walked in she took one look at me and said "Beckie, you're already losing! You look great!" I actually think she meant it...I don't believe she was just being polite. I've had 5 others stop by to see how I'm doing and all have commented that I look like I've lost already or that I look great.

GOOOOD MORNING VIOLETS! Lunasa: HUGS! and like others have said........ RUN don't walk to your doctor and demand a fill! You have NOT wasted your money, you have not wasted you time! Several of us are on the slow road to slimmer.. I'm right there with you! I too worry that you are on the brink of depression. At times I feel the same.. look at my first face pic.. I was so depressed after facing the scale........... that was is a defeated woman totally wallowing in self hate ......... but then look at my May 11 pic... That is a woman full of hope and a sense of self a woman with the twinkle of sucess in her eyes........ Since that photo I have went up and down 10 lbs and I know that after this weekend I will most likely show up at my docs office weighing the same or more than I did the month prior....... Yesterday I was beating myself up for eating that bagel and eating that icecream.. and then my sister pointed out to me.......... "Tracy are you kidding me???.......... IS THAT ALL YOU ATE???? That is NOTHING!" and I guess she was right.. I was so depressed about eating all that carby crap that I had lost focus of the minimal amount of actual FOOD put into my mouth....... In the mood I was in yesterday eating that stuff would of sent me into a "oh well what the hell" binge prior to the band.. now even with minimal restriction It is no longer physically possible. Yes, I can still eat a plate of food, but not 4... I can not wait til I can only eat 1 cup of food and be full......... that my friend is when we WILL start losing......... I think everyone who posts on our little thread has bits of invaluable advice and wide experiences that benefit us each in different ways. If I could reach accross the pond and give you a big hug and a boot in the butt I would... I would say "Shake it off Sister you are NOT alone!" Know that we are here struggling right along with you. In other news: I did get up and go to the gym this morning but it was only for a mere 30 minutes as DBF had to leave the house early. This my friends is a major NSV, because normally this would of been a WONDERFUL excuse not to go at all! Instead I set the alarm for 4:00 a.m. and was waiting for the club to open at 4:30 a.m. I left by 5:05 a.m. came home and did some laundry and packed my bag for my GIRLS weekend!