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My surgery was June 10, 2013 and today I did my first 5K. Finished in just over 42 minutes! I can't run the whole way yet, but I'm not doing too bad!

I thought I would share a few NSV's I've had recently as I find these very motivating. I was banded May 10th but I count since I started the program in February. Since then I've lost 70lbs and continue to lose about 2 lbs a week. Anyway on the NSV's: 1. I was able to buy a new belt today at a normal store, I didn't have to go the Big and Tall store. I wanted to keep the old belt and I had been punching holes in it to keep using it, but I work in a professional office and the shabby look doesn't fly. Anyway I went to the store to actually pick up some socks and figured I'd try on a belt just to see and low and behold it fit!!!! 2. I am a guy and shave every morning for work. Shaving has actually become a lot easier believe it or not. I never expected this change, but I have noticed that my face shaves cleaner and I have a lot less razor bumps now. 3. This one is pretty exciting. I was the biggest person in my office of about 100 people for a long time. There was one other guy who was also large, but about 50lbs lighter than where I started in February. Well since I've lost weight and now I have passed him up he wants to join me in my fitness routine. I am happy to have a workout buddy, and I am really glad that I (the fatest (former) person at work) has inspired one of my coworkers to get into better shape!!! Thanks for all the support fellow bandsters and I look forward to posting more NSV's on here!

What does NSV stand for?

It took me 30 years of fighting obesity, every diet you can imagine, sometimes multiple times, like weight watchers, not that I don't believe some people can do it, but it is a very small percentage, and finally 3 years to really decide I was going to get drastic and do the gastric sleeve. I am terrified of surgery and it was a very big difficult decision. Sometimes I still cannot believe I have actually done it and it is now almost 16 months and 117lbs down. 17 more lbs to reach my goal. Anyway I am now able to postpone my left knee replacement, NSV and I went to Seaworld and the Wild animal Park, San Diego last week and was able to walk around both parks, only sitting occasionally, still have arthritis in knees, but the weight loss has made such a tremendous difference. I walked hills that i would not dare 2 years ago to even attempt, and my husband could not believe it either, another huge NSV. So if you are having any doubts, the doubt should be what took so lo ng, do it, it is amazing, and absolutely life changing for the better. Good luck to all, and go for it.

Absolutely it is a nsv! Good for you.

Congratulations...waiting to read about your milestones, NSV's and all of the great things that come along with your new lifestyle!

Maria, I'm going to say this as gently as possible. Your family doesn't need the junk food any more than you need it. If you think it's necessary to keep junk food in the house, then make it something you don't like. However, they will be healthier, and your kids will learn better eating habits if you keep the junk out of the house. Having it there is too much of a temptation for you and will cause you to have problems making your goal. Saying that you have to have trigger foods in your house because you have them to feed is negative self-talk. I can't keep certain things at home because they WILL cause me to eat junk. Crunchy Cheetos are my nemesis. Do I allow myself to eat them? Yes, on rare occasions, I do. But, I will purchase a small, single serving bag and munch on a few each evening until they are gone. However, my self-discipline related to those cheetos is not good, so I cannot do that on a regular basis. I have committed to avoiding everything except Protein and green veggies for 5 days, then I'll move back to strict sleever rules (64 oz of Water, 70 g of protein, veggies and whole grains after that) for at least the rest of this month. So, no cheetos for me in February! You are doing great on weight loss right now, 33 pounds in 2 months is terrific! But, it will get harder as you move further out from surgery and the habits you create right now will either help you make it to goal or cause you to stumble as you get further post-op. You didn't have surgery to lose half your weight! You want to lose it all so you can be healthier and live longer. The surgeon sleeved your tummy and now it's time to sleeve your head. Who know, maybe by providing a living example of someone who eats right and exercises daily, you will help your kids avoid obesity and you may even encourage hubby to get healthier. THAT would be a couple of terrific NSV's right there! Good luck!!

back to topic guys "what was your final straw" i had so many trips/falls due to my heavy weight - knee replacements femur broke twice, etc i slowly realized that all my excess weight caused these problems falling since i had problems because of my "excess" weight i was always so sad about my weight weight gain, weight loss, weight gain etc, etc realized i had so many health problems i needed help, immediately hello sleeve good by diabetes meds/high blood pressure meds, no more CPAP my big NSV one was having my epilepsy meds dosage cut in half i was taking dosage for someone that weighed 235 lbs now that my weight was going down, down etc - i was taking too taking to many meds/pills so meds were less for a smaller person life is great now that's my story and i'm sticking to it kathy

8 months out and I am down 56 lbs. I have 20 more to go for goal. I bought a swimsuit tonight at academy and it only took me 20 minutes. Big NSV for me. Bottoms are 10 and top is 14. Of. course I have flabby arms and thighs but granddaughter won't care when we are at the pool together. Yea all of us!

I'm only one week out (today) and SHE TOOK ME OFF ALL MY DIABETES MEDS!!! This is the best NSV I have ever had. I can't even tell you how thrilled I am. She's not yet ready to say I don't have diabetes, but she said since I will be losing weight, when I come back for my next recheck in three months, she wouldn't be surprised if we could start saying that I have a history of diabetes, rather than saying I have type II diabetes! I told her, even if I never lost another pound, this surgery was worth it, just for this!

My NSV is in the clothing department. I purchased a pair of size reg./misses jeans YEARS ago (at least 10) and I can fit them now and I just tried on a pair of 16 women's trouser slacks I purchased a couple of weeks ago and they fit great now. Yaay!! How great is that. I started out in a snug 20W. This is awesome.

If some foods are a trigger and/or you overeat them.... BANISH THEM FROM YOUR CUPBOARD! You already know where you crossed the line and good for you for seeking support (the mark of a strong confident women ) so just stick to the plan. Protein, protein, protein first - as long as you stick to that mantra you prob wont be able to fit in a poptart. Congrats on your airplane NSV- thats a huge emotional one for most people. Rock them short-shorts this summer girl!

SaraLaughs Congratulations bud!!!! the health issues/improvements, are why we have the WLS!!!! you will probably have other health benefits too!! after 20 years, i was taken off my insulin/meds, four weeks PO!!! diabetes meds gone - yes this is a great NSV

24 years ago, I had to have my wedding ring cut off. For Christmas this year, I had it put back together so I could wear it again! I have not had it off since then! NSV"s are the best!

Thanks for sharing Cindy!! Great NSV...

Every morning when I leave for work, which is lots earlier than my husband and daughter (long commute!), my daughter hugs me good bye. Yesterday, she wrapped her arms around me for a hug and said, "Gosh, Mom! You are geting skinny! I can wrap my arms all the way around you!" That was the best NSV I have ever had! It felt so good! Just wanted to share this great feeling with you! Cindy

Even at 17 months out I still eat every 2-3 hours because that's when I'm hungry. And I still have a 30-40g / 24-32oz protein/fiber smoothie to get in all my Protein and fluids. (I add insoluble Fiber to keep my BM's regular) For meals/snacks I shoot for protein first, but also try and get veggies, fruit and good carbs in every day. Just concentrate on making good food choices, creating new healthy habits, and stay off the scale for awhile. Enjoy the NSV's

Way to go!:cheer2: I cannot WAIT for that nsv.

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i have a body bugg (for more info on the bugg visit this thread - http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f81/bodybugg-users-report-here-36232/ ) ever since i've had it (since June 07), i've had to wear the L strap. today i switched to the medium one and it fit ... :whoo:

Congratulations on your NSV!

Even though my surgiversary is December 20, I consider today my 1 year mark since it was December 4 that I started my preop diet. Hey, 16 days of liquids and leafy greens and 22 pounds lost deserve to be counted! I really don't know where to begin to describe how wonderful this past year has been, but here are some highlights... My surgical experience at Obesity Control Center in TJ was better than I could have hoped for. It was more of a fun mini-vacation with my sister than anything. Recovery was nearly painless and I have had no reflux, food intolerances or hair loss. My sincere thanks goes out to everyone there who took such good care of me. I discovered what a wonderful, supportive community I live and work in. I was very ashamed and angry about letting myself get so fat. But despite the initial embarrassment, I chose to be honest about my surgery and talk about it openly. Turns out that was great therapy. I am now proud of my decision rather than feel it's something I need to hide. Literally hundreds of people know I had WLS....friends, family, clients, fellow beauty shop patrons.... and no one has made me feel bad about it. Nobody treats me any differently and turns out people like and respect me whether I'm fat or thin. Everyone is just happy for me that I feel better, both physically and mentally. I see from a lot of posts that not everyone has such accepting, non-judgemental people in their lives so I am incredibly grateful that I do. The first first 3-4 months postop were certainly not without struggles.... Feeling bloated and full all the time that first month, Trying to get in all my Protein and Water despite having no appetite, learning how to chew and eat slow, almost 2 months of diarrhea from a C. diff infection from antibiotics for a tooth infection 6 weeks after VSG, being on medications that made me nauseous, getting IV fluids 3 times for dehydration because I couldn't drink enough water with my tiny sleeve, and needing a fecal transplant to finally cure the C. diff. It was at least 4 months before I felt normal, but I never once regretted surgery and would do it all again. Although I wouldn't particularly care to relive the two excruciatingly painful gall bladder attacks I've had....by far the WORST part of this journey. First NSV....my rings fit! (they have since become too big and I've had to resize them down...even my high school ring) I learned from these forums that stalls are normal, so I never worried about them. In fact, I never even bothered to buy a scale. NSV's are much more satisfying and mean more than numbers on a scale. Went from size 22 relaxed/curvy fit jeans to 6 or 7 slims. XXL tops to mediums. Size 44DD to a very saggy 36B (but I still consider this a good thing). I can shop in regular stores and even online because I know the clothes will fit and look good! I can wear tall boots because they fit over my calves. I can swing up into my saddle without having to find a log or rock to climb on. Even had to buy a new saddle to fit my new skinny butt. And I have no doubt that my horse is at least as thrilled with my weight loss as I am. I am saving hundreds of dollars every month on groceries....good thing since I've had to buy a whole new wardrobe. I can easily cross my legs, kneel, squat and sit "Indian style". I can bound (yes, bound!) up several flights of steps without even breathing hard. My blood pressure is normal and my PCP is thrilled with my bloodwork. I had my first normal PAP and negative HPV test in 7 years....eating healthy has allowed my immune system to finally clear the virus and abnormal cells from my system. My feet and ankles and knees haven't hurt in at least 10 months. I'm on my feet all day and went from daily NSAIDS and occasional tramadol to zero of both. Blew past my surgeon's goal weight at 6 months, passed my personal goal around 7 months and have settled in the middle of a normal BMI range....100 pounds lost forever! More than I ever dreamed possible. I have maintained within a 5 pound bounce range over the last 3 months with very little effort. Getting enough protein and water, taking my Vitamins, eating a well balanced diet of protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains and limiting white carbs seems to work for me. No counting calories, tracking or measuring. The sleeve does its job of portion control and I do my job of making good choices. I live and eat like a normal person and enjoy everything in moderation. And somewhere along the way I've learned how to deal with life's stresses without turning to food and alcohol. I never thought I could feel this good about myself. I am truly blessed and I sincerely wish everyone as much success, confidence and happiness as I have found. (Sorry this was so long, but I just have so much to be grateful for) Before/after pictures taken Dec 4, 2013 and 2014. Competitive Trail Ride Event pictures taken September 2013 and 2014.

Christmas of 2010 - I was at my future in laws meeting the family for the first time. I had lost about 75 lbs at this point (was banded before my sleeve revision). I had on my fav wool skirt, folded over cuz it was a 14 and I refused to acknowledge that I was smaller than a 14. While standing in the middle of the living room, amongst about 10 of my future in laws talking among themselves. BF (at the time, he's now my husband) commented to me that I needed to pull up my skirt. It was on the floor. I was aghast. Not 1 person noticed, they were all still deeply in conversation. I retired that skirt and found 1 exactly the same except in a 10. Now thats also gone by the wayside. Luv it when I pick out jeans and I KNOW they're way to small to ever fit me. But they do. It's amazing. Welcome to the land of NSV's. Hope u enjoy the ride...congrats!

Knowing me I'd still try it and then be upset with myself for doing it. Some people are the type you tell "hey you're going to burn your hand" and they won't touch the fire. I'm the type that says "who me?" and tries it anyway. Yup, I was that kid and now I'm that adult. My Sleeve has taught me to try not and push boundaries too much. That's I guess another NSV for me.

This morning, I'm going through security at the airport and the TSA agent looks at my license and looks at me, does a double take and says to me, "you lost some weight since this picture was taken, actually, a lot of weight" I was floored! I think that was the highest of the highs I have had since surgery! On top of that, yesterday I purged my closet yet one more time and I now own exactly 3 pairs of pants. 2 recently purchased size 10 jeans and a pair of yoga pants that are big but still stay up! Is life great or what?????