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Newat52, your reply really resonated with me yesterday and I put all of my energy into resetting my mindset (and doing my hair/makep/etc. - tried to look and feel my best when I walked through the door). I had a smile on my face and I kept my son by my side the entire time (he's 18 and very funny, I asked him to not leave me alone with her so she couldn't slide in any comments that others can't hear like she typically does). Anyway, she seemed pretty confused about half an hour in. We were there for two hours, and she said, wow, you seem so more confident and relaxed in your own skin! I haven't seen you look this good in years! Every time she said something nice I went out of my way to respond warmly and genuinely. I never once gave her an inch to say or do anything "off" and I actually realized I was enjoying myself! GASP!!! I was laughing and joking and when we got home, my husband to,d me that was one of the best visits we've had in years!!!! And his mom pulled him aside and told him that this surgery was the best decision I/we've made and she's so happy to see the old me shinig through... So I must say your advice was EXACTLY what I needed to hear to get me to focus on the positive and not the negative. And I also realized that maybe I have been overly sensitive and prickly, always waiting for the "attack" and being on defense mode instead of relaxing and trying to just be myself. So while we may not have the best of relationships, at least I know we can spend time together without conflict if I just get my head right and not give her an opportunity or reason to criticize me or our relationship. I think this was my first NSV! Thanks again for the great advice and I hope you have a terrific day! All my best, Blue

Great NSV's for both of you!

Those NSVs will keep you going when nothing else can! Congrats!!

Hello! I'm 2 months 3 weeks out and this week I started to have some pain in my left side. I started to wear work pants yesterday (yes! a NSV for me ) but I feel that my left side is kinda tight and it hurts like a cramp. It's not super painful, but I notice I slow down when I'm walking and it's mostly disconfort. It doesn't hurt at all if I'm sitting or laying down, is only when I'm walking. I wonder if my port is "moving" or something. I want to know if this is kind of normal. I have a fill next week and I'll mention this to the doctor.

I was a size 22 the day of my surgery 11/01/12. Last night my very petite 11yrs old daughter ran up to me and gave me a hug. She realized her arms could wrap around me. I'm now between a size 16 and 14. It was a very endearing moment and a very pleasurable NSV. I love my LapBand and everyday there is a new reward.

I so enjoy reading everyone's list of NSVs, but it has taken a little while to compile my own. I have learned SO MUCH from the wonderful people on this board, and not just about my band! I don't know what I would do without you guys-my surgeons haven't given me nearly as much information and assistance as all of you have. So here goes: 1. Last night I went on a fabulous FREE shopping spree- in my own closet. I didn't realize how many clothes were hanging in there that had not fit me in a year or two. 2. Last night I also cleared my closet of a garbage bag full of 16s-they don't fit me anymore. They are going to the local women's shelter. 3. I have a new reason for not undressing in front of my husband. The old reason was that I hated my body. The new reason is that every time I start to undress in front of him, he tries to jump my bones. I have a full-time job and a toddler, so sometimes it's just not appropriate:devious (for the record, my husband has never complained about my body- it was my perception of it) 4. My family has been telling me I look younger now that I have lost some weight. Yesterday, I got CARDED at Safeway while trying to buy a bottle of liquor. I will be 40 in April. 5. I can pick up my 26 pound toddler and waltz with him for as long as he wants without my knees hurting or getting winded. And that kid could dance forever with his Mommy. 6. I can zip my leather knee high boots all the way up, and my shoe size has gone down from 8.5W to a regular 7.5 or 8. 7. When I was showering yesterday and grooming my "you know where" with my razor, I could actually see what I was doing! 8. I took my family to Disneyland for three days and had only mild discomfort in my feet at the end of the THIRD DAY. And NO KNEE PAIN. 9. I can officially wear Juicy Couture (their XL is the equivalent of about a size 12, but their sweats stretch a little) 10. Our weekly grocery bill has gone down about 30%. 11. I had our monthly employee meeting (I manage a bunch of salespeople who do not work in the office, so we don't see each other all the time) on Tuesday, and one of my guys told me he didn't recognize me when I had my back to him. I will take that as "my butt is smaller" :nervous 12. I had a doctors appt this afternoon, and I weighed the same on her scale with my clothes on as I did on my scale yesterday-NAKED!! That's all for now, but I will edit whenever I can think of something!! Have a wonderful 2006, everyone!

Congrats on all those wonderful NSVs!!

OMG!!! I got one of those anti-NSVs, so dont feel totally alone: A coworker tells me "Wow, you look like you have lost more than that, you were getting pretty big" Ummm,,,thank you, I think:confused:

Congrats lisah25. My first NSV came yesterday when my boss came over to my desk, asked how much weight I lost. When I told her 9 lbs, she called me a funny name (lovingly) and says she can really tell! Whoo Hoo.

Great story, Reverie!!!!! And even greater NSV's! You deserve it.

wow!!! i cant wait to have a NSV!!

So excited today is my daughters first birthday! We got her little 'ducky' party all ready!!!

Your not in your early 20's? You look so young in your pics!!! LOL. Glad you had such a nice NSV and got some quality time with your family. Best wishes, Teresa

Today I am 5w 1d post-op. I'm feeling great and am back to full activity. There are no more aches and pains and I've finally managed to regularly get in over 90g of protein without reliance on protein shakes. At three weeks, I hit the dreaded stall but continued to lose inches. It was a little disconcerting for me to be in that position. Of course, inches are great but when I go to the doctor, they don't measure my waist, they weigh me to see if I'm on track. Nonetheless, I was prepared for it and had already made up my mind what I would do when it came. The stall broke today so for 15 days, I was at the same weight. In those 15 days: I increased my protein to between 90-115g per day. I increased my water to at least 84oz. per day. I increased the length and intensity of my workouts. My total calories increased to around 850. I increased my intake of carbohydrates. As I said, I'm doing a good job of weaning myself off of protein shakes. Some would say that it's too soon but I'd rather get my protein through food than a shake. I've found myself in a predicament where I have to eat something every three hours anyway so I just get the protein in at each small meal (about 5 per day). My go-to sources are chicken, fish, shrimp, very lean ground beef, ground turkey, and low-fat cheeses. Increasing my water was the hardest part because water temporarily fills me up so it takes longer than I'd like to get all my water in (and I'm past the sipping stage). However, if we jump into the Way Back Machine and go back to high school physiology class, we remember that we need water to metabolize stored fat. On top of my workouts, dehydration wasn't going to do anything for weight loss so I had to get in more. Some surgeons tell their patients that protein shakes count towards their water totals and since water is in the shake, it makes sense but I believe (and have always believed) that regular water is the best to meet water needs. My workouts started off slow because my surgeon has a sort of vesting schedule for workouts. At two weeks, she only allows walking. At three, speed walking, and it progresses from there. At three weeks, I felt fine. I had no more aches and pains so I went ahead full speed. Pre-op, I was a runner and frequently used HIIT training. I transitioned back into those forms of exercise. I gave myself about 4 days to adapt and then increased the running by about 15-20 extra minutes (about another 1.5 miles). I also reintegrated strength training. The increase in my workouts warranted the increase in my total calories. I was never given a calorie level to maintain by the NUT. In fact, she said not to count calories but to just eat according to the sleeve. The 450-500 calories I had been getting just is not conducive to long-term functionality and it was causing me to retain water. Over the course of a week or so, I increased my calories in a number of ways. For example, for breakfast, I would have a serving of turkey sausage crumbles. I started to add one serving of shredded mozzarella to it for an additional 80 calories and 6g of protein. Lastly, I increased carbs. On my plan, I cannot have raw fruit or vegetables until 6 weeks out. I can, have canned veggies and fruit though. I found some "No Sugar Added" canned fruit that has 30 calories and 6 grams of carbs per serving (1/2 can). I started eating a few slices of the fruit (because I can't manage a 1/2 can) with my protein at lunch. I'm not 100% certain about the science behind this but since our bodies need glycogen and the need to glycogen is one reason that stalls happen, I figured introducing some carbohydrates through food would help my body get what it needs without prolonging the stall. I just started doing this over the last week and apparently it worked because I lost 1.2 pounds between yesterday morning and this morning. As a final note, my surgeon's nurse practitioner explained that with the sleeve, they usually see stair step weight loss. She noted that most people will lose a large amount of weight and then level off for a week or two and then lose another lump of weight throughout the process. Although I'd like to see a weekly decrease in weight consistently, I'll take the alternative as long as my total body composition is changing. My NSV (inspite of the stall), is that I'm back at The GAP! Here's to a fashionable fall.

In May 2011, I was wearing a size 22-24 business jackets and non-stretchy pants. As of today, August 2011, I am a comfortable size 18. My size 20 blazers are way too big for me and make me look frumpy. Woo-hoo! I haven't been relying on the scale much because it has come to a stop for now, but I notice my weight loss in how my clothes fit me.

Just moved from Obese Class II to Obese Class I !!!!! Yay!!!

That's a wonderful NSV!! Lucky man

My nsv happened 2 days ago when I could fit a shirt I had bought my daughter from Chico's last Christmas. That was exciting for me.

Well, your first nsv is that you got the band! My stomach was swollen for a few weeks. I measured the other day and found I had lost 3 inches off my waist. Same thing will probably happen to you. Be patient. You are still healing. I have lost 11 lbs since surgery I a think I am doing great

Thats a BIG NSV in my book!

Congrats!! The best thing to see is a nsv!! Keep up the good work.

Yeah , tmf! That is a terrific NSV! You go Guy! Karen

Hey all, I used to be fairly active on here but life has kept me busy! I'm not at goal yet (I'm still about 30 pounds away) but I just wanted to give an update plus some pics! Some NSVs: Can shave without it being a contortionist act. Those annoyingly tight squeezes in between two not completely pushed in chairs? Don't really bother me! I now look at a pair of pants or a shirt and think, "Oh geez, that's definitely not going to fit," and it does! I don't feel as subconscious at work, as if people are looking down on me because of my weight. Lost a whole shoe size and can now wear even more cute shoes! Having a size 10 shoe wasn't very fun. Can shop in the "normal" section in clothing stores! No more x's in my labels! Basically can't wear anything from Lane Bryant. Got the confidence to join a dating site (I'm not really a bar scene kind of gal) and have been dating the most amazing man for 6 months now. Went from a ring size of 8-9, and am now a 5 1/2-6! Sometimes my work involves going up and down stairs a lot while being quick about it. I don't get out of breath doing it! Not as much knee or hip pain (hurt my knee when I was younger, and the added weight made it worse). Started out in the morbidly obese BMI range, and am now safely in the overweight range. Never had much trouble in booths, it was movie theater seats that gave me problems. I wasn't very comfortable if I was seeing a movie with someone else, and with being so pear shaped, the arm rests dug into my legs and hips. Not anymore! I started out at 289 pounds. I remember being so depressed that I knew I couldn't let myself get to 300, by any means necessary. I was a size 24-26 pant and size 2x shirt. I am now between 179-181, so a 110 pound total loss so far. I'm in a 12-14 pant, and M-L shirt (both depend greatly on cut and brand). My goal is to be 150, a single digit number pant (would love size 6, but will take 8 since I think my thighs and hips have a mind of their own!), and S-M shirt size. I also just want to be in the normal BMI range (even if it's at the top) and healthy. Here are some pic updates. I think I look pretty good for still being considered overweight.

Great NSV!

I went clothes shopping yesterday for the first time in about 10 years. It was exhausting! I tried on so many pants. I don’t know what fits anymore. I've been wearing size 40 stretch waist band for the last 6+ years. So I started at size 36, then 34, then 32(tooooo tight). So I tried on 33 and some fit me. But for the first time in about 12 years I actually bought pants that did not have an elastic band in the waist. Woo Hoo! For the first time in many years my pants aren't baggy in the butt or hips. Thank you to my little lapband friend. tmf