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My bmi was 49 when I started looking into being banded. My bmi now is 39 it has droped so much since I've lost weight and so will yours. Your not alone we all pretty much came from the same place that your at and the band has helped us lower our body weight as well as our bmi... not to mention has helped our health/self esteem/confidence and the list goes on wih NSV'S or (Non Scale Victories) Be proud of your self for coming to the point that you have asked for help and want to gain the greatest tool for weight loss ever invented (in my book LOL!!!) and just know that one day you will be telling your self this was the best desicion you could have ever made and say good bye to that high bmi and hello to a new you!!! Good luck!!!

I have been tearing my hair out stalled at 214 lbs. for the past two weeks, but I started trying on clothes last night and I realized that I may need at least some new jeans or capris. I started this journey wearing a size 22, these jeans I bought today are a 16... back atcha scale... This has motivated me to keep eating right and going to the gym and making it happen. Operation Sexy 2012 in Full Effect !!!

hiddnstar a NSV for sure on that HUG!!! LOL

Lost 130 pounds Height- 5'9 Pre op- 305 Right now- 170 Goal- 160 Age- 27 Wearing a size 10 pants and medium shirt Weigh less then my husband Wore high heels all night I can wear sexy lingerie with out feeling like a pooped open biscuit can! O yes all the cute cloths! I can move around so much easier No more pcos so when I'm ready to have a baby I won't worry about not getting pregant! Getting my social life back Feeling pretty again Sex is so much more fun now that I can get in different positions ???? I'm sure there are tons more just can't think of them right now! I'm so glad I did this for myself best thing I have ever done! Feel free to share your wonderful nsvs!!!

I can't wait to find out my nsvs! I find out my surgery date next week, and even though i am nervous I am way more excited!!! I can't wait for all the things people have listed!

So, the Goodwill thrift store is my favorite place to shop now. I wish I had thought to shop there years ago. You can find really good stuff, really cheap. I go every few weeks. I went this morning, because I wanted to find another pair or two of jeans. I need more pants that fit my smaller body!!!! I loaded up with tops to try on and then hunted the racks for jeans. Added a few pairs to try on and even one that is a size way lower than anything I've worn in 20 years. I only liked how two of the pairs fit, but that one pair, was a size 12 (Gloria Vanderbilt). I thought I'd try them just for giggles, but they were pulling up really nicely and then they actually pulled up over my butt and then I just about fell over when they buttoned and felt comfortable!!!!! The other size I got was a size 14 (Cato). The pair I was wearing when I went shopping were size 16 (Ralph Lauren). I am adding the brand names, just to show the way that different companies size things. All three pairs fit very, comfortably. All are sizes that I couldn't wear when I started my pre-op diet in August. I've also recently gotten tops that are in Large not X-Large. More and more people are noticing that I've lost a lot of weight. I am definitely glad I got the band. I am turning 40 this year and by the time the next holiday season (Thanksgiving/Christmas/Hanukah) rolls around, I'm going to be a 40 year old hottie!!!!!

Sometimes the NSVs feel so much better than the numbers on the scale. Great NSV!!!! What a great feeling when you can zip up a smaller size of jeans!!

I've been walking briskly most evenings . . . probably about 2 miles or so each time. Been feeling really good about it but I had my post-op visit with my surgeon today and he's released me for full exercise with no restrictions. I decided to do a longer walk on a local walking trail, did 3 miles. Kept a really good pace (probably between 3-4 mph most of the time) but in a few spots, I actually had enough energy to RUN! Now granted, it was a fairly slow jog and I was only able to do a tenth of a mile at a time or so, but it felt really good and I'm not in complete agony now. Now I just have to figure out how to run without my a$@ and belly jiggling all over the place. Dare I buy spandex?!?

Great NSV! Going down a size always feels good. I'm so happy for you.

Isn't it wonderful to go shopping in your own closet! I loved that! I'm now at the point that I have no more smaller clothes, I have to go buy new ones now. ouch. Congratulations on your NSV'S! PS - I know exactly how you feel when you say "I am already ….um…..more comfortable with my husband". I'm finally to that point too, no more "in the dark" lol.

What a great NSV! Congrats!

What an amazing NSV!!! I'm so excited for you...you are an exceptional role model for all of us bandsters on this site. CONGRATS!!!!!!!!

I had to go to another building for work today. I’ve been to this other office before; the last time was right before surgery. Well, the office chairs that they have there are more narrow than they are at my office, and in the past it’s been an issue. The arms of the chair would dig into my hips, which made sitting very uncomfortable. Well, today I sat in one of those chairs, and there was no digging! I was able to sit very comfortably! Yay!

Good for you. I can't wait to have the same NSV.

Not sure how this journal thing works...but going to see if it helps. I'm in a funk, first step is admiting it right? I admit I've been stressed lately. Immediatly after enduring the Mother in law....who no doubt is the most judgemental condecending woman alive, Karah, my 5 year old develops a cold. Oh great..and I suppouse to take my very first plane trip to San Fransico with hubby within the week. So turns out she has Pneumonia, but seems better so off I go to San Fransico...which was wonderful and one of the most freeing trips I think I have ever been on. Mostly, because I was on my own during the day to travel around a strange city using public transportation all on my very own. I've never done ANYTHING like that before. It was great to see, hey...I am capable. I know that sounds silly. Okay so get home, Karah is still sick, the dog has hurt his tail and had to go to the vet, and then I'm sick. I'm a little angry that all the work I've been doing to loose weight and nothing happens until I get sick. Then a friend points out I gotta look at nsv...so I start trying to find some. Isn't it funny how you can't think of any when you are looking for them? So I'm pldeging to myself...I will start posting my nsv in this journal. And once I'm over this cold, I'll start posting my food journal too.

Just when I didn't think my energy levels could get any lower, today was a true test. I had to stay up all night finishing a paper, and I was going to go to sleep sometime around 11AM. However, my mom and extended family wanted to drag me out shopping. I was in such a foul mood my mom told me to stay home, and I almost did, but then she felt bad and made me go. Needless to say, walking around with no sleep, protein, sugars, carbs in my body made me feel so physically and mentally exhausted I wanted to cry. The mall was crowded and I couldn't stand all the people around. (Normally I'm such a social person and don't mind at all). But today, everything was pushing my buttons. We also went to Costco. MAN, THAT WAS SO DIFFICULT. If any of you know about Costco, Sam's or BJ's, they offer free samples of their food products. Well, almost every isle had something. Cheesecake, crackers, spreads, mozzarella sticks, pizza, cookies, candy. I wanted to scream right in the middle of the store. But I didn't have a single bite of anything and I felt at least a little proud of myself. I think I caught this one guy staring at me as I was eyeballing my grandmother so hard for eating a lovely piece of candy. I felt like he was thinking "Why isn't this fat girl eating all of the samples?" But oh well. LIQUIDS ARE KILLING ME. I picked up some light muscle milk (said not made with milk) and some lactaid milk as well in case I am lactose intolerant. I also have to buy lactaid pills, just in case. However, I hope I can definitely stand milk. I kind of had a NSV today. When I was at the mall I was looking for a holiday outfit. I still bought a dress in a 22, but I probably could've got it in a 20. However, I did try on this lace party dress in a 20, and holy cow, IT FIT! I haven't tried on jeans because they're uncomfortable, but maybe 16 pound weightloss did help me get down to a 20. It's been since high school that I've been in a 20. I've been a 22 for the last 4 years. When I reach a 14, I feel like the world's fashion doors will open to me. Oh, when I came home, I slept for 10 hours o.O Can't say I didn't need it! xx

So...I had three doctor appointments today. A mammogram first, then a visit to the lapband surgeon for a follow up visit, and then the rheumatologist to discuss the knee and hip pain. Great NSVs at the breast imaging center. I fit fine in the narrow seats in the waiting room. Last time, I had to sit on the couch...the chairs were too tight. Then was able to wrap an XL gown around myself with no issues while the last time, I had to put on two 2XL gowns, front to back, back to front, so I could cover up. Then...off to the surgeon. Lost 23 lbs in two months....59 total since pre-surgical diet. Doctor said I am doing exceptionally well especially as I've not had any fills. Now I'm literally floating on air and heading to my next appointment. So, I get to the rheumatologist....and that's when I got a big old dose of reality. He put me on methotrexate and told me to take four pills a week even though based on my weight, I should really be on six pills but he wanted to start me off at a lower dose and go up if needed. That kinda burst my bubble. I knew going into this lapband thing, that I needed to lose at least 100 lbs. but I was feeling so good until he brought me back to Earth with that comment that I should be on more meds based on my size. Not to worry...I'm not letting this get me down, it's just that while we may know in our world, how well we are doing, the rest of the world still sees us as fat. I can't wait to not be fat. I'm not interested in being skinny...I'm just soooo done with being fat.

Getting up after being seated for an extended period of time and walking without pain. I still revel in this. I was so used to being in pain all the time that the lack of it is a marvel and definitely my top NSV.

I have been waiting for the day that I could buy myself a sexy little black dress....well my friends, today was the day!! I don't have any pictures (yet) but it's a cute little black halter dress and I couldn't be happier in it!! I walked out of the dressing room and my 14 year old son said, "whoa!". Yep, SOLD!!

Fantastic week. Long but busy and active. I feel GREAT since my surgery... really. Last night I actually almost ran up my steps. It usually takes me a minute to get up or down the stairs. My knees already don't hurt and that's worth the cost of surgery right there. My numbers: Highest weight- 273 in March 2012 Day of surgery weight 250 Week 1 weigh in: 241.4 Loss: 8.6 lbs I am THRILLED with that number! I will be in the 230's next week! WOOOOT! NSV's: I like the way my doc did my insicions, to where they're not in my bra line at all. Most are at or below my waist, one at my breast bone so I've been wearing my regular Lane Bryant underwire bras. I couldn't hang with the sports bras. The UniBoob just wasn't happening. Anyway, I feel like my band might be a bit loose and the bra is pulled as tightly as possible. It'd be nice to get rid of these G cup mamas. My size 22 jeans need to be retired. Already. I felt like they might actually fall down the other day. My size 20's, which I haven't been able to wear for a while, fit just fine. Not tight, not cutting off circulation, they zip right up. Like I said earlier, steps are no issue right now. I still get a backache from shopping, etc so can't wait until that goes away. Overall I am THRILLED.

Comgrats!! That's so awesome!! I totally understand the nsv goal of no pain while running. I yearn for the same goal . You can do it!!

"erp" hey bud wow - you noticed!!! i thought i could kind of "slide" that in when no one was looking!!! posting picture - big NSV for me!!! (always ran away from camera) not exactly camera hog yet, but don't run away either!! next week i'll try and post my AFTER picture can't do it today - too much excitement at once can't handle it!! Tex i would wait on the veggies for awhile i agree, slowly try and eat something carefully, if you can tell it doesn't go down well, stop !!!! or give a holler, and hopefully someone will answer OP - remember - does someone have that LINK to pamphlet with lots of info re:what to eat, do's and don't??? please post for tex???

Hi Beacheegirl, I dig what you are saying. ITs been all drama and soap opera here. I have been coming to this board for about 3 years now and I personally know Lisa and about another dozen bandsters personally. Had drinks with them, visited them at a Vegas Bash, celebrated NSV's, commisurated with eachother, suffered together etc... You have to understand this kind of bond. Some of the new folks (or quasi new) really need to appreciate the kinship that some of us had that really got this board up and running and spent lots of time helping those who needed help both with tough love and also kindness. Delarla (Lisa) rocks. She is a true friend to me and many others and she has been ousted wrongly. There are some folks here who should get the axe, but they haven't. The post under the guide of being helpful, but their tongues are double edge swords and they continue to fuel fires. If it were me, I would also defend my position. I would never let anyone walk on me or talk poorly of me. If it wasn't for this board, I never would have been as successful as I have been with my band. Babs in TX 334/180 ish -150 ish

Great NSV. I wear 'em, but I secretly believe they're another male devised torture device like bras and high-heeled shoes. LOL

Today is my 3 month surgiversary and with Thanksgiving in two days I thought I'd post all the NSV's I'm thankful for at this point. I lost 30 lbs. last year before deciding to have VSG so I'm actually down a total of 74 pounds since this last Thanksgiving. I have been too embarrassed to post pics but in honor of my surgiversary, I've decided to finally post a "before" pic at my highest weight and also an "in progress" pic of me (10 lbs ago). Sorry, I don't have a more current one. I'm 3 mo. post op and I know I'll be to goal before another 3 mo. has passed I KNOW I'll lose the weight AND keep it off, instead of just hoping I will When I said goodbye to the 200's, 190's, 180's, 170's, and now 160's - I knew I was never going see those numbers again I'm wearing a size 8/10 pants, and medium tops I enjoy clothes shopping again I get to donate all my big clothes that I hid behind I buy things that are form fitting now sleep apnea is much better My knees/ankles/feet don't hurt at night My BP is great I'm not constantly out of breath it's easier to roll over in bed I can cross my legs and keep them crossed easily sex isn't filled with my wondering if he's noticing my fat rolls I no longer am resolved to the idea that I'll live a short life - I can imagine I'll grow old some day When I look in the mirror I no longer hear negative self talk, I like what I see, I feel pretty My fiance is always checking me out I'm not terrified that the holidays are coming and someone will post a pic of me on FB - posting my own pics now all the time when I meet someone I don't wonder if they are thinking about how fat I am I don't hide in my home anymore, I attend social functions or outings and enjoy myself I'm no longer embarrassed all the time, or feel like the fattest person in a room, or worry that I'll run into someone I know Eating is getting easier - haven't thrown up in several weeks (this was an issue the first 10 weeks) food doesn't have the power it used to I'm rarely hungry a restaurant meal can last me two/three days I look forward to getting on the scale I'm no longer invisible, I'm treated differently People are nicer to me I'm sure I could list another dozen if I thought about it some more. This really is a life changing experience. I knew it would be because I've lost all the weight three times before in my life but it's always come back on, plus more. The best NSV is just knowing that this is it. I never have to go through being obese again! Thank you for the wonderful support I have received along the way. This is truly and warm, caring, educational group of people and I'm so thankful for this forum because you've answered questions, lifted me up, and shared unselfishly your own journeys in order to help others.