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Congrats on your NSV's! I'm so glad that your doing so well!!

I saw a friend a few days ago whom I hadn't seen in a couple of months. She was going on about how much weight I've lost. When we were leaving, she said, "You need new pants, yours look loose." I was laughing, because all of my slacks had been falling off so I had just gone and bought 2 pairs of new ones the day before and I was wearing one of them. I guess I should have gone down another size? LOL. I'm going to exchange the second pair for the next size down instead of wearing them. Actually I don't think they would fit quite yet, but hopefully soon!! I'm down 4 pants sizes since surgery in Feb! Down in tops and undergarments also.

NSV's do mean so much more because they're usually when your head suddenly catches up. I mean I could weigh 30kg and still think I was fat. The number doesnt computer. Its when you catch a sight of yourself from behind in a dressing room mirror and realise you're not 2 metres wide but actually have a nice shape, or see the odd photo of yourself that surprises you etc, THAT's when you truly see how far you've come. Those are awesome moments.

That is wonderful!!! Collarbones are exciting...last night I was lying in bed and realized that my ribs stuck up higher than my tummy. WOOO HOOOO!!!! Of course, that's only when I'm lying down...but it's a vast improvement! Best of luck and continue to enjoy those NSVs. Rain

I went to Orlando this week on a business trip and while I was on my trip I hit my 3 month surgiversary. I actually lost 1 lb. this week, which is awesome, considering I was eating out every meal (but on the other hand, I was doing a lot of walking around in the evenings, which I think helped offset the extra calories). I was really, really happy to be walking around with other people who are not obese and able to keep up with them pretty well -- something I could never do pre-surgery! As of today I am 188.8 lbs. I had set an ambitious Easter goal to be at 180 by Easter and I am sure I won't make it ... I am thinking I will be lucky to be below 185 by that date. But heck, that is still great! DH just went out for breakfast ... he is going to our local, amazing donut shop called Legendary Donuts (and they are incredibly great donuts). I passed on the trip (yay for me, little NSV right there!) -- I am having crackers with sunflower seed butter instead (not exactly the best breakfast, but way way better than a donut!). Fortunately, the idea of a donut is not nearly as tempting to me now as it used to be. My appetite for sweets still is nowhere near what it used to be prior to surgery. I do enjoy a bite or two of dessert on a periodic basis, but usually 2 bites is totally fine and I don't want or need any more. I saw a friend yesterday whom I hadn't seen since before surgery. The first thing she said to me was, "You've lost weight, haven't you? I can really notice! You look great!" That made me feel really great. I told her I had been sleeved and she surprised me and said her mom had the same procedure, and she was very supportive. I have been very open about telling people about getting sleeved and so far I have not had one negative comment. I know my friends and family were truly concerned about my weight before surgery, and they are really happy that I am losing weight. I figured if I ever get a snide comment about having surgery, I'll know that person really doesn't have my best interests at heart and I should be wary of them going forward. Other than that, there's not much to tell this week. Oh, one last thing ... I did splurge and spend $60 at Sephora yesterday and bought replacement Bare Escentuals makeup kit (the last time I bought some was at least 2 years ago and I was thinking it needed to be replaced). I do wear makeup now most days, and I have to admit it does make me feel like I look better. I don't mess with eye shadow but do use foundation, blush, and lipstick, and if I'm feeling very into it I'll put on eyeliner and a little mascara. I've been shopping a few times and am already coveting some of the really pretty spring dresses that are for sale. I think I may end up being a real girly-girl once I get into regular sizes again!

I am giggling about this post, because collarbones are the most exciting thing to me too!!! I have a new habit of sitting and rubbing them as a comfort. I love feeling that hard bump of bone that has been hidden under its protective fat layer for as long as I can remember. I totally relate to the shoulders too. I have lost my roundedness and now actually have some shape to my shoulders. Very exciting. I can also suck my stomach in enough to see ribs. They are certainly not visible on their own though. My next goal is to see a hip bone! haha. I imagine that sounds weird to many, but after years of being a human cushion, it is exciting to have some sharp edges again! Way to go on your NSV!!!

First my NSV. After 20 years I can finally wear my "official" wedding ring. I was so excited I almost cried. I had to take a picture an text it to my husband. Yay! Also the same day my daughter decided to show me how far I have come. I haven't list any weight in 2 months (ever since the doctor started messing with my synthroid) and I was saying that I don't feel like I look that different. She had to prove me wrong and made a side by side photo. I have never been so excited to be proven wrong. In the first I was at my highest weight of 248 and the second is at my current weight of 177.

Yay you!!! That’s one of the NSV’s im looking forward to!

I Love stories like these!! The NSV I am soooo looking forward to is being able to go into Victorias Secret and get myself a super hot bra!! I have a while, but I'll be sure to post as soon as it happens! Buh BYE Lane Bryant!! ForEver.

You know, I hadn't realized the part about skinny people being more supportive than not, but that explains why I have received so much support - everyone around me (even at work) is pretty thin / healthy. I have been so blessed to have incredible support from my friends and coworkers. (There is one friend that isn't but I knew she wouldn't be. She's just like that about everything medical.) Interesting observation... I tell EVERYONE (and I mean everyone - perfect strangers - about my surgery). I guess I figure if I don't act embarrassed of it and get it out there before someone says something, then I have the upper hand? I don't know. Like you, I don't quite grasp that I have lost over 100 pounds; however, mine is because I never really understood how heavy I was. (Crazy, I know.) So just probably the last 10 pounds or so have I realized that not only do I look different but I am actually starting to look - gasp - THIN! Concentrate on those NSV's. That is why we all did this - off the meds, better dr visits, fit in the plane seat, smaller clothes, etc. Those are the things that will help you realize the weight that is gone (said I after going to a movie today and realizing how nice it was to fit in that seat!) I too do not like the excess skin but constantly find myself staring in the mirror trying to decide just how bad it is. Most of it is covered up - except for the turkey neck and that BOTHERS me to no end. I will have my arms done if nothing else because I have always wanted to wear sleeveless (without the requisite cami over it). I can completely understand being anxious about your wedding dress, but girl, you are getting married and from the sounds of it to a wonderful person, so I agree with @@Valentina, spread your wings and fly! Congrats or your progress!

It's sort of a "Petite" NSV?

Thats an awesome list of NSVs. Keep up the good work!!

Okay, as part of the "Slow Loser's Club" we have been ordered to each have an NSV list (ordered in a good way of course). Here goes (in no particular order): My class ring fits. I quit wearing it when it started eating my finger and was more comfy on my ring finger. That was some 4 or 5 years ago. I found it a couple of months ago and it's been on ever since (because it fits, not because it's stuck, LOL). I am in a size 16/18. I graduated in a pretty solid 18. I can't find my darn Prom dress and I'm pretty confident it would be too big. I gotta search some more for that! I am LESS than what it says on my drivers license, and I KNOW I was lying, because you can tell by the picture and what I look like now. This pretty new: my engagement ring is only 3/4 of a size larger than my sister's class ring. It's 7 and 3/4 and I was sure it would be an 8. 1/4 of a size isn't much, but it means something to me. My mom is telling people I'm looking good, and it's getting back to me. This is an NSV because she would NOT tell other people that if it weren't true. Even if she told it to me to my face (which I'm pretty sure she wouldn't, she's 'brutally honest') she wouldn't tell other people if she didn't believe it. I can SEE the change in the mirror. It took MONTHS for this to happen, but I'm finally seeing it. Albeit part of the change is that my panni and boobs are hanging lower, but I know that's because there is less fat in them, LOL. I HAVE A NECK!! I noticed this when I posted my before and after pictures on that thread. I can still make a double chin, but it's not ALWAYS there, I know you guys know what I mean. I took a link out of my medic alert bracelet the other day. I'd taken it out before but had to put it back because it just wasn't comfortable... fit, but wasn't comfy enough for something that is always on. I'm keeping my toenails painted; this goes along with my "Woo! I'm sexy!" thread and picking something about my that I like (to start with). I also wore make up today and have been wearing mascara occasionally just because I feel like it. I'm wearing it often enough that I actually bought eye makeup remover the other day. My fiancee told me that he noticed a difference. This was a while back, but he says it's hard for him to see because he sees me every day all the time (he doesn't notice things like going from red to burgundy hair either, so this was kind of big for me). I'm smaller than when I met my fiancee. I met him on the internet and found the pictures I'd scanned and sent him before we first met in person. There is a pretty decent difference there. I needed less than 20 lbs of weight when I went scuba diving this summer. Last time I think I needed 25 lbs. It's horrible to lug around that weight on the surface, but you need it to sink under Water, so the bigger you are, the more weight you need (how sick is that, huh?). That's it for now. 10/04/05 - Today I joined a gym (an NSV on it's own) and the guy signing us up asked when the last time was that I felt "great". I said I'd always been a bit overweight and he interrupted me and said "You aren't overweight." I laughed and he said "Really, you have a little toning to do, but you really aren't overweight to me." I thanked him for the compliment but of course was thinking in my head "yeah, 80 lbs of toning up, lol". Update for 11/1/05. I compiled this list for the Slow Loser's NSV Challenge and thought I'd update it here. I had a session with a personal trainer at the gym I joined, and when he asked what I'd been doing and I told him 35 minutes on the Elliptical, he told me I was ahead of the game because alot of folks go in there and can't do 10 minutes of cardio. There was a time when I was one of those people, so I think that's an NSV. I bought a shirt at Hot Topic the other day. Granted it's a 2X in girls which is kind of funny, because I have Large shirts that are bigger, but hey. It's a "girl's" shirt, so it's more form fitting and look pretty good. Oh! I went to Lane Bryant to get a shirt, and the smallest shirt size they had was too big. I could still buy pants there, but not shirts! I've been moving back toward my funkiness from my fun days. I used to dress exactly how I wanted at it was "me". Then I entered the corporate world and gave it all up, so now I'm getting it back! This goes along with caring what I look like when I go out. First I just wanted to look 'nice' or 'decent' and now I want to look like "me". If that makes any sense.

Welcome Buckeye, I'm from Ohio, too. Don't let us scare you off too much. That's what forums are all about. People post their questions and problems, others answer. Those people who don't have problems don't often post and say "Hey, I'm doin' great". Sometimes you'll see something called a NSV (non-scale victory) which is a little celebration of something good that happened not directly related to the scales going down. Keep reading, you'll see that we're a great community and resource for information.

Congrats on both NSV's! excellent feeling, isn't it?

You go girl!!! I would call that a confident NSV!!

I guess it's just another NSV to celebrate! ( I guess you'll have to look back to your teen years to figure out what to do in that work situation)

I just wish I was losing in my stomach instead of my butt. Guess I should stop feeling so frustrated about the scale because I am obviously getting smaller. I had to share with you guys because very few people in my life know about the surgery and my hubby said he wanted a picture to validate my claim.

Fabulous....loving the progress. When the scale fails to move, those NSV always help us maintain that focus!! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

I about messed my britches a little while ago when I fit in my Mom's size 12 pants! I was able to snap and zip!!!! OMG, I am the happiest thing on this earth right now. I told my mom the other night that I wanted to be in a 12 by this time and low and behold what happened??? My Mom said "Angie you look smaller than me lets try on these pants." I tried them on and they fit. I jumped like tigger all throughout the house I was sooo happy!!!!! This lapband has done wonders for my spirit and my happiness. I was so unhappy and so unhealthy the way that I was. Life is looking up girls!! WOOT! Angie

YAY you!!! Those are awesome NSV's!!! Love that you were gettin' your groove on to a little MJ!!

These are the fun NSVs! One day at about 6 months post op I noticed I was sitting on the bed with my legs crossed Indian style! I hadn't done that since the birth of my youngest son! He is 34 years old! Last week I had another one! Both hubby and I are morbidly obese. Now I am normal, he is still morbidly obese at 285lbs and 5'10". I used to be heavier than him at 310, same height. Anyway we went out to dinner with my son and granddaughter. They are both normal size. We got a booth, I slid in and told hubby to sit next to me. Normally we sir across from one another. I am so small that he fit in with me and we still had a lot of room! We used to have one kid next to each of us! He was in awe when he saw how much room between me and him and me and the table. He looked at me and said you are so tiny I can hardly believe it! I just looked at him and grinned like a Cheshire Cat. He got the good boy award for the day, making me feel so good!

Just got my flu shot, so I'm ready for Fall! :confused: Last night I had a few moments of thought about my journery. I'm in my "small" range. I'm within 10-15 pounds of my lowest weights as an adult. I wondered briefly if this could be it for me. I mean, I look pretty great! I've gotten into almost every "skinny" piece of clothing I have. What can I really expect? And then I started looking at some pictures. My SIL was finally able to send me pics from my 5K. As I was looking at them, I realized that if I can do THAT...I can do MORE! It might take 3 years, but who cares? I'm loving my life right now and I'm going at a pace that I can continue for as long as I need. Sometimes, I guess I just need to remind myself. :thumbup: Speaking of my 5K pictures, I have attached a few. As I mentioned before, my SIL was absolutely awesome! I'm truly not sure I could have done it without her. Today I'm committing to running 2 miles at lunch and Jazzercising for an hour tonight. Fun NSV: I was able to wear a dress today that I have had for YEARS, but it hasn't fit. It looks really nice and I've gotten several compliments!! Have a wonderful day!!

Welcome to the forum, it is a great way to learn and get support even for the NSV's God Bless Lassie

It finally happened to me. I'm down 35 pounds since surgery (jan 22). Today I tried on 2 pairs of my old jeans (size 14) and they fit. Woohoo. Seriously love the feeling of not being afraid to get dressed and see myself in the mirror. And not only that it gives me such motivation to continue this journey and get to my goal of 150. I have 47.5 and half pounds to go and I know I can do it!