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Wow! You sound just like me! In fact, I was so worried that I called the nutritionist and made an appointment to make sure I was doing everything right. Your body is going to freak out after surgery and think it needs to retain everything. Eventually it will let go. I know it's easy to say not to weigh yourself, but don't weigh yourself. Put the scale in your car. Give it to a friend. Better yet, smash it with a hammer. LOL! Our surgeons focus on the weight and the BMI but those are NOT the only measurements of health. They're just the best ones they can use. We have so much more at our disposal! For example, how do your clothes feel? Are they looser? Can you cross your legs yet? Do you not gasp for breath when you climb up the stairs? These are what we call "NSVs" - non-scale victories. Have a friend or family member measure you - your thigh circumference, your arms, your waist, your neck, etc. Then in a week measure again. GUARANTEED you'll see those go down. When you work out your body builds muscle which uses the fat for energy. Muscle weighs more than fat. So, you may be losing 5 pounds of fat but gaining 6 pounds of muscle. That's ok as long as the fat is going away. If you don't believe that, ask your butcher to give you 2 cuts of beef that look the same (same size) - one with a lot of fat, one without. Hold one in each hand. Guaranteed the cut of beef with less fat is heavier than the one with more fat. Like Proudgrammy said, everyone is different. Keep in mind on this forum that people are not always honest (insert shocked face here). My starting weight, for example, is the weight I started out at when I started this journey with my lap band 5 years ago. So my weight lost isn't what I've lost since surgery. Although I input the information correctly on the system, that's not the way it's showing on my profile. I've hit plateaus - I'm in one right now. But, I'm keeping up with what I need to do. Eating right, exercising, etc. I feel fantastic. Am I still overweight? Sure. But I feel incredible. I'll never be 300 pounds again. Heck, I'll never be 265 pounds again. Will I stay at 258? Maybe - although I doubt it. I'm happy with what I've done. Don't know if my surgeon will be but whatever. I know that I'm more than a number on a scale. Hang in there. You're doing great. Throw that rotten scale away.

I’m down 75#. Biggest NSV is that packing for a trip is so much easier. My jeans take up a fraction of the space! For someone who packs carry-on only, this is a HUGE (or maybe small) deal. :). I was even able to pack tennis shoes to work out - I’d never have had room for that before!! Now I just have to resist the urge to fill my bag.

@ Jenn1214 congrats on the NSV!!! @ roeroe I absolutely agree plus size clothing is expensive ( I can't afford to remain fat.....lol). I often think about when my size actually does change (its taking forever to go down even one size) how I am going to afford to buy new cloths, as I am currently in a financial bind. I think they charge us so much because of the extra material?!?!?!?

You go girl! I forgot about that - robes not closing. At the hospital, I could wrap that presurgical gown around me three-four times, that never happens! They had to go get me a smaller one, lol. I am so looking forward to ditching the ugly brown (men's) xxxl robe i used to use & replacing it with my favorite black silk ones. Oh, i can't wait! Its been so long! I have my old Kimonos etc boxed away. I am so lookimg forward to having a stone massage & dropping my robe & walking to the table with confidence. Its been soooo long since I had a professional massage. ahhhh. Thanks for sharing your NSV & reminding me of those memories.

So I have lost 91 pounds since I started this journey many months ago. I was wearing at my largest size 5x tops at times, mostly 4x. All of my 3x top and pants are starting to get too big and people keep telling me I need to buy new clothes. I just hate to spend any money. I ordered some stuff, cause I still won't shop in stores, online from the clothing place I would buy all my plus size clothes from and everything I bought I picked as 2x figuring even if I didn't fit into it I could save it. Everything I bought fit me!!!! 2 of the tops and 1 of the pants were a bit too snug but they were on me.....I'll probably hold off wearing those for a bit but everything else, 2 other tops and 4 pair of pants all fit comfortably, I was pleasantly surprised.

OMG!! I can't wait for that!!!!! That's an awsome nsv!!

That is amazing!!!!! I have had 3 c-sections and I know just what you mean about the overhang. GREAT NSV!!!!!!!!

Super NSV!!

I go back to work tomorrow after 2 weeks off. I had my post-op today. I'm down 18 lbs from the day of surgery. I'm feeling great and getting my 60+ g of protein in and tons of water. I do 2oz of soft foods every 2 hours. Today my BP was 114/70 and I haven't been on BP meds since 2 days before surgery. I sort of feel like that's a huge NSV already!

I've met nearly all my NSVs so I'll not bother to post them. I just wanted to comment here that whatever you are looking forward to, know that you can have it all. I've been lucky enough that it's happened to me so I know that it can happen to you all as well. Good luck!

There you are! We have missed you and needed your big boot a few times, too. Glad you are recovering. I thought of you when my sister had her hysterectomy Dec 1st. Remember fibroid tumor girl? No longer, and she's feeling better already. She's lost almost 20 pounds since her surgery. Her feet no longer swell (not sure exactly why they did) so she's not retaining Water like she used to. I hope you are enjoying good health as time passes. Okay, there are a few challenges going on these days so jump in on one. I have sworn them off for a while. I guess I got burned out, but I joined Boot Camp where no whining is allowed and I pick my own goals. Mine are increased exercise and better eating. Yes, vague, but just enough structure for me. Plus NSV's must be listed. So there ya go. Glad to see you posting. Lots going on these last months...catch up!!!

How much fun...a great NSV. Little things make weight loss with VSG makes me smile...a lot. Great job Caliblond!

goal 1: 20 lbs goal met goal 2: 219-- lowest weight since 2005 goal 3: 199-- onederland goal 4: 170-- last time I remember feeling comfortable in my skin goal 5: 150-- size 10, felt great NSV: 1: not having my arms rub on the sides of my belly when I walk 2: not being out of breathe walking up stairs 3: being able to see ALL of my body 4: looking cute in clothes 5: shopping in regular stores 6: not always eating more than everyone else 7: feeling pretty again

Great NSV!! Best wishes for your hubby too! How's he doing?

soooo im almost 2 months out and ive lost 21 lbs so far butttttttttt im not really seeing a major difference in the way my clothes fit...I started at 245 size 14....im 224 still size 14 lol...what the heckkkk I wanna see those one digit numbers I love to shop & theres just not a variety of stuff in plus sizes....hoping to see a change soon!

congrats on your NSV's. girl i feel you on the scrub tops! i cant wait for mine to start falling off, although my pants are already getting baggy. LOL! but i refuse to buy another stitch of clothing unless its the next size down! LOL! Well i get banded today. i lost 13 pounds on the 11 days i was on my pre-op liquid diet. congrats on your success thus far!!

It's officially been one month since I had surgery, and aside from the very light, barely existent scars I have on my abdomen, I can hardly tell I've had surgery. I've lost about a total of 34 pounds so far, from my highest known weight of 305lbs, I'm currently at 271lbs, I think. I don't eat nearly as much as I did prior to surgery. I don't have a fill as of yet. I get that at the beginning of June. If I eat a real heavy meal, I'm mostly good for the rest of the day; sipping on water throughout of course. I know I should be eating small meals, which I've tried, but being hungry still hurts, and my mouth waters to the point where it feels like I'll vomit if I don't eat something!!! So I tend to eat a good healthy meal and then snack on low calorie things throughout the rest of the day. Again, this is not ideal. I know! And I know I won't be able to eat as much (thought I feel I'm not eating alot) once I start getting fills. I've had some NSVs! There are two scrub tops that I have for work that I normally NEVER wear unless its laundry day because they fit so tight. Well, I've worn both this week, and they fit PERFECTLY! Not too big, not to tight! PERFECT. I am having issues with my pants being too loose though. It's like my stomach has gone down and now there's nothing to hold my pants up!! I do notice that by looking in the mirror my belly rolls aren't as "rolly polly"... if that's a good way to describe it. I know I've lost weight and can visibly see this because of how my scars have "moved". Granted I was probably swollen after surgery, but one scar was tucked under a belly roll, and now I can fully see that scar! It actually looks like it's sitting "ontop" of that roll now instead of under it... Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me I dunno, but I am happy at they way the scars are healing. I think I'll have more of an issue with loose skin and stretch marks than the actual scarring from surgery. I joined the YMCA ... as far as exercising goes. I go when I can, and I'm trying to make it a daily thing, as of right now, I've been going sporadically and I'd like to make it a permanent part of my daily life. Like brushing my teeth! I know this will help me get to goal so much faster. Though I'm not "moving" as I should, the weight is still coming off. Even starting solid foods, I thought there would be a stall in my weight loss or that I would gain since going from a liquid diet to a solid foods diet can do that, but I didn't stall, it's just not coming off in 5 pound chunks anymore... just a pound or two here and there, which is expected. Another NSV is that I got my period. This may not be an NSV for most, but since I suffer from PCOS and irregular/non-existent periods, this happens to be one for me. I had a period in March before surgery, and before then I don't remember, but I was on Metformin and Agyestin to help my periods come on monthly. I'm no longer taking either. I didn't menstruate in April, but I got a lovely gift from Mother Nature this month, and I actually HOPE that I see her again in June because though I hate my period this would mean, I'm almost normal, and that's my main goal! So, all in all, Michaelangelo and I are doing well, and hopefully when we go to the Dr on the 6th of June, we'll be doing even BETTER and on our way to the 260s!!!!

And I’m down to 256lbs… I’ve lost a total of 10 pounds since my last doctor’s appointment back in August and he was very happy with my progress thus far. I went in today (9/12/11) and weighed in, chatted with him about what exactly I was doing to progress my weight loss. I told him I cut out carbs and still am cutting out carbs as best I can. Most meals only contain meat (protein) and vegetables. Everything that is processed/packaged I look at the contents and if there’s carbs I put it down. I am so proud of me, I should make this an NSV! People, or I should say non-dieters, don’t realize how hard it is to nix carbs all together. Especially since it’s been a part of your daily food intake for years! But I’m doing it. I can say I don’t eat something carby here and there, but not nearly enough to cause me any issues. I was off work for fiver days recently and I did so well not eating carbs. I did enjoy a bowl of cereal over the weekend, but that was it! No bread, no pasta, no rice, no sweets! I’m committed to sticking to this no carb diet because if I drop lbs like I’ve done these past two weeks CONTINUOUSLY then I could possibly make my mini goal come November 6th. I’m 36lbs away and I have 58 days to do so, which is roughly 8 weeks plus a few extra days… but that’s like 4.5lbs a week. I know I didn’t get RNY, and that’s asking a lot to lose that much weekly, but this is what I’m aiming for; 220lbs by November 6th! I Can Do It! J Other than dieting, I’ve been taking two hour Zumba classes (when offered), I’ve been walking, doing jogging/power walking intervals for 30 minutes at a time while on my breaks at work; I’ve also been doing the sedentary bike for 30 minutes at a time while at home… I plan to do a little more toning… my arms are slimming down, but I don’t want the flab… I hate to say this but I definitely see a TT, Brachioplasty, and Breast Lift in my future (hopefully covered by insurance)! It’s not all bad, I mean I love lifting and pulling my rolls aside and seeing my TRUE body frame and shape that’s being hidden underneath. It’s like shaking a wrapped gift before opening it. I’ve been trying to guess what’s inside for the longest! J Overall I’m SOOOOO HAPPY with my progress. Today I re-read my journal entries that I started writing when I started my PreOp diet, and I’m happy that I’ve progressed so much since then… I’m 256! In one of my entries I was saying how happy I was to be 278 because that meant I weighed less than my Dad… but now I’ve progressed so much it just blows my mind! I’m almost -50lbs down… just 1 more pound to go! I’m sure I’ll drop that in a day or two! WooHoo!!! I’ve gone from 305lbs (my highest) to 256lbs!... I’m so proud…

1. I had to buy new shirts for work already. I went to a consignment shop for cheaper ones as this will not be the last time. Amazingly, I am smaller around sooner after the sleeve than when I worked out and dieted before. My clothig didn't change for about 25-30 more pounds. 2. I fit into a McDonald's booth! Now before anyone judges me on being in a McD's, I ate a grilled chicken club with NO BUN and extra bacon (this is 50g of protein). I needed the protein intake and neither of us wanted to cook. I also spread about a teaspoon of habanero sauce instead of mayo. 3. I did a WHOLE Insanity cardio workout. Of course I modified some things because I am too big still to jump and do deep lunges (poor knees of mine) but I still did it!!! Now some unexpected hurdles from losing weight: 1. I can't eat away stress and frustration so I fight more. My bf calls me the big B at least once a day. I just cannot hold my anger in and It comes out. 2. I have realized how much I hate my job and the people I work with. I must have smothered my unhappiness in food for awhile because After 6 weeks off and not eatig that much I despise them. They do nt support my dietary needs nor do they care much about anything but themselves. I have begun the interview process to GET OUT!!! 3. I hate cooking now. I make something awesome and I barely get a 1/2 cup to a cup of food? So not worth my effort. It is easier to eat when y bf cooks.

Wonderful NSV. Pre-gain I used to wear seven rings and lots of bracelets. I look forward to that again at some point. Thanks for the inspiration this morning!

I am down 2lbs this week I have walked 7 miles this week and have done my wii fit every day for 30min. I really need to measure because I feel like I have lost inches. WTG on everyones losses and NSV!

Haven't been on for a while... But had to share a victory. Tried on some new jeans..... My skinniest ones have baggy butt!! Size 14 was too big. 12 a little snug but can button n zip!! Not bad since 2 months ago I was in an 18!! Down almost 30#. Yippee.

There will be NSV's you never even knew would be an NSV someday. Clothes fitting is only one of the probably hundreds in a list! Try also side by side photos at least monthly but I used to do weekly. Also, use a measuring tape and measure everything. I used to even measure my neck and wrists which sounds strange but as they went down even a quarter inch it gave me a reason to be happy and feel good about my efforts. Not only that but is there anything you notice physically you can do now that you once couldn't when you first started? Stay strong and above all stay positive!

Before, I never gave much thought to the NSV's that everyone talks about. But before, I was enjoying consistent genuine scale victories, so I wasn't in tuned with the importance of a NSV! Well, I have kinda hit a wall at losing the pounds,but my recent NSV has giving me positive reinforcement to my whole Lapband experience! My job requires a yearly check up that includes: eyesight, hearing and blood pressure. Last year my blood presure was 164/94. The nurse made me lay down to see if my BP would drop a little before she would allow me to get back to work. It only dropped very little, but I had to agree to get it checked by my PCP. Well today I had my annual physical and my BP was 122/ 76. How cool is that! The weight loss and the exercising that I am doing are really paying dividends! One side note..............during the hearing test, we are placed into a soundproof hearing chamber. During the test, I could hear my stomach making some really weird gurgly noises! Noises that up until now, I wasn't aware that were happening! I mean some funny sounding noises! Anyone else ever heard their tummy "sing" like this? I was cracking myself up just listening!

Oh I'm ALL ABOUT the gurgly tummy. Especially when I've just recently eaten. Glug, glug. I just sort of put a hand on my tum near where my band would be to try to muffle the sounds. lol. Good on ya for the NSV too!!