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I have a new NSV! My bath towel closed at the bottom!!!!

#hashTag# as "we" on the board always/should say - all docs are different check/ask your doc or NUT - they will tell you if/when you can have coffee - maybe decaf for me, i was allowed coffee at 2 months there have been other threads discussing issues of coffee not trying to get rid of you but go to the search area on top of your screen, and put in the word coffee when i am out and about i enjoy going through the drive through and grabbing a refill and my small NSV i never ask for a donut, and i'm ok with that no profile/ticker hint, hint so i can't tell what stage you are in "sounds" like you are still pre-op...........or maybe very early PO??? so,,, either good luck with WLS - speedy recovery, or keep up the good work!!! or i'll just say - continued good luck with life kathy

If my two cents is worth anything, I would say definitely continue with the therapy. Then maybe try writing your non-scale victories (NSV) in a notebook. Maybe as you see the list of NSV's increase it will help you recognize the benefits of the surgery from the health and lifestyle aspect. " Keep the faith, for this too shall pass"

Boy, sorry to hear this. I had a very different outcome from my WLS. At nearly 70 years old, I look decades younger than I did before being sleeved. My pain (from arthritis) is practically nil these days. I haven't had an Aleve or any other NSAID in 17 months. I walk for nearly 4 miles each day for exercise, plus the walking I do at home and at work. My physical rejuvenation and ability to move are some of my best WLS NSVs. I lost 95 pounds, am maintaining at 140 pounds easily (am 5'5") and definitely do not look "skeletor." I am a standard size 8 (and vanity sizes 6 and even 4) and look hawt for my age. My pre-WLS, agoraphobic self was definitely depressed. My 14-months post-op 140-pound cute self is definitely not depressed. Obviously, everyone's mileage varies considerably. I endorse others' advice that you seek some good counseling and medical care for the things that are plaguing you these days. You don't have to put up with these kinds of outcomes.

What is your "Bandiversary" goal? To consistently weigh in below 200 What have you learned this past year? That I CAN do this!!! That my life does not have to center around food. Could you share your most rewarding NSV (non-scale victory)? I take no more prescription meds for high blood pressure, or diabetes. My back doesn't hurt. I FEEL healthy! What is your biggest challenge? To eat enough veggies, and some fruit. I havre a tendency to eat meat...and other high Protein foods, forgetting my body has other needs too! What tips would you pass on to the April 2007 newbies? To enjoy the year---yes we all want to be at goal NOW!!!! But getting to know yourself and your body along the way, is wonderful. Seeing how far you can push your new abilities---is eye opening! What is your greatest fear? Losing my band! I try really hard to make the way I do things into a habit, so if something should happen, I would KNOW what to do, to keep from going back where I was. What goals do you have for the future? Taking my grandbabies to amusement parks, and Water parks, and not embarrassing either of us! To be the best support I can for others following me on this weight loss experience. How has your life changed? I breath easier, I feel healthy, I don't feel people staring at me, I buy clothes in Misses sizes. I wear jeans again, I can wear flip flops without my feet hurting. There are so many of these little things---there are also big ones. I upped my life insurance, and did not require a Dr. exam to do it! It has been full of changes---wonderful, dream filled changes! Has living with the band met up to your expectations? Yes, I didn't go in with a lot of expectations...this was not as involved (the board) then. I expected not to be able to eat some things, that I have been able to eat. I read about all the PB's---only to find out they are not a daily occurance! I expected the surgery to be more painful---all in all it has been much better!!! If you could talk to yourself a year ago, what would you say? YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! I had failed at so many diets, I really doubted myself going into this too. I would explain the why's and the hows that I have learned along the way. Knowing why you are on a liquid diet, makes it so much easier to stay on! Knowing why you are sliming, makes it less scary. I researched, but I learned so much by experience!! I would share my own experience!! Banding is without a doubt one of the best things i ever did just for me---i would do it again in a heartbeat, and recommend it to anyone and everyone who asks me!!! Kat

Oh, yeah!! What an amazing NSV! To look good and be pleased about how you look in clothes.

Stayed the same this week. One huge NSV though, I went to old navy and grabbed a pair of jeans off the womens side of the store and they fit no problem!! I broke out in tears right there in the fitting room.. at the same time running out to find my husband. Those around me must of thought I was crazy!

So I was wrong on the not having any NSV to report. I had to go buy a big skirt for my Middle Eastnern Folk dance class... Yeah, they don't want us to call it "belly dancing" here, they feel it has "negative connotations." Yeah, what ever, it's belly dancing. I went to several stores trying to find a skirt that would match the requirements, let alone worry about the size thing... So at the 4th and final store I found one, a cocoa dip-dyed skirt. The biggest one was a LARGE, so I wasn't too hopeful. But I was brave and went to try it on. IT FIT! I just bought a size LARGE skirt. Not 2X, not XL, but just LARGE!!! Mind you, when I bought my Large jacket, I really suspected that the label was wrong, that it had been marked Large in error at the factory, an that it was some sort of cosmic joke on me. Sort of like that pair of size 18 pants that I was able to fit into (didn't buy but that's a different story). I felt that was in error as well. Maybe it wasn't an aberation, maybe it's the truth. I feel like I have no restriction at all. I still haven't lost any more weight, but I'll take my size shrinking.

Well done everyone!! Crystal, you challenge is now 2 new NSV's by Labor Day. How's that? No more evil scales for you!!! I know you have had a difficult week with the numbers but feel the LOVE, girl! We support you!! Now, for me the being below 200 all day long was, indeed a dream. (See my previous post on this thread) So I have not seen the last of the 200's just yet. On the other hand, the scale said an even 197 this morning. That's 3 pounds this week!! and a 10 pound loss so far for the challenge. There was one day earlier this week where I saw 196.8 on the scale, so my 197 isn't my lowest, but it's inching of little by little. I need to measure this week. My big girl shorts are falling off of me. I don't wear them out of the house anymore.

Okay, I love this thread but doing the Fall Challenge...well, I'll join in after Thanksgiving. I will, I promise!!! Plus I have my NSV thread going...I just can't keep up. Great NSV's people!

Sarah, that makes perfect sense! Finding "me" again is so important and so very wonderful all at the same time. It's like looking into the mirror and seeing a friend you haven't seen in far too long. Finding that spark, that flame, that glitter. And wow! 35 minutes on the elipictical, you kick my butt! Megan, I'm so glad you are not taking your NSVs for granted anymore! Thise are so important. And Kelly, accepting yourself, and loving yourself is the name of the game! The fact that everyone loves you just as your are should be proof that you are wonderful as is.

OK here is my NSV for this week. Well it happened over the weekend but it still counts. LOL!!! John and I went to a musical conference and had a display booth there with his music and other items to promote him. There was a friend of ours there that hadn't seen me since I was banded. HEE HEE!! John was talking to our friend and this guy who I have known for 5 years looks at me and says to John, "Who is this?" I look at our friend and say, "HELLO, IT IS ME PENNI!" He takes a jump back and says loudly in a crowded room, "NO FUCKING WAY! WOW! YOU ARE HOT!" LOL!! Isn't that the greatest?! By the way, does anyone else feel taller after losing weight? I just realized I feel taller for some reason. Could be I feel better about myself and don't wanna be in the back or slumped down trying to hid anymore.

Alright Ladies and Gentlemen, time to check-in with your NSVs. 11/5/05 All my pants are starting to look like giant clown pants, none of them fit in the butt or thighs anymore. If I didn't have this damn thick waist, I would really be in honest size 18 jeans. My black leather jacket is going to have to be retired soon. It's rediculously large on me now. The sleves alone now hang past my finger-tips and it looks like I could smuggle a medium sized ham in each shoulder. So I tried on my big winter coat, and now it really is my huge winter coat. It's about XX too big. It's fully reversable a suede stadium jacket, with lepord fake fur on the other side. I love this jacket, but next year, some other lucky bandster gets to love it. It's important for me that last winter before I was banded I couldn't zip the black leather jacket up. There was a 2-3 inch gap that just wouldn't meet. While the stadium jacket fit, it was pretty snug. Not any more! 11/10/05 Lastnight I was using my laptop. In my lap. This means that I HAVE A LAP!!!!! Woot! 11/14/05 When I sit on the floor or in a hard chair, I feel the bones in my butt. Not only my tail bones, but other bones (probably my pelvic bones?) as well.

Calling all April Bandits of 2006: Let's come together and share our successes! What is your "Bandiversary" goal? I never really set a goal for "Bandiversary" just small goals along the way. What have you learned this past year? I have learned that I can pass up former favorite foods and that the world will not come to an end if I don't eat everything in site. :hungry: Could you share your most rewarding NSV (non-scale victory)? My best NSV for now is buying a pair of designer jeans to wear to the Trace Adkins concert. What is your biggest challenge? My biggest challenge is consistent exercise. I really have to make myself do it and it's still hit or miss most days. What tips would you pass on to the April 2007 newbies? Hang in there! Good things come to those who wait. Oh, and liquids can be your friend. What is your greatest fear? That I will lose my band and regain all the weight plus more. :paranoid What goals do you have for the future? My next goal is to get to 199. When I do, I get a pair of diamond studs. How has your life changed? Life is so much better. I can get up and down off the floor with my students. I don't tire as quickly. I can ride roller coasters again. Has living with the band met up to your expectations? Living with the band has been great. I really can not believe that it has been a year. And due to all of the research I did before hand, there really haven't been that many surprises along the way. :bounce: If you could talk to yourself a year ago, what would you say? Keep at it. Life is only going to get better. I really can't believe that today has been one year. Someone asked me at work yesterday was I going to take myself out to eat to Celebrate. I told her no, that I look for other ways to celebrate now rather than with food. Of course there are still surprises along the way, but that's ok. I'm learning to roll with the punches. I look at how much more some of our group has lost than me, but I also know that they have taken a different road than I did. I started this journey at 300 lbs. and this morning I weighed 255 lbs. When I first started working on weight loss before banding I weighed 348 lbs and had lost down to 280 before it started creeping back up again. After diet, exercise, life style change, and work with a personal trainer for 8 months, I realized that I needed help on this journey. A co-worker was looking into the band for herself and suggested that I go to a seminar and check it out. I did that two days before Thanksgiving and then less than five months later I was banded. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. I tell anybody who asks me what I've done to lose weight. Because I've been so open at work, some of the others are looking into it as well. No one thinks twice about what I do at work as I think most have even forgotten that I had it done. I'm losing slowly in weight, but the inches are coming off. I bought new tops for work and they are 1X, the last size before I shop in the regular sizes. I found a velvet dress for Christmas for $14.00. It's a Large. I will be wearing it! For now, I'm just working for my diamond earings. :biggrin1: Pic

WHOOOOOO HOOOOOOO Kimmie!! Great NSV! Welcome Bloo! Glad you could join us! You can just post your stats on Monday and I'll add them to our list.

I've been working out SO HARD this week! Last night I knew my son had some fig newtons in his room and I could hear them calling to me, "Kare....come EAT US! WE'RE YUMMMY! EAT! EAT!" But I PERSEVERED and abstained. I haven't weighed all week because I was looking forward to seeing a dip on Monday for this challenge. 3:00 a.m. I got up to pee and decided it was officially Monday so stepped on the scale. OHNO! SAME as LAST Monday!! It hadn't budged a jot! Just sat there glaring 193 at me! I was SOOOO PISSED! I went back to bed and layed there--GRRRRRRRR--and thought, just what the HECK do I have to DO???!! Then I thought, I might as well go eat the damn Fig Newtons. But by that time I was too snuggled to get up so I said to myself, "okay, Fig Newtons FOR BREAKFAST!!" and went back to sleep. Alarm rang at 6:30 and I trundled off to the bathroom. There sat Helga (my dominatrix scale's name) just taunting me. What the heck, might as well stomp on her again.... and WHAT DID SHE SAY??? 191!!! So I don't know what the heck my body did between 3 and 6 a.m. but I am happily, joyfully, exctatically DOWN TWO!!! And newts are untouched. (Now THAT'S AN NSV!!!)

Ok so when I started I was 315lbs....I am now down to 198lbs with 28lbs to go till I make my goal and I am 5' 9". Some of my latest NSV's are.... Some of my old shoes fit again... Some of my old clothes from High School fit again... The bath towel goes all the way around me... My lab coat at work has gone from a 3X to a M... I can cross my legs so easily now... I can wear clothes in the juniors department... I can wear things from Victoria's Secret.... Goodbye Lane Bryant and Avenue..... Some of my struggles are..... Getting 70g of protein a day it is more like 50-60g... Drinking enough water... Dying for a coke from Mcdonalds... I cant' see the weight loss in myself/ mirror... (This is my big one) I still feel larger than everyone around me... Thanks for reading..... Amanda

Finally broke into the 280's.....was stuck between 294 and 296 for over two weeks and them spent a week -- IKYN -- bouncing between 290.4 and 290.8 -- EVERY FLIPPIN' DAY!!! (Save the lectures about weighing every day.....I've heard 'em all already!) Have PBed a few times -- not as bad as I had feared. I need to SLOW DOWN. Need to avoid HOLDING my food. Puts me in too much of a rush. First 2 PBs were eating something hand-held. I'm having to force myself to put it ON the plate and use my utensils. I must be one of those people who is extra constricted in the mornings -- in fact, if I have a short night, I can really expect a PB if I don't take it exceptionally slow at breakfast. I may never drink another protein shake or bowl of soup as long as I live -- I think I don't even like CHOCOLATE any more because it reminds me of shakes! How ghastly is THAT!!?! I went in on the 26th for my first fill, but he was concerned that it might take more than one stick to find my port....so he rescheduled me for the 8th. I REALLY want that fill. I've figured out I have more HEAD hunger than actual hunger. I do great at mealtimes, however, its the evening snacking that I fight -- even with the band. I have about three skirts that I've had to pull out of the closet because wearing them puts me at risk of public humiliation, because they could just fall off without warning. That's a NSV, right??

I'm in the same boat as you-- weight wise. I lost 13 preop, 12 since surg on 5/8, nothing hit past week or so! Don't get discouraged! It's still so early, we will lose the weight. How could we not with how little we are consuming? Lets make a pact to put our scales away, weigh only once a week, and enjoy the NSVs. I'm thrilled to feel more in control of my food intake and have fewer cravings. Don't worry, we got this!!! PS: your profile pic suggests you are a beautiful, positive, happy girl! Be proud of yourself for starting this journey!

That's one of the BEST NSV's!!! Congrats!!!

So, give us your top Ten NSVs for the year. (you knew I was going to ask this, how could I not?)

What is your "Bandiversary" goal? I would love to be at my goal weight of 135. It is looming so close. What have you learned this past year? That I can succeed at weight loss...all I needed was some help. Could you share your most rewarding NSV (non-scale victory)? There are so many. I have found the self confidence that I thought I lost, no more cholesterol medication, the restless leg syndrome is gone, bye bye sleep apnea, hugs from my son because he can get his arms around me, shopping in normal sized stores, enjoying shopping because I can find things that fit, mowing the yard without getting winded in the first five minutes.....the list goes on and on and on. What is your biggest challenge? Trying to keep eating the "bandster" way. What tips would you pass on to the April 2007 newbies? Make good food choices, but don't deprive yourself of a small treat once in while (this is for your sanity). Drink lots of Water (dehydration is a bad thing.....kidney stones are not your friend). Don't be afraid to ask questions. The best people to get banded information from is from another bandster. What is your greatest fear? Slipping up, eating too much, and falling into the same bad habits that got me to where I was in the first place. What goals do you have for the future? My biggest short term goal is to participate in the Danskin triathlon in Seattle in August of this year. How has your life changed? I am definately more active and outgoing. Has living with the band met up to your expectations? I didn't really have major expectations to begin with. I read so much about only losing a portion of the weight will be lost. But I truly believe the weight you lose will depend on you. I am so happy I did this and I would do it again in a second. If you could talk to yourself a year ago, what would you say? To not be so afraid about doing something for myself. Be a hero to yourself as this will be a life changing experience.

I'm wearing green pants in honor of this challenge today....BRIGHT green actually lol Just got back from the gym, and am about to clean a bit before heading off to get my bridesmaid dress for my sister's wedding next weekend! A nice NSV there...they ordered me a size 28, only needing to take off at least 8 inches :thumbup: Woot! Hopefully it fits...if not she'll have to take more off before next weekend! Eep! Go green!!!

Ha. Not just fat guy issues. Fat girl issues, too! I used to hang dry my clothes because that darn "dryer" used to shrink them all the time! It was such a huge NSV the day I realized I was drying EVERYTHING all of the sudden. And sometimes in hopes that they would shrink because the were too big! Ah, the little things that make us happy through this journey. So true. The little things make us stop and think.......and smile. I had a monthly lunch meeting in a conference room at work last week. I usually try to remember to leave my wallet in my desk drawer prior to this meeting due to the chairs in n this particular conference room. These chairs are tight between the arms. I literally have to wedge my arse in them. I was pleasantly surprised last week when I didn't have to force it. The thought crossed my mind that it would be two months until I next attend this monthly meeting due to my surgery date. I'm really looking forward to that next meeting. It'll be one of those secret victories if I can stand up naturally and I'm not wearing the chair.

Hello fam, just a Lil update on my life . 7 months post op. I was sleeved Dec 5. I am officially divorced now. I am happy n really enjoying me in this new bod. The surgery wasn't the reason for my divorce ,my husband was a caterer cheater , lol. But the surgery made him feel that now I was a threat in the marriage because I was getting attention . But it was his insecurities n lied that kept him from appreciating the woman he had. So , hell with him, I'm single as a dollar bill now. I am 7 mos post op and down 90 lbs ( 89.7 to be exact). I weigh 153 lbs and I am 5'7. I now wear a size 4 in women's clothing and even fit into size 2 Vera wang dress today, NSV for me. My surgeon set my goal at 150 lbI feel so good about the choice I made to have this surgery and I would do it 10 more time if I had to. Enjoy the pics and good lock to everyone .