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I hit a couple of major NSVs today. I’ve lost 100 lbs (or near enough to count), and finally dipped down into the 100’s. I am pretty pleased with myself, and I am so glad that I had the surgery. HW = 299 CW = 199.4 SW = 280.0 Surgery Date = 07/23/2020 I follow my program of eating healthy extremely well. Cravings are at a minimum, but the weight loss isn’t a complete breeze. I feel like I need to make a conscious effort to stick to the plan. I’m a slow and steady loser, and weirdly each pound lost always feels like it’s going to be the last. Not sure why, because I am not a pessimist by nature. The body dysmorphia is strong, and I have absolutely no sense of how big or small I am now. I feel much better than before, and my clothes are getting looser, but I don’t *feel* like I’ve lost much weight. How very weird! It’s not disheartening - just kind of a clinical observation that my brain can’t quite figure out what’s going on. My initial goal weight was 165 lbs. I picked that weight because it was a goal just beyond what the average weight loss for my height was. I honestly didn’t think it was attainable. But now I do. I’d like to shoot for maybe 140 now. I initially didn’t think I was going to be interested in plastic surgery. However loose skin, age and gravity are not a winning combination. It’s on the table now! I’m glad I don’t have to think about it anytime soon, though. Other observations: * I log my food meticulously. I focus on high protein and low carbs, and feel like it’s a good day when my protein intake is > carb intake. I pretty much ignore the fat intake, but I am eating healthy so it’s just not a concern. * I’ve averaged about 1100 calories/day since the new year. * I don’t think I would have been this successful if i hadn’t been teleworking since the pandemic started. I live alone so I cleared out my kitchen of all temptations. * I walk 3.5 miles a day and I’ve grown to really enjoy it. I rarely miss - only if there are monsoon-like rains will I stay in. * I wear a Fitbit, and I think the most important and useful feature is the reminder to walk throughout the day. I typically average about 15K steps/day. * I have started jogging a little bit, and have been ASTOUNDED that I can do it. I’m super slow, but I can do it. This morning I jogged over 3 miles without dying a single time. 😂 * I do not like jogging. * I was going to the the gym, but stopped because of the crowd of ‘New Years resolution’ people who didn’t seem to be very good with the mask-wearing. I’ll pick back up with that once I get the vaccine. * I have become more limber, and a lot of my aches and pains have receded or disappeared. I love that I can cross my legs now. * My hair fell out. A lot. Started at about 3 months and it was just shocking. It was particularly bad around my temples, and around the crown of my head. It is growing back as seen by the scraggly hair sticking out in all directions. I am so pretty. 😱 It seemed to stop falling out pretty abruptly about 2 weeks ago. * Eating breakfast is still a struggle. I’ve always hated it and I still do. I almost always rely on the Fairlife shakes for breakfast. * I eat a lot of chicken, shrimp, salad, and Morningstar frozen vegan options. I am not a good cook, and as much as I think about food I guess I am just not willing to spend much time preparing it. I like the salad kits that most grocery stores have now. * I take a tremendous amount of joy in cleaning out my closet of clothes I can no longer wear. My closet is so empty! It is seriously so awesome! I’m not ready to do much shopping yet, though. I don’t need clothes for work (yet), and I’m hoping to still lose more weight. * I weigh myself every morning, and I think I’m always going to have to do this. It’s an accountability thing for me.

Congratulations on your success! We are pretty similar — I had my surgery just a week before yours, and I have also lost 100 pounds since my surgery (I lost about 70 pounds before surgery). My initial goal weight was 180 pounds based on average weight loss (this was before I lost the first 70 pounds), but now I’m shooting for 150, although I honestly don’t care all that much about the number on the scale; for me, it’s all about the NSVs. When I stop and think about it, I’m in disbelief that I have lost such a massive amount of weight. I used to see people who have lost 100+ pounds and think it was impossible, and now I’m one of them. i also have the same sense that it doesn’t feel like I’ve lost as much as I have. I am literally half the size I used to be, and of course I can tell that I’m smaller, but I definitely don’t feel like I’m half my old size. I actually like to cook, and I spend a lot of time on Pinterest looking at bariatric-friendly recipes (I find a lot of recipe on keto web sites, even though I don’t exactly follow the keto diet, but a lot of keto recipes are good because they’re low-carb). One of the cool things about being a bariatric patient is that my portion sizes are so small that I get a ton of servings out of a single recipe. I made a batch of turkey meat sauce that came out to 27 portions! I have a freezer full of single-serving meals from just a few cooking sessions. I’ve really enjoyed finding new, healthy recipes that I love, and I hardly even miss the old unhealthy foods I used to eat. I recently discovered that I like spaghetti squash! And I eat cauliflower rice all the time. I hardly recognize myself anymore. Anyway, it’s great to see someone else enjoying great results from WLS. It is truly life-changing!

I have been a little down because the scale is not moving and has not for a week. I know about stalls I am guess I am in one at only 2 weeks out. However, I just went upstairs to get dressed for an open house I am hosting as a Real Estate agent this afternoon. First I put on my "hold everything in" foundation garments because my incisions hurt a lot and it helps. I noticed sagging skin on my legs I have never seen before. At first I was inclined to freak but then I realized that meant I was still losing somewhere even if the waist tape measure and scale were not budging. Then I started trying on clothes. All my favorites were too lose. Even some that were tight before surgery. I decided on something I used to love to wear that was very tight before surgery but looked so good on me now that I just kept looking at myself in the mirror...in wonder. This is the first time I am saying this: I LOVE MY SLEEVE.!!!

Congrats!!! What a great NSV!!!

Last night I had a meeting for my son's high school football team. I had not seen many of my friends from football since before the summer. It's only been 10 weeks since my surgery, but I got so many compliments on how great I looked. I have not felt pretty in YEARS! Last night I felt like Miss America! I also felt confident and happy. I am amazed at the psychological change losing weight brings on. For those of you experiencing stalls early out and stressing over them.... I have had two so far (am currently in one now) that have lasted a few weeks. Trust me when I tell you, your body is still changing for the good!

Lissa great NSV - i can only imagine how happy you have felt with all your weight loss- successes btw haven't seen you around in a bit, then again, maybe you were standing sideways, too little to see now show that "little" self more often, love to hear and see more (less) of you keep those NSV's coming

Those sound like a ton of NSVs! Great job!

It's so good to hear how the Feb. Bandsters are doing! Congratz on the work everyone has done! :smile: My current update: I'm pleased to be down 30 pounds now, from my high of 252. My first fill didn't give much restriction, but then I wasn't expecting it to, it's all part of the process. I'm sticking to my diet and exercise - I do 1-2 miles on my treadmill everyday. I think this is really helping to keep my metabolism burning. If I diet only, I just don't lose. My next fill isn't until the end of this month, I'm hoping to get out of the 220's before then (I'm close!). The weather here in Michigan is changing, no more snow *hopefully*! I can't wait to get outside and plant my gardens and work in the yard. Some good NSV's for me - I saw my PCP a few days ago, and she cut my blood pressure medication in half! Woot! I'm also off a sleep medication and sleeping just fine without it . . . it's good to see the medications go! Yes! My 2x clothes no longer fit me . . . way to baggy, and I'll now have to go through my closets and dig out the 1x's. I'd also like to go shopping for some new stuff, but I don't want to over-do it. I can't wait to get out of the plus sizes for good . . . I'll get there yet! I have a goal of getting to onederland before this summer (July when we go on vacation) . . . that's 22 pounds, I'm hoping I can do it. Gonna try hard! ReadySteadyGo - I'm a worrier too, lol. I'm pleased with this weight loss I've done, but for some reason today I'm feeling anxious. I've been on diets before where I've lost, and I'm just paranoid this is all gonna come back. I'm thankful I have the band to fall back on - hopefully it will keep me on track, and the next fill will give me some restriction . . . but at the same time I want to do this slowly, and I don't want my doctor to get aggressive with fills (not saying he will, I'll have to wait and see at my next appointment). I'd rather go slowly than get too much and get sick and have to back for an un-fill. (see I am a big worrier :blushing:). Anyway . . . sorry to be chatty and make a long post . . . that's about it for me, just hanging in there and looking forward to Spring and Summer! Please keep in touch Feb bandsters, it's great to be able to share this lapband journey with all of you - you all are inspiring and special! Just Keep Swimming! :cursing:

I have a different kind of NSV to report. I've been exploring a couple of dating web sites for the past month, and yesterday I made contact with a very attractive guy who had rated my profile very highly. He was only the 3rd guy I've contacted through one of the sites. (The 1st one stood me up for what was supposed to be our 2nd date and has not contacted me since, and the 2nd one didn't reply at all.) Well, this guy took offense at something I said and sent me a very rude reply. I was bummed. The NSV is... I very much wanted to eat chocolate to self soothe, but I did NOT give in. Yay me!

Awesome job everyone! I was weighing myself everyday. I realized I was obsessing so I stay at once a week now. I find it keeps me in check a little. I am still battling food addiction so knowing that I'm gonna get on the scale at some point I try not to over indulge. Some of my other NSV's have been getting off of diabetic meds, cholesterol meds, not having to pee in the middle of the night (due to bad blood sugar), and not having joint pain.

Thanks everybody for your encouragement. It is now day 6 and I believe I am just now beginning to feel the full brunt of this event. I'm very tired and the littlest effort poops me out. Today I've decided to get in the full 60oz of water, even if that means coming nowhere near my proper protein amounts. Dehydration is scary. I will also shuffle over to the market and see if they have any of these sugar free syrups you guys mention, something to reduce the nastiness of my proteins. For now I will sit on the couch in my pj's, wrapped in blankets, and read while staring out the window at the lovely foggy ocean view. It would help if I could get some kind of nsv here soon tho ...:crying:

NSV is a Non Scale Victory, like the 3 sizes I've lost while the scale has been barely moving.

@Susanne - what an amazing NSV!!! LOL I bet you were just like... - at least that's how I do when I realize I'm doing something for the first time in a long time. Whoohooo!!!! Continue to rock that sleeve lady!!! @ Jane - that's so funny you mention a booty that you can rest a plate on. I was talking to a lady this weekend that mentioned a butt and called it a "shelf". OMG -- I didn't know whether to laugh or cry!! LOL!! Now, she's the nicest lady so I know she meant no harm, in fact she said it that way to avoid just saying "fat butt"... haaa!!!

I still don't know what I will look like at goal weight, but I am pretty sure I'll have a bangin' ass in a few months, LOL! How funny is that... I love it... can't wait to see some booty photos Suzanne! This sort of NSV really keep me going... I LOVE IT!!

YAY!!!! Those NSV's are priceless! Congratulations to you and your health--

Very touching and inspiring post, thank you for posting this!! What wonderful NSV's those are, keep up the fantastic work! It is great to remember where we've been as well as where we're going! Congrats! :cheer2:

I agree about the cheddar biscuits! But here's a NSV... when I allow myself to have any of them, I am now able to eat just one. Not sayin' it's easy, but I've done it several times.

I'm so happy for you, Joan!! It's amazing how much motivation you can get from these types of NSVs!!! :welldoneclap: Have a great trip and Happy Birthday my band sistah!!! :party:

Oh Tiff-you are so way past a 16. I bet you'll be shocked with how small you go with your new clothes...I can't wait to hear all about your NSV's after tomorrow's trip. You are doing such a great job and will be at goal in no time and then have to buy even smaller clothes. Itstime-I have never been in a 10 in my whole life. By the time I left the girl's husky clothes, I remember going right to a woman's 14. There might have been sizes between there, but I was in upper elementary/middle school and honestly don't remember this size. I know I was a 16 by my freshman year in HS, got to a 12/14 my sophomore year and then back to 16 and so on. I also know this must be a 10 that runs super large, but hey, I'll take it.

I'm a little slow, what does NSV mean?

Gmanbat, you just made me realize a major NSV!! I used to dread getting dressed and going anywhere I now get dressed and go to every family member in my house and ask how I look with a huge smile on my face. I don't mean that I think I look amazing but that I am happy with myself, I am for the first time in a long time comfortable and confident in clothes

Today I went to my doctor for my monthly follow up. He walked in and said "Hey skinny!' Then he said i have lost 9 pounds since my last appt. last month and my % of body fat has gone from 52% to 36%. He asked me how many pant sizes I have gone down and I said from an 18 to an 8, and he said well don't by anymore 8's because you will be in a 6 soon! He said that I only have 11 more pounds to go until I am at his goal for me. Then he told me that I have lost more weight each month than any other of his sleeve patients monthly follow ups! Boy did I feel good when I left there, so I stopped on the way home and went clothes shopping! (But no pants just tops). LOL!

yeah! Congratulations! But remember those suspenders cause CRACK KILLS!! Just Joking! This is a wonderful NSV Whipple! Keep up the good progress.

Congrats, Ryan! What a great NSV. Maybe you guys can have a clothing exchange at Bandstock so you can all get some wardrobe additions. No exchanging underwear, please!

Congratulations! Fantastic NSV.