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You know how people who were one thing, and then reformed themselves all of a sudden become fanatical about that thing they used to be? Ex smokers are one of the best examples, policing the ranks of those who continue to smoke, evangelizing them to save them from that particular sin. They are especially known for their zeal. I sort of felt that way today. After my post op check up (which went very well), I drove up to visit my parents and help my Dad with a few chores around the house. While we were working, my Mom declared that we needed to go to the store to get some things she had been wanting for a while. Now "we" translates and "Dad and I". As for the store, she did not care, as long as it had everything she wanted on her list. It was that discussion that led to the circumstances where I found myself a short while later. We wound up in the mecca for fat people. There were more fat people there than at the Golden Corral on 10% off day. Yes. I am talking about Walmart. I hate going to Walmart. I don't like having to walk for what seems like miles just to discover they really don't have what I want. What's even worse sometimes IS finding what I want. Then I have to stand in line to check out - a line that stretches into the hazy distance like people lined up waiting for Judgment Day. And today was even worse. We were at a Walmart in a popular vacation spot for people from a very large city whose initials are N.Y.C. So it was fat people with an attitude. I also made the mistake of texting Mrs. LittleBill to tell her I was at Walmart, thinking she would at least sympathize. I received an LOL and a list of stuff to look for. So now I had two missions. We had to park so far away from the building that all we could see was the top, peeking over the horizon. I am pretty sure we were in a different zip code. The parking lot was solid with vehicles. In the distance I could see people dodging back and forth between the city drivers zooming around looking for the best spot. I said to Dad, "Maybe today isn't such a good day to try and go in there." He turned to me and said, "It's not worth my life to come home empty handed! We're going in!" We eventually made it to the door. I grabbed a cart, and waded into the mêlée, calling out to Dad that we could split up and cover more territory more quickly. It was like a cross between bumper cars and the demolition derby. People were smacking into one another left and right, coming out of the ends of the aisles like they had been fired out of a cannon. Baleful glares and insincere apologies were exchanged with abandon. And in all of this, there was a huge number of human juggernauts, cruising through slowly, yet unstoppable. They drew my attention with fascination. Like the ex smoker described above, I looked from person to person, thinking: "You need bariatric surgery. You need bariatric surgery. You REALLY need bariatric surgery! I can't believe I used to look like that! Did I really look like that!?! This place is a GOLD MINE for my surgeon!" It was actually kind of weird. On one hand, I felt something of a kinship with these people while on the other hand I was repulsed. I think a lot of the latter had to do with attitude though. I really get impatient with rude people. In one sense it was something of an NSV for me. I am still fat, but I am not the land yacht I used to be, and to a degree, I felt a whole lot slimmer as I negotiated the killing fields of the retail environment. It was also something of a wake up call, to learn that I do not perceive myself in the same way that I used to. I am going to have to work on that one for a while. It kind of snuck up on me and grabbed me by the throat. But at least I made it out of there alive.

sorry to hear about the obstacles Mitzie. You have been a great surgery buddy. It won't be long until we are posting in the NSV thread!

Great NSV! I love it when we have to get a new pair of pants/shirt because the old ones are too big!

Blame it on a new man, a better one, one that makes you feel so good about yourself you are losing weight! Name your Band...Brad, or some other sexy name, and talk about it like it's a he...you wouldn't be completely lying, right? hehe...just a thought. Great NSV! Knock 'im dead! And tell us how it goes...

There was a tiny spot on a bench seat on the train today. I was able to easily fit my little butt in there. It was easily half the size of any gap I would attempt to sit in pre surgery. Why are my NSVs always about using public transport???

Congrats!!!! Great NSV

Ahhh today is day 21 of my stall and I know using NSV I’m seeing changes but I feel last 2 weeks weeks from the 3 weeks haven’t been of any change (and even started gym too!!!) just sooooooo annoying grrrrrrrr haha but we can do this 🥊🥊🥊 Knock it out of the park

I had a out patient procedure last week.... and had to put on a hospital gown. The nurse handed it to me... I realized I didnt have the mental anguish of wondering if it was going to fit. Which it did of course.... and even tied in the back. I just stood there grinning. I let my husband in on my thoughts and he just laughed.... Then as we were leaving a few hours later as per hospital protocol I had to be escorted out in a wheelchair.... and it wasnt the big girl wheel chair... it was just a regular one. Both of those NSV just helped me sail through my minor procedure....

Wow,,, that's amazing ! It just goes to show. That once we are Banded, There's NO ! stopping at what we will, or can do. Keep up the Great Work, and take 1 step for me, because I am unable to do anything like that with artificial knees.. But,,,, I did walk 2 miles home today after completing part of my Gym class.. I am glad I am in training, or I would not have made it. But I am, and I did ! So there is another NSV for today.....

I can't think of any new NSVs for me lately. Many of the same old ones keep happening and I don't think I'll ever get tired of them. I do love reading everyone else's NSVs though. It helps me stay motivated and makes me happy for everyone.

I am just over 6 weeks out. My main protein source is still a protein drink. I personally am scared of food so good for u for trying food. But I always read if a stall increase protein and go back to basics. Try liquid only for a few days and see if that helps. I was also told that even at 6 weeks out I should be at about 600-700 calories a day. And start to measure ur self!!!! Weeks that I only loose a few pounds I see my inches change and that helps. I personally haven't dropped many pant sizes, although I'm at a total loss of 67lbs. By belly is still to big. Look for NSV too. Like can you tie your shoes better or are you walking better. Little things that don't always show on the scale. Good luck to you!!!

Today's NSV... I crashed my bike and didn't get injured/killed. When I was 360 I was petrified of crashing because with all the force from my weight, I could get really injured from just a minor crash.. Today, I had a minor crash and was more worried about the bike than me... and we're BOTH fine!

what is NSV stand for? I know it's the stuff you can do now that your smaller.

I had my stall two weeks out and I thought I was doing something wrong because I has always heard it would be week 3. The stall lasted about 2-3 weeks. I'm week 6 (jan 31 surgery) now and I broke my stall and have been losing a pound every other day--give or take. I've lost about 35 pounds so far. Talk to your NUT maybe they'll have you up your caloric intake. Also Protein and water! Remember NSVs (non scale victories) like being able to walk further or fitting into a shirt better etc! Also, measure yourself! I wish had I done this because when u aren't losing weight you can be losing inches and I obviously was but don't have a record of it. Lastly don't let the scale control you. Pick a certain day and morning time weigh yourself. Don't become obsessed. Happy Sleeving!

You will do great, just keep you eye on the prize, lol!! I began at a very tight size 24, within a year I was a 00 and have maintained ever since. The maintenance is the hardest part. Losing is easier, because you have the reward of watching the scale go down, NSV's, smaller clothes and many compliments. You will easily be able to get to size 10!

I am a teacher at a high school. A student who gave me nothing but problems last year walked up to me today and shook my hand. I was like what is that for??? He said I want to say that you have done a good job losing weight and that I was not even sure it was you this year. It felt good to even have the kids recognize my hard work! I teach freshmen, so they do not know what I looked like last year. They think I have always been this size. 24 more pounds to go and I will be to my goal.

So, I found out what a NSV was.. and its cool.. But lately I was wondering.. How far can that go? I mean, where something is happening to your body most definately but your just not losing any weight on the scale. I have been stuck around 350 pounsa.. for Months. I dont measure anything. But its UNDENYABLE that my body is changing. (I am single, I date and I just know.. ok) When I lost the bulk of my weight, I noticed some things.. But since then, since I stopped loosing, its been changing even more. So, Can this mean that My Hanging Flab weighs alot in itself.. OR I gained some muscle (I dont see how, I am not active) OR I am retaining Water (I have never retained water in my life and have no symptoms of it) I DONT KNOW.. Does the fat Keep drooping and changing with gravity, even though I lost the bulk of the weight months ago? I am kinda hopeing I am NOT stalled at 350 pounds and I am still having productive changes and that counts for something.. My right arm is so much smaller and the fat is collecting (or flab??) at the armpit area. My stomach used to have ONE problem area. I mean an area that I had to wipe with a baby wipe to keep clean ( I would do this every time I went potty) .. this is a non private area.. just an area suseptiple to uncleaness cuz it was so flabbish.. Once in a while it got a rash (it could be cleaned and soaked and gone in 24 hours) NOW.. my stomach has FIVE of those areas..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All my steachmarks are turning wrinkly.. I exspected that to happen.. BUT NOT when I am not loosing any weight.. At this point I have only lost about 65 pounds and I have lost 50 and 40 pounds many many times.. and NONE of this ever happened!!!! Sorry if this gets gross.. I find it very gross too. Then my leg.. the inner thigh.. it has this big dent in it.. It looks very nasty when I lift it to shave my legs.. I mean it ALWAYS looked nasty.. But this dent thing is Crazy.. AND all the pores in that area.. the inner thigh area are like wrinked and hold (or seem to hold) MANY MANY more pores.. I mean its all bunched together and No matter what i do, I cant stand to feel it... Its like I need a MASSIVE exfoliation that I never felt I needed before... HOw can you exfolite skin that isnt taught (without help, at my size) Ok... SO I had my first discusting.. LIKE serious BEd sore/ rash?? episode. I took pictures it was so bad. It appeared one day OVERnight, NO kidding.. It only took 2 days to get rid of, but none the less I was freaked OUT!!!! I am going to bring the pics to my doctor to show him. I guess I want a record if my body is gonna start doing this. Sooooooooo I brought up two issues here... sorry.. I am getting very scared.. I havent lost much weight and my body is INSANE changing and flabbing out and NEW to me and causing pores and rashes and seems like if I lose 50 more pounds I would have so bathe 4 times a day to keep clean,. lol anyway. thanks for listning I love you guys

I started out in October at a size 22/24. I was finally forced to buy a couple of new bras last night, one pair of Jeans, and two new shirts. The shirts are size 14/16 and the jeans are size 18. I probably could've bought a 16 but they would have definitely been too tight in the sitting position LOL. The scale is still moving but this is exciting because I can finally see the difference myself!

NSVs are always great!

Got into a smaller bra, sorry guys out there but to us girls it's a big thing. And the best part was it was on clearance at Dillard's, it was a Wacoal, originally $48, I got it for $15, yup, I did. Then I hit Belk's and bought a 1X shirt, yes I did, and it was on sale got it for $7, it was my day, oh and I tried on some cute jeans at Belk's size 22, they fit but too darn long and they said short, I was so disappointed and they were on sale, I should have gotten them and had them altered.

jekbird, Here is my favorite link before I go to get a fill. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/increase-your-chances-t22611.html Grats on the NSV that is awesome!

Maintenance. Definitely. The thrill of losing weight and NSVs are gone and everything gets tedious and boring and old bad habits start knocking on the door. Life still happens and now you have to deal with it without your old pal, food. All that other stuff is temporary.....Maintenance is forever.

Aww! Great NSV. I know that you must have had a secret smile all day long. Good for you. Karen

That is great! Those NSV's are better than the scale number! I notice that mine aren't swelling at the end of the day like they were... still some, but not near as much. I really think all the carbs I used to eat made me retain Water too.

Hello all, I am going to be sleeved on Tuesday (19th September 2017) and I found myself on this website this evening creating a profile... I suppose I am on here for some support and guidance, but also because I thought it might help center my own thoughts about my journey to 'have to' type it out. Mini therapy, I guess. I also couldn't find - maybe I was being lazy - too many people sharing their journey with my sort of stats, so many I will be helpful to some younger, female patients on the 'light' side of the scale in terms of what to expect etc. We are all in this together! VITAL STATS Age: 26 Height: 159cm or 5'1" Weight: About 86.5kg, or 190lbs - I will verify this and put it on my signature when I am weighed pre-op. Female Location: Australia, home for the operation but I live in London, UK. Surgery + Date: Gastric Sleeve 19/09/17 JOURNEY TO NOW I suppose I always had a bit of a problem with my weight. I have certainly gone through periods in my young adult life where I was slim. The trouble for me, I suppose, is that I have an identical twin sister who has always been slimmer than I have (maybe 5-7kgs) and, as such, I have always subconsciously felt like the 'bigger' twin. My twin is tiny - she is now about 20kgs lighter than me and it really gets me down. She lives in Australia still and I am in London, but imagine living with a 20kg lighter version of yourself! Someone who is exactly like you but 25% less weight. It can be hard, although she is really supportive. I am a really emotionally stable and rational person, but I have self-control issues and I emotionally eat. In the last 2.5 years, I have gone through 2 serious break-ups. The first was with my boyfriend of on-again/off-again 9 years...and the second was with a man I loved possibly more. I turned straight to food and alcohol (which I seldom drank prior) to forget the pain I was feeling and to be able to get on with work. Over this 2-2.5 year period, I have gained about 25kgs. I remember being 62kgs at Christmas 2013, and when I was weighed a month or so ago at the surgeon's office I was 86.6kg. To say I was devastated was an understatement. Although I admit I have self-control issues, I certainly have it within me. I guess I would classify as an 'all or nothing' person; I can easily eat and eat and eat, but when I reallllllly get on a roll with a diet, I am the type to be able to starve myself. This has lead in the past (over 10 years) to yo-yo dieting and I have tried it all; starvation, protein shakes, exercising, duromine/metermine pills...really anything. Sometimes it has worked, sometimes it hasn't. My mother has been overweight my whole life and although she doesn't have diabetes, her mother did. I live in a family of eaters and providers, and I see patterns in my own behaviour that mirror my mother. My mother was a very attractive woman in her youth - she is still attractive now actually - but I do not wish to see the same health and aesthetic issues she has repeated in my own life. I find myself not wanting to go out and socialise because I have nothing to wear; my clothes don't fit and I always tell myself I should lose weight before I buy more...I say no to outings, I hide away and eat. I am embarrassed about my weight - I hear myself telling people that I 'put on weight recently' and over-compensate for it by saying how I used to be slimmer....I go shopping and I don't even bother to look at perfectly normal, lovely clothing because I seem to have subconsciously (or otherwise) decided that I could never wear something like x, y, z. All of this might seem extreme given that I seem to be less overweight relative to some people on this forum - but I am sure these are issues we all share to varying degrees. Also, I am so short and small in frame that my weight is probably largely as evident as others. All in all, I suppose I subconsciously 'decided' I was chubby years ago and have become obese as a result. It is such an unhealthy pattern. GOALS First goal: get under 80kg. Second: get under 70kg. I want to take it as it comes. But, longer term: to be 60kg or under. 55kg would be ideal. 60kg would be great, too. NSV: Throw out all the old clothing I have been wearing to cover up - aka my 'fat' clothes. NSV: Buy size 28 jeans for comfort, like I used to. I am currently in a 32 of the same jean. To be honest it's really hard to write my goals as I have not yet even conceptualised this working! It has been so long since I lost weight and felt good that I can't even remember....perhaps I will work on the goal list later! I'm also gonna post some headless pics....I think that will help me... Anyway, this is a start. I have an appointment on Monday to see the Dr and take bloods...then it's straight to it on Tuesday. Wish me luck!