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@@Jobey Wow, you look great ! Congratulations! Yes, I too noticed slowing down of my weight loss. I lost 33kg/72 Ib in my first 6-7 months. Lately I have been sitting on 68kg/149 Ib for the past 6-7 weeks, and it is not budging. I even made a post about it in the General Gastric Sleeve: "I'm still Shrinking", as I am still losing my measurements. I am very close to Goal, and I don't like my scales right now, but my wrist, shoe size, arms and face are showing more changes. Plus my clothes are getting looser still. I have changed to mostly Protein diet now, and I got my GENEPRO Protein powder from the States that I add to my coffee now. Still add my Aussie protein powder to my yoghurt. For me, the honey moon period finished after 6-7 months, hunger returned and weight loss slowed. Thank goodness for NSVs! @@Jobey I am in Queensland too, moved to the Gold Coast few years ago (from Sydney).

Lil Miss Ree great NSV congrats

Can not believe how much time went by since my surgery!!! I am grateful of the results that I have enjoyed so far. Like most slow losers, I wish I had lost more! But things are moving along. I am making changes that will not only help me lose the weight now, but keep if off in the long run. I just went through a super stall, BUT to my surprise I got the most comments and compliments during that period!! Go figure lol!! My upper body slimmed down significantly, but my lower body is stubborn and will not be as flexible:( I did lose, but not as drastically as my top did. I hope that will be the next site of improvement or I am going to look very disproportionate:( NSV: I wore heels for the first time in YEARS today! And I felt ( do I dare say ) so SEXY lol!!! I am of good spirit and faith. I am going to win this fight.

Happy Sleeversary to me I can't believe that it has been 12 months since I had the surgery. For those of you who don't know me here are my stats: Starting weight was 173kg/ 382 Pounds and my current weight is 87kg/ 190 Pounds. Before surgery I hadn't slept lying down in a bed (comfortably) in over 7 years. I had chronic asthma, everything hurt all of the time (although I denied it back then) and it was just a struggle to move around. I had the surgery on September 3 2012. Things went badly. I got a leak. It took several surgeries and many months in ICU/ Surgical Ward before I could get the all clear to leave. That was November 2012. I didn't go back to work full time until the end of January 2013. Since then, well heck, things have just been getting better and better. The weight loss has been amazing. I've lost 86 kg/ 189.5 pounds - so tantalisingly close to half way lol. No fudging though - pesky 0.5kg The NSV's have been even better - the CLOTHES, shoes, movement, I am a "runner" now (on week 3 of the Couch to 5 K and am running in a 5K obstacle course at the end of the year), energy, clarity in thinking, enjoyment in life, exciting opportunities, flying without the embarrassment of asking for an extension seat belt, people looking you in the eye, not being "invisible" anymore, shop assistants are helpful and attentive, men FLIRT (okay, so maybe I do too - just a little), I've had a significant promotion, looking to travel OS next year, am planning for a future THAT I WANT not just settling for what I think I can have. For anyone considering this surgery know that there are real risks involved. For a while, the first few months in fact, I had really thought I had stuffed up and ruined my life by having the surgery. This was due to the complications and difficult recovery that I had during this time. Looking back now, whilst I would never want to be back in that place, I am so grateful for where I am now that I truly believe this to be the most wonderful, life changing – life SAVING – thing I could have done for me, for my family and to secure my future. Where to from here? Well I want to lose about 14kg more which will mean an overall loss of 100kg and my weight will be around 73kg. I am quite tall so I would look quite thin at this weight. Not sure if I will get there or will want to, but at the least, I would like to lose another 10kg hopefully by Christmas. I am loving my new active life, the way that food has become fuel and though still enjoyable, it’s no longer the driving force in my life. I wish you all the same happiness and success in your own journey’s! I have put in some comparison photo's for you guy's to see the transformation Best wishes to you all! Cheers, Liss

That is AWESOME Marie! Isn't it amazing the difference with the weight-loss???!!! I think we are actually very strong from the years of carrying the extra weight... and then... when we lose a chunk of that weight... WATCH OUT LANCE! WTG!!!!!! I love hearing about NSV's... it just makes my day! I was just happy to be able to ride my bike the last few weekends... I got it for Christmas and the beautiful thing had just been collecting dust as it was just too uncomfortable to ride at my previous weight. I am so glad that I am able to enjoy it now and know it will just get easier and easier! Darcy

Neicy, that's why I posted about this trip... to encourage other bandsters and let them know that their life is just going to get better and better. Hopeful 1, I didn't have a clue what would happen to me after I got my band. I really assumed I'd fall flat on my face. To lose 50 pounds has not been hard at all. In fact, it's been so rewarding to see the NSVs uncovered. I never dreamed I'd fall in love with bicycling and go on beautiful treks. And to be capable of climbing any mountain trail that I wanted - all the way to the top and back down. Well, that has to be one of the most rewarding moments in my life. I've learned that it takes more than just losing the weight. You have to also have some steady form of exercise to build up your endurance. Without the routine bicycling, I would not have had the lung capacity and the leg strength to hit those mountain trails. There were times I was huffing and puffing, but I did it! Again, please let me encourage you to reach out there and attempt things that you might never have even contemplated. You and your family will be so pleasantly surprised. Best of luck to each of you!!!

Thank you!! Thank you!! Vinesqueen, you asked for my NSV's. Here they are: 1) I weigh less then my husband which has NEVER happened since we were first married. 2) The person in the mirror now matches up with the person inside. 3) I weigh less then my driver's liscense says I do. 4) I get lots of looks from guys & I've NEVER had that. 5) I am wearing a bathing suit in public! 6) My kids are bragging about me to their friends instead of being emberassed. 7) I run into people who knew me a long time ago & they have no clue who I am!! 8) I looking younger then my younger sisters. 9) I can wear my seat belt in the car comfortably! 10) I don't mind taking pictures anymore. THE BAND WORKS!!!!! :biggrin1: :scared: :biggrin1: :scared: :biggrin1:

Hope you feel better, too. Co.grays on your nsv.

Congats on the NSV. I know it was a ego boost and those are wonderful after all our hard work.

#14 - Biggest NSV so far I'm going to change this to my biggest NSV this month .... hiking without feeling anxious I would be out of breath, sweaty, overly exhausted, and generally just feel embarrassed about my weight. That was a huge reason I avoided physical activity, I felt humiliated I was so out of shape.

Biggest NSV so far: Warning TMI (Y'all know me by now! No filter!) Sex has brought about a whole new (old really) set of issues buuut! It's so much better! I used to get tired like a dude after only a single orgasm but now? child I tell you what! We don't stop 'till I say so! ^.^

They were huge fans of my NSV last night. Hubby still gives them piggyback rides to bed even though our 10yo is 5'3". I got to take a piggyback ride down the hall too this time! We are BUSY! ❤️❤️❤️

Sorry was flying yesterday... Total with yesterday and today, 81 miles! Woot!woot! Also an NSV... While I was waiting on my mom to land, I parked and went into the airport and walked around baggage claim, I had around 45 minutes, did over three miles, and as I was walking, I had to control myself because my body wanted to run....WANTED TO RUN !? what? I had to give myself a mental pat on the back... It was awesome!

Hello ladies! Just checking in with you all to touch base on week 2 so far. So far so good... Was having issues with protein but I recently started getting the chaboni Greek yogurt an there's 12-16 grams protein in each 1. It takes me forever to eat one but it's a flavor switch up from the shakes. 5/28 was day of surgery;) SW: 290 CW: 268 NSV: Wedding ring feel completely off my finger!

Well here are my stats as of this am: Start weight was 189 ( that is as I was doing my preop diet) May 29 surgery weight was 183 Weight today is 171 NSV I can now wear my engagement and claddaugh rings hubby gave me when we were married 17 and a half years ago. I am fitting into smaller clothes in my closet. Challenges: it is tough when my family is eating all these tempting smelling things around me. But I have not given in and I will not give in bc I know this is head hunger, plus I am scared to pieces of leaks! I am basically having my protein shakes water and sf Popsicles during the day. I have tried stuff a little more "substantial" like puréed beans sf pudding and low carb yogurt, but gurgulina (my sleeves name) sings and complains for quote a while afterward so I get scared I am pushing it too soon.

Hey guys just jumping on for a quick second. Pat, thanks for the compliment. Just think how I would look with the massive amount of skin removed. (I tuck it into my pants right now) I could do without the breast lift.....Hubby says the girls still look really good. :confused: We went bowling with some people from a bike group that we belong to, and had a blast last night. It was nice to have some adult interaction. Abi went the the doctor yesterday and she has a sinus infection. We are back at the ENT tomorrow. I went for my allergy test today, good news is, no allergy. Bad news is I still have sinus issues with no real cause. I go for the cat-scan tomorrow. It was supposed to be today, but they had to postpone, the tech was sick today. I see the doc tomorrow, so we will see what he says. We got a ton of snow Sunday night, about 6 in. in a matter of a few hours. I shoveled the driveway, steps and walkway, and I didn't get winded at all. Talk about a huge NSV. We are expecting more snow again tonight....ugh! My neighbor is a real estate agent, we were out shoveling at the same time Sunday, and I told her that she had to sell me on staying here in this frozen hell. She just laughed at me, she says we have to stay cuz we are such good neighbors. She's the best. I also have big news. I ran for the board of directors in my subdivision, and last night I was elected onto the board. It will be a ton of work but worth it, I really do love my community. I'm off to bed. I'll check in later. ~Mandy

Oh please post a picture of you in your new sweater. It would be wonderful to see how far you have come...congratulations on a wonderful 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)

It has been a while since I have been on here regularly and written on here. I haven't even updated my weight for a few weeks. In the past 3 weeks I have gone from 276.8 to 262.6. So I am still losing well, and steadily. I'm down a total of 62.4 pounds now! Holy moly, I can barely believe it. Even though I know I still have a lot to lose left, I feel like an entirely new person. My life has kind of done a 180. I have energy, I have confidence, I feel like I look good when I wear my clothes. It's incredible. I cannot even list all the ways this surgery has changed my life. I have struggled with depression for the entirety of my adult life, and a lot of my late teens/early adulthood, so the level of difference is like night and day. I have had good times before, yes, but I feel like I've come so far in being where and who I want to be. I still have hard times, I still am a horrible procrastinator, but I feel like whatever the day throws at me, I am more ready for than I have ever been. And....I think I have a boyfriend. He hasn't actually called me his girlfriend, but we did have a casual conversation the other day in which we asked if the other was seeing anyone else, and neither of us are, so I guess that makes us exclusive? He invited me to a get together with his coworkers next weekend, so we will see what he introduces me as, or maybe between now and then we'll chat about it. He's really an awesome guy, and we click really well together. Last night we went to a corn maze and walked around for about two hours - something I probably never would have done pre-surgery. He has said that I motivate him to eat better when he's out eating and whatnot. I thought that was really neat. He doesn't have a lot to lose, maybe 40 pounds or so, but it would be awesome to have him get in shape and feel better too. So I spent the night at his place and the whole day and night were just fabulous. I can add one NSV to my list about having more fun during sex =) Skinnier sex is much more fun. Sometimes I feel like I need someone to pinch me, like is this really real? Is this my life now? How did I get to such a happy place so quickly? Not that I was horribly depressed before, but I certainly was not happy. I cannot say enough how thankful I am for this surgery. I will have to remember to let my surgeon know Thursday at my 3 month appointment that he has been such an instrument for change in my life. I'm sure he gets it a lot as people lose, but it would be nice to let him know that I feel so appreciative for the gift he has given me (Even though I paid for it =p). Anyway, I just wanted to update because I hadn't in a while, and I haven't really kept up on my food logging or searching posts here. I keep trying to get myself back into the habit of it, but it hasn't worked. It will continually be something that I try to work on until I can finally make it a habit. I haven't been eating poorly though, and my weight loss has been great, so I'm not concerned or anything. That being said, I'm procrastinating finishing getting ready for work, so I have to head off. I hope everyone is doing well! Life is good. =D

sounds great congrats on the NSV and Happy anniversay and Bandiversay

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!

Hello Ladies, I have to say you are all a God send to me. I am just post op 9 days now and no where near where you are, but I know I will be one day. The main reason I did this was for my health. Prior to surgery I took 20 pills daily to try and maintain my numbers and one day post op and I was down to 10. I expect that to go lower too! Going through this as you all know is an emotional roller coaster. One of my biggest fears was what if in the end just like every other time I couldn't maintain it? What if I can't control how much I eat etc. I know I will be able to this time because of the tool. I started this journey last June at 240lbs, this and that and that and this happens and was not able to have the surgery till April 27 this year. In the meantime I was determined to at least lose something while all the "stuff" was going on and by the time I did my pre-op diet I was 206. Not bad but at the same time I knew in my mind that if I didn't get this done that it would be just like the last time and the time before that and so on and so on and I would gain it back again. I read everything and anything about the surgery and what to do and the possible complications etc. Now, my mind has caught up and I am reading all the NSV's and success stories and how to maintain and their trials and tribulations. My goal weight is 140lbs ... for now. I'll see what my numbers are then and how my body feels at that weight but this time its not a matter of if I'll be able to do it but when I'll get there. So after all that I will be following you all as I have been doing for the past month, and grabbing all the inspiration you share! On a side note, I am going shopping this weekend for shoes for my sisters wedding and decided I was going to buy a "little black dress" in a size 8. Nothing crazy revealing, I am 44 years old! But I have ALWAYS wanted one and never thought it "appropriate" for someone my size through out my life, anywhere from a 16 to a 22. It will hang in my closet until I am able to fit into it and then I am going to make hubby take me out for a night on the town! LOL Again thanks for sharing everything that you do! Raine

Ya - I guess our husbands could have a good chat, huh? But I see how he looks at me now, and I see how protective he is of me now. It was nice to say he misses me fat, but honestly, he is lying. Truth is he just loves me any whicha way. And I feel the same. I had a funny NSV at work. We have this young guy at work, maybe 20 years old. Kinda mental, cross-eyed. I'm serious, no joking. But he told my friend's husband that if he has a wife my age some day he hopes she looks as good as I do. Kinda a funny sorta-compliment from a very cross-eyed guy. But still, it was nice, right?

DH-could be "Darling Husband" but probably means "D-Head" - that's funny! NSV is a non-scale victory. Something cool that doesn't have to do with numbers on the scale, like walking up stairs without having a heart attack or finally seeing your toes. Patient facilitators-to trust or not to trust? Depends on what you mean. Most Mexico doctors have a US Liason on their staff that will help you coordinate your trip to Mexico. They'll pick you up from the airport and look after you. But then there are patient coordinators that act like referral services. If you go through a referral service you will pay more. Best to call Kuri's office directly and avoid the middleman. Good luck to you. My husband was afraid I would wake up in Mexico with no kidneys. He figured they'd put me to sleep and sell my kidneys on the black market. But I've been back to Tijuana for 3 surgeries and still have all my organs!

hi everyone! This site is so helpful! I want to thank everyone for talking here. It really helps me to research the band and all related questions. My name is Kathy and I live in NC, just outside of Charlotte. I am considering banding in Mexico (insurance doesn't pay for bands, only gastric bypass, which I don't want to do). So off I will go, hopefully in March 2005, to see Dr. Kuri. I have 2 young children, ages 5 and (almost) 2. My husband is supportive but very nervous about 1) me be-bopping off to TJ for major surgery and 2)incurring a bit of temporary debt until I can go back to work and pay this off. But he feels like this is a good solution for my struggle with weight loss. As he says, "just quit eating so much" but he knows it's more than that. I have been exercising faithfully for a full year and have lost and kept off 20 lbs, but I haven't lost anything since October. My goal is another 80-95 lbs. I currently weigh 220, but would like to see 145-160. BMI is 36.6 and I am 5'5". My percentage of body fat, according to the gym machine, is 43.6%. Yuck! I will be 40 this year (May 2005) which is what made me look into all this. I am weary of struggling and depriving myself and I don't want my 40's to be a decade of discouragement. Seems too much to hope for, but maybe with the band I can succeed. Here are some things I have learned by lurking... lurking-reading everything but not writing or contributing in any other way PBing-yuck but I have a perfect understanding of that DH-could be "Darling Husband" but probably means "D*&%" Husband avatar-whatever, I can't figure out how to do that but I think I have a smiley face, no pic tickers-no clue but I'll keep clicking NSV-what? it's something good though. patient facilitators-to trust or not to trust? Oh, there is so much to learn! Again, thank you everyone for all of your posts. They are really helpful and I hope to be able to contribute when the time comes. And...all you who have posted before and after pics...thank you-you have given me hope!