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Well hello there everyone - long time no see!!! It has been 3 weeks since my last post (that sounds like I'm in confession!!) I've been on a wonderful holiday in Khao Lak and Phuket Thailand. The weather was great, the resorts were amazing and I've come home feeling fully re-charged. On my holiday, although I didn't over-eat, I definitely ate whatever I wanted and didn't think too much at all about the calories - except when it came to cocktails, I couldn't get it out of my head that I was consuming empty calories with no nutritional value. I am so happy to report that I've returned home weighing exactly the same as when I left. I know the goal of this thing is to actually lose weight, but I have never ever in my life come home from a holiday without gaining weight. I really am so thrilled that I've managed to maintain it this time. I even managed a few NSV's on my time away - particularly shopping in stores that I have never found anything in before that would fit my size - yipppeee!!! My band definitely helped in this regard, it let me know whenever enough was enough, so I didn't try to put more food in than I could. I'm now back on my usual eating plan and and feel so much happier and healthier for my time away. I've attached some pictures for your viewing pleasure - I think the smile on my face says it all!!!

I crawled up in my fiance's lap! Not only did I fit, I comfortably fit! NSV for us both, he is 11 months post op, I'm 4 months post op.

@@jrquinter you weren't specific with any other question are you referring to your meds???? i spoke with my neurologist a month before surgery other docs too here is my story drum role please............. i was told to continue with my meds before WLS in the morning take with the least amount of Water as possible my doc told me how to take the meds before surgery check with YOUR doc After surgery i took meds with applesauce that night i was able to swallow as normal little difficulty, not much all went well with surgery and PO in the hospital little heads up though............ about 4 months PO i had orthopedic surgery at this point i had lost about 50 lbs a day after surgery (still in hospital) i had a bad seizure after blood was drawn/checked they realized i was very toxic from taking too much lamectil its like a baby taking same dosage as an adult, and vice versa dosage was cut in half!!!! all was well in a couple of days dosage being decreased was a BIG NSV that i wasn't expecting my advice is to talk with your neurologist about dosage of meds as weight loss occurs listen to your docs directions good luck with surgery kathy

When I first attended a bariatric surgery support group meeting, I almost decided to not have the surgery. Almost everyone in the group recited horror story after horror story. Then I reasoned that the main reason for this is that either the people attending the support group meeting are pre surgery or they are the individuals that are experiencing severe post surgery problems. The individuals that are free of any complications just do not feel a need to attend support group meetings. That is not the case now. The whole flavor of our support group is different. But the tone of the meetings is very important. I think it is important to first identify the general goals of the meeting: Provide advice to those who are about to undergo the process. Help those that have undergone surgery and experienced complications to resolve their problems. Share information Discuss individual success stories both in terms of weight loss and NSVs. I like to bring in something for show and tell at each meeting. People get excited about show and tell. Sharing a before and after picture is a good visual for the success of the surgery.

Had a visit with my surgeon yesterday. At 155 lbs (down 56 lbs from day of surgery), I asked him what he would expect my goal to be and if my goal of 140 was realistic. This was his answer: I could stop right now. I am at a healthy weight (even though I'm still overweight by BMI standards), all my labs are good and I am off all medications and CPAP machine. From his standpoint, I've met his goal for my health. Anything I loose now is for vanity. Of course he was quick to point out that there is nothing wrong with vanity, but doctors view weight loss success by improvements in health, not clothes size. I left his office inspired. I'm sure I'll loose more weight in the next few months, but I felt so proud of what I've done in the past 4.5 months. I think my obsession with the scale has become less important and the NSV's will be celebrated. Like today I'm wearing my 5'10", 145 lb daughter's size medium top from Forever 21. Now that is a VICTORY!

We all know how we've changed the outside of ourselves but what about the inner person? Once we become smaller/healthier/more active, how does that affect who we are and how we act/react to things? I'm not necessarily talking about an obvious NSV but more how the inside changes along with the outside. Some of the obvious things are self confidence and self image improvement. I know that I don't keep my head down the way I used to. I look people in the eye these days and I don't hesitate to engage someone I'm in the elevator with, or on line with while waiting to purchase a coffee or whatnot. I know I have a confidence about me that has been missing for a very long time. I also know that I have to remind myself not to feel superior to heavy people just because I don't look like that anymore. I know if I'm not diligent, I will be right back there again. I also have to remind myself to be patient with someone slower. I used to be that person...walking but struggling with the pain of degenerating hips. Using a cane and having to stay out of people's way for fear of being pushed aside or knocked over. I can walk almost normally now and believe it or not, I am one of those annoyed people if I get behind a slow poke. I can't believe I am not always sensitive about this as I am only a year or so out from that same situation. Anybody else have any thoughts about how they have changed since starting their weight loss journey..or even having met goal?

What a great NSV!!! Size 14 ????

I had a NSV this weekend. I wore a Ralph Lauren size 14 dress to my bridal shower. I started this journey a size 22. I'm 2 lbs away from losing 60 lbs!

Well, the scale is still just crawling along for me, but I did have a nice NSV yesterday. I bought and wore a pair of size 14 jeans. They were the same exact jeans I'd been wearing in a size 16 since the end of November, just a size smaller now. I thought about going ahead and buying the same pair in a 12 as well, but I didn't want to push my luck. Edit: I'll be taking progress pics on Wednesday and I'll be sure to post here when I do.

So you know the subway benches and how the end seats are usually more spacious and you can't fit in the middle seats if you are heavier well just who fits comfortably in the middle seats... this girl

Now that I am truly in the maintenance phase of my journey, I constantly look for ways to find motivation to stay on track. I weigh myself not for results, but to make sure the numbers stay constant. Without looking for weight loss, what is the motivation? I know how easy it is to fall back into bad habits. I found myself just a couple of weeks ago, realizing I was grazing too much and it showed on the scale. I have my own limits in terms of heading into the red zone. Above 115, I have to get my act in gear...above or even close to 120, that's a real problem. So far, I'm bouncing around between 112 and 116 but in order to stay in that range, I have to constantly remind myself of how it used to be with me. I make sure to keep myself aware of all the NSVs I have day in and day out and never to take them for granted. That means anything from buying clothes in the petite department instead of the women's department to walking around the city with minimal pain instead of struggling each and every step as I used to do. Even just this morning...starting my day by stretching my hamstrings and lower back as the physical therapist has recommended, I paid attention to how I could easily bring my bent leg to my chest because my leg, belly and thigh are normal sized. I went to JC Penney's yesterday because they were having a sale on fashion jewelry. I already have lots of clothes and don't need more, so I'm changing it up with accessories. I treat myself like I'm a real life Barbie doll and after years of buying clothes based on if they fit, it's wonderful to now buy based on how they look on me. I try to reward myself with things other than food. It's not always about purchasing things....I reward myself for getting to the pool to exercise by spending ten minutes in the sauna. Or I reward myself with a movie I really want to see, or an afternoon with a good book, a glass of wine, and a wedge of low fat Laughing Cow cheese. I know that I will have to be vigilant the rest of my life. Food will never be something I can take for granted or have a normal relationship with. It is my drug and I have to respect that addiction and always plan ahead to keep myself safe. I know that alot of folks on the site are in the losing weight stage and when they are maintaining, they drift away. I'm going to do my best to hang around and comment on this part of the journey. I daydream sometimes about my 5 or 10 year anniversary at a normal weight. My fervent hope is that my family and friends forget what I used to look like and think of me at this size like I was always this way. I think that's a good goal to reach for now that my weight goal has been met.

@@2babutterfly accepting a compliment = huge NSV. I so get that. Congratulations!

Yes. The lower your BMI gets and the closer you get to goal the more your body will try to hold on to the fat. Just keep doing what you are doing. Maybe look for NSV's instead.

Here's my NSV for today. I drove up here to Longview (about 4.5 hours from my house) to conduct a teacher's workshop. I brought a pair of my favorite dress pants that I hadn't worn since before the surgery because they were too tight. I figured they'd perfectly by now. And, yes, I know. I should have checked before I left home. So, now I have a little problem because they do not fit. They are literally falling off me. At the moment, I have a binder clip at my waist to "take them in." I have about an hour before the workshops starts. I'm seriously considering going to Wally World (aka Walmart) and getting a pair of "emergency pants." LOL! All I need is a bunch of teachers saying, "Teacher, Teacher I declare. I see someone's underwear!" Some situations are frustrating and exciting at the same time.... Have a great day, everyone. Glenda

Nothing is off limits on this site, and no matter how 'personal' a NSV is, it's still something most of us can identify with. Congrats on yours and here's to many more!

Here is a little nsv I had recently. Hope its not to personal. I was in a scooter vs car accident on March 10th so I am recovering from a pelvis fracture. A couple days ago I was given the go ahead to be able to go to bathroom alone. If you have never been there you have no idea how exciting that is.I am sitting on the toilet and finished my business when I realized I have always been a reach through wiper, arms to short or butt too big. Due to limitations on how I can move there was no way I could. I set and pondered this for a bit. I didn't want to call for help. I finally decided I was going to try reaching around and what do you know my arms must have gained at least 4in in the last couple years. Now the funny part of this is I have been able to do this for awhile because I have been on a plateau for well over 6 months, holding steady at 200-210. I had just never tried. Lol. One of the first things I thought of after the crash, while still laying on the pavement, and keep thinking of is how much harder this whole thing would be 150 pounds ago. Not only on me and my recovery but on the awesome people taking care of me.

I lost 19 lbs pre-op (360lb at surgery) and as of this morning I am 344. There is part of me that wants more. However I am only 9 days post op. I have to remind myself I didn't get this way over night so i can't expect it to come off that way. It's hard to not be a slave to the scale. I like NSV more. My clothes are fitting better and I have have been losing inches on my measurements. Stay positive and keep up the work.

I was sleeved on 12/8 and have lost 33 pounds. I know stalls happen and are normal, but TWO months? Seriously? I'm getting my Protein and Water, watching carbs and nothing is moving. I've even stopped seeing a change in clothes and other NSVs. I'm tapering off Cymbalta and to offset the horrible withdrawals, my Dr put me on Prozac until I'm off Cymbalya completely. Since then, I have been insanely hungry and it's been super hard not to graze. When I do, I try to make sure I'm eating some turkey or a cheese stick, even a few almonds. I also tore the meniscus in my right knee and haven't been able to excercise. I'm having surgery on it in 2 weeks, so it'll be even longer before I can start working out again. It's like a perfect storm of road blocks and it's SO hard not to get frustrated and feel like I'm failing this great opportunity.

My husband, 16 yr old daughter and my mom flew from Tucson to California to go to Disneyland over my daughters spring break, we just got home yesterday. This morning I get up and get on the scale to find I am down 2lbs and loving life. When we booked this vacation I was only two months post op and wondering how I would handle the challenges I might face being away from my routine and home. Well at 5 months and two weeks out I was fine, absolutely fine. A few NSV's I celebrated along the way, (1.) I fit in the airplane seat NO extender needed, no oozing onto the person next to me (2.) was able to use my own tray table, laid down flat and didn't rest on my belly at all (3.) walked and walked and walked for four days straight, clocking an average of 20,000 to 22,000 steps daily, with no foot pain (4.) fit on every ride I went on (5.) wore a matching shirt with my daughter one day (will post a pic) and the family another day, was never able to do this because of my size (5.) wore a sleeveless top one day and shorts another day and was comfortable in both I planned ahead and brought my unflavored Protein for my morning decaf tea and my Quest bars for one meal during the day to make sure to get in my protein everyday. I was able to find options for meals without any trouble. Had a few bites of treats here and there. I made sure to get enough liquids in also, it was in the 90's a few days we were there. Overall we had a blast and I was okay, realize this is my new normal and I like it. I was so happy also that when I got up this morning after being gone for 6 days I had lost 2 pounds. Woo Hoo! I think all the walking helped a lot. So just remember this new way of life is doable, I didn't feel restricted at all. With planning ahead and being prepared I successfully had a wonderful vacation!!! I have to apologize in advance for my pics being on their sides, they look the right way on my computer but then when I attach them to my post they always go sideways??

Congrats on your first NSV!

Had my first NSV today. I had a couple of people at work tell me that it looks like I am losing weight in my face. Hooray!!!

I had an weird NSV today, but I finally had to buy smaller underwear! I know that sounds weird, but underwear are one of those things you can keep through many sizes and not worry about. It also tells me I was wearing the wrong size underwear for a long time and stretched them as I gained weight. Lol may not seem like a big deal, but it was to me.

Ugh I can't wait til I'm in the onederland numbers. I still have so far to go and it is taking a long time mentally but in reality I know it is not bad at all. I started going to the gym this week for 90 mins of cardio and I do 50 mins of strength training with my trainer. I have manage to burn off more then what I eat every day which I think pushed me over my stall. THANK GOODNESS....I really don't seem to mentally handle the stalls very well. I know I should be patient cause I tell others to but man it is really annoying. I did take my monthly pics and I can not see the different but I def can feel the difference. I'm down three pant sizes and I can fit into old clothes but in the pic I just can not see a difference. I think that will be the best NSV for me when I can really see a difference. I'm super proud of everyone on this thread. I think we are all doing so well. A year ago I did not think I would ever see this weight again and I'm glad I finally decided to take my life back and break up with my addiction to food, Well, I'll always be addicted but now I have learned how to fight it!

So today I was able to fit into a very very tight space on the train that a month and a half ago would have cause me to not even get on the train