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my fast went ok friday - went over 500 but under 800 so I am claiming it! on another note, sorted out my summer wardrobe; put woolies away and got out my linen trousers from last year - the size UK14 are way to big - they have to be recycled! As I was doing this I found a skirt I wore for my 21 birthday and for a laugh I tried it on... well bloody hell fire - it fits! Ok, it is tight around the waist and I probably wouldn't be able to wear it for long.. but I can do the button and the zip up to the top! How happy am I? NSV claimed right there!

So, I traveled to Italy with my husband and younger college daughter, meeting my older college daughter there after her semester abroad in Madrid. Today is the second day. I decided to start a thread for this because I'm so unbelievably happy with all the changes in my life so far that are making this trip truly one in a lifetime. I also wanted to not hijack the NSV thread because I have so much to be happy about, and this trip will be for two weeks! Before I departed Chicago, I was 9 weeks postop and 4 weeks after my first band fill. I had dropped 55 pounds from my high weight in February. I was 302 then and 247 now. I was nervous about flying, and my new band being too tight during the flight. My first happy moment was fitting in the seat without a seatbelt extender and actually having to pull it tighter! I dreamed of that and it happened. Second was the in flight meal. I didn't plan to eat because I was afraid of tightness due to swelling during flight, but I was pretty hungry and decided to try very carefully. It was fine. I ate very slowly and chewed very thoroughly. I also drank tomato juice, Water and tea on the plane and kept my liquids up. My younger daughter decided she was going to help me by sharing meals with me over the next two weeks so that I didn't overdo it. So our first airport food was shared between connecting flights and it was enough. A little Chinese beef for me and beef and rice for her. After we landed the next day in Rome and found our luggage, our older daughter met us at Arrivals. She put her arms all the way around me and told me I was "tiny". I haven't seen her in over 5-1/2 months since she took a semester abroad. It was wonderful to see her again. Off to Rome from the Italian terminal. From there a train to florence. Between the Chicago, Dublin and Rome airports, and then walking about two miles over cobblestones with all of our luggage to our Florence hotel, I walked more than I have in years. I was tired and sore but not the least bit out of breath. I was so happy about not being winded that I decided not to strangle our travel agent who told us it was "a few blocks" away and not worth a taxi. Then a lovely dinner in our hotel, which I was able to eat about half of. I've never left delicious food on a plate in a foreign country until now. It was incredible. Today we awoke to realize my phone alarm didn't ring and wake us up like I'd planned, so my family went downstairs to have the continental Breakfast in a hurry while I dressed and had an powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein shake. I'm so glad I brought the to-go packets. Off to the first activity of our trip -- a 3 hour walking tour of Florence. How can I describe what it feels like to be able to walk for three hours (plus the 30 minutes returning to our hotel because they don't return you to the starting spot) and stand and walk without stopping to sit, when six months before this, walking to the church a block from my house made my back ache and my chest heave so much that I always felt I was a heart attack waiting to happen? Not once did I get winded today. My feet are damned sore but that's from the cobblestones. My back does not ache. My arthritic knee started to complain in the final hour, but not all day. We stopped at a little restaurant and I had a delightful lunch of roasted cheese and vegetables and a glass of wine with my teen daughters. That was a new experience for all of us! Needless to say, they love Europe! Then we stopped for gelato at a recommended spot and I did not order the large, or the medium, or the small. I ordered the "tiny", in keeping with my new identity. It was about 1/4 cup of chocolate hazelnut heaven. And it was enough!! Back to the hotel and into the bath. Deep European tubs -- sinfully decadent! Loving every minute of it. Resting now before a walk tonight and dinner somewhere. Tomorrow is an eleven hour tour of Tuscany by bus and a winery in there somewhere. More to come!

Take a deeep breath:-) You're doing fantastic!! 40lbs. in 5 months is amazing! My doctor always told me that an average 6-8lbs monthly loss was amazing! It's been 5 months since your surgery which means you're averaging an 8lb loss every month which is the highest end of the average. This is all just my opinion but when I read your post, I almost feel like you're trying to prepare yourself for failure so that you wouldn't experience disappointment. Trust me, been there done that, but like you said this is a lifestyle change, not a diet where you do anything and everything to dump as much as you can as fast as you can. Everyone loses at a different rate, and your weight loss rate is great. I'm not sure but are you worrying so much about weight and food that you're dealing with head hunger vs. real hunger and are unable to tell the difference? If you're stressing out alot about it, that will also give you a hungry feeling, so try and relax and listen to your band, not your head:-) Just because the scale isn't moving doesn't mean you're not losing weight, if your clothes are fitting better than you're losing inches vs. lbs. Your body goes through these cycles of lbs lost vs inches lost to keep up with itself so what seems to be a stall on the scale is acutally your body catching up and sheading inches, which to me is a hell of alot more important than the # on the scale! Don't get down on yourself, you're not a failure. If you stay the course and communicate properly with your doctor, follow his or her instructions to the T, eat as healthy and as clean as you can, exercise and get your Protein and Water in, YOU WILL LOSE WEIGHT. There really isn't another option. Yes, there will be times when the scale stalls but during those times look for as many non-scale victories (NSV) as you can to keep yourself positive and motivated!! You're going to be just fine!!

And I'm so happy for you. This post made me grin from ear to ear. Sending out a big ole hug to you. This is a great NSV!!

Replies to this are going to vary ALOT by what stage you are in. The first 6-8 weeks for many of us weren't alot of fun. It is hard to get Water in... transitioning to solid food is hard... all that, it was like a fulltime job! Then, it is AMAZING.. the honeymoon period when the weight is coming off and you feel on top of the world. I can remember all those NSVs (non scale victories). Honestly, I was so happy that it made up for saying good by to my old friend "over eating" Then, most of us face a cross roads... weight loss slows or stops and you need to decide how you will face that. I decided that while I was so much better off weighing under 200# rather than over 300# - I wanted to strive for a more normal size so I pushed hard to get to my goal. I didn't want to look matronly I guess - not really sure, but I wanted to be a normal size. Once you are past the rapid weight loss phase, it becomes alot more about your personal efforts to get the weight off. Then, there is maintenance which is a whole nother headtrip in many ways. Even so, I needed this surgery to get my health under control. Health improvements are the foundation for my life improvements and that is the track I am on.

I'm a slow loser too. But I know I am doing everything that needs to be done. During stalls I concentrate on NSV's to celebrate. DEE http://deekajungumbo.blogspot.com/2014/05/friday-weigh-in.html

Hey my fellow July sleevers!! It's been awhile since I've posted here, but things are going well. Sleeved July 15, 2013 at 370 lbs. (down from 379, highest weight), and this morning I weighed in at 287 lbs. for a total of 92 lbs. lost in 10 months. I still have 127 more to go for my goal of 160, but I know that I'll get there. So many things have changed: I'm doing more, I'm putting me first, and I am excited to shop for new clothes for the first time in my life! My best NSV of this year was custom ordering a wedding dress that got here and still turned out to be too big because I had shrunk :-) Hope everyone is doing well!

Thank you I look forward v to the NSV

As my hubby said , I was a "cheap date" before surgery, as i cant hold liquor much. 2 was my limit, now im "one and done ." !! I have a cup of regulat tea in the am, decaf the rest of the day. Couldnt tell you about soda pop, I rarely had it before WLS , now its never . . Some people just lose their taste for certain things, but honestly you wont care when your clothes are getting too big ( again ?? ) , the compliments are coming in left and right along with all the NSV s !!! Good luck !!

That article is me. I have lost half my body weight and I have always been honest on this forum. I see a therapist because I don't recognize myself in the mirror. I find I resent compliments at times. They just remind me of how big I was. I'm tired of hearing people say that that they didn't realize it was me. (I was out of the office for several weeks on medical leave). I know I have issues and I'm working on dealing with them so I don't become one of those folks who starts a topic saying they have 'fallen off the wagon.' I don't mind when I know I'm having a NSV but I'd just as soon people get used to what I look like now and leave it alone. Oh, and I also go to a physical therapist as well. Just like the article mentioned, I had very limited mobility and there is alot of damage even with all the weight off. I have no muscle strength and my balance is still poor. Just goes to show you that while my ticker says I've reached goal, that's just a number. I'm still very much on this journey.

Great start mocca. That's alot of weight to drop in the beginning. I'm sure you've heard alot of it already...eat smart, eat slow, small bites, etc. Can I give you a little different advice? Because you've already lost a great deal of weight, try not to weigh yourself too often. It might feel like you are failing (which you are not) once the weight loss slows down. Find NSVs instead of checking your numbers. That's the best thing you can do because there are alot more of those even if the scale isn't moving. Good luck and keep us posted!

My NSV today is this. For the second time in three days, I am moving my younger daughter's college stuff out of her 14th floor dorm and bringing a carload home. Although my joints are hurting from my arthritis, I have not been out of breath even once. This is amazing to me, because less than six months ago, I could not walk even half a block with empty arms without getting winded. Now less than nine weeks postop, I can do all of this with ease and feel so much healthier. The surgery has truly saved my life.

Of course we have... we all will at one point or another. Try not to stress - 2 weeks is nothing... i know it totally sucks & feels like forever, but it wont last forever... during a stall, you have to look for the NSV - like lost inches, or fitting into something smaller, underware falling down... its those little things that will help you during the stalls... cause they are going to happen... Try to up your workout, or look at your food intake, lower your carbs, increase your Water, maybe do a few days of just Protein shakes... something to "shake" things up a bit... Good luck to you! (remember this wont last forever)

It is so South Florida lol! I love this forum because you can't really "brag" or "whine" to anyone else I am so very happy for all of you and all of your NSVs - you make my heart smile! Debbie - you look great & so healthy! Go Walking - you are an inspiration to me and help us all remember all the little things we are missing when it comes to our weight loss/journey! Chasing a Dream - you aren't chasing your dream - you are living it - look at those numbers Sandy & CG - you have changed your whole lives and with every single post I want to be just like you! & CG - you keep me in check - I don't want to get smacked by your pink feathery whip (although some people might think that was a little kinky) LOL

Congrats on such a great NSV!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am looking forward to my next flight. It will be the 1st time I will be able to put the tray all the way down!

I flew today and did not need a seat belt extender. I sat next to two men and I was not super cramped. It was glorious!

well I know I've just lost 20 lbs. so far however I just had a NSV. My neighbor, whom I haven't seen since I started the pre-op diet two weeks ago, just saw me outside and said I looked great and looked like I had lost a little weight. I beamed and said yes, I'm trying to watch what I eat, lol. Just made me feel good so I thought I'd share. happy moment, can't wait for more moments like that

Ok here is one more as some people o posted about plane rides and the small seats and seat belt extenders , well guess what I didn't need one either so happy for all of us as you can really see how much more length I had not a great pic, as I was slouching so my clothes are all bunched up , but you get the of this nsv . Oh and my face is getting smaller, as you can see I didn't and people were telling me they could se it in my face so it was time to take a pic and try and see it for my self, even though my eyes and mind still play that mind game of me being the big heavy , unhealthy me.

I understand why you would wonder that - it's an excellent question. The way being sleeved helps me is that I now have a short list of very simple rules that I have to follow if I want to get to my goal weight and stay healthy. They go into effect when one is released from the post op liquids/pureed/soft foods restrictions. They are: Consume 60-80 gm Protein per day and 60-80 oz of Clear liquids per day. Every day. Do not drink anything for at least 30 minutes before a meal or snack. If you forget and do drink, re-set the timer and wait another 30 minutes before you eat. Eat dense protein first at every meal. Eat a very few bites of non-starchy veggie in addition if you have room. Decide how many meals and/or protein Snacks you're going to have per day, and stick to it. Do not eat between meals. Wait at least 30 minutes after every meal or snack before drinking anything. If your mouth gets really dry you could rinse after eating or brush your teeth. I avoid alcohol because I'm concerned it would decrease my ability to resist bad food choices. Follow those rules at least 90% of the time, and you will succeed. For the other 10%, do not beat yourself up - just get back on the wagon immediately and Sleeve On! I was very fortunate in that I was not hungry at all for 2-3 months post op. I ate because I knew I should. When my hunger returned it wasn't as intense as before, and by then I had established my new eating habits which helped a LOT. Now I eat every 4 hours (8a, 12n, 4p and 8p), and I keep my carb intake as low as humanly possible. Both factors contribute to my never being hungry for very long at a time. What keeps me on track when I could never stick to a diet before: The feeling of satisfaction / fullness after each meal, plus the decreased hunger, is the main thing that makes it possible for me to stick to the plan. I do get head hunger sometimes, and when I can't ignore it I have a big glass of Water, a SF popsicle or some SF Crystal Light. I've lost a significant amount of weight doing this, so I KNOW it works. I will be da**ed if I'm going to throw away the $12,500 I paid out of my pocket to have this done, not to mention all the work I've done (and the goodies I've resisted eating) to get to this point. Sometimes I just repeat to myself, as many times as necessary "I'm not going to eat that. Not gonna do it. There will be goodies available when I'm at my goal." The support available on this site and on the Facebook group I belong to is PHENOMINAL. It helps SO much, especially at those times when family/friends would probably beat me to death if I mention one more thing about the trials and tribulations -- or the NSVs -- related to being sleeved. The above have kept me going even through a 6-week stall, and I am deTERmined to get to my goal. Hope that helps. Best wishes.

This made me laugh out loud and really made my day. I know I still float! I made a long, long list of about 100 NSV's that I anticipate to achieve and I'll have to add this to the list. I'm going to mark them off with the date I achieved them. I've been around Water my whole life and was a swim instructor and life guard and always been a good floater! I can't wait to SINK for once in my life! Thanks for sharing this NSV, NMJG Carol

@NMJG Oh congrats on your NSV!!! Love moments like this - I cant "weight" either par1959 LOL!!! Guess i better start thinking bathing suit shopping!

I used to float around the pool on my back. Discovered yesterday during my first swim of the season that I sink now. Can't float! My ballast is gone! I just think this is so funny.

I think at first everyday I was discovering new "non-scale victories!" It's very exciting!! Congrats on your journey!! I think one of the best unexpected "NSV" for me has been how everyone has commented on how much younger I look now. I definitely wasn't thinking necessarily of looking younger as a benefit of losing weight. :-) But I'll take it!!!

I hit major stalls at pretty much every "10 lb lost" mark. The longest stall was 2 months, and it made me so mad! My doctor helped me through it though - he told me to stop worrying about the numbers on the scale, and to use it to just make sure I'm not gaining in a significant way. And that's how I use the scale to this day. NSVs are way more fun anyway! OMG, I remember one week I went up 5 lbs, and it P'd me off so bad - I wasn't even eating solid foods yet. Granted, it was the week before the start of my menstrual cycle, but still. For the first year, the numbers on the scale didn't move to match the changes I saw in the mirror, and it was so frustrating. I had a lot of anxiety over my 2 month stall (at 214 lbs, I'll never forget it). I kept saying to myself, "IS THIS IT??" Long story short: don't worry!