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My very best NSV occurred late last week: to be asked to participate in a professional photoshoot and tell my story for my WLS Center website and other promotional material. It is exciting to be able to do this and to have an impact on many future WLS candidates!

Best nsv to date... Completing 4 half marathons in a year!

So last week (week of Thanksgiving) was a crazy week because I went home to Arkansas to spend time with family... First off it was super fun...My daugther is having my first glam-baby and I got a chance to see my glam-baby on the ultrasound. We also had the baby shower the Saturday following Thanksgiving and it was fab as well..Okay I could go on and on about that because I am so happy but that is for another blog.. Well it was the first time any of my family had seen me since surgery and only my mom and daughter knew I had surgery...For the most part everyone had good things to say...My aunt and cousin jokingly called me a "crackhead" or a "cancer patient" as they said I was so small...They aint seen small yet...I got more pounds to lose before hitting my goal...As many of us VSG folk probably was, I was nervous about how I would be around so much food...good southern homemade food....Not to mention all the eateries that are my "have" to go to list when I am home...Admittedly, I did eat more carbs and sweets overall than I have eaten on any day since surgery. However, it was in such small quantity that I did not beat myself up about it. Instead, I just was more conscious about my calorie burn. I do not recall if I mentioned previously but I renewed my subscription to the bodybugg again. I am amazed of how much more efficient my body has become on a reduced calorie diet and less weight. Before the surgery and without any exercise I would burn 2500 calories a day doing just normal activity. Now, I am at 2000 calories a day...While in Arkansas I made sure to hit 2500 mark so I could burn off the extra calories I took on by indulging in cake and dips. In the end I only lost 0.8lbs te week of Thanksgiving. It is actually more than I had on my projected weight loss chart. I said I would lose nothing so I count it as a victory. Things have bounced back this week and I lost 2lbs. I am happy with that but I would like to get my weekly loss up to about 3lbs a week. I am going to get back on my workout regime as I fell all the way off these past 3 weeks. If I am to be running ( I mean running...now walking) a half marathon on June 1st, I need to be in the full swing of daily running like yesterday... And for the not so good...I have had some awesome victories since having my sleeve...My best NSV when I was in Arkansas is I wore my daughter size Large Monkey Suit (Onesie). I have wanted one of those for about two years but could not find one big enough...Well now I can wear a Junior Large...I also bought a Junior Large pair of Yoga pants from Kohls during after Thanskgiving sale...Another big moment...I wish I would have taken a pic with them on because even I must say I think I looked "skinny"..a relative term indeed but it was a skinny moment for me...And the oh girl you are gorgeous...girl you fine comments are coming...oh how I love my sleeve...I guess the best part is not the comments themselves but I actually feel pretty again... But oh back to the bad...My hair has started coming out in chunks...It is so thin...I am wearing hair make-up every day to color in my sides and I have to wear full and half wigs as my hair is so thin in the front. I have been wanting to cut it short anyway but I wanted to do that on my own time...Now entire otherwise healthy strings are hair is just all over the bathroom floor and sink with the slightest comb or brushing...I keep telling myself my doctor has said there are no bald weight loss patients...It will come back and I guess the good thing is when it comes back all the relaxer will be off and I can go naturally curly and short as I wanted to do anyways... I have an Ormin body fat monitor and previous to surgery it said my body fat (bf) was very high about 40.8%..I notice a couple of weeks ago, it now simply says high and now I am 34% bf. That and with some inspiration from my sleeve buddy I decided my next big goal was to get to a healthy bf and bmi. For my height that is 164lbs for a healthy BMI...Hopefully, with the workouts the bf comes on down as well...In the meantime, my interim goal is to be 175lb by Christmas...Gotta put in work to make it happen. I am posting some swim suit progress shots against my better judgement given this is the internet..but I want to give an honest reflection of me...Its hard to hide the flab in a two piece... Beware the photos are horrible but they are becoming less horrible as the months pass. Excuse the blur in the photo and that the distance the photos were taken were not exactly the same but I still think they reflect the 45lb weight loss... Until next week all.... HW 232 & SW 227 (VSG 08/17/12 & 5'8) LW 188.8 Week 14 Weight - 188.2 CW 186.2 [Total Weight Loss 43.2lbs] GW 155 [31.2lbs until Goal]

What an awesome NSV! I'll have to pay more attention when I put my bra on. Its so much a habit...I hadn't really thought about it. LOL.

Clothes. What a total and complete change of feels about them for me as well. I hated clothes shopping in the past. Hated buying crap from Casual Male or any other big & tall store.....or bigger & taller. Now....it's so much easier. Any store has my pants or shirts in stock.....whether it's a clothing store, a sporting goods store or even Walmart. The new sizes are much, much cheaper than before, too. Levis, Dockers, Izod, Polo brands but at cheaper prices than I was paying at the no-brand b&t stores. I actually enjoyed the last shopping trip I went on. This may have been the first time in history that I can say this. Unforeseen NSV. You look great !!! It's gotta feel good to wear fitted clothes again and rock 'em like you are. Well done. Nooooooooooooo not the butt.........

Okay, I love reading NSV's, and SV's, and just cool stuff like that. What do you want to do? What have you done? Weight related, not weight related, just cool stuff. I'm 5 lbs from my halfway point. Started at 280, halfway will be 210, goal is 140 (ish, but for the sake of numbers, it's 140). I am Obese, no longer morbidly obese, and down from severely obese (or the other way around, I don't remember). I am a graphic designer. I always wanted to do something with art, but didn't know what. I started as a QA person for my mom's consulting agency, and then one time our client needed banners "ASAP", so I threw something together. 3 years later, I do all of their graphics exclusively. It probably would not hurt me to go back to school for some things, but I'm still pretty happy. I want to get my belly button pierced. I got it pierced before, but it never healed right because of my belly rolls and the skin touching n' stuff. I want to wear a wetsuit and not feel like a whale!! But seriously, just to be out of the "X" sizes of wetsuits would be good. I never want to look at the weight requirements for anything ever again! I know there's more, I'll have to add later. What do you want to do? What have you done? What DON'T you want to do ever again?!

Well, another weekend has come and gone and I am back to work this AM. Had a successful weekend with very few slip ups. I had a NSV moment this weekend..We had some dead spots in our yard so we had dug them up and were re-sodding..well, I was carrying the 40 pound bags of new dirt and throwing the squares of sod while my husband "watched". I asked if he was going to help - he laughed and told me that I was in better shape than he was, so he would just "let me" get my exercise in for the day..Hehe, As tired as I was - not to mention dirty - I kept on with the bags and the sod until the job was done. I acutally amazed myself in the fact that I was not short of breath and did not really get overly tired and no soreness. Now, you to have to know I live in Florida and it was 97 degrees and humid - Hot my friends..A year and 100 pounds ago - none of this would have been remotely possible. But I guess I am in pretty good shape to have done this job. As I sit and look at my tiny plate, with my tiny amount of food (all the time really wanting a pizza followed by some ice cream) I reflect back on this weekend and realize that I have come a long way. I am not only smaller, I am healthier and stronger than I was one year ago. Yep, I still have about 40 pounds more to go (the weight of one bag of dirt - which I thought was HEAVY) so I trudge on..Moving foward, not wanting to go back to the old fat me. I am thankful for the surgery and my weight loss...even if I never reach my goal weight - hey, there is still 100 pounds less of me today and that in itself is a "GOLD MEDAL" performance - if I do say so myself. So, next time you feel down, feeling left out or short changed - go find an old picture of yourself (a fat one) and think back at just how "wonderful life was" when you were heavier - huffing and puffing your way through life, with sore knees, bad ankles and who knows what going on in your insides. Hang in there bandster peeps - we are in this boat together and we will succeed one way or the other. This Saturday I am doing my 5th 5K - this one is up and down the ramps of the Jaguars (NFL) football stadium. It is called the "Stadium Challenge" and it is a tough one. I did it last year and I am crazy enough to do it again. Been working hard on my training. Keep your fingers crossed for me that I make it through such a demanding 5K. Maybe that dirt and sod "training" will come in handy.....I bet my husband will take credit for that one ! Until next time - have a great week and stay true to yourself ! Melinda in Florida

NSV for me Saturday! My Mom and I went to Kohl's to look at clothes for her. She was wanting some capri pants. I told her I bought some on sale there in size 14 petite. She said that is the same size she wears. I took her over to the petite department and showed her the capris. She took two pair in the dressing room to try on. She came out and said they are too small I need the non-petite. """I am officially smaller then my mom!""" WooHoo!

Laura, you rock, by the way. And thanks for sharing your truly awesome NSV. My husband was never the limiting factor in my social life and my willingness to venture out. It was all me. I'm thankful now that I'm confident enough to leave the house and be social and be seen. Four years ago I was a hermit. ~Cheri

My Fall NSV happened this weekend. I went to a pro football game. I was able to sit in the seat with room to spare. I we also walked 5 miles a day and took the stadium stairs up and down with no problems or the need to stop and rest. I was so excited!

NSV for the fall happened Friday - I bought a pair of boots I have wanted for years and they are regular width! Not the extended calf! The sales lady brought me the extended calf first and I was wearing them and wondering why they felt so sloppy when she said "Oh those are extended calf! Let me get you the regular ones."

I noticed your ticker says 40lbs lost... did you lose a lot on the preop diet? As far as the scale showing nothing- what about NSVs? Are you noticing clothing fitting better or to big? Is your endurance increasing? Muscle tone? I think you need to go easy on yourself and celebrate all the success you HAVE had... 40 lbs that is freaking awesome!!! Maybe try increasing your calories a bit?

CONGRATS ON THE NSV YOU WORK THAT SLEEVE DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gotta love those NSVs! Congrats!!

Isn't it far more embarrassing to wipe without ease? You and @@sbrainwater missed a priceless NSV topic. I think the originator, @@dhrguru, was more embarrassed discussing it than experiencing it. (I'm putting her name in blue so that she's notified that she's being held up as a shining beacon.) I won't reveal anything so that, if you check it out, you'll get the full impact. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/353620-the-view-from-down-there-a-ladies-room-post/ When I think of one that I can categorize as embarrassing, I'll be back. Welcome to you both. Thank you! That was awesome

Isn't it far more embarrassing to wipe without ease? You and @@sbrainwater missed a priceless NSV topic. I think the originator, @@dhrguru, was more embarrassed discussing it than experiencing it. (I'm putting her name in blue so that she's notified that she's being held up as a shining beacon.) I won't reveal anything so that, if you check it out, you'll get the full impact. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/353620-the-view-from-down-there-a-ladies-room-post/ When I think of one that I can categorize as embarrassing, I'll be back. Welcome to you both. Maybe I worded it wrong. I mean a NSV that I can't wait for will be wiping with ease, which is embarrassing for me to admit and it is also something I normally wouldn't admit to someone!

congrats, froggy! i've been testing the dating waters too, but so far no major sparks. still, i guess it's good to get out there. i'm on a couple of different dating sites and have told all my friends (mostly married lesbians with kids) that they need to pimp me out. hey, it's hard out there for a dyke. :-) i've always been a pretty confident person, but the band/weight loss has really boosted things. i'm about 40-50 pounds from where i'd ultimately like to be, but i'm healthier and more active than i have been since i was in college. in fact my college sweetheart just facebooked me and commented that i now look like i did when we were in college. i blushed in front of my laptop. heh. and here's a random nsv, i bought a sweater, jeans and a shirt from the gap. yeah, baby... straight off the rack. (okay off the men's rack, but still!) it's been a long ass time since i shopped anywhere other than lane bryant or on the plus sized section of eddie bauer and landsend. i think i'm going to sneak into banana republic next week.... ahh, optimism. hope everyone is well... ps, any going to the lapband convention in nyc? if so, would love to meet up with some of the lgbt contingent.

Inches is the best weight loss NSV there is. Congrats! I'm very happy for you. !

I just tried too. I now have a new NSV for my list!

What a great NSV Bama!

I had surgery in March. After I had lost about 30 pounds I cleaned my closet out. Top to bottom. Nothing went back in that did not fit. Items that were too big (yes, there were lots!!!!) I donated. Items that were too small went into my dream box. Now I walk into my closet and I know everything fits. I have a friend who tells me if something I wear is too large and I trust her so if she tells me it is too large it doesn't go back in. Then every 2 weeks I open the dream box and move items into the closet if they fit. It is a dream come true every morning to pick an outfit. It all fits!!!!!! Just earlier this week I noted the dream box was getting emptied and a friend came in the next day with clothes for me-most of which went into the dream box. I didn't tell a soul about my dream box or that it was getting empty! I have been stalled for like one month and yet clothes are still moving-so even if it is not success on the scale it is success in inches. This so motivates me. I also started an art journal with magazine pictures of outfits I like, bathing suits, thoughts on everything from what I am looking forward to or what I am experiencing and that is fun to create and to read. I record my NSVs too. That is motivating to me.

Last year when I went down for the Vikings game there, I was a little disappointed in some of the crowd. They didn't seem to understand when to be loud and when to be quiet. Most of the people around me seemed ok, but still not overly loud. Last night, at least on TV, seemed like you guys were right on the whole game. Especially at the end for the Shegals last 2 drives. From the fans not in attendance, Thank You. Gotcha on the Shiner. Next time I get down there, I'll have to give it a go. As for the food, you gotta live a little also, just work it off. I really loved the tailgating down there, great people sharing everything. Had a Hispanic family parked directly across from us that had a HUGE setup complete with the Texas Longhorns tent/cover. They offered us everything they had foodwise and asked for nothing in return. Gotta love those Texans! And great nsv! I love that feeling of sitting w/o going into DW's seat anymore. One for me, this past Saturday we had a SWAT team get together at one of the Lt's house. As it was rainy and chilly, DW decided she would grab my new black Champion sweatshirt with our emblem and SWAT embroidered on it. I had to fight her to get it back because she loved it because it is only an XL and she doesn't "swim" in it like before.

I felt your joy while reading your post, congrats!! I am also embarassed to admit I teared up a little lol. What wonderful nsv's, and they give me so much hope. I'm so happy for you girl! :cheer2:

Hey fellow- Georgians.... Just thought that I would take a second and check-in with everyone...The board has been very quiet....I hope everyone has had a wonderful week... Anything new to report??? New surgeries scheduled??? Any SV's or NSV's to report??? Spring is coming and we will want to be in those "cute little outfits"...I have been trying to get some sun (or sunbeds :biggrin1: ) If I am at my daughters...(she has her oun tanning bed)... I went in to Dr. H's office on Tuesday for a fill...this was my 5th one...I now have 2.3 cc in my band (10cm band...holds 4cc's)....I am feeling very well...and I think that it is really starting to "work" again...:clap2: This morning I was down a total of 72.2 lbs... I have been "shopping in my closet" as my husband calls it....trying all those cloths that I haven't been able to wear for such a long time... I had really slowed down for a while...(I was sooooo afraid of getting to tight) I still am concerned about that but also know that if we don't allow the band to work properly, then we all wasted a lot of money...So I have been trying to follow those bandster rules, eat the things we should be eating...and watch that weight come DOWN.... I also have been looking for a part-time job...it will be good to have other things to focus on (and the extra money would be good also...) So I hope that I can find something interesting to do... I hope and pray that all us Georgian will have a fantastic week.... Blessings, Debbi

Congrats! Seeing my knuckles for the first time in 15 years was a big deal for me as well. Other NSVs - seeing my collarbones and being able to wrap my fingers around my wrist for the first time!