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I have always wanted to run on a beach and this morning I was able to do that. It has been 1.5 years since my surgery and I am training in Sarasota Florida for a new job. I got up early this morning to go for a run. It was beautiful to watch the sunrise and achieve a goal! I love my new life!! The pictures are my view this morning.

You deserve every single NSV you get. Sometimes when things come easy we don't appreciate it as much as we would if we had to work for it... And you are working hard to get to where you want to be. I am so happy that you are not getting on your own back when you have a bad time. Frankly we all do at one time or another and you are learning as you go along... I loved this happy event......Forward go girl!!!

Ok. I will be the very first person to admit I have struggled with my weight loss and motivation post op. I have lost weight and I am happy I got the sleeve, no doubt about that. But I have had issues with controlling my head hunger and staying the course, not eating slider foods. ( which I can and have) I do try to stick with plan for the most part, but some days it is simply easier than others. I am trying a new zen approach in my thinking and I hope it works for me. Rather than being down on myself continually I have decided to be happy I am where I am. I could still weigh 316 lbs. I still could be unable to do many things I now can do. I could be in constant pain from the stress the weight was putting on my joints. But I am not these things. What I am is 77lbs down from my highest weight. I am able to do so much more than I had been doing. My joints do not cause me constant pain. And I do eat so much better than I had been. Maybe I won't reach my goal weight in a year as I had hoped, or maybe I will. I will continue to live my life and try to be thankful for the good and learn to process the negative in a healthier way. That all being said I did something this weekend that has me very happy. I was able to take my 5yr old to several community parks and play for hours. I was able to interact with her too, not just find the closest place to sit down. I climbed up on a jungle gym set at one park and went down a slide!! Granted my rear got a little wedged at the bottom where the slide narrowed, but I still did it! And the bigger accomplishment was going up "the Mound". There is an Adena Indian burial mound located in my hometown. If I'm not mistaken the tallest point on the mound is 65'. What I do know is there are 116 steps to the top look out point. I decided we were going to try it, and I made it!!! I haven't been to the top since I was in my teens, and my daughter has never been. It was awesome. I was so proud of myself for being able to do this. It was something I had told myself before I would do again someday, and I did it! I wish the day had been a little nicer because the view is awesome on a sunny day. But to me it looked darn good as I sat there marveling at my accomplishment. Oh it won't be the last time we go up. It is great exercise for sure. Yeah, I had to take breaks to stop and catch my breath but I didn't stop. And the most fabulous part came after as we continued to hit different community parks to play. I didn't stop! That climb was just one of the things I did, not the only thing. I was able to keep going. Sure I was a little stiff afterward but heck , that stiff achey feel was a norm every day I was so grossly overweight. I lived with it daily. Now it is just a by product of a little extra exertion and it felt great! Needless to say I am more motivated to try other things. As the weather breaks my daughter and I are going to find a lot of other things we can get outside and do. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!

Jessica, One of my most precious and memorable NSVs was having my 8 year old son give me a hug and say "wow Mom, I can wrap my arms all the way around now and touch my hands together". You just don't always realize how your being overweight affects them too. At first I thought I was being a bit selfish for spending the money to do have this surgery (not so much I considered not doing it) But now, I see what a benefit my weight loss has been to my entire family. Happier, healthier mommy = happier, healthier family.

Today I wore one of my favorite pair of jeans to work (which are a size 20) and when I came home I took my dog for a walk. It's pretty mild here right now and all the snow is melting so there were a lot of puddles and the bottom of my pants got wet. When I came home, I was looking for a dry pair of jeans and tried on a pair of my girlfriend's size 16 jeans, and they fit..... and looked good. I might not give them back to her!

So one of my first NSV a small one but still good. Yesterday My sister and I went to the movies for the first time since being banded. Well all other times I would have to raise up one of the arm rests to sit comfortably. Well yesterday I walked in didnt touch the arm rest and sat my butt right down and kept both down the entire movie and was comfortable. I was super excited about that.

I have been trying to get about 700 calories daily. (At six weeks out, my initial goal of 800 was too ambitious.) I use MFP to track and it’s interesting to see how I have this cycle of more hungry followed by less hungry. I think “normally thin” people perhaps eat like this. We keep hearing them say, somedays I eat a lot and then the next day, I eat a little less to accommodate for the treat from the day before. I’m not sure I understood that before, because when I tracked my calories, I was always trying to stay under some ridiculous minimum that left me hungry all the time so I ate every one of the calories I allowed myself. But now, letting my hunger dictate my caloric needs seems to be producing this nice up and down curve (A sinusoidal curve, us geeky statisticians would call it). But it’s sweet nonetheless. Another NSV! Listening to my body and feeding it appropriately. Are you guys seeing the same thing?

Yah hoo! Great NSV!!!!I bet your eye doctor was excited, too! Congrats, Karen

My bariatric group hosted their first meet and greet, that was loaded with some great vendors giving out some nice goodies, and holding a few drawings for some cool stuff. Then they held an amazing fashion show using some of their patients that were willing to walk the catwalk in some beautiful outfits. They also provided some tasty Snacks, some healthy some not so healthy. (I will question that when I see him in the office next week). My mom, hubby, daughter, and daughter's best friend attended with me as my "support people" As the fashion show was coming to a close, I notice my surgeon standing in the back watching, and I slipped back to talk to him for a moment. I haven't seen him for 4 months, like I said I have an appt next week, he looked at me and seemed puzzled, he said I know you, but I don't know where I know you from. He thought I was a spouse of a patient. I reminded him that he did my surgery last May, and that I had lost 130 pounds, his mouth dropped open, and then it clicked who I was in his mind. He asked how I have been doing, and how I am feeling now that I am at my goal. I told him I feel amazing, I was so overcome with emotion that I just stepped forward pulled him into a hug and started to cry, on his very expensive suit. He hugged me back to my surprise (he is very professional, and doesn't have the most friendly personality, very to the point and blunt in the office) and said that he was just blown away with my success, and that he was PROUD of me, and wanted me in the next fashion show. My family had joined us at this point, and my mom made the comment that I was too thin, and he corrected her and said I was not too thin, I looked perfect. He said I looked like a barbie doll, and he wouldn't change a thing about me. I thanked him for saving my life, and he reminded me again tonight of something he said to me on the day of my surgery. He couldn't "fix me", but he was giving me the tools to fix myself. That has stuck with me, and when I start to think of cheating on my food plan, (I NEVER diet, I have a life long food plan) I think of the amazing tool he has given me, and how he told me it was up to me to make this tool work for me. I have worked my sleeve to it's fullest and I am proud to say that I have gone from a size 22/24 to a 4 yes that's right a 4. I am going to walk in the next fashion show, and I am not only going to walk, I'm going to strut my stuff. I am so proud of the work I have put into my new self, and I and forever greatful for the tool that Dr. Uchal had given to me. My life was changed on May 8th 2013, that will be the day I Celebrate my rebirth. I just wanted to share with you all, it was an NSV but seeing all the other women that had made the same amazing transformations that I have made brought me to tears. At the end of the show, they announced that the ladies that walked in the show tonight had lost a total of 2,200 pounds. Amazing. And my mother who needs the surgery told me that she was too old. Well tonight she met a woman that is older than her that was sleeved and lost 156 pounds. She looked AMAZING, and my mom asked her a ton of questions. I think she might actually look into being sleeved. This is something I have prayed about for the last year. My mom is diabetic, high blood pressure and high cholestrol, and she had to have back surgery, and now she needs knee surgery. I keep telling her the surgery would change her life. It would help her live longer, healthier and happier. She told me that she would do the surgery but doesn't want the excess skin, I told her I would rather have her with excess skin, and Alive, than bury her with tight skin. I don't want to lose my mom to obesity, when help is available. I think that actually sunk in tonight. I guess we will see what she does. I did my surgery to be here for my daughter, and I hope she is willing to do the same to be here for myself and my daughter. Tonight was a great night. It also made me decide to help set up a monthly meeting for my area. I posted in the local group area so I guess tonight not only made me happy, but also made me see that I have a lot of support and motivation to offer.

OKay, This has been a slow journey for me. But I finally feel like I am getting somewhere!! I had my surgery on 2/9/10. I was 256lbs I am now 213!! I have been having my daughter take pics of my progress. I am able to do up my first goal jeans. I cant believe I am sharing the these, but we are all in the same boat. Ignore the messy hair!!! Before January 2010 256lbs And today in the exact same clothes!!

I had to poke another hole in my belt with an ice pick today. Pants were falling down again. Love it! I also had to cut the first part of the belt down because the tail was too long, traveling through 2 belt loops after I buckled it. I will need a new belt soon. Went from a 46 waist pants to a very saggy loose 40 now. BMI has went from 48 to 39 which takes me out of the morbidly obese category and now I'm just plain obese. Thought I would share. This sleeved life is good! 60 lbs down and 70 to go. I'm 2 months out. Woo hoo!!

That's no small NSV in my book. You are doing amazing work! Just think 60 lbs in 2 months would have been unthinkable and you are totally rocking it!

Hello all! August is going by fast! So far my fill is holding up great, I just keep pushing on back my apointment further and further. Why mess with a good thing? Though the other day I thought it would be ok if I had a couple bites of a roll before dinner. Not ok. Those things don't go through. No more bread before dinner for me. Today is my first wedding anniversary! How exciting is that? I'm surprised its already been a whole year for one thing. We went to the resturant where we had our reception. Soon we will be seeing how their cheesecake defrosts. I haven't been weighing myself so much lately. Partly because I forget. And partly because I am focusing on NSVs right now. I think my body shape is changing more than my weight is. I know I am getting some loose skin! My wing span has gotten bigger! These arms will be weapons soon enough if I learn how to utilize their momentum. Also the belly and boobs are finding gravity more and more irrestible every day. Gravity used to be my favourite force. I just might have to rethink that (I started out as an engineering physics major back in the day-- of course I have a favourite force. Did everyone hear about how they are reversing that force that geckos use to actually levitate small things? Far out. I need to talk to the real physicistics I know about that.). I might be investing in some spanx soon. I'm going shopping in a posh mall up in the suburbs in a couple of days. The Lane Bryant by me closed unexpectedly. I need a new bra, I think I now might wear a 38DD, but I have no idea where to shop. The Catherines where I am at has really big sizes typically and really ugly stuff, and fashion bug doesn't have much in the way of undies. Also I tried on some old jeans I had, not expecting them to go around my hips all the way let alone fasten. But fasten they did. I could even breath, though there was serious muffin top and some camel toe invovled. The jeans were even a size 16T. That means no W after them, meaning no Women's, no plus sizes, just extended sizes, like in misses. I could tell that once they do fit they will fit me better than my current plus size garments. I remember that back in the day I couldn't wear plus size because of how those were cut. The waists on those were always way too big and the butts on plus sizes always were too large for me as well. Strange as it may sound, my butt isn't that big. I have pretty big hips, and proportion wise I'm a perfect hourglass, but the rear itself isn't as large as the cut allowed for and things would just hang wierd. I found trying to defeat the stairmaster by stepping on it was good, however, in that department. So I have no idea where to shop. Where on earth does one buy misses size clothes and Bras that aren't DDD? ITs been too long. I'd ask my friends, but they are too small to know. They are size 4. Yes, both of my good friends are tiny. One actually has a bit of a six pack-- she has a higher belt in tae kwon doe and wins marathons and stuff like that. She's a chemical engineer. The other is a natural blond who just got a promotion at work, speaks japanese, and always has at least one or two guys wanting to ask her out. But its ok. They can't help these things. And they used to be jealous that had proportionate curves (before gravity and weightloss caused the flab monster to take over), thick hair (its starting to grow back...), and a wonderful husband. Life can be ironic. So now I need to find stores to shop in. Stores that would have sizes like 16-20. Are there stores like that, do department stores have those sizes? One of my dreams is to go on What Not to Wear, as I am completely clueless about clothes and have Stacy and Clinton tell we what to wear and make it all better, but not until I'm done losing weight and so forth. I really find this all strange. Makeup and hair aren't so difficult. Those don't change so much as clothes, it seems to be that all the basics stay more or less the same, and the stuff is cheaper at least. Where as clothes, really good stuff at least, can be so expensive. And then every season a person is supposed to have this new wardrobe or something. Its all a bit much for me to comprehend. Sometimes I buy a magazine and look at it helplessly.

4 months banded I read about alot of bandster nsv's , and would always feel like, oh yippee for that person. 10lbs gone, 20, now im at 30lbs gone. (must update my ticker). 1) well, this morning i had one. actually, ive had more but just had to put my mind to it. this morning i was getting ready for work, red undies call for a red bra, i start rummaging through my lingerie drawer and pull out a red bra. oh yeah, i remember that one. deep plunge in front held together with a little ring. hmmm, let me try it on. i reach behind me and i feel the extender that i had brought because all of my bras hurt, they were too tight. i felt around and unhooked the extender... my bra fit. very well i might add. no extender, no pain, boobies look damn good in my pretty red deep plunge bra!!! 2) i a few weeks ago, i got in my car to go to work and damn... sans cell phone. before the band, i would just go to work, change my msg to say: hey, i forgot my phone at home, call me on my work #... well, this particular time, i got out my car, ran upstairs, got my phone, ran down and got in my car. not winded, no problems. wow. did it w/o thinking about it. those are just two and there are more. im at 204lbs. 5 more to be on OneDerland. i gained 20 some odd lbs in the last two years. where im at right now is only 6-8 lbs lighter than two years ago. nobody has really noticed anything about me. i do. its all uncharted territory now. every lb. will count. i love my band. -r

Wait..... I just noticed how BOTH of my NSVs are near or around one particular area in my body. LoL

I finally broke down and started cleaning out my closet over the weekend. I had been putting it off for so long. I have lost 60 pounds since my surgery on 1/19/07 and lost 15 pre-surgery so that is like 75 pounds since last year this time. Surgery day I was wearing 26 bottoms and 26/28 tops and today I am in 18 bottoms and 18/20 and XL tops.I have enjoyed trying on and buying new clothes, underwear and bras. But for some reason have been reluctant to part with any of my old stuff. This is my first time losing enough weight that I had to buy all new stuff and in the back of my mind, I have been kinda paranoid and think what if I gain it back and need my old clothes again? I was watching Lifetime on Saturday afternoon and something told me that it was time. I bagged up 5 huge bags of stuff for Goodwill and a huge bag for one of my cousins. It was very interesting pulling out those clothes & remembering wearing them. But then I got so sad and mad at myself. How could I have let myself get that big? AND I had way more size 30/32 than I recall buying. I have pretty much been the same size for 15+ years so you can imagine the amount of clothes I have and have not even touched upstairs yet. I got mad, called my best friends and blessed them out asking them, "how come you didn't tell me that I was that big?". They all were like "I thought you knew?". Evidently I was in some serious denial and even if they had said anything, I would probably have gotten mad at them for something that was not their fault. I tried on some clothes that I definitely remember wearing and they are bagging off of me. I held them up and they were huge pieces of material. I got depressed temporarily thinking about the past and how I feel as if I have wasted like 15 years of my life, but then I snapped out of it, became grateful for the long way I have come and was able to hang all my new smaller clothes in the old place. I think I have gotten over my anxiety of parting with my big old stuff and I am looking forward to throwing out the rest that is upstairs to make room for even smaller clothes. It really changed my perspective because i have been unhappy lately with this weight loss lateau thing that i am going through despite losing inches and having to buy new clothes. Seeing so many of my old clothes at one time really put things in focus for me. I am shedding the old weight, old clothes, old everything.

Well, I received a great NSV this week from the results of my blood work, it was my 3 month post op appointment. I have my Diabetes completely under control now with no medication. My A1C test ( 3 month blood sugar average) was 10.2 before surgery, it is now down to 6.3. My Cholesterol was 237 before surgery, it is now 138. My triglycerides were 286 before surgery, they are now 96. The sleeve has been such a great tool to provide the restriction needed to lose weight. I say tool because you still have to eat right and exercise but it is doing its job. I take no medication at all and I feel great. I am well on my way to my goal weight with 65 lbs lost as of today . If I did not lose another pound, this has already been a huge success for me.

Congrats on such a great NSV.

such a beautiful picture of Susie...HUGS!!!! I just wanted to stop in and tell you all about my NSV today. I just completed the 5K Susan G Komen Race for the Cure at Branch Brook Park in Newark NJ. Not only did I finish the 5K of the race I also walked 1 mile to the race and about 1.5 miles home from the race!!! So in total I walked about 5.5 miles and I AM STILL ALIVE!!!! Granted my feet are a little sore but hey I will take that over not being able to breath any day! I didnt feel out of breath at all through out the race. Now I didnt run because lets be serious I would have passed out 3 minutes into it but I did keep up a fast pass walk and was even sweating even though its a chilly cloudy day here in NJ. So...YAY ME!! have a great Sunday ladies!

Way to go JT! Your first NSV!!! You described Bandster Hell to a 't'. Remember that many gain weight during this period and many more stay the same. If you can lose, even slowly, before the first couple of fills gives you restriction, then your doing better than most as it's all up to you at this point. Remember, we're not RNY patients...it takes several fills before the band really begins to help us at all. Hang in there...we'll all be twiddling our thumbs impatiently together!

Good Morning Y'all! It is beautiful here this morning, I just finished my walk and it was really nice. I did get to go riding this weekend, and I had a good time. I also went to the neighbors for dinner Saturday night. After I passed on DB invite, the next door neighbors called and DH accepted the invitation. Needless to say I didn't stick to the rules very close! My eating went fine, it was the extra drinks I had that killed me. Oh well, I guess I am just living normal huh? I did still drop two pounds so I guess I won't bi*ch too much! Weekends kill me! Karla - Yes, it was in the 80's this weekend, and very nice. I hope you are resting, get healed up and don't do more than you should even if you feel like it. It sounds like you are doing great! Pat - I too would like to hear about the she-crab! I haven't heard that one before either. I am finding out that I have to try on everything lately that I buy. The sizing is the worst I have ever seen, each brand seems to fit differently! UGH! Eileen - I agree with the gas/heating bills, there is absolutely no reason for this to be happening. The last I heard anything here is that Gov. Perry made a deal with TXU to only (yeah like that is low) raise it 20% now and wait to raise the other in April. Well, that is just in time for the air conditioning to start getting used a lot here. Anyone can take a look at the profits those companies are making and know we are getting took. I shouldn't even get started on this subject, it really makes me mad! I know what you mean about companies giving you something like a picnic. Hey, give me the money and forget the picnic! Enjoy your hamburger, at least you can eat one now before the surgery. I think that is great that you get 4-6 weeks off! You'll be thinner before you go back too! Beanie - I can't believe how hard it is to plant things here because of the ground. Heck, the digging alone wears you out. Each time you take a shovel full of dirt you have to pry it off the shovel. And, that isn't counting how hard it is to get that shovel into the ground to start with. I can tell you that after you get the band and lose some of the weight, it will be easier to work out there though. I couldn't believe this spring how much easier it was for me, pulling weeds and planting. I hope you sat in a hot bath and felt better, although I think the massage sounds better yet! Give that insurance company a call bright and early this morning, make them give you an answer! Cindy - Whoooo Hooooo! I know you are excited. It feels so good when you break a milestone like that! You are doing great! :banana :banana Great NSV on the new size pants too! Now, do something special for yourself today!

I had my first post-op appointment since surgery last Friday, and it could not have gone better. 1) As of my pre-op weigh-in on 1/10, I'm down 14 pounds. 2) My incisions are healing perfectly, and I can remove the steri-strips on Monday. 3) I was given my "restaurant card" to use when I finally venture out to eat. 4) I am sloooooowly becoming able to get in more liquids, and even the Protein shake I gagged on when I tried to drink it on Sunday, I'm now able to tolerate. 5) The horrible alien gurgling sounds in my chest/throat that have plagued me for the past 3 days are quieting down somewhat. 6) Best of all, I've graduated to puréed foods for the next 2 weeks! My first experiment: instant mashed potatoes with ICBINB spray. HEAVENLY! 7) Oh, and I did two workout videos today (Walk Away the Pounds), for a total of 5 miles. I feel absolutely wonderful! This is the best decision I've made in my life. For those of you who are struggling in the early days: be patient, because every day gets better. Every day I wake up, I have more energy and more desire to see this through. I am so thankful and grateful that I came through this with no major complications.

@, I think you are doing great! Keep up the good work. Work clothes, especially uniforms, tend to run really small for my husband. Your street clothes are going to be a better NSV for you. Also, I want to say that I always enjoy your posts. You have a great sense of humor and positive attitude. I know you are going to do great!

@@cornhusker, your weight loss is fantastic! But no more sleep apnea?! That's the motherload of NSV's!! I'm hoping to get off the cpap this year too. Great job!

My doc also says there may be periods of time where your weight loss stalls while your body adjusts, and be patient. My WL stalled for about six months, staying right at the same weight, then dropped considerably. Now it's stalled again, but I've noticed the NSV's are increasing. I stopped worrying about what the scale said and went on living. So what if I only lose 5 lbs a month? I'm still losing and my skin has a chance to snap back without my looking like a kid in Mommy's skin. LOL!