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I'm sitting here typing and it has dawned on me that my wedding ring is about ready to fly off my hand. Never before has it felt so loose. I have a scale victory to report as well. I went to the doctor yesterday and I was down another 5 lbs for a total of 37 lbs so far. I'm happy today.

so, i started this journey with my preop diet on April 1, 2012. at 5'6" i weighed in at 373. i got my sleeve on june 4, 2012. now, on september 1, i am still only 5'6" but now i weigh in at 258. i decided to Celebrate by sharing a before and after (during, since i'm not at goal yet) photo. my beautiful wife is a non-op, but is so supportive of me that she has lost 54 pounds by eating with me, and excercising with me. also, to share my favorite nsv so far. i was able to join my cross country running son in a 5k, the second picture is me getting ready to cross the finish line at 49 min 20 seconds. life is good, just wanted to share.

Welcome aboard Newbie first go to Basics For Gastric Surgery (VSG) Questions & Answers you'll see a thread called Frequently Asked Questions this will answer many of your questions my NSV for the day is helping a newbie come back to group with all your other questions any time happy to have you in Sleeveland Kathy

Hey, hey, hey...everyone! This is the only place I can post this and someone will totally understand why I'm so happy. Today the hubs and I decided to make it a movie night. We had a busy afternoon, therefore this evening we just wanted to chill. My hubby decided that he would order pizza for dinner. Now in my last post I explained how pizza is my kryptonite, so when he said pizza my mouth immediately started to Water. Anywho, the pizza arrived smelling supa (my version of super) delicious and I couldn't focus for a few minutes! However I am ecstatic to report that I didn't have a single slice!!! I'm doing my happy dance as I'm typing this. I'm even more excited because this triumph comes on the eve of my fist fill. Woot, woot! I had to share this because my biggest battle with weight loss happens between my ears. Tonight was a major victory for me. And on that note, have a splendid evening everyone.

Looking good! NSV for me..... buckling the airplane seat belt and even pulling it a bit to tighten it up. That was one of the things I used to dread about traveling for work. Especially if I was traveling with coworkers. Asking for an extender and seeing the look on the persons face that sat next to me.

I went to the bar to a motorcycle club party for an hour yesterday. It was the first time in over 2 years that I have been out in the town I live in. I just got too self conscious about being fat and then too much out of touch to go out. I don't see myself going out alot or partying until closing but a little socializing once in awhile will work. It never bothered me to go out alone because I rode motorcycle for the last 25 years. There wasn't any other women to go with back then. I also worked out of town alot and got used to going places by myself. Yet, all of the sudden I didn't want to be out and seen because of my size. The strange part is it will probably be one of the last time I see many of these people. I think the job in Malawi Africa may come through in the next few weeks. This is the first time that I have been able to admit this and I don't think I could do it verbally. Moving all alone to a primitive country to work on fiscal accountability and enforcement will be challenging. I am out looking for an on/off road bike to take with and plan to have something else shipped later if it is feasible to ride the roads. I wouldn't have gone at my old weight. My health was declining and not having medical facilities in the country would have been difficult. Even though my weight has stalled for the past 3 months, I think I'm over the mental issues that caused it and I'm going to give it all I've got from now on. When I leave, I want to have to buy a new wardrobe. Getting one there is going to be difficult. Thanks LBT for being here for support, giving me a place to ramble, and some place to acknowledge that I'm glad I went out yesterday. NSVs rock. Celeste

Way to go!! Awesome NSV

Well, I am sitting at work, just finished my tuna fish stuffed tomato for lunch and waiting the agreed upon 30+ minutes before I can drink some water to wash the tuna out of my teeth! Yummy, snack! It has been a rainy day here in North Florida and that means I have been tempted to munch on junk, lucky for me that I removed the bad stuff from my office so I have nothing to munch on! I reflect back that it has been almost 3 years since I joined the bandwagon. 124 pounds, countless miles walking, some NSVs and some disappointments...all in all..I would do this again in a minute. There are entire GROWN people who weigh 124 pounds and I lost that much weight. I can't pick up 124 pounds but my poor legs and feet were carrying that. Being 3 years out, you don't loose weight fast any more..Shoot, in the beginning if I didn't loose 4-5 pounds in a week, something was really wrong, then 4-5 pounds a month - still not bad...now 4-5 pounds a quarter would be acceptable but hey, I am not gaining..oh sure, I have put on a few pounds here and there, but it came back off. You know I have lost the same 10 pounds far too many times. I get within spittin' distance of my goal and then the "snack devil" inside me comes out to play and poof...10-15 pounds from goal again...One thing I have learned is that even if the weight loss stops right where I am, that is going to OK with me. I am not the 6 I wanted to be - ok - I am an 8..big deal. At least I am not a 22W anymore. I like me, I like what I have accomplished and I feel good about myself. I hope you have a wonderful week and will sit down, reflect and feel good about yourself today too. Melinda in Florida

Hi Everyone....I'm so excited to make my first post! I started to seriously think about WLS 6 months ago and thats when I found this site. I used to come on here and look for the answers to the questions I had in my head mainly should I, shouldn't I and is it safe. I found all your stories good and bad extremely helpful and motivating so I want to say thank you for all the honest opinions and those who take time out to give help and advice. I had a my lap band surgery on the 18th April and luckily everything went smooth. The hospital where I had my surgery were professional, informative and caring they really impressed me and made me feel safe as well as looked after me well during my stay. I had one night stay in hospital after the surgery and I'm thankful for that. I had my op quite late in the day around 2.30pm but I was not able to get up and walk around like a most of you did. I got up once in the evening to use the bathroom, I was in so much pain and just about managed, I felt dizzy and sick so I just got back in bed where I stayed till the morning but being in hospital I was able to get morphine and an anti sickness injection. The next seven days at home I was resting and recovering. I had absolutely no appetite for about a week and managed easily on two weeks of liquid. My main issue was the gas pain I had it for almost 2 weeks. I took gas x, deflatine, peppermint tea, heat Patches and walkined around but I would say none it worked, it helps for a quick fix but the gas just goes when it goes. I have 5 incisions and I was glued back together I kept them covered for 3 days as advised but 3 days post op I went out and I think I over did it as getting in and out of the car and walking round made my stitches weep a little so I went back to my resting for the rest of the week but they have healed well and look very neat, the biggest one hurt the most. Then I went on to sloppy/mushy food for 2 weeks, again that was no problem for me. I ate 3 small meals a day as directed and I didn't get hungry in-between meals till the last day. On the first day I had a cooking day and made a potato & cauliflower curry, lasagne, chili and shepherd pie then I put small portions of each in takeaway foils and I was eating amazing food for lunch and dinner for the two weeks and it was really healthy as I made it myself with the help of Jamie Oliver's online recipes. http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/category/course/healthy-meals/#M74ep0D62Lx033KT.97 Now I'm on normal solid food and I have my 1st fill on 26th May. I'm both scared to death thinking of what pain it might be yet excited as I want to loose weight. I have noticed my portions getting bigger and I'm looking for food but I don't eat anything I'm not supposed to I just drink Water and wait for my next meal but it's getting harder so I'm counting down the days for my fill. I have lost 13 pounds since I started my 1 week pre op diet, I gained 1 pound but lost it again My main focus is just not to put any of it back on. I go walking 2 miles a day however my weight loss has come to a standstill. I didn't loose anything last week and the week before only 1 pound, I'm ok as long as its not going on but obviously I want to see my scale moving. Haven't had any NSV's yet but my clothes are much looser. I'm feeling positive and happy with how everything has gone so far but I guess it will become more difficult after the fill. I hope you enjoyed hearing my story Once again my success so far is all because of you, as I learnt so much from this site what to do and not to do so THANK YOU!!

You know what you are eating, and you know whether you are exercising. As most of the surgeons, nurses and dieticians say: Weight loss is a simple balance of getting a calorie deficit. If you aren't losing weight, all sorts of things can be happening, like: 1. Weight redistribution. Exercise changes fat to muscle. If you are working yourself nuts at the gym, look for NSV's rather than the scale. 2. If you look at your diet and find it primarily made up of fat and sugar, you've found your culprit. 3. If when you sit down to eat, you chug Water at the same time, there again could be your answer. What are you eating? Give an honest breakdown of your daily average intake. What exercise are you doing? There will be an answer somewhere in your equation, you just have to gather all the bits together :puke:

I remember a time I could eat a whole plate of food, finish my daughter's food, and still have room for desert. But since the surgery I take a few bites and I'm done. I used to get frustrated but now I enjoy it because I feel like a normal person that knows their limits. I know that this isn't a NSV but to me it seems like it. Just wanted to share. Oh, and now my daughter finishes my plate...NICE!!!????

i was having a crappy (already at work day) and just thinking of what is to be done and i was getting pissy and dreading the long day UNTIL i read this post...made my heart soften and made me smile.......what a wonderful thread and a excellent NSV. seems little things like this are actually HUGE nsv's and inspires us to keep doing what we are doing as it is working......well done ....well done

I love hearing everyone's NSVs. I think so many times people get so caught up on the scale they miss the other accomplishments. Congrats to you!

Ok, so I needed new jeans because I had two pairs of 16s. One was too baggy in the thighs and the other too tight on the butt. I picked up a pair of 16 capris and just for fun a pair of 14s. I looked at those 14s and thought no way they'd even come over my thighs! Well they did! Then thought no way I'd be able to button them! I did! I left with a size 14 capri. I've gone from a tight 22 to a 14 in 7 1/2 months. I remember being a 16 in junior high don't remember ever being a 14! Why don't I see myself so much smaller than I've ever been?!? Just one and a half more points and I will no longer be at an obese BMI. I started at 44!

Newbies have the right to ask what PB and NSV mean. Rant&Ravers have the right to jump all over people who post complaints about the contents of this forum.

Great NSV! And, it keeps getting better! :)

@@GibbsGirl you both look so happy, congrats on your success, you look fabulous (and your hair is an awesome color!) My NSV this week was seeing someone I had not seen in a while....she was so surprised by my weight loss, she kept stammering "you look amazing...I mean you look amazing...I mean really, you look really amazing". She sounded so shocked it was funny that she said the same thing at least half a dozen times.

You both look fantastic. Love the weeping willow! My NSV for the week: starting Monday, for the first time since my surgery on 3/10, I've been able to keep food down, so I've met my Protein and fluids goals this week! And I've gotten reacquainted with a couple sweaters I haven't been able to wear in a couple years, at least.

Hi everyone! I've posted a couple times over the past few weeks, but have been reading posts on this site since july when I first began thinking about pursuing this surgery. I just want to thank you all for sharing your experiences here. I already feel I've learned a great deal from all the helpful posts here. With that being said, I finally have a couple of questions of my own to ask. 1). Does your pouch or your remainder stomach growl anymore after the surgery? The reason I ask is that I have a stomach legendary for it's growls. I teach English at anuniversity near Cleveland and students are amazed at how they can hear my stomach sometimes all the way in the back of the room. What a wonderful NSV that would be if that could go away lol. 2). I'm sure others have asked this before, but how much actual hunger have any of you experienced in the days/weeks/months following surgery? I've heard so many different answers to this, and I'd be interested in hearing yours as well. Thanks again! 😊

Today I am 2 weeks post op and I walked ONE mile. I thought about quitting at 1/2 mile but realized my legs didn't hurt. I wasn't sweating like a pig. I wasn't dying to breathe. I am now sitting in my car tearing up bc I walked ONE mile. This surgery is saving my life and I am so grateful.

CW That is fabulous news! It reminded me of the line from The Princess Bride when Miracle Max said that Wesley was only "mostly dead" -- so I rejoiced to hear that you were not even close to mostly dead! Yay You! The first place I look when I log on are for your posts/blog, 'cuz Girlfriend you are a stitch! Love your writings and musings. Please don't ever stop!!! I love the LOL till my face hurts sensation after reading your stuff..... And, not dead is an AWESOME NSV!:high5: E

I love heels - as long as I don't have to walk too far in them. They just make me feel sexier. Nice NSV - good for you.

Jessie - birks for me, too - I live in them! Socks and birkenstock sandals in the winter - quite a fashion statement! Kathy - Great NSV! I can't wear heels for more than a couple of hours - and at that they're really LOW heels! I'll look forward to that one! With weight, my feet have gotten SOOOOO wide! I hope with weight loss that they aren't spread out so much. When I try to wear normal shoes it looks like Miss Piggy or ugly step sister feet!

I know I'm getting in here late, and probably too far along in this discussion, BUT.... I agree and disagree with the cost of plus size clothing for men and women. First off, it does cost the manufacturers more for the fabric and labor. Secondly, I think it highly depends on where you shop to see a discrepancy between the cost of regular sizes and plus sizes. For example, Lane Bryant and Torrid are very pricy stores. This could be equivalent to a Ann Taylor Loft or White House Black Market for smaller women. The problem comes in to play that plus size men and women don't have the less expensive clothing store options, for example, like an Old Navy (with the exception of shopping online). And that brings me to another point, why is it that plus sized people are inherently forced to shop online if they want selection? Matt Z is right, the men's section is slim to none as well. Why is it that the plus size section at Target is TINY and mixed into maternity, that is even TINER? Don't these retail stores know that the average US woman is a size 16. And don't get me started about undergarments for large women. When you can't find your bra size anywhere but Lane Bryant and have to pay $50+ for one, GIVE ME A BREAK...I mean unless you want to order bras online, *rolling my eyes again* Needless to say, no longer being a plus size woman is the BIGGEST NSV there is. I'm glad I don't have to struggle with which stores will have my size, or pay extra for those clothing options.