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So April 20, 2012 was 4 months from my gastric sleeve surgery. I started out at 236 pounds. I’ve been thinking a lot about where I am in my journey. I can eat 3-4 ounces of meat and 2-3 ounces of veggies. I can now eat and actually feel full. I don’t feel like I’m stuffed and choking on my food. My sleeve doesn’t feel uncomfortable or hurt when I eat most of the time. Chicken still feels uncomfortable at times. In the beginning I was so frustrated that I would never be able to eat somewhat “normally” again. Coordinating my meds, food, protein, supplements, and liquids has become routine. I still have to be vigilant, but I don’t feel like I’m “obsessed with food” so much. I gained 10 pounds with my surgery. No one warned me about that. It took about 6 days for that weight to come off. I’ve lost 45 pounds since my journey began. My biggest problem, my waist (I’m apple-shaped – worse for the heart), is 3 ½ inches smaller. At 1 ½ weeks out, I went through a 4 week stall. I thought the surgery was a failure and that I would always be a big, fat, unhealthy mess. I had put SOOOO much faith in the surgery, I guess expected immediate results. The stall finally broke, I lost 7 pounds in 2 weeks, and hit another stall for 5 days. The scale was stuck at exactly 204.0. I wanted to hit Onederland so bad, but had to be patient. I finally hit 199 on 3/9/12. I have not been losing weight gradually. Even when I do lose, I gain back, lose again, gain back, lose again, with an eventual net loss. I still have stalls but don’t stress like I used to. It’s going to happen when it happens. Apparently I am a slow loser. But at least it’s a loss. I’ve had to learn patience. I started out at size 22-24. Today I put on size XL pants. I wear 14/16W shirts. I can fit some XL shirts. I had an NSV – I had to tighten the armband for my IPOD because my arms were smaller. I’ve started hiking again. I can eat some spicy foods finally (love it!). My hair is thinning now. My inner thighs look like elephant thighs with the loose skin. I guess wearing a bikini is out! (I'm 52 years young anyway ) I’m doing good and don’t regret the surgery at all. Screw the stalls! I will be triumphant! The bottom line is, IT IS GETTING BETTER! I had a hard time believing this in the beginning, but this website and all of you have been a godsend, giving me faith. Thank you all for being here! ! !

I went shopping today to Wally World and while I was there I figured I'd buy a shirt and pair of pants for future use when I lost more weight. I've worn a 3XL shirt for years and I had a 50 waist when I started my journey. Well, I bought an XL shirt and some size 40 Levis, thinking I'd be in them sooner or later. When I got home I thought I'd put them on just to see how much further I had to go and, OMG, they BOTH fit! (The down side is that I've got a closet full of expensive 3XL Tori Richards aloha shirts that I have bought in the islands over the past few years and they're just too big for me. Oh, well, I'll take the trade off!) One NSV is that I don't have to pay the surcharge for "extra size" clothes. The elation I felt when I put these clothes on was immeasurable and it wiped away any thought in my mind whether or not the sleeve was the right decision or not. For all you newbies and pre-op members, If you haven't felt it yet, you will!

So I was banded on March 5th 2012 at a size 18/20. Well on Sunday I tore a tag off of a 14/16 dress for church and YEP it was TOO BIG..... YAAYYYYY. Now I have only lost 24 pounds which does not seem like a lot to me, but I am happy with my success so far. I am only 7 weeks out and down in sizes so hay... I guess that is my first NSV..... its the small things that count and keep you motivated and I am ecstatic I still have 58 pounds to go and I am ready for the remainder of my journey and to get to where I want to be....... Loving my lap band....

Well, I guess I'm the only one still posting around here, but, here goes. I went to someone's house today and we were standing in the yard when the gent offered me a chair. It's one of those sling style chairs where there is a frame and then fabric to hold you up. I declined the chair out of fear that I'd break it. When I said as much, he told me he'd pick me up if that happened. That's the second NSV, a man offered to pick my big butt up! LOL The first NSV is that I sat in that chair, comfortably, for about 35 minutes and it didn't even creak or groan! YAY ME!!

I went to a company site today which I had not been to in about two years. I worked here in Baltimore for about four years from 2000 - 2004. I was showered with OMG's and awesome compliments all day. I even got a "damn, you got hot.". I walked out of there today with a beaming smile and a new cofidence. It was awesome to see these women completely change the way they interacted with me....it was awesome. I even got a "you look 5 years younger"....so I I'd the math and if I left in 2004 and I'm 41 now...I'm claiming 28...yeah that's it.

New fitness NSV's - My buddy and I ran for over 3 miles again, she said we were around a 5K. Also, I ran a mile by myself at the gym on the treadmill and it was no big deal, I wasn't even winded and part of it was done on incline! And my third fitness NSV - I did a crossfit class and it was awesome! I wish it wasn't so expensive or I would become an immediate devotee =)

Ladies... WOW! I'm loving these updates... well done nannieg... you got it sorted now Meg!! WTH... I agree with Dorrie, you need to get some new trousers...lol... great NSV! Dorrie... you HAVE the DRIVE... get out there and do it! It feels really good to get that heart beating! =] GT... I am loving your crossfit update... you go my lovely sleeve friend! What an achievement... I am well proud and a slight bit envious! Sometimes I really wished I lived over the pond!! I'm just chugging along at the moment... nothing to report, no changes anywhere but all good! x

Gramma of 4 that is so awesome! What a great NSV! Love it. I share my success with wls with any one that asks. This is a life saving decision. Keep Rockin your Sleeve!

Meg ~ what a wonderful NSV! Time to get new pants! LOL Keep it going.

I've been reading your threads and have to say I love your NSVs...I come on here hoping to hear more "balls in the toilet" tales...being a girl and reading period stories isn't as fun I asked my hubby if his balls ever fall in the toilet and he laughed at me wondering where I heard something like this...luckily he doesn't have that issue but I guess it happens to some guy friends lol

i have a few nsv's. # 1- the other day i helped a customer in his 70's at my job, we chatted and laughed for a minute. when he left he passed my female co worker and said something to her. she came over to me a few minutes later laughing and said "That nice old man you just helped said you were quite a woman and if he was 20 yrs younger he'd go after you !" hilarious ! (Im 53 but have been told i look younger) #2 the pants i just got a few weeks ago are starting to get loose, again..........(this is getting fun, and expensive !) #3 im happily married but its still nice to have my hubby notice my weight loss and say nice things like "your butt is getting smaller !"

Congrats. Great NSV. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Went to the store today & bought a pair of size 14 jeans & 3 size large tops. I haven't been in a Large or a 14 in over 25 years!!!

That is soooo awesome!! I'm so looking forward to THIS addiction!! Congrats on your super cool NSV!!

Oh, yeah!! What an amazing NSV! To look good and be pleased about how you look in clothes.

This is a wonderful NSV! Keep Rockin that Sleeve!

Let's all dance! This is a great NSV!

One of the major problems with losing weight and then regaining it is that all the cute smaller clothes hang in my closet taunting me!! I have been having "one of those" weeks. I've done very well losing the required 25# for the surgeon to schedule my surgery. However, this week I hit a snag! Now in my head, I know I have eating correctly and I even added in riding my bike, but when the scale pops up it just does something to you. Well that's what happened...stupid scale was up 4#...4#!!!! I KNOW it's water, I KNOW it's that time of the month, I KNOW alot of stuff but apparently my scale doesn't care. So take that, add in being bloated and irritable, and hot and sweaty! Now add in a special concert that hubby and I are going to (Third Day!!! Whoot Whoot) ...and enter the closet...it went something like this... I have to figure out what I'm going to wear so I go check out my closet. Well I have 2 pairs of jeans that fit but dang it, it's 90 outside and I'm already sweating. So summery loose dress?? Ugh...I look pregnant! Take it off! So I try some capris....ok, these fit but the shirt I want to wear is too short, and my belly hangs out (YUCK)! I take it off and try another shirt...nope to tight around the bra region (hate the back fat bulge!!). Try another shirt....ick! Back to looking pregnant! Get mad, and put on one of my baggy tshirts! Flounce back out of the closet to try to put on makeup...but I'm sweating....UGH!!! Go stand in front of the fan! Now, meanwhile hubby is showering and trying to be supportive. "Honey, you look good" "No that shirt looks fine" "It doesn't matter what you wear, I love you" You know, saying all the right stuff...but all I know is how I feel...and I feel like crap!! So I get to the point, where I'm not going!! But hubby, bless his heart goes and finds an old Third Day thirt....which actually fits, hangs low enough to cover the belly, and doesn't make me look pregnant! Love that man! OK, fine...I'll go! And off to the concert we go. And at the concert, after my little tantrum God showed me where I am making some progress....We actually got to do a meet and greet with Third Day and it was informal so we were sitting on the floor. Well I could get down on the floor, AND get back up under my own power. And then during the concert I fit in the seat, and didn't feel like I was pushing over on my neighbor. Little things, but I am making progress...slow progess...but progress in the right direction to get me my sleeve!!!! Now if only the scale would agree...unfortunately the doc doesn't take NSV...only numbers!!

I brought a pair of skinny jeans last week. Size 18. I don't ever remember buying that size before its been so long. When I held them up, I thought, well maybe next month I should be able to fit them. But I tried them on, and they came right up and buttoned. No sucking in. I wanted to cry. Literally. I ran and showed my husband. I'm trying on 16 this week just to see how they would feel. There are days I hate this band and days I'm in love with it. Today, I'm loving it like McDonald's. :wub:

Awesome! Congrats! My very first NSV too was a normal BP!

Congrats to everyone with all your accomplishments this weekend.. running, smaller sizes, reaching and passing goals, breaking plateau's... this is a great group. This morning I decided to try on my family birthstone ring (a Christmas gift 3 yrs ago) that I was never able to wear because it was too tight. I'm wearing it today and it actually have room to spin on my finger..Yay for the NSV.

Great NSV's, especially the blood pressure!!!

Took my blood pressure tonight for the first time since surgery on 4/9 . . . And it was 112/68. Halle-freakin'-lujah! My BP has been high for over four months and I was put on pills through my surgery date, my PCP didn't think I'd need them after surgery. She was right! Also, today I tried on a pair of shorts that I haven't been able to wear in over three years, and they fit with room to spare. 9 lbs down since surgery date, but I really should have started taking measurements because I've dropped a size. Only unexpected event was that TOM showed up 10 days early (which NEVER happens) and I've been in a lot of pain. Had to take some of my post op liquid pain meds to make it through. Oh well, small price to pay. Today was a good day. Sent from my iPad using VST