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I think having surgery is a personal decision. Of course there are risks involved, and only you know if they are worth it for you and your circumstances. I had a BMI of 40 and for me the risks were well worth the rewards I've gotten (including no more foot/ankle/knee pain) I see you have Dr. Ariel Ortiz listed as your surgeon. I went to OCC in 2013 and couldn't have asked for better care or an easier recovery. Your coordinator and/or any of the OCC doctors and staff should be able to help with any questions, but feel free to PM me if you'd like. I also wanted to say I LOVE your username. Mine (Kindle) is my horse's name and I know no one is happier with my 100 pound loss than she is! One of my favorite NSVs was being able to hop up onto her back effortlessly, without needing find a stump or rock to climb on. The other was having an excuse to buy a new saddle cause my skinny little butt no longer fit in my huge 19" saddle.

Rica, NSV is "nonscale victory". In your case, being able to resume running w/o pain in your knees. A few others, wedding ring now fits, use airplane seatbelt w/o extender, tie your shoes w/o passing out, clothes fitting better, and I know you'll think of a ton more!

I went Xmas shopping today and again I got second looks, pretend not to look at me looks (but the good kind), doors were opened for me, etc. Amazing how 22 lbs can change the way people around you behave. Also 3x is way too big now and some 2x are big, 1x seems to be fitting pretty good and even a regular XL seems fine depending on the style of top. I am so excited...I also can't believe alot of it has been will power since I do not have a fill yet. I guess small portions are making me happy anyway :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Happy Holidays to All of you great people on this board...you have been a great source of information and support!!! :star:

Feels awesome, doesn't it? I'm down 119 and have almost ALL of the same experiences. Keep up the good work. Some of my other NSV's are: I eat to live, not live to eat. food used to be something I would obsess about, order out, spend a lot of time preparing. Now...I think sometimes that something would be good, but then I move on, it does not become an all consuming desire. A funny DUH moment recently. I began going to a gym, every day, a month ago. When leaving the gym, I would think 'hmmm, I smell Chinese food'. Two weeks later...I notice that there is a Chinese buffet next door, actually attached to the gym 2 doors down!! A year ago, I wouldn't have noticed the gym.

I use the Xbox Kinect to workout. It has a recognition feature that signs you in. Well the last few weeks it wasn't signing me in. Then it dawned in me...maybe it doesn't recognize me! I reprogrammed the ID and now it's working fine. The XBOX DIDN'T RECOGNIZE ME!! Lol

It's the time of year in Florida when we get a lot of company. Spring breaks up north drive them down here. Others just come down because they are sick of the cold! Also, I just finished finals from one semester, had a quick week of time off, and now back into another semester. So my time has not been my own as of late. I pop in once in a while but don't have time to keep up with the conversations. Think of everyone here often during the day - like between meals when I'm struggling with hunger pangs and I imagine the encouragement each of you would give me or when I accomplish a NSV.

Spent a week here http://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm. Truly an amazing place and one that I would recommend to anyone visiting this part of our nation. I gave up logging after the first day, tried to make good choices and stay active, but found this little Mexican restaurant and the food was amazing, including something new to me that the owner called "Mexican Coleslaw", I am going to have to work on re-creating his version of it. Got on the scale for the first time in a week and the verdict is, up 5 pounds. Not a big deal, since I know I didn't eat 21K extra calories, I know that the weight is water and will soon go away now that I am back on my regular eating schedule. A couple of NSV's: 1. Despite the altitude (7-8K), I never ran out of breath on our hikes. 2. One tour through a cliff dwelling required that we crawl out a tunnel with an 18" opening and I doubt that I would have fit 6 months ago.

Trish - I grew up in the northeast Philadelphia area (Bensalem, Bucks County) I also have (had) PCOS. I had a hystercetomy 3 1/2 years ago. I thought that would help me lose weight especially since the doc took out the ovaries too. No luck with losing after the hysterectomy. Your NSV (non-scale victories) are sometimes the ones that we really need to depend on. You lost some major inches!!!! Just think, you probably could not have done that as easily before the band. Keep up the good work!!!

Congrats Terry, great NSV!

I went shopping today for a skirt. Bought 3. I got to the register and one of the price tags were missing. The cashier said she had to get another one and showed me. She said not to worry cause it was a regular not a plus size. Cause as she pointed out to me plus sizes cost more(duh). She was explaining it to me like i wouldn't know and never bought plus size. Amazing Wendy

happiness is having WLS, the sleeve for medical reason i am prone to fall. i haven't fallen in a few months. when i fall, i have to turn, roll on my knees ( both have been replaced) and with difficulty get up. i fell the other day, i got up a lot better than i usually do. I was so happy. I said to my DH, hmmm, do you think this has anything to do with my weight loss (lifting up 90 lbs less of me?) DH and i were walking today, i was walking pretty well, better than my usual tortoise pace - i said hey, do you think i'm walking better from my weight loss? i went to the mall today for the first time in a long time, i bought a smart phone. in the past, i wouldn't have gone into a big mall, amongst many people - my confidence is way up there now i am a happier person thanx to the sleeve - i am hanging around too, working hand and arm in the sleeve :D

Cindy, great job and great nsvs!

A little over a week ago I saw my primary care physician for a checkup (actually saw the PA but that was fine, it's not like I even know my PCP as I only see her once in a blue moon). Anyhow, I brought along the XRays of my sleeve from Dr. Aceves and told her about the surgery. She didn't even know what VSG was so I had to explain it to her (I never told my PCP I was going to have the procedure before I went to Mexico). She seemed happy with my weight loss and didn't make any negative comments about me going to Mexico (which was good, as that would have really upset me). She ordered a battery of blood tests, which I had done early last week (I hadn't fasted prior to my dr. appt. so needed to come back another time). I got the results on Thursday, and to my delight, everything was within a normal range. In 2009 (last time I had blood tests) I had elevated fasting blood glucose -- not quite high enough to be confirmed for diabetes, but higher than the normal range (normal range tops out at 99, I was 110, diabetes is 125 or higher) -- basically, pre-diabetes. And my blood pressure was higher than normal, too. Well, this time my fasting blood glucose level was 85, right smack dab in the middle of normal! And my blood pressure is normal too (it also had been elevated -- not high enough for meds, but higher than normal; this time it was 118/80). There was not one area where my blood was not within a normal range! I am only halfway to my long term weight loss goal, but one of my major goals/hopes for this surgery was to have my health issues resolved, and I am thrilled that they really are! I feel like I have already added years onto my life. Even if I never lost another lb. (which I don't think will be the case), I consider this surgery to be a success because it has really, measurably, improved my health. I am SO thrilled with my sleeve!!!!

What a great NSV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I fit in to my size 18 jeans. They are a little tight, but.......they don't look 1/2 bad HUbby said that he thought they looked good. So... I was happy!! Keri :tongue_smilie:

I went to put my belt on cause my pants fall down (which is an NSV in itself lol) and it was too big!! Like past the last hole about an inch and a half too big!!!! Woo HOOO!!!!

As I sit here and try to say what the last six months has been for me it is really hard to formulate into words. A few years ago I remember watching shows where people had WLS and feeling like they took the easy way out. Mind you I would watch these shows at 200 then 250 then 300 lbs. Telling myself all along that when I was ready I would be able to buckle down and lose weight. I have since learned that weight loss surgery is not the easy way out. Many talk about this being effortless for them and that has not been my experience. I am doing it, my mind and heart and body are changing every day, but this has not been easy. It is hard to go from a life where you are able to find peace or pacify your feelings with a soda, a treat, or with the feeling of being so full that you are distracted from all other feelings. After surgery I was confronted with all new feelings. I was forced to feel discomfort, and I have realized that without discomfort we don't grow. I feel like I was a generally happy person preop. I had a healthy outlook on life. I thought I was attractive, always had friends, had a man in my life who I loved and who loved me. Now I feel like a fog has been lifted. Every aspect of my life is better and it was already good. Six months ago when I headed to Mexico to get surgery I felt like I was going in my own rebellion. Those around me loved me and wanted to support me, but many didn't understand, had seen me struggle to lose weight in other areas, or were afraid that I didn't understand what this would mean in my life. I listened to all those opinions and then trusted myself. I knew what I needed and that it was time. I went alone to get my surgery and my days there are a strange fog. I remember staying in the hotel the night before surgery with a strange excitement knowing that my life would never and could never be the same. Those who were worried and struggled to support me have been my biggest cheerleaders. I have since had 2 other friends get surgery and we are all on this weird journey together. I don't want to sugar coat this whole experience, I have dreams about drinking soda (something that in my waking life I have chosen not to do) I have had mini tantrums in my head when I can't eat the volume that I was accustomed to. I still have to be very mindful of why I am eating. I have discovered that if I am not careful I can still be eating out of boredom, or other emotions. I used to tell myself that was okay as long as I was eating healthy foods, but I have experienced what it is to trust myself and be in control of my actions and know that it isn't about what I am eating, but why. I have learned to enjoy food more. I eat such small quantities that I refuse to eat things I won't enjoy. I still have treats, but I am aware of myself when I do and I savor them. To those of you considering having this surgery, it is not easy, and I know that in my case I will always have some of the same struggles mentally about keeping a healthy relationship with food. But, I will also say this, my knowledge of myself has increased. I feel like as my booty shrinks I grow. I have enjoyed loads of NSV's. I have collar bones, my cholestorol is down 70 points, my feet don't hurt, I am energetic, I have no need to take antidepressants because my hormones are in check, the jeans I buy don't have to come just from Lane Bryant or online. I can walk into Old Navy and grab jeans off the shelf. I am happier and more at peace than I have been in years. The first pic is preop/The second is from my recent trip back to Mexico with my friend who also had surgery. I had just gotten out of the pool and was jumping on a hotel bed so please excuse the crazy, but please note the happy! Anna

Wonderful story, thanks for sharing a NSV!

All, Today is my one year anniversary of my surgery and I was wondering how everyone is doing on their Anniversary. I would love to hear from all of you as your DAY approaches. As of today, I have lost 115 since the begining of my journey. I can not tell you how much better I feel and all of the NSV I have had. I started out in a 26 jean or 3x and am now wearing 12p jeans and some med tops. I went from 3x scrubs to wear to work, to now buying mediums. More important, I feel so much better. I can breath, I am not short of breath anymore, I can walk from the parking lot to the store, or into work. I can reach things so much better, not knocking stuff over with my butt.... My chances of diabeties has lowered, my blood pressure has lowered. I can now sit on the floor if I want, I can cross my legs... My thighs dont rub as bad. I feel healthy... finally. I love, love ,love my band and want to hear your stories. Following those band rules. Lois

Hi Friends! Just thought I would share, I hit a big NSV this morning when my "goal jeans" fit! Not only fit, but they're comfy!! 15 more lbs to go to my weight goal, but these jeans are FIVE sizes smaller than what I normally wear.

I have been working with a trainer four days a week for the past month and have really begun to see changes in my strength and endurance, and today, for the first time since I was 18, I ran 1/4 of a mile! I know that might not be a lot to some, but it was amazing to me. I have been doing sprints for the past few weeks, but today I really pushed myself and I was amazed that I could run that far. Not only did I run, I then did 15 minutes worth of free weights, 1000 crunches (yes, three zeros after that 1) and ended with 15 minutes on the stair master. Today was the hardest workout I have had in my life, and it was amazing! I still have a LONG way to go to get to my goal of participating in a sprint triathlon with my hubby, but I think that I might actually get there by next summer.

I think I am going to have to choose which topics I read more carefully. I am a little frustrated so please forgive me when I say this, but seriously people! Almost every day there is another post that goes something like this: OMG! I have only lost 50 lbs in 45 days and now its stopped! Am I broken? Am I ever going to lose anymore weight? Why do people ask this question? They are losing more than a pound a day and their body needs time to adjust before continuing with weight loss. Don't get me wrong, I am not completely happy with my 28 lbs, but I am happy with many of my NSV's, including not having a ton of extra skin to contend with. I'm just saying, come on!, you have to know your body has practically performed a miracle for you and just needs a rest. I believe that EVERYONE here is smart enough to know this. Saying I'm frustrated because I am in a stall is one thing. After major surgery it is frustrating to have to wait. I just can't believe that people think that if they continue eating between 600-900 calories a day that they are never going to lose another pound even if it takes a while.

I'm a little bit of a slow loser I think (which is okay with me). I lost 17 pounds in the two-week pre-op low carb diet but only 15 since surgery on May 3 and I haven't had any food that are cheat foods. As long as I see the scale going down two or three pounds a week I am totally fine with that. I expect a stall at some point and I'll power through it. I haven't added much exercise yet but have an appt. tomorrow with my NUT and Fitness Consultant. I think when I add some exercise in and get my calories up a little, I might see a larger loss, but who knows what my body is going to decide to do. So far, a little peanut butter is the only thing I've tried that has not agreed with my sleeve. One of the things I have noticed is that I am much more 'in tune' to what my body is telling me. If I am a little bit down on my water, I get tired, so I up my H2O. I am pretty much able to gulp down water now too, so I can swig a glass before bed if I need to. I also had my best NSV ever and posted it in a different section. Put a pair of pants on and they promptly fell to the ground! My husband had to come in and see what I was laughing so hard at. I'm wearing clothes in my closet that I haven't worn for many years and other clothes that I wore that were tight now fit really well. It's such an incredible feeling and a great morale booster!

Your post me made smile at the end of a particulary stressful day. Congrats on your awesome NSV! WTG Smallbird!!!

Hi Classiladi, yea me too... I hit the stall and then some... it started to come off again slow but sure... try not to worry too much - although easier said than done!! And I agree it is really frustrating... whilst I was in my stall I tried to focus on the positive stuff ... the NSV etc, that helped me get through it. Good luck, and I am sure it will break soon x