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Your story is very much the same as mine. I have lost and gained and lost and gained so many times. I used weight loss drugs, I took up running, I did it all. I can get healthy but I can't stay healthy. I have never been able to maintain it. I am a binge eater and it used to hit me out of nowhere. With my third child I got to my highest weight and decided it was enough. I had my sleeve done not to long ago and it has changed my life! It is a tool but it is a tool that stays with you for life and I just know it's going to work for me this time. I know I have to change my relationship with food and I am working on that daily so I am ready. I haven't weighed yet because I am only weighing once a month and the scale is another obsession of mine that I won't be controlled by ever again. I track my food and rely on NSV'S and I have had lots of them! Wishing you much good luck on your journey whatever you decide!

Congratdulations! I bet you feel fantastic. Happy NSV

I just quit weighing with the exception of once a month because the scale makes me crazy! I track, I exercise moderately, and I focus on NSV'S. scales are evil! I'm almost one month out so I will be weighing soon. Scary!! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App

Saw my best friend first time since September. Had surgery 10-3 we met at David's bridal she walked past me didn't know it was me til I turned around and said oh my goodness you've lost a lot of weight. Mind you she knew about surgery we just hadn't seen each other. Buying a bra 2 sizes smaller. Coat I bought in January I pulled out. Could put 2 of me in it I think. Ready for Christmas party Friday wearing a red dress 3 sizes smaller this Christmas. Best of all, I didn't do it. Working third last night baked goodies, cocoa, and m&ms. Wanted them ate zero of them. Had my 4am Protein shake chocolate fix instead. Today just another shake, and my tuna for lunch and crystal light. Sent from my 5054N using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations! Awesome nsv! make it a great day

Fantastic!! That is a wonderful NSV.

that is an awesome NSV!!!!!

I am just days away from 2 months out, but wanted to share my favorite NSV so far. I am a Type 2 diabetic who has been on Metformin for 10 years and a Bydureon non-insulin injectable for 2 years. Even while on medication my average fasting blood sugar was 140. I was taken off all medications during my pre-surgery liquid phase with the docs intention to add them back in slowly once we had a better idea of where I would be post-op. 2 months later and not only am I not on meds, but my fasting blood sugar was 85 this morning. Thank God I went forward with this surgery. If I never lose another pound this alone would be worth it.

WOW, That is amazing! $10 for a hot dog lunch. Just kidding, congratulations on the amazing amount of walkingyou did and your NSVs.

I used to be very claustrophobic. As my body got smaller, the space around me got larger and most of my claustrophobia has gone away. Weird NSV for sure.

WONDERFUL! I just got back from Paris Disney where everything is teeny tiny, and I could also fit comfortably into everything. Best sort of NSV are the ones that let you enjoy the magic too!

If my sisters ins covered it I think she'd be in a program already. If I keep things going I could see her self paying. She is just so impressed with my progress. Seeing success stories, in person or on here, is a large pat of why most of us took the plunge. Your NSV is being a success.

This last weekend two guy friends of mine asked me about my surgery and what they could expect because they are ready to take the plunge. I'm taking this as a great NSV. I don't post on FaceBook "I HAD WLS" but when a big buddy comes up to me and asks "how did you do it," well I'll tell them. I think they have been watching me for the last couple of years and they see the changes in my life. Now that they have tried WW and other things and it's just not working for them they are coming to the same conclusion I did over two 1/2 years ago. Thanks to this site I can share with them a wealth of experiences, share knowledge and insights. But ultimately I think it is the "life style" evangelism of renewed health and energy which pushed them over the top.. Am I the only one, or has anyone else had this type of experience?

I am losing weight sort of like @@OutsideMatchInside - from the top down. I just posted two days ago about my helmet I wear for work fitting looser, especially around my cheeks. I just hope the loss continues, and rapidly. I would hate to end up looking like a pear. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/384197-i-guess-i-really-did-have-a-fat-head-nsv/

@@sleeveisa i know, i know!!! I'm soooo excited for you!! you sound nervous duhhhh waiting is one of the harder parts of WLS you are almost their!! one small suggestion start a journal/blog write down your weights, measurements (weekly, monthly etc) illnesses - vomiting, gas, diarrhea, constipation feelings NSV's other things too you'll do great tomorrow speedy recovery hope you can sleep tonight sweet dreams kathy Thank you so much Kathy. Yes a little nervous but excited. I got myself a journal to write down what you suggested. This week I was told gain I really don't look like I need the sleeve. I replied, it's for my health. I'm only about 55 pounds over weight but I gained it while in a wheel chair. No one understandsome but it's ok. I count my Blessings. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

@@sleeveisa i know, i know!!! I'm soooo excited for you!! you sound nervous duhhhh waiting is one of the harder parts of WLS you are almost their!! one small suggestion start a journal/blog write down your weights, measurements (weekly, monthly etc) illnesses - vomiting, gas, diarrhea, constipation feelings NSV's other things too you'll do great tomorrow speedy recovery hope you can sleep tonight sweet dreams kathy

I run my own business. I am the only employee, with the exception of Mrs. LittleBill, who maintains the books, and occasionally helps me schlep a heavy board around, or haul a piece of furniture to a customer. The doc gave me an extra long prognosis for recovery because of all the heavy lifting I do, so I planned to be off from work until after New Years for a couple of reasons. Today, since I have been recently cleared for some more action, I found myself in the shop eyeing up a piece of wood that has been sitting on the bench for a long time, waiting for my vision to become reality. I figured, why not? I got all my stuff together, and prepared to make art. A real important part of "my stuff" is protective gear, and the biggest part of that is my air helmet. I hadn't worn in in over three months, as I had been working on stuff where it wasn't needed before surgery, and afterward, I just wasn't doing anything until today. I grabbed it off the shelf, stuck it on my haid, and... Hey! This thing is loose! Now, loose is a relative term. For me, loose means it actually fits now. My hat size seems to have decreased a barely noticeable amount, but the real change was in my cheeks and jawline. My cheeks have shrunken considerably over the past three months, so the visor snaps down with authority now, instead of just making an effort. It actually felt kind of weird. But I'll take it. After I got over the weirdness of it, it was more comfortable than it has been in a long time, and that is great. I often wear this thing for hours at a time when I am working.

@@ryan_86 Congratulations on all your hard work! People are just judgmental. Some feel free to comment when your heavy. They will also talk about you after goal. The attention around your weight loss feels a bit uncomfortable right? Even positive attention is an adjustment. I went from invisible to attention. I didn't know how to respond. I had to give myself a compliment scale.( I have no Idea why this helped me) (1) Appropriate- I give a quick thank you and move on. (2) Hilarious - Makes a great NSV story. (3) Creepy - Need I say more. The attention will fade after your weight loss stops. People will accept that this is just you. Keep supportive people around you and ignore the rest.

I'm three months out this past week! It just dawned on me that... I'm down almost two shirt sizes My neck is down 3 inches My waist size is down 8 inches. Holy buckets... and at my NUT appointment she told me that I may be losing a bit fast. Just wanted to crow a bit.

No need whatsoever to step on the scale if you don't want to. I only ever weighed about once every 3-4 weeks. As long as you are getting your protein and fluids and following your meal plans, you will lose. For me, the NSVs were my measure of progress and way more fun to track anyways. Others like to see those numbers every day and that's fine. Just do whatever you feel most comfortable with and what will allow you to be successful.

Good morning, BP Campers. Thought I'd stop in for a a quick visit and update. I started my preop diet 3 years ago today. I always consider this my anniversary, rather than the surgery date. Here's a recap of my journey so far..... Year 1 - the year of losing all of my excess weight (100 pounds), dozens of NSVs, and a new wardrobe. By far, the most exciting year. Even the month of liquids, 6 weeks of diarrhea and 2 insanely painful gallbladder attacks couldn't put a dent in my enthusiasm. It was all so new and fun and easy. Life was great and I was invincible! Year 2 - the year of finding out life still sucks no matter what size you are, losing my best friend to suicide, sinking into a deep hole of depression and finding that I could no longer rely on my old friends.....food, alcohol and cigarettes. Just struggling to get through each day with really no desire to. Two more gallbladder attacks which I finally put an end to with a long overdue cholecystectomy. Despite a complete breakdown of my emotional stability, I was surprisingly able to maintain my weight loss from the 1st year. I held onto the fact that what I put in my mouth was one of the few things I could control at that point. Year 3 - the year of emotional healing (well, at least a start in that direction) with a grief therapist, testosterone replacement and an antidepressant. Finally able to crawl out the darkness into a somewhat bearable existence. My latest breakthrough is I actually said yes when asked out on a date about a month ago. Considering my introvert personality and swearing off relationships almost 20 years ago, this is an extraordinary step for me. We've been out 1/2 dozen times and I'm actually enjoying it. Who knows what Year 4 will bring. But I've definitely come to realize as time goes on, everything has become less and less about surgery and weightloss and more and more about life. I maintain my weight the same way I lost it....80+ grams of Protein, 100+ ounces of Water, low carb, balanced diet including veggies, fruit and whole grains. I pretty much eat whatever I want but I make smart choices when it comes to quantities. No tracking, no measuring, just mindful eating. I am diligent about keeping any regains in check. I've got too much invested, both financially and emotionally to let a 1-2 pound regain turn into 10-20 pounds. I have labs done annually and follow a Vitamin regimen based on the results. I don't have an exercise routine, just a very busy, active life. Bottom line is a successful WLS result is not rocket science. Whatever you had to do to lose weight is pretty much what you need to do forever. If you can't control sliders and trigger foods, they WILL lead to regain. If you don't make the psychological adjustments and permanently change your habits and behaviors, you WILL regain. It's totally up to you whether or not your surgery becomes just another failed diet. Don't be afraid to seek professional help with the mental side of it. I finally did...thank goodness. Good luck to the newbies. Congrats to the veterans.

Hi @@jellybean12 Welcome! Similar to you, I had the the same stall then dropped a few. I also am mid-190s now. I have felt that empty feeling, but usually only in the wee early mornings. I think some of it is acid. I drink tea or coffee and to goes away. Hip bones, nice NSV!

Just made the cut--sleeved on 10/31. Everything is progressing well. I've lost 21.2 lbs. since the operation and 46.4 since I started the pre-op diet. My last two weigh-ins were much lower than my first two weeks post-op, but that's fine. Seems to be very common. I can advance from soft foods to the regular diet after my next NUT appt., Dec. 22. I've never craved a grilled chicken breast so much in my life! For NSVs, clothes are definitely looser, and I should be within a few weeks of moving down a size. I've ordered a few shirts that are a size smaller and fit snugly, but not too tight. I'm also getting closer to wearing my winter pea coat from two years ago. Still tired some evenings if it's been a particularly busy day, but not fatigued like I was the first week or two out. I return to work this Monday. Mixed emotions. This recovery time has made me realize there are certain aspects of my job that need to change, and if they don't in a few months, I'll feel comfortable looking for new opportunities elsewhere. Now, off to scrambled egg and cottage cheese for dinner.

@@Margie122 hey bud i remember you!!! glad you stopped by to say hello my day just got better after seeing your cheery face!! pics are great - what else would i expect? happy/sad to say i'm seeing "less and less" of you !! NSV's are the best!!! walk, run,stairs, energy leap tall buildings, chew gum, rub tummy and head - all standing on one leg!! you are amazing!! your great decision to go back to school i can hear my 16 yr old grand-daughter now "what, she wanted to go back to school?!!" LOL keep up the good work for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life happy b'day and many more kathy congrats

I'll take the post bariatric WLS surgery weight loss Shar-Pei look on the green side of the grass over the alternative. People, after losing the excess weight, should not be surprised by the excess skin due to the years of stretching it out by being obese. Also we lose the elasticity of the skin as we age too. If someone wants to get plastic surgery because they would like to feel better about how they look, then that is their decision. For me, not seeing that obese man look back at me in the mirror is more than enough. My improved health, self esteem, improved or eliminated comorbidities due to no longer being obese, more NSVs than I can even write about on one page, etc., is all I need.