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I was at a local restaurant today and apparently, they had one chocolate cookie left (I hadn't noticed). They offered me the cookie and my first response was "no thank you". No thought, no desire, no regret...before WLS that would NEVER have happened.

@@NikkiRT wow - so happy things are going nice and smooth it good for newbies to hear other newbies success early PO OP (newbies) seem to hear/remember bad stories/problems then they get nervous/scared hopefully many newbies are reading your words seeing your easy recovery (drinking going well too) you are understandably excited/looking forward to things you can only imagine what's in store for you next i'm gonna keep it a secret you'll be amazed at all your NSV's (non sleeve victories) ie riding an airplane without a seat extender!! good luck kathy

Sometimes those NSV's are what keep us going for sure!! AWESOME NSV!!

Long term maintenance has definitely been the toughest. Looking back, Those first couple years were so exciting and easy. It may not have seemed that way at the time, of course. There was the liquid diets, the diarrhea, the constipation, the fatigue, missing out on eating a lot of good foods, struggling to stay hydrated, the emotional break downs, etc. But these things were all temporary and the perceived sacrifices were rewarded with weight loss, lots of NSVs and a new wardrobe! But maintenance is forever. Its boring, NSVs are nearly nonexistent and the scale doesn't really move unless it's in the wrong direction. You have to be diligent and stay on plan day after day after day. Like Bufflehead said, the way you eat to lose is very close to how you will have to eat to maintain....for the rest of your life! I have no doubt I Would not be able to do this without the psychological tools I got from my therapist and from the support and advice from those that went before me. You are doing exactly what you need to be doing....asking lots of questions. The better prepared and informed you are, the better you will be able to deal with all the little negatives along the way. A good attitude and keeping your energy focused on the long term rewards will go a long ways in making everything easier.

@@PorkChopExpress - you asked about weights...about one month post op, started very light. Went up 10% per week. It's a good thing. Keep your showers as cool as you can, lots of Water, stay out of hot tubs and tanning beds and moisturizers seem to help in the winter. You want healthy happy skin. I looked my best when I did yoga 3 times a week (dang studio closed, so I need to find a new one). Glad you are doing well and finding a new normal. Old clothes fitting is a great NSV. BTW, look into calipers and tape measures to measure body fat. As you gain muscle, you may not see the scale move, but having the body fat percentage go down was a nice way to monitor progress.

YAY! Love these types of NSVs!

WELL, I was going to post my NSV's too. Your post was so inspiring. I am 60 years old and had my RNY on July 2, 2013. I lost 132#'s in 6 months. I am 5.4 and I got down to 117#'s, but I felt like HELL my Surgeon and my PCP got worried because they thought I was losing muscle. So I did end up gaining 8#'s. You would be amazed at how much better I felt after just those 8#'s. So now I weigh 125 and have maintained this weight for 2 and 1/2 years. So now amoung many NSV's let me say I was on insulin with pills to try to correct my Diabetes. I was so insulin resistant that my PCP wanted to throw up his arms and give up. I took 12 different meds, now I take 4 no Diabetes meds at all and 1/2 of my blood pressure medications. I just can't get around stress. ( BTW if someone knows how please let me know) I am now able to exercise. I do have health issues still FIBROMYALGIA and ARTHRITIS. But I NOW can walk 4 to 5 times a week and 4 to 5 miles each time. AWESOME STUFF!! But one of my favorite NSV's was when my 9 and 11 year old grandkids came and set with me in my recliner and FIT with ROOM TO SPARE!!! So Precious!! There are so many others but I will stop now. LIFE is so much sweeter now!!

I'm only 9 days post op but my bed has stopped creaking every time I move! It seems silly but it is a NSV for me because I share my bedroom with my 10 month old daughter, and it used to be that every time I rolled over she cried, and if I had to get out of bed, it woke her up. We are both sleeping so much better!

@@B-52 Amazing NSV to get out and kick ass in life. Your health and fitness level always keeps me interested in what you are doing to keep yourself in shape. Love your posts.

First off, I'm 64 years old, and had Lap band procedure coming up on 6 years. Prior to that, I was morbidly obese, diabetes, high BP, triglycerides, cholesterol, etc, etc, you name it, all out of control. Was seeing as many as 4 different Dr.'s all on a 4-month schedule. I was so out of shape I would become short of breath and need to rest doing the littlest things like carry groceries into the house. My PCP simply and straight forwardly stated that if I did not do something, specifically lose 50-80 lbs, I will not be around much longer. I should think about my family, etc, when I am gone. I told him, yet again, that I have tried every diet under the sun and was never able to keep it off. All diets started out good, but then I back slid and ultimately complete failure. I went for a stress test, and they found blockages in my arteries, which resulted in angioplasty with stents. It was then they discovered an area of my heart muscle was damaged which was a result of a Myocardial Infarction. They asked me when did I have a heart attack? I said never. They said Oh yes you did, a quite serious one...However it was silent which is very common for diabetics. Back to my PCP...suggested as a "Last Resort", I go for WLS. Which I did. WLS was 100% successful for me, once I got past the initial stages it became the easiest thing I could have ever done. Lost all my excess body fat, became a gym rat. I don't count calories or anything similar to traditional dieting. With the band I am forced to eat less so when I do eat I just make sure it is something as healthy as I can put together. Always focusing on the Protein. I indulge in things that are usually a hot topic here...point is, I'm not a glutton so a little here and then works just fine with me. Fast forward to a few days ago....went in for my scheduled Nuclear Stress test. Other people in the waiting room had O2 with them, were using walkers, etc...I came looking like I just came back from the gym knowing I would be running on their treadmill. Through every phase people would comment how good I looked and I surley worked out. One TECH wanted to know what my workout routine was. On the treadmill, where they take it to a high BPM (stress), they had me running at a good clip...I was also carrying on a normal conversation the whole time. Then they inject the isotobe and take pictures of your cardiac arteries First time I had one of these it didn't take more than a brisk walk, and I was so out of breath I could not speak. My cardiologist called me later and said I passed with flying colors..everything could not look any better...Perfect... This is what WLS did for me...literally saved my life. Turned around my Coronary Artery Disease, not to mention reversing my diabetes and everything else I was plagued with. I'm 64 years old and am the weight I was when I played football and ran track back in HS 45 years ago. I am at an optimal body fat %, (don't care about BMI's) cannot lose anymore because there is nothing left to lose. Wear normal clothes right off the rack, or order online without any worries, never short of breath, and I feel like I'm 30 years younger and can do anything. Last summer I climbed a volcano where the next oldest in the group was 1/2 my age, the rest younger...I led the pack most of the way up. I read posts on this forum all the time about people complaining about this and that, or having fears of failure only a year or less into it... People, PLEASE get over it....stop the whining!!! This thing DOES WORK...don't sweat the small stuff, focus on the big picture..like the rest of your life!!! Ok, off my soapbox. Thank You

@, 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!

So I went on vacation out of the country and then had to return thru immigration. The agent refused to let me thru as she didn't believe I was the person in my passport photo. Had to get a supervisor over and explain that I had lost 100+ lbs since that picture and it was in fact me. Eventually convinced them, but I guess I am going to have to spring for a new passport with a new photo.

Congratulations! Fabulous NSV! By the way, what is "burgoo" ?

YAAAAAAS YAAAAAAAS! This and this!! At 3 mos post op-- I do not have to shop in the plus dept. I can but I can fit most Large and even some mediums. I am technically still plus size but I am now able to finally take my rightful position in the stores I was meant to shop in!!! And that makes me feel confident! Next year-- my 20th reunion will be on a cruise ship to the Bahamas. I will be there with bells on. Looking as good as I did when I was in my 20's. I don't really talk to any of my old classmates but I'll be there with my hubby. If it turns out to be lame, he and I will still have a great time on the other side of the cruise ship no matter what. Yaaaaaas girl hang in there-- it's coming!!! I'm married but I do miss getting hit on like I used to a woman needs to be able to turn heads to feel sexy sometimes. HOWEVER-- when it does start to happen, which it is a little bit-- I only have eyes and loyalty for my hubby. He stood by me and made me feel beautiful through it all. The other guys can kiss my ass. I'm going to hold my head up high flash my ring and keep it moving. Going to Cedar Point in 2 weeks for HALLOWEEKENDS. The last time I was there with my family-- I was turned away from 3 rides because the belts wouldn't fit and I was sooooo embarrassed. I doubt that will happen this time! LOOKING SO FORWARD TO IT! All great goals and NSV's. I just related to these ones so well I had to shout!!!

My nsv's are... I can now cross my legs. I'm in a size 18 jeans..not stretch anymore. I can walk a mile and a half and still feel great. I have a bag of my lularoe clothes to a good friend the other day because they were all too big now. Hubby and i's sex life after 26 years is way better. Love hearing my sons say..you're looking good mom. Wouldn't trade this for anything. Lml. trixie's line

@@Inner Surfer Girl congrats, that is a huge NSV, sounds like a lot of fun. I hope you have a lot more things on your "to do"list as there is no stopping you!

One of my favorite places in the whole world is Keeneland racecourse. I haven't been able to go to the races in years. It has been hard, especially since I moved to central Kentucky four years ago, to be so close and yet know I couldn't navigate the seats, walking, stairs, distance from bathrooms, etc. I was able to go to opening day on Friday! It was a beautiful day and I was able to fit in the reserved seats, had no trouble making it to the bathrooms and was able to walk a good bit (even though I used the handicap shuttle to get back to the car ---- I am not on that good of physical shape, yet). I am even planning to try to go back again during this meet. By the way, I had burgoo for lunch.

hi all! had a really great day yesterday and wanted to share it with you all I LOVE theme parks. one of the things I used to look forward to most each year was going to six flags. I haven't gone in years though because when I was 18, one of the most humiliating things of my fat life happened--I got kicked off 3 different coasters because I was too big for the harnesses. talk about a reality check. so I've been too scared to go back until now. I went yesterday (with my new boyfriend, which is also a cool thing that happened the day before we went) and was so nervous it would happen again, especially in front of him on our first date being "official" without him being super aware of my weight history yet, that I almost canceled at the last minute. I'm proud to say that not only did I fit on every single coaster we rode (including all 3 I was kicked off of last time!), but I comfortably fit without the embarrassing thigh spillover or being practically on top of the person next to me it sounds like such a normal thing but I'm so proud of the progress I've made. ^ also, dug out an old t-shirt I bought at my previous lowest adult weight which at the time was a perfect fit. now its a bit loose and I can wear this hoodie I bought when I was 13 with it

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch If you like the 7 pounds in 6 days, check this out! http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/379379-biggest-nsv-yet/

Holy cow am I excited! I didn't intend to buy a pair of pants today but I just wanted to try on a couple to see where I was at. I went into a local Farm and Ranch store and spoke to the gal there. I showed her what I was dealing with I'm told her what size I was and that I was tired of looking like I was wearing a diaper on my ass everywhere that I went. She suggested based upon my current size that I go to 35x30. This lady is absolutely insane was my freaking thought! Imagine my surprise when they were actually too loose! I needed a 34x30! Several weeks ago I got out of my van at a customer's place and my shorts fell off my butt. I really didn't think that I was quite this far along. I will officially be 6 weeks out tomorrow and I've lost 7 pounds since Monday! I'm down 47 pounds since starting my pre op diet on 8/29. I'm officially the lowest weight that I've been in mt ENTIRE adult life at 265 pounds! It was such an adrenaline rush that I actually bought the dang pants even though I wasn't intending to. Last weekend with my diaper ass Levis. Today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(perhaps to many exclamation points? Heck no!)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There was an additive to add to the wash to shrink clothes a few sizes. I used to loath the dryer tightening jeans and sweaters. Now I leave them in extra and now my sweaters look like dresses lol. I started almost a year ago to date and down 110lbs including presurgery loss. I am currently cycling down through my sizes and about 2 months away from getting into my favorite clothes in those sizes. Another nsv is getting into my rings I havent worn in 5yrs ???????????????????????????????????? Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

So today I went to a wedding of a dear friend of mine. First off, I was able to find a awesome dress I could wear that didn't look like a mumu and, I discovered I fit into an 18/20. I've always been 26/28. Next, at the wedding I came across people I haven't seen in years. All kept commenting on how much weight I lost and how great I look in the dress. Let me mention that for the above listed mumu reason, I haven't put a dress on in about 10 years. It was always slacks and a blazer. I felt like a woman today. I felt pretty and playful and even caught myself flirting with people. This all before I've even had surgery. I honestly can't wait till I have my sleeve and become even smaller. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow, most of my fall/winter clothes are too loose to wear! So almost 2/3 will be heading for donation. Looks like I will be going to the resale shop soon. Sent from my SM-G935V using the BariatricPal App

I had the same feelings. I just kept going over all of the reasons that I had gone through the process in my mind. I kept looking at the lists of NSVs and before/after pics on here. Two months later, I am happy and never looking back. Good luck. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Bama2012 we all love our NSV's i see many more NSV's in your future you have lost 89 lbs!! that's great!!!! keep up the good work for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life i know you will!! kathy congrats