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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

I'm definitely looking forward to experiencing THIS NSV! Last weekend, I met up with some friends...as we were ushered towards a booth, I panicked a bit. I fit, but just barely. Luckily, I was with a very close and wonderful friend who "measured" her side of the table with her menu, and as it turned out to be a few inches larger, we switched. It could have been worse, but my friend was so great about it...very matter of fact. Later on, I told her about my plan to get the sleeve. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

That is a great NSV!!!

@@mstrice oh dear, another long post from me interesting timing of this post - saw my doc yesterday blood pressure and diabetes are both usually helped by WLS (lower the dosage, or have med removed totally) i was taken off my blood pressure and diabetes meds shortly after sleeve (5 years ago) my epilepsy dosage was cut in 1/2 after a year!!! (biggest unexpected NSV) i told dr yesterday i thought we needed to talk about my BP and diabetes both #'s have been going up i did go back on BP meds a few months ago - doc agreed i now need to take more my diabetes meds should also be restarted doc "thinks" epilepsy meds should remain the same, no prob doing blood work once a month for the next year - gotta make sure no problems with seizures the above is about ME only many OP won't have to ever take meds again or will have a lower dosage sleeve has been around for a llllllong time initially did it to help OP with stomach cancer docs were realizing people were losing lots of weight PO docs then decided to make sleeve a WLS as time passes, more stats will be available from the sleeve (since they want more time for averages/stats) docs might realize that meds might have to be restarted for some don't mean to be a doubting dora just saying stuff i heard (if i'm mistaken please don't throw Protein shakes or bars at me ) good luck with surgery kathy

@@gustavio I have read all of the posts you have made and it seems you have been very anxious after surgery. Losing 30 lbs a month is no realistic and it is time to get rid of expectations. We are all on a new life journey, not a diet that will be over when we lose the weight we want to. You have done well with weightloss so far and it will keep happening if you keep following your plan and living your life. And, if you are like me and many others, the weightloss will happen in waves. Yes, it can get frustrating, but it is much easier to let those frustrations go and continue on. This isn't about the money or a broken sleeve, it is finding your footing and continuing to move forward focusing on the big picture, including nsvs, feeling better, looking better, losing inches, etc and most of all, being healthier. You can do this.

#1 NSV!!!!! Tried on a pair of 10's just to see if they would fit me a little bit 3-4 weeks ago. ( I like to test the waters) They did not so I bought the 12's. They look great. I love the dark dark denim wash and these jeans snatch your waist and lift your butt. I wanted to buy the 10's for later but decided not to be impulsive. I went back yesterday to get some items out of layaway and came across the jeans I loved. I figured I still wasn't ready for them but I wanted to grab them to wear later like next month or so-- since they are such a great fit (good jeans are hard to find). I took them home and before hanging them up I tried them on to see how far I'd have to go and to my surprise they fit like a glove!!!! I have a pair of Kenneth Cole jeans in a size 12 that must be 8's in real life because I can't even get them on for at least another 20lbs. I'll be super happy to get into them but for now I'm basking in my VICTORY!!!!! #2 Another NSV-- while I was at the store there was this really cute guy who I could tell kept trying to get my attention but very subtly. He was hoping I would make eye contact so that he could engage me but I had my ear buds on and I was bopping and looking everywhere but directly at him. I kept running into him but you see I already peeped him and decided the moment I saw him I was physically attracted to him soooo I refrained from any personal contact with him. yes a simple "hi sweetheart how are you today"? could spark something. I don't trust myself yet. I am happily married but I have harmless tendencies that could get me in trouble so I do what I gotta even if that means being a little rude which I wasn't in this case. #3 I hung out with my friends over the weekend and we took pics !!!!! For the first time in forever-- I actually liked the way I looked in the picture compared to everyone else. I was pleased! I wan't the "fat one" anymore. I blended in with everyone else. Such a great feeling. I am 2 lbs from onederland. So I am looking forward to hitting that in the next couple days. Adios!

@@BobScott "what do you regret", what you wish you had done pre or post-op the above has often been asked amongst each other my 3 big regrets 1. didn't take frequent before/during/and after pics 2. didn't take my measurements (tried, never did it right with finding #'s) hubby even tried (he's very trying!!!! LOL) 3. No Journal has always been my biggest regret keeping a journal (blog) is very helpful it's good to be reminded of the "little" things for posterity!!! can't always rely on your memory i wish i had kept track of things during this experience all my NSV's - dates they happened etc at one year surgiversary, i said i would start a journal (blog) that was almost 4 years ago!!! never happened @@BobScott wonderful weight loss/transformation keep up the good work please post more often, share the good and bad and of course all advice is appreciated kathy congrats

I've learned some other abbreviations along the way. CW = current weight, SW = surgery weight, HW = highest weight, NSV = non-scale victories (like smaller clothes size). Hope this helps.

style="margin:0;padding:0;background-color:#d8dde8;color:#5a5a5a;font:normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif;position:relative;"> Hey BariatricPal Members! I hope this newsletter finds you well and making progress towards your surgery, weight loss, and health goals. Now that summer is officially over, it’s about time to take advantage of what autumn has to offer to help you lose more weight. We hope this newsletter will help you do that, and here is what you will find. Ready for Weight Loss Anytime, Anywhere Appreciating the Weight Loss Surgery Journey Autumn Weight Loss: Take Advantage of the Season Take a look at the newsletter for some inspiration and ideas. Then, why not put what you learned to the test by planning the next stage in your weight loss surgery journey? The BariatricPal forums are always there for encouragement and support, so you can be confident that you’re never alone in your journey. To your health! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Ready for Weight Loss Anytime, Anywhere Your best bet for sticking to your weight loss surgery diet is to be prepared. For starters, you can stock your kitchen with fresh vegetables and fruit, chicken, tuna, yogurt, and other lean proteins, and instant protein breakfasts and entrees to use in a pinch. There may be times when you need something even faster, and you can be prepared to get a healthy meal or snack anytime, anywhere. Shakes, Bars, and Snacks A healthy snack can give you needed protein while curbing hunger, but putting together a fresh snack is not always practical. Protein shakes, protein bars, and protein snacks, such as protein chips and protein pretzels, can do the trick when you are time-crunched or have other things on your mind. You can find the calorie-controlled, ready to use choices you need at The BariatricPal Store. New to our store? Use coupon code BPNLSEP2016 for a 15% discount on your first purchase! Insure Nutrition We are always thrilled to welcome a new newsletter sponsor into the BariatricPal family, and this month, Insure Nutrition is giving us the pleasure of doing just that. Our latest sponsor, Insure Nutrition, is an online company that specializes in getting health insurance coverage for nutritional supplements. Its Post-Bariatric Surgery Nutrition products includes Premier Protein shakes in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors and OptiSource High Protein drinks in caramel and strawberry flavors. Checking if you are eligible is easy. Insure Nutrition encourages you to use its online form to find out if you qualify. Our sponsors help make BariatricPal newsletters and other services possible. We encourage you show your thanks by considering them first for your bariatric needs. Unjury and Opurity BariatricPal is proud and excited to announce two new sponsors for our newsletters. The new sponsors are Unjury, a supplier of wonderful tasting, highest quality protein supplements, and Opurity (from the makers of UNJURY), highest purity vitamin supplements for bariatric surgery patients. Their support lets us keep BariatricPal newsletters coming to you each month. Unjury was founded by a master’s degree dietitian who has been helping patients since 1974. It is committed your health. You know the importance of getting enough protein after weight loss surgery, but you also know that meeting your protein goals can be challenging. Unjury makes your task not just easier but actually enjoyable. Product flavors include Chocolate Splendor, Chocolate Classic, Vanilla, Strawberry Sorbet, Chicken Soup Flavor, and Unflavored. These ready-to-use protein powders come in single-serve and multi-serve containers, and contain high-quality whey protein to keep you full and nourished. Launched in 2007, Opurity is dedicated to using the purest ingredients in its supplements. Opurity Bariatric Multivitamins have two unique big advantages: First, each multivitamin requires only one tablet per day*. Second, Opurity is so dedicated to quality that it is unique in using no ingredients from China. Choose from chewable orange-berry multivitamins for gastric bypass and gastric sleeve patients or for lap-band patients.Opurity also sells chewable calcium, vitamin D and folic acid/vitamin B-12 chewables. All supplements come with a 100% satisfaction guaranteed. They return policy is: “Yes you can return it.” Support from Unjury and Opurity helps us continue to bring you the services you enjoy on BariatricPal, so please support these two brands! When looking for your bariatric surgery supplements, first visit Unjury.com and Opurity.com. Purchasing from these companies helps support BariatricPal. Thanks to Unjury and Opurity for your generous sponsorship, and thanks to BariatricPal members who support our partnership! *You still need calcium and sublingual B-12. Healthy Options at Every Corner No matter how careful you are to plan ahead, life can throw a wrench into your plans. When life happens, you can be caught empty-handed and starving. Even then, you can find something that fits into your weight loss surgery diet. Fast food restaurants have a lot of bad options, but they have some good choices, too. Whether you are stuck with a coffee shop, a burger joint, a pizza parlor, a sandwich shop, or another type of national franchise restaurant, you can fit something into your WLS diet if you order carefully. You might want to consider your options ahead of time so you can be confident in your choice when you have only a few quick minutes to decide what to order. These are some likely possibilities to look for. Eggs and cheese from a breakfast sandwich. Chicken or turkey breast, a burger patty, or cheese from a burger, sandwich, or taco. A side salad or green salad with chicken breast. Fat-free yogurt. You always have the choice of how much to eat, so do not ever pressure yourself to eat too much just because you received too much food. Also, you can pick and choose what to eat. Never feel obligated to eat the bread when all you wanted was the chicken breast inside the sandwich, and feel free to pick out the shrimp and vegetables from a rice bowl, while leaving the rice untouched. Appreciating the Weight Loss Surgery Journey There is a lot to think about from the moment you begin the weight loss surgery journey. Goal weight may be at the front of your mind. Also at the forefront are probably milestones such as getting through your pre-op diet, having surgery itself, progressing to solid foods, and, if you are a lap-band patient, finding the green zone with your band. On top of all that, you need to focus on working hard day in, day out, on following your WLS diet. There is truly a lot to concentrate on as you chase weight loss surgery success. That is good because it can keep you focused on track, but it can keep you from noticing some of the great things that are happening every day of your WLS. Making an effort to notice these exciting moments on a daily basis can keep you motivated and make your entire journey easier. Recognize Great Choices On a daily basis, you are faced with countless choices that affect your weight loss surgery journey, from what to eat to whether to exercise. No matter what else happens in your life, you are in control of your choices. If you make a habit of noticing and praising yourself each time you make a good weight loss surgery choice, you will be motivated to make more good choices. They build on each other. Here are a few choices you might recognize. They may seem small, but they show your commitment to your weight loss, and they add up to big results. Measuring portions instead of eyeballing them. Packing a lunch the night before so you don’t rush out of the house empty-handed the next day. Getting up to walk in the morning instead of rolling over in bed. Making the effort to go to your support group meeting instead of staying at home. Phoning a friend to talk through your feelings instead of drowning them in food. Enjoy Daily Progress You will not hit a major milestone each day. The scale will not go down each day, or even each week. But you can still progress in your weight loss surgery every day. When you appreciate your progress, you can see the links between your hard work and the benefits that it leads to. In turn, that can increase your motivation. All kinds of progress can happen on a daily basis. Many of them will be NSVs (non-scale victories) that can pop up at any time. For example, there might be that first day when it takes you a moment to see that the skinny figure reflecting back at you from the shop window is…you. You might find that you ar Or, you might realize that you chose to order the grilled chicken salad instead of your old go-to of nachos supreme not because you had to, but because the salad actually sounded more appealing for your new palate. Autumn Weight Loss: Take Advantage of the Season Ready or not, summer is over and the chillier weather is coming in. You might as well embrace it, though, since autumn can be a great season for weight loss. For one thing, the distractions of summer vacations are over, so it is easier to focus on routine, including the routine that you know will get you to your weight loss goals. Here are a few more ways you can take advantage of fall for weight loss. Walk outside in the invigorating brisk air instead of avoiding the summer heat. Snack on crisp fall apples, or bake them with cinnamon and serve them with Greek yogurt for a guilt-free dessert. Discover winter squashes such as acorn and butternut as one of the most nutritious starch choices you can make – packed with fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. Find a local farm where you can burn calories picking apples or pears. Curl up with a hot cup of protein cocoa or cappuccino on a chilly evening. Go to a gym regularly, since they are fairly empty at this time of year. Get creative as you think of ways that the fall season can help you lose weight, and take advantage of every opportunity that comes along. Whenever you have ideas or need ideas, hop on over to BariatricPal and get those conversations going! I hope you enjoyed the newsletter and got some inspiration from it. You are always welcome to share your questions and comments over on the forums, and I hope you will! Have a great fall, and thanks for your support. · Unsubscribe from all BariatricPal E-Mail.

You have a relatively small amount to lose and you are already 1/3 of the way there in less than two months. If anything, I'd say that is an excessive rate of loss. Besides, You are not a contestant on The Biggest Loser, you are in this for life. It took almost a year and a half to reach my goal and I was perfectly fine with it. 1 1/2 years is a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of my life. You should be asking what Vitamins should I be taking? How do I get in all my fluids (you should be getting close to 100oz for optimum weight loss) Should I be seeing a therapist to help me make the necessary psychological changes required to keep my weight off? Just enjoy the journey and count your NSVs. They are way more exciting anyways.

Wow! Fantastic nsv!! Enjoy the new shopping experiences! make it a great day

Yesterday I had to go shopping for pants that didn't fall off! 3 1/2 months ago I was wearing very snug size 22/24. Since , in the past, my weight would fluctuate as a result of yo-to dieting, I had clothes in many sizes. The smallest was size 16. I went to a plus-sized store to buy a smaller pair of pants. Much to my surprise the 14s were too big. I must admit that, despite the fact that I was delighted that I was in a smaller size, I panicked a little. I hadn't shopped for "regular" sized clothing in a long time. I also harbored a suspicion that a size 14 (or any size) in a plus sized store was actually larger than the same size in a regular store. Not sure why I thought that but I did. Much to my surprise and delight, I found that I fit into a size 12!!! Wow! I couldn't believe it! When I looked in the mirror I was able to see ( or maybe recognize) that I actually did look considerably different than I did before surgery. Other people had been telling me so, I just didn't really see it. I've been slowly clearing clothes out of my closet, but still hanging on to some favorite things that are too big. I guess that subconsciously I thought that I might need them again. That little shopping trip has put a new perspective on what I'm hanging on to, so tomorrow I'm going to get rid of those items to make way for my future wardrobe! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you, @@Ebony Rose This was an unexpected NSV ...... Need velcro strapped shoes .... LOL Great fashion statement ....

I agree. I have a dress and a very beautiful skirt I have been waiting to wear. I can't wait to wear them. NSV!!

Guys I'm sorry but I have to ask...it's been bugging me since I joined the group...what does NSV mean? Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

@@valerie1982 my hearing isn't as good as it used to be did you say you lost 102 lbs??? thats wonderful Woo Hoo i knew you could do it!!!! I just knew it!!!! i love your great attitude health issues - gone or improved! new personal issues better now too!! enjoy, remember all your NSV's think happy thoughts about your future you MUST continue with your healthy eating habits etc for the rest of your life!!! but you are a smartie - you already knew that keep up the good work kathy congrats