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Surgiversary! Yay!! Yup I made it to my one year mark with some pretty remarkable (for me) results! I started my pre-op diet by mid Dec 2011 and was sleeved on Jan 11, 2012. So Jan 11, 2013 marked my first surgiversary. I have lost a total of 120 lbs WOO HOO!!! (and those lbs are gonna stay away, if I have any say in that matter LOL!) Here are the details: Starting weight Dec 2011 124 kgs or 272 lbs BMI = over 53. Surgery weight Jan 11, 2012 119 kgs or 261 lbs Current weight Jan 12, 2012 69 kgs or 152 lbs BMI = 29.5! When I started, my BMI was just over 53. Now my BMI is 29.7! I'm so happy that I'm 'technically' no longer 'obese' and that I'm only 'overweight'. This last year had been so freakingly awesome! When I first started lurking in this forum before seriously considering surgery, I never really appreciated what the others meant when they said it is a rollercoaster ride. I fully appreciate it now; It is totally true! I've had some amazing SVs and NSVs, and I've had some pretty s#itty days fighting head-hunger, fatigue, and most of all, self doubts. But this forum and you wonderful friends have helped me stay on track. I come here whenever I need inspirationand motivation. You guys are the best! And my surgeon! OMG! I seriously believe that God tailor made a surgeon for me! He is the best person who personifies the word 'tough love'. He is very encouraging, amazingly funny, but will say it as he sees it. I trust him with my life! He and his staff have my eternal gratitude! I have not had the courage to post any of my pics on the board till today. But I made a promise to myself that I'll do it after my surgiversary. I admit that the pics on VST were a major factor when I decided to have the surgery and they gave me a great confidence boost whenever I felt down. So in my own small way I want to give hope to others here. My family, friends and colleagues say I look smaller - but I just dont see it. In my head, I still see the huge me. So I kinda rely on pics to see the journey I have been through. I'm nowhere near goal - I have 20+ lbs to lose, but now I'm confident in my new body, and dont feel embarassed to stand in front of a camera LOL.

WOOHOOOOOOOO. NSV's truly come in all shapes and places. Congratulations. :clap2:

Congrats Robin! I am a little over half way there at 55% of my weight gone. Another nice NSV is that I was able to buy clothes in size 22 yesterday. Haven't seen 22 in 18 years. Woo-hoo! Cindy

Got my first PSA results after the surgery, less than 1/10 of one point, which means I am clean (For now). Now, only 10 more tests, one every 6 months for the next 5 years showing the same results and I am considered cured. To Celebrate I got on the bike and did a couple of miles.

Congratulations and I have the same NSV but instead of 29 years it was close to 13 14 years. More good things will come eventually you will not be on any medication

Way to go Mary! Great NSV! I actually wore heels for the first time in ages last week! I felt great! Try it!

Vent away, it helps . Yes, doubts are common, we've all tried a zillion diets that have failed, what makes this different? I would make a list of things that motivate you- NSV's- like going on the rides at the fair without worrying they'll kick you off for being too fat, no seatbelt extender on an airplane, weighing less than DH (these are a few of mine, LOL). Have a little journal where you write your feelings- good and bad- and reasons to keep on keeping on. It's still a journey, even though you have some excellent help in the form of the band. It will have ups and downs, remember this is a lifetime thing, not another diet. So you can do it, I know you can, just feel your feelings, own them, and try not to eat them . Nicki

I went clothes shopping today and I started in a size 24 top and bottom. I can now wear an 18/20 bottom and a 14/16 top. I ended up buying 18/20 tops to just have a little extra room but I can't believe I can now fit into a large. I was able to buy a top from the Junior Section! Yes, it is true. Large was in Juniors. I'm down 46 lbs. My goal right now is to lose an addtitional 4 lbs for a total of 50 lbs.

So, i am still trying to wear my jeans that are a size 26 - I need to get a belt if I continue to do this. A friend gave me a box of her "fat clothes" from after her surgery so I would not have to purchse much. She was smaller that me to begin with, so most of the pants and jeans she sent were a size 16. However, there was one size 18. I thought I would give it a shot, and what do my wondering eyes should appear - they fit - they are tight, but I can breathe in them! Wow!!! so excited!!!

I reached my goal today!!! 8 months, 17 days and 110 pounds lighter. I feel like a million dollars and the NSV's have been better than the weight loss! Everyone on here has helped more than you can imagine. Thanks to you all for your opinions, information, and support!!

I bought my first size 14 skirt this weekend since before I was married 7 years ago!!! I didn't even bother trying on the XL shirt I picked up (silly me for even looking at it!) since the medium almost fit and the large was just right! This also happens to be the first time I shopped in NY&Co instead of Lane Bryant in over 7 years!

Awesome nsv's!! Congrats on your success and I'm sure you will continue to add to that list!

Lol! That's an awesome NSV.

That made me smile!!! These are the things that people who are not in our shoes would never understand. I totally get it and I'm smiling HUGE for you!!! So fun!! Keep up the good work!! I have had a couple strange NSV's lately too...the necklace I wear every day hangs into my cleavage now....LOL guess Im losing weight in my neck! And this one was really weird when I noticed it...when I wash my face now I can feel my cheek bones and jaw line. It was an awesome realization when it happened! Keep sharing your Silly NSV's! They are motivational and fun to hear!!

Caysen has been bugging me for weeks to go have Mexican food at the local dive mexican food joint here. Well, I decided today to venture out and give it a whirl. . . The most exciting part of the meal was when I went to sit down and I didn't have to move the table closer to him to fit in between the seat and table. I almost moved it habitually, then stopped myself and thought "go ahead, try to fit there, no one is looking, if you have to move it then move it" So, as I glided in slowly I realized not only was i going to actually fit, I had a good 6-8 inches of space between my belly and the table. We ordered chicken fajitas for one, and brought home enough food for another person to eat a fajita. I had 4-5 little strips of chicken with sour cream and salsa. It was by far the best feeling in the world with the booth situation, but I didn't get sick on any of the food. YIPPEEEEEEE! ! !

LOL...I just did a blog this week about my NSV. I agree, we have to keep our eyes open for the little things we don't think about. Those things aren't as obvious as the scale but in the long run I think they are more important! And you reminded me of 2 others that I didn't put in my blog. I can lean down to tie my shoes without being out of breath. And my libido is also at a whole new level....my "poor" hubby got attacked the other day (middle of the day with the kids home We got done and he was like "ummm...ok....this works for me LOL

And I don't have far to come! It takes a long time to see yourself differently. Even now at times I see myself still at 256! Look for NSVs. Like getting into and out of the car, a booth in a restaurant. squeezing through spaces I did not think I would fit! You are doing great girl!

My daughter and I were on vacation and had walked into a store that we have never been in. As we were walking around the produce section I looked across the store and I saw two people that had on our same outfits. The one I noticed first was the lady dressed like me, only she was much thinner then I was. Then I noticed the other woman, and realized she had the same outfit on as my daughter, I walked over to my girl to point the two out to her, and then it hit me! I wasn't looking across the store at two different women wearing our outfits, I was looking into a big mirror that was placed there ( I guess to make the store look bigger) and so of course I was seeing us....I just didn't realize that I was so much thinner then my mind gave me credit for. I still pointed it out to her while laughing at myself....we both started laughing so hard, that I am sure that anyone else that was around must of thought we were either completely nuts, or just on some kind of drugs! Lol Well that I consider an NSV right there....not even recognizing myself in a mirror! Haha Hope you enjoyed my silly little NSV!

What an excellent NSV!!!! One many would have likely not noticed---this is your life changing on a daily basis---I love it!!! And I also love hearing about how loving and supportive your family was with it.....that is an added bonus, that is sweeter even than the Milk Duds!!! You are doing great----keep the NSV's coming!!! Kat

Fantastic NSV!!!!

UPDATE! I started at a size 28, squeezing into at, at that, and I just bought jeans in a size....wait for it..... EIGHTEEN! Okay, technically I bought jeggings in size 18, can squeeze into a size 20, and am wearing a size 22 that is loose, BUT a size 18!? That's insane, even if they are jeggings. I spent $13 on the jeans and $24 on the jeggings at Forever 21....the 24 is more than I wanted to spend per pair BUT since they're a size 18 and stretchy, I'm hoping they'll last a while. I also bought the size 22 pair at Kohl's (only after a huge discount). I had to go into stores to figure out what size I was, and when I did, the prices were pretty comparable to online sites, so I just did it in-person. Huge NSV to not have to buy my jeans online and to be able to try them on in a dressing room, shop with my best friend, and get excited about that PERFECT fit. Plus, now that I can fit into Forever 21's plus size jeans, I'm just going to keep buying those $13 pairs until I don't have to anymore....you can't really beat $13 for jeans.

It's been 5 days since I have written and well as the top post implies, it has been an EXCITING 2 days. And not in a good way. My daughter has a dog named Tank, beautiful white pit bull puppy, he is about 6 months old. Well he has been feeling punk the past few days, and my daughter was very worried. She doesn't have the money so I told her I would pay for him to go to the vet. We figured he just had garbage gut (he LOVES to knock over trash cans and see what booty they have in store) Well a fecal exam later and he has parvo. Talk about freak out time, they wanted 500 dollars up front to keep him and shes in tears. I'm trying to call Bret to get the ok to use the funds, she gets a hold of her bff who works at another vet's office, and they said for 200 deposit they would keep him. Now the only problem with that is we are an hour away...and of course they close in 45 minutes. I think I broke every speed barrier to get him to that vet's office. Now what has me freaking out is she brought him over only 2 days before this, and he and my newest addition were playing, and they were in the same kennel. My baby Tildy is current on all her shots, but she only had 2 of the parvo shots, she was scheduled to get the third one next week. I called my vet and we went and got the shot today. Plus her rabies and bordetella. And we set up the appointment to come back in three weeks to get another booster to be on the safe side and to have her spayed. She is 3 days from the day of exposure and I have to watch until Monday. If she shows no symptoms by Monday she should be good to go. She's being her usual active self, but I am soo paranoid I am afraid I am over watching her. We just got a call from the vet, Tank is reacting well with the medications, he's alert, he's active, and he has not thrown up since yesterday. (He never had the diarrhea, thank God) and they are moving him from ISO to another area (its still isolation but a little more friendly) He has to be kept calm because he has tried to remove his IV now twice from being excited. So we are guardedly optimistic. If he keeps improving the way he's going, he will be able to come home by Thursday. But he cannot go ''visiting'' for a looong while. Yesterday we bleached my entire house. Twice. We also bleached my front steps and back steps and porches. Today I did the back yard... and I have not finished it yet. But I got most of it. I have to go get another water hose and I also have to go get more bleach. I have a large back yard and so far I have used 1 and a half big bottles of bleach on the area's I can reach with the hose. I still have to do my front yard and the rest of the back. It's also 90+ degrees outside so I think I am going to wait a little longer to let it cool off. I let my dogs out (I have 5 total, but the others are all over a year old and up to date on all their shots) and I kept them in the area that I had already sprayed. Now its time for lunch...haha the real reason for my blog. That my dear friends is 8oz. of Chef Prepared Turkey salad with Cranberries (thats what the little dark things are, its not rabbit poo) I was very skeptical at first but omg it was really tasty, and only 215 calories according to MFP. I am still boycotting the scales, I do have a NSV. I have a pair of capris I bought a while back. They are size 20W and they were suuuper tight. I have them on right now and they are LOOSE! Anyways I will keep you updated TTFN

A DYN-O-MITE 4 STAR BONO VIDE NSV! Congratulations CreekImp may we all go and do the same, all in our own good time!😝❤😝

I am feeling SO much better. My left side incision finally released and the pain I have been experiencing in that side is finally gone. I feel like a new person. I have lost 16 lbs since 9/6 surgery and about 16 inches overall. I have moved from a 22 to an 18 in clothes and I feel so much better about myself already. I am finally in the mushies stage and eating canned chicken, tuna, baked fish, Beans & cheese, eggs, etc. I picked up some cottage cheese and greek yogurt to try out tomorrow. I am walking alot and trying to make sure I get my fluids in. I have been on a stall for the past 12 days so I am hoping it ends soon. In the meantime, I am counting my other NSV's such as my blood sugar and blood pressure being normal for the first time in over 5 years. I know this surgery was the right decision for me.

How wonderful! How did I miss this the first time around??? Great NSV!