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I thought of putting this in the powder Room...but I really have no shame! LOL This morning I started my daily ritual of chaos that the beginning of each day always consists of. I'm wearing a pj top and a robe. My daughter is upstairs getting ready for school, and my husband is on the couch eating Breakfast and drinking his morning tea. I'm walking in the hallway downstairs and my panties decide to take it upon themselves to slide all the way down to my knees, just from me walking and gravity. I'm like..."REALLY?!" My husband comes running, wondering what happened. Then he sees me then thinks that I'm ready for him to get frisky...not really remembering that I am NOT a morning person. So I'm standing there not knowing whether to laugh or cry or both. I guess I'll be shopping this weekend for new ones that fit properly...or start wearing the bottoms to my pjs from now on...or perhaps, with my husbands suggestion, become a "morning person." Too funny not to share....

Wonderful NSV

Everyone shares their NSV's on here ... which are so incredible to read ... But I have to share one of mine from last Saturday night ... It was the office Christmas party ... and in the past ... I didn't like to attend ... because of my weight ... I know, I know ... stupid reason ... but ... you all know where I'm coming from ... So this year ... I didn't mind going ... It was at a local sports bar/pub kinda place ... And I was drug up ON STAGE to sing Karaoke !!!! ME!!! And I actually liked it ! So much so ... I did it 5 times and had a ball ! There are so many positives to losing weight ... and coming "out of my shell" is definitely one of them I'm the girl who always sat in the back ... hid from everything ... always told my husband "I can't" ... Well now ... I CAN ! I finally CAN ! Thank you Surgery Gods !

NSV!!! no doubt, hands down that one is awesome!

nsv in real time! i'm on the crowded morning train, saw one open seat in a cluster of 4, so i had to step over 3 ppl and i fit in the seat like a boss...would have just stood months ago i'm feeling like a pro at this skinny girl stuff lmao!

@@JustWatchMe, talk about NSV's, you just took the category to a new level. Your note is such a great pleasure to read.

First -- CONGRATs on the awesome weight loss. I noticed you are also a "tall" girl like me -- I would like to know more about how you work your food, fitness, you seem to be a great person as a mentor. Second - SO sorry to hear you lost your job. That does suck, but severance and unemployment will keep you going for a while. Take that time to determine if this is a time for any additional changes (i.e. career, etc.). I too lost my job, but 23 days prior to my surgery, thank the stars, upon the seperation, they told me insurance would continue through 11/30, surgery was on 11/23, and so far (fingers and toes crossed) no issues. Trying to focus on NSVs is the best for you right now. Where there is change around us, sometimes it helps to embrace and see what the next chapter in our lives has instore for us. Katie T

So today I got laid off. Makes no sense but supposedly purely a financial decision. They're paying a severance. I'll be fine. 47 years old and first time I have lost a job. BUT I am trying to focus on a few positive things 1) I had insurance pay for my surgery that I might not have had at another company; 2) 100 pounds ago I wouldn't have felt too confident going out to look for a job 3) a little time off might not be a bad thing and 4) so far I haven't turned to food or alcohol as I normally would have and don't have the capacity or ability to do that anyway. Life goes on. This could be worse. It was a good ride while it lasted....

Everyone seems to be obsessed with the scale... I am trying to not base my journey on that number... There are so many NSV's that's occur that I'd miss if I focused solely on the scale. 11 1/2 weeks and down to 178.3. I have 0 complaints... I am very glad I made the decision to have this surgery... Even more glad that I am learning to use it is the tool it was meant to be. I read a lot, say a little. Lots of people compare their journey to that of someone else... Stress stalls weight loss, take the stress off yourself and just take it one day at a time. This surgery was NOT a magic solution. Fact is you can gain the weight back if you don't work the tool effectively...... I'm glad that I've learned this lesson early on. I have a clear road ahead of me. Thank you all for sharing your stories. You're a big encouragement to lil ol me.

Since my preop diet started in May I have lost a total of 82 lb. I was sleeved on July 21. I feel great mentally & physically. I have been working out & having NSV'S etc. Today however, I felt good, felt thinner than I looked I guess! My hubby took a pic of me & I looked & I about fell over! Fatness all over again! I haven't gained, I HAVE NOT CHEATED, NOT ONCE. I just mentally thought I looked thinner than I did! My own mental image of myself was better than what the camera showed me!!!! WTF!!!!!!!!! I am supposed to want to show off pics now, not hide them like I used to. Has this happened to anyone? ????????

60 lbs down and my beloved Cacique bras just ride up my back... the straps don't even tighten enough to not fall off my shoulders, and the band is too loose. Got 2 new ones, just basic black and mocha.... Cant wait for better support! Better yet, I got the one for 50% off and an extra 20% off the total for using my e-mail! I miss my collection of pretty bras, but my niece has most of them now.... along with most of my prior wardrobe. It is a NSV that these huge things are shrinking along with my body!

Well, for those of you celebrating with me over breaking up with the sleep machine, we are back together again. I love the concept but it turns out I was waking up frequently, gasping and all the rest. It may be that I am with this thing for the duration. Last week I was really dragging, pain index high (I have arthritis) and just not feeling "myself." Well, I think that can all be attributed to poor sleep. I went back on the CPAP two nights ago and have had a complete turnaround. Plus my husband is happy as I'm not waking him up now, so there's that. My plan for now is to lose ten more pounds then go back for another sleep study to make sure the machine is tuned to my new body and working optimally. That's the update! An NSV Take-Backsie but I am still one happy woman.

.....I started my preop diet. I consider this my anniversary date rather than my actual surgery since I lost 22 pounds on the preop. Since surgery I have lost over 100% of my excess weight and have kept it off for over a year. I don't measure or track my food. I don't own a scale. I never obsessed over numbers or details. I just stuck with mostly Protein and veggies while I was losing and stayed away from the "white carbs". For maintenance I simply eat a healthy balanced diet including protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains. I make healthy choices (most of the time) and my sleeve helps control my portions. I still indulge in sweets, Desserts, alcohol, bread, rice, potatoes, etc, but definitely in moderation. I still drink Protein shakes and eat Protein Bars. Although I don't officially track, I do keep a rough tally of protein and fluids and usually exceed 70g protein and drink 64-100+ oz of fluids every day. I take my Vitamins every day. I have bloodwork checked annually as recommended by my surgeon. I don't excercise but I have a physical job and active lifestyle. It really has been a pretty easy journey. So here's a recap some of my favorite year 1 NSVs.... I can cross my legs. I can even cross them in a car and under a table. I can hop up into my saddle without having to find a rock or log to climb on. I feel so relieved that my horse no longer has to pack my fat ass around the mountains. No more knee, ankle or foot pain. I lived on ibuprofen and tramadol before surgery. I am now completely pain free. I can also squat down and kneel effortlessly without my feet going numb or needing a table or chair to heave myself back up. I can sprint up stairs or hike up a hill without getting out of breath at all. I've been on 15-20 mile hikes with friends and I am always out front, waiting for them to catch up. I can shop in regular stores. I can order clothes online and I know they will fit and look great. I now dress to show off my body, not to hide it. Now for year 2..... Maintenance is boring. NSVs are few and far between. Everything is just "normal" now. Spent most of the year finding and keeping that balance between what my head wants and what I know I actually need. I rarely weigh myself, but I will step on the scale at work after an especially carby weekend or vacation. I go back to strict protein/veggies or even full on preop liquid diet if I pop even one pound above my bounce range. I know I have to nip any small gains in the bud before they become big gains. But this year also brought about the biggest NSV of all. It has nothing to do with my weight, it's all about my head and it's one I would love to not have experienced. My best friend committed suicide 7 months ago and every day since has been a miserable struggle with the grief, anger, despair and confusion. The victory in this is that I haven't buried my emotions with food and alcohol. I spent over 1 1/2 years drinking and stuffing my face after my brother died 4 years ago. In the end that only impeded my ability to heal and made me even fatter and more miserable. I learned that you have to feel the pain before you can over come it. So this time I'm feeling it all. And it sucks. I will never stop grieving either my brother or my friend, but maybe some day I can start living again, rather just going through the motions. Anyways, thanks for reading this extended post, and good luck to all you newbies. My advice is don't get wallowed down in the "now". Don't be overwhelmed by the details. Life is more than just carbs and protein and minutes at the gym. You chose a chance at a new life. The first few months are just a teeny tiny period and simply part of the process you have to go through to get to that new life. First photo collage taken December 4, 2013 and December 4, 2014 Second set taken this morning.......I just had my gallbladder removed 8 days ago, so that's what's up with the new scars and my belly is still a little swollen from surgery. I also got a new tat last February - a tribute to my brother who was a wonderfully talented musician.

I like the NSV's you don't expect......Like jumping up to hit the fridge during a commercial and picking the container of broccoli and vegetables to heat up and snack on.......who woulda thought..... Makes me realize I really have turned the corner

I know all of us pre operative people are excited to watch the numbers on the scale fall but what else? I can not wait to fee comfortable in my clothing, to sit on the couch or floor with my knees pulled up to my chest! I can't wait to wear designer clothes because right now I'm limited to shoes , purses and capes because nothing else fits! I'm also hoping to buy shoes that are not wides. So what are you looking forward to that doesn't involve the numbers on a scale?

@@rking "proud of myself" you should be!!! i think you are aces any accomplishment you make is not a "small thing" cereal, bagels and cream cheese, yum, yum, yum good not yet!!! you stayed away from them, putting your nose up - staying away from these yummies!! you controlled yourself having chosen yogurt, milk and juice (be careful about juice ie OJ) grapefruit etc hidden sugars you stayed away from your "old" friend maybe your first NSV!!!??? at a llllllater time you will be able to eat a bite or two of anything moderation/portions are key for the rest of your life!!! you said above "I can do it!! of course you can silly head LOL i never doubted you for a minute!!!! keep up the good work newbie kathy

@@pokeyvenus that was you??? i thought i saw a new person on the block!!!! welcome welcome major NSV woo hoo party dance you and others (me) deserve a second chance!!! gifts are always wonderful!!! 30 lbs gone, gone, and gone keep up the good work kathy congrats

@@Djmohr congratulations to you, too! And we can snooze on planes without fear of snoring, phew, that's a big NSV, OMG.

Glad to say I got a great NSV, so my 8 year old son was hugging me yesterday and he tell me all excited look look mommy I could put my hands all around you!! I was like awww best feeling ever!

I made it to the top of a mountain trail today, 3.2 miles to top and back. Approximately 1,500 feet in elevation. I had to stop 5 times just to rest on occasion but I made it. The last time I did this was 24 years ago. Last summer I wrote down why I wanted to lose weight and being able to hike to the top of this trail was one of those goals.

Yay, me! Lol. I just figured out I don't have to unfasten my button and zipper to get my pants down! Too funny.

I'm glad that I'm not the only one for whom picking up dog poop without pain is a NSV.

@@Bandista No more looking like Darth Vader in bed !!! Big NSV .I hope you are sleeping and breathing better now.

Look for the NSV's and rejoice in them. Like, do your clothes fit better? Can you buckle the seatbelt fit better? Can you walk to the mailbox without getting out of breath? Do your knees hurt less? Is your sleep apnea gone? Those were my non surgery victories. Yours may be different.