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Alex, I apologize in advance for the length of this post. Here are a few things I wondered/thought of to ask you about the local groups: Where would these meetings be held? How long would each meeting run per session? How often would meetings be held? As a teacher, my daytime availability is limited from September to summertime, but I would still love to be a leader--would that be possible for me?Regarding size of each chapter--I would think as long as there are enough members interested and regularly attending, small groups would be acceptable; groups of more than 25 might need more than one leader, to organize and interact effectively with all members. In my opinion, co-leaders would be helpful across the board, really, since there's a good chance that now and then a leader may be sick or unavailable. Co-leaders could help cover for one another to make sure the meetings still happen when life gets in the way. Also, co-leaders may have different strengths; although I'm a teacher, I'm not a nurse. If I were paired with a nurse, our group would get double the benefit...and I'm a sleever. Having a partner that's a bypass patient would make our group stronger for our members.As a teacher, I definitely thing having a "core curriculum" across-the-board set of agendas from BariatricPal might be very helpful, as long as there is some freedom built in to the agendas to allow groups a chance to tailor them to individual concerns/needs. I think it's a good idea to have a common basis to start from as we get groups up and running. It would also ensure that BariatricPal's presence or "branding" is consistent and unifying; rather than a collected hodgepodge of disorganized WLS groups. Along those lines, I think agendas that divide by topic would be a great idea. For instance, a meeting agenda that covers general nutrition guidelines to begin the meeting; then after that introduction, the group could break up into smaller sub-groups to talk about the different nutritional needs between bypass and sleeve post-op patients, and then get back together to discuss healthy recipes or share great websites for developing their own post-op recipes for a whole family to enjoy. The wrap-up could be a question-and-answer period either based on that meeting's topic, or based on questions and concerns for that particular group. Another meeting agenda might be about the mental and emotional challenges that WLS'ers face post-op and sharing ways to combat things like "head hunger" and less-than-supportive friends and family members. Another one might be geared towards offering inexpensive ways to get more active (like using one's body weight to exercise if joining a gym is financially unreasonable or emotionally daunting). It might also be a good idea to have chapters organized into districts (if there's enough interest to have multiple groups in an area) and the leaders in each district could consider developing newsletters to publish information on events and celebrations/milestones for members. Would it make sense to develop a system to reward members who attend regularly, to encourage active attendance? A similar idea: could there be a way to formally recognize members for hitting milestones in their journey? Even something small like a ribbon or a lapel pin, or a keychain, can be very motivating to receive when you've worked hard to reach a goal. They could be organized by weight loss or BMI milestones (moving from obese to "overweight" is a big one for me personally!), or becoming a "veteran" WLS-er--recognizing the 3 month post-op milestone, the 6-month post-op, the year, etc. Sometimes recognizing those NSV's is what gets us through a stall, or keeps us from feeling like we're falling behind everyone else.Thanks for taking the time to think about offering BariatricPal groups in "real life", Alex! I hope this is a successful venture, I know it could definitely help a LOT of people.

Definitely sounds like a stall. Some people don't gain during the stall, they just sit at their current weight during it. Me? I gain. And by gain, I mean anywhere from 3-5 pounds. It's infuriating. Then I lose and gain the same 2-3 pounds over and over until one day I get on the scale and see that I lost 5-6 pounds. That's when I know the stall broke. It's going to happen, a lot. So start focusing on your NSVs (Non Scale Victories). Those tell the story of what your body is actually doing better than the scale can.

Well - I don't think this is a NSV yet. No divorce or breakup is until you are fully recovered. Sad to hear you are dealing with such drama while trying to get the new you down to goal size. Don't let this problem derail your weight loss journey. Easy now to slide into bad habits so be vigilant. Firmly agree with sassygirl advice - find yourself before even considering a new relationship. When my marriage ended (over a decade of marriage) it took me over 3 years fully heal. Oh, I thought I was good and ended up getting used cause I did not believe in myself. Truly am crying for you. Forge ahead but take time to mourn what was, plan ahead, seek a professional to reflect and learn for the bright future you know can make a reality. Hugs.

So, I got a text message from my DH last night (and that doesn't mean Dear anything!). Text message said, basically, "File our divorce papers now!" We've been separated since June. I came home from the hospital June 3 on 3 kinds of oxygen. He got ticked because I didn't know what was for dinner that night @@ and broke every dish in our house. I moved out a few days later. I've been doing everything I know how to a. get healthier mentally and physically and b. have even gone to marriage counseling with him, which was useless because he thinks everything is ALL my fault. He's an alcoholic, which he hid from me till after we got married. Now he's in full bloom again. I guess we just weren't meant to be. So, to keep this on topic, can I count this as losing 180 pounds of unnecessary crap in a hurry?

I'm on my way to being banded in October, hopefully the 15th or 18th... Yahoo... Tough work, but well worth it. Are you getting banded then too?? I would love to have friends to talk and share my experiences with, for Encourgament and Cheers for scale & NSV goals.

When the scales are not moving, look to your NSVs. NSV = non-scale victory. e.g. 1. Your belt buckle moves a notch or two. e.g. 2. Your old 36" pants suddenly fit when they didn't last week. e.g. 3. You can stick 2 or 3 fingers inside the buttoned-up neck of your shirt & tie. e.g. 4. Your shoes are not so tight as they were a month ago. e.g. 5. You can hold your breath for 45 seconds underwater (when before surgery/before exercise it was 18 seconds). Watch for these or other examples of success.

I was February 19. So it was 3 weeks out yesterday. I'm in the soft food stage. So soft fish, shrimp, tuna, canned chicken, lunch meat, etc. I have yet to find a food on my list that disagrees with my new tummy. With this stage I'm finally able to get my Proteins in. I'm also obsessed with minute maid light lemonade. Since I bought it, I've been able to get my fluids in finally as well. Only complaint is the biggest incision on my left side still hurts. A lot. Like, I still take pain meds for it often. I've asked my doc if it's normal, and apparently it is, unfortunately. Haven't started exercising yet. I have to call tomorrow to make any appointment with the physiologist. My NSV would be that my jacket doesn't feel like it's mine, cause its big. And my clothes feel bigger. I can walk up two flights of stairs at school without getting winded. And all the compliments I've gotten, mostly from my pcp who I haven't seen since a bit before surgery. All my friends and family are so supportive and happy for me, it's awesome. I'm down 37 lbs in 5 weeks, and I couldn't be happier. It's absolutely amazing, and I'm so glad I made this choice. All the healthy foods I've had the last few days have all tasted good, and I actually crave them, and not the shitty foods. It's amazing how it seems that the switch has been flipped in my brain.

sleep Apena NSV I found out last June that I had sleep apena and started using the CPAP machine about a month before being banded. I had a pressure setting of 12 and now down to a 7. I have lost close to 50lbs since being banded 6 months ago. I have been having problems with to much air etc. along with not wearing the mask the whole night. I talked to the doctor about it and he suggested that we try using a dental device instead. Insurance approved me for the device and I have started to use it and it is great. Here are pictures of the device. The dentist who deals only with sleep apnea feels that this device will work for me and that she wants to do a sleep study in about 4-6 months to ensure that it is working. If it is working then I will not need to use the CPAP. Scan and Save to Computer Herbst_anterior_close_up.jpg (651k) [View] Scan and Save to Computer HErbst_elastic_holder_buried.jpg (525k) [View] Scan and Save to Computer Herbst_heavy_hardware_side.jpg (548k) [View] Scan and Save to Computer HErbst_heavy_Herner.jpg (618k) [View] Photos: Scan and Save to Computer HErbst_Chris_Walters_2008_front.jpg (701k) [View] Scan and Save to Computer HErbst_Chris_Walters_2008_front_1.jpg (689k) [View] Scan and Save to Computer So far the dental device seems to be working. Chris

sleeved 2/10/2014 Highest weight (at my first Bariatric Surgery appt): 284.1 Pre-surgery weight: 268 Current weight: 246.4 Only problems were nausea and one episode of dumping with, of all things, chicken broth-not fun. Surgery incisions healed well, my surgeon was very pleased at my 2 week post-op visit and I just finished a 1 week camping trip. As far as foods, I am on a soft diet right now and that consists of scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, tuna salad, bananas, and cream of wheat. I struggle to get my Protein in but track that and my Water on Myfitnesspal--now very religious about logging my intake. I see the nutritionist on Tuesday and I believe I will graduate to regular foods at that time. Exercise consists of walking but I am treating myself tomorrow, for my current weight loss, to a gym membership! I still fatigue easily but I have more good days than bad now. NSVs have been subtle. My clothes prior to surgery were tight. Like, really really tight. Now, they are loose and I can wear rings that previously, I could not...oh, and I was able to cross my legs the other night! Pretty damn happy about it thus far

It's been quite warm here for a few days, so for the past 3 days I've worn my comfy long flowing summer skirts. I've always avoided wearing skirts such as these, because without stockings, my thighs rubbed together and chafed something horrible - often to the point of bleeding. Well, for the past three days I've been the most comfy girl in the world LOL. My thighs haven't touched even once. I'm going to go out and get a couple more of these lil gems because they're just soooooooo easy to wear in the summer and now I can hehe.

I had another NSV today. I put on a pair of tan pants that were tight on me before surgery and now they are comfortable. I didn't think a 10 lb loss could feel so good! Here are pics of me at 8 days post op, the swelling at this point was minimal. Also a pic of my at 5 weeks and 2 days. (wearing the shirt mentioned in my last post. Sorry I tried and tried to get the first pic to be the same size as the second but nothing worked. I can see a small difference in my girth.

Stay strong China, it is a very hard time. I did have a nsv, last black friday, i bought a pair of jeans that I said would be my goal to be able to wear this christmas. Well, i got them on yesterday, they are tight, but they zip. So now have to get some belly off to fit good. Have a great day, Laurel

Congrats! That is a great NSV!

goal 1: 20 lbs goal met goal 2: 219-- lowest weight since 2005 goal 3: 199-- onederland goal 4: 170-- last time I remember feeling comfortable in my skin goal 5: 150-- size 10, felt great NSV: 1: not having my arms rub on the sides of my belly when I walk 2: not being out of breathe walking up stairs 3: being able to see ALL of my body 4: looking cute in clothes 5: shopping in regular stores 6: not always eating more than everyone else 7: feeling pretty again

Nip: Congrats on reaching onederland!! Great job. Hope all goes well with your insurance approval. Leslie: Congrats on your NSV!! I'm still shopping in my own closet, as I have clothes that will probably take me back at least three sizes!!!!!

Whoseya: Way to run! What a great NSV! Congratulations!

I hear you on ALL of these!! We just did Disneyland last month and I will feel MUCH safer on roller coasters with the shoulder straps going down farther. I'm also looking forward to being able to cross my legs! Ohere Non scale Victories (NSVs)... Not DIE 4 minutes into wearing heels. join a coed softball team or something and not feel like no one wants me there because of my weight. Learn to scuba dive. RUN a 5k Oh my I could go on and on!

Good for you! What a great NSV.

Hey wow, this post of mine is really old... i'm finally less than 10 lbs from goal. The biggest NSV... buying clothes at a regular store!! OMG that is the best! I'm wearing 10's right off the rack and my favorite sz 12 jeans that are only 3 wks old are too big!!! M*Azing. So, 15 months, down 92 lbs (93 this morning, but i wont count that till its consistent for a couple of days). SOOOOOOOOOOO very excited!!

Awesome NSVs! You have done so well!! Congrats!!!

Juicy Coture? Sounds like fun... What - is it like Victoria's Secret? Please advise for the Americans. Great job on the NSV's! Keep working that band! :]

Well folks my weightloss hasn't been as great as ya'll but I have to tell you I had a (for me) huge NSV yesterday:scared: . I was able to work in my garden with my DH and do everything I wanted to do. :heh: Now granted I have lost about 30 poundish in weight:omg: . But it has already impacted what I am able to do in my daily activities.:clap2: It is really amazing.:girl_hug: TTYL. Myra

Hi Everyone. Just thought I would pop in and say hi. I am doing well. The scale is giving me a hard time, but I am trying to stay focussed on inches right now. I have been doing 2 different boot camps, so something good must be happening. NSV...my uniforms are a med now...a little tight, but still a med!!! My mom had a mastectomy and unfortunatley the cancer has spread. They are starting chemo in a couple weeks. Your positive thoughts are appreciated. Thank you for the support. I haven't had a fill since march...seem to be ok with that. Have a lot of restriction when I eat 'good' foods. I have someone helping me with nutrition, so that helps too. That is all for now. I enjoy reading your posts, even though I don't always join in. Well, gotta run, I am off to bootcamp before work. Have a great day everyone!

why is this a bad day? It sounds like an NSV to me! I don't know how much you've lost, your sig doesn't state it. But if you've lost a significant amount of weight really fast, you will probably have dramatic results in your face. This is one of the first things that many people notice in many of the RNY people. and yes, 12 hour day when you first get back to work is a little much.

All I have to say is.........Goodbye Lane Bryant!!! :faint: WOW!!! I actually bought clothes this weekend at PacSun, Gap and Hot Topic!!!! I was so excited! I bought a size 13 at Hot Topic and a size 14 at the Gap...I could have died and gone to Heaven! :clap2: But the best surprise was going to a store like PacSun and trying on their clothes and they actually fit! I am so excited...just had to share! Now if I could just get more pounds to drop...I have been stuck at this same weight since 2nd week of April...:think . AAAGGGHHH! :help: OOPS! For some reason I had an error and it posted twice...sorry!