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I'm a bander and a female but it's the cook part of me that can't resist posting on this thread. I LOVE to cook and that has not stopped since getting weight loss surgery. I can't do a straight-up burger, however. That's a thing of the past. For grilling I need tenderloin or a filet mignon and it needs to be cooked perfectly. Dense Protein is what works well for me. We use only grass-fed organic now. For burger, I cook it down in a hot skillet with garlic and spices for chili. Trick is to cook the meat and then cover over with a good quality organic stock and let it simmer for a very long time. Delicious, and soft -- not gristly, which does not work for my band. So that's my two cents! Good luck on your upcoming surgery. You're going to do great. And PS, one of my favorite NSVs (non-scale victories) is being able to tie my apron double around my waist. OMG, I just love that. And a glass of wine. Like some others, the red kicks off reflux for me now so I have to have cheese with it -- and I drink mostly Savignon Blancs now or tequila.

Hi there, I guess it's true that Time flies when you're having fun; I've been having a lot of that. Honestly, I cannot believe that two years ago today I was waking up from surgery and beginning a new chapter in my life. I had no idea then of the many ways my life would be reshaped aside from the shape of my body. I'm forever grateful the band was available to me as it has been the perfect choice for my situation. We are all different. I was 52 at the time and had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before. I can barely tolerate going to the dentist. Getting a band was a big decision but I was fortunate somehow to just know that that's what I wanted to do. Thank goodnes there are so many different surgery choices available to us; we live in marvellous times. Two years ago I was 250+ and now I'm in the seventies. I'm a little tall and like my curves (oh my goodness, do I LOVE having a waist!) so I don't want to get too thin. But a word about collarbones: YIPPEE! And hips. Wrists. You know how it is -- I'm celebrating this new body every day. I was wearing size twenty pants and am now in tens. No more Plus Size anything. I would not have predicted that I have a thing for clothes, but oh yes, I sure do. It's so much fun to be able to just try something on without all of that angst. I have been an exerciser for many years (arthritis - have to move) but in the last two years I have ratcheted up to being more of an athlete. I feel ridiculous even typing that out as it's such a foreign concept. I used to work out for 45 minutes 3-4 times a week; well, it turns out I am some one who needs more like 75-90 minutes 5-6 times a week. There's the faking it until making it thing and that's what I did. I pretended that I liked it, that I was one of "those" people until I actually have become something resembling one of those lucky people who truly look forward to exercising. Like I said, resembling. I'm not quite there but I raise my hands up in that crossing the finish line pose and I go do what I need to do and I feel like a million bucks afterward. Food. I am happy to report that I still like food. I can taste almost anything and be quite satisfied. That is a miracle. I love to cook and one of my weird non-scale victories (NSVs) is being able to tie my apron double around my waist. I love that. All those years in all those kitchens with my big fat Winnie-the-Pooh belly in an ill-fitting apron or Chef's jacket. No more. Silly, but that just feels so good. I was very restrictive in my former life so I am careful to not be on a diet. I make good choices, which I can do because my appetite is dimmed and I know what good choices are. But I also let myself have a little bit of whatever I want, whether that's a square of chocolate or cheese (behold, the power of cheese). This is why I still have a little weight to lose but I'm okay with that. I do drink alcohol and we have a lot of dinner parties, go to restaurants, etc. Practically no one knows I am banded; I'm extremely private about that. What people do see, however, is how much I'm exercising and how good I feel. It was important for me to go a bit slowly because I wanted the weight loss to be incremental and I didn't want to have saggy skin. Well, that's about it. I am tremendously grateful to all of my Lapband Talk friends and now Bariatric Pal. You know who you are -- the encourageers. Virtual friends. This has been my first experience on a forum and it's been great. Best wishes to all of you wherever you are in the process. For new people, a few words: don't get too hung up on what kind of surgery you had; we have much more in common than not. Don't try to give or take advice from strangers on the internet. Have a good working relationship with your doctor and show up for all your appointments. Show up for yourself! I really had to put myself first to get the surgery and choose my own well-being over taking care of other people's needs first. I don't do that any more and, guess what, every one else benefits from that. Here's to our health!

I was banded Nov 13, 2014 and it has been the happiest year of my life (at least where weight is concerned). I knew weight loss would still be hard and knew that it would be scary along the way, but this has been amazing. I have lost 90 pounds and am currently enjoying one-derland, through at the same level for a bit longer than desired. I've committed to a trainer three times a week plus other exercise classes. I never in my life would have thought i would be looking forward to a spin class early Sunday mornings and I even work out at the hotel when I travel. Who is this person? Because of my commitment to exercise and truly changing my habits, I'm confident this change is here to stay. I have never been able to say that. I would lose 20 pounds and gain back 40. I'm able to control my portions and while I still enjoy a dessert every now and again, it's a "skinny person" portion. A few bites and I'm satisfied. Over the past year, I've felt that I've not focused so much on the number of pounds, but the accomplishments in the gym and other NSVs. It's helped me so much not to be fixated on the scale itself. I'd hover in a zone for a month then drop 6 pounds really quickly. it's a weird thing, but i'm getting used to it and not getting discouraged when the scale hovers on the same number, like it is now. I hate the excess skin primarily because I let myself get so heavy, but I know i will eventually have some surgeries to improve it all. I'm thankful to live in a time where that is possible and thankful to be able to afford it as well. I would like to lose another 40 pounds, but that may not be possible. Funny thing is that is where I used to be, yet thought i was incredibly overweight. I definitely didn't understand nor like my body before and this process has helped me come to terms with that. It's like a 12-month therapy session! I have my 1-yr esophogram scheduled for tomorrow morning and hopefully everything will be ok. I may get the band loosened slightly because the last fill (just 0.1) may have been too much. I was self-pay so this ends my 1 year of "free" monthly visits and i'll go and see the team quarterly. I congratulate all the others on this thread as it has been an amazing year for so many. Some have lost faster than others and some have stalled, but we've all learned from each other and hopefully will continue on through year 2 as well! So far, I see we are all NYU patients and I can't sing their praises enough, btw. Continued luck everyone!

Unreasonable expectations are the ultimate downfall of so many bariatric patients. This author is fortunate that all the misconceptions did not ultimately sabotage her weight loss success. I also agree that the non-scale struggles, such as relationships, are minimized, and that the NSV's are often overemphasized in support groups, blogs, and in other places. At the end of the day, if weight is the only thing that changes, it is still a great thing to have had done, but people need to be prepared for the fact that, just as with the weight loss itself, if the patient doesn't make a conscious effort to change the game, it is perfectly foreseeable that nothing else will change.

My doc said my blood pressure was great but he still wants me to stay on the dose I'm currently on. It's half the dosage I was on before surgery. I'm a little bummed but he is very cautious and he's going to check it again in six months. He said if I should have any issues I could come in sooner. I had a physical today and he said everything was looking good. As an aside and a total NSV when I went to have blood drawn she got it on the first try from my arm! Losing 80lbs totally helped them find my veins! Usually I would get stuck 2-4 times and they would end up taking it from my hand...which hurts really bad.

Nsv Two weeks after surgery I returned to work wearing slacks that I was unable to fit into for 2 years prior. Perfect, comfortable fit. Today (2 weeks later) I had to roll the waist of the same pants over just to not look like a hobo. They're hanging off of my hips and way too loose!! Time for some shopping!

I definitely will!!! Thank you so much!!! I feel beautiful...inside and out and I can't wait for what the future holds for me. Getting back to work and feeling GREAT (not like death) is what means the most to me...the weight loss now is just a BONUS!!! Every day there's another NSV and keep em' coming!!! XoXoXo

Thank you. I'm looking forward to petite Lands End fitting in a non-Plus size! NSV!!!!

Awesome. I was just asked to have my network picture updated because it isn't "current" (it was taken just before surgery). #NSV

A NSV for my husband who has not had WLS. I sent him on a scavenger hunt on Halloween. His last location was a Halloween Ball. It was a great night all for him

This is a duplicate post I made earlier......but I think I made it in the wrong section before. Had a cool NSV yesterday that foreshadows the tremendous NSV potential ahead....... So.....I'm a dude who gives not two thoughts to clothes. I pretty much wear cargos or khakis at work with one of our company monogramed shirts. I prefer the polo style. Days off work....same basic deal....just cargos with t-shirts or polo shirts. Suit and tie on church Sunday. This is how it's been for a long time. I've been out of work just under three weeks now, recovering from sleeve & umbilical hernia surgery. Most of this time I've been wearing a few pairs of Under Armour long pants, shorts and t-shirts. These have gone from snug & in need of a "pre-wear stretch" prior to surgery.....to now being baggy and saggy once coming out of the clothes drier. Funny stuff. I never wore clothes from the drier.....and I usually did the "shirt stretch deal" as I put them on. Now it's obvious. Old stuff doesn't fit anymore. My wife and I had some events we wanted to go to yesterday, Halloween day. I'd gone out earlier in the morning and had a haircut and also got my beard trimmed up (I'd shaved prior to the surgery, but since then it's grown back). Anyway, came home yesterday morning with a ball cap on and wearing my normal UA pants and t-shirt. After she got ready I went and got another shower (can't stand that feeling after a haircut) and got dressed. I wore a pair of cargos that I bought the week prior to the surgery....now 3 weeks old. They'd just come out of the drier. Buttoned up they kept falling down as I was trying to find a smaller shirt to wear. Finally found a never worn polo that is made from a no-stretch dry-tech type fabric. It was hiding in my closet among the few smaller clothes that are in there. Got the shirt on and belt cinched down to keep my freaking pants up. Looked in the mirror as I was brushing my teeth and thought, "Alright, dude.....you look human again". I walked downstairs to grab a glass of Water and ran into my wife. She looked at me and burst out into tears. I'm like, "WTH ????" and she's smiling while crying and gives me a huge hug. "Have you seen yourself ?", she asked. It was one of those spontaneous affirmations outa the clear blue that reminded me that I made the right decision in getting the surgery. Later on in the day she commented....."Have you noticed how you are now walking......no limping". I did notice. I've only needed Advil on 3 occasions since the surgery as opposed to needing it 3 times per day every day prior to wls. It's only been 2+ weeks since the surgery (down 31 pounds).....and 6 months since my weight loss efforts began (down 89 pounds).......and I already feel years younger. It's at the point that I can't even conceive of how much younger I"ll feel once I reach the 1 year post-op mark. 47 now.......will probably feel like 27 after the first year. Looking forward to wearing the same type of of button fly Levi's I wore in college. I've still got the old leather jacket that wore then, too. It's got some road rash from two motorcycle wrecks that I walked away from. It's going to feel great being that same guy once again......just a wiser & worn version. 47 heading toward 27. I'm down with that.

Had a cool NSV yesterday that foreshadows the tremendous NSV potential ahead....... So.....I'm a dude who gives not two thoughts to clothes. I pretty much wear cargos or khakis at work with one of our company monogramed shirts. I prefer the polo style. Days off work....same basic deal....just cargos with t-shirts or polo shirts. Suit and tie on church Sunday. This is how it's been for a long time. I've been out of work just under three weeks now, recovering from sleeve & umbilical hernia surgery. Most of this time I've been wearing a few pairs of Under Armour long pants, shorts and t-shirts. These have gone from snug & in need of a "pre-wear stretch" prior to surgery.....to now being baggy and saggy once coming out of the clothes drier. Funny stuff. I never wore clothes from the drier.....and I usually did the "shirt stretch deal" as I put them on. Now it's obvious. Old stuff doesn't fit anymore. My wife and I had some events we wanted to go to yesterday, Halloween day. I'd gone out earlier in the morning and had a haircut and also got my beard trimmed up (I'd shaved prior to the surgery, but since then it's grown back). Anyway, came home yesterday morning with a ball cap on and wearing my normal UA pants and t-shirt. After she got ready I went and got another shower (can't stand that feeling after a haircut) and got dressed. I wore a pair of cargos that I bought the week prior to the surgery....now 3 weeks old. They'd just come out of the drier. Buttoned up they kept falling down as I was trying to find a smaller shirt to wear. Finally found a never worn polo that is made from a no-stretch dry-tech type fabric. It was hiding in my closet among the few smaller clothes that are in there. Got the shirt on and belt cinched down to keep my freaking pants up. Looked in the mirror as I was brushing my teeth and thought, "Alright, dude.....you look human again". I walked downstairs to grab a glass of Water and ran into my wife. She looked at me and burst out into tears. I'm like, "WTH ????" and she's smiling while crying and gives me a huge hug. "Have you seen yourself ?", she asked. It was one of those spontaneous affirmations outa the clear blue that reminded me that I made the right decision in getting the surgery. Later on in the day she commented....."Have you noticed how you are now walking......no limping". I did notice. I've only needed Advil on 3 occasions since the surgery as opposed to needing it 3 times per day every day prior to wls. It's only been 2+ weeks since the surgery (down 31 pounds).....and 6 months since my weight loss efforts began (down 89 pounds).......and I already feel years younger. It's at the point that I can't even conceive of how much younger I"ll feel once I reach the 1 year post-op mark. 47 now.......will probably feel like 27 after the first year. Looking forward to wearing the same type of of button fly Levi's I wore in college. I've still got the old leather jacket that wore then, too. It's got some road rash from two motorcycle wrecks that I walked away from. It's going to feel great being that same guy once again......just a wiser & worn version. 47 heading toward 27. I'm down with that.

A less than expected medical bill related to weight loss surgery is a qualified NSV. Congrats!

I went out for dinner last night for the first time post surgery! Went to Earls and had a bento box but only had the salmon (without the sauce) - and only had about 2 ounces of it. I think I did ok! Oh and I tried on a pair of jeans that 6 weeks ago I couldn't even get up over my hips and I completely bypassed the "almost fit" stage!!! They went from being way too tight to wear, to TOO BIG!!! YAY!! (Wore them anyways just because I could ) That totally pumped me up for the evening! This is really happening!!!!!! Can't wait for more NSV'S! !!!!!

@@SleevaDiva great question above by @@2goldengirl i would also love to hear your story in depth as much as you want to share you have a lot to say do you mind if i ask you if plastics will be done in the near future?? can't imagine the health benefits you've gone through all the NSV's you've experienced is it hard mentally to see your new self in a long mirror?? if your story turns out to be a short novel that's ok - i'll drink water to your health while i read i haven't read a good story in a long time you are amazing i can't even imagine how you feel this and similar success stories from other people should be listed for newbies, people deciding still to have WLS but all the rest of "us" love a good success story too Happy Surgiversary kathy congrats

What a great NSV! I live in Colorado too!

What a cool NSV!

What is a "NSV?"

No lets just think that this will be the beginning of a new struggles but amazing NSV and Scale ones too lol

That is a wonderful NSV. Congrats!

yesyesyes! love this nsv!!

My 1 year anniversary is coming up in 4 days! I've posted plenty of pictures in the last year but this one is one of my favorites! It has nothing to do with my face or body but has everything to do with my health. I'm still have those "pinch me" moments quite often. It doesn't seem real, my brain still has issues comprehending the numbers that I see on the scale. I feel incredibly blessed to have been given the chance to have a "rebirth" and I want to thank each and everyone of you who has been with me on the journey you guys are a big reason for my success. I would name you all off but It would take forever and I don't want to miss anyone. I am thankful for each and everyone of you and wish you all a successful and blessed journey to health! Let's keep it going! This is a NSV but the numbers are just as important to me. ❤️ WINNING!!! ❤️

@@goblue9280 Great minds do indeed think alike! For the first few weeks after surgery, I didn't ever see myself having or setting NSV's. I had grown so used to just being a certain size, certain weight, a certain physical being that the idea of "losing weight" was very abstract. Now almost two months out, I am setting goals and looking forward to more "surprise" NSV's!

As I was reading your post, I'm thinking "she should totally make a quilt out of the bigger size ones when they become too big." Great minds... Congrats on the NSV, lets me know I can also reach my list of personal NSV's I have in my head.

Awesome !!!!!!!!!! Supercool story. I wish I cold find my first concert t-shirts from the high school days. My first show was Iron Maiden. I'd get some funny looks rocking an Iron Maiden t-shirt in my late 40's. Hell, I don't care...by my next birthday, almost a year away, I'm going to feel like I'm in my late 20's again. That's really neat that you have those to anchor down the memory of the great shows you must have seen. Fun NSV. Rock on !!!!!