Chancie

Free to be me.... That was probably my FIRST really BIG nsv!!!! I LOVE that one... and anyone who has never been overweight will NEVER know the signifigance of it!! People take it for granted that you can cross your legs.. but being obese..... it is impossible. I can remember sitting in chairs, legs going numb because of the way I had to sit. I had an NSV, but at the "expense" of my dear friend. It surprised me.. and then it saddened me. We were standing outside of her store, smoking a cig and they were gong to unload a delivery and the doors were proped open with the truck trailer backed up to unload. So we had to go back in... and I went first.. to "slip" thru the doors and the truck.. and I did it with no problem.. and I heard my friend say.. you might be able to do that.. but I don't think I can.. and she couldn't. She had to un-prop the doors and bring them in so she could get thru. It was an accomplishment for me, because in the past I always had to look around and see if I could "fit" in a chair, or make it thru an opening.. or take the "long way around". I felt her "pain".. I have known her 15 years, and I have been "obese" the whole time.. and she was thin. But she has had some medical ( thyroid ) issues and she has gained alot of weight. I know it was embarressing for her... and I know how I use to feel. I don't have that "anxiety" over "fitting" into something... be it a chair... a restruant booth... or passing someone in an isle in the grocery store. But it was a bitter sweet NSV... my gain.. but felt her pain. Especially for someone who has been thin.. and then knowing how big I was... I almost felt like she resented me at the moment.

It's been awhile for an NSV... but the other night FLOORED me... I went out to a club with a few girlfriends... and a 35 year old HIT on me!! I'm 51 and NOT a cougar ( but he sure coulda made me one!! LOL ) I thought at first he was just "messing" with me... but he was persisstant.. and even talked to my girlfriends and said how much he was attracted to me he was and was serious. Do I believe this?? NO.. lol But was it flattering?? YES!!! * he was a "hottie" too!!! 2nd NSV that I had was.... I use to be soooo big that it was hard to find a bra that fit.. they are hard to find when you are as big as I was.. I wore a 54 D.. and had to buy bra extenders!! What was the NSV is when I was that big.. the bra use to ride up my back.. and I always found myself "tugging" at my bra to bring it down and put it in place... I am now in a 38 B and I NEVER have to touch my bra!! That may sound "trivial".. but it use to bother the fire outta me!

I'm 18 months out.. and there are days I can hardly eat ANYTHING. When I was 3 months out.. I was drinking Protein drinks because I couldn't eat. I still drink Protein Drinks. The strangest thing is in my mind... before my sleeve, when I was eating everything under the sun..I would be so full.. and go eat more....... NOW.. I hate to eat because of that "full" feeling. .. I don't eat red meat for that reason.. I get too much of a full feeling and I don' like the feeling. But chile.. yes.. I can eat 4-6 oz. Just depends. At 10-12 weeks, nope.. I wouldn't even try it. I din't eat things like that till I was about 6-8 months out! We're all different.. don't compare your sleeves... do what ever works for YOU! G'luck to you!!

WOW- I just read all the post and all the numbers...... and I am the heaviest "heavy weight":scared0: 373 my highest..354 day of surgery....... 173 today..... thats 200 POUNDS GONE!! Sometimes I still can't believe it! The sleeve ROCKS!!

Donna, Wannabethin and Sychadelic!!! Congratulations on your decison to be sleeved....... and let me tell you...... and I'm sure others have said this before. but......."If I can DO IT......so can YOU!!!" I was overwelmed with the amount of weight I had to lose. I actually thought I need the DS..... because I had so much to lose, but when me and my surgen consulted........ we decided on the sleeve...... my thought being.... I didn't want such an evasive surgery...and if I can't lose it with the sleeve... I can do the second part and have the DS. But we talked and I told him I wasn't looking for "failure".. but another option just in case... so thats why he agreed to sleeve me. It sounds daunting...... 100...... 150....... 200 pounds........... to lose!! How in the world did I let myself get this way>>?The "how's and 'whys' don't matter.. it happened......... and we are taking back our lives. claiming CONTROL. I FEEL amazing!! I love being able to put on a pair of Jeans...... use a zipper and a button again instead of "stretch pants"!!! I can walk to my mailbox and not be "winded" I am HEALTHY again!! That is the biggest PLUS of this surgery! If you havn't seen my "before" pic..... go look at it.....I lost 100 pounds in 4 months...... and yes. you can too! I know it sounds crazy at this stage of the game... but it can be done. I've lost 200 pounds from my highest weight. I have not made "goal"... but I am ok with where I am. I havn't "worked" my sleeve the last few months...... I don't want to be too comfortable... but I am a naturally "big boned" girl.. and think my body is comfortable at 173 pounds. I wish you all the best... and if I can help in ANY way at all....... just message me!! BIG Hugs to you all!! Chancie

I too had "head hunger" and wanted to eat.... I was sick the first month.. then the second and third month thought I wanted to eat everything.... thought of food alot. but it disapeared..... I have ZERO hunger.... not even head hunger... I might think I want certain things for dinner etc... but not hungry... try to "plan" meals... but waste more food than I eat!! I hate that tooo!

Tiff....... I can relate to the car seat thing andddddddd........ I also just out of "curiosity" pulled my seat all the way up and my belly still did NOT touch the steering wheel!!! AWESOME!! I got an unusual NSV... I was out in the local bar last week... and this guy was talking to my friends daughter and she has seen my before pics and still can't believe I was ever that big..anyway we got to talking weight and I just blurted out I was damn near 400 pounds........... I think I did it for the "shock" factor......he said NO WAY....... and I said.. yes. I am a fat girl.... and my friends daughter said yes I seen the pics.. but she's not now but you can't convence her she is skinny....... My head is still a "fat girl"...... I am still having trouble with it. How can I feel so good? and still think I am fat? I remeber you saying how you seen "light" between your legs when you put them together......... When I stand up and put my feet together....... I can't even get my knees to touch each other! I see LOTS OF LIGHT!! I know I still have 20 pounds to go to.. and wonder where it will come from.. I havn't been "working" my sleeve........ I hope I didn;'t get too comfortable where I am... or maybe my body is just telling me I will always be a "big girl" I am 5'8" and very big boned... but everyone is telling me I am "tiny".... I am so mentally confused......

Maddie..... I just gotta comment on the "sweating"..... I too use to sweat all the time... even if it was 20 degrees and snowing! I am now "cold".. have never been cold that I can rememvber!! It is one of the biggest physical differences I can tell! And I LIKE being sweat free!!! Especially since here in TN its been in the high nintys!!! Gotta love this thread!!!

Lost... You don't have a "ticker" or beginning weights or anything for me to be able to help... I was sleeved Feb. 9th 2009... 16 months out... and from my heighest weight of 373.. I am down 201 pounds! But... my surgery weight was 354 so am down 181 pounds........... either way you look at..... ITS ALL GOOD!!! I lost 100 pounds in 4 months.. and have been this weight of 173 for several months....... I lost track. but am not fretting it...... I havn't made goal.. but am very comfortable where I am. I'm very big boned and tall.....and if I lose the 20 pounds.... great! But if I don't..... I will be ok. as long as I don't gain. I have not exercised like I should..... and have cheated alot with "slider foods" and a new found weakness.................. CHOCOLATE! Shame on me!!! I'm going thru some "transfer addictions" right now.. and trying to get straight again.. and focused... but its all work... it's not a cure all this surgery! Stay focused. follow the rules. and you will be ok. Got any questions. just let me know. I can be brutally honest tho.. so beware LOL!!! Hang in there girl!! You're doing GREAT!!!

Thanks so much cwalker and Possumtrot.......... but I do need to update my pics!! No pic of me in a size 12 or a "tight" (heee heeee ) size 10!!

I don't know about "amazing".. just happy with my sleeve!!! NSV= Non scale Victory Thanks for the nice comments !!!

My "highest weight" was 373- sugery day I was 354.... so I have actually ost 200 pounds..... am 51 years old... so YES. I have sagging skin! I've always had "good skin" but age and the amount of weight I have lost it is enevietablle that I have the sagging skin. I never dreamed my legs would be as skinny as they are!! My butt is all but gone!! That was the main "shocker" of sagging.... it was horrible at 4 months when I lost 100 pounds... but it has firmed up a bit.. not as horrible as it first was to me. My stomach is the BIG issue.....my lower stomach... it has "shrunk" but sags. and I definitly need a lower body lift. I can live with it..... but will eventually have a lower body lift. Probably next year. I look good in clothes. but OMG.. not nakeeeee!! But it still beats being 354 pounds!!! I don't worry about it.. I mean.. I want to look better nakee.... but am not obsessed with it. I feel better. that was the main reason for me doing this... to get healthy. Not vainity. But lets face it... we're all vain to a certain degree. If I was 40- I would probably be freaking out more.. but being 51... its part of life.... and getting older.. But am seriously wanting the lower body lift.... I can handel the boobs gone too and the arms... but the stomach is the main issue!!

I'm one year and 4 months out... and have NO hunger whatsoever! I just make sure I eat on schedule. Breeezy.... I wish I could say the same. but I can eat candy and chocolate a lot better than I can eat food. That my friend has been my downfall. If I can give a word of advvice to the "newbies" don't ever start back with the "sweets"......... addicting and like I said.. i can eat that easier than "real meal"

yoga is alot of stretching and core streghtening......... and I love it... do it on my own, but would love to find a class. I started with my leg exercises after Knee replacement surgery.. and now that my back is bad, doing more to help that condition. I find it easier on me since I am older than most tht have had vsg surgery.... and I don't get as bored........ stretching is good for me.

carolyn you are tooooooo sweet and kind!! ( Love you lots for it!!) I'm at a "stall" have been for months... just not posted about it because I feel soooooo wonderful even if I have not made "goal" yet. I am not fretting getting to 160. I never dreamed I would be at the weight I am!! From 374 pounds........ to 173 I can live with it just fine!! I do want plastics BADLY... a lower body lift.. but am having problems with my back and might have to have surgery......... so it might have to wait till next year because I can only miss 12 weeks at my job or lose my position. I know if I had the tummy gone......... I could be an 8!!! CRAZY STUFF!! LOL but I'm ok with the stall and the belly......because I feel fantastic!!! :lol0: