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This time 6 months ago I was waking up after my surgery in the ICU. After a moment on confusion and throwing up I started my road to recovery. Before surgery it scary and so hard to imagine what life would look like now, and now I dont know what I was scared of. The journey hasnt always been easy but it has been worth it. I spent alot of time working on myself, my relationship with food and with others. I still have a way to go to be where I want to be both in weight, the way I look and the way my life looks, but it all feels very achievable now. As far as stats go to to date I have lost 105 pounds, and about 5 pounds from my first major goal....i work in kilograms, so to be in double digits will be my first big celebration. From there I have another 60 pounds to go.I wear anything from a 20 to a 14 now depending on the make. It is hard to judge but have been splurging on some goal outfits as I go along....at times I have bought clothes that are already too big for *shrug* I still have some minor issues with reflux but control this with medication at the moment, still am hopeful I will get off these soon. I eat what I want, tho my body does crave healthier more nutrient rich food and am learning to control the binge urges more than I ever have. I have been working out intensely since 6 weeks out, now work out twice a day averaging 5 days a week. My fitness is getting better and better. There have been stalls and downs but I try take them with a grain of salt and keep working on the next goals, mix it up and keep moving forward. They can really do your head in if you let them. I had my follow up with my GP last week and he did not recognise me. I am getting alot of comments, positive feedback and endorsements of what is happening, alot of positive, some people have also decided to add their opinions about who I was before and how I ate without really knowing anything about what i have gone through and the mental changes I have had to make with the physical. Some highlights (NSV's if you like) from the last 6 months: - Being able to run for over 20 minutes straight and extending that - Fitting in and feeliing confident in my first little black dress - Not complaining and actually wanting my photo taken now - Last Friday night, being able to dance the night away in heels with only minimal pain after 7 hours - Walking the whole parade route (back and forth) while in New Orleans for Mardi Gras - No more extender belts on planes, feeling more comfy in those cattle class seats - Not sure if this related but feeling less stress in my life, being able to hand stressful situations better, think this is more to do with my mental health that i have been working on, before I was a major stresshead - Only taking pain killers twice since surgery, once because I drank way too much the night before, before I felt like I was always having some ache or pain - Feeling like I want to jump, dance on a regular basis Below are the before and todate pictures, the newest picture was from a work Ball I went to last Friday and we had our hair and make up done, I got so many comments and felt so good all night. I still have work to go and plan to keep on keeping on. At the end of the first year I am planning on taking a celebration road trip around the US...not celebrating with food.

Just ran out on my lunch hour to d**k's Sporting Goods to get goggles for my swimming lessons.... they were having a clearance sale ( additonal 50% lowest ticket price). I purchased 3 Dri-Fit workout shirts in size MEDIUM... MED-DEE-UMMMMMMM!!!! for $6 each... I was tempted to buy more but since I still have weight to lose these will due for now.... They had a LOT of XL and XXL stuff on the clearance rack..not much in medium... So I was reminded 1 of the downsides of losing weight...the middle sizes are the first to go... the extremely tiny and the humungous clothes seem to hang around the racks a little longer, especially in stores like this...

Hello everyone, it has been awhile since my last update so I guess it is about time. So, really no complaints. Life if good, everything is going well and I am chugging along at a very satisfying pace. I have lost 113 lbs total and 76 lbs since surgery! I measured myself for the first time since surgery the other day, really most of my body measurements are the same which I find a little weird after loosing 113lbs. I do carry most of my weight in my belly, and have small arms and small legs so I guess it makes sense. I lost a total of 4 inches all over my body PLUS 14 inches in my waist alone. No bad I suppose. I can eat anything except COLD chicken (I guess it is too dry cold) but it makes me sick every time I tried so I stopped. I also struggle a bit with actual soft bread, it doesn't make me sick but it hits me like a brick. Toast, crackers, wraps are all fine though. I eat a very balanced diet of everything as my dietician recommends while making sure I hit my protein and fluid goals. I usually don't have room for carbs once I eat the protein but every once in a while I get some in and I don't mind it. I have splurged a few times with treats, very minimal a few bites 2 or 3 times. Haven't had any issues with that and I have never dumped. The list of NSV's could go on for days. I played tennis the other day for the first time since loosing weight and the difference was unbelievable. I didn't even get out of breath while running back and forth across the court, because really we suck at tennis so there is a lot of running but it is fun. My knees don't grind, my feet and ankles no longer swell even after walking all day, I don't walk up the stairs all on one leg anymore, I FIT ON ROLLER COASTERS!, I walk around the water park in my bathing suit now. I bought a new bathing suit and feel good in it. I don't find excuses to drive place even when it is less than a mile away, I just naturally walk. (I live in the city) I went from a size 26 jeans to a size 18/20 depending on the cut. From a 4x tshirt to a 2x tshirt. My shoes are loose, probably don't need "wide width" anymore. Still working through my skinny days clothes so I have only bought 1 new outfit for a nice dinner because I don't have anything other than jeans, and mostly tshirts that fit now. By the end of the year I will need an entirely new wardrobe! I am looking forward to the shopping. (For once in my life!) I could go on and on but you get the hint! I hope everyone is well! ❤️

Okay, this is really silly as in my topic title so don't laugh --- You know those stupid seats where you have to get your blood work done (the ones with the arm/handle that goes across your body? Okay I fit into it now,and the arm went right across with NOOO problem at all. I kept looking around the edges, back and forth, and the girl taking my blood work said to me "is everything okay", I was like OHHH Yea! I can fit into this damn chair now ... haaahaaaa ahh, she didn't get it, but I hope you all do!!!!

I had some blood work Monday and was so excited to see my cholesterol levels! Total Cholesterol 175 < 200 200 HDL 65 > 40 52 LDL 96 < 100 124 Triglycerides 70 < 150 116 the numbers in the middle are what they should be and the numbers to the right are from October 2019

Here's my "knees and WLS testimony." I had WLS at 68 years of age. My knees were a complete mess -- especially the right one. The most I could bend them was a 45 degree angle. For years, my knee x-rays looked like gravel bars -- full of stuff that had shredded off the cartilage and mineral deposits that had accreted around those bits and pieces making them even larger. And yes, I had very bad knee pain when I was heavier and had suffered for years. Sometimes the pain was so bad I even had to use a cane. I'd discussed knee replacement surgery with my PCP, but hadn't gotten to the point of scheduling it. But I knew it was in my future. Then I had WLS at 235.6 pounds. I set my weight goal at 150 pounds, which I hadn't weighed in 40 years! At 5'5" a normal BMI for me started at 149 pounds. I didn't care -- 150 pounds seemed like a nice round number. BTW, I stopped taking Aleve and all other NSAIDs a few months prior to WLS. Yes, my knees hurt, but a few weeks after stopping the NSAID I realized they didn't hurt anymore than they had on the Aleve. Fascinating, eh? Eventually, 8.5 months after surgery, my scales rolled down to 150 pounds. I was at goal. By that point, needless to say, my knees felt a lot better. I wasn't doing black diamond runs, but I was walking up to 5 miles a day -- and fast. They still didn't bend anymore than they had before, but they were a lot more functional. One of my health goals for that first year post-op was to be able to walk up and down my front steps without holding on to anything, a goal I blew right by! I no longer felt like an old lady. So at 150 pounds I upped my calories to 1700 and started to maintain. But I slowly, slowly kept losing weight -- 1 or 2 pounds a month for the next 8 months. Eventually, my body stopped losing weight at 135 pounds. IT WAS THOSE LAST 15 POUNDS I LOST THAT MADE THE GREATEST DIFFERENCE IN MY KNEES! No, they still don't bend anymore than they once did. But at 70 years of age I am working hard (in yoga) on increasing my flexibility. My PCP told me to take knee surgery off the agenda completely -- I don't need it anymore. I can walk as far as I want and as long as it's still light outside. I can even jog a little. Not saying anyone else would or could have this result. But this was mine. It is one of my greatest NSVs from WLS.

jenien no, no, no!!! no such thing as minor victory kindof conflict in terms keep those NSV's comin' they all count, and make our day kathy congrats

That's fantastic! I know how excited I was to get off my blood pressure, diebetes and high cholesterol meds. It's a great NSV!

I am fairly new here. What does NSV stand for?

that is so awesome!!! Excellent NSV!

P.S. My most recent NSV-:thumbup: dh picked me up during to switch positions. Hello...PICKED ME UP! Wow! That's impressive. I would have been like "Yeah do it again" ha ha ha

Maybe you've been such a good girl you've hit the dreaded 3-week stall 9 days early. Keep on what you're doing right, once your body "catches its breath" you will resume losing again. Have your measurements gotten smaller,? even those NSV (non scale victories) are something to feel proud of. You are an example to all the "newbies" who yearn to be like you and someday they will be. Smile, you're still traveling on the road to better health![emoji12] Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

lark60, Yes it was an NSV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anytime you have to change a record showing you lost that much weight--you bet your biffy it's an NSV. My ta-tas are now a 42-Long, (42L) instead of a 42C. I think I"m actually smaller than that--got to get some new bras. Need a "Border Collie Bra" --one that can round them up and point them in the right direction . Kathleen

Okay, so this weekend I decided to try on a formal pencil dress. they didn't have my size, so I tried on one size smaller. Guess what! It fit!!!!!!! I didn't even need to unzip it! I just slipped it right on. I was just window shopping, so I didn't buy it, but I might go back and get it because I have a wedding to go to in 2 weeks. The second one was that I was sitting at a restaurant eating, and thought to myself, " gee, I think my stomach is shrinking!" LMAO!!!!

Congrats on the skirt fitting!!! Stupid question... What does NSV stand for??

I had some stretchy pull on jeans that were tight a year ago, and became less so after I lost some weight pre-op- they were a size 4x. Since surgery they had become un-wearable, finally had to toss them because I noticed a hole in the butt. So I ordered some new ones in a size 2x (18-20), thinking I am probably closer to a 3x, but they are stretchy. If they are a little tight I could just deal and will shrink into them. I got them in the mail today, tried them on and they fit perfectly- NOT TIGHT! It's a lift I needed since I have been in a stall for over a week. Yay for NSVs!!!!! -Kendra

i just started to do volunteer work at our local hospital i totally have "put" myself "out there", amongst REAL people would never have been confident/brave enough to do this before i lost all my weight I am so happy since WLS waiting for the "new" next event to happen!!! today, volunteering - tomorrow......... life is good

Great timing for me to have an infected tooth! Last week I lost about 3 pounds on the preop...then over the weekend when my tooth got infected and I couldn't eat anything cause the action of opening my mouth sent me into MAJOR pain..I dropped 10 lbs. Pretty dang AWESOME! Then I had my tooth extracted on Monday and the oral surgeon told me to eat soups, yogurt and generally follow a liquid diet...I started laughing and said...no problem...I have been for the last week anyways...I then told him that I was having WLS next week and he smiled and said good for you! The infected tooth is helping me stick to my diet...not the best NSV ever...but it's pretty awesome...

I am just an "average" loser so far, I think, and feeling like I'm slower lately. I'm in the midst of trying to break a stall, too. My ticker is a little misleading. I am including the weight I lost pre-op as well as post-op. I promise, I have "only" lost 49 lbs in 3 months. When the scale says something other than what I would like it to, I try to think more about how I feel as compared to a year ago. I can move so much better. I am comfortable STANDING for long periods of time. I look in the mirror, and I actually look "normal". Chubby, of course, but "normal". I am essentially the weight I was when I got married 10 1/2 years ago. I have endurance at the gym that I could only dream about a year ago. I don't avoid mirrors anymore, or pictures. No more sleep apnea. I can cross my legs comfortably. This list is all NSVs- it just makes me feel better when the scale is being uncooperative. You have done a fantabulous job! It may slow down, and probably will, but wow, look at what you have accomplished other than the number on the scale! Good luck!!!! -Kendra

Today is one of those days where I feel like I'm going backward. Though I've made amazing progress in the past three months, the past week is what is getting me down. It's the yo-yo plateau. You know, the same two pounds...back and forth, back and forth. Ugh! I am trying to step up my exercise and mix it up a bit. Watching my calorie intake. Trying to keep my water intake up as well. Those two pounds just won't leave forever! I know I should focus on NSVs like all the positive comments I'm getting from people; the fact that I have very few items in my closet that fit; the fact that I just got a pair of pants that are THREE sizes smaller than what I had when I started this journey. Isn't it amazing how two freakin' little pounds can trip you up in such a way. Okay....gonna try to be more positive tomorrow.

So for the last week I've been in the process of moving....packing the old place, cleaning, movers, unpacking at new place. Anyway, my family helped me pack and my sister packed my scale over a week ago. at first I was irritated because I weighed at least every other day....and then without it, I started to like it. I felt like I've been losing again (had a stall for over a week) and feeling like with all the packing, lifting, etc., I felt like I was getting in extra exercise. So yesterday I caught myself in a full length mirror and I stopped and did a double take...is that me?!? No, wait a minute where am I? ...am I really seeing what I'm seeing? No, this must be one of those stretch mirrors. Yep, that's me. Wow my legs are looking a lot smaller. Wow I'm starting to look kinda good. Seriously, these are all the thoughts that went thru my was in a matter of seconds. I love the NSV's!!!! Unpacked the scale this morning and down 5lbs...love the scale victories too

awesome NSV! I took one of my nieces to see a movie sunday afternoon and realized I am going to have to start bringing a sweater to the movies - even in a long sleeve tshirt I was freezing! and i never used to get cold...ever.

Thanks...I think I like the NSVs better than watching the scale move.

You look absolutely amazing!!!! Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful. Congrats on an ultimate NSV.

Congrats Laurend. I wish I'd taken my measurements before the surgery. I had a similar NSV today. My boyfriend had bought me these flannel house pants type things the day of my surgery so I'd have something comfortable to wear post surgery. Well of course I couldn't get them on which was no surprise. I decided to try them on tonight and I'm wearing them! They are even a little loose. So even though I haven't lost that much weight something is changing! This is fun!