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Ladies, I know we will get through this. We are definitely trying to learn our new bodies, particularly the stomach as it does what it wants to without consulting us. I have been doing ok to day, no nausea or vomiting. I have been walking like crazy. I am away for work and cant weigh in but I am putting in some serious miles on this Fitbit from walking every where. I think there are a few people at the training who are intimidated by how little I eat, makes them feel bad for pigging out. Of course, I have no intention of saying I had surgery to them so i let them think what they may. NSV's: I am at a hotel, and the towels are the same size I have at home.....they wrap around me without a gap. Oh am my incisions are already healed for the most part and beginning to fade. Hang in there ISP's (incredible shrinking people). We will get through these hangups!!

Stay positive and as the NSVs add up, you forget how much you miss certain foods. I do miss my old go to's from the past but as I lose weight and have victories, I realize exactly why I gave them up. Hormones are a big factor here too. As you are losing fat, hormones are released. It can make us irritable, mad, sad, or just plain hard to be around! This is a hard stage to get through but you will! Keep your head up and stick to your plan, it's worth it!

Oh I did have a seamless surgery, for the first 2 weeks except for having a bleed across my Fat tummy from a small skin blood vessel I was moving right along, losing back down my su4gery water weight and then more! I thought I had the bad things of Baiatrics beaten. And then suddenly I stopped and every time I attempted to eat anything expected except fluids, surgeon told me at 2 weeks I could handle stage 3 , keep moving along my diet. All the sudden I was not his " happy normal RnY camper" any more. After whining a little, okay 3 times a week, to shut my lips up they scheduled an Endoscopy, surprise surprise I was the unhappy step- mother of a stomal stricture and a bunch of ulcers in my jejunem, I knew something was WRONG, it wasn't just post-surgery swelling because that's what his Nurse Practioner kept saying. I might not have the Fancy degrees--- but Baby, I knew ME. Been living in this body a Good Many Years! And after 5 months I still haven't let go of that Tornado's Tail! But I will, maybe a couple more dialating Endoscopies, I'll be all better, the PZICC line can come out, and I will be eating like all the rest of my surgery day twins! The difference between me and them? Even when I am all better , I will not drop out, go away, because my Bari- brothers and sisters have been so supportive I will remain a Bariatric Pal person. Maybe I might not post as much, but I will still cheer on others as they did me! No regret, no sorrow, even with the Minor Bumps in My Roadway I shall be a Proud RnY, grateful for my remaking, even at 73 I am still living better, healthier than I could prior. My PCP has to now admit I saved me from Death by a few years, I was getting That Bad, of course he wants to take credit for suggesting it to ME, nope I brought up the subject in 2015, when he and I were certain I would never make it to 2020 alive, at the very least I would be in a LTF, also known as a nursing home, because my body would be so broken down. Now I am thinner, not as much as I desired, the TPN has slowed down my weight plummet to 3 pounds a month, but I now grow healthier each and every day, that may not be a spectacular NSV to everyone else, but even outsiders say "You're so looking so much better," must have been as ugly as a pile of mud before, I smile And say Thank You, only my peers on here know my stuggles to get,this far, if they ask I MIGHT tell them about the surgery, otherwise they canbthink,i came to my senses and did it all MYSELF, good for my formerly battered Ego and sense of pride. I'm doing much better as a Happier Smaller Widow than I did. a mentally abused. despondent wife, big as the side of a barn, afraid to step outside without protection, cause I thought every other person loathed looking at me. Now I am emotionally strong enough to stand up on my own, if I make mistakes they are mine to make, don't have to live in someone's shadow apologizing for even existing. Mine is somewhat a difficult story, but be True to Yourself, in the long run, that's the Only Boss you'll need, as the Late Ricky Nelson wrote " If you can't please Everyone, better please Yourself!" Frustr8 out, have yourself a dyn-o-mite day.😛👍

Congrats! I don't have any active NSVs yet, but I am happy to be able to fit almost all of my shoes now, clothes I haven't seen in over 5-10 years, and chairs that have arms on them.

My husband took me to The Nutcracker last night. Sixty pounds ago it would have been very difficult. We parked a block away, then climbed flights of stairs at the venue, then down those scary little nearly vertical stairs into balcony seats. But I had no problem, even though I wore (not very high) heels. And I consented to having a picture taken. (Wildly out of character.) This surgery has saved my life in so many ways. I can't wait to see what next Christmas brings. Here's hoping you all had a wonderful holiday, and here's to our bright days ahead.

Whatever her reasons/motivations may be, they don't matter. Bottom line is what you said yourself: You have only known this woman for 4 months. Why do you care what she says? Why give her this power? Just remember, living well is the best revenge. You can smile sweetly (and ever so slightly smugly) as you bask in your success. Each size dropped, each NSV and each compliment from anyone within earshot will be that much better knowing you did the right thing for YOU. :frown: Don't let the turkeys get you down. They aren't worth the platters they'll eventually be served on. kagead

A little awkward posting on NSV Ho pst since I'm a dude... But anyway! - GETTING hand me downs - taking clothes to goodwill because they are too BIG - Crossing my legs - knee and ankle joints don't hurt so much

Well, I have NSV 'Ho in my signature, so I think I'm obligated to post here. Best NSV's so far: -Being able to WALK places. Before surgery I had a tough time walking from the front door to the car. Now I walk the length of the mall and back with no issues. -Smaller clothes. 'nuff said there -Finding bones I'd forgotten I had: collar bones, hip bones... -Having a waist. As my friend told me tonight, I'm getting my hourglass shape back. He knew me before I really packed on the weight and he tells me that he sees the change coming quite clearly.

!!! WOOTTT !!! Sharon, YOU ROCK!!! I can't wait to see the ad. I'm sooo excited for you! You've done such a fantastic job at weight loss, I can't see any reason why he wouldn't choose you, so definitely enjoy this HUMONGOUS NSV!!! Dangit now, why did they remove the awesome smilies? I want my GIANT banana back! This so deserves it. :wub: :wub: :wub:

Congratulations!! I know the feeling about the airplane seats. I always feel self conscious that the person next to me will think I should have been ordered to get two seats. I have to squeeze in, and though the belt still fits me (well, last I flew it did lol and that was 20 pounds ago), it has to be fully extended and it's not comfortable. So I really feel your excitement on the plane!! And I think shopping in the regular sections will be my favorite NSV once I get there. I'm a 29 year old mother... It seems like all the plus size clothes come in two styles: young party/clubbing clothes and old lady clothes! Lol I will be so glad to have more options!!! Congratulations!!! What awesome victories!!

People love a train wreck....or ever notice traffic backed up for miles because of an accident on the other side of the center median in the other lanes? News room saying...If it bleeds, it leads.... NO ONE knows I have had WLS except for immediate family....I just did not want to explain myself to everyone...it is something I needed to do, for myself, my health, and ultimately my Family..... So I received nothing but compliments during my journey, and no criticisms....and today, 3 years later, being fat is but a old memory to everyone, no one talks about it anymore, and all have accepted the fact, and take it for granted that I am what I am....a fit person without an oz of fat on me (as someone said yesterday) New people I meet never knew I was once over 100 lbs heavier, and the subject of me loosing weight is now old news, no longer something to talk about in the office............the ultimate NSV.... Ironically, the one family member who was my biggest critic with nothing but stories of failures......is one of the fattest people I know. And she keeps getting fatter!!!...she should not be the one throwing stones...but even she has now stopped talking about it seeing the entire process was 100% successful with zero complications.....

Forgive me but what is PB and NSV???? I am a newbie....lol.

Today is Tuesday march 7, and sadly to say today seems to be no better than yesterday. Damn I hate to whine and that is what I feel like I am doing. I keep tryin to tell myself all these other people are doing it and they arent whinning, suck it up and do what you have to do. Last night I had spagetti for supper, how much ? I have no clue, I ate until I thought I should be full and then stopped only to go back an hour later and eat more. Am I going to lose weight this way , I seriously doubt it. My husband is a wonderful man but he got on my nevers last night so bad, he watches everything I eat and then says "slow down" between every bite. I am a big girl and I know what the doctor said so I didnt need him to be reminding me through every bite I took. Did I say anything to him, oh yeah and it wasnt pretty. Ya know I am sick of thinking about my weight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is has been an issue my whole life, do normal size women think about their weight all the time? DO they worry about becoming like me? I am sitting here thinking is there every a day that goes by that I dont think about my weight? I honestly dont think so. Wow how sad that is. I mean something as simple as going out to eat with my family can become an ordeal to someone like me, I have been humiliated more than once because I couldn't fit into the booth, or the chairs were so close together that I couldnt get between two people sitting at the table, so I have become the drive-through Queen. WOW that was tough to even type. I guess that will be one of my NSVs, fittin in a booth comfortably. SIGHHHHHHHHHHH Today isnt a good day for me, I am feeling a bit over whelmed. This damn weight thing, the kids, my job, my husband, money, housework, laundry, the dog and lets not even start to mention my Mom and sister. I have noticed that I have started taking more Xanax. I was diagnosed with panic disorder years ago. After being misdiagnosed for years, but to make a very very long story short I am given xanax to take as need when they seem to be gettin out of control. For the last couple of days I have felt like I couldnt breath, so I have taken a nerve pill to help. God I just want one day to go by with me thinking about my weight. I just never see it happening. No matter what I am doing weight is always an issue for me. I am sick of it, so it looks like I would be doing everything in my power to take it off doesnt it. See I ask myself that question all the time, you're scared of a heart attack yeah you do no cardio exercises, you hate being fat yet you over eat, your dad died when you were 12 of a massive stroke (he was 36) and yet you skip days of your own blood pressure medicine. Do I secretly have a death wish? No I dont think I am sucidical (sp) but I just want the madness to stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brandy, what an awfully insensitive thing for your mother to say. I'm sorry that you had to endure that after such a wonderfully cathartic day (and I'm thinking it was probably a great NSV for you, too). My mother would probably say something similar, but I do know that in her case, it would be because she doesn't throw a darned thing away and she's from the Depression Era. Even if it doesn't fit or is out of style, it stays because it cost money. Unfortunately I have gotten that packrat mentality and I've got to get control. I hope to be able to do what you did today and clear stuff out. Good for you for doing that.

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.

Hello all! I have been out of town for the last week and just got back. I was so eager to get back on-line and see how my Victorious Valentine friends are doing. So here's my update. The bad news: I'm hungry! I'm a week away from my first fill, and feel no restriction at all. I can eat as much as I want (but I'm not) and haven't felt overfull since my swelling went down. Staying under 1000 cal. when you're hungry stinks!! I suppose this is band hell? But no weight gain, thankfully - just a pitiful pound a week loss for the last 2 weeks. While I was out of town visiting my sister, it was so hard not to indulge! Besides an unfortunate incident involving ice cream at a movie theater, I managed to stay partially on track. The good news: Last time I flew on an airplane, I just barely got the belt fastened. I knew I was a few lbs away from a belt extender - my worst nightmare. The thing was so tight that my belly was almost hanging completely over the belt and I had to hold my magazine just right so the flight attendant wouldn't notice I was being cut in half by the belt!! This week I flew, and guess what - 4 beautiful inches of spare belt hanging out AFTER I buckled it!! And, for the first time in years, my butt stayed nicely on my side of the seat, and did not pooch out under the armrest and steal space from my seat mate. Now, that is an NSV to celebrate! Whew...it is good to be back! Please tell me some of you are experiencing bandster hell also??

Sooo,after a long day yesterday,I decided to take a rest on the couch. So I curl up and turn on The Bachelor finale. =) My 2 yr old daughter jumps up on the couch with me and curls up right next to me,and fits!! I have NEVER been able to cuddle on the couch with my babies right beside me,I was too big to fit with them before..It took me until commercial break to realize lol,but when I did I almost cried-I just hugged my babygirl so tight!!!! I love love love my sleeve,so much! I have lost 43 pounds combined since starting my pre-op diet to now(6 1/2 weeks post-op) and have gone down 2 pants sizes! Lovin it! =)

I absolutely love the NSV's! They make me want to just hug everyone! I know what you mean. We are going funiture scouting for our guest bedroom but spent the whole first time with him pullin me onto smaller chairs and going "Ill take her"! Embarassing but awesome! You baby girl will NEVER know a time she couldnt run and play and fit on the chair with Mommy! <3

Yes. A longer, healthier and happier life, more NSVs than you could shake a stick at, better self esteem, comorbidities that are lessened or gone, etc.. My only regret is not having WLS sooner.

Today I went shopping to get some new clothing items because well my old (new) stuff is to big I am changing sizes every 2 months big chester cat grin. I was able to buy bras and panties from Victoria secret ( may I recommend the bombshell bra my boobs need a lot of work due to my weight loss but the bombshell bra restores the look my fat used to give them at least in the bra and under my clothes) . Shopping at black house white market, shopping in the regular size cloths stores no more plus or women sizes for me. Walking into "normal" size stores and knowing I fit there and sales people trying to dress me and offer me outfits to tray supposed to the look I swore i used to get like why the hell are you here. Certainly not my reality 100 lbs ago. I leave these stores with my purchases on such a high as I say to myself HOLY Bleep I can wear this my hard work and my band really is showing off. I call my sister or best friend to sure my NSVs I can't believe they want to share clothes with me and that we can swap clothes if need be ( truth be told Im a little smaller than my best friend and maybe the same size of my sister this has never happened in my life.) I have m ore workout clothes in my laundry then my regular clothes I plan my schedule around my gym time people in the gym looking up to me and making me their role model WTH !! But its true I am working my A$$ off in the gym literally lol I packed for vacation and my suitcase looks empty but I have more clothes then I will need but it looks less then previous vacations because my clothes are half the size.!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know these are feelings all of you on here can relate to but I need to share because no one in my life can relate. I booked ziplinning and safari tours and proudly checked the YES box when they asked if i was under 250 lbs. I actually took a snap shot of the screen and almost cried when that happened. I wanted to scream Im under 200 LBS Im in onderland dear cruise line I can do all ur excursions now what lol Can't wait to get on that rock climbing wall and see the gym schedule. . Instead of worrying about what Snacks i will need to pack just incase. I am happily packing my gym clothes sneakers,Protein powder ,Protein Bars, shaker bottle and Water bottle having my trainer give me workouts to do while I am there need to get my exercise in!!! I know cruises can be a food orgy but the cruise line will not go broke because of me this year Unless when I win big in the casino. So excited to go one vacation as a healthy skinner me !!!! I don't know what I more excited about finally going on vacation and unplugging from the world and enjoying fun in islands or the fact I know I will fit in the seats on the plane and no activity will I have to pass on because I am afraid I am to big or the fact I am to big. I am finally a "normal healthy size"!!! That is what the band gave me a life I never knew I was missing out on. I was happy when I was fat but I wasn't healthy now my healthier life style has introduced me to a whole new happier lifestyle I am sure you understand what I mean. Thanks for letting me share/brag whatever. The band is an awesome tool when you work it and dam it I am working it lol

Oh please post a picture of you in your new sweater. It would be wonderful to see how far you have come...congratulations on a wonderful NSV!

Rain - Don't give up - just put one foot in front of the other. I rely on your posts for motivation and I am so impressed with your loss so far. This is a bump in the road - you will soon be back to posting your wonderful NSV's!

Paige Dukes, I loved reading your post about the new picture (Wow ! You're brave !), but the part that struck me the most was "I didnt wear shorts in public and didn't even leave the house without a cardigan, regardless of the temperature. " That comment was me to a T ! I was very uncomfortable with my body, especially my belly. Always had a cardigan or lite jacket to cover it up. I didn't even like walking out to the mailbox in case a car went by. Now ? Totally. Different. Occasionally knee length shorts, capris or slim jeans, and a nice t shirt. Almost flat stomach . No cardigan needed, although I still love /wear them when necessary. I hope everything continues to go well for you, many more NSV's coming your way ! Congratulations again !!

It will pass! When you start to see real improvements, and I'm talking about the NSV (non-scale victories) you will no longer regret your choice. Sometimes these are small improvements to your life that make a big impact. Such as, not sitting too close to the steering wheel in the car, being able to wipe your butt easier, or shoes feeling looser. It's these things that really boost morale. I was 345lbs at my highest, 332lb when I started the pre op diet, and I didn't see a visible difference until I was nearly 80lbs down. What I'm saying is, that simply losing 50lb, 75lbs won't make you feel better.... it's the NSV that will keep you positive and moving in the right direction. Feel free to PM me day or night. I'm always around for a vent session or if you need a pick me up. And I'm sorry that this thread is over a week old, hopefully you still get my response!

So, today is the day I get to report my first NSV, and I haven't even had my surgery yet!! Yes, I'm gunna brag and I know y'all will love listening. I am pre-op, and I have been giving up some of my vices over the last few weeks in preparation for starting my liquid diet on 7/23. I am an emotional eater, I turn to food when I need comfort. Today was very challenging emotionally, and I did not turn to food for comfort! As bad as I wanted the ice cream, diet coke, doughnuts, candy, fried cheese and taquitos that I passed in the grocery store with my broken heart, I sassed my big ol booty right by that junk and left without buying any. Take that bad day! That is an NSV, right? Anyone else have NSV that happened pre-op? Happy losing, Slenderella