Hello Everyone,

I haven't posted here in a while, work has just been crazy lately. Anyhow.... I recently came back from a business trip/vacation and I have several NSVs that I would like to share just as an encouragement to anyone still thinking about getting sleeved.

Last year, I shared on here I had a couple terrible experience flying to Milwaukee and Jamaica. Just being a big guy, I was never comfortable riding a plane, asking for a seat belt extender, not being able to place the tray table down, etc.

Well...that certainly has changed.

A few NSVs...

1. I was able to fit comfortably into my airplane seat. (And I noticed a difference in the people I sat by. No one gave me that...."Oh my... don't sit by me" look that you get as a big person walking down the aisle.
   
   
2. I not only didn't need to ask for a seat belt extender, but I was able to place the tray table all the way down, and had a lot of slack left over from the seat belt. (I didn't show it on the outside, but on the inside.... I know I shed some tears. I spent the whole flight reflecting on the terrible experiences I've had in the past and how blessed I was to have this opportunity.)
   
   
3. At my conference, there were festivities during the night with live music and dancing....I couldn't believe the amount of offers I had to dance. It was unbelieveable... I had great time.... and I didn't feel like the fat guy on the outside of the "in crowd."
   
   
4. After my business conference in Orlando last week, I stayed for few days and visited the Disney and Universal theme parks. A huge NSV for me is that I fit on every single ride that I went on. Even the ones I would never think I could fit onto.... I FIT.
   
   
5. Finally, I saw several co-workers that I haven't seen in a while at the conference... and I received so many compliments. It was awesome!
   

Well.... I'm sure I could think of some more... but these are what comes to mind right away. I still have a ways to go...but the sleeve has definitely given me a fighting chance at being happy and healthy for the remainder of my life.

A couple pics below.

*Downtown Miami - 2/21/2013 - Down 80 LBS - 5 Months Post Op

*Pre-Op in July of 2012

*NSV Picture - Airplane Flight - Tray Table Down, Magazine & juice, and Seat Belt Room Still Left

That is awesome! You have done a great job! Continued success on your journey!

You look great! Congratulations!!!

This is a wonderful post!! Congratulations. You're enjoying the results of all of your hard work!!! Much deserved.

Awesome job & thanks for the honesty......I had a NSV recently. I sat in my neighbors hottub & I totally questioned if they got a new one, it looked like the old one but I was deeper in the water, the custom seats were bigger than me instead of completely not fitting my bumm! I was blown away, of course it was the same hottub

Awesome job & thanks for the honesty......I had a NSV recently. I sat in my neighbors hottub & I totally questioned if they got a new one, it looked like the old one but I was deeper in the Water, the custom seats were bigger than me instead of completely not fitting my bumm! I was blown away, of course it was the same hottub

That is absolutely awesome!!! Congrats on your success and thanks for sharing. Funny how those simple things that others take for granted in every day life... mean so much to us!!! It's a very telling story. Awesome Job!

That is totally awesome! Congrats! You look great!

Congratulations!! I look forward to that first flight once I drop 200lbs. I hate asking for the seat belt extender and seeing the look on peoples faces when they see you coming towards them. It was like you read my mind.

Hot hot hot! You are looking good! And those NSV's - the best part. I love fitting comfortably into an airplane seat - it feels like a miracle every time. Congrats on all of your successes, and how great to see such change in 5 months!

Great job man...I are an inspiration. I have that same big Guy walking down the aisle memory as well. I'm 80 down and looking forward to my next flight. Keep up the good work. You look great

LOL I love that you took a picture of your tray table down!!!! Love it!

I look forward to doing the same some day!

Best of luck on your continued awesomeness!

Thanks everyone for your kind words. That's why I love VST. A place where I feel like I'm understood.

Congratulations!

Way to go!!!

haven't posted here in a while

SML1997

hey guy

glad you dropped by

I've missed you

i figured you were busy with your new, happier, healthier life

you look great!!!!

terrific before and after pictures!!

you've done so amazing - but i always knew you would!!!!

luv your airplane NSV's - stories!!!

don't be a stranger

"sad" that i'm seeing "less and less" of you

take care

continued good luck

You look fabulous - I totally understand about the airplane ride!