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

Lookin' good! Sooo encouraging, thanks!

Good for you!! Looking great!! So happy for you!

It is really amazing how much we enjoy even the small things that normal people have had their whole lives! You look fantastic and the joy comes through in what you write. Its good to hear from you again! Glad you found the time to share.