So I'm 18 months out, been below goal for 10 of them. Haven't really had any new NSVs worth mentioning....maintenance life is pretty boring. But this last weekend I had a huge one. Friends I haven't seen in 3 years came to visit and we went hiking in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Last time they were here I struggled to barely keep up on our short day hikes. They were always waiting for me in the steep parts, I was out of breath and my feet and ankles hurt constantly. I actually had to skip the last day because I was in so much pain I could barely walk across the parking lot.

Last weekend was totally different. I led the pack on every hike. I was waiting for them at the tops of the hills. We hiked 25+ miles in 2 1/2 days and I logged over 25,000 Fitbit steps each day. Over 200 "flights of stairs". My calves were a little sore on the 3rd day but that's it.

Oh yeah, and we saw black bears, grizzly bears, pronghorn, moose, elk, bison, snakes, marmots, and the wild flowers were sensational.

Edited June 25, 201511 yr by Kindle

This is so cool. Congratulations! Must have been beautiful.

I loved your post until I got to the snake part. At least now that you're healthy and in shape you can run away if you have to? What's a pronghorn?

But seriously, that's a great story. I'm sure they loved spending time with you in the past, because I feel from your posts that you're a genuinely nice and interesting person, but it must have been so much more fun for your now!

Ellen

Pronghorn..... Most people mistakenly call them antelope. This one was grazing about 20 yards off the trail....

Beautiful!

Major congrats! Did you get to see any Jackalope?

What a great NSV!!

That's wonderful! It's amazing how much easier being active is without the burden of hauling around all that excess weight.

I had the same Holy Cr** moment when I went on a hike with friends recently. With very little effort I was climbing up hills, scaling down hills, constantly moving and walking over rugged ground. It felt good! No crazy shortness of breath, no serious overheating, no need to make rest stops. I don't do any cardio exercise, so I know it is all due to the loss of 80lbs! It's just amazing how much easier moving around is without having to lugg an extra 80lbs around.

Congratualtions!! That is the type of NSV that has a real impact on our lives...not just fitting into cuter sized clothes, but actual quality of life stuff. Well done!

@@Kindle, did you have your surgery in Mexico? Do you know your bougie size? I am going next week for surgery and it looks like the mexico people fare better. I know mexico people tend to get a bougie of 32 and my surgeon said he'd do a 36 for me- but he doesn't do them as small as mexico does.

Today I tried on a shirt in the children's section of target and it fit me.

@@Kindle, did you have your surgery in Mexico? Do you know your bougie size? I am going next week for surgery and it looks like the mexico people fare better. I know mexico people tend to get a bougie of 32 and my surgeon said he'd do a 36 for me- but he doesn't do them as small as mexico does.

Yes, I had surgery in Mexico. Dr. Ariel Ortiz and Dr. Arturo Martinez at Obesity Control Center. They used a 32Fr. bougie plus oversewed the staple line for a pretty tight sleeve. I'm still maintaining below goal almost 21 months out with no complications.

And as for Your observation about Mexico patients faring better, I always wondered about the success rate of insurance vs self pay patients. Spending all of my savings and then some definitely plays a role in my commitment level. Let me tell you, in the long run, it's all about winning the mental challenges day after day, not the surgical technique.

Good luck!

Congratulations on your NSV Kindle... It must have been an amazing feeling!

@@Kindle I have tried, but not been able to find, any data comparing success rates of Sleeves in Mexico vs. USA. I know the surgeons have been performing and perfecting the Sleeve surgery, but that in an of itself can't be the barometer, I have actually been looking even for testimonials from people long out- who had the Sleeve in Mexico- and I really can't find much out there. I do know the sleeve dialates eventually- and so it makes sense that over sewing and a smaller 32 bougie would have an effect- at least on intial weight loss. I just havng looked at the pages over and over over the last few years see happier patients in Mexico. I never thought about the fact that everyone there is self pay and the relationship that has to weight loss commitment.