Seven Measures of Weight Loss Surgery Success – No Scale Necessary

Any “successful” Weight Loss Surgery patient will tell you that weight loss is only one measure of success. There are many other ways to win, so keep your eyes out. Recognizing your non-scale victories (NSVs) will keep you motivated and let you get the most you can out of WLS. Here are just a few ways you know you are winning.

1. Your clothes fit (or don’t fit).

You fit into clothes you “outgrew” on the way up, and your pre-WLS clothes are so big they are falling off. Better yet may be the feeling you have when your wedding ring fits again or you can slip into your high school prom dress again.

2. You are happy to go to the doctor.

After years of bad news about your health, ranging from vague warnings (“You can get heart disease because of your weight.”) to scares (“You will be lucky if you live to see your children graduate from high school.”), things are different. You may get good news, such as being able to reduce your medications and seeing your numbers improve.

3. You like other activities besides eating.

You will know success when you treasure your morning walk more than doughnuts, you want to focus on the movie without a tub of popcorn, and you are happy to talk to your friends instead of eating fast enough to serve yourself second helpings at dinner. It is a good feeling when you realize that the thing you will enjoy most about your granddaughter's birthday party is seeing her open her presents, not tasting her birthday cake.

4. Shopping is fun.

You can go to regular stores, see a nice selection of fashionable clothes, and try them on without cringing when you look in the mirror. Plus, you have the energy to enjoy the experience.

5. It’s fun to focus on yourself.

For some, getting a massage or going to the hairdresser can be a reminder of how unhappy you are in your body. You know WLS is working if you find yourself enjoying these activities again instead of avoiding them because of poor body image. Going to the doctor can also be embarrassing when you are overweight if you know that your health concerns are caused by your extra weight.

6. You do what you want to do.

You make your plans based on your schedule and desire rather than which venue has the biggest seats and bathroom stalls. The size of booths at restaurants, the width of airplane seats, and weight limits at amusement parks become less important than the menu choices, the cost of the airfare, and who your favorite cartoon characters are.

7. You are bigger.

You may be shrinking physically, but your personality is bigger. You no longer try to hide. You are confident in stating your opinions and being yourself, even if that means standing out a bit from the rest of the group. You have a voice, and you are prepared to use it.