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All my years of being married to my hubby, I could never ever fit into his clothes. Now, I can fit his tops,pants and jackets. The only thing I cannot fit is his shoes. I am able to cross leg,sit indian style on the floor and able to get offt he floor with one hand only. Theae nsv are the bomb despite the fact that my scale is not budging. I am down from a 3x to XL and some L and loving it. I still have like 40 piunds to lose and I will take it from there.

Friday was my 6 month (at 7 months? post op follow up visit. My BP was 110/57 HR was 76 Amy cholesterol 135 overall LDL 43 HDL 85 all other blood panels were in the normal range A1c was 4.1and my body fat is down to 20%! The Dr. was extatic about my results! He said that by far I am his most successful patient at the VA! My skin is healing well I have some loose skin but looks like it is still young and will probably not need to have any removed as it is not hanging and my muscle building will help for it to "go back to normal"! Another NSV is my energy level, my family and are are getting ready to move across country (for me to continue my education I was accepted to Colorado State University) and I have been loading the moving pods all weekend and have done most of the heavy-lifting myself. I am not tired or sore I worked all day both Saturday and yesterday and was like the energizer bunny, I just kept going and going.

My physical NSVs are amazing -- things like walking anywhere I want to go in the city and not being afraid of knee pain and exhaustion and being unable to get back to where I started. Like today -- I mowed the front lawn, the side lawn, the garage lawn, picked up tons of downed timber on our property (storms around here), trimmed rose bushes, weeded flower beds -- and wasn't the least bit tired! Before WLS, I hadn't worked that hard that easily in years! Like this weekend -- we went to hubby's high school reunion (400 miles away), and I kept up all weekend, stood at the cocktail party for an hour without sitting down (!!!), and did half the driving to the event and back. That sounds like nothing now, right? Well, as we all know when we were obese we could no more do that simple trip than a man in the moon, right? We'd have stayed home, right? And maybe hubby would have stayed home, too, right? (Just look at hubby's NSVs about my WLS, eh?) All the things we gradually removed from our lives we're now putting back into our lives. Hubby and I are both so happy about this surgery's physical, emotional, recreational and health benefits!

Friday was my 6 month (at 7 months? post op follow up visit. My BP was 110/57 HR was 76 Amy cholesterol 135 overall LDL 43 HDL 85 all other blood panels were in the normal range A1c was 4.1and my body fat is down to 20%! The Dr. was extatic about my results! He said that by far I am his most successful patient at the VA! My skin is healing well I have some loose skin but looks like it is still young and will probably not need to have any removed as it is not hanging and my muscle building will help for it to "go back to normal"! Another NSV is my energy level, my family and are are getting ready to move across country (for me to continue my education I was accepted to Colorado State University) and I have been loading the moving pods all weekend and have done most of the heavy-lifting myself. I am not tired or sore I worked all day both Saturday and yesterday and was like the energizer bunny, I just kept going and going.

i have had a rough couple of weeks. My weight is a few pounds over my bounce range and my cutest pants are too tight to look cute. grumble. I have been in maintenance long enough that I don't really seek or need validation of my looks, appearance, size or whatever... but when you are feeling kinda "fat' and you get it... it kinda helps with perspective and to stop being so negative. So, I was at a "working meeting" for a global company. One of the men i work with (he is from Europe so we have only met a few times) had very cute pictures of his kid on his computer so we were talking about kids. I told him mine were way past the cute phase and when he asked how old and I told him... in their 20s, in fact my youngest graduated college last year. He was genuinely shocked. Then, he looked my body up and down in a somewhat leering kind of way and said something like... "I will never believe it with a body like that." Ha... and then he cleared his throat and said.."maybe we should get back to work subjects" due to my circumstances, there was nothing in the least bit negative about that experience and it reminded me to not be so freaking hard on myself just because my smallest pants don't fit well right now. thank you work colleague - you made my day and actually whole week!

We went to eat at a really nice restaurant yesterday. I ordered an appetizer as my meal, 3 bacon wrapped grilled shrimp, and I was only able to eat 2 of them! I have noticed when we go out to eat that the bill is literally less than half the price we normally spend... I have become a cheap date, lol! We used to split an appetizer, order 2 meals, and have a glass of wine. This "half-price bill" is a nice little bonus of my new way of eating! Also surprised when I logged my shrimp in, and found that it was only 85 calories and 6g Protein. I was worried about the bacon calories/fat, but really didn't even have to adjust my dinner to keep my goals good.

NSV are everywhere here - those are THE best. Like getting on a rollercoaster and not being squeezed in, getting up off the floor (without help) & clipping your own toenails! I just moved (somewhat) and I am throwing away my clothes that are starting to look a little big

Had a huge NSV victory this weekend. My 3y/o son rode his bike and I ran along side him. Not only did I keep up, I was actually running faster, and not getting tired!! To have the energy and health to play with my son nearly had me in tears. I'm so happy

That's awesome @@Hoppy5 and @@momfromjersey22 !!! I have my first fill next week. I'm loosing much slower then both of you but 2-3 lbs a week so still in the expected zone. I was able to wear size 16 capri's this week and fit a bunch of my old size 16 dresses! It's those NSV's that motivate me more then the scale! Great job ladies!!!

NSV this weekend. I flew first time since surgery in 11/2014 and I was actually comfortable and had 2 inches of belt left over. Last time I flew it was right before surgery and I was miserable and tight. Barely got the seatbelt to close. Actually, the reason I even looked into surgery was a flight where I where I realized how heavy I had gotten and how it was affecting my mobility.

Jello arms = 3/4 sleeves for me, but there are such few choices right now. However, when my arms are down they look great. Must practice a life devoid of wild waving, lol. NSV: Jumping into the car trunk to rescue a rogue can of chick peas, like that's what you do. Impossible before weight loss. I don't think my leg could have gone up that far. Life is good!

@@amylynns My arms are jiggly too and I can't seem to lose in my thighs very well. Major stubborn area. Calves too. Ughhhh! NSV: I went on a ropes and zip line course the other day and I was so proud and happy with myself that I did it! Taking those leaps of faith into thin air at 30 to 40 feet would NOT have been possible just 6 months ago and although my arms were a little shaky afterward from that and climbing up cargo nets, I have only a little soreness in my muscles. Pleasantly surprised! Before, I would have been out of breath after the first course and worried about the weight limit and if the cable would hold me.

Yup, ketosis give you bad breath. I carry a roll of breath mints with me everywhere, and gargle with mouthwash several times a day. Also, drinking fluids helps makes your mouth feel a little less toxic. I've asked my wife to let me know wneh she notices my breath getting funky. Yeah it's unfortunate, but the corresponding weight loss is SO worth it! So I just think of stinky breath as yet another NSV (non-scale victory).

Hi Everyone....I'm so excited to make my first post! I started to seriously think about WLS 6 months ago and thats when I found this site. I used to come on here and look for the answers to the questions I had in my head mainly should I, shouldn't I and is it safe. I found all your stories good and bad extremely helpful and motivating so I want to say thank you for all the honest opinions and those who take time out to give help and advice. I had a my lap band surgery on the 18th April and luckily everything went smooth. The hospital where I had my surgery were professional, informative and caring they really impressed me and made me feel safe as well as looked after me well during my stay. I had one night stay in hospital after the surgery and I'm thankful for that. I had my op quite late in the day around 2.30pm but I was not able to get up and walk around like a most of you did. I got up once in the evening to use the bathroom, I was in so much pain and just about managed, I felt dizzy and sick so I just got back in bed where I stayed till the morning but being in hospital I was able to get morphine and an anti sickness injection. The next seven days at home I was resting and recovering. I had absolutely no appetite for about a week and managed easily on two weeks of liquid. My main issue was the gas pain I had it for almost 2 weeks. I took gas x, deflatine, peppermint tea, heat Patches and walkined around but I would say none it worked, it helps for a quick fix but the gas just goes when it goes. I have 5 incisions and I was glued back together I kept them covered for 3 days as advised but 3 days post op I went out and I think I over did it as getting in and out of the car and walking round made my stitches weep a little so I went back to my resting for the rest of the week but they have healed well and look very neat, the biggest one hurt the most. Then I went on to sloppy/mushy food for 2 weeks, again that was no problem for me. I ate 3 small meals a day as directed and I didn't get hungry in-between meals till the last day. On the first day I had a cooking day and made a potato & cauliflower curry, lasagne, chili and shepherd pie then I put small portions of each in takeaway foils and I was eating amazing food for lunch and dinner for the two weeks and it was really healthy as I made it myself with the help of Jamie Oliver's online recipes. http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/category/course/healthy-meals/#M74ep0D62Lx033KT.97 Now I'm on normal solid food and I have my 1st fill on 26th May. I'm both scared to death thinking of what pain it might be yet excited as I want to loose weight. I have noticed my portions getting bigger and I'm looking for food but I don't eat anything I'm not supposed to I just drink Water and wait for my next meal but it's getting harder so I'm counting down the days for my fill. I have lost 13 pounds since I started my 1 week pre op diet, I gained 1 pound but lost it again My main focus is just not to put any of it back on. I go walking 2 miles a day however my weight loss has come to a standstill. I didn't loose anything last week and the week before only 1 pound, I'm ok as long as its not going on but obviously I want to see my scale moving. Haven't had any NSV's yet but my clothes are much looser. I'm feeling positive and happy with how everything has gone so far but I guess it will become more difficult after the fill. I hope you enjoyed hearing my story Once again my success so far is all because of you, as I learnt so much from this site what to do and not to do so THANK YOU!!

Thank you to everyone who shares about their stalls and how they work through it! This month weight has either gone up a bit then back down then stayed the same. Thanks to all my reading on here and after checking my food/exercise patterns I can be grateful for what I have achieved so far. It's so important right now for me to focus on the NSVs such as wearing a medium top and size 9/10 pants, completing my 2nd 5k, cutting almost 6 minutes off my 5k time, etc. Staying in positivity and gratitude!!!

@@Smye i don't get it either as a "youngun" i was never aware of what/how much i ate i don't think i was conscious that i might have been starting a trend toward eating too much but never fear, my mom was around she started "mentioning" my weight when i was about 14 i wasn't TOO HEAVY, but i needed to loose about 20 lbs it would have been great if i had nipped the weight problem in the bud but it did not happen not from lack of trying as time went by i continued to gain weight here and there i married an "ok" guy when i was 19 years OLD had a wonderful daughter 2 years later his "contribution" to our daughter took him about 5 seconds took me 9 months!!!! 4 years into marriage my now "ex-husband" actually went to my parents "commenting" on his "displeasure" of my weight 8 years after i got married "more" of me got divorced at age 27!!! but i now had gotten rid of about 180 lbs due to divorce!!! got even more depressed food never argued with me 5 year old daughter and i moved in with my parents til i could get my feet on the ground (get a job and save some money) in a couple of years my parents suggested i go to a dating service so self-conscious i was afraid but.... parents REALLY wanted me out of the house but they care for me and trying to help me they paid for me joining a dating service i was afraid but i met my wonderful husband one of the things we had in common we were both over weight we went out to eat allll the time, loved it tom would say sometimes and laugh "i want some popcorn, let's go to the movies" surprise - I continued to gain heaviest weight 235 lbs (I am 5'3) after yo yoing through the years enough was enough i now had health "issues" high blood pressure, diabetes, wore CPAP enough was enough went to dr. proceeded with all the hoops of insurance to have the sleeve hubby was so helpful and supportive pre-op and post-op even took a week off from work to help me out!! turned out it wasn't necessary, but it was great!!! my new life started 12/15/11 (DOS) it took me almost 58 years before i started my journey but i did it!! the rest is sleeve history struggles here and there, still sometimes one year almost to the day after WLS i lost 105 lbs reaching my goal weight of 130 i am maintaining for the past 2.5+ years fluctuate here and there, but life is good i no longer have high blood pressure,diabetes, no more CPAP a HUGE NSV for me happened at about 6 months after WLS i had lost 60 lbs we found out the hard way i was taking too much medicine for my epilepsy (since i weighed less) all is good now - only need 1/2 my dosage - most wonderful thing that happened to me life continues to be great healthy and happy as i've mentioned before "I' am cute as a button!!" I "mentioned" a couple of times to hubby a few months after my goad how it would be great idea if he would loose 100+ lbs i realized very quickly, i was talking like my mother never mentioned it again i would love it if he did loose weight buttttt through thick and "thin" life is good next year my 39 year YOUNG daughter will Celebrate her 20 years of marriage !!! she has given us the 3 cutest grand-kids in the world (present company excluded) but, she had to move out of state 4 years ago, hubbies job her leaving was "ok" but she had the nerve to take our 3 grand-kids with her Ethan (7), Andrew (11), Morgan (14) LOL next year on our 25th wedding anniversary we are cruising to Alaska this is my story, and i'm sticking to it to the few that were brave enough to read this in its entirety you are a better person than I am i think i dozed off a couple of times while i was writing this "short" story i write as much as i talk Oh No!!!! this has been a lot about personal stuff therapeutic for me thanx for listening @@Smye, congrats on loosing 101 lbs you are now in the century club keep up the good work i know you will good luck what was your question again?? kathy

My week has been exhausting, just a preview of what's to come this week. Hubs is having his cancerous tumor removed this coming Friday, and we have a very challenging week ahead of us, not to mention the weeks and months to come. SOOOOOO....please give me some outside joy, and tell me your NSV's, funny stories, uplifting tales....to help me through my days of waiting. Get my mind off the negatives, and onto life-lifting thoughts.... I always look forward to reading what you all like to share, so keep 'em coming... for those of us in the waiting rooms....A burst of laughter is sometimes all we need to get through the tougher moments..... BTW, I am sorry I can't respond like I used to, or want to, there just isn't time. But I am still here, still supporting you in my thoughts and prayers... Thank you.....

RNY stands for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. NSV stands for Non scale Victory, such as smaller clothes, off meds, etc.

@@Lovinlife48 you look great!!! I am revising to RNY and can't wait to feel those NSV's congrats to u!

Yup although I hadn't really noticed till you mentioned it. NSV!!!

I began this journey with my lifestyle classes in Nov 2014, was banded 4/16/15 and to date my weight loss (combined pre and post) is 37 lbs. on Mother's Day I took a pic with my kids and could not believe the difference from just 1 year ago!!! Attached is the picture, on the left 1 yr ago and the right 3.5 weeks post lap band and post 5 months of lifestyle changes. My kids said they were so proud of me ????????

I've had a few in the last couple of weeks 1. No more bra extender! 2. I am able to run! I ran 20 minutes straight on the treadmill without wanting to die. 3. This weekend I learned that I have sized out of the Plus Size selection at Forever 21 (My favorite store even though I'm 28, OH WELL!) I'm still too big for most of their "standard" sizes, but getting there. 4. Size 12 jeans I bought two years ago as a goal are now fitting me, but only for so much longer, there's a little room in them. Congrats to everyone for their NSVs!!!

Keep your chin up. The fact that you're still hear is a wonderful NSV!

The following are some of the abbreviations used on this website: ACL = Anterior cruciate ligament AMRAP = As Many Rounds As Possible (crossfit) BB = belly button bc = because BCBS = Blue Cross/Blue Shield BED = Binge Eating Disorder bf = best friend BM = bowel movement BMI = Body Mass Index bp = blood pressure BPD = Borderline Personality Disorder or Biliopancreatic Diversion (Scopinaro procedure) bs = blood sugar btw = by the way CBT = cognitive-behavioral therapy CC = common channel c diff = clostridium difficile cos or cuz = because CPAP = continuous positive airway pressure CRNP = certified registered nurse practitioners cw = current weight CXR = Chest X-Ray Dr. = doctor DS = Dumping Syndrome or Duodenal Switch EGD = Esophagogastroduodenoscopy EKG = Electrocardiography ff = fat free GERD = gastroesophageal reflux disease GI = gastrointestinal GNC = General Nutrition Corporation store GP = general practitioner or family doctor HBP = high blood pressure hr = heart rate hw = highest weight ICU = Intensive Care Unit Idk = I don’t know IMHO = in my humble (honest) opinion IMO = in my opinion IUI = Intrauterine insemination LAP Band = Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band lol = laughing out loud LSG = Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy med = medicine msg = message NASH = Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis nf = non fat NG = Nasogastric NP = nurse practitioner NSAIDS = Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSV = non-scale victory (“scale” means “weight scale”) NUT = nutritionist Onederland = a magical place or destination for those trying to lose weight. It might correspond to attaining a weight in the hundreds or losing a hundred pounds. op = operation OSA = Obstructive sleep Apnea Oz = Australia PCOS = Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCP = Primary Care Physician PM = private message (email) PMS = premenstrual syndrome postop or post–op = post-operation or post-surgery PPI = Proton Pump Inhibitors ppl = people preop or pre-op = pre-operation or pre-surgery PTSD = Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PVC = Premature ventricular contractions RA = Rheumatoid arthritis RTD = ready to drink RN = registered nurse RNY = Roux-en-Y s/f or sf = sugar free smh = shaking my head, scratching my head SOB = shortness of breath sw = weight at surgery tmi = too much information TPN = total parenteral nutrition TT = tummy tuck u = You VSG = Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Vit = Vitamin wks = weeks WLS = Weight Loss Surgery WOD = Workout of the Day w/o = without wt = weight or :-) = ☺ = smiley face or :-( = ☹ = sad face

I think this is a great idea. I'm so in but my month won't start until 5/26 because in working on another challenge. My greatest NSV yet has been being able to run a distance without gasping for air at the end. I'm down almost 50lbs, when I gave my son a piggy back ride I ran about 5 steps before I had to stop. My son is 50lbs so having that reminder of what I've lost was wonderful!