Search the Community

What is NSV?

Congratulations! Yeah I've heard a lot about the stalls. Scary but I think the NSVs are a lot more fun to see. Especially since I don't really like to weigh myself. Lol

I'm doing good. I've lost 27 lbs. Slow loser, but it's a lost. The entire month of November I stalled. I was so happy when the scale moved. Be prepared for the stalls. Focus on the NSV's during the stall. You will lose inches even though the scale doesn't move.

I'm 11 months out and still don't own a scale. I just weighed at the doctors office. You will be a lot less stressed not worrying about the numbers on the scale. Just follow your plan, concentrate on healing and establishing new habits and measuring your success with NSVs and clothing size.

Enjoy every minute of your trip and the many NSV's. You certainly deserve it

Hello my friends I hope you are all doing well. Tomorrow is the big day....I am off to Disney/Universal for 7 days. My reward for hitting the goal I set 2+ years ago. I already expect my first NSV when I sit down in that Plane without needing two seats or an armrest that lifts and.....and NO seatbelt extender!!! Found some old jeans in the closet that was a blast from past and wanted to share. . Be well and talk to you all in about a week

269.3 I'm in a slump, guess I should focus on NSVs.

I think NSVs are meant to be "non-scale victories." BTW, gallbladder surgery has more surgical mortalities than WLS. You can google that. And at your age / weight / general health, you're probably not bringing any complication vulnerabilities to the surgery theater. What if you weighed 400 pounds, had heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes? THEN you'd have to worry more about complications from surgery. Lighten up. We all survived. You probably will, too.

Thanks for that link! I never understood what NSV stood for ???? great link, definitely motivating.

Here is a link to a thread about NSV's, those little non-surgical victories that help you feel like bariatric surgery is worth the angst and inconvenience. Maybe it will help you decide. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/195065-you-know-you-lost-weight-when/page-21?hl=%2Bnsv#entry3548506

I was reviewing some video surveillance footage at work and happened to see myself. Until then, I only knew what I looked like from my mirrors at home. Holy Sh*t! I look so normal, I could have been mistaken for pretty much any other employee. It feels good to NOT be the guy who sticks out at work - for being the fattest guy in the entire office.

Down to 209 today. It feels like my weight loss has picked up a bit in the last month. No complaints here. I wear the HS jeans and they are a bit big in the legs but they look great on me. I have a fantastic wardrobe of clothes that all look amazing on me, some that I plan to shrink into over the next few months. I'm so close to onderland, and I don't know what to do with myself. I haven't been under 200 since probably junior high. So very excited. One major compliment that I got today was my old supervisor said that she went to a seminar at my Surg's office and that I inspired her. I was so beside myself, that was the sweetest thing I could have heard. I told her i'd be there for her if she has any questions, and she said that she planned to talk to me about it more along the way. I've never been told something like that. It was really nice to hear. NSV FTW!

Even though my surgiversary is December 20, I consider today my 1 year mark since it was December 4 that I started my preop diet. Hey, 16 days of liquids and leafy greens and 22 pounds lost deserve to be counted! I really don't know where to begin to describe how wonderful this past year has been, but here are some highlights... My surgical experience at Obesity Control Center in TJ was better than I could have hoped for. It was more of a fun mini-vacation with my sister than anything. Recovery was nearly painless and I have had no reflux, food intolerances or hair loss. My sincere thanks goes out to everyone there who took such good care of me. I discovered what a wonderful, supportive community I live and work in. I was very ashamed and angry about letting myself get so fat. But despite the initial embarrassment, I chose to be honest about my surgery and talk about it openly. Turns out that was great therapy. I am now proud of my decision rather than feel it's something I need to hide. Literally hundreds of people know I had WLS....friends, family, clients, fellow beauty shop patrons.... and no one has made me feel bad about it. Nobody treats me any differently and turns out people like and respect me whether I'm fat or thin. Everyone is just happy for me that I feel better, both physically and mentally. I see from a lot of posts that not everyone has such accepting, non-judgemental people in their lives so I am incredibly grateful that I do. The first first 3-4 months postop were certainly not without struggles.... Feeling bloated and full all the time that first month, Trying to get in all my Protein and Water despite having no appetite, learning how to chew and eat slow, almost 2 months of diarrhea from a C. diff infection from antibiotics for a tooth infection 6 weeks after VSG, being on medications that made me nauseous, getting IV fluids 3 times for dehydration because I couldn't drink enough water with my tiny sleeve, and needing a fecal transplant to finally cure the C. diff. It was at least 4 months before I felt normal, but I never once regretted surgery and would do it all again. Although I wouldn't particularly care to relive the two excruciatingly painful gall bladder attacks I've had....by far the WORST part of this journey. First NSV....my rings fit! (they have since become too big and I've had to resize them down...even my high school ring) I learned from these forums that stalls are normal, so I never worried about them. In fact, I never even bothered to buy a scale. NSV's are much more satisfying and mean more than numbers on a scale. Went from size 22 relaxed/curvy fit jeans to 6 or 7 slims. XXL tops to mediums. Size 44DD to a very saggy 36B (but I still consider this a good thing). I can shop in regular stores and even online because I know the clothes will fit and look good! I can wear tall boots because they fit over my calves. I can swing up into my saddle without having to find a log or rock to climb on. Even had to buy a new saddle to fit my new skinny butt. And I have no doubt that my horse is at least as thrilled with my weight loss as I am. I am saving hundreds of dollars every month on groceries....good thing since I've had to buy a whole new wardrobe. I can easily cross my legs, kneel, squat and sit "Indian style". I can bound (yes, bound!) up several flights of steps without even breathing hard. My blood pressure is normal and my PCP is thrilled with my bloodwork. I had my first normal PAP and negative HPV test in 7 years....eating healthy has allowed my immune system to finally clear the virus and abnormal cells from my system. My feet and ankles and knees haven't hurt in at least 10 months. I'm on my feet all day and went from daily NSAIDS and occasional tramadol to zero of both. Blew past my surgeon's goal weight at 6 months, passed my personal goal around 7 months and have settled in the middle of a normal BMI range....100 pounds lost forever! More than I ever dreamed possible. I have maintained within a 5 pound bounce range over the last 3 months with very little effort. Getting enough protein and water, taking my Vitamins, eating a well balanced diet of protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains and limiting white carbs seems to work for me. No counting calories, tracking or measuring. The sleeve does its job of portion control and I do my job of making good choices. I live and eat like a normal person and enjoy everything in moderation. And somewhere along the way I've learned how to deal with life's stresses without turning to food and alcohol. I never thought I could feel this good about myself. I am truly blessed and I sincerely wish everyone as much success, confidence and happiness as I have found. (Sorry this was so long, but I just have so much to be grateful for) Before/after pictures taken Dec 4, 2013 and 2014. Competitive Trail Ride Event pictures taken September 2013 and 2014.

Julie, Couldn't agree more. My nemesis was also insatiable hunger, which the band has corrected. And like you, for years now. I was scared of losing my familiar food-comforts too; afraid I wouldn't find a suitable replacement. In the beginning, I didn't really have to. My band-journey was during the course of numerous surgeries, so the band wasn't necessarily my main focus for most of my weight loss. It was: Surgery --> laid up --> PT appointments, (no choice / no excuses exercise) --> back to work in a hostile, toxic work environment --> , then another, then another... 8 times over four years. I just listened to my body (restriction) and did what the ortho surgeons told me to do, made my intermittent fill appts, as prescribed. I was Knee-deep in the medical industry, and I come from a long line of doc avoiders. Oof! Not a happy place. Every once in awhile, I'd get dressed, look in the mirror, and say wow! THAT doesn't look very good anymore! Way too big! Sweet! Then, all of a sudden, returning to work after the last surgery, everyone called me skinny. Whaaat? Seemed odd. Still felt like me. I WAS still me! Just lighter; in pounds, in spirit and in mind. I think that's how it works with the band. Slow transformation over time - fine by me -cocooning (pre-surg liquid diet, first fills), then adding exercise (for me, just intermittent PT), and more fills, and the realization I'm living life sans insatiable hunger! Cool. And suddenly, out pops a butterfly! Amazing! Love my band! It not only saved my life (Co-morbidities) but made my long ortho-surg ordeal much easier, as pressure on my joints, and pain, lessened. Now, hardly any hip/knee pain to speak of. Fabulous! Presently, I'm thrust to focus on my band again, maybe for the 1st time. Before that, for the most part, It simply worked in the background. So grateful my band worked like that. And exercise, need to get back on track with THAT, ok- probably for the first time since banding too, now that it's not "mandatory" i.e.: PT appts. Do you agree that as vets, instead of fighting hunger, complacency is our new struggle? Are you paying attention, Professor? This is the ghost of x-mas future... For me, Remembering to self-reward NSV's, remembering to exercise, remembering how many oz (or was that grams?) of protein/diem, Am I still supposed to eat only 1-2 tbsp of carbs, because sometimes, I'm tanking. How many CC's are in that thing? Does knowing really matter? How important is it for me to stay in that band-inflaming, extremely toxic, bizzaro-world I work in? Should I tough it out to retire "early"? Or do I go back out into another scary unknown- a new career? Which ones scarier? (After this past week, without a doubt, it's work). IMO, Our bands are for LIFE! There will always be struggles and our bands are in it with us. Sometimes we'll be more band-conscious. Most of the time though, it works, unconsciously.

12/23/2013 235-172 Down 63 pounds. Not as much as I wanted, but let's see what the next year brings. I am still a work in progress. My waist has gone down from 53" to 42". I have had three closet flushes from a very round 22/24 or 3x to 12/14/16 or Large depending on make and cut. NSV's I am in my first pair of jeans with a zipper in four decades. i can trim my own toenails I can cross my legs. I can wear socks that are not diabetic. My shoes are way too big. My calves actually look pretty darn hot for 63. A year ago, I was still very weak from a stroke (one of the seminal events that convinced me I needed weight loss surgery) In this past year, I have progressed from not being able to lift anything or even open a jar, to one pound weights, to two pound weights, to five pound weights....and last week for the first time...ta da...ten pound weights. And that is on a 3x a week schedule. A year ago, this couch potato was growing roots through the floor. Now I can lift the mattress to tuck in the sheets and I can open my own jars, thank you. I still have balance issues and always will, but my walking endurance has improved from two minutes once a day with support to thirty minutes with support - or close surroundings - twice a day. I have gone from no upper arm strength to being able to do twenty pushups from the second stairstep (cannot get up and down easily from the floor due to a botched knee replacement). Me? Pushups? Who knew? A surprising result was that even at my age of 63 years and one day, I am feeling sexy again, and my man loves my confidence and lack of inhibition. We are both looking forward to those white skinny jeans the next size down and just waiting in the closet. That is when I will post my next picture. I am waiting on those jeans. Although some people get off of blood pressure meds right away, my primary wants to wait until my weight is comfortably below my stroke weight of 185, and 172 just isn't it yet. However, I am no longer pre-diabetic. A specialist that I see only occassionally, did not recognize me the last time I was in his office. He thought the nurse had brought the wrong patient's file into the room. Sweet!

Hello, all. My VSG was Dec. 4th, 2013...the day that changed my life. IF you had your VSG last year December (2013) and this is your 1-year surgerversary month, share your stats and maybe a picture. Also your NSVs!

My belly no longer touches the steering wheel when I drive!! I'm short so I have to get pretty close to the wheel anyway and this has always been such a source of embarrassment to me when others rode with me. YEAH!!

Very strange week. I'm down 8 lbs since the previous Thursday "thanks" to food poisoning from tasty, but bad seafood the weekend before T-giving. As of Sunday, I'm actually feeling normal but Thanksgiving goodies were not an issue. One great NSV, one of my nieces saw me and "as only a child can" said "Aunt Susie, You look great". That was truly the best part of my holiday. Still sick, but I look and feel SO much better than this time last year. Hope y'all's holidays are going well!!!!

OK gotta' chime in here. I'm a Woman's Health NP and spent most of my career caring for women, doing cervical cancer screening and prevention. Not bragging, just letting you all know I have the creds to address this. You are absolutely correct in saying your year of healthy eating has "cured" your dysplasia. Well, not exactly, but what has happened is your body is now able to devote some energy to fighting the virus that caused your dysplsia - the HPV virus. Chances are we've all had at least 1 of the more than 100 strains of HPV out there. Some of us got lucky and got one of the less aggressive ones. Some got one of the more virulent strains that cause high grade dysplasia and cervical cancer. Like all viruses, we need our immune system to be healthy in order to fight off the negative effects of a virus. (Ever get a simple cold but because of stress, it knocked you on your ass?) Stress comes in many different forms, and being obese is a HUGE stressor on which your body has to expend a lot of its resources fighting. Congrats to you for taking this step towards good health. A pretty major NSV, wouldn't you say? By the way, if you have kids, get them vaccinated against HPV. Girls AND boys ( it takes two to tango!)

Started at 238. BMI 40 16 day preop....lost 22 pounds doing 3 Protein shakes/day and unlimited leafy green veggies Months 1-3.....lost 30 pounds. Always Protein first, then some veggies. Minimum 60g protein/64 oz Water everyday. Months 4-6.....lost 26 pounds. Same as above but started eating more fruit and whole grains as I got close to surgeon's goal. Months 7-9....lost 20 pounds and have maintained between 137-141 (BMI 23) for almost 3 months. This is about 10 pounds below my personal goal. I still have a 30-40g protein smoothie everyday and eat healthy balanced meals and Snacks including protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains. Mostly avoid white carbs (Pasta, rice, bread, sugar) but still indulge occasionally. I Eat when I'm hungry (about every 3 hours) and just until satisfied, not full. I never tracked or measured my food but a couple "spot checks" of my calories showed about 1000 calories at 2 months, 1200 calories at 6 months and maintaining with 1400-1600 calories. I am diligent about taking my Vitamin supplements and my bloodwork has been great. I have a physical job and very active lifestyle, so I haven't done any formal exercise. Basically just living a normal life at this point. My biggest advice, though is to stay off the scale (unless you are aware of and accept the fact that stalls are normal) and don't compare yourself to others. "My way" is certainly not the norm, and may not work for someone else. Just stick with your plan, find what works for YOU, be patient, and enjoy your NSV's.

I am 16 days out from surgery and down 31 pounds from pre op until today. I took my younger son to the playground today and was able to keep up with him the whole time! Climbed up, down, around everything and even slid down all the slides (I would not have fit before) and never once was out of breath. It was an amazing day. I never thought something that little could make me feel this good. My sons are a big reason for my surgery, I want to always be there for them. Today made me realize that I can do just that!!

My primary doctor had started me on a strength training program when I was about six months pre-op. I am 62 with arthritis, neuro, and spinal issues and lots of pain to work through. However, my weight was not coming down and I remained feeble in spite of an agressive exercise and work-out program. Now I am 65 pounds down and doing better. Losing over 60 pounds has made a difference in my energy level. I had to wait until six weeks post-op to re-start my program - and I had to start with 1 or 2 pound weights just because that is where my strength was at. Over the months, I have worked my way from 1 pound to 10 pound weights on each hand. I also use a back brace and ankle weights to add resistance. I am also able to use a 10 pound kettle bell. I do have a 20 pound one, but cannot lift it yet. Here is how I know I am getting stronger: I am post-stroke and housework has been very hard for me. One thing I absolutely could not do was lift the mattress to tuck in the sheets. I had to save it for my Tarzan to get home from work and do it for me. I was making up the bed with fresh sheets on Tuesday and was able to lift that thing up several inches and tuck the sheets in just fine. I can open my own jars now. I can do about 20 (as in twenty!) full plank push-ups not in the girly position. These all qualify as NSV's for me.

Congrats on such a great NSV.

I'm so thrilled! Today I was able to work out for a full hour! I walked on my treadmill at 4.0, and did two easy miles in 34 minutes. I lifted light weights after the fast walk! After that I got on my bike and took my dog on a run! Losing 45 pounds has a made a huge difference in my energy and ability to exercise.

@@B-52 awwwww man I heard someone creeping around this morning making coffee that was YOU?? you "forgot" to invite me over don't worry, i am not one to hold a grudge i am a sleever and proud of it but.... always nice to see/talk to another WLS survivor even a "lapper" (just kidding guys - love you too) frequently see your handsome face/posts i enjoy reading your "words of wisdom" hope your head isn't getting too swollen congrats on alllll your energy today and always going exercising this morning you are either aces or a little crazy maybe a little bit of both? i've got a couple of minutes to kill LOL so here's my story in a million words or less i started gaining weight big time as a young teen-ager! yo yo dieting all my life lost, gained, lost etc etc never able to maintain for long live in Syracuse, NY with my DH we were married thanksgiving day 24 years ago 85 year old mom and younger sister/family live close 3 other siblings/spouses/nieces and nephews MA., CT, New Jersey we don't get together often enough maybe every other year wonderful daughter and son-in-law that recently moved to Georgia son-in- transferred with work MOST importantly i have 3 amazing, wonderful, beautiful etc etc grand-children Morgan (14) Andrew (11) Ethan (7) sooooo many things that go along with my WLS making me very thankful no longer on diabetes meds/insulin - high blood pressure meds - cpap machine i am a long time controlled epileptic after i lost my first 50 lbs - i had an "incident" (seizure) i was taking meds for someone who weighed 235 lbs i now weighed 185 lbs doc or i never took this into consideration its like a baby taking the same amount of meds an adult would take so my dosage was cut in 1/2!!! that was a huggggge surprise of a NSV (even though we found out the hard way ) OMG, just re-read my post sorry i've monopolized the conversation about myself thanx for not interrupting! back to topic YOU you have a great attitude continuing exercising no matter what eating correctly i'm sure you follow alllll the rules a successful bariatric patient needs to have a wonderful day with you and yours enjoy your healthier, happier, and longer life who deserves it more? see you around the neighborhood we can meet for drinks Water of course kathy