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I had often told myself during my journey that even if I were to ever possibly hit goal I would never post a success story. Maybe I was being modest or perhaps just really hard on myself or…just not able to forgive myself for ever letting my weight get out of control as it had. I guess a lot of it no matter how you sum it up is really just embarrassment. Well I had a change of heart. That change of heart came because I can remember so vividly the feeling of the hopelessness and despair. At times I felt I was knocking on deaths door and that there was nothing I could do about it. So I am writing this tonight in hopes that if I can help just one person even if only one tiny bit then it is my responsibility to do so. I believe in paying it forward and giving back. If it wasn’t for the people before me that helped me then where would I be? It would be irresponsible for me not to do the same. You are not alone and there are people out there, really good decent people who can help you but YOU have to want it and at some point you need to swallow your pride and ask for the help. Help will not come to you. YOU have to seek it out. I have told my story several times and you can read it on my profile. I lost 170lbs doing Atkins between 2003 and 2004. I went from 393 to 220 and felt great…and then I got sloppy and let my guard down and weight started packing on. I went from 220 to 488 in 8 years’ time. At 488lbs doing day to day activities was quite a chore. My knees were taking a beating carrying so much weight on a 5’6 inch frame. I developed arthritis and serious sleep apnea. Walking from the parking lot to my office was a real task and that was even with the use of an elevator. I had to sit out in the car and have my Wife do the grocery shopping because I couldn’t last more than 10 minutes on my feet. I had to sit and fold laundry sitting in a chair. This list could go on and on about the limited mobility. My amazing Wife stood by me and encouraged me to make a change but we both knew until I was ready to commit to change it would not happen. I am not sure how many other women out there would have put up with what she did. My weight affected us both physically and mentally. I did not feel like much of husband at times and I am sure there were plenty of times she felt more like a caregiver than a wife at times although she never said so or complained. Something had to give and it finally did and in September 2011 with my wife at my side I attended a local seminar for WLS. We listened to the Doctor discuss all the surgical options available at the time and being new and somewhat naïve we decided Lapband was the way to go. It was reversible and probably the least invasive of all procedures. I signed up for a one on one consult with the Surgeon that night. October 2011 I met with the Doctor and told him I ready to make a life change. He told me he wanted to see me lose 24lbs and work on shrinking the liver. Insurance required me to do a 6 month monitored diet so instead of losing 24lbs preop I lost 38lbs. My Surgeon was impressed and after completing all the preop requirements I finally got a surgery date of April 16, 2012. I weighed in on surgery morning at 450lbs on the button. So there I was April 17th and getting discharged from the hospital and all that went through my mind is why the hell did I do this? There was no way it would work and I will be known as the fat guy who couldn’t lose weight with WLS. As much as you research and prepare for this new life it seems at some point you say OK well I had the surgery why is the weight not coming off?? This is so frustrating!!! Well apparently I had never heard of bandster hell. Bandster hell is that time from when you have the surgery to the time you actually get the necessary fills to get the need restriction to control your portions. Some very few people are lucky they have the surgery and automatically get that restriction. Not me, it took me 6 months. 6 months of frustration. Probably one of the most difficult pieces for me to learn was patience. Lack of patience made this road even longer. I stepped on the scale almost daily these last 2.5 years waiting on a large drop in numbers that never happened. How on earth could you possibly see a large drop if you’re stepping on the scale daily? Do yourself a favor and don’t do it. To this day I still step on it daily but now it is about accountability not so much weight loss. Always look for other measures to success. We call them Non Scale Victories or NSV’s. Losing weight is not just about numbers. For a while I was buying new clothes every other month because I was shrinking so fast. I went from a size 62 waist to a 34. I went from squeezing into theater seats to have padded space on each side. I could go on and on here rambling about all sorts of stuff weight and band related. If you’ve read this far then thank you and thank you to those who helped me get here. I would like to especially thanks @@Alex Brecher without him I wouldn’t have a home here and I perhaps would’ve remained lost. If anyone has any questions or comments or just need someone to talk to don't hesitate to message me regardless how personal you think your question may be. My name is Jim and I am junk food addict. I have lost 300lbs and the lapband saved my life. 2yrs and 8 months 488 to 188. Peace!!

Non scale victory Mikee. It could be anything that tells you that you're smaller other than what the scale says. For me, it's things like being able to walk, sitting in a chair with arms and not worrying I won't fit. Not needing a belt extender on the airplane, etc, etc. Those NSVs are way more satisfying than just numbers watching.

Could someone please tell me what NSV means? have seen it but have no idea what it means. wish they had a glossary of these for some of us newer folks...LOLRH...just learning alot!!! thanks

I know I am crossing over onto a sleeve sight but I have seen this NSV before but have no idea what it means...please help me out will ya?

@@Miss Mac what a wonderful NSV!!! being/playing with kids/and or grandkids................ thats a major achievement many people are anxious for 58 lbs down too!!! you are aces!!! keep up the good job for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer lifee kathy congrats

Luv this post! Never even noticed, but I just went to check my size 8 pockets. They do seem awfully small. I don't have any of the 22's I used to wear so I can't compare. Not every NSV is positve! Thanx for pointing that out! Congrats on the fantastic loss!

Congratulations! I have ortho issues as well but cannot wait for the day I have grandchildren now that I'll be able to get on the floor and play! That is an awesome NSV!!!!

I'm almost 2 years out from surgery, and still losing in drips and dribbles, I've loved almost every aspect of having WLS. I've loved the smaller clothes, the CUTER clothes, the stares, the compliments, ALL of it!! EXCEPT! I would like to write a memo to the designers of pants, blue jeans in particular. Dear Blue Jean Designer People, I love your product! It is roomy, durable, comfy, can withstand multiple uses without washing, it truly is the universal napkin! My only complaint (and it really is quite a serious and big one) is pockets. I have gone from a 24 to a 4. My legs have shrunk, my thighs have shrunk, all of the junk in my trunk...has shrunk. HOWEVER, the items that I like to carry in my pockets...HAS NOT SHRUNK!! When I was a 24, I could happily carry my cell phone, my keys, chap stick, I'm convinced I could have even smuggled small animals and children in my jeans pockets. I loved it!! If I didn't want to carry it, I popped it in my pocket! My HANDS even fit in my pocket!! Now, I'm lucky if I can squeeze a toothpick and half a penny in the pockets that you make for the size of jeans I wear now. I am thouroughly disguisted! Yes, I AM SERIOUS! I cannot tell you how many times since wearing size 10 jeans and under I have left my cell phone somewhere, been left with parched dry lips because I didn't have/couldn't fit my chapstick in the tiny fold of fabric that you try to pass off as a 'pocket'. I have wasted at least 16 hours of my life digging for keys that are lost somewhere in the bottom of my gigantic purse while juggling groceries, and simotaniously sweating/freezing the death. I am convinced that you are now in cahoots with the purse industry. Since I have been able to buy smaller jeans, instead of being able to cherish the extra funds, I've had to spend it on Much. Larger. Purses. I'm onto you, and your shenannigans! Don't think that everyone is complacent about your lack of design and the sham that you are pulling! I have almost enough mind to cut out your 'pockets' and sew in my own!! I'm watching, I know, and I am spreading the word!! Give me my pockets back!! Sincerely, One Pocket Lovin' Lady

You are cute as button, way to go on the bathing suit great NSV

of the days I can shop in the regular sizes, walk a lot and not get tired, have more energy, be more active, not worry about seat belts not fitting... I know there's a lot of these kinds of posts but when I'm having a bad day that's full of nausea and I'm feeling like a failure, this is what I think about. A small NSV for me is since I've lost 22 lbs., whenever I go to the store or go out and about, I don't get SUPER sweaty. I live in AZ so it's in the 100s right now, but I used to sweat for NO reason. Now, I only sweat when I'm in the heat for a prolonged amount of time. I don't sweat when I'm just walking around a store or anything. It's so nice.

@@Jboyd2014 swetty thighs not to rub against each other its amazing the "little" things that occur as you lose weight relish (or pickle ) each and other NSV Lots of new wonderful events to to happen in sleeveland good luck with surgery speedy recovery kathy

I just came home after visiting the grand-kids in Georgia for one week they were wonderful and i was so active, i was amazing drove 4 hours to stay a couple of nights at the beach, it was wonderful i wore a bathing suit for the first time in xxxxx amount of years I didn't look "hot" like a young sexy chic but remember..... i am cute as a button!!!! sorry not brave enough to post pic - but daughter took one of me for posterity here's to many more new wonderful NSV's for the rest of my healthier, happier, longer life Kathy

NSV for myself: My swimsuit from last year was literally falling off me when I put it on two weeks ago. I had to go out and buy a few new ones.

Get rid of that scale. Do it now. Hide it, throw it away....I don't care what you do but stay off it. You know just by what you wrote, that there are reasons why you shouldn't focus on the numbers, so why do it? Just follow your doctor's instructions, do what you know you need to do, and the weight will come off. I promise. Look for the NSVs instead of what you weigh. Those are better than any number on a scale. Please...you are just starting out and this is a lifelong journey. No need to sabotage yourself right out of the gate.

Nice NSVs! So happy for you.......and Felicitations to the new couple.

Hubby and I traveled this weekend to watch my 2nd to the oldest get hitched. Normally I don't do pictures, but I smiled through wedding pictures. Also, though I'm not the bikini type, I did get into some short shorts and bikini top (not ready to show that off yet☺️ So I wore a tee over it.). I went into a swimming pool in public for the 1st time in 30 years.

So, total NSV! I climbed a huge dune at Sleeping Bear national dunes a few hours north of me in Michigan. Would have NEVER attempted it 4 months and +76 lbs ago. I was so proud of myself I had to call my dad as soon as I got to the top! You can barely see, but that's me at the top! Wooo!

Hello ladies! Just checking in with you all to touch base on week 2 so far. So far so good... Was having issues with protein but I recently started getting the chaboni Greek yogurt an there's 12-16 grams protein in each 1. It takes me forever to eat one but it's a flavor switch up from the shakes. 5/28 was day of surgery;) SW: 290 CW: 268 NSV: Wedding ring feel completely off my finger!

It is great to have all of you on here who are experiencing the same things and we are all about the place in our new lifestyle. I have had two recent times where I got sick from food that I thought was OK. In both cases it was grilled! I had grilled fish and a grilled burger. I think I have discovered that the food was just too dry. Almost after the first few bites I felt nauseous and actually got the "foamies" and was sick to my stomach several times over the course of a few hours. I was determined to try the burger again and this time I put melted cheese on it, lots of condiments and cut it into little bites and it went down fine. The grilled fish was at a restaurant and I wasn't brave enough to try it again so I fed it to the cat. LOL. Claire - I'm glad you are home safe again in the UK. Thank for the encouragement on my NSV's. KimR - I hope you are feeling better now and didn't buy that many of that brand of protein bars Tammy - I still can barely walk to my car so you are an inspiration to me JannetH - you are such an inspiration and supportive. Glad you are in this forum Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Carol

Ok so I didn't know what an nsv was until I read all of the threads. I was banded April 15 and have had a few nsv both before banding and after. My capris from last summer don't fit at all. I feel more inclined the wear dresses now and feel I look much better in them. I had a co worker that sees me daily say how wonderful I looked and it made me glow. My anxiety how lowered tremendously since the banding and losing weight. I'm a happy girl!!

I'm only 5 weeks out. Sleeved on April 17th. What is a NSV?

Had a weird NSV today. I get gel shots in my knee (orthovisc) every year or so for a genetic abnormality and they have always hurt so bad, but had my first shot today since surgery and losing 85 lbs and it didn't hurt AT ALL. Amazing! Love my skinny knees!

Great NSV, we take whatever we get!

That's fantastic.......I would count every nsv that i could. It just makes you feel good so why not?

These are some of the abbreviations used in these forums during the last month: ACL = Anterior cruciate ligament AMRAP = As Many Rounds As Possible (crossfit) bc = because BCBS = Blue Cross/Blue Shield bf = best friend BM = bowel movement BMI = Body Mass Index bp = blood pressure BPD = Borderline Personality Disorder or Biliopancreatic Diversion (Scopinaro procedure) btw = by the way 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 GBS = gastric bypass surgery or Guillain-Barre Syndrome 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 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 (less than 200 pounds) or by 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 PVC = Premature ventricular contractions RA = Rheumatoid arthritis RN = registered nurse RNY = Roux-en-Y s/f or sf = sugar free sw = weight at surgery tmi = too much information u = You VSG = Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Vit = Vitamin wks = weeks WLS = Weight Loss Surgery WOD = Workout of the Day w/o = without wt = weight YMMV = your mileage may vary : ) or :-) = = smiley face : ( or :-( = = sad face