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Welcome to 2020. No NYE for me last night though. We had an early start to the airport for flight to Melbourne this morning. Went comfortable - wide leg pants with draw string waist & t- shirt with puffy sleeve (actually a puffy flap over the sleeve). NSV on plane - put on the seat belt and pulled and pulled and pulled to get it tight. Could have wrapped the loose bit around me twice. Plus so much room in the on board toilet. 😁 I hear your pain re the wardrobe crisis @FluffyChix. Like the black jacket - lovely neat fit. I did like the soft pink colour on you though it did look a bit too floaty.

What a wonderful NSV! I'll bet the kids loved it. You didn't eat any of the gelt, did you?😁

Congrats. My chanukah NSV was only eating 1 donut so far!!! Sent from my SM-G950U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Wishing all a happy Chanukah and a happy New Year. My NSV was being able to get down on the floor and play the traditional dreidel game with my kids.

Most of these so-called NSVs people report in the NSV thread bring up feelings of disgust in myself. Did you call him out on what he said about the "fat farm"?

Wait, I think that’s a NSV!

Congratulations!! great nsv! Look at that difference !

@Sophie7713 you and Mr. (and puppy) are A.DORE.A.BLE. I wanna go make an Xmas card now! Also, thumbs up with Mr.'s office decorations...love it @shanza the jeans are another score from the Kid's discards pile. Honestly, I am getting more mileage from her closet than the mall these days... @KaysMommy: You are looking positively skinny. The cut of that skirt makes you look so tall and slender. Also, yeah, being able to double my wardrobe by sneaking into the Kid's closet is a definite NSV!

I have my performance review today and decided to dress professionally. And I figured out why my selfies here were so bad - I was standing too far back from the mirror and it was goofing up the perspective. I used to have to stand that far to fit into the mirror. NSV!

OK, serious NSV alert. I've never in my life owned a pair of full calf boots. Why? Cuz from age 6 when white boots became popular (thank you Partridge Family), they didn't have any that would fit over my big fat calves. My sissy cleaned out her closet this weekend and gave me some stuff that's either too small for her or that she doesn't wear. Beautiful super high end stuff. The kind I couldn't afford. And her boots were in the batch! And they fit! They fit! Normal size calf boots zipped with room to spare!!! *swoon* Here I am dressed for Tuesday date night (on account of mah new boots).

November 11, you are just beginning to see how differently the men are going to behave. Women as well, enjoy your journey lady and don't start any riots, lol. This is a NSV.

Well we all have had our sleeves done and have been together with supporting and cheering each other on. We all kinda know each other ..soooooooooo let's have some updates . whether it be NSV s , pics, new scale numbers, new relationships, situations from co workers, regrets or just anything at all . let's check in guys....

What a great NSV! You look radiant!

Errrrr. I had to look real hard to figure out who this was 😳 IDK but your selfies aren't doing you justice. You look a completely different size when photographed by someone else (who I imagine was also taller and happy to see you happy 😬) Massive CONGRATULATIONS 💚 big NSV

It is a BIG DEAL. Borrowing “normal” sized clothing and being fit/healthy to enjoy the day in the snow. Did you ever think this would feel so fantastic? Enjoy this moment and NSV.

congrats - thats a major NSV and a great goal! I went 1 time about 10 years ago and it is terrifying and exhilarating. Hope you love it!

#1 - Get off the scale! #2 - Re-read #1!! Seriously. All results are not reflected on the scale. You'll notice changes in your clothes. Other NSV (Non-Scale Victories) will be things like sitting in a chair with armrests & getting up without dragging the chair with you. Relax - it'll happen.

Congratulations on your NSV. Your lucky you had that whole closet of clothes to fall back on. I know thinking about your weight can play on your mind without having any neurological or psychiatric issues to exacerbate it. Recently I have been going a little nuts. about dieting. I am trying to lose from a weight regain. So far I have lost 25 lbs but that took two and 1/2 years. I took a day not to think to hard about stuff and now I am back on track. Maybe you could take a mental vacation from it like me. Good luck!

My NSV is that I can once again wear a jacket that hasn't come close to fitting me in 3 years. I am also celebrating that scale is moving again.

I posted this a while back but thought I'd use it to answer your question, congrats to you, that is a great NSV Did my Wednesday weigh in last week and had a disappointing stall with no loss to report, not even an ounce. Did my Wednesday weigh in this morning (10 weeks post op) and the scale went down 4.5 lbs. However while in my stall week I wracked my brain as to how nor fret over my stall. In true fashion of being a David Letterman fan I decided to go old school and come up with a top ten list of things I've achieved since surgery pertaining to Non scale Victorys and not the number on the scale. Hoping everyone will post a few of their own. Here goes : 1. Actually realizing what full feels like for the first time in 57 years 2. Being able to buckle the airplane seatbelt without sliding the buckle to the very end 3. Being able to leave the bathroom after showering with only 1 bath towel wrapped around me instead of 2 4. Being able to tie my sneakers without being out of breath 5. Being able to easily zip last years winter coat and not having to buy a new one like the last few winters 6. Eagerly remembering to take the Fitbit off the charger to track steps and not leave it there for 3 or 4 days before remembering I haven't looked at it 7. Ordering the work team t-shirt and not having to pay the extra price for the sizes past XL 8. Being "that person" at lunch that actually orders the salad with grilled chicken instead of the cheeseburger and fries or tortellini alfredo after eating half the bread basket 9. Realizing you actually bought a piece of clothing because you liked it and not just because it was your size 10. Being able to sleep without waking yourself up with your own LOUD snoring

I saw this on another forum and thought it worthy to share as it has all the great information and advice we all need for the journey! it is written by Mellissa Gangi and what I had wished I had been told from the very beginning. Sleeve Tips: I'm 10 months post op today and along this journey, so far, I've seen a lot of the same questions or concerns from many. I thought these tips could help! 1. Take preop photos... you'll want them! 2. Protein shakes...I used isopure protein powder and scooped it into 2 oz. of water (u can add ice and blend too) to drink in my immediate postop period. It was much less to drink at a sitting and you still got in your protein. It would take me over an hour to drink each one, but way easier to me. Plus, isopure has multiple flavors and it was reasonably priced. I bought off Amazon. Also, Genepro is an unflavored protein powder that is very popular. It can be added to pretty much anything. The scoop is tiny and it gives 30g of protein per scoop. I use it daily in my morning coffee but if adding it to hot liquids you have to add creamer 1st to cool it down or it will clump up or dissolve in a little warm water 1st then add... the directions are on the bag. It is not completely unflavored and it has a smell to it, but most of us get used to it quickly. Your body can only absorb up to 30g of protein per serving, so anything more than that at once will be wasted and it doesn't count towards your daily goals! 3. STALLS happen...stick to your plan and the scale will move again! You most likely will be losing inches during that time. They can last a few weeks...especially the 3 week stall. The further you are out they may even last longer and at that point you may have to shake things up a bit, maybe a day or 2 most increase your carbs then go back to your plan. Don't get discouraged and try to just be patient. 4. No NSAIDS (aspirin, ibuprofen, aleve, motrin, etc...) they can cause ulcers...tylenol products are ok and Excedrin Tension is ok (great for headaches) it has tylenol and caffeine in it, no aspirin like the other excedrin products. Also, peppermint oil rubbed on your temples help for headaches. 5. Fluid intake...atleast 64 oz of non caffeinated, non carbonated, sugar free fluids but the rule of thumb is drink half of your body weight in ounces. 6. Caffeine and alcohol...follow your surgeons orders. They both can dehydrate you and cause ulcers in the beginning of your journey. And alcohol may affect you differently postop, so be careful. Absorbtion changes postop. 7. Transfer addictions...a lot of bariatric patients give up food for other addictions like shopping and alcohol. Be mindful. 8. Increased chance of pregnancy after surgery. You can be much more fertile. Even if you had problems with it preop. 9. Increased divorce rates postop...I have looked into this because I was curious as to why. I have found that it does indeed increase, but the majority of the couples that do have had issues preop and the spouse that had surgery loses the weight, increases their self esteem and simply won't stand for the same behavior anymore. 10. Sugar/Carbs...1st and foremost, follow your plan. There are reasons why your surgeon and/or nutritionist gives you one, especially while healing and it takes approximately 6 weeks for your tummy to heal. After you are advanced to a "regular" diet, usually about 2 month postop, yes you can eat some sweets or carbs but in moderation. Always try to get your protein in 1st, though. I have chosen to stay away from sugar and certain carbs. I don't crave them, so why reintroduce them. I know me, and moderation is hard for me. 11. Everyone's weightloss journey is different. Try not to compare yourself to the next person. It's hard not to, I know! But their weight, height, sex, medical history all plays a part of it. If you do what you should be doing, you'll lose! 12. Dumping and The Foamies... Dumping occurs when your new tummy just doesn't agree with something you consumed. Dumping occurs more in bypass patients but it can occur with sleeves, also. Symptoms can include sudden vomiting, diarrhea, and increased heart rate and last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The Foamies... you'll know what this is if you get it. It's a lot of phlegm that is produced in your esophagus all of a sudden. It can happen if you eat or drink too fast, or take in too much, or drink right after eating...wait to drink atleast 30 minutes after eating. Plus, if you drink with eating or too close afterwards you flush the food through your belly too fast and you're not absorbing nutrients. 13. Take your vitamins and get in your protein daily! This will not only help your weightloss and prevent vitamin deficiency but it will help with the sunken in look when you lose weight. I was told 60-90g of protein daily, but follow your drs orders. I take 2 flintstones with iron chewables a day because I couldn't tolerate the prescribed multivitamin, in addition to calcium with d3, and magnesium and b12. 14. Gas ex chewables, heating pads, and walking help big time for your gas pains. When I woke up from this surgery I thought I was having a heart attack because the gas was causing chest pains. Also, use the incentive spirometry in the immediate postop period. Anesthesia affects your lungs and it takes 72 hours to completely wear off so the breathing exercises help strengthen them and prevent pneumonia. 15. Heartburn...omeprazole works so well for me. My surgeon prescribed it from day 1 and I love it. 16. Postop hormones... your body almost goes into shock in the 1st 6 weeks or so after surgery from the major changes to it. You may feel different mentally...it does get better but if it's bad talk to your dr about it. 17. Medications... your body can change postop. The same medications you were on preop may be absorbed differently postop so if you notice changes talk to your dr. They may need to be adjusted. And extended release meds may not work as well. 18. Tracking your intake keeps you honest. I love the baritastic app. It also has recipes for all the stages and reminders. 19. Head hunger vs real hunger. This is a lifestyle change, your body needs much less calories postop but you have to retrain your brain. It may take time and that's normal. If you fall off the wagon one day...oh well...get back on it the next. We are all human. Don't get discouraged. Just pick yourself back up. 20. Complications can happen. If your body starts feeling different...new onset pains, nausea, vomiting, passing out, food feeling stuck in esophagus, etc...call your surgeon. You're always better safe than sorry. 21. Abbreviations... HW your highest weight SW what you weighed on your surgery day GW your goal weight CW what you weigh currently NSV non scale victory Nut nutritionist VSG vertical sleeve gastrectomy (sleeve surgery) RNY roux-en-Y (gastric bypass) DS duodenal switch surgery 22. Hair loss or thinning happens. But, it will grow back. I thinned starting at about 4 months. It can last months. Many take biotin supplements for it, I didn't. 23. Get ready to be cold! You're body is changing, it's almost in shock so invest in a Comfy, like me, or electric blanket to keep warm lol. 24. What to bring to the hospital for your surgery stay...a long phone charger, chapstick, your phone, comfy pjs, slippers, a robe, earbuds, and a list of your medical history, surgeries, allergies, and medications with dosages. Others add gas ex chewables but I'm an RN and don't recommend taking any meds from home without the nurses or drs knowledge. Some also say a heating pad to help with gas pains, but walking is best. Also, remember to hug a pillow if you cough or sneeze. It will help! 25. Constipation! It is a part of this journey, unfortunately. The only thing that helps me, and this is not conventional, is sugar free hard candies. A few of those babies (no more than 5 or you'll hate me) and you'll be going within 12 hours. The sugar alcohols do it for me. But, more conventional approaches are benefiber packets, smooth move tea, or miralax. And there's diarrhea in the beginning...liquids in, liquids out. But your 1st bowel movement may take awhile...its all normal. 26. Ketosis...when you cut out sugar and go low carb you're body goes into a state of ketosis. This is a metabolic state that now uses fat for energy, instead of carbs. It aids in weightloss, but has some side effects like bad breath, body odor, bowel changes, fatigue at 1st but then increased energy the longer you're in it, and insomnia. Those side effects will decrease over time so just invest in mouthwash for the meantime! I know this is a lot, but hopefully it helps! If I missed anything, feel free to chime in. Best of luck to everyone!

I'm pre-surgery - just got my date of 12/31/19 - but so far on my pre-op diet I've lost almost 35 lbs. However, I'm pretty tall and carry my weight fairly evenly so that hasn't resulted in much change in clothing size until just this last week. I have a large plastic storage bin I've been putting my too small clothes in because I was planning on losing weight. I went through it today and more than half of them fit My closet suddenly got much fuller - yay!

I decided to measure myself for encouragement, since the scale is moving so slow! I have lost 25 inches from my neck to my thighs!

I’m now thinking this loss of menopausal symptoms may be a NSV. 😜 I experienced a couple of random hot flashes (felt like my face was burning but the rest of me was fine) while still having my periods in my late 40s too ms.sss. So yes I think you may be perimenopausal. Then I suddenly stopped having periods when I hit 50 - well one after 4 months then another break, then nothing since. Was a bit annoying not knowing when or if they would start again. I found I also started to get ‘feisty’. Then one day I told my boss off and not over anything major. I made an appointment with my GP that afternoon & she put me on HRT. (Thank goodness my boss was pretty easy going & this was such an anomaly in my behaviour he let it pass. Though it was funny the next day when I apologised and he very nervously asked if I was ok & if there was anything he could do.) Oh and feeling the cold now. Hell yeah! I can’t stand walking down the frozen & refrigerated aisles at the supermarket anymore. It’s like a physical pain. I need thermals just to buy some milk. PS - Don’t want to scare anyone but my mum is almost 80 & if she goes off her HRT, her hot flashes return & her emotions are all over the place. I hope you don’t continue like this JRT mom.