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I had a similar NSV last week, KiKi. I have a pile of pants in the back of my closet that are various sizes from 22-26 that I have pushed to the back as my weight went up. I noticed in the grocery store one day last week that I was "sagging" (as the kids say) and the only thing keeping my size 26 pants from hitting the floor was my hips. So when I got home, I started pulling out the 24s and they fit comfortably!! All the 26s are now in the Good Will bag!

Hello Ladies and Gents, How many of us have bought a pair of trousers that you have not tried on first??? My trousers that I did not try on came from Ebay, I bought them for work but they were beyond tight so I relegated them to the back of the wardrobe! I tried them on now and again but they never fitted and then I really starting putting on weight. Any way it’s near laundry day and all my regular trousers are getting a bit big, pulls out the abandoned trousers and low and behold they fit perfectly! SCORE! Now wearing said trousers! Whoop Whoop! KiKi XX Hope you are all having a good day!

Congratulations! NSV's are just as exciting (sometimes more exciting) as watching the numbers go down on the scales. Great job!

Hello StLouisGal, I just wanted to comment on what you wrote about shopping. I too have the energy to shop this year (too bad not as much money, lol) . . . but it is SO different from this time last year. I remember one day in particular, when it was really cold out - my hubby and I parked far back from the mall (those bad shopping crowds!), and we had to hustle across the parking lot, in some very bitter cold winds. By the time we got to the mall, I had to sit down, I was so out of breath. Then I started to panic attack - I felt like everyone was staring at the "fat lady" who can't even walk without getting out of breath. I really started to feel sick to my stomach, my heart was racing - all of which just escalated my anxiety. I told my husband I couldn't stay - we had to leave. I felt like I was gonna throw-up. Luckily I have a very kind husband who was very understanding - he didn't make me feel bad, he just went and got the truck, pulled it up to the entrance so I wouldn't have to walk back across the parking lot again. I was afraid to go shopping again (especially malls) for a long time. Ouch, painful memory. But it really makes it all the more sweet this year, when I can zoom across the parking lot without a problem, stay on my feet for hours, and any anxiety is non-existent. It amazes me what a difference a year has made. Truly one of the best NSVs, but not so good on the money! :thumbup: I'm plodding along too - weight loss has slowed to about a pound every other week. Not so good, but I'll never be giving up this fight! If I have to swim uphill then that's what I'll do. Hang in there with us - love you too! Have a Very Merry Christmas (or whatever you Celebrate )

What a great NSV, I think Zoe had that some "looking like hooker" one. For some reason that makes me laugh. My DH, while he hasn't lost anything recently, is in the process of redistributing everything.. he looks like the amazing melting fat man. His his sholders and neck are starting too look almost like a normal person (who needs a boob job in a really bad way)... I know that a lot of poeple lose bulk top down. Congrats again, and a good bra can make anyone perky!

I am hoping that one day I will be able to eat normal food again just in smaller portions. I don't mean fast food but if I go out with my family to a restaurant I can order pasta but only have a small amount? And what does NSV mean? I've seen in on a lot of threads.

I travel for work about every 6 weeks to one of our facilities in another state. Due to my surgery, I haven't been here for about 12 weeks I'm down about 65lbs since the last time I was here (about 95 lbs overall). Obviously here has been a pretty big reaction for many of my co-workers, but the best one happened yesterday. As I was headed out for the day, the cleaning lady, who speaks only Spanish (but who I always see and exchange he occasional friendly "Hola") stopped me in the hallways rather excitedly to comment on my "mucho" weight loss, entirely in Spanish, with lots of fun gestures showing how thin she thought I had become. I thought is was very sweet.

@ - when I first realized that this might be the answer and I went through all the ups and downs, I read through this post: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/195065-you-know-you-lost-weight-when/ and this really helped me keep my eye on the prize. It has worked well beyond expectations with very little pain. I will say that I prepared for the absolute worst, but it has gone perfectly. I realized there were sooo many Non-scale victories (NSV's) waiting for me. I have added many myself over the years. (Just wait until you don't have to plan cutting your toenails any more, it's just too damn cool). I highly recomend http://www.amazon.com/The-Emotional-First-Aid-Kit/dp/0976852659 this resource. And if you need additional motivation, look for "Sex, oh my god sex" in the men's section (not for the faint of heart, but HIGHLY motivating). Good luck, and message me if you want more info.

Oh what a great feeling that is... I LOVE shoes... I can now wear heels to work and I don't feel like my feet have been dicontected from my legs... great NSV!!

Right now I'm having great results on the scale - and know that it comes and goes. Just try to remember these good days on the non-loss or gain days. Started at 475 on May 24. Weighed in at 387 today. 88 pounds in 18 weeks! As good as that feels, I had an ever better feeling experience this week. I flew out to San Diego this week and didn't have to use a seat belt extender (so used to it I own my own). Granted it was a first-class seat and maybe the belts are a bit bigger, but none the less it clicked! Was pretty damn excited! This last fill took me to 9.3 in a 14 cc band, but it's the first fill I really can feel. I'm still eating too fast and have gotten myself into trouble including a very embarrassing projectile vomit situation at a trade show in San Diego, but I may actually be close to GREEN. I would tell any newbies to learn NOW the importance of eating slowly, taking small bites, and learning to make good food choices. Learn it now so that when you get near the green zone and you HAVE to do those things you don't do what I did at the trade show. Pretty sure I'm not allowed back to the San Diego Convention Center anytime soon!

I'm so happy for you! Keep posting NSVs! Cindy

Awesone NSV's Sarah. I can;t wait to shop in the junior sectios again. :-) Congratulations!!!

Great Nsv's. this is exactly what I mean when I say " do not let the numbers on the sclae dictate your success or failures with the band, think of all of the possitive things that you have accomplished since being banded

I have a few from the last couple of weeks, that I'm just gonna put together The first one is that I found my class ring about a week and a half ago, and it fits. I graduated in 99, and quit wearing the ring a few years later when it was more comfortable on my pinky. Now it fits, and there's even just the slightest amount of extra room. I'm always adjusting it because it goes crooked, but I'm ok with that . I didn't even realize that this was an NSV until like 3 days later, lol. The 2nd one is that I bought 2 pairs of jeans the other night. One of them was size 16 from the plus size section (everything in that section is stretch. I used to be glad, but now it irritates me). The other pair of pants is size 17, non-stretch from the Juniors Department! The 17's are actually tighter than the 16s, but I was just happy to get something from the juniors department at all, lol. And THEN! Last night I took a bath. I hadn't actually taken a bath in a while (still shower tho ), and it occured to me that I could sit in the bath and not be touching EITHER SIDE of the tub with my body! Yay! I've been through some frustrating times, and some times where I just resigned myself to the idea that I'd lost some weight, but I was always going to be bigger than average, but at least I'd stay healthy... but I'm getting back into the groove where I feel like this is going to work for me again, and I'm working it right as well.

Well done Sarah!! Those are great NSV's. What great progress!!!

Yippie Sarah! You are so right - these NSV's are certainly as exciting as seeing that scale drop. LOVED the bathtub one!

.....I started my preop diet. I consider this my anniversary date rather than my actual surgery since I lost 22 pounds on the preop. Since surgery I have lost over 100% of my excess weight and have kept it off for over a year. I don't measure or track my food. I don't own a scale. I never obsessed over numbers or details. I just stuck with mostly Protein and veggies while I was losing and stayed away from the "white carbs". For maintenance I simply eat a healthy balanced diet including protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains. I make healthy choices (most of the time) and my sleeve helps control my portions. I still indulge in sweets, Desserts, alcohol, bread, rice, potatoes, etc, but definitely in moderation. I still drink Protein shakes and eat Protein Bars. Although I don't officially track, I do keep a rough tally of protein and fluids and usually exceed 70g protein and drink 64-100+ oz of fluids every day. I take my Vitamins every day. I have bloodwork checked annually as recommended by my surgeon. I don't excercise but I have a physical job and active lifestyle. It really has been a pretty easy journey. So here's a recap some of my favorite year 1 NSVs.... I can cross my legs. I can even cross them in a car and under a table. I can hop up into my saddle without having to find a rock or log to climb on. I feel so relieved that my horse no longer has to pack my fat ass around the mountains. No more knee, ankle or foot pain. I lived on ibuprofen and tramadol before surgery. I am now completely pain free. I can also squat down and kneel effortlessly without my feet going numb or needing a table or chair to heave myself back up. I can sprint up stairs or hike up a hill without getting out of breath at all. I've been on 15-20 mile hikes with friends and I am always out front, waiting for them to catch up. I can shop in regular stores. I can order clothes online and I know they will fit and look great. I now dress to show off my body, not to hide it. Now for year 2..... Maintenance is boring. NSVs are few and far between. Everything is just "normal" now. Spent most of the year finding and keeping that balance between what my head wants and what I know I actually need. I rarely weigh myself, but I will step on the scale at work after an especially carby weekend or vacation. I go back to strict protein/veggies or even full on preop liquid diet if I pop even one pound above my bounce range. I know I have to nip any small gains in the bud before they become big gains. But this year also brought about the biggest NSV of all. It has nothing to do with my weight, it's all about my head and it's one I would love to not have experienced. My best friend committed suicide 7 months ago and every day since has been a miserable struggle with the grief, anger, despair and confusion. The victory in this is that I haven't buried my emotions with food and alcohol. I spent over 1 1/2 years drinking and stuffing my face after my brother died 4 years ago. In the end that only impeded my ability to heal and made me even fatter and more miserable. I learned that you have to feel the pain before you can over come it. So this time I'm feeling it all. And it sucks. I will never stop grieving either my brother or my friend, but maybe some day I can start living again, rather just going through the motions. Anyways, thanks for reading this extended post, and good luck to all you newbies. My advice is don't get wallowed down in the "now". Don't be overwhelmed by the details. Life is more than just carbs and protein and minutes at the gym. You chose a chance at a new life. The first few months are just a teeny tiny period and simply part of the process you have to go through to get to that new life. First photo collage taken December 4, 2013 and December 4, 2014 Second set taken this morning.......I just had my gallbladder removed 8 days ago, so that's what's up with the new scars and my belly is still a little swollen from surgery. I also got a new tat last February - a tribute to my brother who was a wonderfully talented musician.

Way to go! You are doing an amazing job, and are such an inspiration to me. Just imagine all of the wonderful NSVs to come!

@@James Marusek hey dude slow day!!?? the devil made me say it NSV = non-scale victory (“scale” means “weight scale”) NUT = nutritionist many/most newbies don't know what the heck the above two initials stand for it was nice of you to explain nice of you to create such an indepth list you are one of the many success stories with the sleeve down 110 lbs!!! kathy congrats

Great NSV, you desrve all the fun and love you get!

Miss Pearlie has done an outstanding job in such a short amount of time. I've just had the most romantic weekend and I'm going on pure adrenaline and butterflies today since I only slept for 2 hours last night. Anyway...I can wear the prettiest clothes and it's fun coming up with new combinations to wear them, so for the first time in a very long time I treated myself to a shopping spree on Saturday morning. I came back with clothes that I think I love more than any I've ever had and I can't wait to wear them - something I haven't felt since planning for the first day of school during senior high. And - a guy that I've known for 4 years is looking like he's going to shape up to be a great companion for me. He lives in a neighboring state, but has family (who really like me and have urged him to move back just for me for at least 3 of those years) that he visits often in Houston; he recently accepted a new job and can visit every other weekend now. Call it a hunch, but I can see him moving back to Houston within the next year - I can't see things getting anything but better from here. He is a country gentleman, he's romantic, he loves animals, he's great with kids, has high morals and ethics and he's a good person...a benefit of knowing him for so long before getting to this point. He was attracted and attractive to me before I lost weight, so the doubt about "would he want me if I was the same weight as before" isn't something I have to be concerned about. Another bonus. It's funny...he looks a lot like an actor I had a crush on and his personality matches a character that the actor played in one of my favorite movies (Allen Payne, Jason's Lyric). What's more is that I love the way people look at us, we catch strangers staring and smiling at us and that is so different because before the weight loss, I didn't think we "matched" like he was too attractive to be with me - I know, I know, self esteem, yada yada yada...but now, I don't feel that way and in his own way he "shows me off" when we go out. I never thought I'd be arm candy. LOL Ok...all of this might have been TMI, but I haven't been in love with anyone in more than 14 years - this is an amazing development and I want to share it with the world. :wub:

Just had Ambulatory Surgery to remove a cyst, not feeling too bad, getting over the General they gave ME. My new NSV, I no longer need the "OMG--- Just How Big ARE YOU," size, I got a "Normal" and had enough room it met in the back, so no more "Moon over Miami" for ME!

Nsv, Great. If your a girl doing that thats even greater. Either way it is still awsome. Keep it up

what is nsv?

Back in June, my wonderful hubby gave me a gift voucher at my favorite plus size shop (sizes 14-26). I've shopped and shopped and shopped and shopped since then lol. When I first started, I was a size 22. Every time I'd grow out of something, I'd just run over there and pick up something else. I'm going on a mini holiday with my daughter on Monday, so this morning I ran over to the shop for some summer clothes, looking to finish off my gift voucher. Well to my surprise, everything was too big. Not by a huge amount, but enough so that it didn't make sense for me to get stuff. I ended up with a skirt (it was on sale and one of those long flowing ones, so it didn't matter if it was a bit big) and two tops that were exactly the same, only in different colours lol. Then I finished off the voucher by picking out a few accessories. As its a plus sized shop, the sizes are bigger than a regular store (a 16 is not really a 16, if ya know what I mean). So I'm in this funky in between stage, whereby I can't wear anything from that shop anymore, as I'm below their 14, but I can't fit into any of the real shops 16s .. bleh. Happy that I've made it this far, but not so thrilled with the prospect of not having anything to wear for a couple of months while I try to get into regular store clothes... Oh, and just for reference sake - Australian sizes are way weird lol. My little sister was visiting earlier this year. In the states, she's a size 4, here she was an 8 or a 10?!? My mom's an 8, she was wearing a 12 or 14 here. LOL, so I'm not sure if I should do a happy dance or curl up in the fetal position and pout heh.