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I've been on this forum for almost a year and there are still things I don't know......what you can you add: NSV - Non Scale Victory SMO - Super Morbidly Obese....(just learned this one) Slider food - means it goes down easily and has little nutrional value, I think WLS - Weight Loss Surgery PPI - not sure what this stands for, but I know I took one (Nexium) for the first four months NUT - short for Nutrionist I know there are a ton more; many I don't know.....let's get them all down in one place!

Yay!! NSVs are so much fun =) It's amazing how much the weight loss really improves our lives. You are doing so great!

Wonderful NSVs! Sent from my iPad using VST

Wow! Those are all great NSVs for sure. Keep up the good work! Sent from my iPad using VST

I had a plethora of NSVs this week that I totally didn't even realize! It's probably a good thing since the scale hasn't been moving much (almost 5 weeks out). I need any kind of victory I can get! 1. went off the (low) diving board at a public pool for the first time in years! I have a torn meniscus and was always afraid I wouldn't be able to get up the ladder. I also had fears of snapping the board in half! lol 2. I went out to dinner for the first time since being allowed real food and stayed on the plan. I actually went out twice, got chicken once and seafood once (all baked or grilled)... had maybe two bites of the accompanying mashed potatoes and rice (forgot to substitute my sides). 3. Went out bar-hopping with college friends and didn't drink a single drop of alcohol! These friends do not know about surgery and I want to keep it that way for the time being. I had to get very creative since there were many toasts to the newly engaged friend and to my weight loss (ha ha- the irony). An 8oz bottle of Water fit great in my purse for my trips to the bathroom! lol 4. I actually went to bars both nights this weekend and made it home without stopping for fast food. I used to be the queen of 4th meal- Taco Bell, Wendys, McDs. I was ssoooo tempted (this was the hardest NSV) on my way home because I was actually hungry. Instead, last night when I came home I had a few salami roll-ups and tonight had some milk. 5. I finally joined My Fitness Pal and started tracking my food. It's definitely not as difficult or time-consuming as I expected (the reason I put it off). 6. I went to see my psychologist for the first time since surgery. I was seeing her long before surgery and she was actually the biggest advocate of this for me and facilitated the discussion with my mom because I was too terrified. Anyway... she didn't recognize me! Legitimately, she wasn't just saying that. I was wondering why she didn't say hi to me when I saw her sitting outside the building! Whoo hoo! As always, thanks for all the support! Love this place!

Radiant Danielle, congrats on the NSV and all the others to come!

I'm with you gale1016! That's one hing I've been dying to achieve for years. Hoping the band helps me reach that goal. My husband says I'm obsessed about waning to see my collarbone lol congrats ... And congrats to you all! NSV's are awesome!

I had a nsv today we went to a amusement park and I rode the bumper cars with my kids...we all had a great time today

Walked up two flights of stairs no problem

How is everyone doing with their NSVs? Any positive experiences to share? I'd love to hear them! I can now check these off of my list: Being able to ride a roller coaster... I did this on July 8 and it felt amazing. Having more energy... I have a lot more stamina than I used to, more than some of my thinner friends. lol Being able to shop at a regular store... I am an XL in tops (L in stores that fit bigger), and am able to get into XL pants. Bought size 16 jeans at target. Crossing my legs Shopping at Victorias Secret... I had always wanted to buy a VS PINK sweatsuit. I know its silly but this week I tried on a hoodie and sweatpants in the largest size... it fit. I did a happy dance in the fitting room!! I decided not to buy it, but it felt good. I look forward to accomplishing my other goals. I still have a lot of weight left to lose but am happy with the little progress.

I am not even a full month out (surgery was July 2nd) and I am down like 23 pounds from day of surgery. My clothes are fitting loose and I have soooo much more energy. I am already noticing my confidence returning...and my adventurous nature! The other day, I DIVED off a diving board - 3 times! My children have NEVER sen me do this! They loved it - and so did I!!! Also - we went to the movies, and my butt fit in the chair! My husband - who is 100% supportive and never made me feel less than sexy - is astounded! He is gone 2 weeks at a time - so he sees bigger changes than I do in the day to day functioning....... I am excited...I haven't lost much in the last week and a half, but I have faith. food is not controlling my life, yet I enjoy SMALL portions of really good food that is good for me! I am hitting 60g of Protein a day - thank God I love fish!!

AMAZING!! Congrats!! What a wonderful NSV!! I bet it feels great!!

I have been so busy with life that I haven't made the time to get on this forum for a long time. I'm down 94 pounds now and I'm loving it. I've recently had some more trouble with my stomach and GERD, but its just something I will have to deal with. Now for the NSV part...I put in a pair of my husbands jeans last night and they fit me! I have no idea why I tried them on-I'm not going to wear them-I just had the silly curiosity to see if they fit lol. Going from a snug size 22 to being able to fit into a mans size 32 jeans is amazing to me. This sleeve has been a life saver and its worth all of the trouble in the beginning to get to things like this!

This is the first major goal I've been waiting for. I'm almost halfway there now. This dress will be WAY too big when I'm done! Oh YES I did!!! Maybe we should renew our vows while it still fits! --danielle

I haven't had surgery yet and have read several posts regarding the stall. It seems that everyone experiences it for the most part. I hope that I will not freak out but, I am expecting my mind to play a trick on me. Why? Because I read about it everyday. I know that a stall is possible because so many people on these boards talk about it. However, the other part of my mind will tell me, I just went through this major surgery and I am only drinking and/or only eat baby food consistency food, why am I suddenly not losing weight? But, my logical brain will tell me that EVERYONE goes through this, give it time. I guess emotions and everything plays into this. I have not read to many posts of someone saying they stalled and never lost another pound. I say Celebrate your successes and read some of the other experiences on this boards. I think it will help. Again, this is me pre-op. You will be back in a month sharing your NSVs and you SVs. Wishing you the best! Also, I have only seen several posts of people regretting their decisions. I am sure you researched and thought long and hard prior to your decision. Congratulations on making this step.

My NSV..... Doing a Zumba video without stoping and feeling awesome! I am 2 week post op. I could barely make it to seven minutes of the video a month ago. May not mean much to others but priceless to me.

Mine isn't as great as the others listed here, but one of my NSV's I am most proud of right now, is the fact that pajamas bottoms that were rather perfect/tight on me a few weeks ago, are now becoming so baggy to the point I'm going to have to toss them out and get some new ones.

Well - this is my first posting and first blog so here goes! I feel lately I have had a lot of firsts....first major surgery, first time putting myself first, first time owning my health, etc I have to say that it definitely is hard to choose yourself first. Anyone with children, a spouse, family, etc knows what I mean. You feel as if you are cheating them out of being there. It has taken me many years to come to understand that what I thought as putting them first was actually an excuse for me to continue to be unhealthy. How was I putting them first if I wasn't taking the best care of myself? This is a VERY hard lesson to learn. As I look around at my family members and family history of chronic weight related issues I put my foot down. There was a voice deep down saying "me, me...did you forget that I am here?" This time I chose to listen. I have not always been overweight...alright "morbidly obese". This is something that has been rolling along pretty much for the past 15 years. You know the story....get married (get comfortable), have children (more comfortable with a few pounds) and before you know it you are a shell of the person you once were. Years go by and you lose a little and gain more and back and forth. Many of us have the same story. My weight loss surgery journey originally began two and a half years ago, Dec 2009 with a seminar for the lap band. I went and listened and then said I will give it another try of doing it myself and bailed on following through. Two years later I found myself at the seminar again with a firm grip on my nerves and actually listened with more conviction about choosing me first. After going through the 3 months of NUT, psych appointment, surgeon visits and pre-op testing...I took a leap of faith with myself and God . I had clear liquids 24 hrs before surgery and was officially sleeved on 7/17 at 10am. I am currently 10 days post-op and completely intrenched in the full liquid diet. What can you say about liquids? Not a whole lot . Anyway, I am just passing time until Tues when I get to start the greatly anticipated puree stage. Never thought I would be so excited about eating food the consistency of baby food. But here I am and readily counting the hours. This past 2 weeks has given me time to do a lot of thinking!! Sometimes I wonder if the liquid stage is just as much for learning to listen to your body and conquering some of your food obsession as it is about letting your body heal. I have found that everyday that voice is getting a little stronger and I can't wait to begin to have NSVs and see the weight come off. I will take each day of passing time to consider the gift I have been given of my life, living longer, spending more time with family and friends. I am 38 years old and have a lifetime ahead of me and plan to make it the best I can!!

NSV=non scale victory! I , also, have gotten a kick out of seeing myself in the overhead mirrors and realizing that it is me in the mirror and I don't look 1/2 bad! Karen

I've had a few NSV's in the past month or so, but yesterday was my biggest! I was walking into Walmart & caught a reflection of myself in the door & couldn't believe what I saw....my collar bone!!! It's been in hiding for a few years. I never thought something so small could mean so much!

Former_VBG - not to hijack the NSV thread but I so relate! And, I'm so tired of doing it all alone. Of course, I can't imagine doing it at all without this forum, but in actuality in person doing it alone in the world, it makes it so difficult, I had ENOUGH of that feeling of aloneness when I was SMO. If I just had a partner in this I could kick those last few pounds to goal!

I hear you. I do still find myself a bit self conscience though if I do buy something as a snack that isn't very healthy sort of looking out of the corner of my eye to see what (if anything) people might do... I'm so used to the reaction you mentioned as a heavy person that my head isn't always caught up with the present of my new body image. Then, I start feeling guilty that I should put it back.... I think that's why one of the major reasons overweight people eat in hiding or alone. We judge ourselves enough as it is, that dealing w/the looks and stares is sometimes just too much. I think about all the late nights through drive thru's at various fast food places. Most times I could have half or more of the food I bought eaten before I even got home. And, let's just say I would buy WAY more than what one person should consume for a normal meal. Sounds like you might be struggling a bit, but good for you for seeing a NSV. It seems this final stretch to goal is tougher than I expected and find myself getting into these funky moods where I get tired of "being good" which obviously doesn't help me in getting to my final goal as my weight bounces up and down like a Mexican jellybean.

Looking hard for an NSV, not feeling very NSVish lately ... well I don't know if this counts and it certainly is strange but, I can now drink diet Coke or eat those 100 calorie packs in public without seeing people smirk self-righteously. If a SMO person eats or drinks diet items in public, people think it's a hoot and openly make fun of it, which is so stupid because it's a damned-if-you-do situation for the SMO person - trying to make an effort and then made fun of for making an effort, wtf. Now, if I buy a can of Coke zero or snack on a 100 cal pack of cheeze-its (I know both are still crap but I'm making a point here), nobody bats an eyelash. I'm just another vaguely chubby adult woman watching what she eats. A victory?

That moment when someone u haven't seen in 5 months sees u but walks past u bcuz they don't recognize you. That's what I encountered today at work. That was one of my best NSV's so far. I'm 8 months post op and 35 away from goal. This NSV just motivated me more than ever. To hit my goal by November. My Bandiversary.