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I think you should keep in mind that fluctuations happen, I just gained 5lbs from being sick (eating salty broth) if I didn't know what was going on I would go crazy. But its not a true gain of fat, it's water retention. Scales are not always the best measure of progress. That's why we have the NSV threads...

A great NSV, well done!

Hey everyone! I cant believe a year has flown by so fast. I know when I was pre-op I used to seek out these threads to read other's experiences, so I wanted to share mine too. My start weight was 277 the day I scheduled the consult for bariatric surgery, and I was 255 the day of surgery. The first 3 months were a bit of a whirlwind. I dropped 20 pounds in the first month, and I thought it would stay that fast, boy was that some realistic thinking on my part. As real food was reintroduced during my second month I learned what the foamies were...oh my goodness, so not fun. I lost 10 pounds during month two and I remember feeling discouraged and having to reassess my motivation for this surgery. Having to remind myself that this was a change for the rest of my life and that it was okay if the weight didn't just fly off, because if I kept working with my body, then my body would have no choice but to become healthy. The next month I lost 9 pounds and learned that if I didn't chew my food really, really well, that it could get stuck and hurt like hell until it made me vomit. This was not a fun time, but alas I learned, and learned relatively;y quickly. Month 4 came and two things of note happened. I lost 5 pounds and felt confused and a little lost as to what was happening with my body. Also, my hair started falling out like there was no tomorrow! That became my new normal for awhile. 5 pounds a month, hair falling out. Somewhere around 8 months out my hair loss stabilized, but by then I had lost about 2/3rds of the volume I had. Biotin never helped, but I took it from the day I was cleared to begin vitamins post op. Around March I was 6 months post op and I had my first month with no loss, where I actually gained. I was aghast. I had this weird feeling like I wasn't going to get where I needed to be unless I started working harder. So that was the point where I finally changed. I started counting every macro, and working out 3 days a week in April. Initially walking and increasing in length/intensity. That was the beginning of my adventure into exercise. I currently run/walk in intervals a 5k a minimum of 4 times a week. I have never felt stronger or more alive. I was the girl who only ran when chased, I had no idea that underneath all that weight was a body that felt happy when it ran. A brain that felt at peace when it focused on my breathing. I'm still losing at the rate of 5 pounds a month, total weight loss since March of 2016 is 110 pounds. Biggest change has been my brain. I stopped worrying about the scale. It goes down because I'm living the way I am supposed to be. It doesn't have to be big numbers, because this is the way I live my life now. I don't know if that makes sense anywhere except inside my head, but I hope you get it. I only this week made it into the "overweight" bmi category and I have 27 more pounds to go before I am considered to be of a healthy weight. Loose skin? Yep! I'm not even mad about it. To be honest I didn't expect as much on my thighs and thought most of it would be around my midsection, but it's everywhere. I don't think it will ever bother me enough to have it removed, but only the future knows for sure. Dumping. Now to be fair I had my gallbladder removed a few years prior to gastric bypass surgery, so I already had issues with dumping. Bile buildup has a laxative effect on me. If I go more than 12 hours without eating, then just a sip of water can send me running to the bathroom. Fats don't typically bother me and I avoid sugar because I don't like the way it feels when my insulin spikes and then drops. It's scary and not fun. I get fuzzy and light headed, my stomach feels blah and my heart races. I'm human though and I challenge my biology on occasion. Ice cream doesn't love me anymore. It melts in my pouch and foams back up and just feels like it's sitting at the top of my esophagus and making me burp little foamy ice cream burps...I think the only reason I am okay with halo top is because the sugar alcohols scare me enough that I only ever eat a tiny bit because I don't want to live in my bathroom lol. Support systems! These are so important. My spouse is amazing. He's my biggest cheerleader and my companion in all things, including exercise! Make sure the people in your life only want what's best for you. Current diet is low carb (under 20 grams a day) moderate protein (60-80 grams) and moderate fat. This will likely be how I eat the rest of my life and I am okay with that. When I do consume more sugar, my brain starts to crave sweets and I feel like I have to fight with myself. For me personally it's not worth it anymore. That last sentence is a huge nsv for me. It's so weird and amazing/awesome to be nearing 40 and finally feeling like I'm not powerless to food anymore.

How do your clothes feel? How do you feel in your body (not looking at scale)? When I don't see the scale move I judge on my clothes and how I feel personally. I am seeing subtle changes to my body. My legs are thinner, my neck is thinner, facial features are more prominent vs fat round face. Take the NSV into account. I'm not going to say muscle weighs more than fat because 1lb is 1 lb. The difference is a pound of muscle is smaller than a pound of fat. I know you feel discouraged, but try to see all the other positive things happening to your body right now. Take a picture of you today with an outfit from the past and compare it to a picture of you wearing that same outfit. I bet you will see a giant difference! I bought a 1-piece jumper 2 weeks before surgery to do just that. I use that jumper as my motivation to keep on my path because I really don't like how I looked pre-surgery. Find 1 thing to be happy with on yourself every day and focus on something else besides the scale. You're a beautiful young lady, don't be discouraged, you have a lot of supporters right here to help you through those difficult times.

After my sleep study on Tuesday night, I was hoping to announce a NSV of being rid of my CPAP, but...not quite. My OSA is down to “mild” from “severe,” though, and without a CPAP, I’m down to 13 arousals an hour from 117 when I first had a sleep study in 2011 (and was 110 pounds heavier). So here’s another NSV: Yesterday I accidentally threw our garage door opener in a Dumpster, and without thinking about it, I boosted myself onto the lip of the Dumpster and leaned in to retrieve it.

My highest wt was 368, consult wt 350, and 8 weeks post-op have been stalled at 314 for two weeks. Very demoralizing. In some respects I still feel I'm at 368. Stalls create feeling of O boy, here it comes -- another Epic Fail at losing weight, like its something in my DNA I can never overcome. But I don't feel ashamed anymore after learning obesity is a disease -- a chronic disease -- a chronic, deadly disease. And we don't know a singular cause of it. Yet. I am working on this, and realize it is very much a mental game element we must overcome. My best self tells me to look at the NSVs (non-scale victories), to look how far I've come, look for small goals in terms of more exercise, and journal. I do track protein, and get 60-90g per day, but it's not enough to quell cravings and there's not enough variety to provide the satisfactin of a tasty meal. I'll try to make tomorrow a better day. I really need my body to end this stall. I am glad for this site, and glad we can lean on one another and share our journey with others who understand.

I have a tiny,one,on the eve of Wonder Wednesday. I no longer have a double chin or chins-- maybe that is where the 15 pounds I lost in August hung out? perhaps a lower case nsv but I will flaunt,it÷👅

I forgot one of the best NSV comfortably using an airplane restroom on a transatlantic flight!!!

Congratulations on your NSV! Nice to have moments like that

I have had many NSVs in the last 6 months since my surgery: Not worrying about fitting in the seats at the amusement park TUCKING IN MY SHIRT...I've never actually done that Having my kids arms go the whole way around when they hug me New clothes, new shoes Riding bike again after 10+ years Feeling proud I am almost 6 months post-op. No regrets, only wish I had done it sooner!

Rooting for you! It WILL happen! 🤗 Wearing my wedding ring again has been 1 of my favorite NSV!

Guess I’m crazy, cause my NSV is that my wedding ring is almost too big for me. This means it’s time for an upgrade!! 😆😆

I got my rings on! I was so excited! I haven't worn them in over 4 years. I am 9 week s post op, so October is doable for you! My other NSV today was when I got I the car, looked down and I could actually see the seat! Not my belly and legs covering it up! Plus, I also had to buy new underwear because ally other ones were falling off!

I do two of the things mentioned above @GreenTealael mentioned, I try to stave off hunger by drinking fluids. Similar to @FluffyChix mentioned, I focus on my commitment to weight loss, and making one good choice at a time (choosing jerky over a brownie for instance) I also focus on my NSV, and how great those make me feel, crossing my legs without even thinking about it, wearing size 10 jeans, wearing size M shirts, easily fitting in an airplane seat, feeling sexy af, lol. This is vain, but I also think about the compliments I have received. It's one thing to think I look great, but it is affirming to hear others say it.

My first little NSV 12 days out from sleeve - I left my clothes in the dryer until fully dry, not worrying about shrinkage.

Not throwing up is the best nsv. Anyone who suffered with a lap band and now has a sleeve can attest to the difference. I thank God everyday my lap band is gone. Love my sleeve so much. Sent from my LGMS210 using BariatricPal mobile app

My sentiments exactly, my stall happened much earlier than anticipated (3 days ago), but thanks to the many people that contribute their personal stories I'm able to move forward without getting overly stressed out. I had a NSV today - Every Friday is jeans day and today I pulled out a pair of white jean capris that I haven't worn since I bought 3 years ago. I kept them in my closet for my summertime goals and never got back down in weight. Today they not only fit, even a little baggy in the tush and thighs. While part of me is sad that this will likely be the last time I can wear them (no white after Labor Day) the other part of me is ecstatic that I was able to wear them at least one more time after their initial purchase.

One of my big major NSV was being able to walk into Kohls and buy stuff right off the rack without having to worry if it would fit... Or when I recently decided to try out a pair of size 36 pants... and they fit. They looked horrible, all my fat and saggy skin was visible, but, I haven't been able to button a pair of 36s in more than 15 years... maybe longer! Such an amazing feeling being able to do "normal" things right!

I am understanding this completely. I have a range of clothes in my closets / storage of all sizes. - Today was a NSV, I fit into a pair of capri jeans that I bought about 3 years ago and I pulled it out every summer since as a goal to fit into them. Today I did. Guess what, they are white, so today is the 1st time in 3 years that I can wear them and likely the last time I'll wear them for good. Really sad part is, I think I only ever wore them once before. It's hard, but you can do it one or both ways - You can donate it or sell in lots on Ebay and make some money and use that money to buy new clothes. Be proud of your sexy new self and don't look back.

Update: I came back from Cuba last week and hopped on the scale right away! Lol! I ended up losing 3lbs which I’m lucky because I’m still in the honeymoon phase. There wasn’t much choices when it came to food. Breakfast was great as I had omelettes everyday. Lunch and dinner were another story. I tried to eat the grilled meats whenever I could but most of the times, I ended up with the prepared stews. It was way too salty and fatty. I had hotdog sandwiches and fries more times than I’d like to admit. I’m lucky that I didn’t get sick and just got right back to my plan when I came back. I did splurge with a couple virgin mojitos and brought my Splenda to replace the sugar. Mostly I just asked for ice water and used my crystal light or nestea zero. NSV - it was so nice to wear shorts for the first time...I actually enjoyed the heat this time around instead of dread it. On top of that, I did not need a seatbelt extender AND the airplane tray also went down all the way without hitting my belly. I was never able to rest my drink on the table before and would always use my kid’s tray!!! Life is great 😄

I've Got one! My very Firstest one.I have lost 15 pounds in one month on my liver shrinking diet. Thought I still look FAT! Okay I had to visit my PCP for a presurgical visit. He has in his waiting and exam rooms many chairs with arms, only a few without. I have even been known to snarl " get up and give me they chair" You see the ones with the arms PINCH my thigh and hip flab. Yesterday I wasn't thinking and I sat,down in an armed chair and fit. No pinching, no have to be pulled up out of one, I could sit in it and had 1/8 inch clearance on either side. A chorus please My Rump is getting Smaller My Rump is getting smaller! An NSV a really truly NSV!

This was one of my first NSVs and it was awesome! Congrats on your success!

I. AM. GRATEFUL!' I am so grateful for this forum and the people here. I am 16 days post-op and just hit my first mini-stall. I've not had a drop in my weight in 2 days BUT thanks to the people here I am able to stay strong, positive and consistent. Thanks to you, I knew weeks before my surgery that I would have a stall, very likely between week 2 and 4 post op. Thanks to you, I also knew that I should get a fancy scale and track my fat % (still dropping!) Thanks to you I knew that a stall would be most likely to occur when I increased my exercise before I was able to consume more calories. And most importantly, thanks to you I knew it was all going to be OK in the end. You even provided me with the tools to cope: focusing on my NSV (non scale victories) So here they are... *I no longer have dents at my temples from my eyeglasses being too tight *I no longer get winded going up my front steps *I can wear a dress without my thighs chafing *My seatbelt isn't as difficult to get on This is only 16 days after surgery!!!! So, from the freshly sleeved and those nursing your new baby pouches, I want to hear what you're grateful for even very early on. Lay it on me!

Congrats! Sounds like you've collected a whole basket of NSVs!

The things that seem like a struggle now, will become less and less difficult. It will become normal, in fact. It seems like a major disappointment now, but I promise you that the scale and the NSVs will keep you motivated and grateful that you did this. With anything in life there are drawbacks. This has way more positives to regret.