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Irene, what an opportunity thrown right in front of you! I will keep you in my prayers and hope this will work out for you. The Lord works in mysterious ways sometimes. You have definirtely gained enough confidence in yourself to come right out and say what you did, and that is a huge plus! i am so happy you have this chance. This NSV would be the icing on your cake! LOL!

So... it's almost with a heavy heart that I make this announcement. BUT I don't want to get ahead of myself, so I'll suppress those feelings for awhile. Let me cut to the chase here. Ever since I've been working for my current employer and I've discovered a certain position, I've had my keen eye on it. Always hoping, praying that when the day it comes available, I would stand half a chance of it. It turns out that day has come. I've found out through the grapevine that as of September the person who holds the position will be retiring. Anyhow, here's how the Lord really works in mysterious ways... I was curious to find out if this rumor was true. I didn't want to be rude about it so I went to ask someone if they knew of this, someone I talk to often. He responded "Yes!! She's retiring in September!!" Don't get it twisted, that's just his demeanor and not out of the ordinary for him to speak this way. So, I was immediately excited! Then he says, "She works for me, I'm her boss". I immediately felt a little embarrassed... I really had no idea!! So, I guess I had no other choice so I just blurted out that I would definitely be interested in that position if / when she does retire. He just looked at me and nodded. Mmmhmmmm he says... now before I go on from here, know this... this man is a true character. I would never mind having him as my Supervisor. He's so crass and funny, very down to Earth. After this, he just smirked and said, well they really want someone with a background in Education. I immediately felt so let down!! I really didn't realize they wanted someone with that many credentials as I certainly don't have that. However I didn't let that stop me. I knew her classification and I know we are the same exact classification. It would be a simple lateral transfer, I wouldn't even have to apply for this job. So I told him, hey! I can take the position and GET those credentials at the same time. I can go back to school and get an BA in ECE. Okay so there! What's four years worth of education for a position I'd retire with? I still will work another 20 (maybe more) years... I can do that!! This is my absolute dream job!! I would be traveling all over the State of California speaking to K-12 Teachers and educating THEM on materials regarding Forestry and Trees. I would provide them with fun facts and materials they would then pass on to their students. O...M...G... you know, I've always been called to do something like this. I've wanted to be a teacher since I was a child. It just never came to fruition. I think this might be where my path has lead to all these years. Teaching Teachers about the beauty of Gods Creations. Of course I can't say it exactly like that, I work for the Government. That's okay though. Back to the conversation with my co-worker: He seemed pleased that I really spoke up for myself. He seemed interested and impressed. I did tell him I was very interested and I asked him exactly what she does, and he explained it all to me. He also said she does a lot of telecommuting, also know as working from home. She travels a lot and makes a lot of contacts. She also sets her own schedule, pretty much is free to come and go as she pleases so long as the program is always up and running efficiently. I can so do this!! He suggested I speak with the nice lady who runs the program, I said I would. She came in later that day and he told her to come talk to me about it... WOW!!! That's awesome right there! He was thinking about me in regards to filling her position. He did say she wanted to hand pick her replacement (of course she will never truly be replaced...) and she came right over to talk to me. Then later while I went out for a break and came back to a stack of materials on the program.. What does this mean? I don't know, I won't count my chickens just yet, but I surely won't back down until the bitter end!! So, why is this my best NSV to date? Because if it weren't for my sleeve and my diligence in losing all my excess weight, and keeping it off I NEVER would have had it in me to go after this job. I never would have put myself out there to the extent I did with such courage and confidence to go get what I wanted. I don't know if I'll get the job or not, but I sure want it and I'd say right now it's looking good!! Be blessed everyone. Dreams do come true.

You might need to fill us in with some more detail on why this is an NSV....is it because your clothes are now all small enough to fit into a single load in the dryer? My laundry NSV was my teenage son commenting that I no longer wear the biggest shirts in the family, in fact, he had picked up one of mine because he mistook it for one of his!

Yayyyyy! Great nsv!

I am always clanging my elbow bone on my hip bone and boy does that hurt sometmes and it makes a loud noise. My wrist bones have pretty much always shown, but my collar bones are so pronounced. They stick out too. CONGRATS! I love these NSV's.

Awesome post! I've been checking out this board for a few months and started my six month supervised diet in February. I've gotten a wealth of information already but your post contained things I didn't know (like NSV meant). If it hasn't already been, this should be stickied so everyone can see it.

NSV - Non scale Victory

Thank you guys!! Day 2 has been better....so far haha! NSV means non scale victory lol don't feel bad I had to ask too! I got a call from sabrina this morning. My surgery has been moved up to 8 am instead of 10:20 & have to be there at 5:45 :-) Im first that day too.

Nsv- non scale victory such as fitting on a roller coaster or crossing your legs!! Good luck we will all be thinking of you!!

Super new to the forum, ummmm what is a NSV? From the context clues is is something good. I am sure there will be an increase in your water bill...wink wink

Congratulations Crystal! Now THAT'S an NSV!

The whole staff at Dr. Washington's office is great. I started my journey with him last March and was going to do the lap band but after weighing all of my options I am going with the sleeve. The endoscopy is no problem just take the whole day off of work when you do it. I was a bit loopy that afternoon. Hopefully this time next week I will be in the recovery room of Conway Hospital. My surgery is scheduled for the 18th I have to be at the hospital at 5:45 am I am the first to go which is good to do it and get it over with. You can do the pre-op diet I am on for 3 weeks instead of 2 because he wants me to lose as much weight as possible before my surgery. All of my excess weight is in my stomach and he wants my liver to be as lean as possible and he wants as much room as possible to work with. Dr Washington will show you the tools that he uses when you meet him and yes he uses staples. Well I am trying to get everything done here at work this week. He recommends taking 3 weeks off after surgery. I am taking 2 full weeks and then working half days for the 3rd week. It is not so bad since I work from home. Also the Vitamin shoppe has good prices on protien shakes I bought the powder to make them at home and if you spend over 50.00 there is no shipping fee. The premade shakes I bought at Sams Club for 25.00 for 18 or 20 shakes. I also just ordered the unjury chicken Soup and protien powder to mx into crystal light or Jello. I am getting anxious to have the surgery over. Looking forward to the next adventure. I wish us all success in our new journey. Anyone know what NSV means I wish they had a glossary of terms on here.

I hope that's not the only thing your doing in the shower. LOL CONGRATS! This is definitely an NSV!

Congrats on the NSVs!! Love the one about the shower!!

I had my sleeve on 03/01 in Tijuana MX. For the most part my sleeve tolerates everything except sweets and high fat content food (Perfect!). My pre-op start weight was 228, My surgery weight was 209, and my current weight is 181. I am starting Zumba this weekend and I am so happy that I got my sleeve. My first NSV is that I am now wearing all my fat but not as fat girl clothes that I haven't been able to wear in 3 years. The second (and most awesome) NSV is that my husband and I can both fit in our shower... together... at the same time.... you know.... to scrub each others backs and stuff...lol

My six month surgiversary was yesterday and I’m feeling great. I’m losing at a pretty consistent 14 lb a month rate right now and I think that is terrific. I don’t lose every day – in fact I often go up a pound or two and stall out for a few days and then lose for the next few. Here is a roundup of my NSVs since I started losing weight pre-surgery last June: Now wear large t-shirts and polos down from 3-4x before 2x dress shirt as opposed to 5x before Pants size 46 down from a tight 62 before Walking has become very easy and I’m not intimidated by distance any longer One night I jogged to my car (parked in the far end of the lot) in the rain I’m doing deep Water aerobics 2x a week and regular water aerobics 1-2x a week Every physical aspect of my life is so much better and I have a tremendous boost in energy So far, I’ve not had any issues with food worth mentioning. I’m finding it pretty easy to stick to the 600-800 daily calorie intake with 60-80g Protein and 30g net carbs or less. This site and others have proven to be very valuable to me because when I get the urge to splurge I look for something to inspire my inner chef and stay on track. My diet is as varied as fish tacos with low carb lavosh to slow cooked bbq pork with a no calorie bbq sauce. My restriction is very good and I only eat 2-4 oz of protein depending on the density. I’m working to add more fruits and veggies to my diet now but protein is first and the king of my plate. When eating at home, my wife and I make our own meals about 75% of the time. Prior to surgery I would have found this unacceptable. I think that was a symptom of my obsession with food. Now I see it as we both get what we want. When we do share a dish it fits my meal plan and she has lost about 20 pounds too. She also exercises with me very often. This has benefited us both. Going out to eat with my wife and/or friends has been fun too. I’ve learned to order whatever I want – and I want food that fits my plan. I don’t worry about wasting food. I order by taste so that I don’t feel deprived. Sometimes just an appetizer. Sometimes a full entrée with left overs. Sometimes a shared app and entrée. Taking food home is an option and because I ordered food I liked, I often have the leftovers for 2-3 meals. Most of my fears before surgery have not been realized. I’m pretty comfortable with myself right now. I get impatient and want to lose faster but then I consult my logs and see how far I’ve come and that really helps. I’m now preparing myself for the possibility of plastic surgery at the end of my journey. I wish everyone as much success as I’ve had so far.

I have had a very long stall too. I seem to be stuck at 204 lbs. At first I panicked because I felt the old "here I go again" and the inevitable gain. But a week passed and another and then a second week and a third I lost 2 lbs. and agian I stall. It seems different to me now, somewhere along the line I realized it isn't the same. I won't regain it and if I have hit the weight I will be so be it. It isn't where I wanted but it sure isn't where I was. I am no longer hungry, I am no longer worried about wiping out a hip on a downward slope on my bike. I eat well and carefully and I have not lost much hair at all. I enjoyed an NSV the other day when I was finally prodded into shopping and I went into Old Navy and bought two "L" tops...They fit. The size 16 pants will be very loose soon. I am somehow, at least for right now, content with the loss I am experiencing. If I loose 2-3 lbs a month that is fine by me. I want more and I am working on it. Onderland is where I plan to reside. For now I am content to coast along after some very hard fought for victories. Keep my new good habits and stay active. Hope this helps!

I feel amazing today! I am 3 weeks postop today and am down 35 lbs. from my highest weight (287), 21 since surgery day (273). I had a stall of sorts for almost a week but the scale is moving again now (252). My incisions are completely healed and really feel like I never had surgery, except for the lack of hunger and the tiny amounts I can eat I am still on purees for another week and am doing great - everything has really gone down quite well, I just get full really fast. I am getting in liquids just fine and still struggling to get enough calories and Protein, but working on it every day. I've been hitting the gym since last week and doing just cardio for now - elliptical and treadmill. I am still able to wear most of the same clothes I started in (mostly size 20) but they are getting really baggy and feel way different and TODAY I put on a top (size 14/16!!) I bought quite a while back to "shrink into" and it fits! It is just a stretchy knit top and isn't super loose but with my shapewear (ha!) I feel comfortable and confident in it and that hasn't happened to me for AGES! I am by no means in a 14/16 in pants (I think I am solidly in an 18 now) but I will take what I can get, considering I am only a fraction of the way to my goal weight I think this is just one of many wonderful days to come and I just cannot say how happy I am that I took this huge step for myself and my family - I would recommend the sleeve to anyone contemplating WLS!

So, I went in today for my six month check up with my doc...even though I'm already 7 months plus post-op. He gave me a graph of my BMI and weight loss since my first visit with him. The graph was eye-opening! I think I'm stalled, but his graph shows that I'm losing steadily. After I asked my questions, including for a copy of the video of my surgery, he asked me a few questions. He gave me some samples of different brands of bariatric Vitamins for me to review for him and asked that I let his office know if I like them. I'll do that over the next month. Then he asked me if I'd mind answering a few questions online for him. I thought he was asking me to take some kind of online survey at first, but as he went on I realized that he wants me to answer questions for visitors to his website! WOW! I'm so flattered to be asked and, of course, I am more than willing to do that! From what he said today, I've already exceeded his expectations for my weight loss and fitness level and he mentioned that I'm staring 100 pounds in the eye. He expects that I will be well over 100 pounds lost when I go back at the end of July for my 1 year check up. My anniversary isn't until the end of August, but to accomodate both or our schedules, I have an appt nearly a month early. I've mentioned before that I think my surgeon is the bomb and he proved it to me again today! In just that short appointment, he managed to make me feel wonderful about my progress insteadof the frustration I've been feeling for a few weeks. He also explained a few different things to me about what to expect going forward. That really made me feel better about the next stage of my journey. I was worried that I am out of the "losing" stage and now am into the "have to work really hard at it" stage. I want to be his poster child for the sleeve and he assured me that I already AM a poster child for the sleeve because of the loss I've had so far and how hard I am working at my weight loss. He also told me to expect big losses over the next few months, both because of the sleeve and because of my newly formed exercise habits. I'm feeling pretty awesome tonight, especially for a sleever who went in fully expecting to find out that my results are disappointing. I'm actually pretty far ahead of the curve!

I was putting together a digital photo album from a trip I took to Ireland in October. I started to get frustrated because my friend had taken this great picture, but some skinny woman was standing in the middle of it, ruining the shot. I looked at the picture at least five times before I realized the skinny woman ruining my picture was ME! LOL.

That is so cool! But I'm such a NEWBIE!... What is NSV?

Yay! What a great NSV for you!

Great NSV!! I am always looking for NSVs! They keep me motivated!

I was driving around today in the car and looked down. I suddenly realized my stomach no longer touches the steering wheel. It was far, far, far away and I mean far away. I couldn't believe. Losing 53 lbs really is something. Surgery was December 7th 2011 and I feel so awesome. WhooHoo. Keep rocking your sleeves everyone.