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Just had an interesting interaction at work. An admin stopped into my office asking for a pen to borrow to sign off on a lunch order for a meeting. I like to kid around so I said, 'sure...but it will cost you a cookie.' As a fat woman, I would have never said that. It would have been embarrassing because I would have expected her to think that the last thing I needed was a cookie. But as a normal sized person, there is no embarrassment when it comes to 'bad' food. I don't think twice if I have ice cream in my shopping cart...or some other item that once upon a time would make me look around and wonder who was checking out what I was eating. And by the way....she brought me two Cookies. I told her that I was only joking and all she did was wink at me. I know people say all the time that they have not changed...only their bodies have changed. I know that everything has changed for me. Yes...I'm still basically the same woman I always was, but a better, more outgoing, comfortable in my skin woman now. Not that I don't have my issues still...nothing is perfect. But even little interactions are different..and big ones as well. I look people in the eye now. I used to look down. I have a sense of confidence I didn't have before. I'm understanding that it was the confidence and satisfaction in my life that attracted my boyfriend to me...and not just that I was a small body. Especially as he's seen all the loose skin, hanging boobs, etc. and he tells me how much he loves to see my naked body..how it turns him on. He's seeing something else in his mind's eye...and not my physical 'flaws'. I just think we don't always see or realize all the changes. We notice the big things...the typical NSVs but not necessarily the daily interactions that shift as we change...or should I say 'evolve'. Anyway...just wanted to get my thoughts out on a post. Back to work now...

No silly questions around here.....a few silly answers, yes, but no silly questions!! If you are using Choose2Lose.com (and that's the only one I can figure out myself!)......when you get it designed, copy the top address box and take it to your 'edit signature' and paste it in your addy box. Every time your weight changes you have to go back and build it again...kind of a pain but they are neat to look at!! NSV=non scale victory. Some great thing that has to do with your journey but not necessarily losing another pound (like being able to cross your legs for the first time in years!).

Okay--I created a ticker at ticker factory, but I cannot figure out how to get it to the bottom of my posts. I'm sure it is something relatively simple and I am just an idot!:bananapartyhat: Also, another stupid question--What does NSV stand for? I am fairly new to the boards, so still learning! Thanks for the help! 258h/248s/227c/140g Banded Nov. 30, 2006 Dr. James Smith, Pueblo, CO

Hi all! I was at one of our clinic today where we have a new employee. One of the nurses there has decided to have WLS since seeing my success. We were talking about it since her surgery is next Tuesday and the new girl started asking me about mine. I told her I was 267 last year and now I'm 145. She says "wow I didn't not think you weighed that!" I was stuffing a rollo in my mouth at the time and started to spit it out. I said oh, what I look like I weigh more huh? She says no way! You look so small! I never would have guessed you were ever big! That made my day!! Next, I got this new guy in my life! He's my future jogging partner once the weather warms up. I'm gonna do it this time. I'm kind of in love! Hope everyone is doing well

This is my favorite type of NSV! CONGRATS!! WHOOP-WHOOP!!!

Oh Meg... What a great day... I am sooooooo proud of you, really I am! You are such an inspiration and a lady. You're words are always kind and positive, and for that I thank you! You really do deserve your success... I love your NSV... and to the woman who did it 'hard way'... well, she can JOG ON!!! You take each and every compliment, box them and keep them 'cos, you deserve them all! Well done my friend and congratulations xx

So, I'm in Walmart this morning, doing a little shopping, when I look up and see this really handsome black man. He looks REALLY familiar, too. At first I thought he was someone else, but when I asked, he said no, but he's a Dr Domkowski patient, too. That's when I realized I was talking to Mr. J!!! I've been following his journey here and on You Tube, and I knew he lived here in Vero, but I was stunned to actually see him in person! BTW, Mr. J seriously needs to update his pic on here! If he hadn't been smiling, I might not have recognized him! It was nice to meet him in person. He's very charming and kind, even when accosted by strange women in Walmart! I imagine he's got his own NSV for today "Some crazy lady came up and talked to me out of the blue!"

I had a friend take measurements and photos at the end of January. She came over again last night and did the next month's set, even though I'm preop (surgery is Thursday). I wasn't expecting much, but I was surprised to learn that I've lost 1.25" each off my waist and hips, and .75" on each thigh. Today I have on a pair of jeans that I haven't been able to wear in quite a while. I've been jeans-less, because the next larger ones I have have been huge on me for a couple months now. Yay! Jeans!

This is a great philosophy to have! I've had this same WL Mantra since day one. I was previously banded for 2.5 years, and had great struggles with it. I guess that's why I can feel so humbled in my progress. Comparing our rates to others I think is the worst mistake anyone can make. Most of us will NOT lose as much as top 1%. I'm certainly not up there. I however am very much OK wiht that. I'm SO HAPPY to be where I am!!! I can do more today than I honestly ever thought possible, and to me that is what matters most! I kept some of my old big clothes. Largest size 28W. I also kept one 3X shirt. OMG it is humongous on me. I just can't believe it.... I have taken pictures a few months ago of me fitting in one pant leg of my 28's. Crazy huh? Other things folks can do are keepting track of our weight on spreadsheets. I do and I love to go back and look at my trends. I'm doing good!! Also, keep a log of all your NSV's. You will be so thankful to have done this. I didn't and wish ever day that I had. Ah well... Good luck to all!! Cherish your journey, it is YOUR OWN!!!

I've lost 98lbs, and my birthday is in one week. I am almost 8 months post op (will be on 9/6), so maybe I can get 100 for my birthday? It'd be so awesome! I also had a HUGE NSV today- the pants I was wearing in my before picture were a size 28, and I can fit SUPER comfortably into a size 18 as of today! (Almost need a 16 now; definitely gonna get a belt for the first time in my life soon).

You know, NSV's don't happen to often for me anymore. Of course, last summer was my first swimsuit purchase and wearing in 20 years, and now here I am 5 months pregnant, rocking the bump, rocking the wrinkly thigh skin, and you know what I could give 2 poops what anyone else thinks of me. I've gained a whopping 10lbs with the pregnancy, and it's all belly. My butt is getting a little rounder, but really, I'm so grateful to be able to live the life I have today ! ! ! I can't count how many messages I receive about loose, wrinkly skin ! ! ! My answer is always the same " YEP, I got it, and you know what , I wouldn't change it for the back fat, and looking like can of Grand's biscuits busting at the seam! ! !" Honestly, who gives a **** about excess skin, and wrinklyness when you aren't slowly dying from obesity. I'm just as vain as the next woman, but let's be realistic, My boobs are deflated, my thighs look like I got beat with a bag of nickels, but I'm healthy, growing another human, and I feel amazing ! ! ! For all of those out there wondering if you should have the sleeve, or what your body is going to look like after surgery, it's a concern, I get it, but it's either live with some loose, wrinkly, flabby skin, or end up in a wooden box from obesity related diseases and conditions. Yeah I live here, it rocks ! ! ! Ohhhhhhh and the big bump ! ! ! I might look like a beached whale to everyone else, but who the hell cares ! ! ! I'm pregnant, wearing a medium regular swimsuit with bikini bottoms ! ! ! NOT a maternity suit either. . . So, ya know what, I'll enjoy every minute of it. I do have to cover up somewhat due to risk of melanoma and must use 50-70 SPF sunscreen so yeah I wear a little netting cover up because I've been picked and prodded so much for skin cancer, and have had more moles removed and sent for path reports than I care to count! ! !

i have one... what is nsv????

That's a wonderful NSV!!!

Had my 6 month post op appt on Wednesday. Went FANTASTIC, but still in this stupid stall. Officially 3 weeks on Wednesday. So so annoying. Really ready to have it break so I can get on with it. Have to get bloodwork done, but all vitals and stats look excellent. Happy with my progress and my NSVs and my improved health. My dietician told me to keep my calories between 1100 - 1200 per day and add 2 days of weight training to my workout routine. I was doing light weights and cardio 5 days per week and she said to add the weight training to the 2 days I'm not working out. She said my diet and drinks and Snacks are all good, the amount and frequency I'm eating are good. So hopefully this will help. Today was my first day doing it. This stall is just driving me nuts. She also said if I get to 5 weeks, it's considered a plateau at that point and not a stall anymore. And then there's different things I would need to do if I'm in a plateau. Hope it doesn't get to that. I know stalls are normal, but I haven't even lost 100 pounds yet, and I'm nowhere near my goal, so slowing down this much at this point is really frustrating. Just gonna keep on keepin on until the stall breaks and the scale makes me happy again.

Plateaus can be very discouraging especially if we fall into bad habits. Plateaus can also be the way that a body has to try to encourage us to fall back to the so called good old days, What I find great about the band after 2 1/2 years is that before band I could lose weight but than I would gain the weight back and then an additional 10 lbs. Now if I plateau or even gain 3 to five pounds I do not freak out but go back to the basics and start again. I find it easie not to give up and go back to the old ways of stinking thinking of saying what the use I will always be fat. When I am on a long plateau I usually tend to rely on the NSV especially when they pertain to health issues. At my highest weight of 320+ I had diabetics sleep apnea, back and knee problems, Could barely get off the couch and had a great deal of trouble sleeping and tired all the time. Now no diabetes, no sleep apnea, no knee or back problems, tons of energy, and my grand children can barely keep up with me.

Yesterday I have the most annoying NSV. I went to the gym and was wearing my wedding band which was loose on my middle finger because it no longer stays on my ring finger. I realized a few hours later my ring was missing! I think it came off at the gym because I cannot find it anywhere else! I'll call them tomorrow morning. If I find it-I'll get it resized. If I don't I'll have to replace it!

My consult today went very well!! This surgeon is one of the top PS in my area. He is reasonably priced too, and I've seen his work in person. My cousin had her augmentation there. He told me that doing lipo on my knees would not have a good outcome. The only thing that will help me is a lift of some kind. I was afraid of that, and very impressed he didn't just go ahead and take my money and do it. He knew I didn't have the funds for any additional surgeries, so he won my confidence right away. So, that said it looks like I look best in the 500cc implants, silicone's. That put me up to a very full D or DD according to him. Ohhh Yeahhh Babyyy!!! :lol: I also want to say that dang those are some rockin' boobs... OMG!!! And here's a little NSV. I even fitted in the Size Small shirt he gave me, even with the implants in!!! YEAHHHHH!!!! I'm still going to get a second opinion on the knees though. I have another consult at Sono Bello who does strictly liposuction. That is their specialty, on Wednesday morning. I'll see what they have to say. Source: My Plastics Journey - My first one (of several)

Way to go Gibson! I'm so happy to see you back sweetie :biggrin: And big congratz on losing all the weight . . . keep eating the healthy stuff and you'll be telling all of us those NSV's! I'm glad you have restriction, do you know how many cc's were added to your band?

NSV's are far more important then what the scale reads. Do not let the numbers on the scale dictate your success or failures with the band. SIt down and make a list of all of thethings in your life that have changed since the band. Are you happier? healthier? Is your family happier? Buying cuter and smaller size clothes? Not needing to take blood pressure meds or other obese related meds? Do your feet and joints ache less now? If you answered YES to any of these questions then you are not a failure!

@@igotthis98 Way to go!!! Just keep that enthusiasm high, I love that your best friend is going with you just don't make it a competition or comparison contest OK? It can happen too easily and then it goes from motivating to defeating. Keep each other honest, and on task but each do what you can for YOU and don't worry that she can lift more your can run faster etc. For many many years when I was young I used to work out all the time. I was a dancer and practiced ballet nearly 4 hours a day every day with dance teachers and competition coaches. When I stopped I really stopped and there are days now when my motivation to get my butt to the gym and push myself into that familiar soreness that I remember all too well is not only lacking but it's just down right resistance!!! I feel 100 times better when I get there and I get it done, but I fight it every step of the way. I have a trainer and I have been working with him since July and I told him DON"T let me cancel on you!! Some days I have to pull the plug because I am ill or hurt, but I can all too easily get into a pattern and just stop. He's pretty good at keeping me accountable to myself and getting my there and getting it moving once I get there without shaming me or making me feel guilty when I need to take a break. This is most definitely a wonderful NSV got get 'em girl!!!

thanks for sharing how you can tell that you're losing weight. i guess i was looking for some NSV and other cues because people keep asking me ''don't you see you're smaller? don't you feel smaller?'' and so forth. but i honestly don't. it's only when i put on my clothes. that made a lot of sense about my shape being the same. no wonder i look the same(derp!). i really hope my love handles melt away so i'll have a waist again.

This was posted by someone way back in 2015, but is one of the best responses Ive seen about stall concerns: It seems that at least 50% of the posts on BariatriPal are bemoaning a stall. Daily, and sometimes hourly, I am reading about how someone ONLY lost x number of pounds and now the scale hasn't moved in ___ [fill in the blank] days/months, etc. Oh no, they write, I am a failure/unique/my surgery didn't work/life is not fair, ... Why am I in a stall? I know I am exaggerating but I think you get the idea. Guess what? STALLS are a NORMAL part of the PROCESS of losing weight. If you want to lose weight, you will stall. Not just once, but over and over. And, guess what? A stall is where your body actually does the hard work of becoming smaller. It takes a lot of work and energy to dismantle a structure that has been holding up, in some cases, hundreds of pounds. For those who think they have to DO something to somehow "break a stall" (in my opinion, you do not break a stall, you just ride them out), here is my response: What can you do to "break" a stall? 1) STAY OFF THE SCALE Relax and stay off the scale if it bothers you so much. Weigh no more than once a week, or even less often. Weighing only at your doctor's appointments early in the process is a good strategy if your mood and self-worth are dictated by the numbers on the scale. 2) PICK UP A TAPE MEASURE In addition to using the numbers on the scale to measure your progress, take your measurements. Inches lost are also a great way to see physical progress when the scale isn't moving. Most people see the biggest physical changes in their body when the scale seems stuck. 3) TRACK YOUR Protein AND Water AND MEET OR EXCEED YOUR PROTEIN AND WATER GOAL EVERY DAY As long as you are getting in all your protein and water and following your NUT and surgeon's instructions, you are doing what you are supposed to do. If you aren't getting in all your protein and water, then increasing your protein and water is something you can do (and should be doing anyway whether or not you are in a stall). 4) EXERCISE If you aren't exercising, then you can exercise (and should be whether or not you are in a stall). You can start slowly by walking or even moving more around the house. Exercising will help you feel better, tone your skin and build fat-burning muscle. 5) MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR NUT If you are unsure or unclear about what you are supposed to be, or should not be eating, then make an appointment with your NUT (which you should be doing whether or not you are in a stall). 6) REASSESS AND REEVALUATE About the only good result I see that comes from complaining about a stall is when you take an honest look at what you are doing and realign with the program recommended by your NUT and surgeon. Have you started eating more outside of your plan? Are you restricting calories? Are you eating enough carbs and protein for your exercise? Are you taking your Vitamins? Are you eating often enough? Are you eating slowly with protein first? Sometimes, all you need to DO is go back to basics. 7) JOURNAL One of the biggest things I have noticed from the various posts is how anxious and out-of-control some people feel when they notice a stall. Journaling can help you gain some perspective and deal with some of the emotional turmoil. -- Write about how you are feeling about the stall and your weight loss, and surgery in general. -- Write about why you had the surgery in the first place. -- Write about what life was like before surgery. -- Write about what you hope and dream about accomplishing in the future. -- Write about your fears. -- Write about your NSVs. -- Make a gratitude list. -- Make a bucket list. -- Write a letter to your old self; write a letter to your new self. Just write. 😎 SEEK HELP Stalls are when too many people seem to revert to old, counterproductive dieting behaviors (restricting calories, over exercising, bingeing, etc.). If this is you, then another thing you can DO is to talk to a counselor or therapist or consider joining a bariatric support group or a twelve-step group like Overeater's Anonymous. The discomfort of being in a stall can also drive people to develop new, unhealthy coping habits or even transfer addictions. This is where you want to marshall all the resources you have available to you and use them. The last, and most important thing you can DO is: 9) EMBRACE THE STALL Stalls are a normal and natural part of the process. Our bodies are complex systems and not simple machines. Stalls go hand-in-hand with weight loss. If you had Weight Loss Surgery, then you probably want to lose a significant amount of weight. So, get ready to embrace the many stalls you will experience as your body is transformed. It will be worth it.

i was having a crappy (already at work day) and just thinking of what is to be done and i was getting pissy and dreading the long day UNTIL i read this post...made my heart soften and made me smile.......what a wonderful thread and a excellent NSV. seems little things like this are actually HUGE nsv's and inspires us to keep doing what we are doing as it is working......well done ....well done

Sorry...newbie here...what is NSV??

Last night, I'm sitting on my couch, just relaxing. Without thinking I crossed my legg, after I did it, I realized, I can cross my leggs now, comfortablly! Wow!:clap2: Its another NSV for me. I hadn't tried in so long to cross them, or I could cross them and it cut the breath out of me. But now, I feel so feminane when I can cross my leggs. I just had to journal this down.