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Here’s a no-brainer: You get weight loss surgery to lose weight. You qualify based on your BMI, and you watch the number on the scale decrease, sometimes by leaps and bounds, and sometimes painfully slowly. Any “successful” Weight Loss Surgery patient will tell you that weight loss is only one measure of success. There are many other ways to win, so keep your eyes out. Recognizing your non-scale victories (NSVs) will keep you motivated and let you get the most you can out of WLS. Here are just a few ways you know you are winning. 1. Your clothes fit (or don’t fit). You fit into clothes you “outgrew” on the way up, and your pre-WLS clothes are so big they are falling off. Better yet may be the feeling you have when your wedding ring fits again or you can slip into your high school prom dress again. 2. You are happy to go to the doctor. After years of bad news about your health, ranging from vague warnings (“You can get heart disease because of your weight.”) to scares (“You will be lucky if you live to see your children graduate from high school.”), things are different. You may get good news, such as being able to reduce your medications and seeing your numbers improve. 3. You like other activities besides eating. You will know success when you treasure your morning walk more than doughnuts, you want to focus on the movie without a tub of popcorn, and you are happy to talk to your friends instead of eating fast enough to serve yourself second helpings at dinner. It is a good feeling when you realize that the thing you will enjoy most about your granddaughter's birthday party is seeing her open her presents, not tasting her birthday cake. 4. Shopping is fun. You can go to regular stores, see a nice selection of fashionable clothes, and try them on without cringing when you look in the mirror. Plus, you have the energy to enjoy the experience. 5. It’s fun to focus on yourself. For some, getting a massage or going to the hairdresser can be a reminder of how unhappy you are in your body. You know WLS is working if you find yourself enjoying these activities again instead of avoiding them because of poor body image. Going to the doctor can also be embarrassing when you are overweight if you know that your health concerns are caused by your extra weight. 6. You do what you want to do. You make your plans based on your schedule and desire rather than which venue has the biggest seats and bathroom stalls. The size of booths at restaurants, the width of airplane seats, and weight limits at amusement parks become less important than the menu choices, the cost of the airfare, and who your favorite cartoon characters are. 7. You are bigger. You may be shrinking physically, but your personality is bigger. You no longer try to hide. You are confident in stating your opinions and being yourself, even if that means standing out a bit from the rest of the group. You have a voice, and you are prepared to use it.

Any “successful” Weight Loss Surgery patient will tell you that weight loss is only one measure of success. There are many other ways to win, so keep your eyes out. Recognizing your non-scale victories (NSVs) will keep you motivated and let you get the most you can out of WLS. Here are just a few ways you know you are winning. 1. Your clothes fit (or don’t fit). You fit into clothes you “outgrew” on the way up, and your pre-WLS clothes are so big they are falling off. Better yet may be the feeling you have when your wedding ring fits again or you can slip into your high school prom dress again. 2. You are happy to go to the doctor. After years of bad news about your health, ranging from vague warnings (“You can get heart disease because of your weight.”) to scares (“You will be lucky if you live to see your children graduate from high school.”), things are different. You may get good news, such as being able to reduce your medications and seeing your numbers improve. 3. You like other activities besides eating. You will know success when you treasure your morning walk more than doughnuts, you want to focus on the movie without a tub of popcorn, and you are happy to talk to your friends instead of eating fast enough to serve yourself second helpings at dinner. It is a good feeling when you realize that the thing you will enjoy most about your granddaughter's birthday party is seeing her open her presents, not tasting her birthday cake. 4. Shopping is fun. You can go to regular stores, see a nice selection of fashionable clothes, and try them on without cringing when you look in the mirror. Plus, you have the energy to enjoy the experience. 5. It’s fun to focus on yourself. For some, getting a massage or going to the hairdresser can be a reminder of how unhappy you are in your body. You know WLS is working if you find yourself enjoying these activities again instead of avoiding them because of poor body image. Going to the doctor can also be embarrassing when you are overweight if you know that your health concerns are caused by your extra weight. 6. You do what you want to do. You make your plans based on your schedule and desire rather than which venue has the biggest seats and bathroom stalls. The size of booths at restaurants, the width of airplane seats, and weight limits at amusement parks become less important than the menu choices, the cost of the airfare, and who your favorite cartoon characters are. 7. You are bigger. You may be shrinking physically, but your personality is bigger. You no longer try to hide. You are confident in stating your opinions and being yourself, even if that means standing out a bit from the rest of the group. You have a voice, and you are prepared to use it.

I lost my original journal. So here I am starting anew.. Highest weight before surgery 287 Current weight 220. I could have lost more but I'm fighting my demons. My weakness is cookies and chips. During a meal I will favor protein and veggies. So it does keep me from gaining. Still watching my sugar intake. I find if I wait too long to eat, hunger makes my meal decisions. Last night I ate too fast and wound up eating too fast-then getting sick, and then filling up on chips. My bad habits are lurking right around the corner. Whatever I decide to eat, I set a timer on my smart watch for 30 min before I allow myself liquid. Like I said l, no gain. But not a single piund list in Feb. Gave up dairy this week and lost 2 lbs. Finally honest with myself that Im lactose intolerant. A few NSV: I can run up a flight of stairs. I'm outgrowing size 16 pants. I took my son to a bday party and was not self conscious and was somewhat social. My overall mood is good. Still happy amd proud of myself. :-D

@melsabells BIG NSV weeding being overweight, it was difficult to bend up and down working in my garden. knees hurt, became out of breathe etc. as i was losing weight - weeds would "run" when they saw me coming. kathy

Congrats!!! It is the NSV's that mean the most.

So last night I'm partying at a club in Rome and a lot of guys start dancing with me one after the other. I was really flattered by the attention for sure but the REAL victory is that I danced the entire night from techno to hip hop and everything in between. I was not even tired...next level [emoji356]

These are a size 14 Capri that I was only able to squeeze into several years ago, and after dieting for a few months. I wasn't able to wear them for very long, and when I did, they were so dang tight. I'm 21 pounds down so far, and only a few pounds (and some swelling) from getting them closed. NSV HW 241 SW 238 CW 218 GW 130 Sleeved 3/1/18

I don't know if your "Thanks for the positivity was genuine or snarky, cuz I can't hear expression in typing." LOL. But I AM in the same boat as you. I'm 15 days post op. I had lost 6.8lbs. NOT tearing up the streets, but "just average". And then I got put back on clear liquids. So I've had nothing but clear liquids and 1000ml of iv fluid and suddenly I'm back up 2lbs. So in 15 days and NO food of any sort, other than broth, sf jello, and a sf popsicle in 1 1/2 days. I'm now only at 4.8lbs loss. Below, well below average. So I DO understand your frustration. There should be instant gratification and a MUCH fu*king bigger payout for rearranging your anatomy and losing the biggest % of your stomach! But, if you continue to work the program, look toward life to get balance and other NSV payout, and just sit back and relax as you engage in healthy amounts of exercise and reconnect with people, all those 2-3 lbs will begin to add up and gain momentum. And when you look back in a year, it may look like a 70-100lb loss. And WHEN was the last time you were able to lose (or me for that matter) 100lbs in 1 year? Um, oh yeah...make that NEVER!!!! In life there will ALWAYS be someone faster than you at whatever it is you're competing in. But this isn't a competition with anyone else but ourselves. Hope that helps clarify and give you reassurance. (Let me remind you--in case you need a slower loser than you...In 15 days I've lost 4.8lbs. Snort. AND have a 3oz tummy capacity. ROFLMFAO!!!)

@Debbie9966 new clothes, sizes - are one of the best NSV's sad i'll be seeing "less and less" of you keep up the great job. kathy congrats

So I’ve been avoiding buying new clothes for as long as possible but today I have to go to the mall because I have decided I need new jeans. Last night at Orlando City’s home opener against DC United (MLS Soccer) we scored the equalizer in the last few minutes of the game and the supporter section went crazy. I went crazy. I high fived. I screamed. I jumped. And when I jumped... my pants fell off. [emoji23] A little “behind” show for the folks behind me! Luckily I was wearing cute undies and they were going as crazy as I was. Anyway, NSV, New Pants, Yay! [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] Now to find the healthy stadium food options...

For us acronym deficient patients, what does NSV stand for? Congrats on the down size, and I hope you get to feeling better soon!

Congrats on your NSV - that's awesome!!! I haven't tried on a pair of jeans for ages as I got sick of disappointment. Might try now I'm on track! As for your flu - that sucks. It's a particularly bad season. Keep well hydrated and hope you feel better soon xx

So today I had my first NSV today! I was getting ready to go to the Drs and I just randomly grabbed some jeans. They were not my normal size they were a size down from that and they fit perfect even with a bit of room! I was so excited. So the bad was that I was putting on said jeans yo be tested for the flu. And of course I have the flu and am starting tamilu .one. day. all. The. Things. Will. go.right. I seriously want to hit the gym now. But I feel like I've been hit with a truck full of bricks. I want normalcy.lol Sent from my SM-J727T1 using BariatricPal mobile app

@Tealael party dance party dance!! YOU are the leader! 199 lbs - Ahhhhh one of the great NSV's peep look forward to keep up the great job good luck kathy congrats

Think of it as your body pausing to regroup and realign , then it will relax and the weight loss probably will resume. In the meantime you might have NSV like your clothes and shoes becoming looser. It will all balance out but it's hard to stay patient. Don't stress yourself out. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

What's everyone's latest NSVs? I can finally use a regular bath towel instead of a bath sheet

That’s so funny! I had taken a picture of how much I tightened my seatbelt when I flew a few weeks ago. Definitely the biggest NSV for me thus far. For years I’ve been asking for extenders, and in September of last year I bought my own off of Amazon for my flights to Ireland and Cancun. So exciting for us!

Flying today - this NSV makes me so happy!

So yesterday I bought a 'goal' dress, not something I normally do, but it was too beautiful to pass up and I'm just sick of telling myself "no". I'm currently a size 26/28 and the dress is a size 20. Wanted to see how others changed in sizes during their journey so I can gauge a realistic goal of how far out post op I want to be able fit into my first nsv goal.

ok ...so what is NSV???

First time I've heard of this NSV but it's definitely one! Congrats!

Lol, I've never been a fan of leggings. But my husband bought me a new outfit when he was away at army training. Roflmao,I looked at those little clothes...a size small of all things.. and shook my head.. thinking how do I show him I appreciate his gift knowing that WON'T fit... lol, so I took the plunge. To my surprise they fit. And to my second surprise, leggings aren't bad🤣 Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'd call that an NSV girlie! Congrats!!