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What a good thread! Well it's not Sunday, but I wanted to post if it's ok I'm on my lunch break at work hee hee :ph34r: I'm happy to have lost 20 lbs in one month. I've NEVER been able to say I've lost that much weight ever. My husband hugged me this morning and said "you're getting so small, my arms wrap so far around you when I hug you now!" that was a great NSV. Also sleeping comfortably again has been a relief for me! I still have a way to go before goal but I know I will get there. So thankful for my sleeve! Good luck to everyone and keep the good vibes coming!

What a great NSV and boost to your self-esteem and determination to keep going!! Congratulations, that's awesom! Emily

Averaging 18 pounds a month is great! I think many people here have unrealistic expectations of how fast they will lose post-op. There are so many factors: did you have sleeve or bypass? Are you male or female? Was starting weight/BMI high or low? etc. No two people are alike, and no two people will lose weight the same way in the same time frame. You're only 2 months out. Do you really think the weight loss is going to stop suddenly? I know it's hard not to compare yourself to others, but really, the only one you should be comparing yourself to is... you! What was your weight loss like before you had the operation? I know for me, the most I could ever lose was about 10 pounds a month, but after a month or two, the weight loss would plateau and creep up again. What are your body measurements like? You may find that you are losing inches, even if the scale is stalled. How do you feel? Do you have more energy? Do you have less pain (if you have it before)? There are so many non-scale victories to keep track of. Even for me, the last two weeks have been a bit of a downer, as the scale hasn't budged (but it finally did today). That said, even though the scale wasn't moving, clearly something was happening because I suddenly found most of the clothes I was wearing were too big - pants and skirts literally falling off my body, shirts so baggy it was embarrassing. So I've done another clean-out of my closet and I'm happy that I am starting to fit into size 16 bottoms, something I haven't been able to do for over 10 years. Anyway, focus on your NSV's, stop comparing yourself to others (social media is great for support, but it often can create false expectations based on what others are projecting out there), and relax. Hope you start feeling better about this soon.

The bin idea is a great one. If you don't mind, i am going get me a tote and but it in the closet and fill er up too. what a fantastic NSV!!!!! Great job on your preop. I will start my Wednesday and surgery on Oct. 19th. When is your date. Blessing wishes and good luck!!!!

There's a saying, nothing tastes as good as thin feels and it's true! Great NSV!

NSV for sure! Atta girl!

Someone explained this earlier I wish I had saved the post. Basically the first 2 weeks your're losing water weight and you're body is in shock from the surgery. By week 3 you're body is settled into your new eating routine. I'll echo what everyone else is saying, stay off the scales. I actually don't weight myself more than once a month. The scale will make you crazy. Look for other NSV(non-scale victories). For example now would be a good time take your measurements. I just did mine today and I'm down 3 - 4 inches all over.If you must weight yourself only weigh once a week at the same time of day and in the same location.

@@James Marusek hmmmm maybe i'll try it interesting NSV!! who would have thought!!!! wish me luck kathy

What's NSV mean??? Sorry. New here

For all newbies, NSV= non-scale victory! We reward ourselves with them when we get a compliment, can bend over to tie our shoes, cross out knees or anything that we weren't able to do previous to losing weight! So, it is a non-scale victory!!! Congrats to all newbies and everyone else who gets one! Karen..aka..kll724

Answers to some questions: Meds: my meds are often adjusted for best optimization but cannot take care of everything. Therapy: I don't have an eating disorder therapist, but he is the most gifted therapist I've ever met and knows a great deal about trauma and addiction and body work as well. However, the shortcoming of our therapy is a lack of structure with problem solving. Meditating: I have those meditations that were suggested but never got into them. I've just started a Zen / Mindfulness group that holds a lot of promise, but having the discipline to practice at home ... Mother: I have no contact with her currently but she will always be a heavy burden to bear. Diary; good idea. I'll try it. I'm also trying to do some recovery scrapbooking and make a running list of all NSVs. Sent from my VS980 4G using the BariatricPal App

I had the sleeve done at the end of November, 2013. It was a band to sleeve revision. I was what I would have called a "slow loser" but found out some things I was doing wrong. So, I changed some of what I was doing - went to 1000 calories/day, added fruits and vegetables to my diet instead of just Protein and began walking and working out some. Now, I know you're going to say, "If you're working out you're adding muscle which weighs more than fat." Ok, I'm not working out THAT hard. A couple of weeks ago I had an NSV by getting into size 20 clothes from a size 26/28. I hit the 40 pound loss mark in 4 months. I was feeling really good. But things have changed. I'm still in a 20, which I'm happy about. But I'm losing my hair. The one thing that I have ALWAYS prided myself on. Even when I was over 300 pounds, my hair always looked good. It was healthy, bouncy and in really good shape. Then, pieces of it started coming out when I showered. I'd go to soap myself up and have to remove strands of hair from the bar of soap. I thought, "Well, that's the price of bariatric surgery I suppose." I started taking Biotin after reading some messages on here. I also made sure I got at least 60 grams or more of protein a day and have been averaging over 60 grams a day for over a month now. I thought it probably wasn't as bad as I was making it out to be. Then, I went to my hair dresser for a cut yesterday. She started washing my hair and said, "Oh my, you're really getting thin." My daughter is getting married in 2 months and my hairdresser said we may have to get a hair piece to help cover up some of thinness if it doesn't get any better. What?!?!?!?!?!? Are you frickin' kidding me? Oh, and it gets worse. I stepped on the scale this morning and was 3 pounds heavier!! WHAT?!?!?!!?!?!?!? I've been following my diet strictly and haven't gone over 1000 calories. I've looked at the snack cakes in my daughter's snack drawer and walked away. ARE YOU FRICKIN' KIDDING ME?!?!?!? 3 POUNDS?!?!?!!?!?!? And this is after a 2 week plateau. I'm ready to give up. I know this weight didn't come on over night but I really expected more than 40 pounds in 4 months. And, I know that we all have weight fluctuations but mine have only been a pound here and there. 3 pounds? Higher??? That's crazy. If I was cheating, sure, I can see that. But I'm not. I'm a bit fed up. I don't want to hear about losing inches vs. pounds and changing things up. I've done that. I guess I just want to bitch and complain. Has anyone else gone through this mental torture and how did you get your HEAD back in the game? I'm beating myself and my sleeve up right now. I need a mental kick in the ass. Any advice?

I lost fluid around my ankles and calves right away. My legs and ankles have NEVER swollen like they did before my surgery since - and it's been 22 months! Thank goodness! After that, I've lost most ALL my weight right off my hips, waist and thighs. I still have to wear larger sizes in pants due to not having lost much around my abdomen. I bought a pair of Gloria Vanderbilt jeans the other day, which fit perfectly, btw, but I had to get an 18, which was kind of disappointing:(, but I understand they run small too. Interestingly, a lady told me the legs fit small and my legs fit perfectly! In a way, that was a NSV for me. I have ALWAYS had huge thighs and never been able to wear Levis or some smaller legged jeans, so that was cool! But, I can't believe how much more I've lost from my legs and behind than the rest. It's very strange.

That is my kinda weekend!!! Congrats on the clearance sales, but more importantly, those smaller sizes, woohoo!!! Awesome NSV!!!

thank you - it's all relative I guess. I weigh in once a week to check my weight progress but I couldn't do it every day because I'd go crazy:) I am now wearing an xl in old navy which is a huge nsv for me because when I got sleeved - I didn't fit into any thing there. . Small goals are helping me along the journey.

So, lately I've been bummed and stuck on a plateau around 50lbs loss, but today during my couch to 5k I ran and enjoyed it! Never thought I would jog for almost 20 minutes and be happy about it!

I went to the mall to pick up a couple of pair of shorts (I live in Florida and it's already hot and I have nothing that fits...a nice problem to have...but still a problem.) My thought was to just hit JC Penny's and pick up a few things. On my walk to the dept store, I passed by Old Navy which was having a nice sale. My inner fat girl voice said, "you have never fit into anything in Old Navy...keep walking." But I stopped in and checked out their linen shorts. Super cute! I pulled an XL shorts off the rack and tried them on. TOO BIG!! My mean inner fat girl voice said, "a Large will never fit your fat butt...put the XL back and come back another day when you lose more weight." But I grabbed the Large and a large tshirt and they fit fabulously!!! I was shocked. I thought I was looking at a different girl in the mirror! I'm not going to lie....I almost cried. I bought 3 pair and 3 tshirts! That shut that mean inner fat girl up!!

P.S. My most recent NSV-:thumbup: dh picked me up during to switch positions. Hello...PICKED ME UP! Wow! That's impressive. I would have been like "Yeah do it again" ha ha ha

Good for you!! Think that should be an NSV. Actually forgetting to be buck naked for weight

Okay so the DH and I decide to take in a movie this evening and I since it was kind of a date I decide to get dolled up. Cute shirt and sweater....makeup....hair lookin totally cute since my new cut....and off we go....me toting my oh so cute Juicy bag and feeling pretty dang good about myself...(can't even remember how long it's been since I actually felt like maybe I looked sort of cute) We went to the movie (Pursuit of Happyness if anyone cares about that part) Anyhoo we're walking out of the theater and there is this guy standing there...I'd say early 30's and I'm 34 so the age was reasonable(this story wouldn't be nearly as exciting to me if the guy was an old geezer) So he's standing at a pillar as I walk by and he nods and smiles and I smile back. I get on the escalator going down in the theater and he smiles again and I smile back and we both kind of look away and then I kind of giggle and DH looks at me with this odd look on his face and I say What! Anyhow DH goes to the biff and I wait in the lobby and this guy walks by me to head out the door and says "You smell nice" What!!??! I'm like " uh thanks"....okay I felt like an idiot and was totally blushing when DH came out of the bathroom. Wow I really veered off on a tangent there but the bottom line is....I think that guy was kind of flirting with me a little and holy shite....it felt really good...I've only lost 58 pounds and I have a loooooong ways to go but I'm carrying myself differently these days and I think other people notice that...okay so I'm done...just thought I would share.

Lil sister this is a great NSV. I am so proud of you and your loss already. WOW you are rocking that sleeve SIS, Don't forget to get those pics on the gallery so we can see the skinny you in transformation. I am so psyched for you. You are doing great!!!!!!:rockon: :whoo: :clap2:

I asked about this at my last fill a week ago. I asked the nurse why the scale had only changed 2.5 pounds in 4 weeks, but my clothes were getting baggier. She explained it like this: If a pound of muscle is this big (held up one closed fist) then a pound of fat is THIS big (held up both closed fists together). I really needed that visual to understand this concept. That makes me much more content with NSVs!!! It's nice to know what exercise I do is paying off and changing that fat to muscle and taking up less space under my skin.

That is a MOST excellent NSV indeed!!! :clap2: :clap2: You are COMPLETELY correct...it is all about how you feel on the inside...and it then shines through loud and clear on the outside in spades!!! Yay you!!! This is just the beginning!

Well, it's a strange one, but I finally tried on some smaller underwear I bought a month ago. Size large -- not XXL (where I started), not even XL, just large! -- boxer briefs now fit like a glove. Not too snug, not too baggy! And my size 42 waist jeans that I bought a month ago because my 48's that I started with were literally falling off me are now pretty baggy. I have some 40's that were hand-me-downs -- they're too long in the inseam -- and even they are starting to fit loosely. I should be in 38's before the end of the year. For me, getting below 40-inch jeans is a HUGE achievement, since I've been in 40+ inch waist jeans for more than 10 years now. Dare I dream that before this process is over, I'll be back in the 36-inch waist jeans I fit into back in high school? That would be 12 inches off my waistline... wow! Incremental progress, but it's all going in the right direction, and I'm starting to get excited about it. I'm feeling positive about my body for the first time in a decade or longer, and it's just going to keep getting better!

Thanks to some genetics and my weight, I have rather bad knees and back problems. The result was I would get really tired just going up one flight of stairs - and would try to avoid them whenever possible. I couldn't walk more than 5 minutes without getting winded. I couldn't even stand in place for 5 minutes without breaking out in a sweat. Then I had VSG. Today - just 2.5 weeks after surgery, I was moving some stuff into my new apartment. I totally forgot about the stairs. There are 4 steps up to the front entrance, then 8 more down to my floor. I did all 12 steps at least 8 times today (both ways - so 16 times total I suppose)! I also unpacked my trunk twice taking stuff into the apartment and putting it away immediately. For me, this is a MAJOR NSV! Boy am I tired now though. Oh, and because I forgot to pack my lunch, I stopped at Big Boy for lunch (plus I wanted to sit in air conditioning for a bit - my apartment has air, but no furniture yet). I ordered the Grilled chicken dinner that came with 2 sides (I chose cottage cheese and baby carrots). My eyes are still bigger than my stomach. I barely made it through the cottage cheese (which was about 1/2 cup). So, I asked for a box when the waitress brought my meal and immediately packaged up the chicken and the carrots that turned out to be glazed carrots. I left the roll on the plate. My "doggie bag" will be at least 3 meals for me - I just have to puree it first. So although I'm really tired, I am proud of myself today. Now to rest up a bit (my back is really bothering me right now, so I'm resting) and then re-pack the car with more stuff for moving tomorrow. At least tomorrow my furniture will arrive at some point in the afternoon, so I'll have a chair to sit on!