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Well im down to 200 . If I get naked. Do I dare to try to fit in my smaller pants. YES I have dropped a pants size too. I am now out of my fat pants.Kackies with a strech band.Strech slacks. They were getting saggy in the front belly area.So under the bed I have a box of blue jeans size 40 and I have not been able to where them in two years. I had at least 7 pairs. They still look new so I put them away in hope I would get back in then.I DID. Back in the jeans and boots again. The old new me.Out of the strechy grandma stuff. Even though I am a grandma now does not mean I have to look like one.It was getting to the point that was all I could find in the bigger sizes looked like my mother would wear.Cant wait till I get in a 14 and can find some really cute stuff. Hey im only 42.LOL

Wow! What a difference a year makes! I have been thinking about this day all week. One year... What a ride! Here are some stats: I am 1.1 pound away from being "normal" BMI; I am down 147.8 pounds total (121 pounds of that since surgery); I have lost 83.5 inches (18 inches off my hips ALONE / 12 inches off EACH thigh!); pants size down from loose 28 to 12 or 14; dress size down from 24 or 26 to a size 12. Some of the best NSV's: Buckling airplane seatbelt and not having bruises on my thighs from the plane seat arms; ability to get up and down off the floor so easily; my clothes have stopped falling off hangers; ability to fit in a "normal" robe when I go to a spa or even the doctor; crossing my legs; not sweating all the time; diabetes in remission and no diabetes meds; off cholesterol meds; ability to mow my own lawn without being so exhausted I had to lay down for hours afterwards. I know there are more.... How did I do it? Perseverance. Seriously one bite at a time. I ate poorly or too much, I got right back up and did better next meal - not tomorrow, not next Monday. My keys to success: Therapy and logging my food daily and having occasional checkups with my NUT. (It is good to have someone look over my food logs and say "careful on that, or try more of this"). I really think therapy though is my number one tool. I had some breakthroughs just this week in how I saw food and will continue to see this therapist for AT least another year if not longer. Oh and I cannot forget the support I received from friends and family. Were it not for those cheering me on and yet still staying out of my business (i.e. not constantly saying "should you be eating that"), I do not think I would have been so successful. And of course this incredible website. Without the advice and the ability to rant and read others experiences here, I would never have been able to do this! What do I eat: deli turkey, cheese, blackberries, blueberries, apples, tuna, pork tenderloin, lean ground beef (less than once per week), turkey sausage, turkey pepperoni, LOTS AND LOTS of chicken (grilled, boiled, fajita style, rotisserie, baked, roasted, etc etc), cucumbers, avocado, green olives, mushrooms, onions, occasional slice of bread (a few times a week), triscuit crackers (limiting myself to 2 or 3 at a time), did I say cheese LOTS and LOTS of cheese. I still have 1 Protein shake per day (30g protein) to make sure I get to my protein goals. I eat around 100 - 120g protein per day / 60-80g carbs / 45-55g fat - total calories 1100-1300. (I have been averaging closer to 1000 this last 2 weeks and I need to be sure t get those calories UP because I am ready to stop losing weight.) I cook for myself, so it is much easier to manage I am sure than others who cook for families. What didn't change: I am not one of those people that have SO much energy they cannot stand it. Nope. I am still a fairly lazy person. I hate that I am but it is true. I watch too much tv still and I still don't enjoy exercising really (and don't do it as often as I should). (I mostly walk and it is nice to know that I can go on a 2 mile walk without a lot of effort but I don't get that HIGH from exercising some talk about.) I want to be healthier and I will keep working on that part but I will never be a marathon runner or CrossFitter, etc. I still struggle with making food choices. The struggle is much easier than it used to be (most things don't even cross my mind to eat anymore) but I still crave salty Snacks. I give in sometimes but I am working on the addiction part of that. Not because you cannot have salty snacks but because it is an ADDICTION for me. And yes - I have loose skin. LOTS of it. My butt and boobs took the worst hit. You cannot see it when I am dressed and it isn't as bad as I thought it might be, but I am going to have it fixed. I am planning my first of plastics for this fall. I took money out of my 401K to pay for it. I do not need to be perfect, but I want to be able to wear sleeveless shirts and some shorts without being uncomfortable and I need my butt and thighs to be reshaped so I can fit in pants (which are tough to buy right now). I had some struggles in the beginning - I had a stricture which we didn't figure out until 3 months post-op so I was constantly vomiting. I stayed nauseas until 6 months post-op. The constipation is probably the very worst part and it has only really resolved in the last couple of months as I have started to incorporate more Fiber in my diet. (It is tough to get fiber in the beginning.) I thought I was a SLOW loser (average 10-12 pounds per month). I know now that isn't slow. It is just right. My best advice to people starting this journey - DO IT! Seriously - just do it. Just work the program. Use the tools - all of them - therapy, logging, NUT, restriction, Vitamins, exercise. STOP comparing yourself to others!! It will derail you! (PLUS I just don't buy into the "I lost 40 pounds my first month") This is your journey. No one else's. Everyone's journey is different and comparing yourself to others is defeating mentally. GO SEE A THERAPIST! Please... accept that you have a food "issue". I will buy that some of you don't but let's be honest, the overwhelming majority of us have food "issues" and until you face that fact, you cannot learn how to start to move past it. HANG IN THERE - just keep moving forward. You are going to be stunned when you look back a year from now... My journey is not over. The hardest part is just beginning - Maintenance. I have lost weight before but never kept it off, so this is the real test. Can I do this for the rest of my life? I truly hope so. I have a great head start by having developed some great new habits and faced some of my food addiction issues that I allowed to derail me in the past. I have some big changes in my life coming up job-wise and it is going to take discipline to make it work. I will keep seeing my therapist and keep my eye on the prize!

Congrats!!!! Great NSV

YAAAAY!!! CONGRATS! Awesome NSV

Awesome NSV! I cant think of a better way to end a work out! God is good!

congrats wishing you many more NSV moments

I'm getting toward the end of my journey, and it's funny how things are so different from the inside looking out. I've realized through this journey that while each NSV and every mini goal met is significant and praise worthy, the most significant loss I had was the first 30-40 for me. It was when I hit the middle of those numbers that I realized that I WAS doing this! I AM going to succeed!! I CAN keep losing this weight!! It was the true marker for me and the green light to realize that my body was changing, I was shrinking and it was the first and probably the biggest boost to my confidence that I've had this entire journey. That being said, the first 30-40 lbs of my loss was probably the most insignificant to those around me and who saw me on a daily basis. It was enough for them to see that I'd lost 'some' weight, but let's face it when you're as big as we all are/were a 30-40 lb loss LOOKS like maybe 10-15 to the untrained eye. I don't even think my first 30 I went down a pant size yet! Hardly anyone noticed those first blocks of weight when they were shed, but I knew. I noticed, and I was proud!! Now, as I'm battling my last 40-30 pounds it seems really insignificant, I've already battled away over 100 lbs of loss, what is 30 or 40 more? It's nothing! BUT! To those that are outside looking in, I think this is the MOST significant 30-40 pounds. In my last 10 pounds of loss I've had more compliments, comments, people noticing how small I've gotten. They marvel and wonder aloud 'How much more are you going to lose?!'. It's funny how that flip is switched. For me to say 'Oh, just 30' now the looks are of shock and awe! When I lost my first 30, those who asked how much I had lost and I told 'Oh, just 30' very excited and bubbly, they'd respond with maybe a glance and an over the shoulder 'Oh, that's good...'. It's funny how people perceive those who are going through a change. Ultimately, I'm proud of every last pound, every last inch. This transformation has been amazing! I'm not the fastest loser, but I'm not giving up!! I'm going to do it! I'm going to reach my goal, and I know each and everyone of us can and will!!

I don't and never have counted calories or carbs or fat. For the first few months I just concentrated on water, protein and vitamins. I keep track of my fluids in my head as the day goes on so I know I'm getting 64oz. I have a 30-40g protein smoothie everyday. And other than that it's pretty much like LindafromFlorida said.... I eat when I'm hungry and I eat a healthy, balanced diet of protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains. I am active but I don't exercise. I weigh once a week so I have something to put on my ticker and I never worried about stalls. I'm 17 pounds under my surgeon's goal and 7 under personal goal. I couldn't have asked for a better life. Don't get too hung up on numbers.... Just trust the process and enjoy the NSV's.

NSV stands for non-scale victory. I do weigh myself every day (along with journaling every thing I eat and all my exercise) and i notice that my body goes through stages of losing... i'll hit a new low number, fluctuate around that number bouncing back up a few pounds, back down some, then hit another new low or stall for a week or so before it starts moving again. I'm ok with this. What helps is also measuring yourself every once in a while because usually when the scale isnt moving my body is busy changing shape or working on muscle or something else. one recent NSV I can claim is losing 2 dress sizes. So, my 40 lb weight loss in 3 months may not be as much weight loss as lots of others can claim, but I'm happy with it. I also have picked Friday as my weekly day to evaluate how well i'm losing and it seems my rate of loss is 1-2 lbs per week which I think is pretty healthy and I'm happy with that, too. Anyway good luck to you and I hope the burning when you drink stops soon. It may just be some wounded tissue from the hiatal hernia repair and when it heals that will hopefully stop.

I had a friend point this out to me as sort of a NSV. It is actually something that never would have happened if I had not had the surgery and lost weight.. I had a small claims case filed in my hometown court. It was a family member who I helped out and was supposed to pay me back, but never did. Long story short I wanted what he owed, so I filed the case. On Sept. 23rd I received a UPS envelope that contained a letter from the tv show "Hot Bench". It is a new daytime court show featuring a three judge panel. They found my case filing and were inviting me to have my case heard on the show. At first I thought I was being punked, no way this was true. I did a Google search and hound out the show was legit. I decided what the heck and replied to them. Less than a week later I was on a flight to Los Angeles!!! We taped the show Tuesday the 30th and I was heading back home Wednesday. It was completely surreal and hard to believe I really went to Hollywood and will be on tv. ( Air date of the show is unknown right now) I never, ever would have considered being on tv at my former weight. Even the size I am now I felt a bit odd, but not enough to keep me from a once in a lifetime opportunity. When do you get an all expense paid trip out to LA and the chance at 15 minutes of fame? ( Literally - 15 minutes. Half hour show split into two 15 minute segments...LOL) It was pretty amazing. And while I cannot tell you the outcome of the case I will encourage you all to watch "Hot Bench" and be looking for me!!!!

Karen, Congratulations!! All of those are wonderful NSV's, and you should be very proud of yourself!

Well hello kitty! and thanks for the smile. I hope I get an encouraging NSV that soon. I am such an impatient person. Thanks for posting this.

I had a Spouse's (my husband's active duty Air Force for those that don't know) club Breakfast this morning, and was so nervous that I had talked myself out of eating. I had told everyone that I had breakfast with my son earlier that morning ( I didn't really eat). I had walked around a huge conference area meeting with vendors, and socializing, so I knew that I needed to eat. Once the other ladies at my table were chowing away at their breakfast burritos, fresh fruit, and hashbrowns, I decided to venture to the buffet line. I took a small portion of the sausage, hashbrowns, and some cantaloupe. All of it went down wonderfully, I mean it was a small amount 3-4oz total, and I wasn't "scared" of eating anymore. A lady in line said "Tiffany, you're being good." I whispered to her that I had surgery, and she said "Good for you, you're braver than me." She was the sweetest lady, and told me to not worry about eating a lot, she would eat enough for the both of us. She seemed to understand, and was very kind. I'm not too worried about people finding out I had surgery. I'm a really open person, and find it's easier to tell people rather than finding an alternative answer. Most people are generally open to listening, and are curious. None of them at my table asked why I was eating so little. I ate slow, and enjoyed my "first meal" out with strangers.

Weightloss isn't consistent nor linear. You won't lose weight on the scale every week, doesn't work that way. Maybe focus more on NSVs and measurements. Two weeks without a decrease on the scale is hardly a stall/plateau. Good luck!

Hi. I'm new to this site but had my VSG 8/14/14. With the liquids, you are doing the right thing with trying different temperatures. You may want to take smaller sips. At one point my sips were just getting the tip of my tongue wet. What really helped me was walking while I drank my Water. I don't mean a stroll. I was moving my legs! The moving helped the water pass without feeling like someone kicked me in my chest. May I suggest that you put the scale away. You are three days out from surgery. Standing on the scale every day will do nothing but drive you batty. I still don't have a scale in my house because I am compulsive. I would weigh several times a day if it was right there in my home. In the beginning I just waited until my surgeon visits to find my weight. I was never disappointed. I didn't have that dreaded 3 week stall everyone gripes about. I weighed in the doctor's office during the week 1 visit and weighed again during the week 3 visit. Guess what....the weight was down. No stall. After a few weeks, I picked Monday as my official weigh in and just plot my weight once a week on a graph. Some people plot their weight once a month. This way I don't get caught up in the day to day fluctuations your body will make. Before surgery I wrote a list of NSVs I wanted to achieve. This way I could Celebrate something in the event the scale doesn't move from one week to another. Who cares that I didn't lose 1 pound this week because I was able to button a pair of pants that I haven't worn in yearssssss!!!! Just find other ways to celebrate.

I WISH I'd taken many pictures before surgery, but I only had a few. I'd suggest definitely taking some photos now, before WLS. See post here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/310322-are-you-pre-wls-take-pictures-now/. I also wish I'd taken measurements pre-op. My first measurements were 2 weeks post-op. Do it now as a baseline. --I only post and read messages here at BP. --I keep a small [5.5" x 7.5"] notebook on my bathroom countertop and I weigh every day, or every other day, and record numbers in columns: Date/POD#/Wt. At the end of each month's mark (my surgery was Dec 4th), I might tally my weight loss for that month. Oh, that notebook has my SW and date noted somewhere in the beginning. Also, on the back pages of the previous logging page, I sometimes have notations about [whatever--NSVs; potato chips I ate; how much I "danced, and wow, look," etc.] So the notations are opposite the page for the curent weights/dates. --Every month (or two), I measure myself: Neck, breasts, waist, abdomen, hips, rt/lft thigh. And just last week I added measurements of my ankle and a wrist. I want to see the tally of pounds and inches at one year.

I noticed today that I actually weigh 5 lbs. less than the wild lie that has been listed on my driver's license for the past 25 years! 🤣🤩 I guess it qualifies as a NSV.

This week was my first work trip since having surgery. Before surgery, I would gain 2-4 pounds on average every time I traveled. Eating out every meal is tough like that. I did fantastic this time. Stuck to salads with grilled chicken, no snacking and last night at our fancy dinner, I had about a third of a lobster tail. And I worked out in the hotel. I have a good feeling about my weigh in tomorrow!

Way to go jtag and Ang - outstanding and inspiring NSVs!!!!!!

I'm pretty early to have a NSV, but I had to share. Even though I'm single and don't have to "hide" food from anyone at home, my lifestyle is so hectic that I am always on the go and consequently it seemed like I was always eating in my car. Not really a fan of fast food, with a couple of exceptions- but it wasn't a big deal to have other food I bought at the store to "eat and run". Consequently, my car always had food crumbs on the floor or cup holder. I just went and got my car cleaned today (1st time since surgery 3 wks ago) and realized I might be able to keep my car clean now because eating in the car is going to be a thing of the past now or at the very least very minimal. I don't thing string cheese leaves too many crumbs.

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to give a little update for some who might wonder how it is after being sleeved. I recall, not to long ago wondering how I might feel a month or two out. First let me say, I went to Mexico, had surgery with Dr. Kelly. I lost 12lbs preop (if I recall right lol). Since the time I was sleeved I have lost 25 more lbs. I am tickled. I was on liquids for 2 plus weeks and around the 3rd week I started mushies. About 4 weeks I started soft foods. So far this has been a blessing but my sleeve has tolerated EVERYTHING. I have not ate one thing that has bothered it. I must say that I do pretty much stay by the book. I eat protein first always. I have tried a lot of different foods. I even can eat not huge amounts but never have I ever felt like I was going to be ill. I do feel sometimes that I have had enough. I did take 4 weeks off from work. I am a server at a very high volume restaurant and also clean houses for a living. Very physical work. I have no problems with energy level being low. I get in all my vitimans, protein and liquids. Everything has went almost to smooth. If I did say I have had an issue it is that I continue to deal with constipation ( sorry if TMI). Some NSV's (non scale victories) that I am so happy about are 1) I measured before and then a month after surgery and had lost 14inches total. 2) I went from a 20 tight, probably 22 to a 16 wide easily 3) My husband is lean , no weight issues and now finally after many years I way less than him. YEahhh. He is tall but .... who cares I weigh less. 4) I have been walking atleast 3 miles aday, sometimes twice a day now and have started jogging also. ME JOGGING, CAN NOT BELIEVE IT!!! 5) I can sleep all nite now, I also can sleep lying down, not with a bunch of pillows sitting me up. 6) I can not believe I am going to say this but..... for the first time I feel attractive. It is not how I look but how I feel about myself. I can breath and not huff and puff when I walk. 7) Oh yeah, I can cross my legs...lol. I love this. 8) Okay... I am going to say it kinda.... lol , by choice I have not been getting a lot of sleep. Not only am I happy, my husband is a very happy man these days. Something woke up, my hormones have been screaming. ok I am done.

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:

Tracey, I think everyone stalls in week 3...and female sleevers usually gain a pound or two at that time of the month, whether we still actively have a TOM or not! Have you taken your measurements? Are your clothes getting looser? Do you have more energy? All of these things are NSVs, or non-scale victories. You really should look for them, because there are going to be times where the scale doesn't move for days and weeks as you get further out. It can be very disheartening unless you make it a point to look for the NSVs. I lost my first pants size during a "stall". I hadn't lost any weight in over a week, but my pants fell off me during that stall. Your body sometimes needs a little adjustment period to deal with the rapid weight loss. Don't worry, you WILL lose weight again!

Congratulations! Fantastic NSV.