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LOL I can totally relate and would love that NSV!!!

I had a somewhat different NSV today! I took my mom to have her knee replacement surgery today at the same hospital that my lapband surgery was performed. We followed the same route that we did the day of my surgery, same nurses, same waiting rooms in pre-op and recovery. My mom's bed was even in the same spot in the pre-op area that I was! We were in reversed roles today though. My lapband Dr. does his surgeries on Wednesdays, so I saw him there, he hugged me (he is so sweet) and even said he would check in on my mom to see how she is doing later. I saw him come in and out of the surgical waiting area throughout the morning telling the famiy members that "their surgeries went well". It really made me feel good to know that I had gone through it, was doing well and down 33 lbs since I started my pre-op diet on 8/15. The weight may be coming off very slowly at this point, but it IS coming off. :crying: I met a couple other patients who were anxiously anticipated the procedure while waiting and shared my experiences and that the anticipation was so much more than the actual surgery and recovery over the coming weeks. I even showed my scars and how good they are doing. :thumbup: I felt like I made a trip back to where it all began and it felt so good!! I really felt proud to have had the procedure and to be moving forward. It was motivating too! Meanwhile.. mom's surgery went VERY well, she now has a full set of two artificial hips and knees..a bionic woman! Darn arthritis.. hope it doesn't hit me that hard later in life!

oh YES, that is a perfect NSV (non scale victory) for me. To be able to use the tray for my laptop or water. Also I can't wait to be able to find clothes that look age appropriate on me! So may of the plus sizes make me look older than I am:-(

Hehehe!!! That's a great NSV!!!

So I got to the point where my scale at home pretty consistently says I've reached Onderland.....somewhere between 197-199 depending on how I've eaten and how much alcohol I've had. In one of my previous posts, I said I couldn't wait to get to that point and that I would savor it. Did I? No, not really. Mostly because I didn't really believe it at first. I figured it was due to water fluctuations or whatever other excuses I came up for myself. For what it's worth, the medical scale at my gym is still says 203 lbs, with gym clothes on. Maybe I'll believe it when that scale doesn't require me to move the heavy bar to 200...but either way, it doesn't really matter, I realize the number is rather arbitrary...it's more about how I look and feel. Which makes it rather ironic that I'm now really interested in this idea that I can get to 192lbs and that would represent 100lbs lost. I don't know how I will feel then....but I do know that 100lbs lost is a big accomplishment. I hope I let myself enjoy THAT milestone. On the NSV front, something that I don't notice must have changed about my appearance because both my mother and grandmother went on and on about how I'm nearly unrecognizable. I don't see my grandmother that often, the last time was at Christmas so I guess I can buy that I look different than I did then. But my mom? I'd seen her about 3 weeks before. A few other people have made comments so I guess I have no choice but to believe that I somehow look different but I honestly cannot see any tremendous change in the way I looked 2 months ago and the last time I saw my mom. The scale isn't really giving me any answers, I have seriously only lost maybe 2-3 pounds between mom visits. But I had been religiously going to my Crossfit class 2x a week so maybe I traded some fat loss for muscle gain which would account for the scale not really moving but having some sort of change in my appearance. I don't know. I guess I should just accept it but the mental gymnastics this weight loss thing requires is much more complicated than I'd anticipated. My dad has been away since March and is coming back next month and apparently my grandmother told him about my supposed grand transformation. Gee thanks, no pressure there, grandma! Not to say that my dad won't think I look different but I'm nervous that he'll be expecting me to look a certain way and I won't meet that expectation. I'm 5'4.....I still have a good 60lbs to go to get to a normal range and personally, I'd like to lose another 75lbs. I know my weight has been a family conversation for years but usually I'm not privy to them as I had asked everyone to back off a long time ago. Being the center of the conversation again, even on the positive side is not pleasant. So this post is a bit whiny (people are saying I've lost weight and look good....wah!) so I'll end with something a bit more upbeat. I'm planning on visiting my friend in Naples, Italy in November and she's a photographer. I've seen her take amazing pictures of people and make everyone look good and I asked her to shoot me but when I last visited her (3 years ago), she couldn't point the camera at me in anyway without me feeling uncomfortable. But this time I'm at my lowest weight ever and I look forward to getting some good pictures out of her so it's a good incentive to stick to my diet as much as possible and get some amazing pics out of the deal. Dieting for a photo shoot....how far I have come

I was getting really frustrated over the past two weeks. The first week after surgery I lost 8 lb, 2nd week 0lb, 3rd week 0lb. By the 3rd week I was also really hungry all the time. I started to give into that hunger and eat more often than I should. I ate a couple of things I shouldn't have and I started to fear failure. I was worried that I had gone through all of the surgery for nothing. Last night I decided to pull out my measuring tape. I could tell that my body was changing even if the scale wasn't. My jeans would be incredibly bagging within a couple of hours of putting them on. Shirts that used to fit pretty good were now hanging straight down (not getting bunched up on hips or tummy). So, I had a feeling I must have lost some inches. I was right! I had my measurements from 1 day pre-op to compare to. I lost a total of 5.5 inches in 3 weeks! Woo Hoo! Most of it was off my stomach/waist area. I was so happy. It helped to give me a little boost. I'm still a little worried about the next 5 weeks. My doctor doesn't give the first fill until 2 months post op. I really hope I don't put on any of the weight I already took off. I was down 22lb. I did gain 1lb back over the last 2 weeks. Now I refuse to get on the scale. I don't want to get discouraged and then start going back to my old self destructive food habits.

I am in fear that I have PTSD from being fat. (I'm still fat, just not as fat as I was). I started this process on July 6. Had surgery 10/31. from July 6 to now, I have lost 77 pounds. I cannot see much of a difference when I look in the mirror. I can tell in clothes and sometimes pictures, and my double chin has reduced significantly from what I can tell, but when I look at myself from the side I feel like I am still over 400 lbs!! Also, even though I never go over 3 ounces and measure out my food and meal prep I feel like I am eating way too much. The feeling I have after I eat is that same guilty feeling I used to get when I would binge.I also catch myself still in the mindset of where I used to be. Say, driving home from work and having that urge to go to fast food. It's like second nature. I realize I have a food addiction. Has anyone else ever felt this way? I cannot get past the feeling that I am making no progrees, or too slow progress, even though I have had a few NSVs and the evidence shows I am progressing.

The following are some of the common abbreviations used on this message board: ACL = Anterior cruciate ligament AMRAP = As Many Rounds As Possible (crossfit) BB = belly button bc = because BCBS = Blue Cross/Blue Shield BED = Binge Eating Disorder bf = best friend BM = bowel movement BMI = Body Mass Index bp = blood pressure BPD = Borderline Personality Disorder or Biliopancreatic Diversion (Scopinaro procedure) bs = blood sugar btw = by the way CBT = cognitive-behavioral therapy CC = common channel c diff = clostridium difficile cos or cuz = because CPAP = continuous positive airway pressure CRNP = certified registered nurse practitioners cw = current weight CXR = Chest X-Ray Dr. = doctor DS = Dumping Syndrome or Duodenal Switch EGD = Esophagogastroduodenoscopy EKG = Electrocardiography ff = fat free GERD = gastroesophageal reflux disease GI = gastrointestinal GNC = General Nutrition Corporation store GP = general practitioner or family doctor HBP = high blood pressure hr = heart rate hw = highest weight ICU = Intensive Care Unit Idk = I don’t know IMHO = in my humble (honest) opinion IMO = in my opinion IUI = Intrauterine insemination LAP Band = Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band lol = laughing out loud LSG = Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy med = medicine msg = message NASH = Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis nf = non fat NG = Nasogastric NP = nurse practitioner NSAIDS = Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSV = non-scale victory (“scale” means “weight scale”) NUT = nutritionist OA = Overeaters Anonymous Onederland = a magical place or destination for those trying to lose weight. It might correspond to attaining a weight in the hundreds or losing a hundred pounds. op = operation OSA = Obstructive sleep Apnea Oz = Australia PB = Productive Burps PCOS = Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCP = Primary Care Physician PM = private message (email) PMS = premenstrual syndrome POSE = Primary Obesity Surgery Endolumenal postop or post–op = post-operation or post-surgery PPI = Proton Pump Inhibitors ppl = people preop or pre-op = pre-operation or pre-surgery PTSD = Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PVC = Premature ventricular contractions RA = Rheumatoid arthritis RH = reactive hypoglycemia RN = registered nurse RNY = Roux-en-Y RTD = ready to drink SADI-S = single anastomosis duodeno–ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy s/f or sf = sugar free SIPS = stomach intestinal pylorus-sparing surgery smh = shaking my head, scratching my head SO = significant other SOB = shortness of breath sw = weight at surgery tmi = too much information TPN = total parenteral nutrition TT = tummy tuck TTC = trying to conceive u = You UGI = Upper Gastrointestinal VSG = Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Vit = Vitamin wks = weeks WLS = Weight Loss Surgery WOD = Workout of the Day w/o = without wt = weight : ) or :-) = = smiley face : ( or :-( = = sad face

Yay!!! Today I took a nap and I was almost completely on my side! Lol. Is this my first NSV? Lol.

It's the best feeling! I just posted that it was my NSV!

Congrats on a NSV!!

Wow this is soo awesome.. I haven't realized how much inches that I have lost. I went from 4x shirts to 2x shirts. I went from 54-56 inch jeans to 44-46. How freaking awesome is that.. I am so excited I have been singing from the roof tops for days. It just is soo awesome.. I went shopping saturday and I shopped in places that never had anything that I could wear.. I went in them store and bought from all of the stores, and it gave me such a high. Now I am truely dedicated to spend all of my money on clothes..lol It nsv's like this that keep you pushing on keeps you on the path that is worth staying on the rest of your life...

Awesome NSV! Who knew shopping could be so much fun

Congratulations on your NSV!!! liquids definitely get old really fast, but keep reminding yourself, they are about safety, not so much weight loss (just an added bene!). Pre-op, to reduce fatty liver to make the surgery safer and post-op to protect your healing staple line from leaks. Keep up the good work!!!

About 2.5 years ago, I had to go to Hawaii for my sister's wedding. It was nearing October and any swimsuit that was left in the stores had already been through 4 or 5 clearance sales and was not looking pretty by this point. The fall clothes were definitely taking over. To top it off, I was 25 weeks pregnant with twins! So, I logged on to motherhood.com and bought whatever suits they still had left in their clearance section, which meant one 2X suit and one 3X suit. I wasn't sure which one would fit around my belly and my cellulite, so I went with both just to be safe. Today, I bought 2 bathing suits. They were size TEN! I kid you not . . . I bought SIZE TEN bathing suits. What a miracle. I'm still in shock. I still have a ways to go, but I'm very happy about my new bathing suits. I just had to share!

Love the NSV you are definitly rocking that sleeve! You know that would be the best show middle aged ANTM

ab, even if your doc is saying that you don't need a PPI, it sounds to me like you DO need one. Try taking a couple of tums for a few days and see if the "hunger" doesn't decrease dramatically. Once I started taking Tums (on doc's advice), my "hunger" disappeared unless it had been several hours since I had eaten. Increase your Water and Protein intake to the recommended levels (64 oz of water, 70g of protein) and up your calorie intake at least to 800 calories a day. Your body may well be in starvation mode. I know some don't believe that exists, but I do believe. Those three things may be what you need to break that stall. I got stuck just under 300 pounds and was getting frustrated. My regular doc suggested I back off my exercise just a bit and that helped. Sometimes the key to breaking a stall is simply shaking things up. At 500 calories, your body probably thinks it needs to hoard every calorie for future needs. Once you add in a little more fuel, it may think that it's okay to burn some of those pounds off. I know I ramble, but I hate to see someone so frustrated. You will start losing again and it will be a big whoosh! Try to stay positive and on track and start looking for the NSVs. Are your clothes bigger? Can you walk farther? Those things are just as important as the number on the scale, possibly MORE important. Good luck!!

Well here I am, and I'm one month shy of 2 years post op. I'm STILL enjoying life and I'm STILL having NSV's this far out. I'm on top of the world and I'm happier than I've ever been in my life. Just a little history so anyone can realize how big a deal this is... I was kicked off a roller coaster when I was about 20 years old because I was too fat to get the lock to latch. I've always been a thrill ride seeker and there are only but a few I won't dare get on (one being the Ferris Wheel if you can believe it, but that's another story entirely haha!!) Anyhow, all this time I'd never tried to get on another. I don't know if any of you have ever felt the humiliation of being kicked off a ride because you can't fit in it. I have, and it ain't a good feeling!! It was a busy day too, and just thank goodness all my friends happened to get on the train just before mine so I didn't have the embarrassement of people I knew to watch that happen to me. I never wanted to feel that again so I avoided roller coasters for a LOOOONG time until I knew for absolute sure I'd fit on any which one I chose to get on. Well, yesterday Hubby and I went to Discovery Kingdom here in California. It was such a fantastic day!! I fitted on every single roller coaster and ride I got on with LOTS of room to spare. My hubby even became worried as he said I was flying all over the place in them. I said yeah because I had so much extra room in it, but I was fine... haha I loved it!! Well everyone, I'm just here to tell you, if you keep working the magic of the sleeve, it will keep working it's magic for you. Many blessings!!

I was lucky enough to receive free tickets from my company for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay this last weekend. I was afraid to try a rollercoaster at first, the last time I went to a theme park I barely fit in them. Between that time and my surgery I had gained quite a but of weight. I am happy to say that the two coasters I tried, I fit in! yippee!

Gals, my NSV today was canceling my pedi appointment and doing my toenails myself. I'm three months out and only 36lbs down but I can already bend over and do my own toes. It was a very satisfying non scale victory (nsv).

@@Scylla I think i saw your nurse in the movie "One Flew Over the Cukoos Nest"!!! i talked to my NUT and family dr and they both thought the boards are a great place to visit this board is very helpful listening to stories/tales about other sleevers experiences pre and post op situations IS great certain questions regarding coffee/caffein/drinking from a straw/soda......... people will answer questions by telling what THEIR nut told them and pass that info along but its usually pointed out to newbies like you that you should always listen to your surgeon or NUT or nurse (even if THEY are alittle NUTS!!) sometimes you need to go to your doc about medical issues that we're not that knowledgable about (again except me!!! ) we are here to give each other support/advice/info we all LOVE to talk about our bowel movements/or lack of -head hunger, stallls, sex....many other good stuff!!! you'll hear the great things that happens to "us" as we succeed through our voyage NSV's like being able to fit into smaller clothes, crossing your legs, going on an amusement park ride i can tell you are a smart "cookie" because you decided to change your life by having the sleeve good luck with pending surgery kathy

He last couple of days I have been getting alot of compliments about the drastic changes lol I am on the right path all the way Started @ 329 and as of today 257

I had to share my biggest NSV yet so far. I went shopping for jeans Friday and I bought a pair of jeans 2 sizes smaller than the last time I bought jeans (which was quite a long time ago.) It made me feel very good.

Very cool, Nip! BTW - I got the email newsletter from Dr. Bagnato's office with you in it...you must be thrilled! I have a few NSV's to share. I finally got around to cleaning out my closet and drawers this weekend and I was amazed at all the clothes that no longer fit me! I have 4 boxes all packed up and a very empty closet...lol. It was cool to try on all the shirts and pants that had been buried in my closet that I thought I could finally wear, only to discover they were too big. I am actually wearing a shirt today that I know I haven't worn in at least 4 years. Then today as I was putting on my jewlery, I went to add the extender to this one necklace I have that has always been way too tight without out, I put it on and noticed it was hanging much lower than I needed, so off the extender came! I don't wear the extender that often, just to move certain necklaces down to match the neckline on certain outfits, but this necklace in particular has always required one. Not anymore! So my neck is obviously smaller than it used to be. I'm getting more comments lately from people that are noticing the weight loss. Some will know right off that I'm smaller, while others can't quite figure out what is different about me. They usually think it is my hair...lol. They just know something is different!

Nah, we don't think you're dumb. It takes awhile to learn the lingo, lol. NSV stands for Non scale Victory.