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Love those NSVs!

So this morning I am sitting there, enjoying my coffee & watching the news when I got an itch on my shoulder. I reach up & scratch only to discover this hard lump near my neck. Imagine my surprise when I took out my phone for a selfie and discovered {GASP!} my collarbone!! It's actually showing. No longer hidden beneath all the layers of chubb that used to reside there, I could actually SEE IT. Had to take a photo to show my hubby too, after he walked in on me giggling like a school girl and rubbing my neck ... admiring my collarbone! (Don't know why the photo is sideways, but that really is a bone showing!)

So happy...wore no elastic in the waist jeans to church! They slipped on like a glove. This is a great day and this makes everything I have went through all worth it.

@[member="Victoria Mara said breast reduction - they said I'd be covered if its a medical condition so I said is back ache due to top heavy a good reason and she said yep to go for it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ covered for PS - "boobs reduction" - that's great!! i think when you are top heavy, your back probably hurts "a little" - am i right??? great NSV from co-workers you probably know to speak to a couple of plastic surgeon before making a decision on who to go to keep up the good work good luck with plastics

This is why it's really important for us to focus more on the non scale victories (NSV's) as opposed to the numbers. We all have been guilty of getting too damn wrapped up in the numbers, and can lose site of what is really important, like feeling and looking healthier. Good job on your progress! You've done great!

Like everyone else said....quit comparing with others and stop cheating. If you follow the program you won't have to weigh to know you are losing. Track NSVs instead of numbers. They are more important anyways. Celebrate what you have accomplished, don't get caught up in the WLS race. You have the rest if your life to get where you want to be. It's not gonna happen in a few months. I had "only" lost 17 pounds at 12 weeks out (that was only the 6th time I had weighed myself postop) and I was thrilled. In the end, I lost over 100% of my excess weight, and the scale had nothing to do with it.

Isn't it far more embarrassing to wipe without ease? You and @@sbrainwater missed a priceless NSV topic. I think the originator, @@dhrguru, was more embarrassed discussing it than experiencing it. (I'm putting her name in blue so that she's notified that she's being held up as a shining beacon.) I won't reveal anything so that, if you check it out, you'll get the full impact. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/353620-the-view-from-down-there-a-ladies-room-post/ When I think of one that I can categorize as embarrassing, I'll be back. Welcome to you both. Thank you! That was awesome

Here are 1,623 of them: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/276681-how-about-some-nsvs/?hl=%20nsv

@@dhrguru ahhhhh, what a nice compliment "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" you should be proud you are doing great at the gym mixing up your routine jogging too!! next nsv - realizing you shouldn't joke about looking/feeling like you look like an octopus (i know you were only kidding, but.....) remember- we all need to have more confidence about ourselves (pot calling the kettle black??) 81.5 lbs gone, gone, down the toilet! keep up the good work you are aces kathy congrats

Awesome !!!!!!!! I can say that without question my "most embarrassing NSV" was a pants-on-the-ground moment, too. Ironically, it was when I was bringing in groceries.....had a few bags in each hands.....had climbed the front outsided stairs and made it to the top and then they dropped......all the way down....belt and all. My neighbors and anyone driving by had a crazy sight to greet them. Couldn't be helped. Gotta love the need for smaller clothes.

When I sit in the tub, it hurts now, because I have NO booty anymore lol

This is a list of some of the Abbreviations used on the Bariatric Pal website: 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 RTD = ready to drink RN = registered nurse RNY = Roux-en-Y s/f or sf = sugar free smh = shaking my head, scratching my head SOB = shortness of breath sw = weight at surgery tmi = too much information TPN = total parenteral nutrition TT = tummy tuck 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

Isn't it far more embarrassing to wipe without ease? You and @@sbrainwater missed a priceless NSV topic. I think the originator, @@dhrguru, was more embarrassed discussing it than experiencing it. (I'm putting her name in blue so that she's notified that she's being held up as a shining beacon.) I won't reveal anything so that, if you check it out, you'll get the full impact. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/353620-the-view-from-down-there-a-ladies-room-post/ When I think of one that I can categorize as embarrassing, I'll be back. Welcome to you both. Maybe I worded it wrong. I mean a NSV that I can't wait for will be wiping with ease, which is embarrassing for me to admit and it is also something I normally wouldn't admit to someone!

Isn't it far more embarrassing to wipe without ease? You and @@sbrainwater missed a priceless NSV topic. I think the originator, @@dhrguru, was more embarrassed discussing it than experiencing it. (I'm putting her name in blue so that she's notified that she's being held up as a shining beacon.) I won't reveal anything so that, if you check it out, you'll get the full impact. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/353620-the-view-from-down-there-a-ladies-room-post/ When I think of one that I can categorize as embarrassing, I'll be back. Welcome to you both.

I don't have surgery until December, but thoroughly enjoy reading everyone's NSV or what NSV they can't wait for! I thought it would be fun to mix it up a bit and ask that we share our most private/embarrassing NSV or the ones we normally wouldn't tell anyone! My two most private/embarrassing to admit NSV's will be: 1. Wiping with ease! 2. Grocery shopping without sweating like I have just worked out at the gym!

Hey, @@Dub, I don't have any recommendations, but thought you might appreciate this old NSV. It's since been replaced by a queen, but, at the time of surgery, I had a full-sized bed. Prior to surgery, at my all-time high of 311, I'd lie in it and feel so miserable. It looked and felt as though I were in a twin., When I lost about 100 lbs, I wasn't checking, but happened to notice how much larger the bed seemed, enough that I thought of myself as having lost a whole bed size.

I'm a bander and a female but it's the cook part of me that can't resist posting on this thread. I LOVE to cook and that has not stopped since getting weight loss surgery. I can't do a straight-up burger, however. That's a thing of the past. For grilling I need tenderloin or a filet mignon and it needs to be cooked perfectly. Dense Protein is what works well for me. We use only grass-fed organic now. For burger, I cook it down in a hot skillet with garlic and spices for chili. Trick is to cook the meat and then cover over with a good quality organic stock and let it simmer for a very long time. Delicious, and soft -- not gristly, which does not work for my band. So that's my two cents! Good luck on your upcoming surgery. You're going to do great. And PS, one of my favorite NSVs (non-scale victories) is being able to tie my apron double around my waist. OMG, I just love that. And a glass of wine. Like some others, the red kicks off reflux for me now so I have to have cheese with it -- and I drink mostly Savignon Blancs now or tequila.

Hi there, I guess it's true that Time flies when you're having fun; I've been having a lot of that. Honestly, I cannot believe that two years ago today I was waking up from surgery and beginning a new chapter in my life. I had no idea then of the many ways my life would be reshaped aside from the shape of my body. I'm forever grateful the band was available to me as it has been the perfect choice for my situation. We are all different. I was 52 at the time and had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before. I can barely tolerate going to the dentist. Getting a band was a big decision but I was fortunate somehow to just know that that's what I wanted to do. Thank goodnes there are so many different surgery choices available to us; we live in marvellous times. Two years ago I was 250+ and now I'm in the seventies. I'm a little tall and like my curves (oh my goodness, do I LOVE having a waist!) so I don't want to get too thin. But a word about collarbones: YIPPEE! And hips. Wrists. You know how it is -- I'm celebrating this new body every day. I was wearing size twenty pants and am now in tens. No more Plus Size anything. I would not have predicted that I have a thing for clothes, but oh yes, I sure do. It's so much fun to be able to just try something on without all of that angst. I have been an exerciser for many years (arthritis - have to move) but in the last two years I have ratcheted up to being more of an athlete. I feel ridiculous even typing that out as it's such a foreign concept. I used to work out for 45 minutes 3-4 times a week; well, it turns out I am some one who needs more like 75-90 minutes 5-6 times a week. There's the faking it until making it thing and that's what I did. I pretended that I liked it, that I was one of "those" people until I actually have become something resembling one of those lucky people who truly look forward to exercising. Like I said, resembling. I'm not quite there but I raise my hands up in that crossing the finish line pose and I go do what I need to do and I feel like a million bucks afterward. Food. I am happy to report that I still like food. I can taste almost anything and be quite satisfied. That is a miracle. I love to cook and one of my weird non-scale victories (NSVs) is being able to tie my apron double around my waist. I love that. All those years in all those kitchens with my big fat Winnie-the-Pooh belly in an ill-fitting apron or Chef's jacket. No more. Silly, but that just feels so good. I was very restrictive in my former life so I am careful to not be on a diet. I make good choices, which I can do because my appetite is dimmed and I know what good choices are. But I also let myself have a little bit of whatever I want, whether that's a square of chocolate or cheese (behold, the power of cheese). This is why I still have a little weight to lose but I'm okay with that. I do drink alcohol and we have a lot of dinner parties, go to restaurants, etc. Practically no one knows I am banded; I'm extremely private about that. What people do see, however, is how much I'm exercising and how good I feel. It was important for me to go a bit slowly because I wanted the weight loss to be incremental and I didn't want to have saggy skin. Well, that's about it. I am tremendously grateful to all of my Lapband Talk friends and now Bariatric Pal. You know who you are -- the encourageers. Virtual friends. This has been my first experience on a forum and it's been great. Best wishes to all of you wherever you are in the process. For new people, a few words: don't get too hung up on what kind of surgery you had; we have much more in common than not. Don't try to give or take advice from strangers on the internet. Have a good working relationship with your doctor and show up for all your appointments. Show up for yourself! I really had to put myself first to get the surgery and choose my own well-being over taking care of other people's needs first. I don't do that any more and, guess what, every one else benefits from that. Here's to our health!

I was banded Nov 13, 2014 and it has been the happiest year of my life (at least where weight is concerned). I knew weight loss would still be hard and knew that it would be scary along the way, but this has been amazing. I have lost 90 pounds and am currently enjoying one-derland, through at the same level for a bit longer than desired. I've committed to a trainer three times a week plus other exercise classes. I never in my life would have thought i would be looking forward to a spin class early Sunday mornings and I even work out at the hotel when I travel. Who is this person? Because of my commitment to exercise and truly changing my habits, I'm confident this change is here to stay. I have never been able to say that. I would lose 20 pounds and gain back 40. I'm able to control my portions and while I still enjoy a dessert every now and again, it's a "skinny person" portion. A few bites and I'm satisfied. Over the past year, I've felt that I've not focused so much on the number of pounds, but the accomplishments in the gym and other NSVs. It's helped me so much not to be fixated on the scale itself. I'd hover in a zone for a month then drop 6 pounds really quickly. it's a weird thing, but i'm getting used to it and not getting discouraged when the scale hovers on the same number, like it is now. I hate the excess skin primarily because I let myself get so heavy, but I know i will eventually have some surgeries to improve it all. I'm thankful to live in a time where that is possible and thankful to be able to afford it as well. I would like to lose another 40 pounds, but that may not be possible. Funny thing is that is where I used to be, yet thought i was incredibly overweight. I definitely didn't understand nor like my body before and this process has helped me come to terms with that. It's like a 12-month therapy session! I have my 1-yr esophogram scheduled for tomorrow morning and hopefully everything will be ok. I may get the band loosened slightly because the last fill (just 0.1) may have been too much. I was self-pay so this ends my 1 year of "free" monthly visits and i'll go and see the team quarterly. I congratulate all the others on this thread as it has been an amazing year for so many. Some have lost faster than others and some have stalled, but we've all learned from each other and hopefully will continue on through year 2 as well! So far, I see we are all NYU patients and I can't sing their praises enough, btw. Continued luck everyone!

Unreasonable expectations are the ultimate downfall of so many bariatric patients. This author is fortunate that all the misconceptions did not ultimately sabotage her weight loss success. I also agree that the non-scale struggles, such as relationships, are minimized, and that the NSV's are often overemphasized in support groups, blogs, and in other places. At the end of the day, if weight is the only thing that changes, it is still a great thing to have had done, but people need to be prepared for the fact that, just as with the weight loss itself, if the patient doesn't make a conscious effort to change the game, it is perfectly foreseeable that nothing else will change.

My doc said my blood pressure was great but he still wants me to stay on the dose I'm currently on. It's half the dosage I was on before surgery. I'm a little bummed but he is very cautious and he's going to check it again in six months. He said if I should have any issues I could come in sooner. I had a physical today and he said everything was looking good. As an aside and a total NSV when I went to have blood drawn she got it on the first try from my arm! Losing 80lbs totally helped them find my veins! Usually I would get stuck 2-4 times and they would end up taking it from my hand...which hurts really bad.

Nsv Two weeks after surgery I returned to work wearing slacks that I was unable to fit into for 2 years prior. Perfect, comfortable fit. Today (2 weeks later) I had to roll the waist of the same pants over just to not look like a hobo. They're hanging off of my hips and way too loose!! Time for some shopping!

I definitely will!!! Thank you so much!!! I feel beautiful...inside and out and I can't wait for what the future holds for me. Getting back to work and feeling GREAT (not like death) is what means the most to me...the weight loss now is just a BONUS!!! Every day there's another NSV and keep em' coming!!! XoXoXo

Thank you. I'm looking forward to petite Lands End fitting in a non-Plus size! NSV!!!!

Awesome. I was just asked to have my network picture updated because it isn't "current" (it was taken just before surgery). #NSV