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#1 - Get off the scale! #2 - Re-read #1!! Seriously. All results are not reflected on the scale. You'll notice changes in your clothes. Other NSV (Non-Scale Victories) will be things like sitting in a chair with armrests & getting up without dragging the chair with you. Relax - it'll happen.

Congratulations on your NSV. Your lucky you had that whole closet of clothes to fall back on. I know thinking about your weight can play on your mind without having any neurological or psychiatric issues to exacerbate it. Recently I have been going a little nuts. about dieting. I am trying to lose from a weight regain. So far I have lost 25 lbs but that took two and 1/2 years. I took a day not to think to hard about stuff and now I am back on track. Maybe you could take a mental vacation from it like me. Good luck!

My NSV is that I can once again wear a jacket that hasn't come close to fitting me in 3 years. I am also celebrating that scale is moving again.

I posted this a while back but thought I'd use it to answer your question, congrats to you, that is a great NSV Did my Wednesday weigh in last week and had a disappointing stall with no loss to report, not even an ounce. Did my Wednesday weigh in this morning (10 weeks post op) and the scale went down 4.5 lbs. However while in my stall week I wracked my brain as to how nor fret over my stall. In true fashion of being a David Letterman fan I decided to go old school and come up with a top ten list of things I've achieved since surgery pertaining to Non scale Victorys and not the number on the scale. Hoping everyone will post a few of their own. Here goes : 1. Actually realizing what full feels like for the first time in 57 years 2. Being able to buckle the airplane seatbelt without sliding the buckle to the very end 3. Being able to leave the bathroom after showering with only 1 bath towel wrapped around me instead of 2 4. Being able to tie my sneakers without being out of breath 5. Being able to easily zip last years winter coat and not having to buy a new one like the last few winters 6. Eagerly remembering to take the Fitbit off the charger to track steps and not leave it there for 3 or 4 days before remembering I haven't looked at it 7. Ordering the work team t-shirt and not having to pay the extra price for the sizes past XL 8. Being "that person" at lunch that actually orders the salad with grilled chicken instead of the cheeseburger and fries or tortellini alfredo after eating half the bread basket 9. Realizing you actually bought a piece of clothing because you liked it and not just because it was your size 10. Being able to sleep without waking yourself up with your own LOUD snoring

I saw this on another forum and thought it worthy to share as it has all the great information and advice we all need for the journey! it is written by Mellissa Gangi and what I had wished I had been told from the very beginning. Sleeve Tips: I'm 10 months post op today and along this journey, so far, I've seen a lot of the same questions or concerns from many. I thought these tips could help! 1. Take preop photos... you'll want them! 2. Protein shakes...I used isopure protein powder and scooped it into 2 oz. of water (u can add ice and blend too) to drink in my immediate postop period. It was much less to drink at a sitting and you still got in your protein. It would take me over an hour to drink each one, but way easier to me. Plus, isopure has multiple flavors and it was reasonably priced. I bought off Amazon. Also, Genepro is an unflavored protein powder that is very popular. It can be added to pretty much anything. The scoop is tiny and it gives 30g of protein per scoop. I use it daily in my morning coffee but if adding it to hot liquids you have to add creamer 1st to cool it down or it will clump up or dissolve in a little warm water 1st then add... the directions are on the bag. It is not completely unflavored and it has a smell to it, but most of us get used to it quickly. Your body can only absorb up to 30g of protein per serving, so anything more than that at once will be wasted and it doesn't count towards your daily goals! 3. STALLS happen...stick to your plan and the scale will move again! You most likely will be losing inches during that time. They can last a few weeks...especially the 3 week stall. The further you are out they may even last longer and at that point you may have to shake things up a bit, maybe a day or 2 most increase your carbs then go back to your plan. Don't get discouraged and try to just be patient. 4. No NSAIDS (aspirin, ibuprofen, aleve, motrin, etc...) they can cause ulcers...tylenol products are ok and Excedrin Tension is ok (great for headaches) it has tylenol and caffeine in it, no aspirin like the other excedrin products. Also, peppermint oil rubbed on your temples help for headaches. 5. Fluid intake...atleast 64 oz of non caffeinated, non carbonated, sugar free fluids but the rule of thumb is drink half of your body weight in ounces. 6. Caffeine and alcohol...follow your surgeons orders. They both can dehydrate you and cause ulcers in the beginning of your journey. And alcohol may affect you differently postop, so be careful. Absorbtion changes postop. 7. Transfer addictions...a lot of bariatric patients give up food for other addictions like shopping and alcohol. Be mindful. 8. Increased chance of pregnancy after surgery. You can be much more fertile. Even if you had problems with it preop. 9. Increased divorce rates postop...I have looked into this because I was curious as to why. I have found that it does indeed increase, but the majority of the couples that do have had issues preop and the spouse that had surgery loses the weight, increases their self esteem and simply won't stand for the same behavior anymore. 10. Sugar/Carbs...1st and foremost, follow your plan. There are reasons why your surgeon and/or nutritionist gives you one, especially while healing and it takes approximately 6 weeks for your tummy to heal. After you are advanced to a "regular" diet, usually about 2 month postop, yes you can eat some sweets or carbs but in moderation. Always try to get your protein in 1st, though. I have chosen to stay away from sugar and certain carbs. I don't crave them, so why reintroduce them. I know me, and moderation is hard for me. 11. Everyone's weightloss journey is different. Try not to compare yourself to the next person. It's hard not to, I know! But their weight, height, sex, medical history all plays a part of it. If you do what you should be doing, you'll lose! 12. Dumping and The Foamies... Dumping occurs when your new tummy just doesn't agree with something you consumed. Dumping occurs more in bypass patients but it can occur with sleeves, also. Symptoms can include sudden vomiting, diarrhea, and increased heart rate and last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The Foamies... you'll know what this is if you get it. It's a lot of phlegm that is produced in your esophagus all of a sudden. It can happen if you eat or drink too fast, or take in too much, or drink right after eating...wait to drink atleast 30 minutes after eating. Plus, if you drink with eating or too close afterwards you flush the food through your belly too fast and you're not absorbing nutrients. 13. Take your vitamins and get in your protein daily! This will not only help your weightloss and prevent vitamin deficiency but it will help with the sunken in look when you lose weight. I was told 60-90g of protein daily, but follow your drs orders. I take 2 flintstones with iron chewables a day because I couldn't tolerate the prescribed multivitamin, in addition to calcium with d3, and magnesium and b12. 14. Gas ex chewables, heating pads, and walking help big time for your gas pains. When I woke up from this surgery I thought I was having a heart attack because the gas was causing chest pains. Also, use the incentive spirometry in the immediate postop period. Anesthesia affects your lungs and it takes 72 hours to completely wear off so the breathing exercises help strengthen them and prevent pneumonia. 15. Heartburn...omeprazole works so well for me. My surgeon prescribed it from day 1 and I love it. 16. Postop hormones... your body almost goes into shock in the 1st 6 weeks or so after surgery from the major changes to it. You may feel different mentally...it does get better but if it's bad talk to your dr about it. 17. Medications... your body can change postop. The same medications you were on preop may be absorbed differently postop so if you notice changes talk to your dr. They may need to be adjusted. And extended release meds may not work as well. 18. Tracking your intake keeps you honest. I love the baritastic app. It also has recipes for all the stages and reminders. 19. Head hunger vs real hunger. This is a lifestyle change, your body needs much less calories postop but you have to retrain your brain. It may take time and that's normal. If you fall off the wagon one day...oh well...get back on it the next. We are all human. Don't get discouraged. Just pick yourself back up. 20. Complications can happen. If your body starts feeling different...new onset pains, nausea, vomiting, passing out, food feeling stuck in esophagus, etc...call your surgeon. You're always better safe than sorry. 21. Abbreviations... HW your highest weight SW what you weighed on your surgery day GW your goal weight CW what you weigh currently NSV non scale victory Nut nutritionist VSG vertical sleeve gastrectomy (sleeve surgery) RNY roux-en-Y (gastric bypass) DS duodenal switch surgery 22. Hair loss or thinning happens. But, it will grow back. I thinned starting at about 4 months. It can last months. Many take biotin supplements for it, I didn't. 23. Get ready to be cold! You're body is changing, it's almost in shock so invest in a Comfy, like me, or electric blanket to keep warm lol. 24. What to bring to the hospital for your surgery stay...a long phone charger, chapstick, your phone, comfy pjs, slippers, a robe, earbuds, and a list of your medical history, surgeries, allergies, and medications with dosages. Others add gas ex chewables but I'm an RN and don't recommend taking any meds from home without the nurses or drs knowledge. Some also say a heating pad to help with gas pains, but walking is best. Also, remember to hug a pillow if you cough or sneeze. It will help! 25. Constipation! It is a part of this journey, unfortunately. The only thing that helps me, and this is not conventional, is sugar free hard candies. A few of those babies (no more than 5 or you'll hate me) and you'll be going within 12 hours. The sugar alcohols do it for me. But, more conventional approaches are benefiber packets, smooth move tea, or miralax. And there's diarrhea in the beginning...liquids in, liquids out. But your 1st bowel movement may take awhile...its all normal. 26. Ketosis...when you cut out sugar and go low carb you're body goes into a state of ketosis. This is a metabolic state that now uses fat for energy, instead of carbs. It aids in weightloss, but has some side effects like bad breath, body odor, bowel changes, fatigue at 1st but then increased energy the longer you're in it, and insomnia. Those side effects will decrease over time so just invest in mouthwash for the meantime! I know this is a lot, but hopefully it helps! If I missed anything, feel free to chime in. Best of luck to everyone!

I'm pre-surgery - just got my date of 12/31/19 - but so far on my pre-op diet I've lost almost 35 lbs. However, I'm pretty tall and carry my weight fairly evenly so that hasn't resulted in much change in clothing size until just this last week. I have a large plastic storage bin I've been putting my too small clothes in because I was planning on losing weight. I went through it today and more than half of them fit My closet suddenly got much fuller - yay!

I decided to measure myself for encouragement, since the scale is moving so slow! I have lost 25 inches from my neck to my thighs!

I’m now thinking this loss of menopausal symptoms may be a NSV. 😜 I experienced a couple of random hot flashes (felt like my face was burning but the rest of me was fine) while still having my periods in my late 40s too ms.sss. So yes I think you may be perimenopausal. Then I suddenly stopped having periods when I hit 50 - well one after 4 months then another break, then nothing since. Was a bit annoying not knowing when or if they would start again. I found I also started to get ‘feisty’. Then one day I told my boss off and not over anything major. I made an appointment with my GP that afternoon & she put me on HRT. (Thank goodness my boss was pretty easy going & this was such an anomaly in my behaviour he let it pass. Though it was funny the next day when I apologised and he very nervously asked if I was ok & if there was anything he could do.) Oh and feeling the cold now. Hell yeah! I can’t stand walking down the frozen & refrigerated aisles at the supermarket anymore. It’s like a physical pain. I need thermals just to buy some milk. PS - Don’t want to scare anyone but my mum is almost 80 & if she goes off her HRT, her hot flashes return & her emotions are all over the place. I hope you don’t continue like this JRT mom.

from a 10 to a 4 whoop whoop

What a fun NSV!

That is one of the best NSV out there. I went to Six Flags a few months ago and rode Batman. I had not been on that for over 20 years because I would not fit. I literally teared up when the ride started.

I had a HUGE NSV this weekend, I rode roller coasters without having to get off due to my size and without be smooshed into the restraints. I have worked at this park for several years and have only been able to ride a couple of the big coasters due to my size so I finally got to enjoy them for the first time since high school! Also, a fun perk of having gastric bypass, I don't get that stomach dropping feeling going down the big drops like before surgery! My daughter and I were running from coaster to coaster trying to get on as many as possible, I had so much fun!

What an exciting NSV!

Resurrecting this NSV thread. I’m grateful for moments when my inner obese woman kicks a fit person’s butt. Yesterday, I ran the same track with 22 army recruits. Drill sergeants yelling out times as they passed. (2 mile run requirement) The recruits went on to complete the rest of their testing (push up’s sit ups etc.). I continued to run. Half our later, sergeant’s and recruits came back to run the track after testing. This former obese woman outran them.

Today I had a Dr. appointment for knee injection an decided to try on a pair of my old size 14's and they fit!!! I am also now completely off my BP meds!

Great NSVs. Glad you are having fun with all this. A very fit high school physical education teacher was on the treadmill next to me. After we finnished, He said “thank you for motivating me to jog walk”

Did my Wednesday weigh in last week and had a disappointing stall with no loss to report, not even an ounce. Did my Wednesday weigh in this morning (10 weeks post op) and the scale went down 4.5 lbs. However while in my stall week I wracked my brain as to how nor fret over my stall. In true fashion of being a David Letterman fan I decided to go old school and come up with a top ten list of things I've achieved since surgery pertaining to Non scale Victorys and not the number on the scale. Hoping everyone will post a few of their own. Here goes : 1. Actually realizing what full feels like for the first time in 57 years 2. Being able to buckle the airplane seatbelt without sliding the buckle to the very end 3. Being able to leave the bathroom after showering with only 1 bath towel wrapped around me instead of 2 4. Being able to tie my sneakers without being out of breath 5. Being able to easily zip last years winter coat and not having to buy a new one like the last few winters 6. Eagerly remembering to take the Fitbit off the charger to track steps and not leave it there for 3 or 4 days before remembering I haven't looked at it 7. Ordering the work team t-shirt and not having to pay the extra price for the sizes past XL 8. Being "that person" at lunch that actually orders the salad with grilled chicken instead of the cheeseburger and fries or tortellini alfredo after eating half the bread basket 9. Realizing you actually bought a piece of clothing because you liked it and not just because it was your size 10. Being able to sleep without waking yourself up with your own LOUD snoring Sent from my SM-G930P using BariatricPal mobile app

As of this morning, I am officially "overweight". I still have a bit to go to hit my goal, but golly i am gonna get there. I have 19 days for my 1 year surgiversary!! Super exicted and awesome NSV for me!

Congratulations! Great NSVs. Over if my friends said the "you're tiny" comment to me recently and it felt odd, yet fun to hear.

1. I'm down to L shirts from 2X 2. I'm down a pant size to a 14 and have to wear my built on the 5th hole. If it's on the 4th hole I can take of my pants without undoing them. 3. I am now the weight listed on my driver's license 4. I'm officially halfway to my goal. 45 lbs to go! 5. My sister almost cried last night after not seeing me for a while. She kept saying "You're so tiny!" Just wanted to share because I'm happy! Carry On!

This is a serious NSV for me now whenever I go to the spa. I used to never be able to close the robes there and so I would have to hang around in yoga pants and t-shirt waiting for my treatments. Now not only can I hang out in their robes, I can belt them easily

Small NSV this weekend - was able to do up the robe at our hotel. It never used to come close before.

Heyy guys! I hope everyone's doing well! I have good news! It may not be much but I'm super excited so i'm sharing!! So for a while now I've only been wearing leggings because my old size 24 jeans had been slipping off so much and became impossible to wear. Anyway, even my leggings (3x) became too baggy for my liking so I decided to go shopping! I was at costco and they had these cute leggings with pockets that I loved but the only size left was an XL and they also had these turtle neck shirts that are really cute and only $5 but only had an XL as well so I got them both thinking that I could probably wear them in a month or two when they'd fit. I also went to the mall and got two pairs of jeans, a 16 (that I thought would BARELY fit) to wear now and a 14 to wear in a couple months. When I got home I tried them all on, including the size 14 jeans I bought for later and GUESS WHAT! They all fit perfectly!! SO EXCITED!! 😁 (sorry for the cropping and coloring my room's a mess and so are my toes 😂 😬)

I wanted to add a maintenance NSV: Because the weather has finally turned cold enough, Today I washed and dried my wool and vegan leather jackets/coats from last season/year (no worries-I always do this) and they fit EXACTLY THE SAME👏 Very exciting to know that I'm actually still maintaining. I could easily drop more weight but I'm good right in this range 💃