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You are soooo right, Betty! I am laughing out loud because I didn't even think of THAT! Last year, I would have grabbed a bag of Hersey Nuggets, toffee/almond. I would have maybe brought along a bag of Cheetos, and a Dr. Pepper. I think I'm gonna count that as an NSV!!! Thanks for pointing it out, girlfriend! I wish I was in your kitchen helping you bake! It all sounds so good. Where are the new recipes for us? I've spent half my day doing productive stuff, and half goofing off. That sounds fair, huh? LOL! Cindy

I''m still at about the same as I was a month ago. My scale isn't moving even though I started walking twice a day..I'm up to about a mile (1/2 a m ile each time) and will continue to increase it. I have had a few NSVs, one of which is being able to walk that distance at all, but I really want to see that scale move, too. Could use a little encouragement/reinforcement/whatever!! Emily

I think I've fooled ya'll! LOL. I SOOO don't have it together! Barely hanging on by the skin of my teeth. (How gross that my teeth have skin!) This weekend was unbelievable. I ate THREE THOUSAND CALORIES!!! Both Friday AND Saturday!! 3000!!!! And Sunday was better, lol, only 2000. (!!!!!) Stinkin-piece-of-junk! I knew I was out of control, but until I put it into Fitday, I didn't know just how much!! And I didn't exercise Fri through today. AUGH!!!! I'm just so depressed. All I want to do is eat chocolate! I'm SOOO with you there, Tammy! And moan about why did I do this to myself & why isn't it working & how dare certain other people (not on our thread, thank goodness, lol) lose so much so fast and rub it in. It's just not fair!! Wahhhh!!! Poor, poor me!! And then I wake up & it's Monday & I HATE Monday's... and I joined the Spring Boot Camp, so I've GOT to get motivated. And I go and PB AGAIN!!! WHEN WILL I LEARN!?! On the good side, in 14 days the DFW folks are having a lunch together & next month (5/27) we're driving to Houston to have lunch with the LBTers (because we're nuts). And Mikey & I are going to check out a TOPS meeting (http://www.tops.org/) & see if they can help me out some, lol. And so the war continues.... Nanster! Congrats on the scale moving!! We'll take every 10th of a pound we can get, let me tell you! Happy2: It's the 10th, how was your first fill? Tell us all the gory details! Stacey!! Thank goodness, you're safe!! I was really getting worried about you! I'm so glad your family is alive & safe & still has a house! (( HUGS!! )) Elisa: Welcome back!! Good to hear that you had a great time on the cruise! Color me jealous! And congrats on your NSV, woohooo!!! Tammy: LOL, be careful what you wish for indeed!! I got SOOOO angry when I actually had restriction and couldn't eat like I wanted! And now I'm crying again cuz it's gone. I'm just never happy! But we'll be here to hug you either way! So go get that fill! And no more chocolate! I'll put it down if you do! Becky: I'm so glad you're feeling something! And sorry that you felt it in the form of golf-balls & PBs. I originally stayed on liquid for the rest of the day after a PB, but after I started PBing all the time, I changed that... I do liquid for the rest of THAT meal, then I do something soft (chili normally) for the rest of the day... and just really chew well. Seriously, tiny bites, chew FOREVER, and then watch a second hand or a stop-watch. Wait 30-60 seconds after swallowing before you take another bite. Worked for me. (Well, when I let it... I still find myself sneaking in bites at 10 seconds **sigh**.)

Hey all Happy Tuesday!! Hope everyone had a great memorial day weekend. I visited family in KY so I had a great time. Now its back to work...I am ready for another long weekend......ugh...... NSV: I went to the pool and took off my shirt and got in with my daughter yesterday...INFRONT of my husband...who I never get naked in front of...( I feel naked in a bathing suit...it is the same fear for me..being naked and being in a swim suit..all the same!) Sounds like everyone is doing great. I am soooooo proud of all of us..we all need a pat on the back! :high5: or a high five...couldn't find a pat on the back. hehe!

Good job Diva Girl. What does NSV stand for?

Great NSV!

I was at the deli this afternoon picking up cold cuts for my kids' lunch. While I stood there I knew I just had to have a yodel ... sneak it on the way home so no one would know ... then I read the calorie count (440 for one serving!!!) and I put it down. I told myself why did you bother with the surgery to do this! Now this may not seem like much to some of you, but believe me this is a big deal for me. I would buy those family size boxes of devil dogs and eat the whole thing. So I'd like to pat myself on the back and share it with you guys who will understand!! Thanks! Mayra

Great job on not yodeling, but what the heck is nsv? I've seen it so many times, but can't figure it out?

I'm not going to deny that we enjoyed this nsv. In fact as crazy as it sounds it seemed to both of us to have more girth. Either way Mrs. Fat Man was quite happy as was I

Had my 6 month follow up last week and I have lost a total of 85% of my excess weight! I have 13lbs left until my goal. My weight loss has completely stalled, I was stuck the majority of February and it finally started to break. Lost 2 inches over all despite only really losing a couple pounds. I was told to expect the weight loss to slow at this point. I need to get back on my game nutrition wise. Not eating a lot just not eating the best I can be. Some NSVs, I am now a size 10 in jeans and a medium in shirts! Prior to surgery I was a 22/24 in jeans and a 2XL-3XL in tops depending on the brand. Also, my CRP went from a 24 before surgery to an 8! Ideal level is 1 or below per my surgeon but he was so happy with the huge drop.

How’s everyone doing? Stalls? Progress? NSVs?

I am so happy to read about everyone's success! I had my surgery on March 7th and have lost 87 lbs. I have another 7-10 lbs to go but have been at a stall for a couple of months. My body seems to be happy where it is and I am a-ok with that. I feel awesome, look good, and have a ton of NSVs that keep me going. Best decision I ever made for myself!! Hope everyone else is feeling the same!

Hey everybody! I haven’t checked here since I had surgery 3/14. I’m down 71 lbs post-op. My hair is thinning a lot now too. I’ve always had thick hair so shedding happens, but it’s been bad the last month. I upped my biotin to 15,000 mg (15 g) a day and the hair is at least not coming out in clumps anymore. It seems hair loss is pretty inevitable for bariatric patients. The skin under my stomach I have to be careful stays dry, but I had that problem before surgery too. The stomach is a lot smaller though now! Yay! I’ve started swimming the last month for exercise. Yes, I actually bought a swimsuit and wear it in public. I am so proud of my weight loss that I don’t even care what people think anymore. In fact, next week, Hubby and I are going to a waterpark! I checked on weight restrictions and everything is ok. This is the first time I’ve gone since high school (I’m 36). Anybody else have some non scale victories (nsv) to celebrate?

Happy to hear that everything is going well. I have been burping up a storm. I had heard that it is harder to burp after the sleeve, but it sure does help getting that air out of my chest. I’m ready to move on to purées already, and it’s only been 3 days since surgery. Best of luck to you and I hope you keep improving! Also, congrats on the NSV. That’s great news!!!!

WLS Do’s and Don’ts DO remove the word ONLY from your vocabulary. Ex: I’ve ONLY lost 10 Lbs in 2 weeks… Now let’s look at this again without the word ONLY: I’ve lost 10 Lbs in 2 weeks!! See what I mean? Perception is reality folks!! DON’T assume you’ll never eat all of your favorite foods again. This is just an excuse your brain has designed to allow you to indulge. You WILL eat all your favorites again someday, just much less but find it to me more enjoyable. Which leads directly into the next: DON’T do the “last meal” syndrome. You will only sabotage your weight loss you might have pre-surgery or set you back further from your ultimate goal post-op. This surgery is very serious and is for the serious minded. Use this time wisely to get the feeling of how life might be like post op. DO learn all of the rules pre-op that you will endure post-op. Such as, no drinking with meals, using smaller utensils and plates, engaging in some type of workout routine, limiting your sugar and sodium intake, joining as many WLS support groups as you can. DO Celebrate every single pound lost! Imagine one pound of butter. Yeah… that’s gone from your body forever. It is noteworthy and worth every bit of a pat on the back as any others that may go along with it. DON’T compare your successes and losses to others. Chances are very high that you will only come out on the short end and only find yourself disappointed. Everyone’s journeys are their own… DO keep track of your losses in many different ways than just the scale! Examples: DO keep one set of your largest clothes you’ve ever worn. Make it a point to try them on, especially when you’re having a down moment. You will find this will really pick up your spirits! This is a real rollercoaster of a ride, and anything that will keep you positive is what you should do! DON'T keep any other fat clothes around. Get rid of them ASAP. You're never going to fit them again, right? So... off to donations they go. DO take photos of yourself just before your surgery. Keep them close. Again, having a bad day? Look at them and compare them. As a matter of fact, take photos of yourself often. You will also find that the more you lose, the more you will want to take pictures. Nothing wrong with that!!! That goes with celebrating your losses. DO take measurements of yourself often. Keeping track of all your inches lost will really keep you on the right track when your scale is being stubborn!! DO reward yourself every time you hit a mini goal. Make some more worthy than others. I like to go shopping when I hit a goal, it is my favorite thing to do now. DON’T let the scale define you. Great majority of us will endure many fluctuations and stalls in this journey. It is what it is… patience is the key here. Meditate and envision yourself months down the road at your goal. Smile, then move on!! DO find out about measuring body fat! It’s more than just weight loss, FAT LOSS is the real goal here. Keep in mind that the BMI scale is greatly inaccurate and most Health Studies do prove this. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE) our body fat % ranges should be average: 25-31% for Women and 18-24% for men. Any higher is considered obese. However it does go more in depth, according to ages and more. Everyone has different genetic make ups, frame sizes and fitness levels... even a different ethnicity can post differences. DO have many goals in sight. Having only one, especially a simple weight goal you will find can be difficult. Have many MINI goals along your journey, and more than just ones that involve the scale. Such as, clothing size goals, body fat% goals, fitness or workout goals, dietary goals, etc… DO challenge yourself always!! Whether it’s a global challenge with others, or personal challenges... It will keep you motivated and always willing to go further than you ever thought you could! DO have a mentor! Find someone that you can trust and confide in, and that you know has “been there”. Preferably someone you know in person. You will find many folks in your life who have been there, for obesity is worldwide now and there are so many who have been able to defeat this demon. It’s not easy! It quite literally is the toughest feat I’ve ever had to endure. I can say this too, my job will never be done. This is for life! DON'T believe the myth that your tool has an expiration date. Yes, it's true you will lose the most weight in the first year and it's also true that the further out you are and the closer you are to goal, the harder it is to lose. However, as long as you keep up with your healthy eating and fitness routines you will continue to lose weight and / or keep it off in the many years post op. It all boils down to calories in vs. calories out. DON'T believe the myth that having WLS will keep the weight off forever. That is our individual responsibility. And finally… DON’T ever beat yourself up! We all make mistakes, and dare I say not one person on this Earth is perfect. I try hard to be, no doubt! I always admit that I’m a perfectionist – but I’m far from perfect. I just try to be… The only thing you can do is pick yourself up, give yourself a pep talk, perhaps contact your mentor for reassurance and move on!!! Again, this is for life. Every day you wake up is a second chance. DO look for solutions to your problems. Otherwise they will just become excuses. DON’T EVER GIVE UP! I don’t think any explanation is necessary here. DON'T expect the scale to post a loss every single day. As a matter of fact, don't expect it to move that much even weekly! Just keep doing all the right things and the scale will move in the right direction when it needs to. DO expect to see fluctuations on the scale, both down AND up. DON'T lose your head over it either. This isn't a miracle cure and the weight isn't going to magically disappear in a few weeks. You have to keep pushing with healthy eating, some type of workout and getting plenty of Fluid. DON'T let the scale define your journey when there are so many pieces to that puzzle!!! Good luck to all of you. This journey is a tough one, but if you are here, then you believed in yourself enough to give yourself the life you’ve always dreamed of. YOU WILL BE successful. Always keep that in mind. Add-ons by other experienced sleevers: DO keep a list of NSV (Non scale victories) to reflect on when times are getting hard. Can you walk up 2 extra flights of stairs before getting winded? Cross your legs?" and "DO NOT be afraid to change things if they aren't working. Stalls happen even gains happen. If you are on a long stall look at your eating and decided if changes need to be made. Utilize your tool!" -- Southern Sleever DO: Keep a food diary of what you eat and drink. This is a great learning tool as to which foods have what amounts of fat, Protein and carbs that add up to your daily intake goals. There are many ways to diary your food - from old fashioned pen and notebook to many options via smartphone apps. Keeping one is the important thing - however is right for you. I use mine now to look back for meal ideas when I hit a blank as to what to prepare for a day or a week. DO: Realize this is not a diet to be followed for a while then set aside. This is a permanent lifestyle change. Yes, the amount of food you eat will increase as time passes, but your relationship with food will be forever altered. How you celebrate your joys, successes and holidays will be different. How you mourn your sorrows will be different. Some people need outside help to get through the sometimes overwhelming mental changes this process brings. If you need help with this part of the deal- reach out and get it. -- SKCUNNINGHAM DO roll with the punches!! -- fern

Awesom nsv! Keep up the good work.

Wowser...what a great start! I am proud of you. i am 63, and agree that it will enable you to enjoy your grandkids more. I have four small ones, 7, 4, 2, and 3 weeks. It used to be that when I went to my daughter's house, I could only sit and hold them on the sofa. After I lost my first fifty pounds, I was limber and flexible enough to get down on the floor and play with them, and then get up off the floor without assistance. You won't believe how many NSVs (non-surgical victories) you will have that you did not know were coming. Enjoy your grandkidlets and your new life. Congratulations!

OH my gawd. I would have paid money to see that. TOO FUNNY!! And what a HUGE NSV for you.

Hi Notorious Novembers! That is truly wonderful - that's a big NSV if ever I saw one! One of my best friends keeps saying to me that she doesn't want me to become a 'bobble head' with a big head on a tiny body. :hurt::cryin: I'm getting a lot of comments about me being "skinny enough" lately... DD - I'm following the same train of thought. I think I'd like to get down to 170, hold that for a while and see what I can do with exercise, then plan for a tummy tuck next year. With my DD starting college, there isn't a WHOLE lot of extra money to be had... Course, I'm also having some work done on the 'girls'...they are not what they used to be! :eek:

You're gaining muscle and losing fat! Muscle weighs more than fat. Have you taken your measurements? It's a great NSV.

Good morning and Happy New Year to all Notorious Novembers! Scheduled for my first fill tomorrow morning - I'll check in and let y'all know how it goes. I am at a 'Center of Excellence' bariatric office (affilated with Yale University) so I'm hoping for an easy appointment with no (or very little) pain. The holidays weren't great - not bad, but not great. I did make it to the gym 6 times during my 'off' period. My office shut down from Dec 23 through Jan 5. I also did some snow shoveling and other stuff to try and keep busy. Had a NSV (non scale victory) on Jan 2nd. Went dancing with my hubby (swing band we love) and at the end of the night, even after dancing my shoes off - no knee pain! This despite the fact that I was wearing high heels and we danced a LOT.:wink_smile: Looking forward to a fill, though - I feel like I've gained a few pounds since before the holiday and I definately don't want to go back to where I was pre-surgery!

Questions like this are red lights to whether or not you should have the surgery at this time - not ever, but you need to be really aware of what is going on. I see posts like this often (I have been here since November of 2011) and I know you are going to get responses – may have already got them in the time it takes me to type this – that it varies, maybe, if you exercise enough. Honestly, truthfully, if you are over 100 lbs overweight and hope to reach within 10% of your goal and stay there, the answer is that you cannot get away with the unhealthy foods, you cannot regress to the breads and fats and drippy gooey things that got you here in the first place. This surgery was NEVER about you losing weight, and somehow like it was an old war wound you forget about it in time, you maybe kinda get a limp that you compensate for but it is nearly automatic x amount of years or months out. It doesn’t work that way. You are putting your body through profound biological and physical changes and you were probably really heavy for a long time, possibly very ill, too. You are losing weight but you are really tampering with your metabolism. We (I shift from second p. to first p. singular because this includes us all) – we will not succeed unless we learn that this is not a cure-all, not by far, it is a really long road. We deal with our bodies, our heads, our memories, other people, and when we are taking a respite from that we deal with the current, back to the day to day, and then, we still have the future. It’s scary, and makes us hesitate, and sometimes really overwhelms. THEN we notice changes, less meds, less pain, more activity, clearer minds, deeper breaths, we have added years to our lives, playtime with pets and kids and family and even new friends. Maybe our pants fall down to our ankles, maybe we run up a flight of stairs AND down the hall before we realize we are not out of breath. The NSV’s everyone mentions here – let those be your guide to whether or not the cheese’s and fats and breads really matter. If they are still in your thoughts, think this through some more – get with your therapist and explore some more discussion and evaluation BEFORE surgery. Note I did not say don’t do it. Just be prepared that you literally are going to get what you put in.

How neat is that! That must have made your day! I will love the day that I can actually fit into some of my smaller clothes, especially my smaller uniforms, I used to wear a L (now 3X) so to be able to get back into L's will just be the biggest NSV for me!:001_rolleyes:

77 lbs! Feels amazing, doesn't it. Congrats on your NSV! Daisy, do you like the dance classes? I've been wanting to try it.

Crazy?? Crazy happy! May you and Mrs. Fat Man (really? ) have many, many more "crazy" NSVs.