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Saw my PCP yesterday. I'm off blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol meds! Major NSV!!!

Pretty psyched by my Dexa scan results, the technician said she's never seen results like it. I was able to bring my body fat down to 23.7% and gain muscle while doing it! This puts me in the 9th percentile for women my age....Thrilled with the results. Now I need to stop losing.

I rode rollercoasters all day yesterday. It was an awesome NSV!

Hello all, I am going to be sleeved on Tuesday (19th September 2017) and I found myself on this website this evening creating a profile... I suppose I am on here for some support and guidance, but also because I thought it might help center my own thoughts about my journey to 'have to' type it out. Mini therapy, I guess. I also couldn't find - maybe I was being lazy - too many people sharing their journey with my sort of stats, so many I will be helpful to some younger, female patients on the 'light' side of the scale in terms of what to expect etc. We are all in this together! VITAL STATS Age: 26 Height: 159cm or 5'1" Weight: About 86.5kg, or 190lbs - I will verify this and put it on my signature when I am weighed pre-op. Female Location: Australia, home for the operation but I live in London, UK. Surgery + Date: Gastric Sleeve 19/09/17 JOURNEY TO NOW I suppose I always had a bit of a problem with my weight. I have certainly gone through periods in my young adult life where I was slim. The trouble for me, I suppose, is that I have an identical twin sister who has always been slimmer than I have (maybe 5-7kgs) and, as such, I have always subconsciously felt like the 'bigger' twin. My twin is tiny - she is now about 20kgs lighter than me and it really gets me down. She lives in Australia still and I am in London, but imagine living with a 20kg lighter version of yourself! Someone who is exactly like you but 25% less weight. It can be hard, although she is really supportive. I am a really emotionally stable and rational person, but I have self-control issues and I emotionally eat. In the last 2.5 years, I have gone through 2 serious break-ups. The first was with my boyfriend of on-again/off-again 9 years...and the second was with a man I loved possibly more. I turned straight to food and alcohol (which I seldom drank prior) to forget the pain I was feeling and to be able to get on with work. Over this 2-2.5 year period, I have gained about 25kgs. I remember being 62kgs at Christmas 2013, and when I was weighed a month or so ago at the surgeon's office I was 86.6kg. To say I was devastated was an understatement. Although I admit I have self-control issues, I certainly have it within me. I guess I would classify as an 'all or nothing' person; I can easily eat and eat and eat, but when I reallllllly get on a roll with a diet, I am the type to be able to starve myself. This has lead in the past (over 10 years) to yo-yo dieting and I have tried it all; starvation, protein shakes, exercising, duromine/metermine pills...really anything. Sometimes it has worked, sometimes it hasn't. My mother has been overweight my whole life and although she doesn't have diabetes, her mother did. I live in a family of eaters and providers, and I see patterns in my own behaviour that mirror my mother. My mother was a very attractive woman in her youth - she is still attractive now actually - but I do not wish to see the same health and aesthetic issues she has repeated in my own life. I find myself not wanting to go out and socialise because I have nothing to wear; my clothes don't fit and I always tell myself I should lose weight before I buy more...I say no to outings, I hide away and eat. I am embarrassed about my weight - I hear myself telling people that I 'put on weight recently' and over-compensate for it by saying how I used to be slimmer....I go shopping and I don't even bother to look at perfectly normal, lovely clothing because I seem to have subconsciously (or otherwise) decided that I could never wear something like x, y, z. All of this might seem extreme given that I seem to be less overweight relative to some people on this forum - but I am sure these are issues we all share to varying degrees. Also, I am so short and small in frame that my weight is probably largely as evident as others. All in all, I suppose I subconsciously 'decided' I was chubby years ago and have become obese as a result. It is such an unhealthy pattern. GOALS First goal: get under 80kg. Second: get under 70kg. I want to take it as it comes. But, longer term: to be 60kg or under. 55kg would be ideal. 60kg would be great, too. NSV: Throw out all the old clothing I have been wearing to cover up - aka my 'fat' clothes. NSV: Buy size 28 jeans for comfort, like I used to. I am currently in a 32 of the same jean. To be honest it's really hard to write my goals as I have not yet even conceptualised this working! It has been so long since I lost weight and felt good that I can't even remember....perhaps I will work on the goal list later! I'm also gonna post some headless pics....I think that will help me... Anyway, this is a start. I have an appointment on Monday to see the Dr and take bloods...then it's straight to it on Tuesday. Wish me luck!

A bit negative there, SummerSet. In actual fact, my fitness improved massively over time. There was a range of positives albeit NOT long-lived ones. Week 1 - I could hold my breath underwater for 18 seconds and swim about 12 laps slowly in 14 minutes. Week 75 - I could hold my breath for 47 seconds underwater and swim 120 laps in 117 minutes. Week 1 - my belt was buckled at the third hole. Week 75 - my belt was buckled at the eleventh hole. I was down 2 or 3 slacks/jeans sizes depending on brand. I was down 3 shirt sizes (6XL to 3XL). In the initial stages I lost a lot of body mass but struggled to lose more later on. The NSVs were okay. I came from a BMI near 52 to the low 40s. Sadly, not long after, I yo-yoed back towards my old self ... as described elsewhere.

I have a new NSV! My bath towel closed at the bottom!!!!

Keep going! You look so good and I bet you feel even better. Keep a little list for all the NSVs and reread it when you get frustrated.

I guess it's a NSV I kinda forgot my surgiversary. I'm 3 years post op and maintaining all of my 130 lb loss. (I do bounce up and down 4-5 lbs). Still tracking everything I eat, it keeps me in check. Walking 8 miles a day 6x a week. Completed a LBL earlier this year and getting ready for final skin removal on legs soon. Just hope those starting this journey know if I can do it ANYONE can. I stuck to my Dr's diet very strictly making all the changes lifestyle changes. I don't deprive myself now, but splurges are now occasional instead of daily. And I love that my sleeve still really restricts me. It's hard to feel guilty about 1 small piece of pizza and I'm so grateful that I'm totally satisfied after that one piece. Hopeful everyone is enjoying much success and while I don't post often, I'm always happy to help anyone in need. Feel free to reach out. I'm cheering you all on!!!! [emoji173]️[emoji173]️[emoji173]️[emoji173]️

Hello everyone,I'm a married mom of 4. I'm 260 pounds 5'7. Dealing with weight issues since I was 18. I started my journey on 7/28 when I went in for my initial consult and was told I was a good candidate for wls. My bmi is 40.5. So process started, I went through psych eval, support group, endoscopy, sleep study, exercise classes, blood work, nutrition appt. All of these appointments done by end of August. On 9/1 was my follow up appointment to make sure all of my criteria has been met. Everything was met, and they said next step would be them calling with a date. On 9/5, I'm scheduled for surgery on 9/25 (now I'm panicking, and nervous) on 9/7 I meet the doctor for a presurgery visit, it was going over what to expect pre/post. On 9/11 I have to go to hospital for preop EKG, and blood work, a long with my $500 copay I have bcbswny. Also I start my 2 week liver reduction diet. On 9/12 I go to primary to get medical clearance. Then it's just a waiting game until 9/25 @1pm. I'm excited, anxious, and nervous all at the same time. Anyone have any suggestions for pre surgery jitters would be great. Congratulations to everyone, especially the nsv I've been reading about[emoji1] Sent from my SM-N920T using BariatricPal mobile app

Same here, although I'm not skinny yet. I've been shopping in my closet until just recently, now everything is too loose. I bought new undies at La Senza the other day, and realized that it was an NSV at checkout. 🤗

These are some of the common abbreviations used on this website: ACL = Anterior cruciate ligament AGB = Adjustable gastric banding AMRAP = As Many Rounds As Possible (crossfit) AT = Aspiration Therapy 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 Biliary Pancreatic Diversion bs = blood sugar btw = by the way C25K = Couch Potato to Running 5K 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 CT = Computed Tomography (commonly called CAT Scan) cw = current weight CXR = Chest X-Ray DDD = degenerative disc disease Dr. = doctor DS = Dumping Syndrome or Duodenal Switch EBT = Endoscopic Bariatric Therapies EGD = Esophagogastroduodenoscopy EKG = Electrocardiography ER = emergency room ESG = Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty ff = fat free f/u = follow up GB = gastric bypass GERD = gastroesophageal reflux disease GI = gastrointestinal GIF = Gastric Intrinsic Factor 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 IGB = intragastric balloons IF = Intrinsic Factor IMHO = in my humble (honest) opinion IMO = in my opinion IUI = Intrauterine insemination LAP Band = Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band LES = lower esophageal sphincter lol = laughing out loud LSG = Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy med = medicine MFP = my fitness pal MGB = Mini Gastric Bypass msg = message NAFLD = nonalcoholic fatty liver disease 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 omw = on my way 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 OTC = Over the counter Oz = Australia PB = Productive Burps PCOS = Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCP = Primary Care Physician PICC= Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter 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 Rx = Prescription medicine RYGB = Roux-en-Y gastric bypass SADI-S = single anastomosis duodeno–ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy s/f or sf = sugar free SG = Sleeve gastrectomy 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 Ty = Thank you. [but according to the urban dictionary “Ty” is also an abbreviation for “a total stud with a massive carrot”.] 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

Reading your posts is considered one of my NSVs.

Shopping in my closet was one of the great NSVs of the first six months! I was wearing a 24w when I had surgery and had some old items in my closet down to a 20. It was empowering to size down when what I was wearing no longer fit me. Now the days of shopping in my closet are over and I have an interim wardrobe.

CONGRATULATIONS! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful NSV! Your pics clearly show your progress! Keep up the great work and have an awesome semester!

Thank you! It's hard to see much change day to day but that NSV was huge yesterday! I found myself more engaged and friendly in class because I wasn't worrying if everyone was staring at the fat girl in class [emoji16] so excited to continue to watch my body change Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am a full time student at msu and I had surgery July 25th. Last fall I struggled to fit in the desks. I had such bad anxiety that I'd have to sit in the back of class, get my seat before the other students came in, and would leave after everyone else. My stomach would press against the desk and hurt. Well I started classes again yesterday and guess what? I fit in the desks no problem, sat in the front of the class and had no anxiety. I had enough space to cross my legs under the desk even.[emoji41] just wanted to share this NSV. The scale hasn't moved much the last 2 weeks but this NSV just brightened my week and kept me going [emoji173] below are my pictures. The top ones are from April and the bottom is last week Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

https://media.giphy.com/media/26BRv0ThflsHCqDrG/giphy.gif Congratulations! What an excellent update and NSV! I had heart and pulmonary issues pre-WLS also. Not anymore. Healthy is the BEST. Congrats again!

Prior to bariatric surgery, my weight yo-yo-ed between 115 and 300. Much more time around 300 than 115. Before approval for surgery, needed clearance from a cardiologist. Did stress test, but due to severe labile hypertension, had to stop the treadmill and do the medication version. Did a stress test today (5 1/2 years out, maintaining 120 lbs for over 4 1/2 years, daily workouts 7 days a week and still following the dietary guidelines I did from day one) I have a very healthy, athletic heart!!! Despite physical limitations leg braces, etc..., was able to get my heart rate into the target range, it quickly returned to normal, BP went up, then when I was done, it quickly became normal, I was only slightly out of breath during and my heart is no longer enlarged!!! How's THAT for an NSV??!!

Congrats on busting your stall and doing so well at 5 weeks post op! Woot!!! Party! Don't you just love moving into a new decade? I always feel like, "Sayonara "old decade," smell ya later! Never!" And sometimes, it feels like forevs before you actually break out and through an existing decade. I thought the 260s were gonna be the death of me! It felt like they took forever. The 250s didn't feel as long, but took exactly the same number of days to break through! Sheesh! I love your NSV (belt moving thing). That feels better than any scale or measuring tape in the world. Right? And holy crap Batman! You walk 1 mile, 5 times a day? me=not worthy!!!! Gattlinburg vaca sounds fun. Do historical and music stuff. Do dancing and romance!! Have a blast!!! ((hugs))

Felt like I had a real NSV this weekend. My size 40 jeans have been way too big on me but have been hesitant to buy new clothes. Mainly because I hate to spend money on something I may only be wearing for a couple of months. Couldn't take it anymore and went shopping this weekend. Grabbed a few pairs of 38s and went off to the changing room. First pair I put on were still way too big. Tried a different pair and same thing. I couldn't believe that 38s were big on me. Went and got some 36s and they fit well. When I started my journey last year (around May 2016) I had gotten up to size 46 again. Still can't get over it.

AWESOME!!! It really is the small things that keep us going! Many more NSV's to come!

NSV - (non scale victory) for the first time in I can't even remember how many years - I was able to trim my own toe nails, with a regular toe nail trimmer. Sounds silly, but made me feel great. Had been paying the doc to do it.

I haven't been on this site for a long time, but I do plan on changing that. I recently started a blog on my whole WLS journey - I am 5 years out from VSG; lost 152 lbs and have kept it off for over four years now. I wrote a post specific to my NSVs and since it's quite long, rather than copy it here I'll share this link instead. http://wlsnetwork.com/nsvs/ Main Site: http://wlsnetwork.com/ Please feel free to comment here or on my blog and check out the whole blog to learn more. Please feel free to share with others and join our Facebook group, etc. if you like what you see.

My surgery is coming up, August 30th, but one thing I have learned from a lot of people on here is to celebrate the NSVs (Non-Scale Victories). I am filled with excitement and nerves, but you all seem to be doing pretty well. Thanks for sharing your experiences!!!