I'm starting to see more posts from folks with stalls, or gaining some weight back, or I'm 'X' pounds away from goal and I want to kindly remind everyone that weight is a number. It's the way the medical community determines success/failure with weight loss surgery.

It should not be our way of determining success or failure. Stop getting on the scale. Focus on the non scale victories. We have them daily. You just have to be aware of them. Even with myself being in the maintenance stage, I still have NSVs. I just am not always aware of them and then when I am, it's as good as the first NSV.

I've been on this forum for more than two years. I provide my stats just so other morbidly obese folks can see that WLS works. No other reason. I don't weigh myself anymore. I know by what I've eaten, how I'm doing. I know by the fit of my clothes, how I'm doing. I know I'm successful because I can walk again when I was almost wheelchair bound. I know I'm successful because I am healthier than I've been in almost 20 years. I know I'm successful because I look people in the eye again. I know I'm successful because I care about how I look again. I know I'm successful because I am actually out there dating again. I know I'm successful because I can take trips with my family and not be a burden. I know I'm successful because I can put my leg up on the bench in the shower and shave my legs again. I know I'm successful because I can sit in a chair with arms.

Shall I go on? Do you get it now? As the weight drops...quickly or slowly or in a non-linear fashion, we experience all types of NSVs. Focus on those. Enjoy your lives, you are making choices to be better. Even if you falter, you can get back on track. You have the tools so know that every day is a new beginning and today is the day to pay attention to how much healthier/happier you are now than before.

Have a good day today and be kind to yourselves. I'm heading out in a couple of hours to see my new grandson born this past Thursday. I can get on the train with no problems, climb the stairs at the train station without worrying if I'll make it or not, not worry about how big the hospital is because I can walk without pain, and hold the baby in my arms and know that I will be the most active grandma this kid will ever know. Come look for me....I'll be the little lady in the park climbing the monkey bars with her grandson in a few years. That my friends, is success.

@@gowalking - Thank you! I was beginning to wonder if somehow they slipped something inside us that makes us suddenly impatient when they operate. So many of us seem to what super fast results even though we've been fat most of our lives. I sometimes catch myself doing this as well. Speaking for myself, I can honestly say it took 51 years of life to gain this weight. I don't need it to come off overnight and I shouldn't expect it. Each day I feel healthier and each day I need to remember to work my program. I'm now trying to notice the small things. I went on a Winery tour Saturday. There were 2 separate sets of stairs that a year ago I would have had to pause in the middle of climbing up/down that I was able to climb. I did it almost without thinking. That's a NSV that won't show on the scale.

Thank you for the perfect reminder!!

@@gowalking - Thank you! I was beginning to wonder if somehow they slipped something inside us that makes us suddenly impatient when they operate. So many of us seem to what super fast results even though we've been fat most of our lives. I sometimes catch myself doing this as well. Speaking for myself, I can honestly say it took 51 years of life to gain this weight. I don't need it to come off overnight and I shouldn't expect it. Each day I feel healthier and each day I need to remember to work my program. I'm now trying to notice the small things. I went on a Winery tour Saturday. There were 2 separate sets of stairs that a year ago I would have had to pause in the middle of climbing up/down that I was able to climb. I did it almost without thinking. That's a NSV that won't show on the scale.

I agree with it seeming like everyone wants super fast results. I'm always seeing posts like, "3 weeks out and only down 30 what am I doing wrong?" I'm like seriously?!?! ONLY down 30 lbs in 3 wks?!?! When have you ever in your life lost 10 pounds a week!! I'd say your doing freaking amazing! But alas I'm preop so what do I know......

@@gowalking, I loved loved loved this post!! Yes!! I wish you would write a book.