The Gals' Room

I have been debating on posting this or not ... but I figure we're all in the same boat ... and there are NO stupid questions ... so why not ... Ladies ... Since surgery ... have any of you had a feminine odor that you've never had before? And no matter how much Summer's Eve spray you use or how many times a day you wash ... it lingers ? I swear ... I've never had this, EVER! I honestly don't know if it's from a lack of something in my diet ... or because I now take Vitamins ... which I never did before, or what?! Ugh. Any advice welcome ....

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I just had my sleeve done on Wednesday. I am so happy. Lots of pain Wednesday and Thursday. Hardly any now.

Grr, as my luck would have it I got my period on the third day of the pre op diet. I'm on the pill and it's in the middle of my birth control pack. I have a feeling my hormones are going wacky. I hope it stops soon, I'm travling to Mexico for my surgery and the last thing I want to be doing is try to manage putting in tampons when I'm all sore. Not to mention the 5 hour plane ride. Did anyone else have this? Ok...,end rant

Hi all I am now 3 weeks out and feeling pretty good. I am a tattooed / pierced girl and unfortunately, had to take out all my piercings before the day of surgery. The one I am particularly worried about putting back on are my nipple rings. My boobs have already changed sizes. I don't fit in my old bra anymore so I am shrinking. My question is mainly for women who have been sleeved for a bit of time now.... I'm 19 and am not sure whether or not I'll need surgery to get a boob lift just in case they sag? So I'm unsure if I should wait until I hit my goal weight to re-pierce my nipples or just go ahead and continue on living my life. Basically, I'm asking for your opi…

I've never had saggy boobs before, but they are tiny saggy sad little b-c ish balls of boob. I cannot, for the life of me, find a bra that will bring the girls up, and not leave lines in my back and pushing out sideboob .Any ideas? And going into a store to get measured, is kind of out of my comfort zone, so that's out.

My band-to-bypass surgery is on Monday, so I decided to go and get my arms waxed. I'm a hair-monster naturally, so yeah. IV tape getting pulled off hurts. I had the bright idea to get a Brazilian wax at the same time. I've never even had a regular bikini wax before. It a little traumatic, but it was actually not as bad as I was expecting. I mean, it hurt, especially in the more "tender" areas, but I've had worse, and at least it was over fairly quickly. And in the future, it should hurt even less, since the hair will be shorter and more even (I've got a big chest, so between it and my belly, "upkeep" was rather difficult. I was really expecting it to be excruci…

Hey still waiting for a date for surgery , it have been a long process over a year and a 1/2 but am just feeling down about my weight and apart from the numerous medical problems that go with it , it really gets to me the way people judge FAT people I never really brought in to this belief before but it's true not everyone but the majority of 'normal' people out there literally hate us fat people and look down on us. Self confidence is at all time low atm ... Any positive stories or comments ???...???....

I just posted about this on my "Sizes and more Sizes", but just wanted to let all the gals in on this wonder of wonders! I have such difficulty finding appropriate summer clothes for someone my age and size, and I'm not alone, I know! I just received an amazing item I ordered off of QVC.com, from the Women With Control line, their skort! I haven't seen skorts since I was a kid! This is a heavier knit skort (a skirt with a short built in), and it has a control top!!! It is a swingy skirt, and it comes in several colors AND in petite sizes as well as regular. I ordered both regular and petite to see which would work for me, and BOTH do!! I washed them, no shrinking evident.…

My name is Ashley. I watched last night's Grey's Anatomy and had a haunting flashback to my own life: When I was a newlywed my husband had gotten into a serious car accident with a semi truck on the highway. I had to go to the hospital to see my semi comatose husband who had just barely survived. I had received a police escort to said hospital and had to deal with millions of thoughts going through my head. I did not know what to expect when I had gotten there. I replayed every moment we were together thinking that it was the last one I would ever have with him. I bawled pretty hard that night, just needed to let some fear and other emotions out before my surgery. The im…

Never mind.

Hi- I'm experiencing a much lower sex drive than I had before surgery. I kind of expected it to be the opposite. In general I feel so much better physically and self-esteem wise, but I'm kind of just going through the motions when it comes to sex. Not only am i not as active, but I'm also resorting to lube much more frequently. I'm 6 months out and 29 years old. Did anyone else have this? I don't know if it's a hormonal thing or a calories/energy thing, or if it is in any way related to the wls, but I've only noticed it since surgery. Any insight appreciated.

How long after surgery did you have sex? Any positions to try or avoid as I heal? I am only two weeks out

Ladies after surgery did you loose your boobs? Sorry if this is TMI. I'm just new to this and started my pre op doctors appointment.

Being that I had surgery at 20 years old I don't take a lot of medicine... or really any at all... except when that time of the month rolls around. So I never asked my surgeon what kind of pain medicine I COULD take as it didn't seem like information I would need. Now as I am 3 months out and enduring my third very painful (normal for me) period, what can I take for the pain?? I've tried googling it and all that comes up is what I can't take... IB Profen, Advil, etc. And this heating pad is just not cutting it anymore! I need drugs!

Hi Ladies, I need help finding a good, tight bodyshaper for formal wear. I want something that won't keep me from being able to pee!! Your experience with these are appreciated. Seems like most of these are sold online. Its been a while since someone else posted this request so I'm looking for new ideas. Thanks much!

Tonight I went to "Two Step Tuesday" at a local country western bar and took a $2 dance lesson - yes, 2 step which I have never attempted before. Here was the coolest part - I had the courage to go alone and so my partner was the hottest guy in the place... about 6'2", tall, dark, handsome and did I mention...hot! and... he could dance! Too bad he is closer to my son's age than mine, but It was a fun hour of being in dance frames called stuff like "the cuddle position". I could get used to this. Know where I will be next Tuesday evening?!?

No Offense Intended!! Hello Ladies... I only 3 weeks out and curious to get other "Pear-Shaped" Sleever advice. FYI: I am very Peary Lol... Big butt & wide thighs... in the past when I've dieted I tend to lose weight in my face and bust Which sucks because I don't have a big face and my chest is only a small C/D if I'm lucky. For being a thick lady... I don't have too much on top! Pears.... With the sleeve - Will my thighs & butt finally melt off??? I don't want to lose my pear-shape all together... I just want to be a... Petiter - Puerto Rican - Pear Also... Will I lose my boobs?

I have been having this terrible problem, and was wondering if anyone else can relate, and HOPEFULLY have some good advice for it. For the first 50lbs of loss, I could really see physically changes in my body. The face was back to "normal", fitting in large and medium sizes, taking up less room on seats.... My problem is this: I've lost about 6 more lbs since then, and my "mental" image appears to be as "stuck" as my weight stall. Now I look in the mirror and all I see is that woman who was 56lbs heavier, no change in the face or other parts of the body! The weight is still gone, I can still fit in those smaller sizes, but the IMAGE of the old me has come back to haunt …

This problem is embarrassing, but I wanted to see if anyone has any recommendations. I had a tummy tuck and no longer have the apron around my front, but I still have these inner thigh fat/skin rolls that can be seen through most pants. Compression garments advertised for thigh compression that are underwear with longer legs don't seem to work. I need some sort of sleeve to go around my thighs. I was looking at some on amazon that are designed for hamstrings injuries, but I'm not sure if they will work. Any advice? It's getting depressing to have so few options for pants, especially with the thin fabrics this time of year.

I don't get it, I have had substantial hair loss...but only on my head!! still need to shave and pluck everywhere else I have always had to "lady-scape"!! LOL. that's kinda jacked up!! ;o) is it just me?!?!

Last night I went to class at the gym where I've been going for a few years. A guy friend was there who's been gone since February and when I walked in he asked the trainer who that was. Hello! How awesome is that?! I was never someone who turned heads but it seems to be happening enough that I'm starting to believe I do look different. Such a friggin head game this weight loss surgery!

I found a cute dress on clearance at Target, it fit (as in, went over my body - I'm not sure if it looks okay, lol), so I impulsively tossed it in the cart. Anywho, the back leaves me pretty exposed and I've been having trouble figuring out what to wear under it. No luck finding a bra that doesn't show but still keeps Wilma and Betty where they belong. Yesterday, I found a sports bra in almost the same color as the dress. It's hard to tell in the picture, but below where the straps come together but before the zipper starts, there's another hole. In this pic, it's covered completely by the purple bra. With my hair down, MOST of it should be covered (between the str…

Happy to say that I got below 200 lbs. I am losing slowly but glad to see that 200 go away and moving steadily down.

Ladies, I just returned from my first mammogram post-surgery. It went like all other mammograms over the years. While the tech and I were chatting, I happened to mention that I had lost 62 lbs. since my last mammogram; her comment was "That's good to know, I'll let the radiologist know because it does make a difference in how the tissue looks." All that said (and if you didn't know that they need to know) ......when you go for your first post-surgery mammogram, be sure to let them know you've lost weight. Happy Squishing!!!

(I poated this on the pregnancy page as well in case youve seen it.) Im on depo birthcontrol and I think its causeing me from loosing weight. Im 196lbs ive lost 63lbs since October 30, 2014. So im about 7 months post op. My goal is 160 and I know i shouldnt compare to others but i feel like i should have lost more by now and be much closer to goal. Could it be my Depo? I know some side effects were always being hungry and i know people experianced weight gain (non WLS patients) and im always hungry! Thoughts?

I had a Mirena IUD put in place in May before my August surgery. Body took about 4 months to adjust to the IUD and I had no period at all for 8 months. I lost 85 lbs, and then my weight stalled. For three months I have bounced around the same weight + or - 2 lbs. I've tried more exercise, adjusting calories, more Water, increased Protein, etc. Then, out of the blue I get a cycle. Weight still isn't budging. I have my one year anniversary coming up soon and I intend to talk to my doc, but was curious if anyone has experienced the same thing and/or has words of wisdom for me.

I am post a little over two months and my TOM isn't regular due to the pre-menopause thing. I have been a scale junkie since puberty kicked in and the weight took off in the wrong direction. Post WLS I am standing on the scale for two weeks and I am really frustrated again with it not moving. I joined in the Labor Day weight loss challenge and was hoping to be under 225 by Monday and under 200 by next Dr apt on 9/8. I feel a bit PMS-ish and I know that even though I cant see "Aunt Flo pull up in her rusty old Cadillac" that I know that the symptoms still come. Headache, constipation, bloating and I MAY be a little irritable :/ But the darn scale has to not freaking move…

I've always had bad menstrual cramps but after my third baby, they're REALLY bad. My OB/GYN suggested taking Advil for the two/three days before my period and then continue thru the first 3 days to stay ahead of the pain. Well we all know that Advil is now a no-no and I'm thinking Tylonol isn't going to cut it. My surgeon said he'd write me an Rx for a light narcotic but geez...I have three kids I need to keep track of...I'm not sure if narcotics is the way I want to go. My PCP suggested an IUD but then I'm reading on this board that IUD's can stall weight loss. Any advice/suggestions/tips??

Hello ladies! I wanted to see if women who are losing/have lost weight after WLS are now more brave about cutting their hair! I know for me, I always felt like my hair was my curtain. I always hid behind it because I am a natural blonde, and therefore no matter how BIG I was I always felt like atleast I had pretty hair! HA, sad way to think I know. Anyways, I am ALWAYS hearing people say that they could "Never pull off a short hair cut" because their face is not made for short hair. My hair has been short for a few years now, mainly because I have two small children and it's SO much easier...but I also cut it when I was at my heaviest. I now have a short pixie, and…

I swore off shopping during my pre-op. I was losing weight pretty quickly (down almost 50 lbs in 3 months) and knew it would just be a waste of money to buy any new clothes. So when the Lilly Pulitzer for Target collection launched, I didn't even wanna look at it because I knew I would shop. Well...that turned out not to even be an issue because before I even woke up that morning, the Target website had crashed and most stores looked like a tornado had come through and picked up all of the Lilly items. So I moved on with my life LOL I went to Target today for cleaning supplies, face wash, and a trash can. That was all. Of course, I had a Cartwheel for 15% off one o…

I'm 43 and I've recently be diagnosed with PCOS. Looking at the ultrasound, I have clearly had it for an extremely long time and never knew. I am two years post op and I recently regained 12 pounds (which I'm working on). Since gaining this weight I have had constant pelvic pain and it appears constantly bursting cysts. My Gyno has said it is due to weight gain (although I find it hard to believe that 12 pounds could make such a difference). Has anyone experienced any significant changes in symptoms etc since having the surgery? Has there been any particular dietary changes that you have made that you think helps? I was pre-diabetic before my surgery and my blood s…

So my fiance and I have decided to plan our wedding for December. We've been engaged for 2 years and since things are going really well for us, we want to actually get married. Anyway, I have no idea how I should go about dress buying. I know it's too late for me to get a custom dress, as those can take months. But should I get a white party dress? Should I wait until late November and buy something off the rack? Can I trust my mom to do any alterations I might need? Does anyone have any experience or advice for me?

Since being sleeved I've told three men (in a dating situation) about having WLS or that I've lost a significant amount of weight. The first took it in stride with barely a comment and said I looked great. I miss him. Too bad he was such a mess over other aspects of his life. The second I didn't actually tell I'd had WLS, only that I'd lost a lot of weight. He said something to the tune of it would be an issue for him if I ever got fat again. He was easily 50lbs over weight. Yep, he's gone... long gone! The third I just recently told. I told him I'd had WLS and that I'd had my stomach fixed through plastics. He didn't say much at the time but later during conversat…

After years of being invisible to men. I'm not quite sure what to think about attention I get now. I am happily married and not looking. I am baffled that men even look at me. I have my wedding ring on. What is going on???? A younger man asked if he could pay for my groceries. I told him that was sweet but no... I have it...He was fine and smiled and went on his way. A month later I had two younger men in front of me in a grocery store check out. They insisted on buying my groceries. They would not take no for an answer. I brought home a free dinner for me and my husband. Is this a new way to pick up women that I am clueless about? Holiday's I was at a sports pub…

I am 52 years old and thought I was about finished with hot flashes...it had been a couple of years.since they were bad....I am almost 3 months post op VSG and ive lost 42.pounds total since I began last sept pre op...31 since surgery......my question is have any of you ladies experienced a increase in hot flashes since having surgery...I do not have a uterus so I dont have the abnormal periods ive heard about...but maybe its a hormone issue?

I'm a short girl, with the legs of a dwarf but the torso of a lumberjack. Now my upper belly skin is melting and I have a sad, wilty muffin top even when I'm naked. Actually, it's less of a muffin and more of a failed souffle'. I've been playing with shapewear, but now that it's getting warmer I'd like to reduce one of the layers and go with a longline bra. The problem? All the ones I've tried fit funny. It's like the torso is too short, so they either stop before my upper belly is all tucked in, or my boobs come out the top. I've tried pretty much all the ones available at Woman Within and tried a few on in places like Kohl's, but no luck yet. Anyone know where…

I have never had a yeast infection before. I had surgery on May 26th and came home May 28th. Since I've been home I have a funny smell down there. No itching or anything like that. Could it be a yeast infection or just the meds?

...and period day 2. Are you freakin' kidding me, universe?!?! ... ... ...

Okay so I have been with my bf for just a little over 5yrs and it hasn't been the best relationship ever but no relationship is perfect! I even lived with him a few months in 2010 it was an ugly relationship and I HATED it he was so demanding and controlling! It wasn't a pretty life! i couldn't take it so i left him. Moved back in with my parents and well we r still together i don't tolerate the same things as before i have grown up and matured so much. He has changed so much hes getting his life together and i know hes really trying i dont want to marry him he wants a baby so bad and i don't!! not yet n not how our relationship is or our life's! but he doesn't care if we…

I got nothin. I just wanted to see if the tag worked.

So I go for my stress test for my heart issues today, and man, did I regret doing it. Not because of the test, but for the incredibly uncomfortable situation I was put in while undergoing the test. Many of you know I have so many scars, from SO many surgeries over the years, I make frankenbride look like Heidi Klum! I always try to warn people who need to see me in a state of undress what they are about to see, because it IS quite shocking to someone unfamiliar with my situation. And most folks handle it accordingly. Today was just unbelievable. I put on the ever-cute hospital gown, and as the gal who took the readings removed the part to expose my torso for the pads th…

Okay so I've always suffered from harsh cramps at ToM and Advil and Alieve were always my go to. Of course that is a no no. Tylenol dulls it and makes it tolerable but has anyone found anything to be more helpful? Especially when at work where I can't double over. I also have had menorrhagia since giving birth to my first over 6 years ago and it got worse after having my son almost 3 years ago. I see my GYN next week and I'm going to discuss having an ablation. I worry about my Iron levels during this time since I'm already malabsorbtive. I had a tubal so I'm done with kiddos so I'm not worried about that part. Any suggestions for cramping solutions would be grea…

So it's not like I had a big chest to begin with but man, what I had has left the building completely! Its not just my ego that's deflated about it... I honestly never thought I'd be a person who'd consider implants but I seriously am. I can't be the only one who's had this so what did you guys do? I'm not looking to be a girl with huge b**bs, just a girl who's bra is an actual portrayal of what lies beneath.

Okay, I've never been terribly fashionable because I figured when you're fat you may as well forget it. Well, I'm still fat (for now!) but I'm down 150 pounds and I'm fitting into clothes I bought, never got to wear, and stashed away. I have two pairs of pants that are the same style but different colors. One navy/white stripes and one is khaki/white stripes. They're a cotton blend. I'll attach pictures. Soooooooo. What color shirts would be okay for each and what color shoes could you wear with them? I know this is probably simple stuff but I'm unsure and don't want to look too stupid Anyone have ideas?

I'm almost 6 months out and decided to have the mirena put in about two months ago. Since then, I've only lost about 10bs. Im starting to believe that the mirena has slowed my weight loss significantly. I'm definitely not done losing weight and I am now considering having the mirena removed. I also noticed my hair starting falling out after the mirena was placed, thankfully I have thick hair. I was doing great until the mirena, down 70lbs before I had it placed. I specifically asked the doctor if it could pose any problems losing weight and I was told no. Anyone else experience problems with the IUD after surgery? sw 272, current 195, 5'6.

Ladies, please talk to me about how you stay fresh and dry down there while exercising? I cannot find dri fit panities anywhere in the area I live in for my size . 2X still. (18-20). Curse Academy Sports. Practically the only sports store in town. They sell nothing above an XL. How are fat girls supposed to get in shape? I have a huge resentment, but that's another thread. I really hate feeling all sweaty down there. I am using powder but afraid that is not best for that area? And that area gets a little itchy when sweaty for a lengthy of time. It is very humid where I live. I love to walk, but all that moisture and itchyness are deterrants at times. Desitin…

So the counselor and dietician warned me about the possibility of my moods being affected by this kind of weight loss and how rapidly its happening. I can't seem to get my thumb on it tho, did anyone else have this issue. I'm trying to decide whether its my normal moody nature or if its being amplified by this process. Thoughts anyone? Also, I'm beginning to see how my body is changing and as a woman, I want to be healthy but also maintain that feminine shape and figure. I essentially want to keep my exact shape and shrink it to a healthy weight. I still want boobs and supple thighs and all of that sooo to all my ladies out there with hips and thighs and butts, did you …

I found out there's a DSW only 1/2 hour away from my house. Uh oh. Went and bought some sandals. In yellow. With a pretty high heel. I could not stand to wear heels for more than a few seconds 130 lbs ago. Somebody hold me back. This old lady is getting a bit too wild.

I am open to any suggestions as this is an unsure area for me... I would never claim I knew how to properly put makeup on my old face but now it seems like I really am missing the mark... I have been think about when I learned to put make up on and it was around 14 messing with my grandma's old stuff in her bathroom.. Loved that black eye liner and dried up mascara... Until I was 16 I had never even bought new makeup and then it was wet and wild.. Needless to say I was overweight and covered with acne then and have only ever seen my Overweight face and neck all made up.. So now on my almost 40 year old, 190 pound face things just don't look right.. Now the makeup ha…