The Gals' Room

How well my body has "shaped up" after losing over 120# has exceeded my expectations.... I catch a reflection in a storefront window and still do a double take "who is that good looking woman?" I have the dreaded apple shape, but am amazed that I have a defined waist and that I don't have so much extra skin that it is a big problem. However, I am very bothered by how my face looks. I am 48, but don't have a lot of wrinkles or anything - blessed with good skin and all. Even so, I see my face and am just so disappointed. In fact, the other day it kind of weirded me out - like who the hell is that person looking back at me? Here is my theory about why I feel this wa…

Last night I decided to do the cycling/spinning class at the gym for the first time. It is done in a small room, with 4 bikes on each wall, facing inward. The class wasn't very full (the eating season has begun, the exercise season starts in January!) but somehow I wound up directly across from the 3 guys in the class. There were 3 other women plus the instructor but I had a couple of bikes between me and the nearest person - just kind of worked out that way. Well, throughout this whole class, I kept having this feeling that one of the guys in particular was looking at me. It is natural since we were more or less across from each other, but everytime I looked up, he…

Hey ladies, I was just wondering what is the strongest OTC medicine you can find for menstrual cramping...this is my second period since surgery, and this one is a doozy complete with nausea, joint ache, back ache, and painful cramps. If I didn't know any better I would seriously think I was in labor...I was hoping my periods would be a bit more manageable with out pain meds after the surgery, but reality has quickly kicked me in the lower abdomen and reminded me that, this is the norm for me. Even at smaller sizes, I've always had horrible cramps and the nausea was an added perk after I had children. This bad cramping varies from month to month, some months I barely have…

I am going to the 12:45 show tomorrow night with my sister. Go team Edward!!! I'm so excited!!! We are both in our thirties but have had a thing for vampires since Louis and Lestat. Whoooo hoooooo! It will be so nice to see Bella with some confidence finally! I'm gonna feel really stupid if I'm the only one............

I remember hating to go shopping. Nothing ever fit right and just cause i was a big girl didnt mean i was old. i hated the lights in the dressing room cuz i would sweat so bad. I could never find anything and i would go home depressed. well it is so nice to just pick up something and not to have to even try it on, cuz i know it will fit. i love that i can find stuff so much cheaper too. Now my only problem is keeping my teenage daughters out of my closet. i actually luv shopping now my pocket book may not agree but it is so worth it!

Hi ladies.. Did u notice less facial hair after surgery?

So I'm 6 1/2 months out and just found out I'm not ovulating when I was before the surgery. Why??? Do I need to take something?

Start weight: 326 Current weight: 295 Still a lot more work to do. [ATTACH]6299[/ATTACH]

I have not had the LB as of yet but so excited to be banded in Jan. Insurance wants to make sure I really want this. Well guess what, I do. I am tired of being known as the pretty fat girl. Everyone always says Alexis you are so pretty but....I am always the friend. I am tired of being alone aswell. Now don't think I want this to find a man cause trust me I don't but come on. We all have thought what does she have that I don't? Oh yeah a great body. I'm sick of that. I have always had confidence but not in dating guys. I hang out with beautiful skinny girls but to be honest they suck! They are mean, bad attitudes and personality well, they don't have one. I have it all bu…

I have a question. I am really embarrassed to ask this because I have hid it from everyone I know. I have PCOS. With PCOS, I have many of the symptoms such as being over weight, not being able to get pregnant and the most horrible of them all is facial hair. My question is....anyone who has PCOS have you noticed less facial hair due to losing weight with the lap bad. I am praying once I get banded in Jan that it will stop growing.

Fb email add me tabitharenee8922@yahoo.com Instagram Iamforeverhappy

I'm in the process of doing all my pre op checklist, wanted to know ladies does your breast decrease in size or just the width?

Add me tabbyskinny

How long did you wait to "seal the deal" post surgery? My hubby thinks im not ready but.....im pretty sure I AM lol

Went from 271 to 212 so happy I been so busy in thus weight loss right now I'm stalling any advice to break my stall Sending pic as well check it out [ATTACH]5954[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]5952[/ATTACH]

Hey ladies, I just want some tips on how i can help tighten my skin after surgery. Also, I would like to know if you lost your shape/curves after losing all the weight. Thanks ladies!

Stopped by Panera Bread for a takeout of their yummy chicken Soup broth & the guy behind the prep counter flirted with me so I flirted back. As I'm walking away I hear a female, practically yelling, say: "I knew it had to be a BIG girl" & then laugh. Why do females have to be so mean to each other?

Hi, this is a topic that was requested of me to write this post and ask for help by my therapist. She believes many of you will relate to, even if you don't post back....I'm reluctant because: 1. It's a heavy topic for me to post on the internet, to people I will never know. 2. It's exremely painful for me to even venture in this territory. But it is something that is at the core of my where and who I am today, as a someone fighting to lose the psychological pounds I have put on over the years. I was brought up in a highly dysfunctional family (to put it lightly), and there was sexual abuse, emotional deprivation and abuse, alcoholism, parental fighting and divorce, …

Wasn't sure where it was most appropriate to share this but I'm so excited I had to tell someone. I realized I can see my va j-j for the first time in many years while I was shaving in the shower today! Don't mean to gross folks out but this is a most awesome and unexpected non scale victory forme!!!

I'm 4 days post-op and dealing with the gas pains and this morning I wake up with terrible cramps. I'm thinking oMG, what is happening? I go to the bathroom and discovered I'm starting my period...2 weeks early! What the hell. Has this happened to anyone else? I specifically planed so I would have a couple of weeks before I had to deal with it.

Have this crazy daydream that my ex husband starts treating me nicer and although I'm aware of the change, and why he's nicer, but nevertheless I enjoy being treated with respect. Any truth??

Is whey protein good ?

237 never look so fine lol [ATTACH]5089[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]5088[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]5087[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]5086[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]5085[/ATTACH]

When will drinking Water get easier? If I even take a small sip I still get these, what feels like, hunger pains a few minutes later and my surgery was Sept. 11th of this year. I used to love drinking water, but now I dread it. So unhealthy.

Surgery scheduled three weeks from now. What kind of bra should I take to wear post surgery? I am well endowed, by the way. Would a Cotton pull over sports bra be too difficult or painful to put on? How about a sorts bra that zips up the front?

I know a lot of people start period right after surgery i haven't had a period in almost three years due to the Mirena could I possible have a period after surgery?

So I haven't been buying bras lately because they're too freaking expensive and I'm losing weight. So I eventually got down to 2. Both were the same size, but one was far too big while the other fit fine. This morning I'm getting dressed and I realize that the underwire in my good bra snapped and there's no repairing it. I go to Torrid to find a new bra. I was wearing 44DD before my surgery, three months and more than 30 lbs ago. The sales girl measures me at a 44D. I grab a 44D and a 44DD and try them on. Neither fit. Both are too small. Frustrated I grab a 44DDD and it fits! WTF? How did my boobs manage to go up a cup size when I've gone down two dress sizes? Has a…

Went from 271 to 212 so happy I been so busy in thus weight loss right now I'm stalling any advice to break my stall Sending pic as well check it out

It's kind of funny because I don't have a goal weight, per se. I could lie and give a number, but I just prefer to feel a whole lot better than I do with all of this weight. So my real goals are striving for more energy and better heath. I would also love to be in kickboxing and along-side the energy I want to feel a need to drive hard to reach my career goals. Lastly, if nothing else I want to be selfish for the first time ever with a new body. Some people had kids or life just got a hold of them and they picked up the weight, but I never had that luxury of knowing what it once felt like to be slender. Some folks may call this kind of surgery cheating, but with a f…

WEll today my niece gave my daughter some jeans she never wore, there were a pair of 12s and 11s that I thought were really cute! So I thought hmmmm I may just tuck these away for just in case, after surgery;) when my mom saw what I was doing she said there's no way I will ever get down that low ( I'm a size 18-20) with the sleeve, and if I believe that, than I'm setting myself up for disappointment!

I was 271 in august got my suregy August 6 today I'm 209 yay I'm excited I still not use to going to clothing stores fitting a large and it fits it freaks me out omg my mom tell me everyday u not big anymore so stop thinking that and I will stop wanted to share my news Have pics here [ATTACH]5728[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]5727[/ATTACH] Instagram - callmemarilynmonroe

So, I suffer from VERY heavy periods. I was scheduled to have ablation done in December, but my last (3rd period since surgery) was NORMAL and not heavy. In fact, it was really light. Has anyone else noticed changes here? I know this could be temporary considering my body has completely changed, but does anyone have any input that is farther out than me? (only 3 1/2 months)

IM stuck at stall for the past 5 weeks. I need 14lbs to goal. I'm size 7 yeah for me medium top yeah for me but I don't want to see 139lbs anymore. I want to see 125 before I'm 34... I can't up my protein cuz I only eat fruits & vegetables & fish/meat. I don't do shakes or energy drinks. I decided starting the 1st of November I'm going to go on a strict thing to reach my goal. I will exercise 7 days a week & continue to have 3 meals per day. I will try maybe liquid 3 days a week so how I feel. If I get dizzy I will not continue. Not looking forward to killing my self. I just need 14lbs to goal. I want to stay size 7 that's perfect. Medium top no problem. I'm j…

My band always seems to tighten the week before and of my cycle. Even though I typically will lose a lot of weight during this time, I am not enjoying this. I feel that I am at my happy place, however, when I am not experiencing this tightening. Any ideas ladies as to what I can do help relieve this pain from the increased fluid build up? BTW, I can keep liquids down during this but other foods are difficult/ out of the question.

I'm looking for any good light chicklit-ish type books for recovery time. I love things that are light, funny and pretty non serious especially to take my mind off things. Taking any and all suggestions! :-)

My band always seems to tighten the week before and of my cycle. Even though I typically will lose a lot of weight during this time, I am not enjoying this. I feel that I am at my happy place, however, when I am not experiencing this tightening. Any ideas ladies as to what I can do help relieve this pain from the increased fluid build up?

I have been trying to keep my mind off of tomorrows revision surgery by working on my new website/blog. It is nothing fancy but it's mine. Please check out www.shoppingwives.com and if you like it join my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shopping-Wives/299042063541771 I am new to this and would love to hear your comments on it! Tabby

I was sleeved on 8/6. Since two weeks after surgery, I have had my period almost continuously. I get a random "day off" here and there, but it's pretty steady. Oh, and I am on the Nuva Ring, and I haven't stopped using it.... So regardless of the birth control, I am getting it. Has this happened to anyone else? I am having complications since surgery that's making it difficult to get in enough calories/water daily, but I thought that would stop me from having a period, if anything....

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum, well I've been reading for a couple of weeks and posting here for the second time. I wanted to share a part of my story and ask if anyone has had similar circumstances. This past August, I was diagnosed with a pre-uterine cancer which is basically cancer that hasn't imbedded itself into my body quite yet. My doctor gave me the option to have a hysterectomy or taking high doses of progesterone 4 times a day for 3-4 months. Seeing that I am only 29 and am still hoping to have babies, I opted for the medication hormone treatment. My doctor told me my weight was probably the thing that affected my hormone production the most and and bei…

OMG there's a wls patient on greys anatomy tonight!

I can't see myself finding Mr Right anytime soon. Now that IVF is available for single women in Australia, it has been playing on my mind. If only I could afford it. I have a gorgeous niece and nephew, but one day would like my own child. Anyone else share my feelings? I hope to reach goal by my one year sleeve-aversary in June 2013 (aged 35), figured give my body a rest for 6-12 months and then consider my options again. I read it's best to have children first before proceeding to excess skin surgery.

I ordered a body magic today an was wondering what other people use and if you think it helps with any skin issues long term...to hear some ppl tell it, it helps pull the skin in some ..?

Hi ladies, I'm so embarrassed I'm asking this especially if no one says yes, but after surgery did any of you have a strange and different odor from....down there? I know it's not a hygiene issue because I'm very anal about that. It's like there's nothing I can do! Help! Thanks

Does anyone on here suffer from depression? Just curious as to what other people do or take to help cope, thanks

My doctors packet says I'm not allowed to take the pill 30 days before and after surgery. I take the lo seasonique and skip the sugar pills due to severe hyperplasia issues. Before I started the pill last year I had my period for 86 days and ended up needing a blood transfusion so it's kind of important that I have something in my system. I see the ob next week, and I have an appointment with my surgeon the same day to discuss options but i was wondering if anyone was allowed to have the Nuvaring in during surgery? That seems like it might be a good option for the short 60 days. Thanks in advance

How long after surgery were you cleared

Sorry ladies I made a post in the wrong forum

I had my surgery on 8/20 and lost about 30lbs...Then I had my mirena put in on 9/27 and I have had daily spotting which then turns to bleeding for a few days before resuming to spotting and daily cramping ever since. Not to mention that I haven't lost weight either! I went down to 200lbs and then back to 202lbs and I go back and forth between those 2lbs! Its frustrating! I cant even be intimate because of this...too much worrying about the spotting...I put this in so I wouldn't have to worry!!! Im wordering if anyone else has had this problem? My GYN told me that I will not gain weight but...there are hormones on this thing! Maybe I put this in too soon after surgery…

As part 2 to my Flirting topic, is it OK to ask a guy what aftershave he is wearing or is that getting too personal, considering I've only known him for about 3 months (I only see him once a week though).

I have not had a fill, but seem to have experienced a "stuck" episode. From reading g what others experience I'm quite sure it was a mild episode, but one nonetheless. As I was eating chicken tonight I had this tightening in my chest. It felt like I swallowed a massive bite of Peanut Butter that didn't want to pass. It was uncomfortable enough to stop me from finishing my dinner, but I wouldn't call my experience tonight painful, just very unpleasant. Anyway... My question goes back to wondering if my menstrual cycle plays into this at all. Or, could it have been from some stress I experienced earlier in the day. It was an I tense stress (fight or flight situation). Tho…