The Gals' Room

I am so friggin' pleased! I suffer from horrible period cramps, and I have to be hyper aware of oncoming periods to get in front of the cramps with LOTS of pain pills or I am left playing "catch up" and stay in a moderate to severe amount of pain. This is the first time in 20 years (since I first started) that I haven't had my period like clockwork. I'm sure it's because I've shed 18% of my total body weight in 6 weeks, although I did have a period about a week after surgery. This has been the greatest motivator for me yet! I'm seriously ecstatic!!

After several months of being at goal then having plastic surgery But know monthly cycle It arrived Saturday morning Like making up for lost time it is still here. Before at most for my adult life I was a two day girl I thought I was done with that part of my life. Has this happened to others after they reached their goal weight?

Hey everyone! So, my boyfriend (fiancé?) and I are planning a wedding for December. The situation is a tad unorthodox since we've definitely started planning before the official engagement haha. BUT, my question is, has anyone dealt with getting a wedding dress post op? When did you start shopping? How many alterations did you have to get? Our wedding will be right around my one year surgery anniversary. Help!

I've had my cycle for 6 weeks straight! It lets up a little, then it's Niagara Falls for a few days, lets up, then BOOM. I heard that hormones change when you stop carbs and go high protein- but, really this is insane. I used to have horrible cycles, so I got the Mirena IUD- which made my cycle pretty much non-existent, now it's like all that time I had nothing is catching up to me. No PMS, no cramping, nothing...except box after box of Super+ Kotex. Anyone else have this issue pre-op or post-op? Thanks!

Bariatrics to body building Lyss Remaly http://http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/lyss-remaly-from-bariatric-surgery-to-bodybuilding.html Not that I think her story should be anyone's goal. I'm inspired when I see what people have achieved

Hey everyone! I'm new to the website and seeing how it all works. im 32 years old, had my surgery 1-13-15. and loving life! i have 3 kids, going back to college this summer and working out at the gym. Seeing if anyone knows if there is any singles forum or a good FB group? Im glad i found this because you can only see the same group of people in some of the FB groups before it gets super boring LOL

Hi, I am in the process of getting approved for the sleeve, my surgeons and my primary care MD want me to be on some form of BC after surgery in order to lose the weight. They are concerned that once I begin to take a large amount of weight off my fertility will kick in. This would be great since we tried for two years with no luck getting pregnant, all the fertility meds just made me gain weight. The overall goal is for me to lose the weight in the post op period and then go back to trying once I am at my goal weight. So I have to find some form of birth control prior to surgery. Right now my husband and I are just using the calendar method, but I am afraid this will no…

Last month I went in for my every-third-year mammogram. A couple of weeks later, I got a call from the Breast Center telling me there were "technical problems" with my mammogram and I needed to get it re-done. So, back I went this afternoon, and learned that: 1) I had told them last month that I hadn't had any significant weight loss . . . I guess I was just thinking 'recently, no' rather than comparing myself to three years ago. And actually I have lost about 160 lbs since August 2013, I just don't really think about things that way anymore. So they were not convinced, comparing the two mammograms, that the same person had showed up in August 2016 to get her breasts sma…

SO I know that with the old me ... I would eat like a horse during PMS ... and for about 9 months after surgery ... PMS didn't affect me like that ... but now ... 16 months out ... I get the "munchies" really bad during PMS ... I know in my head it wont last ... so I don't stress too bad ... I'll gain 2 or 3 lbs ... but then after my period is over ... it drops back off ... I've tried to drink more water and walk more ( knees dictate my physical activity level ) ... but the urge to munch is still there ... ugh. any suggestions? thanks ladies !

I am looking for some sheer pantyhose or tights with some compression on the legs to hold my thighs a little tighter. Any brand suggestions that you have used since surgery and you have loose skin on your legs? Cost not an issue if they work.

I'm about 9 months post op and almost 20 pounds below goal. I should be happy with myself and feel beautiful, no? No. So, I was never the fat girl who got told, "But you have such a pretty face!" I chalked it up to the fact that my face is the first place I gain weight, and at my heaviest I looked really bloated in my face. As I lost weight, I guess I was thinking that I might end up being pretty. But if anything, all my facial flaws that were once covered in a layer of fat are now exposed. I feel like now I'm a "butter face"... or worse, a deflated former fat girl with a jiggly stomach, droopy butt, AND an ugly face. I look at pictures of myself and insteading o…

I'm 5 days post op RNY and today I've had this sharp stabbing pain in my left breast. It only lasts a second and has happen 10-15x. Has anyone experienced this? I think it could be related to the surgery or maybe to the mostly clear liquid diet I've been on, since Ive never had this before. I was breastfeeding but quit about 4 month ago.

Hello! My name is Jackie I am 27 I started my Journey on April 1st 2016 at my highest weight of 442 lbs. I had my Gastric Bypass with a packed wound on July 26th 2016 with my weight being 400 lbs. After my 3 day hospital stay I came home and weighed in at 410 lbs Although this made me sad I knew it was due to all of the added gas and swelling. I am 5 days post op today and my weight is 397 lbs. I wanted to join this community to see how others manage all of these new changes and to share my own as well as it serving as a sort of... diary. Hopefully I can communicate with people who want the same. I'd love to share any info I might have that someone needs and I am open t…

Hi ladies (and men, if so inclined) Just wanted to share something that's really helped me. I've felt pretty sick, tough recovery so far. Each night, I've been digging out something to pamper myself. You know, that stuff we buy, use once and then put on a shelf never to be seen again? Well, I busted it out. I've been doing face masks, sugar scrubs, lip scrubs, etc. It really has helped mentally. Bonus, all that stuff doesn't go to waste! Just wanted to share - I may feel like s**t but my skin looks good! Also, I tried to put this in the "powder room" forum and it wouldn't let me?

I don't always hate it - generally I'm happy I'm a woman and don't resent the many, many, MANY ways we're cut a raw deal based on our biology and gender. But today, I hate it. I hate my PMS and I wish I could rip out my ovaries and uterus because their functions cause terrible, terrible hormones to course through my blood, into my brain, AND MAKE ME WANT TO EAT THE ENTIRE WORLD. Which of course I cannot do (thank heavens) because of my surgically placed band. But that doesn't make the desire vanish, unfortunately. This goes on for DAYS extending into WEEKS until it finally crescendos into an unbearable cacophony of monstrous voices telling me to jump into a vat of m…

I was an avid shopper before losing weight. Buying new clothes almost daily. I had tons of emails coming every day from all types of stores. So now that I have solidly been in regular sizes, for a little while at all stores (It really isn't a fluke! I had to convince myself), I have decided to cut the cord to my old life. I am breaking up with all my old plus size store mailing lists, youtube bloggers, IG Stores, IG Bloggers. It is time to end. I am not a plus sized lady anymore, I need to stop living like one. I keep seeing cute things that are too large for me (sigh, grass is always greener), and it is getting annoying. I realized this week, that is not my identity …

Hi ladies, None of my swimsuits fit properly anymore - my main issue is that most of them are low cut in the front and too big in the breast area now which is...unattractive. Do you guys have any recommendations for swimwear brands for larger breasted women? I like them to be sexy one pieces - but for that to work I need a lot of support. Ideally it would cinch my waist in as well to show off my curves. My thighs and butt look great but I really need help on top. Summer is almost over here in NYC but I need at least one new suit for the rest of the beach/pool days and on top of that I definitely have at least one fall trip to a tropical locale where I'll need a mi…

Hi ladies, I'm going through the process to get approved for a DS in November. Woot woo! I've been working on losing weight and have reached that magical number where my periods have returned, which I'm ok with. However, today is day 49 of the worst period ever!! The GYN and I are good buddies, as I've seen and talked to him 4-6 times in the last three weeks. We did 10 days of Provera which worked out to 7 days of light spotting. Two ultrasounds, lining is still thick (ugh), a biopsy that was negative for cancer (wahoo!) but I still just continue to bleed heavily with really bad cramps and PMS. I found out last week I have an enlarged heart, fatty liver disease, and sev…

I posted this in the ladies area because mens sizes are more standard and they don't have the issues we have. When I was a size 28, I just wanted to be an 18. That was goal for years to just be an 18 like in college and I would be happy. Pre-op last year I decided I wanted to be a 12 because well, Gucci. As I have been losing I have hitting lower sizes faster than I thought with my weight being higher than I thought, I have to re-evaluate what size I think I will be comfortable at. I have resolved all my health issues already so whatever weight I lose now is just a bonus. I currently wear anything from a 14, sometimes a 12, and I can wear a juniors 13. The last ti…

Not promoting a product..Just a good shopping find. I found this at Burlington Coat Factory. $9.99 Firm fabric,Hook eye and zip front. This has worked better for me than spanx.

So I had my mirena put in 6 months pre op and put on a significant amount of weight. I'm 4 months post op and just don't feel like I'm where I need to be and feel like my mirena might be contributing to the issue. On top of weight gain I have dealt with crazy moody swings, terrible acne breakouts, and bad cramping. Has anybody else had this issue? I have an appointment to have it removed Monday. Really hoping removing it will help. I had the band to bypass revision in December and felt so much better about having one piece of foreign crap removed from my body, hoping this will be the same way

Ugh just upset. It happens every month. I'm a week away from my period and I've been eatting everything! I know I'll get some control over it in a bit but it's just frustrating how it always happens...

Hi Ladies, I know we all have been experiencing hair loss, but has anyone gotten hair extensions? Hair loss has slowed down but still losing a bit I'm looking into the tape extensions. http://www.ramijabali.com/hair-extensions-magic Here's another link: http://www.stellaluca.com/hair-extensions-frequently-asked-questions Anyone have any experience? I'm not looking into the glue ones because read about it and when you get them off, your hair is pulled out with it as well. My hair has always been thin and now even thinner and I fill it in with Toppik but it's still not enough. Any feedback/advice/suggestions would be aprreciated

I didn't manage the timing of my Nuvaring well, so I've started bleeding the day before surgery. It's light, but it can sometimes go light to heavy overnight. How will this effect my surgery tomorrow, does anyone know? I've already figured out I can't wear a tampon during surgery, but this is no big deal, right?

I wrote on the other forum about this and felt slightly better after but I just wanted to know if anyone else is having similar experiences... Around that time I was supposed to get my period I started seeing brown discharge.. Well 8 days later and it's still there sometimes mixed with a little red! I used to get my period for 4-5 days tops. This is freaking me out.. Did anyone else experience this?

Hello ladies, Yesterday i received my first shot of Depo-Provera. I was not able to go with pills or IUDs due to contraindications with my anti-rejection medications for the kidney transplant i just received in march. Any thoughts on what to expect? All information is greatly appreciated. Have a great weekend....!!!

I happened to be holding my phone up looking for something (flashlight) and somehow hit the camera button. what I saw boggles the mind - I had to take and share a picture with you ladies. sometimes this process seems painfully slow. other times something happens and it is hard for your mind to catch up. so 4 months ago I looked like I was about 8 months pregnant. serious belly weight. wish I had a good picture to compare, but you can understand why I do not! yikes. this weird picture shows today. 120 days later. Still a good long ways to go, but it blows my mind how much things have changed.

Hi ladies! I'm job searching and if I get called for an interview I have nothing to wear. I didn't realize this until last night when I was scrambling through my clothes to find something appropriate to wear for a Skype interview. Luckily I found a classy sweater and a nice necklace to pair with it but it still wasn't as professional as I was hoping for. Could anyone please recommend a clothing store that sells classy plus-sized ladies pantsuits? Men have the luxury of visiting a tailor with easy to select options to look good at work. Us? Nope. I don't want anything with flare or pizazz, I literally want something conservative, simple, and serious. Any sugges…

I'm about a month into my somewhat expected hair loss stage. I think it's slowing. I've been taking Biotin and getting Protein, so have hopes that regrowth will be starting soon. However, I've noticed that my leg hair (and - ahem - other hair) seems to be growing awfully fast these days. While I long for the days of seeing new happy follicles appear on top, my legs seem to have no problem growing luxuriously long and thick locks. The kind that dull even the sharpest of 5-razored implements after only one use. I'm definitely going to be investing in laser hair removal soon, but wanted to see if this is normal? Or is it all in my head? Do I have leg hair dysmorphia…

Hi ladies, I am almost 5 months out from gastric bypass. In about 2 weeks I will have blood work done to see if I am deficient in anything. I am scheduled shortly after that to have an outpatient D&C. I was told that I would be under anesthesia for about 5 minutes. The Dr. also told me he has done so many that he could do it with his eyes closed (insert eye roll here) He gave me the impression that it is a pretty minor procedure with no down time to recover. My question is this, when his scheduler called me to set up a day she told me I would be required to stop all Vitamins a WEEK before!! I am not one to disobey medical instructions but this seems excessive. I am…

So - hormonal eating. A BIG problem for me and for someone like me who is considering the sleeve surgery, I worry that this will be a big hindrance for me. Obviously, with surgery I can't do *too* much damage, but I'm still concerned. Some months aren't too bad, but some months I do a LOT of damage with hormonal eating. I realize it's hormonal because I will literally wake up one morning (after period has started or just ended) and not feel like a raving food beast anymore. But when it strikes, it's BAD. I just can't be satisfied, I want only foods that are terrible for me - the badder the better. Some months I can get a handle on it, especially if I recognize it comi…

I put on a pair of pants this morning, I have never worn. They are a size 14 from White House Black Market. I also bought a pair of size 14 super skinny jeans yesterday and they are a little big in the waist. I am beyond thrilled to be out of plus sizes!

All right, lay it on me...for those of you that have had an IUD inserted, how bad is it? I'm having a Mirena put in on Friday (age 35, no kids) because I suck at birth control. I've looked up the actual procedure, so I know what will happen in what order, but I'm more interested in the discomfort level, especially given that NSAIDs are a no go. Will I be okay to go out that evening? How long until I feel 'normal'? When I needed an endometrial biopsy a year and a half ago I thought I was being smart by not looking into it, figuring I'd just get myself all scared and tense and make it worse. That was not the way to go, because it hurt like a <insert choice expletives h…

This is in "ladies only" but I don't really care if men read/respond to it (though I have no idea why this would interest menfolk) so... just a disclaimer. Ever since I fell in the "morbidly obese" category my periods have been irregular. Usually I could count on my period to come every other month. Each time I got my period it would come with wicked PMS and menstrual cramps that rival labor pain - funny, when I gave birth and reached 8 cm I thought to myself "Huh, this is what my worst menstrual cramps feel like." Just so people know what kind of hell I've lived with each period! I'd have to take 4 Advil and 1 hydrocodone every 4 hours just to manage the pain. If …

I've had some medical issues over the past two months (not surgery/sleeve complications), so I've been preoccupied and not paying close attention to my weight loss. I realized a few days ago that my clothes are falling off. I decided to get a few things at Target, which led to today's NSV: I bought my first non-plus size shirts and dresses! My shopping experience was surreal. I started in Target's extremely inadequate plus-size department, but then I decided to try on the largest misses size (XXL). I started with a striped maxi dress. I couldn't believe it when it actually went over my body. I really couldn't believe it when I didn't want to break the mirror. Sure, I'm …

This may be graphic so I'm sorry in advance. I got sleeved a month ago, ended my period two days before surfery. It would make sense for me to get my period now.. For the last 4-5 days I have a brown discharge, not in mass amounts but pretty much every time I pee I see it... Starting to worry. Did anyone else experience this?

I'm in a remote location and getting medical treatment here is an absolute nightmare. They have to med-evac us to London for care and will only do it for an emergency. So I figure I'd ask here for suggestions or experiences so that I can approach the nurse we have here with some ideas of what to get tested. I've experienced some weirdness in the last two months (totally unrelated to VSG or weight loss, I think) and was hoping someone could tell me if they had a similar experience or if they've heard of anything like this. Two months ago I had a wacky cycle. I've always been clockwork: 28 days with ovulation right in the middle. I am NEVER late, not even when I'm s…

Hey, ladies! I started off at 245 at my heaviest weight and am now at goal of 145 with some minor fluctuations of a couple of pounds consistently. I've been looking forward to trying a bikini for the first time in my life, but there's a small issue there. I'm not really concerned with my scars, as it has now officially been over a year and they've faded. Rather, I've got a roll of FUPA and a little loose skin around my navel that jiggles. Oy. So I don't want to wear the typical skimpy bikini bottoms. I'm in the middle of studying for my bar exam at the end of next month in conjunction with a full time job in the city that I commute to, which does not accommodate a lot…

So a month or so ago I bought four new bras because my old ones were too big. The new size was 48DD. The only time I've been less than DD was when I got down to under 175 pounds, a VERY long time ago. What the heck was I thinking - buying four bras?!?!? Today, I put on the nice black one with little gold dots all over it. Raised my arm to put on deodorant and whoopsie... the bra slides up right over the girls. Not a good look. I got out of work early because I finished a huge project and my boss was grateful and told me to take the afternoon off. Went to Catherines, tried on a 46DD. The band size was fine, the cups were far too small. Got a 46DDD and tried i…

Hi Ladies - Are any of you able to post here from the mobile app? I do not get the option to tag and can't post without a tag.. Thanks K

Hey ladies - I've seen forum posts about unwanted advances after WLS. I'm just curious to know if anyone else has experienced this phenomenon pre-WLS... For the past decade I've noticed a certain type of man hits on me. Usually he's gross, missing a couple teeth, smells like cigarette smoke, and is either hanging out of someone else's car or standing behind me at a grocery store carrying a bottle of booze and a package of hot dogs. I get the feeling they think they have a shot with me because I am obese, therefore must be lonely and desperate. I always reject them and then they get really offended like they can't believe I'm ungrateful for the attention. One man s…

Hello, I work for a television production company that specialises in making documentaries and specialist factual programmes. We are making a heart-warming observational documentary series at the moment which follows single people living with different medical, physical and skin conditions, as they broach the possibility of dating and new relationships. We are currently looking to speak to those who may be interested in taking part in the series. We are targetting those in the UK and USA at the moment. For more information, please do get in touch: love@betty.co.uk (Alex has approved this post)

Hi Ladies, If you haven't seen me on the sleeve forums, I'm expecting to have my sleeve surgery in the next few weeks with no date set yet. I deal with PCOS as a lot of overweight gals do. Recently, I've taken myself off of my hormonal birth control pills in anticipation of surgery and because of unwanted side effects (they've always made me a little bit nauseous and they make it difficult to achieve orgasm...who knew!). I'm going to be getting a non-hormonal IUD for birth control this Friday, but there isn't anything now keeping the hirsutism in check. My chin is a mess now and I'm plucking dark hairs almost daily! For the veterans who had PCOS, once you've lo…

Had my annual mammogram last night. Just roll those puppies out there - how sad!!!!!!!! Yup...implants. Here they come. I've had the consult all ready - that sealed the deal! Now I really have to seriously research....any advice?

My daughter is firmly in the overweight category. She's never had the weight problems I have. I have never ever ever ever spoken to her about size or her weight or anything else. (I blame my borderline mother and her competitive body analyses for many of the underlying emotional problems I developed with food, so I have always been determined not to do the same thing to my girl.). She's a picky eater, but she also eats plenty of fruit and veggies that she likes. She's the only person I know who hates potatoes and corn (well, she likes French fries). But she loves green beans and broccoli. I think we have a terrific relationship. We share common interests. She's smart an…

Now, I'm pretty sure nearly every WLS female has heard this one at some stage in her life. So I bet none of you think to say it to someone else because there's always that "oops" factor. Just had my surgery. That first night my CNA wandered in first thing in the morning, obviously close to tears, and told me one of her patients told her she looked "seven months pregnant." Let me tell you, she was probably a size 10 or lower and definitely flat in the abdomen area. She'd been super sweet to me during my stay, so I offered to go punch the offending patient (joking!) which cheered her up and got her to laugh a bit. Seriously, who says these things? I guess the CNA could …

Hey guys I'm new to BP. I'm in the process of getting cleared for VSG. I have been reaching & getting inspiration from various sources. I know it may seem a little superficial but I'm extremely worried about loose skin after surgery. I've seen some after pics that scared the s**t out of me. I get it, loose skin should be the least of my concern. But I think about it a lot. I've seen people who have tighten back up easily with no evidence of ever being overweight then there are others with extra baggage. I've read where Protein, Water intake, weight training and other things can reduce excess loose skin. There's even a new show on TLC titled "Skin Tight" where women ge…

For the past few weeks I have been hovering in the low 200's with the exception of a week where I got sick and ended up gaining weight. On Monday 12/21 I was 200.2 lbs.... I'm so close to Onederland - but my period is due on 12/26 and my weight is up to 201.8 today. I'm following the program, and I know this is temporary, but my goal was to be be under 200 by New Years. It can still be done...it's just SOOOOO CLOSE. I haven't weighed this low since high school. In fact, I can't ever remember being this low as an adult. I remember being in the 220's and thinking how big I was....I never imagined getting up to 295. I know it's strange, but seeing the "1" as the…

Ladies are you going out with friends or a date for valentines? I am surprising my husband with a special night. Here is my dress with fabulous hooker heels. I would love to see your fashion finds. Post them if you got them!

I have lost almost 100lbs since surgery which sounds like a lot but I am still fat. At the bottom end of plus sizes instead of pushing the limit at the top. I know this is some peoples starting points and they feel huge at this weight, but for me this is the smallest I have been in 20 years. The weight I am at right now, I haven't been this range since the 90s. I have had a hard time accepting that I wear a size 18, I keep taking my measurements and comparing them to the size charts on various websites to confirm that my measurements are really a size 18, they are and on some sites they are a 16. My issue has been, in the past at this weight I wore a 22/24. So I have be…