virtygirl

Hello everyone ~ I'm about 9 months out now and have just noticed that my hair has become much more finer. My new hair stylist also confirmed that it is thinning. For me, the hair loss has been a very gradual process. Never handfuls or combfuls of hair coming out, just more noticeable shedding. I plan to start taking Biotin soon.

Congratulations. It's such a wonderful feeling isn't it?

Same as some of the others, I started the day before. As embarrassing as it may seem or be, you'll be fine. I too received the mesh panties and pads. It was just awkward using the restroom with the IV, stand and pain, but doable. Good luck!

Congratulations on your approval!

See the one in my signature line.

Awesome job!

You look great and you have such a pretty smile. Awesome job!

Can I have at least 3 inches of your 71"? I am just 5'3". You look great and you've done an awesome job!

Mines would be my husband looking at me from the back in jeans and my making those appreciative male noises. It's so nice to be appreciated!

I see myself as half and half...I've lost 55 lbs so far, but I find that I still avoid full-length mirrors whenever possible. I know that I've lost the weight, I know that I feel better and look better but it's still hard to wrap my head around those facts. A good example was yesterday I accompanied my husband and niece to the Harley Davidson shop. My husband is interested in purchasing a new bike so that I can ride along with him. They actually had to coerce me into getting on the bike behind and trying on a leather jacket. Honestly I was afraid that I would not fit, I would not be able to get my leg up and over or I would be uncomfortable on the bike and in the jacket. So I tried on the jacket and it looked really good. I also got on the bike and we looked good on it. In fact, my husband actually asked me at the shop, what was I afraid of or was I trying to wait until I lost more weight? Hmm, talking about being more in tune to me than realized, very perceptive of him. I finally admitted that I didn't think the jacket would fit and that I would look ridiculous on the back of the bike. Our niece took a picture of us on it and I think I will print it out as a bit of reminder to try new things and to face some of my fears.

It was very well written and a really great idea. I can totally relate the pictures with the kids/family. I have a 16 year old son and I really need to have more pictures made of us together. My mother passed away six years ago and I really wish I had more pictures of her now. But I can still change that and it's now one more goal of mines and has been moved to the top of my list. Thanks so much for sharing!

I've decided to get back on the bandwagon and start getting movement in where ever possible. So I did a search for good exercises to perform in my office (I actually have a door which makes it doable). I came across this article in the Washington Post and thought I would share the link with you all. Here's the link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/health/workout-at-work/ They are not difficult for the most part and they do get your heart rate up and you get the benefit of the extra movement. Give it a try and let me know what you think of them.

Most folks find that right after surgery they are a bit tired. Having said that it is recommended that you start out walking...my surgeon's coordinator told me to start out with walking (also will help if you have gas/bloated tummy issues right after) and progress to anything that does not make me uncomfortable but no heavy lifting for about 6 weeks. I started going to the gym one week, 3 days after surgery and started with 30 minutes of walking at about 2.5 mph on the treadmill, slow and steady. I progressed up to 65 minutes on the hill setting for the extra cardio. However, as time has passed, I've pretty much stopped working out on the regular and just now getting back into the groove. I just found this workout that states good for working out in the office, but I figure you could workout to it anywhere you like. Here is the link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/health/workout-at-work/

Movie theater popcorn. BAD, but so good when I'm craving it.

I am the direct opposite of you "hating shopping". I absolutely love it when I'm in the mood to shop. Initially for me, shopping was not an issue as I had a closet full of mixed sizes from the last time I had lost a significant amount a weight, which was about 2 years ago. So I enjoyed shopping in my own closet for a while. Once I outgrew those, and had to venture out, I went to stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Target (not so much), Walmart and Kmart (the last two mainly for jeans if I could not find at the first 3 stores listed). I have looked into some of the thrift stores in my area, but I did not see any thing worth purchasing. I need to venture out to the upscale resale or consignment shops. However, as I have come across awesome purchases in smaller sizes I have bought them so when I reach that point I will have something to wear for that stage of weight loss. I love looking at some of the new trends and thinking to myself, "that's going to look really good on me". The push for new jeans has just come recently as my best friend informed me that I had a "saggy butt" in the pair that I had on with a belt. So I have purchased 3 pair in my current size. Which as brought really nice compliments from my husband . The true issue that I am having at the moment are SHOES! I can't find many that I comfortable, because 1. I have developed arthritis in my toes in the lost two years with a foot surgery two months before I was sleeved, and 2. I am in between a wide and medium width shoe as well in-between sizes. It is a true hit or miss situation but nonetheless very frustrating. I actually walked out of a pair (just one) at work one day. Can you tell that was a big clue to stop wearing that pair? I'm also having bra fit issues and need to go get fitted and soon! Remember if your clothes are too big, you give the appearance of looking sloppy. Have someone snap a picture of you in your too big clothing and you will see what I mean. Show off your smaller curves, you've worked for them and earned them! Try not to stress too much about shopping and for now only shop as necessary. Hopefully, as you continue to get smaller you will learn to love the process of fitting clothes to your new shape. Best wishes!