greensleeve

Good morning everyone. Today I am wearing a maxi skirt!! I actually think I look decent for an old fart. I am almost 64! WOW, where time go.
Wearing this skirt is something I never would have even looked at before my wonderful Band. I also tried on a maxi sun dress, that I love but it was more than I wanted to spend. The skirt at the Gap outlet was $10. I don't know how to post pictures so that is why no one knows what I look like other than CG because I text her my pictures of new hair dos and outfits.
Enjoy this great day. In Boston it will be in the 80's today and rain and 70's tomorrow. Typical of NE.
Arlene

I took my very first vacation alone in April. I'm 55 and have never been out of New England and in 35yrs I had never been away from my husband. My hubby couldn't get time off from his new job so I went to visit my son in California all by myself. He wanted me to meet his girl, who might be 'the one'. I was very nervous about driving alone from the San Diego airport to San Clemente alone but I did fine. I had some adventures, and did some exploring alone. I got lost a couple times but was able to find my way w/o using the GPS -a little challenge I set for myself. I also got my first tattoo as a gift from my son. I was the only one in my family who didn't have one. This summer I want to try zip-lining. I was always too heavy to consider it before. I'm afraid of heights but I'm ready to conquer that fear. :-)
The best thing about being at goal has to be my newfound self confidence!

I would like to plan a trip to Mexico with my husband and go scuba diving. I've always wanted to do that!
Other than that I want to take a trapeze class. I was thinking ziplining but the ones around here just look kind of boring.

I have existing tats on my upper arms and I have to tell you weight loss has only made them look better Thank goodness they are far away from the batwing when that needs to be pleated in a bit it shouldn't affect that area. I also have one on my back that is in no danger from weight loss:)

I celebrated 100lbs lost with this tattoo

I'm planning another tattoo when I pass into one-derland.
When I reach my goal listed below, I think I'm going sky diving!
Then, if the doc gives me another goal beyond mine...well, who knows what I'll do when I reach that one!

When I first joined this forum, I said I wanted to be healthy enough to sightsee in London. I've wanted to cross the pond since I was a young teenager and now that I'm in my mid fifties, it's not a cost issue but it was a mobility issue. I was on a cane and in horrific pain when I got banded but guess what.....I'm going to London in 2015. I still have some residual pain issues but I am able to do what my forum name says. I can gowalking again. I've made it. My celebratory goal is within my reach and close enough that I can taste it.

Since you can't Celebrate with big meals anymore... have you decided what you will do when you hit your final and major goal? Or if you already have had your big goal celebration, what was it?
I didn't have anything in mind for a long time, and now that I have 2 surgeries to get through (My revision then a total body lift and arm lift) I really have thought about what I want to do for myself to celebrate making it. I have been fighting through some bumpy roads with my weight loss journey going on 10 years now. Since I am within several years of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, I am feeling that excitement! *finally* and thank you GOD!
Anyhow I have 2 things in the works. An Old Hollywood style photo-shoot and a tattoo.
This outfit will be me dressed up as Marilyn Monroe.
  
This dress will be me dressed up as Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra.
 
And this tattoo came to be out of the blue in the last few months. An amazing WLS Sister made this for me. It is a patchwork design! Just one day she tagged me in a post and said she was making me a patch and this is what she sent me. I was brought to tears to be honest, it's probably one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me for no other reason except to be nice. I told her in return I would use the pattern to do my Final Goal Tattoo. I never knew what I wanted to do, but this absolutely took the cake, because she made it out of what she thought about me and my journey.

And of course when this happens I will be sharing it here. It will be fun!

I am switching to DePaul, I filled out the paperwork and sent it in today.
I also filed a complaint with Joint Commission.

I am switching to DePaul, I filled out the paperwork and sent it in today.
I also filed a complaint with Joint Commission.

I really want nothing to do with them. If this how they treat people I can't trust them.
I don't want to have to deal with her after the surgery and if it truly was Dr Minkins decision I want nothing to do with him.
There have been several people complaining about her on two boards. "Someone" always created a new user name and claims to be a former patient of his and raves about it and then never posts anything ever again.
Just wait....

By the way it's Dr Minkin, Des Peres Hospital St Louis Mo.
I also complained to the My New Self program there and didn't here a word back.

I meant when I called in November they said they were full.
That woman is the office manager. I have no way to talk to him and at this point I don't want anything to do with them other than letting other people know what happened to me.

Unbelievable. After two years and three appeals I get approval and redo my tests, he tells me I will get a date in two weeks.
I call his office after my second round of tests and she tells me they are full for the rest of the year and I have to redo my tests for the third time.
She wasted my time and the insurance company money. She acted like it was my fault then informed me that she couldn't accept my approval letter because she had never seen one like it.
I was so upset. I was so emotional and raised my voice and she kept saying I should have known they didn't have any more openings and it was my fault.
I told her I was done and hung up and cried.
I decided to try again today with my insurance contact on the line. Same woman told me that because I complained to the hospital I am now too much of a risk and he won't operate on me. And won't give me my money back to join the practice.

I'm 7 weeks out. I'm down 56 pounds but more exciting to me is I have lost 5 inches in my waist and my hips.
I'm down from 24 pants to 18; and some 18s are getting loose!
I bought a shirt at the store last weekend. It was in the regular section so I didn't know if it would fit. I held up the XL and thought it fit.
Got home and I was swimming in it! Went back and tried on the medium. It fit well but the bust area looked odd the way it was cut because I'm still a D. So I got the L and it looks good even though its a bit big.
Unbelievable! I also lost three inches under my bust and I'm having to use the inner clasp. I'm putting off getting new bras as long as I can.
Also I talked to my daughter who is 9. I was talking to her about eating habits and told her I don't want her to end up over weight like me. She said she didn't think I was overweight. If only we could see ourselves through their eyes!
I'm able to walk up the stairs at work which are huge without grabbing the rail or feeling tired. I have a lot more energy too!

I had to pack up my sz12's - I'm now comfortably in the 10's. I haven't seen sz10 since the year I was married (1982). And that's not the best part! The best part happened when I was trying on pants yesterday (I only have one sz10 and needed at least one more pair). One pair I had grabbed to try said sz10 on the hanger but actually turned out to be a sz8 - and it fit! A tad snug, but not too bad. I got them buttoned and zipped! You could've knocked me over with a feather!!!! I put them back - they sat too low on the hips for a woman my age - but DAMN! A SIZE 8!!!!! I never even DARED to dream I'd get that small! :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

Hey what if they are wonderful guys who have no other pics of themselves? I know it looks gross but woukd you reject a guy because he likes to fish? I say give them a chance. Same thing with the bikes. It's better than a bathroom selfie or a deer in headlights webcam shot!

I love these stories!
I didn't have issues with attracting men after my first marriage went south. In fact I had some friends of my ex asking me out before we were divorced. I said no to most of them.
I found that everyone has their type and honestly I knew deep down I was going to lose weight come hell or high Water so I really didn't want to date anyone who wasn't on the same path to health.
I did have some funny experiences with online dating. I used to have younger men contact me on MySpace asking me out. No idea why, they were like ten years younger than me. I just said no.
And I met my husband online. I actually didn't want to wait to long to meet because I was afraid we would build it up and then something might be off when we met in person. I didn't want to waste time and get hurt.
We got engaged six months after our first date.
I wish I could be a matchmaker and help everyone find love.

Hehe...I just went through this since I started taking a Water class. I wasn't sure what size to buy and I had to try on about 100 (well it felt that way). I have a large bust and you know you don't want that saggy belly hanging out the bottom of the high cut bottoms...so it can be hard to find the right fit!
Since the class was a fitness class with lots of cardio and jumping around..I wanted a one peice since the two piece really just was not working and the skirt one just ended up in my face most of the class
It was a rough go of finding it..but I will tell you honestly I went to K-mart...(and I am sooo not a Kmart shopper!) and for $14.99 on sale I bought a couple of one piece suits in different sizes and if they last the month and I need new ones the cost was minimal compared to what some can run. I was so happy to find them there of course they were in the plus size section but I realize that no matter what I am always going to be big busted and when it comes to swim suits that is the size you work from

I don't know what to get since I'm losing fifteen pounds a month. I was thinking boy shorts with a tank top type. Something that won't fall off if it's loose.
I don't wa t to buy a new suit every month or have the girls falling out by August!

I don't know what to get since I'm losing fifteen pounds a month. I was thinking boy shorts with a tank top type. Something that won't fall off if it's loose.
I don't wa t to buy a new suit every month or have the girls falling out by August!

Well I started the summer season with my kids today by going to the local Water park. Even though I have lost 100 lbs since last summer, I found myself still getting nervous while driving there....keep the cover up on or take it off were my thoughts. I decided to ditch the cover up and go with bathing suit only. Even with all my loose skin, I felt good having the confidence to not wear a cover up over my suit for the first time in over 10 years. I also had the best time climbing the water jungle gym with my 5 yo daughter. Now you must know that this area has water pouring from every direction, slides, climbing nets, a ton of stairs, and the need to dodge children of all ages at a moments notice. I managed all of this with skill and grace...well maybe not grace. It felt amazing to be able to run around, climb stairs, NOT afraid that I would get stuck in the slide on the way down and actually not getting stuck in any part of the smaller spaces of this contraption.
Another reason to be happy with my choice of having the sleeve done. I say this everyday but today it really hit home "BEST THING I EVER DID FOR MYSELF and MY FAMILY"!!!
Hope others had a good day and if you didn't....please have a good one tomorrow.

I'm now down 60 pounds from consult in February.
I can fit into my little black dress again! I still have a ways to go to goal. But I'm feeling good! The sundresses I took on my honeymoon in 2011 fit me again!
Now I just need to find a place to go that calls for a little black dress!

It might be the speed that it's coming off. It might be they wonder if you had WLS and they are trying to get you to say it.
I'm sorry they are bothering you so much.

Does anyone know of any private FB groups? I have some stalkers who are following me on here and there are things I'd like to discuss without their knowledge.

I went shopping this weekend with my family. While in banana Republic I tried on a sweater because I was cold. (not normal for this hot momma!) and it fit. I mean looked good in the front, back, it FIT! I told my family, "I am having a moment! " I bought it too. I have never in my life owned anything from Banana Republic! What a thrill!