notmeanymore

Im a little conflicted at my recent observation...When I was fatter (75 pounds ago) and would go shopping for example, the clerks wouldnt offer to help me, workers in the grocery store or convenient store would act as if I didnt exist. Now that Im 75 lighter, people are so nice. They offer to help, they go out of their way to assist me or do me a favor. While I love the attention Im conflicted because its makes me a little sad to think that those same people didnt give me a second thought when I was bigger. Was I not a human being then too? Especially at that time I wouldve loved someone to pay attention to me because lord knows my self esteem needed a shot in the arm every so often. Not only that but now, I find that bigger people almost scowl at me. I can be nice as pie and am but will still get the looks. I know exactly how they feel though because I was there, unhappy and miserable. I remember frequently being envious of the thinner people, the people that could shop in the normal size clothes section, wear pretty shoes and all that. But I am who I am and Im still going to be nice and kind to everyone because we are all human beings after all but the view from one side of the fence to the other is quite an interesting one.

This is the only place I can brag about this without sounding like a tool but this weekend I purchased my first size 8 jeans!!! Size 8!! They fit great, Ive got them on today actually. Hayll yeah

WOWZA! Congrats on your awesome success.

Its not really that exciting but if you put on some background music while dry brushing and shimmy like no one's looking then I guess it could get a little steamy lol.

Well there's the problem, dont look too closely . Im never going to be a super model and I look a heck of a lot better with clothes on but saggy boobs or not, Im happy as a kid in a candy store being able to wear a (loose) size 10. But without my glasses on, Im friggin HOT lol.

One year ago today I was laying on the operating room table having 85% of my stomach removed. As scared as I was, I was more scared to stay heavy and unhealthy. I was only 42 and more unhealthy than some 60 year olds I knew.
I started at 242. On my 5'4 frame, that was a lot. The list of ailments I had at age 42 was sad. I felt sorry for myself and didnt like the person I had let myself become. The only thing I could be happy for myself about was that I married my dream man 3 years prior. It was with his support and love that I came to the decision to be sleeved.
It all started with being diagnosed with sleep apnea. My husband was very scared that he would come home one day and find me dead in bed. So I began researching sleep apnea treatements besides cpap. I looked into a surgery that was not covered by insurance and didnt actually have a very good success rate. As I kept researching, I started reading literature about bariatric surgery. Not as a cure for sleep apnea but in my case, with my apnea, my metabolism had pretty much stopped because I wasnt getting a recurperative sleep, I would injure myself exercising, my body was in pain from carrying around all the extra, etc. Therefore all the damage I had done to my body with the unhealthy eating I would most likely have to live with and life wasnt getting any better. Much to the contrary, it was continually getting worse.
A year ago I had the following: SEVERE sleep apnea, back problems, planters faciitis, Migraines, allergies (even to make-up), short of breath, high blood pressure, blood sugar issues (pre-dia
betic), high cholesterol, anxiety attacks, night sweats, eczema, aches and pains, skin tags and depression. Im sure there are more to list but you get the point, very unhealthy for a anyone much less a 42 year old woman.
A year later I DO NOT have the following: SEVERE sleep apnea, back problems, planters faciitis, migraines, allergies (even to make-up), short of breath, high blood pressure, blood sugar issues (pre-diabetic), high cholesterol, anxiety attacks, night sweats, eczema, aches and pains, skin tags and depression.
I have discovered an intense love of hot yoga which is my main source of exercise, I eat healthier than Ive ever eaten in my life, Im happier than Ive ever been in my life, Im healthier than Ive ever been, my blood work comes back great, I take no medication except for a Calcium supplement and nexium, I am able to do all kinds of physical things I only dreamed I could do, Im not obsessed with food any more, I have so much energy, I cant sleep past 8am now (I used to sleep until 1 or 2 on the weekends), I dont need to take naps anymore, I can curl up in ball in the movie theatre seat lol, my clothes are so tiny now that they all fit in my drawers lol, I get to shop in the juniors section, I take pride in my appearance, our food bill is cut more than in half, I can wear makeup again, I went from a screaming size 18/20 pants - 2xl tops to a comfy size 8 pants and a medium top, so many positive things.
When I see my surgeon I hug him because bottom line is, he saved my life and what a great life it is!
Happy Surgiversary to me!

Dear BariatricPal Members,
We are pleased to announce a new program called BariatricPal Local Chapters! This program will be an addition to the support that BariatricPal already provides to members. BariatricPal started as an online resource for hundreds of thousands of potential and post-op weight loss surgery patients. Many of you visit the site regularly to receive and provide tips and encouragement, and just to hang out. BariatricPal Local Chapters extends our online community into the real world.
BariatricPal Local Chapters includes live, in-person meetings with local BariatricPal members. We know the significance of support group meetings before and after weight loss surgery, but not all patients are able to attend live meetings in their areas. BariatricPal Local Chapters can help fulfill this need by providing the support for regular in-person meetings in neighborhoods around the country.
BariatricPal Local Chapter Meetings
Most meetings will follow a standard format that includes introductions followed by the day’s main activity, and finally a discussion or question-and-answer session. The main activity of the day can be a lecture on essentials before and after weight loss surgery, such as nutrition, exercise, overcoming obstacles, and building a support system. Other activities might include group walks, cooking demonstrations, presentations by visiting bariatric surgeons, cosmetic surgeons, or nutritionists, and clothing exchanges.
Do You Want to Be a Group Leader?
If you are friendly, enthusiastic, and committed to fighting obesity with weight loss surgery, we want you to consider becoming a BariatricPal Local Chapter Group Leader! Energetic group leaders are key to success. Your roles as a group leader will include:
Scheduling times and places for Local Chapter meetings. Planning group meeting agendas including scheduling guest speakers, reserving facilities, and arranging for supplies when necessary. “Hosting” group meetings by leading the introductions and leading or facilitating the main activity and question-and-answer sessions. Leading group discussions or lectures when they are the main activity of the meeting. Reaching out to members to help you in regular tasks and fill in for you when you cannot plan or attend a meeting. Making all participants feel welcome. Does this sound like something you can do? BariatricPal will provide support to Local Chapter leaders, including developing guidelines for running meetings and materials for group discussions.
Here’s What to Do!
If you are interested in being a BariatricPal Local Chapter leader, please use the BariatricPal Local Chapter directory. Click N EW LOCAL CHAPTER to create a new chapter and follow the simple instructions on how to get started.
Please feel free to post questions on this thread. I am excited to begin BariatricPal Local Chapter meetings, and I hope you are, too!

Must follow this thread if only for entertainment purposes lol.
And by the way, I had a baggie size serving of movie theatre popcorn this weekend and the earth stopped moving, there was chaos in the streets and I think I may have lost 10 hairs. This is exactly what I expected to happen though

Congrats on shedding that big comfy robe! I know how you feel about still having to make mental adjustments. Just yesterday I was doing laundry and had to make sure I put everything in the dryer on high because most of my newer clothes are getting big on me. What a foreign concept to me because a year ago everything had to be washed in cold and air dried because I couldnt afford for one thread to shrink. I am still amazed when I look at my pants that Im little enough to fit in the tiny pants! I usually think Im some kind of magician for fitting my mental fat @ss in those tiny pants but miraculously, they fit and look darn good

LOL thats funny. I have a couple of 'tells' also. After Ive eaten an ounce or so I have a tiny burp and that means that I probably only have room for one more bite so after I eat that bite I get really loud hiccups (they crack my husband up). So once I burp my hubby will say "almost to capacity" then when I hiccup he will say "She's FULLLLLLLLLL!" like you would yell GOAL at a soccer game. He's goofy. I actually love having a signal cause there is no guessing involved, just a loud hiccup that makes people giggle.

LOL thats funny. I have a couple of 'tells' also. After Ive eaten an ounce or so I have a tiny burp and that means that I probably only have room for one more bite so after I eat that bite I get really loud hiccups (they crack my husband up). So once I burp my hubby will say "almost to capacity" then when I hiccup he will say "She's FULLLLLLLLLL!" like you would yell GOAL at a soccer game. He's goofy. I actually love having a signal cause there is no guessing involved, just a loud hiccup that makes people giggle.

Must follow this thread if only for entertainment purposes lol.
And by the way, I had a baggie size serving of movie theatre popcorn this weekend and the earth stopped moving, there was chaos in the streets and I think I may have lost 10 hairs. This is exactly what I expected to happen though

Congrats on shedding that big comfy robe! I know how you feel about still having to make mental adjustments. Just yesterday I was doing laundry and had to make sure I put everything in the dryer on high because most of my newer clothes are getting big on me. What a foreign concept to me because a year ago everything had to be washed in cold and air dried because I couldnt afford for one thread to shrink. I am still amazed when I look at my pants that Im little enough to fit in the tiny pants! I usually think Im some kind of magician for fitting my mental fat @ss in those tiny pants but miraculously, they fit and look darn good

One year ago today I was laying on the operating room table having 85% of my stomach removed. As scared as I was, I was more scared to stay heavy and unhealthy. I was only 42 and more unhealthy than some 60 year olds I knew.
I started at 242. On my 5'4 frame, that was a lot. The list of ailments I had at age 42 was sad. I felt sorry for myself and didnt like the person I had let myself become. The only thing I could be happy for myself about was that I married my dream man 3 years prior. It was with his support and love that I came to the decision to be sleeved.
It all started with being diagnosed with sleep apnea. My husband was very scared that he would come home one day and find me dead in bed. So I began researching sleep apnea treatements besides cpap. I looked into a surgery that was not covered by insurance and didnt actually have a very good success rate. As I kept researching, I started reading literature about bariatric surgery. Not as a cure for sleep apnea but in my case, with my apnea, my metabolism had pretty much stopped because I wasnt getting a recurperative sleep, I would injure myself exercising, my body was in pain from carrying around all the extra, etc. Therefore all the damage I had done to my body with the unhealthy eating I would most likely have to live with and life wasnt getting any better. Much to the contrary, it was continually getting worse.
A year ago I had the following: SEVERE sleep apnea, back problems, planters faciitis, Migraines, allergies (even to make-up), short of breath, high blood pressure, blood sugar issues (pre-dia
betic), high cholesterol, anxiety attacks, night sweats, eczema, aches and pains, skin tags and depression. Im sure there are more to list but you get the point, very unhealthy for a anyone much less a 42 year old woman.
A year later I DO NOT have the following: SEVERE sleep apnea, back problems, planters faciitis, migraines, allergies (even to make-up), short of breath, high blood pressure, blood sugar issues (pre-diabetic), high cholesterol, anxiety attacks, night sweats, eczema, aches and pains, skin tags and depression.
I have discovered an intense love of hot yoga which is my main source of exercise, I eat healthier than Ive ever eaten in my life, Im happier than Ive ever been in my life, Im healthier than Ive ever been, my blood work comes back great, I take no medication except for a Calcium supplement and nexium, I am able to do all kinds of physical things I only dreamed I could do, Im not obsessed with food any more, I have so much energy, I cant sleep past 8am now (I used to sleep until 1 or 2 on the weekends), I dont need to take naps anymore, I can curl up in ball in the movie theatre seat lol, my clothes are so tiny now that they all fit in my drawers lol, I get to shop in the juniors section, I take pride in my appearance, our food bill is cut more than in half, I can wear makeup again, I went from a screaming size 18/20 pants - 2xl tops to a comfy size 8 pants and a medium top, so many positive things.
When I see my surgeon I hug him because bottom line is, he saved my life and what a great life it is!
Happy Surgiversary to me!

What did it for me was when my husband put a 100 pound weight in front of me and said "lift it". I couldnt even budge it. Thats how much extra weight I was carrying around. I lost 101 and dont understand how my small frame was able to carry that extra weight around. It put things into perspective for me. I like RJ's butter idea. Thats A LOT of butter!
Celebrate your victory my dear, youve done awesome!

What did it for me was when my husband put a 100 pound weight in front of me and said "lift it". I couldnt even budge it. Thats how much extra weight I was carrying around. I lost 101 and dont understand how my small frame was able to carry that extra weight around. It put things into perspective for me. I like RJ's butter idea. Thats A LOT of butter!
Celebrate your victory my dear, youve done awesome!

What did it for me was when my husband put a 100 pound weight in front of me and said "lift it". I couldnt even budge it. Thats how much extra weight I was carrying around. I lost 101 and dont understand how my small frame was able to carry that extra weight around. It put things into perspective for me. I like RJ's butter idea. Thats A LOT of butter!
Celebrate your victory my dear, youve done awesome!

What did it for me was when my husband put a 100 pound weight in front of me and said "lift it". I couldnt even budge it. Thats how much extra weight I was carrying around. I lost 101 and dont understand how my small frame was able to carry that extra weight around. It put things into perspective for me. I like RJ's butter idea. Thats A LOT of butter!
Celebrate your victory my dear, youve done awesome!

NSV you want to share ???
Georgia
Recently elevator doors opened - packed with people from ear to ear
i was gonna wait for the next elevator
someone said something like "come on in, you are little enough"
On t'day I looked at the couch with 4 family members sitting - i figured no way could i squeeze in
my cuz said something like "kathy there is plenty of room here for you"
my mom has always been very small, petite
she said she had a couple of blouses i might like to try on with a jean jacket too
i laughed saying - "mom you are so little i'll never fit into your clothes"
but........you guessed it, they fit
keep those NSV's coming!!!
kathy

Oops vets forum sorry

Great photo on your license. I cant wait to get mine redone. I always lied about my weight on my license but now I can actually tell the truth and it will actually be 10 pounds less then what it says currently!
But in answer to your question about recent NSV's...when my sister in law saw me yesterday she was seething with envy and that just tickled me to death

Another thing that made my life easier when I got home from the hospital was a heating pad for your sore tummy and a pill crusher because you probably wont be allowed to swallow large pills. They had me crush mine for a week or two.
Good luck DONABOSS and FSU GIRL. Just remember what everyone has been saying, sip sip sip, walk walk walk. The gas pains were helped tremendously by walking but I couldnt get the energy to do all the walking without sip sip sip.
Check and let us know how everything goes. Yay for you both!

You are a doll. Thank you so much. I bought an extension cord last night and packed it in my bag. I just can't wait lol. And thank you for your response. I was afraid they might cancel due to Mother Nature problems haha

Illinois here. Surgery at Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove Village. Live near Hoffman Estates. Almost 13 months out and 101 lbs lost so far. Best decision I ever made besides marrying my husband. Even my husband brags about me and loves to show me off. I feel like a trophy wife now lol.

I remember this exciting time right before changing my life for the better. Dont worry about Mother Nature. They will give you a pad and these really sexy disposable undies And do not be shocked if you get 'natures gift' very soon after this cycle stops. The body goes into shock and hormones are having a party and if affects your cycle. Mine didnt become normal again until about 3 or 4 months out.
One packing tip that really helped me, if you are bringing a cell phone or kindle/tablet, bring an extension cord so you can charge it and have it laying near you. Other than that, the hospital gave me everything else I could need.
As for the tummy grumbling, chicken broth did it for me. Before and after surgery actually. After surgery I couldnt tolerate cold liquids well, my new tummy would spasm and I couldnt get my liquids down in the hospital for the first day or two. Once I tried warm Decaf tea and warm broth, no problem.
Good luck, we will see you on the losers bench soon.