onelessfatgirl

Hey everybody on Fed 20th/2013 my 1 year Anniversary is coming. My starting weight was 255, surgery weight was 235 and my weight now is 130 :-) I'm so freaking proud of myself. My total weight loss is 125 pounds in total. Wohooooo . I just LOVE my SLEEVE!!!!!

I hae been breaking out some slim clothes and just looking at them everyday.... lame I know but it helps!!

Hmh - What's next? I'm coming up on one year at goal and then in a couple of months, two years post-op. What's next for me is learning something new this year. Haven't decided what yet, but maybe a language (I only speak english now and I would love to learn spanish) or a musical instrument (I had a brief, bad stint with a clarinet in 4th grade),
I usually have goal every spring, but getting to goal weight and feeling like I could stay there took me three years: nine months to try losing weight AGAIN and then finally talk to the Dr. about the surgery, six months pre-op, nine months to goal weight post-op, and another year to realize that I can stay at goal weight.
I'm still filling my closet with clothes (I really do hate shopping even now that I am at a healthy weight) and I occasionally toy with the idea of plastics.
Lynda

Hey guys. I haven't been here in a while. I post over on OH a lot but there seems to be a shifting of things over there. I like the idea of a veterans forum. Anyway, what is next? Hmm, it's weird for me to think of what to do. One thing that I have noticed since losing the weight is that I'm actually going out SHOPPING now. I actually bought clothes in small sizes and didn't worry about them fitting. Before the sleeve, I'd been living in athletic pants and anything stretchy. I am still a cheapskate, but I actually wear nice jeans now. I actually try to look nice when I go in public and look presentable. Before surgery, I didn't walk confidently when I went anywhere. I also didn't try that hard to look nice because I wanted to avoid any looks from others--whether good or bad. Just no attention period. I'm not like that now. It is really surprising. I am still shy and private but much more open than I used to be. I smile more, I laugh more, and I don't mind going places and someone looking at me. I'm no longer wondering "Are they staring at me cuz I'm fat?"
I have a strong Southern accent too, and I don't care who likes it or not :-)

I still haven't reached my magic number, but I am getting closer everyday. I chose my name for this site "livinglifeout" because I felt I wasn't living the life style I wanted due to all the weight. As I am losing, I am starting to do things that I haven't done in years. I always said...when I lose weight....and put things off, as life was passing me by. I'm a lot older than you Aussie girl, and wished I had done this years ago. Go out there and live life everyday. Go to all the events, not staying away because your fat and don't want people to see what you have done to yourself. I have traveled through the years of my fatness, but couldn't do all the activities I wanted to do. But I never went to a class reunion since I was ashamed to be the popular pretty girl turned fat. This year I will be going to my reunion, thirty five years later:) this September I have booked a trip to Machu Picchu, because I can finally hike up there. So what's next??? LIVING LIFE OUT!

What's next? Living life without the prohibition that our weight made us give up. My weight no longer consumes me as I once consumed food...in large quantities.
Everyone has different dreams: Travel, shop, walk around and be invisible, fine dining, travel, a tap dance class, horseriding lessons again, wearing a bathing suit in public, ride a rollercoaster, shopping, and insert you "I wish I could". What hitting goal did for me was take my weight out of the equation of excuses.
What is next? Everything. Watch out people, I have a second chance and no excuses anchoring me down.

I must confess I've been obsessed and busy with this fat thing for so long that now that its almost done I often find myself wondering about the same thing.I recently decided my next "thing" (as weight was my thing) would be plastics.Started researching like crazy and then decided stop.Not to have a thing anymore.To just relax and smell the roses for at least a year.But to do everything I couldnt for so long.Go skiing.Maybe climb Mount Kilimanjaro in November,run a half marathon.Play league squash against much younger women.
I do have a little restlessness that irritates my family though.So I am taking this year to become more greatful content with my really really great life! (ok,this is the plan...lol)

OTR I wish that was true
Spent 10 weeks in Sept/Oct last year travelling the US, bit of attention not too much.
Will be back in Feb in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, and then NYC.
Lets hope there is more attention then
I do like the US and the accents over there too

Wow, you have made amazing progress! That's got to feel awesome. Congrats!

It’s strange that I went through my whole life with this weight and now that I feel as though a new journey has been placed in my lap I am inpatient as ever!

I had surgery already and I'm alive woooo hooooo! Now I just need to del with this gas pains!

I have always been scared to death to have an EGD or colonoscopy. I decided a month ago to put my big girl panties on and have both. They are not required by my surgeon but I decided I didn't want to go to surgery only to find out I had something wrong. The IV was no big deal. They used a local to numb me first with all 4 sticks and I hardly felt anything. I went into the endo suite on the stretcher, the anesthesiologist said "goodnight" I woke up in recovery. No pain, no discomfort, nothing, zip, nada. So so glad I did it!!!! Doctor said everything looked great and I'll see you in ten years. He also said, "hey I wouldn't have a gastric bypass but the gastric sleeve is a no-brainer"

Finally had "the talk" about the surgery with my Husband. He didn't bat an eye and was instantly supportive. He said he wanted me to be happy. He is the only one I plan on telling. But it means the world to me that I got the thumbs up from my boo. I'm going to love this man forever.

I work in a surgery center and when I mentioned I was thinking about it, nobody had anything positive to say. "You're not heavy enough, your insurance won't cover it" or "Why would you want to be that extreme" or that's just crazy, don't do it". Since then I have seen my surgeon and I am doing all the pre-op things that need to be done. I have NUT and psych this week. Only my husband and college aged kids are aware. They are concerned for me because of the actual surgery but very supportive. No room for negativity. I love my daughter's reaction... she said "Good for you Mom!" She went onto say that after years of doing everything for everybody, I am finally doing something for myself and I deserve this!! And after all the negative comments I an NOT having the surgery where I work!!!

I think when you've been overweight basically your whole life, you get used to not feeling "worth it" or feeling like you don't deserve the best. We get used to failing. We have to STOP this way of thinking. We ARE worth it. We CAN do it. When we start our pre op diets, we just have to keep thinking that we CAN, and we WILL, and we are WORTH THE TROUBLE, damn it.

As the time gets closer the more exciteded but scared i get! Hows everyone else feeling?

I've only told the inner circle - my husband, my sister, my two best friends, and my parents. I suppose more of my family and friends will know. If I'm asked I certainly won't lie but I'm not publicizing it all around.

...well, it is major for me, and perhaps a number of women here. I am finally able to put on stockings without having to be a contortionist! I used to get out of breath trying to cross my legs, bend over and try to get those damn stockings on without falling over or ripping them! NOT ANYMORE!!! It is amazing what 71 pounds and lots of lost inches can do for a girl!

Will do! I'll be talking to a nurse a few days before to get the skinny (hehehe) on what to expect.

I'm fortunate that we have a third party patient advocacy program that's separate from our insurance but acts as sort of a middle man; explaining benefits, procedures, a 24 hr rn, etc, etc. My advocate and assigned rn have been so helpful. The rn has called to check in on how I'm getting on in the process every few weeks. She answers any questions I have and talks to me about all sorts of health/lifestyle related issues my family may be concerned with. So far I've been checking off the pre-op requirements at a fairly steady pace. This week I've had nothing to do and the next thing I have to get done isn't until the 30th. The more time passes, the more room my nerves have to grow. It's so strange to me to be both terrified and extremely excited. Reminds me of my first pregnancy. Anyone else wishing March world hurry up already?

Oh, and did I mention a new, better looking driver license

I remember dreaming about food too. I'm pretty sure I was chewing on my pillow a couple times.

Hang in there Beth! You are clearly a strong woman, you've come this far. Remember what the post-ops say that each day get a little easier (hey, that's you now - CONGRATS!). Keep us updated on how you're doing if and when ya can.