maria pepe

Fortunately I have not lost friends and most have been extremely supportive. My surgery has changed how we socialize. It used to be centered around food and eating out. Several of us now do more active things. I now have an amusement park friend. We go once a month! I can also now bike toting the grandson!

For years I had the fat tapes playing in my head. I still see my flaws. I am my own worse critic always have been. Sometimes I cannot see the changes. I still see the fattest me. Then I put my clothes on... sizes I have not worn in 10 years or more! Some days I feel sexy and hot and some days not. I was fat for a really long time it will take a while to change that mind set. You are not alone.

I had a similar experience with my dr's receptionist. She is rude! Fortunately the medical group regularly surveys it's clients. I let them know how she treated me and how she treated others. She is sweet as pie now! Your doctor may not be aware of how offensive that receptionist is, especially since she is the 1st point of contact for his patients.

I use Ungery protein powder...either vanilla or unflavored. I add it to milk or greek yogurt. 30+ grams pf protein to start my day.

Yes! Even if I hit a weight loss plateau...toning changes how my clothes fit. Different brands size differently.

Had surgery 4/17 of this year. Down 65 so far. Much more active with kids and grandbaby! I took him bike riding and a gizzilon pooshes in his seat (stroller). He is 2.

I didn't even realize I was crossing my legs until someone pointed it out. Lol.

I am a pack rat and have been lugging the same collection of different sized jeans for years! Pre-surgery I sorted ALL my clothes by size and put them in those bags you suck the air out of. It is always fun to get rid of the big clothes and back into clothes I haven't worn in over 10 years. I shopped off the rack at the limited this weekend!!!

I can cross my legs...both ways!!!!

Family! My boys and their families are here.

I am from Fl. Travel to Columbia about once a month .

I spent so many years looking at the fat me...post 3 babies. The body image stuff started long before that. In 7th grade I weighed 128 and was a 36c. I was struggling with the changes occurring with my body enough when the did the humiliating public class weigh in. Most of my classmates were still boyish in figure and weighed about 5-10 lbs less. I was told I was fat. I believed that. Now almost 6 months post-op sometimes I still hear that voice. When I look in the mirror I still see the 'fat' me, then I zip a pair a jeans (without sucking the gut in) that I haven't worn in over 10 years! And the voice that tells me I am good and successful and healthy starts to talk louder than the old voice.