kliichow

Today, for the first time in years, I went shopping. At the mall. For clothes. For myself! It felt amazing to be able to fit into clothing that is sold locally and not have to order it online like a hermit. I tried on clothes, not circus tents, actual clothes! And I bought stuff, not just because it fit and I had no choice, but because I actually LIKED the way it looked. I know it's still early, but this is great motivation for me. I can't wait to see all the changes that are to come.

Today, for the first time in years, I went shopping. At the mall. For clothes. For myself! It felt amazing to be able to fit into clothing that is sold locally and not have to order it online like a hermit. I tried on clothes, not circus tents, actual clothes! And I bought stuff, not just because it fit and I had no choice, but because I actually LIKED the way it looked. I know it's still early, but this is great motivation for me. I can't wait to see all the changes that are to come.

When you're overweight and unhappy with your appearance, you go to extreme measures to ensure your photo is not inadvertently taken. You miss out on a lot of memories with friends and family, because you don't want a reminder of what you look like. So, it's only natural that when you start losing weight and becoming happier with the way you look and feel, you want a reminder of it. Embrace your new found confidence. You've earned it.

Today, for the first time in years, I went shopping. At the mall. For clothes. For myself! It felt amazing to be able to fit into clothing that is sold locally and not have to order it online like a hermit. I tried on clothes, not circus tents, actual clothes! And I bought stuff, not just because it fit and I had no choice, but because I actually LIKED the way it looked. I know it's still early, but this is great motivation for me. I can't wait to see all the changes that are to come.

Umm, fudge! It had been a crazy busy week. Away from home for 10 days, facilitating two training courses and speaking at an Obesity Summit, I was tired and ready to go home. Though I have a pretty good routine when I travel and stay focused on my good Success Habits, I was tempted


Umm, fudge! It had been a crazy busy week. Away from home for 10 days, facilitating two training courses and speaking at an Obesity Summit, I was tired and ready to go home. Though I have a pretty good routine when I travel and stay focused on my good Success Habits, I was tempted beyond my ability to resist, to buy a piece of fudge. Umm, I love fudge and of course the walnuts added the all important “protein.” I had kept up with my exercise and make good food choices all week, so I felt justified in splurging a bit.
As it always does, the first bite was heavenly! Smooth and creamy. So good. I relished that first bite, waited a bit and then another, and yet another. Enough! I thought. I’m good. Now I am going to mindfully throw the rest away. A difficult thing to do knowing how much I paid for it and due to all of the starving people in the world. But I knew it had to go. With Michael Jordan flair, I strutted by the trash can and slam dunked it. There! Good for me. I would have high-fived the guy next to me, but he gave me a funny look so I decided I would just Celebrate privately.
Boarding for my flight began and victoriously, I marched onto the plane. Safe from “too much” fudge. An hour passed by still on the tarmac, waiting for a mechanical repair. Finally, the captain announced that we would need to deplane and board another flight. By that time I had missed my connecting flight in Denver so I knew enough to get off the plane and get quickly in line for re-booking.
As I waited patiently in line, I don’t know why, but the thought of my left over fudge so close by started to haunt me. Though I am embarrassed to admit it, here is the conversation in my head. “This situation is beyond stressful and surely another piece of fudge would calm my nerves.” Honestly, you are not thinking of getting the fudge out of that trash bin over there are you?” Well, it is still good, it was wrapped up and in the bag.” Really?” What will people think of you digging in the trash?” “It will be right on top. Easy and there are not too many people over there, I can be quick!” Come on, seriously, you are better than this. You don’t eat food from the trash! Well I guess you are right! Thank goodness.”
Whew! That was close. It shouldn’t have even crossed my mind but it did. Why, I wonder? What is this problem I have with food? I was pleased that my good voice over ruled my temptress voice but I would have preferred not to have had that conversation at all! Perhaps you can relate?
Sometimes I find myself focusing on how unfair it is that I struggle with such unhealthy food relationships. But then, I am both relieved and proud that I have been able to win many of these battles. And every time I do – the “you can do it, you are better than that” voice gets stronger and stronger. For those of you who have heard my other crazy food stories, you’ll know how important it is when I say, I don’t eat M & M’s off the floor, whipped cream with my fingers, OR fudge from the trash! Yeah!

Oops -- I had the amount wrong and you're right -- it's $79... sorry for the misinformation. I still plan to use it for at least a couple of months while I'm in the fast losing stage (at least I hope it's fast-losing...).
Ginger

This is a great idea! However, the site says 79 dollars a month for the 3 outfit plan? How did you get it for 39? Was it a special?

I'm SO looking forward to shopping!!! I'm not a fashion hound or anything but I love shopping.
I'm currently playing around with Gwynnie Bee at http://goo.gl/hvmlhe ... have you seen it? They carry clothes sizes 10-32. You pay a monthly subscription fee, shop around on the site and add clothes to your "closet" and then they ship you clothes -- you keep them as long as you want, then return and they ship you more stuff from your closet. I'm on the "3 out at a time" plan and pay $39 a month to have 3 outfits out at any one time. I'm thinking this will be a great way to have a couple of nice things to wear and as I lose weight, I can just put smaller things in my closet. That way I'm not buying things in sizes I won't be able to wear more than a month or so.
Right now, they're offering your first month free to try them out. They normally ship out in 2-3 days but I got an email saying mine was delayed another 2-3 days so they're crediting me an extra week.
At least it's an option to get some smaller clothes in the closet while you're still losing.

Isn't it fun? Shopping has been my motivation through the whole experience! It's a pleasant activity instead of the dreaded experience that used to cause tears and bouts of depression. Now everything I try on fits, although sometimes I tend to grab clothes to try on that are too big because I still can't believe I'm that small! I like to try on clothes for fun, without even buying anything. It's like playing dress-up, and it helps me figure out what size I really am. Today is my day off and I'm about to go off on a mission to find a maxi dress in a petite small - very difficult to find a petite short enough for my five foot frame... :-)

Congrats on your progress!
Shopping is amazing now, not a dreaded task! I'm 10 months post-op, 120 lbs down and finally fitting into a size 12. Still have 40lbs to go until I teach my goal but I feel amazing.

I'm so glad I found this post. I too was having fears that my pouch had already stretched and was not working effectively. While I have been experiencing progress, I guess the ghosts of my past will haunt me forever.

I'm so glad I found this post. I too was having fears that my pouch had already stretched and was not working effectively. While I have been experiencing progress, I guess the ghosts of my past will haunt me forever.

Today, for the first time in years, I went shopping. At the mall. For clothes. For myself! It felt amazing to be able to fit into clothing that is sold locally and not have to order it online like a hermit. I tried on clothes, not circus tents, actual clothes! And I bought stuff, not just because it fit and I had no choice, but because I actually LIKED the way it looked. I know it's still early, but this is great motivation for me. I can't wait to see all the changes that are to come.

Today, for the first time in years, I went shopping. At the mall. For clothes. For myself! It felt amazing to be able to fit into clothing that is sold locally and not have to order it online like a hermit. I tried on clothes, not circus tents, actual clothes! And I bought stuff, not just because it fit and I had no choice, but because I actually LIKED the way it looked. I know it's still early, but this is great motivation for me. I can't wait to see all the changes that are to come.

I have been trying to have this surgery for probably the last five years or better! And for reasons out of my control I kept getting pushed around and denied and would have to restart a program! I was about to give up until I gave birth to my little surprise and now I have heart problems and other health issues and well I need to be here for my girl to grow up! So when I got the news today that I was approved me and my girls just celebrated! ????????????????

I am really scared that I won't lose anymore weight. I have lost 9 since surgery 2 weeks ago, which I know is good, but i still worry. I guess because every diet I have ever done didn't work long term.
Like I said I know this is prob irrational but does anyone out there feel that too?

@meledl I'm preop so I can't speak from personal experience but from being on the boards and reading all I can to prepare, I can say what you are feeling is very common -- SO many people post that they worry about the exact same thing.
Hang in there and stick with the program -- you have a great tool to use now that will help you succeed when you didn't in the past.

The statistical incidence of stretching a pouch is, I believe, considerably less than most folks think. Does it happen - yes. Is it common - no. Even less likely within a few short weeks following surgery. And all but impossible as long as you're following your plan.
Your pouch contains stretch sensors (nerves) that are temporarily ineffective following surgery. As a result, your brain is not receiving "full" signals that will resume once those nerves are healed. That healing usually takes two to eight weeks. In the meantime, there is a rule that I have followed since my surgery to this day. I never eat less than two hours or more than four hours apart. Less than two hours is "head hunger". Fluids of just about any kind are an amazingly effective bridge between meals. My personal choice is Decaf coffee but there are any number of options. More than four hours and you run the risk of getting overly hungry which increases the risk of overeating.
You guys are doing absolutely great! Just a little case of post-op jitters. Perfectly normal and it will pass once you get a little more experience with your new tool. Great job and you ain't seen nothing yet!!

My fears exactly!!

I have the same fears! I keep thinking I've already stretched my pouch because I feel hunger and I thought we weren't going to feel that anymore. I just ate and am still hungry. I should have stayed on soft foods. Could I have stretched already?

There isn't a single one of us that doesn't understand your concern. But it is based on fear and fear is the enemy. Fear prevents you from taking action. Fear is what stops you and makes you weak. It is your will that turns your thoughts and desires into reality.
This surgery is not a "diet". Using past failures with dieting as some kind of foundation for predicting the future outcome of bariatric surgery is like saying you took an aspirin to heal a broken leg. After 25 aspirin didn't work, you're afraid your new cast will fail as well. A completely invalid comparison based on fear. Illogical and self-defeating. The reality is that you have no previous experience that has any relationship to the journey you are on now. None. Zero.
Trust your body and most importantly, trust the process. Follow your plan as closely to the letter as you possibly can. Stay positive. Stay patient. Maintain a food log. Exercise to your ability. Do those things and the weight will take care of itself. There is no doubt. The laws of science and the universe cannot be denied. Persistence, along with absolute belief, can never be defeated.
Relax and allow your new tool to do its job. Your goal is physical change but your challenge is mental discipline.
You're gonna love the new you!

Okay, so I had laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery 4/16/14 and the only issues I have had or am having so far are
bouts of gas pain head hunger emotional issues from my divorce with food being grossed out by my JP Drain (I get a little queasy when I empty it and cannot wait for it to be gone on 4/23/14) friends and family feeling guilty about eating without me mild insomnia itching at incision sites On the upside, going into surgery, I had severely uncontrolled T2D with blood glucose readings averaging 375-425 (with 3 daily doses of meds helping to lower it to 200-325) and my readings have not been over 150 since the surgery. In fact, my readings over the weekend were between 101-120 with no medication whatsoever! Super excited about that. Also, I'm happy to report that I have had surges of energy that allow me to feel more like myself than I have in years.
I'm feeling pretty good right now and hope things continue. I was a bit concerned about what to expect, because I tried to educate myself about worse case scenarios and some of my friends and colleagues had the surgery with a few complications early on. Just wondering if I should count my blessings and continue to be cautiously optimistic or if I should be bracing myself for things to come. I know no one can see into the future, but can things really go this smoothly?

If it isn't a "Journey" then what is it? I f I can't post about myself and my concerns or progress then what am I supposed to post about. How about my published book on Amazon or B&N called "How Can I Keep From Singing". Search for it under Kittie Preas Koukalik. Buy it, read it, leave a review...oh wait...that is still about me....

ok ..I started reading this and I am listening to the radio and the song 'Lets talk about Sex Baby, Lets talk about you and me" it came on and I just fell over laughing. Thanks for that!! Heres to being Non repetative )

Everyone's all like... Look at my improved blood glucose levels, check out this research data, carbs vs Protein.
And I'm all like.... Look at my new Camaro! LOL