blondebomb

@@Babbs Very hot
@@Inner Surfer Girl -- Awwww But understandable. I'm a guy and as long as I'm not on some embarrassing site like Ashley Madison or equivalent, I don't mind being open. With ladies, I'll always give them grace in maintaining their privacy.

@@Dub I show mine, it's right there on my profile when you look at it. I don't normally post a picture with every post though. Some might find that conceded lol! Kidding but if people ask I will post. I show the good and bad, heck I just displayed my old women belly on a post that went a trending! Here let me find some....there you go. Some of those fat girl pictures are pretty embarrassing! I'm just thankful I stopped the beating of the ugly stick! Very Italian

I've still got a little ways to go (and man this last bit is HARD) but here is before and during:
(eta: I will probably come back and delete these pictures later today, I don't like the idea of them getting stolen etc.).

Here you go Dub. I post some of these before/after pics every once in a while but am happy to do so again. As far as why some do and some don't..it could be as simple as not knowing how to upload pictures to something as serious as body dysmorphia. Or..they could be trolls....
Oh..and it's OK to tell me you don't recognize that I'm the same person in both photos. Believe me...I know it's me in both pictures...but it's certainly not the same person. I'm a new and improved version for sure.

Whatever you are looking for you will see… AND... When you change the way you look at things the things you look at change!


Tips for Improving Your Body Image:
Accept your genetic body type: Remember that your weight, height, and bone structure are strongly determined by your genes.. Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes.

Stop comparing yourself to others. How others look has nothing to do with you.

Be media conscious. We are bombarded with media messages telling us our bodies are not perfect… Most fashion and women’s magazines focus on an ideal of beauty that is just not something that anyone in real life can be. Remind yourself that the body images you see are manufactured by make up artists, hair dressers, airbrushing specialists, fashion designers, lighting specialists, and cosmetic surgeons. Also know that many fashion models have eating disorders and are not able to maintain their low body weight in a healthy manner.

Create a Why I Like Myself List. Think about all the things about you that you like… are you Funny? Creative? Honest? Intelligent? Think of all the reasons you deserve to love yourself and write them down. Remind yourself of all the things you are besides a body. Read this list daily and add to it every time you think of something else you like about you.

Create a Body Appreciation List. Think about how your body has continued to show up for you no matter how much you fed or starved it, exercised it or not. Write these things down. Remember that your heart has continued to beat, your lungs continue to breathe, and your liver continues to detoxify your body. As well, maybe your body has learned a new skill, gotten stronger, taken you to the top of a hill, rejuvenated during sleep, or allowed you to comfort a child, share love with a spouse, or go shopping with friends!. Celebrate your body and the marvelous things it can do. If you’ve had Weight Loss Surgery note all the things that your body can do now that it could not do before. How has your life changed because of the changes your body has gone through? Read this list daily and add to it every time you are grateful for something your body has done.

Stop thinking that thinner thighs are the answer to all of life’s problems. When you find yourself hyper focused on your body stop for a moment and ask yourself what you would be doing, thinking, or feeling if you were not obsessing about your body. What is this preoccupation stopping you from being present to in your life? Are you in anyway benefiting from focusing on what you believe to be your physical flaws? Commit to feeling the feelings that arise as you ask yourself those questions and really listen to the answers you hear/feel.

“Act as if you” were comfortable in your body even If you are not quite “feeling it” yet. How would you walk, what would you wear, how would you speak to people, what kind of self talk would you be speaking, what kind of eye contact would you make with others? Use these questions as a guide for “acting as if”. Notice how it feels to carry your body with an air of love and respect.


Speak (and think) only kind and loving words and thoughts to and about your body!! If you find yourself being critical of your body, stop and acknowledge that this will not support you feeling good about yourself. Then, respond to yourself as you would to a best friend. For every negative thing you catch yourself saying about your body, apologize to your body and say 2 loving/ appreciative things about your body.

Make a decision to truly “nourish” yourself. Read a good book, take a bubble bath, schedule a massage, get a haircut, dance to your favorite song, make plans with a friend, take a nap, ask for a hug, give yourself permission to say “no”, meditate, pray.

Make it your intention to move and enjoy your body: go walking, swimming, biking, dancing, do yoga, tai chi, etc… not because you have to but because it makes you feel so good. Your body deserves to be treated well.

Surround yourself with people who celebrate and appreciate you.


Say “thank you” to compliments without discounting them.

Know that you can control your experience of your life by the thoughts you choose to think. How you experience your life is a direct consequence of your predominant thoughts and feelings. By making a decision about the thoughts you choose to think (which are the precursors to your feelings) you take responsibility for creating your reality. So if you decide to think about what is not good about your body you will attract to you experiences of your body not being good enough, and more than likely will live in a state of “waiting till things get better (i.e. my thighs get thinner)” before you can really be happy. If you choose to think about what is good about you, what you like and appreciate about you, you will feel gratitude and be more likely experience your life as abundant and joy-filled!

The next time you find yourself being critical of a particular body part, sit down and write a letter to that body part telling it exactly what you don’t like about it and how it makes you feel. Then have that body part write back to you telling you how it felt to read that letter. Then write back to that body part…….. and just notice what happens……….
If you have any thoughts or comments about this blog I would love to hear from you. You can respond below to this blog or email me at louisa@louisalatela.com.

I did not have any unusual hair loss at all, but it's a crap shoot as to why. I took 20,000 mcg of Biotin every day (two 10,000mcg tablets from Walgreens), got in 60-80 grams of Protein, plenty of Water, and had sugar free Jello or bone broth Soup everyday (for the gelatin). I was prepared mentally for the Hair loss and was quite surprised that it never happened, especially since I am older and post-menopause. Go figure.

I believe we have to hit an emotional or a physical low point to trigger an "awakening" , before true change can begin. When the physical and psychological work together, we can be most successful.

You are physically healthy."
I heard this statement (my paraphrase ) on a Amazon prime show called Enlightened and it gave me much much food for thought.
Those of you who know me might guess I have much to say on this as I am truly transformed by massive weight loss...but I am very interested in your thoughts!
. .. did you need to regain a degree of physical health before the emotional?

When you can get 10 days worth of clothes in a smaller bag an still have room to put more in from shopping!

this "mind game" of not seeing ourself or the way we do or have seen ourselves it real. It has been covered well on this topic. This was well talked about in my preop classes. and I am so glad it was part of the criteria. Bc now I have been going thru this for 4 months myself. I even had a post on this months ago. I tried to prepare myself for this stage and when it hit it hit hard. Fortunatly I do see a professional and she helped me alot and said it would take time and if it does take a while for our mind's image to catch up with our new reality. that was several months ago and she was right. I had been uncomfortable yet happy and yet a little frightened of what I was seeing. I was feeling exposed. vulnerable. and she mentioned we should give myself some time to adjust and I also MADE myself take pics! YES PICS! and I MADE myself start making changes with my internal dialog I had to squish the negative self talk and pat myself on my back for the great job I have done and I am not done yet. my confidence is back with vengence! lol...I am walking taller. But on the other hand I still feel some vulnerability. Im working through it. day by day. I am shopping all the time. I have girlfriends we shop and I am loving it! a little apprehensive? sure! TAKE YOUR PICTURES! LUV yourself! I have decided that just by taking my pic bc I hadn't taken any for yrs . I was one of those that was in denial myself. when I looked in the mirror I didn't see the "fat" girl. I knew I was heavy but I didn't see what others seen. then reality finally sank in . I don't "abuse or self destruct" no more. I am learning to take care of myself. I have been off this site for a while had to fly out of state for a wk or so I am glad I seen this! I luv chico brand clothes and coldwater creek..I have found alot of things at our nice consignment shops I never buy or pay full price..but I luv their styles. I also like tjmaxx, Marshall's. HAVE FUN! and Im going to say it again..TAKE SOME PICS!!! xx

I wish doctors would explain the carbonation better so people would realize it is about more than calories and sugar. People think the because they budget the calories and sugar that makes it okay.
The reason you are supposed to avoid carbonation is because the pressure of the carbonation expands your stomach.
If you keep drinking carbonation over time you are going to expand your stomach and lose your restriction. You are going to be able to eat more easier and faster and it is going to contribute to weight regain over time.
If you went through all the pain, money and trouble to get a smaller stomach, don't expand it with carbonation, there are plenty of things to drink with no carbonation.

I would never think about eating pizza nor drinking beer after the sleeve. That defeats the entire purpose. After spending $16,000.00 on my procedure, I sure would not even dream of eating foods and drinks that got me here in the first place.

beer is calories carbs and sugar, the big triumvirate of bad things to someone trying to lose or keep off weight.
Even the lightest beer is heavy in carbs and sugars. Its just not a good thing, don't go through all this pain, expense, and work, just to derail it on beer. When you've hit your goal, and you are on maintenance and can truly ascertain how much work you have to do to keep off a beer, then maybe you should think about it. Until then it just seems alike a lot of work to do for some liquid.

Has your surgeon or nutritionist told you that sleeved patients should not drink and eat at the same time?
Just sayin'.

I would listen to my nutritionist before anyone else. They are the medical professional being paid to monitor your care. I'm pretty sure it was about 6 or 7 mths before I had a drink. I went to a wine tasting with friends. Honestly pizza and beer just doesn't sound like a good idea until you are closer to goal. pizza is too high in carbs & fat and too low in healthy Protein to even be worth it to me.

I would wait a while for beer. The carbonation may upset your tummy. I'm 10 months out and I still haven't had beer because of the carbonation.

Who wants flat beer? I don't drink sodas, I haven't had beer but I have had alcohol. I just don't have enough real estate to want to buy a beer knowing I likely won't finish it. However I would wait at least 6 weeks before trying any alcohol. Sodas aren't worth ever drinking again.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. There are no adequate words that I could share that would even touch the type of heartache you must be suffering. Grief is a lonely solitary and very painful journey. My only hope is that you come through it as quickly as possible.
Your mom always put you first throughout your entire life. She wanted nothing more than your well being. The best way to honor her memory and love for you is by taking care of yourself. One day, one step, one second at a time.
My deepest condolences.

My first few months was awful mentally emotionally and my tummy was tiny. Took 4 or so months to get in 3 or 4 bites which i didn't care of the amount i knew going into this the reason so it was doing exactly what it was meant to do. I have had 12 yrs of therapy. And the last 2 yrs of it was the biggest for me ..the biggest break thru. food was my friend, my comfort, it didn't talk back and it didn't hurt me emotionally but in all actuality it did affect me. My brain depended on the brain chemicals the sugar and junk released and i was addicted and it caused all sorts of diseases and health issues. I became bulemic. The first month or 2 alot of hormones are being released from fat loss. I was bitchy, grouchy i cried at the drop of a bucket. My emotions were all over the place. I understand. As mentioned earlier getting to the root of addictions are vital in order to own take responsibility and deal with and change. I am 10 months out ..6 months was my great turning point. Takes 6 months to heal inside properly according to my internist.
I understand. But your still early on and your having what i would think normal thoughts at least i relate but believe me you'll change your mind. Hang in there and its a good idea to talk to a prefessional. Not good idea to replace one addiction for another. Best wishes..

Well it beats being asked when your baby is due. .when you are not pregnant

I'm sorry you had to deal with a clueless jerk. While it is not ok to return rudeness with rudeness, you are not obligated to continue an uncomfortable conversation. Next time this happens, change the subject -- Clueless Jerk: "Wow, I'll bet you lost more than 100 lbs, right?" You: "How are things with you?" Clueless Jerk: "No really, how much weight have you lost?" You: "My family is doing well. Oh, there's Mary. I'd better go say hello."

Yeah, I suspect that the guy actually thought he was complimenting you but I get how embarrassing it was for you.
I dread that happening, running into people who haven't seen me in a long time. Years ago I had a fat friend where I worked. We moved out of state and about 4 years later were back visiting and I met up with her for lunch. We had not kept in touch other than Christmas cards, etc. so I was shocked to see she'd lost at least 100 lbs. She looked great but I'd only ever known her fat with a round face and it was truly hard to talk to her normally at first. I know she was the same person on the inside but I would not have recognized her if I hadn't met up with her on purpose, and it was mentally jarring. My mind insisted I didn't know this person! So I am prepared for the shock of others.

@@CanyonBaby what a truly beautiful and touching post. True love like that is rare and once you have it you feel blessed everyday. I have been lucky enough to find this type of unconditional, head over heels love too. I agree that to be completely connected two people have to be willing to share the good and the bad, be there for each other and share the hard truths.
I have been with my husband since I was 16 and now I am 43. He has loved me through all my different sizes. We are each others best friend. I can't imagine what a difficult time this is for you and your husband. He is your world. I pray for his healing and strength for you both.
To the original poster- you have to do what feels right for you. However, once you have no secrets from your significant other and accept each other for the good and the bad it opens up an entirely different level of love. Good luck to you in your relationship. Everyone deserves a true love!!

I think hold off to you get to know him more and if he is mr right then I'm pretty sure down the track he will accept regardless of past.

Agree...something is wrong.