KF2007

I have been married for almost 26 years, and when people ask me "What's your secret?" the first thing I tell them is LAUGH. Try to find humor in even the toughest situations (appropriately, of course). We have gone through pretty much everything a marriage can go through, except the death of a child (thank goodness), and humor has gotten us through some really tough times. Every time you're able to find humor in a difficult situation, you win. Oh, and:

Wow! Really? I assumed the majority of people on here are adults. Honest mistakes were made, public apologies are offered and 5th grade behavior is the response. Not cool, unecessary and inappropriate.
The forums are for support. If a person posts in the wrong area it is generally over looked or politely asked to be removed.
If you feel you can't get support on these forums then by all means there are other websites out there. If however, you can act like a mature adult you will find the support on here invaluable.

When I found out I couldn't get my surgery until March because my surgeon was booked for February, I actually did cry! I was so disappointed. I wanted my new life to start. But the time flew by (I even postponed it until April so I could have it over spring break and not miss work). Hang in there! Enjoy your beer and steak now :-)

I finally met my surgeon today. I like him. However his nurse told me that he and the other doctor have commitments and vacations comig up so were most likely looking at July or August for surgery date. im sure she could see the disappointment on my face. This is typically how my luck goes it seems.
My weight also went up by about 7 lbs since my last NUT appointment a few months back. Guess i ate worse on my vacation then i thought... I was told to really watch my diet bc insurance will be looking at if i can comply with what they are asking me to do. so ive got a some time to work on losing it!
Fingers crossed theres no more obstacles or hurdles! 1 year is a long time to be working towards this. But i must say, its really prepared me. Had i had surgery within a few months of starting the process, i dont think i would have been as ready for it. I understand so much more about it all now! Im more ready then ever.
Send out for Insurance approval next week! Hope its quick!

That made it worse.

This hurts my heart so much.

@@DreamingAzure
It is good you are recognizing where your motive is coming from. That, in and of itself, is maturity in action. And a person NEEDS to be mature to handle WLS.
I don't know why you have not WLS yet, and I don't need to know. BUT, I may say this: if you aren't IN the canoe, you are NOT able to paddle. Same with WLS. If you haven't had it, you don't know what people who HAVE had it go through, thus you are NOT able to judge the journey OR the outcome.
Many of us have NO IDEA what sizes or types of undergarments or clothing to wear after WLS, we just want to look good. Everyone has different tastes and ideas of what looks good. And there are MANY cultures that have differing styles of clothes. So instead of looking at the CLOTHES, look at the JOY in the FACE of her/him wearing the clothes. THERE you will find the REAL beauty!!!!!

Ok. Never mind. I can't keep my mouth shut.

Let me tell you about ME. I an a 43 year old woman, mother of two gorgeous teenagers and have been overweight for at least 20 years. I was 265 pounds at my heaviest and I was barely wearing a (tight) size 20. I work in the beauty industry and I excel at my business. I was/am often asked to speak at national conferences and it was always a bit hard on me to know I was one of the fattest people in the room but I held my head high, tried my best to find fashionable, flattering clothes and stood up there proud. I also trained/train in martial arts and have always been active despite my weight. I'm a swimmer and I love Zumba.

I had WLS 2 years ago today and I hit my goal weight of 159 after about 9 months. I've not yet hit my stretch goal of 145, but I am sure I could if I put a little more effort into it.

I am now typically a size 8. A 10 in some brands (think American Eagle and other teen lines), a size 6 in Ann Taylor and other vanity lines. My thighs are saggy, my boobs are droopy, my bat wings flop A LOT and nothing short of plastic surgery is going to fix that. I would much rather send my two girls to college and pay off my house than have surgery to correct what I consider a non issue, so I have a feeling I am going to look like this for a LONG time..

You're right. I most likely should NOT wear a skirtless bathing suit, but after years of doing laps with a skirt dragging me down, I am finally small enough to wear a regular one piece. I'm sorry if I sullied your view because my thighs look like crap.

You're right. I most likely should not wear athletic tights and a tight tank top to Zumba, but dammit, it's hot in there and if I've got a few loose skin rolls and dimples, so be it. Don't dance behind me and you won't have to look.

You're right. I shouldn't wear that sleeveless summer dress but it's 90 degrees at that outdoor concert I took my family to. If I had chosen shorts instead, I'm sure either my arms or my legs are sure to offend your delicate senses.

I am going to wear what makes ME feel good. I've hidden behind black loose layers and cardigans for decades. I may not look Victoria Secret perfect in my choices now, but I am not dressing for YOU, I am dressing for ME.

My jeans are tight and "classless"? My heels are too high and I look like a "harlot"? My top is too low cut so now I'm a "skank"? Let me tell you this... CLASS has nothing to do with what you wear. It's all in your attitude and how you treat people.
I'm happy, no.. THRILLED with my appearance and more importantly, my ABILITIES, and I am NOT going to allow someone who has not yet walked MY road to make me feel bad about my imperfections.

I dare someone to tell me I look like **** to my face. It would take great restraint not to plant a solid round house kick to their teeth. Because I can.

One of the things so many obese people face is a lack of any self-esteem. And having had that, the confidence that weight loss brings can be very fragile.
As we lose weight, we often misjudge our body image, thinking we look either thinner or fatter than others see us. This will adjust over time.
I praise people for their new-found body confidence. If they post to ask "should I get a different bra" I might say, why not try X. But if they post, with pride, a photo showing bulges etc, I will do nothing to dent their confidence.

Do you think perhaps they aren't REALLY asking for opinions on how they look, but instead are looking for some positive reinforcement?

Sometimes we may very well stretch the truth when we respond to someone whether its here or as we go about our daily life. We don't do it to lie to someone necessarily, even though technically it is indeed a lie.
We do it because it's the thoughtful thing to say and because everyone needs a little love and support.
I like to see a genuine smile on someone's face because I told them how great they are doing and how lovely or handsome they look. Maybe every little bit of support they get helps them continue on their path. Maybe that's the only nice thing thats been said to them in a very long time. I would never want to see any hurt or bad feelings in someone's eyes because I told them they looked like a stuffed sausage in those clothes.
Be kind. The effort you put into it will be returned to you one day when you really need it.

I love when people post progress pictures. It has helped so much to motivate me as I travel along this road. When I see people who have been successful (no matter what they are wearing), I am genuinely thrilled for them. I have way too many things I need to focus my attention on in my own life to spend a second focusing on others and what they should and should not be wearing. I never have nor will I ever wear revealing clothes because that's just not who I am. But I secretly envy the people who give zero craps about what anyone else thinks and are bold enough to be daring and wear what they want. Wow, first negative, and truly judgmental post I have seen on this otherwise very positive and inspiring website. Keep posting those pictures and I will keep telling you that "You look amazing" because you do.

Maybe because people are proud of their weight loss? What's wrong with a little positive re enforcement from your fellow WLS peeps?
I mean, I see what you're saying about some people having issues with modesty when they feel good about themselves, but jeez. Why poop on their parade?
I really hope you get to the point in your weight loss that you feel good enough to share your success in pictures without fear of being judged by people like you.
Good luck with your upcoming surgery.

<----- leaving with @@LipstickLady

Wow.

I am going to go ahead and back out of this thread now.

Looking fantastic to all of my exes (and new suitors)
Liking (loving) who I see in the mirror
Not having to second guess my clothing size while shopping
No longer sweating because I'm overweight

I was sleeved on 12/16/14 at the Khalili Surgical Center in Los Angeles.
Today, exactly five months to the day, I weighed myself and was thrilled to see that I have hit the "100 pound loss" mark, way ahead of schedule.
Since the surgery, I have taken up light jogging (thanks, C25K app!), and COMPLETELY changed the way I eat and drink. Not a drop of alcohol since the surgery (I was an "every night" drinker), not a taste of sugar, and not a miligram of caffeine.
Other than family and my wife, I haven't told anyone that I had the surgery. I'm sure people must be wondering, but the truth is that the weight loss has come from my complete 180 degree lifestyle change more than the surgery itself. But if I hadn't had the surgery, I certainly wouldn't be as motivated to succeed as I am. Hell, you can install an Olympic-sized swimming pool in your backyard, but you'll never get better without doing the laps!
Anyhow, I know that this 5 month period is just the beginning, and I will have plenty of chances to fall off the horse, but I committed to making hay while the sun shines, and making sure that I got off on the right foot, maximizing the early weight loss in order to set up a long-term run.
I'm so proud of how hard I have committed, and wanted to share my success with anyone on the fence about getting the sleeve surgery done.

I'd say the traditional rules of
- Whoever smelt it, dealt it.
- Whoever denied it, supplied it.
Would apply in this case. There is no need to incriminate yourself

@@Jessica Radcliff
Tomorrow, the next day, the next day, the next day and the...... etc
looking forward to continuing my healthier, happier, lllllonger life
looking forward to getting a face lift June 25th
hadn't " officially" "announced" it yet
for now, please keep my secret
kathy

Wearing shorts
no more front butt!
riding a bike
Sitting next to my daughter and not feeling like a balloon
having energy
feeling confident and sexy in a relationship
BEING HEALTHY!

Wearing shorts
no more front butt!
riding a bike
Sitting next to my daughter and not feeling like a balloon
having energy
feeling confident and sexy in a relationship
BEING HEALTHY!

I was sleeved on 1/20/15. To date I have lost some 48 lbs in the 11 weeks since my operation. I hope this will inspire some of you that this operation is not something that will handicap you but will actually free you to a much more enjoyable side of life.
One of the things my wife and I enjoy is cruising. Pre sleeve it was all about the food and the beer. Life has changed now as my 2XL body is just now adjusting to a “lumpy” but comfortable “L” size. My eating habits have become healthier and less the big part of my day. The thing is…. I couldn’t in all fairness to my wife stop vacationing (my wife is not overweight). Veterans of 23 prior cruises over the past 16 years, I had to see if it was possible, and as soon as possible. We booked a cruise on NCL Sun out of Tampa to coincide with my transition into stage 5 (solid foods). I learned a lot this week. And I like what I learned. BTW it was the best cruise ever. No alcohol, small portions…. I had my doubts. But I stuck to the plan. It was easy and doable. Here is what I learned, how I coped, what I did, how I ate and how I did weight wise.
1. I decided on day one that everything I ate would be quality….no bread or Pasta. I ate steak, shrimp, chicken or pork for lunch or dinner, no sandwiches , no sweets… I want to emphasize that there are and to my surprise always were good options on every buffet…..especially for sleevers!
2. Breakfast everyday was eggs, cottage cheese (yes the had it) and if I had room a little yogurt. After which we sent for coffee from room service to enjoy later on the balcony.
3. My day started on deck six everyday with my wife ….which has an open air walking track (on most boats ) for 8 to 10,000 steps….about an hour of leisurely walking. By day 3 I was actually jogging small stretches of the track.
4. Dinner every night was a small bite of an appetizer or a few bites of salad and about half the portion of meat. No dessert, instead I would treat myself to a single espresso after my wife finished her dessert
5. I drank ice Water, skim milk and occasionally made myself an ice coffee in my waterbottle everyday.
6. I drank no….yes zero alcohol!!! It did not bother me a bit. My wife did drink and I got all the exercise going to the bar for her….lol
7. At night we took in as much of the activities and shows as possible.
8. Late night occasionally we would get a small bite at the late night buffet. Most nights.
9. I challenged myself to do a shore tour ( I never liked doing things because of my weight ) We did cave tubing in Belize and snorkeling in Roatan Honduras. Which is “not” like me.
10. I think the toughest thing on the cruise is the looks the waiters give you when you don’t finish your meal….I got a lot of…. “you no like? I bring you something else?” I gave a simple “I’m fine…it was delicious!” which works everytime.
11. I think my smartest idea was though to bring a nice water bottle… it was very handy.
12. I bought a new T-shirt in every port in my new size “L” That was a great feeling.
So what was the end result? I was never hungry, slept great, ate some tasty things, met a goal of at least 10k steps every day and still lost 3.2 lbs. It was the first cruise that I actually fit in the clothes that I came on the boat in. I hope this blog encourages you to get out there……but you have to follow the plan and be strong enough to stick to it. It wasn’t hard at all.
LOVING MY SLEEVED LIFE
John M

So many things...
Of course, being able to wear all the clothes I have that no longer fit Not having to wear a sweater/sleeved top year-round to cover my arms Wearing a bathing suit in front of people, ideally one that isn't a grandma-style swimdress Being able to hike with my dogs or walk around at a museum or festival without crippling back pain Not feeling like I have to hold a throw pillow on my lap to cover my belly fat when I'm sitting on a couch or something in front of people Being able to get up off the floor more easily; I like to sit on the floor! Not worrying about breaking a chair or step stool Not being flushed and sweaty all the freakin' time, and not constantly worrying that I smell because of it Being able to start dancing again, whether it's taking a modern dance class or going swing dancing with my husband, or just goofing around with friends Feeling like I can sit on my husband's lap or have him pick me up without hurting him Feeling more attractive, maybe even... sexy? Not panicking when I get a notification that someone has tagged me in a photo on Facebook Being able to stop pretending that I don't want to join in on activities, when really I'm just too fat to keep up

Wrapping a towel around me with no gap.