Sleevefornellie

I like big butts and I cannot lie!

@@DreamingAzure
And I'm going to add one more thing. You made a point to say you've been researching WLS and been a part of WLS groups for 20 years, so you're not "the new kid on the block".
This statement reminds me of people who think they know how hard it is to raise kids because they babysit.
You know NOTHING of what it's like to go through this journey yet. I would suggest until you do, try to keep an open mind and keep your judgmental opinions to yourself.

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.

Oh....y'all were much nicer than I would have been.
See? I can shut my piehole occasionally!

I think most people posting pictures are looking good for affirmation that they are making progress and also some positive reinforcement.
Given how most obese folks have hidden behind dark oversized clothing because their confidence is shot, I would never pick apart their progress by doing so
Maybe if you go through WLS and start to feel the confidence that begins to take over as your body gets smaller you will get it because clearly you have no clue at the moment.

I don't believe people are actually asking for our take on their fashion choices. They are asking how their body looks in general. And they have worked hard. So yes. I will tell them they look great. Because compared to how we looked before it's definitely true even if you don't approve of their outfit.

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.

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.

After the week I've had, watching my husband undergo the challenges of cancer treatment, this whole post seems so unimportant. Sure people want opinions after losing weight, working their asses off (literally AND figuratively) to reach a goal only their eyes AND minds attempt to aspire to, they're simply hoping they will find others who either have reached that goal, or are trying to reach their goal, without a mean spirit to burst their bubble. SO WHAT IF THEY NEED A DIFFERENT BRA? SO WHAT IF THINGS DON'T LOOK TO OTHERS AS they SEE THEMSELVES?
Yes. people will say they look amazing, but the POINT they are making is it ISN'T just the LOOK that is amazing, IT WAS THEIR JOURNEY. Their journey was/is amazing. If you don't get this, maybe WLS isn't for YOU.

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.

You seem happy with yourself, they why go for wls surgery? Ok, maybe to get healthy.....but there is also something called mental health. I was happy with my body and weight and had no medical conditions, just overweight by 120 lbs.
WLS surgery gives your health and life back, able to feel better along with looking better. If presentation is not for you, then you are unique person my friend. I want to look good, wear stuff that does fit me, I was xxl -xxxl, now I am in a large, and yes I have purchased larger shirts where I should have stuck with xl, but I made a goal to fit in the Larger size and achieved it. Satisfaction comes to different people at different levels.

Wow.

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

I was just woke out of a deep sleep, which I don't get much of these days, by my nurse, asking me if I will give up my single room for another patient in ER right now. I was like....are you out of your effin' mind! Then as I woke up I realized what just happened...she wasn't really asking me because she's up here on the surgical floor, someone else put her up to it. *this is a nurse I really like too. So I demand to see the admin asshat that would wake a hospital patient at 3:30 AM to change hospital rooms, most likely for someone with better insurance, I mean come on what other reason could there be? Of course the Admin-Supervisor won't come to my room to talk to me, (scaredy cat) and says she'll just have to work something else out. How about, coming up to the floor, and waking a patient, to move them....YOURSELF? Now the funny thing, is that I don't even mind that they asked me. I think that could have waited until the light of day hit my ass. I have been blessed during my whole hospital stay with my own room, happy for that, and I'd love to give that to someone else, as I know I have maybe a day or two left here, tops. But come on, in the middle of the night. I'm up now, which pisses me off greatly, It takes so much to get comfortable enough when you have 6 big holes punched in your belly...it hurts anytime you move. Then to ask someone to wake me up. I know my nurse felt bad, and did not want to do that. I felt badly for her. So....complaint to come against the Admin. That Admin was stupid to mess with me, because I'll be damned if she uses a nurse that works as hard as mine does, as her little scapegoat. That's not right, you want to mess with people who go out of their way to take good care of me? You got another thing coming. I even said to my nurse, (who has been a primary care giver, I have had her every night shift, since I was admitted) does Admin not know that the internet eats these stories up? Come on! Yes, let's move a patient recovering from surgery in the middle of the night, out of their room, and into another room, and hope that's good for their recovery. All it is good for, is lining the hospital's pockets. Now I can't sleep, I'm all worked up, I'm sick to my stomach, had to request more nausea meds, and about to request a xanax so I can try to go back to sleep. Thanks asshat admin!

I say you do what you need to do for you. Some time spouses are afraid of how things will be when we lose weight. It's a security thing. Once he sees the changes for the better in you he will come around. Some times it's also a fear that they may lose you during the surgery. This will be my second surgery. I had lap band in 2004. Hubby was supportive. When we went last week for my pre op appointment I was shocked when he asked the nurse how many patients this surgeon had lost. I guess that was in the back of his mind and he needed the comfort of knowing. Thank heavens she told him none.

Yes you will be able to go out to eat and have a good time at holiday parties. I go out all the time and the only difference from preop is my bill is less and I take home leftovers. I party with friends and family and for the first time in my life, I'm one of the sober ones. I eat whatever I want in moderation. And yes, I do drink and eat at the same time. At 17 months and maintaining well below goal, I've found many of the "rules" for success aren't necessarily written in stone. Of course it took almost a year to get to this point and find MY new normal, yours may be quite different. Be patient, follow the rules in the beginning and find what works for you in the long run. There are actually dozens of "right" ways to work with your WLS.

Honestly, no you won't be able to eat " normally" again. But that depends what you consider normal. I still eat out with my family all the time, I either order a small plate, or get an extra plate and take small portions off everyone's plate, no one seems to mind.
You have to change your whole way of thinking about good. And the most important thing I have learnt is don't drink and eat. It doesn't work. You have to do one or the other.

I have the same feelings, but that's why I didn't have any food funerals. I'm not saying bye to all of the foods I love, mostly just saying hey, see you, a LOT less of you, later and a lot less often! I know there are some things I'll lose my taste for, some things I shouldn't eat again, and some things I won't eat again, but I've made my peace with it.

Congratulations on hitting your goal weight…what is your next step? As you know, losing weight is a battle, and it’s one that you’ve won if you’ve hit your goal weight. That’s a huge accomplishment…but the fight doesn’t stop there. Let your guard down, and pounds come back on. That’s what this forum is for: to help you succeed in this next stage of your weight loss surgery journey.
These forums are for you if:
You are at goal weight and are working on keeping the pounds off. You are getting close to goal weight and you want advice and tips from others on how to make the transition to maintenance as successfully as possible. You are considering weight loss surgery and want to know what your life will be like when you hit goal weight one or two or three years after surgery. Talk about recipes, eating new foods, working out for health and maintenance, and other healthy long-term behaviors as a successful WLS patient. You can also come here for support if you find the pounds starting to creep back on, or if you get a little discouraged with the idea of following this lifestyle for “forever.” There are others in your boat!

Already packing up some stuff for Goodwill...I agree, I don't want them in my closet. My mentality is I will never need them again so I am making room. I will shop sales and Goodwill. As I lose I am only going to buy a few pieces to get me by at each stage until I am at goal weight then its a shopping spree for me!

Don't weigh often= not daily nor weekly. Gains happen. It's natural. You fluctuate from 500 to 700 to 1000 calories and back so your body has to readjust.
I came to realize I went from probably 3000-4000 calories on a good day on avg down to 300-500 at surgery my body kind of went into shock. You're learning to live this new life just as your body is learning to live with this new stomach.

All "greek" yogurts are not the same. True greek yogurt is extensively strained to get the whey out which then leads to thicker, more condensed yogurt with more Protein.... Yoplait (and others) are not true greek yogurt as they use additives and fillers to thicken the yogurt, so if you are concerned about getting true additive-free yogurt, check the label for things like guar gum and pectin, carrageenan, sodium citrate, potassium sorbate, corn starch. I know this doesn't matter to everyone, but it did to me when I learned so thought I would share. I personally eat Fage, which as no fillers, additives etc added.
http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2012/07/19/156997600/high-tech-shortcut-to-greek-yogurt-leaves-purists-fuming

Ditto to @proudgrammy. Plain Fage Greek yogurt has one of the best protein/carb ratios. I use fruit, Torani syrups, honey or Protein powders for flavoring.....vanilla, banana, raspberry, Irish cream, pumpkin pie, blueberry, peach, hazelnut, English Toffee, cherry, cinnamon, etc. I also often add Kashi Go Lean Cereal for texture, Fiber and even more Protein.< /p>
All of the presweetened yogurts are too sweet for me, so it's nice to be able to control the sweet level by starting with plain yogurt.

@@KM1284
i love, love, love my Fage 0% plain greek yogurt
mix all together
sweet 'n low
few fresh blueberries
sprinkles of fruit and nut granola
after eating this i feel like i died and went to heaven
what a way to go
good luck
kathy

The Greek has sooooooo much more protein! Try the Fage, Oikos, Yoplait, Siggis, Brown Cow, Chobani, Trader Joe's.... Any of the Greek ones if you can!