mrsNilla

You have to be what you are. Even a close-to-normal weight, I towered over my siblings and was always broad shouldered like the farm girl I was. Tough to be big and awkward when your little sister is extremely petite man bait . I'm looking forward to seeing how different I'll look without the extra weight (God willing!) but I've gotten over trying to be "cute". I can do striking, attractive and have delusions of elegant, but in hindsight, cute was not a look I ever should have aspired to. Big bones? Maybe compared to the women in the family who have to use kids backpacks because they're so narrow in the shoulder. I don't have that ultra petite build.
Only time will tell if I'm actually "big boned" - I could always throw a mean bale of hay - but however I end up looking, I will do my best to rock the hell out of it.
And ignore anyone but the people who already love me as I am
Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

This reminds me of a time in my fitness class in college. We measured our wrists to see what our frame size was and it turns out mine is small. I was overweight then (but not as much as I eventually became). There was a classmate who was also on the heavy side and she was angry/jealous because I have a small wrist. Talk about inanity: letting the size of someone else's wrist dictate our emotions is just crazy.

I don't want to be petite. I love my height. They just tell me that my goal of wearing my shirt tucked in with nice jeans and a cute belt will never happen. I will never be small enough to do that. I want to be able to do that. Throw on a pair of cowboy boots that I've never been able to fit into either. I've always been big. Always. Even as a 10 year old I look back at pictures and I was big. So ya my mind fears I never will. Right now I just want healthy. To be able to chase my grandson. To ride rides at the park with my teenage autistic son and to experience life outside and not hidden away.
Proud Nana of a very handsome grandbaby

it has been amazing to me as the weight comes off to remember how small my frame is under there.
I have no idea where my bones fit as far as averages go, but they are a lot more petite than I remember. which is nice. makes me feel girly!
sometimes it's still quite a shock if I rest my chin in my palm on the desk to feel my jaw without all that fat there.
so you never know what you will find as the weight falls off. you might surprise yourself. although at your height you won't be petite, you'll just be perfectly you.
@@Inner Surfer Girl I too love that picture for so many reasons.

I like this picture for a lot of reasons.

@DJ's Nana Just concentrate on being a healthy weight! "Small" doesn't mean much - you certainly will never be petite - but you can be sexy, hot, and healthy!!! That sounds way better than "small"!

I guess it depends on what your expectations for small are. I am 5'6" and have a friend who is 5'8". She used to bemoan the fact that she would never be able to shop at a petite store like another friend. I told her that unless she chopped her legs off at the knees no matter how much weight she lost she would never shop in a petite a store. We all have such messed up body expectations for ourselves and for other people.

It has been awhile since I've posted a before and after. Hope it inspires anyone newly sleeved as to what is possible. Preop I was a size 22 now I wear a 4.  

Thanks for the discussion! I was planning to be open and had already told some people about my plan, but maybe I need to rethink.
I do public speaking and talk about a rare syndrome I suffer from to educate people, mostly medical professionals, but also patients. So a lot of people will see me shrink...
This will be an important step in my life to a healthier me and I need to do it. I just don't feel like keeping score of my white lies. I know I would mess up at some point ????
Good luck to you all!
Sent from my GT-I9506 using the BariatricPal App

I don't want to be negative, but...
WLS is so important to us and we usually get one shot at it. Be sure that this is the right time for you. Are you ready to make the changes? Eat differently than your family and friends?
If you have a lot of trouble sticking to a diet for a few short days or weeks, maybe now is too early for surgery?
It's not a magical pill that will fix your disturbed relationship with food with a cut and some stitches. You have to do the actual work and change, in order for it to work.
I did a lot of soul searching for a long time, messed up, but I own it and have now decided to give it my all. I will have a succes story, like so many people here.
So my wish for everyone is...
Do the surgery when you know you are ready to change. Don't waste it at a time when you are still not a 100% sure and determined. It won't work.
Sent from my GT-I9506 using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for the discussion! I was planning to be open and had already told some people about my plan, but maybe I need to rethink.
I do public speaking and talk about a rare syndrome I suffer from to educate people, mostly medical professionals, but also patients. So a lot of people will see me shrink...
This will be an important step in my life to a healthier me and I need to do it. I just don't feel like keeping score of my white lies. I know I would mess up at some point ????
Good luck to you all!
Sent from my GT-I9506 using the BariatricPal App

Just after new years here, guesstimation by my nut ☺
Cleared by my nut and endo, so only waiting for my surgeons appointment and the surgery date. Psych not required, but did the vlcd with my nut successfully and my stupid self went and gained back almost all of my 20+ lbs lost...
So now on an oldfashioned diet, counting calories and then vlcd again, the few weeks before the surgery. I just wish I knew my date already!!!
Good luck everyone ❤
Sent from my GT-I9506 using the BariatricPal App

Hi Everyone!! I am new to this site but not to the Sleeve surgery community. I had my surgery in November of 2015. When I started the journey I weight in at 320 lbs. Since that time I am down to 165 lbs and feel so great. I want to pay it forward and have even created a blog: throwingscales.net as a place to connect with others. Would love to chat and get to know people!! My before and after photos are below.  
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you, that's such a sweet comment. I definitely have a lot of loose skin on my stomach, upper arms and upper thighs, but it's not horrible. All areas that are covered by clothes so it does not bother me too much. I may consider a tummy lift once I enter maintenance Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

Thank you. Actually, I hit 100 this morning!!! Whoo hoo! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

You look amazing. 6 months and 100lbs down (I'm claiming it for you).
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@sammy246 I'm 5'2. With regards to build I carry my weight in my stomach and top half. I have no hips and have always had slimmer legs. I'm just now discovering my hipbones for the first time in my life!

Thank you! It is by far the best decision I have ever made. Following the plan got easier over time. I'm at a point now that the way I eat is the new "normal". I still have to make a conscious effort to get in my Protein and Water each day, but my options on how I do that are much more open these days. There are not too many foods I cannot eat and I try to maintain a balanced diet, not just Protein, even though that is #1. I eat lots of fruits and veggies, salads, and maybe a slice of bread every week or two. I find that I feel better, reduce digestive (bathroom) issues, when I vary my foods. I also still use shakes or I'd never reach my protein goals.

Tomorrow marks 6 months since my bypass and I've lost 99lbs! Hoping the scale will move tonight so I can say 100lbs at 6 months!!!


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

It was easy for me because I had so much weight to lose. I simply was upfront with the key people at work and my family. Outside of that its a topic that is freely discussed if folks ask me about it. A few have gone on to seek bariatric solutions for themselves or family members.
If I had been a low BMI patient at the beginning......id likely have just kept it to myself until later on.

I tell everyone and anyone. I'm so excited for this new journey. I don't care if someone tells me it's not a good idea or that I'm not "fat enough" I am doing this for me and my life but I'm bursting at the seams for everyone to know I'm happy with my decision. I'm hoping to have my date set for the end of October beginning of November. My mom wants me to wait till my classes are done in December but I don't know if I can wait that long
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have been honest with everyone. I am so excited about my new journey and idc who likes it and who doesn't.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Polara
Great post! It sounds like you are the PERFECT person to support your friend. Safe travels.

Pre-surgery, I didn't really feel comfortable telling anyone outside of family or close friends. However, as the weight started to come off, many of my coworkers asked my secret...and the fact that my diet was so restricted coupled with the weight loss tipped them off. I never had any negative reactions, and most people commented how courageous it was for me to have taken action to improve my health!
In May, I relocated to the United Kingdom from Florida because I got married on 20 August. The close friends I had here in the UK were all aware of my surgery and very supportive, but since I have been here, I've obviously met many new people and forged new friendships and professional relationships. These new people in my life don't know me as "Obese Polara," they see me as I am now. My surgery was 9 December 2015, and at over 9 months out, my diet is more varied than it was immediately post-op (kind of a no-brainer statement, lol!). However, I still follow the dietary guidelines given to me by my surgeon, nurse practitioner, and NUT to the letter. The restrictive nature of the surgery coupled with the changes to my mental relationship with food means that I'll always opt for Protein, veg, and fruits over anything else (I have no desire to eat bread, Pasta, etc.), but everyone simply assumes that I am very health-conscious (which is actually the truth and 100% spot-on) and not a huge eater.
I am not ashamed of the fact that I was sleeved and I will open up to people about it if I feel the circumstances warrant it. In fact, because I was open with my best friend about having the procedure, she felt confident enough to start the process herself. She's having the surgery this coming weekend in the Czech Republic, and I am actually very humbled that she asked me to accompany her as her support person, so we will be flying out together Sunday!
I guess that the point of this ramble is that who you choose to tell or not tell is your business, but you'd be surprised how understanding many people can be. Of course, there are a lot of people out there who have negative opinions about bariatric surgery, but if you feel you can trust someone, letting them know can actually be cathartic. As time passes, you may feel more comfortable discussing it. Take it day by day and enjoy the journey. Lots and lots of good vibes your way!
Xx,
Polara

I don't think it was weak or pathetic at all. You were being pestered but still had the wisdom to not just blurt out the whole truth to people who would have abused you for it. If they knew you were having WLS, it sounds like they're the type would make it as much about themselves as about you, gossiping, inventing ways to "help" you that were really about being nosy.
I'd consider not answering the door as much. You're not obligated it to answer it just because they come knocking. For all they know you could be on an important phone call, in the shower, whatever.