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Clothes shopping..... NO FUN.



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I'm down 35 pounds (Yippeeeee) as of today, and it's time to start getting smaller sizes. Another YIPPEE, right? Not so much. I've been shopping at every mall in the area and can't seem to find anything that looks good on me. I would think this would be the "fun" part, but it's really been a depressing experience. I'm not looking for an entire new wardrobe, just a few things that show off my weight loss and make me feel great..... I still see old, fat Natalie in the mirror.....

Considering I'm halfway to my goal (I had a low BMI to start), I should be happier with the way I look, right? And it also doesn't help that not one person (except the few that knew I had surgery) have noticed.

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Congratulations on your loss! I was at a WLS support group meeting last week and there were lots of folks at different stages, and some at goal, and most said that they struggled with seeing the "new you" in the mirror. I bet if you looked with a different set of eyes you could see how far you have come. One member mentioned that the first time she actually saw her progress was when she saw herself in a photo and wasn't expecting it. Like... Who's that? Oh, that is me. :)

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Keep up the good work, I think people do not notice or do and are afraid to comment anymore. I also think that it takes months for your body to reshape its self, it is why the first year people say "you look sick-you looked better heavier" Your eyes and theirs will settle the longer you are thin, just keep it up. You go girl

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I understand what you mean. For the first time in soooo long I can finally wear regular sizes. I just needed to get a few things so I can go back to the office on Monday (I've been working from home during my recovery). I felt like everything I tried on made me look lumpy and chunky. The saleswoman kept saying that she didn't understand what I meant. I told her that I'd had WLS and was having trouble adjusting to how I looked right now she was super nice and said congratulations. She urged me to go a little out of my comfort zone.

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Do you notice? How are you feeling? I should edit to say physically? How do you feel lighter? Can you walk up a flight of stairs without getting out of breath. I was there! It is frustrating. I wish someone had said to me what are some positives that you are feeling?

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I do feel lighter when walking. I look at my face and arms and see a real difference. For some reason my stomach is puffer than it was before the surgery. I am just over three weeks post op, so I probably still have swelling etc. it is just a weird experience shopping in regular sizes. I mean I'm thrilled but it reminds me of a post I saw here a couple of months ago that said "you mean there isn't a supermodel under here?"

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I say push the sag ass pants for a few more months...I am practically a Justin bibber in my size 14s. ( I should be a size 8-9)

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I totally understand. You are still early out. Triumph in your accomplishments thus far. I would not worry about people noticing because in truth their opinions really don't matter. I would keep track if the positive changes that way when looking for clothes and say you are in between sizes, you can relish in your other accomplishments and know that some negative feelings are temporary. It is like through this journey we are always beating ourselves up. People get to goal then we are consumed we have loose skin. Give yourself a big hug, you just took a major step to a healthier you.

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2 Suggestions:

1. Take monthly pictures of yourself... take a front view and a side view. There are changes and when you have something to compare it to, you will be able to tell.

2. Take someone who's style you like shopping with you. I took my daughter with me. I was used to wearing over-sized looser tops to hide my tummy and had a style that worked well to camouflage my problem areas... She really encouraged me to try on things that showed off my figure. Once I started wearing clothes that accented my body, people really started noticing my weight loss! I got so many compliments :)

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I'm down 35 pounds (Yippeeeee) as of today, and it's time to start getting smaller sizes. Another YIPPEE, right? Not so much. I've been shopping at every mall in the area and can't seem to find anything that looks good on me. I would think this would be the "fun" part, but it's really been a depressing experience. I'm not looking for an entire new wardrobe, just a few things that show off my weight loss and make me feel great..... I still see old, fat Natalie in the mirror.....

Considering I'm halfway to my goal (I had a low BMI to start), I should be happier with the way I look, right? And it also doesn't help that not one person (except the few that knew I had surgery) have noticed.

How many weeks post op are you? What was your starting BMI?

I was 33.3 starting BMI and am down 20 pounds in five weeks and it IS noticeable. But NO ONE has said anything other than my hubby who sees me naked! It's frustrating and that helps tweak our brains into thinking we don't look good yet! This is my five week, 20 pound comparison: weird photo booth shot, but it's all I have!

post-254601-14392246089266_thumb.jpg post-254601-1439224625003_thumb.jpg

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I'm 7 weeks out as of today...... Starting BMI was 35, so my surgeon and everyone else said I would lose slowly. I've lost 35 pounds as of this week and I'm thrilled. So far, no one except the few I told that I was having WLS had commented on my progress.

Went to a party this weekend with 40 people that only see me a couple of times a year, so I thought "This will be the day that jaws drop". Nope, not one human being said anything to me. I even cut 8 inches off my hair, a completely new "do" and no one mentioned it. No one.

I'm trying not to let it bother me, but it does

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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