I'm not banded 5+ years, which to me is a veteran. I'm nearly 3 years out..so no newbie here, but again, not a real long term bandster just yet. Having said that, I'm heading into another season as a smaller person and some things I think, will never get old. When I can sit in an airplane seat and put the arm down and not ask for a belt extender..and can bend over to get something out of my bag on the floor, I can't take that for granted. Not when I can still recall with ease how those things were impossible prior to WLS.

Going to the airplane bathroom? 'Nuff said, right?

For the first time in a long time...not wondering if the clothing for the new season still fits from last year. Remember when you would pull out the sweaters, or the summerwear once the seasons changed? Remember the fear that something or lots of somethings that fit last year, wouldn't this time around? I moved all my summer stuff to the back of the closet and am working on bringing the late fall/winter stuff up front. I've worn some of these things again after months in the back of the closet and have not had to worry if it will fit. I hope I never get tired of that feeling.

Mostly for me, it's basically a feeling of fitting. Not fitting in...like being part of a group or not, but simply fitting physically into the space a person is supposed to occupy rather than the extra space we all needed and sometimes didn't get.

This winter I've been enjoying bringing things out from last year and wondering will this fit? It's been a great change to find the answer is "no" for quite a few items not because they're too small, but because they're too big! Periodically I've been going "shopping" through some old, smaller clothes. Last night I found a beautiful jacket that I haven't been able to wear in years. I've gotten so many compliments on it today!

This is my first fall/winter after wls in August. My weight loss started early this year. So this time last year I was the heaviest I've ever been, and now I'm over 120 pounds less than my highest. I'm experiencing the super-happy annoyance of having no warm clothes that fit me for the first time ever. For me, it was basically my experience since puberty started at 10 years old that I could pretty much expect to need a new coat and new wardrobe in general every winter. This year, my wardrobe consists of lots of cheap leggings, and layers of too-big hoodies. Even though this kinda sucks and worries me for financial reasons, I just can't feel in any way upset about it.

i keep hearing this winter cloths summer cloths buisness and i never understood it i have one wordrobe i wear all year long yeah i put shorts away but other that that it never occured to me to have separate cloths for separate seasons i only have two weeks worth of cloths to begin with i have such small closets

Pulling on those size 4 jeans hasn't gotten old yet either.

I remember those moments. They'd sneak up on me. I've undone much of my good work, but will get there again. Thanks for the reminder of one branch of the thrill tree.

@ I'm going to guess you live somewhere without huge temperature fluctuations throughout the year? San Diego maybe? While there is a little overlap between my winter and summer clothes (might wear a sweater over a short-sleeve top in winter or jeans in the summer if it's under 85 degree), 20 degree weather definitely calls for drastically different clothes than 100 degree weather.

I second the emotion of fitting in the world at a nice size!! This seems to be much easier at a smaller size.

I remember not wanting to stand up in a group ,room, theater when I was large... for fear that all eyes would be looking at me and my wide butt. I am happy to say that I haven't had that thought in many years.... And it probably wasn't so true... Who knows? ... But I know I felt that way....

It used to be my truth. And it is NOT anything I think about now... Ever.

I think it takes less energy and thought to maneuver this world now

And I am very thankful!!!

Yep, that's a great feeling. It doesn't get old. Another thing that's new - everything in my closet fits. I used to have lots of clothes, but only about 20% would fit at any given time. Now, I keep accumulating more clothes, all the same size! So I have about the same amount of items, but they are ALL stylish, and all fit. When I lost weight and got into small sizes, I made a rule that I would never wear an ugly shirt again

@@MichiganChic,

Ha! I love the reference to never wearing an ugly shirt again! So true, I've felt that too.

Wow! Gowalking put it so very well!

Yep, the part about fitting into places hits home for me, just to know on a daily basis that I fit comfortably into everything ! Chairs, the bed, an elevator, my yoga mat, a car seat, a doorway etc. Easy !! Skinny jeans , medium shirts and medum yoga pants ! You're right, it never gets old !!

I fit in theater seats. The final years of my marriage, my husband would sit one extra seat away from me because we were both so big that we were crowding each other at the movies. That's a depressing snapshot of our relationship right there. By the time I started losing weight, we weren't going to the movies together anymore. Now I go alone and don't bat an eye if someone sits next to me. I can fit, they can fit, and they don't mind being next to me because I'm not spilling over into the next seat.

Yesterday I pulled out the one outfit I saved from pre surgery. It was a pair of jeans and a top. The top was very loose, but the jeans were enormous. I literally got both legs into one leg. It made me smile and be sad all at the same time. That was me. This is me. I don't ever want to return to those days. But it could happen. I don't ever want to forget that.

I bought a pair of lululemon yoga pants today. I never fit into this brand before and damn, they look good! I look good!

And i also love the "no more ugly shirts" thing. I promised myself no more tops to swim in. No more bulky, no super loose and if it doesn't make me look as thin as I am becoming, then I can't buy it. It's been hard as I still gravitate towards larger styles, but no more. If it's not fabulous, it's not coming home with me.

Regarding the ugly shirts - gravitating toward them is somewhat of a fight. I used to wear a LOT of twin sets. They were not necessarily ugly. In fact, they were nice colors, good quality sweater sets, and they fit well. But my kids would make fun of me a little because it was my signature look.

I STILL have to force myself not to buy them. However, I will admit I have a much hipper version of them, now. I realized I have a couple. Instead of the boxy short sleeve crew neck pullover with matching boxy button up long sleeve sweater, I have form fitting lacy tanks with stylish, fitted sweaters with nice detail. I don't have many though, because it is just too much like I used to dress!