Well THIS is new.....feeling vain.

[Kindle 8,667]

So I'm having a new experience with my VSG results. For the first time ever, I'm actually feeling vain about my looks. Normally I don't particularly care about how I look. Compliments embarrass me, I don't wear the latest fashion, heck, I don't even wear makeup. I throw a hat on instead of brushing my hair a lot of days. I had surgery to get healthier, get out of pain, lower my blood pressure, etc. I never did it to fit into single digit sized jeans. I've always been proud of my accomplishment, but never vain. Until now.

I'm going to Florida in a couple weeks. I used to live in St. Pete, like 20 years ago, and still have a lot of friends there. They've all only known me as overweight/obese. They know I had surgery, we've talked on the phone and they have seen pictures of me, but this is our first face to face visit in over 5 years and 100 pounds lighter. And along with my excitement of seeing my friends, i'm feeling what I can best describe as, well, vain. I WANT them to be impressed with the new me. I'm looking forward to the compliments (I hope) they give me. Their praise will be quite self satisfying to me. I am trying on outfits to see which ones make me look good (and skinny), as opposed to throwing "whatever" in a suitcase 15 minutes before heading to the airport. Can't wait to hit the beach and the surf and go kayaking to show off my bod. No offense to people that do care about their looks or feel this way all the time, it's just so out of character for me, I'm not sure what to do with it.

So I'm not really looking for advice, just wanted to share this with the only people that might be able to relate. I guess you're never too far out to discover a new "twist" in your WLS journey.

[AvaFern 3,516]

Good for you! You worked very hard to get where you are and you should certainly get to enjoy it now!

P.S. It is super cold in Florida right now (ok cold for us), lol, but wetsuits make you look super skinny and would make the Water a lot less frigid, haha.

[Healthy_life2 8,330]

@@Kindle

over 5 years and 100 pounds lighter. Going to see your friends is a big event. Having them see how good you look and feel by putting your best self out there. Get crazy and vain with new clothing. Show off that amazing bod. You earned this moment. Revel in your vanity.

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

There's much to be said for shallow and vapid in those who really are neither. Enjoy it, Kindle, milk it. Strut.

[Kindle 8,667]

P.S. It is super cold in Florida right now (ok cold for us), lol, but wetsuits make you look super skinny and would make the Water a lot less frigid, haha.

Well I didn't wear a coat today because at 34 degrees, it felt so balmy I didn't need one. So if it hits at least 60 degrees when I'm there it will be plenty warm for shorts and bikini top for me. Actually, I just want sunshine and we are camping 3 of the days I'm there so no rain dances, please!

[MichiganChic 3,262]

Good for you! You've earned the right to feel good about your vain self! Go show off to those people who love you and will be happy for you!

I'm a vain girl. Nothing wrong with it. Just sayin'.

[The Candidate 3,215]

I know a lot of us went into this with the primary reason of wanting to regain our health. But the "looking good" is a pretty good bonus. You have a right to feel proud of your new body. Go on your trip and knock'em dead! Congrats!

[glitter eyes 1,398]

So excited for you!! What a wonderful feeling to be able to see old friends AND looking awesome!!! So you rock your vanity- it's a good thing.

[Djmohr 6,965]

Yay for you! It really is a strange feeling isn't it?

I seriously went through something similar as I have made my way through the weight loss phase.

It is a confusing feeling but you have earned it! Congratulations on your progress and I hope you have a fantastic time with your friends.

I am green with envy on the beach though. I sit here in Wisconsin where the temp this morning is: -8

My next trip in a couple of weeks will be to Minnesota where it has been colder there than in Antarctica.

I really hope you have a fabulous time and really enjoy your new found health and body!

[Dub 10,070]

Enjoy yourself.

You have every right to enjoy every aspect of the trip.

[JamieLogical 8,727]

I know exactly what you mean. I have never been vain either. I don't wear make-up and I never worried about fashion either. My work wardrobe consisted of whatever was on sale when I needed a new shirt or pants (sometimes just what I could find at Goodwill), and the same exact pair of shoes in brown and black (when they wore out I would just go buy two new pairs of the exact same shoes). My "casual" clothes I wore anytime I did anything other than go to work were t-shirts, jeans, a hoodie, and sneakers.

I had plastics a few years back after losing 90 pounds "on my own" and even that wasn't for the sake of vanity. My results were great, but I still never wore anything that could be described as anything other than "frumpy".

For some reason, after losing weight post-sleeve, I am finding myself drawn to "cute" clothes. I posted a pic the other day of myself in a juniors dress, tights, and boots! WTF? It's a very strange feeling to suddenly be caring about what I look like in clothes. Even for my "casual" clothes, I've been doing t-shirts and hoodies a lot less and doing cammies and flannels instead. Weird.

I have a visit to Cleveland coming up for my Mom's 65th birthday. All of my aunts, uncles, and cousins will be there and I haven't seen some of them in quite a while. I found myself thinking about what I want to wear to that while I was in the shower this morning. It's still two full weeks away and I was already thinking about what to wear?!?!?

[A New KK 104]

Congratulations. I feel the same way. I'm starting a new job and seeing people I haven't seen in 3 months and I'm down 70 lbs. I still have a long way to go but I want to hear some positive feedback. I've bought new outfits and planning my hair etc. This is so not me. Little to no make up usually and a quick comb throught the hair. Now I'm planning a trip to get "done up" before I step foot in the new office.

[Miss Mac 6,262]

Be naughty, too, while you are in Florida.

[amazon 579]

Nothing wrong with that at all! I can kind of relate - when I had my high school reunion this summer (I was the one always picked on for being overweight) I made sure I looked *good*. ????

Besides, part of this entire transformation was I was able to leave the frumpy me behind. I was hiding all that under baggy, boxy clothes. I don't have to any more unless I choose to. I don't really think that's being terribly vain...

Hope you have a blast!

Edited January 19, 2016 by amazon

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

LOL!

First, have a great trip, Kindle. And enjoy the rays / warmer temps.

I think your anticipation of this trip is so healthy. I say that if I'm not surprising myself, I'm not having much personal growth. How boring it would be to feel or think or react exactly the same ways all the time, eh?

Bon voyage!