LET'S PLAY A GAME!

Let's play together...I'll ask the question and then everyone can respond with a creative, humorous, insightful answer - whatever you can think of! Here goes: YOU KNOW YOU'VE HAD WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY WHEN...

When your husband of 13 years hugs you with his arms fitting completely around you for the first time in over 10 years!! Getting into the bathtub when it is almost full without causing a flood in the bathroom, and fitting nicely inside without touching the sides! My children don't have to defend my honor by beating up a kid who called me fat but telling them thanks instead for saying I'm pretty! When tube socks and my breast look more like twins then me and my twin sister!! Finally having a body to match that "pretty face" everyone used to comment on!! Going to a doctors appointment and not being told I should take better care of myself.

...when your 11 year old son sees you ready to head out the door for work and exclaims, "Wow, Mom! You look sleek!" ...when your husband starts rubbing your tired, aching shoulders after a hard day and says, "There's nothing to rub! You're petite!" ...when you are grateful every single day for the incredible people on the March board who have helped you get to where you are because they absolutely understand where you've come from.

Your own nephew shakes your hand and says, "Nice to meet you." Because he hasn't seen you in 9 months and has no clue of who you are. You've got the energy to stay up until 3:00 am and then wake up at 6:00, bright eyed and bushy tailed, to go out and enjoy a glorious morning. You're not afraid of looking foolish when you go Salsa dancing for the first time. Actually, you don't care. Not only that, you're not dripping sweat and huffing when everyone else is. Connie

You can fit into a booth at a restaurant without asking for a table that has chairs because you can't fit into it. YEAH!! The Big thing is you look at someone that is overweight & say to your self wow he should hav surgery. How pathetic is that!! We were all there once. Marilyn, the Bearlady

You know you've had weight loss surgery when... You have eaten just one bite too many and rush to the bathroom NOT because you have an eating disorder but it just doesnt fit!!! (or is it?) hmmm... ...You start to feel part of the flying squirrel family. A couple scampers and a flap of the arms and I think we're off!!! ...You try a new exciting food and half an hour later you slip into a comma! (whew that heart thumping and the sleepiness is intense!) ...you can go to the movies and feel NORMAL! You can go to a restaurant and feel NORMAL AND have two meals instead of one! (doggie bags are a given)

When your barber lowers the chair......it hisses gently and slowly eases to the floor.....last year it was whooosh-bang and that sickening feeling that you've been in a helicopter crash!! (This one just dawned on me today during my haircut) When your idea of being corrupt is sneaking a (that's one) brownie from the pan and not emptying the whole pan! When the thought of having to sit in a booth at a restraunt doesn't make you break into a cold sweat! I'll stop now because I can go on with these all night and I need to get ready for work....... great idea Maureen!! Mike

When you do not need a seat belt extender on the plane or in the car. When you have room for your purse in the seat with you..not matter what the seat is... When you realize you cannot share your clothes anymore because you are smaller than the rest of your family and cannot give them away to them.

Yesterday I was being bad and buying some sugarfree Starbucks ice cream at the grocery store and the cashier said, "I bet you are one of those people who doesn't have to worry about their weight and never gains an ounce." I almost burst out laughing. I said, "One year ago I weighed 293 lbs. I am definitely not one of those folks!" She told me how small i was and I told her it was good old diet and exercise and this amazing surgery. RNY 3/14/04 293/140/133

You know you've had weight loss surgery when... all of what everyone has written & Your son says gee mom we can pass on the stairs at the same time instead of waiting for you to come up! Your other sons says Mom I didn't recognize you when you were in line at the store because your butt is so much smaller. Your size 4 daughter says Geesh your only a couple sizes away from me! Your doctor says you need to eat more have some pasta!!!!!! Your sink clogs from hair loss THAT ONE I DONT' LIKE! Your closet is totally empty of summer clothes because the summer before last you worn size 26/28 & then last summer a few months after sugery you worn a size 16/18 and now your wearing a size 10. OOOOOO i love to shop