New here with questions

Hello all March 2006 re-borns, I had my surgery March 6th 2006 and I feel like this last year has been quite the roller coaster. I have went from a size 24 to a size 4 in levis and a 2 in dress pants. Does this seem drastic to anyone else or is it just me? Does anyone in your family try and talk you into eating things that you are not supposed to eat? I have not eaten sugar (AT ALL) since the 4th of March of 2006. I dont crave it and I dont want to start down that path again. I know too many people where I live who have had this surgery and they are putting their weight back on and they eat sugar even in small quantities. My dad is on my back all the time telling me I should eat this crap. How have all of you dealt with the issue of your incredibly shrinking body? I mean I used to be able to go into the plus size parts of stores and find something to fit. Now, I go into a store and MOST stores do not even carry a size 2 dress pant. I find the very frustrating. I ordered a pizza the other night for the kids from the local bar (of which I had a half a piece and that was my dinner), and I walked in to pick it up and I was treated like a piece of meat by the men in there. I am not used to this sort of attention and most of the time it ****** me off. I think to myself that these are the same people that a year ago would probably muttered that "the last thing she needs is a pizza". I am not complaining about the weight loss at all!!!!! I love it!!!!! I just wondered how all of you have dealt with the changes. Thanks, BRAT

Brat first off... a size 24 to a size 2 unbelievable!! thats an incredible accomplishment!! I too started around the same size and now am wearing 10 with a belt to keep them up (time to shop again!). I feel the same way as you about sugar, I haven't had it, dont want it and have seen people start eating that "one bite" of sugar and now eat much more than that and regained most, all or more of the weight back (lady at work had it done a couple years ago, even had a tummy tuck paid by insurance, last summer we had employee night at a baseball game and every time I saw her she was eating popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, ice cream.. the whole night.. needless to say she gained all plus more back). Its a scary thing, but its good you keep that you keep it in perspective and know it can come back or a bite of chocolate turns into more than that down the road. I'd listen to what people have to say, thank them for being concerned and move on with life.. So many people see me, ask me how much I've lost, what size I'm in, when am I going to stop losing, I'm too skinny as it is, etc etc etc.. i thank them for being concerned and let it go.. you had surgery to be healthy, as long as your doctor and nutritionist tell you that you're doing the right thing, then be proud of your results! good luck in the future! ps- maybe shopping in juniors will help! a friend of mine who had surgery last January finds juniors clothes fit better for her than misses, shes a size 4.

Stylz, this is OT...but how did your kidney stone test turn out yesterday?

thanks for asking Laura, the test was yesterday, but you know how it goes... up to 4 days for the doctor to get the results... so mid next week I'll know something. the test was easier than most of my pre-op stuff! lol just lay on your stomach, take a breath and then they take an x-ray. was out of there in 15 minutes

Brat, welcome to the March 2006 board and congratulations on your weight loss! How much have you lost? What was your starting BMI and your current BMI? (Just curious!). I can't comment on the frustration of not being able to find size 2s (I'm in a size 18...down from a 34 or 36). I think Stylz suggestion of shopping in the junior section (or at junior stores) is good. Thankfully my family and friends do not try to goad me into eating things I should not. What happens mostly with me is that people don't understand how/what I should eat. My mom is constantly inviting me over when she is making macaroni and cheese or goulash or french toast or potato soup or a host of other things I can't (or won't) eat. Sometimes when I go for dinner and there is little or nothing I can eat, she feels bad. I tell her not to worry...I'll get something to eat later. I enjoy their company even without eating. And it doesn't bother me to watch others eat! I've avoided sugar since surgery as well. If I have a sweet treat, it is artificially sweetened. I try not to make a habit of this, however, because sweets can be a trigger for me. My favorite sweet treat is cottage cheese with Splenda and cinnamon.

If I remember right, my starting BMI was 41. My current BMI is 20.6, I started off at 265 and I am now down to 139. I have lost 126. There arent really any foods that I avoid unless they contain added sugar or if they are fast food. I eat mac & cheese, and pasta. I even eat french toast. I just eat 1 piece and use spray butter and sugar free syrup. My mom is a diabetic, so she has all that sugar free stuff in the house. Actually both my parents are diabetics, but they dont eat like they should. I have never dumped, but I havent had anything that would have caused it either. I have taken advantage of shopping in the junior section for clothing, I just love their tops. Its the dress pants that I am having a hard time finding. All of the pants are VERY LOW and I am 5 ft 9 inches. I can get away with buying a regular or a tall in the missies dept., but definetely not a petite. Thanks, Brat 265/140/139

WOW Congrats! How much weight have you lost? I started at a 26/28 and am now a size 12 (-148lbs)... I'll never be a size 2, im 5'11" and large framed... even at under weight my body would probably still be at smallest an 8... I want to be 10-12... thats perfect for my build.... so I'll never have to worry about things been too big! I second the suggestion about the Juniors department... their sizes run small... so if you a size 2 you'd probably be a 3 or 5 in Juniors. Good for you on the sugar-- Ive allowed it back in to my life, and am trying to take control of how I use it. I never wanted to "never" eat anything again-- I want to learn to live as a regular person who eats things in moderation not deprivation. Right now things are back on track and Im doing good balancing things. I can't relate to the male attention either... Im not normally in any places where men might be like that... and I still have very warped self image, and doubt any man would be looking at me... despite looking like a normal woman for the first time in my life... and ive been told Im attractive... I don't know. I certainly don't feel that way.

I have a very warped self image as well. I cannot see the weight loss that others see because i went through it and saw the change. Other people tht havent seen me in a while are shocked, but I dont see what they see. My husband keeps calling me "hottie" and few other pet names, and he is worried about how the men respond when he is not with me, but he loves the looks I get when he is with me. he's like "Ya, thats mine" too funny. I guess its good though I didnt get all conceited, I dont think I will either, because I didnt do this for anyone but me. BRAT

Hi Brat! You are doing GREAT! I think people just get scared when they see you as a small person. To them it may seem so quickly and like it might not stop. They just don't really understand how the surgery works. Just keep doing what you're doing on kudos to you for not touching sugar!! I wish I would have waited longer before I gave in. Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately) I haven't had to deal with oogling. I'm just starting to be able to blend into the normal folks without feeling like I have a fat girl beacon over my head. I started out as a 9x and am a 24 now so I'm still big but it's nice to be able to be a bit invisable but still get smiles and eye contact from people. I'd probably make a smart ass comment to the drunks like "If you think that's how you get a woman it's no wonder you're sitting in here with a bunch of men!" Anyway, welcome aboard Brat. It feels really strange to call you that! --Lauren

Yes, I have had to deal with people sayibg "you arent going to lose anymore are you?' I just tell them I am not really sure where i am going to end up. I really hope that I dont lose any mor though. Congrats on your weight loss you are doing great too, that is quite an accomplishment. Dont worry about calling me a BRAT, Its been my name for years in my family.