Reaping the benefits....

Just thought that I would share some of the 'benefits' of this surgery that I have experienced this week. I'm really just bragging, but it is great and I really want ALL OF YOU TO BRAG TOO!!! 1. First - and most exciting - I shopped at a regular-size store today!!!! Woo hoo! Even though I had to buy the biggest size, I don't care because it WASN'T Lane Bryant or Avenue for the first time in years!! I bought a bunch of nice summer clothes in regular ladies sizes at Forth and Towne. (If anyone has a F&T near them - go! Go now! They are going out of business in June and everything is 50% off. Really nice clothes. They carry Gap jeans and I bought several of the same pair in different sizes because they were under $10 each, I'm set for the next 100 lbs!!) I have loved the clothes at this store since they opened - everytime I went in there to help a friend pick something because nothing fit. Today it was all for me!!!! Yeah!!!!! 2. My boss said to me last week, "You know, you're looking alot smaller lately" (nobody but my family knows that I had the surgery so I had to tell him that it must be all the protein shakes I've been drinking ) 3. I met an old co-worker for lunch and she raved about how I look younger and what am I doing. Again, it must be those protein shakes. 4. Tonight my sister-in-law told me that I "look like I'm about 1/4 of the size I was before" (totally not true!! but I love her exuberance!!) 5. And finally I had to retire the pants I wore today because they kept falling off my butt. Aggravating and slightly embarrassing - yes - but I don't mind at all. I only lost 2lbs this week, but I have to say still a great week overall!! Please share your stories. Looking forward to hearing them

Great post Jessica. I can't wait til I can shop in a "regular" store. Where in Chicago do you live? I am in Geneva. -Susan

I am in Chicago proper on the Northwest side near Portage Park (NW of Wrigleyville). Where did you have your surgery done? I was at Northwestern Memorial downtown. It was a really great experience all around. I love my whole medical team.

Well all your post was great.....I bet you are feeling great....Keep it up..

I'm game! 1. I'm off both my diabetes and hypertension meds. No more shots, and the only pills I pop are Flintstone chewables. Mission accomplished. Surgery a success. 2. The boss told me to order new uniforms at work last week. He said I was showing too much cleavage. The plumbers were getting jealous, and he was afraid I was going to end up on the cover of "Hip-hop" magazine. 3. My wife can get her arms around me when she hugs me... and that is just the tip of the iceberg in the romance department. 4. I get out of bed in the morning looking forward to living life- not just getting through the day. Thanks Jessica, I needed that. DD

Those are great Dave!!! COME ON PEOPLE - I WANT TO HEAR MORE BRAGGING!!!! YOU KNOW YOU HAVE SOMETHING, SO ADD IT!!!!!!!!!!

I tried on the bridesmaid dress I'm wearing on the 9th. The top (bust) part of it is absolutely huge, wish the waist and hip part was too, but I'm not gonna complain. So i have to take it to the seamstress next weekend to get it taken, and hemmed like about a foot (I'm 5'1" and the dress is made for someone 5'11"). Other than that, I haven't really noticed my clothes changing too much other than my work shirts are getting longer and looser.

My co-workers have all said I look 10 years younger, and I'm always catching them looking at me with amazement when I pass by. Comments like "great, now I'll have to hit the gym before you pass me by" are common! My work clothes (khakis and Clinic Polo) are literally just hanging off of me - time to order new shirts! I sat in some chairs at my doctor's office that used to be a little too snug, and they fit better! I notice that folding chairs are a lot harder than they used to be (ouch). Great changes - oh, and my feet, knees and hips don't hurt anymore after work - just the muscles I haven't used in a while! Keep it going gang - we can be the biggest group of losers this site has ever seen!

OK, this is good timing, because today I'm feeling frustrated and a little down. Let's see, there really are a lot of things to brag about: 1. I have enough energy now to work out at a gym! Before, I could barely get through the day and just counted the hours until bedtime. 2. I've gone down 4 sizes in pants and 3 sizes in shirts. 3. A guy opened a door for me yesterday and gave me the once-over! I felt so hot! 4. I can clean my house without needing to sit down every 5 minutes. 5. My foot pain and back pain is nearly gone. 6. This might be TMI, but before, just taking a shower was an ordeal. It took forever, because I couldn't reach everything very well, and I was paranoid about not getting clean, and I'd get tired just from standing up that long. Now, I'm in and out in a snap and I can reach everything with no trouble. 7. I'm way more limber now-the boyfriend greatly appreciates it. 'Nuff said. 8. When I walk down the street I no longer feel invisible. I am making eye contact and feeling great about myself. 9. Last weekend I was able to chase my 3-year old nephew down the street when he took off on his bike. I did it without even thinking about it! 10. I can pick something up off the floor without cutting off my circulation or fainting. Really, I could probably think of 10 more things. It's just amazing how much my life has improved in less than 2 months. Thanks for suggesting that we do this-I'm feeling better already! Lisa

1.I saddled my horse up for a ride (the first since surgery) and noticed that there was a lot more room in the saddle. My thighs used to be wedged and now have a 1" gap. The saddle horn is a whole lot further from my belly. ( I also think my horse is very thankful Mom is losing weight!). 2. I love reaching to the back of the closet for those clothes I haven't worn in a long while. 3. How bout being able to reach my toenails to cut them without contorting into Circ De Soleil positions. 4. Having more energy. I am still building my stamina back up but I notice I enjoy spending more time outside and feel reluctant to come back inside.