What is the #1 thing you can not wait for after surgery?

There is so much that I am looking forward to, but my #1 would be to run around with my daughter and not 1) be out of breath 2) have my ankles feel like they are going to break 3) feel like I am going to die from a heart attack. The day that I can do that I will be a fullfilled women! Carrie

A date *hehe* Let's see - what else? I'd like to be able to buy slinky heels & wear them more than three steps without my feet hurting. I'd like to be able to go places with people and worry that I won't fit into the chairs/booths. I'd like hecklers to pick something new to heckle me about other than my weight/how my clothes fit. I'd like to be able to meet people (men!) online, and not worry that they'll be disappointed when they see me. I like to actually be able to WEAR some of the cute clothes I see, not because they wouldn't look good on me now, but because the designers don't MAKE them in my size. I want to own SOMETHING other than perfume from Victoria's secret that I can actually use. I'd like to be able to take long walks through the park with a lover and a dog, and not need to rest on every bench and tree stump. I'd like to be able to sleep, and not have to wake up to turnover because my arm has gone to sleep. I'd like to be able to go to the in a public place, and not need to use the disabled stall just to have enough maneuvering room to wipe my behind. I'd like my waist back. I had one before gallbladder surgery. My hourglass had two cups of sugar, not one, but I *did* have one. Then somewhere between being blown up for lap surgery, and turning 30, I turned into an Oompa Loompa. I'd like to wear a long long underwire bra that doesn't roll up at the bottom because my waist is bigger than my boobs. (It's like the female equivalent of a dickie-do - when the stomach sticks out farther than his dickie do.) Did I mention rollercoasters? I love rollercoasters, but no longer feel safe with the bar across my middle because I lift about 8 inches off the seat. It could come down farther if I weighed less, and protect me better.

You are so funny! I really enjoy reading your posts. I totally agree with you about the bra thing, I hate that I have to have the equivilent of rug burns under the girls from my bra. I hope that someday my skin will go back to a normal color.

oh boy what a great question i have a couple of things all of them rank up in the number one spot I want to take my granddaughter bike riding I would like to be able to go on an airplane, i won't so long as i am fat. I would love to go out to eat alone, and not feel like everyone is looking at me and my plate. I want to be able to shop someplace that after the company logo it isn't followed by "we carry size's 14-32" I want to buy a ring and not have to have it resized. I want my very messed up knees to not hurt so bad I want to be able to fit in a chair that has arms on it. I would like my diabetes to be in better shape I want to be able to buy clothes and not pay 2.00 more because it is a larger size. I would like a pair of thong panties to not get lost I want to learn to tap dance I want to buy a vespa.... they won't hold my weight without the tires popping I would like to buy shoes that are not 10WW i could live with 10W maybe a new pair of shoes that isn't from a specialty store that sells only wide with I would like to lay on my back and not feel like i am smothering to death They keep telling me there are bones in my butt....i have yet to find them I would like to eat like a bird and not feel like i am starving to death. I want to return to college, and fit in the normal desk not the disabled one I wear scrubs for a living and i would like to find a cute pair that fits and not have to get mens pants and hem them up well, i think the list could go on and on. but those are just some of the things on my list for when i am at goal... Debbie

I can't pick just one so here is a few... Things I will NOT miss after WAS: My butt shelf Holing my breath to paint my toes Big floral print clothes and below the knee length skirts Knee pain Foot pain Back Pain Peeing my pants when I laugh, cough or sneeze Being winded after cleaning one room Being winded after walking 2 blocks (if that far!) Being winded after walking 2 flights of stairs (if that much!) Being told I look good "for my weight" Being grossed out at the sight of my own full body in a mirror Holding up my fat to shave my bikini line Felling like people are watching and judging every bite of food I take Focusing so mush time and energy on food Not fitting in my tub Being able to only shop in certain stores or certain sections of stores Feeling like a blob Feeling as if I don't deserve good things The rashes under my fat and my boobs *whew* Erin T-minus 15 days **Today is the LAST day before I start my PreOp diet**

Oh my...I got such a kick out of reading the other posts!!! They are all sooo true...and some things I never thought about that will be changing. How nice it will be to not have to hold my breath to paint my toe nails!! I think we are going to be amazed after surgery at all the crap we have been dealing with because of our weight. I also don't think I can limit myself to one thing, but without repeating the others: I want to be a good role model for my kids. They are chubby at 5 and 8 years old. I don't want them to be where I am now...EVER!! I want to buy a bicycle and be able to ride with my kids!! I want to sign up for soccer coach. I want to do more with my good friend...she walks, hikes, bikes, does pilates...OMG, can you even imagine trying to balance?!?! I want to learn how to enjoy family gatherings without them always being about what food is going to be served. I want to go grocery shopping without spending so much money. I want to walk around with my 18 year old who is 5'8" and weighs 120lbs and people actually believe that I could be her mother. I am taking this semester off of college...When I go back next spring, I want to be able to not have to squeeze myself into a desk and have my boobs get in the way of my notebook. I want to sit in a resturant booth instead of having to ask for a table so I can pull the chair out far enough. I want to fit into that sexy red leather boostierre (spelling?) that I bought a long time ago and enjoyed wearing so much!!! WOW...I want a lot!!! It is still hard to believe that I will finally be able to make all my dreams come true in less than a year from now!!! Smile!!! Donna

Oh my...I got such a kick out of reading the other posts!!! They are all sooo true...and some things I never thought about that will be changing. How nice it will be to not have to hold my breath to paint my toe nails!! I think we are going to be amazed after surgery at all the crap we have been dealing with because of our weight. I also don't think I can limit myself to one thing, but without repeating the others: I want to be a good role model for my kids. They are chubby at 5 and 8 years old. I don't want them to be where I am now...EVER!! I want to buy a bicycle and be able to ride with my kids!! I want to sign up for soccer coach. I want to do more with my good friend...she walks, hikes, bikes, does pilates...OMG, can you even imagine trying to balance?!?! I want to learn how to enjoy family gatherings without them always being about what food is going to be served. I want to go grocery shopping without spending so much money. I want to walk around with my 18 year old who is 5'8" and weighs 120lbs and people actually believe that I could be her mother. I am taking this semester off of college...When I go back next spring, I want to be able to not have to squeeze myself into a desk and have my boobs get in the way of my notebook. I want to sit in a resturant booth instead of having to ask for a table so I can pull the chair out far enough. I want to fit into that sexy red leather boostierre (spelling?) that I bought a long time ago and enjoyed wearing so much!!! WOW...I want a lot!!! It is still hard to believe that I will finally be able to make all my dreams come true in less than a year from now!!! Smile!!! Donna

DEAR DONNA , I JUST READ YOUR LIST OF "I WANT" I WENT OUT TO DINNER LAST NIGHT WITH MY FAMILY FOR MY BIRTHDAY. MY DAUGHTER HAD ASKED FOR A TABLE.LUCKY US WE GOT A BOOTH. ALL 7 OF US! I PRAYED AND SQUEEZED IN. AS I WAS SITTING THERE I LEANED OVER TO MY DAUGHTER AND SAID NEXT BIRTHDAY I'LL FIT. THE NEXT THING I SAW WAS THIS LADY THAT WAS BIGGER THEN ME TRYING TO GET IN THE BOOTH. I WANTED TO CRY FOR HER. SHE LOOKED SOO UNCOMFORTABLE. BUT THAT IS FIRST ON MY LIST, WHEN SOMEONE MAKES A SUGGESTION WHERE TO GO MY FIRST WORRY WON'T BE IF I'LL FIT. MY SURGERY DATE IS SEPT 7TH. I'M PETRIFIED BUT I CAN'T WAIT EITHER. SUCH A RIDE!!!!!! GOOD LUCK AND THANKS FOR THE RECIPESTOO. HUGS,JOYCE

I know what you mean. I'm waiting for the day when I *can* worry that I'll fit, rather than being absolutely certain I won't.

Joyce, I have seen the same thing in a resturant. The funny thing was that 50lbs ago I looked at people like me and commented on how sad that woman was. Now here I am.....I guess life could be worse...but then again, it already is. Good Luck to you on your surgery...hopefully I will hear from you before I sign off for mine on the 19th. I am excited and scared at the same time, too....feels almost like menopause!! LOL Smile, Donna