The Happy Dance!

Lately things have been going very slowly, so I haven't had much to talk about.  But, the other day, I was trying to figure out what to wear to work and I tried on a blazer-type jacket someone had given me (she knew I would be lsoing weight and shared some of the clothes that had become too big for her).  It was a size 20 and not only fit but was big!  I haven't worn this size in almost 10 years!  I called my kids into the room and we did the "happy dance"!  I just had to share with everyone who might get frustrated with the slow progress they see on the scale.  Sometimes the progress shows up in other ways!  Laurie

That's awesome!  That's definitly something to be excited and celebrate!  I started fitting in size 20 recently and dont' recall when I was last that size as well.... so I know how joyful you are feeling!

I am sure we'll have many more wonderful little moments that will just brighten our day and make it feel like the person trapped inside is finally emerging :)

Laurie, Sounds like things are going good for you.  How much have you lost?  I've lost 40 since surgery and 51 since my highest weight before surgery.  I am down 2 sizes in clothes.  I have had a pretty easy time of it.  I have not thrown up at all and have only had the dumping syndrome a few times when I tried to eat too fast.  I attribute my good luck to my great surgeon.  I have also had a few stalls when I went for a week without losing anything but I would lose inches.  I hope you and your family have a Wonderful Holiday season and maybe we can meet up at a meeting after the Holiday's.   Susan

Susan, your experience sounds very much like mine.  I lost about 19 prior to surgery and have lost 44 since the surgery.  I have had no dumping and very little vomiting (vomiting occurs solely when I eat too fast -- I consider it mandatory behavior modification).  I have been worried because I didn't think I was losing as fast as I should be.  But now that I read your story and some others, it seems that I am pretty much on track.  I also worry that I have never dumped and have no problems with any foods (except bread, which I now know I cannot eat at all).  I know it sounds crazy that not having problems worries me but I somewhat hoped I would end up with lots of food aversions and also dumping so that I could lose faster (sick mind, huh?).  But I seem to be plugging along, little by little.  Looking back at my progress chart (which is on my profile) I can see that I only lost 9 lbs from 11/16 to 12/16 which seems like so little.  But when I step back and see the bigger picture, I can see that it is slow but steady progress and I am, in fact, moving in the right direction.  I realized --around the time I was doing the happy dance -- that I weigh less now than I have in about 10 years. which is just amazing.  I hold onto this and the changes in my clothing size when I don't see a drop on the scale for a few days or a week.  I'm hoping these motivations will keep me going through the holidays.  My goal is to be one of the few people around me who will actually lose weight over the holidays!  Susan, happy holidays to you and your family and I also hope we can meet after the holidays.  Laurie

Hi Laurie! That is such a nice story, im glad you are enjoying your journey, sorry i havent written to you in a few weeks, i missed the last 2 meeting too :( after the holidays ill get back on track! i can also squeeze into a size 20, i havent seen that size since i was 14yrs old! its very exciting!  keep in touch! have a great xmas if i dont talk to you sooner! Marlena

Marlena,    I have missed the last couple of meetings as well -- just too much going on this time of year!  But I absolutely plan to start going again after the holidays.  I like the meetings and always leave feeling encouraged and ready to face another week.  I hope you also have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and I look forward to seeing you in 2008!  (By the way, the size 20 is only on the top for me.  Below the waist, I'm a 22.  Not sure I'll ever lose the booty!  lol)  Laurie

congratulations...I am doing the happy dance with you!  I am not a size 20 yet...but have gone from a size 32 to a size 24...each and every day....when I jump out of bed in the morning after sleeping soundly through the night...I am reminded of the blessings this surgery has given me!  Happy Holidays!

What a great feeling to see that your life and your health have already changed so much for the better!  Congrats to you and happy holidays as well!  Laurie

Which Meeting to you guys go to?  The one for post-ops only or the post-op,/pre-op meeting?

I will go to either of them, just depends on whether I'm free that night.  I have to say, I've only been to one "post-op only" meeting and there weren't a lot of people there.  I enjoyed the pre/post op meeting better; more new faces and livelier conversation.  As I said, I've only been to one post op only meeting, though, so my view might be a little skewed.  When you plan on going, Susan, let me know and perhaps we can meet face to face!