Vacation Ponderings (long)
I recently returned home from the vacation of a LIFETIME, to ***** Cana, in the Dominican Republic.
I was too flipping busy having FUN to do too much pondering while I was there, but on the flight home and while looking at the pictures I have, many thoughts crossed my brain.
160 pounds heavier, I would never have even CONSIDERED going on such a vacation. Because that would have required a long plane ride (seat belt extender, anyone?), lots of swimsuit time (did you see the beached whale???), and too damn much walking for my ginormous body - ESPECIALLY in soft sand! Can you say..... SINK??? Can you say.... painful inner thigh rash???
Although really, I could float with the best of 'em, so I always had THAT going for me.
But here I am, closing in on 4 years post-WLS, and - I WENT. I held the seatbelt out to it's maximum length WITHOUT an extender, and marveled at the fact that pre-wls, I couldn't fit in that huge loop. Now, I had more than a FOOT of extra belt. 160 pounds ago, I could have squeezed my ass in a seat, but my hips would hurt and then my lower body would go numb from constriction. Let's not discuss where the hell to hold my arms for 5 hours, so that I wasn't intruding on the person next to me. And FUGEDABOUT using an airplane bathroom. No. Frickin'. Way.
At the resort, there was lots of walking - around the grounds, several trips up and down the beach, from shops, to restaurants, to the pool, to the bar, to the beach, to the pool, to the room, to the lobby.... NO PROBLEM. Even if one of us forgot something up in the room, I had NO PROBLEM making an extra trip up there (top floor, no elevators) to get it. 160 pounds ago, that would have made me miserable. Just make me invisible and let me float the week away in the pool.
We stayed at an all-inclusive. In my former life, that would have meant ALL YOU CAN EAT, ALL DAY - EVERY DAY!!! But the food, while wonderful, wasn't even CLOSE to the top of my list! Oh, I had fun trying things I've never had before - goat, plantain, guava
(THAT is some sour chit!!!) - I ate mussels, lobster, fish I've never heard of... But honestly? It wasn't a pig-out at ALL! I tasted, but didn't gorge on anything.
I made a white peasant skirt to wear as a cover-up over my swimsuit to hide my scrotum thighs, and I loved it! But it didn't take too long for me to leave it behind when just walking around the resort. I didn't feel at all like I was the flubberiest there. (Maybe I was, I mean my legs are pretty nasty, but I DIDN'T STRESS over it!) And if I had considered that I would be able to buy a wrap off one of the vendors and actually have it FIT, I might not have bothered with the skirt! But, I bought one anyway, just because I could (and because it looks FABULOUS!!!)
I danced non-stop. In the pool, in my chair at dinner, in the lobby, on the beach, at a disco - the music never stopped, and the men down there just LOVE an amazon woman! (I'm 5'11" - I'm pretty sure the average height for Dominican men is somewhere around 5'6"...)
We had to transfer from water taxi to bigger boats and back several times - 160 pounds ago, I would have skipped any excursions or boat rides, just to avoid that humiliation. But I popped between boats and/or climbed up ladders without a second thought - other than to be mildly amazed at how EASY it was for me! We went deep-sea fishing, and the opening to climb from the lower to the upper deck? Would NOT have fit through there before.
My smiler hurts, my body aches in places from so much activity and random clod-like moves. I have a few bruises, but more crazy happy memories than I could have ever imagined. It really, truly was the trip of a lifetime.
160 pounds ago, I wouldn't have even allowed myself to dream of going.
Thank GOD for WLS.
I was too flipping busy having FUN to do too much pondering while I was there, but on the flight home and while looking at the pictures I have, many thoughts crossed my brain.
160 pounds heavier, I would never have even CONSIDERED going on such a vacation. Because that would have required a long plane ride (seat belt extender, anyone?), lots of swimsuit time (did you see the beached whale???), and too damn much walking for my ginormous body - ESPECIALLY in soft sand! Can you say..... SINK??? Can you say.... painful inner thigh rash???
Although really, I could float with the best of 'em, so I always had THAT going for me.
But here I am, closing in on 4 years post-WLS, and - I WENT. I held the seatbelt out to it's maximum length WITHOUT an extender, and marveled at the fact that pre-wls, I couldn't fit in that huge loop. Now, I had more than a FOOT of extra belt. 160 pounds ago, I could have squeezed my ass in a seat, but my hips would hurt and then my lower body would go numb from constriction. Let's not discuss where the hell to hold my arms for 5 hours, so that I wasn't intruding on the person next to me. And FUGEDABOUT using an airplane bathroom. No. Frickin'. Way.
At the resort, there was lots of walking - around the grounds, several trips up and down the beach, from shops, to restaurants, to the pool, to the bar, to the beach, to the pool, to the room, to the lobby.... NO PROBLEM. Even if one of us forgot something up in the room, I had NO PROBLEM making an extra trip up there (top floor, no elevators) to get it. 160 pounds ago, that would have made me miserable. Just make me invisible and let me float the week away in the pool.
We stayed at an all-inclusive. In my former life, that would have meant ALL YOU CAN EAT, ALL DAY - EVERY DAY!!! But the food, while wonderful, wasn't even CLOSE to the top of my list! Oh, I had fun trying things I've never had before - goat, plantain, guava
(THAT is some sour chit!!!) - I ate mussels, lobster, fish I've never heard of... But honestly? It wasn't a pig-out at ALL! I tasted, but didn't gorge on anything. I made a white peasant skirt to wear as a cover-up over my swimsuit to hide my scrotum thighs, and I loved it! But it didn't take too long for me to leave it behind when just walking around the resort. I didn't feel at all like I was the flubberiest there. (Maybe I was, I mean my legs are pretty nasty, but I DIDN'T STRESS over it!) And if I had considered that I would be able to buy a wrap off one of the vendors and actually have it FIT, I might not have bothered with the skirt! But, I bought one anyway, just because I could (and because it looks FABULOUS!!!)
I danced non-stop. In the pool, in my chair at dinner, in the lobby, on the beach, at a disco - the music never stopped, and the men down there just LOVE an amazon woman! (I'm 5'11" - I'm pretty sure the average height for Dominican men is somewhere around 5'6"...)
We had to transfer from water taxi to bigger boats and back several times - 160 pounds ago, I would have skipped any excursions or boat rides, just to avoid that humiliation. But I popped between boats and/or climbed up ladders without a second thought - other than to be mildly amazed at how EASY it was for me! We went deep-sea fishing, and the opening to climb from the lower to the upper deck? Would NOT have fit through there before.
My smiler hurts, my body aches in places from so much activity and random clod-like moves. I have a few bruises, but more crazy happy memories than I could have ever imagined. It really, truly was the trip of a lifetime.
160 pounds ago, I wouldn't have even allowed myself to dream of going.
Thank GOD for WLS.
Imperfect does not = unsuccessful
Loved your post and could relate so much to it. I am 5 years post-op, and have experienced everything you so eloquently wrote about. Life is so much fun now, so much easier and not having to worry about certain things certainly lowers the stress levels. Although I was always an outgoing person and didn't let much stop me, once I lost 145 lbs., I could see the vast differences between pre and post WLS surgery. Your picture is wonderful and I wish you all the best.
Linda
Linda
Thank you, Linda - I was always pretty outgoing as well, didn't let my size keep me from doing much.... or so I thought. I guess I was fooling myself to some degree. I had as much fun as I COULD at that size - but losing a whole 'nuther person from my frame opened up doors I never realized were locked shut!
God Bless ~
God Bless ~
Imperfect does not = unsuccessful
So Happy for you sounded like you had a wonderful time. I had my surgery 2-24-11 so far lost 47#s feel great. Still a little immobile was before surgery last 3 years had a hard time walking but thats part of the reason for the surgery. I want to go places fit in an airplane seat, in a booth at a restaurant etc. so you are an encouragement in your posting about your vacation. I'm looking forward to mine! Cute picture my grandson loved the iguana! You look great and look Happy! Take Care, Debbie
Wow - I'm sorry your weight has caused such limitations in your life, but YAY YOU for taking charge, having this surgery and working towards a better, healthier life!
Just make a decision every morning that you are going to follow the rules to the BEST of your ability, and the weight will come off - The WOW moments will start to pile up before you know it, and you'll be enjoying things you previously dreaded!
Thanks for you kind words, and CONGRATS on your success thus far!!!
Just make a decision every morning that you are going to follow the rules to the BEST of your ability, and the weight will come off - The WOW moments will start to pile up before you know it, and you'll be enjoying things you previously dreaded!
Thanks for you kind words, and CONGRATS on your success thus far!!!
Imperfect does not = unsuccessful
Loved your post re vacation and, as it happens, wifey and I are booked into an all-inclusive in ***** Cana the end of April. (Barcelo Bavaro Palace Delux?) Any advice you would care to share about the DR, your travel tips or things you wish you had known before taking the trip? We're pretty experienced travellers, but anything you could share would be appreciated. I should be down about 115-lbs. when we go - I'm 4 mos. post VGS this week. Thanks. Pop-Pop
OMG!!! You are SOOOOOO going to love it! When we were there (2/27-3/6), it was about 84 everyday with 110% sunshine! The sky is so blue, the water such amazing shades of aqua and turqoise... the sand so white ~ I have a link to my pictures on my profile if you care to get a preview!
My #1 suggestion is to get in on an excursion to Saona Island if you can - we got a REALLY good price booking through Sun Country's website. Just be sure to call the outfit you book with to be sure they have you on their schedule to be picked up at your resort the morning of... There was some confusion on ours and we ended up having to takea taxi to hook up with the bus, but it was all good! An it was an AMAZING. DAY.
PM me if you have any specific questions - I don't know how many I can answer, but I can try!
YAY ***** CANA!!!
My #1 suggestion is to get in on an excursion to Saona Island if you can - we got a REALLY good price booking through Sun Country's website. Just be sure to call the outfit you book with to be sure they have you on their schedule to be picked up at your resort the morning of... There was some confusion on ours and we ended up having to takea taxi to hook up with the bus, but it was all good! An it was an AMAZING. DAY.
PM me if you have any specific questions - I don't know how many I can answer, but I can try!
YAY ***** CANA!!!
Imperfect does not = unsuccessful
Your post made me laugh because I can totally relate, I was the same way 140lbs ago. I did the same thing with the seat belt when I went to Las Vegas for the first time after my surgery, it was amazing I wasn't even touching the seat and had so much left over when when I was MO I was so squished in you couldn't have pried me out with a crane. The bathroom thing cracked me up too, I flew from LAX to Sydney AU as a MO person and in that 14 hour flight I only went to the bathroom once both ways because of obvious bathroom size fears. Although it isn't that bad on Qantas, Anyway you look spectacular and I am so thrilled for you that you had a blast. The pic is super cute and you have a infectious smile.
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