Question:
What wonderful things have you noticed sinced having WLS?
I thought it would be fun (and very affirming) for any post-ops to write in with what they have noticed about themselves and their bodies since surgery - no matter how little or insignificaant it may seem to other people. It would tell any of us who are anticipating the surgery just what they have to look forward to! I'll start off. I move better through crowds, people sit next to me on public transportation because they have more space, I have more energy, I no longer take diabetes or high blood pressure meds, I am now under the weight limit to go horseback riding again, I have changed my wardrobe already, I got a new bathing suit 2 sizes smaller than my last one, my joints don't creak, I got rid of the clothes I had hated wearing but had no choice because I couldn't find anything else to fit me, I have to get new eye glasses because my current frames are horrendously big for my new slim face, I now see the resemblance that I have for my mother - I had NEVER associated myself with her looks before, people don't recognize me based on my size, I don't feel self-conscious on elevators, my thin friends eat more than I do, I don't sleep with my CPAP machine any more, I fit in the bathtub comfortably and no longer think of myself as a beached whale when I'm naked, I can eat a small port of something and feel totally satisfied, my bra size has gone from a G to a D, my chest "shelf" is going away, leaning over a sink is easier because my tummy doesn't take all the space, I "seem" taller, my behind is no longer an additional body appendage, my high school rings fits again, necklaces hang much lower around my neck, I have a much better chance at having healthy uncomplicated pregnancies, I can be there for my kids and play soccer with them (when I have them:)), I have control over my eating, I can actually hold a baby on my lap, I had to move my driver's seat up a notch, I can fit much more comfortably in retaurant booths, etc, etc, etc, etc. What have you noticed??? Hugs and warm thoughts. 4 months post op and 76 pounds gone! — Paula G. (posted on September 18, 2000)
September 18, 2000
All of the wonderful changes since wls? This could take some time! I can
walk up steps normally ( not one at a time like a little child). I can take
my dog for long walks and actually RUN sometimes! Going to the basement to
do laundry is no longer seems like such a chore! I wear a smaller shoe
size and no more wide widths. I've given away all of my
"fat"clothes because I know I will never need them again. I am
wearing clothes in the "teens"and I can't remember the last time
I wore anything less than a 20. My husband says he can stand up straighter
when we dance together! I don't feel like people are staring at me when I
go shopping. I've thrown away all of my Lane Bryant catalogs! I have to
use a cushion when I sit on bleachers because my bones have lost their
natural padding! I've discovered my ribcage again! My wedding rings are no
longer too tight. I only weigh 25 pounds more than my 21 year old
daughter. I no longer take anti-depressants. I can cross my legs when I
sit down. I can go swimming and not wear my cover-up the entire time. My
ankles and knees don't hurt all the time. I sleep like a rock and actually
LIKE waking up in the morning. Every new day is a blessing and when I say
my prayers, I thank God for this surgery. WLS has given me back my life.
I am almost 5 months out of surgery and down 83 pounds. Barbara Trapp
— Barbara T.
September 18, 2000
Paula, what a fabulous question! I'm going to share my experiences as a
newbie: My jeans don't cut off my circulation anymore, I can tuck my legs
up under me when I'm wearing them, my pleated pants have pleats again and
are longer, my butt doesn't hit the side of the chair while I'm sitting at
the computer, my knees have quit hurting everytime I get up and down from a
chair, the pain in my foot has gone away, my hip doesn't hurt, I can do the
mall for several hours instead of one, I quit drinking diet soda and saving
money, I'm saving money on junk food and fast food, my children are getting
healthier because of our new diet, I no longer have upset stomachs,
constipation, gas or 5 BMs a day because from eating a whole lot of the
wrong things, chocolate is no longer an obsession, I can take a bite of
something and be satisfied, my doctor told me I was going to be 'a fox'!,
my seatbelt needs adjusting (it's stuck in the 43 BMI position), I can wear
the $12 Lee Jeans I bought on sale 2 years ago for the first time and
breathe, I can ride out plateaus without feeling like I'm defeating myself
and binging, I have joy, hope and optimism, my dress socks no longer roll
down to the ankles, my panty hose aren't tight anymore, my panties go up to
my waist rather than roll under my apron, I've developed a craving for
fruits and veggies, I can't tolerate deep fried fatty foods, pizza is yucky
now, no more wedgies, I'm drinking lots of water and taking vitamins, my
skin is glowing and my hair is shiny, my nails are stronger, I can stretch
two meals out of one, I'm exercising daily and feeling good rather than
exhausted, and I'm looking for a new job, so my confidence is through the
roof...all this and I'm only 8 weeks out and down 35.5 pounds. And it only
gets better from here!
— Allie B.
September 18, 2000
This surgery was a God sent. I actually have my life back. I thank and
praise God for the skilled surgeon Dr. Yates who did such a fantastic job.
I can go up and down the stairs without breathing hard. I can even walk
pretty fast with my friends without getting winded. Everytime I go to the
store I seem to lose a size in clothing. I went from a size 26/28 to an 18
and the 18's are lose. I am able to do more activities with my children. I
am back in school to earn another degree in computer sciences. My self
esteem has sky rocketed. When people see me they can't believe how much
weight I've lost. People treat me differently. Better is a great word for
it. I look as I feel. I look good so I feel good about myself. I smile
more. I am happy, happy, happy. Even though I am going through a divorce,
I am still happy. I am learning to let go a lot of anger. I am becoming
more focus on my future and what I want for myself. I have put a lot of
people on my job and my childrens on diets LOL because they see me losing
weight and they don't want me to catch up with them in size. I can't wait
to go to see my brother in november he and my sisters are going to flip. I
always was the biggest in my family. I never wore my sisters hand me downs.
I use to have to wear my mothers clothes to school. Now that we are olders
my sisters and my brother has gained alot of weight. My brother use to call
me bertha butt one of the butt sisters. I use to cry all the time. I have
come a long ways and still have a long way to go. BUT I AM GOING TO MAKE
IT. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!
— Sharon T.
September 18, 2000
Where to start! I was at my daughters back to school night and saw a
friend I haven't seen in a few months, she said I looked small and
youthful! YAHOO! I can bend over and paint my toenails, instead of paying
for it to be done. I can start my yard work and finish it in one day. (my
yard has never looked so good!) going up and down my basement stairs is no
problem. Running after my 3 year old is no problem anymore. I can finally
look in the mirror and see ME, and be happy. The bedroom life has much
improved, Hubby is happy about that! LOL I am also getting looks from
other men. I don't feel like I have to Make myself up any more just to be
looked at. I GET RESPECT, and thats the best.
— AnnMarie W.
September 18, 2000
Oh, Paula, I like this question! I just noticed this afternoon that my
toes are skinny! My ankles and feet and calves are not swollen like they
were. My knees don't hurt any longer. I can sit with my legs crossed,
bend over to tie my shoes, squat to get something out of a bottom drawer
then stand up, reach around to scratch my own back, sleep laying down, and
get up on my own. I can sit in any chair, and even on the floor! I can
drive without being crushed by the steering wheel, get out of the car
without hoisting myself up, stand on my feet for an 8 hour shift if I need
to without wanting to cut off my feet, and walk for miles without huffing
and puffing. I stay awake all day! I can drive for hours without needing
to stop and sleep. I wake up in the morning rested. I sleep without that
blasted CPAP machine! I wear clothes that can be bought in any store, not
in the Omar and Company Catalog. I don't have hypoglycemic episodes,
hypertension, ehadaches, or the chronic hives I had learned to live with
for so many years. I don't worry about food, sometimes I don't even think
about it. I'm not embarassed top go out in public in a bathing suit, where
before I was embarassed to go out in a winter coat. I don't have to worry
about embarassing my family. I don't see the pity and disgust in people's
eyes when they look at me. My husband chases me around all the
time.....LOL....it gives me extra exercise! And, the best thing of all is
that my daughter can put her arms all the way around me when she hugs me.
What a great feeling! Thanks for reminding me to count my blessings today
Paula!
— Jaye C.
September 18, 2000
GREAT question: Well, first and foremost is the reversal of my
Co-morbidities.. I'm no longer diabetic, hypertensive, no longer in
congestive heart failure, have not had any asthma attacks, pneumonia or
pleurisy episodes, arthritis seems somewhat better.. I can walk up stairs
without huffing and puffing or have urinary incontinence. I no longer
have the use that DREADED CPAP machine and no longer snore.. Now, let's
talk about the things I can do now.. Sit at any booth or chair I want too
without worry about fitting into it... Matter of fact every time I sit
down, that though crosses my mind and I smile. It's a constant
reinforcement benefit... I now find the mirror my friend.. I used to
hate to even pass a mirror or see my refection in windows.. I can
cross my legs with easy and wear those sexy stilettos.. I can drive very
comfortable now without the steering wheel rubbing against my abdomen..
Matter of fact I have had to adjust the seat way forward now.. I can
go into any mall or store now and NOT have to hunt down PLUS size
clothing .. I'm riding bikes, dancing, swimming, jogging, walking and the
most important part of that is.. BECAUSE I want too!!! NOT because I need
too or have too.. another thing my kids noticed more than I did.. was
I'm not on the computer as much... I now check my mail and answer it
just once a day.. and catch up reading posts twice a week. That is a
BIG improvment.. I found the more weight I lost the more in touch with
the outdoors and away from the self imposed confines of my home.
Someone once mentioned here on AMOS that when they looked at my PIC
Journal it showed them how the pain and depression, because of the
obesity, was leaving my face month by month.... THAT is so true I never
looked at those PICS that way.. I do now..... It was like I regained
my spirit, dignity and confidence. WLS was a success for me..and I thank
God every day for it..
— Victoria B.
September 18, 2000
I have knees! Have not seen them in years. I feel like
life is worth living. I have much to offer the world and
now feel like I can do anything I set my mind on doing. It is nice to be
able to walk and talk at the same time not gasping for breath after half a
block. I can go into Walmart and buy something to fit me besides socks. I
can go into a public restroom and not have to use the handicapp stall
because I could not get into the others and close the door. 13 weeks post
op 78 pounds gone forever.
— Rebecca D.
September 18, 2000
My loving husband told me that the riding lawnmower looks so much bigger
now. Hmmmm. . . get it?
— Cindy H.
September 18, 2000
Wow, where to begin?! No more blood pressure medication. No more inhaler.
My husband and I walked TWO MILES the other day (before surgery I could
barely walk from one room to the other without gasping for breath). My
house is cleaner. I can feel my xiphoid process, collarbone and ribs. I
have about 5 inches between my belly and the steering wheel now (before
surgery my belly touched it). My husband and I can do some really fun
things in the shower together now! My 5X sweat jacket, which used to fit
just right, makes me look like a drowned rat. Even with the increased
cost of vitamins and supplements I'm saving a FORTUNE in junk food and fast
food (ex: used to buy at least a couple of half gallons of ice cream a week
at $4.50 each, plus hot fudge topping at $2 each!). I went to a town fair
the other day and went on the Tilt-O-Whirl...I can't remember the last time
I laughed so hard! I still have a long way to go (100-150 lbs) but this
first 91 has made a big difference. This surgery saved my life.
— Kellie L.
September 19, 2000
First thing, as Victoria B. stated earlier, my co-morbidities
are slowly leaving! My knees don't feel like a ton of wt is being
placed on them each time I walk. I still have problems w/ my right
knee but I think w/ time and cortisone injections that it will get
better (along w/ more wt loss). My 2 herniated discs that I had prior
to surgery aren't as severe as they were pre-op. I can walk now. Prior
to surgery I couldn't walk more than a few minutes w/o having to sit down
due to pain in my back, hips, knees, etc. I have had problems post op so I
am a little behind physically than others that had their surgeries when I
did.
I am just starting to walk as I ended up w/ vertigo 2 wks post op. I can
bend over
and tie my shoes w/o being humiliated w/ having to ask someone else to tie
them for me!
I can cut my own toe nails which is a big feat. My arthritis isn't half as
bad as it used
to be pre-op. I don't have to be afraid of breaking the bed when I get in
it anymore. I am
starting to be able to buy lower priced clothing as my size goes down.
(from size 28/30 to size
18/20 now) since surgery on July 18, 2000. I have lost 30 lbs 2 mo prior to
surgery and 54 lbs since
surgery. That's a total of EIGHTY FOUR LBS that my body does not have to
carry around!!! I am getting
positive, admiring looks from others, now. I don't have to look in the
mirror anymore and see a woman
that looks like she could be a football player. My face isn't big, fat and
puffy. It has bones that can be
seen, now! I don't have to drive w/ the seat in the last notch anymore. My
seat belt fits LOTS BETTER.
I can wear all the old "too small" clothing I had put away in the
closets long ago. I have hope for my future.
A future where almost anything is possible if I "play my cards
right." Before, there was no future to look forward
to except one of pain and frustration. I take less antidepressant meds now
due to the wt loss I don't need as much.
I am not on all the med's for pain, anymore. As I said, I am not as far
along physically as others that had
surgery when I did due to problems post-op but I am coming along!! All this
is only after TWO MONTHS being post-op.
Imagine what the future holds??!! Even plateaus don't make me scared
anymore. I know I will keep coming along w/ time
and doing what I need to do to get the wt off. I know wls is no easy
answer. I know it requires committment and self discipline.
I am willing to do it. I have a great tool to help me. I also found AMOS as
a result of wls.
— kathy S.
September 19, 2000
Oh, Paula ... what a question! EVERYTHING'S different. my mood. My
outlook on life. I actually LOOK FORWARD to things. People don't
recognize me. My clothes don't fit. I don't snore. I don't get winded
tying my shoes. I'm one size away from "regular" sized clothes.
My feet are smaller, and I don't need wide-width shoes. My rings are
getting too big. I'm not embarrassed to be seen in public. I've given up
elastic waists as a lifestyle. I have energy. I can participate in things
I wouldn't have dreamed of before -- like hiking, helping out with my son's
soccer team's bingo night (I could fit between the rows of tables!!),
swimming, dancing, etc., etc. I have confidence. I care about whether my
hair's done and my makeup's on right. I don't dread going shopping. I hop
willingly on the scale at my doctor's office. Life is sweet, sweet, sweet
-- I wish I'd done this ten years instead of five months ago (90# gone
forever). It just keeps getting better and better and better.
— Cheryl Denomy
September 19, 2000
Paula,
What a great thing to think about! Thanks for posting it- I
am going through a bit of a plateau and need a boost and thinking
of this really helped! Where to start?? Went to Great America
2 weeks ago and rode EVERY single roller coaster with my
daughter (last year I didn't fit into any of the seats), some
more than once and most in the front seat! I don't get tired at soccer
tournaments watching my kids play all day (and refereeing
games too!)- I even stand and watch every game instead of sitting!
Our family played a game of volley ball in the back yard and
I played too, for the first time in years! I walk every night
1-3 miles (depending on time) with my husband. I ride
bikes with the kids and play soccer (this weekend I was
doing a shoot out with my son before his game and BEAT him!)
I lift weights 3 times a week ( my daughter says I am getting buff)
Her soccer teammates (13 year olds) are telling me how great I
look. AND, I am no longer hiding behind the drug of food-
I am finding out WHO I am, what I like (and DON"T like),
and what I am all about. All the physical things are great,
but the emotional and spiritual changes are the ones that are
going to keep the weight off. It hasn't always been easy, but it
definitely has been WORTH IT! Thanks again for this post!
RNY 1-19-00 down 93+ lbs.
— M B.
March 14, 2001
I was feeling kind of depressed today when I came across this question. It
made me feel so much better as I read through people's experiences and
found that I could relate to so many of them. I had surgery on 12/18/00 and
am currently 3 months post-op. I cannot believe the changes already. I have
gone from a size 24/26 to a size 16 and I am starting to squeeze into 14's.
I'm a teacher and took my class to the auditorium for an assembly the other
day and was distressed because I had to sit in the tiny little auditorium
seats. Much to my surprise I sat down and had plenty of excess room on
either side of me. For a minute I thought they had made the seats wider
then realized just how big my bottom must have been and how much smaller it
must be now. I find that I am constantly crossing my legs, my rings and
bracelets are huge on me now, my shoes are too big, and when I wrap a towel
around me after getting out of the shower, it actually goes all the way
around me. I am not sure, but I think I may be getting some looks from men
now, as well. I have never even had the courage to date, so I have no idea
if a guy is interested in me or not, but sometimes I feel like men may be
looking at me, and I think it is appreciatively. The other night I was
laying down feeling my flat stomach and I actually ran across my xiphoid
process and ribs. I had forgotten those even existed. I have to admit that
my favorite part of this whole process, so far, has been fitting into all
the old clothes that I that I would never wear again. It is such a thrill
to squeeze into a new size, then put it away in my closet or give it away
after a few weeks because it has become to big already. I just can't seem
to get over the excitement of the clothes. I praise God that he has allowed
me to be problem free so far and that the surgery is actually working. We
sometimes forget to count our blessings. Thanks for perking me up today
with your great topic!!!
— Cassie O.
March 14, 2001
Wow..I haven't had my surgery yet..(April 10th is the big day)but I'm
reading all these different post and getting even more excited about my
decision to have WLS!! I know what it's like to be thin..and believe me..I
look back now and realize how much I took for granted...just the little
things I used to be able to do...going to the pool..or riding that
rollercoaster without squeezing into the seat..being more active and not
feeling winded all the time..just enjoying life, period!! I will soon be
given that second chance to do all those things and more. I'm soooooo
excited I can't stand the wait. I wish it were here and now and I could be
on the other side..but just knowing that it's soon keeps me motivated..I'm
really going to lose the weight this time!!! YIPPIE!!!!! My head has been
in the clouds for weeks now...and the closer I get to S-Day the more I
float on cloud 9!! Thanks for all the wonderful post...I now know what I
have to look forward to!!!! Take care and god bless all of you!! Anyone
out there doubting your decision to have WLS...I say DON'T...and GO FOR
IT!!! :-)
— Sherry B.
March 14, 2001
I noticed that when I went shopping last night I never even went near the
"plus size" department! That felt SOOOOOO good!!!
— georgiacarol
March 14, 2001
I dont recognize myself in the mirror! My roommate and I went out to eat
the other day and I was walking towards him and HE did NOT recognize me!
That is kewl...really kewl!
— Linda R.
May 2, 2001
I posted an answer to this great question awhile back, but I wanted to post
again with updated information. I weighed in on Monday and found that I had
lost 92 pounds bringing me down to 203 in 4 1/2 months. I was so thrilled
that I am just on the verge of the 100's!! Anyhow, I was also so excited to
try on my old snowboarding clothes and I found that I was swimming in them.
This means that I can snowboard again and be an active person again without
excuse. I also paid off my Lane Bryant card and cancelled it. Why do I need
it anymore when all their clothes are too big now :)
— Cassie O.
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