Question:
What makes you smile?
From time to time one of us post ops or pre ops asks a question that we all enjoy answering. I just read a question from a nice lady who was suffering from "Sinking Heart Syndrome" and it made me think that we need to inject a little humor here to make everyone feel good about WLS. So, I wanted to ask this question - What makes you smile since WLS? Can you tell us a funny experience or an uplifting experience or even a special milestone? I think it would be a feel good experience for all of us. THANKS! — ronascott (posted on September 17, 2002)
September 17, 2002
What makes me smile,
1.Is to know that I no longer live to eat, but rather eat to live.
2. To able to cross my legs, without allot of strain.
3. To able to say (my clothes don't fit) not becuase I've grown OUT of
them, but rather they are too big !!!
4. My major milestone, was to be able to put on my husband's shorts......
and acutally fit into them.....I've never done this ever before.
5. To finally once again feel like I have control of my future, and finally
enjoy living.
— tannedtigress
September 17, 2002
I had one this morning. I went for my yearly exam this morning and when the
nurse took my pulse it was 76!!!!! I have NEVER in my memory had my pulse
below 100. I was literally speechless and stuttering. LOL I also smile when
I get those spam emails saying "lose weight quick!" cuz I no
longer need to! =)
— ctyst
September 17, 2002
I moved the driver's seat up closer to the steering wheel!
— Renee C.
September 17, 2002
About a month ago i had my shoes off and came to sit on the couch and didnt
even think about it, I was sitting indian style on the couch. It took me a
few minutes to figure out what was different. Then my 16 yr old daughter
came home and said, Mom I have never seen you sit like that. MADE MY
DAY.
— paulsgirl
September 17, 2002
I smile when my 4 year old daughter looks at me and say "Momma, you
look pretty - when I grow up I want to look like you". It melts my
heart!
— Rosario T.
September 17, 2002
I wore jeans for the first time in 5 years today!!!!!!
open rny on 6//20/02 -66lbs
— Courtney S.
September 17, 2002
1. To fit in an airplane/bus seat COMFORTABLY! 2. buy clothes that are cute
rather than buying what will fit and hide the most 3. DH calling me skinny!
4. not being the biggest person in the room. To blend in! 5. Riding a horse
again 6. crossing my legs w/o cutting off circulation 7. putting on nylons
and being able to breathe at the same time! 8. walking up stairs/hill
without passing out. 9. moving the seat closer to the steering wheel 10.
Sex is better!!
— Kris T.
September 17, 2002
Finding bones! :) cheek,hip,collar etc...
— DEBBIE C.
September 17, 2002
Wow! Everybody thank you and what a good idea! As someone who is waiting
for approval I sure appreciate the break from reading about the potentials
of what I could be going through shortly and appreciate the joys waiting on
the other side. God Bless you all!
— Kristi T.
September 17, 2002
I got my hair cut the other day at a new place, and we were talking about
GB... my cosmetologist looked at me and said, "You used to be
heavy???" Someone actually said USED to be! What a difference 6.5
months makes :). I smiled all day.
— Michelle B.
September 17, 2002
Customer who said "what happened to the big guy who fixed
machines?" Thats ME! "No the BIG guy" I show my driver
license and the next question always is are you allright? YEP I am BETTER
than allright!<P> For me truly is talking about my surgery to help
others. Moderating here is part of the promise I made pre op that if I
survived and did well I would somehow help others. I managed to get our
newspaper to do a story on WLS. My surgeon remarked the other day how much
that helped others. The story was in march and those folks are now in final
pre op testing or getting surgery. It feels good to help! <P> If
ANYONE has any contacts in tv show production please contact me. Just
IMAGINE how great it would be if someone on a prime time show had surgery
in real life and it was written into the script. The storyline could
include them shrinking right before the tv watcchers weekly! NOW THAT WOULD
BE GREAT!
— bob-haller
September 17, 2002
Wearing my little boys boxer shorts size 10/12, (little boy size) just to
aggravate him, having my four year old twins little arms reach around me
when they give me hugs. My 12 year old telling me I look like a teenager in
my overalls. Life is great!
— Angela S.
September 17, 2002
I to have had alot of the same smiles as everyone else has listed but being
stressed out at the moment (mentally ill child,moving, pnumonia and so on I
am desperate for the need to LAUGH at myself, I remeber the first time
after being well healed and actually a little below goal i went to next
town to grocery store well this is an older store,The door going in is NOT
an automatic door and i could never understand the little old ladies who
always struggled to push this door in and enter..I went breezing up in my
cute tigh jeans and little top feeling like a million bucks right up to the
door i shoved my body into the door like i always had and SLAMMED hard
because it didnt budge....I was to little to move the door at first was
embarrassed sitting in the CLOSED doorway on the ground trying to catch my
breathe then i started laughing i didnt stop even thru the bleeding nose
or shopping it was hysterical,,I'm sure those people there still say watch
out theres that crazy woman......But now i KNOW to hit the door with my
hands and use feet and knees for leverage but i STILL smile everytime i go
there bbd
— BBD
September 17, 2002
To hold my 10 month old grandson in my arms and know I now stand a chance
of one day holding his child as well.
— LLinderman
September 17, 2002
Getting knocked up............ estimated due date 4/29/03. I have PCOS,
and well, Iam sure you have all heard the stories.... PTL for WLS & our
bun in the oven.
— Karen R.
September 17, 2002
Fitting into size 8 jeans and small and medium tops and not buying granny
undies anymore!!!:)
— bikerchic
September 17, 2002
I was at a party last saturday, had on a pair of black flats that USE to
fit, I could not keep them on my feet, I kept walking right out of
them!!!!!!! Strange places that we lose weight, even my ear lobs are
smaller........Go figure , Thanks Rona this was a great idea.
— Jeri P.
September 17, 2002
It makes me smile to know that, after chickening out twice, I finally went
through with my surgery nearly 4 weeks ago.
(open rny 8/22/02) I have lost 24lbs. so far. Not as much as some, but
I've never lost that much in this amount of time before, so that's great!!!
My 8 year old already tells me I'm skinny. (Love is blind!HA!) I have
about 100 lbs to go. I already feel better and happier. It's nice to see
my hubby and kids eat sweets and I really don't even want them. Those are
things that make me smile.
— lerli1
September 17, 2002
today... I was hanging up laundry.. and realized I used to sit down in
front of the drying rack and do it all from a chair.. I did it all in just
a few minutes without thinking... standing.. just a little thing, so
important... great post!
— Lisa C.
September 17, 2002
Walking down the beach this weekend in the first 2 piece swimsuit that I
have owned in almost 20 years!!!!! I'm still grinning 3 days later.
— Carmen S.
September 17, 2002
I love the quizical looks on people's faces at work while they are trying
to figure out what is different about me. Usually, they become convinced I
have changed my hairstyle - hehehehehe!
— [Deactivated Member]
September 17, 2002
Being able to sit in chairs with arms such as movie theaters, waiting
rooms, offices, etc. Walking and dancing with less effort and more
endurance. Not sweating a river or huffing and puffing all the time as
well as not sleeping when I am sitting down. (Haven't used my CPAP in two
months). Weighing less than 350lbs so I can use a doctor's scale. (First
time for this one is tomorrow). Being told that I look better.
— Lawrence R.
September 17, 2002
I was closet diving this morning and discovered I can fit into my favorite
black dress again! Yea!
— Sue A.
September 17, 2002
MY GRANDSON MAKES ME HAPPY BEFORE AND AFTER SURGERY. NOW I HAVE A NEW GRAND
BABY ON THE WAY. GOOD THING I AM GETTING SMALLER BY THE DAY SO I'LL BE
ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH TWO.
— sandy W.
September 17, 2002
1)Every person on this site (ya'll just lift my spirits)!
2)Being out of the 300's and being able to weigh myself on a scale at
home!
3)My surgeon, I thank God for him. He saved my life.
4)Fitting into a desk at school.
5)The look on people's faces when I tell them about WLS.
6)I can dance!
7)I can climb stairs!
8)I can buckle my seat belt without it cutting into me.
9)My mom telling me I look great.
10)The post op pictures that inspired all of the above.
— Sarah K.
September 17, 2002
Seeing Jen my wife get her life back! It was terrible watching her struggle
to move and breathe. One night she couldnt play minature golf:( She was so
out of breathe. Now down nearly a 100 pounds she is doing fantastic. Really
HOT wearing, dresses,heels, makeup, jewelry, fake fingernails. Never out of
breathe! Although she still doesnt get enough exercise:(
— bob-haller
September 17, 2002
When my husband tells me I'm beautiful and I actually start to believe him!
— jen41766
September 17, 2002
Thanks to all of you wonderful people who answered my question!!! Here's
what makes me smile: Being just "one of the crowd" when I'm in
public. Feeling worthy of being with my handsome husband. Wearing jeans
with zippers and buttons instead of elastic. Having a stranger pass me in
the hall at work and whisper to her friend "I wish I was as tiny as
she is". TINY! Can you imagine anyone calling me TINY? Oh my gosh!
Having a WLS friend excitedly tell me "Hey guess what??? I can see the
water in the potty when I sit down!!! ha ha ha. Wearing my husbands
boxers, dress pants, button up shirts and T-shirts JUST BECAUSE I CAN.
Walking up steps without being out of breath. Not having to stick my
fingers until they're so sore to check my blood sugar. Wearing an anklet.
Not having to lift my big tummy out of the way to bathe (I had a tummy tuck
too!!) Finally being brave enough to have a mammogram which revealed
lobular carcinoma in situ. This allowed me to have double mastectomy and
save my life. Having my teenage son tell me I'm a hottie and mean it.
Having my husband put his arm around me in a photo and when I looked at the
photo I could see his arm ALL THE WAY around me and his hand on my waist.
Having the opportunity to make my career working with hundreds of wonderful
WLS patients. Learning to feel good about me. Learning to feel good about
you. Learning to LIVE life instead of watching it pass me by. Thanks
again for all your wonderful answers. You inspire me!
— ronascott
September 17, 2002
what makes me smile after wls: the tickly feeling i got in my tummy when i
went on the rides at the fair because i can now fit! the turning of a mans
head when im out in public as hes checkin me out!;) seeing how proud and
happy my parents are that i did this. hearing my brothers andy and rob
carry on about how hot i look now(hehe!) over hearing my son keaton tell
one of his playmates that his mommy is losing so much weight and doing so
good. being in public and holding my head high.running into someone i
havent seen in months watching them grab their jaw in amazement.being
ooutside on a beautiful breezy day the sun shining and taking it all in
,knowing that ive done what im suppose to have done and all is as it should
be. peace and best of luck to those that are having wls or already have.
— carrie M.
September 17, 2002
1. to realize that I am doing something and do not have any chest pain. 2.
When I realize that I have ridden a bike, gone for a hike, and jumpeed up
and down at a soccer game on saturday, and I did not need a nap afterwards.
3. Being able to stay awake after 10 pm on a saturday. 4. not having to go
to the pharmacy once a month to pick up prescriptions. 5. Not have asthma
anymore 6. Knowing that I really DON"T want that peice of cheese cake.
— Vicki L.
September 17, 2002
Sitting in the "tight" spot (like in a restraunt or a family
get-together), just because I can :)
— KimBo36
September 17, 2002
I have had many things that made me smile since I had my open RNY in
July/02. Not having my boyfriend wake me up several times a night to tell
me I'm snoring, not having my knees hurt after only walking a very short
distance, being able to shop through my own closet for clothes that I have
not worn in a long time. I love being able to wear my size 20 black jeans
and even though that is not a small size it is for me since I started at a
tight 26. But the best of all is the reactions I get from people, my
boyfriend saying you are melting away right before my eyes, my friend
saying you are freaking me out how fast you are losing weight you look
fantastic. The best one of all came from my 11 year old nephew, as we all
know young boys are not the first to give compliments but we were going to
the beach in separate cars and just as we were about the pull out of the
driveway my sister motioned me to roll the window down and she said Kyle
wanted me to tell you that you look great. It really made my day and meant
a lot to me. I am sure that there will be many many more instances to make
me smile along my journey but I think this is a really good start. I am
exstatic that I have lost 57.5 lbs. in 9 weeks that is a really good reason
to smile.
— UMMADUMMASS
September 17, 2002
I FULL LENGTH MIRROR! Can you believe it? I can't! I just bought one on
sale a couple days ago. Yes, I'm still heavy... but not obese. Dang if I
don't walk by it often and look me over good. (Even my butt). lol I'm
falling in love with "me". Rolling on the floor laughing at my
vainess. :)
— Danmark
September 17, 2002
Sorry it was supposed to read "A" full length mirror. geese, you
think I'd caught that in my proof reading.
— Danmark
September 18, 2002
Great question! Lots of fun answers.
Mine is: WEARING MY HOT PINK BIKINI! (It's on my profile page; check it
out.)
huhs,
Ann RNY 9/10/99 260/130
— [Deactivated Member]
September 18, 2002
Talking to the husband of a good friend who I hadn't seen in awhile at the
gym, and having her come up and not recognize me. She said she was ready
to bust her husband about talking to another woman LOL.
— mom2jtx3
September 18, 2002
I am still fairly early out.. 7 weeks post op, but the positives I have
seen so far are 1) fitting into the waiting room chairs with arms 2) WILL
POWER! My husband even offered me a teeny bite of a Nestle Crunch bar last
night and I had no problem turning him down. I have never had will power
and it is really wonderful to "eat to live" rather than
"living to eat". I can't wait to share more positives as I lose
more
— Tami D.
September 18, 2002
The thing that touched my heart was when I was trying on some new clothes
last week and my little boy said, "Wow, momma, your the most beautiful
mommy I every saw." Brought tears to my eyes. The second thing was
that I noticed when I walked up the stairs last week, that the stairs were
"quiet." They use to make loud creaking noises when I walked up
them. Now I can tippy toe!
— [Deactivated Member]
September 18, 2002
This question made me smile. All the people with there happy stories.
Great question!
— Brandy H.
September 18, 2002
Oh, and another thing, NOT having to lie on my Drivers License.
— Karen R.
September 18, 2002
My husband told me last night that he notices now that guys are looking at
me and that he likes it. It makes him feel proud that other guys are
interested in me but that I'm his and only his. It made me smile to know
that he is proud of me and it made me smile that he noticed that other guys
are looking when I hadn't even noticed! My self esteem is the greatest
improvement since my surgery. 6/11/02, down 64 lbs.
— cjabates
September 18, 2002
A co-worker (who was male) telling me that I was nothing but skin and
bones!!! never in my life thought anyone would say those words to me.
— roshelle P.
September 18, 2002
When I'm out running around town and see that thin woman and wish I looked
like that.......then realize it is me reflected in the window. When people
I havent seen in a while dont even recognize me. The look on new friends
faces when I tell them what I used to weigh. My grocery bill. My energy.
The hope for tomorrow. : ) : )
— RebeccaP
September 20, 2002
My husband can picked my up and carried me to bed the other night. I was
laughing cause I though for sure I was breaking his back. He told me that
The toilet he was installing over the weekend was heavier. It was fun!
— Yvonne C.
September 25, 2002
Playing frisbee in the backyard with my sons, ages 24, 21, and 19. My 19
year-old son saying to his brothers: "Hey guys, can you EVER remember
a time in your life when mom played frisbee with you?" I will cherish
his comment and the joy of that day FOREVER!!!
— Mary K. A.
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