Members Speak
Coordinated by Kathy S
ObesityHelp.com Support Services Associate
Bariatric University-Bariatric Coach
Is this going to be your first Summer since WLS or are you a veteran?
I had my surgery in August and remember being so miserable during the summer. I made sure to wear long sleeves to hide my ugly arms and pretty much didn't go out. I would sweat just thinking about it.
But baby oh baby, that first summer after losing weight! I was wearing shorts, riding bikes, walking my dogs, working in the yard and planting flowers for the first time in years. I went to the beach and wore a swim suit for the first time in 20 years. My fear of not fitting in the rides at the theme parks was a thing of the past. The biggest summer WOW moment for me was training for my first 5K run.
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Share your summer goals and achievements in the comment area below, as well as in OH's goal system.
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I'm looking forward to wearing shorter sleeves in the summer for certain. Although, because I am very fair-skinned, I do wear long sleeves to avoid the sun. But the reality is also that I have been ashamed of showing my bare arms (bare anything) in public, especially in front of the slender summer-tanned bodies. Also, I wore black a lot...even in the hot sun...convincing myself it made me look thinner. I'm going to stock up on the SPF this summer! - Submitted by bleumonique |
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I had my surgery last November. I already bought a swim suit to wear this summer, lol. I haven’t used one in more than 20 years. I am living in my house for 5 years and it’s the first time I'm able to do gardening. There are so many thing that I can do that sometimes I think it's not true. - Submitted by: Sexymillie |
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Although this is my first summer after wls I've never been shy to flaunt what my momma gave me. I've always bought a new bathing suit every summer. As a matter of fact, I made sure to take a lot of pictures in my bathing suit last summer so that I can compare this summer. |
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This is my first summer since WLS, as well as our first summer with a new (larger) boat. When we purchased it in 9-09, I had a difficult time getting into the boat, very difficult time getting in and out of the cabin (it's a sport cuddy - VERY small cabin!), and was not able to get up on the bow, let alone out to the bow cleat. Now I'm in and out of the boat and cabin and back and forth to the cleat easily. Our pier landlord didn't recognize me - and ordered me off the property until I spoke and he recognized my voice! Now I'm just waiting for camping season to begin - with a truck camper, I've had to use the campground bathrooms and showers because I didn't fit into the tiny one in the camper, and climbing in and out of the cabover bed was difficult. Based on the boat changes, I'm expecting real ease in the camper as well! It's going to be a fabulous summer! - Submitted by paranoidmother21 |
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I had surgery Jan 29th of 2010 and my summer so far has been amazing. |
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My hopes and dreams are actually for the fall instead of the summer. I am meeting up with some girlfriends in AZ in October and going on a cruise in November. I can wait to strut my new body and all the new clothes and stuff. My surgery is this Thursday and off to my new journey I go. My sister had Lap-band in December and she is doing really well also. WE made a date to go bathing suit shopping about a week before the cruise. - Submitted by Taura0603 |
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This is my first summer post WLS and I have to say that it's simply AMAZING! Amazing that the 90+ temps don't break me out in a sweat the minute I step foot out the door. . . amazing that I can actually spend time outside in the heat without huffing and puffing for every breath. . . amazing that I'm actually wearing a swimsuit for the first time in 25 years (a size 12, to be exact) . . . amazing that the shorts and tank tops that have been in storage for over 2 decades actually FIT and are in style again. . .amazing that the thermostat set at 5 degrees warmer than it was set any other summer in the past actually feels COLD to me. . . I LOVE all the changes from last summer to this summer. I'm a whole new person. - Submitted by Mountain Mama |
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This is my first summer & my weight loss is not very far along the path. Cleaning the pool, my swimsuits seem a bit loose. I do look forward to & dread trying to find swimsuits as my size changes. |
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Being a native Southern Californian, I have always been surrounded by lots of beautiful beach-ready bodies. However, I was always too self-conscious to even consider wearing a pair of shorts because my calves were seriously the size of most women’s' thighs. I haven't even OWNED a pair of shorts or a skirt in 15 years! But this summer, I am down 100 pounds in 19 months! Not only do I have shorts and skirts, but I wear them proudly and never worry about being scrutinized for my size. It is so liberating just to be able to wear seasonal clothing and not to have to wear jeans in 100-degree heat! - Submitted by FlabToFab |
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Hi! I had WLS in March and now that I am almost 100lbs lighter, I can't wait to get outside. Before WLS I didn't want to go anywhere or have anyone see me. Weighing in at 371 lbs I felt like everyone was staring at me.. (which they were).. and I didn't want to face anyone. Now, I can't wait to take my great niece to the zoo.. yep! Walking the zoo. To some it may not seem like much, to an ex-couch potato it is a lot. Carrying around all that weight and feeling horrible about myself made me stay inside and hide. I want to do so much this summer. I would love to go canoeing, camping and whatever other activity I can find around my small town! Plus, my yard has never looked to good! Thanks WLS! My summer (and my life) is mine to explore and enjoy! - Submitted by ledaizey |
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I am loving life this year. I had my surgery before last summer, but really wasn't in shape yet. This year I have planted gardens, ridden my bike, and just love to be outdoors. Can't wait to go to the beach! - Submitted by Kelly S. |
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Had surgery in March. This summer I want to spend hiking and biking. - Submitted by stedix |
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This will be my 5th summer since WLS; I remember my first summer after losing 140 pounds. I was out riding my bike with the kids, going to the water park and enjoying myself. The newspaper that did a story on my surgery came back a year later to do a follow up and it was great seeing the difference in pictures. I encourage everyone to go thru the WLS and come enjoy summer time again. |
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This summer allot is going on allot is going to happen. allot of traveling and I got a six flag's session pass for my b-day. I am building a car this summer. Just got paint and other fun stuff super stoked on that.. We have been re-landscaping our house witch I have much more energy to do all this stuff so amazing! We will also be going on a crystal hunting trip in Arizona this summer I'm very excited to not be left behind hiking because I need to catch my breath... I had my wls on April 26 about 5 weeks ago and have lost almost 60 lbs it’s just amazing. I'm excited to see what other fun things happen this summer. - Submitted by Jessie72 |
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This will be my 1st summer since my WLS. I had the Lap-band done in December, and I'm down 42 lbs. I'm not at my goal, (50-60 lbs to go) but I am excited for the summer!! One of the things that bothered me the most is when my husband and I would go for a ride on his Harley and I always felt like people were staring at my fat, we've been on the bike already a few times and I feel so much better. I even noticed a difference between the amount of space between my husband and I. I'm also really looking forward to be able to be more active with my boys. They are 7 & 4. The simple things in life, finally being able to enjoy my life without the thought in the back of my head of how uncomfortable I am. That's what I'm looking forward to. - Submitted by nymomof2 |
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I've already been enjoying summer! I've been in my bathing suit every weekend for the past few weekends. Pool, springs, SeaWorld. - Submitted by JenCat84 |
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This is my first summer and only 2 1/2 months out so not a lot of change yet. |
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Well now I have lost 200 lbs and I have to cover up even more cause of the loose skin. But on the up side, I get faaaaaaaaaar less hot and can do more outdoors. Wish this skin was all gone though, I would be smoking hot...in a good way :) - Submitted by misseye |
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This is my first summer after WLS and I plan to enjoy it! I live in Miami and have been dreading summers...but this year I am actually looking forward to the summer and all the fun it has to offer! I use to sweat buckets and felt so awkward, but now I sweat no more than anyone else and I love it. I am also looking forward to going bathing suit shopping; I won't have to shop in the plus-sized section and will be able to choose from a wider selection! MIAMI bring on the sunshine! - Submitted by Sands |
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I was totally stoked for summer to get here; I got out my old swimming suit from when I was thin the last time. I put it on....and it hangs on me! I loved that suit, it is periwinkle and white. DANG! So know I have to do the "WALK OF SHAME AT THE MALL" to try and find a suit that will work! I hate trying suits on, well maybe this time will be better....I will keep you posted! - Submitted by bdette49 |
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I am loving this spring. My yard really looks beautiful with all the work I have put into it. My daughter asked me who did the work; she thought I hired someone to do it. I am sooooo proud, because last year at this time I couldn't even bend over. Other thing, I went clothes shopping with a friend the other day and we went to Kohl's. I saw a lot of cute clothes there but I have always ordered clothes from Lane Bryant or Romans because they were the only ones that fit me. She kept saying try this on, and I kept saying "those aren't going to fit me!" But quess what, they DID!! I know that some of you will relate I CAN FIT INTO JEANS WITH ZIPPERS! I am totally ready for summer. Submitted by: debpedersen |
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This IS my first summer since having RNY. And although I've already lost 44 pounds (and have gone down almost 3 sizes), I don't think I'm mentally ready to wear shorts outside. Maybe I'll buy a pair next week and wear them around the house first, before trekking out in public with them on. As for other summer aspirations...well, I haven't even thought about it. Just the fact that I can walk up my 4 front steps without feeling like I'm going to have a heart attack is milestone. :-) - Submitted by Nina1953 |
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This is my first summer since my RNY on 7/30/09, and I experienced a great breakthrough yesterday. I went to a pool-party/BBQ and put on a bathing suit (with a pair of shorts over it to hide the upper thigh jingle-jangles). Had a great time swimming and cavorting in the pool for hours. I look forward to a summer of more sun and fun. Thank you Dr. Rosenthal and the Cleveland Clinic Bariatric Team! - Submitted by nunini |
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This summer is going to be my first summer since my VSG surgery, and I can't wait! Already I have noticed a huge difference. It has been very humid here the last week, and in the past, I would have hibernated to an air conditioned house or mall. Now, I am able to be outside for extended periods of time without sweating terribly!! I actually am enjoying the heat! Wow, I never thought that those words would ever come out of my mouth! I my sleeve! Submitted by Mimitrud |
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I had my surgery in Feb. and so this will be my first summer with my RNY and even though I am only 64lbs down, I am excited and I have already been in shorts and tanks tanning and playing with my son outside. I am looking forward for the rest of the summer and maybe getting to onederland by the end of August......and maybe start running as well.....It’s going to be a great summer! - Submitted by Jennyfromtheblock13 |
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This is going to be the first summer with my RNY. I am not planning to hide my body (within reason of course). I want to show the thinner than last summer me. It has already started to get hot around here and last summer I would have been sweating silly but so far not to bad. - Submitted by danier80 |
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This is my 2nd summer since my RNY. I had my surgery in Feb 09 and I am down 170 pounds, 17 pounds under my first goal of 180! I'm sitting at 163 and happier than I have EVER been. I use to hide indoors and just eat my depression away as I watched my kids play outside in the warm weather. I could barely breathe because of my asthma and I would sweat just walking to the car, my marriage, relationship with my children, family were all on the line, none of us were happy with how I was and what little I could do. Now I'm outdoors all the time, cutting the grass, planting, weeding, running, biking (which I haven’t done since I was 12) My husband who's very fit said he cannot keep up with me now. It's improved our marriage, my relationship with my kids. Every single aspect of my life is improved in ten folds. I wouldn't change this for the WORLD I love my RNY; it gave me my life back. It gave my husband his wife back. My kids, their mother back. THANK YOU! - Submitted by canadian.girl71 |
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This is my first summer, just about 3 months out now, I am looking forward to going to the cne and wonderland to ride the rides, and I did not even want to try last year. I also love that I started bike riding this year, I got myself a super cute bike and basket, with matching helmet of course to be a gift to myself for going threw this surgery and I actually look forward to getting out to ride, before I would look for any excuse to stay inside. - Submitted by coconut01 |
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This is my first summer and I'm close to goal. Last summer was awful for me between last suppers, playing the waiting game then culminating in the dreaded Optifast. I just had to look outside (and we didn't have a nice summer where I am), and I would turn red and break out in sweat. This morning I've already gone for a walk, (no sweating), in a halter top that doesn't look to bad and I'm looking forward to enjoying the day outside. What a difference a year makes. I love my Wls! - Submitted by sam1am |
Batwingsman · 0 replies · 245 views
Batwingsman · 0 replies · 245 views