I bought a WOW moment for $5

I'm going on vacation in a few weeks to Hawaii, never been there before. So I've been in search of vacation clothes and bathing suits, its difficult to find in the off-season.

Seriously, if anyone can recommend a place to buy swimwear right now, let me know!!!

I was talking to my long time childhood friend about the trip and she asked me if I was going to wear a bikini and I exclaimed "No! I'm still fat!" 

She couldn't believe it and she told me "Monica, after ALL you have been through and all that hard work....why aren't you going to enjoy the results?   Get up, pull down your pants...let me see."   Only a life-time friend can ask you to take off your pants like that.

Then she got up and showed me her belly. We stood in her living room in front of a mirror checking ourselves out.   Even though she's always been a tiny petite frame having two kids has left her belly looking like she was a post WLS patient.  We've been friends since we were ten years old....have been thru so much together. She tells me "look Monica, you don't have this anymore"(she pinched a handful of her own belly flab)

So with all that in mind I bought my first ever bikini. It was only $5!

OMG, never ever in a million years did I think that I would ever wear a bikini. It fits me and it covers me (although now I do want a boob job...ok, thighs too)  BUT STILL....how fabulous is that??  I can wear the bikini around the house when I tried it on....wearing out at a beach will be a whole other story.

I began to wonder if there were other things that I'm not really enjoying fully yet. There are still so many physical athletic challenges I want to take on and I sometimes think "when I lose more weight..." or "if only I wasn't so flabby".  If I get the opportunity I would really like to take some surfing lessons in Hawaii. It's on my list of things I wanted to do after-WLS.

I'm so thankful for what modern medicine has given me: first my health, but now the abilty to fully live life and enjoy it.

:D

Monica...you are such an inspiration to me....you are so honest is relating your journey.  I can so relate to the 'when I lose more weight' idea.  I said that just yesterday!!  Over trying on a pair of knee high boots....just too scary and I didn't want to be embarrassed if they didn't fit.  How dumb!  There wasn't a single soul in that store that knew me or would ever see me again! 

Sounds like you and I both need to take lessons from MOMO!  We need to start our own 'Bucket List'....she is so much farther ahead than we are...but we SHOULD catch up!!  Last time I saw her post something about trying something new...she was at the end of the first list!!  How encouraging and challenging is that to the rest of us?  She is a perfect example of reaping the rewards of this life style we have choosen!  We all should have a 'Bucket List'....it's time to reap our well deserved rewards...we have all EARNED them!!
Enjoy Hawaii!  And show off  that bikini...on the beach, wherever!   I was on Maui in June...it was beautiful!
Nancy aka Sunray

Oh I do have a WLS 'bucket list'!!  I have not looked at it in a long time, but I have crossed off  few items from it.   I even have a clothing list of things I wanted to wear...

You know, I'm going to find it and post it here.... You need to write yours too!!!

I remember being at the LB Coffee one morning and sitting next to my angel Lori C. and I told her "I think I can cross my legs, but I'm afraid to try."  I didn't want to attempt it and not be able to do it.   I crossed my legs and took a picture of them!!

So did you get the boots? 

 

Noooooo, I hate to admit...didn't even try them on :-(  Convinced myself I didn't 'like' any of the styles in the store LOL  But, guess, I should practice what I preach, eh?  Next time I won't walk out without at least trying on 1 pair. ;-)

I remember the first time I crossed my legs...was in a support group meeting. And I remember thinking:  My mom would have a fit seeing me cross them at the knees...how unlady like! LOL  Crossing at the ankles was the only 'acceptable' way ^_^

And I think it would be a great idea for a thread...everyone post at least 3 things they want to be able to do since surgery.
Nancy

I just posted mine, now I want to see yours. Go try on the boots!!!!

Monica you might want to try ebay they may still have swim wear they have buyers all over the world. Lots of luck to you what a wow moment.

i remember that day, monica! and now, you've surpassed that day by miles!!

pics of the bikini coming soon?

have fun in HAWAII!!!  yahhhoooo! fly Alaska, by the way. You might get Dawn as a flight attendant.

:)

Awwww, shucks.  You're making me blush!  Life is so utterly amazing these days!

And yes, I wore a bikini out in public this summer for the first time since I was 14.  It was amazing.  I now own SIX bikinis!  It's crazy............I went bikini nuts

Monica................wear the bikini on the beach!  You may feel a bit self concious at first but the liberating feeling of ............ I've worked so damn hard at this and WOW, I rock! 

Trust me, you'll feel as fabulous as you look!  (besides, you'll never see most of those people ever again so what the hell do you care what they think????  You're the only one that really matters!

 I see you live in Long Beach. Why don't you go to Dianne's on 2nd St. in Belmont Shore. They have bathing suits year around.