What has changed most significantly since your surgery ?

For me, the most significant that has happened to me is the energy and ambition and confidence that I now have. I want to do things that i never thought  I would do. Handling a multifaceted life was something i never had the guts to challenge. I just was fat and lazy and just rolled along quutely.

Whats your story ?

Well first is my attitude toward activity and how active I am now.  I wouldn't say I was lazy but I definitely wasn't active.  I went out of my way to make things easier.  I would tire out so much faster.  I remember getting all sweaty just doing groceries.  I remember going to work one morning and I was cleaning my car off (it snowed the night before) and I was just so totally exhausted by this.  I had never felt so tired, I just wanted to go back to bed....I was only 36!!!  I still hate cleaning my car off but I never want to feel like that again....at least not till I'm 90!!! 

I also have more confidence.  I mean look at what I'm doing.  I found another job and I'm moving 150 miles away.  I would have never done this 150 lbs ago.  I hated facing situations where I would have to meet new people.  I was sure that every one was looking at me in disgust and judging me. 

I also have this desire to do things and go out and have fun.  I was happy to just sit and watch TV 24/7.  Now I want to bike ride, join a yoga class and go hiking.  I am fidgety if I sit too long!!!! 

I dress nicer now and care more about my appearance (not just at work but at home too).  I put effort into my hair and make-up now. 

I take an proactive roll in my health.  Not reactive.  I don't wait till there's a problem to see the doctor.  I see him regularly, I get physicals, I eat properly and exercise.  I am actually trying to be healthy.  I take an interest in what I eat and where it comes from.  Before I would eat fast food every single day.  I never drank water but I did drink about 150-200 oz of soda a day!!! 

I feel lucky that I made this change relatively young and I have time to reverse the damage I have done to my body and hopefully live a long life.

I feel better.  I don't have blood pressure meds anymore.  I don't have any meds anymore:)  I dress better, feel better about myself......feel more comfortable with my husband:)  More energy.  And I'm 89 pounds lighter.  That's the biggest change!

Jules

It's hard to say the most significant thing since my DS.

Lots of things come to mind...no more diabetes and sleep apnea. Those are big and life-changing. I added a lot of good years to my life by choosing the DS.

With the DS, I just roll along and eat what I like, as long as I eat my protein first. That's amazing! I feel so damn normal. I have no embarrassment about food--I order what I want at restaurants and know that no one cares or is judging what I eat, from appetizers to steak to dessert. No one could tell by looking at me and what I eat that I had a bariatric surgery.

Since my DS, I guess I feel powerful, like my Nicolle-ness shines through. I don't think anyone is judging me negatively because of how I look (they are welcome to judge me on my behavior). Before, I'm sure some stupid people wrote me off because I was fat and assigned false character flaws/stereotypes to me, based on my size: lazy, dumb, etc. I was NEVER any of those things--ever! Now they can only see me and what I bring: intelligence, wit and energy. It's a nice feeling.

Nicolle

I just feel heatlhier!  I am not a big exercise person, but I enjoy bike riding and just being able to do things and not get tired so easily.

Of course, finding clothes that look decent and I feel look good on me is nice, too!!

I am no longer, "the biggest person in the room" and feel more normal with my body size. 

Lovin' it!

georgie