Another thought provoking question/discussion!!

Good am! Even as our journeys begin we often times face challenges in them with regard to how obesity is handled. For example I couldn't fit into boothes just about 100 percent of the time. So, we opted for a table which in MOST places has a waiting list when the evenings draw later and the crowds are thicker. Now? Not one problem at all. In fact, I can pull the table towards me to make room for others and even scoot all the way in and still have much room for at least 2 sometimes more folks to sit with me.  What have been some defining moments/differences between pre WLS and post op in how you are affected outside and even inside your home by restrictions and the treatments of others???

Great topic....helps me relive my WOW moments...... Pre-WLS it was very difficult for me to walk.  I had achilles tendonitist in BOTH feet, so my heels always hurt.  My lower back and sciatic nerve made standing and sitting uncomfortable.  In fact...just prior to my surgery, we travelled through the Grand Canyon.  I felt SO bad for my family, because it was difficult for me to keep up.  However, Post-WLS, not only do I keep up, I lead the way!  I am able to move in ways that I was previously unable to.  Walking is not a challenge at all, in fact, last summer I did a 10 mile hike in Shennandoah.  My lower back bothered me until I had PS and my sciatic nerve still acts up (that will never go away), but no where to the extent it use to. Pre-WLS I could not fly comfortably in a plane.  The seats was just too tight.  Post-WLS not only do I fit, but I can curl up in the seat. Pre-WLS we ate alot of fast food....that gets expensive after a while.  Post-WLS, we rarely eat out and have more money to do other things. Pre-WLS I hated buying clothes.  I only shopped at one store and well...there is only so much you can get there.  Post-WLS I shop anywhere I feel like shopping.  It's hard sometimes finding the smaller size, but that's aggrevation I will gladly take. Pre-WLS I didn't have the confidence to do certain things that I had always wanted to do.  Post-WLS I am doing them.  Last October I got my motorcycle license, and this summer I'm looking at taking flying lessons (you just NEVER know when you are on a flight and something happens to the pilot soyou have to jump in - haha). Pre-WLS I was just plain....unhealthy.  Post-WLS I am very healthy. I could go on and on..........

LOL- So what kinda plane do you think you'll be learning to fly? 747's? I went thru ground school and hated it - way too many knobs, buttons and levers up in that ****pit. Waggle your wings at us as you fly over!

Thanks Jill for sharing your experiences! My hope is with plastics my neck and back as well as movement will improve greatly. In fact, I'm almost positive they will. My quality of life will be much healthier I believe as well. I can definitely 2nd the shopping only I'm still the "I know what I'm going for, get in and get out." Go on and on! It's an amazing journey we are on!

Pre-op planned doing things with the kids and almost always backed out cuz I didn't "feel" like going to park, mall, etc.  Post-op today the kids and I are going to Mt Trashmore, park, and I can't wait. The first thing I did when I got up was start making the sandwiches for the picnic. Even before the first cup of coffee. Mt Trashmore, for those not fimilar with Va Bch, is a park and a HUGE hill that the kids love to run up. Folks go to the top and fly kites. So, it has been about 15 yrs since I went up the mountain. When I would take the kids, I would watch them go up and roll down. Today, I plan on running up with them and maybe even rolling down.  Ok maybe not rolling down. But I plan on going up with them.  I hope everyone has a wonderful day today. The bch is gonna be beautiful, until the cold front rolls in.

Thanks for sharing your experiences Corinn! What a wonderful thing ...being on the go and having the energy to do so. Its really great to be a part of the action with our kids! Have fun rolling down the mountain! This is the same with the dunes in Kitty Hawk! I can now climb them and really get moving with the kids and of course a few years back I climbed Cape Hatteras for the first time post-op and it was just amazing! I shed tears for sure! Enjoy your day & weekend!

Good topic, Kat I am with Jill on some of the WOW moments - realizing that I can sit in any chair I want at a restaurant, car, or airplane (or anywhere else, for that matter). I am pushing myself outside of my comfort zone to see what I can do. For many years I have tended to avoid public places because of social anxiety (possibly related to usually being the biggest person anywhere I went?). Now, I am deliberately placing myself in situations that I would have previously avoided. I am going on a men's retreat this weekend and am actually looking forward to it. I did not go on the retreats the past 14 years because I knew I would not be comfortable in the dorm like settings. Also, I had discussions with my employer about involvement in a mentoring program at a local Jr. High (something I would never have done). Also, I am beginning discussions with a couple of mission organizations to see how I can provide technical support to missionaries (either CONUS or abroad). This is something I have felt an urging to do for several years, but felt that my size and health made me a liability, not an asset.  I am pretty excited to see where all of this goes, and am extremely grateful that I am able to do this. Joe

Joe good for you for helping the missionaries! Very admirable and I wish you luck with it! One great thing about this surgery is that it opens up a multitude of doors for us......ones that we previosly closed ourselves and society does not really cater for the oversize yet there are millions of us (or formerly us) I used to avoid weddings or family gatherings because of social anxiety - now I can't wait for them to occur! So good for you to force yourself out of your comfort zone - but so rewarding, right? Good luck ! Jackie

Hi Joe, That's cool about the missions. My husband is an electrician by trade. For the last 5-6 years or so, he has went on at least one work mission trip per year. He's went to Peru a couple of times for 2 weeks. And he's done 4-5 trips in the US (Mississipi, SC, and Norfolk). It's truly a blessing to be able to give a little of our time for others. We would both love full-time missionary work, but just doesn't seem possible at this time. Best wishes, Penny

Thanks for sharing your experiences Joe! I love that I can fit in any chair (including my kids' rocking chair lol)! I love feeling "small" in big boothes and really feeling like I fit in anywhere. The men's retreat sounds wonderful and I hope its an amazing weekend for you. A mentoring program is really great. I think that if more folks were involved with our school children in mentoring programs it would make such a difference in their schooling and upbringing! Best wishes on that as well! Giving back to others as we've been given is one of the BEST gifts I can think of. I am EXTREMELY excited for you and hope you'll share these experiences as they progress! All best!