I am amazed by everything

Since surgery in June I have lost 80 some odd lbs....150 some odd since my highest weight....I am down from a size 34 to a 20....I am at the size now where every pound lost is noticeable somewhere on my body...I am so happy to start to be able to see it...I was not 100% sure when and at what size this would happen...

I am also getting to realize how big I really was, I had no idea...I was telling my mom the other day that I used to get mad at my friends(who are all big) because they would get booths and go to restaraunts with armed chairs and because I thought they were all big too they should understand, what I did not realize is that that private litlle hell is reserved for only us the immensley obese, I had no idea I was that much bigger tha all of them....at 280 or so lbs I am now the same size as them and can navigate crowded rooms better, sit in almost any chair or booth, shop in almost any store because they all have some plus size stuff, I can keep up with them walking and energy wise, I can sit on the floor and not need a winch to get me up, I can feel comfortable going to people's houses and not worry about if the furniture will hold me up....All of these things are things I have never realized were a huge concern for me and molded how I lived my life....I never realized the panicy feelings they invoked until now...because now when I still feel that feeling I recognize it and realize that it doesn't apply to me anymore, all because after I navigate that room, I can feel the sigh of relief that it was easy, or when I sit in a small club chair I actually sit in it instead of wedge myself in it...

Life is good, I am mostly enjoying my body changes, The hanging skin is not bothering me as much as I feared(it does bother me but I keep telling myself it doesn't have to be permanent). I am enjoying clothes shopping again, in the beginning it was stressful. I am enjoying food shopping again, in the beginning this was super stressful, but as I accept what I can and cannot eat it is getting easier. I am enjoying cooking, it is completely different than before but still a joy...I am getting used to how much food we can consume and throwing away less. I am looking forward to trying ice skating, rollerskating, and skiing this winter...I will also be looking forward to canoeing and rough camping this summer without my CPAP(hopefully). I am also hoping I can walk on rocks on the river without losing my balance and hurting myself. I will also be hoping to try out an amusement park, I have not been to one in years and years....maybe 20 to be exact...

congrats!!!!

Your comments about the booths in restaurants really hit home!!! I am finally at a weight where I too walk into a restaurant and dont worry about having to sit in a booth. that ability amazes me every time! I still get a little worrisome, but then once I sit down, I realize I was worried about nothing.

Congratulations Lori!

Isn't it amazing how eye opening this surgery can be?

I completely understand.  I find myself pointing out WLS victories to my friends and family and they just don't seem to get it.  They don't understand the elation when I can see veins in my feet or when I can sit down, bend forward and tie my shoes.  Those things happen for them everyday so they can't understand how even how small - it is a victory - an amazing victory!!!

Here's to continued success for you!!!

So many of the things you said hit home.  The booth/chairs in a restaurant were horrible for me.  There were some places I just didn't go to because I knew it was a very crowded venue, and I had trouble getting thru!!!  I still have trouble with the clothes thing, not know what to try on!!! 

Do get to an amusement park.  I went this past august, and had a blast.  I couldn't get on everything at that point yet, but got on quite a few things!!!  Next year will be even better!!

Thanks for bringing the good things of our surgery to the forefront today... I really needed something to lift my spirits today!!! 

Caroline

It is an awesome ride.  I just went to my 1 year doctors appt and he made me look at my pre-surgery picture.  Funny, I was 20 pounds heavier before surgery than in the picture he forced me to look at.

Lori - you are having some great wow moments.  Booths, personally i used to think of them as "boob shelves" , that was the only way i could fit in.  I'm off my CPAP, i know it will come to you as well, keep up the good work, you are doing an amazing job!  lys

Congrats on all your wow moments. I'm so happy for you and definitely agree with the previous post about having positive things to say about the surgery, Keep up the great work!!

I know how you feel! The "private hell" is bad. I can sit in a booth now too! Today I fit in the blood draw chair at Quest! It's these "little" things that amaze me. Like my seatbelt fitting!!! Ain't it great?

I know this is a little late but just wanted to say that the one thing you said that struck home for me is that I too didn't realize how big I was at 396 lbs.  I was as active as I could be(hardly).  I work a very intense job with long hours with basically no problems than.  But now, it's like night and day.  Thanks, for your prospective on this great journey we are all on.

Kim