Five ways my life has changed - please share yours!

I'm just curious...and hope you all will responde..but I was wondering if you can give 5 ways your life has change, good, bad, or indifferent since WLS.  If you want to list more, but I figured 5 is an easy # to go with. Here's mine - 1 - I sleep through the night now.  When I go to bed, I do not wake up at all during the night, which makes me so much more energetic during the day. 2 - My schedule has changed.  I now get up very early, any time between 3:30 - 4, have breakfast, futz around, and leave for work around 6:30 - 7 so I can walk to work (takes about an hour) and since everyone else is my household keeps normal hours, it gives me some alone time.  My older son, who is 19, and I cross each other sometimes, he is going to bed and I am getting up! 3 - I am much more conscious of the way I dress.  Before my WLS, I was 326 and I was clean and neat, but my mode of dress was mainly stretch pants, sweats, t-shirts and anything I could hide in.  Now I look for things that accentuate the positive and downplay the negative. 4 - I have batwings which I absolutely hate.  I have muscles on the top and look lean, but I have the batwings and I am planning on having them done early 2008. 5 - I help out around the house more and actually want to.  Between my weight and my bad back, I used to use my hubby and kids to fetch for me and now they ask me and I gladly reciprocate because they were so there for me before, during and after my WLS.  and I am adding that I am very proud of myself and so is my family.  My mother constantly tells me how great I look and my SIL calls me her skinny ******!  There are so many more ways, but those are off the top of my head and I hope others will share! Have a wonderful Saturday! Sue

Hi Sue, What a great idea!!!   1) I exercise daily and enjoy it. I have tons of energy 2) I like shopping for and wearing stylish clothes - (Before i would dread shopping and always felt frumpy and uncomfortable). 3) I play with my kids  - instead of just sitting on the chair and watching them - now i'm on the swings with them and running around with them. I felt like I was living my life "one the sidelines" before WLS, now I am LIVING life! 4) I have a new self confidence - I feel better and look better!  I feel comfortable in my own body 5) No more foot pain - no more stress incontinence - no more high cholesterol - hugs, Britt

Hi Britt, Thank you for your response to this thread. I hope you know that your determination and positivity is an inspiration to me (and I am sure to others). The one thing that I regret is that I did not consider this surgery a long time ago.  My sons are 17 and 19 and while I have always been involved with them and active in their schooling and activities, I wish I had been more physically there.  Your girls are young enough that they might never really remember you being on the sidelines and it is truly a gift to them (as they are to you). Continued success to you! Sue

Wow, what a an inspiring thread! I can't add anything to it yet, since I am I am so fresh-out, but am looking forward to experiencing everything you both have listed...heee...well, except maybe the batwings, but I already have those, so won't be anything new.

I appreciate your responding even so newly out.  And I am sure you will be able to come up with your own list very soon.  Please make sure and post your own life changes (and wow moments) so we can share in your progress! Take care and blessings on your WLS journey! Sue

Great post Sue... I have just found that I am so much happier.  I feel that every day is a new challenge to eat properly and to exercise.  I hated exercise!  My best friend and I walk every morning.  I feel so invigorated afterward.  I am down 43 pounds so I am finding that its hard to find clothes to wear, lol.  I have bought a few things just to keep me decent, but I don't really want to invest in "big" clothes...can't wait to buy a "normal" wardrobe. Thanks for the inspiration Sue... Rosemary

Hi Rosemary, I'm happy that you're happy!!!  Isn't it wonderful when you get a rush from walking and you can do it and do it further than ever (or than for a very long time!)  You're smart not to shop too much, I think I transferred one addiction for another early on and did some buying on ebay.  The bad thing was that by the time the stuff came, was washed and ready to wear, half the time it was already too big!  But I stopped that, but buying in a regular store was such a wonderful feeling as was the first time I went into Lane Bryant and realized that I couldn't shop there any more.  The smallest sizes were too big for me.  Take care and all the best for continued success to you! Keep walking! Sue

Hi Sue!!!

#1 Got my health back! No more shots of insulin, or BP meds!!

#2 I love to shop for clothes now ive had my Tummy Tuck!!

#3 I now have some self confidence. Im still on the shy side, but am much more social now.

#4 Enjoy life!! Ive done things I would have NEVER done before. Gone to the fair, festivals, tanning, amusment parks, and Disney this Feburary!!

#5 I to hate my bat wings, but will have them fixed  next year.

Hi Kathy! thanks for your response! Isn't it wonderful not to take meds!  Last time I went to my PCP, he said, what are you taking now? I said, nothing.  He looked at my bloodwork results, smiled and said, well, continue that then! Did you go down sizes after the TT? That is my next project.  I am looking to have my arms done early 2008 and if I can get approval, I will have a TT done too.  I went for a consult a few months ago and have to start working toward putting together my argument for PS.  How long ago did you have it and how was your recovery? Congrats on your boost of self confidence and for doing all those things you couldn't do before.  I am going to Charlotte in a few weeks for a business trip and it will be my first time on a plane since PS and I am sort of looking forward to fastening my seat belt without asking for an extender! Take care and have a wonderful day! Sue

Sue, Great post, here are some of my changes in no particular order:

1- No longer consumed by food, I don't have to worry about when I can get my next "fix".  This is incredibly liberating.

2- I love shopping for clothes.  I've always loved clothes, but now I have choices.  Now that I have enough basics in my closet, I'm working on buying things that give me that little "pitter-patter". 3- I don't have to worry about how my diabetes is doing damage to my body. 4- I feel like myself again.  I was starting to become very withdrawn.  Now, I have more confidence and I don't worry about being judged for being overweight.  I feel like my personality has come back. 5- I love running!   Have a great day, Mary