Question:
What Has Changed For You?
Hey, y'all. I wanted to hear some of the weird things you have noticed since having surgery. Any interesting changes in any aspect of your life. For me, Special K (which never tasted sweet to me before) now tastes like Frosted Flakes. I have noticed this in actually a lot of foods-everything has a sweeter taste. I also think it's neat that I can do a somersault again. (I have a 2-year-old. This is very important.) I wanna hear yours! I am astounded at all we can do once again and it's fun to hear this stuff. — jenn_jenn (posted on November 4, 2003)
November 3, 2003
Being able to use a regular stall instead of the handicap. Buying pantyhose
at Walgreens. Crossing my legs. I'm a little older (OK my
"babies" are 21) so I haven't attempted a somersault yet. Even
though I'm still in the "obese" category, my self-confidence has
improve greatly.
— Sunny S.
November 3, 2003
I have lots of neat things. I can cross my legs for a period of time. I can
sit in any chair comfortably(I am a college student so this used to be
rough), I can get up on my horse without a step stool, I can wear a size 14
(I haven't done that since I was a freshman in high school), I have more
energy than ever, I wanna work out (can't right now cause of an injury but
as soon as I can), I love spicy food (was not a big fan before) and the
list goes on. I am so happy I did this. 6/27/03 292/210/172 -82
— horserider0146
November 3, 2003
I've discovered all sorts of bones that I swear weren't there before. The
other day, I both moved the seat forward in my car, and lowered the
steering wheel, and still have lots of room for my tummy. I can not only
get down on the floor, but I can get back up without holding onto
anything. And (drum roll, please), I'm going to ask a man out on a date
today. (Unless I chicken out...)
— Vespa R.
November 3, 2003
All my taste has changed. Everything tastes sweeter. I have to water down
my crystal lite. Diet coke tastes like real coke to me now.Having people
say oh your face is getting thin.... I love to hear that now!
— Amy M.
November 3, 2003
Tying my sneakers with the bows on top!!
— Denise W.
November 3, 2003
I used to think that raking the lawn should be considered an olympic sport!
This year though, I raked our whole back yard without getting winded or
breaking a sweat....who knew?! On the down side, I am so cold all of the
time that I wear wool sweaters (usually layered) in the house! And the
other night I tried on some old winter gear - and was nice and comfy....my
hubby says to me, "Most men want to come home and see their wife
wearing less, not more...but, it works for me!"
— eaamc
November 4, 2003
Everything tastes sweeter to me too. I am also cold all the time. I just
discovered a couple weeks ago, that I can still do a backbend. I'm in my
30's, but have very young family members who are cheerleaders. I was a
little sore the next day, but I did it! I can also sit on the floor in
indian style for long periods of time playing video games with my son.
There's so much more, but I don't have the time or space to list them all.
Good luck to you all!
— Renee B.
November 4, 2003
I'm 7 months post-op and LIFE is good! I turned 45 yrs old in Sept. and I
rode a bike for the first time in 20 years. Not just a short trip but 10
miles. Weight was 318 lbs, NOW at 188 lbs. I loved it so much I rode it
again the next day and another 10 miles. I went looking at pants because I
had no idea what size I was and I could now fit in a 18 vs. the size 32 I
use to wear. You are right about things tasting sweeter. I also was a big
CARB eater (pizza, pasta, and breads). I lost my taste for those types of
food. I enjoy SOY products instead of beef. I love spicy foods (the
hotter the better). I find I prefer to drink my meals instead of eating
solid foods. Good luck!
— Linda R.
November 4, 2003
I also am cold much of the time, (in between my hot flashes, LOL!!). I can
now shop whereever I want and put things back on the rack because I don't
like the price or color. I used to buy whatever fits. I bought my 11 year
old son a jacket from Land's End, boys size XL, and it fit ME!!! I could
go on an on. The best thing is having options for everything that I never
did before!!
— Fixnmyself
November 4, 2003
I love so many things that have changed for me but one of the most
significant is that I'm dating like crazy and loving it! I am no longer
self-conscious when meeting a man or going on a date. In fact, I ask them
a lot of the time and I don't feel even a little bit nervous about it.
This is a HUGE change for me. Even when I was "thin before" I
didn't have the self-confidence to ask men out or be confident around them.
It feels great now. Ditto to everyone else's comments about clothes -
having so much fun buying them and having so many more choices. I, too,
LOVE crossing my legs...it feels soooo good! I'm so happy! That's the
biggest change for me. I feel content and I feel NORMAL! Thanks to
everyone for sharing. I love reading these positive comments!
— [Deactivated Member]
November 4, 2003
The strangest thing I am enjoying is that now I can wear my son's high
school (my Alma Mater) football letter jacket. I have ALWAYS wanted to be
one of those mom's who go to the football games wearing their son's letter
jacket. I have BONES! It was fun discovering what the heck they were at
first. I love I fit into all the 'small' places I never could before. I
love that I love to walk any and every where. I am buying a bicycle soon.
Looking so forward to riding with the wind. This is TOTAL liberation!
— Ginger M.
November 4, 2003
I will be 9 months out on 11/10/03 and I've regained my life again. I am
going back to work, after having been on disability. Yay!!!!
I am 64 pounds away from the surgeons goal (110 pounds). I am amazed by
the number of people (some have known me 25 years) that tell me they would
not have known me had they seen me on the street. I can cross my legs now,
my belly doesn't touch the steering wheel, the list just goes on and on!!!
— Kathy H.
November 4, 2003
Aside from the usual movie theater seats, booths, etc... the big thing is
that I am realizing how much I comprimised in my life. I am now finding
new goals and hobbies and love knowing that I am a beautiful person now
inside and out. The best thing is that I am able to workout without
hurting myself. I really missed being active.
— mrsmyranow
November 4, 2003
I went to my first adult Halloween party this weekend. I didn't go in the
usual "fat person" costume (clown, m&m...), I went as
Elvira...push-up bra and all!! I never would have had the courage to dress
like that 6 months ago. I felt better about myself and the way I looked
than I have in a long time. Did I mention I have collar bones?!
— Wendy S.
November 4, 2003
Wow - great question! I am 100 pounds thinner in 7 months. I can cross my
legs comfortably. I can play tag with my 4 year old. I can walk with my
son down to the park and back - sometimes carrying him part of the way. I
hate the taste of chocolate (really weird! I used to absolutely love
chocolate). I can go through my day not thinking about food 24/7. I can
wear size 18 pants. I can feel my hipbones. I can see my collar bones.
I've had a friend's husband walk past me in a store, even after I said hi
and his name - he didn't recognize me at all! I've had compliments and
envious looks. I'm much more flexible - which hubby appreciates! I don't
mind having my picture taken, and don't mind shopping anymore. I used to
be hot literally all of the time - and there were times this summer when I
actually felt cold. I also can't sit as long as I used to...my newly
exposed tailbone hurts! So many changes in so little time. Open RNY
03/20/03 326/226/146
— vittycat
November 4, 2003
Great question! Was just commenting today, that I just automatically leaned
down in my chair to tie my shoes and was able to do it, BOWS ON TOP, as one
poster posted! I was usually tying my bows to the side as I sat with one
foot on my knee! I can cross my legs, sit indian style in my computer
chair. And I am cold all the time! It's cold here in my part of CA right
now. But I got flannel pj's from my DH today for my birthday, I couldn't
have thought of anything more romantic! He heard me when I said I wanted
some (the last two years I barely got under the covers at night even in the
winter) and he was able to buy them in XL and they fit! Yeah! How wonderful
is this surgery!
— Michawn
November 4, 2003
The list would probably be shorter if asked what hasn't changed...lol. I,
too, am cold more often than not. I have more self confidence than ever
before (I didn't think I was lacking it before, but was I ever wrong). I
can cross my legs and didn't even realize I did it until someone else
mentioned it to me. I ride a train to/from work and sit in a 4-seater (2
double seats facing each other) and it doesn't bother me who sits next to
me. I used to be worried that someone else as big as I was would try to sit
there...arghh...major comfort issue. I find men looking at me more often
and young ones at that (I'm 42)! People are much nicer to thinner women
which still makes me mad. I don't give food much thought as opposed to
planning my high-fat, high-carb meals from the moment I got up!
The one thing that I don't really care for is that I have to make a real
effort not to get physically ill by others' eating habits. It isn't what
they eat, or the quantity...but HOW they eat. I guess before I was so busy
shoveling it in that I never even noticed others and now I'm sickened by
how I must have looked.
Oh...an clothes? Wouldn't it be great to have one standard size? I'm in a
14, but maybe it's one that's cut bigger, I don't really know because not
only are different manufacturers different, but the styles within the same
designer are different...VERY frustrating! I've returned more things than
I've bought.
I love ME and never realized how much I was missing out on!
Best wishes!
— Diane S.
November 5, 2003
Okay, I just wrote out this long post and it disappeared...
Well, there are a lot of things that are different and better. Personal
hygeine is easier, I can give myself a pedicure. I can put my shoes on
without running out of breath. I no longer worry about finding the closest
parking space. Getting dressed is so much fun with my new wardrobe. I
can walk up a flight (even two) of stairs. I can work out and kick a$$! I
love having my picture taken. I love seeing people I haven't seen in a
while and having them not even recognize me. I can sit on the floor and
even get back up again. I don't have to wear tennis shoes every day so
that my feet won't hurt. I can wear all the cute shoes and boots now. I
look much nicer now, I no longer want to look like a slob and always dress
well. I used to like all my clothes really loose and big, now I like them
to fit and show off my new body. Somedays, I just walk around thinking
I'm a super model. It's great. I still have a long ways to go, but I'm
so happy with where I am now. People all say I just glow.
— Janet S.
November 5, 2003
I love the way I feel now.... healthy, full of energy, ... people say I
glow! Everyday, I enjoy my own "little successes" of: fitting
in every seat, tying my shoes with the bows up, crossing my legs, running
after my kids, taking walks...long ones... working out, eating whatever I
want to eat, but just a little bit! I can dance the night away and still
have energy to make love to my husband. I wear clothes to make me feel good
or sexy or comfortable...whatever, I now have choices! I no longer take
several meds a day and my outlook on life is very long and very positive.
I am not at goal yet... I am a size 14 and know that I will be a size 10
soon enough. I am so happy that I had this surgery... I feel freer than I
have ever been!!! And, now that I have read other posts... I am going to
do a somersault!!! Open RNY 3/20/03 255/170/145
— teresa M.
November 5, 2003
WOW! What hasnt changed? I think one of the most noteable changes is that
before surgery I could not go into Lane Bryant to buy clothes - nothing
fit...now I cant go into Lane Bryant to buy clothes - nothing
fits!!WHOOOOPIE. (from a size 32 to a size 12)
My kids LOVE to wrap there arms ALL the way around me and SQUEEZE now.
Buying single digit underwear was a big milestone. Exercising and ENJOYING
IT!?!!? what a concept!
LIKING what I see in the mirror, having tons of energy, WANTING SEX with my
husband.....Using a seatbelt again, fitting in the tub,
Being READY for ANYTHING at ANYTIME!!!!!! Being thrilled to be alive
again!!!!!!!!!!! Lap RNY 9/6/02 349/182/174...
— Debby M.
November 6, 2003
Hear are some neat/weird things that have changed for me! When I sit in my
car I feel so far away from the steering wheel. In a sitting position I
feel like an "L" now instead of a "Q". When I crave
chocolate now I just want a bite for the taste, I no longer want the whole
piece of chocolate. I have lost 1/2 a shoe size. When I lay in bed I can
lace my fingers on my abdomen and my elbows actually touch the bed. I get
cold now instead of being hot all the time. I have a lap now. My face
feels smaller in my hands when I wash it at night. My skin has cleared up.
My rings are too big. I can sit in booths at restaurants now. I don't
scope out chairs before sitting in them. I can be comfortable in a regular
size bathroom stall instead of the handicap stall. I sleep through the
night without having to wake up and pee! It's amazing all the changes, I'm
sure if I thought about it longer I could come up with a million more, but
I'll stop now!
— beeda
November 10, 2003
I can see my feet and I can't see my butt from the front. Two good things.
— Goldilauxx B.
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