Change?

[Regina]

This month’s topic is going to be about Change.

Do you think you have changed since you have had the surgery?

[Regina]

I don't think I have changed my ways since losing the weight. I have always been out going and never had a problem with socializing with people. I think that losing the weight only gave me more energy to do more. All my friends that I had before the weight loss are still my friends. Now I even have more friends since the weight loss. I have made some great friends through this group. I have never had anyone come up to me and say Hey Reg you have changed since you lost weight. I am still the same person I was before the weight loss and will always be me. The only changes that I can see in me is my health is better I can do more things with my family and friends and I really enjoy shopping now more then ever.:D

[AnnieP68@yahoo.]

I don't think I've changed. I feel more comfortable with people at a smaller size. I don't feel like something is always sticking out or that I can't sit up straight in a chair. I feel like I fit in more with most of the people I know. Sizewise that is. I have not gone crazy and changed my life much. I continued to carry the same responsibilities and do the same family things. One big change though is that I could lift my leg to get on back of my husband's Harley and I just love being on that! I really love it. At my bigger size I couldn't really get on and off comfortably. Changing is something that a lot of people don't like and I am one of them. Before the bypass, I think I used to panic when I started to lose weight. In other words the fat was some kind of a suit I wore like armor to hide myself. I always lost a certain amount and then would sabotage myself and gain it back. Frustrating. The surgery "bypassed" that feeling because my body could not sabotage itself as I went through the first year. After counseling, and the years have passed I have discovered it's OK to let people see the "real" me.

[QUEEBELL]

OK, well I'll have to admit that I have changed. I've changed back to the way I was before I put on the "fat suite." I was always kind of heavy and I still am, but I used to go out every week with my friends. I don't go out every week, but I don't make excuses to stay home anymore either. I wore a bathing suite at the beach a couple of weeks ago and I'm going to do it again tomorrow. I mean I always used to, but I hadn't been checked out on the beach in a long time. Now it's happening everywhere! I guess I look more like a girl now. I wear skirts! I wear real shoes instead of sneakers! I miss the sneakers sometimes when my feet get cold. LOL I must admitt that I'm uncomfortable with this whole being checked out thing. And I got hit on today at work! What the hell was that? I'm used to being the one guys all talk to not the one they check out and hit on. That's my best friend's job. When I went out last week I wasn't ignored. It feels really weird. I think I wore the fat suit not just because of the Cancer, but because of the scars. The bigger I was the less people would look at me. Now people ask me about the scars because they can see them and I proudly reply, "Those are my battle scars, but I won!" I'm more confident. I could always talk to just about everybody, but now I don't feel like I have to be as entertaining. I could always find something in common with anybody. Last weekend at Painters, a really hot guy was talking to me, but I couldn't even pretend to have anything in common with him. So, I thanked him for the drink and gave him the old heave ho! Sup with that? Guess change is good.
Isabel

[Regina]

Hey Isabel isn't it great that when you go out you have these people hitting on you. I mean it’s a good feeling. I know that when a few of us from here go out someone is always being hit on and we laugh our asses (hope I can say that here) off. Since we are all either married or with someone already and we are not looking. Sometimes when they hit on my friend Terri I will say hey do you know she has a husband 6'7 at home. She looks at me and we are lOAO (same as above word ;) ) and says 6' 8. It’s just a little joke between us.

So, when you go out enjoy yourself and remember that drinking with this surgery you get drunk very fast. Drink water along with your drink it helps a lot. ;)

[Jamie]

Hey Guys,

I think everyone's confidence changes for the better. As long as you don't get full of yourself and stay humble about the situation you will become an asset to all of us. After the pounds start coming off and people start to notice, it can't do anything but make you feel better about yourself.

I still remember the first support group meeting I came to, and stood up and said that I was opting for the Lap Band, (lap band being sort of a newer procedure at that time) I thought that I was going to have my head handed to me and really started to think that I had maybe made the wrong decision. Everyone said that they didn't want LapBand because they could cheat. I told them that I didn't get into this thing to cheat and that I had researched both procedures for a couple of years and realized that Lap Band was the right decision for me and my lifestyle so I decieded to dig my heels into the turf and started my quest to help educate others that weren't familiar with this type of bariatric surgery.

I am proud to say that I feel that I have gotten to the point that more people understand this procedure better and am so happy that now, both Bypass and LapBanders get together to help others that aren't sure which way they want to turn possibly make an educated decision for themselves. I know that the only way you can make that decision is to research all ways and make the decision for YOU and ONLY YOU!!!

Either way these procedures are a life changing experience that as far as I know, almost all of Dr. Allam's patients would do it again in a heartbeat, and are not afraid to tell you that fact!!!

If that isn't a life change, I don't know what is!!!

Thanks,

Jamie

[connie]

CHANGE ???? Have I changed since my surgery ????? Not really, I am still the same person I always have been, Yes my self confidence has imporoved,and my eating habits have changed,my clothes size has changed,my health has improved(changed). But when I look at myself in the mirror I still see the same Connie. Its like I was hidden behind my 4X body. I have accompolished many things in my life,have held many important positions in my community,and raised my 5 children, my weight never stopped me or held me back. But it became difficult for me when my knees and joints would hurt after long hour events, or my health began to be issue high blood pressure,high cholesterol. Now I have cut my meds in half and I have energy enough to walk everyday,carrie on my motherly duties,run a busy household without the restriction of my weight.
So have I changed ???? Yes I have !!! Thanks to Doctor Alllam I have escaped my 4X body and I have found myself again with only the loss of my first 50 pounds I have become a healthier,happier person,(mom and wife). I walk proudly everyday and happier,I have energy. My weight loss is a "work in progress" I look forward to getting on the scale, when the numbers go down I have incentive to continue to reach my goal weight. Lap band was the best decision I ever made in my life. It was a decision that has benefited my entire family. Thanks again. Connie

[Bridget]

So you all are funny, come on "I didn't change" Of course you did either by becoming more active or more confident, more sexy or just more aware of your sexiness..LOL I CHANGED..... and I am not asshamed to say it. Listen everyone says "I'm not going to let it change me" well you have no say. Just yes Jamie stay Humble. My good friend Sandy came to mae problery about 4 or 5 months after surgery histericly crying saying that I changed and she missed the old Bridget the one that was always smiling the one that didn't care what people thought. I suddleny realized I HAVE CHANGED! I was the funny one that go hit on and she was the humble friend in the backgorund roles reversed. We cried for a while...those shots will get to you every time. We talked and she understands that I am still me, its just for so long I was hidding in this body that wasn't me I never got the chance to "live" I always existed as this fat humble person who doesn't care what people think and lived my life, NOW I LIVE my life as this healthy, please challenge me, life is to short so Love, Laugh and Live while you still can person. This process changes you its your desicion if its gonna be for the better or worse. Let it better you as a person not worsen you as a human being.I don't judge and every one here is the greastest, but don't kid yourself! You changed.

[Jamie]

Bridget,

Nice to here from you again, and I just wanted to say, GREAT POST!!! That is so true in so many ways. Everyone pretty much has to change a little because this is a huge lifestyle changing surgery. It may only be a small change, but in most cases (hopefully) a positive one.

Talk to you soon,

Jamie

[QUEEBELL]

I'm just starting to notice the difference in my appearance now from looking at pictures. I have changed my mindset a little, but that body dismorphia is a real problem. I am more active. I went Kyaking last weekend and I loved it so much I'm going to buy a kyak! So, yes. You are right about the change thing. I have changed my whole outlook on life!
Isabel

[akhan16]

There is so much that has changed. I am so much more confident in everything I do. Yes I do look different but my heart is still the same. I am so excited that I can do more outdoors than I was able to before. I’m back to being very active like I was in middle school and high school. I haven’t feel this happy since I was 2 going into the first of when I was 3. I am loving every bit of my life and embrace everyday with a smile whether I’m stressed out or not. Waking up with a smile everyday knowing that you gave yourself a second chance at life…a better, healthier life is the best feeling for me.
It’s amazing how everyone I encounter now treat me differently, they are nicer to me.
My family does treat me differently now. They want to take me everywhere they go just so that they can “show me off” to relatives. I’m not that kind of person so I don’t go :p

So yes there is a really big change….I AM VERY VERY HAPPY!!!!!!!