hadouni

I've been waxing my legs for 20 years (I may have shaved 6 times in 20 years) and I'd had many bikini waxes along the way. I started waxing it all off down below (front and back) in July. It hurts but it's worth it. I can't stand the itchy regrowth I'd get from shaving but it feels so nice, clean and cool. If you still have pain meds from your surgery, take one about 30 minutes before you go in! =) Someone mentioned the blue wax. This is KEY. I'd not recommend using strips or wax that has to be pulled off with strips of material for the labia or that immediate vicinity. Get recommendations and call to find out what kind of wax they use. Find someone you like and are comfortable with. This person is going to handle you more than your OB and I'm telling you, I've had less invasive sex than waxing... The first time, they'll probably trim you with a beard trimmer. You want the hair long enough for the wax to grab, but not so long that there's too much play between the level on the hair where the wax reaches and the skin. If the hair is too long, it pulls randomly and produces poor results because there's too much breakage rather than removal. I'm not opposed to waxing myself. I can easily do my legs but haven't invested in the blue wax for my own use. I'd probably do my face too if I had it! I'm getting my underarms and some of my bikini hair done with laser too. I *really* don't like shaving!

You look great and so happy! I have a 4yr old and it almost put me in tears the first time I realized he could reach his arms around me.

I had prescription strength omeprazole (sp?) for at least two months post-op and since then I've taken the OTC version (half the strength) and have been just fine. I don't take it daily anymore either. I can't remember how much weight I lost in the first month! I think it was in the low 20s. I know I'm down 90 now! Good luck on your journey!

You look AMAZING! I really identify with you list of "hardest parts" so thanks for sharing those. I too, experience the guilt of not fessing up to WLS when people compliment me and from time to time I miss a big meal.

My weight loss has been slow for the past four months or so - it's still coming off but a couple pounds per month. Things must be tightening up a little because clothes seem to fit differently even though there aren't crazy lbs dropping off. The latest... I bought skinny jeans! I came out this morning in my new jeans and a little striped top and my mom said I made her think of an Audrey Hepburn movie where she wore black pegged pants and a striped top. I know the reference because images from that movie were used in Gap ads a few years back and I'm *hardly* that thin but feels pretty good! I feel "normal" sized for the first time since I was a small child. Even that feels strange because when I was this weight last, I felt fat for sure. I'm going to chalk that up to the wisdom of 41 compared to late 20s...

Wow, wow, wow! Amazing. Keep it up!

Wow! You look so great. Congrats!

Did your surgeon give you any anti-nausea meds? I had a prescription that I filled when I got home. I can't remember the name of the medication but I did take it a few times. Not all of them. I think the Rx was for 10 or 12 and I still have several. Call your surgeon's office if it doesn't pass quickly. IMO, there's no reason to be uncomfortable when you're recovering! Hope you feel better soon!

For me, it's my body more than my face right now. When I weighed 178 last, my muscle tone (and so body shape) was very different. My abdomen just feels wrecked to me between the loose skin and stretch marks. The one part of my face that irks me is the little bit of waddle (sp? loose skin under the chin?) I seem to be sporting. I hope that tightens up!

I so feel your pain! My son's swim teacher from last summer was hot as all get out. Mind you, I'm probably old enough to have birthed him, but like my grandma said once, I'm not dead yet, so I can look all I want! The day of the second lesson my son totally freaked and ran out of the pool to plaster his wet little self to me. I was wearing a white shirt. I can't stand lined or padded bras so I was a one woman wet t-shirt contest. Me and my 40 year old, unaltered mom boobs... talk about a no-win! Live and learn, right?

I've been eating popcorn since about 6 months post-op with no problems that I'm aware of. I'm not a gum chewer so it's not something I paid attention to.

I'm 5' 7" and my highest without being pregnant was 268. Pregnant I was more like 280. I was a tight 22 and in 2x tops in January 2012. Today I'm 178 and size 14 pants (most of the time, though in older clothes I'm in 16s - sizes used to be smaller!) and Large or XL tops. I like things a little loose. I've got some Lucky jeans I really want to wear but don't like the muffin-top when I sit down. They look great if I'm standing! =) I'd like to loose at least 20 more lbs. I've been a total slacker for the past few months and I'm loosing much slower as a result. I could probably double my average loss per month if I'd exercise some more!

This is funny! I don't think I have much at 10 months out that I can't eat at least a few bites of if I want it. But here's the few things that I usually stay away from: 1. bread in any form that's not thinly sliced and/or toasted 2. rice 3. Pasta 4. too much sugar (sadly, I define "too much" after the fact when I'm slightly nauseous!) 5. more than a few bites of fried foods. I ate a crunchy taco in August and did just fine with one crunchy chicken taco. 6. this is weird but meats that are cooked too dry. I have more trouble with dry meats foaming up on me - ewww! I eat too much pop corn and dry Cereal (I love to snack on multi-grain cheerios!) I really need to branch out my Protein foods because I eat too much dairy for protein.

One of the nurses who took care of me post op had the surgery herself in the year prior to my surgery and she was great. I had one friend who said it was a bad idea... she's since changed her tune. I've only shared with a handful of people though.

I seem to hit my tailbone in the bathtub. That's where I notice it most. I also have a totally bony butt... who knew? =)

How far out are you and what foods are you eating? The first two or maybe even three weeks were very, very loose and I almost felt like I was even leaking a little after. Totally gross, but there you have it. It went along with the fluids diet for me. No problems once I transitioned to puree and maybe even the full liquids week.

I had surgery in early January 2012 and it's off and on for me. I haven't paid enough attention to notice if it's related to specific foods or eating patterns. My guess is I take an OTC omeprazole 2-4 times per week but it wouldn't surprise me if I went as much as a week without needing any. I do take it in a reactionary mode these days.

I get many more looks but like ShoeLover mentioned, I don't always have a welcoming/open look on my face. Unless I'm actively thinking about trying to look less intense, I can be a little scary (or so I'm told). My friends lovingly refer to it as my "death look". I think a guy I recently met may be working himself into asking me out. We'll see...

Don't get frustrated! Try to stay off the scale for a few days at a time and go by how your clothes are fitting. For instance, I really saw results in the fit (around) of my bra even when the scale wasn't dropping like I'd have liked to see. I'm at the point that I loose 2-4lbs a month (I'm being lazy) and it all comes off with my period sometimes. I'm grateful for every pound though! You're doing great!

I love the energy of your post! I recently discovered I have a bony butt. I was sitting in one of my dining room chairs and squirmed around worse than my 3yr old trying to find a spot that didn't hurt. What the heck?! Each time I've gotten back into clothing, that then becomes large, it feels pretty great. I have size 16 pants I bought at the beginning of summer (and not 16W) that are all hanging on me now. I have an interview Friday and I have no idea what I'll wear!

its refreshing to hear someone happy about loosing their boobs! usually it's just the ladies complaining about it!

The hair loss started around 3.5 - 4 months out for me and it's still happening, though it's getting to be in smaller amounts. I have thin hair and not much of it so it's been a bit of a drag for me and I'll be very happy to see it even out again. I'd NOT trade the hair for the 85lbs I've lost. My surgeon gives a handout that says we should expect to loose hair, nothing will stop it if that's your body's reaction and there's no way to avoid it. I think their hidden message is don't waste money on fancy supplements or hair treatment systems. From what I've read, its a physiological response to drastic calorie reduction and rapid weight loss. The body looks for things to shut down to conserve energy and hair growth is something the body considers non-necessary for sustaining life. As the body adjusts to the weight loss and calorie intake, it will turn hair growth back on. I do see a bit of new short hair but I'll happy to see it thicken up again. Meanwhile, I'm wearing it shorter and layered for a little volume, wearing hats in the sun and keeping a scalp sunscreen applied.

You look fantastic. Congrats on loosing ALL those extra lbs! =)

Good for you! It's such a great feeling to have a world open up to you that's been closed for a long time. Have fun trying clothes on for a change! =)

I hope they can either tell you it's a false alarm or that they can get it all! You are in my thoughts.