I was a "super healthy" fat person until surgery changed my life. Was it worth it?

[LipstickLady 25,682]

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Edited January 19, 2017 by LipstickLady

[Kindle 8,667]

That was a very sneaky title to your post...I was waiting for the "but now....." So glad it had a happy ending!

[susis 70]

Oh Lipstick, all I can say is Jesus Chriissttt~~ Look at you! That last picture where you are standing, and you have your arms outstretched! That is so beautiful and sexy!! I see that, and I get tears in my eyes, cuz even though I am 2 inches taller than you, we have similar stats, and YOU ARE HOW I WANT TO LOOK!

CONGRATULATIONS!

[LipstickLady 25,682]

Oh Lipstick, all I can say is Jesus Chriissttt~~ Look at you! That last picture where you are standing, and you have your arms outstretched! That is so beautiful and sexy!! I see that, and I get tears in my eyes, cuz even though I am 2 inches taller than you, we have similar stats, and YOU ARE HOW I WANT TO LOOK!

CONGRATULATIONS!

ACK!!! That's the funkiest picture ever!! I was jumping the fire pit and had smoke in my eyes. A huge NSV? Not caring how ugly a picture is of myself. The fear of Facebook tagging no longer exists.

[AlwaysLorri 31]

Awesome and inspirational! Thank you needed to read this today as I sit on my arse and wonder what have I done to myself at 6 days post op. . Lovely!

[WhoKnows 288]

Very well said and very inspirational! I don't think I've ever been in denial about the ways being fat holds me back or about how I have to plan things out around my weight, but these are things I do that second nature to me, and have been since I was a child. It's so difficult to articulate to people things like why flying may be worse for me, why I want to sit in the booth, why I don't want to walk far on a humid day, or why even on a hot day I need to wear at least three layers to "hold things in." When I try to articulate these things even to good friends, friends I feel comfortable with confiding my struggles with obesity to, even they look at me like I waaay over think things. But I know the world I live in. I know how society feels about fat people. I know the steps I need to take to make my life less, well, embarrassing for myself.

I'm getting sleeved on Wednesday. If in a year I'm anywhere close to where you are now, @@LipstickLady, I'll consider it the best thing I've ever done. Congratulations on your tremendous success!

[chris1142 148]

LL I've followed you from shortly after your surgery and waaaayyyy before my own. You are one of the people on here that I see as a role model for being successful with this surgery.

Thanks for telling your story. It inspires me and keeps my resolve to follow my doctor's directions to a tee strong

Great pics too!

[MelBooks 76]

This is so reassuring. I'm in the same boat, super active and "healthy" when I was hugely overweight. 1/2 marathons and triathlons, no problem.

I'm only 6 weeks out of surgery and am down over 50 pounds from when I first walked into my doctors office. I'm not losing very fast post-op, but I honestly don't even care. Running is SO much easier now. Eating so much Protein is making me feel stronger. I am so glad I made this choice now, at a youngish age, so I can enjoy a much more active lifestyle as my kids get older. And I totally feel you on not wanting to be the fat mom!

[musicmama 19]

I can totally relate to pretty much your whole post. I want to rush the next few months to get to my surgery, and at the same time, reading stories like this makes me realize it's good to sit back and write it down and almost savor these moments, so I can learn from them instead of forgetting them.

Thanks so much for sharing!!!

[mariavg 154]

Your are such an inspiration ! Thanks for sharing . You look amazing and I can't wait to my sweet shot

[onlybroomegirl 250]

Congratulations! I never knew someone could look so HAPPY covered in mud! Lol. I'm 3months post op & you are an inspiration!

[cherrytree15 78]

So very happy that you are enjoying your life. At six days out, I take this story to heart and look forward to being where you are a year from now. Take full advantage of every single day of your life! Be blessed and enjoy.

[DeniseNCC1701 306]

@@LipstickLady I think I'm developing a lady-crush on you.

You represent everything I aspire to become.

Be well…

[Abbycat 13]

Thank you for sharing. Very motivational to those of us just starting this journey. I am two months post surgery. First month weight dropped easily but only two pounds in the second month....a little discouraged but reading your story and seeing your photos gave my spirits a boost!

[LipstickLady 25,682]

Enjoy the journey. It sounds cheesy, but it's true.

Every size lost, every new pair of pants bought, every teeny victory is to be savored. The first time you can back your car up and actually turn around in your car seat comfortably, the first time you paint your toenails and can breath while doing so, the first time you can cross your legs, or wear a regular sized garment, or get up off the floor without rolling to your knees first, or wrap your fingers around your wrist, or feel your hipbones, your sternum, your tailbone...

There are so many little things that you will do and then realize you DID (cuz ohmygawd you've not done that in SO.FREAKING.LONG). When the scale stops moving for a few weeks (but your pants keep getting looser) you have to rejoice in all the little things that are happening to your body along the way, because those are what add up to the big things.

No one will ever see your number on the scale (unless you shamelessly tell people like I do at times), and rarely will someone know your clothing size (well...uhm...) but they WILL see you bounce up the stairs without huffing and puffing, they will see your confident posture and smile as you shop at a regular store, they will see you run after your kids or for the bus...

This WLS thing is awesome. Ridiculously awesome. Enjoy every minute of it.

Edited May 26, 2014 by LipstickLady