Those special things we never thought we'd see and do again!

WOW! Moments

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My 6 year old son looked at me in the morning and said, "Mom, you sure are getting pretty!!!"

Lorie

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My surgery was in Oct '06. In getting ready for cooking Christmas dinner that year I had done ALL the grocery shopping for dinner for twelve. I was still into making as few trips upstairs as possible and was real proud to get all up the stairs in one load! As I was struggling up the stairs, I suddenly realized what I was carrying in the bags was about the same amount of weight I had lost. No wonder I was totally exhausted and struggling like in the old days - I used to be carrying all those bags of groceries with me ALL THE TIME!

Nancy

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I bought some 1X shirts at JCPenney without trying tham on. Whe I got home and tried them on they were too big . I went to the misses department (instead of the womens dept), picked an XL, told my mother that I didn't think it would fit. She said, "I'm sure it will". When I went to try them on I still didn't think they would fit - BUT THEY DID!!

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I went to Florida on a plane and when I put my seat belt on it seemed longer than most airplane seatbelts to which I commented to the people that I was traveling with. They assured me that it was a standard size seat belt. I actually had to tighten it which I had never done before.

Edie

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I was on the telephone and needed to get something from upstairs. I ran upstairs, got the something, picked up the extension and was not out of breath.

Kathy

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My WOW moment for my Mom: When she too the incentive to have the surgery for herself. I'm so proud of her for everything she has done. Keep you chin up and keep movin' Mom!

Kelly

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Buying my first belt! An old friend thought my husband was having an affair. Going shopping at the Buckle with my daughter and buying a size 8 from being a 22

Robin

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My T-shirts are smaller than my 'normal' partner's t-shirts!

RL

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First time I crossed my legs and didn't realize it. First time I got out of (and sat in) chairs at a doctor's office without any trouble at all. First time I walked up a flight of stairs in one attempt and could do so without grasping for breath.

MaryLou

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For me it was the first time I looked in the mirror and did not recognize myself.

Pam

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Seeing the pride in my families' eyes because they have helped me through the journey. Realizing I had bones!

Losing enough weight to get into my Rockies jeans. Standing in a mountain creek for the first time on 10 years.

Deb

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The first time I walked up stiar 'normally'. I used to put my right foot up, grab the rail and then drag the left foot up. Now I walk one foot after another. The first time I couldn't find anything that fit in the plus size store. It was all too big.

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When I could hike mountains again. I had previously given up hiking due to my weight.

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After teaching for fifteen years in a building where I had to go up and down 21 steps many times, I told my administrator I couldn't teach next year,because the stairs were' killing me" (at over 300 pounds!) The school installed a stair glide which I used for 5-6 years. My "WOW" moment was when I could again climb the stairs without using the chair!

SAB

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My daughters telling me they can get their arms around me when we hug. Becoming a size 6 for the 1st time - ever!

Donna

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Three weeks out of surgery (gastric bypass) I could tie my own shoes again after years of not being able to do so by myself. Six months out of surgery a lady I did not personally know started crying and I asked her what was wrong. She replied that she had been so worried about my weight and when she saw me that day she was so proud and happy that I took the steps to a better and healthy life! P.S. I got a really big hug from her.

Bob

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I was able to hike three miles in Rocky Mountain National Park, uphill for the first time in several years. I was able to walk the entire way around the Denver zoo without resting on every bench for the first time in 5 years.

RL

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I had a co-worker ask "Who was the new guy" after she was out on maternity leave and did not know I had had WLS. Three days after surgery I was off 5 of 6 meds.

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My "WW" moment for Robin was when she said she wanted to walk the dogs with me before she left for work and walked fast for about an hour.

Joan

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I was in my boss's office going over a serious situation whitin the organization we manage. I very casually crossed my legs and let out a little scream. Of course my boss thought something was wrong with me medically. "No, I just realized I had crossed my legs, something I hadn't been able to do for years." She had not realized how my obesity had affected me socially. We took a few moments to cry together and then "back to business".
The first time I could fasten the seal belt on the place was another "wild moment". I was no longer self-conscious about having to tug and pull and sometimes ask for an extension. ITtwas a thrill!

Sondra

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Being able to go shopping with my daughters and we could shop in the same department. Being able to walk up and down the stairs in my house without taking 1/2 hour to get up the 11 steps.

Bobbette

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Airplane Experiences - Not using a seat belt extender. The tray table doesn't rest on my stomach. A stranger doesn't get"that look" when I have to sit next to them. I don't bump into people when I walk down the aisle.

Kathy

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My "WOW" time was when I went to my 40 year class reunion and everyone was very shocked that I looked so good. I was even asked if I had had a face ift. SO cool. And by the way, I have not had a face lift. Just less "Fat" checks.

Joanie

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I have been waterskiing since I was 5 years old but I was never able to get up on one ski. I would have to use two skis to get up then drop one. About a year and a half after surgery I decided to give skiing on one ski another try. I put my one ski on and yelled "hit it". The boat started pulling on me and I kept thinking I'm coming up, I'm coming up. Before I knew it I was up and out of the water skiing on just one ski. I dropped the rope so I could try it again to make sure it what happened was true. And it was!

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The day I walked the whole Susan G Koman Breast Cancer Walk. After not being able to walk to the planes and having to use a wheelchair to get to the plane because it was too far to walk.

Mary

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Being able to wear Levi's again and cross my legs! What a great feeling.

Jorgeann

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