In Weigh Over my Head: You realize how fat you still really are when...

Saturday, October 8, 2011

You realize how fat you still really are when...

you go shopping for a Halloween costume. I am still to "fat" to buy a costume from a store. (the plus sizes only go up to 22/24 and although I am in a size 20 in regular clothes, I am convinced the costume "plus sizes" are more like 14's. :) A let down for sure. I was really hoping that this year I didn't have to dress in all black and throw a witch hat on and call it a costume, but it looks like I do have another year of that. :( I am trying not to focus on this, but I admit it stings.

15 comments:

The Lovely One said...: I don't know if this will help much, but the Halloween after I had Bug, I bought a costume from the men's line. I was a 20 at the time, maybe a 22, and the grim reaper costume I bought was plenty big enough. You could do something like that, and then also be happy to know that FOR SURE you'll be able to buy a women's costume next year!; October 8, 2011 at 12:20 PM
Christine said...: it's your boobs hon. They chest section is made for A's...everything else will fit and the underarm area will be utterly ridiculous. Take heart.; October 8, 2011 at 12:24 PM
T.L. said...: Take that new body and put it all in a color! You can be a purple witch or a red devil, etc...

Next year, a costume from a store. But this year - celebrate how much different you are from last year!

(I totally agree with you about the costumes - no way the ones marked 22/24 are actually that size.)

You look great!; October 8, 2011 at 12:50 PM
Sarah said...: Have you tried other costume shops? There has to be something out there or how about you make something out of something to make your costume? Don't let that defeat you hun, you have come a long way!; October 8, 2011 at 1:18 PM
Sarah said...: I was in that same boat last year. I was still too big for the store costumes. This year I can definitely wear a regular costume, but I'm not going to any halloween parties because of prior obligations!

Sarah
notaneffingdiet.blogspot.com; October 8, 2011 at 1:27 PM
Kim said...: You are so right about the sizing on the costumes! Though sometimes I think the same thing of clothes at Lane Bryant! One time hubby and I went to Goodwill and we ended up being "Tourists" with geeky clothes, I had some big sunglasses on, fanny packs, and he looked like a total dork with dark socks on and sandals. Anyway, it worked out well. Your weight loss is very inspiring!; October 8, 2011 at 2:41 PM
Lori said...: Put on a yellow dress with an orange had and white tights and call yourself candy corn. LOL!!
Lori; October 8, 2011 at 3:36 PM
Amanda said...: Those costumes use as little fabric as possible, and I think your assessment of their sizing is spot-on. Next year!!; October 8, 2011 at 6:00 PM
aec5940 said...: Sorry to hear this, but you are right about the sizes. That said, so many of the costumes are so incredibly skanky that I couldn't imagine wearing them, even at my thinnest!

So my advice - change it up this year - can you wear a white shirt and skirt and an angel halo? Or black pants and a leopard shirt with leopard or cat ears and tail? My point is, I know you can turn this "sting" around and be creative and come up with a new costume idea. Even though you say you are still "fat," you have way more options than you did last year!!

Congrats and Happy Halloween!; October 8, 2011 at 6:26 PM
InWeighOverMyHead said...: Thanks for all the ideas and great comments all. :) I am thinking of embracing my LAST fat Halloween and wear a orange shirt, black pants and put some green ribbion in my hair and go as a pumpkin! lol; October 8, 2011 at 9:28 PM
Sheila said...: I agree about the chest size. Seems all "costumes" run small regular and plus size. I can finally fit into a regular costume and have no parties to attend...lol!; October 9, 2011 at 7:57 AM
Diane, Fit to the Finish said...: The costumes are truly made for teens - I really believe that! Straight up and down for the most part. Don't let that get you down - you will rock whatever you decide to wear!; October 9, 2011 at 8:31 PM
pinkgigi said...: I had a costume birthday party and my friend who is an Aus size 12 (I think that is a US size 8), had trouble getting a big enough costume, so it is ridiculous. I made my own and had so much fun doing it. Lots of people came to my party as puss-in-boots, easy to do and very cute.
Love Julie; October 10, 2011 at 7:50 PM
Dea said...: Go get a gorgeous red dress and some devil ears! Rock a bright color in a well-made dress - you can use the dress again at Christmas! (although you may need to take it in by then).; October 11, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Anonymous said...: Sizes are so crazy - I have three pair of kakhi (sp?) pants right now, all fit the same, one is an 8, one is a 10 and one is a 14.

Of course, I like to tell myself I am a size 8! :D; October 12, 2011 at 4:54 PM

My Weight Loss Surgery - NOT THE BAND OR BYPASS!

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) - Also known as Sleeve Gastrectomy, Vertical Gastrectomy

The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure (also called Sleeve Gastrectomy, Vertical Gastrectomy, Greater Curvature Gastrectomy, Parietal Gastrectomy, Gastric Reduction, Logitudinal Gastrectomy and even Vertical Gastroplasty) is performed by approximately 20 surgeons worldwide. This forum is titled “VSG forum” to include the two most common terms for the procedure (vertical and sleeve). The earliest forms of this procedure were conceived of by Dr. Jamieson in Australia (Long Vertical Gastroplasty, Obesity Surgery 1993)- and by Dr. Johnston in England in 1996 (Magenstrasse and Mill operation- Obesity Surgery 2003). Dr Gagner in New York, refined the operation to include gastrectomy(removal of stomach) and offered it to high risk patients in 2001. Several surgeons worldwide have adopted the procedure and have offered it to low BMI and low risk patients as an alternative to laparoscopic banding of the stomach.

It generates weight loss by restricting the amount of food (and therefore calories) that can be eaten by removing 85% or more of the stomach without bypassing the intestines or causing any gastrointestinal malabsorption. It is a purely restrictive operation. It is currently indicated as an alternative to the Lap-Band® procedure for low weight individuals and as a safe option for higher weight individuals.

Anatomy

This procedure generates weight loss solely through gastric restriction (reduced stomach volume). The stomach is restricted by stapling and dividing it vertically and removing more than 85% of it. This part of the procedure is not reversible. The stomach that remains is shaped like a very slim banana and measures from 1-5 ounces (30-150cc), depending on the surgeon performing the procedure. The nerves to the stomach and the outlet valve (pylorus) remain intact with the idea of preserving the functions of the stomach while drastically reducing the volume. By comparison, in a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the stomach is divided, not removed, and the pylorus is excluded. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass stomach can be reconnected (reversed) if necessary. Note that there is no intestinal bypass with this procedure, only stomach reduction. The lack of an intestinal bypass avoids potentially costly, long term complications such as marginal ulcers, vitamin deficiencies and intestinal obstructions.

Comparison to prior Gastroplasties (stomach stapling of the 70-80s)

The Vertical Gastrectomy is a significant improvement over prior gastroplasty procedures for a number of reasons:

1) Rather than creating a pouch with silastic rings or polypropylene mesh, the VG actually resects or removes the majority of the stomach. The portion of the stomach which is removed is responsible for secreting Ghrelin, which is a hormone that is responsible for appetite and hunger. By removing this portion of the stomach rather than leaving it in-place, the level of Ghrelin is reduced to near zero, actually causing loss of or a reduction in appetite (Obesity Surgery, 15, 1024-1029, 2005). Currently, it is not known if Ghrelin levels increase again after one to two years. Patients do report that some hunger and cravings do slowly return. An excellent study by Dr. Himpens in Belgium(Obesity Surgery 2006) demonstrated that the cravings in a VSG patient 3 years after surgery are much less than in LapBand patients and this probably accounts for the superior weight loss.

2) The removed section of the stomach is actually the portion that “stretches” the most. The long vertical tube shaped stomach that remains is the portion least likely to expand over time and it creates significant resistance to volumes of food. Remember, resistance is greatest the smaller the diameter and the longer the channel. Not only is appetite reduced, but very small amounts of food generate early and lasting satiety(fullness).

3) Finally, by not having silastic rings or mesh wrapped around the stomach, the problems which are associated with these items are eliminated (infection, obstruction, erosion, and the need for synthetic materials). An additional discussion based on choice of procedures is below.

Alternative to a Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

The Vertical Gastrectomy is a reasonable alternative to a Roux en Y Gastric Bypass for a number of reasons

Because there is no intestinal bypass, the risk of malabsorptive complications such as vitamin deficiency and protein deficiency is minimal.

There is no risk of marginal ulcer which occurs in over 2% of Roux en Y Gastric Bypass patients.

The pylorus is preserved so dumping syndrome does not occur or is minimal.

There is no intestinal obstruction since there is no intestinal bypass.

It is relatively easy to modify to an alternative procedure should weight loss be inadequate or weight regain occur.

The limited two year and 6 year weight loss data available to date is superior to current Banding and comparable to Gastric Bypass weight loss data(see Lee, Jossart, Cirangle Surgical Endoscopy 2007).

Let's Shrink!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

You realize how fat you still really are when...

15 comments: