Gastric Bypass Barbie

Highlights from Obesity Help Conference 2010

Cincinnati, Ohio • August 21-22, 2010 • The Westin Cincinnati

I promised you some highlights on my latest adventure at the OH Conference in Cincinnati, and I’m delivering!

DAY 1: It takes a really long time to get to Cincinnati from Long Beach. Despite getting up at 4AM to catch a 6:50 AM flight, I didn’t arrive in Cincinnati (well, Covington, Kentucky, actually) until 3:45 PM (local time). After waiting for an airport shuttle that was never going to come (airport people told me it would; The Westin told me there wasn’t one. Oh well), I paid $30 for a roundtrip aboard the inappropriately named “Executive Limousine Shuttle.” Hmmm….

Checked into a lovely room on the 10th floor of the hotel, unpacked, donned my walking tennis, and headed for the riverfront! After walking 4 blocks in the wrong direction,(“Why are these street numbers going UP? D’oh!”) I managed to find my way to the actual RIVER. It is hard to lose the Ohio River, but if anyone can do it, I can!

Meandered around by the Great American ballpark (Home of the Cincinnati Reds), Bengal Stadium, the Steamboat Monument, The Underground Railroad Freedom Museum, and the world’s only floating theatre (it’s a live theatre on an old paddleboat.)

I have no idea how far I walked (because I don’t have a pedometer, and even if I did, I couldn’t figure out how to program it, so, until someone gives me an automatically configured device, I’m going to have to overestimate. I’d say I walked 20 miles, but it was probably closer to about 4 – roundtrip — including going the wrong direction first.

Returned to the hotel around 7:30 and decided to shower and shine so I could be presentable for packing out goody bags with Kim and the OH team. I was really sticky from my walk — it was “river humid.”

About 9 PM, I started hearing really loud music and figured the people in the room next door were listening to their TV set REALLY, REALLY LOUDLY! Not so. Turns out they have live music every summer evening in FOUNTAIN SQUARE — 10 stories down from me. Yes, that was loud music (or they were thin windows…I haven’t decided which, yet.) So, I wandered downstairs to hear the music and shake my hips a little to the rhythm. It was DELIGHTFUL!

Next, I meandered back to the hotel to help with the folder assembly for the events (it was 10:15 PM). After we finished, I was all amped and couldn’t THINK of going to bed. So, Connie (Dr. Connie Stapleton) and I decided to go WORK OUT in the gym on the 17th floor. No, there are no windows. No, there was no fan on the elliptical. Yes, I worked out for 65 minutes and made it about 5.2 miles. By then, it was around 12:30, but too early for bed (!!!) — So, we sat under an icy cold blast of air (all sweaty and junk) and chatted until 2 AM! I got to bed around 2:30 and arose around 8:15 because SHANNON WATTS was going to be checking in at around 9:45

DAY 2:

As promised, Shannon (of Revival Soy fame) arrived and, after taking care of some orders by phone, we were off to the races! We wandered around downtown looking for a restaurant (there were none; don’t ask) and, after about 2 miles, ended up back at the hotel, where we decided to catch a cab to Mt. Adams. We got there around 12:30 and it was simply ADORABLE! Beautiful little town

We decided to eat lunch at the FISH HOUSE and it was divine! We split a salad (that had gorgonzola crumbles, dried cranberries, some out-of-this-world-dressing, and some other stuff that I can’t recall because I had slipped into a food coma.) Then, we split a planked mahi mahi with orange pepper sauce, steamed asparagus and roasted potatoes. We passed on the bread (thank you) and couldn’t finish our halves of the meal. Not that we didn’t WANT to, but our pouches didn’t permit

Our server, Michael (who was terrific, by the way), suggested that we “walk to Kentucky.” So, we did.

I’m not exactly sure how far it was (again, I think it was 47 miles, but it was probably more like 4 or 5) — but the walk was so fantastic, I’d do it again tomorrow! We commenced in Mt. Adams, Ohio, then traveled along the river front on a winding path that took us through lovely parks, by old homes, and over the freeway! We finally arrived at the much ballyhooed PURPLE PEOPLE BRIDGE — which took us over the Ohio River to: NEWPORT, KENTUCKY! See? We really DID walk from Ohio to Kentucky! After enjoying an ice sugar free skinny cinnamon dolce latte while Shannon stood under the misters to cool off, we grabbed a cab and headed back to the hotel so we could freshen up for the Q&A.

DAY 2: 3:30

Yea! The OH Event is officially underway

We took up our seats in the front row (notch) in front of the table of panelists: Terri Black (3-year post-op and OH Support Group Leader), Yvonne McCarthy (10-year post-op aka Bariatric Girl), Dr. Connie Stapleton (Psychologist extraordinaire), Dr. Garth and Dr. Robert Davis (you know them from Big Medicine and the Davis Clinic in Houston), Chef Dave, and Annessa Chumbley (registered dietitian and really adorable lady Lots of great questions about things like vitamin deficiencies and whether or not you actually need to drink protein shakes and take supplements after a year post-op. Jury is still out on this one. Dr. Davis says, “No!” and many others say, “Yes!” Also met a lovely new friend who just so happens to be a 5-year post-op who lost 437 pounds. Yes, you read that right. She amazed us all with her vitality and joy for living I cannot remember her name right now (because I am terrible at that), but I will never forget her!

Next, it was off to the Meet & Greet, where we were entertained by Bo McCoy and got to eat some amazing Mexican food. There was shredded chicken, beef and sauteed bell pepper, but I didn’t have that stuff. I hung around at the black beans (seasoned to perfection), cheese and guacamole! No tostadas for me. I can’t stop, once I start those things! Oh, I think there was fresh fruit, too…maybe? I dunno, but after waiting my hour after eating, I was ready for iced-tea and it was gone (you snooze, you lose!)

Oh well, off to shopping and exploring! Me, Shannon Watts, and Amy Fekete were on a mission to find some shoes, so we raced over to Macy’s…which, inexplicably closed at 8 PM on a Friday night. What-ever.

Amy saved the day by offering to drive us around in her sexy yellow Camaro (with black racing stripes, of course!) After all, we couldn’t waste our hotness on the hotel, right? We crossed the bridge and headed for Newport on the Levee, where we, once again participated in some retail therapy. Unfortunately, none of us found a darned thing (Except me…I bought a light up pig flashlight for my daughter. Don’t ask. It made me happy.) Shan and Amy walked into the candy shop (I don’t ask questions…I just wait) and Shannon emerged with a block o’ sugar free fudge, which we decided was more like a cross between a brownie and fudge, so I named it “frownies” or “budge” — either way, it was rich and we decided we wouldn’t binge on something like that.

After that, it was back to the hotel (ostensibly, to go to bed so we’d be rested for the early morning check-in and registration!)

DAY 3: 5:30 AM

For some reason, Shannon and I did not sleep much. We laughed and scratched until she fell asleep mid-sentence. On her face. Television on. Remote control lost. I think it was about 1:45 or 2 AM. Since I can only talk to myself for so long, I finally turned out the lights (but left the TV on, because I am technologically challenged like that.) She turned it off at 5:25 and I awoke at 5:30. Probably because the TV stopped making white noise at me.

I made the most perfect shake I have ever made in a hotel room. Slurp. I now understand that the secret to a successful shake on the road is the Almond Breeze. I MUST pack Almond Breeze — every time.

Made it downstairs at 7:30 sharp and it was time to work with “Kim’s-husband-Dave” to get people signed-in! What fun, meeting all of the wonderful attendees. Sorry, no tee-shirts in MEDIUM! EEEK. I had a minor mutiny on my hands when I had to announce that. Funny how we bariatric people are so proud of our new (and shrinking) sizes, we have no tolerance when the small sizes are unavailable!!!

Meanwhile, in the main ballroom, Bo was warming up the crowd, readying them for an amazing day of information, laughs, and entertainment.

First Up: Dr. Connie Stapleton (Pscyhologist). If you’ve never met or seen Connie, she is freaking adorable! I am not kidding when I tell you she is like a little sprite or something — a ton of energy, all packed into this little body that wears fabulous shoes and the cutest dresses you’ve ever seen. Why didn’t I take pictures of her adorableness??? Why? Why? Anyway, she talked about Life After the Honeymoon — which is what happens in the Bariatric After Life™, when you stop losing your weight and have to find a way to not only maintain, but thrive and be healthy and happy doing it! I love how she compares marriage to bariatric surgery — so many similarities, it’s scary (LOL).

Next Up: Dr. Garth Davis (Bariatric Surgeon and co-founder of The Davis Clinic - a weight loss center in Houston). He talked about how critical it is for us to STOP polluting our bodies with processed foods and – yes — MEAT. Watch Food, Inc. and you’ll understand where he’s coming from. He explained about how people in the “Blue Zones” live longer, healthier lives by living active, organic, vegetarian lifestyles. His talk is quite entertaining and persuasive, and I am doing my best to limit — if not eliminate — processed foods and artificial sweeteners. It is not going to be easy, and it won’t happen overnight, but I’m onboard.

Next: Chef Dave…but I missed him (I’m sorry!)

I had to go shopping and this was my only chance. Fortunately, I found the most rocking LBD — little black dress — you’ve ever seen, so I guess it’s okay that I missed his talk. Unfortunately, Shannon didn’t find any shoes or a top, so she came home empty-handed.

LUNCH! We had fresh fruit, cottage cheese, salad, and a choice of egg, chicken or tuna salad. Unfortunately ALL of these had too much mayo, and if you didn’t recognize it with the first bite, you were likely to dump. I didn’t “go there”, but many others did, and paid the price. Ugh!

Next Up: Yvonne McCarthy, Bariatric Girl, 10-Year Post-op
Yvonne gave the neatest talk, and it was STANDING ROOM ONLY! My two favorite parts ? When she put 120-pound Tracy on her back and walked around to demonstrate how much she (Yvonne) LOST after bariatric surgery, and when she hung tube socks with golf balls around her neck to show how her boobs looked before surgery. Hey! I had some of those, too Anyway, her talk was inspiring, informative and FUNNY! She rocked the house — you go, girl! Whoo-hoo!

Next Up: Mary Jo Rapini, LPC. Oh my gosh, she is HYSTERICAL! She talked about sex and relationships in the Bariatric After Life and even had VISUAL AIDS (which, she explained, she was brave enough to get through airport security just for us. Trust me, if you see what I mean, you’ll understand how much she really does love us!) Anyway, her talk was funny, informative, open and really, really uplifting. If you have NEVER heard a real sex-therapist talk, you have GOT to hear Mary Jo. She will have you texting sexy messages to your honey-bunny in 5 minutes flat. Turn down the lights, light up the candles, turn on the music — and head to OH Houston so you can hear her for yourself!!!

There were other speakers, too, but I was off running around and I missed them (sorry!) There was also a professional panel, where all of the professionals who had spoken took questions from the audience. I also missed that (sorry again, but there’s always Houston.)

*** NOTE: I blame Shannon Watts for missing these events. She made me go shopping. I’m serious. I didn’t want to. I also didn’t want to buy all of those Starbucks iced sugar free skinny lattes…I mean it. She is VERY persuasive like that. She threatened to withhold my Revival Soy Chips, and I can’t very well let that happen, right?

Anyway, this is where my story ends, because I was hit with a very bad case of hormones (I’m being general here, so the boys don’t get squirmy) and I did NOT get to go to the ultra-fun prize giveaway event OR the fashion show and dance. I am still pouting about this, because I bought that LBD and no one got to see it (except Shannon. She made me buy it. Did I tell you that?)

So, Shannon (probably because she felt so guilty about the whole “forced-shopping” thing) stayed with me in the room and kept me awake so I wouldn’t oversleep and miss my plane. We laughed until I snorted and I said evil things about bedbugs, and then we ordered room service (!) at 3:15 AM (we split a lousy salad). Shan helpfully put the tray out in the hallway. In front of the neighbor’s door. But she caught it…and put it in front of ours…so I could trip over it on my way out at 5:25 am. But, I forgot to tell you about the part where I thought it would be a good idea to take a 15-minute cat-nap (from 4 AM until 4:15, because I had my alarm set and everything.) Did I mention my amazing ability to wake myself up when I snore? Yes, I can do this — much to Shannon’s amazement. Anyway, at 4:35, I miraculously awoke to realize I had overslept because my phone was on SILENT (from all of the seminars, of course). UGH! Just enough time to shower and shine. Fortunately, I had taken 2-1/2 hours to pack between 1:00 AM and 2:30, so I didn’t have to mess with that. Yes, I am a terrible packer when I am tired and have cramps. Okay, I am a terrible packer ALWAYS, but I am WORSE under duress. And when people are LAUGHING at me (Shannon).

No time for the sun to rise — it was off to the airport to catch and ungodly-early flight back home (and get through airport security with my Labrada Lean Body protein shake and Protein Blitz drink. No, I couldn’t take my sealed bottled water with me, because they “have that on the plane.” Whatever.)

I was home before I knew it — well, probably because I managed to snore-wake-sleep my way through both flights, while managing to leave my reading glasses in the super-cute case in the back pocket of the airplane seat — ugh. We landed at 12:05 and I was at curbside, with my check-in baggage — by 12:16. I am not kidding you. That is what it is like to fly into Long Beach — and back to MexiKen’s waiting arms.

Sigh. I hate leaving him, but I did it for YOU ;-* LOL.

PS –Before I end this “too-long-epistle”, let me give a loud shout out to my girls, Yvonne and Connie! We (and Shannon) managed to “sneak in” a couple of meals and coffees throughout the weekend, and it was simply lovely. I had a blast, girls! Let’s do it again SOON! Muah!

See ya’ll in Houston — November 5-6, people. There’s STILL time!
Discount Code: GBBarbie!

Barbie Celebrates Her 1 Year Blogiversary

1 Year ago today, I officially launched GastricBypassBarbie.com. Hard to believe, isn’t it? I mean, in those days, I didn’t know if anyone would find the site (let alone stick around and read my musings!) And if they actually did find me, I wasn’t sure they’d return! I vividly remember how excited I was to learn that 5 people had stopped by…or 1 person had left a comment. I was simply amazed that anyone would care what I had to say. Back then, I had no idea where the site would take me, how it would change over time, or how I would so radically evolve in the process!

Let me take you back to July 22, 2009.

I was 1-1/2 years post-op, and feeling as green as the day is long. A few, well-meaning people had “whispered” things into my ear that made me doubt whether I should even start a blog. They “helpfully” told me that I should “wait until I had three years of success under my belt” as a bariatric post-op; before I writing about my experiences; that way, people would “believe me more.” Other people told me that, since I was “so unusual” (in that, I’d lost more weight than the “average post-op,”) I’d just end up offending people, and no one would listen to anything I had to say, because it wouldn’t apply to them! In other words, there was a lot of negativity, disguised as supportive advice.

Fortunately, there was a lot MORE positivity and, being blindly optimistic, my passion for sharing won out! Well, *that* and I’m incredibly stubborn and impatient, so I didn’t want to wait. Of course, that didn’t stop me from wrestling with whether anyone would take me seriously for not having lived a very long bariatric after life. I had my doubts that I would find new and interesting things to say for longer than about a month; I wondered if I would always feel as enthusiastic, positive and successful as I did then. In July 2009, I was fresh, alive, inspired, largely unaffected by the online world…and filled with self-doubt.

When I pressed  the “Publish” button for that first time, I was both terrified and proud. After all, I had taken that first, big step –– even though I had NO IDEA where the road would take me.

Here’s how I would describe the Barbie from 1 year ago:

• Optimistic
• Wide-eyed
• Innocent
• Naive
• Encouraged
• Passionate
• Sensitive
• Thoughtful
• Motivated
• Healthy
• Focused
• Carefree
• Natural
• Reactionary
• Loving
• Generous
• Nervous

Well, I think it’s pretty clear to anyone who’s followed me over the course of the last 12 months that, while some things have remained the same, OTHER things are much different.

Here’s how I would describe the Barbie of today:

• Confident
• Focused
• Centered
• Grounded
• Guarded
• Positive
• Seasoned
• Aware
• Compassionate
• Skeptical
• Responsive
• Supportive
• Loving
• Generous
• Empowered
• Gratified
• Humbled

I’m sure I left out words from both lists, but I think you can see the idea. A lot of things can happen in 12 months, and my life is no exception. I wonder what the NEXT 12 months will hold? I guess we’ll have to wait until July 22, 2011 to find out

In the meantime, let me share a few, notable milestones from the past year:

1. I started seeing an amazing therapist (Jim) and we have made tremendous progress in ways I couldn’t have dreamed possible.
2. I have begun to find balance and harmony in my Bariatric After Life™ (work in progress)
3. I have become mentally and emotionally stronger, happier, more confident and deeper
4. I went to the 1st annual WLS Meet in Greet in Las Vegas as an exhibitor and speaker with MexiKen, Super Dave and Maid Marian Michele and made wonderful new friends and professional connections, including (in no particular order): Antonia Namnath – WLSFA.org, Dr. Bariatric, Sarah Will Be Skinny, Andrea JunglGirl, Lynnda, Mike and Toni, from BariatricTV, Ian McAgh and his lovely wife and son, T2Nashville, Tammy from Tennessee, Banded Wendy (and all the Banded Bitches), Nancy Weasel Hunt, ILTommyD (Tommy Dunmore from Illinois), JC (who had just begun his bypass journey about 3 weeks before the M&G), Amy Fekete (who videoed my talks), and a bunch of other people who are forever etched in my brain, but apparently not in my fingertips! You are not forgotten, I promise!
5. I launched my Youtube Channel (where, for the first time in my life, I do not run away from a video camera) and got to meet a bunch of remarkable people who comprise a vibrant and active WLS online community.
6. I joined Facebook and am rich with new and wonderful online friends.
7. I went to OH in Costa Mesa and made MORE wonderful new friends and professional connections, like: Dr. Garth Davis, Dr. Connie Stapleton (love her!), Yvonne McCarthy (Bariatric Girl), Teresa Dunn White (Celebrate Vitamins), Shannon Watts (Revival Soy) and many, many more!
8. I went to ASMBS in Las Vegas and — yes — made MORE wonderful new friends and professional connections: Susan Maria (Bariatric Eating), Dr. Guillermo Alvarez (Endobariatric, Piedras Negras, Mexico), Dr. Robert Davis, Dr. Marc from Bariatric Fusion, Eric, Kim and Kristin from Obesity Help and a bunch of other people whose names have escaped me, but whose impact on my life has not.
9. I participated in a photo shoot for the hospital where I had my RNY and will appear in their marketing materials. Billboards??? EEEK.
10. I will be attending the OH Conference in Cincinnati (crosses fingers) in August and Houston in November, and was even given my own discount code (GBBarbie) — How cool is that?
11. I have formed a team to participate in the Long Beach WALK FROM OBESITY (Team Barbie) in September, and already have 5 walkers and several sponsors.
12. I will turn “3-bariatric years old” in December.

This is, by no means a complete list but, it is from the heart. I mean, I knew my Blogiversary was coming up *soon,* but didn’t realize it was TODAY until I checked last night!  By golly, I was almost late to my OWN party (which is not hard to believe, if you know anything about me). So, while this is probably not how I envisioned my celebratory blog entry to read, it IS a finished blog entry, and it is published on the actual anniversary date, so I’m putting it squarely in the “success” column

Heck, maybe there’s a metaphor for my new life in there: I learn, I adapt, I risk, and then I do it all over again — whether I’m ready or not!

Anyway, I’ll leave you with this:

To those of you who have been with me from the beginning, I thank you for your encouragement and love.

For those who have discovered me along the way — and stuck around for the insanity — I thank you for your patience and fortitude.

For those of you who just found me today – I hope you will find something of value here on the site, return regularly, andl be encouraged to continue living the most fruitful and rewarding Bariatric After Life possible.

Most of all, to MexiKen, who continues to support and champion me as I forge my way through uncharted terrain, I give all of my love. I literally could not do this without his belief in me. He is my biggest fan (and I am his).

I’m not sure where this whole *thing* will take me, but I know this: Even though I don’t get paid a single penny to do it — but maybe one day will — I will continue to help others. It is my passion and my drug. My reward is knowing that, because I have chosen to be an open book with the online world, I have positively impacted others in ways I never imagined.

Though I have less “free time” than ever before, I am actually “freer” than I’ve ever been in my life, all because I am no longer ruled by “shoulds”, “colds”, “mights” and “musts.”

Thanks to all of you for your continued support, and let’s have fun in year 2!

Now, off to the elliptical!

Comment & Win: CHOBANI GREEK YOGURT

Okay, most of you know what I ran a little contest to dovetail with my Gastric Bypass Barbie table at the WLS Vegas Meet ‘N Greet (February 19-21, 2010). All you had to do to be entered, was visit me at the event and sample one (or all) of the items I was taste-testing, and then come to my site and leave a comment.

Today, I’m announcing the winner of the CHOBANI GREEK YOGURT prize. I guess you’ll have to watch the video to know who won (but, isn’t that the whole point?) Drumroll, please….

Congrats to Paula Yenerall!

Here’s what she wrote:
I attended the Las Vegas WLS ‘meet and greet’ with my daughter, Sheri Burton who had the lap band procedure. Even though my own insurance will cover WLS, it requires me to be at least 100 lbs. overweight. I have the choice of, let’s see, gaining another 25 lbs. or trying to lose on my own. So, right now I am trying to lose on my own.

I was very excited to see such great results there were and how happy people were to be there.

I enjoyed everything right along with my daughter.

I tasted only the yogurt but found it to be terrific. I kept asking her, is this really something good for you because it tastes too good. Texture was wonderful and the creaminess and thickness of the yogurt very different than the runny ‘diet’ ones I am used to.

I am going to buy some and include that in my regimen to lose weight.

Thank you to Cari De La Cruz for bringing this product to sample and to all of the organizers and guests and speakers at this event.

You’re welcome, Paula, and THANK YOU for your kind comment.

To collect your prize, send me an email with your address so Shari Lawrence at Chobani can send you your loot.

Ups, Downs and a Box of Size 6’s

The past two months have been an emotional roller coaster ride for me. I’ve had some amazing highs, and some incredible lows, often within minutes of each other. Essentially, there has been very little coasting and a lot of “rollering.”

Up: My shin splints and tennis elbow seem to have gone into remission, and I have returned to working out with a vengeance.

Down: My big toe is badly tweaked, so I cannot do barefoot Power Tae

Coasting: I might be able to participate in the Turbo Kick Boxing class at the gym, because I can keep my shoes on! Just need to wait for the toe to feel a little less traumatized, and then I will try.

Up: I got to go to Vegas for the 1st WLS Meet ‘N Greet; two of my favorite doctors in the world agreed to attend, lecture and offer free consultations; three companies “sponsored” my table by shipping me free product to sample!

Down: I had to pay for a lot of stuff out-of-pocket, including the motel room, which I thought I’d prepaid (d’oh!)

Coasting: For my first time exhibiting as “Gastric Bypass Barbie,” I did a good job and I think I was well-received.

Up: Thanks to Juan’s new job, we were finally able to catch up with the bills. February would be our first month “back in the game.” I had managed to protect our credit and suffered no “late pays.” Whew.

Down: Juan lost his job right after I paid the February mortgage. We hit the skids and I had no idea how we were going to pay for Vegas. Unfortunately, it was too big a hit for our credit, so it’s not going to be pretty for many years.

Coasting: 1 day before we left for Vegas, Juan got his job back at the company where he worked for 12 years. They are paying him less than they did when they laid him off 8 months ago, but it is more than unemployment.

Up: I can still fit into the winter clothes that I’d packed away at the end of summer. I am the same size!

Down: I weigh 15 pounds more than my lowest low (which was too low) 1 year ago. Of course, people frequently mentioned that i was gaunt, skeletal and scary skinny. Nothing fit right and I had zero curves. I felt like a boy with bolt-on boobs.

Coast: My weight increased to a level where no one ever says I’m too thin — or fat! I am officially “maintaining.”

I think most of scan relate to these highs, lows, and in-betweens in our bariatric after lives, but I want to focus on that last scenario, as I think it is possibly the most universal experience.

When you have bariatric surgery, one of the incredible highs has to be dropping sizes. In the beginning, I was losing at least a size a month, which meant that the tops in my closet were never there long enough to develop “pointy hanger shoulders,” and my pants never wore in, let alone wore “out.” Fortunately, I was able to participate in clothing exchanges, and was even the beneficiary of some Size 20’s from an online buddy in Arkansas. I still remember the day I received that big box ‘o loot from Casey. I tore into it like an island castaway uncorking a message in a bottle to see if he’s being saved. There were cute pants and tops and…capris. What? I don’t wear capris. My kankles don’t permit….hey! These are kinda cute! And, well, you get the picture. Thanks to my bariatric buddy, I was spared the expense of buying new clothes — at least for another month or two.

At some point in the rapid descent, you stop losing the weight so quickly, and level-off for longer periods. At one point, I figured I’d never be smaller than a size 8, so I invested in a few suits, skirts and size medium blouses. That worked for quite awhile…until I dropped to a 6….and then a 4…and then dipped my toe in the size “2″ waters. During this time, Juan got laid off, so I didn’t have money to buy new clothes that fit. I mean, just before he got the ax, I acquired a couple of staple items from a real “store”, but eventually, I ended up hitting the thrift shops, where I could get an armload of decent things for about $50. I also received some free tops and bottoms from one of my clients (clothing manufacturer, for whom we printed fabric swatch cards and catalogs). That was quite fortuitous because it stretched my summer-fall-winter wardrobe just enough that I was able to make it through (thanks to layering!)

By January, I had been living comfortably in a size 6 body for about 5 months (thanks, in no small part to my forced inactivity due to afore and oft-mentioned shin splints). Unfortunately, I only had a few articles of clothing (two black skirts, 2 black pants, 3 pair of jeans, and no suits) to fit, and a new season would fast be approaching. With that in mind, I boldly put out a call for Clothing Exchange items in my size. Sadly, there were very few replies, and most involved people who had “just gotten rid of” size 6 stuff, or were “petite” (I’m tall), or were shorts (which I don’t wear very much). Needless to say, it was a tough time, because I was coming to terms with the fact that I was no longer a size 4, but worrying that I would end up as a size 8 — not that there’s anything wrong with a size 8…it’s just that…well…I kinda like being a size 6 — but I wasn’t entirely convinced.

Now, to drive the point of this epistle home and put it into park:

Monday night, after a HORRIBLE day, I got home from work late (8:30) and was greeted by a darkened, empty house (no porch light, black cat in the front window, no lights inside the house, daughter out with friends, hubby working really, really late…) Needless to say, I was bluer than blue. That is, until I got to the top of the porch steps and encountered a MASSIVE (heavy) box with my name on it. It was posted marked from Germany (by way of SFO).

Well, after manhandling the box into my bedroom, and “gingerly” tearing it open, I found a lovely card which explained the contents of the box. Apparently, my beautiful friend, Paula (from Germany, of course) had seen my request for size 6 clothing, and just so happened to have some hanging around her closet! It turns out that 2 years ago, she’d gotten very sick and was hospitalized for 16 days. During that time, she plummeted to a size 6 (from her healthy size and, in her own words, reports that she looked like a concentration camp survivor. I guess she stayed at that weight for awhile — at least long enough to acquire more clothing than I’ve ever owned at a single time in my entire life — until she got healthy and returned to a size 8. But, she held onto the size 6’s, just in case she decided to have plastic surgery. Ultimately, she decided that she didn’t want to subject her body to any more trauma, and packed the clothes away — until she saw my plea.

And that, my dear friends, is how prayers get answered and everyday miracles happen.

Paula had the clothes, I needed the clothes, she shipped the clothes, and they arrived on the very day I needed them most.

You know, it took me more than 30 minutes to get through that box — it was like Mary Poppin’s carpetbag with an endless bottom! It truly was the gift that kept on giving, and the even better part is, the clothing not on FITS, but looks and feels wonderful on me! I cannot believe that the pants are long enough (I’m a size 6 Long, and there are actually 6 Longs in the mix!) and that the styles are just what I love. Some things still have tags on them, and others…well…others are things I could never have afforded to buy.

Each night after work, I’ve come home and tried on a few more things, and each time, I’m amazed to find that they not only fit, but look and feel FABULOUS. When I awoke this morning, I felt the most amazing peace. Why? Well…the unintended consequence of this box of size 6 clothing is, I am completely and totally content being a size 6. I’m not kidding. I no longer look back over my shoulder “just to see” if size 4 would be better, and I’m not fearing weight regain. I feel so at home in my skin now, and firmly believe that the proper balance of eating, living and exercising will allow me to maintain this figure. I feel incredibly beautiful, fit and normal! Wow. All of that, from a single box of clothes from a wonderful friend in Germany.

The Bariatric After Life™ can be a crazy roller coaster ride of colossal highs and dramatic lows. But then, I suppose that’s just normal LIFE. What makes it manageable is health, contentment, happiness and good friends. Fortunately, I am blessed with all of these things..

REVIEW & WIN: Protein Blitz Sport Drink

If you stopped by the Gastric Bypass Barbie booth and sampled Protein Blitz Sport Drink at the Las Vegas WLS Meet & Greet February 19-21, 2010, you can enter to win a cool prize from GBB (that’s me!) Just post a comment below and tell me about your taste test. The better the review, the better your chance of winning. I’m interested in hearing what you like and don’t like about the product; how you’d rate the taste and texture, whether you’d buy it for yourself, and whether you like the nutritional values (e.g., grams of protein, grams of sugar, number of carbs and calories).

Make PROTEIN BLITZ SPORT DRINK part of your daily protein program. Drink Happy!

CLICK HERE FOR A COUPON

Leave your comment and you might win 

REVIEW & WIN!

Are you going to the WLS Meet & Greet in Las Vegas this weekend? Be sure to check back here starting February 20, 2010 for your chance to review and win neat prizes. All you have to do is drop by my booth and taste any (or all!) of the fine products I’ll have for you to sample, visit the corresponding page for that product, then post a review as your comment.

You’ll automatically be entered to win something really cool. I promise

When the time comes, click one of these links, then write a review and post it as a comment:

Jarrow Whey Protein

Chobani Greek Yogurt

Protein Blitz Sports Drink

While it’s true that this is an itty-bitty little contest, I do have to have rules, regulations, guidelines, suggestions and legal junk to protect myself — AHEM:

WLS Vegas Meet & Greet Comment & Win Official Rules

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Some restrictions apply. One comment per product per person. You need not be present to win.

The sweepstakes: From 2/20/10 through 2/29/10, Gastric Bypass Barbie will promote, by means of this website and at the the First Annual WLS Meet & Greet Las Vegas the opportunity to submit entries to win cool prizes not yet determined.

Eligibility: In order to submit entries, you must be at least 18 years of age, reside in the continental United States, have attended the Las Vegas WLS Meet & Greet (2/19-21, 2010), have visited the Gastric Bypass Barbie booth, and sampled whatever product you are reviewing. One entry per product per person. Any individuals (including but not limited to employees, consultants, independent contractors, and interns) who have, within the past six months, performed services for Gastric Bypass Barbie or any organizations responsible for sponsoring, fulfilling, administering, advertising or promoting the contest or supplying the prize, and/or their respective parent, subsidiary, affiliated and successor companies, and immediate family and household members of such individuals, are not eligible to enter or play. “Immediate family members” shall mean parents, stepparents, children, stepchildren, siblings, stepsiblings, or spouses. “Household members” shall mean people who share the same residence at least three months in one calendar year.

How to enter: (I) Write a review of the product you tasted and post it as a comment on this website on or before 5 PM PST 2/29/10. All entries become the property of Gastric Bypass Barbie and will not be returned and may be used by Gastric Bypass Barbie for any purpose and in any media in perpetuity.

How to win: The Prize winner(s) will be selected in a random drawing conducted from all qualified entries on or about 2/29/10. In the event that the original Prize winner(s) do not meet Official Rules or eligibility requirements, or he/she or parent or legal guardian forfeits the Prize, Gastric Bypass Barbie will award prize to first alternate. Process will continue until Prize is awarded.

Remember: I’m not getting paid for this. I’m doing it to be nice! Have a great day and thanks for playing.