Large size 3x+ gowns to give away

ablevaybel

Mon, Apr 30 2007, 10:18 pm

I've, B"H, lost a lot of weight and have some nice Vikki Vi column dresses with long dusters (mid-knees) to give away to a good home. I'll happily mail them to you, if you send me a self-addressed shipping envelope. These are long dresses - I'm over 5'8" - gently worn.

PM me if you are interested.

AV

Purple Hug Bunny

Mon, Apr 30 2007, 11:47 pm

Hey, they might fit me..
I'll pm you.

elmofood

Wed, May 02 2007, 7:46 am

wow thats great. how much weight and how? good for you

ablevaybel

Wed, May 02 2007, 1:04 pm

B"H I had the duodenal switch surgery in October and I am down 100 lb+ in about 6 mos, all with dr approval. See duodenalswitch.com for more info on the procedure. It's only for very serious weight loss - like 75+ lbs if you have co-morbidities, like high bp, diabetes, sleep apnea, etc.
Cornell in NYC does an excellent job. PM me if you want more info.

elmofood

Wed, May 02 2007, 6:01 pm

I had lap band which I am very happy about. its slower weight loss but a lot less invasive and no moving around internal parts.

ablevaybel

Wed, May 02 2007, 6:04 pm

Good for you, Elmofood! And congrats on your loss. I was refused for lapband, cos I had too much to lose. Initially, I was keen on the lapband for the very reasons you mention, but now I'm glad that I went for the DS laparoscopically and that I don't have a foreign object in my body permanently. An added bonus is that I can eat all kinds of food - just not very much. No problem there, as I have no appetite.

elmofood

Wed, May 02 2007, 7:34 pm

with lapband you can eat what you want as well. just cant eat a lot cuz of restriction.

ablevaybel

Wed, May 02 2007, 10:19 pm

Elmofood - our initial weight loss is due to restriction as well. But few have problems with vomiting after the first few weeks, largely because the pyloric valve is still in place. We can also take ibuprofen and other NSAIDS, because we don't have the same issue with ulceration.

What keeps the weight off is the malabsorption factor. But right now, with a stomach that holds just a bit over 1/3 cup, I'm very limited in how much I can eat.

For what it's worth, and in response to previous posts, I'm not a binge eater, bulemic, or food addict.

amother

Thu, May 03 2007, 11:07 am

With all due respect (and so much empathy!) I wonder how you characterize yourself if not a food addict etc? I am over 100 pounds overweight and I do not know how to define myself. If I were not a compulsive overeater or food addict why would I have such a need to consume so much food? I do know this can not be a physcial need--so much conscious emotional eating.

ablevaybel

Thu, May 03 2007, 11:52 am

Hi Amother!

No offense taken in any way - it's a good and logical question. I don't eat often or a lot, nor are my emotions really tied to food. In other words, I don't usually eat because I'm sad, bored or lonely. I eat when I'm hungry and ate about half of what my normal-sized husband ate (pre-surgery). Now I eat very little and am seldom hungry.

This may not be true for you. The best way to explore this question - and it is a vital one if you are going to achieve and maintain a healthy weight - is with a counselor who is expert in these issues. At 100lbs over ideal or healthy weight, you would definitely qualify for weight loss surgery. However, if you haven't dealt with underlying issues around food and eating, whatever those issues might be (and they are common among women!), you may only find yourself in a new ball of wax. Put more bluntly: the surgery fixes your body, not your head.

I'm in good psychological shape - and I've worked at it! - and improving my physical condition. I have NEVER been active enough. That is a huge problem. But as I get lighter, it's *surprise, surprise* easier and more fun.

So, how did I get so fat in the first place? If I had an accurate answer to that, I'd never have to work again! Partly, it was not being active enough. But that's only part of the problem. The current theory my doctors have is that I am a "super-absorber". This means that genetically, I am wired to absorb calories much MUCH more efficiently than 99% of the population. Antoher way to think of it is that my body always reacts as if there is a famine and it "hoards" calories. This probably was an advantage to women in my family over generations, but it's gotten askew with me. That's the best, current theory. This is why specialists thought that removing the part of my stomach that produces some of the hormones that react to the brain and pituitary/thyroid system would help.
Maybe more than you wanted to know? Wink

Is this a common reason to be overweight? No. Is it common - or more common among those who are severely morbidly obese (BMI 50>)? Probably more so than the general population. Gina Kolata has an excellent new book out on the topic of weight and why diets largely don't work, btw.

But, b"h, I am hopeful about my weight for the first time in at least 20 years. I got a psak and I felt comfortable with my research about this procedure and the surgeon who did it. His largest patient was 800lbs, so I was a piece of cake! Genetically, I felt doomed to becoming a diabetic - EVERYONE in my family over 50 is diabetic, skinny or fat. Now I have a better than 95% chance of NOT becoming diabetic. Only Hashem gives better odds! LOL

Feel free to PM me, if you like. I wish you lots of hatzlacha. And I'm with you on the 100 left to go.

amother

Thu, May 03 2007, 3:04 pm

wow I'm really impressed with you Ablevaybel!
May you continue to be matzliach in your weight loss!
How much more do you need to lose?

ablevaybel

Thu, May 03 2007, 8:16 pm

Gd willing, about 100 more!