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So survived my preop, and EKG, CXR and labs! I am nervous and excited, I get to start my liquid diet on the 14th, yikes!! As I type my palms are sweaty! and I have butterflies. I have to say I love my hubs, who is trying to be a sweet supportive man. He is exercising more and trying to make healthier meals. I do love him, and he plans to spend the 2 1/2 days (if all goes well) in the hospital with me. I am ready for this! I can do this! I will suceed !! I have been for the last month having liquids for lunch, and now I added liquids at breakfast, so I am working up to the 14th and beyond. I found a bulk food store that sells, unflavored whey protien, powdered eggs, and different powdered soups. and PB2 which I added to a shake and it's pretty tasty (it low fat powdered peanut butter) 85% less fat 45 calories! And now I need to go amp up the exercise. My inner Diva just keeps chanting GO! You are a WINNER! and dancing the Cha Cha!

This week I lost three pounds and my therapist asked me how I felt about it. Anytime I lose a significant amount of weight I tend to get very anxious because I don’t know how to act. My body may have lost the weight but emotionally and mentally, I haven’t adjusted my way of thinking to this new, thinner person. I know a lot of people say, “Well, just because you lose weight doesn’t mean you’re a different person. You’re still the same person.” I actually beg to differ on that. I’ve transformed from a person who weighed 330 pounds to a 240 pound person. Before the weight loss I went to work, came home, sat on the couch, watched TV, ate dinner, played on the internet, and went to bed. That was the sum of my life. I could barely breathe sitting down, or even get dressed in the mornings. Now I’m participating in things I’d never be able to do if I was 330 lbs. I’ve been very active with my photography which requires a lot of energy to walk around for hours at a time. I’ve started weightlifting, kayaking, bicycling, and in general being very energetic. I have not only changed physically and have a lot more energy, but going from a sedentary life to an active one in just a matter of a few months requires a huge mental shift in the brain. Therefore, I am not the same person I was before. In my hermit like existence I was not social at all. I didn’t like talking to people and I kept to myself. Because of all this activity, I’m being forced out into situations beyond my comfort zone where I have to interact with people. Because of this weight loss I feel like I have broken out of a prison and like a freed prisoner, I want to experience everything life has to offer and everything I have missed out on all my life. This is why I am making an effort to become more active and even reach out to people for some social interaction. The problem is that psychologically, my brain has not caught up with all of this and that’s what’s really causing the anxiety. I am very socially awkward. I don’t know how to talk to people because I’ve never had to do it. I don’t know how to act or react when people talk to me. I feel as if I have no social skills whatsoever. I’m extremely shy and unable to hold a conversation or talk to someone in a social setting. I’m so shy and terrified that I wouldn’t go up to someone and start a conversation with them. When I meet people I am paralyzed to open my mouth for fear of saying something stupid, dumb, or uninteresting. I’m constantly wondering what negative thoughts the other person must be thinking of me. There are times I can be intelligent, interesting, and funny, but most of the time I think of myself as very dull. I guess all I can do is practice social skills by getting out there, into social situations. Meeting different people, meeting new people, and seeing how things go. Hence, it is torture to try to break out of my shell and venture out into the brave new world of humans.

This is the most wonderful and emotional feeling in the world...Yesterday i put on a pair of 18 jeans and I almost cried, it was good tears... im finally under 200 lbs and it excites me everytime someone notices, friends and other family members, it was really getting to me because i got all these positive comments from everyone else except my husband, untill yesterday i saw my husbands face light up when i walked into a room, with my size 18 jeans and a lg not a 2x shirt and he told me that i looked so beautiful and different i wanted to cry to se that he noticed and finally made a comment.. I dont think im asking to much but i luv hearing that my spouse makes a positve comment towards me...( am I??) i had a slip up and was sick last night, learned my lesson, but i feel fine today and it a new day to stay on the right track not giving up... each month or every other month i want to get a smaller size of jeans when they get loose and have a new goal (what do u think?)

I am still very swollen so I was hesitant to get on the scale, but I couldn't resist the temptation and I have lost 10lbs since Tuesday. I couldn't stop smiling. That is just so amazing to me. I can't wait until I'm able to start working out and building muscle and working on toning as I go. This is just such a blessing!

we only had 2 loss 5-10 pounds good luck and keep drinking

SusieO, Hang in there girl, it will be worth it! The hunger cravings actually go away and I was surprised to be satisfied on three shakes a day plus broth in the evenings. Maybe it was because they were so awful that I didn't want to drink more than three a day! LOL Best of luck to you with your upcoming surgery!

This is so true. You have made so many changes already and have done great. I love that your challenging yourself to socialize more with others. Sometimes I can feel rather reserved but other times I am totally amazed at myself when I just get out of my head and start talking to others without worrying about saying something stupid. If I say something stupid, I just laugh and make a joke of it. I love to use humor. Just be true to who you are and you will be just fine.

Thank you for posting this. Many people do not talk about some of the struggles you can have after losing weight. Me, for example, I have really struggled to realize that I am not big anymore. So many times, if I see someone looking at me, I feel that they are judging me still, looking at my flabby arms or thinking that "she shouldn't be wearing that". I am not as shy as I used to be either, but I too find it difficult. I still feel sometimes like the biggest one in the group, or that people won't want to be friends with me. Our bodies might lose the weight, but our brains don't lose the baggage. I really don't have great advice. The only thing is to say that congratulations on embracing your new life and making an effort to put yourself out of your comfort zone. It takes a lot of courage to try new things! Like the old saying goes, "fake it until you make it". Just keep going and it will get easier! And congratulations on your weight loss too!

Congratulations, that is very exciting news!!! You should be very proud of yourself!!! You can keep your co workers in the dark even when they start to realize that you are losing weight. One thing my girlfriend told me is that once she told her co workers they started to watch whatever she ate. I am 4 days away from my surgery and you are an inspiration, thanks for sharing!

I haven't had my first fill yet, so I'm not sure what that feels like. I don't think it would hurt to call your Dr just to see what he says. He's there to help! Have fun in Disney!