mommymar

I walked past my mirror and did a double take. 2 months out and that dreaded double chin was GONE! It was at about 40lbs. I am now at 53.2 and I try to look in the mirror (because it was something I have refused to do since I graduated high school) everyday and tell myself one thing I "noticed" or feel better about or even something that is not as bad as it used to be. That has helped with my self esteem.

Chances are (of course if it isn't constant) that it is a muscle strain. Our muscles DO NOT like being poked around. My passion started about 2 weeks out post OP and lasted til 4 weeks post op. It hurt worse than my surgery did. You can always call and check with your doc (I suggest that, if for no other reason than peace of mind) good luck! Hope you get doing better soon.....

Well said.

Now that I have gone down 8 sizes, I am trying to wear clothes that actually fit. (new one for me) When I was a size 28/30 I would always buy the biggest size they had. The baggier the better (really, who was I kidding?)
When I wear the correct size is when I get people coming up to me and saying, wow you look great or have you lost weight, you look wonderful. This is SOOOO uncomfortable. I have spent the last 15 years trying to fade into the background. Trying to NOT get noticed. Now when people say anything to me I awkwardly change the subject or mumble a "thanks" and put my head down. How do I get over this? I am probably just at the beginning of these compliments. Honestly, as proud as I am that I am a size 20 I am under no illusion that I am "small".
What did you say, or are planning or hoping to say, when people compliment you? I don't like it when I give people a compliment and get "oh, I have so much to go" or "no, I really don't" as a reply. I don't want to be that person.

Now that I have gone down 8 sizes, I am trying to wear clothes that actually fit. (new one for me) When I was a size 28/30 I would always buy the biggest size they had. The baggier the better (really, who was I kidding?)
When I wear the correct size is when I get people coming up to me and saying, wow you look great or have you lost weight, you look wonderful. This is SOOOO uncomfortable. I have spent the last 15 years trying to fade into the background. Trying to NOT get noticed. Now when people say anything to me I awkwardly change the subject or mumble a "thanks" and put my head down. How do I get over this? I am probably just at the beginning of these compliments. Honestly, as proud as I am that I am a size 20 I am under no illusion that I am "small".
What did you say, or are planning or hoping to say, when people compliment you? I don't like it when I give people a compliment and get "oh, I have so much to go" or "no, I really don't" as a reply. I don't want to be that person.

I walked past my mirror and did a double take. 2 months out and that dreaded double chin was GONE! It was at about 40lbs. I am now at 53.2 and I try to look in the mirror (because it was something I have refused to do since I graduated high school) everyday and tell myself one thing I "noticed" or feel better about or even something that is not as bad as it used to be. That has helped with my self esteem.

UTGal99
First, I have to ask if you are from Utah? (just looking at your screen name) I ask because I live in Utah and haven't seen many Utahns on here.
What I wish I knew? I wish I knew how hard it would be to eat. It's painful when I eat. Not so painful I can't handle it, but every bite I take makes my tummy bubble (only way I can describe it) my issue with that is that I never WANT to eat. Nothing sounds good, it seems like a waste of time to eat, there is zero enjoyment out of eating. (I am not complaining, I just didn't know I would struggle to eat)
Most shocking? How quickly I have run out of clothes. Never as an adult have I been smaller than a 20. I have one pair of capri's that fit. And 3 shirts. I wish I would have been collecting clothes in smaller sizes from before the surgery. Because now I don't want to buy 18's because I don't want to stay an 18 for long.
All I wish I would have done differently is being prepared. I wish I would have been collecting recipes and trying them out. Collecting clothes and I would start finding other ways to cope with emotions instead of eating. Because the first time you want to emotional eat...... you prob haven't prepared and you are in a bad spot trying to figure out if working out, massage, talking to a friend or maybe reading will work. DON'T wait to figure that out! And then take measurements and pics. Anything to help measure progress.
Keep me updated on your progress. I am so excited for those that are working on getting this done!

I have been overweight since 4th grade. I always hated getting ready or dressed up because I hated the mirror. I was married 12 years ago (I was 18) and at that point I was getting dressed in jeans and at shirt, little make up and pulled my hair up. It only got worse 2 years later after I had my first child. As each kid came along I gave up something more with the first, it was make up. The second was jeans (went straight for sweats and elastic pants) and by the time the last one was here I was showering every other day and really not taking care if myself. I was never "dirty"or unkempt, I would just have a baby wipe rubdown and call it a day.
On to the good news. I am 2.5 months out, down 53lbs. Gone from a size 28 to a 20 and you know, I get up, shower, I cut my hair, put makeup on and generally take care of myself. My whole adult life I avoided myself. I find I can actually look at myself in the mirror and point out one or two things I don't "hate". I know I am a long way from being considered beautiful (lucky for me my hubby thinks I am always beautiful) but I care now. And that is something I haven't been able to say for 12 years!
Those that are pre op, keep up the hard work, it's worth it. Those that are sleeved, we should take a minute to reflect on what we have gained, maybe even write it down to pull out on those "bad" days :-)

I have been overweight since 4th grade. I always hated getting ready or dressed up because I hated the mirror. I was married 12 years ago (I was 18) and at that point I was getting dressed in jeans and at shirt, little make up and pulled my hair up. It only got worse 2 years later after I had my first child. As each kid came along I gave up something more with the first, it was make up. The second was jeans (went straight for sweats and elastic pants) and by the time the last one was here I was showering every other day and really not taking care if myself. I was never "dirty"or unkempt, I would just have a baby wipe rubdown and call it a day.
On to the good news. I am 2.5 months out, down 53lbs. Gone from a size 28 to a 20 and you know, I get up, shower, I cut my hair, put makeup on and generally take care of myself. My whole adult life I avoided myself. I find I can actually look at myself in the mirror and point out one or two things I don't "hate". I know I am a long way from being considered beautiful (lucky for me my hubby thinks I am always beautiful) but I care now. And that is something I haven't been able to say for 12 years!
Those that are pre op, keep up the hard work, it's worth it. Those that are sleeved, we should take a minute to reflect on what we have gained, maybe even write it down to pull out on those "bad" days :-)

I have been overweight since 4th grade. I always hated getting ready or dressed up because I hated the mirror. I was married 12 years ago (I was 18) and at that point I was getting dressed in jeans and at shirt, little make up and pulled my hair up. It only got worse 2 years later after I had my first child. As each kid came along I gave up something more with the first, it was make up. The second was jeans (went straight for sweats and elastic pants) and by the time the last one was here I was showering every other day and really not taking care if myself. I was never "dirty"or unkempt, I would just have a baby wipe rubdown and call it a day.
On to the good news. I am 2.5 months out, down 53lbs. Gone from a size 28 to a 20 and you know, I get up, shower, I cut my hair, put makeup on and generally take care of myself. My whole adult life I avoided myself. I find I can actually look at myself in the mirror and point out one or two things I don't "hate". I know I am a long way from being considered beautiful (lucky for me my hubby thinks I am always beautiful) but I care now. And that is something I haven't been able to say for 12 years!
Those that are pre op, keep up the hard work, it's worth it. Those that are sleeved, we should take a minute to reflect on what we have gained, maybe even write it down to pull out on those "bad" days :-)

I don't understand how the same insurance company can have so many different responses to the same surgery. I too used United Healthcare. I had to do one visit with psych, with nut and exercise therapist. Then had it submitted to insurance. One week later I had approval in my hand. I will say, we learned a year earlier when my husband had gastric bypass who to talk to. We talked to my husbands HR rep at his office. She called the insurance and requested an approval specialist with United. So United actually called my Dr office and told them everything they wanted to see. And he oversaw my case from beginning to end. There is help there. Good luck for those still waiting!

It is frustrating doing everything right and not losing or worse..... Gaining! Especially a women, you need to know your body will react different depending on the time of month, periods, pms and of course, stress. But Stalls happen. Especially anywhere from 3 to 5 weeks. That is when you really need to be measuring inches. I drop the most inches when I am not dropping a single pound. There are things you can try to get jump started. You can do a day of your "pre op liquid diet" (just a day, no longer than that) or try upping your calories. Another thing is mix up your workout. But most important, keep doing what you are. I promise the stall will end and I promise you will have more :-) sorry...... You all are doing great! Keep up your hard work and I am sending happy thoughts your way.

I am sorry. Prob time will be the best for you. It is ok to have a bad day now and then. Find a great movie that will make you laugh. Call a good friend or go sit out in the sun for a bit. Know that tomorrow will be better. Good luck!

Just remember, it's ok to have bad days. It's ok to get angry, to have regrets (I too think, why did I let myself get THIS big). Have a bad day today! Then tomorrow, get up notice how much better you sleep after losing weight, stand up and realize it's so much easier and how much less your body aches. Throw your tennis shoes on and marvel at what this body can do. Have a bad day but leave it at a day. Pull out some pre weightloss pics. Pretty soon (especially if you don't have to put on that darn swim suit) you will remember you earned that skin with every mile of work you put in. Be proud. You deserve to be proud of you and your body! Hugs your way!!

Just remember, it's ok to have bad days. It's ok to get angry, to have regrets (I too think, why did I let myself get THIS big). Have a bad day today! Then tomorrow, get up notice how much better you sleep after losing weight, stand up and realize it's so much easier and how much less your body aches. Throw your tennis shoes on and marvel at what this body can do. Have a bad day but leave it at a day. Pull out some pre weightloss pics. Pretty soon (especially if you don't have to put on that darn swim suit) you will remember you earned that skin with every mile of work you put in. Be proud. You deserve to be proud of you and your body! Hugs your way!!

I am sorry. Prob time will be the best for you. It is ok to have a bad day now and then. Find a great movie that will make you laugh. Call a good friend or go sit out in the sun for a bit. Know that tomorrow will be better. Good luck!

That was great! Lisa looks awesome. That is fun to see. My hubby and I had different surgeries. Both went for what worked best. It has been wonderful having someone to share this with.

I have had some little victories the last 2 days. First, I went to the gym yesterday (2 months post op on the 7th) and I have been walking. When I first started it was a mile a day now I am up to a mile and a half. Then I started upping the incline, pace etc. but yesterday........ I RAN! Yep, I actually did it. I am 30 years old, the last time I ran was Jr High! (yikes) yes, I only ran one min at a time and a total of 5 min, but still...
Secondly, and so exciting for me, I weighed in at 248. When I started it was 294.8. When I got married (12 years ago) I was 255. 250 has been my nemesis. All the diets I have been on it has been impossible to get under that dang number.
So individually, these are little victories. Ones I am proud of. But these have changed my life. I have finally found some success. I have chosen to go more places. I actually got dressed the other day, went shopping, walked past a mirror, and had to have a second look. It's almost 50 pounds but to tell the truth, it wasn't the weight that stopped me in my tracks, it was the happy girl in the mirror that has been missing for 20 years. She is finding her way back.

I have had some little victories the last 2 days. First, I went to the gym yesterday (2 months post op on the 7th) and I have been walking. When I first started it was a mile a day now I am up to a mile and a half. Then I started upping the incline, pace etc. but yesterday........ I RAN! Yep, I actually did it. I am 30 years old, the last time I ran was Jr High! (yikes) yes, I only ran one min at a time and a total of 5 min, but still...
Secondly, and so exciting for me, I weighed in at 248. When I started it was 294.8. When I got married (12 years ago) I was 255. 250 has been my nemesis. All the diets I have been on it has been impossible to get under that dang number.
So individually, these are little victories. Ones I am proud of. But these have changed my life. I have finally found some success. I have chosen to go more places. I actually got dressed the other day, went shopping, walked past a mirror, and had to have a second look. It's almost 50 pounds but to tell the truth, it wasn't the weight that stopped me in my tracks, it was the happy girl in the mirror that has been missing for 20 years. She is finding her way back.

I have had some little victories the last 2 days. First, I went to the gym yesterday (2 months post op on the 7th) and I have been walking. When I first started it was a mile a day now I am up to a mile and a half. Then I started upping the incline, pace etc. but yesterday........ I RAN! Yep, I actually did it. I am 30 years old, the last time I ran was Jr High! (yikes) yes, I only ran one min at a time and a total of 5 min, but still...
Secondly, and so exciting for me, I weighed in at 248. When I started it was 294.8. When I got married (12 years ago) I was 255. 250 has been my nemesis. All the diets I have been on it has been impossible to get under that dang number.
So individually, these are little victories. Ones I am proud of. But these have changed my life. I have finally found some success. I have chosen to go more places. I actually got dressed the other day, went shopping, walked past a mirror, and had to have a second look. It's almost 50 pounds but to tell the truth, it wasn't the weight that stopped me in my tracks, it was the happy girl in the mirror that has been missing for 20 years. She is finding her way back.

I have had some little victories the last 2 days. First, I went to the gym yesterday (2 months post op on the 7th) and I have been walking. When I first started it was a mile a day now I am up to a mile and a half. Then I started upping the incline, pace etc. but yesterday........ I RAN! Yep, I actually did it. I am 30 years old, the last time I ran was Jr High! (yikes) yes, I only ran one min at a time and a total of 5 min, but still...
Secondly, and so exciting for me, I weighed in at 248. When I started it was 294.8. When I got married (12 years ago) I was 255. 250 has been my nemesis. All the diets I have been on it has been impossible to get under that dang number.
So individually, these are little victories. Ones I am proud of. But these have changed my life. I have finally found some success. I have chosen to go more places. I actually got dressed the other day, went shopping, walked past a mirror, and had to have a second look. It's almost 50 pounds but to tell the truth, it wasn't the weight that stopped me in my tracks, it was the happy girl in the mirror that has been missing for 20 years. She is finding her way back.

I am about 7 weeks out myself. I am just barely starting to feel and see some changes. Reading things like this keeps me motivated. Makes me realize that I am in the process of shedding this baggage. I am finding even now that I am trying new things, I am happier, I have more energy. I even looked on the mirror at myself "really looked" for the first time in YEARS. and you know what? I am not at worthless as I have convinced myself for so long that I was. The emotions that come with change can be overwhelming. I am so grateful to be able to experience these emotions.