As most of us know, this weight loss journey takes us on quite the psychological roller coaster ride, starting from how we felt as overweight people (pre-surgery) and straight through to wherever we are now. I'm no exception.

I made my original WLS decision back in 2012 because I was extremely depressed, and, quite frankly, felt disgusted (oh yes, disgusted), with the way I looked. My weight affected "every" aspect of my life (work, social, family & marriage). With that sad, I was approved by my insurance to have lap band surgery in August 2012.

I lost about 90 pounds with the band before I ran into complications mid to end last year, wound up having my band completed un-filled, and was left with the fear (huge fear) of possibly gaining the weight back. So, I made the decision of having band to sleeve, not knowing if I would wind up being self-pay or insurance approved. Thankfully, some how, some way, my insurance covered my surgery even though I only weighed 156 pre-sleeve surgery (not considered obese but still somewhat over-weight).

Fast forward to the present: I had my revision surgery Jan 2014 and have since lost about 18 pounds since. I weigh 138 pounds, am considered to be on maintenance, and am a size 8. Amazing, coming from a size 22+.

Mind you, I love, love, LOVE clothes shopping now & wearing all these nice outfits. They feel great & fit soooo much better than they did before. So, what's my issue? Is there an issue?

The last few days, I've actually been feeling 'fat." Yea, I said 'fat.' I understand I am not fat as defined in the dictionary "(of a person or animal) having a large amount of excess flesh." Nonetheless, I can't explain it. Don't get me wrong, I'd been feeling great about my recent weight loss & finally hitting (and passing) my weight loss goal weight. I can't put my finger on it, but I can't shake this feeling. Hopefully, this is just a temporary feeling. Heck, I'm sure it's temporary. I just don't understand where this is coming from all of a sudden.

Anyone else feel this way?

I feel this everyday.

I think it frustrates my husband more than anything. (Poor man)

I see a therapist to help me with my 'body issues'. I also understand that I've lost enough weight to be considered normal but I look in the mirror and don't know who is looking back at me. Very disconcerting.

Yep, me too. I was just looking at an unflattering picture from this weekend someone posted on FB. Definitely feeling fat.

it has only been six and a half weeks post op for me and I know that I've lost 34 lbs since my first consultation with the doctor but I feel my same self...like nothing has changed until i got a glimpse of myself in the store glass while shopping and i suddenly realised that i really DID look different.... even at this early stage. My clothes are getting loser..... it's all a mental image that we have in our minds..... And surely it's not a physical thing. If we keep thinking that we are the same and that we are still obese then I'm afraid that we will slip back into old habbits and make it happen again.... obesity if that makes sense. I'm trying to prepare myself for the day when the scales say.... Hey you are at your goal weight and then my alter ego says... No you'er not.... you will always be fat....... It's a struggle of the mind vs. the body.... Just keep looking in the mirror anytime you feel that way or look at your before and after pics..... you will soon get over it then.....

ps... take a selfie..... and then rethink your self image....

I would love to read this, but can't read the font! Anyone else have that problem, or is it just me?