I don't want to complain, but I need a little motivation today.

I am almost 5 weeks post-op. I am only down around 40lbs, including the large amount of weight I lost pre-op. I am 5 weeks out and only down 26lbs since my surgery date.

During the past 10 years of my life, I have fluctuated between 275 -350lbs (going up and down and up and down and up and down). I am stll not under the 275 mark, and all of my "old" clothes are still fitting me. Granted I can squeeze into some of the smaller pairs of jeans- the fact is almost all of them are still the 22/24 I was smooshing into at 350lbs.

Everyone keeps telling me that I am looking great and that they notice my losses, but I just don't see it. I still feel the same as I did at 350 (minus the fact I have a ton more energy). I am getting in all of my Protein and liquids each day, not going over calores/fat/salt etc and exercising. I know I am doing everything I can, and I realize 40lbs is amazing- I just wish my mind reflected that. I used to lose weight in my face first, and this time that isn't happening, so my face still looks the same to me- massive double chin and all.

Please don't do this to yourself. Please don't think you aren't doing enough, aren't changing fast enough, aren't getting there fast enough.

I think it's fair to say that most of us don't see ourselves accurately - we think we're a different size than we are. I think it takes time and internal work to re-focus the picture. This is definitely something I think about, even though I'm preop. It's definitely something I plan to get some counseling around. have you thought about doing the same?

Please don't do this to yourself. Please don't think you aren't doing enough, aren't changing fast enough, aren't getting there fast enough.

I think it's fair to say that most of us don't see ourselves accurately - we think we're a different size than we are. I think it takes time and internal work to re-focus the picture. This is definitely something I think about, even though I'm preop. It's definitely something I plan to get some counseling around. have you thought about doing the same?

Yes, I am in therapy already, thank you I just talked to my sister and she was so encouraging. She laughed and said, "STOP paying attention to the scale, you look amazing!" That made me tear up. Ironic thing- I DONT EVEN OWN A SCALE lmao- I just weigh myself once a week when I go to my moms house. lol

Please don't do this to yourself. Please don't think you aren't doing enough, aren't changing fast enough, aren't getting there fast enough.

I think it's fair to say that most of us don't see ourselves accurately - we think we're a different size than we are. I think it takes time and internal work to re-focus the picture. This is definitely something I think about, even though I'm preop. It's definitely something I plan to get some counseling around. have you thought about doing the same?

Also forgot to add, I agree with you saying most of us don't see ourselves accurately. I can remember looking in the mirror and thinking "wow I look great!" and then later seeing a photo of myself from that event or whatever, and cringing thinking, "omg that's what I really looked like????"

From the sounds of posts I read, it sounds like the struggle is real with this one, no matter what stage pre or post op.

You are doing great.

Please talk to your therapist about realistic expectations.

Also, keep in mind that clothing sizes are just crazy. For those of us who start out higher on the weight scale (like me), there is a lot of space between clothing sizes. The closer you get to goal, the more frequently you will change sizes. Also, we all lose weight at different rates and from different areas at different times.

If you start losing from top to bottom, you may see changes in your face, neck and shoulders first. Also, the most dangerous fat, that around our internal organs, may barely register with you at all. (Remember that important pre-op liver-reduction diet? It wouldn't make any difference to your clothing sizes.)

Clothes and measurements are just one way of seeing progress. The scale is one way of seeing progress. Fitness level is another. Health status (like blood pressure, sleep apnea, etc.) are others. I am sure you can think of others.

Please be patient, you are early in the process and will be needing new clothes soon.

Just follow your program (get in all of your Protein, fluids, and vitamins), and exercise, and the results will come.

Also, Embrace the Stall!

http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I can remember looking in the mirror and thinking "wow I look great!" and then later seeing a photo of myself from that event or whatever, and cringing thinking, "omg that's what I really looked like????"

From the sounds of posts I read, it sounds like the struggle is real with this one, no matter what stage pre or post op.

YES - so much this!

I am two months post op and have lost 25 pounds. That's right 25. Not everybody loses vast amounts quickly. Slow and steady. That is 1/3 of my goal. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

I agree with @@Inner Surfer Girl on clothing sizes. As they size goes up, there is a lot of size difference between two sizes. As they get smaller, that difference gets much smaller. And I remember having the same issue where it took forever to go down in sizes. And then my size would change so fast that I would only wear something once or twice before it was too big. (both of those are frustrating for different reasons)

Our brains take a while to catch up. I am at my lowest weight since like early high school and yet sometimes I can't see it and still feel fat. I think that's pretty normal.

Oh, and I remember feeling exactly like you do at 5 weeks. I was frustrated and felt like I wasn't progressing and couldn't see any difference. You will, just hang in there!

Take your measurements, you will see a difference there.

In terms of clothes, here is what I have learned.... and I have dropped 120 pounds now (since March 2015).

The first 50 pounds I could still wear my size 22 clothes (bottoms were much looser than tops).

Then at around the 60-pound mark - I lost my first pair of pants (yes, lost in the middle of the break room at lunch). Remember to wear pretty underwear cause when the pants go... the pants go.... I started to wear belts around this time. Around this time, I did buy new clothes but only yoga pants and leggings. I was not ready to try real sizes yet.

Once I hit 100 pounds, the yoga pants were falling too. And of course no belt loops. So I went shopping. WOW oh WOW... I went to the Avenue and Lane Bryant - size 16 stretch was it.... I was SHOCKED. Then I went to Macy's and size 18 was the magic number in the regular department ( not woman's).

Now that I am at over 100 pounds, I wear a size 18 normal size very comfortably and 14-16 if I go to Avenue.

So my 230 weight puts me in 18 at Eddie Bauer, 16 at Lane Bryant and 16 at Avenue. I went to Macys and fit into 18 Charter Club. Hope this helps.

Ohhh - and I am 5-8.

Edited November 20, 201510 yr by jhclikesshopping@gmail.com

Most clothes "fit" a certain range of sizes. Five weeks ago, you may have been on the tight end of those clothes, especially if they weren't recent purchases, whereas today, they are probably nice and loose-flowing (or at least fitting well). Eventually, you'll need to hang them up. This is one of those times where I think you should emphasize what you see on the scale, whereas most people need to learn to back off a bit from the scale. Your scale progress, contrary to your assertions, is quite impressive, and is excellent news. 5 lbs/wk? That's outstanding. You have lost more than I had at my 5 week mark and I am quite thrilled with how this has gone for me (15 weeks out).

I don't want to complain, but I need a little motivation today.

I am almost 5 weeks post-op. I am only down around 40lbs, including the large amount of weight I lost pre-op. I am 5 weeks out and down only 26lbs since my surgery date.

Everyone keeps telling me that I am looking great and that they notice my losses, but I just don't see it. I still feel the same as I did at 350 (minus the fact I have a ton more energy). ... and I realize 40lbs is amazing- I just wish my mind reflected that. I used to lose weight in my face first, and this time that isn't happening, so my face still looks the same to me- massive double chin and all.

(How cool this is. I didn't know we could edit the quotation beyond making deletions.)

Motivation is as simple as what you want. You know the latter, so you've got the former. The obstacle is losing faith in yourself and the process. You don't have to let go of your faith beyond today. Your intellect tells you that 40 lbs is amazing and your sister and friends, all who've told you how good you're looking, aren't stupid. Not seeing the downward change goes back to the first Inca who cultivated potatoes in Peru. It takes time and work for most who lose significant weight to see what really is in the mirror. Don't worry about it.

"Only?" You better smile when you say that. You've probably come across other WLS people who are so loopily happy with their progress that they record the figures to the right of the decimal point the way young children measure their ages in quarter, third and half years. If you wish to be goofy in either direction, be kind to yourself by crossing over to the loopy side.

You are terrific. Really, you are.

@@♥dreamable --

P.S. As to the tons more energy, that alone is worth the price of admission.

I'm right there with you....i'm 7 weeks out and have lost only 20 lbs....haven't noticed any looseness in my clothes or anything. My doc says i'm just going to be a "slow loser" lucky me. I have to keep reminding myself that without surgery i would have lost nothing by now.

In terms of clothes, here is what I have learned.... and I have dropped 120 pounds now (since March 2015).

The first 50 pounds I could still wear my size 22 clothes (bottoms were much looser than tops).

Then at around the 60-pound mark - I lost my first pair of pants (yes, lost in the middle of the break room at lunch). Remember to wear pretty underwear cause when the pants go... the pants go.... I started to wear belts around this time. Around this time, I did buy new clothes but only yoga pants and leggings. I was not ready to try real sizes yet.

Once I hit 100 pounds, the yoga pants were falling too. And of course no belt loops. So I went shopping. WOW oh WOW... I went to the Avenue and Lane Bryant - size 16 stretch was it.... I was SHOCKED. Then I went to Macy's and size 18 was the magic number in the regular department ( not woman's).

Now that I am at over 100 pounds, I wear a size 18 normal size very comfortably and 14-16 if I go to Avenue.

So my 230 weight puts me in 18 at Eddie Bauer, 16 at Lane Bryant and 16 at Avenue. I went to Macys and fit into 18 Charter Club. Hope this helps.

Ohhh - and I am 5-8.

I am 5'7" so right there with you

Thanks for the great advice and inspiration!

Thank you so much everyone! Such great advice and so encouraging. I really appreciate it. Ya'll are the best!!!!!