So, I am almost 18 months out from surgery. I have lost 174 pounds (from 294 to 121). I went from a size 28 to a size 2 or 4. I ran my first half marathon last month, I am running a 15K this weekend, and another half next month. I run 100+ miles a month, do zumba weekly, and weigh train 6 to 8 times a month. None of these are things I could do before surgery. I have been deemed "extremely healthy" by multiple doctors in different fields. When I told my surgeon that I would like to get plastic surgery one day, he laughed. He said that my skin was so minimal that it would be a waste. I don't even know if plastic surgery would help, and it is not in the budget right now anyway. I know that I am thin now. I know that I am healthy now. I just still struggle some days with how I feel about myself. My weight fluctuates about 5-8 pounds during the month. What I eat and what I do makes no difference, it just fluctuates that much. On days where it is high, it messes with my mood.

Does anyone else feel this way at times?

@@AnA92212 I strongly encourage some therapy. You've done incredibly well and should be thrilled with the results!

that kind of weight fluctuation is not fat, it's Water. or poo - and the goal of all of this was fat loss, not a particular weight. so you have to train yourself to not worry about it as long as you stay in a "range" of healthy weight. if you need therapy to train yourself to accept this, then no shame there!

I know it's hard some days but I'm in the beginning of my journey and I can only hope for results like yours I hope I can run someday or be the sizes u are. Don't think negative stay positive you look great ????

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I have never, ever heard of anyone losing that much and having minimal skin. Wow. I watch a lot of YouTube videos with loose skin after WLS and most are pretty bad. You may need counseling if you can't learn to count your blessings.

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Tough topic! Congrats on your weightloss and active lifestyle. You are doing great!

I would tell you to give it a little more time and be kind to yourself. Reward yourself for all of the changes you have made and continue to follow.

You have made a lot of changes in a relatively short amount of time and it can take time for our minds to adjust to change. Having gone through therapy myself, a good therapist can be a valuable asset!! Though not every therapist will be a good fit.

Also, if you want plastics save up and go for it. This is your journey. (I myself think I might want them someday. Not far enough along in my journey.)

If you save up the money and decide you don't want them after all, do something fun or invest it.

What an absolute inspiration you are to me. You started at a similar weight and size as I have, and I've been dreaming about running for nearly two decades now. You look fabulous and I hope you also feel fabulous, too.

I think you hit the nail on the head in the subject matter of your post "Still seeing the old me." It can be hard to look at accomplishments and see how far you've come. You're not alone in feeling that way. I heard another woman talking about the same things your expressing when I was at a bariatric support meeting. The counselor said that sometimes, people go through a grieving phase after they've successfully lost their weight.

If that's what you're going through, just know you're not alone and reaching out like you have with your thread, is an excellent way to get some support.

Thank you for posting. I hope to be as successful as you are

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Just wanted to say congratulations, amazing results.