Hi Everyone,

I went to our neighborhood block party on Friday last week. I was also there last year and had already lost 75 pounds as of last Christmas. Since then I have lost another 71, so I figured people would notice. One of my neighbors (a woman) came in to the party, walked around and then said hello to me. She walked up to me and said, "You look different. "Did you change your haircolor?" I just about barfed my glass of wine! Some of the other folks there were about to crack up as well, but I was gracious enough not to say anything to embarrass her! Later in the evening, she figured it out and I am sure that she was feeling pretty ridiculous.

It reminded me a little of the movie "Notting Hill" where the brother in law of Hugh Grant starts talking to Julia Roberts and they get into a discussion about how poorly acting pays, not realizing she is a famous world reknowned actress and he asks her how much money she made with her last film and she spews "14 million"! Do you guys remember this scene?

Actually, all my other neighbors were gushing compliments. A few did not recognize me and a few told me stories how they saw me with my son on Halloween and didnt know it was me.

I honestly believe that people did not see me as big as I was. Clearly at 334 pounds and a BMI of 53.9, I was extremely huge. Maybe the reason I was so much in denial about my weight was because I leaned a lot on my "vibrant" personality and my brashness and didnt give people a chance to notice my weight issues. Hmmm, something to think about...

Anybody have any similar stories?

Babs in TX

334/188/170

-146

6/23/03

Babs-

what a great story. It must have felt fantastic to have everyone notice.

I'm at the stage where people think I've gotten a new haircut.

Since I've told just about everyone in my life about my surgery- they KNOW I've lost weight, and then they say "I really like how you're wearing your hair now". It's the same as it's been for three years. I just tell them, "thanks...my hair is actually the same...I just got a new neck".

Megan

That is great stories from both of you. You both are doing amazing jobs and I love hearing your stories.

Hi Megan,

I gotta try that line! LOL

Or I could say, No, its not the hair. I am Barbara's evil skinny twin sister!!! I like your new pic! You look very nice!

Babs in TX

334/188/170

-146

6/23/03

Babs, I really think that thoughts of "oh, she is so fat" are what strangers and acquaintances think. People who know us well tend to look beyond that and don't think about it. I know I don't think of friends or family as fat, but strangers are easier to judge that way.

It is very nice when people notice the change since it is such a big deal personally. Do you think that kind of attention is addictive? I'm starting to like it a little bit too much I think!

Hi Babs,

Cute story. Congratulations on your wonderful success. You made me laugh because just the other day I was cleaning one of my regular customer's houses. I am there every week and have worked for her for 12 years. This week though when I walked in she looked at me and was astounded at how different I looked. She said it was the first time she had seen the huge difference losing 78 lbs. In fact she commented on it about 20 times that day. I thought it was hilarious because she sees me every single week. I don't know what caught her attention this particular week but I just cracked up about it. Funny enough, I met my mom later that day for lunch wearing the same clothes. She glanced at me and told me to pull down my sweater over my gut... LOL... My mom is very supportive and thinks the world of me but she is always a bit of a fashion critic. I'm glad nothing has changed dispite losing weight. Teresa

I get the hair thing too. I don't think people noticed my weightloss untill I had the first 30 gone... so I hope that means that they didn't notice it when it was there:)

I have a sister that I haven't seen since the week before my surgery. My mom is not her mom so she hasn't been around while my mom has been sick so we didn't see each other till last Sunday nite when her and her husband came to our church to see the Christmas Concert our choir put on. When she walked into the church I was just leaving the choir room to go get in place on the stage and she started to ask me if I would tell Greg she was here and then she realized it was me. I have new glasses and a much thiner face and all. She just stopped and started to cry when she realized it was me. LOL just what I needed at that time. Rushing to get on stage and red eyes LOL. My brother in law said he knew it was me cause you can lose weight but ugly is forever LOL I'll get even with him just wait and see. LOL

Then last nite we went to dinner with my wifes brothers and sisters and their spouses. My brother in law Bob came in the resturant and as he walked by me he simply said, Excuse me sir and he pushed past and took about ten more steps stopped and turned around got all red in the face and spent the rest of the nite telling me how sorry he was for not recognizing me. He didn't understand that I took it as a compliment.

I never was self consicous about my weight and that probably is why I failed at all my attempts to lose. Wasn't until it became such a health problem that I finally got my head screwed on straight and now I love when people notice. This is hard work for all of us even though we had the surgery and we deserve to have people notice.

Little vainty doesn't hurt. LOL

OK be honest greg I WANT TO BE FAMOUS lol

These are all such wonderful stories! So proud of each one of you! Keep up the great job and 2005 will bring even more good things.