Today I had an unexpected and surprisingly satisfying NSV. I noticed that my belly button shrank. It's about 50% shallower than it used to be! Who knew I would be so pleased about less depth to my belly button? ?

That’s an amazing discovery @ms.sss. I never thought about why I don’t sleep on my tummy any more. Now it makes sense why I’d feel discomfort in my back midsection if I did. I wonder if not having a butt anymore contributes to some of my lower back pain??

On 6/12/2022 at 1:05 AM, BigSue said:

I've noticed something similar with medical professionals. When I went to the doctor as a fat person, the doctors, nurses, PAs, etc. were usually pretty aloof towards me and treated me like a number. I assumed it was because healthcare workers are intentionally detached and they're like that with all patients. Now that I'm no longer overweight, they are so much friendlier and more sympathetic. The nurses strike up conversations with me while they're taking my vitals. They are more concerned about symptoms, like, "Oh, you're not feeling well? You poor dear!" where I guess they used to be thinking, "Anything that's wrong is your fault because you're fat."

It's no secret that medical professionals are biased against fat patients, and I avoided going to doctors because I knew that no matter what the problem was, the cause would be that I'm fat and the cure would be to lose weight (as though I didn't know and hadn't tried). I didn't expect it to be so blatant, though.

As a medical professional this just saddens and angers me that an environment was created where you felt this way. It is horrible and shame on them.
This does not represent all medical professionals at all. At my heaviest I have been blessed to have kind providers but I will say that one of my patients told me straight that he was interviewing me and would decide after the first visit if I would remain his provider. I recommend you interview and find the best fit for you. ☺️

On 6/14/2022 at 1:59 AM, Merill said:

That'll be the day for me when I don't struggle so much to reach behind too ?????

I read this and just realized that I'm there. Yay me!!

For me it was my shorts. I put on my shorts with a belt and cinched em up. Walked outside with the wifey to take a walk and my shorts fell down to my ankles in front of the neighbors. LOL We are good friends so they knew I was on the weight loss journey and the neighbors wifey gave me a whistle with a chuckle LOL

First congratulations to on all the hard work and result. Second I enjoyed the post I like reading the wordy ones

Can't wait to wear medium again comfortably. Large is getting baggy!

Today, i was chatting with a coworker about the weekend and i realized that i had walked up the two flights of stairs without getting winded. I never took the stairs at work, always the elevator before.

On 6/20/2022 at 12:52 AM, Therese22 said:

one of my patients told me straight that he was interviewing me and would decide after the first visit if I would remain his provider. I recommend you interview and find the best fit for you. ☺️

I will definitely do this, I have been interviewing doctors even if I did not realize it. Some I have never seen again. I have always felt like the requests for reviews are just for them to promote their business and not to really see how they can improve a service.

I have a newish GP doctor since I recently move to another state. Yesterday, I was given a green light to stop taking BP and cholesterol medicines, the doctor was very happy with my tests and praised me for loosing 70 pounds and how good I look, however he said something that made me think of what has been said on this thread. He said "even your personality changed". I was like "nope", but I feel he sees my person in a different way now, which made me feel sad even if I know his intentions were to make me feel good. I still have a long way to go and if I make it to my goal I have an even harder work to maintain. It scares me to go back to the X sizes with all the X pains and health problems included. Now, knowing that if I fail, some in the health care system will see me with different eyes, it adds some anxiety.

One week post op and I can get out of bed without straining myself.

1 hour ago, AnneNP said:

One week post op and I can get out of bed without straining myself.

That's huge! The ability to get out of bed and not strain is a great feeling.

4 hours ago, LaTiaV said:

I will definitely do this, I have been interviewing doctors even if I did not realize it. Some I have never seen again. I have always felt like the requests for reviews are just for them to promote their business and not to really see how they can improve a service.

I have a newish GP doctor since I recently move to another state. Yesterday, I was given a green light to stop taking BP and cholesterol medicines, the doctor was very happy with my tests and praised me for loosing 70 pounds and how good I look, however he said something that made me think of what has been said on this thread. He said "even your personality changed". I was like "nope", but I feel he sees my person in a different way now, which made me feel sad even if I know his intentions were to make me feel good. I still have a long way to go and if I make it to my goal I have an even harder work to maintain. It scares me to go back to the X sizes with all the X pains and health problems included. Now, knowing that if I fail, some in the health care system will see me with different eyes, it adds some anxiety.

Maybe he meant that now you seem happier and more confident which is a personality change. I realised just the other day that even though my core personality traits are the same I am laughing more, I feel better about myself and I have more confidence going out. Others would see that as a personality change and I bet that's what your doctor was referring to, he can see you are happier and more confident and that's a good thing for your doctor to notice because it means he sees past a body shape or size.

We went to a baseball game this past week, and I easily fit into the stadium seat. Pretty certain that wouldn't have been the case 108 lbs ago. Also, we decided to avoid the elevators and walk to our parking level, and I was NOT slowing the group down for once.

1 hour ago, SleeverSk said:

Maybe he meant that now you seem happier and more confident which is a personality change. I realised just the other day that even though my core personality traits are the same I am laughing more, I feel better about myself and I have more confidence going out. Others would see that as a personality change and I bet that's what your doctor was referring to, he can see you are happier and more confident and that's a good thing for your doctor to notice because it means he sees past a body shape or size.

I hope you are right, I like the doctor, he is very careful when checking all and acts like an empathic person.

I bet I smiled when he said no more pills for me. ( other than my vitamins).

9 hours ago, LaTiaV said:

Now, knowing that if I fail, some in the health care system will see me with different eyes, it adds some anxiety.

I agree with SleeverSK whole heartedly! This right here is not fair to yourself. We cannot control others reactions just as they cannot control our own. Try to focus on your goals, your accomplishments and try to tune out others (which I know is hard and I struggle as well).

Also, I believe in the power in words we use. Try to build yourself up with words. If I may, i'd change this statement to be " I will not fail and though some in the health care may see me with different eyes they do not know nor may they ever understand the struggle, sacrifice and immense work physically, mentally and spiritually I have put in to be where I am now. Whatever the foundation of their 'different eyes' I will go forth into victory."

you will be victorious!

Edited June 22, 20224 yr by Therese22

New one. My upstairs office and hobby space is seeing increased usage by me. It's not a pain to go up so I don't hesitate anymore. Score.