This is probably the weirdest post given we all have a goal. To lose weight.

I am post gastric sleeve. I have proudly lost 25lbs (and counting) in three weeks. I am doing this for my family and for my health. I was having a lot of health issues due to being obese, and I wanted to enjoy life again.

That said, I didn't have body issues prior to the gastric sleeve. I had a "Don't like it don't look" attitude. Proud of my bought and paid for body. 6 years of infertility medications, PCOS, hormonal issues, two pregnancies, the first being with twins. My body was almost like a medal.
Now, I'm finding I'm fixated on what will I look like when I reach my goal weight. I'm waking up from 'nightmares' that I will look like a melted barbie. Even my waking hours are spent worrying.

"Will I be able to look at my naked body without regrets?"
"Will I be able to feel sexy again? Even if my boobs hang to my belly button?"
"Will spanks help? Or will it just make me look lumpy?"
"Was this a mistake?"
"Will my partner still find me sexy?" (Please note, my husband is very supportive and assures me daily that I have nothing to worry about, but the voice in my head has a hard time believing this. How can someone really know for sure until the finished product is in front of you?)

After spending so much out of pocket for the procedure, I can't see being able to afford cosmetic surgery once I've reached my goal weight. That scares me. Even if I can save up the money... Can I justify spending more on myself instead of my family? Frankly, I'd be scared of surgery and what the recovery would be like.

Has anyone else felt like this? I'm determined to lose the weight. I want to run around the park with my kids, walk my dogs, go on hikes again. Just need to know that I'm not alone. Maybe make a friend whose on the same journey that I can talk to.

Regardless, thanks for reading. Kinda helped just typing out all my fears.

It sounds like you need some outside activity to take your mind off something that probably isn't going to happen. For one thing it comes gradually so start a physical fitness regimen, start dwelling on the positive, look at a new clothes wardrobe and try on your new sizes to see what an improvement is ahead of you. Look for ways to volunteer in your community and work on nutritional changes that your family will like and get them on a new track for healthy life style. If you got the surgery just for looking better, you probably will be disappointed but if you did it for health, it will be for the best. More energy will be worth every penny.

On 09/24/2022 at 12:19, Jeanniebug said:

I know this post is quite old and I hope that you're doing well now and living your best life.

I have a fear that I'm going to lose too much weight. That I'm not going to be able to stop losing weight, when the time comes and I reach goal.

I saw a talk show in the 1980’s that was about that, I think it’s a normal concern.

Reality is you are more likely to be stuck far from your goal due to unhealthy habits, or age, or genetics, or years of yo-yo dieting altering your body (or some combination). Only you know how much thought space your worry takes up. Thankfully there’s help for mental glitches that may seem to be on repeat! Start with your team, and keep asking. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists helped my family get connected to help.

10 minutes ago, learn2cook said:

I saw a talk show in the 1980’s that was about that, I think it’s a normal concern.

Reality is you are more likely to be stuck far from your goal due to unhealthy habits, or age, or genetics, or years of yo-yo dieting altering your body (or some combination). Only you know how much thought space your worry takes up. Thankfully there’s help for mental glitches that may seem to be on repeat! Start with your team, and keep asking. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists helped my family get connected to help.

Thank you for the suggestion. Anxiety, stress and emotional eating have all played a part in getting me to this place.

I started seeing a therapist, a couple of months ago. I knew that I would need help after surgery (because the surgeon will fix my stomach, but not my brain LOL!) and wanted to get the relationship established well before then.