WLS, Hernia Repair, Paniculectomy, Tummy Tuck...all in 7 months

I usually post on the main board and I've even been absent from that for a while. I am completely overwhelmed right now and need a kind voice. I had my open RNY on March 4th of this year. Over the summer I developed a hiatal hernia along the incision line that grew to monstrous proportions. On October 14th I had surgery to repair the hernia and the doctor also did the paniculectomy and the tummy tuck at the same time. Since March, I've lost 158lbs and I've gone from a size 28 to a size 10. I am still about 20lbs away from goal and it's still coming off like crazy. In the week between check ups post op this time around, I'd lost another 7lbs. I am having a tough time adjusting right now. People look at me so differently and I'm not used to so much attention. I'm overjoyed at being able to run again and do all the things that I want to do, I guess it's still really difficult to look in the mirror and see what everyone else sees. Anyone else been through their surgeries this quickly? Any advice on coming to terms with all the changes? Thanks so much! Kirsten

Kirsten, Congratulations on your successes. I too have lost alot of weight very rapidly. I think that increasing my activity is the key to my success. Up until surgery two weeks ago, I was participating in aerobics M,W,and S and running or walking all of the other days of the week. My bariatrician was surprised that I had met my goal in 6 months. I am now below goal. My recent, unanticipated , surgery put my tummy tuck on the back burner for a few months, or I'd be there with you. It is amazing to see how people react to the "new" you isn't it? The comments, praise, and new looks are at times overwhelming and I also look in the mirror and wonder-what are others seeing?- because I just don't see what they see. I know I'm smaller--from a size 24W to size 8 prior to tummytuck--but there are times I look in the mirror and still see a fat person. I think the best we can do is appreciate the praise with "thank-you's" and smiles and hope that our body image changes in the near future. Again Congrats on you success. {{{Hugs}}} Meg