I'm new here . . .

but I've finally gotten the courage the post. I've been faithfully reading the main message board since before my surgery on 4/21, and I'm so excited to finally find the the April message board. It has been a constant encouragement for me to read words of kindness and support that I see on here. My dilemma - I'm only 4' 8" and started as what my surgeon calls a "lightweight", but still MO. You see, I'm losing as quickly as some and it's quite depressing for me. I believe that I'm not "normal" in that I CAN eat and I'm always hungry. My surgeon is very adamant about 3 meals/day (1/2 cup ONLY), no snacks/grazing. Since about a month out, I haven't measured my food, just guessed. I've cheated a few times on junk, but never sugar. I'm really embarrassed when I read about those that can only eat "a few bites" or stick to doctor's orders. BTW, I lost 14 lbs. before surgery and ONLY 38 lbs. since. When does anyone start to feel good about themselves? Is there some way to genuinely motivate myself????

dont get discouraged or depressed joanna. Everyone moves at their own pace. I go thru periods of time where i feel like i am hungry all the time myself, and then there are days where i have to force myself to eat. everyone loses weight at different rates too. i have seen so many posts on here about people who had surgery the same time as me who have lost way more an way less than what i have lost. i look at it this way, any weight i lose, is a plus for me, and i dont need to compare myself to anyone else. just keep in mind all the reasons why you had the surgery in the first place. did you have it done for you or them???? if the answer is you, then be happy with every little step that you make, and just keep at it. you will get to the you that you want to be eventually, and even if it takes awhile, its probably not something that you would have been able to do on your own without the surgery otherwise you wouldnt have had the surgery anyways. then one day...pow...it will sneek up on you in the weirdest way....look at me.....i can do things i wasnt able to do before, and you will get the greatest feeling of self accomplishment. i recently found that when i had to take my drivers liscense out of my purse to go and renew it, and i looked at the picture. i almost had a heart attack. i couldnt beleive it was me. i looked sooooooo different. and that was a WONDERFUL feeling. enjoy all those little moments, an eventually, you will reach your goal and feel great. Keep up the good work, and congrats on your weight loss so far. Anita b 420/345 -75lbs

Hi Anita. Thank you for for your help - you've done great! I'm doing the best I can, it just gets me down a bit. Wish I had more of your outlook! Thanks again for the enlightenment. Good luck to you!

AMEN Anita! Joanna, don't waste you time comparing yourself to anyone else. One of the most important things Ive learned through this whole(sometimes horrible) experience is that you HAVE to value yourself, believe YOU are worth taking care of. Know that everything you do is a positive step forward. Even if you cheat, cheat wisely. It's not like you can sit down an down a 1/2 gallon of ice cream or something Cheating is just self indulgence, and we all need that once in awhile. But trying indulging yourself with something else. I'm now hooked on pedicures and bookstores. I had WLS 4-25 and had complications. I gained wt after surgery which REALLY bummed me out, but I lost that in 3-5 days. I'm now down 71 lbs. in 13 weeks. Better than some, worse than others. All I know is that it is up to us. I know I lose more when I drink all my H2O and exercise, and don't lose as much when I don't. Simple but true, truth hurts and it's still hard work. There are days I feel like crap and don't want to do anything. And times I mourn food like a long lost child, but I get through it and know that I'll be around longer and enjoy life. So, stop beating yourself up and treat yourself well and enjoy the journey! I'm here to chat anytime! Carol

Hi Carol! Thanks so much for your words of wisdom. I'm really trying to pull myself out of this slump. I will probably always be one of those people who see myself as huge. I don't think it's just the fact that I lose soooo slow, but everything else piling up on top too. I'm starting a new job on the 8th and I have no decent clothes to wear (I lost my "office" clothes in a flood last September) so now I need to buy new stuff, don't have the money and don't really want to buy "in between" clothes. My son in law just lost a good job and he and my daughter have 3 small girls and no income. So I truly think it's everything around me that's bringing me down on myself so much. Wow, 71 lbs. - that's incredible - wish I had lost that much - I'd be 3/4 of my way to goal!!! Thank you again, good luck to you and I hope you're feeling better each day. Joanna

I can eat and I'm always hungry too. Don't feel alone. I honestly don't believe people that say they can only eat a few bites. Well, except for those that are sick.