Just not seeing it.

Yesterday, I had the pictures from our vacation developed. At the time they were taken, I was down 100 pounds from my pre-op weight. I looked at some compared to my "before" pictures. I'm sorry, but I see no difference. The wife says it is plain as day to her, but not to me. I just see the same useless blob of fat in both pictures. Anyway, I just got back from the doctors, expecting to be berated for my lack of weightloss between now and my appointment two months ago, but the Dr. said he is completely happy with it (50 pounds lost), and to keep doing exactly what I'm doing. My attitude was "50 pounds? That's it???" I guess I have unreal expectations. Anyway, "The Deep Depression(tm)" has set in.

I think a lot of people have unreal expectations, but your doing a wonderful job and need to remember you didn't put it on nearly as fast as your loosing it! Jan

Tiem to get out your tape measure if you haven't done your measurements yet! Having my 'before' measurements and keeping track of them over the past two months have been a sanity saver for me. Ask your wife to help you. For those times you aren't seeing the changes, once you have the measurements at least you will know that your body is indeed changing!

Hey, Jim Well, I will be 3 months out on Wednesday, and as of this week I was down 41 pounds. I can't see it either, except in the face, and only one person at work has noticed any change at all. And my clothing sizes have not changed yet. I am STARTING to notice that my clothes are no longer skin tight at least, but I certainly don't need to go down any sizes yet. So I can relate. On the other hand . . . 100 pounds of weight loss in THREE MONTHS? When is the last time in your life you were able to do that??? How long did it take you to GAIN all the weight, more than 3 months? I would guess you don't have as much trouble moving around, you can go up and down stairs with MUCH less pain and stress, right? Give yourself a break, dear. Your surgery is working. It is not a magic wand, it won't happen overnight, but a hundred pounds is a huge amount in such a short time. Hang in there, ok??? Hugs, Jezia

I must say that I understand how you feel because I too had unreal expectations. However I had to realize that even if I only lost 1 pound it was better than gaining a pound. When I began looking at it that way I was happier about the small accomplishemts I made. God bless you and be encouraged!

Jim, don't loose the faith just yet. I also don't see myself inside of my big body. I have always purposely avoided mirrors and pictures, even though everyone says "you are such a pretty lady". I just can't do it. I still see myself as a size 9 seventeen year old, not a size 20 41 year old. When I do see a pix, I am usually disgusted and disappointed in my looks. HOWEVER, being down several clothes sizes has kept me from falling into the bottomless pit of self despair. Have the wife start measuring the following places: neck, upper arm, chest, waist, hips, abdomin, both thighs, both calves, both ankles, and both wrists. Then in a month do it again. Add up all of the inches you have lost and that will make you feel WONDERFUL. When the scale wasn't moving, the inches were. Come on, just do it. Also, it is probably time to get atleast one set of new clothes that fit. Get a nice pair of jeans and casual shirt, and a set of dress clothes. Take your wife out somewhere nice, go dancing, to a movie, etc. but get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful weather before the snow starts to fly. Fall is such a nice time of the year, and I hate to hear that anyone is in The Deep Depression. If you need to, visit the doc for some meds to get you over the hump you are experiencing right now. Please continue to post and let us all know how you are doing. Take care!!! ~Diana