It's time to VENT!

Alright...I have not had ONE SINGLE PERSON mention my weight loss! My mom, boyfriend, etc. mention it because I'll mention my weightloss for the week to them, but overall, NOBODY has mentioned it or complimented me on it. Since surgery, I've lost 53lbs and NOTHING! My clothes are obviously bigger, and I wear the same clothes so they're definitely baggy! lol. My mother in law this week said to me "your face looks thinner"...#@!$@ My face looks thinner!!!! My face doesn't weigh 53lbs!!!! I've been a good sport about it because I figure people see me day in and day out and haven't really "ran" into someone that I haven't seen in awhile, so I guess it's harder to see someone lose weight if you see them daily. Anywho, this sucks, but happy to see the scale moving. I'm a slow loser, average about 2-3lb lost a week. Venting Norma G.

Hey Norma... you are doing better than I am... 53 lbs... I would be so happy... I have lost 40 and am stuck... but I have not been walking at all lately.... Just joined Bally's so after Monday when my doctor releases me I am going to start working out.... Keep up the good work Debra

Norma Don't worry about it. Their probably trying to deal with not having the overweight Norma in their life. And are trying to catch up with how the skinny new Norma will be like. You just take pride in yourself and stay happy Continued success Jackie

Hi Norma! I've been following your story, as well as many 8/30/04 post-ops. I have lost about 60 pounds, also since that date. I have noticed that people notice my weight loss when I drop a size and wear a new, smaller size of pants or scrubs. Maybe baggy clothes are your problem. Treat yourself and wear something closer fitting and flattering. But remember, you didn't go through WLS for them or for the looks, you did it for YOU! If you feel healthier, younger, and more energetic, then those are the milestones you can rejoice in! Keep up the great work! Smiles, Sue

Very true..I do feel better about myself, my self image, my health and just have more energy! Just sucks that I don't get the jaw-dropping "WOW NORMA, YOU LOOK SO GREAT!!!". Thanks for reading my venting and posting. But, you're all right, I need to get some new clothing. Since surgery, I haven't bought once single piece of clothing. Just end up wearing all my old baggy stuff. My underwear are even big!!! lol...Yeah, it's time to treat myself with a cute outfit. Thanks so much guys for the support

Norma, Hello, and be happy where you are today, and just look at where you will be tomorrow.....all that matter's is YOU. This is YOUR journey. As far as people mentioning a difference in your weightloss, let me tell you something I have learned years ago. I have lost close to 100 pounds before a few times, and out of experience I have found that when one is heavy, the pounds we lose, (in my case 54) seems like alot to us, but in reality it is just a dip in the bucket. Yes we feel better, and our clothes fit better, but like with me, (and I am not saying this to be negative on you or anyone else), I have learned to be a realist. My clothes fit better now after losing the weight, because they were too tight and I was spilling out of them to begin with. I feel better and I am more active, but I have to compare that to me....my activity level was very low to begin with, and compared to others, I would probably still be labeled a couch potato.....but who cares, I know where I have been and where I am going. Also, I have learned that by losing weight, your attitude will change, it's when you truly, from deep inside start to feel better about yourself, is when people will notice your loss, again thru experience, I have found that for me a weightloss of 60 pounds is what usually gets other's attention. By then I feel pretty good, and not only am I in a smaller size, but the clothes hug me differently. Don't look for compliments, and don't mention it to others....sometimes I feel people ignore your progress deliberately.....maybe some are jealous, maybe others envy you....but all that matters is YOU. Oh and another thing, people will notice a change in your face before your body, By your mother-in-law saying it looks slimmer is a good thing, most ask me if I changed my hairdo....lol, a 60 pound loss and they think it's my hairdo...go figure! Love ya, Susan

Same thing happened to me over Thanksgiving. I was prepared for everyone who hadn't seen me since before surgery to comment on my almost 70-lb loss, but no one said a thing. I was disappointed and a little insulted. I have come to the conclusion that "normal-size" people can't see differences in size after about size 20. To them, it's all just fat at that point. Doesn't make a difference if you're 225 or 425--they just see a MO person. Maybe I'm being cynical or unfair, but it sure does seem that way. In general, I don't care what anyone outside my family thinks about me or my size, but it is nice to get a little positive reinforcement now and then. ---- Leslie 282/212/135 (70 down, 77 to go!)

Positive reinforcement never hurts! I'm glad I have a very supportive boyfriend whom loved me the way I was, and loves the new me as well. I definitely have a long way to go, but do feel good about myself and the progress I've done. At times I feel as if I should have lost MORE BY NOW, but, a 55 pound drop in less than 4months...cmon now I used to be happy when I would lose 10-15lbs on diet pills, and I was a mess! So, I'm definitely rejoicing in MY JOURNEY! Thanks for the post and your awesome words Congrats on the 70down! 255/200/150

Norma, It will happen for us! We started out the same and the way I see it is the first 50 pounds is not really that big of a difference (because we are bigger), but from here on out we will be dropping sizes like crazy. I think every 10 pounds will be a size from here on out. Isn't it exciting! You are beautiful! Keep your head up! --Marianne

Aw, thanks Marianne. You're my surgery day buddy (and same starting weight) so I definitely am happy that we are doing so great. But you're right, the 1st 50lbs was definitely needed and didnt make a HUGE difference. Now, it's about dropping sizes, toning up, and maximizing our loss, and LOOKING GREAT!