I'm Unrecognizable! Strange

Ok, who else could I share this with other than those of you who have had sugery too lol. Twice now in two days former co-workers who I remember very well, did'nt recognize me. lol. It's the strangest feeling! And not all that happy of a feeling eaither, but sort of I guess. Last night I was at my WLS support group mtg and recognized a former co-worker from a year ago. I got so excited and went over and started talking to her, excited that she is also going to have the surgery. She had this strange look on her face, her husband as well. Then she said "I'm sorry, do I know you?" I said, Yes! I'm Tamela, I used to work with you! TAMELA she says... OMG I did'nt recognize you! etc etc etc. Yes, it was a great feeling and a sad one at the sametime. Sad because I still am the same person on the inside... I felt so strange.... like I was trapped for a moment in someone elses body lol. Then today, I went to my husbands work (my former work) and went into the office to say hi to a good friend. Another former co-worker that I worked with who I KNOW knows me, acted like he did'nt and I was too shy to say anything until my husband walked in and said "You remember my wife Tamela right?" My husband came home tonight laughing and said... "He did'nt recognize you eaither" . Yes! What a wonderful feeling that I look so diffrent and I'm happy. But also, I am kinda mourning the "Tamela" from before as she is forever gone. Am I making sense here? Now when I go into a store, instead of thinking everyone is staring at the fat lady..... I notice people doing things they normally don't do, like men opening the doors for me.... letting me ahead of them in line etc. Yep.... Out with the old... and in with the new lol. Still feels real strange though LOL Hugs Tamela

I haven't dealt with that as of yet. I know it would be strange. I guess it is kind of sad. I know that is what we want but when it happens, you don't know how to take it. Interesting.

Hey, Tamela! I think it can be both good and sometimes a bit sad...and there is a lot to be said about both... but I just wanted to share my experience on the same subject: my dear hubby tells me that he feels that he gets in bed with "a different woman" almost every week since I had the surgery...Athough he never complained or criticized me because of weight before, it is HIS comments that I value the most on the subject...even though I've had pretty dramatic comments from people who haven't seen me for a few months. Rita

What a great story! I havent had those experiances yet either but I wanted to share a funny about my mom. YEARS ago (I am 32) she took me to the store and apparently I got "out of line" and needed an adjustment so she was dragging me out of the store....Ok I was a bit of a drama queen so I can imagine it was not an actual DRAG but more of a forceful eviction ;) anyways a clerk said to my mom "you cant go outside with that little girl...." and my mom said "I dont know why not I am her mother" and the clerk said "oh no you arent..I know this little ones mama and she is a short fat lady".....you see my mom was an overweight lady who yo-yo dieted for YEARS..apparently she had lost like 85lbs and the lady didnt recognize her! My mom STILL diets but she is now diabetic and has to watch what she eats...but no more visits to yo-yo land! Oh and I havent been drug out of a store for an attitude adjustment in years! (wink) Alisa 08/23/05 lap rny 58lbs gone for good!