I had my surgery Oct 4, 2002 and can totally relate to your body image. I was riding bikes with my neighbor this morning and I was telling her that I still think people are looking at me and saying things like "look at the fat woman on the bicycle". I am within 14 pounds of goal but still see such a big person. When I look at recent pictures compared to before, I'm having a bit of an identity crisis. I don't know which person I don't recognize. I am getting a tummy tuck and so I don't worry too much about the belly anymore, so now I'm fussing about my thighs and arms. Geez, where's the instant gratification I wanted?!? I just focus on how hard I've worked to get here, and how great I feel these days. The negative thoughts are still there, but starting to wane a little. Congrats on your loss! Your doing marvelous.

I had my surgery on Oct. 10, 2002. I have lost 119lbs. and feel fantastic! Having a real problem with body image. My mind has not caught up with all the changes. I have confidence this will work it self out. Has anyone else felt the same way? And if so how are you coping? Congradulations fellow Oct. patients!

I know what you mean about needing to get on a exercise routine.But its amazing at things I can do now that I couldn't do before.It has been since Oct 2002 for me too.I have lost 101 lbs and need to lose about 50 more.I have so much more energy and feel alot better physically,mentally,and spiritually.On the subject of watermelon.I eat it,just becareful not to swallow the seeds.Watermelon mostly consist of water anyway.I also eat,bananna's,cantalope,green grapes,and granny smith green apples. Well,I hope all continues to go well.Lots of luck to you. God Bless ! Stacy Oct.7,2002/down 102lbs lost

OMG, I feel the same way!!!! I have been on vacation all week, with plans of sleeping late and being a slug. It hasn't happened, and I feel like I need to go back to work to get some rest!!

Has anyone else found that while we love what we've done, we miss the "old" days? I miss sleeping til noon. I miss being a slug. My body refuses to sleep past 7:30 in the morning. My body wants to run, and jump and play and move and my head is trying to figure out what went wrong? When did my body defy me? Was it because I lost 104 pounds and counting? Is it because I no longer live my life in a shell or a bubble made of food? Will my head ever give in to the demands of my body? ;) Sure is nice of my body to give me back a life, though, I gotta tell ya. October 4, 2002 ... -104 and counting... Love you all ... Peace @}----------Shanna