What major changes have you seen in yourself?

Ok, I'm not just talking about the obvious like losing XX lbs. and XX inches (though, please feel free to brag about that as well!). I'm talking about behavioral or psychological changes in yourself. I'll start. I knew going in to this surgery I would struggle with the timing of eating, and portion control. Portions are what got me into this mess in the first place, and though I used to know what an appropriate portion was, I would always eat more because I didn't feel full. I was taught to clean my plate, so I was fighting that as well. Now, when I put an appropriate portion on my plate, I can eat that and be satisfied. My hunger is just not there like it used to be. And I have learned to tune in more to my body and try to listen to what it's saying. Right now, I use any signal from my body as a warning I'm done, and I just stop. I also have no problem now, leaving food on my plate. That REALLY bothered me early after surgery. I always take food home, and I never used to do that either. I also have not experience much head hunger, for which I am thankful. I also find I'm not dwelling on food all day. I do think about the big picture and what my intake is for the day, and try not to overdo, but my hunger and capacity change from day to day. I feel like I'm handling the fluctuations well, though. As far as stats, just a couple here. I am down 59 lbs. And I've lost 11" in my waist, 8" in my bust, and 8" in my hips. Woo hoo! Ok, how about you?

First of all you look FANTASTIC! I have not been on here in awhile, I didn't want to make this forum a habit when I was trying to break sitting on my duff for long periods of time. I am losing slower than most maybe because I had the lap band and come to find out I have the largest band they make and I think I am now since yesterday have the restriction I need to REALLY control what I shove down my throat. I eat the right things now that is a huge change, just the thought of fast food makes me feel kinda sick. I do however like chili from Wendy's sometimes but the gas is awful so no thanks. I eat fresher vegtables and drink so much water now which is something I never used to do. I don't miss diet coke hardly at all. My joints do not hurt and I sleep better. The emotional changes are AWESOME! I take no crap from anyone and I even walk with more confindence. I feel pretty and sexy all in one. I am taken seriously now and people are interested in what I say. I have also found out who TRUELY loves and cares about ME as a person. Wow you wouldn't believe the family and some friends who have shown their true colors since I have had this surgery but I figured it out.........the big J word. J E A L O U S but why? I can't figure that one out. I am still the same person on the inside always will be me. My personality has not changed even though I know that some people do after WLS. Some seem to forget that they were once too on that side of the fence. As for me I will never forget and I will always reach out and touch them with my knowledge of this miracle and chance I have been given to be healthy. So how's that? LOL Hope everyone is well and I love popping back in here and seeing the changes...........wonderful! Love Jackie

For me it's all about self confidence. I feel like I can walk into a room and people actually see me instead of trying to avoid me or looking right through me. I travel a lot and love the fact people don't cringe when they realize I'm sitting next to them on a plane. I am so much happier with myself and it shows in everything I do. I feel like I'm getting a second chance to live my life the way I've always wanted to but couldn't and that's just the greatest feeling in the world. The other big one is that my whole attitude about food has changed. It is no longer one of the most important things in my life. I don't feel deprived when I don't get to eat like I used to which was always my problem with dieting. I don't feel guilty when I want to bake (which I love to do) because I know I'm not going eat it all. It's a feeling of freedom that I never expected and absolutely love. This was the best thing I've ever done for myself. I knew I would lose the weight but I didn't expect all of the wonderful psycological benefits I would get too. Corinna Q

Great question! I think my biggest change has been in my activity level. I actually like to exercise! I can't believe it when I say those words but they are so true. I am the person who avoided walking more that 20 feet anyway she could. Overn the past years I have made my husband drop me off at the front of the store and pick me up at the front of the store so many times he still tries to do it out of habbit. Not to mention the hundreds of times I asked him to go and I stayed home so I didn't have to leave my recliner! Today, I actually asked him to go for a walk after dinner. He was beaming with pride. I walk with wrist waits for at least 30 minutes of my lunch hour every work day plus I work out at Curves every day that I can but at least 3 days per week. Last week was 6 days. The more I move, the better I feel physically and mentally. I use exercise as a coping mechanism for stress and for head hunger. It is hard to even think you are hungry when you are panting and sweating!

WOW I don't think I have enough time to write everything down. LOL I feel so much better and I have so much more energy. My husband says I make him feel like a slug. My fibromyalgia is so much better. I do not have constant pain, if the pain in my leg would go away I'd be almost pain free. I went from taking 8 to 10 pain pills a day to occasionally taking a Tylenol. I too have found I actually like exercise and I have met a whole new group of people in the exercise groups I've become involved in. I am so much more flexible. I worked out with a personal trainer last week and he worked me out so hard I thought I'd be in traction the next day and I was hardly even sore. I feel so much better about myself and also not having to buy anymore plus size clothes really helps my self esteem. I'm pretty regimented with my 3 meals a day but if snacks are present I do have such a hard time. I did noticed that if I work out more than an hour a day I need to add a protein snack because I am hungry, I do make sure it's a nutritious snack and not just a snack. I tried on my fat pants for my husband and blown away, he said I've seen that on TV and always thought it was faked. I have lost 92 pounds and at my 3 month which was about 5 weeks ago I had lost 10 inches off my waist and 11 inches off my hips. Deb

I am so much happier now. I think the weight loss has given me back the personality that I was meant to have. I've also noticed that people treat me differently now. I was walking around Target today and I was amazed at how much attention that I got from the stockers and even from two other shoppers. It seems like people are friendlier and more helpful now that I look a little better. Do you think it's because we look better and people treat us better or do you think the change in our attitudes makes us more open to their friendliness?

Wanda, I think it's a combination of both. I know I feel more confident, so I think I appear more approachable. But I know looks has something to do with it too. It's just a fact that thinner people get more attention. I was going to the store last week, and I was about half way down the walk to the front door. It's an automatic door that slides shut to the middle. This older man, probably in his late 70's, early 80's, stopped, did a double take, and then held the automatic door until I got there. LOL! Like it would put me out to step on the sensor that would open the door. I approached and smiled and said "are you holding the door for me?" and he said, "yep, hurry on along now." I thanked him and walked off wondering if I made his day. LOL!