I went to see my PCP because my scale went up 9lbs. I was concerned because I've had congestive heart failure in the past and fluid retention is a major symptom. He poo poo'd my weight gain concerns because I'm down 63lbs since he last saw me. D: Are you grazing? M: A little...well, yeah I am. D: Watch your portions. Only snack on protein products. D:Are you drinking more than 8 glasses of water? M: I try to drink at least 8... D: Remember you have a problem with sodium and low carb food are notoriously high in sodium. Drink at least 10 cups of water a day. D: Are you exercising 3 times a week? M: Yes, I'm walking sometimes 2x a day. I actually enjoy working out and try to do it 5 times a week. D:You are off high blood pressure medicine, your heart sounds fine and your diabetes is under control. Everybody loses weight, you're averaging 10lbs a month. Your skin isn't sagging and you look wonderful. M: But...you don't understand. I didn't have surgery to lose 10lbs a month. D: Do you feel better? M: Yes, I haven't felt this good in years D: Get out of my office and I will see you in 3 months. Here's my Easter photo with my son: http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/chauncine/WLS%20photos/100_0440.jpg Chauncine

Well it is just me and my partner in the house. It was somewhat hard at times because she did not understand what I was going through. She had weight loss surgery a week ago so now we can progress together. It will be helpful to both of us to have each other for support

Pretty, You and your family are in my prayers. Take care and God Bless. Chauncine

That's funny. This weekend we were going into the shoe store and I thought, "huh, that lady is wearing the same thing I am wearing." Then I realized, that lady was me! It was my reflection in the glass windows of the store. So, I don't recognize myself either. I also am discouraged by skin issues and I don't know if I'll ever see myself thin. You're not alone. Sherry 259/194.5/130

I'm having body image issues and was wondering if any of my surgery buddies were going through the same thing. First of all, when you look in the mirror what do you see? Do you see your weight loss? Do you see what others seem to see? Most of the time I don't see any difference at all. I know in my head and by my clothes that I'm much smaller but when I look in the mirror i still see me at 298 lbs. The few times I do see the weight loss I don't even recognize myself. I feel like there is a stranger in the mirror. Am I alone? Also, I find that I am much more unhappy with my body now than I was before I started losing the weight. At 298 I was solid and firm. Now I can only seem to focus on the sagging skin and droopy breasts. I feel like I can't even appreciate my weight loss because I am so consumed with the negative. Another thing I'm struggling with is the fact that I am so close to goal. I know this probably sounds crazy but since I was considered a light-weight I expected to lose a lot slower than I have. Now I'm only 33 pounds from my goal weight and am terrified at the idea of having to maintain it for life. Being only 4 months out, I'm still adjusting to losing. Does anyone else feel like this? Chawan 298/223/190