Are you happy yet?

G'mornin' all, I'm asking this because I see alot of posts on the main board from people who no matter how much they lose fail to see it. I feel like I'm in the minority regarding this subject. I saw Dr. Irgau Thursday for a check-up, everything is fine and I don't need another till March from him. I do have one in Feb for PMRI to have labs done. The good doc was extremely pleased with my progress and we discussed goals. He said I could lose another 25 - 30 pounds and that would put me in a good area. I agreed with him and plan on following the routine I've set up for myself for the long haul. Having said all that...I really don't care if I stayed right where I am. If for some reason they would say ok, you're done and this is where you will be. I'd be fine with that. I'm curious to know the difference between people who get to a reasonable weight and are happy with it and those who don't see their progress. I grew up thin, I was a skinny teen and young adult and didn't gain weight till my first pregnancy. I'm wondering if that's the difference. I have lived in both worlds. I dealt with an eating disorder for years and was a bit concerned in that area when I decided to have WLS. I didn't want to return to those old distorted images of myself. I was FULLY aware of what I looked like as a MO woman, not to mention the associated health problems, and I hated every minute of it. Maybe the sequencing is the difference. Thin, fat then losing 100 pounds I have a greater appreciation of how severe a problem can become and have more of an appreciation for myself at a higher weight now than I could before when I'd only experienced life on the thin side. lol deep subject matter for 7:30 AM. Curious as to what your experiences in that area have been and how you see yourself. As for me getting control of the diabetes and high blood pressure was priority number 1. Losing 100 pounds is wonderful and anything else I lose or smaller sizes I can eventually wear is just sugar free icing on the cake I don't eat What about you all? Linda

Wow, Linda! Great subject!!! I grew up heavy. I am, right now, at what I weighed as an early teenager. I always knew that I was heavy. It was a factor in all of my decisions. Even though I know that I feel soooooo much better, look better and know that I am smaller, I still feel FAT. I know that I have lost all of this weight, and a part of my brain says that I would be happy if I didn't loose any more, but another part of me says that I am no where near what my healthy weight should be. Ten inches and 85 pounds isn't enough. I debate with myself on this most every day. Ken

Hi Ken, I love hearing about things like this from a male perspective. It's amazing that given our differences, body image issues remain remarkably similar in both genders. You really have done a fabulous job and I'm positive your brain parts will eventually agree with each other! Have a safe trip for the holiday, Linda

Hi Linda, I have notice we have a lot in common. I also know the thin life at 5' 7" 135 lbs. I am so happy to of lost 91lbs. If I didn't lose anymore I would still be happy. But I'm 184 and I know I should be about 150. Being healthly is most important to me. The two reasons why I had WLS was all the health problems in my family, like early heart attacks and diabetes and I knew I was heading down that road.And I wonder how much I would weigh now if I didn't have the surgery. And most of all my beautiful daughter. I didn't want to live her life on the side lines. I want her to look up to me and not be ashamed of me. It took six long years to have her.Having her at the age of 41, my energy level was so low. Now that she's two I CAN keep up with her and life feels so good. I can say I'm truly happy. And it's the simply things like being able to cross my legs and this Christmas is the first year in 15 years that I'm sending out xmas cards with my picture in them. I don't have pain in my ankles anymore.My only side effect is some hair lost and I can deal with that. I can't say it enough, I for sure have my life back. And Linda you give GREAT advice, have you ever thought about going into the WLS field.THANKS, Bobbie Kachmar

Hi Bobbie, I'm so glad you're doing well and able to chase a 2 year old. lol who needs a gym?? The simple things really are a big deal to me too. lol I'm right there with you on the leg crossing appreciation. I'm still not wild about the camera but I do have my picture taken more readilly than I used to. Even in the old pre-fat days I was never a camera fan and was always more likely to be found on the other end of one. I saw a commercial awhile back for Jenny Craig, and one of the things the woman said was that there were no pictures of her and she felt as if she was erasing herself from her families lives. That totally struck me! Someday I want my children and grandchildren to be able to look back and see happy memories of their lives with me being a part of them. This will be a truely memorable holiday for you being in the Christmas card. I hope you save one in your scrapbook so you can always remember what that felt like. Thanks for the compliment, I try and give the advice to others that in retrospect I wish I'd had someone give me..usually with a touch of smart ass humor attached As for working in the WLS field, that really would be my dream job, I love the thought of being able to help others on their way. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Linda

Yeah Linda, I'm pretty happy now. But unlike a year ago when I was fat and happy, now I'm just happy and healthy. I am approaching my 10 pound meca, but I still see myself as pleasantly plump. In fact, most of the BMI scales and other calculator still indicate that I'm overweight. I was in sixth grade when I started to gain weight. I was definitely an emotional eater, and ate everyone problems away. My twenties I experimented with several diets, but usually ended up the wrong side of the yo-yo. My thirties, more diets, more weight. My fourties, more diets, bad health, bad knees, depression and my max weight ever. My fifties, I have spent the past year losing 150 pounds, relearning and educating myself about health, fitness, and nutrition. Even if I don't lose another pound I am extremely happy with my new body. I have control of my health, I haven't taken any medications for nine months, haven't had a headache in six months, haven't dumped in over six months. I have met an incredible group of people who continue to inspire me (all of you can take a bow). Life is good. I enjoy my new found life, and my obsession with exercise and activity. I worry a little bit about the family and the fact that we no longer have food as our common bond, but we are all working on that. So in conclusion, I can really enjoy where I am at. If I gain weight I might get disappointed with myself. I am going to live at this weight for at least a year prior to even thinking about visiting the plastic doctor. I'm alive, and that certainly beats the alternative, which is where I was heading. So icing on my cake is probably enjoying my oatmeal bomb every morning! Over and out. Too many words Rob

Hi Rob, You really have been a roll model for us all as to what can physically be accomplished after WLS. The Bike To The Bay, spinning classes and your general passion for working out and physical fitness is inspiring. You have even managed to pass on a love of the Oatmeal Bomb lol Yours truely, The Former Spackle Hater

Hello Linda, I'd have to say when I hit 155lbs I would have been more then satisfied stopping wieght loss. I am down to 134lbs right now and trying to maintain. I never thought trying to "stop" loosing weight would be a problem. My husband would like me to gain 10lbs but I don't want to start the gaining process ever again. I just want to maintain. I still only am able to eat about 5 ounces at one sitting, I don't use protein supplements anymore... i find I am able to obtain protein through foods. I do take my vitamns regularly and try to exercise each day. I am so much more active now then I have ever been. I still see myself as "fat" until I get on the scale or put on my new clothes. Hope

Hi Hope, 134 pounds, you have done a wonderful job. Glad to hear you're good with the vitamins and protein. After all the big stuff we go through, fact is the devil really is in the details huh. Happy holiday to you and your family, Linda

Yes I'm happy!!! Although I wasn't happy for the first 6 months after surgery. I thought I had made a big mistake. I remember telling my family in the hospital, the 3rd stay, to just have the doctors reverse what they did. I was so sick and unhappy with all the problems that I had encountered with my surgery. However, Now I'm so glad that that I went thru with the surgery. It was a rough road in the beginning but I would do it all again in a heartbeat if I had to. I feel so good about the surgery and what I can do for the obese that I had started my own support group about a year ago. I am determined to help anyone out there that is willing to listen to me about my life and my story! Although the scale says I lost -124 lbs, I still feel like I look obese.