Friday Question

Post-ope's......  Since surgery what all changes have you seen in yourself or the people around you?  Have you takin a total career change since surgery?

Pre-opers, what changes do you look forward to besides looking good? 


JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW, I HAVE FALLIN IN LOVE WITH ALL OF YOU AND MORE SO AFTER MEETING SOME OF YOU!!! Being in a town with little around that goes through what we do and then speding just 2 hours with you all has made me want to move there even faster now!!!!!  Thanks for being so wonderful!

I had surgery while I figugured out my career change.

This is going to sond hard to believe, but I actually think I've become a little more patient, or a least realistic.  I think the surgery and weight loss has been a big part of that-because I'm losing that "all or nothing" mentality that goes along with dieting.

 I have become more patient and laugh at myself more.  Some friends are not so friendly any more.  I used to worry about it, but now I realize it's their problem not mine.  I don't work outside the house, so I can't speak to a career change.  
Cindy

Even though I am only a month out as of TODAY!! I have noticed that my husband and I get along so much better.  I am treating him with so much more respect than I did in the past.  I think a part of me really felt that I didn't deserve him.  He is completely fit, works out daily and is a sexy little thang.  Now that I am feeling better about myself and where I'm going.....I don't get that attitude of embarressment when we go out in public.  Before the surg I always felt that people were looking at me like....what does he see in HER?  My husband met and married me when I was at my biggest...his mom actually made the comment one time about how much of an angel he was for falling in love with someone "like me".  Obviously that made him infuriated and I, overall just don't like her.  Anyways.....my marriage is going great and I feel I owe it to the weight loss.

Well, yeah, before surgery 4 years ago I worked behind the scenes in a call center...  Now I'm out in the open as a Realtor and I love every minute of it.  Real Estate is something I wanted to do for many years before I actually jumped head first into it and I'm so glad that I did!   I am about to go back for my 2nd Bachelors degree (1st Bachelors degree is in Music) and get a degree in Nutrition.  Nutrition has always been an interest of mine, but now it is more than ever before!  I will also still do Real Estate, as well, on the side.  I feel as though the world is my playground and I can do what I want!   The changes I have seen in myself have been astounding!!  My self esteem has gone up so much and I have so much more confidence to just face life and take it by the horns!  Before I just wanted to look nice, yet blend in with others so I didn't stand out for being fat.  I've always been intelligent... I've always made good decisions.  Now I am just more confident in carrying them out.  As far as friends and the people around me go...  As I did mention in a QOTD a few days back, I did get a divorce after my WLS and have since remarried.  I do not regret it as it was an abusive and unsupportive relationship.  As for the platonic friendships (both female and male), I only lost a very few "friends" since becoming smaller after WLS.  Most all of my friendships withstood the changes I endured because of the RNY and actually grew stronger, especially the change of me becoming a mother.  I am blessed with a wonderful support team of family and friends to include my husband, parents, and daughter (and soon to be son).  I hope to meet so many of you on this board soon as well!

I am not far enough post-op to have any significant changes yet.  However, I do hope that a relationship is in my future.  When I was doomed to be fat forever I didn't even have any interest in finding someone to be with.  Now that I don't feel  I am doomed to die young and really fat I want someone to fall in love with.  Now, the hard part, men my age want 20 year olds not women their own age.  I guess time will tell if I will find someone to form a relationship with.  I am not down enough pounds to put myself "on the market" yet.  My confidence is not that strong yet.

I do feel better physically even down just 20 post-op pounds.

Denise

One of the biggest changes for me was realizing a couple of people that I thought were good friends didn't want to be around me once they found out I was having surgery. I'm still dealing with that one.

Another lesson for me has been learning to be patient. The scales move when  they want to and it doesn't always correspond to my efforts. I want to exercise by the rules, eat by the rules, and for the scale to drop by those same rules. My scales laugh at me! They do whatever they want, whenever they want. ; ) However, I know that I am going to eventually get there.

I'm also focusing on NOT comparing myself to others weight loss. There's a great young guy on the VSG board that has already lost *80* pounds since surgery and he had surgery the day after me! Oh, to lose weight like a guy and have a young person's metabolism again. I just keep telling myself I'll be much more appreciative of my journey when I make it to goal and I'll take nothing for granted. ; )

 

I'm drawing more attention when I'm out in public. At the Styx/Boston concert in the zoo last month, I was with DH and DS, and 2 guys openly wolf whistled at me!  I didn't think it was me, but when I asked DH, he said, "Yeah. It IS you..nobody behind us." Men at work openly comment on my appearance. My female friends at work do, but not a whole lot.


Sales clerks fall all over themselves to help me, where before they'd leave me alone.

I'm even more outgoing and opinionated than before.

I'm stronger and more confident and have changed the style  of my dress..I show more skin these days.

Life is short, and I don't take crap from anyone.

I've taken on 2 side businesses that I know won't make me rich, but that I enjoy: Tupperware and Mary Kay. I don't actively try to sell, but I will if someone is interested. My regular job won't change. I was hired fat and taught fat, and we plan on staying in Edmond until we get our son through school. Then we'll probably move to OKC unless I take early retirement.

I enjoy my life, and I feel like I'm living for the first time in my adult life.

I can't really answer just yet but the one thing I have noticed is a growing excitement inside.  I can't really explain it but its like I am on the verge of something great just around the corner.  I know...Its HOPE.  I feel so much hope!