Things that (perhaps foolishly) surprised you with weight loss?

Mine are uneven too! I have a boney lump on the right bottom edge of my ribcage with no matching bump on the opposite side. Weird.

Same! But mine's on the left. The Plastic Surgeon actually pointed it out and told me that he doesn't recommend implants for his WLS patients anyway, but he really didn't recommend it for me because there would be no way to balance it out where I would be happy. I apparently have a very high, prominent rib cage anyway.

You should volunteer!! There are so many ways to help the community and you will meet new people while doing so.

I was really surprised at how much I did not realize how crappy I felt prior to surgery. I guess it was just my normal and all, but had someone asked me prior to surgery how I felt I would have replied good to great.

Even now it is fading- that stark difference that I realized after a decent chunk of weight had come off. I think about this sometimes- this idea of my health slowly, slowly deteriorating so you don't notice the cumulative impact- it just becomes your normal. I don't want that normal back :)

1. I was surprised that my body shape changed. Like, I was always an 'apple' shape so I fundamentally thought I would always be rounder than other people. Being described is 'lanky' is not something I ever thought was possible.
2. People treat me differently. I could have logically acknowledged that but not sure I thought I could practically say that I was 'fat shamed'. But, people are nicer now and it's easier in my job to be taken seriously.
3. That I'd like to work out. I figured it would just always be something I pulled myself through for the sake of my health.

1 - I LOVE my collarbones. They're my favorite accessory with a lower cut top and I flaunt them! (My collarbones, ofc.)

2. My courage to do new things has really increased. I'm no longer afraid of what someone will think of a great big fat person in public. I want to get my ears pierced, since I've never had them done. I'm thinking of traveling to Maine in early spring ON A PLANE. I am getting more confident to just talk to people in public.

3. My energy had gone through the roof, I bounce around all over the place now.

I love my collarbones too! It actually took forever for me to see mine and I had a moment where I thought: "Maybe I just have really small collarbones?" Yeah. No. It took me to below my surgeon's goal but they are awesome.

I go on ThredUp and look for ALL THE BOAT NECK tops, LOL.

I'm definitely still me, but I'm a better, stronger, faster, more capable, and more grounded version of me. I think this me a lot better than I liked the previous me, and I liked the previous me a LOT.

I agree with this statement a lot. And all of this leads to a better overall quality of life.

This is the main reason I fight to stay at my goal weight and why I want to shake people *****fuse to do what needs to be done (and then complain about regain). I have to keep fighting for my mental and physical health.

feet - yes - that was weird. They're the same length, but I now wear a medium rather than a wide. Wasn't expecting that.

like others, the way I am treated - esp by men. And having men look at me. My immediate thought is they're looking at me because of my weight. But no - then I remember I'm not fat anymore. Very weird feeling.

and glasses - I totally forgot about that! I've always worn a similar size/shape of glasses because they looked the best on my moon face. A few months ago I went to the optical place with my husband and tried on some new frames while I was waiting for him. I realized some sizes/shapes that I never would have even considered before looked a lot better on my new, thinner face. If I wasn't such a tightwad, I'd buy a couple of new pairs! (I really only wear them for driving, though, so probably not worth it...)

For me these are the things that surprise me (still):

• how much less real estate I take up. Whether looking to sit on a bench with other people, moving past people in an auditorium with row seating, restaurants with tight tables or going through a revolving or closing door - I keep expecting to have to squish myself in and I don't. Still gets me to this day.
• being able to tuck my knees up to my chest when sitting. Like a little kid!
• I love salads! Used to despise them and now I love the crunch and texture and flavors. And I often eat them without dressing nowadays. Big, big change from pre-WLS when the only salad for me was a caesar salad or pasta salad with lots of creamy dressing. Still love caesars but also love enjoy any crisp veggie salad.
• I discovered my taste palate. I like spicy but not so much bitter. Umami (savory) over sour. And can't handle too much sweet. Still love salty stuff - that hasn't changed. And CRUNCH for the win!
• I like walking. I'm not a gym rat but love going for long, brisk walks. That's my main exercise and seems to soothe both my body and my mind. In winter, I'll use the treadmill. I never figured I'd enjoy this and not look at it as a chore.