Article: The Emotional Side of Losing a Lot of Weight

This is a great read on WebMD http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/major-weight-loss-thin-wha ts-next?page=1 

I was glad to be a part of it (the Michelle in the article is me)

Important post WLS issues that need to be talked about more IMHO.

~Shelly

Great article that highlights many common post op issues.  The transition to a new way of being and perceiving myself and the world around me was (and some ways still is) challenging. 

oh my gosh, SO MUCH YES! Thank you for the article!

I traveled back to Massachusetts to attend my high school reunion last weekend. I'm old - this was my 35th reunion. Everyone looked different. But I looked like I did in high school - my cheerleading jacket and sweater (yes I still have them, please don't judge me!) fit me and are in fact a teeny bit looser than high school, in fact.  I didn't wear them to the reunion but I did model them for a few of my girlfriends during our pre-party happy hour.  

Anyway, I was mostly fine with the women commenting on my weight loss.  Honestly even after all the work I've done so far I didn't expect everyone to flip out, as they did. But what really got to me was the men's reactions. The guy who was voted best looking in our class - the big jock we all used to have crushes on - was all over me like a cheap suit.  He didn't molest me or anything, but I was the focus of his attention - hugs, putting his arm around me, trying to dance with me, etc.  I'm very happily married, and this guy's own wife is a classmate and was right there.  So I was having a little freakout - I'm not used to that type of attention, nor any positive attention, about my appearance.  My girlfriends all had to tell me that this guy has always been this way with them.  They said, welcome to the club!  I was like - Really???  

Anyway, it didn't make me feel good.  And he wasn't the only guy to react this way.  Suffice it to say, I was beyond uncomfortable.  But unlike the past, when this sort of attention would drive me to eat my way back to invisibility, I'm facing it head on.  Called my counselor on Monday.  Spoke to some friends.  Even talked to my husband about it.  I am not stopping now, and I'm not going back!

You handled it well, good for you. I hope the guys' wife knees him in the groin though.

She didn't react at all.  Made me sad to think she's been observing this for over 35 years.  I was ready to do it myself.  

That's really sad. If you see him again, I'll hold his arms while you kick him repeatedly.

Thanks for posting the link, and for your contribution to the article.  I loved, "No balloons fall from the sky."

Great article. It doe**** the nail on the head in some parts of my life. I have to say at first I had a hard time excepting compliments.

I had someone who I new as a MO person follow me out to my car one day to tell me how great I look. He then told me that I was beautiful before. I was not sure how to take. it. I was always so used to being made fun of. At first I was like oh I do not look good. Then I realized that I need to say thank you. 

I have had some women who would not talk to me before surgery. Now that I lost the weight they are super friendly. At first I thought it was me and my husband noticed it. Sometimes I do put on a face that is like don't look at me. 

I will say I suffered from depression before WLS guess what I still do. But I am working on that with a therapist and meds. 

Nice article, thanks for posting Shelley. It strikes a lot of familiar chords.

Great article.  Thanks for sharing...again!!!