What's something you didn't consider before WLS?

This comment amused me because I definitely feel that my movement dynamics are all screwed up! I know this is why I damage myself every so often with running. It's a work in progress, lots of things to keep in mind to move correctly.

One of the issues I have is that I've always hyperextended my knees. I work very hard not to do this, but only realized a few weeks ago that the only change I would make was to correct my knees - I hadn't worked to correct anything else with my posture. So my pilates teacher mentioned this and I've been trying to work on sticking my butt out. Which feels weird because it feels like I've got my butt way far behind me, even though I don't. It's just a matter of retraining my body/brain.

Fun times :)

I expected the loose skin in my stomach, inner thighs, and upper arms. I expected the droopy, flat, disappearing boobs.

What I never thought about was what the backs of my thighs would look like. Holy cow! The first time I turned sideways naked in the mirror (something I NEVER did before), I was flabbergasted. I was looking at the back upper legs of a saggy 90 year old! LOL!

I had to call my sisters and tell them. It still cracks me up when I see it. I mean no use getting upset, nothing I can do about it for now, but boy was it a surprise!

I also never realized how short I would feel. I mean, I was always this height--well I was 5'4" most of my life but we all shrink with age, now I'm 5'3"--but I guess my body mass made me feel not so small, you know what I mean?

Now, I REALLY look and feel short. It's so weird. But at least soon I'll be able to wear heels again, so that will help!

For me it's sort of the opposite. I'm 5'7" and I always felt shorter and rounder than that. Now, I look in the mirror and I see this tall lanky person and I'm like "what the heck?". My sister has always been described as tall/lanky and I think when I hit goal I will be too.

I never expected to be so cold all the time. I never expected my butt to hurt all the time sitting. I never expected the difference in people's reactions to me, fat size versus normal size. I never expected to be interrogated when police look at my license with my old pic. (It's really me, just thinner.)

When I reach my goal I fully intend to conveniently "lose" my license so I have to get a new one with new pic! LOL

For years, we were actually allowed to mail in to renew our driver's license. Both of my sisters mailed in to get theirs for years after WLS. Just recently did they get a new picture. Both of them...over 100 lbs lighter!

I plan on waiting until mine expires. I don't plan on having any run-ins with the law in these parts. Besides, I live in a small town, so everybody knows you, your mom, your brother, and your dog!

The advantage to "losing" your license here is that you get to keep it for posterity lol. You have to turn it in to get your new one here, so this way I get to keep my before license. Nobody tell, it's out little secret!

I never expected this to work. I thought I would be the only person that this didn't work for. I'm still a work in progress, but I'm getting there.

I never expected to feel small. Everyone always talks about seeing the MO person in the mirror, but I don't. I believe my head has caught up with my body. I never thought it would happen.

I never expected for my feet, knees, and ankles to not hurt. I have rheumatoid arthritis, and I lived with pain daily. I am now off of all RA meds and am living (mostly) pain free.

I never expected to finally see the truth about how people treat each other. It breaks my heart.

I never expected for my husband to be a cheerleader.

that's so awesome that your husband is a cheerleader for you! What a lovely surprise!

I did not consider how hard this would be on my daughters who are both heavier than the 'ideal BMI'. They are beautiful and I adore them and have always encouraged them to feel no shame for their bodies. Having my body change has really rocked their worlds because as one put it, "Mom, you were always this big proud woman who I looked up to. I felt like I could be proud just like you. Now you are so thin and you look like what society says is beautiful. I feel lost." It has been really hard and I really never thought about it prior.

~E