Never seems like enough....

Does anyone else feel this way....???  I am two weeks away from being 6 months post-op Lap RNY gastric bypass....had my bariatric clinic appt two daysago.....they told me i am doing so well....keep doing what i am doing..which i am eating well...although some days it is hard to get in all the protein...i walk 2 miles try to every day but lately its been so hot...4-5 times is what ive been getting in lately..i have lost 86 lbs so far....my BMI has gone from 59.9 to 42 (which is still very high) ...and i do feel terrific....but when i see myself i just think "i am so huge...when is this weight going to be gone????  its always in the back of my mind...anyone else think these thoughts???   Thanks for listening! 

You say you feel terrific, and to me that's the most important thing of all! Your walking 2 miles, 4-5 times a week,that's wonderful, could you have done that 86 lbs ago?

I have lost 195 pounds, but when I look somedays I see a fat person in the mirror. I think the mirror must be broken because I'll tell you when I weighed 374 pounds I never saw a fat person in it! The tricks our minds play on us is amazing.

Take out some photos of you before surgery and compare with the newest ones you have, I'm sure you'll see a difference.

Congratulations on the weight loss so far, you're doing great!

Hi Karen,   First, 85lbs is GREAT!!!  I am sorry you are feeling that way, but I know exactly what you mean. I really believe that when we look in the mirror and still see ourselves the same size before surgery is because our heads play games with us. I know people say to me “OMG you look so good” but also when I look in the mirror I don’t see me any different. I try to go by the fit of my clothes which really show a difference and now I just don’t look in the mirror to often.   Keep up the good work!!! Michele

I echo what Jan said - I never saw a fat person in the mirror before and now, 170lbs lighter I do.  I've lost 170lbs and I still qualify for surgery.  Geez Louise, will I ever be remotely normal?

It is so hard to get over our own image issues post surgery.  I have found that within the WLS community we are extremely critical of ourselves, weight wise, even more-so than when when we started!  I think you're doing wonderfully, keep up the good work!  With time, and more weight lost, you will get more comfortable in yourself and that new beautiful healthy body of yours.  Set realistic goals for yourself and frequently remind yourself of where you started.  It can be anything - a picture, a memory, doing something physical that you never used to do.  For me it's my stamina when walking long distances.  I can walk so much further now without feeling like I need a breathing treatment when i get there!  :)

Sorry you are having a bad day!

I'm pre-op but when I asked the surgeon how much wieght I would loose in a year and he said 100-150 lbs I was thinking, geez, major surgery and lifestyle change, exercise, and I'll still be at 197 lbs? I'll still be fat!!

Since reading most of the posts here I have learned that it will take patience, and that I will be responsible for getting rid of my "fat girl" mindset.

Congratulations on having survived surgery and 6 months post-op! That is a wonderful goal! Also, I'd give anything to be able to walk 2 miles period, much less 4-5 times a week. (I get winded just walking a few steps, never mind the pain) You are doing fantastic!

We have to retrain our eyes to see the smaller person that we are becomming.  I still think my thighs are huge (and they are big, but not huge) and no one can tell me differently, until I see pictures of my old self next to my new, smaller me.  Keep those pre-surgery pictures around and keep snapping monthly update  pictures and you'll feel better just looking at them!