Post Ops ---Could you picture yourself as you are now?

As I spend more time getting ready for this life changing surgery, I keep trying to imagine what I will look and act like a year  or more afterwards, and I can't seem to do it.  I've been heavy for so long, that I don't really have any good mental image of what I might look like as a "normal" size man or how I would act. So, my question to you have braved the unknown and forged a path is:  before you had surgery, could you envision what you and your life would be like after?  Just wondering what others experiences had been with this.  Were you surprised?  in good ways or bad or both? Thanks for your time - Have a great weekend! John

Excellent question, and i can say that like you theres no way i can even imagine being able to go buy say a xl or large shirt. I have so many questions.. will i look older, will i look similar.. what if i'm butt ugly skinny, Will my ass be boney ... Ive got 10 days until i start finding it all out.. but like youim interested to hear what others that have lost alot.

You know, great question John.  And the answer is no.  It is way better than I envisioned.  I had a picture of when I was at my lowest weight as an adult at 240 and that was a goal.  I'm 25 lbs lower than that now and what is really strange is I'm starting to look (albeit without some extra sagging skin, like some of those guys in the gym whose chest is beefed up more than their gut sticks out.  I'm in shock sort of.  I went from 4xl shirt and 48 weight to Large shirt and 35 inch waist in about a year.  If I hadn't been just enjoying life and such I would be the last 10 lbs or so to goal, but I enjoyed the holidays like a normal person - really the last 3 months.  Back on the plan now and lost anything I gained and another 4lbs this morning. So bottom line, if you follow the advice from your surgeon, the nutrition plan, excercise (an absolute must and you will come to enjoy it), and stay active on this board with the weigh-ins on Sunday for positive peer pressure, there is no reason to believe you will not surpass my success. It truly is one of the only things that has far exceeded my expectations. Blessing Greg

Good question. I am 6 months out (today) and I don't think I really imagined what life would be like now (I am down 88 lbs about 60% to goal). Likewise, I haven't really imagined what life will be like in another 6 months. That is probably something I should spend a little time with. I encourage you to do what I never did - keep a journal. Not the food or execise journal (though you should keep those, as well), but of how you feel and how you view life, career, love, family, etc. Start now, before your surgery, and regularly update. Then you can better answer your question in a year. Best wishes, Joe

For me at 1 year out (384 to 199) I act and feel the same.  I still see myself as a large fat guy.  It must take longer mentally to make the changes than it does physically. I am surprised by how differently others treat me and some of the questions/comments which are asked of me. Physically I am surprised everytime I look in the mirror.  I have been limited in my ability to work out by other health reasons and I have alot of extra skin.  I never thought i would ant plastics but now I am trying to build up a case so my insurance might cover it in the future. I am also surprised by the ease in which i changed my eating habits.  I have bought into my surgeons plan and followed it as closely as i can.  I thought i would struggle and want my old foods.  The only problem I have had so far was christmas when i felt a little left out of some of the holiday cheer as far as foods were concerned. JIm d

When I went to college I was the smallest offensive lineman on the team. I worked really hard and by my junior year I was "Rock Solid "290 from 225. After college lost down 240 and stayed there until mid 90s'. Weight went as high as 346 in 2 weeks I'll be 9 months out, and weight loss has slowed. I'm around 210-212 and feel great. I look at my wedding pictures 17 years ago and look very simular except grayer. Good Luck to you!!

Hi John.   Every single diet I had ever tried prior to weight loss surgery had failed... or rather I failed it.   I would lose 80 - 100 pound and end up gaining 150 back.  I figured deep down inside that weight loss surgery was probably going to fail too.   It's still hard for me to recognize myself in the mirror sometimes and it's almost been two years since my journey began.   Did I ever think that I would run a triathlon?   Heh.  Nah.   Did I ever think that I would train for and run a marathon?  Heh.  Yeah right.  Did I ever think that hot women would notice me?   Heh.   I wish.  You can be as successful with the surgery as you want to be.   The sky is the limit.  It's gonna help you with the food moderation.  Making commitments and goals to live an active and healthy life post-op is totally up to you.

I wish you best on your journey man!

Chad.

I suffer from the exact opposite syndrome. The highest I've ever weighed that I know of was 456, this past August and even then, in my mind's eye, I saw myself about the same way I did when I was 280ish. Big and slightly chubby, but not obese. About three years ago, I went to see my doc to get my bp meds renewed and saw her write down "morbid obesity" on her report. I wanted to smack her around a little bit. How dare she call me morbidly obese. Of course I was pushing 400 even then, but I did'nt see myself as being anything other than a little chubby. I didn't start getting serious about WLS until I couldn't get up a flight of stairs without breathing hard. Concern about my health, and the high probability of an early death, rather than my looks was my motivation for getting here. I was 208 when I graduated from HS and 265 when I graduated from college (eerily similar to Del Rio's story) and I've never adjusted my mental picture to being much bigger than that. I don't really know how this is going to affect me mentally as I actually do get back down to the 200's.

WOW EXACTLY my thoughts. I ahve always the Big guy, but I still don't see myself nearly as big as I am, untill I have to fly or some other equally embarassing moment. In my mind I am still 250ish adn able to do just about anything. occassionally I get smacked back to reality and it hurts  but in my mind I am nowhere near what I really am weight wise.  And they say denial is a river, HUH !! I laugh at them.

Not in my wildest dreams. 324 the day of surgery. Yesterday was 56 weeks I weigh 167, up 2 lbs from my low. But a hell of a long way from the 375 plus, at my highest.  After reading the guys advice here, I committed to doing every thing I could to be successful. I followed my Nut's advice really close.  In the last 3 months I joined a gym and have really been hitting the treadmill. I track my mileage for our wellness program at work and as of yesterday I have already done 45 miles of either walking or running since Jan. 1. A year and a half ago I would have a hard time doing a lap around the block without having to stop and rest.  One of the biggest changes I think is my attitude, I feel like I can do any thing I want to. The confidence I have now is really amazing. To be honest when I was 375 I used intimidation to keep people at arms length. In the cirlces of people that I travel, you can not show weakness. You have to be confident and meet them straight on and look them in the eye. You have to give respect but you also have to command it as well. Most normal people are easily intimidated. I know you are asking what's the point to this ramble? Last night I went to my support meeting the surgeons office has once a month and I make it a point to try to speak to every man there, even if it is just a hi how are you, or a nod or going up and introducing myself. I want them to know that I am approachable and will do anything I can to help or answer what ever question the have. Prior to surgery I would have never put myself out there, not to strangers any way.I credit the mens forum here, I have gotten so much from this group that I feel that I should contribute if possible. I never realized how much life I was missing. Just being to out run my 6 year old grandson blows he and I both away.

One of the only negatives I have noticed is that I am some what impatient at times. For some reason it is really hard to tolerate stupid, and now that I am more confident I have to stop myself from running my mouth. I have to remember that you can't listen yourself into trouble. But you can open your mouth and talk yourself into it.  pan head