THRILLED ... AND EMBARRASSED

I have not shared my surgery with many people and if asked directly, I will say I had WLS. When strangers ask, I say higher protein, lower carbs. Some have noticed and commented, some have noticed and not commented (as if I'm sick and will be offended - not likely, but understandable).

I have been asking my daughter to take pictures of me each month when I weigh in and have my husband do my measurements. Each time I tell her "I can't see much of a difference", or "I still look fat, yuck!" Why are we so hard on ourselves? Why, when others see success, we still see fat?

She took my picture yesterday and asked to post it on Facebook. I am not on Facebook and this is the only social site I am on because I derive so much support, encouragement and information from it. I hesitantly said yes and she screen shot some of the comments - all positive and they brought tears to my eyes. I'm working really hard on seeing all of the achievement and none of the stuff that I know I will be left with. So I won't have my 20 year old, pre-three kids body back. I will be (and am) healthier, more energetic, more content, and definitely thankful - and a heck of a lot thinner. I'm sharing, hesitantly, not to get back positive comments, but to show you, and me, that success comes in stages and not all at once and we need to be accepting of something less than perfection - but much better than what we had pre-surgery.

Thanks for being part of my "therapy".

Linda

You were a beautiful woman before you know.. you just look happier now ( and thinner obviously) but still beautiful!

You look awesome and your boobs are still nice!! Keep up the awesome work.

Too funny Monica - my husband wouldn't have it any other way - lol.

Your progress is excellent! Keep at it woman! You'll be at goal before you know it!!

WOW Linda,

You look great!!! and yes, I see the changes :-)

You look AMAZING!!! All your help work is so noticeable but I totally get where you are coming from!

Way to go Linda! You look great.

Barb

It's very normal that your mind can't see the changes. It takes about a year for our minds to catch-up. Everyone else can see it, but you can't. I remember in that first year when I couldn't see the changes, but every once in a while I would catch a glimpse of a woman reflected in a video security camera monitor or a reflective window, and not recognize her (a normal, healthy woman), and then to realize that woman was me! Wow, those glimpses used to blow my mind, because I couldn't see it in the mirror!

Enjoy the journey! It really is mind-blowing!

Good luck!

DD

More positive comments coming your way!! Honestly, you look great, and even more so, you are an inspiration for all us pre-ops, so thank you for posting your pics and all the stories you post and experiences and words of encouragement. It really does help us (me) prepare and stay motivated.