Trying To Keep My Head In Check With My Changing Body

The people at work are all concerned with how they look.  Are you big on noticing small things and giving compliments?  Most people pay very little attention to how you look unless you do something totally different.  If you were a blonde with long straight hair and show up with a bright red mullet, then they might notice.  But a new blouse and different makeup might go right over their head.

Processing your change takes place for everyone around you, too.  That first year and a half post-op, I would catch my own family members looking at me in a quiet stare.  I consider you lucky co-workers are avoiding comments about your appearance; it can be considered a high quality of work-place professionalism.  Vanity talk was tough to listen to at some of the first WLS support groups; I was thinking about surgery saving my life, not about getting new clothes, but it's more understandable now. A support group member actually brought up the subject of looking in the mirror often.  We all agreed, it's a normal thing to do to help process and adjust to change. If unsure, think about how often tweens going through puberty look at themselves in the mirror.  Friendly suggestion is to enjoy the process, worry less, and obsess here!

Thanks again for all your replies and great support.  I've read every word and you guys are all so wise. I love coming here and appreciate all your words of sage advice.

The neat-o thing is that today (without any solicitation on my part), every single person in my office (except the one who is not supportive) said something about my progress and appearance today.  The new bra, the new blouses, the 'old' skirts that fit again and the new make-up really have created a very different look for me this week, and it was really nice to see it hasn't gone unnoticed.  My office is a small one (9 people at most) and we're a very close-nit 'family' type of business.  I (we) always comment when someone has a new pair of shoes, or dress or hairstyle.  But it's presumptuous of me to expect this of them and even worse to then feel like a pouty brat when I don't receive it.

Anyway, I got was I was aiming for, PLUS I gained a little humility/humbleness along the way and will continue to keep my vanity in check.

Thank you again!

Grim said something way back when I first started lurking on the site over 9 mths ago that has stuck with me and I tend to use it as a mantra.  Our weight loss is huge to us, (and it should be, it's life changing), but to everyone else its just something that happened to someone else and may not be that big a deal because they don't have to deal with all of the stuff we do. 

Basically feel free to celebrate, you deserve it, but don't feel offended if someone else doesn't notice, lol my own DH misses my hair changes half the time, and I live with him...lol

Great job on your progress though!!

My DH doesn't notice a haircut or a different hair color, either.  But he sure notices if I miss to keep his beer stash well-stocked.