New to this forum

Hi,

I'm a couple of weeks shy of my one year surgiversary, but decided to see if I can join you a couple of weeks early. I lost most of my weight in the first 8 months. While I'm actually trying not to lose anymore, I still am losing very slowly. I'm at about 95 percent of my excess weight loss, but if you factor in the extra skin ... well you know what I mean;-) ... If you check out my photos, you will see that the last photos were taken about 4 to 8 lbs ago.

I look forward to getting to know you as we continue our respective journies.

Barb

Welcome to the Grad's Board Barb! You look fantastic! Congratulations on all of your success and I hope to see you around here often!

Hi Tracy,

Thank you so much for your lovely welcome to the WLS Grad forum. I hope to be as successful as you have been in the long term. I know that I have'nt 'won' the battle yet and there is still plenty of work to do to ensure that I maintain this hardwon loss. People like you are an inspiration to me as I start this new chapter of my journey. I look forward to getting to know you better as we both continue this journey of a lifetime.

Thanks again,

Barb

P.S. Speaking of looking fantastic! WOW!!! You don't look like you ever packed an extra pound. Your arms and neck look wonderful. Congratulations!

There are a lot of friendly people on almost all of the boards here on OH. Glad you joined the party. DAVE

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the welcome aboard. While I'm new to this forum, I'm a very active member of the NC forum and somewhat active on the RNY forum ... Sometimes I venture to the Diet and Nutrition or Main boards as well.

I look forward to learning and eventually contributing.

Thanks again,

Barb

Welcome Barb... You look lovely!  I love the photos...It's hard to believe from your new photos that you were ever heavy.  I am always amazed at how some people just blend into that thin person they became with no signs at all of ever having been MO... You really look beautiful and so comfortably peaceful... Congrats!

Anita,

Thank you for the gracious and warm welcome. Your comments about my photos are very sweet. I must admit that I feel 'okay' in clothes ... out of clothes is a different story. It's interesting how our own perceptions of what we look like varies from that of others. I really see the excess skin on my arms, legs, abdomen, chest and neck ... even my face. Most of the photos that you are seeing were taken last December and while it does seem like I've lost a lot since then, I've lost about 20 lbs and there is a difference ... I guess it's time for some new photos. At any rate, I working on coming to terms with what consider my 'scars' of my obesity, but in the main I'm so very grateful for the new lease on life I have now that I'm thinner and healthier.

I've enjoyed reading your posts and look forward to getting to know you.

All the best,

Barb

Barb, You look absolutly fabulous. I myself understand the feeling of how you look in and out of clothing. I have found that I wear certain items to disguise my skin baggage from people, so generally the comments I get are VERY positive about how I look.  Sometimes this makes me feel like a fraud: Like- "sure I look great with all this on, but they've no idea I hide the skin of a shapai dog"  If they knew would they still thinnk I'm so hot?" etc etc.  But I think it's a struggle we all have to learn to live with. It's a matter of embracing the new things. For me: I'm at goal weight, my pre-diabeties is gone, as is my sleep apnia, and I can run, belly dance, and live life like a "normal".  I bet you've got plenty more to be grateful for then upset over.  You're beautiful, gorgous face, gorgous hair (I'd kill for good hair, mines a PAIN!).   Welcome to the grads board, I don't know the requisites but you look like a grad to me!

Hi Mac,

It's nice to meet you. I truly appreciate the warm commiseration. As you say, I think the issues with self image are something that we all struggle with to one degree or another. I understand your feeling as though your are masquerading as a 'normal' person ... if they only knew. I often have to stop myself from saying "thank you, but if you only saw ..." I'm hoping with time, to come to terms with the damage I've done ... I think that is the reason that the skin bothers me so. It's such a blatant reminder of the extreme damage I did to myself for so many years. As you have said, I am working towards focusing on the many things I have to be grateful for instead of the shame and pain associated with what I did to myself for so many years.

I look forward to getting to know you better.

Wishing you all the best,

Barb

Welcome to the Grads board!  I do occasionally still hang out on the main board but spend most of my time here.  I'm not a  frequent poster, but I love all the info & support on this board.  I am not very happy with myself right now w/ the amount of re-gain I've allowed--and not been able to make myself lose--but I still feel very grateful and fortunate to be so much better off health-wise and appearance-wise than I was in 2004!   I get a LOT out of reading posts from grads who have done a super job of maintaining their weight loss, as well as from those who are struggling  like I am--and from everyone in between!  I hope you'll feel welcome here and post often!