It's strange to not have people recognize you... xpost

Hi Barb, At over three years postop, this still happens to me ALL the time.  I've lost about 220 pounds, so the visual difference is pretty extreme.  Now when I run into someone who hasn't seen me since I've lost the weight, I automatically introduce myself to them, even if it is a person who knew me well from before.  It just eases the confusion they have when they hear my voice, but can't place a name to the face.  I think it reduces the chance for potential embarrassment between us.  It still usually amuses me, but sometimes it is sad, to think that all they ever saw was a 351 pound, size 32 woman.  However, I think my husband and daughter are getting tired of this happening, as it usually leads into, "what happened to you? You're not sick, are you?" type of conversations. Debra M.

It happens a lot. A lot of people think my husband got divorced and remarried. I even heard a woman we used to go to church with, telling her boyfriend, "He got a divorce. He used to be married to a big fat woman." I told her I am that "big fat woman." I swear. I get so mad the way people judge you by your weight.

What a horrible thing for her to say!  I hope she turned 10 shades of red when you informed her that you are "the big fat woman".