Before/After? Adjusting to life-continuing the conversation

One more thing Therese, I too am 5 foot 5 and was weighing about 162 til my Tummy Tuck a few weeks ago. Now I hover around 155 but anyway, I was NEVER as large as you. So, I've lost exactly 100 lbs and me and you are the same size now! Way to Go!!!

I am maintaining at 160 for over a year now.  I am past my two and a half year mark and loving my physical health. The bigger adjustments are truly in the emotional well being arena.  There is such a difference being normal/average and accepted in size.  I find myself having a wide range of reactions that surprise me. The other avenue of change is my confidence and response to life.  I am more outspoken, less likely to be put down and kept quiet, and certainly more daring.  Mind you, I wasn't a doormat before but I was "nice" which often meant some seething inside about injustices but not expressing it or heaven for bid being angry and vocal.  I am well into "REAL" reponses further outside of my circle of influence.  With those closest to me..........still more timid, but I can feel it coming. I don't work at the same job any more.  (Same professional field, but differnet area).  Actually, I have changed jobs twice since my surgery. Life is constant change now.

Therese, you look amazing!!  It's fabulous how far you've come and though you might be higher on the BMI scale than you want to be, you may have to let that go.  The BMI is NOT the be all and end all.  I'm on the line between "normal" and "overweight", but I wear a 2 or 4P !  When I lost down to 125 (still 3 pounds above the 'ideal' BMI 22) I was sick and my ribs were showing through my shirt!  My surgeon insisted I put back on weight at that point. I'm going to take pictures tonight and post them next to my before.  Thanks for the inspiration!

Therese, You are gorgous! I am currently just a smidge below goal weight, but at the top of my reccomended BMI (being 5'5). I have days where it's hard to see myself as an after, but most of the time I'm really quite proud of myself, and still ASTOUNDED at the changes that I've made.  I'm posting my photos. I don't have any full body shots from before. I was VERY camera shy. PReferred to be behind it, or only to have "head shots" taken. I truly believed I didn't look as overweight in head shots. Looking back over my pictures, it was there. No matter how I glammed it up the weight was there.  Currently, I'm still a little camera shy- but much less so!

Do I need to say anything about this?

I hope this doesn't sound rude...but WOW!  You like your daughter after WLS!  You look 20 years younger!  Still beautiful in both pics though! Awesome! 

How could telling me I look 20 years younger be rude
I don't know if you look up close that I look 20 years younger but I certainly feel it.

Thank you.

I think you are stunning....(I told you before though!)  I maintain my weight slightly overweight according to my BMI too....(Same-ish  weight as you)  And I never was one that let a number dictate how I feel about myself.  I just don't allow it.  If I try on a pair of jeans and they fit and look nice...I really don't care if it says size 8....10....or even 12 occassionally.... I don't go looking for large cuts of size 6's to make me feel better or not buy a great fitting pair of jeans because it might be cut small and I need a 12 in them.   It's the same thing with weight.  I feel so good at 165 lbs.  People say I look 140's...You don't look 163lbs at all!  You don't even fit in the overweight catagory what-so-ever if we are talking about what you look like.  You don't go around meeting people say Hi, I'm 163 lbs, what's your BMI?  LOL   You make an impression that's hard to forget. Your are stunningly gorgeous!  Don't worry about your numbers! I would have been happy getting to 200 lbs where I was most of my 30's before I got sick and gained an extra 100...I am more than happy to be 165lb...I just gotta hold it here now!  And if I lose a tiny bit more...It really won't matter much...I just don't want to gain... I think if you stayed where you are...It really wouldn't be a bad thing at all!  Just be happy and if losing a bit more makes you happy...Work hard to get there...You definately will find support here!

And yet-I do find myself really investing in that "normal" thing. therese this quote was at the end of your post and i wonder what it means? btw - your pics look fabulous and you look fabulous  you have done really well and no, i dont think you have to be "at goal" to be successful success is much much more than a number - success is what has change YOU not your body! kf