Observations...(Please contribute)

I can definitely relate to a lot of those. Here are a couple of additional observations I've had:

I still don't LOVE to exercise, but I like it and I CAN do it. Before, I always wanted to exercise and I could, but it was uncomfortable. It is so much easier now. I also think I'm stronger from carrying around all that extra weight. I carried in two gallons of milk yesterday and thought, "just a few months ago, I was carrying around at least this much extra weight on my body." Weird.

I am still me. No offense to anyone, but I am so relieved to still feel like me. I don't behave differently, no personality changes, don't prance around, didn't change my entire "style" (if I ever had one. LOL), basically just haven't changed everything about myself. I'm still just me. I have watched so many people who lose weight change who they are (and maybe they needed to) and change into people I'm not sure I like anymore. I'm relieved that I am still most comfortable quietly being me....no extra attention needed.

I think about that, too, when I carry heavy things.  I'm like, "how on earth did I do that???"

And the second point is very, very important.  I guess the degree to which it's true for others has to do with how much we let our weight define us.  

Love the observations!! I remember when I started to see strange bones show up... although I will say if you start to see your breastbone, you might be below goal or just about hitting your goal. (just one of my observations.)

Let's see, my observations as I am 2+ years out-
- as long as I keep exercise in my plan, my body seems to reset to a consistent weight that I am happy with. I work out 4-5 times a week for about 40 minutes. I should say that the weight I've stabilized at is 25 pounds higher than my lowest post surgery weight.
- dumping syndrome now is worse than it was at the beginning. I can handle some sugar, but anything like soda or ice cream- forget it.
- I have zero hunger. NONE. I never get hungry, I still only eat by the clock or knowing that it's just "time."

-I'm always deficient on vitamin D!! Grr!! I work with a nutritionist (not from my docs office) and really closely monitor my levels, but at least 2-3 times a year I test low.
- I sustained a stress fracture in my ankle over the summer which was quite severe. Part of the reason it was so severe was because of the poor calcium absorption I have now.
Which is to say... KEEP TAKING YOUR VITAMINS. It's no joke & it's nothing to fool around with.

Helpful list!  

Did you ever get hungry after your surgery?  Or did that develop later?

 

I haven't been hungry since before surgery. I had the 2-3 days of head hunger right after surgery but once that passed, hunger disappeared never to return.

Just reading your observations it sounds like you might be dehydrated a little. The indentations in the skin & the being off balance thing are indicators- I used to have balance problems but they went away when I became super dilligent about my fluid intake. (just my 2 cents, take it or leave it )

Yes!  I think you're right!  I was very careful today, and got tons of fluids.  Tomorrow I'm committed to the same.  

Love your list Rosa.

One thing to add: I thought the changes to my body, especially once I hit goal and maintained for a long time, were done. BUT - that's SO not true! Your body keeps redistributing your leftover weight. That's NOT a bad thing, but can be a surprise to you if it goes somewhere you didn't really want it! LOL.

Haha, Jody - my fat moves around every week!  I wish I could just tell it where to go, and that it would just listen.  Like - ok, let's have some T&A (not tooooo much) but leave the rest alone!

I think I am more of an observer now rather than feeling like I need to do something to be involved and get noticed.

I worry about your tailbone pain.  I had TERRIBLE tailbone pain when I lost a lot of weight on WW.  I think it was the worse pain that I have ever had to endure.  It got so bad that sitting down just wasn't possible.  Once I started gaining back my weight the pain went away.  After WLS I kept a record every month on whether I had pain or not and at weight that I was at.  If the pain would have started I never would have continued losing that's how bad I dreaded it.  I babied my tailbone and fortunately for me it didn't happen this time around.

Thanks, Roz!  

Thank goodness it doesn't really hurt unless I'm laying on something hard.  I don't notice it otherwise.  Hoping that doesn't change...