Question:
I've lost 40+, but I cant see it, others do HELP!

I am a little over 4 weeks post op and have people telling me they can see it in my face, shoulders, boobs (I am loosing more in my upper body than in my lower)..yes, my clothes are getting looser and I am even wearing some things that I haven't in more than a year, but, I am still having a tough time believing that others really see it as I wonder if they are just being nice! I am also concerned with why my tummy seems to still be the same gross self it was before...I am wearing pants I haven't worn in a long time, they fit great everywhere until it comes to buttoning, I still have to leave the top button undone..I have started to convince myself that the scale at the Dr.'s office is lying & that maybe they are just trying to be nice there..am I completely loosing my mind?? When oh when did you REALLY start to see it yourself..I am down 40+lbs already!    — Trish R. (posted on August 19, 2002)

August 19, 2002
Trish, I've found the best way to tell the difference is to take pictures regularly. (My boyfriend takes front, side & rear photos of me once a month on my anniversary date.) Then compare the pre-op photo with a post-op photo, side by side. For example, take a look at pictures at the bottom of my profile. That's how I could see it! Now, about your tummy being the same size... I am 15.5 weeks post-op and down 77 pounds. Just in the last couple of weeks has my belly begun to shrink a bit. My old clothes are loose everywhere Except for the tummy area. I guess it will be the last to go. Just hang in there and keep working hard and it will happen for you. You are losing and that's a great start! Good luck.
   — Jennifer A.

August 19, 2002
I'm almost 6 months post op and down 96lbs and I'm only just starting to see the changes. It really helped when at 3 mos I took pictures. I noticed the changes in the pictures but still couldn't see it in the mirror until recently. Nobody noticed I'd lost weight until I got past 60 lbs now that's depressing. It's catching up now everyone notices including people I don't really know like the bank teller and when I went to my pcp's office the nurse didn't know who I was. You are not losing your mind people will start to notice soon and so will you.
   — Alison N.

August 19, 2002
Same for me. I HAD to see it reflected in the eyes of others, cuz I couldn't see it with my own eyes. Take it, savor it, believe it, roll it around in your brain's mouth, so to speak. They're NOT lying, but even if they lied because they love you, is that a bad thing?
   — vitalady

August 19, 2002
You will lose from top to bottom. My face, neck & shoulders I can definately see a difference. I know the rest is coming off, but there are days I feel like I haven't lost a pound. Keep up the good work!!! open rny 5-2-02 -67 1/2 pounds
   — candymom64

August 19, 2002
Trish, don't feel bad because you are SO not alone! I am 10 weeks (and 5 days) post-op open RNY and down 63 pounds. I do not notice it AT ALL. I even asked to see my before pics at the surgeon's office today, and I didn't notice a thing. My clothes have gone down a few sizes, but I truly believe it's all some grand scheme to make me feel better. Almost as if everyone got together to flatter me or something. I hope I notice it soon, because the last time I was "thin", I thought I was as big as a cow and never realized how good I looked until I got heavy. Som much wasted time when I should have been enjoying the "hot me", lol. Talk about mental problems...ugh! (open RNY -63 #)
   — Kelly C.

August 19, 2002
I lost all my weight from my head down too. Belly was the last thing to go. Just enjoy the weight loss. The rest will come off with time.
   — Patty H.

August 19, 2002
I am a little over a year post op and have lost 102 pounds. I still cannot see a thin person. My mind plays tricks on me. I am in a size 8/9 and still feel like I am a size 24. It is all in the mind. But you are losing and will continue to. Take the compliments and savor them. Good luck!
   — Dawn H.

August 20, 2002
I completely understand! I've lost 75 lbs already but when I look in the mirror....I just see me. Same as always. I can see the scales going down and the clothing sizes going down but not my weight. Weird how the mind works huh? Try taking pictures. Sometimes I see a picture of me now and can see some of the changes. I've just decided to enjoy the new compliments and to quit worrying about it. Good luck to you!
   — Leah H.