Question:
Has any other long term post ops felt this way??

Hello all. I am 14 months post op and have lost 140 pounds. I am down to 140 pounds (isn't that funny). I had been stuck at 156 pounds for about 4 months, and then I had a bowel obstruction and had additional surgery about 6 weeks ago. Due to not eating for 2 weeks, I lost down to 140 pounds. I thought I would be happy at this weight, but now it seems I am becoming greedy. Ideal weight for my size is 138 pounds. I know I shouldn't be stressing about the last 2 pounds, but I am. Actually, I would love to lose another 10-15 pounds. And I am petrified of actually gaining weight, since I heard that most people go below ideal and then bounce back up. Am I alone in feeling this way? Any other long term post ops experienced this? Any insight would be helpful. My mother says I am getting too thin, but I still see myself as too fat. I would appreciate any comments on this. Thanks all.    — enjo4 (posted on January 15, 2002)

January 14, 2002
Wow are we the same! As a pre op I could never understand post ops complaing at the support group about not having lost the last 15 pounds! Now I havent complained but am worried it will not come off. I am down to 202 pounds from 313 and my surgeon said he thinks I am the fastest patient to get to goal he has ever had ...,. 6 months. My friends are concerned I am loosing too much, I want to get to chart weight at any cost, and am scared silly of weight regain. GREED, that must be what it is.... Thought about going on a liquid diet or something, swimming appears to increase my hunger:( Whatever causes this greed isnt a good thing.
   — bob-haller

January 14, 2002
Erin honey, you are SO normal for this stage. First of all, of course, everyone is telling you you are too thin. They are NOT used to you looking like this and to them, you are looking unhealthy. The fact is, most likely, at this stage, you might be looking unhealthy and emaciated. It takes the skin, muscles and bones time to adjust to your loss and within the next year, you will look much healthier even at this same weight. Give others time to adjust to the new you. As for wanting to get below goal or at least "to goal" that too is soooo normal. I once said that I could understand how an anorexic person thought. Reason? We just can't see ourselves as thin at first. I took me almost 3 years to see that I look good and not fat. (I weighed 113 how fat could I have been)? That didn't matter. I mean what the scale said. My head said I was still large and I wanted to make sure that I stayed thinner than what I was supposed to because I just knew that I would gain weight back. Well, guess what? You know my problems and I was told that I really needed to gain about 10 pounds by the doctor. I gained 8 and have stayed at 121 for over a year now. No loss no gain. It's scary I know but I promise that you are not abnormal. Get to where YOU feel you look good. You can always gain if you want to. Just don't get too fanatical and listen to other people with alittle sceptazism.(sic) The more we lose in that first year, it seems the more we "want" to lose. You know that I send my love and want you to know how PROUD of you I am.
   — Barbara H.

January 14, 2002
People are telling you that you are to thin because they aren't accustomed to seeing you thin. A 140lbs. weight loss in just 14 months takes a lot of getting used to....give them time. Also, your weight is your business and (as a long term post-op) I've learned not to involve others. They just don't understand my feelings or wls. If you want to lose more weight and you are healthy....go for it. But, don't "shout it from the roof tops", just do it. Personally, I think losing a little extra weight is a great idea because we all gain back a little weight after we stabilize....it's natural and expected. You might want to attend a wls group or see a therapist. You can't live the rest of your life in fear of gaining weight....that's so unecessary. You've done it! You are a success and and you should be enjoying the results of your hard word, not fretting over a pound here and a pound there.
   — [Anonymous]