Question:
Anyone feel like others have
Yesterday was my one year anniversary, and it was a big deal to me. No one at home said anything to me. Maybe I'm whining, but I've worked so hard to achieve what I have, I've lost 114 pounds,down to a size 5/6, at 133 pounds. Not to goal, but almost. Sometimes I feel like my family has just sort of started taking for granted how I look and what I've achieved. I work out 4-5 times a week, and am very active. Anyone else sometimes feel like this? Please don't flame me, I just need to know if this is normal or what... Thank you! — Donna S. C. (posted on March 7, 2002)
March 6, 2002
Wow! First of all, many congrats on your acheivment...size 5-6 is what
many of us pre-ops dream of, and you are to be commended for getting
yourself there, and doing what it takes to keep it up. Second of all, can
you communicate your feelings to your family? Plan a special anniversary
dinner (or hike or whatever suits you now) yourself to celebrate with them,
and let them know how important this is to you. This may sound weird, but
in a way it's kind of flattering that it's no big deal to them...your
(relatively) new way of life must be so ingraned by now, that they don't
give much thought to where you were one year ago - it just seems natural.
I am sure that you are a role model to your family , just as you are to
us, so again, big hug...drumroll...and
CONTRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— rebeccamayhew
March 6, 2002
PS Just checked your profile...post some before and after pix if you get a
chance : )
— rebeccamayhew
March 6, 2002
Hi Donna. I know EXACTLY what you mean. I am having the same problem. I am
at goal and don't expect to lose any more than a pound here or there. I
don't think we are prepared to STOP losing. I know I was hooked on the
excitement of the scale going down after so many years of it going in the
opposite direction. No big changes = no more comments from family and
friends and it seems really demotivating. I don't know if it was hormonal
or what but I went thru a period of depression similar to the postop
depression I went thru at 3-6 weeks. Yes I am at goal and no I don't REALLY
want to lose more weight but I don't feel ready to give up the postop
mentality just yet. It is only natural for family and friends to take
things for granted when the big changes are over. But maybe we just need an
adjustment period to get to the next phase--maintenance and
"normal" living--instead of being the eternal postops. I don't
know and I feel like I am rambling a bit but I have been having some of
these issues myself and have been thinking about why I feel the way I do. I
think it's normal if that is any consolation. Time will pass and we will
move on, too. Just not quite yet. :)
— ctyst
March 6, 2002
What a coincidence! I just had my one-year anniversary on Tuesday, and I
felt the exact same way. Nobody except me seemed to remember the date,
even though March 5 is much more important to me than my birthday or any
other holiday. March 5 was the day I began my new life as a normal
eater!!! I have lost 166 lbs., but no one except me seems to care. I have
gone from a size 36 to a size 18 (and still losing!), but it hasn't made as
much of a difference in my life as I had once hoped. Actually, let me take
that back. It's made a major difference in my life, but not in the way
people treat me. I'm still the same person, and my weight loss doesn't
seem to have massively altered my life.
— Terissa R.
March 6, 2002
As i chose to tell only 2 people I dont think my 1 yr anniversary would be
remembered or deemed significant. Which is fine by me. I dont think anyone
who hasnt had the surgery knows what we've really gone thru physically and
more importantly mentally. They just dont get it. So I wouldn't be upset if
I told a lot of people and noone acknowledged my 1 yr anniv. What truly
matters is that you've done a great job and you should be happy with that.
Congratulations! Celebrate it in your own way do something for yourself. If
I were a size 5/6 Id buy clothes!!!
— [Anonymous]
March 6, 2002
I too know exactly how you feel. I had my anniversary last month and the
only mention I received was from some very nice people here on this site. I
even mentioned to my DH and son that it was my birthday and they were like,
"yeah so what?" I celebrated myself by going shopping. I like you
am now a size 6 after losing 162 lbs. I keep reminding myself that I did
this for health reasons and not to get noticed, but it would have been nice
for my family to have made mention of it even after I reminded them.
— Janie C.
March 6, 2002
GOSH! You sound like me. I feel the same way, it seems like to others it's
no big deal, when every moment I think it's a big deal. That is why I still
need my wls buddies support, as only WE know all the emotion attatched to
this surgery.I think that perhaps "normal weight" people think
this way. Example: my daughter had bucked teeth when she was young, she had
them fixed and has beautiful teeth now, and it is a hugh deal for her to
look at her teeth and admire them and appreciate good teeth, but for us, no
big deal, the newness is over. I do know that if I bring out a pre-op pic
of myself, people are shocked and say "I didn't realize you were that
big" So they tend to forget. BTW YOU did great!!! and stick with
us...we understand! ((Hug))
— ZZ S.
March 6, 2002
Donna, I am so jealous of you! I am 2 months post op and Have lost 36lbs. I
can't wait for my 1 year anniversary. I hope I end up a size 5/6. Don't let
anyone get you down because they people forgot about you anniversary. You
go out and celebrate with someone that has stood by you the whole time and
have fun. Nobody knows better then us how proud we should be for doing such
a great job. You hang in there we are all proud of you. Put some before and
after pictures on your profile and show us the NEW YOU!!! Congrats on your
wonderful loss!!!!
— Bonnie S.
March 7, 2002
THANK YOU ALL!!! I knew you would understand. I am so grateful to all the
wonderful people on this site. The posts and e-mails I have recieved are
wonderful. :) BTW, my DH thinks I'm too skinny now, and that I'm addicted
to the gym. But I figure I did this for myself, and will get to a goal that
makes ME happy. I am addicted to the gym, but I figure that's a lot better
than being addicted to food. I am so happy with my decision to have my
surgery, and grateful beyond words that I have all of you here for support.
My love to ALL of you,
Donna in AL
— Donna S. C.
March 7, 2002
P.S. I promise to get some before and after pictures sent in bythe end of
March! LOL
Donna in AL
— Donna S. C.
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