Question:
My mind can't catch up

with what my body can do now. I find my self saying no to going places because I used to get so tired and even though I don't get tired now I still find myself thinking I can't do certain things and in fact I can. When will my mind catch up. Will some long termers give me a clue?    — Kimberly H. (posted on February 24, 2003)

February 24, 2003
I don't have an answer, I just wanted to tell you I'm having the same problem! It's SO WEIRD!!! I'll be reading to see what long timers say. :)
   — Diana L.

February 24, 2003
How far post-op are you? I had the same problem, I wouldn't go out b/c I was tired or I didn't exercise b/c I thought I would just huff and puff. But I eventually just made myself do it after a couple of months. I think you have to force yourself at first, then your mind will realize that your body can do it. Now I go to the gym 5 times a week, I go out with friends, do things that include walking alot, like theme parks or the boardwalk. You will eventually catch up, don't worry! Goodluck :)
   — Lezlie Y.

February 24, 2003
I'm 16 months post-op and still sometimes see myself as a fat person. I didn't start feeling "normal" until about 2 months after my tt. It made a HUGE difference confidence wise.
   — Patty H.

February 24, 2003
I'm 16 months post-op and still sometimes see myself as a fat person. I didn't start feeling "normal" until about 2 months after my tt. It made a HUGE difference confidence wise.
   — Patty H.

February 25, 2003
The brain takes much longer to catch up to the fact that our bodies are different now, and probably even longer if you were obese for a long period of time. We just had this discussion on a previous post, concerning "body image" and seeing ourselves as still being fat. I think you have to force yourself to test the waters on occasion and each time you pass that test, it will give you the encouragement to get it thru your head that you CAN do things now that you couldn't before. I am one year post-op and with all the recent snow, I went out to help shovel, knowing that I would only last 10 minutes or so. Well, 2 hours later, I was a little sore but not even winded! And the next day when I thought I would be in massive pain, I was just a little sore-all that exercise has paid off. Now I know I can do a little more than I thought I could.
   — Cindy R.

February 27, 2003
I have lost 115 pounds since 8/7/02. Most of the time I still see myself at 365 lbs, even though in my head I KNOW I don't look anything like I used to. I still sit in chairs weird because I think I won't fit, I wear my shirts way to big because I still think I take a size 28, when I get out of cars I open the door super wide because I still think I need a lot of room, I still think people are talking about how fat I am when I go out...the list goes on and on. I wish my mind would catch up too!!
   — fropunka