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Win: I'm 7 months post op today. Im reflecting and saying to myself GIRL YOU DID THE WORK! The WORK is REAllY hard, but the benefit outweighs the hard work. Unfortunately, with the disease of obesity the work is continuous, but Feeling great in my clothing, the ability to have more energy, more movement, and no longer having to take diabetes medicine are all major wins. Today I will embark upon a new journey now that I'm about 20 plus pounds from goal weight, I have invested in my health (a very easy on the eyes 😂😂personal trainer who will work on lifting these glutes and tighten the thighs) time to put in more work 🤘🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽#bariatricwins

I second that. I am not the same person I was the past 5 years (being overweight and unhappy). I am a very different person and I feel I am back to being me, I really feel I regained my life - and personality - back. Let me very honest and transparent here. Growing up and through my adolescence (to this day, I am still in my early thirties), I have come to terms that men just stare, my sister regularly says "I don't want to be out in public with you because you just attract too much attention" I'm used to being hit on. I have trained my mind to ignore it, I don't think anything of it don't pay attention to it. During the 5 years of being overweight then obese, I was more conscious to notice if I get the stares as I used to? And I did, but they weren't as intense as they are now (mind you they are the worst I've experienced although I was athletic with a BMI of 22 my entire life) but I would say this has to do with the way I carry myself and not entirely the looks. I carry myself with confidence, I don't try to hide myself in baggy clothes, I laugh and smile more and I'm just friendlier and happier, so it's probably my sunshine personality LOL. jokes aside, it is a combo of being fit and in shape and a lovelier personality if I say so myself. According to my husband, he never even noticed I was overweight, he keeps telling me how shocked he was when I told him I've decided to get the sleeve, and he tried talking me out of it BUT, I asked him the other day if he preferred me now or a year ago and his default answer "both" but when I pressed him he admitted and said "Now, you look like a sports illustrated model" HAHA. But again, I come onto him more, I wear sexy lingerie, I tease him, I sit on his lap and I keep the lights on during intimate times, I am more fun and adventurous in bed. Mind you these are things I've not done for 5+ years or probably ever, I feel sexy and I act sexy with him and I can say that after 11 years of marriage, this is the best phase, I feel like we're teenagers again LMAO. As for other men's stares, I don't think anything of that, I've got the best one by my side!

@Chatterboxdea when I was newly post op someone in the bariatric community told me to keep some old cloths! I am so glad I did. When you've been obese for so long your mind plays tricks with you. Psychologically I think I have not came far but when I put on old cloths it is a testament. I also have to take many before and after photos.

I have never met a Canadian that I didn't like! I'm sure there are jerks there somewhere, but every Canadian I have met has been sunshine and rainbows! Now about this male gaze... I'm only 30 lbs down so far, but I already feel better about how my clothes fit and carry myself in a more confident manner. My husband said I looked "svelte" in my workout clothes the other day. Hahahaha I can't wait to lose more but even now I'm happier with myself and it shows in my relationship and in the bedroom. I don't think I have seen much change yet in the world outside of my house. It a double edge sword; its nice to be noticed and appreciated, but it sucks to feel unsafe or leered at.

That's really great! I feel like I was in a funk last week and really struggled with motivation to do anything, so I pretty much just worked and blobbed at home. Today is a new week though and maybe I can steal some of your motivation to get up and move my body!

some people like other people (and some do not). and some people ARE LIKED by other people (and some are not). different strokes. so yeah. but to what sillyKitty is saying, as a woman, its kinda a little sad/unfortunate to hear another woman say "most" women suck. same as if i hear someone saying most (but not) all Canadians suck, or that most (but not all) brown skinned people suck, or that most but not all **___________** suck (fill in the blank with whatever group one would generalize one). i'm sorry you have only/mostly had bad experiences with women. hopefully you meet some good women out there to change your opinion to a more tolerant one. for instance me: i'm DELIGHTFUL. lololololzzzzz.

This is a public forum, not an echo chamber. I expressed my opinion. You and your two friends disagree. No one attacked anyone 🙄 I still believe "if everywhere you go smells like sh*t, maybe it's time to check your shoes"

@GreenTealaelAs far as interactions with my fellow female associates, I can't call them friends, I have strategically stayed away from them. Im a big MAN person love males. I've never invested much time with women. I've always had issues with jealousy. I can't help the powers that be took a little extra time with me. On the polar opposite side I attract ALL women 😩😩😩. An oxy. I don't care how they feel to be honest 😂. There is an insecurity present, that I can't help them with. So it is what it is. Sorry I'm kind of mean ha.

Great news! Hope you're feeling good..

I find myself more attractive after weight loss, so why wouldn't men? If some didn't want to be my friend because of my weight, yeah, that's a problem. But didn't want to date me because of my weight, I get it. Beyond physical appearance, when I was overweight there were things I couldn't or didn't want to do, hike, skydive, beach vacations etc.. People want partners that they not only find attractive, but that enjoys many of the same activities they do. I met my bf after WLS surgery. We have had many conversations about my weight, WLS etc.. He would not have dated me at my pre WLS weight. And that's ok, because I wouldn't have dated him if he was 100 lbs heavier than he is now either. As far as the "male gaze", I am completely unbothered by it. Having men do the double, triple take is sometimes amusing, but mostly I'm indifferent to it. I'm out there in public, let them look.