gowalking

Sweetie...most of us had/have so much to lose that we didn't notice...or anyone else for that matter till we were down 50 lbs. or more. 26 lbs. is a great start but you are just beginning and like you said, Rome wasn't built in a day...or 12 days. It will come, believe me. Start learning now how to take a compliment because they'll be coming fast and furious soon enough. I'm coming up to my two year bandiversary and still can't figure out how I dropped a whole person. I never lost more than three pounds in a single week, and most of the time, I lost less that two lbs. a week and yet here I am, a shadow of my former self. The hard part is being the smallest person in the room now and yet still feeling like the biggest. With time and the help of the therapist, I hope one day to see the same thing everyone else does.

I feel your pain sweetheart. I suspect most of us do. JustWatchMe is right. Treat yourself like a queen because you are one. I don't mean someone who feels entitled, I mean someone who is sweet and thoughtful and fragile. We hide so much of ourselves behind our size and when we are finally free of the weight, we seem to rise to the top. I struggle with this new size for sure. I'm very small now and not used to it. But it is a struggle I work on all the time and each day I get a little bit better. I am very excited for you as you begin this amazing journey. Keep us posted and stick around for as long as you need or want to. There is tremendous support on this site and we will help you every step of the way.

What a success and inspiration you are my friend. And I don't mean that lightly. You have been a great support for me especially as our journeys and insights are very similar. The focus is not on the pounds lost or clothing size, but on how we are reclaiming our lives instead of just sitting on the sidelines. Giving you a virtual hug today but can't wait to one day give you a real hug. Congrats on your bandiversary.

...is what I weigh this morning. I had the procedure yesterday and the prep was awful as many of you probably know. I didn't weigh myself yesterday...just felt too miserable to care but after having some food last night and a good night's sleep, I got on the scale a few moments ago just to see a number I'll never see again and sure enough, I weigh 114 1/2 lbs. I know that won't last, but it's fun to see none the less.

Yeah....I realize this is an important test. I can be flip about it because nothing of consequence was found.

I'm not offended but I am still uncomfortable being called skinny, or thin, or small. It's my issue..no one else's. And most people don't think saying you are skinny is offensive the way saying someone is heavy can be.

I see a therapist because of my issues. Nothing to be ashamed of if you need to see someone. You don't want to have any problems with your health by getting too thin because you can't see in your head, what you look like. To me, obesity is just the other side of the coin when people are diagnosed with anorexia. It's the inability to see the reality of what one looks like whether it's too big or too small. Good luck dear and please think about it. I know it's helped me even though I still struggle.

Hi Mikee...glad to see you're doing well. ..and you are because even if the weight isn't coming off as quick as you like, you're still going to the pool and doing the best you can right now. Kudos for you.

Congratulations. You look terrific.

I ran into a woman this morning who I got friendly with a couple of years ago. She and I are on the same train alot so we got to talking and have become pretty close. So today she tells me after we're talking for a while that she wants me to write a book and she'll be the first one in line to buy it. I know she means that I'm so much more positive now so I agreed with that part of it and then she said something that literally brought me to tears. She said that I always was full of warmth and affection and care for others but the weight loss and less pain/better mobiity has taken me out of my prison and now I shine. No one ever said that to me before and I was overcome by that. I really liked how she put the change in the way I look on the back burner so to speak and just told me how the weight loss just brought out what was always there, but hidden. I think alot of us are like that. We hide behind our large bodies and only after we shed the excess, can we become who we always were meant to be. All I knew was that I wasn't embarrased by her praise because she was talking about the inner me...and not the outer me. I guess I have to really focus on that girl instead of the one I see in my head or my mirror.

I sure will. And thanks for the comments everyone. Obviously I'm not alone in the body dysmorphia. I figured as usual that if I was experiencing something, so were others.

Congratulations!! Welcome to the other side. Yes...I stayed overnight as well and I agree..the nurses at NYU are terrific. I didn't have too much discomfort but I do know that if you have issues with the gas they pumped into you, you need to walk to help dislodge it. Take your meds if you need them, but remember that pain meds are very constipating so make sure you take something to avoid a 'backup'. I wish I could give you a glimpse of what your life will be like a year from now. It will be so much improved that you won't believe it. Just think about that if you are struggling with post op stuff. You can't see your future, but I can and it's a good one. Keep us posted, and of course feel free to PM me if you need anything.

All you have to say is that losing the weight is not the problem and it never has. The problem is keeping it off and the surgery is my best shot at it. It's alot more than that of course, but it will answer your detractors. Hang in there and keep your eye on the prize...and don't let anyone derail you.

Welcome! Congrats on making the decision to be healthier.

I have an elevated white count as well. If you can get it documented, you should be OK. That's what my PCP did.

I bet it feels good to have made a decision so you can move the process forward. Good luck to you and keep us posted.

...an article about Al Sharpton and how he lost all his weight without surgery. Yet another public forum intimating that those who go the surgery route are doing it 'the easy way'. I'd bet the house that this guy either had surgery and is lying or he'll never keep all that weight off. I remember when he was fat Reverend Al and no one that size keeps it off permanently. He was/is by his own admission, a foodaholic. He says he's consuming 1,000 calories without surgery and isn't hungry? I call BS on that. Or he'll put it all back on in time. And since he's kept it off for a while, I still think the man is a liar. The link to the article is below. http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/incredible-shrinking-sharpton-article-1.1988923

Hang in there....you're almost done. Let us know when you've made it to the other side. Good luck!

My comment is more about the disappointment behind the food that you feel rather than the man. It's obvious that your relationship is not worth hanging on to so I'm sure you will do what you need to do. But regarding your focus on how you will no longer be able to enjoy the things you used to...the Italian food, Red Lobster, cake, etc. just understand that you will be able to eat some if not all of this food again. What you will notice is that the food is not that important anymore. It becomes part of your world but you are not obsessed with it. Once in a while, I wish I could eat like I used to but it goes away as soon as I look at the woman I've become. I am smaller than I've been since I was a teenager and able to move and dress like someone years younger than I used to look/move. That's better than any food out there. Good luck!

Mazel Tov!! (means congratulations)

Just more examples of 'weight hate'. This is the only discrimination that's still socially acceptable. I guess it's fine to buy deep fryers as long as you don't look like you cook with one.

This is so funny! You're cracking me up watchme.

It's not a pipe dream Bella. You'll get there. I tracked everything I put in my mouth and also realized only with MFP, how bad some foods were both in terms of calories, and especially sodium. I tracked for about a year and haven't bothered since because I know fairly well, what foods are OK and which ones to avoid. You can do the same in time. Good luck!

Spectacular. You rock!!

We used to meet once a season but we're really trying to make it once a month. It's hard because everyone is so busy. But I often meet up one on one with other NYC folks. If you ever want to meet for coffee or some such thing, let me know and I'll be happy to make plans with you. I've done it with others from this site and have met some terrific people.