MountianGirl

I started this almost 2 years ago. Had surgery a year ago in November. As the weight came off the wounds of a crap marriage became exposed. I ended that crap marriage in July and today live on my own. I have my daughters half the week and now they get a much more at peace mom. I've dated a bit and it still shocks me anyone would/could find me attractive. My hope is that my ears will hear it enough for my brain to catch on. Today I went snowboarding for the first time in my life-to get my kids outside AND because I actually could do it. These seem like random thoughts but honestly if this is a dream don't wake me. I feel like I'll be having the first Christmas in a long time as the Real Me. The genuine smiling on the outside and inside person I always wanted to be. I can't thank all the people in my life that supported me enough.

Cowboy Jane-that guy was just a dick. Always has been always will be. Good you were able to weed him out early before you got too invested. You've got great instincts-trust them always.

Mine started a few days before and kept on going after because of the blood thinners they inject you with after surgery. So fun! But no biggie

I completely understand what you're saying. I spent so many decades trying to remain invisible and now I can't hide. It was very unnerving for me at first. But the good thing that's come of it is it's helping me to see the changes in myself. I have a hard time thinking I look much different than before but hearing it enough from others, especially the opposite sex, has started to help my brain shift. I recently separated from my husband of 20+ years and began dating again and its been a crazy experience. I never thought anyone could find me attractive. Very eye opening.

I was unprepared for the mental changes I experienced after surgery. My husband couldn't have been more supportive of my decision or my recovery. But we had problems/issues long before I had surgery. Once the weight was mostly off those issues were exposed on the surface of my soul. It was difficult to say the least. We went to counseling but neither of us put much effort into it. In the end, we separated and are divorcing. The surgery/weight loss wasn't the cause but it was the catalyst. After months of agonizing and not sleeping over this decision I am now happier than I've felt in a long time. We had many obstacles in our marriage so much worse than this that divorce by comparison wasn't that difficult. But I had to save myself. And show my daughters that if you're life isn't making you happy, you change it and make your life happy.

Eventually you too will see what everyone else sees and start buying the size that fits. But it takes a long time to get in that head space. I'm there sometimes and other times still see myself at 286 lbs. Very big mental adjustment-probably lifelong. Keep up you're good work!

The technician took one look at my sadly deflated boobs and asked "Have you lost a lot of weight?". So its not completely in my head that I've gone from a 42C to a 36 long...

I get a pedicure for every 10 lbs I lose, which takes about the time between them.

Couldn't agree more. A long marriage doesn't equal a happy marriage.

I agree-its a very strange feeling to not be recognized until people hear your voice. I honestly don't think I look that different but clearly I'm wrong. The other part of that is that I avoided full length mirrors my whole life so I don't have a clear picture of how my body actually looked/looks.

Last night I went to class at the gym where I've been going for a few years. A guy friend was there who's been gone since February and when I walked in he asked the trainer who that was. Hello! How awesome is that?! I was never someone who turned heads but it seems to be happening enough that I'm starting to believe I do look different. Such a friggin head game this weight loss surgery!

I would cut out the wine for a week or 2 and see what happens.

I too was super lucky. No complications whatsoever. But that's also because I followed the surgeons and hospitals guidelines to a T. Defer to their expertise-they know better than you and have your best interests at heart. Let me just add that even though some people do follow the instructions, they still have issues. I don't mean to slight anyone with my above thoughts. Just my experience.

hb.mambo makes a good point. You don't have the caloric intake to not pass out right now doing strenuous exercise. Even once you hit the 6 week mark, work up to it. Nothing more embarrassing than falling over unconscious at a fitness class

I was told 6 weeks so I followed that. I did walk about 20 min a day during that time but nothing hardcore. You've just had major abdominal surgery-let your body heal. You have the rest of your life to do strenuous exercise.