Question:
I am wondering if anyone else is experiencing this. I have lost 50# since my surgery
I have lost 50# since my surgery on 2/12/03 and no one except my mother has said a word about it. My shoes are too big, none of my clothes fit. I had to buy new clothes. The biggest change seems to be in my face. I used to look so bloated, like I could pop. I would think someone would say something. Wouldn't you? It confuses me, but will not affect my motivation to keep going. Thank you for your response. — susan P. (posted on April 16, 2003)
April 16, 2003
I had my surgery 4 weeks ago this friday and have lost 40 lbs. I can see
it in my face but people have not mentioned it either. I have to say I go
to group and people will lost 40-50 lbs and I tell them they look great but
sometimes I can't really tell the difference. Some people don't look and
judge us as hard as we do ourselfs. Just be happy with your great lose and
remember you are doing this for yourself not for what others think. Give
them time they will notice, Good luck to you. Diana
— Diana B.
April 16, 2003
I had my wls on 10/15/03, I have lost 92lbs as of today and NO ONE ever
comments on my weight loss except close family members and even some of
them dont say anything. I asked the therapist in post-op group and she
said thatmany people dont know what to say or how to say it and that some
people may feel it would embarrass us if they mention our weight. It sould
figur that for once in my life I actually WANT people to notice my weight
and they WONT!!!! As long as you know you are doing well, thats all that
counts!!!!!!CONGRATS!!!!
— cherokey55
April 16, 2003
It was around 70 pounds before people really started to notice my loss.
Then the praises rolled in. I think sometimes people try not to comment in
the beginning so as not to upset or offend you. Soon you will hear plenty
of congrats. :o)
— Jennifer A.
April 16, 2003
You know you have lost it; you know you are feeling better; try not to let
other people's negativity get to you. I went home to Nebraksa a few weeks
ago to see my parents and 2 sisters, none of whom had seen me since before
the surgery on 7/11/02; I have lost 94# and gone from a size 22/24 to a
10/12. I got there about 4:30 in the afternoon and they said NOTHING!
Finally about 9 that evening my folks, sister & I were sitting in the
kitchen talking and my Mom asked "How much do you weigh now,
anyway?" I told her 144 and she said "You aren't going to lose
any more are you?" I said maybe another 6-8 lbs, why. She said
"Because you don't need to lose any more, you look gaunt." My
Dad chimed in with "Gaunt, h***, she looks like a f****** cancer
patient!" And they wonder why this was the first time I'd been home
for 2 years!! Thankfully, I know I look better and I certainly know I FEEL
better! And the people I see every day tell me I look fantastic. I just
had to tell myself that they are all very big people, too, and maybe
compared to what they are used to seeing, healthy is gaunt! Anyway, as
more weight comes off and the change is more drastic, people will comment!
You will love the RUSH you get when you see someone you know but haven't
seen in a long time in the store and THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE YOU! What a
HIGH! Keep your chin up and keep on the right path!
— Carolyn I.
April 16, 2003
Several months after having surgery and down close to 70 pounds, a lady
approached me and asked if I had been losing weight. I told her about the
surgery and we had a really pleasant conversation. It turns out that she
was concerned that I was losing weight because I may have been sick. I
disagree with the previous poster about the negativity. Sometimes people
just don't know what to say. I have been very open about having the
surgery and this has helped me field questions in the long run. Good luck
with your loss, people do notice.
— Rhonda V.
April 16, 2003
I'm 5'2" and started at 303 pounds. I lost over 60 pounds before
anyone said anything to me, and then it was only people who knew about the
surgery. I didn't start getting comments from others til I had lost close
to 90-100. Now that I'm down 140, I hear comments everyday. I really think
people just don't notice right away, and the heavier you are, the more you
have to lose. My surgeon told me recently he has a patient who started at
over 500 pounds and had lost 100 the 1st three months, and that he really
couldn't see a difference yet in the guy, though of course he didn't tell
him that! Hnag intere - people will start noticing eventually, and it
really makes a huge difference when you start wearing clothes that actually
fit well instead of being baggy.
— Melissa F.
April 16, 2003
Some people are hesitant to ask....one person even asked me eventually if I
had cancer. She said she had been afraid to ask for fear of the
"bad" news.
— Oldsoul
April 16, 2003
I had my surgery 10/15/02 and am down 93 pounds as of today (Terry U and I
are like WLS twins!). People who know I had the surgery have been
commenting. People who haven't seen me in a while and don't know about the
surgery have been commenting, too. But I never told the people I work with
about the surgery and no one is commenting. They only know that I was out
for 3 months (6 weeks for WLS and then another 6 weeks for an unrelated
medical issue). I feel that they are afraid to say anything thinking I was
really sick for 3 months accounting for the huge weight loss. Someone told
me I looked shorter! At 5' 3", shorter isn't exactly what I'm going
for here. I keep reminding myself that I am doing this for me and my health
and not for pats on the back, but I get bewildered too that they aren't
mentioning anything. I keep thinking they've GOT to notice.
— Yolanda J.
April 17, 2003
I remember that when I had lost 50 lbs. someone asked what I had done
different. I said, 'I've lost 50 lbs.' I had lost 70 lbs. when my neighbor
said, 'have you lost weight?' I thought to myself, it shouldn't even be a
question. I wanted a 'wow!, you have lost some weight'. I was
disappointed in people not noticing because it was something that was
changing my life and had such an impact on my energy level and health. I
wanted everyone to know what an accompishment I had made. Now, after
losing over 100 lbs., I get the 'Wows', and it is great! I guess people
want to be SURE, without question, that you are losing weight before
bringing up such a touchy subject. And I want to tell you...WOW!! 50 lbs.
is an awesome accomplishment! Congrats to you and enjoy your journey!
— Cheri M.
April 17, 2003
It's harder to tell weight loss on an MO person. I had to lose alot before
people noticed (those that didn't know I had surgery). As you get closer
to goal, more and more people will comment.
— mom2jtx3
April 17, 2003
Susan, in addition to what the others have said, sometimes big, baggy
clothes "hide" weight gain as well as weight losses. I'm sure if
you started buying some clothes that fit, it would be obvious that you are
losing. I have found consignment shops and thrift shops to have great
stuff to tide you over at low cost until you get to your goal.
— Cindy R.
April 21, 2003
Don't be discouraged. I too have had the same problem. The only person
that has motivated and praised me is my husband. It is quite obvious by my
face and clothes that I have lost (36 pounds). As for me, I guess when you
have this much too loose it will be awhile before the compliments start
rolling in. Discouraging yes, but on the other hand it makes me ever more
motivated. Hang in there!
— Terrie R.
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