5 1/2 Months after Gastric Bypass Surgery

Thanks for supporting my blog site! I'm glad you've decided to come back for a visit. It has been 5 1/2 months since the surgery. A lot has changed since that day.

As I look back on who I was then and who I am now, I can start to see definite changes. The most noticeable change of course is the way I look. I've been called "skinny," "Skinny Minnie," and I've been told I'm melting and disappearing. As much as I appreciate the compliments and I value those people's opinions, I know I have a long road ahead of me. I don't feel thin by any means. But I guess in comparison to what I was, it's drastic. I have lost 31% of myself. That's almost 1/3 of what I used to be! Looking at it that way is a bit exciting.

I want to lose another 120. The weight loss has slowed down considerably. I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong. I do get discouraged though. It's not easy to eat as little as I do and see the scale stay about the same day in and day out for weeks on end. I've hit another plateau.

I've gone back to roller skating at least once a week for a couple of hours. That seems to help with a pound here or there. I think my body gets into starvation mode and doesn't want to let go of the weight. Everyone says they still see changes in my shape weekly though.

I've noticed that I don't mind going out as much. I enjoy spending time with people now. I was always too self conscious and worried about what other people thought to actually enjoy myself. I can actually say that I enjoy myself now. I don't have as many inhibitions.

People treat me differently now. I feel like I am more visible. People seemed to look through me or past me before when I was much heavier, as though I didn't exist. I used to notice that a few of my friends would not even hear me when I talked sometimes, and I am NOT quiet. It was frustrating. Maybe it was my perception because I had a low self worth and that is how I thought others saw me. I have much more confidence now.

I'm grateful for the changes this surgery has brought and I look forward to the future more, now that I believe I have one.

In the same breath, I haven't been feeling very well the past 2 weeks. I've been exhausted daily. I'm sleeping well. I don't wake up like I used to in the middle of the night and I think my sleep apnea is gone. I don't know what is causing it. So I went to the doctor's after work yesterday to have some blood drawn. I go back to see my doctor next week. My only concerns would be slight anemia from not enough iron or mild dehydration from not enough water. I'm hoping it's neither. I'll just have to wait until next week to find out. If it's something serious I'm sure they will call.

I joined "The Biggest Loser Contest" at work. I'll keep you posted on my progress. The contest is by floor so I'm really rooting for us. We have a good group of people so I know we stand a chance.

Have you ever joined something like that? How did it go? Did it help you stay motivated? I would love people to start sharing their experiences here with weight issues or perceptions of weight in society.

If you're considering the surgery and you would like to know more than what you've read here, feel free to post and I will respond.

Missy