Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group

Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.

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Didn't know I was huge??

imcshe
imcshe
I went to a luncheon today that is held annually in our city for military spouses. Someone who had taken pictures at last year's event came up to me to give me a picture from last year, and I was totally stunned. She said she wasn't sure it was me at first because I look so very different (and great now!). I looked at the picture and completely didn't even recognize myself!! I looked so big, and I swear I really didn't know I was that bad at the time. I guess I was in some major denial!

I really truly felt that I was just "me" and I didn't see my outside appearance. I guess that's why now sometimes it's hard for me to even feel different because I'm still basically the same "me" even though my appearance is changing.

Has anyone else found the physical changing strange, maybe like it isn't happening? I know from looking at old pictures that I've changed quite a bit, and though I'm very happy with things it isn't easy to wrap my head around how different I am because I feel the same. Make any sense?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yea kinda.. I always knew I was fat, but looking at pictures is strange... I did not FEEL that fat. I do feel thinner now, I can fit in places that i could not before love it

congrats on your weight loss
deleted_user
deleted_user
I feel the same way. I thought I looked ok until I saw our Christmas/New Year family photo. I was embarrassed because I was the only one fat in the photo. My husband and boys are all thin. That is what made me decide to have the surgery. Couldn't believe my eyes and this was after I had already lost 25 lbs. Ugh! But no problem now. :) I am a happy camper and on my way! Thanks for sharing.
Lucy
deleted_user
deleted_user
Dudette!

TOTALLY! I am constantly being approached by people who didn't recognize me until I opened my mouth... lol.

It kinda freaks me out though because honestly, I'm 'thin' looking ata 103 lbs down and people are calling me skinny. I've still have some weight to loose ~ 40 lbs to go. I kinda feel like I'm thin enough now... matter of fact, felt that way at 80lbs but realize that I need to capture as much as possible. This is in part due to the fact that at the 80 lbs mark, I truly always (in my mind) felt I looked that way in my mind.

Kinda funny huh?

I certainly feel better sprinting up a huge hill today without huffing and puffing nor did I realize I was really at the top because I was just scrambling up the hill yaking to a friend. I NEVER could've done that last year! I would've had to stop.

: )

Colleen
deleted_user
deleted_user
I am so happy to hear all the positive feedback. My big day is April 26th and despite all the fear, I am truly happy. I just want to be able to go into a regular store and buy a pair of jeans that they dont make in plus size.

Congrats to all and much love and support!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Wow you just explained exactly how I feel! And I guess a lot of other feel the same way. I just found a picture of myself from last year and I really couldn't believe how huge I look. I said to my husband "did I really look like this?" So happy I had the surgery!! 22 more pounds to go and I will be satisfied. Deardarlink - people are calling me skinny too - ha ha - that is quite funny but I am enjoying that!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yep! Can relate. My sisster made an album on Snapfish for us all with pics from when we were little til now. When I look at the ones of me presurgery, I cringe. Was I really that big? And the answer is yes.

I told my family they aren't allowed to use any of THOSE pictures on the collage at my funeral. We've been to quite a few funerals lately in our family!

Laura
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have been pretty good at avoiding cameras for years. But, every once in a while someone will have a pic of me pre-surgery. I can't stand how I looked!!!
And, I never felt that big...ugh...
deleted_user
deleted_user
For years, I had a mental picture of what I "thought" I looked like....never did I imagin that I was nearly as big as I was.... I felt like I was maybe a size 18....but I was 26-30 sizes....Now when Iook back at pictures....I'm shocked, embarrassed....I had no idea....no idea at all. I love who I am now....really!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I totally feel that way. And now i am scared that i still don't see myself the way i really am. I don't 'trust' what i see in the mirror.
deleted_user
deleted_user
The same thing happened to me this week at work. A close friend came to me and said, I have a picture of you from my 40th birthday party last year and you are not going to believe it. She wanted me to see it, because I'm constantly complaining that yes my clothes fit more loosely, but I really don't see much of a difference other than that. Well that helped me see a BIG difference - no pun intended. I was really sad though, I also didn't realize just how big I had gotten. Somehow a picture shows you so much more than the mirror - I don't get it. Anyway, I'm so there with you!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Congrats on your weight loss. For several years, I had to have friends vouch for me because my drivers license photo was taken when I was 120 lbs overweight. Many people were not convinced that was me in the DL photo. But it was. I finally had a new one taken about 3 years ago. I also had a hard time seeing myself as thin, I had been overweight and it took a girlfriend going with me to try on clothes to convince me that I was longer a size 24! Keep up the great work....

Averi
deleted_user
deleted_user
I love this post and all the comments! I never had a negative body image, for me surgery was about being healthy. However, almost one year later and 102.2 down, I like being thin and yes looking back at the pictures I was way larger than I thought I was. People say they don't recognize me. Laura, love the funeral comment, I told my family they can only do an open casket if I am thin... last week the funeral director was in my office and said "looks like we can do an open casket now" I told him to remember that 49 years from now or longer!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
you want to see HUGE??? go to my photo box and check out my 2 drivers license photos...14 months apart...
that was the true identifier as to just how big I really was...
still not a skinny chick, nor do I honestly want to be, but me at 200 pounds will be a thin chick...I know this to bew true, because already at 250 people question my motivation to lose more...
I tell them that I may not be as big as the side of a barn anymore, but no way near being too thin...
50 or 60 more pounds, and I will be satisfied. hopefully, by August...(birthday,) definately by my surgerversary in September.
deleted_user
deleted_user
yes.. totally feel the same way.. My oldest son was laughing a bit in his room, I was like what are you laughing at, he said not really laughing just amazed at how different you look? took a pic last year at some event and he came across it. and wow, was i shocked. crazy, I had no idea I looked that big...

Becca
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deleted_user
Yup...you can add me to the list!! I still look at my flabby belly and say yuck. I am down 80 lbs and I now think this is what I thought I was before, not 80 lbs bigger...the mind plays such tricks on us, it is crazy. My big question is whether I will ever be satisfied with my weight, I am praying that I will be...