Question:
Do any of you feel NORMAL?
I've tossed around the idea. I'm almost exactly 100lbs overweight, and I'm so worried about my health. I'm tired all the time and have very little stamina. I wonder if any of you feel "NORMAL" after the surgery, besides of course, feeling full quickly. — meowgal (posted on January 8, 2007)
January 8, 2007
What exactly is normal? I would have to say that I feel pretty good. I go
to normal restaurants and eat what I want (for the most part). Yes, I feel
full quickly, but thats okay. It just means I have left overs for later.
The surgery was the best thing I have ever done and I never regret my
decision. Not even when I make an oops and eat something I shouldn't.
Malena 329/148
— *Malena* M.
January 8, 2007
Do you feel normal now? I know I felt like an outcast...not being able to
walk in to a regular store and by clothes off the rack, not being able to
sit in a booth at a restaurants because it was too tight, not being able to
sit an watch a movie at the theater, because the seats hurt my sides,
having to get an extension for my cars seat belts. Being place on
Medications for co-morbities is that normal. I feel much better knowing I
am off all medications related to being obese. I know that I will be able
to walk into a store an buy clothes off the rack. I know with lots of hard
work, I will be there for my 5yr old daughter. I know I have done the best
thing for my life and my family. So, to answer your question do I feel
normal, yes. You must first define what normal is to you, because it is
not the same to everyone.
— Marie B.
January 8, 2007
normal? i feel great. i had bypass surery 10/06/2005. then went through
a total body lift 9/19/2006. i am 136lbs down total. i can't tell you how
different i feel. more energy and much better about myself. i don't
regret these decisions at all.. right after the bypass surgery - it
probably took a month to feel 'normal' and start eating real food by
then... one recommendation i do have is take it slowly when going back to
eatting. you are healing inside so don't rush to real food quicky. you
will allow your body to heal and not have too many problems with throwing
up hopefully. good luck
— akirsch
January 8, 2007
Yes, I feel completely normal. I look normal, I eat normally, I wear
normal clothes, I fit in normal furniture. For the first time in my adult
(obese) life I feel normal. I may not be the thinnest person in the room,
but I am far from the fattest. "Normal" is the best part about
WLS. Good Luck !
— yvonne1953
January 8, 2007
I agree with the others, what is normal. I am 4 months post-op and down
105lbs. I will never fell normal. I feel fantastic! It is the best thing i
have ever done for myself! I eat smaller portions and stay away from the
fat and sugar but isn't that what we should of been doing in the first
place. Good luck with your decision.
— Lost4Ever
January 8, 2007
I always tell people "if I didn't know I'd had the surgery, I wouldn't
know I had the surgery" in terms of side-effects or complications. I
eat absolutely anything I want, just in moderation. And one of the BEST
things about being average sized is just that: being average. I always felt
before like people stared at me critically and that I stuck out in a crowd
because of my size. Now I blend in and boy, does it feel GREAT to be just
"average". I wouldn't change a thing.
— coldinsd
January 8, 2007
Hi,if you're not sure you want to commit to the full gastric bypass have
you considered the Lapband? It's not as severe and it is adjustable. It
also is just a tool. I had the lapband 5 weeks ago and feel completely
normal but I'm eating less. If you need help with those 100 lbs and can't
do it alone, think about the lapband.
Dan
— bigdooba
January 8, 2007
I know exactly what you mean by your question and the answer is yes; I feel
normal. When I am almost 2 years post-op and for the first five months I
felt like I had gastric bypass surgery. But understand this...it was fun
knowing I would eat a small amount and be full and watch the weight come
pouring off. Before the surgery, whether or not I would feel 'norma' was
my concern too. I worried about whether I could emotionally give up the
chinese food and ice cream I loved so much and whether I would go into
depression if I couldn't eat them. Honestly, I NEVER CRAVE THEM and when I
do taste them...I don't want them. My food tastes just changed! I feel
completely normal and have since month 5. Months prior to that I felt
aware of the surgery but felt great knowing it was working. I never have
regretted it a day since I had it.
— MALUVSMUSIC
January 8, 2007
I remained ME less a bunch of weight, and at over 5 years out still feel
normal. the first month was a little wierd, eating so little. but honestly
WLS and seeing the weight drop was FUN! I actually enjoyed it! you can do
it too!
— bob-haller
January 9, 2007
Thank you for asking this question, as I have wondered if a person ever
feels "Normal" again. I'm very relieved that a person does get
back to a "Normal" feeling after WLS. Good Luck in you journey.
— GrammaAnn
January 9, 2007
ABSOLUTELY! not only normal., but better! Energy is back, and(hee-hee) it
is such a change to look for petite smalls instead of 4x! Hubby loves it
and I do ,too! Would do it again in a heart beat! I eat anything I want and
keep the weight off, It is truly a miracle in my life, and at pushing
sixty, that makes it rally GREAT!
Patticake
— Patticake
January 9, 2007
Carolyn, "Normal" is a setting on your dryer (that is a name of a
good book that I know of. It is basically true. What is normal? I was at
a BMI of 40, barely, so just a little over 100 lbs overweight. I had no
lasting health issues that caused damage yet, but was headed that way. I
am almost 3 years post surgery now, and I am very glad I did it. Read my
profile, it has tons of info in it and the walk I took. Obesity is a head
issue with a body consequence. I enjoy being small, I love the lack of
bulk, but my knees and feet are the most benefitted by my surgery I think.
They are both small and had been carrying the bulk of my weight for too
many years. I prayed a lot in making my decision and when I believed that
God had directed my decision to do the surgery, or at least supported my
decision, I went forward. It gave me the tool I needed to not eat obesely
anymore, but it never, and I mean never, solved my lust for food. It is a
head issue that I deal with every day. I accept that challenge and work
with it every day. You have to do the same. You can't have surgery and
then say in your head that was enough. It takes diet control, exercise,
yes exercise, and water. It takes changes in your life. We all revert
back to what we have done in the past, you have to research and find
different ways to do things. I don't know where you health lies, but the
power to make the decision lies in your heart. It is not in my opinion or
others, but in the real research that you do, the real committment that you
make and stick to and the diligence you put to the tool you get if you
choose to take it. I wish you well Carolyn, but strongly encourage you to
not just ask a few questions, but research this site, and other sites, read
books, I even read all the memorials from those who fought and lost the
battle of obesity. There are memorials on this site. It taught me what
complications can come and what my risks are. Face the good and the bad.
I stopped drinking soda 6 months before surgery, not the day of. Make
choices that will help you now, and they will also help you later. Filling
up quickly? Most people do, I do for sure, but the "lust" that I
speak of, the head issues, it can convince you that you are hungry when you
are not. It can cause you to eat until you are in pain because you mis
understand what your brain is saying. The brain is a tricky thing and you
have to learn to tame it and understand that it will try time and again to
trick you into old habits. Our flesh is just like that. I applaude your
desire to ask good questions, and challenge you to take notes, make a
profile on this site to keep your notes and thoughts on so you can look
back on successes and challenges for the future. Best to you, Patricia P
— Patricia P
January 9, 2007
What a great question, & my answer is a resounding YES! I'm almost 4
years out & finally feel "normal" for the first time in my
life! And I must say normal feels great!
— fowlerloriann
January 10, 2007
Carolyn, today is my one year anniverary of my surgery and I feel very
normal!! My weight gain did not come until my late 20's so I feel like I
used to in my youth, only better!!!! When your weight starts dropping and
ou really feel lighter, you will be amazed at how great and normal you will
feel!!! Good luck on your journey!!!
— Mrs. Crabapple
January 11, 2007
Like the others, define: normal. But at 12 yrs out, I feel far more normal
than I did heavy. I "pass" in public, eat normally except for
avoiding milk & sugar, appear to be normal in all respects. I'm not
the same, however. Now I take supplements, drink protein and have to be
much more watchful of what docs tell me to do (most don't understand WLS),
discuss adjusting meds with them, for example the antibiotic for a sinus
infection. I am aware that I am only in remission from my fatal disease.
I wish there was a 3rd choice, such as: never have been morbidly obese, but
sadly, my choices are: morbid obesity and all accompanying issues OR morbid
obesity in remission, kept there as long as I do my part in the treatment.
It's soooooo worth it to me.
— vitalady
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