Ignorant question......I hope not!!

Hope this isn't an ignorant question, but I've just gotta ask. Do you feel normal after WLS? I mean, I know that, as time goes by, you look "normal", (whatever that is....let's assume here that most people think "thin" is "normal"). But how do you feel about the way you eat? I mean, the amount, the things you can or cannot eat, etc. Do you have problems at functions....have there been times there was nothing you could eat? (I just read of a post, where one day it was pizza (which the poster couldn't eat), another time it was potato salad, ham, coleslaw, and hot dogs, or do you think it was just the poster. I know these aren't low calorie or low carb, etc., but can't we eat these things when there is nothing else? Do people notice your portion size and comment on it, and are your portion sizes really that noticable to others? These are the silly things I think about. I want to get all this excess weight off me, but I want to "feel normal" (like I do now). I count on incorporating exercise and healthy eating into my lifestyle forever, and I know this is a huge decision and a huge lifestyle change, but I don't want to feel "abnormal" and always be the person who had the gastric bypass surgery. Do you know what I mean? I would really appreciate your comments and experiences. Thanks, and please....I don't want to offend anyone (I hope to be joining the losing side soon), and I'm certainly not implying anyone here is not "normal." Just wondering about life afterwards. Thanks.

Yeah i feel normal, and i do eat those foods on occasion, i just don't eat much. People used to comment on how i live off of so little food, but they are only curious so i let them know i do what my doc tells me to do and that i drink protein and take vitamins and everything is fine. To tell you the truth, i feel better than i ever have in my life, and i am very proud of my wls. Life is just wonderful when you're free of all the weight and so much easier. My self confidence is very high and i don't let others run my life. I can eat whatever i want usually, but i try to stay away from the bad stuff as much as possible. Where you at in Waterford? I'm trying to find a house there now. If you email me i can give you my number if you have any questions. Hugs Linda

Hi Patty, First of all I would like to say HI! I want to commend you for doing your research. Some go into this blindly. I believe that NORMAL is different for EVERYONE. I believe the only thing that is "normal" is the setting on a clothes dryer......LOL. Anyway, I do feel normal. But then again I was thin until I was pregnant with my last child. So to me thinner feels normal. I had a hard time thinking of obesity as normal. to tell you the truth when I would dream I would see myself thin in my dreams.... Even though I had been over weight for 20 yrs. weird huh???? When I would walk past a mirror or a window that would catch me off guard my refection would startle me, Like "OH my Gosh....Who is that person staring back at me, and then reality would slap me in the face when I would realize it was my own reflection,....Boy then I would get really depressed. Sure there are things I can't eat, sugar for one, but I had this surgery because I know that is a weakness for me. I NEEDED this tool to kick my sugar addiction. If I want something sweet I eat sugarfree. There are a lot of great sugarfree products out there but you need to be careful with them to because if you eat to much it can sabatage your weightloss. The only other thing I can't eat is something that has nothing to do with WLS. I have an allergy to Wheat, so I have to watch that and that is much harder then having to watch sugar. Yes, in the begining you have to be much more careful of what you eat and your carb intake, because you want to beable to maxamize your weightloss as much as you can in the beginning, because you will lose the bulk of your weight in your first year. You can lose for up to 2yrs., but your honeymoon period is in the first 12 mo. Mine was the first 8 mo. then it took me another 18 mo. to lose the rest. I have lost a total of 160+ lbs. but I gain and lose 3-6 lbs. just about every week. It drives me crazy. It is pretty much water weight, but it still is unnerving! Most people that didn't know me pre WLS have no clue unless I tell them. If and When I do tell them I use to weigh 304 lbs, they always tell me that they would have never guessed I was ever over weight. .....I have a GREAT Pastic Surgeon.....LOL. I don't know if this point of view helps you or not, but it is just my opinion. If I had to do it all over again I would. I want to wish you the best on your journey to the losing side, It is an awesome ride soooo Hang on and enjoy it. God Bless and take care---Toni

This is my opinion. Most days I follow the post op diet. I take my protein and vitamins and eat what I am supposed to. On days I do things, like picnicking I eat what everyone else does. I eat very small portions, but nobody pays attention if you are eating slowly and talking. If people are counting your calories, they are way too nosy! I feel more normal now than when I was fatter. I always wondered why people would take food home from restaurant's. I always wanted more than everyone else and would order alot. I now can order small portions and take home a doggie bag or leave something on my plate. Most people do not eat the great amounts that restaurants put on your plate! At parties and such, you can take small amounts of everything and take a bite or two of whatever suits you. I feel like a lady now, not a sow! Your portions start out very small, but at a year out, I find that I can eat a small, but more normal portion of things. And I am happy with that. I have also not encountered anyone who has questioned me on my portion sizes. You also do not have to announce to everyone that you had gastric bypass, you can just say that you have adjusted your portion sizes to lose weight. It will still be the truth. You will be fine. Wendy

Normal!!! Thats a good question! I guess I have really never thought of that but now that you ask....... I guess there are days when I feel normal and days I don't. I still wake up and run to the mirror to see if I am "heavy" again. I just know that I am heavy again. You know what! When I dream, unlike Toni, I am still heavy in my dreams. I think I still have a hard time as seeing myself as "normal"! Some people comment on what I "don't" eat but its mostly because they think I am not eating enough! Mostly my parents and children. My husband is use to my portion sizes. We ALWAYS share our meal when we go out. When I get those "looks" I just tell people I am not a big eater! They don't need to know "WHY" I am not a big eater. You will blend in, I promise. Good Luck on your research and your quest for surgery! Take Care!!!

I am normal for me which is abnormal in every respect for everyone else. Most people know I am a GAP so they don't bother me with the food questions when I am in public. I still think of myself as a fat guy. In Disney I still wondered if I would fit in the rides. It's weird. I saw a video of me and thought, "My God! I am thin!" but looking in a mirror shows a different kp. Just think that since your rebirthday you are a different person. You are ok. kp

My biggest struggle right now is accepting that I will change. I resist change. I am afraid of not knowing what it will be like to finally be the Brandee that has been stuck in my mental image of myself for years. I have seen her once before... she's pretty cute... but regardless... Big Brandee clouds my vision at times. It is an identity crisis of sorts. I never want to forget what I feel like at this very moment so that years down the road I can take that feeling and kick myself in the rear when needed. AND use that to help others who are just starting this journey. I think that is a powerful and amazing thing. Don't get me wrong... I can't wait to be thin - and I do realize how much better every aspect of my life will be... it is the unknown that scares me. It does anger me to think that some people who treated me shabby in my fat days will treat me better now that I am thin. Why wasn't I good enough for them as a fat girl? That is not right, but I realize that is just how some people are... My husband has assured me that WLS will allow my light to shine brighter and for those who don't see that - to heck with them. Did you ever experience something like this? How did you pull yourself through? It took me so long to come to terms with the fact that I needed to seek help to get healthy. That was the hardest thing I have ever went through. ACCEPTING myself as I was in my mirror image and not allowing my brain to tell me I wasn't obese. I like myself... have for a long time. I didn't see anything wrong with me. I protected myself from the pain. Breaking that barrier opened a door to this amazing freedom. And now to think that I can actually TALK about it is mind blowing. My weight was one topic that I would never discuss. And now they tell me comes the *challenging* part... If I can do this (WLS) I think I can do just about anything.

hi you all.....thanks for your replies. It helps. Linda, I will email you, and yes, I would love to talk to you. Email is great, but I would welcome the chance to speak to you over the phone. Thanks.