Early steps ...

In two more sleeps I have my meeting with the Social worker.  This is the psyche evaluation  part.  I'm feeling pretty confident that my head is screwed on straight regarding this whole journey.  It's the right time for me, I have a great support team set up.

As prepared for this journey as I might think I am, I'm wondering what most surprised you after the surgery.  Was it people's reaction to you, friend's reactions to you, or YOUR reaction to you?

The only thing that surprised me after surgery was how fast the weight started dropping.  Between my surgery and 1st post op appointment (10 days post), I was down 16 pounds!  At my 2nd post op appointment (2 weeks later), I was down another 14 lbs.  It was crazy.

As far as reactions..... everyone has been so super supportive - even the ones who I thought might be skeptical.  They might still be skeptical, but they aren't showing it to me.

 Everything was as advertised, EXCEPT that I developed an intolerance to whey and lactose, which made getting enough protein far more difficult than I anticipated.  I also had a hard time getting in vitamins, but now I'm fine.

I was surprised that I DID NOT feel like I had been hit with a mac truck. I had no post surgery pain and was litteraly up and walking around as soon as they got me from recovery to my room for the night.  I got out the very next afternoon, and was walking without issue. I actually only had a pressure in my midsection, kind of like "hmmm, ok I know somebody's been in there messing around". 
Best of luck and praying for a great experience for you!! 

 Most surprising are 1) how slowly I lose weight and 2) how my tastes changed.

'Nuff said about glacial weight loss (well, glacial used to mean infinitessimally slow, but nowadays I guess we need a different metaphor). I used to love icy drinks, now have to have tepid drinks. Loved a certain strawberry banana protein smoothie, now it tastes like toxic waste. Can't even think about eggs or fish, two old standbys.

As for your actual question, one friend said my face looked thinner. My face is the only part of my body that looks thinner--although my swimsuit does look a bit less like a sausage casing. Those who see me every day haven't said anything. Actually, I think they might notice a difference but say nothing because they are a sensitive, polite bunch. 

because OH won't let me add my surgery date: RNY 4/6/12

 
Thank you all for your replies!  In the end it's pretty clear that you really can't gauge yourself by anyone else's plum-line, it's all going to be so individual.

We'll see how it goes - thanks!

I was surprised at how much I didn't realize I wasn't doing or had to do....

Ex - As I lost weight I realized how much easier it was to take and shower and shave my legs.  I didn't realize how hard it had become until I lost the weight and realized how easy it was.....does that make sense?  There are tons of examples like that for me.

 
LOL - that actually makes perfect sense!