Re: Reply to Amy & Spreading the word to other obese people

[Guest guest]

Dear Amy,

I know exactly how you feel. My major concern following my MGB (before I

got so sick) was not " What if I fail? " , it was " What if I succeed? " No one

really realizes how difficult the " mind adjustment " part of this is. After

all we have been " conditioned " (in my case for 27 years) to deal with all

the trials and tribulations of the obese in a society where image is

everything.

I really think Dr. R and the support group should spend time helping us

adjust to our new " butterfly " image. In one of my classes on dealing with

" special populations " the instructor said that to change a habit it takes 1

month for every year of age......that means I have about 4 years to try to

get used to the new me!!!!

The psychiatrist visits and counseling following the surgery really helped

me adapt...I just didn't realize how many things would change as I lost

weight.

Now whenever I see someone who is obese part of me wants to run up and tell

them about the miracle MGB that changed my life and part of me says, I never

want to look like that again!

Does anyone else have feelings like that?

Pam in NC

Pre-Op Wt 318 @ 5 ft. 5

MGB Surg.= 1/4/99

Lowest Wt.= 143 10/99

Reversal of MGB= 10/24

Current Wt= 165-175, Holding healthy and happy

[Guest guest]

Pam, I really think what you're feeling is natural. I have lost weight

several times in my lifetime and each time I had

" issues " ......friends/family all of a sudden trying to set me up with their

single friends, etc. And part of me (even knowing that it's unrealistic)

thought, " I am the same person now as I was then, is my weight that big of a

difference? " But you know, as I get older and learn and become more

comfortable with ME, I will never identify myself as to a relationship I may

or may not be having, and when this weight comes off, I will NOT be

accepting any more offers to be set up with this guy or that guy from

well-meaning friends. I know that if God wants me to have a partner for the

remaining part of my life, then that's fine, if He doesn't, then I'm okay

with that too. For once in my life, I am doing something for MMMEEEEE!!!!

And it feels great!!!!

fg

At 10:28 PM 05/08/2000 -0500, you wrote:

>Dear Amy,

>

>I know exactly how you feel. My major concern following my MGB (before I

>got so sick) was not " What if I fail? " , it was " What if I succeed? " No one

>really realizes how difficult the " mind adjustment " part of this is. After

>all we have been " conditioned " (in my case for 27 years) to deal with all

>the trials and tribulations of the obese in a society where image is

>everything.

>

>I really think Dr. R and the support group should spend time helping us

>adjust to our new " butterfly " image. In one of my classes on dealing with

> " special populations " the instructor said that to change a habit it takes 1

>month for every year of age......that means I have about 4 years to try to

>get used to the new me!!!!

>

>The psychiatrist visits and counseling following the surgery really helped

>me adapt...I just didn't realize how many things would change as I lost

>weight.

>

>Now whenever I see someone who is obese part of me wants to run up and tell

>them about the miracle MGB that changed my life and part of me says, I never

>want to look like that again!

>

>Does anyone else have feelings like that?

>Pam in NC

>Pre-Op Wt 318 @ 5 ft. 5

>MGB Surg.= 1/4/99

>Lowest Wt.= 143 10/99

>Reversal of MGB= 10/24

>Current Wt= 165-175, Holding healthy and happy