When will I no longer feel like a fat person?
It's been about 7 months since my gastric band surgery, and I've lost 77 pounds so far. I'm still technically considered 'obese', although I am no longer in the 'morbidly obese' category. Once I lose another 15 pounds, I will drop down to the simply 'overweight' category. I can now shop for clothes in the upper end of the regular sizes (16 for bottoms, XL for tops), rather than having to go to the plus-size store or the plus-size dept in regular stores. I've got a long way still to go, but I am well over half-way to my goal weight.
I feel much better, and I know these are all positive developments. But mentally, I still see myself as huge - some sort of big, balloon-y person. I'm told that it just takes time for the brain to catch up changes in the body. But this disconnect feels very strange. It's a bit overwhelming to know that I am no longer restricted to a corner of the clothing store (the fat-girl ghetto), but can have the same choices as 'regular' people.
Does this resonate with others who have lost a lot of weight? If so, how did you deal with it?
= new reply since forum marked as read
verticle gastrectomy I tried not to self-identify and concentrated instead on "new things that I could do". . Like cross my legs, climb stairs, and (omg!) ride a bike.. reach my feet to tie my shoes etc etc
I put off clothes shopping until things were literally falling off me. (And I remember when I could go from "women's" to misses aisles of the department store.. kind of like entering some kind of magic kingdom of "clothes that fit"
Even after 3 years and almost 200 lbs, the wonder of being "normal" still catches me unawares.
It's ok to pick on fat people. After all we aren't really all that smart are we? 
You're doing great!!!!!
aA
kesha
aA
kesha
