Body Image

[Elisabethsew 50]

Have people who don't know you've had surgery noticed you're losing weight? Do you still look in the mirror and see the same person?

A few people where I work commented that they noticed I am losing weight and given me compliments. As a life long fat human being, I'm used to negative comments, looks, and stares. Strangely, I think I'm even more comfortable getting nasty comments.

When I was leaving work this AM, I got an unexpected glance of a reflection of myself and was surprised that I did look a little smaller to myself. So, how does everyone else handle comments about their weight loss? Are you adapting easily to your changing body?

[Malaika 50]

Have people who don't know you've had surgery noticed you're losing weight? Do you still look in the mirror and see the same person?

A few people where I work commented that they noticed I am losing weight and given me compliments. As a life long fat human being, I'm used to negative comments, looks, and stares. Strangely, I think I'm even more comfortable getting nasty comments.

When I was leaving work this AM, I got an unexpected glance of a reflection of myself and was surprised that I did look a little smaller to myself. So, how does everyone else handle comments about their weight loss? Are you adapting easily to your changing body?

I haven't had the opportunity - YET - however, I always remember my mom saying "You stay fat in your mind longer than in your body" after she had lost over 100 lbs. and kept it off .. I will be interested to see if that is true ...will keep you posted as my weight comes off ...

[Elisabethsew 50]

I think your Mom is correct. "Seeing" ourselves the way others do is going to take quite a bit of time.

[MacMadame 81]

I think everyone has a mental image of themselves and whatever weight they actually are, they still "see" themselves at that weight. Mine is in the 155-165 range. So when I was going down, I saw myself as looking fantastic and accepted all compliments as my due. Then I got below that mental image and I started freaking out when I saw myself in the mirror. I didn't recognize myself.

I also, even though I am able to buy clothes without trying them on (sometimes) and do a reasonable job, still think of myself as slightly tubby. When I was MO, I wore a two-piece bathing suit sometimes. Granted, it had big shorts that covered everything and the top went down my midrif so that only about an inch of skin showed. But I was still enormous and in a 2 piece and I was okay with it. (I like 2 pieces because it's easier to go to the bathroom in them!)

Now that I am a normal weight, I had to really talk myself into getting a two-piece suit. Granted, this one shows a lot more skin. But my top is totally thin and my bottom only has a slight spare tire. Yet I was convinced everyone at the pool was thinking I was nuts to be wearing that suit.

That's just an example. There have been other times when it hits me that I'm thinking of myself as bigger than I actually am.

[*Lib* 5]

I have lost 42lbs and this morning gettting ready for work I really noticed it in my face. But I don't feel like I have lost that much weight.

[burnsun 27]

the coolest thing I did was move about 8 months after my band surgery .....85 lbs gone! no one at our new school or area ever knew me fat! first people since 4th grade and i was 37 then!

it was amazing.....and gave me a lift that no mirror ever did! people really did see me as more confident and such!

it was enough of a differece that one of my children's ei therpists told me how nice i was by letting eric keep photos of his first wife up (they were me).......i do have a few on the walls.... i actually used to hide from photos.......

[roseyandmusic 5]

Self Image has always been an issue for me. When I was in high school (after being a fat kid) I was literally a skeleton, yet I saw a fatty in the mirror. As the years passed, my weight went up and I felt even more fat. Now here's the thing, I look back at pictures from those days of when I "thought" I was fat, and let me tell you, I looked awesome. Now that I truly AM obese, I'd give anything to be in the shoes I was in just a few years ago. I hope that through my years of struggling, I will finally learn to be happy with my weight as I lose. You know that saying, "you don't know what you've got till it's gone." Well, I hope I have learned my lesson and at this point, even 20 pounds down will be a blessing. I truly need to learn to love what I have.

Rose

Sleeve Surgery Date 8/7/09

Dr. Aceves

[Elisabethsew 50]

Self Image has always been an issue for me. When I was in high school (after being a fat kid) I was literally a skeleton, yet I saw a fatty in the mirror. As the years passed, my weight went up and I felt even more fat. Now here's the thing, I look back at pictures from those days of when I "thought" I was fat, and let me tell you, I looked awesome. Now that I truly AM obese, I'd give anything to be in the shoes I was in just a few years ago. I hope that through my years of struggling, I will finally learn to be happy with my weight as I lose. You know that saying, "you don't know what you've got till it's gone." Well, I hope I have learned my lesson and at this point, even 20 pounds down will be a blessing. I truly need to learn to love what I have.

Rose

Sleeve Surgery Date 8/7/09

Dr. Aceves

Very well said. I am trying to stay away from the scale and concentrate on how my clothes fit (looser) and my eating patterns (finally healthy!) rather than worrying and wondering.

[Malaika 50]

Self Image has always been an issue for me. When I was in high school (after being a fat kid) I was literally a skeleton, yet I saw a fatty in the mirror. As the years passed, my weight went up and I felt even more fat. Now here's the thing, I look back at pictures from those days of when I "thought" I was fat, and let me tell you, I looked awesome. Now that I truly AM obese, I'd give anything to be in the shoes I was in just a few years ago. I hope that through my years of struggling, I will finally learn to be happy with my weight as I lose. You know that saying, "you don't know what you've got till it's gone." Well, I hope I have learned my lesson and at this point, even 20 pounds down will be a blessing. I truly need to learn to love what I have.

Rose

Sleeve Surgery Date 8/7/09

Dr. Aceves

That sounds like me -- I thought I was so fat at 125 lbs. (I'm 5'8-1/2") and now when I look at those pics, I think the same thing --- what I wouldn't give to be that size now!. I've always said that weight didn't matter to me, it was more how my clothes fit; although I am sure I will be on the scale in the beginning.

[MacMadame 81]

I remember feeling fat at 110 lb. Granted, I was about 4' 11", but still... I'm 118 now and only 2 inches taller and I am TINY.

[Malaika 50]

I remember feeling fat at 110 lb. Granted, I was about 4' 11", but still... I'm 118 now and only 2 inches taller and I am TINY.

You were tiny at 110 Mac ... and still are now -- DAMN!

[MacMadame 81]

I had more pudge because I wasn't in shape. I was very curvy, which the guys liked, but I saw it as "if I only lost 10 lb., I'd be perfect." I know now I was crazy. What I really needed to do was workout and get some muscle and stay the same weight. :cool0:

[Malaika 50]

I had more pudge because I wasn't in shape. I was very curvy, which the guys liked, but I saw it as "if I only lost 10 lb., I'd be perfect." I know now I was crazy. What I really needed to do was workout and get some muscle and stay the same weight. :cool0:

Don't you wish we all knew then what we know now? If I had known even 1/2 of what I know now, I don't think I would have had a weight problem ... as they say, hindsight is 20/20.