Should I really do pre-op photos of myself?

[WildIris 4]

I've always absolutely hated getting photos taken of me. They've always reminded me of how awful I look. I love doing photography, but I'm always the one behind the camera. The last time I got a photo of myself was in June of 2009 when I went on a camping trip with my photography club, and I looked awful! I've gained weight since then, too.

I'm really ambivalent about pre-surgery photos. Any advice for/against? I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks.

[Morgandobes 0]

I am going to. I figure if I get in a stall, or get stuck in some bad habits, I will haul out the 'before' pics and find a whole new source of motivation!

[WildIris 4]

Good point. Maybe what I should do is get some videotape of myself, even. Demonstrate what I can't do (touch my toes, tie my shoes, things like that). I'm going to have to seriously work up the courage to do it, though. I don't have an issue with phobias, but this is almost one, I think.

[Stacy160 201]

You'll regret it if you don't!! And measurements -- you MUST take measurements, because especially early on, when it's harder to look in the mirror and see the changes for yourself, the numbers won't lie, and it's soooo cool to see them going down. :sad0:

Edited May 10, 2010 by Stacy160

[Tiffykins 673]

I agree with Stacy 100%. I absolutely kick myself in the a$$ for not taking measurements of my body pre-op. I had plenty of pre-op photos because I have never been camera shy even at 270lbs. But, I wish I could have measurements to compare.

Also, for me, when I would have a bad day, I would check out my before pictures, and then my most recent progress picture, and it always cheered me up.

[Cancel 1]

I would defiantely do before photos. This way if you stall or start to feel as if you're not making progress you have a great visual to go back and compair to. My DH is a photographer and I hate when he takes pictures of me but, I will have a ton on before pictures to compair when I am done. I have even let him take some of me in my size 22 bathing suit. I won't let anyone else see them at least not yet. Maybe after I get to goal. Good Luck

[Maddie 9]

I am really glad you started this thread. I have been going back and forth in my head as to weather or not I should do photos. Now, I will for sure. Thanks.

[ouroborous 519]

I've always absolutely hated getting photos taken of me. They've always reminded me of how awful I look. I love doing photography, but I'm always the one behind the camera. The last time I got a photo of myself was in June of 2009 when I went on a camping trip with my photography club, and I looked awful! I've gained weight since then, too.

I'm really ambivalent about pre-surgery photos. Any advice for/against? I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks.

I went through the same mental debate -- take pictures of myself (which I HATE) or not?

I finally decided that (a) it would be important to remind myself of how far I've come, and ( I will be less embarrassed to show them later when I'm much thinner. It's much less embarrassing to say "look how fat I USED to be."

So I got some pics taken (clothed in shorts, and also wearing only boxers) that will only ever see the light of day if/when I start getting towards my 220-or-less goal mark.

[educationrulz 18]

The great thing about this is that you don't ever have to show them to anyone if you don't want to. I'm planning to get some pre-op self taken photos of myself in undies and a bathing suit. I'll probably NEVER show those anyone, but they'll be good motivation for me if I start backsliding.

[WildIris 4]

OK, that settles it then. I'm definitely doing pre-op photos. And measurements. What's the standard set of measurements to take? Arms, thighs, hips, neck, bust, and waist? One thing I realized just a few minutes ago that I'm really looking forward to is having cheekbones again. Weird? Quite possibly, but hey.

Never could stick with the whole scrapbooking thing for long, but I've got enough stickers and supplies to start my own store (well, so I'm exaggerating a tad); maybe this is something I could do for, say, the first year or so. I'm big on projects that have a start and finish defined!

[Lillie24 2]

I'm definately doing pre op photo's.... I don't know if I will be looking at them the first three months lol but I will be taking them. I think that it will be great to see how far I have come. I wasn't going to do measurements but know hearing all this I have decided to do that too... Thanks guys.

[Stacy160 201]

OK, that settles it then. I'm definitely doing pre-op photos. And measurements. What's the standard set of measurements to take? Arms, thighs, hips, neck, bust, and waist?

Well, I went a little crazy myself LOL.... here's what I keep track of:

- neck

- upper chest (under armpits, above boobs)

- bustline, braless

- bustline, in bra

- ribcage (directly under boobs)

- waist

- flank (what most people think of as the hips)

- butt (around biggest part)

- upper arm elevated

- upper arm relaxed against body

- lower arm (just above elbow)

- upper forearm (around biggest part)

- wrist

- around palm of hand

- hips (upper thighs, together)

- upper thigh

- lower thigh (just above knee)

- calf

- ankle

- around midfoot

Yeah, I wanted to track everything. :laugh0:

[happyslvr 2]

Its wonderful to have the pictume up!!!

I think you should take them!!

:laugh0:

[kalex21211 0]

I agree about the pics....and the measurements! One thing for sure, when you go back and look at your pics you will say to yourself "i really do look good!" and you will only continue to look better and better.....

[CraftyChristie 62]

I haven't read all the posts so forgive me if I repeat something but here is my 2 cents Did you catch the Biggest Loser this week? The contestants look back on videos of themselves in the beginning and it seems like it's not until that moment that they realize how far they've come. They've lost 100+ pounds and know they are different but until they really SEE it, it doesn't hit them. I think before photos - videos - meaurements - anything and everything is very important to the process so that you can accept mentally and emotionally that you have changed for the better and really SEE that.

I am planning to do some non-traditional before photos (in addition to the regular shots you see).. things like me behind the wheel of my car, me sitting in the kitchen table chair, me sitting in the bathtub... I don't know, whatever I can think of so that later on I can re-take those and see how much less space I take up in those situations and realize how much more comfortable things are for me. I'll have the regular front, side, back shots also but I think these other things will be more eye opening to compare.

Also as a side note not having anything to do with progress photos... I am over 300 lbs and I've never stopped taking my own photo or being in other people's pics. It's not because I think I look awesome LOL... it's just that I realized this IS my life, and it needs to be documented...and I also don't want to take away from other people's happiness who love me and want me in their photos. I'd say the number of photos of me has decreased some, but at least every month there are some. I'm really into photography too - AND scrapbooking - and to me documenting these things is just really important. I hope you can find it within yourself to change your mindset and become a part of your own life story again BEST WISHES and HUGS!