Why Do I Still See The Old Me.,when I Look In The Mirror?

[wickedmijagabby 2]

I am just curious if anyone who lost weigh feels the way I do? Let me start off by saying I started this journey at 338 pounds before surgury.. My date of surgury was 12/1/12 I weighed in at 309. I now weigh in at 221 4/25/12. My issue is I know I lost weight.I can tell with my clothes. I went from 3x -shirt to a extra large... Jeans 28\30 to now 16 n sometimes 13/14 .everyone notices the weight lose.But when I look in the mirror I still see the old me.Does this ever go away? Will I always see myself as a big woman? I know I am only 4 months out and still have away to go but shouldnt I see a differance when I look on the mirror?

[gramaof4 58]

you know what did it for me is take a current photo...and a before photo....side by side.

I had a gal in my office who did not know of my surgery....she totally lost the reason she was there and exclaimed..."what are you doing to yourself?, you are getting so skinny"

Validation! I started surgery at 354 now am 297, in just 7 weeks...I was 28W and now in a 22/24 so i'm with ya it's great....

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

It's a challenge to adjust our vision of ourself. I have read numerous posts where there was a discussion on our bodies becoming a smaller version of our fat self. LOl

[Zeus 11]

You lost quite some weight. You know it. You feel it. You can also see it if you have before and after pics.

One thing is for sure : Your body needs time to reshape.

Exercise will help. Good luck.

[thebionicbroad 127]

I read a study that found that women see themselves as bigger than they are, and men see themselves smaller. For me, it was part of the ritual of self-hatred, starting every day with, "Good morning, you effin fat pig." Pretty brutal. So now I owe Lissa an apology. When I once described losing weight as losing myself, she said that it was finding herself, and she was right. What made it click for me was the airplane trip to see family. One of my seatmates said that he wasn't used to being in the middle, but was thankful that I wasn't a big person. I almost cried.

[LadyIvy 159]

This phenomenon actually has a name. It is called body dismorphia and is perfectly normal. It takes a while for your brain to catch up to your body post op. It could take quite a few years. You are so used to seeing something specific in the mirror, it is what your brain expects. The person who suggested that you hold two pictures side by side is right, it will help, but it will still take you a little while to see yourself as anything but the "fat girl" that you are used to seeing in the mirror. Congrats on doing so great with your surgery!!

[Anakin Jay 39]

I do it too... counting my 6 months pre-op diet I'm down 70 pounds, but when I was at spin class saturday, and there was a wall of mirrors in front of us where I could easily see myself and everyone else, I looked like (to me) I took up 4x as much space as everyone else, just like I used to... I actually laughed a little bit before my heart sank, because it was almost comical... I had almost cartoon-like proportions ..

but I know it's part of the process.. I have the unfortunate fortune of having a professional quality video shot of me at my highest weight right before I started this whole thing last summer... when I watch that, and then look at pictures of me now, it's a night and day difference.

[carbgrl 119]

I've posted this before but it's to cute not to post again.

[gramaof4 58]

I feel the same way it is difficult for me to see the difference, However I know in my head, I have lost 57# and how could I not look different. I had my attorney corner me in the parking lot at the grocery last night....He said I must ask you something, I said ok (thought it was a work question) he says quietly as if it were a secret...

"So you went to Mexico....I said yep had a great time spent 11 days with my mom and sister.....pause....he said so why did you go?....So I told him I had some surgery. He replied yes I figured that....what kind of surgery....so I told him WLS....He then said I knew it you are looking amazing, good for you....and his voice got louder and louder in his exclamations...LOL" Guess it was no longer a secret!

My point of this conversation was....He gave some validation to the weight loss...He noticed but did not want to be rude and tell me I was looking amazing if I hadn't been working on it....(he is a single attorney, I might add)....but none the less ppl in my community who do not know I have had surgery....are making the comments...so even though we as always the "Fat Girsl" can't see the loss, others are seeing and are amazed by the melt down effect.

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

Gramma of 4 that is so awesome! What a great NSV! Love it. I share my success with wls with any one that asks. This is a life saving decision. Keep Rockin your Sleeve!