Self aware

[thebynum79 10]

Have any of you after beginning the journey, felt more aware of your weight? I know I've been over aware, it seems.

I've noticed I e been more discouraged. Not about the surgery, I'm excited for that, but about my current weight condition.

Any help would be appreciated.

[dhrguru 1,238]

Have any of you after beginning the journey, felt more aware of your weight? I know I've been over aware, it seems.

I've noticed I e been more discouraged. Not about the surgery, I'm excited for that, but about my current weight condition.

Any help would be appreciated.

I think many of us live in a 'chosen' state of oblivion with regard to our weight. Subconsciously we are aware, but aren't ready to deal with it. When I made the decision to have surgery and really became in tune with how my health was and could have been impacted due to my weight, I had many 'thank God' moments that it wasn't worse than it was for me. I want discouraged, but just thankful my chosen state of ignorance didn't cost me more.

Don't grapple with the choices of yesterday-- they can't be changed. Learn from it, and use what you learn to aid in your success post op!

[James Marusek 5,244]

Prior to surgery, I never really looked at myself. I generally took the photographs so I was rarely in any of them. When I saw myself in the mirror it was always a straight on shot so being obese was not that evident.

Now to the point, many people do not really look at themselves prior to surgery and then after surgery do not have anything to compare to so they become oblivious to the amount of the weight they lose. So it is very important to take a good before photo prior to the surgery, so that you have something to compare your weight loss with other than the bathroom scale.

Here is my before photo and then one taken 6 months after the surgery. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Operation.jpg

I tried to duplicate the exact same pose the best I could. Don't pass up this opportunity, you will find it important after surgery.

[because 63]

Awesome. I have my before's just need some afters. only 2 weeks out...I will get there though!

[MsB7 64]

I never paid attention to how I actually looked and I would avoid the scale. When I look at my passport picture I clearly see that I don't look the same ( I was bigger but unsure of my weight ). I always take pictures of everyone and I hate to be in them. I would like to take some before and after pictures so that I can compare them after surgery.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Have any of you after beginning the journey, felt more aware of your weight? I know I've been over aware, it seems.

I've noticed I e been more discouraged. Not about the surgery, I'm excited for that, but about my current weight condition.

Any help would be appreciated.

I have generally been very good about putting my head in the sand and avoiding things like my size and weight. For a long time I even avoided knowing what my weight was when I was weighed at the doctors office.

As part of the process of preparing for WLS I had to decide to be fearlessly honest with myself about my weight/obesity (I always hated that word and felt very uncomfortable using it, even when I was super morbidly obese). I truly believe that being rigorously honest with myself and with my medical team are critical to my being able to succeed.

[thebynum79 10]

I think that's it. I never really paid attention to it before, as it was just a part of me, literally. However I now am seeing and feeling the great desire to see the me underneath me.

Thank you all for the responses! Does anyone have a BF/AF?

[dhrguru 1,238]

Here's my before/'after' (it took me a minute for me to figure out the abbreviation).

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I think that's it. I never really paid attention to it before, as it was just a part of me, literally. However I now am seeing and feeling the great desire to see the me underneath me.

Thank you all for the responses! Does anyone have a BF/AF?

I don't because even though I am honest with myself, I prefer to remain anonymous on the Internet.

Maybe someday.

[jj7481 363]

I hated looking at myself in photos so I, like others, took the photos rather than being in them. I hated looking at myself in the mirror because I was disgusted at how big I had become. My wife, in her infinite wisdom, made me take a pre-op photo and still pushes me to take one every few weeks so I can compare the weight loss.

Begrudgingly, I'll admit she's right in that taking progress photos are beneficial (just don't tell her I said that).

[darnelladwashington 11]

I was aware of my weight gain but I just tried to ignore it. When I finally realized how much I gained I was upset only with myself. I know I have caused harm to myself. But I can't cry over my past the surgery is a new beginning for all of us. Stay encouraged your surgery day is coming.

[The Candidate 3,215]

I totally avoided knowing my weight for probably the last decade, which also meant avoiding doctors as well. I guess irrationally rationalizing along the mental vein of what I don't know can't hurt me.

What finally forced my hand to make a doctor's appointment wasn't the number on the scale, but it's unavoidable repercussions: joint pain, limited mobility, and other weight related maladies. To find myself at an all time high of 248 at that appt., was like being slapped in the face. I never really understood before when people would say that they had no idea they weighed so much. That day I knew it was actually possible; I had become so good at avoiding the truth for so many years, I had even managed to fool myself.

But I am eternally grateful for the aches and pains that forced me to make that appt., because that was the start of my journey towards weight loss surgery. It was also the date I started my personal video journey. It really helps to know how far you've come along the way, and I not only have my videos, I also have my words and emotions to go along with it. Even when my own eyes deceive me as to my progress along the way, I can't deny the actual evidence.

It's so important to take before and after pictures, as well as measurements. It'll keep your spirits high on the days when you start to doubt yourself.

Sent from my iPhone using BariatricPal