Question about Self Image

Okay Ladies and Gents... How many of us are dealing with issues when we look at ourselves. I was so excited to be able to wear a normal bathing suit this year and when I went to the store and tried it on the reality of the extra skin on my thighs pooped on my day. I plan on having my TT later this year. I am sure I could have it in May but I do not want to have to recoup during the summer months and I want to continue working through the summer to save up for my vacation in September. Also we are adopting a child this year hopefully. We just started the process and it is pricey. I am more interested in fulfilling this dream than having great looking thighs. Any tips or ideas on how to deal with this. I am so happy I am thin now, and I look like I only weigh 120 according to my co-workers although I am stuck at 153. I just want to be happy about this upcoming season of skin showing. LOL Suzanne

I definately don't see myself as others see me. I hear it takes longer for our heads to catch up. I was perfectly fine struttin my stuff at 330 lbs, but now my thighs look like the saggy baggy elephant. I still need to lose about 35 more lbs, and people say I don't look like I need to lose more. I am more critical of my body now than ever before. We went on a cruise to Mexico a couple of weeks ago, and I sported my new size 16 speedo. I wore a sarong when hanging out, but took it off for swimming, and I decided that I wasn't going to see these people again. I say do what you feel comfortable with, and forget about what others think. There are lots of clothes out there that are sexy, and show skin without looking bad. Margo

I agree with both of you. I went shopping this weekend to get a few spring outfits. I had a terrible time. I can fit in a size 14 pants but, I have to "tuck in" my extra skin. A size 16 fits better in the hips with the extra skin but is too big along my waist. A size 12/14 shirt fits nicely, but the flaps under my arms are so painful for me to see. My family says it isn't as noticable to anyone else, but it really bothers me. I feel like I looked better at 340 pounds. I was comfortable with my appearance before and had the surgery for other health reasons. My health has improved greatly and I am very very happy. I feel so vain.... I am going back to my surgeon May 17 to discuss a small insisonal hernia and TT. I am going to ask his opinion about having additional plastic surgery. This forum is so nice. It seems everytime I am trying to deal with any problem associated with WLS, someone else is going throught the same thing. Thanks for being there when I need to vent or have a sympathetic ear!

Thank you Lori! You must have the gift of making others feel encouraged. I am having open RNY & I live in Columbus, OH. I pray that God will bring you to this smoothly. Love ya! Darlene

I understand what you mean. I'm kinda dreading this summer b/c I hate my arms! I don't have the "bat wings"~mine is more in the front. It sags a bit so it looks like elephant skin on the fronts of my arms. I'm sure its not as bad as I see it, but its still there and noticable to others. I've been working out so hard and even have tried that new jergens lotion that's supposed to help to reduce the appearance of cellulite hoping that something would help! Then sometimes I wonder why I care so much about what other people think! I'm happier and healthier than I've been in years so I should just enjoy it every day!!!!!!!!!!! Hugs, Tracy B 328/156 5'9"

Man does this sound like me, I mean you would think losing all this weight would be enough but the reality is when you look at the skin esp. with a bathing suit on its bad. I mean it looks yucky what else can you say. And you know others will see it that way too theres just no getting around it. Period! And its not a matter of image so to speak when you have what still looks like a fat roll around your stomach from skin, arms that hang down 3inches longer than they should and won't let you wear a size or two smaller than you should cause your ams won't fit into a smaller size and the same with your pants size. Its like I told my husband if you stood me in a room full of men off the street for an opinion and aked them what they thought of me honestly as this is a poll and I was in one of those police like rooms where you can't see who is looking at you and told them to be honest, they would still say I looked either fat or over weight due to my skin. To go further if you put me and another person the same weight and height and age in the same room only the other person never had any weigh issues really and asked the men who looks better I bet they would say the other lady. So obviously theres a reason we think we look bad still beacause of the skin! I was trying to get my husband to understand this just a couple of days ago and he didn't want to listen much. I understand! Marti 253/134/??130 then 124??

Hi Marti!!!! Congratulations!!! It has been a long time!! You look simply gorgeous!!!! I know exactly what you mean, I have been going through the same thing. I still don't see myself as small, although I've gone from a tight size 3X to a small-medium. I am 5 feet tall, and currently weight 145 pounds, but I still feel like I need to lose another 20-25 pounds. My husband thinks that I'm nuts!!! I guess this must be a "girl issue"!! I know that some people think that I had my TT done too early, but I just needed to get rid of that awful skin that I've been lugging around. I just had TT on March 6, 2006. I would like to have some other ps done, but since I'm self pay, it can be rather expensive!!! You look just awesome Marti, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!!!! Have a wonderful weekend and God Bless you and yours!! Keep in touch!! Love and aloha, Pat