anyone else have this problem?

i have heard that it takes 2 years for our mind to catch up to our body. when i look in the mirror i dont see a difference. i am still horrified when i see pictures of myself. the only way i can tell that i have lost weight is the sizes going down. you would think after losing 99lbs i could tell a difference. it is driving me crazy! does anyone else have this problem?

Yes, I am the exact same way! It is so weird. One of my friends had it five years ago and she says she still sees her self the way she was pre op...the mind is a mighty strong thing isn't it? Even with the sizes going down..I still feel like I look the same and when I see pictures of my self, I still see me at my highest weight. It is very weird.

I think I may have the opposite problem. The other day I fit into something that was a size 10 and I wore a fitted shirt with it and I thought I looked pretty good. My mom had someone take a pic of the 2 of us with her digital and I saw it and was like- EWWWW!!!! WOW!!! That's not what I thought I looked like at all- guess just because I can wear it- doesn't mean I should. I just thought I looked a lot smaller than I do- it was definately incentive to keep working!!! I think that's one of the reasons I got so big- you just avoid all pictures and mirrors and you keep thinking you're not as big as you are. I guess I should take a weekly pic with my weigh-in!!! Holly

LOL you're funny Holly, just because I can wear it doesn't mean I should!!!!!! I have worn a couple of fitted shirts and then later looked at myself and thought "ummmm maybe I shouldn't have!" it's that dang stomach! Gotta get rid of it, one way or another!

I can definitely relate to the part about not thinking you are as big as you are Anna

It's so funny Holly said that because I am the same way. I think I look great and then I see pictures and I have to take a step back. Very humbling...

This is a good question. I too feel like everyone else. I wore a new outfit to a family reunion and when I saw the pictures I was sad. I was told I looked good but I still say the camera never lies. I always hated to have my picture taken and still don't know if I like to have it taken. I know I'm losing because the scales say so and my clothes are all new to me and getting baggy again. I can't keep up with them. Seems as though they are good for 6 weeks then.. time to go smaller. I guess someday we will see it. A lady in my support had her surgery done 2 years ago and said one day she was walking into a store and looked in the glass door window and noticed her reflection and said " Who is that lady? OMG it is Me !" So I guess it will take us 2 years. We just need to be patient Roxanne

I am more like Holli and Lori. I think I am looking good and then I see a photo and think, "You think I would look better." LOL I just bought size 20 white crop pants and I have to return them for a smaller size, but now I am thinking "should I wear white crop pants?" LOL Sometimes I forget I have lost weight and I go by a mirror and stop and look, tilt my head, check myself out, "Vanity, thy name is Catie". This is fun! I keep having people tell me I look good and I am afraid I am believing them! But I have noticed that I am doing a much better job at taking care of myself than I ever have done before AND I don't feel one bit guilty or selfish for doing it. I have come to realize that I can't take care of anybody else before I take care of myself. My cup has to be filled before I can pour it out to anyone. I have gained a lot of confidence and have been really working on making sure my words and thoughts are positive. I had no idea how poor my self esteem was or how negative I thought until I submersed myself in postive books, tapes, and people. I have even signed up to do one of those network marketing businesses from home. I can't believe I can stand up in front of people and talk about taking care of yourself, but I am. And what amazes me more is that if I had been told last year that I would be doing it and enjoying it and having a good time, I would never have believed it. It seems like my mindset is changing faster than my weight and that is changing pretty fast. If it wasn't fun, well....it wouldn't be fun. Caters (as Lori calls me) starting weight 367 current weight 258

I am also definitely having that head issue too. I know that I am a size 18 now, but I was just telling by best friend today, I still feel like a fat slob. I think a lot of it has to do with still having this hanging belly flap. I know it will not go away until I have my PS. I wonder if that is what it will eventually take to have a "thinner" self-image. The good knews is that I do feel better, and feel more confident, but I do wonder how long I will weigh 300+ pounds in my head?!

Katy- you put this very well... I too am actually taking care of myself more too!!! Holly