Reality check!

Well, I was feeling really good about everthing, I am down 83 pounds, and in a size 8. So yesterday, I decided to shop for a bathing suit as we are currently opening the pool and getting ready, ect... Boy was that a reality check! Standing in front of those mirrors showed just how far I still have to go, and just how flabby what is there is! Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guess I may stay out of the pool again this summer, was hoping to enjoy it for a change... Will we ever by happy with how we look, or will I always see that fat person looking back at me???? Sandy

Your going to be hard pressed getting any sympathy from me---you and your little 146 lb. body! I'm just kidding, but enjoy your new body and the pool! We've been held back long enough. Just go for it and enjoy every minute!

Agreeing with Wanda...don't let it keep you back. ENJOY the water and who cares...you know how far you have come. You are doing fantastic...enjoy yourself. HUGS!

Thanks Barb! It was just a bit sobering, guess we shouldn't get too full of ourselves! Keeps us human. I will just have to look harder for the perfect suit, another reason to go shopping! Sandy

I feel your pain... I too was so upset to see myself in a swimsuit. I have gone to the lake a few times in the past month & got myself a nice pair of board shorts to wear over my suit & it does help. I still see the 259 person I was 6 months ago when I look in the mirror, I don't know if or when I will be happy with what I see in the mirror, but I do feel better.

I guess it all does go back to our body image, we see a fat person for so many years, it is hard to see someone different. I will just need to persevere in my swim suit quest... I also need to get my husband to do a couple of updated pictures of me, I don't have any since the surgery, maybe if I post them around it will help! I agree that I feel much, much better, and am doing things I haven't done in ages!

I hear you. I certainly am not totally accepting of my body yet. I'm only 6 months out but at my goal weight. I see the wrinkles from deflated flab. My butt/tops of my legs, look all wrinkled and I may be a bit self-conscious of that in a swim suit. But you know what? I'm darn happy to be able to WEAR a swimsuit, and have the energy and stamina to climb the stairs to the top of the water slides. I'm proud of what I've done. At least in public. Now if I can just change the script in my head. It will happen. Hang in there.

I hear Ya! A freind who had this surgery done says she likes to think of the saggy skin as her badge of honor, and will not have any of it removed since it reminds her of where she was, and not to go back there! It will be the best summer in years! My legs are pretty good (if I do say so myself) it is my belly and boobs, along with the batwings! Still a lot better than being asked when the baby is due all the time! It will be the first time in years anyone in public may see me in a bathing suit! I should be dancin with joy right with you! Sandy

I really wish that I had this surgery about two years ago. Every other time I lost, my skin bounced back. Not this time! I got fat one too many times! I read somewhere that it may take up to 18 months for the skin to shrink back as much as it's going to. I wore a bathing suit at Daytona Beach a couple of weeks ago. I wore shorts over a one-piece swim suit. I looked a little dorky (there's a picture on my profile) but I had a great time and didn't think about it much. You've done so well in your weight loss, I'm sure you look great no matter what you wear.

You are looking great in your pics. I need to get some pics taken, I am so used to avoiding the camera, that I don't have any progress pics, and did not take any preop, although I have a couple hanging around at work from different activities there to use as a comparison! Thanks for the encouragement, I also wish I would have done this younger, and keep hoping the skin will eventually shrink up to an acceptable look! I am so happy I did this! Summer will be enjoyable for the first time in years!