Self Image

Hi you all! I know we all struggle with self image.  I wanted to ask all of you for what you feel you need to help in this area.  I am in the planning process of getting a Raleigh Durham support group up and running.  I am hashing out some details and this issue comes up more and more.  OK? Paula

Hi Paula, Sounds like a good topic to me. Also I think if we can work on posting our before pics and current pics together it would help to see the changes.                                                        Annie                                              

Hey there, There are several ways to do this.   It can be power point or just pictures put on a poster board, or we could have a support group scrapbook where everyone can decorate their own personal page and have it available to share during functions.  What do you all think? Paula

I will be 2 years post op in Feb and i feel like i have self image problems. I still see a fat girl in the mirror and still refer to myself as fat.  I am down probably 100lbs and it's amazaing.  I hate all the additional attention I get and I know that would be my biggest peeve with doing this surgery.   I also tend to buy clothes and things that are too big for me because I still want to hide my fatness. I think my stomach looks horrible because i have so many scars on it.  I am so embarrassed. I also feel guilty for letting myself get like this.  I had complications and they have added to my self image problems.

This is very normal.  We look through one of those circus mirrors sometimes.  We see what we were and maybe get a glimpse of who we become.  Being eight years post op, it has lessoned almost completely.  Now I see what  needs to see "fixed", if I ever get the funds.  Flab here, droopy there, but hey clothes conceal alot huh?  There are a lot of over the counter scar treatments that help.  Check with your doctor on what is the best.  The buying clothes that are too big is from our need to be invisible.  Hopefully, in time, this will change as you learn you have more options.  Going shopping with someone who is a good judge on fashion would be a big help to you as well. You are only two years out so give yourself time to adjust.  Huuuugzzzzzz.

This is probably the hard way to do it , but those of less graphiclly inclined (ME), I used PAINT in windows to create mine.  I just opened up three different files in paint and cut and pasted into one then changed the skew so that they all were the same size.  But I can defintately see how this issue is a good one.  I'm still very large, but even down 72 lbs (probably more by now) I can't see anything. It takes special things happening - like fitting through that turnstile, or finding a new bra challenge. But when I look in the mirror all I see is a disgusting obesely difigured me.  That has not changed. But then my husband made me do my collage (see my pictures on my profile) and then I could tell.   It completely boggles my mind how I can see one thing in the mirror with my eyes but then forced to see all together and I can see a difference and turn right back to the mirror and it's not what I see.  It scares me to think what I will continue to see. 

Hi, Yes visuals are so important and we need them.  I am one of those less graphically inclined but we can develop some method everyone can participate in.  We just need to brainstorm. Paula