Photos

I know that some people take lots of photos of themselves before surgery to remind themselves that they never want to be this weight again. I understand that for some it can be motivating, but I am struggling with this. Should going through with the surgery, losing the weight, scale and non scale victories not be enough? I don't really get it. I am really not interested in looking at myself at this weight again. I want to move forward, not be reminded of how unhealthy and unhappy I was/am. I am journalling, and think reading those entries would be something I could re-read, but pictures? This morning I just renewed my driver's licence and health card with a picture. I think this is probably enough for me, as this picture won't change now for 5 years. How does everyone else feel?

Barb

I'm still pre-op so not sure how I will feel later on down the road.

I too struggle with wanting to take photos at this weight, however, my best friend who had the surgery in 2014 shared with me that the one thing she wishes she had done differently was take more photos, as now when she wants to compare now with then, she is left with very few photos that aren't cropped to "hide" her weight.

In the end it truly is a personal decision, but I have been making a concious effort to take more photos. I have them hidden on an external drive, so that way if I choose not to look at them later on down the road I don't have to, but they're still there if I want them afterall.

Hi Tanya C.,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, the struggle is real eh? Good luck with your journey and all the best.

Barb

It's up to you; you can do whatever makes you happy.

I personally like to see photos of myself at my heaviest weight because it shows how far I've come.

I don't have body dysmorphia, but some people struggle with it and need the photos later as it's the only way they can see the difference in their body. If you watch some youtubers, they often talk about looking in the mirror and feeling like nothing has changed, and they have lost over 100 Lbs and look totally different...to ME, but they can't see it.

For me, the photos aren't about "never wanting to be that weight again", although it's true, I don't ever want to regain, but they make me feel like, even when I was at my weakest point, physically and mentally, I was still strong enough to make a change to help save my life. I used to hate myself when I was at my heaviest weight; I felt ashamed and depressed and anxious. I'm only 14 weeks out, but I'm already down almost 76 Lbs, which is a big difference. Now I can look at the photos and feel compassion for my old self.

That's just me though; we're all different.

"even when I was at my weakest point, physically and mentally, I was still strong enough to make a change to help save my life." - thanks for this...so inspiring!

You're so welcome. Good luck with your journey.

I made up my mind that the old person was gone the day of surgery. I destroyed all pre-op pictures that were of just me and only have a few family pictures at my highest weight.

I am not at all sorry that I did that. I don't need those bad memories.

Hi White Dove,

I am leaning toward this understanding. I don't know if it's my age or what, but what the hell...I feel I really need to move on. In fact, I laughed when I read your message, not because of what you said, but because whenever I read your posts, I tend to agree 100%!!

Thanks,

Barb

I'm sorry those are bad memories for you I have the opposite problem. I was going through old baby and toddler photos of my son. There are tons of photos with him and my husband...none of me. I didn't want to be photographed. That makes me sad. I looked through the album and it looks like my husband is a single dad. No mom to be found anywhere. Now I wish I had let someone take pictures of me with my son

Sad. I feel bad for you. I found that when my kids were little, I hated looking at myself in pictures with them. Now, I feel differently. I just enjoy them because it marks a moment in time. But, on the positive side, I just want to say that your numbers are really great. You must be feeling amazing lately. We are the same height and I'm starting at about 220, so I'm looking forward to being where you are at now.

Thanks,

Barb