Photos

it does feel great! I had a surreal moment last night when my mom who has always been critical of my weight and told me that 170 was too high for me asked me if I was planning to lose more because I don't want to get too thin because I'll start looking old...lol. can't win.

Now I have to train my husband to start taking pictures. he never thinks about it because i've always been the family photographer..

I can really relate to this. Every vacation is my hubby and boys mostly. My weight really affected how I lived. I love that I can live fully now.

Hi Barb,

In my humble opinion I would suggest taking a couple pictures. Its not that I really want to look at myself at that size again, but its a great way to see results.

I'm 8 weeks post op and have lost 51lbs since I started opti on March 1, and although I can tell in my clothes, I have a hard time really 'seeing' the weight loss myself. I think taking pictures shows you your journey, and progress when you might not see it initially. I think its normal to not really 'see' or 'notice' your weight loss in the beginning and this might help you see it, if you get what I mean.

Ulimately its up to you on what you want to do.

Good luck!

Hi Manda32,

Thanks so much for your input. I certainly have a lot to think about!

Barb

Some people like to take a photo just before surgery then months later in the same clothes to see what the changes are. We do not always believe the scale. I did not but it helps some people.

I am sorry I did not take my measurements. There were times when the scale did not move (the dreaded 3 week stall) but I lost inches. I think it would have been a help to know my body was still changing

Hi Patm,

The last time I lost weight I took measurements and that was the first time I had ever done that. It really helped me to look at things from a different perspective. Thanks for reminding me of that. I think I will definitely do that this time around. Thanks for responding.

Barb

I find the "before" pictures really helpful with making the mental adjustment to the surgery. I deliberately took before pictures because even though we may change physically sometimes we can't see it in the mirror. I lost my first 50 lbs and could not see it in the mirror. It wasn't until looking at a side by side photo that I could see the difference.

It is a strange feeling that is hard to describe not really seeing what is there. im glad I've taken pictures every month along the way. I really need to look at them often to try and absorb the change. You are really underestimating the mental piece of this.

I have stood next to a coworker in the elevator and when the doors close and I saw us standing next to each other In the mirror I was genuinely shocked to see I was smaller than her...significantly...yet in my head I was much larger...I'm sure my brain will catch up eventually.

Wow. Thanks for posting this. I have a lot to think about!

Thanks,

Barb

I, personally, really appreciate that I took pre-op photos. Sometimes I have days where I don't feel beautiful or just feel really low. Then I bring up an old photo and put it side by side with a recent one and it reminds me how far I have come and how much I've gained in life thanks to the changes I've made.

Thank you. I think I needed to hear this.

Thanks,

Barb