How long was it before you could tell?

I've lost weight before (never quite this much though), but I have never, ever, ever EVER been able to notice that I've lost it.  I know a lot of it has to do with the fact that I'm always around myself  But I still wear the same size shirts, jeans, I haven't had to re-adjust my watch, I don't wear a ring so I don't know if my fingers have lost weight.

Does there ever come a point where you look in the mirror and say "Hey, I look different than I did a month ago."?  

My sister has been taking 3 pictures of me a week for the past couple of months.  She and my mom say they can tell... but I can't.  Its the oddest thing.

In the end it doesn't REALLY matter, I'm just glad to be losing weight and feeling better.  I'm just curious.  How many lbs. did you lose before you could see it in yourself?

 Id say it took me losing about 100-150lbs before I ever looked in the mirror and thought - hey, I look different. 

Even now, close to 200lbs lost, there are days where I look in the mirror and see a 420lb blob. But i'm having more good days than bad, and feel like I can look in the mirror and see the difference (and believe it !)

Usually, the times I notice most are passing mirrors or windows while I'm out and catching a glimpse of myself - then I'll think, WHO IS THAT!?  Also when I go shopping and try on clothes that fit my figure (that i now have lol) I can really see the difference. I didnt discover the concept of hips or waists until the last couple months lol. 

I am 6 weeks out from surgery.  I notice I have more energy.  i am not out of breath when I walk long distance.  jUst the other day I did notice it in my face.  But them the next day I dont see it.   When I went back to work alot of co workers noticed.  I do feel so much better.

It took me quite a while to feel different. I lost 50lbs before surgery and even if pictures I thought I looked exactly the same.

So, I'm with Alison- about 100lbs before I really felt different, and saw myself as changed.

:Danni

After the first couple of months, I could tell.  Others still see it more than I do.  I don't think that I'm unrecognizable, but some say that I am.  Pictures help. I also feel like working out helps me see things- toning up.

When I feel like I am slowing down, sometimes that is when people start making more comments.  At that point, I just accept that 'something' is changing.  There have been weeks when everyone is like "OMG, you are losing weight!"  When I notice and when others notice do not line up. Also, when I lose big and when others notice do not line up.  The body is a glorious mystery.

Look, eventually you will see.  In the meantime, just roll with it.

That is funny!! Actually sitting here in the bathtub and reading the posts in here. I know I just posted here, but this not being recognizable thought just came flooding back. I do not remember the weight that I was at in my loss but well over 200 lbs for sure. I was at the mall with my mom and my son. My mom was driving and called me to say meet here at the other end of the mall that she was driving and would meet me and to be watching for her. I was watching and could see her. She was still at a distance but just maybe a short block distance. I was waving and make it very known that I was there. She stopped and pulled in a slot to wait... I thought how the heck can she not see me. My son was in the mall still and so I started to walk down there. She apparently was on the phone with my son telling him she could not find me. I finally got to the front of her car and she rolled down the window in shock.... She said oh my goodness that was you up there waving like crazy. She said... I am sorry I did not know that was you. I laughed.... Like what??!'. My own mom did not recognize me.... Wow!!!! It was strange. She said she saw a crazy lady waving like crazy and did not think it was me.

A great memory, thanks for triggering that to come flooding back!!

For me personally I never really saw it in looking at myself physically. Because I was ssssooooo big, it took me a few hundred before I could see it by looking at me. I could not tell in my size of clothing either, since the clothes I was wearing was whatever could stretch at max capacity to cover my rolls of cascading fat. I knew something was changing as I started being able to put undies back on and bras. I could tell I was able to put shoes on again.

I do not remember the exact amount of weight lost before I could actually see it. When people saw me they would say... Wow you have lost weight if they new me at my heaviest but I could not. I could tell by the way I felt for sure though. The things I could start doing again for myself. I saw that part of it pretty quick.

I still look at my pictures and some days I am amazed.... And some days I feel like I do not look that different. Pretty sure once the hanging belly is gone that I will be seeing more change in the mirror. When I sit all I see is this belly of mine and how it sits in my lap cradled like a baby. Yikes.

I guess for me, not sure if anyone will understand this, but I am feeling like I will be exposed after my belly apron is gone. I am excited and nervous. I do not remember ever not having a hanging belly so I cannot imagine how it will be. I am trying. So not sure how I will look at myself? It is weird! But exciting to!!

It really can be a mental issue. Reality is, Sherrie you do look different. All along this journey what has been most important for me is to live life, be healthier, be stronger, and get back to the working person I was in 2007. Be able to take care of me and not just be a breathing burden for someone else to have to care for, when I have capabilities of being able to do this!!

PozestStar you are doing great! Go with your feeling and changes in the way things are for you... Each NSV....Each SV.... and the noticeable changes to your eyes will come soon enough.... They will be amazing to you and maybe even strange or odd.

It will be different for all but this is just a tid bit from how it has been for me.

Hugs,
Sherrie

Omg are you getting it removed soon???

Yes, scheduled to have surgery 3-2-12!!

FIrst of all, OH MY FUCKN GOD!!!! How exciting!!!! You are going to be a NEW WOMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But I do have a question. Right now you're almost 300 pounds. I bet they'll take off 30 pounds if not more, so you'll be 250-270 after surgery. All of a sudden you'll be able to exercise like crazy and you will for sure get down to 150ish! What happens with the skin from the 100-120 pnd loss AFTER the surgery?? Can you get another tummy tuck or is it just a 1 time deal?? And mannn what a blessing to get this chance right now!!!