How do you see yourself in your new body?

There have been some discussions on this board about the emotions associated with going almost instantly from a less desirable body shape (maybe even a deformed one) to a WOW body shape. As for me, I love my new body after abdominoplasty and I am now in a size 8 from a 14. At 5'7" I cannot be a big person anymore, but sometimes when I look at myself and that is what I see. My surgeon told me that maybe I am just getting used to my new body, but what I feel is that once the other redundant skin/fat is removed then I will look smaller -- e.g. my neck, arms and thighs. I dunno, it is curious to me. I do not think that I have body dismorphic disorder but maybe as my surgeon said it takes some time to get used to what was a very quick transformation. 

I just received this message from a friend on Facebook in response to a pic that I posted. Her comment surprised me because I do not think that I look small in the pic. Anyone else going through this/been through this?

It's funny that you're standing in front of Small world coffee as you also look small in that outfit. I was thinkin'--Was Cheryl that thin?

 

I can so totally relate!
I know I am smaller now than I was at 120K but being that I am short, only ppl who know me for a very long time can see the difference in my size.
I still look big but done of my schools hang on me like tents; yet to buy new clothes I am told that there is nothing in my size.
We improve one are and then we want to improve the next area.
Mikimi in Israel

We improve one are and then we want to improve the next area.

oh, don't i know it! i am having two more surgeries to complete my total body transformation! 

My weight is pretty high. I don't know how I fit in size 8 jeans. I must have a really high bone density???

I already look pretty good in my clothes, so I don't expect the tummy tuck to make any difference in how I look to others.  I'm doing it for myself and also because, well, I'm recently single and at some point I may be in the market for a new relationship and want to look nice with my clothes off!  LOL  It will be nice to look in the mirror in the morning and see a nice smooth tummy instead of a saggy, wrinkly one!

It did take me a very long time to think of myself as a small person after my weight loss -- I'm not sure I'm completely there yet even after two years.  I'm still surprised when I can fit into size small petite clothing!

I do not think that I could have taken my clothes off for a man the way that I looked before my TT. It was hard to do this with my surgeon. Nowadays I could probably prance around on a nude beach... OK, maybe not but I am no longer shy about my body. 

Good luck with your TT. Your gonna love your new body!

PS the last time that I saw my surgeon I wore a thong and told him I'd like to look good in this! 

After weight loss, and again after tt surgery, I find the eyes and to the brain are in conflict.  Your eyes see the difference,but your brain isn't as accepting.  Though still swollen from tt 3 weeks ago, I look at myself and think that it's nice to have a smoother silhouette, especially in pants, but I can't help notice how wide my hips look, and how I really should consider fixing the deflated boobs.  And then I slap myself because I can't  help but wonder what's wrong with me that I am not satisfied.  I should be satisfied, this is crazy.  I too am short, but I am not petite.  I really should be 4 inches taller!  Would I be satisfied then?  Who knows.

Please check out this video DOVE BEAUTY SKETCH. It is eye-opening http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=litXW91UauE Women in general do not see themselves as beautiful as they are. What the hell is wrong with us? Oh, I know, the media is filled with images of perfect women and we are objectified and sexualized at every turn.. getting off my soapbox now. 

The vid is great. I hope you watch it.

Wow, what an eye opener that was.  Kleenex definitely required.  Isn't it true that we are our own worst enemies, and our own harshest critics.  I've always believed that I am a good person, a good wife and mother and friend, I am an awesome Gramma, I am good at my job and I am creative.  Why is it that I always focus on the negative things that I see, like my wide hips, chicken neck, saggy chest and the multitude of things I don't like.  These are not the things that make a person beautiful in anyone's eyes.  It's is just packaging, and we are all so much more that the package we come in.  Everyone, please watch this video.  Tanks for posting it.

I see myself as an attractive woman and nearly always have felt this way, except the few years that I was morbidly obese. What has changed for me is that I am delighted with my body since having the tummy tuck. I describe my figure as voluptuous. I am thrilled beyond belief for that.

 

Yet at the same time I hesitate to describe myself this way. There is a certain underlying shyness that has been uncovered. I cannot quite put my finger on it but there is a vulnerability that has been exposed because the fat hiding my inner self has been removed. I feel much more feminine now, fully a woman. Most days I feel sensual in my new body. Some days I look in the mirror and don't recognize myself -- my face has changed and that scares me. 

 

I can see the flaws in my body. I do not obsess over them. I just want to fix them. And so I have two additional surgeries planned. I beg the heavens that I get everything I want from them. After that I do not want more surgeries nor can I afford them... I do not want to become obsessed with chasing perfection/beauty and trying to avoid aging and death. I want to go on and enjoy my life to the fullest.

 

We must love ourselves and our bodies at any size.