I'm a Fraud.

In the past 2 years I have:

Had VSG surgery and lost 83 pounds, 95 pounds from my highest weight
Had a tummy tuck
Had a breast lift with implants
Straightened my hair
Highlighted my hair
Had braces to straighten my teeth
Whitened my teeth
Had Lasik eye surgery and got rid of my glasses
Had several facial treatments- lasers, peels, to make my skin look better.

I don't look like a better version of my former self. I look like a completely different person. When my boyfriend saw an old photo of me all he could say was "But that's not you." I can't even get through airport security with my old drivers license.

I actually think the change in hair and getting rid of the glasses made a bigger difference than losing the weight. Still, I feel like a complete fraud. People think I'm this attractive, confident, sexy woman, and that's not who I am at all. I was not always fat, I didn't gain weight until after college. But when I was a normal weight, I was still a shy girl with glasses and bad hair, and I never got the attention from guys I get now.

Does anyone else feel this way? I feel great about how I look, but I also feel like I'm pretending, this isn't really me. 

I understand where you're coming from.  I haven't had any work done other then the VSG.  But I've lost close to 100 lbs.  I've been a fatty all my life.  Now I kinda have a loss of self.  But at the same time, I love the new me.  I think our heads will grow into our bodies eventually.  

I have just gotten to goal so no plastics yet but completely understand what you mean. People treat me differently now, especially men. I used to be invisible to them but now the attention is so obvious. A really superficial, slimy kind of guy I work with told me I was looking "hot" last week...made me feel like taking a shower. Sometimes I am baffled as to why someone is paying so much attention...then I'm like "Oh yeah, I'm not fat now" Sometimes it makes me angry at them and sometimes I think it's just human nature. My head still thinks I'm obese, i don't know when that will change...hoping soon

Since when did trying to improve your personal appearance make one a fraud? Many people look dramatically different at different times of life due to weight, hair color or style, balding, fixing crooked teeth, correcting deformities or imperfections and overall style changes. Does not make you a fraud. A "makeover" can mean a big diffference in appearance and its not fraud. Its just change. Many of us have people not recognize us from weight loss alone. I hope to heck I don't look like that fat lady that is still on my driver's license. Years ago i had some liposuction and I have whitened my teeth and had spider veins injected. If I were younger and richer I would do some plastics. May still do a face lift. None of these things makes one a fraud. You have just "bloomed" and shown your true self. Enjoy it and just forget about the pretending thing. Everybody pretends in a way by putting their best self forward. Is my true self the one who rolls out of bed with scary bed-head and greasy skin and bad breath in a baggy nightgown? Fixing up to whatever extent you choose is part of our societal custom and you should feel in no way uncomfortable with it.

Good for you for going for it and doing all the stuff you wanted to do.

Diane

You are not a fraud, you just adjusted your outside to reflect the beauty you possess on the inside, somewhat like a butterfly does when it escapes from its cocoon.  Look around, stretch your new wings, flash those pearly whites and enjoy the new attention, power and freedom.  It's a heady thing and can really refocus your attention to all of a sudden find you are beautiful after all.  You have worked hard for it, take it for a spin, it's going to be a fun ride.

You are the new you and you should be proud of all that you have accomplished!

Hon, you're not a fraud. Beautiful, straight white pearly teeth, blonde highlights, perky boobs, etc., rarely come in nature.  So, if you really knew the story of most women walking around you'd be shocked.  I think most of us get to maintenance and have to have an attitude adjustment on just how high maintenance, maintenance is. 

Thanks everyone for your words of wisdom. I guess there is a part of me that wants to throw on some glasses and a big sweatshirt and hide in the corner.

Maybe it does take some time for our minds to catch up with our new appearance. 

Don't ever feel that you need to hide.  You've worked your butt of to get where you are and you deserve to shine.  I had a LBL/BL 6 months ago and big deal.  We look great honey...celebrate it.  I do...every day!

Laura

 Hey, I am not at goal yet, but I have
whitened my teeth
got a Lancome makeover
changed my hair style
changed my hair color
bought cute clothes
bought my first shapewear
almost bought high heels
I am not a fraud and neither are you.  We are just displaying our new found confidence and it feels GREAT!!!!!  Enjoy it!!
Kathy