Question:
Hard time picturing yourself thin

Hi Everyone. I am having surgery on the 23 of this month. And I have been obese since I can remember. I am trying to think of myself being thin and it does not seem like it could really be possible. I was just wondering if anyone else had these feelings before they had surgery. Thanks Angel    — Angel A. (posted on April 8, 2001)

April 7, 2001
I hear you, I have the same problem. I have no idea what I will look like. Hopefully it will be healthier, which is why I am doing this. Fat since at least 4 years old.
   — bob-haller

April 7, 2001
Hi Angel, Yes I too have that problem, I am 8 days post-op and have lost 20 pounds. It is a hard concept to grasp after being overweight for 30 yrs. I think once you start losing your attitude will change about yourself and things turn positive. We have so long felt ashamed, embarrassed etc...that it takes a while to change that. Hope this helps a little. Sandra
   — Sandra P.

April 7, 2001
hi there ! i know what you are going trough... i have plenty of time to think of a slim me since my surgery is just in one year... but let me suggest you the following exercise i had to do for an art class... place yourself, completly nude in front of a big mirror and then stare at you for a couple of minutes, mentaly look at every little inch of skin you see and try to find out the things you love on your big body... you will find some i sware... then after a couple of week you will see your body completly differently. then maybe you will be able to put all thoses part you appreciate on your big body to figure out the new one you will get trough the incoming month... i know it sound silly but it do works NOBODY is completly awfull even us the big people.
   — carou1313

April 8, 2001
Yes, I know where you're coming from exactly I did the very same thing still do in fact... My best advice is don't buy lots new clothes yet just one or two outfits as you drop each 30-50 pounds.. I started at 5X (367 pounds) now I'm 10/12 (156 pounds) I'm 15 months post-op and still losing weight I thought it had stopped but dropped 3 more this month so far & I was not even trying to lose any more weight either.. I still have the problem when shopping for clothes to head to the plus size racks (sigh) old habits I guess.. I have clothes hanging in my closet with tags still hanging on them in size 16 & 14 that I'm taking back today..I bought these for the WLS reunion and now their all falling off me. HINT: keep tags on and receipts of all clothes bought if you're not planning on wearing them for a while so you can return them or exchange them for smaller sizes.. So today will be my treat shopping for new duds.. :-)
   — Victoria B.

April 8, 2001
I doubt that I will ever actually think of myself as thin, at least not for the next 10 years or so. I am almost 10 months post-op, and am in a size 12 from a size 26. I still think of myself as a fat person, identify with fat people, and simply don't recognize that I'm actually not fat anymore (not exactly svelte either, but blessedly normal!). It's not disturbing, but kind of funny to have this thought process. Enjoy the discovery as it happens to you - and ditto on buying only one or two outfits. - Kate -
   — kateseidel

April 8, 2001
I think we probably all feel this way both before and after surgery. My husband encouraged me to go into Lerner Shop which is just across the mall from Lane Bryant (I'm down from a 26 to a 16/14). I couldn't do it - it's sort of like thinking I don't deserve it. I also have a feeling of "if you go in that regular store you'll jinx yourself". Crazy, huh? I think it's all the years of feeling ashamed about who we are but I'm going to be just fine and so are you. I also include myself in the group that "just wants to be normal". I also agree that seeing the new you in a photograph is the best way to actually see the weight loss. Best of luck to you!!!!
   — ronascott

April 8, 2001
I'm having a hard time picturing what I'm like right now - 7 months post op and -102 lbs. I'm only down to an 18 which is frustrating after only wearing a 22. I know I look a lot better because people are ALWAYS commenting, but I have no concept of what I look like now. When I look in the mirror I still see a fat person. I keep pestering my husband to point out someone in the mall who looks like I do, but so far he hasn't been able to. I'm another one of the people who just wants to look "normal." I know I'll never wear a size 6, 8, 10 or even 12, but a 14 sure would be nice and I think I would be happy there. I can tell you that the main thing for me is that I feel so much better physically and about myself than I did before. That to me is worth more than being "thin."
   — georgiacarol

April 8, 2001
Wow, Georgia... all I have to say is that your 22's must have been tight and your 18's must be loose after over a hundred pound loss. LOL... my husband keeps telling me 'now you probably arent going to ever be skinny because you arent built like that.' (thank you dear....#$%@*&%@$!) I am large boned and at my thinnest adult weight was a 12 and that was as small as it gets for me. So I can relate to your post... I dont have a big rear or big legs or big arms... I am just solid weight. I will settle for a 12 in a second. I cant wait for June 11 to start!
   — SusanMaria