Question:
Could someone please help me!

I feel that I am starting to have a very distorted body image. I am post op from Open RNY for four months now, and down almost 90 pounds. I am so excited about that. But I still feel as though I look as fat as I did before. Even though I have gone from a size 28 pants to a size 16...I still think I look like I should be in a size 28. I am actually even a little embarrassed to tell people how much I have lost because I am afraid they will think "YEH RIGHT!" Anyway, I am just wondering if anyone out there happens to be about 5'3-5'5 and around 200-215 lbs right now....who can offer to show me pictures of what they looked or look like at that weight. Maybe that will help me. I went to the before and after pics, but couldnt find people's heights, so it was hard to tell. I have a picture of me online on my website (click on my profile to get it) and I just still cannot see a difference. I feel better physically from losing the weight, I just want to know when I am going to feel like I LOOK NORMAL! I still feel like the fattest person around. I dont have to be super skinny...I just want to blend in with normal people. Ok, any pics or suggestions would help me so much! Thank you. (open RNY 7/23/02 -88 lbs)    — Shawnie S. (posted on November 29, 2002)

November 29, 2002
I think that sometimes it takes a while for our minds to catch up with our bodies. I still feel like I look fat when I look in the mirror. Only when I see pictures do I see the difference. I have before and after pics on my profile, it is a little outdated I was three months post op in that after picture. I wore a size 12 I think there, I wear a size 6 now. I will have new pics up tomarrow. I am taller I am 5'8".
   — Linda A.

November 29, 2002
I feel the exact same way. I'm sorry but I really don't have any recent pics to send though. Maybe I could get some taken and developed soon to send. But I know exactly how you feel. I am going through the same thing. I am 5'4" and last time I weighed a week and a half ago I think I weighed about 211 lbs. Anyway, you are welcome to email me, I would love to hear from you. Maybe we can help each other in this area. I was down 70 pounds last time I weighed.
   — Laurel C.

November 29, 2002
I didn't see a picture on your website that compared your pre-op to your post op...but I can tell you that the first thing I thought when I saw your post-op picture was "I hope this isn't her pre-op photo because she is way to small to have had surgery"
   — thekatinthehat

November 29, 2002
My before/after pictures are near the bottom of my profile. I am 5'4 and weigh 200 pounds. (The after pics are when I weighed 207.)
   — Jennifer A.

November 29, 2002
Hi there. I'm a shortie too and have the same poor body image. It's hard when you hear someone who weighs the same weight or MORE and tell you they are sizes smaller. I wish that people did get in the habit of mentioning their height along with there weight on these pages. It does make a difference. I know folks would refer to me as a light weight because I was under 300 lbs however my 280 lbs mushed onto a 5'2 frame made me a 28/30 size.Even as I lost weight I felt so fat, despite being told otherwise, that I wouldn't take an after picture for a long time. I can relate to what you are saying...I thought people were saying yeah right when I told them how much I weighed...I mentioned to a couple of girls at work about a month ago that I had to loose 10 more lbs before I would be considered "not overweight" by the BMI charts online...and they gave each other a funny look. I thought it was that "she wishes" look...so I probed a little and they told me that they thought I would already be considered not overweight. I deal with it on a daily basis still. I can't be much help, but I do have a before and after pic of me now...and I have a pic of me weighing 180/160 I can e-mail you if/when you're interested. Shorties unite!! (lol...I'm teasing)Best wishes. -Kim open RNY 7/17/01 -140lbs (5'2.5")
   — KimBo36

November 30, 2002
Other people notice our loss better than we do. However we see ourselves naked and that may be why it takes us awhile to notice our loss? ;)
   — Danmark

November 30, 2002
I just had to post to you! You are very pretty and you look fabulous. I am 15 months out and feel great! Kinda! I am with you on your feelings. I am 5'6 went from 297 to 132, size 28 to a size 6. I still have my extra skin and think that I have still about a size 18/20, well it looks that way with no clothes on. I have gotten with a plastic surgeon and he has assured me that once I have my T/T I will feel as good as I look in clothes. That is the key. Everyone will tell you how good you look, but I think until the skin is gone and you can look in the mirror and not see any thing hanging it will be better. He better be right! (I am waiting on insurance approval for t/t) I will let you know. I will also get some pictures posted as soon as I can. Best of luck!
   — hklang70