Question:
I have never been thin. How can you get a mind picture of thin for YOU?

Having always been overweight I cannot fathom what I will look like thin. The last time I wore a 14 even was at age 12 and I'm 51 now. My surgery date is April 2nd! I'm crossing my t's medically, getting supplements/foods ready, starting my exercise plan, etc. and I'd like to know how some of you visualized yourselves prior to surgery and how that fared in the end after weight loss. My granddaughter asks me what I will look like. I have no idea. At 51 saggy skin and wrinkles (as my ex says I will have) bothers me somewhat. Thanks!    — AJC750 (posted on March 10, 2002)

March 10, 2002
I was.is in the same boat. I have never been thin. I had surgery June 01 and I have lost 117lbs. I was curious as to what I would like at certain stages so I logged onto Lanebryant.com and did their virtual model. You put in your specifics and it makes a model. It isn't exact I am sure but as far as size I think it did an okay job of telling me what I wanted to know.
   — Sharon E.

March 10, 2002
I would say look through the gallery of before and after pictures. That has helped me! Good luck.
   — Julie D.

March 10, 2002
Hey I had that same concern. It really had me worried. Then I bumped into a post op who had lost oover a 100 pounds. He quickly calmed me just by saying.... You will look like you were SUPPOSED too. I hope his words help you as much as they helped me.
   — bob-haller

March 10, 2002
Hi Andrea - ooh, you asked such a good question! It highilighted so many of the issues involved with losing weight. Most of us - if not all - have a fat person living in our heads. Changing our outside in many ways is much easier than changing our inside. We also are still hearing all the voices (our own,our parents' and all the others who told us who and what we are (were) our whole lives). You are embarking on a wonderful new process and transition. I congratulate you and wish you luck and appreciate your willingness and ability to do something so positive for yourself. I encourage you to appreciate each change along the way. As for the wrinkles and sags... A few years ago, I was on a weight loss program that was very extreme but very effective. I lost 104 pounds and fairly repidly (I put it all back, plus, and was not able to lose weight again - thus, WLS - on which, thank G-d, I am doing well). In any event, one of my "wonderful" aunts (who was always kind of "pitying" me because of my weight problem) said to me, in regard to this weight loss, "Oh, aren't you worried about all the extra skin you'll have?" I wanted to punch her in the face. In other words, there was nothing I could do right, there was no way I could win. What a horrible attitude and what a dreadful label to try to pin on me. Let me tell you, I did have a lot of extra skin and I did actually look into plastic surgery (which, thank G-d, I didn't do because I ended up putting the weight back on), but this much I can tell you. I got down to a size 8 and if I had to choose then - and now - if I'd rather weight 250 pounds and be a size 241/2 with no "extra" skin or weigh 140 pounds, be a size 8 and have no health problems - but with "extra" skin, I would definitely choose the latter. You are taking care of yourself and just get the moral support you need along the way and remember - you are worth it! I pray your surgery will go well, you will feel well thrughout the journey, you will reach your goal, and you will celebrate (as somebody else wrote) each milestone along the way. Nancy
   — Nancy Z.