Question:
How long before the mind realizes you are thinner?
I am down 74 lbs but still think of myself as the Wendy taken to surgery that day in Oct. I find myself looking at size 22/24 clothes and not 16/18 I can wear now. I look in the mirror and don't see the person getting told how good she looks, I still see fat fluffy me! How long until I can say wow I do look good?? Wendy — Wendy H. (posted on February 27, 2003)
February 27, 2003
Hi Wendy I know exactly what you mean. I am down 65 ponds and I dont see it
in myself. People notice and tell me how good I look but I still feel the
same.I know I am in a different size now but I still cannot see it.
— Gina G.
February 27, 2003
Wendy...I has been almost a year since my surgery and I still am in a
"heavy" mode in my mind..Sometimes when I pass a mirror in a
store I have to go back and look and make sure that was me!!!! I don't know
how long it takes really..But congratulations on your weight loss..You are
doing good...
— Suzanne S.
February 27, 2003
Wendy, I had my surgery in October of 2001 and I still don't see myself as
thin. I weigh 144 pounds, the same as when I was in high school over 20
years ago. I wear size 6 and 8 clothes. People constantly tell me I look
thin, but I don't see it or feel it. In the past, when I have lost weight,
I did feel it. I think it is because this is the first time I have lost
weight that I wasn't starving every single minute. I don't know - but I am
still waiting for it to sink in!
— Julie S.
February 27, 2003
I DON'T KNOW WENDY, I'VE GONE FROM A 22 TO A 8 AND I STILL CRACK UP WHEN
PEOPLE CALL ME SKINNY, LITTLE BITS, TWIGGY, ETC... I THINK I KNOW IN MY
MIND THAT I'M SMALLER, BUT I DON'T REALLY SEE A LITTLE PERSON WHEN I LOOK
IN THE MIRROR.
— washar
February 27, 2003
15 mo p/o, at goal, and sometimes when I look in the mirror I see the new
me, sometimes I don't. Its like I forget that I had the huge change and
catch my reflection and it surprises me. I just still can't believe how
small I am, I have NEVER been here. 145 size 10. (why are others at my
weight in 6's and 8's??? I must be wide hipped or something!?) There I go
again, comparing myself to others:~)
— Cheri M.
February 27, 2003
My suggestion to you is to get a photo taken of you before
your surgery and one taken at your present weight loss and
compare them. I did that and it really made me realize that
I did look a LOT different!!!!! Your mind takes forever to
catch up with your body!
— RODEO CLOWNS S.
February 27, 2003
I wish I knew the answer to this! I'm almost 10 months post-op and even
though I have had monthly pictures taken of me - and I do see a difference
when comparing them side to side - I still see myself as "huge."
I started in a tight 26/28 and I'm now in a 14/16. You'd think my brain
would get it! Hopefully it will catch up soon. Good luck to you. Hugs
— Jennifer A.
February 27, 2003
19 months post-op, size 8, and still fat in my head :~)
— mom2jtx3
February 27, 2003
hi there :) wow do i know what your saying! preop i was 370 although my
highest had to be 420 or 430. im now 180. my preop and post op photos
couldnt be more different and everyone is saying how thin i am but there
are days that all i see is fat. i think this is something that takes a long
time. best of luck to us all! :)
— carrie M.
February 27, 2003
I am 10 months post op and down 200 lbs. I went from a size 62 pants to 44
now. I still see the old self in the mirror. I have to look at photos to
see the difference. I have heard of this happening but never believed it
till it happened to me.
— Gary H.
February 27, 2003
Our surgeon states that it generally takes WLS patients approximately three
years before "the mind catches up to the body". I will be three
years post-op in two weeks and I have found that statement to be pretty
much true....at least in my case. It has taken a long time to be able to
look in the mirror and see the "real" slender me....even longer
to stop reaching in the closet to try to wear the old "favorites"
that were WAY too big. I am now able to see the "me" that others
see, and I have finally cleaned out the closet. Don't try to rush the
process. None of us gained weight overnight, and it takes awhile to
mentally lose all that weight. Just enjoy this miraculous journey and know
that someday you'll look in the mirror and won't have any trouble at all
recognizing the new "you". Best wishes!
— Diana T.
February 27, 2003
I've gained and lost weight numerous times in my life, and I've always
found that it takes me about a year for my mind to catch up with my body --
doesn't seem to matter if I'm shrinking or expanding (well, hopefully my
expanding days are over for good!).
— Tally
February 27, 2003
I'm 16 months post-op and still see the "fat" Patty on MANY days.
I think it's just getting used to the new body and I think it will
definately take some time.
— Patty H.
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