So i went thru my old medical records awhile back to see what my weight was after i had my first baby. I fluctuated between 155-160. I was a size 12 at that time. I am in a 14 now and 177. I told myself before i was banded that if i got to a 12 i'd be happy. I am 1 pant size away yet when i look in the mirrror i still see a size 20. I go shopping bc my clothes are too big, yet i still grab sizes that are too big. I am starting to wonder when my brain is going to realize what it really sees in the mirror?

My mother in-law had gastric bypass, she went from a size 22 down to a size 8. It will be 3 years in February since her surgery. She STILL goes to the plus size racks when we go shopping ... then when she does go to misses .. shes trying to grab size 12 or 10 and I have to keep saying you are not that big!! She told me that she still sees herself as bigger than she is. She's 57, so you figure ALL those years of being heavy ... its hard to let go of that mentality in such a short time. Your body AND your mind was programmed to a certain weight that you had been. And i think when she goes shopping, and goes to the plus size, its also out of habit !! And if you try clothes on and they are still big/baggy on you ... go get the next size lower until you get the right fit !! Good luck!! and when you pick up the wrong size .. just laugh it off and look in the mirror at the progress you made and be proud!!

I still have difficulty wrapping my head around my size. I was folding laundry yesterday and with every pair of jeans I thought THESE CAN'T POSSIBLY BE MINE!

Now, see, I don't do that. I am an expert at picking my size off the rack. I never could have taken something home without trying it on when I wore plus sizes. I can pick an 8 and take it home and it fits perfectly! I am happy at my size. I hope that I never have to get bigger sizes and with lapband, I should be able to control that problem. You too can get there, good luck!

However, 18 months ago, I went through the same thing, my daughter looked down and aisle at the store and did not recognize me, and I did not see that I was as thin as I was. I still don't realize when I am smaller than others, either!