Hi everyone. I'm 4 days away from my 'B'day' and am thinking about what I want to record. I'll take a pre-op pic as normally I avoid cameras like the plague so I don't have one where I'm not stood at the back of a crowd!

I'm not sure what to do about measurements tho. All along I've thought I wouldn't measure myself as I know I'm big and I don't want to be reminded how embarrassingly big I got. I'd never tell other people my measurements as I find figures are a stark reality( and we all kid ourselves that we don't look as big as we actually are).

Will I regret not measuring??

At 5 days my surgery co-ordinator was happy with my weight -loss on a calorie counting preop diet so I'm sticking to that until the op. I'm doing 1,000 to 1,200 a day. She reassured me that some people find it really hard to stick to calorie counting which is why the milk diet if often suggested to take the focus off food. I've had 2 sticky days where I have gone over the calories but I think they have balanced out overall.

I've decided that because I'm calorie counting, any pre-op loss won't be in my overall figures as it's just like any other diet. My starting weight will be whatever my kitchen scales show on the morning of surgery. In a way I think this is just a self preservation thing- not wanting to think I got as big as I did. I'll be more than content to know I'm down to wearing a UK size 12 clothes rather than having lost 5stone( 70lbs). If I mention 5 stone loss I'll get gasps but will just be reminding myself of the guilt for getting so heavy.

What's everyone else going to do? Any thoughts?

Like you, I shy from cameras and the good ol' cloth measuring tape. Before I went on a VLCD last year, I set the camera timer and took a few pics of me in a pair of workout pants and a sports bra. I would take pics every month in the same outfit and honestly, it was shocking. I will definitely do it this time before surgery (maybe I should do it before the pre-surgery diet).

My doctor measured when I went in for my 1 on 1 with him and the nurse said they would measure every month but they just did my waist.

I think it's a great idea to measure, because even if the scale stops moving, the pants might fit better!

Hi All. I did measure from neck to foot but seem to have thrown the post it that I wrote it on!! I'm hoping I have just 'filed' it but think it is long gone:( What am I like?? lol x

I'm taking pictures with the same outfit. My surgeon's office did a few measurements the first day I came in, so I assume they will continue to measure as I lose.

1. I wish I had done it. It's just another way to measure success when the scale doesn't move.
   

I have never heard of anyone that looks back and says " boy I wish I wouldn't have measured myself".......so do it, for some it will not be important.....for others it will be their strength in the slow times. But this way you are covered. And if you want them....you'll have them.

I would (and did) measure. You may want to have reminders of how far you've come if you hit a slow spot. No one's saying you have to share them with anyone!

Sorry, double post!

Thanks. I did end up measuring on the morning of my surgery- 29th March. I thought I had lost the post-it I wrote on but found it. 3 days ago I measured and have already lost 2 inches off hips and 2 1/2 " off my waist(or other way round). Very pleased I did

I plan on taking measurements of Bust, Hips, Waist, Upper Arms,Thighs, and from shoulder to shoulder. I want to see the results on paper to help me stay motivated and not discouraged. Also pics in the same outfit as well.

I had my mom take my measurements before my surgery. I'm not embarrassed nor ashamed about my size; it's a problem and I'm fixing it.