Yesterday when I was getting my pre-surgery labs drawn I had a reality check. I don't always see my "bigness." I know what my scale says, and what my BMI is. I know it's been getting harder to fit into restaurant booths and that I've had to buy a larger size of clothing the last several months. I have losing weight on my mind constantly, and am so anxious for this surgery so I can finally do it. Despite that, I often look into the mirror and feel like I'm still proportioned well even with the fat.

So I was sitting there, and my stomach was partially sitting on the arm rest bar they swing down in front of you. At the same time, there was a pregnant woman having a test for gestational diabetes, and was having her timed blood drawn. She looked like she was 7-8 months along, and when she sat in the chair with the arm rest in place, she still had about 5 inches between her belly and the bar! How is it that I don't see what I really look like? In pictures I do. I totally do. Pictures show the true story, and show my proportions and size for what they really are. But I don't recognize it in the mirror. Is this denial? Or what the heck?

When I had my gallbladder out last year, I was unpleasantly surprised that I had to use one of the larger hospital gowns, and they had to use the large size blood pressure cuff rather than the regular size. I was shocked. My arm doesn't look that big to me. This is an interesting phenomenon to me and I'm just curious what others have to say about it. Has anyone else experienced this? Does it change after surgery?

I feel the exact same way. When I look in the mirror I don't see a fat girl; although I am classified as morbidly obese. I think alot of it has to do with your self-confidence and what you are used to seeing. I have been big all my life and can't remember ever being skinny.

I truly can not wait for VSG surgery - I look forward to a new improved me not a better me.

This year I am taking my life back. Doing what I need to do to ensure lifelong health and happiness is priceless.

Onward and upward in the rest of 2012!

I didn't read all the posts so sorry if this has been mentioned but it also works the other way. Now that I've lost almost all my extra weight I don't see myself as really that small in the mirror, but when I see a picture of myself, I'm shocked at how much thinner I am. I'd rather have it this way than the other way, though. Obviously. lol