I have always been ok with being naked. I mean, when I was fit, I was ok, and when I was 297 lbs, I still loved being without clothes.

Now, at 170 lbs, I can barely stand to take my clothes off to shower. I knew I would have loose skin, but I haven't yet become ok with how wrinkly my whole body is. I've been told by a plastic surgeon that a body and arm lift are my only options..it's just not going to " snap back" no matter how much I work out. We're not in position financially to afford plastic surgery. I really had this surgery to be healthy, and I'm working with a therapist on refocusing my thinking. I'm just surprised how much this us bothering me. Is anyone else struggling with body image issues or feeling self conscious?

I have said this and fear this as well. My whole hearted intention was health and quality of life but I have no idea where my body will go...

I wish there was some wisdom and comfort I could offer you. For me, it's just beginning.

Love yourself. The most beautiful things in life are imperfections. You're a warrior!

Yes I have visual confusion, I'm so use to the larger version of myself that when I purchased a smaller size clothing

I have a fear of putting it on and it not fitting. Its as if its for someone else and not me. So many years of disappointment it's hard to make the adjustment but I am happy when I put it on and it fits but its still very weird.

Oh yeah...I hear you. You know you how women say "OMG I'm so old; when I look in the mirror I see my mother!"? Well, when I look in the mirror, I see my grandmother.

I'm 54, had two babies via c-section and of course knew intellectually that having carried so much weight for so long, and at my age, my skin was not going to return to its original size. But still...the visual is really ugly. Everything is just so wobbly and cellulite-ridden...things I didn't see when it was all plumped out with fat.

My solution? I'm not going under the knife again...the risk/benefit is not convincing enough for me. So I dress well, and lingerie is my friend in the bedroom. No complaints from the BF there.

Edited February 23, 201412 yr by parisshel

I know exactly how you feel! I was the same way, I never cared about what anyone else thought. I was me and I was comfortable in my own skin, naked or clothed. I had the surgery because I wanted to be healthy and live longer than I was going to. Now that my body looks very much like a half melted candle I'm less likely to walk around the house in my panties and bra like before. The loose skin grosses me out. Mostly my stomach. I just had a breast reduction in Dec and I had a complication. The dr thinks because of my inability to eat enuf to get proper nutrition to heal is what caused the complication. I have an open wound the size of my palm on my left breast where my skin practically dissolved and my stitches opened. It's closing slowly but I have to do wet packs on it probably for another month before he can go back in and stitch it back up to close it. I know others wls patients have had plastics and had no problems but I am very leery now of any other surgeries. For now I'll just stick to my spanx and try to get used to this new body!

Oh yeah...I hear you. You know you how women say "OMG I'm so old; when I look in the mirror I see my mother!"? Well, when I look in the mirror, I see my grandmother.

I'm 54, had two babies via c-section and of course knew intellectually that having carried so much weight for so long, and at my age, my skin was not going to return to its original size. But still...the visual is really ugly. Everything is just so wobbly and cellulite-ridden...things I didn't see when it was all plumped out with fat.

My solution? I'm not going under the knife again...the risk/benefit is not convincing enough for me. So I dress well, and lingerie is my friend in the bedroom. No complaints from the BF there.

I think I am freaking out so much because I'm going to Phoenix and am wearing summer clothes for the first time..very unpretty. I have great legs..even when I'm far, but my thighs are really droopy..I'm sure I'll gradually get used to the skin and appreciate nudity again..until then, ill keep telling myself" I am a warrior!"

I know exactly how you feel! I was the same way, I never cared about what anyone else thought. I was me and I was comfortable in my own skin, naked or clothed. I had the surgery because I wanted to be healthy and live longer than I was going to. Now that my body looks very much like a half melted candle I'm less likely to walk around the house in my panties and bra like before. The loose skin grosses me out. Mostly my stomach. I just had a breast reduction in Dec and I had a complication. The dr thinks because of my inability to eat enuf to get proper nutrition to heal is what caused the complication. I have an open wound the size of my palm on my left breast where my skin practically dissolved and my stitches opened. It's closing slowly but I have to do wet packs on it probably for another month before he can go back in and stitch it back up to close it. I know others wls patients have had plastics and had no problems but I am very leery now of any other surgeries. For now I'll just stick to my spanx and try to get used to this new body!

Sorry about your complications..that sucks. I am not at all sure my husband IS ok with how I look...he says he is..but I still worry. Time to talk.

Oh yeah...I hear you. You know you how women say "OMG I'm so old; when I look in the mirror I see my mother!"? Well, when I look in the mirror, I see my grandmother.

I'm 54, had two babies via c-section and of course knew intellectually that having carried so much weight for so long, and at my age, my skin was not going to return to its original size. But still...the visual is really ugly. Everything is just so wobbly and cellulite-ridden...things I didn't see when it was all plumped out with fat.

My solution? I'm not going under the knife again...the risk/benefit is not convincing enough for me. So I dress well, and lingerie is my friend in the bedroom. No complaints from the BF there.

I think I am freaking out so much because I'm going to Phoenix and am wearing summer clothes for the first time..very unpretty. I have great legs..even when I'm far, but my thighs are really droopy..I'm sure I'll gradually get used to the skin and appreciate nudity again..until then, ill keep telling myself" I am a warrior!"

I sympathize about the loose skin in the thigh area. I love to swim and I've decided I will need to wear a pair of board short swim bottoms that go within 4 inches of my knees and a tankini this summer. I've worn capris in the summer, not shorts, for the past 3 years, so no change there. What I am very happy about is that I can walk now without back pain and I look pretty good in my clothes.