Body image issues

[MsVictorious1020 497]

Im 16 months out and I have some serious concerns about my body image. I'm noticing that the image I see in the mirror does not match what I see in pictures. I still see a fat flabby woman when I look in the mirror. When I take a picture I see someone more lean and fit. It seems to be getting worse and I'm getting scared.

[WhoKnows 288]

I think to a certain extent this is something a lot of us struggle with, but if you feel like it's getting worse and threatening to become unmanageable or something that greatly affects your quality of life, you might want to consider therapy. Would that be a viable option for you?

[Who Dat 70461 331]

Seems to be common. I'm 15 months out and my wife is 13 months post-op. I think she looks great and she says I look good, however we both still see those hefty folks when we look in the mirror!

Guess it's just something that comes with the territory and will take some time to digest.

[SandeeD 363]

I'm 60 pounds down and still saw that BIG person in the mirror until recently. Even though hate the saggy skin, I think I look pretty damn good...with my clothes on!

[MsVictorious1020 497]

I'm going to seek the assistance of therapy. It's just kind of scary how off my perspective is. I get really down on myself.

[QueenA 122]

Glad to hear that I am not the only one. Although I have clearly lost more than half of my excess weight and wear a much smaller size, I still struggle with reconciling my actual image today. It has taken my sister to put a before/after and so many people telling me how small I am to remotely see myself as smaller. It's still a struggle though. Wishing you the best with the therapy. Keep us posted on your progress:-)

[Forsythia 882]

I've spent 31 years being fat. Since I was six. That is a long time being fat and seeing that fat girl. And even though I am down from a size 26 to an 18, I still see 300 plus lbs in the mirror. My dad, also a big guy was all like "OMG ANDREA YOU DON'T EVEN LOOK THE SAME!!" He's very funny and straight to the point. But he's never lost a lot of weight. It is just difficult to reconcile less fat me with the super fat me I was used to. I might go see the psychologist at my program to work some of that out as I get even smaller.

[bikrchk 1,313]

I've lost 90 pounds and went from an 18 to a 4 and there are days that I look in the mirror and can't see the size 4 woman standing there. I see a size 10 or 12. Then I look at a picture and think "who's skinny little legs are those"? Oh, they're MINE! Good news is most of the time when I pass my reflection in glass, I don't recognize the skinny person walking by. I just entered maintenance about a month ago and I'm having more "good image" days than bad. I guess it takes time.

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

It is tough. I think you are wise to seek therapy because I feel so HAPPY to be enjoying my slimmer, healthier body. I want that for everyone. I have my struggles too - don't get me wrong - but the dismorphia I have seemed to have beaten into submission. Good riddance!

[getnhealthyintx 281]

I'm almost 60 pounds down myself and I to still see the fat person. I still see her in the mirror and it when pictures are taken everyone around me keeps telling me I look good but I know I'm still 40 pounds overweight and all I see is 40 huge pounds.

[MsVictorious1020 497]

Wow. Thank you so much for the outpouring of responses. This is truly amazing. It makes me sad to hear that so many are plagued by the same demon. It really upsets me because I'm trying so hard to lose weight get in shape and feel healthier. I've also upped my workouts to daily to tone up and lean out. But I hope counseling can help me love my body.