Let me start by stating that I know this is all in my head. I am pre-op and in the supervised diet phase, and I have been doing well and losing weight.

Yet I FEEL bigger.

I know this is physically impossible, but I'm so much more aware of what I was blissfully (and intentionally) ignorant to for so long. I notice a roll here or how this shirt isn't flattering. Clothes I wore 3 month ago suddenly are all unflattering even though I'm smaller than the last time I wore them.

I have a feeling that I'm not the only one who has experienced this, so I'm wondering how you coped? Taking measurements? Photos? What worked for you?

Self loathing, disgust...oh wait, you're looking for helpful suggestions. Well I am going to follow this post because I would like some too. I have lost close to 30lbs and I am more self conscious than ever. I think you're right though, we've pulled our head out of the sand. I think I know why I stuck my head in the sand in the first place...

Did you use to have a large belly? If you lost weight quickly, then the stomach will get smaller and skin rolls may appear. Your rolls just are taking more time to shrink with the rest of your stomach. Just be patient, it will happen. I have a similar problem. I didn't have hardly any rolls at my heaviest because my tummy was ballooned out. As I lost weight, some rolls are appearing on my lower sides. I might wear a shaper to help my clothes look better as I lose moreweight. Good luck on your weight loss journey!

I know this sounds creepy and weird but the best advice I got for dealing with this issue -- and believe me, I have it -- is to spend a couple of minutes each day looking at yourself completely naked in a full length mirror. You will get more comfortable with your body and more understanding of what size you really are. I do still deal with feeling HUGE and DISGUSTING occasionally -- which I never really did pre-op, when I really should have, at least from a health standpoint -- but the mirror helps a lot. It's uncomfortable at first though!

@@Bufflehead that sounds seriously intimidating to me right now, but it can't hurt to give it a try. I'm pre-op and I worry that I'll have the same issues post op as well, so I want to starting working on it now. I took a full body photo on the morning of my first appointment and I hope that progressively taking photos and comparing them will keep me in check!