So my progress with surgery is definitely noticeable.

Stats:

Sw 256lbs

Surgery 5/12/15: 236

9/30: 170

Total: 86lbs

It wonderful and I'm super happy about it. I get comments and questions from those around me about surgery and recovery and different aspects of it. I'm cool with that. I'm very open about it when I'm asked. It's a great tool and I always start by saying it's not the easy road (because it's not!)

I started at a size 22w and now I'm a size 12. My face lost the weight first for sure which made it noticeable faster.

Almost 5 months after surgery (4.5 months) and I'm just starting to notice it in the mirror personally. Before I would look in the mirror (even with my face being much thinner) and still see the "fat" face.

Now I see the thin one and get surprised. I'm always aware of my changes and weight loss but for some reason right now the mirror keeps surprising me.

Anyone else get a sudden reality check with the mirror that probably should have happened much sooner? How did you respond? Feel?

I find myself having to fight sabotaging my progress now that I can clearly see it.

Congrats to you!!!!!! Great job!

It takes a while to realize that is "you" in the mirror

I didn't really start noticing until I was literally forced to buy pants that fit because my old pair and belt were way too big

It takes a while to realize that is "you" in the mirror

How long did it take you? Tips?

I didn't really start noticing until I was literally forced to buy pants that fit because my old pair and belt were way too big

Thanks!

it took about 7 months before I had to confront myself and reassure myself that I fit perfectly in a size 8, and it was more than time for those size 16s to go

@@onesleevedmamma - several months. And I LOVED it

I'm having real difficulty with the perception change too. I have avoided full length mirrors and being photographed for years. I was sleeved May 26 and now down almost 65# and still avoid mirrors. When I do look, I don't recognize myself. It's a very weird feeling, almost like dissociating. I am getting ready for my son's wedding on October 17 and have had to shop for a dress. Found one that I think is flattering. Don't want to look "frumpy" but still very uncomfortable with what I see. I am obsessing about the wedding photos I will have to be in and wondering if I should "practice" posing. Didn't plan on the sleeve success and wedding coinciding as started the process before engagement even happened.

I'm having real difficulty with the perception change too. I have avoided full length mirrors and being photographed for years. I was sleeved May 26 and now down almost 65# and still avoid mirrors. When I do look, I don't recognize myself. It's a very weird feeling, almost like dissociating. I am getting ready for my son's wedding on October 17 and have had to shop for a dress. Found one that I think is flattering. Don't want to look "frumpy" but still very uncomfortable with what I see. I am obsessing about the wedding photos I will have to be in and wondering if I should "practice" posing. Didn't plan on the sleeve success and wedding coinciding as started the process before engagement even happened.

Thank you for your reply. It certainly is a challenge. I know that I practice poses and looking in the mirror to see how clothes really look (does my fat roll show... how are my arms?... things like that) it's old habit. It's not too often though.no shame in doing it!

Since the mirror and I DO have issues, I tend to take pictures and make collage/side by side with my larger self to see the progress. Or to see what clothes look like. It's like looking at pictures of someone else so it's a more objective view. Haha.

Congratulations on the wedding. You will have a lot of attention I'm guessing. Practicing confidence and poses and not hiding in the shadows. You deserve to shine! You deserved it before surgery and still do. It's hard to come to terms with that (at least for me.)

Everyone... thank you for letting me know I'm not alone in this. I'm sure it will take practice and time. I'm gonna push myself to look in the mirror more.

Congrats on your progress and on recognizing how far you have come. My wife takes front and side pictures of me every two weeks and she always comments on how much I have lost, and when I look at the pictures, I don't see much of a difference. My closet is empty so I know things have changed, but I have yet to see it. You give me hope that the veil will soon lift from my eyes and I will begin to see the changes!

It is that moment when... You realize, shooooot! I'm loosing weight!?!?!?!!! Congrats on that feeling. And loosing all those pounds. YAY YOU!!!!!!