I'm trying to understand why this is still so difficult for me, sharing my before/after pics. And I think, in part, it comes down to the fact that no matter how much weight I lose, or what number I am on the BMI chart, in my head, and through my eyes, I will always be obese.

But you know what? That's okay, because if that's the highest price I have to pay - just tell me who to make the check out to, because it pales in comparison to everything I gained in return. Plus I will never forget as a pre op how motivating seeing other before/after pics inspired me. It's really important to me to pay that debt back.

Brace yourself, because here comes the dreaded cliche: Weight loss surgery was the best decision I ever made! ????

The before pic was taken the night before surgery.

HW: 248 SW: 218 CW: 130

5'2" RNY surgery date: 07/29/2015

I do hope you find the way to internalizing that the babe on the right is really you. You're in for a treat. Where's your face? You're denying the rest of us a treat.

Is that a tattoo on your foot? Has it changed now that it's supporting 100+ lbs less?

Keep taking pictures and compare to before - you look great!!!

I do hope you find the way to internalizing that the babe on the right is really you. You're in for a treat. Where's your face? You're denying the rest of us a treat.

Is that a tattoo on your foot? Has it changed now that it's supporting 100+ lbs less?

Thank you, your words really moved me.

It took me this long to work up the courage to post the pics sans face. I'm a work in progress and I'm trying hard to sync the inner with the outer. I'm definitely making progress though.

Yes, that is a tattoo on my foot, it extends from my toes to mid calf. The bottom portion is a flower scene, the upper is a face. There hasn't been any noticeable change, except the face looks thinner

Thank you again!

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Keep taking pictures and compare to before - you look great!!!

Thank you! You made my heart smile.

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You've given yourself an amazing gift. I believe that you will make the steps to enjoying it to the max.

Yippee!!

I'm back. Your words moved me, too. I think this link will take you to a topic you'll appreciate and may decide to take part in.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/376938-share-your-best-story-of-someone-noticing-your-weight-loss/

You look amazing, and i can completely understand not feeling any thinner in your head. But you have done amazing and everyone will confirm that for you!!!!

You look amazing, and i can completely understand not feeling any thinner in your head. But you have done amazing and everyone will confirm that for you!!!!

Thank you so much! That means a lot. ????

I was always trying to lose weight because I thought I was fat. I look back at those pictures and I was just insane because I looked really good! I was active duty military for 20 years and my last 2 years I was injured. It was rough because I was very limited in what I could do. I was going through an awful divorce etc. I gained allot of weight but fortunately I was able to retire. So I can understand the mental issue. Looking back I think in my case it was comments my mom used to make that made me feel that way. The funny thing is I gained a bunch of weight but met a great guy who treats me like a queen and I was actually happy! You're beautiful and I think as women we're never satisfied

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I was always trying to lose weight because I thought I was fat. I look back at those pictures and I was just insane because I looked really good! I was active duty military for 20 years and my last 2 years I was injured. It was rough because I was very limited in what I could do. I was going through an awful divorce etc. I gained allot of weight but fortunately I was able to retire. So I can understand the mental issue. Looking back I think in my case it was comments my mom used to make that made me feel that way. The funny thing is I gained a bunch of weight but met a great guy who treats me like a queen and I was actually happy! You're beautiful and I think as women we're never satisfied

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Thank you! I agree completely with everything you said. As a society and as women especially, we are as much obsessed internally as we are externally with a image of perfection that doesn't really exist. WLS provides us the chance to finally get off that self destructive cycle forever.

You look great..

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Edited September 13, 20169 yr by dmert501

You look great..

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Thank you! ????

I am in your same boat mentality wise. I know the struggle very well.

That said, you look fantastic. You really do! Wow!!! Congrats, those results look awesome on you!

I am in your same boat mentality wise. I know the struggle very well.

That said, you look fantastic. You really do! Wow!!! Congrats, those results look awesome on you!

Thank you so much! ????

Oh goodness. I'm not having an issue reconciling the loss by still feeling heavy, but I {think} I understand?

You have been a wonderful cheerleader here for so many of us.

Allow us to return the favor!!!!

No where will you find as much acceptance for what you were "before" or where you are "after".

Consider us your "baby steps".

Well done dear- well done!!!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Oh goodness. I'm not having an issue reconciling the loss by still feeling heavy, but I {think} I understand?

You have been a wonderful cheerleader here for so many of us.

Allow us to return the favor!!!!

No where will you find as much acceptance for what you were "before" or where you are "after".

Consider us your "baby steps".

Well done dear- well done!!!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you, that really touched my heart deeply.

What you said also illustrates exactly how I feel towards the WLS community myself. I've always been the only fat person in my family and I've tried many times to explain to them about how it negatively affects every quadrant of your life, physically, emotionally, mentally, etc. The closest I've ever gotten to making them understand is by saying: These are my people. They're the ones I never even knew were missing until I found them again. It was like finally, there were all these people who are just like me.

I never would have gotten through the process without the forums here and the wonderful people (sisters, brothers) I've met along the way. And I definitely count you among them too!

Thank you again!