Body/self-esteem issues post surgery

[AngieNM 3]

Hi all. Reaching out is hard for me. Dealing with body issues, I still see 340lb in the mirror.... 6yrs post op even though I'm down by 130lbs and physically healthier than ever. I want to embrace joy and be happy at this stage while I'm working towards my goals. Anyone else struggle with this? Criticism from family all my life and past experiences really are hard to shake. Thanks all

[WendyJane 76]

Hello AngieNM, That is a body image issue that sometimes will rear its ugly head. We all here can tell you that we experience it. Just the other day my husband asked to see my hand. I didn't know why but he looked and said "wow, you are losing weight". I didn't believe him so I got on the scale, which I try to avoid, and sure enough, I had lost weight, lots of weight and I looked into the mirror and saw the same large body, just flabbier. I'm a member now of BariNation, which you can be too. They have Licensed Social workers, Registered dieticians, physicians and registered dieticians all that are bariatric specialists and they hold groups where you can learn, get therapy, ask questions, and a whole host of other things. Instead of waiting for a response like in this forum, you get instant gratification from having a community of people like yourself, and friends that are long lasting can be made easily.

Remember that your goal was not just a weight loss surgery but a metabolic surgery that will bring you to a state of wellness. As you lose weight, you will have body image issues, and because you see yourself as the large you and do not see any differences this is because you have no real record unless you took pictures of yourself and still do to help you with your differences that you can see. It takes time, but it is worth it in the end if you can work through your feelings in groups or with private therapy about the criticism from your family that is a life long battle. All of us were criticized, mocked, teased and otherwise shamed about how we carried our weight never realizing what it was doing to us on the inside emotionally and psychologically. Join me in BariNation, get some group therapy, at least try it for a month and see how you like it. It is really worth the 40 bucks a month, just a little over a dollar a day for all kinds of therapy and peer support to help you.

I wish you the very best!!

[AngieNM 3]

Hi WendyJane! Thank you so much for your response and positive energy! It's hard to tell myself not to believe the negative criticism from decades of it. I will look into BariNation. I'm someone who always thinks I can handle everything on my own, but realizing it's really unhealthy for me to continue to carry all of the awful feelings and I can't fully Celebrate the successes I've worked hard for.

Thank you SO much for your kind response.

Angie.