Hiding from the camera. I can't wait to feel comfortable enough to stand proudly in front of a camera. I take the occassional pic, but do my very best to stay behind the camera.

I swear the camera puts 30 additonal pounds on you. Is it my imagination (probably) that we often feel and perceive ourselves differently from the image the camera projects?

People often gasp when I tell them how much I weigh (currently 222) - I hear "you look great!" "why are you trying to lose weight?". I actually heard these very comments from my General Practioners receptionist. She pulled me aside and said that she saw the letter my dr was sending to the surgeon and really didn't know why I would do such a thing (weight loss surgery) when I looked so good.

Perhaps I should share some of my photos with her since she appears to see the person I sometimes perceive : o }

At any rate, I'm waiting impatiently for insurance approval and can't wait to meet the person that's hiding behind the 90 plus extra pounds.

When you meet that person, ask her if she has seen me???

I here you, I've done the same thing for years.

Good luck on your insurance approval. My surgery is in less then two weeks and I cant wait.

Cherishthepast, often its a mind game. You will lose weight and MIGHT continue to feel the same way for a while. I know I do. I was the one with the camera and so there are few pics of me. Now, I'm always in the pic and am told that I'm very photogenic YET I don't always see it. I have about 30 pounds to go and its taking a while to get there but there are parts of my body that I really do appreciate and other parts that I'm just going to have to get use to. I'm past trying to look like I did when I was younger 'cause that just not going to happen. So carry on - its all about how we feel about ourselves!

Hiding? Let me tell you about hiding. I don't have an accurate before picture because of hiding. I had ONE but only had one copy on a disc. The disc is now messed up, so I don't have one at all. I have a pic that is 6 weeks post op that is about 25lbs down. It is so sad that I have no pics of me and my children because I was so embarrassed and didn't want to face what I looked like.:frown:

My good friend's mother was just like that, and still is even after hitting goal after surgery.

Her kids missed some good pictures because of it.

Me, I have pics- I just grimace and tuck them away!