Candid Question Time - Post Op Body. How's it look? - ThinnerTimes

Siren · 08-23-2006, 02:46 AM

Ok....here goes.

We all know that being at a healthy weight means a healthy body (for the most part), but I want to touch on mental health as well (which can greatly affect your physical health).

At 312 lbs I can stand naked and look in the mirror and think....man I have a big belly, wide rear, spare tires....cottage cheese legs......but the upper body aint too bad. I've seen some post op photos of people and to be honest, some look gnarled. Their bodies don't even look human anymore. I'm not just talking about saggy/hangie skin....I mean it looks like oversized cottage cheese at that point.

I'm curious to know your opinions of your naked body as it is now. I say "naked" because we can all look good in clothes....but when you are standing in front of the mirror totally nude.....how mentally happy are you? What would you change? Did you look better before the surgery? Are you more ashamed to be naked now than before? Do you have more self esteem when you are nude than you did before?

I am speaking to those who have NOT had cosmetic surgery such as breast augmentation or tummy tucks......just gastric bypass only. Do you wish you could have your old body back physically and the health of your new body combined?

Although my main reason for doing this is health related, I won't lie about the fact that I fear what my body will become. I'm 32.....I don't want to look 60. If you don't want to post something so personal here....you can PM me but I would appreciate honesty. Thanks!

Mercedes · 08-23-2006, 03:54 AM

I'm only just over half way to my goal so I don't know if my answers are relevant to your question. I absolutely loathed my body before surgery & did not have a full-length mirror in the house, like you I have a pretty face which did not get that fat, so I used to console myself by just focusing on that. I was in denial & basically could/would not look at my body. When I was forced to, (in changing rooms, walking past shop windows etc) I would suffer from terrible self-disgust.
I have concentrated in the last 3-4 months on working-out like a mad thing because I too am worried about saggy skin (& I'm nearly 10 years older than you). I do 90 mins of intense CV every other day including jogging on the treadmill for 30 mins. I also do 60 mins of Bodypump; now with heavy weights & 30 mins of jogging on the alternate days, (I have one day a week of rest). I also use a Slendertone Flex ab's belt whilst I am jogging, on the "abs walker" setting & the Slendertone bum & thigh shorts in the evening, whilst cooking dinner etc. I also use Avon Cellusculpt on my legs & the top of my arms (which used to be enormous!) & Lift & Tuck on my bum & belly religiously. OK it is costing me a lot in time & money but I guess it is cheaper than a body-lift & not as painful . (I'm not trying to advertise here, I don't even know if you can get these products in the States, I use what is available to me but if I found something alternative & cheaper that also worked I'd certainly try it).
I have found this has really helped, my skin is shrinking back quite nicely, I am not ashamed when I look in the mirror & will actually admire my diminishing body, (yes my Hubby has bought me a full-length mirror). My legs & arms are looking quite toned now & were before very large, had a cottage cheese like consitancy & also were horribly flabby. I'd say my belly is the worst as it does now hang over my vulva which it did not before; it used to just stick out like I was pregnant, really solid-like & imho revolting. Luckily so far I have not got those horrible, purple stretch marks or folds of skin though & I'm hoping after loosing another 4-5 stone (60-70 pounds) the fat that seems to be concentrated in the bottom of my belly will not be there any more & weigh the skin down, like it is tending to at the moment. To be honest I have not put a TT & boob lift out of the equation, I'll wait a year after I'm at goal weight & if I don't look great & the skin has not shrunk (after all my intended working out) I shall consider it. I've also found looking brown helps the skin look better, which is great in the summer but I've decided in the winter I'm going to have spray-on tans.
I know most of this is vanity but if it helps me psychologically learn to love my new self & if I can afford the time, effort & expense then why not? I spent so many years hiding away at home eating & hating "me", now I'm enjoying spending productive time on myself, exercising & pampering "me" instead .

Siren · 08-23-2006, 04:42 AM

Thank you SO much for that answer. You and I think a lot alike. My looks are important to me and they reflect on your over general health via perception and esteem.

I think the problem with me is that I'm not really 'ashamed' with my body as it is. I have never had trouble getting dates (even with hot guys) but I think that is because of how I carry myself and not so much on how I look. I have learned that attitude is everything and sexy isn't defined by size.

I just have this fear that I will hate my body more after losing weight. I know that sounds silly....but right now I'm "filled out". I just don't want to sag like crazy. I know some is to be expected. I do plan on working out and if I can afford it down the road I'm sure I would have a TT and a BA if needed.

Like you, I like to be tan. I want to show off my new legs in a mini-skirt and heels. I still want to show my cleavage without it jiggling around everywhere when I walk. I want to be in lingerie for my man (if I have one...lol) and then not look like melted play-doh when I take it off and lay on the bed.

Here are some pics I have looked at. The first pic is AFTER weight loss from gastric bypass and the 2nd pic is after cosmetic surgery....so its the first pic that concerns me. Note - some of these are nude models so don't click the link if this offends you. There are 5 pages of pics. Some of them are amazing.
http://www.locateadoc.com/gallery.cf...rocedureID/101

The first pic on page 2 (case #6041) scares me to death. I do NOT want to look like that.

I know there is no way to tell until I get there, and in the end I will be healthier. I just wanted to get some perspective on the "inside" of the issue. Call me vain, but I have to be honest with myself.

Your reply was just what I was looking for. Thanks!

VanessaSFL · 08-23-2006, 05:02 AM

I feel like my stretch marks from having a ten'two lb son look worse than anything.

I had RNY done Lap and I can not even see the lap marks,I have to search for them.I will see if I can take a panty shot for you and attatch to this post later.

If I could afford PS,I would have my breast reduced and lifter back into the northern hemishere and just a little skin from my tummy.

As far as being Naked in the mirror.I look and can't remember Visualy being MO.I have to look at pics to remember.

Hope this kinda helped,

V

Dyann · 08-23-2006, 05:48 AM

I am 3/4 of the way and here is how I would describe it. I have good skin to work with. I never smoked and relatively young (38). My upper body is great. No sagging arms or bat wings and my arms were very thick in the upper part to start. No sagging back skin and I had rolls to start. Boobs were droopy since my birth and after breast feeding two kids, they were a lost cause before surgery. I am used to putting them in a nice bra and they can sit high.

If the abdominal picture scares you and that is where you describe you carry most of your weight, then be prepared to look like that naked. I see it, it isn't pretty, but it is MUCH better than the MO look. I will probably get a tummy tuck and my boobs lifted, but no implants.

My upper thighs are cottage cheese but are hidden under even short skirts and tankini skirted bathingsuits.

Personal opinion: the fear of the "post op look" is not a reason to not lose weight. It can happen with any method of weight loss and the primary motivating factor was to be healthy and add years to my life. If I have to live longer with sagging skin rather than shorter with a big mac in my hand....for me the sagging skin was an ok tradeoff. Only you can decide.

Gina in NY · 08-23-2006, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyann

Only you can decide.

A lot of it has to do with genetics, pregnancies etc. After my two pregnencies (second one I got up to 315, I'm 5' 2") So that really stretched out my tummy. I breastfed two kids also, so that too was a lost cause, but, so far, 62 pounds from my top, non-pregnant weight, I only look better. I also work out like a fiend, doing major "body sculpting" work.

There was a woman in our seminar who couldn't handle the "saggy" skin idea, and left. She couldn't deal with it. She just took her diabetes and high blood pressure and went home. It is a decision you are free to make. You have to know how much you're willing to sacrifice for your health.

I'm with you - I never had any trouble finding lovers, but I can't imagine that my being 150 pounds over weight could look better than being at a normal weight, with a little sag over the tummy...

Mercedes · 08-23-2006, 08:51 AM

Hi again Siren, thanks for those pic's very interesting! Don't get too hung up on the photos you mentioned on page 2, remember that woman is 60 yrs old & it looks like she could have done with loosing a bit more weight imho. It also does not say how many pounds she lost in total or whether she did any exercise during the "massive weight loss" phase.
I am quite pleased as so far I don't look as bad as many of those "before" pictures but I'm not complacent, I know I have 60-70 pounds to go so I should be prepared! I agree with Dyann in that personally I would rather have baggy skin than be morbidly obese again. My major reason for the surgery was my future health but not just the physical side the psychological as well. Hating yourself is very self-destructive & takes a toll on all your loved ones.
You are so lucky you do not feel that way about your body, I envy you that, (your profile does not say how obese you are however, so maybe you are not as overweight as I was?). I have wasted so many years hiding away that now I want to "strut my stuff" even if I'm going to look like "mutton dressed as lamb" at goal.

newlife4me · 08-23-2006, 09:03 AM

Here is the thing....we all have different reasons for loosing weight. If you want to have a major remodling of your gastric system, risk your health and if we are honest your life to look good in a mini then God bless you.....if you are young your skin will probably not be saggy and you will be blessed with a gorgeous face and now a great body.
I went through the ordeal to gain a better quality of life. I now only take 1 perscription, down from 4. I wanted to be able to do fun stuff with my family, bend over and tie my shoes, cross my legs, walk forever and not get tired, you get the picture. I am much older, my skin will be all over the place and that is fine with me.....and if it will bother any one then all I have to say is don't look.
Lori

LyndasRoom · 08-23-2006, 09:03 AM

Thanks so much for that glimpse into my future...argh...I was hoping to avoid plastics, but am seriously reconsidering...and I'm only 6 weeks post op!

LisaBoston · 08-23-2006, 09:42 AM

I am surprised how well my stomach has retracted. I was expecting lots of skin there, but so far, I am questioning whether or not I will need a panni.

I have loose skin on the boobs, although the cup size has not changed. I was a DD prior and still. I would have to say that my boobs sagged some prior, now just sagging a little more. If I had anything done...this might be it.

My arms have some "bat wing" issues. I swim and do arm workout and this has helped some, but even though its there, it doesn't bother me that much.

I work in a swimming pool, thus I can be in a bathing suit for work at times. It never bothered me at 314lbs to be in a regular suit, so now it still doesn't bother me. Yes I would like less giggle, but not at the expense of having 95lbs back. I still have 40 to go, so maybe my opinion will change.