Pre-op Pics - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

LisaBoston · 01-21-2006, 10:48 AM

So last night I decided to take a few pre-op pics of myself in my bathing suit and then only in panties. We used a digital camera, so I could see the pics right after. I am STUNNED!!! I know this sound silly, but I can't believe that my stomach is so large - that my legs have fat in places I didn't know - that I looked that awful in my bathing suit.

Funny thing is...not 3 hours before this, I was teaching a swimming instructor course at our pool. I wore the same bathing suit, walked around the pool deck for over 4 hours in it, and for some reason I felt slimmer - good about myself. I am pretty comfortable with my body, thus I think the reason I let myself get so obese.

Has anyone else experienced this? Why can I not see this every day in the mirror - why did it take taking a few pictures for me to see the real outside of me? The naked pics of me were easier to look at than those where I was wearing clothes.....any thoughts?

T-minus 9 days.....

Dyann · 01-21-2006, 01:37 PM

It is so funny you made this observation, because I have felt that way. I looked in the mirror and didn't see the problem worsening. Maybe because I only take quick glances. But in a picture I study myself and I looked awful. There was always a disconnet. Walk confident my friend as it is not just how the bathing suit looks. Be proud of who you are and not just what you appear to be.

eli_far77 · 01-21-2006, 02:19 PM

Thank you Lisa for posting this. I thought I was the only one!!! I have been telling everyone the same thing. I took my pre-op pictures on the Jan. 13th because my surgery will be on Feb. 13th and thought it would be a good way to show the progress once I'm post-op. Well, when I saw those pics I was soooo depressed

. I also had no idea I was so large. I guess since I don't take pictures often, especially full body ones, it came as a big surprise

.

bstars42 · 01-21-2006, 04:23 PM

Same here!! I used to tell my mom i had the reverse way of thinking anorexic people have. I used to look at my self and see a skinnier person instead of the mo person i am. I used to say to my mom after coming out of the surgeons office "they must be saying how come shes having the surgery she doesn't look that over weight". Now i look at those Pre-op photos and see how big i really was. It's amazing the tricks our mind plays with us.

Blueyz · 01-21-2006, 04:43 PM

This is a great post. I never realized how I looked until I saw pitures. I knew I kept growing and getting larger because I kept having to buy larger clothes. When I saw pctures or videos, it shocked me because I was bigger than I thought. I got used to carrying around my extra weight.

okiegrl · 01-21-2006, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bstars42

Same here!! I used to tell my mom i had the reverse way of thinking anorexic people have. I used to look at my self and see a skinnier person instead of the mo person i am. I used to say to my mom after coming out of the surgeons office "they must be saying how come shes having the surgery she doesn't look that over weight". Now i look at those Pre-op photos and see how big i really was. It's amazing the tricks our mind plays with us.

I am the same way...Ikept thinking they would tell me I certainly didn't look like I needed the surgery, but anytime I would see any pictures, I could not believe that I was actually that heavy. It is really hard to believe that I am the person in the picture.

Myrr03 · 01-21-2006, 06:57 PM

this is so real! I am always amazed when i look back at vacation pictures, or family events and i think to myself, why do i look so distorted and everyone else looks exactly the way the really look???? thats when i have to face the truth... this is me!

Well, for this first time i'm excited to take pictures, since i am 10 days away from surgery, i figure, let it all hang out...cuz its going away soon.

LisaM · 01-21-2006, 07:10 PM

Yep, looked in the mirror, saw myself as something utterly other than what I was, which was morbidly obese. I had an utterly unrealistic picture of myself. But looking back, I'm pretty sure it was a coping mechanism. I couldn't seem to stop gaining weight, but I couldn't let that make me stop living. You are doing a grand job now living your life, Lisa, and soon your mind's picture will match the camera's eye. REALLY soon...

LisaBoston · 01-21-2006, 07:40 PM

Hey - I'm NORMAL...others feel like me. You are all so great. Thanks...I spent another day in my bathing suit and have one more day tomorrow in it. Will wear it proud - it will be my last days in it!

sdgrrl · 01-21-2006, 09:12 PM

I solve the problem quite simply--I only TAKE the pix, I'm not in them. Because you see, I am the world's most unphotogenic person. Nothing in my pictures looks like who I am or how I really look. I'm so sorry you have this issue to deal with, I'm glad I don't have it......

Love,
Cleopatra, Queen of De-Nial.......