I see a beautiful happy, sexy diva. She is not where she want to be at yet, but with 103lbs gone she is definitely on her way. I see someone who trusted in God, took a leap of faith and changed her life for the better on Sept 5,2012. I see someone who is changing each and everyday, someone who is loving herself more and more. I see someone who is happy and proud of herself and am enjoying everyday of this journey be it good or bad, I look in the mirror and see a beautiful butterfly emerging and spreading her wings, I look in the mirror and I SEE ME.

I am 10 months post op and it was only recently that I have started to really see the new me! Everyone else saw it but it took a long time for my mind to catch up. I stop now and really look at myself in the mirror and think darn you look good!! I almost don't recognize myself.

I work at a retirement community and I have residents walk right past me and not know who I am. I have daily contact with a lot of the residents and have been here for 17 years!

Hummmm..... At 8 days postop, i am not sure... i see good and bad. I see a body I don't like, I will not lie! Sometimes I get way hung up on my arms... my well, everything physical...

But I also see courage and strength. Determination. I see a woman who is working hard to regain my health and freedom and won't let ANYTHING stop me :)

Thank you for asking... it is nice to be reminded that no, I don't like everything I see... but there is a lot of good reflecting back at me as well!

I like your answer Chocolate, and I feel much the same way about the leap of faith. I spent a lot of time in prayer and soul searching to determine if this was meant to be for me. At 2 weeks out I feel blessed. The scale isn't moving the way I would like but I know I need to focus on the NSV's. I never thought I would not be hungry and have to actually force myself to eat. I really don't miss it. I know this may change but for now I am embracing this new feeling of no hunger and not feeling like I have to stuff my face when a new emotion or struggle happens. When I look in the mirror I don't see any physical changes yet but emotionally and spiritually I feel vibrant.

This is what I wrote about myself and how I see me:


I step outside myself
glancing back to see
is there really beauty to
be found in me

As I stand here
looking back at me
the warmness of my smile
is the first of many
lovely things I see

The fullness of my lips
longing to be kissed
the roundness of my hips
Could these things be
the beauty of me

I feel the rise of my chest
as I gasp for breath
grasping my breast
while thinking of the softness
of a mans caress

I touch my face
as I stand before me
wondering how the trail
of a man`s kiss along
my back would feel to me

As I examine myself
it comes to mind
could it be the mellowness
of my eyes that exudes
the beauty that others find
as they look at me

I challenge myself
further probing me
looking deeper
beyond the skin
and then I realize
beauty comes from within
and that`s where you`ll find
this beauty that is mine

~jackie~

Does anyone know how to lose the extra skin once you lose the weight?

Beautiful Jackie!!

And Bnice... if you want lots of input on your question, it is best to post a thread of your own as people often overlook new questions on a thread of something else :) :) Not on purpose, it just happens!

But... the only way to 'lose it' is to have plastic surgery. toning will help fill it out some... And over time, it might tighten some, depending upon age, skin type, genetics, etc, But the only way to get rid of it is plastics.

What she said ^^^^^!!

JJ

I see some wrinkled old man, wish he would get outa the way so I can see how I look!

what do I see when I look in the mirror? I see the sparkle in my eyes, I have always liked my eyes being the only one in my immediate family who doesn't have blue. Mine are a nice almond shape and a very pretty hazel color that turn green when I'm angry :)

I also see the cute girl that is struggling under all the extra weight. Wanting to be in the sunshine again. It's funny because a lot of the time in my head I am that thinner person I once was and then I pass a mirror and wonder what the hell happened.

Eventually I will get her back it is the person I am supposed to be!

This one is tough for me.... I had to really think about it.
I see many things. Inside and out. I know that my insides are happy and healthy which makes me feel happy on the outside. As for the outside...... DAMN I LOOK GOOD! I have a waist and hips, I see a beautiful, sexy, confident woman. I see a woman that is free from the chains that the weight had put on the old me.
Shelley

This is a tough question for me too. Before my surgery I looked in the mirror and absolutely hated myself. I hated the roundness of my body, I hated double chins. But lately, (its been almost 2 months since surgery) I'm beginning to see a new person. My face has slimmed down, my body is beginning to look better, and my attitude is getting better. I've always been optimistic, but now I'm starting to believe in myself.
Today I'm actually wearing a button up shirt that has darts to make it fit closer to your middle. I've had this shirt forever and always wore it as a coverup with a tank top. I was never able to wear it alone buttoned up. I stood back this morning wearing my button jeans (which I haven't worn in years either) and looked at myself and though" wow, you aren't looking to shabby" That is probably the first compliment I've paid myself in many, many years.

I just wish I hadn't waited so long. I know at my age my skin will not be saggy even with all the workouts I do with weights, etc. So, I've decided I'll deal with that later, right now I'm looking forward to getting off the daily meds and feeling full of energy and being able to squat down to pick something up again.

I should proof read before I post LOL

I know my skin WILL be saggy...