Getting creeped out by my own body

(deactivated member)
on 9/28/15 11:35 am
RNY on 05/04/15

Has anyone else had unexpected body image issues after surgery? I anticipated a lot of loose skin, which I have, but that's not the problem. The issue is that I've been overweight since I was 6, and now for the first time in my life, I'm seeing things like my collarbones, hip bones, ribs, shoulders, neck muscles, leg muscles/tendons, etc. I get an actual shiver of discomfort every time I accidentally see or touch one of these areas that "sticks out" now. It doesn't help that my husband's going through the same thing, so his body is creeping me out too. (He has a HUGE frame, so weird things like his sternum even stick out!)

I've talked to my therapist about it, and she thinks it'll just take time to get comfortable with my "new normal" (after all, I had 30 years to get used to the old version). Patience has never been one of my virtues. I just wanted to see if anyone else had this weird discomfort too. Most of the posts I see about body image are either lamenting loose skin or celebrating the very things that are creeping me out.

poplargreys
on 9/28/15 12:09 pm
VSG on 03/31/15

This is exactly what I am experiencing!! I can see the veins in my arms and neck and when I stretch I can see ribs through my chest wall. I have never seen these on my own body before and it is a real mindf*ck.

(deactivated member)
on 9/28/15 12:56 pm
RNY on 05/04/15

Thank you; it helps a lot to know I'm at least not alone!

The Salty Hag
on 9/28/15 12:26 pm
RNY on 05/20/13

My collarbones freak me out every once in a while, even now...and seeing my breastplate underneath my skin-that is still weird to me. 

 

I woke up in between a memory and a dream...

Tom Petty

(deactivated member)
on 9/28/15 12:58 pm
RNY on 05/04/15

Wow, even a couple years down the line, huh? I guess we didn't get used to the old way overnight, so I'm going to have to learn to be patient.

Sparklekitty, Science-Loving Derby Hag
on 9/28/15 1:02 pm
RNY on 08/05/19

Being able to see the veins in the back of my hands SERIOUSLY squicks me out, doubly so if I feel my hand bones. Hips and ribs I can deal with, but something about hands is super weird!

Sparklekitty / Julie / Nerdy Little Secret (#42)
Roller derby - cycling - triathlon
VSG 2013, RNY conversion 2019 due to GERD. Trendweight here!

(deactivated member)
on 9/28/15 1:43 pm
RNY on 05/04/15

My work BFF (who had VSG last December) and I were just talking about that at lunch today! I feel like my hands don't even belong to me anymore. My fingers have always been short and stubby, but now my hands just look tiny all around. So weird!!

Maria27
on 9/28/15 1:59 pm - Chicago, IL
RNY on 03/17/15

I agree about the hand veins. I can't stop looking at them, and my husband thinks I'm being weird. 

Height: 5'5" HW: 290 Consultation Weight: 276 SW: 257 CW: 132

iloveravens
on 9/28/15 1:24 pm
RNY on 08/13/14

It's a real trip, you are not alone.  The rib cage thing is super weird to me.  My boyfriend said to me on Saturday, "It feels like I'm cheating on you with someone else." 

Lanie; Age: 43; Surgery Date (VSG): 8/12/14 w/complications resulting in RNY next day;

Height: 5' 6" SW: 249 Comfort Zone: 135-140 CW: 138 (10/13/17)

M1: -25 lbs M2: -12 M3: -13 M4: -7 M5: -11 M6: -10 M7: -7 M8: -7 M9: -3 M10: -8 M11: -4 M12: -4

5K PR - 24:15 (4/23/16) First 10K - 53:30 (10/18/15)

christinerocks
on 10/2/15 4:33 pm - AZ
RNY on 04/06/15

My husband said the exact same thing to me! He's not exactly complaining, mind you.

________

137 pounds lost - from a 24/26W to a size 8/10!

 

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