changing from a woman to a lady

For the last 2 months preop and 1 month postop you wouldn't see me without a simple ponytail. Now I seem to take the extra 10 mins and blowdry and style my hair. I started getting my eyebrows done again. I plan on going to the tanning salon next month. And today I am going to get my nails done. So how many of you have found that you take more time in "primping" yourself these days? Do you think that it is directly associated with the physical weightloss or more of a mental self esteem boost? Dawn

Most definitely! I was a confirmed tomboy and now i wear contacts,have started wearing a little makeup, I got a cute haircut,I am growing out my nails, I am trying to wear clothes that fit better (getting harder). Loving it!

Renee~ I posted one month post op pics to my profile on Feb 16th. I'm a little hesitant to post 2 month pics because I only lost 7 pounds so far. I still have 11 days to go so maybe my stall will break. I was on the verge of emailing OH to have them change my pic here on the boards but I figured by the time they do it I'll have another pic that I like better. You might think you can't see a difference, but as soon as they are side by side you'll be amazed even by the little things. I noticed on my gym ID that I have little dimples that weren't there before. It's the little things that excite me sometimes. If I lived with my goal weight as my only goal, I would be a depressed person, but if I look for small changes, I am excited with each one. Have a great Monday!! (tomorrow is American Idol ) Dawn

Hey Dawn- I definitely take more time these days on my appearance. I am starting to like what I see, and that motivates me to put in the extra effort. I had given up on makeup and was also putting my hair in a pony all summer. Now I'm doing my hair, putting in my contacts and putting on makeup! I definitely feel more put together. I think before I felt so dumpy because no matter what I did with hair and makeup I was busting out of my clothes, felt physically huge and uncomfortable and I sweated off my makeup in a heartbeat - YUCK! Now my face looks less bloated, my gut isn't protruding and I feel comfortable in my clothes and my skin! I knew my weight was affecting my self esteem, although I am successful in my career and generally very happy in my life, but the weight invaded every aspect of my life in subtle ways and even with the 48 I've lost so far I feel lighter emotionally as well as physically. Eileen

I would say that I do anything "extra" because of the weight loss, since I was pretty girly before in terms of hair and skin and stuff. I always felt as though I should look as good as I possibly could, since I was going to stand out anyway from being the biggest person in the room. I HAVE noticed however, that I am more aware of how I do look before leaving the house. And my clothes choices have been a lot better -- no more buying big just because it's big. I've gotten more fitted items, things that actually fit the way they're supposed to.

Right there beside ya Dawn! Pre-Op, I was lucky to swipe on a bit of shadow and sweep the gnarly hair up in a pony tail. I'd also pray I would have something clean to wear- only had 2 maybe 3 pairs of pants I felt ok in. Now, oh my gosh! I have a straightner, a blow dryer, eyelash curlers, you name it I've probably got it lol. I've gotta make a hair appointment for this week. I don't tan, but it might be a nice surgiversary gift later in my journey I think its a combination of the weight loss and self esteem. I no longer try to hide... I like people watching lol. I hold myself higher, no more slouching! Whoo hooooo! And I'm wearing shoes again!! Pre=op, I was the poster child for flip flops, I wore them in the Winter, Spring, Rain, sleet, everything. Now I've got real shoes

I am a Mary Kay consultant, so I always did myself up before my surgery. But I never felt like I looked "good". That being said, it sure is nice not to have to spend so much time contouring my chins so they aren't so noticable! And my eyes are getting to be a normal shape again--not all squinty because of my cheeks pushing them in! I always hated when people would tell me 'you could be so pretty if only you'd lose weight.' I think the primping thing is related to both the weight loss and the self esteem. We're feeling better and looking better, which is leading to more self esteem. We're not afraid for people to "see" us anymore, so we're doing our hair and makeup! Amy 247/220.5/135

Oh My!! I never was told I would be prettier if I lost weight. That is horrible. Instead I got the indirect, "You have such a pretty face!" Why not just say, "You have such a huge butt!"? That is what they were saying in a polite way. I must have heard the pretty face line over 10 times by strangers before surgery.

:jump" ALL THE ABOVE "jump: I hate looking in the mirror, I have for years. I can get myself to be ok enough to leave the house. This fast weight loss has me droopy, lines in my face are severly aging, and is frustrating. Everyone I see here at home that has had the surgery is glowing I have started working out at the Y, I may be starting a new job this week, I definately am getting a haircut, (my hair is so dry and brittle) ...so yes I need all the boosting I can get, and I have good days and bad days, when I look in the mirror. Losing all this weight is definately a challange for some one who has spent 27 years wearing bigger clothes to cover up...but I will get used to it ha ha