What might I look like?

It's so funny when you think about it, but here goes:

I've been heavy for so long, I'm not sure what I will look like at a normal weight.

So, for anyone considering weight loss surgery of any kind, the main requirement is that we have been obese for 4 years or more.  Come on, we've been obese for years longer than that!  So, while we've been minding our own business being fat, fat and fatter, we've also been aging!  Looking at the million and a half before and after pictures on this and other sites (and crying all the while) I've noticed that older people look younger when they are fat and younger people look older when they're fat. 

So, part of my thing is that I'd rather look older than be fat!  So, what side of the fence am I on???  Will I look good as a thin person?  I don't know but I'd sure like to find out.  To be honest, I've gotten quite used to me and the other part of me is going to miss my crack- free face and chubby cheeks.

Oh my side?  Years ago (several decades, really) my mom was around my current weight and she lost a bunch of weight (about 70) being really sick and she still looked young.  I'm not sure what part of it was her specific set of genes, what part of it was living in the world in that time and having less of the environmental issues we have and what part of it fell under the "Black don't Crack" rule.  (Tee-hee).

It remains to be seen.  Good luck to me and all of you who are in the "wait and see" zone.  I can work on lumpy, flabby and wrinkled if I'm still alive, so I am still fully committed to the surgery if I am allowed to get it done.

Love & Belief,
LeJoy

Well I am pretty much sure that I will have tons of skin left over after I lose weight...I am full of stretch marks, my skin does not stretch so good.  I really am kind of excited to see how I look thinner, its so fun to look at the people on OH and see the before/after photos.

Like I said, I'd rather be thin/healthy and look old than fat and young looking any day.  It's not like any of us are getting out of this world alive.  We might as well have a better quality of life while we're at it!  :o)

Judging by your avatar picture, I don't think you need to worry about looking beautiful as a thinner woman.  One thing I have noticed about post-ops (men and women, by the way) is that we tend to focus on what doesn't look better rather than what looks fabulous.  For me, anyway, it has taken awhile to accept that parts of me do look better than they used to look and that other people see those things first and overlook what doesn't look that great (loose skin around the waist in my case) while I tend to focus on that not so great looking stuff.  In the end, though, this is really about being healthier...and if you end up looking mostly better, too, it is a wonderful bonus.  Anyhow, good luck with getting approved!

RP

Thanks Rick.  To be honest, it's just a though that came to me today.  it's not something I've bene worrying over.  I am pretty sure I don't care what I look like, my main goal for having the surgery is my slowly declining health.  I just want to feel better.

I agree with you about what other's see and what we see.  I'm sure it's a chore to remember what looks wonderful about yourself.  The average person doesn't go around thinking, "Boy, do I look great today!"  This or otherwise...

Congratulations on your weight loss and to the improvement of your health!  Tummy lumps and all. 

Judging from your avi pic you are gorgeous already!! You'll knock em dead as a healthier you!! Rick is right. We tend to focus on the parts that have flaws when everyone sees how far we have come but in the end its all about health!!

Aren't you sweet!  I remember your profile.  I poured over your info one day when I was going a through it I saw how far you've come and what you went through and it was very inspiring to me.  I am going to keep reading stories like yours so I can really focus on why I'm doing it; to feel better.

Thanks for your comment.

LJ

Ya know what?  I had the very same thought the day before my WLS, and it kinda freaked me out!  I've been obese since I was a mere fetus, ya know?  So I couldn't help but think - who the heck am I gonna see when I look in the mirror 100 less pounds from now?

Truth is, I look the same... in the mirror, anyway.  Kinda.  I see the difference in pictures, but when you're looking at yourself in the mirror every day, it's hard to notice the change.

I'm guessing I'm older than you - 47 - and I've been pleasantly pleased by how NOT wrinkly I am.  At least, i don't feel wrinkly in the face.  We won't talk about my stomach or thighs...

LeJoy, YOU are gorgeous already.  I mean, seriously? LOOK AT YOU!   Methinks when you lose the weight you want to lose, you'd best invest in a big 'ol can of pepper spray, or maybe a tazer...

Don'tcha just love the way Darla puts things!!!   A can of pepper spray!   Excellent.  And... I agree - it will be great. 

I am totally doing this for myself and can't wait.  I'm way older than both of you - 57 - but I know I'll look good!   LOL

Tee hee!  You are a tickle, aren't you.  I tend to go for the funny bone too.  LOL

I'm 38.5 years old and I feel like I could be a lumpier person, so I might have luck.  To be quite honest, I was a few weeks into research for this surgery before it occured to me that I wouldn't just be healthier, I would also be smaller.  Like "For REAL".  This is when I got started on the idea that I might have issues with wrinkles, creases and stuff.  I'm not saying that it's my main reason, but no matter how old we get, if you're a woman at the heart of it all, you're still just a girl.  Girls think about stuff like that at some point.

If (for YOU) you're really big, it's common that you've put thinking about your looks in the closet and I think I'm just curious.  Not worried and not obsessed, but curious.

Thanks for your comment!

LJ