Body Dysmorphia: Mind Games After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Maybe you've heard about body dysmorphia ? it's a mental image many victims of anorexia nervosa have that tells them they look fat, even when they are emaciated. Bariatric patients can suffer from body dysmorphia as well.

When we were morbidly obese our emotional coping mechanisms kicked in and many of us were able to convince ourselves we really weren't that big. It is emotionally kinder to avoid body criticism, the whole issue seems hopeless. In fact, many morbidly obese patients will say they see themselves normal sized. That is until a rude moment reminds them they are not normal sized: a skinny chair, a turnstile, a bathroom stall, a flight of stairs, a photograph. This false perception is a subconscious coping strategy to protect us from the brutal truth, the truth about how big morbidly obese really is.

My sister and I were clothes shopping one day with our morbidly obese mother. She tried an outfit and complained to us, "but it makes me look fat." And gently we told her, "Mom, you are fat." Intellectually my mother knows she is morbidly obese, but the emotional issues run over reason and she doesn't see herself fat. She is in serious denial that is preventing her from getting the help she needs ? bariatric surgery ? to save her life.

After surgery, there is a tendency for the body dysmorphia to reverse. Before surgery we denied how big we were, after surgery we judge ourselves critically ? like the anorexic ? and fail to see an honest reflection. One woman, down from size 24 to size 10 wrote, "I feel fat daily. I never felt this at 248 pounds ? I saw a thinner person in the mirror than I see now. I look at my size 10 jeans and they look like tents. I don't feel as attractive as I did when I was heavy. I don't understand it," she continued, "but I think it has to do with learning to accept yourself fat so you didn't see all the fat. Now I just have to learn to accept myself as thinner."

Many patients report hyper-judging their figures after weight loss. It seems the thinner you get the more judgmental of your body you become. To this day, the first thing I see in my reflection in my pudgy tummy ? I think it's enormous. I don't see long slender legs or a tiny waist or trim arms. I see a Buddha belly. I've even apologized for my chubby tummy to others when they compliment my new figure. The apology usually goes, "Yes, but I can't get rid of this stomach." I say this while pointing to my "flaw".

That is wrong and brutally unfair to myself. I am working daily to keep this hyper-judgment in check, reminding myself the days of belittlement and self-loathing are over. Now is the time when I love myself.

Patients report universal success when they do one thing in the face of body dysmorphia: dress to impress! Get rid of the flowing camouflage clothes and wear a smart, well fitted outfit. Gentlemen, tuck in your shirts in. Ladies, wear a fitted skirt with a waistband. Small sized "fat clothes" do nothing for body image ? dump that style and get something that flatters your new size. Enlist the help of friends you trust to find flattering clothes. Sometimes you have to force yourself to see your body as it is, a great fitting outfit will certainly do the trick.

Extreme cases of body dysmorphia after gastric bypass weight loss may be treated with counseling and psycho-therapy.

Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com and http://www.livingafterwls.com - Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often.

Copyright ? 2005 Kaye Bailey - All Rights Reserved.

family-safe home cleaners Lincolnshire ..
In The News:

Chrome faces its sixth zero-day attack in 2025 as Google patches critical V8 engine flaw CVE-2025-10585 discovered by Threat Analysis Group.
The Hypershell X Ultra exoskeleton features 12 terrain modes and carbon fiber construction to enhance hiking, cycling and outdoor adventures.
Personal data from public records and data brokers helps scammers create tailored scam stories, making their calls and emails more believable to potential victims.
Uber Eats partners with drone delivery startup Flytrex to test autonomous food delivery services in U.S. markets, marking the company's first investment in drone technology.
OpenAI announces 120-day plan to strengthen ChatGPT safeguards for teens, including parental controls and expert council on AI wellbeing.
Spam emails can help improve security — if reported correctly. Learn how to report spam across major email services and get key tips to protect your inbox and personal data.
Harvard researcher Avi Loeb says comet 3I/ATLAS weighs 33 billion tons and spans 3.1 miles, making it far larger than previous interstellar visitors.
The Glassboro Public School District in New Jersey has partnered with ZeroEyes and InformaCast to detect visible firearms and alert staff and law enforcement within seconds.
Hackers use fake Google search results to trick users into downloading lookalike apps laced with malware that have been pushed to the top.
Generative A.I. has lowered barriers for sophisticated cyberattacks as hackers exploit ChatGPT and other tools to forge documents and identities.
IOS 26's new features include bigger lock screen clocks, dirty lens alerts, and improved spam detection for iPhones.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Sophisticated phishing scams now exploit Apple's iCloud Calendar invite system to bypass spam filters and trick users into calling fake support numbers.
Complete guide to medication tracking apps for iPhone and Android users, featuring built-in Health apps, MediSafe, MyTherapy, and smart pill dispensers.
Alef Aeronautics plans to begin production of its electric flying car Model A by late 2025, following FAA approval for limited testing at five airport locations.
Five common overpayment scams use fake checks and third-party payment requests to steal money from unsuspecting victims across various scenarios.
The Robeta Ananya luxury camper van features a full living room, ceiling bed, washer-dryer, and complete kitchen starting at $295,000 for the limited Founders' Edition.
Scammers exploit retirees' trust and assets through fake debt collection calls, but proper verification methods and reporting can stop these fraudulent schemes.
Social media scams are rising as fraudsters create fake accounts and buy verification badges to deceive users, but these simple safety steps can protect you.
The new groundbreaking Paris Solar-Battery Park in Wisconsin provides renewable energy day and night by capturing excess energy from its solar panels.
Travelers face increased risks from fake Wi-Fi networks at airports and on flights as attackers exploit growing reliance on in-flight internet for entertainment and services.
Older Android phones, tablets and car systems will lose access to new Waze features as the app drops support for Android versions below 10.
Research shows iPhone owners' overconfidence in Apple security makes them easier targets for cybercriminals compared to Android users who take more precautions.
Five key tech terms reshaping online shopping from mobile payments and instant delivery to social media commerce and inventory-free retail models.
AI browsers from Microsoft, OpenAI and Perplexity can fall for scams faster than humans, completing fraudulent purchases and clicking malicious links without verification.

Pediatric Obesity and Vitamin Deficiency - Developments to Fight Future Disease

Obesity, especially in children, is a matter of rapidly growing... Read More

Prejudice and Obesity - Have You Been a Victim?

It's a sad comment on human nature that prejudice and... Read More

Theres Still Time for Your New Years Resolution and Lowering Body Mass Index

This year, we all made some of the typical New... Read More

Is Body Mass Index or BMI a Real Measure of Obesity or is It Flawed?

Body Mass Index (bmi) A Misleading measure of ObesityMany professionals... Read More

Food Intolerance and Low Carb Diets

Food intolerance is a pharmacological reaction to the consumption of... Read More

Small Changes to Weight Loss

As much as many of us who are over-weight do... Read More

Obesity And Fast Foods - The Lethal Link

Obesity and fast foods - there's little doubt about the... Read More

Top Thirty Weight Loss Tips and Tricks

Here are some everyday, helpful hints to get you started,... Read More

Are Low Carb Diets Good for Everyone?

What's a Low Carb Diet Really Mean?When I hear low... Read More

The Right Diet Pill ? Where Do You Begin?

The right diet pill should be carefully considered when deciding... Read More

Cross Training

One of the biggest misconceptions about exercise is that there... Read More

Weight Loss Support Groups: Lose Weight & Keep It Off With Your Friends At The Phentermine Forum

We all know it's hard to begin losing weight, no... Read More

BuildingMoreThanBodies: Best Proteins For Burning Body Fat and Building Lean Muscles and Strong Bone

Lean turkeyLean ground beefChicken breastFish, halibut, orange roughy,More fish, shark,... Read More

Read Food Labels To Lose Weight

I was at the grocery store the other day, doing... Read More

Compulsive Eating Signs

Compulsive eating is characterized mainly by periods of impulsive bingeing... Read More

Overweight - Answering Your Critics

There are those that walk amongst us who have followed... Read More

What are Fats?

Fat is fuel. That is basically what it is. A... Read More

LapBand Surgery: The Rules of the Road, Part 2

The Constant Quest for Restriction; Not enough vs. too muchRestriction.... Read More

The One and Only Way to Lose Weight

There is only one way to lose weightThere really is... Read More

Conventional Dieting Wisdom That Works for WLS Patients

In many cases conventional dieting wisdom simply doesn't work for... Read More

How to Eat All You Want and Still Lose Weight

How would you like to eat all you want and... Read More

Weight Loss Tips, Tricks, and Tactics - Part 1

I personal lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More

20 Ways to Lose Weight

20 WAYS TO LOSE WEIGHT1. Take it one step at... Read More

Successful WLS Patients Make Right Their Nutritional Wellness

It seems there are two schools of behavior patients follow... Read More

Say No To Obesity

Obesity still remains one of the commonest avoidable causes of... Read More

after renovation cleaning Bannockburn ..