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.
emergency cleaning services Glenview ..Losing Weight quickly and easily has become one of the... Read More
Hannah was distressed that, with all the inner work she... Read More
"I tried that diet and lost 8 pounds in the... Read More
Patrick Henry once said, "I have but one lamp by... Read More
Have you ever experienced this scenario before?"I have successfully lost... Read More
Dieting and Exercising ? Results all the time!To be successful... Read More
There have been endless numbers of fad diets over the... Read More
Most people are unsure about how to begin a fat... Read More
People usually quit weightloss and exercise programs for one of... Read More
I personally lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More
One may think that on a website called "LivingAfterWLS" you... Read More
Q: "I'm wondering if you can help me. I'm not... Read More
Yep, it is that time of year again! Time to... Read More
Do you compete in sports for weight loss or fat... Read More
Do you know the name of that one disease which... Read More
IntroductionThe history of The Atkins Diet goes back to the... Read More
For years the experts have been telling us that diets... Read More
If you're thinking of going on a diet to lose... Read More
When it comes to the matter of weight loss, peoples... Read More
If you're on a weight loss program you're under constant... Read More
If you have been eating as usual and the pounds... Read More
How much will power does it take in order to... Read More
In our never ending search for the illusive "Fountain of... Read More
One thing I really must say at the outset of... Read More
We are a large people. 65% of us are overweight,... Read More
full-service cleaning Arlington Heights ..Over two thirds of Americans are over weight, and half... Read More
The only absolute truth in the area of exercise and... Read More
Have you ever stopped to calculate how much time you... Read More
Welcome to bodybuilding weightloss exercise tips!This is the engine room... Read More
It's easy to lose sight of our goals, "Do I... Read More
In the early weeks after having weight loss surgery almost... Read More
If you're like me, you probably wish that there was... Read More
From driving up your blood pressure and cholesterol, to increasing... Read More
While the gastric bypass may seem like the perfect solution... Read More
If you have been watching your weight all year, you... Read More
Getting to the ROOT of the matter: If the plants... Read More
Once there were these two Nuns and they...just kidding! Do... Read More
Obesity and overweight, weight reduction and weight management therapies, miracle... Read More
1. Carrying around excess body fat will decrease your energy... Read More
Body temperature is the result of your body generating and... Read More
Weight loss programs often have big claims. Understand the "science"... Read More
If you knew when you were going to die, would... Read More
Have you noticed since your WLS and return to regular... Read More
In health clubs, they run classes that call themselves "aerobics".... Read More
An Interview with Success Story, Caitlin JohnsonIf you don't know... Read More
On the road to weight loss, fitness, and health,... Read More
Diet PillsTaking diet pills is definitely not an effective weight... Read More
Here's a letter from my email:Dear Carol,I took your teleclass... Read More
Dieting doesn't have to be a chore. Actually, you can... Read More
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity... Read More
Weight Loss |