Question:
Why am I embarrassed NOW about my flabby arms?
Hi all! Well, here's another weird question from me! I'm now 3 1/2 months out (LAP RNY) and down 76 pounds (have gone from 336 to 260). Since the weather has been warming up here lately, I've started wearing short-sleeve and sleeveless tops. However, I've noticed that I've become very conscientious about my flabby upper arms! Before I had this surgery, I would wear sleeveless tops and really not think twice about it. I remember briefly thinking about it last summer, as I put on a nice sleeveless shell. I told myself that everyone at work knew I was fat and if it bothered them to look at my fat arms, then they could just look away LOL. This year though, my arms are smaller, but there is more flabby, hanging skin there! What kind of silly mental thing is this? Has anyone else gone through this? It doesn't make sense that I'm MORE self-conscious now than I was before the surgery, does it? If anyone has gone through this silliness, I would love to hear about it! You guys are great! :) SuzAnne in Utah — SuzAnne S. (posted on April 18, 2003)
April 17, 2003
I don't know why, but I am also far more critical of myself now (I've lost
130 pounds) than I was when I was stil MO. It's all very strange, but it
appears to be a common thread with us WLS Post-op's. Your not
alone...and...it will probably get worse as you continue to lose.
— pam29922
April 17, 2003
I would never wear anything sleveless or any shorts(which I wore shorts in
public the other day & I felt good, but felt so weird!!!) when I was my
heavier self and now that I've lost almost all my weight, I wont wear
sleveless and rarely even a t-shirt that's short armed. I am turnning 7mo
post-op and I was 267# now 156# and my arms look the worse, but I've
noticed they are getting better with time and now that the weight loss is
slowing down I can focus on the skin and not the weight loss! I have made
the choice not to go back for recronstructive surgery. Good luck and give
it time. Your journy is just beggining! :o)
— Sandy M.
April 17, 2003
Oh can I relate!! I never used to worry about how I looked. I looked horrid
and that was that. It never bothered me to go swimming or anything, I just
didn't care. Now eight months post op, down from a high of 370 to a 245
plateau, I hate how I look. Where I used to wear shorts and a t-shirt to
the gym I now wear a sweat shirt and jogging pants. My bathing suit hangs
off me but I'm too cheap to buy a new one yet (they have size 18 speedos at
costco for under $20, I'll buy one when it will fit) but I almost hate
going swimming. My make up used to be slap dash, now it is always perfect
(well, perfect for me LOL) and I woudn't dream of leaving the house without
it - even on Saturday!! I haven't decided how I feel about my new found
vanity - right now I'm just amused. Good luck.
— Sunny S.
April 18, 2003
I can totally relate: being fat is one thing, being flabby, well, that's
just gross. I guess we all have our standards of beauty. That's why I've
had as much plastic surgery as I can. I had huge scrotal sack looking skin
hanging from my arms...yuck!
— merri B.
April 18, 2003
I think almost anyone here could relate. I wave and my upper arms wave
back. LOL I've been buying a lot of 3/4 length sleeves. Not long, not
short - hides what I need to. PS - Merri, are you ever going to put a new
picture up? LOL
— Toni C.
April 18, 2003
Hi Suzanne...Nice name...LOL...That is a good question I did not even think
about until I went shopping with my daughter last week..We were looking at
some cute summer tops and I told her NO WAY could I buy a sleeveless top!!
And she looks at me and says "but Mom you always wore them before..Why
not now so you will be cooler on the hot days!" I guess I am nore self
conscious now..I mean I look so good (lol) with clothes on I do not want to
ruin the "image"!!! I have lost 112# and I have a lot of sagging
skin..I guess I will just stay fully clothed the rest of my life...
— Suzanne S.
April 18, 2003
Do you know where you got that easy-breezy attitude that said "they
can just look away?" You got it from your friend and lover, food. Food
used to whisper in your ear, "Who cares what they think? You're
fabulous, baby, even if only you and I know it. Have a cookie and
everything will be all right." As I attempt to move away from my food
addiction, and I look in the mirror, it's like waking from a daze to
confront a painful reality. God bless all of you who find it easy, but I
find living on a daily basis without the comforting lies that food told me
to be very, very hard.
— Kim A.
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