Have you ever walked past a window, caught your reflection, and did a double-take because you didn’t recognize your smaller self? Or perhaps you reach for clothes that are far too big for you now when you are shopping only to find they don’t fit. They body changes quickly after WLS, but this doesn’t mean that the mind keeps up! For some, this isn’t much of a concern and may even be a little fun now and then. For others, this can be a real issue and even result in a form of body dysmorphia where you see your body as it was before surgery instead of how it is now. In this post, we will discuss ways to help you recognize your smaller self and embrace your body at whatever stage of the journey you are on.
Take Pictures and Body Measurements
It can be hard to see the changes in your body day-to-day. Try taking full-body pictures from the front, back, and sides each month. This can help you see how much things are changing on a regular basis. You may also find it helpful to take body measurements each month. On our BariBuddy app, you can track changes in your waist, hips, thighs, and upper arm. Give it a shot!
Wear Clothes that Fit and Feel Good!
This is not to say you need to get a new wardrobe every time you change a size. What this does say is if you are wearing clothes that are hanging on you, it is harder to see your weight loss. Many times, people will say that no one said anything about their weight loss until they got a new outfit and then suddenly – boom! – everyone noticed (them included!). Along with clothes that fit, finding clothes that you feel confident in can help you appreciate the body you have. Whether you are excited about the changes in your body, have areas that you maybe feel less excited about, or both – wearing clothes that fit you and that you feel good in will help you recognize your smaller self and embrace the changes.
Bring the Focus Outside of Appearance
It can be incredibly easy to get caught up in appearances, especially when we all have the opportunity broadcast ourselves to the rest of the world. Take the focus away from how you look and see yourself as the whole you! This of course can be related to non-scale victories and other things that have improved since your surgery. But remember – you are far more than your WLS! What else do you like about yourself? What are you proud of? This brings us to our next tip.
Curb the Negative Self-Talk
No one is perfect. So why is it so easy to belittle ourselves rather than lift ourselves up? Try changing negative self-talk to positive affirmations. This is often easier said than done since our brains get super used to riding the tracks we’ve laid throughout our lives. One way to work on this is to create a negative-talk jar. Every time you say something negative about yourself, write it down on a slip of paper, put it in the jar, and say something positive instead. By noticing how often you have negative self-talk, you will start doing it less.
Share with Others
It’s easy to feel alone in your struggles after WLS, especially if you are not one to share your journey with others. That said, it can be extremely helpful to discuss how you’re feeling with people you trust – you might even find they are having a similar experience. It may also be worth your time to talk with a professional about your body image. As we mentioned in the beginning, not seeing the weight you’ve lost can evolve into a more serious body dysmorphia for some. If you feel like this could be you, reach out to a trained mental health professional to help you along your journey.
Have you found ways to help adjust to the changes in your body after surgery? Share them with us by writing our dietician at [email protected].
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Get complete nutrition with
Baricol® Complete
Baricol Complete is a vitamins and mineral supplement created by doctors and dieticians using to the Nordic guidelines to give you all you need after WLS in one product. Choose between powder, effervescent, chewable, and tablets. Recommended by healthcare professionals.
