Guest guest Posted July 9, 2000 Report Share Posted July 9, 2000 Arrianna, Although I haven't had the surgeries, I can offer a different perspective....you have come through the worst part and survived. The surgery is over, now you just have to heal. Also, on a more humorous note, when was shopping for a bra easy? I'll bet most of us stuck with one style for years when we finally found one that fit. My advice would be to go to a department store that has a salesperson who works in that department (you can call ahead) and explain that you just had surgery and need help in finding one that fits. Good luck with your healing...take your vitamins and drink your water. in Nebraska Rny 6.21.99 U of MN Body Image > NatureHI Guys, > Well Im healing from the breast reduc/lift and panniculectomy finally. > This is a very long recovery and was not easy. There are many places still > in my abdomen that are numb or sore and bruised or both. I feel like I'm > wearing a panty girdle even when I'm not and I'm still wearing a soft bra 24 > hours a day. > I didn't think it would happen to me but I went shopping for a new bra > last week (probably too soon to do this) and I came home in tears. Nothing > fit right or looked right and I'm certainly not used to the new size. Its > not that I'm morning the loss of my oversized ones, its just that I don't > understand these and or relate to what to do for a bra or clothes etc. I > guess I'm not explaining it right... I guess I'm just not used to this body > at all so my question is two - fold....... > 1. How long did it take you folks who have had reconstructive surgery to get > used to the new body? > 2. When does the numbness and discomfort end? Months? weeks? > > I thank you in advance and yes I'm trying to be patient but I want to go to > the gym and I'm too weak and sore.. etc. and well you know....... lol Thanks > for listening. > Arrianna > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > CatalogLink offers hundreds of catalogs for FREE! > Click here to find the latest and greatest in the > world of catalogs - check out our featured Picks of the Week > and also look to enter our $500 catalog shopping spree! > http://click./1/6068/10/_/576511/_/963154893/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2000 Report Share Posted July 9, 2000 Arrianna: When was your surgery? I understand your concerns and feeling like an invalid is certainly a bummer....especially a leaking, hurting invalid. I had a tt twenty-two years ago, and have another one scheduled for July 20. Judging from my facelift, the numbness can last quite a while. Reading your post kind of reminds me of the let-down a lot of us have after any type of surgery. You run on adrenaline before the surgery and right afterwards, then you are left with just the physical recovery. I'm hoping for you that someday soon, it will stop hurting and you'll start enjoying your new self. Just remember that if you feel like you're walking around in a tight girdle, you probably look like it too! Pretty soon, maybe you'll just be able to enjoy the " looking like it " part. All the best, Bandas Austin, TX RNY 4-28-98, Dr. Selinkoff, San , TX Then: 305 Now: 190 115 pounds gone forever! Body Image > NatureHI Guys, > Well Im healing from the breast reduc/lift and panniculectomy finally. > This is a very long recovery and was not easy. There are many places still > in my abdomen that are numb or sore and bruised or both. I feel like I'm > wearing a panty girdle even when I'm not and I'm still wearing a soft bra 24 > hours a day. > I didn't think it would happen to me but I went shopping for a new bra > last week (probably too soon to do this) and I came home in tears. Nothing > fit right or looked right and I'm certainly not used to the new size. Its > not that I'm morning the loss of my oversized ones, its just that I don't > understand these and or relate to what to do for a bra or clothes etc. I > guess I'm not explaining it right... I guess I'm just not used to this body > at all so my question is two - fold....... > 1. How long did it take you folks who have had reconstructive surgery to get > used to the new body? > 2. When does the numbness and discomfort end? Months? weeks? > > I thank you in advance and yes I'm trying to be patient but I want to go to > the gym and I'm too weak and sore.. etc. and well you know....... lol Thanks > for listening. > Arrianna > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > CatalogLink offers hundreds of catalogs for FREE! > Click here to find the latest and greatest in the > world of catalogs - check out our featured Picks of the Week > and also look to enter our $500 catalog shopping spree! > http://click./1/6068/10/_/576511/_/963154893/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2000 Report Share Posted July 10, 2000 Hi Arrianna! It takes a while to heal. I had a problem with my panniculectomy healing properly (a small part of my incision wasn't healing right) and it finally closed up (the right way) a week ago. I, too, had a breast reduction and belive you me, it takes time to get used to the new image. I still don't know exactly what size I am. For the longest I wore the soft bras (still do but change up with a regular one from time to time). I am wearing my old ones which are much more comfortable now (and loose). They keep me from jiggling all over. The swelling has gone down. The numbness....well, it took me almost a year to feel anything around my RNY incision, so I guess I will be waiting a while for this one to recover feeling. The bottom line is that my gratitude is such that I am willing to be patient. With this stuff (reconstructive surgery) patience is the name of the game. Your body went through the ordeal of being cut (again) and it takes time (as you know) to bounce back from that. Look at the small things. The new way that you look. The different way that you look in clothes. Try not to be impatient. I read somewhere that it may take more than a few months for our bodies to settle into the new shape. I am 4 months post op from the surgeries and I am still seeing changes. It gets better. (((HUGS)))) Carol RNY 10/31/97 Breast Lift & Panniculectomy 3/17/00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2000 Report Share Posted July 10, 2000 Carol: I'm having a tt, hernia repair and " chest lift " on July 20. I'm doing it at an outpatient facility where they're going to observe me for 23 hours, then send me home. I've got friends to take care of me, but I think I'll have a nurse come in that first day home. I'm hoping to go to my office for 2-3 hours a week after my surgery to check on stuff. Is this reasonable? Thanks, Bandas Austin, TX RNY 4-28-98, Dr. Selinkoff, San , TX Then: 305 Now: 190 115 pounds gone forever! P.S. The " hernia thing " is actually a solid feeling piece of something that is about the size of a fat cigar that runs along my incision line under the skin. The WLS doc says it's scar tissue and sutures, but it pops up and down over the bottom of my sternum and is really strange. Every doctor who's looked at it just kind of gawks in amazement. Anyone hear of this? Re: Body Image > Hi Arrianna! > It takes a while to heal > The bottom line is that my gratitude is such that I am willing to be patient. With this stuff (reconstructive surgery) patience is the name of the game. Your body went through the ordeal of being cut (again) and it takes time (as you know) to bounce back from that > Carol > RNY > 10/31/97 > Breast Lift & Panniculectomy > 3/17/00 > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Failed tests, classes skipped, forgotten locker combinations. > Remember the good 'ol days > http://click./1/5531/10/_/576511/_/963230685/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2000 Report Share Posted July 10, 2000 It is reasonable if you are Superman!! While I was in no way as incapacitated as i was with the RNY, my energy stores were very low the first 3 weeks or so. I could sit upright and walk about and do stuff for only for about 90 minutes, max. I would rest for an hour or so and then get up for 30 minutes or more then rest. I REALLY paid for it when I went over that 90 minute limit. The thing that you must keep in mind is that the success of this and any other surgery is mainly dependent on you getting your REST. I can't emphasis that enough. You will probably be tempted to do a lot because of how much better you feel initially. But when the fatigue sets in - you can do some serious damage to your body. Anyhow, go slow. Going into the office (unless it is located in your home) a week after surgery is not a good thing. Give yourself some time. You'll be glad that you did. Good luck on the new you!! Carol Richmond, VA 118 lbs gone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2000 Report Share Posted July 10, 2000 >>>> But what I'm saying is that I'm reaching the point where I can go out in public and feel " normal " . I think of myself as being clean & tidy & normal. But it doesn't take much to make me crawl back inside myself to hide. >>>>>> ditto for me too - probably lots of us. it is strange how the summer clothing or lack of has caused more comments than the past several months. I was in walmart and as soon as I turned down an aisle, all alone on that aisle, a man walked by and whistled. I knew I was alone but had to look around just the same. that was the second time that happened last week and lately I've been traveling up and down the interstate alot and the truckers are really being overlyfriendly with the waving and horn blowing - must be the shorts and all the leg showing or something. people keep asking if I'm still losing and telling me I need to stop but it's actually about 7months that I've been stable or longer even. I'm not ashamed to eat in public anymore though - remember how you felt eating an ice cream cone in the middle of the mall and it seemed like everyone was staring and thinking why does that fat girl need to eat that ice cream. sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2000 Report Share Posted July 10, 2000 , How I remember that....now I do feel that people don't stare...but I purchased a diet Pepsi today and had the audacity to buy a small box of cookies to take to my son....in front of two college students....the same feeling...whispering, pointing, etc. in Nebraska body image > ICE CREAM!? I had 'em give me filthy looks when I ate SALAD in public! How > DARE I hurt their eyes by actually EATING right in front of them! > > Thanks, > > > www.vitalady.com > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Free, Unlimited Calls Anywhere! > Conference in the whole family on the same call. > Let the fights begin! Visit Firetalk.com - Click below. > http://click./1/5476/10/_/576511/_/963283348/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2000 Report Share Posted July 11, 2000 In a message dated 7/10/00 8:26:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time, dbandas@... writes: << I'm hoping to go to my office for 2-3 hours a week after my surgery to check on stuff. Is this reasonable? >> , I think you are being OVERLY OPTIMISTIC. I would NOT go into the office for 3 weeks at all. But me, I am allergic to PAIN! ;^) In Charlottesville VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2008 Report Share Posted July 18, 2008 I am currently finishing > reading " Overcoming Overeating " which explains that we think " fat " > thoughts when the real problem is too overwhelming to contemplate. > Hi , That sounds interesting, but I am not sure I follow. Could you expand on this a bit? What are " fat " thoughts? And when you say, " the real problem " , do you mean the problem of being overweight or other type problems? As for giving you tips, I am sorry I cannot help you with that. I have the world's worst body image. I won't even look in the mirror most of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2008 Report Share Posted July 18, 2008 Me, too, . I have > the world's worst body image. I won't even look in the mirror most of > the time. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2008 Report Share Posted July 18, 2008 I am working on this as well. I look forward to any ideas and suggestions. In the past, when I was healthier and lighter I felt better about my body that I currently do. I am hoping that as I utilize IE in time a better body image will come. It is very hard with the media and our society as a whole. Sophia Subject: Body ImageTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Date: Friday, July 18, 2008, 11:01 AM Anyone have any good suggestions for improving body image? I have just returned from a few days away, and although I can see that I am much more in tune with my hunger and satiety, I spent WAAAYYY too much time feeling self-conscious of my body.My head knows that there are smaller and larger people out there - and I saw them in various stages of scantily-dressednes s - but why do I spend so much energy in self-loathing? ? I am currently finishing reading "Overcoming Overeating" which explains that we think "fat" thoughts when the real problem is too overwhelming to contemplate.Any advice would be welcome... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2008 Report Share Posted July 18, 2008 , there are body image books/web sites in the Files and Links here at the IE Support site. These made the list because someone here liked them enough to suggest them. You may want to try your library as well as online book sites (including Paperback Swap) to see if you can find one of these for yourself. Best to you - Katcha > > Anyone have any good suggestions for improving body image? I have just > returned from a few days away, and although I can see that I am much > more in tune with my hunger and satiety, I spent WAAAYYY too much time > feeling self-conscious of my body. > > My head knows that there are smaller and larger people out there - and > I saw them in various stages of scantily-dressedness - but why do I > spend so much energy in self-loathing?? I am currently finishing > reading " Overcoming Overeating " which explains that we think " fat " > thoughts when the real problem is too overwhelming to contemplate. > > Any advice would be welcome... > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2008 Report Share Posted July 18, 2008 There a 'trick' to looking in a mirror - the SMALLER the mirror, the better the reflection - LOL!!! Count me in the 'mirror shocked' (who is THAT?!?) group - giggles - Katcha IEing since March 2007 > > Me, too, . > > I have > > the world's worst body image. I won't even look in the mirror most of > > the time. > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2008 Report Share Posted July 18, 2008 When I'm having a bad body day (week, month, you know...) I find that doing something nice for myself really helps. I am all about a nice pedicure and some kicky sandles or a figure flattering outfit. Sometimes I actually talk to myself in the mirror - I may have a tummy, but that is the tummy I earned bringing my son into the world. The girls may not be where they were in my 20's, but they did their job feeding my little guy. And when all else fails - soft lighting and strecthy clothes. > > > > Me, too, . > > > > I have > > > the world's worst body image. I won't even look in the mirror most of > > > the time. > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 19, 2008 Report Share Posted July 19, 2008 The book " Overcoming Overeating " explains that compulsive eaters (like me) turn to food for emotional reasons. We need comfort in the face of anxiety or other discomforting emotions. Then, because we feel " bad " for having eaten, the problem is transformed. The original problem is lost and the thoughts focus on " Oh I am bad...I am out of control...I ate that whole box of cookies when I am not even hungry " Now the " problem " becomes us and who we are, which seems controllable through yet another diet. The " fat " thoughts distract us from ever addressing the real problem and we stay stuck, coping in a understandable, but not effective, way. This example from my own life: I had an epiphany several years ago before I ever read Intuitive Eating. I was in my kitchen, standing in front of the open cabinets and caught myself preparing to " zone out " with a box of cookies. At that point in my life, I had accepted that I had a need to binge, but I had a flashback to my thought previous to desperately searching the cabinets. I realized that I was REALLY P.O.'d at my husband, but I didn't feel good about being angry and I certainly didn't feel like I could confront him about it. So, feeling powerless and unacceptable, I was going to numb myself and binge on whatever I found, and not " come to " until my fingers scraped the bottom of the now-empty box. Not long after this, I did return to therapy and found better ways to express myself to my husband, but I still struggle with accepting myself and ALL my emotions. > I am currently finishing > > reading " Overcoming Overeating " which explains that we think " fat " > > thoughts when the real problem is too overwhelming to contemplate. > > > Hi , > That sounds interesting, but I am not sure I follow. Could you expand > on this a bit? What are " fat " thoughts? And when you say, " the real > problem " , do you mean the problem of being overweight or other type > problems? > > As for giving you tips, I am sorry I cannot help you with that. I have > the world's worst body image. I won't even look in the mirror most of > the time. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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