Is it body dysmorphia?

After significant weight loss it can be hard for you to get used to your new appearance, hard to believe that it’s really you in the reflection as you walk past a mirror or window.

This is super common after bariatric surgery and it makes sense. I’m not a mental health professional but my explanation is this:

 It takes time for your brain that has been in a body with obesity for years to catch up to the new body without obesity. 

One term that is used often on the internet is body dysmorphia and I want to be clear on what this is and how it is different from not yet identifying with your new body. 

Body dysmorphia or Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is defined as having persistent and intrusive preoccupations with an imagined or slight flaw in one's appearance that can cause increased anxiety.

 The thoughts about the imagined or slight flaw can become overwhelming and interfere with your daily life.  This may look like repeatedly checking the mirror or seeking reassurance sometimes for many hours a day.

Body Image Distortion (BID) is defined as a misperception of one or more features of the body. 

For instance, seeing your waist as larger than it is. You may realize this when you purchase new pants 6 months after surgery and are shocked to realize what size fits you. Another term that can fit here  is “phantom fat”, something I recently learned about from Lora Grabow. Phantom fat is when after weight loss you still carry the perception of having obesity. 

Both BDD and BID/phantom fat can significantly impact your day to day life. If you feel like dealing with either of these is becoming too much please reach out to a mental health professional like @bariatric.therapist or www.loragrabow.com 💚