Struggling with 'self'

I'm having a tough time with what I see in the mirror. I got my dentures, top and bottom, on August 3rd. Everyone says they look great...and they do...but, I don't look like me! I'm trying to tell myself all the usual stuff...this is the 'new me'...I'll get used to them...blah, blah, blah. It's just hard.

Several years ago, I was injured at work and required surgeries. Went back to working, was injured again, more surgeries. Again. And again. So many scars. Then, skin cancer, on my forehead...another scar. Another blow to my image of 'self'.

I know I have to stop looking at my new teeth as another 'scar'. I have to accept that these teeth, with no imperfections, are now how I'm going to look. How it's going to feel.

Anytime I try to talk to anyone about it, they act like it's no big deal...that I should be okay...so I shut up...but I'm struggling and no one seems to care. Why can't they see that it's like an amputation and having to adjust to using a prosthetic limb? Why can't they see what it is doing to me...to either have to look at my crumpled face without teeth or look at the face of a stranger with them? I think I smiled more without teeth!

Everyone keeps saying it will get better...that it just takes time...that I'll get to love them. I am SO not there yet.

Pitmom the explanation you gave that loosing teeth and wearing dentures is similar to adjusting to prosthetic. Tell your friends you have lost your teeth how it feels and you need time to adjust.

It’s just that simple. Tell your friends that’s it and how you feel. I have a good understanding of how you feel. Have had three hip joint replacements and knee and they never give back the identity with flexibility as before. It’s a hidden prosthetic and have lost the natural knee joint and hip joints. Can never move in the same way again never mind unable to run. I can walk and have a mobile life and that’s a good thing.

Also loosing my teeth one by one . I don’t think I have much longer until they are all gone only have a few left. It is different to wear new dentures and the loss of teeth is hard to take. Everyone will get it to a certain extent but not really until they experience similarities.

You have been here a long time always cheering everyone else up. This time is my turn to cheer you up .... this feeling is only temporary and like joint replacement implants/prosthesis no one see what we wet thru to gain a normal walk or to have a smile. Take the time you need to adjust And talk with anyone to help them understand. It is your loss it is a way to cope with what you have been thru it takes time to adjust. It’s all new and in time it will be the norm...

Post Edited (Chotti) : 9/5/2020 10:27:41 PM (GMT-6)

Scars, to me, mean that you are a survivor and a warrior. Also, I always say that it's the 'inside' of a person that counts. You can be beautiful and stunning but your insides could be mean and evil. It's what's inside that counts. Looks fade, scars happen, wrinkles happen, but the inside will always remain the same. It's what is in your heart that matters.

At obe time i considered covering sh scars on arm. Shrink said why....
I said they are one asoect of me, be replied then why hide them.

I plan to age as it hapoens.
Keeo 💪. HT