DivaStyleCoach

What a story! Thank you Hillary, for posting your story and the awesome photos. I love the morph effect - I think I'll use that for mine when the time comes! I have my psych eval this week and nutritionist next week - hopefully I'll get scheduled soon so I can start my own journey! Great job, girlfriend!:thumbup:

Congrats! You've lost a ton really quickly - how much exercise are you doing? Have fun with your new house and your new YOU! :thumbup:

You look mahvelous! I'm about the same height as you (though considerably older :cry_smile: ) and have the same amount to lose. I hope my results are similar to yours - in fact, I'm gonna work my tail off (literally) to make sure that they will be! I'm not banded yet, but hopefully soon... Thanks for posting your inspirational story!:thumbup:

Congratulations - you have such a nice smile. Time for some new clothes - those are falling off of you, skinny girl!:thumbup:

BooBooKitty - I'm officially a fan! I read your story in the forums, and just wanted to add my kudos to those of your other visitors. Thanks so much for posting your story, and from one tall gal (5'11") to another, you look mahvelous!:thumbup:

You Go Boy! I've often thought about doing a triathlon - I was a swimmer in college and worked summers as a lifeguard, but haven't swam much since the kids arrived - 24 years ago! You've inspired me...I'm going to set a goal for myself after surgery to complete a mini-triathlon first, then go for a full-fledged tri. Who knows - maybe the two of us will wave across the Ironman course some day?:thumbup:

Awesome job - I hope to be able to toss out my diabetes meds eventually, too.:thumbup:

Go 'Head On Girl wit Yo' Bad Self! That 'after' picture is just awesome...congrats on all your hard work and success. You are an inspiration!:thumbup:

Congratulations on your success - so many people would have given up. It makes me realize that no matter how hard I think I've got it, there is someone out there working with a challenge more difficult than mine. Awesome pic on the mountain!:thumbup:

Congratulations! You look awesome - happy and much more fit. I'm glad you didn't let the complications take away your resolve - and you've inspired me to keep on pushing no matter what. Thanks for sharing your story!:thumbup:

Nicely done, girlfriend! You look great, and you're right - you look younger! I'm hoping for similar results... Thanks for sharing your story!:thumbup:

Congrats on your loss - and THANK YOU for posting the real deal about exercise! I am determined to lose this weight - I have not been banded yet, but feel it's the final block in the wall I'm going to build between the formerly fat me and the strong, slender me that is going to be. I already walk several days a week (I see myself upping the time and the speed) and I love the weight room - I'm looking forward to the operation (hurry up and schedule me!) and can't wait to post my own success story. Thanks again - you look awesome!:thumbup:

Thank you Lisa, Sharing your story helps those of us still waiting to be banded. I look forward to the day when I can post my own success story. Your loss is awesome - are you doing anything special regarding exercise? Do you feel you'll have to have cosmetic surgery for any loose skin? Forgive me if these questions are too intrusive...:thumbup:

Mornin' Ladies, Bellasmommy - what kind of routine (exercise, etc) are you following? You've had awesome results and I'd love to duplicate them! I know the band does different things at different paces for different people (how's that for recognizing differences! :confused:) but that might give me a starting point and inspiration... I haven't been banded yet - hopefully soon!:thumbup:

Hey Ladies, This topic was very helpful - my psych eval is next week, and I was wondering what to expect...seems like it'll be okay - I'll report back if my experience is different from the rest of you.

YOU GO GIRL!!!! Congrats on breaking the 300 mark - keep on going, and 199 will be there before you know it... I'm not banded yet, but I can't wait to get into the under-200 crowd!

LiveLoveLaugh - I applaud you for your restraint...I don't know that I could have been as kind as you were. That said, the next time she wants to "treat" you, make a loud announcement that she needs to stop. Embarass the heck out of her and if she doesn't like it, so what! She may very well be jealous - and sabotaging you, ever so slightly, is her way of dealing with it without referring to it directly. If she can get you to cheat, she can say that the procedure wouldn't help her, because after all, if virtuous you can't be good, how will she ever make it? Don't let her do it to you! You could, alternatively, try telling her one more time that she should NOT bring you any such thing, but after that, get loud and ugly and make it plain enough for ER'BODY to hear!:tongue2: Good luck - and you're doing phenominally well - keep up the good work!

CurvesinCali, Best wishes, mountains of blessings, and I'll be thinking of you - when you feel up to it, let us know how you are doing...:tongue2:

Hey Ladies, Lemme see...Talbots ('cause I ain't paying their retail for clothes that I'm going to have to toss after I get my band), Saks, Neiman Marcus, someplace that has FIERCE leather clothing (I have a killer red and black leather dress I'm gonna hate to give up, but oh well), Spiegel (catalog, online), Frederick's (cause I need to show hubby some love too), Nordstroms... I also love shoes and accessories, so when I hit my goal, I'm trading all my costume jewelry in for the real stuff - I love white gold and sterling silver! I'm also planning for a new car - something curvy, fast and sexy - like I'm gonna be! :tongue2:

Hey Ladies! Been on the boards for just a minute - here are my stats: Born and raised in Detroit, Mi, now residing in Norwich, CT Married 18 years to the love of my life, retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Three kids - 25 yr old son, 24 yr old son (just made me a grandma), almost-18-year-old daughter who is a H.S. Senior and driving mama crazy!!! One dog - Sisko (Bull Mastiff - pound puppy), a bunch of fish Living in an 1850's vintage Greek Revival home which I truly Currently at 260, looking to get to 140 - 160 range at 5' 11" tall Lifelong history of weight struggles - starting at age 12! Family history of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure Very supportive hubby - he wants to see me healthy. He's a little concerned about me getting too thin (he likes my big legs and my generous bustline) but wants me off the meds more. Offered to pay for "enhancement" surgery if I need it :tongue2: Nice to meet the rest of y'all - I hope to be banded before Halloween - we'll see what's in the cards for me...

Congratulations Nigel! You look awesome, and I'm sure life has so much more to offer now that you are much healthier. Great picture!:tongue2:

Wow Ladies... I am feeling so blessed right now. I have a very good friend at work who has done the bypass, and her husband is recently bypassed. She has just gotten back on the stick, so to speak, and lost another 15 pounds (her total loss is something over 100). Her hubby has lost nearly 65 by now and is doing very well. She's been so supportive of my decision to have WLS, and we talked endlessly about both options. I decided on the band, and she's been 100% supportive. I do have another "friend" (in quotes because she is sometimey) who I KNOW will not be happy about the surgery. She struggles with her weight as well, but since she's 6' 3" tall, it doesn't show as much on her! I just know that when I'm doing well, she's not as happy for me as I think she should be. She's happiest when she's doing 'better' in our internal competition. I don't understand it at all - why would you NOT be happy for a friend that was getting healthier, especially when you KNOW they've been struggling? I hope I don't have to deal with that...since I don't have a LOT of close friends, I would hate to lose any of them...not everyone earns the title of Friend with me - most people are 'friendly acquaintances' and I leave them where they are. My 17 year old has a favorite song, part of the lyrics are "You see me...Hi Hater!" Jill Scott also has an awesome song titled "Hate on me Hater" that fits the situation perfectly. Hang in there ladies! :thumbup:

Mornin' TamaraJ, Look at this as just one more stepping stone to a healthier you! You are worth the sacrifice - the pre-op diet is just to prepare your body for the surgery. You can do this - you HAVE to do this - you've made the biggest step - the commitment to be a healthier you...don't go back now! Keep telling yourself out loud "I can do it". Your subconscious mind doesn't know the difference between the truth and a lie, and so everything you speak out loud goes into your subconscious and sets about making it happen. Keep saying positive things out loud to yourself - at first, it may sound crazy, or you might think "I don't really believe this" but if you keep going, you'll begin to believe. I don't know your basis in Faith, but for me, I believe this world was spoken into being and that our spoken words have a LOT of power. Speak yourself into a new, positive reality, my sista-in-the-struggle, and enjoy the journey! Just think - you'll be soon posting your fantastic recovery from the surgery and all your great results from the band. I'm a little jealous - I haven't been approved yet, but everything looks good so far. I wish I were farther along on the process so I could get started with the rest of my life... :thumbup:

Hey Ladies, I have been the Tricare route - my hubby is retired Military and I simply don't use them because I have other options. See if you can do an inquiry to find out if they have a support group. Get in contact with them and talk to someone who has been through it - maybe they can help you decide how to frame your discussion (note - this does not mean LIE) and perhaps they can also help ease your anxiety around approval. Just a thought...sometimes it's all in how you say something, and talking to someone who has been-there-done-that might help...:thumbup:

BBK - I am absolutely transfixed by your story and all the great info you have posted. I'm sure I speak for some others when I say I am absolutely honored to have been let into such a personal journey. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing so much of yourself. I pray that everything works out fine for you...I have yet to be scheduled for my band surgery - I have my psych appt and nutritionist appt next week. I'm hoping that I will be scheduled for my band before Christmas. You are an inspiration - I LOVE your pinup girl photos! You look amazing - fantastic! I find so much to relate to in your story...I need to lose 120 lbs - currently at 260. I am also full-busted - currently wearing a 40JJ, so I feel your pain on that one. I also understand and relate to NOT wanting the "girls" not to be too small...I LOVE being full-busted! :cool2: I'll continue to check in on you as you post to this thread, and I'm praying for your full recovery from all surgery and that you will continue to fly high and prosper. Bless you, darlin' for all those you have helped (and continue to help, like me)!!