Well I have finally decided to post my pic. It has been really hard for me to do this. I have a birth defect that is called sturgy weber's oslo rondeau disease. It is congenital and I have a facial hemangioma. To put it simply, one side of my face is bigger than the other. It really shows in my lips, my smile is wopsided. I saw a special last night on a woman with half a body and I thought wow she is amazing she takes it all in stride. Here I am worried about what I look like instesd of being thankful that I can walk, talk, see, hear etc. I have lost 40lbs so far and I love the way my life is changing. Well enough about all of that I just want to say that I have finally come to accept me! I love that so here is the pic I also have and avatar now. I haven't posted in a while because I have been dealing with alot of self esteem issues but I am really excited about how I am changing my focus. I gues I am maturing, lol yeah right. WEll have a great holiday season

Your picture is great. I don't think your facial issues are as noticable as you feel. You've done a great job losing weight. You look good. All of us wrestle with self esteem issues and I think having the band (with its slow loss) helps us work through the issues as we lose weight.

I like the fact that avatar pictures are so small. They don't show wrinkles, bags under the eyes, etc. I have posted a few pictures but haven't been able to handle having any more taken for awhile. We all have our picture demons

Congratulations on your loss and getting the picture posted. Merry Christmas. Celeste

You look awesome!! You keep up that fantastic work!

DEE DEE !!! I was wondering where you went. I'm so glad your back.

Your picture looks great and congratulations on the 40 lbs wowowoweeee girl.

I wouldnt have noticed if you hadn't metioned it. You're a hottie!

I think you look great! Awsome job of weight loss too!

Hey girl! We have missed you!!! You look GREAT! and 40lbs WOW girl thats awesome keep up the good work.

Awww, my beautiful friend Dee Dee! It's so good to see you. Well done on posting the pic. You are lovely! I'm just so proud of you! It really is a big step, and you are doing great to focus on the fact that you can walk talk LIVE and now, lose weight too!

I have a hint, you never really mature the way you think you will. Maturity is having wisdom that comes from experience and a bit of perspective to go with it. I thought I'd be grown up when I turned 30, then 40, and along the way I got some new bedroom furniture-you know the kind- the matching set that says "this is a grwon-up room" and even that didn't grow me up. So I figure it will never happen and I'll just have to be me and grow older. It's a good thing to realize.

(((hugs))) and you are beautiful!!!!

I wouldn't have noticed either. I think you're beautiful!

You have a gorgeaous smile and I'm glad your outlook is headed up -- you have alot and there's even more to come! It's all in how you look at things........greajob on the 40 keep it up!

From what I can read and see, you are beautiful inside and out! Congratulations on the terrific weight loss.

It's ALL about the attitude, girlfriend! You're a beauty, and great job on the weight loss!

Cindy

Thank You All For The Great Words Of Encouragement!!! I Really Appreciate It More Than You Know. I Am Really Getting Back Into The Band Life Again. I Never Stopped But Just Didn't Follow The Rules Like I Was Supposed To. I Probably Would Have Lost More If I Had. Well I Am Gonna Try And Post As Often As Possible, I Really Missed You Guys!! You All Are Rockstars!!!!!

dee you go girl you look great congratulations on the weight loss and the new attitude cant stop you now .

http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb065&pp=ZNxdm414YYUS

Girl you look goooooood!!

Congrats on the weight loss!!

You look wonderful! Congratulations on the weight loss and on learning to focus more on the good things you have...I think I saw the same special...it was amazing!

Emily