From 433 to 187 pounds - I'm less than half the woman I used to be!

[SkinnyKathy 99]

Hi bandsters,

I haven't checked in here in a long time, but I just wanted to let you all know that as of today I have lost 246 pounds on my lap band journey. I was banded in late 2008, and lost about 200 pounds in two years. Then I plateaued for about a year, thinking that perhaps that was as low as I could go. Then when getting another fill my port tubing got struck and my band was slowly leaking. Only we didn't know that at first. I had a bunch of tests done to rule out band slipping, etc. I had lost most of my restriction and I gained back 30 pounds. I had port and tube replacement surgery a little over a year ago, and ever since then, my weight loss has gotten back on track and more. I've lost over 60 pounds in the last year for a total weight loss of 246 pounds.

In the last year to get past this long plateau, I've had to get really serious about diet and exercise. Now I'm on a Paleo diet, and I drink my own fresh pressed green vegetable juice every day. I use fresh green veggies like celery, cucumber, mint, brocolli, lettuce, kale, sugar snap peas, plus an apple or some grapes, and a lemon for acidity (helps alkalinize the body) and to keep it from oxidizing longer if I don't drink it all immediately. My body loves it! It's vitality in a glass. I use an Omega vegetable juicer.

I also do regular yoga. In the month of January as part of a challenge my yoga class is doing yoga every single day, and yesterday we went to an all-day yoga workshop! Honestly, if even a year ago anyone told me that I would be doing daily exercise and going to an all-day exercise class I would have LAUGHED IN THEIR FACE! But now I'm really loving it. Yoga is great because it focuses on the mind as well as the body. I think most of us, whether morbidly obese or not, need to rewrite our "stories" about ourselves. And yoga really gives you tools to do that. It's more than just exercise.

So I just wanted to let people know that YOU CAN DO ANYTHING! Really, when you change your thoughts you change everything. So just start thinking about how you are living a healthy lifestyle, and you have the power to overcome any challenge, and you will be surprised how the results add up over time!

What's next for me? Well, I've already surpassed my first (249 lbs) and second (199 lbs) weight loss goals. My next goal is 180 lbs, and at 187.2 this morning I'm getting pretty close to it. I may or may not set a lower goal after that. Even at 5' 8.5" height that still puts me in the obese category according to BMI so I may go lower still before plastic surgery.

I definitely need plastic surgery. I have a LOT of loose hanging skin, folds in my skin both horizontally AND vertically. I know the surgeries will take some additional weight off, too. I have met with a local plastic surgeon who recommends three surgeries: (1) a lower body lift with anchor incision, (2) breast reconstruction, arm lift, and Lipo on the thighs, and (3) medial thigh lift. It's quite expensive here in the SF Bay Area though. Soon I have a consultation at cosmed in Tiajuana to see what they would charge. The challenge is both finding the time as well as the money.

Well, I hope this is helpful to some of you all. Good luck and keep up the faith!

Kathy

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Wow amazing story! Congratulations on your success!

[Maddysgram 6,159]

WOW for sure! Thanks for your amazing story and inspiration!

[laurigee 545]

It feels like calling you a success story isn't appropriate! There should be a word that goes beyond success! You are just amazing! Thanks for sharing your story! It really puts those non believers in their place!

[Spaness2012 609]

I am in awe of your accomplishment!

[SueBee01 630]

Awesome, thanks for sharing!

[Cnewme2012 11]

Thats fantastic, you give me hope !!!

[kca1fan 326]

Thank you I will be one of the blessed and banded as of january 22nd. I have around 200 lbs to lose. this really gives me hope

[LeslieW 92]

Your post is just wonderful! thank you for sharing! Gives me even more motivation. I love hearing the success stories.

[dee257 1,516]

WOW....~hugs~ you are awsome for sure....

lots of determination there Lady....

CONGRATS

[SkinnyCubanChick 150]

Thank you I will be one of the blessed and banded as of january 22nd. I have around 200 lbs to lose. this really gives me hope

Your day is coming up soon! Good luck and keep me posted! You are highly blessed. It will go fine! I was banded 12/14, have had no fills yet and have lost 38 Lbs! God bless!