Holy cow... I am in shock. I almost cried when I saw the scale this morning because I haven't a seen a number under 200 on it since I was 17 years old.

When I started this journey 18 months ago I was 421 pounds. Today, for the first time in 23 years, I AM IN ONDERLAND!!!

Here is a picture of my before and after. I'm so happy right now I don't know what to do with myself!!!!

YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING, FABULOUS!

You are such an inspiration for a wanna be bandster!

What a tremendous accomplishment...words truly can't convey what an impact this has on me! Thanks for sharing your journey....good/bad/ugly/and in between!

You, like a few others on here, keep it honest and real for those yet to experience this journey! and for that I thank you!

ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF YOUR SPECIAL ACCOMPLISHMENT!

That is so amazing, congratulations!! You look soo good! I hope I will be there by this time next year!

I have only lost 16 pounds in one month, but you are truly my inspiration! Congratulations!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You look great! Keep up the good work

You look radiant! Such an accomplishment!! Congrats on your fabulous success......you earned every pound of it

You are amazing! keep on with your new life journey. I felt the same way when I re-entered onderland after 26 years. You are my inspiration.

Wow! you are skinny!!!!You look great, congrats on the hard work. And beautiful, outside and in!

Thanks for sharing the pictures. I wouldn't have known the before was you. Your smile says it all.

Quite a transformation...enjoy the new you. You have worked hard to achieve this and inspired others along the way.

Well done.

Fantastic!!! Proof that hard work pays off..especially with the help of your little "tool"... btw you do not even look 199 in your after pic...look way less

Fantastic!!! Proof that hard work pays off..especially with the help of your little "tool"... btw you do not even look 199 in your after pic...look way less

Thanks, I get told that a lot in RL.

Part of it is I have already had 12 pounds of excess skin removed from my abdomen so that helps a lot. I immediately dropped 2 sizes after that surgery. That was 2 months ago.

You look AMAZING!!! My starting weight is 399 and after one week pre-op I'm down 13! Happy about that but have a long week to go yet. Can I ask if you have any issues with loose skin particularly on your tummy? After giving birth to twins 5 years ago and then following it up with a massive weight gain, I won't be surprised if I need a tummy tuck!!

All I can do is add my congratulations. The other posters said everything I feel. You are a true inspiration and your posts are on the money. Your advice is sound and you are both compassionate and have the wherewithall to kick ass if needed. And you are beautiful inside and out.

Awesome! You look fabulous and are an inspiration to all! Thank you for sharing so much with us!

You look AMAZING!!! My starting weight is 399 and after one week pre-op I'm down 13! Happy about that but have a long week to go yet. Can I ask if you have any issues with loose skin particularly on your tummy? After giving birth to twins 5 years ago and then following it up with a massive weight gain, I won't be surprised if I need a tummy tuck!!

Thanks!

And yes, I have MAJOR loose skin issues. I just had 12 pounds of skin removed from my tummy 2 months ago. You can see how bad it was here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/169905-tummy-tuck-before-after-pics/

I still have considerable excess skin on my arms and legs. It's not pretty but it's still tons better than weighing what I used to. My logic is, I can hide excess skin with clothes. I couldn't "hide" over 200 extra pounds.

The extra skin is worth it.