I'd quit talking about my weightloss stats, removed them from my siggy, etc. because I know that reading loss stories can be hurtful if you're someone who isn't losing, and hey - it doesn't hurt me any to not have it advertised. But now I'm thrilled & not holding this one in so if that's you, don't read this post.

I'm 2.5 months post-op.

:dance: As of this morning's weigh-in I have "officially" (as officially as my home scale gets, anyway) lost 33% of my excess weight!

:dance: I have gone from needing to lose exactly 200lbs to needing to lose 134lbs!

:dance: My BMI has gone from 56.4 to 47!

:dance: I'm within 15 - 20lbs of reaching the weight I was at 2 years ago on Atkins, which was the lowest I'd been in about 8 years!

:dance: Having the "left to lose" number start with a 1 makes this seem so much more attainable!

:dance: Soon my "left to lose" number will be double digit!

:dance: I have gone from tight sz 34 jeans to a comfy sz 26 jeans! That's 4 sizes!

Ok, composure regained...

Way to go! That is so awesome! Keep up the good work!

Good for You!

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Big Congrats.

Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

That's an amazing achievement!

Gosh, not only does that sound soo good to read, it feels good to me and I'm not even you. Way to go Wheetsin!!!!

Thanks for the kind words, all!

Just saw this question: Wheetsin has the weight loss you've had possibly inspired your mother to consider it?

She called me the other day, and among other things told me that she saw somewhere that a bariatric surgeon specializing in AGB is coming to her city. I don't think it's someone who would be affiliated with the local hospital, so my best guess is that someone is opening a private practice there, or some kind of center not affiliated with the hospital is opening. But, if the surgeon IS affiliated with the hospital, then there's a chance her ins. would cover it and I know that if she could get ins. coverage for it she'd consider it more seriously than she is now.

It's a long story but the hospital system in their city has a monopoly on all of the state employee insurances (that situation is getting better, but still not great) and pretty much controls the city... e.g. all the city officials work there when voted in, or are offered jobs there once elected.

I know that particular hospital system is 100% against supporting bariatric procedures. Not only do they offer 0 coverage of any kind ("Meet with our dietician" is their answer"), they won't even let the local support group use a room after hours - they had to arrange meetings at the library. But we can keep our fingers crossed and hope it's an unlikely change of policy.

Her latest thought is, "Maybe I can just eat what you eat, but without the band." I told her that wasn't going to happen. So then she thought maybe it's something she could wean herself to... cut back part of her portion size at a time, and over the course of a few months get to where she was just eating my portion sizes. I haven't talked with her since, but we're going to visit this weekend and I have 'splaining to do. She doesn't see that AGB still requires holistic devotion to weightloss.

Way to go!!! That is a HUGE goal... You are doing so well... What a great role model!!!

Congrats to you Wheetsin!:whoo: :whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo:

Ok, completely forgot to have hubby take some pics lastnight but I did go to my old Atkins folder and find my before, and also find a "during" where I weight 6 lbs more than I weight now, so it gives a pretty good idea. I actually wore the green shirt/jeans outfit yesterday, so I know it should be a pretty good representation of about 65 lbs down and about 140 left to lose.

Ok, found two more. First is the side pic that goes with the front pic above. Second is about 8 lbs lighter than I am now, wearing the skirt I'm wearing in my befores... so should still be pretty accurate.

Sorry about the little pics, I posted these on my Atkins board and we were limited in the picture size we were able to post.

No freakin way! You look waayy smaller, more than 8lbs or 6lbs. I'd say 15lbs difference. Your face and everything else looks more toned and smaller and I like you with short hair. It's cute.

The 6/8 lbs differnece is between the "durings" and right now, which I don't have pics for.

What thepictures show is the difference after about 65 lbs lost.

I *wish* I could see that much difference after a handful of pounds!

You must be tall Wheetsin like me?

You are looking great!!!! Keep up the good work.

Congrats on your wonderful loss! You must be so happy to be within spitting distance of your lowest weight. I am curious (because I too lost a lot on a low carb diet a few years back) Do you find that you eat similarly to the Atkins days or do you just eat a little bit of everything without regard to whether its got lots of carbs? For myself I find I eat a little of everything but I still feel a little guilty b/c I think I should still try to keep the carbs on the lower end. Again congrats on your loss!!:clap2:

HIP HIP HOOOOOOOOOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! U go Gurl.......... Job well done. Thanks for sharing your good news with us.......

You must be tall Wheetsin like me?

Ah. yes - that's the key to being able to carry more weight than anyone thinks. I'm a tiny hair taller than 5'10.

Do you find that you eat similarly to the Atkins days or do you just eat a little bit of everything without regard to whether its got lots of carbs?

I don't really eat like I did on Atkins at all. I try to be aware of carb content, and make smart choices (e.g. I do buy the carb countdown milk when I want a Protein drink, instead of regular milk, will buy sugar free if it's a healthy sugar free, etc.), but I do not count my carbs like I did on Atkins, and I don't eat anywhere near the fat content. I lost 120 lbs on Atkins in less than a year -- I never ate more than 20 carbs in a day (I did induction the entire time) and for me, the more fat I ate, the more I lost, so I was adding olive oil to everything, dipping everything in dressing, frying everything in butter. Now I try to find "balance". I pretty much eat whatever I want (that has SOME nutritional value). I just pay attention to how much of it I eat. My take on it is:

You can eliminate anything from your diet, and you will lose weight. You'll lose weight by cutting sugars, or fat, or starches, or whatever. Pick your evil and you'll lose weight doing it. But it's never a healthy decision to remove something so drastically that your body suffers. And you won't sustain it over time.

That's why I really believe in balance.

Atkins was a desperation move. I saw it working for so many others, I thought it might really be my Golden Ticket.