Ok about this same time last year I went to Maryland to attend a close friends wedding. I wore this cute blue outfit. (SEE PIC) I was stalled in my weight loss and had stabilized at 245 lbs. I was not happy with where I was at and wanted to lose more. Instead just 6 short months later I lost my band instead.

So today, I attend a wedding here in Pasadena. Beautiful bride and groom exhuding love for each other. Makes me puke. LOL!! No really it was very touching and sweet. They are so cute together and so meant for each other as well. So I took some pics in my black outfit (SEE PIC). I am at 265 lbs now. That is a 20 lb gain since I lost my band. SIGH!! I am still not happy with where I am but I am learning to cope. Take one day at a time and try to make better food choices.

Enjoy the pics.

To get a perspective of what I looked like before banding at all. Here is a often hidden pic of me, with the pic from today side by side.

You are beautiful inside and out.

Not to be silly- BUT You look better today than last year & even when you were at 245.

One day at a time & set mini goals- You know the drill

Miss & love the heck out of you girlie! Hope & pray you'll come & stay a spell with me!

What gorgeous pictures! And you don't look like you weigh 265 either! You look about 200--I am at 205 now and I look much bigger than you. You carry your weight very well. Good luck to you!

~Liz~

banded 03/10/06

Dr.Ortiz

241 highest/204 now/150

5'7''

You look beautiful Penni, and I love the new hair style!

I think you look beautiful!!!!

You look beautiful Penni, and I love the new hair style!

Yeah I just decided the last time I went to the salon to have it chopped off. I also have golden highlights but it is hard to see in that pic. I love my new do.

ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!

Big hugs to you Penni, we really can feel your frustrations. The girls here are right, you are beautiful.

Not to be silly- BUT You look better today than last year & even when you were at 245.

Oh my g-d, I thought the same thing, I'll succeed.

I totally understand the horror of weight gain, but you do NOT look 20# heavier in the 265# pic than you did in the 245# pic.

Seriously.

I would bet that your lean-muscle-mass has increased, and your total percentage of body fat decreased overall. So definitely the 20# weight gain is not reflected in the photos we see. And yes there is tons of overall improvement from the pre-op pic, which I'm sure you can see.

Happy Band And Life Journeys To All...

You guys are the greatest. I felt so good today in that Black outfit. And the Jewelry I made with my own wittle hands. So I am especially proud of that.

I see what you guys are saying about me looking better now than in the pic from a year ago. I can see that too. Thanks for pointing that out. LOL!!

We never see ourselves in the same light as others do we? Weird isn't it?

MUCHO HUGS!!!!

Hey Penni,

I think your looking great! I like both outfits, however you do seem to be happier in your most recent photo.....way to go!

Penni, you are the sweetest and most caring person. I am glad to see that the outside reflects all that inner beauty! Like the others have already said, you are looking pretty darn good!

I wanted to add.....the jewelry you made with your own wittle hands is perfectly fabulous with your outfit!!

I think you look better in the black outfit and the 20# gain really does NOT show. I would post the 298 picture on your fridge because there is a BIG difference in where you were then and where you are now. You look great... stay ON the band-wagon.

Funny you should mention posting the before pic on the fridge because I was just thinking about doing that. Thanks for the reminder.

I felt like a million bucks in that black outfit. I didn't like the way I looked in the blue outfit at all from a year ago. Weird huh?

Penni~ I'm so sorry you have been so frustrated and going through such a hard time. you look beatiful and your attitude about all of this is great. I can deffinatly see that you look and feel better even after all of the stuff with your band. keep heading in the right direction...each day is a new one and you can continue to make a new step each day that will help your health. You are awsome and should feel good about your self!!! I also like your hair shorter! (((HUGS)))