Technically, this post is about 4 days early, but I feel good today, and want to attention whore for a few minutes.

So, what have learned thus far:

~ I have a normal relationship with food

~ My mind, body and soul are finally starting to sync up in unison

~ I truly do not feel like I'm dieting

~ It's okay to have a bad day

~ Life will go on even if I eat way too many cheesy poofs

~ Food is even more delicious since I actually slow down to eat instead of inhaling my meals

~ I no longer feel like I have to be the funny, loud fat girl for people to like me. They genuinely like me just for me.

~ I had to be willing to let my walls come down to let people in, and let myself out.

~ Not having the mask of obesity to hide behind is a vulnerable position to be in sometimes

~ I love that I turn heads because of how I look, not at because of how huge I am.

~ No one can take away my joy unless I allow it.

~ I'm looking forward to holding our baby (no I'm not pregnant yet)

~ I'm petrified of being a new mother aagain, but I'm excited that I'm not going to have to deal with obesity and pregnancy simultaneously.

~ Life is what I make of it, and right now I'm making up for a lot of lost time that I spent always thinking about food and my next meal, and being miserable because of my weight.

John's squadron is holding a joint SF Spring semi-formal ball on May 14th. We're expecting close to 400 people to be in attendance. I went dress shopping this last weekend, and today I finished off the shopping with shoes, accessories and little bolero/shrug for my arms. I'm ecstatic as this is my first formal military event ever, hell it's my first formal event since my high school prom. Least to say, I am so very much in love with my dress, and can not wait to dance the night away in the arms of my love.

The obligatory before pic: 270lbs

Here's the dress: Completely ignore my hair, I just pulled it back for picture purposes. 123lbs

I bought black strappy, open-toe heels with some shiny rhinestones on the toeline. Adorable ! ! !

Life is fabulous. . . If you are a new pre-op, and you think you can't do this, scroll back up, you can if I can. If you're on the journey, and you're wondering if you'll ever get there, you will, don't give up on yourself. If you're contemplating the sleeve, stop thinking, and do it. If you are in a stall, and you are ready to give up, don't let a little speed bump become a road block. The stall will break, and you will be successful.

It's not always easy, but it's so worth it, it's worth it all ! ! !

Tiff, you're my hero, woman!!! You look smashing!!! Congrats to you a million times over and yes, we want pics from the ball!!! Love ya!

C

p.s. if you guys can ever get away and come down to the Keys, I'd just love to meet you and show you some sights! I don't know if you've ever been here or not but it's a pretty neat place, nothing like the mainland!

We very well may plan a trip down there this summer when the kiddo goes to Texas for his summer time with his memmie and pappy. . .

We'll have to see if John can get leave approved since his colleague just got tasked for a deployment. I feel horrible because they literally have 8 days to prepare, and it came out of the blue just like our deployment happened last year.

But, you know if we head down that way, I'll be calling upon you for sure ! ! !

I looooooooooooooooooove the dress! Congrats on everything! <3

WOW... you are truly striking! What an awsome dress. Sometimes it seems hard to believe that I could be tiny but just look at you!!!!!

Hot Dog Sista

i love the dress. it is so becoming on you girl. you also look fab. keep posting pics. you are a great inspiration to all of us on here. ttyl

Awesome story you have to share--and in doing so we all benefit! The pics are just icing on the cake--beautiful!

You are amazing!

More than anything we all appreciate how much you give to the boards in the way of advice, knowledge, research, etc. You are a big help to those of us just starting out on our journeys!

That dress is fabulous and so are you! Congrats and thank you for being so helpful to everyone around here even though your journey is mostly complete... you keep sticking around and spreading wisdom and encouragement and that is awesome!

That dress is fabulous and so are you! Congrats and thank you for being so helpful to everyone around here even though your journey is mostly complete... you keep sticking around and spreading wisdom and encouragement and that is awesome!

Thank you so very much. My journey is not gonna end anytime soon so y'all are kind of stuck with me LOL.

This place and the members here were my lifeline during my recovery. Seriously, without some of the members here at that time, I'm pretty sure I would have gone insane.

Thank you again.

You look great Tiff. Have a great time.

tiff, do you have a blog? seems like someone as knowledgeable as you should be putting all of their insight in one place!!

~ I have a normal relationship with food

~ My mind, body and soul are finally starting to sync up in unison

~ I truly do not feel like I'm dieting

~ It's okay to have a bad day

~ Life will go on even if I eat way too many cheesy poofs

~ Food is even more delicious since I actually slow down to eat instead of inhaling my meals

~ I no longer feel like I have to be the funny, loud fat girl for people to like me. They genuinely like me just for me.

~ I had to be willing to let my walls come down to let people in, and let myself out.

~ Not having the mask of obesity to hide behind is a vulnerable position to be in sometimes

~ I love that I turn heads because of how I look, not at because of how huge I am.

~ No one can take away my joy unless I allow it.

~ I'm looking forward to holding our baby (no I'm not pregnant yet)

~ I'm petrified of being a new mother aagain, but I'm excited that I'm not going to have to deal with obesity and pregnancy simultaneously.

~ Life is what I make of it, and right now I'm making up for a lot of lost time that I spent always thinking about food and my next meal, and being miserable because of my weight.

Tiff I admire the way you have used your WLS to get on with your life. I think that it takes more then just an operation to do what you have done and I am very impressed. Your words (aside from the pregnacy stuff) have really inspired me and i hope that I can use my WLS tool as affectively as you have used yours!

And you look pretty darn hot in that dress:tongue_smilie:

tiff, do you have a blog? seems like someone as knowledgeable as you should be putting all of their insight in one place!!

I have never started a blog. I'm not sure why, but I just never have considered it.

Tiff I admire the way you have used your WLS to get on with your life. I think that it takes more then just an operation to do what you have done and I am very impressed. Your words (aside from the pregnacy stuff) have really inspired me and i hope that I can use my WLS tool as affectively as you have used yours!

And you look pretty darn hot in that dress:tongue_smilie:

Thank you so very much. As much as this surgery has changed me physically, the mental and emotional changes have been astronomical. I really can't believe how much has changed in the last few months.

Well Tiff, you should totally have a blog. You have a wealth of information that you plaster around these boards and its soooo helpful... your blog would be such a great resource to people!!

And I completely agree with what kromrider says. Even though I am pre-op, I know enough to know that this surgery doesn't do the work, you do the work. Most people have success, but some don't, and not everyone makes it so far like you. And I don't just mean the #'s, I mean those mental and emotional changes. I think that is what truly makes you into a new person, not the #'s!

HOT MAMA! i know you look at your before pictures and just can't believe you were that person right? Amazing transformation and the best part about it is you look extremely HAPPY and that is essentially what matters when it's all said and done. Nicely done Tiff!

You made me cry. You look incredible. It is posts like this that help me remember why I am doing this.