Good afternoon, everyone!

Well, Saturday was my 8-month anniversary out of surgery, and also the day of my very first 5K run ever. I'm down about 70 lbs overall, including what I lost before surgery. Should it be more? Yeah... I think so, because I had a long stall in there and am in the middle of another one. It's my own fault, I've been eating more like I'm on maintenance rather than still in the losing phase. I still have about 18 lbs. to go in order to reach my original goal, but I think I want to go another 30 and wind up at about 148. -Ish. Something like that.

I have posted a ton of before and current pics on my profile if anyone's interested, but will attempt to post a few here too. Some of these (specifically the '80s jeans ones) are referenced in a thread I started a couple of weeks ago after a particularly emotional day, between a really good run and getting those damn jeans on for the first time in about 22 years. That thread is here, http://verticalsleevetalk.com/vertical-sleeve-gastrectomy-surgery-vsg-success-stories/9113-best-week-ever-nsv-after-nsv.html, if you want to read the story.

I'll try to post some of the better ones here, if it works. The ones with the jeans are Those 80's Jeans, as far up as I could get them before surgery, and actually ON now. The rest are all in my profile anyway, if you want to take a peek! It uploaded them in reverse order so you get the current ones first and the befores last. Apologies in advance for any psychological trauma these cause. :eek:

Wow you truly look like a different person very inspiring! Great job and I am sure you will do great getting to ware you want to be!

Wonderful pictures!!! You are doing awesome and look great!!! Thanks for posting, gives me hope :eek:

You look fantastic !

You look sooooooooooooooo amazing ! ! !

Hiya Stacey,

I am loving you... fantastic pictures... I bet you felt amazing after your 5K ... inspiring for all of us!!! Well Done x

Brilliant and in only 8 months! Well done you.

Jane x

Congrats!! you look wonderful!

You gave me an idea... i have some jeans from the 90's that are a sz 6 that i will take pics of (i don't think they even come up to my knees!) on me when i do my 'before' pics. Those are my inspiration and once i can fit into them, they're going into the donation pile (they're so out of style i'd never wear them out in public).

You look like a completely different person, so great!! You lost the same amount my granddaughter(age 8) weighs!!! Keep inspiring us!:thumbup:

WOW, you look great. Keep up the good work.

Thanks everyone! I'd like to find more "unposed" pics...I really didn't realize exactly how FAT I was until I saw the one from the back in the tan pants. This thing is so cool! :thumbup:

Amazing! You look so healthy and beautiful! Keep up the good work! :thumbup:

Well done!

Dang girl...you look skinny!

Congrats on your loss....you've done so well.

WOW!!! You look marvelous!!!!!:thumbup1: I have lost exactly 50 lbs as of today!!! I will have my 6 month anniversary on oct 14th 2010.. i still have about 75 lbs to loose.. I have given myself a year to loose all the weight... its hard some days but i 'm learning what works and what doesn't work... you look wonderful , keep up the great work...:thumbup:

Thanks for sharing this. Sometimes I question if I am ready for the surgery, but when I see success like this, I know I can do it! You look great!