When I first started this journey, my BMI was 40.7...just enough for surgery according to my insurance. Today I am at a "normal" BMI of 24.3!!! I am finally "normal" I love my sleeve!

February 2011 237 lbs

December 2011 141.5 lbs

What a difference a year makes!!!

Living the dream,

Laura

laura

i've said this on the board before, that i wasn't able to get my weight off since i gave birth to my daughter. my daughter is now 35 years old

how in the world did you have 11 kids and live to talk about it

kathy

"Not!!!lolol i'm 58, and you're 30ish? (never good with guessing ages)

likeasulema...you made my day!!!!! I am 46! I dodn't have all my kids at once! They came along one at a time over 20 years...And I gained and lost and gained and lost with each and every pregnancy. Now that I got that part of me fixed (divorce and tubal ligation) I don't have to worry about the yo-yo pregnancy stuff anymore. In the past I could always lose the weight through very restrictive low calorie dieting and massive exercise. I could never keep it off though. My sleeve has changed all that! I am delighted to be where I am...you will get there too!

Living the dream,

Laura

Let me be frank.... you still have your butt!! I lost mine and really miss it. So jealous ... you look great! 11 kids!!??? How do you do it? I have none and can barely keep my life together....

I still have my mother's saddle bags ....would like to see them go but if they don't...there's always plastics! Life is good! Love my sleeve!!!

Laura

I still have my mother's saddle bags ....would like to see them go but if they don't...there's always plastics! Life is good! Love my sleeve!!!

Laura

I say work'em, you (and they) look great!

How does one exercise to reduce the saddle bags. I thought I just had to lose more weight....

you look absolutely amazing!!!!! i just got sleeved 13 days ago and i am hoping that i have some semblance of your body by the time next year hits!!!!

Out of curiosity... do you have the loose skin issue because it doesn't seem like it at all and i am really worried about that.. you just look so toned... and i really want that.

You look like a brand new person! Great job!

you look absolutely amazing!!!!! i just got sleeved 13 days ago and i am hoping that i have some semblance of your body by the time next year hits!!!!

Out of curiosity... do you have the loose skin issue because it doesn't seem like it at all and i am really worried about that.. you just look so toned... and i really want that.

I have the belly flap and some loose skin. I want to get the tummy tuck eventually and probably some boob work. I have been very consistent about exercising. I go to Zumba 4-5 times a week. About a month ago I started wearing hand weights to help tone my arms while in class. I haven't done any weight training but I would like to. Just not sure what all those machines are for or how to use them! I love to dance and so Zumba is a great fit for me. I know some folks lose their weight without exercise but I don't know if they have more saggy skin issues than those who do.

Thank you so much for all the encouragement!!!

Living the dream!,

Laura

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! You look amazing wow!! Good job on working that sleeve!!

WOW!! You look amazing congrats on an outstanding year

WWWWWOOOOOWWWWWWW.....AMAZING is the word that comes to mind when I look at your pics and read that you have birthed 11 children....That is incredible! You don't look like your stomach is flabby or anything (which is a huge concern of mine)....You look great! I hope I look half as good!

Thanks for the post! We seem to be on the same trajectory. However, I have only had 2 children so I can't even imagine going through that 11 times! What a strong lady you are!!!

I'm 48 and started at 241. I had my surgery in May 2011. I am now 8 months out and weigh 157. My goal is also 140. I'd like to get a little below to give me 3-4 pounds of wiggle room.

I also do Zumba every week and it is the most fun exercise I have ever done. When we went on our cruise last month I took yoga and loved it too. I just bought a Pilates DVD and I think that will help with toning and with my balance--which has changed so much with the weight loss. Still have flappy upper arms, belly sagging and that stupid turkey chin. But I have so much energy now and can do things I haven't even thought about for 20 years! My daughter is getting married in July of 2013 and I plan to be wearing a sexy (but age-appropriate!) mother of the bride dress.

I have a more recent picture, but for some reason I can't get it to show on my posts. Technologically challenged, I suppose.

Lisa Craig

inspiring ... you look great hun ... thanks for posting ... your transformation is AMAZING!!!!