Hello there VST!! It's been some time since I've sent you all some updated photos... so that's my full intent right this very moment.

I've been through a lot!! I've been struggling to get healthy and fit for 6.5 YEARs now. Well guess what, TODAY and everyday after will be a success, because that is exactly where I am right now. I do NOT regret one single second of my long journey, and certainly never punished any pound lost. I celebrated them all, because they all mattered! I avoided the word "only" like a disease because that one single word can change a sentence by volumes. You are what you make of it. I made it gourmet, and I encourage all others to do the same.

Never let anyone tell you there is an end to the weight loss with the sleeve, never allow anyone to put an "expiration date" on your tool. The only one person who has control over that is YOU!! If you believe it, you will BE IT!!

Be LOUD Be PROUD... OWN IT!!! Keep on fighting!!!

Remember, I'm always only a message away. I'm always happy to give out my help if you need it, because I already know how difficult and mentally trying weight loss can be. I was there!! But... even when I was at my lowest point, that was when I reached down deep inside, picked up my big girl panties and made it work!

Heaviest ever weight 330 Lbs. Lap Band weight 283 Lbs. Sleeve weight 272 Lbs. Today 170 Lbs!!!

Irene,

You are a REAL inspiration to so many of us!!! Your pictures are absolutely AWESOME!!! I wish I looked as good as you do! I am ten pounds below you, and wearing a size 8 which is OK, but no way could I get into a size 2/4/or 6!

I am still trying to work out and loose more on top. where I am more of a 12/14. Have always been bigger on top and wish I could get both halves to equalize! A dress is out of the question for me now, as the top is either skin tight (which I just can not stand to wear) or the bottom is so big it looks clownish on me. So I am going with seperates and hope that I look stylist and well dressed.

I REALLY appreciate your remark about there being no "expiration date" on how long our sleeves will work. I have been worried since I am now 7 months out and still have 10 pounds to loose. I want to get to goal so badly, but am worried since my rate of loss has slowed down to barely preceptible. I have gained and lost the same 2-3 pounds about 15 times in the last 1-2 months. Today is a good day, but tomorrow I will probably gain a pound or two. It seems that my body "plays around" with the weight for days (or weeks) at a time, and then all of a sudden will drop a pound or two. For ages I teetered on the 168-170 edge. I would weight 168, and rejoice, then the next day 170, then the next 169 then 170 again, and so forth, Then all of a sudden I was 167. And then I started again, 166, 168, 169, 167, etc. I am firmly around 160 now, but the battle continues, up a pound, down a pound or two, up two pounds, etc. DRIVES ME CRAZY!!!!!

But I am trying to weigh only every 3-4 days, sometimes every week (I have trouble holding out that long!) so that I don't get crazy and obcess about it. When I was first sleeved, every time I peed or pooped I would strip and weigh myself. Spent half my time dressing and undressing. Finally decided that I had to stop that before I wore my clothes out and got blisters from unfastening and refastening my bra!

Anyway, the gist of this message is to thank you for being an inspiration to each and every one of us. Many times after we get sleeved and get a good start on our journey, we sort of "fall away" from being active on this set of boards. We quit reading and posting and just sort of drift away. We forget that we owe a debt to those that encouraged us, helped us, advised us, celerated with us, etc our first few days, weeks, months, etc. So a big THANK YOU to you for keeping us fired up, encouraged, enthused, informed, etc. You are an INSPIRATION! Thanks! And keep posting your comments AND your pictures!!!

@SunnyD - I'm so glad you remembered my words as you were thinking about your conversation with your Dr. They go by typical results and statistics. However, I refuse to be a 'statistic'!!! Right now is a bad time for me, I hate winter and I hate being out in the cold. So, I don't really go out and go for walks or anything like that. Walking outside in the warm sunshine has always been such a mood booster for me, and I really miss this. So for the time being I'm just maintaining... letting my plastic surgeries take full effect. I'm sitting idle and I'm ok with it. I am 170 Lbs too Sunny, and I am also 5'7. I have lost a lot of weight, so I know for a FACT its possible to get here! Hugs!! You can do it too!!

@Helenthecat - Thank you darlin for that amazing post!! I can't tell you how much that touched my heart. The moral of the story in all that is... you are STILL losing. Hugs!! You got this!!

Sooo loving that for you!!!

You need Billboard I tell you! Billboard

You need Billboard I tell you! Billboard :smile1:

I am going to send my side by side to Bob Harper's FB page. He often posts them up. That would be awesome!!!

you look Great

That would be awesome! Do it girl!