i had WLS, the lapband. in a year i have lost 103 pounds with the 25 i lost pre-op thats a total of 128!!

:banana i have gone from size 30/32 to size 16

:banana i no longer have pain in my feet or back

:banana i no longer obcess about food

:banana i am proud of my accomplishments

:banana i ended an unhealthy relationship

:banana i put myself first for a change

:banana i can shop at victorias secret!!

:banana i have lost 73% of my excess body weight (based on a goal of losing 175 total and having lost 128)

:banana i fear no seat with arms, booth, stairs, roller coaster etc.

:banana i have recieved so much support and made great new friends on this site.

i was so excited i posted my pics yesterday...if you missed them

http://www.picturetrail.com/southernbandgirl

i still have 30 pounds to lose before i try for plastics.

Michelle

350 highest

325-221.5-170

8-18-03

WOW!!!

Shelly ...you look fabulous! You are so beautiful.

Congratulations and such an awesome accomplishment. You are definately an inspiration to me and many others here too I'm sure. I loved your post, thanks for sharing it with us...

Will it really happen to me, too? Hey, how about posting some of those "Victoria Secret" pics here. I'm so proud of you!!! You've not only lost a huge amount of weight, but you've also had a lot of fantastic NSVs! :(

ROFLMAO!!! since you've see donali's and lisa's boobs maybe i can muster the courage to do it??? i dont know!!

i am thrilled to report that the C cups were to small i was busting out so i am officially a D for now!!! please god dont let them get any smaller!!!

i cant WAIT to see your progress pics marie!

I say flaunt it! lol

Betty

Wow, you look great. I am 28 days out and have lost 29 lbs. Hope I am on the same track as you!! You go girl!

Wow, Cindy 28 lbs. in 29 days!! That's fantastic! Please be sure that you are getting enough protein in.

Woo-hoo, Shelly!! Congratulations on an amazing year. What a fantastic achievement!!

(I will not compare, I will not compare, I will not compare...grit my teeth...)

Who would have thought in one short year such a change could come to be? YAY! :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny

Well, Alex, you're not exactly a "slacker"! You've done great!

(I will not compare, I will not compare, I will not compare...grit my teeth...)

well i hope not.

we have both taken completely different approaches to banding and it has worked wonderfully for both of us!!! in fact i will be dieting till i get the next 30 off. its personnal choice i just wanted to get the weight off faster.

i hope you've un-gritted your teeth you'll need your jaws for dinner tonight!

(((((((hugs)))))))

michelle (who has been dieting off and on for the last year and CANT WAIT to just have to maintain)

Wow, wow, wow.

Can I ask a probably stupid question?

Too late - I'm gonna ask anyway.....

What did you mean when you said you've been dieting and that you'll continue dieting?

What do you do? Count calories or carbs? Maybe you follow weight watchers? I'm very curious.

Also, since you've been dieitng, I'm guessing that the band makes the process easier, but would love to ahve your insight.

Thanks a Bunch!

hey kim,

i do the atkins diet. i asked my surgeon and nutritionalist and they both gave me the thumbsup. they said the tiny amounts bandsters eat combined with low carbs makes you lose like a gastric bypasser.

as bandsters we are told to eat Protien, then veggies then carbs...well i do that but on my protien i make sure it doesnt have any sweet sauces on it and its low carb, veggies i just eliminated certain veggies (short term) and the carbs i eat are from low carb Pasta and bread's.

i had problems getting restriction so the first 7 months of banding i did diet (as best i could) and exercise to lose 38 pounds. since getting restriction the past 5 months i have dieted (and been able to stick to it) and lost 65 pounds.

i will only diet till i am at 190 pounds, maybe i'll stop at 199.999999 but for now i am saying 190-200. then i'll be ready for plastics and just maintaining my loss!

Wow, Shelly! My hat's off to you, girl! You look beautiful!!!

Congratulations on a truly successful and amaing year!

Mary

What a fantastic achievement !

You must be so pro proud !!

YEAY !!!

your pic's look fantastic too !! What a difference !!! your gorgeous !

Here's to another successfull year !

Aud x

I couldn't see the pics but I know you look fabulous!

Congratulations...I know you struggled for the first 7 months but look how much YOU accomplished even without the bands help at first!