I'm ready to share some pictures, but I'm not quite ready to post them on the big thread yet. The left pictures are me right before surgery, taken February 5th or so. Two months and 43 pounds later, here I am on the right. Same outfit, different bra!

I'd love to see how the rest of you are doing!

Melissa

Wow! Such a big difference already!!!! Awesome!

You look totaly fab!! Keep up the great work!

You are looking great! I don't see any change in me, but apparently others do. Guess those blinders that kept me from seeing how fat I was getting, are now working to stop me from observing any changes!

How in the world have you lost 43lb already? WOW - you look great!

You look great, tell us how much excercise , 3 meals or snacks as well, what are you eating during your day? Share, i got banded 18 sep 2007 and have lost 28 kilos which is 56lbs. Please share be an inspiration you are looking fantastic!!

You are doing great!

you look fantastic. Such a diffrence a month makes!

You are looking great! I don't see any change in me, but apparently others do. Guess those blinders that kept me from seeing how fat I was getting, are now working to stop me from observing any changes!

If you have before pictures of you, put them side by side with current ones. I'm amazed at the difference. I see myself every day, so I'm not seeing the changes as much. But to look at it laid out before you, there's no denying it.

I told my husband that one of the reasons I don't think I look all that different when I look in the mirror is that I guess I'm starting to finally look like what I've looked like in my mind for years.

Edited April 7, 200818 yr by Shinyhappymommy

I have tried several times to create this jpeg of two pics side by side and I just don't know how to do it... or else I'd post an update pic for me too.. :-(

How in the world have you lost 43lb already? WOW - you look great!

You know, I feel blessed every day that the weight is coming off and that it's staying off. Basically I've just done what I was supposed to do. I stuck to the pre and post-op diets as best I could. I strayed a little, but kept to it for the most part. I had this surgery to succeed, not to see how much I could get away with, so that's motivated my choices.

My hunger has greatly diminished since surgery. I do get hungry, but it's not that intense monster that was always with me before. My appetite for sweets has lessened. I still would really enjoy eating them, but I'm not obsessed and I'm not choosing them all that often. If I put them away in the cupboard or freezer, I can forget they are there.

I have not been successful yet at adding regular exercise. I run a busy daycare from 7 am till past 5 pm and so I'm up and doing pretty much all day. For now this has to be enough. I would like to add exercise videos and walking sometime before too long.

As far as my daily diet goes, I'm not counting calories, or anything for that matter. I mentally check from time to time to see how my Protein is doing, but really I don't feel like I'm dieting. I'm able to eat a full plate of food right now, so I will be getting a fill in a couple of weeks. But truthfully, I'm still losing even eating three regular sized meals a day.

I have greatly reduced the number of carbs I'm eating. I don't have bread very often at all. I am not eating potatoes or rice. I have never been carb conscious, so this has been a good change for me.

A regular meal for me might consist of a chicken breast, or a pork chop, or a filet of fish, accompanied by steamed veggies and a salad. I'm not drinking with my meals. I haven't had any trouble with things not going through the band except for one unfortunate pot-roast incident. I had my first PB afterwards.

I'd be more than happy to answer any specific questions. I know that my journey has been relatively easy. I've been able to stick to my requirements without feeling like I'm going to go crazy. I feel like the band and I were just meant to be because it has worked so well for me this far.

Thanks for all the kind remarks and support.

Melissa

I have tried several times to create this jpeg of two pics side by side and I just don't know how to do it... or else I'd post an update pic for me too.. :-(

I actually attached four separate pictures to my original post. I haven't figured out how to do the jpeg thing either. I made them small enough that they fit into the post and it worked out that they are lined up that way.

I actually attached four separate pictures to my original post. I haven't figured out how to do the jpeg thing either. I made them small enough that they fit into the post and it worked out that they are lined up that way.

do you remember the size that you made them?

It looks like my program makes them no larger than 320 X 320 pixels and around 25K. I selected the "small web view" option to save them as.

Edited April 7, 200818 yr by Shinyhappymommy

Melissa - you look incredible! What a big difference! Great work!

Thanks!

So let's see some other people's shots. I know you've got them!