Don't have mine yet, I still have a week to go. But I was hoping to encourage those of you who have reached your 6 month mark to post some. :biggrin2:

Ezma, you look great! It is a very dramatic difference!

Today is my bandiversary. No pics...I'm still too self-conscious. But I too want to spend a few moments thinking of what has happened to me in this time. I have (the issue of pictures aside) gained in self-confidence and feel better about who I am. Not just how I look, but who I am. I feel less bitter about how big I am, lament less about how clothes don't fit, how ugly I am.

The scales at the doctor aren't my mortal enemy (although I still won't let them into my house!), and I will go swimming - egads, wearing a bathing suit in public (it's a quick race to the side of the pool and in the Water, but it is in public)!! Although I am still aware of the wing-flaps I have for upper arms, I dared to wear a sleeveless dress for the first time since maybe 1975! Only once, but I did it!

I still have a LONG way to go both physically and mentally but I have been on the journey for 6 months and am prepared to continue for the next 6 months. Much of that self-determination has been reinforced by YOU my fellow VV's (and others on the LBT board). So, thank you. I will admit the occasional frustration/jealousy when for many of you the weight is 'falling off' whereas I am a slooooowwwww loser, and I do repeat the mantra of 'it isn't a race; it isn't all about the scales etc' . But sometimes IT IS TOO!!!!:wink2:

Anyway, I have rambled on (in my usual style)...

I'm so sad. I know the month isn't done yet but we've only had 4 people post for their 6-month mark. To me it was a big milestone mark and I thought everyone would come out of the woodwork for it. Guess this group really is dying and that is what makes me feel so sad. I know we all have our reasons for not posting - busy lives, feeling down and disappointed, not wanting to make others feel uncomfortable when we succeed, etc. I just found this place a much needed release. I could come here when I was confused, frustrated, proud or any other of a million feelings and know that, here at least, someone knew exactly what I was going through. Well, I still plan to stop in at least a couple times a day and will try to keep the place alive. Hope to catch more of you. And if any of you have moved to another area that's taking care of your posting needs, let me know. :biggrin2:

I am still here! I have been sick for the past few days and between that and the kids starting school, I haven't had enough time to get these pics up and going. I agree that this is such an important milestone, but it seemed to pass without much notice for me. Even when I showed my DH the before and after pics, he just said 'I see it all the time, you look great.'

Any ideas on how we can jazz things up around here and get the board moving??

Melanie, you look great! You look so much younger and happier now!

My six month bandiversary isn't until the 28th, so I'll post my pictures then. I wish this board was more active. I miss some of the VV's who aren't posting anymore.

Melanie - you look fabulous. Thanks for posting. I know it inspires me so much to see all the progress the VVs are making. Congrats!

You two are looking awesome! isn't it amazing how much younger everybody looks after they lose weight.. amazing jobs ladies!

Melanie - You look so good! The changes are obvious, and you look so happy and young.

I too am feeling that this group has been a little slow (I know! I know! I was the one who disappeared for 12 weeks :thumbup:). Gibson was always good for a post of interest.

I am hoping it is just because it is summer - usually a hectic time of the year; maybe in September (a mere 12 days away) we will see activity increase.

Can you believe it? Setember is 12 days away - where did summer go??

I searched for an hour and this was the only before pic I could find of myself. I wish that I had taken some progression pictures as well.

A follow-up for those following my saga... I weighed in at my doc's yesterday - only to find I'm now UP 5 POUNDS from last month - this despite a diet and exercise regimen that my doctor claimed was "eating too little and working too hard at it."

Despite this, and despite a plea that he at least do some investigating to see if anything is wrong, he essentially refused to do any diagnostics. "I don't think it's necessary; your weight loss is still in the normal range," he said. His suggestion was to actually eat MORE, at which point I just about had to keep myself from wringing his neck.

Instead I pulled a Donald Trump of sorts: "You're fired," I said. "You'll be getting a records release request from my new doctor - hopefully one more competent than you've been - within a week or so. For now, I'll be out at reception paying my bill," and left. No exam, no fill, not even a check to see if there's a leak.

Mentally it's honestly the best I've felt since having this done... but now I need to find a new doc; I have some leads, but I'm going to cool my jets a little before pursuing this further - I don't want my frustration with this clown to interfere/overlap with my relationship with a new doctor, and right now my frame of mind isn't calm enough yet to ensure that. :smile2:

Mom2_4, Your pictures are amazing. You look happier and younger like everyone is already saying. :smile2:

SLCMommy4,

You're looking great and vibrant.

Mac,

Good for you. What an empowering experience. I hope you have great luck finding a new surgeon--one who will listen to you and help to calm your fears. I'm curious. How did the surgeon react when you told him that?

Edited August 21, 200817 yr by Shinyhappymommy
typo

SLCMommy4 - Way to go! Such a difference already. Congratulations!

SLCMommy - you're looking great. Doesn't it feel good to be able to see the lovely losses you've made. Keep on swimmin'.

slcmommy. great progress. I commented in the main pic thread also.

Mac,

Good for you. What an empowering experience. I hope you have great luck finding a new surgeon--one who will listen to you and help to calm your fears. I'm curious. How did the surgeon react when you told him that?

I honestly didn't stick around long enough to look - as soon as I said my peace, I walked out of the exam room, through his lobby and out the door.