First of all, OMG Susan you look incredibly gorgeous! And so much younger! My goodness, the transformation is amazing. Here's my update-I haven't lost anything since January. I'm in a size 8-10 pant and 14-16 top, and I'm pretty happy with how I look. My boobs and stomach are still huge and I definitely need plastics-not even close to being ready for it, though. My double chin is a bit loose and wobbly, and my arms look pretty bad. I've been reading a lot lately about new research showing more post-RNY malnutrition than previously thought, and have really stepped up my vitamin and protein regimen. I also am starting the day lately with a protein drink, because it really holds me over and I'm finding it hard to get in the 80gms of protein otherwise. I NEED to exercise but still haven't started. I'm embarrassed about it but I want to be honest. I still get sick now and then-last night I had 2 chicken wings and a grilled artichoke for dinner, and ended up barfing so hard I broke blood vessels all around my eyes. Sometimes I forget I even had the surgery, then something like that reminds me that I HAVE to chew everything to a pulp. Sometimes I find myself trying to get around the surgery and eat more, by eating things that I know I can eat a lot of, like cheese and crackers or cereal, especially when I'm hormonal. I do dump on sugar but only if it's on an empty stomach. Since my surgery I started drinking alcohol and coffee a lot more than I used to, because since I can't eat much, liquids became WAY more meaningful. Also, since I can't pig out on a whole pizza to numb my feelings, a nice glass of liquid love feels pretty good. I'm still working on alternative coping strategies-I figure it'll be a lifetime struggle. I finally admitted that the alcohol was doing me no favors, and making me eat more, and the calories in the cream I put in my coffee were adding up to 100s a day, so I had to stop the madness. Now I keep it to just 1 drink when I go out, and I'm going out much less now. I drink tea all day, and sometimes allow myself one coffee, but no more than that. I have to say though, life is SO good now. I am so much more active than before-it's no problem to take care of my house and yard, or go out dancing, or go for a hike with the dog-I love being back in the world. I love being a normal size and not worrying that people are staring at me, or that I won't fit into a booth or chair. I wear makeup and do my hair now-I have loved getting back in touch with my femininity and having fun with it. I feel like a much more positive, energetic person now, more like my "true self".

Hi Cherri, The fact that you acknowledged you want to change is a monumental move in the right direction. When I see food that isn't good for me - I almost have to stop and close my eyes and envision the way I cried while looking at myself in the mirror when I was over 350 pounds. I try to re-live that horrendous pain and imagine experiencing that anguish again. Next time you are tempted to do something unloving to yourself, stop and think about how it is going to interfere with your happiness. Last week I was really tempted to buy cookies at the supermarket and instead I walked over to dress barn and tried on clothing for the hell of it. It was an awesome binging deterrent. I should have walked over to the plus size department and tried on those size 32's that I was having a hard time squeezing into just over a year ago. Get out there and show yourself some love - you have come a long way.

I am sooooooo sorry I could have sworn I posted a reply about your big day well I remembered it and I was so happy for you Congradulation on a huge milestone I bet you never thought you would see the day at times but I knew it you would get there I was 205 this am and dropping gonna be a big loss week for me this week I can feel it!!!! Ok Shar I am coming to onderland I PROMICE. Shar get the dust rag out and start dusting the bench I had to chuckle about the drivers licence. I think we all have lived that LIE .. 199 when I was 295 talking about out of touch.. and lying to myself.. onderland here I come hopefully by July 19 my Anniversery but even sweeter before my granddaughter is born due July 4th I was 199 after Alisha was born she is now 26. Once again congradulations Lisa

Shakeira I Was told take up your tummy apron and Lift str8 out and measure the over hang and for every inch it sticks out is 10 lbs I had alot of babies and it shows I strech it out so bad With the twins I gained 60 lbs I had toxemia and my placentia failed and had abrupto placenta which led to the death of my twins then 41 weeks after my twins were born I had Alisha and I was 200 lbs at delivery and then 19 mos later I had my 4 th daughter and I remember after I had delivered her I was 201 with out a baby I just kept gaining and gaining and streching baby after baby.. tell 29**** and so out of control..I am all gut I have a figure of as a tick LOL My arms and legs were not that huge and belly fat is the hardest to lose I just looked pregnant all the time LOL U want to know what was sad My daughter had a baby shower and they measured her belly for pregnancy and I took the measure of my belly and said here is her waist and i was with in 1/4 of inch bigger.. she was 36 weeks that is how huge my belly is still .. So it put it in perspective I told her keep my string as that will be forever reminder how big I am when your daughter was getting ready to be born. I said we will pull it out after my tummy tuck LOL I am dropping now!!!! woohoooooooo I am 207 this am and all I am back to protien drinks and my diet custard and protien jello shots back to stage one.. and no hunger yipeeee yummy pured food COMMING UP but I feel I am gonna be below 200 by my annversary July 19 was hoping to be below 200 when my grand daughter was born but she is due to be born july 4th so we will see LOL race is ON!!!! I feel so energized about my weight loss again , was like before Just was thinking this was it.. Doc kept saying Lisa I did not cut out your stomach and create malabortion where the calories do not count as much for RNY Every calories u eat u absorbed he said u r almost 50 and u r doing amazing for a lady your age with a lap band he told me 2 years. I need to Exercise Different now he wants me to body build leg musle now that is where u r gonna burn your calories from that muscle. So I am gonna do leg building Told me to WALK in pool FAST.. He SAID I WANT u to walk with my mother in pool she goes into that club same time u do she tells me she see you LOL SHE IS HIS SPY!!!!! LOL I knew it was her I just knew it.. I am not going down with out a fight.. down as in weight LOL I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOO JAZZED AND INSPIRED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHO WANTS TO JOIN ME ON GETTING THESE LAST STUBBORN POUNDS OFF I am gonna take the last few lingering people over 200 with me !!!! who is comming with me??????????????? to ONEDERLAND?????????? I KNOW SHAR and INKY KEEP DUSTING OFF THE SEAT FOR ME IN ONDERLAND.. I AM COMMING GIRLS I REALLY AM

Well went in for my fill and it went well he wanted to do it under fluroscopy but I convinced him to do a tiny fill of 2 cc I was 212 in his office fully clothed but i think nekkid I am 209.So my fill is 4.1 cc in 4 cc band Pretty tight Told him next time u will see me I will be below 200. He told me I just have lots of excess skin and said I do not see much more fat EXCCEPT TUMMY u can lose maybe at most 30 more pounds and the rest is just alot of excess skin, he has revised his skin removel to possibly 40 lbs he said oh that is right u almost were 300 lbs and he said for every over 120 lbs weight loss u can expect to lose up to 40 lbsOF SKIN , HE SAID I keep forgetting u had 9 kids and a set of twins and that their alone streches the skin and does not go back. SO I AM RECHARGED AND FEEL I AM BACK ON TRACK Lisa