LORI !! CONGRATULATIONS!!! HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY!!! I FINALLY got my Gold Century Card, and feel like I finally arrived on the OH Board.. Graduates together LORI! I could NOT have done it without your support..and I'm trying to wrangle an Aug group out to Vega$ for a weekend maybe in November..Interested?? I am sorry to hear about your Puppy..Maggie sounds sweet..I love Golden Retrievers.. and I had a purebred ****er Spaniel named Smokey when my son was a baby- he was light colored and beautiful..but all that trauma on a young dog, I would def talk to the breeder.. AND AS FOR STRESS!! I CAN Relate!! You CAN get it all done and just keep focused on getting to the days end- pretty soon you are there and don't let the office door bump ya on the way out! No sooner did my son return home- then I found out my car ins payment bounced- + they had him listed as a "permit" driver and switched him as "licensed" and my insurance premium jumped to $7000 yr..and to have it reinstated- they wanted 33% down = $1200, + my the DMV gets paid $8day for each day the vehicles were uninsured! My policy DOUBLED overnight..now I have to pay $600month for insurance (he had 2 accidents last year) so I think thats the reason..I used to pay $175 for me..I swear..he is paying his share of the ins- but didn't like that his "share" jumped to $400 month..i'm thinking about technically moving him out of my residence - for DMV records and then see if the ins drops- on record I will have him living at my mom's house and will go back to saying Im the "primary driver" of both my Jeep Liberty's... SOO this week has been very stressful 2 me..I was so "exhausted" Wed- I couldn't eat and just wanted to throw up..& think that was the real first time I " fed" myself comfort with food..last night I went out for dinner (different guy) and ate well and had a nice time.. SO by the time you get back..I'll let you know how many more guys I've added to my dating pool It's Friday and I hate feeling so worn out..but its the weekend..this will pass for both of us- and sunnier days lay ahead GIRL! I will miss ya have a GREAT VACATION - HAVE FUN - ENJOY YOURSELF and your weight will take care of itself! Take Pictures!! Hugs, Donna

I'm finding eBay and outlet malls are best place for me right now. It's just frustrating, I want to show off my waist. I'm holding off on buying bottoms. But because my girls have pretty much stayed the same cup size, 44D to 38D/C, I'll always need a L top. So I'm indulging there. I can't wear bottoms too large. I have to carry one of the blackberrys all the time for work. If I wear pants that are too lose, the blackberry will pull them down. Not the most professional look. Torrey (281/185/160)

Before I go into my 1 year surgiversary "speech" I need to thank/acknowledge some folks. So please bear with me. God - He had this planned for me from Day 1. He never gives more than you can bear and He never makes a mistake. Sean - my husband, my soul mate, my better half (and I mean that). I could NOT have done this without him. He dried my tears, held my hand, ate sugar free popsicles with me, and cleaned me up. Not one time did he ever complain, he never made me fell less than what I am - His Princess. What God has brought together let no man put asunder. Zoe - my babygirl. She gives me a reason to live, to smile, to laugh and to love. My parents and siblings - they have always been my biggest supporters. I've been blessed with the most selfless, humble, courageous, and God fearing family anyone could have. My In-Laws - for loving me, helping me and just being there. JK & JD - there aren't enough words to express my gratitude and love for these two individuals. The relationship has transcended friendship and is now family. I believe that to find a friend is a true blessing and I have been touched twice. I love you both from the very depths of my soul. Auntie Shari and Auntie Glenda - XOXOXOXO OH family and C&L family - thank you for accepting me, loving me and even disciplining me when I needed it. You are an integral part of my life and I hope that I give the same support that is shown and given to me. Dr. Cantor, Dr. Gibeily, and Dr. Passmore - without you this wouldn't be possible. If I missed you blame it on my mind and not my heart. I started this journey at a whopping 245 lbs (I'm 5'1'), my BMI was 46.3 and I was extremely obese. I wore a 20/22 or XXL top and an 18/20 pants. I had high pressure, was developing diabetes and sleep apnea. I was unhappy, unhealthy, and unsuccessful and any other "un" you can think of. I was 28 years old and I was killing myself. Enough was enough - I prayed, I cried, I researched, I reasoned, I debated, I talked, and I prayed some more. I made a decision...WE made a decision (me, hubby and God). And I stand here today, on my 1 year surgiversary, high blood pressure free, diabetes free, and sleep apnea free. I am 142.5 lbs (-102.5), my BMI is 26.8 and now I'm slightly overweight. My tops are a med/large (still have the breasts), my pants are a size 4, 6, 8 depending on the designer. My shoe size went from an 8.5 - 9 to a 7- 7.5, my rings dropped 2 sizes. Aside from the physical changes - I can play with my daughter. I can go down the slide with her. I can go through the play tunnel with her and not worry about getting stuck. I can chase her (and catch her) without wondering where all the oxygen went. I am a better mother, wife, sister, daughter, lover, friend and person. I am free!! There is no feeling like being free. I have the rest of my life ahead of me and I plan to live it to the fullest. Check me out : www.kbbeforeandafter.shutterfly.com

Before I go into my 1 year surgiversary "speech" I need to thank/acknowledge some folks. So please bear with me. God - He had this planned for me from Day 1. He never gives more than you can bear and He never makes a mistake. Sean - my husband, my soul mate, my better half (and I mean that). I could NOT have done this without him. He dried my tears, held my hand, ate sugar free popsicles with me, and cleaned me up. Not one time did he ever complain, he never made me fell less than what I am - His Princess. What God has brought together let no man put asunder. Zoe - my babygirl. She gives me a reason to live, to smile, to laugh and to love. My parents and siblings - they have always been my biggest supporters. I've been blessed with the most selfless, humble, courageous, and God fearing family anyone could have. My In-Laws - for loving me, helping me and just being there. JK & JD - there aren't enough words to express my gratitude and love for these two individuals. The relationship has transcended friendship and is now family. I believe that to find a friend is a true blessing and I have been touched twice. I love you both from the very depths of my soul. Auntie Shari and Auntie Glenda - XOXOXOXO OH family and C&L family - thank you for accepting me, loving me and even disciplining me when I needed it. You are an integral part of my life and I hope that I give the same support that is shown and given to me. Dr. Cantor, Dr. Gibeily, and Dr. Passmore - without you this wouldn't be possible. If I missed you blame it on my mind and not my heart. I started this journey at a whopping 245 lbs (I'm 5'1'), my BMI was 46.3 and I was extremely obese. I wore a 20/22 or XXL top and an 18/20 pants. I had high pressure, was developing diabetes and sleep apnea. I was unhappy, unhealthy, and unsuccessful and any other "un" you can think of. I was 28 years old and I was killing myself. Enough was enough - I prayed, I cried, I researched, I reasoned, I debated, I talked, and I prayed some more. I made a decision...WE made a decision (me, hubby and God). And I stand here today, on my 1 year surgiversary, high blood pressure free, diabetes free, and sleep apnea free. I am 14 lbs (-10), my BMI is 27.2 and now I'm slightly overweight. My tops are a med/large (still have the breasts), my pants are a size 4, 6, 8 depending on the designer. My shoe size went from an 8.5 - 9 to a 7- 7.5, my rings dropped 2 sizes. Aside from the physical changes - I can play with my daughter. I can go down the slide with her. I can go through the play tunnel with her and not worry about getting stuck. I can chase her (and catch her) without wondering where all the oxygen went. I am a better mother, wife, sister, daughter, lover, friend and person. I am free!! There is no feeling like being free. I have the rest of my life ahead of me and I plan to live it to the fullest. Check me out : www.kbbeforeandafter.shutterfly.com

Torrey, I know exactly what you mean. I have been downsizing all along and then wearing things till they are just about falling off me. Shirts can be baggy, right??? I usually get 3 or 4 pairs of pants in a given size (like a 20) and then wear them until I need a smaller size (like 16). I am still wearing a number of size 1X t-shirt type shirts even though I could easily be wearing size L. My arms are really big yet with lots of loose skin, so if sleeves are involved, I take a larger size for the most part. I started out doing Dress Barn Woman for pants and shirts, but they are almost all too big now. Dress Barn is reasonable in price for work clothes. I have also started looking at the department stores in my area for their sales racks. One of the biggest problems I have had is going into these stores and being absolutely overwhelmed by the shear magnitude of options! I used to have one little section with very few options for the most part and now I have huge stores full of options! Then I get asked what size I need. I usually haven't a clue and say so. Sales folks are not pleased with me. But I am working on it. Like Lori, I do spend the money on bras. I actually have the sales person measure me and recommend a good bra. They are very sturdy and not very pretty, but do the job. I get only two and wear them into the ground. I am in desperate need of a boob job! My husband used to say I had cantalopes, but now I am smuggling tangerines inside a stocking -- but I am still wearing a 36 H, but could probably downsize again to a 36DDD or maybe even a 34DDD. One store I did find that I really like some of the clothes at is Coldwater Creek. Not everything in there appeals to me, but I do like some of their stuff. I can not wait till my daughter comes to visit. We are going to take a trip to the local outlet mall and hit that store! I have been visiting the full priced one in the mall and know I could do better at the outlet! I am also like you Torrey in that I hate to spend big money on clothes that I will not be able to wear in the future (at least I hope!). I would like to buy some better designer stuff since I now have the body that fits into them, but can't yet justify. I also will need to buy a winter coat -- I am wearing a size 16 and my old one is a 3x and wraps around me. Eileen 337/205/160-170ish