I just wanted to update, since it has been a while. I have not had any eating issues, and continue to eat about 5-8 small meals a day. I walk 3 to 5 times a week for exercise, and I am a full time Graduate Student. Life is great, and I have been able to change my old ways, adapt to my new stomach, and successfully stay at a healthy weight. I am officially 135-140lbs depending on the day or time, and I was once 265lbs. I used to be a size 20 pants, and am not a 2/4. I have a confidence and a zeft for life that has completely changed my life track and goals. I can do anything, and I am so gratefull for all of the opritunities that having tis surgery had given me! 


If anyone needs to talk, or has any questons, feel free to ask me anything. Good luck o everyone on thier journey!

Lots Of Love & Support,
Christina

Before
		235lbs September 2006

After
		130lbs August 2009

140lbs Size 4 !!!! 

I had to go shopping for work clothes today. I had to, nothing in my closet fit me. I was rotating 2 pairs of size 6 pants, and they began to look rediculous. I went into the store, and got some beautiful slacks size 4, and 3 skirts size 2 !! OMG !! 

I have to say,I honestly have NOT exercised a day since my surgery. I have just been loosing so quickly, that I have been afraid of. I never in my life thought that I might have to worry about being to skinny. I am happy, and perfect where I am. I would love to be 135lbs though. Just b/c that sounds like a healthy weight right? I know thats all in your head, and it all depends on your body. I want to begin to work out, and tone. No heavy cardio though. I really want to begin to stable myself at this weight.  I really am afraid to lose another 10lbs. For me, loosing 5lbs means a pant size. And I don't think I need to lose weight, just gain some definition. 

Check out my pics, I am still curvy though. Eventhough I am so tiny ! I love calling myself tiny..lol

I am 145lbs today, and down 90lbs !!!! I had a personal WOW moment today. I haven't  worn anything but long sleve or 3/4 sleve shirts since I was about 12 years old. I went to the mall, and wore a tank top. I felt comfortable enough with my body, to go out in public wearing a tank top...and it felt FABULOUS!!!! I am sooo damn giddy right now. 

Also, I am starting to recognize myself as a thin person. I was having the hardest time accepting compliments, and truly believing I was not the fat me anymore. I truly love the person that I am on the outside now, along with the person I have always been on the inside.

155 lbs !!!! Size 6



Before 235lbs Size 18/20

I was stalling for a little bit, but it was all because of my time of the month. I stay at my current weight for a week and a half, and then I drop about a pound every other day. I cannot believe that 3 months ago I was 235lbs!  I got a new job last week, and decided to treat myself to a shopping spree. I still have to get more pants (size 8's are beginning to get a lil big), and all of my shirts were small or XS from Anne Taylor. OMG XS, I am used to seeing XL or XXL....I am so happy I cannot put it into words, This surgery was the best decision I could have ever made. Life is getting really good, and everything is falling into place!!!

 I am 178lbs today, and my size 10's are gettin baggy. I have some 8's that I can wear.  I have lost 5 lbs in the last 2 weeks, but it was my "Time of the Month" too. The smallest I have ever been was in the upper 160's, and I am almost there! 

It is just so weird to see people that say they weigh 140-160, and they are in size 12 and 14's. So I have really nothing to base my progress on. Does anyone know someone who is 5ft 6in and weighs 178lbs in a size 8?!!!!??? I must have heavy bones..lol .. Ok..Thats enough about me for now..

This Friday December 8th, my bestest friend Liz is getting the Lap Band done! I am driving her to the hospital, and we have to be there at 5:30 in the morning to check in. I have to work, so I am going to sit with her as late as possible, and then pick her up after work to go home. She refuses to stay in the hospital, so aparently it's possible to go home 4 hours after Lap Band Surgery.. That is if she is is up and walking like a mad woman...Trust me too..If she goes home, she will be walking every 20 minutes..Cause I am like anal when it comes to that stuff. If she isn't gonna go through the whole regime at the hospital, than I wil make sure she is okay at home. Everyone wish her luck.

 Well I am officially 2 months out , and I can deffinately say I am making progress. I am now in size 10's, and I am down to 183lbs so far. I actually went bathingsuit shopping, and enjoyed myself!! I got 2 beautiful new suits, and I am going to be showing those bad boys off during Thanksgiving weekend. I have friends comming down for the holidays that haven't seen me since my surgery, and I am so excited to get the feedback. I can finally see the difference in my body, and my confidence has gone up tremendously. I think I have gone out more in the past 2 weeks than I have the entire year !! I really have never been this social, nor have I ever wanted to be seen as much as I do now. I love how I look in everything, and the fact that I still have 40 pounds to go floors me. The smallest I've ever been was a size 7 Juniors, and thats about as small as I think I can get. I have VERY wide hips, and a tiny waist. (Child bearing hips, as someone once called them) .. I took some new pics of my from the waist up in my new baithing suits and a tank top!! Me in a tank top??? Without covering my arms?...I almost can't believe it as I am typing this. Everything is going very smoothly now a days.

      With my new found attitude twards life, I have found that I am unhappy with my position at work. I deserve better, and I know I have the knowledge to move up.  I am done settling for average, b/c I felt inadequate. Personally, I am ready for a change. I want a whole new environment, where no one has a clue that I used to be the fat girl. I want to walk into a job interview and be judged on my experience and abilities, and not have to worry if the person is judging me based on my appearance. (uaually having the misconception that I am either lazy, or some other disgusting stereo-type) . So I have applied to a few positions in my field, and have tremendous success so far. I am going on 2nd interviews w/ 3 different companies, and I pretty much just have to see who has the best package to offer me. 

     This surgery has given me a sense of self. I believe in myself, and I love being me. I used to go into interviews worried about what they would want to hear, and that I might not please them. Well now I go into interviews wanting to know what they can do for me. I know what I want, and I am ready to go and get it. I am not in a any hurry, so I am going to take my time and figure out the best oppritunity for me. I will keep everyone posted on what I decide to do.

     Oh...I took a couple pics with my camera phone...I am waiting for my film of my pre-op/post-op pics to be developed. So these will give you guys some idea of my progress.