TracyinKS

Like the others here.. I am not skinny... but skinny for me is wearing a size 12 and weighing in the 170's......... I can't really imagine myself any smaller because I don't remember a time that I was smaller.... I've lost a smidge over 40 lbs but take a look at my signature image... that person in the beginning the 272 version... It honestly pains me to look at that pic every day, and I've toiled with taking it out, but then someone always reminds me that it shows where I was... at the time of setting the self timer on that camera... I had just faced the scale and had just got done crying and being totally disgusted with myself.. WHAT HAD I BECOME? I'm the person who has lost 80 lbs 3 times all by following strict Atkins... in 2005 I had hit my previous low.... and now 2007 I was at an all time high......... nothing fit, I didn't even feel like messing with my hair or makeup, people who once congratulated me on every pound lost were now looking at me with pity and disgust at gaining 10,20, 80 lbs.......... I was at the lowest emotional pit I could be in. Even though I had known I was getting my band and it was just a matter of time.... I was still self loathing.............. that is me the 272 pound version.... Surgery day I was hopeful and excited and down 19... and the latest pic is downright playfull again.............. THE REAL TRACY is TAKING BACK HER LIFE! I'm down to being able to wear my old 16's again... I am PROUD, I am HAPPY, I SEE THE LIGHT, and I know that once and for all I will lose this weight again............. AND THIS TIME IT'S FOR GOOD! That my friend is a very FREE feeling........ Its hard to explain...... I guess the best part is KNOWING with every Fiber of your being that the former you is gone......... and the REAL you is waiting to shine.

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Delooka: THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THE FDA TRIAL that led to the Band being available in the US and being covered by my insurance! It is people like you who are RESPONSIBLE for changing the lives of so many here. Also many many thanks for posting. I agree with Alexandra.. even now crap.. someone came in my office..

EXERCISE CHALLENGE UPDATE!!!!!!!! I have decided to not only work out 20 times but to button these jeans by Labor DAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Stay tuned. The well worn size 14 NONstretch Levis... I even tried a gut sucker with no luck.......... but soon.. they WILL BE MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOD MORNING VIOLETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My digital scale teetered on 230.6 before settling on 231.4.. any way you look at it... a NEW LOW and that was at 4:00 a.m. this morning! I was waiting for the gym to open AGAIN!!!!!! Everyone: Thanks all for the comments on my pics.. and I'll try to remember to back into all rooms from now on! BEEEEEEEP BEEEEEEP BEEEEEP TracyK: I am just a hair under 5'5".... I am pretty balanced as far as distribution of weight. I can not wait for the day those jeans are baggy on me! This time down the scale will be the first time I've included exercise so I'm really hoping that it helps tone.... I ordered a new swim suit (for next year) from Victoria's Secret.. it is a tankini that has an underwire bra built in.... it's on back order til September, but it wouldn't fit right now anyway.. I always wear a pair of swim shorts over m suit and I doubt that will ever change. Time to go update my signature......... Everyone have a GREAT day!

Kat: I pray for the day you can go ANY length of time AWAY from the hospital! I gave your shorts away today (a girl at work) They are so HER style! Kat Shorts LIVE ON!!!!!!!!!!

thank you ARD!!!!!! I put them back in the closet... for ......... now...

Why I feel the need to embarass myself infront of the entire cyber nation I'll never know............. OH heck.. cause its FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The well worn size 14 NONstretch Levis... I even tried a gut sucker with no luck.......... but soon.. they WILL BE MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

whooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooo Jennifur!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU NEEDED THOSE NSV's! and you've EARNED them!

You ladies are doing awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Giving you all a bit of Encouragement!!!! WHOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!! October will be here before you know it. One tip........ don't go on the "farewell to food tour" like I did........ You will still be able to eat EVERYTHING, just not so much...... the Friday before my first fill........ I ate a lot of pizza... and now depending how loose my band is, I can still eat thin crust.... but now the miracle is .. I get full after 1 pc not 5-7 pcs.................. oh and all the crappy junk food goes down WAY to easy....... so don't freak out.. concentrate on becoming the healthiest you can before surgery. HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and Enjoy the ride!

August 1, and ONE workout complete.......

GOOD MORNING VIOLETS!!!!!!!!!!!!! August is off to a great start because I was at the GYM when it opened at 4:30 a.m. I did three rounds of the circuit (think Curves) and then I walked for 18 minutes on the treadmill......... Denise I can tell a huge difference.... 1. You look much much younger 2. You side view REALLY show how much you've lost in your cheeks, chin and neck 3. I do see the difference in your chest area... you are losing width. 4. Your belly and again width is going way way way down. 5. Look at the bagginess of your pants.. you actually have gathers of material in your booty area. You are ROCKING on down that scale! Pamela: GOOBERS... YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Judy: I vote new and old suit! Terry: Good observation on the scale and this morning when I was suffereing through those gawd awful tricep exercises I was thinking about you and those pants that are now falling off you with a measely 7 lbs. I was BORN with a muffin top!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I do have these jr size 17/18 denim capris that I can now barely wear because they are SOOOOOOO baggy! its funny because when I first started the process of losing weight I couldn't hardly button them and breathe........... as for the 14's... my belly protrudes out of them so much that I look like one of those pregnant basket ball belly girls! I might just set the self timer and get a pic of myself doing this tonight......... you guys would die from laughter........ I went back to the cottage cheese and blueberry breakfast this morning. The stuff has really grown on me. WWJD! Have fun everyone................ drink that water!

MS Jen: if you look like Star Jones... before OR after........... then you are BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!! and we need a pic to go along with your name. Did you see that Starr admited to the ByPass? I was reading about it on line... with interest.. I gobble up celebs that have lost weight.....which ever path I don't care... which is why I love Biggest Loser, Big Medicine, and will be watching the FatMarch in August.......... those shows keep me motivated.

Thanks Laura! Oh man ... your cakes sound delicious.... and since I've just had soup for the last 24 hours I would DEFINATELY consider your post FOOD PORN! LOL Get those NSV jeans out and try them on and then I WANT A PIC Missy and Lisa: I am going to TRY and make it to the September Bandwagon.. we will be in Branson for the August one.. maybe I'll see you all there???? Where is Terry???? I WORKED OUT TODAY and I WANT HER TO KNOW IT! Pam: It's getting closer to Thursday and the Cape! and BTW .. where IS THE PIC OF YOU COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET!!!!! Set the self timer and make a goofy face (I do it all the time) :scales: Last night I was doing my weekly NSV jean try on session and since I'm in most my size 16W I decided to try the 14W's and here is the NSV.. I got them up over my butt!!!!!!! woooohooooo! but there was no amount of sucking and stuffing that would make them button over my gut!..... NOW THAT would be a progress picture!!!!!!!!!!! because ladies I am making a goal that I WILL be in them by my birthday 10/04 even if I have to have the superpowered spankx and a crane to get them zipped!

You should be fine... don't worry about it...... go in peace grasshopper

sugar free popsicles ARE YOUR FRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What I did.. was have ONE hb egg or 1 can of tuna a day... I kept it very low in carbs and limited it to one time day... but I stress..... FOR ME its Low CARB that works best for my body..... my liver was fine. and I have to stress.. that I was even stricter with carbs than my docs pre op outline.... I'm not your doc... but looking forward to the egg or the tuna was better than binging on something REALLY bad!

My doc gives it back after your first month check up! I drink it less now, because I know that water is best for flushing the fat out, but I do still have my Dt. Dr Pepper and my coffee!

I LOVE BigMedicine! I also LOVE LOVE LOVE my band! I had surgery on Thursday was back to work the following Monday. Two days of PTO and my boss doesn't even know. When people ask what I'm doing.. I tell the truth.. watching my carbs and cutting my portion sizes, drinking Water and exercising..... The band allows my body to ABSORB nutrients from my food, where as my ByPass buds have to take daily vitiman supplements or else they will "get that look" Here's my list of PRO's and why I personally chose the band as my journey. 1. 2 days off work 2. All my innards are in tact 3. Could be reversed if needed 4. Eat regular food.. just not AS MUCH! 5. Insurance covered it 6. If I start getting sloppy with my eating I can always go in for a fill.. Bypass doesn't have this option... after the first year the honeymoon is over and they have to really work at it. I like the fact that my band is there waiting for me to turn it on. I love the fact that I don't DUMP like my RNY buds do...... it is SOOOO true what you will hear over and over and over and over..... The band is MERELY a TOOL! It doesn't make your food choices.. YOU HAVE TO DO THAT, but it DOES keep you from over eating! I like to explain it.... pre band I could put away most if not all of a large thin crust pizza on my own............ now I might be able to have 1 MAYBE 2 pcs of and extremely crunchy thin crust.. and that is if I'm not filled very tightly.. more over if my family goes out for pizza.. I eat the toppings and maybe a bite of the crustiest part and eat a salad....... and teh best part........... I AM FULL and FINE with it!!!!!!!!!!! GOOD LUCK

Julie: Glad to hear it went well!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Judy: Thanks for the compliment... I'm in most all my size 16's again.. I tried on my 14 Levis last night and they went over my butt, but no amount of sucking or stuffing my gut in would allow them to button.. but SOON.......... and I worked out this a.m.

What about p'ing?????? do you have to completely take it off to do your business?????

3 rd fill yesterday ..... 3.5 cc's in my 4cc band...... liquids til tomorrow, and then I'll know how it does with solids.

20 sessions of at least 30 minutes for me!

Congrats MS_Jenn and Judy!!!!!!!!! Jennifur: Have fun with you DD bday! I am sipping on some Soup at Hand.... it tastes good! almost time for water.

Lisa (5Jacks) That is so funny! I wish we could of introduced ourselves... Probably would of broke the ice for all the others in the waiting room who wanted to ask questions.. (especially the ones holding on to their consult folders) I go back the 27th maybe I'll see you there. My goal is to weigh 219 or less (at home) the morning of my next appointment. Terry: I went to the gym this morning and as you can see I've already set my August goals....... July was a bust.. only 8 out of 20. We go on our final summer get away in two weeks with all the boys.. and this time we are spending a night in a Waterpark themed hotel, along with Silver Dollar City again....... lots of walking.... buffets every day and funnel cakes at night........... I want to come home from the week long vacation the same or down a pound....... this will be a true life test. I hope everyone has a great day! WWJD