I've lost 204 pounds! YEAY!

[PhotoNut 7]

Oh my gosh, Audrey! Your pictures took my breath away and made me cry. (Passes the tissues to DonnaB)

I'm so sorry about your mom's passing. I can't imagine how hard that must be to face. I'm sure your mom is very proud of you and pleased at your fabulous accomplishment. I hope you don't mind my putting your pics up side by side. They are so inspirational.

[NurseTeresa 0]

All I can say is you look absolutely fantastic!!!! Thanks for posting the pics!!! Thanks P'nut made it much easier to see the difference when you put them side by side.

[DonnaB 3]

Great pictures! Audrey you are amazing! When I (finally) grow up - I wanna be just like you!

Is one of your favorite things in the world shopping for clothes? lol

(Thanks for the tissue Susan - you know I needed it!)

Audrey, I'm curious about something. Did you have any complications along the way or did it all work out as you had hoped from the beginning? I hope you'll forgive the question, but I think most of us consider the "what ifs" and would like to hear from such an obvious success story what their journey was like. Thanks.

[Audrey 21]

Thanks!!!!

It's odd to see me on the PC screen! lol

I've been extremely lucky Donna. I haven't had many complications. I was banded 2 weeks before my best friend, who incidentally has lost over 280 with her band!!! (she's been in the papers & glossy mags over here too!).. So I feel that having someone there just to say.. "is this right? did you feel like this?" helps more than anything.

The only time I had anything 'wrong' if I can even call it that, is when I was filled too tight & couldn't keep Fluid down, I became dehydrated & was faint when I stood up. An unfill sorted that out in a few days & I was back to normal again (whatever that is! )

I also had reflux at night when I was in bed. It got to the stage where I forced myself to PB before I went to bed, to allow my not to be woken up with saliva choking me in the middle of the night. I got round this initially by not drinking/eating after 7pm, but it soon came back. I eventually got a wee 1/4 ml taken out of the band & I've never had the problem since.

I suppose a tip - if one were needed, is really simple. Stick to the 'Bandster Rules' they work. I know they can be a real pain at times, but I promise, if you stick to the rules for 10 days, you'll see/feel the difference. Also, go for a walk, I'm really bad at the gym & didn't get to 390lbs lovvin the gym !! so what I do is go for a wee walk when I get bored (or want to eat - actually thats usually at the same time! lol).

I really hope this helps. Stick in there, it WILL work.

aud x

[Trip2bme 0]

Audrey, What an amazing testimony of the human spirit...specifically your human spirit. I love the fact that in each of these photos you're smiling. Your sparkling personality and positive attitude reaches through the PC!! You are definitely my new hero.

You have my sympathy during this time of grief and loss. It's amazing the amount of emotions you must be going through...including the numbness. I recall almost feeling bi-polar. My the peace of God wrap you up and surround you like a warm blanket on an autumn day.

Thanks for sharing about you!!!

[kim2bhealthy 3]

Audrey! You Amaze Me! You have such a great attitude! I am sooo sorry about your Mum. My mother is my best friend in this world, and just thinking about the day that I will no longer have her brings tears to my eyes and breaks my heart.... You are in my thoughts and prayers! I am so proud of you for being so strong and motivated! The weight loss is such a major accomplishment! You should be so proud and confident. YOU LOOK AWESOME!!!

BTW: Tell your friend congrats as well, and if you have any clippings from her "cover girl" stuff please post them!

Again CONGRATULATIONS, and thanks for inspiring everyone!!!:clap2: :clap2:

[Mvpo8961 1]

Hi Audrey Congratulations of your weight loss. Share with us some of the ways you have physically felt better please.

Condolences regarding your mother. Lost mine 16 years ago and I still miss her.

This is a little thing I like to do for your weightloss.

:) :) :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up:

That's one thumbs up for each pound lost.

M

[Marimaru 7]

congratulations, you look great!!

[txkrause 0]

Boy is this motivating!

[Audrey 21]

I suppose I feel...............

every time you think someone is an inspiration , please know that in a few months time, YOU are the person someone is looking to for help.

I know bugger all about anything, all I can tell you is how I found things. I may have lost weight, but I have the same demons as you. The same insecurities and I still to this day, don't know how to deal with them.

The weight loss is the easy part, it's the keeping the weight off thats hard.

Be strong, it's worth it in the end!

Aud x

[Guest ASPHALT ANGEL]

great job on the weight loss, you look amazing.

My sympathies for losing your mom.

[Jessiebear 2]

WOW!! That is awesome!! Congrats to you!

Sorry about your mom.

[000000000 0]

Hi Audrey,

That is quite an acomplishment, You deserve a huge high five!

Sorry to hear about your mom passing away, My just did also a couple months back, and I cannot get off this computer or I would have to face reality!

[j.s. 0]

Audrey,

I am so sorry for your loss. You are so very inspiring! you really got a lot of emotions popping up for me. I am sorry for the loss of your mother but then I am totally inspired by your weight loss and you give me the hope, that I too can do this! Wow!!!

[PhotoNut 7]

every time you think someone is an inspiration , please know that in a few months time, YOU are the person someone is looking to for help.

I have seen this happen SO many times! I remember people like Sunta and K@t arriving here with so many questions and watching them develop into people that others look to for support and advice. I think it's wonderful. It means that we are all progressing!

Audrey, you're so down to earth about all of this which is awesome. Weight loss doesn't consitute celebrity status (well, ok it comes close here on LBT) but it sure does generate a lot of respect in my book. I know how hard it is to follow those rules you spoke of. I also know that they work. Seeing your success helps to reaffirm that, thus inspires me to keep on fighting the good fight.