For the rest of us!

Thanks Donna! Yeah I do have one of those scrapbooks and looking back at old pics of myself is one of the only ways that I do sometimes see the changes. I think you are right about the picture, if you upload it yourself it gets distorted. You have to know the exact perfect size to make it look just right. The one that was up was so old though I had to change it but maybe I will send one in now. I wonder if they will still do it for us now that we can change them ourselves though?

Hi Stacy, they are still doing it, I had mine done fairly recently. I cut/pasted the info for you. Like I said, it takes about three weeks. Take care! love donna EMAILING US YOUR PHOTOS Please send your pics as attachments in e-mail if you haven't done so already. They should be in jpg, gif, tif or bmp format. It is essential to include your username, member id, and e-mail address as they appear on your profile. Please send your pics only once. The more pics we have to sort through, the longer it takes us to get you all linked. We know you're anxious to get posted and we're working as quickly as we can to do just that. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE? We are working as quickly as we can and ask for your patience. We work with photos in the order received. We send out confirmations once your pic is up. If you haven't received yours within 3 weeks, please feel free to check with us to be sure an error hasn't taken place (not received, lost, etc.) BEFORE AND AFTER GALLERY The purpose of this special feature is to highlight dramatic changes in weight. You are eligible for this feature if you have lost at least 100 pounds or your surgeon's goal weight. Other criteria include photo quality (we can't use if too dark or difficult to view) and body positioning (both photos should show waist up at least, but full body is preferred). We're eager to help show off the new you! OTHER QUESTIONS If you have questions not pertaining to photos, please contact Member Services at [email protected]. --Photo Department Email - [email protected]

by the way, I just read your profile!! You are awesome! What a difference for you, little girl. I mean can you even doubt it when you put your whole body in one leg of your old jeans!! You look fantastic. I think you said it right for alot of us, it's so hard to accept compliments. For me if someone compliments me and I say thank you I almost feel conceited. It's weird. I feel I should disagree with them. But you are gorgeous!! Very nice profile!! love donna

Donna, I have a SERIOUS problem also with body image. I have to hold myself backa t asking ither woman what size they are.... I have a good girlfriend I ate lunch with the other day, and she was so jealous of my weightloss(in a good way). I told her she looks so much better than me.. Well... come to find out, she weighs like 40+lbs heavier, and 2 sizes bigger than me! I just can't tell what I look like........ My kids are complaining that my size 22 pants are WAY too big. I only have 2 size 20 pants. I just bought a third pair on sale. I have lost 139.5 lbs, but still feel HUGE. I know how you feel about the boobs... I went from a 48 F to a 38F...but I have to jiggle them in . My arms... UGGGHHHH!!! I have a pictures a couple months ago of them on my picturetrail. They are worse now. I have a lot of back/arthritis problems, and don't excersize as much as I should. My tummy is not as bad as some people, but the legs & butt....OOOHHH.... I have been taking pics every month except last(forgot), and that helps me. I have my 13 year old daughter take them!!!!!!! Tanya 358/219/185

I *think* even though most of us were told over and over we wouldn't be perfect before the surgery, that we were hoping for the magic cure. I am waiting for insurance approval right now for a breast reduction and pannilectomy. These are for medical reasons, not cosmetic, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to how much better I'll look, not just feel, without all that extra weight dragging on my back and the horrible rashes I have.

yup, wanting to be a '10'!! That's for sure. I will definitely be doing the tummy tuck and maybe more, but insurance won't pay and that's fine, I'll just turn in my retirement!!! love donna

Hi Tonya, that is so true about wanting to know weight/size of other women!! I have a friend who has always been 'smaller' and last time I saw here she said 'you're smaller than I am now'!! And of course I couldn't see it --. Weird. But we'll get through this, and realize how beautiful we truly are. One of the things I think is that for some reason we feel we can't agree that we look good. I like what Pam said, that she likes the way she looks. And that was good for me to hear, that you can say you like the way you look and not be considered oh, I don't know, full of yourself I guess. It's my new mantra -- I do like the way I look!! So there, people!! I said it. love donna

I think it will be QUITE some time, before I can say I LIKE the way I look... Right now the mirror plays MAJOR, head games with me... or UH... is that the other way around??? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am defintely making progress!!! TODAY is my 11th month anniversary 140 lbs gone and over 110 inches... not too shabby, when I say that... But still being over 200+ lbs, in plus sizes, with breasts that are tube scks, inner thighs that look like I'm 90, and I can FLY with these WINGS I have... OH WELL... I keep telling myself I am gaining YEARS to my life to see my FUTURE grandchildren grow up, and their babies........ Seeomg them will make it worth it, but it will take SOME time before I can say that I LIKE the way I look.... MORE POWER TO YOU DONNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm just not there yet........ Tanya L

TONYA, CONGRATULATIONS!!! 140 pounds - 110 inches - are you kidding?? Not too shabby is an understatement girlfriend. That is awesome. If you are not pleased with your looks right now, well youhave got to be very pleased with your progress, with your commitment to this program, and I dare say Tanya, your success! Give yourself a break, you are doing fantastic!! love donna

Love the post..... How can we be unhappy with were we are>>>> My Dh gives me crap all the time when I talk about PS. He is very opposed to it. He loves the new me- of course he loved the old me as well. As far as the bat wings go..... you should see what they look like when riding a motorcycle. I told DH I was going to take right off in flight. I just look at them flapping away and LMAO.....Literarily laughing out loud some times..... I look pretty foolish laughing and flapping all over the place. After reading Christine's post about her bathing suit I will be posting my vacation pictures shortly.. just need to get the time. I am sure you all will love that I am not perfect and those thighs are not to die for- but hey I am 43 year old, married mother of two- it is a hard earned body coming your way. L donna