More Before and After Pics - Page 3 - ThinnerTimes

Laura@BellaBabies · 11-27-2005, 10:24 AM

WOW Dara what an amazing transformation! You go girl!!!

Dara · 11-27-2005, 02:16 PM

Margie, Lisa, Sandi and Laura:

Thank you so much for your kind words. I thought this thread had died, so it's a nice surprise that it resurfaced. When we take a moment to look where we came from, we thank the good Lord and our surgeon for the wonderful gift we've been given. "Before" pictures can be startling!

Personal Note to Sandi:

You're such a great friend to me. My transformation has been great, but you look like an angel! Many of our new forum members have no idea what hardships and delays you had to endure for your surgery. Your surgery was truly a dangerous operation in every sense of the word, and God (and Dr. Callery) brought you through it with flying colors. You honestly embody the word "inspiration." I'M NOT WORTHY!

Love you, sweetie pie!

sandi · 11-29-2005, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dara

Margie, Lisa, Sandi and Laura:

Personal Note to Sandi:

You're such a great friend to me. My transformation has been great, but you look like an angel! Many of our new forum members have no idea what hardships and delays you had to endure for your surgery. Your surgery was truly a dangerous operation in every sense of the word, and God (and Dr. Callery) brought you through it with flying colors. You honestly embody the word "inspiration." I'M NOT WORTHY!

Love you, sweetie pie!

Yes, by the grace of God, He wasn't finished with me yet, and He brought me through... "I AM alive, I made it through surgery...." My words when I woke up in the recovery room... even though Dr. Callery said he wasn't sure I'd make it off the table..... another story for another day....

This post is about you.... Dara... my dear dear Dara....

You are SO worthy honey... don't ever say that you're not worthy of being someone's "inspiration"... you are, whether you know it, or not.. you are!!!
Once we get past the point of the honeymoon period, it's all hard work. Sure, in the beginning, the weight just melts away, we all, "melt", but, after a period of time, after the pouch increases in size, and we're able to eat anything we want, within reason, and most foods don't cause us to dump any longer, it becomes a struggle to know what to consume and it's hard! You're at that point, you're at your goal!! You've made this journey, and you've made it SO well, you've done such a magnificent job, all the way through...with such grace and poise... now comes the hard part, to keep that weight, to hold at that line, not to give in and go back to the old ways of eating or drinking the things that caused you to be the morbidly obese person you were at surgery.
No, you couldn't eat or drink that much anymore, but, you COULD nibble and sip your way there again if you gave in.. but, you're NOT going to, because you've overcome those demons and put them behind you, never to be brought from the depths again. YOU ARE WORTHY!! You ARE an inspiration my friend!
Hold that gorgeous head of yours high, and smile that beautiful smile and go forth and inspire...... inspire~ For you ARE an inspiration!!!!

I love you my friend~

Dara · 11-29-2005, 12:09 PM

Sandi:

Thank you, dear heart. The feeling is mutual.

BethBaugh · 11-30-2005, 08:29 AM

I too found some photos last night. I had to show them to my husband. It's funny you can still feel "fatter" on some days than others. Looking at the old me helps me to see how far I've come and I can make it. As you guys say this is a journey.

I agree with everyone. YOu look marvelous and are beautiful.

got2bthin · 12-02-2005, 02:05 AM

You have such a sweet face! You look fantastic!

Dara · 12-02-2005, 09:54 AM

Beth and Thin:

Thanks so much for the nice words. I really need that today!

Dyann · 12-03-2005, 09:24 PM

Stunning.....what an accomplishment....you are beautiful