6mth Bandiversary!

Do you know, 6 mths ago today I was out of surgery and banded. 

Now, I do things best with pictures so here's a little look at the last 6 mths (and slightly before)

New Years Eve. My weight hit 130kgs (again). 

Not long after New Years I met Meg. A week after that she took me to an intimate concert (Steve Poltz) in the city. I hadn't taken my thyroid medication for about 2 weeks and my swollen self was evident. 

Taken 6th Feb, the same day I wrote this. I had just started OptiFast and was down a few kgs already. 

Blogger is being a SHIT! Won't let me drag this picture to where it's supposed to be, above the red dress pic.  This was my last meal out at a resturatant before I started Optifast. I LOVED that cocktail and indulged in a big fat Thai Green Curry it was Mr Bandits and my date night. 

Taken a week after the last picture. I was so full of mixed emotion when I saw all of these. Happy because I didn't let my weight stop me from getting in the pool on a hot day with my babies  like so many other mums there. Sad because I didn't realise I looked that big.

Decided to cut my hair off. I always wore it back. What''s the point in me having it long? 

Felt a million bucks.

Started doing my Nail Fairy parties. I had to make this tu-tu because I was too embarrassed and unorgnaised to buy one online. Not to mention too big. 

Yes, I gasped too. You're not alone. I am the queen of taking good front on shots. I've never had the urban sprawl but side on, WOAH!

I just died when I saw this picture. 

The day I was admitted to The Avenue Hospital. Melbourne. I felt pretty slinky after having lost quite a few kgs on Optifast

On admission to hospital I got a gorgeous little care pack.

I had no idea (after being put on such a strict regime with Optifast before the op) that they would allow me one more meal the night before surgery. It felt like heaven after 6 weeks on liquid. 

The sexy undies I had to wear during surgery. I'm not sure why I thought to take a photo but I thought it was hysterical when I found the pictures today.

About to be wheeled into surgery. Moments before this picture was taken I wrote this. Morphine high!

Ugh. I'm sorry.

This was my stomach the night of my operation. They are only tiny little clear bandaid things so you can see a little blood. My stretchmarks look so angry. 

Ha! I STILL remember the exact feeling when this picture was taken by Mr Bandit. Pain. I could walk but it was hard to breath, move and I was very sore. 

8th April - About 2.5 weeks after surgery. This was one of those nights I felt incredible in my old faithful dress.  Off to a hens night

One month later, 8th May - 6-7 weeks banded. I had bought this shirt from St Vinnies (GREAT place to buy clothes when you are shrinking) along with a pair of Size 20 jeans that were a little too tight. The jeans are way too big now and that shirt is swimming on me. 

I included this one because when it was taken at my birthday party (18th May) I looked at Ree and said "That's not me" and walked to the toilet a moment later to have a cry. Not out of happiness, or sadness but disbelief. 

Look, I know this picture is foul, but I wanted to include it.  Mr Bandit took this on my phone to send to my mother because when I put my wedding dress on, it literally fell off me. Fell straight to the floor.

I had to pull this weird pose with my elbows out so it wouldn't. 

28th July with The McClymonts

This was another moment I had to catch my breath. Our minds play tricks on us and though I do not compare myself to others (I really have never been able to) I saw this and thought "I am not that much bigger than them!"  (waist wise)

The shock factor made me a bit spechless. 

If I hadn't have gotten banded I wouldn't have landed my dream role of Miss Hannigan. Fact.

Somewhere around this time I got my last fill which has finally put me in the green zone. 

I finally found my new boots! FLAT, leather boots that I can wear day in, day out with winter attire. I LOVE these boots. 

A month later
28th August
With my little brother and his wife. Don't ask ;-)

Mr Bandit and I about to go to the Annie cast party.
For the record - I HATE my hair in this picture but I loved that dress again. Again, my waist makes an appearance. 

Same night, at Annie's cast party with one of the cast members. This one made me realise I am getting smaller wrists and more delicate hands. Not man hands. Huzzah!

5th Sept
Fathers Day
Feeling rather sexy and slinky. My weight is finally moving down again  

New Undies!   LOVE these.  Size 16 and they make me feel incredible. 

11th Sept at my freind Ree's Hens night.  Approx 108kgs

Another amazing find from Vinnes! This incredibly made, stunning jacket cost me $10!  Size 16 but a little snug.  

I feel incredible in it. I am saving it to wear to Rees wedding as I'm the MC. What do you think? 

Taken on Monday with fellow bloggers Tully (You'd Be Pretty If..) and Jadey (Deluded Princess) after Jadey slipped into town for some wedding bits and peices.

Both these women look incredible!  Tully has also had the band done and Jadey is shrinking away for her wedding next March. Wehn we had lunch I reckon we've easily lost over 100kgs between us in the last year.
Incredible. Stunning and still more to go for all of us. Can you imagine a picture being taken in 1 yr from now? WOW.


This is us only two years ago.

New Years 2 years ago. Myself & Tully.
We are two totally different women.
The change in Tully has blown my mind. She's been banded about 6 months prior to me and just hit 82kgs.. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. She glows with happiness. Pure, beautiful happiness.

This is Jadey and I after Bradman was born.

and a little before picture.

Scroll back up again and have a look at how far these two have come.

I bloody love a good before and after photo. We all possibly think that there still is a way to go but hey, look at us now!