~elaines Before And Afters

[elaine]

Hey all,

My daughter and I put together a collage of my before and after shots (gastric bypass and hernia/tummy tuck). I still can't believe that its me when I look at some of these pics.

Let me fill you in on some stats first:

before: 270 lbs
after: 134 lbs
total loss: -136 lbs

before: 391 inches
after: 263 inches
total loss: -128 inches

before: size 28-30
after: size 4-6
OH MY GOD

BEST OF ALL, I AM THE HEALTHIEST I HAVE BEEN IN MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE. I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONSTANT SUPPORT. I KEEP YOU ALL IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS........

~`elaine

[Angelina]

What a COMPLETE success you are!!!! As well as an inspiration to ALL!!!
Thank you so much for sharing those more than personal pictures with us!!!
I am thinking maybe I should take the plunge now with Dr. DeBellis as well!!!
And believe me... I was thinking NO WAY... but now that I saw your results... I am thinking about it!!
You are so wonderful.. Thank you for all your constant support as well... and ALWAYS be healthy and happy...( as well as DAAAMN Sexy!!)

sx

[elaine]

vi.jpg .........

~elaine

[terrie]

Hi Elaine,
Wow Thanks For Those Pics. I Have My Consultation With Dr. Debellis For A Tt Tomorrow At 2, Wish Me Luck!! The Results Really Are Increditable!! I'm More Excited Now Than I Was ,if Thats Possible!!

[mssfire]

You're my hero my dear...a true inspiration for ALL of us.

See my posting for my news!

[Regina]

Elaine what can I say about the NEW YOU that I haven't already said to you.

YOU LOOK FANTASTIC MY FRIEND!

You have given me the courage to go the next step. Hopefully once all this moving stuff is done with me I will be able to go and take that step. I am so proud of you. I truly believe that we were brought together for a reason. I thank your sister every night in my prayers that she told me about you. You are a great kind giving and loving person and a great friend. Thank you for sharing with all of us those pictures of your success.

Oh I know what else I can say but I know you have heard it already LMAO but here it is again.

YOU LOOK GREAT YOU SKINNY B**** com.hap26


Love Ya Girlfriend! You’re The Best!

Your Friend Always Regina

[elaine]

I HAVE TO TELL YOU ALL, I MAY BE INSPIRING TO YOU ALL, BUT DO NOT KID YOURSELVES FOR ONE MOMENT.........YOU ARE ALL A PART OF MY INSPIRATION AND I KNOW THAT WITHOUT ALL OF YOU (MY FAMILY, AND FRIENDS - OLD AND NEW, AND OF COURSE MY WONDERFUL DOCTORS) I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THE COURAGE TO GO AS FAR AS I HAVE. IT STILL BLOWS MY MIND WHEN I LOOK IN THE MIRROR....

YOU ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL. AND YES REGINA, I DO BELIEVE IN FATE. THERE IS A REASON WE HAVE ALL COME INTO EACH OTHERS LIVES.

ITS A BEAUTIFUL THING DON'T YA THINK..........~elaine

[Brian (RNY)]

FANTASTIC YOU LOOK MARVELOUS << Billy Crystal Sound Bite...lol

[elaine]

Brian,

I think its time for new pics from you.......you may have to come up and let Regg take some new photos. Then you can come out dancing with us.

~elaine

[Brian (RNY)]

Ok thats a deal just make sure you got plenty of one dollar bills ...

[elaine]

Bring it on buddy............I already to Regina.......shes ready.

~elaine

[Regina]

Ok that’s a deal just make sure you got plenty of one dollar bills ...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/LRJD/falling_bills_md_wht.gif
Boy are you in trouble now.

Have you not seen her pole dancing? Here is the newest one.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c279/RLJD/elaineandmepole.jpg




She is training me http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/LRJD/LRJD2/hehe.gif

[elaine]

You are such a DOG !!!!!!!!!

What happened to what happens in Manhattan stays in Manhattan.

What you didn't tell him, is how easy you are to train.....

Hugs darling..........and wheres my new picture?????

~e

[terrie]

you guys kill me!! SOMEONE BETTER CALL ME AND TELL ME WHERE MAPLES IS!! AND IS THERE A POLE THERE I NEED A LESSON ELAINE!!

[Regina]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/LRJD/LRJD2/23_29_107v.gif that there will be one there.

I'm sure Elaine can teach you all the tricks.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/LRJD/LRJD2/23_29_132.gif

I better scram before she see's this. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/LRJD/LRJD2/36_11_6.gif

[elaine]

Sorry to disappoint girls, but there is not a pole at the Maples......... however, Terri....maybe Regina could teach you her split thingy she does.

Owwwww........talk to ya later

~e

[Regina]

Alternatively, perhaps the chair dance might come in handy.

[terrie]

Now The Chair Dance I Don't Need Lessons In!!

[Regina]

Makes a note http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/LRJD/LRJD2/3_3_102.gif to self to see what Terry has to offer in her chair dance.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/LRJD/LRJD2/hehe.gif

[elaine]

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e163/emax147/eyes.jpg

I am keeping a close watch on you two, maybe I will learn something new!!!


LOL heheheh ~e

[Regina]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/LRJD/23_13_25.gif I just hope that Terry is not to http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/LRJD/4_13_12v.gif to show you. I will be taking the 0zx1

[terrie]

You guys don't scare me!!!!!! I'll see you with bells on!! Besides Regina I need a new pic too!!

[elaine]

No one is trying to scare anyone...........But bring it on ~~~~lol. I'll be bringing my camera tonight too, No More blackmail pictures of me. I want a set of my own.......See you tonight girlfriend.

~e

[Regina]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/bellamama/ZB_TAL112.gif




Oh wow you got mehttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/LRJD/4_6_200v.gifnow you two. NOT!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/LRJD/23_28_111.gif I will show you my fancy foot work http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/LRJD/5_1_117.gif


see ya there.

[Regina]

Oh boy does my head hurt.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/bellamama/smileyfaces03.gif It's all Elaine Genine and Terry's fault.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v469/bellamama/an3.gif

[terrie]

Yeah Right, Fat Chance I'm Getting Blammed For Your Headache!! You Girls Are Crazy!! Thanks For A Fun Evening!! Ouch! Regina, You Need To Stay Off Those Chairs Girlfriend!! I Tried To Learn, But I Think I'll Stick To The Lap Dances!!

[elaine]

I think that means we win (but let Terri fool you, she got right in there too).....I wouldn't use the word crazy, I would say....fun, enjoyable, full of new life. Thats our story and we're sticking to it.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e163/emax147/PICT0252.jpg

~elaine

Okay so maybe Regina is alittle crazy,,,,,,,,,
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e163/emax147/PICT0299.jpg

[Regina]

Ok so I might be crazy but I sure know how to have fun.

Girls Just wanna have fun. I know it's a little blurry but so is the night.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c279/RLJD/GenineMeElaineandTerri.jpg

[Desdemona]

Dear Elaine,

What a great collage! It's like a scrapbook page. Nanette keeps telling me to take a before picture, but I've stayed hidden for so long; stepping out from the shadows is, for me, the hardest part of the pre-op ordeal.

I have but one picture of me that has been taken since I progressed from chubby to obese that I allow anyone to see (without major modification in Photoshop) and it's one of only maybe half a dozen that I've allowed to be taken at all. I only accept it because I happened to be looking up, which hid the worst of my face.

I'll attach it if I can figure out how, but to take a picture dead on, that actually looks like me, and to post it online... well, My Dear. You are my hero. You have more courage in your little finger than I have in my entire obese body -- or ever will have. Kudos to you. You deserve your success.

I know that I'm a person and that my absence from photo albums and scrapbooks of every family event, holiday, and gathering suggests a ghost-like persona, a negation of self, a self-imposed invisibility. I understand the psychological ramifications of that, but I've just not yet been able to do anything about it. Seeing your pictures challenges me to do better, to see myself in a better light, to accept myself as a real person even before my surgery.

My excuse has always been that I'm the person behind the camera, and it's true besides being an excuse. Still, you make me understand the concept of courage with a whole new set of definitions, without the hoopla and cliches. You're my hero; what else can I say?

Hugs,
Jan

[elaine]

Hi Jan,

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your post, but I have been trying to come up with the right words to respond to such beautiful words of praise. You rendered me speechless (a very large task since you don't know me), for I know of the words you speak.....I have lived that life behind the camera and in the ghostly shadows. I have not always been there, but towards the end, I was so miserable with myself that I would yell out horrible words of hate if I passed a mirror and I started to make excuses of why I couldn't go places and do things with my family because of how embarrassed I felt. Then I made a decision to get my life back, I felt I was worth it!!!! And boy was I right.

I have made a few miraculous decisions in my life, this surgery is right up there in the top 3........the first was having my daughter and the other was marrying my husband. I have been blessed with a wonderful family and good friends that have always been a backbone of support and understanding for me. Now I try to give that back to new patients, by showing the ugly with the good. We have all been there, I try to keep it fresh so that I may never forget.

If you ever need to talk, don't hesitate to call me 516 848-4280 (my cell)
maybe Regina and I can come over sometime since its hard for you to get out........Thank you again, you touched me with your words in ways that you could not imagine. That is the reason I posted such graphic photos, if I could help just one person get through this easier, it was worth it. Change your hiding into a positive learning enery so that others can learn from our mistakes and maybe the decision won't be so hard on the next person.

good luck in your journey, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers........

~elaine
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e163/emax147/frog.jpg

[Evelyn]

Elaine, thank you so much for posting your before and after pictures. What an inspiration you are. I weigh more than you did before, and would like to weigh what you do in your after pictures. I have thought I'm fooling myself to expect such a dramatic loss, but after seeing your pictures and your statistics, maybe there's a chance. You're such a sweetheart to post your pictures. You have definitely helped me - you look wonderful! And your personality shines through in your face as well.

Jan, I could have written word for word what you wrote about lack of pictures and using the excuse of being the photographer. The mirror - UGH. You're right about being a person and it's not fair of us - you and me and anyone else with a photophobia - to exclude ourselves. Just that it's a hard thing to have to face, for me anyway. I am pre-op, just starting to try to make all the appointments and get all the paperwork in order. What a ton of stuff to do! I wish you the best.

Evelyn

[elaine]

Thank you so much, as I said before, I too was that person. I promised myself and God that if I lived through this, no matter what, I would PAY IT FOWARD. That is exactly what I intend to do.

If those pictures touch just one person and help them through, then I've helped save a life. Thankfully, by the response I have received, I have touched a few soft spots in some people and given them hope..........I feel wonderful that I can give something back.

There are so many other success stories on this site and at our meetings, people who inspire me to go on everyday. They are a wonderful means of strenght and support, use us, that is what we are here for. Someday, maybe you will be Paying it foward as well...........

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e163/emax147/hugssmiltey.gif
~elaine