While we were in California on vacation, a very important milestone came and went – the one-year anniversary of my Lap-Band surgery. On January 15, 2013, I took a little nap and woke up with three tiny laproscopic incisions and a band around the top of my stomach. The Band has changed my life in so many important ways. Sure, I’ve lost weight – 75 pounds, with 15 or so to go – but the bigger changes have come in other areas. I mean, I’m a RUNNER. Jason and I have a stronger relationship. We have a more active family. And I feel like we finally can envision the “dream” future for our lives rather than worrying about my health and how that might impact all our plans.
There’s still work to be done, and the journey doesn’t ever end, but sometimes you just need to remind yourself how far you’ve come.
You look fantastic! Maybe we will meet at runDisney someday.
You look great!! Great job on starting to run, keep it up!
You look amazing! And as another Lap-Band girl, I know exactly the work you have put in to get there. I originally lost 115 lbs with my band. Then pregnancy with twins happened and I’m going back at it. But, it’s always amazing to see the transformation of someone else. Congratulations!
You look great! Congrats on your weight loss! Lap Band or not it isn’t easy to do!
You look amazing! Is that the Disney Princess run? A lady from our town went to the one in Florida last year and her photos of the event were so great!
The last shot is from the Tinker Bell 10k at Disneyland. But I’ll be at the Princess one in just a few weeks! They give a special medal to runners who finish races on both coasts. 🙂
You look amazing!!! My cousin had the surgery done as well and has transformed very well over the years.
I knew you had lost some weight, but didn’t realize it was this recently. I’m glad to see the surgery worked out so well. All the hard work you have done has a lot to do with your success though I am sure 🙂
Julie you look amazing and are doing such a great job on your journey to a healthy lifestyle.
You are beautiful, my friend. Inside & out. 🙂 <3
You look FANTASTIC congrats on all your hard work! I’m so proud to call you my buddy 🙂 <3
Love the gorgeous sassy striped dress picture!! Congrats on all your hard work and accomplishments!!
Congratulations on your transformation! That’s great that you have done what it takes to take charge of your own life. I’m so happy to learn that you are a runner now, too! That’s fantastic! WTG! 🙂
Those are awesome before and after photos! Good for you for getting healthy!
Total hot stuff. When i grow up, I want to be you.
What an amazing difference! You are doinga great job on yourself.
Wow! You look absolutely amazing!
What a huge difference! (no pun intended) Getting the surgery is just the beginning as it takes a lot of effort and dedication on the patient’s part – and I think you’ve done a wonderful job of transforming your way of life. It’s so apparent that you now feel confident in your own skin 🙂
You look FANTASTIC! You should be very proud of yourself.
You look awesome! Congratulations!
Proud of you Julie – you’ve come so far!
WOW that is amazing Julie!! I never knew you had that done and all the weight you have lossed!! What a journey and thanks for sharing!!
I was running right beside you and I knew you looked familiar.
just look at you. What a journey you’ve been on keep up the good work
You look wonderful! 🙂
Wow, your transformation is impressive. What I appreciate about your story as compared to others who’ve tried this method and failed miserably is that you didn’t take this as the miracle cure and continue destructive habits. You chose to use this as a launching point for an all around healthier lifestyle. You are awesome for becoming a runner. That would not be for me.
You look gorgeous, keep up the great work.
You look great! Amazing what a year can do.
You look beautiful!
Look at you mama! Amazing!
Amazing you look great! Congrats!
Wow, you look amazing. Congratulations to you.
You look AMAZING! Congrats on such a drastic transformation & I am so glad it has improved your quality of life.
Congrats! I had the surgery but let the fluid out it was giving me too many problems. You look great!
You look phenomenal, Julie — the confidence is shining all over your face!
That is fantastic! I love the picture of you in that black and white dress!
You look fantastic! I have been considering Lap Band surgery so much, I think it would give me that extra push I need to one and for all be successful in weight loss.
Congratulations! Amazing transformation!
Congratulations on a job well done!!!! Best wishes to you! Julia
Wow, what a transformation!
Keep up the great work. I finally took hold of the reigns and shed all of my pregnancy weight.
You look great! Congrats!
What an amazing journey! You can almost see the confidence your transformation has given you through your photos.
Congratulations on the one year anniversary and your amazing success!
What an accomplishment! Congratulations! You look amazing, and I am sure you feel it too! So much to be proud of! Great job! Stopping by from SITS comment love!
You look fantastic! Great job! I’m sure you must feel amazing too. Stopping by from the SITS Girls!
What an amazing story! I love to hear positive success stories. I know it wasn’t easy either so nice work! You look fabulous and I am sure you feel so much better! Stopping by from SITS and enjoying your site. :):)
Great job! Its not always easy to share about yourself with a bunch of strangers, but I want you to know I’m rooting for you! 15 pounds is nothing for a runner! ❤︎
You look great! I think it is wonderful that you took such a step to correct your health issues. Anything surgical is scary to me but the benefits are obvious. I have a friend that just got the surgery and she’s already feeling much healthier so congrats to you for all your hard work (and just because you got a surgery does not mean you don’t still have a lot of hard work to do to make it successful.)
#SITSBlogging
That’s one reason why I don’t mind talking about it openly, Julie. A lot of people “hide” their surgeries because of the misconception that there’s no work involved and it’s seen as the “easy” way out. But I definitely have to work just as hard as people losing weight any other way. The surgery is a tool, not a solution.
You look amazing – congrats on your surgery anniversary.
I’m sure that your story has inspired many. I know that the surgery can be an amazing tool in losing weight, but you’ve also clearly sharpened up a bunch of other tools in the toolbox… and you’ve completed a half marathon to prove it! I hope to meet you in FL when you are there for the DPH – but if not, I will look forward to reading your race report.
I owe you an email Dianna!
You look wonderful! I know it must feel so much better to have that weight off. I have a lot to lose and look forward to that feeling. 🙂
I’m so glad you had success with this and that you feel better and healthier and your family is stronger for it! It’s wonderful to see your transformation to inspire others to work at their dreams whatever their choice is on how to do it!
You definitely need to pat yourself on the back a time or seven. You’ve come a long way and it sure sounds like it’s been a great thing all around!
WOW! You did awesome and look amazing! Good job on getting healthy!