I think anyone who's had the lap-band for a while has experienced a certain modification in the behaviour of the people around them. That guy who used to poke fun at you to his buddies has suddenly made you his main target; that hot chick you always see at Starbucks has found you more interesting than the book she cluelessly holds upside down everytime you catch her single-mindedly eyeing the Adonises. Even your mother seems a little nicer since you started looking less like the hungry, hungry hippos from your father's side of the family.

Seriously? People treat us differently 'cause we're fat? I never imagined that was the case. It never occured to me all the times that McDonald's employee seemed happier taking my order than the pretty young thing in front of me who had ordered a McSalad without lettuce, tomato, or any of that other stuff you're liable to find in a salad and had eventually disappeared when she turned to her side.

If you look closely, you just might see the large dollar signs in that employee's eyes, too. It's basically in his job description and contract to be nicer to fat people. Don't let their occupation fool you, they are all geniuses. I mean, do the math yourself: 6 chins + backway boobs (both sexes) - self-esteem + hefty appetite = CHA-CHING!

You know what else chafes more than when my thighs rub together? More and more men seem to notice me with every pound that melts away. I am not entirely sure whether I should be flattered or feel violated at the nasty facial gestures they cast my way. I could pretend that I'm offended, but come on, who wouldn't feel a little complacent that a physical attraction is possible, now completely sans humiliation and the inevitable emotional pig-out with your skinny friend, who chooses a shoulder fold to rub as she lies and tells you that it's not all about looks?

Funny thing is, we eat that shit up like we do everything else.

Disclaimer: If anyone gets offended reading this, then I must explain that I only write about my own experience and do not generalize. That, or you just don't belong in LBT.

A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend.

So very true...It's amazing how many men now are "taking notice" of me. I figure it this way if they weren't interested before, I don't have time for them now. I have some great guy friends that hung with me fat or skinny, they are worth my time now...not that I'm skinny, but I'm working on it.

Reality sucks.

I see and hear those people all the time. It's really bad when I have my 4 kids around and they are aware of it too. "mommy why are they looking at us?"

I try to tell them that we need to learn to know a person before we judge a person.

Just because they wear glasses doesn't mean their smart or dumb.

Just because they wear old torn clothes doesn't mean their poor or live on the streets.

Just because their fat doesn't mean they don't care about themselves.

I hope that they will keep this with them through life and be a cut above cause they look outside the box first.

Aren't we due for another blog soon?

I am waiting.