Okay, I set myself up. I was arrogant and self serving. Pridefull and maybe a little too forthcoming.

My Mother wanted to see her Brother. Haven't seen them since my Father died three years ago. So, I told my Mom I would take her. After all, I have lost about 105 pounds and I wanted to "strut my stuff".

That was my first mistake.

So I dressed in my "thinnest" clothes, Lee Rider Jeans really do slim you! My Husband thought I looked so good, he took a picture. Okay - before I NEVER let anyone take my pictures. That is why I have so few before pics.

So dressed to kill, okay maybe not, but I felt GOOD. I went armed with before pics and Grandchildren Pics. I was ready.

I didn't start of saying "Look at me" or anything like that. Huggs and kisses all around, and comments at how good I looked. I never just start with the lap band, I have to be asked, and then I LOVE to talk. My Cousin and Uncle were more than happy to talk about what they had been doing and I listened intently. After all I felt good and I knew I was WAY thinner than they had last seen. Cousin, male, has lost 100 pounds, still needs to loose another 50 but still he is smaller than his teen and twenties. Uncle has lost MAJOR weight, but has had health problems. Aunt is heavy and poor health also.

So finally the moment arrived. Sitting next to Steven and Uncle Chester I am asked that all important question. So how did you do it? I open my mouth and proudly declare I HAVE THE LAP BAND. My moment of triump..............

And in unision, they must have practiced for years to get this, out comes - THE CHEATER'S DIET!

THE CHEATER'S DIET!

THE CHEATER'S DIET!!!

I was so hurt, pissed off, you name it. I took out my before pictures and said, THIS IS WHY I HAD TO GET THE BAND. I HAD A HEART ATTACK, DIDN'T KNOW IT AND I WAS GOING TO DIE.

I told them, I have worked my ass off to get here. It isn't cheating, the band doesn't make you loose weight, you have to do the work. It is a tool, it helps keep me honest, but it didn't do this all by itself. Could I have done it without it - NO, could have lost and gained like always, but honestly NO. I needed this tool - period.

So that's what you get for being arrogant and full of yourself.

But still, family is suppose to support you, right?!? Then other male cousin comes in, and I think OH MY GOD. And all of a sudden I realize, I was worried about what they thought!!! Everyone is 50 to 100 pounds overweight in their family if not more. Diabetis and Heart Trouble and no teeth abound.

Oh I made jokes, about still the same me, it has just moved around. We laughed at me while I made jokes about turkey arms and "old man butt". You know, still have my butt, it's just down at my knees. HA ha ha.

But in the end, my fault. I went in there expecting "congradulations" and job well done. No one can do that for me, except me.

I did this for me, for my health. And I have better health. I am not going to die from Diabetis or a Heart Attack. I am not going to suffer from sleep apnea and gastritis.

I don't think they knew how upset I was. I may not go back. I let it affect me and I should know better. It doesn't matter what others think of me. Even if I had only lost 10 pounds at least I would have lost some weight.

Remember, your health improves after just a 10% drop in weight. And what are you really in this for? Only you know. Personally I look at my saggy skin every day. Sometimes I am so angry that I allowed myself to get as heavy as I did. But then I rmember what Dr K said in the seminar. It wasn't my fault. It was a disease. And I am not cured, but I guess you could say I am in remission.

Who knows how much I will loose. Honestly I wouldn't mind if I stayed where I am now. I am normal for the first time in 30 years. NORMAL = good health. I'm not ready to die, I still have some living to do. It may not be as exciting as others, but it is my life, my one life. The band gave me time, time to live, time to see my children become the adults they were ment to be and watch my grandchildren grow.

I think I will start humming that song

When I grow up I want to be an old woman........

I wonder how they would have responded if you had simply said..."That really hurts my feelings."