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Today is almost my three month point. Also, I have my 20th high school reunion coming up so I figured it was a good time to go shopping. Now I have no idea what size I wear or where I should shop. So, I called my mother. I always like to have someone with me that will be completely honest and tell me I look like a teenage wannabe, or I'm trying to wear a size WAY to small or WAY to big. Mom will always be honest. Sometimes a little too honest. One time she told me not to buy something because my boobs looked to big. That's what I liked about the shirt. Needless to say, I bought it. Anyway, today I started at Lane Bryant. You all know the Big Girl store. I found some things I liked and grabbed a couple different sizes. To my amazement, I fit into a 14/16 shirt, and a 16 or 18 pants (depending on the cut). I can't tell you the last time I wore anything that size. Especially for my shirts. At that moment, shopping began to be fun. I started to understand why people love shopping....I could totally get into this shopaholic thing. Then I went to Old Navy. Now, understand that the only thing I used to be able to buy here was a men's XXXL sweatshirt. Well, today, I was able to fit into the woman's polo shirts (XXL), woman's jeans (size 18), and an XL woman's sweatshirt. Now, here's the funny thing. Being big for most of my life, I've always worn very baggy clothes. Because even though we all know baggy clothes don't hide anything, we feel more comfortable and let's be honest, we're hiding behind those extra baggy shirts and pants. So, when I came out to look in the mirror wearing these clothes that were the correct size and fit me the way they were supposed to, I felt so exposed. It took me awhile to get that this is what I am supposed to wear and how I am supposed to look. Trust me, it's crazy. I really had to look at the emotional issues that come with being fat. Then, I said "screw that" I'm losing weight and doing well. I have the body I would have died for when I was 25. I'm curvy, and yes I have more weight to lose, but I am going embrace my new body and not hide it being my XXXL sweatshirt. Well, apparently embracing my body cost $300. I embraced it in new bras, underwear, jeans, pants, sweats, and shoes. I also made sure that none of those things were baggy or hiding anything. Everything I bought showed my body in a tasteful way. However, the only person who will see the panties and bras will be my husband....and he'll be happy to hear that my cup size is still a DD. He was so worried about that. LOL So, now that I told you about my wonderful day, I have to tell you that I have been kind of down. My scale number has not really moved over the past month and a half. If goes up and down between five pounds. Now, I KNOW that I am working out more and gaining muscle and that my body is changing but I still want that number to go down. I want to be under 200 so badly, I can't even explain it. The last time I was under 200 I was in high school and I was working out all the time and barely eating. But, right now that's my goal and I am so upset that I'm not getting any closer to it. But, going today and seeing how my body is changing even if the scale isn't going down makes me feel REALLY GOOD. So, I decided to stop worrying about that number on the scale and enjoy my body and my new clothes. Now, I just have to figure out what I'm going to wear first.

It's been 7 weeks since WLS and life is finally moving on in a more normal fashion. I am returning to work next week and actually looking forward to it! I have been walking, but my weight loss has been stalled since last week. I feel great though and that's what counts. I have started a food journal to help me track what I am actually eating. This week I went to our families big summer barbecue and also celebrated my husband's birthday at a steakhouse. The barbecue was challenging and although I did eat about an ounce more than normal, I felt good about not eating the favorite sweets and such that I normally would have. Out to dinner was easier because there was not a buffet of every food I grew up with on display. The 2 oz plastic cups I take with me everywhere are my savior! They help me stay in control of the portions. My goal for week 8 is to incorporate weight training and get more protein in my daily diet. Here's to continued weight loss!

BUT ........I want to be thin (size 10 or 12) already! ***I know a size 14 is not bad **** but its been 7 months !!!!! I thought that I would be sexy by now, but im not! Its summer and I want to wear.....(stuff) I want to go to the pool with my hubby and kids, and I dont want others to see old "Thunder Thighs" comin. For those who have seen the movie "Norbit" I feel like her at the swim park! My mom and a few people say they see a diffrence, but of course I cant .... What is wrong with me????? I know its a tool, not a magic fix...BUT COME ON! My BMI was high, but I guess I just carried it well for being 5'5 and 220 lbs. I noticed that for those people who were larger to start lost a whole lot more weight faster than me. Is it because i was a little smaller than them? Then my hair was thinning, Im taking biotin now so Im startin to notice a diffrence now in my nails and hair ....... oh well Im done complaining now.

I love laying out. The sun energizes me, and I feel so much better after being outside all day. So, when the weather is like it has been, I lay out at the pool. I enjoy getting a nice tan and I spend a lot of time in the pool as well. In order for me not get strap marks on my arms, I pull them down and tuck them in the top part of my suit. I've done this for years with no problem, as my boobs filled out the suit and kept it up. Well, the past few days, I've noticed that I have to be a little more careful with my suit if I go under water or move around a lot. I have to make sure I hold the suit near my boobs so that no one gets a R rated show for free. This has worked for me...until yesterday. Now, here is how it all went down. My friend (you remember, the one from Costa Rica) is back in town with her daughter and husband and we all went to the pool. I was playing with the little girl while keeping an eye (and hand) on my chest. Then, it happened. I had a moment of forgetfulness. I picked up the little girl...tossed her to the side and then POP...out came the boobs....nice and perky from the cold water and at attention for everyone to see. I quickly went under water while pulling up my suit. I thought I made it with out anyone seeing then BAM there he was. He was sitting out on a lounge chair with this great big grin on his face. I knew right then that my boobs had a new admirer and he didn't care that they were a little (or a lot) droopy and smaller than they have been in years. He got a free boob show and his grin showed me he approved with what he saw. Right then, I decided that I needed to wear the new bathing suit I bought. So, today I wore the new suit only to find out that one of the straps is coming undone and needs to be sewn. So, tomorrow, I will have to wear the old one. The one that wont stay up with out some support. Support that my droopy boobs can't give. So, I will have to give in and wear the straps or just accept that I may give a few more guys a show.....humm....white straps on my arms or showing off my boobs for a few strangers????? What will I do. I hate to say it, but there may be some very happy men at the pool tomorrow and Monday. Now, I wonder how my husband will feel about this once I read this to him.....maybe he will want to see them now....I got it, I think I'll read it to him with my shirt off and boobs out...that way he won't be listening to me. Yes, that will work very well. So, here I go, Shirt off....lets hope he is more interested in the boobs than what I am saying....we've been together for 12 years so you never know how this will end...but I'll let you know. Ok, did it....He held on to every word....but he did glance down once or twice...that's pretty good after 12 years.

I have had a really busy summer. I had my friend and her daughter visit in May. Then in June, they returned with her husband. Now, I have a a friend coming over from Ireland for two weeks and while she's here, I have my brother in law and his daughter visiting for two nights as well. Now, please know that I love everyone that is visiting and I wouldn't have it any other way. The issue is that I put so much pressure on myself to make my home look clean and welcoming. 10 years ago, I could clean my house from top to bottom, scrub the floors, clean the bathrooms, do laundry, make the beds, do dishes, and finally finish it all with dusting and vacuuming. Well, 10 years ago, my back wasn't as bad and I could wake up and have the house all done by 4pm. I would end the day by taking a shower and then getting a beer or glass of wine and relaxing on the couch while I looked around and admired my work. That's not even an option now. My back has made it so that I have to clean in spurts. Because I have procrastinated, tomorrow, I will have to suck up the pain and attack the dirt and clutter with no mercy. Now, I know my home isn't 'dirty", it's more cluttered than anything. I also have the issue that we have no storage area, so there are many things that I would throw out, but my husband SWEARS he needs that empty box in case one day it's worth money. Yes, that's all true. I have boxes of empty game boxes for him. I have found a place to store them, but if I had my way, they would all be out side in the trash. You all know that becasue this is how I feel, what will happen is one day, he will sell a game with the box and we'll have $10,000. Then I'll have to hear, "I told you so" for the rest of my life. Oh, I can't wait. LOL Ok, back to cleaning. Because I know what I have to do tomorrow, and becasue I am stressed with all I have to do before my Irish friend gets here Thursday night, I now am not able to fall asleep. So, tomorrow, I will be in pain, tired, and I will have to clean for a guest. This should be fun. The problem is I know what will happen. By the time my husband gets home from work, I will be so exhausted that I will either break down sobbing (and then have to worry about the sinus issues), or I will start a fight with him for no reason except I want to yell at someone. Gosh I hope I cry. For now, I think I will go to bed now. I will wake up around 9 or 10. I will do the laundry, dishes, and kitchen floor. Then I will do the bathrooms (quickly), and then go to the pool. Once I am done at the pool, I can come back, dust, and vacuum. Then I will make the house "company ready". You know what I mean: towels folded perfect and the bed made perfect, books placed in the perfect spot as well as a candle. I hope I'm not the only one who attempts to make my home look like it's in Good Housekeeping becasue if I am, I need more help than I thought. LOL Then on Thursday, I will relax and wait for her arrival. Yes, that sounds perfect. Problem is, I know tomorrow, I will totally mess this up and will still be running around like a chicken with his heard cut off right to the point she walks through the door. Then I will say the words we all say to company. "I'm so sorry the house is a mess, please just ignore it." Yes, that will have to do.

Kind of funny and very short story..... I eat my kids food! They are only 1 and 2 years old and they are both boys.....and when I tell you they can EAT! OMG....Yes even at that age ....the two year old likes to feed himself, so he sits at the dining table and eats ...the 1 year old sits in his high chair and eats off of the little table thing or sometime I will put it in his little plastic spiderman bowl and he eats . And what ever is left over I eat :ph34r: I guess that is good because sometime its only about a cup or less when I combine it together This is because I eat lunch at work around 12:30 or 1 pm ....so when I get home at 6pm im still not really hungry ...but I have to make dinner for my husband and kids.....sooooo when i eat thier left overs im good ...........

Ok, I'm back on the forum and ready to restart my journey. It seems I've taken a long vacation from doing what I need to do...kind of like nearly 2 years. I haven't gained any weight back, I just haven't lost any. So now it begins...I am determined to do this. Just a recap. I was banded in Oct 2009. My journey began at 309. I had great success early on then I, let me stress I stopped doing what I needed to do. For at least 18 months I have been up and down from 245-252. The lowest I have ever been with the band was 237 for maybe a minute on one random day. I usually stayed between 242-245. I have decided that I have slacked off long enough. I have gone more regulary to the doctor for fills. It had been nearly a year since my last one when I went back in April. I went again in June and again just yesterday. I have to wrap my head around the fact that it doesn't matter how many ccs are in my band (9ccs in a 10cc realize band) but how my body is reacting to what I'm doing or not doing. I have started going to water aerobics for 2 weeks now. I try to go three times a week Mon/Wed/Fri mornings. I know this will change once school starts. I'll only be able to go twice a week on Tues/Thurs afternoons if I'm lucky. I am determined to make this a priority. I'm planning on cutting back my after school hours to one day week for tutoring this year. I'm not going to stay in that building until 7pm this year. I am also going to be back in grad school to earn the next level of certification. I think more than ever, I will need the exercise of either water aerobics or Curves as an outlet for stress. I am blessed to have a supportive family. My husband and son are wonderful. My son, who is 19, always talks about whether I should really try to eat something. He worries. My husband is there for whatever I need. Last night I had such painful gas trapped as I was trying to sleep that he woke up and rubbed my back for 30 minutes in the middle of the night when he had to get up and go to work. So I guess in rambling about all of this, I am trying to tell myself that I have no excuses. So here I go!

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My story is a pretty simple one that you have heard 1,000 times before. I am a 48yr old woman, who in the past, has tried all the diets out there... WW.. JC.. Form-u-3... LA Weightloss... and of course the fad diets you see in the paper or in the magazine Womens World... and NOTHING...NOTHING worked!!! Oh sure, I would lose 20/30 maybe even 40 pounds.. and a life event would happen.. death in the family, picnic for a birthday, vacation.. and BOOM... right back to square one.. oh sure I didnt eat it all back on overnight, and I would have that conversation with myself that would usually end in the food winning... UGHHHHH..., October 5, 2012 I decided to have the LapBand surgery, picked my surgeon, went for all the appointments and my surgery date was set for Jan 11, 2012 ... so... the 92 meals... I was not on any preop diet for my procedure... I weighed in at 262.2 initally, and then I ate... I ate .. and I ate... I got to the point where the food was running the show.. but knowing that I was going to be battling this after the surgery.. I continued to lose the fight against the food and I balooned up to 281.8 before the surgery... My doctor was very upset with me to say the least.. but in my mind it was like I was saying goodbye.. goodbye to the fast food.. goodbye to the prepackaged crap.. good bye to the late night dining... and to this date (7/10/12) It has all been gone. I am happy to report as of my last doc visit I have lost 69 pounds.. I could not be more pleased... I am at 5cc on the band that holds 12cc... my biggest battle now is eating slow enough or small enough bites... but I am working on it... Life is better now.. although I am still not too sure about the "new" me that is developing.. but that will come along.. I have more energy, however my knees are out of whack.. so that is the next thing to get fixed.. and when that is done.. watch out!! lol Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.. size 24 to a size 16 as of today... hope size 14 feels as good.... Huggggsssss!!! Cindy

There is a little more work to be done on love handles and abs, but if felt darn good to go into the store and try on a medium and look good in it. 6 months post op.....and still kicking!