PrettyThick1

It happened so gradually, I just noticed yesterday that my thighs no longer rub together! I can wear pants, stockings or go bare legged without making a sound or creating friction! I also have a "gap" between my legs...I've never seen space there before - LOL!

Banded June 19, 2013 Green Zone - Fill #3 (5.5cc's / 10cc band) Last Fill - August 19, 2013

Me too!!! I love crossing my legs and do it often now!!! Don't you love it?

Now that I've gotten nearly to my goal, my niece and arguably the person closest to me has started taking "pot shots" at me, trying to make me feel bad that I'm so small now. She says I don't look good (the ONLY person in my life to say that) and other mean things to try to make me feel bad. I should add that she is bigger than I was at my heaviest weight and secretly wishes she had the band, too. She bought a brand new car on Monday and thought I would be jealous or something, but when I was happy for her and told her how proud I was that she was able to get the deal she got...she turned on me and began verbal attacks. It was the craziest thing! As I reflect over our relationship, this is a pattern of hers. When things are going good for me, she isn't happy. When things are going good for her and I'm happy about it...she isn't happy that I'm happy. I'm sorry, but I've just never been a very envious person - no matter who you are or what you have. I Celebrate with you and hope that when the occasion calls for it, you celebrate with me. But, our back-and-forth has gone on all of our lives. We are only 3 years apart and more like sisters than aunt and niece. I was fortunate that my parents (her grandparents) were able to give me more than most children and I grew up rather priviledged. My sister was not able to afford the same lifestyle but my parents compensated for that most of the time. But, my niece resented that and I don't think it ever left her. With that being said and the start of a new year upon us, one thing on my To-Do list (I don't do resolutions) is to change the people I surround myself with. For the most part, I have positive and supportive friendships - they all thrive and give me great pleasure. But for those that do not fall in that category, I'm going to distance myself. Life is too short to fill it with people who aren't in your corner or have positive things to contribute to your time here on earth. I'm drawing a line in the sand to take back the energy, time and wasted negative emotions the wrong kind of people extract from my life. Merry Christmas

Missy: I'm sorry to hear about your daughter. She is in my prayers. She's doing well on it, but we were warned it can take 4-8 weeks for it to take full effect. In the meantime, she's taking Flexeril and Ibuprofen. Pretty much toughing it out. She's not had any adverse reactions whatsover so far, so that is a huge relief. They won't give her pain meds either. I've actually given her half of my Vicodin before because she was in so much pain. Hang in there Donna, you can do this

Fish and chicken are my only two constants. I go through periods that I can eat meat fairly well, but trial and error have me a bit gun shy. I rarely try to eat beef or pork unless it's crazy tender and full of sauce or I sip while I eat it and I can't really tolerate any ground meat - don't know why. Lamb goes down well, too.

I thought I'd need a tummy tuck, but it's starting to look like my tummy is tightening itself and I will not need surgery! Now...for my boobs and butt, different story - they are gone and I want them replaced. I will do what I can in terms of exercising to get things pumped back up, but if that doesn't work I'm already doing my research on the procedures I'd like. Lucky me, my boyfriend says I'm fine the way I am...but he said that before the lap band, too. I guess I'll just take comfort in his response "I'm not going to love you any less either way, you are just right to me but if you're not happy then that's another story."

Yes I do ; )

Average loss is about 11 lbs per month.

You are doing great!!! Keep up the good work!

This is an excellent idea, I wish I had done that.

I agree with you B-52. The band is a device and it sets the rules, it's not a tool that we can control or manipulate. It's the boss and if the band says something isn't going down, then it isn't and you can't force it even if you tried. I've been in the green zone for about 3 months now, with no signs of loosening up. In fact, it seems my band may be getting tighter...which I don't understand.

Clear Liquids coffee Iced and Hot Tea SF Ice Pops SF Jello Protein Shots broth from any regular soup Full Liquids Cream of chicken Cup of Soup Yogurt Muscle Milk (snack: Cake Batter flavor mixed thick and eaten like...well cake batter - YUM!)

Sending you hugs. You have put your trust in the right place, God will never put more onyou than you can handle. You've got this!

You aren't stuck, since you've only been on liquids that's not possible. You're still very swolen and have a couple of days to go yet before you feel normal again. This isn't something you have to get use to, you will feel very little differently than you did before the surgery. The more weight you lose, the more you will be able to feel/see your port though.

I've calculated my BMI and realize for the first time in decades, I am no longer obese - just overweight.

Nothing unusual about that. You'll find that the closer you get to your fill time, the less you stay satisfied on the amount of food we are supposed to eat. Once you get in the Green Zone, you will have periods of over eating, but they don't last long and the affects are not permanent.

5 1/2 months and I'm 12 lbs. from my goal weight! The band is amazing and I'm thrilled with the results. I look and feel better than I have in many many years.

How do you know your body rejected it from the beginning?

Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that I was in size 12's for maybe a month. The only downside to this downsize is that I found an amazing Eddie Bauer dress at Goodwill Select for only $6.99. As if what I paid for it wasn't enough for me to love it, I have to say that I've never looked better in anything I've ever worn before. When I look at myself in the mirror, I am in awe at how good I look wearing this dress and it's really hard knowing that we'll soon have to part. It's already too big for me, but I am hoping to get at least one more wear out of it. It would take a master seamstress to alter this for me, there are so many different cuts and darts...I'd hate for someone to mess it up.

It's weird, I was just sitting here on Monday lamenting about giving up an amazing dress that I have in a size 12. It's clearly too big for me, but it looks and feels great so I'm going to keep wearing it until it doesn't look right anymore. Anywhoooooo...went shopping for a dress to wear for a wedding tomorrow and found one that I'd seen at a high-end store for $229.00 at a different store marked down to $49.99 - I'd fallen in love with it at the higher price, but wasn't about to spend that much on it right now...it's not my wedding and I don't even know the people. I was about to give up but it was almost like the dress had a voice and called me because I saw it as soon as I turned in a different direction. I couldn't believe it, it was the same dress I'd fallen in love with 2 weeks ago at a different store - but dratz...it's a stinkin' size 8...I'm sure I need a 10. I decided to try it on anyway, my lunch break was toast and I didn't have time to go anywhere else. Alas! The size 8 fits great!!!! I was in such a shock I almost cried, but called my niece instead to tell her the news. I said "Guess what size dress I just bought"? She said "Size 8?" I couldn't believe she guessed it right off and asked how she knew? She told me that I'm little...I look little and she's known for a while that I was nearing single digit clothing sizes. The kicker is: I can't tell. My brain has not yet caught up with my body. I don't feel little, I don't look little, I feel the same...just more energetic and a lot more lively - but size wise, I hardly see 10lbs. gone when I look in the mirror naked. I guess my mind will catch up with my physical progress soon. This size 8 is a shocker though!