MamaMichelle

Tonight I lost something that is very meaningful to me and my family, I don't want to go into the whole sob story (I've been crying for 4hrs straight) but I've retrraced all my steps and since it is something quite valueable I am guessing someone has found it and kept it... I am so depressed, if I wasn't crying so hard I would probably be eating now but I am too upset to do even that. So please pray that I find it, thank you all...

I'm not looking for anyone to tell me what I did is ok, and I don't feel sorry for myself! I am sharing my example because I know what I did was a mistake and I told myself to "suck it up and get back on my diet" this morning and clearly that's what I did by refusing to allow myslef to be tempted this morning like I was the day before. I think offering up my example will help others who have also made mistakes see that they can make changes too...

You are more than welcome to come over to my house and help me pack for our move... Or do my laundry, I am sooooooooooooo behind!!! LOL

Amanda, great to see you posting! You are so right that everyday is a struggle and there are days we all make bad choices. I know many think that I am an inspiration but I have my bad days too, like yesterday my husband and son and I went to a local resturant and I got a small ceasar salad (good me) the boys got a pizza that came out wrong so they had to remake it, I ate my salad while they were waitng and finished it all before their food came out. So as I sat there watching them eat pizza I decided I "needed" some too so I ate the toppings off one slice, oh it was so good that I had the toppings off another slice (bad me) this was the first pizza I have had since banding but that's not an excuse. I wasn't hungry I just ate it because it was in front of me, and it didn't make me full which tells me I need a fill. Of course then they brought out a free brownie ala mode because we had to wait for them to rebake the pizza and I ate about 1/2 of that (really bad me). I realized I messed up so I came here and went to the web searching for tips to refocus me. Fast forward to this morning, hubby and son wanted dunkin donuts and we were all out of slim fast so I opted to put a scoop of vanilla protein powder in a baggie and got a light iced latte that I added the powder to at DD instead of ordering a donut (which I know I could eat if I wanted). So you see everyday heck every meal is a chance for you to make a good choice or a bad choice, I believe if you have more good choice days than bad choice days you will get to your goals!!

Something else I stole from the gastric bypass board, some good tips here from MANY different people... Hopefully something will spark with everyone that reads this, and if you have a great tip please feel free to share it!! We all have little hints and tips that give us strength and allow us to slowly change our life for the better and healthier on a permanent basis. If we make HUGE changes it disrupts our life and we gravitate towards old behaviors... even if its only in our subconscious we cant wait to go back to the old food or old ways. If we make slow permanent changes that we actually LIKE we are more likely to stick to it. I personally believe that the doctors and professionals are not strong enough in their warnings to us because they cannot personally relate to the destructive behaviors that lead us to Morbid Obesity... so they send us off after surgery to live with a few printed sheets of guidelines and a 'have a nice life', when some of us need Brain Surgery to make corrections to our stinkin' thinkin'. We cant wait to run up to that line in the sand and JUMP RIGHT ON IT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. We cant wait to stand in front of a Wendy's menu board to see what we can 'tolerate'... cant wait to see if a burger will stay down! Arrrrrgggghhhhh... it drives me insane. We have to form our own methods to change the madness of our old ways. We have to start off fresh, and slowly grab hold of the reins and take control. This time though we have a superb tool to help us so we have to have the mindset that it isnt a temporary fix its a permanent solution if we use the surgical tool we have just had major surgery to implant. Something that I do which I find is a great help to making permanent changes in my life is to negotiate with myself over food. When I have foods in front of me that I would like to eat that are not necessarily the best choice, I negotiate with myself that IF I eat my protein first, a few bites of healthy carb vegetables, THEN I can have a bite or two of the potato or a bite of the mac and cheese IF I want to. By giving myself permission, BUT with qualifiers, I dont feel that sting of 'YOU CANT HAVE THAT' and the urge to do the opposite. We all that that tendency to rebel against what we are told we cant do, or cant have. However, once I eat my fish or steak protein, and a little healthy nutrition from vegetables... I no longer even want the food that contains the empty carbs, fat, and calories. So even though I 'allow' myself to have these foods that will not take me towards my goals, the reality is that I dont eat them. I never have any intention of eating them, I just play with my mind over it. ALWAYS know the night before I go to bed EXACTLY what and how much I will eat the following day. I write it down, after making sure I have what I planned on eating. (sometimes family members get hungry and eat leftovers I might have been planning on, so I do a quick check) Then I post it in the side of my fridge, physically checking off as I go the following day. I always plan for one portable meal or snack, be it a shaker full of protein powder, a bar, or just a packet of peanut butter in case my day changes and I am eating on the go. If at bedtime the following day, I have not eaten everything on list, I stay up till I have done so, but my meals are well planned out, and I try to eat pretty much at the same time each day, its not often that it happens. Making sure I eat everything I need keeps me from feeling 'empty' or 'low energy' the following day which could lead me to crave the wrong foods! Here are a few of my favorite things. I NEVER eat out of a regular plate or bowl at home, only if I dine out. I need to keep my portions right so I spent a lot of time looking for dishes that serve that purpose. In the picture below I put eggs in everything so you can see the porportion. The white round bowl and square plate is from Pier 1, the colored plate and bowl I found at TJ Max, I believe they are intended for sushi and wasabi, I use them to eat off of and put my veggie or sauce in the bowl. The oval was a gift from a man in a small restaurant near us, I asked for his supply house so I could get some, they are so perfect and he made me a gift of 6 of them, don't you know I frequent his place now. This morning I modified Susan Maria's poached egg (I used pre-made salsa 1/3 cup, poached the egg and put some con queso 1.5 ounce over to get it melty)it fills this oval bowl nicely. The spoon is all I eat with at home, my daughter overnigted them to me the day I had my surgery, I did not want to use the baby spoons that are colored on the end, she found these and Bed, Bath and Beyond, they are espresso spoons and they come 8 to a pack. I also use Gerber baby bowls to carry lunch to work in (crustless quiche, or the pizza one for instance)perfect size, about the same as the round white bowl. I use ice cube trays to freeze one and two ounce servings so they are ready to pop out and take along or throw in the micro wave. I just found silicone cupcake things, like the papers only reusable, I will start putting my quiche and whatever in them to bake so they are already portioned. I do a lot of cooking ahead and then dividing, this will just save a step. I also try to have protein every 3 hours, eat from smaller dishes and I plan all my meals and snacks on Sunday, go to the store and get anything I'm running low on, and cook for the next week. I also took Ken's advice and posted pre-op photos of me all over my house, especially previous mindless-eating zones. There's one next to my computer screen, on my refrigerator, I even have one taped to the TV remote. I only cook and eat large meals when I'll be eating it with the rest of my family as witnesses. The rest of the time I eat my pre-measured meals from the refrigerator, drink protein shakes, yogurt, cottage cheese, deli rollups, etc. One thing that really made a difference for me was to decide that food could go to WASTE rather than go to WAIST. So now I have absolutely no regrets when I toss out half an order from a restaurant! Although, any more, Ron and I tend to only order a combination plate of some sort. We ate at Outback the other day, and ordered prime rib, and told the server we would be sharing it. They brought that one order on two plates, and it looked like two complete orders. We saved food, money, and the server got a nice tip! Before surgery I could not stand to throw food away, and I knew if it made it to the fridge, it would not get eaten. So I became "mikie." I ate everything. Not anymore! If I can't freeze portions, it just gets tossed or the dog gets it. The starving kids in podunksville will have to forage elsewhere! Yes, for me too planning is very important. During the week, being on my work schedule is easier than on the weekend, when my usual eating plan doesn't fit because I'm running around doing chores/having fun. I have to pay attention a little more and try to get in a good chunk of protein early. Also when I travel I have to watch and plan a bit more. I always have some supplemental protein with me, altho I try to eat normal food first. Most of the time that works, but sometimes it doesn't so I pull out a protein bar or jerky. a lot of it for me is mental too. I divide food into "my" food, which is the healthy, bariatric friendly protein food, plus healthy vegetables and fruit, and then the "sometimes" food, which is food I can eat sometimes, like a bit of bread or pasta, and then the absolutely "never" food, which is sugar food. sometimes i end up eating/drinking some sugar by mistake, so I know that I can tolerate it but I choose to make it a firm no. Most of the time the "sometimes" food is in the "never" category. I am very strict with myself and that is fine. I was lenient all those years and look where it got me...being MO and miserable. I don't want to blow this opportunity by eating stupid food...maybe I look down on food now...it is not the comfort it was but "just nutrition". I try not to think of it as something enjoyable and pleasurable like before. I will find my pleasure elsewhere and treat food as nutrition to live. My normal schedule is 3 meals a day, protein first. I don't count calories or carbs. Life is too short for that and as long as I am within my maintenance weight range, then I just eat to my plan. If I do creep up, I will count my calories for a day or two to see where the extra calories are coming from, because the only way you can gain weight is taking in more calories than you burn, so cutting calories would then work. I have found that when I get lax in two areas of my life, my overall general eating gets lax as well. 1. unplanned, mindless snacking. one bite leads to three bites which leads to an all day eat fest. It surprised me to find that even when I only consume protein rich or high fiber snacks when done in a mindless and unplanned manner it has nearly ALWAYS led me to binges of low protein, high carb, no fiber unhealthy eating. I've bumped myself of the wagon multiple times this way, and then it becomes a vicious cycle. Example- I'm a substitute teacher and picked up a job yesterday, it was the first day of school and there were lots of goodies in the teacher's lounge and when I saw the homemade chocolate chip cookies I did what Ellen did and said to myself " I know what that tastes like, no reason to tempt myself my trying some." Then I walked on and didn't give it another thought! 2. exercise. when I exercise regularly (even when I don't want to do it!), I find that I treat my body nutritionally better, too... I really focus on making healthy choices so that what I consume is top rate 'fuel' that keeps my furnace stoked. I honestly fear being out on a run (and I don't go far, trust me!) and bonking. One of the most difficult challenges I have is resisting goodies that people bring to the office to share. Best way to stop myself dead in my tracks is to log the goodie into fitday.com BEFORE I give in to the temptation. Usually all it takes is for me to see in black and white how many calories one of those goodies contains and how much I'll have to give up for the rest of the day to keep myself from exceeding my allotment for the day. I bring all of my food for the day to work with me, but those treats can sabotage my plans if I'm not careful.

Just checked Oprah's website (http://www.oprah.com/index) and it's confirmed that Jen and Cassie's episode will air on Monday (Aug 11th)! They also have the photo slideshow/story about their journey here: http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/s...ight_020408tows So everyone be prepared for an influx of newbies full of questions!! P.S. if you aren't able to tape the show and just plan to watch it remember that Jen and Cassie's segment featuring Dr. Ortiz is breif and it is at the start of the show basically the first 5-10 min of the show!

Inspirational Words for EVERY stage of your banding journey!! Ok I stole this from a gastric bypass website but I found it so inspiring that I just had to share it so I altered some parts of it to be lap band applicable. Newbies- What was I thinking? It is normal for you to be second guessing your decision in these early weeks as you haven’t lost enough weight to justify the discomfort and misery you may have experienced or are still in the midst of. The benefits have not yet tipped the scales in your favor but all that is about to change if you just hang on and give yourself the time and materials to heal. It usually all comes together and really rolls after the first 6-8 weeks (usually after your first fill). If you are a 'newbie' post-op you are probably wondering how in the world everyone else manages to eat all of this protein, drink all of that water, and take all of these vitamins and pills when you can barely sip an ounce or two of water before bursting. Well the truth is that none of us jump off that operating room table able to do all of these things. It all comes in time and you don’t need to force the issue if you don't feel good. Too many people give up on protein shakes and put away the vitamins Start off slowly and work up to full amounts over time. Sliders- Coasting along quite smoothly… Suddenly your 'fat clothes' are hanging as if they belong to someone else. You have blown past the 45 pound mark and you almost feel as if you never had surgery. Life is great! You can eat soft foods with relative ease, and are dabbling with more normal foods with little consequence. Now is the time to change your habits and develop a healthy lifestyle. Formulate a plan for protein, and make sure you are not skipping meals. Put a vitamin program in place and stick to it. Contrary to how you may feel, you are not invincible so don't intentionally eat foods with high amounts of sugar. Don't test those limits. We couldn't gain control over our eating before our surgery and having the potential for getting sick hanging over our heads is a good way to force us to modify our behavior. Use this very valuable tool and keep it intact for life. This rapid weight loss phase after our surgery is a gift! This is coasting downhill… enjoy the ride but understand that there is a fence at the bottom of this hill that you are about to hit. Stallers- Oh no, I’ve stopped losing weight! What happened? Do you feel as if the wheels fell off your car while you were cruising the freeway? One minute you’re losing 2-4 pounds a week and suddenly you haven’t lost a single pound in an entire month! Relax… welcome to what everyone calls a ‘plateau’. After dropping a large amount of weight your body is trying to preserve it's comfortable blanket of fat and is doing what it can to stop the massive weight loss. This is where all the old self doubt creeps in, and we jump to the conclusion that we are going to be the only one who doesn’t lose weight with this surgery. Don’t worry, if you keep on track, getting in plenty of protein, keeping your carb count low, and drinking copious amounts of water to flush your body, you will continue to lose, albeit in smaller but still steady amounts over the next months. Every little bit adds to your total and gets you closer to goal. One surgeon says that the first 50 pounds is his job, but the rest is up to us. Now is where that plan for high protein, low carbs, and vitamins comes into play. You were supposed to initiate a change in your relationship with food during the last phase, but you can regroup now and pick up the pace. Calculate your protein needs; you need roughly a little more than half a gram of protein per pound of ideal body weight. A woman who should weight about 145 pounds needs about 83 grams of protein a day to maintain good health. (The actual calculation is 'Ideal Weight' ÷ 2.2 × 1.25grams of protein = Protein Needs). If you can’t physically eat this much protein, which would entail eating 10-12 ounces of chicken, fish, eggs or cheese a day, you will need to find protein supplements that you like in order to give yourself that protein boost. If you go for months without adequate protein you will get very tired, have little energy and experience extended hair loss. Stick to your plan and the weight will slowly start to come off again and you will begin to feel strong and very much in control. Now is also a great time to start moving around and getting some exercise if you didn’t bother while you were losing quickly and it all seemed a bit too easy. Your body can move more freely after dropping such a large amount of weight, and getting your metabolism up and running will increase your weight loss and make you even stronger. Old Pros- I am almost there! A year has passed, you made it though the stalls and plateaus and you are within close range of that goal weight or have reached it. You are wearing your smallest size since 3rd grade and complements are flying at you from all directions. You hardly recognize the person smiling back in the mirror. Life in this spot is pretty comfortable and it feels absolutely terrific. It is very difficult at this stage to keep it together and not get too close to the edge. Resist the urge to push your limits. There is no need to revert back to old habits and food patterns even though they don’t seem to affect your weight loss status… yet. This is the point where you should integrate the eating patterns you have cultivated since your surgery into your new way of life so that you can make those good choices without a lot of thought. Protein first is a rule for life. This is where your post op diet becomes your lifestyle and not a bad word. Recognize that this is the phase that can make or break you. If you are dabbling in sugar and carbs or have once again embraced them … STOP, or it will bite you. If you have stopped drinking protein shakes yet still cannot physically eat 10-12 ounces of proteins foods a day you need to rethink your plan or you will find yourself growing tired in the middle of your workday. If you slacked off your vitamin regimen or exercise routine... change your attitude or you could find yourself gaining. Born Agains- Oh no, my skinny jeans are getting tight again! It is easy to get too comfortable in our new shoes and push our limits. I have experienced that feeling of panic when I pulled up my ‘skinny’ jeans and they were too snug on my thighs. It is hard to grasp that at this smaller weight even 5 pounds can make such a difference, when we are used to 30 pounds at our former weight, hardly making a dent. Don’t get upset or beat yourself up if you find yourself gaining a couple of pounds. We have a surgically inserted tool that will remain intact and work for the rest of our life if we use it properly. By choosing solid protein foods we retain control over our portion size. It is easy to eat a whole bowl full of smooshy carb comfort food, but even at 4 years post op it is tough to eat an entire chicken breast. By making an intentional choice of the denser protein, we can control our serving size and thus our calories. The bottom line is if we burn as much as we take in, our weight will remain constant. Once this balance is disrupted, something has got to change, we will either gain or lose weight. So either use your band to eat less, or burn more calories through exercise, or use a combination of both. If you find yourself gaining more than just a couple of pounds… regroup, and immediately go back to the basics that got you to the lower weight in the first place! We can quickly forget how we lost the bulk of our weight. Revert back to protein first, healthy vegetables next, and cut out all the simple carbohydrates such as the ‘white carbs’ of sugar, flour, rice, bread, and potatoes that have wormed their way back into your diet. Start drinking plenty of water again and get some exercise. You didnt go through all of this to gain back weight without a fight! This surgery is all about control and thankfully we have been given a toll that will give us permanent control but we have to use it. Winners- Celebrate your success! We are all winners. We have to remember that our goal was never to be a supermodel, but to be healthy, happy, and fit. If we are never a size 4, but end up a fit size 12 or 14 who no longer needs insulin, blood pressure medications or gets out of breath moving from the house to our car; we are a success story. Compare yourself to real people, the people at the grocery store, not the airbrushed magazine covers. Real men and women have squish at the waistband of our jeans and jiggly thighs and at least a bit of wattle hanging from our arms. No one ever promised us perfection. Focus on how far you have come rather than how far you have to go and BE REAL! When you are complimented, learn to graciously accept the praise and not go into a list of what is still wrong with you or point out hidden flaws of excess skin. Celebrate your success! This surgery can be the greatest thing we have ever done if we embrace the fact that we have been given the tools to conquer our Morbid Obesity. We are big winners in every sense because we have learned to love ourselves, we recognize that gratitude is an attitude, and that happiness radiates from within.

I walked a mile on the treadmill at the hotel lucerna 24hrs after banding and had no issues, I was also told that I could do any exercise that used my abs (kickboxing, aerobics, pilates) but no moves that resembles a stomach crunch for 3 months... lol I got so out of the habit of doing crunches that I am 5 months out and have only done them a few times (need to get back in the habit of that so I can loose this pooch)

That was that person's first fill I think 1.5ccs, I did my first 2 fills under fluro (including the one I needed an unfill for) and the 3rd without fluro and the doc had a hard time finding my port... My local doc only does fluro once a month so who knows when I call tomorrow if I will get an appointment on a fluro day or not!

I do website design from home but stay up late because my husband works at a fine dining steakhouse so he works till midnight or 1am and I stay up late to see him when he gets home and so we can go to bed together (we are one of those so in love, make you sick lovey dovey couples) so I usually go to bed about 2 or 3 am and get up around 9 or 10am... Thanks for the compliments, my weight loss has really slowed since I've hit the 180lb mark and I really need a 4th fill, I've been a little out of control these past 2 days, I had been sick and didn't eat much of anything for 2-3days and I have been kind of making up for lost time eating all sorts of bad things and larger quantities than in the past... I have learned that willpower can only get you so far, I need to let the band do its job and stop me from eating more than I should. I haven't gained back any weight yet but if I keep up this pace I know I will!! I will be calling tomorrow to set up another fill, hopefully I can get it in the next two weeks because we are going to be moving starting this weekend and I know with the long hours and not having access to all my pots pans and normal foods we will be eating out a lot...

Looking great sweetie, I can really see it in your belly (or lack there of) and in your face! Way to go!

The research I did said that 1 in 1,000 lap band procedures end in death but basically that is the same stats for someone going under ANY type of anasthesia. I also know that after over 6,000 procedures Dr. Ortiz has NEVER lost a patient!

I was banded 2/28/2008 so a little over 5 months ago and I have lost 49lbs since being banded so just under 10lbs on average per month!

For the newbies the dark area on top is the barium flowing through the smaller pouch that now acts as your stomach... You can somewhat see the band area in the middle of the picture and see how slowly the liquid flows through the band... That's what a good fill is supposed to do!

Kimmie- she has posted a few times! She posted that she was at her goal weight and wanted info on low profile ports so I looked at her gallery and saw those before and afters!! It did say she started at 250lbs and is now 135lbs- Hope she checks back in and tells us more about her great transformation!

Hey Lauren I know you're new to the board but after looking at your amazing process and achievements I thought you might like to share with us some of your story!! For those of you that haven't seen her before and after pics here you go: My god woman I hope I look as good as you when I'm in my 50's (with that body too, lol)!! Can you share with us more about your lap band journey- when you were banded, your starting and goal weight, how long it took you to get to your goal and anything else that you think might be helpful to those of us still working our way through bandland! Again congrats on your progress!

Mom12 asked a similar question back in April, here's the link to that post: http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showtopic=5577

I think Gabe will be a star in his own right, he's got a great "radio" voice so I'm sure we will hear him there soon!

Most of us were banded in Tijuana Mexico by Dr. Ariel Ortiz (one of the most accomplished Lap-Band Surgeons in the world) and were up and shopping the very next day... Some people that were banded early on their day of surgery didn't even spend the night in the hospital (I was banded at 4pm so I stayed) but I felt great my son was 5 at the time and is also a handful but I had no issues keeping up with him. The only restriction you might have is they don't want you lifting over 25lbs for the first few weeks after being banded, so if you often carry your child you may have to explain to him/her that mommy can't pick them up for a little while!

Hello and welcome!! You will find most of us will say getting the lap band is a breeze, for many this was the first time they were ever put under and we all came out of it perfectly! The hard part is sticking to the pre and post op diets and waiting for that first fill! We are a VERY supportive and OPEN group so feel free to ask any questions you might have!

A Size 8 in a Size 0 World Since when did size matter so much? Striving for the elusive size 0 is all for nothing By Rita Wilson You are holding the September fall-fashion issue — the issue that is so heavy, it lets you believe you are working out with barbells just by reading it. As I write this article, it is late June and I am in a wet bathing suit. (It's probably August when you are reading this, so you're most likely in a bathing suit, too.) Eating a bag of potato chips, I am contemplating a question of the utmost importance: When did small become the new large? As fall approaches and we are coerced, yet again, into buying heavy wool clothing in the heat of summer, I ponder other pressing questions, like Hillary or Barack, hybrid or electric? And why is there a size 0? Isn't that an oxymoron? Size 0? Does that mean that it doesn't exist? Why not call it size diddly-squat? Speaking of, has anyone out there tried to buy anything in a "size" only to be told, "Oh...sorry, we don't have it in that size." (Whoa, I think I have just been insulted by a waif in leggings.) I have marveled at how the tabloids will denigrate/celebrate a lady for being too thin, then too "fat." Make up your minds, tabloids! I am over trying to keep up with what size is acceptable or "fashionable," or "who wore it best," since no one seems to be able to define exactly what that is. And aren't we, as women, past that? Some magazines make me think women actually care who wore it best. I don't think we do. There are people out there who are comfortable in their own skin, whatever size it comes in. However, I have noticed a change: sizing that is supposed to run small/medium/large but for some reason runs in sizes 1/2/3/4 in an attempt to make us feel smaller than we are. I have tried to buy a T-shirt in a size 3 (read: large) only to find that I needed a 4. (Read: You must be a porker!) A 3 used to be a medium, 2 was a small, and so on. Now a 3 is a large and a 4 is an extra large. Or is a 3 an extra large and a 4 something only the giant in "Jack and the Beanstalk" would wear? I am still confused — and now wish I had gotten a degree in mathematics. The fact is, I am comfortable with my size (U.S. 8, Italian 42-44, U.K. 12, medium, 3, et cetera). I like the way I feel, that I am living and enjoying life without starving. In my youth, I never had to watch my weight. Who did? I love sports and find the most enjoyment in anything that takes place outdoors. Especially eating. Then there's genetics. Both my parents are in good shape at 85 and 87 years of age. I have carried two children, though, and the abs aren't what they were (she says, studying a picture of Lisa Rinna), so there is this desire to stave off what a trainer I know once called Creeping Obesity. Ah, yes, my precious. This is what happens naturally as we age. First it's a gain of one pound one year, then another next year, and before you know it, you have put on 10 pounds. Once you hear about the stealthy menace, Creeping Obesity, you look for it, much like the Scots trying to spot the Loch Ness Monster. So the exercise pumps up and the Cokes go bye-bye, replaced by Coke Zero (Coke Diddly-Squat in my house) and carrot sticks, and you wait. You watch the scale. I lost 13 pounds last year on the Atkins Diet but gained it back. I found that the South Beach Diet (wheat toast! raspberries!) was a little more forgiving. The best thing, though, is to eat a little bit of everything and do anything that gets you moving. Every day. Then you can be whatever size makes you feel good and not freak out that the stalking creature, Creeping Obesity, will attack you. Certainly, there are times when I wish I were smaller. For instance, when I have to go to some special event and need to find a dress. The most spectacular and special dresses are haute couture. Since ordering one takes months, designers often loan out the runway samples. These dresses are cut in sizes so small (minus 0) that when I have tried them on, the image has been somewhat like that of the ugly stepsisters trying to get into that glass slipper. But thanks to some wonderful buyers, stores actually carry sizes for us nonzeros. I love that Prada always has a 44 in stock. Miuccia knows that a woman wants to look great and feel comfortable. Prada's gorgeous Empire cuts are classic and divinely comfortable. Alber Elbaz from Lanvin knows a thing or two about sexy ease. His loose waistbands and silky sheaths make me weep into my crème brûlée with happiness. Consuelo Castiglioni of Marni knows about comfort and style. (Show me a woman who doesn't know the wonders of a loose Marni top and I will show you a woman who has not sat in a car for a long period of time.) These designers understand how to make a woman feel comfortable without sacrificing sex appeal. And what is more sexy than a woman enjoying life, having fun, and being comfortable in her own skin? Imagine being with a man who didn't eat or was obsessed with what he wore: "Hey, babe, does my butt look big in these jeans?" I'd say, Throw him to the Loch Ness Monster! So, at the end of the summer day, I am okay with what size I am. I am striving to be healthy and happy, creating my QOL (Quality of Life), loving my family, watching my kids grow, swimming in the ocean, hiking that trail, eating that tiropita my mom made, and sitting here in my wet bathing suit, wondering what I will buy for fall. What could be better? Maybe if I had that degree in mathematics … 

Dr. Romero told me that salad fruits and veggies are made up of a lot of water so we can chew them to smitherines... so they can slide down like almost a thick liquid. The additon of dressing can help the food to slide down through the band faster so he would say to eat a healthy serving of chicken (3-4oz) then move to the salad so it has the chicken base to rest on top of in your pouch!!

Kimmy- I have a cold too... I've been hiding out in my bed for the last few days sick as a dog! I haven't been even slightly hungry and I know I have some swelling around my band because solids are hard to get down for me (and lately I haven't been tight at all) I don't have cramps just rumbles I know I'm not hungry but it could be all the snot draining into my pouch. Hope you feel better!

I do and was so happy to see Melissa WIN!! Here's a great article with some of her weight loss tips: http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publi...272621907.shtml

Here are some of the super cute things from Erin's album: