There have been ups and downs. Loss of motivation and triumps. The scale has dropped to new lows. Clothes purchased just a 6 months ago are loo large. Pictures from last Christmas look foreign.

And in the end, it is all me. I have grown emotionally and shrunk physically. It has been over a year now and what a difference. I am not, under any circumstances THIN, but that was NEVER my goal.

I glanced at my reflection in the window while shopping today and one word came...

These are some of the lessons I have learned

• there is no magic bullet
• the band is not "the answer" to all your problems
• you need to exercise - no really, you need to be active
• if you have to loose 100 pounds your skin will sag
• you have to stick to a low calorie meal plan
• you MUST control your portion sizes
• you have to cut into small bites
• you have to CHEW CHEW CHEW

The most important thing to remember, you must, understand, this is the most important thing. YOU MUST MAINTAIN...

What is it about carbs? I know I need them, but it is a fine line beween need and NEED!

My tooth broke two weeks ago and I had to get a crown, back molar. Turns out I had a huge cavity that didn't show on the X-Ray and the tooth just gave way. I am lucky, they say, it didn't break down the middle. I am not a "good" patient, I sweat, almost jump out of my skin. I HATE THE DENTIST. In the middle of my "fix" the novacaine quit working, turns out I am hypersensative....

The excitement of the pre-band life is long gone. All the hoops that had to be jumped through for the insurance companies. Then you have the "has my liver shrunk enough" issues. The pre-op tests, the dreaded "head shrinker" appointment and the liquid diet.

The after glow of the first weeks post op band have faded. We learned a new vocabulary - Mushies, PB, Sliming. We went through our stages and excitely shared the foods we were able to add.
...

There is nothing like the stark, naked truth. You and the mirror. Mortal enemy, always truthful, always brutal.

Today I purchased a swim suit. Someone told me to get a bikini. OMG - did they want everyone to run screaming from the pool? They do not realize what lurks beneath the safety of clothing.......... They don't know, and they never could even imagine.

The brutal truth is that as I am in a smaller total size, BUT - I still have all the skin that covered my...