Almost 20 to go...

I've lost around 7 lbs in 16 days (date of last fill), and I'm feeling a good restriction. I definitely can't eat as much as before and feel very uncomfortable if I eat too much or too fast. Good news is that I am only 6 1/2 lbs from the weight I was when I met my husband a little over 6 years ago. When that day comes, I'm putting on the long dress I wore on the day we met and am going to parade around in it while I treat him to a really nice dinner. That would probably do me some good too! AND I'll make sure to take a picture!

I'm down to a 14 pant size which is nice...they aren't looking quite as big these days, and a petite medium or large in a top (if long sleeves). Lands End - you've got to love 'em since I always take a size smaller on top than at a department store. Heck I think I buy there just to make myself feel good! I bought a few of those camisole tops with the built in wire and padded bra. LOVE THEM! I feel I'm about 5-10 lbs away from wearing them so that should be good for the spring/summer time. Boy do I like shopping a whole lot more than I used to. We went to Polaris Mall over the weekend since we went to see our buddy Derek's basketball team play, but for some reason I didn't feel much like shopping. So unlike me. No hangers left in the closet I guess.

I'm passing my clothes "up" to my sister in law who was banded about 2 1/2 months ago so she will be able to have some "only slightly used" business attire for work. It's been fun to finally get rid of all of the "fat" clothes once and for all. I keep telling myself I'm never going back there so why keep it? It's been very cathartic.

My lap band doc is coming to our "Northern" support group tomorrow night and I'm picking him up from the airport since he's flying his plane over to a local strip. It's the first time he's been up here since we started meeting in the fall. There are about 5-6 of us that meeting monthly at a local family practitioner's office after hours to talk about how things are going and encourage those who need it. It's a wonderful experience that I'm glad I chose to join. We may also from time to time have someone who is getting banded join to ask questions from those in attendance and get the real scoop - something I wish I would have done to put my mind more at ease before the surgery.

I'm a little over 20 lbs from my goal of 150 lbs. And when I get there I will have officially lost 150 lbs total from my highest weight. I can't even put into words how monumental that number is when you are at 300 lbs and want to lose weight. The idea of losing a lb or two a week seems like such a slow process, but I know in my heart of hearts that if I didn't have this band, I wouldn't be where I'm at today and I'm very grateful to have had the opportunity to get the lap band and have a relatively easy journey.

And when my sister gets to where she wants to be with her goal weight, the two of us are going to meet up for a shopping destination and buy some smokin' hot clothes. If any of you have any suggestions on some really nice shopping complexes - let me know! Anywhere in the USA is fine with us!