Yesterday was my six month surgiversary.. have lost 79 pounds since first consult w/surgeon.. Had my third fill on Monday and so far things are great... today is my last day of soft and mushy ..back to reg. food tomorrow. I can feel the restriction already with soft foods so am hoping that I may have hit the sweet spot with this fill.  Told doc that I have been able to eat too much food but am very careful what I eat too much of..   that and exercise are the reasons that I was able to continue losing weight... not restriction. This fill has done what I hoped.. it has jump started weight  loss again.. have lost 5 pounds this week.. was actually so satisfied on the 3 day liquids that I thought about continuing for a few more days... but went ahead to soft/mushy.  Was proud that I was able to go to Christmas party that had tons of soft/mushy food that I could have eaten but maintained my willpower and avoided the calorie laden desserts that would have fit the category... especially since my all time favorites were ready and available.. coconut pie from the best bakery in town... but I controlled myself !    I took my sugar free hot chocolate and had my own little self indulgence party and left feeling so much in control of myself for a change !!!!!!!   Have found the best recipe for sugar free cocoa but feel it is a splurge since I calculated one cup to be close to 90 calories... but certainly better than the alternatives that were available at the party !!!!!      It is amazing to watch people overload plates now... and remembering the stuffed feeling after doing so... 

I had my third fill on Dec.9th.. puts me to a total of 4.25 cc's in a 9 cc band. Dr. says he doesn't expect to do much more.. up until now he has done fills 2 mos apart after the first one @ 6 weeks.   I can call for another after 2 mos. if I feel I need it but he doubts that I will.  Per Dr. instructions I am on 3 days liquid ..3 days mushie and then back to reg. food.  At this point I have not been hungry and drinking has been just fine.  Anxious to get back to food just to check out the restriction from this fill...but liking the results of liquid diet. . it always jump starts the wieght loss again.. had been stalled for a while. 

I have posted some of the most horrible before pics I am ashamed to see.. don't your children take some of the most flattering shots !!!!!   But what an eye-opener for me.. If I thought about being hungry that thought has left me now!!  At least I am relatively proud of the most recent photos and hope that there will be better ones yet to come. It is amazing to see yourself through the cameras eye and maybe be able to see what others see..  I ...like many others... still see a morbidly obese person.. when in fact I am proudly  and simply "obese" now.. am very much looking forward to being "overweight"..who'dve thunk it   LOL

Yesterday was 5 month anniversary and I am very exicted with progress. .. even though at times I feel like it is slowing down. I have lost  71.5 pounds since first consult... and a total of 57.8 since the day of surgery.     Yeah me... I have worked really hard

Saw nutrtitionist last week and she was very happy with progress.  Restriction seems nonexistent unless I try to eat something too dry.. then I know it. So I eat moist foods... totally keep away from any sweets and very limited carbs.. mostly eat meats , eggs and salads.. thank heavens I can still eat salad.. only problem is I tend to eat too much salad at one time. 
  
Doing deep water aerobics 5 days a week and think that is helping tremendously.  

Have had to buy losts of "new to me clothes". Thank heavens for local Christian ministry type stores with used clothing.. I refuse to buy brand new things that will end up in a give away bag in a few months.  Did have to shop for some sweaters in a new retail store and was thrilled to be able to shop in regular size XL instead of plus sizes... can't wait to shop on "the other side" of the store for everything from top to bottom !!!   Soon!!!  

Will try to post some before and after pics when I can.. .. would like to see the comparison myself.

Like a lot of others I have to finally admit that exercise is a major element in continued success   gave in to the fact that I was not getting enough of it. I joined the local YMCA last week and am doing one hour deep water aerobics 5 days a week.  Was beginning to see a bit of a plateau starting so I had to commit  myself to some form of moving and knew that walking would not work for me.. I find it too boring to be motivating so water seemed like the answer for me. I can see the difference already with getting the weight loss started again.   LOL>..the only problem I am having is that I have let myself get too "small" (if you can call it that)   for my current swim suit before shopping for a replacement.. never had that problem before !!!!!   Of course I live in an area where shops have already had clearance sales on swim suits so there are none left in the whole county... guess I will have to order online...  not looking forward to trying to get a good fit without the luxury of a "try-on" session.  Oh well... guess I will pay attention to return policies.  Don't want to sound like complaining... this is a good problem to have..   Am still happy with progress.. keeping a clothing give away bag in bedroom at all times and just keep adding to it as I try on things.. closet beginning to thin out along with the thinning of my body...  long way to go yet.. but the good news is I am halfway to my original goal.. which may eventually be adjusted lower..  Looking forward to wonderful "onederland"   !!!!!!!!!