Lhiggin

I knew I had finally made it when I was able to buy a size 14 jeans at Old Navy! I was in them for about 5 minutes. I don't even remember being in a 12, I think I jumped right to a 10. Do some advice: Don't buy too many size 14's! You're likely to be down sooner than you think!
WTG, btw!!! Congrats!
Marci

Lots of Dallas/Texas folks - McKinney here. Banded June 12th. Still in that "what did I do to myself" phase.

I think the dress is too tight. The shiny fabric is going to reflect the light & make you look heavier in photos, too. I'd look for something in one size up. Lace, chiffon, crepe fabrics will flow over your curves.
Also, with your complexion I'd go with a color (hot pink and turquoise would make you look absolutely radiant) rather than silver/grey or black.
I don't know where you live but have you ever looked at Goodwill? I live in the suburbs of Miami and our Goodwills around here have incredible stuff. I got my band 2 years ago and have gone from a size 20 to a size 6 and Goodwill has been my savior because I could find nice clothing (banana Republic, Ann Taylor, etc) in very good condition (sometimes still has the tags on it) for $5 or less a piece. Who wants to spend a bunch of money when you're only going to wear the item for a couple months, right?
They usually have a great selection of formal and semi-formal gowns and dresses as most people ony wear these items once or twice.

I bought a Pandora Bracelet and have added beads. My favorite bead representing my surgery says "freedom". This is freedom from my old body, freedom from blood pressure meds, freedom from carb comas, and freedom to LIVE again. When I look at that bead it reminds me to be thankful for my second chance at life.
By the way, my success story... I have lost 55 pounds since 1/30/12. From a size 20 to a 14. I am loving it.

I bought a Pandora Bracelet and have added beads. My favorite bead representing my surgery says "freedom". This is freedom from my old body, freedom from blood pressure meds, freedom from carb comas, and freedom to LIVE again. When I look at that bead it reminds me to be thankful for my second chance at life.
By the way, my success story... I have lost 55 pounds since 1/30/12. From a size 20 to a 14. I am loving it.

I bought a Pandora Bracelet and have added beads. My favorite bead representing my surgery says "freedom". This is freedom from my old body, freedom from blood pressure meds, freedom from carb comas, and freedom to LIVE again. When I look at that bead it reminds me to be thankful for my second chance at life.
By the way, my success story... I have lost 55 pounds since 1/30/12. From a size 20 to a 14. I am loving it.

Use A&D or some other baby rash cream. They also make chafing sticks for runners that may be useful.

I bought a Pandora Bracelet and have added beads. My favorite bead representing my surgery says "freedom". This is freedom from my old body, freedom from blood pressure meds, freedom from carb comas, and freedom to LIVE again. When I look at that bead it reminds me to be thankful for my second chance at life.
By the way, my success story... I have lost 55 pounds since 1/30/12. From a size 20 to a 14. I am loving it.

When I first started my journey I thought about how I would reward myself too! Somewhere along the way in this past year the constant weight loss distracted me and when I reached my goal (I lost 150 pounds in one year) I completely forgot about that. I'm skinny now hehe... what an AWESOME reward!! I wear size 4 jeans and size small shirts now... REWARD! Honestly, I can't think of a single thing I could give myself that would outshine what I have already done for me~ a new body is about the best reward I can imagine! Happy Losing Everyone!! Trust me, it's BEYOND worth every struggle you will encounter!

Aww, I love this question.
I have not decided how to reward myself along the way.
But when I get to my ultimate goal weight I want to go on vacation to Australia, New Zealand,
or Hawaii. Gotta go somewhere with a beach to show off my new body

Just a note to say that this morning I hit 145.0 pounds - which means I've lost 131 pounds in just over 11 months from surgery - And I finally hit a normal BMI!!!! (i'm on the high end of normal - but normal nonetheless!!!!). I'm so excited. From tight size 22/24 to loose size 8 and size 6 - with medium and small shirts!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!! BEST OF LUCK TO US ALL ON OUR JOURNEYS!!!!!!

Yesterday I went shopping for a dress for my rehearsal dinner. I saw a cute one but they only had it in a size 8...I figured "What the heck, it can't hurt to try it". It fit! I don't think I've been a size 8 for my entire adult life. I assumed that when I fit into an 8, I would cry or something, but I'm just happy and glad I made the decision to have the lap band. It has really changed my life, and I wouldn't be where I am now without it!

For canned chicken, I added some queso cheese and salsa, and heated it up.