Zoe

I am the cheese factory. I still want to lose another 40 lbs. or so, and I'm not sure I'll ever lose the cellulite. Yes, there's less of it, but in some ways I feel the cellulite is even more noticeable now that there's less of me supporting it. I've given up comparing myself to retouched photos of models half my size (and half my age)... no thongs for me, except the footwear!

LOL! Same here.

Penni, I hope your mother is going to be OK. I'm certain she's glad you are so close by. I imagine it's hard to have to apply your professional knowledge to someone you love.

My sole exercise is walking the dog. This works for me because (1) the dog has to go anyway; (2) it's something I do everyday; (3) no special equipment or gym memberships needed; (4) it's easy to build up speed and distance; (5) the dog likes it; (6) I like it too. The dog would be losing weight if I weren't giving her my leftovers!

Funny! I can hear Don McLean singing . . .

This dude has been a total rat to you and to his wife (and kids). I'm sorry you had to get hurt after the initial elation and thrill of new love. The good thing is, you're ready for the real thing and the real man when he comes along. So kick up your heels with your friends today and shout good riddance to this hyena. It could be worse: you could be married to him.

I hope you have a great celebration with your true friends. Happy birthday from a fellow April baby!

Paula, I know what you're going through, because I've been on countless diets and I usually held onto most of my biggest clothes even after losing 70 lbs. Good thing I did, too, because those pounds climbed back. But this time I'm chucking everything, including a few things that still sort of fit but just don't look good on me anymore. The band has given me new confidence about keeping the weight off, even on those days (like today) when I give into my ice-cream and/or chocolate jones. I don't know how much weight I'll lose, but whether I shed another 50 or stay right where I am now (sigh!), it's staying off this time. Giving away clothes has been an act of liberation! Z PS: Kyleigh, your box of summer stuff is in the trunk of my car waiting for me to ship it tomorrow.

Thank you! I'm at work today, but I'm going to leave early before I go to class tonight. I feel better at 48 than I did at 28!

Tina, here's what I'd tell your momma: What's so bad about a crutch? If someone cannot walk or stand without a crutch, would you deny him something to lean on? Would you judge her as weak and lacking in discipline? A crutch is a tool. A crutch is an instrument used to help someone live a normal life. A crutch might be the only thing keeping someone from falling. So call the band a crutch if it makes you feel better -- I am using it to stand up, straighten my spine, and move forward.

Great post, Jonathan!

Holding steady at 206. . . Maybe I'll get to 199 by Christmas.

Bill, thanks for letting us know. I'm thrilled that Vera got what she wanted. Now go massage her feet and spoil her rotten!

Hi Bigmom -- Do you have any trouble eating regular bread? If not, I'd guess you'd be OK with matzo, although you'll have to chew it like mad. How about doing a "test crunch" with some pre-Passover matzo to see if you and your band can handle it? That way you won't be PBing at a seder.

Congratulations! You'll feel better each day. Welcome to Bandland!

You bet there's protein in peanut butter cups. And in the yogurt too! Your treats don't sound exactly extreme, and I'm getting a whiff of diet mind wafting from the East Coast... When you pick up two dozen at the Dunkin Donuts drive-through and devour them in one sitting, then we'll start to worry.

I'm one of the Mexico gang, with US aftercare. I'm very happy with both.

What a good-looking family! Have a great trip. And watch out for those glass toilets. . . you never know where they'll pop up.

When I was thinner, for about three weeks I was able to fit into a single Victoria's Secret bra. I only found one style in 38B! So, I'm with DeLarla: to hell with them. And another thing: what about all those catalogs that charge more for women's sizes? Supposedly more fabric is required. OK, but why don't they charge less for petites? Jenna, thanks for the LB catalog explanation. I always wondered why the catalog looked so shabby and never featured the LB store clothes! Debby, there are Kohl's stores in about half the states now. I think Kohl's is part of the old Kohl's grocery store chain in S. Wisconsin, founded by the family of Sen. Herbert Kohl (D-Wis). The guy should run for president!

LOL! Expert Conqueror and Thunderous Demon on the loose! Oh-oh, Crystal. My dad was an ENTJ and a fanatical Myers-Briggs devotee; almost as soon as he was introduced to someone he'd hand over a copy of the test. I hereby cede to you my official ass-kicker status. (ENFP here.)

Don't ask, just check it out: http://www.blazonry.com/scripting/wuname.php. ' I'm "Dynamic Mastermind."

Kathy, you're just eight days away yourself! Congratulations to all new bandsters.

I've gotta stop... I'm checking LBT while at work and I can't get enough bad photos. Mary Tyler Moore and Bruce Jenner are especially scary. Love this site!

Funny about the Art Institute! Now you can head off to the Museum of Contemporary Art... I haven't attended any of the MIBC support groups; I'm not a group kinda gal. Anyway, I'm not sure I'd be eligible to attend, since Dr. Horgan and company do my fills but did not perform the surgery. He's a decent guy -- a little arrogant, maybe, but that's not unusual in a surgeon! I think he genuinely wants the best for his patients, and I respect his competence. My surgeon, Dr. Rumbaut, served as Dr. Horgan's proctor when H was first studying the band. Rumbaut highly recommended that I contact H for my aftercare. I haven't been disappointed. PS: The Chicago Historical Society is interesting. Be prepared to walk a long way to find parking, though!

Good luck, Isa! Having all three surgeries in one go might work in your favor: if the lower part of your face is sore, you might not want to do more than sip water anyway. Sounds like you're going for a big transformation. Let us know how you feel when you get a chance.