I've been banded 3.5 years and have lost a good amount of weight so far. I have lost slowly, as you can see from my ticker, but it's coming off faster right now because I'm really focusing on calories and using my Body Bugg. ANYWAY, I started off a size 34 and am now an 18, close to a 16. I live in a really small town in Wyoming. Didn't really tell people other than 2 friends and family that I was getting banded. Well, after 3.5 years, the rumor is going around town that I "had something done like a bypass" because I've gotten so skinny SO FAST! When I asked someone why this was going on now, the answer was ... "well, now it's noticeable!" WHAT??? People continue to amaze me. Does anyone else think this is sort of BIZARRE??? Because I sure do!!! LOL!!! Gosh, and I thought you could tell when I had lost 75 lbs...guess I wasn't looking so good! HAHA.

Well the thing is it is not the hot guys or the little girls that say things. They are actualy very nice to me. It is the old men and little old ladies they want to tell me what to do. Crazy.

The Super HOT guys their are actualy very nice and a bit protective over me. I think it is super funny.

A group of teenage boys came in after school to lift weights and I think they were talking about me. But the next thing I knew the big guys surrounded them and was having a small "talk" with them about manners and how to treat a lady. No mater what you think she looks like. I was so moved I almost cried. Then they made the boys apologise to me one by one.

I was very touched that people I dont really know would stick up for me like that. But I was told later that they consider me an honerary sister. Because I am in there as much if not more then they are. I get looked after. These guys also help me when I think I am lifting wrong they are there to help me do it right. Or encourage me to try a new machiene.

I wouldnt give up going to the gym for anything.

PLUS I get to hang out with the super HOT guys.

Oh yess yesss yes! I love the gym and people usually don't bother me, the people who "look" like they work out all the time don't look twice at me. but their are times that I am getting DOWN on this bicycle, or the elipticall (trying), or the treadmill and I will look up and a little old lady is looking at my with this "how cute" expression and mouths "good job" like the fat girl who is working out needs special encouragement. I usually just smile and get over it but its annoying.

Funny story. My friend and I both go to the gym and she is about 260 (used to be 310, lost it all no band) so she is listening to her music, going as hard as she can on the treadmill. When she opens her eyes their is this woman in front of the treadmill with an open mouth. Vanessa takes out her earphones and stops the machine and the woman screams, loudly, "You inspire me, if you can do it I know I can do it." It took forever for me to convince her to go back to the gym.:thumbup:

Freakin old people they mean well...but DAMN I wish they would just mind their own business some times. Especially at the gym.

I got my 3rd fill today. and their was a lady in there that had the band 3 years ago. She looked great! almost too thin. lol She let me feel her port. lol It is really noticable on her. lol But she is really small now. It really made me feel like this will work. I just need the proper restriction and I too can get there.

Well the thing is it is not the hot guys or the little girls that say things. They are actualy very nice to me. It is the old men and little old ladies they want to tell me what to do. Crazy.

The Super HOT guys their are actualy very nice and a bit protective over me. I think it is super funny.

A group of teenage boys came in after school to lift weights and I think they were talking about me. But the next thing I knew the big guys surrounded them and was having a small "talk" with them about manners and how to treat a lady. No mater what you think she looks like. I was so moved I almost cried. Then they made the boys apologise to me one by one.

I was very touched that people I dont really know would stick up for me like that. But I was told later that they consider me an honerary sister. Because I am in there as much if not more then they are. I get looked after. These guys also help me when I think I am lifting wrong they are there to help me do it right. Or encourage me to try a new machiene.

I wouldnt give up going to the gym for anything.

PLUS I get to hang out with the super HOT guys.

Awww girlie, that gave me the warm fuzzies. How awesome and good on them.

Funny story. My friend and I both go to the gym and she is about 260 (used to be 310, lost it all no band) so she is listening to her music, going as hard as she can on the treadmill. When she opens her eyes their is this woman in front of the treadmill with an open mouth. Vanessa takes out her earphones and stops the machine and the woman screams, loudly, "You inspire me, if you can do it I know I can do it." It took forever for me to convince her to go back to the gym.

Oh man, I'd have needed convincing if that happened to me too to be able to go back. Some people really need to think before opening their traps.

It gave me warm fuzzies too.

Well I'm proud of you all. I enjoyed reading the stories and I can understand where you are coming from about the weight loss. People are starting to notice that I've lost a few pounds and I guess its because I'm in that 14/16 size so I don't necessarily have to to to Lane Bryant. My mom even talks about me losing because I can shop in regular stores (mind you no one knows about me being banded only my husband and my kids). I didn't tell people about the band for the same reasons people think that you cheat but I am working hard at this. I haven't had progress in a couple of months but I've been lazy and eating meat with gravy so as of last week I stopped that and now I'm just doing smoothies, Protein and veggies and so the scale moved. I will be glad when I see the numbers that all of you see and that my sisters whom I see often realize that I am losing weight. They don't say anything now but I can't wait until the day they do.

It just goes to show you that people want to have something to talk about good or bad but in our heart of hearts we know we are doing good because we've been banded which means we've taken a positive step to correct what has been bothering us so kudos to each and every one of us!:purplebananna: