Jenn1214

I had an episode once kind of like yours where I felt nauseous, started salivating a lot, and it felt like my lower esophagus was spasming. I had some pressure in my chest but nothing horrendous. Thank goodness it only last a few minutes because it felt awful! I told my PA about it because I wasn't sure if it was a stuck episode...it didn't sound like what I had heard described. Sure enough, I was stuck! I guess it's different for everyone.

Today I was out shopping for a Christmas tree with my fiance, when I saw some cute coats in Walmart. My old winter coat is gigantic on me so I figured "What the heck." and tried a few on...in a size large. And they fit! I was so shocked I kept checking the tags to make sure I hadn't grabbed an XL by accident! This was definitely the boost I needed, since the numbers on the scale have been creeping down very slowly and I was starting to get frustrated. I love my band!

Anyone else having trouble changing this? I try to change it but then it always reverts back to the old one.

When I was in the mushy stage I could eat hummus, soft cheeses like cream cheese, low fat peanut butter, saltines, refried beans, soups, mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, etc. I still had to drink protein shakes too until I reached the solids phase.

So I know I've posted before and lamented about the inaccuracy of my scale. Depending on where it is on my floor, there can be up to a 5 pound difference in my weight, which is completely infuriating. I end up having to rely on my doctor's scale, which I don't like doing because there are so many variables. Tonight I got the idea to try putting something that I know the weight of on the scale to see what I got. I took a 14 lb box of cat litter and put it on the scale in three different spots on the floor. Although the weight came up at 15.2 lbs, it was the exact same weight in all three spots. What gives? I know I shouldn't be so obsessed with the scale but I find that it's an important tool to help me know if what I'm doing is working or not. Any ideas? Should I just throw it out the window, as I really want to right now?

Nice! Their bras are expensive, but who cares? You deserve it for a job well done!

I feel the same way. I've lost 60 pounds and 3 dress sizes, and I still think I look huge! I don't run from cameras like I used to, but pictures of me are really hit or miss. I can look awesome in one, and in another I look like a beluga whale. I have to learn to be nicer to myself!

I love her workouts! As she always says, they are not "sissy stuff." I always break a good sweat after one of her DVDs, and I do a different one each day just to mix things up. I just bought a couple of her 3 mile workouts, but I have a few from the Power series too.

I know with Unjury that if you put it in liquids hotter than 130 degrees F, the proteins will coagulate and get lumpy. I assume it's probably similar with Muscle Milk and other protein powders too.

Just a part of life with the band, I'm afraid. My fiance actually finds it hilarious that I burp louder than he does!

My absolute favorite is Chobani 0% Raspberry...yum! Chobani is my favorite brand overall, but Fage is not bad either.

I have yo-yoed with my weight for many years, so I have been on both sides of the spectrum: there is no doubt in my mind that I was treated better when I was thinner. After losing 60 pounds I definitely notice a difference in the way people act toward me, even though I don't think I act any differently myself. Men will hold doors for me, occasionally let me go ahead of them on the checkout line, and I've even noticed some checking me out as I walk by. I'm still very overweight and have a long way to go, but the changes are very apparent. Even some of my fiance's male friends are friendlier to me now.

I started exercising regularly about a month ago and it's time to color my hair again. The problem is I work out 6-7 times a week and the directions on my hair color say to apply to unwashed hair. I have to wash my hair after I work out! Anyone have any advice on this? Thanks!

You haven't had a fill yet, so the band isn't doing what it is supposed to do. That being said: 1. Did your surgeon give you an eating plan that you were supposed to follow? I was on full liquids for two weeks, then mushies for two, then solids. It sounds like you're progressing into solids too soon (unless your surgeon says that's ok.) If not, don't progress too fast or you could cause damage to your new pouch. 2. Just because you CAN eat a certain amount doesn't mean you SHOULD, especially so soon after your surgery. The band doesn't stop you from eating, it dulls your hunger so you don't eat as much and can go longer in between meals. Having the band still requires a certain amount of willpower and making good food choices is important. Please take it slow and easy and give your stomach a chance to heal. I have heard horror stories about people ending up in the ER because they started eating solids too soon, and we don't want that to happen to you!

Try it once and you'll find out! Seriously though, drinking through a straw tends to fill your pouch up with gas. My surgeon says it stretches the pouch, but I just find it uncomfortable so I don't do it.

I've lost 60 pounds since my fiance proposed in February and my engagement ring is disconcertingly loose. I have about 45 more pounds to lose so I don't want to get it permanently resized until I reach my goal weight, but is there anything I can use to keep it from flying off in the meantime? I would be devastated if I lost it!

Maybe it was just sheer laziness, but I just ate mushies that were already in that state, i.e. hummus, soft cheeses, cream of wheat, etc. Every nutritionist recommends something different. As for the immersion blender, I think it's only good for things that have a liquid component to them...they're used to puree soups right in the pot instead of transferring them to a regular blender.

For some reason, the first thing I wanted to eat after I was cleared for solids was a grilled cheese sandwich! I ate almost half of it and didn't have a problem. As for pasta, I don't have any trouble with it but I keep my portions very small because it tends to swell up in my pouch and cause some discomfort. I don't think there's anything I physically can't eat, but I stay away from things like rice and white potatoes. I've also found I don't like burgers anymore because there's always pieces of fat and gristle and I'm just not a fan.

I was just at my surgeon's office and the PA said that women tend to lose inches even if they are not losing weight. Do you take your measurements? You may be pleasantly surprised! As for the coffee being bad for you, I personally think it's a crock. I've lost 60 pounds since March and I drink about 2 cups a day (regular cups, not mammoth Venti cups!). As long as you drink enough water it shouldn't be a problem. Have you changed your workout routine with your trainer lately? Perhaps your body is just reacting to that by holding on to some extra water weight. If that's the case the weight should come off soon. Keep up the good work and don't get discouraged!

I've actually heard that keeping it in an airtight container makes salads go bad faster. They need to be able to "breathe" a little bit. I've seen Zip Loc bags that have small holes in them that are made especially for produce, so I'd give those a try.

Unfortunately you are in what we call "Bandster Hell", the time between being healed from surgery and getting to the Green Zone. It does get better, so don't despair. I really think surgeons need to warn their patients about this, because I certainly wasn't prepared for it either!

Thanks for the info everyone! I never thought I'd be able to survive on 1000 calories a day before I was banded...the amount I used to eat in a day is staggering to me now! I guess the term "starvation mode" is thrown around too easily these days. I definitely don't feel like I'm starving!

Since I only eat about 1000 calories a day to begin with, I try to eat back the calories I burn when I exercise as much as possible. Otherwise, I feel like I'd be in starvation mode. It only amount to an extra 150 calories a day (I usually burn at least 200 but it's hard to eat all those extra calories!), but will this sabotage my weight loss? Thanks!

As long as it's not affecting other aspects of your life, and you're not exercising for 8 hours a day, who cares? Exercise is a pretty good thing to get hooked on! Since I started exercising regularly, I have more energy and feel better about myself...what could be wrong with that? It doesn't sound like you're "addicted" to the gym, you just enjoy it. I wouldn't worry about it. Keep up the good work!

I just discovered today that I can cross my arms properly!