NJGirl32

I am SO happy you kept us updated. I have actually been thinking about you recently and wondering how you made out.

You really can't control things beyond you-the only thing you truly have control over is your feelings and your actions. I know this must be a very sad and scary time for you. Please find a counselor that is a better fit for you because they all are NOT created equal. I am not sure if you are associated with a church or not, but if so you can request some counseling that route.

During this time you really need to think about you. He will need to work out his own kinks himself-no one, not even you can help him. I hope he is in counseling too. And depending on where you both are perhaps down the road you can see a counselor together. My hubby and I went to 6 sessions with a counselor and it really helped our marriage survive a very difficult time.

In the meantime keep busy as possible. Read some good books-go to the library. I read Eat, Love, Pray years ago and loved it and would recommend it.

The only thing I truly didn't understand was why he wouldn't tell you where he was living- why was he hiding this from you if he had nothing to hide? Has he told you yet?

I know you love him-love yourself more.

I truly pray and hope with time that this cloud is lifted from your heart.

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason-even if we aren't sure what the reason is now.

Take care of yourself.

This is NORMAL! I know it's very frustrating and I totally agree with you-I didn't get the band to do another damn diet-I gotthe band to make a significant impact on my weight loss!! I am SO glad I didn't tell everyone I was getting the surgery because I am sure they would be saying 'what's the hold up?- I thought she had surgery?"

I think you need to be really patient until you reach your sweet spot and then it will all make sense. I had this sweet spot for just a couple of days after my first fill (not since then)- I simply wasn't interested in eating and when I went out to eat I just ate a little bit simply because I was full I wantthat feeling back! It seems that it can take anywhere from 3-5 fills to reach it. Don't be too hard on yourself until you have that kind of restriction.

Definitely talk to your doctor about it and see if he can help speed up the fills. I would really advise you to go to support meetings in your area. Call your doctor's office and ask them to recommend one. You will find you are not alone and will regain some inspiration!

Hang in there-we will get to the promised Bandland!!

I highly recommend swimming, great low impact exercise. Waterproof mp3 player is a must! Also Water Aerobics can be done at different intensities.

I never heard of a waterproof mp3 palyer! Thanks!

Today is the first time I actually saw one in my posts. This really sucks and definitely makes me think about switching over to another site-I mean seriously who wants ads in their friggen posts ...WTH?!!

Like you said it's bad enough that they are all over the site as it is! Anyone have any other good sites they visit?

When I went through all the pre-surgery tests my endoscope revealed that I had bacteria in my stomach lining. They recommended I wait untl I was on solids to take the meds to clear this up. My doc said if I don't get it cleared up that it could eventually erode the band.

Well I have 1 month off so I decided to take the 2 week dose now. I picked up my prescription last night and thought it was in a rather large bag. I opened it up and OMG-seriously??!! 8 pills a day? WTH?

Did anyone else have to take this? How were the side effects-I have been reading there can be lots of side effects. Did you get a yeast infection due to the high doses of amoxicillin? If anyone had to do this treatment please tell me what to expect. I am hoping that eating yogurt will help with the yeast infection? I am SO not looking forward to the next 14 days!!

Some really great points!1 Thank you!!

Both times I had waited a long time before eating and I agree totally with isit5yet that we tend to eat fast when we are really hungry. When I was stuck my throat hurt for about a day. Good advice keeping to simple liquids after being stuck. Last night I went out and had NO bread at all! I order seafood which went down well.

Woodslass-you are right-different types of bread items react differently. I did have a little rice along with the bread before the steak got stuck (maybe 2 tablespoons). Maybe the bread is sort of covering the opening to the pouch and expanding and we all know bread can?? I will not have bread when eating out-just can't do it at this point. Mornings are also tough for me. I usually have a yogurt and sometimes that feels funny in my throat going down.

Well today was my first day at the gym! I actually got my oldest daughter to join too (so me and my 2 daughters). The owner suggested I do 30 minutes on the treadmill, and 5-10 on the rowing machine. Then I did 5 minutes on the bike (I know-but it was boring!). Then I wentto some sking-type machine. That was fun for a few minutes and then my last machine was some arm/leg cross country type thing! I am exhausted!!!

I hope I can keep up with this. I am off all of August so I really plan to make good use of the gym during that time.

They do have Water areobics and I might do a class. They also have Zumba.

My goal for now is 3 times per week but hopefully I'll do more!

Thanks again!

I found a cute shrug at Macy's it has a cap sleeve sort of -it doesn't cover your arms per say-but it helps to prevent drawing attention to them. I also have a cotton, short sleeve, zip up hooded jacket the does the trick. I think it's suppose to be an active/workout type jacket but I put it on over tank tops.

I totally agree with the poster above- no one really cares about your batwings and you should totally feel free to wear whatever you want!

PS- I heard the surgery for upper arms has a lot of visible carring accosicated with it so I am not sure what would be worse. I would say to come to terms with your body and to make peace with it. We don't have to aim for perfection just improving ourselves

"New Plumbing" lol I like that analogy!!

Oh yes, you never want food to be stuck-never!

Thanks so much everyone!!

I definitely would like to try yoga-it's good to know it help with your core (I am not 100% sure what core means, but I know mine is probably flabby!).

Good advise doing cardio one day and core the next. I probably would have done boh the same day. I do get a free 45 minute session.

Exercise is really NOT mything-but I committed to the process and truthfully I would like to do something productive a few times each week instead of just coming home and plopping on the couch.

Awesome!! What a great feeling that must be!

I don't think this would be considered being stuck. You would be stuck with a solid-not a liquid. If you were stuck with a solid then a liquid would be very difficult to drink.

I think when you said you drank the shake too fast that was the cause of your discomfort. I use to getthat feelin-almost like a lump in my throat. There are quit a few signs that the band let you know it's there!

Sip your drinks and chew your food-there's no fooling the band! lol

This site has some delicious recipes. She had GBS but the recipes still fit us bandsters!

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2009/02/good-times.html

If you like eggplant this one looks amazingly delish!!

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2009/01/versatile-veggies.html

Oh you are making me hungry and inspiring me to go to the farmer's market next week! I LOVE grilled veggies - do you grill them in a pan or on the BBQ or George Foreman?

I read a while back about a recipe using grilled eggplant and portbella mushrooms. I am thinking a stuffed pepper might be good with lots of veggies and your choice of meat.< /p>

Recently I have been addicted to a spinach salad with LF feta cheese, pecans,dried cranberries and sliced strawaberries with low calorie rasberry sald dressing- I had this for lunch for a week and lost weight that week!

I would do the 45 minutes first and tell them about the band. Since you have already had it, they will deal with it.

sweetpea- you have done an awesome job!! I see that we were banded a day apart! Congrats on your success!!

I made tea but I couldn't even drink it-that's how bad it was...I am goingtio the mall today to get the some so I'll let you know if they work. I have read on here that they have helped a few-but I think you need to take a lot.

I second Applebees as having great choices and they have a Weight Watcher menu with low- calorie selections. I don't know if anyone lives near a Panera bread but they have everything listed (NUT content) and their food is so yummy!

Most Chinese places have a "Dieters" section to their menus.

I personally find that no matter where I go to eat I can find something. The secret is to stay away from the bread basket, order sauces on the side, and replace carb sides with steamed veggies.

I haven't tried Boston Market lately, buttheir food is super moist which I would imagine would be band-friendly and I believe they steam everything.

When I order out for brakfast I get the egg beaters instead of eggs. Usually a garden omlette and instead of home fires I ask if I can have a fruit cup.

It sounds like you aren't getting enough Proteins in! Find a good Protein drink it will help with the hunger. I really ike GNCs Total Lean chocolate. It has 23 grams of Protein and isn't thick like other brands. It is a little pricey though. I put it in a blender with ice and a 1/2 banana (or whatever fruit you like or not). Then I blend it up and pour it into a glass with a dollop of cool whip. This really keeps me full and it takes a while to drink it. Oddly enough I have found that Soups really satisfy me too-I know that doesn't make sense because they are 'sliders" but they do. I get a low calories New England Clam Chowder I love it.

I know getting stuck is horrible! Good for you for chewing! I got stuck twice while standing and eating-so that's a no-no because it's mindless eating and you are likely to pop a big piece of something into your mouth.

If you are eating solids I would suggest very moist foods. Bandsters can't seem to handle dry foods and they tend to get stuck faster.

If you do have a cheeseburger (whic I have had) make sure it's not dried out (overcooked) and try putting lots of Condiments on it (BBQ saus=ce, ketcup, etc.) to keep it moist. I heard people say the Wendy's chile is a good option too.

You will figure out what works best for you and what fills you up. Just keep the Proteins high, don't forget all the Water too!

Good luck to you!

Well last night I waited until 8pm to have a SMART One. I was really hungry and pooped it in the microwave. I started nibbling on a bagel. I would say I ate less than half the bagel -just nibbling. Then it hit me again!! Second day of being stuck! Thank goodness I was home this time! Horrible. I should never ever stand and eat-that's what happened last month-standing and nibbling=stuck!

It made me think that maybe, just maybe the night before when I was in the resturant it may have been the bread I had (a small piece) that starting the "Stuck" process.

Urggghh! Okay so Bagels are a definite no-no!

I was still making food choices based on my first fill-word to the wise: All fills are NOT created equal!

I guess the good news is that I have restriction.

I am really hestiant to goo out to eat anywhere now. We are suppose to go out the dinner tonight with another couple-I can't handle being stuck another night!

If I over ate with my first fill (after the first week of being filled) I was fine- no problems in the world. AFter my second fill-forget it! I have been stuck 2 times with sliming-not fun! I don't think it'd due to vereating because I really haven't done that BUT it is WHAT you eat. Evidently bread products get stuck. After you get restriction make sure to keep to moist foods. I REALLy advise you to purchase Papaya Enzmes (at a health store like GNC) for the first time you get stuck.

If you have proper restriction it becomes very difficult to overeat.

As you lose weight you lose fat around your band site which loosens it up. That's why they recommend going for a fill every month for the first year. Awesome job by the way. You're doing great.

That's a great point!! As you lose weight you will need adjustments because the band loosens up!

Thanks for the advise! I was thinking that I should do strength training to build muscle to help with my metabalism (burn fat). I do get 1 free 45 minute fitness evaluation and the owner said people are on the floor to show my how to use the equipment.

I am considering the 6 session packet with a trainer (I think it's once a month-not sure). It's pricey at $300. But I do think a trainer shows you exactly what you need.

I am not sure whether to tell him about the band-I have read stories where trainers aren't on board with the band.

Do you think weights would be better than cardio equipment? Right now I am at 221 at 5'6. I think I am probably very out of shape.

They do offer classes too. I like the idea of doing Yoga but I amnot sure if it has any benefits.

Thanks again for your input!

Well, I made the BIG commitment and joined a gym with my 19 yr. old daughter! I have NO idea where to even begin! I guess the treadmill and excerise bike is a good way to start, but I am also thinking of doing the beginning circuit fpr toning.

What was your exercise routine when you join and were still on the heavy side and out of shape?

:)That is simpluy amazing!

Good for you and good for your body!!

Yep! Sounds like you are due for a fill! During my first fill I only felt restriction for the first week then after that nothing at all!