NJGirl32

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. 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!

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.

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!

I had my 2nd fill last week and I can notice a difference in the amount of food I can put into my mouth. I am really trying to be more in tuned with the soft stop signals to avoid discomfort. But last night it didn't work. My family went out to dinner to Celebrate my last day of teaching summer school-my vacation officially began! I looked at the menu choices and decided a sizzling steak would be a great option. It's not that big and I could easily bring half home. I had 1 glass of sangria and nibbled on the salad. The steak came and I had 2 pieces. I cut them up nice and small. Well all of a suddent I got SO sick-it sort of felt like heartburn, but with the need to throw up (gross I know). I made 4 trips to the bathroom within 15 minutes. I am not one of these people wh can make themselves throw up-it goes against my nature! I was slimming like crazy. I manage to throw up in the toilet a little, but that was no relief. I went back to the dinner table after my 4th trip and said I need to go home. Fortunately dinner was over anyway. I brought home my dinner. Outside I felt sick again and threw up slime. Then I felt sick again and stood outside the car. WTH! When I got home I felt better. I kept thinking about my upcoming cruise and now I am thinking about not getting a fill for it. I still need to learn what my body can and can not tolerate. I am guessing a steak is a no-no! Maybe I should just stick with seafood (which I love anyway). So I learned that there are 2 kinds of being stuck -I've experienced both: 1. Hard stuck- when it feels like a rock is caught in the middle of your chest. You are slimming like a rabid dog! This is so painful you feel as if you may have to go to the ER if things don't improve! This happened to me when I was standing over chinese take out and pooped a shrimp in my mouth whole (during my 1st fill stage). OMG- it was the worst pain ever-seriously! 2. Regular Stuck -this feels like really, REALLY bad heartburn with the need to vomit. Slimming happens at this point too. You can sit and feel a need to walk around. I guess I am headed to GNC to stock up on some papaya enzymes to keep in my purse. Does anyone have foods that they must avoid on the Band for fear of being stuck? What are good choices for dining out?

Try this site for 1 week and see what happens. It is really awesome and tells you exactly what you need to have calorie-wise in order to lose weight by next month. Commit to doing it for 1 week: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ This is a very normal stage-I know it sucks, but it is something we need to get through. The fills are really what you need and you will need to "diet on your own" without the help of the band until the fills start kicking in. My first fill didn't do much, but for the first 3 days I knew what restriction was and it was awesome! After that-forget it-I guess the swelling went down and I was hungry!! The 2nd fill is much better! This takes patience-you can do it! Try tracking your weight at least until the fills kick in. Good luck on your journey!

You can do this girl!! Congrats on taking the first step! The high protein drinks help curb the hunger. I used to use Carnation instant breakfast mix with skim milk, some Splenda (it wasn't sweet enough for me), a little protein powder (Unjury to boost the protein) , a half of a banana and lots of ice. Blend it into a shake. It made me feel like I was having a chocolate shake and it was so yummy and satisfying. I also made lots of broth soups with veggies for times I was really hungry. Good luck on your journey!

Good Luck-this is the beginning of a new you!

That is excatly what I was wondering yesterday! My surgery was 2 months ago and my scars are still red. I wonder if and when they'll fade to white!

That must be SO aggravating!! My doctor's office has been so wonderful and helpful. I understand you not wantingto switch at this time. Just hang in there the worse is almost over!!

At 6 fills you should feel something! Do you know how much you have in your band? Did they ever do a fill with the xray? There's a small possibility that you may have a leak and the fills aren't taking. I would have your doc do a fill under fluoroscope just to rule it out. If your doc. is being conservation discuss your concerns or seek another doctor; A lot would depend on the size oR your band and the size of your fills.

I am planning a trip to Italy for 2013! That should be plenty of time! My goal is to go to Italy to celebrate my 50th and fabulous birthday with my family!

You did awesome! I call it controlled splurging-you might step outside the boundary but you aren't diving off a cliff, plus you are able to get right back in the groove once the event is over. This is productive and in-control behavior. Simply thinking about what you are eating and limiting the indulgence is such a new concept and a great feat! I remember days that once I "cheated" I would throw all caution to the wind and that would be the end of the diet. Now, there is "no end of the diet." Now there are no "I'll start on Mondays." This is it- the real thing, real life, and a new way of life. Yesterday I had too much Chinese food and didn't feel good the rest of the evening. Instead of saying "I blew my diet." I said to myself "Now what would have been a better way to handle that?" I actually said those words! Then I thought it would have been much better to divide the meal right away and put half inthe refridgerator. I should have had 1 wonton with broth or not ordered the Soup all together. I also thought that I was SO hungry when I came home from work that I probably should have had a snack between lunch and dinner. So when we take opportunities to attend parties and special events in life it's not about "cheating" on our diets, it's about looking at these events with thoughtful minds. Congrats on all the good decisions you made!!