TulipStar

I agree with Jachut 100%. This always works for me too. I have a tendency to forget a bite here or there, so when I limit it to 3 meals and that's it...I immediately start to lose again.

The BodyBugg is great! I miss the days of being able to burn 4,000 calories...it seems that my body has become much more efficient recently and I am lucky to hit 2500 calories burned in a day with 1 hour of exercise. My average burn for the last 2 weeks was 2800 a day. This morning I worked out for 2.5 hours and I am only projected to burn about 2750 calories. Yikes!

Mine was mashed potatoes. I remember it very well...I was sooo looking forward to it!

I don't think its possible to chew "too much"... You should definitely tell your Dr. what portion size you are eating and he/she should adjust accordingly. My band is really finicky. Yesterday I ate a small chicken soft taco for dinner and had no problem. However, the day before I could only eat 1/2 of the same thing. It just depends on the day for me.... (and the time).

I was taking Flinstones, then I switched to the chlidren's gummi Vites, which are good! Now I take a prescription chewable Vitamin.

I lost 110 lbs with the help of Phen about 6 years ago. It only works for a short period of time though and your body builds up a resistance. I didn't have any bad side effects but I know people who have.

You should see a dr...most likely they will put you on antibiotics and tell you to clean it out. It is quite common. It's not related to the lapband. It's most likely an infection. Try dipping a Q-tip in hydrogen peroxide and then use it to wipe out your belly button. Repeat twice a day.

All of a sudden I feel like wearing heels. I have never been able too, but I have been shopping for a great pair of heels lately. It's a great way to still get that shopping fix.

That's great! You won't regret it. You can drive as soon as you aren't taking any pain meds.

For the most updated version of my blog visit: The New Me Today I went to a store that sells both "plus" and regular sizes. I put on the smallest size in the plus section 14w and it was too big. I was SHOCKED! Then for some reason I walked next door to Lane Bryant and the same thing happened. A size 14 shirt was too big for me! It was really exciting because although the scale has slowed down, my body has changed. Oh, and today I decided that I have a new addiction -- Exercise. I look forward to my classes at the gym with the same anticipation that I used to have for meals. Then after getting my butt kicked at the gym, I want more more more and then I go run or do some jumping jacks or something. (just like I couldn't stop going back for the food). I can honestly say that I LOVE to exercise. I used to hate it...who am i?!

For the most updated version of my blog visit: The New Me Today I went to a store that sells both "plus" and regular sizes. I put on the smallest size in the plus section 14w and it was too big. I was SHOCKED! Then for some reason I walked next door to Lane Bryant and the same thing happened. A size 14 shirt was too big for me! It was really exciting because although the scale has slowed down, my body has changed. Oh, and today I decided that I have a new addiction -- Exercise. I look forward to my classes at the gym with the same anticipation that I used to have for meals. Then after getting my butt kicked at the gym, I want more more more and then I go run or do some jumping jacks or something. (just like I couldn't stop going back for the food). I can honestly say that I LOVE to exercise. I used to hate it...who am i?!

Hey Gloucester! I was in a similar situation a couple weeks ago. My birthday was coming up...I planned my fills months in advance up to my birthday so that I would make sure that my birthday was at least 2 weeks after my last fill. Sick, huh? Well, something happened and my fill schedule got messed up (I had to go out of town for work) and so I ended up getting a fill a week before my birthday. On top of that, I was super tight, even after a week. I knew that I wouldn't be able to *gorge* on anything for my birthday. However, the day before my birthday I hit a milestone weight loss for me of 75 lbs. This feeling was the best feeling that I had in a long time. The feeling had me floating and the feeling was BETTER than anything tastes. I went out with friends for my bday and drank many many drinks. I danced (which I hadn't done in years) and my birthday was not focused around food. But it was the best birthday that I have had in years! Why? Because I felt good about ME. So, I say do what make you feel good about you. I think you know. :thumbup:

I think what you are describing sounds pretty normal. The top of your stomach where your band is located is where your chest is. When you eat too fast or too much, and you start to feel the pressure (I would describe it more as pressure, not pain), that is your upper stomach AKA band. Eggs is also a common "stuck" food for some bandsters. I used to eat eggs every day...but I don't anymore. Also, I don't know what time you ate the eggs, but some people find that it is hard to eat in the morning. I can't eat anything in the mornings anymore so I switched to coffee (never drank it before).

Oh my gosh, how exciting! And so soon... I would feel nervous too..just because it is so soon! You won't regret it. It's the best decision I ever made! Good luck!

After 3 weeks I could sleep on my stomach again. no problem at all now.

You will know when something is stuck. I got stuck today after eating some tortilla Soup. I must not have chewed the chicken enough or something. Because all of a sudden, I felt "stuck". There is no way around it. You just feel like something is stuck in your upper stomach and have to wait it out.

What a great accomplishment! Did it kind of sneak up on you?

I too have really struggled with eating too fast. My "technique" (yes, I have a technique) is to make sure that I am only concentrating on eating. I'm not trying to do something else like working on the computer, watching tv. This helps me be conscious of what I am actually putting in my mouth. Then I take one bite, put the fork/spoon down and chew chew chew, really think about turning the food into mushie and then swallow. Repeat.

Ohiobluegal, put down the ice cream! 50lbs is excellent weight loss! You can do it and take off the rest! Of course the band will only help you so far. You have to put in the other effort. I understand where you're coming from. I love ice cream and I eat it every day still. But the difference is that I only buy pre-portioned ice cream. My first action would be not to buy that stuff at all. OR only by pre-sized small cups of ice cream (2 at a time) so that if you do have to have some, you can, but you can only eat what you have. There are a couple weight watcher brand ice creams that are good, plus they are pre-portioned. The second (or maybe this should be first?) thing is that you should figure out WHY you are turning to food at night? What's really bothering you and you should direct your emotion at the person/situation or deal with it in another way beside turning to food. Good luck!

You have to be really really active to burn that many. If I exercise intensely for 2 hours and am running around all day with errands I usually burn about 4,000 calories.

The rule I follow is 30 minutes before a meal and 1 hour after a meal. I thought it would be hard for me, but it really hasn't. I sometimes take an occasional tiny sip of Water if something is stuck in my throat or spicy.

Hi Banda, I am glad to hear you are doing better too. Eating disorders and the lap-band is a controversial topic. My rule of thumb is that if you aren't "planning" to binge and purge and you just PB then it is not the same. With bulimia it is a process of planning what you are going to eat/when, etc and then how/when you are going to purge it. PB's just happen and should be pretty infrequent if you are following the rules. I hope you can get a slight fill to help you start back on the downward trend

I think that yes, flying can effect the band and the tightness. I fly a couple times a month. On shorter flights (less than 4 hours), I have no problems. However, on flights that are greater than 4 hours (overseas) then I seem to be tighter for days and days afterwards.

13 lbs is great!! I only lost 14 lbs by 5 weeks post op (and started to gain some back before my first fill). You are right on track. Don't compare yourself to others! Would you have lost the 14 lbs any other way in just 3 weeks? I don't think so! :wink2:

I got the heparin shot in my stomach side-- not a big deal at all. I didn't even feel it.