shanatx

Stalls, plateaus and larger portions are not the only signs you need a fill? We all go through periods of time where we plateau.
How long is your stall? A true stall should be longer than 30 days(my opinion).
Sign you need a fill is, satiety lasting less than 3-4 hours. Cravings are not a sign of lack of satiety. Cravings for sugar, carbs, fast food or fatty foods is just old eating demons that may never go away.
Eating larger portions can be you dropping your guard with satiety signal awareness? It can happen so easily when we're on vacation, parties, holidays and placing ourselves in a tight spot like a meeting at a Chinese buffet(my personal kryptonite).
So, ask yourself this. Am I paying attention to the soft stop signals, am I hungry(truly hungry) after 3 hours, is my band now so tight I often have stuck episodes with sliming and am I following the basic band eating routine of Proteins first?
Too often we blame the band for stalls and lack of weight loss when in fact, it's our own behavior that is the problem. I'm not saying this is you, but, getting a fill that is too tight can cause grave issues for your stomach and esophagus.
tmf

I don't often do carbonated but when the craving is great, I pick up a Sprite Zero with twist top cap. I open the Sprite several times (no drinking) throughout the day and place back in the fridge until it goes flat.
Once flat, I take sips as I want them. A 16-oz bottle of Sprite usually lasts me 5 days. My doc has had no problems with my doing this. But definitely check with yours.

CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU for the post!
I was banded Dec 18, 2013 and still have NO restriction whatsoever. I see the doc today and I know he plans only to do .25cc getting me to 4.25ccs in my 10cc band. For the first 2 weeks after last fill I thought I was close but these last 2 weeks have been willpower...a will I've been failing miserably at!
I keep hearing the Nutritionist tell me "the first 12 months after surgery are the fastest moving" and I'm thinking "ummm, I have 7 months left and I'm not doing too great..."

CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU for the post!
I was banded Dec 18, 2013 and still have NO restriction whatsoever. I see the doc today and I know he plans only to do .25cc getting me to 4.25ccs in my 10cc band. For the first 2 weeks after last fill I thought I was close but these last 2 weeks have been willpower...a will I've been failing miserably at!
I keep hearing the Nutritionist tell me "the first 12 months after surgery are the fastest moving" and I'm thinking "ummm, I have 7 months left and I'm not doing too great..."

I'm banded.
No, doTerra essential oils like peppermint, oregano, lemon, lime...they are used to treat colds, flu, etc in place of NyQuil, Advil, theraflu, etc

You know how "you just know it" when you meet the "right" person, or when you're having a great day? No one can explain it to you or describe it to you, except through their own experience...... But, when you experience it, "YOU JUST KNOW IT!" That's how being GREEN is for me.... I read about it ( a lot), I heard others talk about it (a lot), I researched it (a lot), but now..... I JUST KNOW IT! And now I know why I NEEDED to wait these few months before I found MY sweet spot. For me, I needed my brain to catch up with reality. I don't think I was ready (mentally) for the truly small portions I am now eating. Thankful that "I'M GREEN AT LAST!"

If anyone in the Corpus area is interested, let's get together! I'm interested

I don't often do carbonated but when the craving is great, I pick up a Sprite Zero with twist top cap. I open the Sprite several times (no drinking) throughout the day and place back in the fridge until it goes flat.
Once flat, I take sips as I want them. A 16-oz bottle of Sprite usually lasts me 5 days. My doc has had no problems with my doing this. But definitely check with yours.

Chrissy10 - the port was horrible. I kept reading of people exercising within 3 weeks of surgery and I knew for me, the port area hurt to just walk! I was convinced something was wrong. Yes, it DOES get better.
I have NO regrets - just anxious to get the restriction.

I had surgery 3 1/2 weeks ago and my port hurts. So at least there is hope. When I bend over it hurts the worst. I am sure it will feel better soon, but glad I read your post.

Congrats to you.. i reached my first milestone this morning also I'm exactly 50lbs lighter than i was when i started this journey i'm starting to think i can actually do this.
i can't imagine the joy you must feel at being off the meds though.. again Congrats and keep it up ..

so happy for you. I was taken off of my diabetic meds also about 3 months post op . Congratulations on your success.

Congratulatiions on your NSV! (Non-scale victory). That is a major accomplishment! I'm off my diabetic medicine as well. It is so nice to periodically check my blood and it's within the range it should be in.Be proud of yourself! That is awesome!

my reason for wls became a reality. today my doctor took me off of insulin. still have to do the blood testing for awhile, but no more insulin. yippee!!

I have a Magic Bullet for portability and small stuff like shakes, but also have the Ninja for bigger jobs including fake ice cream...frozen fruit with a touch of milk and Splenda. Absolutely love both of them!!

I am SOOOO happy to hear this about POPCORN!! It's my all-time FAVORITE!!! When I read it was a "caution" food AFTER I had surgery, my heart dropped! I keep thinking, "if I chew to pudding consistency, what's the problem?!?" I've been scared to even try it, but thinking I will! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

I have a Magic Bullet for portability and small stuff like shakes, but also have the Ninja for bigger jobs including fake ice cream...frozen fruit with a touch of milk and Splenda. Absolutely love both of them!!

Everything that was sore calmed within the first week, however, the port area (not the incision) is still sore but finally getting better. Not sure one has anything to do with the other, but I carry my weight more at my hips and below as opposed to my stomach area. Even with the soreness hanging on, I'm still happy I did it! NO REGRETS!! Enjoy the journey!!!

We are all unique as to our tolerances. That said, you should definitely consult with both your prescribing physician for the asperin, and your
PCP.
The general thinking is that NSAID meds can cause irritation to the esophagus and pouch. The possible resulting issues are painful to manage. I had 3 surgeries the first year I had my band, my bariatric surgeon had given me permission to take a few Advil Liquigels. The end result was painful gastritis which had to be treated with several months of Carafate.
That is only my experience, and I am not implying this could/would happen to you. It would be helpful to discuss the possibility of alternative and safe medications for a Bandster.
Best wishes...

Excellent surgeon - great "bedside manor" and responds quickly to emails and phone calls!!

I have severe arthritis and fibromyalgia and I take two alleve every day and have for four years. I would think if you took a baby aspirin which is the same thing as a low dose aspirin and chew it up that it would not be an issue but that should be discussed with your doctor. My primary is aware that I have the lapband and I have had no issues because really nothing stays in your band for hours. It digest in less then a minute. I would think if anything it would be an issue for the bottom of your stomach. I wouldn't do anything that I thought would cause me issues and it hasn't. But that is up to you and your doctor to decided.

This is definitely one to consult with your doctor. Hope you get the answers you seek. Good luck!

nibble nibble nibble made it possible despite my fears

If you look a little closer...you might find out what's on your mind, Do you think it has anything to do with your statement title of this thread? Are you grieving your best friend, food? Hang in there hon, we have had these days too.
BTW, I totally get the sweet treat and the potty. We used m&m's, and both of my adult children are in amazing condition! My daughter, a psy. Says" you wouldn't do your job if you did not get a paycheck, would you?" Even my horses expect their carrot for a trick!

Sounds to me like you are feeling deprived of your old life. Unfortunately, after living however many years doing what we did before, of course it's near impossible to just stop. My dietician reminds me constantly about "moderation". For me personally, if I REALLY want the junk or not to workout one day - OKAY. But just once - whether that's one meal or one serving or one skipped workout. know I will feel guilty immediately and that will be the end of it. As long as you give yourself permission, I think you will bounce back better than ever.
Lapband is the tool - not the cure. Just like all the diets we have ever been on, we have to find what works for us.