Laura_MD

I really like using the ball as a chair. It forces me to use my back and stomach muscles without really feeling like I am doing anything. And if you move around in your work area at all, you get to use your obliques and/or legs to twist or rotate on the ball or, dare I say, stand up and move around from time to time. Shocking I know, but I have been known to actually stand up from time to time after planting myself in my seat, when my seat is the ball. A chair on wheels makes it way too easy to be sedentary for the entire day.

Exactly, I was wondering if it had to do with the temperature change since it is cold in Maryland and very warm in Antigua. But then my husband pointed out that the increased restriction first occurred in flight. Who knows why, at least we know we are not the only ones experiencing this and that we are not imagining it!

I recently took my first extended airline flight since being banded and I got very restricted during the flight down to Antigua and it stuck around for about two days. Same thing happened on the way home, but to a lesser extent. Has anyone else experienced this change in restriction when flying?

Here is a terrific source of recipes for anyone who has had or is considering surgery. It gives the estimated quantities for various people (i.e. lap-band, bypass, and others who have not had surgery like family members), for each recipe. There are some really great ones in here too. It also gives the nutritional info for each recipe. I got mine on Amazon.com for less than $12. Here's the info: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Eating-Well-After-Weight-Surgery/dp/1569244537/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201408728&sr=8-1] [/ame] [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Eating-Well-After-Weight-Surgery/dp/1569244537/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201408728&sr=8-1]Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery: Over 140 Delicious Low-Fat High-Protein Recipes to Enjoy in the Weeks, Months and Years After Surgery[/ame] by Patt Levine, Michele Bontmpo-Saray, William B. Inabnet, and Meredith Urban-Skuros (Paperback - Jun 11, 2004) [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Eating-Well-After-Weight-Surgery/dp/1569244537/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201408728&sr=8-1]Buy new[/ame]: $16.95 $11.53 [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1569244537/ref=pd_bbs_sr_olp_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201408728&sr=8-1]37 Used & new[/ame] from $7.50In Stock Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping. [ame=http://www.amazon.com/review/product/1569244537/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1_cm_cr_acr_img?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1][/ame] ([ame=http://www.amazon.com/review/product/1569244537/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1]55[/ame])

I take the Viactiv vitamins and calcium chews and I really like them (as vitamins go). I get to get a little chocolate fix and its good for me too. Can't ask for much more than that. Viactiv products come in multiple flavors too, so if you don't like one, try another before you write them off. If you belong to a support group that meets regularly, you can have a taste testing with your vitamins, protein shakes and favorite recipes so you can try it before you buy it.

I have an exercise ball from Dick's Sporting goods and the real trick to buying one is to get one for your height. The sizes and heights are listed on the box. They are portable, cheap, fun and effective. I worked with a trainer and learned a lot of exercises to do with the ball before I bought one, then it came with a DVD and I learned a ton more, you can work nearly every muscle in your body with this thing. Probably the best investment I ever made in a piece of exercise equipment! As for falling off, yeah, it's pretty common, but I didn't fall as much as I though I would. I recommend trying it at home a few times before jumping on at the gym, just to get the hang of it and get over any fear that you have. The beauty of the ball is that it lets you work specific muscles with different moves but it is ALWAYS strengthening the core body muscles while you work. I use it as a chair while I am working at my desk and it works my abs and core, while boosting my balance at the same time. to quote Tony the Tiger, "It's Grrrreat!". Good luck, Laura the Loser (and proud of it):cool2:

I know that Dr. Kimberly Steele at Johns Hopkins Bayview campus has taken on patients from Mexico in the past. I do not know that she is still doing so, however. But it is worth a phone call. Good luck!