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Runny nose. Phlegmy cough. Sometimes I hiccup.

I did a little research and ordered the EatSmart Precision Digital scale on Amazon. It is VERY consistent and ACCURATE. I love it. Highly recommend. http://www.amazon.com/EatSmart-Precision-Digital-Bathroom-Technology/dp/B001KXZ808/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295689183&sr=8-1

I just recommitted myself. I am 4 years post op. I lost 100 lbs and got side tracked with depression and life and re-gained 50. I learned how to eat around my band and that is the worst thing I have ever done. Because I have to work twice as hard now that I know how to cheat my tool. I got rid of the sliders and I have to plan plan plan my day and week out in meals. So I am not tempted to make bad choices. I pack my lunch everyday!! My dinner is planned the night before. It was really hard the first week. This second week has been a little easier. I have lost 3 pounds in the last two weeks. Slow and steady. This next week I plan on adding exercise back in. We know what to do. It is a matter of doing it. Start making changes now. Not tomorrow. Even if it is a small change. Do it. Then add another. And another. Until you are back on track. Anytime you feel weak remind yourself of all the reason NOT to eat that slider food. You can do it. Hang in there!! Change is hard. It starts between your ears.

I mix a veggie seasoning packet into Fage Greek yogurt. Makes a high Protein veggie dip. Yum-o. Sliced apple with PB. Wheat thins w/ laughing cow or hummus. String cheese. Peach Chobani with Kashi Go Lean Crunch added on top. Home made chili. Lots of beans!! I use ground turkey instead of ground meat. Salmon. Love salmon. Bake with salsa on top and it is incredibly moist!! (22 mins at 400) pumpkin tofu soup. Very yummy and filling. Hard boiled eggs with the yolk removed and filled filled with hummus. Or egg salad using hummus instead of mayo. For a sweet treat, Skinny Cow truffle ice cream bars. 100 calories of pure bliss.

Does high cholesterol run in your family? It has a strong genetic component.

I would wait to talk to your Dr in two weeks. Six pounds in a month is great! Plus you got a fill so that may speed up your weight loss. Personally... I would NOT take any pills for weight loss. But that is me. Congrats on your weight loss.

I do. And I love it. Makes it much easier to check in frequently. Although I can't seem to get my push notifications to work properly.

Is it GNC brand?

Where did u get that? I must try it. I love cake batter. Lol. Sent from my iPhone

Thank you everyone for the replies. Lots of great ideas!! I look forward to trying some of them. Sent from my iPhone

I am having a hard day myself. I just want to snack on crap. Ugh. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

First off... I am sorry you are in a bad place right now. You sound depressed. You sound resigned. You sound like you have given up. I was there too. I gave up. I had complications sure, but I let them be my excuse for failure. My failure was learning to eat around the band. Drinking with meals. Consuming ungodly amounts of ice cream. Not chewing well enough. Eating slider foods. I kept my head in the sand and blamed the band for my problems. I recently was diagnosed with severe esophagitis and a hiatal hernia. I was all ready to throw in the towel and have my band removed. REMOVED. Then I sat and really thought about it. Was I doing everything I could to be successful? Hell no I wasn't. I was doing all those things listed above. Fact is, when I was committed and motivated, I lost 100. When I gave in to old addictions, I gained 50 back. So I am recommitted. Again. That is why I am back on LBT. Support helps. Reading tips about being successful helps. Looking up recipes. Trying new exercises. All of that helps. Find what works for you! My husband is an enabler. Ice cream is my addiction, and he will buy it for me whenever I ask. He will always be an enabler. Just as I will always be addicted to ice cream. I finally realized that I have to change. I can't expect him to change. I can't expect my band to change me. I have to change. When I eat the proper foods the band works. I stay full. I can only eat small amounts. When I cheat the band, I cheat myself. I don't know what will help you get back on track. I was banded 4 years ago and I feel like I am finally really truly back on track. Everyday I have to be mindful. I have to plan my meals and be firm. I sat down and had talks with my husband about needing support not sabotage. But honestly if I asked him to pick me up Ben & Jerry's.... he would. IT IS ON ME TO CHANGE. I need not to ask him to get it. I need not to put the ice cream in my mouth. You need to really evaluate why you are eating a pizza over a 4 hour period. Is it hunger? Or are you still using food as an emotional crutch? Be honest with yourself. Could your wife be more supportive. Yes. But you have no control over that. It is sooo hard when the temptations are in your house. I am sorry you have that extra obstical. But JUMP OVER IT. You control you. You are not alone. Hang in there. You can still do this. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Thank you thank you for this thread. I used to do Couch to 5k with the podcast religiously. Then I fell off the wagon after complications with the band. I was looking into getting started again but I really was soooo tired of the podcast music. I checked out "Ease into 5K" and I LOVE it!! I am so happy I get to listen to my own music!! I am inspired all over again. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I am sorry you are having a difficult time right now. Keep drinking clear liquids. It sounds like you have lots of swelling going on. I hope it calms down soon and your body heals quicker for you. Hang in there!!!! Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I second checking out a Couch to 5K program. I used to do that and it helped immensely with my esteem and made me feel like I could do anything. I weighed 330 when I started it and got down to 284 before I had band complications and sidelined the program. I am just starting it up again and look forward to it!! Now they have great apps for your phone where you can listen to your own music and it will prompt you when to run, when to walk, and when to jog. Check out the app "Ease into 5K". Love it!!! It is an 8 week program, but I repeat week 1 until I am comfortable moving on to week 2. Then I do week 2 until I feel ready to move on to week 3. Do it at your own pace. It is quite motivating!! Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I would caution against adding more fluid with the issues you are having. Be sure your Dr realizes the extent of the reflux. I am surprised he is willing to add more fill with your reflux issues. Be safe!! Hang in there.

Sounds like you are already doing a lot to alleviate your symptoms. Ellivating head when sleeping, not eating 2 hours before bed, etc. Also make sure to avoid caffeine and greasy foods. They will trigger the reflux. If you are too tight it will cause reflux. Or, like me, you could have a hiatal hernia. I had an EGD and was diagnosed with esophagitis and a hiatal hernia. So I am doing a lot of the things you are doing and it has all but alleviated my symptoms. I am trying to avoid surgery to repair. I would recommend having .2cc removed. It is amazing what just a teensy tiny unfill can do for reflux. If all the things you are doing aren't giving you relief... you are probably just a smudge too tight. Good luck!

Yesterday I chopped it up into a egg salad consistency. Scooped with wheat thins. Loved even more. Was nice to have the crunch factor.

Another snack I like is sliced cucumbers with veggie dip that I make with plain Greek yogurt and a low sodium veggie dip packet. 2oz of dip = 5g Protein | 30 calories Ingredients: 1 packet Kroger Party Dip Ranch (I used Kroger since it is cheaper) 17oz tub Fage Total 0% greek yogurt (I used 0% to save on calories)

Keep on target. It gets harder and harder to get back on track the further out you are from surgery. I had a few complications and I let myself go off track multiple times. I have just recommitted for the zillionth time. It is frustrating because I had lost 100 pounds and gained 50 back. Stop now. Stick with your momentum. You are doing awesome!!

Congrats. Great job. Keep up the great work!!

When I am staying track I weight every morning. I use my Thursday morning weigh in as my "official" weekly weigh in number. If it stresses you out, try once a week. Do what works for you.

Hummus stuffed hard boiled eggs. I just halve the egg, remove the yolk, and scoop in hummus. Apple slices with almond butter. The rest of my Snacks have already been mentioned. I love love Chobani peach. So good. But if u want to cut the sugar get the plain and add your own fruit or kashi lean Cereal for crunch and flavor.