xavier

You can easily irritate it by resting things on it...dont do that! But I doubt you have hurt it at all. I surf (badly) and it gets kind of bruised because now that I am thin it really sticks out...but it works fine and thats all I care about!

Spoiltmom....any newer pix for us?

I don not have any food of sin. I can and do eat everything and my band keeps the quantity in moderation. That is one of the best things about having the band is I can eat some so-called bad food but not enough of it to affect my weight.

I get that if I overeat. Is it at all associated with when or how much you eat? Your doc needs to know.

tell your doc!

Jen the only reason you are feeling like the freak center of attention is that you let yourself feel that way. If you try to explain it to people then you are opening the door to their opinions! If anyone asks me questions or remarks on what I eat I sort of shrug but I SAY NOTHING! We are not having this conversation...I may be a freak but I am a skinny one...you have to get tough to survive and succeed this! I would never let anyone (they are not friends, dear!) ruin or make me miss a social event because I eat tiny meals!

I enjoy food more now than before because even though my meals are tiny, they are guilt free. I used to feel so bad eating around other people becuase I was obese...now I can eat a tiny amount of a ridiculously unhealthy food (fries with aoli mayo!) and not care what people think because i am a normal BMI. It was hard to get used to eating such small quantities in front of others but I have learned not to care what they think!

Ok this is going to sound harsh but if a physician cant access your port, you need a new doc!

Everyone feels these fears but you just have to decide if you think it will all be worth it...I admire you for knowing yourself and putting them down here!

Restriction wears off as you lose fat under the band...heartburn is controllable with meds if you really want to continue to lose weight...

I think we all want to look good and vanity is part of that. Your shape will be similar but smaller...maybe like wen you were younger. But I just want to remind everyone that the real reason for doing this is your health and living a long life to see your kids grow up etc. I dont think we should set goals on how our curves look but rather on health risk...normal BMI means the same risk as everyone else who is not overweight. So if you want your curves and to set your goal in the 'overweight' range you are still at elevated health risk. Just my opinion..

Well in the mornings I usually have a protein drink because I am too tight for solid food, then during the day I eat about a half a cup of food whenever I am hungry and I stop when I feel full. Sometimes I still want to overeat and I even try to but I get pretty uncomfortable if I eat a few more bites. Then later in the evening my band is looser (just like my wedding ring is, due to normal body fluid shifts) and I could snack all evening but I have to have some will power. I usually have a cocktail or a glass of wine as a bargain with myself not to eat after dinner...

I wish you had just said, "how many, Doctor?" because I can just about guarantee you he doesn't know. People have a 'feeling' that this wont work but if they are not aware of the statistics of how many succeed and how many fail and what the average weight loss is for all patients...PLEASE DONT LISTEN TO THEM!!! PS...love my band, normal BMI, wear a size 6, finding this whole thing pretty easy these days...

Well throwing up by any method is not good but most of us have done plenty of it and been fine. Just avoid those stuck foods and as you lose weight your band will loosen up. I am a big fan of beans and things like tuna with mayo which are super high protein and easy to get down when you are very tight. Also, of course, protein powder in soup...if you can do that for even a month you will lose weight and your band will loosen up!

Fluids and walking and mainly just the passage of time...this part sucks but it will be worth it.

If it gets stuck (like breads) dont eat them! You will be able to have them later once you get really used to chewing and how your band works but for now just skip them...hope no one told you this was going to be easy! It is NOT easy but it is sooooo worth it!

Until you get the right level of restriction, which can seriously take 6 months, you are in Bandster Hell...its horrible but once you get enough fills you WILL lose weight consistently. The only way you can fail this band is to quit...

Go back to your doctor and tell them everything you told us!

A fever would be a clue...

Pretty normal...get some exercise early in the day.

3 cups per meal? That sounds like a lot!

It is a device that you wear on your arm that tracks your activity and steps taken and then you download it and put in what you eat...there is also Body Bug (seen on Biggest Loser)and Fitbit which seems to be the most popular and is available at Best Buy. Fitbit is tiny and it hooks up to myfitnesspal and you can friend all your peeps so you are all together on there...I think it costs around $80.

Are you still on clear liquids? Thats just broth, water, gatorade, and the clear protein drinks like Isopure. But if you are on to the (full liquids) creamy soups all the ones that come in the cartons (not cans) are pretty good. Some are V8 brand and some are others. Butternut squash, tomato, and roasted red pepper are my faves. YOu can add your protein powder to them.I guess you can also put the more chunkier soups in the blender.

Good luck to you! Its a great adventure...I would advise you to get a little exercise if you can now...it will help with your recovery!

Yes, Grider, nearly everyone has done that ! Forgive yourself and be nice to yourself its just not a big deal!