pixistix

The number one thing I can recommend is chewing VERY thoroughly, then waiting a minute or two between bites (especially after the first few). Also, making sure food is sufficiently "wet" helps me quite a bit. I add salsa, greek yogurt (mixed with Ranch dressing mix), a spritz of low cal salad dressing, etc. to help meat and bulky veggies go down. Once all your post-op swelling is over, this may not be much of an issue till you have proper restriction. I personally have never gotten really "stuck." But I have eaten too much too fast and gotten sick from it. It's not the end of the world, but it's not pleasant. I usually do pretty well, but occasionally in an unusual situation, I'll have an issue. Learn from my fail: if you're at a restaurant and you're having a problem, excuse yourself to the restroom until it is resolved. : \

I, too, had almost no post surgical pain. But it is still very important to take it easy after surgery. I overdid it and ended up having my stomach swell, causing terrible nausea for 4-5 days. Kick back relax, drink liquids, follow your doc's advice, no matter how "fine" you feel. Since then, things are going very well, BTW. Love my band. Best of luck to you!

That's terrific! Keep up the great work.

I had great luck with the Land's End line of all-over control bathing suits. They have some very pretty styles and you can find them online and at Sears. I haven't lost nearly as much as you have, but when my husband saw me in my new size suit he said, "Wow."

I have also had the experience of my band seeming tighter months after my last fill, for no apparent reason. I just chalked it up to the band being fickle. I think that as we lose weight (and change from exercise too), our insides shift around. Eventually this can result in needing more of a fill, since there's less fat inside pushing on our internal organs. But maybe sometimes it just means the band feels tighter.... As long as it's not too tight and you're not getting stuck more than usual, and you can still eat and drink okay, it doesn't sound like a problem. Do check with your doc, but you're probably okay. If the doc says anything interesting about this, be sure and let us know!

My surgeon gives me a little numbing shot first, so I don't feel the fill at all. The numbing shot stings for a second. Also, he has me lying down on my back while he does the fill, so there's no risk of fainting. Did your doc specifically tell you not to eat solids BEFORE a fill? Every doctor is different, but mine doesn't have any requirements for beforehand. He says to "take it easy" for the rest of the day afterwards. One thing that happened to me after my second fill, I was fine for a day and a half right after the fill. Then all of a sudden the band felt really tight the next day. So take it easy for a few days after a fill. Chew very well, wait a minute or two between bites to see how you feel. As it gets fuller and fuller, you'll start to see what it really feels like to have a band. It's an adjustment, but well worth the small hassle. P.S. I've even suddenly felt very tight TWO WEEKS after a fill! Why? I have no idea! The band can be fickle, but I love it anyway....

When I was reading up on the subject, I read that moisture and massage help, but not much else makes a difference. After they're healed, massage your scars with any type of lotion or aloe a couple of times a day. Mine have faded nicely to white.

One other suggestion, at least for the short term, is to just go to bed earlier. I have done this out of desperation before and it worked well. Sometimes it's just not feasible, but if it is a possibility for you, try it. Take a warm bath, get in your jammies and read a chapter of a book, and hit the hay by 9 or 10. More sleep helps with weight loss anyway.

Wow, this is happening to me too. I thought it was just peri-menopause (I'm 46). I hadn't connected it to weight loss, until now. Interesting....

I've also heard that you have to wait at least a year AFTER you're completely done losing weight to see exactly where your skin is going to end up. It takes time to snap back. A lot depends on age, genetics, etc. In the mean time, weight training can really help make positive physical changes to the underlying structure. It takes time to get used to these changes. It can be a major adjustment. There's nothing wrong with a one piece bathing suit. She's much much healthier and likely a lot more comfortable now. Be supportive. Tell her how beautiful and sexy you find her.

I've noticed that since I've been banded I have really strong cravings and hunger during PMS time. I never noticed it before because I was never NOT hungry and craving. But now it only drives me crazy right before my period. I just try to be really vigilant about small healthy Snacks mid morning and mid afternoon, and then sticking to what I've planned for lunch and dinner. Maybe throw in an extra Protein shake. Drink lots of Water. The cravings will pass and you'll feel really good about resisting them. Good luck!

I calculated my BMI today and I'm no longer morbidly obese. I'm just regular obese. Woo hoo! "Overweight" here I come! LOL

Yeah, that sounds like pretty extreme restriction. Did you just recently have a fill? Maybe you're having some temporary swelling from a recent fill. Otherwise.... The problem I would have with this level of restriction is that I would get so frustrated that I would turn to high calorie "slider" foods and end up having ice cream for dinner.... The most I ever have to wait between bites is 3-5 minutes. And that's if it's a very bread-like texture food.

I eat 100 calorie dark chocolate bar from Trader Joe's (but just one!). The way I see it, this has to be a sustainable lifestyle that I can live with for the rest of my life. I'm not willing to never eat chocolate again. I want slow, steady weight loss and a healthy life. So far, so good. http://organicsusana.com/images/1266071547775-843219552.jpeg

I'm not sure how much total fill you have, but I do wonder if you could use some more. It could help. What does your doc say? In my experience, having proper restriction made all the difference. One thing that helps me with portion control at meal times is having a small, nutritious snack mid-morning and mid-afternoon. If I let myself get too hungry, something goes haywire and I really lose my ability to make good decisions. A few nuts, a piece of fruit, some cheese or yogurt, a Protein shake or bar, etc. can really help. Also: you mention walking and biking, but how about some strength training to kick-start weight loss? Muscle tissue burns more calories day and night than any other, and it can really help to build even a little bit of muscle. If you don't have access to a gym, try sit-ups, wall push-ups, etc. Plus it can be a big psychological boost to see positive physical changes. Good luck and DON'T GIVE UP!