1shauna1

Definitely liposuction in the abdomen! I might have a bit of droopy skin but I'm not sure I'll never get it as flat as I really want. Actually...probably what I would do (if it actually worked) is some sort of cellulite treatment on my thighs. Not that I'm ever gonna rock a miniskirt again, but I wouldn't mind wearing some shorts that didn't have to come to my knees! (not booty shorts! lol)

4 oz an hour isn't really that much; it's half a cup. I don't know what to say except maybe slow down a little if you're feeling really full or bloated.

Oooh, that's tough. You have such a great attitude about it though! Hopefully it will just be a learning experience for your friend.

Stick to your portion sizes, but if you're really hungry, I would add another snack or two of healthy foods in. It's going to be really tough until you start getting your fills (we've all been there; hang in there!).

Try adding some solid lean protein for a snack if you're hungry. Liquids are going to pass right through now, so stick with solids if you can. Many people try to aim around 800-1000 calories a day. And many docs say snacks are okay (you may need them until you start getting fills).

I know if it's small pill I'm okay. Big ones like big vitamins I wouldn't advise. I would suggest taking it later in the day (when your band is generally looser).

My advice is, follow the eating rules! They really do help. And if you get stuck (majority do), it's not the end of the world, you won't die (although it may feel like it ) and it's something to learn from. Also, you still have to do the majority of the work....the band is only a tool and it won't help you choose the healthy foods over the ice cream!

If you've been having trouble keeping solids down, go back a couple of steps to liquids and let your band settle (probably irritated from all the PBing). If you can leave a message at your doc's to get in as soon as you can.

You need to go back to your doctor and get some fluid taken out. This isn't normal.

There is flavourless protein powder made by Unjury. I don't know where to get it; I'm in Canada and am not sure it's available here.

I didn't have any limits on water (except to not drink too fast). If you're taking drinks (bigger than sips), I'm sure you'll be okay (gulps can hurt now). Broth is definitely okay too; also jello and popsicles were okay.

Nope, no loss of breath. The food goes down your esophagus and you're breathing through your windpipe. So don't worry about not being able to breathe. I think we all hope we'll never be stuck but the majority of us are. The first time is the worst, for sure, but you'll get through it. I was just stuck twice tonight!

I have read many threads/responses about how the first fill doesn't really do too much. it's often not until the second or third that some people start to feel restriction. So, don't stress too much, but you're still going to have to "diet" at this point. You can do it! Just eat the way you're supposed to, exercise, and book your next fill appointment now!

It definitely bothers me, I don't know about anyone else!lol. You're down an amazing amount of weight, and congratulations BTW! So don't focus on sadness and the "old you". Use those pics as motivation to NEVER go back there. File them away for if you feel your motivation slipping. Otherwise I would take a whole bunch of new pics of yourself and Celebrate what you've accomplished!

You said it's after your last fill....so maybe it's too tight? As you probably know, for whatever reason it can happen several weeks after the actual fill. Sorry you lost your job, but if you can't keep anything down you need to go to your doctor.

Hasn't happened to me, but I've read here if your band has slipped, you won't even be able to drink water or swallow your own saliva. As for your port, I think you can feel that, or if you can't, your doctor will probably find out when he tries to do a fill.

I do, but it's not because I'm replacing a food addiction with an alcohol addiction (food addiction is definitely still there!). It's because of a few reasons - now I live alone & a couple of nights a week I like to have some wine; sometimes if I've been having a stuck day I find it helps ease my band a bit. Those are the main ones. I do think I feel the effects a bit sooner than before, but probably only because I've probably been stuck most of the day so haven't eaten much & want to be able to eat at dinner (granted, it can lead to over-eating sadly).

Well, I am sure the food doesn't stay in your pouch after about half an hour (the time many of us are told to wait). By then it's gone through. So it's normal digestion by that point, but your hunger is sated. At least, that's what I find!

I like the Premier Protein pre-mixed shakes, you get them at Costco. But honestly I find all protein drinks have a funny taste...unless you drink with a straw! I know many of us have been told not to, but I just sip slowly. It gets rid of whatever funny odor I'm smelling/tasting and helps it go down easier.

You said it better than me! Pretty much what I was getting at! lol

Dox - probably not; if you have no fill, it's almost like you don't have a band in there! Don't worry too much. Many of us feel like we can eat anything before our first fill (even after it, sometimes). You will start to feel restriction after your first fill, hopefully!

I don't know....maybe you would think of yourself as fat still (I know many of us have issue with our body image)....but I would hope as Carolinagirl said, people would take you for who you are now, and be happy for you that you've succeeded.

Yes, I am! I have moisturized pretty much my whole body every day for years! (stomach, butt, arms, feet, legs, chest and of course face). I just use a regular moisturizer (right now I love Extra Strength Vaseline lotion; really keeps skin soft). I believe also the massaging motions you do help as they get the blood flowing to those areas. I do it right out of the shower and honestly it only takes about 2 minutes. I am worth that time! lol

The foods that you are eating, to me, sound very "hard". I have issues with sandwiches, wraps, etc. I know you may have eaten them before, but for me at least, just because I was able to eat something one day doesn't mean I could eat it another. Also, if it happens again where you are stuck in the morning, I would eat just liquids, mushies & easy to eat foods for the rest of the day. Your band was probably pretty swollen after all the sliming, so trying to eat solids & then a cheese steak sandwich was possibly very hard on it. Take it easy a couple of days and let things calm down inside. Then you can evaluate if you need a defill or not. When I'm stuck, sometimes things just have to come up. If you've gone this long without any stuck episodes, I'm sure you're fine. I would just let things calm down for a couple of days. AS for what to do during an episode, you could try papaya enzyme pills or some people swear by a little pineapple juice to help digest things. I have tried the papaya enzyme and it does work if I'm not TOO stuck. But as I said, if it gets to a bad point, I think it's better to just get it up than keep sliming & suffering. You're not actually vomiting, just getting that undigested food back up. Hope you feel better!

The Mio is good! I also love the Arizona Ice Tea mixes (they're like crystal light)....haven't seen them everywhere yet though! Edit - I just had a thought; when I worked in a spa they served lemon water and cucumber water. How about adding frozen fruit to water? They'll act as ice cubes and add a little flavour to your water!