CheckYes

If you've lost some weight, perhaps you have less fat between your underwire and ribs now? Sorry... On my phone I can't see any signature information so I don't know how long you've been banded or how much you've lost...

I didn't have to do a pre op diet or bowel prep. My instructions were just to eat soft foods the day before surgery.

Stick a 1/4 cup measuring cup on your counter and don't eat more than what fits in there at a time.

I think your doctor is talking about volume of food rather than calories. When I was three months post op, I was eating a cup of food three times a day and I had no fill in my band at all. I would suspect you should be eating 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup of food per meal.

I've gone from a 9 to an 8!

I drink either Horizon or Organic Valley. One is closer to 4 to 1 than the other and I can't remember which right now!

Perhaps you are lactose intolerant? Try eliminating milk, dairy products and whey protein powder for a few days and see if that helps.

I agree with Jenn. Your body could still be recovering from the recent surgery. Don't get discouraged. Just stay on track.

No problem with raisins but i would limit dried fruit consumption - the calories and sugar really add up fast.

Pilates is great for the core because it is usually slow exercises that you can just not push as far if you feel any discomfort. I don't do sit ups but I do cross fit which is pretty intense. Planking is a great core exercise that is no contact or bending and, as the Internet craze proves, you can do it anywhere!

Can I suggest you get a foam roller? You can get them at Target and most sporting goods stores. Do a quick google search about foam rolling muscles. It's been really helpful for me. It hurts the first few weeks of rolling but, I swear, it ends up feeling good and is really helpful.

I drink an organic low fat chocolate milk after each workout. It has the perfect 4 carb to 1 protein ratio to promote rebuilding of muscle. Both my strength training coach and my triathlon coach recommended it. It also helps reduce muscle soreness after really intense workouts. In order for it to be effective, you have to drink it within 45 minutes of completing your workout. This is the only time I have something sweet like this because it's the only time your body can effectively burn sugar (right after a workout). Sometimes I work out just for the chocolate milk!

Whether or not you have loose skin has nothing to do with how much effort you put in. It has to do with many factors including, but not limited to, genetics, length of time obese, stretch marks, skin elasticity, exercise, circulation, etc. I know someone who took a year to lose her weight (over 100 pounds) and was 23. She ended up with a lower body lift with a circumferential incision. I will too but I've been overweight for 30 years.

I suspect it might be a psychological thing. Start really slowly. It took me quite a while to feel comfortable eating and I was rarely hungry despite having an empty band from Day 1. Start with yogurt and move into other foods from there. You will hit a major weight loss stall if you don't progress your eating. Maybe talk to your doctor to make sure there is nothing physical going on. You need to try hard to get on to solids. You may never feel satisfied of you don't.