6Mo Post-Op Newbie Needs Guidance

Hello all!

I am new to this board and have enjoyed reading all of your stories and words of encouragement. I am 45yo and have been on a diet since I was 10; the Lap Band seemed like a lifeline for me. I have not yet had the success I was hoping for, though, and am relieved to hear other tales of slow starts.

My surgery was at the end of April 2012. A reaction to the anesthesia and side effects resulted in having all Fluid removed from my band for the first 3 months. I've lost 23+ pounds to date and am ready for things to move faster. Starting to see muscle definition, loose fitting clothes, running stairs with ease, and keeping up with my kids better than ever before.

I am finding, however, that any sources of swelling (PMS, cold&flu/respiratory congestion) cause me to get "stuck." I'm eating crazy small bites, but still hurting. This is just a flare up that comes out of nowhere when I think I'm otherwise doing well. Unexpected, and keeps me on liquids for a couple days at a time. I keep thinking of the story about how when your body thinks it's starving, it holds onto fat for dear life ... I don't want this to be me.

Does anyone have suggestions for how to better manage solids and side step flare ups of "stuck"? Also, what can I do to reach that sweet spot where the weight starts coming off faster?

Thanks for any insight!