So I just had my first week long business trip with my new band.

I was in meetings all day long, so lunch was catered. I was a bit worried about what was going to be available, so I carried a Muscle Milk Light in my bag just-in-case. The meals were not bad at all. Each day, chicken in some form was offered, and not breaded or fried, and a salad was available and I was able to put on my dressing.

I had my little eating computer with me, so I could sneak off after my meal and compute how well I did, and I believe that I did rather well. I was quite proud of myself. Although all week long I drank with my meal (and I'm trying to get myself out of that habit, but that one is difficult). Also, at this point in time, I'm going through the dreaded "Bander's Hell" where I can eat just about anything, and it'll go right down. So I'm not too concerned about the drinking with the meals.

The weekend of the Fourth posed its own difficulties, as I'm sure everyone else had to deal with, but I kept things together. I even tried my wife's low-carb pasta salad, albeit just a small portion. Again, finally performing my computations, I kept things in line.

Only once did I go above my carb limit during the past week, and that's when I treated myself to a Long Island Iced tea. It surprised me because it was very carbonated. When I made my own, I only put a splash of Coke in mine...and only for color. But, I sipped it slowly and enjoyed it. I didn't have any issues with the carbonation, but that doesn't mean I'm going to go out and enjoy a cold Coke, because I've worked very hard to get myself off of sodas.

So...anyone try Pork Rinds as a low-carb snack?

Throughout this "Bander's Hell", I've been able to eat everything I've had in my diet without any issues. I've not even thrown up or regurgitated anything (not even had the 'slimes' which I've read about). But I ate a few pork rinds and had a total blockage! It was very panic-inducing the first time it happened. I thought I swallowed a bolus that was just too large, but I was careful. I tried it again the day after, and the same thing happened. Very odd...but I'm going to keep away from pork rinds from now on.

This Friday is my first fill. I'm quite anxious for this visit for a few reasons: 1) I'd like to get out of this "Bander's Hell", 2) I'd like to see if I lost any weight since my last weigh-in on June 10, and 3) I really would like a little restriction in my band, as I think it would be too easy to eat too much in my current state...at least until I can get my mind wrapped around just how to eat well, and how much is good for me to maintain my weight loss.