SageTracey

Eight glasses a day is a good guide. don't wait until you are thirsty to drink, try to sip regularly throughout the day, except for that half hour before and after you eat, of course. I have no trouble getting my water in, helped I guess by having given up soft drink! I always have a water bottle with me and just keep on refilling it throughout the day. With exercise, I drink more but still don't need to guzzle to be feel satisfied.

Take the first step followed by the second step and so on. Most people are too busy thinking about themselves than to take much notice of other people out exercising. Before you know it, you will be slimmer and fitter and will have no need to feel self-conscious at all. This from the woman who regularly dons the form-fitting lycra to cycle with other people! 12 months ago I wouldn't have been seen dead trying to exercise so I started on the exercise bike in the privacy of my lounge room and built up from there. Now I easily commute 30km to work, and love a great hill ride of 50km and further. The hardest step is truly the first one. You can do it!

Concentrate on getting your fluids up until you can see a dr. Also, your electrolytes. Here in Australia we have a frozen ice block product called Hydralite which was recommended to me by the ER when I had gastro a couple of weeks ago. Sometimes Water alone is not enough or can dilute your electrolyte levels. Dehydration is dangerous and must be treated promptly.

You could try upping your exercise as you may have reached a plateau. Hang in there.

And take care afterwards because you may have inflamed your esophagus. Stick to liquids for a few days.

Trying not to be judgemental - you can drink alcohol with the band but you will get drinker more quickly. And alcohol is empty calories. As my focus is on losing weight, I avoid empty calories as much as possible. I don't use marijuana or other illicit drugs so I won't comment on that other than to strongly urge you to discussion use fully with your surgeon so he/she can be sharper and prepared for any possible implications with your surgery and follow up.

Just remember that your experience was a long time ago. It must have been very unpleasant to leave you with such memories. First of all, discuss it with your surgeon AND anaesthesiologist. That way they can prepare for and hopefully avoid a recurrence. But also be reassured that medicine has come along way in the last three to four decades and the drugs they use now will probably be different to what you had back then.

Check with your dr but personally I wouldn't recommend it, especially with kids and with not being able to get the support you need at the other end.

Easter holidays start today and I haven't bought a single Easter egg or hot cross bun for myself or for anyone else!

I had my worst ever stuck episode yesterday when I ate a late lunch. This meant I was hungrier than usual and didn't pay attention to eating slowly and chewing properly. I was eating satay chicken and fried rice. Two bites in and I was in trouble for the rest of the day. The food came back but I managed to inflame my esophagus to the point where I couldn't eat or drink for the rest of the day without bringing it all back up. In the end I just sucked on iceblocks to ease the inflammation. Today I have had to be very careful and stick to liquids. I felt as though someone was sitting on my chest and that I couldn't breathe. It was very painful and if I hadn't read about being stuck on here, I would have thought I was having a heart attack! Lesson learnt.

Smart woman. When I told my surgeon that I had learnt to leave food on my plate, he was most impressed. It wasn't an easy lesson to learn but much nicer than suffering the consequences of that extra mouthful.

Definitely exercise! Apart from discovering that I enjoy it, I do believe it has made a significant difference in my weight loss.

I can feel mine but it doesn't bother me in any sleeping position.

I don't know where you are but there's a very nasty gastro going around here. Don't eat if you feel that you are going to vomit and be sure to see a dr early for some anti nausea treatment. I went to the ER last week and although I was still very sick, getting treatment early made me feel reassured about limiting any effect on my band.

I was overnight and glad of it for the pain relief and having people taking care of me. Enjoy whatever care you can get now - you will appreciate it later. But not to scare you - it really wasn't that bad, compared to giving birth or breaking a bone!

It's great that you are taking this decision so seriously. My tipping point was when my husband said he didn't want me to die or end up in a wheelchair because of my weight. He has been my greatest support on this journey and very much a part of my success. I have lost 60kg (about 135lb) in 12 months.

I have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) so assume that is what you are referring to as IBD. My IBS has improved with the improvements to my diet, but still plays up in times of stress and overtiredness. It really depends on what your triggers are. Good luck.

Choosing NOT to tell people is not about being ashamed. I took the view that this was a medical decision I had made and therefore it was no one else's business. I only told immediate family in case of issues during the actual surgery. Now as I am happily losing weight and keeping it off, I do tell people, especially if they ask directly if I have a lapband. Basically, I still believe it is no one else's business but my own, however, I will not lie to people either. I was worried about the food police in the beginning but, guess what - they appear even if they think you are "only" dieting! It truly is a case of telling whomever, whatever you feel comfortable in sharing with them. One major advantage of telling is that it does allow you to ask people for their support and that is critical.

Normal, normal, normal. Rejoice, you are normal! You will achieve restriction with a number of fills and you will enjoy success. Keep on following your doctor's guidelines and the results will follow. Getting the band is a lifestyle change and it truly is a case of one step at a time. Good luck.

My breasts have shrunk dramatically - yay! I have lost 60kg in 12 months and am thrilled with my progress. On the relationship front, my husband is my greatest champion and it was comment from him that spurred me into WLS - he didn't want to be pushing me around in a wheelchair because I was too heavy to walk. And he wanted me around for a very long time. Now he exercises with me, and even gets jealous if I get in a bike ride without him! Not only is our relationship better, but his cholesterol levels have also dropped, so I get to have him around for a long time, too.

I had this exact same conversation with several friends at dancing tonight. Two guys both told me not to lose any more weight or I would be too thin. Too thin for whom? For what? Neither of them asked about my health, my blood pressure or cholesterol levels. Both assumed that because I was sick with a gastro last week that is was because I had lost too much weight! Then another friend asked how much more I planned to lose. She wasn't suggesting that I needed to stop losing but it was just one too many and I replied that I wondered why people felt it was okay to discuss when I should stop losing weight yet no one had ever said that I should stop gaining weight! Most people in my life have only ever seen me when I was morbidly obese so I understand that they have to get used to the new me....so do I. But I have to find a weight that is both healthy and comfortable for me to live with and that will be my decision and no one else's.

Sadly it seems that some people value their so-called friendship with us because it makes them feel better or superior and when we improve our lives, they no longer feel as if they are better than us. Just remember that you can control your reactions, not theirs. Don't let their reactions change your commitment to improving your life. True friends will be with you through thick and thin, just as you will be for them.

You can drink but just remember that not only is it full of empty calories but it will also hit you harder and faster. I have the occasional glass of wine but more than one and I feel drunk!

Two days of liquids is a change for your body- that's why you are shaky. should pass as you return to food

MMM vegemite! You must be an Aussie. just spread a little on your finger and lick/suck it slowly so you get the taste. It won't take much to satisfy you.