aubrie

The fact that you belched makes me think that you had some trapped gas. Sometimes the gas will form a bubble. That's what it sounds like to me. Swordfish tends to be a more dense fish, and probably got you a bit stuck. When the gas built up, and couldn't pass because of the fish, you got the sliming effect. Excess gas feels like I'm stuck sometimes, but once I get a few really good burps in, I'm fine.

I'm looking at your stats. You didn't get a fill until August 21, 2008. That's just about 6 weeks ago, and it's showing that you have lost 29 pounds. Most people don't lose much until thier first fill. I think you have done a phenominal job!! Don't beat yourself up. this is a process that takes patience and committment. Personally, I think your doctor filled you up a bit to fast..... 8 CCs since July? that's a lot. I think you may be one of those people that has a delayed reaction on restriction. Be patient. At that rate of fill, you're bound to feel it eventually. Don't give up, and THINK POSITIVE. Meet with a nutritionist. I think if you evaluate your food choices, you will see that there are better options. Be sure you are drinking enough water. I think you're doing great. Just don't listen to that negative head talk.

I've gone 9 months with no issues what so ever, and could basically eat anything I wanted as long as I chewed well. I was completely unfilled the first of August due to gallbladder surgery. I had to start over again. Prior to surgery I was filled to 5.5 in a 10 CC band. I was filled to 5 cc on September 17th. So I'm still not up to where I was. But now starting last week on Monday, I have PBd 8 times. Prior to that I only PB twice in 9 months. What is up with that? This is all new to me. I don't know what to make of it. Protein foods seem to be the worst culprits, but even green beans had me in the bathroom seeking relief. Some meals I can eat just fine, with no problem. I had veal last night for dinner, and it was wonderful. But at lunch yesterday, I had two bites of fish, and couldn't even swallow spit. It came right back up. HORRIBLE. Since it's come and go, and differs day to day and meal to meal, I don't know if I should get an unfill or not. I'm not really experiencing any hunger, and don't feel weak, so I don't know if I should go with it or not. I'm finally losing at a really good pace and hate to ruin it. I've been losing slowly up to now. I'm confused about what to do.

I had to be completely unfilled due to gallbladder surgery. I was completely empty for three weeks while I was healing and had to start over again. I gained 5 pounds. It was a stuggle, but I measured my food like I always did, and tried my best to stick to it. Once I got my fills going again, it fell off in record time. I've lost 7 pounds since my last fill 3 weeks ago. Hang in there. It will work out fine.

Heather. Yes, I am the primary cook. I have always cooked healthy, just ate way to much of it. I cut back on my portions, and I guess maybe he is eating the portions that are left over. I've cut back on certain things, and he just runs over to Burger King or Sonic if he's still hungry. So he circumvents my efforts to control his caloric intake. He has even started offering me fries and ice cream!!!! He is definately stressed at his job, and I've noticed that rather than having a cocktail on Friday evenings at the end of a stressful week, or just on weekends, he's having a cocktail nightly before dinner. I know that adds up. He's not exercising at all. He used to walk the track at the gym. Now, nothing. I truly thought that my efforts would inspire him to exercise and maybe lose a few pounds. It boggles my mind that he's gained so much. He's gone from a 36 to a 40-42 inch waist in one year. I'm concerned for his health. Heart disease runs in his family. That doesn't seem to faze him.

the first 10 months of my lap band odyssey have been so easy. I had my fills, lost the weight, no problems or issues...... I did have gallbladder surgery the 1st of August and had a complete unfill. I had 5.5 CCs up to that point, and had to start over. I had 1 CC put in on September 17th to get me back to 5 CC. So I'm still not quite where I was. I was doing great. I went on a retreat weekend on Sept. 25 to the 28th. I did fine. I overate a little, and was uncomfortable, but no issues. Up to this point I had experienced a PB only twice in 10 months. Well, starting Monday the 30th (a week ago today) I have PBd 8 times!!! what is up with that? This long after my last fill? I'm supposed to go on Friday to get another one, but certainly don't need it now. why after all this time, am I having trouble with this now? I don't understand it? Why the delayed reaction? Comments?

Ditto on the cake being a little tricky. By all means have a small square inch of cake. Being banded is a blessing, not a life sentence. For me, the band is to help improve my quality of life, and celebrating a child's birthday is one of the sweet things in life you SHOULD be enjoying. By all means share your son's special day with him. But maybe have one of your relatives standby as a "monitor" if you feel you could lose control. I find that the square inch of cake is more than sufficient for me, and I'm happy with it. A tablespoon of ice cream will not ruin all your efforts. Think about your son's joy, and that tablespoon will be more than enough.... Have fun!!!

I was under 200 pounds before I started seeing a difference in my feet. I don't wear wide shoes anymore, and I went from a 7 to a 6 so far. I bought a pair of black classic pumps yesterday and even the 6 was a little loose. My ankles and toes no longer swell, and I can see my shins!!!

I just bought a new product. Mayo made with olive oil. I was a little aprehensive, but it was AWESOME!!!!! I think Hellman's makes it. Not sure. But it was delicious. I use olive oil to cook with, as I feel safer with it, so this was a good choice for me.

I agree with desert rose.... I won't touch margarine. The chemical make up is yuck. I like natural. Butter is better.

Barilla makes a multi grain pasta that is a lot more palatable than whole wheat. It is also enriched with protein and Omega-3. Perfect for bandsters. I just limit the size of the portion. The sauce and topping is what I focus on, but as far as pasta goes, it's all I use now....

I don't avoid carbs, just certain types of carbs. Some are processed better than others. If you don't allow for some carbs you'll end up with a terrible constipation problem. You don't want that. I eat sweet potatoes instead of white, brown rice instead of white, 100% whole wheat products instead of regular breads and pastas, etc. It's the glycemic index thing. I only eat root vegetables like beets, carrots, etc. on occasion. I eat all fruit, but limit the ones that are higher in sugar like pineapple and grapes. I lean more towards melon and strawberries. If I don't, I have serious bowel problems, and I didn't do this to be unhealthy. I did it to be healthy. It's all a "quality of life" thing for me.

Try going into a Victoria's Secret and telling them you want to get fitted for a nice bra. I sat in the dressing room for almost an hour and nobody helped me. I asked 3 or 4 different times. New people would come in all young, and trim and perky and the clerks bent over backwards to help them. I went home in tears. Even if I get down to 120 pounds and have PS I will NEVER set foot in that store again.

Sounds heavenly. I love smoked salmon sushi rolls. They are my favorite, and to date, I can still eat it. I don't have a problem with rice. I also like salmon mousse. It's light and so good. thumbs up on salmon. If you can get some good fillets at the market, try this. I make it all the time. It's become a family favorite and so simple to do. rinse salmon fillets and place in a grilling basket, skin side down. Coat the top of the fillets with reduced fat mayonnaise. Sprinkle with either Greek seasoning or Tony Chachere's cajun seasoning. Then top with parmesan cheese. Set grilling basket on the grill, with the fire on the far side set on low. close lid. It may cook unevenly, so just switch sides. Let it get nice and brown on top. It's AWESOME.

One of the reasons we all have problems regaining weight after a loss is the damage we have done to our metabolisms. We diet thinking we're doing ourselves a favor by starving, when in reality we have done just the opposite. We slowed it down and set ourselves up for gain. You'll have to jump start your metabolism again, and that will require several small meals a day, and consistant and regular exercise, and changing up the type of exercise. Don't sabatoge all your efforts. Be consistant. Your body will thank you. Starving yourself will also set you up for muscle loss, hair loss and a variety of other problems.

My standard fare includes: lowfat cottage cheese in the snack size cups for work. Bumblebee lemon pepper tuna. Seafood. Fresh fruit. cheese, frozen veggies, 1% milk, and salad stuff.

Stuff it in a tomato and bake it with cheese on top. YUM.

Actually, corn is a starch. It's a grain and high in carbs. I would only recommend it occasionally. There are so many fabulous veggies out there, many of which are great on the grill. I invested in a grilling basket. I toss them lightly with olive oil and seasonings and set the basket on the grill. Stir around until soft and tender. The flavor is so much better. Initially though, when I needed softer veggies, I liked squash (all kinds), eggplant, asparagus tips, and brocolli tops. As I progressed, I added more. I love vegetables, so I like them just plain steamed, but you can experiment with all kinds of seasonings and toppings.

Now that I'm off the liquid stage, I'm not allowed to have shakes. I'm only allowed them the first 24 hours after a fill. Period. Solid protein only. so check with your doctor first.

My surgeon encourages hearty bean soups!!! I LOVE black bean soup with slow cooked veggies. I don't know about you others, but a thick bean soup stays with me for a good long while. I also like lamb and lentil stew. The meat is so tender and everything else in the pot is good for you. It stays with me as well. I stay away from my favorite potato soup, but I ALWAYS have organic cream soups on hand for when I'm tight, sick or just filled. It's the only thing I want then..... I don't have a restriction on soup. Homemade soups can be made low fat and low carb. I prefer homemade anyway. Canned soup is to salty and the salt reduced tastes like crap.

Does it matter what kind of cheese it is? Is anything better than others? Cheddar? Colby Jack? Mozzarella? Swiss? It sounds wonderful. The only thing I have to battle as far as cravings and weakness is chips. I fail miserably every time. this sounds like a nice alternative.

Carla, sometimes a drastic reduction in calories can trigger a shut down or slow down of your metabolism, and you actually need more calories to continue losing. I've had this happen before. You're to tight. Get an adjustment and start eating your solid proteins and veggies!!! It's a must. If you are getting weak, you won't be able to exercise. That keeps the metabolism up at at peak. Go to the doctor as soon as possible. good luck and don't give up!!

I'm just the opposite. After banding I suffer from constipation. I didn't have the problem at all before. Now it's all the time. I hate it. I battle it constantly.

Well, I now have 4 scars from lap band and four scars from gallbladder surgery, and one from my hysterchtomy. I told my husband that now he can play "connect the dots" on my tummy!!

Frankly, I didn't even know it was an option at the time. I had galbladder surgery last month (9 months out). I had no pre symptoms or troubles. I didn't even fully know what a galbladder did. I thought it was something that old people got when they had a bad diet..... TOTAL ignorance on my part. I had a bad attack, had it out that night, and two days later had to have a second procedure to get stones out that were stuck in my bile ducts. Two surgeries in three days! It wasn't pleasant at all. I had jaundice and was all yellow and gross. But I don't think I would remove an organ that was functioning properly just as a preventive measure. But I do wish I was better informed that this was a possible complication......