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Miss A: congrats on the 10 pounds. I have lost 10 also in the last month, just from changing my diet. Now it is time to get my bootay in gear and get moving. Beckn: Swimming is a great exercise. It hit the triple digits here in Tucson and I am looking forward to usin our pool for some exercise. I love exercise that doesn't feel like exercise!!!

Nope. Scallops are one of my favorites because it is very band friendly for me. Shrimp is not so much. Everyone is different. Oh that mango salsa recipe was excellent, Except next time I am reducing the purple onion by half. Too much.

Holly I am the same as you. I never get that "full" feeling. I have to listen carefully to my stop signals and only eat my preportioned amount. Head hunger is a b***h. To the OP. Please be careful as you are still healing. Give your stomach time to heal properly so you don't run into problems down the road. Everything is will power for you right now. So gather every ounce you have to get you through. It may take a few fills before you notice a difference. In the meantime practice the bandster rules (once u are onto solids) so when you get there, you are prepared. Hang in there!! Don't beat yourself up over it. This is the sucky period that is really hard on a lot of people.

You can sooo do this!! I spent waaaay to long off the bandwagon and recently got back on track. I have lost 10 pounds already since recommitting 4 weeks ago. If I can do it... you can do it. I did not start over on a liquid diet. I just went back to basics and cut out all fast food, slider food, ice cream, etc. I eat 3-4oz of dense Protein and 1/2 cup of green veggies. I pack my lunch. Plan ahead. It takes a lot of work and discipline but it pays off. I have excellent restriction right now so that helps. What is your restriction like? It is imperative that you are at a god restriction.

beckn: Oh my. I am so sorry about your accidents. That can definitely put a wrench in things. I think the fact that you gained only 15 back is positive. Pre-band, imagine what that could have been. And you are already looking at taking steps to get it off. I am not sure what kind of exercising you can do with your spinal injuries. Have you talked to your doctor? I would start there. How is your restriction and eating habits? Do they need adjusting?

I am not counting my carbs or fat right now either. Focusing on quality and quantity. Mayo is full of bad fats. Try substituting hummus for mayo. Or fresh avocado. Just a thought.

That is amazing!!! Congrats!!! I never thought of becoming an instructor someday. What an awesome goal that would be.

Oh wow. I am surprised you suffered with a tight fill for 6 months. And surprised that the doctor didn't back out some of the fill right away when you had issues. I spent one night spitting my saliva in a cup because of a too tight fill. It was one of the most miserable nights of my life. My surgeon got me in first thing the next morning and backed a smidge out. I was good to go. My surgeon doesn't charge for a small unfill like that. Thankfully, since I am self pay. My fills cost me $100. Small fills at this point are probably your best option considering you are probably close to your green zone. I know it is frustrating, and expensive. Hang in there!! Hopefully the next one will do the trick.

Jean... Thanks for sharing. I did not know that an untreated hiatal hernia could cause a slip!! All the more reason to repair mine.

Yes. That sounds accurate. I LOVE Zumba and have worn my HRM in the class several times. I have burned in the 900's before. Crazy good workout!!

Green zone is a restriction level where you stay satiated on a bandster size amount of food for 4 hours without urge to snack in between. Some people lose there hunger all together. Not me. Some people call it the sweet spot. Here is a PDF that explains it: http://www.lapbandcentral.com/local/files/documentlibrary/AP_ART_OF_ADJUSTMENT_guide.pdf

Welcome. This site is great. Lots of information on here. Soak it up.

April 1: 329 April 8: 324 April 15: 323 Today: 321 Down 2. Very excited. Only 1 to go until goal.

I am not sure if mine was there during my original surgery. My surgeon said he would repair one if he found one, but there was no mention either way in my surgical notes. My first fill was under fluoroscopy and that doctor said I was refluxing the contrast. I didn't feel it, nor did I have any symptoms at the time. I had a EGD a few months after my banding back in 2008 and a hiatal hernia was observed at that time, but I wasn't advised. I found that out recently, last month, when I brought my test results with me to a new gastroenterologist who performed my second EGD. Confusing, I know. I had follow-up with several different doctors before finding my current one. Probably why this went undiagnosed for so long. Anyway, I am having symptoms now. Have been for awhile. But initially, no symptoms. I think that is fairly common NOT to have symptoms. I don't know if that means my hernia is worse? I just want relief. After talking to one of Dr M's staff yesterday, I already feel tons better. I am looking forward to my surgery consult on Thursday. Right now, I am leaning toward fixing the hernia and keeping the band. I may have to wait until July for the surgery, for financial reasons. My FSA funds reset then.

I am so sorry you are having a problem finding a good surgeon for follow-up. I am VERY fortunate to have found after care I LOVE. I had my surgery in another state since I am self pay, and in hindsight, I would never do that again. You are right, no one wants to touch you if they didn't operate on you. I have severe esophagitis and a hiatal hernia right now. I am in the process of scheduling repair surgery. My surgeon will unhook my band during the repair, and the re-hook it. i am worried about not finding good restriction after the hernia repair. Right now I am doing really good with my restriction. I hope you are able to find a good level! I have had my share of fills and unfills as well (24 fills, 8 unfills). A lot of them wasted due to a leak. It can be incredibly frustrating.

Maybe it is still swollen from surgery. The swelling could cause restriction. Did your doctor mention how bad the scarring was? That might play a role in your lingering restriction. Hopefully it subsides and you feel better soon!

When is the reflux? Just at night? After meals? Both? Have you tried OTC remedies. Pepcid AC EZ chews help me. Avoid caffeine, spicy food, citrus, and greasy foods. Don't eat in the 3 hours before bedtime. sleep with your head elevated slightly.

Skinny: What kind of hernia did you have repaired? Was it a hiatal hernia? I am planning on scheduling surgery to repair mine but am not 100% decided yet.

I wonder that sometimes when I am on track and doing well like I am now. I think "what if I made these life changes before" I don't think they would have stuck. Eventually I would get sick of whatever diet or change I made and revert back to my old habits. With the band, it is there to protest. It won't let me over eat. There are plenty of times where i had to stop eating physically because of the band, where otherwise I would have kept going because something tasted good, willpower be damned. The band is a constant reminder of my goal. And when I do fall off the bandwagon now, my weight gain is slower. I came around waaaay before I would have had I not been banded. So I definitely know the band is more helpful than just dieting alone.

My very first fill I was nauseous right afterwards. Thought I was going to throw up. After the extreme nausea passed I felt better. I was still nauseous for the rest of the day but only slightly. I drank plenty of fluids and it passed.

I finally cooked mine last week. It had been sitting in my cabinet forever. I just cooked it with chicken stock and it was pretty good, served it like rice with Salmon. Next time I am going to add something else with it too. It has a strong flavor, can't quite put my finger on it, that would be better if tamed slightly. All in all it is an excellent rice substitute. Fills me up quickly. I like side dishes that also provide a Protein source.

The sleeve wasnt as popular when I had my surgery 4 years ago. When choosing the band, my biggest reason for getting it was there was no permanent altercations done to my stomach. Now that seems like less of an issue to me. What makes me nervous about the sleeve is the return of hunger and the inability to make adjustments. I like that I can get a fill and tighten things up. I also LIKE the follow up with my surgeon. Keeps me accountable. Both surgeries have risks. Both surgeries take work. I think you need to decide what tool works with your lifestyle.

Well you can technically have anything you want from Starbucks. Lol But it is all liquid calories, so I would avoid it. They do have protein smoothies. Maybe try one of those?

Snacks: String cheese Hard boiled eggs stuffed with hummus 1 oz of almonds Apple with Peanut Butter Wheat thins w/laughing cow cheese wedge