dwrd73

I'm glad to hear that this worked for someone. I thought I read this somewhere before on this website and I asked my doctor if pinnapple juice would help and he told me "no." Well I'm not going try to get something stuck but I will keep some cans on hand for the next time it happens. Thanks for the advice.

Down 1 pound this week. I was hoping for more but at least I am losing. It seems really slow right now. I thought I would lose more since I had a fill last week. However, I'm feeling some restriction but not a whole lot. Generally when I fill full I can eat some more if I just wait a few minutes. I have a goal to lose 12 more pounds by Thanksgiving. I'll make it. There are 7 weeks to go. I just need a few weeks with losing 2 or more pounds. My next fill in on Nov. 6th.

That's great Cowboy. Brag all you want that's why we're here man.

2Big4U - Congrats on completing week #1. I'm still on week #3. I was going to do my third training run today but my knee feels a little sore. It's really only a minor soreness but I do not want to add any extra pressure on it. The last thing I want to do is injure myself. Tomorrow I think I'll run but on the eliptical. It's less pressure on the knees.

I agree...Don't worthy about it. There is no rule that you have to run 2 times or ten times during a 20 minute period. The fact that you are moving is the important part. And it doesn't matter how fast you go either. Enjoy the fact that you are doing more then what you were doing before you were banded.

I did this morning. I was my fault I was in a hurry during Breakfast. I made scrambled eggs for the family but I wasn't going to eat any because I had a Protein shake about 40 minutes earlier. I also had some Water while I was cooking the eggs. Anyway, I decided to eat them and being in a hurry I ended up not chewing very well. They got stuck. I immediately felt a strange pain in my stomach that went to my chest and throat. I walked around the house hoping the movement migh help the eggs go down quicker. I don't think it really helped. About 15 minutes later I threw up and finally felt some relief. I wasn't for another 30 - 45 later until the pain completely subsided and I was back to myself again. I'm sort of glad I experienced a PB like this. Now I know what to expect in the future and hopefully remembering the pain will help me to chew, chew, chew and take my time while eating. Let this be a reminder to all AUGUST ALLSTARS to remember to follow the rules and take your time chewing your food. PB's are not fun.:smile:

I like what Michee did. I think this is the best advice. My story is different. My wife and I both got banded and we both work in the same school. We are both teachers. I did not want to tell anyone b/c my BMI was lower and several close friends and family members did not think it was necessary for me. Anyway my surgery was done in August before going back to school so I didn't miss any school days. When my wife had surgery she had to miss a teacher inservice so she told our principal and a few others about the band. I was absent the same day, healing from surgery, but everyone at work just thought I was with my wife at the hospital. I was, just in another room. Anyway only two people at our school know about me. One had the same surgery several months before us and the other a good friend of my wife. Both understand why I am keeping quiet. It's funny sometimes when people come up to me and ask how my wife is doing or say wow your wife is losing a lot a weight. Finally the other day someone said they noticed my face is looking thinner as well. It better after droping 30 pounds. But noone has asked me what I am doing yet. I figure after another 10 - 20 pounds people are going to have to notice and say something. Eventually I will tell. I really do not care what others think. I'm just glad i am the thinnest male teacher in my halway now. Perhaps my decision for surgery will encourage other men to get it as well. I rather wait until I am a success story to share my decision.

I had some second thoughts as well. But now, a little over a month later and down 31 pounds I feel it was the best decision I ever made. My dad was extremely over weight i was year by year getting closer to what he was. I didn't want that for me. So at a BMI of just over 35 and high blood pressure I decided to get the surgery. Several nurses asked me why but I didn't let it bother me. A couple of them I wanted to ask why they haven't gone for surgery but I kept my mouth shut. My doctor said I was the thinest person he ever put the band in but I was also the easiest for him as well. For the past five years I have tried many diets and they all failed. Finally I found something that works. Even if I have some complication in the future and have to have the band adjusted I feel it is all worth it. I feel much better. My confidence is improving. I am able to exercise again. And the best part is, so far I am able to enjoy all the foods i did before, I just cannot eat as much of them. I love my band. Go for it. Be glad the insurance is paying for it. The first few days after surgery are not the best but once the gas is out it's out and you will feel better. The more you walk the more the gas gets out. By day four or five I was pretty much back to normal. I went back to work eight days after surgery. I'm a teacher and it was the first day of school so I was on my feet a lot. Everything went well. I kept a Water bottle close by and sat down if I needed to.

I'm starting my third week on a similar program and I have done the same as you...only adjusted the speed. Right now I am only concerned with building my endurance. I figure if I keep it up all fall and winter then this spring I will be able to run outside and start going to some races. So, later towards the spring, when my endurance is much better and I can run for much longer, then I will start playing around with the incline. At least these are my thoughts for now. I hope this helps. Just thought I would share what I am doing.

Great advice BarbBee. There is not reason for speed and everyone is different. Some people try running long distances or to fast to quickly and end up hurting themselves. You are doing great. Congratulations on moving on to week 4. I just looked at the podrunner website to check out the run for week three. I'm a little nervous of the three minute run. I may do what you did and spend some extra days on week three before moving on to week four. But that is one thing I like about this trainning program. It's flexible that each person can adjust it to meet their own needs. There is no pressure to actually complete the 10 week program in 10 weeks or 15 weeks. I love it. Keep it up Podrunners.

Generally Friday's and Saturdays, after my Friday morning weigh in, tend to be my bad eating days. The days I eat more and eat more of the unhealthier foods. Reguardless of how "bad" I eat I have to reming myself that I am not eating the same large amounts of the "bad" food that I was months ago. I love this band. It helps me control my eating so I can lose weight without feeling like I am on a diet. I always hated feeling like I was starving myself. Today I had everything from pizza to ice cream. I figure everything in moderation. Even skinny people eat pizza and ice cream so why not us? I did some walking today and tomorrow I'll hit the gym. As long as I am not over eating (which is impossible now) and I am losing weight, then I deserve a "bad" day now and then. We all do!

Well I just finished week 2 of Podrunner's Intervals and I feel great. I'm going to move on to week three.

Down 1.5 lbs this week. So I offically down 30.5 pounds.:tongue: Yesterday I got my first fill (2 cc's). I was on liquids last night so I do not feel anything different. It will be interesting today as I eat foods to see if I feel restriction.

My wife and I both had our first fills today. I had 2 cc's and my wife 1.5 cc's. I didn't feel lots of restriction when I sat up and drank the water. I get a slight full feeling. Doc said everyone is different. I watched as my wife was getting her fill and the doc showed me he knows he is in the port when he puts saline in and can also pull it back out. I would definitely call the your doctor's office tomorrow.

I am eating a meal or snack every three to four hours. Sometime's it's hard to tell the difference between a meal and a snack nowadays. Anyway i eat around five to six times per day. My nutritionist says it's best because it keeps my metabolism going. Plus I drink a lot of water throughout the day.

I glad to hear others are getting into exercises, especially run/walking. I checked out the couch to 5k program and a music podcast by a Robert U. (Sorry I don't remeber his last name.) Podrunner Intervals is very similar, but in my opinion it's a little more professionally done. Podrunner Intervals is also a 9 week program with a graduation run during the 10th week. I'm not in any rush to schedule a 5k in 9 weeks. I'm going to take each week as it comes and if I need to repeat a week's workout then that's what I'll do. I found some Turkey Trot races around Thanksgiving, but they may be too soon. I think I'm going to enter in the December Jingle Bell run if it's still around. I actually did this race about 6 years ago. The Mrs. is doing well. I bought her an ipod for her b-day and put podrunner intervals on it. I go her to go to the gym with me and now she is starting to run/walk some too. She is even talking about running a 5K sometime as well. To everyone - keep up the exercising. Whether you use podrunner or not, keep it fun. The more fun you have exercising the more you will want to exercise and stick with a program.

I think it's cool too. I never thought about asking for a picture when I had this test done. If I have a flourascopy again I'll definitely ask for a pic.

I am going to have to check this out. I saw the Couch to 5K program online. It's similar to another program I did years ago to but what I didn't like was constantly having to look at my watch to see if it was time to run or walk. I love the podrunner intervals because the music tell me when to change between running and walking. I just put on my ear buds and start moving. But I will check it out, however, I like the podrunner so much I don't think I will switch. Congratulations!!! I take it you will be doing the week ten graduation run next week. I'm glad to hear there are others out there that like the program. Actually I believe Podrunners Intervals is in the top 20 music podcasts downloaded from itunes. So there are lots of us. Good luck on your first 5K on Oct. 5th. I just finished my third workout on week 1. I think I am going to do one more workout on week one before I start week 2. Anyone one else going to join us???

You're such a big loser! Way to go! It's really exciting to see onederland. Keep up the good work and 184 will be here before you know it.

I'm glad this threas was started b/c I am having a hard time deciding if I should get a fill. I see my doctor this Thurday. I'm still losing 1 - 2 lbs a week but at this point I am starting to feel like I'm on a diet. I'm getting hungry more often and I am eating more. I'm definitely not eating the large size meals I use to eat before banding. So, I don't know if I will get a fill on not. It will be interesting to see how this week goes. Part of me feels that fills are part of the process so why not. Last time i saw my doctor he said he usually starts people off with 1-2cc. That really is not much. It also depends on how much time until my next appointment. If I have to wait six weeks then I may insist on the fill. If it's only four weeks and I lose some more this week then I may just wait and see how it goes. Thanks for everyones advice. I'll let you know what happens later this week.

I lost only 1 pound this week. I was hoping for at least 2 so I would hit my 30 lbs lost mark. Oh, well next week. I go for my first fill this week, on Thursday. Exercise: I started the Interval Podrunner podcast to run/walk up to a 5K. I love it. The music keeps me going on the tred mill. I completed the week 1 workout three times this past week. Mt last workout i actually went a total of two miles between my running & walking. I felt great.

I like the iced tea. Right after banding it was too sweet for me and I couldn't drink it. I actually started added extra water and then I was fine. I like how it helps me stay full longer plus it gives me 5 grams of protein.

The music intervals are timed. The dj plays a unique sound to let you know it's time to make the transition from walking to running and back to walking. One of the main reasons I like it is the fact I do not have to keep looking at a stopwatch. I just turn on my ipod and hit play. The music takes me through the workout.

I never really thought about the tubbing. So, how does one know how much is really in the band and how much is in the tubbing? There must be a logical answer, but I tired right now after a long stressful day and I can't seem to make sense of it. Does everyone have the same amount of tubbing? Or, does the doctor adjust it based on the patient?

I was told I could not have alcohol for the first year. Was anyone else told this? Can we have it in moderation? I'm really not a big drinker. I can go months without having a drink so I wasn't too upset about not having any alcohol for the first year. However, holidays are coming up in the next few months. Can I have a drink or two?