sloanjd

I live at sea level and am currently on vacation at over 7000 feet in the mountains and my band is DEFINITELY tighter. Altitude obviously tightens the band for some reason but I don't know the science behind it.

Thanks Brad, it feels good to be back in the gym! Everyone was right, my port site soreness subsided by the next day (I was in the gym pool doing laps by night- felt good!!) My weight loss had come to an absolute stand-still so I figured I better start hitting the gym- have to fit into a size 14 bridesmaid dress in 2 weeks (I can zip it up now but I'm afraid the zipper my completely BUST! 10 more pounds it will fit like a glove)!! Goals are good! :cool:

OT- I just really, truly worked out (hardcore on the Elliptical machine) at my gym for the first time tonight since the sugery- I'm about 5 1/2 weeks post-op. My port site is now fairly sore (I'm about 40 minutes post workout). Is that normal because I just moved my muscle where it is attached quite a bit for the first time and so it is just letting me know to take it a little easier, or did I possibly tear or flip the port? Thoughts appreciated... Thanks!

Thanks for all the feedback regarding morning tightness of the band. FYI- I've made it a point not to skip meals (thanks to advice I previously read on here) and have lost more weight even though my calorie intake probably increased somewhat (guess my body wasn't responding well to starvation mode). I can't update my ticker.... suggestions appreciated.

Okay, this is really good to know!! I don't know where I got this 'four bite' thing, but I'm glad to know that is not typical b/c I can eat significantly more than that. I was under the impression that, once banded, we could or should only be able to eat a few bites of food at any one sitting. My education classes kept stressing that our new stomach is the size of our thumb and should only get as large as an egg and we shouldn't eat more than a 1/2 cup to a cup of food- that's not much food! I was worried I might stretch my new stomach. Glad to know that it seems I'm not eating too much! Does anyone's band seem tighter in the morning? My first couple bites of breakfast have been causing me to 'slime', get that knot in my throat, and feel like I might vomit (but i haven't pb'ed). After that, I can finish my breakfast and I'm fine the rest of the day. Anyone know why this would happen?

Beedo- you're so right! I had my first fill on Friday and am disappointed regarding how much I can still comfortably eat. Is this normal this soon after a fill? I want to be full after maybe four bites of food but can easily eat at least ten bites... I'm starting to realize even the band isn't a magic fix, it's still going to take a lot of hard work... Missy MS- you were right- I cut my salt and drank more water and those four pounds I gained just slipped back off- thanks.

I loathe journaling (once you get a fill, do you really need to journal b/c you can't eat much, right?). Trieger, you're right, complete restaurant avoidance is unrealistic- I like your guidelines- going to impliment them if I do eat out.

Thanks Leila- I am not journaling. Restruants are killers- even if I plan to be good, I'm usually not- I think avoidance for now is a wise recommendation. If it's not accesible, I can't eat it!! Any suggestions to get rid of water retention?

I usually like a good drama but even I'm getting sick of this topic now (however, I like all the players on both sides of the debate so I don't want the thread to go away- we're like our own little dysfunctional family due to this thread!) OT (off topic (for Savvy Cat)) - I've entered bandster hell.... In the last two days, I've gained 4 pounds... I'm sickened by this. Starting Monday, I went to Tai food and ate too much- Think I got something stuck b/c I felt sick for the next 12 hours (but no vomitting). Tuesday morning, put meat tenderizer in water and the problem resolved. Then ate the rest of my Tai leftovers . Amazingly and luckily it went down this time w/o a problem. It's now Wed. I weighed myself today and am up four pounds since Sunday. As if this weren't bad enough, slipping into my all or nothing past bad habits, I ate a good helping of tator tots this morning. I'm getting my first fill on Friday- I unjustifiably justified my behavior by telling myself this was my last chance before my fill- even know I know this is the kind of bull____ thinking that helped me pack on the weight. I'm really concerned b/c at my two week post-op appt. I had only lost 8 pounds. By Friday, two weeks later, I may be down only another three pounds or so instead of the 8 pounds down I was aiming for. I wanted to be 220 by Friday and am 225 today. I was so close Sunday- 221. I'm thinking about doing all liquids until Friday. I feel like my Dr. will be disappointed, and although I know this is my journey, the thought of him being disappointed in my progress still bothers me. This sounds like a lot of pathetic venting and feeling sorry for myself but I have to get it out so I don't self sabatoge any more. Does anyone have any suggestions or stories about dealing with or beating banderster hell?

Yes, my Dr. showed me how to feel the port (do a half sit-up and press down on the left side about 2 inches to the side of belly button). I can feel it there when I do this. My port incision site is about 2 1/2 or 3 inches above the actual port location.

Thank you Btrieger! The link to the ticker tutorial is awesome! I had missed a step.