Search the Community

First off I know what your daughter feels. I was fat all my life, the fat girl all through school. It is a miserable life to live. Second please have her throughly tested for thyroid problems, cushings and other possible weight causing diseases. If there is a medical reason, there are medications that could help her lose the weight. Third get rid of all the junk out of your house. You can't expect your daughter to lose weight and eat healthy if her brothers and the rest of the family eats crap. I know this is easier said than done. Fourth find a therapist & nutritionist that work specifically with child eating disorders...someone that specializes in the field. Fifth contact your local weight watchers, TOPS or weightloss group and join with your daughter. (Even if you don't need to lose a pound, show that you are willing to do whatever it takes to help her win this battle.) Sixth be supportive and understanding, dealing with a food addiction is worse than an alcohol or drug addition. Everyone has to eat and food is everywhere. Best of luck!

I think loosening it for an overseas trip, where care may not be available is a valid option, but not one you should be doing thinking that you can eat heaps on the trip and really enjoy yourself - that is the kind of dysfunctional thinking that made us fat in the first place. You can actually indulge in unusual or out of the ordinary foods on holidays without loosening your band, and you can enjoy it thoroughly. I think yo'[d find most doctors are willing to unfill for travel becuase it ensures band safety. To think you can unfill for one special occasion, that's not a very healthy way of thinking of life with the band. You need to be committed to a lifestyle change and that means your life no longer revolves around food - the whole point of a holiday or a wedding is not how much you can eat. And with a properly adjusted band, you can eat sensibly and enjoy special meals anyway- if you cant, you're too tight. When you get to goal, you can unfill. I never did, I stayed the same weight for years with the same fill, but recently, I had to be completely unfilled for cancer treatment. Amazingly it has not caused weight gain, over time on maintenance, you do learn to eat your caloric needs one way or another - and in hindsight, I was doing a fair bit of eating around my band - sweet treats, alcohol, Snacks, they made up the gap between the caloric values of the size meals I was able to eat and what my body needed, and they were the "extras' that I wasnt eating during the losing phase. When I was unfilled, i got straight onto tracking calories and have moved onto a three meals but bigger meals and healthier foods (all the fruit, vegies and salad I couldnt eat in real quantity while restricted) and I've actually lost about 20lb more (that I really didnt need to lose). I'm finding my balance over time, but am amazed that I need well over 2000 calories a day to maintain my 135lb - so my metabolism, given all the running and circuit training I do, is definitely not shot, its actually very healthy. But I exercised vigorously all the way through my loss and never dipped below 1500 calories, I think very low calorie diets are going to set you up for having quite a deal of trouble in the longer term maintaining your weight loss. Like the poster above me, I monitor my weight, and adjust if it goes up a little - had a big weekend away with a once in a lifetime gourmet dinner with wines matched to each course for our 20th anniversary. Ate breakfast, lunch and dinner in restaurants and cafes - yeah, got home with 3 extra pounds. So its back to 1400 calroies a day and right back on the exercise regime for the next week or so to shift it. If you remain aware, know what you're eating and are sensible, it is indeed possible to live unfilld once you've lost.

Well I had a single glass of wine yesterday since my last fill and was instantly very drunk! Been ill all day today with nausea and not being ale to keep any food down at all. So that's the end of alcohol for me !

Not to pick nits, but there's a big difference between liquid calories and "empty" calories. Empty calories are those that come without any nutritional benefits--and while one can indeed make that claim about alcohol, it's far from true about all liquid calories. If it were, we'd all starve to death on the liquid diet! Once bandsters are on solid foods, we are indeed told to avoid liquid calories to maximize the effect of the band. But that's not the same as saying that all liquid calories are "empty" calories. Sometimes liquid nutrition is VERY important!

The band has no effect on the way your body metabolizes alcohol. With Bypass however you can become impaired with very little alcohol because your body simply does not have the plumbing it used to. Just be concerned with the liquid calories and you will be fine. You should avoid carbonated beverages for at least a year because you could stretch the pouch. Some people have said they can no longer tollerate carbonated beverages because it just comes back up on them. What it comes down to is drinking responsibily.

My surgery is scheduled for the Tuesday after Labor Day, yikes! I will NOT be drinking alcohol that weekend, but it will be hard since I have a two graduation parties to attend. I tell myself, I can get through it, it's only temporary. Life will get more back to normal down the road post-op. I hope, anyway. Good luck on Friday and hang in there.

Ok I confess..... Last night instead of going straight to school... That evilness subconcious knocked out my lapband diet angel.....and ...made me decide to stop at WallyWorld(WalMart).... for what....for some SUGAR! sugar free candy that is....hey..hey I know what you are thinking ...it is not as bad as some of these other posts...but calories are calories...no matter what it is that you eat.... (ha! I recognize that today...what about last night....dumb..dumb) any hoot......I convinced myself I was going in to buy a bag of the sugar free peanut crunch only.....ha..... I bouth a bag of the sugar free peanut crunch...a bag of the sugar free reese's Peanut Butter cups and a bag of sugar free coffee chews. So I go back in the car...drive off to school and while driving had about 4 peanut crunch's, 3 peanut butter cups and 2 coffee chews.... there went a hard days work of exercising! Oh...and then I hide the bag and receipt in my bag and left it in the car last night.... after class guess what I was doing...yep ..:teeth_smile:.pucking...... Darn that evil voice for winning...... I was just out of control! Point is....we are no different than alcoholics...a sip of that drink...is still a drink!:crying:

You know how when you are on a diet and you begin to crave foods you haven't eaten in years....How do you combat those thoughts and feelings? I'm looking into this and thought I was ready until I started reading more. I've heard some people go to alcohol as their comfort instead of food?:thumbup:

They drove us to a tourist area in a group. We walked around for about an hour. I bought a little dress for my baby and a couple shot glasses. Spent $15. Don't ever pay what they ask, they expect you to haggle with them. They will try and give you a shot of tequila at every store, don't of it. Also remember that food, alcohol, etc will be confiscated at the border. Ask the driver. Take small bills to tip. Take your own broth/bouillon. The broth they have is gross. They freeze their jello so you may want to take that too, and your own ready made protein shakes. They have an endless supply of Popsicles, plenty of juice and bottled water. They will supply all of that included in your price. The worst part of the entire process is the blue dye and the rotten grapefruit tasting stuff you have to drink on x ray day. Getting the drainage tube out sucks too. I room shared with my mother in law. You pass gas mostly on day 2 and feel so crappy you don't really care. If you have a private room you have to pay extra. You won't have a private room day of surgery, there were 3 to a room. TV is available in the room but predominately Spanish. They offer free wifi. You may want to set up a plan so you can call from Mexico before you go. I have Verizon, it was $15 for 1000 minutes (or 99 cents a minute with no plan). Texts are 5 cents to receive, 50 cents to send. Crossing the border back into the US takes forever so be prepared for a wait. If you drive, parking is $18 a day. We drove, I'm only 4 hours from San Diego.

Maybe you can explain that to him, for many of us, the wrong foods are an addiction. And one of the hardest things about problems with food is that we can't just not eat. With cigarettes, alcohol, cocaine, what you do is completely eliminate the substance. We cannot do that.

I am a slow loser due to alcohol consumption. I am now limiting my intake to 4 drinks a week, mostly staying away from week days.

I have wine on occasion with no problem. Not very often though, maybe twice a month? (except when I was on that cruise in Nov; we had wine every night with dinner! lol) With alcohol I try to watch for both calories and impaired judgement -- i.e. I've heard many people say that they end up eating more at dinner when they have alcohol before or with the meal. At support group someone mentioned that they enjoy a glass of wine before dinner when they eat out with friends because they are tight and it relaxes them enough that they don't have problems with anything getting stuck. I'm not tight enough to have had anything get stuck anyway, so I can't corroborate.

I've always subtracts out fiber and sugar alcohols. The human body doesn't have the enzyme to break down fiber that's derived from plants, including fruits, vegetables and grains. Because your body cannot digest fiber, it does not provide calories for energy or nutrients for cells. I try to stick to foods that are low on the glycemic index. @@BaileyBariatrics are you a RD?

im in rhe uk and it seems to be alot different here i had consultation waited for funding approval then had a pre op appointment which consisted of seeing a dieticain who gave me a weeks pre op diet a anethatist to discuss knocking me out who just chatted looked in my throat then i saw a nurse had bloods taken and swab for mrsa , then got weighed and was sent on my way no sleep studies or ekg's etc most of your questions your preop nurse can answer all iv been told is be carefull with social drinking as alcohole is full of calories

Hi Cindy, I was told no ibuprofen at all or aspirin, only Tylenol. Also I think ibuprofen causes kidney damage. In fact I know it can, because it did for me a few years ago. I had a doctor who prescribed 8 a day because she was an alcoholic and drinking on the job. I got a new dr who found the problem and took me off 8 a day. Tylenol can cause liver damage though.

I found one friend who looked apparently at life as a competition. The 3 of us were friends for many, many years, we raised our kids together. When my other heavy friend and I divorced, she said she would never, EVER divorce her childrens father. She has dealt with his infidelity, her own, and a very emotionally abusive marriage for well over 25 years now. Through it all, she remained the slim, tiny one---as are her Mom, Dad, and both sisters---none of them are big. Well the other friend and I have both been banded now. I have had more success than my friend for whatever reasons...nothing she can control it seems---and the thin friend has nothing nice to say to either of us!!! She talks behind our backs---told anyone and everyone we were banded, like it mattered! The real kicker is she has now found religion, and found new friends, who understand how important marriage vows etc. are. Both of her new friends are big... I am not anti religion---just pointing out where she went with her holier than thou attitude. Long before being banded I too had an "A" type of friend. She starved and diet pilled her way to being thin. And that was all we could talk about. Her weight---what she ate, what she didn't eat----NOTHING could not be turned around to her weight again! I was trying to lose too, so wanted her to go walking with me, she could not be bothered, she preferred to pop pills. Now the only way she maintains is to drink--hard alcohol---it makes her tired, so she sleeps, and doesn't eat. I should have known then she was not my friend!! Ended up she is now hooked up with my ex husband--just takes me awhile sometimes!! Long before that even, the woman next door began slimming suddenly. Drastically! I finally ask her if she was ok, she said then she had had bypass surgery for WL. She lost down to maybe a size 8-10. I told her often back then how great she looked. She has some issues now with nutrition as we get older! But she still looks great, she never threw it in anyones face, and is constantly telling me how good I look. She did not push anyone away. I agree it is wonderful to have this site so we can obssess over things without having to subject those unbanded to our overactive thought proccesses involved in it!!! Once again I am VERY glad y'all are here!! Kat

Definitely drop the alcohol and your carb count. Too much for where you are, right now. I had to sign a document with my surgeon that I would not have alcohol, caffeine or starches until after 12 months. During the first 12 months, the honeymoon period, I can only have up to 40 carbs per day.

Hi 2steps! Well, I think you have already explained your problems. Now only to fix them. You have to leave the alcohol and corn puffs alone until you reach goal. I know, easier said than done... but just remember - it's not forever! Or at least until you fit your Christmas gown. It's only 7 Lbs.. you can definitely still get into it by Christmas. Also, you do need to change up your workout. Our bodies get acclimated to the same workout, especially if it's all we do every day. Try some new workouts, integrate some weights and more cardio. You will do fine. Sometimes we just go through these crazy stalls. Also, remember you are a lightweight. You lost incredibly fast in the beginning, your body may just be playing catch-up right now.

Had a really shitty week - stated off well by losing 7 lbs in a week. Then heard my stepmother died after a 4 week battle. Finally finished off by my ex-wife falling off a chair last night putting up decorations & begging me to take her to the hospital. so, I had a few drinks tonight ...... well, it turned into more than a bottle of wine ..... my doc advised me 12 months before having alcohol. I'm 6 months post-op

I was told it was a no go for six months and that my doc advises no more than a glass, preferably less. Keep in mind that alcohol will also dehydrate you and that's one of the last things we want.

I had my sleeve mid January. I waited a month before having any alcohol and only had a glass of wine. At 6 weeks, I had a martini. I drank both the wine and martini slowly over an hour or so. I didn't notice any difference than before my surgery.

I was a big beer drinker before surgery...a twelve pack a day was no challenge on a river trip or weekend camping. But alas, I cannot handle the carbonation postop. I've had a couple sips, but the fizz is a no go. (And yes, it still tasted yummy). As for the getting drunk faster, I have had wine and vodka cocktails postop, but I really didn't notice a big difference in "rate of buzzedness". Honestly, my desire for alcohol has drastically lessened since surgery. I guess that's a good thing. Waking up hangover-free after a few postop parties has been wonderful.

I'm not much of a drinker to begin with, but I'll admit that I had a sip of wine at 5 weeks out because it was my birthday. It kinda burned a little going down but otherwise did nothing. It was one sip of wine, no need to slam me. I had my first real drinks at 3 months out. I had 3 glasses of wine over the course of an evening. Guess what.. no difference at all in how I was affected. Nice little buzz but I wasn't falling down drunk, blacking out, or acting stupid. I haven't tried hard booze yet, but I can say from experience that wine affects me exactly the same way it did pre-surgery. If I want to get stupid drunk on wine, I'll have to drink a considerable amount of it. Fortunately I have no desire to get stupid drunk (or pile in all those extra calories.) As for weight loss, drinking is bound to have an adverse effect. Calories aside, the body will burn alcohol before anything else, so while you are burning alcohol, you aren't burning through those evil carbs or, in the absence of carbs, attacking the fat. All that said, I WILL be drinking 4th of July weekend and I might maybe possibly even choose to get drunk. If I gain weight over the weekend, it will be my own fault and I will pay for it and fix it. Even we sleevie peeps gotta live a little once in a while. Again, I'm not much of a drinker in any case, but I would say that anyone who has a great liking for alcohol should just avoid it entirely.

I haven't tried drinking yet, but I have taken zzzquil a couple of times to help me sleep since surgery. That has about 10% alcohol, and I can definitely feel a burning sensation as it goes down into my stomach.

My instructions said no alcohol for 3 months. At about 3.5 months I had about 3 ounces of Bourbon over a couple hour period. It ended badly. Safe to say I won't be doing that again for another few months or more. Not that I'm a huge drinker and had plans to start drinking regularly, but it was a major deterrent.